Morning came quietly, the kind of soft, white morning where snowflakes drifted like feathers and the world outside the cave seemed to breathe in slow, peaceful rhythm.
Inside the den, however, peace was only a concept.
The cubs were the first to wake.
"Papa! Papa! Bathroom day!"
"Bathroom day! Bathroom day!"
"Uncle Kael wake up"
They jumped repeatedly on a sleeping Kael, who had not yet managed to recover from the past two nights of trauma.
"Ugh—why are you both so heavy—get off—Silas, control your children—!"
Silas stretched lazily, very much enjoying Kael's suffering.
Evan emerged from the furs last, hair messy, cheeks pink from sleep, pulling his robe around himself , looking really cute.
Kael froze.
"…You slept well again."
Silas smirked. Evan stepped on Silas's foot without even looking.
....
After breakfast, the three of them stepped outside once more, the cubs wobbling behind them like two round snowballs in fur coats.
The bathroom chamber, carved the previous day, sat proudly above the cave level, sunlight catching on the fresh stone. Today, they will give a finishing touch to the bath chamber, decorate it and prepare the bath pit for water use.
Evan clapped his hands.
"Alright—let's make this usable!"
Silas nodded, picking up the stone tools.
Kael brushed dust off his shoulders and muttered, "Ook"
.....
As they worked, something subtle began to shift around Kael.
Every time he carved a section of stone too roughly, Evan would gently touch his arm and say, "A bit smoother—like this, Kael."
And Kael would adjust, quietly proud.
Every time Silas lifted a heavy slab alone, Kael would scoff, "Idiot," and lift the other side with him—almost without thinking.
Every time the cubs needed a rock moved or a tool retrieved, it was Kael they ran to.
He would grumble, complain, mutter about "being used like a servant,"
but he always did it.
There were moments Evan caught him smiling—softly, secretly—when the cubs hugged him or Silas acknowledged his strength.
He was blending in.
No, he was bonding.
Slowly… inevitably…
He was becoming part of their odd little family.
And he didn't even notice.
.....
Inside the cave, Evan prepared a lunch warm enough to melt the winter cold—meat broth thickened with taro powder, boiled snow cabbage, and a pinch of salt and spices.
Kael gulped it down in seconds.
Silas raised a brow. "Hungry?"
Kael glared. "I'm trying to forget the last two nights."
The cubs blinked.
"What happened last night?"
"Why Uncle Kael always look tired?"
Kael choked.
Evan immediately stood up.
"TIME TO RETURN TO WORK!"
Silas bit back a laughter rumble that shook his shoulders.
.....
Hours later, when the chamber walls were smooth and the pit was perfectly carved, Evan wiped sweat from his brow and glanced at the nearly finished bathroom with pride.
That was when—
Ding—!
A blue screen shimmered to life in front of Evan's eyes.
[Mission Completed:Construction of Bathroom and Toilet ]
Reward: Scented Herbal Bath Mix (3 sachets)
Description: Mild fragrance, skin-soothing, natural cleansing properties. Safe for cubs.
Evan pressed his hands to his mouth, eyes lighting like stars.
Bath… with fragrance?
In this world?
I could cry.
He nearly did.
He tucked the sachets inside his clothes without anyone's notice, his heart swelling with gratitude.
Silas noticed his glowing smile and softened unconsciously.
Kael noticed too but looked away with a faint, puzzled warmth in his eyes.
.....
By late afternoon, the bath chamber was ready. A wooden bucket was placed inside. Silas filled it with melted snow water, heated with stones warmed in the fire.
Steam filled the chamber.
Warm mist curled around the stone walls.
Evan then mixed some scented herbs in the bathwater.
He inhaled deeply—scented herbs mixing with warm air.
It felt… almost like heaven.....
Silas sniffed the air.
"It smells… strange."
Kael sniffed too.
"Sweet? Like those strange flowers?"
Evan flicked Kael's forehead.
"Shut up and let me enjoy this."
The cubs hopped excitedly.
"Bath! Bath!"
"We want to bath!"
Silas lifted one cub under each arm.
"Come. We wash before Evan."
Kael followed, preparing towels made from hides.
They washed the cubs first—warm water, gentle scrubbing, sweet-scented herbs. The children giggled and splashed and smelled like tiny flowers afterward.
Evan almost sobbed from happiness.
Then it was Evan's turn.
Silas stood guard outside the chamber entrance like a silent sentinel.
Kael sat near the fire with the cubs in the cave , pretending not to listen for any sounds.
Inside the bath chamber, Evan added some more scented herbs ,then slowly lowered himself into the warm, fragrant water.
His muscles loosened.
His skin tingled.
His mind quieted.
God… I missed this. A real bath.
Warmth enveloped him like a hug.
When he stepped out, towel around his shoulders, cheeks pink and eyes glazed with relaxation, Silas froze. Then—
He inhaled deeply, tail swishing once—slow, possessive, pleased.
"It's sweet."
Evan laughed softly, brushing fingers through Silas's hair.
(... ... ...)
After dressing up , both walked towards the cave.
"Mama smell nice!"
"Sweet! Like fruit!"
The cubs tackled him immediately, burying their faces in his chest.
Kael blinked.
"…Evan smells like… comfort."
Kael realized something then—
A strange warmth spreading through his chest as he watched the three of them.
This place…
These people…
They were slowly, quietly…
Becoming his home too.
.....
After dinner, after the cubs fell asleep, the cave warmed with soft firelight. Kael preparing his bed. Silas sharpened tools. Evan checking the herbs ,it rot or not.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was simply… peaceful.
Kael glanced at Evan, then at Silas, then at the cubs sleeping in their bed chamber.
He didn't smile—but something inside him softened noticeably.
For the first time in years, he didn't feel like an outsider, lonely.
He felt… included.
Maybe even wanted.
He didn't say it aloud.
But in his heart—
…Is this what a real family feels like?
Evan's sudden voice pulled Kael out of his thoughts.
"Kael, you can use Silas's coat for now. I'll make a new one for you soon."
Kael blinked, looking at him in a daze.
"Hey, are you listening? Is that okay with you?" Evan asked, leaning closer.
"Oh—yes, yes," Kael replied quickly.
Evan let out a soft laugh, amused by Kael's confused expression.
.....
And far in the back of the cave, pretending not to enjoy the warmth, Kael thought quietly:
…If this keeps going on, I really will become part of their strange little pack.
He didn't realize it yet—
He already was.