Neuvillette's POV
After some more urging, I got a few more things out of Ajax.
Still, it wasn't much.
Other than the first two, he merely wished for his family not to be involved with the dealings of the Fatui, same as till now, and for Zhongli's people to be added to the 'not to be involved with' list as well.
In case of emergency, however, both sides are free to move as long as the intent is simply to protect.
This I could do. Neither Snow nor Zhongli had any reason to disagree with this.
As for his fourth and final request...
Now this one was a bit more troubling.
Well... It's not really the request itself, but Zhongli and Snow's incredibly protective nature.
Ajax's fourth request was a two-week vacation every year with just his siblings and parents without the need to report his location and activities to anyone and or get involved with any members of the two organizations under Snow and Zhongli.
Ugh...
"And you expect me to convince those two stubborn people that this is a good idea?"
Even I'm not sure if it is a good idea.
After all, his identity as a harbinger attracts a lot of negative attention.
"It's a safety risk for both you and your family." I pointed out bluntly.
"There aren't many who would dare go after my family and I am more than capable of protecting them and myself."
That is also a fair point. Still, while I might be able to convince Snow, Zhongli's overprotectiveness is another thing.
"I'll try to convince your boss, you have a go at your boyfriend." I offered.
I will not have that conversation with Zhongli even if you beat me to death.
He can deal with that overprotective, guilt-tripping guy himself.
"Deal!" Ajax grinned.
Sigh...
He is far too naive.
If anything, Zhonlgi is gonna charm him into letting him tag along on this little private vacation.
Well, that is that. Was there anything else I wanted to-
Ah. Right.
"Ajax, would you do me a favor?"
"Hmm? You of all people need a favor? And from me? It's not something like taking over Alhaitham's job as your bodyguard for an event, right? You know I'm not suited for stuff like that."
"It is not. On the contrary, it is something you will likely enjoy." I assured him.
Something he will most definitely enjoy, actually.
A look of interest flashed in his eyes.
"Come on then. Spit it out. Now I'm curious." He grinned.
Sigh...
Perhaps I should ask someone else instead.
He looks like an excited puppy ready to pounce.
"There is a small bar a few streets down. The one where you usually go to pick fights."
"I don't pick-"
"Don't even try to finish that sentence." I cut him off.
Instantly he shut his mouth and turned away with a huff.
"You know the guy you only refer to as 'that annoying bastard'?"
"The one you keep telling me I shouldn't beat up?" He asked annoyedly.
"Right. That one. I want you to go, pretend to get drunk, and pick a fight with the guy. You may beat him up if you wish." I said finally.
He turned back to me, looking utterly confused.
"Really?"
"Really." I nodded.
"What are you scheming?" Ajax narrowed his eyes at me.
"Nothing whatsoever. I just thought it would be good for you to let off some steam. If you just so happen to reveal the tattoo that identifies him as someone from Beret, that would just be a wonderful coincidence."
He just blinked a few times, still confused, till eventually, a smirk made its way onto his face.
"Anything else my drunken self might just coincidentally do?"
"Well, it would be oh so wonderful if your opponent happened to punch the man usually sitting at the corner of the bar around this time. Tall, dark brown hair, glasses, usually drinks scotch."
Fortunately, that description was enough for him to identify the person I was talking about.
"The police guy?"
"Special investigations, to be precise. Organized crime division." I corrected him.
Wriothesley's colleague.
I finally managed to figure out what his job was exactly. Quite the risky thing Wriothesley has gotten himself into.
"Do I want to know why I'm doing this?"
"No, you don't." I told him honestly.
It would be much better if he didn't.
Luckily, he didn't push for an explanation and instead just threw his jacket over his shoulder.
"I'll be off to my drunken stupor because of the lack of an engagement ring on my finger then. Be sure to send Zhongli over in a timely manner okay, brother-in-law? Oh, and make sure to tell him that I'm just acting or he might just start overthinking things." He grinned.
Before he could slip out of the room, I quickly stopped him.
"Ajax."
"Yes?"
As he turned back I saw something that made me chuckle.
"First of all, I will try to get you your family vacation. Secondly, please wait at least an hour before picking that fight so Zhongli can pull you out before you get arrested as well. Thirdly... Please stop taking candy from my drawer, I keep it here for the children."
When did he even have the time to grab a handful of candy without me noticing?
Should I point out that stuffing it into his pocket does not erase the evidence?
He looked a bit awkward for a few seconds before his face lit up with mischief.
"Did you call me a child just now, brother-in-law? That means I can snatch your candy as I wish, no?"
And with that, he slipped away.
...
I guess this is indeed on me.
Now, one troublesome person leaves and...
"You should come out now." I called out.
There was a moment of silence before the shelf in the corner moved slightly.
Seconds later, Zhongli walked out, avoiding my eyes.
"Perhaps I haven't informed you, but I do have quite a few cameras and censors along that little secret route."
He let out an awkward couch as he sat down where Ajax had just been sitting moments prior.
"Yes... I was not informed of that." He muttered.
...
Brother figure or not, I couldn't help but glare at him.
"Had you shown up just seconds prior, early enough to hear the contents of my conversation with Ajax, I would have dragged you over and tossed you out of my office right in front of your fiance-to-be." I frowned at him.
No matter what relationship the two have, if I planned to speak with Ajax in private, I would not tolerate his presence during said conversation.
He got lucky showing up right after we were done.
"Well, I still hear you scheming against the Beret Society."
"I am not scheming against anyone. I simply thought Ajax could use a break. If something just so happens to go in a way that is favorable to me, that would certainly be a nice little plus point." I waved off his accusations.
"Why do you want to get that useless drunk captured anyway? I doubt Dougier would trust him with enough information to be of help with an investigation." Zhongli continued on the topic anyway.
And he was right.
That drunkard didn't know enough to be of help.
But...
"He knows the name 'Dougier'. That will be enough."
"Oh? Are you thinking of protecting that guy, Wriothesley, was it, by giving him more information to work with?"
"I am doing no such thing." I denied.
But...
It appears Zhongli too knew of Wriothesley's team being after the Beret Society.
This is troubling.
If he and Snow are aware, then surely Dougier is as well.
I don't like it.
I really don't like it.
I-
"Neuvillette." Zhongli called out to me suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I lifted my head I did know I had lowered to look at him.
"Yes?"
"You are doing it again."
"Doing what again?"
"The tapping. You have a habit of tapping the top of your index finger with your middle one. when you are thinking of screwing over someone you dislike." He chuckled.
The small taps I was still making stopped as soon as I heard his words.
Ah...
He is right about that little habit.
Unfortunatelly.
Still, Zhongli is right about another thing too...
I would not mind if Dougier ceased to be such a thorn in my side.
"The Beret Society has been a bit too wild for a bit too long." I said flatly.
"Had it been as simple as removing them, I would have done it for you long ago." Zhongli sighed.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"For me? Ah, if you are simply doing it for me, I'm sure Pantalone would be quite happy taking all of their assets."
"Now, now, Neuvillette. Don't be so hasty-"
"Hypocrite." I spat out.
"Ouch, but fair enough." He shrugged his shoulders.
To think he admits it so easily.
"You were much nicer when you were younger, Zhongli."
"And you were much cuter and less scheming, Neuvillette." He retorted.
There was a moment of silence before we both burst out laughing.
"Come. Let us finish what we are here for so you can go rescue your boyfriend." I chuckled.
"And you can go back to ensuring your crush's safety." Zhongli teased.
The only reason he did not get whacked in the head similarly to Ajax for the teasing, was that he had been smart enough to pull the chair he was sitting on just out of my reach at the start of our conversation.