Night had settled in.
The city quieter.
But never still.
The car moved through the streets.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Dark glass.
Silent engine.
Inside—
the same.
Silence.
Heavy.
Familiar.
Dante drove.
One hand on the wheel.
Eyes forward.
Always aware.
Izana sat in the back.
Composed.
Still.
Gaze distant.
A pause.
Then—
"…You didn't say anything back there."
Dante's voice cut through.
Flat.
Casual.
Izana didn't answer.
"…That usually means you're thinking too much."
Silence.
"…Or planning something."
Nothing.
Dante exhaled lightly.
"…I prefer when you're planning something."
A beat.
"…Less unpredictable."
Izana's gaze shifted slightly.
"…Focus on the road."
"…I am."
A pause.
"…I can do both."
The car turned.
Lights shifting across the windows.
Then—
Izana's gaze stopped.
Sharp.
Focused.
"…Stop."
Dante frowned slightly.
"…What."
"…Stop."
Lower.
Final.
The car slowed.
Pulled to the side.
"…We're not at the mansion."
No answer.
The door opened.
Izana stepped out.
Already moving.
Dante leaned forward slightly.
Watching him cross the street.
His eyes followed.
Then—
the sign.
A toy shop.
Dante blinked once.
"…No."
He leaned back again.
"…Absolutely not."
Izana was already inside.
The bell chimed softly.
Warm light.
Soft colours.
A different world.
The shopkeeper looked up.
"…Good evening."
Izana didn't respond.
His gaze had already moved.
Scanning.
Then—
stopping.
The bear.
Brown.
Soft.
Red ribbon.
Still.
Waiting.
He stepped closer.
Slow.
His hand lifted.
Paused—
then picked it up.
Careful.
His thumb brushed the ribbon.
Straightening it.
A small crease fixed.
"…That one catches your attention."
The shopkeeper's tone was light.
Izana didn't look away.
"…Yes."
"…Good choice."
A pause.
"…For someone special?"
"…Yes."
Simple.
The bear turned slightly in his hand.
Studied.
Measured.
"…Son or daughter?"
A pause.
"…I don't know."
The shopkeeper smiled.
"…That makes it more special."
Silence.
Then—
"…It doesn't matter."
"…No?"
"…No."
A beat.
"…As long as they're safe."
The shopkeeper nodded slowly.
"…That's the right answer."
Izana stepped forward.
Placed the bear on the counter.
"…I'll take it."
"…Of course."
The bag opened.
Soft paper.
Careful hands.
"…First child?"
A pause.
Then—
"…Yes."
"…You'll remember this moment."
Izana didn't respond.
But his gaze stayed on the bear.
Until it disappeared into the bag.
His hand moved.
Card already there.
Black.
Placed down.
The machine beeped.
Quiet.
Routine.
"…You're well prepared."
No response.
"…Most people hesitate."
A pause.
Then—
"…I don't."
The shopkeeper smiled faintly.
"…I can see that."
The bag was handed over.
Izana took it.
"…Thank you."
"…Congratulations."
A slight pause.
"…Thank you."
He turned.
Left.
The bell chimed again.
Outside—
the air colder.
Sharper.
Dante watched him approach.
Eyes narrowed slightly.
The door opened.
Izana got in.
Silence returned.
The bag rested beside him.
Dante didn't start the car.
Not yet.
A pause.
Then—
"…You're not going to explain that."
Nothing.
Dante glanced at the bag.
Then back at him.
"…We stopped for a toy."
Silence.
"…In the middle of the night."
Nothing.
"…During a return from a weapons meeting."
A beat.
"…Do you hear how that sounds?"
Izana reached into the bag.
Pulled the bear out.
Slow.
Careful.
Dante blinked.
"…You're serious."
No response.
Izana looked at it.
Focused.
His thumb brushed the ribbon again.
Fixing it.
Again.
"…It was there."
Quiet.
Dante stared at him through the mirror.
"…That's your explanation?"
"…Yes."
"…You saw it. So you bought it."
"…Yes."
A pause.
Dante leaned back slightly.
"…That's concerning."
No reaction.
Izana tapped the bear's nose lightly.
Once.
Then again.
Small.
Absent.
Dante watched closely now.
No sarcasm.
Not yet.
"…That's for the baby."
"…Yes."
"…You don't know what it is yet."
"…It doesn't matter."
Flat.
Certain.
Dante's brow lifted.
"…No preference?"
"…Not anymore."
A pause.
"…Boy or girl—same outcome?"
"…Yes."
Another pause.
Then—
Izana's voice lowered slightly.
"…As long as they're safe."
A beat.
"…And Leah."
Dante's gaze shifted.
Subtle.
"…That order matters."
Silence.
No denial.
The engine started.
The car moved.
The city passed again.
Lights.
Reflections.
Quiet.
Dante glanced again.
"…You stopped a convoy for that."
"…Yes."
"…Armed men. Routes. Timing."
"…Yes."
"…For a bear."
"…Yes."
Dante huffed quietly.
"…I should write that down."
No response.
"…'Reason for delay: stuffed animal.'"
Nothing.
Izana adjusted the ribbon again.
Perfect.
"…It was loose."
Dante blinked.
"…You noticed that."
"…Yes."
"…Of course you did."
A pause.
Dante's tone shifted slightly.
Less teasing.
More curious.
"…Why that one."
Silence.
Then—
"…It was simple."
A beat.
"…Not complicated."
Another.
"…Nothing unnecessary."
Dante watched him.
"…Like you."
Izana didn't respond.
"…Or the opposite of you."
Still nothing.
Dante smirked faintly.
"…I can't decide."
Izana tapped the bear's nose again.
"…They'll like it."
Quiet.
Not for Dante.
Dante heard it anyway.
"…You're talking to it already."
"…No."
"…You just did."
Silence.
Then—
"…It's practice."
Dante let out a breath.
Almost a laugh.
"…You're gone."
No denial.
"…Completely gone."
Izana looked at the bear.
Not arguing.
Not correcting.
Just—
accepting.
Dante leaned back.
Watching through the mirror.
"…She'll like it."
A pause.
"…Leah."
Izana's gaze shifted slightly.
"…It's not for her."
"…Everything is."
Silence.
Longer this time.
No denial.
Dante noticed.
"…Right."
A beat.
"…You're done for."
Izana's fingers tightened slightly around the bear.
"…Yes."
Simple.
Certain.
The mansion came into view.
Familiar.
Still.
The car slowed.
Stopped.
Engine off.
Silence.
Izana stepped out.
The bag in his hand.
Held carefully.
Not loose.
Not careless.
Dante watched him.
For a moment.
Then—
"…You're giving it to them now?"
Izana paused.
Slight.
"…No."
"…Hiding it?"
"…No."
A beat.
"…Later."
Dante tilted his head slightly.
"…Planning something."
No answer.
But—
that was answer enough.
Dante smirked faintly.
"…Of course you are."
Izana turned.
Walking toward the mansion.
Steps steady.
Measured.
But lighter.
The door opened.
Then closed behind him.
And inside—
in his hands—
something small
had already become important.