The room stayed quiet.
Not empty.
Just slow.
Morning had settled fully now.
Light softer.
Warmer.
Leah was awake again.
Not fully rested.
But more present.
More aware.
Zarek was still in Izana's arms.
Asleep.
Unmoving.
Izana hadn't shifted much.
Still sitting beside her.
Still watching.
Leah exhaled softly.
"…You're still holding him."
"…Yes."
"…You haven't moved."
"…I have."
Leah raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…That didn't look like movement."
Izana didn't respond.
Leah studied him.
Then—
"…You look tired."
"…I'm fine."
"…You're not."
A pause.
Izana didn't argue.
Which said enough.
Leah shifted slightly.
Careful.
"…Give him to me."
Izana looked at her.
"…You're still sore."
"…I know."
"…You should rest."
Leah gave him a look.
"…You should sleep."
Silence.
Then—
"…Later."
"…No."
Izana's gaze held hers.
"…Li."
"…Iz."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…You didn't sleep all night."
"…He needed me."
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…And now he's sleeping."
A small pause.
"…So now you do."
Izana didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Leah leaned slightly closer.
Careful.
"…You trust me, right?"
That landed differently.
Izana's gaze shifted slightly.
Then—
"…Yes."
"…Then let me take him."
A quiet moment passed.
Then—
slowly—
Izana adjusted his hold.
Carefully transferring Zarek into Leah's arms.
Gentle.
Precise.
He didn't rush it.
Didn't fully let go immediately.
Leah noticed.
"…I've got him."
A pause.
Then—
Izana released him.
Slowly.
His hands lingered for a second longer than necessary.
Then pulled back.
Leah adjusted Zarek instinctively.
Holding him closer.
"…See?"
Izana watched.
Closely.
"…Yes."
Leah gave a faint smile.
"…Now lie down."
Izana didn't move.
"…No."
Leah stared at him.
"…That wasn't a suggestion."
"…I'm fine here."
"…You're not sleeping sitting up."
"…I can."
"…You shouldn't."
A pause.
Leah shifted slightly again.
Wincing faintly.
But she ignored it.
"…Lie down."
Izana's gaze narrowed slightly.
"…You're ordering me."
"…Yes."
"…That's new."
"…Get used to it."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…No."
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…You're difficult."
"…You knew that."
"…I did."
A small silence.
Then Leah softened slightly.
"…Please."
That shifted something.
Izana's gaze held hers.
Longer.
Then—
he moved.
Slowly.
He adjusted his position.
Carefully laying down beside her.
Not fully relaxed.
Still aware.
Still watching Zarek.
Leah noticed immediately.
"…Close your eyes."
"…No."
"…Iz."
"…I'm awake."
Leah tilted her head slightly.
"…Barely."
Izana didn't answer.
Leah sighed softly.
Then—
with her free hand—
she reached out.
Gently touched his cheek.
"…You don't have to stay awake."
He didn't move.
Didn't pull away.
"…I do."
"…You don't."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…I'm here."
That lingered.
Izana's eyes shifted slightly.
Then—
slowly—
they closed.
Not fully.
But enough.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…That's better."
A quiet moment passed.
Zarek stirred slightly.
A small movement.
Leah adjusted her hold instinctively.
"…Hey…"
Soft.
Gentle.
"…Stay calm…"
Izana's eyes opened slightly.
Immediately aware.
Leah glanced at him.
"…Sleep."
"…He moved."
"…He's fine."
A pause.
Zarek shifted again.
Then settled.
Leah exhaled softly.
"…See?"
Izana didn't respond.
But his eyes closed again.
This time a little longer.
A knock came at the door.
Soft.
Measured.
Leah looked up.
"…Come in."
A nurse entered quietly.
Carrying a small tray.
She paused slightly when she saw Izana lying down.
"…Good morning."
Leah gave a small smile.
"…Morning."
The nurse stepped closer.
"…It's time to try feeding."
Leah's expression shifted slightly.
A small hesitation.
"…Okay."
Izana's eyes opened again.
Immediately alert.
Leah glanced at him.
"…You're supposed to be sleeping."
"…I am."
"…With your eyes open?"
"…Yes."
Leah gave him a look.
Then turned back to the nurse.
"…What do I need to do?"
The nurse stepped closer.
Gentle.
"…I'll guide you."
Leah adjusted slightly.
Careful.
Still sore.
"…Okay…"
A small breath left her.
"…What if I do it wrong?"
Izana's voice came quietly from beside her.
"…You won't."
Leah glanced at him.
"…You sound very sure."
"…I am."
The nurse smiled faintly.
"…Just relax. He'll respond naturally."
Leah nodded slowly.
"…Alright…"
She adjusted Zarek carefully.
Following instructions.
Slow.
Precise.
Izana didn't move.
Just watched.
Quiet.
Present.
Leah hesitated slightly.
Then—
"…Okay…"
She tried.
A small pause.
Then another.
Zarek shifted.
Then—
settled.
Leah blinked.
"…Oh."
The nurse nodded softly.
"…There you go."
Leah looked down at him.
Surprised.
"…That worked."
Izana's voice stayed low.
"…I told you."
Leah glanced at him.
"…You don't get to say that yet."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…But you were right."
Izana didn't react.
Just watched.
Leah relaxed slightly.
More confident now.
"…Okay… this isn't as bad as I thought."
The nurse stepped back slightly.
"…You're doing well."
Leah exhaled softly.
"…That's reassuring."
A quiet moment passed.
Zarek stayed calm.
Leah watched him.
Then—
"…He's actually listening to me."
Izana's gaze shifted.
Then—
"…Of course he is."
Leah looked at him.
"…That sounded different."
"…Why?"
"…Because you're not claiming it this time."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…You're calm."
Leah smiled slightly.
"…So now I qualify."
"…Yes."
She let out a quiet laugh.
"…Good."
The nurse nodded.
"…I'll leave you both for now."
She stepped out quietly.
The door closing softly behind her.
Silence returned.
Leah looked down at Zarek.
Then at Izana.
"…You can sleep now."
Izana didn't answer.
Leah studied him.
Then—
she reached out again.
Gently brushing his hair back.
"…You did enough."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Rest."
Izana's eyes stayed on her for a moment.
Then—
slowly—
they closed.
This time fully.
Leah watched him.
Quiet.
Then looked back down at Zarek.
"…We did okay."
Zarek stayed calm.
Warm.
Safe.
And for the first time—
Izana actually slept.