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Scaramouche rarely sleeps. His mechanical body needs little rest, and he despises the vulnerability slumbers brings. So when Aether stirs next to him, agitated by a nightmare, he notices his turmoil immediately.
His first reflex is to wake him up, because he does not like to see him in pain. It only reminds him of the awful things he once did to him, before they made amends. Now that Aether has become the most precious person in his life, reflecting back on his past actions frustrates him.
The care the Traveler showed him while he recovered from his injuries after the whole Sumeru debacle only makes matters worse. When he was given the chance to take revenge on him, to repay violence with violence, Aether chose to bathe him in kindness instead. So now, Scaramouche feels like it is up to him to look after Aether, to share back some of the gentleness he offered him so freely, even if it isn't something he is skilled at.
He is about to shake his shoulder when guilt stops his hand. What if this is the wrong thing to do? What if it is his past self who is currently tormenting Aether's sleep? Then surely, waking up to the sight of him would only make things worse.
He freezes in hesitation, unsure of what he should do. He can not just lay there and wait as Aether battles against the sheets, fighting off some imaginary foe. His face is twisted in fear, and that is not something Scaramouche will allow.
So in the end, he settles for wrapping his arms around him and hugging him tight, pressing his chest against the Traveler's back. That way, he can still bring him comfort without being the first thing Aether will see when he opens his eyes.
His embrace seems to work wonders. Aether stops squirming helplessly and his breathing calms down. His hand seeks Scaramouche's and holds onto it with so much force the former he'd probably wince if his body was organic.
Just when Scaramouche relaxes, thinking that he won't wake up, Aether turns around, eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. There is no fear or disgust in his stare, only fondness, and his lips are stretched in a grateful smile.
“Thank you,” He murmurs as he puts a loving kiss on his cheek.
The next second, he curls up against his side and falls right back asleep in his arms, unaware of how incredibly flustered he just made him. Scaramouche's face is burning red, and he would probably scream into his pillow if it didn't come with the risk of disturbing Aether's rest again.
It doesn't make any sense, how the slightest gesture of affection from the Traveler is enough to send him on a loop. Some part of his mind whispers that he is weak, for letting someone have so much leverage over him, but he quickly shuts it down. He doesn't want to listen to it, because...
Well, because it has been centuries since anything has made him feel this happy.
So his doubts, his guilt, his second-guessing, he puts it all aside, and focuses instead on the young man curled up against him. Aether obviously trusts him and isn't letting his memories of the long-gone Sixth Harbinger ruin what they have, so maybe...
Maybe it is time he does the same.