𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿 ៸៸𓂃 scaramouche

∙ ୨୧ end of the road : 25 !¡

◢◤◢◤◢◤ TIGHNARI POV !

Raiden Scaramouche would live. He would leave the hospital room with nothing more than a few bruises. While nurses and doctors buzzed all around the new patient, Doctor Tighnari knew it was nothing more than idle chatter. Each one of them was professional enough to take one look at Raiden Scaramouche and know all they needed to.

First, Doctor Tighnari noticed the physical wounds. A bleeding lip, a bruised eye, it seemed the assailant targeted the face. Tighnari didn't care much for how his patients ended up in his care, but whenever the ambulance came in, he overheard the story.

And second, Doctor Tighnari knew the child wasn't unconscious anymore. If he was, nothing short of emergency care would be required. Perhaps feigning sleep, perhaps getting some well-deserved rest. As Tighnari monitored his vitals, they were stable.

And third, his assistant, Collei, had nobody to call.

"Hm, are you certain? No emergency contacts, no parental figures?"

Collei showed him the paperwork, "His mother, but she hasn't answered the phone. I tried five times and left four voicemails. Nothing."

"And no other options are listed? Alright."

It was a sorry sight, but Tighnari saw plenty of those every single day. Pity felt like an old friend who he could never quite shake off. Pity felt like a second nature, more familiar than happiness or relief. He nodded to himself.

Tighnari thought for a long moment; about all the unfortunate scenes he had been part of. All the last minute revivals and failures. This wouldn't be one of them, it was no where close to a life or death situation. But that didn't help him from ponder the question.

What sight was sadder than a damaged boy, alone in a hospital room?

◢◤◢◤◢◤ YOUR POV !

The second you stepped out of Ayaka's car, Childe wrapped you in a bone-crushing hug. "Good thing we're at the hospital, righf?" You said, straining for oxygen. Only then did he let you go.

Itto poked his head out of the driver window of his minivan, "C'mon in, guys, we have a feast for kings!"

Everyone, with the exception of you and Tartaglia got into the minivan. Childe embraced you again, and when he finally pulled away, you saw him in the dim illumination the street lights offered. His eyes sparkled; unshed tears. Only then did it hit you, you had never seen him as anything less than a playboy romantic jokester.

Only then, when you saw him cry, you did, too.

You were certain they saw you from inside the ITTO MACHINE, but you knew your friends. None of them would question you, not now. After a moment of standing there, you sat down on the ground, cross-legged. "Sit, sit." You insisted to Childe.

"Uh-huh." He nodded and sat with you.

"Why are you sorry?" You asked, trying to sound gentle, less interrogating. You wanted answers, sure, but you also wanted your friend more than that.

"I knew, like, everything. I mean, way back when Scaramouche beat the shit outta Dottore, I didn't think much of it. And then when Scaramouche and Rosalyne were both like Dude, I like Y/N, and I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't tell either of them to just stop, y'know? And then, like, I knew something happened between you and Rosalyne but she wouldn't tell me and I thought it was outta pocket to ask you, so I just didn't. And then I didn't think about bringing Rosalyne to the Irodori Festival you know, where she pseudo-kidnapped you."