Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started with treasure hoarders.

It was just some treasure hoarders.

It was just some treasure hoarders but they tossed dirt at his face, and kept taunting him, and there were so many and he just knew that no one was coming to help, because who would even consider helping the big, loud, annoying Oni?

So, he did the most logical thing he could think of. Activating the power of geo in his club, he knocked them all out, quickly tying them up, leaving them in a cart with a sign listing their crimes, hoping someone would take them to the jail or report them to someone who would.

He continued walking, unsure of direction to take, soon arriving at a village he didn’t recognise.

It was getting late, and he didn’t know where he was, so he decided to ask around for the nearest inn.

However, it soon became apparent that he was not and would not be welcome there.

“It’s an Oni!!”

“Tell the Elders!!”

“Kill it.”

“GET THE HUNTERS”

“KILL IT!!!”

“Leave this place!!”

“Stay away meanie Oni!!”

“LEAVE”

“Stay away from our children!!”

The shouts from the steadily growing angry crowd continued, and then they started throwing the beans. His eyes widened, not in surprise, not after all this time, but in hurt.

As they continued to riot and pelt beans at him, a group of people with weapons came running. His mind vaguely registered that these must be the ‘hunters’ the villagers had called for.

An arrow flew by his face, and he knew that he had to run. Where exactly he ran didn’t quite matter, as long as he could escape with his life.

He ran for what felt like hours, finally arriving at a beach. He could feel the hum of intense electrical energy coming from what seemed to be a canyon in the distance. He sighed and sat down in the sand, feeling tears pooling in his eyes. He shook his head and willed himself to not cry, determined to continue putting on a brave face. He distracted himself by looking out over the open sea.

Eventually, he dozed off, head on his knees to hide his open eyes, and the hum of electro ever-present.

He awoke to a rustling in the bushes nearby. In a flash, he jumped to his feet in a defensive stance, stumbling for a moment as the world spun and he readjusted. In front of him was a dark-haired and young-looking boy, raising an eyebrow. Itto simply raised an eyebrow in return, noting the boy’s ‘worse-for-wear’ appearance. They were both silent, unsure what to say.

The boy sat in the sand next to where Itto had just been, moments before. He pats the sand next to himself, still quiet.

At this, Itto sits next to him, slightly more at ease. He decides to introduce himself first.

“Hi there! My name is Arataki Itto! What’s yours?”

….

A silence follows, accompanied by the constant buzz of electro.

Itto resumes staring at the sea, not bothered by his new company’s silence, and begins to drift once more.

Half-awake, he hears a soft sigh.

“My name is Scaramouche”

If he wasn’t awake with the stranger's initial arrival, Itto sure was awake now.

Chapter Text

“My name is Scaramouche.”

Now, Itto was no fool, however dumb he came off as in an attempt to seem harmless (though it wasn't very effective), he knew that the boy next to him is the sixth of the eleven Fatui Harbringers. But, he also knew a broken spirit when he saw one. This boy would not fight him (yet).

The boy sighed again, sounding resigned.

Itto smiled softly. "It's nice to meet you Scaramouche." He said gently.

The boy glanced up in surprise. Though he quickly glanced back down, he now had a small, genuine grin spreading on his face.

Itto considers the situation more seriously and makes a list of their circumstances in his head:
- A boy who was a member of the widely feared and disliked Fatui Harbringers, who clearly had too many burdens to carry on his own.
- Himself, an Oni with no real place there aside from Granny Oni, who was discriminated against purely by associating and caring for him.

"Let's leave this place!" exclaimed Itto suddenly. For the second time, in the short time they'd known each other, Scaramouche looked surprised. He took a full minute to just gape at Itto as if to confirm those words came out of his mouth just then.

He quickly gathered his wits about him and took a very deep breath before starting.

"What. do. you. mean. leave!? Whatdoyoumeanhere-" He managed to get out in a singular breath before needing to take another deep breath. "INAZUMA!? LEAVE INAZUMA?!"

"Yes, that is in fact what I am suggesting, though some more planning may be necessary to pull it off successfully." Itto replied, now sporting a tired grin.

Scaramouche was not convinced and expressed his doubts. "But how!? There's no way either of us would be able to leave the legal way-"

"And I happen to know exactly where to go for illegally moving across the ocean." Itto quickly interrupted, in hopes of reassuring him.

At this, despite his confusion, Scaramouche relaxed a bit and nodded his head to indicate he was listening.

Before continuing to speak, Itto got up and extended his hand down to him. Hesitating for only a moment, Scaramouche took the hand up. He couldn't stop thinking of Itto as this strange guy who didn't seem all too scared of him and was even willing to help, yet at the same time, he felt reassured to know that by some twist of fate, he was no longer alone. He had someone by his side once again.

The calm moment was interrupted by Itto chuckling awkwardly. "See, here's the thing I forgot to mention-" he began, scratching his cheek. "They're departing at sunrise from Watatsumi Island." He said, with a hint of urgency in his voice, the reason for it obvious with one look at him. He was sneaking constant glances at the moon in the distance, very close to dipping below the horizon.

Out of nowhere, they heard marching in the distance and female shouting orders. The Shogunate Army was somewhere nearby, and it seemed they were getting closer.

They couldn't exactly stand around and wait to be found out, and there wasn't really much time to think up alternatives by this point.

They glanced at each other and only a few words needed to be said between them to get the message across as they agreed: "We need to run." So they did, they ran as fast as their legs would take them, across the beach, up the hill by the electro-charged gorge, and through more sands and shallow waters.

"We can't swim that!!" exclaimed Scaramouche, startling Itto, whose nerves were already setting him on edge.

"Relax sparky, there's what appears to be an abandoned fishers' boat nearby. It's not the most stable-looking but it should at least get us to the shores of Watatsumi." He said, voice coming out only slightly strangled as he still tried to keep it as reassuring as he could muster. Scaramouche barely noticed the new nickname, but raised an eyebrow before following along.

Soon, the two were working together to lug the small boat closer to the water. Eventually, they make it to the shores of Watatsumi on the small boat, and just in time. Just as they get off the boat, it splinters off into pieces and the waves carry the parts back to the vast ocean.

Itto pats Scaramouche's head, but as he sees him immediately tense up, quickly retracts his hand. "Sorry! Should have asked!!" he exclaims. "Not everyone's good with someone being up in their personal space like that, even if it's with good intentions. Speaking of, I just wanted to tell you that you did good in helping get us here!"

Scaramouche feels warmth in his chest at that, choosing to ignore the confusion as to how that is happening, but grins a little more, still hiding his face by looking down. He doesn't realise the tips of his ears have turned a light pink at the praise.

"It was nothing" he says, deflecting the praise out loud and changing the subject. "How much time do we have left?"

At that, Itto looks up, says "Not much" and they take off running once more.

Chapter Text

The crunching of grass and the occasional gasp for breath are the only sounds that can be heard as the two run towards the far side of Watatsumi island. They just barely make it to the back of the Alcor, and Itto almost collapses in relief.

Onboard, he spots Beidou shouting directions for cargo to be placed. He observes silently for a moment, signalling Scaramouche to silence briefly. Once he was sure there were no other persons aside from the ship's crew, he moved closer. At the same time, Beidou started moving away from the ledge where she'd been directing the crew's movements. Itto's heart sped up in a panic and in a last-ditch attempt to catch her attention, he began waving with a shout- "BEIDOU ONEE-SAN, HOLD ON!!"

He started sprinting towards the ramp they still had out, and Scaramouche, who'd been quietly following closely behind, startled. He felt his body tense up and start moving before he could even process. Chasing after Itto, he quickly figured out what his impulsive plan was, muttering grievances to himself as he tried to move faster in an effort to keep up with Itto's long strides.

Luckily, Beidou had heard Itto's shout over the noise on deck, and quickly caught sight of them. She signaled to crew members to not take apart the ramp just yet, and shouted back to Itto as soon as she got the okay of the ramp being clear; "COME ON UP KIDDOS, YOU'VE GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO."

The two scrambled up the ramp as fast as they could. Itto stood grinning at beidou, who had an affectionately exasperated smile on her face.

In their haste to board before Beidou could change her mind, they failed to notice a particular priestess watching from just a little ways away, barely hidden by the trees and bushes. They'd caught her attention as they sprinted past the empty soldiers' post she had temporarily taken over to ensure the fluffy-eared general got his lunch. As soon as they've boarded, she realises they probably have something important to discuss, and opts to leave, giving them privacy to maintain the trust she has built with captain Beidou.

Briefly, she wonders: just what were these two doing, this far out?

She quickly dismisses the thought when she sees the boat depart, deciding since their business probably wasn't with her island, she'd leave it be. The curiosity completely leaves when she sees her precious general returning with two bentos, grinning widely, and her feelings are overtaken by the happiness of still having him by her side after the war's end.

Meanwhile, there is a long, quiet pause between the runaway pair and Beidou, who waited for an explanation still, arms crossed and a single eyebrow raised.

"Heyyy Beidou onee-san" Itto tried for a casual greeting, but it came out strained and awkward. He continued, "Long time no see, huh?" Itto spoke loudly, Scaramouche cringed at the contrast from his previously quiet and collected demeanor from when they observed the ship's crew. It felt very,, forced, and unsettled Scaramouche to his core. He simply didn't know how to react to the sudden change, so he instead bit the inside of his cheek and stood quietly, never once leaving Itto's side as he and the captain (Beidou? He had heard Itto address her that way.) conversed more calmly as the initial awkwardness got out of the way.

"Hello Itto, running another errand?" Beidou responded in lieu of a greeting. Scaramouche curled into himself even more. He didn't know how to feel, unsure of his place in this conversation, on this ship, and with these people in general. Itto, on the other hand, seemed familiar enough with this 'Beidou', so he keeps his doubts to himself.

"Nope!" At Itto's loud response, Scaramouche tuned back in to the conversation from his wallowing. "I'm actually here to ask a favour of you?" Itto asked earnestly. Scaramouche blanched and tensed a bit at his bluntness but Beidou seems to take this in stride, her only noticeable reaction being both eyebrows shooting up this time. "A favour? Now that's a first! What can I do for my favourite little guy?"

A beat.

Ignoring the nickname, (Which Scaramouche does not ignore, considering he is the very opposite of little.) Itto responds "We-need-a-lift-to-another-region,-anywhere-but-here-in-Inazuma.--" he managed to get out in one breath before adding; "please." followed by more gasping for air.

A sharp intake of breath. A silent conversation between the two with their eyes. A quick glance at Scaramouche. More silent conversation.

Finally, an exhasparated makes her opinion known to them both; "Itto, we??? This person is a Fatui Harbringer!" Beidou exclaimed, quickly putting up a hand to indicate she wasn't done. "...Is what I want to say, but I trust you. If you can take responsibility of him while on teh ship, I will permit you to join our trip to Sumeru. Sound good?" She said, with no hint of amlice in her tone that Scaramouche could detect, only some mild (but understandable) hesitance. He felt a massive wave of relief wash through him at the confirmation they would be able to make it out.

A quick glance to his side showed Itto felt similarly, his shoulders visibly dropping in relief. "Thank you so much Beidou Onee-san." he said with a quick bow. (Scaramouche decided he'd ask about the familiar term of address later) There was no more feigned cheer in Itto's voice, instead replaced with genuine happiness, tinged with something Scaramouche couldn't place just yet.

Still taken off-guard by the familar address Itto had used, and treading into unfamiliar waters, he barely managed to provide a strained "thank you,," as he bowed deeply in thanks before snapping back to standing stiffly, fidgeting with his hat's veil.

The three stand there quietly as the crew finish taking apart the ramp until Beidou clears her throat. "So. What brings you two to seek my 'escapee-hiding-services' today?" Beidou lightly asks Itto. The two share a chuckle. There's a joke there that Scaramouche is not in on, he's sure of it. Well, whatever, it's not like it matters much to him. The two begin moving towards the helm, and he follows behind. The conversation ahead of him shifts from the topic Itto is clearly evading right now, (not that Scaramouche understands why, Itto told him, didn't he? Why wouldn't he tell Beidou, who he addressed as 'Onee-san'??) Now lightly frowning in confusion, Scaramouche listens as the two go back and forth, discussing anything from the weather, to the latest light novels, to foods they've had recently. (Scaramouche almost gags at the mention of his old comrade's specialty dish when Beidou mentions octopus.) Still, he keeps a (mostly) neutral face as they keep chatting and shift to yet another topic.

Suddenly, a flash of red and white drops from above, and a guy he recognised as the one who's friend fought his creator landed between the pair in front and Scaramouche. He felt like his chest had been punctured clean through as the other looks at him. He blinks slowly, almost giving him a once-over. In that instant, Scaramouche knows he's already somehow heard Beidou's approval of Itto and him joining their voyage.

Head absolutely buzzing with anxiety and questions, he can barely catch a coherent thought, let alone form a proper sentence. So when he finally manages to get some words out, they are not what he wished to say to make a good first impression: "I can clean!!" he blurts, desperate to fill the very prolonged silence, and to be deemed 'useful' to be allowed to remain onboard. The fear of losing his chance to get away when he's so close to making it out is drowning out any rational thought he may have left.

Beidou and Itto pause their conversation to fully tune in to what's going on behind them, surprised with his sudden outburst.

To his credit, the red-and-white-samurai-guy remains neutral, only raising an eyebrow (and boy has Scaramouche gotten his fill of eyebrow raises today, thank you very much.) Scaramouche feels his face heating up as he rushes to explain himself. "Well-I-figured-I-might-as-well-be-useful-instead-of-deadweight-here-and-I'll-be-on-my-best-behaviour-so-please-don't-throw-me-in--" He stopped to take several gulping deep breaths, about to continue his panic-driven ramble. He accidentally looked up at the others, and their facial expressions gave him pause, and he stopped himself from continuing. All of their faces were twisted with an emotion he didn't recognise. He felt very out of his depth, gripping himself in a self-comforting-hug in a desperate attempt to stay grounded.

What came next threw him for a complete loop, now completely lost as to how these people really felt about him:

"Hey Kiddo, Scara,, Breathe with me, okay? okay." He vaguely heard Itto's voice over the static in his ears (when had that started??)

At some point, when his breathing returned to something manageable, and the noise in his ears was receding, he heard Beidou instructing the new presence (Kazuha, that was an interesting name, he filed that thought away for later) to move back as she put her hands over his, gently but firmly removing them from his now stinging arms, (when did that happen?? seems like he missed a lot of things, apparently.) preventing him from hurting himself further. Once she got the immediate danger out of the way and confirmed his responsiveness, she asked the one question he'd never thought he'd hear from anyone:

"Hey kid,, are you,, okay?"