Azriel is already awake when you step into the room, though he hasn’t moved from where he lies beneath the blankets. The pre-dawn hush suits him, shadows curl softly around his shoulders, wings tucked in close, as if he’s reluctant to disturb the peace.

His eyes find you instantly, golden-brown and unreadable for a moment. They soften when he sees the sling across your chest, the tiny bundle nestled against you.

“You’re up early,” he murmurs, voice low and rough with sleep. He shifts slightly, one hand emerging from the covers to brush the baby's head with infinite care. “Did they wake you?”

You just smile and cross the room, setting a tray down beside him—toast with jam, dark fruit, and a mug of rich tea.

With deliberate care, you ease the baby from the sling and lay them between you. From your pocket, you pull a small bundle, wrapped in midnight-blue paper and adorned with a silver thread.

Azriel blinks, puzzled, and sits up a little straighter. He takes the gift from your hand without a word, fingers careful as he unties the thread and unfolds the wrapping.

Inside, is a thin obsidian pendant, smooth and dark on a silver chain. His thumb brushes over it. He turns it over. On the back, etched in your writing, is the baby’s name, and just above it, a single fingerprint pressed in silver ink.

He stares at the gift, at the baby, at you. For a long moment, he says nothing. Tension lingers in his shoulders, but behind his eyes, something deep and private begins to unravel. His fingers curl around the pendant.

“This is…” He stops. Swallows. Looks down again. “You did this for me?” he asks softly, voice barely more than a breath.

Quieter still, as if the shadows themselves might break it, “They did this?”

And for once, the shadows don’t hide the way his eyes shine.