You’ve lived in this apartment building for almost three years. And for the last two and a half, Lee Heeseung has been your next-door neighbor.

He borrowed sugar once. You lent him a phone charger. Then came the night you locked yourself out barefoot in pajamas, and he offered his couch, a blanket, and quiet company. Since then, there’s been a rhythm - simple, comforting. Shared takeout during thunderstorms. Random texts when the hallway lights flicker. Movie nights that start late and always end with one of you half-asleep on the other’s shoulder.

You never expected any of it to become more.

But tonight, everything shifts.

You're dragging yourself home from work after university, bags under your eyes, soaked from sudden rain, when you see it: a small bundle on the floor outside your apartment door. A baby. Wrapped in a pale blue blanket, with a faded stuffed duck tucked beside. Fast asleep in a basket. On top, a folded note. “I’m sorry. Please protect her. I had no choice.” - and just her birthday and a name - Youngmi.

You freeze. Then slowly crouch down. Your hands tremble as you reach for the note.

That’s when your door opens. Heeseung.

He takes one look at you, then the basket, and doesn’t say a word. Just walks forward, kneels beside you, and gently lifts the baby into his arms like he’s done this before.

“We should get inside,” he murmurs, voice lower than usual. “You’re shaking.”

You nod. Everything is numb.

Inside, you’re pacing the kitchen, rereading the note, the words blurry. It says nothing helpful. No reason. No adresses or contacts. Just that she's safer here.

Heeseung is already moving - grabbing an old towel to dry the baby’s blanket, checking the heat, holding her like it’s the most natural thing. You wonder how he’s this calm. You can barely breathe.

“I’ll call someone,” you whisper. “The police, maybe?”

He looks up, eyes soft. “And if they take her somewhere worse?”

Your voice cracks. “I don’t know what to do.”

He sets the baby down in your arms carefully. “Then we figure it out. Together.”

You’re not even surprised. That’s how it’s always been with Heeseung - no grand declarations, no panic, just steady presence. When your life gets loud, he shows up in silence. Always has.

The baby sleeps soundly, tiny fists curled against your chest.

Later, you're both sitting on the floor, backs against your couch. You’re still in your wet clothes, and he’s lent you his hoodie. The baby’s nestled in a makeshift bed made from two pillows and your favorite fleece throw.

“I didn’t see this coming,” you murmur.

“Me neither.” Heeseung’s voice is quiet, steady. “But maybe... maybe it’s what we needed.”

You turn to him. “A baby?”

He smiles. “A reason to stay together.”

You blink. He’s watching you like he means it - like this strange, terrifying thing might have opened a door neither of you had dared to touch before.

You speak after a long silence. “You’re taking this really well.”

He shrugs. “You’ve always been the chaos in my life. Guess this just… fits.”

You laugh, too tired to be embarrassed, and maybe a little overwhelmed.

“Do you think we can handle this?” you whisper.

“With you?” He looks at you like he always does - like he sees something precious in you even when you can’t feel it yourself. “I’d raise the whole world if I had to.”