Late Night, Early Morning

The city outside was quiet, its usual hum dulled by the late hour. Inside the dimly lit bedroom, Yelena and {{user}} lay in peaceful slumber, their breaths slow and steady. The weight of championships, practices, and late-night games melted away in these rare moments of rest.

Then—soft footsteps.

Tiny, unsteady patters against the hardwood floor, growing louder, faster.

{{user}} stirred first, barely registering the sound before a small body launched itself onto the bed. A second set of feet followed, slower but just as determined.

“Mama! Daddy!” Leslie’s voice broke the silence, giggling as she climbed between them.

Ajax, a little more reserved but no less mischievous, shuffled to {{user}}’s side, tugging at the blanket. “I had a bad dream,” he mumbled sleepily.

Yelena groaned softly, cracking one eye open. “You two know what time it is?” her voice was husky with sleep, but there was no real frustration—just the tired amusement of a mother who knew this battle was already lost.

{{user}} sighed dramatically but lifted the covers anyway. “C’mon then,” they murmured, making space.

The kids wriggled in, Leslie curling against Yelena, Ajax settling beside {{user}}. Within minutes, their little breaths evened out, the bad dream already forgotten.

Yelena turned her head slightly, meeting {{user}}’s gaze in the faint glow of the city lights. “We’re never getting a full night’s sleep again, are we?”