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They say the night holds many secrets, mysteries, dirty laundry… Only the moonlight and the city lights to keep you company, to brighten your way. Ajax was not the one for such musings. Whatever the night hid, he would discover and then he would beat the shit out of it. No matter the consequences. That had been his way of dealing with things much bigger than him, things that scared him, angered him and it never brought him down.
When he heard from Lumine that Teucer was having a hard time at school, he could not just let it be. That was his baby brother and no one was allowed to make him even slightly frown. He knew he could trust Lumine to handle things. She knew what it felt like to care about one’s siblings. He knew he could trust Lumine with anything. So he knew that Teucer was alright, he knew Lumine had dealt with the bullies. However, common sense was never his forte.
He didn’t mean to cause any lasting harm, at least that’s what he told the teachers and the principle. His parents wouldn’t believe him even if he was telling the truth. But he loved them, regardless of their distrust, they were still his family. He couldn’t blame them, no one wanted a monster as a son. But he loved them, he loved them so much and that’s why it hurt as much as it did when they refused to listen to him.
No matter what he said, no matter what happened, no matter the conclusion, he was always the one at fault. It had been this case ever since that fateful week years ago. Some would say he should have gotten over it by now. Though, even if he did, would his parents be able to as well? Would they be able to accept their sweet precious son again or was that son long gone?
Ajax lightly shook his head. It was not getting anywhere. There was no point in mulling over such questions, doomed forever to be unanswered. He couldn’t go back in time and even if he could, he wouldn’t. He loved the person he had become, no matter how jaded.
His thoughts came to halt when the harsh night air hit his face. The winds were much stronger than the one he first felt when he ran out of the house. He was just planning on letting off some steam, calm down before he did something he would regret. He took a look around, trying to figure out where he was.
That was when he saw him.
His amber eyes were glowing under the moonlight, an emotion much too difficult for Ajax to understand filled them. His hair was flowing with the wind, the tips reminiscent of gold. His clothes were ruffled, his eyes were trimmed with red. He looked haggard, pained, as if his whole world crashed down but he was still trying to hold it together, crushing under the weight. He looked beautiful.
Art was never Ajax’s strong suit but he couldn’t help but want to paint this moment, make it stay with him forever. Not that he could ever forget it. The person looking at him over his shoulder, the beauty that took his breath away… He felt like he had seen him before.
“Student Council President?”
What was Mr.Proper doing here in the middle of the night? Where even was here?
“Ah, my apologies. You shouldn’t see me like this. It was but a moment of weakness, I will be back to myself soon enough. However, until then, I will have to ask of you to leave.”
His words were strict and formal but his voice defied just how miserable he was. What had happened for the strong and capable Mr.President to break down, Ajax couldn’t help but wonder. He took a look around once again, trying not to get distracted this time. He was on the school rooftop, there was no one here other than them, the student council president was leaning on the railings. The implications suddenly hit him at once and he lunged himself at the teenager, ignoring his words.
With all of his strength he pulled him away from the railing to the floor and pinned him down.
“No matter what happened, it can’t be bad enough to be worth throwing your life away!”
The black haired teenager stared at him in shock and blinked.
“I can assure you that I wasn’t trying to take my own life, though I appreciate your concern. I was merely just musing… About some old times.”
Ajax let out an over dramatic sigh and rolled down next to the other teen, letting him go.
“That’s a relief! I seriously thought you were about to jump there, Prez. You almost gave me a heart attack!”
“I apologize for worrying you.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s a good thing that wasn’t the case.”
He sat up quickly and looked down at the president.
“I’m Ajax but my friends call me Childe. I’m the best person to call if you need to end some enemies.”
His unlikely companion also sat up and smiled at Ajax’s antics.
“I will keep that in mind.” He chuckled. “My name is Zhongli. I’m the student council president. Although, by your reaction, I guess you already know that.”
Ajax had no clue what that guy’s name was. He just didn’t bother with all that election stuff. It would be awkward to admit that though, so he decided to take a different approach.
“Yeah, totally. Well it’s nice to meet you, mr.Zhongli.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Childe. And please drop the formalities, we are both students after all. There is no such need for them.”
“Whatever you say, Prez.”
An awkward silence fell upon them, neither knowing how to continue the conversation. At some point, Ajax decided enough was enough.
“So,” he started, dragging the ‘o’, “what are you doing on the school rooftop this fine night, Zhongli? Student council duties?”
Zhongli looked a bit embarrassed.
“Ah, no. I simply wanted to get my mind off things. This is quite a nice place to relax without curious stares at this time of the night.”
“Well, that makes the two of us.”
That got him a surprised look. Just because he looked like a delinquent didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate the peace and quiet! Even though he had not planned to come here...
“I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details, but basically I had a fight with my parents because I beat up my younger brother’s bullies. They got sent to the hospital and suddenly, I’m at fault. What in the world was I supposed to do, sit there and watch as they hurt my baby brother? No way in hell!”
Zhongli lightly coughed into his hand as if trying to surpass a laugh.
“Though, I guess you will tell me I’m wrong too and that I have gone too far, won’t you Prez?”
“Well as the student council president, my responsibilities require me to tell you as such.”
That took his interest.
“But..?”
“Let’s say I can understand where you are coming from.”
Zhongli coughed slightly in embarrassment at Ajax’s surprised face. In his defense, Ajax had no clue the Student Prez had any siblings. ‘Or feelings of empathy’ a traitorous voice at the back of his head whispered.
“Well, that aside, I wouldn’t mind listening to the details. Listening to the worries of the student body and guiding them in the right way is one of the responsibilities of the student council, after all.”
Ajax wasn’t so sure about that one but he decided to humor Zhongli. Maybe venting could help him relax and go back home in a better mindset more suited for dealing with his parents. He also didn’t want to scare his younger siblings. As much as he pretended nothing bothered him, the prospect of them learning about his “darker side” kept him up at night.
“Sure, Zhongli. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to open up a bit… But!”
“But..?”
“In exchange, you have to tell me why you are here as well. It just seems like there is more to it. It’s okay if you don’t want to but I don’t want to be the only one here who gets their heart ripped out and gets shown off.”
“...Very colorful imagery, I must say but very well. I shall agree with the terms of this contract.”
“I wouldn’t call this…”
Zhongli looked at him with such hopeful eyes that Ajax couldn’t help but go along with it.
“Nevermind. So, it all started a few weeks ago…”
That was the beginning of an unexpected relationship between the local delinquent and the prim and proper student council president.