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The Sunday Morning

Sunlight spilled softly through the white curtains, casting golden hues across the sleek wooden floor of Zayn’s apartment. The air held a peaceful stillness, interrupted only by the faint hum of morning birds outside and the gentle clink of dishes from the kitchen.

Zayn rubbed his eyes and stretched with a low groan as he sat up on the bed. It was Sunday a day he both looked forward to and dreaded. Sunday meant family. And by family, he meant the whirlwind pair of Adric and Rhys, his best friends who had somehow adopted the tradition of spending every Sunday morning at his place ever since Ari was born. No matter how chaotic things got, these Sundays had become sacred.

Still sleepy, Zayn got out of bed and made his way into the living room, his feet brushing softly over the rug. As he turned toward the kitchen, his eyes landed on a familiar figure Elior, standing by the stove in a simple white T-shirt and grey joggers, humming something under his breath as he flipped pancakes with practiced ease.

Elior looked up the moment he sensed movement behind him.

“Good morning,” he greeted, his voice calm and polite, with a small smile playing on his lips.

Zayn nodded slowly. “Morning.”

It was strange how quickly things had shifted Elior, once a stranger in their lives, had become a quiet but stable presence in their home. Especially in Ari’s. Zayn didn’t know how to feel about it yet. But he wasn’t ready to push him away either.

Before any more could be said, the doorbell rang, followed immediately by the sound of tiny feet thudding excitedly against the floor.

Ari, sitting on the sofa with his sketchbook open and crayons scattered around him, looked up like a spark had ignited inside him.

“Uncle’s here!” he squealed, tossing the crayon in his hand and bolting toward the door like a rocket.

Zayn chuckled under his breath, shaking his head, and followed behind.

By the time he opened the door, Adric had already knelt down with open arms.

“My little champ!” Adric exclaimed with dramatic excitement, scooping Ari into his arms and spinning him in a slow circle. “How’s my favorite superhero doing today?”

Ari laughed loudly. “Uncle! Come fast! I made you a drawing!”

“Oh? A masterpiece already? I can’t wait!” Adric grinned and walked in, Ari clinging to his neck.

Rhys followed behind with a fond smile, carrying a small box of pastries in his hand. “Brought your favorite cinnamon rolls,” he said to Zayn casually.

“Thanks,” Zayn muttered, accepting them. “You’re spoiling him.”

Rhys snorted. “As if you don’t.”

They all moved into the living room where Elior had already set down cups of coffee and a plate of pancakes. He offered a polite nod toward Adric and Rhys, who returned the gesture warmly, although Rhys’s gaze lingered on Elior for just a second longer than necessary.

Once everyone was seated, Ari climbed onto the sofa between Adric and Rhys with his drawings in hand. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he handed one paper to Adric.

“Look, Uncle! I drew you something!”

Adric took the drawing with exaggerated awe. “Oh wow! Baby, this is amazing! Look at the details wait, who are these lovely people?”

Ari pointed proudly. “Thats you and uncle Rhys!”

Rhys smiled gently and patted Ari’s head. “It’s beautiful, baby. You’re so talented.”

Ari giggled. “Wait, I did! Look!” He quickly grabbed another drawing and unfolded it with great ceremony. “See! This is you, Uncle Adric, and this is Uncle Rhys... and that’s your baby!”

Rhys blinked. “Our… what?”

Adric’s brows rose. “Baby?”

Zayn leaned in curiously. “Ari, your uncles don’t have a baby.”

Ari nodded solemnly, as if they were all too slow to understand the obvious.

“Uncle should get a baby,” he said matter-of-factly.

Everyone burst into laughter. Rhys nearly choked on his coffee, and Adric was trying hard not to spit his out. Even Elior chuckled under his breath while taking a careful sip from his mug.

Rhys leaned in, teasing. “And what would you do with that baby, hmm?”

Ari’s cheeks puffed out slightly as he frowned. “I’m going to marry him.”

Silence.

Adric’s hand jerked, and the cup almost slipped from his grip. Rhys froze mid-bite. Zayn blinked, and Elior nearly dropped the coffee tray he had picked up.

“Wh-what?” Adric sputtered.

Ari repeated confidently, “I’ll marry him. That way he became big.”

Everyone stared at each other, trying to keep a straight face, but within seconds, the room erupted in laughter again.

“Oh my God,” Rhys chuckled, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “This kid…”

Adric leaned over and hugged Ari tightly. “You’re growing up too fast, baby.”

Zayn watched the scene with a full heart. For a moment, things felt warm and whole like a real family. Despite the past, despite the loss, this living room felt full of love again.

Elior stood quietly near the edge of the sofa, observing. Zayn’s eyes briefly met his, and something unspoken passed between them gratitude, maybe. Or maybe something deeper neither was ready to name yet.

Just then, Rhys pulled out a small toy car from his bag and handed it to Ari. “Thought this would be a good addition to your collection.”

Ari gasped, grabbing it with delight. “It’s red! Just like Flash! Thank you, Uncle Rhys!”

As Ari zoomed the car along the coffee table, making engine noises, Adric leaned closer to Zayn.

“He’s looking happier these days,” he murmured quietly.

Zayn glanced at Ari, then at Elior who had sat down beside him now. “Yeah… he is.”

They spent the rest of the morning eating pancakes, sipping coffee, and watching Ari draw more “future family” portraits, which included Elior, a dog, and one confusing image of Zayn as a superhero flying in the sky.

By noon, the apartment was full of warmth and gentle laughter, and for once.

Rhys asked quietly, “So… you're going to meet him tomorrow?”

Zayn gave a small nod. “Yeah… I think so.”

“I hope everything goes well,” Rhys said gently.

Zayn nodded again, silently.

Just then, Ari looked up from where he was drawing and asked in his tiny voice, “Mommy, are you going somewhere tomorrow?”

Zayn turned to him with a soft smile. “Yes, baby.”

“But where will you go?” Ari asked with innocent worry.

Before Zayn could answer, Adric smirked and said playfully, “Your mommy is going on a date.”

Ari gasped. “Mommy, you’re going on a date?”

Zayn nodded with a small laugh. “Yeah, mommy is going on a date.”

Ari clapped his hands excitedly. “Yayyy! Mommy’s going on a date!”

Everyone laughed, Elior standing there without smiling.

After a while, Rhys and Adric excused themselves and left.

That night, after Ari had gone to sleep, Zayn stood quietly in the balcony, staring into the night. He didn't notice Elior approaching until he heard his soft voice behind him.

“Are you really going on a date?” Elior asked.

Zayn didn’t look at him, but nodded. “Yeah… Mom and Dad want me to settle down, so…”

“You’re going to marry…?” Elior began, but his voice broke before he could finish.

Zayn turned to him, his voice calm but distant. “Don’t worry… you can meet Ari whenever you want.”

Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away back to his room.

Elior stood there in silence, staring after him, unable to move.

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