OFFSIDE

83

❝ I choose you and me. ❞
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Elena's POV
I wake up to the soft glow of early morning light streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. The air feels still and peaceful, the kind of quiet that makes you want to stay in bed just a little bit longer. I turn over slowly, my eyes landing on Pablo, who is still fast asleep beside me. His face is completely relaxed, his breathing steady and calm. The usual intensity in his eyes is absent, replaced by a serene expression that makes him look even younger, almost boyish.

A soft smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I reach out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. My fingers linger, running through his hair softly, and I feel him stir slightly beneath my touch. He lets out a soft sigh, a small smile forming on his lips even though his eyes remain closed. There's something so pure about this moment, so simple, yet it fills my heart with warmth.

Pablo's eyelids flutter open, and he blinks a few times, adjusting to the morning light. His eyes find mine, and when they do, his smile widens, the kind of smile that lights up his entire face. "Good morning," he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning," I whisper back, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his forehead. He closes his eyes again at the touch, his arms instinctively wrapping around me and pulling me closer. I settle against him, resting my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It's a sound that always calms me, grounding me in the present moment.

For a while, we just lie there in silence, wrapped up in each other, letting the morning unfold around us. It's one of those rare, peaceful moments where everything else fades away, and it's just the two of us. I feel his hand gently tracing patterns on my back, his touch light and comforting.

"Did you sleep well?" I ask, my voice muffled against his chest.

"Mmm, yeah," he replies, his voice still laced with sleep. "Waking up next to you always does that to me."

I smile against his skin, feeling a warm flush spread through me. "You say that every time."

"Because it's true every time," he counters, his hand moving up to gently tilt my chin so I'm looking at him. "You're my peace, Mariposa. You know that, right?"

His words hit me deeply, and I nod, swallowing the lump that forms in my throat. "And you're mine, Pablo."

We share a soft kiss, one that feels like a reaffirmation of everything we've been through together, everything we've chosen to be. When we pull back, he's still looking at me with that same intensity, the kind that makes me feel like I'm the only person in the world that matters to him.

"So, what's on your agenda today?" I ask, trying to keep the conversation light, even though my heart is still swelling with the emotions of the moment.

Pablo lets out a small groan, his head falling back against the pillow. "Ugh, training. It's going to be a long one today. The coach has been on us about staying sharp, especially with the next match coming up. And then, there's the photoshoot after."

I raise an eyebrow. "Photoshoot? For what?"

He chuckles, brushing a hand through his tousled hair. "It's for the club's new campaign. Something about promoting the team's new gear. I'm not really looking forward to it, but I guess it's part of the job."

I laugh softly, imagining him trying to strike poses while probably just wanting to get back on the field. "Well, you'll look great, as always. Maybe they'll put you on a billboard or something."

He groans again, this time playfully. "Please, no. I'd never hear the end of it from the guys. Can you imagine their comments?"

I giggle, picturing it in my mind. "They'd definitely make fun of you, but secretly, they'd be proud."