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Baizhu rarely made the trip from Bubu Pharmacy to Dawn Winery. It always took quite a toll on his body. Yet he was on his way there. A catalyst in hand and a cane slung over his shoulder. Sometimes, he would lean down and pick a few flowers that he could later use for medicinal purposes. Overall, he did know better than to walk all this way without any breaks. Baizhu knew he’d be suffering the consequences once he laid down in his boyfriend’s arms. But that’s what the cane was for. He kept it on him for the roughest days where he could barely keep himself on two feet.
He took a long breath to try and ignore the pain he was currently experiencing. He was so close to the winery. He could make it. Baizhu could see the rows of grapes and make out the shape of the winery. Even though he was so close, even though he was about to make it there, his legs gave up on him. Baizhu grabbed his cane to take a chance and attempt to stand up, but he couldn’t get up.
Baizhu huffed angrily and laid down on his back. Luckily the weather in Mondstadt was quite nice this time of year, so he could lay there and watch the clouds go by. Perhaps Diluc would come by and see him by the Statue of the Seven. He hoped he would do that. Then he wouldn’t have to sit here and wait for his body to calm down.
But his hope was practically useless. Surprisingly, no one saw him at the statue. That was until about midnight. Baizhu wasn’t sure what time it was, he lost track a few hours ago. He was stuck at the Statue, not able to move. While Statues of the Seven are known for healing, Baizhu couldn’t be healed of whatever he had. It was a disease, not an injury.
Baizhu was half asleep at the point someone saw him. Between how dark it was, and the fact his brain was foggy from exhaustion, he couldn’t make their face out. Soon, the comforting warmth and familiarity of Dawn Winery surrounded him. It took his eyes a moment to adjust, but he saw the familiar red hair in front of his eyes.
Baizhu was about to say something but was cut off by the male who held him. “Baizhu, why would you come all this way? You know better than that.” He spoke with concern laced in his voice, and Baizhu almost felt bad.
“Oh Diluc, I know. I thought I would be able to make it though. I took as many precautions as I could.” He was trying to make it sound better, but with some thinking, he realized it sounded worse.
Diluc placed Baizhu down on the steps and sat next to him, lacing their fingers together. “I appreciate it. Don’t get me wrong. I find the fact you came from Liyue to Mondstadt just to see me extremely sweet, but if you took all those precautions and still ended up in this amount of pain, doesn’t that mean you’re getting worse?”
Baizhu paused. He didn’t think of it that way, but once Diluc mentioned it he couldn’t help but believe he was correct. “I haven’t thought about it like that. But you’re right then. I have been getting worse overall when I think about it. My condition has been no better than it was a few years ago. It’s increasingly been getting harder to do things. I’ve been relying on Qiqi to gather herbs. I used to be able to go out to pick a few near the pharmacy. I can’t do that anymore.”
Diluc’s eyes widened in surprise and pulled Baizhu closer. “So, you are getting worse? Are you…” he tried to think of what he had to do, what he could say, but Diluc couldn’t wrap it around his head. Baizhu always told him he was getting worse, but he had never witnessed it. He had never seen Baizhu in as much pain as he was in, despite how he was hiding it. “Will it kill you?”
There was a moment of silence between the two of them before Baizhu closed his eyes and laid against Diluc. “The answer is unsaid, dear. It practically makes my body deteriorate. It’s hard to talk about. I’d rather not do so.” Baizhu didn’t want to talk about this. He knew the answer, and it was clear Diluc did as well. No matter what he tried, nothing cured him.
Diluc didn’t respond since. He didn't want to say anything that could hurt Baizhu, make him upset or be scared of what’s to come. Instead, he just pulled Baizhu’s hand close and stroked the top of his hand with his thumb. “Then I should stay with you for as long as possible. So you don’t have to die without me. Then I’ll be able to hold you-“ Baizhu quickly cut Diluc off with a hug.
“There’s no reason to worry like this Diluc. I still have years until I pass. Albeit maybe sooner than I think and I may be miserable for my last days, or years, but no reason to worry. I’ll stay here with you for years to come.”
The redhead paused and kissed his boyfriend’s head. “Then I guess I’ll have to dote on you until then. From now on Baizhu, I’ll be here to help you whenever needed, and please, please just send a letter to me so I can send someone to get you instead of you wearing yourself out again.”
Baizhu laughed softly and closed his eyes, holding onto Diluc’s hand. “Alright alright. I’ll listen to your advice next time. I love you Diluc.”
“I love you too Baizhu. Until the day we part forever.”