Words: 1880

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"A-Achoo!"

You sneezed and grunted afterwards before blowing your runny nose into the handkerchief that you bring along for your ice-fishing. Wearing layers of thick clothes, people might be mistaking you as a polar bear if you ever covered yourself in heavy snow.

"Haha, [Y/N]. I already told you that you don't have to come along."The male stroke your red cheek with his cold palm and you shook your head,

"No way. Today's the last day you're in Snezhnaya before going to Liyue. So I'd rather spend my time with you instead of staying at home and do nothing."

"Oh, I'm touched."He placed his palm over to where his chest was located.

"But it's getting colder. Here, come closer."He offered, opening his coat so the two of you could share your warmth together. However, you turned his offer down politely and shook your head,

"No, no, you don't need to. I might've caught a cold and tomorrow is your big day as the Harbinger. Go with glory."

"Don't say that. You make it that tomorrow is a good day when it's not because we've to part away."He frowned and pulled you closer to him with a slight force, catching you by surprise,

"And no refuse either!"

"Hey!"

You couldn't even budge even a millimeter when he had his firm grip on your shoulder to make sure you wouldn't move away. Making it more impossible by wrapped his scarf around both yours and his neck.

"There. Everyone's happy. It's not that bad, right?"

Wordlessly looking at him with a smug smile on his lips, with a heavy sigh escaped from your lips that your warm breath could be seen dancing in the air before disappearing as soon as it appeared, you relaxed your shoulders muscles and continue walking; trying to not make more attention on the two of you—while trying to decrease the hue on your cheeks,

"Whatever you say, Ajax."

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That was the last time you saw him when you indeed caught a cold and had to stayed in the thick blanket all day long. You did feel sad that you couldn't give him a proper goodbye but he probably would say that he preferred to not have one or he might have homesick.

It has been months since then. He probably found someone much beautiful back at Liyue so you didn't let your hope up. But there is this little tiny hope for him at least return your feelings.

"One of father's friend's son, huh?"

People keep aging and so does you, your father left you no choice but to get married. How can he say that he wanted to play with grandkids as soon as possible before he dies as an excuse?

Anywho, it looks like he's serious about this matter when your mother left the two of you at your early age and your father is the one who raised you till today. Since he has sacrificed lots of things for your sake, you should return the favor too.

"I heard he was a merchant."Saying to no one particular but to yourself as you rested your head back against the chair, cozy warmth filled the air inside the cafe with palms wrapped around the mug that has the remained hot chocolate.

Eyes slowly shut close and exhaled a low breath. It has been 45 minutes and he hasn't arrived yet. 5 more minutes and it's a cue for you to leave.

Just before you could open your eyes back, a pair of freezing palms were placed over them to let your vision remained filled with nothing but darkness. You guessed it was the guy that you should've your date with but why your heart suddenly starts beating faster than usual?

"Guess who~?"A masculine yet playful tone of voice sang near your ear from behind, feeling their warm breath fanning your now red ears.

"I know that voice."

Placing your palms over their hands and brought them down, head tilting upward so you would be greeted with his beaming smiling face.

"Oh my Tsaritsa."You gasped and immediately stood up from your seat, hugging him close and he returned the gesture with a tight embrace, humming out a content sigh,

"Ajax, it's been a while! I miss you so much!"

"Haha, I miss you too."

Reluctantly pulling away, one of your eyebrows quirked upwards when a bolt of lightning struck you in sudden realization as you eyeing him suspiciously.

"Wait, I thought you will return in another week."

"Ehe, surprise! I told Tonia to not tell you about this."He winked, causing you to pinched both his cheeks at his playing cheeky tone and narrowed your eyes,

"But how can you find me here?"

"Townia towld mwe that you're here and thewn I saw youuu—"

You quickly released his now red cheeks and hide your hands inside the pockets of your thick coat, eyes averted around the whole room in alarm. That Tonia is probably here watching the two of you.

Hand rubbing his aching cheek, his eyes wandered to the empty seat in front of you yet there's a cup of hot chocolate that's now cold,

"Anywho, what are you doing here?"

You suddenly froze and he noticed that. Averting your eyes away from him, you suddenly remembered the unpleasant reason of why you're here in the first place.

"Oh."

Cracking a small nervous laugh, you bestowed him an apologetic smile while fidgeting your finger's which has become your habit when you're getting nervous and he knew about this,

"Ajax, if you want to catch up around, how about tomorrow? I should have a date, right now. "

"Should have?"He growled and was grateful when you didn't notice the change of his tone when your gaze returned to the empty seat,

"Mhm. It has been 45 minutes . . actually, screw that. It has been an hour and he's not here yet."You murmured solemnly and he averted his eyes to you, seeing the look of you trying to hold back your tears was enough to make his heart boiled.

"Tch, if that's the case . . . it can't be helped, huh?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Instead of answering your question, he suddenly took your hand and bolted out from the building with you trailing helplessly behind,

"H-Hold on, Ajax. Where are you going to take me? He might come in a—"You whimpered when the hold that he had around you tightening even more, occasionally almost stumbling into thick snow in multiple of time,

"Making a girl waiting for him that long?"He cut you off and shaking his head in dismay, slowing his pace slightly so you could catch up with his eyes glistened coldly as he spoke in a strange and spine-chilling tone,

"Nah, I don't think so. Let's just ditch that fucking bastard."

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"Argh! I'm so sorry, [Y/N]!!"He screeched upon seeing the visible red bruise around your wrist from his tight grip earlier and boy, watching him trying to touch you skin carefully so it won't happen again sure is entertaining.

"Don't worry. It's just a small matter."

"But I hurt you."

"So? It's not a big deal at all."You waved your hand, only to have stopped by the male that told you how your injury will worsening even more if you didn't get any treatment as soon as possible so the two of you now decided to go home with him accompanying you on your way back.

It happened way too fast that you didn't have enough time to refuse his offer.

"By the way, [Y/N], "He started; thus breaking the comfortable silence that the two of you had which you didn't mind it at all— giving you a side-glance before continuing his unfinished statement,

"Why are you meeting that guy?"

Ah, this question.

It was unknown to you how you weren't surprised by this question at all.

"Aha, actually, "You sucked a deep breath through your teeth before looking back to the perplexed male who patiently waiting for the answer,

"My father told me to get married as soon as possible. Well, it doesn't matter anymore. I'll just let him decide who I need to marry. I don't have anything to be against his wish."

"Now hold on there!"

He stopped you from saying more by grabbing both your shoulder with his large palms which took you by surprise. He is too close. Way too close.

"You mean- literally- anyone?"His eyes glimmered while staring down to your [ color ] ones, making you bestowing half   awkward smile and emphasized your words,

"Someone he chooses, yes."

Blinking his eyes, his smile slightly faltered as he breathed out a short sentence underneath his breath which is inaudible in your eyes,

"Now this is bad."

"I didn't quite catch that."

"Nevermind about it. "He tittered and shoved his hand into his coat, rummaging inside it to look for something with his gaze intently remained on you,l so he wouldn't miss the next reaction on your expression after he showed you the item,

"Hey, do you remember about your gift that I told you in those letters?"

"Now that you mentioned that."You hummed after recalling everything he told you in those letters, hands were lifted and palms opened hopefully,

"Gift, where's my oh-so-expensive gift?"

With bestowing you the brightest smile he could muster, he placed the small dark red box on your palms. Honestly, you were expecting a candy or a small doll but no—

Your breath hitched in the inside of your throat when it was revealed the very last item you expected him to give you.

"You better keep this ring. It was exclusively was made by the hands of Geo Archon himself and the most expensive noctilucous jade with a beautiful shade of translucent blue that he chose."

Thankfully, you didn't hear the news of the assassinated archon yet, he thought as he copied the every single exact detail that was told from the knowledgeable Rex Lapis.

"Oh dear, something this precious. I thought you were joking."You gasped with one hand was placed over your mouth, eyes diverted back to him and the small jewelry, "How should I keep it? I think there's a glass box at home. I'll just ask father to—"

"Just put it around your finger. That's enough."

"Are you sure about this, Ajax?"Your eyebrows furrowed together while holding it delicately as if it was a fragile glass, "This expensive item is my gift?"

"Nope~ But you still can keep it."

The way he chirped his answer left the questioning look on your face as he smiled,

"It's a proposal."The smile on his face only widening even more upon seeing your speechless face, walking up to where you are standing and took the ring from your grasp before slipping it around your finger instead.

Nodding in satisfied at how it looks perfect, he intertwined both his hands with your small ones and grinned cheekily,

"So, instead of a best friend, can I declare you as my fiancée?"

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Ajax, Childe, Tartaglia— How many names does this kid have?

Who am I to ask that when Geo Archon himself has a plethora of names too.

I would laugh whenever I see his name on the cleaning product LMAO—

I want to make this into angst but my imagination betrayed me with that ending like it would be a waste if I didn't do it.