[His song doesn't stop until he knows she's passed out, the feel of her lips connecting with his still tingling as she drifts off into a deep, peaceful sleep. Once he's sure she's out, he places a kiss to her forehead, looking down at her fondly as her chest rises and falls heavily with each breath.]
I love you too. My darling Yoimiya, forgive me, but when you wake you'll be back in my protective embrace once more. Sleep well, and sweet dreams.
[Childe gently moves her off of him to lie her on her pillow, pulling the covers up over her before moving off the bed himself. She'll be out until the following morning, he made sure of that- so he goes to get dressed, making sure that he can't be identified, and slips out of the room for the next few hours or so. When he returns, he quickly takes a shower, slips back into bed, to find his beloved still sound asleep as if nothing were amiss.
It's not long before Tartaglia also falls asleep, comforted by her presence, her warmth seeping into his bones, resting well after a mission completed.]
---
[The ship has already docked by the time the couple come to, Ajax waking first to sunlight streaming through the windows. He blinks a few times, before realizing he's holding Yoimiya close to him, and sighs to give himself a few minutes more with her. His head falls back onto the pillow, burying his head into the back of her neck, enjoying how comfortable he was with her beside him.
But, they need to get ready to go check out, and he idly wonders if anything had been discovered yet...
Ajax begins to kiss her neck softly, humming quietly in her ear to wake her up.]
[ The sensation of his lips pressed against her neck is warm and pleasant. She begins to stir from his affections, a soft noise slips out of her as he showers her neck with kisses. Blearily, she flutters her eyes open, immediately melting into Ajax's strong arms wrapped around her. Man, did she sleep good last night, she feels so refreshed, not waking up once throughout the entire evening. ]
Morning, Ajax...
[ Waking up next to him is a blessing she'll always and forever be grateful for. She rolls over to face him, brushing the side of his face with his fingertips before leaning in to greet his lips with a morning kiss. ]
Did you sleep well? Maybe my eyes are still blurry but I don't think I see a spec of drool on you today.
[ Giggling, she can't help but tease him. If it makes him feel better, she thinks the drooling boy is cute. ]
[Glad that he's woken her up softly, he'll kiss her neck until she finally rolls over to face him. Yoimiya glows with the rays of the sun that hit her through the window, his expression softening immediately as he gazes at her from the other side of the pillow. Even first thing in the morning, she's a breathtaking sight, smiling into her kiss as he returns it.]
Hah, look, perhaps my subconscious knew you'd tease me for that this morning and decided it was time to give me a break, [he teases back, pressing in to give her another gentle kiss to her lips.]
But fear not. Tomorrow night, when we're lying in bed, my pillow will be practically untouchable, haha.
[ Now that her eyes are fully back in focus, she drinks in the sight of his perfect, handsome face greeting her. They've woken up in each other's arms countless times and every time, she can feel her heart skipping a beat as the morning glow shines across his features. ]
Oh dear, your subconscious sure sounds all-knowing. Ajax surely is a man full of many talents, fighting, fishing, cooking, a subconscious that can predict the future, and of course, drool master extraordinaire. Hehe, remind me to stay away from your pillow tomorrow.
[ Just kidding! For the most part. She might scoot away just a tad tomorrow. ]
I slept like a rock! Golly, I don't remember waking up a single time last night. Had to have been one of the best night's sleep. And it's all thanks to you.
[Now she's just making fun of him. He gives her a look when she lists off all his talents, tempted to tickle her for that as punishment. Maybe he sorta walked into that, he'll admit that, but that doesn't mean he doesn't owe her a tickle session later.]
You're welcome. I'll have to wear you out like that more often.
[If it wouldn't be suspicious, he'd probably whistle innocently here...]
But anyhow, we need to check out soon. Seems we docked while we were asleep, and it's already getting late in the morning. C'mon, up we go.
[He pulls himself up, sitting up in bed and looking down at her expectantly.]
[ Oh no, the dreaded... tickle attack. In the face of such a terrible punishment, Yoimiya is utterly doomed. She might have won the battle in their silly little banter but he'll get the upper hand on her soon. ]
Yes, I'm ready to go home. Since you took such good care of me, I'll make you a really nice breakfast when we get back.
[ Pulling herself away from the comfy mattress, she stretches her arms, the blanket falling down to reveal her naked body. There is one problem, the only outfit she had on was the bunny girl costume currently sprawled across the floor of his hotel room. Otherwise, all of her clothes are back in the room she's staying at. Oops. This is what happens when your mind is full of nothing but HORNY. ]
Do you have anything I could wear real quick? My change of clothes is in my hotel room.
[Being rewarded with a breakfast made by Yoimiya is reward enough for him, though she seems to accidentally be giving him a little extra reward right now. He's seen her plenty of times naked, but that doesn't mean he won't take a moment to appreciate her.]
Yeah, I've got an extra shirt in here somewhere, but I don't think I have any extra bottoms...unless you can manage fitting into a pair of trousers that won't fit you.
[Walking over to his things, he picks his only pair of non-work trousers out of his bag, being careful to avoid the pants he wore last night and covering those up with his other clothes.]
Here, try these, [he says as he balls them up to toss them over to Yoimiya.] I would have brought some sweatpants if I would have known about you being on board. I don't know if your hips will fit into those though.
[ Likewise, Yoimiya can't resist the sight of a naked Ajax, respectively staring at his cute little behind as he gathers up clothes for her to wear. She might be the one preparing breakfast for them later but it's actually her boyfriend who is the snacc, a full-course meal for the eyes. ]
What are you trying to say about my hips, huh?
[ She easily catches the clothes, laughing at his implication about her hips. With his trousers in hand, she gets out of bed in an attempt to slip her legs into them, Yoimiya is able to pull the pants above her knees but stops right as she makes it to her thighs. ... Yeah, he's right. His skinny boy pants are definitely not going to fit over her thick hips that don't lie. ]
Hmm... I guess I could do this.
[ Her eyes dart around the room until she finds her panties and stockings thrown on the ground not too far away from the bed. She walks over to grab and slide them on her legs, finishing the ensemble by throwing his shirt over her head. Thankfully, since he's so much taller, his shirt practically swallows her up and is enough to cover her butt. ]
There we go! It's just a quick walk to my room, so this works.
[Who knew that him being so tall would work out like this right now. She's practically drowning in that shirt, but all they need to do is get to her room, get her things and get the hell off of this ship- before things go awry. If they haven't already, that is. He nods to her while he thinks for a moment.
There hasn't been any alarms, so that's a good sign. But, that could also mean they're just stopping people from leaving at the entrances is all too, and not using the alarm to ensure people aren't panicking. Or, the body hasn't been found. Either way, he's working on getting all of his things together so he can just walk out with her and not have to return to his room, tidying it all up and zipping the large duffel bag with his things shut now that he's dressed.]
Alright. If you're ready, we can head out. I packed pretty light, so I'm ready to go.
[He swings around her backside, letting his hands slide down around her hips, squeezing them as a sly smile plays on his lips, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek from behind.]
Oh, and I wasn't really saying anything about your hips...other than how wonderfully grabbable they are, haha.
[ Leaning into his touch, soft mewls bubble out of her lips as he feels up her hips. Likewise, Ajax is her weakness, the simplest is enough to get her into the mood. If she wasn't ready to go home, Yoimiya might have asked him for another quick round of sinful fun before they head out. But she's ready to get out of here as well, rationalizing that they can indulge themselves in the comfort of her apartment. ]
Hehe, I had a sneaking suspicion that was the case. They're delightfully soft, aren't they? I don't blame you for wanting to touch them.
[ Confident as ever, she glances back at him to send a cute wink his way. The kisses on her cheek are nice but it's making her crave his lips. Pulling away from his hold to face him, she spins around to capture his lips for a quick, luscious kiss. Now with her craving satiated, she twines their hands together, leading him to a prompt trip to her room. Coincidentally, they're on the same floor, about five doors down from the room he was assigned. ]
I'll be back in a jiffy! I didn't do any unpacking so I should be in and out in no time.
[ A few minutes later, Yoimiya comes out tugging on the handle of her rolling suitcase. She did make one quick change to her outfit, removing the stockings for a pair of comfy shorts underneath his shirt. Yes, she intends to keep wearing his baggy shirt, hehehehe. ]
[She's so cute when she's enjoying herself, appreciating those tiny little mewls she lets out while he's giving her body a little last bit of attention before they leave. Called out, right here and now, and he doesn't deny that her hips only serve to drive him a little crazy for her, much like the rest of her body. But he too, knows they can't linger any longer, for much more immediate reasons than what Yoimiya is privy to. Childe returns her kiss, leaning into it before releasing from her with a soft pop, warmth buzzing in his chest from the simple act.
But it's time to go, and his hand twines with hers as they leave. He stands outside patiently before she returns, nodding back at her.]
Ready as I'll ever be. I'm ready to sleep in my own bed...
[He picks at his shirt on her shoulders, shooting her an amused smile.]
Couldn't part with it, could you? Guess it's your shirt now.
[ She's definitely in a much better mood than last night, unable to stop giggling as he plucks at the shirt with his fingers. And best of all? He's allowing her to keep it. Ajax is the best! Beaming as bright as the sun itself, she snuggles into her boyfriend's shirt with pure glee. ]
You sure know how to make a girl feel spoiled. Thank you, I'll be sure to cherish this shirt for all of eternity.
[ Soon, they'll be out of here and back at their home. While the trip ended up being well worth the unfortunate incident, there's no denying she's ready to put the whole debacle behind her. As they make their way towards the lobby, she spots a horde of people gathered in the hallway. It's a bit hard to see what's going on due to the bystanders, she's barely able to make out the scene of police officers and detectives going in and out of a hotel room. A barricade of yellow "Do Not Cross" tape blocks the perimeter of the room in question. Spotting one of her coworkers in the crowd, Yoimiya calls out to her. ]
Hey! What's going on?
No one's told you yet? [ Yoimiya shakes her head in response, confused as ever. ] Well... this morning, they found a dead body in that room.
[ An uncomfortable silence fills the air as the poor girl delivering the news is doing her best to stay calm. ]
And it turns out, it's our manager.
[ For the first time in her life, the normally chatty blonde is rendered silent, her jaw agape as she attempts to process this news. ]
[As they make their way forward, he sees what he was hoping might of been avoided before they departed. Looks like they found the guy after all. As they get closer, Tartaglia keeps the look on his face neutral, narrowing his eyes to see if he can get a better look at what's going on. It's helpful being so tall, he can see that they've already started their investigation. No doubt the jetway would also be crawling with cops, but what can you do when someone's been murdered.
He follows Yoimiya through the crowd until she finds her coworker, and her reaction is to be expected. No doubt she probably got along with her manager, and for someone to die unexpectedly like that, it's only natural for her to be silent. The Harbinger wraps his arm around her, as a gesture of comfort while she processes this news. Though her coworker doesn't know, Childe is accustomed to death, and he's aware Yoimiya knows this as well, and wouldn't doubt it if she assumed he were the reason for a death to occur back in Teyvat- so he leans down to speak softly in her ear.]
I'm sorry, Yoimiya. But we shouldn't stay around what looks to be some sort of crime scene. Trust me, nothing good comes from it.
[He nods to her coworker, giving a small, apologetic smile.]
Sorry. You should leave too. Trying to pry now won't do any good. We'll get the official word on what happened here later when they finish their investigation. C'mon, let's go.
[He'll usher Yoimiya away before any more conversation can take place- it's important to him to get out asap. But as soon as they get to the jetway, there's already more cops there, and they're detaining people. And as luck would have it, that woman...the one that got Yoimiya all riled up that he had to stop from hitting her, who'd violated him during dinner the night before...is waiting, having a fit at the officers.]
Let me through! I've had enough of this trip!
[Childe grimaces, this won't be pretty at all, not for anyone on the ship.]
[ In times like this, Tartaglia's ability to keep his head cool in these sorts of situations brings her an uncanny sense of comfort. The circumstances surrounding his stone-cold attitude towards death are saddening, wishing he didn't have to live such a troubling life but as she cuddles up close to him, Yoimiya very much appreciates her beloved's reassurance and willingness to be her cornerstone in such a distressing time. ]
Yeah... yeah you're right. We need to... [ She exhales, trying to compose herself. ] let the police do their job.
[ When she finally speaks, her voice is a little shaky but she'll be okay with Ajax by her side. The coworker nods in agreement, not wanting to get involved in something that's way in over her head, she says her goodbyes, promising to keep them updated on any new information before departing to go grab her luggage.
Although Yoimiya wasn't super close with the manager, she still got along with the man, recalling how he welcomed her with open arms when she first got the job and how kind he was to her. Losing someone who treated her well in such an unexpected matter would be a devastating blow to anyone. In her crestfallen state, the world around her sounds like white noise, she doesn't even give a hint of acknowledgment to the problematic lady from earlier despite her loud booming in everyone's ears. As the authorities are trying to keep this hag under control, one of them spots the couple and calls out to them: ]
Excuse me, you two over there! We apologize but for the time being, no one is allowed to leave the ship until we're done inspecting the crime scene. Please wait in the lobby until then.
[ Unfortunate that they're forced to be stuck on this ship a little while longer but not surprising. It's only natural that the police would want to question everyone on board, after all, the murderer obviously has to be someone on this ship. Now that the spotlight has been invertedly shined on them, the crazed woman glances over at who the officer is talking to.
Oh. It's those two.
Still mad about last night's incident, she's getting ready to throw a nasty glare their way but it's then a horrible idea begins to take shape in the back of her awful mind. ]
Look no further than that deranged blonde over there. [ She points at Yoimiya all smug-like, as if her line of reasoning is flawless. ] Last night, she got violent and threatened me. If anyone is capable of killing someone, it's probably her. I bet she couldn't control her savage nature and took it out on that poor sap that was killed.
[ Lady, if we're going to talk about deranged, you need to look in the mirror. The poor police officer in charge of the crime scene thinks to himself, doing his best to stay professional and not visibly roll his eyes at her crazy conspiracy theories. Still, he figures there's no harm in a brief line of questioning. ]
Miss, what's your name?
[ Uh oh. This isn't looking good but Yoimiya knows she didn't kill the man, thus she doesn't have anything to hide. Leaving without answering his question is only going to cause more problems. ]
... Naganohara Yoimiya.
[ The police officer doesn't say anything, recognition forming in the back of his eyes. Not only is she one of his models, but after going through his phone, Yoimiya is also one of the last people to contact the deceased via text message. ]
[He should of known that they weren't going to let anyone leave the ship quite yet. That's okay, he doesn't show an ounce of worry on his face about it, just nodding and following directions like a good citizen should. Tartaglia is doing his best to ignore the lady who they'd dealt with last night, still a little angry with her for the whole debacle now that she's up and in their face. The look he shoots her when she tries to cast guilt over on them is laced with venom, annoyed that someone just can't take the L for what happened to her after she sexually assaulted him. The lady shrinks a little under his gaze, remembering the grip he had on her wrist, but that doesn't mean she's not done being a menace.
Ajax sees the recognition in the officer's eyes the moment it appears. He hopes that's going to be irrelevant for the time being, but he can never be sure. Yoimiya has a direct relation with the deceased, and from experience he knows they won't just dismiss her.]
Yoimiya, [Childe interjects,] before this line of questioning continues, basic identifying information is fine, but you really need legal counsel around before you speak with the authorities.
[He gives a smile to the cop, polite as he can.]
Sorry, no offense. We just don't want to discuss our trip with the police unless we're with a lawyer. Of course, our names and such are free to ask for, but we'll invoke our right to silence otherwise.
[The woman who had been raging just a moment before looks at the two of them in fury. Who do they think they are?]
That makes the two of you sound guilty! If you didn't have anything to hide, then why wouldn't you talk to them?
[ Truth be told, Yoimiya isn't sure why they need a lawyer present when as far as she's concerned, neither of them have done anything wrong LOL. Wouldn't it be easier just to tell the truth and get the police off their back? Nevertheless, Ajax is obviously more knowledgeable about matters regarding the law. With no further words, she simply nods her head and steps back to let Tartaglia handle this, confident he'll talk them out of this situation and get them home.
She's doing everything in her power to stay calm but as the woman continues to screech nonsense, her melting pot of distress starts to boil over into fury, causing something inside of her to snap. However, she doesn't flare up and lose her temper like she did last night. Instead, Yoimiya manages to keep her cool, inhaling before breathing out a deep, annoyed sigh. ]
Officer, if you don't mind me interrupting, I believe that woman is trying to sidestep from what she did last night. She sexually harassed my boyfriend, called me names, and was going to slap me because I told her to stop. There are plenty of eyewitnesses to corroborate our story if you don't believe us.
[ Yikes. Now it's the hag's turn to fall silent, sweating bullets that Yoimiya suddenly pulled an uno reverse card and the accusations are being turned against her. ]
D-Don't listen to her...! That little bitch is just trying to change the subject and weasel her way out of this.
[ The police officer shakes his head, unimpressed with the crazy lady's attitude. ]
Ma'am, with all due respect, calling her names isn't doing you any favors right now.
That doesn't matter, she and her stupid boyfriend are obviously crazy murderers and deserve it! Both of them are clearly guilty and should be taken in for questioning. Psychos like them need to be locked up for good—
[ Not taking any more of this bull, Yoimiya cuts her off right then and there. It's official, Naganohara Yoimiya has had enough of this day and everyone's shit. ]
If we get taken into the station, then my boyfriend should be within his right to press charges for unwelcome sexual advances, yes? [ She then turns to speak to Ajax. ] Would you be willing to talk to the police about what happened to you?
[Though Childe often finds himself at the heart of every single conflict that arises, he does have a healthy understanding on how to keep out of trouble too- and he's finding he has to exercise that skill quite a bit here while this woman unknowingly is accusing the right person for the death of Yoimiya's manager. But even so, he can feel his temper rise just a little since the only reason she's acting like this is because she's still so sore from the night prior. Murder or not, he's about to say something when Yoimiya takes the initiative, recognizing the fire in her eyes and knowing that it's best to step aside and let her speak. He can tell that the ire she demonstrated last night isn't the same as now, now it's restrained and controlled because his girlfriend knows she's got the upper hand here. Inwardly, he smirks as she chews this lady out.
She really shouldn't mess with Naganohara Yoimiya...]
Of course I would.
[He shoots the woman a dangerous, threatening look before returning a smile to Yoimiya and the officer.]
I wasn't planning on doing so, but if she's going to slander our good names this way, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't report it. Here I thought this matter was already resolved, but it seems I was wrong.
[The look on his face is saccharine sweet, but his words are anything but. Casting his gaze between the officer and the irritating woman, he folds his arms across his chest, losing the sweet expression to replace it with something more impatient.]
So, if you don't mind, are we done here? If no one can leave the ship, I'd rather go sit and rest for a bit until we're given the all clear. If we're to be questioned, I'd like the opportunity to call a lawyer. And if we're continually harassed, I'd like to report something.
[The woman grits her teeth but seems to shrink away from Tartaglia once again, upset that it seems she's not getting her way. If anyone's the bitch here, it's her, he thinks.]
Okay, fine. Go have a seat for now until we let people depart.
[Ajax nods with a polite smile back to the officer.]
[ Tartaglia's collected demeanor keeps her in check, if it wasn't for his calm approach, Yoimiya might have completely lost her temper if the horrible woman kept escalating the situation. It's no wonder why he holds such a high position in the Fatui, underneath that polite smile is a force to be reckoned with, this man has people under his command, has gotten himself out of even tougher circumstances, and could have easily snapped her wrist in half with little to no effort. This lady has no idea who she is messing with. Even in her distressed state, Yoimiya can't help but feel proud as she watches the woman cower from her boyfriend's piercing stare.
Exactly what she deserves. Yoimiya would have directed a more smug smirk at the lady if she wasn't so emotionally distraught right now. Thanks to their combined efforts, both the officer and woman back off. She truly is grateful to have Ajax in her life, if it wasn't by her side, there's no way she could have done this on her own, this whole ordeal could have easily led to her arrest if she recklessly said the wrong thing.
Yoimiya doesn't say a word, nodding her head as she reaches for her beloved's hand, relieved to be away from harassment and scrutinizing eyes. Finding an unoccupied couch in the lobby, she leads Ajax to it so they can have a moment's respite after everything that transpired. Another sigh passes from her lips as she sits down, hanging her head in silence. Numerous thoughts swirl through her head. Who is the culprit? Why would anyone want to kill her manager? Have they truly gotten the police off of their backs? She still recalls the recognition in the officer's eyes after telling him her name and it truly wouldn't be of any surprise if they considered her a major suspect.
She continues to be uncharacteristically quiet, needing a moment to process the situation. Who would have thought that a simple photo shoot would end up in tragedy? ]
[Glad to be taken out of the fire for the moment, Ajax's hand curls around hers as he leads her away from all of the buzz and noise of the activity of the ship. More and more people enter to leave, and more are denied their way off the ship, resulting in more talk about what happened. But he wants to make sure that she doesn't have to deal with all the gossip flying around, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into him so she can try to relax as much as she can.
He knew that this would end up being hard on her, and he was hoping to be able to get off the ship so she didn't have to deal with it directly, but fate was not on their side. Tartaglia would have rather spared her the pain of loss, but a job is a job, and it was really nothing personal...not to him, at least. It pains him to see her distraught, and he wishes he could apologize to her for being the reason why she has to suffer through this. But the less she knows, the better. It'll keep her more safe, out of harm's way. He sits with her quietly for a moment, letting her collect her thoughts, until finally he'll break the silence.]
How are you feeling?
[He asks as he tightens his embrace, genuine concern painting his expression from top to bottom.]
[ Having Ajax's arms wrapped around her always provides her with comfort in trying times. Thanks to his warmth, she's able to ignore the gossiping, the buzzing of the police's walkie-talkies, and the suspicious glances from people passing by and focus solely on her beloved who is doing everything he can to soothe her anxieties. She relaxes into his hold, melting into his embrace as she's able to forgo the grim world around her and sink into his arms. ]
I... I don't know.
[ She wishes to smile at him and tell him that everything will be okay, to continue being his bright light twinkling across the night sky but unfortunately, she doesn't have it in her to be cheery. Right now, all she feels is sadness and confusion over the whole situation. ]
We weren't close or anything but he was always kind to me from the moment I stepped into the studio. He helped me settle in and made me feel welcome. I don't know what he had going on in his personal life but surely he didn't deserve to die...
[ Unless he was doing something heinous, she can't fathom why anyone would resort to murder. ]
[Ever alert to his surroundings, he makes sure that they weren't being eavesdropped on before he relaxes himself, the tension in his shoulders slowly beginning to seep out now that he has Yoimiya in his arms. Though she sits melancholy in his loving embrace, it's her presence alone that helps him calm himself from what could of been a bad situation back there. Tartaglia presses a small kiss to the top of her head, breathing out a small, quiet sigh before letting his head crane down to rest against her own.]
Sometimes it's simply a cruel twist of fate that brings misfortune onto others like this. I know he did a lot for you, and I'm thankful to him for making your path an easier one, but...
[Not everything is as it seems, are the unspoken words, a message he doesn't want to convey to her. She has such a good view of the guy, he doesn't want to ruin that image for her. She can't know about what was really happening behind the scenes.]
...don't try to worry about it too much. We still don't know if this was just an accident. People are throwing the word murder around like they've already figured out what's going on. I know it'll be difficult, but try to keep your chin up. This has all been quite the shock, and it would be better if you take some time to rest.
[He squeezes her again, doing his best to put a smile on his face for her as some kind of reassurance. Inside, he hates seeing her like this, vowing that he'll do everything he can to get her mind off of the death of her manager as much as he can. Childe's thankful that they weren't close, or this would have been even worse than it is now. He'll at least do what he can to comfort her until this all finally blows over. They'll eventually figure out it was murder....but they won't find who did it, again.
Just like every single target he's taken out so far.]
I love you. When we get home, I'll make you a nice lunch and we'll relax the rest of the day, okay?
[ Ajax has and always will be her greatest source of comfort. If it wasn't for his presence, she would have either been arrested or broken down from the stress of it all. The sweet press of his lips soothes her soul, eliciting a soft sound of contentment as she's bundled up in his loving embrace, feeling safe and secure in his arms. He's absolutely correct in his assessment, the details of the case are still under wraps, and for all she knows, it could have been an unfortunate accident that took his life.
As sad as the whole ordeal is, sitting around moping isn't going to help. Time heals wounds but she's already starting to feel a bit more like her usual self thanks to her beloved's comfort. A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips, snuggling closer to him all the while, blissfully unaware of the truth behind her manager's death. ]
I love you too. Thank you for everything, Ajax. Once we're able to go home, all I want to do is rest with you in peace.
[ A delicious lunch made by Ajax plus resting up with him is the perfect way to end the day, the best medicine to cure her somber mess of her feelings. ]
I'm sorry for being such a downer. I know it's unlike me and I've been a huge pain to deal with since yesterday. From the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate everything you do for me, this entire trip hasn't been easy for you either.
[He can tell she's already starting to calm herself and let go of her anxieties. Tartaglia smiles warmly, letting his own mind wander over to images of the two of them snuggling safely on his couch, wrapped up in blankets while they take a nice, soothing nap for the rest of the day. He wishes he was already there now, but waiting is all they can do- so he'll make the best of that, resting here with her until they're finally allowed to leave.]
You weren't a pain. I know you wouldn't of been concerned had you been...a little more prepared for it, let's say. I just hope you can trust me a little more if things turn out a little more risque, like this was, if you will.
[It doesn't go unnoticed by him the irony of him asking her to trust him. But as far as the reason why she was mad...that's something he feels he can at least ask that for.]
[ It's true, he knows her all too well. Had she known about this gig beforehand, Yoimiya wouldn't have gotten all up and arms the way she did. But still, it wasn't his fault since his job failed to inform him about the details. And there's no doubt she let her temper get the better of her.
Nodding her head in agreement, she leans her back into him to bundle up in his delightful warmth. ]
I will. I can't promise that I won't be a little jealous but I trust you all the way, Ajax.
[ She's quiet for a very brief moment. ]
Buuuut, I still like to give your boss a piece of my mind for throwing you into that job without any warning.
[ NOT LETTING THAT ONE GO LOL. Sorry your crazy firecracker girlfriend is so headstrong but on the bright side, her sassiness coming forth is a sign that she's beginning to feel a little better about everything. ]
[He laughs quietly, snuggling into her as she sinks into his hold, closing his eyes as the last of his worries drift off, focused on Yoimiya and her presence. He's thankful that she's placed her complete trust in him, and he knows she'll still get a little jealous. A little is cute, a lot is terrifying- and he'll thank his lucky stars that he wasn't on the receiving end of her real fury.]
Hah, well...we'll see about that. I'd still like to keep my job, so perhaps it would be best to wait until you've had a little time to mull it all over.
[He's not really sure how she's supposed to yell at his client...going to avoid that at all costs.]
In the meantime, I'd rather focus on this.
[With no shame at all, Tartaglia cranes in to plant kisses to the side of her head and down her cheek to the base of her jaw, keeping them soft and as sweet as he can. His goal still remains to take her mind completely off of all the negative aspects of this trip even as it surrounds them with frantic cries of murder and confusion as to what happened.]
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I love you too. My darling Yoimiya, forgive me, but when you wake you'll be back in my protective embrace once more. Sleep well, and sweet dreams.
[Childe gently moves her off of him to lie her on her pillow, pulling the covers up over her before moving off the bed himself. She'll be out until the following morning, he made sure of that- so he goes to get dressed, making sure that he can't be identified, and slips out of the room for the next few hours or so. When he returns, he quickly takes a shower, slips back into bed, to find his beloved still sound asleep as if nothing were amiss.
It's not long before Tartaglia also falls asleep, comforted by her presence, her warmth seeping into his bones, resting well after a mission completed.]
---
[The ship has already docked by the time the couple come to, Ajax waking first to sunlight streaming through the windows. He blinks a few times, before realizing he's holding Yoimiya close to him, and sighs to give himself a few minutes more with her. His head falls back onto the pillow, burying his head into the back of her neck, enjoying how comfortable he was with her beside him.
But, they need to get ready to go check out, and he idly wonders if anything had been discovered yet...
Ajax begins to kiss her neck softly, humming quietly in her ear to wake her up.]
Yoimiya...
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Morning, Ajax...
[ Waking up next to him is a blessing she'll always and forever be grateful for. She rolls over to face him, brushing the side of his face with his fingertips before leaning in to greet his lips with a morning kiss. ]
Did you sleep well? Maybe my eyes are still blurry but I don't think I see a spec of drool on you today.
[ Giggling, she can't help but tease him. If it makes him feel better, she thinks the drooling boy is cute. ]
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Hah, look, perhaps my subconscious knew you'd tease me for that this morning and decided it was time to give me a break, [he teases back, pressing in to give her another gentle kiss to her lips.]
But fear not. Tomorrow night, when we're lying in bed, my pillow will be practically untouchable, haha.
[He will drool so, so much.]
How'd you sleep?
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Oh dear, your subconscious sure sounds all-knowing. Ajax surely is a man full of many talents, fighting, fishing, cooking, a subconscious that can predict the future, and of course, drool master extraordinaire. Hehe, remind me to stay away from your pillow tomorrow.
[ Just kidding! For the most part. She might scoot away just a tad tomorrow. ]
I slept like a rock! Golly, I don't remember waking up a single time last night. Had to have been one of the best night's sleep. And it's all thanks to you.
[ LITERALLY ]
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You're welcome. I'll have to wear you out like that more often.
[If it wouldn't be suspicious, he'd probably whistle innocently here...]
But anyhow, we need to check out soon. Seems we docked while we were asleep, and it's already getting late in the morning. C'mon, up we go.
[He pulls himself up, sitting up in bed and looking down at her expectantly.]
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Yes, I'm ready to go home. Since you took such good care of me, I'll make you a really nice breakfast when we get back.
[ Pulling herself away from the comfy mattress, she stretches her arms, the blanket falling down to reveal her naked body. There is one problem, the only outfit she had on was the bunny girl costume currently sprawled across the floor of his hotel room. Otherwise, all of her clothes are back in the room she's staying at. Oops. This is what happens when your mind is full of nothing but HORNY. ]
Do you have anything I could wear real quick? My change of clothes is in my hotel room.
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Yeah, I've got an extra shirt in here somewhere, but I don't think I have any extra bottoms...unless you can manage fitting into a pair of trousers that won't fit you.
[Walking over to his things, he picks his only pair of non-work trousers out of his bag, being careful to avoid the pants he wore last night and covering those up with his other clothes.]
Here, try these, [he says as he balls them up to toss them over to Yoimiya.] I would have brought some sweatpants if I would have known about you being on board. I don't know if your hips will fit into those though.
[His stupid skinny boy waist :(]
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What are you trying to say about my hips, huh?
[ She easily catches the clothes, laughing at his implication about her hips. With his trousers in hand, she gets out of bed in an attempt to slip her legs into them, Yoimiya is able to pull the pants above her knees but stops right as she makes it to her thighs. ... Yeah, he's right. His skinny boy pants are definitely not going to fit over her thick hips that don't lie. ]
Hmm... I guess I could do this.
[ Her eyes dart around the room until she finds her panties and stockings thrown on the ground not too far away from the bed. She walks over to grab and slide them on her legs, finishing the ensemble by throwing his shirt over her head. Thankfully, since he's so much taller, his shirt practically swallows her up and is enough to cover her butt. ]
There we go! It's just a quick walk to my room, so this works.
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There hasn't been any alarms, so that's a good sign. But, that could also mean they're just stopping people from leaving at the entrances is all too, and not using the alarm to ensure people aren't panicking. Or, the body hasn't been found. Either way, he's working on getting all of his things together so he can just walk out with her and not have to return to his room, tidying it all up and zipping the large duffel bag with his things shut now that he's dressed.]
Alright. If you're ready, we can head out. I packed pretty light, so I'm ready to go.
[He swings around her backside, letting his hands slide down around her hips, squeezing them as a sly smile plays on his lips, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek from behind.]
Oh, and I wasn't really saying anything about your hips...other than how wonderfully grabbable they are, haha.
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Hehe, I had a sneaking suspicion that was the case. They're delightfully soft, aren't they? I don't blame you for wanting to touch them.
[ Confident as ever, she glances back at him to send a cute wink his way. The kisses on her cheek are nice but it's making her crave his lips. Pulling away from his hold to face him, she spins around to capture his lips for a quick, luscious kiss. Now with her craving satiated, she twines their hands together, leading him to a prompt trip to her room. Coincidentally, they're on the same floor, about five doors down from the room he was assigned. ]
I'll be back in a jiffy! I didn't do any unpacking so I should be in and out in no time.
[ A few minutes later, Yoimiya comes out tugging on the handle of her rolling suitcase. She did make one quick change to her outfit, removing the stockings for a pair of comfy shorts underneath his shirt. Yes, she intends to keep wearing his baggy shirt, hehehehe. ]
Ready? Let's go home, Ajax.
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But it's time to go, and his hand twines with hers as they leave. He stands outside patiently before she returns, nodding back at her.]
Ready as I'll ever be. I'm ready to sleep in my own bed...
[He picks at his shirt on her shoulders, shooting her an amused smile.]
Couldn't part with it, could you? Guess it's your shirt now.
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You sure know how to make a girl feel spoiled. Thank you, I'll be sure to cherish this shirt for all of eternity.
[ Soon, they'll be out of here and back at their home. While the trip ended up being well worth the unfortunate incident, there's no denying she's ready to put the whole debacle behind her. As they make their way towards the lobby, she spots a horde of people gathered in the hallway. It's a bit hard to see what's going on due to the bystanders, she's barely able to make out the scene of police officers and detectives going in and out of a hotel room. A barricade of yellow "Do Not Cross" tape blocks the perimeter of the room in question. Spotting one of her coworkers in the crowd, Yoimiya calls out to her. ]
Hey! What's going on?
No one's told you yet? [ Yoimiya shakes her head in response, confused as ever. ] Well... this morning, they found a dead body in that room.
[ An uncomfortable silence fills the air as the poor girl delivering the news is doing her best to stay calm. ]
And it turns out, it's our manager.
[ For the first time in her life, the normally chatty blonde is rendered silent, her jaw agape as she attempts to process this news. ]
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He follows Yoimiya through the crowd until she finds her coworker, and her reaction is to be expected. No doubt she probably got along with her manager, and for someone to die unexpectedly like that, it's only natural for her to be silent. The Harbinger wraps his arm around her, as a gesture of comfort while she processes this news. Though her coworker doesn't know, Childe is accustomed to death, and he's aware Yoimiya knows this as well, and wouldn't doubt it if she assumed he were the reason for a death to occur back in Teyvat- so he leans down to speak softly in her ear.]
I'm sorry, Yoimiya. But we shouldn't stay around what looks to be some sort of crime scene. Trust me, nothing good comes from it.
[He nods to her coworker, giving a small, apologetic smile.]
Sorry. You should leave too. Trying to pry now won't do any good. We'll get the official word on what happened here later when they finish their investigation. C'mon, let's go.
[He'll usher Yoimiya away before any more conversation can take place- it's important to him to get out asap. But as soon as they get to the jetway, there's already more cops there, and they're detaining people. And as luck would have it, that woman...the one that got Yoimiya all riled up that he had to stop from hitting her, who'd violated him during dinner the night before...is waiting, having a fit at the officers.]
Let me through! I've had enough of this trip!
[Childe grimaces, this won't be pretty at all, not for anyone on the ship.]
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Yeah... yeah you're right. We need to... [ She exhales, trying to compose herself. ] let the police do their job.
[ When she finally speaks, her voice is a little shaky but she'll be okay with Ajax by her side. The coworker nods in agreement, not wanting to get involved in something that's way in over her head, she says her goodbyes, promising to keep them updated on any new information before departing to go grab her luggage.
Although Yoimiya wasn't super close with the manager, she still got along with the man, recalling how he welcomed her with open arms when she first got the job and how kind he was to her. Losing someone who treated her well in such an unexpected matter would be a devastating blow to anyone. In her crestfallen state, the world around her sounds like white noise, she doesn't even give a hint of acknowledgment to the problematic lady from earlier despite her loud booming in everyone's ears. As the authorities are trying to keep this hag under control, one of them spots the couple and calls out to them: ]
Excuse me, you two over there! We apologize but for the time being, no one is allowed to leave the ship until we're done inspecting the crime scene. Please wait in the lobby until then.
[ Unfortunate that they're forced to be stuck on this ship a little while longer but not surprising. It's only natural that the police would want to question everyone on board, after all, the murderer obviously has to be someone on this ship. Now that the spotlight has been invertedly shined on them, the crazed woman glances over at who the officer is talking to.
Oh. It's those two.
Still mad about last night's incident, she's getting ready to throw a nasty glare their way but it's then a horrible idea begins to take shape in the back of her awful mind. ]
Look no further than that deranged blonde over there. [ She points at Yoimiya all smug-like, as if her line of reasoning is flawless. ] Last night, she got violent and threatened me. If anyone is capable of killing someone, it's probably her. I bet she couldn't control her savage nature and took it out on that poor sap that was killed.
[ Lady, if we're going to talk about deranged, you need to look in the mirror. The poor police officer in charge of the crime scene thinks to himself, doing his best to stay professional and not visibly roll his eyes at her crazy conspiracy theories. Still, he figures there's no harm in a brief line of questioning. ]
Miss, what's your name?
[ Uh oh. This isn't looking good but Yoimiya knows she didn't kill the man, thus she doesn't have anything to hide. Leaving without answering his question is only going to cause more problems. ]
... Naganohara Yoimiya.
[ The police officer doesn't say anything, recognition forming in the back of his eyes. Not only is she one of his models, but after going through his phone, Yoimiya is also one of the last people to contact the deceased via text message. ]
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Ajax sees the recognition in the officer's eyes the moment it appears. He hopes that's going to be irrelevant for the time being, but he can never be sure. Yoimiya has a direct relation with the deceased, and from experience he knows they won't just dismiss her.]
Yoimiya, [Childe interjects,] before this line of questioning continues, basic identifying information is fine, but you really need legal counsel around before you speak with the authorities.
[He gives a smile to the cop, polite as he can.]
Sorry, no offense. We just don't want to discuss our trip with the police unless we're with a lawyer. Of course, our names and such are free to ask for, but we'll invoke our right to silence otherwise.
[The woman who had been raging just a moment before looks at the two of them in fury. Who do they think they are?]
That makes the two of you sound guilty! If you didn't have anything to hide, then why wouldn't you talk to them?
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LOL. Wouldn't it be easier just to tell the truth and get the police off their back? Nevertheless, Ajax is obviously more knowledgeable about matters regarding the law. With no further words, she simply nods her head and steps back to let Tartaglia handle this, confident he'll talk them out of this situation and get them home.She's doing everything in her power to stay calm but as the woman continues to screech nonsense, her melting pot of distress starts to boil over into fury, causing something inside of her to snap. However, she doesn't flare up and lose her temper like she did last night. Instead, Yoimiya manages to keep her cool, inhaling before breathing out a deep, annoyed sigh. ]
Officer, if you don't mind me interrupting, I believe that woman is trying to sidestep from what she did last night. She sexually harassed my boyfriend, called me names, and was going to slap me because I told her to stop. There are plenty of eyewitnesses to corroborate our story if you don't believe us.
[ Yikes. Now it's the hag's turn to fall silent, sweating bullets that Yoimiya suddenly pulled an uno reverse card and the accusations are being turned against her. ]
D-Don't listen to her...! That little bitch is just trying to change the subject and weasel her way out of this.
[ The police officer shakes his head, unimpressed with the crazy lady's attitude. ]
Ma'am, with all due respect, calling her names isn't doing you any favors right now.
That doesn't matter, she and her stupid boyfriend are obviously crazy murderers and deserve it! Both of them are clearly guilty and should be taken in for questioning. Psychos like them need to be locked up for good—
[ Not taking any more of this bull, Yoimiya cuts her off right then and there. It's official, Naganohara Yoimiya has had enough of this day and everyone's shit. ]
If we get taken into the station, then my boyfriend should be within his right to press charges for unwelcome sexual advances, yes? [ She then turns to speak to Ajax. ] Would you be willing to talk to the police about what happened to you?
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She really shouldn't mess with Naganohara Yoimiya...]
Of course I would.
[He shoots the woman a dangerous, threatening look before returning a smile to Yoimiya and the officer.]
I wasn't planning on doing so, but if she's going to slander our good names this way, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't report it. Here I thought this matter was already resolved, but it seems I was wrong.
[The look on his face is saccharine sweet, but his words are anything but. Casting his gaze between the officer and the irritating woman, he folds his arms across his chest, losing the sweet expression to replace it with something more impatient.]
So, if you don't mind, are we done here? If no one can leave the ship, I'd rather go sit and rest for a bit until we're given the all clear. If we're to be questioned, I'd like the opportunity to call a lawyer. And if we're continually harassed, I'd like to report something.
[The woman grits her teeth but seems to shrink away from Tartaglia once again, upset that it seems she's not getting her way. If anyone's the bitch here, it's her, he thinks.]
Okay, fine. Go have a seat for now until we let people depart.
[Ajax nods with a polite smile back to the officer.]
Thank you. C'mon Yoimiya, let's go.
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Exactly what she deserves. Yoimiya would have directed a more smug smirk at the lady if she wasn't so emotionally distraught right now. Thanks to their combined efforts, both the officer and woman back off. She truly is grateful to have Ajax in her life, if it wasn't by her side, there's no way she could have done this on her own, this whole ordeal could have easily led to her arrest if she recklessly said the wrong thing.
Yoimiya doesn't say a word, nodding her head as she reaches for her beloved's hand, relieved to be away from harassment and scrutinizing eyes. Finding an unoccupied couch in the lobby, she leads Ajax to it so they can have a moment's respite after everything that transpired. Another sigh passes from her lips as she sits down, hanging her head in silence. Numerous thoughts swirl through her head. Who is the culprit? Why would anyone want to kill her manager? Have they truly gotten the police off of their backs? She still recalls the recognition in the officer's eyes after telling him her name and it truly wouldn't be of any surprise if they considered her a major suspect.
She continues to be uncharacteristically quiet, needing a moment to process the situation. Who would have thought that a simple photo shoot would end up in tragedy? ]
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He knew that this would end up being hard on her, and he was hoping to be able to get off the ship so she didn't have to deal with it directly, but fate was not on their side. Tartaglia would have rather spared her the pain of loss, but a job is a job, and it was really nothing personal...not to him, at least. It pains him to see her distraught, and he wishes he could apologize to her for being the reason why she has to suffer through this. But the less she knows, the better. It'll keep her more safe, out of harm's way. He sits with her quietly for a moment, letting her collect her thoughts, until finally he'll break the silence.]
How are you feeling?
[He asks as he tightens his embrace, genuine concern painting his expression from top to bottom.]
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I... I don't know.
[ She wishes to smile at him and tell him that everything will be okay, to continue being his bright light twinkling across the night sky but unfortunately, she doesn't have it in her to be cheery. Right now, all she feels is sadness and confusion over the whole situation. ]
We weren't close or anything but he was always kind to me from the moment I stepped into the studio. He helped me settle in and made me feel welcome. I don't know what he had going on in his personal life but surely he didn't deserve to die...
[ Unless he was doing something heinous, she can't fathom why anyone would resort to murder. ]
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Sometimes it's simply a cruel twist of fate that brings misfortune onto others like this. I know he did a lot for you, and I'm thankful to him for making your path an easier one, but...
[Not everything is as it seems, are the unspoken words, a message he doesn't want to convey to her. She has such a good view of the guy, he doesn't want to ruin that image for her. She can't know about what was really happening behind the scenes.]
...don't try to worry about it too much. We still don't know if this was just an accident. People are throwing the word murder around like they've already figured out what's going on. I know it'll be difficult, but try to keep your chin up. This has all been quite the shock, and it would be better if you take some time to rest.
[He squeezes her again, doing his best to put a smile on his face for her as some kind of reassurance. Inside, he hates seeing her like this, vowing that he'll do everything he can to get her mind off of the death of her manager as much as he can. Childe's thankful that they weren't close, or this would have been even worse than it is now. He'll at least do what he can to comfort her until this all finally blows over. They'll eventually figure out it was murder....but they won't find who did it, again.
Just like every single target he's taken out so far.]
I love you. When we get home, I'll make you a nice lunch and we'll relax the rest of the day, okay?
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As sad as the whole ordeal is, sitting around moping isn't going to help. Time heals wounds but she's already starting to feel a bit more like her usual self thanks to her beloved's comfort. A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips, snuggling closer to him all the while, blissfully unaware of the truth behind her manager's death. ]
I love you too. Thank you for everything, Ajax. Once we're able to go home, all I want to do is rest with you in peace.
[ A delicious lunch made by Ajax plus resting up with him is the perfect way to end the day, the best medicine to cure her somber mess of her feelings. ]
I'm sorry for being such a downer. I know it's unlike me and I've been a huge pain to deal with since yesterday. From the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate everything you do for me, this entire trip hasn't been easy for you either.
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You weren't a pain. I know you wouldn't of been concerned had you been...a little more prepared for it, let's say. I just hope you can trust me a little more if things turn out a little more risque, like this was, if you will.
[It doesn't go unnoticed by him the irony of him asking her to trust him. But as far as the reason why she was mad...that's something he feels he can at least ask that for.]
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Nodding her head in agreement, she leans her back into him to bundle up in his delightful warmth. ]
I will. I can't promise that I won't be a little jealous but I trust you all the way, Ajax.
[ She's quiet for a very brief moment. ]
Buuuut, I still like to give your boss a piece of my mind for throwing you into that job without any warning.
[ NOT LETTING THAT ONE GO LOL. Sorry your crazy firecracker girlfriend is so headstrong but on the bright side, her sassiness coming forth is a sign that she's beginning to feel a little better about everything. ]
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Hah, well...we'll see about that. I'd still like to keep my job, so perhaps it would be best to wait until you've had a little time to mull it all over.
[He's not really sure how she's supposed to yell at his client...going to avoid that at all costs.]
In the meantime, I'd rather focus on this.
[With no shame at all, Tartaglia cranes in to plant kisses to the side of her head and down her cheek to the base of her jaw, keeping them soft and as sweet as he can. His goal still remains to take her mind completely off of all the negative aspects of this trip even as it surrounds them with frantic cries of murder and confusion as to what happened.]
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