୧ 𝓚 ＡＩ ＨＡＶＥＲＴＺ

THE MORNING FELT SLOWER THAN USUAL, the calm before the storm.

The sunlight slipped in earlier than you wanted, spilling across the sheets. You shifted, half-asleep, until you realized the other side of the bed was already empty.

From the kitchen came the faint clink of dishes, the smell of coffee drifting through. Kai was there when you padded in, hair still damp from his shower, hoodie hanging loose over his frame. He turned as soon as he heard your footsteps.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” he teased, voice still rough, before pressing a quick kiss to your temple.** “First one back today.”**

You nodded, leaning against the counter, watching him move. He was calmer than most would expect on a match day — but you could see it in the little things. The way he kept adjusting the same mug, the slight rhythm of his fingers drumming against the counter, the way his eyes would go distant for a second before he caught himself and smiled at you again.

Breakfast was light — fruit, oats, coffee — and you sat across from him, chin in your hand, listening as he talked quietly about the lineup, about United, about how good it felt to finally get the season going. Every so often, his gaze softened, like he was reminding himself this moment with you mattered just as much.

“Nervous?” you asked softly.

He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Not nervous. Just… ready.“

@𝓜𝐑𝐒𝐑𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒𝐒