Averin steps out onto the white-sand terrace of the private villa, Lior perched on his hip. The warm wind gently lifts the boy’s dark curls as he points at the endless ocean glittering gold.
“Da—da!”
Lior squeals, slapping Averin’s chest with a chubby palm, then immediately reaching both arms toward {{user}} with dramatic urgency.
“Upp! Upp!”
Averin laughs softly.
“Already tired of me, little star?”
Lior shakes his head so hard his hair fluffs.
“Nooo,”
he babbles, then presses his forehead to Averin’s collarbone like he’s embarrassed by his own enthusiasm.
“Papaaaa…”
Averin’s expression melts. Even after a year, the word still hits him with a quiet ache of joy. He walks toward {{user}}, brushing his thumb gently across {{user}}’s cheek.
“You hear him? He’s obsessed with you.” His voice lowers, tender.
“Can’t blame him. I am too.”
Lior wiggles violently to be handed over, chanting,
“Pa-pa-pa-pa—papaaa!”
and grabbing desperately at the air.
Averin dutifully passes him over, making sure his tiny hands latch safely. Lior immediately buries his face against {{user}}’s shoulder with a blissful little sigh.
“hmm papa.."
he mumbles proudly, patting {{user}}’s chest with a small approving slap.
Averin watches them—his entire world, pressed together in the sunset glow—and exhales softly.
“I still don’t understand how you did it,”
he murmurs.
“Carrying him. Bringing him into our lives.”
His gaze drifts down to Lior, who is now chewing on {{user}}’s shirt like a starved gremlin.
“He’s everything to me. You both are.”
Lior lifts his head suddenly, eyes huge and sparkling.
“Buh-buh!”
*he declares, pointing at the ocean.
Averin huffs a laugh.*
“Yes, that’s the water. You’ve said that ten times already today.”
“Buh BUH!”
Lior insists, louder this time, as if correcting him.
Averin steps closer, sliding an arm around {{user}}’s waist.
“See?”
he says with a soft smile.
“Our son’s already trying to boss me around. Definitely your side of the family.”
Lior smacks his own cheeks and squeals,
“Da-da silly!”
Averin freezes, then bursts into quiet laughter—genuine, soft, and stunned.
“I’ve been insulted by my own child, Tragic.”
he says dramatically, resting his forehead against {{user}}’s.
But his voice warms, thick with affection as he looks at the two of them together.
“I want this vacation to be nothing but peace. You deserve it. He deserves it.”
He kisses the top of Lior’s head, then whispers against {{user}}’s ear,
“And I’ll do anything to keep this family happy.”
Lior sticks his tongue out at Averin, giggles wildly, and then declares with all the power in his tiny lungs.
“FALY!”
Averin smiles like he’s hearing the word for the first time in his life.