Chapter Text
It always strikes at midnight. The desire to divebomb. And only on full moons.
This city was quiet enough, the roofs of the skyscrapers easily accessible. It was a dazzling shell, bright glittering lights hiding its emptiness. No one should notice a figure falling from the sky.
I had chosen a medium skyscraper, simply teleporting myself to its roof. Part of the fun was flying higher. No heroes seemed to be patrolling, which would make this all much easier. A park glistened below me, an optimal emergency landing spot. Not that I would really need it, I've had more than enough practice.
I unfurl my wings from my back, their true form aching from being unused for so long. It wasn't good to keep them in for so long, but not many places could accommodate my wingspan. I flap them, once, twice. The power radiating from my shoulders flows through my arms and down my legs. The moon is blinding, partially hidden by clouds. It beams upon me, my most consistent witness. Sometimes I wonder if she feels sorry for me.
I flap my wings harder, feeling my feet lift. The wind currents up here are strong enough to carry me, and I take a deep breath to ready myself. I back up a few paces, giving myself a head start. I lift one foot and push with the other, forcing my legs to pump as hard as they can. Once I reach the ledge of the roof, I push with both legs as hard as I can, flapping my wings at the apex of my jump.
I'm airborne immediately, the air catching me in a soft cradle. I straighten my body and flap again, lifting me higher. I face directly upwards, forcing myself higher and higher. I try to build up speed as I do, snapping my wings harder and harder every time. I feel the protest in my shoulders as my muscles warm up, the motion going from a strain to smooth.
The world around me blurs as I launch myself towards the clouds. The lights of the city and the moon blur, swirling together in a myriad of colors. With one last heavy snap of my wings, I break through the clouds. I feel my momentum carry me for a few more seconds and I am weightless.
I am as still as the stars, bathed in the glow of the moon. Up here, the world is silent and solemn. I am both alone and together, silent and loud in my solitary body. I am infinite and only in this moment. The stars stamp my image just as gravity takes hold of me.
And now I am falling, the world pulling me back to its rock. I fall back first, wings curling around my body. The air is cold as it welcomes me back, the clouds a thin buffer. I reach towards the sky, watching the moonlight reach back. When I pull my arm back, I turn my body. My wings tuck into my sides and my arms and legs snap together. I feel my speed increase as I free fall thousands of feet, face first.
My hair whips back from my face and I calmly watch the trees get closer and closer. I feel the tension within me rise, my wings readying themselves for the snap. I focus on a spot on the ground, willing myself closer. The earth grants my wish, the concrete slowly filling my view.
It's exhilarating, this fall. Knowing my life hangs in the balance of the wind and my wings. It used to terrify me, seeing the ground come closer so quickly. Now it just feels me with giddy adrenaline. A blur passes by and suddenly I'm staring into golden eyes.
Their arms are outstretched, crimson wings extending behind them. Are they crazy? I could break their arms at this speed. The closer I get, the more I see of them. They look like...
Oh, how lucky I am.