[ The rest of the evening is spent in a whirlwind of stalls and booths and lengthy explanations with Ajax hanging on Zhongli's every word. He is perhaps most animated at the toymaker's, absorbing with rapt fascination the centuries old hand-made traditions that have been kept for the simple kites and dolls when mass-produced machinery created the lion's share of the modern market. And even if he did get swindled a bit when Zhongli wasn't looking, Ajax does purchase a bit of jade at well above market value — a plan for later spinning in his head as he tucks it away before the older man can notice.
As they drift along the pier, Ajax catches Zhongli giving him a look more than once though he's not sure exactly what the other is thinking about and can't stare for too long lest he be considered rude.
Has he done something off-putting? Fumbled important Liyuen culture? Have something on his face from one of the sweets he had purchased for the two of them to share (even though Childe's belly was so full from everything he had eaten today).
Ajax is so absorbed in investigating his own behavior under a microscope that the hesitance and doubt in Zhongli's voice catches him completely off guard. And oh, that won't do. That won't do at all! Good thing Ajax was a confidence booster extraordinaire — both for himself and others when the need arose. ]
Now now. Mister Zhongli.
[ Ajax's hands go to smooth the already impeccably starched and flat collar of his coat. The smile that has been there all night still beams up at him even though it is tinged with the promise of a person who is definitely going to have a little fun at someone else's expense. ]
I'm having a great time. One that I'm sure my sweet princess of a little sister will tease me for when I slip back home at this hour. But—! I wouldn't trade it for the world, and I certainly will not have you returning home thinking that you were demanding or a bother when that couldn't be further from the truth.
You're quite the catch, don't you know? Handsome. Well-connected. A perfect gentleman.
[ His hands slide lower down Zhongli's chest and down those abs that were almost making him jealous. Maybe the consultant could give him some tips on this subject, too, later. ]
And ripped! Though why are you hiding that under all these layers of clothes? —No, actually, that's for the best! It makes me feel special to know that I might be one of the few who knows that little secret.
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As they drift along the pier, Ajax catches Zhongli giving him a look more than once though he's not sure exactly what the other is thinking about and can't stare for too long lest he be considered rude.
Has he done something off-putting? Fumbled important Liyuen culture? Have something on his face from one of the sweets he had purchased for the two of them to share (even though Childe's belly was so full from everything he had eaten today).
Ajax is so absorbed in investigating his own behavior under a microscope that the hesitance and doubt in Zhongli's voice catches him completely off guard. And oh, that won't do. That won't do at all! Good thing Ajax was a confidence booster extraordinaire — both for himself and others when the need arose. ]
Now now. Mister Zhongli.
[ Ajax's hands go to smooth the already impeccably starched and flat collar of his coat. The smile that has been there all night still beams up at him even though it is tinged with the promise of a person who is definitely going to have a little fun at someone else's expense. ]
I'm having a great time. One that I'm sure my sweet princess of a little sister will tease me for when I slip back home at this hour. But—! I wouldn't trade it for the world, and I certainly will not have you returning home thinking that you were demanding or a bother when that couldn't be further from the truth.
You're quite the catch, don't you know? Handsome. Well-connected. A perfect gentleman.
[ His hands slide lower down Zhongli's chest and down those abs that were almost making him jealous. Maybe the consultant could give him some tips on this subject, too, later. ]
And ripped! Though why are you hiding that under all these layers of clothes? —No, actually, that's for the best! It makes me feel special to know that I might be one of the few who knows that little secret.