Morning came slower this time.
Not quiet.
Not still.
But soft in a different way.
Golden light filtered through the thin curtains, spilling gently across the bed, warming the sheets, tracing over tangled fabric and bare skin. The distant sound of waves rolled steadily outside, a quiet reminder of where they were.
Far away.
Untouched.
Leah stirred first.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her body still heavy with sleep, wrapped in warmth that didn't just come from the sunlight.
She didn't move right away.
She just… lay there.
Feeling it.
The steady rise and fall beneath her cheek.
The warmth pressed along her side.
The arm loosely draped across her waist.
Izana.
A small, soft smile formed on her lips.
She shifted slightly, just enough to look up at him.
He was still asleep.
Completely.
And like before—
He looked different like this.
Calm.
Unguarded.
No sharpness in his expression. No tension in his jaw. Just quiet rest.
Leah studied him for a moment, her gaze lingering.
Then her fingers moved.
Slowly.
Carefully.
She traced along his jawline.
Paused.
Then smiled faintly.
"…Still smooth," she whispered.
No stubble.
No weapon.
Just soft skin beneath her fingertips.
She brushed her thumb lightly across his cheek again, almost thoughtfully.
"…I did a good job."
Satisfied, she carefully began to shift away from him.
Slow.
Gentle.
Trying not to wake him.
One arm slid free.
Then her shoulder.
She lifted herself just slightly—
And then—
His arm tightened.
Instantly.
Pulling her back against him.
Leah blinked.
"…You're awake."
"No."
His voice was low. Rough with sleep.
"…Now I am."
She huffed a quiet laugh.
"I was trying not to wake you."
"You failed."
"I noticed."
She tried to move again.
"…I was going to get breakfast."
"Stay."
Leah paused.
His voice wasn't commanding.
Wasn't sharp.
It was quieter.
Softer.
And somehow harder to refuse.
She glanced back at him slightly.
"You're getting clingy."
A small pause.
Then—
"…Only with you."
Leah smiled.
She didn't argue.
Instead, she relaxed back into him again, settling against his chest.
"Good morning, Iz."
Silence.
Then—
His eyes opened.
Slowly.
Red gaze settling on her with something more awake now.
"…Again."
Leah's smile grew slightly.
"Good morning, Iz."
His arm around her tightened just a little.
Not restricting.
Just… there.
"You're using it often," he murmured.
"You said I could."
"I did."
Leah tilted her head slightly, studying him.
"Can I give you more?"
"…More what?"
"Nicknames."
A pause.
Then—
"If you must."
Leah grinned.
"Oh, I must."
She shifted slightly to face him more.
Careful this time.
Thoughtful.
"…Okay," she started, tapping her finger lightly against his chest as if thinking. "Let's see…"
Her eyes lit up slightly.
"Grumpy Iz."
"I'm not grumpy."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You literally glare at people for breathing."
"They should reconsider."
Leah laughed.
"Okay, fine. What about… Soft Iz?"
"That's inaccurate."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"…Is it?"
Izana didn't answer immediately.
And that alone made her smile.
"Mm. Thought so."
She leaned in just slightly.
Lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret.
"Possessive Iz."
A pause.
Izana's gaze didn't waver.
"That one," he said quietly, "is correct."
Leah bit back a smile.
"I knew it."
She shifted again, resting her chin lightly against his chest now.
Then—
Softer this time—
"…Mine."
Silence.
Completely still.
Izana didn't move.
Didn't respond right away.
But something in his expression changed.
Subtle.
Deep.
"…Say that again."
Leah's voice softened.
"…Mine."
His hand moved then.
Not sudden.
Not forceful.
He brushed his fingers lightly along her arm, up to her shoulder, resting there.
"…That one," he said quietly, "you can keep."
Leah smiled.
"I was planning to."
A quiet moment passed.
Then—
She sat up slightly.
Carefully.
This time without being pulled back.
"We should actually get up," she said, stretching lightly. "We're on a honeymoon, not a sleeping schedule."
Izana watched her.
"…You woke me."
"You're welcome."
She slipped out of bed, moving a little slower but no longer wincing.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"You're better," he said.
Leah glanced over her shoulder.
"Yeah."
A small smile.
"I told you I would be."
He stood then, moving toward her.
Not rushing.
Never rushing.
But deliberate.
He reached her just as she adjusted the strap of her dress.
His fingers brushed lightly against her shoulder, smoothing it into place.
"You're still being careful," she noted.
"Yes."
"You don't have to be."
"I do."
Leah smiled softly.
"…You're sweet."
Izana paused.
"…Don't say that outside."
She laughed.
"I'm definitely saying it outside now."
"No."
"Yes."
He exhaled quietly.
But didn't argue.
—
Not long after—
They stepped out of the villa together.
The air was warm.
Brighter now.
The sunlight reflecting off the ocean in soft, shifting patterns.
Leah's eyes lit up almost immediately.
"Okay, this is definitely better than staying inside."
Izana walked beside her, his pace naturally matching hers.
"You say that now."
"I'll say it later too."
She reached for his hand without thinking.
He let her.
Of course he did.
—
The small town nearby was alive, but not overwhelming.
Soft chatter.
Laughter.
The scent of food drifting through the air.
Leah's attention shifted everywhere at once.
"Look at that—. " she pointed.
Then—
"Oh, wait—no, that—."
She turned back to him, grabbing his sleeve lightly.
"Come on, Iz."
He glanced down at her hand briefly.
Then followed.
"You're easily distracted."
"I'm curious."
"There's a difference."
"No there isn't."
"Yes, there is."
She smiled up at him.
"You like it."
"I tolerate it."
"You like it."
A pause.
"…I don't dislike it."
Leah laughed.
"Close enough."
—
They stopped near a small stall, colorful items laid out neatly.
The vendor smiled warmly.
"First time here?"
Leah nodded.
"Yeah."
"Honeymoon?"
She blinked.
Then smiled.
"Is it that obvious?"
The vendor laughed.
"A little."
Leah glanced at Izana.
Then back.
"Guess we're not very subtle."
Izana said nothing.
But he was watching.
Not the stall.
Not the items.
Her.
The way she spoke.
The way she smiled so easily.
The way this—this moment—was normal.
No fear.
No distance.
No control.
Just…
Life.
Leah turned back to him.
"Iz?"
He blinked once.
"…Yes."
"Come here."
She held something up.
"Which one?"
He stepped closer.
Looked.
Then back at her.
"That one."
She smiled.
"I knew you'd pick that."
"You asked."
"I wanted to confirm."
He exhaled softly.
—
Later—
They walked along the edge of the beach.
The crowd faded behind them.
The sound of the waves grew louder again.
Leah slowed slightly.
Then leaned into him.
Just a little.
Izana's arm moved instinctively around her shoulders.
Holding her there.
"You're different here," she said softly.
He looked down at her.
"How?"
She thought for a moment.
"…Lighter."
A pause.
Then he said quietly—
"That's because of you."
Leah smiled.
Resting her head briefly against him.
"I like this version of you."
Izana's gaze softened.
"It only exists with you."
The waves rolled in.
Soft.
Endless.
And for the first time—
There was nothing waiting for them.
No past pulling.
No future demanding.
Just this moment.
And each other.
And for now—
That was enough.