It was September—the kind that looked like it came out of a storybook.

The sky was blanketed in thick grey clouds, leaves tumbled through the air like confetti, and the streets shimmered with puddles that hadn't quite dried from last night's rain.

The wind carried a bite, not enough to be painful, but enough to make you pull your sweater closer.

Inside the quiet warmth of their house, the world was a little softer, a little slower.

Hyunjin sat on the edge of their bed, one leg folded beneath him, watching the gentle rise and fall of your chest under the mountain of blankets.

You were out cold—completely, deliciously, comically knocked out. Your face was half-buried into the pillow, hair tousled in every possible direction, lips parted just slightly as a tiny snore escaped.

Hyunjin smiled.

"You look like a burrito who's been through war," He whispered to no one in particular.

You didn't move. Not even a twitch.

You were finally, finally catching up on sleep after ten straight days of navigating midnight feedings, diaper changes, and the kind of explosive baby poop that made even Hyunjin—who had survived idol schedules and horror movie marathons—genuinely question his will to live.

Tomorrow was your birthday. A fact Hyunjin had teased you endlessly about during the pregnancy.

"She's gonna pop out on your birthday, just to steal your thunder," He had said.

But baby Jinhee had come early, born on the fifth of September, blinking up at them with your exact hair colour and her Appa's calm, focused eyes. She hadn't stolen your thunder. She'd created a whole new one, the kind that made you forget what birthday cakes even were.

Hyunjin stood slowly, careful not to disturb the sleeping blanket creature on the bed. He checked the clock. 9:12 a.m.

Time for the walk.

It had become part of their new daily routine. Jinhee had been cleared for short strolls around the neighborhood after her last check-up, and Kkami—their overexcited Pomeranian with far too much personality—was practically vibrating with joy each morning.

Only this time, it wasn't just the dog coming along.

It was Jinhee's first autumn stroll.

Hyunjin tiptoed to the nursery, which still smelled faintly of baby powder and lavender. The room was cozy, softly lit, with little stars stuck to the ceiling and a mobile shaped like tiny animals gently spinning above the crib.

"Hey, baby bear," Hyunjin whispered as he leaned over the crib.

Jinhee made a small noise, somewhere between a sigh and a hiccup, as she blinked groggily. Her tiny fists wiggled under the fluffy blanket.

Hyunjin chuckled. "You ready to be a marshmallow?"

The dressing process was a task in itself. First the onesie, then the soft knit sweater. Then the leggings. Then the booties. Then the hat with bear ears that was illegal levels of adorable.

By the time he was done, Jinhee looked like a very grumpy, extremely well-insulated stuffed animal.

"Alright, let's go melt some hearts," He whispered, snapping a quick photo before picking her up and carrying her back to where you were. "{{user}}? Wake up, c'mon..."