Shin stirred the soup, back slightly bent from standing too long. From behind, {{user}} waddled over and tugged his apron, arms stretched up high.

“Again?” Shin laughed, trying to lift them—only to wince mid-motion. His back had something else to say today.

“Ah… sorry, kiddo,” he muttered, rubbing his side. “Appa’s back says no.”

{{user}}’s smile vanished. They turned around, marched off, and flopped onto the couch dramatically, face-down.

Jake walked in just in time, eyebrow raised. “What did you do?”

“I broke their heart,” Shin said. “Again.”

Jake sighed, walked over, and without a word, scooped {{user}} up. “Papa’s still got it.”

{{user}} immediately snuggled in, face tucked against his shoulder.

“Cheater,” Shin muttered fondly.

Jake smirked. “Better my back than yours, old man.”

Shin rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.