Beyond the Lines

Chapter 12 ~ A Language Without Words

The initial, tentative steps into intimacy had blossomed quickly. Those "passionate moments" that began with a deeper kiss now happened more often, no longer confined to hushed whispers and stolen minutes. Their emotional connection, forged through months of secrecy and public scrutiny, found its physical expression with a natural ease that surprised and delighted them both. Their love story, once a delicate bud, was now in full bloom, private and profound. They had started sleeping together, their bodies finding a rhythm as undeniable as their hearts.
The first rays of morning sun were just beginning to filter through Y/n's curtains, painting soft stripes across her duvet. She stirred, a contented sigh escaping her lips, feeling the warm weight of an arm thrown casually over her waist. Kylian. His scent, a mix of his cologne and something uniquely masculine, enveloped her. The night had been a blur of whispers, laughter, and passionate exploration, pushing the boundaries of their newfound freedom and, perhaps, the soundproofing of her bedroom walls.
She giggled softly, a memory of a particularly enthusiastic moan (hers? his? both?) flitting through her mind. They had definitely been a bit too loud.
Kylian groaned beside her, stirring. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice husky with sleep. He opened his eyes, dark and heavy-lidded, and smiled, a slow, sensual curve of his lips that made her stomach flutter all over again.
"Morning," she whispered back, leaning up to kiss him. It was a soft, sleepy kiss, full of the lingering warmth of the night.
"Think anyone heard us?" he teased, his eyes twinkling.
Y/n buried her face in his shoulder, groaning dramatically. "Oh my god, definitely. Jude probably has a full transcript."
They lay there for a few more comfortable minutes, basking in the aftermath, before the distinct aroma of coffee and sizzling bacon wafted up from downstairs.
"Breakfast," Kylian announced, as if it were a life-or-death mission. He stretched, his muscles rippling under his skin, before slowly sitting up.
Y/n scrambled out of bed, grabbing the closest piece of clothing - his oversized t-shirt - and pulled it over her head. It hung loosely around her, reaching her mid-thigh, leaving her in just her underwear underneath. Kylian, meanwhile, pulled on a pair of sweatpants over his boxers, leaving his impressive torso bare.
They exchanged a conspiratorial grin. This was their routine now, their easy, comfortable intimacy. They padded quietly down the stairs, trying to be discreet, even though discretion felt a little futile at this point.
The kitchen was already bustling. Denise was at the stove, flipping pancakes, while Jude sat at the island, scrolling on his phone, a mug of coffee in front of him. The morning light streamed in, highlighting the normalcy of the scene.
Until they walked in.
The moment Y/n and Kylian stepped into the kitchen, the scent of bacon, Kylian's shirt on Y/n, and the faint, unmistakable echoes of last night's 'activities' hit them both. Jude's head snapped up from his phone, his eyes widening almost imperceptibly as he took in Y/n in Kylian's too-big shirt, and Kylian in just his sweats, his hair endearingly mussed. A slow, knowing grin spread across Jude's face.
Denise, stirring batter, cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Her lips pressed together for a brief moment, stifling a smile, before she turned back to the stove.
"Well, well, well," Jude drawled, his voice pitched just loud enough to carry, "look what the cat dragged in. Or should I say, look who finally decided to grace us with their presence." He glanced pointedly at Kylian's bare chest, then at Y/n's flushed cheeks. "Sleeping beauties, are we?"
Y/n felt a blush creep up her neck, even as she tried to feign nonchalance. "Good morning, Jude."
Kylian, despite a slight flush of his own, handled it with his usual charming composure. He walked straight to the coffee machine, a small smirk on his face. "Morning, mate. Smells good in here."
"Oh, it's very good this morning, isn't it?" Jude emphasized the word, his eyes twinkling as he looked from Kylian to Y/n. "Almost as good as last night, wouldn't you say?"
Y/n let out a mortified gasp, burying her face in her hands. "Jude! Shut up!"
Denise chuckled from the stove. "Jude, leave them be. They're eighteen, not deaf." She turned, a warm, knowing smile on her face as she looked at Kylian. "Morning, Kylian. Sleep well?"
Kylian met her gaze, a genuine, easy smile replacing his earlier smirk. "Very well, Madam. Thank you." He winked at Y/n over his shoulder, and she couldn't help but smile, despite her embarrassment.
Jude, however, wasn't done. He picked up a piece of bacon. "Just curious," he said, taking a bite. "Did you two... exercise a lot last night? Heard a lot of, ah, heavy breathing coming from upstairs." He mimed lifting weights, his eyebrows waggling suggestively.
Kylian simply leaned against the counter, taking a long sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving Y/n's blushing face. He let Jude's teasing wash over him, a sign of their renewed comfort and the family's complete acceptance. Y/n, after her initial mortification, dissolved into laughter, the sound light and free. It wasn't just acceptance; it was a deeper, more intimate integration into their lives. They were a family, and Kylian was unequivocally part of it. And clearly, no secret was safe.
"Honestly," Jude continued, shaking his head with a mock-serious expression. "I'm starting to think Mom needs to invest in some soundproofing for your room, Y/n. Or at least a 'Do Not Disturb' sign. For the sake of, you know, family peace." He pointed his bacon at Kylian. "And you, Mbappé. I thought all that world-class training would make you quieter. Clearly, I was mistaken."
Kylian finally set his coffee mug down, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face as he met Jude's gaze. "Oh, I'm quiet when I need to be, Jude. Last night just wasn't one of those times." He raised an eyebrow suggestively, turning the tables slightly.
Y/n let out another shriek of laughter, pushing at Kylian's bare arm. "Oh my god! Don't encourage him!"
Jude actually choked on his bacon, then burst into laughter, throwing his head back. "Okay, okay! Point taken! Just... try to remember there are other people in the house, yeah?" He wagged his finger between the two of them, still grinning.
Denise, who had been listening with a mixture of amusement and feigned exasperation, finally turned from the stove with a plate of perfectly golden pancakes. "Alright, you two hooligans. Breakfast is ready. And if I hear another word about 'heavy breathing' or 'soundproofing,' you'll both be doing the dishes for a month." Her tone was light, but the warning was clear.
Jude instantly stopped, saluting her with his bacon. "Yes, Mom!"
Kylian pulled out a chair for Y/n, then sat down beside her, a contented smile on his face. He leaned over, brushing a soft kiss against her temple, utterly unconcerned by Jude's knowing smirk across the table. The teasing was part of it now, a sign of how far they'd come. It was loud, embarrassing, and undeniably, wonderfully family.