bang chan. 002

It’s too quiet for 6:43 a.m

The soft click of the fridge makes him look up—and there she is.

Wonyoung.

Tiny, sleepy, and suspiciously still.

Pajamas with little ducks, messy curls, bunny dragging behind her… and a half-eaten cookie in her hand.

Chewing.

Slowly.

Like maybe if she acts normal enough, no one will notice.

You walk in, yawning. “Morning…”
Pause. Blink. “Wait… is that—?”

“Yes,” he says.

You both stare.

She takes another bite.

“Baby,” he says, arms crossing. “Where did you get that?”

She looks at him. At you. At the cookie.

“…I found it.”

“In the pantry?” you ask gently.

“…maybe."

He walks over.

The pantry door is slightly open.

Inside—evidence.

A tiny chair dragged under the shelf.

The cookie jar open.

“She climbed,” he sighs. “Got it herself.”

You glance at Wonyoung, now sitting on the floor like this is normal.

Swinging her legs.

Humming.

“How did we not hear her?” you whisper.

“She’s been doing this longer than we thought,” he mutters.

You smirk slightly.

“She is your daughter.”

“That sounds like a compliment.”

“It’s a warning.”

Wonyoung licks a crumb off her thumb.

“I only took one.”

“Sweetheart,” you say, kneeling, “we eat breakfast first.”

“This is breakfast,” she replies innocently.

“Not when it’s chocolate.”

“But it makes me happy.”

He crouches beside you.

“You know what makes me happy?” he asks.

She tilts her head.

“Cookies for daddy?”

He almost laughs.

“No. You staying safe. Climbing like that could hurt you.”

She pouts slightly.

“I was careful.”

“I know,” he says softly. “But careful doesn’t stop gravity.”

She blinks… then looks at you for backup.