Chapter Text
“Don’t forget your lunch!” Pressing the bag into his little brother’s hand, Ajax ushered him out the door to catch the bus. “And make sure Tonia goes to the nurse’s office if she feels sick again, okay? I’ll be able to pick her up today. Have a great day, bud!”
Finally, the house was quiet. Mama was in the kitchen, cleaning up the chaos of breakfast. He strolled back over to her, smiling far too wide. Her face was twisted into a scowl. “I thought you said work at the dock was stable.”
His smile faltered for only an instant. “They had to put off a bunch of workers. I just wasn’t with them long enough to keep on.”
She sighed softly, tucking away the final ingredient back into the pantry. “I… think I should go back to work.”
“Ma, no, I promised I would make-”
“That was the fifth job since we’ve moved here.” She paused, sighing softly. “I know you’re trying your best. I… I know this was a huge commitment for you,
pylat'
. But this isn’t working.”
“I-I’ll find another one. I just need a bit more time.”
“You’re barely an adult, Ajax. I’m their mother. You shouldn’t have to keep this family afloat.”
“I want to. We have enough money for now- I’ll get a job by the end of the week, I promise!”
Another sigh twisted his heart, her doubt etched on her face. “Okay. But if you can’t-”
“That won’t happen.” He grabbed his jacket and stormed out the door.
The cool air felt good against his flushed face. He paused at the car door for a moment, wondering where he should go. He glanced at the fish keychain and couldn’t help but chuckle. A fight would be able to help him calm down.
Most days, struggling with his beat up car wasn’t worth it. But the moment he saw the building, a genuine grin split across his face. He walked in to see the owner leaning against the front counter, chatting on the phone, supposedly with her girlfriend. Beidou saw him, nodded, and hung up within the minute.
“So, you’re in early.”
“Came in to burn off some steam.” She tugged off her jacket, grinning like a madman. Ajax’s eyes widened as he clarified quickly, “I didn’t mean a fight.”
“Too much of a challenge for you?”
Unfortunately, Ajax had never been able to curb that competitive streak of his. “Fine. Just let me stash my stuff in the locker room first.”
Twenty minutes later, he was slammed onto the mats, Beidou’s tired laughter filling the air. “One hell of a fighter, kid.”
“How the hell do you move that fast?” He wheezed, deciding to just stay on the floor for a while. Beidou laughed harder, pushing her hair out of the way of her good eye.
“Practice, kid, practice. I thought speed was your thing.”
“Not on fucking land.” He finally pushed himself up as the door opened, interested in the newcomer. A white haired woman in a suit, with a golden glowing ornament attached at her hip. A vision user in a shitty gym. Beidou’s eye lit up as she jogged over to her.
“Hey babe!” She put a sweaty arm around her shoulders, which was quickly shrugged off with a deadpan glare. Beidou just laughed. “Ajax, this is my girlfriend.”
“So you’re the famous Ningguang?” He held out his hand, looking her straight in the eyes. It felt like a challenge. “She didn’t mention you were rich.” Or a vision user. A little warning, Bei?
“She always seems to forget that fact, don’t you?”
“I like to talk about your
other
assets. Can you blame me?” Ajax wrinkled his nose. “Not my fault you can’t appreciate a woman’s beauty, kid.”
Ningguang let out a long suffering sigh. “I wanted to talk about something, but if you just want to ogle me, I suppose I can go elsewhere.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll stop. What do you need, Ning?”
“I just needed advice on my little… present for Zhongli.” She scanned Ajax for a moment. “Are you unemployed, by any chance?”
It was a joke, of course. “I am, in fact.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Would you be interested in a job?”
“Seriously?” Beidou chimed in, a knowing frown on her face.
“It’s just an offer, he can refuse.”
He cut in before Beidou could continue. “What’s the job?”
Ningguang turned towards him, a dangerous glint in her eyes. The look he had seen time and time again. The look of someone who didn’t believe he could meet their challenge. “A paid companion of sorts, for a friend.”
That sounded… vague. “Like a sugar baby?”
“Nothing so vulgar. Just be… friendly with him.” She locked her eyes on him, studying his reaction. Already predicting his next move, analyzing his character to determine whether he was worth it. Ajax didn’t want her to think he was a coward, someone to back down from an easy challenge.
He wasn’t stupid, though. “What’s the catch?”
“He’s just lonely.” Simple, straightforward, and completely honest.
Beidou looked at him, smiling knowingly. Ajax was just in disbelief. “She’s serious, kid.”
He gulped, looking at the clock. “What would the hours be like?”
“We could negotiate. Nothing overnight. Beidou mentioned you pick up your siblings in the afternoon- I’d let you work around that.”
“Does he know about this?”
“I think sometimes, the best things in life are surprises. Don’t you?”
This was a terrible idea.
“I’ll do it,” he breathed out.
“I didn’t even tell you what I was offering.”
“Money is money.”
She smirked. “I suppose that’s true. I’ll introduce you to him tomorrow.” She pulled out a card, and grabbed a pen from the counter, writing on the back. Ningguang handed him the card, and continued on. “The rate I’ll be paying you, and my number. Text me if you’re absolutely sure. I’ll send you an address and time.” She kissed Beidou on the cheek and left.
“I’m going to go to the locker room and text her.” He said, wide eyed at the figures right next to the dollar sign.
Beidou just laughed at his pain.