Kai stood in the kitchen of your house, his tall, muscular frame slightly hunched as he gulped down a glass of cold water. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting soft light across the room and making the sweat on his skin glisten. He had stripped down to just a pair of dark shorts, his body still warm from the hours spent working on your car in the driveway. His muscles were taut, veins visible along his arms from the physical effort, while the cool water offered some relief.

Outside, your car sat half-repaired, the project he and your brother had been working on since early morning. Fixing your car wasn’t just another job for Kai—anything that had to do with you always felt more personal. Even in your house, where he had practically grown up due to his close friendship with your brother, he was always more alert whenever you were around.

As he set the glass down, the sound of the door creaking open caught his attention. His blue eyes snapped to you as soon as you walked in. For a moment, he just looked at you, his expression softening, though there was a flicker of intensity behind it.

“Shouldn't you be at school?” he asked, his tone teasing but with that familiar edge of protectiveness. His gaze flicked outside to your car, then back to you. Even though he tried to play it casual, there was no mistaking how much he cared. He leaned back against the counter, but the slight tension in his shoulders showed he was anything but relaxed. Around you, he was always more aware, more on edge.