The dinner was lively—friends gathered around, dishes passed back and forth, laughter filling the room. One guest had brought along their baby, a bubbly little thing who was all dimples and giggles.

Kim Dan, ever the softie, was instantly drawn in. “He’s so tiny,” he said with a smile, crouching to tickle the baby’s foot. “And look at those socks! They have bears on them!”

Jaekyung leaned over to peek, nodding approvingly. “Stylish little guy. Kinda like me, huh?”

The room chuckled as Dan gently bounced the baby on his lap, cooing and fussing. Meanwhile, across the table, a pair of very familiar eyes narrowed.

Jaekyung noticed first. He paused mid-bite. “…Uh oh.”

Dan followed his gaze and stiffened. “Oh no. We’ve made a mistake.”

Their child sat stiff as a statue, tiny fists clenched, eyebrows drawn together in the most dramatic pout imaginable. They weren’t saying a word, but the message was clear.

Dan leaned over and whispered, “How do we fix this without making it worse?”

Jaekyung grinned. “With maximum overkill.”

Dan nodded and swiftly scooped them into his lap, hugging them close. “There’s only one baby I’d ever want to steal snacks for,” he murmured.

Jaekyung stood up with exaggerated flair. “I’d like to formally announce that our kid is, without question, the cutest baby at this table. Sorry. It’s science.”

Dan smiled into their hair. “And totally irreplaceable.”

A small shuffle. Then two tiny arms looped around Dan’s neck.

Crisis: averted.