Morning came gently.
Light slipping through the curtains.
Quiet settling over the room.
Leah stirred first.
Slow.
Unhurried.
She turned slightly.
Blue eyes landing on him.
Izana was already awake.
Watching her.
"…Morning," she murmured.
"…Morning."
A pause.
Soft.
"…Today," she said, stretching slightly, "…I get to choose."
His gaze didn't leave her.
"…Do you?"
She frowned lightly.
"…You said I could."
"…I did."
A beat.
Then—
"…I changed my mind."
Silence.
She blinked.
"…You changed your mind?"
"…Yes."
Calm.
Certain.
She pushed herself up.
"…That's not fair."
"…It doesn't need to be."
A pause.
Then—
"…You're unbelievable."
"…You'll survive."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Barely."
He stood.
Already dressed.
Composed.
"…Pack a suitcase."
She froze.
"…What?"
"…A few days," he said.
"…We're leaving."
Her expression shifted.
Surprise.
Curiosity.
"…Where?"
"…You'll see."
She stared at him.
Trying to read him.
Failing.
"…I don't like this."
"…You do."
A pause.
Then—
"…Maybe a little."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
The suitcase landed on the bed.
Zipper pulled open.
Leah moved quickly.
Clothes pulled out.
Folded.
Refolded.
Then changed again.
"…How long?"
"…A few days."
"…That's vague."
"…It's enough."
She glanced at him.
"…You're enjoying this."
"…Very much."
She grabbed another outfit.
Added it.
Then another.
"…You don't even know where we're going," he said.
"…Exactly," she muttered.
"…That's why I need options."
"…You don't."
She ignored him.
Continued packing.
A dress.
Another.
A swimsuit.
Then a second one.
Just in case.
He stepped closer.
Looked into the suitcase.
Quietly removed something.
She noticed immediately.
"…Iz."
"…You don't need this."
She took it back.
Put it in again.
"…I do."
He removed it again.
"…No."
She stared at him.
Then—
Put it back again.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…You're stubborn."
"…You knew that."
A small breath of laughter escaped him.
"…Fair."
She zipped the suitcase.
Firm.
Decisive.
"…Done."
He picked it up before she could.
"…I've got it."
"…I can carry it."
"…I know."
A beat.
"…I'm still carrying it."
She rolled her eyes.
But didn't argue.
The car waited outside.
Engine low.
Ready.
He opened her door.
She paused.
"…You're doing this again."
"…Doing what?"
"…Acting like I'm fragile."
"…You are."
A pause.
Then—
"…Only with you."
She slid into the seat.
"…That's different."
He closed the door.
Walked around.
Got in.
The car pulled away.
The road stretched ahead.
Long.
Quiet.
Trees passing slowly.
Sunlight flickering between them.
Leah watched everything.
Trying to figure it out.
"…Iz."
"…Yes?"
"…Where are we going?"
"…Somewhere quiet."
"…That doesn't help."
"…It's not supposed to."
She leaned back.
Exhaled softly.
"…You're impossible."
"…And you like that."
A pause.
Then—
"…I do."
Silence settled again.
Comfortable.
Unforced.
Her hand rested near his.
Close.
Not touching.
Then—
His fingers shifted.
Brushed hers lightly.
Once.
She didn't pull away.
The lake appeared suddenly.
Wide.
Still.
Endless.
Leah sat up.
Eyes widening.
"…Iz…"
He slowed the car.
Didn't answer right away.
Let her see it.
Take it in.
"…What is this?"
"…Keep looking."
The villa came into view.
Hidden between trees and frost.
Right by the water.
Quiet.
Secluded.
Her breath caught.
"…You didn't…"
"…I did."
He parked.
Engine off.
Silence.
She didn't move.
Just stared.
At the lake.
At the house.
At everything.
"…You never told me about this."
"…I know."
He stepped out.
Walked around.
Opened her door.
Held his hand out.
"…Come on."
She took it.
Slowly.
Stepped out.
Still looking around.
"…Iz…"
"…Hmm?"
"…This is yours?"
"…Family's."
A pause.
"…Now it's ours."
She looked at him then.
Really looked.
"…You chose this."
"…I did."
"…For me."
"…For us."
Silence.
Soft.
Then—
"…You did good."
A faint smile.
"…I know."
She nudged him lightly.
"…Don't ruin it."
Inside—
Light filled the space.
Warm wood.
Open air.
Stillness.
Leah stepped in slowly.
Taking everything in.
Each detail.
Each corner.
"…It's beautiful."
He watched her.
Not the room.
Her.
"…You like it."
"…I really do."
She moved further in.
Touching surfaces.
Running her fingers along the walls.
Looking out the windows.
At the water.
He followed.
Quiet.
Close.
"…You've been here before."
"…A long time ago."
"…With family?"
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…Different then."
She glanced back.
"…Better now?"
He didn't hesitate.
"…Yeah."
She smiled.
Small.
Real.
The suitcase opened again.
Clothes placed.
Drawers filled.
Shared space forming.
"…You packed too much."
"…No I didn't."
"…You did."
"…I didn't know where we were going."
"…Still too much."
She turned to him.
"…Say that again."
"…Too much."
She grabbed a pillow.
Threw it.
He caught it.
Easily.
"…You keep doing that."
"…And you keep catching it."
"…I won't forever."
"…Yes you will."
A pause.
Then—
"…You're right."
Outside again.
The dock stretched out over the water.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Leah walked to the edge.
Slowed.
Then sat.
Feet just above the surface.
Izana sat beside her.
Close.
Not touching.
Yet.
"…It's so quiet."
"…That was the point."
A breeze passed.
Light.
Cool.
Her hair shifted.
He reached.
Tucked a strand behind her ear.
Slow.
Careful.
She didn't move away.
"…Why this place?"
A pause.
Then—
"…Because you needed it."
She looked at him.
"…And you?"
"…Maybe I did too."
Silence settled.
Soft.
Comfortable.
Her shoulder brushed his.
Stayed there.
"…I like this," she whispered.
"…Me too."
The sun began to lower.
Gold stretching across the water.
Light reflecting in slow waves.
Everything softened.
Time slowing with it.
Her hand moved.
Found his.
Fingers threading together.
Naturally.
He didn't move.
Didn't tighten.
Just stayed.
Present.
"…Tomorrow," he said quietly.
She glanced at him.
"…What about tomorrow?"
"…The lake."
A beat.
"…We go in."
Her brows lifted slightly.
"…Not too deep."
"…No."
"…You'll stay with me?"
"…Always."
A pause.
She looked back at the water.
Then at him.
"…Okay."
Soft.
Certain.
"…Okay."
The sun dipped lower.
Sky turning warm.
Orange.
Pink.
Gold.
They stayed there.
Side by side.
Quiet.
No rush.
No distractions.
Just this moment.
For once—
No past.
No danger.
No expectations.
Just them.
Her head tilted slightly.
Resting against him.
He stilled.
Then relaxed.
Just enough.
"…You really changed the plan," she murmured.
"…Yeah."
"…I'm glad you did."
A pause.
"…Me too."
The lake stayed still.
The sky dimmed slowly.
The world faded into quiet.
And for now—
That was enough.