The room was quiet.
Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the bed and the still figures resting beneath the sheets. The world outside had already moved on into the day—but inside, time felt slower.
Peaceful.
Leah stirred first.
It was gradual—the slow return of awareness, the warmth beneath her, the steady rise and fall of something solid and familiar.
She didn't move right away.
Didn't open her eyes.
Instead, she stayed there for a moment, letting herself settle into the feeling.
Warmth.
Comfort.
Safety.
Then slowly—her eyes opened.
Her gaze lifted just slightly, and that was when she realized where she was.
She was lying on top of him.
Her head resting against Izana's bare chest, her arm loosely draped across him as if she had fallen asleep there without ever moving.
Leah blinked once.
Then again.
A faint warmth crept up her cheeks as the memory returned.
Last night.
The way everything had unfolded—the quiet certainty, the closeness, the decision they had made together.
Her fingers shifted slightly against him, and she let out a small breath before tilting her head just enough to look up at him.
Izana was still asleep.
His expression was calm—completely at ease in a way she didn't often see.
And there, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it—
A slight smile.
Leah's breath softened.
"…You're smiling," she murmured quietly, more to herself than to him.
Her gaze lingered on his face.
There was no tension in him. No guarded edge. No weight pressing down behind his expression.
Just… peace.
Her cheeks warmed a little more as the memories settled in fully now.
She shifted slightly, pressing her cheek back against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Just stayed there.
Just let herself exist in that quiet.
—
A small movement broke the stillness.
Subtle.
But enough.
Leah felt it immediately—the slight shift beneath her, the change in his breathing as consciousness began to return.
She lifted her head slightly again.
"Iz…?"
His brows furrowed faintly, his expression shifting just enough to show he was waking.
Then slowly—
His eyes opened.
It took him a second to focus.
But the moment he did—
They landed on her.
And stayed there.
The softness in his gaze returned almost instantly, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips again.
"…You're awake," he murmured.
Leah gave a small nod, her expression soft.
"Mm."
For a second, neither of them moved.
They just looked at each other.
Then Izana lifted his hand, his fingers brushing lightly against her hair before he leaned forward just slightly—
And pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Leah closed her eyes briefly at the contact, a small breath leaving her as she relaxed into it.
When she opened them again, he was still watching her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.
There was something softer in his voice than usual.
Something careful.
Leah blinked, then gave a small, reassuring smile.
"I'm okay."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, as if making sure she meant it.
Then he nodded slightly.
"…Good."
Silence settled again.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Just quiet.
Just close.
Leah rested her chin lightly against his chest, her fingers tracing small, absent patterns against his skin as time passed slowly between them.
Minutes, maybe.
Neither of them seemed in a rush to move.
But eventually—
Leah shifted.
"We should probably get up," she murmured. "It's already late morning."
She pushed herself up slightly, beginning to sit—
But she didn't get far.
Izana's arm moved quickly, wrapping around her waist and pulling her right back down.
Leah let out a small sound of surprise as she landed back against him.
"Iz—."
Before she could say anything else, he shifted too—turning just enough so that his head settled against her stomach, his arm still loosely holding her in place.
Leah blinked.
"…What are you doing?"
Her voice carried a hint of confusion, though there was no real protest in it.
Izana didn't look up.
Didn't move.
Instead, he adjusted slightly, getting comfortable as if this was exactly where he intended to be.
"I'm practicing," he said simply.
Leah stared down at him.
"…Practicing what?"
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"…My fatherly duties."
Leah blinked again.
For a second, she didn't respond.
Then a small, incredulous laugh slipped from her.
"Iz…"
But he wasn't joking.
Not entirely.
Before she could say anything else, he leaned in slightly—
And pressed a soft kiss against her stomach.
Leah froze.
Her breath catching just slightly at the unexpected gesture.
And then—
He spoke.
Not to her.
But quietly—
To her stomach.
"You should listen to her," he murmured, his voice low, almost thoughtful. "She worries too much."
Leah stared down at him, completely caught off guard.
"Iz—."
He continued as if he hadn't heard her.
"And don't cause trouble."
Leah couldn't help it.
She laughed.
Softly.
Warmly.
Her hand moved instinctively, her fingers slipping into his hair, gently brushing through it as she shook her head.
"It doesn't happen that fast," she said, amusement clear in her voice.
Izana finally shifted slightly, though he didn't move away.
"…I know."
His tone was calm.
Certain.
There was no embarrassment in it.
No hesitation.
Just quiet understanding.
Leah's fingers stilled for a moment in his hair as she looked down at him.
"…Then what are you doing?" she asked softly.
There was a pause.
Then—
"I've wanted this for a while."
The words were simple.
But they carried weight.
Leah's expression softened instantly.
Her hand resumed its gentle movement through his hair, slower now, more thoughtful.
"…You have?" she asked quietly.
He nodded slightly against her.
"Yes."
No elaboration.
No long explanation.
Just truth.
Leah's chest tightened slightly—not painfully, but enough for her to feel it.
She leaned back just a little against the pillows, her fingers still threading through his hair as she looked down at him.
There was something different about him like this.
Less guarded.
More open.
More… human.
Her lips curved into a small, soft smile.
"You're strange," she murmured.
There was no bite to it.
Only warmth.
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…And you're still here."
Leah huffed a quiet laugh.
"Yes," she said, her voice soft as she continued to stroke his hair. "I am."
And neither of them moved after that.
They stayed like that—him resting against her, her fingers gently moving through his hair, the quiet of the morning wrapping around them.
Unhurried.
Uncertain of what came next.
But no longer afraid of it.
Because for the first time—
It didn't feel distant anymore.
It felt close.
Real.
And something they both wanted.