Kaimisuu_

I write based on my imagination and dreams. 😼 I love villains hee hee hoo hoo haa haa

[kkairuu]

The end of Borrowed Time

FW! Mentions of surgeries, vague mention of blood, word of needle and scalpel, reader being pessimistic, uhh medical things... Idk...

Note: Sick reader x immortal Zandik (working elixir of Immortality), mentions of pantalone because why not I like him too, segments I guess

Silent. It is so fairly silent inside of a room with thick metal walls that the only sound can be remained where the machines are humming in life. Projecting data onto the screen, displaying vitals from the wires that are connected onto your wellbeing. You sit on the edge of a cold metal table, feet cannot reach the sterile tiled floor and are only hanging. As if just one touch may shatter your life.

You wore nothing but an issued patient gown, barely giving you warmth against the cold environment. You didn't mind, not once– or twice, you lost count anyways. Somehow, it always gives you a sense of comfort. A reminder that you are still alive, barely. Constantly hanging on the thread. A life born full of illnesses and bed confinement. A fragile doll behind the pretty window. An unfortunate person.

Recalling the days of doubts whether the gods from above are busy doing their duty of whatever they have to do, or just full of ignorants that why would they bother pouring their attention on some pitiful beings, and do something about it. You wanted to laugh at those memories of yours but you couldn't, it brings you pain, resulting in fits of coughing. To the point where you'll begin to taste nothing but copper in your mouth. The only safe thing to do is just stay still and keep breathing.

The metal doors gave themselves a sound of opening, making an announcement of couple individuals entering the room. However, you stayed still with a downward gaze until seeing a pair of impeccable black shoes, adorned with gold and blues. What a way of decorating boots despite the owner being practical. Well, you can't really blame it since it's not that relatable for you. In your life, you've always worn those flimsy slippers. Unable to experience decorative footwear for a long duration. A hazard item for you.

"So, this is it." You mumbled as the final cold wind from outside of this room caressed your face so gently. You wondered if that was the response from the Tsaritsa, a gentle reassurance... And uncertainty. Countless letters from her harbingers likely left a lot of worried statements, and wanting a permission to visit you left unopened, you couldn't and so left them on your empty bedside table before going here. Only one harbinger did not do the same thing as them, not even one letter to ask for your wellbeing. He's more of an inviting himself over to check on you. How rude yet you had to remind yourself that this home won't have its owner soon. Why bother verbally calling him rude.

"What is?" He asked with that prideful tone of his, standing in front of you so eerily. But are you scared? Not really. All of her harbingers are not that scary for you, they just all seem like normal people that had rougher times than you could imagine. Death however, is a different topic. It waits for you yet desperate to embrace you at any moment. Making you feel you're on the edge of thin ice, and it's ready to push you into the darker depths of cold water. You can even see it waiting by the corner, staring quietly.

"For this one to finally fail." You closed your eyes and weakly nodded to yourself. Completely unaware of several red eyes staring at your form, even he stares at you with an unreadable expression. "I can definitely feel the impending failure of this session."

His hands clenched into tight fists, clearly offended by your despicable assumption of the result of this experiment. An offense to his knowledge and confidence. Even the ones around them wanted to refute your statement as if it's the worst thing they heard in their synthetic lives, but they couldn't. He wouldn't permit them. So he asked while holding his denies, "How so?"

A couple strands of your hair fell from its position, covering your face a little. "I'm tired, Zandik." You weakly said with the intention of giving your life up to Death. In return, Death laughs. "Tired of hoping for another day. I'm already on borrowed time, and it's about to end."

"Don't say that." He clenched his teeth, his jaw tightened with anger. Zandik clearly wanted you to stay alive and breathing since the day he laid his heretic gaze on your sick form. Being lifeless at a certain age was your fate to begin with, and he managed to prevent that with his knowledge. However, it wasn't enough to erase the aura of impending death on you. So your life was on extended duration till this moment. "How dare you say–"

"I jinxed it, didn't I?" You look up to see him, his brows furrowed tightly and his red eyes scrutinizing your statement. A bad luck spell, something Zandik doesn't believe. But the way your dull, lifeless eyes seem to make it sure it's a real deal.

"You did. However, it does not have an effect on the predictability of the result." He firmly stated, kneeling in front of you like a knight giving his oath to his master. He cautiously grasps your weak hand, his warmth radiating on you felt like a lit candle. Cozy, comforting, grounding even. Raising it to his lips, ghostly touching your skin in reverie, "It relies on knowledge, experience, techniques..."

"And confidence." He mumbled over your pale knuckles before giving a quiet kiss. A twitch of your finger gave a response, even the faint blush didn't go unnoticed by him. The network in his mind was filled with his segments' desperation of doing the same thing, he pushed back. Now's not the time to go haywire. He stands up and fixes the stray hair away from your face. "I assure you. This experiment will succeed and be the last."

He urges you to lay down, and you did. In front of you now was the blinding white light and his face looking down as if you're his prized specimen. Well, that's no surprise given that you've already done this multiple times. Your file must've been so full of history of past surgeries, rivaling that of a certain banker. Taking a look at what's above you, Zandik still looks so young despite exceeding that certain age of a fossil. His appearance is somewhere close to between 25 and 35. He's wearing his glasses that are reflecting under the light. Many would think that him and 25 are twins with the exact clothing.

His segments began to emerge and appear, surrounding your lying form on the metal table. Now ready to begin the experiment with apparatus prepped nearby. Their eyes tell you that they have so much to say about you and your statements but they are held on for now. A murder of crows. How silly.

'Will this be my grand funeral–'

"Whatever ridiculous you are thinking of, is not permitted." Zandik said flatly with a deadpan expression, needle going in your skin with ease and you're used to feeling the substance going into your system. The anesthesia begins to take effect as your consciousness slowly fades away. Enveloping you to the familiar comfort of the darkness of slumber, not Death. You could faintly hear several segments mumbling about the procedure and... And... And what?

"Pantalone is expected for us to join his leisure tea time. In the few days after this." Zandik said with an emphasis on the 'expected' and 'us', meaning you and him. He's the one near you so you can hear him enough. Grabbing a scalpel from a nearby segment, he looks down at you with such determination of succeeding. "And I do not want to be alone if you're not present."

'Stay with me, alive.' You understood what he meant. Out of all harbingers, he was the one that would stay by your side during your episodes. Despite his busy schedule, he would bring his work in your bedroom and busy himself on your desk while taking care of you. Segments would visit and look after you whenever he's away, chatting about whatever's going on and their experiments. Even as to asking for your perspective on some things, practically making you busy. Their intention of not letting you be in such a daze. Constantly updating him through the network. He would not let you go under his sight. Never. Not even Death.

"Let the experiment begin."

With one long look of him, your consciousness finally fades away. Completely unaware of everything and everyone. Zandik will have to rely on his research and theories with a cautious might. He will definitely succeed. A full erasure of your illnesses so that you can be with him without any worry. The want and need of letting you experience everything that fate robbed you. He will make sure of that.

For he is The Doctor.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Completing this one before the continuation of a certain post is so silly to me. But I'd say that I'm quite satisfied with this one. I imagined this while reading a different fanfic and I definitely had to write it down. (Type it down literally)

I need motivation to complete the continuation...

The story of upcoming artifacts and that BP weapon isn't enoughhh. Ughh.

Don't feed this to AI. Will post in AO3 soon.

[kkairuu]

Fair warning: poison, words of knife, dottore himself lol

Notes: some were a bit nonsensical but i don't want to remove them. </3

You ever wondered the texture of that familiar leaves that you missed so much. Its shape you knew so well from your younger, innocent days. The fruit it bears, glistening in warm sun that almost made you think of precious jewels. How the vines spread towards the wooden apparatus, always forgetting the name of despite your father having already taught you about it. Your family's crest bears the shape of that leaf, proudly showing what they produced. A proper rival of that Mondstadt's famous winery.

Ah, the fruit. You missed eating it so much. The way you sneak out, out of the employee's radar, just to snatch some and eat it at the secret spot with your siblings to share. Only to get caught by your mother, but she'll let you continue since it gives nutrients for her precious children. After turning into an adult, your father proudly gave you the opportunity to drink of his makings. Wine. It was sweet just like the fruit it came from, mixed with a native fruit of your homeland, bearing the uniqueness in it.

What was the name again?

"Papa! What's the name of the fruit you mixed with?" You asked with a joyful smile, staring at your father's back. But he didn't respond quickly like he usually does. Is he busy? Did he not hear that well? Was your voice not clear again?

Glass shattered, you could not register your father abruptly holding your shoulders. Forcing you to look at him directly with a panic gaze. What's going on? Why does his expression turn mad and desperate?

"Despite your situation." His hands are shaking, his hair that has always been well kept was disheveled in a way that looked entirely wrong for you. "Despite that- Don't you ever do that as a last resort! You hear me?!"

"W-what-"

"Wake up!"

The surroundings turned nothing but pure darkness, a void that you're currently falling into. The scene of your warm home disappeared in front of you, along with your father. what did your father say to you? Why is his reaction- what- what-

"Oh dear."

A sensation of being patted on your shoulders brought back to your senses. You coughed violently as the liquid contents finally came out of your mouth. Splattering the pristine tablecloth, cutlery and your own clothes in the process. Painting them that looked like your blood mixed with purplish color, the taste of iron and of that sweet uniqueness from the wine.

"I'm not sure what happened, but it seems it's not coming from alcohol toxicity." You shudder as that voice came from behind you. A cold, prideful tone and that unbearable air of authority that's suffocating to the bone. "Judging by your recent activities, you had not touched a single alcohol until a moment ago."

Your throat burned, you couldn't argue back or leave the dinning room since he was practically looming over you like a rare specimen. Covering you with his shadow. Basically devouring you with his presence alone. "It's just-"

His gloved hand slammed on the table while the other held on your chair. His face halfway obscured by his mask and he held a smile, a kind that tells of what he might do. What he would definitely do. "Based on the observation, there's another variable in your glass."

"Poorly mixed. Unable to merge with other components in a timely manner."

"So, tell me, Wife. Speak the truth before the toxic spreads in your system like a vice." You heard the material of the chair under his grip creak as it tightened. His other hand came dangerously close to the knife and his smile became far too crooked, baring his sharp and vicious pearly white teeth.

"Was it the maids doing?" He then let out an amused hum, grabbing the cutlery knife and pointing towards the maids stationed nearby while staring at you. They went pale and held their hands to calm themselves. They couldn't be able to flee because that would mean treason. You grip your clothes tightly, you weren't sure of what he would do if you speak the truth. Time was running out and he looked so damn sure to make a bloody scene, definitely in this dining room. A perfect moment to dissect!

Horrified, you yelled, "It was me! It was my own doing so please!"

You couldn't bear to look at him anymore, looking down to stare at your tainted hands. But you could definitely tell he was now staring at you through his mask. An eerily silence settles the room before he waves off towards the maids, commanding them to leave immediately. The only sounds that you can hear right now is your own breathing and the cutlery knife now settled back on the table with a clink.

"Is that so?" How cruel of you do that to your husband. Don't you see that it made him so concerned the moment the poison works wonders through your mind first? The way his eyes fixated on the wine in your glass and a speck of error in it? How the maids suffocated by his murderous intent on themselves before your confession? You truly wound him so much. That he had to yank off the vial on his earring, ignoring the dull pain on his now bleeding ear as he effortlessly opened the vial. Holding the antidote in his mouth, surely you wouldn't accept it if he gave you the vial instead.

So when you open your mouth to confirm, he immediately removes his mask and pressed your lips into a tight kiss. Invading your mouth as the antidote pushed in. He stares at you in delight as you have no choice but to accept with your eyes close and his free hand caressing your throat, your grip on the lapels of his white coat, tainting it with your blood.

As he finally lets you go, you look up and see him in that same expression as he hums in agreement. Red eyes crinkle up as they bore into you, drinking you up just like wine. Before you voice out about his bleeding ear, he gave you a peck on the cheek before placing back the mask on his face. He'll come back to you for a follow-up checkup.

In sickness and in health,

"Then I've come to save your life in every way."

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Warming up for a long post! ^^

[kkairuu]

You stare for too long.

Too long to see the invincible weight upon his shoulders, too heavy to carry for such a human like himself. It looked like it's crushing, digging onto the bones as if to ground him but he held on. He held on. Wearing a mask of false confidence and arrogance to face the reality. A cocky smile and an air of a scholar, not forgetting his tone of an intellectual person Infront of his enemies. Telling them how fate was just cruel and people unable to escape the shackes of it. He wanted to defy fate yet his enemies could not understand. They could not understand. So, with a chance of his life ending. He held on.

It shook. You noticed. You're too observant.

To others, it may seem like he was laughing at them for being ridiculous. It looked offensive, rude and expected for a cruel harbinger like himself. The way his shoulders tremble and the feathers adorned around fluttered to amplify that action. But was he really? Of course you don't believe that. You know what to differentiate. The invincible weight got added, now looking like it's about to fall over and kill him with no remorse. That's why his shoulders trembled. But He held on barely. Like he always do.

Now, It was quiet.

As you stand Infront of that man, sitting while his back was hunched over. All lights in the laboratory are off, blanketed with darkness except one near him. Casting a harsh white light on his side, his messy papers of about his research notes and spilled ink bottle. His mask got discarded and looked like it was thrown onto the desk, not neatly placed like he always does. His shoulders is now obviously trembling, as if the invincible weight is threatening to do what it wants to do. His hands covering his face as to try to calm himself as something is trying to spill over. Tears, he denied.

No one to share the weight.

"Zandik." You softly called, taking quiet steps towards him. He stiffened at your voice but refused to look at you. It was too late to collect himself and face you with his mask on. Why do you still stay despite knowing his unforgivable crimes and cold, intellectual attitude? To people, he is fearful amongst the common people and low ranks. To other harbingers, they avoided his presence and his name unless the orders of Tsaritsa. Why do you still stay?

Why do you call his name with that tone of yours?

Why not? You are neither a hero like the traveler and their friends or a villain such as pantalone. You sit between. Your fate in this world is undetermined. An exceptional being that isn't under the shackles of that so called god above the sky and lived a long time, your morality becomes a blur and that is questionable. But you are not like Traveler, you reminded yourself again. You are someone who is yet be determined.

You can do anything you want. So that's why you stay and called his name.

"Being alone and to shoulder something for so many years. It's truly tiring, isn't it?" Not to the side nor up, you look at him directly into his eyes. Rubies. Exhaustion became so evident and it's understandable. You can recall someone who experienced just like this but that doesn't matter. You were done removing his gloves and set them neatly on his desk.

"You still held on yet you've almost burned yourself out." Yes, like a candle.

His shoulders tremble once more. You placed your hands on them as if taking that nonexistent weight. No one to share the weight but you are willing to do so. Putting pressure to ease up the stiffness and he groaned. Automatically his arms wrapped your waist and pulled you in, his head rests on your stomach. He was now a putty in your hands, unbelievably exhausted from facing the world.

"You held on, Zandik.",

"From now on, let me share that burden. Whether you like it or not."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"Lord Doctor, the meeting requires your presence."

"Is that so? Fine, I'll be-"

With a wave of your hand, sharply correcting him. "We'll be there."

"...Yes, we'll be there."

"(^⁠‿⁠^⁠)"

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Brain numbed.

Don't feed this to AI, please.

[kkairuu]

"May you suffer under my embrace."

"Argh!"

Pantalone looks up immediately, checking his surroundings with keen observation. How dare someone trespass and interrupt a harbingers' business with fatui guards stationed outside. No one should be in the area unless a fatui agent who would identify themselves after entering to report something. For a couple of minutes, he confirmed no one entered and it could only mean...

"Are you somehow hurt, Dottore?" He asked, facing the air as if there was a person in front of him. A scoff followed, blue and red particles appearing out of nowhere. A bizarre thing to see to a normal person. "Me? Hurt? How laughable."

All Pantalone can do was shrug, eyes closed and with his signature banker smile. Ah, his colleague is still prideful and stubborn despite his situation being a Data in Irminsul. But he still has time to settle a matter himself. "I'm just concerned that's all."

"...How have you been keeping?"

He chuckled in response, "How have I been keeping? You say?" Crossing his legs and leaning back with elegance, his gloved hands intertwined with ease. Purple gem rings glinted as if they were mocking. "I should be the one asking you that."

He could imagine the other man frowning, being thrown back his own question instead. All the pride, intelligence and experiments, behind all that, there's a single thing that hasn't been addressed. Pantalone tends to do it now before it's too late. After all, he is a person who honors another agreement.

"..."

"Don't go silent on me now. You know what I'm talking about." Oh how Pantalone wished to say it with contempt, however, it would be too obvious. Too early for showing a grudge.

"..."

The silence stretched felt like an eternity. Omega couldn't help but stood still on the platform inside the depths of Irminsul. This conversation is going astray, he quietly regret asking Pantalone about his wellbeing. In this situation, If he were to ignore this, the latter would've definitely won't fulfill his tasks completely.

With a defeated sigh, his dull purple eyes had already opened. Pantalone already expected this outcome, quite disappointed knowing that this segment is the lone and selfish survivor that wouldn't budge. Of course, he is that selfish enough to bury the past into the void and forget that it even existed. Then, a low tone of a growl only Pantalone could hear.

"Miserable."

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

"Yes. And we're all waiting for you."

Zandik could not help but laugh in disbelief. This foolish world and these segments... Maybe he had not expected this outcome, several eyes that are exactly like his are just gazing down at his pitiful self. After all, knowing himself, he is too prideful to get help from others. Why would they do that?

"Hah– waiting for me to die?"

'What a foolish bunch of crows, indeed.' He instantly thought. But what was the term again? It was something like... Wait– Zandik saw how Omega smile with his gloved hand coming towards his face. His dull eyes shaking with instinctive fear, the first time he felt since decades.

Closer and closer. His eyes reflected the gloves until he was unable to see. All he could see was pure darkness, a void, the nothingness. Something he loathe since birth.

The last moment in Zandik's life was Omega laughing with no remorse.

Ah, 'Murder.'

.....

....

...

..

.

Zandik is no longer in this world.

"Zandik!"

Before Omega could look up, he was pushed away and fell down on the sterile tiled floor. Shock and disbelief written on his face, as well as other segments nearby. What just happened? Why didn't he and others notice your presence right away?

"Zandik!" You shouted again towards the Main, carefully nudging his cold and wrinkled hand. You wanted to deny, that he just passed out from exhaustion. But no, it was cruel to see Omega had just killed the Original. At the exact moment you entered.

"Dear, we tried to resuscitate–" Omega said while standing up but he was cut off by a harsh slap of yours. It echoed throughout the laboratory, the silence felt worse as others stared at you, bewildered by your action.

Then, in an instant, he saw red.

"Ack-!"

You were already on the floor, struggling as his hands wrapped around your throat with such force. Squeezing as you desperately gasp for air. You tried to claw his hands but it was futile when he was wearing modified gloves. Suitable for such situations like this. The back of your head hurts so bad due to the fall impact.

Feeling something pooling behind your head, you were totally sure you weren't gonna make it. Ridiculous, you wanted to laugh. Is this really your fate? To be killed by the hands of his selfish segment? Maybe, Karma caught up to you.

You could've saved Zandik if you weren't so distracted by something. Then here's the result of your ignorance.

You felt your life slipping away.

With all your strength left, you reach out to hold his mask. Other segments tried to pull Omega away after sensing your fading life but he was too strong and too absorbed to realize what he was doing. With a smile, you let your vision activate, as well as something you kept to yourself since the day you were born. Cold permeates the air as the frost covers the entire laboratory. Something sinister began to emerge from your touch.

Segments' legs now chained with Ice, not letting them move freely as they felt the biting cold temperature through the fabric. As similar as Snezhnaya's winter storm, something not their system and synthetic flesh can endure.

Finally, you begin to chant, the cold wind carries your voice all around the room, equally as carrying your will, "May you all suffer under my embrace of terror. Wither in fear and be in agonizing pain.",

A curse.

"For all eternity."

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Gasp!

Omega woke up drenched in sweat, gasping for air as he clutched his chest. Right where his synthetic heart beat wildly. How foolish. The nth time he's experiencing terrible nightmares after the... Incident. Unable him to recharge to full extent. Even others experience the same thing, complaining and 6.7777% inefficient to their tasks. Beyond the acceptable percentage.

He couldn't find the better solution after trying the erasure method or any type of medicine to cure or at least lessen. By day, something would whisper in their ears, appearing and disappearing. 25 flinched when he heard a whisper during an experiment and caused a failed result, leading to creating another request for another batch of materials to the banker. By night, hearing footsteps or a hum when no one was present in the area. 65 kept looking behind his back anxiously after hearing someone singing and even giggling as it came closer and closer until he tripped.

18 and 45 became agitated, turning heated arguments to breaking everying within the reach while being each other's throat. Vials spilled, ruin guards beyond repair, hurting everyone in their vicinity. 8 couldn't continue his aranara research anymore.

It all because of your curse. A parasite that couldn't be removed.

Out of all the segments that are willing to love you, giving you what you wanted. Yet you chose to love the Main, the one who's human and aged. Wrinkly and out of his prime. Why him when they can offer you everything without them aging? Why him when he killed his creator? Why still him when you weakly hold that wretched cold hand of their creator while being strangled. Why not giving them more love and attention than him? Why, why, why, why,

Why?

"WHY?!"

Pantalone look up to see Omega had his fists on the table, creating a ruckus on the confections and tea sets. He almost thought he was angry about the choice of sweets, but no, this is more than that. His purple eyes gleam over his agitated expression as Omega would stare at the vacant seat between them.

'he could not replicate that moment.'

He sips his tea with a calm expression as he quietly observed. Omega wasn't he used to be, a calm and all-knowing segment. Very much different than the others. But now, he looks rather much human. It doesn't affect much on duties, it more of a... internal problem. Yes. What a mess, he thought.

'A mess he created, indeed.'

But he knew. Of course he does. Pantalone witnessed the incident back then. Behind those metal doors leading the laboratory, through the gaps, he saw who Omega killed. His closed eyes wasn't closed anymore as his signature smile fell. Eyes shaking as he saw your lifeless body beside the Main, the laboratory was covered in ice. Evident that it came from your vision.

He knew you well since you were introduced by Zandik. Quite a genius and knew about accountancy as well, a gem discovered. Pantalone and you clicked instantly, becoming friends that would do friendly debates and sharing views towards certain things. Even as creating a private tea party for just the three of you. Him, you and Zandik. You would even offer to create your own confections, high quality and beyond what every best confectioners can do. Even Zandik denied that he ate almost everything you put on the three tiered stand.

Yet something doesn't feel right at that time. He sworn he felt a stare behind them, so he looked back and saw one of Zandik's segment behind the door of the glasshouse where the three of them was present. It was Omega. Pantalone was about to call Zandik but he observed closer. Then he instantly knew. That Omega wasn't staring at his creator, instead,

He was staring at you with unreadable expression.

Perhaps that was the stare of yearning, Pantalone realized.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Omg, that took longer than I expected. Now, I'm not sure whether I want to continue the continuation after this.

Will be posted soon in ao3. <3

[kkairuu]

At the age of 85, on his birthday, Zandik collapsed and received no help from his segments. Thus, the latter took advantage of this and turned him into a lifeless corpse.

You and Pantalone were about to attend the meeting and decided to visit the laboratory for a quick detour. Then, they found the scene before them unsettling.

Such a bunch of blood eyes stare at you both intensely. Bore curiosity, excitement and affection reserved for you as they noticed your presence. Pantalone on the other hand, had to step out, decided to take some air or a cigarette. Processing what he had just seen.

Shocked to see those tuff of blue hair on the metal table. The exact color that you love, and the silhouette was somehow familiar but you couldn't discern because of the sheet covered it. Not realizing that it was your dead lover covered in white sheet as the sharp blade of a scalpel hovers extremely near cold flesh. It was the Main, Zandik.

Then,

"You were not supposed to see this nor come here at this hour." Those blue gloves, you are always familiar with, covered your eyes. You hadn't noticed Omega had discarded the tool and medical mask, now stood behind you with his chin placed on your shoulder. "My dear, were you off to the meeting?"

"Isn't that–"

"Is it? Or is it just some test subject that just happens to have the same hair colour as us?" He chuckled but then held an all-knowing smile. He had to stop you to recognize who was under the sheet to prevent a disaster. You glanced at him, not minding how the tip of his mask poked your cheek a bit. Your eyes tell suspicion, a need for confirmation. Although, Omega likes to tease you further, he needs to stop for now.

"Rest assured, it is just some rogue from our second base, a former sergeant to be specific. Killed some guards in anger but agents managed to apprehend him." He said with a calm tone as he turned you around. Hands still covering your eyes with precise gentleness. He looked over and signalled 8 a.k.a Kappa for cooperation. The younger segment's eyes glint in response. Understanding what he needed to do.

'Do not let them enter once more until I say so.'

"Blue hair but brown streaks on the bottom. You might've not seen it completely under that. Isn't it, dear?" The 25 year old segment a.k.a Theta, the one with glasses and surgeon outfit, held out a clipboard for you to see on the side. All the information written on it is clear and legit, hair colour stated just like what he said to you. A good thing that Theta still wore his medical mask, if not, then you would see his smile, sharp teeth out. Only his eyes slightly crinkle up, but you would think of it due to his glasses. Oh how you believe so quickly, he had just written false information in terrifying speed and precise handwriting when Omega turned you around.

"I guess..."

Omega hums in approval, uncovering your eyes and giving a kiss on your neck while Kappa went towards you, grabbing your sleeve and tugging you to the exit. "After the meeting, can you come over to my room? I need another perspective on some topics."

"I'm sure Zeta can do that–"

"I require a different person. Not a segment." Kappa scoffed as they finally went out of the laboratory. His eyes glanced at the side, seeing the others standing behind with their gaze on both of them, especially Omega with a crazed smirk, waving as the metal doors shut behind you. Leaving you and Kappa in a cold hallway.

"Let's go. I'm sure others are waiting."

"R-right! I'm about to be late! Oh archons..." You groaned. Realizing Pantalone was not with you anymore.

He held your hand and led you away from this wing. He too held a small smile that you couldn't see. However, it is a matter of time that you'll learn about the unfortunate event. Unless they needed to come up for solutions.

Oh and he forgot,

"Don't keep me waiting."

Now they can have all of you by themselves.

[kkairuu]

"If you are trying to impress me by staying up this late. Then you have failed."

He's holding your chin with precise care, lifting your gaze up to him at the precise angle. He wasn't scowling but his lips definitely tilted down. His warmth radiating under his glove felt somewhat calming. Grounding even.

"Mind deteriorates when there is no ample amount of sleep." He said, poking the middle of your forehead with a ghost touch.

"Says the one who don't sleep at all." You tiredly fought back by gently pushing your forehead on his index finger with a small smile.

The corners of his lips lifted up. Amused. "As a matter of fact, I do. But not here. It is unwise to sleep in a laboratory, filled with hazardous chemicals unlike you."

"Touché"

His head tilted slightly, as if you're looking at a curious crow in front of you. His earing dangle that which almost caught your attention. "And I do want to propose an experiment that which requires your cooperation."

"Which is?"

He then hold a scholarly smile.

"They say sleeping next to someone you hold dear will regain much more energy. What say you?"

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Honk shoo honk shoo

[kkairuu]

When I searched through some manhwas to read, I noticed the one that I used to read. It has a beautiful art style while the story is dark. Those particular butterflies that became a deadly weapon but so beautiful at the same time. So I realized, what if I can make some scenarios that are inspired by it?

So here's a bit of an idea:

To which the wings fluttered with death

"You knew the sustenance provided is poisoned."

"You are right." You did not stop eating your meal that was poisoned and prepared by a maid behind you, but you did not forget the vile stare she gave you a moment ago. She then immediately held her composure as if she didn't do anything except serving her master.

But she wasn't one of the maids assigned to you by the Tsaritsa. You don't recognize her or see her from the first day you entered here. She's either hired by someone or from your family that wanted you dead for escaping. You really couldn't count how many enemies you made along the way.

"And yet, you seemed unbothered by it. In fact, you still continued consuming."

"Right again, Doctor."

"Are you not scared of what the effects will do to you?"

Looking up to see his mask across from you, sensing his astonishment about your reckless and unbothered behaviour. You couldn't help but question his reaction despite being a doctor. Shouldn't he be worried like any doctors do? Maybe, you should humor him a little.

"I've been exposed to various poisons since the day I started walking. This, is only a child's play." Slightly turning your head to glance at the maid behind you. Her face turns horror by your vicious gaze, realizing the fact that you already recognized her as the prime suspect.

"Am I right, miss?"

The maid screams as the butterflies made an appearance on the ceiling, now glowing red as their wings fluttered with hostility. They waste no time as they drift towards the running maid, who's flailing her arms as an attempt to defend herself before going out of the dining room with them following her. You couldn't help but chuckle in delight, seeing your children get fed with a good meal tonight.

Turning back to see him hiding his crazed smile by his gloved hand as to pretend to be shocked, before elegantly clapping his hands as if he was watching a short theatre in front of him with his now usual smile. What an odd doctor he is...

"Fascinating I must say. But I do apologize for feigning ignorance about that infiltrated variable. I had to observe your capabilities since the Tsaritsa have put you under her... Wings."

"It indeed exceeded my expectations and theory. Bravo."

[kkairuu]

Warning! Blood, syringe (not to reader), surgery, medications

Notes: some parts may be nonsensical, so I apologize in advance.

Dottore does not flinch when a subject of his crawls out of the metal table and furiously grabs the ends of his lab coat, while he is preparing a syringe filled with blue substance. Disruption will lead to a delay and error. Dottore merely let out a 'tsk' before the segments finally restrained the subject and led them back on the table, causing the latter to lash out.

"An attempt to postpone the experiment? My, it didn't work out so well. I, at least commemorate you for the effort as a rogue agent you once were."

"But you seem to look furious about that. I'll have to administer some sedatives."

"Let the experiment begin."

Dottore does not flinch when blood starts to spurt out everywhere in the operation room like a fountain, as he saw an anomaly during the experimental surgery. Covering his gloves, tools and equipment, and mostly around the patient. Meaning, that includes the white floor... You know when the segments will have to do the cleaning here. Dottore calmly stopped and fixed his gaze towards the blue hologram, displaying the subject's vitals and notes.

"Subject is now officially unfit for this experiment due to an undocumented detail regarding a declining organ, a crucial component for the prototype. Therefore, we must immediately find another subject that meets the requirements and a full examination."

"Close them up and assign their stay in the fatui patient ward. Let us investigate who forgot to register such an important detail."

Dottore does not flinch when injured fatui soldiers suddenly rush in the medical ward when he takes a mandatory inspection visit of his medical and research department. Many of his personnel immediately assist the injured, leading them towards the vacant beds and seats while the doctors check up to see their wounds and inflicted elements on them. When a staff decided to be brave and asked him if he wanted to help them. He just shook his head and hid his smirk.

"I'm afraid that myself and my reputation would instill fear in them. Negatively impacting their mental state while being physically injured at the same time."

"We do not want to worsen them anymore, am I right?"

Zandik does flinch when he sees you during his inspection, battered and barely breathing as you rely on your weapon to stay upright. You caught his gaze when he's already running to you, shocking to see him without his usual demeanor. Not like this, you don't want to have him see you so bloodied and in the brink of death. He finally caught you when you were just about to fall from exhaustion and immediately went to one of his nearest labs with you in his arms.

"Beta! Get others to the operation room now!"

"Hold on– No, do not fall asleep until I say so!"

Zandik does flinch when one of the segments shouts about your declining vitals during the emergency surgery. Your heart rate keeps on decreasing and losing a lot of blood, he must hurry before death takes you away from him. Zandik shouted at everyone with his orders, segments scrambled and assisting him, the operating room became a mess, even their original clothes were stained with your blood as they don't have their surgical scrubs on. When he was done, when your vitals finally went stable and when the segments let go of their breaths, everything went still. Hearing your heart rate monitor on the hologram beeps in a normal rhythm. Dottore a.k.a Zandik finally being relieved, held your hand and fell down on his knees, feeling your skin on his bloodied hand and on his forehead as he muttered.

"At last, Death did not take you nor did you take their hand..."

Zandik does flinch when he feels your hand on his move as you begin to wake up. His crimson gaze searched for any discomfort you feel as you groan in pain. Instantly connecting to Delta to have him find some pain relief medication to administer in your system right away. Despite being a madman and a heretic. He... He did not want to see you like this. He never wanted you to experience what it is like to be under his scalpel nor be on the same table like his subjects were. He never felt defeated like this. But the good thing was that you're alive, breathing and with him in this cruel world.

"Don't... Don't do that ever again..."

"Please..."

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Finally completed this after being so busy for days TvT

[kkairuu]

Even though you're invited to Sandrone's tea parties with the other harbingers. You don't seem to attend some of it. Not because you don't like her berating you as usual or Tartaglia's eagerness of dueling you. You just didn't want a particular person to feel left out.

That's why you decided to host your own small tea parties lately. With a fresh piping tea made from expensive leaves and a relaxing environment. You let your lover, Dottore, chat away about his day as he enjoys your homemade confectionery with delight (You made more just in case). As soon as the Banker arrives and joins in the conversation (In which Dottore frowned), you could immediately see that your lover looks more included and human as they started to exchange snarky remarks to each other. Seeing him like this so differently than being cold and indifferent to others. You really need him to shed off his armor and loosen up sometimes. Yeah. You should do this more often.

But right now while watching them, you thought of ways to apologize to Sandrone if you ever attend. Maybe making Fontaine's Conch Madeleines would lessen her attitude towards you. Let's just hope so.

[kkairuu]

It was strange at first. You decided to change into black coffee every time you concentrate on your work. Fresh and straight from the pot. Not needing any tinkering to adjust its taste since you need the pure bitterness to fully wake yourself up.

However, as you grab your mug for a second sip while not breaking your sight on your papers. The taste became different. Not earthy nor the bold, intense taste. It's slightly sweet, smooth and less bitter now, with a few hints of caramel. Exactly the way you like it. You weren't mad at someone (who you definitely know) had done this while your attention was away. In fact, You were curious about his intention behind this.

Turns out, Dottore didn't like how your face scrunched up in disgust as you take your odd coffee nowadays. He knows it's not the one you usually take and you're also a fellow sweet tooth. (But not at the same level as him.) Even so, seeing you take the drink you don't like bothers him. That's why he discreetly adjusts your drink by adding sugar, milk and caramel or just swap it.

You don't hate it though. You like how he knows what you like and dislikes by observation and taking initiative. And it's more fun that you know that he doesn't know that you still let him continue doing this. It's silly yet adorable.

Just make sure it's not obvious.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Okay at this point, he could've become a barista.

[kkairuu]

It's a chilling day. You're in a glasshouse filled with fragrant yet deadly flora and fauna, its aesthetic is unusual unlike the cold and chemical scented walls. Although Snezhnaya's weather is famously known to be cold and snowy, the temperature inside the glasshouse is remotely fixed to a warm setting. Suitable for the grass and flowers to grow healthily while maintaining humidity.

You've been sitting on this garden chair for awhile now. Warmly dressed and with a book in your hands. Not a theoretical one but a random novel from Inazuma. A cup of tea and a plate of dessert to complete, you feel nothing but relaxed as you read in silence. It's the day when you decide to do a recreation activity today after completing an experiment of yours last night.

So when you started to zone out in between the pages, you didn't notice some tiny beings, crawling under the gap of the glass door and made their way to you. Frantically hopping on the vacant chair and again on the table that's occupied with confectionery. Your thoughts broke when those tiny blue feathers tickled your hands.

"...Dottolings?"

Those little sprites with a single blue feather, an eye, beak and those two legs that always remind you of a baby chick. They belonged to Dottore but how they were made remains a mystery to you. They hopped in glee for being recognized immediately. However, you feel like something's wrong here.

You watched as they scrambled around and formed a position. Forming walls, leaving two sprites inside and looking angry at each other. Hearing them tweet and... Bonking together? So silly and adorable. But you knew what they were trying to show you.

It's about Dottore.

Now you're out of the glasshouse and towards the main laboratory with the little sprites following you. Feeling like a mother duck and her ducklings. But let's digress. As you open the main door, already expecting the chaos as the sounds of bickering echo the metal walls. Tons of tools were misplaced, papers were scattered everywhere, and ignoring how the vials were leaking. You have to make someone clean that up.

"You imbecile. You wasted enough of our resources just to have your experiment fail." Dottore tightened his grip on his segment's collar with a scowl. Veins looking prominent as fuming in anger. The latter held on to his arms but trying to grab Dottore's hair instead.

"Not my fault when the variable's immune system rejected the serum!"

"Then you could've adjusted the formula! Then the variable wouldn't be dead!"

"How am I supposed to know when the variable was normal and healthy?!"

Oh so they are at each other's throats. Growling like mad dogs. Well it's always like this when some things went wrong unexpectedly. I mean, not involving you. Only them actually. Of course that's Dottore and his segments are just him too. The hostile relationship of himself is inevitable. Now if you imagine having a segment of yourself, well, it wouldn't be that bad.

"Your laboratory will become unfit to work in such... Hazardous environment if you continue further." You said, coughing as the chemical reaction from two vials began to produce smoke.

The segment a.k.a Beta, the one with a pink bow hurried himself to you. With pleading yet angry eyes, Beta pointed at the original. "This old man's been cranky ever since I got here!"

"I do not."

"That's a lie!" Then Beta caught something on your palm. Holding a plate of sweet confection. Sugary looking and decorated with icing and toppings. No doubt it's a slice of strawberry cake! Is this meant for him? Surely! Of course!

"Hey... Is this for me–" He was then pushed away by the face so hard that he comically fell on the ground. It was none other than Dottore who did so uncharacteristically.

"..."

"..." The sprites hid behind your shoes, terrified by his sudden action.

You then quietly handed the plate to Dottore, who coughed to hide the embarrassment but quickly enjoyed your... His cake now. Watching how he looked relaxed after a couple of bites, ignoring the furious Beta in the background. Wow. So that's what he needed to ease up. A dessert. Sugar.

Okay... So... Problem solved?

But that cake was meant for you though...

[kkairuu]

I think Dottore would be an adequate professor in the modern era, of course except the crazy human experimentation part.

He would be one of the professors that students fear the most. A strict, cold and terrifying professor in the science-related department. His course isn't the type to just sleep off during the lecture, hah, no no. The students would straighten their backs and have their full attention on him as he teaches.

He's known to cold call someone who doesn't pay attention, asks a complicated yet topic-related question, and if you don't answer, he'll be sure to give you his famous bad mark on your grade. He doesn't like people who aren't interested in this subject.

Oh, speaking of questions. At the end of his lectures, it's guaranteed that he will randomly call someone and ask them a set of questions. What did you learn? Can you explain the process? What does it do? What will happen afterwards? Then you need to justify your answer until he's satisfied. It's grueling because your classmates are your audience and his lecture hall is the stage.

That's why some students who don't have his course yet, wished that they won't have it after seeing their seniors groan in misery. Even though he's a scary professor, he has his reasons for being like this and it's for the students' sake. He wanted his students to be prepared and knowledgeable enough to face the harsh reality, much worse than him and his course.

He'll give sticky notes on each research paper with their mistakes and possible solutions to fix them. Giving constructive criticism when it's time to defend their thesis. If you were really paying attention but couldn't answer his sets of questions, he'll 'tsk' and rearrange his questions with few clues enough for you to be able to answer

If you're really fond of science and the things that Dottore loves. He won't treat you as his favourite (that's a lie) but he'll try to make you engage more and broaden your horizons into these fields. Letting you read his research papers, hypothesis, his latest notes and machinery then ask your perspective. Then after the lecture, he'd offer you some extra lectures that take place in the library.

He's Internally that excited that there's someone who is as similar as him. Who thirst for more knowledge. Who's perspective is almost aligned with his. Nobody knows about this.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I wonder if this makes sense. Lack of sleep ain't doing my brain good.

[kkairuu]

Another twitch.

Small but not evident.

"Lord harbinger–"

"Out." Voice strict and firm, his grip tightens on the metal table. Possibly creating an unnecessary dent. His back faces the lone fatui agent, unable to see his lord's impending irritation. Persistent but incredibly oblivious in interpreting the tone. How pitiful.

"I can't do that, my lord. Lord Pantalone insists on seeing you directly to discuss some matters."

"..." Dottore was irritated. No, he was incredibly fuming. This lone agent was not only brave to enter his laboratory, but to produce such unnecessary noises. Disrupting his experiment in the process.

"My lord–!" The agent took a step forward. How noisy.

The sound of slamming the tool on the metal desk echoed the entire laboratory. The agent shuddered in fear, visibly gulping but did not retract his step. Dottore did not express his displeasure through facial expression, he does through actions and his unsettling statements.

The reason why Dottore was not in the good mood right now, was he did not like any noises in his laboratory or any of his territories. The sound of machinery and any experiment related are welcomed. Other than that, it delays progress and breakthroughs. Losing focus will lead to inefficiency and error.

So sending an agent to relay messages through voice, which is something he did not like at all. Sealed letters, memorandum, The Jester or the Tsaritsa themselves and someone who deems worthy, he can only reply. So right now, Dottore wanted nothing but to 'officially' discard this agent himself.

"Disruption is unacceptable. I suppose I do require an additional test subject. You surpassed the minimum qualifications after all." Dottore said, now leaving his workbench.

But you entered at the exact time. Hands on your back and casually walking towards the commotion. You just came back from other duties and met someone with an unreadable smile and unbelievably expensive glasses during your errands. Raising an eyebrow on the fear stricken agent and the indifferent Doctor. His signature blue needles were floating, whirling with murderous intent.

"Pantalone wants his agent back, Dottore." You said as you grabbed the agent by the shoulder and pulled them back, towards the metal doors. You then swatted the needles away as if they were some flies. "But he insists on discussing an urgent matter with you this instant."

Silence filled the room. It may be terrifying to the agent, but it was comfortable between you and Dottore. His whirling needles halted and disappeared with sparks of blue, along with its ill intent. His posture relaxed yet still exhibits professionalism, he nodded. "I see."

"I'll temporarily take over your experiment until you're done. Take the agent back." You waved, now ready to take over the workbench.

"...Very well. I shall see the banker."

That alone made the agent so confused about this sudden change of attitude. Many people do not know about this but you are the only exceptional noise in any of his territories. The only one that Dottore accepts. The only one who can disrupt him or his segments. You are my noise.

But when Dottore turned, the agent was gone. Presumably, they ran to inform Pantalone about the Doctor's arrival rather than accompanying him on the way. Not that he cares anyway.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I love this man.

[kkairuu]

Okay hear me out.

False god Dottore but in his eyes, you are the only god here that he gladly serves with up most loyalty. Though he serves for the fatui and the Tsaritsa for business, he is your biggest devotee and someone who willingly offers his body and soul, just to get your undivided attention to himself.

False god Dottore when he speaks about your benevolence as his lips hover your skin, gentle as if he's treating you as glass. Afraid that you'll break and be gone. Shudders when he receives your touch like a miracle that he got bestowed upon. Your voice held such sacredness that he couldn't help but kneel on the ground that you stand on. No knowledge or data can comprehend you nor can satisfy his greed for you. You are but a mystery that shall not be dissected.

False god Dottore when everything you do, held such importance to him. Even if you hover over him on the ground. He stills and lets himself bathe in your holy presence with such reverence. Your praises sing with melody, his name on your lips sounded so sweet and how you hugged his form to comfort his agony. Soothing his sorrowful soul.

Please drown him in your kindness, something he desperately longed for since he was named as heretic. Do not shun him away just like his hometown did. Use him as you please.

[kkairuu]

"...You've been sustaining yourself less lately."

"Hm?" You look up from your work to see him standing in front of you. Arms crossed and his stance looks slightly intimidating. His masked gaze remains on you. Inspecting and theorising in his calculating mind. You now feel like you're being dissected with a magnifying glass.

"Additionally, sleeping less for more than you should." Dottore sums up all of it based on his weekly observations on you. Though he may not look like he does, but truthfully, he's very observant when it comes to you. He may be a madman, but he's not that cruel to feign ignorance of your health.

"It's fine." You reassure him while having your hand to lightly dismiss his statements. You feel fine with the help of coffee and eating less for a few days won't hurt anyone. Besides, your research requires a lot of attention right now. "I'll resume my normal intakes once I'm done."

"That is the problem."

"...What is?"

"You did not specify what day your research will be concluded." Dottore stated, lightly tapping the paper you're currently writing on. It was filled with hypothetical statements and conclusions, accompanied by a few sets of formulas that'll make others look confused. Only you, Dottore and his segments can understand.

"That... That is correct." You weren't sure when this research of yours will end. It also requires acquiring materials and conducting experiments, and that'll take additional days with little to no break. Even though you like what you're doing now, but sometimes, it gets frustrating in some aspects.

"Therefore, your current routine will become consistent to no end. It will disrupt further into your wellbeing if you persist." He took your pen out of your grasp and placed it to where it belongs. Next, Your notes were then in his hand, away from yours to prevent you from continuing. "When your vitals are at a satisfactory level. You can retrieve them afterwards."

"But.." You were about to reach your notes when a slight tilt of his head made you stop. A simple gesture that you know so well, that you shouldn't defy that isn't within your authority. That you don't have a choice but to accept his instructions. "Understood."

He added more. "You're susceptible to passing out of exhaustion."

A small smile broke out of his cold demeanor, nodding to himself. "Good."

With a snap of his fingers, a segment came into view. Of course, a scowl was evident on a segment's face. You recognize him as Beta, judging on how expressive he is and his pink bow tie. He held a tray of what seems to be a meal with a glass of water.

Dottore looked at the meal. Carefully inspecting and calculating the nutrients it contains. Once he's done, he nodded to himself then turned back to you. Satisfied by the data that surpassed the requirements. "A nutritional meal to make up for what's lost. Afterwards, you'll take supplements."

"You've lessened yourself, you know." Beta's scowl deepened as he scanned your now exhausted demeanor. It was so evident to them and yet you didn't. He could hypothetically guess that you tried to be on par with them. Not needing that much of rest or sustain themselves.

Beta sets the meal in front of you. Feeling the heat that indicates it was freshly cooked and the right amount based on your normal intake. But when you looked up, he was also crossing his arms. Is this their favorite gesture? He also has his hardened gaze on you too. "Ignorant fool. Temporarily deteriorating one's self for the sake of research is no other than an idiot."

"Beta." Dottore called, stopping him from running his mouth further. He didn't want you not only to lose an appetite but also upset your stomach. He could tell the way your brow twitch in mild annoyance. "Delta requires your assistant. Regarding a misplace of a wrench somewhere."

"That utter fool!" Beta held his hair in frustration as he goes to the entrance. Muttering some incoherent words on the way, presumably something not so elegant. Before going to Delta, he looked at you again with a pointed stare. "Consume all of it."

With that, he left with a lazy wave. You began eating under Dottore's supervision. Surprisingly, it was delicious and comforting that made you cozy and warm. You could tell from that Dottore, who was sitting across your desk, was very much pleased with how you ate all of it with no complaints. Excellent.

Afterwards, sleep begins its way to you. Your eyes are drooping, posture becomes sluggish, and your mind becomes foggy. Of course, Dottore already took notice of your behaviour and led you to your room.

"You don't have to supervise me anymore." You said and yawned, now lying down in your comfy bed while Dottore standing next to you. He calculated how many hours of sleep you need to take, and apparently, it's more than what he assumed.

"Nonsense. There is a possibility that you'll wake up early and resume your other work. I won't accept that." He patted your head gently. His touch lingered more than just a moment before sitting on a chair next to your bed. Grabbing a random theoretical book nearby to read while supervising you. He already read this but it wouldn't hurt to get a refresher.

"...Right. Goodnight, Zandik." You finally feel the sleepiness as you shut your eyes. The familiar and comfortable darkness consumes you with its silent lullaby. Dottore observed how your breathing became even and in pattern. Seeing how your face looks more peaceful in your sleep, he nodded to himself in satisfaction before continuing his reading.

"Goodnight, my dearest."

In sickness and in health, I will forever be the one to take care of you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Had to edit some parts while it was posted. My apologies!

[kkairuu]

"To think that all tasks were done with such haste."

He mumbled quietly, looking through the neat stacks of papers and formulas with high attention. These were placed neatly and positioned based on importance. No signs of spilt inks or crushed papers. All the tasks he gave you are all done. No signs of struggles or frustration. As if you knew what to do and what to write.

And yet, Dottore was still fascinated by how excellent and consistent your routine is despite your situation. You've done everything to finish just before sleep overtakes you. Fatigue was no joke, along with the stress of figuring out and going through all sorts of books and archives. Researching is fun and something you like to do but becoming sleep deprived will always be your price to pay.

"Acceptable methodology and interesting formulas, I see." Leaning on the table, just beside your sleeping form. Dottore read the rest of the papers on one hand, while the other rests on your head with precise care. His coat already draped your form for warmth and to avoid a cold.

"This requires to be tested in case of miscalculation or an error. However, it is still considered to be satisfactory." He nodded to himself before looking at you. Yes, you. Unaware of his praises, unaware of his cold demeanor having an affectionate element towards you. Though, you could faintly feel his touch in your sleep, instinctively moving towards him for more. Piquing his curiosity.

"This is... Intriguing. I suppose a reward is in order." A quiet chuckle escapes him before giving in to your desire. Mask and gloves already discarded. Baring his vulnerability to you. Letting himself indulge more than he should. Just for once, he thought. (Oh it's more than that in the future, selfish man)

His scarred fingers rake your hair softly and soothingly. How a man worships his lover lovingly. Though these hands of his have sinned, it's not impossible to have such gentleness in them. Therefore, they are only yours to receive them. Precisely.

Only you.

This affection of mine will forever be endless for you, my dear.

[kkairuu]

I did not expect that Dottore was very much taller than anyone in the first boss battle. This added so excessively to my affection for him that I couldn't help but feel giddy, every time I see him.

So I thought, what if that became his maximum height? You remember that during your days in Akademiya, you were known to have an average height amongst your female peers and that's it. You've passed the age where the height stops, like a newborn fruit to its standard size. Zandik however, was born with an excellent and desired height, a bit taller than his peers. (Maybe his village that he was born into and became an outcast, was known for their tall stature, you thought but never confirmed.)

But now, how come he was able to achieve more height than before? Was it because of his self-experimentation or a result of his genes that refuse to stop during and after the Akademiya? How fascinating yet frustratingly annoying, that you'll have to crank your neck up just to look at him or have him lean down, just to hear whatever you say that's meant for him. But useful when there are things that are beyond your reach or locate him when he isn't within your line of sight. (How convenient, you happily thought.)

When it comes to the segments. Gosh, it became a nightmare for you. Imagine having them in one place with you with the same intimidating height and identity as your lover. Unnerving and overwhelming, you wanted nothing but to isolate yourself for a set duration to calm your nerves. Worst is that when you mistakenly made a noise, all eyes were dead set on you. Like crows to their shiny trinkets.

In the end, this made you love him more along with his segments. Just make sure you stop your impulses, like saying "How's the weather up there?" Or "fee fi fo fum."

Oh wait. You just did. Now be ready for your punishment.