𝐙𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢 𝐗 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬|sᴍᴜᴛ & ғʟᴜғғ|

꧁Overworking꧂

ROOMATE BOYFRIEND ZHONGLI X WORKAHOLIC READER
CW:mention of heavy insecurities, low self esteem
Angst

MODERN AU

𝚂𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚊𝚢, 2:26𝙰𝙼
I slowly opened the front door to the apartment trying to avoid making any noises. It was way past midnight and Zhongli was probably fast asleep by now. I really didn't want to disturb him I was exhausted enough already. It makes me upset when he gets angry even if I love him so much.

I shut the door quietly, clutching the laptop in my bag I took off my shoes, placing them neatly by the door. To be honest, I couldn't really see what I was doing at all, my vision was hazy and my head dizzy. I didn't bother to turn on any of the lights and started to make my way to my room through the darkness.

Unexpectadly, I walked into a dead end and stupidly thought that was the wall. Oh how wrong I could be. Rubbing my eye, I began to go around it to only be grabbed by the wrist tighfully. I whimpered in pain as the 'wall' switched on the lights to reveal a furious Zhongli.
"Zhongli..." I whispered, his rather angry stare starteling me.
"Y/n I told you not to do this to yourself, " he yelled angrily "it's slowly crushing you!"

I stumbled back at the sudden raise of tone in his voice, wanting to flee right away but I plucked a little courage to reply.
"I can sort it out myself, it's fine." I commented, disregarding any eye contact.
"But you can't, you're going to destroy yourself at this rate!" Zhongli hissed, his tone even louder now.
I couldn't bear it, this was too much for me. Any minute now I would burst into tears.
"Don't yell at me." I replied, pushing past him.
"Y/n-"
I walked into my room as quick as I could and closed/locked the door behind me.
I need to distract myself.
Stumbling to the desk, I sat down and got out my laptop. All I could see on the screen unless I squinted was a bunch of blurrerd colours. Why would I be upset about something when I could use that precious time for work? I needed to prove myself I was good enough, better than everyone else. I got myself absorbed right away.

𝚂𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚊𝚢, 5:04𝙰𝙼
The thirstiness finally got to me, my throat was so dry, as if I had been on a desert island for weeks. I needed water. Now. Tierd, I dragged myself along to the door, unlocking it and walking out.

𝐙𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢's pov
I couldn't go back to sleep, I just wouldn't. Y/n's behaviour was largely concerning and I couldn't figure out how to help her. I didn't want to shout or yell at her, I know she gets upset easily by that but I don't know how else she would listen to me. She probably hasn't slept at all either, my poor baby.

As I was deep in thought, I heard some shuffling outside my door. Y/n? I opened my door to peek out. I was not wrong, I found y/n drinking soju straight from the bottle in the kitchen. For what I knew, she barely drank soju, I was quite shocked to see her in this state. Was something going on at work?

As quick as I could, I went up to her and snatched the glass bottle out of her hand.
"G-give it back..."she hiccupped in her words, her eyes tierd and droopy.
She needed sleep so badly, my heart turned weak at the sight of her. I took her hand up to my lips and kissed it gently.
"Let's forget about it and go to bed now hm?
"I nee-ed to fin-nish wor-rk, it's-s not go-od enoug-gh" she said still hiccuping between words, her hiccups slowly turned into small sobs, her eyes now wet and puffy with tears.
Did she feel as if she wasn't good enough? I pulled her into a tight embrace, lightly pecking the top pf her head.
"It's ok sweetheart, let it all out." I whispered, she was suffering all alone, she must have felt horrible.

After a while, the sobbing faded and I figured she had fell asleep.
I placed the soju on the countertop and picked her up. She should sleep in my room tonight, I don't want her to go on that laptop again. I switched off the lights and walked into my room, gently placing her on the bed. She looks so peaceful when she slept. I didn't bother changing my clothes as it really wouldn't matter. I quietly joined her in the bed, pulling the duvet over us and putting my arm over her waist.

𝚂𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚊𝚢, 10:38𝙰𝙼
My eyes fluttered open as a sweet smelling aroma reached my nose. The smell of him. I could feel a warm arm wrapped around my waist.
"Are you awake, my darling?"
I let out a small hum as I buried my head into the crook of his neck, a hand stroking through my hair ever so softly.
"Does your head hurt?"
"A bit...but it's ok." I crokaked, my throat felt sore and it was difficult to get my sentences out.
I didn't want to remember the events that happened only hours ago, the shouting, the soju...thinking about it only made me feel dizzy with thoughts.
"Y/n."
I snapped out of my trance and looked up at him meeting that goregous face of his.
"I want a promise... I want you to promise me that you'll stop overworking yourself. It breaks my heart to see you sufferering so badly like that just because of work. You can ask me for help when you need it, i'll gladly help you with anything but please don't hide it all away to yourself. You're the most beautiful and talanted person in my life. You alone are enough."
Tears welled up in my eyes as a small smile appeared on my face. I nodded slowly and he sealed the deal with a kiss on my head.
"I'm sorry..."
"There's no need to be sorry my darling, I'm just glad you're ok." He whispered, pulling me into a soft embrace.

we spent the rest of the day in bed just cuddeling, sometimes chatting, sometimes sleeping. It felt nice, being with him. And Zhongli was right, I realised how much I was draining the life out of me with that stupid work. What would I do without him.