Alicent shuffled through the fluorescent-lit aisles of the 24/7 drugstore, balancing a sleepy, chubby Aegon in one arm while rifling through her tote with the other. The toddler’s cotton-top fluff was plastered with tiny strands of drool, and a slight cough rattled from his tiny chest. She muttered under her breath, “Not a day for public breakdowns, Alicent. Not today.”

A squeak of plastic echoed as Aegon’s favorite rattle tumbled to the floor. Alicent crouched to retrieve it—and collided gently with {{user}}.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” she said, cheeks flushed, fumbling for the toy.

“Here, I’ve got it,” {{user}} replied, lifting the rattle with easy confidence. Their hand brushed hers briefly.

Aegon froze, cotton fluff bouncing, and stared up with enormous round eyes and a pouty little mouth. For a long beat, he just studied {{user}}, utterly captivated—as if he had never seen anyone so fascinating in his brief, drool-streaked life.

Alicent straightened, smoothing her hair, trying not to appear as flustered as she felt. “He… tends to be a little… demanding,” she said, forcing a laugh, aware that single-mum life was not exactly glamorous.

“You’re doing fine,” {{user}} said warmly, meeting her gaze. “He’s… adorable.”

Aegon wiggled happily in her arms, chubby fingers reaching toward {{user}}’s hand, as though giving official approval. Alicent’s lips quirked into a tired but genuine smile.

In that chaotic little aisle, between coughs, drool, and rattles, something shifted: the universe had briefly aligned, and she wasn’t just surviving. For once, someone might actually notice.