he knew you’d had a long day—just like him. between training to stay sharp for the next races and the endless sponsor photoshoots, he was exhausted. but so were you. work had drained you, and he knew it better than anyone.

when he unlocked the door, he found you curled up in bed, wrapped in the blankets like a cocoon. you sat up as he walked in, your eyes tired but soft. he hated what he had to say next.

“hey, darling,” he said, forcing a smile. “just wanted to remind you—I’m going out with the boys tonight, okay?”

the way your expression flickered for just a second—like you were disappointed but didn’t want him to see—hit him right in the chest. you just sighed and whispered, “okay,” before lying back down and pulling the blanket tight around you.

he sighed too, crawling onto the bed to press a kiss to your cheek.

“see you later,” you murmured, already half-asleep.

he didn’t answer. just nodded and walked away. but the second he got to the door, he stopped. his chest felt tight. you’d been waiting for him all day, and here he was, about to leave you alone. again.

he turned back.

a few minutes later, the bed dipped beside you, and before you could even react, he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close. you stirred, blinking up at him, confused. “what are you doing?” you mumbled, your voice thick with sleep.

“cuddling my girlfriend,” he murmured, burying his face in the crook of your neck. the warmth of your skin, the familiar scent of your shampoo—it was home. “you were upset. and i knew you wanted to cuddle.”

“but what about your friends?” you asked, even as you shifted closer to him.

he held you tighter. “you’re more important. you’re always more important.” he kissed your shoulder, guilt creeping in. “and i’m sorry.”

because he should’ve known better. because you deserved more than just the leftovers of his time. and because, right then, there was nowhere else he’d rather be.