[There’s an art to restraint that Zhongli has perfected over the years, what seems like centuries. And yet, this vivacious, charming man in front of him, seems to have found a way to steadily erode that practiced discipline. Like an orange cat that found something of interest behind a wall, and is stubbornly and willfully digging its claws in, chipping it bit by bit. And yet, the flicker of admiration rises unbidden.
And then, under the table, Ajax mirrors his earlier motion, the curve of his sneaker pressing with an intent that is bolder, less refined, yet no less effective. The pressure against his heel is more assertive than teasing, the rough contrast of his trainer grazing over sensitive, vulnerable places. A touch that feels like a declaration in its own right. Zhongli exhales softly, his lips curling into a subtle smile.]
"Tempered me", have you? [His golden eyes lift from the board to meet Ajax’s, his gaze steady but alight with a warm, teasing glint. And if his voice had raised playfully, fondly, before, it drops yet again a fraction, low enough that it feels like a shared secret between them, woven into the space they’ve claimed in this moment.] Perhaps.
Or perhaps, Ajax, you’ve encouraged me to indulge a little.
[Who sounds like a cat who got the cream, here? Zhongli slides his knight into a position that defends the rook and simultaneously opens a line of attack on the other side of the board. Ajax's knight, moving after the other, move out of the way for a dual purpose—keeping the rook free, and another sentinel to prepare for an unseen strike. His queen remains silent, untouched, biding her time, yet her presence looms over the field, a full line aimed at the king on the other side.]
Boldness is very appealing, Ajax. It certainly has its allure. I do admire it. [His foot shifts again, sliding up the length of Ajax’s calf in a deliberate counterstroke, the polished leather smooth against the fabric of Ajax’s trousers. It lingers just long enough, coiled around that leg, for half a second, pulsing.] But it’s the balance of restraint and daring that truly defines a... good performance.
[His tone softens just slightly, an undercurrent of genuine curiosity threading through his words.] Is there ever a moment when you hold back?
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And then, under the table, Ajax mirrors his earlier motion, the curve of his sneaker pressing with an intent that is bolder, less refined, yet no less effective. The pressure against his heel is more assertive than teasing, the rough contrast of his trainer grazing over sensitive, vulnerable places. A touch that feels like a declaration in its own right. Zhongli exhales softly, his lips curling into a subtle smile.]
"Tempered me", have you? [His golden eyes lift from the board to meet Ajax’s, his gaze steady but alight with a warm, teasing glint. And if his voice had raised playfully, fondly, before, it drops yet again a fraction, low enough that it feels like a shared secret between them, woven into the space they’ve claimed in this moment.] Perhaps.
Or perhaps, Ajax, you’ve encouraged me to indulge a little.
[Who sounds like a cat who got the cream, here? Zhongli slides his knight into a position that defends the rook and simultaneously opens a line of attack on the other side of the board. Ajax's knight, moving after the other, move out of the way for a dual purpose—keeping the rook free, and another sentinel to prepare for an unseen strike. His queen remains silent, untouched, biding her time, yet her presence looms over the field, a full line aimed at the king on the other side.]
Boldness is very appealing, Ajax. It certainly has its allure. I do admire it. [His foot shifts again, sliding up the length of Ajax’s calf in a deliberate counterstroke, the polished leather smooth against the fabric of Ajax’s trousers. It lingers just long enough, coiled around that leg, for half a second, pulsing.] But it’s the balance of restraint and daring that truly defines a... good performance.
[His tone softens just slightly, an undercurrent of genuine curiosity threading through his words.] Is there ever a moment when you hold back?