Chapter Text
“Wait for me.”
It was the last thing that Lumine had said to him before embarking on another journey with Aether. She had kissed him under the twinkling constellations in the dark sky above, with the moon silently watching their vows.
Tartaglia—no, Ajax had naturally promised her that he would. They did their pinky promise, and Lumine had laughed at him back then when he jokingly brought up freezing their fingers off if one of them broke the promise.
Ajax has always been a man of his words. He takes his promises seriously, & he expects others to do the same. Lumine is included.
To Ajax, forming a new habit is easy. At the same spot where she’d left him, at the highest peak of a snowy mountain in Snezhnaya, he’d wait for her. He’d set a camp for several nights and bring some grilled fish, Borsch, and Fire-Water with him. Having a talkative nature, he’d never fail to tell her—the stars—about his life after quitting Fatui. About the situation in Teyvat after their grand war against Celestia had ended.
When there are no signs of her divine presence and beautiful wings, Ajax would come back to Morepesok and take care of his family as usual, as well as his new business. But when his longing becomes too great to be handled, Ajax’d find himself living in the mountains for weeks.
Kunikuzushi would sometimes visit him and drag him back to the village, not without half-hearted insults and condescending remarks, and if Ajax is in the mood to humor him, he’d comply. But more often than not, he’d rather stay and freeze here while waiting for her. No matter how harsh the weather is, that exact place is where he feels the warmest; where he and Lumine are the closest.
6 months later, she has yet to come home. That’s okay, he thinks. He’s a patient man. Besides, he can prepare more surprises for her when she does come back.
Two & a half years later, she’s still not here. That’s alright, Ajax tells himself, still brimming with positivity. Kunikuzushi pities him, but he doesn’t love Lumine the way Ajax does. There’s no way he’d understand.
Five years later, Ajax has successfully made a basecamp there. He no longer has to freeze in a nearby cave while waiting for her. His fishing association is also becoming larger and larger, and he can’t wait to tell Lumine about his hard work.
Ten years later, a woman wishes to marry him. As Lumine’s face pops out in his mind, Ajax refuses. Lumine would be so proud if she hears about this. No man is more loyal than Ajax, after all.
Twenty years later, the trees around the mountains have grown larger and thicker. Ajax wonders if Lumine would like a treehouse as a welcome gift.
Thirty years later, Ajax is almost running out of ideas. He wants to present her with the best gift once she comes back. Maybe if it’s good enough, she’ll notice his determination and comes home soon.
Forty-nine years later, Ajax has made that spot his retirement house. Rather than gifts, now, he feels like he’s running out of time. He hates feeling weaker than before. Very embarrassing for someone who used to be a warrior. He hopes that Lumine won’t mind seeing his appearance. For a man this age, he thinks that he’s still quite a looker.
These past years, waiting has almost become a tiring activity, and his body is itching for some deep, long rest. There’s a huge snowstorm outside; it’s a pity that he’s unable to watch the stars and talk with her tonight. Perhaps he should sleep.
The clocks ticks, filling in the deadly silence of the room. Midnight has passed, and today marks the beginning of a new year. Ajax has been waiting for her for 50 years without losing any ounce of hope in the process.
Perhaps, the universe senses his strong feelings and finally grants his wish. Lumine comes back at the same spot, wings flapping excitedly to see him again. She knocks on his humble cottage, having a hunch that it belongs to the same man that owns her heart.
But there’s no answer. All that welcomes her is utter silence. Lumine finds out that her dearest Ajax is still curled under his blanket, warm, safe, sound. He looks the same as she remembers, though exhausted, unmoving. As still as a rock, as cold as the snow.
The greatest warrior of Snezhnaya has fallen while waiting for his beloved. At his final moment, he couldn’t open his eyes to perceive her. To welcome her presence with the warmest hugs and the softest kisses. But he’s smiling, as though knowing of her arrival.
He knows that after fifty years, she’s finally home, right by his side. And that’s all that matters.