The early sunlight filtered through the curtains, brushing the room with a soft golden haze. Lin Yi blinked awake to the quiet rhythm of Elizabeth's breathing, her back nestled comfortably against his chest. His arm was draped around her, and for a moment, he just watched her—peaceful, calm, far away from the roar of arenas and the bright glare of cameras.
He leaned in, gently pressing a kiss to her hair.
"I love you," he whispered into her hair.
Elizabeth stirred, eyes fluttering open. A small, sleepy smile formed as she turned just enough to see him.
"Uhmn.I love you too," she murmured.
They stayed like that for a moment longer before finally deciding to face the day. When Elizabeth slipped out of the covers, Lin Yi playfully tapped her backside. She yelped, half-startled, half laughing.
"Oh, you're in a good mood," she said over her shoulder, giving him a mock glare.
"End of the regular season," Lin Yi said with a shrug, stretching.
Their morning routine unfolded quietly—brushing their teeth side by side, teasing each other over the mirror space, and having their bath together.
They then proceeded to put on their jogging clothes, which nearly ended up in sex, with how teasingly Olsen placed her leggings on.
The villa was still calm when they stepped out of the bedroom.
Tijana was already at the dining table, scrolling through her tablet with a steaming cup of tea at her side.
"We're heading out for a jog," Elizabeth said as she tied her hair.
Tijana glanced up—then immediately bounced to her feet and skipped over with that mischievous energy she never bothered to hide. She leaned in close and whispered something into Elizabeth's ear.
Whatever it was, it hit its mark. Elizabeth's cheeks flushed instantly, her eyes widening as she swatted at Tijana's arm.
"Tijana—! Not in front of him," she hissed under her breath.
Tijana burst into laughter, covering her mouth as she doubled over.
"Ah, priceless," she managed between giggles.
Only then did she turn to Lin Yi, who stood there blinking, clearly out of the loop. Her expression shifted to faux seriousness as she pointed at him like a coach giving last-minute instructions.
"Enjoy your run~. And don't skip warm-ups."
Lin Yi nodded quickly, still confused but eager to escape the situation.
"Yeah, yeah, we won't."
He tugged the still-blushing Elizabeth toward the door. Tijana's laughter chased them out of the apartment, echoing behind them like a victory bell.
Once they stepped outside, the cool morning air greeted them. Lin Yi stretched his arms overhead before shooting Elizabeth a sidelong look.
"…So," he asked, "what did Tijana tell you?"
Elizabeth immediately waved a hand in front of her face, a little too quickly.
"It's nothing, nothing at all," she said, the tips of her ears already pink.
Lin raised a brow. "That didn't look like 'nothing.'"
"It is," she insisted, gently pushing him toward the open space by the sidewalk. "Come on—warm-ups first."
She didn't give him a chance to press further, dropping into a light stretch with the kind of urgency that made it obvious she was running from the topic. Lin Yi watched her for a second, amused, before chuckling and joining her.
"You're deflecting," he murmured.
"And you're stalling," she shot back without looking up. "Start stretching. We're supposed to be jogging, remember?"
Her flustered determination only made him smile wider. By the time they finished warming up and broke into an easy jog, her blush had finally begun to fade—though Lin Yi filed the moment away, knowing he'd get the truth out of her eventually.
...
The early morning air was crisp, carrying that faint chill from yesterday's rain that made every breath feel fresh. They started with an easy pace, their steps syncing naturally as they settled into a slow jog.
Elizabeth's hand brushed his, then linked with it. She rested her head against his chest for a second mid-stride, earning a laugh from Lin Yi.
"You're going to trip doing that," he said.
"Then catch me," she replied, squeezing his hand.
The city was already waking up as they jogged through the quiet residential street outside their villa. New York in the early hours had its own rhythm—delivery trucks rumbling by, the hiss of a bus kneeling at a stop, and the distant hum of someone arguing with a cab driver. The air carried a mix of different wonderful scents from a nearby bakery.
"We should do this more," Elizabeth said softly, but Lin Yi caught the faint thread of loneliness underneath—the kind that came from months of long road trips, late practices, and the endless grind of the season.
He slowed slightly, just enough to look down at her properly.
"I'd love to," he said. "And...I'll make it up to you during the off-season. I promise."
Her smile returned, warm enough to melt whatever was left of the early-morning chill.
"Then I'll hold you to that," she said.
They kept jogging, hand-in-hand, sharing little jokes here and there.
As Lin Yi and Elizabeth turned a corner toward a small riverside park, they crossed paths with a group of morning joggers. One of them squinted, did a double-take, and then lit up.
"Yo—Lin Yi? Lin Yi?!" the man blurted out, slowing to a stop. "Champ! Good morning!"
Another jogger raised a hand. "MVP! You're out early today!"
A woman in the group waved enthusiastically. "We believe in you, Lin! Bring us another ring!"
Lin Yi laughed, slightly embarrassed but warmed by the genuine affection. He offered fist bumps all around.
"Morning, everyone. Appreciate the love. We're just getting some fresh air."
One of the women nudged Elizabeth with a grin. "And morning to you too, Mrs. MVP."
Elizabeth flushed but smiled. "Just making sure he actually does his cardio."
The group laughed before continuing their run, still buzzing with excitement.
As Lin and Elizabeth resumed their pace, she nudged him lightly. "You see? Even at seven in the morning, this city loves you."
"I love them too," Lin replied, exhaling with a smile. "New York's home."
They jogged a bit longer, taking in the mix of dog walkers, cyclists, and a street vendor already setting up his cart. The city wasn't glamorous at this hour—but it was real, and it felt like theirs.
...
After cooling down and stretching, the two headed toward a small breakfast spot tucked between a florist and an old record store. The sign was faded, the windows fogged up, and the aroma of bacon and coffee could've pulled a person in from three blocks away.
As soon as they stepped inside, the owner—a burly man with a thick beard and an even thicker New York accent—looked up from behind the counter.
"Well, well, look who it is!" he boomed, wiping his hands on a towel. "My MVP and his better half!"
He came around the counter and dapped Lin up with a firm smack of palm to palm.
"You good, kid? You look like you slept more than five hours, so I'm guessin' Missy here's takin' real good care of ya."
Elizabeth choked on a laugh, covering her face.
"Please don't encourage him," she muttered.
The owner barked a laugh. "Hey, I'm just callin' it as I see it."
He escorted them toward a quieter corner away from the big windows.
"Sit tight, I got you. You're gettin' the special today—chef's orders." He tapped his chest. "And by chef, I mean me."
Lin Yi smiled. "You sure you're not spoiling us?"
"Kid, you brought this city a damn championship," the owner said, waving a dismissive hand. "You can eat here for free for life if you want."
Elizabeth laughed. "Please don't tell him that. He'll hold you to it."
"Oh, I hope he does," the owner shot back. "Gives me bragging rights."
He disappeared into the kitchen, and the sizzle of eggs and sausage filled the air. A few minutes later, he came back balancing two plates packed with food—eggs, smoked bacon, fresh toast, and a sizable amount of home fries.
He set the plates down and leaned his elbows on the table.
"Listen, big guy," he said more softly, though the accent didn't soften at all. "Stay healthy, yeah? The city needs you. And I want another trophy picture for that shelf right there." He jabbed a thumb at a space next to his espresso machine where a small Knicks flag was pinned.
Lin Yi nodded. "I'll do my best. Can't let you down."
"You better not," the owner said, straightening up. "Alright, eat. And Missy—make sure he doesn't inhale the plate in one go."
"I always do," she assured.
The two of them dug in, enjoying the warmth of the place, the chatter of regulars, and the clatter of utensils behind the counter. It felt familiar—comfortable in a way that fame couldn't touch.
They lingered for a bit, sipping coffee and talking quietly about the upcoming playoffs, about the offseason, about everything and nothing at once. Eventually, with full stomachs and their food leftovers packed, they headed back out into the crisp New York morning.
Hand in hand, they made their way home slowly.
...
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