you’ve never seen him like this before, so depressed. he was usually the one who’d have to cheer you up, not the other way around. he always gave it his best, no matter what. this time wasn’t any different, yet it was at a match. he was their best player, tried so hard. and even after the goals he scored and the time wasted, they had lost. it had been an important game, especially to him. you had watched from the stands. and even then could you see tears in his eyes, which he never liked showing you. but you didn’t say anything, you didn’t run onto the field to comfort him like the other wives did. he thought you might’ve been too shy to do that, maybe at home. no, not even then. you just got ready for bed as he made his way to the couch again, getting ready for a sleepless night. and when hours passed and even your snoring could be heard from your room, he still couldn’t fall asleep. but when you woke up the next morning, you felt something heavy between your chest. his hand was gently combing through your hair, his other hand holding your cheek, his palm calloused from barely taking care of himself. he was asleep, yet his movements still present.