Chapter Text
Chapter VII: Madness
Baizhu has become restless in his pursue of immortality that has been robbed off of him by his illness especially after his fight with the Harbingers. He knows that he cannot continue being pliant to this accursed sickness that even he, one of the greatest doctors in all of Teyvat cannot heal. Slumped on his bed, Baizhu continues to cough. Oh, how he despised the metallic taste of his own blood in his mouth as he coughs continuously. Lucky that Changsheng isn’t here right now, or she would have been scolding him for pushing himself to limits. Ever since he came back from Abyss with his familiar, he did not stop from seeking the cure to his ailment.
“...” Everything hurts. Even moving is no longer bearable to him and he knows that his body is reaching its limit. Baizhu felt the wetness on his bed. Slowly, his eyelids became heavy and fighting against time became useless.
Rustling sounds can be heard inside the pharmacy. The pair bumped onto each other and ended up glaring at one another. The younger of the two can’t understand to why they have to even lurk in this place when they can just enter like any other normal patrons.
“Dottore, one more time and I will have you kiss these walls.” Annoyed that he was pushed the nth time today on the wall, Pantalone hisses.
“You should start losing weight, Regrator. It is not my fault that those pastries that you are so fond of eating is making you fat” Dottore snapped back. The audacity of this man to even threaten him. Opening the door, they were greeted by an empty yet spacious bedroom. Everything about this room from its wall decors to its flooring made it look cozy and welcoming.
“He isn’t here. What are you even here for?” The two Harbingers were startled upon hearing a familiar voice. Staring at its source, they saw a white snake curled on a basket near the bed.
“We need to talk to Baizhu” Trying to look professional, Pantalone invited himself in and even went as far as to sit on his brother’s bed.
“What for? He isn’t interested in the Fatui and more so to the Harbingers” If she could, she would have rolled her eyes by now. How dare these men even think that they can come and go whenever they pleases.
“We have the cure to his illness” Dottore hates the idea of Pantalone sitting on Baizhu’s bed. He felt both territorial and jealous about it.
“In return, what do you want?” Changsheng will protect Baizhu and ensure of his survival. Ever since they went back from Abyss to meet Lumine, the young doctor’s health deteriorates at the fearful stage and because of it, he became more unstable in both mind and body. She lost count how many people he even killed this week alone.
“Nothing dangerous, really. We just need three things from him. One, we need to know what is in that notebook that the abyss are so obsessed with. Two, I want him to be a good brother to me and three, a good mate for Dottore.” Regrator answered. There isn’t really much that he wants from Baizhu. Sure, he needs to control the entire black market but the idea of having a family is more appealing to the insatiable person like him. Ever since he was a child, he had dream of having a family. Hearing the other Harbingers except for Scaramouche speak about their own families made him extremely jealous.
“I want him to give me another chance and I don’t need him to be a compliant housewife. Baizhu can still do anything he wants; I will not limit it. What I did was unforgivable, but I want him to give me a chance to prove myself. I really like him a lot. Regrator is an attention starved freak of nature so he wants to have a family that he could call his own. Baizhu is his half-brother, you were right from your suspicion from the very beginning, Changsheng.” Dottore explained properly. Seriously, sometimes Pantalone can be so stupid for someone who is so smart.
“Master Baizhu isn’t here. Even if I tell you where he is, I doubt that you could talk to him properly. He has become unstable ever since we came back from Abyss.” There is a hint of worry that is coming from the white snake which made the Harbingers to think that they need to reach the young doctor soon before it is too late for them to save him.
“Where is he, Changsheng?” Urgency lingers on Dottore’s voice. He isn’t going to lose Baizhu because he is wasting his time here.
“Pearl Gallery. Bring me with you. There’s plenty of prey there so it is easy for him to hunt.” She ordered to Baizhu’s mate and brother.
Scent of death hit Pantalone’s nose the moment they step foot in Pearl Gallery. Everything about this place will not give any hint that there is a carnage happening in the ship unless you are someone who has sharp senses. Dottore felt the suffocating aura coming from Baizhu’s room and by looking at the employees of this ship, he knew that his mate must have a screw loose.
“You aren’t allowed here” Luoxia immediately blocked their way, and she is extremely nervous as she speaks to them. It did not escape the Harbingers that she is looking at a specific room as if someone is to kill her the moment the door opens.
“It’s fine. Let them see Master Rouran. You will speak none of what you are to witness or hear. I will kill all of you if you dare to tarnish my master’s image” Changsheng pitied everyone in here. They might have witness Baizhu’s blunder and carnage.
“Of course, m'lady” Luoxia agreed. There’s no point in betraying Baizhu if he is capable of hunting them all down even before they can speak a single word of what is happening in Pearl Gallery and none of them doubted that his snake familiar will really kill them just to ensure that Baizhu will remain unscathed.
Stepping inside the room, the pungent scent of death and blood lingers. Sitting on the freshly killed individuals is none other than Baizhu himself. Pantalone felt nauseous and he knows the other two felt the same way too by merely looking at them. How come his half-brother has deteriorated like this. Madness can be seen on his once lively amber hued serpentine eyes. He is literally soaking from head to toe by the blood of his victims.
“Dottore- wait!” Regrator was surprised when his friend sits next to the insane half adeptus. Not even once he had seen his friend act like a reckless fool. Perhaps, love can make you do crazy things or at least that’s what Pantalone thought.
“I have your cure with me now, Baizhu. Would you let us talk to you?” Dottore gently soothes his lover’s pale cheek. Unsure if his mate can even recognize him, he still chose to come forward and feel Baizhu’s cold skin.
As if a miracle happened, there is spark of recognition on those serpentine eyes. However, none of them realized the danger he poses to the 2nd Harbinger. Without thinking he sinks his venomous fangs in Dottore’s throat. Regrator is about to pry his half-brother from his friend when the latter stopped him. As if on cue, the younger half breed stops from harming Dottore.
“Hmmm~” Baizhu pushed Dottore off of him and his lover hit his back on the floor. The younger of the pair sits on his stomach. The next thing they knew, he opened his mouth and let the blood mixed with his venom and saliva drips from his lips to Dottore’s cheeks.
“I will give you the cure, but you have to agree to three conditions. You are from the land of contract so you know the value of equivalent exchange” Lovestruck, that is how Changsheng and Pantalone can describe both Baizhu and Dottore. Despite the madness slowly eating his half-brother, Regrator is no fool not to see that pair are in love with each other.
“Give me the cure, Zandik” Baizhu ordered his mate and yet he is well aware that he doesn’t have the upperhand in this situation.
“Not until you agree with three of our conditions” Dottore loves every part of Baizhu even his abusive personality. Call him mad but he likes it when the younger doctor is domineering.
“I could just kill of you here and take it for myself” Baizhu was startled by the time his mate grabbed the back of his head and pulled him into heated kiss. Groaning, he felt Dottore’s gloved hand soothes his thigh and chest that are barely hidden by his robe.
“You won’t. We both know it. I promise not to prolong your suffering once you agree with our conditions.” Dottore whispered while kissing Baizhu’s lips. He can taste blood, mint and mixture of unfamiliar herbs.
“...” Regrator felt as if he is interfering something and he really doesn’t want to see his friend and brother to make out in front of him. Scoffing, he reminded them that they are not alone in the room.
“Let me change clothes first” Baizhu stood up and left Dottore on the floor. He rummaged into his drawers and found a fresh robe to wear. Without caring about Regrator’s presence or even Changsheng and Dottore, he stripped his clothes off of his body.
Dottore cannot help but to admire his lover’s body and he cannot help to feel his skin on his hands while Pantalone arched his eyebrow, and he realized what kind of shameless sadistic brat his half-brother truly is.