The afternoon was quiet.
Too quiet.
The kind that lingered.
Leah sat near the window.
One hand resting on her stomach.
The other holding the edge of the armchair.
Not doing much.
Not moving much.
Just… there.
A kick came.
Sharp.
Leah flinched slightly.
"…Okay."
Another one.
Stronger.
She exhaled through her nose.
"…I felt that."
Her hand moved slowly.
Gentle circles.
Careful.
Trying.
But—
another kick.
Persistent.
Leah leaned back.
Closed her eyes briefly.
"…You're getting stronger."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Too strong."
She shifted slightly in the chair.
Adjusting.
Nothing felt right.
Not sitting.
Not leaning.
Not standing.
Everything just… off.
Another kick.
Leah let out a small breath.
"…I know. I know."
Her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach.
"…You don't like it either."
Silence followed.
But not calm.
Just heavy.
Leah's gaze dropped.
Her voice softer now.
"…I can't even sit properly anymore."
A pause.
"…Everything feels wrong."
Her hand stilled.
"…I don't like this."
The door opened.
She didn't look at first.
Then—
footsteps.
Measured.
Familiar.
Izana.
He stepped inside.
Stopped.
Watched her.
Didn't speak immediately.
Leah didn't look at him right away.
"…Don't."
Izana's gaze narrowed slightly.
"…Don't what."
Leah exhaled.
Still not looking at him.
"…Don't say I'm fine."
Silence.
A beat.
Then—
Izana walked closer.
Slow.
Unhurried.
"…I wasn't going to."
Leah finally looked up at him.
Studying his face.
"…Good."
A pause.
Then—
"…Because I'm not."
Izana stopped in front of her.
Didn't interrupt.
Didn't correct.
Just listened.
Leah's hand moved over her stomach again.
Restless.
"…I can't sleep properly."
A pause.
"…I can't move properly."
Another.
"…I can't even breathe right half the time."
Her voice didn't break.
But it came quieter.
"…I hate it."
Silence filled the space between them.
Izana didn't rush to answer.
Didn't dismiss it.
Didn't fix it.
He just—
moved closer.
Leah watched him.
"…You're not saying anything."
Izana's voice stayed calm.
"…You're not done."
That caught her off guard.
She blinked slightly.
Then—
exhaled.
"…I'm tired."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…And I don't feel like myself anymore."
That one stayed.
Hung heavier than the rest.
Izana's expression didn't change.
But something in his posture shifted.
Subtly.
Then—
"…Come here."
Leah hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then slowly—
she stood.
Careful.
Moved toward him.
Izana didn't wait.
His arms came around her immediately.
Steady.
Secure.
Not tight.
Just enough.
Leah let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Her forehead resting lightly against his chest.
"…You're warm."
"…You're cold."
"…That's not helpful."
"…It's accurate."
A small pause.
Then—
Leah's grip tightened slightly against his shirt.
"…I don't like not being in control."
Izana's hand moved slowly along her back.
Up.
Down.
Grounding.
"…I know."
"…Do you?"
"…Yes."
She pulled back slightly.
Looked at him.
"…You hate it too."
Izana met her gaze.
Didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Leah exhaled softly.
Then leaned back into him again.
"…At least you admit it."
Silence settled.
Quieter now.
Softer.
Then—
Leah spoke again.
Lower.
More hesitant.
"…What if something goes wrong."
The air shifted.
Subtle.
But immediate.
Izana didn't answer right away.
Leah felt it.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"…Iz."
His hand stilled for a second on her back.
Then moved again.
Slower.
More deliberate.
"…Then I deal with it."
Leah pulled back instantly.
Frowning.
"…That's not what I asked."
Izana didn't look away.
"…It's the answer."
"…No, it's not."
Her voice wasn't sharp.
Just… frustrated.
"…That's what you always say."
A pause.
"…I'm asking something else."
Izana studied her.
Carefully.
Then—
"…Ask it."
Leah hesitated.
Then—
"…What if something happens to me."
Silence.
Complete.
Izana didn't move.
Didn't react immediately.
But his gaze changed.
Subtly.
Sharpened.
"…Nothing will."
Leah shook her head faintly.
"…You don't know that."
"…I do."
"…You can't control everything."
That landed.
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Leah held his gaze.
Waiting.
Then—
quieter—
"…I'm scared."
There it was.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just honest.
Izana's hand moved from her back.
To her face.
Careful.
Steady.
His thumb brushing lightly along her cheek.
"…Look at me."
She did.
Slowly.
"…You're not alone in this."
Leah's breathing slowed slightly.
"…I know."
"…No."
A pause.
Then—
"…You don't."
His voice dropped slightly.
Not cold.
Just certain.
"…Nothing happens to you without it going through me first."
Leah blinked.
"…That's not how this works."
"…It is."
A beat.
Then softer—
"…For me."
Silence followed.
But it wasn't heavy anymore.
Just… grounded.
Leah studied him.
Longer this time.
Then—
her expression eased.
Not fully.
But enough.
"…You're impossible."
"…Yes."
"…And somehow that helps."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hand didn't move from her face.
Leah leaned into it slightly.
Then—
another kick.
Strong.
She inhaled sharply.
"…Okay—."
Izana's hand dropped instantly to her stomach.
Steady.
Grounding.
His other arm still around her.
"…Breathe."
Leah nodded slightly.
Following it.
The movement settled.
Not fully gone.
But calmer.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…He's getting stronger."
"…He is."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Just like you."
Leah huffed faintly.
"…That's concerning."
"…No."
"…He's going to be difficult."
"…Yes."
"…That's also concerning."
A small silence.
Then—
Leah leaned fully into him again.
Careful.
Resting.
Her voice quieter now.
"…Stay."
Izana didn't hesitate.
"…I am."
Another kick.
Softer.
Then stillness.
Leah's breathing evened out.
Her grip relaxed.
Not asleep.
Just calmer.
Izana didn't move.
Didn't shift.
His hand stayed over her stomach.
The other still holding her close.
And for a while—
nothing else mattered.
Not fear.
Not control.
Not anything waiting outside that room.
Just—
this.
And the quiet understanding that neither of them said out loud.
But both felt.
They weren't ready.
But they would be.
Together.