Chapter Text
They were cold, Ezran was sick, Rayla's hand might fall off, and the egg was dying. So far, it's been a great way to start a quest. They had made camp in a small cave in the cliff, Rayla had left to get food, and Ezran was curled up next to the dim egg, Bait under his arm. Callum was sitting on a flat ledge in the cave wall, drawing by the firelight. He listened for danger, but the only sounds were Ezran's snores, the crackling fire, and the pencil scratching against the paper.
He heard footsteps and tensed, but quickly relaxed. Just Rayla. She walked in quietly, so she didn't wake Ezran. She put the cloth of berries down and handed Callum a few. He nodded in thanks, and they both quietly ate. Rayla nodded toward Ezran, silently asking if they should wake him to eat. Callum shook his head. Ezran needed sleep, and they'd have plenty of food when he woke up. They finished and went to go to sleep. Then they remembered they had both given Ezran their blankets to keep him warm.
Callum met Rayla's gaze and gestured to the ledge. She nodded, and he stood to let her take the wall side. She lay down with her back to him, and he lay down next to her, his back also to her. He fell asleep quickly, but Rayla lay awake for hours, not letting herself relax when there could still be danger out there. She couldn't kill people, but if the boys and the egg were in danger, she wouldn't hesitate.
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Callum woke up just after midnight to sharp breathing. He sat up, his first thought that something was wrong with Ezran. He looked over at his little brother, but he was sleeping peacefully. He looked at Rayla. She was curled into a tight ball, shielding herself and clutching her wrist. He gently shook her shoulder, trying to wake her from what was clearly a bad nightmare.
She flinched away from his hand. "No..." she said in a strangled whisper, eyes still shut tight. "Rayla, you need to wake up." Callum whispered, moving his hand to her shoulder again. She didn't move away this time. "Not safe." She made out through shallow breaths. "You're safe. There's no one to hurt us." He murmered. She opened her eyes, looking at him. "You won't?" She asked, confused and barely awake.
"Why would I hurt you?" He asked. Had she been distant because she had been scared of attack this whole time? "We protect each other." He assured her. Rayla still looked confused. "You... protect?" She asked. Callum nodded. Rayla frowned, processing his words. "Ok." She said, closing her eyes again. "Thank you." She added. "I'm here if you need me." Callum whispered, lying down again, this time facing her. Rayla thought about his words for a while. We protect each other. That wasn't at all what she had been raised to act. She had been taught it was every elf for themselves.
Humans were weird. But maybe this weird was a good weird. She definitely felt safer and more comfortable around them than she did with her old team. The princes actually cared about her, not just her fighting skills. She tried to make herself relax, to fall asleep again. She needed to be well rested for tomorrow. But whenever she nearly drifted off, she could feel the nightmare waiting for her. She found herself thinking about another thing Callum said. I'm here if you need me.
She did need him now, whether she liked it or not. It might be unprofessional, but she did need to be rested for tomorrow, and he might be able to help with the nightmare keeping her from sleep. Steeling herself, she rolled over into his chest. Callum wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pressing them closer together. She looped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his scarf, the fabric warm against her skin.
She was tense but soon relaxed against him. "I got you, ok?" Callum whispered to her. Rayla nodded into him, sighing as she fell asleep.
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Callum woke up first, wintery sunlight casting a soft white light into the cave. The fire was cold now, only a few embers still glowing. Ezran and Rayla were still asleep, both snoring softly. He looked at Rayla, relaxed in his arms, her face smushed against his chest. He smiled at her. She looked content and peaceful, the most relaxed he had ever seen her, even when she slept. She looked safe. And it was because of him. He liked seeing her that comfortable and liked knowing it was because of him.
She yawned and lifted her head, shaking the sleep out of her eyes. "Morning." Callum said. She looked up at him, her expression confused when she saw him smiling at her. "What's got you all sappy?" She asked, sitting up and stretching. He sat up, too. "Just glad you're ok." He said, his grin growing wider. He had delt with Rayla's morning grumpiness a few times now, but it always made him laugh. "Uh-huh." She said skeptically, getting up and starting to pack up. Callum watched her, wondering why he had been so happy. He froze as he watched her gently shake Ezran awake. Oh no.
He had fallen in love with an elf.