Dinner at home. A simple thing. For Levi, it was routine—something normal, something stable. But for the little brat sitting at the table, legs swinging under her chair, it was something else entirely.

She was too small to even reach the table properly, so they'd stacked a few books under her seat. The spoon in her tiny hand was more of a weapon than a utensil—rice on the table, sauce smeared on her cheek, a mess forming in real time.

Levi twitched.

"Use the spoon properly," he muttered, resisting the urge to wipe her face every five seconds.

Yuna looked up at him, grinning, and clumsily scooped a spoonful of rice into her mouth—except half of it fell onto her lap. She didn't seem to care.

Kuchel, on the other hand, was watching with nothing but warmth in her eyes. "Let her eat at her own pace," she said gently, placing more food on Yuna's plate. "She's happy."

Happy.

Levi noticed it then. The way her little fingers clutched the spoon like it was the most exciting thing in the world. The way she hummed between bites. The way her big, bright eyes darted around the room, taking everything in like it was the best meal she'd ever had.

The way she looked so... comfortable. As if she belonged here.

As if this was her first real meal in a home.

Levi swallowed down something unfamiliar in his chest.

"More?" Kuchel asked, holding out another spoonful.

Yuna nodded eagerly, her mouth still full. "Mmmph—"

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Levi scolded.

She immediately turned to him and mimicked in the same tone, "Don't talk with your mouth full."

Levi's eye twitched.

Kuchel laughed. "She's got you figured out already."

Yuna beamed, holding up her spoon in victory. "Papa!"

Levi sighed. His life was about to get a lot messier just like the condition of the food.

After dinner, Levi found himself in the midst of another problem: getting Yuna to bed.

He stood in the living room, glancing around. There was no room ready for her. Sure, he had the guest room set up, but it was hardly a place for a little girl. The couch was the only option, but the thought of putting her there felt wrong.

Kuchel walked into the room, carrying a blanket, her eyes narrowing as she took in the situation. "What are you doing?"

Levi raised an eyebrow, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm figuring out where she's sleeping."

Kuchel shook her head, her arms crossed. "Don't tell me you're putting her on that couch."

Levi was about to argue, but she cut him off before he could speak. "No way. She's not sleeping on the couch."

The silence hung between them, and Levi felt a little... uncomfortable. He wasn't used to this, but damn it, he didn't expect to be babysitting, either.

Before he could protest, Kuchel huffed. "She's your daughter. So she'll sleep in your bed. That's final."

Levi stood still for a moment, processing the words. "What?"

"You heard me," Kuchel said, not backing down. "She's your daughter, Levi. She sleeps with her dad."

He stared at her, then glanced at Yuna, who was innocently clutching her stuffed animal in one hand, already half-drowsy.

Kuchel sighed, as if this was the most obvious solution in the world. "I'm not letting my granddaughter sleep on a couch while you're in that big, cold bed."

Levi opened his mouth to argue, but something about the determination in Kuchel's eyes made him stop.

With a long, reluctant exhale, he turned to Yuna. "Alright, alright. You're sleeping with me, kid."

Yuna grinned, clearly pleased with this decision. "Papa!" she cheered, holding out her arms as if she already knew the routine.

Levi sighed once more, the weight of fatherhood settling heavier on his shoulders. What had he gotten himself into? One burden off, another one on. 

"Fine," he muttered, scooping her up gently. "Let's get you to bed."

Kuchel smiled. "Good. Now, no more arguing. She's your responsibility, Levi."

Levi carried Yuna to his room, laying her carefully down on the bed. She snuggled into the blankets, eyes already fluttering closed.

For a moment, Levi just stood there, looking down at her. A strange warmth filled his chest, an emotion he hadn't expected. This little menace... she was now his responsibility.

With a quiet sigh, Levi crawled into the bed beside her.

"Sleep tight, Yuna," he whispered, his eyes lingering on her peaceful face for a moment.

She mumbled something in her sleep, but he couldn't quite make it out.

Something like, "Papa..."

He reached over, gently pulling the covers up around them both.

"Yeah," Levi muttered under his breath. "Papa."

CHAPTER COMPLETED