Chapter Text
“What was I like in the past?” Ajax had to ask.
“Similar to how you are now,” Zhongli immediately responded, “though in this life, you have a larger family to care for.”
Ajax laughed warmly. The brush in his hand trembled a little along with his laughter. “That’s right, my family in this life just got one person larger.”
Zhongli had to smile at that.
“In the past, your personality was a lot more brash,” Zhongli continued. “You wouldn’t want a pause in your day for rest unless it was after a battle, and you were constantly coming forward to me as if we had always been old friends, regardless if it was the contracted day or not.”
“Sounds like I had a lot more free time back then.” Ajax said as he added a careful stroke.
“Mn, the days back then were not as stressful as they are today, if one ignored the troubles of war.” Zhongli hummed in agreement.
“Well, at least we can enjoy the general peace of Liyue, for now,” Ajax commented as he dipped the brush, tapping it a few times before returning to his original position, “I’d prefer that my family doesn’t have to deal with war-mongering aspects, including you.”
“And… done!” Ajax exclaimed with a bright, toothy grin. The brush in his hand was replaced and soon a hand mirror was brought up to Zhongli’s face.
“How is it?” Ajax asked. His slight nervousness in both tone and facial expression was obvious.
Zhongli gently grasped the mirror that was still in Ajax’s hand, tilting it to get a better view of his visage and to admire the Harbinger’s work.
“You have gotten better.” Zhongli offered him a small smile after much speculation. “You used less strokes, and each one is smoother and less shaky than your previous attempts. In addition, you have gotten faster, which shows your muscle memory.”
“As it should be.” Ajax said with a proud huff. “I haven’t been doing your make-up for nothing in these past few weeks. If I didn’t improve, then I can’t call myself as Tartaglia, one of the eleven Harbingers.”
“Or as the soul who could contest my power millennia ago.” Zhongli added.
“That too.” Ajax laughed.
“Shall we get going then?” Ajax stood up, stretching his body as he did so.
“Mn.” Zhongli responded as he followed suit.
Before Zhongli would go out and start the new day, he would religiously apply his eye make-up before leaving. Having lived together now for some months, Ajax was naturally curious to know how much effort to took to apply it. Since the brush was thin, he went on about how his handle wouldn’t be very good, but it would be a good challenge and something he wanted to try. Naturally, Zhongli allowed Ajax to practice on himself.
Ajax glanced back before allowing Zhongli to pass by before locking the door. He sported a cheeky grin on his face as the two walked outside, earning a head tilt of confusion from the other.
Even when going out to spar, Zhongli always looked his best no matter what. Though it may have been out of habit to do so, somehow, that warmed Ajax’s heart. People normally didn’t apply make-up if they knew they were going to get dirty and sweaty.
-
Crunch!
The stone pillar was smashed after Ajax’s blade collided with it at both great speed and strength, opening a new window for Zhongli to attack with his spear as he lunged forwards. Using his current momentum, Ajax dug his heel into what remained of the pillar before soaring above, well out of reach of the incoming spear as Zhongli’s gaze followed his movements. With a perfect twirl, Ajax landed on both feet before launching an attack of his own.
A riptide surged forward, causing Zhongli to jump backwards to avoid getting hit. Intuitively, Zhongli swung his spear to his left to take the brunt of the incoming hydro-enhanced arrows as he ran to avoid the rest.
Pillars surged forth from the earth to force the other to move in another direction, but the Harbinger had learned to maneuver such obstacles and slid fluidly in between. His footsteps were quick and light, and soon he used the pillars to his advantage.
Zhongli’s eyes followed the other as Ajax jumped against the pillars, building momentum as he brandished his spear for a head-on strike.
Clang!
Ajax was sent flying after exchanging a series of strikes and blows to the ex-Archon but failed to execute the last hit before a foot to his stomach abruptly kicked him upwards. Ajax landed with a tumble, coughing at both pain and dust before reorienting his stance.
An ecstatic and almost crazed-like grin was plastered on Ajax’s face the moment their eyes met again. A familiar stance emerged.
Left step. Right step. Back straight. Arms raise and poised.
Within a blink of an eye, Ajax rushed forward with his hydro blades, but to Zhongli’s surprise, Ajax purposely allowed his attacks to miss. With another step forward, Ajax abandoned his blades and grabbed for Zhongli’s arms, pushing him backwards.
The two tumbled onto the ground, kicking up some dust as they eventually came to a stop.
Ajax’s face was only mere centimeters away from Zhongli’s own. The two stared at each other intensely for only a couple of moments before Ajax’s head dipped downwards.
Warmth caressed Zhongli’s lips as Ajax pressed down for a kiss. A kiss that, at first, was soft and subtle, but as further kisses were exchanged, the more heated they became.
Zhongli’s arms wrapped around Ajax’s neck as he pulled Ajax into a deeper kiss. In response, Ajax’s assault became fiercer, eventually prying Zhongli’s mouth open as his tongue delved inside.
Their tongues intertwined in a short battle of dominance, neither side wanting to admit defeat until they were gasping for breath. Zhongli’s fingers ran through Ajax’s ruffled hair, moaning softly into the other’s mouth as Ajax finally gained some sort of upper hand.
By the time Ajax stopped, Zhongli’s eyes were filled with breaming tears and his mind muddled in their brief moment of lust.
“Does this make it my first win?” Ajax asked between heavy breaths.
“No,” Zhongli chuckled, “an hour had finished some minutes ago. A shame, really.”
Ajax clicked his tongue as he helped the other stand up on his feet. Despite pulling Zhongli upwards, his hands did not pull back. Instead, Ajax wrapped his claws around Zhongli’s waist, bringing him in for a cuddle.
“Zhongli…” Ajax murmured after taking a deep breath of Zhongli’s scent, “do you… want to continue our ‘fight’ elsewhere?”
“Ajax, I’m sure the contract states that we are not to spar more than once per month.” Zhongli abruptly said, thereby directly killing the mood. If he had been facing Ajax head-on, he would have seen Ajax’s helpless expression at that moment.
“Zhongli…” Ajax sighed. “I meant consummation.”
Ajax’s hands wandered lower in an act of showing what he meant. A slight squeeze to Zhongli’s rear and a nibble to his ear finally elicited a response Ajax wanted to hear.
“Oh.” the ex-Archon gasped lowly.
“So?” Ajax pulled back a bit to view Zhongli’s expression before reaching in to peck his lips. “Do you want it?”
Zhongli pinched Ajax’s naughty hands from doing anything further, a slight flush spreading across his face at the thought of having sex. And yet, Zhongli was not against it. It was more like he craved for it.
Zhongli looked into Ajax’s deep eyes, wearing an expression that was both unknown and a first for him after having lived for so long.
“Yes.” Zhongli said in a low, husky tone. “But not here.”
-
If two were going to do the deed, both must be clean and prepared. Introducing dirt and grime would not be comfortable, and even Ajax was unwilling to do anything more since he felt that Zhongli should not be subjected to such treatment. That is and should be the standard rule between couples.
But that didn’t mean they had to wait until the other was completely dried off.
“Ajax, your hands are wandering again.” Zhongli chided in somewhat of a breathless tone, shuddering against a twist of his nipple. The two were still sitting in the bath when Ajax made such advances.
“But isn’t this what you wanted?” Ajax asked as he continued to fondle the other’s chest. Zhongli’s nipples were hard and perky from his thorough playing, and his gaze darkened when he felt the other shiver against his chest. He licked his lips.
“It… is,” Zhongli sighed, a soft gasp escaping from his lips as Ajax slid a hand down further, “but I’d rather take this on the bed. Mm, besides, this,” he poked the hard object that was pressing into his lower back, “would probably feel better on a dryer surface.”
“Oh? You seem to know a lot?” Ajax narrowed his eyes. His claw grabbed for Zhongli’s hardening length, pumping it vigor as Zhongli elicited another soft moan under his touch. Reflexively, Zhongli’s leg’s clamped shut but did nothing in stopping Ajax’s hand.
Ajax’s mood soured a little. With the way that Zhongli had worded it, it sounded like he had experience. His grip tightened a little, causing the other to flinch.
Did anyone else touch what was his?
In one move, Ajax wrapped his arms around Zhongli’s torso, hauling him up and out of the bath water. Despite wanting to throw Zhongli onto the bed right away, his brotherly instincts kicked in, allowing him to dry off the other with barely controlled patience. In one way or another, Zhongli found this amusing.
“Why are you acting like this?” Zhongli asked between rough kisses as he was pushed onto their bed.
Ajax crawled on top, trapping Zhongli between the bed and his body. His hungry eyes wandered the bare body of the other, watching it flush a darker red the further he continued to stare.
“You said that this would feel better on bed.” he said as he returned to grip Zhongli’s cock, stroking the tip and underside with a rough drag. Zhongli’s fingers curled against the bed sheets.
“Why would you say that?” Ajax asked. His other hand returned to play with Zhongli’s nipple, rubbing and twisting the pretty, perky nub. Zhongli squirmed a little underneath him, biting his lower lip.
“Others have, ngh, told it.” Zhongli murmured.
Ajax’s eyebrow twitched as something snapped inside of him. He wasn’t sure if Zhongli was playing with him or if he was that oblivious to his own words.
Suddenly, Ajax briefly left the bed to grab a expensive-looking, thin jade bottle. Upon spreading the ex-Archon’s legs, Ajax poured its contents over Zhongli’s length, introducing a slightly sweet aroma. Shivers crept down Zhongli’s spine as the lubricant warmed up against his body.
Pooling some onto his fingers, Ajax bent downwards to take the whole length into his mouth while one of his digits smoothly entered Zhongli’s hole.
Zhongli’s hips buckled against the sudden intrusion as his hands flew to grasp Ajax’s hair. His legs twitched when he felt Ajax’s tongue swirl around his length and tease his tip, and the occasional hum of Ajax’s throat would cause Zhongli to come close to the edge. His body jolted at the feeling of another finger coming inside, pressing against his bundle of nerves but felt that it wasn’t enough. A third finger soon joined the rest, and a sudden moan and shudder of his hips told the both that Ajax had found his sweet spot.
Zhongli’s mind began to muddle and his words became incoherent – an intense heat was building up in the pit of his abdomen, causing Zhongli to grip the other’s hair to push him away from his oncoming orgasm.
But Ajax was a stubborn one, and once he set his mind to something, he wouldn’t stop until he completed it. He responded by sucking harder, using his teeth to nibble at the underside and tip as his fingers worked relentlessly to strike at his prostate. Ajax’s other hand pressed down against Zhongli’s abdomen, forcing the other to stay in place.
“Ajax-!” Zhongli moaned outwards, his nails digging into Ajax’s scalp. His body shuddered and Ajax welcomed the sudden bitter and salty warmth into his mouth, greedily sucking Zhongli dry. With a wet pop, Ajax finally withdrew. As his fingers slid out, a soft whimper came out of Zhongli’s mouth.
Zhongli momentarily blissed out with tears pooling in his eyes, but his eyebrows were still furrowed. Thinking that Zhongli was upset, Ajax placated the other by kneading and marking his shaky legs. Red bite marks bloomed against his pale skin which glistened with sweat.
Zhongli finally managed to something after catching his breath. It seemed he finally understood what Ajax was grumpy about. He said in a raspy voice, “I, as a former god, have heard many tales over the thousands of years. It is only expected that I would eventually hear stories of such adulterous acts, even in great detail. Despite hearing such tales, I have never committed to a contract that involves sexual actions, nor would I have any need or reason to do so.”
“Are you…” Zhongli almost hesitated to say before a sly smile slowly crept on his face, “jealous?”
“… What if I am?” Ajax huffed.
Zhongli chuckled softly before wrapping his arms around Ajax’s neck, pulling him in for a slow, soft kiss.
“Silly.”
“… I know, sorry.” Ajax could feel his cheeks burning as he shut his eyes tight. Great, what a blunder. Some boyfriend he was. Even his apology sounded cheap. However, he was greatly invigorated.
He would be Zhongli’s first. His alone.
He took Zhongli’s hand into his own, peppering the back of his hand with kisses as he trailed up the length of his air.
“I’ll try to be gentle, but I won’t make any promises.” he murmurs, his eyes locked onto the amber eyes staring back at him.
“Mn, I don’t expect you to be.” Zhongli puffed out a laugh.
Ajax sucked in a breath. Damn, his poor, mortal heart.
Ajax grabbed for Zhongli’s legs as he positioned himself in between, kindly putting a pillow underneath Zhongli’s waist in the process. With whatever was left in the jade bottle, he lathered it onto his cock, giving it a few quick strokes before pushing it against Zhongli’s entrance.
With a single push, Ajax fully sheathed himself inside, groaning at the sudden tightness. A hand gripped his thigh, nails digging into his skin as Zhongli took in a sharp breath.
“Are you good?” Ajax asked after a short while. A low hum and a quick nod was Zhongli’s reply.
Before the other could even give his verbal response, Ajax slowly withdrew. Bracing Zhongli’s legs against his shoulders, his hips snapped forward, ramming deep inside as Zhongli moaned loudly.
Ajax’s pace was erratic and brutal. He gave Zhongli no chance to breathe, hitting against his sweet spot over and over with striking accuracy and reaching in as far as he could. He folded Zhongli’s body inwards to bite and suckle his nipples, the bounce of Zhongli’s body causing his legs to slide into the dip of Ajax’s elbow. Traces of love bites dotted against his chest as they trailed upwards to his neck, creating pleasurable shivers from being claimed so strongly. Zhongli’s legs curled to wrap around Ajax’s waist, locking him in as the two smashed their lips together, biting and plunging each other’s mouths until their lips bled and they were dizzy from a lack of oxygen.
For all reasons that are related to Ajax, the taste of blood only served to excite him more. Zhongli groaned at the growing feeling of being stretched and filled to the brim, so impossibly full that he felt like he could break after one round. Ajax’s picked up speed as his hand moved to stroke Zhongli’s dribbling length. Zhongli’s mind blanked out, his body only responding to the uncontrollable pleasure that was running through his body and the mouth that left harsh bites but soft, delicate kisses.
“Ajax, Ajax!” Zhongli managed to cry out with his hoarse throat and tears escaping from his eyes. Nails dug into Ajax’s back, causing the other to hiss.
“Come for me.” Ajax’s voice dropped a couple notches, his deeper voice reverberating against Zhongli’s neck as he took a bite. With a muffled cry, Zhongli came once more as if on command.
Ajax, on the other hand, was not ready to come. He thrusted in mercilessly, grunting under the sudden tightness as Zhongli begged for him to stop.
“Too much, Ajax-” Zhongli gasped out. “Ah, Ajax-”
Zhongli’s begging only added to Ajax’s excitement, causing the latter to bite his shoulder in frustration when he did not stop. Ajax growled at the pain but finally relented into Zhongli’s demand.
With a dragged-out groan and a shudder of his body, Ajax came inside. He came to admire his work once he pulled out, a cheeky grin plastered on his face as his eyes wandered to see all of Zhongli’s debauched state.
Suddenly, the view of his world shifted. Zhongli was now on top, straddling his hips as he rubbed his swollen hole against the now hardening length.
“Mn, to be young.” Zhongli commented, licking his lips.
“Another round?” Ajax had to ask. His excited expression was to send slight shivers up Zhongli’s body.
“Mn, another.”
After a couple more rounds, the two were finally satiated. It had truly been a long night, for the sound of birds chirping in the early morning could be heard and sunlight was peeking in through the curtains. With just enough strength to use a hot wet towel to wipe their bodies, the two tumbled back into bed. Ajax pulled Zhongli into an embrace as he lazily covered their bodies with the blanket.
“Do you want to know what it feels like?” Zhongli suddenly asked as he slid his fingers through Ajax’s hair.
“How it feels to be done in?” Ajax immediately asked back after yawning.
Zhongli perked a brow at his shamelessness. “Yes.” he answered.
“I am curious.” Ajax replied honestly.
“Would I have the honour to give you pleasure on our wedding night, then?” Zhongli asked.
A mischievous grin grew on Ajax’s face as a hearty laugh surfaced from his diaphragm. His eyes drifted downwards to admire the size before looking back up to see Zhongli’s amused face.
“Why not? I might as well learn how fierce you can be in bed.” he winked.
-
“Thank you for making it today, dear friend, especially after forcing you to take a pause in your journey.” Zhongli motioned for traveler to sit down at the stone table. The air at Mt. Aozang was clean and fresh, with a subtle hint of the passing morning dew.
“Oh, don’t think much on it.” Traveler shook their head as they sat down at the designated chair.
Lunch had been personally prepared by Zhongli, and the aroma of the dishes laid out on the table were warm and enticing. Naturally, since they were in the Cloud Retainer’s domain, Zhongli had prepared a special portion for them to enjoy on their own time.
“So, what’s the reason you called us here today?” Traveler asked. Sitting beside them was Xiao, his stern and grouchy face forever unchanging. His eyes were locked onto the offending person sitting across from him – Ajax. This would be the first time that the two of them had met.
“Mn, there is a special reason, and such a special reason should be known to close individuals.” Zhongli started as he served tea to the two guests.
“Ajax and I will be bound by to the sacred bonds of matrimony within a month’s time.”
Traveler coughed up their tea while Xiao went into a state of shock.
“Oh, congrats.” Traveler finally said after a pause of surprise. However, their facial expression was otherwise calm, as if they were expecting such a result to happen eventually. “I’ll be sure to bring a gift then if you’ll have me there.”
“But of course,” Zhongli offered a soft smile. “Since you are close to the two of us, it is only natural that we invite you.”
Finally, Xiao responded to the sound of Zhongli’s voice. Xiao crushed the cup in his hand, causing the traveler to go into shock at the sudden show of strength. On the other hand, Ajax had gained a sudden interest in Xiao’s temperament. Traveler swore that there was a fanatical sparkle in his eyes.
“You’re doing what?” Xiao hissed out slowly with teeming anger.
“Marriage.” Ajax instantly responded with a wide, toothy grin. Under his tone of excitement was a hint of a taunt, as if he wanted to pick a fight with the other right then and there. Which indeed was very much in Ajax’s style.
“Xiao!” Traveler yelled out in panic as they grabbed Xiao’s arms to restrain him. Sounds of growling rumbled from Xiao’s throat, further enticing Ajax to pester with him.
Zhongli sighed. It seemed that Xiao will require more time to accept their soon-to-be marital status.