Morning came softer than usual.
The sunlight was warmer.
Gentler.
Like even the world knew this day mattered.
It was their last.
The final morning of their honeymoon.
Leah stood near the open window, the ocean stretching endlessly in front of her. The breeze moved through her hair lightly, carrying the scent of salt and warmth.
She held a small folded brochure in her hands.
Unread now.
But not forgotten.
Behind her—
Izana was already awake.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her.
Quiet.
Unmoving.
His gaze hadn't left her since she woke.
Leah didn't turn around.
"…You're staring again."
A pause.
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"Do you ever get tired of doing that?"
"No."
Leah let out a small breath, shaking her head slightly.
"…You're honest, at least."
Izana didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
Leah turned then, leaning lightly against the window frame, the paper still in her hand.
"There's something I wanted to show you."
His attention sharpened immediately.
"What is it?"
Leah stepped closer, holding the paper up slightly.
"There's a shrine… up in the mountains nearby."
She hesitated for just a second.
"It's supposed to be really quiet. People go there for… wishes, I guess. Or just peace."
She looked at him.
"…I thought it might be nice."
A pause.
Izana stood.
"We're going."
Leah blinked.
"…You didn't even let me finish."
"I don't need to."
Her lips curved despite herself.
"You don't even know how long it takes to get there."
"I will."
Leah laughed softly.
"You're impossible."
"Yes."
But he was already reaching for his jacket.
Decision made.
Just like that.
—
The drive was quieter.
But not empty.
The ocean slowly disappeared behind them, replaced by hills that rose gently at first, then sharper, taller, until the road curved through forests and stone.
Leah sat beside him, her gaze fixed outside.
Watching everything change.
The light filtering through the trees.
The shadows shifting.
The world becoming quieter the higher they went.
Izana's gaze wasn't on the road.
Not always.
It drifted back to her.
Again.
And again.
Leah didn't look at him.
"…You're doing it again."
"Yes."
She smiled slightly.
"You're not even trying to hide it."
"No."
A pause.
Then softer—
"I prefer looking at you."
Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
"…You say things like that so easily now."
"I mean them."
Leah didn't respond.
But her smile stayed.
—
The road ended eventually.
The rest—
They had to walk.
The path upward wasn't steep at first.
Just enough to feel it.
Gravel shifting beneath their steps, trees surrounding them, the air cooler here.
Quieter.
Leah walked ahead slightly.
Determined.
Focused.
Izana followed just behind her.
Watching.
Always watching.
"You can slow down," he said.
"I'm fine."
"You're moving faster than necessary."
Leah glanced back at him.
"I'm not weak."
"I know."
He extended his hand.
"Take it anyway."
Leah hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
She took it.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
He didn't comment.
Just adjusted his pace to hers.
Matching her steps.
Not leading.
Not pulling.
Just… there.
—
Higher.
The path became steeper.
More uneven.
Leah's breathing grew slightly heavier.
But she didn't stop.
Didn't complain.
She kept going.
Izana noticed.
Of course he did.
"Leah."
"I'm fine."
"You're tired."
"I said I'm fine."
A pause.
Then—
She kept walking.
Another few steps.
Then stopped.
"…Okay. Maybe a little."
Izana stepped closer immediately.
Not rushed.
But certain.
He crouched slightly in front of her, his gaze steady.
"Too much?"
Leah shook her head, catching her breath.
"No… I just need a second."
His hand moved to her face.
Brushing a loose strand of hair away from her cheek.
Careful.
Gentle.
He didn't say anything else.
He didn't rush her.
He just stayed.
Right there.
With her.
After a moment—
Leah straightened again.
"I'm good."
Izana studied her.
"…Continue."
She smiled slightly.
"Yes, sir."
He didn't react.
But his hand didn't leave hers as they kept walking.
—
Eventually—
They reached it.
The shrine stood quietly at the top.
Simple.
Unassuming.
But peaceful in a way that felt… different.
The wind moved gently through the space, carrying a stillness with it.
The view stretched endlessly beyond.
Mountains.
Sky.
Distance.
Leah slowed her steps.
"…It's beautiful."
Izana looked around once.
Then back at her.
"Yes."
But it wasn't the shrine he was looking at.
It was her.
Leah stepped closer to it, her movements quieter now.
More respectful.
"There's something you're supposed to do," she said softly.
Izana followed her.
"What?"
"You make a wish."
He looked at her.
"I already have everything I want."
Leah stilled.
Just for a second.
Then she turned to him slowly.
"…You didn't even think about it."
"I did."
"And?"
"I don't need anything else."
Her chest tightened.
Not painfully.
Just… full.
Leah looked down slightly.
Then closed her eyes.
Her hands came together loosely.
She didn't say anything out loud.
But she made a wish anyway.
Izana watched her.
Completely still.
His attention fixed only on her.
Not the shrine.
Not the place.
Just her.
When she opened her eyes again—
She looked at him.
"You didn't make one."
"I told you."
"You're stubborn."
"Yes."
A small pause.
Then—
"If anything happens…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"I will make it happen myself."
Leah smiled faintly.
"That sounds like you."
"It is."
Silence settled again.
But it wasn't empty.
Leah stepped closer to him.
Resting lightly against his side.
"What happens after this?" she asked quietly.
Izana didn't answer immediately.
He looked out over the distance.
Then back at her.
"We go back."
Leah nodded slowly.
"…And everything stays the same?"
A pause.
Then—
"No."
Her gaze lifted slightly.
"It doesn't?"
Izana's hand moved.
Finding hers again.
Holding it firmly.
"You won't be alone in it."
Leah's fingers tightened around his.
"…You promise?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just certainty.
Leah leaned into him slightly.
The wind moved around them.
Soft.
Endless.
They stayed there for a while.
Not speaking.
Not moving.
Just… together.
—
As the sun began to lower—
The light shifted.
Warmer.
Golden.
Leah sat on the edge of the stone path, her legs stretched slightly, her shoulder brushing against Izana's as he stood beside her.
"…I'm glad we came," she said softly.
A pause.
Then—
"So am I."
Leah tilted her head slightly, resting it gently against him.
Izana didn't move away.
Didn't shift.
His hand rested lightly against her shoulder.
Holding her there.
The world stretched out in front of them.
Wide.
Endless.
Uncertain.
But for now—
None of that mattered.
Because in this moment—
At the top of everything—
They weren't thinking about what came next.
They weren't thinking about what waited for them.
Only this.
Only here.
Only each other.
And for once—
That was enough.