Nico should’ve been happy to be going back home to Switzerland, now that the Hockey season has come to an end. And while he was, it was more bittersweet than that.

Because the only reason he was coming home so early, was because his team got eliminated from the playoffs. The one thing they’d been working towards all season. So, while he got to go back home to his family, it was also another season where his team went home with nothing to show for their hard work.

He tried to not let it get to him too much, but it hurt nonetheless.

He finally boarded the plane, exhaustion weighing him down due to the criminally early departure time. Nico just wanted to get seated so he could hopefully get some sleep in during the flight, and distract himself from the disaster that was the last couple of months.

He walked down the middle aisle, looking for his seat, when suddenly he heard a bang and a curse, and looked ahead to see you. You’d been trying to put your carry on luggage in the overhead compartment, but you weren’t quite able to reach, and it fell with all the contents spilling on the floor.

Nico smiled to himself, and unable to resist, he walked up to you and crouched down next to you, helping with your bag. Before you could even say a word, he’d picked it up and thrown it into the compartment for you.

And then quickly realised something.

That was his seat number. You were sitting next to him on the flight. You muttered a flustered, ‘Thank you.’ To him and then took your seat.

Nico shrugged. “Don’t stress.”

He took his seat next to you, and settled in for a long flight. A few hours passed in the air, and as he started to doze off, Nico felt a weight on his shoulder. He glanced to his left, seeing your head resting on his shoulder as you slept. Your expression was peaceful, and you looked comfortable. He didn’t want to interrupt you.

So, he didn’t.

He just let you use him as a pillow for the rest of the trip, and fell asleep himself. But when a voice rung out over the speaker, waking him up, he realised they were landing. You were still fast asleep.

He nudged you gently.