𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ― baizhu x reader

𝐈𝐈𝐈. 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄

since baizhu and (y/n)'s first encounter the insomniac had been visiting the pharmacy more often to pick up her orders, rather than qiqi bringing the medicines to them each time they met. the pharmacist packing up and handing them their order without question each time.

though he began wondering if the herbs and medicines helped at all, the dark circles under their eyes seeming only to get darker everytime he saw them. still, they smiled and accepted their order without complaint so who would baizhu be to pry. though he couldn't say he wasn't worried about his most frequent customer and perhaps a little interested in them.

if the herbs and current medicines he had perscribed weren't working, then he wondered what would. that's how he found himself slumped over his desk, changsheng napping in a pile of blankets he had thrown together before he had begun his research on sleep, or the lack of it. it was a slow day at bubu pharmacy, allowing him to step away from putting orders together to chase his newest fascination.

books lay sprawled across the large wooden desk he sat at, he had bought them from wanwen bookhouse in the spur of the moment, jifang always stocking particular research books for him, she was suprised when he burst in and out, muttering a "hi." before searching for and picking out the books he wanted carefully, dropping some mora at the cashier. he thanked her, leaving with books piled up in his arms, swiftly returning to his pharmacy. jifang shook her head, used to the man flurring around her book store, often engulped in his research.

he read each quickly, writing notes furiously as he went through the pile, each had names like 'how do we dream?', 'sleep cycles explained' and 'insomnia and common causes'. he had researched sleep before, already having knowledge on how to treat the inability to sleep, but as they hadn't worked on (y/n) he wondered what else he could to perhaps cure their obvious insomnia.

it was only after realising it was past lunch did baizhu take off his glasses, satisfied with his research for the day. he rubbed at his tired eyes laguidly as a certain albino snake wrapped her way around his shoulders, he smiled, raising a hand for her to rub her face against, "how does a snack sound?" he asked. changsheng replied eagerly to his suggestion, "i have been waiting to hear you say that all day." the silky haired man chuckled, putting his gold rimmed glasses back on and pushing himself out of the chair he had been molded into for the last few hours. he made his way from his private study to the front of the store, where he knew qiqi would be dutifully working.

-ˏˋ ✿ ˊˎ-

qiqi hadn't heard a thing from her boss all day, she stood at the front of the store, on a stool so that she could see over the tall counter, minding the shop and passing customers their premade orders or writing down appointments they wanted to make. it was boring to say the least, but she had gotten used to the quiet and slow day. the small girl yawned slowly, glossy pink eyes staring out the doors of the pharmacy, "boring day huh?" the zombie jumped at the sound of baizhu's voice behind her, having zoned out from most of what was around her.

"what do you say we close up early today?" he asked, patting the errand girl's head as she hummed in agreement. "let's grab a snack, shall we?" the undead girl only shrugged before suggesting, "mooncakes?" the snake adorned man nodded with a smile, motioning qiqi out of the front counter. they flipped the open sign to closed and headed on their way side by side.

it was a lazy day for the rest of liyue harbour too, the sun partially obscured by the fluffy white clouds floating overhead and the usually loud streets filled with vendors were suprisingly quiet. it was peaceful. the two headed towards the main strip of restaurants and shops, walking down the cobbled streets of liyue harbour as they got closer to their favourite tea house.

qiqi shuffled a few steps behind baizhu, admiring the peace that the slow day brought. her idle admiration of the scenery caught sight of a familiar face. the zombie ran to catch up with the green haired man ahead of her, tugging on his sleave before pointing at her friend. "that's (y/n), correct?" the pharmacist queried. "correct," the pale girl affirmed, "can we invite them to eat mooncakes with us?" the bespectacled man smiled tenderly at the eager girl before him, encouraging her to invite them with a nod.

-ˏˋ ✿ ˊˎ-

(y/n) had a busy day, working for the ministry of civil affairs was tiring work, they were mostly cleaning up after other peoples messes, finding lost pets or items and helping with menial chores such as shopping or cooking. it was no wonder they wanted to treat themselves to some antique hunting following the end of their shift. they had seen most of what was in the small shop however stopped by regularly to see whether there was anything else new that had been picked up.

in the middle of their admiring they were interupted by friendly pink eyes staring up at them, "qiqi?" they questioned, "what are you doing here?" baizhu followed after his employee, clearing up (y/n)'s confusion, "we were heading to heyu tea house-" he started before qiqi cut him off, "we're going to get mooncakes, would you like to come?" a sweet smile creeped itself onto the tired civil affairs officer at the girl's consideration and before she looked to the amber eyed man watching.

"you can join us if you wish." he spoke, a small smile playing upon his features. they were baffled by his invite, "i wouldn't want to intrude." they spoke coyly, baizhu quickly shooting back a sly response, "we both know you wouldn't be intruding, come along." he insisted, pushing up his glasses and giving a playful smile, (y/n) tucked hair behind their ear, flustered by the forwardness of the doctor, but nodded all the less. they followed qiqi as she lead the way up the red stairs and to the tea house.

"you've sure made an impression on her." baizhu guestured to the zombie bounding up the stairs, the person climbing the stairs beside him hummed, watching the girl wait for them at the top. the green haired man stood beside qiqi, holding out a hand for their new companion and pulling them up the last few stairs, they were pulled flush against eachother for a moment before the pharmacist turned and continued to the tea house with his undead employee. he looked back in amusement as (y/n) got their bearings and walked closely behind.

-ˏˋ ✿ ˊˎ-

qiqi was mostly silent when she got her tea and mooncakes, simply enjoying the company and food she had. "there's one thing i'm curious about." baizhu started saying as he sipped his tea, "how did you two meet?" there was a pause as (y/n) sipped their tea, allowing the zombie sitting across from them to declare, "cocogoat milk." they chuckled at her interuption and explained, "there was a request for coconut milk at the ministry of civil affairs, i took it up and met qiqi." they smiled at the undead girl as they spoke.

the amount of care that the civil affairs officer had developed for the pale girl was endearing to the researcher, only making his interest in them grow. "so you work for civil affairs then?" he asked, chin resting on his hand as he leaned closer. "yeah, i thought i should give back to the people of liyue and do some good i guess." they admitted bashfully, playing with the ends of their hair. "i'm not too great at the fighting part of the job but i can fend off a few hilichurls if need be." they sighed, sipping the last of the tea before looking at the leaves in their cup somberly.

baizhu studied (y/n)'s expression, catching a glow of blue beneath their garments before speaking, "i'm glad you're friends with qiqi." it was a blunt statement, one that was followed by another that caught the insomniac off guard, his amber eyes sharpened as he spoke,

"you're rather intriguing (y/n)."