Chapter Text
She should be happy that her brother was home for vacation. She hadn’t seen him since he left for college in Liyue a few months ago. She should be happy with the fact she can hang out and spend time with him for the next two weeks. They were close as childen, playing with toys and video games together. He taught her a few things about sports and was always by her side when she fell down and hurt herself.
“Its ok to cry if it hurts, Lulu” He said, bending down to gently pat his sobbing sister on her head
“But…but I don’t want to be a cry baby…” Lumine replied, her tiny hands struggling to wipe away the tears that streamed down her face. She glanced up when he had stopped and rested his hand on her head, a look of anger on his face as he frowned.
“Who called you that? I’ll beat them up for you, no one makes fun of Lulu and gets away with it!”
Their parents were currently away for business- and work-related reasons – and it was a common occurrence even as children. Their neighbors knew the family well due to this, often tasked to watching over the children when the parents weren’t home. Of course, once he had turned 15, he took over the responsibility. Being older than her, Aether had taken care of her and frequently turned down chances to hang out with his school friends. Lumine had always felt guilty in regards to that, to which he’d smile and tell her that he doesn’t mind because she is his baby sister. And that if she was the older sibling, she would have done the same as well.
So originally it was just going to be the two of them.
“Dude, there’s an enemy to the left.”
“I got ‘em- fuck yes, head shot!”
“Nice one man.”
“I suck at using a bow dude, that guy must be new, haha!”
Except for the fact that his best friend is temporarily staying with them.
He had been with them now for nearly three days. A small water pipe mishap had relocated nearly half of the tenants at his apartment complex. And apparently, he didn’t have anywhere else to go – which she honestly found a very difficult statement to believe, considering he came from a wealthy family that owned a chain of hotels throughout Teyvat. Heck, she had heard rumors that his penthouse suite was two floors with a private in-door swimming pool, movie theater and piano room. It was probably bigger than their house overall. So why was he staying with them instead of his family? That’s a good question. She honestly didn’t know the answer to that herself. Surely her brother did but he had been quiet on the subject – regardless of her efforts to pry information out of him.
“…So, is it cool if Ajax stays with us during vacation?” Aether asked her over dinner.
“I mean,…I don’t have anything against him staying here but-“ she replied, eyes casted downwards as she pushed around a lone pea on her plate.
“Sis, you’re too old to be picky and playing around with your food.” Her brother sighed, stabbing the poor pea with his fork and putting it on his plate. “It’d be fun to have him around, don’t you think, Lulu?”
“Sure, I guess…”
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She found Ajax to be distracting, incredibly visually distracting. She never told Aether this, and she pretty much told him everything (well, almost everything) in her life.
He isn’t exactly the most handsome guy in all of Mondstadt but he certainly is attractive. He’s considerably taller than Aether and appeared to be much more…fit? Health conscious? Athletic? He was constantly going to the gym or out for a run. His steely blue eyes definitely caught her attention the first time she had met him in person. Then there was the mess of his hair that never looked like it had been combed…ever. Strangely enough, she found that it added to the charm of his appearance. Despite the fact that he came from a well-off family, he mostly dressed for comfort with barely (or rather no) designer clothing – its too gaudy, he told her before. He preferred to wear his hoodies and a pair of jeans or sweatpants, something easy to lounge around in without feeling constricted. It was something she remember from their small talks when Aether left them alone to do some errands.
There was one rainy day in particular when she had accidentally stumbled upon the ginger haired male in the living room, working out.
He was doing push-ups in nothing but sweatpants, shirtless with beads of sweat forming on his skin. Her eyes trailed over his body (and in her defense, it was difficult not to) with each movement. It was like the ripples in his muscles were calling for her attention. She couldn’t see it too well from the current angle but she was also certain that he had abs. If she were to crawl underneath him as he was working out, she’d likely get a better view of…well, everything.
‘Snap out of it Lumine, this is Aether’s best friend you’re currently ogling!’
It didn’t seem like he had noticed her presence and continued his exercise – the keyword being: seem. After what felt like an eternity, he had glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, catching her staring at him.
“Did you need me for something, Lumine?”
‘Oh yes, I definitely need you for something alright’
“No, Aether just told me to get you because dinner is ready.” The blonde-haired female replied, turning away from the ginger haired male as he stood from his position on the floor. He had reached for his shirt to pull it over his head. He was definitely taking his sweet ass time on purpose. 100% without a doubt. “Jerk.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
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Then there was the sixth day, where he was working on his motorcycle.
‘He must be fond of not wearing a shirt around other people’, she thought as she watched him through the living room window. ‘But then again, it was an unusually hot day in Mondstadt.‘ Maybe she should rephrase that, it wasn’t intentional this time. She had been people watching others in the park across the street while taking a break from her book, when she decided to open the window for a clearer view of the people. Then, a shirtless hooligan had made an appearance from the side of the house with his mode of transportation. Apparently, it had broken down just as he made it home from a ‘date’. Or that was more so a guess according to her brother but truthfully speaking, he didn’t know where the ginger haired man ran off to so early in the morning. Aether and Ajax had been outside for the longest time since the noon, both having a few beers and talking about what Lumine assumed to be ‘manly men stuff’. She hadn’t been paying attention during most of their conversation, as she was lost in her own thoughts.
That was, until, a particular topic had come across and she found herself pulled back into reality.
“A date? Hell no, I stopped by the apartment complex to see where the repairs were at but it seems like there was more damage done than originally thought. More people were also affected by it too,” Ajax laughed as he took a sip of his beer, “Besides…there isn’t anyone that I’m interested in anyways…”
The slight pauses in his words did not go unnoticed by Aether, a small period of silence falling over the duo.
“Well, if you’re not interested in serious relationships, what about those one-night flings?”
“Too risky man, some girls get clingy as hell, like they don’t get a clue what no strings attached means or something. It’s fun when you’re young but I don’t have time to deal with that in my life.”
Thinking that she’s heard enough of the conversation, the blonde female closed her book and stood from her seat. Unbeknownst to her, the two men watched as she had walked out of sight through the window to some other part of the house.
“What about Lulu?”
“What about her?” Ajax asked, his gaze shifting to the man sitting beside him on the stool. He wasn’t sure how to interpret the look he had been getting from his friend. Honestly, it looked like a cocktail of several dozen emotions and thoughts that he couldn’t pick out one from the other. After a few minutes of their silent staring competition, Aether sighed and leaned back, choosing to flop onto the grass lawn with his face buried in his hands.
‘Do you not find her attractive?’
“Never mind, nothing.”
“I swear it’s like you guys are twins with this ‘nothing’ catchphrase.”
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Day seven of temporary living with his best friend.
“Aether, I’ll be home later.” Lumine said as she walked by the kitchen, where her brother was standing with a box of pocky in his hands. He had been caught off guard for a brief movement before following her to the doorway.
“Where are you going?” He adjusted his glasses when he had asked the question. It was her turn to be stunned for a moment when she had noticed. It was rare for him to wear glasses in the first place, he had always preferred contact lenses, even when he was home. He thought they made him look ‘more of a nerd than I actually am’ in his own words.
“…I have a date tonight.”
“With who? Do I know this person?”
“…Zhongli.”
“Zhongli? Well, isn’t he lucky then? You look beautiful, stunning.” Aether said happily, giving his sister a thumbs up. He glanced over at the couch, where their guest was currently lounging while playing a video game. “You think so too, right, Ajax?”
“Huh? Yeah, sure…I guess.”
“You’re not even looking dude.” The blond male huffed, putting a hand on his hip while the other grabbed the nearest object to throw at his friend – which happened to be an unopened box of tissues, hitting him square in the head. “The least you can do is compliment a girl when she gets all dolled up, even if it’s not for you.”
“Dude, what the…fuck.”
It wasn’t exactly the word that Ajax had wanted to use when he turned to look at her. Indeed, she was as beautiful as her brother had mentioned. Her blonde hair was short, so she couldn’t do too much with it – the fringes that often framed her face were slightly curled and her bangs swept off to one side. A white flower with golden accents hair accessory adorned her hair. She wasn’t caked in make-up either. He could tell she had some on but it was subtle and highlighted a lot of her features. Like her honey gold eyes and her pouting lips as her brother tried to fix a stray strand of hair. She was wearing a white backless halter midi dress that cinched at the waistline but flared out nicely at the end, and it suited her figure well. Then there were her legs, looking smooth and soft to touch. Her nails had also been done in a rose red color, which was a huge contrast to her fairer skin tone.
Honestly, it felt like his jaw dropped to the floor.
“I’d take that as a compliment, Lulu. Go and knock ‘em dead.” Aether laughed at his friend, winking at his sister before he gently guided her out the door. “Don’t forget to drag Zhongli back here to say hello. Have fun!”
…
He was not a fan of Zhongli, not at all. He didn’t care that the man is a longtime friend.
He wasn’t fond of the way he was constantly by Lumine’s side, sometimes a little too close for Ajax’s liking. The brown-haired male moved about the house like he knew where everything was located, as if he had been over often enough to spend time with the siblings. He didn’t like the fact that there was a man leaning so closely over her shoulder to look at the book she was holding in her hands. Or the fact that she didn’t mind that he was invading her personal bubble.
“No, I honestly have not heard of that novel.” Her melodic laughter sounded beautiful. The only thing that drew his ire was the fact that he was not the person she was talking to. “You have to let me borrow it sometime.”
“I see no issue with lending you a few books. In fact, I also have a couple other novels of the same genre that you may be interested in.”
“Pfft. They’re such bookworms, right, Ajax?” Aether chuckled, nudging his best friend none too gently on his shoulder.
“Yeah, so lame.”
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It was Day ten when the female had finally exploded.
“Excuse me, what the hell did you just say?”
“What, are you deaf now? I am not going to repeat myself, Lumine.”
*SMACK*
“You are such a prick!” Lumine snapped, holding the hand that she had slapped him with. It probably hurt her just as much from how red and angry her skin looked. The blonde-haired female ran past her brother, who had heard the argument from the kitchen. She uttered an apology when she accidentally bumped into his arm and headed straight for her room, a door slamming signified that she had reached her destination.
Aether glanced at his best friend who hadn’t moved from his spot. Likely was still in shock by the fact that he had just been hit across the face. His steel blue eyes were glaring daggers at the corner of the room, his hands clenching and unclenching with frustration.
“…Fucking, damn it.”
“Dude, that looks like it hurts. Here, put some ice on it or something-“
“What the hell is Lumine’s deal, dude? All I said was-“
“I can’t answer for my sister, Ajax.” Aether said, cutting him off in his sentence. “Nor am I going to involve myself in this situation that you somehow managed to get yourself in. Whatever it is, it is between you and Lumine. I’ll just say this because I don’t want you to get slapped again but she’s a sensitive girl. Don’t hurt her if you’re playing games, that’s something I won’t ever forgive.”
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“Can I come in?” his voice was muffled from behind her closed bedroom door.
“No, go away.”
Ajax sighed, expecting that response from the emotionally destressed female.
“Well, I have Aether’s consent to enter your room to speak with you.”
Aether did say that he could just barge into her room at his own risk. He also mentioned that he didn’t know what she kept in there that could be used as a projectile weapon. He opened the door and looked at the blonde, whose face was currently buried in her pillow. While he couldn’t hear the quiet sobbing, he could see her shoulders jerk from time to time as she took a breath of air.
“Lumine?”
“I don’t want to talk to you, asshole, leave me alone.”
“Can you be at least civil rather than hurling insults in every sentence?” Ajax eyed a pillow that had fallen to the ground and picked it up. It was one of those little throw pillows that every female seemed to have in their room for whatever purpose. It was light, soft and wouldn’t hurt too much if he-
“Ouch, that hurt!” She snapped, glaring at the man who dared to purposefully smacked the back of her head with that spare pillow. He had taken a seat on the floor, his back towards her and leaning against her bedframe.
“Well, that’s what I call being dramatic. That pillow is as soft as a cloud, I highly doubt that it hurt that much. Besides, it finally got you to look at me, didn’t it?” Ajax replied, looking at her from over his shoulder. “Why are you mad at me, Lumine?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why I’m mad at you!”
“Well then, you’re just going to have to spell it out for me because clearly I’m not a genius.”
“Because you’re an ass and keep playing with me, damn it!”
“You…don’t want me to play with you? When have I ever played with you?”
“All the damn time, and I’m sick and tired of it.” He ducked as she whipped her third pillow at him, causing the lamp on her study table to topple over onto the floor.
“You guys better not be killing each other! I already prepped the food for three!” came Aether’s voice from downstairs.
“You’re not making any sense at all right now, have you had anything to drink recently?”
“This is exactly what I’m talking about. I’m trying to have a serious talk with you and you’re making this into a joke. I can’t stand you, I can’t!”
“Look, Lumi-“
“You’re always playing with my emotions, my feelings as if they’re not important. Like its just a toy to you! Do you know how much it hurts to like someone who thinks of you like a little child?”
That left him speechless for a moment.
And then he blinked.
“Who ever said that I thought of you as a kid, Lumine? Not once have I ever thought that, not even when I first met you two years ago.” His eyes were fierce but warm. The maiden could see no hint of playfulness behind them as he spoke, he was serious but his tone was kind – like he wanted to say the right words to not cause more damage. “I’m…sorry that you felt that way.”
Lumine looked at him, tears streaming down her face and he couldn’t help but feel guilty that he was the cause (or at least, the main cause of it).
“You didn’t?”
“No. When Aether first introduced you to me all those years ago, I remember thinking to myself that you were incredibly pretty. I remember thinking that you’d blossom into a beauty one day and you have.” Ajax looked away, a barely noticeable blush on his face. It was clear to her he was slightly uncomfortable talking about this subject, “Your brother often talked about you, heh. I think there were times that he was seriously singing nothing but praises. Not all the time he spoke of you, but you were regularly brought up by him. He talked about how his baby sister is smart, beautiful, talented, kind,…selfless. Also told me a few of your less than graceful stories. Aether is very honest, you know? And I think that was what first started everything, I got curious about you – and every time he spoke of you, I found myself hanging on to every single word.”
He heard some movement on her bed and turned around to see her climbing off to sit beside him at eye level (sort of, she was still looking up as he is taller). His eyes briefly noticed how her hands were on her lap and gripping the hem of her shirt like her life depended on it, her legs tucked underneath her. He didn’t miss the fact that she chewed on her bottom lip, nervous as can be.
“When I first met you, I thought you were a jerk.”
“Fair enough, a lot people had said the same thing as well the first time” He chuckled.
“I thought you were trying to take my brother away from me. My brother is the first best friend I ever had in my life, so he is very special and important. But I saw that he trusted you a lot. And that’s saying something because he doesn’t trust a lot of people outside of family. When he would come home from school, he was always talking about his college friends and life away from home. That having you around as his best friend made being away from home a much more comfortable experience. It made me realize that you’re one of his most important people as well. I guess you can say that made me curious about you too.”
“Pfft, it wasn’t my good looks that first got your attention?”
“No, it was the fact my brother always spoke so highly of you.” Lumine replied, “Honestly, I actually thought my brother had a crush on you-“
“…Excuse me?”
“But then he went on to say that you were like a brother he never had. What’s that phrase that guys use, ‘brother from another mother’ or something of the sort like that. You always helped him find dates and stuff because he is sometimes socially awkward.”
“Err…can we get back to the previous topic before your brother?”
“What topic?”
Ajax stared at the female like she had grown a second head, had she really forgotten already? He was about to say something when a sigh escaped her lips and her eyes appeared down casted. He really didn’t like that sad smile on her face, it didn’t suit her.
“I’ve liked you for the longest time.” Her breath was shaky, hands fisting the hem of her shirt. “Even though we haven’t really interacted much in person in all the years we’ve known each other…I found myself falling for you.”
“You’re going to hurt yourself by biting your lip like that, Lumine.” He didn’t know why or how his hand had moved from his side. All he knew was that his hand was resting on a side of her face, his thumb gently brushing over her bottom lip in an attempt to remove it from between her teeth. His focus had shifted to her mouth, how her tongue had made an appearance for a split second and shyly retreated back. He wondered what her lips tasted like. It looked like she wore some time of lip gloss, the shine keeping his attention that he barely heard her calling his name.
“Ajax?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re…quite close right now.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
Lumine squeaked as her back hit her nightstand as she was trying to move away. She soon found herself caged between the furniture and the man who she had just confessed to. She honestly wasn’t sure how she should read the expression on his face right now. It was like he was fixated on something. Why was he staring at her mouth so intensely?
“Lumine, what would you do if I told you that I fell for you the moment we met?”
“You…what?”
“The day that we met, when Aether brought you with him to the mall. I wanted to wait until you were older before I said anything but…its kind of hard to shut up now that we’re talking about it.” He looked at her innocent golden colored eyes, his hands once again reaching for her to pull her to him. She didn’t resist, allowing for him to tug her onto his lap. His chin rested on the crown of her head as he continued to speak, “I guess what I’m trying to say overall, is that I’ve liked you since day one.”
“Really?”
“Really, I’m not playing with you.” He paused, tilting her head upwards to make eye contact with the blushing female, “Do you mind?”
“You really…don’t have to ask.”
“Heh, I don’t want to get slapped by you again, you got a pretty strong arm.”
“Can you please just shut up and kiss me, Ajax?”
“Wait.”
“What is it now?” he wanted to laugh at the way she sounded exasperated but held his tongue.
“What about Zhongli?”
“He is just a friend; nothing more, nothing less.”
“Are you sure?”
“Damn it Ajax, if you don’t kiss me right now, I swear I’ll-“
It was a tender kiss at first, as if making sure it was alright with the female to be so intimate with her. Experimentally, he bit down softly on her bottom lip as a hint. The tiny little squeak she emitted when his tongue found its playmate sent a pleasured shudder run up his spine. Their lips parted, both with half dazed expressions on their faces.
A knock on the door had startled the two, causing the duo on the floor to look up.
“Well, I was just checking to make sure you’re both still alive after that spectacular argument in the living room. It’s about damn time that you guys finally stopped being stupid. I swear the sexual tension between you two could be cut with a butter knife whenever you guys were in the same room. Heck, maybe even a plastic one.” Aether looked at the couple from the open doorway, his golden yellow irises focused on the ginger haired man, “You’re my best friend, Ajax but I’m a big brother first and foremost. I’m 100% undoubtedly kicking your ass if you make my sister cry again.”
“If I ever make her cry again, it’s not intentional.” Ajax glared, his arms tightening their hold on the pretty blonde female seated on his lap. His annoyance waivered slightly when she reached up to tenderly caress the side of his face. He turned his head to her hand before placing a featherlight kiss on the palm. “I’d never do anything to hurt Lumine on purpose.”
“Please trust us, Aether.” The two men looked at the youngest inhabitant of the household. Seeing the determination in his sister’s eyes, Aether sighed before running a hand through his hair in an exasperated fashion.
“Now don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you both. I’m not going to tell you guys that you can’t have feelings for one another, you’re both adults…” Aether paused, an odd look on his face, “Whatever, dinner will be ready soon. I’ll call you guys when its ready and when I do, this door better not be closed.”
Watching as he walked away from her room, the duo looked at each other slightly relieved. Ajax continued to stare at the doorway where his best friend once stood, feeling a little conflicted and leaned back against the frame of the mattress. That was, until a pinch on his side broke him from his thoughts. Lumine was looking at him with concern, and he then decided that he didn’t like the look of worry on her face. She had rotated out of his arms and kneeled on both knees between his legs as she faced him. He raised an eyebrow in confusion at first until her hands were resting on either side of his face, holding him in place as she continued leaned closer. He wasn’t sure what she had whispered in between their lips before she proceeded to alternate between kisses; sweet and fleeting to passionate and wanting. His hands rested on her hips, pulling her closer and keeping her from moving too much.
“You want your brother to kill me, don’t you?” Ajax’s voice was barely above a whisper once their lips had parted. A low, quiet groan escaped his throat when she had slowly licked the roof of his mouth before tugging on his bottom lip gently with her teeth. He honestly thought he could taste her smile. Regardless, he found himself wanting more and chasing after her sinfully delectable lips when she moved away. The soft little mewls she made when he eagerly explored her mouth was worth it. “Fuck. We need to stop.”
“But-“ Her eyes held a sadness that tugged on his heartstrings, it was something he never wanted to see again on her angelic face. He reached up with both of his hands that were perched on her hips, wiping away some tears before giving her a quick kiss. It a was a struggle, her lips were addicting and her near muted moans was music to his ears. Almost like a siren, and he wanted to hear her sing more, only for him.
“As much as I’d love to keep drowning in your kisses for the rest of the night, I’m sure Aether is planning to murder me if he hears anything more.” He rested his forehead upon hers, staring straight into the shimmering golden irises. She was nervous, anxious – rightfully so. She had admitted to him a few moments ago that she had never been alone with a man who wasn’t related to her. He grasped her trembling hand with his own and gave it a firm and reassuring squeeze, “I…want to do this right because you’re not just some random woman. You mean something, you’re important to me. Let me take you on a real date. Please don’t cry after I just told Aether I wouldn’t make you cry again…”
Lumine smiled, tears once again welling up in her eyes as she nodded happily. She had opened her mouth to reply when Aether had called ‘The food is ready! Get your asses down here!’ from the kitchen. They shared a knowing look before laughing. The maiden stood before him and offered a hand to stand up, a blush thoroughly spreading across her face as he kissed the back of her hand.
“Ok.”
“Let’s go?” He placed and arm around her waist, guiding her out of her bedroom – but not before giving her rear end a firm squeeze, causing Lumine to blush ten shades of red. He leaned down and nibbled gently on her ear before whispering, “I just had to get it out of my system, I’ve been wanting to do that for a while. I’ll be a gentleman…for now at least.” Moving away from the blonde who was still frozen in place, he winked, “but don’t forget, I’m still a man.”
Ajax paused in his stride to the kitchen, looking at her from over his shoulders. It was evident that she had been getting ready for bed with every intention to skip an awkward dinner that night due to their argument, wearing just her pajama short shorts and a slightly oversized off shoulder top that ended just above her waist. “Also, can you put on something longer than those shorts? It’s a bit distracting and I highly doubt Aether would appreciate me staring at your thighs at dinner.”
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“So, you guys are in a relationship now. I do believe it is time to go over a few rules…”
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“Rule number Ten; Lulu’s door remains open if you guys plan to hang out in her room.”
“You can’t blame me if we mentally scar you for life.”
“Dude-“
“I’m kidding…mostly.”
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“…Rule number Twenty and Twenty-one go hand in hand; If you plan to have sex…please use a condom, ok? I don’t need my best friend knocking up my sister before she turns 21.”
“Aether!”
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“…Rule number Thirty; I love you both and I want you guys to be happy. Eventually you guys will be intimate in your relationship, its natural. I at least understand that Ajax will have a hard time keeping his filthy paws to himself. But dude, I will fucking kill you if you knock up my sister before she’s 21.”
“Is that even fair? What if it’s Lumine that is seducing me and not the other way around?”
“I’ll still fucking kill you.”