scum ﹒ yan!scara

⁺ ch ﹒ 01

It was always him, wasn't it?

It was always about him.

About Scaramouche.

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You knew he would be in Liyue,
Inazuma is too far and too risky, you'd die trying to get there.
Sumeru was too hot and you knew he could get there too,
Fontaine was too, welll, water-y..
And Natlan is hotter than Sumeru, that's for sure.
Snezhnaya is obviously out of the picture.

Your best bet was Mondstadt.
Your old home.

It wasn't really the best option in order to get away from Scaramouche, Inazuma would be great if there was an easier way to get to it without inevitable death, and they don't have sticky honey roast, now do they?

Mondstadt was still a bit risky since it's next to Liyue, but eh...
The people there were so kind and hospitable, welcoming you with open arms without even having to ask you about why you've come here in such a rush, your clothes ragged and torn, your appearance disheveled and dirty, and much more.
Some were curious and asked why and what happened, "It's.. Personal." You'd say, and they wouldn't ask any more questions.

That was the normal citizens, of course.

The Knights of Favonius were more pushy, obviously, but after telling them multiple times that you'll tell them when the time is right, they finally let you go.
(Only because you knew Kaeya and you're his childhood friend)

When you asked Kaeya about Diluc, he had such an evident scowl on his face that it made you burst out in laughter at the way their brotherly rivalry is still ongoing up to this day. Do the people of Mondstadt never change? You hoped they didn't.

After being escorted to the Dawn Winery, you walked up to Diluc's mansion and knocked on the heavy doors. A maid opens, asking if you were the 'one they were supposed to expect, as ordered by the Knights of Favonius?' you say yes.

You thank Diluc for his hospitality, and tell him you'll be quickly trying to find your own place since you didn't wanna be a nuisance for him for long.

"Stay for as long as you need, you're an old friend after all, I'm just doing whatever it takes to help you get by since.. It's obvious you've gone through a lot in the time you were gone."

He was so sweet and smooth with his words, classic Diluc. Thanking him again and taking the clothes one of the maids is offering you in her hands and running up the stairs to try them on.

Although Inazuma maybe would've been better, knowing his past, but no nation could best Mondstadt when it comes to their people, and food, of course. (Glazing, perchance?)

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"What do you mean she's gone?"

The raging voice of the balladeer echoes throughout the room, slamming his desk and throwing off the papers and files with it.

"She couldn't have gone so far in just a day. Find her and bring her to me-"

His own assistant interrupts him, "but sir! We've searched every house; every corner she may have hidden in! There is no sign of her, my lord. She may have gotten away-"

"Do you need me to remind you of your place?"

"N-No my lord, I sincerely apologize-"

"You will sincerely apologize to me by finding her! Now go!"

His assistant nods and quickly exits his office. He paces around the room, stepping on the important papers that were due today. He slams his fist on the desk once more, groaning in frustration that his darling had gotten away, after she had promised that she wouldn't.

He knew he shouldn't have gotten so attached—especially to a mortal he could end in the blink of an eye. He only briefly tolerated your presence, how could he have fallen in love?

What a sickly human emotion.

He should never have tolerated your presence, even in the slightest bit. He should have destroyed you, as to destroy his attachment to mere transient things and moments along the way.

He couldn't even rely on his underlings for help. They were incompetent. But it makes him worry too. You couldn't have gotten that far, right?

You couldn't have left him, after telling him you loved him dearly, under the fake night sky with the twinkling stars.
You made him believe the stars were real.
Could you have done the same with your love?
Did you make him believe you loved him too? Despite being a mortal?

He sits down on his chair, rubbing his temple and pinching the bridge of his nose out of pure stress and frustration.

"Where are you, my love..?"

He says weakly.
Damn it—why is he like this?
He's really acting like this for a mortal?
He can't believe he fell for you and your deceiving tricks.

And still, he couldn't help but find himself wanting and needing you, wanting to have you by his side and tell him you were just out to get or do something and that you were sorry for worrying him.

"Won't you come back to me, please, [name]?"

Scaramouche whispers as he takes out a picture from his drawer, he smiles like a soldier opening his locket to take one last look of his beloved wife one last time.

You'll come back, won't you?
You said you loved him after all.
You wouldn't leave him..

Right?

Staying contemptuous would have been the better option instead of tolerating such a weak and feeble human girl, he shouted at his past self.

But he didn't really mean that, did he? He just can't accept it yet that this is what it has come to.

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