:Light filled the room early.
Not harsh just enough to make everything feel awake.
The curtains were half open, moving slightly with the breeze, letting in soft air along with it.
"…he moved."
The voice came quickly, a little too excited for how quiet the room still was.
"I think he always moves," the man replied, though he still leaned over immediately anyway.
"Shh," she said, nudging him lightly. "You'll wake him."
"He's already awake."
"That's not the point."
He paused.
"…fair."
That didn't stop him from looking though.
He crouched slightly near the bed, resting one arm beside it, peering down like he expected something new to happen if he looked long enough.
"…he's staring again," he said.
"He does that."
"At what?"
"No idea."
"…maybe he's judging you."
She gave him a look.
"He's a baby."
"Still possible."
A small laugh slipped out of her before she could stop it.
He stayed still, watching without reacting.
The room wasn't quiet for long.
It never really was.
"Okay, okay—what about this?" the man said, lifting his hand slightly and wiggling his fingers in front of him.
"…what are you doing?" she asked.
"Testing."
"Testing what?"
"If he follows movement."
"That's not—" she stopped, watching for a second.
There was a pause.
"…okay, he is following it."
"I told you."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It means I'm right."
"You're always saying that."
"Because I usually am."
She rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile there anyway.
Later—
The room had more movement.
More noise.
Small things.
Footsteps going in and out, things being moved around, something nearly falling before being caught at the last second.
"Got it."
"You almost didn't."
"But I did."
"That's not reassuring."
"It should be."
"It's not."
Another quiet laugh.
He was picked up again.
Carefully—but not stiffly.
More natural this time.
Like they were getting used to it.
"…he's lighter than I expected," the man said.
"You said that yesterday."
"I still mean it."
"You're just nervous."
"I'm not nervous."
"You are."
"I'm being careful."
"Same thing."
"…not the same thing."
She didn't argue.
Just adjusted slightly, making sure he was held properly.
"Here," she said, shifting him over.
The man hesitated for half a second before taking him.
"…okay, yeah, I see what you mean now."
"About what?"
"…being careful."
She smirked slightly.
"Exactly."
Time passed like that.
Not quiet.
Not loud either.
Just… active.
Alive.
"Ren still sounds good," she said one afternoon, leaning back slightly.
"Yeah," he replied. "Short. Easy."
"And it fits."
"…how do you know it fits?"
She paused.
Then shrugged.
"It just does."
He thought about that for a second.
"…alright, fair enough."
That was the end of it.
Another day—
He stood near the edge of the bed, holding on with both hands.
Unstable.
But upright.
"…hey—hey—look at that," the man said immediately.
"I see it," she replied, already walking over.
"Don't—don't rush him."
"I'm not rushing him."
"You're walking fast."
"I always walk fast."
"That's not helping my point."
She ignored him.
"…you've got it," she said, not too loud, not too soft.
Just there.
He didn't react to the words.
Just shifted his weight slightly.
Then—
One step.
Small.
Unsteady.
But enough.
"…he did it."
"Yeah."
A short pause.
"…he actually did it."
He sounded more surprised than anything.
"You thought he wouldn't?"
"No, I just—"
"You just what?"
"…I don't know, I thought it'd take longer."
She let out a small breath, shaking her head slightly.
"You worry too much."
"I don't worry."
"You do."
"…a little."
Evening came slower.
The light dimmed, shadows stretching across the walls.
The room calmed down, but didn't go silent.
"…you think he'll be loud later?" the man asked.
"Probably."
"…good."
She glanced at him.
"Good?"
"Yeah," he said, leaning back slightly. "Means he's normal."
She smiled a little at that.
"Yeah."
Nothing felt forced.
Nothing felt heavy.
Just small moments, one after another.
Talking.
Laughing.
Moving around without thinking too much about it.
He stayed quiet.
Watching.
Not analyzing too deeply.
Just taking it in.
This time—
Things were simple.
And for now—
That was enough.