#dottozhu drabble

[tomatopers]

...dottozhu...

It's around 3am, Baizhu has come to the pharmacy side of his building to investigate a sound. Summary: Baizhu finds his old Akademiya sweetheart

"Zandik? Is that... you?"

"They call me Il Dottore these days."

"But you are still Zandik, no?"

"...I don't know anymore."

"I see. Well, come over here then. I don't bite."

Baizhu reached for Dottore's mask, only to stop when the harbinger recoiled.

"I've seen what's underneath already, you know this."

"I feel... better, with it on."

"Ah, let's leave it on then. It's perfectly okay. What brings you here?"

"I was in the area, thought I should drop by and see if you've dropped dead by now." (Lie. He was all the way in Sumeru but had a sudden urge to visit the first [and only] person who ever loved him) "I'm looking forward to studying the effects of that contract you made once you've kicked the bucket."

"You don't mean that. If I had to guess, I'd be so bold as to say you missed me."

"Know your place."

"Oh, I assure you, I do."

Baizhu smiled, and it felt like the Akademiya all over again for Dottore. His smile hadn't changed, even after all these years, though... he looked tired.

"Have you found immortality yet"

"I'm afraid not. I haven't given up, though. You know me."

"Knew. I knew you."

"Oh please, you think I wouldn't notice your efforts to keep tabs on me? I haven't gotten rusty just yet, my dear."

The affectionate name sent shivers down Dottore's spine. Why hadn't he kidnapped Baizhu again? It would be so easy to lock him away in Snezhnaya, to covet him like a treasure. The pharmacist was too cunning, though; He'd find a way to escape or die trying. Dottore pointedly ignored the idea that he himself may still have a touch of empathy in him.

"I've been caught, how disappointing. Have you noticed-"

"The 'anonymous' donations? The unlabeled gifts left at my door? The Fatui guards whose patrols seem to often pass the courtyard below? Or perhaps the few times you've visited yet not entered?"

Dottore couldn't stifle a laugh, though it was surprisingly genuine.

"You truly haven't lost your touch. Have you considered my offer, then?"

"You already know the answer. My calling is here, Liyue is my home."

"You could find a new home"

"Zandik, it's getting late. I, of all people, need my rest."

Dottore slowly nodded, turning to leave. Baizhu watched him trail towards the exit, before making a rather impulsive decision and calling out to him.

"I wouldn't... be adverse, to you visiting at a normal hour."

"Hmm..." Dottore pretended to consider it, though he was fully taken with at the idea immediately. "If I have time, I may."

They both knew he would. After all, neither of them had found a better companion than each other.

I like the idea here that there is something similar to lingering feelings, but in the way they never found someone better fit to be a partner, intellectually, than the other. To match with someone as well as they did at the Akademiya was rare in itself, and perhaps they never fully let go of that. Also, as I tried to emulate, even in conversation Baizhu is able to keep up with Dottore, to surpass him even. While it is a little ooc for Dottore to be this civil with a desire, I like to make this capability of Baizhu's one of the things that Dottore most likes about him. The reason Dottore leaves Baizhu in Sumeru is because he can relate to the drive to pursue knowledge (ooc, but referencing the denial of having a little empathy left). While it would be more convenient to lock Baizhu away in Snezhnaya, the pharmacist being free prolongs the memory of how he was in the Akademiya, and allows Dottore to perpetuate the idea that Baizhu has not drastically changed.