Fatui's Little Prince

Grow Up

6 years later

Clang!

The sound of weapons clashing broke the silent in the forest. Ajax with his knives tried to attack a boy with his great sword.

"Faster, Alex! You won't be able to survive at this rate!"

"I'm trying!" he yelled as he swung his sword to block every attack of his mom. The mini Morax growled when Ajax managed to scratch his face. Ajax dropped his knives and rushed to get his baby boy.

"Alex! Did it hurt?" he asked while caressing his wound carefully. Alex pouted and tried to hold his cry.

"Uhh."

"Just cry, dummy," Ajax smiled and hugged him. Alex sniffled and cried loudly.

"Huwe!"

"There there, Alex. Let's stop the training for today," he said as he carried his son and dragged the great sword back to home. Alex nuzzled on his chest.

"Mama upset?" Alex asked shyly. Ajax kissed his forehead and smiled.

"Why should I?"

"Because I messed up in the training again," he replied.

"Baby, you're still too young, of course you'll make a lot of mistakes. Don't worry, you'll be able to master it later," he cheered up. Alex smiled and kissed his cheek.

"I love you, Mama."

"Love you too, Alex. Ah, look. It's Grandpa Pulcinella," he said as they arrived and Pulcinella waited them outside. Alex overjoyed.

"Grandpa Nella!"

"Hello, Alex. It's been a long time," he greeted as he tried to reach the boy. Ajax slowly put him down to let the him hugging Pulcinella. He smiled.

"You grow up faster than I thought. Did you cry?" he asked as he saw the traces on his face.

"Well he did," Ajax replied. "Come in, I have ginger tea for you."

"Thank you," Pulcinella said as he walked inside to the house. He looked around.

"Your parents?"

"They're working, my siblings are in school now," he replied. He poured a cup of tea and placed it right before him, then put a bandaid on Alex's wound.

"Alex, will you stay at room for a while?" Ajax asked.

"Eh? But I want to play with Grandpa," he whined. Ajax patted his head.

"It's an important matter, boy. Please?" he begged. Alex pouted and dashed to his room.

"...what's your business here, Pulcinella?" he asked as he changed his tone coldly. Pulcinella sighed and placed a letter with Fatui seal.

"Tomorrow Alex will stay in palace under Signora's guidance. Her Majesty's order," he replied. Ajax stayed quiet for a while, then reached the letter and read it. He sighed.

"I understand. Thank you for coming, Pulcinella," he said as he burnt the letter into dust. The old man glanced at him.

"I thought you gonna kick me out for this matter."

"I'd like to, but I can't complain anymore, Pulcinella. I have no authority anymore on him," he replied sadly, his gaze turned to the window. "The only one I can do right now is protecting him."

"I understand, Tartaglia. I'll pick him up tomorrow. Ah, I want you to give him this," he said as he handed a small handmade knife with gold handle crafted into dragon shape. He smiled.

"Thank you, old man."

"See you soon, Ajax," he said as he left. Ajax looked at the knife and sighed.

"What should I do now?"

###

Ganyu just came into his room and shocked when Zhongli cut his long hair in one swift. She yelled.

"Sir! What are you doing?!"

"...I just want to throw bad lucks," he replied as he burnt his hair and let the dust dancing with the wind.

"...can't you stop thinking about that omega, my Lord?"

"I can't, Ganyu. I guess I am falling love with him," he said as he turned with sadness shown in his gaze. Ganyu shook her head.

"But it's been 6 years after that chaos! You should end this," she begged. Zhongli sighed.

"I'm trying now."

"What?"

"I said I'm trying now," he repeated. "There is no hope for waiting anymore."

"Are you serious, my Lord?" she delighted. He nodded.

"Alright, let me prepare your tea, my Lord," she bowed and left, letting Zhongli took a deep breath and looked outside.

"Childe."

"Boo!" Venti jumped right in front of him. Zhongli punched him hard till his nose broke.

"Fuck! It hurts!"

"Who told you to scare me like that, idiot? What's your business?" he coldly replied as he let him in. Venti rubbed it and smiled.

"I found a new omega for you, a pretty one..."

"No need to matchmake me with those bitches, I'm tired," he said. Venti blinked.

"Eh? But you always sleep with whores right? Why suddenly?"

"..."

"He's dead, okay?" Venti said. Zhongli massaged his forehead, tried hard to control his rage.

"You don't have to say it, but yes I know that. I'm trying to give up," he said. Venti made a weird expression, even Zhongli couldn't understand it.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, uh nothing. Oh, right. Princess Raiden, I mean, Raiden sent me an invitation for the festival at Inazuma. Did she send you one?"

"Yeah, I got it yesterday. So?"

"Let me join your private jet please~" he begged. Zhongli rolled his eyes.

"You can use Dvalin, right?"

"That's not funny. Dvalin can't show himself as he pleases in this broad light, bro. Come on, we're best friends."

"Best friends, my ass. You forgot what did you..."

"No no, stop it. Don't retell the past, okay? The past is in the past, let it go ehe."

"... whatever," Zhongli gave up. Venti's face turned serious.

"Fatui is moving again," he said.

"So? Are they gonna send another hitman to kill me? It's an easy match for me," he snorted. Venti stayed silent for a while.

"I'm afraid you can't kill the next hitman, Morax. He's not an ordinary person," he replied. Zhongli stared at him.

"Is he a deity?"

"Dunno, I don't get any informations about him. Maybe you'll understand soon when you face him," he said as he stood. Zhongli laughed wickedly.

"Why? You want me to be scared on a person I don't know his face?" he asked. Venti looked away.

"Maybe it will shock you."