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It's been two years since his mission to leave Snezhnaya and doing Tsaritsa's interest far away in Fountaine. Finally, Dottore comes back home. He is married to the ninth Harbingers, The Regrator. And with his genius brain, Dottore could make an artificial womb so he and Pantalone could get a son. It's a big machine inside one of his labs in Snezhnaya which could support embryonic life until it's time to be born. Pantalone doesn't like having a big belly for nine months, and it's too risky to rebuild his abdomen just to get a child, according to nature. After all, Dottore has his own ethics, and he is never bound to the nature of law.
Their son is sleeping in his bedroom, obediently agreeing to the bedtime rule because Pantalone taught him that. In his absence, Pantalone really showed his capability as a single parent. However, now It's Dottore's turn to take care of him since he is taking days off. He promised Pantalone to share their responsibility of raising a child. A boy Pantalone personally asked to have the same blue mint hair as him, but a pair of violets like Pantalone's as a sign this child is not his clone. He is theirs, a mix of their traits.
Dottore sighs. It's a long day. That three years old boy spent his day happily in Dottore's lab. Of course, Dottore had already removed the dangerous substance on the desk. He saved them in secure cabinets so his son couldn't reach them. A vial is broken, and that's the first time Dottore was afraid the broken glass would tear a skin, his son's skin. He never knew he could feel something like that. Even when his young clones act reckless, he doesn't care much. Let them learn. Unless they are getting old and already have big projects, Dottore won't forgive them if they act like idiots and cause massive failure. Demolishing is always an answer, but Dottore can't demolish their son. That child has Pantalone's blood inside.
He chuckles, feeling a deja vu. It's like his first time finding an answer to the strange feeling inside when he was together with Pantalone. Weird, but he enjoys it. He embraces it. Maybe his unusual behavior towards that child is a form of love. After all, he is a father now. He groans. He doesn't want to think about his feelings any longer, so he looks at his son's room.
There are changes here and there. Dottore indulges in scientific life, while Pantalone is a successful banker. However, their son chooses his own way as a professional glider, probably going to be an adventurer. He could see that from the big glider hanging on his ceiling, a google, and books of adventurer tales. Interesting .
Dottore moves to the box containing many kinds of medicines for his child. It makes him realize he doesn't get touched often with pediatrics. Sure, he had researched children before, but it was a specific treatment for Eleazar, and it was years ago. He reads one by one the medicines inside. Fever, diarrhea, coughs and colds. Aww , he feels sorry for not being able to be there for him when he was sick. All of the medicines are syrup since he is still a child. Dottore nods. Pantalone sure was doing his best in his absence at Fountaine.
Wait, syrup? Ah yes, Pantalone, him, and the rest of the Harbingers never have syrup as a medicine. It's always a pill or injection. Oh, he has a child now! It still feels unbelievable for Dottore. Suddenly, he remembers the news when he is on his way back to Snezhnaya. The snowstorm is worsening, and many Snezhnayan children get sick from fevers and colds. Another report also showed that many Snezhnayan children were on bed rest because of acute kidney injury. Dottore felt strange. It is ridiculous for Snezhnayan children to eat many candies during the snowstorm. Well, he spent two years far away in Fountaine; he couldn't keep up with the child's trend, but was it really a trend? It will stress Arlecchino since she has orphanages, and Dottore doesn't care much. However, now he remembers he has a child too! A shiver runs down his spine. For the first time, he hopes his hypothesis is wrong.
He grabs one of the syrups from the box. It has an active substance composition, just like regular medicines, and nothing suspicious. He opens the cap and smells it. Sweet, it's made like that to cover the medicine's bitterness since children hate that. A snowstorm and a trend to eat many candies indeed sound ridiculous. However, if it's a snowstorm and fever medicines as the cure … maybe Dottore can find something. If this 'trend' affects those Snezhnayan children, then his own son may be in danger too. Pantalone can buy him gifts and toys to make their son happy, but Dottore has his own way of protecting their son. He's heading to his lab right away.
.
His suspicion is proven. It has ethylene glycol as the solvent. Someone is playing dirty behind the Harbingers' back. Dottore puts bottles of his son's medicine inside another box. He will test them and ensure only the safe ones stay in his house.
"What are you doing?" Terrible timing. Pantalone is finally home. He frowns, confused about whatever Dottore is doing. "Why you put them-" A realization hits him. "Put it back! Do you want to kill my son?"
"Kill your son-" Dottore is insulted, but then he is confused. "Why do I want to kill him?"
"You want to throw away those medicines, right? You and your big ego don't trust them, you want your own medicines as the cure for him. You think I want my son as your labrat? No."
"Not wrong tho."
"I knew it-" Pantalone is ready to storm at him, but Dottore grabs his shoulders. His ruby looks at him seriously like they are in the middle of a critical mission. Dottore will rage if Pantalone does something stupid to endanger his life. He doesn't have time to debate because he has already found something, and Pantalone needs to know and just listen.
"Lonie, listen." Dottore makes a clicking sound with his tongue. It's gonna be hard for him to explain, but he finally finds a way to make Pantalone relate. "When you have a fever, I give you pills. They taste bitter, right? Children don't like bitterness. That's why their medicines come in the form of syrup. There is a solvent in it, so the same substance in your pills is tolerable for children. Usually, it's propylene glycol, but it's quite expensive." Dottore could see a slight reaction when he mentioned the word 'expensive'. Ah, it's getting easier if he already got Pantalone's response. "Snezhnaya snowstorm is getting worse. More children are reported sick-"
"It makes a high demand for the medicine, and it's harder to reach Snezhnaya when it has the worst storm. They can't sell at a higher price since I already set that, so they choose to change the solvent substance to a cheaper one." Pantalone finishes Dottore's sentences.
"Yep, exactly." Dottore smiles, too happy they finally share the same brain cells.
"But why didn't I know about it? No suspicious report about this one either."
"Well, while you can control Snezhnaya's economy, I can't control its public health regulations. My title stands for a mad scientist, not a doctor who serves humanity. And I believe your vendors already have their permission for a few years ahead."
"And we really need their medicines, so everything was made easier for its distribution. We are at our weakness." Pantalone sighs. "Unbelievable, how could they betray us." He massages his temple. He just came back from his office. Work is finally done, but another problem is facing him.
"I also heard that children's acute kidney injury reports are rising. That cheap solvent inside the fever medicine is the reason. They are linked."
"... I didn't know about this." Pantalone gasps, and he can feel a sudden embarrassment creeping down his cheeks. "Then, what you did- you wanted to throw away those medicines because you wanted to save … our son?"
Dottore chuckles. He is relieved that Pantalone finally understands without him telling the whole situation. And the way Pantalone changed 'my son' into 'our son' somehow warms his heart. He has guilty of leaving his new family for two years. If Pantalone has a small rejection for him because of that, Dottore can understand. That's why when he heard Pantalone accepted him again, Dottore couldn't lie; he enjoyed the tender feeling inside. This time, it feels like a true homecoming.
"Not yet, I just wanna test them. If it is safe, it stays. Also thanks, you did well for him while I was away-"
"Don't say something like that. You know I was stupid I could put him like the other children-"
"Ssssh, alright, alright." Dottore soothes him and then gently pulls him for a hug. "No one expected we got married, could start a family, and be parents. We are learning something new." Dottore kisses Pantalone's head. "Just give me the list, my clones will take care of them. While our son, I already gave him an antidote and tomorrow I am gonna run a few tests to make sure he is alright."
Pantalone raises his head, and he gives Dottore his beautiful smile. He feels grateful that Dottore is now here for him and their son. "I won't admit it twice, but … I love it when you are like this."
Then "I don't regret marrying you," comes out from Pantalone's mouth as a whisper.
Dottore only hopes what they will do in the living room doesn’t wake up their son.
"Papa?" Ah, their son just woke up. His slight figure stands in the doorway. The dim light in the living room shows them that the boy has puffy eyes. He probably heard their loud bickering, and it made him cry. "Why... you ... fwight?" He asked carefully, hoping his presence would stop his parents. His eyes widen when he sees Dottore already pins Pantalone down on the couch.
"We... didn't fight." Dottore is the first who is aware of his presence.
"Yeah, we didn't. Your papa ... tickled me." Pantalone doesn't want to teach his son to be a liar, but he has no choice now. "Sorry, I screamed too loud and disturbed your sleep."
"No." Their son walks closer to the couch. "Too cold."
"Alright, sweetie. I am gonna get you another blanket."
"No." He slightly pulls Pantalone's shirt. "Want sleep with Baba."
"Indeed, your Baba's body feels so warm." Dottore leans down. He tempts his son to join him in sharing Pantalone's warmth, but his body literally doesn't give him any space. That boy pouts his mouth, feeling jealous.
"Papa so mean!"
"Hahaha." But in the end, Dottore gives him some space. He can't refuse it when Pantalone is ready to smack his head if he continues making their son upset.
"Come here, sweetie." Pantalone hugs him. Now he has two minty blue bundles on top of his chest. They are so fluffy as they snuggle closer to him, searching for his warmth. Pantalone smiles. It's the best feeling in this world.