#pov | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hazelira · 3 days ago

Text

part 2 of dada, stay?

The warmth of morning light filled the nursery, casting delicate patterns across the walls as Ni-ki’s figure remained seated beside Haruka’s bed. You lingered by the doorway, silently observing the subtle shift in his demeanour—a flicker of something unspoken, something softer.

You allowed yourself to hope for the first time in ages.

It had always been like this with him—walls built so high they seemed impenetrable, yet moments like these reminded you why you stayed. The vulnerability he tried so desperately to hide, the glimpses of care buried beneath his icy exterior—it was all there. You just had to look closely enough.

As Haruka stirred in her sleep, clutching her blankie a little tighter, Ni-ki’s hand instinctively hovered closer to her as if ready to shield her from anything that might disturb her peace. He didn’t notice you watching, and you didn’t dare break the fragile stillness of the room.

Instead, you stepped back quietly, retreating into the hallway. Maybe this was the start of something new. Maybe Ni-ki wasn’t as unfeeling as he wanted the world to believe. And maybe, just perhaps, he was beginning to see that being a father meant more than just being present in the room—it meant being present in her heart.

Later that morning, as you stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast, the soft patter of footsteps echoed down the hall. You turned to see Haruka, her blankie dragging behind her as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Behind her, Ni-ki followed, his hair dishevelled, his usual guarded expression replaced by something gentler.

“Dada carried me,” Haruka mumbled, her voice still groggy but tinged with a faint trace of joy. She toddled over to you, wrapping her tiny arms around your leg.

Ni-ki stopped a few paces away, shoving his hands into his pockets. “She wouldn’t let go,” he muttered, his gaze avoiding yours.

You smiled, crouching down to meet Haruka’s eyes. “You slept in your big girl's bed all night. I’m so proud of you,” you said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Haruka beamed, her toothy grin lighting up the room. “Dada stayed,” she said matter-of-factly, looking back at him as if he were her hero.

Ni-ki’s eyes widened slightly at her words, his stoic facade faltering. He looked at her, then at you, and for a moment, it seemed he was searching for the right thing to say.

“Yeah,” he finally said, his voice quieter than usual. “Dada stayed.”

Haruka giggled, running off to the living room with her blankie. You straightened, meeting Ni-ki’s gaze. There was no need for words. The faint nod he gave you spoke volumes—a silent acknowledgment of his effort and the walls he was trying to lower.

It wasn’t a grand gesture. It wasn’t perfect. But it was enough.

As you watched him follow Haruka into the living room, his steps were more deliberate, his posture less rigid, and you couldn’t help but feel that, maybe, this was just the beginning.

The scent of breakfast wafted through the air as you plated pancakes, Haruka’s giggles echoing from the living room. You glanced toward the doorway, catching a glimpse of her sprawled on the floor, her toys scattered around her. Ni-ki sat nearby on the couch, his phone in one hand, but his gaze flickered to her occasionally.

It was subtle, but he was trying.

This moment felt like a small victory—rare and fleeting but powerful enough to stir hope within you. You walked into the living room with a plate of pancakes balanced in one hand and a sippy cup in the other.

“Breakfast is ready,” you called, watching Haruka’s head shoot up, her face excitedly lit up.

“Pancakes!” she squealed, scrambling to her feet and racing to the table, dragging her blankie behind her.

Ni-ki followed at a slower pace, his expression unreadable as usual, but the corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly—a hint of a smile he wouldn’t dare let fully show. You caught it, though, and it warmed you more than you cared to admit.

As you helped Haruka climb into her chair, she turned to Ni-ki with wide, expectant eyes. “Dada, sit!” she demanded, pointing to the chair beside her.

Ni-ki hesitated, his gaze darting to you as if seeking guidance. You raised an eyebrow, silently encouraging him to go along with it. With a resigned sigh, he pulled out the chair and sat down, his long legs folding awkwardly beneath the table.

Haruka grinned triumphantly, reaching out to grab his hand. “Dada, eat pancakes!” she insisted, as though this were a grand family tradition.

“I’m not hungry,” he replied flatly, though he didn’t pull his hand away from hers.

“Just one bite,” you said, sliding a plate toward him. “For her.”

He sighed again but picked up a fork, reluctantly cutting into the stack. Haruka watched him intently, her face glowing with anticipation as he took a small bite.

“Good?” she asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling.

“It’s fine,” he replied, his tone indifferent, but the way he glanced at her made it clear he was humouring her.

Haruka giggled, satisfied, and began eating her pancakes with gusto. You took your seat across from them, watching the two of them interact. It was far from perfect, but it was progress.

As breakfast continued, you noticed how Ni-ki’s gaze softened when Haruka babbled on about her toys and how he occasionally responded in short, clipped sentences. It was clumsy and unpracticed, but he was trying, and that was what mattered.

After breakfast, as you cleared the table, Haruka toddled over to Ni-ki, tugging on his hand. “Dada, play!” she demanded, holding up one of her stuffed animals.

“I don’t—” he started, but her pleading eyes stopped him. He sighed, setting his phone aside. “Okay. Just for a little while.”

You watched from the kitchen as he settled on the floor, letting Haruka hand him toy after toy. She giggled as he awkwardly mimicked her play, his movements stiff but his effort genuine. He looked so out of place, yet somehow it worked.

A thought struck you as you stood there, drying the last of the dishes. Maybe it wasn’t about waiting for him to change entirely or hoping for some grand transformation. Perhaps it was about these little moments—these small steps forward that meant the world to Haruka, even if he didn’t realize it yet.

Later, as the day wound down and Haruka napped in her bed, Ni-ki stood by the window, his hands tucked into his pockets. You approached him quietly, the silence between you comfortable yet heavy with unspoken thoughts.

“She loves you, you know,” you said softly, breaking the silence.

He didn’t turn to face you, his gaze fixed on something outside. “I don’t know why,” he muttered. “I’m not good at this.”

“She doesn’t care about that,” you replied, stepping closer. “She just wants you to be there. To show up. And you did today.”

He finally turned to you, his eyes searching yours. “Do you think it’s enough?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

You hesitated, then nodded. “It’s a start. And for her, it’s everything.”

For the first time in a long while, you saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes—an acknowledgment of his fears and doubts. He gave a slight nod, almost imperceptible, but it was enough for now.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room in a warm, golden glow, you felt a quiet sense of hope. It wouldn’t be easy, but maybe, just maybe, the walls he’d built around himself were starting to crumble. One day at a time. One moment at a time.

The following weeks were far from seamless, but they were marked by subtle changes in Ni-ki that you should have noticed.

It started with the bedtime routines. Where he once avoided the nursery, he now lingered, watching as Haruka brushed her teeth or chose a bedtime story. At first, he only observed from the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. But one night, when you were particularly exhausted, he stepped in unprompted.

“Which one?” he asked, his voice low but gentle as he knelt by Haruka’s bookshelf. Her wide eyes blinked at him in awe, as though she couldn’t believe her dada had asked such a question.

“This one!” she exclaimed, grabbing a book with a colourful cover and thrusting it into his hands. She scrambled onto her bed, patting the space beside her.

You hovered by the doorway, stunned, as Ni-ki hesitated for a moment before settling beside her, opening the book with an awkwardness that tugged at your heart.

His reading was slow and measured, his deep voice unfamiliar with the lilting cadence required for children’s stories. But Haruka didn’t care—she hung onto every word, her eyes glued to the pages as she curled against his side. He glanced at you once, catching your smile, and quickly looked away, focusing back on the book.

Ni-ki’s development wasn’t limited to quiet moments at home. One afternoon, the three of you ventured to the park—a rare family outing initiated by him.

Haruka squealed with delight as she dashed toward the playground, her little legs carrying her to the swings. You were about to follow when Ni-ki’s voice stopped you.

“I’ll push her,” he said, surprising you.

You watched as he approached the swings, his tall frame dwarfing Haruka's tiny seat. His movements were stiff at first, but he soon found a rhythm, his large hands steady as he gently pushed her higher. Her laughter rang out across the park, and for a moment, Ni-ki smiled—a genuine, unguarded smile that made your heart ache.

“Higher, Dada!” Haruka shrieked, her grin infectious.

“Not too high,” he replied, his tone soft but firm.

From your spot on the bench, you couldn’t help but marvel at how far he’d come. The man who once seemed more comfortable behind a wall of indifference was now stepping into his role as a father, piece by piece.

Of course, there were setbacks. Days when his patience wore thin, his cold demeanour resurfaced, and old habits threatened to take over. But even then, there was progress. He no longer disappeared into his work or left everything to you. Instead, he stayed awkwardly, trying to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of fatherhood.

As Haruka slept soundly in her bed one evening, you found him in the nursery, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars you’d painted on the ceiling. His arms were crossed, but his expression was contemplative, not distant.

“She loves those stars,” you said, entering the room.

He glanced at you, his face softening. “She told me,” he murmured. “Said they keep the bad dreams away.”

You leaned against the wall, watching him. “You’re doing better, you know. She feels it. I feel it.”

He looked down, his jaw tightening. “I still don’t know what I’m doing half the time.”

“None of us do,” you admitted with a small laugh. “Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. But you’re here, Riki. That’s what matters.”

For the first time, he didn’t deflect or argue. He nodded, his eyes lingering on Haruka’s sleeping form.

“I never had this growing up,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with something raw and vulnerable. “A dada who stayed.”

His words hung heavy in the air, and your chest ached at the weight of his confession. You stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm.

“Then you’re already giving her something you never had,” you said gently. “And that’s everything.”

He didn’t reply, but the way he reached up to cover your hand with his said more than words ever could.

As months passed, the changes became undeniable. He began taking initiative—bringing Haruka to the park, helping with her meals, even learning how to braid her hair (though his first few attempts were disastrous). His once-stiff interactions grew warmer and more natural. And Haruka? She blossomed under his attention, her laughter filling the house in a way that made everything feel lighter.

One night, as you watched them build a block tower together in the living room, you realized something profound: the man you once thought incapable of change was proving you wrong, one small step at a time.

Ni-ki wasn’t perfect, and he never would be. But he was trying—honestly trying—and that was all you could ask.

my perm taglist<3 <- request here

@seonhoon @dollrincess @ethanatvre @rei4sunoo @shxhdsstuff @jakeflvrz @laylasbunbunny @jiiyen @saphiranishimurashan @lovelycassy @starry-eyed-bimbo @babyboomysweetie @24svnn @pinkglitterpuke @mellowgalaxystrawberry @heavenki @s1rawb3rry @madslove-enhypen @chasinthatboobie @aishigrey @yangjungwonnie @lilmarsh-t @hoseokteardrop @mrsjjongstby

171 notes · View notes