Interruptions
You loved the quiet moments most.
Nikola’s hotel room was calm in a way the outside world never seemed to be- no roaring crowd, no whistles, no reporters asking the same tired questions. Just soft lamp light, the city humming faintly beyond the window, and Nikola Jokic sitting beside you on the edge of the bed, his massive frame somehow relaxed and gentle all at once.
His arm was draped around your shoulders, thumb tracing absentminded circles against your arm. You leaned into him easily, like you always did, your head resting against his chest. You could hear his heartbeat- steady, grounding.
“You were great tonight,” you murmured, looking up at him.
He shrugged in that modest way of his, lips tugging into a small smile. “It was fine.”
You laughed softly. “You dropped thirty points.”
“Still fine,” he said, but his eyes warmed when they met yours.
There was something about hotel nights after games- everything felt slower, more intimate, like the world narrowed down to just the two of you. The tension from the game hadn’t fully faded yet, and maybe that was why his hand slid a little closer, why your fingers found the collar of his hoodie.
Nikola leaned down first. He always did- careful, unhurried, like he was making sure you were really there with him. His lips brushed yours, gentle at first, then lingering. You smiled into the kiss, hands curling into the fabric at his sides.
The kiss deepened naturally, comfortably. Nothing rushed. Nothing overwhelming. Just warmth and familiarity and the quiet comfort of being with someone who felt like home no matter what city you were in.
You shifted closer, knees brushing, his hand coming to rest at your waist. He murmured something soft in Serbian against your lips that you didn’t quite catch, but the tone alone made your heart skip.
That’s when it happened.
The door swung open.
“Yo, Nikola-”
The voice cut off abruptly.
You froze. Nikola froze. Time itself seemed to freeze.
Jamal Murray stood in the doorway, one hand still on the door handle, gym bag slung over his shoulder. His eyes flicked from Nikola to you, then back again, processing the scene in real time.
There was a beat of dead silence.
“Oh-” Jamal said. “Oh. My bad.”
You practically jumped back, face instantly burning as you covered your mouth, half laughing, half mortified. Nikola straightened, blinking like someone had just woken him from a nap.
Jamal turned away immediately, holding up a hand. “I swear I knocked. Or- I thought I did. I definitely meant to.”
Nikola cleared his throat. “You did not.”
“Well,” Jamal said, still facing the wall, “this is on me. I will take the L.”
You couldn’t help it- you laughed, hiding your face in Nikola’s shoulder. He let out a low chuckle too, shaking his head.
“You can turn around,” Nikola finally said.
Jamal did, eyes carefully not lingering too long. “So. Uh. Congrats on the… chemistry.”
“Jamal,” Nikola warned mildly.
“I’m just saying!” Jamal raised his hands. “Healthy relationship. Love to see it. From a distance. Preferably with doors closed.”
You wiped at your cheeks, still smiling. “We thought it was locked.”
“Rookie mistake,” Jamal said solemnly. “Always flip the latch. Learned that the hard way.”
Nikola shot him a look. “Why are you here?”
Jamal gestured with his bag. “Coach asked me to drop off the scouting tablet. I was supposed to be in and out. Clearly, I came in at the wrong in.”
Nikola slipped an arm back around you, grounding, protective. “You will forget,” he told Jamal.
Jamal laughed. “I will try. No promises.”
He set the tablet on the desk quickly, backing toward the door. “Anyway, I’ll… leave you two to, uh, not be interrupted again.”
“Thank you,” you said, still embarrassed but amused.
As soon as the door shut, you collapsed against Nikola, laughing into his chest.
“Oh my god,” you groaned. “I want to disappear.”
Nikola kissed the top of your head, smiling. “Is okay. Jamal is dramatic.”
“You say that like he won’t bring this up forever.”
“He will,” Nikola admitted. “But I do not care.”
You looked up at him, heart softening. “You don’t?”
He shook his head gently. “No. Because I like kissing you more than I care about Jamal teasing me.”
Your smile returned, warm and genuine. You leaned in again, this time checking the door twice before Nikola pulled you back into a quiet, careful kiss- one that belonged just to the two of you, interruptions and all.
