𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ― baizhu x reader

𝐕. 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐋 𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐈𝐄

(y/n) sat awkwardly at their coffee table, the green haired man sitting in front of them as qiqi made tea. the insomniac's eyes wandered around the room, fiddling with their hands before the doctor spoke up.

"why have you been away so long?" it's a good question, one that they would rather not tell baizhu in full details, so they lie, "i've been rather unwell lately." they averted their eyes as they spoke, fidgetting underneath they table, hoping the man wouldn't probe any further.

they watched as he raised an eyebrow at their answer and opened his mouth, probably catching onto the lie, until the cryo wielder announced, "tea is ready." proceeing to carry a tray of cups full of steaming herbal remedies to the table. the open mouthed look baizhu had quickly faded as he smiled, thanking her and passing the cups of tea around the table. qiqi sat and they each sipped their tea in silence, (y/n) grateful for the interruption.

the zombie was oblivious to the awkward silence filling the room, sipping her tea in content, glad her friend was fine and alive. she broke the silence after along sip of tea, "how have you been sleeping?" (e/c) eye's flickered to pink ones as qiqi continued, "you haven't had your medicine for a few weeks." (y/n) sunk in their seat, gulping down some tea and nodding. 

baizhu cut in, "we brought some by for you." the he pointed to the paper bag on the kitchen bench, "they should be enough for a week or two, but please come collect your next dose, you don't look well ." the zombie nods along to his words, clutching at her steaming cup.

the subject of their worries wrung their hands sheepishly before apologising, "i'm sorry for making you worry, but i'm alright, i can take care of myself." the two visitors shared a look but didn't speak, instead taking a long sip of the herbal remedy infront of them. 

(y/n) was flattered the two had come so far to check on them and deliver her medicication. it filled them with a warmth, but that might just be the tea they were drinking. even though they had hardly slept, seeing people who cared about them filled them with energy. unkowingly they had started smiling bashfully, looking up at their two companions languidly talking of the view outside the window. 

once the tea was finished and qiqi was finished fussing over her friend, lazily discussing how she missed their adventures and where they should go next, baizhu cleared his throat. both the zombie and insomniac looked at him. "qiqi, can you give (y/n) and i a minute to speak in private?" a rush of anxiety filled the adeptus as they watched the small girl stand and nod, "i'll wait for you outside." she spoke before gathering her things. 

as the door closed behind the cyro wielder (e/c) eyes nervously flickered from their lap and to baizhu, who was silently gazing at them from across the table. "relax," he sighed. (y/n) let out a shaky breath before making eye contact with the man across from them. "that's better." the bespectacled man remarked with a smirk.

he took a moment to pour another cup of tea for the two of them and took a long sip. "i realise that we aren't exactly friends, however i'd like you to treat me as such." baizhu spoke, pushing up his glasses as he mantained eye contact with (e/c) eyes on the opposite side of the table. 

the emerald haired man watched as his companion flushed red before nodding, "i'll keep that in mind." they smiled awkwardly, taking a sip of the brew infront of them. "then keep it in mind as i ask you this," he insisted, "why do you have so much trouble sleeping?" 

(y/n) couldn't say they didn't expect this question, baizhu was the one making their medicine so of course he would come to a conclusion as for what the herbs were for. but that didn't factor into consideration as they froze up in panic, watching the amber eyed man rest his head on his hand as he waited for an answer. 

they let out a nervous huff of a laugh before forcing a smile, "you don't have to worry about me, it's just some nightmares, i'll be fine." it was an obvious lie that her guest saw through immediately, the fake smile fading as baizhu stood, disappointed in the answer he recieved.

"we care about you (y/n) not just qiqi, but me too," he spoke as he collected his things. (y/n) scrurried to the door, holding it open for her guest and yelling out to qiqi, who was down the hall, "don't you worry qiqi, i'll be right back to taking you on adventures in no time!" they smiled brightly waving at their small friend before baizhu stood in front of them.

"you might not want to talk about it now but," he brought their hand to his lips before speaking genuinely, "i can't help you if you don't let me." then planting a kiss on the back of their hand and whisking qiqi away and back to liyue harbour.

-ˏˋ ✿ ˊˎ-

it had only been two days of resting when (y/n) deemed themselves fit to work again, "are you sure you don't need a few more days of rest?" xiao asked skeptically. he was sat on the couch watching as his friend got ready to leave for their job in the harbour.

"i hate to say this but, you know i can't help you." xiao spoke regretfully. (y/n) just nodded at his words, sighing and putting on a smile, "i'm fine, you don't have to worry about me." (y/n) huffed. "okay, but you only need utter my name and i will be at your side." the anemo vision holder reassured. they grabbed the vision on their bedside table and slung it around their neck, tucking it under their shirt before turning to their adeptal friend with a smile. "i'll be okay, i swear." it was a lie, but they both chose to believe it as the adepti waved eachother goodbye and began their days. 

the sun had only just risen above the horizon when (y/n) made it to the civil affairs office, pushing open the heavy doors and making their way to reception to clock onto their shift. they scurried up the many flights of stairs that made up the intricate building and made their way to their office, putting down their things and scanning their desk for any overdue paperwork. 

there was a large pile of files stacked on the desk, the insomniac staring at the papers with dread before pulling their chair out and beginning the tedious proccess it was to sign and approve the various documents. they were a bit over halfway through the documents before they felt their eyelids getting heavy and they were resting their head in their arms. 

that was all (y/n) remembered before they were awakened by an abrupt knock at their office door. they sat up quickly, straightening their attire and yelling a soft, "come in." it was secretary yu who poked her head through a gap in the door before smiling, "good morning (y/n)! how are you feeling?" she closed the door behind her and sat in the chair opposite of them. "miss yu," they acknowledged, "i'm well thank you, any reason you've come to visit my office?" secretary yu just nodded before looking through the folder she carried with her, "there's been many sightings of hilichurls in the area around tianqiu valley, can you please organise to either send some milleliths or take care of them yourself?" 

(y/n) let out a sigh, knowing they were short staffed at the moment and that they would have to vanquish them themselves. "leave the file here, i'll get to the bounty shortly" they smiled stiffly at the secretary as she left the file on their desk and softly closed the door behind her. the smile fell as quickly as it appeared and the wearer groaned loudly before picking themselves up and and readying their things. 

swiftly reading through the file about the situation they begridgingly made it down the many stairs that made up the ministry. walking toward reception they recognised a familiar horned friend. the cyro weilder was supposed to make it quick as she was only there to drop off some files for ningguang but when she saw (y/n) coming down the stairs she eagerly made her way over.

"where are you off to?" she asked with a polite smile, "tianqiu valley, miss yu asked if i could complete a bounty." (y/n) groaned, it was common knowledge in the ministry that (y/n) worked office jobs and ran small errands for the citizens of liyue, only completing bounties if no one else was able, so ganyu couldn't hide the concern that crossed her face when the insomniac let her know of the situation they were in.

the half-adepti was eager to lend a helping hand, "i could help you out if you wanted?" she offered, (y/n) shook their head, "i appreciate your offer, but i'm perfectly capable of getting rid of a few hilichurls, besides i was assigned it." they rejected politely, smiling sheepishly before they started wandering towards reception. ganyu just sighed before nodding. "i wish you safe travels then." the horned woman smiled sweetly, waving goodbye to her friend as they briefed the receptionist.