Morning came quietly.
Soft light slipped through the curtains, painting the room in pale gold.
The world outside was still.
Peaceful.
Untouched.
Inside the bedroom—
Leah woke slowly.
Not all at once.
Just a gradual awareness.
Warmth.
Soft sheets.
The steady rhythm of breathing behind her.
Her eyes fluttered open.
For a moment…
She didn't move.
She just lay there.
Feeling it.
The warmth pressed against her back.
The weight of an arm wrapped securely around her waist.
Her head resting against something firm.
Comforting.
She blinked softly.
Then realized—
Izana.
Her heart shifted slightly.
Gentle.
Full.
She was tucked against him.
Completely.
His arm beneath her head.
The other wrapped around her like he had no intention of letting go.
He was still asleep.
Completely still.
Completely relaxed.
Leah stayed quiet.
Careful.
She didn't want to wake him.
Not yet.
Her fingers moved slightly against the sheets.
And that's when—
A small wince escaped her.
Barely audible.
But there.
She froze.
"…Okay," she whispered under her breath.
Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
A faint soreness lingered through her body.
Not overwhelming.
But noticeable.
Real.
Her gaze softened.
"…Second time," she murmured quietly to herself.
Two years ago felt distant now.
Different.
Everything about this was different.
Slower.
Closer.
More real.
Her expression softened even more.
Carefully—
Very carefully—
Leah shifted.
Turning just slightly in his arms.
Another small wince.
"…Still worth it," she muttered.
She turned enough to face him.
And then—
She paused.
Izana's face was calm.
Peaceful in a way she didn't get to see often.
No tension.
No control.
No sharp edges.
Just rest.
His hair slightly messy.
Falling loosely over his forehead.
And—
Leah noticed something new.
Her fingers lifted slowly.
Hesitantly.
Then gently—
She touched his cheek.
Light.
Soft.
Her thumb brushed across his skin.
And she felt it.
The faint roughness.
She blinked.
"…You didn't shave," she whispered.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Her thumb brushed over it again.
Slow.
Curious.
Then she pulled her hand back slightly.
But before she could move it away completely—
A hand caught hers.
Firm.
Warm.
Leah froze.
Izana's grip wasn't tight.
But it was deliberate.
He guided her hand back.
Placed it against his cheek again.
Then—
His eyes opened.
Slowly.
Red eyes, still heavy with sleep, settled on her.
"Don't stop."
His voice was low.
Rough with sleep.
Leah smiled softly.
"…You were awake."
"No."
A pause.
"Now I am."
Her thumb resumed its slow movement.
"You have stubble."
"I noticed."
Leah tilted her head slightly.
"It's scratchy."
Izana's eyes flickered with something subtle.
Amusement.
"Is that a complaint?"
"…Maybe."
A small pause.
Then—
Without warning—
Izana shifted forward.
Leah barely had time to react before his face brushed against her cheek—
And then her neck.
The faint roughness dragged lightly across her skin.
Leah gasped.
Then immediately squirmed.
"Izana—!"
Her voice broke into a soft laugh.
"That tickles!"
He didn't stop.
His stubble brushed along her jaw this time.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Leah tried to pull back.
But his arm tightened around her waist.
Holding her in place.
"You said it was scratchy," he murmured.
His voice close.
Too close.
"I'm verifying."
Leah laughed breathlessly.
"That's not verifying—that's attack—."
He moved again.
This time against the side of her neck.
Leah squeaked softly.
"Izana—stop—!"
Her hand came up instinctively, trying to push his shoulder.
But she was laughing now.
Completely.
Her body curling slightly as she tried to escape.
"It tickles—!"
Izana finally paused.
Just enough.
He pulled back slightly.
Studying her.
Her cheeks were flushed.
Eyes bright.
Breath uneven from laughing.
"…Noted," he said calmly.
Leah stared at him.
"You did that on purpose."
"Yes."
"You're terrible."
"You're smiling."
"I'm smiling because I survived."
Izana's lips curved slightly.
Barely.
But it was there.
Leah shook her head.
Still breathless.
Then—
She leaned forward suddenly—
And pressed her face against his cheek in return.
Dragging her own skin lightly against his stubble.
Izana blinked.
Once.
"…What are you doing?"
"Verifying."
He went still.
Leah pulled back with a grin.
"…Yeah. It's definitely scratchy."
A pause.
Then—
Izana shifted again.
Closer.
Leah immediately narrowed her eyes.
"No."
"Yes."
"No—. "
Too late.
He leaned in again—
This time slower.
More deliberate.
Brushing just lightly against her jaw.
Not enough to tickle as much.
But enough to make her shiver slightly.
Leah's breath caught.
"…That's not fair."
Izana's voice lowered.
"There are no rules."
Leah swallowed softly.
Then smiled again.
"…I liked it better when you were half asleep."
"I didn't."
Leah laughed quietly.
Then silence settled between them.
Soft.
Comfortable.
Then—
Leah leaned forward slightly.
And pressed a small kiss to the tip of his nose.
Quick.
Gentle.
Izana blinked.
Surprised.
Just for a second.
Then—
A faint smile touched his lips.
Rare.
Soft.
He leaned forward in return.
And pressed a kiss to her nose.
Leah laughed quietly.
"That was my thing."
"It is ours now."
She shook her head slightly.
"You're stealing it."
"Yes."
Leah smiled.
Then shifted slightly again—
And winced.
This time—
Izana noticed immediately.
His expression changed.
Subtly.
But instantly.
His arm tightened slightly around her.
Concern replacing the softness.
"What's wrong?"
Leah froze.
"…Nothing."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"That is not true."
Leah looked away.
Her cheeks warming.
"It's just—. "
She hesitated.
"…I'm a little sore."
A pause.
And then—
Understanding hit him instantly.
His expression shifted again.
Not sharp.
Not cold.
Just—
Guilt.
Immediate.
Clear.
"I hurt you."
Leah's eyes widened.
"No—."
"I was not careful enough."
"Izana—."
"I should have—."
Leah reached up quickly.
Both hands cupping his face.
Stopping him.
"Hey."
His voice cut off immediately.
He looked at her.
Leah shook her head gently.
"You didn't hurt me."
A small pause.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"It's just normal."
Izana's gaze searched her face.
Carefully.
As if trying to confirm every word.
"…Are you certain?"
"Yes."
She smiled softly.
"I promise."
A longer pause.
Then she added quietly—
"And if it was too much… I would've told you."
That made him stop.
Completely.
Because he knew—
She would.
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
But his hand didn't leave her.
"…Still," he murmured.
Leah smiled gently.
"You worry too much."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I'm being precise."
Leah laughed softly.
"That's just your version of worrying."
Izana didn't argue.
Because she wasn't wrong.
Silence settled again.
But it was warmer now.
Lighter.
Leah relaxed back into him slightly.
Carefully this time.
His arm adjusted instinctively.
Holding her more securely.
More gently.
As if making up for something he thought he did wrong.
Leah noticed.
Of course she did.
Her fingers lightly traced his wrist.
"You're being extra careful now."
"Yes."
"You don't have to be."
"I do."
Leah smiled to herself.
"…Okay."
A few quiet moments passed.
Then—
Leah blinked.
"…Wait."
Izana looked at her.
"What?"
She turned slightly to look at the window.
The sunlight was brighter now.
Higher.
"…What time is it?"
Izana glanced toward the clock.
Then back at her.
"Late."
Leah's eyes widened.
"How late?"
"Later than expected."
Leah sat up slightly—
Then immediately paused with a small wince.
"…Right. Still sore. Great timing."
Izana was already moving.
His hand steadying her instantly.
"Careful."
"I'm fine."
"You are not moving like someone who is fine."
Leah gave him a look.
"I'm moving like someone who got married yesterday."
Izana paused.
Then nodded once.
"…That is accurate."
Leah huffed a small laugh.
Then suddenly—
Her eyes widened again.
"The honeymoon."
A pause.
Izana blinked once.
Then—
"…Yes."
Leah stared at him.
"We're supposed to leave today."
"I'm aware."
"And we're still in bed."
"Yes."
Leah grabbed the edge of the sheets.
"Izana—. "
He reached out.
Caught her wrist gently.
"Leah."
She stopped.
Looked at him.
"You're not rushing."
"We're going to be late."
"It doesn't matter."
"It does—. "
"It doesn't."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
Grounded.
Leah hesitated.
"…You're very relaxed about this."
"I planned for it."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…You planned for us to oversleep?"
"Yes."
Leah stared at him.
"…You're unbelievable."
Izana's expression didn't change.
"I'm thorough."
Leah shook her head.
Then smiled.
"…Okay. Fine."
She relaxed slightly again.
"But we still have to get ready."
"Yes."
Neither of them moved.
Leah looked at him.
"…You're not letting go, are you?"
"No."
"…Izana."
"Yes."
"We have to get up."
"Eventually."
Leah laughed.
"You're worse than me."
"No."
"You are."
A small pause.
Then—
Leah leaned forward.
Pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Gentle.
Lingering just a little.
When she pulled back—
She smiled.
"Now we get up."
Izana looked at her.
Then—
"…No."
Leah blinked.
"What?"
His hand tightened slightly around her waist.
Pulling her closer again.
"Five more minutes."
Leah laughed.
"You just said we have time."
"We do."
"So why—. "
"Five minutes."
Leah shook her head.
But she didn't move away.
"…You're impossible."
"Yes."
She smiled softly.
Then settled back against him.
Just for a moment.
Just for a little longer.
The sunlight warmed the room.
The world outside could wait.
Just a little.
Because for now—
They were exactly where they wanted to be.
Together.
And for once—
There was nowhere else they needed to go.
Not yet.