An hour later, The kitchen was already alive with the sound of sizzling.
August stood by the stove, sleeves rolled up, flipping bacon in the pan with practiced ease. The smell filled the apartment, warm and inviting.
Celine leaned against the counter, mug in hand, watching him, trying not to look too impressed.
Liam dragged himself into the kitchen, hair messy, eyes half closed. He climbed onto a chair, resting his chin on the table like he might fall asleep right there.
Celine glanced at him, raising a brow. "Wow… you look terrible."
August huffed softly, setting a plate down. "Didn't catch enough sleep?"
Liam shook his head slowly. "Nahhh…"
August didn't look back. "Why?"
"I had to finish the astronomy book you got me," Liam said, suddenly a bit more awake.
August sighed, dropping the bacon onto a plate. "You could've finished it today."
"But it was getting interesting," Liam mumbled.
Celine straightened, setting her mug down as she turned to him. "Nope. That's not how it works."
Liam looked at her.
"You have to sleep early," she said, folding her arms. "Or you won't grow handsome."
Liam shot up immediately. "I'm already handsome!"
Celine stepped closer, squinting at him like she was inspecting him properly. "Hmm…"
August glanced over, already sensing trouble.
"I don't see that," she said calmly.
"What?!"
"I'm serious," she added. "You look like…"
Liam leaned forward, suspicious. "Like what?"
"…Scriek from SpongeBob."
Liam gasped. "No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do."
"I don't!"
"You really do."
"I'm handsome!" Liam shouted, standing on his chair.
August turned quickly, grabbing his plate before it tipped. "Sit down before you prove her right."
"I don't look like Scriek!" Liam argued, glaring at Celine.
Celine folded her arms, clearly enjoying herself. "Then sleep early. Maybe you'll upgrade."
"I'm already upgraded!"
"Hmm… still loading," she said, deadpan.
August shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him as he carried the plates over.
"Both of you," he muttered, though there was no real warning in his voice.
He placed a plate in front of Liam, then another in front of Celine, making sure everything was set properly before taking his seat.
Liam immediately straightened, eyes lighting up at the food.
"Thank you, Dad," he said quickly, already reaching for his fork.
August poured juice into Liam's glass, then into Celine's, sliding it gently toward her.
"You're welcome," he said simply.
He settled into his chair, glancing between them before speaking casually,
"Celine agreed to go to the park later."
Liam froze.
Then his head snapped toward her.
"Really?"
Celine smiled, nodding. "Really."
Liam's face lit up instantly. "Yes!"
He bounced slightly in his seat, completely awake now. "Can we go to the big park? With the swings? And the slide? And—"
"Eat first," August cut in calmly.
"But—"
"Eat," he repeated, lifting a brow.
Liam quickly stuffed a bite into his mouth, still grinning, eyes flicking back to Celine like he didn't quite believe it.
August cleared the plates while Liam stretched like a sleepy kitten, his eyes still half-closed.
"You look like you're about to sleep standing," Celine said, leaning against the counter, arms folded inside her oversized sweatshirt.
"I'm awake," Liam muttered, though his yawn betrayed him.
"Mm-hmm," she hummed. "If you collapse at the park, I'm not carrying you."
"I'm not a baby," he shot back.
"You were literally just asleep on your bacon."
"That was one time!"
August chuckled softly, rinsing the last plate. "Both of you, go get ready."
"I am ready," Celine said immediately, pushing herself off the counter and turning slightly so he could see her properly. The sweatshirt hung loosely on her frame, sleeves covering half her hands.
August paused for a second, eyes flicking over her before he nodded. "I can see that."
Liam squinted at her. "You're wearing pajamas to the park."
"It's fashion," she replied without missing a beat.
"It looks like you stole a blanket."
"At least I don't look like I fought my pillow and lost."
"I did not—"
"Room. Now," August cut in, but there was amusement in his voice.
Liam huffed dramatically and dragged his feet toward his room.
A few minutes later, August stepped into Liam's room, already picking out clothes.
"Arms up," he said.
Liam obeyed lazily, still blinking sleep from his eyes as August pulled a shirt over his head.
"Next time, you sleep early," August said.
"But the book was getting interesting," Liam argued. "They were talking about black holes."
"And now you look like one swallowed you."
Liam frowned. "That doesn't even make sense."
"It does," August replied calmly, fixing his collar.
Back in the living room, Celine sat on the arm of the couch, scrolling through her phone.
She glanced up as they came out.
"Took you long enough."
"Some of us actually need supervision," August replied.
Liam folded his arms. "I can dress myself."
"Last time you wore two different shoes," August reminded him.
"That was on purpose!"
"It was not," both Celine and August said at the same time.
Liam looked between them, betrayed. "You're both against me."
Celine smirked. "Always."
August shook his head, grabbing the keys. "Come on. Before you start another war."
Liam rushed ahead, suddenly full of energy. "I'm picking what we play at the park!"
"No, you're not," Celine called after him.
"Yes, I am!"
"You still owe me for cursing at me" she added casually.
Liam froze mid-step, turning slowly. "…You said you wouldn't bring that up again."
She grinned, wicked. "You fell in front of everyone."
"You pushed me!"
"You tripped."
"You made me trip!"
August opened the door, sighing like he'd accepted his fate. "Get in the car. Both of you."
The drive was filled with Liam's endless chatter about space, rockets, and how he would one day go to the moon.
Celine listened, occasionally asking questions, her curiosity genuine.
August stole glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking.
She fit into this so easily.
Too easily.
***
The park came into view, wide gates, children running, laughter echoing in the air. The gates swung open, and Liam bolted forward before August had even unbuckled his seatbelt.
"Wait! Slow down!" Celine laughed, chasing after him, her sneakers pounding against the pavement. She felt lighter than she had in weeks, no deadlines, no calls, no stress, just the fresh air and the sound of Liam's excited shouts.
August shook his head, smiling as he stepped out of the car and paid the entrance fee, his calm contrast to the chaos of the two ahead of him. "Two adults and one very fast child," he told the attendant, who smiled knowingly.
By the time he walked inside, Liam was already climbing up the slides, waving energetically. "Celine! Come on!"
"I'm coming!" she called back, jogging toward him. Her sweatshirt bounced slightly as she ran, hair loose, cheeks flushed.
Liam reached the top and turned to grin at her. "Hurry! Or I'll go down without you!"
"You wouldn't dare," she teased, playfully sprinting the last few steps.
August followed at a slower pace, hands in his pockets, watching them. She moved with a freedom he rarely saw, a side of her he loved already.
"Celine!" Liam shouted again, this time pointing to a swing. "Push me!"
She crouched to his height, gripping the swing chains. "Okay, okay, hang on tight!"
August approached, smiling quietly to himself. "You two make quite the team," he remarked.
Liam shot him a quick glance. "She's my partner today!"
Celine laughed. "Don't forget who's giving you a push!"
August's eyes flicked to her, noticing the sparkle in her eyes as she pushed Liam higher, and the small carefree laugh she let out.
"This…" he murmured softly to himself. "She's perfect for this."
Celine glanced over her shoulder at him, catching the quiet observation. She blushed faintly but returned to pushing Liam, her mind light, free, enjoying the moment.
The afternoon sun hung warm in the sky as August, Celine, and Liam wandered further into the park.
"Popcorn!" Liam shouted suddenly, pointing to a stand. "And candy! I want candy too!"
Celine rolled her eyes but laughed. "Alright, alright… but don't eat it all at once, mister."
August paid for the snacks while Liam danced impatiently from foot to foot. Finally, they each had a small bag of popcorn and a handful of candy.
"Here," August said, handing Celine her popcorn. "Try not to get hit with it."
"Ha! Yeah, right," she muttered, tucking a bag under her arm.
Liam, of course, had other ideas. The moment Celine turned to look at the rollercoaster looming in the distance, his little hands scooped up popcorn.
"Not going on that!" she said firmly, pointing. "Heights—nope."
Liam grinned mischievously. Without warning, he tossed a piece of popcorn at her shoulder.
Celine yelped and turned, glaring at him. "Hey! That's cheating!"
He laughed, tossing another kernel, then another. Soon she was dodging popcorn, laughing helplessly despite herself.
"August!" she called out, pointing at her "attacker."
August smirked, shaking his head, hands tucked in his pockets. "I think he's winning."
Liam's grin only grew. "I am winning!"
Celine tried to glare at him, but her laughter broke through. "You're impossible!" she said, lunging for the bag in his tiny hands.
He squealed and ran a few steps, still tossing popcorn. "Catch me if you can!"
Finally, Celine cornered him against a bench, grabbing the bag. She pointed a finger at him, mock stern. "You! Mister! One more popcorn and you're in timeout!"
Liam's eyes widened in mock horror. "Noooo!"
August chuckled quietly, crouching to Liam's level. "You two behave, or I'm eating all the candy."
"That's unfair!" Liam protested.
Celine laughed, shaking her head. "I think he's learned his lesson, maybe."
But just as she said it, Liam scooped up one last popcorn and lightly tossed it at her face.
"Ah!" she squealed, swatting at him, laughing harder than she had in weeks.
The rollercoaster loomed above them, the clatter of cars and screams echoing in the bright afternoon air.
Liam's eyes were wide with excitement. "Come on, Celine! You HAVE to ride! It's the best ride ever!"
Celine froze mid-step, her fingers tightening on the railing. "Uh… no thanks. Heights… not my thing."
Liam gasped dramatically. "What?! You're scared? You've been playing superheroes with me, and now THIS?"
Celine rolled her eyes, pretending to glare at him. "Superheroes stay on the ground when there's an actual drop!"
August stepped closer, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "You know… I heard the view from the top is amazing."
Celine raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And how would you know that?"
He leaned just slightly closer, lowering his voice teasingly. "I've been there. Once. With someone brave enough to hold my hand."
Her cheeks warmed instantly. "Excuse me?"
Liam clapped his hands. "Yes! Hold hands, Celine! I want you to ride with me!"
"No, I said—" She started, but August interrupted softly, stepping closer to her side.
"You don't have to do it alone," he said, voice low and teasing. "I'll be right here. And… I promise, I'll catch you if you scream."
Celine blinked at him, caught off guard by the warmth in his tone. "You… would?"
He raised an eyebrow, smirk still there. "Of course I would. But only if you hold my hand."
Her heart skipped a beat. She could feel the playful challenge in his eyes,and the quiet reassurance behind it.
Liam jumped up and down. "Yes! I knew you'd do it! Hold hands! Hold hands!"
Celine laughed nervously, looking from Liam to August. "Alright… fine. But if I scream, it's on you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," August said, taking her hand gently.
Liam grabbed August's other hand, and together the three of them walked toward the ride.
Celine felt a mix of nerves and excitement, but with August's hand holding hers, it felt… safe. And maybe a little thrilling in a way she hadn't expected.
As they climbed into the car, August leaned slightly closer. "See? Brave can be fun."
Celine blushed, squeezing his hand. "We'll see about that."