Work Text:
You can perfectly remember how you arrived in Teyvat — actually, scratch that. You remember exactly how you ended up in this place. The Genshin Impact universe. A game you loved and have been playing for a while.
It happened when you went online to have a quick play in your PC.
It was midnight. Around 4:12 am when you were on your way to finish your last commission in the game. Your mouse’s cursor hovered above the teleporting icon which is also known as the ‘waypoint’ near Mt. Tianheng. You clicked the teleport button and the loading screen appeared, the light blinded you in the process — it wasn't usually this bright— you had to close your eyes and groan in displeasure.
With your eyes still closed, you were startled when a cold, windy breeze hit your body, and you had to force your eyes open at the sudden change of vibe in your once quiet room. You opened your eyes to discover that you were no longer in your room, instead, you were standing on what seemed to be a hill. A grassy hill.
You looked around, a surge of panic overpowering your senses as to why you were here until you slowly come into a realization that the location you were transported to wasn't exactly unfamiliar to you, in fact, it was quite the opposite.
You were in Liyue, more specifically on Mt. Tianheng.
How did I end up here? What kinda isekai am I experiencing???
You thought, confusion written all over your face.
Time skip to you calming down and accepting everything after having a major break down because you don't know what is happening and you believed that you were dreaming and had hit yourself multiple times to "wake yourself up in the real world," also having an assumption that maybe you consumed a powerful drug and made you hallucinate what is happening at the moment, also having another assumption that a meteorite probably crashed in your room and this is your subconscious doing its thing. Yes. You had thought of all the craziest ideas that might explain your situation in hopes to make sense of it all.
Alas, you’ve went through the five stages of grief and now you’re on your merry way to the city of Liyue. You weren’t really happy with whatever’s going on but you tried your best to stay calm and push all your anxiety away in the back of your head so you can function properly. Your plan was to find a temporary shelter while to figure out how to return to your world. You were thinking of ways on who to approach for mora since if you were going to stay in a, let’s say an inn, you’d have to pay for the rent. And you don’t know how long you’ll have to stay in this universe.
As you were busy pondering solutions for your dilemma, there was a familiar short man in the distance that was wearing a large heat and had a hair of color indigo. Scaramouche was currently fuming at his inferiors for their lack of comprehension and incompetency. He was giving them a major lecture with his loud and authoritative voice, talking about how much of a dunce they were after failing such a simple task.
His voice reached your ears and caught your attention. You had stopped walking to look at the commotion in front of you. You were in a trance as you stared at Scaramouche from afar. You couldn’t believe your eyes.
There he was. In all his glory.
He looks so real it’s unbelievable. You thought in your little head.
Oh shit, he is real. You sighed at your idiocy.
You continued staring at him, still mesmerized by the fact that he was right there just meters away from you. Your heart was telling you to approach him, to finally meet him after adoring him for so long but you decided against your rapidly beating heart.
First, Scaramouche canonically isn't friendly. He’s not warm or inviting regardless whoever you were. You figured his personality would stay as it is even if you approached him. It would only make sense after all. And also because he had that snarky expression on his face. Yikes.
If you approach him unexpectedly, he may even kill you on the spot and that will be no surprise. Second, you're not sure what universe you're in. There’s tons of multiverses out there... the possibilities are immense and you doubt that you wouldn’t come across a familiar genshin impact au with your situation. Now, if this is a Self-Aware Genshin Universe — shit will get messy. Especially if Scaramouche will recognize you as the creator right away... er....you don't know what happens after that.
Either he kidnaps you and locks you up and torture you because he believes you aren't the true creator, or he will recognize you and respect you because you are the creator. You highly doubt the latter will happen.
So, you made the decision not to approach him and to flee quickly and without his knowledge.
You turned on your feet and carefully tried to walk away without making any noise or flashy movements.
"How can you let the Traveler slip away?! They were just here!"
Scaramouche snarled, his eyes piercing his subordinates with a heated gaze.
"And you even managed to lose that vial that the Tsaritsa wanted?" Scaramouche yelled.
The Fatui could only cower in fear in his towering form.
"You failed not once, but twice. How does it feel to be a fucking failure?! You are all a disgrace! Incompetent! ALL OF YOU! " Scaramouche pointed his finger.
He scanned every single member's face. They were terrified, sad, and guilty— Archons , their pathetic faces irritated him!
Scaramouche then huffed and turned around, his hands on his hips. Not wanting to spoil his mood further by staring at his subordinate’s ugly faces.
He tried to relax by breathing in and out until his gaze was drawn to your form from the distance.
Who is that?
He wondered.
When exactly did they arrive?
He thought.
How could he have missed the fact that someone was listening in on his outburst?
Scaramouche lifted a finger with a dark expression before ordering,
"Seize them!"
The Fatui scrambled and ran in the direction he indicated. You.
--
You squirmed in their hold, grunting and trying to escape their stronghold on your arms.
"Let me go!" you shouted.
You were glaring daggers at the two Fatui who were holding you captive when you noticed Scaramouche approaching you, and all your attention was drawn to him. He was approaching you with an eerie calm. And each step he took toward you made your knees weak.
You felt feeble under his gaze when he was at a safe distance. Just right in front of you. So close you could feel his wrath.
His figure yelled power. And, while in real life you would tease the man (calling him a short little shit whenever he popped up on the screen despite him being your favorite) you only realized how he is almost the same height as you. But he made it seem like he was taller because of the dominating aura he had.
"You...You're not from here."
Scaramouche's smooth voice enveloped your ears.
Oh wow, his voice is hot.
You scrunched your brows at the thought.
What the fuck? Not the right time!
"These clothes you're wearing aren't from anywhere," Scaramouche scanned you from head to toe.
"Who are you?"
Scaramouche asked.
He was staring at you. The soft glow of the moon adoring his face so beautifully.
"You're really pretty..." you mumbled.
“...?!”
Scaramouche was taken aback. He distanced himself from you and that’s when you fully realized your action.
Embarrassment flooded you.
The two of you were flustered and couldn't bare to look at each other for a moment until Scaramouche composed himself and asked the same question to you once again.
"See, I would love to answer you but I can't feel my arms right now. Can you tell your subordinates to let go of me? I won't run away! I have zero fighting skills and I am not a great runner!" you promised.
Scaramouche was skeptical.
"C'mon! You have me cornered anyway! You guys are too many for me even if I tried to escape, I won't win. Please, just let me go," you pleaded.
Scaramouche stared at your pleading form before deciding to be lenient. He sighed and then waved his hand off, the two Fatui instantly letting go of your arm. You perked up and then proceeded to rub your arms in order to soothe them.
"Now speak," Scaramouche said.
You can't tell him the whole truth about him being a character in the game. It seemed like your theory about this universe being a SAGAU is wrong because there wasn't any expression that showed Scaramouche knew you.
Guess I just have to wing this.
You thought, before coming up with an excuse.
"You're correct when you said I am not from anywhere, not here, of course. I am an outlander," you said.
Scaramouche rolled his eyes.
"Obviously you are. What I meant is, you are not from this world, are you?" Scaramouche asked.
You figured there was no point in lying to that information, he will know anyway so better just admit that now than have a complication later.
"Yes, you are right,"
"From what world are you?"
Okay, now you don't know what to say.
"Um...I'm from Earth."
Scaramouche's face scrunched.
"Earth...?"
"Yes! It's a planet. There are other planets too-- oh for fuck's sake it will take years for you to understand where I am from and there isn't even a summarization for everything. I had to learn everything for my entire life to know everything so- ehem. Sorry," you stopped yourself when you saw Scaramouche glaring at you.
"A human being outside our world..." Scaramouche hummed. He looked satisfied.
"Can you...let me go. For real now?" you asked meekly.
Scaramouche stared at you before shaking his head.
"Search them."
"What?! Hey!!"
The Fatui began patting you down.
"I have nothing with me please!"
"Just stay still, outlander." Scaramouche said.
"No! I haven't done anything why are you patting me down?!" you exclaimed.
"I lost something of mine."
"And you think I stole it!?"
Scaramouche didn't bother to answer you after that.
"Aha!" one of the Fatui exclaimed.
You looked at the Fatui and saw a vial being handed to Scaramouche. Scaramouche took the vial in his hand and held it up in the air.
"A lying thief. Ha!" Scaramouche glared at you.
"That thing didn't come from me! Your subordinates probably had it! They set me up! Scara, please just let me go!"
"SHUT IT!"
Scaramouche moved the vile into his pockets. He looked at you fiercely before confusion was written on his face.
"How do you know who I am?"
Oh fuck.
That slipped.
"I um..."
You tried to come up with an excuse but you were too tired. Everything was just too overwhelming. Before you could answer Scaramouche, you fell limp.
Thud!
Scaramouche watched your body fall to the ground.
He sighed.
"Take them. We're leaving."
"Yes, sir!"
--
It was pretty much a blur after that. If you could summarize what happened after you passed out, you woke up in an infirmary before you are summoned to meet Scaramouche in his office or whatever that room was. Then you saw Scaramouche lashing out at his subordinates again before he saw you and he dismissed his subordinates. He then asked a lot of questions about your existence, how you knew him, where you are from, and how you got here, and you tried your best to answer them all in a way that he can understand....except you concealed the truth that he is from a game. You had a gut feeling things will get messy once he knows that he isn't exactly real.
When you asked him if he could let you go he only had a glint in his eyes that sent shiver up your spines.
"Do you want to stay here forever, outlander?"
Scaramouche asked.
You scrunched your face at him.
"No, of course! I want to go home!" you exclaimed.
You told Scaramouche about your situation being suddenly transported here in Teyvat out of the blue and you don't know how to get home. So now he knows your situation.
"Let’s make a deal then."
Oh for fuck's sake, here we go.
"...okay. What is it?"
You answered hesitatingly.
"You stay by my side, tell me everything about your world and these...planets and universe you speak of. In exchange, I will find a way to get you home,” Scaramouche said.
"The deal is so one-sided. How would I know that your plan of getting me home is working? Creating a portal here and transporting me back to Earth sounds far-fetched. You're the one who gets the benefit here!" you exclaimed.
Scaramouche sneered at your stupidity.
"Of course in our deal, I'll provide you shelter, food, and any necessities you need in exchange for information. That sounds fair enough, isn't it? And don't be an idiot refusing this offer, no one is capable enough to actually help you. Plus, it's not like you have any other choice now do you, outlander?" Scaramouche smirked.
You frowned.
Damn, he's right. I mean I can go to the Archons to ask a favor or maybe the Traveler...but ah, I feel like, in this timeline, Morax has already retired from ruling over Liyue. And Barbatos isn't much of a help...but that goes the same for the other Archons.
"Fuck," you hissed, looking at the side in deep thought.
Scaramouche, on the other hand, sees this as a win for him. The look on your face tells him what your answer is going to be.
You swallowed your spit before turning to Scaramouche.
"Fine. Deal."
Scaramouche hummed.
Then that's where your relationship with Scaramouche began.
--
You and Scaramouche built a relationship filled with teasing banters as well as respect in a month.
Scaramouche was taken aback when you guided him through some missions he had.
You were more knowledgeable than you looked.
He was impressed enough with your genius ass to offer you a position as his second-in-command if you thought of joining the Fatui.
But when he proposed this idea to you, you immediately dismissed it. Your reason? You weren't planning on staying here long enough to consider accepting his offer.
Scaramouche thought your reasoning was stupid, but he didn't pursue it any further. People would kill for a one-in-a-million chance to be recruited as his second-in-command.
He keeps you updated on the mission to build a portal that will transport you out of this world and back to your home. He had informed the other harbingers, including the Tsaritsa, that he was working on a project (they were supportive). A gateway to another world. He didn't, however, mention your existence.
He wasn't planning on keeping you hidden from everyone, but he just doesn't want to share you with the other harbingers. His other coworkers will be very interested in borrowing you to extract information while probably performing a few experiments on you, which he cannot have.
He desires to be the first to discover everything that is out of this world.
He believes you are the key piece of information he requires to understand everything. He believes you will be the one to provide him with just the right amount of information about the sky and stars not being real.
"You know, if you want to easily gain his trust, just give him the spotlight that he needs. Gifts and offers won't work on that man because he's already wealthy enough, but pull on his ego strings and he'll bend to your will," you advised.
The two of you were in his office. You were bored and so you snooped on one of his papers and decided to help him.
Scaramouche was perplexed by your suggestion.
You noticed his confusion.
"I've read books about manipulation, and I can say you're a person who manipulates anyone to get what they want, but you're more on the mid-level when it comes to this one. Just discover something new, big, and grand, and then make him take all the credit; people will applaud him, and before you know it, he'll accept your partnership,” you continued.
Scaramouche was silent.
"You're-" his lips pressed into a thin line.
He looked at the scroll in his hand.
Thinking.
"You're...something," Scaramouche said.
Then he began walking away with a clear plan in his head.
You smiled.
"Yeah, you're welcome!"
Scaramouche had his back on you but you know he rolled his eyes when you said this.
He smiled a little too.
--
Scaramouche had grown fond of you as the days passed. He let you get away with almost everything at one point.
You interrupted his meeting with his subordinates to collect something from his office? He'll simply glare at your form with an irritated expression before returning to his workers.
You're blocking his view with your head while he was reading another mission sent to him by the Tsaritsa? He'll curse you and tell you to fuck off, but he'll make no attempt to push you away.
You make fun of his huffs when he's upset about something? He'll say something like, "You're fucking weird," and then leave it at that.
And if you ever want something, especially food, simply ask one of the Fatuis to order it in Scaramouche's name.
One time, a Fatui refused to satisfy your craving (Lotus Flower Crisp), and you sulked the rest of the day, responding quickly and sadly to what information Scaramouche requested from you. When Scaramouche discovered the reason, he nearly beheaded the Fatui.
You teased Scaramouche about the event, saying how much he loved you. But he became defensive and snarled at you, saying, "You were giving me short replies! What do you expect me to do? I needed details when I asked for information. Don't get so full of yourself!"
"Haha, yeah. Is that a new way of saying I love you?"
Scaramouche was flustered.
He acted as if he was going to hit you, and you ran away while he chased after you.
You were so focused on getting away that you didn't notice the charming grin on his face.
--
"You know, I'm always wondering how your head doesn't tilt because of how heavy and large your hat is; don't you get neck cramps or headaches?" you asked Scaramouche as you sat on the grass. It was late at night, and you two were back where you first met. Mt. Tianheng.
"Don't you get hoarse and slack-jawed from talking all the time?" he retorted.
"Well, damn!" you exclaimed, "for a short guy like you, you have a tall attitude."
Scaramouche's head turned to you with a what-the-fuck face.
"Do you want to die?" Scaramouche asked.
"Haha...I was just kidding," you grinned sheepishly at him.
Scaramouche scoffed and raised his head to look at the sky.
"Tsk. Look at the stars, the sky. It's all a gigantic hoax. A lie."
You masked your frown by humming.
"I'm curious, I'd like to see you hatless," you said. Wanting to divert the subject.
"Absolutely not."
"Why?"
"I don't want to."
"Why not? Are you secretly bald that's why you're hiding it with a large hat?"
"No! I am not bald! My hair is perfectly fine!"
“I feel like you are lying.”
“I am not!”
"Then why aren't you showing me? Remove your hat."
"I don't want to!"
"Please?"
"NO!"
Scaramouche clutched the edges of his hat against his head as you attempted to remove it. He wasn't moving from his defensive position, so you scanned for a weak spot in him and discovered that his body was open. Your hand reached out to tickle his side, a mischievous grin on your face. Scaramouche was startled and let go of his hat, as your fingers came in contact to his sides. His hands shot to where you poked him in response.
Scaramouche turned to seethe at you as you knocked the hat off his head, but stopped seething as he saw the fond look on your face.
You looked as if your breath was taken.
"Scara, you-" you paused.
He was what?
Scaramouche was about to grab his hat and put it back on because he thought you were going to pick on his appearance. But-
"You're really pretty..." you said quietly.
Scaramouche's breath hitched and he stopped his actions.
...what?
That was your second time telling him that.
It caught him off guard the first time, and he didn't know what to say. He was still caught off guard the second time and still didn't know what to say. The only difference is that this time he felt warm. There was this ticklish, feathery, fleeting sensation he felt. And his mind went blank for a moment before racing through a million thoughts, all of which led to you.
Did you really think he was pretty?
Wait. Why was he bothered of what you think?
Scaramouche shook his head before you could catch a glimpse of his eyes softening.
He's seen this before.
No, he was not ready to go back to that phase again.
Thrice is enough.
No, you are not the next person I will be concerned about. No. I'm no longer that guy.
Scaramouche sneered.
I am the Balladeer, powerful and unable to feel these weak and insignificant things!
Scaramouche's eyes darkened as he grabbed his hat and put it on before standing up and walking away from you. His sudden movements caught you off guard. Have you offended him?
"Scara, wait!" you yelled as you scrambled to your feet to stand up when he stood up.
What happened?
You thought.
Scaramouche's pace picked up as you followed behind him.
"W-wait!" you exclaimed, attempting to catch up.
"Scara! Please- I can't! I can't run, I'm not agile!" your shout fell on deaf ears.
Oh, now he's done it. Ignoring me so suddenly?
You took a breather and paused before sprinting toward him.
You grabbed Scaramouche's wrist once you were close enough to him.
"Hey!" you exclaimed, "I told you to wait!"
Scaramouche froze. Then sighed as he spoke.
"Let me go."
He said.
"Not until you tell me what is wrong."
You persisted.
"Let me go, this instance!"
He yelled.
"No! You're acting weird and you're not telling me! So, no!"
You stood your ground.
"Outlander, let me go or else I will tear your limbs!"
"Like hell!"
Then you were pinned to the ground.
"Ow! Scara, what is wrong with you?!" you groaned at the way you were treated roughly.
You felt Scaramouche's hands gripping your wrists tightly to the ground and you whined.
You stopped your protests, however, when you noticed Scaramouche's solemn expression.
He had a terrifying expression. One that exactly imitated like the first time you met him.
He exuded a powerful presence.
"I want to be clear, outlander: you stay away from me , and our interactions from now on will be strictly business," he said threateningly.
Your eyes scanned his, taking in his expression, worried for him why he was being such a douche all of a sudden when he was going all soft with you just earlier before finally figuring it out.
You opened your lips and responded carefully.
"I am not going to betray you, Scara."
Scaramouche's expression remained hard. But you can see a slight shift in his eyes when he heard you say that.
"You can expect the rest of Teyvat to betray you but never me. This is an oath,” you continued.
Your wrists were beginning to ache, but you ignored the discomfort.
Scaramouche needed some time. He needed some time to comprehend. He needed some time to process that everything was fine. Everything was fine so he can relax his guard around you because you knew.
You knew everything there was to know about him.
So, you'll let him hold your wrist for as long as he wants if it meant him understanding you.
Scaramouche's grip on you gradually loosened. Your stare was still fixed on him.
Then you noticed his eyes glistening.
He was doing everything he could not to break. He's doing his best not to cry.
No, he can't cry any longer because it will hurt. Crying is for the weak. He wasn't weak any longer.
Scaramouche brought his hands to his face, attempting to wipe the tears that had pooled in his eyes and stop it from falling but you sat up abruptly, your head hitting the circumference of his hat causing it to fall to the ground, took his cheeks to your palms, pulled him close and then placing your lips on his.
Scaramouche's eyes widened.
He was at a loss for words.
He opened his mouth to say something, but you only used this as an opportunity to kiss him more.
He eventually gave up and closed his eyes, returning your kiss by placing his hand on your nape and moving his lips in sync with yours.
Scaramouche was never the same again after that. With you, he softened.
But only with you! He remained the same for everyone else (he doesn't give a fuck about them).
Scaramouche told you about his past at some point during your relationship with him. Even though you already knew everything about him, you still gave him your undivided attention.
If Scaramouche was being honest, he was terrified of your power over him because you had made him fall for you in such a short period of time.
He hadn't even known you for a year, but he was already head over heels in love with you. It was frighting. Sometimes he thinks it's strange how easily you made him fall, but before he can process this thought further, you’d appear right in front of him and the thought instantly vanishes, his mind suddenly fills with just you.
In terms of the portal he's building to transport you to your world, he's still working on it, but with a different goal in mind. He wasn't just making a portal to get you home as a one-time thing...he'll make a portal where the two of you can travel back and forth to each other's world to both of your heart's content.
Scaramouche didn't tell you about this because he wanted it to be a surprise.
Aside from that, the two of you are currently outside, somewhere between Guili Plains and Liyue Harbor, having a picnic under a tree, with Scaramouche's head resting on your lap and you softly caressing his indigo locks.
"Kuni?" you called out to him.
Scaramouche hummed in response, his eyes remaining closed.
"Your hair is very soft," you said.
Scaramouche's eyes opened to look at you.
You smiled as you observed his hypnotic indigo eyes staring back at you.
Scaramouche thought you looked more livelier. Or was it because of the surroundings? It's sunny...even sunnier than usual. But not in such a way that the heat is excruciating. In fact, the weather was pleasant.
Now that he thinks about it...
"Whenever we go out, the weather is always nice," Scaramouche said.
You stopped caressing his hair.
"What?"
Scaramouche shifted, bringing his face closer to your abdomen.
"Once, you asked if we could go for a night stroll, and I refused because it was raining heavily outside, with lightning and thunders, but the rain stopped just as you were about to step out of our shelter before it could wet you," he continued.
You giggled.
"You make it sound like I have control over the weather, but I am not a god," you said.
Scaramouche blinked and returned his head to the original position, at the center of your lap.
You lowered your head and pecked him on the lips.
Scaramouche ignored whatever was on his mind after that. Instead, he remembered how soft your lips were against his. And how tender you are with him.
No matter how many times you kissed him, he still gets that tingly sensation when your lips are on his. So, before Scaramouche could close his eyes again as you resumed threading his hair, he had a thought.
Is this what love is?
--
Scaramouche went to great lengths to please you. He realized there was no way to escape you, his feelings, or your relationship with him. So all he could do was keep you happy so you wouldn't leave him. Because, while you love him, he is afraid that one day you will grow tired of him and leave him. He tried to convince himself that even if you did abandon him, he'd be fine without you, but the mere thought of living life without you made his non-existent heart ache.
This is what he was afraid of. You having full control over him. Do you even realize how much power you hold over this man? You don't probably.
You only know that Scaramouche loves you so much that if anyone tries to harm you in any way (whether it's someone other than him saying mean things to you, someone making you feel small, or someone attempting to physically hurt you), he will transform from a raging beast to pure evil.
"Tell me more about the books you have read in your world," Scaramouche said
"I can tell you more about manipulation. I think it will be useful to you."
"Continue."
You told Scaramouche everything you knew.
"...and lastly, the book said to never ever trust or commit. When aiming at the god, make sure you don't miss."
"What was it you said about relationships built on favors?" Scaramouche inquired.
"Don't rely on the people you built relationships with gifts and favors; I learned the hard way; I had a lot of people betray me in the end after giving them almost everything. Friends, or so they call themselves, will keep on asking for more until you have none left; there are only a few who are content with whatever you gift them and do not take advantage of you," you said.
"...I see. The book you've read is useful. You should apply it to yourself."
"And become a full-time manipulator? No way! I don't have the guts for that because I care too much, and it's boring knowing everything is planned out and you'll just have to sit back and watch everything fall then celebrate your victory,"
Scaramouche observed you.
He was silent.
Then he hummed in agreement.
--
It wasn't long before you arrived at the timeline where Scaramouche was planning to become a god. He revealed this to you and stated that he had been in contact with the Akedemiya for quite some time. He then brought you to Sumeru after packing up all the things he needed, which were few, and before you knew it, the two of you were living in Sumeru.
Scaramouche's workload increased as a result. He had errands to run to check on his plan to become a god, as well as errands to run to check on the portal.
Unlike before, you two barely have time to go for a walk or go on picnics together. And even simple things like hanging out together with no Fatui or Harbingers nearby no longer happen.
You understood how important this was to Scaramouche and tried to communicate with him frequently, asking if becoming god was absolutely necessary, to which he replied that it was.
You tried to hint to him that perhaps his plan to become a god isn't the answer to whatever he's looking for.
Scaramouche, however, heeded the warning and continued to pursue his dream of becoming a god. You didn't stop him after that.
He'll learn the hard way.
You thought.
Still, you stayed by his side.
Aside from being his usual snarky self, there was something unusual about him.
You couldn't quite pin it down, but he seemed a lot more secretive to say it.
You have a feeling Scaramouche is hiding something from you, but you don't know what it is because he is so subtle about it.
--
The sun rose and set with each passing day, and you could see how much darker Scaramouche had become. He was irritated with everyone, including you. You assumed he was stressed because he had too much on his plate, so you approached him one night and suggested that he postpone making the portal to your world until he finished his personal project.
Scaramouche was perplexed when you said this, but he agreed without hesitation.
He told you that the Tsaritsa and the other harbingers were aware of his plan to become a god and that they were supportive of it. You already knew this before he said it to you, but you chose to remain silent.
--
Fast forward to his battle with the Traveler and Nahida, in which he failed to become a god.
After taking everything you needed, the two of you returned to Liyue, and on the way back, Scaramouche gave you the silent treatment, not speaking or even looking at you.
You did, however, understand why he was acting this way. He needed time. You could only imagine how he feel at the moment, having everything planned out and expecting everything to go as planned but then failing. He also put in a lot of effort. So you remained silent and gave him as much space as he needed. The last thing you want to do is put pressure on him to speak up when you know he will eventually.
When the two of you arrived in Liyue, you asked Scaramouche if you could take a night stroll up Mt. Tianheng, to which he replied by walking in that direction.
It was quiet as the two of you sat on the grass, staring up at the dark sky.
You sighed.
"I wish it were a little colder tonight; I can still feel Sumeru's heat despite the fact that we're already in Liyue," you said.
A gentle breeze blew as if on cue.
"Oh, what do you know? That wind felt nice," you said, smiling.
The soft wind remained.
Scaramouche had enough. That was the final straw.
"Be honest, outlander, who are you really?" he finally asked.
Your head snapped toward him.
"Hey, I missed hearing your voice!"
"Answer me."
Your smile dropped at his sharp voice.
"Whatever do you mean?"
Scaramouche scoffed and stood up.
"You're acting as if you don't know!" exclaimed Scaramouche. "I've been watching everything for a while now," he explained while staring down at you.
"Whenever we go for a walk, I notice how the grass and flowers turn in your direction. The flowers bloom in full bloom whenever you are close. The wind, rain, sun, and moon all listen to your favor. Whenever it was too hot, you would complain and suddenly it would lightly rain. Whenever it was too cold, the temperature would slightly drop to your comfort," he explained. "And you can't say it's all a coincidence because you were just wishing it was a little colder and then the wind blows!" Scaramouche exclaimed.
Wow, that was a lot of words for him to say.
Then you had a moment of realization.
Ah, so that’s what he’s hiding from me. I didn’t know he was still skeptical...
"I don't understand, Kuni. I told you I'm not from this world," you said, "but if you want to know who I am as in my name and all that, I am Y/n."
Scaramouche just stared at you he felt a sense of familiarity when you said your name but he brushed off the feeling.
"You're not telling the whole truth,” he said. “And you'll forgive me for what I'm about to do," he continued.
Your eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"What?"
"Seize them," Scaramouche said.
And then Fatui's appeared out of nowhere, two of them grabbing your arm and the rest surrounding you.
"Kunikuzushi! What is going on?!"
"Stay still," Scaramouche said as he pulled something from his pocket, revealing a vial.
That vial looks very familiar. Where have you seen that before?
"I have to see for myself; open your mouth, Y/n," Scaramouche said as he slid the vial open.
How could you have forgotten? That was the vial you saw him with the first time you saw him!
"No!" you yelled, "not until you tell me what that is!"
"This is similar to a lie detector, but for a minute, this little thing spills all of the victim's secrets. Now tell me, who are you?" Scaramouche forced you to drink the contents of the small vial.
You tried to spit it out, but it spread so quickly in your mouth. It was cool, like a strong mint flavor, but then it felt like it sucked all your saliva and left your throat dry.
Your mouth moved on its own, spewing words from your will.
"My name is Y/n, and I have no idea how I can control the climate, temperature, flowers, and even the grass! I was just in my room playing Genshin Impact when I was unexpectedly transported here," you said.
"Have you been lying to me this whole time?" Scaramouche asked.
You’re glad he didn’t ask about the game. But still-
"Yes."
What?! No, I am not!
You tried to talk but you couldn’t.
Scaramouche hissed.
"Tell me everything you've lied about," he snarled.
Instantly, your mouth moved.
"I lied about knowing your existence.”
You began.
Shut up.
“I knew who you are before you introduced yourself to me,”
Shut up!
“I knew your past before you said it to me,”
No! Stop it!
“...I know everyone. I know the archons. I know the past, the present, and the future," you rambled.
No no no! Shut the fuck up!!!
Scaramouche's expression changed.
"...are you a god?"
He was afraid to know the truth.
"Yes? No? I don't know!"
You tried to close your mouth to stop saying shit further. Scaramouche noticed.
He could tell the drug was wearing off.
"What else do you know?"
Scaramouche asked.
He wanted to know everything. Everything that you had been keeping from him.
He waited.
Waited for your response.
"Teyvat exists because of me."
Your breath hitched.
I did not just say that!
You could hear gasps from all around you.
Scaramouche was in a trance.
You felt the Fatui's hold on you loosen and you instantly made a run for it.
You never imagined you'd find yourself in this situation. As the rest of the fatui searched for you, you ran away from the love of your life, Scaramouche. You were hiding somewhere a little further away from Mt. Tianheng.
To be honest, you have no idea where you exactly are because all you cared about was getting away from Scaramouche.
Getting out of this world.
Going back to your home, to your world.
You whimpered, your legs weak and about to give up.
You wobbled and shook before collapsing to your knees from exhaustion.
You hissed at the impact and looked at the ground in front of you. The grass, they moved . As if they were trying to touch you. You now understand what Scaramouche was saying.
You would have processed this further but you were too tired. Your beathing was labored. You tried to relax and get as much air as you could but it took some time before you were finally fine.
Sweat was trickling down your brow and down the side of your face. You wiped it off before deciding to pick up your feet and make a run for it again.
But were stopped in your tracks as you felt another presence from behind you.
You knew who it was.
You sighed. Deciding to accept your fate and confront him.
There was no point in trying to escape now. Plus you were heavily tired.
So you stood up from the ground and turned to face him.
There he was, standing in front of you a meter away.
Scaramouche.
With an angry and pained expression in his face.
It hurt you knowing you were the cause of that sour expression.
"Kuni..." you called out to him.
"Don't call me that, you liar!" he snapped.
He took long strides toward you and slapped you across the face when he was about a foot away.
It stung.
But it was okay.
You understood why he did that and you already forgive him before he can apologize.
"HOW COULD YOU?! HOW COULD YOU LIE TO ME?" cried Scaramouche, tears streaming down his cheeks. Chest heaving up and down from running and also from the amount of emotion he was feeling.
"I didn't lie to you!" you yelled back.
"YES, YOU DID!" Scaramouche screamed. " ALL OF IT WAS JUST A GAME TO YOU!”
No, it wasn’t. What was he saying?
“THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING!" he continued.
"You were toying with me from the beginning! You knew everything about me and you pulled me by the strings by making me fall in love with you-- fuck, you made me think I was in love with you!" he exclaimed. Despise reflecting in his eyes.
You felt your heart nipped at the sight of his eyes and frowned.
"I always find it suspicious how you just appeared out of nowhere, and then suddenly, in such a short time, I am willing to throw everything for you! You controlled me; you are an even bigger manipulator than I am hahaha!" Scaramouche laughed sarcastically it pierced your heart.
You couldn't think of anything to say.
But nothing was a lie. You did love him.
Until now, you still do.
You love him despite everything that happened, you love him before everything even happened, you love him every minute and every moment.
All of that was true. So, what exactly was he saying that you manipulated him?
"Scara, I love you. I never played with your emotions,” you began. “Remember my oath? You can expect Teyvat to betray you, but never me . I am true to you," you said.
Scaramouche was hurting more after you said those words.
"ENOUGH! JUST SHUT UP!" he yelled.
He’s had enough of your lies. All he wants now is for you to be gone. To disappear.
He was yelling and trying to catch his breath at the same time. It was difficult for him to speak clearly when he was crying this hard.
Scaramouche loves you too much for him to experience this feeling.
At least, he thought he was in love.
"I've always wondered how you're able to incite these feelings in me. I'm willing to put myself in danger just to protect you. I'm willing to bow down and kneel if I have to and if you want me to. I'm willing to offer you whatever you want without complaints or hesitations," Scaramouche said. "And now I know how you did it all so easily: you are a god, a god with the power to rule over me, and you took advantage of it, making me believe I was in love when you were really just using me for your own pleasure."
You shook your head disagreeing with what he’s saying.
"Scara, I keep telling you, I am not a god,” you said. “Please, hear me when I say I love you. Because it's true Scara, I love you. I love you so so much," you pleaded and stepped closer to cup his face.
You want nothing more than to hold him in your arms now and keep telling him how much you love him until you can't speak anymore if it means he'll feel your love is genuine.
You were careful with your movements when approaching him. You regarded Scaramouche as if he was a fragile thing, ready to break at any moment if you make the wrong move or say a wrong word.
Your thumbs brushed away the tears on his soft cheeks as you stared at his pretty, twinkling indigo eyes. Relief washing over you as you had finally held him. Sometimes, you envy the love of your life being too beautiful. With his slender figure and gorgeous face.
You sighed.
"I love you, Kunikuzushi," you whispered.
Scaramouche then felt your soft lips against his.
He melted into your hands, and you felt him return your kiss.
You smiled in the kiss and pulled him closer.
You were at peace and thought nothing could go wrong...until you felt extreme pain in your abdomen and had to pull away from Scaramouche.
You opened your eyes to be met with Scaramouche's cold and soulless eyes boring into you, devoid of emotion.
Then he said,
"Lies."
You looked down at your abdomen to see what was causing you pain, you noticed Scaramouche's hand holding a dagger that is stabbing you. You winced and collapsed to the ground, hissing and sobbing in agony as your body pulled away from the weapon.
Scaramouche just stared at you before letting go of the dagger and letting it fall to the ground.
"K-kuni..." you gasped for air, one hand pressing your abdomen to keep your blood from leaking further, the other reaching out weakly to Scaramouche.
Scaramouche felt dead, hollow as he stood there watching you wither away.
He was going to sit back and watch you die, because you deserved it. You'd been lying to him the whole time, pulling his strings and treating him like a puppet when he wasn't. You are a cruel, vile, and self-serving manipulator--
Gold.
Scaramouche’s thoughts were interrupted as he saw your blood turn from red to gold.
And that's when he realized his mistake.
Scaramouche felt as if a meteorite crashed into him as his eyes were blown wide as saucers.
He scrambled to his feet, kneeling to your form, and placed his hands on your abdomen, assisting you in stopping the blood flow.
"Divine creator...it's you," Scaramouche gasped.
He was scared.
Ah, so this was SAGAU after all.
You thought.
What took it so long?
You raised your hand to your eyes and saw liquid gold.
I see.
You chuckled.
"Y/n- Your Majesty! Your blood will seep out more!" Scaramouche warned, pleading with you not to laugh. But you couldn’t help it. It was funny to you that you thought this would be just another universe and not a SAGAU one.
You calmed down and exhaled a sigh.
"Ahh...so all it took was for me to get hurt,” you said. “If I had known this sooner, I would have cut myself and then I'd have answers for everything," you went on.
Meanwhile, Scaramouche was going insane.
He was panting, breathing for air yet again but not for the same reason like earlier.
He was nervous.
You could die any moment!
He pressed harder into your wound to stop it from bleeding more, but you continued to bleed.
This was all his fault!
Their divine creator, Their Holiness, Their Majesty, the god of all gods, the-
Scaramouche's brain short-circuited.
"The reason Teyvat exists..." he breathed remembering your words earlier.
How could he be so stupid?!
A tear fell from Scaramouche's eyes which then fell to your hand.
Your eyes moved to him.
"My Kunikuzushi, why are you crying?" you asked, voice soft.
Scaramouche broke.
He wailed.
"I-I'm-*sniff* please forgive me, Your Majesty, I didn't know-" Scaramouche stumbled over his words, sniffing in between his lines as his tears flowed.
You cracked a smile.
"I didn't too, my love," you said.
You could feel yourself becoming weaker and weaker. Scaramouche was aware. It was obvious from the way your eyes fluttered as you fought death and your soft voice. A voice barely above the level of a whisper. A voice that made him strain his ears just to hear you.
He was responsible for inflicting your weak voice.
Scaramouche felt an ache to where his heart should be. He felt like it was being brutally squeezed, but not in a way that would cause physical pain; it was much worse; it came from deep within him.
It hurt him to know that despite everything he had done to you, you were still gentle and understanding with him. And to think he didn't allow anyone to hurt you, he was the one who did .
He was disgusted with himself.
You, the only god who actually listened to him, took the time to understand him, and loved him unconditionally—
“Fuck...” Scaramouche sobbed quietly.
He messed up. Messed up real bad.
And he can’t do anything about it.
"I'm tired, Kuni," you said quietly.
Scaramouche gasped.
"No, no, no. Stay with me, Your Grace; we still have a long way to go," Scaramouche said.
He can’t let you go. He can’t let you succumb to darkness.
You still have more stories to tell him! You still have to make more memories with him! Walk with him again, laugh with him again, love him again.
If you abandon him, he will become a wandering corpse dragging a heavy burden on his back.
Scaramouche cried.
"Look at the sky," you said, your gaze fixed on the sky above you. "Look at the stars and how they shine, as well as the aurora."
Scaramouche doesn't need to look up to see what you're seeing because he can see everything in your eyes.
How could have missed your eyes? He'd been staring at them for a long time; how could he miss the stars in your eyes that clearly showed who you were?
He even kept asking you who you were when you already told him the answer the moment his eyes met yours.
And how Teyvat responded to your will naturally.
Loving their divine creator and changing the way you want the world to be wherever you were.
That explains the weather, the grass, the flowers, and nature.
How stupid of him.
Scaramouche pressed harder into your wound, his head bowed in shame.
I am a disgrace.
He’s doing everything he can, whatever it takes to keep you from leaving him.
Scaramouche's head shot up when you whined about his sudden action.
That must have hurt them more...
Scaramouche thought.
"I'm sorry, your grace, I-”
"It would have been nice for us to go for a night stroll tonight because everything is so beautiful," you said.
Of course, everything is beautiful.
He thought.
Everything is beautiful because it's your world, Your Highness. Everything you create is beautiful.
...except me.
Scaramouche thought.
He was nothing more than an ungrateful acolyte who not only hurt, despised, humiliated, cursed, drugged, and called you a liar, and a thief— but was also responsible for killing you.
Scaramouche wished he could just die. Right here, right now, with you.
This entire time, you were nothing but understanding and loving.
He now understands you as well. You truly did adore him.
Everything you said and did was true. You were real.
You were real in this world full of lies.
And Scaramouche was too blind to see that.
Your gaze returned to Scaramouche. You can sense it. Your last breath will be taken in less than a second.
"Kunikuzushi," you quickly called out to him.
Scaramouche immediately focused his attention on you. He gathered his everything to stop himself from weeping heavily just so he could look you in the eyes clearly.
"Come closer, will you?"
He did as he was told and came closer to your face. His eyes are unblinking. He was afraid that if he blinked, you would vanish.
With all your remaining strength, you brought your hand up and knocked Scaramouche's hat off his head and stroked his hair before breathing out,
"You're really pretty.”
Your eyes were half-closed as you decided not to fight the darkness that was dragging you away from life. With a gentle smile, you opened your mouth again to say your final words,
"I love you, Kunikuzushi."
You said it softly and clearly, with tenderness and love.
You poured all of your emotions into your final words...before falling limp.
After that, there was silence.
Excruciating loud silence Scaramouche had to endure.
Scaramouche felt your hand fall to the ground from his hair. Your eyes are now closed but your soft smile remained.
He examined your face from every angle.
"No," he whispered.
"No no no. No, please, your grace, no-" Scaramouche cupped your face, looking for any sign of life until his gaze fell on his gold liquid-covered hands.
"Don't leave! Your Grace! PLEASE! " Scaramouche cried, pleading.
He noticed the grass dying and turning a gray color around your dead body. " THEY'RE NOT DEAD! THEY'RE NOT— THEY'RE ALIVE! " yelled Scaramouche, clutching the grass with one of his hands.
Then he returned to your side, wrapping his arm around you and hugging you while his other hand took the hand you had been caressing his head with and brought it against his cheek, his head towering over yours.
He noticed your face had the colors of yellow, orange, and red, indicating that the sun was rising, as well as his tears dripping on your face.
His breath was ragged as he sobbed incessantly.
He won't let you go. He wants your warmth, he wants you.
He wants you to awaken, smile at him, and tell him you love him once more.
“Your Majesty, please,” he pleaded to you with a frail voice.
Scaramouche dipped his head, his lips resting on your cold and dead ones.
"I love you," Scaramouche said quietly, hoping you'd hear him.
"I love you, Y/n."
Scaramouche said it again and kissed you once more.
He regrets not saying those words to you when you were still...
Scaramouche shook his head at the thought.
"I love you, please come back..."
He was well aware that it was a selfish request. He was also aware that it was an impossible wish.
Nobody can bring you back to life.
© Kofine. Do not edit, translate or repost my work without my consent.