Chapter Text
The first time Diluc met Ajax was in the beginning of his senior year in college.
He was in the middle of a party with his club. They were welcoming their new members with a simple drinking party in a cafe near the campus. The beers there were cheap and tasty, making the cafe always full with students who want to have a party —just like his club.
Diluc didn't really like crowds, it's too noisy and rowdy. So he got out of the room for a while, saying that he needs his cigarette break (he doesn't even smoke).
It was in the middle of spring, so the cool breeze welcomed him the moment he stepped out of the building. He still remembers how the night chill made him shiver despite his long coat. Nevertheless, he stood still outside, thinking it was better than having to be in the crowd once again.
The road was a little quiet, seeming like people prefer to be indoors in this kind of chilly night. It made Diluc can hear the calming sound of water flowing along the streams, the faint sound of noise from the inside, the faint sound of the wind blows, and—
“What do I need to do more to make you understand? I love you, for fuck’s sake.”
—and the faint sound of people arguing with their lover.
Diluc took a peek at the alleyway, looking at an orange head who talked desperately on his phone. He looked so frustrated with a frown on his face, the tone in his voice was like the mix of anger and feeling helpless. It made him feel… a little bit curious. But he knows that everyone needs privacy, so he stood on his spot silently, trying not to catch anything in his ear.
“Do whatever you want then,” the orange head said, his voice trembling —Diluc didn't understand why his ear still caught it despite the low voice. A soft sob could be heard before the orange head said once again, “I’m done with you.”
Diluc held his breath, it seemed like the situation is getting worse. He contemplated going back inside —it would be awkward if the orange head found out that he heard him all this time. Being stuck inside must be better than whatever mess he was going to face if he was busted.
Diluc was going to turn around before he found the person he wanted to avoid had stood before him. His gaze looked just as cold as the night breeze, staring at him with blue orbs.
“Eavesdropping is not a good habit, don't you think?” the man before him said, his voice didn't sound as angry like the one he used on the phone, but it sounded so cold that it made Diluc start feeling guilty.
“I didn't,” Diluc said, trying to act nonchalant. “I just got here.”
The man before him chuckled as he turned his face away. “Nonsense.”
Diluc frowned. “If you don't have anything more to say, then please excuse me,” he said once again as he turned his body around, trying to go back inside.
“No, wait,” the orange head said, reaching his arm with a firm grip. “Tell me your name.”
“Huh?” Diluc said shortly, starting to get irritated. “Why should I?”
“So I know who to beat if a rumor start going around,” the orange head said. “Or, should I just beat you up now?”
Diluc smirked. He still remembers how rage started cripping him up that day.
“Let's settle this now, then.”
Diluc doesn't understand why they did that, but that night they beat each other on the street like madmen. The orange head threw a lot of punches to his face that he paid back just as many. The smirk on the orange head's face somehow irritated him so much that it blinded him with rage.
Though, this orange head looked happy —totally like a madman.
Maybe he was happy finding a punchbag to melt away his frustration following his love mess. Maybe he was happy that his rage finally had a place to land. Maybe he was happy that the adrenaline rush from the fight could cover up his heartache.
Either way, he looked so happy. It made Diluc's heart flutter with the sight of his face.
“Ajax,” the orange head said when the police officer asked his name. He looked calm despite having to stay in the police station for a night, it wouldn't be surprising if he was jailed often.
“Diluc,” he said when the police officer turned his gaze at him.
The police officer took note before he sighed and scolded them for making a commotion. It took a little while before he gave up and brought them to their cell. He warned them not to fight again before he left.
“Sorry,” the orange head —Ajax said. His voice sounds so low like a murmur.
“Me too,” Diluc said as he leaned his back to the wall, finally able to relax after a long fight and administration talk. “Your smirk irritated me so much that I felt the need to punch it.”
Ajax laughed. Even his broken lips wouldn't stop him from laughing. “But seriously, you did hear something, didn't you?”
“A little bit,” Diluc shrugged. “Not my fault.”
“Tell me,” Ajax said. His gaze turned cold once again.
Diluc didn't want to risk himself having to spend another night in the cell, so he answered, “Only when you started cursing as you say that you love them.”
“Until?”
“Until you sob,” Diluc said as he lowered his gaze.
Ajax doesn't say anything anymore, so Diluc stole a glance of his face. Ajax looked relaxed, like he's relieved hearing the answer he received. But then he smirked again, his face looked so smug like he wanted to be punched once again.
“Until the end then?”
Diluc shrugged once again. “Not my fault.”
Ajax laughed. His laughter somehow made Diluc form a little smile, almost making him chuckle too. Maybe Ajax’s laugh is contagious, or maybe he just wanted to laugh too.
Either way, he laughed too.
Time passed by with some little talks. They talk about their major, about their club, about some good food stalls around the campus. It turned out that Ajax is a year younger than him, studying art focusing on photography, which explains how bizarre the outfit he was wearing. Ajax said that it was actually not what he wanted, nor that he was very good at it. But his mother needed someone to expand their business, and she thought that it would be easier for Ajax to earn money through an established business rather than starting a brand new career, so here he was.
“What do you actually want to learn then?”
Ajax hummed, he put his finger on his chin as he thought of an answer. “I don't know, maybe I would just learn to be an athlete?”
Diluc scoffed. “You're too old for that.”
“You're crossing the line,” Ajax said as he turned his face away, almost looking like he was sulking. “There are many sports that don't have an age limit, you know.”
“Oh?” Diluc said, amused. “What is it?”
“Alpine skiing, ice skating, running, shooting, swimming, I'm good at all that,” Ajax said with a smug face.
Diluc chuckles. “I’m looking forward to seeing you in the Olympics then.”
“Oh? Is this a challenge?”
Diluc was about to throw back a remark before a police officer came to their cell, saying that there was someone who bailed Ajax out.
Ajax fell silent before he followed the officer. He didn't even glance at him back for a farewell whatsoever. So Diluc took a peek on the administration table, seeing a blue-haired man who hugged Ajax tight the moment Ajax stood before him.
Oh.
It must be the lover he had quarreled with.
Ajax stood still, he didn't even hug the blue head back. But then he sobs, totally the same one like the one he heard on the street before they fought. The blue head shushed him before leaving soft kisses on the tears that started falling from Ajax’s eyes.
Uh.
Where do they think they are currently in?
Diluc scoffed. He stopped taking a peek right away. When did he start to meddle in someone's love life anyway. He should just look for a way to get out of this mess too.
Yeah.
Kaeya must be free enough to bail him out of jail tonight.