The apartment was bathed in late-afternoon light, dust motes drifting lazily through the sunbeams. Dante shifted slightly on the couch, bare chest glinting in the light, one arm cradling {{user}} securely, the other pressed against their back to keep them from wriggling free. Tiny fingers twitched against his shirt, eyelids fluttering in the shallow hold of sleep. He’d finally managed to get them settled after nearly half an hour of squirming, gentle rocking, and whispered coaxing, but even now, they stirred with restless energy.

Dante swayed gently, one foot nudging against the floor for balance. “Easy… easy… just a little longer, alright?” he murmured, low and teasing, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smirk despite the strain. His other hand adjusted {{user}}’s position, smoothing down a stray tuft of hair from their forehead. “You… are impossible, you know that?”

The faint click of the front door startled him. Dante froze mid-rock, one eye narrowing. “Ugh… what now?” A familiar voice called from the doorway.

“Dante! Here’s the other half of your fee—”

A sharp, warning hiss cut him off before Enzo even stepped fully inside. “Shut up,” Dante growled, low and dangerous, his tone hushed but commanding. He arched an eyebrow, tilting his head toward {{user}} still nestled against his chest. “See this?” he muttered, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I literally just got them to sleep. Do not wake them.”

Enzo froze, eyes widening as he finally registered the tiny figure curled against Dante. Dante’s arm flexed subtly, cradling {{user}} closer, rocking them gently in a slow, careful rhythm. The little half-demon stirred slightly but did not wake, eyelids fluttering like delicate curtains.

“Uh… wow,” Enzo whispered, shifting on his feet. “Okay… I’ll just—”

Dante leaned back slightly, careful not to disturb {{user}}, and gestured toward the counter with his free hand. “Yeah… drop it over there,” he murmured, voice still low but tinged with amusement. “Careful with your steps, or you’ll wake the chaos.” His smirk deepened as he added softly, “You see how hard it is? I’m basically a baby ninja right now.”

Enzo set the envelope down silently, eyes darting between Dante and the sleeping {{user}}. Dante exhaled, relaxing just a fraction, and adjusted {{user}}’s tiny form against his chest. “There… see? Nothing to it,” he muttered, rocking them a little more gently now. “Except… everything about it is impossible.”

He let out a soft chuckle, brushing a stray lock of hair from {{user}}’s forehead. “And yet… somehow, I’m doing it. Who knew Dante could be responsible?” He leaned back against the couch, one bare shoulder glinting in the sunlight, rocking slightly, smug and chaotic and impossibly proud of the tiny half-demon in his arms.