Morning light filtered softly through the curtains of the nursery, painting everything in a warm, quiet glow.
The mansion felt calmer at this hour.
Not silent—never silent anymore—but gentler.
Izana stood near the changing table with Zarek balanced carefully in front of him, one hand steadying him while the other fixed the small buttons of his clothes.
Zarek wiggled slightly.
"Dan-tee later?"
Izana adjusted the sleeve.
"…Later."
Zarek nodded seriously like this was an official schedule being confirmed.
Leah sat nearby on the edge of the nursery chair, watching them with quiet amusement while folding a tiny shirt.
"You're getting better at that," she said softly.
Izana didn't look up.
"…At dressing him?"
"Yes."
Zarek immediately raised both arms.
"Help!"
Izana paused for half a second.
"…That is what I'm doing."
Zarek seemed satisfied by that answer and stopped wiggling—mostly.
Leah smiled faintly.
For a moment, it looked almost normal.
Domestic.
Peaceful.
Izana finally secured the last button and gently lifted Zarek off the changing table, setting him on his feet.
The second he was down, Zarek turned immediately toward Izana.
"Da-da."
"…Yes."
Zarek hesitated, then asked with sudden seriousness:
"…Come today?"
Izana stopped for a moment.
His gaze shifted slightly toward Leah without turning his head.
Leah noticed immediately.
"Where will the meeting be today?" she asked calmly.
Izana answered without hesitation.
"…At the office."
Leah nodded once, like she already had an answer forming.
She stood up and walked over to them, kneeling down beside Izana so she was at Zarek's eye level.
Zarek looked between them curiously.
Leah smiled softly.
"You can come."
Zarek froze.
"…Come?"
"Yes," she said gently.
"With Da-da."
That was all it took.
Zarek's entire face lit up instantly.
"YAY."
He almost bounced in place.
Izana glanced at Leah.
"…You're sure."
Leah nodded.
"He'll be fine with you. And Dante's going too, right?"
"…Yes."
"Then it's okay."
Zarek immediately grabbed onto Izana's sleeve like the decision might disappear if he didn't hold it tightly enough.
Leah leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
"Be good for Da-da, okay?"
Zarek nodded rapidly.
"Good!"
Izana's expression softened slightly at that.
"…He usually is."
Leah looked up at him for a second, then smiled.
"I know."
That was the end of the discussion.
Simple.
Final.
Normal.
Leah stood up and brushed her hands off.
"I'll pack a bag for him."
Zarek immediately followed her a few steps like he was supervising the process.
"No snacks," he said firmly.
Leah looked over her shoulder.
"…You definitely need snacks."
"Not hungry."
"That's not true."
Zarek thought about it.
Then nodded.
"…Little hungry."
Leah laughed quietly and disappeared down the hall.
By the time Izana came downstairs, Zarek was already in his arms again.
Excited.
Restless.
Talking constantly.
"Dan-tee drive."
"Yes," Izana answered.
"Fast?"
"…No."
Zarek considered this deeply.
"…Medium fast."
Izana didn't respond.
Which Zarek interpreted as agreement.
Leah returned moments later holding a small packed bag.
She walked straight over and handed it to Izana.
"Lunch. Snacks. Water. And his spare clothes."
Izana took it.
"…Thank you."
Leah nodded, then looked down at Zarek.
He immediately reached for her.
She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his head.
"Have fun today."
Zarek nodded seriously.
"Fun."
Then Leah shifted slightly and, without hesitation, leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of Izana's mouth.
Simple.
Familiar.
Domestic in a way that still felt new even after everything.
"Don't work too hard," she said quietly.
Izana paused for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"…I won't."
Dante appeared at the entrance of the living room just as they were preparing to leave.
He stopped the moment he saw the bag in Izana's hand.
Then Zarek in Izana's arms.
Then Leah standing there with that calm expression.
"…He's coming."
Leah smiled innocently.
"Yes."
Dante stared at Izana.
"…You didn't tell me."
Izana adjusted Zarek slightly in his arms.
"I didn't think it was necessary."
Dante exhaled slowly.
"…Of course you didn't."
Zarek waved at Dante immediately.
"Dan-tee!"
Dante looked down at him.
"…Good morning."
"Drive!"
"…I am aware."
Leah stepped back as they moved toward the door.
Zarek turned in Izana's arms to look at her.
Leah smiled again and gave him one last small wave.
"Be good."
"I am good."
"That's debatable," Dante muttered under his breath.
Izana shot him a brief glance.
Dante immediately looked away.
Outside, the car waited near the front entrance.
The morning air was cool and quiet.
Dante opened the driver's door while Izana settled into the back seat with Zarek still in his arms.
Zarek immediately climbed higher onto Izana's lap once they were inside, pressing himself comfortably against him like he belonged there.
Which, at this point, he did.
Dante started the engine and glanced into the rearview mirror.
"…So he's coming to the office."
"Yes," Izana replied calmly.
Zarek nodded.
"Work."
Dante sighed.
"…Of course."
The car pulled away from the mansion gates.
Zarek pressed his hands against the window as they drove, watching everything with wide curious eyes.
Then he turned back toward Izana.
"Da-da work."
"…Yes."
Zarek thought about this seriously.
Then nodded.
"I help."
Izana looked down at him for a moment.
"…We'll see."
Zarek smiled proudly anyway.
"Good helper."
Dante muttered from the front seat:
"This organisation is finished."
And in the back seat, Zarek happily repeated:
"Da-da work. Dan-tee drive. I help."
Izana leaned back slightly, holding him more securely as the city passed outside the windows.
"…This might be a long day."