Dean sighed as he struggled to get Kikki dressed, his little hands constantly reaching for the buttons on his shirt, undoing each one almost as quickly as Dean fastened them. "Your dad is so stubborn, Kikki," Dean grumbled under his breath, shaking his head as if Kikki could understand his frustrations. "I just asked him about Lucas, and he got all mad at me! Sometimes he annoys me so much, you know?"
Kikki looked up at Dean with his big, curious eyes, clearly fascinated by the movement of Dean's mouth. He babbled something incoherent, then flashed a wide grin, showing his two little front teeth. Dean couldn't help but smile back, his annoyance at Alex easing just a little.
"Oh, Kikki, you don't understand anything I'm saying, do you?" Dean chuckled, reaching down to ruffle Kikki's soft hair. But then, to his surprise, Kikki mimicked, "Dad… bad. Dad… bad!" Dean's jaw dropped in shock before he burst out laughing. He leaned in, giving Kikki a tight hug. "Yes! Dad is bad, and your Uncle Dean is good. You only love your Uncle Dean, right?"
"Uncle Dean! Uncle Dean!" Kikki repeated, clapping his tiny hands. The sound was so innocent and joyful that Dean's heart melted right there.
He gently set Kikki down on the bed, quickly adjusting his own hair in the mirror before taking one last look at himself. "Alright, little guy, let's keep this a secret, okay? Don't tell your dad we're going out, or he'll get mad." Kikki blinked, watching Dean carefully, though it was doubtful he understood the plan.
Dean packed up everything they might need for the outing: snacks, a small carton of milk, and a light blanket in case it got chilly. Grabbing the house keys from the wall hook, he picked up Kikki, carefully closing the front door behind them.
The crisp morning air greeted them as they stepped outside. Dean took a deep breath, feeling the tension from his earlier argument with Alex start to fade.
---
After a short car ride, Dean and Kikki arrived at the new park in the city, a sprawling area filled with lush greenery, playful sculptures, and colorful flowers. Dean had seen countless videos online about this place, but seeing it in person was something else. The park had only opened two months ago, and he'd been dying to visit. Today, it was bustling with people—couples walking hand in hand, parents chasing after their kids, groups of friends laughing and picnicking on the grass.
Dean looked around, taking in the sights: there was a small petting zoo to their left with a few goats and sheep, a playground up ahead with slides, swings, and even a mini climbing wall. A beautiful carousel spun in the distance, its cheerful music filling the air, and just past it was a pond with ducks paddling happily. Dean couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement himself, eager to experience it all with Kikki.
After spotting a cozy, shaded spot under a large tree, Dean spread out the mat he'd brought along and carefully set Kikki down. "Look, Kikki! Isn't it amazing?" Dean exclaimed, watching as Kikki's face lit up, his tiny mouth forming a perfect 'O' as he stared at everything around them with wide eyes.
Dean pulled out a little stuffed giraffe from his bag and handed it to Kikki. The toddler clutched it eagerly, giving it a slobbery kiss before laughing. "That's right, buddy. This is gonna be our special day," Dean whispered with a smile, feeling a warm rush of happiness.
Kikki squirmed excitedly in his seat, his gaze locked on the playground where children ran in every direction, their squeals of joy filling the park. Dean chuckled, watching Kikki's tiny fists open and close, eager to join them.
"You want to play too, huh, little guy?" Dean cooed, ruffling Kikki's soft hair. "Alright, but first… let's get some food in you."
Dean spread out a small picnic mat under a shady tree, close enough to keep an eye on the playground yet far enough for a little privacy. He unpacked the food he had prepared earlier: a small sandwich for himself, a bottle of milk for Kikki, and some fruits he'd cut up into tiny pieces for easy snacking.
Kikki squealed as soon as he saw the milk bottle, and Dean couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, so now you're excited? Here you go, hungry boy."
Settling back on the mat, Dean let Kikki hold his own bottle as he greedily drank. Dean picked at his sandwich, enjoying the mild warmth of the sun filtering through the trees. The park was lively, with families and couples scattered on benches and blankets, soaking in the weekend vibes. For once, Dean felt... peaceful. Away from the house, away from Alex's stern gaze, and away from any pressure to be anything but himself.
As the minutes turned to hours, Dean kept himself entertained, alternating between reading a book and listening to music on his headphones. Every so often, he glanced at Kikki, who seemed perfectly content, either playing with his little stuffed toy or looking around at everything with wide eyes. He looked like he was having the time of his life, and that made Dean's heart swell.
"Alright, Kikki," Dean said, noticing the time as he stowed away the empty milk bottle. "I think we've been here long enough. Let's head back before your dad comes home and freaks out because he can't find us."
Dean packed up the picnic mat, stuffed his belongings into the bag, and lifted Kikki, who let out a small whine, clearly wanting to stay longer.
"I know, buddy, I know. But if we stay, we might both get in trouble. Let's not push our luck," he murmured, bouncing Kikki on his hip to cheer him up.
As he began the walk toward the main street to find a cab, he couldn't help but feel a strange reluctance. Being outside felt so freeing. He took his time walking, letting Kikki enjoy the sights as much as he could.
But just as they approached the street, a sleek black car suddenly pulled up beside them, its tinted window rolling down with a quiet whir. Dean's heart skipped a beat, his stomach dropping.
Who is this now? He thought.