The room was quiet.
Soft.
Warm.
Leah slept peacefully, her head resting against Izana's chest.
Her breathing slow. Even.
His arm rested loosely around her, holding her close without effort.
Izana was awake.
He had been for a while.
His gaze rested on her.
Calm.
Soft.
Warm in a way only she ever saw.
His fingers moved gently into her hair.
Slow. Careful.
Twisting a strand between his fingers.
Watching her.
Memorizing her.
Like he always did.
His thumb brushed lightly against her head.
A quiet, unconscious gesture.
Protective.
Possessive.
His.
After a while—
She stirred.
A small shift.
A soft breath.
Her fingers curled slightly against his shirt.
"…Mm…"
Her eyes fluttered open slowly.
Sleepy.
Unfocused.
She felt the warmth beneath her cheek first.
Solid. Familiar.
Then she moved her head slightly.
Looked up.
And saw him.
Already awake.
Already watching her.
That same look in his crimson eyes.
The one that only ever existed for her.
Soft.
Warm.
Unwavering.
"…You're awake," she murmured.
"I am," he replied quietly.
His hand moved again, brushing her hair back gently.
She blinked slowly.
Still waking up.
Still wrapped in him.
"…How long?" she asked.
"A while," he said.
She frowned slightly.
"You should've woken me up."
"No," he said simply.
She tilted her head slightly.
"No?"
"I didn't want to," he replied.
Her lips curved faintly.
"…You're just watching me sleep?"
"Yes."
She let out a quiet breath, half a laugh.
"That's a little creepy, Iz."
"Mm," he hummed, unconcerned.
She smiled, eyes softening.
"…Okay."
Silence settled again.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Her fingers traced lightly against his chest.
Mind still slow.
Still waking.
"…Are you busy today?" she asked softly.
"No."
She blinked slightly at that.
"Not at all?"
"No," he repeated.
A pause.
"That's rare," she murmured.
"I made sure of it," he said.
Her gaze softened.
"…For today?"
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
Then—
He shifted slightly beneath her.
"…Come to the living room with me," he said.
She frowned slightly.
"Why?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Just watched her.
Waiting.
She blinked.
Then paused.
Her expression changed.
"…Wait."
A beat.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…It's Christmas."
Izana didn't respond.
But there was the faintest hint of a smile.
That was enough.
Leah immediately pushed herself up.
Sitting up quickly.
Fully awake now.
"Oh—."
She looked around, then back at him.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"You forgot," he said calmly.
"I did not—." she started.
Then stopped.
"…Okay, maybe I did."
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
She ignored it.
Instead—
She grabbed his hand.
"Come on," she said quickly.
He didn't move immediately.
Just looked at her.
Amused.
"You're impatient," he said.
"You're slow," she shot back.
A pause.
Then—
He chuckled.
Soft. Low. Rare.
And let her pull him up.
The hallway was quiet.
Their footsteps soft against the floor.
Her hand still wrapped around his.
Warm. Tight.
She was practically pulling him forward.
He let her.
Watched her.
The way she moved.
The way her excitement showed so easily.
It was… different.
And he liked it.
When they reached the living room—
Leah slowed.
Then stopped.
Her breath caught slightly.
The tree stood tall in the corner.
Lights glowing softly.
Decorations exactly where they had placed them.
Gifts underneath.
Neatly arranged.
For a moment—
She just stared.
Then—
"…It's beautiful," she whispered.
"It is," Izana said.
But he wasn't looking at the tree.
He was looking at her.
"…Merry Christmas."
The voice came from behind them.
Leah turned slightly.
Elias sat calmly in one of the chairs.
A faint smile on his face.
Dante leaned casually against the wall nearby.
Smirking.
"About time you two showed up," Dante added.
Leah blinked.
"You've been here this whole time?"
"For a while," Dante said. "Some of us wake up early."
Izana glanced at him.
A warning look.
Dante smirked wider.
"Relax," he said. "Didn't interrupt anything."
Leah's cheeks warmed slightly.
She quickly looked away.
"Good morning," she said softly.
"Merry Christmas, Leah," Elias said warmly.
She smiled.
"Merry Christmas."
Then—
Her gaze shifted to the tree again.
Then to the gifts.
Her fingers tightened slightly around Izana's hand.
"…Can we?" she asked quietly.
Izana followed her gaze.
Then nodded once.
"Yes."
They moved toward the tree.
Leah knelt down first.
Careful. Curious.
Izana stood just behind her.
Watching.
She picked up a small box.
Turned it in her hands.
Then paused.
Her heart started to beat faster.
She set it down.
Reached for her bag instead.
"…Wait," she said softly.
Izana's gaze shifted to her.
She pulled out the small box from the jewelry store.
Held it carefully.
Then looked up at him.
"…This is for you," she said.
He didn't take it immediately.
Just watched her.
"…You're nervous," he said.
"I'm not," she said quickly.
"You are."
She frowned slightly.
"…Just take it," she muttered.
A faint smirk touched his lips.
Then he took it.
Opened it slowly.
Silence filled the room.
Elias watched quietly.
Dante leaned forward slightly, curious.
Izana's gaze dropped to the necklace.
His fingers lifted it carefully.
The tag caught the light.
He turned it slightly.
"…I + L," he said quietly.
Leah watched him.
Closely.
"…Do you like it?" she asked softly.
He didn't answer immediately.
He flipped the tag.
Read the back.
"…Mine."
Silence.
Then—
His gaze lifted.
Locked onto hers.
Something deeper there now.
Something quieter.
Stronger.
"…Put it on me," he said.
Leah blinked slightly.
"…What?"
"Put it on me," he repeated.
She nodded quickly.
"Okay."
She stood.
Moved closer.
Her fingers brushed his as she took the necklace.
Carefully.
Slowly.
She stepped behind him.
Her hands lifted.
The chain brushed lightly against his skin.
She fastened it gently.
Her fingers lingering just for a second longer than necessary.
Then she stepped back.
"It suits you," she said softly.
He didn't look away from her.
"Of course it does," Dante muttered.
Leah glanced at him.
Dante smirked.
"Told you. He'd like it."
Izana shot him a look.
Dante raised his hands slightly.
"Alright, alright. I'm quiet."
Elias chuckled softly.
"Shall we continue?" he asked.
Leah smiled.
"Yes."
The gifts were exchanged slowly.
One by one.
Leah received something small from Elias.
Something thoughtful.
Warm.
Dante handed her a gift with a grin.
"Don't expect anything too sentimental," he said.
She laughed softly.
"I won't."
Izana handed Elias a neatly wrapped box.
Respectful.
Calm.
Then Dante.
"Try not to lose it," Izana said.
Dante smirked.
"No promises."
Leah watched them.
Quietly.
Softly.
This…
This felt different.
Warm.
Like something she hadn't had in a long time.
Something she had almost forgotten.
Family.
Her gaze drifted back to Izana.
The necklace rested against him.
Simple.
Close.
Exactly where it should be.
And he didn't take it off.
Not even once.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Warmth spreading through her.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
His hand reached for hers.
Pulled her slightly closer.
Without a word.
Without needing one.
She leaned into him.
Just slightly.
And stayed there.
The tree glowed softly beside them.
Lights reflecting in the room.
In their eyes.
In the quiet space they shared.
And for once—
Everything felt still.
Everything felt right.