IVA
Lev arrived, and I heard him before I saw him, his steps quick as he rushed into the living room, as if he had been holding his breath the entire time. "Hey," he said tightly, sweeping his gaze over me and then Akari. "Are you guys okay?"
"Yes," I said, even though my chest was still shaking from the shock of it all. "We are, mostly. Except for what happened.” He exhaled and sat down beside me, and Akari stirred, reaching for him with a soft whine. Lev pressed him up against his chest, and Akari wrapped his little arms around his neck as if he'd been waiting all day. He missed his father.
"I've got you," Lev said softly, rubbing slow circles into his back. "Daddy's here." He kissed his forehead, lingering there as if he needed it as much as Akari did, and my heart softened despite e
