You stared at the suitcase lying on your bed like it was some cursed object, cursed in the sense that every time you zipped it, you'd unzip a whole new trauma. It felt too small to hold your life. Too temporary. Too final.

Gluestick was currently occupying it, of course. King of the land. You stared down at him and poked his head with your finger.

"You know you can't come with me in the suitcase, you silly goose !!"

He yawned directly in your face.

You sighed, picking up a pair of socks off your desk chair and tossing them into the bag.

The house was too quiet. Zhongli had already left for work, after making sure your favorite tea was steeping properly and that you had enough snacks to last an apocalypse. There was something in the way he hugged you that made your throat tighten, like he was preparing to miss you.

Your phone buzzed once from where it sat on the windowsill.

Scaramouche: try not to take ten years packing

i'll take as long as I want mouchem

Scaramouche: of course you will
do you need a ride

You stared at the message. Then typed and erased your response twice before settling

Nah I got that
What you worried or something ?

Scaramouche: wasn't worried. just don't want you late.

aww, do you care?

Scaramouche: no. just don't want you to cause more problems than you already do.

You smirked. The banter helped. Just a little.

⸻

The ride to Ei's house was quiet, a bit too ceremonial for your taste. One of her assistants had picked you up in a fancy black car, the type with tinted windows and interior leather that smelled like power and secrets. You held Gluestick in your lap the whole time, staring out at the passing city like you were heading to some secret mission.

When the car pulled up in front of the estate, you almost choked. Calling it a "house" was the understatement of the year.

You half-expected royalty to descend from the rooftop with swords drawn. The gate opened with a smooth hum and a flicker of soft purple light. The garden alone looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Cherry blossom trees lined the walkway, petals fluttering like they were coded by a weather engine.

'Those aren't even in season what the hell !!!'

You swallowed hard as the door opened.

Raiden Ei stood in the entryway in heels and business-casual perfection, her long hair neatly tied back, her expression unreadable but calm.

"Y/N," she said. "Welcome."

You stepped inside and immediately felt out of place. Everything was so clean. So modern. So... not you.

Scaramouche leaned against the bannister upstairs, looking like he hadn't slept. He didn't say anything, just made eye contact for a second before vanishing around the corner.

"Your room is ready," Ei continued. "You'll find it at the end of the hall upstairs. Feel free to settle in before dinner."

You nodded mutely, Gluestick squirming in your arms.

"Yae is here as well," she added, almost like an afterthought.

Of course she is, you thought.

⸻

Your room was a surprise.

Not cold. Not museum-like. Not empty.

It was... warm.

Soft curtains framed the windows, pastel tones lined the walls. There were books on the shelf. A writing desk. A corkboard with pinned blank polaroids and clothespins waiting to be filled. On the bed was a small care basket—snacks, a new pair of socks, a candle labeled "wildflower + rain."

And on your pillow? A plastic cup of strawberry milk tea. No boba. Extra whipped cream.

You didn't have to guess who arranged that.

You put Gluestick down and let him sniff the corners while you slowly unpacked your bag. It wasn't much. Just some clothes, your camera gear, a few sketches and developed photos from your wall at home. Everything else would have to wait.

⸻

Dinner was less awkward than you expected, which honestly just made it weirder.

Yae Miko was already seated when you arrived, in silk pajamas and fluffy pink slippers, sipping something from a wine glass that you hoped was juice. She lit up when she saw you.

"Oh, our little runaway orphan's arrived!" she beamed. "How was the drive, darling? You didn't claw at the windows and cry, did you?"

"Only a little," you replied, taking your seat across from her. "The driver gave me tissues after deflating all of my dreams of having a normal life."

Ei raised a brow, but didn't comment. Scaramouche sat next to you, arms crossed, head down, making a point not to look at you.

The food was delicious and intimidating. You weren't sure if you were supposed to eat the purple dish with the fork or the chopsticks, so you awkwardly tried both and nearly stabbed yourself.

Yae chuckled at you the whole time.

"You'll get used to it," she said, waving her glass. "Eventually, everything here stops feeling like a fever dream."

"I'm not sure that's comforting."

"You're not supposed to be comforted. You're supposed to be entertained."

Scaramouche groaned. "Can you not do this every night?"

"No promises," she grinned.

Ei, for her part, said very little. But the way she occasionally looked between you and her son made you feel... watched. Not in a creepy way. More like she was tracking your reactions. Measuring something. Waiting.

⸻

Later, you sat on the floor of your new room, Gluestick curled up on your hoodie, your camera in your lap. You didn't feel homesick exactly, but you felt... misplaced. Like a sticker that had been peeled off something and hadn't found a new surface to stick to yet.

A soft knock came to your door.Scaramouche stood in the doorway, expression unreadable.

"I left something for you," he said.

You raised a brow.

"The tea," he clarified. "I told Ei what you liked. Figured... whatever. It'd make it less weird."

"You thought this wouldn't be weird?" you asked laughing a bit.

His mouth twitched. "It's always going to be weird with you."

You laughed under your breath. "Thanks. I think."

He leaned against the frame. "I'll stay out of your way. I know this whole thing sucks."

You looked down at your camera, fingers drumming against the lens cap.

"I don't want you to stay out of my way," you said finally.

He blinked. "What?"

You met his eyes. "I mean.. I guess I wouldn't mind if you didn't... You're part of this now, like it or not. Might as well not pretend we're strangers if you're supposed to watch over me right."

he nodded once and backed away. "Goodnight," he said quietly.

You stared at the door after it shut. Then you reached for the tea, popped the lid, and took a sip.

Still cold. Still perfect.