Chapter Text
I’m so sorry Callum.
The thought, at first so loud, fades to a fragile echo as she accepts her fate. Tumbling through the clouds, she no longer knows which way is up. No sky, no ground, just cloud all around.
How long has she been falling? It must have been seconds, but it feels like an age.
She has no regrets. Zym will be ok. Callum will forgive her, in time.
A break in the clouds, and Veran is visible beneath her, flailing and screaming in panic. Only the ground awaits them now, and it hurtles towards them eagerly.
Then as she turns, she sees a figure above.
No! It’s Callum!
What has he done? How is he there?
Why would he… ?!
The questions and emotions hit her all at once.
Shock. Confusion. Anger. Pain.
But it’s love that overrides them all.
There is no time for answers. Only time to look at the boy she loves… for the last time.
She reaches for him, willing gravity to release its hold on her, for the forces beyond their control to allow them to hold each other in their final moments.
But his eyes close. He is muttering something, determination written in his expression.
And then he transforms. His jacket disintegrates, torn to shreds by the plumage of his magnificent – wings?!
They spread proudly from his shoulders, great, long, tawny feathers fan down from the bones that were his arms. They act as a parachute, halting his descent as he rides the wind, and he is glorious.
Rayla gasps in wonder and… hope.
Tucking his wings to him, he dives headfirst towards her.
Before she knows it, he’s upon her, wings cocooning her, pulling her body in to his. She winds her arms around his neck, legs around his waist, clinging to her saviour for dear life.
Then he opens his wings and they soar upwards. The sudden change in forces has her stomach reeling, as Callum snatches her from gravity’s clutches. Viren cries out in anguish at having to meet his end alone.
But Rayla doesn’t hear him.
Rayla is gazing into the eyes of her rescuer: this wonderful – albeit reckless and crazy - brave and selfless human being.
“Callum! But how did you…?”
He smiles at her tenderly, “Because I love you Rayla. I really do.”
“I love you too Callum.”
Their lips meet, relief, joy and love pouring into their kiss, raising them higher, making them… lighter than air.