Experiment Gone Wrong (Dottore x reader)

Calculated

Soaking in the morning raise, the cogs in my mind palace began to spin, conjuring thoughts on the location of the akasha terminal.

The absence of the terminal can only mean one thing.

Dottore knew something like this would happen and he hid the akasha terminal somewhere I would never think to look.

Unfortunately, this would mean the terminal could be in any number of places; on his body, back in that massive ruin guard or somewhere else.

For all I know, it could have been moved outside of Sumeru.

I doubt that, but as always, that man is an enigma. He could have done anything and I would be none the wiser.

Tiredly, I pushed my screaming body away from the bannister and slowly returned to the laboratory. I'm in no shape to continue onwards, and even if I did I don't have the slightest idea where the terminal is. 

I need more time.

Back in the very lab this all started in, I rested my back against a wall and slid down, mindful of my grotesquely stitched leg, before closing my painfully hot eyes and licking my dried, dehydrated lips. Then, with a huff of a sigh, I begged my mind to think of something else, just for a change in perspective, some new light even.

So, instead of divulging in the location of the akasha terminal, my mind began to delve into evocation, clinging to every passing shard of memory as it wisped by. It was a peaceful moment, one that stirred great longing and sadness.

What I would give to be under that waterfall once more. To feel the crisp, refreshing water cascade down my hair and back. To nourish my body in a lotus petal scrub and breathe in the buzzing nature around me.

And what I would give to be back in the bamboo home of Tighnari, lapping up the summer's cool breeze and challenging the botanist playfully. It was like I stepped into a whole different world back then, one that didn't require me to fall in love with my potential murderer, or witness mangled corpses on a lit forest path. 

But that was a long time ago when I was naive and stupid—falling for a man who was constantly hot and cold, sharp and soft, up and down all at the same time.

Reminiscing on his chaotic personality in the evening and his dishevelled features in the morning, my body's senses heightened and the scent of a rainy dawn enveloped my being, taking me back to the nights inside the ruin guard.

Cold air wrapped around hot bodies, the scent of morning dew and lotus would often carry me to sleep. 

His warm body wrapped around mine, peaceful breaths of air dancing against my forehead, and the low grumble of his groans as we slept unarmed, body to body.

That's enough.

I shook my head of the thoughts and pulled myself away from the cavern in my heart. I should not be like this, not right now. Not after everything that had happened.

How can I still love a man that cannot be loved? 

Hours had passed since my mind went on its little memory expedition, I swiftly reminded myself of why I'm doing this and pulled away from the ever-growing tangent that strummed at my heartstrings. I can't waver now, if I go back to him, surely he'll kill me for my betrayal, and this was never my goal to begin with. I need to get back home y/n, home.

Stretching and lightly massaging my stitched leg, my body had finally gained some vigour during the hours I spent thinking about things I shouldn't be, and I was able to get up off the cold, linoleum floor to get back out there and find that terminal. 

Once again pressing my ear against the thick mahogany, I listened out for signs of life but found none. If that is the case, it might be early morning now. I don't have much time.

 Zandik is a doctor and a researcher. He wouldn't just frequent the laboratories here. 

He seemed rather familiar with the library landscape, the last time we were both there. So perhaps the terminal was there? Or perhaps that was wishful thinking.

But there was only one way to answer my undying curiosity, and that was to brave the trip downstairs and into the currently quiet library I had once used to hide away in.

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Chapter Notes

I have nothing to say -

I hope you enjoyed this filler chapter lol