A/N: Thank you for being patient and sorry it took so long. I know what I'm dealing with Health wise now and am working on getting it under control.

"Whatever", Childe huffed as he slowly walked out of the room with a blank look on his face.

"I do not believe that was necessary Signora,"  Zhongli said, crossing his arms with a stern look on his face. 

Signora let out an exasperated sigh and put a sly smile on her face," Maybe not, but it was rather amusing. Shall we move on to the matter of your payment? For someone such as yourself, I expected you to demand something much more valuable."

"Perhaps you expected me to seek the riches of man however such things hold no true value to me. He on the other hand is worth much more to me than you'll ever know, "Zhongli said looking Signora directly in the eyes.

Signora wrinkled her nose as a look of disgust made its way on her face. "Very well Per the contract you signed with the Tsaritsa the Eleventh of the Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia is free from the service of Snezhnaya without consequence or exile should he choose to leave the Fatui. Do inform me of his decision as soon as possible so that way we can begin searching for a suitable replacement if necessary."

"Of course," Zhongli said coldly before exiting the bank.

As He exited the building Zhongli approached one of the guards stationed at the doors. "Excuse me, but did you see the direction Childe went after leaving?" The guard pointed in the direction of Childe's Apartment. "Thank you," Zhongli said with a smile before making his way to Childe's current residence.

As Zhongli walked he wondered how Childe would react to news of his release from the Fatui's service. The ginger always talked about how he'd leave if he could, surely he would love it. It's not like there's any reason he wouldn't like it after all Childe would be able to stay with him. They'd be able to settle down and start a family just like Childe wanted. The man would even be able to see his family more often without risking their safety as well. Finally arriving at the apartment Zhongli made his way up the stairs to Childe's door. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Zhongli put a warm smile on his face and knocked.

It had been only a few seconds since Zhongli knocked before a loud crash was heard. "Childe? Is everything alright?" the man called out the concern in his voice.  After a few more seconds of Silence, Zhongli knocked again, this time with more force. "Childe! Please Answer Me! Childe!," Zhongli yelled as he continued banging on the door.  Taking a step back, Zhongli rushed at the door and kicked it open. The first thing he noticed as he entered the apartment was the strong smell of blood coming from the bedroom.

Immediately Zhongli ran to the bedroom hoping Childe was alright 'Please let him be alright,' Zhongli thought as he entered the room. The sight that lay before him would haunt him for the rest of his semi-immortal life. Childe was lying on the floor in a puddle of blood looking pale and lifeless with one of his daggers in his chest. "Childe!" Zhongli exclaimed as he dropped to his knees beside the man. Lifting Childe to his lap, Zhongli brought his hand to the injured man's neck to check for a pulse. Although very weak it was there meaning Zhongli had a chance to try and save him.

Zhongli began tapping Childe's face in an attempt to wake him. Keeping the man awake would be best considering how severe the injury was. "Childe open your eyes," Zhongli begged, unsteady and filled with worry. Slowly Childe's eyes fluttered open with a duller color than his normal Ocean Blue eyes.

"Zhongli...," Childe mumbled gazing up at the man.

Zhongli nearly burst into tears, "Yes, I'm here. Everything's going to be fine, ok? Just hold on for me." Carefully Zhongli gathered the ginger in his arms before lifting him and running out of the apartment towards Bubu Pharmacy.

Zhongli ran as fast as he could while talking to Childe in a desperate attempt to keep him awake. "I need you to keep your eyes open Childe. You absolutely can not fall asleep on me," Zhongli sobbed as tears began to roll down his face.

"Why...," Childe whispered. Zhongli felt his heartbreak, "Because falling asleep right now is a bad thing to do baobei. There's so much to stay awake for too. You're free from the Fatui so we can do all the things you wanted if you just hold on."

Childe whispered again," Why.... for... me... Don't... Me...." Zhongli was confused by Childe's barely understandable words before they clicked. Zhongli felt his heartbreak even more.

"I'm here because of you baobei. I do love you, truly. I love you more than anything. I never did not love you."

Once more the ginger whispered," Why...."

"I wanted Freedom just as you do. Freedom from my responsibilities. I never meant to fall in love or hurt you. Even though our love was by chance I'd choose it again in a heartbeat. I wanted to tell you but the contract forbade me from doing so. I'll accept any punishment, request, or contract so long as you stay with me."

After what felt like hours Zhongli finally arrived at the pharmacy. The man burst inside the building and immediately began yelling," Help! Please. We need help!"  An irritated Baizhu stepped out from the back due to Zhongli yelling with QiQi right behind him. The look of irritation immediately vanished upon seeing a severely injured Childe in Zhongli's arms. 

"Oh my, that doesn't look good. QiQi led him to the back so we can work on him. I'll get us what we need," Baizhu ordered, already walking to the back once more. 

QiQi moved her arm gesturing at Zhongli to come with her," This way please." Guiding Zhongli through the back he was led to what looked like an infirmary room. Pointing at one of the beds QiQi spoke once more," Place him there."

Zhongli slowly lowered Childe's body onto the bed as gently as possible before moving to the side to let them work. Zhongli would rather have not let go of his lover feeling as though the man could slip away at any moment but knew if he wanted so much as a chance of keeping his beloved beside him he had to.

QiQi immediately began trying to work on Childe. Cutting the shirt off the man she moved the fabric away from the wound to get a better look at it.  It was deep and bled heavily located centimeters from the heart.  QiQi knew she wasn't experienced enough to deal with something so severe and could only wait for Baizhu. Noticing the lack of action from the little girl Zhongli spoke up," Childe is currently bleeding out, why aren't you doing anything?"

"QiQi is sorry but QiQi can't do anything. QiQi doesn't know how to properly treat the injury so QiQi must wait for Baizhu," QiQi said apologetically.

"Don't..." Childe rasped," Yell... her..."

A conflicted look graced Zhongli's face before he nodded," Very well Childe." Childe gave a small smile at Zhongli's words. Just then Baizhu rushed into the room with bandages, gauges, antiseptic, stitches, and warm water. Setting down the item he brought Baizhu got to work. Checking the severity of the wound Baizhu realized that Childe would most likely not make it especially with how much blood he seemed to have lost. Even so, he would still try. Activating his Vision Baizhu began trying to close it up. Just as he started Childe started a horrible coughing fit spitting up blood which started suffocating the patient.

"QiQi!" Baizhu yelled. Immediately upon hearing his voice she sat Childe up leaning his head down so the blood would exit his mouth instead of choking him.

"Zhongli...," Childe muttered before coughing up even more blood. 

"Childe!" Please hold on! Think of your family! Think of me! You are the most important thing to me. I don't think I'd be able to live without you so please!" Zhongli begged as his eyes wet once more.

Hold on, I still want you

"Sorry..." Childe whispered as his last breath left his lips going completely still.

"No! You can't die on me, Childe!" Zhongli yelled hysterically. Stepping towards the man, Zhongli fell to his knees and began sobbing. " I need you here with me! So Please don't leave me!"

Baizhu placed a hand on Zhongli's shoulder with a solemn look," I'm sorry to say this but he's gone. There's nothing else I can do."

"No..." Zhongli whispered.

Come back, I still need you

Taking Childe's ice-cold hand into his own he pressed a gentle kiss to his knuckles. "Please..." Zhongli whispered," Open your eyes for me once more. I promise I'll never keep anything from you again." Gazing into Childe's lifeless eyes, Zhongli spoke again this time louder," I'll give you anything you could ever want. I'd never leave you! I swear! I'd keep you in my heart till the end of my days and always put you first!"

Let me take your hand, I'll make it right
I swear to love you all my life

"So, please... Come back to me..." Zhongli begged. Baizhu tightened his grip on Zhongli's shoulder.

"Mr. Zhongli you must calm yourself, the man is already dead," Baizhu said calmly.

"No... No! You're lying! He's resting, not dead! He can't be!" Zhongli yelled as he began to tremble.

"QiQi get some water! Mr. Zhongli, I need you to look at me. You're in shock. I need you to get up and move away from the body," Baizhu spoke gently, trying not to set the poor man off.

Hold on, I still need you

Logically Zhongli knew that Childe was dead. Just because he knew however doesn't mean he wants to accept it though. He doesn't want to let go of the love of his life once more knowing that once he does he'll have to face reality. This wasn't the first time he'd lost someone dear to him but it still hurt just as much as the other times did. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Zhongli made his decision.

I don't wanna let go

Looking at Childe's corpse one last time Zhongli laid the hand back on the bed and shakily stood up. Still holding Zhongli's shoulder, Baizhu guided the older man from the room.  Glad he wouldn't have to force the man out.

A/N: There will be a Part 3 with the aftermath on Zhongli's side. Not sure when I'll do it but I already have an idea.