Dinner Days and Masquerades

They sighed and went to work, after they were done they went to look for their lost maiden. Scaramouche joined along and they looked through the capitol, going to the hospital and seeing nurses get off their shifts. They saw the h/c-haired maiden escape through the door and saw a redhead beside her.

"Oh- F/N- I think you have visitors," she pointed, and the taller redhead looked at the Harbingers.

"Oh good evening," she waved, "have you got questions?"

"Yes," Dottore leaned down to her and she bumped into her redhead friend, "what's your last name?"

"L/N, F/N L/N," she replied.

Her redhead friend slung an arm around her and caught the Harbingers off-guard, "Sorry pals, F/N and I are off our shift."

"Maddie," F/N whimpered, "they're Harbingers."

"Yes, and I am off my shift," Maddie hummed, "and so are you. So come on."

"Oh- okay~" she hurried off.

"What an odd woman she's with," Childe leaned down.

"A friend? Or a lover?" Dottore questioned.

"We'll have to find out more," Capitano entertained this idea.

They snuck behind the women. Maddie had F/N engrossed in a story about the patient she was dealing with. The Harbingers were always a corner away.

"...and then he threw the syringe away," Maddie continued, "straight to the floor, man I hate it when patients are violent, especially when they're men!"

F/N nodded as she purchased a small bag of late-night pastries.

"I don't mind my patients," she said softly, "either way, I will help them."

"You're so nice F/N," Maddie hummed, "I could never be so patient."

"I try," she replied, "I'm tired, I want to go home, Maddie."

"Of course my dear," she patted the shorter's back.

They walked to F/N's home and Maddie held the bag while she dug for the keys. She grabbed them and opened the door.

"Thank you for the pastry Maddie," she smiled, "I'll get your something nice tomorrow."

"No need, a smile on your face is enough," Maddie pinched her cheek.

"Mh~" she scrunched her nose, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you, sweetheart," she waved off.

Maddie was walking home, her red hair waving to the side. The Harbingers looked at each other, "so?"

"They're lovers," Dottore hummed, "how disappointing."

They went home and the next day gathered to overview their reports. The tall redhead dropped them off. She recognized the four of them.

"Hey- aren't you all the people that followed my F/N?" Maddie raised a brow.

"Yeah," Dottore hummed.

"Were they?" Pierro looked at them, "I apologize on their behalf."

"Hm~ no need," Maddie waved off, "F/N was alright with it, so I have no need to get involved. Here are the reports, signed by the doctor and F/N."

"Thank you," Pierro hummed, "apologise to her on behalf of the Fatui."

"Sure," she said and left.

"What was that about?" Pierro looked at the four of them.

"We tried to find and we did and asked her last name," Childe responded.

"You guys need to stop harassing the women in the capitol," Pierro walked away.

Scaramouche wriggled out of the group and went to the hospital, the sight of the sickly people irking him.

"Oh- Balladeer," F/N said with shock, carrying the white blankets in her arms, "what brings you here? Are you feeling unwell?"

She placed the blankets down and he grabbed her wrist before she touched his forehead.

He narrowed his eyes, "I wanted to apologize on behalf of me and my idiotic coworkers for our behavior yesterday."

She lowered her hand and picked up the blankets.

"Oh- no worries," she smiled, "I'm used to it. Would you- like to get dinner after my shift?"

"Dinner?"

"Yes, like-"

"I know what dinner is," he hissed.

"Great," she closed her eyes, "I'll meet you outside at 6."

She walked away and he blinked, she asked, but his answer was irrelevant. He walked away and waited outside at 6. He saw her place her coat on his body and she turned her head left and right and saw him.

"Balladeer," she waved, "I'm glad to see you."

"Huh? Why?" he asked.

"Well- I would have hated to be stood up," she said, "so- let's enjoy dinner together."

He nodded and they went to a cosy restaurant full of international food. She got Mondstadt dishes whilst he ordered Inazuman. She looked up at him and he ate the meal.

"So- how do you like it?" she asked.

"It's good," he replied.

"That's good to hear," she nodded.

"Won't your girlfriend get mad you're getting dinner with me?" he joked.

She blinked in confusion and looked at him, "my girlfriend?"

"The one with the attitude, the red hair?" he asked.

"Madeline?" she asked, "she's not my girlfriend, more of a sister."

He looked down in embarrassment, "I see. Then why did you want to come to dinner with me?"

"Because-" she smiled, "you seem like you would enjoy it?"

He looked at her, she was right, he did enjoy the quiet dinner. Dinner at a professional food provider other than relying on his own hands.

"Was I right?" she asked.

"Not the point," he hissed.

She laughed and he looked at her, her laugh was wonderfully melodic. He smiled at his food, once they were done, splitting the bill in half. They went outside and she held her hand before her and he looked at her. She let out a sigh and turned to him.

"Balladeer," she said and he looked at her, lifting his hat.

"Hm?"

"I- really enjoyed dinner with you," she replied, nervous stutter kicking in, "would you like to go to dinner again sometime?"

He looked at her and blinked, "I might be busy-"

"Oh- alright," she looked down.

He rolled his eyes, "I'll make some time."

"Wonderful," she clapped, "how do two days from now sound? At 6 again?"

He nodded and she smiled, "I'll be going home, good night Balladeer."

"Night," he waved.

She left and he watched her shoes clacking against the concrete as she left. He looked down, and away.

"She's cute," he shrugged, "I guess."

He went home and waited in front of the Hospital at 6 once more for her. She saw him walking toward her and she waved.

"Balladeer," she smiled.

"Hey," he called back.

"Let's go," she smiled.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"A Snezhnayan cuisine place," she smiled, "unless- you don't like that?"

"I've learned not to be picky with food," he deadpanned.

"Oh-" she replied, "alright then."

They sat down again and she took light sips of her water. He watched her delicate sips and he sipped his fire water heavily.

"So what do you do for fun?" she asked him and her smile was so small, but so happy.

"I- um-" he chuckled, "making fun of the subordinating soldiers is always a treat. But, reading is also quite amusing."

She nodded, "Reading? Really- what kind of novels?"

"Historical novels from Inazuma," he said.

"Oh~" she nodded.

"What do you do?" he asked.

"I- cook," she sighed, "it's the only thing I have time to do at home. When I can, I try to sketch or draw."

He tilted his head, "really?"

She nodded and wiped her mouth, "I try at least, I can't do much with work and all."

"How long do you work?" he asked.

"Two in the morning until 6 in the evening," she said.

He widened his eyes, "you should be sleeping now then."

"I know," she looked away, "but- I enjoy spending time with you. I mean, although you were unconscious in my home, it was nice to have another body in my house."

He softened his eyes and smiled.

"I don't work on the weekends," she said, "so I spend time with Madeline. Although I find myself just standing in front of the hospital and waiting for something."

He smiled, "seems like you don't do much other than work."

"I really don't," she chuckled, "I don't mind it, you like your work too, no?"

"Eh-" he sighed, and crossed his arms, "it's fun and exhilarating, but is it ideal? Not really."

She nodded and they paid for the bill and she placed her jacket tightly around her. They walked around the capitol, but she yawned and he looked at her.

"Apologies Balladeer," she whispered, "I would usually be asleep by now."

"Then go to bed idiot," he said and she looked at him, "you won't be much good if you're tired."

"You're right," she nodded, "good night, get home safe."

She left and he barely lifted his hand, "You. . . too."

He lowered his hand and let out a sigh. He went home and slowly undid the intricacies of his clothing and lay on his bed. His arms were behind his head and sighed. He grabbed the wool blanket from beside him and pressed his nose to it, despite it not being in her possession for a while, it smelled just like her home and he felt at ease. He woke up and dressed in his clothing, going to the Palace. The other Harbingers act like revolting children, making his eyes roll. He walked past them and into his office. He sat down with his papers and looked over them, his eyes scanning them. But his hands flinched once the door was slammed open.

"The fuck?" he looked up and saw Pulcinella.

"Oh- it's you," he narrowed his eyes and then back at his papers.

"Balladeer," Pulcinella sat opposite of him and Scaramouche didn't look up.

"Yes?"

"Did you know F/N L/N from before the health check-up?" he asked.

Scaramouche didn't let his body show anything.

"Why does it matter if I do?" he asked.

"Simply a question," he asked.

"I do," he said.

"How?"

"When I got attacked by the treasure hoarders she found me and brought me to her home and warmed me up and fed me," he said, "although, she didn't know who I was until I told her my name."

Pulcinella nodded and Scaramouche looked down. He heard the other Harbinger get up and knocked on Scaramouche's desk. Pulcinella smiled and Scaramouche narrowed his eyes, "what?"

"I like that F/N girl," he smiled, "she's good for you."

"Huh?!" Scaramouche yelled, "What does that mean?"

"You could use a partner who is level-headed," he said.

"I do not need a partner, neither would I want her of all people!" Scaramouche yelled.

"Whatever you say," he shook his head.

"Piss off!" Scaramouche yelled.

Pulcinella did and laughed as he left. Scaramouche fell back into his chair and turned to the window, his hands intertwined on his stomach.

"Why would I need a partner?" he asked himself, "they'd only get in the way."

He went back to his papers and worked on them. Ignoring the time and the people outside. Once he was done, he left, his hands behind his back as the younger Harbingers were ready to go drinking.

"Wanna join?" Childe asked.

"Ugh- dealing with you guys almost makes me turn into an alcoholic sometimes," Scaramouche sneered.