The press of Zhongli's sole against his thigh, inviting Ajax to indulge more. The Harbinger savors this scandalous contact of skin to skin between them. Would he kiss it? Yes— preposterous as that seems. (Who loses their cool over a bare ankle anyway?!) Yes and he'd do a dozen more things to every inch of Zhongli's body. He wants to see this man in the throes of passion. Wants to see him overwhelmed. But not in his usual blazing rush of glory, no. Perhaps for the first time, Ajax catches a glimpse of understanding of those who favor their strategies and intrigue over the crisp decisive results of action. For the only thing more enticing than seeing Zhongli undone by Ajax's own hand is the thought of that slow realization dawning in those beautiful golden eyes as Ajax careens them both of that cliff, Zhongli helpless to prevent it and not wanting to anyway.
Ugh! Distracting. This is much too distracting!
Which makes it hard to pinpoint just what is triggering the sense of unease that tingles at the corner of his senses. Zhongli's move is not incorrect, but it's not quite right either. And it's not because it's the thrill of something reckless or unexpected. No, it's— it's— an offering? a compromise? another layer to their interactions that are becoming so complex, Ajax is not sure what is supposed to be tactics and what is supposed to be innuendo anymore? Impossible to tell. But he hasn't lost yet, which means the only path forward is well— forward. Forward with a charming grin and the sharp edge of a blade. Surely it will work out in the end. Somehow it always had for him.
The press of Zhongli's shoe and the warmth of Zhongli's breath ghosts over the back of his hand. He needs that hand to continue the game, but is too selfish to even think about disentangling his hand from Zhongli and his oh so intoxicating attention.
So Ajax doesn't allow Zhongli's hand to drop his as moves them both across the board. Together their fingers find the slick acrylic of his queen's many-pronged crown. (He doesn't trust getting close to the rook. Either of them. He doesn't know why. But instinct that has helped him claim victory many a time demands it.) Together they slide the queen wildly across the board almost as deep into the heart of enemy territory as Ajax's own knight is just to eliminate Zhongli's knight. It's reckless and bold. Surely his queen will be eliminated in the next few turns for such a move (if it lasts that long. It cannot last that long if Ajax is meant to seize victory). But the queen stands proud and tall and unintimidated surrounded by her enemies, facing the king. And her knight lurks in the shadows behind him, waiting to ensnare him as he falls into the abyss. ]
Oh. You're being a little bit naughty, aren't you? I can play that game too, you know.
[ It's now Ajax's turn to pull Zhongli's hand to his lips. But unlike the coy teasing that proved to be incredibly effective against Ajax, the vanguard unashamedly nips at one his knuckles like a misbehaving puppy before soothing the away the pink indents of his teeth with his thumb. Not a kiss so not breaking the rules of their little engagement. But oh does he so not want to apply even the slightest amount of brakes to their escalation. ]
no subject
The press of Zhongli's sole against his thigh, inviting Ajax to indulge more. The Harbinger savors this scandalous contact of skin to skin between them. Would he kiss it? Yes— preposterous as that seems. (Who loses their cool over a bare ankle anyway?!) Yes and he'd do a dozen more things to every inch of Zhongli's body. He wants to see this man in the throes of passion. Wants to see him overwhelmed. But not in his usual blazing rush of glory, no. Perhaps for the first time, Ajax catches a glimpse of understanding of those who favor their strategies and intrigue over the crisp decisive results of action. For the only thing more enticing than seeing Zhongli undone by Ajax's own hand is the thought of that slow realization dawning in those beautiful golden eyes as Ajax careens them both of that cliff, Zhongli helpless to prevent it and not wanting to anyway.
Ugh! Distracting. This is much too distracting!
Which makes it hard to pinpoint just what is triggering the sense of unease that tingles at the corner of his senses. Zhongli's move is not incorrect, but it's not quite right either. And it's not because it's the thrill of something reckless or unexpected. No, it's— it's— an offering? a compromise? another layer to their interactions that are becoming so complex, Ajax is not sure what is supposed to be tactics and what is supposed to be innuendo anymore? Impossible to tell. But he hasn't lost yet, which means the only path forward is well— forward. Forward with a charming grin and the sharp edge of a blade. Surely it will work out in the end. Somehow it always had for him.
The press of Zhongli's shoe and the warmth of Zhongli's breath ghosts over the back of his hand. He needs that hand to continue the game, but is too selfish to even think about disentangling his hand from Zhongli and his oh so intoxicating attention.
So Ajax doesn't allow Zhongli's hand to drop his as moves them both across the board. Together their fingers find the slick acrylic of his queen's many-pronged crown. (He doesn't trust getting close to the rook. Either of them. He doesn't know why. But instinct that has helped him claim victory many a time demands it.) Together they slide the queen wildly across the board almost as deep into the heart of enemy territory as Ajax's own knight is just to eliminate Zhongli's knight. It's reckless and bold. Surely his queen will be eliminated in the next few turns for such a move (if it lasts that long. It cannot last that long if Ajax is meant to seize victory). But the queen stands proud and tall and unintimidated surrounded by her enemies, facing the king. And her knight lurks in the shadows behind him, waiting to ensnare him as he falls into the abyss. ]
Oh. You're being a little bit naughty, aren't you? I can play that game too, you know.
[ It's now Ajax's turn to pull Zhongli's hand to his lips. But unlike the coy teasing that proved to be incredibly effective against Ajax, the vanguard unashamedly nips at one his knuckles like a misbehaving puppy before soothing the away the pink indents of his teeth with his thumb. Not a kiss so not breaking the rules of their little engagement. But oh does he so not want to apply even the slightest amount of brakes to their escalation. ]
Check, xiansheng.