The soft glow of morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the chaotic mess of blankets and pillows scattered around the room. The faint hum of snores and the occasional shuffle of someone turning in their sleep filled the quiet space.
Lumine's eyes fluttered open slowly, her vision adjusting to the soft light. The first thing she noticed was the faint scent of something familiar-lavender and a hint of something sharp, almost metallic.
Then she realized where her head was resting.
On Scaramouche's shoulder.
Her breath hitched, and she froze in place. Scaramouche was still asleep, his head slightly tilted towards her, his breathing soft and even. Snowball was curled up in his lap, occasionally twitching her tiny paws in her sleep.
Oh no. Oh no, no, no.
Lumine carefully, very carefully, began to inch away. But the moment she moved, Scaramouche's eyes snapped open, sharp and alert like he hadn't been fully asleep at all.
"...Are you comfortable?" he asked, his voice low and laced with sarcasm.
Lumine sat up straight so fast she nearly fell backward. "I-um-it's not what it looks like!"
Scaramouche smirked, leaning back against the cushion. "Relax, princess. I'm not going to bite... unless you give me a reason to."
Lumine opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, a loud yawn echoed from the other side of the fort.
"Morning already?" Venti groaned as he sat up, his hair a tangled mess and his duck-print pajamas wrinkled.
Amber was next, rubbing her eyes and stifling a yawn as Ayaka and Albedo followed suit, their movements careful and slow.
And then there was Aether.
Aether, who had just woken up, noticed Lumine sitting right beside Scaramouche, their proximity far too close for his liking.
His golden eyes narrowed instantly.
"...Lumine."
Lumine winced internally at the sharp edge in her brother's voice. "Good morning, Aether!" she said cheerfully, trying to divert his attention.
"Why were you sleeping on his shoulder?" Aether asked, glaring daggers at Scaramouche, who looked completely unfazed.
Scaramouche raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "Oh, relax, big brother. Your precious sister was just tired. I'm not that unbearable, am I?"
Aether stood up abruptly, stepping over blankets and pillows as he approached the two. "Listen here, Scaramouche-"
Before he could finish, Venti jumped between them, holding up his hands. "Whoa, whoa, let's not start a brawl first thing in the morning, gentlemen!"
Amber, wide awake now, chimed in nervously. "Yeah, let's just... have breakfast or something. No punches, please!"
Ayaka nodded in agreement, already starting to fold up one of the blankets. "The sun is up, and we survived the night. That's what matters, right?"
Albedo adjusted his glasses, sighing. "I suggest we focus on cleaning up first before this escalates further."
Aether crossed his arms but didn't take his eyes off Scaramouche, who was casually stretching, completely ignoring Aether's intense gaze.
Snowball, having sensed the tension, let out a soft meow from Scaramouche's lap, earning everyone's attention.
Lumine reached out and picked up the little kitten. "Okay, enough glaring contests. Aether, chill. Scaramouche, stop provoking him. Let's just... eat breakfast, okay?"
---
In the Kitchen
The group had managed to clean up the fort and migrate to the kitchen. Aether was still hovering near Lumine like an overprotective shadow, his eyes flickering to Scaramouche every few minutes.
Scaramouche, in return, seemed delighted by this.
"Want me to help, dear brother-in-law?" Scaramouche teased, leaning against the counter with a sly grin.
Aether twitched. "Don't dear brother-in-law me."
Venti, chewing on a piece of toast, snorted. "This is better than any morning drama show."
Amber tried (and failed) to suppress her giggle while Ayaka poured tea for everyone, her serene presence helping to calm the mood.
Albedo sat at the table, quietly eating his breakfast as if he was above the chaos unfolding in front of him.
Snowball had climbed onto Scaramouche's shoulder now, her tiny paws tucked neatly as she purred contently.
"Looks like even Snowball likes him now," Lumine said softly, watching the little kitten settle in.
Aether sighed heavily and slumped into his chair. "Fine. I'll let it go... for now."
Scaramouche smirked triumphantly but said nothing. Instead, he casually sipped his tea, Snowball still perched on his shoulder like a tiny queen.
---
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows as the group settled into their chaotic yet comfortable rhythm. Despite the tension, the teasing, and the overprotective older brother moments, there was an undeniable warmth in the air.
And although Scaramouche would never admit it out loud, he quite enjoyed mornings like these.