The path down felt different.
Quieter.
Heavier somehow.
The air hadn't changed.
The mountain hadn't changed.
But something in Leah had.
Her steps were slower now.
Not as steady as before.
The energy she had on the way up had faded, replaced by a quiet exhaustion she didn't want to admit.
Izana noticed.
Of course he did.
"You're slowing down."
Leah didn't look back.
"I'm fine."
"You said that earlier."
"And I meant it."
A pause.
Her steps continued.
Careful.
Measured.
But not as certain as before.
Izana's gaze didn't leave her.
Watching every movement.
Every shift.
The way her shoulders dipped slightly.
The way her breathing had changed.
But he didn't push.
Not yet.
—
The path narrowed slightly as they descended.
Loose gravel.
Uneven ground.
Leah stepped carefully—
But she was tired.
And tired people missed things.
Like the loose lace trailing from her shoe.
It brushed lightly against the ground as she walked.
Unnoticed.
Unfixed.
Izana's gaze dropped for just a second.
Caught it.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Leah—."
Too late.
Her foot came down.
The lace caught beneath it.
And suddenly—
Everything shifted.
Leah stumbled forward.
A sharp, unexpected motion.
Her balance gone instantly.
"I—!"
Izana moved.
Fast.
His hand shot forward—
Reaching—
But he missed.
Fingers brushing air.
Not enough.
Leah was already falling.
And then—
He lunged.
No hesitation.
No thought.
Just instinct.
His arms wrapped around her just as she tipped forward—
Pulling her into him.
One arm around her body.
The other—
Coming up—
Shielding her head.
And then—
They fell.
The ground disappeared beneath them as they tumbled down the slope.
Gravel scattered.
Branches snapped.
The world spun—
Uncontrolled.
Violent.
But through it all—
Izana held her.
Tight.
Unyielding.
His body taking the impact of every turn.
Every hit.
Every collision.
Protecting her.
Always her.
Then—
Impact.
Sharp.
Sudden.
His head struck against a rock.
A dull, heavy sound.
And everything stopped.
—
Silence.
Leah didn't move at first.
Her body still.
Her breath uneven.
Her mind trying to catch up to what just happened.
Then—
"…Izana?"
Her voice was soft.
Unsteady.
She lifted her head slowly.
And saw him.
He was looking at her.
Eyes open.
Focused.
Relief hit her first.
Immediate.
Overwhelming.
"You're okay—."
Then she saw it.
The blood.
Dark.
Running from his temple.
Leah froze.
Her breath caught sharply.
"Izana—!"
She scrambled off him quickly, her hands shaking slightly as she helped him sit up.
"Look at me—look at me."
Her voice was urgent now.
Focused.
Her eyes scanning his face.
His injury.
"You hit your head—."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine," she snapped softly.
Her hands hovered near the wound.
Careful.
Afraid to hurt him more.
"You might have a concussion."
A pause.
Izana blinked once.
Slow.
"…I'm a little dizzy."
Leah's stomach dropped.
"That's not fine."
She moved quickly, pulling her bag off her shoulder.
Her hands moved faster now.
Searching.
Focused.
"Stay still."
"I am."
"You better be."
She found the first aid kit and opened it, her fingers moving with urgency as she grabbed what she needed.
Carefully—
She cleaned the blood.
Izana didn't flinch.
Didn't move.
His gaze stayed on her the entire time.
Watching her.
The way her brows were drawn together.
The way her lips pressed tightly.
Worried.
For him.
"…You're bleeding a lot," she murmured.
"It will stop."
"That's not the point."
Her voice softened slightly.
"…You got hurt because of me."
Izana's expression shifted.
Just slightly.
"No."
Leah glanced at him.
"It was my fault."
"It wasn't."
"I didn't even notice—. "
"You didn't."
He said it simply.
Certain.
"You didn't."
Leah's hands stilled for a moment.
Then continued wrapping the bandage carefully around his head.
Her touch was gentler now.
More deliberate.
When she finished—
She leaned back slightly, studying her work.
"…Okay."
A small breath left her.
Then she looked at him again.
"Do you think you can walk?"
A pause.
Izana tilted his head slightly.
Then—
"Do you?"
Leah blinked.
"…That's not funny."
"It's a valid question."
She gave him a look.
"I'm not the one who hit their head."
"And you're the one who fell."
Leah opened her mouth—
Then stopped.
"…You're impossible."
"Yes."
Before she could say anything else—
Izana moved.
He stood.
Leah's eyes widened slightly.
"Wait—Izana—. "
Too late.
He reached down—
And picked her up.
Effortless.
Bridal style.
Leah froze.
"Izana—!"
Her hands instinctively grabbed onto his shoulders.
"You're hurt—put me down—."
"You're tired."
"That doesn't mean you carry me—."
"Yes, it does."
Leah frowned.
"You're bleeding."
"I'm aware."
"You said you were dizzy."
"I did."
"And you still think this is a good idea?!"
"Yes."
Leah stared at him.
Completely serious.
"…You're unbelievable."
"I know."
He adjusted his hold slightly.
More secure.
Careful.
Despite the blood.
Despite the dizziness.
Leah tried again.
"Izana, seriously—. "
"No."
Her protest died there.
Because his voice wasn't harsh.
Wasn't cold.
It was calm.
Certain.
Final.
And his grip—
Steady.
Unshaking.
Leah exhaled softly.
Defeated.
"…You're not putting me down, are you?"
"No."
"…I hate that you always win."
"I don't always win."
"You do."
A small pause.
Then—
"…Okay. Maybe most of the time."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hold on her didn't loosen.
—
They continued down the path.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Izana's steps were steady.
But not perfect.
Leah noticed.
Of course she did.
The slight hesitation.
The way his grip tightened occasionally.
The way his breathing shifted.
Her fingers curled slightly against his shirt.
"You're overdoing it," she murmured.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm managing."
Leah sighed softly.
"…You're stubborn."
"Yes."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…But thank you."
Izana didn't look at her.
But his arms tightened just slightly.
—
The rest of the way down felt longer.
Quieter.
Leah's energy faded completely now.
The warmth of his body.
The steady rhythm of his steps.
The safety of his hold—
It pulled at her.
Soft.
Heavy.
Her head rested against his chest.
Her eyes slowly closing.
"Izana…"
"Yes."
"…Don't drop me."
A pause.
Then—
"…Never."
That was the last thing she heard.
—
By the time they reached the bottom—
Leah was asleep.
Completely.
Her breathing soft.
Even.
Izana didn't wake her.
Didn't shift her.
He adjusted his hold slightly.
Carefully.
Then walked toward the small waiting area near the road.
The bus would come.
Eventually.
He sat down slowly.
Leah still in his arms.
Her head resting against him.
Unmoving.
Peaceful.
The bandage around his head had started to darken slightly where the blood had soaked through.
But he didn't touch it.
Didn't check it.
Didn't care.
His gaze dropped to her instead.
Watching her.
Making sure she was still breathing evenly.
Still safe.
Still there.
The world moved quietly around them.
The mountain stood behind them.
Silent.
Unchanging.
But something had shifted.
Not in the world.
In them.
And as he sat there—
Holding her close—
Izana didn't think about the pain.
Didn't think about the dizziness.
Only one thing remained clear.
She was safe.
And that was enough.