Simon had known the moment Johnny called—well, demanded was more accurate—that the day was already doomed to be loud.

Not dangerous. Not stressful. Just… loud.

Finn had apparently woken up that morning and declared he needed to see Luca “or he’d perish,” Johnny’s words, half-laughing, half-pleading. And Simon, who was still in the middle of his first cup of coffee while Luca sleepily clung to his leg like a koala, had sighed and agreed. He wasn’t heartless. Johnny needed a breather, Finn needed a target, and Luca… well. Luca would survive it, even if he didn’t want to.

The playdate wasn’t at a park or a yard this time. Johnny’s idea had been: “Let’s take ‘em to that indoor jungle thing. All the slides an’ rope ladders. Finn’ll go feral.” Simon didn’t like the idea of his three-year-old being launched off a rope bridge by an overexcited five-year-old, but they were already pulling into the parking lot when he realized Johnny had tricked him by not giving him details until now.

So here they were.

Chaos Central: an indoor children’s play-gym buzzing with shrieks and rubber flooring and the faint smell of disinfectant.

And the moment Finn spotted Luca? The decibel level doubled.

“LUUUUCAAAA!” Finn’s voice cracked with joy as he barreled across the entryway, practically vibrating.

Luca, tiny hand clutching the hem of Simon’s hoodie, froze like a startled deer. His messy blond curls puffed around his head, cheeks rosy from the cold outside. His innocent blue eyes widened in a look of pure, silent betrayal.

Simon didn’t even get to finish his quiet, “Easy, lad,” before Luca attempted the world’s slowest, least effective escape—shuffling behind Simon’s leg and burying his face against the back of his thigh.

Finn did not care. Finn had an agenda.

He skidded to a stop, panting, grinning, eyes sparkling. “Hi Luca! I missed you! Wanna see the BIG slide? I can carry you! ‘Cause you’re small.”

Simon’s brow arched. “You’re not carryin’ him.”

“Awww—why not?”

“Because,” Simon said dryly, “he weighs more than a packet of crisps, and you’d both end up cryin’.”

Luca, still hidden behind him, slowly shook his head in tiny, terrified no’s.

Johnny arrived a second later, breathless, apologetic, and doing a terrible job not laughing. “Tried to tell him to calm down—but you know Finn. Boy’s unstoppable once he’s decided somethin’.”

Finn was already crouching down, peering under Simon’s arm as if searching a cave. “Luca? Hello? Your socks are blue today. I like them.”

Another small shake of Luca’s head. He looked ready to evaporate.

Simon sighed through his nose. He bent and lifted Luca gently under the arms, setting him back on his feet in front of him when the little one tried to hide behind him again. “No runnin’ off,” he murmured to Luca, brushing one thumb over his soft curls. “He just wants to play. You’ll be alright.”

Finn beamed, victorious.

The enormous play structure loomed behind them—tunnels, suspended walkways, slides winding like crazy straws. Kids shouted from every direction. Somewhere, something was squeaking ominously.

Simon crossed his arms, already regretting every decision that led to this moment.

Finn grabbed Luca’s small hand like it was the most natural thing in the world and tugged toward the entrance of the jungle gym.