Archive of Our Own ^beta

I want to take you somewhere, Ajax types on his phone, eyebrows scrunched as he concentrates in finding the perfect words to use, are you up for it, dear-

“Why does it sound so informal,” he presses the backspace key for a few seconds, deleting every single letter he’s typed so far, “and why does it seem like I’m forcing him to come with me with the want…”

He scratches his head with his left hand, pondering on how he should put such a sudden request down, twisting his lips from one side to the other as his neurons attempt to come up with something…

“Ugh,” he sighs in protest, “do I really have to?”

His younger sister lazily lays in her queen-sized bed, scrolling through her own phone, patiently waiting for the moment in which-

“Tonia,” Ajax shouts, “need your help here, will you come for a moment?”

She cheers under her breath, already knowing her big brother’s big issue, one that in reality is very small and that he’s making a bigger deal out of than it should actually be.

Not even bothering to answer him, she sits up all excited and giddy, happily leaving her room and reaching Ajax’s, barging in unlike never before.

“Yes, my dear brother?” The young girl asks, a huge grin on her face as she’s very much familiar with the kind of problem the young man is having, “whatever may I help you with?”

“Look, I'll just get to the point,” Ajax replies with no hesitation, “because I know my munchkin and what she'd do to even get a glimpse of our chat, so-”

“You said you'd get to the point,” Tonia cuts her brother off, “so do it without calling me like that, thank you very much. It's gotten pretty old.”

The young man makes a face that says something on the lines of come on, really? while the young girl simply glares at him, making very good use of her most menacing stare. He knows she's just joking… but it's better not to take the risk.

“Fine, fine,” Ajax complies with his sister's request, “so, the thing is,” he starts explaining, “you know how it's been one month since me and Zhongli have gotten together, yeah?”

“No shit, Sherlock,” Tonia fake gasps, “I literally have it in my calendar,” she unlocks her phone, quickly swiping through her apps and finding the one she seeks.

It takes her but a few moments to set a thing up…

“See?” She hands Ajax her phone, “each and every month I have a double reminder of the event, with an extra one for your six months and one year and so on-”

The young man's eyes widen in surprise. He knows his sister like the back of his hand, but she still manages to catch him off guard quite often.

Well, more than he can count on one hand, this much is certain.

“That's actually very sweet,” he smiles fondly, now switching the roles and taking his sister by surprise with a genuine, happy remark, “and helpful too, just in case my own notifications fail to pop up for some reason.”

Proud - and glad to have been of help - Tonia crosses her arms in front of her chest, satisfied and expecting just a bit more praise - even a thanks would do-

But Ajax simply pats her head, making sure not to ruin her hairdo, because “we're not done here just yet,” he says, finally taking him to the main point.

“The thing is, I love Zhongli very much,” he starts explaining his reasoning, “and I would love to take him out later today but here's the thing, and I need you to listen to me very carefully.”

He pats the edge of the bed, handing Tonia her phone and inviting her to sit next to him. This means it's either a very important matter, or quite the long topic to discuss.

“Of course,” she gently replies, obviously intrigued by whatever her big brother may have to say, “I'm all ears.”

“The first thing is, as stupid as it sounds,” Ajax deeply inhales, already preparing himself for what he knows will be Tonia's exaggerated reaction, “I don't know how to ask him- I mean, everything I've tried either just sounds too informal, or too forced, and I don't want it to be either…”

“My advice is the same as always and you know that,” the young girl answers, “just be yourself, use the language that is the most natural for you to use, don't force yourself, blah blah blah- it's always the same stuff…”

She stops her short rambling, thinking for a quick moment, bringing some silence to the conversation for a few seconds.

Hi, my dear, Tonia says, I'm sorry if this is last minute, but I would like to take you somewhere special later on today- “that’s right, you haven't told me where you want to bring him! So, what's the lucky place today, hm?”

Ajax sighs, a small amount of anxiety starting to pool into his stomach.

“Well… since I've known him for quite a while,” he says, “and he's one of the people I trust with my life the most…”

Tonia looks at her brother with a questioning gaze, indeed questioning the reason why the young man is hesitating so much in spilling very important beans.

“I would like your approval to take him to our special place, please,” he breathes out, suddenly feeling like a huge weight has been taken off his chest.

“I mean, if that's something I even have to ask, I don't know-”

All Tonia manages to let out is a small oh.

Silence falls in the room, making the atmosphere exponentially more tense, so much that Ajax instinctively holds his breath until he can't anymore.

Only then does his sister finally speak again.

“I never thought you'd ask me, honestly,” she genuinely smiles, as if the best thing in the world had just happened to her, “because it means a lot- so much more than you think, to me,” she sniffles, attempting to keep her happy tears in, “so how could the answer ever be negative, you- you silly ginger boy!”

Tonia has thankfully learnt that, at this point, if tears want to come out then she should let them, and that's exactly what she does, throwing herself at her big brother, wrapping her arms tight around him in one of the biggest hugs she's ever given to anyone in her entire life.

And how can Ajax not reciprocate in such a heartfelt moment, one of the rarest events that can happen in his house.

He gently rubs his sister's back, comforting her in a way that's not too overwhelming. After all, he knows her like the back of his own hand.

Then, just as delicately, he gives her a soft kiss on the top of her head, one that lingers for a few seconds but that's sure to bring the young girl's mood up once again.

“You're actually right, you know,” he says, as they part from each other’s embrace, “I've never properly reflected on how important that night had been for you, and now important it still is even now, after all this time.”

Tonia's eyes, still wet with tears, also shine with a very positive something else.

“Can I curse?” She asks, all of a sudden, interrupting the sappy moment between the two of them.

Ajax, caught off guard once again, responds with an uncertain sure, I guess?

“It was fucking time you asked,” she spits out, putting particular emphasis on the curse word she's chosen to use, “it feels like I've been waiting for this moment for ever, you really have no idea.”

“Oh, I can see you have, but!” the ginger answers, eager to get back to the original point, “now, where were we…”

—

Zhongli's phone buzzes loudly, interrupting his peaceful and calm morning routine. On the rare occasions he has a free day from either touring or teaching, he likes to take it as easy as he possibly can.

His alarm clock still sounds early, for someone who wants to relax after a tough week, but the older man still deems it to be quite late.

Now, in the middle of his nearly ritual morning routine, a buzzing phone doesn't seem like a big deal… but he has openly told anyone and everyone not to contact him except in case of an emergency or urgency of any kind. That's why he doesn't outright silence his phone, only putting it in vibration mode.

He slowly inhales through his nose to then just as deeply exhale through the mouth, collecting his energies to check whoever has had the courage to bother him in such a fundamental and delicate part of his morning.

After another moment, he opens his eyes, recollecting his bearings and reaching for his phone, just out of hand so it wouldn't tempt him. As soon as he turns its screen on, a fond smile instantly forms on his face.

Double tapping on the notification to read it in its entirety makes him realize that yes, this is something quite urgent, as it's a text from none other than his beloved boyfriend.

Hello, my dear, Zhongli reads under his breath, and he already feels himself burning up from only a sappy nickname, since it's a special day today, I would love to take you somewhere that's very important to me- “oh, my memo didn't go off today- I cannot believe I almost forgot about it…”

Peppy steps rapidly close in and uh oh, it's not a good sign.

“More like, completely forgot about it, hm?” Hu Tao says, barging into the room.

“Even me and Tonia have a shared calendar,” she adds, crossing her arms in front of her chest, “but you and Ajax don't? Come on, really?”

Zhongli sighs, already knowing that this light-hearted lecture would have arrived, sooner or later. Better sooner than later, he thinks, shrugging.

“Really,” he answers, assuming a more imposing glare, “I think it's better not to take the risk, seeing my… fame, and how people want to know every single detail of my life, be it public or private.”

“You're literally using your second phone right now, Zhongli,” the young woman replies, “so if we apply that reasoning, you shouldn't keep your chats- or even be in contact with him in the first place,” she sighs, slumping on the comfortable sofa next to a wide-eyed Zhongli.

“Well, the same thing could be said for you and Tonia,” the older man makes his own point, “why would one of my students have a connection with my manager, of all people-”

“Shush,” she interrupts him, “people don't know who I am- hell, they don't even know how I look, and what's my real name… so I'd say I'm in a much better spot than yours,” Hu Tao jokingly side-eyes Zhongli.

A deep, long sigh is the first thing that leaves the brunet’s mouth, now finally having given up on his reasoning.

“Fine, fine,” he surrenders, putting his hands up, “you win this time.”

Hu Tao's eyes shine mischievously, ready to claim the prize she thinks she'll get-

“That's a no for reading our chat,” Zhongli doesn't even let her finish her thought, “what do you think we could possibly be talking about in there?”

The young woman sighs deeply and very openly, defeated by her own greed.

“At least tell me what sappy shit he's texted you,” she asks with a big frown on her face - one that purposefully makes Zhongli feel guilty - “I'm not even asking you to hand me the phone, just to read it out loud-”

“Unfortunately, your tricks do work on me,” the older man reluctantly hands Hu Tao the phone, “just don't go snooping around, I've got my eye on you,” he jokes, only slightly minding the fact that his boss has, in fact, instantly started snooping around a bit too much for his own taste.

“So, uh,” she wants to ask something, as her voice holds quite a bit of perplexity, “where exactly is he planning to take you later today? Got any ideas?”

“I'm afraid I'm as clueless as you are,” Zhongli answers, shrugging, “the only way to know is to agree to this date- I mean, I would never deny him a date… especially when he has asked me so politely,” he lightly flushes, cheeks tinting of a soft red, “besides, he said that it's an important place to him, which rouses curiosity but also fondness, because he would like me to visit a place that has changed his life for the better, most likely,” he catches his breath for a moment, “and I think that is very sweet of him, opening his heart to me and trusting me with more of his delicate past-”

Zhongli can feel Hu Tao's glare towards him after having rambled about his lover for a little while, so he ends his brief speech with a few more words.

“And that really warms my heart,” he says, with a fond smile on his face.

The following moments of total silence are the quietest the room has ever been… and then the young woman suddenly breaks this comfortable quiet by speaking a few words.

“Tonia's done the right thing with our shared calendar,” she says, “putting a double reminder for all your anniversaries, each and every month- you two are going to last a long fucking time, I already know it.”

Zhongli can't help but to shake his head, thinking that it's definitely too soon to say, but that the warmth that Ajax makes me feel is very comforting, and that I wouldn't mind having it with me for the rest of my life.

—

Despite Tonia's several reassurances, Ajax still paces in the room, anxiousness coating all his nerves.

“What if he refuses for some reason,” he rambles on, to which his sister responds with a “why would he, it'll be alright, stop panicking for nothing!”

And indeed she's right, because not a moment later the young man finally gets the answer he's been waiting for, for what feels like an eternity… when in reality it's only been less than fifteen minutes.

Hi, Ajax, said man reads, now sat down on his bed with a soft smile on his face, I would love nothing more than to join you today- “fuck yes!” he loudly cheers, startling Tonia, who elbows his side to protest the unexpected loud noise.

Though I may have to shift some things around, the time sounds perfect, he keeps reading, and I am delighted that you remembered that- “of course I did, how could I ever forget… and, besides, the sunset is my favourite time of day as well…”

It reminds me of you, and your gorgeous eyes, he thinks, letting out a long sigh, and maybe that's why I instantly fell for you- “damn, why am I so down bad for him…” he accidentally speaks out loud, meaning to ask himself this question in his mind.

“I think I can see why,” the young girl seriously replies, “but in reality… still beats me, honestly.”

“Ahem,” Ajax fake coughs, flushing red, “there's still some text left and I'm sure that you're particularly eager to know all the details, aren't you, hm?”

Tonia eagerly nods, a sly smile on her face. Her brother knows that she would love nothing more than to snoop through every single message in the chat… but no can do.

I will be extremely careful not to let myself be spotted, the text indeed keeps going, so forgive me if I look inelegant, but I will have to wear a disguise… so that no one shall notice my presence- “even if you were going to wear a literal garbage bag, I wouldn't deem you inelegant,” Ajax mumbles, then skips ahead in the text to make things a bit quicker.

Just so he can have more time to prepare himself both clothes-wise, and brain-wise.

I will send you the location I am currently staying at, the young man then sees an address and shows it to Tonia, so she can make a quick research on the place and the best, most efficient route to get there, and I will wait for your message, so that things may go smoothly.

Ajax avoids reading the last few words of the text, simply locking his phone and laying on his back, keeping the device close to his heart.

“Now I see why I'm so down bad for him,” he sighs, hopelessly in love.

He can hear his sister's eyes roll to the back of her head.

—

As the hours pass - for one they do so slowly, for the other they do so quite quickly - both have prepared themselves in more ways than one.

Zhongli has decided to, apart from wearing his disguise, wear an elegant change of clothes underneath, so that he may be able to look his best when the two will have gotten to Ajax's special place; the latter has also opted to wear his best clothes… but not too fancy, even though the occasion is an important one. And the topic he will most likely bring up is even more serious.

He's fortunately found something comfortable enough: a simple long-sleeved turtleneck, one that Tonia bought him for his first birthday after having top surgery. Though it had seemed quite out of place to be gifted in the middle of summer, Ajax has learnt how to appreciate the warm wool shirt in the most… dire of times, and he does so in this moment as well.

As for the pants, he's chosen to wear a pair of black skinny jeans, not too tight but also not too loose… so that Zhongli's attention could be swayed towards somewhere else other than the ginger's handsome face - he's just kidding, his beloved has no particular preference in physique. He likes them all, no exceptions.

Ajax then tops everything off with a warm leather coat, rigorously double-layered so that he may not feel the cold too much - one of his most treasured belongings, as it was between the stuff his dad left behind after his tragic passing - a couple of rings, a necklace, and one singular earring.

Said piece of jewelry is instead his mother's, with Ajax having chosen to bring one small piece of her with him as well. The occasion is very special, one of the most important of his life, even, so he feels like that's the bare minimum.

The other earring, he's put in a small black box. Its interior is lined with dark red silk, while the cover is only decorated with a small ribbon - a last-minute choice, since it looked way too “proposal-like” without it.

“I can't wait for you two to meet him,” he inadvertently thinks out loud, catching Tonia's now undivided attention, “since I don't want to spoil the surprise too much, all I can say is that he's beautiful. Both on the outside and on the inside, I mean,” he gestures, picking up the small box and admiring the perfect replica of his mother's favourite accessory - he could have never given away the other original one, not even to the love of his life… well, not so early, at least. Maybe in the future, who knows-

A familiar buzz nearly scares him to death, unpleasantly and suddenly dragging him out of his light spacing out, prompting a whispered curse in the ginger's native language. Even if the cause of the vibration has just been none other than Zhongli, having sent a confirmation text to Ajax's phone.

One that technically wasn't supposed to exist… but that the young man obviously still welcomes nonetheless.

As he opens the notification, another message gets delivered. This time, an even more unexpected picture of the brunet himself, sunglasses in hand and wool cap on his head, temporarily hiding both his luscious hair, and what Ajax already knows will be elegant makeup.

He can spot his classic long brown coat with its high collar, and the scarf he'd been gifted for the first Christmas after the two had met. The rest, including jewelry and clothes, is a complete mystery and he's all up for it.

I think I would be able to spot you even in a massive crowd, Ajax answers, letting some tension flow down his body as he slowly types, but, thank you regardless, my dear. He smiles at the screen, now unable to take his eyes off that simple picture, not at all revealing but still warming him from the inside out.

“Look at what he does for you,” Tonia peeks at the screen, her eyes also inevitably landing on Zhongli's photo, “you better keep him for the rest of your life, otherwise…” she points her finger at her big brother, as if reprimanding him well in advance, “otherwise I'll never forgive you for letting someone as wonderful as him just leave your life. Capiche, hm?”

“Oh, I'm going to be mad at myself if I ever let him go for some reason,” Ajax places the small container on the table to then instantly answer, as if he already had his words ready, “so I pinky promise that I will do my damn best to keep him into our lives,” he gestures, offering his pinky to Tonia, wanting to seal such promise.

The young girl gladly accepts it, definitively doing so by reciting that dear childhood nursery rhyme she and Ajax have grown to particularly love.

“You make a pinky promise, you keep it all your life,” she says, doing the same as her brother, tightening her pinky around his, to which he continues with: “I break a pinky promise, I get thrown in the ice.”

After a moment of silence in which Ajax debates whether or not to continue, already afraid that his promise may be broken in the future, he still keeps going with just a little bit of hesitation in his voice, fortunately unnoticed by Tonia.

“The cold will kill the pinky that once betrayed your friend- please don't, I do need my pinky,” he jokes, wanting to lighten the mood, and Tonia hopelessly sighs out, a subtle fond smile still on her face.

“The frost will freeze your tongue so you never lie again,” she ends the rhyme, “let me guess, you do also need your tongue-”

At this point, Ajax can't help but struggle to hold his laugh in, despite the seriousness of the situation… and surprisingly, so does Tonia, whose face turns all red and then an instant later the room fills with loud laughter. Probably to let all nervousness and anxiety out once and for all before what will be one of the most important moments in the young man's life.

“Still, good luck, Ajax,” the young girl says, but not before taking a deep breath to recollect her composure, “don't make the love of your life wait too much- but also drive carefully. And keep him safe. And have fun. And don't-”

“Sure, sure,” the older ginger replies, “I won't yap too much, and I will treat him like a princess- not even that, a queen, for I shall be his royal servant and forever revere him and- you get the jist, we will be fine, don't worry about it,” he gestures, grabbing the small red box and placing it in the pocket of his jacket, “and I will have him text you when we're ready to come home, alright?”

“Now that's more like it,” Tonia nods, approving of her big brother's words, “but before you go, even though you've already made him wait way too much…” she then turns around and nonchalantly steps out the bedroom door, with a very confused Ajax following behind - but not after having grabbed a tote bag and shoving phone, wallet, scarf and warm hat in.

The young girl walks towards the kitchen, and the young man suddenly remembers.

“You're a blessing, Tonia,” he says, hugging his young sister with his free arm, “thank you for taking our dinner out of the fridge,” he then sighs, “would've been a real shame if I went there with no food at all, my plan would've been completely ruined- I mean, it's not like I'm going to propose to him, but still…”

“I know you hate when things go wrong,” Tonia intervenes, crossing her arms after having done yet another good deed, “so I personally made sure that things wouldn't go wrong. At least before leaving the house, because the moment you step out of that door you’re all on your own.”

“I know, I know,” Ajax grabs the robust bag containing the food he's carefully prepared prior to getting ready for his important date, “what do you want in exchange?”

A playful smirk forms on the young girl's face.

“Christmas shopping, my dearest brother, if you will,” and then her puppy eyes make an unexpected appearance… as if her brother would ever deny a teen her yearly Christmas shopping session.

“Deal,” Ajax answers, “but we'll discuss all the details- hey, stop pushing me-”

After also barely managing to grab his house and car keys and being extremely rushed out of the house, he's finally ready to go and pick up the love of his life.

Well… only physically, not mentally.

—

And it's not like Zhongli is faring any better. As Hu Tao keeps debating all the older man's most illogical and nonsensical fears, his phone buzzes, and oh boy is he anxious.

He doesn't look like it, but he sure is, slowly pacing in the spacious room, phone and bag in hand, face as relaxed as possible and steps calm and collected - but he is fidgeting a lot, and he's had to remove the outer layers of his disguise because the heat coursing through his body is making him feel hot despite it being nearly winter.

“Remember the procedure,” the young woman says a few last words before the older man's departure, “and never let your guard down, even when you two will be alone. Because you never know who may be following or watching you.”

“That doesn't really help,” Zhongli replies, wearing the outermost layers of his disguise once more, ready to leave the house, “but what I can promise you is that we will both be extremely careful. And I shall let you know when we'll be ready to drive back here,” he adds, making one final double-check, seeing if he's gotten everything between his change of clothes, and personal belongings.

As Zhongli opens then steps through the door, one last sigh can be heard from none other than his manager- but he's already late, so he decides not to investigate on what could be a sound of worry.

“Baby's first milestone…” she says, looking out of the window to both inspect the surrounding area, and to see how both men are going to behave when meeting for the first time in a while.

The front door is opened from the inside and Zhongli is seen stepping out of the door, closing it behind him but not locking it, not wanting to risk bringing with him the keys to the place he's currently residing in with Hu Tao.

The door on the driver's side is then slammed open, with Ajax stepping out of the car in a rush, running towards his beloved without stumbling, blissfully unaware that the entire scene is being ingrained in a third party's brain in the “cutest things she's ever seen” department… and in the sd card of said person's phone.

Zhongli barely has enough time to brace for impact, that Ajax nearly throws himself onto him, arms open wide then wrapped tight around the older man's shoulders in a breathtaking hug that he, of course, gladly reciprocates, as he lets the bigger bag fall on the ground and also wraps his arms around his boyfriend's torso as if the two hadn't seen each other in literal years.

Hu Tao catches herself thinking ugh, sappy, when in reality… she knows she'd do the same, so she shakes her head, flinging that thought away, and keeps filming the two lovers’ heartfelt reunion.

Though she can't hear what they're saying, she can imagine it.

Ajax lets out a long sigh of relief, inadvertently exhaling on a tiny little piece of exposed skin - the high collar of Zhongli's coat has shifted position, and the scarf has done the same - nearly sending a shiver through the older man's back, prompting him to gently laugh as he suppresses the light twitch in his body.

“How I've missed you, my dear…” he mumbles, face still buried in multiple layers of clothes, as he further tightens his grip, feeling how small Zhongli is despite literally wearing a big, nearly oversized coat.

He can smell the perfume he's oh so carefully chosen for his beloved, a soft scent that reminds him of the delicious tea the brunet can prepare but with a hint of something stronger, more mature, and an even smaller part of femininity. After all, Zhongli has always enjoyed wearing perfumes commonly attributed to womanly use.

But let's not digress.

Ajax takes in the scent, letting out another deep exhale as his brain still struggles to process how in the hell this gorgeous human being can be his boyfriend. And the fact that they're finally back together once again.

Zhongli also relishes in the long moment, despite knowing he could be at a risk of getting exposed were someone around for a scoop. He enjoys his beloved's embrace for what seems to be an eternity, but is only a single prolonged minute.

As the two ever so slightly part, the ginger’s hands move to tenderly hold his partner's face, thumbs gently caressing his cheekbones as a radiant smile flashes - and gladly stays - on his scarred face.

And Zhongli is just as enamored, staring his boyfriend directly in his eyes as wrinkles appear on each side of his own, lips curling into a fond smile and oh, fuck, why is Ajax's face so close to his?

He can feel their noses nearly touching and he can see the intense flush of freckled cheeks clearly mimicking his own because why would he suddenly feel hot if it's nearly winter, and it's cold, and they're outside?

The blue of his big eyes beckons him, but so does the golden with the other man. Are the waves of the stormy sea finally going to crash onto the rocks that lay there and have been immovable for countless years?

The ice has long melted, but is it going to welcome even more sun? Is it going to extend its hand and-

“Oi, lovebirds!” Hu Tao exclaims, window now opened, “you don't have the whole day to catch the sunset, give yourselves a move!”

The answer to both questions is not quite yet, unfortunately. Just a little more time, because fire has interrupted this moment, one that could have belonged in a romance movie.

Cliché, sure, but the two lovers feel as if nothing could ever be cliché between them. As long as it's genuine, it's not cliché.

“She's… right,” Ajax is the one who breaks the tension, talking quietly, “then, we can save this for later, hm?"

Zhongli reluctantly nods, a less convinced smile now on his face, but only for a second.

“She is right indeed,” he says, “then, shall we go?” He answers with a question of his own, to which the younger man responds with a nod and a smile.

As the two further part, Ajax takes one of his partner's surprisingly ungloved hand and gives it a gentle kiss on the top, lips delicately grazing the skin as if a gentleman greeting his own beloved half.

One more wave and shout from Hu Tao - have fun! she says - and the couple is finally good to leave.

The ginger offers to open the passenger door, left hand behind his back as if he really were a true gentleman, and right first on the door then lending Zhongli a polite hand when sitting down on the comfortable seat.

He closes the car door, turns around to also wave at the young woman, and walks to the driver's seat, on the opposite side, making sure not to slam the door shut as he usually does.

He has been trying to get rid of that awful habit, since it's one that his beloved really doesn't like. He doesn't like it either, but old habits die hard, as the saying goes.

“Thank you,” Zhongli sighs out, finally able to take a breather and relax behind Ajax's darkened car windows, “for picking me up, for not making things awkward,” he counts with his right hand, “for the hug, for not slamming the door shut… and for today, of course.”

Ajax loses himself in his partner's soft smile, eyes inevitably darting towards his lips because fuck if he wants to kiss him. The earlier proximity, noses touching and breaths intermingling, lips so close to the other’s that he could've moved just a bit forward and the special moment would've been forever carved in both’s memory-

Then Zhongli takes his hat off, letting his luscious long hair finally flow free, some strands falling in front of his ears… and how could the younger man ever resist such a temptation. His right hand subconsciously moves towards the older man's left side of his face, middle and index fingers gently tucking the longer strands behind the ear, and eyes admiring how the receiver's cheeks have tinted a pleasant shade of red and how his lips are slightly parted… then he sighs, only showing a fond smile and nothing more.

Zhongli stays stunned for a moment, fixated on the hand that just touched him so delicately, as if he were made of porcelain.

Said hand grabs the seatbelt and buckles up with a click, adjusts the rear view mirror, and rotates the key to start the car. Only then the brunet comes to his senses as he hears the loud rumble of the engine, blinking several times before absentmindedly mimicking the buckling up gesture his boyfriend has just made.

“Car lights are on,” Ajax mumbles, “heater is on medium - don't want to be too hot in here - we shift the gear in first, then blinker to the right, we look in the mirror and,”  he perfectly balances his feet on the two pedals, then pushes down less with the left and more with the right, “we can depart. Finally, if I may add.”

Zhongli makes a mental note he will inevitably forget - asking Tonia if her brother is always like this when he starts driving.

—

The trip isn't long, not at all, but even during short drives Ajax is quite talkative- hell, Zhongli even remembers that one time he got sent a fifteen minutes long voice message of him driving, talking to himself because he was going somewhere unfamiliar.

The young man likes to make conversation, any kind will do, so that he may not focus too much on the road and lose vision in the corners of his eyes as he still needs to pay thorough attention to his surroundings- but this time, it's different.

He feels like it's different, somehow. Is he anxious? Is he nervous? Is he going to explode soon? Yes, most likely. He can understand that intense fire boiling inside him, extremely eager to be let out all at once, sweeping Zhongli away with all its intensity and all its force.

But what in the world would he even be nervous or anxious for? When it comes to his partner not everything can be sparkles and joy, of course, but today of all days? Really?, he thinks.

His neurons start to flip out, overthinking about the fact that he hasn't mentally rehearsed the monologue he will have to deliver, telling his beloved more or his past and how and why the place they'll be in is so important to him and Tonia-

“Ajax?” Zhongli's gentle yet worried voice questions the man in the driver's seat, and only then his brain makes him wake up, finally getting out of this annoying daze- and dangerous too, it could've been so if they weren't in such a remote road with no traffic.

A deep breath, long and drawn out, is all it takes for the young man to fully recover. As he temporarily stops the car, following the indication to give way to any possible upcoming traffic, he takes the chance to give his beloved an answer. He turns towards Zhongli and shoots him a reassuring smile, one that says I'm okay, you don't have to worry, alongside a quick nod. Then he drives off, still going straight.

Such a small response is obviously not enough to quell the doubt inside the passenger's heart, but he decides that the right thing to do is to not put any pressure on his boyfriend. At least while he's driving and focused on another task to which he has to pay careful attention.

He instead opts to simply look out the window, admiring the rows of trees that outline the mostly straight road. A rarity, at this time in history, as everything nature is replaced by buildings with no windows that house something, and immense parkings that feel nearly surreal by now massive they are. The only signs of human interference are the tall lights that will soon shine on the asphalt, but still there aren't many, not enough for it to feel invaded by mankind at least.

The further they get away from the city, the less light pollution in the sky and the more chirping of birds and various bugs, as the artificial illumination also lessens in quantity, as if the couple were going to a place that only existed in the best of dreams.

After taking a sharp right, slowing even further down as the asphalt gradually fades from under the wheels and the road turns to an unpaved one, the light of the sun blinds Zhongli, who is stunned by the wonderful sight and simply takes it all in after a moment of adapting to the sunlight.

“Shit, I forgot to bring my sunglasses,” Ajax mumbles, finally talking after a good twenty minutes of total silence, taking one hand off the wheel and to the sun visor, mostly to shield his sensitive left eye - despite already having had several surgeries to fix his eyesight, one thing that's never been solved is the abnormal and excessive sensitivity to strong lights.

Even such silly few words manage to bring a smile to Zhongli's still amazed face, as the brunet is just glad that his beloved is alright.

“Slow and steady, just one more minute and a few stupid bumps then we'll be there,” the ginger adds, sighing as he can finally see the metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel, “and oh I can already tell that it's going to be so worth it. Glad things here haven’t changed.”

“Otherwise you wouldn't have brought me here,” the older man answers, “if it weren't one-hundred percent worth it, you wouldn't have subjected yourself to such high stress… just for me- you were willing to do that? For me?” he ends his sentence by accidentally thinking out loud, cheeks red under the warm sunlight.

I would do anything for you, Ajax thinks, I'd go through hell and back just for you to even acknowledge my existence, to look at me with those gorgeous eyes, he smiles, and as he slowly breaks, stopping the car in the perfect place, he proudly announces that we've arrived at our destination, my dear.

Zhongli has clearly noticed, even before Ajax's declaration of arrival, as a gasp leaves his mouth in astonishment: they indeed have arrived at their destination.

He didn't even notice that they were going up on a hill, the slope was too subtle to be felt by car- and that final turn on the right, that's what's now allowing them to see the city below, so small it's as if it were an ant colony's home.

Zhongli's golden eyes fill with tears that he quickly shakes off, not wanting to ruin such a special moment - and to clearly see the landscape that has graced his sight.

“And yes,” Ajax speaks once more, “if it meant that you'd be having this reaction, I would do anything to be able to see it,” he adds, using his right hand to pull the handbrake then turn the car off by rotating his key counterclockwise.

He leaves the car keys inserted, then turns towards his beloved and with the same hand he gently caresses that soft, perfect face and its warm, flushed cheeks, which turn an even stronger red under the warm sunlight.

“I can't believe I've found someone else I would do anything for, just to see them happy…” he says, ocean eyes focused yet again on those parted lips, as his left hand absentmindedly reaches to unlatch his seatbelt and his right moves a bit further down and back after fixing yet another stray lock of hair.

Only then Zhongli turns around towards his boyfriend, and also unlatches his seatbelt with an understanding smile on his face.

“Do I have…” the brunet pauses for a moment, trying to find a comfortable enough position, “something on my face?” His tone gets lower than usual, baritone voice half whispering such words, both teasing and initiating the interaction that will end in a-

“Oh, nothing…” Ajax responds in tone, eyes drifting upwards to meet his partner's, “just those lips- those irresistible, soft lips…” and then go back down, landing there once more, “that I want to feel, I want to know how soft they are…” he adds, closing in, eyes almost half-lidded.

“But with my own lips, Zhongli…” and said man has also closed in, right hand on the ginger's freckled cheek as he quickly thinks of a suitable answer. Just to satisfy his beloved.

“Yes, Ajax,” he answers very positively, putting an emphasis on the yes just to further tease the other, “you can kiss me.”

And thank you for asking, he thinks, as he closes his eyes and feels the ginger's warm breath on his lips-

It's but a moment - one that Ajax thoroughly cherishes, observing how pretty his love looks even this up close. He reckons he looks even more beautiful, if not just perfect.

It's but a moment - one that Zhongli feels lasting forever, mind racing and heart metaphorically beating out of his chest and up in his throat at the same time.

It's but a moment, and everything around them fades. Any and all emotions exponentially intensify, as the couple's lips finally meet for the first time of many.

Soft… the ginger finds himself thinking, and he tastes so nice…

And Zhongli's mind is like a metro during work hours. No one understands anything anymore, everyone is in a rush to get to their destination… and then all of a sudden everything is calm, normal as it should be. No more chaos, all in order, all operational. Rush hour is over in the blink of an eye.

And that is, coincidentally, the exact moment in which Ajax hesitantly parts, barely moving backwards just enough for their lips not to touch anymore.

Both completely uncaring of the incoming sunset - how could they pay attention to anything else that isn't the person in front of them, even if the occasion was exactly that of the sun going down - they feel the need for the spark to come back. The rush of adrenaline brought by such a special kiss, and from the one they love no less…

Zhongli opens his eyes and all he sees is blue, intensely staring back at him as if he were reading his mind, seeking the most hidden of secrets through sight alone-

“Should we take it in the back?” He finds himself saying, and when normally he would never say such a thing… the adrenaline is still coursing through his veins. He couldn't fucking care less of what indecent stuff his heart is making him spit out.

“There's more space…” Ajax answers, he too following his own instincts, “we'll be more comfortable, and the windows are dark enough…”

Zhongli gulps, heart rate skyrocketing, feeling the beat in his throat, even though he knows all that'll happen will be plain simple making out.

“Then I take it as a yes…” he ignores the uncomfortableness, pushing it deep down, and gives in to passion. He could never hold back such strong feelings.

The two reluctantly fully part, each opening their respective door with no hurry, stepping out of the car with even less haste and giving each door just enough of a push to fully close them.

Two steps each is what gets them to the passenger doors. Their hands are precise in the simple movement of opening each side, and so is the movement they make as they sit down and definitively close them.

Then there's an infinitely long moment of silence in which the couple locks eyes, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

It's the calm before the storm-

And the waves of the sea then finally do crash onto the rocks with an unprecedented force, shaking their entire foundations and moving them to their leisure.

Countless times the two kiss and each is more passionate, more eager than the previous, but none are the exact same as another.

On the top lip, on the bottom lip, sharp teeth slightly pulling on the soft piece of flesh, open-mouthed, close-mouthed, without and with tongue - rigorously not messy - one pair of hands carding between luscious hair and the other between ginger waves…

On the nose, cheeks, jawline - Ajax dares to go as low as the crook of Zhongli's neck, kissing that lovely mole while the brunet holds on for dear life - and then it's back to lips against lips, erratic breaths, flushed skin and boiling bodies, neurons jumbled and heat pooling down there, small whines and subtle moans as the windows further blurry, gladly welcoming the couple's newfound passion.

Buttons are unbuttoned and the coat comes off, sleeves are haphazardly rolled up as no more layers can be shed. Sweat slowly starts to form, getting stray strands of hair stuck to their foreheads and temples.

Fingers tangle even more, turning hair that once was perfectly tidy into complete knotted messes - bless Zhongli's foresight, having packed a brush of all things. It was a just in case thing, but it'll be more than needed.

Just as the light of the sun slowly dims as the sunset nears turning to twilight, the couple's energies also fade from their bodies and things begin to finally calm down, settling at a comfortable lazy makeout pace.

Despite Zhongli's slightly higher stature, he's the one that ultimately ends on the other's thighs, knees slightly sinking in the seat just enough for him not to have to bend his back forward too much - considering he needs it to perform, this position is somewhat of a lifesaver.

And for Ajax, this is the perfect height too, as he can plaster his lips all over his partner's neck… but still not daring too much. He reminds himself to ask if hickeys are off-limits, something he's going to inevitably forget.

Then his nose picks up that delectable scent, that perfume that Zhongli has dared to wear for the special occasion… but he resists, swallowing to push it back down. He knows that they've already gone further than expected, so he just sighs, exhaling on the crook of his partner's neck.

He feels a pair of hands cupping his face, turning it upwards for one more kiss, their owner understanding that this'll be as far as they go, and it's enough- more than enough.

Their lips meet one last time, kiss chaste and pure that is nothing more than lips against lips but that lingers for a little while, not wanting the heat to cease and the spark to subside just yet.

As the couple parts once and for all - even though this one won’t be the last kiss of the day by any means - Zhongli’s bright gold meets Ajax’s tumultuous ocean, and it’s a miracle that they don’t instantly resume making out.

“Holy shit,” the ginger is the first to talk - talking is a euphemism - breathless and voice hoarse, still half in the world of dreams as his mind goes through each and every kiss once again, in the hopes to process every single thing that happened in the last-

“Did we really go at it for fucking uhh ten minutes?” He questions, still dizzy. But it’s a good dizzy, as if he’d just had a really good smoke. Which he hasn’t had in half a week as a precaution, in preparation for this important recurrence as he really didn’t want to risk Zhongli smelling that scent on him or tasting it on his tongue.

The man above him still pants, looking at his beloved in adoration, a dumb smile on his face and his eyes bright, openly radiating only utter joy and love… with a tiny little sprinkle of lust in the back, small enough so that down there won’t act improperly in front of the man its owner harbors intense feelings for.

“And to think that we came here to look at the sunset…” the older man finally says a few words too, “look at us now, what a mess…” he shakes his head as he lets out a soft laugh, as if mocking himself - because Ajax knows that by ‘us’ he most definitely means ‘him’ or, better, ‘me’.

“I really wouldn’t have it any other way,” the young man intervenes, tucking a big lock of hair behind Zhongli’s ear, “I think I’ve fallen in love with you even more, darling, you just look so pretty like this…”

Zhongli feels seriously faint, heat almost taking the best of him if it weren't for that light cold breeze hitting him square on the neck, sending a pleasant shiver through his spine that he bites his lip to, barely blocking a moan from involuntarily coming out.

“Rolling down the window was probably the best move,” the brunet says, doing his best to ignore the boiling heat pooling in his guts, “we should get out of here even, because your lips are too pale… which means that your blood pressure is low and you're about to faint which I won't let happen, alright?”

“Your lips look so red…” Ajax slow blinks, daze getting ever so slightly more persistent, “and they're a bit puffy too…” he musters the strength to lift his right arm and gently hold his beloved’s cheek, thumb experimentally caressing the lower lip which is, indeed, barely swollen and quite flushed after all the biting and pulling.

“No, you're staying with me, dear,” Zhongli speaks, tone inhumanly calm as he reluctantly slides off his boyfriend and on one side, opening the door for a consistent enough breeze to flow through the car that feels almost as hot as a sauna.

He still stays on that side, sitting on his knees, blocking a part of that cold air because the sudden change in temperature could be more counterproductive than helpful. He doesn't want to be the reason for Ajax to get sick and go through the pains of hell, as the ginger jokingly calls them.

The young man deeply exhales, fully relaxed as his open eyes are unbothered by the gorgeous sight that graces them, too low on energy to complain.

“Have I ever told you that your eyes look like the sun, Zhongli?” He questions, words already significantly less slurred and voice a few decibels louder than his prior sentence.

The brunet sighs in relief, shaking his head as if he were dismissing something.

“That's what conquered me, this side of you,” he answers, “how you have always compared me to the sights you love most… even in the smaller things, no matter how minuscule, you always see something of me in them- but if you want the answer to your question, it's yes.”

He pauses for a moment, carefully thinking what words to use next, while it takes Ajax an even shorter moment to convince himself that Zhongli finds such questions pointless, utterly annoying and repetitive.

“And even though I may have lost count of how many times you've told me those exact words,” he continues, changing his position to sit more comfortably and also admire the sunset, “those are the best thirteen words that my ears could ever be blessed by. Each and every time you speak them, believe me.”

The ginger's eyes shine under the light of the sun, tinting of a warm blue as if they were the sea itself in the moments in which the radiant star melts behind it.

“And you don't mind me saying the same things,” Ajax questions, with still a hint of doubt in his mind despite his partner's answer having almost fully dismissed them, “over and over again- I mean, isn't it annoying?” He asks, turning his face towards Zhongli, wanting to see if the expression on his face is genuine or not.

“Of course not,” he shakes his head in answer, to which the young man asks not even a little bit?

“It may be, for some people,” the older man explains, “but it's not, for me, why would it be? It's one of the reasons why I love you, the way you just…” he makes a gesture of something exploding, mimicking how mind-blowing this is to him, “how you just come up with these things so effortlessly, and how each and every time it brings a silly smile to my face,” he indeed smiles, taking Ajax's hand into his and intertwining their fingers together.

“Does this face,” he gestures, pointing towards it, “look like it belongs to someone who finds such words annoying or repetitive?”

“I mean, people are good at lying even through their facial features,” the ginger says, prompting a playful glare from his partner, “but I don't think you'd lie about something if that something is genuinely important to you, so my answer is no.”

“I'm glad you're saying so,” Zhongli sighs in relief, “because otherwise I'd have to work on my facial expressions even more than I already do…” he gently squeezes his beloved’s hand, knowing that he too is familiar with this one particular experience.

Ajax squeezes back, turning his entire body to face Zhongli, crossing his legs on the back seat so he can get just a bit more comfortable, while the brunet reaches out to close the door he previously opened, feeling the temperature to have significantly dropped but not in too much of an uncomfortable way.

The two then simply gaze adoringly at each other, admiring the way the sunset falls on the other's face, outlining their features differently for every minute that passes, noticing some still unknown imperfections and peculiarities…

Something like Zhongli's nose being just slightly crooked, or the wrinkles that don the sides of his mouth and eyes as he smiles… how those two moles - one below his left eye and one on the left side of his lips - fit him perfectly, and the ginger wonders why he still hasn't kissed those two spots just yet.

Then it's something like Ajax's freckles, the few darker ones seem to make a pattern as if they were a constellation shining in the night sky, or the fact that when he smiles his cheeks puff up, as if he still had some of the so-called baby fat… how said lovely smile is kinda crooked but just barely noticeable even from a short distance, and Zhongli wonders why he hasn't noticed these small details before this moment.

As the sun slides below the warm cover that is the horizon, the warmth around the couple dims until the sky turns even more red then a pleasant shade of purple, and starts taking its sweet time into dying itself the blue of the night.

“I want to say that today was the best day of my life,” Ajax breathes out, “but I already know that there will be much greater moments in the future, for you and me… so I'll just add a so far, because I really think it has been so,” he lazily stretches his legs and his free arm, not wanting to interrupt the physical contact just yet.

But Zhongli's answer is abruptly cut off by an unexpected rumble, usually quiet but this time loud and clear in the total silence of the vehicle.

“Was that a sound of agreement?” Ajax jokes, barely blocking a laugh from coming out. “On that note… wait for me a moment, I'll be right back.”

The brunet and his puzzled gaze simply answer with a nod, but still letting go of the ginger's hand quite reluctantly, albeit for a very short time.

The young man opens the door and walks out of the car and to the trunk, picking up a bag of plastic clearly thoroughly filled with something, and a second, less noisy bag, containing something else.

Zhongli doesn't even use his energies to ponder, because it's less than a minute before Ajax ceremoniously walks back to the door and proudly shows his partner the two bags.

The former is asked to hold both for a moment, which he gladly does, and curious he peeks through the transparent one…

“I know it's not the best, eating food in the car,” the young man says, “but still, uh, surprise! I made us dinner, since I already knew we'd be spending quite some time here…” he pauses for a second.

“It's not warm by any means,” his tone turns apologetic, “but I do remember that you don't mind the temperature, that's why I prepared some simple homemade pasta,” he emphasizes one word in particular, wanting to give it as much focus as possible in the sentence.

Zhongli's brows lift in interest, unaware of his boyfriend's refined skill until this very moment - sure, he already knew of Ajax's prowess in the kitchen, but he still didn't think he'd be this good. He's taken the bait, and now there's no way out…

“Mom's recipe- I know what you're thinking, oh, that's such a waste of perfectly good food, why did he bring it here, and my answer is that I love you so very much and cooking something special for you was the bare minimum I could do to celebrate such a special occasion.”

He takes a deep breath, preparing for his next sentence.

“So,” he takes one of the containers out, handing it to his partner alongside a metal fork, “happy monthversary to us, my dear Zhongli…” he also grabs the other food box with its fork and removes its lid, sort of clinking the open box with the older man's still sealed one, “and here's to many, many more.”

Zhongli just looks at his boyfriend, utterly puzzled as to what Ajax has just done… but then he can't help letting out a laugh of endearment. As if what he just witnessed was both weird and one of the sweetest things someone has ever done for him.

“So,” Ajax accidentally interrupts his partner's short train of thought by almost brutally stabbing a few pieces of pasta and chomping them down as if he hadn't eaten in ages, “if you will believe it, making out with you wasn't actually the main reason for bringing you here,” he jests, bringing a fond smile on his beloved's face.

“Jokes aside, it was to… show you this gorgeous view,” he gestures, moving his left arm from one side to the other, “and take the chance to tell you why this particular spot holds a special place in my heart.”

“Opening up on something this important over a homemade meal…” Zhongli briefly reflects, taking one single piece of pasta to his mouth so he can first thoroughly savour it - oh, it's delicious, he quickly comments on the food as he chews it, reminding himself to save his complete judgement for later.

“You are, most often, the one who listens, while I usually am the one who talks a lot,” he continues, “so I truly would love nothing more than for you to talk your heart out, while I listen to the voice I love most in the whole world and look at your eyes lighting up and how your expressive facial features constantly shift… based on what you're talking about…”

There's a brief awkward moment of pause as both realize what is going on, which Zhongli gladly interrupts.

“And how I keep talking, even though the spotlight should be on you- I want it to always be on you,” he explains, “because I love listening to you talk, your voice is soothing and your presence is calming, and… well, you understand where I'm going with it.”

Ajax just stares, fork between his teeth, bewildered by how effortlessly Zhongli has just spoken these words. Just as the latter had previously done with the former not much earlier.

“And then you ask me how I manage to come up with certain stuff on the spot,” the ginger playfully elbows the brunet as he munches on the delicious pasta, “look who's talking- ahem!” He fake coughs, not wanting to discuss another unrelated matter and further prolonging the wait.

“I want to preface this by saying that I had to ask Tonia her blessing, if you can call it such, to bring you here,” Ajax starts explaining, “because I believe that, that one night me and her got here, was the first true taste of freedom she got to experience and actually remember.”

As the sky gradually grows more dark and blue, the young man finds himself reminiscing of that one particular day in which his and his young sister's life drastically changed.

“My car was quite old at the time, so me and her had to make do the old fashioned way: we used a map…” he munches on some more pasta, “and we obviously got lost along the way.”

He sighs, still chewing on the food, as if he were thinking fondly of that one day.

Zhongli already knows what the point is, but doesn't intervene out of respect for his boyfriend. He said he'd be listening, and he shall do exactly so. The eventual questions and considerations can wait for later.

Ajax now swallows the food, ready to talk his heart out.

“We didn't know where to go, and we had to stop along the way - whichever way it was - because Tonia was going down a dangerous spiral of extremely negative thoughts and hypotheticals she was sure would then come true,” he places the container of pasta on the seat, between his body and Zhongli's, so that his hands may be free to gesture as much as he likes.

“Spoiler alert, none of those fortunately came true in the end, but I still had to reassure her, and I did so- but that's not the point,” he interrupts himself by deviating onto another path, “the point is that I had driven all day and Tonia was restless because of her thoughts… but we were both mentally and physically exhausted, and we had nowhere to sleep in, except for our car.”

He pauses for a moment, slightly spacing out as he does his best to ignore the flood of painful memories that tend to inevitably come back quite often.

“I had to drive slowly, as I was on the verge of collapsing and didn't want to risk losing the only thing that was actually my own property - alongside with also hurting my sister physically - and we happened to pass by this road,” he continues, pointing his finger as he indicates what he means, “the one me and you came from, it caught my attention because of the lack of artificial lighting and the fact that it was unpaved…”

This time, Ajax looks towards Zhongli, inviting him to talk with both his eyes and his hand, gesturing to ‘continue’, somehow.

The brunet swallows his food and the ginger gets his own, taking a break to eat some more.

“So there was less risk for other people to spot your car just parked there- I mean, here,” he indeed continues, “considering that you two were going to have to sleep in there, which is still often considered poorly by the masses, people could have easily called the police and reported you, having your search for freedom miserably fail…”

“That's the gist of it,” Ajax replies as he chews on his pasta, “no people, only nature. The sun dipping below the horizon, the moon rising in the sky alongside countless stars… my fascination towards astronomy and all things space couldn't possibly resist, and Tonia also found herself in agreement.”

There's a moment of silence in which Ajax looks through the windscreen, wanting to admire that one last ray of sun slowly dim as the hour of twilight swiftly arrives right after the golden hue has faded in its totality.

“It is such a pity,” he sighs, stabbing some more pasta, “there will be no shooting stars tonight, it's not the right season…” and then chomps on it, chewing it with a pout on his face.

“Don't dwell on it,” Zhongli calmly answers, not bothered by the lack of wishing, “we will try and make it happen next year, I can understand that this is very important for you. And I too would love to make a wish upon a star…”

He tenderly smiles, and how can't the ginger’s pout instantly disappear, replaced by the even softer curve of his lips.

“Do you think that the stars in the sky will mimic the pattern of your freckles?” The older man nonchalantly asks, using the thumb of his right hand to trace lines between the darker freckles that adorn his beloved's face.

Ajax feels himself burn up, completely still as he processes the words that Zhongli has just said out loud.

He tries to focus on the touch only, even though it's nearly ticklish, but it's just so soft he can't help but metaphorically melt under it as his body slowly tenses down and also almost melts physically.

“I think it depends on the night…” the ginger answers, still in a world of utter comfort, “Tonia’s sometimes do match, and I think it's lovely…” he pauses for a moment, gathering up his own words.

“The point is,” but not before Zhongli gently intervenes, “I find it fascinating… how so many parts of us remind the other of the beautiful nature around us that we always take for granted.”

“That is because it's true,” Ajax says, “your gorgeous eyes do remind me of the sun- well, the sunset, particularly so… but, au contraire of the sun, you always shine bright. No matter the hour of the day,” he adds, internally cringing himself to near death because of how sappy his comparison has just been.

And then comes his infamous word association. Zhongli's eyes, the sun, the sunset, the color red-

“Shit,” he curses, “I nearly forgot about it… thank my mind for cooperating today because I would have otherwise gone back home with one more thing than necessary,” he explains without quite spoiling the entire surprise, “so, since we're both done with our food…” he gestures, not knowing how to continue his sentence, hoping that somehow Zhongli will understand.

“Oh?” The brunet lets out only such noise, getting the point but not in its entirety.

Ajax takes the coat lying on the driver's seat, and searches for the small treasure he seeks.

One pocket, two pockets… the internal ones, the ones at chest height… he blindly reaches for the seat itself, hurriedly, desperately, praying to a god he doesn't believe in that the box is still-

He exhales in relief.

If he had somehow lost that box, he thinks he would have-

Zhongli's stance perks up in interest, eyes squinting as he's not quite able to pick up what the small object in his boyfriend's hands actually is due to the lack of lighting around and in the car.

The young man perceives such struggle - he knows of it, even, as he's very familiar with it himself - so his free hand reaches for the light switch on the ceiling of the car, and flicks it on, revealing to his partner what the mysterious little thing he's holding in the other hand is.

“I… bought you a small gift,” he hesitantly declares, “for our first month together. Both as a thanks for managing to endure me for this long…” he hands the small red container to his beloved, who lets out a sweet laugh, “and because I love you so very much, Zhongli. I care about you, I trust you… and I know that the color will suit you.”

Zhongli finally takes his eyes off of Ajax, and moves them to look towards the tiny present in curiosity, while his hands prepare to carefully grab.

But he doesn't get to do so, because the small box simply lands in his cupped hands, bright red bow decorating the lid, making for a hell of a first impression.

The older man's mind travels towards… places. Several of them in fact, despite already knowing the simple purpose of this very important present. He thinks proposal, somehow, he thinks making it official, which they technically already have… and then he thinks oh, it's just a present, which it is. Plain and simple.

“The bow does look out of place, doesn't it…” Ajax thinks out loud, accidentally having Zhongli notice that the little bow indeed doesn't belong on that fancy box, and that was likely slapped on it as a last-minute decoration.

Technically, Ajax's was a last-minute choice, but the brunet doesn't mind.

“It does,” he agrees, “but even if it were of a color clashing with this lovely shade of red,” he adds, “I wouldn't have minded it. It's the thought that counts, after all.”

Eyes still fixed on the small object, he takes one last deep breath before delicately opening the little box up.

He's not afraid, not at all… he just doesn't know what to expect.

While his left hand holds, his right opens with its thumb and index, lifting the lid upwards to reveal-

The light above the couple perfectly shines on the red prism, its color slightly lighter than the blood-red velvet lining, and the golden of the metal it’s attached to pleasantly contrasts with the warmth its container exudes.

The first thing Zhongli does is smile, his gaze towards the earring softening as if he saw it as a priceless treasure, something to forever keep on one’s ear.

And then he realizes.

“So that you may always have a small piece of me with you…” the young man lovingly says, hands gently cupping his beloved’s cheeks and thumbs ready to dry eventual tears, “no matter how far apart we may be.”

The older man swallows, struggling to keep his strong emotions inside, and sighs, reveling in Ajax’s touch which is so soft and gentle, he feels like he could melt at any moment-

But he keeps his composure intact, and his attitude perfectly composed.

“Would you believe me if I told you…” Zhongli improvises, feeling guilty for not having brought his boyfriend any gift other than himself, “that I got the same idea as you?”

The ginger’s tender expression turns into a puzzled one, followed by a few lighthearted words.

“No, and you know why?” He asks, lightly teasing the brunet, whose face also turns into a pretty confused one, head tilting sideways just a bit.

“Because you like to do things on a grand scale,” he answers his own question, “and I know when you’re improvising. You always make plans precise to the literal second…” his thumbs lovingly caress, reassuring his partner that he means no harm, “but I do like this side of you, I don’t mind it. Not at all, not when it’s you-”

“Oh, Ajax,” Zhongli sighs out, accidentally interrupting his lover’s heartfelt short monologue, “how I love you…” he indeed lets himself melt under those gentle hands’ touch, still holding the small box quite tightly in his left hand as if he were afraid of someone stealing his precious.

His right then moves upwards and towards his own ear, pinching the metal of the earring and taking it off, to then proudly show it to his beloved.

“Sure, I may have improvised…” he says, hand moving towards Ajax’s ear and delicately inserting the small piece of jewelry into the tiny hole, “but this is something I would have done regardless. And this one felt like the right moment… so I put my thought into practice.”

“How I love you, Zhongli,” the young man resists the temptation to plaster his lover with several more kisses by taking a deep breath.

“May I have the honor, my dear?” He questions, and how could his partner ever answer negatively. He nods, while his eyes follow Ajax’s right hand taking the earring from the small container and bringing it to his now naked ear, carefully proceeding with inserting the small metal hook in the pierced ear.

Once he’s done, he admires his handiwork. Both the earring, and Zhongli’s appearance - he’s still quite disheveled, since he hasn’t brushed his hair just yet and his lips are still a tad red, then his brain subconsciously gives him the input to say something, anything-

“You’re beautiful, I knew the color red would perfectly suit you,” it would look so nice on your pristine skin too, he finds himself thinking.

“You chose well indeed,” his partner replies, cheeks flushed red, “but so do you. Gold pleasantly contrasts with the lovely color of your eyes,” and I’m sure said color would look just as nice on your ring finger, he thinks.

Then there’s a few seconds of total silence, where only the couple’s breaths can be heard and tension bounces against the walls of the car, multiplying in a matter of moments-

And it inevitably snaps, because why wouldn’t it. The couple is still riding on the high of the first kiss, but they miss the feeling of lips against lips and skin, and tongues dancing together. Only that, this time, it’s the rocks that fall into the deepest pits of the sea when Zhongli can’t resist the urge anymore and just kisses his beloved as if there were no tomorrow.

Ajax whispers a screw it between heated kisses, referring to the fact that the monologue about his past can wait to be let out at a more appropriate moment.

After all, the couple still has an infinite amount of tomorrows at their disposal… so what’s one more making out session going to cost them?

—

It cost them the two girls’ sanity.

“Do you have any idea of how worried I was?” Says Tonia, deafening Ajax through the phone after having bypassed it being silent by her being one of her brother’s priority contacts, “I know you’re an adult, but I’m not, and you know I get paranoid if you don’t update me in this long-”

She pauses for a moment, carefully listening to her brother’s labored breathing and correctly guessing that something is off. A way too sensual gasp further proves her thesis.

“And just why in hell are you making those sounds- oh, god, that’s- just come home soon, bye,” she sighs, and hangs up right after.

“You said you could be quiet…” Zhongli feels bold so he teases, also leaving yet another kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek - he regrets not wearing nor bringing any red lipstick with him, but it’ll be for another time.

He feels his phone also insistently buzzing, attributing it to none other than-

“I guess it’s my turn now…” he says, taking it out of his back pocket and getting ready to click the green button-

But Ajax kisses him before he can do so, taking the chance to also slip his tongue inside. Just to make his beloved’s mind feel all dizzy and fuzzy. As a tease of his own.

“Good luck, darling,” he whispers, right after parting, and nonchalantly clicks the green button on Zhongli’s behalf to further catch his beloved off guard.

“I know I didn’t give you a curfew,” Hu Tao says, “but you’re out way too late, Zhongli,” and reprimands her dear dancer, still in a daze, “so just turn on your location, I’ll-”

Ajax’s lips meet that oversensitive spot between neck and shoulder, then lightly suck on it, having Zhongli accidentally let a whimper out.

The older man’s body stiffens, and he bites his lower lip to block any further sounds he may let out while his boss is on the other side of the line.

“You know what, nevermind,” she says, her tone jokingly annoyed, “you two just finish whatever you’re doing and come home as soon as possible, capiche?”

Ajax parts from Zhongli’s reddened skin, and answers on behalf of his lover. “Oh why thank you, you’re so-”

“Oi, don’t break him,” Hu Tao shouts, “I need him to be fully functioning, thank you very much, bye.”

A light buzz, and the call is over in just a long minute.

The brunet glares at his partner.

“I would say you need some… reprimanding…” he says, words just slightly slurred as his mind is still out there, “but I’m sure that Tonia will be more than capable for the job,” and then innocently smiles.

Despite those warnings from the most important people in each’s lives… the two still lose themselves in each other, and the night sky grows darker but with plenty of lovely white freckles decorating it in its entirety. But the golden hue of the sun is still far.