.

.

.

Thoma

"Tighnari!-"

.

"Tighnari?!"

"Collei, where's Tighnari?!"

Collei 

"Mmh... Hm?..."

Thoma burst into Tighnari's residence. The sudden noise jolted Collei awake, who had been peacefully napping at the table. She sat up abruptly, her eyes still half-lidded.

Thoma, breathless and dishevelled, clutched you tightly in his arms. Blood stained his shirt, and his face was a mask of sheer panic. He scanned the room quickly, searching for Tighnari, but the keen-eyed researcher was nowhere to be seen.

Collei

"Wh... What- Woah! What happened?! Who is that?!"

Thoma

"Uh- An old friend! They need help, please!"

Collei

"Archons... Blood is quite literally pouring out of their body at such a fast rate! Are they even alive?"

Scaramouche

"Oh, they're alive alright."

Collei

"You!-"

Scaramouche stood quietly by the door, so still and silent that Collei hadn't even noticed his presence until he finally spoke. 

Scaramouche

"Shut up."

Collei flinched at the sound, her eyes darting to Scaramouche. The sight of him sent a jolt of fear through her—an enemy within their home, looming ominously over the chaotic scene. She glanced back at Thoma and your bleeding body, her mind racing to make sense of the situation.

Thoma

"Oh my- We're wasting time! Please Collei, where is Tighnari?!"

Collei

"H-He's not here,"

Collei stammered, her voice shaky. 

Collei

"Tighnari went out to gather some herbs. He should be back soon."

Scaramouche's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent. Collei could feel the tension thickening in the room, the weight of their collective fear and urgency pressing down on her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she focused on Thoma and you.

Collei

"Lay them down here," 

She instructed, clearing a space on the table. 

Collei

"We need to stop the bleeding and stabilize them until Tighnari returns." 

Her voice grew firmer, her resolve strengthening as she moved into action.

Thoma

"I've tried everything! The bleeding just won't stop!"

Thoma gently laid you down on the table, his hands trembling as he tried to position you comfortably. The sight of your blood-soaked clothes and pained expression made his heart ache. Collei hurried to gather supplies, her hands moving quickly but efficiently.

Scaramouche remained on the side, watching intently, his expression unreadable. Collei shot him a wary glance, unsure of his intentions but too focused on helping you to confront him.

Collei

"Thoma, help me apply pressure here," 

Collei directed, her hands working to stem the bleeding. Thoma complied, his face pale but determined.

Collei

"You!"

Scaramouche

"... Hm?... Me?"

Collei

"Who else would I be talking to?!"

Collei cringed as she watched more blood pour out of you, despite their best efforts. The sight was alarming. 

Collei

"This is bad," 

She muttered. Thoma's expression was grim as he applied more pressure, his hands slick with your blood. 

Thoma

"Everything I've tried... nothing's working."

Scaramouche's eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and concern. He stepped closer, his presence commanding attention. "Move aside," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Collei hesitated, glancing at Thoma before stepping back. 

Collei

"What are you doing?!"

Scaramouche

"... You go get Tighnari. I'll fill in for you while you're gone."

Thoma

"And be quick!..."

.

"Please!"

.

.

.

-A FEW MOMENTS LATER-

Scaramouche and Thoma continued their frantic efforts to staunch your bleeding, their hands moving with a mix of desperation and determination. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by your pained whimpers and the occasional muttered curse from Scaramouche as he tried to concentrate on the task at hand.

Every second felt like an eternity as they worked to stem the flow of blood. The red liquid stained their clothes and hands, the metallic scent heavy in the air. Scaramouche's expression was one of grim focus, his eyes narrowing as he applied more pressure, his fingers deftly trying to close the wound.

Thoma's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear and worry. His hands trembled slightly, but he forced himself to remain steady, knowing that any mistake could worsen your condition. 

Thoma

"How are you feeling, Y/N?..."

Scaramouche

"Dude, shut the fuck up!"

Thoma

"What?! I'm just asking them how-"

Scaramouche

"That's not the point! You say the name 'Y/N' and we're all as good as dead."

Thoma

"So... What do I call them?..."

Scaramouche

"Uh... They told others some fake name before down in Sumeru City."

"N/N I think. Right?"

You weakly nodded, the movement barely perceptible. Your head felt heavy, and even this small gesture required immense effort. Your vision blurred, and you could feel your strength waning with each passing second.

Your eyes, glazed with exhaustion, briefly met Thoma's and Scaramouche's.

The minutes stretched on, each feeling like a lifetime as they worked to save you. The room was filled with the sounds of their efforts, the rustle of cloth, the soft murmurs of reassurance, and your pained whimpers. 

Scaramouche

"Jeez- What is taking them so long?!"

Thoma

"Calm down, it's only been a few minutes-"

Scaramouche

"What... What the fuck even happened to them anyway? I think it's fair I deserve an explanation."

Thoma

"Why, out of anybody, would you deserve an explanation of what happened to them?"

Scaramouche

"Because they're my friend!"

Thoma

"Huh. Mighty Scaramouche has friends."

Scaramouche

"I don't necessarily do friends."

.

"Y/N's different. If anybody, and I mean anybody, tells me they've 'understood what I've gone through', they're fucking wrong."

"When Y/N says it I know they mean it."

Thoma

"... Do you think you'll ever know why The Raiden Shogun has such a big obsession with abandoning people who love her?"

Scaramouche

*Sigh*

"Wish I knew."

You

"Awwhh... You think of me that way, Scara?"

Scaramouche

"Shut up! Go kill yourself!"

You and Thoma chuckled softly, the sound a faint echo. Scaramouche's manner of speaking, as if you were completely knocked out or not even present, struck you as oddly amusing. His voice carried a tone you rarely heard—a friendly, almost caring side that seemed out of character.

You

*Sigh*

"I don't know what's wrong..."

"Something like this usually wouldn't have bothered me this much..."

Scaramouche

"... Maybe you just haven't gotten beaten that bad in a while and your body got used to being... Somewhat healthy?"

You

"Impossible."

.

"I've gotten hurt so many times that... I'd forgotten what real pain felt like."

so dark and mysterious y/n 🐺⛓️🖤

Collei

"In here, Master!"

You heard Collei's urgent yell from outside the residence, her voice sharp with alarm. Tighnari rushed in, his eyes widening at the sight before him. The bundle of herbs he was carrying slipped from his grasp, scattering across the floor as he took in the scene.