[ For perhaps the first time, Ajax truly blue screens. His eyes widen in shock as if he can't believe what he's hearing— because he doesn't. That sweet inviting tone of Zhongli's voice is something he only fantasized about in the privacy of his bed — not here and definitely not saying these things. ]
Whatever I—
[ And then Zhongli lays out the reward for his own win, and Ajax can feel the flush all the way up to the tips of his ears.
Oh.
Oh.
Normally, Ajax would recoil from such an offer, willful creature that he is. He always liked to have at least one hand on the driver's wheel even if the Tsaritsa sat next to him, calmly delivering order after order in a tone that conveyed the price of disobedience. The thought of allowing Zhongli to decide everything sends a unique and chilling thrill up his spine. The thought of Zhongli (Ajax's hand in his) smiling that too handsome smile and tugging him to an evening of his own design...
Ajax's fingers twitch in Zhongli's grip. His blush does not fade. ]
Okay.
[ Ajax's voice is embarrassingly small even to his own ears, but soon that boyish grin spreads across his face, thawing the ice of vigilance and mistrust. He was Ajax now — the toy seller. Ajax— a simple boy on a simple date with a man who he had a not-so-simple crush on. This was still a win-win— would still be his win. And he'd be a complete fool to let this opportunity pass him by. ]
You have a deal, Mr. Zhongli.
[ And he taps the consultant's most recently moved piece with a forefinger just to let him know he understand the stakes. Just to let him know he knew exactly what Zhongli was doing and was infatuated with him even moreso because of it.
Ajax's knight sweeps across the board to land side-by-side, so close and yet unable to attack or defend against each other. It's a deviation from Ajax's previous scheme but equally (if not moreso) risky. Can Zhongli defend his king when his knight has so thoroughly and brazenly infiltrated his ranks? ]
no subject
Whatever I—
[ And then Zhongli lays out the reward for his own win, and Ajax can feel the flush all the way up to the tips of his ears.
Oh.
Oh.
Normally, Ajax would recoil from such an offer, willful creature that he is. He always liked to have at least one hand on the driver's wheel even if the Tsaritsa sat next to him, calmly delivering order after order in a tone that conveyed the price of disobedience. The thought of allowing Zhongli to decide everything sends a unique and chilling thrill up his spine. The thought of Zhongli (Ajax's hand in his) smiling that too handsome smile and tugging him to an evening of his own design...
Ajax's fingers twitch in Zhongli's grip. His blush does not fade. ]
Okay.
[ Ajax's voice is embarrassingly small even to his own ears, but soon that boyish grin spreads across his face, thawing the ice of vigilance and mistrust. He was Ajax now — the toy seller. Ajax— a simple boy on a simple date with a man who he had a not-so-simple crush on. This was still a win-win— would still be his win. And he'd be a complete fool to let this opportunity pass him by. ]
You have a deal, Mr. Zhongli.
[ And he taps the consultant's most recently moved piece with a forefinger just to let him know he understand the stakes. Just to let him know he knew exactly what Zhongli was doing and was infatuated with him even moreso because of it.
Ajax's knight sweeps across the board to land side-by-side, so close and yet unable to attack or defend against each other. It's a deviation from Ajax's previous scheme but equally (if not moreso) risky. Can Zhongli defend his king when his knight has so thoroughly and brazenly infiltrated his ranks? ]
Check.
[ But not quite yet mate. ]