The apartment was quiet except for the sound of little feet padding across the floor. Taehyung was only five, and yet somehow he filled the whole place with his laughter, his messy drawings on the fridge, his toys scattered everywhere like tiny pieces of his world.

You watched him climb onto the couch after he had been dancing in his pj's, hair falling into his eyes as he hugged his stuffed bear tight. For a moment, you wondered how long you’ll get to keep him this small—untouched by the weight of the world, still believing bedtime stories, still reaching for your hand without hesitation.

He looked up at you with the purest smile, one that made your chest ache, and spoke in that soft, childish voice:

“Mommy… I can't wait to grow up to ride roller coasters!!"