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Ajax loves fishing. It is one of the few things the Abyss hasn’t managed to change about him, perhaps because it doesn’t require too much effort to consider it a battle to the death rather than just a pleasant hobby. And even though the kind weather of Fontaine and the consequent lack of ice makes the activity a bit different from what he is used to, it doesn’t mean he enjoys it any less.
Sharing his pastime with Zhongli and Neuvillette also turns it into a bigger challenge, because while his husbands possess many qualities, remaining silent over long periods of time is not their strong suit. After a while, they will inevitably start rambling about something that has caught their eye and share everything they know about it. The aspect of the water, a lone flower bending under the wind, a crab passing by… Anything could trigger such reactions from them.
In the frozen lands of Morepesok, where finding food was a matter of life or death, they would be firmly reprimanded for scaring the fish away with their talking. Thankfully, Ajax doesn’t have to worry about going hungry anymore, so he is more than happy to listen to their enthusiastic rants, even if it lessens his chances of catching anything. Their chatter always prolongs his fishing sessions, but he doesn’t mind. On the contrary, there is nothing that he enjoys more than spending time with his wonderful dragon mates, so Ajax sees it as an absolute win.
However, so long as they are stationed near the shore, Ajax can never be truly alone with his husbands, because of them.
Somehow, as soon as Neuvillette gets close to the water, a dozen blue and white otters never fail to start following the Iudex around. As Ajax fishes, a few of them even curl up on the Hydro Dragon’s lap and beg to be petted. Though the Snezhnayan cannot deny that it is quite a cute sight, it also becomes more of a struggle when they all perk up in interest the second a fish bites.
Their wordless pleading is already hard to resist, but as soon as Neuvillette inevitably joins them, Ajax is done for. He loves his amazing husband way too much to deny him anything, and so pretty much all his catches are handed over to the Iudex so he can shred them apart with his powerful dragon claws and distribute the pieces to the overeager otters. The mix of raw power and gentleness always does something to Ajax, and he just cannot stop staring. Neuvillette looks absolutely beautiful when his eyes light up with joy upon seeing his gifts so thoroughly appreciated by the little sea creatures. The smile that graces his lips in those moments is definitely worth more than any fish he could bring home.
Ajax also doesn’t miss how Zhongli’s shoulders discreetly slump in relief as the otters feast on the last fish, or how he winces in disgust whenever he gets a glimpse of their raw meal. His reaction, born of his distaste for seafood, is so incredibly endearing that the Harbinger has to swallow back a chuckle.
Of course, Ajax would never force him to eat anything he doesn’t like, and the consultant knows it, but it is funny to see how grateful he is to see the fish disappear regardless. As for the otters, they appear absolutely delighted, and even tap their little paws on the ground for more. This time, Ajax cannot help but chuckle out loud, then throws his line back in the water, with the intention of getting more food for their insatiable guests.
All in all, fishing is more eventful with Zhongli and Neuvillette around, but Ajax wouldn’t have it any other way.