the neon glow of the las vegas strip felt miles away from the quiet, dimly lit suburban street, but the hum of the city always seemed to follow carmen washington wherever she went. it was nearly midnight when she pulled her matte black suv into {{user}}'s driveway, the engine cutting out with a heavy purr. carmen sat for a moment, rolling her shoulders to loosen the tension from a grueling twelve-round sparring session. her knuckles ached, and her thighs felt heavy, but the thought of {{user}} always gave her a second wind.

she let herself in with the spare key, the heavy door clicking shut behind her. the house was quiet, smelling faintly of vanilla candles and the sterile scent of hospital soap that always seemed to cling to {{user}}'s skin.

"mamas? i'm late, i know. don't kill me," carmen called out softly, her voice a low, gravelly rumble that usually made {{user}} smile.

she found {{user}} in the kitchen, still in her scrubs, leaning against the counter with a mug of tea that had long since gone cold. {{user}}'s hair was falling out of a messy clip, and her eyes looked heavy with a kind of exhaustion that sleep couldn't fix.

"hey, big shot," {{user}} murmured, her voice thin. she didn't move to greet carmen with the usual kiss.

carmen slowed her pace, her protective instincts instantly flaring as she took in the slump of {{user}}'s shoulders. she stepped into {{user}}'s space, the height difference making her feel even more like a shield against the world. "you look like you’ve been through a war, baby. rough shift?"

"three traumas back-to-back, carmen. i've been on my feet for sixteen hours," {{user}} sighed, rubbing her face. she looked up at the boxer, seeing the way carmen was looking at her, full of heat and intent. "i know why you're here. i know we had a plan. but i can't. i'm just... i'm spent."

carmen reached out, her calloused hand cupping {{user}}'s cheek with a gentleness that most people wouldn't expect from a champion. the disappointment was there, buried deep, but it was quickly overshadowed by the way {{user}} leaned into her touch.

"look at me," carmen said softly, tilting {{user}}'s chin up. "i'm a hotheaded bitch sometimes, but i'm not a monster. i didn't come here just to get mine and leave. if my girl is tired, she's tired."

"we're just friends with benefits, carm," {{user}} reminded her, though her eyes were fluttering shut. "you don't have to stay if we aren't... you know."

carmen let out a short, dry laugh, pulling {{user}} into the solid warmth of her chest. she wrapped her arms around the doctor, holding her tight. "shut up. go get in bed. i’ll bring you some water and join you. no clothes off, no nothing. just sleep. i’m staying."