[ Ajax practically preens at the hand carding through his hair, leaning in for the affectionate as shameless as Narwhal ever was in begging for attention. Like owner, like pet. Or so it seems.

His next boast will probably sound more conceited if not for how eager to please his expression obviously is: ]

Of course I did. I rise to every challenge!

[ But that hesitation, that guilt that starts to cloud Zhongli's vision. That won't do at all! Not on Ajax's watch. (Never when he was allowed to be Ajax in front of Zhongli.)

Ajax leans in close, hands cupping Zhongli's cheek so his index fingers can poke at the corners of his mouth, pulling them up into a bit of a silly (and coerced) smile. ]

Now now now. No time for whatever that thought was.

I like spoiling you, xiansheng. It's not any more complicated than that. Mmmkay?