Chapter Text
It was a foggy and snowy night, a very normal weather in Senzhnaya. The only light illuminating the streets came from the streetlights, a faint light, not as bright as the the light that Aether radiated as they walked.
"On a day like this a year ago.. we met. Remember?" The blond asked with a small smile, wanting to start a conversation like always. His companion wasn't the nicest nor the most talkative person, and if anyone else had asked instead of Aether, he would have ignored them.
"Of course i remember. You were collapsed in a pile of snow.. it was such a pathetic sight." The harbinger mumbled with his usual cold tone, but there was a hint of amusement and slightly fondness as he spoke.
Aether let out a chuckle, remembering well how sick and upset he felt at that moment, he thought that everything was lost, he had no energy, not even to try to stand up. Just when he was about to give up, someone threw a coat at him, warming his body immediately.. Aether slowly looked up at the person, his eyes filled with thankfulness and hope at meeting Scaramouche's emotionless ones.
His savior, his god
Who would have thought? The cold puppet has a heart?
No, he denies it. "Aether will have a use"
He knows that's not the real reason
"Here we are, after a completely useless trip, we finally came back."
He mumbled in a frustrated manner, taking off his keys and quickly opening the door, he entered inside and moved away, closing the door behind Aether as he stepped inside.
"I accept they weren't that helpful. . . But at least now I know more about her and the abbys." Aether still tried to defend the archons.
"..." The harbinger gave him one of his expressionless look, he then took off his own coat and placed it on the rack, giving his back to the blond. "You are so naive that it's getting annoying. They are gods, they don't care about anyone else more than themselves and their own ideals."
Aether stayed quiet, just looking down with a thoughtful expression. Scaramouche knew about Lumine, Aether told him, shared his story and then harbinger felt the need..to offer some help to the poor traveler. That would make Aether to owe him something.
So after taking him in, Scaramouche did a small research, of course there wasn't anything relevant about two outlanders in a history book.
He didn't want to, but he did it. He suggested to go and investigate in another nations.
-----
"A trip? Aren't You busy with your.. harbinger jobs?"
"They are duties, Aether. And yeah but I can't take care of those before we leave." He corrected Aether's mispelled words, the blond had been improving his pronunciation but the vocabulary was still a headache. He took some papers from his desk, reading the small information and mostly rumors that he could get to help Aether.
The traveler smiled hopefully, he didn't get any advance in finding out any hint about his sister there on Snezhnaya, so the mention of going towards other nations.. filled his head with high expectations.
----
"Traveler, it's rude from You to don't introduce your friend over there." The bard asked on his teasing tone, But his expression showed a little suspicion. He pointed at the wall behind Aether with his beer bottle.
Aether flinched at that, Venti was such a good observant.
They agreed to don't let anyone see Scaramouche, since it could bring misunderstandings for Aether and ruin their investigation. Scaramouche promised to keep himself hidden and far away, and he was doing great.
But the bard's words made him pissed
----
"Why the long face? You still thinking about what Venti said?" Aether's kind and pretty voice snapped Scaramouche from his thoughts. He shoot him an intentionally glare.
"Of course i am. That annoying god knows nothing about.." he cut himself and instead let out an annoyed huff. He grabbed Aether's chin and pulled it closely, forcing eye contact.
"Did You have fun, sunshine? You met so many 'friends', got a pretty title. It seems you wish you had stayed there.."
Aether's heart beat rapidly, it wasn't the first time Scaramouche had done this, but his heart always beated the same.. he gently took Scaramouche's wrists and pulled them away, keeping eye contact.
"Don't say that. Why would I want such thing? I'm fine with You here." Aether insisted.
Scaramouche didn't flinch, he took a step back, freeing his hands from Aether's grip. "... Did You say anything to him?" He abruptly changed the topic. Aether looked at him confused but eventually tilted his head.
"About the Signora? No.. I don't think he suspects anyways.."
"Good. Go to sleep now, i don't want You to start getting up late."
The Balladeer turned fully away, starting to walk away towards his dark and cold office. Aether gave Scaramouche's back a small dissapointed expression, but he found himself already walking upstairs towards his room, an unconscious action.. an order.
The puppet was thankful that Aether didn't insist on staying with him tonight. He looked the door behind him and leaned against the door, his hand clutching his chest hard..
Something he didn't know he had until now.. started to beat.