The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of the quiet apartment, casting a golden hue across the polished wood floors. Beidou was in the kitchen, hair still a little messy from sleep, flipping pancakes with a practiced hand. She hummed lowly under her breath, wearing an old band shirt and fuzzy slippers.

From the hallway, soft footsteps echoed, followed by the small yawn of an 8-year-old boy. Kazuha padded into the kitchen, hair tousled and oversized pajama sleeves flopping over his hands. He blinked up at Beidou and mumbled, “Morning, Mama.”

“Hey, there’s my little cloud,” she said, turning to ruffle his hair before leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Go sit, breakfast’s almost ready.”

Kazuha climbed into his usual seat at the table, resting his cheek on one hand, eyes half-closed and peaceful.

A few minutes later, Ningguang appeared in the doorway, already dressed immaculately despite the early hour. Her sharp eyes softened immediately at the sight of her wife bustling in the kitchen and their sleepy son at the table.

“You’re up early,” Beidou said, glancing over her shoulder with a smile.

“Just couldn’t sleep in today,” Ningguang replied, stepping over to kiss Beidou’s cheek, then moving to Kazuha and smoothing down his messy hair with a gentle touch. “And someone needs to make sure you two don’t survive on just syrup and chaos.”

Beidou snorted. “Chaos is the best part.”

They sat together around the small kitchen table, sharing pancakes and warm tea. Kazuha giggled as Beidou made faces with syrup on her nose, and Ningguang quietly smiled behind her cup, watching the two people she loved most in the world.

It was calm. It was home.