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Yuzuru leaned against the front door, watching the world go on. Inside, the Doctor had Xiao. Yuzuru ignored the urge to enter, to make sure the Doctor kept his word. But watching that madman work would bring out something even more unpleasant than paranoia or anger. He didn't need that. He didn't need the Doctor to see what all those years had done to him.
The truth was, Il Dottore already knew, and it was pride that kept Yuzuru from being there. From being by Xiao's side as a madman saved his life. Xiao had always been standoffish around strangers, didn't like being touched by anyone he didn't know well. In such a vulnerable state, Xiao would panic if he came to with someone like the Doctor there.
Normally, Xiao would defend himself.
"Let me die here, Yuzuru... Let me... Die... Happy..."
Now, Yuzuru wasn't so sure. He'd told the Doctor to get him before Xiao woke up. There was no way he could let him feel abandoned. Let him wake up with only Il Dottore for company. Though Yuzuru had told Xiao about the Doctor, he'd never described him physically other than having red eyes. As far as he knew, Xiao had never seen him in person either. If Xiao knew...
He wouldn't. He didn't know.
It would stay that way. It had to stay that way, because Xiao would never understand why Yuzuru would do this, because Xiao...
Yuzuru knew Xiao had lost people. So many. But some part of him knew that, if the roles were reversed...
No. No, Xiao would want him to live too. He would understand. Xiao wouldn't want to lose him so soon either. Xiao had only wanted an escape to the horrific suffering, if he'd known there was a way to live on, he would have agreed without question.
Yes. Xiao wouldn't abandon him like that. And Xiao...
Xiao would understand, when it came down to it, he was worth everything and more than what Yuzuru had given up.
After all, the world now remembered. Il Dottore remembered. Sumeru remembered. Baal remembered.
His safety was pretty much non-existent now. But he had Xiao. Xiao would survive. Xiao, who was always aware of what had happened to Irminsul that day, would be there with him. He wouldn't be alone. Xiao would understand.
He would. He would.
Yuzuru's empty chest ached. He needed Xiao to be okay. He couldn't face this world alone. Not without him. Not now. Not when they all remembered.
The door opened and Yuzuru nearly fell backwards.
"Did I startle you?" The Doctor asked with a smile and an outstretched hand.
"How's Xiao?" Yuzuru quickly got to his feet, ignoring the Doctot's offer to help him up.
"Why don't you see for yourself?"
Once inside the bedroom, Yuzuru knelt by Xiao's side. The yaksha was still unconscious, but breathing. He still looked so pale and weak, and there were fresh bandages on his arms in a familiar pattern. Yuzuru caught the scent of rubbing alcohol and some all too familiar chemicals he could never name. Yuzuru carefully took a hold of Xiao's hand. Warm. It was warm. Not as much as it should be, but at least he wasn't ice anymore.
"He'll be asleep for quite a while," The Doctor said, "But when he regains consciousness, we can discuss the rest of what you owe."
"Rest? You said-"
"I said that I would save his life if you gave back what you erased," The Doctor said simply, "I don't recall saying what it would take to keep him alive."
You can't be serious. He would've said it years ago. But now, he knew better than to question it. His fingers tightened around Xiao's, and he had to stop himself from squeezing too hard.
Yuzuru let go.
"Just tell me what I need to give you. Get it over with," Yuzuru said, not looking at the man in the doorway, "Xiao doesn't need to hear."
"It would be unethical for the patient to not have a say in his own treatment."
"Since when do you care?"
The Doctor stepped closer. Yuzuru shivered.
"My dearest most perfect puppet... All I am concerned about is your wellbeing," The Doctor's knuckles dragged across the back of his neck.
"Bullshit."
"I would hate for him to abandon you too, Scaramouche."
"Xiao would never abandon me," Yuzuru seethed, slapping the hand away, "Xiao isn't like that. He will understand."
"So you've found yourself a loyal little pet," The Doctor looked down at Xiao, "I suppose it only makes sense. Yakshas were all mere slaves to the Gods that command them, as much of a failure as you are."
"He isn't-"
"Whatever you want to call it isn't my concern," The Doctor's tone held a warning. Yuzuru instinctively knew to stop. If he kept arguing, the Doctor might change his mind and leave Xiao to die, "But if you wish to discuss compensation now, I believe we can come to an arrangement that works for both of us."
"Alright," Yuzuru said, "Just tell me what you want and I'll give it to you."
"You've lost your edge, my dear. Just telling me to name anything at all?"
"I don't have time for games."
"I still want to make a God," The puppet’s eyes widened at the Doctor's matter of fact words, "Help me again, and I will ensure Xiao survives."
Become a God...
Il Dottore had a gnosis. He had two.
And the world knew him. The world knew he'd tried once before.
Nahida...
...
And when he became a God, he could save Xiao all on his own. Keep him alive without assistance. He wouldn't need the Doctor.
He wouldn't need anyone but Xiao.
"Do we have a deal, Scaramouche?"
"Yes. Yes, I'll do it."
"Your word means nothing to me, you know," The Doctor's smile didn't fade, "We are in Liyue, no? How about a contract?"
The Balladeer looked down at his unconscious beloved.
"Whatever it takes."