Chapter Text
Scaramouche hated his job. (No he didn't.) He hated the long hours. (He loved being kept busy.) He hated dealing with the people. (He loved helping them.) He especially hated the cafeteria food. (That one was true.)
Tonight however brought him a new thing to dread. (It brought him something to yearn for.)
Scaramouche honestly, truly didn't want to deal with the Friday night drunk college kid influx. Frankly, he was amazed that Liyue Harbor didn't have more serious emergencies considering the level of stupidity displayed by the students of the local university. He chalked it up to sheer dumb luck.
And once again, he was notified of another one. A minor stab wound. The dumbass, of course, was drunk. Like always.
Scaramouche groaned. At least he was just a nurse and didn't have to deal with the patient for too long. He took a cursory glance at his clipboard before stepping into the waiting room. "Ajax?" He called, boredom ringing clear in his tone. He watched as a tall ginger man got to his feet with the aid of two nearly identical blondes, one of his hands pressed against his right shoulder, where now drying blood had soaked through a white towel. One of the twins was mumbling in a soothing tone while the other stomped her foot and bit out a retort.
He didn't have time for this circus. (He thought it was sweet he had friends who cared.) "Ajax?"
The carrot top looked up from them, their eyes locking together before he grinned, reassuring his friends before carefully making his way over. "Hey there shortstack, sorry to keep you waiting." That lopsided grin was focused on Scaramouche now, and he huffed before turning away, electing to ignore the nickname. "Come with me, we have a room set up for you. When we get there I'll check you over then get the doctor." Archons he was so tired.
How the fuck did this idiot have so much energy? The entire way he talked Scaramouche's poor ears off. (He has a nice voice.)
"Can you believe that guy pulled a knife on me?"
"Mm."
"I'm surprised he ain't here, I did a number on him."
"Mm."
"Dude was my buddy's ex. He came by trying to get back with her and wasn't taking no for an answer. I had to do something."
Scaramouche stopped outside the room that had been prepared for Ajax. "And so you got yourself stabbed? Stupid." Admirable.
He heard a laugh from beside him as he opened the door and motioned Ajax in. "What's so funny?"
Ajax sat himself on the bed, still wearing that grin. He fixed his ocean eyes on Scaramouche. "You. You're funny. Lumine told me I was being stupid too. But I don't like when people hurt my friends. Besides, the guy has a very punchable face. If you saw him you'd totally agree!"
Scaramouche raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing in response to that. "Alright, left arm out, sleeve up. I'm going to take your temp and blood pressure after I notify the doc you're ready. They'll probably stitch you up and send you home, since based on location and your whole... you it likely didn't hit any major arteries or nerves." He gave a wry smile. "Guess your friend's ex has awful aim."
"Oh don't get me wrong, it hurts like a bitch!" He laughed, and it grated Scaramouche's ears. (He wants to hear that laugh again.) "But I can still move my arm and all."
Scaramouche nodded, sending a notice from the laptop to the doctor before checking his temperature and blood pressure. It wasn't long before the doctor arrived and he was shooed out to get more supplies.
He could hear Ajax's loud voice even with the door shut, babbling on about his fight. What a show-off.
In only a couple hours Ajax was ready to go, and Scaramouche led him back to the waiting room, having to endure more chatter. This time it was questions about himself.
"Hey so how long have you worked here?"
"Why?" Six months.
"Just making conversation. Do you like it here?"
"Does it matter?" Yes but here doesn't like me.
"Well..."
He stopped at the doors to the waiting room. "I'm not here for incessant small talk, I'm here to do a job. And you're good to go, okay?"
Oh no, that grin again. Ajax stared down at Scaramouche, and he could clearly see the freckles that dotted his face like stars. He hated the stars. (He loved gazing at a starry night sky.)
"Well, I'm not good to go yet. I was hoping I could get your number and we can have coffee tomorrow, shortcake?"
Scaramouche's brain short-circuited. He stared at the man, mouth opening and closing like a fish. "I.. uh." He cleared his throat, looking away. "I'll be back here in the morning, so don't worry about it."
"Then at least your number, sweetcheeks?"
"No. And don't call me such ridiculous nicknames." Yes goddammit and don't stop please.
Ajax looked a bit disappointed, and Scaramouche almost caved. Almost. "I have other patients to get to, just keep yourself out of trouble, okay?"
"Sorry cutie pie, no can do. Trouble is my middle name." He drew himself up proudly at that, as if getting himself hurt was a badge of honor.
He snorted, turning away to open the door before the carrot top could catch his blush. "Stop calling me by nicknames. Just call me Scaramouche like a normal person."
"Oh, and he gives me a name! Scaramouche Scarmouche." His grin turned devilish. "Will-"
"Alright have a lovely night!" Scaramouche cut Ajax off, practically shoving him out into the waiting room and slamming the door shut. He stood there for a bit, trying to calm himself. God he wanted to punch that Ajax. (He wanted to take him up on that coffee.)
The rest of the shift passed as normal. And when Scaramouche showed up in the morning he was notified that someone dropped off a coffee and a mini strawberry shortcake for him. When he got it a note was attached to the coffee.
Call me or text me so we can plan something ♡
31x-xxx-xxxx.
Ajax
He definitely didn't immediately save the number to his phone. (He saved it and was unusually giddy all day.)
That night, when he was home in his apartment, Scaramouche debated on whether he should actually text Ajax. He had been living in Liyue for seven months and all he had done in that time was work. Maybe it would be nice for a change of pace. (He was afraid of change.)
It took him almost a week, but every morning he was left with a coffee and a pastry when he showed up at work. It took him almost a week, but he finally texted Ajax.
Scara: Hey.
Carrot Top: oh!! is this my cute nurse??
Scaramouche made a face at his phone as he plopped onto his couch.
Scara: Don't call me that.
Carrot Top: awwww i know u love it deep down
Carrot Top: hey if ur free rn meet me and my buddies at wanmin itll be fun
Scara: No.
Carrot Top: great!! see u soon
Scaramouche groaned and ran a free hand through his hair. There was no way he was going. (There was no way he wasn't.)
And so Scaramouche found himself staring up at the sign for Wanmin Restaurant, dressed in black sweats and a grey hoodie that practically swallowed up his thin frame. He heaved a sigh, pushing the door open to step inside.
The smell of fresh Liyuean cuisine hit his nose and his stomach rumbled. All he had in the morning was a cup noodle and he barely ate his cafeteria lunch, so the prospect of proper food had part of him excited.
He glanced around and quickly spotted orange hair, sitting at a large table in a corner with others, an extra empty seat was beside Ajax. Those twins were back, along with a girl in long brunette pigtails who was dressed more for a funeral than a friendly outing; a young man with dark hair and teal highlights - looked like a punk, he was next to the male twin, arms crossed. There was also a rather refined looking man with them as well, his long brown hair in a ponytail, the tips fading to orange.
All in all, he found them to be an eclectic group, talking and laughing together. He was intimidated, to say the least.
He wanted to turn tail and rush out before he was noticed. (He wanted to get their attention.)
He stopped behind Ajax, who had his back to him. The teal punk fixed golden eyes on him, the first to notice him as the brunette was talking animatedly.
"-So then the lady pulls out a solid gold trocar. It had roses engraved on it! I was just thinking 'huh, maybe there are normal people in the industry after all' then she whips that baby out like it's her pride and joy! So she starts telling us-"
Scaramouche lightly kicks one of Ajax's chair legs, and he jumped with a surprised noise before turning to look up at him. Scaramouche had to look away as Ajax beamed at him, scooching the chair to make more room as he patted the free seat beside him. "There you are, shortcake!"
He grimaced at the nickname -(he liked the attention)- and sat beside Ajax, tapping his fingers nervously against his thigh. All eyes were on him.
Thankfully Ajax spoke before he could. "Guys, this is Scaramouche! He's the pretty nurse that took such good care of me when that bastard swung by Lumine's last week."
The female twin - Lumine - crossed her arms at the mention if her ex, grumbling. "I still could've curb stomped him myself."
"Now now, both of you need to reign in the violence." The gentleman spoke, his voice deep and rich like chocolate. He smiled and chuckled. "Though I must say he did have it coming."
The teal punk snorted. "Aren't you supposed to be the responsible one, Zhongli? He's lucky the asshat didn't press charges."
The gentleman - Zhongli - shrugged. "What can I say? Sometimes you must take matters into your own hands."
Ajax let out a laugh, effectively cutting off the conversation. "Okay okay, don't overwhelm the poor guy." he motioned around the table, starting with the punk. "Grumpy pants is Xiao-" Xiao flipped him off in response but Ajax pressed on, "-Aether is his boyfriend. That's Aether's sister Lumine, Zhongli's a walking encyclopedia, and lastly Hu Tao." Hu Tao waved, beaming at Scaramouche. "Okay okay introductions are up! As I was saying, she starts telling us about how you just make a little incision and then *sloorp* everything out in there!"
As dinner wore on Scaramouche realized just how out of place he felt. Zhongli was the only one who, like him, had apparently already finished schooling and was now a professor of Liyuean history. Xiao and Aether had apparently been dating since their freshman years, and Lumine had a current boyfriend who wasn't with the group at the time due to practice of some kind. He also learned that Hu Tao was going to mortuary school so she can take over her family's business, and that Ajax was currently not majoring, but wanted to look into the toy industry.
But any time the conversation turned to Scaramouche he froze up. How the fuck was he supposed to socialize? He didn't like people usually. (They found him unbearable.) In the end he told them only the basics - he was new(ish) to Liyue, he spent most of his time working, and his family was still at home in Inazuma. It seemed like enough for a first meeting, but such a large group was... exhausting, to say the least.
He was finishing up his jade parcels when he felt the headache coming. The lights felt brighter, and Lumine was talking about something but at this point it was just noise. Too much of it. He felt isolated. He felt crowded. A chair squeaking as other patrons got up to leave, the other conversations in the restaurant were feeling just as noisy and disruptive as the one at his own table. A laugh here. Some chatter there. He could hear chewing.
Too much.
Too much.
Too much have to run-
Scaramouche stood abruptly, the chair making an awful scraping sound, his eyes wide as he tried to keep his breathing steady. "I... it was nice meeting you all but I just remembered I-" Fuck why can't he control his breathing? "-I have to go!"
He reached into his wallet and tossed down some mora on the table for his share before rushing out the door, ignoring the confused stares and the concerned voices. He just needed to get somewhere quiet.
Regret and fear and bile swirled in Scaramouche's gut as he hurried to put as much distance between him and Wanmin as possible. He could feel his phone buzzing incessantly in his pocket. He wanted to throw it, but he didn't want to have to get another one. Why did he even go out? (Ajax asked.) Why did he agree to hanging with a group? (He's tired of being lonely.)
He made it to his apartment after a while, having slowed once he wasn't around people, his hands shaking as he scrambled to unlock the door. He slammed it behind him and leaned against the door as he took deep breaths. He hesitated before finally checking his phone. Five missed calls. And several texts.
Carrot Top: hey scara pick up
are u ok? u hurried out rq and u looked pale
was it the food??
shit im sorry if im too much in ur space man
u could have told me if u werent having fun
scara
everyones worried are u ok??
He heaved out a sigh. He expected Ajax to be angry. (He always expected anger.)
Scara: I'm okay.
I'm sorry for hurrying out like that. I'll take you up on that coffee tomorrow morning as an apology.
He slid down to the carpet, sighing as he wiped tears from his eyes that he didn't even realize had fallen. His phone buzzed.
Carrot Top: oh i thought youd never ask!! meet me at the shop near ur work in the morning and pls take it easy ♡
That night Scaramouche had a harder time sleeping than normal. He didn't know if it was fear.
He didn't know if it was excitement.