Recognise Him

Three weeks had passed. Three weeks of being trapped in this tiny body, of discovering what it meant to be utterly dependent on someone else. But in those weeks, Kazoo had come to know Cha Eunwoo; not just as a face hovering above him, but as a presence, a warmth, a constant.

This morning, he was propped up securely in Eunwoo’s arms, a small spoon approaching his lips. The porridge was smooth and warm, the taste mild but strangely comforting. Eunwoo held the spoon with a careful grip, ensuring it wasn’t too full, that it wouldn’t spill or overwhelm his tiny mouth.

“There you go,” Eunwoo murmured, his voice as soft as ever. “Easy, right? You’re getting better at this.”

Kazoo let out a small sound, neither a cry nor a coo—just a breath of acknowledgment. He had stopped struggling against the reality of his situation. There was no use fighting what he couldn’t change. Instead, he had started watching, observing every detail of this man who had taken him in.

Eunwoo never rushed when he fed him. He never forced another spoonful before Kazoo was ready. His hands were always steady, his voice always patient. There was no irritation, no anger. Only care.

Kazoo’s teenage mind, buried beneath the surface of his infant form, whispered thoughts he couldn’t say out loud.

He’s not like him.

The man who had given him his previous life; the father he once knew; had never touched him with such gentleness. There had been no warmth, no patience. Only distance. Only coldness.

But Cha Eunwoo? This man, with his soft-spoken words and unwavering care, would never hurt him. Kazoo didn’t need to remember his past to know that much.

A spoon pressed lightly against his lips, breaking his thoughts. He opened his mouth automatically, accepting another bite.

Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t such a bad life after all.

As the morning light filtered through the curtains, Cha Eunwoo stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his sleeves with his usual effortless grace. Kazoo, nestled securely in the crook of Eunwoo’s arm, blinked sleepily at the reflection before him.

It was a strange feeling; staring at his own face and seeing something entirely unfamiliar. His past face had been fine, he supposed, but this? This was an upgrade.

His skin was flawless, his features delicate but striking. Even with the undeniable softness of infancy, there was a sharpness waiting to emerge, a promise of a future face that would turn heads. His eyes, round and wide for now, would eventually shape into something more defined, more mesmerizing.

Kazoo’s teenage soul hummed with satisfaction. Damn, I lucked out.

He was already cute; annoyingly cute, if he had to admit it; but once he grew, he had no doubt he’d surpass his past self. His previous life had been filled with struggle, with nothing given freely. But this time? This time, fate had been generous.

Eunwoo chuckled, adjusting Kazoo in his arms. "What’s with that face? You look deep in thought."

Kazoo just blinked up at him, his tiny lips parting slightly. If only you knew, man. If only you knew.

The morning air was gentle, carrying the warmth of sunlight that streamed through the wide windows. Cha Eunwoo cradled Kazoo in his arms, stepping onto the balcony where golden light bathed them both. The warmth against Kazoo’s soft skin felt strangely familiar, a distant echo of something his teenage soul recognized but couldn’t quite place.

Eunwoo chuckled softly, shifting Kazoo into a comfortable position as he let the baby soak in the morning rays.

"Sunlight is good for you,"

he murmured, his deep voice soothing.

"You’ll grow strong and handsome."

Kazoo blinked up at him, momentarily distracted. As if I wasn’t already destined to be.

Just moments ago, he had been admiring himself in the mirror, marveling at his ridiculously upgraded looks, only for Eunwoo to turn away and rob him of the view. How rude. The mirror was now lost from his sight, hidden somewhere inside, and it annoyed him more than he expected.

Restless, he shifted in Eunwoo’s arms and, without much thought, leaned forward and sank his gums onto Eunwoo’s wrist. He bit down as hard as his tiny, toothless mouth allowed; testing, demanding, half out of frustration and half out of sheer curiosity.

Eunwoo froze, then let out a low laugh.

"Are you trying to eat me now?"

His tone was amused as he lifted Kazoo slightly, staring at him with a fond, knowing gaze.

"You don’t even have teeth, little guy."

Kazoo only blinked, still biting, unwilling to let go just yet. It’s your fault for taking the mirror away.

Eunwoo smirked, gently prying Kazoo off his wrist.

"You’re a funny one,"

he mused, cradling him closer.

"Handsome and mischievous, huh? You really are my kid."

Kazoo, feeling the warmth of sunlight against his tiny body once more, merely huffed in silent agreement. Obviously.

The morning air was gentle, carrying the warmth of sunlight that streamed through the wide windows. Cha Eunwoo cradled Kazoo in his arms, stepping onto the balcony where golden light bathed them both. The warmth against Kazoo’s soft skin felt strangely familiar, a distant echo of something his teenage soul recognized but couldn’t quite place.

Eunwoo chuckled softly, shifting Kazoo into a comfortable position as he let the baby soak in the morning rays. "Sunlight is good for you," he murmured, his deep voice soothing. "You’ll grow strong and handsome."

Kazoo blinked up at him, momentarily distracted. As if I wasn’t already destined to be.

Just moments ago, he had been admiring himself in the mirror, marveling at his ridiculously upgraded looks, only for Eunwoo to turn away and rob him of the view. How rude. The mirror was now lost from his sight, hidden somewhere inside, and it annoyed him more than he expected.

Restless, he shifted in Eunwoo’s arms and, without much thought, leaned forward and sank his gums onto Eunwoo’s wrist. He bit down as hard as his tiny, toothless mouth allowed; testing, demanding, half out of frustration and half out of sheer curiosity.

Eunwoo froze, then let out a low laugh. "Are you trying to eat me now?" His tone was amused as he lifted Kazoo slightly, staring at him with a fond, knowing gaze. "You don’t even have teeth, little guy."

Kazoo only blinked, still biting, unwilling to let go just yet. It’s your fault for taking the mirror away.

Eunwoo smirked, gently prying Kazoo off his wrist. "You’re a funny one," he mused, cradling him closer. "Handsome and mischievous, huh? You really are my kid."

Kazoo, feeling the warmth of sunlight against his tiny body once more, merely huffed in silent agreement. Obviously.

Kazoo might have been a three-week-old baby, but his teenage soul couldn't help but take pride in Cha Eunwoo’s words. Handsome and mischievous, huh? You really are my kid. The compliment sent a wave of satisfaction through him.

Lying comfortably in Eunwoo’s arms, Kazoo responded the only way his tiny body could manage—he huffed, scrunched his face slightly, and let out a small, smug-sounding coo. His dark, intelligent eyes locked onto Eunwoo’s, as if saying, Finally, someone with good taste.

Eunwoo raised an eyebrow at the baby’s reaction. “Oh? Was that you agreeing with me?” He chuckled, bouncing Kazoo lightly.

Kazoo, still basking in the praise, tried something he had been experimenting with in his tiny head. He moved his lips, attempting to form a sound—something simple yet meaningful. His throat vibrated, and in a small, airy voice, he managed, "Hnn...ndsome."

Eunwoo froze. His breath caught in his throat as he stared down at Kazoo in disbelief. "Did you just—?"

Kazoo blinked innocently, internally smirking at Eunwoo’s reaction.

"You—Did you just say handsome?" Eunwoo's voice was full of astonishment. A slow grin spread across his face as he hugged Kazoo closer, a proud chuckle escaping his lips. "Wow. You really are something else, little guy."

Kazoo, pleased with himself, let out another satisfied coo.

Eunwoo laughed, shaking his head. "Looks like I’m going to have my hands full with you, aren’t I?"

Kazoo, feeling victorious, simply nuzzled into Eunwoo’s chest. Of course. What else did you expect?

Kazoo had been quietly observing his surroundings, soaking in the warmth of the sunlight and the familiar presence of Cha Eunwoo. But then, a strange thought crept into his young mind; something was missing.

He had lived with his mother before. He remembered her warmth, her voice, her gentle hands that used to hold him close. But now? There was no woman around. No soft voice humming lullabies. No delicate fingers brushing his hair.

His tiny brows furrowed. Where is she?

Just as the question formed in his mind, a sound reached his ears. A soft, broken sound. It was heavy, filled with something Kazoo didn’t quite understand, yet it made his chest feel tight.

He turned his head slightly and saw Cha Eunwoo.

Tears. A steady stream of them rolled down his father’s cheeks, glistening like tiny rivers under the morning light. His shoulders shook ever so slightly, his face turned away as if trying to hide his grief.

Kazoo’s little heart clenched.

He didn’t have the words to ask, but he had hands; tiny, chubby hands that instinctively reached out.

Pat.

A small, gentle touch on his father’s chest.

Kazoo’s dark eyes locked onto Cha Eunwoo’s tear-streaked face, his tiny lips parting slightly as if to say, What happened? Where is she?

Eunwoo sucked in a shaky breath, blinking down at his son.

Kazoo didn’t know much about the world yet, but one thing was clear; his mother was gone. And whatever had happened to her was something so painful that even someone as strong as Cha Eunwoo couldn’t hold back his sorrow.

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