Morning light spilled through the curtains.
Izana sat on the edge of the bed, the cast awkward across his lap.
He fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, left hand uncooperative.
Another button slipped.
He exhaled softly.
Leah leaned against the doorframe, watching quietly.
"…Iz," she called.
"…Yes?"
"Move your hand. Let me help."
He raised an eyebrow but complied.
Her fingers were quick, precise, sliding each button through the hole.
She smoothed the fabric over his chest, careful not to touch the cast.
"Done," she said, stepping back slightly.
"…Thank you," he murmured, voice soft.
"Barely a struggle."
Izana's lips curved faintly.
"…Barely."
She tilted her head, noticing his hair—messy from sleep.
"Your hair," she said.
"It needs work."
He glanced at her.
"…I'm aware."
"Then follow me."
"…Follow you?"
"Yes. To the bathroom."
He sighed but stood carefully, the cast heavy and awkward.
Leah held out a hand, steadying him as he walked behind her.
The bathroom was warm, quiet, familiar.
She set a small basin of water on the counter.
"Sit," she instructed, motioning to a stool.
Izana lowered himself, careful with the cast.
"…You're bossy today."
"…I get to be."
She tugged the towel over his shoulders.
He allowed her to guide him, right hand resting limply at his side.
Water ran warm over his hair.
Leah massaged gently, fingers threading through the strands.
"…Careful."
"…I am."
She added a small amount of shampoo, lathering it between her fingers.
"…You always do this," he said.
"…Do what?"
"Take care of me."
Her hands paused.
"…Because you let me."
He exhaled softly, leaning slightly into her touch.
"…I'm injured. I have no choice."
"Temporary or not, I like it."
He chuckled.
"…Fine. You win."
She rinsed the last of the shampoo from his hair, careful not to let any water touch the cast.
"Done," she said softly, brushing her fingers through his damp hair one last time.
Izana leaned back slightly, exhaling.
"…Thank you."
She smiled.
"…Not yet done."
He raised an eyebrow.
"…Not done?"
"You need to get back to the bedroom before you ruin everything else."
He chuckled, letting her guide him. She wrapped a dry towel around his shoulders, careful of the cast.
"Step slowly," she reminded.
Izana nodded, letting her steady him as they walked across the room. His cast made each step deliberate, but she matched his pace.
The bed came into view, sun spilling across it. Leah guided him gently onto the edge, careful not to jostle his arm.
"Safe," she whispered.
"…Feels good to be back."
His lips twitched in a small smile.
Leah smirked, eyes glinting.
"…Now, the fun part begins."
Izana's gaze flicked to the pen on the bedside table, already suspecting mischief.
"…I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"Maybe," she said lightly, uncapping the pen and holding it up.
"Maybe you will."
"…Leah…" he warned softly.
"…Stay still."
He let out a small laugh, sitting back and letting her take over.
Small doodles appeared first—a heart, a crown.
He watched, lips twitching into a faint smile.
"You're enjoying this too much."
"…Maybe a little," she admitted.
"…A little?"
"…Okay, a lot."
He picked up another pen, attempting to respond with his left hand.
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"…Really?"
"…I have to try," he said, struggling to draw a line.
She laughed softly, watching his awkward efforts.
"Terrible."
"…Temporary," he said, smirking faintly.
"…Very temporary, I hope."
she shot back, smiling.
He shook his head, chuckling softly.
"…Fine. I surrender."
The small back-and-forth faded into quiet.
Leah stayed close, brushing stray hairs from his forehead.
"…You always make me do the hard parts," he murmured.
"…You let me."
"…True," he said, exhaling.
"…And you always notice everything."
Her fingers lingered over his cheek.
"…Someone has to."
A small pause.
Then he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Her eyes widened for a heartbeat.
Then, quick and playful, she kissed his nose.
"…Really?" he murmured, voice low.
"…Really," she replied, smiling.
"…That's all I get?"
"…Lucky you got that," she said, laughing lightly.
Leah noticed the cast again, mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Ready for round two?" she asked, reaching for the pen.
Izana groaned softly, letting her proceed.
"…Fine. Do your worst."
He tried to doodle with his left hand.
She laughed quietly at his awkward attempts.
"…Impossible," she whispered.
"…Only with you."
Her lips curved.
"…Good. I like impossible."
"…And I like you," he murmured.
"…I know."
Minutes passed like that—playful, warm, quiet.
No rush.
No distractions.
Just the slow, easy rhythm of being together.
Her hand rested on his knee, his on hers.
Soft touches, small laughs, lingering glances.
The sun continued to rise, spilling light across the bed.
Leah brushed a strand of hair from his forehead again, tracing a finger along his cheek.
"…I could stay here forever," she murmured.
"…Me too," he replied.
"…Nothing else matters right now."
"…Good," she whispered, leaning into him slightly.
"…Because I like being near you like this."
"…And I like that you do."
Her fingers drifted toward his cast again.
"…Another doodle?" she asked.
Izana laughed faintly.
"…You're relentless."
"…And loving it," she teased.
He shook his head, smiling faintly.
"…You win again."
"…I always do," she said, quiet but confident.
The morning passed slowly, the warmth of the sun, the quiet room, and the steady rhythm of being together filling every corner.
For the first time in a long time, Izana didn't worry about work, strategy, or enemies.
For the first time, Leah didn't worry about anything outside this room.
They were simply together.
And that was enough.