The sound of a ball bouncing in the backyard was accompanied by laughter… until a scream cut through it. — AAAAAAH!

{{user}} dropped the pan on the stove and ran outside. Riku was on the ground, holding his scraped knee, his mouth open in a desperate cry.

— My love! — {{user}} knelt down, pulling him into their arms. — What happened?

— I… fell… — he sobbed. — I wanted to kick it like Dad…

{{user}} sighed, trying to wipe some of the dirt away. — Does it hurt a lot?

— Yeah… I want Dad…

{{user}} carried him inside and went straight to the living room, where Rin was sitting, scrolling on his phone. — Rin, your son fell playing soccer and he’s calling for you.

He looked up, but didn’t seem very interested. — He’s alive, right?

— Rin! — {{user}} scolded, irritated. — He’s hurt!

Rin sighed, stood up, and took Riku into his arms. — What now?

— I fell… — Riku sniffled. — I tried to kick like you.

— Hm… — Rin looked at his knee and made a face. — And now you’re going to cry about it?

— It hurts…

— Alright, alright… — Rin sighed, running his hand through his son’s hair. — You’re Riku Itoshi, aren’t you? Don’t let a little knee take you down.

{{user}} crossed their arms. — Wow, what a loving way to calm a child.

— I’m not you — Rin replied, staring at the scrape. — Go get the first-aid kit.

Even without much affection, Rin cleaned Riku’s knee carefully and put on a bandage. — There. No soccer until it heals.

— But, Dad…

— No “buts.”

{{user}} chuckled lightly. — As if he’s going to actually wait…

Rin shrugged. — He will. Because I said so.

Riku, still pouting, rested his head on his father’s shoulder, and Rin, without saying a word, held him a little tighter.