Chapter Text
Scaramouche looks around the time-worn walls: the wallpaper has become yellow and hangs hideously in some places; the floor is covered with old dried leaves. He tilts his hat to look up — the ceiling has several holes through which dim light enters the large room.
Everything about this mansion screams neglect and Scaramouche is the direct cause of it. It is because of him that the Isshin Art has fallen into decline and the clan has collapsed. The last descendant went on a wanderlust.
Scaramouche continues walking, the floor creaking under his slow steps. He is not sure what he feels looking at all this. Is revenge that satisfying? Was it worth it?
He stops to look at the next room which is not much different from the previous one. Except that this one has worn furniture like a table and a bed. The wood they're made of doesn't look the best but they're still holding together.
The silence is interrupted again by a creak. It's barely audible but Scaramouche turns around almost instantly, raising his hand at the same time ready to attack.
The coldness of the blade touches his neck. The thoughts in his head scream with confusion: how could he have heard the footsteps so late?
A young man stands in front of him. His arm raises high and clenches his sword pointing it at Scaramouche. The latter's gaze immediately stops on a red strand in his hair. So he is here too, what a coincidence.
A cheeky smirk touches Scaramouche's lips. The guy across from him frowns a little, still looking at him intently. His red eyes, having examined his face, sink lower studying his clothes.
Scaramouche tries to dodge the blade but it presses firmly against his neck again this time touching slightly but not crushing. He hisses in frustration, eyes flashing evilly.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" a soft voice asks clearly. A pleasant sound touches his ears like the rustling of a warm spring wind.
Scaramouche returns the smirk and lifts his chin.
"There is no need for violence, let's put the weapon down and we'll ta..." he doesn't have time to finish, the weapon increases the pressure still not enough to draw blood but enough to feel cold and sharp.
"Answer me," the voice grows harder.
Scaramouche rolls his eyes in boredom.
"I'm nothing more than a mere traveler who is wandering in search of his way. The place is abandoned, so it's perfect for a night's rest. I suppose you saw the storm coming again."
He doesn't understand why he continues this game because he has enough strength to reject the young man and remain on his own. He has plenty of ways to do it, and a scratch from a blade doesn't scare him at all. But curiosity arises inside: what has the descendant of the old friend traitor become?
"We both know it is not true," the man looks at him again, "you have no supplies or weapons with you. And I don’t see a Vision on you either. You would have made a bad traveler."
The corner of Scaramouche's lips stretches even higher. Not bad at all.
"Kaedehara," he says, watching the man's expression change. But he doesn't move a muscle, holding himself steady, "have you heard about Kabukimono?"
He says the last word with contempt, disgusted by a form he does not regard as his own.
In the eyes of the guy across from him, you can see surprise at hearing his surname but nothing more. He frowns not understanding what is being mentioned.
"No, I haven't," he answers and Scaramouche purses his lips. It's a pity. His hand reaches for his hat but the sword again prevents him from doing so. Kaedehara looks at him with a challenge. "You know who I am so you didn't come here by chance. What is your purpose?"
"Simple curiosity about old acquaintances nothing more," Scaramouche raises his chin.
"You are not an acquaintance of mine," the man says steadily. "Introduce yourself."
"Unless the gentleman wants me to. Number Six of the Fatui Harbingers," he bows slightly, taking advantage of the fact that Kaedehara’s hand has weakened a bit from surprise and his sword has dropped, "in person."
Scaramouche peers slyly out from under his hat, watching the young man's eyes widen. He stands there for a minute and then puts the weapon away. The smile returns to Scaramouche's face.
"If you wanted me to I would be dead by now, it makes no sense," Kaedehara rather thinks out loud.
"Reasonable."
The younger man comes closer. Outside the windows they hear the sound of rain that has just begun.
"It seems we’re stuck here for a while," he says, not turning to the window. "Would sir Harbinger care to share which acquaintances he might have had in my parents house?
"It's a long story," Scaramouche says, "and no, he doesn't want to."
This is not the right time, not the right place, and not the right person to tell it. He is not the one who had to tell it. These bastards had one job to do and they didn't do it. Tsk.
"We have plenty of time," Kaedehara nods toward the open window and Scaramouche rolls his eyes. "Never mind, what about my name? How do you know it?"
The man's eyes flicker with a glint Scaramouche doesn't recognize as he looks back at him.
"I don't know your name, I know your surname," he clarifies as irritation slowly burns through his veins. "Stop asking stupid questions."
"They're quite reasonable considering that Fatui is in my family's estate and telling me about people he knows from there," his hand reaches for his sword again and strokes the hilt. "Speaking of which, why am I still alive?
His gaze sinks into Scaramouche's indigo eyes causing him to feel a slight tingling under his skin.
"You could easily finish me off at any moment," he takes another step closer, "but you haven't done it yet. Is it good to have witnesses who saw the Harbinger himself in Inazuma?"
Scaramouche holds his gaze.
"I think a wanted criminal shouldn't come to the Commission," he retorts, smiling at the corner of his lips. "What? It's hard to ignore the thousands of wanted posters all over Inazuma."
"It's getting more and more interesting. But you still haven't answered my question. My heart is still beating and you're not in a fighting stance even after I threatened you with a sword. Why? I expected more from the bloodthirst Harbinger."
As he speaks the man continues to advance and the smugness does not leave his face. Scaramouche grits his teeth.
"Are you stupid? Or do you really not want to live that much? Enough of these questions I'm not going to answer them. Maybe you will finally shu-"
The other half of the sentence does not have time to be spoken because Kaedehara takes another step and without hesitation immediately covers Scaramouche's lips, while simultaneously throwing off his hat. The latter is frozen in disbelief. The young man clings to his sides and pulls away for a second.
"Is that better?" he says and then he kisses him again. "I shut up."
Finally coming to his senses Scaramouche puts his hands forward not trying to push him away but resting his palms on the chest of the guy opposite him. He tries to look into Kaedehara’s eyes, but his cheeks are hot and his gaze keeps threatening to go down when the man runs his tongue over his own lower lip.
"What the-"
A strange smile spreads across Kaedehara's face.
"You wanted me to shut up, didn't you? So I shut my mouth," his smile widens, "against yours."
Scaramouche rolls his eyes ignoring the growing burning feeling inside.
"I mean," he takes a breath, "it's pathetic to have a conversation just to occupy silence."
"So I decided to occupy it differently in a way that we both like," he grips Scaramouche's chin with his fingers, "or did I misunderstood?"
Scaramouche suppresses the urge to roll his eyes again instead clasping his hands around Kaedehara's collar and pulling him closer, kissing him again. It's much better than idle talk. No matter how much he opposes unnecessary physical contact there is something charming about this man. His light posture, handsome face, calm demeanor and such soft lips.
The kisses are so sweet he doesn't want to break away at all and they kiss again. Scaramouche tries very hard to lead but every time this role flows so easily and unobtrusively to Kaedehara that he just dissolves into him and continues to enjoy this.
He clings to the man's clothes. Closer, closer, he wants him even closer. Something inside is incredibly eager to be even closer to him, skin to skin. But Scaramouche doesn't allow himself to go that low and keeps his distance. Unlike Kaedehara who does not hesitate to hug him with one arm around his waist while exploring his body with the other.
Scaramouche doesn't realize how he finds himself sandwiched between the wall and the man. He pulls away dissatisfied with this position and looks at the younger man.
Kaedehara, wasting no time, lowers his head and leaves a first kiss on his neck and then without feeling any resistance continues to kiss it. Scaramouche, not expecting this, could barely contain the noisy exhalation that was so eager to escape his open lips.
He runs his hand through the man's hair giving himself the ‘illusion’ of control on the situation. Other just smiles into his neck and continues kissing him.
Each kiss feels soft like the light touch of a feather and sends thousands of goosebumps. At the same time Scaramouche wants to tilt his head back further to reveal more skin and curl up completely to keep these touches forever.
An unknown heat continues to spread inside flowing somewhere down his stomach and making his body burn. Unintentionally, he presses the boy closer and closer.
Kaedehara laughs, blowing warm breath and sending thousands of vibrations through Scaramouche's body causing him to experience a new and exciting sensation. Not only from the physical reactions but also from the soft shimmering sounds that made up his laughter.
“Careful, don't strangle me.”
Unexpectedly, this has a sobering effect on Scaramouche allowing him to pull himself together and reject this pathetic behavior. He relaxes his face and still with his hand in Kaedehara's hair pulls his head back and looks into his eyes. Kaedehara hisses in displeasure but doesn't pull away and doesn't remove his hands from the older man's body.
"What's the use of this," Scaramouche curls his lips, "petting. Did you decide to replace meaningless words with meaningless actions or did you have something more interesting in mind?”
Kaedehara smiles at one corner of his lips.
“You know, I like to enjoy life and take whatever I want from it. And right now I want you.”
And he reaches out again to kiss him on the lips. Scaramouche pulls away just as quickly.
"Then enough of that, let's get down to the point.”
“So it's a yes?" the man asks and when Scaramouche nods he smiles even wider and adds, "I like your spirit.”
However to Scaramouche's surprise Kaedehara pulls away after these words. Scaramouche raises his eyebrows in question as he looks around.
The man approaches the bed and presses his knee on it testing its strength and then turning around winks mysteriously. Scaramouche is even more surprised.
"Oh no, I won't lay down there," he says indignantly.
"Is Mr. Harbinger afraid of dust?" Kaedehara teases, "Then you're lucky that I'm a real traveler.”
Scaramouche rolls his eyes in silence as Kaedehara peers around the corner of the room and picks up a small bag. He pulls out a lightweight bedspread and covers the bed with it removing the rags that were on it and throwing them under it.
Scaramouche watches this impatiently, feeling his skin burning, wanting to feel the warmth of the man next to him again. So as soon as Kaedehara finishes Scaramouche doesn't wait and approaches him starting to untangle the layers of his own clothes along the way.
"Slow down, slow down," Kaedehara says and coming over grabs his hands and pulls them away from the fabric.
He throws away everything Scaramouche has already removed and then takes over him slowly pulling the garment off layer by layer not missing the opportunity to touch each new exposed area of skin. He touches Scaramouche gently, making him feel those stupid goosebumps again and again.
He would be happy to speed up the process but his body simply refuses to do anything, completely surrendering to pleasure. Perhaps these actions are not as meaningless as Scaramouche thought they are. So all he can do is watch the man's movements and look at his face.
It is really very beautiful but Scaramouche would never admit it even to himself. Carmine eyes focused on the process are framed by fluffy white eyelashes. His hair which is in a small mess is gathered in a curved ponytail. And what beautiful hands he has... Scaramouche is very impatient to see them lower on himself.
When Kaedehara gets his hands completely under the kimono hugging his waist, a little cold touches his skin and Scaramouche covers his eyes. Perhaps it is too shameful to show how much he has been waiting for this but at this moment he does not care.
Kaedehara smiles softly at his reaction and pushes him toward the bed. He presses his lips to the older man's unable to hold back any longer. He kisses him slowly, almost tenderly, which Scaramouche wants to deny but Kaedehara presses harder, deepening the kiss.
He pushes him down on the bed leaning over so as not to break the kiss. Kaedehara gently puts pressure on his shoulders hinting that Scaramouche should lie on his back. He gives in and lowers himself grabbing the clothes of the guy in front of him trying to take them off as well.
Kaedehara climbs on top of him settling on his hips and frees him from his outerwear. He pulls away from Scaramouche’s lips and kisses him down his body to his neck, collarbone, chest, and stomach. Slowly, but not too much, he caresses Scaramouche's skin with his lips so that he is not going to object because at this time Kaedehara's hands are already trying to get rid of his pants.
Scaramouche puts his hand in Kadehara’s hair and runs his fingers between the strands to the end freeing it from the elastic. He squeezes it enjoying the way the hairs feel soft against his skin matching the softness of its color. His indigo eyes watch Kaedehara's head sink lower and lower.
He squeezes his toes forcing himself to hold back too loud exhalations or even moans that keep trying to draw out Kaedehara's touches. Scaramouche feels the wetness after kisses, the teasing bites, the warm breath. The sensations take his breath away, make his eyes close in awe and his thoughts concentrate only on Kaedehara.
Younger man knows this and takes advantage of it, running the back of his hand over the stretched fabric of his underwear and leaving a wet kiss on his protruding hip bone. Scaramouche bites his lip releasing only a soft exhale.
Kaedehara's fingers pick up the edge of the Scaramouche's underwear and slowly pull downward as he leads his chain of caresses upward now. He doesn't stop until the underwear is tossed aside and his lips are right in front of Scaramouche's ear.
"So are you going to tell me your name or do you prefer it when I call you 'sir Harbinger'?" Kaedehara whispers burning him with his breath.
"Scaramouche," he breathes out, trying to keep his voice steady as Kaedehara's hands spread his thighs and the man is right between them.
"So, Sca-ra-mou-che," he says teasingly as if savoring the name and takes one hand away to take something out of his pocket, "nice to meet you. And I'm Kazuha."
There is a strange sound and he falls on Scaramouche with a kiss again.
"You need to know what name to moan," he whispers.
At the same time his finger smeared with something cool slowly enters Scaramouche’s hole. With gentle movements he begins to stretch him while leaving wet kisses on his earlobe and cheek.
At first Scaramouche holds his breath from the new sensations but Kazuha's sudden whispering draws a soft unexpected moan from him, as he adds a second finger. Scaramouche grabs his back and squeezes the fabric.
"Take it off already," he grumbles, wanting to feel the touch of Kaedehara’s skin.
“Well, beg for it then,” Kazuha smiles into his cheek and bites it.
Scaramouche bites his lip but doesn't fulfill the request, instead focusing on the feelings below. His hips begin to sway to meet his fingers so Kazuha takes this as a sign and adds another one.
The younger man moves them gently up and down while not forgetting to spread them a little to the sides stretching Scaramouche enough to minimize the pain.
"I think that's enough," Scaramouche says again and looks at Kazuha's face.
In response he continues to move suddenly engaging something with his fingertips that causes Scaramouche's entire body to tense and straighten. His eyes squeeze tightly shut and his body tries to return Kazuha’s fingers to the same point.
"Just wait a little more," Kazuha whispers, "We don't want you to get hurt.”
"Who cares," the Scaramouche says through gritted teeth, "about getting hurt.”
“I care. It is important for me that my partner enjoys it too," Kazuha's voice suddenly becomes more serious and he himself freezes. "That's why I want you not to endure the pain, but to tell me.”
Scaramouche frowns but he has to nod because otherwise Kazuha refuses to continue. The white-haired man smiles with satisfaction but pulls away. Scaramouche watches him stand up anxiously and clenches his hands on his clothes even tighter.
Kazuha gently runs his hands through them unclasping and pulling them away.
"I'm not leaving," he says, and begins to pull the kimono off. “See?”
Scaramouche nods again and waits patiently watching the man pull off the layers of clothing. He looks at the boy's body with pleasure noticing the graceful forms. It is obvious that this is the body of traveling samurai, it is quite fit and slightly tanned although it is hardly noticeable due to the natural pale color of the skin. Here and there he can see thin scars which show that Kazuha has a difficult story.
As soon as the last cloth is thrown back on the table the younger man climbs back in. Something clinks in his hands again and this time Scaramouche manages to see the container from which Kazuha is squeezing out a mixture that looks like a transparent cream. He lubricates his already hard cock with it.
When Kaedehara returns to the bed hovering over him again, Scaramouche finds himself thinking how much he has been waiting for Kazuha to return and immediately shoves it away. He doesn't know him. This is a one-time thing. It's dangerous for Harbingers to have attachments.
Kaedehara pushes his thighs apart and settles between them. Scaramouche can feel how fingers of that hand are still a little damp, how firmly and confidently Kazuha squeezes his skin, and it makes his pleasure heat up and his cock twitches eager for more.
Goosebumps run down his spine as Kazuha's lips touch him again with a quick kiss then move to his ear never breaking contact with Scaramouche's skin. His warm breath ruffles the hair above his ear which also feels unexpectedly good. And then Kazuha starts talking again:
"You know, you’re lucky this time, I undressed myself," he whispers alluding to some of his previous words, "but next time I'll make you beg for it.”
At this point, Kazuha's cock touches Scaramouche's hole and slowly begins to move inside him. Scaramouche lets out a strangled moan and fidgets a little. However, Kazuha's hands continue to hold him in place while he continues to move his hips.
Only when he is completely inside of Scaramouche does Kazuha stop and concentrate on kissing his face.
Scaramouche feels discomfort. It is slight, no pain, well, almost no pain, but he has long since ceased to consider this as real pain. However, these feelings are slowly receding, giving way to new pleasant ones. It is difficult to describe the feeling of fullness but Scaramouche likes what it is.
Kazuha asks if he is okay, Scaramouche nods and tells him that he can start moving. He smiles with satisfaction and leaves another kiss.
Scaramouche's palms find Kazuha's shoulders and cling to them like a drowning man to a life preserver. Kaedehara's skin is delicate as if he were running his fingers through the most expensive silk. Scaramouche squeezes his hands harder hoping to leave marks.
Kazuha moved slowly and measuredly, still not sure that Scaramouche was completely used to it, afraid of injuring him. This pace irritated the other more than it pleased him so he pressed Kazuha closer and whispered in displeasure:
"Faster," he dictates.
And Kazuha obeys burying his face somewhere in Scaramouche’s neck. His hands are now clasped around his waist and to keep the rhythm Scaramouche wraps his legs around Kazuha's waist.
The younger man's breathing feels so good on his skin complementing the sensations below. From time to time Kazuha kisses his neck again and again sending goosebumps down his skin. Even though they are enveloped in heat, Scaramouche presses even closer, the temptation to be so close is too strong and now he has no desire to resist it. He will think about it later.
Kazuha lifts him up a little so that Scaramouche bends in a small arch. The angle of penetration changes and with the next thrust Kazuha's cock hits the spot where his fingers had been a few minutes earlier. A long moan escapes Scaramouche and he arches even more, throwing his head back.
Realizing that he has found the right position Kazuha continues to thrust like this enjoying Scaramouche's whines of pleasure which he can no longer hold back.
Kazuha lifts up a little to enjoy the indigo eyes that have been clouded by the fog of pleasure. They rolled a little and sparkled so beautifully every time Kazuha hit his prostate.
As soon as he felt Scaramouche begin to squeeze him from the inside he immediately grabbed the older man's cock squeezing its head.
"Can you hold out a little longer for me?" Kazuha asks, watching his reaction while starting to caress the length with his thumb.
Scaramouche exhales loudly but nods, continuing to cling to his shoulders. Kazuha nods back and leaves a kiss on Scaramouchei's sweaty forehead.
Kazuha can feel the older man beneath him moving more actively now drawing moans from him. Scaramouche's short fingernails dig into his shoulders and his dry lips whisper “harder”.
Kazuha is unable to resist so he gives in again, helping Scaramouche to throw his legs over his shoulders to make it easier to move and speeding up his thrusts even more. Now Scaramouche has to put his hands on the bedspread on either side digging his fingers in.
Sweat is dripping down their hot bodies but none of them care. Kazuha continues to thrust harder, enjoying the heat and moisture that envelopes his cock. He likes the way Scaramouche feels and reacts even though he is the Fatui Harbinger. He smiles at the thought.
Soon Scaramouche's walls begin to squeeze Kazuha again but he doesn't stop continuing to move. A wave of pleasure crashes over Scaramouche and he comes loudly with Kazuha's name on his lips as white liquid spills out onto his stomach.
Messy indigo hair sticking to his face in some places, plump pink lips with a slight smile, slightly open eyes looking directly at him.
Unable to resist the way it looked Kazuha too senses that he's almost ready so he thrusts a few last times then pulls out and cums beside him. He reaches for Scaramouche kissing him again and then lies down beside him.
He gently wipes him down with the edge of the bedspread and wraps his arm around his stomach enjoying the look on his satisfied face.
"How are you?" Kazuha asks.
"I'm fine," Scaramouche fidgets a little, not used to lying down not alone. However, he doesn't find the white-haired man's presence annoying but rather makes this shabby room more cozy.
At this moment they are the only ones who exist tired and half-hugging on this old bed. The thought passes through Scaramouche's mind that he actually doesn't mind doing it again. He doesn't know why but it helped him forget his troubles for a little while and feel alive. As if he actually had a heart.
"I think the rain has stopped," Kazuha nods toward the window.
But this moment is quickly destroyed.
Scaramouche looks over and indeed the storm is gone and instead his eyes come across a slice of the moon peeking through the window. It is time to leave.
He throws Kazuha’s hand away and stands up. His legs are shaking a little and he feels some discomfort in his stomach and a strange feeling of... emptiness. He pushes these thoughts away and begins to pack his things. It is not the first time he has to put up with pain.
Kaedehara raises up on his elbows staring at the boy who, having gathered his things, begins to dress.
"Where are you going?" his soft voice sounds like the whispering of the wind, "You can spend the night here.”
“I have to go," Scaramouche replies firmly, only throwing a quick glance towards the bed.
He picks up his hat, shakes it off quickly and puts it on.
"Thank you, it was nice to meet you," he says and disappears behind the door of the room.
Then Kazuha hears his footsteps, the knocking of the front door and then Scaramouche's trail disappears completely.
They meet again. They exchange glances in the crowd and that's all. But something inside Scaramouche is relentlessly chilled by his carmine eyes. He wants to run away from this feeling, to hide somewhere far away but instead he doesn't budge. Neither does Kazuha.
A shabby room and a thick bedspread come to mind. His skin remembers gentle touches, Scaramouche remembers sounds. He can almost physically feel Kazuha's lips on him again. But it can't go on like this.
In the end, Scaramouche is the first to leave again. When he regains his composure he blames himself for this involuntary weakness. Because he must have no weakness at all otherwise he will not survive in this world, in his life.
As he walks away he hopes not to see Kazuha again unlike his body which has once again tasted the forbidden taste of desire.
Scaramouche's hopes do not come true. Too many Fatui have arrived in Inazuma lately and it is becoming much harder to disguise things. Though he is very good at hiding his agents and production he is getting tired.
In his mind he once again blames Ei — what was the idea of creating a puppet and giving it weaknesses? But that's exactly why he was abandoned, a failed specimen unable to perform the only job he was given.
His feet lead him to the Kaedehara’s mansion while his head is busy thinking. In the same room he meets Kazuha and he is hardly surprised by this — fate loves to throw difficulties at him.
Common sense screams at him to leave but Scaramouche wants to stay. And then everything is filled with sensations again — touches, smells, kisses, warmth, sounds, fullness, relief. However, everything feels a little different.
Scaramouche seems to think that this is what he needed these last few days. And just like then exhausted they lie on the old bed covered with a bedspread, Kazuha holding the other with one arm.
While his head is filled with a fog of past pleasure Scaramouche stares at the ceiling. Here and there can be seen old beams, cracked and worn so much that Celestia herself knows why they haven't broken yet. They are actually very similar to Scaramouche.
"Have you heard of the Traveler?" Kazuha asks in passing between the lines of his own poetry that he spits out to pass the time.
Scaramouche grimaces at the thought of another thorn in his ass. (He's only happy to welcome one particular samurai into his ass.) Thanks to the missions to Mondstadt and Liyue, all Harbingers have long known who the Traveler is and how he can be a nuisance. Scaramouche also knows that Alcor is the one who brought him to Inazuma.
But Kazuha does not mention this. Of course he doesn't, Scaramucci thinks. Who would trust a Harbinger?interested. Several records are found in the Tenryo Commission archives regarding his escape from the Vision Hunt Decree and his friend who died at the hands of Shogun.
Kazuha has spent most of his life traveling or with people who don't sell information so there is nothing else that Scaramouche does not already know.
Kazuha does manage to learn something too — from the same Traveler of course, Scaramouche thinks through his teeth. About his mission with the Delusions, the factory where they were made and the ‘attack’ on the Traveler.
Scaramouche grimaces. What kind of attack can there be when the Traveler himself invades their territory? However, Kazuha does not seem satisfied with his words.
The meeting ends the same way as the others. However, Kazuha's movements seem more rough and abrupt although his usual gentleness is still felt. Scaramouche likes this change and enjoys it completely.
He presses closer to the boy, responds to kisses with warmth ready to take everything that Kazuha wants to give him. But the moment ends quickly and there is no more holding.
This time Kazuha leaves first. Without even taking his own blanket.
He's a puppet, he's just a puppet and he barely feels the temperature. But why is it so cold... And empty. Outside the window a thunderstorm begins.
The waves slowly roll over glistening in the sun and move further away each time. The warm evening breeze washes over his face and the surf is as loud as the city which is not far away.
Scaramouche stands on a hill near Ritou, his eyes fixed on the magnificent ship leaving the port. The waves carry its mighty power as if with pride. The winds smell of change.
However, the man is not interested in the ship at all. He keeps looking hoping to see a certain man on a board. He knows for sure that he is there and this knowledge is enough for him but he wants to see Kazuha one more time. The last time.
A lot of time has passed since they last met, a lot of water has flowed. A lot has happened. And even more will happen in the future.
The man tightly clutches the Electro Gnosis in his hand, the one he would have held all his life if he hadn't been so weak. So now he has to allow himself this weakness for the last time.
And finally burns all emotions and feelings to the ground giving himself to something eternal. Something he should have always belonged to.
Feelings are the destiny of people and he has never been and will never be one of them. Scaramouche does not want to be one of them. He just wants to see Kazuha one last time.
Hiding from Fatui was easier than he had imagined. They didn't seem to be looking for him at all.
Scaramucci curls his mouth in a disappointed smile. They probably just know where to look for him. Perhaps even the exact location. Involuntarily the palm of his hand passes over his other hand, reaches his shoulders, touches his back.
It is even possible that he has a tracker inside of him. But it doesn't matter, everything he went through was worth it. And it will be worth it as long as he can hold the gnosis in his fingers.
Although he still doesn't know the way to put his heart where it belongs sooner or later he will find it. And he is ready to go for more if Fatui tell him how.
And now Scaramouche wanders among old memories, visits his first home and gets angry at his miserability. He comes to Tatarasuna visiting the ruined mansions disgusted by the gullibility of this insignificant creature who once was him.
He does not avoid the Kaedehara’s estate either, he is here only for himself, Scaramouche repeats to himself. But something still shrinks inside as soon as he turns his gaze back to the barely intact door of the room. The bedspread is still lying on the bed but he does not dare to enter. He leaves the building as soon as possible.
The past must remain in the past. He says but he still can't get rid of his resentment towards his creator. I don't care, only the present matters. But he still can't forgive his old friend, whom he considered family. I don't feel anything. He says but in his soul the small house on the outskirts with the dead boy inside and seems to stay there forever. I don’t feel anything. Scaramouche repeats and his memories take him back to a room in an abandoned house.
Inazuma begins to prepare for the upcoming Festival. Scaramouche receives a letter. They really never lost him.
Kazuha arrives again. And Scaramouche realizes — that time was not the last. This one will be.
He waits until the Festival is over watching from afar as the main participants constantly run around solving a mystery. A mystery that directly relates to him and Kazuha. This is how Kazuha learns the truth.
"So it was you, Kunikuzushi," the words hit when Scaramouche's feet touch the floor of Kazuha's temporary room allocated by the organizers.
Hearing his old name is unusual but it doesn't make him shake. Kazuha's voice lacks the usual softness but there is no hatred in it either although Scaramouche was expecting it. Instead, his words are devoid of emotion at all.
Kazuha stands at the door staring at him, arms crossed in front of his chest. Scaramouche is silent and only looks around the room.
The room is small, filled with only the essentials — a single bed, a desk and a small closet. In fact, Scaramouche expected something better when he learned that this year's Irodori Festival was prepared by the Yashiro Commission.
Kazuha is the first to speak again.
"Why are you here?" he says locking the door and slowly walking into the room.
"Well, I've come to visit you," Scaramouche replies confidently but doubt is building in his chest.
Kazuha squints his eyes and Scaramouche thinks for the first time that he shouldn't have done all that back then. Revenge brought neither peace nor relief. Only destruction.
"And who said I’d be glad to see you?" Scaramouche's chest goes cold. He doesn't change outside, only the corner of his lip tugs up in a cheeky smile.
"I did," he says looking directly into the carmine eyes. Now they look like boiling blood but it doesn't repel him, on the contrary, it draws him closer.
"You are the Fatui Harbinger," Kazuha approaches slowly, not breaking eye contact. “No one is glad to see Fatui.”
Scaramouche begins to regret having come at all, what a stupid idea it was... But Kazuha continues:
"You are..." to blame for what happened to my family, Scaramouche expects to hear, but Kazuha does not say this. "the Fatui. And you act as Fatui usually does.”
There is no anger or fear in his voice. And Scaramouche suddenly has a hunch.
"But you don't hate me," he says.
Kazuha shakes his head confirming his words.
"I don't. Even with knowing about everything you've done," he stands close to Scaramouche, the scent of sandalwood enveloping him, "I'm still drawn to you for some reason.”
Scaramouche is breathtaking. Kazuha's body feels so familiarly warm against his own, his eyes still riveted on the face of the man across from him. His bandaged hand rests on his cheek, stroking it a little.
And the next moment Kazuha is lapping at his lips greedily like a thirsty traveler to a spring. Insatiably and sharply, he bites Scaramouche’s lower lip before adding his tongue to the kiss. Scaramouche's breath is hot despite the window still being open and he still wants to press Kazuha even closer.
He kisses back parting his lips and accepting bites, enjoying every touch. But the kiss ends as suddenly as it began.
"But that doesn't mean I understand you," Kazuha says.
For Scaramouche this is enough. He doesn't need understanding, all he needs is Kazuha to let him stay and do whatever he wants with him. And right now Scaramouche wants Kazuha to continue kissing him.
The older man leans forward a little but Kazuha pulls away covering his mouth with his hand. This is not what Scaramouche wanted but he likes this touch too so he leaves the kiss there.
"I need verbal confirmation," he says, removing his hand, "do you want this to continue?”
Scaramouche rolls his eyes reaches forward and again doesn't get what he wants.
"No," Kazuha says sternly, "are you ready to do whatever I say? And accept whatever I do?”
"What, you like feeling powerful over someone stronger?" Scaramouche smirks.
“As you wish," Kazuha says and takes a step back and Scaramouche seems to have lost his breath.
"I'm ready," Scaramouche says almost immediately and at the same time he grabs the younger man's wrist. Noticing this he lets go and straightens up trying to regain his dignity. "I agree.”
“Very well," Kazuha smiles and comes back closer to him. "Also," he adds, "I'd like to try something... different and it will be very important for me to know how you feel. So we're going to use a color system, you know what that means?”
Scaramouche shakes his head in denial thinking about how close the other is now and how their breaths are mixing and Kazuha explains it to him quickly.
"Got it? Color," he immediately demands.
Scaramouche is annoyed but answers:
“Green.”
“Good.”
And Kazuha kisses him again. This time his hands move to his waist grabbing Scaramouche's sides tightly as he touches Kazuha's shoulders. But the kiss doesn't soften Kazuha is still insistently penetrating his mouth with his tongue, sinking into his lips with small bites, then vice versa, and playing with him until they both can't breathe.
In the process they don't even notice that they're taking off Scaramouche's hat. Kazuha buries his palm in his hair, pulls it back looking at the man's face with pleasure. His gaze drops to his swollen lips and Kazuha smiles wider, pleased with his work.
He leans in again but this time he presses his lips to the Scaramouche's neck still holding his hand in the soft locks. He kisses the delicate pale skin and then suddenly sinks his teeth in not enough to hurt but enough to make Scaramouche cry out in surprise and in a way that gives him intoxicating pleasure. Kazuha loosens his jaw and begins to speak moving his lips over the man's skin:
"Do you mind marks? Color.”
“Green,” Scaramouche answers instantly.
He'll think about the consequences later but for now he just wants to feel it again. And Kazuha gives it to him — he bites him longer, sucks in the skin and then licks and kisses him as if apologizing. He repeats this several more times enjoying the sounds Scaramouche makes each time.
Kazuha, reaching lower, pulls back the collar of the kimono to reveal more skin. His attention moves to the man's collarbones, to his shoulders and then back to his collarbones. Scaramouche is annoyed by tenderness but these bites are not felt like one so he takes them over and over again tilting his head back.
His thoughts aren’t clear as if every part of his body is focused only on Kazuha's touch. Scaramouche obediently walks to the table when Kazuha pushes him there continuing to torture the neck he has available to him. Then he obediently sits down on it and spreads his legs so that Kazuha can stand between them.
The younger man leans back contentedly squeezing Scaramouche's thighs under his palms and looking up into his purple eyes. Kazuha still wonders what it is about this man that has captivated him so much, but this incredible beauty is probably one of the reasons.
He raises his hands and begins to untangle Scaramouche's clothes. Halfway through he stops and looks into Scaramouche's eyes again asking for the color. When he hears the desired answer he continues and begins to leave kisses on the skin again. The marks are scattered on his chest and then on his stomach and thighs.
Scaramouche watches as Kazuha's lips touch his body over and over again bringing him these incredible sensations. He wants to squeeze his palm in that soft hair but instead he grips the table giving full control to the man across from him.
The touch makes something inside him burn even more, caressing something Scaramouche didn't even believe he had. A warmth was building up in his chest eager to escape and combine with Kazuha's. This time Scaramouche holds back less letting the sounds be heard.
It seems that this makes Kazuha's kisses even sweeter. When Kazuha finally finishes undressing him he straightens up to look at Scaramouche again, smiles and approaches immediately pulling him in for a kiss. He uses his hands to guide Scaramouche to press closer, to lean into him.
So that Kazuha can continue. He takes a familiar container out of the drawer and they are greeted again by the ticking sound of the lid opening. He presses down and enters Scaramouche’s hole with his finger, slowly enough not to hurt him but at the same time his movements are sharp and not as gentle as usual.
Scaramouche likes the fact that the lubricant hasn't had time to heat up from Kazuha’s fingers and now the cold caresses his heat. He clenches his teeth but the high-pitched sounds of pleasure continue to escape.
He clings to Kazuha's shoulders pressing his face against his neck, arches his back so that angle is better, so that he can stretch him more easily. And of course so that he can reach his prostate.
When Kazuha finally does it at first as if by accident and then again and again he hits it with his fingers, Scaramouche whines. Each time his lips open right in front of Kazuha's neck, his hot breath caresses his skin and his moans are muffled a little.
Unexpectedly for himself, Scaramouche realizes that he wants to give Kazuha some kisses too. His pleasure-filled brain has no room for doubt so he almost immediately presses a kiss to Kazuha's neck. At first he is uncertain but with more courage he tries to repeat what Kazuha did to him.
He sucks in the skin a little, pulls away and kisses him again. Kazuha's breathing is ragged and Scaramouche realizing that he likes it gets even more impudent. His teeth lightly touch Kazuha’s skin teasingly. The sensation of their sharp edges is combined with the soft touch of plump lips.
Kazuha lets out the first moan and at this moment the bite does touch his neck. Scaramouche enjoys how pleasant his skin is to the touch and how good it feels under his tongue.
Meanwhile, the number of fingers increases to three and the movements become even faster so Scaramouche grits his teeth, unable to get used to the rhythm at first. Then he returns to the same place now licking and kissing the bite with care.
"I think you're ready," Kazuha interrupts him, leaning back. “Will you undress me?”
Scaramouche frowns surprised by the offer and nods uncertainly.
"Color," Kazuha adds.
When Scaramouche answers Kazuha nods with satisfaction and looks at him expectantly. Still sitting on the table, Scaramouche reaches forward and touches the layers of fabric. At first he runs his hands uncertainly over them examining them and then begins to unravel them.
One by one he unties the knots, belts and pulls the haori together. Scaramouche is constantly annoyed that Kazuha has so many layers of clothes but he actually likes how the younger man looks in all of this. Even if it is difficult to take off. It's the turn of the kimono and after opening it Scaramouche takes a minute to enjoy the sight of pale skin with scattered thin scars.
His hand reaches out to touch, driven by the urge to run over his shoulders and down to his chest to play with his nipples, to touch his stomach tenderly, and... Kazuha abruptly intercepts his wrist.
"I said to undress," he says sternly although a slight smirk appears on his lips.
Scaramouche sighs in annoyance but continues to undress him, finally pulling off Kazuha’s kimono and throwing it on the bed. To get to his pants he has to get off the table and sit down on the bed.
At first he looks up uncertainly into Kazuha's face but when he receives a nod of approval, he looks back down. He picks up the elastic band with his fingers, pulls it off and begins to slowly slide it down.
It's hard for him to tear his eyes away from the bare stomach in front of him, he wants to get closer and continue what he started on the neck. But today Scaramouche is only allowed to look. As if to confirm his thoughts Kazuha's palm buries itself in his hair.
He helps by lifting his legs to make it easier to pull his pants off. Scaramouche can't help but run his palms over the fabric of his tights and then slowly pull them down feeling his fingers barely touching the delicate skin. He does not hold back again and reaching forward quickly leaves a kiss on Kazuha's thigh just above the knee to which the younger man immediately pulls him away by his hair.
But he doesn't say anything out loud. Scaramouche looks up only to find his eyes red and almost blazing in the setting sun. It seems to him that Kazuha himself is burning too, the rays play in his hair highlighting each strand and the silhouette itself is bathed in orange light. The sight sends hot shivers down my spine.
Finally, Kazuha is left without his tights too. Scaramouche takes a deep breath and goes through the familiar motions with his underwear. He tries not to look too much at his already hard cock so he finishes rather quickly.
Kazuha runs his hands through his locks approvingly, sometimes touching his ears and neck. Finally, he moves away to pick up the same container and hands it to Scaramouche.
“Can you do it?”
Scaramouche swallows noisily concentrating his gaze in front of him. He really wants to touch it and getting this offer seems almost unreal to him. So he quickly says “green” and snatches the thing out of Kazuha's hands to which he laughs hoarsely.
He twirls it in his hands for a few seconds and finally opens it and smears mixture on his hand getting used to the slippery feeling. Scaramouche takes another deep breath and places his clean hand on Kazuha's thigh, squeezing it either to keep him in place or to keep himself from falling.
His palm rests on Kazuha’s length. Gently gripping, he covers it completely. Scaramouche starts moving his hand up and down, running his thumb over the head, trying to smear the lube over every millimeter. He likes the way Kazuha's cock feels in his hands and he finds himself thinking that he wouldn't mind doing it again but with his mouth.
His movements make Kazuha harden even more and his hand in Scaramouche’s hair tightens a little. Scaramouche adds a little more lubricant and repeats the path a few more times. Finally, Kazuha can't take it anymore.
"Okay, that's enough," he says. "Now get up.”
Scaramouche obeys: he gets up and walks back to the table. Then things happen too fast for him to realize that when one Kazuha's hand has managed to grab his arms the other hand is already pressing on his back forcing him to lie on the flat surface of the table on his stomach.
The coldness of the wood contrasts with his heated body and this sensation is intensified when Kazuha bends down on top of him pressing himself against Scaramouche's body. He leans right up to Scaramouche's ear. His lips whisper hotly as his other arm finds its way around Scaramouche's neck and his fingers tighten pinning him to the table.
"How do you like it?" Kazuha asks.
Scaramouche frankly likes it. He can feel himself getting harder and his body burning even hotter and his patience is getting less and less and he wants to feel full again. Oh, how he wants to feel Kazuha's cock again.
Kazuha had always been gentle and soft but today it is different. This contrast was striking and exciting. Scaramouche finally responds again using one single word, the name of a color.
Then Kazuha pulls away and he misses the feeling of their bodies pressed together. He doesn't miss it for long, though, because Kazuha begins to enter him without stopping and to the end. When their thighs touch, Scaramouche moans briefly.
The pleasant sensations return and Kazuha's hand around his neck seems to amplify them many times over. The inability to move is even more satisfying. And then Kazuha starts moving almost without giving him time to get used to it.
Very soon the movements become sharp and fast so that Scaramouche begins to slide a little on the table. The rhythm repeatedly elicits moans and makes his legs tremble and Scaramouche likes it. However, a strange uncomfortable feeling is again emerging in his chest.
He likes it, really likes to feel these sudden movements, this roughness from the usually so calm and gentle Kazuha. It's arousing, as is the hand that still holds him against the table squeezing a little around his neck.
But he can't stop remembering the gentle touch of the past. He's used to roughness, it's how he's always been treated, it's what he deserves. What he has always deserved.
So Scaramouche whispers "green" again despite the trembling lip and the heavy feeling somewhere inside. It doesn't matter, his body still enjoys the pleasure of Kazuha's hit on the prostate and Scaramouche moans obediently and presses into the table even harder just so Kazuha doesn't notice his trembling lips.
But Kazuha notices. Of course he do. He immediately stops and gets out of the boy, rolls him over onto his back lifting him up so that he's sitting up and looks into his wet eyes. His hands which had just been squeezing his body so pleasantly fall to his cheeks and his gaze looks anxiously at Scaramouche's face.
"Did I hurt you?" Kazuha's voice is hoarse, almost trembling, so he swallows his saliva.
Scaramouche lowers his head and looks at his hands. How could he have become so weak especially in front of someone?
"You didn't," he says through gritted teeth. "I'm fine, let's keep going.”
Kazuha's eyes sharpen.
"No," he answers clearly and steps back, letting go of Scaramouche's face. The warmth next to him immediately disappears and a heavy sigh escapes his chest. The illusion that he is not alone ends again. Again because of him.
"I'm fine," Scaramouche repeats and wants to reach out to Kazuha but he is too far away now.
But Kazuha doesn't move and Scaramouche sighs.
"It's not because of you, so stop with the fancy stuff. You're not satisfied, I'm not satisfied," Scaramouche jumps off the table and leans over it, turning around. "Come back and let's finish this.”
Kazuha does come over but not for what the other is waiting for. Instead, he picks Scaramouche up again, gently wraps his arms around his waist and presses his body against Scaramouche’s putting his head on his shoulder.
Scaramouche freezes not daring to move while his skin rejoices at the return of the warmth that envelops his body so pleasantly again. His nose is touched by this pleasant smell of maple leaves, balsam and sandalwood.
"I'm sorry," Kazuha says. "I got carried away... and gave in to my emotions.”
He kisses Scaramouche's shoulder and then bumps his forehead into it again.
"You didn't do anything wrong," Scaramouche says sharply.
And his thoughts echo: You should hate me not apologize. He's used to getting angry in situations like this when he feels worthless. But it's hard to be angry with Kazuha.
Kazuha sighs and leans back a little. Scaramouche feels his gaze concentrate on the back of his neck. And then the light touch of his fingertips passes right there.
At first, Kazuha's goal was simply to check if he had accidentally left fingerprints but instead his eyes come across a strange symbol that seems to be burned into the man's skin. Of course he had noticed it a long time ago but his questions always seemed inappropriate and untimely. Especially given Scaramouche's dislike of telling anything.
He runs his finger over it again outlining a shape that looks like a Shogun’s symbol. Scaramouche sighs realizing what it is that has caught his eye.
"Ask," he says. It won't hurt if Kazuha knows. After all he has the right to know.
"What does it mean?" he breathes out continuing to look at it.
“That I'm not real.”
That he's just a puppet. That he doesn't belong to himself. That he is so easy to control. You pull the strings, push the buttons, change the wires, and that's it.
Scaramouche takes a deep breath before the story spills out of his mouth. He tells Kazuha about his appearance. In general terms of course, leaving out details that others don't need to know. He tells how Ei created him. How she deemed him as too weak and threw him into the Shakkei Pavilion because he was no more than a useless prototype. He also said that Raiden Shogun was similar.
Having finished, Scaramouche freezes, waiting for other’s reaction. He expects Kazuha to hate him now, just like everyone else. After all, his creator is responsible for the death of Kazuha's friend.
Instead, Kazuha gently kisses the symbol and then strokes it again with his knuckles.
"You're real," Scaramouche hears and immediately turns around, his eyes widen.
For a moment, just a moment, the picture before him blurs and Kazuha's hair no longer so white takes on a brownish hue. But the red strand remains. Scaramouche blinks hastily and everything goes back to normal.
“I’m not," he replies after a pause.
“You are," Kazuha's hands land on his waist, squeezing it gently. His carmine eyes stare steadily into the indigo ones opposite him.
"Don't argue with me," Scaramouche looks away, "you don't know everything.”
"So tell m..." Kazuha doesn't have time to finish as the other abruptly interrupts.
"No," he cuts him off. He is trying hard to find a way to change the subject.
The eyes settle on Kazuha again. Scaramouche's hand slowly rises, buries itself in the soft hair and pulls the man close, nuzzling his lips. He puts his other hand on Kazuha’s shoulder trying to get even closer.
Kazuha doesn't insist on continuing the conversation, giving in to Scaramouche's movements, squeezing his waist and deepening the kiss. Scaramouche sighs in relief, heating the younger man's lips with his breath.
The moment is over, the air is filled with heat again and their movements become more relaxed. Still naked they have a lot of access to each other's skin so their hands roam over each other's bodies caressing, squeezing and pulling the other closer.
Scaramouche slowly pulls back pulling the other with him until they fall onto the bed crumpling the blanket with the things still on it. Kazuha pulls away cautiously but doesn't take his hands off the older man.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asks and Scaramouch nods. "No, I need you to say it," he says, moving his clothes out from under them so they don't get in the way or get dirty.
Scaramouche rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm ready," he replies. "You know, I feel so empty without you…”
"Kunikuzushi..." Kazuha begins but Scaramouche interrupts him again.
"Oh, shut up and fuck me already," he says pulling him into a passionate kiss.
Kazuha's lips are so sweet that he doesn't want to end this kiss so he doesn't break away while he puts his fingers in Scaramouche checking to see if he is still wet and stretched enough. Kazuha seems to be satisfied with the result so now his hands squeeze Scaramouche’s thighs pulling them apart.
Scaramouche gives in, immediately crossing his legs behind the other’s back. Kazuha is out of breath because of the kiss so he is forced to pull away first. However, they don't stay separated for long as almost immediately he begins to enter Scaramouche’s hole. He easily slips inside under the other man's ragged whines of pleasure as his cock touches him.
Kissing him again Kazuha begins to move slowly, his hands now on Scaramouche's waist again gently stroking his sides. The man begins to moan more often so Kazuha has to pull away from his lips to hear the sounds better. Instead, he goes back to the neck and collarbone leaving soft long kisses there.
They move in synchron perfectly complementing each other. The sounds of pleasure merge weaving into one and Scaramouche tries to catch each one, to untangle each exhalation of Kazuha's to reflect somewhere inside himself.
From how gentle he is, something long forgotten begins to bloom in Scaramouche's chest again. He wraps his arms around the younger man's shoulders tighter, pulling Kazuha by his hair to his neck. He can feel the vibration of Kazuha's moan against his neck and the way his fingers are in other’s soft strands.
His lips want to stretch into a smile, in a happy one for the first time in a long time. However, Scaramouche holds back, reminding himself that it's only temporary. He can't let himself get used to it.
So he surrenders to the moment again moving his pelvis to meet Kazuha’s movements, moaning loudly as the head of other’s cock passes over his prostate. And inside he flutters from every light kiss that Kazuha left on him.
They finish quickly almost simultaneously. Kazuha's hand falls on Scaramouche's cock and he barely has time to move before a heavy exhale escapes the older man's lips and he comes still holding Kazuha close.
Feeling every shudder and exhalation of Scaramouche Kazuha comes too pulling out beforehand burying a long moan in the man's neck. Exhausted he falls back on top of him enjoying the arms around his shoulders that the other man still hasn't released. Scaramouche's palm is still in his hair but now it is motionless.
He has to get up, though, because Scaramouche refuses to lie down in the midst of these sticky liquids. Kazuha sighs but brings a half-bowl of water and a towel. First, he wipes them off, then cleans the bed.
Finally, when they are done they return to the bed now covered with a clean blanket. Scaramouche presses himself to the edge but Kazuha pulls him close, hugging him from behind and burying his nose in Scaramouche’s neck again. Eventually his breathing steadies.
Scaramouche on the other hand is not sleeping. Too prideful to express his desire to be closer but not strong enough to leave. He sighs deeply and turns around in Kazuha’s arms to face him.
None of this makes sense. Kazuha leaves tomorrow and The Doctor arrives the day after. And Scaramouche knows for sure that he will have to go with him to Sumeru. What kind of fool would turn down the opportunity to become a God?
He wants to do it. He has no choice. He can't let Fatui find out about them or become interested in Kazuha. It is dangerous for both of them.
But Scaramouche continued to lie there listening to Kazuha's heartbeat, loving every soft sound of snoring. Hoping to engrave it forever because tomorrow Kazuha would leave and only Celestia knew if they would see each other again.
Scaramouche thinks about how Kazuha's fate might unfold. And he also hopes that he won't decide to go to Sumeru in the next... few months. Or even years which would be better.
He listens to his heartbeat again. He will never be worthy of this man. But he'll be worth something when he's finally and completely in control of Electro Gnosis and then, Dendro.
He still falls asleep to the sound of Kazuha's peaceful breathing cursing the weakness of this stupid puppet's body.
Scaramouche wakes up the next morning to a kiss on the forehead and he rushes to open his eyes to detect the threat but finds only a soft carmine gaze. Kazuha sits above him, his white hair in disarray, he is still without clothes covered only by a blanket, yet he glows illuminated by the dawning sun.
"Morning," Kazuha breathes and rushes to kiss him again. "The sun is up and so is the sunshine," he winks teasingly. "Now sunshine should get ready because I'm going on a ship soon.”
As he says these last words his face becomes sad. Scaramouche tenses up, looks at him for a few seconds and then stands up.
"Of course," he replies.
He gets ready rather quickly while feeling other man's brief glances. Kazuha whispers a melody trying to distract himself. They walk up the hill on the Ritou together barely speaking. This "barely" constitutes Kazuha's weak attempts to start a conversation.
Finally, Scaramouche stops catching sight of a ship at the dock. Kazuha distracts him by taking Scaramouche's hands on his own. He reaches forward gently pressing to his lips. Scaramouche responds weakly, and his inside clenches. Kazuha pulls away and looks into his indigo eyes.
"Will we meet again?" he asks gently.
It seems that Scaramouche was not hiding his anxiety well enough. He forgot that Kazuha's eyes are hard and he needs to try harder. He frowns but immediately relaxes his face. He tries to believe in words he is about to say.
"Yes," he says and it seems that he does believe it.
This is evident in Kazuha's face which brightens again. Scaramouche thaws, relaxing that he too believed this lie.
Kazuha kisses him again. Scaramouche thinks he doesn't deserve these kisses.
"Well, see you then," Kazuha says with a light sadness. The older man just nods at him.
Kazuha smiles again as he releases his hands and Scaramouche watches him walk away. Those red eyes shining with sadness seem to remain in his mind forever.
As soon as the man's figure disappears from view, Scaramouche's legs give out. He falls and a scream bursts from his chest that the world will never hear.
When Kazuha reaches the ship, he sees nothing but trees and the statue of the Archon on that hill. Scaramouche has already left.