#nobile

[COMMISSION’s OPEN! - NOW ON VGEN TOO!]

Context: inspired by “Last night on Earth” and the last event of Nod Krai where Wislawa revealed old weapons of the fatui are sold or used by recruits, even the ones of important people.

Warning: mentions of death (no one loses their life) and weaponry. angst? Please tell me if I forget anything.

Ps. I haven't written fanfiction for a while. Please be patient with me 😭. Also not my first language.

You had come to know him, years of traveling did that to partners turned lovers.

Ajax preferred to keep things implied, always making a weapon out of dramatics and social expectations; an avid charmer when needed and good at “persuasion” when that wasn't enough. But he had a sincere heart, even at the edges of his attempts at politeness his stance shone through small twitches of his smile. Because of that boisterous and sharp cut ways were his preference, he could proclaim his perceptions and values quite boldly if he didn't need to gain favor (being backed by his abilities to defend himself).

Being around him was easy in that sense, over the years even a lie or omission of his could be a very direct message. He trusted you to unravel it, a shared language and a testament of your bond; if he didn't know how long his mission would be he'd give you something to keep him around, maybe a scarf or a hairpin a merchant suggested, alongside the proclamation of wanting to know how much you'd both change the next time you cross paths; Whenever he was upset he kept an arrogant smirk on his face that unknowingly showed clenched teeth. It was enough for you to feel his restless boot against your own under the table to know he wasn't in a good mood; If he were to upset you he'd linger, sometimes in silence and others with tea, but always wanting to get over the conflict. He wasn't one to want to go to bed upset, even if that meant listening, sparring, or maybe just saying that he was “polishing his weapons, not lingering nearby”.

With him being so confident it was eerie, that night.

He had looked normal, his smile and relaxed eyebrows glancing at the landscape after a long commission in the mountains. He was staring at the stars, and his voice displayed the same peacefulness the summer breeze carried. “Comrade” a word he called whenever a pet name wasn't enough, reflecting something deeper in your history; an ally, a friend, his lover, his most trusted person. “Have I ever mentioned this one fatui tradition? You see, for our cause is bigger than us we are ready to give everything of ourselves, even… well, our lives.” he knew it wasn't pretty to say “The rest of ourselves is truly none the different. Our ranks, our names, even our weapons are passed or sold if it helps the future of the Fatui” he didn't seem to be sharing a burden, rather familiar with the fact “The Tsaritsa has earned my respect, as you are well aware of, in that regard I am willing to follow her desire for our nation” he didn't pause, but his eyes still visited the stars “Back when I asked you to be my witness on my fight with that enormous beast I was ready for the chance of my fall, underestimating any enemy is a fatal choice. But if I'm honest…” His eyes finally fell into your own, his smile looked like one of a gone man for a second. Even if he wasn't, wouldn't be. He merely was someone who wasn't scared to dip his heels in the darkest of concepts. “I am not sure I want that. I do not want my weapons to be collected and sold. My master showed pride, conquest and connection to her weaponry, it's only natural I feel the same” his hand slowly moved to rest his fingers over your own “so, I have to ask an important promise of you, my comrade. If I ever were to face the greatest of challenges in life, the one no warrior returns from… promise me you'll honor the weapon I've wielded all these years.” Even if he faced you it was clear memories played at his heart “the one you've cared for whenever I overused my delusion, the one that had your back through all of this, the one that has my truest will at its core”

No answer was easy to give at such a moment, for a second one could only wish life was made of the kindest scenes. The dinners full of laughter, the endless talks when climbing, even his annoying insistence on waking up slightly earlier to face your annoyance first thing in the morning. Carrying his hand to your heart, the only mumble that could take place was “I promise” because chances, wishes, the bestest of intentions didn't matter, they could end in tragedy nonetheless. You didn't notice his shoulders had stiffened at some point, only seen them fall after your words, this was clearly important to him.

His fingers moved from your hand only to caress your jaw quickly, a small comfort and familiar words “Now, don't go getting sad on me, comrade. I am not falling in any foreseeable future, remember, you still owe me one final fight” it felt both a blessing and a question, the way he remained untouched by time despite every adventure you went on. Even if it felt bittersweet to smile back, as an adventurer you knew tenderness took many shapes in this world. He sealed the moment with a kiss on your cheek, his arrogant smirk gaining presence once more.