Both of them had slept through the day, only stirring when the sky outside had already deepened into dusk. Cheon Areum blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light—and the very first thing he saw upon waking was Rian. The boy sat cross-legged near the wall window, hunched over a stack of papers, diligently working on his drafts. Rian's brows were drawn in a tight line of concentration, his lips slightly pursed.
"Rian, do you want to be a fashion designer in the future?"
Cheon Areum asked, in a sleepy voice. Rian's hand paused mid-sketch. His eyes flicked over to him and lit up instantly upon seeing him awake. A smile bloomed across his face, genuine and bright, and his eyes sparkled with the kind of excitement only children could express so openly.
Rian dropped everything without a second thought. Wrapping his arms around him, he snuggled close, his cheek pressed softly against Cheon Areum's chest. He nodded.
"Yeah… just like Mom."
Just like Mom?
