#THE ENDING IS MY FAVORITE PART AHAAHA

[fatuismooches]

Thinking about Dottore with a reader that's very quiet and a more minds their own business kind of person, kind of like lynette.

I imagine as children, reader didn't really have friends because they weren't very social. And... who else didn't have friends? Zandik. Reader accidentally stumbled upon him while he was reading in that little clearing in the forest while they were exploring. At first they just kind of silently stare at each other, unsure of one another. Zandik definitely questions them at first, but he's either met with silence or very blunt and short answers. They just shrug him off and look for rocks in the river nearby.

But they keep coming back, sometimes they'll just sit quietly near him and do their own thing, sometimes they'd try to make conversation, but usually only if he speaks to them first. The friendship happens rather slowly I think, but I imagine it really forms when they start to quietly bring back items for him (random mechanical parts they find, interesting fauna and the like)

I think in the akademiya, certain students would have tried to take advantage of them... Being so nondescript and quiet, they were an easy target. And even more so when considering they were friends with Zandik. They would tried to blackmail them into giving them their research or to do their work, make up rumors about them and Zandik. Of course, when Zandik finds out he's utterly livid (it might have taken a while to find out too... considering he would spend as much time as possible in his dorm and not around those empty skulled scholars and reader wasn't exactly one to express their troubles...) he promptly scares them off by threatening them and maybe breaking a finger or two <3

With Dottore, they act as his assistant. They just like to be in the same room as him, not always needing to even talk. They're a good listener, and they try to help out whenever Dottore has a problem with an experiment. His subordinates definitely don't understand how the 2nd harbinger of all people would be with such a weak looking and nondescript person. But they keep their mouths shut out of fear of punishment. Dottore's clones definitely enjoy messing with reader though... though not to the point where its overwhelming. Just crowding reader and all of the segments trying to cuddle them all at once since they don't really say anything about it.

IM ASCENDING AT THIS... IT'S TOO CUTE. Zandik would be wary and cautious of you at first, because all the other kids were loud and always had something to say, mostly whispers about him right in front of his face, but you? You literally have... nothing to say, which confuses him at first, even after he questions you. You're really not gonna say anything about the outcast? He's never seen you with the other children before and so he wonders briefly about your identity. And the way you just left without doing anything? He's a bit intrigued.

The curiosity only grows when you return, again and again. Initially, he's annoyed at your lack of responses, but he grows to accept it and actually likes it. Zandik likes how you aren't annoying, you keep the peacefulness he enjoys as he does whatever things he does. Sometimes you even help him without complaint or argument. He appreciates that, and he does appreciate whatever little gifts you get him first (although of course, he's suspicious of your ulterior motive and will take them prudently... he's still assessing you) Hehe, i can imagine you two investigating all the plants in the forest and he's rattling off a bunch of information while you just write them down silently.

Oh I LOVE THAT... Zandik scaring off those pathetic bullies and making sure no one dares to mess with you again. I imagine you would also be kind of awkwardly silent after that, only giving him a small thank you, because even with being childhood friends with him, you've never seen him that pissed... but it still warms your heart to know he'd go that out of his way for you. Though I imagine he's a bit peeved at you for keeping this to yourself... he doesn't understand why you'd let these nobodies walk all over you. I'm being a bit delulu here but maybe he was also a bit upset at himself for not being able to read you well enough to know you were troubled. Sure, you don't really express yourself that much... but with you being the only person he enjoys interacting with, he should have known.

Reader being his number one assistant of course, a staple in Dottore fics 🤭💖 Being the only one who understands him and his personality, I imagine you're the voice of reason and persuading... because when you speak, it's going to be something important. Other people may not understand, but you two do and that's all that matters. (Reader is living the life though... being cuddled by all of the clones 😓😓😓)