Runaway

Chapter 8 ~ A call

"Hm? Unknown caller ID?" Zhongli noticed his phone vibrating on the table. He picked it up, curious to know who could be calling him. "Hello? This is Zhongli Dei?"

"ZHONGLI, YOU ABSOLUTE BITCH!" Baizhu's infuriated voice came from the device. The brunette dropped it on the table in shock. He froze from fear and began to tremble violently as Baizhu continued yelling at him.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused? Pantalone's facing an inquiry for your disappearance!" The yelling continued, echoing off the walls of the room he was in. Paralyzed with fear, Zhongli just sat there wide eyed in terror.

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"I swear to Tsaritsa, whoever is making that racket keep it down!" Childe was in his office doing paperwork. Or was trying to at least. There was a commotion coming from one of the nearby rooms. Running a hand through his ginger hair in frustration, he tried to ignore it. That was until his receptionist, Ekatarina, knocked on his door.

"Sir? I believe your siblings' babysitter needs you."

"Zhongli? I'll be there in a sec." Childe's irritation immediately morphed into worry that he was part of the ruckus. Setting his work aside, Childe quickly got up and ran to the source of the noise. It wasn't uncommon for the brunette to attract unwanted attention from strangers as evident from whenever they went out, ranging from women, children, teenagers and men, married or single. So Zhongli being on his own was enough to worry about. Once he got to the room, he pried the door open as to not scare the shorter male.

"Zhongli?" Childe whispered. The man sitting on the couch seemed lifeless, only the steady rise and fall of his chest let Childe know he was alive. The yelling was coming from his phone lying on the table. The ginger didn't recognize the voice but it was clear whoever was calling once knew Zhongli and his best guess was his ex husband. The minute he sat down next to the brunette, he flew into his arms, desperately seeking comfort.

"It's alright Zhongli. Let it out." Childe embraced him, letting the smaller male cry into his shoulder.

"Zhongli? Who the fuck is that?" Baizhu had stopped yelling. Childe glared at the screen. Baizhu continued to press on.

"SHUT UP WILL YOU!" Childe lost his patience. He didn't care who this person was. He just wanted him to stop screaming.

"Who are you to say that?! I'm his husband!" Baizhu was shocked at the second voice. Who was he to try and interfere with their relationship?

"I said shut up! And you are no husband of his!" Childe yelled back through the phone. Zhongli was just curled up in the ginger's arms, crying.

"Zhongli? Who is he?!" Baizhu shouted back once more. Childe was furious at this point. He grabbed Zhongli by the chin and smashed their lips together. He raised the phone with his free hand to their lips and forcefully stuck his tongue in, aiming to squeeze as much noise from the other as possible (Free ASMR). A light pink shade tinged the brunette's face at this sudden motive.

"Zhongli! Who in Celestia is that!?" Baizhu was seething with rage. "First you disappear, then the kids, then I catch you making out with another man?!"

There was no answer as Childe ended the call, still kissing Zhongli. He pulled away from the embarrassed brunette and let him hug him once more.

"You doing alright?" Childe coaxed the smaller male. Zhongli slowly nodded, still flustered at the spectacle he made. =

"S-Sorry for disrupting your work..." Zhongli looked down in shame as he nuzzled into the crook of the taller male's neck, voice still wavering but only slightly.

"No, Zhongli, don't apologize. Your safety is more important to me." Childe wiped away any remaining tears and the smudged eyeliner. Zhongli giggled softly as Childe began peppering kisses all over his face.

"Can I...stay in your office?" The brunette asked, tilting his head ever so slightly.

"Of course. Just be aware that there is a meeting in a bit." Childe ran his fingers through the long brown ponytail. Zhongli nodded as he got up and followed the ginger into his office.

"Sir, is everything alright?" Ekatarina was waiting for him, hoping the issue was resolved.

"Ah, just a bit of an argument but it's all sorted out now." Childe told her. She dismissed herself and left the room. Zhongli sat on the side table Childe set up for him if he ever wanted to hang out in his office.

"Thank you Childe..." Zhongli mumbled. He looked at him, giving the ginger a gentle smile.

"It's nothing. Just let me know if he ever bothers you again." Childe patted his head and went back to his boring paperwork. Except, the atmosphere seemed lighter now that Zhongli was with him. The brunette was just glad that Baizhu didn't get a hold of the situation. He was glad that he just so happened to run into Childe and that he was kind enough to help him.
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