Work Text:
The outside world is snowy, and the freezing cold winds blew at your shut tight windows, just like how the paperworks of several new projects swiftly found their ways into your already piled up load of papers.
Number 1, a letter requesting to rent a venue under the Fatui’s ownership to perform an opera.
Number 2, a stack of stapled papers regarding the recent accident of missing soldiers.
Number 3-
You merely sighed, allowing your features to form a frown of annoyance as a migraine crept up to the side of your head. It truly was yet another usual day at Snezhnaya.
Being finally done with the day’s required work after a whole evening's grind, your arms were finally free from their misery. A sense of accomplishment filled your body as your arms stretched out, a clear "pop" filling the air. Circling the sides of your eyes, you decided it was time to finally get some rest, or you might seriously go insane.
You were leaving for your bed when the room's door opened.
"I'm back."
The silhouette who stepped in stated in his almost never changing tone, a gesture he had been doing since back in the days.
You eyed him in surprise as he hung his jacket on the nearby hanger, before treading closer to your location. Brightness filled your eyes while excitement traveled through your veins upon seeing him; he had returned sooner from a mission than expected, and most importantly, unscathed as no scent of medical substance lingered on him.
Of course, he took notice of your adorable reactions, yet instead of commenting on it, the Harbinger merely inquired about your prior course of action.
“Going to sleep so soon?”
To that, only came a nod as a response before you explained about the unexpectedly occurred headache.
After that, you merely stood there, witnessing as Scaramouche reached out his hand, giving your nose a tap, before it swiftly traveled to hold yours. The inhuman coldness of his palm and fingers not only dragged its target towards your shared bed, but also landed some sort of security into your heart. You felt a lot more relaxed with him by your side, something he always had the ability to do.
Successfully guiding you to bed, Scaramouche laid himself down first, before prompting you to join. Needless to say, his offer was accepted as you practically jumped into his arms without a second thought.
Despite his attitude and rather tough of a put up shield, his skin was gentle to touch, while his hug remained firm and warm. It was all part of the things that you enjoyed about him. Remaining in his arms for an impossible time to if it were sometime else, you finally came to enough senses to roll over to the side and distance yourself from the man previously squashed beneath you.
You had hoped he would not be mad, for your actions were in fact, quite bold, and he was not one to initiate, or to indulge in frequent skin contact. So it was surely a little surprising when he carefully scooped you closer to him, before adjusting your head to lay on top of his chest.
He physically possessed no heart, yet due to years of experience in living in the mortal realm, he had learnt the ways of breathing like a human would. So naturally, you could feel the tempo of his inhaling and exhaling as he let out steady breaths, which demonstrated an immense calming effect.
"Mhm.. Scara..."
You called out to your lover softly, curling closer to him as the stinging pain in your scalp toned down, which caused your mind to now go miles every passing second.
Due to the Harbinger's busy schedule, it was not often that you two had the chance to spend alone time together. So whenever an opportunity arises, the two of you would try to find a way to spend little moments with one another.
When your dear Lord Harbinger had to work on occasional paperworks, he would often find excuses to invite you to stay at his office, or sometimes, even go as far as to settle down in your bedroom's only chair.
You thought it was not the best to work in resting areas, so you once occupied the seat before he had the chance to, thinking the man would finally return to his office. Yet in the end, Scaramouche merely gave you a dismayed stare, before choosing to sit down on your lap instead. You remembered blanking out from shock as he laid his back onto your chest, his scent filling your nose.
And the same could be said as you snuggled up against his chest. Scaramouche carried a soft, endearing gaze, deeply enjoying the warmth your mortal body radiated as his arm reached out to pat your head. His fingers ran through your strands, ones he could believe to have formed the best hair in the world.
And looking back at you, who was practically grabbing onto him like a sloth hugging a tree trunk. The euphoric and relaxing movement at your scalp inspired a hum to escape your lips, verbally showing the Harbinger how much you were fond of the action that aided in dispersing your headache. He too, seemed to have enjoyed it as he joined in to your humming only a few seconds in.
You felt your lips curling upwards unintentionally as your mind flew off once again. This time, it traveled to when the two of you first held hands.
Even back then he still went by the name Kabukimono, Scaramouche had already witnessed many couples, or even married souls, to engage in physical contact as a form of showing love. In which, holding hands was of course a very common way to do so.
So when he had finally decided to properly commit to a relationship, the man decided that the gesture was simply a requirement needed to be fulfilled. In which, it started off as the Harbinger grabbing onto your palm like how an individual unfamiliar with physical affections would. And you simply did not have the heart to laugh at him, especially after having known the majority of his past from his own willingly mentioned descriptions.
You would let him half-drag you across places in such a manner. It was not exactly the way a couple normally hold hands, but it was nothing hurtful, so it was okay, wasn't it? The two of you were not a normal couple anyways; so what was the problem doing certain things a little differently? You would always stare wordlessly at his palm that led you around, pondering on if, and how you should inform him.
It was only when you initiated the gesture for the first time that Scaramouche came to realization. He quickly switched up to the new way after that, letting his fingers intertwine tightly with yours every time. Though, to you, one thing you swore would never forget is how adorably confused your lover was when he was faced with the cognizance; he eyes widened as if a dumbfounded cat as he firmly held back your hand.
With your head still snuggled lazily against his form, you could not help but to think of how much you two have truly come to live comfortably together with one another. And to that, a contented smile took over your features.