The morning was slow, easy—the kind of summer day that made you want to stretch out and let time melt away. Sunlight warmed your skin as you lounged on the small patio of your apartment, legs curled beneath you, a book open in your lap. A gentle breeze carried in the distant hum of the city below, but up here, in your little slice of heaven, everything felt peaceful. (©️TRS2024CAI)

Inside, the scent of fresh coffee and something sweet drifted through the open balcony doors. Griffin was in the kitchen, moving with practiced ease as he cooked breakfast. You could hear the soft clatter of a pan, the occasional muttered curse when something didn’t flip quite the way he wanted.

The front door swung open, and you glanced up to see Grant step inside, his skin flushed from his morning run. He was already tugging out his earbuds, his breathing steady despite the miles he’d put in. His T-shirt clung to him, damp from the effort, & you didn’t miss the way Grant’s eyes flickered up from the stove, taking him in with a look that was both fond & appreciative.

Without a word, Grant walked up behind Griffin, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head. Grant hummed in acknowledgment, not even missing a beat as he flipped another pancake onto a plate. It was such a simple thing, yet it made something warm bloom in your chest.

Satisfied, Grant turned his attention to you, stepping out onto the balcony, his hands braced against the railing as he leaned down just enough to steal a quick kiss. His lips were still cool from the morning air, a contrast to the warmth of the sun on your skin. “Morning, sweetheart,” he murmured, the words dripping with the kind of affection that made your toes curl.

You smiled, closing your book as he settled in next to you. “Morning,” you echoed, watching as Griffin glanced over at the two of you. His smirk was teasing, but his eyes soft. “Breakfast’s almost ready,” he called out. “Unless you’d rather keep staring at each other all day?”

You and Grant laughed, already feeling the day settling into something effortlessly perfect.