The quiet Tuesday morning drifted lazily into the late morning hours. By 11 a.m., the house was spotless. Dean had spent the better part of the morning tidying up every corner, making sure Kikki's toys were neatly stored, and organizing everything in its place. Now, with his tasks finally complete, he allowed himself a refreshing shower. As the cool water cascaded over him, he felt the morning's efforts wash away, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
After stepping out of the bathroom, Dean slipped into a simple but comfortable outfit, his damp hair still a bit unruly. He surveyed the peaceful house, thinking he might finally sit down for a moment, maybe even close his eyes if he was lucky enough to steal a quick nap while Kikki, his young charge, slept soundly in his crib. The toddler's quiet, rhythmic breathing was a welcome backdrop to the stillness.
Just as he settled onto the edge of the sofa, though, the doorbell chimed. It wasn't a gentle sound; rather, it felt intrusive, shattering the quiet Dean had worked so hard to create. He frowned, glancing at the clock. 11 a.m.—an odd time for a visitor, especially since Alex, Kikki's father, was at work. He wouldn't be home before five at the earliest.
Dean muttered under his breath, "Who could that possibly be?" With an inward sigh, he rose from the sofa and made his way to the door, his mind racing through possibilities. Maybe a delivery? Or perhaps a neighbor stopping by?
But as he opened the door, he was taken aback by the sight of a tall, well-dressed man standing on the threshold. The man, dressed in a sharp, dark blazer and casual slacks, had an air of effortless charm about him. His face was warm with a friendly smile, and his dark hair framed his face handsomely. There was something about his gaze—calm but direct—that made Dean's breath catch for a moment.
Before Dean could even open his mouth to greet the stranger, the man stepped inside, his movements confident and almost presumptive, as if he belonged here. Only after crossing the threshold did he turn back to Dean with a sheepish smile, as though realizing he'd entered without permission.
"Do you mind if I come in?" he asked, the question coming a bit too late.
Dean's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, but he managed a polite nod. "I guess you already have," he replied, his tone caught somewhere between annoyance and curiosity. "Who are you, exactly?"
The man chuckled softly, clearly sensing Dean's unease. "Oh, right, where are my manners?" He extended a hand. "I'm Lucas. A friend of Alex's from college. I've been meaning to come by and see him—and his son."
Lucas's eyes sparkled with a casual familiarity that put Dean on edge and intrigued him at the same time. Dean hadn't heard Alex mention any college friends stopping by, but then again, Alex was reserved about his personal life.
Realizing he was holding up the conversation with his silence, Dean cleared his throat, finally accepting Lucas's handshake. "Dean. I'm… well, I take care of the house and Kikki." His voice softened at the mention of the toddler. "Alex isn't here right now; he's at the office. And Kikki is asleep."
Lucas nodded as if he'd expected as much and settled into the sofa with ease. Dean took a moment to observe him, noting the relaxed confidence that radiated off him like an old friend of the family, though he was still very much a stranger.
"Would you like some water, or coffee?" Dean offered, breaking the awkward silence.
"Water's fine," Lucas replied with a warm smile, leaning back against the couch and crossing one leg over the other. There was something about his posture—poised, unhurried—that made it clear he was comfortable here, even if Dean was not.
Dean moved to the kitchen, gathering his thoughts as he filled a glass. He glanced back towards the living room to see Lucas casually taking in his surroundings, as if absorbing the ambiance of the house. Dean couldn't shake the feeling that this man carried an air of mystery, his presence oddly compelling yet slightly unsettling. The way Lucas's gaze lingered on small details—the family photos on the wall, Kikki's toys arranged neatly in the corner—showed a hint of interest, but Dean wondered just how much Alex had told him about his home life.
Returning with the glass, Dean set it on the coffee table. "So… did Alex know you were coming?" he asked, sitting down on the armchair opposite Lucas, his tone cautious.
Lucas took a sip of the water, his gaze meeting Dean's with a glint of amusement. "I wanted to surprise him," he replied smoothly. "It's been a while since we've had a chance to catch up. But honestly, I'm just as interested in meeting Kikki. Alex has told me so much about him."
Dean's brow lifted slightly. "He has?"
Lucas nodded, his expression softening. "I mean, he's a father now. That's a big deal, especially for someone like Alex." He chuckled softly, as if recalling a memory. "If you knew him back in college, you'd understand. None of us saw him as the type to settle down so quickly, let alone become a dad."
Dean smiled faintly, finding himself strangely drawn into Lucas's easy manner. There was something genuine about him, an authenticity in the way he spoke about Alex that eased some of Dean's earlier skepticism. Still, he kept his guard up, knowing he couldn't be too trusting. After all, Alex hadn't mentioned anything about this visit.
As if sensing his reservations, Lucas tilted his head, studying him. "You've been with Alex and Kikki for a while, haven't you?"
"Yes," Dean replied, a note of pride in his voice. "Kikki's a handful, but he's a sweet kid. And Alex… well, he's a good father."
Lucas chuckled, nodding thoughtfully. "That sounds about right. He's always been fiercely loyal to the people he cares about. And it seems like he's lucky to have you around, too." His gaze held steady, sincere, but with a hint of curiosity Dean couldn't quite place.
"Thank you," Dean replied quietly, feeling a flush of warmth at the compliment, though he tried to keep his expression neutral.
Just then, a faint murmur from Kikki's room broke the quiet between them. Dean glanced over his shoulder instinctively. It sounded like the toddler might be stirring from his nap.
Lucas followed Dean's gaze, his eyes lighting up with interest. "Maybe I'll get to meet the little guy after all," he said with a grin.
Dean hesitated, torn between wanting to wake Kikki and the odd feeling of a stranger lingering in the house, no matter how friendly he appeared. But something in Lucas's expression softened, showing a genuine curiosity and kindness that made Dean's wariness fade just a bit.
"Well, if he wakes up soon, I'll bring him out," Dean replied cautiously, though he couldn't help but return Lucas's smile. "But he can be a little fussy after naps."
"Good to know," Lucas replied, leaning back into the couch with a relaxed smile, his eyes settling once more on Dean with a comfortable familiarity.