Work Text:
A knock on the door of Pantalone’s office echoed through the hall. He didn’t bother to put out his cigarette, instead just calling out for whoever it was to come in.
Dottore’s funeral wasn’t a grand affair. Usually, it would be expected that many people would show up to such a momentous occasion, but no. Instead, it was a quaint affair. Pantalone just knew that Dottore would be seething after seeing the last few of his subordinates show up.
There wasn‘t anything to bury left of him, Omega had burned in the fire. Prime along with all his other segments were buried already, Zandik’s death had been a long time ago after all.
And now that the funeral was over, now that he truly was gone, Pantalone didn’t know what to do. So, the first thing he did when he returned to his office was to light a cigarette. That usually helped him.
But it didn’t. He was on his fourth when he heard the knock on his door. As it was opened, the hinges made a creaking sound, as if to protest the fact that they were used once again.
Lelio walked into his office. The Lelio that had worked for Dottore ever since he had ‘found’ her, as he called it. She had been wandering around Teyvat for a long time after the fall of Khaenri’ah, without a goal or mission. In truth, he had captured her and wanted to use her as a subject until he learned about her alchemical knowledge.
From that point on, she had worked for him. Pantalone saw himself in her. He had been the same until he was sold to the Fatui in a desperate attempt of earning money. The plan was convoluted but look at him now. The richest man in Teyvat.
After a moment he adressed Lelio.
“What is the reason for your visit, Lelio?”
He coughed a little, exhaling smoke as he did so. Lelio sighed in response. She looked rough. She, like Pantalone was still dressed in the clothes she wore to the funeral. A black, long dress and a trenchcoat draped over her shoulders.
“I won’t beat around the bush right now, Regrator. I know how to revive him.“
That made Pantalone stop in his tracks. He stared at her, completly frozen as the cigarette continued to burn in his hand. Lelio walked over to him, taking the cigarette from his fingers and taking a deep and slow drag.
“He once told me about a hypothetical, what if one would combine an intact soul, like mine or yours for example and used extracted data about himself, like memories and put them into some sort of body.“
Pantalone nodded. Dottore had told him about this hypothetical aswell.
“And now you are suggesting that you are able to actually work with these hypotheticals.“
It wasn‘t as much a question as it was a statement. He was clearly skeptical, even though he knew Lelio well enough to know that she wasn‘t one to joke about such serious topics.
Pantalone knew about Dottore and Lelio’s relationship. Lelio knew about Pantalone’s relationship with him aswell. It was like a silent contract, neither of the tree were truly comitted to each other, at the same time they were truly devoted without being in a labeled relationship.
“I am, yes. I have created segments with him before, making another one but with a full soul isn‘t the hardest of tasks.“
Pantalone hesitated. He knew of the segments she had created, the 8 year old Zeta and the even younger Tau were made with her help. He took the cigarette back from her, their fingers slightly brushing as he took it from her cold metal prosthetic. His hand was shaky as he brought the cigarette to his lips again.
“In addition, I can make your elixir of immortality.“
She pook off her earring, the same small vial that Dottore always wore. Pantalone had a stash of the elixir, but it would only last him for about 5 years.
“If you can bring him back in due time, I won’t need the elixir from you. He can make it for me himself. And you don’t need it anyway.“
The prospect of being cursed with immortality sounded harsh, and with her body rotting from the inside, it was even worse. Pantalone’s body was falling apart at the seams just like hers. Artificial immortality and cursed immortality.
Both working towards the same goal. Both mourning the same person. Both owing their life to him.
“Why are you doing all this for me?”
Pantalone broke the silence again. She had reasons to want to bring him back. She liked him just like Pantalone did.
“It’s bold of you to assume I am only doing this for you. I miss him just as badly as you do, realize that, Regrator. I don’t want anything in return from you. I want him back with us.“
Back with them. Yes, that sounded right.
Pantalone froze up again as Lelio suddenly leaned on his side. She rested her head on his shoulder, eyes now closed. The last smoke from the burned out cigarette wafted around them, like a ghost attempting to comfort the living. Maybe it was just that.
“I miss him so badly..“
Lelio mumbled. Pantalone closed his eyes aswell. A silent agreement to her feelings.
Maybe he was willing to work towards this goal with someone else. It seemed unreal. A banker and an alchemist, working together to bring their partner back. Their doctor. Maybe even their lover.