A Harbinger's Accomplice - Scaramouche x (fem) Reader

𖤐 Training 𖤐

It's been a few weeks since I got back from the mission in Inazuma, but it still runs fresh in my mind. Today, I lay back on my bed, waiting for Arlecchino to come find me and call me for training. As per Capitano's orders, I've been training in combat with the Knave, and so far I've mastered using a sword. There's an expansive room on one of the lower levels of the stronghold where she and I train. Aside from just different weapons, the Knave teaches me various forms of self defense, attack methods, and weak points in humanoid bodies. Occasionally, Tartaglia will join in, and I try to dodge his attacks with Arlecchino for as long as we can. Sometimes he cheers me on from the sidelines, until I get distracted and Arlecchino yells at him. 

I decide to get up, grabbing some clothes to put on, and walking down to the Harbinger's Lounge for some breakfast. When I reach the room, I grab a muffin, taking a bite of it and realizing how famished I really am. I grab another, finishing both quickly. On my way to throw the wrappers out, I glance at the mirror. I've become more toned due to the training, my muscles more noticeable, complimenting my smaller frame. I smile, throwing out the wrappers as the Knave walks in, alongside Tartaglia. He waves at me cheerfully, and I try not to laugh at the contrast between him and the Knave's stoic presence. I walk over to them, and the Knave smiles, leading me back to the training room. Several long corridors and winding stairways later, The three of us are in the room, and Arlecchino tosses me my sword. I catch it, preparing myself.

"Today will be your last day of sword training. Next time, we will begin training with a polearm." The Knave says, her deeper voice echoing around the room. I unsheathe my sword, as Childe steps back into the entrance to watch us. The Knave and I begin training, as she dodges and strikes, while I parry and slice my blade through the air. Neither of us land a hit for a while, until she manages to strike my side with the flat of her blade. I sigh, going back to my beginning stance, as we begin again. She tries to stab and slice at me again, but I dodge gracefully. I manage to strike her this time, not drawing any blood, letting my blade hover next to her calves. She stands up straight.

"Well done, Y/n. Today, we have a guest for you to fight." The Knave gestures towards the entrance, where the Balladeer stands next to Childe. Was he watching the whole time? He steps forward, drawing his own blade as Arlecchino steps aside. I swallow nervously, tightening my grip.

He stays still, watching me, almost waiting for me to make the first move. I swipe at him, and he darts away so quickly he's only a blur in my peripheral vision. He swipes at me from behind, but I stumble forwards, dodging his attack. I spin around, slashing at his head, but he ducks, dodging effortlessly. He lunges forward, aiming for my legs with his blade, but I turn away, kicking his blade. He doesn't expect this, and it bends his wrist around. He snaps it back, glaring at me. He spins his blade and tries to swipe at me, but I fall back at the last moment, landing on the ground. I sit up, but he's too quick, darting at me with his blade. My eyes widen, and I roll to the side, my leg out, causing him to trip onto the ground, face first. I notice his loosened grip on his sword, kicking it away and grabbing his wrist to stop him from reaching for it. I slide over towards him, pressing my blade against his neck and looking down at him, breathing heavily. His eyes are wide, in an almost shocked expression, but he quickly corrects it, narrowing his eyes to glare at me again, still panting. 

"Well done, Y/n. You're done for today." Arlecchino, nods, signalling that I won the match. Childe claps, smiling widely, and walks away, the Knave following. 

I relax, my hand no longer gripping Scaramouche's hand so tightly, and I let go of my blade. He's still looking up at me, glaring a bit. His cheeks are slightly flushed, although I can't tell whether it's because of the excitement of the match, or because I'm straddling him against the dusty ground, sitting on his torso.

"You won. Get off of me." He hisses, and I roll my eyes, getting up. I stretch casually once I'm upright, but out of the corner of my eye, I see him adjust his pants ever so slightly, looking away from me. I raise an eyebrow, but shrug it off as nothing. After a moment, I reach out my hand. He scowls at me, but takes it hesitantly.

"Good match! You're a better fighter than I thought." I say, smiling victoriously. He rolls his eyes, and waves me off. 

"Yeah, yeah. You too." He sighs, then picks up his sword, and exits the room as well, leaving me alone. I relax, catching my breath. As I turn to leave, I hear a cold voice call after me, sending shivers down my spine.

"Hello, Y'n." Il Dottore speaks, and I turn to look at him, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

"...Hi." I say blankly, hoping to conceal how uncomfortable I am.

"Every good fighter has their bad days, as with anything else. So I won't be surprised if you get injured. Come find me if you do, I'll make sure everything is healed up nicely within the hour." He says, his snakelike voice making my eye subconsciously twitch. "Oh, and by the way...you should go pay a visit to Capitano, I hear he's got another mission for you and that puppet boy."

"...Right. I'll keep that in mind, thanks." I say, grabbing my sword and leaving the room, shaking off the eerie feeling that he gives me. Maybe that's why the other Harbingers don't like him. He's just...too creepy. Once I'm out of earshot, I run back up to the floor I reside in, into the Harbinger's Lounge. 

I sit down next to Childe, sighing as he rests his arm over my shoulders. I shoot him a glare, but let him continue. The Balladeer walks in a moment later, and pauses slightly as he sees Tartaglia all up close and personal with me on the couch. His eyes narrow a bit, and he sits right next to me, unusually close considering his antisocial and unfriendly personality. He turns to me, rummaging around in his small satchel.

"Here." he says to me, pulling something small and pale out of his pocket- the doll I bought in Inazuma. I look at him, confused.

"You still have it?"

"Yes."

"I thought you didn't want it?"

"I don't. Take it."

"If you didn't want it, why would you keep it."

"To give it to you. You beat me in combat, so...consider this your reward." He says, looking away, irritated.

"Okay. Thank you." I take the doll, smiling softly and tucking it into my own pocket. This seems to satisfy him, and he smiles, relaxing on the couch next to me. Childe looks at him knowingly, and the Balladeer glares daggers at him. I stay slightly confused, sitting between the two, playing with the small doll in my pocket.

✧ Author's Note!!✧

WOOOOOOO TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY I ATEEEEE I might go for another half but I'm proud of this tbh :> lmk if there are any sentences that don't make sense or any typos :)

anyway,, comment and vote if you enjoyed this chapter!! Enjoy the fic <333