Happy Endings

53. love

"All the fear and the fire of the end of the world happens each time a boy falls in love with a boy. Happens great, happens sweet. Happily."

☼

Kellin Quinn was slowly getting used to waking up and thinking today will be a good day. It still surprised him, like a sudden electric jolt, like something was wrong. But nothing was, not really at all. On the contrary. He never thought he'd get to a point where he could say that, but it made him smile, never so content to wake up before.

This morning was no different. It was Saturday, and Kellin didn't have any alarms set because of that same reason, but he still stirred awake relatively early most weekends, and when his brain assimilated reality again, he smiled. That thought surrounded his head like a new friend while he stretched his limbs, and finally opened his eyes.

Today will be a good day.

Granted, it would be a hundred thousand times better if one certain man was in bed next to him, but just the knowledge of their plans later today was enough for his heart to get all warm and fuzzy either way. One day he'll be here all the time, just you wait. He blushed at his thought and grabbed a pillow so he could cuddle it instead. He couldn't wait for that day to come.

Just then, the bedroom door creaked open slowly. Kellin glanced at it with a knowing grin, seeing no one come in because of the angle he was in, but already expecting his daughter to spring onto the bed all giggly and excited for the day to start. Kellin turned on his back when she did, groaning playfully when she landed on top of him, wrapping her little arms around his chest.

"Ahh! Help me! Monkey attack! Monkey attack!" He feigned alarm, making Penny giggle a whole lot more while Kellin pretended to squirm under her. "911? Anyone? Hello?"

Penny kept laughing and started poking Kellin anywhere she could find. It tickled, and Kellin started laughing uncontrollably. He noticed she brought her unicorn plushie Imon, and asked her for help too, but Penny shook her head and put her away. Kellin laughed even more, finding her unbelievably adorable either way.

"Oh no... you're waking the monster!"

"What monster, Daddy?" She asked in between her happy squeaks.

"The tickles monster!" Kellin said overdramatically.

"Noo!" She shrieked loudly, and Kellin grinned, seeing her joyful little face laugh and laugh as he tickled her everywhere. Until she got tired enough and plopped down on top of Kellin's chest again.

He laughed softly, both of them catching their breaths after such a battle, and Kellin ran her fingers through those soft, blonde locks, attempting to untangle them as best as he could.

"Truce, right?"

Penny giggled, nodding her little head.

Kellin lifted his head to kiss her forehead.

"Good morning, Monkey."

"Good morning, Daddy," she smiled.

"Are you excited for today?" He asked even though he already knew the answer, given this morning's shenanigans. She nodded her head again, eagerly and certain.

"Can we take the pups to the park? They want to see the place too," she asked carefully, and Kellin smiled, knowing she meant her collection of Paw Patrol plushies.

"All of them? I suppose they'll fit in the car..." He pondered out loud, making her giggle again. "I think we can. Any other requests?"

Penny hummed loudly, "Can you tell Mr. Vic he can also bring his fwends if he wants?"