BUTTERFLIES, but not the good kind || Scaramouche x f!Reader

Indigo

IV

(Y/N) remained still in the middle of the room, listening tensely for the person outside to move, until an abrupt knock on the window behind her broke the silence.

She spun back, startled, to see Aether peering through it. He waved for (Y/N) to hurry to him from the roof of the neighboring building, looking anxious, almost distraught.

She hastened to it and had almost grasped the handle, when the door was suddenly blasted open, sending pieces of wood flying everywhere.

Instinctively she summoned her weapon, but when she recognized the person standing in the doorway through the explosion dust, her blood ran cold, and the butterflies began to flutter once again.

"Long time no see, (Y/N)." His dreadful indigo eyes appeared to be glowing, and his voice sent shivers down her spine.

Aether now attempted to shatter the window with the back of his sword, but it would not crack.

"(Y/N)! (Y/N)! Get out!" He shouted, hammering furiously on the glass. His words, however, did not reach the girl because, upon recognizing the Balladeer, she had already given up the fight.

The Harbinger shortly glared at the window and scoffed. "You know, there was a reason I did not use the window. They are surprisingly resilient." He smirked.

"Why are you here..?" The girl spoke under her breath as the man slowly approached her. Her heart pounded faster with each step he took.

"Obviously because I'm taking you with me," he chuckled, lifting his hand, and a tiny lightning spark sprang from it to her chest as she took a step back. It tickled the moment it met her skin, and instantly she felt a feeling of exhaustion wash over her.

"It's a shame I had to break down the door; I was hoping to do this more quietly. There's not much time left."

"Time?" (Y/N) mumbled, feeling her body getting heavier as she began to waver. "What... What did you do to me..?"

She frantically struggled to keep her eyes open, but they were closing on their own.

"Unfortunately, this is the only way..." he spoke, taking a final step towards the girl as she collapsed into his arms.

The last thing she heard was the sound of breaking glass, but the magic the Balladeer had used on her was too potent for her body to respond anymore, and she fell into a dreamless slumber.

"(Y/N)," the Balladeer's voice but a low whisper. Like a sweet lullaby.

She was lying on a mattress covered in velvety sheets that were far silkier than any she had ever touched. There was a strange yet pleasant scent in the air. She felt comfortable.

"Wake up (Y/N)," his tone had become slightly harsher, but her eyes were still sleepy, and she lacked the energy to respond.

He repeated her name a third time. However, this time it was accompanied by severe agony coursing through her entire body, from which she promptly regained consciousness.

"Ouch!" (Y/N) complained, but as soon as she grasped the circumstances she was in, she quickly regretted having spoken up; Before her sat the irritated-looking Harbinger, without his hat and dressed in different attire.

"Finally," he sighed scoldingly, rolling his eyes. "Took you long enough."

(Y/N) began to rub her eyes, making sure whether she was actually awake or simply having a nightmare. She hoped to wake up back at the inn, but the pain felt too real, and her eyes were not deceived. A variety of feelings overcame her, but first and foremost, she was confused.