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The market was buzzing with afternoon warmth, but Aether moved through it like sunshine made human—soft smiles, golden hair bouncing with every step, eyes bright with curiosity. He stopped to look at a stall selling wind chimes, leaning in to hear the soft tinkling sounds. He didn’t notice the apprentice from the potion shop approaching. He did notice the way the guy kept clearing his throat like he was rehearsing a dramatic confession.
“Hey, Aether?”
Aether looked up with his usual gentle smile. “Oh! Hello. Do you need help with something?”
“Actually… there’s something I wanted to ask.” The apprentice fidgeted. “Something kind of important.”
Aether blinked. Uh-oh.
Meanwhile — not too far away — Scaramouche was stalking through the plaza, arms crossed, purple eyes narrowed for no reason other than that existing generally annoyed him. Until he spotted Aether. His steps slowed. Then stopped. He frowned. Why is he talking to someone? Why is that guy standing so close? Why does that guy look… interested? His jaw clenched. Back with Aether, the apprentice took a deep breath.
“I really like you. Would you… go out with me?”
Aether froze. His sweet temperament betrayed him instantly—he panicked, hands fluttering, golden eyes going wide.
“O-oh! Um—that’s—uh—”
The apprentice stepped a bit closer. “Just dinner! I promise I’ll be respectful.”
“I-I appreciate it, really, but—”
“You didn’t actually say no,” the apprentice pointed out with a hopeful smile. “So… maybe?”
Aether internally screamed. His eyes darted around for an escape— and then he saw Scaramouche cutting through the crowd like a storm cloud with legs. Terrible… but perfect. Aether blurted, far too loudly:
“I CAN’T GO OUT WITH YOU BECAUSE I—BECAUSE I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!”
The market went quiet for a second. The apprentice blinked. “…You do?”
“Yes!” Aether jabbed a finger behind him without looking. “Him!”
Scaramouche froze mid-step like someone had suddenly paused reality. He stared at Aether.
Aether stared back in horror, realizing he had just declared Scaramouche his boyfriend in front of half the plaza.
“…Hi?” Aether squeaked.
Scara walked over slowly, expression unreadable.
The apprentice frowned. “You two are… dating?”
Aether nodded too quickly. “Uh-huh! Yup! Completely! Very much!”
Scaramouche raised an eyebrow. “Are we.”
Aether whispered urgently, “Please just go with it.”
The apprentice looked between them, skeptical. “Really? Because Aether didn’t look sure.”
Aether tensed. “N-no, I’m sure—”
“Maybe he’s just being polite,” the apprentice pressed. “If he’s not really into you, he shouldn’t have to pretend.”
Scaramouche’s expression dropped into something cold and sharp. He stepped in front of Aether, blocking him completely. His voice was low and cutting. “He said he’s taken. Which means you’re done talking to him.”
The apprentice bristled. “I wasn’t being rude—”
“You walked right past his rejection," Scara said, tone like a blade sliding free. “Or are you just too dense to take no for an answer?”
Aether blinked. He hadn’t been scared — but Scara’s sudden protectiveness was… startling.
“If you really are dating, prove it. Kiss him.” The apprentice crossed his arms. “Right here.”
The market fell silent. Aether went still as stone. Scaramouche tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowed, gaze cold. “You’re pushing me to prove what?”
“To kiss him.” The apprentice lifted his chin. “I won’t believe you’re his boyfriend without proof.”
Scaramouche glanced over his shoulder at Aether — then back at the apprentice. Aether was about to scold him even he felt a hand on his waist and another tipping up his chin and then Scaramouche was kissing him like he’d been waiting for an excuse. Aether froze, golden eyes wide — before his eyelids fluttered closed. Scara kissed with a quiet confidence, a sure touch that left Aether breathless. Scaramouche pulled back slightly, only to press another kiss to Aether’s cheek before leaning back. His hand still rested on Aether’s waist. His tone was sharp and smooth. “Proof enough?”
The apprentice stared in shock. He stuttered. “…I-… fine.”
Scaramouche glared. “Leave.”
The apprentice walked off, looking defeated.
Scaramouche turned to Aether. Then— even more— he picked up Aether bridal style, completely lifting him off the ground.
Aether blinked in surprise. “Scara?”
Scaramouche started walking, carrying Aether without a word. The people in the market parted to make a path, staring. Aether flushed, burying his face into Scara’s shoulder. Scaramouche paused to look down, then resumed walking, adjusting his hold.
“Scara, what are you doing?”
“Taking you home,” Scaramouche said. “To my place.”
“Wait, why?” Aether blinked.
“To show everyone that we are, in fact, dating,” Scaramouche deadpanned. “Or was that a lie?”
Aether flushed. “No, I— you really don’t have to do this—”
Scaramouche looked at him. “You told half the city that you’re my boyfriend. You don’t think people are going to start rumors?”
Aether bit his lip. “I didn’t think that far ahead…”
“Obviously.” Scaramouche shifted Aether in his arms. “So unless you want the whole city talking about how you lied about dating me, we’re going with this.”
Aether opened his mouth, then closed it. Scaramouche had a point. He… he hadn’t even been thinking about how his lie would affect Scaramouche.
“Scara?” Aether mumbled.
“What.”
“Thank you for this.”
Scaramouche scoffed. “I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it because I hate people spreading rumors about me.”
“Right.” Aether smiled a little. “I understand. Thank you anyway.”
Aether blinked, looking around Scara’s quarters. The Fatui Harbinger had laid him on the bed with all the gentleness of setting down a glass figurine, stepping back to let the blonde sit up. The room was simple and practical, but the sheets were soft, and the walls were a soft white. Aether ran a hand over the covers.
“I didn’t think you would have such a comfortable bed,” Aether admitted.
Scaramouche scowled. “I like comfort just fine.”
“I didn’t say you didn’t like it.” Aether sat up slowly, stretching his arms over his head. “I just figured you’d prefer… harder furniture.”
“I don’t,” Scara snapped. “Is that going to be a problem?”
Aether shook his head. “No! Sorry! I wasn’t trying to be rude!”
“Obviously not.” Scaramouche rolled his eyes, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Why did you say I was your boyfriend anyway? You could have said you weren’t interested.”
Aether looked down. “I panicked. I… I thought that if I said I had someone, he would give up.”
“So why didn’t you pick someone else?” Scaramouche asked. “Why pick me?”
“…I panicked,” Aether said again, voice quiet. “I promise I won’t do it again. I’ll pick Albedo, or I can choose Kinich… or maybe—”
“No.” Scaramouche cut him off. “If people are going to talk, they can talk about us dating. Not some fake relationship with another man.”
Aether blinked in confusion. “Scara, it would only be pretend—”
“Don’t care.” Scaramouche crossed his arms. “I said we’re dating. That’s it.”
“O-… okay.” Aether smiled. “Thank you.”
“…I didn’t do it for you.”
“I know.” Aether laughed softly. “You did it to keep your own reputation clean.”
“Obviously.”
“Right.”
Scaramouche narrowed his eyes. “You said thank you. Are you making fun of me?”
“Not at all.” Aether’s smile widened. “I really do appreciate it.”
“Don’t say that like you actually think I did it for you.” Scaramouche got up and walked away. “Stay here. I’m going to make tea.”
Aether nodded, watching Scaramouche go, listening as he rummaged around in his kitchen. Aether looked around the room again. It was quiet, peaceful. It felt… nice. He leaned back into the pillows, closing his eyes.
Scaramouche came back to find Aether asleep. He paused, staring, then rolled his eyes and set the tea down on his desk.
“Fine. Sleep then. See if I care.”
Aether woke up to a hand in his hair, stroking gently, and he blinked, turning over. “Scara…?”
“Go back to sleep.” Scara was leaning over him, hand still petting golden hair. “It’s late.”
Aether reached up to grasp Scaramouche’s hand, moving it to his own face so he could nuzzle into his palm. Scaramouche went still, watching. Aether smiled up at him sleepily. “Thanks for letting me sleep.”
“…It’s my bed. You can’t sleep somewhere else.”
Aether closed his eyes. “Mmm… I like your bed. It’s comfy.”
“Good,” Scaramouche snapped. “Go to sleep.”
Aether murmured something in response before drifting back off. Scaramouche stood there a moment before sitting down on the edge of his bed. He watched Aether sleep. He reached out to brush a strand of blonde hair from his face and then stopped himself. He curled his fingers into a fist. What was he doing? He didn’t need to touch Aether’s hair.
“I’m going to get a drink,” he muttered, getting up and walking out. “Idiot…”
Aether was gone the next morning. Scaramouche wasn’t surprised. He scowled, turning away to head to work.