Work Text:
There’s a lot of things Ajax was expecting when he sent the invites out to the other idols.
And, honestly? Having anyone show up on a busy week like this was a miracle .
Those in attendance, however… Well, he supposed poor company on a day such as this was to be expected.
A familiar woman with long white hair and red eyes approached him.
“Hello, Childe,” she said, adjusting her handbag’s strap.
Ajax looked up and was greeted with Ningguang’s face.
“Oh, you came!” he greeted, a strained smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Ajax peered at the door hidden by Ningguang’s figure. “So, do you happen to know when the others will be arriving?”
She sighed, “I’m afraid not-”
As if on cue, the door to the restaurant slammed open, giving one of the waitresses a fright. Through the door he spotted another familiar face. Arataki Itto, a solo artist under the stage name “ONE ‘N ONI”.
He grinned in Ajax’s direction before walking up to his table. “Hey compadre! Pretty nice place you’ve booked out.”
“Haha, I’m glad you could make it!” Ajax smiled, pulling out his phone to check the group chat.
Itto then turned to Ningguang, holding out his hand in offering and greeted her, “It’s great to see you here too, Ningguang!”
“A pleasure to see you here too, Itto,” She said, cupping Itto’s hand with her own to shake it.
Itto spun himself into one of the chairs to the right of Ajax while Ningguang opted for a seat to the far end of the table.
The low hum of conversation filled the empty space, tables occupied with strangers slowly grew numerous in number.
Ajax stares at the golden ‘Reserved’ plaques on the empty tables surrounding him. He groaned, “God, I’m starving. Can we just order instead of waiting for the others?”
Ningguang sighs, “It would only be polite to wait for everyone first, but since you’ve offered to pay, I suppose you could do whatever.”
“We’re ordering now?” Itto asked, tilting his head not unlike a curious puppy would.
“Sure,” Ajax said nonchalantly. He pauses, “Er, sorry, it’s just that waiting for people is really testing my patience today.”
“Aww, don’t sweat it, man! There was this one time me and Shinobu were-” Ajax proceeds to nod along as though he was paying attention to the other male, training his eyes on the menu in front of him.
The door opens, and Ajax wishes he had the conscience to not look up.
“Ah, I do hope I’m not late to this little meetup of yours,” an eerily saccharine voice permeates his ears.
Ajax grits his teeth. Of all the people that decided they weren’t busy tonight, of course it had to be Pantalone .
“Oh… you came,” he muttered through gritted teeth, disdain staining his tongue.
He rolls his eyes, “Of course I’d come, Tartaglia, I wouldn’t dare miss an occasion such as this.”
Pantalone’s eyes form beady slits and his mouth ticks in an upward crescent shape. “I even get to bond with the young man who tried to kill me,” he says sardonically.
A pity I never went through with it, he thought.
“Either way,” he says, making a move to approach Ajax, “You picked a very nice venue.”
“I thought entertainment focused on visuals. You’re lucky your group doesn’t focus on menial appearances as much as the others,” he’d snarked.
Oh shit.
Why the fuck would he say that?
Fortunately, it seems the gods have smiled upon him today, as Pantalone proceeds to stride past him, not even sparing him a second glance.
Deciding to count his blessings, he chooses to return to his previous act of staring at the door, waiting for more people to show up.
When he spotted a pair of familiar amber eyes and head of brown hair, he waved.
“Well, if it isn’t my favourite bandmate! Glad you could make it,” he said as Zhongli approached.
“I’ve been meaning to try more of this cuisine. I appreciate the invite, Childe,” he says, curtly nodding before taking a seat to the right of Ningguang. Ajax tunes the both of them out as they engage in conversation and looks over at the table across from him.
Just as Ajax shot a cursory glance at the lone FA7UI member at the neighbouring table, his attention was suddenly drawn to a familiar indigo-haired man who had entered shortly after Zhongli. He was scrolling through something on his cellphone, completely engrossed in whatever media he was consuming.
Intrigued and somewhat elated, Ajax got up from his seat and walked over to Scaramouche, who had taken a seat at one of the side booths. Ajax notices Scaramouche’s eyebrow twitch in annoyance and grins cheekily.
He peers over the other’s shoulder, cursing internally when he realises the shorter male installed a privacy screen. Mentally steeling himself, he leans in closer.
“What’re you doing?” he inquired, attempting to make out anything on the mostly dark screen.
Scaramouche’s mouth twitched before he looked up and shoved the ginger away. Then, as if deciding Ajax wasn’t worth his attention anymore, greeted Albedo who Ajax hadn’t even noticed approach.
“Ah, hey ‘bedo. You made it,” he said, casually kicking Ajax from where he was sitting.
“Wh- hey!” Ajax sputters, wincing. With a huff, Ajax takes the seat to the opposite side of Scaramouche while Albedo slides into the seat beside him.
Albedo nods, “Mn. You also came along?”
“Yeah, it’s free food,” Scaramouche responded, shrugging.
Ajax’s hands twitch in annoyance, glowering. “You can’t just cause me bodily harm.”
Scaramouche scoffs, rolling his eyes while passing Albedo a menu. “As if a pathetic kick like that could do any real damage to a beanstalk like you.”
Ajax’s eye twitches. That short-ass knows exactly what his pain threshold is and that kick was anything but pathetic. “Okay man, what the fuck.”
Scaramouche laughs, flicking stray hair strands out of his face.
Ajax seethes. “This is why the gods decided to stunt your damn growth,” he grumbled, turning to face the other tables.
The shorter male glares holes at the back of Ajax’s head.
“Oh you little…” he muttered. “This is why people always compare you to that one dude from Project Sekai,” he retorted.
Ajax scoffs turning back to face the now-infuriated Scaramouche, “And you’re saying that like people don’t mistake you for that one VTuber. Shotou or something.”
Scaramouche’s nose bridge wrinkled up in fury and Ajax internally cheered at the other’s ease to rile up.
Albedo sighs, “You two, please refrain from fighting here.” The blonde shakes his head, eyes closed, “I would rather we not get kicked out for disturbing the peace before we can even try the food. Speaking of which, I’ve never ordered from here before.” He meets Ajax’s eyes, inquiring, “Do you perhaps have any suggestions?”
His voice was deceptively calm and controlled, though somewhat resigned.
Ajax grinned, splitting his attention from the banter to answer Albedo, “Well, there’s a bunch of different meats and sides you can pick from on the menu. If it’s not exactly your style, they’ve also got ramen and noodles and stuff.”
Albedo grimaces(?) and Ajax remembers that Albedo has a particular avoidance of most, if not any, servings of meat. “You said they have ramen?”
“Yeah, they’ve also got seafood options and sides which are mostly vegetarian,” Ajax replies.
Scaramouche’s annoyance seemed to simmer with more irritation as Ajax proceeded to talk to Albedo as if nothing had happened.
Completely out of pocket, he roused, tone laced with anger, “This is why you got sent to the hospital.”
Ajax sputters, “Okay first of all, stop pulling that against me!” He playfully kicks Scara’s shin from under the table and slams his arm on the marble-top surface. Ajax leaned forward. “Second of all- You,” he pointed at Scara, “Me,” he said, gesturing to himself, “Outside, 9pm,” he gestured to the door.
If Albedo had a response to that, Ajax never noticed it.
Scaramouche grinned, “You’re on.” His eyes glinted in competitive spirit. “You sure you want it outside? You’ll probably get stabbed again,” he said, mockingly. The shorter male kicked Ajax’s other leg with a smirk.
Ajax groans. Why the hell is he so insistent on bringing up that incident so many times?
Albedo sighs, head in his hands. “Please don’t get arrested,” he pleaded. “There’s a media interview scheduled for tomorrow that you’re supposed to attend.” Which was Albedo-code for; Please don’t get into trouble, or if you do, don’t do it tonight.
Scara glanced at Albedo, offering a reassuring grin, “Don’t worry, we won’t get caught.”
“I trust you enough not to get caught,” Albedo amends. “I’d just prefer if you two did it out of sight.” And out of the view of the public’s scornful eye.
“Hmph, didn’t stop this idiot from going off and getting blood all over my favourite hoodie because he went off and got stabbed.”
Albedo blinked, “What do you mean stabbed ?”
“That was a while ago,” Ajax sighed. “Really, it’s no big deal.”
Albedo frowned, “So it’s true, then?” What?
Scaramouche’s face contorted in confusion. “What?”
“So,” he paused, “You didn’t know he wrote a fanfiction of a certain stabbing incident?”
Ajax tugs at his mind for context before remembering a fanfic he found while scrolling through his Twitter feed.
This fanfiction… “acanthocyte”, a short one-shot written by Subject2…
—
(“Dark hair, dark eyes… likes tea… short… awful haircuts…” he said, in a faux-teasing voice.
Kunikuzushi can suddenly barely hear his own thoughts. “You… your blood type you moron !”)
—
The corners of his mouth twitched upwards in realisation.
“What- wait, hold on a second, Rue knows about that?” Scara exclaimed, shocked. Sputtering, “Of course I didn’t know? I haven’t checked anything he’s written since last year!”
Albedo offers his phone to the other, seemingly with the aforementioned fanfiction pulled up on it. Scaramouche skims the text and after a slow, silent, agonising minute, returns the phone.
“…How the hell does he know any of that.” Albedo frowns, in what Ajax realises is his way of shrugging. “And why aren’t you more shocked about that?” Scaramouche asks, almost accusingly.
The three jolt as Albedo’s phone suddenly starts vibrating against the table.
Albedo scans the caller ID and sighs. “Apologies, I need to take this,” he says, excusing himself.
Ajax watches the blonde leave and turns to Scaramouche, who had been staring holes into his head.
“Did you know about this?” he frowned, nose scrunched and gaze piercing.
Ajax nonchalantly nodded, “Yeah, I read it when it was published.”
Scaramouche balls up his fists and slams the table, standing as he did so. “So it’s all your fault that people have started shameless rumours about us?”
“My fault?” he squawked, schooling his incredulous expression. “How the fuck is any of that my fault?” He rises, ignoring the sudden hush in the room.
“What do you want me to say, huh? Sorry I got fucking stabbed?” he added, exasperatedly.
Scaramouche hissed, “That’s not what I meant, fucking bastard. Your sheer lack of self-preservation when it comes to women is fucking awful.” He gripped Ajax’s shoulders, which, considering their current seating arrangement, was a fucking phenomenon .
“How was I supposed to know she was going to pull out a damn knife?” he shot back defensively. “And stop blaming me as if it’s my fault Albedo’s brother was right there!”
Dragging Scara out of the booth, Ajax shoved his co-worker off of his shoulders, watching as his rage built and built.
In what Ajax assumes is Scara’s peak of rage and irrationality, he sees black as Scara’s fist connects with his face.
@burgerqueen | michi • 3m
HOLY SHIT CHILDE AN D SCARA BEEFING AT THE GOOD BBQ PLACE
[FIGHTFIGHTFIGHT.mov]
Replies 3 • Likes 21 • Retweets 19
@princetcg | nyan • 1m
WAIT NO WAY HOLY SHITTTT THEYR AT EACHOTHERFS THROATS IN THAT VID
Replies 1 • Likes 4 • Retweets 2
@burgerqueen | michi • 57s
IKR
Replies 0 • Likes 1 • Retweets 0
Kunikuzushi watched Childe hit the floor, the table he impacted tipped to its side with a clatter and bang. Blood trickled from Childe’s bruised nose, but Kunikuzushi could see only static.
Silent at first, Kunikuzushi watched Childe cup the droplets before he let out a series of giggles. What shortly followed was Childe erupting into manic laughter. His blue eyes locked on with Kunikuzushi’s own, filled with bloodlust.
He surged to his feet and lunged directly at Kunikuzushi, a crazed grin stretching across his face. Childe’s fist connected with his gut and Kunikuzushi recoiled.
Pain exploded in his gut as he was backed into a table. Armed with adrenaline, Kunikuzushi launched himself back at Childe, fists flying before his brain could catch up.
@burgerqueen | michi • 8m
HOLY SHIT CHILDE AN D SCARA BEEFING AT THE GOOD BBQ PLACE
[FIGHTFIGHTFIGHT.mov]
Replies 11 • Likes 62 • Retweets 37
@mikimiki | miki the dckz stan • 2m
hes so hot when hes yelling nmh
Replies 2 • Likes 4 • Retweets 2
@cardbxtch | ai chan • 1m
chill out bro 😭
Replies 1 • Likes 1 • Retweets 0
Albedo was gone for less than ten minutes.
He slams the door open, shoving his way through a blockade of patrons. “You two-” he pauses. It’s no use. They won’t listen to him like this. The crowd of murmuring patrons shuffle back as Kuni and Childe are locked in their altercation.
A flash of white distracts Albedo for a moment.
He soon realises that these observers were taking photos and videos while his partner beat up his coworker.
Albedo debates physically interfering or dialing emergency services as Kuni lunges at Childe, pivoting into a harsh kick which connects with the latter combatant’s head. He watches in silent horror as the ginger crumples to the floor, blood still gushing from his nose.
Kuni falters at this, uttering a quiet, “Childe…?” as he approached the fallen man, concern overwriting his rage-fuelled adrenaline.
Deciding to take initiative, Albedo dials the emergency line, quickly stepping forward as the surrounding bystanders gasp and murmur.
“Childe. Fuck . God-damnit, answer me!” Kuni screamed, shaking the unconscious man.
Childe was unresponsive, head lolled to the side with closed eyes.
Albedo curses under his breath as the dispatcher greets him on the other line.
@burgerqueen | michi • 9m
oh my stars #bbqbeef
[bbqbeefchiscarapunch.mov]
Replies 42 • Likes 62 • Retweets 49
@queenofyikes | urbitxh • 4m
YIKES THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HURT
Replies 13 • Likes 11 • Retweets 4
@ChalkPrince | calx • 3m
What is going on
Replies 6 • Likes 24 • Retweets 12
@cardbxtch | ai chan • 1m
ALBEDO????
Replies 3 • Likes 4 • Retweets 2
The first thing Kunikuzushi hears after falling out of his rage-induced state is Albedo telling someone that Childe is, “…bleeding from the nose and potentially has a concussion.”
“…’bedo?” Kunikuzushi mutters. Albedo must have not heard him, since he keeps conversation with whoever was on the other line.
Probably the ambulance , Kunikuzushi realised, belatedly.
“Kuni,” Albedo addresses him, the familiar nickname grounded Kunikuzushi as he gave a hum of acknowledgment. “Is Childe a stage name or his actual name? I’ll need it for the hospital service.”
Kunikuzushi stutters and sighs, eyes trained back on Childe as he tried to think back to the teahouse incident.
“His name is Ajax,” he answered softly.
Albedo nods, continuing to inform the person on the other line of the situation. “The injured’s name is Ajax, I’m unsure of his surname… yes, I’ll stay on the phone.” Albedo looks towards Kunikuzushi again. “Is he bleeding from anywhere other than his nose?” he asks, urgently.
Kunikuzushi blinks away the dryness of his eyes ( or are those tears? ) and looks at—
(Ashes. Ashes and smoke. The fire closes around him as he reaches for his friend’s lifeless corpse. He can barely hear himself think over the sirens and blood- b lood.bloo dblood blood . BLOOD on his hands.)
—Childe’s body, quickly checking for any blood or lack of bleeding.
“No, I don’t think so…” he replied uncertainly. Bile crawled up his throat and he grimaced at the pain in his chest.
“Any unusual swelling around limbs?” They’re checking for broken bones, Kunikuzushi realises.
Confident, he replies, “No.”
Albedo relays his responses to the other end and informs Kunikuzushi that the ambulance would be there in five minutes.
This would be the most agonising five minutes Kunikuzushi would ever experience.
calx
@ChalkPrince
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📍Kreideprinz Residence • 🔗 https://favonius-art-studio/profiles/albedo-kreideprinz/
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@ChalkPrince | bedo • 4y
Replying to @subjecttwo
It is truly a miracle that mother has let you live past 10.
Replies 592 • Likes 20.9k • Retweets 3.6k
“Bruised ribs, potential but unlikely aneurysm on account of a strike to the temple, a broken nose and possibly dehydration caused by a manic episode.” The doctor turned to Kunikuzushi. “Since there isn’t any swelling, it can be assumed that we aren’t dealing with broken bones, though it won’t hurt to run either a MRI scan or X-Ray to double check.”
(Kunikuzushi glared. “So it’s all your fault that people have started shameless rumours about us?”
“My fault?” Childe squawked, incredulously. “How the fuck is any of that my fault?”)
“Worst case scenario, he’ll wake up extremely disoriented, and likely also in pain. I’ll get some painkillers- ibuprofen should do.”
Albedo squeezes Kunikuzushi’s shoulder reassuringly. The weight of guilt settles unpleasantly in his chest.
It’s unusually quiet.
He feels numb.
The doctor clears the silence. “I’ll be back in an hour or so to check on Mr Ajax’s condition but if he wakes up prior to that, press the call button, here.” The doctor promptly exits the room.
Left alone with Albedo and an unconscious Childe, Kunikuzushi stutters. “I…” he says, eyes settling on Childe. “I did this to him,” he whispered, voice thick with remorse.
Albedo’s hand lingers on Kunikuzushi’s shoulder.
“What happened has happened, — you let your anger get to you and it ended in an outcome that hurt yourself and others.” He looked at Kunikuzushi, an indistinct emotion gracing his features.
“Please don’t be too hard on yourself, Kuni.”
He let out a heavy sigh before turning to face Albedo.
"I know... but ‘bedo, he's here, unconscious for who knows how long, and it's because of me. Fuck, I was even the one who threw the first punch," he confessed, words full of guilt as he spiralled into a sense of self-blame.
Albedo closes his eyes, dipping his head. He hesitated for a second, before sighing. Kunikuzushi knows Albedo is wholeheartedly aware that Kunikuzushi was the whole reason for the altercation and braced himself for his work partner’s response.
He responded… diplomatically. “… I am not claiming that you aren’t at fault, merely that both you and Childe’s actions had contributed to this incident.”
“And the doctor said that in the worst case scenario, he’d have extreme disorientation upon awakening.”
Placing his blind trust in doctors has never worked well for Kunikuzushi, but he felt a little reassured that maybe it would be fine just this once.
As if hearing his thoughts, Albedo reached out and shallowly embraced him. “I might not know the hospital staff here, but I don’t think that this doctor would sugarcoat Childe’s condition to make it seem like he’s doing better than he actually is.”
Kunikuzushi furiously blinked back the fiery sensation in his eyes and screwed them shut.
Instead of pulling away, he holds Albedo closer, pulling his head into the blonde’s shoulder. Albedo rubs Kunikuzushi’s back consolingly as the numbness fades.
@burgerqueen | michi • 8h
oh my stars #bbqbeef
[bbqbeefchiscarapunch.mov]
Replies 841 • Likes 10.6k • Retweets 6.1k
@queenofyikes | urbitxh • 8h
YIKES THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HURT
Replies 70 • Likes 280 • Retweets 201
@ChalkPrince | calx • 8h
What is going on
Replies 235 • Likes 1.2k • Retweets 824
@cardbxtch | ai chan • 8h
ALBEDO????
Replies 21 • Likes 109 • Retweets 5