Work Text:
∘₊✧────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────✧₊∘
A fractured relationship you were both put in. The constant arguing, verbal insults and faults being shot back and forth, it felt…endless. It’s bittersweet, but leaning more on the bitter side if you say. Not one week can go by without some sort of shouting in the house. Even the ending is always the same, either you or Scaramouche storm out due to being adamant and pure hatred.
Every day, you ask yourself: Does he even love you anymore? Do you even love him anymore? Why has this become a habit?
But maybe, just maybe, the only difference that separates these two years you’ve both spent rather perfectly together and these past months of arguing is the result of love changing. It wasn’t because of someone falling out of love, it was the higher expectations from one another. You both expected more.
Still, those thoughts terrify you. Can you or Scaramouche really continue like this? What if... What if one day one of you decides to leave for good?
“Even with our countless shouts, we couldn't reach each other's hearts. So whenever you ask me again how I feel, please remember, my answer is you.”
You were leaning against the bed, bawling your eyes after another heated argument that lasted for hours throughout the day. This was the same as every other hundredth fight; Scaramouche out of the apartment, broken items in the living room, and you overthinking about this relationship. Typical day. Sure, there were many personal differences and lifestyles between you both but why did it have to go this far?
You reminisced old memories like going on romantic dates, Scaramouche surprising you with flowers, and most importantly, enjoying time together. But you barely remember the last time you two went on a date, nor do you remember the last time he had given you flowers. The ones he had given you had been dead now, even after careful treatment. Things have certainly changed.
Huddling your legs and hiding your sobbed-out face into your arms and legs, you could feel yourself crying more the longer you thought. When is this ever going to go back to normal? Hell, you don’t even share the bed anymore. You don’t know when you and Scaramouche had stopped sleeping together, but he sleeps on the couch now.
Is love supposed to hurt this much?
It’s not, but it does.
Speaking of hurt, Scaramouche suddenly stormed inside the bedroom that was “locked.” You really were a mess to have forgotten about locking the door for privacy, or maybe you were just too worried about thoughts of Scaramouche one day leaving you for good as he had always threatened to do.
Continuing on, he had startled you of course. It was a loud bashing sound and it seemed like he was still angry. You flinched back at the sound but didn’t dare to take a glimpse. Keeping your face hidden, you held onto your legs tight out of fear of what would go on now..
“I can’t do this anymore.” He finally spoke in a cold tone. “I can’t keep dismissing everything like it’s going to change naturally.” His voice came from above you and you assumed he was standing in front of you.
Before you could even register his words into your foggy and saddened mind, Scaramouche grabbed your wrist to pull you away from yourself and yanked you towards him rather forcefully. His grip on you was tight and bruising yet it was also one you were used to. But you shouldn’t be used to it.
“Listen to me!” He shouts, making you face him as he takes both of your hands away from your face. You were still in the midst of crying, your lips quivering in anxiousness when he yelled. Your eyes opened to look at him and your body was trembling from panic.
“I-I’m listening..!” You barely mutter, voice cracking. At this point, you were just waiting for him to announce that he was breaking up with you. It’s like you yearned to hear those words leave his mouth so more sadness and disappointment can wash over you while you’re at it.
Scaramouche was also shaking and you noticed that from his wobbly hands gripping you. He sighs rather softly after a moment of silence. “Look, we can’t stay together like this any longer.” He starts, looking you in the eye. Is this his way of calling it off with you?
“So.. You’re leaving for good?” You ask, feeling the overwhelming emotions starting to melt away and drown you from the ice brick built up.
After asking that, you saw that he was narrowing his eyes at you like you had struck a nerve. Was he really going to leave?
“I said listen to me.” He spoke sternly. And again, you were taken aback when he pulled you into a tight hug, his head hung over your shoulder while he held you snugly. “We shouldn’t continue tearing ourselves down over and over again. I love you, and you love me, we both know that. Even if we have to go back a long way, I will still feel the same way about you. We'll be alright and I want to try again.”
You felt your breath hitch as he said that like all of your worries evaporated. Your body relaxed in his hold–it felt like you were hugging him for the first time you both started dating long ago. It felt…comfortable and relieving. A huge cloud had just passed by and cleared up the skies.
“We can’t keep pretending we don’t matter, the arguments don’t define us, am I right?” Scaramouche continues, watching as you nod. “No matter how many times we fall apart due to our frequent arguments, like I said, we're the ones that matter the most. We're not meaningless.”
Your tears have slowed down–they were still falling, yes, but they’ve calmed after hearing the reassurance you much needed. “..You think so? I thought you had given up on us…” You mumbled, finally feeling secure being around him again.
“Never!” He says a bit louder than anticipated. He pulls you away, holding you by the shoulders as he stares right into your eyes. Through your own tears, you take note of his watery tears as well. “I would never give up on us, especially you. Even if we're stuck in the same loop, you should know that I'm always on your side no matter what pulls us apart.”
You see how a tear or two slips out of his mesmerizing eyes and drip down his cheek. He looks so vulnerable right now despite everything he’s done that pained you. You’ve been dreaming about this moment ever since and a wave of solace was all you can feel.
Scaramouche moved his hands to stroke your face, wiping away your tears with his thumbs. You were indeed a mess, but you were still gorgeous in his eyes. A small smile plastered his face showing that he was content despite everything. The smile reminded you of all the good times you’ve both shared.
And you knew it was time to overcome the challenge.
Nevertheless, he leaned in close to your face, and both of your eyes fluttered shut when your lips met one another. A kiss was exchanged between the two of you and it felt comforting to do. You don’t even remember the last time you’ve both genuinely kissed and this time it felt different.
His hold was certainly gentle, pleasant to be in. You found yourself leaning into his touch and craving more of his warmth. Soon, Scaramouche pulled away and gave a peck to your forehead.
“I love you, you know that?” He tilts his head sideways a bit as he asks you, wanting to hear your confirmation. “Nothing will get in the way of my love for you and I’m sorry that I’ve made you upset countless times.”
Nodding in response, you interlock your fingers with his and squeeze lightly. “I love you too, and I’m also sorry for making you mad…and leaving you to sleep on the couch.” Your face brightened up a little as you joked, a small upward curl made its way to your mouth.
Scaramouche smiled back instantly and chuckled softly. “I do miss sleeping on the bed, but I miss sleeping with you more. I just miss you in general.”
“Then come on, let’s cuddle!” You giggled, pulling him towards the bed already. It seems that both of your moods’ have lightened up and have moved passed from the drama.
Moreover, he stared at you in amusement, already wrapping his arms around your waist and lying with you in bed. Once settled in comfortably, you were about to speak again until you hiccuped. Again and again.
Scaramouche heard you hiccuping and saw that you looked away in embarrassment. “Hm? Do you need help?” He asks. He turns your face back towards him and chuckles a little at your helpless expression. “Oh please, don’t be uneasy, just take deep breaths.”
Gently patting your back, he tried to relax you and your sudden hiccups. He kisses the top of your head and hopes you feel better from all of the chaos. It’s time to set aside the differences and move on; a lot of trust and feelings have been hurt and broken but soon, they’ll be repaired.
You two continued cuddling in the comfortable covers with you nonstop hiccuping here and there and Scaramouche trying to appease you.
“You’re so cute when you’re like this.” He joked, smiling and nuzzling his face on your cheek. You were held in his arms, snuggled up against one another lovingly. It definitely felt nice like this, a feeling you’ll never get over. “Shh.. Don’t ever doubt my love for you, I’ll always love you even if we have continuous fights. I just want to make up for the lost time with you instead of arguing.”
Nodding and kissing his nose, you hiccuped in response. Scaramouche laughed softly at you before admiring you affectionately. He embraces your face in his hands, giving you sweet pecks all over your face. Hearing your enchanting giggles made his heart skip a bit and he swore to the Archons he’ll never break someone as endearing as you.
He loved you and you loved him, there’s nothing else you both want more in this world than to be cradled with one another. This may not have been a perfect era to be in, but you had each other and that’s all that matters. It’s just love in the end, and you wish to stay by his side during every up
“We'll be alright, please try again.”
★・・・・★・・・・
When you woke up, you noticed Scaramouche wasn’t beside you anymore which made you alert. You felt like your heart was starting to sink and you went out into the living room to check. Lo and behold, Scaramouche was right there, crouched on the ground, sweeping and fixing the items that were broken from the previous argument.
“Scara, you could’ve woken me up to help you..!” You sighed disappointedly, facepalming and walking towards him.
He saw you and shrugged. He was in the middle of gathering glass from a broken picture frame. “I didn’t want to disturb you, you were too peaceful to ever bother.”
“..Still, you could’ve let me lend you a hand. Speaking of hands, why are your hands bloody?!” You exclaimed in shock and horror at the little cuts and scars covering his hands.
“Because of the glass, obviously.”
“You have a literal broom right next to you.”
“Screw the broom, the pieces are too small and get stuck in the bristles!”
Frowning, you pull him up and away from the mess. “Just stop it. You might as well leave the glass on the ground rather than handpick them.”
“Whatever… Well anyway, I got you something!” Scaramouche quickly changed the subject, disappearing into the kitchen before coming out with your favorite bouquet of flowers. He had still remembered after months of being cold to each other.
You were thrilled, of course, but most importantly, you were grateful. “You really didn’t have to, none of these gifts compare to you.” Chuckling and grinning, you leaped into his arms excitedly. “But I do appreciate these!” You took the flowers and was surrounded by the fresh scent of plants.
“Oh, but you know how much I love spoiling you.”
“I really don’t need any more gifts, I’m fine with nothing but you.”
Scaramouche scoffed a bit and wrapped his arms around you as well as being careful to not get your clothes dirty from his bloody hands. You leaned against his chest with your eyes closed, hearing his heart thump a thousand times faster than normal.
Before you knew it, you had heard a little “click” from behind your neck. You felt something cold lightly pressing around your neck and when you opened your eyes to glance at the object, it was a beautiful necklace–one you can’t take your eyes off of.
He snickered cheekily, clearly smug. You glared at him with a look that screamed, “seriously?” though you knew he couldn’t care less. Giving him a brief kiss on the lips, you pulled away to push his head back with your fingers playfully.
“No more gifting! I only want your love!” You huff in defeat. Why does his love language have to be gifting?
“Righttt. We’re also going on a date tonight.”
“...I’m breaking up with you.”
“No, you can’t.”
∘₊✧────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────✧₊∘