A heart in need | Scaramouche x Reader

Acceptance and change

A/N: Smut/Nsfw warning when the dream begins.

The screams kept you up at night. Raw, hoarse screaming from the Balladeer. During his sleep he thrashed around wildly, and only calmed down when you'd embrace him.

You began to lose track of time, but eventually, Scaramouche shot up from his bed, drenched in sweat as you were cooking up a meal for yourself. He sat there silently. Eyes were staring right at you.
"Milor-"

"[Y/N]." Scaramouche's voice was strained. His expression was wild, contorted in uncomfortable rage.
"Why did you help me?" The words came out as a hiss. The Balladeer was clutching his chest, as if the Gnosis was trying to burst out. Perhaps it was, you couldn't tell.

You'd been feeling quite neutral before, happy, even, when Scaramouche woke up. Yet, upon the man's anger all your feelings disappeared. This was always how you felt when he got mad at you, you realised. There wasn't any anger to counter his, not even sadness. Just nothing.

"Why did you listen to me when I said I wanted this.. This.." His voice gave way, becoming only a hoarse rasp from the lack of use and hydration. It was easy to guess what this was about.

Looking at the man in front of you, it was clear he was waiting for you to hand him some water. His angry outburst hadn't had any effect on you. Yet, the expectant look he gave you was something that made you sick. Utterly sick.

You grabbed your own cup of water, and stood in front of Scaramouche. Though, rather than giving it to him, you crouched down, leveling with him.

"Milord has been out for so long. I have done nothing but be here and make sure you are okay. I went along with the plan because you-" You began talking quietly, yet spat out the last word as if it was poison.

Scaramouche looked surprised. His anger apparently forgotten about as he stared at you with wide open eyes, not used to this reaction.

"- wanted me to. I acknowledge Milord has done so for me when I was out. Yet, what about betore? Not once have I been thanked for anything I have done for you."

You weren't sure about where this sudden outburst came from. Perhaps the lack of sunlight you'd gotten; you were too scared to leave the cave for long. Not when Scaramouche had been.. defenseless.

You watched as his face contorted in something you couldn't recognise. You handed over the water, which he chugged down immediately.

A rumbling came from within Scaramouche. It took you a while to realise he was laughing.

"[Y/N]..." The way he spoke out your name, his voice was so raspy, though you could tell how endearing he sounded.

"I'm sorry. The dream shook me up. Thank you." You frowned. This wasn't like your Boss. It was exactly what you needed, but not in a million years did you think he actually would.

"..How does Milord feel?" You murmured, noticing Scaramouche had stopped clutching his chest. His hands now lay relaxed on his lap, holding onto the cup.

He looked at you, scanning your face. His eyes lingered around your lips for a while, before making eye contact with you.
"Good, especially when my cute pup finally bit me back." His voice was sincere.

Cute?

Cute?
Pup?

You snatched the empty cup from his hands. The water was close, and away from the Harbinger. He wasn't able to see your face as you went to refill it. You didn't think he noticed anything off, though. He glanced over it as he began to chatter on.