It wasn't often that everyone had a Sunday off, and even rarer that the apartment was quiet. Not silent, of course—not with Ethan around. But quiet in a way that felt lived-in, like a family home humming in soft, overlapping sounds: a kettle whistling, cartoons playing faintly in the living room, the click of chopsticks on ceramic.
Lexie had been hesitant at first. A full afternoon at the Dream dorm? It sounded chaotic. But when Mark asked—softly, like he wasn't sure he deserved the yes—she didn't have the heart to say no. And Ethan? He nearly jumped out of his shoes.
"Jaemin-samchon said I can bring my robot!" Ethan had announced while tugging on his socks that morning. "And Jisung-samchon too, said he'll tell me about real planets!"
Lexie smiled, brushing his hair back from his forehead. "Only if you promise not to run everywhere, okay?"
Ethan grinned. "I'll float. Like an astronaut."
* * *
By noon, the living room had been transformed into a cozy, sunlit mess. Chenle and Jaemin were arguing over which movie to put on. Renjun sat cross-legged on the floor beside Ethan, helping him color a galaxy with an array of markers. Jisung hovered nearby, launching into a passionate explanation about gravity on Jupiter, while Ethan listened with wide eyes.
"It's like... if you jump, you don't come back down the same way," Jisung said, mimicking a slow-motion fall with his arms.
"That's weird-cool," Ethan said seriously. "Can we go to Jupiter?"
Renjun snorted. "Let's try the planetarium first, kiddo."
In the kitchen, Lexie helped unpack the delivery containers Mark and Jaemin had picked up earlier. Haechan had swung by earlier with convenience store snacks and a bag of milk drinks.
"For the kid," he said, dropping them on the counter. Then, with a smirk: "Not you, Lex."
"Again." Lexie rolled her eyes. "You just don't want to share."
Chenle, walking by with a half-eaten mandu, added helpfully, "He labeled one of them with his name. Like a literal child."
Jaemin popped his head out from the hallway, Ethan on his back like a koala. "Don't listen to them, Ethan. I'll share my ice cream. You just have to say please in your cutest aegyo voice."
Ethan giggled and did the exact thing Jaemin had taught him: puffed cheeks, wide blinking eyes, and an over-exaggerated "Pweeeease~"
Lexie covered her face, half-laughing, half-dying inside. "I can't believe you corrupted my child."
* * *
After lunch, the activity levels dropped like clockwork. The room dimmed slightly with the curtain pulled halfway across. Ethan, eyes drooping, curled up in the corner of the couch with a blanket Renjun gave him. Mark watched quietly as Lexie lifted him into her arms.
"He'll sleep better in the guest room," she whispered.
Mark stepped forward. "Here, let me."
Lexie blinked, hesitating only a second before nodding. He took Ethan gently, the boy barely stirring as Mark carried him down the hallway. Lexie followed, heart aching with something she couldn't name.
Mark laid Ethan down with careful hands, tucking the blanket up to his chin. His movements were practiced, almost instinctive. When he stood again, his eyes met hers across the room.
"You okay?" he asked.
Lexie nodded. "Yeah. Just... never had a Sunday like this in a while."
Back in the kitchen, she started to tidy the dishes, unsure what else to do with the quiet. Mark joined her, wordless at first, drying what she rinsed. The radio played softly in the background.
"He likes it here," he said after a while.
Lexie glanced at him. "Too much?"
Mark shook his head. "No. I mean... he fits. They all love him."
She smiled faintly. "He makes it easy."
"You make it possible."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Not heavy—just full.
Then Mark spoke again, voice gentler this time. "Can I ask you something?"
Lexie turned off the faucet and dried her hands slowly. "You already are."
"I know I don't get to ask for much. But... am I allowed to try now? With you. With Ethan. With whatever this is becoming."
She studied him for a beat. "Why now?"
"Because I don't want to keep missing moments like this," he said, nodding toward Ethan, "or conversations like this. I'm not here to make up for lost time, Lexie. I just want to be present now."
She met his gaze, torn but softening. "I've carried a lot alone. I got used to it."
"I don't want you to have to anymore."
Mark closed the space between them and gently reached for her hand, fingers brushing hers. "I can't promise I'll get it right all the time. But I want to be here. For real."
Lexie exhaled slowly. "Then we try."
He nodded, then pulled her into a steady hug, arms firm and quiet around her like a promise. She hesitated—then melted into him, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
From the opened guest room, they heard Ethan cheered in his sleep, something about Saturn and jellybeans.
Lexie chuckled softly. "We better save the universe tomorrow."
Mark grinned against her hair. "Only if you let me be your co-pilot this time."
~~ 끝 ~~