Chapter Text
The apartment was quiet in the early morning, wrapped in a gentle kind of stillness.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains, settling across the bed in warm, golden lines.
Sangwon was still half asleep, resting comfortably on Leo’s chest. He could hear the slow, steady rhythm of Leo’s heartbeat under his ear. It was calm… familiar… grounding in a way that made him want to stay there a little longer.
Leo’s hand rested loosely on Sangwon’s waist, holding him close even in sleep.
It felt warm and safe like the world outside didn’t exist yet.
“Papa… Daddy…”
A small, sleepy voice broke the silence.
Sangwon’s eyes slowly opened, lashes fluttering as he adjusted to the light. He didn’t move right away and just listened.
Leo shifted slightly beneath him, still not fully awake.
“Papa…” the voice came again, a little louder this time, followed by soft footsteps.
Sangwon lifted his head gently, his cheek leaving Leo’s chest.
“Leo…” he whispered, voice still quiet with sleep.
Leo hummed faintly.
“The door’s open.”
Before Leo could respond, the door creaked wider.
Ahyoon stood there, holding her stuffed bunny close to her chest. Her hair was messy, soft strands sticking out in every direction, and her eyes were still heavy with sleep.
For a second, she just looked at them.
Then she walked over, small steps padding against the floor, and climbed onto the bed without hesitation.
Sangwon smiled, shifting slightly to make space.
“Come here, baby…”
Ahyoon crawled right between them, settling into the space like she belonged there which she did. She tucked herself close, pressing into Leo’s chest and nudging gently until she fit just right.
Leo stirred at the movement, blinking slowly as he woke up.
“…Ahyoonie?” he murmured.
She didn’t answer, just snuggled closer, her tiny hand curling into his shirt.
Sangwon watched them, something warm spreading quietly in his chest.
Leo looked down at her, his expression softening almost instantly. Without thinking, his arm moved, wrapping around both of them this time.
Ahyoon let out a small, content sigh.
The room felt warmer somehow.
“Hair messy,” she mumbled after a moment, her voice soft and sleepy.
Sangwon let out a quiet laugh, brushing a strand away from her face. “That’s what you’re worried about?”
She nodded slightly, still half buried against Leo.
“Need pretty…”
Leo closed his eyes again briefly, a faint smile on his lips. “You’re already pretty baby.”
Sangwon glanced at him, then back at Ahyoon, his gaze gentle.
“Still,” he said softly, “we can fix it later.”
A little later, Ahyoon sat on a small chair in the living room, her legs swinging lightly in the air.
Sangwon stood behind her, carefully combing through her hair. His movements were slow and gentle, fingers soft as they worked through each strand.
On the table, small hair ties and clips were neatly arranged.
Leo leaned against the kitchen counter, holding a cup of coffee, watching them quietly.
There was something about this moment that made him pause.
The way Sangwon’s expression softened when he focused. The way Ahyoon sat so patiently, even if she fidgeted a little.
It felt simple.
But it meant everything.
“Sit still, baby!” Sangwon said gently, carefully separating her hair into sections.
“I am still,” she insisted, even though her head kept turning toward Leo.
“Look at daddy!” she said, pointing.
Leo raised his hand and waved dramatically, playing along. “Hello, princess!!!”
Ahyoon giggled, her shoulders shaking slightly, which made her head move again.
“Ahyoon,” Sangwon warned softly.
“Sorry, Papa!” she said, but she was still smiling.
Sangwon sighed lightly, though his eyes were warm. “If you move, I’ll make it crooked.”
“No crooked,” Ahyoon said quickly, sitting up straight like a statue.
Leo chuckled quietly. “You scare her more than I do.”
“That’s because I actually do things properly,” Sangwon replied, focused on braiding.
His fingers moved gently, weaving the strands together with care. Every now and then, he would smooth her hair down or tuck loose strands behind her ear.
Ahyoon hummed softly, her eyes slowly relaxing.
“Daddy, am I pretty?” she asked.
Leo set his mug down and walked over, crouching in front of her. “Let me see…”
He tilted his head, pretending to think very seriously, but his eyes were already warm.
“Hmm… I think you’re already pretty,” he said.
Ahyoon’s face lit up instantly, her eyes shining.
“But” he added, glancing up at Sangwon, “Papa is making you even prettier.”
Sangwon tried to hide his smile, but it still showed in the small curve of his lips. “Stop talking and let me finish.”
After a few more minutes, Sangwon tied the end of the braid neatly and stepped back.
“Done!”
Ahyoon slid off the chair quickly and ran to the mirror, her small feet tapping lightly against the floor.
She stared at her reflection, her eyes widening in quiet wonder.
“Wow…”
Leo walked up behind her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. “You like it, baby?”
She nodded quickly, her smile growing. “I love it, Daddy!!!!!”
Sangwon watched them, arms crossed lightly, a small, quiet happiness settling in his chest.
Moments like this felt simple but full.
By the afternoon, the apartment had turned loud in the best way.
Toys were scattered across the floor, music played softly in the background, and Ahyoon’s laughter echoed through the room.
Leo had just closed his laptop when Ahyoon ran straight into him.
“Daddy!!!!!”
He barely had time to react before she climbed onto him, her arms wrapping around him.
“What is it?” he asked, steadying her.
She looked at him with bright, excited eyes.
“Horse,” she said firmly.
Leo blinked once, then sighed, already knowing he had lost.
“Again?”
“Yes,” she nodded, completely serious. “Daddy horse.”
From the couch, Sangwon laughed, already reaching for his phone.
“You’re not getting out of that.”
Leo shot him a look. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Very much,” Sangwon said, grinning as he opened his camera.
Leo adjusted his hold on Ahyoon, lifting her onto his back.
“Hold tight,” he said, his tone softer now.
Ahyoon wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheek pressing against his shoulder.
“Ready!!!” she whispered, full of excitement.
Leo stood up slowly, pretending to struggle as he shifted her weight.
“Oh no… she’s too heavy…”
“I’m not heavy,” Ahyoon protested, her laughter spilling out immediately.
Sangwon started recording, the small screen capturing everything…. the way Leo’s expression softened, the way Ahyoon clung to him, the warmth filling the room.
“Where are we going?” Leo asked, beginning to walk.
“To the sky!!!!” Ahyoon answered without hesitation.
Sangwon’s chest tightened slightly at the word, his gaze softening as he continued filming.
“To the sky it is,” Leo said quietly.
He moved around the room, his steps slow at first, then a little faster when Ahyoon started giggling.
“Daddy, faster!!!!” she squealed.
“Careful,” Sangwon said automatically, though he didn’t stop filming.
Leo laughed under his breath but spun gently, just enough to make her laugh louder.
The sound filled the room, bright and endless.
Through the screen, Sangwon watched them – really watched them.
Leo, who always seemed a little distant with the world, was completely different with her.
Soft…. Present…. Warm.
And Ahyoon…
She looked so safe.
“Daddy, again!” she demanded, her voice full of joy.
Leo stopped, breathing a little heavier now.
“No more,” he said, though he was smiling. “Daddy is tired, baby.”
Ahyoon rested her chin on his shoulder, her voice turning small.
“Please…”
Sangwon lowered his phone slightly, watching them directly now.
Leo glanced at him, like he was asking for help.
Sangwon just smiled.
“You can do one more.”
Leo shook his head, but he adjusted his grip anyway.
“One more,” he agreed.
Ahyoon cheered softly, hugging him tighter.
As Leo started walking again, Sangwon followed them, still recording but slower now, his steps matching theirs.
“Ahyoonie, look here,” he said gently.
She turned her head, smiling brightly at the camera.
“Papa!!!!”
Sangwon felt something warm bloom in his chest at the way she said it.
“Hi, baby!!!” he replied softly.
For a moment, it was just that – the three of them, moving together, laughter and quiet love filling the space between each step.
And Sangwon made sure to capture it.
Because he knew….
These were the moments he’d want to keep forever.
That night, Ahyoon lay between them, her small body curled slightly under the blanket.
Her braid was messy now, a few strands falling loose around her face.
“Story,” she murmured, her voice already fading with sleep.
Leo let out a quiet groan. “You’re not tired yet?”
She shook her head slightly.
Sangwon nudged Leo lightly. “Just tell her one.”
Leo exhaled, then nodded.
“Okay… once upon a time, there was a little girl named Ahyoon.”
“That’s me,” she murmured sleepily.
“Yes, that’s you,” Leo said softly. “And she had two dads who loved her very, very much.”
Ahyoon smiled faintly, her eyes closed.
“One dad made music,” he continued.
“And the other sang,” Sangwon added, his voice gentle.
Leo glanced at him briefly, something soft in his eyes.
“And every day… they tried their best to make her smile.”
Ahyoon’s breathing slowed, her grip on Sangwon’s sleeve loosening.
Sangwon reached out, brushing her hair back carefully, his touch light so he wouldn’t wake her.
“And even when they were tired…” Leo said quietly.
“Or busy,” Sangwon added.
“Or didn’t know what to do…”
Leo paused, his voice softer now.
“They always stayed together.”
Sangwon looked at him, something warm and quiet passing between them – something deep and familiar.
Ahyoon was asleep now.
Leo pulled the blanket up a little higher around her, making sure she was warm.
Sangwon leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for just a second.
“Goodnight, Ahyoonie!!” he whispered.
Leo turned off the light, the room falling into a soft, calm darkness.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Sangwon’s voice came, quiet but steady.
“She really loves you, you know.”
Leo let out a small breath. “I know.”
A pause.
“I love you too,” Sangwon said, almost like a whisper.
Leo turned his head slightly, his expression softening.
“…I know that too, baby.”
Between them, Ahyoon shifted slightly in her sleep, her small hand reaching out.
Both of them held it without thinking.
And in that quiet, warm darkness, with their little girl between them… everything felt full.