Leah froze in the doorway.
Her eyes strained against the darkness, trying to make sense of the shape lying on the floor just beyond the threshold.
For a moment—
Just a moment—
She didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't understand.
Then her heart started to pound.
"…Hello?"
No response.
The figure didn't move.
A flicker of unease ran through her, but it didn't last long. Something about the shape—about the stillness—felt… familiar.
Carefully, slowly, Leah stepped forward.
Her bare feet barely made a sound against the cold floor as she moved closer, lowering herself down to her knees.
"…Iz?"
The name left her softly.
Tentatively.
Her hand reached out—
Hesitated—
Then touched his arm.
Cold.
Too cold.
Leah's breath caught.
"Izana—."
Her voice came out sharper this time, her other hand moving quickly to his shoulder as she gently shook him.
"Iz, wake up—."
He stirred.
Slowly.
A faint shift beneath her hands.
Then his brows furrowed slightly, his eyes opening just enough to register her presence.
"…Li?"
His voice was low.
Rough with sleep.
Disoriented.
Leah let out a small breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
"You—."
Her words stumbled slightly as her gaze flicked over him again—still on the floor, still cold.
"…You shouldn't be sleeping out here," she said, her voice soft but strained. "It's cold."
There was a pause.
A small one.
But something in his expression changed.
Subtly.
The softness that had been there—groggy and unguarded—faded.
Replaced by something quieter.
More distant.
"…I understand."
Leah blinked.
"…What?"
But Izana was already moving.
Slowly pushing himself up from the floor, steadying himself as he stood.
Leah rose with him, confusion knitting her brows.
"Iz—?"
He didn't look at her.
Didn't meet her eyes.
"I'll sleep somewhere else."
The words were calm.
Too calm.
And then—
He started walking away.
Leah stared after him for half a second.
Trying to process.
Trying to understand.
Then—
"Iz—wait—where are you going?"
He stopped.
But he didn't turn around.
His back remained to her.
"…You told me not to stay."
The words were quiet.
Not accusing.
Not bitter.
Just—
Accepted.
Leah's chest tightened painfully.
"That's not—."
But before she could finish—
He started walking again.
And this time—
He didn't stop.
Something in her snapped.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Something deeper.
Fear.
"Izana!"
He didn't turn.
Didn't slow.
Leah's breath hitched, and before she could think—
She moved.
Quickly.
Closing the distance between them in seconds.
Her arms wrapped around him from behind, holding onto him tightly.
"Stop."
The word came out breathless.
Desperate.
Izana stilled instantly.
His body going rigid beneath her touch.
But he didn't pull away.
Didn't move.
Just… stopped.
Leah pressed closer, her grip tightening slightly as if afraid he might disappear if she let go.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice breaking softly. "I'm sorry, Iz…"
Silence.
"I didn't mean it like that," she continued, her forehead pressing lightly against his back. "I didn't mean… for you to stay away from me."
Her fingers curled slightly into his shirt.
"Just… come back," she whispered. "Come back to bed… with me."
The words lingered between them.
Soft.
Fragile.
Izana didn't respond.
Not right away.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Leah's chest rose and fell unevenly as she waited, her hold on him never loosening.
Then—
"…That scar."
His voice was quiet.
So quiet she almost missed it.
Leah stilled.
Listening.
"It was the only way to break the curse."
Her breath caught.
Izana's gaze lowered slightly, though she couldn't see it from behind.
"They had to… remove it."
A pause.
"They took my blood."
The words came slowly.
Carefully.
Like each one had to be forced out.
"Dr. Karl Virelli… extracted it. Nearly two litres."
Leah's grip tightened slightly.
Her heart pounding in her chest.
"They removed the mutation… and put the blood back."
"...But they had to repeat this... over and over until I..."
His voice wavered.
Just slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But it was there.
"…I almost died."
The words settled between them like a weight.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"That's why I didn't tell you."
Silence.
Leah felt it before she realized it—
The warmth on her cheek.
A tear slipping free.
Her arms tightened around him, her fingers trembling slightly.
"…Iz."
Her voice was soft.
Shaken.
"Look at me."
For a moment—
He didn't move.
Then slowly—
He turned.
And the second his eyes met hers—
Something broke.
Not loudly.
Not violently.
But completely.
His arms came around her instantly, pulling her into him.
Tightly.
Like he needed to.
Like he couldn't not.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice low, strained. "I'm sorry."
Again.
"I didn't mean it."
Again.
"I shouldn't have said that."
Leah didn't pull away.
Didn't stop him.
Her hands lifted, gently cupping his cheek, guiding his face just enough so she could look at him properly.
"It's okay," she said softly.
Her thumb brushed lightly against his skin.
"I'm here."
His grip on her tightened slightly.
Leah's expression softened, her gaze steady on his.
"You don't have to hide things from me," she murmured. "Not like that."
A small pause.
Then, quieter—
"…Not when it hurts you too."
Izana didn't respond with words.
But something in his expression shifted.
Something softer.
Something open.
Leah let out a small breath.
Then, after a moment—
"…Do you want to come to bed?"
The question was gentle.
Careful.
Izana looked at her for a second longer.
Then nodded.
A small movement.
But enough.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Tired.
Relieved.
Leah smiled back, just slightly, her hand slipping into his.
She didn't let go as she turned, guiding him back down the hallway.
Back to their room.
Back through the door he hadn't crossed.
This time—
He followed without stopping.
And when they stepped inside together—
The space between them felt smaller.
Not gone.
But no longer cold.
No longer empty.
Just…
Closer.