The bathroom was still warm when they stepped out.
Steam lingered faintly in the air, clinging to the mirrors, softening the edges of everything. The quiet intimacy of the moment stayed with them—unspoken, but present.
Leah adjusted the light fabric of her dress, fingers smoothing it absentmindedly as she stepped into the bedroom.
Her hair was still slightly damp.
Izana followed behind her, slower.
Watching.
He hadn't looked away from her since the shower.
Leah noticed.
Of course she did.
She paused near the bed, turning slightly.
"…You're staring again."
Izana didn't deny it.
"I am."
Leah let out a small breath, amused.
"You've been doing that a lot."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"I don't mind."
Something in his expression shifted.
Subtle.
But warmer.
"I don't want to miss anything," he said quietly.
Leah blinked.
That wasn't something he would've said before.
Not like that.
Her smile softened.
"You won't."
A small pause.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Izana stepped closer.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant either.
Just certain.
"I know," he replied.
His hand lifted slightly, brushing a damp strand of her hair back behind her ear.
The touch lingered a second longer than necessary.
Leah leaned into it without thinking.
Then—
Her stomach made a quiet sound.
She froze.
Izana blinked.
Leah's face flushed instantly.
"…That didn't happen."
"It did."
She covered her face with one hand.
"Oh my god."
Izana's lips curved slightly.
Barely.
But enough.
"You need to eat."
"I know."
"You haven't eaten since yesterday."
"That sounds worse when you say it like that."
"It is worse."
Leah peeked at him through her fingers.
"…Are you going to keep judging me?"
"Yes."
She laughed softly.
"Okay. Fine. Food."
Breakfast arrived a few minutes later.
They moved out onto the balcony again.
The ocean stretched endlessly ahead, brighter now under the full morning sun. The sound of waves was clearer, more alive.
Leah sat down first, tucking her legs comfortably beneath her.
Izana remained standing for a moment.
Watching her.
Then he sat across from her.
Leah picked up a piece of fruit.
Took a bite.
Paused.
Then slowly looked up.
"…You're doing it again."
"I'm aware."
"You're not eating."
"I will."
"You said that last time."
Izana tilted his head slightly.
"…You remember that?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"Because you do it a lot."
He didn't argue.
Instead, he reached for something on the tray.
Finally.
Leah smiled in quiet victory.
"There we go."
He took a bite.
Still watching her.
Leah shook her head, amused.
"You're impossible."
"I like watching you enjoy things."
The words were simple.
But softer now.
Less distant.
Leah paused.
Her expression shifted slightly.
"…You've changed."
"A little."
She studied him.
Then smiled.
"I like this version."
Izana's gaze didn't leave her.
"…He only exists with you."
Leah's breath caught just slightly.
She didn't tease him this time.
Didn't laugh.
She just looked at him—
And reached across the table.
Her fingers brushed his.
"Good," she said softly.
A quiet moment passed.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Then—
Leah stretched slightly in her seat.
And this time—
No wince.
She blinked.
Surprised.
"…Hey."
Izana's attention sharpened instantly.
"What?"
"I'm not sore anymore."
A pause.
Then—
Relief.
Clear in his expression.
"Good."
Leah smiled.
"You were worried."
"Yes."
"You don't have to be."
"I know."
A small pause.
"…But I will be anyway."
Leah laughed softly.
"That's fair."
Then suddenly—
Her eyes lit up.
"Beach."
Izana blinked.
"…Beach."
"Yes."
He looked out at the ocean.
Then back at her.
"…Now?"
"Yes, now."
"You just finished eating."
"And now I want to walk."
A pause.
Then she added, smiling—
"With you."
That was enough.
Izana stood.
Held out his hand.
Leah took it immediately.
The sand was warm.
Softer than Leah expected.
She stepped onto it easily.
Without hesitation.
Izana followed—
More carefully.
His gaze dropped briefly to the shifting ground.
"…This is unstable."
Leah laughed.
"It's sand."
"It moves."
"That's the fun part."
He looked at her.
"…I don't think that is the intended function."
She walked backward in front of him.
Smiling.
"Relax."
"I am relaxed."
"You're analyzing the sand."
"I'm adapting."
Leah shook her head.
Then reached for his hand again.
"Just walk with me."
He did.
Step by step.
Slowly adjusting.
And after a moment—
He stopped looking down.
Leah noticed.
"See?"
"Yes."
"It's not that bad."
"No."
A pause.
Then he added—
"…It is easier when you're holding my hand."
Leah blinked.
Then smiled.
"…Good answer."
They reached the water.
The waves rolled in gently.
Leah stepped forward immediately.
The water touched her feet.
Cool.
Refreshing.
She inhaled sharply.
"Okay—cold."
Izana stayed just behind her.
Watching.
"You walked into it voluntarily."
"I didn't know it would be that cold."
"You could have predicted it."
Leah turned to him.
"You're ruining it."
"I'm observing."
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
Then—
She splashed him.
Quick.
Light.
Just enough.
Izana blinked.
Looked down.
Then back at her.
Silence.
Leah slowly took a step back.
"…Don't."
A pause.
Izana stepped forward.
Leah laughed nervously.
"Izana—don't—. "
Too late.
He caught her wrist gently.
Pulled her forward—
Into the water with him.
Leah gasped.
Then laughed.
"Izana!"
"You started this."
"That doesn't mean—."
He splashed her.
This time—
Not light.
Not controlled.
Water hit her arms, her dress—
Leah squealed.
Then burst into laughter.
"You're cheating!"
"There are no rules."
"You made that up!"
"I did."
Leah splashed him back.
Bigger this time.
Water catching his chest.
His shoulder.
He didn't avoid it.
Didn't step back.
He just stayed there.
Looking at her.
And this time—
He smiled.
Not faint.
Not hidden.
Real.
Leah froze for half a second.
"…You're smiling."
"I am."
"You never do that."
"I do."
"Not like that."
A pause.
Then he stepped closer.
Water shifting around them.
"…You make it easy."
Leah's expression softened.
The laughter faded.
Something quieter replaced it.
She stepped closer too.
Until there was barely any space between them.
The ocean moved gently around them.
"I like you like this," she said softly.
Izana's hand lifted.
Resting lightly against her waist.
Pulling her just a little closer.
"I like being like this… with you."
Leah's breath slowed.
"…Then stay like this."
"I will."
No hesitation.
No distance.
Just truth.
Leah leaned her forehead against his.
The sunlight warmed their skin.
The water moved around them.
And for once—
Izana didn't think ahead.
Didn't calculate.
Didn't hold back.
He just stayed.
Right there.
With her.
Exactly where he wanted to be.