Four weeks passed.
Quietly.
Without interruption.
Days blending into each other.
The mansion settling into something steady.
Something lived in.
Routine forming where there had once been stillness.
Morning light slipped through the curtains.
Soft.
Pale.
Barely touching the room.
Leah was awake.
Not moving.
Resting against the pillows.
The blanket pulled close around her.
Warm.
Comforting.
But her body felt slower.
Heavier in a quiet way.
Not painful.
Not wrong.
Just… tired.
Her eyes followed him.
Across the room.
Izana moved with quiet precision.
Dressed.
Composed.
Every movement controlled.
Buttoning his shirt.
Adjusting his sleeves.
Straightening his collar.
Small details.
Done carefully.
But slower than before.
More aware.
His attention drifted back to her.
Again.
And again.
Not obvious.
But constant.
She noticed.
Of course she did.
"…You're going to be late," she murmured.
Her voice soft.
Barely filling the space.
He didn't answer immediately.
Finished fastening his cuff.
Then looked at her.
"…I know."
A pause.
He didn't move toward the door.
Didn't reach for his coat.
Just stood there for a second longer.
Watching her.
"…You've been staring at me all morning," she added quietly.
"…I have."
"…Why?"
A pause.
"…Because I want to."
Simple.
She exhaled softly.
"…That's not a real answer."
"…It is."
A faint smile touched her lips.
Tired.
But there.
"…You're impossible."
"…You like that."
"…Sometimes."
A beat.
"…Right now?"
"…Yeah."
His gaze softened slightly.
Barely noticeable.
Then—
He moved.
Crossing the room.
Slow steps.
Deliberate.
He stopped beside the bed.
Then lowered himself.
Kneeling next to her.
Close.
She shifted slightly under the blanket.
Turning her head toward him.
"…You don't have to—."
His hand lifted.
Gently.
Resting against her cheek.
Warm.
His thumb brushed lightly across her skin.
Slow.
Careful.
She leaned into it without thinking.
Her eyes softening.
"…You're still tired," he murmured.
Not a question.
But he asked anyway.
"…Are you?"
She nodded faintly.
"…A little."
A pause.
"…More than yesterday."
His thumb stilled for a moment.
"…You didn't tell me."
"…I didn't think it mattered."
"…It does."
Her gaze shifted slightly.
Meeting his.
"…It doesn't feel serious."
"…I didn't say it was."
A pause.
"…Then why do you look like that?"
"…Like what?"
"…Like you're thinking too much."
A faint shift in his expression.
"…I am."
"…About me?"
"…About you."
Her lips curved slightly.
"…You always do."
"…Not like this."
Silence settled.
Soft.
He watched her closely.
Taking in the small details.
The way she hadn't moved much.
The way her voice stayed low.
The way she leaned into his touch.
"…Did you sleep?" he asked quietly.
"…Yeah."
"…All night?"
"…Mostly."
A pause.
"…You woke up early."
"…I couldn't fall back asleep."
His thumb moved again.
Slow.
Comforting.
"…You should rest more."
"…I'm resting now."
"…Not enough."
She let out a small breath.
"…You're doing it again."
"…Doing what?"
"…Worrying."
A pause.
"…I'm paying attention."
"…It feels like worrying."
"…Maybe it is."
She studied him for a moment.
Then—
"…You don't have to."
His gaze didn't shift.
"…I want to."
That settled something.
Quietly.
She didn't argue.
Didn't push back.
Just let it be.
"…I'll be fine," she murmured.
"…I know."
"…Then stop looking at me like I'm not."
A small pause.
"…I can't."
Her brow lifted slightly.
"…Why not?"
"…Because you're not just you anymore."
The words came out quietly.
Measured.
She stilled.
Just for a second.
Then—
Her gaze softened.
No fear.
No confusion.
Just understanding.
A long pause stretched between them.
"…You still haven't said it," she whispered.
"…Neither have you."
"…We don't need to."
"…No."
Silence followed.
Full.
Heavy in a soft way.
His hand stayed on her cheek.
Not moving.
Not pulling away.
She leaned into it again.
Closing her eyes for a second.
Then opening them.
"…You're going to be late," she repeated softly.
"…I know."
"…And you're still here."
"…I am."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…You're not very responsible."
"…I am."
A beat.
"…Just not right now."
She let out a quiet laugh.
Soft.
"…That's new."
"…Not really."
"…It is."
He leaned forward slightly.
Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Gentle.
Lingering.
"…I'll finish early," he murmured.
"…And come back."
She exhaled softly.
"…You don't have to rush."
"…I want to."
"…You always say that now."
"…Because I mean it."
A pause.
"…You've been different these past weeks," she said quietly.
"…How?"
"…Closer."
A beat.
"…You don't leave me alone anymore."
"…Do you want me to?"
She shook her head slightly.
"…No."
Another pause.
"…I like it."
His expression softened further.
"…Good."
She reached up slowly.
Her hand brushing his wrist.
Then sliding lightly to his hand.
Holding it there against her cheek.
"…You make it feel…"
She trailed off.
"…What?"
"…Safe."
The word settled.
Deep.
His fingers curled slightly.
Holding her a little firmer.
"…You are."
She smiled faintly.
"…That's not what I meant."
"…I know."
A quiet pause.
Then—
She leaned forward slightly.
Pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Lingering for just a moment.
"…Go," she whispered.
"…You'll be late."
He didn't move right away.
Stayed there.
Close.
Like he didn't want to leave.
Then—
Another kiss to her forehead.
Soft.
Familiar.
"…Rest," he said.
"…I will."
"…Stay in bed."
"…I will."
"…Don't push yourself."
She smiled faintly.
"…I won't."
A pause.
"…You're doing too much."
His gaze met hers again.
"…No."
A beat.
"…Just enough."
Those same words.
She exhaled softly.
"…Okay."
His hand slipped from her cheek.
Slow.
Reluctant.
He stood.
Straightening slightly.
But his attention stayed on her.
Always.
She watched him.
From the bed.
Still wrapped in warmth.
Still quiet.
He reached the door.
Hand resting on the handle.
A pause.
Then—
He turned.
Looking at her again.
Not quick.
Intentional.
"…Li."
She met his gaze immediately.
"…Mm?"
A breath passed.
Then—
"…I love you."
The words settled into the room.
Soft.
But certain.
Her expression softened slowly.
Like it needed a moment to fully land.
"…I love you too," she said quietly.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just truth.
He held her gaze for a second longer.
Then nodded slightly.
Like that was enough.
Like that was everything.
The door opened.
Soft.
Then closed behind him.
Quiet again.
The room stilled.
Leah didn't move right away.
Just lay there.
Watching the door.
Listening as his footsteps faded.
Then silence.
Complete.
She exhaled slowly.
Her hand moved again.
Resting lightly where it had before.
This time—
More intentional.
Her fingers lingered there.
A quiet pause.
Her eyes closed briefly.
Not sleeping.
Just resting.
Letting everything settle.
The warmth.
The quiet.
The way he stayed.
Even when he had to leave.
"…I'll be fine," she murmured softly.
And for once—
She believed it.