A few days had passed.
The hospital room felt different now.
Not as heavy.
Not as tense.
The machines still filled the space with their steady rhythm—
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
—but it didn't feel like they were fighting anymore.
Just watching.
Just making sure everything stayed steady.
Izana was awake.
Not fully back to normal.
Not even close.
But awake.
Stronger than before.
Able to sit up slightly with support, though he didn't push himself too much.
Leah was still there.
Of course she was.
She hadn't changed that.
Still beside him.
Still watching him like she didn't trust the world not to take him again.
But she looked a little different now.
Still tired.
Still exhausted.
But calmer.
Less on edge.
She sat beside the bed, her hand resting lightly over her stomach.
Her other hand was loosely holding Izana's.
She had been quiet for a while.
Thinking.
Then—
"…You haven't been kicking."
Her voice was soft.
Almost thoughtful.
Izana's gaze shifted to her slowly.
"…Who?"
Leah gave him a small look.
"…Zarek."
A pause.
Her hand pressed lightly against her stomach.
"…He hasn't kicked in days."
Silence.
Izana's eyes lowered slightly.
"…Is that bad?"
Leah shook her head gently.
"…No."
A pause.
"…I don't think so."
She looked at him.
"…I think it's because of you."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Just watched her.
Leah continued.
"…He used to kick every morning."
A pause.
"…And every night."
Her fingers traced lightly over her stomach.
"…The times you used to talk to him."
Silence.
Izana's expression shifted slightly.
Subtle.
But there.
Leah's voice softened.
"…I think he was looking for you."
A pause.
"…Now you're here."
The room went quiet again.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Izana's hand moved slowly.
Still weak.
But steadier than before.
Leah noticed immediately and helped guide it.
Gently.
Down.
To her stomach.
His palm rested there again.
Warm.
Familiar.
They both waited.
No movement.
No kick.
Just stillness.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…See?"
Izana's thumb shifted slightly.
"…He's calm."
Leah looked at him.
"…Because of you."
Izana's voice was low.
Still rough.
"…Good."
A pause.
His fingers pressed lightly.
"…Stay like that."
Leah raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…You're talking to him again."
Izana didn't look away.
"…He listens."
Leah let out a quiet breath.
"…He only listens to you."
Izana replied without hesitation.
"…He should."
A pause.
"…He's mine."
Leah gave him a look.
"…He's ours."
Izana glanced at her.
Small pause.
Then—
"…Ours."
Leah's lips curved slightly.
A small victory.
Silence settled again.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Not anymore.
Just calm.
Leah shifted slightly in her chair.
Her shoulders dropping again.
Izana noticed immediately.
"…You're tired."
Leah didn't deny it.
"…I'm fine."
Izana gave her a look.
A quiet one.
But firm.
"…You're not."
Leah sighed softly.
"…I haven't been sleeping properly."
A pause.
"…But I'm okay."
Izana watched her for a second.
Then—
"…Come here."
Leah blinked.
"…What?"
Izana shifted slightly against the bed, ignoring the faint discomfort.
"…Lay down."
Leah immediately shook her head.
"…No."
Izana didn't react much.
Just repeated—
"…Come here."
Leah frowned slightly.
"…Iz, you're injured."
A pause.
"…I'm not getting on that bed."
Izana's gaze stayed on her.
Unmoved.
"…You're exhausted."
Leah crossed her arms slightly.
"…And you have gunshot wounds."
A pause.
"…So no."
Izana didn't argue.
Didn't raise his voice.
He just looked at her.
Quiet.
Steady.
Waiting.
Leah narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Don't do that."
No response.
"…Stop looking at me like that."
Still nothing.
Just that same look.
Unchanging.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"…No."
Simple.
Immediate.
Leah looked away for a second.
Then back at him.
"…If I hurt you—."
"…You won't."
Leah hesitated.
"…Iz—."
"…Come here."
Same tone.
Same calm insistence.
Leah stared at him for a moment longer.
Then sighed.
"…I hate you."
Izana didn't react.
"…No, you don't."
Leah shook her head slightly.
"…You're impossible."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…I can't win against you."
Izana didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
Leah carefully stood up.
Slowly.
Cautiously.
She moved to the bed.
Every movement deliberate.
Making sure she didn't put pressure anywhere she shouldn't.
She climbed onto the bed gently.
Positioning herself carefully beside him.
Not touching him.
Not leaning on him.
Keeping distance between them.
Izana watched her.
Then frowned slightly.
"…What are you doing."
Leah glanced at him.
"…Not hurting you."
Izana shifted slightly.
"…Come here properly."
Leah shook her head.
"…No."
Izana sighed faintly.
Then slowly—
very carefully—
he moved his arm.
Guiding her.
Leah immediately tensed.
"…Iz—don't move—."
But he ignored her.
Gently pulling her closer.
Until her head rested against his chest.
Leah froze.
"…You're going to make it worse."
Izana's voice was quiet.
"…Stop overthinking."
Leah hesitated.
Listening.
Feeling.
His heartbeat.
Steady.
Real.
She slowly relaxed.
Just a little.
"…If you get hurt—."
"…I won't."
A pause.
Leah finally settled.
Carefully.
Making sure she didn't press too much weight on him.
Her head resting lightly against his chest.
Her body still tense.
But there.
Izana's hand moved again.
Slow.
Weak.
But intentional.
Leah watched.
Then gently took his hand.
Guided it.
Down.
To her stomach again.
Placed it there.
Carefully.
Her fingers stayed over his.
Holding it in place.
Silence.
No kick.
No movement.
Just warmth.
Just presence.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…He's quiet again."
Izana's thumb shifted slightly.
"…Good."
Leah closed her eyes briefly.
"…You calm him."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…You calm both of us."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hand didn't move.
It stayed there.
Exactly where she placed it.
Leah relaxed more this time.
Her head still resting against him.
Her hand over his.
Their son beneath it.
All three of them—
finally still.
"…Stay like this."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Izana's reply came just as quiet.
"…I am."
And for the first time in days—
everything felt steady.