Highschool Lovers

chaos

The kitchen is a whirlwind of activity, the air thick with the scent of garlic and tomatoes as I struggle to focus on throwing together some semblance of dinner. Mia is in the living room, building a fort with every couch cushion, while Charlie and Chandler are right underfoot, their little giggles echoing like music.

"Y/n, need a hand in there?" I hear Adrien call from the hallway, his voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos.

I wipe my hands on a towel and call back, "I could use a miracle!"

He strolls in, still slightly disheveled from his all-day photo shoot, that boyish charm of his contrasting with the tired gleam in his eyes. "You're doing amazing, you know that?" he says with an easy smile, leaning against the doorframe.

"Yeah, well, it feels like I'm running a circus," I reply, stirring the bubbling pot on the stove. "And I'm the ringmaster who forgot the script!"

He chuckles, the sound warm and familiar. "A very glamorous circus, I must say. Impressive multitasking, too. Dinner, kids, chaos—how do you do it?"

I roll my eyes playfully. "With a lot of caffeine and a pinch of magic. Except the coffee ran out this morning."

"Maybe I should start taking some tips from you," he says, stepping closer, the tension from his long day melting away as he catches a glimpse of the madness around us. "You're incredible."

Mia suddenly bursts through the kitchen doorway, a pillowcase full of 'treasures' dragging behind her. "Look, Mommy! I'm a pirate!"

"Arrr, Captain Mia," I say with a grin, momentarily distracted. "But pirates don't belong in the kitchen! Hurry back to your fort before the spaghetti eats you!"

As she races back to her fortress, Adrien leans down to ruffle Charlie's hair. "You're going to be a great chef one day, buddy," he says.

Charlie beams at him, grabbing a nearby spoon and waving it like a wand. "I'm a soup chef! Super soup chef!"

"See? Super soup chef," I laugh. "I'm already outnumbered by tiny chefs."

Adrien watches, his eyes sparkling with pride. "And you're rocking it, Y/n. I'd be lost without you—seriously. You handle everything like a pro."

"Except for the pile of toys in the living room. That's going to require a small army," I say, closing the lid on the pot as I try to corral Chandler, who is now trying to climb the cupboards.

"Mommy! Climb high!" she giggles.

"Okay, little monkey, down you go!" I say, reaching for her as she slides back onto the floor safely. "That's not a game we're playing."

"Can we play a different game?!" Charlie pipes up, now jumping on a chair as if it's a trampoline.

"After dinner, we can play whatever you want," I promise, shooting a quick glance at Adrien, who manages to catch Charlie mid-jump with a grin, expertly lifting him back to safety.

"Maybe a toddler obstacle course?" Adrien suggests playfully. "Just like my modeling walk but with less walking and more jumping."

"Yes, I'd like to see you strut your stuff while trying to keep them all in check," I say, wiping my brow.

"Challenge accepted," he grins, and for a moment, the room lights up with his teasing confidence.

"You two are silly!" Mia chimes in, peeking her head back in.

"But we're silly together," I remind her, catching a moment's pause in the chaos to exchange a smile with Adrien.

"And that's what makes it fun," he adds softly, his gaze lingering on me. "You make everything fun. You're the real model in this house."

I feel warmth spread through me at his words, the chaos for a second fading into the background. "You really know how to flatter a gal who feels like she's barely holding it together," I say with a smile as I return to stirring the sauce.

He shrugs, a teasing glint in his eye. "Only speaking the truth."

We share a moment, our eyes locking as laughter and playful chaos continue to echo around us. In that brief interlude between the noise, I know we're just making it work, chaotic, beautiful mess and all.