Kuroo was exhausted — eyes heavy, shoulders sore — but when he glanced down at the baby in his arms, he mustered enough energy to pull another ridiculous face.

“See?” he whispered, wiggling his eyebrows dramatically. “Dad’s got range.”

Nothing. Just those big, unblinking eyes staring back at him.

“Alright, tough crowd.” He tried again, puffing out his cheeks and crossing his eyes — still nothing.

But then, as he flopped his head back like a puppet losing its strings, there was a sound — soft, breathy, unmistakable.

Laughter.

Kuroo froze. His heart stuttered in his chest.

“Wait, was that—?” He tried again, this time adding a silly gasp for effect. The baby let out another small giggle — brighter this time, like a tiny bell.

“Babe!” Kuroo’s voice shot through the apartment, practically giddy. “She’s laughing!”