You weren’t expecting to get attached. It started as just helping out, a favor for a friend, a little extra cash on the side. But now, sitting on Dokyeom’s couch with a sleepy toddler curled up against your side, you realize it’s much more than that.

"You really don’t have to do all this," Dokyeom says from the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a soft smile. His usual bright energy is calmer here, more grounded.

You glance down at his daughter, who’s gripping your sleeve even in her sleep. "I don’t mind," you murmur, brushing a stray curl from her face.

He walks over, sitting beside you with a tired sigh. "She likes you too much," he chuckles, shaking his head. "She’s gonna throw a fit when you leave."

"Then maybe I should stay," you joke, but the way his gaze lingers on you makes your heart skip a beat.

For a moment, it’s quiet. Just the soft hum of the TV and the steady breathing of the little girl between you. And in that moment, you wonder if you’ve already become a part of something you never meant to.