Mafia AU

[misfittoys]

[ A tale of two people leading double-lives and the inevitable misunderstandings that follow ]

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[arcaico]

[When Ajax suddenly smooths his collar and beams up at him, Zhongli feels his heart skip a beat. The younger man's touch, the confident yet playful tone of his voice, it's all so...bold. Unaccustomed to such overt affection, Zhongli finds himself feeling shy, a soft flush creeping up his neck and bowing his head. Which is a mistake, as he watches those long fingers slide lower down his chest, brushing against his abdomen. The touch is electric, sending shivers down his spine. Being touched so freely, so eagerly, it takes everything in him to maintain his composure.

Zhongli clears his throat softly, a bashful smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he meets Ajax's gaze.]

You flatter me, Ajax. [His voice is soft, a nervous chuckle preceding a touch of playfulness in his tone despite the shyness that lingers in his eyes.] I'm not accustomed to such bold compliments. But I must admit, it's...refreshing.

After all, you're quite the charmer yourself, [Zhongli continues, his voice softening as he reaches up to gently brush a strand of hair from Ajax's forehead.] Handsome, daring, and full of life. [He gently places a hand over Ajax's, his touch light yet steady, a silent acknowledgment that it's not something he's rejecting.]

I'm glad to hear you're having a great time. I am as well. [His gaze softens, his smile growing warmer.] And as for my layers of clothes, well, perhaps it's a good thing I have you to see through them.

[The words come out more flirtatious than he intended, but Zhongli doesn't mind. It's a new feeling, this ease and warmth, and he finds himself enjoying it more than he expected. He doesn't want Ajax to recoil, doesn't want to lose this newfound connection. Instead, he wants to nurture it, to see where it leads.]

Shall we continue our walk? [He suggests, his voice gentle as he looks out over the harbor.]

[misfittoys]

[ Oh. Oh. Ajax has certainly caught himself the most adorable man in all of Liyue. The flush of red creeping up his neck (Childe's favorite color!) is quite nice to see not only because Mister Zhongli is very much worthy of such praise but there's a non-trivial amount of satisfaction for Childe in making him blush. There's also quite the little cocky self-assured smile as Childe watches Zhongli's eyes follow the lazy path of his fingers.

(That's right. That's it. All eyes on me~)

Ajax doesn't even pause for a moment as he continues to shamelessly flirt with someone who so shamelessly reciprocated: ]

Well, shame on them— [ Whoever they are ] and all the more for me if no one in this city has tried to flatter you properly. They really dropped the ball on that one. But finders keepers! Because you know, I'd like to see through your clothes any—

[ Wait— wha—

Did Zhongli just imply—? Nah. No, he didn't. It would be unfair for someone so devastatingly handsome to be able to turn the tables on Ajax with such a pleasant and polite tone of voice all while saying that.

Goodness gracious! Mr. Zhongli!

Ajax thoughts are dizzying as Zhongli teases him, reeling him in closer and closer: "Look, we can't go back to my place 'cuz I have little ones at the house and thin walls and you are very very very attractive. So what about your place, hmmm? Take me home. Pretty please take me home."

Bold as he may be though, Ajax is not bold enough to invite himself over that shamelessly on a first date. If the clinging off Zhongli's arm intensified, however— that was just the natural response. What else was a boy with a blooming crush to do? ]

I'd follow you anywhere.

[ Ugh. No, wait. That sounds needy and desperate. Not cool, Ajax. Recover. Recover. ]

I mean— Until morning anyway. Haha~ Then I have to dash away dramatically at dawn's first light until fate grants us its blessing that we may meet again. Or, yanno, until I text you next— whichever comes first.

[arcaico]

[Zhongli's heart skips a beat at Ajax's playful yet sincere words, the younger man's thrilling and endearing boldness. He feels a flush of warmth as Ajax clings a bit tighter to his arm. His own shyness feels like a relic of a bygone era, an old habit that he finds himself gently shedding in Ajax's presence. The warmth of Ajax's touch and the sincerity in his eyes make Zhongli feel seen in a way he hasn't in a long time.]

Well, perhaps next time, I'll be the one to text you first, [Zhongli says with a soft chuckle, his gaze meeting Ajax's with a playful glint.] Or maybe we could do something different. Once you've seen to your little ones, I would love for you to meet my dog. He's quite grumpy but friendly. He could use a friend. Maybe Narwhal would enjoy having a companion?

[In the meantime, he continues to guide Ajax through the hidden treasures of the harbor, showing him the nooks and crannies that only a local would know. They explore night salesmen's stalls selling trinkets and decadent snacks, challenging the younger man to try the spicy options, but readily knowing how to douse the heat with a special kind of drink or tea. The air filled with the mingling scents of food and the soft hum of the sound around them is not enough to subdue their conversations.

As they wander, the sky begins to lighten from the deep black of night to a gentle reddish blue, signaling the approaching dawn. The world feels quieter, more intimate as if it belongs only to them in this fleeting moment.

Finally, as they reach a small, secluded spot overlooking the harbor, Zhongli turns to Ajax, his heart full of gratitude and warmth. He squeezes Ajax's hand gently.]

Until next time, [Zhongli murmurs, his voice soft and earnest.] Thank you for a wonderful evening, Ajax. And for your generosity and enthusiasm in indulging someone like myself.

[He meets his gaze, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the approaching dawn, filled with a depth of emotion that words alone cannot capture.]

I look forward to our next meeting.

[misfittoys]

[ Ajax looks positively giddy with the thought that Zhongli might text him first. Maybe he should be a polite boy and be patient so he can roll around in the serotonin hit that is sure to come with Zhongli's name appearing on his locked screen. What a pleasant surprise that would be! ]

I'd love to meet your dog. Narwhal already adores you, the little traitor, and probably needs friends his own uh... haha, species?

[ The rest of the night is an enjoyable blur of activities— Ajax vividly remembers bragging about how he could handle his spice before Zhongli soothed his sore ego with specialty drink after specialty drink. Oh, he'd have to train himself to handle it. Maybe it was like building any other muscle by exposing yourself to harsher and harsher spices until one day he'd be able to down even the spiciest of Liyue food with a smile. How impressed would Mr. Zhongli be then!

Ah, but all good things come to an end, and Ajax feels Zhongli squeeze his hand and bid him a soft and tender farewell that makes his heart clench. For a moment, he stands there transfixed, the warmth of their touch warming his heart as he leans in and—



Rests his forehead against Zhongli's with a soft smile of his own. ]

Me, too, Mister Zhongli. Don't be a stranger, okay?

[ He can feel the heat rising in his cheeks and his impulses screaming at him as he uncharacteristically denies them to ensure a proper first date farewell for his very handsome and very proper first date. ]

I'm sure we'll be in touch.