Two months had passed.
The mansion had settled into a quieter rhythm.
Not peaceful.
Just stable in the way something becomes when it has learned how to survive without falling apart.
Late evening light filtered through the bedroom curtains, soft and muted across the floor.
Leah stood in front of the wardrobe.
Her baby bump bigger now at six months along.
Slowly.
Carefully.
She pulled out a pajama shirt and held it up for a second.
Then paused.
Tried it anyway.
It stopped halfway.
Didn't go further.
She exhaled.
"…No."
She pulled it back off.
Tried another.
Same result.
Another.
Still nothing.
Leah stared at the growing pile on the bed.
Then lowered herself onto the edge of it.
"…This is ridiculous."
A small movement answered her.
Zarek.
A kick.
Then another.
Leah placed a hand over her stomach.
"…Not you."
Another kick.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Okay. Slightly you."
She leaned back, exhaling through her nose.
"…Nothing fits anymore."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Nothing at all."
The door opened.
Leah didn't turn immediately.
She already knew.
Footsteps.
Measured.
Controlled.
Familiar.
Izana stepped inside.
Stopped.
Looked at her.
Didn't speak right away.
Just observed.
Leah turned her head slightly.
Met his gaze.
"…Perfect timing."
Izana closed the door behind him.
"…What."
Leah gestured at the bed.
The shirts.
"…This."
A pause.
"…Nothing fits."
Izana's eyes moved over the pile.
Then back to her.
"…I see."
Leah leaned back on her hands.
"…That's it? That's your reaction?"
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
he walked toward her.
Calm.
Unhurried.
Leah watched him approach.
"…You're late."
Izana stopped in front of her.
"…Meeting."
Leah raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…Of course."
A pause.
Her voice softened a fraction.
"…Long one?"
Izana didn't answer directly.
"…Enough."
Leah hummed faintly.
Then glanced down at herself again.
"…Nothing fits."
Izana's gaze followed.
Held for a moment longer than necessary.
Then back to her face.
"…Then stop forcing it."
Leah sighed.
"…I don't have anything else."
Without another word, Izana turned.
Leah blinked.
"…Where are you going?"
He didn't answer.
Just walked to the wardrobe on his side.
Leah shifted slightly.
"…Are you ignoring me right now?"
No response.
She narrowed her eyes.
"…That's rude."
Inside the wardrobe, Izana paused.
Not rushing.
Not grabbing randomly.
He actually looked.
Felt fabric between his fingers.
Checked it.
Moved it aside.
Then another.
Leah watched him, sitting slightly forward now.
"…You're seriously inspecting your own clothes."
Izana's voice came flat from inside.
"…Some are unsuitable."
Leah blinked.
Then let out a quiet laugh.
"…That's not how clothes work."
No response.
He continued.
Carefully.
Deliberately.
Then—
he pulled one shirt out.
Paused.
Looked at it again.
Then turned.
Leah tilted her head.
"…You're choosing like I'm going on a mission."
Izana didn't answer.
Just walked back toward her.
Shirt in hand.
He stopped in front of her.
"…Lift your arm."
Leah blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
"…Lift it."
She did.
Slowly.
Still watching him.
He stepped closer.
Helped guide the shirt over her head.
Careful.
Controlled.
Not rushing.
The fabric lifted halfway.
Her stomach briefly exposed.
Izana paused.
Just for a second.
His gaze dropped there.
Then—
he leaned in.
And pressed a soft kiss there.
Leah froze.
"…Iz."
Not sharp.
More surprised than anything.
He didn't respond.
Just—
another light kiss.
Then a third.
Small.
Barely there.
Leah let out a short breath that turned into a quiet laugh.
"…You're not serious right now."
"…Stay still."
"…I am still."
He did it again.
Quick.
Deliberate.
Just enough.
Leah laughed softly, pulling slightly—
but the shirt was still over her head.
"…That tickles—stop."
Izana guided the shirt down properly now.
Calm again.
Like nothing happened.
Leah narrowed her eyes slightly as it settled into place.
"…You're annoying."
Izana straightened it over her shoulders.
"…You moved."
Leah stared at him.
"…That was your fault."
A pause.
Then—
a small kick.
Both of them felt it.
Izana's hand immediately settled over her stomach.
Grounding.
Automatic.
"…He noticed."
Leah shook her head slightly.
"…Of course he did."
Izana adjusted the sleeves of the shirt carefully, rolling them up so they wouldn't bother her arms.
Deliberate.
Precise.
Leah watched him.
"…You take this very seriously."
"…Comfort matters."
Leah softened slightly at that.
"…That's not a normal answer."
Izana finished adjusting the sleeve.
Then looked at her properly.
The shirt was loose on her now.
Comfortable.
"…It fits."
Leah tugged at it lightly.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…It does."
Zarek kicked again.
Softer this time.
Leah placed her hand over Izana's without thinking.
"…He's active tonight."
Izana's thumb moved faintly against her stomach.
"…Restless."
Leah tilted her head.
"…He missed you."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…I was gone longer than usual."
Leah studied him.
"…Meeting?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…Anything I should know?"
Izana didn't answer right away.
Leah didn't push.
Just watched him.
Then—
"…No."
Leah held his gaze a moment longer.
Then exhaled softly.
"…Okay."
But she didn't fully believe it.
She just didn't challenge it tonight.
Izana stood slightly closer again.
Not invasive.
Just present.
Leah adjusted the hem of the shirt.
"…It's comfortable."
"…Keep it."
She looked up at him.
"…I will."
A small kick followed.
Izana's hand didn't leave her stomach.
Leah's fingers stayed over his.
Quiet settled again.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Just there.
Leah broke it first.
"…You're not allowed to leave for that long again."
Izana didn't hesitate.
"…I won't."
A beat.
Then—
softer.
"…I came back."
Leah's expression eased slightly.
"…Yeah."
She leaned back a little.
Still watching him.
"…You did."
Izana stayed still for a moment longer.
Then—
a shift.
Small.
Natural.
He leaned in.
And kissed her.
Soft.
Brief.
No hesitation.
Just instinct.
Leah stilled for a second.
Then exhaled quietly.
"…That was unnecessary."
Izana straightened like nothing happened.
"…You were loud earlier."
Leah stared at him.
Then shook her head slightly.
A faint smile forming despite herself.
"…That's your excuse?"
A small kick followed immediately.
His hand returned automatically.
"…He agrees."
Leah narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…He does not take sides."
"…He responds to me."
"…That's not fair."
Izana turned slightly, adjusting the sleeves again out of habit.
Calm.
Controlled.
But not distant.
Leah watched him for a moment longer.
Then leaned back slightly on the bed.
Still awake.
Still aware.
Still there.
And for once—
nothing needed to be fixed.
Nothing needed to be said twice.
Just held.
Quietly.
Between them.