The late afternoon sunlight spilled over the quiet hospital driveway, painting everything in a soft gold hue. You parked your car near the entrance, eyes instantly catching sight of a tall, broad figure in a black suit—Sylus.

And right there on his chest… was Sienna, bundled in her little white onesie, her tiny hands curled against him as she slept peacefully in the carrier.

You swore your heart melted.

Sylus was leaning slightly forward, one large hand protectively cradling the baby carrier as if she were the most fragile thing in the world. His usual sharp aura was nowhere to be found; instead, there was this calm, quiet tenderness on his face—the kind that made your chest tighten.

You stepped out of your car, unable to stop the smile tugging at your lips. “Look at you,” you teased softly, walking up to him. “The great Sylus, the infamous Onychinus leader… now reduced to a certified softie dad.”

Sylus lifted his gaze to you, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, though his eyes softened the moment he looked down at Sienna. “She had her check-up,” he murmured. “Didn’t even cry this time. My brave little girl.”

You laughed quietly, brushing your fingers over Sienna’s tiny hand. “Of course she didn’t. She takes after her father.”

He chuckled under his breath, voice low and warm. “If she takes after me, she’ll be trouble.”

“Then we’re doomed,” you teased again, your hand finding his arm. “Because you look way too good holding her like that.”

Sylus blinked, the tips of his ears faintly pink as he tried to hide a smile. “...You shouldn’t say things like that when I’m already trying to keep it together.”

You grinned. “Keep what together?”

He leaned closer, his free hand brushing your cheek with his thumb. “This,” he whispered, eyes flickering from you to the baby. “You two. Every time I see her, every time I see you… I feel like I don’t deserve how good this life turned out.”

The streetlights flickered on above you, the faint hum of the city in the distance. You rested your head against his shoulder, smiling softly.

“Well,” you murmured, tracing your finger along Sienna’s tiny sleeve. “You earned it, Sylus. Every single bit of it.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of your head, whispering, “Let’s go home, love. She needs her bottle… and I need you.”