[ Honestly, the sincerity in Zhongli's concern catches Ajax a bit off guard. Failure was failure, after all, and certainly nothing to be coddled over. He can't recall the last time someone had showed encouragement toward him over a mistake. But yeah, — yeah, Zhongli was the type of person who probably encouraged people with kindness and compassion. So it should come as no surprise that he'd be equally kind to Ajax even knowing nothing about what had transpired.

(Maybe if he really knew what Ajax had been trying to do, he wouldn't be so generous.) ]

You're sweeter than any ice cream, Xiansheng. I much prefer to be in your company. So don't too be too generous, yeah? Because I'll definitely take advantage.

[ What was meant to be flirty immediately backfires when Zhongli looks at him like that, however. Dear Archons, his face must be red as his hair at this point and still Zhongli had the audacity to look... what was that anyway? Fond? Ugh. (He's so down bad.)

Ajax's fingers twitch as Zhongli brushes up against them, itching to take Zhongli's hand in his. But he really shouldn't—

No. Why shouldn't he? Who was Ajax to not take every opportunity and embrace it for what it was worth? He wouldn't be where he was today if he was prone to reservation and safety.

So he takes Zhongli's hand, thumb brushing over the lines in his palm. ]

I'd like that. I'd like that a lot.

[ Now if only his words could be as smooth... ]