[ "Those who play with dragons often mistake the warmth of their breath for something safe."
Ajax could giggle — does giggle— at how absolutely endearing Zhongli is. While still a novice about the finer points of Liyue culture, Ajax does understand how very particular they are about their dragons. Wise and benevolent as they are just and decisive. No dragon would ever look down at Tartaglia and see him as anything but a threat to order and stability. And Tartaglia would never see a dragon as anything but a notch under his belt as an impossible challenge defeated by his own hand. Only good people (or those that thought they were good) would find refuge near a dragon's maw. May their sins be weighed accordingly.
But ah, that was Zhongli's charm point, was it not? Here he was courting a creature with fangs without the slightest sign of self-preservation. Bold but not reckless. Exactly the kind of person who gets trapped in the dark with the Vanguard of the Harbingers and thinks a serving tray will save him.
Perhaps he should be worried about his own safety first. ]
Wise words, but actually— I have this feeling you don't want me to be careful at all. That you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, matched in such a way that one false step and the hunter becomes the hunted.
[ For the game is only a means to an ends, a thin veneer spread across the rising need to push at the boundaries. To test oh so carefully that which bends and avoid that which breaks. Zhongli's walls are closing in but that only works if they catch Tartaglia in time before he strikes.
Which is why Zhongli's next move is so bewildering.
There is a slightly puzzled expression on Ajax's face as his own rook topples. Surely there was significance of that or perhaps this was simply a quirk of Zhongli's — to favor his own rooks above else and jealously eliminate those of his opponents. Surely, there is a story there, but one for another time as the final spring of Tartaglia's trap has been sprung.
Hands still intertwined, Ajax reaches for his queen again and in another bold movement, she dances across the length of the board to stand toe to toe with Zhongli's noble king. Strategically placed on his unprotected flank, none of Zhongli's other pieces are able to strike her down. Only the king can move to defeat her.
Except.
Except—
Should Zhongli's king vanquish Ajax's queen, the knight sits patiently, lance poised to strike down the king right where he would stand. But ah, isn't that how it always is? The Tsaritsa always sends him out first— reconnaissance she claims as the bodies pile up around him. He never questions her. Never questions the mission. And only when he has entrenched himself deep in enemy territory does she confidently stride down those halls, bathed in the beauty and confidence of frost and white. And why shouldn't she be? When she knows her Vanguard is never too far away with his sights trained on the final target. Her final target.
To topple the king. His loyal blade at their throat. ]
Checkmate, Zhongli-xiansheng.
[ The words spill of his tongue like ambrosia, sweet and far too rich for his usual tastes (except that is Zhongli who is ever proving to be the exception). Now to claim the spoils of his hard work and a job well done.
Ajax's thumb skims Zhongli's ankle one last time as he spares the briefest of thoughts of returning the consultant's clothes to their former prim and proper state, garter hoisted up midcalf to stretch taut a clean and smooth pull of fabric. But no, it's much more enticing to leave him disheveled in ways that only Ajax knows about. It will be his little secret to watch to see if Zhongli's straightens his attire or enjoys the touch of personal chaos Ajax has bestowed upon him.
(And oh, what other imperfections could he leave under Zhongli's clothing that would be their little secret.)
Ajax lets go of Zhongli's ankle, allowing the other's press of shoe upon his thigh to either keep that position or relax onto something a bit more family friendly. This leaves both of his hands free to capture Zhongli's hand between both of his own, restless fingers stroking both palm and back of his hand alike as he raises it between them. ]
And I believe the wager is that now I'm allowed to do whatever I want with you.
[ Two fingers find the dip of the pulse at Zhongli's wrist. ]
no subject
Ajax could giggle — does giggle— at how absolutely endearing Zhongli is. While still a novice about the finer points of Liyue culture, Ajax does understand how very particular they are about their dragons. Wise and benevolent as they are just and decisive. No dragon would ever look down at Tartaglia and see him as anything but a threat to order and stability. And Tartaglia would never see a dragon as anything but a notch under his belt as an impossible challenge defeated by his own hand. Only good people (or those that thought they were good) would find refuge near a dragon's maw. May their sins be weighed accordingly.
But ah, that was Zhongli's charm point, was it not? Here he was courting a creature with fangs without the slightest sign of self-preservation. Bold but not reckless. Exactly the kind of person who gets trapped in the dark with the Vanguard of the Harbingers and thinks a serving tray will save him.
Perhaps he should be worried about his own safety first. ]
Wise words, but actually— I have this feeling you don't want me to be careful at all. That you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, matched in such a way that one false step and the hunter becomes the hunted.
[ For the game is only a means to an ends, a thin veneer spread across the rising need to push at the boundaries. To test oh so carefully that which bends and avoid that which breaks. Zhongli's walls are closing in but that only works if they catch Tartaglia in time before he strikes.
Which is why Zhongli's next move is so bewildering.
There is a slightly puzzled expression on Ajax's face as his own rook topples. Surely there was significance of that or perhaps this was simply a quirk of Zhongli's — to favor his own rooks above else and jealously eliminate those of his opponents. Surely, there is a story there, but one for another time as the final spring of Tartaglia's trap has been sprung.
Hands still intertwined, Ajax reaches for his queen again and in another bold movement, she dances across the length of the board to stand toe to toe with Zhongli's noble king. Strategically placed on his unprotected flank, none of Zhongli's other pieces are able to strike her down. Only the king can move to defeat her.
Except.
Except—
Should Zhongli's king vanquish Ajax's queen, the knight sits patiently, lance poised to strike down the king right where he would stand. But ah, isn't that how it always is? The Tsaritsa always sends him out first— reconnaissance she claims as the bodies pile up around him. He never questions her. Never questions the mission. And only when he has entrenched himself deep in enemy territory does she confidently stride down those halls, bathed in the beauty and confidence of frost and white. And why shouldn't she be? When she knows her Vanguard is never too far away with his sights trained on the final target. Her final target.
To topple the king. His loyal blade at their throat. ]
Checkmate, Zhongli-xiansheng.
[ The words spill of his tongue like ambrosia, sweet and far too rich for his usual tastes (except that is Zhongli who is ever proving to be the exception). Now to claim the spoils of his hard work and a job well done.
Ajax's thumb skims Zhongli's ankle one last time as he spares the briefest of thoughts of returning the consultant's clothes to their former prim and proper state, garter hoisted up midcalf to stretch taut a clean and smooth pull of fabric. But no, it's much more enticing to leave him disheveled in ways that only Ajax knows about. It will be his little secret to watch to see if Zhongli's straightens his attire or enjoys the touch of personal chaos Ajax has bestowed upon him.
(And oh, what other imperfections could he leave under Zhongli's clothing that would be their little secret.)
Ajax lets go of Zhongli's ankle, allowing the other's press of shoe upon his thigh to either keep that position or relax onto something a bit more family friendly. This leaves both of his hands free to capture Zhongli's hand between both of his own, restless fingers stroking both palm and back of his hand alike as he raises it between them. ]
And I believe the wager is that now I'm allowed to do whatever I want with you.
[ Two fingers find the dip of the pulse at Zhongli's wrist. ]
Did you still find those terms acceptable?