Work Text:
Wednesday. 6:12 AM. Pantalone's day had barely started, and he already wanted to curl back up in the silk sheets of his bed. His hand moved mechanically, revising transaction over transaction, approving this, declining that. Gods, he still ached practically everywhere from yesterday.
Blinking slowly, trying not to doze off, he signed his perfectly penned signature on another of Dottore's requests for funds. Their relationship was nothing but a transaction, after all- The Doctor gives him the best sex of his life, and in return, Pantalone supplies him with all the mora he needs.
Pantalone scratched mindlessly at the wounds on his neck to help him keep awake. Dottore liked it when he showed off his trophies from their excursions. He finds himself subconsciously thinking of the man quite a lot.
Just as he lost himself in the mundane routine of paperwork, a rather urgent knock sounded on his door. Pantalone sighed, silently dreading any social interaction that was yet to come.
"You may enter."
The door creaked open, revealing a young man with strikingly familiar blue hair, sharp red eyes, and adorned in green robes, reminiscent of a scholar. Put simply, he looked like Dottore, only far younger, and far less hardened by the cruel world. He carried himself with a certain confidence held only by those who were far more aged than the boy looked to be. A segment, his brain supplied.
"...And who are you?" He decided to ask somewhat teasingly. A look of surprise fell over the segment's face, only for a second, before his expression darkened.
"Don't play dumb. You know who I am."
Pantalone quirked his lips into a condescending smirk. "I suppose I do. And what do you call yourself?"
"My name is Zandik."
So, the clone gave itself a name. Usually, Dottore would name one of his clones something like Beta or Omega. The Doctor wouldn't bother with giving a being below him a real name, even if the being happened to be himself from the past.
"I see. Why are you here, and not back in your laboratory?"
Zandik looked quite determined. He stormed up to Pantalone's desk, practically radiating in confidence.
"It seems you have some unfinished business down south, Regrator," Zandik said smoothly, and Pantalone felt a bit of color drain from his face. "You, see, I took a recent vacation down to Liyue Harbor, and I happened to stumble on someone you'll find very familiar."
"And what does this have to do with me?" Pantalone said, putting on his best unbothered smile. He has no idea how a mere clone managed to discern his birthplace, but he was certainly going to be buried neck-deep in blackmail if he let Zandik continue.
"Does the name Baizhu sound familiar?"
Pantalone's heart sank. Not him... how did Zandik find out about him? A brief look of panic crossed his face, cracking his carefully constructed mask of indifference.
"I don't know what you're talking about-"
"Don't play dumb with me." Zandik interrupted. "You know, I almost mistook him for you, with how similar you two look. You guys are brothers, aren't you?"
"Get out." Pantalone snapped, no longer trying to mask his panic. He rose from his seat. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but if you don't leave right fucking now, I'll get your master to put you back on your leash."
Zandik grinned wildly, and Pantalone couldn't help but notice how he looked identical to his creator. "So, you admit it? That's practically a confession, Regrator."
He could feel the urge to activate his delusion swell under his skin. He took a few deep breaths, trying to keep his composure. "I don't know or care what you're talking about. If you're not here for anything important, I suggest you leave."
The segment made no movement towards the door. Instead, he took careful strides forward, slowly approaching Pantalone's desk.
"Sure, I'll leave. But you'll be coming with me."
"Ha! As if-"
"Unless you want me to deliver your brother's eyes to you in a case, that is." Just by looking at Zandik's face, Pantalone could tell he was being completely serious. He cursed, clutching his shaking hands into fists.
"...how did you find out?" He asked, defeated.
"Like I said, I took a vacation. I happened to stumble upon Baizhu at the Bubu Pharmacy. You should've seen how white his face got when I mentioned your name!" Zandik laughed. He laughed just like Dottore. Cruel, heartless, and mocking.
Pantalone seethed. "You told him that I'm a harbinger?"
"Oh? You didn't want him to know? What, did you just disappear one day? Abandon him?" Zandik was obviously trying to get him angry. Pantalone knew this, and yet he was still letting the segment's words affect him.
He found himself unable to control his body. In a split-second decision, he swung his fist to collide with Zandik's jaw, sending him stumbling backwards into the door. The boy was laughing again. Shamefully, Pantalone realized he had given him exactly what he wanted.
"That's not how it went," he said, more to himself than Zandik. "It wasn't like that!"
Zandik began to pull himself from the floor, dusting off his robes. "You can tell him that, once we get there."
Pantalone groaned, dragging a tired hand across his face. Imagining all the work that would pile up made him shudder. Even worse, the fact that he would be taking an unapproved vacation out of the blue. However, the alternative was Baizhu's eyes being gouged out by the psychopath standing in front of him. Knowing his brother's illness, he wouldn't be able to defend himself...
"...Fuck," He sighed defeatedly. "I suppose we're leaving right now?"
Zandik gave him a sharp-toothed grin. "You know me so well! Let's go!"
"Ah, just a second. I obviously haven't prepared for our outing. You're going to have to give me a minute." Pantalone slid his mask of indifference back on, giving Zandik his best fake smile. However, he could tell the segment still saw straight through him, if his triumphant smirk said anything.
"Ugh, yeah whatever."
Thirty minutes later, Pantalone had organized his affairs somewhat neatly and instructed an agent to inform the Tsaritsa of his whereabouts. He also slid a discreet note under Dottore's door which would let him know what his segment was up to. (He was not willing to admit he practically begged the man to come and disable Zandik to save him.)
The segment was waiting for him back in his office, spinning around in his chair. Pantalone could feel a vein bulge in his forehead at the boy's disrespect.
"Watch your blood pressure, Pants," Zandik sang, still spinning. What a child.
"That's funny, as you're literally blackmailing me," Pantalone said dryly, keeping his lips fixed in a forced smile. "I'm ready to go now." Zandik hopped up from his chair with all the energy of an overexcited child.
"Perfect! I already arranged for our transportation, so you don't have to worry your pretty head about anything else!" Zandik grabbed his hand, much to Pantalone's surprise, and led him out into the halls of the palace. For whatever reason, he kept his grip on Pantalone's hand. Most likely to make sure he didn't run away.
Although, his face burned at the embarrassment of someone seeing him, a harbinger, walking hand-in-hand with one of Dottore's segments. Luckily, every agent that met Zandik's gaze instantly bolted away in fear. His beady eyes can do that to you...
Zandik led him out into the chilly Snezhnayan air. The icy breeze instantly froze Pantalone to his core, and he shivered against the fur of his coat. Zandik seemed completely unbothered, waltzing towards a carriage Pantalone could barely see through the snow. He wasn't shaking at all, even wearing nothing but robes clearly meant for warmer weather.
"Are you cold already, princess?" Zandik teased, leading him through the door of the carriage. Pantalone grumbled beneath his many layers- how he was going to survive a trip all the way to Liyue with this guy, he didn't know.
Luckily, the inside was delightfully warm. Pantalone relaxed immediately after the door was pulled shut. They started moving at a steady pace, eventually falling into a relaxing rhythm. Combined with the comfortable warmth of the compartment and his previous exhaustion, Pantalone could feel his eyes beginning to droop.
He blinked them back open as best he could, but he was so damn tired. Before he had even realized it, he was leaning against a frost-covered window and seconds away from dozing off. He shook himself back awake. He was entirely unwilling to fall asleep with one of The Doctor's segments next to him.
"It's a long ride to Liyue, you know," Zandik said inconspicuously. "Taking a nap could probably pass the time."
Pantalone giggled. "Trying to get me to let my guard down? What are you planning to do while I'm asleep, hm?"
"Okay, I'll say it. You look like shit- your eye bags are so heavy you could carry groceries. Oh yeah, and all of us could hear you and Prime going at it last night. If he was fucking you that good, you're probably exhausted."
The vein in his forehead began to bulge again. It was hard to believe Dottore was such a headache back in the day.
"Archons, you're so fucking annoying," Pantalone said without thinking. He understood why Dottore referred to his clones as children, now. Being around Zandik wasn't helping with his tiredness. If anything, he was beginning to get irritated.
Zandik didn't answer him, thank the Tsaritsa. Pantalone found himself beginning to doze again, but at least sleep was a much better alternative to listening to the segment's voice.
He leaned his head back against the window, pushing all thoughts of Liyue or Baizhu from his mind.
He fluttered his eyes open what felt like days later, but really couldn't have been more than an hour or so. The sun was now up high in the sky, indicating it was no longer the early hours of morning.
Honestly, he expected to be missing a liver or kidney when he woke, but surprisingly, everything was still in place. Zandik was humming some foreign tune, gazing listlessly out of the window. The ride almost felt peaceful, in a way. The terrain outside was green and mountainous, brimming with life. All the ice on the windows had long since melted. They were most likely around Mondstadt, then.
"Good morning, Pants."
Ah, right. The tranquil terrain had almost made him forget about the insipid maniac next to him, whose piercing red eyes were now staring into his soul.
"Ugh, don't call me that, you make it sound like we're friends." Pantalone said, stretching what he could in the carriage's confined space.
"Wait, you don't think we're friends? You wound me," Zandik sighed dramatically. "Wouldn't we technically be fuck buddies-"
Pantalone's hand flew to Zandik's mouth to shut him up. "No, I'm Dottore's fuck buddy- not yours." He snapped. Zandik continued to giggle from under his hand.
A few moments passed in silence. The carriage continued through the green hills of Mondstadt into the cliffs and peaks of Liyue. Pantalone realized with great regret that he spends so much time in the lifeless cold of Sneznhaya, he's forgotten the rest of Teyvat's beauty.
The carriage suddenly came to an abrupt halt, causing Pantalone to jump slightly. "We're getting off here," Zandik informed him, opening the door. "I didn't want to stick out too much."
Zandik held out his hand expectantly. Pantalone almost laughed- did he seriously believe he would allow himself to be led out by the likes of him? He smacked the boy's hand away and exited the carriage on his own.
"Rude much?" The segment mumbled. Pantalone didn't give him a response- he was too busy watching the carriage disappear over the horizon with longing disdain.
Archons, what he'd give to be back in his office, slaving over his paperwork.
"Okay, let's get moving!" Zandik said, somehow vibrating with energy. Much to Pantalone's reluctance, Zandik seized his hand again.
"Must we hold hands? People might get the wrong idea..." Pantalone said, attempting to shake the boy's firm grip.
"What, people might think you're my sugar daddy?"
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID!"
Zandik only laughed at his outburst. His hand remained clasped, and they walked down a dirt path looking like some sort of odd couple. What a great way to brighten Pantalone's (already ruined) day.
They walked on in awkward silence. All Pantalone could hear was the crunch of dirt and leaves under their feet accompanied by the shuffling of nearby wildlife. However, his heart continued to beat heavily in his chest, and anxiety ate at his brain.
Baizhu... what would he think of him? He would be mad, surely. He had every right to be. Would he cry? Pantalone's chest ached at the thought. What his brother should do is scream at him and demand to never see his face again.
That's what Pantalone would do, had their roles been reversed. Baizhu is so much better than he could ever hope to be.
"Hey, Pants, do you wanna see someplace really cool?" Zandik interrupted his train of thought, pointing at a nearby cliff.
"Do I really have much of a choice?" Pantalone grumbled.
He allowed himself to be led up the cliff by Zandik's firm hand. He was embarrassed to say he almost fell more than once. He was almost jealous of the boy… he seemed to glide across the steep rocks with ease.
There came an even steeper pike in the cliff at which Pantalone would never be able to climb, at least not without using his delusion. Zandik, somehow, managed to use Pantalone's back as a stepping stool to launch himself upwards, much to his chagrin.
"Have... you done this... before?" He huffed in between breaths.
"Oh, yeah. Whenever I’m in Liyue, I come up here all the time before Delta comes and gets me." Zandik winked. He held out his hand, much like before at the carriage.
"I was under the impression The Doctor didn’t like his pets running amuck." Pantalone said, accepting Zandik's hand to pull him up.
"He doesn't. I just keep running away," Zandik's attention was entirely focused on the rather marvelous view of the nation. "I'm sure you can see why. Imagine being cooped up in that dull lab all day, when the outside world looks like this!"
"I guess I..." He trailed off.
"You guess what?"
A familiar feeling of dread began to overwhelm his senses.
"Zandik, get down. There's someone watching us." Pantalone didn't hesitate in dragging the boy behind a boulder without waiting for a response. The hairs on the back of his neck began to stand up. Whoever was spying on them, they were immensely powerful. And with immense power comes immense danger.
"What the fu-" Zandik was silenced by Pantalone's hand over his mouth. His muffled protests continued as Pantalone peeked his head up from their hiding spot.
There, strolling idly towards them was a tall, elegant man. His long hair was pulled back and he was dressed rather formally for a hike. He gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. Much like Zandik, the man carried himself as if he had been around for much longer than the young age he appeared to be.
Zandik went silent at his appearance. Panic began to contort his features. It appears he could also feel the man's suffocating aura, despite not being human.
"My apologies. I did not mean to frighten you two so terribly."
Both of them visibly jumped at his voice. It was smooth and soft, not something that would typically make you so nervous. Defeatedly, Pantalone released his grip on Zandik's mouth, and slowly peeked out from behind the rock. He was greeted by a gentle smile gracing the man's lips.
Now that Pantalone could see him better, everything about him seemed way too perfect. He looked familiar. He felt like he'd seen his face in a report before. He briefly racked his brain. "Wait a minute, you're..."
"Who the hell are you?" Zandik shouted accusingly. "What do you want?"
"Ah, my apologies. My name is Zhongli. I'm a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," He answered simply. "Might I ask your name?"
Before Zandik could answer, Pantalone gripped him by the arm and pulled him back to the safety of the boulder.
"What was that-"
"Shut the fuck up. You don't know? That man is Morax! As in, like, the God of Geo?!" He whisper-shouted. Zandik's eyes widened in panic almost instantly.
“What?"
"Stay calm! Tell him that we'd love to chat but we're in a hurry!"
“Why can't you do it?"
Pantlone smacked him over the head. "Are you slow? Have you forgotten I happen to look identical to a certain person currently living here?"
Pantalone scoffed and pushed him back upwards, much to Zandik's resistance. From behind the rock, Pantalone could still feel the man's piercing gaze at his back. He was almost impressed with how Childe managed to deal with him.
"Is everything alright with your friend there?" Zhongli asked suspiciously, his smile far less friendly.
"Oh, yeah. He's just got a really bad case of social anxiety, don't worry about him!" Zandik deflected. "Anyways, we've got to hit the road, we'll see you around Mr. Zhongli!"
Zandik pulled Pantalone up, nearly choking him. Most likely as payback for what he did before. He kept his back facing the god, not daring to sneak a single glance. Just as they began to walk away, relief began to flood over them...
"If you could wait just one more moment, I don't believe I got to hear your names." Zhongli's tone was no longer friendly. It was dangerous, at the very least. Zandik's head whipped around, his nervousness evident in the way he squirmed.
"Aha... silly me... this here is, um, Reggie!" He said, pointing at Pantalone. Oh, how he wished to throttle the boy right now. "Uh...my name is... Eta."
Before Zhongli could respond, Zandik was already dragging Pantalone away by the arm. "Bye now!" Dashing back towards where they climbed up, Pantalone came to a realization- they had absolutely no way to make it out of here quickly, lest they face the wrath of Morax.
Glancing over to Zandik, who was staring at the ground eagerly. He came to another realization- Zandik wasn't human, and could very well survive this fall. The chances of the segment jumping off with him…`
"Don't look at me like that. I have a wind glider, see?" Zandik held it up, revealing wings patterned with snow and decorated in blue and white. Relief instantly washed over him. "There is only one, so... get on my back."
"No way."
"Do you want to die up here? We have no time, let's go!" Zandik was already positioning the glider onto his back, hurriedly gesturing at him to get on.
"Ugh... fine." Pantalone reluctantly placed his arms around Zandik's back. The drop was, simply put, terrifying. He suppressed the urge to scream bloody murder until Zandik finally touched the ground. He squeezed his eyes shut, tightening his grip around the segment.
He was simply afraid because of the lack of control, and there was nothing more to it. They were falling remarkably slowly, anyways.
Finally, Zandik landed gracefully back on the path. Pantalone jumped away from him, dusting off his front, and directed his best disgusted face at the segment.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" He whined, like a child. "You were holding onto me pretty tight there~"
Pantalone resisted the strengthening urge to slap him across the face. He forced the corners of his mouth into a twitching smile. "Shut up. Don't say another word. Let's just keep moving."
Carefully avoiding Zhongli's watchful gaze from the cliff above, Zandik led him off of the path and behind a few rocks. From here, Pantalone could fully view the familiar city of Liyue Harbor. His birthplace had changed quite a bit since when he had last visited, but it still looked like home. His heart ached at the thought of his childhood.
"So, why'd you leave, anyways?" Zandik asked shamelessly. "I mean, you still had a life here, right? Why'd you join the Fatui?"
Pantalone blinked. Why did he leave? It was mostly because he and Baizhu lived in poverty their whole lives, and he just wanted to get some damn money. He needed money if he wanted to cure his brother's illness. They needed money so they wouldn't starve. Joining the Fatui seemed plausible- they would've never survived if he did. But when he began to climb the ranks...
He told himself that he was simply too busy, and he would return home later. But really? He was so riddled with the guilt of abandoning Baizhu that he couldn't bring himself to return home. He learned that forgetting was the easiest solution. And eventually, he stopped sending his brother mora- in fact, he hadn't even thought of contacting him in years.
Obviously, he would never confess any of this to one of Dottore's segments- hell, he would never even tell the man himself.
"Mind your own business," He snarled. "Archons, can you not be a little shit for five seconds?"
Zandik sighed, seemingly hurt. “Why must you wound me like this, Regrator?” The boy’s gaze was focused entirely on the city. In a way, he looked as if he too was gazing at his birthplace after so many years. His eyes carried a certain longing- a sentiment Pantalone shared all too well.
“I think… I can answer your question if you answer mine, first.” Pantalone said softly. Zandik’s head whipped around in surprise.
“Wait, seriously? Okay, ask away.”
“Back on that cliff, you called yourself Eta. I’m dying to know, is that the name Dottore gave you? What made you change it?”
Zandik’s already pale skin seemed to whiten a bit. Yet, his face remained as calm as ever. “Yeah, it is, but I honestly can’t stand it.”
He was silent for a moment. Pantalone felt like he was invading Dottore’s privacy, in a way, by talking to his younger and much more unfiltered self. Kind of like reading somebody’s diary without their consent.
“I guess it gave me an identity crisis, or something. Since I represent Prime from when he was 17, I only retain all his memories up to that age, and I carry his beliefs and personality from that time, too. He changed his name when he hooked up with Fatui, but… to me, I never did. I was always Zandik, and I always would be Zandik”
How interesting. Pantalone found himself once again captivated by the marvels of Dottore’s work.
“Hey, it’s your turn, now,” Zandik's voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Why did you abandon your brother?”
Oh, Zandik wasn’t even trying to hide his hatred. For some reason, Zandik seemed rather protective over Baizhu. Well, his brother is far too sweet for this world. He can have that effect on just about anyone.
Pantalone began, “First, of all, I didn’t abandon him-”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“Do you want an answer, or not?”
“Yeah, fine, sure, whatever.”
Pantalone internally groaned. Teenagers.
“As I was saying, I didn’t abandon him. We grew up in poverty, and with Baizhu’s illness, if we didn’t have money or food, we would die. And after a while, the shop owners got really tired of me stealing their stuff.”
Zandik giggled. “So what, like they saw you coming and instantly chased you away with a paddle?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what they did.” Pantalone allowed a small smile to creep onto his face. He didn’t have many fond memories from childhood, but his brother’s laughter when he was chased around the harbor never failed to brighten his day. Pushing Baizhu out of his mind was far easier than feeling the crushing ache in his chest at the mere thought of him.
“Eventually, I got a really good offer for a job as a Fatui agent,” he began. “I brought home money for him all the time, and I would always spend time with him whenever I was off-duty.”
Zandik’s eyes peered back into his- studying his every move and carefully analyzing all of his mannerisms. It was something Dottore did, too, usually after they slept together. It never failed to make him embarrassed. Pantalone cleared his throat and continued.
“Then, I began to climb the ranks. I had less and less time for him, until I didn’t have any time at all.”
Zandik was silent for a moment. Pantalone had spent so much time around Dottore that he knew exactly what he must be doing. Memorizing and picking apart his entire story, highlighting important details, and most likely judging him rather harshly.
And right after he told himself he would never tell anyone about that, of course, he just had to spill his guts to one of Dottore’s segments, and Zandik, at that.
“So… why didn’t you ever write to him or anything? Why did you just, like, completely disappear?” The boy finally spoke.
“I guess it’s because-”
Luckily, before Pantalone could say anything he might regret, an annoying, shrill scream pierced his ears.
“AAAAAAAAHHHH!”
Zandik flinched and covered his ears, Pantalone repeating his action.
“Who the fuck screams like that? Annoying ass kids!” Zandik growled. Pantalone whipped his head in the direction of the noise. He could spot what looked like a… small, flying child? With white hair and clothes.
“Traveler, come quick! It's the Fatui!” She screamed, visibly panicked. Pantalone’s heart sank for the umpteenth time- Traveler, as in The Traveler? The Traveler who had fought literal Archons and came out unscathed?
Seriously, how many overpowered and anti-Fatui people would they run into today? This time, it was Pantalone who seized Zandik’s hand. The boy looked up at him, shocked and confused.
“We have to get the fuck out of here.” Pantalone said simply. Zandik, without hesitation, allowed himself to be dragged down towards the city. In fact, he almost seemed to enjoy it, laughing carefreely whenever they had to jump so as to not fall or dodge some rocks they wouldn’t be able to stop for.
“There, Traveler! They’re making a run for it!” The flying girl’s voice shouted, far behind them. It looks like Pantalone’s quick thinking spared them a fight.
Or so he thought.
All he could see was a shadow above them, moving at impossible speed. Pantalone swore, and Zandik stopped laughing. The Traveler landed in front of them with a boom, forcing them to stop dead in their tracks. Just like Childe described, he looked young, with golden eyes and long blonde hair pulled back into a braid. He took a defensive stance, holding out his sword.
They stood in silence. Pantalone expected to be beheaded by now… then again, this kid looked nothing like the fierce warrior he was described to be. In fact, the boy seemed kind of awkward, in a way. Was he going to yell at them, or…?
“...That’s the Traveler?” Zandik said sarcastically. “I expected a ripped, six foot tall guy who wore necklaces made out of the fingers of Fatui agents.”
Pantalone smacked him upside the head, causing the segment to yelp in pain. “Forgive him, he doesn’t quite know when to hold his tongue.”
The Traveler only flared back at them. Was this some form of intimidation, or was he just so angry he was unable to speak? Although, his eyes seemed far too forgiving to ever hold a grudge.
Finally, the white fairy thing caught up to them, screaming her head off. “Traveler, you have to defeat them! Who knows what they’re up to!”
The boy took a defensive stance, preparing to attack. Pantalone could feel some sort of energy begin to course through Zandik’s body through his hand, which was still clasped by the segment.
Pantalone ripped his hand away, throwing both of them up in surrender. Zandik stared at him, confused and a little angry.
“Please put your weapon down. We have no intention of fighting you.” Pantalone said calmly.
“Not a chance! You’re planning to do something shady in the harbor, aren’t you?!” The pink fairy shouted. The traveler held his stance firm.
“Mind your own business! We aren’t planning shit-“ Pantalone whacked Zandik’s head again before he could get another word out.
“Again, please ignore him, he’s rather agitated at the moment,” He said, putting a firm hand on the back of Zandik’s neck as a warning. “We only wish to visit a dear friend. We may be Fatui, but we wouldn’t dare attack an innocent city for no reason.”
The traveler’s eyes narrowed, studying them. Before he could make a decision, the pink fairy hissed in his ear.
“That one looks a lot like The Doctor, don’t you think?” He nodded. “And the other one looks like Doctor Baizhu!”
Shit. They had already been identified.
“And to that, we have perfectly good explanations, I promise!” Pantalone was beginning to sound as desperate as he was.
“Paimon, I think we should hear them out,” The Traveler whispered back. His voice was so soft that no normal person would have been able to hear him. Paimon nodded in agreement.
“You see, this is The Doctor’s little brother- don’t worry, he’s nothing like that evil bastard,” he explained, ruffling the boy’s hair. “And I actually happen to be Doctor Baizhu’s brother. In fact, we’re actually going to visit him right now.”
The Traveler still looked doubtful, although he had begun to lower his weapon. Paimon, however, didn’t seem too keen to let them go. Pantalone really didn’t want to do this, but…
“Please let us go see my brother. It’s been so long and I…” he forced faux tears into his eyes, “I miss him so much. All I want to do is see him again, please…”
The two in front of them both shared a look of shock and sympathy. He could hear Zandik trying to suppress his giggles. Pantalone’s day truly could not get any worse.
“Oh, we didn’t mean to make you cry, mister!” The fairy, Paimon, cried. “How about we escort you to the pharmacy so you can see Doctor Baizhu?”
That was incredibly easy. Pantalone couldn’t help but wonder how they’d survived so long, being so trusting of strangers. He wiped the crocodile tears away, giving an appreciative smile.
“Thank you so much. I understand your hesitation because of our line of work.”
The Traveler smiled and nodded, putting his sword away.
“You don’t talk much, huh?” Zandik chimed.
He only shrugged, gesturing to them to follow him down the hill. Pantalone didn’t expect the renowned Traveler to be so reserved.
It made him seem a lot younger, even though he already looked really young to begin with. In a way, it seemed sickeningly familiar to Pantalone.
Sometimes, he still thinks about how he spent his teen years killing and terrorizing enemies of the Fatui all across Teyvat. But like with the memories of his brother, he finds forgetting to be the easiest thing to do.
Luckily, because of their game of tag earlier, the walk to the pharmacy was shortened by quite a bit. He only had to endure an awkward fifteen minutes of following behind The Trawler and Paimon.
However, his urge to stab Zandik only increased with the segment still giggling beside him.
He could hear the two ahead of them conversing quietly. The Traveler only seemed to be comfortable talking with Paimon, which was utterly unfathomable considering how annoying she was.
They got all sorts of curious looks once they entered the harbor. Everyone went dead silent at their arrival, save for the hushed whispers he could pick up from a few groups of people.
Zandik, however, seemed to think it was hilarious. He made a strange face every so often at a little kid, or a small crowd, and they would all scatter hurriedly. The segment would then smirk to himself, as if he’d done them a service.
Okay, Pantalone could admit it was a little funny, but it wasn’t helping their case whenever The Traveler turned around to check on them.
“Okay, we’re here!” Paimon announced. Pantalone glanced up at the building. It was large and elegant, despite being a pharmacy. He felt a twinge of pride, seeing how well his brother had done for himself.
Pantalone must have been staring for too long, because Zandik began to tug on his sleeve and urge him inside, still following The Traveler and Paimon.
“I think they’re trying to supervise us,” Zandik whispered in his ear. “What are we, children?”
“You act like one.” He shot back. Zandik furrowed his brows and stuck his tongue out. Pantalone allowed himself to chuckle at his antics.
They entered the building after ascending a ridiculously long staircase. The inside was quaint and comforting in a way, the walls and shelves adorned with various herbs and remedies.
At the front desk, a plain looking man looked up from his work. He brightened almost instantly at the sight of The Traveler.
“Oh, hello, Traveler! What brings you… here…” he trailed off when his eyes landed on the Fatui standing behind the boy, his face growing pale. “W-what are they doing here?!”
“Calm down, Gui! They aren’t here to hurt anyone, they just want to meet with Doctor Baizhu!” Paimon tried to explain. Obviously, he wasn’t convinced.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that! I’m going to ask you both to leave.” Gui pointed towards Pantalone and Zandik, who was starting to get rather agitated.
Pantalone placed a hand on his back, a silent warning for him to not do anything rash. Zandik took the hint, his shoulders sagging.
“But we’ll keep an eye on them the whole time!” Paimon tried to protest. Gui only shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but the answer is no. Please don’t make me tell them to leave again.”
“Qiqi, what’s wrong?” A voice came from down the hallway to the left of the desk. It was calm, melodic, and most importantly, familiar.
Pantalone’s heart began to pound in his chest. He cursed himself for ever agreeing to come along with Zandik. He couldn’t do this, he needed to leave-
Baizhu was led from behind the corner by a little girl, gazing almost lifelessly at the odd group at the front desk. Luckily, Zandik was standing in front of Pantalone. Baizhu’s eyes lit up in recognition, a smile gracing his lips.
“Oh! Hello, Zandik. Welcome back,” He said gently, his eyes trailing over to the man standing behind him. “And- and…”
His face twisted into that of shock or horror- Pantalone wasn’t sure. The color drained from his pale face, making him look even more sickly. His mouth hung open in surprise. Even Gui had gone silent.
His eyes- why were they yellow? Pantalone loved his brother’s beautiful red eyes. They were nothing like the red of Dottore’s. They were loving, and kind.
“What’s wrong, Doctor Baizhu?” The little girl asked. He dropped her hand, his own flying to cover his mouth. The snake around his neck hissed, coiling around him protectively.
Why did the snake now have Baizhu’s eyes?
“Baizhu,” he choked. He wasn’t sure what else to say. It had been so painfully long. Baizhu took a few steps forward, looking like he could break down at any moment.
Pantalone suddenly found the ground to look very interesting. He was practically consumed by shame. It would have been better for everyone if he had just stayed away.
He could hear hurried footsteps coming his way. Baizhu was probably going to hit him- which he definitely should. Pantalone wouldn’t fight back. Just as he shamefully lifted his head, he found himself trapped in his brother’s arms.
Baizhu’s face was buried in the crook of his neck. He was hugging him so tightly with what little strength he had, Pantalone actually felt himself begin to tear up. Real tears, this time.
He didn’t hesitate another second. He reciprocated the hug, pulling Baizhu impossibly closer. Pantalone’s hand wandered to his mint-green hair, running his fingers through the soft locks.
The snake made a noise of protest and slithered down Baizhu’s waist. Pantalone briefly wondered how a snake could protest, but Baizhu was more important right now.
He could hear the Traveler and Paimon’s gasps, and he could practically feel Gui’s eyes boring into him, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. At least, for once, Zandik was silent.
Baizhu’s body was racked with sobs he tried desperately to suppress, his hands gripping his collar like he could disappear at any second.
“I’m sorry,” Pantalone whispered repeatedly, rubbing his brother’s back soothingly, “I’m so sorry, Baizhu.”
“You- you’re here!” Baizhu exclaimed in between sobs. “What happened to you? Why…”
He couldn’t even finish his sentence with how hard he continued to suppress his sobs. Pantalone felt a few hot tears slide down his own cheeks. When had he started crying?
“Let’s go somewhere more private, yeah?” Zandik urged them. “Unless, The Traveler wants to continue supervising us?”
The Traveler and Paimon glanced at each other awkwardly.
“Oh, no! That’s okay! You just, um…. enjoy each other's company!” Paimon strained. The Traveler nodded, giving them a small wave.
Gui seemed reluctant, but allowed them to pass anyway. The small girl, Qiqi, had begun to cling onto his clothing, which was most likely why he didn’t protest. He only narrowed his eyes disapprovingly, glaring at the group as they walked away.
The snake slithered away from Baizhu and slid up Qiqi’s arm. She barely even seemed to register it.
Throughout the brief walk, Pantalone kept a gentle arm wrapped around Baizhu‘s middle. He wasn’t willing to let him go- not yet, anyway. Zandik led them down the hallway into a room with various medical equipment and a bed.
“Okay, you guys talk it out or something,” the segment said awkwardly, “I’ll just step out here. Don’t mind me.”
Zandik shuffled out of the quaint room, closing the door behind him. Pantalone wasted now time in embracing his brother again, who still sniffled every once and again.
“Where did you go? Why did you leave? I thought… I thought you were dead!” Baizhu cried. Pantalone brushed his thumbs over the man’s cheeks, wiping away his tears.
“Shh, I know, I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything, I promise.”
Pantalone continued to soothe Baizhu as he recounted everything. His brother listened quietly, still grasping onto him tightly.
“I know I’m terrible,” Pantalone uttered. “You’re angry, right? I understand if you can’t accept me as your brother anymore-“
“Shut up. Of course I’m angry,” Baizhu interrupted. “But… I suppose I understand why you left. And don’t you dare say I wouldn’t accept you as my brother.”
Pantalone’s eyes widened.
“I haven’t forgiven you yet. But I will.” Baizhu said, teary eyes staring up at him. “Just… please don’t disappear again. I don’t want to lose you. I would have never hated you for being away, do you have any idea what you cutting contact did to me?”
Pantalone allowed himself to sob into his brother’s neck. If his regret could eat him alive…
He spent the rest of his day in the pharmacy, sitting outside on a porch with Baizhu. He never let go of him, not once. They talked for hours on end, catching up on… well, everything.
Night had long since fallen. Baizhu’s head rested on his shoulder, half asleep, and it was the most relaxed Pantalone had felt in a while.
Well, that was until heavy footsteps sounded from behind him. Pantalone whipped his head around, finding himself face-to-face with Dottore’s menacing mask. The real Dottore, not a segment.
Baizhu himself had jostled awake, and was staring rather calmly at him. Pantalone expected a gasp, at least.
“I take it you found the letter I left you?” Pantalone asked. Dottore smiled, rather fondly.
“Naturally. And I take it this is your brother? My, you two do look alike,” Dottore spoke, “And Baizhu, I do apologize for my segment’s behavior. I hear this is the second time he’s bothered you?”
Baizhu giggled. “He’s no bother, really. I can almost enjoy his presence, sometimes.”
Dottore was being so civil, it was almost uncanny.
“Unfortunately, I do have to cut your reunion short. As a harbinger, Pantalone, like the rest of us, is a very busy man.”
Baizhu, although disappointed, smiled sadly. “I understand. I suppose this is goodbye, Pantalone.”
Pantalone stood up, hesitatingly releasing him.“Not permanently. I promise, I’ll write to you every week, and I’ll visit you all the time. I won’t disappear again, I promise.”
The two exchanged one last hug, before finally parting ways.
Pantalone silently followed Dottore back out of the pharmacy, down the ridiculously long staircase, and into a carriage waiting outside of the harbor.
Dottore entered first, holding out a gloved hand to pull him inside. Pantalone accepted instantly.
The second he pulled the door closed, Dottore had already begun to attack his lips in a rough kiss. His arms flung around The Doctor’s neck, pulling him closer.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I can’t imagine having to make an entire trip to Liyue with that child.” Dottore growled.
“Oh, it’s alright,” Pantalone giggled, “Besides, you’re here now.”
Their lips met again, before Dottore’s mouth moved to his neck, pushing back his collar to suck on the bruises he left before. Pantalone gasped, trying his hardest to be discreet.
“I guess I’ll have to make it up to you, then. No mora in return is necessary.”
Pantalone allowed himself to be pulled into Dottore’s lap. Oh, he was in for another long night.
++++
From the roof of the pharmacy, Zandik watched Prime’s carriage approach the harbor.
He grimaced at the memory of all the apologies and sobs he could hear from behind the door earlier. Blegh, feelings. Sometimes he wishes he didn’t have such good hearing.
Glancing around, he made sure no one was watching as he pulled out the communication device he had kept from his first mission. He was a bit disappointed he couldn’t clean off all the bloodstains, though.
He carefully tweaked the knobs, waiting for Beta’s voice to come through. Static, some more static, and…
“Zandik, It’s me.”
Zandik grinned triumphantly.
“Did you manage to lead him to Liyue?” Beta asked.
“Yeah, I did, he just got here.” Zandik answered. He could hear Beta say something to, who he assumed was Zeta, probably standing behind him.
“Very nice work leading him there, Zandik,” Beta was probably grinning like a madman.
“I expect that you’ll hold up your end of the deal?” Zandik replied.
The older segment sighed. “Yes, yes. I’ll deactivate the chip Prime installed the second I arrive in Mondstadt. And I’ll remove it completely upon my return.”
“Perfect! Thanks Beta!”
Beta cut off their communication without a response.