Chapter Text
There was nothing more important to Mona than seeing Earth. Well, she has seen Earth, seen the photos in the hallways, even heard stories about it from her friends. It’s just… she hasn’t experienced any of it. She hasn’t tasted ramen (and frankly doesn’t understand why offering it to guests is an invitation to stay over), hasn’t walked along the shores of beaches, she hasn’t even touched grass!
She’s heard a lot about grass, her friends talk about it all the time. There was something about walking and feeling things underneath your feet that boggles her mind.
She must get to Earth. No matter what.
But there was one thing standing between her and her dreams.
“Mona, you will be paired with Scaramouche.” Master Jean reads off a long list handed to her by Squad 103’s leader, Keqing.
Mona felt her left eye twitch as she gave a side-glance to her much shorter partner. Scaramouche kept his gaze ahead, looking at Master Jean indifferently, looking almost bored.
Figures.
“With all due respect, Master Jean,” Mona found herself saying through gritted teeth, fingers intertwined behind her back, fidgeting. “But may I ask, why?”
“It’s your first time on Earth, not to mention your first Valentine's Day,” the Head explains, glancing between Mona and the list in her hand. “Keqing has recommended I pair you with someone who has more experience.”
Mona wanted to cry, scream, and throw up, in no particular order. Jean seemed to sense her distress, so she asked.
“Is there a problem?”
Yes. Several. Hundreds. No! Thousands!
But of course, she doesn’t say this, instead.
“None at all, Master.” she forced a tight smile.
Jean nodded and smiled. “Well, off you go then, ask the last squad to come in on your way out.”
Scaramouche said nothing, but nodded and bowed instead. He heads off, not waiting for Mona as she fumbled and bows clumsily before exiting the door. She hears Scaramouche tell Ganyu that it was their Squad’s turn and heads off without giving Mona a second glance. Why was he flying so quickly? She had no choice but to follow quickly behind him, only to stop abruptly when he stops floating at the end of the long corridor.
“Never do that again.” he says suddenly, looking behind his shoulder.
“Do what?” Mona tried to keep the annoyance from her tone, was she not good enough to be looked at while having a conversation? He should at least face her when he’s talking!
“That thing that you did at the end.” he spoke, flying off again.
Mona wracked her brains, figuring out what he meant.
“Did you mean smile?” she called out, flapping her wings a bit harder to catch up to him. Why was he so fast?!
“Yes, that.” his monotone voice replied back.
Her eyes widened and scoffed. She quickened her pace, mustering the strength to get ahead of her partner, stopping him in his tracks.
He crossed his arms over his chest, raising an eyebrow, and waited for whatever Mona had to say. She leaned in, and smiled.
“I guess you’ll be seeing a lot of it, partner.” she practically spat before flying away.
She was very satisfied with the look of utter disgust on his face. Good. If she wasn’t allowed to enjoy her trip to Earth, she will do everything in her capacity to make sure neither does Scaramouche.
Scaramouche and Mona weren’t always on bad terms. Only for the greater half of the century since they were conceived.
Cupids are born each century and they are grouped into squads depending on when they were born.
Mona was unfortunately conceived in the same century as Scaramouche and they were inseparable.
They ate together, learned how to fly together, learned archery together, even dreamed about going to Earth together. However, things don’t always go as planned. A famous human once said: everything that could go wrong, will go wrong.
“Now, make sure that your harnesses are secure.” Jean’s voice snaps Mona out of her thoughts.
They were preparing for flight and securing their bows and arrows were their top priority. Jean was instructing them how to do just that.
“Now, you know the rules. First, cupids are not allowed to be seen by humans. Second, cupids are not allowed to interfere with human relationships, you have to let fate run its course. Third, your arrows are unique, no pair is made the same, if you miss, well…” Jean trails off and chuckles. “Let’s hope you don’t.”
In the corner of her eye, Mona sees Scaramouche give her a pointed look as Jean says the rules with finality. As if Mona could ever screw up that badly. Who does he think she is? She knows how to follow the rules. Today will be the day that she proves to Scaramouche that she was the better cupid.
“Later, when you arrive, familiarize yourself with your surroundings. The following day will be hectic since it is Valentines Day, so do your best to be prepared. You will only have until the end of February to complete your tasks. You must leave Earth on the last day of February, understood?”
Unified voices of agreement erupted from all around Mona. She could feel herself bubbling with excitement. She ignored the look that Scaramouche was giving her. No amount of glaring will make her wipe the grin off her face. It’s finally happening.
“Good luck, everyone.” Jean nodded and stepped aside. Dawn greeted Mona’s eyes. This is it. I’m going to see Earth.
She steeled herself, shrugging her wings, preparing for flight.
With her wings flapping as quick as her heartbeat, they left for the skies.
“This is incredible!” Mona yells on top of her lungs, rolling around the golf course, wings hidden. Scaramouche scrunched his nose in disgust. The sight of Mona jumping up and down on fucking grass makes him want to ditch the cupid altogether.
If she’s this excited about grass, she’ll probably lose her fucking mind when she sees snow.
The mission was simple enough. Each cupid was assigned a number of couples to ‘target’ and they had to make sure they confessed to each other before the month ended. An arrow’s effect could be as quick as a second or as long as 10 days, maybe even more. Either way, they had enough time to make sure everyone is well into their honeymoon phase before they leave.
Cupids don’t usually go in pairs but in this case, since it was Mona’s first Valentines Day, someone had to accompany her.
And of course, it just had to be Scaramouche.
“You look like an idiot,” he scoffed after Mona’s fifth woohoo. “Who cares about walking? Wouldn’t gliding be faster?”
Mona stopped her grass-angel-making, sat up, and glared at him. “Jean clearly said that we should familiarize ourselves, and I’m familiarizing myself.”
Scaramouche rolled his eyes and waved his arm for her to continue as she pleased. Their first couple wasn’t far off, anyway. They could make it to them in no time. He heard her occasional giggle ring through the air happily as he wandered off, recollecting the location of the people they had to visit.
They only had 5 couples to monitor this Valentines. It was probably the easiest mission he’s had. Targeting 5 couples is just childplay’s at this point. Surely, even Mona wouldn’t be able to fuck this up.
Scaramouche wiped a hand over his face and groaned. Surely, she can’t fuck this up, right?
“Oi!” he yelled, walking back to her, he’s annoyed by the sound of his shoes crunching on the grass but he had to tuck in his wings too. Was he worried that he would expose their identities? Certainly. Was he worried that a cupid of his status would be seen with this insanely giddy woman? Fuck yes. Never mind being exposed to humans, he doesn’t want his fellow cupids to see him associated with this. “Give me your arrows!”
“What?!” she called out, propping herself on her elbows to see Scaramouche slowly come into her view.
“I said,” Scaramouche stopped in front of her, arms crossed, looking down to where she’s lying on the grass. “Give me your arrows.”
Her eyes widened and she scrambled to her feet, effectively putting distance between her and Scaramouche.
“Are you insane?!” Mona shrieked, hugging her quiver possessively. “Why would I give you my arrows! You already have 3 couples, why do you have to take mine?!”
“Because,” He sighs exasperatedly. “I don’t trust you.”
“Excuse me?” Scaramouche saw the hurt briefly flash in her eyes and he felt his chest tighten.
“Do I really have to repeat myself?” He glared at her.
“Give me another reason then,” She said, jutting out her jaw in defiance.
“We can’t afford to screw this up. This is your first time on Earth, anything can happen. I just don’t want us to miss.”
“You mean, you don’t want me to miss?” she frowns, her eyebrows furrowing. “What makes you think I’ll miss?”
“Because,” he groaned, rubbing his hands on his face. Because you’re Mona. “Because you have a bad aim.”
“I have a bad aim?” she asked flatly, slowly grabbing her bow. Scaramouche frowned as he followed her actions with his eyes. She took an arrow from her quiver and loaded it. She pulled the bow taut and aimed. “Wanna say that again?”
Scaramouche’s eyes widened. He held his hands up and slowly backed away from an advancing Mona, arrow well and perfectly aimed to strike him between his eyes.
“L-let’s talk about this.” He stuttered, still backing away from Mona. She looked incredibly pissed. “Okay okay okay! I’ll leave one couple to you!”
“One?!” she pressed, moving faster towards Scaramouche.
“Fine!” he yelled, backing away faster. “You can keep both of them!”
Mona lowers her bow and returns the arrow back to her quiver. She looked extremely satisfied with herself. “I thought so.” she grinned, slinging her quiver over her shoulder and clasping it to her harness and turned around to skip on grass once again.
Scaramouche fell, landing on his rear. He gasped for air and held a hand to his chest, hoping he could keep his heart from popping out. He felt familiar warmth creep up his cheeks. Shit, that could’ve been dangerous.
(2 Days before Valentine’s Day)