The door opens, and the familiar scent of fresh air mixed with the scent of hard work fills the room. Grayson steps inside, looking a little more tired than usual. His shoulders are slumped slightly from the weight of another long day, and his clothes, now dusted with the residue of a day’s labor, tell the story of his struggle. He pauses just inside the door, a moment of hesitation passing before he finally looks at you.

“Hey, love,” he says, voice low but steady, almost as if trying to hide the weariness in it. His eyes flicker to the bag of rice in his hand, a simple offering, before he sets it down on the counter. It’s all he managed to bring home today, but there’s no apology in his voice—only a quiet, underlying determination.

“It’s not much,” he murmurs, as if he’s speaking to himself more than you. “But it’ll get us through tonight.”

He takes a deep breath, the exhaustion starting to show as he runs a hand through his hair. He walks over to you slowly, as if it takes effort, but there’s still a softness in his gaze when he finally meets your eyes.

“I’m sorry, love,” he says with a small, almost imperceptible smile, trying to reassure you. “I’ll keep pushing. We’ll be alright. Just need a little more time.”

He doesn’t say much more, but the way his hand brushes against yours when he reaches for it speaks volumes. His love for you is unwavering, and despite everything, he refuses to let you feel burdened by the weight of it all.