❀ summary: isack knows exactly what to do when his girlfriend drifts off mid-sentence
❀ warnings: reader has narcolepsy
❀ authors note: requested by @gracelessghost
❀ narcolepsy: a sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness, sudden sleep attacks and sometimes muscle weakness triggered by emotions.
endurance masterlist
Race weekends were always alive on the paddock, buzzing with movement, voices, and the rumble of engines warming up. Isack had gotten used to tuning it out, to filtering through the noise until only the important things remained. But even he couldn’t help glancing over his shoulder every few minutes, eyes searching for her.
She was there, of course, leaning against one of the timing monitors, her hair pulled back messily, tablet in hand. She worked with the engineering team, double-checking telemetry like she always did before FP2. It was routine by now, her calm precision in the middle of the hectic garage, his quiet comfort in knowing she was nearby.
Liam wandered over, waving a bottle of water at Isack. “She dedicated, huh?” He said, nodding toward her with a grin. “Didn’t even look up when I said hi.”
He didn’t explain the rest, that sometimes focus was her way of keeping steady. That it helped her manage things most people never noticed. He had learned to read the subtle signs over the months: the way her eyes went slightly out of sync when fatigue hit, the way she started rubbing at her wrist absently, grounding herself.
She hadn’t said much that morning, just a few quiet words between coffee sips and schedules. He knew she had a bad sleep the night before, the kind that wasn’t really sleep at all. He could tell by the faint tremor in her hands when she typed.
Still, she insisted on coming. “I’ll be fine,” she had said. “It’s a light day.”
But when she blinked slower and longer than before, he knew what was about to happen.
Liam followed his gaze. “Is she okay?”
Her voice faded mid-sentence, the tablet slipping from her hand. She slumped back in the chair, head tilting slightly to the side, eyes closed but body still upright, like her mind had just shut off mid-thought.
Liam froze. “Shit– what's happening?”
Isack’s hand was already reaching out, catching the tablet before it hit the floor. He crouched down beside her, his movements smooth and practiced, as if he had done this a hundred times before.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly, glancing up at Liam. “She’s just asleep.”
Liam blinked, incredulous. “Asleep? Like right now?”
“Yeah,” Isack said, his voice calm, almost gentle. “Narcolepsy. She’ll wake up soon.”
Liam hesitated, looking between them, unsure of what to do with his hand. “Oh. I– sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Not many people do.” Isack smiled faintly, sitting on the floor beside her chair, one hand resting loosely over her knee, not wanting to wake her, but just let her know that he was there. “It’s fine. It doesn’t last long.”
Around them, a few team members noticed but didn’t stare. Most of them had seen it before. I was rare, but not unexpected. And because Isack never made a scene, no one else did either.
“I was, at first,” Isack admitted softly, glancing up. “The first time it happened, I panicked. I thought–” He paused, the memory flashing briefly behind his eyes. “But then she taught me what to do. Or really, what not to do. Just let her be. She’ll wake up in her own time.”
Liam nodded slowly, watching as Isack adjusted the headset that had slipped sideways on her neck. There was something deeply tender in his movements, careful and unhurried, the way you’d handle something fragile, not because it might break, but because it mattered too much to rush.
A few minutes passed. The noise of the paddock filled the silence again. Someone shouted for a wheel gun. A camera clicked. Life went on, as it always did.
Then, she stirred.
“Hey, there you are,” Isack said, his familiar French accent being the first thing she heard. “Welcome back.”
Her eyes blinked open, confused for a second, before they found him. “Hi…”
“It was only a few minutes this time.” Isack told her before she had a chance to ask the question.
She groaned, rubbing at her face. “God. I’m sorry. Again.”
“Stop,” he said instantly. “Don’t apologise. You know the rule.”
That earned him a tired laugh. “Right. No sorrys for sleeping mid-sentence.”
“Exactly.”
She sat up a little, eyes darting around, noticing Liam for the first time. “Oh God– did you see that?”
“Uh yeah,” Liam said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “But it’s cool. Isack explained.”
“Explained, or terrified you?” She teased, voice still sleepy but warm.
“Little of both,” Liam admitted, but his grin softened. “You’re good now?”
She nodded, grateful. “Yeah. Just… a bit dazed.”
Isack helped her stand, keeping a steadying hand at her back as they stepped away from the monitors. He guided her toward a quieter corner of the garage, away from the hum of engines. “Come on,” he murmured. “You need a few minutes.”
Liam watched them go, something like admiration flickering across his face. It wasn’t pity but respect. For how Isack had been and how normal he had made it feel.
~~~
Ten minutes later, she was sitting on the steps outside the hospitality unit, a cold drink in her hands, sunlight warming her skin. Isack sat beside her, elbows resting on his knees.
“You handled that like a pro,” she said, still sounding half-amazed.
He chuckled. “I’ve had practice.”
She tilted her head towards him. “You could have freaked out in front of half the paddock.”
“Yeah,” he said simply. “But what would that do for you?”
That was the thing about Isack, he never treated it like it was a spectacle. Never flinched, never made her feel like she was something to fix. He just adapted. Learned the signs, learned her rhythm, learned how to steady the world until she came back to it.
She nudged him softly with her shoulder. “You make it look easy.”
“It’s not hard,” he said, turning to meet her eyes. “It’s just part of you.”
Her throat tightened, emotion catching her by surprise. She reached for his hand, fingers weaving through his, grounding herself there.
“Do you ever wish you didn’t have to deal with it?” She asked quietly.
He didn’t even hesitate. “No, I just wish it was easier for you.”
That answer made something ache in her chest in the best way - the kind of ache that came from really being seen. She leaned her head against his shoulder, exhaling slowly.
From a few metres away, Liam caught sight of them again as he passed, a small smile tugging at his mouth. “You two are disgustingly sweet,” he muttered before disappearing inside.
Isack only laughed, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. “You okay to go back in soon?”
She nodded, “Yeah. Just one more minute.”
“Take two,” he said softly. “We’re not rushing.”
She closed her eyes, not asleep this time, just resting. Isack sat there beside her, content to waist as the paddock noise faded away, a world that could spin as fast as it wanted, because for this moment, they had found stillness.
Okay I don't know if you write for him or talk about him but I can't stop thinking about how Isack hadjar would be as a bf?
I feel like he'd be a major jokester but also super loving and protective.??
Thing is, I need more people to get passionate about this man so I can lose it on main in a true T fashion. Until then, I quietly present to you a highly subjective, very documented analysis based on my expert skill of noticing stuff then making it deeper than it is :,)
𝗕𝗼𝘆𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱!𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼
He’s the type to fall in love in silence, maybe a look that awakens something in him. He doesn’t understand it for a while, but he notices patterns about people that catch his attention.
By the time he realizes he’s in love, he already knows you in frightening detail. But he’s a Libra man, so give him a second.
He’s an intense person, especially when things don’t go his way => starts catastrophizing => can be overwhelming at times.
Communication with him is honest, blunt, to the point. He prefers discussing the issue without sugarcoating things, and not because he doesn't care, but because he respects you enough to stay true no matter what.
On the same note, if something bad happens or if you end up fighting for some reason, he’ll learn softness with and for you. And in time, he’ll be choosing his words more carefully.
He’s overly protective. He’s loud and territorial, and you’ll know for sure when he feels like marking that territory the most by standing closer when things feel off. Or keeping a hand at the small of your back in crowded places. Or or or.
He’s the rawest version of himself on race weekends, focused and a little harder to reach. But he anchors himself through you, so don’t think he doesn’t need you. Quite the opposite. He’ll call you if you’re not there with him, and text you the moment he gets the chance.
He needs you to be a recalibration point in your relationship. You’ll receive everything else in return without asking.
He might not do romantic gestures often, but it’s meaningful when he does, very loyal and committed + he remembers things you’ve only mentioned once.
Physical affection is something he grows into. He won’t be all about it in public, but he needs contact nonetheless.
He can be affectionate when you least expect it though, like mid-conversation he just pulls you closer ^^.
Since he gets easily frustrated with the things he can’t control, it’s only expected that the frustration will leak into his mood as well. However, being with you teaches him all over again that shutting down isn’t an option anymore.
He respects independence and initiative. He doesn’t want to have you just like that, he wants to choose you, and for you to choose him back. Every day. He’s attracted to autonomy because it challenges him, keeps him engaged and that’s what keeps the relationship alive.
Teases you relentlessly but the second someone else does it he’s like :/ absolutely the fuck not.
He’s also jealous in silence, but you’ll eventually hear about it. Although he is the type to cause a scene if someone crosses the line, he can let it simmer until there’s actually something specific that bothers him; then he goes all in. Note: it’s never aimed at you. His jealousy is more about his own internal competitiveness than doubt in you.
Acts like he doesn’t need attention but gets suspiciously quiet when you don’t give him any (he’s just a boy fr).
Very ambitious and that bleeds into every aspect of his life. Being with him means understanding that his life is chaotic and priorities change every week. You won’t matter less for that, it’s just part if who he is. The balance comes from the fact that when he is with you, he’s fully WITH you.
He’s the softest late at night. That’s when he’ll let his guard down more and will talk about fears and doubts and things he’ll never mention in daylight.
He can be casual, but deep down he’s very chalant, guaranteed.
As I already mentioned, he admires you openly in private, more subtly in public. In interviews or around others, it might be a quiet pride, but alone he’ll tell you exactly what he sees in you. Because it’s nobody’s business but yours.
Loves documenting your relationship through random candids, blurry selfies, and sunsets with your silhouette in them. Immediately posted.
+ takes lots of pictures when you’re not looking.
Sends you random memes that remind him of you.
Sends voice notes when he’s too tired.
A freaky flirt, that’s what he is.
Gets cocky when you hype him up.
I’m pretty sure you can make him blush through eye contact.
Fan of texting “???” whenever you take too long to reply to him.
