The mansion was quiet in a way that didn't feel peaceful.
Not tense exactly.
Just aware.
Like everyone in it understood something was happening, even if nobody had said it out loud yet.
Leah stood in the bedroom with Zarek resting against her chest, one arm supporting him while he blinked sleepily at the room around him.
Izana was at the wardrobe.
Already packing.
No hesitation.
No wasted movement.
Fold. Place. Close. Repeat.
But every few seconds, he stopped.
Not because he was distracted.
Because of Zarek.
Leah noticed it immediately.
"…You're not actually packing, you're multitasking parenting," she murmured.
Izana didn't look up.
"…Correct."
Zarek made a small sound, reaching one hand toward Izana when he noticed him moving.
Izana paused instantly.
Then walked over.
Leah sighed softly as she adjusted her grip on Zarek.
"…You were supposed to pack, not get sidetracked every ten seconds."
Izana lifted Zarek slightly from her arms without warning.
Leah blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
"…He's fine."
Zarek immediately settled against Izana's chest like he belonged there more than anywhere else.
Leah watched him for a moment, then shook her head with a faint smile.
"…You two are unbelievable."
Izana carried Zarek back toward the open suitcase on the bed.
Then, instead of placing him down or handing him back—
he let Zarek sit against his arm while he continued packing with one hand.
Zarek watched him closely.
Curious.
Focused.
Leah leaned against the bedframe, arms folded.
"…That is not efficient."
"…It is."
"You're packing with one hand."
"…Yes."
"And holding a baby with the other."
"…Yes."
Leah gave him a look.
"…You could ask me to take him."
Izana finally glanced at her.
"…I don't need to."
Zarek made a small sound and grabbed the edge of Izana's sleeve again.
Leah softened slightly at that.
"…He disagrees with you."
Izana didn't respond.
Instead, he adjusted Zarek slightly so the baby was more secure against his arm before continuing to fold clothes.
Zarek watched his hands move.
Then, unexpectedly, reached out and grabbed a loose piece of fabric from the suitcase.
Izana stopped.
"…No."
Zarek held it tighter.
Leah laughed under her breath.
"…He's helping."
"…He is not helping."
Zarek made a tiny noise of protest.
Izana stared at him for a moment.
Then quietly adjusted the fabric back into place without taking it away harshly.
"…Better."
Zarek blinked.
Then smiled faintly.
Leah's expression softened immediately.
"…He likes when you include him."
Izana didn't answer.
But his hand moved slightly to steady Zarek more comfortably against his side.
The room stayed like that for a while.
Quiet.
Domestic in a way neither of them would have ever expected months ago.
Leah stepped closer, gently brushing Zarek's hair back from his face.
"…How long this time?"
Izana paused mid-fold.
Just for a second.
"…Three days."
Leah nodded slowly.
"…Shorter than last time."
"…Yes."
A pause.
Zarek shifted slightly in Izana's arms, pressing his face into his shoulder.
Izana immediately lowered his voice.
"…It's fine."
Leah watched that change carefully.
The way his attention instantly softened.
How quickly everything else stopped mattering.
She exhaled quietly.
"…He's going to miss you."
Izana didn't respond right away.
He adjusted Zarek again, one hand supporting the back of his head as the baby clutched his sleeve.
Then:
"…I know."
Leah stepped closer, resting her hand briefly on Izana's arm.
"…And you?"
Izana finally looked at her.
For a moment, nothing changed in his expression.
Then, quieter:
"…I will return."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…That wasn't the question."
Silence.
Zarek made a small sound, tugging at Izana's shirt again.
Izana lowered his hand slightly so Zarek could hold it properly.
"…I don't leave permanently," he said.
Leah tilted her head slightly.
"…That's not what I asked either."
Izana looked at her for a moment longer.
Then turned back to the suitcase.
"…You already know."
Leah softened at that.
Because she did.
She always did.
Zarek suddenly let out a small happy sound when Izana lightly moved his hand for him to grab again.
Izana paused.
Then did it again.
Zarek smiled.
Leah shook her head gently.
"…He's going to think you're a toy."
"…Good," Izana replied.
Leah laughed quietly.
"Not good."
Izana didn't argue.
He just continued packing slower now, letting Zarek stay close as long as he could.
A few minutes later, Dante appeared at the bedroom door.
He leaned against the frame, arms crossed.
"…We're leaving in twenty minutes."
Izana didn't look up.
"…Understood."
Dante's eyes shifted to Zarek immediately.
"…He's coming too, isn't he?"
Leah answered before Izana could.
"…No."
Dante visibly relaxed.
"…Good."
Zarek immediately made a small displeased noise at Dante's tone.
Dante froze.
"…Why does he sound offended?"
Izana adjusted Zarek slightly.
"…He understood you."
Dante stared at him.
"…That's impossible."
Leah smiled.
"…It's not."
Dante sighed.
"…I miss when this house was terrifying in a normal way."
Izana finally zipped the suitcase shut.
Then turned slightly toward Zarek again.
The baby reached out immediately.
Izana let him grab his finger.
Zarek held on tightly.
Like he didn't want to let go.
Leah noticed first.
Her expression softened.
"…He knows."
Izana didn't answer.
He just held Zarek's hand a little longer than necessary.
Then gently loosened his grip.
Zarek made a small sound of protest.
Izana leaned down and pressed a quiet kiss to his forehead.
He then turned to Leah and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
"…I'll come back."
Zarek calmed slightly.
Leah stepped in and lifted him back into her arms.
Zarek immediately turned toward Izana again, still watching him.
Izana took one last look at them.
Then picked up his coat.
Dante straightened.
"…Let's go."
Izana nodded once.
But as he walked toward the door—
he paused.
Just briefly.
Looked back at Leah holding Zarek.
Zarek watching him.
"I love you," Izana said warmly.
"I love you too", Leah replied with just as much warmth in her voice.
Izana turned away.
And left.