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One, two, and three. It was easy to work for Scaramouche, getting rid of his enemies and making quick work of them even if they came all at once. Eventually, they stopped coming, and the short male took it as they were retreating. Pesky treasure hoarders , Scaramouche thought as he tsked, trying to end me. Pathetic.
It was deemed safe when surveying the area once more before Scaramouche left and made his way to the top of a random mountain near him. More and more treasure hoarders kept coming and trying to fight the balladeer. Although it was easy, it was slowly getting annoying to constantly deal with them and their futile attempts at whatever they were trying to achieve. Seeing their attempts only for them to run away by the end was funny. Chuckling, Scaramouche continued his trek up the mountain to overlook most of Inazuma and its endless beauty.
The sun was slowly setting behind them, orange and pink slowly dusting the sky with its matching hues. It wasn't anything special, at least not to the male. He knew they would not believe him if they ever said that to his lovers. They would make them watch the sunset til he eventually began to find it remarkable.
It has been a while since Scaramouche returned home, maybe a week or two at best. Working with and for the Fatui made it almost impossible to go back home to Kazuha and Heizou. He wondered how his two lovers had been without them by their side. He believes nothing would be any different other than one less person being there. With their different work ethics and schedules, it was impossible for Scaramouche to be with them but possible for the other two to be together.
It was a shitty feeling, Jealousy, Scaramouche concluded as he stared into the vast ocean as the moon reflected its light onto it. He hated the feeling of Jealousy, the sense of not being able to be with his partners all the time and spend the long-awaited time with them. He hated every bit of it. That's why, in almost one week, Scaramouche made the difficult decision to leave them for good. He would no longer be in Inazuma, no, they would be in Liyue harbor with Childe, and he will be staying there for the rest of his 'life.'
Kazuha looked at his lover, perched on the couch while reading a book with such intent it looked like nothing could disturb him. He looked at peace, no worries on his face at all. Kazuha knew his lover better than that, knowing the other was worried sick for Scaramouche. It had been nearly two weeks since the latter came home, with no traces of him to be seen anywhere throughout Inazuma City. It was as if he was getting rid of any tracks that could lead the other two to him.
"Heizou, darling, you're zoning out again," Kazuha said softly as he placed two cups of tea in front of them. "I know you're worried about Scara, but don't stress yourself so much on him. You know they'll return to us no matter how long it may take."
"I know love, but they never take this long. The last time he came back this late, they were covered in blood and passed out on top of you from his severe wounds!" Heizou said, his worry now oozing out of him like a broken dam. Kazuha winced, recalling the night when the other did indeed come home wounded and on the brink of near death. It surprised them because Scaramouche never came home in those conditions.
Sighing, Kazuha looked down and grabbed his tea, taking a sip from the now-warm drink. "I would look for them, but it's late, and we both have an early schedule tomorrow."
"No, I'll go out now and try to find them!-"
"No, Heizou, you are staying at home. You're going to regret going out late. We can search for them tomorrow if we must, but stay." Kazuha interjected, his once happy eyes now holding a tinge of sadness mixed with worry. Heizou stared at him, knowing that the latter was right about the arrangements, and sighed, nodding his head reluctantly before following Kazuha to their shared room.
Where was Scaramouche? Heizou wondered as he began to get ready for bed.
Please come back home, love; I miss you.
He can no longer go home, which was finalized when the Shogun appeared before him and gave him a warning.
"What do you want?" Scaramouche spat to his mother, anger, and untrust laced in his voice, making eye contact with those purple eyes he no longer wished to see. It has been nearly decades since he last saw his creator, his mother.
Beelzebub looked at him, an unknown look in her eyes. Yet if you looked closer, you could see some worry and uncertainty in them. What was she uncertain about? That was a question Scaramouche would never ask.
"I will not be asking again; what do you-" "Your loved ones are in danger," Raiden spoke, voice robust yet low. "The Abyss plans an attack on the Fatui and everyone close to them. Especially your two lovers, Kunikuzushi. I plan my best to protect them, yet I cannot guarantee total safety for them, my child-"
"Do not call me that- You have no right to call me your child after you abandoned me and left me to fend for myself in this shitty world without your help!" Scaramouche yelled, angry and in disbelief, "And what do you mean the Abyss is planning an attack? They haven't done anything in years!"
Her eyes glared into his soul, obviously not happy with the opposed feelings Scaramouche showed. Yet, she knew she could not be mad at him as he had every right to feel that way. "You heard me correctly, Kunikuzushi. I know your plans to leave Inazuma and stay in Liyue with Tartaglia, but you only have three days to do what you wish— not a week."
Three days? That's hardly enough time for everything that Scaramouche had initially planned. "I want you to make me a promise, Mother," He spoke lowly, catching the Archon by surprise for merely a second. "You are to protect Kaedehara Kazuha and Shikanoin Heizou in any way you can. Keep them away from the Abyss and from harm's way."
His tone was cold now, his eyes dull and severe. "Can you promise me that, Mother?"
"...I promise, my child."
Now, here he was - letter in hand and a bag in the other, looking around where they had once called home. It was stripped of everything belonging to Scaramouche, from his every piece of clothing to the trinkets they'd leave out in plain sight.
It was… strange. The house was always alive, and now it seemed dead. Scaramouche sighed; please forgive me… I have no choice but to do this.
Looking around one last time, Scaramouche placed the letter on the dining table before turning around and leaving the house. For the best, he'd try to convince himself, yet they could feel their heart tear at the image of his two lovers looking at the letter in pain.
I'm sorry, Heizou and Kazuha…
With that, Scaramouche left Inazuma without looking back, not once.
Heizou was the first to get home, exhaustion taking over his every bone from training and doing his daily detective work. He could feel a slight shift in the house. Where were Scaramouche's things?
Looking around, Heizou noted that the entire house was stripped bare of anything that could belong to the purple-headed male. Fear and hurt began to his coat eyes as he desperately tried to find an item that could have been possibly left behind. Yet he knew that, no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't find anything.
A letter. It lay there, perfectly on display for wandering eyes to loom over and read. Heizou picked it up, a shiver going up his spine as he read the first line;
To Kaedehara Kazuha and Shikanoin Heizou.
"You should return to Liyue with me one day, Kazuha; the crew and I miss you!" Beidou's voice rang loud and confident as ever. She had come to Inazuma for a week, simply stating that she needed somewhere to reside before she continued traversing the seas.
Kazuha chuckled, a soft smile playing on his lips, "One day I will, Beidou, but I would have to bring my lovers, you know?"
"How are the two? It's been a while since I've last seen the two!" She asked, taking a sip of the alcohol she held with her
"They've been doing great, although it's been a while since I saw Scaramouche. He hasn't come home in a while, and I'm worried" It was a mood switch, and Beidou hadn't expected this from the adult she could consider her son.
A moment of silence came between them before Beidou spoke again, "They'll come to you and Heizou again before you know it, Kazu. He's a strong one, isn't he."
Before Kazuha could reply, Beidou's crew member yelled towards the captain to let her know that the ship was ready to take off. Sighing, Beidou hugged Kazuha and spoke a soft See you soon before boarding the ship.
Kazuha waved, waiting until the ship was gone into the sun's horizon before returning to his abode. Heizou should be home by now, probably reading a book as he usually does when he's alone.
Oh, how he was wrong.
The sight that greeted Kazuha was not a pleasant one. There, Heizou was bent on the table, crying as he gripped onto a piece of paper that was surely crumpled by how hard Heizou held onto it.
"Hei? Darling, what's wrong? What happened?!" Kazuha asked, rushing over to his partner and quickly walking him to the couch, sitting him down. Not once has he seen Heizou like this; the other was always so put together and rarely showcased his emotions.
Heizou couldn't speak, grief taking over him firmly and his tears getting stronger by the second. He let out a wet sob before giving Kazuha the paper, indicating that he should read it.
To Kaedehara Kazuha and Shikanoin Heizou.
As you may notice, the house is bare of my personal belongings. There was a reason I had been gone for nearly two weeks: I could not go home for fear of you both getting hurt. The fatui has been on me, trying to get to me and see who they could use to break me — I would not be able to live with myself if one of you were to get hurt. I may be what they call The Balladeer, but I am not one of the strongest harbingers. There was only so much I could do before I resorted to leaving Inazuma for good. I will not be returning, not now, not ever.
Another thing will also happen as well. In the Abyss, they are planning an attack on the Fatui for reasons unknown. As you may have guessed, you are one of their main targets, as well as any other vision holder residing in Inazuma, to make their job easier. My mother will protect you both, and although I wish to be the one to do so, I cannot. I am so sorry. I wish there were a way that I could fix this to keep you both far from harm's way, but this is the best that I can do so. I love you both very much; thank you for everything you have done for me these past years. This is goodbye, whether it be forever or temporary.
Love, Kunikuzushi.
Kazuha was rendered speechless, any feeling in him stripped away as he finished reading the letter. Had Scaramouche left them? For good?
Heizou was now silent, having fallen asleep on Kazuha as he read the letter. This couldn't be goodbye forever, Kazuha thought; he wouldn't just leave us for good…
Knock, "Kazuha? Heizou? It's Yae, me, and Rai- The shogunate, who have come here to get you both before the Abyss attacks."
Oh
Oh.