Summary: It's the morning you are to leave Liyue and set sail to Inuzuma. You get some goodbyes from friends (not that you have much) and an individual who leaves you more confused than before despite you already meeting him once
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The morning air was crisp and the few morning dews that formed on the grass sparkled with whatever light hit them. The sun had barely begun to rise by the time you had awaken, struggled to get ready, and have your husband take your hand to leave your once apartment. As you both departed the stairs for the floors you couldn't help but whisper with whatever small voice you had left.
"Scara what about my payments and-"
"Already taken care of Y/N, don't stress." He answered immediately and continued to lead you towards the docks of Liyue where your ship waited obviously on a schedule. You bit the inside of your lip as you finally reached the last floor and left the complex, taking one last look back. The once place you had come to stay in, love in, be imprisoned in, and yet make life in... was being left behind. You were leaving Liyue to go to Inuzuma with your husband, the sixth of the Fatui Harbingers Scaramouche. The Balladeer
The feeling of nervous bile arose into your throat and you slapped your free hand over your mouth. It wasn't Scaramouche that made you nervous but going to a whole other nation of which you knew nothing about made you uneasy
The feeling and thoughts all hitting at once.
"Are you alright?" Scaramouche slowed his pace and sighed, pressing the back of his hand onto your forehead "Fuck... I should have bought you some medicine from the pharmacy before our voyage. You're still feeling sick."
Right as he began to look for an alternative route to take to ensure timing you swallowed what came up with disgust. "Not sick...." You mumbled "Just nervous is all..."
Oh, OHHHHH! Scaramouche's eyes widened only slightly in surprise, you were just a nervous mess. The warmth he felt on your forehead these last days were simply because you were just freaking out. Understandable but unnecessary in his eyes
"I see," he whispered back and made a sigh of relief. At least you weren't sick sick! That would have made your first voyage to another nation with him unbearable... he would have felt bad
After getting yourself together and constant reassurance to Scaramouche he agreed to continue towards the docks of Liyue. Eventually they came into view and at once so did the Fatui holding down the fort of the Fatui insignia covered boat you would be taking to Inuzuma. Your mouth practically dropped
"I-It's huge Scara!" You exclaimed and pointed at the boat. Your husband however took humor in your statement and crossed his arms with a smirk
"Oh now is it? That's never stopped you from taking it before~" he practically slurred his words and your cheeks flushed as you smacked his side
Scaramouche's small chuckle to your reaction was cut short when a lower rank came into his view and stood at attention. The woman's lips quivering almost, poor thing. She must have been so nervous to be in front of Scaramouche, but she had the right to be so. He was a bastard to all his men
"Hello!" You greeted with a small wave and stepped forward to spare her from Scaramouche's wrath "Is there anything you need to inform us of?"
The woman looked at Scaramouche and then back at you, at Scaramouche and then back at you, and at Scaramouche and then back at you. Her panic a little too obvious
With a sneer Scaramouche stepped forward to be exactly at your side, not behind nor in front. Equally so. "Your superior asked you a question you dumb fucking bitch..." he leaned forward in an intimidating way and clicked his tongue "So fucking answer... it's not HARD."
Although he was being a asshole you practically melted with the tone he was using. Oh how it made you tingle
"I-I'm so sorry my Lords! I was sent to inform you that your ship will be ready for departure on time! Is there any requests you have before we leave?" She stammered and tried to maintain eye contact despite the mask hiding her eyes from view
Scaramouche eyes darted to you while still leaning and sneering at the poor woman, waiting to see if you had any requests yourself first. Soft on the eyes while you were in them
"Oh actually yes I do have one!" You exclaimed and called her over with your hand. At once she strolled over quickly and leaned in so you may whisper in her ear as requested. Your husband on the other hand rose from his leaning position and crossed his arms with a brow raised. What was this all of sudden? Keeping secrets from him?
The lower rank Fatui nodded and Scaramouche took note of the blush that crept onto her face. What on earth were you requesting? And why couldn't he hear? No... why was the lower rank blushing and fiddling with her gloves so damn much?! He was embarrassed for her
"At once my Lady! I will see to it now!" The woman exclaimed and turned on her heel with steam practically coming off her head in embarrassment. With a smile you put your hands on your hip and looked at your intrigued husband who watched you. Confusion evident on his face
"What did you request Y/N? She looked as red as a jueyun chili. Was your goal to embarrass her?" He questioned and looked back towards the boat that would carry you two. Perhaps he was rubbing off on you too much?
"No nothing like that! I simply told her what you compared to the ship."
"What?!"
"Nothing."
The sound of rushed footsteps sounded out and with a too cheery happy hour voice Childe wrapped his arms around you and Scaramouche's necks with a morning greeting. The contact made Scaramouche's bells ring violently and he let out a "oompfh"
You on the other hand lost your damn balance but luckily the ginger kept you on your feet.
"Ah I hope we are not interrupting." Spoke a calm voice and low and behold the man who wasn't even supposed to show up for the goodbye walked in front of you three. Zhongli stood with perfect composure and nodded as a a greeting. For as early as it was in the morning the two that now joined you didn't look exhausted in the slightest, not a hint of being tired on their face
"Not exactly..." Scaramouche grumbled and threw off Childe's arm from his shoulder.
"Not at all, we have time to spare!" You offered your best tired smile and Childe let go of you to stand beside Zhongli. His smile way too wide for your liking
"So Comrade! Are you excited for the next chapter in your life?"
For a moment no one spoke, it wasn't a awkward question you see but neither you or Scaramouche could decide who he was asking. So naturally you both answered at the same time
"I believe so!"
"Fuck off you know I am."
Then at once you two snapped your heads towards each other
"Wow," Childe exclaimed and nudged Zhongli with his elbow "Already acting like husband and wife and it's only been so long!"
Zhongli used his hand to brush where Childe had touched and nodded "Fitting as they are already married Childe. For about almost a day now, nineteen hours and 23 minutes."
Wow, that was oddly specific and accurate you were guessing. You didn't even know how long exactly it had been
"I don't want to steal away your handsome hat bell ringing husband here Y/N but may I? I have to discuss with him. Don't worry Zhongli here can keep you company!" Childe exclaimed with a wink and when you nodded Scaramouche sighed loudly.
"Make it quick Childe." He replied and followed his fellow Harbinger who was already walking. Childe shouted a quick "Thanks!" And soon enough the two were in deep discussion as they walked off. About what? You had no idea. Probably big Fatui business
For a moment you and Zhongli stood awkwardly, simply side by side as he towered over you height wise. Something you weren't used to as Scaramouche was barely any taller than you. Biting your lip you tried to think of conversation to help ease the tension and pass the time, but Zhongli's sudden voice beat you to it. Catching you off guard
"Are you aware that with this contract you will spending the rest of your life, eternity with a Fatui Harbinger. Funnily enough within the land of eternity." He paused and when Zhongli was sure he had your attention he continued "Humans live short lives but that will be forever to you, I cannot exactly say the same for your husband however." He spoke
"What do you mean by that?" You asked and Zhongli's golden orbs moved to leer at you from the corner of his eyes without his head or body moving. Face the same and stance the same. Hands held behind his back, shoulders back, and head held up high. Professional and unmoving as the mountains that stood around Liyue, strong and omniscient. Not that you knew everything about him of course
"I doubt he will move on, even as he continues to walk this earth for many more years. An interesting fate considering his background." He spoke again and then his golden eyes moved away from you and back to the seas before him. The waves gently rocking the boat again the dock
"But enough about him, the Fatui are not the ones I would have thought to see you conspire with." Zhongli's calm voice came and you gazed at him with a startled look. And what did he mean by that? He spoke as if he wasn't the same, further confusing you. He must have picked up on it as he turned to face you
"Ah forgive me!" He quickly corrected and cleared his throat with a closed fist. "There are times where I begin to ramble my thoughts out loud. Nonsense if you would."
You opened your mouth but closed it with no response, you weren't sure how to respond to his sentences as of recently. Zhongli was a very interesting yet confusing individual
His posture had finally become undone somewhat as he tried to recompose his nature. It was almost as if he was speaking to you as if he knew you for so long. Like someone who had seen most of your life to judge you. And Scaramouche's
That in fact he had. For you mostly. As a Archon he couldn't help but watch from above, your story was the same as all his subjects. Permanently engraved into the stone of his mind, never had Zhongli thought he would come across you in his mortal form however. In fact he doubted if it wasn't for the Fatui he never would have. It was how he recalled finding your story again... starting with you two in the marketplace. The commotion had disturbed his peace but yet intrigued his interest. As you and Scaramouche had.... And still did.
It was only recently he had taken the form of the mortal Zhongli to walk around Liyue as one with his people. His Gnosis still lied safely within him, but with the rite of decision coming up he wasn't sure how much longer he would have it. The Fatui would help him decide that and so would the people of Liyue. You and Scaramouche would be long gone before his final answer
"You will be needing these." Lifting his coat Zhongli took out one rolled up parcel that was tied with a golden ribbon. "The finalized wedding contract, one paper."
Two things that become one... almost like you and Scaramouche. Your hands grabbed the parcel softly from his godlike hand
"I wish you two a very providential marriage. Goodbye Mrs. Y/N, it was an honor to make your acquaintance once more. And now I shall fetch Childe, we will have much to discuss." With a slight bow Zhongli turned to stroll to where Scaramouche and Childe stood in discussion. Your husband obviously looking more annoyed by the second with the conversation
Suddenly the elegant man raised a single finger and turned on his heel to face you once more "Oh! And please do say your goodbyes to Childe. He had made it painfully clear that he will miss you, his dear friend." Then with a nod and smile Zhongli turned on his heel again and continued his stride to the two Harbingers
"Goodbye Mr. Zhongli, it was nice to meet you again too.....?" You whispered and held the scroll tighter. Confusion lacing your face still as you watched him leave
Unknown to you Rex Lapis had heard your confused goodbye, even if a whisper in the wind. No matter the name he heard all who would speak of him
Now that you were alone you looked around and back at the boat. An idea slowly creeping up into your mind because of what you now held....when Scaramouche had signed the wedding contract he used a name you couldn't recognize. You were now holding that said name in your hand, within the rolled parcel. Would it be cruel to look at the name he wrote on the scroll? No right? He was your husband. Scaramouche would understand of course.... Right? Even if he had never told you? Did he want you to know? Was this an invasion of privacy?
A thousand questions swirled through your mind as your fingers began to twindle with the ribbon that held it together.
"Were you just going to leave without saying goodbye?" A familiar voice made you jump in your skin. Your curious hand leaving the ribbon upon the scroll
Turning Ekaterina had walked up beside you with a smile and nodded "I know I'll be attending your wedding ceremony but I still wanted to say goodbye. I woke up early on my morning off for this by the way." She laughed "Oh excuse me, my lady!" She bowed with a laugh and you nudged her playfully
"Pffft stop that, you don't gotta do all that Ekaterina!"
"You sure? Because your crazy husband thinks otherwise..."
Another small amount of laughter
When you stood beside your friend you had to shake off the laughter with a head shake. You were going to miss Ekaterina while you two were separated.
"I'm glad you came to say goodbye Ekaterina, I'm sure we can write letters to each other while we're separated!" You recommended with a smile and she shrugged
"Not the same but I'll take it. It's better than standing by myself at the front desk of the bank all by my lonesome again. Never realized how boring my job was until you came along. You befriend a Fatui Harbinger, married another, and rose within the Fatui ranks without even being one of us really." Ekaterina nodded impressed "You're a bad bitch Y/N, may even be able to take on Signora herself."
You smiled at her statement and then got lost in confusion "Wait who? Sig- sun- sin?"
"Signora, another Fatui Harbinger. The eighth to be exact." She answered confidently "But she's pretty hard to beat." She then raised a finger and pointed at you "But you're also the woman who tamed Scaramouche himself. Tough competition here."
It was silent and without a word you hugged Ekaterina tightly. She easily returned the embrace and you could have sworn she struggled to speak into your shoulder "Be safe, I'll always be here for your return to Liyue."
"You be safe too, I'll miss you. Whenever you can come visit me in Inuzuma do so, just in case. I don't wanna Scaramouche driving me crazy like Childe does with you."
"Of course."
"Y/N!" A voice rang out and there stood Scaramouche arm crossed at the ginormous boat waiting for you. "Say your final goodbyes my love, we are to leave now."
Nodding you pulled away from Ekaterina and she offered to walk you up to the boat. Of course you accepted
Just before you two reached him Ekaterina cracked a smile despite her sadness. Luckily you didn't see. Oh yeah you were definitely a bad bitch... Scaramouche just called you "My love."
How the hell did you manage to soften him that much?! The world may never know
"Ah where is Childe? I need to say goodbye to him!" You asked and looked around. But Zhongli and Childe were no where to be seen, gone from the docks
"He wanted me to say goodbye for him." Scaramouche replied "Said there's no use for a goodbye since he'll see us shortly for our ceremony. I didn't invite the bastard but he did himself apparently." Your husband then held his hand out with a envelope held "Oh and he told me to give you this without opening it. If it's anything inappropriate let me know. I'll kill him."
Taking it you nodded and held Ekaterina's hand before giving it a squeeze. She returned one back
"Ekaterina." Scaramouche's cold voice called and she froze at the mere mention of her from his lips. Hesitantly she looked from you to your husband and he stared her down. She felt a cold sweat, hoping he wasn't going to do anything she thought he was
"Thank you for taking care of Y/N personally. It wasn't always Childe's or I's order when you did so." The Harbinger spoke with a nod "I will see to your possible promotion with Childe within the next coming days if I have time. I'm sure he would agree. Try not to die by then."
Without waiting for her response he looked at you "Let's go." And turned to walk up the support that would allow you onto the ship itself. You however stood just as shocked as Ekaterina and had to close your mouth before shaking your head to process the situation. It wasn't expected that's for sure.
"Uh... see you soon?" Ekaterina questioned and you released her hand
"See you future Harbinger."
"Oh shush MY LADY."
Walking up the support you grabbed onto Scaramouche's hand as he pulled you onto the deck of the ship. "We will go to our great cabin shortly, allow me a second if you would." He kissed your cheek and turned on his heels in a direction away from you.
Before the Fatui working aboard the ship would start yelling orders to each other from your husband's words you took the opportunity to open the envelope that Childe had left for you. Taking the opportunity for whatever peace to read you had before then
Lifting the letter from within its confines you opened the folded paper. When your eyes began to go across line to line you narrowed your brows in confusion and then raised them into realization. This in fact was not a letter, your husband was right. Childe didn't even say goodbye on paper. What laid written on the paper before you was none other than instructions
Or rather a certain recipe. It was for his "World best pancakes" to take with you to Inuzuma