Runaway

Chapter 3 ~ The brunette

"Ugh...Sometimes I wish I wasn't so busy." Childe was hunched over some paperwork, sighing as that was all he saw that day. He was glad that the day was nearly over. When he put his pen down, Childe began to pack up for the day. He placed the documents in one of his many drawers and took his bag. Despite him being one of the most esteemed CEOs in the whole of Teyvat, his company being the 11th out of the Harbinger branch, Childe was the most laid back. Usually coming to work in a t-shirt and baggy pants and carrying a backpack around, Childe said that it was better if he worked in comfort. The ginger went outside to the exit and got in his car.

"Shall I take you home, sir?" The driver in the front seat asked him.

"Not quite yet. I want to go to the park real quick." Childe leaned back into his seat.

"Long day, I presume?"

"Very."

With no further questions from them both, the car started. It was a peaceful journey, Childe relishing the time he spent outdoors. Since he became a CEO, his life outdoors was very limited to his backyard and the park on certain occasions. He checked the time. 10:56 pm. He groaned, realizing he overworked again.

"Sir? Are you feeling alright?"

"Not great."

"Well, you shall feel better once outside."

"I hope so."

The car finally stopped and Childe got out. It was nearly 11 so no one was out. Or so he thought. As he strolled without a care in the world, he failed to hear the pants of someone. That is, until they crashed into him.

"Oh,my bad, sir." Childe reached a hand out to the person on the floor. The person hesitated before accepting his outstretched hand.

"Please! Hide me!" Apparently, it was a male. Something must have chased him away and he needed a place to hide. Childe was shocked by this sudden request. He surely could take him in but, who would he give him to? He took one more look at him before a sudden pang of nostalgia hit him. Tears were leaking from those beautiful golden amber eyes, long dark brown hair messy. It reminded him of...those times. Feeling pitiful, Childe grabbed his hand. It was smaller than his and it felt...soft, almost squishy enough that it moulded perfectly with his. Ignoring this, Childe brought him back to his car.

"So, mind telling me why?" Childe sat next to him, taking his jacket and placing it around the smaller male. "And what are you wearing in this weather? It's freezing!"

"I-I'm hiding from someone." His voice trembled. Childe felt a sudden wave of discomfort and fear, 2 emotions he didn't like.

"Hm? Well, you seem uncomfortable with the subject so let's leave it there. My name's Childe Tartaglia."

"Zhongli Dei."

"You don't look Snezhnayan."

"I'm Liyuen."

"Makes sense." The ginger nodded at him before tapping the seat in front of him. "Take us home."

The driver in the front seat nodded at Childe before driving off.

"You have such a pretty name, Zhongli." Childe tried to make him feel better by giving a warm smile at the brunette, seeing his nerves calm down.

"A-Ah? Thank you..." Zhongli blushed at the compliment.

"Sir? We're here." The driver alerted the 2. Childe thanked him before the door opened. He got out before extending a hand to help Zhongli, seeing that he had difficulty entering the car earlier.

"Who's that, sir?" Nadia, one of his guards, indicated to Zhongli.

"Well, he needed shelter from the upcoming winter and I just so happened to run into him."

"That's nice, sir. Now, let us go inside."

Zhongli stood at the doorway, nervous to enter the big house.

"Huh? It's alright, buddy, I don't bite." Childe extended a hand to him and he slowly took it once more. Zhongli followed the ginger, still holding his hand.

C: How cute. He's just like my little siblings whenever they're nervous.

"Ajax dear, how have you been?" Childe's mom went up to them.

"I've been fine, mom." Childe sighed as she first turned to look at him and then her eyes slowly trailed to Zhongli.

"Oh my Tsaritsa! Whatever happened to you?" The woman immediately ran to Zhongli and began to fuss over him. Chide chuckled as he saw the shock on the brunette's face.

"Don't scare him, mom." Childe chuckled softly as the brunette's eyes widened in surprise as the woman began to talk about his wounds. Wait, wounds? Now that they weren't in the cold Snezhnayan night and instead in the warmth and light of his house, he got a better look at him. And there was blood everywhere. His shirt was stained, dried blood matted the longer strands of hair and his body had several untreated cuts.

"Ajax, what in Celestia did you do to him?" His mother turned to him and gave Childe a glare.

"Nothing, mom!" Childe immediately protested. She still eyed him suspiciously but trusted his word.

"Well, since you brought him back, you'll take care of him." Childe's mom gave Zhongli to him before taking her leave and left the 2 males alone together.

"So, are you hungry?" Childe looked at the brunette in his arms. He nodded and the 2 walked to the kitchen. Childe grabbed a few items of food and placed them in front of Zhongli. As the brunette silently ate them, the ginger went and picked up the first aid kit nearby and tended to his wounds. Since his siblings were pretty clumsy when they were younger, first aid became a necessity for them.

"Thank you..." Zhongli whispered to him. This was probably all very new, noticing his slight hesitation when going about.

"No problem. But, if I may ask, how did you get these?" Childe got up and sat across from him. Zhongli froze.

"Hey, you don't have to tell me." Childe gave him a reassuring smile. Zhongli stared at him once again before asking a few questions.

"Is this...kidnapping?"

"You asked to come along so I don't think so?"

"Is it okay if I...stay here?"

"I don't see why not. I'm afraid that despite the sheer size of this building, we don't have any spare rooms." Childe nervously chuckled. Zhongli seemed unaffected by this problem.

"I'll just sleep on the couch. No hassle." Zhongli stood up but his legs betrayed, giving way. If he didn't grab the table in time, he would be lying in a crumpled heap on the floor.

"No, no, no! Not like this! I'll sleep on the couch. You take my bedroom." Childe went over to him and picked him off the ground. He slipped a hand under his knees and one to support his back.

"E-Eh?" Zhongli made a noise of surprise at the sudden change in position. Childe carried him to his bedroom. Once inside, Childe took a few blankets and pillows, telling him that the closet was free for him to use and if he needed anything, just ask before he left, leaving the very confused brunette alone. He trudged down to their sofa, undressing and collapsing on the pillows. This was going to be a long night.
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