Morning came softer this time.
Not as still.
Not as quiet.
But lighter.
The kind of morning that carried the feeling of something ending… and something new beginning.
Soft sunlight spilled through the large windows of the villa, stretching across the floor and climbing slowly up the bed.
Leah stirred first.
Her eyes opened gradually, blinking against the light.
For a moment—
She didn't move.
Just lay there.
Listening.
The distant sound of waves.
The quiet hum of the world outside.
And then—
She turned her head slightly.
Izana was awake.
Already watching her.
His red eyes were calm.
Steady.
Focused only on her.
Leah smiled softly.
"…You've been awake for a while."
"Yes."
"Creepy."
A faint pause.
"…You were asleep."
"That doesn't make it less creepy."
A small shift touched his expression.
Almost amusement.
Leah pushed herself up slowly, careful as she moved closer.
Her fingers lifted.
Gently brushing against the bandage on his head.
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little."
Her brows furrowed.
"…You're saying that too casually."
"It is manageable."
Leah gave him a look.
"You always say that."
"It is accurate."
She didn't argue.
Not this time.
Instead, she reached for the edge of the bandage, adjusting it carefully.
Her touch was softer now.
More familiar.
"You're lucky it's not worse," she murmured.
"I am aware."
Leah leaned back slightly.
Studying him.
Then—
"…We should get ready."
"Yes."
A pause.
Neither of them moved.
Leah sighed softly.
"…We actually have to leave today."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"I know."
Something in his voice was quieter.
Not reluctant.
Just… aware.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…I liked it here."
"So did I."
She blinked.
Then smiled a little more.
"…You're getting sentimental."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I am stating a fact."
Leah laughed softly.
"Sure."
—
Getting ready took longer than expected.
Not because they were slow—
But because neither of them rushed.
Clothes were folded carefully.
Bags packed properly.
Everything placed exactly where it needed to be.
Leah moved around the room with quiet focus, double-checking things.
Izana watched her for a moment.
Then—
"You're thinking."
She paused.
Just slightly.
"…About yesterday."
A small silence followed.
Then she shook her head lightly.
"But it's fine."
"It is."
Leah glanced at him.
Then smiled.
"…Let's go."
—
The air outside felt warm.
Gentle.
The kind of warmth that lingered on your skin without weighing you down.
Leah stepped out beside him, her bag resting lightly against her shoulder.
Izana walked next to her, close enough that their hands brushed.
Then—
A small voice broke through the calm.
"Hey—!"
Leah turned instinctively.
Just in time to see a small boy running toward them.
Tears streaked down his cheeks.
His breathing uneven.
Panicked.
"I can't find my mom and dad!"
The boy collided lightly into Izana, grabbing onto him without hesitation.
Izana didn't react the way he once would have.
He didn't pull away.
Didn't hesitate.
Instead—
He lowered himself.
Kneeling down so he was eye level with the boy.
"Hey."
His voice was calm.
Steady.
Soft in a way Leah hadn't heard before.
"It's alright."
The boy sniffled.
"I—I lost them…"
"We'll find them."
Simple.
Certain.
The boy's grip tightened slightly on his sleeve.
Izana didn't move.
Didn't rush him.
"What's your name?"
"…Zakk."
"Alright, Zakk."
His tone stayed even.
Grounding.
"Let's look together."
Without warning—
Izana stood again, lifting Zakk gently into his arms.
The movement was smooth.
Careful.
Effortless.
Zakk blinked in surprise, but didn't resist.
Instead, he clung slightly to Izana's shoulder.
Leah watched.
Quiet.
Still.
Something in her chest shifted.
The way Izana held him—
Secure.
Protective.
Natural.
"You'll see better from up here," Izana said calmly.
Zakk wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"O-okay…"
Leah stepped closer.
Her gaze soft as she looked up at them.
"You remember where you last saw them?" she asked gently.
Zakk nodded slightly, pointing vaguely.
"Over there…"
Izana turned in that direction without question.
"Then we start there."
They walked slowly.
Carefully.
Not rushing.
Zakk's breathing steadied little by little.
His crying fading.
Izana adjusted his hold slightly.
Making sure the boy was comfortable.
"You're not scared, are you?" he asked.
Zakk hesitated.
"…A little."
"That's fine."
Simple.
Reassuring.
Leah felt it again.
That quiet shift in her chest.
Her eyes lingered on Izana.
On the way his voice softened without effort.
On the way he didn't rush the boy.
Didn't dismiss him.
Didn't lose patience.
He was… gentle.
Completely.
Unexpectedly.
And yet—
It felt right.
Like this version of him had always been there.
Just unseen.
They walked a little further.
Scanning the area.
Leah stayed close.
But her thoughts drifted.
He would be gentle.
He would protect.
He wouldn't let them feel alone.
He would be a good father.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Not painfully.
Just… deeply.
She looked at him again.
The way Zakk leaned into him.
Safe.
Without hesitation.
Something about that—
Stayed with her.
Then—
Zakk suddenly lifted his head.
"There!"
His small hand pointed ahead.
A couple stood in the distance, looking around frantically.
The moment they saw Zakk—
Everything changed.
"Zakk!"
They rushed forward.
Fast.
Relieved.
The woman reached him first, her arms wrapping around him tightly as Izana carefully lowered him.
"Mom!"
Zakk clung to her instantly.
The man stepped closer, his expression overwhelmed.
"Thank you—thank you so much—."
Leah smiled softly.
"He just got a little lost."
"We were so worried," the woman said, her voice shaking slightly.
Izana stood beside them.
Quiet.
Composed.
"He's alright."
Simple.
The parents nodded quickly, still holding onto their son.
"Thank you," the man repeated.
Izana didn't respond.
Not with words.
Instead—
He looked down at Zakk.
Reached out.
And gently patted his head.
A small motion.
But careful.
Warm.
"Stay close to them."
Zakk nodded.
"Okay."
Then the family stepped away, still thanking them as they left.
The space grew quiet again.
Just the two of them.
Leah didn't speak immediately.
They began walking again.
Side by side.
Close.
Their hands brushed—
Then Izana's fingers found hers.
Intertwining naturally.
After a moment—
He spoke.
"You're quiet."
Leah blinked.
"…Am I?"
"Yes."
A small pause.
She smiled faintly.
"Just thinking."
Izana glanced at her.
Studying her for a second longer than usual.
Then—
"…Alright."
He didn't ask more.
Didn't push.
Just accepted it.
Leah's fingers tightened slightly around his.
Her gaze drifting forward again.
But her thoughts stayed behind.
With him.
With that moment.
With the way he held that child like it was instinct.
Like it was natural.
Something in her chest lingered.
Warm.
Unspoken.
And she held onto it.
Quietly.
For now.
—
As the car came into view—
Izana slowed slightly.
Then looked at her.
"Are you ready to go home?"
Leah met his gaze.
For a moment—
She didn't answer.
Then she smiled.
Soft.
Certain.
"…Yeah."
Her fingers tightened around his.
"I am."
And together—
They kept walking.
Side by side.
Toward whatever came next.