Children were playing in the playground behind the orphanage, loud chatting, and playful screaming. Two boys were in a corner, having some kind of role-play.
'Prince Zhongli! Will you marry me?' A child with ginger hair asked, one knee on the ground,
'Oh, yes I will, my beloved Ajax!' The other child who was a brunette exclaimed,
'Haha... Silly children! Boys can't marry boys!' One of the workers laughed,
'But...' The ginger muttered,
'You two are supposed to find beautiful girls to marry, and have a child, and be happy together!' The worker said,
'We're already happy together, miss!' The brunette whined,
'Don't worry, once you two grow up, you'll understand!' The worker smiles, 'Come along now children! Some parents want to see you~'
All the children went into the orphanage, as ordered. The lovey-dovey couple walked in and looked at all the children with awe.
'Oh my goodness! You all are so adorable! It's a shame we'll be choosing only one...' The woman said,
'Hmm... How about that one?' The man smiled, pointing at the ginger,
'Oh! Good choice, that's Ajax Tartaglia.' The worker explained,
'Then it is settled, we'll adopt Ajax!' The man smiles,
'Amazing! Now Ajax, go pack up your things and say goodbye to your friends while your new mommy and daddy go sign some paperwork, alright?' The worker tells the child,
'U-Uhm... Okay...' Ajax said, worriedly looking at his best friend who was looking back at him,
'Come on Ajax... I can help...' The best friend said, looking sad,
'But Zhongli...' Ajax looks down on the floor,
A few minutes later, the boy was done packing up his things. He gives his friend, Zhongli one last hug.
'I promise you, Zhongli. I'll come back, and we'll marry each other, and live our happily ever after, just like we dreamed of.' Ajax swore,
'Are you sure...?' Zhongli muttered softly,
'I'm very sure! I'll come back and save you, my prince.' Ajax smiles,
'Goodbye... Ajax, my beloved saviour.' Zhongli said, not wanting to let go of the hug.
__________________________
That was 12 years ago... Time passes by quickly, doesn't it...
Ajax, who is now 18, thinks to himself. They were so young back then... If Ajax remembers correctly, his "beloved prince" should be 20 by now...
'Sir, you've arrived at your destination.' The driver said,
'Thanks, I'll be back.' Ajax said as he gets off the car.
He looks at the building. This was the old orphanage alright. He walks into the building and was met by a receptionist.
'Hello, by any chance do you know a person named-' Ajax was about to finish his sentence but made eye contact with a certain someone.
'...Ajax?' A worker who passed by said,
'..Zhongli...?' Ajax replied,
With that, they both fall into each others' embrace.
'Ajax! You kept your promise...' Zhongli said, with tears in his eyes,
'Of course, I always keep my promises, Zhongli.' Ajax smiles,
The two looked at each other in the eyes, as they both lean in...
'Uhm... Sorry to interrupt, but this is an orphanage...' The receptionist said,
'Oh, aha... sorry Guizhong...' Zhongli apologizes,
'Oh, there's no need, you can take the day off, I'll tell the boss.' She smiles,
'Guizhong...? Is she a friend of yours?' Ajax asks,
'Well, yes! She was one of the orphans who ended up working here... Guizhong, meet Ajax.' Zhongli introduces the girl to the ginger,
'Oh! Nice to meet you Ajax!' Guizhong happily shakes the ginger's hand,
'Nice to meet you too.' Ajax smiles back, as he shakes her hand,
'Well, you guys can get going. I'll take care of the kiddos from here.' Guizhong waves,
'Alright, thank you Guizhong.' Zhongli waves back,
____________
'So... What do you want to do?' Ajax smiles,
'I was thinking maybe we could get something to eat first?' Zhongli suggests,
'Of course, anything for you, "my beloved".' Ajax jokes,
'Oh, you...' Zhongli laughs,
The two had a fun day together as they spent time together after 12 years, before they knew it, it was nighttime. Zhongli had one last destination he wanted to bring Ajax to. They headed to the rooftop of the orphanage.
'Wow... It's... a beautiful view from here...' Ajax smiles,
'I know, I come here whenever I want to destress.' Zhongli said,
'Well... Maybe it's a good time to...well...' Ajax said as he slowly puts his hands on Zhongli's small waist,
'Maybe it is...' Zhongli looks into the ginger's eyes, smiling, as they share a kiss under the stars.
After 12 years, they finally got the ending they wanted... The two sat down and gazed at the starry sky.
'Okay, it's getting pretty late, I'm going to have to go home, see you tomorrow?' Ajax says as he stands up, Zhongli notices something inside the ginger's pocket.
'Wait for a second...' Zhongli said, and he reaches into Ajax's pocket,
'Wait! Don't-' Ajax exclaimed, but it was too late, as Zhongli pulled a Glock out of the ginger's pocket.
Zhongli was speechless as he looks at the gun in his hand, Ajax looks down at the floor, in shame.
'Ajax... What...' Zhongli said,
'I... didn't want to tell you this... but remember the parents that adopted me way back then? Well... My father is part of the Mafia...' Ajax scratches the back of his head,
Zhongli looked at the taller one in the eyes, not saying anything.
'Listen, if you want to leave me-'
'...Why would I leave you?' Zhongli said as he hugs Ajax, 'I'll love you for whoever you are... because I know who's the real you.'
Ajax hugs Zhongli back dearly. He didn't want to let go.
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It was the next morning, this time the boss came to see Zhongli.
'Hello, Zhongli. I heard you found your significant other?' The boss asked,
'Yes, why do you ask?' Zhongli replied,
'Well, I would be happy to let you take today off too. After all, you are a hard worker. Though, I would be very happy to meet this lover of yours...' She said,
'Oh! I'd be happy to introduce him to you!' Zhongli smiles,
'Wait..."Him"...?' The boss said,
'Yes... Is there something wrong?'
'No, there's nothing wrong... It's just a shame, you would be much better suited with a beautiful lady...' She muttered,
Zhongli stayed silent as he grips the side of his arm...
'Well, thank you for letting me take the day off, I'll be going now...' Zhongli walks away,
'Zhongli! Over here~' Ajax waves, seems like he's been waiting for him outside, Zhongli smiles as he walks over to his lover. 'So... Where would you like to go today?' Ajax winks,
'There is one spot in the park I'd like to visit... You could accompany me.' Zhongli said,
'Sure! Let's go~' Ajax seems to be in a really happy mood today...
___________
As the two reached the park, people turned their eyes on them. Was it because they were holding hands...?
Some people were looking at the couple with disgust. Zhongli looks down on the floor. Ajax turned his attention to Zhongli.
'...Hey. Ignore them, let's do what you want to do.' Ajax tries to cheer up Zhongli. The brunette looks at the taller one and nods with a small smile.
The two arrived at a bridge, there were couples there putting up love locks. Ajax immediately understood exactly what Zhongli wanted to do.
'Aww you're so sweet honey~' Ajax smiles, Zhongli smiles back. The two walked over to the stall owner...
'Hello! How may I help you? Would you like to buy a love lock?' The stall owner smiled, 'Wait... You two are...'
'Well... Yes...' Zhongli muttered,
'Oh. I see.' The stall owner immediately changed attitudes, 'Pick the love lock you like and I'll be handing you a key, then you can lock it on the bridge.' She said with a cold attitude,
Attempting to ignore the people who were looking at them like they were pieces of trash that escaped from the trash can, the two lovebirds hung their love lock. They were happy, but also sad at the same time. In the end, they just decided to go to the bridge that stood over the sea.
'So... I guess society doesn't like us...' Zhongli looks at the sea, disappointed,
'I guess so, but...' Ajax said,
'But...?'
'But that won't stop me from loving you.' Ajax smiled, 'If anything, it would be death doing us apart.'
'I love you Ajax.' Zhongli smiled,
'I love you too, Zhongli, you are my beloved prince, and I'll do anything to protect you.' Ajax said, as he pulls the brunette into a kiss.
Suddenly a car stopped by.
'Son! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!' A man got out of the car,
'Father?! What are you doing here?!' Ajax exclaimed,
'I can't believe MY SON, is kissing A BOY?! WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?!' Ajax's father said,
'Father, Zhongli is my beloved, we love each other!' Ajax tries to fight back,
'LOVE DOESN'T MATTER IN THIS SOCIETY, LET ALONE HOMOSEXUALS. ONLY POWER DOES. AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO BE.'
'Ajax...' Zhongli muttered out,
'Don't worry, stay behind me Zhongli-'
'NO. I'M GOING TO TEACH YOU A LESSON. MEN, GRAB MY SON.' Ajax's father ordered his henchmen, and then grabs Zhongli, 'Zhongli was it? You seem like a really good husband for a WOMAN. It's a shame you're wasting it on men...'
'STAY AWAY FROM ZHONGLI!' Ajax said, while struggling to get out of the henchmen's grasp,
'COULD YOU SHUT UP?! WHEN DID I EVER TELL YOU TO TALK TO ME LIKE THIS?!' Angry, the man pulled out a gun and pointed it straight at Zhongli's head.
'NO! PLEASE!' Ajax exclaimed,
'THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD SON. NOW, HOW ABOUT YOU ZHONGLI? HAVE ANY LAST WORDS FOR YOUR "BELOVED" AJAX?' Ajax's father said, as he was about to pull the trigger,
Zhongli remained silent for a second, before he spoke.
'Ajax..' Zhongli said,
'Thanks...'
Ajax's eyes widen.
'...For loving me.'
Ajax's father pulls the trigger, Zhongli got shot right through the head, as Ajax's father throws his corpse into the ocean.
Ajax had a breakdown right then and there. As he falls onto his knees. His childhood friend was gone, just when they got together... Society is truly a cruel place.
The End.