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"I have considered telling you when you've grown a little older," Morax rubs his chin, a thoughtful hum escaping from his lips. "Perhaps in fourty. No, would seventy years of mortal age be appropriate?" "Seventy?!" Ajax shrieked in disbelief. "Morax, I'll only have a decade or two left to live!"

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The ginger squeezes his hand. He can no longer imagine living in a world without his companion. "Were you ever going to tell me…?" Ajax murmurs.

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Ajax takes in every word with careful consideration. They've never talked about what they meant to each other. From the first meeting up to this moment, everything just happened so naturally like they were always meant to be side by side.

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“But I have no intention of tying you down as a bride. You — my greatest treasure, who wanted to see the world with your own two eyes and fulfill your burning ambitions." The dragon’s voice gradually strains as he continues. “I knew that it would not be the life that you dream of.”

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"Am I your mate?" Ajax tightens his hold, his blue eyes searching for an answer. "Is that why you've always been on my side? Listening to me and protecting me?” Morax’s gaze softens as he takes the ginger’s hand to warm in his. "….Yes. You were born with a geo mark that only I can see."

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Ajax’s father tremble before his presence. Morax sees no reason in leaving such a cowardly man alive. For the sake of his companion and the good in his family, it would only be right to remove this man. Suddenly, a familiar touch takes ahold of his ashen arm and pulls at his attention.

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I know it’s impossible but I hope my health will be better next year. I just want to write.

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My head is spinning. I think I’ll have to continue the threadfic another time.

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A guttural growl reverberate from his throat. "I did not leave to punishment the people of Morepesok.” Rex Lapis narrow his eyes. To say that he's angered would be an understatement. "There is simply no reason to stay in a land where my mate is not."

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"Humans are quick to blame their misfortunes on a god," Morax leaps to the ground. In the blink of an eye, a man with dark hair appears. As he walks, his armor imitates the scales of dragon that soars in the sky while the halos of gold in his irises accentuates his slitted pupils.

"And what would that be?" Ajax crosses his arms. Strange. The dragon had never mentioned anything about a contract. His father's weary gaze sinks even further as he croaks out. "A suitable mate — a bride for his favor and protection."

"Instead of relying on a god, the villagers should learn to protect ourselves," Ajax stands by his ground. Amidst the heated discussion, his father rises from his seat. "You know nothing, son. Rex Lapis may be gone but our village has to fulfill the contract that we've forged."

“Our guardian god is leeching from a poor adventurer as always," Ajax sighs dramatically. Still, he indulges and scratches under his chin. Of course, it is only a matter of time before he's called back home. The ginger argues to cease the needless sacrifices.

————————— "Thanks for helping my sister," Ajax grins at his companion. He holds up the reptile and kisses his forehead. The dragon sways his tail in delight. "I expect an exquisite meal and a precious collection of antiques in exchange."

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"Molly! You've returned too!" Tonia squeals as she pulls the dragon into a tight hug. Morax squirms in her hold, displeased by that cursed nickname. "Child, I’ve mentioned it many times before. My name is not —" Ajax shuts the dragon down with a a sharp glare. Morax frowns and flicks his tail.

Morax swallows the monsters and turns into his miniature form with his fluffy body and stubby limbs. The dragon spits the filthy blood from his mouth and waddles onwards to the siblings. He sits on his behind, like it's ever a ever a normal behavior for a pet lizard.

"B-Brother," Tonia sniffles and leaps into her brother's arms. Ajax switches his attention to the dragon and the grotesque pile of corpses that he'd swept away with his maws. Fuck. 'Change your appearance!' The ginger flails his hand. 'You're going to scare her!'

"Tonia!" Ajax cried out. A slash resounds within the cavern, followed by a whine of monsters and a ghastly, monstrous crunch. Tonia tilts her head back in fear when her brother knelt on the ground and turns her attention away. "Hey, look at me. You're safe now. Big brother is here to protect you.”

If only she is allowed a knife to defend herself, just like her brother had taught her. But the village insists that she remain in a devout position like a statue. An arrow pierces through the wind and cuts her side, eliciting a cry from her lips. Tears well up in her eyes. ‘Brother!’ She prayed.

———————— A young lady clasps her hands together with her knees rested on dirt and gravel. She flinches from the approaching howls of monsters. “Don’t be scared and fulfill your duty,” Tonia tries to reassure herself despite the tremble in her voice.

Ajax nods his head solemnly. He can’t put Tonia in danger. “We have to set out immediately. Take me there, Morax.” The ginger holds out an open hand as those amber eyes search into his. How could he ever deny this mortal? He lay his head down with a smile. “As you wish.”

“And I wouldn’t care for them, if not for my siblings,” Ajax grabs what is left of the letter and feeds them to the flame. The father who sent his son away and the village that sacrifices its people — these two things follow him like a curse. “We should return to the village.” Morax suggests.

Morax slips out of his scarf and settles on the desk. His golden irises may be smaller in size, but by no means do they look any less striking even as they look up at his friend. “It seems that the humans are struggling without my protection.”

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As expected, his father writes about the increasing number of monsters and the restlessness in Morepesok. But what catches his eyes is the surprising news that Tonia will soon be wed — not to a human, but to a god as sacrifice. Ajax clenches his teeth and rips the letter apart.

Ajax scowls as he receives yet another letter from his father. Morax peeks out of his scarf and asks. “Are you going to burn it like you always do?” The letter scrunches under his thumbs. It’s a tempting thought but he shakes his head. “…No. I’m curious about my younger siblings.”

Heeding the dragon’s words, Ajax takes a few of his belongings and sets out to be an adventurer before he is forced to become a soldier. As time passes, Ajax grows to be a formidable adventurer with his loyal companion laying snug in his worn out scarf.

Since then, Morax takes on a miniature form and hides in the child’s red scarf. Having his companion with him delights the boy. Though it does not change the fact that he is different. Children his age fear him while adults cast him away in fear of his tendency to fight.

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Does he feel alone in a village of his own kind? Is he ostracized by his own family? The dragon hums thoughtfully as various unanswered questions popped in his mind. “It seems that I can no longer be a mere observer,” Morax trails off. “Then I will stay by your side and protect you.”

Ajax exhausted himself to sleep. Morax hovers his gaze over the child and drapes his tail over his smaller frame. He couldn’t ignore how frantic and desperate his little friend had been. In the first place, it’s strange for such a young mortal to constantly seek his companionship.

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Morax is stunned. He has little knowledge on how to calm a crying child. And so, it took him a long time to appease the boy. Thankfully, the blue in his eyes brightens up whenever the dragon explain all the treasures and weapons that he has hoarded in his cave.

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Minutes later, Morax stirs awake from the cry of a young boy who is clinging onto his front limb. "I'll heat you up so please wake up," Ajax sobs, his eyes are puffed and his cheeks tinted red. "You're my only friend, Morax." The only friend who doesn’t call him a little freak or a monster.

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Nemu 🍊 @nemururin.bsky.social · 20/10/2024

🏷️: #ZhongChi, au Little Ajax runs into the dragon's den where his friend is fast asleep. "Morax?" he calls out. His father once said that some hibernating creatures may never wake up when the weather gets too harsh and cold.

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Reposted by Lico 🍊

matching pajamas!!!! 😴😴😴 #Zhongchi #鍾タル

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Still, Zhongli understood since he could not get the image of the other Childe from his mind, those adorable lips and the way that he expertly moved his hips. Zhongli shakes his head from the memory. Truly, it is a powerful vase that should be sealed for eternity. || end.

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After a moment to ponder, Zhongli relents and agree with his idea. The broken pieces of the vase seem to have no effect on the traveller but even as time passes, the harbinger refuses to elaborate on what happened.

“I’ll have an agent to send an urgent call for Aether. He’s an otherworldly traveller so he’s probably the most experienced with this thing.” The harbinger crosses his hands over his chest. “Do not ever touch it again.” He repeats.

“It seems that my concern is no longer necessary. Still, it might be a good idea to collect the pieces and —“ “Mister Zhongli, I forbid you from touching that vase.” Childe interrupts with a stern look on his face. “Pardon?” Zhongli asked.

swaps the souls of two beings who exist in an alternate world. We must take it to cloud retainer and have it properly examined —“ Zhongli turns to face an empty pedestal. Slowly, his eyes trail down to the ground where shattered pieces can be found. He props his chin and lets out a thoughtful hum.

“Childe, I am fine. Please set your worries aside. We have a bigger problem at hand than my slightly aching jaw.” Zhongli reassures. He props himself up and pats off the dusts from his uniform as if nothing has happened. “The vase that I inspected earlier is an ancient and powerful artifact that

“Archons, are you alright? Why didn’t you put your shield up when I swung my fist?” Childe said exasperatedly. “Anyway, I have to apologize. I was just a little surprised when you came too close and tried to, uh…”