Hold Me When I'm Here

Just Say The Word

[A/N: Ajax voices his fears, Lumine's there to reassure him as they continue towards Sumeru. Maybe ending up pulling Chongyun with my regular fates from the BP I earned and Childe's banner dropping soon has me in a super good mood? Cause I'm popping out chapters like a mad woman here! Ajax my boi, don't worry Lumine would happily take on the world for you. <3]

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He was weakening.

Ajax knew it with how the girls behaved as they moved through the scorching dry savannahs and dunes. It brought this fear that festered like an infected wound deep in his heart from where he sat now under the shade of a towering palm tree. He did not like it at all as he looked out to the river near by that gurgled and splashed violently not far away in a dark mess. The evening's stars beginning to appear and twinkle as the harvest full moon cast its golden glow. He was not stupid or dense; he noticed everything. He noticed Lumine's reactions whenever she nursed the injuries he had. "I'm...I'm not doing well, am I going to loose?"he thought bitterly resting his head on his arms and knees. 

His body was becoming his worst enemy and it made his swear every colorful Snezhnayan swear he knew under his shaky breaths. His lungs burned in his chest felt like it was being stepped on by some ruin guard. His limbs shook with effort just standing anymore as his skull felt like it would shatter. What's more he was having periods where the world was beginning to become drowned out like he had fallen and struggling against the waves of a stormy sea. Even staying awake was growing increasingly difficult as they ventured closer to their goal. "I don't want to go out this way..."he thought clenching his teeth as tears fell as he hid his face. He always thought if he was to die it would be in a fair one on one match to death with a powerful foe. But damn that man for his cowardly tactics.

Lumine after talking to Aloy agreed the Nora huntress would go out and hunt and forage for some prey. Leaving Lumine and Paimon here to keep an eye on Ajax and protect their camp. Carrying a canteen of water the blonde went over and crouched in front of Ajax concern at hearing he was sobbing. "Ajax are you feeling alright? You're crying."she asked urging him to look at her. His azure eyes slowly were revealed and were looking dull with his fever. Aloy had not sugarcoated anything, revealing when they had been stuck to wait out the sandstorm his fever had spiked to 103°F. "Dr.Baizhu warned stage two would hit him viciously and without mercy..."she thought in worry.

"I'm loosing aren't I?"came his hoarse reply back.

"Ajax you aren't going to loose to this. Why are you talking like this?"Lumine asked in dismay as Paimon floated over and watched, unsure what to say. The little fairy didn't feel right about butting in right now.

"But I am Ojou-chan! I can tell with how you guys are acting like I'm made of glass!"he snapped in frustration. Tears redden his eyes and to Lumine he looked so discouraged and...lost. His eyes looking like they did when they first met months ago as he looked away and stumbled to his feet. 

"Ajax..."whimpered Paimon unsure what to say as he walked over to the river banks and started tossing pebbles across it.

Lumine though was remaining surprisingly calm as determination and love smoldered in her as she went over to his side. "You won't loose, you're strong Ajax. You're not a harbinger anymore but you are still one of the strongest and most amazing people I know. You'll win do you know why?" Ajax could only stare as she gently forced him to look her in the eyes. How? How was it she could be so sure he could win against the poison in his body that slowly was ripping him apart from the inside out!? His gaze now noticing the parts once glowing a brilliant violet of electro now were glowing a deep green. His eyes grew wide as around them he saw thorny vines surround them before brilliant roses of a brilliant orange to rival his ginger hair as glowing particles of gold surrounded them. "This is Lumine's dendro..."he thought in amazement. 

How fitting.

Her dendro were rose thorns.

Perfect such a bright, beautiful, and cheeky traveler like her. But these were not jus any roses these were roses thought to be almost impossible to find. Her petite hands stroking his cheek to rid him of his tears. "Why will I win? What makes you so sure?"he whispered gently holding her hands on his cheeks.

"Look in my eyes Ajax, I know because you and I can take on anything we face. We survived facing Signora and Ei didn't we?"she reminded. His eyes grew wide at the reminder. It was small but he could feel a spark of hope return and with it the light in his eyes as he pulled her closer into a kiss. One she happily returned that shared her determination before they parted eyes locked to each other's. "Look into my eyes, Ojou-chan. I'll never desert you like I did the Tsarista. So lets take on the world, just say the word."he purred softly.

"Yes!"she purred in equal delight as she smile brightly hugging him tight. She could feel him shivering and shaking as he held her so quick as she could with a gentle hand she guided him to the fire and into the tent. Ajax more then eager to lie down with a breathy wheeze as he rubbed his tired eyes. "You should rest for now, I'll stay right beside you."she reassured taking out a cloth to wipe the sweat from his brow. 

"I-I....I don't want to admit it but I'm terrified. I don't want to go out like this."he croaked out glancing groggily at her. The internal war of pyro and cryo was defiantly getting worse he felt but some how Lumine just being beside him was reassuring. 

Of course.

Lumine felt like an idiot this time at hearing his confession. Of course he was scared and right down terrified. Who wouldn't be while fighting for their life like this? She knew she would be had this been her in this situation instead of Ajax. With a smile she decided to doing something she was learning fast was Ajax's favorite thing: let him rest on her lap. So with a quick motion she shimmied over and got him to rest her head in his lap, covering his eyes with her hand. "Lumi?"

"Shh...nothing will happen to you. I'll beat up anything that tries, Childe."she assured using his old alias. He had to admit her worlds were comforting and made him relax as he imagined her fighting against intruders. It actually made him giggle softly as he reached up and grabbed a firm hold of her hand, pecking a soft kiss onto it and nuzzling in to her touch. 

"Hm, that would be a cute sight to see."he teased.

"Ugh, just get some sleep. As soon as we eat once Aloy's back we're leaving."she sighed in amusement as she began to stroke his hair making him hum in delight. "Trust me you need it."

"Hm...I could get used to this kind of pillow."he sleepily teased, feeling content as he finally drifted off into a light slumber. Lumine all the while becoming flustered as she adverted her gaze on him to look outside spotting the young huntress finally returning. Her gaze then returned to Ajax's sleeping face as each breath came out unevenly and pained. Yet he seemed at ease and at peace. Yes with him Lumine felt like she could take on many worlds and she knew he would never desert or betray her. He was her's and she was his...all he would have to do was say the word.

To Be Continued...