Chapter Text
Martin sat on the couch, scrolling through Instagram with mixed emotions. The photos of his Arsenal teammates celebrating their 1-0 win over Tottenham filled his feed—Kai, Declan, Ben, and the rest of the squad, arms around each other, laughing, reliving the victory. He felt a pang of jealousy, knowing he should have been out there with them, especially for a North London Derby. His ankle, still in recovery, was a constant reminder of the long road ahead before he could return to the pitch.
Helene was busy packing for her trip to Paris with Sophia, Tolami, and Laura. She had been excited about the girls’ trip for days, but Martin could sense her guilt over leaving him behind. His injury meant he couldn’t get around easily, and he’d be stuck at home alone for five days.
As if on cue, Helene came into the room with a smile, trying to make her voice sound casual. “So, I’ve been talking to Sophia, and we’ve made a little plan.”
Martin raised an eyebrow. “What plan?”
“Well…” Helene sat beside him, a little hesitant. “Since I’ll be in Paris, and I know you don’t like being cooped up alone with your foot like this… Kai has offered for you to stay with him while I’m gone.”
Martin’s stomach flipped at her words. Stay with Kai? For five days? He tried to mask his reaction, but the thought of being around Kai again, especially after their time together in Ibiza, made him feel nervous. He wasn’t sure if it was the injury, or the awkwardness he’d been feeling around Kai lately, but something about this situation felt different—complicated.
“Helene, I don’t want to be a burden to Kai,” Martin said, trying to sound casual. “He’s got training, matches, his own routine… I don’t want him to feel like he has to take care of me.”
Helene gave him a gentle smile. “You won’t be a burden, love. Kai knows you’re recovering, and Sophia thought it would be a good idea too. That way, you won’t be alone. Besides, you’ll be with a teammate—it’ll be good for you. You’ve missed being around them.”
Martin nodded, though a knot of uncertainty twisted in his stomach. He did miss being around the team, but being with Kai, one-on-one, for five days… it felt like something he wasn’t ready to face. Memories of Ibiza floated back—the late-night conversations by the pool, the teasing, the subtle tension he had tried to ignore.
Helene leaned in, kissing his cheek. “Trust me, it’ll be fine. You and Kai are close. It’ll be nice for you to have some company while you recover.”
Later that morning, after packing her bags, Helene stood by the door, ready to leave for Paris. Martin pulled her in for a kiss, feeling the warmth of her comfort but also the growing nerves about what the next few days would bring.
“Take care of yourself, okay?” Helene said softly, her eyes full of concern. “And don’t hesitate to ask Kai for help if you need anything.”
“I will,” Martin replied, offering a small smile. “Have fun in Paris.”
...
As Helene left, the house felt strangely quiet. Martin limped back to the couch, scrolling through his phone in a vain attempt to distract himself. The clock ticked slowly, his thoughts drifting back to Kai, the way their dynamic had subtly changed since Ibiza. He hadn’t seen him much since his injury, except from a distance—like that brief glimpse through the window at the training center.
Just after lunch, Martin heard the familiar sound of a car pulling up outside. His heart skipped a beat as he peeked through the window and saw Kai’s car parked in front of the house. A wave of nervousness washed over him. Here we go, he thought, grabbing his crutches and heading toward the door.
As he opened it, there was Kai, leaning casually against the car with a grin. “You ready, or are you going to make me carry you to the car?” Kai joked, his eyes sparkling with their usual mischief.
Martin chuckled, but the nervousness lingered beneath the surface. “I’m not that helpless yet.”
“Good,” Kai smirked, moving forward to help Martin with his bag. “Come on, mate. Let’s get you settled.”
As Martin climbed into Kai’s car, the familiar tension he had been trying to avoid crept back. Five days. Five days staying with Kai. He wasn’t sure how he’d handle it, especially with the memories of Ibiza still fresh in his mind. The way Kai had looked at him, the playful teasing—it all felt closer now, more complicated.
Kai glanced over at him as they drove, his tone light. “You know, I’m glad you’re staying with me. It’ll be fun, and maybe we can even do some light rehab together. Just don’t expect any sympathy if I beat you at FIFA.”
Martin relaxed a little. The familiar banter between them was enough to ease his nerves, though a part of him still felt on edge. He asked about training, trying to keep the conversation light.
“Training was good,” Kai replied, glancing over at Martin. “But it’s weird without you there. The guys miss having you around, bossing us all about. Even Declan was saying it’s not the same without you on the pitch.”
Martin smiled, though the compliment stirred a mix of pride and longing inside him. “Yeah, I miss it too. Watching from home just isn’t the same.”
Kai nodded. “You’ll be back before you know it. And until then, you’ll be stuck with me. I’ll make sure you don’t go crazy.”
...
They arrived at Kai and Sophia’s big mansion not long after, pulling into the driveway where Kai’s three dogs barked excitedly behind the fenced garden. Martin couldn’t help but smile at the sight—they were full of energy, tails wagging as they greeted Kai and Martin.
“Welcome to Casa Havertz,” Kai joked as they walked inside, still carrying Martin’s bag. The house was as impressive —spacious, modern, yet warm and inviting.
Kai led Martin over to the guestroom, which was right across the hall from Kai’s master bedroom. “Here you go,” Kai said, setting the gym bag down on the bed. “Your room for the next few days. Make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, just yell. I’m right across the hall.”
Martin smiled, feeling more at ease. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
Kai stretched, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “But first things first… I need a shower. I probably stink after training.”
Martin chuckled. “Yeah, you definitely do.”
Kai laughed and, in typical Kai fashion, leaned in closer, lifting his arm and playfully putting his armpit right by Martin’s nose. “Smell that? Pure athlete.”
Martin recoiled, blushing and laughing as he shoved Kai away. “Get off me, you stink!”
Kai grinned and backed off. “Alright, alright, I’ll leave you in peace. Make yourself at home. I’ll be quick.” He disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Martin alone in the guestroom.
Martin sat on the bed, taking a deep breath. The nerves had subsided, but a different kind of tension lingered. He couldn’t stop thinking about their time together in Ibiza—the teasing, the chemistry that felt like more than just friendship. Five days with Kai… it was going to be interesting, to say the least.
Martin had finally managed to settle on the big white sofa, the playful energy of Kai's three dogs doing a good job of distracting him from his lingering awkwardness. He tossed a toy across the living room, watching as the dogs sprinted after it, their excitement bringing a smile to his face. But that distraction vanished as soon as he heard footsteps approaching from the hallway.
...
Kai walked into the room, fresh from his shower, a white towel loosely wrapped around his waist. His toned, muscled body glistened under the lights, still damp from the water. Martin's heart skipped a beat, his mind going blank for a second. He tried to act nonchalant, but the closeness of their situation combined with his memories of Ibiza made it impossible not to feel flustered. He looked down at the dogs, then up at the ceiling—anywhere but directly at Kai.
Kai, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease as he strolled over and plopped down on the sofa next to Martin. His arm casually rested behind Martin on the back of the couch, and the fresh scent of his shower gel filled the air around them.
“So,” Kai began with a teasing grin, leaning back slightly. “Looks like I’ll have to take care of you for a few days. Good thing I've been going to the gym more lately, huh?” He flexed his arm playfully, clearly enjoying the teasing.
Martin blushed again, feeling the warmth creep up his neck. “Yeah, well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” he muttered, laughing awkwardly. “I can manage just fine.”
Kai chuckled and leaned in a little closer, his presence radiating a comfortable confidence. “Sure, but if you need me to carry you around, don’t hesitate. I’ve got the muscles for it.”
Martin shook his head, trying to brush off the teasing, but the casual way Kai’s arm rested behind him and the scent of him fresh from the shower wasn’t helping. “I think I’ll survive,” he replied with a smile, though his mind was racing.
After a bit more lighthearted banter, Kai stood up and went to get dressed, leaving Martin to his thoughts. He exhaled deeply, trying to shake off the tension he’d been feeling. It was always like this with Kai—one moment, everything felt light and easy, and the next, the air between them felt heavy with something unspoken.
When Kai came back, dressed in an expensive beige tracksuit, they ordered sushi takeout and decided to head downstairs to Kai’s basement. It had the perfect setup for a chill afternoon—big-screen TV, gaming consoles, and all the snacks anyone could want. Martin limped down the stairs carefully, his crutches slowing him, but Kai was there, ready to catch him if needed.
They spent the rest of the afternoon playing FIFA, the friendly competition between them helping to ease the lingering awkwardness. Martin felt more relaxed as the hours passed, the tension from earlier fading into the background. They laughed, teased each other about their gameplay, and shared stories about their time on the pitch.
By the time the sushi arrived, the atmosphere felt much lighter, and Martin was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, staying with Kai wouldn’t be as difficult as he’d feared.
...
As the day turned into evening, Martin and Kai found themselves still in the basement, engrossed in their FIFA matches and enjoying each other’s company. The afternoon had flown by in a blur of lighthearted competition and conversation. Martin had almost forgotten about his injury and the awkwardness of staying with Kai—almost.
It wasn’t until both of them started yawning, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up, that Kai suggested they head upstairs and get ready for bed. Kai had training in the morning, but not Martin, and the thought stirred a familiar ache of jealousy within him. Despite that, he agreed, grabbing his crutches and making his way toward the stairs.
As soon as Martin reached the base of the staircase, he paused. The stairs looked daunting, and navigating them with crutches felt like it would be more trouble than it was worth. Before he could voice any concerns, he felt his feet leave the ground.
“Whoa, what—” Martin started, but Kai had already scooped him up, lifting him in a bridal-style hold. Martin’s face flushed immediately as Kai carried him effortlessly up the stairs, his strong arms holding him securely.
“Kai, seriously, let me go—” Martin stammered, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and flustered laughter bubbling up.
“Too late,” Kai teased, grinning down at him. “You’ll be faster this way.”
Martin wriggled slightly, trying to get him to let go, but it was no use. Kai carried him up the stairs as if he weighed nothing, the easy confidence with which he did it making Martin feel even more flustered. When they finally reached the first floor, Kai gently set him down.
Martin, trying to hide his embarrassment, quickly muttered a thanks and hurried into his guest bathroom, eager to escape the intensity of the moment. His heart was racing, and he felt ridiculously warm. He splashed water on his face, trying to calm down as he got ready for bed.
Outside the bathroom, Kai’s voice called out playfully, “If you need help in there, just yell. I’m an excellent nurse, you know.”
Martin rolled his eyes, chuckling despite himself. “I’m fine, thanks.”
As Martin brushed his teeth and got changed, he could hear Kai humming to himself in the master bathroom next door. The day had been unexpectedly fun, but moments like the one on the stairs had left Martin feeling more aware of the tension between them—something he couldn’t quite put into words, but it lingered, especially after everything that had happened in Ibiza.
Once they both finished getting ready, Martin climbed into the small bed in the guestroom. It was strange, being here in Kai’s house, knowing they were just across the hall from each other. The evening had been full of teasing and easygoing banter, but there was an underlying tension Martin couldn’t shake.
As he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, Martin wondered how the next few days would unfold. Staying with Kai had always made him nervous, but now, after everything—after Ibiza, after today—he couldn’t deny the complicated feelings that swirled beneath the surface.
Kai’s voice broke through the quiet. “Goodnight, mate. Don’t dream about beating me in FIFA.”
Martin smiled, shaking his head. “Goodnight, Kai,” he called back, though sleep didn’t come easily as he lay there, lost in his thoughts.
...
It had only been 20 minutes before Martin could hear the Netflix intro booming from across the hall, and just as he rolled his eyes, his phone buzzed. A Snapchat notification appeared: a picture of Kai’s huge feet sprawled out on the end of the bed, with the caption,
"Can’t sleep, come keep me company – or I’ll come and carry you over myself.”
Martin laughed but decided he’d rather not risk Kai actually picking him up, so he grabbed his crutches and hobbled across the hall. Entering Kai’s room, Martin felt self-conscious as he saw Kai sprawled confidently on his enormous king-sized bed, wearing only his black Calvin Klein boxers, the covers barely covering his knees. With his arms behind his head, Kai grinned and teased, “Captain and a twink? Quite the combination.”
Blushing slightly, Martin joined him, trying to ignore the intimidating confidence Kai seemed to radiate with his nearly naked body. They settled on The Iron Claw, a wrestling movie starring Zac Efron. As the movie started, Kai casually commented, “I could probably win a wrestling match against anyone on the team.”
Martin, ever ready to tease, responded, “Rice and Saliba would definitely beat you.”
Kai’s expression shifted as he asked, “What do they have that I don’t?”
Martin smirked, “More muscles.”
Kai didn’t like that, and in a mock comeback, he grinned and said, “Well, you’d lose to everyone on the team, even our little insomniac Trossard.”
Genuinely offended, Martin punched Kai’s arm playfully. “I’m stronger than I look!” he protested.
Suddenly, without a warning, Kai had Martin in a chokehold, ruffling his hair as he laughed. “Yeah, right. Admit it, twink.”
“Let go!” Martin gasped between giggles.
Kai leaned back, his arm still wrapped around Martin’s neck. “I’ll only let go if you admit you’re a twink,” Kai teased.
“Never!” Martin shot back, laughing, but refusing to give in.
Martin struggled playfully in Kai's grip, laughing despite himself. "You're ridiculous," he exclaimed. "Let me go!"
Kai grinned, his arm still loosely around Martin's neck. "Not until you admit it," he teased. "Just say it: you're a twink."
"Never," Martin shot back, a stubborn smile on his face.
Kai chuckled. "Well then, I guess you're stuck here. Looks like you're sleeping with me tonight."
Martin rolled his eyes, still smiling. "Fine, but don't blame me if I steal all the covers."
"Deal," Kai said, finally releasing him. He leaned back against the headboard, a satisfied look on his face. "See? Compromise."
Martin settled next to him, adjusting the pillows. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"That's part of my charm, twink," Kai replied with a wink.
They both turned their attention back to the movie, but the earlier tension had given way to a comfortable camaraderie. As the scenes unfolded on the screen, Martin found himself genuinely enjoying the moment.
After a while, Kai glanced over. "Thanks for staying over," he said quietly. "It's nice not being alone in this big house."
Martin looked at him, surprised by the sincerity. "Yeah, it's been good. Better than being cooped up by myself."
Kai nodded. "Plus, it's fun having someone to mess with."
Martin laughed softly. "Glad I can be of service."
As the movie credits began to roll, Martin yawned. "I should probably get back to my room," he said, though he made no move to leave.
Kai shook his head. "Nah, stay here. It's late, and with your ankle, it's easier. The bed's plenty big."
"Are you sure?" Martin hesitated. "I don't want to intrude."
"You're not intruding," Kai assured him. "Besides, it'll save me from having to carry you again."
Martin chuckled. "All 10 meters, huh? But alright, if you insist."
"Perfect," Kai said, reaching over to dim the lights. The room settled into a soft darkness, the only sound their steady breathing.
"Goodnight, Kai," Martin whispered.
"Goodnight, Martin," Kai replied.
They lay there in comfortable silence, and before long, both drifted off to sleep.