[ Ajax looks positively giddy with the thought that Zhongli might text him first. Maybe he should be a polite boy and be patient so he can roll around in the serotonin hit that is sure to come with Zhongli's name appearing on his locked screen. What a pleasant surprise that would be! ]

I'd love to meet your dog. Narwhal already adores you, the little traitor, and probably needs friends his own uh... haha, species?

[ The rest of the night is an enjoyable blur of activities— Ajax vividly remembers bragging about how he could handle his spice before Zhongli soothed his sore ego with specialty drink after specialty drink. Oh, he'd have to train himself to handle it. Maybe it was like building any other muscle by exposing yourself to harsher and harsher spices until one day he'd be able to down even the spiciest of Liyue food with a smile. How impressed would Mr. Zhongli be then!

Ah, but all good things come to an end, and Ajax feels Zhongli squeeze his hand and bid him a soft and tender farewell that makes his heart clench. For a moment, he stands there transfixed, the warmth of their touch warming his heart as he leans in and—



Rests his forehead against Zhongli's with a soft smile of his own. ]

Me, too, Mister Zhongli. Don't be a stranger, okay?

[ He can feel the heat rising in his cheeks and his impulses screaming at him as he uncharacteristically denies them to ensure a proper first date farewell for his very handsome and very proper first date. ]

I'm sure we'll be in touch.