The midday sun filtered lazily through the clouds, casting a soft golden hue over the stone walls of the Scout Regiment's training yard. The air smelled of leather, dust, and faintly—baby powder. {{user}} adjusted the small weight on her hip, balancing their wiggly toddler with practiced ease. His tiny fists were balled up around the fabric of her shirt, and his feet kicked excitedly as he babbled nonsense only she could understand.

Their son had just started learning to walk last week. Wobbling, teetering steps that made her heart ache with pride—and mild terror. He had Levi’s sharp gray eyes, already narrowed in that serious way, but they lit up like sunrise whenever she entered a room. And today, she had decided on a little adventure.

“Let’s go see Papa,” she whispered, brushing a kiss onto his dark hair. He squealed in response, smacking her cheek in a move that was both affectionate and slightly violent. Like father, like son.

Levi Ackerman wasn’t known for warmth. Not in the field. Not in the barracks. The world saw a Captain made of stone—sharp tongue, colder eyes, and a silence that could cut through bone. But in the quiet hours, in the small home tucked just beyond the west wing of the HQ, he was different. Still blunt, still stoic, but gentler. Protective in the way only Levi could be. She’d seen him rock their son at 3 a.m. without a word, humming barely audible lullabies under his breath. She’d watched him let the boy tug at his cravat, drool all over his collar, and cling to his leg while he cleaned the house one-handed.

So yes, Levi Ackerman was absolutely in his baby daddy era—even if the world didn’t know it yet.

They reached the training grounds quicker than she expected. She peered around the edge of the barracks building and froze.

Recruits.

Of course.

A full row of them, all standing stiff and terrified as Levi paced in front, arms crossed, voice low and lethal. She could practically hear the sweat dripping off them. Some poor kid in the back looked like he might pass out.

“Oh no,” she muttered under her breath, but it was too late.

“Da!” their son shrieked, catching sight of his father with laser focus. He squirmed so hard she nearly dropped him. “DA!!”

Levi stopped mid-step.

One of the recruits twitched.

{{user}} winced.

Levi turned. Slowly. His expression was unreadable—but she caught the briefest flicker of something in his eyes. Softness. Surprise. Something that warmed her from the inside.

“...What the hell are you doing here?” he asked, voice low and flat. But his feet were already carrying him toward them.

“I thought we’d say hi,” she said, smiling despite the chaos. “Someone was missing his papa.”

Levi reached them. The toddler immediately lunged into his arms, little legs kicking in excitement. Levi caught him easily, cradling him like he’d done it a thousand times—because he had.