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Rayla winced, every step sending pain shooting through her wound. It wasn't just a wound, though. The attackers dagger was still there. She couldn't take it out, or she would bleed out. So here she was, with a dagger in her ribs, staring through the castle window. Callum was just inside, probably only feet away. So close, but he had never been further from her. And it was her fault.
She had left him. He'd probably panic when he saw her injury, if he even cared about her anymore, but that wasn't important right now. What was important was apologizing. She could get help afterward. He'd waited long enough. Her breathing was shaky, partially from her wound and partially from nerves. She was a moonshadow warrior, the last dragonguard, yet she was still freaking out over a boy.
Well, he wasn't a boy anymore. He would be 17 now, nearly an adult. And he wasn't just any boy. He was the one who accepeted her, who stayed with her, who was always there, and he was the one whose heart she broke. The one she left. Her parents had left her, and she knew how he felt. And she had inflicted that pain on him. She had ruined the best thing she ever had, or would ever have, for nothing.
Stella nuzzled her cheek encouragingly. The little monkey jumped down to the floor, pushing Rayla forward. Taking calming breaths, Rayla slipped inside the window. Callum was sitting at his desk, looking at a book. He didn't notice her. Her breath caught. Sometimes, she had imagined what he would look like older, but he wasn't 14 anymore. He had grown, he looked more muscular, sharper jawline, spiky hair, taller. It suited him. He looked nice. He looked up. Rayla nervously pulled her hood of, switching out of moonshadow form.
They stared at each other. It was lucky Callum didn't pass out right there. She was older, her hair longer, but it was still her. The same elf he had fallen in love with, the same elf he still loved. The same elf who had left him. He knew she had been protecting him, but who had been protecting her? He stood up. The silence stood between them like a wall. One he needed to break. "Rayla? What are you doing here?"
Rayla struggled for an answer. She had excpected shouting, not confusion. "I came back?" She finally answered. Another wave of pain shot through her. Wincing slightly, she leaned against the wall. She couldn't collapse now. She needed to apologize, to try to tell him how much she regretted leaving. Concern flashed across Callums face. Something was wrong. "Are... are you ok?" He asked. "I'm fine." She said, painfully pushing herself up. He shouldn't care about her anymore. He should hate her. He should be yelling and angry. But he wasn't.
Callum didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. He awkwardly picked up the book, going to place it on a shelf. Rayla leaned back against the wall, sliding down a few inches. Another wave of pain hit her, and she grunted in pain and fell to the floor. "Rayla!" Callum shouted, running over and cradiling her in his lap. He pulled her cloak away to reveal the dagger. "You have a knife in you!" He yelled, panicking.
"Really?" Rayla mumbled sarcastically. "Why didn't you say something?!" He shouted, more scared than angry. Why, why hadn't she told him? Why wouldn't she, for once, take care of herself? Why wouldn't she let him protect her for once? "Not important." Rayla managed, her brain foggy and slow. "How is that not important!" Callum said, looking around for something that could help.
"Needed...say...sorry." Rayla mumbled. "Your life is more important than an apology." Callum said, slightly exasperated. Still the same Rayla, always putting everyone else before herself, even if she was in pain. "Hurt... you." She said. "You're more hurt than me right now." Callum said, picking her up and carrying her over to the couch. He lay her down and went to grab the medical kit he kept in his office. He ran back over to her, kneeling down next to the couch. "This will hurt." He warned her.
He placed his hand around the injury and quickly pulled the knife out. Rayla winced. He didn't have much time. Putting pressure on the wound, he pulled the needle out of the kit. He threaded it and started stiching, his heart breaking with every wince. He finished, tied the thread, and wrapped the bandages around her. He put the kit away and moved to sit next to her.
Rayla kept her gaze from him, moving to sit up. Callum moved his hand to her shoulder, steadying her. "I shouldn't have left." Rayla said quietly. Callum remained silent. "I regretted leaving as soon as I did. But it was too late." Her side still hurt, but she pushed the pain down. This was more important. He had helped heal her injury, and now she needed to help heal his. The one she caused.
"But I couldn't come back. I had already broken what we had. I thought I should at least finish my mission. But I failed." Rayla finished. Callum placed his hand over hers. Tears began filling her eyes. She had broken both of their hearts over a hunch, a need for revenge. And she didn't even succeed. "I didn't care about Viren. I just wanted you back." Callum said, pulling her into his embrace. It felt so good to hold her after two years apart. Rayla buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in his familiar smell. "I'm sorry." She whispered. "I know." He said.
"I missed you." Rayla mumbled. Callum pulled back slightly. He moved his hand to her cheek and kissed her softly. "Me too." Rayla sighed and moved her head to his chest, under his chin. Stella chittered happily and jumped onto Callums shoulder. "Who's this?" Callum asked, stroking the monkeys head. "That's Stella. She's a cuddlemonkey. I found her alone." Rayla murmured. She was exhausted.
"You should get some sleep." Callum said softly. Rayla hummed in response but didn't get up. He was warm and comfortable, something she had been lacking the last two years. Callum smiled at her, gently kissing the top of her head. He shifted her into his lap, then stood up, neatly scooping her into his arms. Rayla didn't protest. Stella jumped over to her shoulder, curling up and yawning.
He carried her to his bed, lying her down and pulling the blanket over her. He turned to walk away when Rayla grabbed his hand. "Could you stay?" She asked quietly. After seeing him for the first time in two years, she didn't want to be away from him. She never wanted to be away from him. Callum smiled and nodded. He didn't want to cross boundaries, but he had wanted the same thing. Falling asleep in each others arms was one of the things he missed the most.
He lay down next to her, wrapping his arms around her. Rayla sighed contently, burying her face in his chest and wrapping her arms around his middle. She had spent two years falling asleep, missing the shelter of his arms. And now she was back and in his arms again. Exactly where she belonged. Callum kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers through her hair. "I love you." He whispered. "I love you too."
After two years, they were together again.