Thread by @Daine_93

🔞🦊🐉🌸💦
#ZhongChi #鍾タル
CW: slight ZhongEi, mpreg, explicit
==
When Zhongli decided to take Ajax as his new Empress, he was thinking to merely joined their Kingdoms together into a single powerful Empire in northern Teyvat.

Until a plot to kill him reached his ears.

The dragon shook his head when he heard it from his eunuch.

There's no way Ajax would do such thing after they've been in countless battles and working together for years in installing new governmental systems in their empire.

The rumor must be made by his opposition.

But... What if it's true?

His long brown tail swipe the wooden floor of his chamber as he walked through his backyard. The dragon later stopped to adore the Dendrobium that danced along the wind on his late Empress' favorite vase.

His scaly fingers tenderly touched it's petals

as the memory of his late wife came to his mind, changing his stoic expression into longing as guilt and sadness came to filled his heart.

What should I do, Ei?
He thought in his mind.

The Emperor later resume his walk to the his backyard to had a better view of the bright

starry night above him, while his mind's still thinking about every possibility on that claim.

Until he remember about his mother in law.

It was Tsaritsa who came to Liyue and endorsed Ajax when the war with Khaenri'ah begin, saying that he needed him and their power to boosted

his power against their advanced tech.

Which he did, remembering that Liyue was lack of defense equipments although been known for its' excellent and high standart of military personnels.

Both of them instantly clicked on their first meeting, as they have a same background and

interests in creating balance between military and diplomatic approach.

With Ajax's wits & supports on the sea, Zhongli could focused his army to attacked the remaining army within his nations and boosts his people spirit to keep fighting with him, resulting many triumphs over

the invading army.

Sadly, before he could even introduce him to his late wife that served from her hometown, she died.

Words been told that she was ambushed by the enemy's armies and chose to stayed there to distract them while her people were escaping from the island,

leaving her alone in battle as her loyal guard sent to guard the refugees and deliver the news directly to the emperor himself.

Once he got there, the only thing he saw was his late Empress cold body among the broken machines and countless shards of her beloved swords.

And when he took her body away, two preterm babies laid beneath layers of broken machinery that crushed her legs.

If only Ajax didn't accompanied him, he wouldn't think he could survive all the horrors.

The young fox calmed him down,

check on the babies before gave them first aid cares while he watched with arms holding his Ei helplessly.

His goldeb eyes were locked on his twins that's quite on the sand, with their chest being pumped and mouth being dried.

He was nearly lost all of his hopes if Ajax didn't

flipped one of his children flat in the young fox's arm and rubbed their back, as soon baby cry replaced the rumble of the surf.

After that, Zhongli didn't really remember anything but his ceremony with the orange fox.

It was modest and short, very much contrast to Tsaritsa's

wish to make it grand by Ajax's request to honour Ei and his boy's passing.

Now, it's Ajax who helped him win the war.

It's Ajax who has able to save his dying daughter and support his fight for his daughter's right as their heir.

And it's Ajax who has been his rock

throughout his political crisis, making it harder to him to believe that his closest friend participated in a plot to end his reign.

The fox even suggest him to ignore all of the pressure in having male heir from their council, remembering Yunjin, his daughter, still has her

right to be his successor as his firstborn.

No books had ever mentioned any Empress had ever done something like he did, making Zhongli's respect and adoration towards him bigger than before.

But now, because of that rumour, Zhongli can't help but to reconsider his thought.

"Huft," Zhongli let out a faint sigh.

He has to find away to clear this problem as soon as possible.

===

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

Zhongli smiled at Lumine, one of Ajax's court lady, before he looked close to the closed slide doors. "His Imperial Majesty is here."

Muffled voice heard from the room. "Let him in."

And thus, the ladies opened the slide doors to their emperor before gave them a quick bow and closed the door again, living the couple in their private moment.

Zhongli walked passed the separator with a purple fox on its golden

paper, making him walked back to adore the painting a little while as a warm feeling roamed in his chest.

He kept it, the dragon thought in relief. He then touched the fox painting tenderly with longing in his eyes, before resumed his walk to Ajax's bed.

"Good morning, Your Majesty." Ajax greeted him without getting up from his bed. "I really wish to greet you properly, but as you see, my arms are busy."

Zhongli let out a faint chuckles as he laid himself beside his sleeping daughter on Ajax's arms, who's curling her tail on

the young fox's stomach and cheeks wet by tears. "No worries, my friend. Another nightmare?"

"... Yes."

"I see." Zhongli carefully caressed Yunjin's hair before kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I really am hoping that you could join me for dinner tonight."

Ajax looked shocked by his words. His azure eyes widen while locked on Zhongli's eyes, before quickly blinked a few times. "What a coincidence, since I also wanted to asked whether it's fine for me to visit you tonight."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Since, um." The oranged fox looks hesitant.

"It's okay, my friend, you could tell me everything."

Ajax bit his lips with cheeks turned flushed amid the dimmed room, making the dragon across him became more curious. "I.. When, um."

"It's okay. You can speak bluntly to me." Zhongli rubbed Ajax's hand on Yunjin's back.

"You're my wife, after all."

Ajax quickly looked at him in shock. His rosy cheeks turned redder and he has became more nervous by his words, making the dragon satisfied by his successful teasing.

"Well.. It's embarrassing actually, but um." Ajax's ears dropped flat.

"After years of spending my heats alone, I was thinking that maybe.. You could help me?"

Zhongli blinked his eyes.

Was it a trap?

"Oh, my." the dragon act like he's embarrassed. "I'm.. Honoured. And ashamed for not being able to perform my duty as your husband."

"That's okay, my lord. It was me who initiated it, but.." the fox lowered his face to hid his face. "I've been curious about the full experience and.. Now I'm married to you, you're the only one I can trust."

Zhongli could see the fox's ears trembled.

Is he really being honest?

The dragon observed the fox's gesture closely with eyes narrowed in suspicion.

His golden eyes moved to the fox's reddened neck and the trembling tail beneath the blanket, making his doubt gradually faded by the fox's reaction.

"... I'll prepare your favourite tea, then."

He said as he smiled warmly. Ajax raised his head to his husband and smiled before nodding shyly. "Thank you, my--"

"Can I have some?"

Both of them immediately turned their head to the awaken Yunjin below, who's now looking at her parents with her doe scarlet eyes.

Her pointed ears moved as she heard her step mother's heart beat increased, making the little kit giggled. "I'm sorry to scared you, Mam--Your Majesty. But when I heard His Majesty mentioning your favorite tea, I can't help but to be curious."

"Oh, sweet little kit, how many

times do I have to tell you to drop those titles when we're all alone?" Ajax pinched Yunjin's nose while the kit giggled gleefully.

Zhongli can't help but to smile to see his daughter's bond to Ajax. Deep down, he really wished for Ei to see how strong she have grown,

as his mind projecting Yunjin's fragile figure when in his memory.

Her thin limbs have turned firm, her thin skin had glowed, and her red eyes had shown a little glimpse of light golden halos below her scarlet irises.

All thanks to Ajax's meticulous care.

Zhongli hold his wife's hand tenderly as he raised from the bed and kissed Yunjin's forehead. "Sorry, my love, but tonight is only for me and your Mama."

Yes, tonight we'll be for them only.

No one will leave until Zhongli got the answer he's been looking for.
===
Faint scent of jasmine tea lingered in the Emperor's grand chamber, as Lumine prepared the tea Zhongli had prepared for tonight's occasion.

Both of the royals had changed into their night robe,

with golden dragon pattern on the Emperor's chest and golden phoenix on the Empress'.

Zhongli looked closer to his nervous wife across him, who's been avoiding his gaze by looking at their dishes before him. His orange tail swung idly and his cheeks were still flushed like

before.

"I've shipped this directly from your hometown." Zhongli said as he corrected his posture. "I really hope you like it, my fr--precious."

The blonde court lady stopped her doing while her Empress were frozen by that awful slipped from her Emperor,

before resuming her work like nothing had happened.

"T-thank you, my lord." Ajax said quitely. "It's really kind of you."

Then silence.

The couple was just sat across each other in a heavy awkward atmosphere with no sound or eye contact what so ever, leaving their court lady

work in the middle of their suffocating mood.

"... It's been.. Eight years, yes?" Zhongli quitely reopened their conversation. "It must be painful for you to endured it on your own."

Ajax slowly shook his head. "It's nothing my lord."

"It's not. But worry not, as I'll be--"

Ajax suddenly hissed his tongue as pain hit his body, making the young fox's closed his eyes tight while his hands were holding his clothes.

"Your Majesty, are you okay?" Lumine quickly approached her Empress.

Seeing a window, Zhongli quickly poured some greenish powder

into one of their cup. His eyes didn't leave his wife's for one second, while his hands came back to his sleeve to hid his ampule.

"Don't worry, Lumine. It's just started."
Ajax said softly. "I just need to eat and I'll be better soon."

"Yes, and tea is perfect for you to ease

the pain." The emperor said calmly. "Let's drink first before we eat. Lady Lumine, you can taste the tea."

The blond girl obeyed and drank the tea before bow her head. She later reached for the kettle, before Zhongli raised his hand to stop her.

"I'll take it from here. Go."

And she left.
Leaving them entirely in the spacious room.

Ajax nervously accepted his share from Zhongli's hand and sniffed the tea, enjoying the scent he hasn't taste for awhile.

"Was it as how you remember?"

Ajax's ears twiched excitedly. "Yes, my lord."

Zhongli nodded his head with a smile on his lips. "Well then. I hope you like it."

The orange fox happily brought it to his lips, as the smell has tempted him to chug it up immediately.

Until a thin foreign scent stopped his movement in drinking his tea.

Making the fox lowered

his hand and looked at his husband's closely. "... My lord?"

Zhongli put his empty cup on the table. "Yes?"

"I think this tea taste better than yours." Ajax handed his cup to the dragon. "Please try this."

Zhongli stared at the full cup silently. His smile still lingered

on his lips, yet his heart had increased its beats. ".... Gladly."

And the dragon chug it clean, making the cup hold nothing in it. His golden eyes observed the new reaction from the ginger fox, who's now had turned more calm and poise by his act.

He knows, the Emperor thought.

And just before the fox opened his lips, Zhongli immediately kissed him and gave all of his drugged tea to the fox, making the Empress' body flenched in shock and pushed him away to let out all of his drink on the floor.

The young fox hurriedly inserted his index finger in hope

he could it threw up, if only the dragon didn't slapped his hand and pinned him on the floor.

"You thought I was giving you poison?"

Ajax looked at the Emperor in disbelief. His once raised ears had dropped flat as anger filled his eyes and fang appeared from his gum.

"I didn't intended to make it this way."

"Really? You should sharpen your calculation after this." Zhongli said coldly as he increased his power. His long tail swung idly as his wife stared at him in annoyance, adding more wounds on his heart by that gesture.

But to his suprise, the fox had successfully threw all of his digestion on their side. Creating a dark red puddle beside them.

"Listen to me. I'm not totally lie to you about my heat because my monthly take will start either tomorrow or tonight." Ajax quickly said after catching

his breath. "Second of all, I'm doing this because I want to help you to escape the murder!"

"... So you know."

"Yes! And I don't want them succeed!" The fox whispered aggressively.

"You wanna know what they've been planning to do? Hear this.

Since the day the late Empress passed, my mother has been looking at your throne and scheming to take it over by using your future son after she killed you. I've been holding it by busying myself with our projects-- but now I can't do it anymore because she threatened to replaced

me and if she do that, Yunjin will be in danger!"

Zhongli blinked his eyes several time before letting the fox go, inviting several coughs from the fox as he sat on the floor. His golden eyes looked at the fox's trembling body as regret back to fill his chest.

"... I'm sorry."

"Urgh," the fox grunts as pain has doubled. His gaze has turned hazzy, making his eyes opened half lidded.

"I was hoping.. That we could talk about it in peace. I don't want her in danger yet I don't have anyone to trust but you. That's why I have to act like that."

Zhongli nodded his head and hid the Ajax's vomit by putting a white plain clothe on top of it before look at his trembling wife. Unique sweet scent has started to replaced the tea's, proving that Ajax has telling the truth.

The emperor hold his breath and took his wife into

his bed and put him there carefully while the fox huffing in pain.

"I'm sorry." The emperor whispered as he help the fox injected his suppressant on his arm, despite not knowing what it was.

But when he saw Ajax had turned calmer, Zhongli let out a relieve sigh.

He then kneeled on the floor as he hold Ajax's hands tightly, as overwhelming feelings were flowed in his senses. "Ajax, I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"... Yes." Ajax turned his face away. His scent now has nowhere to be found and his trembling body has turned normal.

"As long as Yunjin's safe, I don't mind."

Zhongli squeezed Ajax's hand lightly as his mind's still processing all of those information in his head. His thorns darkened as he pressed the fox's back hand on his forehead, trying to release all of his guilt for his previous act.

"Now.. After they've know that we've spend the night, we'll announced fake pregnancy when the timing's right. And after awhile, as we've found the right way to limit my mother's influence in the council, we'll announced that we've loss our child to buy--"

"No, that's too risky."

Zhongli brought himself to sit on the edge of the bed. "Even thought I don't have a sharp olfactory like you, I still can tell whether a person's conceiving or not. Once they've found that we lie, it'll not end well for us."

Ajax hold his breath when a light pain came back.

"So.. What do you suggest?"

Zhongli took a deep breath before looking closely at Ajax.

"Actually.. I've been in talks with several lords and ministers to support my upcoming decree regarding Yunjin's right as heir." Ajax let out a relief sigh with a thin smile on his lips,

making Zhongli felt warm by his genuine reaction.

"As it's almost done, we'll prepare Yunjin for the ceremony and prepare her properly as heir."

"I agree."

"... As for you," Zhongli carefully squeezed Ajax's hand again. "If you really want me to, I'll gladly help you

with your heat."

"Yes--pardon?" The fox opened his eyes wide as he looked at his husband, who's now looking back at him. "Y-you don't have to, I--"

"I've been leaving you in pain while you've been supporting me unconditionally."

Zhongli squeezed his hand again.

"At least, even though it's late, let me gave perform my duty as your husband properly."

"My lord. Please don't tease me, it's merely a play!"

"I can sense that you lied, my dear." The dragon slowly move closer and brought Ajax's hand to his chest.

"You don't have to worry about Yunjin, because in my experience, we won't conceive a child unless both of us entered the same heat cycle. Not only this could ease your pain after this effect gone, you could also send a message to your mother through it."

Zhongli carefully kissed

Ajax's knuckles while the fox's still blanked in his mind. "I believe she has kept many birds to sing their songs about you in here. And if we--"

"But how about you, my lord?" Ajax asked in whisper. "Do you really mean it?"

"... I am." Zhongli said firmly. "If you allow me."

Ajax could felt his heart full when he heard the dragon said it. His eyes dazzled by excitement as his ears raised back, making the emperor before him smiled happily.

Before the fox could make another sound, the dragon brought himself closer to Ajax and cupped his left cheek,

making the fox hold his breath by the decreasing distance between them.

Both of their gazes locked on each other lips as their surrounding turned silent, making the couple moved closer by instinct.

Finally, with a slight tilt on his head, the Emperor kissed his Empress.

The orange haired fox melted by that tender kiss. His previous heavy body had turned into light, making him felt like floating in the air.

He then could felt both of his hands being brought to each sides of his head with fingers intertwined with Zhongli's as kisses still landed

on his lips, making him forgetting anything that had happened before this.

"Umm," the fox flenched his body when the dragon's tail wrapped his own as Zhongli end their kiss. Their chest puffed heavy and their eyes were opened half lidded with flushed cheeks underneath.

Ajax later closed his eyes again when Zhongli left a peck on his cheek and caressed his cheeks with his thumbs. Those azure eyes looked at his Emperor with pure adoration, as the man he loves has looked at him the same way.

"A compensate for my act from before."

Ajax shyly laughed by his words and closed his eyes again as their lips met again. This time it's no longer stiff and awkward, as Zhongli has guided his hand to round around his neck and pinned him on the bed.

"... I," Zhongli looked at the fox ad he untied Ajax's undergarments.

"I may not.. fitting your preferences, my lord." Ajax braved himself to rubbed Zhongli's nape with his fingers. "But in this very moment, please know that my heart, body, and soul are belongs to you."

Zhongli blinked his eyes in awe when the fox's words have reached the deepest

place in his heart. He then brushed those orange hair strains and gave the fox another kiss as joy warmed his body.

But is it fair for him to feel this way?

Ajax has gave him nothing but everything. His time, his wit, his bravery , and now wholeheartedly himself.

He has love his daughter and tirelessly fight for her. Ignoring the fact she's the only Ei's legacy that he had left.

He didn't care whether she's his blood and flesh or not.

He didn't care whether she resemblance him or not.

He loves Yunjin, and also he loves him.

Zhongli rubbed his nose on Ajax's crook of his head, inhaling his leaking pheromones as the suppressant has lost its power. Making Ajax continued to hissed in pain.

"I'm glad to have you, my dear." the fox squirmed beneath him as discomfort slowly took over his body.

But when the dragon looked at him with a gaze he never saw, the fox could felt those pain drifted away in a brief seconds.

"History may have not written my tenure and deeds yet. But I know, now that I have you, both of the greatness of me and our empire begin with you."

The fox's ears twitched as Ajax felt jubilant to heard his Emperor's words. His blue eyes turned crescent as shy laughter sung from his lips, before a quite sob replaced it as he hid his face on Zhongli's chest.

The dragon quickly wrapped his body with his sturdy arms and kissed

his hair lovingly as he coaxed his wife to calm, inviting louder sobs from the young man in his arms.

"Thank you, my lord."

"No, my love. Thank you." the dragon pressed his Empress' head to nuzzled on his neck. "Call me by my name."

The fox let his husband wiped the tears

on his eyes with his dark fingers while he tried to controlled his breathing.

His lips trembled as his mind kept whispering that sacred name. Not sure whether it's fine for him to say it.

His azure eyes looked at those glowing golden irises that soften as their gaze met,

sending endless waves of thrill as he's captivated by the Emperor's gesture.

Ajax leaned on Zhongli's hand that cupped his cheek and hold his wrist, absorbing his warmth and converted it as his strength to resist the pain in his senses.

As he had felt his confident,

the young fox looked at his husband fondly and said, "Zhongli."

"Yes, my love."

"Zhongli," Ajax said it again as the dragon pulled his undergarments away, exposing his upper body to the golden eyes as his hand guided to undress the dragon. "Zhongli.. Zhongli.."

And another kiss was made by their lips as desire had been awaken on their body.

It's no longer shy or tense.

It's passionate and greedy.

"Um!" Ajax scratched his nail on Zhongli's exposed sturdy back and painted it with ten short red lines.

His tail puffed immediately when

the dragon invaded his mouth with his forked tongue and stripped the blanket that has covered his most intimate part. Making both of them equal to one another.

The ginger man opened his eyes with nails still planted on that skin as odd feelings' starting to took over his focus.

Each touches that Zhongli made somehow arouse him more.

His breath on his cheek,
His touch on his tit,
His knee that rubbing his core,
And his eyelashes that brushed against own has turned the fox wetter in every seconds.

Everything felt overwhelming and real that he couldn't

bear them anymore as his mind has melted, losing all of his focuses bit by bit.

Thus, he turned his head away to end their kisses and quickly gasp to gained the air that he needed, hoping it could ease his discomfort.

"Zhongli.. What.. What, did you put in the tea?"

"Ah," his husband looked away with guilt. "It's merely a herb to make people honest."

"It's making me feel weird.." Ajax squeezed Zhongli's back muscles as another wave of odd feelings came to his senses, making him bit his lips and closed his legs by instinct. "It's too--"

The fox arched his back in surprised when something broke out from him, followed by broken moans and shaking legs during his release.

His hands dug deeper on Zhongli's skin while the person was stunned by what he saw, as his eyes widen and cheeks turned red.

"Ah.." Zhongli could felt his inner self roaring from within.

How could he not when his wife's now laid messy with his own slicks beneath him?

His plump chest turned red and glossy by his sweat and stimuli he's now riding,

His pink lips parted as he gasp for air,

And his lower part was soaked by his own juice that was hitting Zhongli's knee on his entrance, making it flewed towards his lower body part and pooled on his abdomen.

Zhongli took a nervous gulp as his primal instinct had provoke by the scene. He knew too well what will happen

if he couldn't get control of himself, and he didn't want it to happen again.

But when he saw Ajax's adorable shocked face, the dragon felt ease as his worry replaced by satisfaction.

At least, he could introduce a new pleasure to his adorable wife.

"I-I'm sorry!"

Ajax quickly wrapped his body with blanket and hid inside it. "I didn't mean to pee--I ruined it!"

"What? My love, that wasn't it." Zhongli let out a laughter as he wrapped his arms around the blanket. "That means you enjoy it, Ajax."

"N-nooo! I'm sorry!" Zhongli can only

chuckle by the fox's genuine reaction. Carefully, he stripped the blanket from the fox's head and kissed his heated fluffy ear. Making the fox lowered his blanket & peek with teary eyes.

"Oh, love. It's okay." Zhongli quickly wiped his eyes. "Didn't you have it too during heat?"

Ajax shook his head slowly. "It was.. Less messy."

"... I can say I'm doing a good job, then." Zhongli kissed him again. "Do you want us to stop?"

"No.." Ajax shyly said it with a sob. He then let the dragon guided his legs to be opened wider on each sides nervously.

"Ah!" Ajax flenched his body as two fingers inserted inside him. They quickly moved fast against his inner walls, making him lost among his new

pleasure and the stimuli that not yet ended. "Zhongli, feels weird--ah!"

"You want me to stop?"

"No!" Ajax instantly squeezed his inner walls around Zhongli's fingers, making both of them gasp by the sensation. "Hah, please.. Please."

"What, Ajax?" Zhongli asked as he squeezed

the young fox's right chest, making the person before him moaned louder. He then moved to the other chest and licked the areola in circle slowly, sending another high wave of pleasure on the fox's body.

Ajax's toes curled as Zhongli increased his speed, creating another batch

of slicks to produced from his cervix and waiting to be released. But when he opened his eyes and saw Zhongli busy with his chest, the fox hold his whimpers and hanged on those sturdy shoulders.

"Z-Zhongli.."

The dragon carefully lifted his face to not injure his wife. "Yes?"

Ajax's fluffy ears bounces as he rolled his hips against those fingers, making them moved deeper and hit something inside. "Ah! H-hurry.. Hurry."

"Not yet, Ajax."

"Come on, my lord.. Please." The fox ruffled Zhongli's hair as he looked at him. "I'm.. Ah, okay."

"It'll be more hurtful if I didn't make prepare you longer."

"I'm okay." Ajax said assuredly. "I can take it."

The dragon looked deep on his eyes before hesitantly present himself as he moved closer, making the fox looked at his gallant pillar in amusement.

None of them broke

their silent as the fox brought his rod towards him and press it on his skin.

The tip surpassed Ajax's umblicus while the width was more than half of the fox's palm, making the dragon waiting awkwardly.

But to his surprise, his wife took the initiated to turned around and

lay in all four, exposing both of his entrances to his husband as his pillar brushed against his skin.

"I'm ready, Zhongli." The fox whispered breathlessly. "Take me."

And he did.

Zhongli took him for a kiss as he hold the fox's slim waist and rubbed his pillar against

Ajax's front canal, making the fox tail wagged by the overwhelming sensation.

"Nghh," Ajax let out a whine as the tip has entered him deeper and deeper every seconds, making his pussy clenched around it by instinct. "My lord.. Zhongli, ah.."

"You can bit my arm."

Zhongli said as he licked Ajax's tempting nape slowly, enjoying every taste he can sensed on his long tongue.

But before Ajax could do what he instructed, Zhongli had buried himself passed his thin hymen and bit his scent gland, making the fox arched his back in shock.

"Ah!?" Ajax could felt someting inside him had teared apart as tears flewed down his cheeks. He then buried his fangs on Zhongli's scaly arm as his husband had moved deeper, making the fox squirmed as his slicks just poured hard by the process. "Z-Zhongli.. Wait. Ah, ah!"

"What is it, my dear?" Zhongli kissed his head as he squeezed both of his chest, making the fox round his tail on one of his hand.

"Hik--it.. It feels good."

"Good?" Zhongli thrust his hips slowly as he peek on his wife. "Is this fine?"

"Yes.. Yes.. AH!" Ajax clenched his

walls again when Zhongli's tip had touched his cervix, making him flew to see another stars.

"Hah!" A gasp from Zhongli race with his cry as the dragon trembled between his walls that milking him hard. His hands hugged the fox's trembling body as he leaned on Ajax's back,

while he lost in the sudden pleasure of Ajax's deepest part.

He bit the fox's shoulder as he hold himself to explode inside and just hold his breath as something thick rolled down his rod, making him can't help but to look down the sheet.

Red liquid slowly dropped from

Ajax's entrance and painted the soaked blanket below them in scarlet, as the droplet had blended with Ajax's juices from before.

Making the dragon's felt nothing but joy.

"Uhh," Ajax squeezed Zhongli's fingers on his belly as the dragon moved slowly, making his hair and ears

bounced by his movements.

The throbbing pain by his heat and teared hymen slowly replaced by Zhongli's touches, as the man continued to please the fox with his fingers and thrusts.

Ajax could felt nothing but joy and safe. Perhaps because Zhongli has more experiences in this?

He's not sure.

But his first experience with someone he trust was as beautiful as what he read in countless books.

He felt completed,
He felt loved,
And he felt matured, as now he had unlocked a new experience he always wanted to felt.

"Mmh!" Ajax hold the blanket below him

as Zhongli pussed him down and raised his hips higher.

The man behind him later widen his legs before fold his body to hug him tight from behind, as his pace has turned faster and hit his cervix consistently, making the fox rolled his eyes in pleasure.

"Zhongli! Zhongli!"

"I'm here," Zhongli whispered in a low voice as one of his hand moved below and rubbed his clit in chaotic pace, making the fox moaned louder. He then rest his head on behind Ajax's ear and licked it as his hips moved faster and faster, feeling that his climax is near.

"Ajax, you're so tight."

The fox shook his head in embarrassment as he heard that sentence.

"You're making me feel complete."

"S-stop--AH!" Ajax gripped Zhongli's arm when his cervix was hit again. He could felt his own climax has come near, making him pressed Zhongli's hand

to rubbed his fold harder. "So good.. Zhongli, so good!"

"Yes, my love. Me too." Zhongli said breathlessly as he sucked his mark on Ajax's nape and neck, making it turned blue while a symbol of his sigil appeared on hid nape. "I'm close, Ajax. Can I, hah, released it inside?"

"Mmmhh.." Ajax impatiently nodded his head.

Zhongli rubbed his nose on Ajax's scent gland to inhale his strong pheromones before buried himself deep. Pouring his hot loads directly to Ajax's womb and filled it lots, making the fox mewls in exhaustion.

Faint cry from Ajax added

more desire in Zhongli's head as his pheromones now has grown stronger and thicker, filling his room with an unique mixture of sandalwood, jasmine and berry.

His draconic pupil dilated as he saw his sigil glowed amid the dimmed light of candle and moon, a symbol of their union.

No longer as heirs of their nations,
But as their own.

"Zhongli.." Ajax quitely called his name.

The man softly brushed Ajax's oranged strains and kissed his temple. "Yes, my love?"

"It.. Felt so good." Ajax said shyly as he rolled his hips. "More. More."

Oh, how Zhongli could hear his primal sense roared.

His scales slowly appeared on his cheeks and chest as lust has almost took over his head.

Breed him, breed him, breed him.
That words kept chanted in his head and ears.

===

"How are they?"

A lady in blue pastel dress asked the man with black fur coat beside her. Long blonde hair strains of her moved elegantly along her dress in the cold wind while her iridescent irises shined by the sunlight.

"He finally listened to you, mother." The man said.

"Just in case, I've changed his suppressant into hormones booster."

"... I hope you didn't harm him, Zandik. We still need your little brother for my plan." the lady said as she moved away, showing the full length of her dress as she walked closer to the balcony.

"But I do hope your little gift could pave the way for us, as now we have just begin."

Zandik curled a smile on his face as he flipped an ampule between his fingers and leaned on his chair. "I can't wait to greeted my nephew."

"So am I."

===

Today's the day.

Yunjin excitedly jumped from her bed. Now that her mother's heat has passed, she finally can see him again!

"What should I wear today?" she said as she looked at her neat wardrobe. Her little fingers idly brushed her many dresses before stopped at a blue hanfu

with Koi's pattern on the belt that reminded her of Ajax's eyes.

"This will do," she said happily before changed her night gown and sneak from her chamber.

She could saw her court ladies have gathered in front of the gate as she stepped on the pavilion across them,

making her walked more careful towards her Mama's chamber.

She then hid between the large red pillars near Ajax's door before moved inside and peek the inside.

No eunuchs or court ladies in sight.

"How odd?" she whispered. Her little feet later sneak into Zhongli's pavilion

across the lake and walked passed the separator with dragon painting in it, only to found her parents sleeping peacefully in each others arms.

The little purple fox twitched her ears innocently when she found that neither of them were wearing clothes.

Are these allowed?

"Mama is so pretty," she whispered happily as her tail wagged. The little princess then brushed Ajax's hair carefully and left a kiss there. "I miss you, Mama."

Her scarlet eyes observed the Empress' peaceful sleeping face in pure adoration before blinked them as endless of

bite marks appeared on her parents' shoulder and neck. Making the little princess tilted her head in confusion.

Why are they have so many wounds?
Why do the room smell weird?
And why are they sleeping without clothes?

Those questions makes the girl wondered by her own.

But the real question was: how is it feel to sleep between their hug?

Yunjin could felt her ears moved excitedly by that question. Not that she never been hug by them before, it just they rarely interact to each other because of their tight schedule.

Will I disturbed them if I do that?, she thought.

And slowly, the little kit pulled the blanket to covered her parents' upper body more in hope to make them sleep more comfortably.

Until Ajax's opened his eyes.

"Mama!" Yunjin happily sat beside the drowzy fox and

hold his hand tight, releasing all of her longing to him.

But to her surprised, the orange fox screamed to the top of his lungs. Awakening the sleeping dragon beside him right away. "What's going on--"

Ajax slapped Zhongli's shoulder and panickly wrapped him with blanket.

"G-good morning, my love!" The fox greeted his daughter warmly with redden face. "I miss you so much!"

"I miss you too, Mam--"

"DON'T come here, ahahahahah, it's so cold, I nearly dead, phew!" Ajax moved his tails that peeking from the blanket playfully. "You should take your

blanket too, my love, or you'll be freezing like us too!"

"But--"

"Listen to Mama, my love." Zhongli said with a smile. "We'll wait for you here, okay?"

Yunjin hesitantly nodded her head and jumped towards the door, approachinv the separator before turned her back to them.

"Don't go anywhere, okay?"

"Yes, darling, we'll wait." Zhongli smiled widely.

And thus, the slide door was closed.

".... Oh heavens above, I wanna die." Ajax hid his face beneath the blanket as he ignoring Zhongli's laughs. "How can she get here? Didn't people guarded us?"

"She really is my daughter."

"How can you be proud when she saw as naked like this? Good thing if she didn't ask weird things once she returned." Ajax hurriedly took his robe from the floor and took a step, only to be fallen down as his hips trembled beneath him.

"Ajax!"

"O-oww.." The young man holf his chin as his husband picked him up. He then sulked on the bed when he looked around Zhongli's messy room, before hid his face when he remembered what they've done for days.

Broken ceramic vases,
Thorned paintings,
Piles of clothes,

and ceramuc shards at the corner of the room.

He could felt their pheromones still lingered in the air, making the fox squirmed in embarrassment. Oh, how he wished Yunjin won't asked anything.

"How are you feeling, my love?"

"Bad." Ajax pouted his lips. "You were cruel."

"I merely following your needs, my love." Zhongli whispered as he wore his own robe. His face somehow had became more radiant than ever. "As you said: faster, harder, deeper in repeat."

"Zhongli!"

The dragon laughed. "But how are you feeling? Was it still painful?"

"Mm.. No." Ajax shrugged his body. "It's only my lower half, thanks to you."

"I can't help it, you just too adorable."

Ajax turned his head away as Zhongli said it too easily, before he looked at Yunjin's walking to his chamber from the window.

"Look at her tiny little feet." He said as he cuppef his lower belly. "When are you planning to hold her ceremony ?"

"I was planning to do it at the end of the month." Zhongli said as he hugged his wife from behind. "I wonder what's the correct thing to say this to her."

"We'll manage." Ajax said softly as he hold Zhongli's hand tighy. "We need to move fast before my mother knows your plan."

The emperor nodded his head and kissed Ajax's nape lovingly, making the fox's tail raised & hit his chin. "W-why so sudden." he said as he closed his nape.

"It's just so too tempting, my love. I can't hold myself."

"For the record, you've been saying it five times before and railed me after that without rest." Ajax said as he pinched the dragon's fingers, making the husband hissed in pain. "I won't fall for this one."

Zhongli only looked at him in awe.

His poised and polite Ajax has turned more opened now. Was it because of the days they've spend together? If yes, he truly is happy with the result, as he now could understand his wife a little better.

Zhongli later took Ajax's chin towards

him and caressed it with his thumb.

His head moved back and forth as he looked hesitant on Ajax's eyes, before finally landed a morning kiss on his wife's lips.

Both of them ended their kiss and stay still with nose rubbed to each other, exchanging their heartbeats and breath.

"Our steps will be heavy after this." Zhongli said as he brushed Ajax's waist with both hands. "As now it's only us in this battle, I want you to know that I trust you and will only speak clear and true."

Ajax swung his tail as he looked deep on his husband's eyes.

He then cupped his hands on Zhongli's jaws & nodded his head. "I'll do the same, husband."

Zhongli leaned to Ajax's right hand and kissed his palm fondly. But before he could said any words, they could heard their court lady saying:

"Her Imperial Majesty The Tsaritsa is here."

The couple turned their head to the door with horrified look. "Why did tell us she's coming here? It's all messy and I'm stink!"

"Shh, my love, calm down--"

"How can I calm down? I still reek of blood and sweat!" The fox nervously crawled to the edge of Zhongli's bed before

painful cramps paralyzed his lower part, making him hanged on the edge of the bed with one leg on the floor and one stayed on the bed. "O-oww.."

"Didn't I told you to calm down?" Zhongli gently pulled his wife's hips and made him leaned to his chest. His left hand rounded on

Ajax's waist and rubbed the fox's stomach lovingly. "Just act like how you are feeling now."

The fox puffed his tail in embarrassment. "But--"

"Let her in."

And the doors were slided wide.

Tsaritsa looked radiant in her blue hanfu with her hair tied half witu braids

on each sides and stork hairpin that secure the braided bun behind her head.

Iridescent gems that matched her eyes hanged beautifully on her long blonde ears, while soft white scarf on her arms added more beauty to her presence.

Truly a contrast to her tired son on the

soaked and tainted bed who's only wearing his robe and let his short hair tangled by the restless heated nights.

".... Goodness me." the lady said after a long paused. "I think I came in a wrong timing."

"Nothing to worry, dear mother." Zhongli said calmly.

"I believe you wanted to discuss something urgent with your sudden visit."

"Why, yes. And I don't have much time as I'll continue my journey to our Luhua encampment before we depart to the Sumeru." Ajax awkwardly straightened his sitting, only to be be attacked by the cramps.

The Empress hissed silently as he hold the blanket that covered his lower body. He can tolerated any pain, but now he has to admit that everything that related to his private part will be a big no-no.

"T-that means we can't hold you for too long, mother." Ajax said softly.

"If only we had more time, I could accompany you for a hunting near His Majesty's favorite spot."

"That would be lovely, my son, but that means you have opened your husband's card for me." and laughters echoed through the Emperor's room, leaving Ajax smiled alone awkwardly.

"Your Majesties, The Crown Princess is here."

Tsaritsa's smile slowly dropped into a stoic face after Zhongli warmly let her daughter entered his room. Her iridescent irises observed the little fox from her head to toe that covered by the big blanket she hugged on her tiny body,

making her curled her lips in disapproval.

"Nice to meet you, Grand Empress Dowager."

Yunjin gracefully lowered her body to perform a Snezhnayan curtsy, making the stiff Ajax relaxed as he smiled proudly at her. "It's an honour to finally able to meet you."

Tsaritsa smiled and nodded her head. "What a beautiful curtsy. Did my son taught you that?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"... Wonderful." Yunjin bowed at her once before obeyed her father's gesture to joined her parents on Zhongli's bed. "But truly, our timing is not right."

"We'll make it up soon, mother."

"Yes, now." Tsaritsa softly cleared her throat while she sat at one of the wooden chairs. "I came here to express the councils and common people's concern regarding the successor of our new empire."

Zhongli fixed Yunjin's position on his lap

and tighten his hold on Ajax's waist by that topic. "What is it, mother?"

"I respect your decision to appointed the Princess as you--"

"Crown Princess." Ajax hold Zhongli's hand beneath their blanket. "Crown Princess, mother."

"Yes, Crown Princess to be." Tsaritsa nodded.

"She may be recognized as heir in the late Empress' nation, but in Snezhnaya and Liyue, she's merely a symbol of the past."

Zhongli's face slowly turned darker as his tail moved idly behind. If it's not for Ajax's squeezed on his fingers, he might have done things he'll regret.

"Eight years have passed and there's still no announcement of their Empress' pregnancy. People were worried whether you're safe and happy, that's why I came to visit you while doing His Majesty's will."

"I believe it's me to be blame for their concern, mother.

I was unable to manage my time well and left the Empress alone."

Ajax shyly curled a smile when he felt Zhongli's hand cupped his lower stomach and rubbed it in circle. "Although it's late, I'm going to always put his happiness as my priority and cherish him until my last day."

Ajax pinched Zhongli's waist as he act to be shy and smitten while the dragon jumped by surprised, making the little Princess covered her smile with her tiny hands.

"Your words trully calm my heart, Your Majesty. I shall pray for your happiness as well,

as I hope soon little princes and princess will fly and run in your Palace with their red fur and brown wings as the future of your realm."

The couple's face turned cold by her words. Yunjin could felt her parent's breathing had became heavy and long, signaling their disapproval

to the Empress Dowager's words.

She later hold her fater's hand and rubbed her fluffy ears to Zhongli's chest while looking at him deep as a plea for her father to ignore her step grandmother's intention.

"... That would be my joy, mother." Zhongli finally responded. "But,"

"But?"

"I'll let my Empress to decided when the right time will be." The dragon let his tail wrapped his family in a protective hold. "Until then, the Crown Princess will train to be our watcher for those hatchlings and kits. Right, sweetie?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Yunjin smiled happily as her father ruffled her long loose black hair and ears before looked at Tsaritsa who smiled bitterly with her father's anwer.

Her tail swung curiously as now her mother opened his voice while holding her hand.

"You'll be the first person to receive the good news, dear mother." Ajax nodded his head gracefully. "We are truly grateful to have you as our advisor."

"... Very well." Tsaritsa said as she stood. Her platinum blonde tail raised as she walked towards her son and

brushed his hair slowly.

"Please remember as the servants of the realm, you have to always put your people first before yourself. Thus, nothing but great songs will sung your stories and your name will be wrote in the good side of the history."

Both Zhongli and Ajax looked at the lady with stiffen face as she touched the sigil on Ajax's nape.

"Lastly, people will not remember their Empress through their winning on countless battles and wars. People will remember them through their children."

Tsaritsa said again as he covered the blood stain behind Ajax's tail with Yunjin's blanket. "I hope you won't forget your role, dear son. Your empire's waiting for their Prince. And Princesses."

Ajax hesitantly nodded his head. "I'll remember that."

"Well, I'll take my leave."

The Tsaritsa quickly walked to the door. "I've invaded your personal time for far too long. I'll report the situations as soon as possible, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, mother."

And just before Zhongli could approached his mother in law, she has departed with a closed door.

Leaving three of them in an awkward situation.

===

After that, Zhongli's rarely seen in his chamber.

Through Lumine's whispered, it's believed that the Emperor has been staying in his study and talked with countless of council members in hidden chambers in the Palace.

Whispers about Yunjin's claim to the throne grown weaker despite her investiture as The Crown Princess, making Ajax stayed up late due to his worries.

As the days had turned into weeks, he decided to visit his husband after tucked the little fox to bed, only to find

his pavillion empty and dark among the dimmed torchs' light below.

Although he's disappointed, the fox tried to understand his husband's situation and decided to continue his sewing on Yunjin's investiture robe, ignoring the cold night that greeted his pale skin.

"There," he said as he cutted the last strain by his teeth.

He then looked at the golden robe proudly as he imagining his daughter walked on the hall wearing his masterpiece. At least, one of his responsibility as the Liyuen Empress had completed.

Until a sudden nausea came.

"Urgh!" the fox quickly covered his mouth. He blinked his eyes in shocked as tears fall down from his cheek.

Weird, he thought.
He never felt like this.

"Umph!" Another wave came. He then moved to his desk and throw all of the flowers in it out before relieving himself.

His breathing had turned heavy as his tail and ears dropped low. His mouth taste horrible by his stomach acid, and his head turned dizzy.

As another wave came, he tried his best to remember anything he had eaten.

Sweet Madame, Octopus Soup, Jade Parcels, and Almond Tofu that

he made by Yunjin's request and nothing more.

Was it because he's been lack of sleep?

"Urgh!" The fox just thrown all of his dinner to the vase and leaned on the walls as he grown tired. His eyes have turned hazzy and his breathing became rigid.

Something's not right.

He needs Zhongli.

"Your Majesty?"

Ajax turned his head to Lumine's shadow at the closed door. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"Yes.. Yes, I'm al--" another batch of acid dropped to the vase and drained the Empress' energy, making her court lady rushed to him immediately.

"Ma'am, you've turned so pale." The blonde lady said worriedly. "Let me call the physician to make you feel well."

"No need for that, Lumine, I can--" and his last source of energy just gone. Making the fox hugged the half full vase as he leaned on the wall weakly.

His azure eyes opened idly to see Lumine panicking and clean him up while shouting something that he couldn't understand.

And just like that, his vision turned black. Leaving his court ladies do the rest while he gone.

===

Zhongli closed his door as he let out a heavy sigh.

His hardworks have turned well and tomorrow will be the proudest day of his life.

He then stood by his bed and let his eunuchs changed his clothes as he looked at the Dendrobium flower on Ei's favorite vase. His eyes soften as the autumn wind greeted his body softly.

"How's the Empress?"

Xiao, his personal guard turned his head to the Emperor. "He's been staying at his chamber, Your Majesty."

"Oh?" The dragon swung his tail. "He didn't made any visit to the Crown Princess' chamber?"

"No, Your Majesty. It's The Crown Princess who came."

"And he didn't spar at the basecamp?"

"No, Your Majesty."

Zhongli blinked his eyes in confusion. He then looked at his latest report on his desk.

(Month 11 day 29)

It's been almost three weeks since he last saw them in person.

Zhongli could felt his chest throbbing in pain as worry stung his chest. "Any whispers about The Empress?"

Silence.

No one dare to opened their voice and raised their head to their Emperor.

"Well?" Zhongli asked impatiently. "Is there any?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

All of the eyes turned to a wolf pup with brown robe and white hair. He then lowered his body and performed a kowtow. "There's a whisper from the Empress but everyone was scared to talked about it."

"And why is that?"

"Someone was drowning in the well and others were poisoned."

He said without any hesitation. "But if it's in Your Majesty's request, I'll gladly gave my life to you and His Imperial Majesty The Empress."

Zhongli quickly approached the boy and helped him get up, making all of the servants gasped. "What's your name, son?"

"This one has no name, Your Majesty."

The dragon looked at him with sympathy and hugged him, inviting louder gasps from the people that were present. "Whisper it to me and I swear on my ancestors soul that you're safe in my protection."

"... Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Now, say it, son." Zhongli tightened his hug. "What is this dangerous whisper?"

The pup whispered it to his Emperor's ear. "A new dragon shall come from the Luhua Pool to bless our soil along with a flaming fox from the north."

Zhongli slowly loosen his hug with puzzled face.

"What do you mean by that?"

"This one offers his congratulations to you and His Majesty." the boy softly smiled. "And please be cautious as the stork had build her nests at the purple fox's den."

The dragon slowly released him from his arms and walked out from his chamber

while the boy performed another kowtow. He then throwed his robe and pointed one of his eunuch that's waiting below. "You. Took off your uniform."

"Your Majesty?"

But Zhongli didn't care anymore. He then took him to his chamber and exchanged their robe before walked to

Ajax's pavillion alone with eerie expression on his face.

His palms had turned hot and sweaty, followed by his throbbing chest as he's not sure how to react to that whisper.

Should he be happy?
Or should he condemn himself?

The dragon curled his exposed tail to his leg

and hid his thorns with umbrella. Luckily, the heavens was in favour to him as light rain started to pour the stoney steps beneath him.

"Good evening," one of Ajax's eunuch greeted him.

Zhongli smiled at him and pulled out his crest from beneath his robe, making the eunuch

swallowed his smile and bow before lead him to the hall.

"His Ma--"

"Don't." Zhongli said as he hold the eunuch's arm. He then slided the doors by himself and quickly approached his wife, who's laid on his bed with piles of clothes filling the spacious wooden bed.

"My love," Zhongli whispered as the door closed. He then took off all of his disguise and kneeled beside his wife with hands tightly holding Ajax's hand. "Goodness me, you've turned cold. Are you okay?"

Ajax was silent.

His azure eyes looked at his husband with sadness as tears

pooled on his eyes.

"What is it? Tell me, my love."

"I was so stupid." Ajax hid his face on one of his pillow. "I shouldn't have agreed with you."

"... Oh, my love." Zhongli quickly hold Ajax's hands to his chest and bit his lips in heavier regret.

The kid was right.

"I should have just stay on my room." Ajax squeezed Zhongli's hands. "Because of me, you and Yunjin's in danger."

"Hush, now."

"I should have know it. I should have reject you, I'm so stupid." The fox curled in his sleep. "I'm sorry, Zhongli. I'm sorry.."

"It's my fault, my love, not yours." The dragon said as he caressed Ajax's wrist carefully. "It's fine. We'll find another way. Is there anyone else who knows about this?"

Ajax shook his head and let Zhongli took his pillow away. "For me.. It's just my girls and the physician."

"... Right."

"I heard Lumine has to dirtied her hands for me." Zhongli sat beside him and laid his head gently on his lap. "Yunjin.. Yunjin, she'll hate me."

"Absurd, she'll never do--"

"Madame Ping came here by herself and read her prophecy to me."

The fox glared at his husband as he raised from his sleep to sit. "The same seer that had predict your children with the late Empress' came to me by herself, saying that a dragon and a fox are now riding inside me. Does a girl ever ride?"

Zhongli immediately closed his lips.

He has to admitted his own foolishness. His first duty as a husband has just brought catastrophe for his wife and children.

No.

He shouldn't let his spirit broke just by this twist. They're the sovereigns snd true essence of their new empire.

He shall not let his Empress fall like this.

Quickly, the dragon hold both of his wife's hands.

"Lady Lumine,"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Bring The Crown Princess here." Zhongli glanced his eyes to the lady that just came in Ajax's room. "Quietly."

The lady bowed her head and take her leave, leaving her Empress with the Emperor.

Zhongli took a deep breath and guided Ajax to leaned on the wall as he instructed him to control his breathing, hoping it could help his wife rid all of his worries away.

The fox nodded his head,

he sat in silence with legs massaged by his husband as he slowly regained his composure.

"Have you feeling better?"

Ajax weakly shook his head and covered his mouth, making Zhongli immediately took an empty bowl on their night stand and let the young fox relieve himself.

"Listen to me, my love." Zhongli said his words firm. "I don't want you to blame everything that happened on yourself. It was mine, and I'm going to solve all of this problem I made."

Ajax weakly shook his head. "Zhongli, I'm the one who made this happened."

"It's me and I'm going to take responsibilities." Zhongli hold his hands tighter. "I'm sorry for leaving you and our children for far too long, but I promise you, this will bring you nothing but ease and joy."

The dragon gently put their hands on Ajax's glowing belly, showing

faint form of his sigil with golden light that shined through his fabrics.

"But to do that, I need you to be strong for our daughter and console me like you always did at my side. I can't have you in this state. I need my fierce and witty wife who has lit my empire's spirit

by his stories in battles. I need you to tackle these worries just like how you tackle the Khaenri'ah from the sea.

I need your wisdom just like how you help be stay strong when my Ei's gone. I need you to win this battle, because as I've done my bit without your presence,

I have to admit, I'm..." Zhongli buried his face on Ajax's left knee and leaned his entire body on it. "I'm lost."

The fox twitcher his ears as his husband shown his vulnerable side before his eyes. His heart was warmed by his honesty, yet his soul was wrecked by what he saw.

Gently, the Empress brought his husband's face towards him and wiped his tears away. His azure eyes dived deep into those golden eyes, exploring every depth of his soul while offering his smile as a respond to his husband's words.

"Don't leave us alone. Again."

"I won't."

"Swear it."

Zhongli let his wife kissed his eyelid. "Swear me that you won't be pushing me and our children away."

"I swear."

"Swear to me you'll never leave our sides."

"I swear."

"Swear to me that you won't hesitate tonshed blood on our enemies although they're our kins."

Zhongli opened his eyes and looked deep on his wife's eyes. "Swear to me."

"... I swear."

Ajax sealed his vows with a kiss on his lips. It's not a loving kiss like they used to share. It's filled with fear and uncertainty, making the dragon leaned closer to hold him dear.

As they've parted their lips, Ajax left another kiss on Zhongli's neck and rounded his tail on the dragon's, joining their source of balance into a knot.

"I love you," the dragon whispered breathlessly. "Remember that."

"... Yes." Ajax rubbed his forehead on Zhongli's shoulder.

"Me too, my lord."

Zhongli returned his hand to caressed his wife glowing belly and smiled against Ajax's kisses. "Heavens have spoiled me with four happinesses in a row."

"Four?"

"Yes." Zhongli kissed his wife's ears lovingly. "Tomorrow's event, Yunjin, our sons, and you."

"I almost kill myself, you know." Ajax hid his face on his husband's neck while his tail wagged enthusiastically, inviting soft chuckles from his husband's lips. "I can't dare to imagine how they'll use our son to rolled you and our Yunjin out once I popped them out."

"You truly have a sense in word."

"And you have too many senses in making me mad." Zhongli hold his embarrassed laugh on his wife's shoulder as he hugged him again. "Do that again and I'll kill you after I've passed these vomiting routine."

"Yes, my love."

And Ajax happily nuzzled on Zhongli's neck. Both of his arms were rounded around Zhongli's back with legs widen as Zhongli's kneeled on both knees to hugged him tight. "As a punishment, you have to deal with all of my cravings and do whatever I say. And by you, I mean you alone."

"As you wish."

"Ehe," the fox cutely rubbed his nose on his husband's neck while Zhongli laugh and squeezed him in his hold. "Lastly, I want all of us to sleep together until the heat has gone."

"... Darling," Zhongli broke his hug. "It's against our tradition."

"We've been parted and it made us fall. I won't do the same mistake anymore." Those big foxy ears of him hanged on his head as he looked at his husband's with his round doe eyes. "Please? For your sons' sake?"

Can't resist the wife's plea, Zhongli surrendered with a deep sigh.

"Your will be done--"

"Mama!"

Both of them quickly fixed their position and greeted their daughter with a wide smile. "My love!" Ajax opened his arms widely to the bouncing glee little kit, only to be covered by his husband's arm.

"Yunjin, we have something to tell you."

The cheerful kit quickly behave.
She slowly sat herself across their parents on Ajax's unfinished nest. "Yes, Papa."

"... Well," Zhongli cleared his throat. "Have you listened anything about Mama?"

"Mm... No?"

"Good. We're sorry to summon you in your bed time,

but we have something to tell you."

The kit flenched her tail as she looked at her parents worriedly. "Is Mama okay?"

"I'm okay, my love."

"It's nothing to worry about. I want you to know that this news won't change your claim as our heir tomorrow yet you're not allowed to

share this to anyone. Is that understood?"

The little princess nodded her head.

"Good. Now, as for the news." Zhongli hold his wife's hand tightly. "Your duty as our watcher has begin."

Silence.

Ajax glanced at his husband with annoyance and pinched his knuckles lightly.

"What is it hard for you to just said it bluntly?"

"Didn't I just did it?"

"Did you really think she will understood what you meant by that? Make an easier riddle--"

Their arguments were interrupted by Yunjin's squeak across them. The princess crawled to her mother and

touched his glowing belly happily before hugged it carefully. Making her parents laughed by her reaction. "Mama! Mama, thank you!"

"No, love, thank you--"

Yunjin quickly kissed his parents cheeks. "This is the best thing ever! I'm going to have my own minions!"

"Yes--what?"

The couple looked at the grinning daughter with confusion with her sudden change. Her purple hair was floating with glowing eyes and swinging tail, as she looked at the window with pure boost for revenge.

"Listen to me, siblings!" she whispered against Ajax's belly.

"Either you are dragons or foxes or in between, Granny will bully you as she did to me. So from now on, you have to obey me to survive all of her mean words and get free vegetables for free!"

Both Zhongli and Ajax looked at her daughter in pure horrified look when she laughed.

It wasn't an adorable laugh they used to hear.

It's haunting like a witch.

"Which side of family did she got this from?" Ajax hesitantly pat Yunjin's head as the princess resume her speech to his belly. They're poise and tender princess has turned completely into a wild horse,

as she now launched her eerie laugh and plans with her brothers inside Ajax's womb.

"I'm not sure Ei have this inside her family." Zhongli awkwardly laughed. "I thought you've influenced her in such way."

Ajax's tail puffed immediately. His stiffen face has turned into sadness

and regret, making Zhongli let out another sigh as he round his arm around Ajax's waist. "She's your daughter, for sure."

And both of them just listen to the Princess' blunt words,

as she described her annoyance on Tsaritsa's behaviour towards her. None of them were prepared to her sudden change of characters, making none of them could react more than questioning themselves.

But as the time goes, they've reached common ground.

Tsaritsa's must out.

===
Faint sound of wind chime heard from the shrine, as the cold winter morning wind has blown from the north.

The previously dull State Pavilion now has become radiant by the vibrant colours of silks and flowers, along with the joined emblems of Liyue and Snezhnaya on the wall.

Tsaritsa stood by the balcony above and stared at the empty throne that covered in Cor Lapis and Moonley Gems below. Her iridescent eyes glowed with greed though her face remained stoic.

Her pale fingers slowly gripped at the wooden bar in front of her, flexing her rings and

long nude nails while she's enjoying the crowd's whisperes around her.

This plan will work,
she thought as she leaned on the bar.

And so, a man with long coat appeared behind her.

"Everything's ready, mother."

She didn't respond. "How's Ajax?"

"He's been quite."

"Hm," the Empress Dowager nodded her head. She then turned her body to her son and took a deep inhale. "I really hope this year will be the last of my waiting."

"It shall be. I miss my lab." Zandik shrugged his shoulder and look at the crowds. "Such shame you couldn't

fond with the girl. She's quite adorable."

"Don't distract yourself, Zandik."

"I'm just saying," the blue haired man fidgeted his toes. "I mean, you still can use her to be betroth. With the Sumeru's King, maybe, while we're waiting for Ajax's son?"

"They're playing safe."

"You just haven't try it yet." Zandik said as he glanced at his archers on the roof. "With that, I still can explore the Khaenri'ah's ruins and junks there for free while you got their brains for our mining projects."

Tsaritsa rolled her eyes before took

another Fire-Water from her cup. "I've been hearing that he is now with child. If yes, we can't do it while he's on the throne."

"It's a false whisper."

"Every whispers has possibilities. And now, it's possible that he's now expecting." the blonde fox took a deep inhale.

"Just.. Told your people to be careful. I don't want him injured."

"Understood--"

"Make way for Their Imperial Majesties!"

The buzzing whispers from the below immediately turned into silence as the thunderous announcement from the outside has finished.

All of the eyes were

looking at the opened grand door as they rose from their seats and pave ways for the sovereigns and their Princess, before they bowed their heads for them.

Tsaritsa and Zandik hold their head high as their eyes observed the Emperor and Empress walked side by side.

The Empress Dowager parted her lips as she saw Ajax's entered the room with chiffon white hanfu and golden phoenix emblem on his chest, shoulders, and back.

A red earing hanged beautifully on left foxy ear while his short hair was left loose, letting the strains danced freely.

Radiating his tenderness to completed Zhongli's sturdy form in his red robe and innocence from Yunjin's golden silk dress.

"He wore your colour," Zandik whispered, making the Tsaritsa's gripped the bar harder. "Does this mean.."

Tsaritsa bit her lower lips.

Her gaze followed the couple's movement to the throne and watched them with hatred as Zhongli sat there with her son and Yunjin's stood in front of them.

Her ears sharpen to list every names that pledged their loyalty for the purple kit, only to found that her allies have

switched their side.

Tsaritsa curled up a smile as she glanced at the Empress and found him looking at her with cold stare. His azure eyes were darkened and his ears lowered as he gave the Empress Dowager a nod, before straightened his seat beside the Emperor.

Tsaritsa curved her lips in annoyance.

"He betrayed me." Tsaritsa whispered lowly. She then walked away from the bar hold her face high, looking at the standing Emperor that was naming his daughter his heir with disgust.

His words were delivered firmly and final,

as if he's stating that there's no other gap left for her to take.

It's done, Zhongli thought as he gazed at the blonde lady above him.

Only to found empty seats among the crowded at the grand balcony.

Zhongli looked at his daughter proudly as she nodded her head to

her sovereigns and returned her face to the crowd, making her backing him with clear winter sky showering her with the sunlight.

The dragon curved his lips as he chuckled softly.

It's no longer Ei that he has seen on her.
It's herself with Ajax on her side.

===

Tsaritsa has left.

Ajax looked at his mother's pavilion with worry on his face while Zhongli stood beside him. "It'll be better if we could seize them in here. Now that they're gone, I'm not sure what to feel."

"You're right, my love, it makes me worry too."

Zhongli said as he walked away. His steps were slow and steady with both hands behind his back. "I'll make sure they'll never able touched us here. From now on, you can focused with yourself."

"But working from my room is making me sluggish. And Madame Ping was harsh to me,

I can't even spar anymore."

The dragon swung his tail happily as his wife's now pouted his lips. He then looked at his surrounding and gently wrapped his fox's waist with his right arm, making the fox pushed him away.

"Zhongli, we're outside." the fox whispered quitely.

"You said Madame Ping was harsh to you, I'm simply wanted to help you walk."

"I meant she told me too many things already! Don't do this, don't do that. My sons are strong!" Ajax said his rants as he hold his belly with both hands. "And Yunjin. She kept talking to the boys

like she's going to conquere the world with them."

"Was she?" Zhongli let out a soft chuckle. He then let the fox entered their room first before closed the door and approached his sleeping daughter inside Ajax's nest. "She's merely channeling your manifestation in her."

"Husband." Ajax pouted his lips again. "Stop it."

And silence.

Their laughters have turned into a faint sound of burning candles, as the first snow had starting to fall outside. Covering the pitch black night sky with thousands of snowflakes.

Ajax slowly put himself between his husband and daughter with tail curled between his legs, making room for the dragon to hold him closer behind.

"... Zhongli." he whispered as he brushed Yunjin's fridge. "I'm scared."

The dragon didn't say anything and just caressed

the young fox's glowing belly tenderly. Feeling every energy that his sons had gave to them.

"Let's pray for the gods for our safety, my love." Zhongli said as he kissed the glowing sigil on Ajax's nape. "And the peaceful of our people."

The oranged fox nodded his head and followed his husband to the shrine. He then lit a incense and whispered all of his wishes for the peaceful days for his people and family wholeheartedly, as fear has crawling in his heart and weighted his chest down to the earth.

Ajax carefully hold his glowing stomach when Tsaritsa's face projected on his mind. Her eyes were cold with grudge dimmed the lights, as if she's now staring at his soul from a far.

He instantly took a sharp inhale.

His heart was throbbing with fear as his blood rushed

inside his veins. Making his head spinning as whisperes starting to haunt him in silence.

The fox shook his head.

Heavens will guard him and his family.

All he has to do is pray.

Part II's here:

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