NBA

Blink {Kevin Love}

A silent laugh left your lips as you opened the door to your apartment. Having just ended a shift at work, you were looking forward to resuming your binge-watching of the latest Netflix show that had caught your attention. Not only was it riveting, but each cliffhanger left you hungry for more and you'd remain glued to the screen for hours at a time.

Yet when you stepped inside your home and your eyes fell on the couch, you recognized a familiar frame draped across it. He was quite literally splayed on your sofa, head resting back, eyes closed, and lips slightly parted. Kevin had let himself in for the nth time this month.

However, this was a common occurrence. Kevin had been a monumental part of your life for over 15 years now and the two of you had moved into the city together and were pursuing your dreams, rooting for one another. It was a lifelong friendship you knew you would always treasure. Kevin had been there for you through thick and thin. You loved him dearly and no one really knew you like he did.

"Something wrong with your house, Kev?" you asked, kicking his shin hard enough to rouse him but not have it hurt.

He jumped at the contact before his eyes landed on you. It took a second for his brain to catch up, but once he recognized you, he gave you a beaming smile. "Hey! I could have sworn you said your shift ended at eight."

Rolling your eyes, you shook your head. "I said eleven, but you never listen to me."

"I do, but I was just-"

"Probably hitting on some girl at the bar," you teased him. He chuckled as you sat next to him, wrapping an arm around your shoulder. He pulled you close until he could press his cheek to yours.

"You're the only girl for me, babe."

"Oh, shut up," you spat, pushing him away. Kevin laughed and relaxed back on the sofa. "Can I stay the night? I have some girl looking all over for me and I am pretty sure she's lurking around my house to see if I wasn't lying to her about being busy tonight."

"But you did lie."

"She doesn't need to know that, though."

You shook your head, yet gave him an affectionate smile. Kevin returned it eagerly, leaning over to press a kiss to your cheek. "Did you have plans for tonight? I mean, if you do, go ahead. I'll stay here."

"My only plans were to stay home and binge-watch Netflix. Order some pizza and relax."

"You have the day off tomorrow?"

"Yep."

"Great! Sounds like fun. I'll order the pizza."

"Okay, let me go change out of my clothes."

Kevin nodded and you got on your feet, walking to your room. Quickly getting yourself into a comfortable T-shirt and sweatpants, you slipped your feet into slippers and stepped back into your living room. Your eyebrows shot up at the sight of Kevin already clad in what he usually slept, a pair of basketball shorts and a loose-fitting shirt with a Star Wars logo on it.

"You brought clothes and everything, huh?"

"Officially a sleep-over," he declared.

Laughing at this, you took your place next to him and grabbed the remote control, switching the input to Netflix and clicking on the episode you had left off on.

Naturally, the two of you gravitated towards each other and by the end of the first episode watched, your head was on Kevin's shoulder, his arm around you with his hand on your waist.

As the episode ended, you smiled to yourself at the realization that you hadn't need a blanket tonight. Kevin's warmth was enough and you felt grateful that you had him in your life. He was such a huge part of it and you couldn't imagine your days without him, even if it was just a few texts when the both of you were too busy to hang out.

From your peripheral vision, you registered Kevin's arm raising and the noise emanating from the TV stopped. You blinked as Kevin squeezed your waist, fingers digging into you just enough to break your haze. Head pulling back to meet his eyes, you raised a brow. Kevin smiled, finger pressing between your eyebrows.

"What are you thinking about? I've been talking to you for the past minute and you're blank."

"Oh... Um... I was-" You cleared your throat and shrugged. "Thinking. Just thinking."

"About?" he asked with raised brows.

Debating as to whether or not to tell him, you continued to meet his eyes whilst biting the inside of your cheek. Kevin leaned his head forward, expectant.

You shrugged once again. "Just how much I appreciate you and how good of a friend you are to me. I love you, Kev."

Kevin beamed at this, arm rising to wind around your neck and squeezing your face to his. You groaned at this, but he continued his snuggles, pressing incessant kisses to your cheek. "You are so cheesy," he declared.

After you finally got him to pull away, you gave him a mock-disgusted glare. "You're the one smothering me."

"You say no, but you mean yes."

"Kev, what even?"

He guffawed at this before settling you both back on the couch. You went back to cuddling, fitting together naturally and Kevin un-paused the show.

Apart from only separating from each other to eat when the pizza arrived, you fell asleep with your head on Kevin's chest, his arms wrapped tightly around you.

Waking up until the following morning, you groaned sleepily, pushing yourself up from the warmth comfort beneath you. Blinking a few times, your gaze focused on a sleeping Kevin and you smiled tenderly at him.

He looked utterly relaxed and peaceful, his hand having fallen from where it had been wrapped around your body and was now falling down the couch. The sun's rays that managed to peek through the hastily-closed curtains were touching his face and you allowed yourself a long, good look at him.

You've always seen Kevin as handsome. He was well-built, had a sweet disposition, and a big heart. Yet you had never let yourself think on having feelings for him. He was your best friend and nothing more.

But now, with his long eyelashes fanning out across his cheekbones and lips slightly parted, dark hair a mess, he looked quite beautiful and you really wouldn't mind waking up to this every morning.

Just as you were about to finally pull away to go to the bathroom, Kevin began to stir. His eyes fluttered opened and landed on you. Despite you having done nothing wrong, you still froze and looked at him through a wide-eyed gaze.

Kevin smiled as he realized it was you. "Good morning, doll," he said in a gruffy voice.

"Good morning, Kev," you replied with a smile.

Without warning, Kevin leaned up and pressed a kiss to your lips. Time came to a standstill as Kevin pulled back and realized what he had done. You could see the panic in his eyes and knew he was about to apologize, yet you didn't want him to.

So, you shook your head, your hands rising to cup his face and bring him close to you. "Don't say anything," you warned him, before bringing your mouth to his.

It only took Kevin a second to react and just like that, your relationship shifted to something that would keep you together for the rest of your lives.