Chapter Text
It was like an explosives barrel had gone off in the foyer and part of the sitting room. Decorations and various boxes filled with even more decorations were scattered all about in half finished states while Zhongli's Adepti bickered amongst themselves. It was far too early for this nonsense in Ajax’s opinion so he continued down the stairs and slid past Zhongli to continue on to the kitchen. He didn't leave much room for argument either when he took both hatchlings in his arms and threw a sharp look at his mate before it trailed to the bickering Adepti.
He could see the slight sag in the elder's shoulders and the resigned nod of understanding; the younger chucked quietly and hurried into the kitchen just as his mate cleared his throat, garnering the attention of the Adepti present who all immediately launched into differing explanations of decorating plans without giving their beloved Rex Lapis even a moment to speak.
He cringed sympathetically for his husband as Cloud Retainer’s voice became louder and carried over the others; Zhongli would be able to calm them and get to a resolution… hopefully. Though by the sound of it and the tired look on Xiao’s face, it would not be anytime soon.
“Morning, Xiao.” Ajax mused carefully as he went about situating his little ones for breakfast. Xiao grumbled something in response that sounded suspiciously like a curse directed at his fellow Adepti.
“They haven't been here that long have they?” The younger asked in exasperation as he settled both hatchlings into chairs and began to prepare breakfast,
“No, but it feels like it's been an eternity.” the yaksha groused though the sour look on the young man’s face quickly disappeared as a kiss was pressed to his cheek by his lover. The bard grinned impishly,
“Come on now, let's cut our Adepti friends a little slack, it's a big day and they get to be more involved than last time so it's only natural tensions are running a bit higher than usual.” he said matter of factly to Xiao who flushed under his lover’s gentle chastising. Ajax might have felt a bit of guilt himself for his earlier comment were it not for the loud shriek of Cloud Retainer that followed,
“What do you mean the tapestries are excessive!? They're a necessity!”
Venti’s grin weakened, a soft bashfulness in his voice and stance,
“Then again, these are Zhongli’s friends...” He chuckled sheepishly. Xiao snorted through his nose and turned his head to give Venti a look that said ‘Oh, really?’ to which the bard simply set a bowl of hot congee in front of him and placed another kiss on his forehead.
“Eat up, my dearest~” he sing-songed with a flourish and sauntered back to the stove. Ajax rolled his eyes fondly, fixing up a bowl of the rice porridge for Jinhai and then the raw chicken and eggs for Róu which they would most likely outgrow within the next few weeks. The thought gave him pause, a rush of emotions sweeping over Ajax’s person enough for years to start welling up. His girls were growing up so fast, before he knew it they would be going to school, leaving home for grand adventures, forgetting to write during the Krysnic Nok season, bringing home an unworthy partner-
Ajax slapped his cheeks with both hands rather aggressively to stop the onslaught of rapid fire thoughts and feelings; the young Adeptus turned to gaze upon his children, finding them still very small and very eager for breakfast. He sighed with relief, they still had years before they would have to worry about their hatchlings leaving the nest and the experiences that would bring. He didn't need to protect his girls…yet; Tonia had been quite angry with him once for interfering when she had been younger and a boy had taken a fancy to her.
Looking back now he could see how it was an overreaction to threaten the boy’s life should he do anything to upset his precious sister; but all that aside it did show Ajax where he had gone catastrophically wrong, getting caught. He wouldn't make that mistake again should he have to employ similar tactics in the far off future. He smiled to himself, the up turn of his lips perhaps looking a bit unsettling given Venti was suddenly giving him a wide berth whilst Ajax served the little one's breakfast.
He didn't prompt for an explanation of said smile either, probably making the assumption he wouldn't want to know and the young Adeptus agreed with that sentiment. Ajax settled at the island counter with his own bowl of congee next to Róu to feed her and himself; Jinhai had tucked right in as soon as the bowl had hit the table so Ajax let her be.
It was only part way through breakfast that Zhongli finally appeared in the kitchen, looking flustered but still in high spirits for the day,
“That smells wonderful Venti, you have my thanks for handling breakfast this morning.”
“Eh, woke up with the sunrise and figured it was the least I could do to make the day easier, plus the Adepti were not content waiting out on the porch for you to wake up so…” Venti shrugged apologetically and Zhongli let out a strained hum,
“I see…”
Which put an end to the subject; Ajax could vaguely sense his mate’s discomfort and stress, the usual smell of soft, fertile earth was muted by a thick, pungent aroma of briney sands. When Zhongli sat beside him he place a hand on his knees and squeezed reassuringly, the Adepti were only here as decorators as the gathering was planned to be smaller and draw less attention to their family in these uncertain times. They had originally been insulted by the idea of not attending Róu'er’s 100th day party but quickly settled when they were allowed to decorate as they saw fit (within reason of course) and Zhongli promised to bring the whole family to Mt. Tiang for a dinner.
Ajax was a little unsettled by how fast had agreed to those terms, her gaze had lingered on the younger Adeptus too long for comfort before she returned to inform the others. He shuddered to think what that crane could possibly have in-store when they did make it up the mountain for that dinner.
“The decorations are ready for your judgment, Lord- er Zhongli.” Mountain Shaper said from the kitchen doorway, his mate sucked in a deep breath, centering himself where he sat only just having started on his meal.
“I will be right there, were you able to come to an agreement?” he asked stiffly,
“Of course!” the Adeptus huffed, “Cloud Retainer's not happy about the tapestries but is pleased with our current decisions.”
It was then that Ajax heard a knock on the front door, given that guests weren't expected until noon, that had to be Hu Tao with their special guests.
“It's just one thing after another, huh?” Venti asked good-naturedly, his smile sympathetic as Ajax rose to answer the door whilst his husband handled the Adepti. He hoped they wouldn't come to regret dealing with the Tianquan, putting on his best attempt at a welcoming smile, he answered the door to greet the nervously fidgeting Hu Tao and the two women behind her.
“Good morning, we’re honored to have you-” Ajax started but his jaw quickly snapped shut at Ningguang’s curt glare. His mouth ran dry like it often did when he’d commit a political faux pa in front of the Tsaritsa during fancy dinner parties or grand balls. Those days were long behind him of course, but Ningguang reminded him of the frigid woman ruling over his former homeland. He reassessed the situation, moving out of the way and bidding their guests entry; the Tianquan wasted no time in entering and making her way to their sitting room like she owned the place.
Beidou, however, flashed him a smile,
“Don't mind her, she's in business mode and as soon as whatever this is about gets wrapped up, you’ll have trouble getting the wee ones away from her.”
“Captain Beidou.” The sharpness in the Tianquan’s tone could cut through a man cleanly, drawing a startled jerk even from the former Harbinger. Beidou chuckled sheepishly,
“Right, sorry!” The captain apologized quickly before leaning in close to Ajax, “I’m supposed to save the niceties for later.” she said with a firm pat on his back. He blinked owlishly, partly unsettled by the casualness with which Beidou treated him given the frostiness he perceived from Ningguang.
A warm hand settled on the small of his back and he craned his neck to look up at Zhongli from behind; his mate smiled reassuringly, they had talked a bit about what would be said during this meeting and his husband's expression soothed the younger. They entered the sitting room, the doors sliding shut behind them to give them privacy; Ajax had always found their sitting room to be quite cozy, the sofas were comfortable and easy to nod off in, the big window of the newer house let in the warm sunshine, and having afternoon tea in good company was always welcome.
However, he had never been more uncomfortable in his entire life than he was now; sat in the sitting room next to his mate, trying to nurse a cup of tea while two of the most influential women in Liyue sat opposite them. Hu Tao has quickly left them to their fate upon entry, scurrying away to entertain the hatchlings whilst the adults ‘talked shop’ as she put it.
Ningguang rolled her cup in her wrist, eyeing the brew as if it weren't one of the most expensive tins Zhongli owned that had been dragged out and made in haste, much to his mate’s disapproval. Beidou looked between the three of them, her one eye lingering on Ajax's curled form before settling on her own cup with a bored quirk to her lips. So much for talking shop…
They were getting nowhere and Ajax could hear faint pawing at the sitting room door from the hatchlings who were more curious about their Auntie’s visit than playing despite Hu Tao’s efforts.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...ok, is anyone going to speak? For Archon's sake Ningguang, you dragged me out of bed in a frenzy as if these two have committed a crime but all I see is party prep." Beidou huffed and slung herself back to drap one arm over the lip of the sofa and...pout, for a lack of better word. Ajax was honestly taken aback by the behavior, expecting Ningguang to chatise and scold the other woman for such brashness only to be met with a barely hidden smile that quickly faded.
"...you're correct, this is a rather innocuous gathering to attend, but we must address the rumors spreading around the Harbor, rumors I tracked directly to Hu Tao. The young lady then directly came to me on your behalf." The Tiaquan paused to sip her tea before settling a pointed, steely gaze on Zhongli who gave no indication it even phased him.
She continued in a barb, "I find that a little crude, using your charge in such a way to prompt our attendance."
"And yet, you accepted the invitation, and I don't care for your insinuation, my lady. Hu Tao is an adult and insisted on aiding our circumstances." Zhongli said through nearly clenched teeth. Ajax wished he had met the woman in her element before all of this, he had only met her officially at the baby shower put on by Venti, he was ashamed to admit he'd forced Ekaterina to go in his stead about the reparations for Liyue because he had still been broken up about the betrayal then.
Had Ajax met the woman prior to now, perhaps he'd have better knowledge when it came to her tells and quirks in the battlefield of business. Instead, he felt...lost, something he was not used to in the slightest and...it frustrated him. A soft hiss and harsh click of his husband's tongue drew his attention back to the situation at hand; Zhongli had moved to sit with his back rigid as a board, legs crossed at the knee and arms folded over his chest forming a rather aura of the immovable God he had once been. The young Adeptus realized he was staring, head snapping back to took at the women across from him who sat in stoney silence, just as immovable, he could see why the former Archon had seen fit to deign Ningguang worthy of his blessing.
"I grow weary of this tactic, trying to wear us down by keeping quiet and holding out is not a proper use of our limited time than if we were to just discuss things amicably." He snapped, giving Ajax a wonderful sample of the man who had conquered Liyue just to save it. He commanded authority, even when Zhongli was now technically lower in the political hierarchy compared to the Tiaquan and her partner. Behavior like this could have led to a dismissal if they were in her own home-
"Hm, forgive me, I seem to have misjudged the situation at heart. I was initially...perturbed by this rouse you set forth using little Róu'er’s 100th day and Hu Tao as leverage. I assumed the worst." She said apologetically; Zhongli relaxed at that, his gaze softening to reveal the wear of stress. Ajax's chest tightened at the sight…
"I know you care a great deal for all children of the Harbor, it was not my intent to use my own family to play you if that is what you thought. I merely saw this as an opportunity to speak with you of a matter most important to me." Zhongli admitted quietly, picquing the interest of both women. The Tiaquan situated herself from a position of bored lounging to attentive rigidity much like his husband with Beidou nearly mirroring the Geo user beside her;
"Speak freely, please." Ningguang assured. Zhongli nodded and did his best to explain the situation, leaving out finer details that could violate their contract held with the Tsaritsa. All the while, Ajax watched Ningguang's expression closely, looking for any sign of brow movement or even the quirk of her lips. She was as unyielding as her reputation led him to believe, her expression never shifted or changed, the white haired woman would only blink slowly, contemplatively.
When Zhongli had finished, Ajax heard the nervous puff of air that escaped the elder Adeptus, if Ningguang had heard it she gave no indication of it.
"...tell me, Childe, why are you being exiled from your own country? What reason does your former Archon have in allowing you to fake your death?" Ningguang leaned forward, crimson eyes glinting dangerously in mid-morning sun.
"If I were her, losing one of my vanguard would be agregious, I wouldn't leave it to chance allowing you to become a lose end…I'd kill you." she said and a low growl filled the room as Zhongli moved closer to Ajax, a clear warning sign. The young Adeptus in question frowned in thought,
"...Circumstances have led to an unexpected outcome and…" he hesitated briefly, trying to think of what words would make sense before he settled on action. He lifted his sweater up at the hemn to show his stomach and he took slight pride in the look of astonished shock that adorned Ningguang's face, cracking her exterior that felt akin to a wall of jade.
She actually gaped, like a fish, staring at his rounded middle; he resisted the urge to wilt under the gaze, worrying he had made the wrong move and possibly jeopardized everything but he refused to let her know that. An uncomfortable, pregnant pause passed between all of them when Beidou let out a gentle chuckle,
"Now I see why you were so insistent to see us, Morax." She addressed Zhongli casually, earning an expression from both Ningguang and Zhongli that could be described as aghast; Ajax burst out laughing, covering his middle and wheezing good-naturedly.
"What!?" Beidou scoffed,
"You shouldn't address him like that! He's...he's incognito!" Ningguang scolded awkwardly as if that truly were the reason though she seemed unsure of that and all the more embarrassed she had referenced that series of books too. Zhongli signed through his nose and let a little smile show,
"Zhongli is just fine, Captain Beidou, there's no need for such formality when it is I requesting so much of you both." He said cooly, tucking Ajax to his chest and humming softly.
"...what you're asking is almost too much for either of us to do." Ningguang replied tersely but not dismissively; Zhongli brightened at her tone,
"We will help you; but it won't be without something in return. What may seem like a simple exchange of information to the outside is...more complex at its core." Ningguang said, glancing to Beidou who nodded in agreement. Zhongli tapped his chin as in thinking but Ajax could see it was merely from habit, his mate had already given this matter a great deal of thinking. The two had discussed what to offer that would come at too great a price of either Adeptus, and while Ajax thought to dedicate his body after the birth, Zhongli had cut the idea off at the root.
None of his Adepti, old or new, should be in service of Liyue, they had been freed from that Contract during the Osial event.
"If anyone would be dedicating themselves to the service of their country, it should be the one who raised it," his mate had said in the comfort of their bed, hands tucked to the ginger's growing middle that had only been a slight bump at the time. Still around the same size it had been in Snezhnaya before it had swelled further with child.
"I have already given that some thought…" Zhongli began, drawing Ajax from his memories and thoughts back the present event;
"The situation in the Golden house has yet to improve, I thought by now a solution would be proposed to the dwindling Mora but alas, it seems the matter still stumps my people." He chuckled dryly as he removed a glove from his hand, revealing the dark charcoal colored skin and veins of liquid, golden hues. In an instant, his palm filled with a small sum of Mora, as if it had just been willed into existence.
"The only person who could truly know the amount in our Golden House would be me as I was the one to curate it. After about 2 years of continued spending, with no change to how we operate, I would say that there is only about a third left." He dumped the coins on the table, letting them clank and clatter about.
"That's not even enough to get Liyue through the remainder of this year. Especially with the Lantern Rite celebrations at hand and...I've seen how lavish it is to be this year." He said sternly with a wry grin; Ningguang nodded, the gears already turning in her eyes.
"I propose...a restoration to the Golden House funds on a month to month basis, without my Archon status I cannot create Mora at an infinite. As the Prime Adeptus, however, I can bolster the sums to get us through until a solution is found...the contract would be as thus:
The Lady Tiaquan and Captain of the Crux Fleet, in exchange for a temporary inflation of the Golden House sums, do swear to aid in the spread of false information to convince Liyue that Ajax never was the true 11th Harbinger, he was instead, a character. A character meant to distract our people and has since left the Fatui to live a life here, as one of our own." Zhongli's eyes glowed a brilliant shade as he waited for confirmation from the woman seated opposite his person.
Ningguang nodded, "I accept. Our contract is-"
"-set in Stone." Zhongli finished with a heavy sigh of relief followed by his sagging frame. Ajax could only squeeze his hand tightly, kissing his cheek and scrunching his eyes shut trying not to cry in front of such powerful women. Beidou and Ningguang exchanged a look, something warm passed between them and Ajax felt that perhaps the Tiaquan was not as cruel and cold as he'd thought her to be. She reminded him greatly of his Tsaritsa, it comforted him to know his life was partly in this woman’s hands.
"May I?" Beidou broke the silence that had settled after a long pause, gesturing to his stomach. He obliged, keeping the sweater in place while she felt his midsection carefully,
"It's a situation nearly identical to me, but Ajax was not born with the reproductive organs as I was, they were….given, over time." Zhongli explained at Ningguang's questioning gaze while Beidou continued to feel his belly, as if expecting a kick.
"Given over time…?" Ningguang's brow rose at that; Zhongli worked his jaw, expression pinched,
"Ajax has become an Adeptus through rather through rather traumatic means...I regained my Prime Adeptus nature through the same event." He said carefully. Ningguang nodded her head, though she was definitely lost in her own thoughts.
"Is it... possible to change humans, or is it only the Adepti?"
"It's actually impossible by any means, to change the physical status of one's body by outside forces. Ajax is uniquely bound to me in that he was made an Adeptus by the very same elemental energy I used to create Azdaha's body. It's old, primal energy...the results can never be replicated." Zhongli explained with a cautious glare. Ningguang nodded in thought with a soft hum,
"You will need to think of a cover for his status eventually. The people will suspect your origins should they hear of how a foreigner came to be an Adeptus.”
"...I understand." Zhongli bowed his head and smiled, "Thank you both for your time, it means a great deal to me to know we have your support-” his mate start just as the sitting room door burst open and a gaggle of people tumbled in.
Amongst them were Ganyu, who must have arrived after they began their discussions; Venti, who had the little ones in his arms, and Xiao who had remained standing thanks to the efforts of the former Anemo Archon and half-Qilin. In the kitchen doorway he could see Hu Tao with a half finished bun in hand, most likely having pilfered it from the prepared party food. Zhongli snorted through his nose in exasperation, eyeing the group fondly before clearing his throat,
"I do believe we have a celebration to finish preparing for. I don't suppose, since you two are already here, you wouldn't mind helping?"
"We'd be glad too." Ningguang said kindly.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, guests arrived and Róu was swept up in the celebrations and gifted extravagant toys and trinkets. Wine flowed freely in all cups but his own and Xiao's, the two sort of awkwardly sat next to one another in a of camaraderie.
Róu squealed and babbled nonsense happily in Ajax's lap, the heart of the festivities having died down; Zhongli was entertaining Jinhai with a gadget gifted to the younger hatchling by Ningguang but the baby had paid no interest in it. No, Róu had latched on to a brightly colored packet of Mora and immediately attempted to eat it, the packet was now safely tucked to their chest covered in drool and teeth marks.
As exhausted as he felt, Ajax was happy, gazing at his family contentedly and even feeling generous enough to flash Ningguang a thankful smile when she met his eye from across the room. Things would be ok...he could feel it...