Third Person's POV
Reece shook his head. "It's bitter… but it tastes like chocolate milk too. Still bitter though… and kind of like wood."
"So you'll stop drinking it?" Rafael asked. "Your sister already told you it's bitter."
The little boy shook his head again. "No. I want to drink it every morning like Father."
"Why is that?"
Reece looked at him, thinking, his lips pushing into a small pout.
"Because… I want to be clever like you faster. I still can't solve my octagon cube. But you finished it easily. So I need to follow your habits if I want to be successful like you."
The words settled deep, pulling something warm and tight in Rafael's chest, unfamiliar enough to ache, yet something he didn't want to let go of.
He pulled Reece into his arms without thinking, pressing a firm kiss to the top of his head, holding him there a moment longer than needed.
