The next day, they went back to Liyue. Zhongli had a day off since Childe's siblings were at their friends' house for a sleepover. Having been inside for almost half of the afternoon, Zhongli decided to go outside. He needed some new clothes as most of the ones he had were either ripped, torn, stained with blood or dirty. And Xiao's specialised stomach meant that he only ate almond tofu, or snow (which isn't really healthy...). As he went outside the house, Zhongli made sure that he had his phone and wallet with him, since his tendency to forget either of these objects. He enjoyed the walk there, the cool breeze gently brushing against his face, autumn leaves crunching beneath his feet, birds chirping in the trees. He soon got to the small supermarket not too far away and went inside to buy things. Halfway through his shopping expedition, someone grabbed his wrist violently.
"May I he-no..." Zhongli turned to see who it was. And there was a green haired male with glasses and yellow eyes burning with rage.
"Zhongli...where have you been? I've missed you so-" Baizhu was cut off by the brunette slapping him. In fear and shock of his actions, Zhongli backed away, clutching his hand.
"Where'd you get that nerve? First you leave, the kids disappear, I get sent divorce papers and finally your broken ring. What happened to my sweet little husband?" Baizhu advanced on the smaller male. Zhongli was too scared to reply. Baizhu grabbed his hand more fiercely this time and pulled him towards himself, closing all gaps between them that Zhongli wanted to maintain. The taller male shifted his hands to Zhongli's waist to make sure he couldn't move.
"Baizhu please..." Trembling, Zhongli attempted to pry himself away but that only made Baizhu grab on tighter. Tears pooled in the brunette's eyes. No. He must not cry or show any signs of weakness or that he had control of the situation at hand. Since they were at the back of the store, no one could hear or help him. To add on to the pressure, Baizhu could easily make up an excuse that he was just helping his husband as Zhongli was too weak to say anything.
"Now, let me love you like I used to." Baizhu got closer and forced himself down on Zhongli's lips, engaging in a kiss with the smaller male. Zhongli broke. A tear ran down his face. Then another. He was helpless in this scenario. Zhongli felt something trying to penetrate his lips to which, by accident, he gave in. Baizhu used his tongue and explored every part of the brunette's mouth, vigorously intertwining their tongues.
Z: He reeks of alcohol. Wait, alcohol? He hasn't been drinking has he?
Then Zhongli remembered. Even when they were still healthily in 'love', Baizhu had a tendency to over drink. No matter how hard Zhongli tried to stop him, it wouldn't work. And now it must have gone from bad to worse after he left. A small part of him regretted doing that.
Z: No. Snap out of it. He beat you till you couldn't walk. You were only a hair's breadth away from being raped. Don't feel bad.
"You taste just as sweet as before, love." Baizhu cooed. He caressed Zhongli's cheek, wiping away his continuous flow of tears. "Oh don't cry. Everything will be fine once you've been punished."
Zhongli froze. Punished? Whatever does he mean by that. He doesn't mean...that? Just as Zhongli was about to cry some more, something shoved Baizhu off him. Or rather, someone.
"Childe?" Zhongli choked on his words as a familiar ginger was standing in front of him.
"Zhongli! Are you alright? Did he do anything? Is everything okay?" Childe bombarded him with questions. But before he could answer any, Baizhu was up and ready to attack.
"Zhongli...who's this?" -Ba
"I-I can explain!" -Z
"I'm here to fix your mistakes, bitch." -C
"Oh look who it is. Trying to save the day, huh?" -Ba
"Fuck off green haired freak." -C
"You should say that to yourself, Ed Sheeran." -Ba
THis went on for several minutes until Zhongli lost it.
"Both of you shut up!" -Z
The 2 of them stopped arguing immediately. Except, Baizhu ran forward to Zhongli.
"Oh, I'm so sorry baby." Acting like a fucking creep, Baizhu was hugging Zhongli as if none of that happened. Sensing his discomfort, Childe shoved him off once more.
"Get off him." Childe hissed at him. Not wanting to touch but protect the other, Childe stood in front of Zhongli.
"Who are you to say that? I'm his husband." Baizhu was up on his feet again, angrier than before.
"Where? I don't see a ring?" Childe mocked. "Plus. I'm his boyfriend."
"WHAT?" Baizhu was fuming. Zhongli was just in the corner, trying to control his shock. Was Childe lying? This could ruin his reputation if it ever got out. But was he really lying to himself if he did like Childe?
"Let's get out of here." Childe pulled Zhongli away from the menace named Baizhu and paid for all of his items. On their way back, Zhongli stared at the pavement in shame.
"Zhongli?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"No! Why would I be?"
"I created a scene. And you lied because of me. What if word gets out? Your reputation..."
"Oh fuck that. I would rather say that I was dating Baizhu if your life depended on it."
"I-I...I love you!" Zhongli accidentally blurted out. He then used his hand to cover his mouth.
"What?" Childe stopped in his tracks.
"I-I understand if you don't like me back but you make me feel safe. And I genuinely enjoy your company an-" Zhongli got cut off by Childe, who just pulled him close.
"I love you too." And with that, Childe kissed him gently.
(Extra:
C: So what does this make us?
Z: Uh...feelers?
C:...
Z: I kid, I kid. If you want, we are boyfriends.
C: Yes!!! I love you so much!
Z: I love you too.)
Words: 1023
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Runaway
FanfictionAs one who is trapped in a cage, when the bars are open, will they take flight of fright? Zhongli has made a mistake. And one he lives to regrets. As he runs away from the harsh conditions with his husband, he runs into a well known, rich Snezhnayan...
