#rayllum one shot

[raayllum]

Y'know I've pondered over the sequencing of Rayla's return in 4x02 as well as the framing and I always thought it was interesting that she showed up in Moonshadow form, mostly because 1) thus far we haven't seen it again, so unless it shows up in s7 they did an entirely new character rig for 1-2 shots and 2) while it's dramatic, idk, the shot with the moon halo always felt so loaded with symbolism, why not just cut there as he turns around period?

But then it's like

Of course she — and the cube! — are are dark, first. Of course they're the dark side of the moon first, the negatives. She led him to darkness and likely will again; and even just her still being secretive at first too, because even though she's come back that hasn't fixed everything for either of them; and whether it comes to plot fruition of being bad first, we know that Callum at the very least has a negative view of the cube from S4 onwards due to its associations with Aaravos. Much like how her coming back is "kind of bad" (4x05).

But then what happens?

The shot — Rayla, the cube — shift to light! To the moon shining again. Because the cube isn't just related to Aaravos, it's also related to primal magic and will probably wind up being in Callum's possession in a positive way by the end of s7 (alongside its book). Because Rayla coming back is also good, and she learns to not be secretive, and she also leads him to the light (6x06, and probably S7). Her and the Cube are tied to the same two journeys and similar symbolism and plotlines (Callum's relationship with Rayla and journey with Aaravos) that will define him most predominantly for the rest of the arc.

[blutopaz15]

call it what you want, chapter 5

chapter 5/5 2.7k rated m (sandwiches; don't like, don't read!)

Callum and Rayal spend their first night on the road navigating the weirdness of their...whatever-they-are.

Excerpt:

It’s daybreak when she and Callum wake, and for the tenth day in a row…Rayla isn’t sure what they are.

But…it’s okay now, she thinks, lovesick like she’s been since dawn, looking at him lying there beside her—so very handsome, so uninhibitedly happy.

She may not know what they are—not a thing like they’d been before, not the couple the innkeeper had teased last night, probably not even lovers for long now that it’s morning—but it’s more than just trust that he still holds for her, more than just keeping her comfortable and at home there at the castle, more than just wanting her safe and happy and here.

Whatever they are…Callum loves her.

She knows that much at least, from the familiarly-fond haze in his stare, the slight, sideways smile he’s had since sunrise, the comforting weight of his bare chest against her back, the echo of his hands and lips and body on hers last night, showing her so…

He loves her—still.

…even if he can’t quite say it again just yet.

Continue reading on AO3

[kilfeur]

J'ai enfin terminé mon one shot sur la tour céleste. Je suis contente d'avoir enfin pu la terminer ainsi que la version anglaise (J'ai utilisé deepl pour ça.) A la base je voulais le publier sur AO3 mais je suis prise trop tard et du coup je suis dans la liste d'attente. J'espère que j'aurai pas à attendre trop longtemps quand même. Enfin bref j'espère que ça vous plaira !

Résumé : Lorsque Callum et Rayla sont entrés dans la tour, ils se sont retrouvé séparés or ils sont loin de se douter de ce qui les attends et ce dont ils vont faire face.

I've finally finished my one shot on the Starscraper. I'm happy to have finally finished it and the English version (I used deepl for that.) Originally I wanted to publish it on AO3 but I got caught too late and so I'm on the waiting list. I hope I won't have to wait too long though. Anyway, I hope you like it!

Summary : When Callum and Rayla enter the tower, they find themselves separated, but little do they know what lies ahead and what they're about to face.

Version française (French Version) :

Version anglaise (english version) :

Maintenant la version AO3 (Now with ao3 version)

Version française (french version) :

Version anglaise (english version) :

[ghost-hearth]

finally got this fanfic published !!

From her point of view, the moon was invisible, shrouded by the foliage around them. But even so, Rayla knew it was full that night. She could feel it – the Moon arcanum running through her blood, a silvery glimmering magic that allowed her to be who she was and do what she did.

At least, that’s what it used to feel like.

End of S5. Rayla and Callum have Big Feelings Time (finally), and our poor girl is able to get some of the reassurance she deserves.

Word Count: 2094

enjoy :))

[m4rs-ex3]

ALLLL RIGHTY YALL

if u haven't already seen.............. guys i was late i was fucking late for the panel give me a break

BUT here is a play by play of everything from the second i got in

[A GOOD CHUNK OF THE SECRET SCENE] if you saw this post within the first few *hours you got to see but you know what? they got to me i don't wanna be the snitch (i did on accident but its the though that counts)

opeli is being led blindfolded (which we see from opeli's pov. riveting visuals i tell you) by soren to the ✨secret meeting location✨

when she comments on the fact that it is literally just callum's office soren shuts her up bless him

opeli's like "DID BAIT GIVE BIRTH??!?!?" and soren's like no these are "rescue baits" and opeli gives them the greatest fucking look i can't even describe it to you

you've seen that leak "look it's the pearl :D""WHA""yep he's in there :)))))"

rayla says it like "per-al." just thought you should know

soren suggests forming a Fellowship of the Pearl and going to throw it into a volcano i fucking hate this show

they're all debating what to do with it meanwhile the most cryptic-ass shots of callum with the pearl like we get it he's fucked (i take it back i want more)

they finally get to him and he's like "uh????? destroy it obviously?????"

he suggests--and these are 100% his words (not actually cuz u know but its the general idea)--"smash it? throw it off a cliff? take a big ol axe and just--KA CHOP." i love him so much

rayla asks how they know it won't just release him

the way callum is so confused and conflicted and he just says "i... i don't know" oh my god by precious baby

cool ass top-down to the pearl whirlpool esq transtion into the next scene hello??

zym is being emo at a painting of his mother (the one from 4x03 yeah they just stitched that shit up it's all good)

ezran's like. huh. we oughtta do smth abt this

callum is Thinking Thoughts on the turrets(?? yk where soren does his lunges) and tossin the rune cube when he sees the star rune light up......................................

it's stella stella's there and the way he reacts to her is so precious 😭 he's not the step dad he's the dad who stepped up type shit

enter rayla "they told me u would be up here brooding"

(in a tragic turn of events the rayllum of this scene had my brain fuzzy so i can't remember a few chunks here and there have pity my brain has rotten)

callum's like "we have to do something i'm scared he's gonna use me. i know what we need to do ok we need to go to the starscraper"

it's honestly hilarious the way he says "and *WE.* should go" he's like "don't be gettin any ideas now this is an us thing"

and then ohoho "they have something there for you, too" (THAT was an exact quote)

he's like "PLSPLSPLS i've studied star magic i know the spells i know the runes i just need the quasar diamonds!! LET ME FREE UR PARENTS AND RUNAAN PLEAAAASSSSEEEE"

rayla is veryyyyyy opposed she's like "NO i want to help my parents as much as you"--honestly i don't think ANYONE wants to as much as him--"but i don't want my biases to affect that" BIASES?!??!! like that was the word she used i can't stop thinking about it

zym has entered his wolf child era his ass is HOWLING at the moon

soren hears him and goes "aww little guy misses his mom :((( sometimes i wonder where my mom is...." WHAT AWHAT WHAT AWHAT PJARDON SAY IT AGIAN YOU WAHGTS SAY IT AGIAND HUAH HUWH A

ok. yeah callum does not have pajamas BUT I THINK WE HAVE BIGGER ISSUES HERE????????????? HE WAS SLEEPING IN HIS OFFICE

THAT COUCH THING THAT THEY WERE ON WHEN RAYLA CAME BACK IN 4x03???? HES JUST SLEEPING ON IT I CANT MY GUY WHAT R U DOINGGG

in other news

bruv is tossing and turning and then just. ~stops.~ this can only mean good things (i think you know where i'm going with this)

he sits up. hobbles over to the door. there was a really cool transition (can u tell i respect the cinematography) and he's in the cellar holding the pearl.

he wakes up in aaravos' prison and is like "well this looks neat!" until he sees the mirror and screams and wakes up. when he realizes where he is he goes "what have i done" dude you fell asleep?? god he's never sleeping again (<- me when i lie 😈)

the description we got of this next scene did NOT do it justice it was fucking incredible

callum kicks down the fucking door (not actually) screaming for rayla

rayla TUMBLES OUT OF BED ON TO THE FLOOR, pillows in hands and unafraid to use them

"WHOA. HEY HEY ITS OKAY ITS ME! it's just me rayla. it's me. callum" i feel like he was saying the same 5 words for 7 hours it was beautiful

rayla: "callum?? jeez i could have-" *looks at pillows*

callum giggles the cutest fucking giggle and says something along the lines of "yeah, it would've hurt real bad :)"

oh yeah DE-LAYERED PONYTAIL RAYLA CONFIRMEDED??!?!?!?!?!

she sits back on the bed and my guy KNEELS DOWN AT THE CORNER OF THE BED TO PICK UP HER STUFF BEFORE HE SITS DOWN NEXT TO HER and they say chivalry is dead romance was birthed and ended with this scene

he tells her about it and she goes "callum, you're exhausted. you had a nightmare. if i thought you were in any real danger you know i would-" and then ironically i forget the same line that the person from nycc did wouldja look at that

can i just mention how close they were sitting in this scene i mean i jsut thikn i should mention hwo clo

yada yada he has a lightbulb and runs off with her blanket

the iconic "i know stella.. he took our blankie :("

god knows why barius is up in the middle of the night whispering sweet nothings to his jelly tarts

callum comes in with a certain proposition mwuhahaha

rayla comes into his office and sees his aesthetic ass sewing by fireside and graciously says "ah i get it! you're taking your mind off things by peacefully knitting" so iconic for both of them

callum explains that he's stitching runes to create a protection spell when barius comes in with the """"""""pearl""""""""""

rayla DIVES in front of callum and says "what r you doing get that thing AWAY from him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she got SO protective SO fast it was blessed

callum's like au contraire 😈

ok so obviously we had all heard about the fake pearl but. you know that one guy who makes insane sculptures out of nothing but chocolate? that's what they did the pearl is brown sludge with a candy coating 💀 i'm losing my mind that is so funny to me

so yeah with the decoy out the real pearl is protected by--and callum literally said this--"a magic blankie >:)"

he also pops in to tell ez and omg GUYS BAIT HAS HIS OWN LITTLE ROYAL CANOPY BED ITS SO FUCKING CUTE

dawn in the courtyard--ez is saying goodbye to soren, zym, and pyrrah who are going to look for zubeia (i almost just typed zendaya i need sleep) and callum and rayla who r going to the starscraper

my roman empire is this: callum was acting all eepy and then when they get going hE RESTS HIS HEAD ON RAYLA'S BACK AND FALLS ASLEEP. I CANNOT FUCKING MAKE THIS UP IT WAS PHENOMENAL SHE LOOKED SO FUCKING HAPPY I I I I I I HAKJSDHFKJASHFDKJHSADKFHKJASHFIHASEKFH

on a slightly lower note

scene from teaser except they did cut a couple lines in the teaser. mainly just terry going "didn't see you there,, cuz i was asleep. with my eyes closed"

he does not in fact get impaled but claudia tells him she's gonna leave him first and does just that

as she's going omfg terry's cries and pleas and "I LOVE YOU"s and "I WILL WAIT. I WILL WAIT HERE FOR YOU" was absolutely insane idk what was in the air in that recording studio but shout out to ben

i am so tired goodbye!

[beautifulterriblequeen]

Teaser thoughts

I had to do adulting (leave for a suddenly rescheduled appt) 20 mins after the trailer dropped this morning, so I'm only now starting to get my thoughts settled but omg I have to write this stuff down or how will I know what I think

here we go

Rayllum flying together. Is it cute, romantic, or is it some twist where they're going somewhere for horrible reasons in a hurry and they can't even take the Shadowpaw. Where is the Shadowpaw why are they fl-

Does Ethari have his Shadowpaw back is that why they have to fly

Love the bisexual vibes here ngl

Starscraper is over land. It's not a deep thought shhh

The search for Zubeia. I'm curious why Ezran has let two of his best Crownguard leave his side. Surely this will have no consequences!

Janaya kiss with Amaya on her tippy toes. Janai has her crown on here. I feel that's relevant for uhh later. I hope this is real and not a dream Janai is having - those have not been going well for her.

This one makes me sad. The picture is torn, but then mended, and I love that. But it's set up like you'd see at a funeral.

Is this one super early on in episode 1 maybe? It could be the same night as the end of S5. That feels more likely than Terry catching up to Claudia later on... specifically in her allowing him close after what we got in the other trailer. Aahhh

This one has so much in it, I can't! It's got star bug stuff which I'm extremely here for, let the gods be gooey. It's got the whole quasar diamond crown right there. It's got Rayllum having a close moment. and it's posed like they're at the altar in a chapel getting married. Also the star is upside down in the stained glass window, so whatever theme is going on it's being consistent there.

This is one of my favorites: Ezran out on his own castle bridge defending it. Ye Olde Narrative of Strength got to him! Opeli looking worried has me worried - she's usually so certain and swift. This could be Viren trying to come home like a half drowned rat - will they let him in? Don't make me think of the men of Númenor right now, do not.

Battle couple battle couple! Rayla and Callum teaming up again! (she's the dark blob kicking free in the upper left) I love when a couple fights together. gonna be super normal about that.

This top down view of the Starscraper is a little dizzying, ngl. With Callum and Rayla tiny at the bottom, three floors down, these flying, circling elves give me shark vibes. What if they're not nice. like at all.

Why was Stella falling!? what are the Celestials doing, are they helping or are they trying thievery? Is this just a big mob of seagulls here

Janai is losing control of her emotions, she's furious and sad. She's setting fire to the Sun Seed tree. We know the Seed was stolen, but maybe this is her finding out, early on. It's less angsty if it's early, you know how things always get Worse during the course of a TDP season lmfao. If it's later on, maybe the fact that she isn't wearing her crown is... important.

Rayla in the frozen ship. Why's it burning, what's she there for? why did she go alone? This gives me some Banther Lodge infiltration vibes ngl.

Okay I am all about this altercation. Viren shoving Kpp'Ar to the floor in fury. are they arguing about Soren? dark magic? both? neither? What's the logo stand for, what's the I for in IK? Does he have a show called It's Kpp'Ar and they're just on set? lmfao the real reason there are gears everywhere is to change the rooms around isn't it. Kpp'Ar just got sick of those extra 29 steps to the kitchen.

Few things are scarier than a True Believer getting everything he wants. this shot of Karim being so filled with elation cannot be saying good things for Janai's prospects. He's got all kinds of cool Sunfire stuff on, too, including a crown, and his old tin ring from his mother. Those things were confiscated when he was exiled, which means he must not be exiled anymore. He could be king, having displaced Janai somehow, and he's fulfilling his intentions to his people by bringing back the glory of the Sunfire elves by healing their injured archdragon. Or so he hopes, anyway! We'll see if it works.

Sol Regem has come out of his cave and he's got that Power Dragon Wingspread going on. Looks like he's been convinced to take a swing for uhhh big dragon things! I wonder how far his power will reach... and his bitterness. We might get a new Dragon King that makes Avizandum look soft.

It's so interesting to me what we did not get to see in the teaser, too. There's no Aaravos, no Aanya, no Runaan or Ethari, no Kim'dael. If we get another trailer before July 26, maybe they'll be in there! Or maybe we'll just have to white knuckle it until release day.

Hold on tight! S6 is coming!

[sorinethemastermind]

Fluffcember 2024: Sparkling Snow | Rayllum & Sorvus Callum is determined to ask Rayla to be his girlfriend this Winter Break. But if he can't even start a fire, how is he supposed to create the perfect moment? Soren has decided to stay on campus this Christmas, but with Rayla and Callum as his only company, he's starting to feel like a third wheel. Except maybe it's not just the three of them left on campus after all...

 It must have snowed again in the night because when Callum stepped out of his building it was into drifts so high they went up to his knees. Cursing and muttering to himself, he managed to pull out first one leg, then the other; waddling awkwardly through the piled snow and down the stairs. At this rate he’d end up dying of hypothermia or, worse, he wouldn't be able to make it to the library.

 Luckily someone had shoveled the snow off the sidewalks, so he only had to flounder down the steps before finding solid ground once again. Socks thoroughly soaked (as per usual), Callum followed the plowed path all the way to the-

 “Oh, hey, Soren.” he said, coming to a halt at the end of the path. 

 His friend had a beanie pulled down over his head, two earbud cords poking out from underneath and trailing to the phone in his pocket. He was heavily bundled up, with a parka and gloves. And he was shoveling snow. 

 The path suddenly made much more sense.

 Except he was going the wrong way.

 “Soren? Hey, Soren?” Callum tried calling, but he didn’t turn around. Giving up, Callum walked up and tapped on his shoulder. “Soren!”

 “Huh?” Soren swiveled, raising the snow shovel like a weapon. Callum backed up, raising his hands.

 “Woah, it’s just me!”

 “Oh. Hey, Callum.” he lowered the tool. “Sorry.”

 Callum took a step closer. “You good?”

 “Huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” Soren took off his gloves and paused whatever it was he was listening to before slipping his phone and earbuds back into his pocket. “Why?”

 “You’re just… I don’t know, you’ve shoveled a lot of snow.” Callum glanced back the way he’d come. “And you seemed sorta down.”

 “Nah, I’m good.” Soren shot him a grin. “Just got nothing better to do.”

 “Then do you think you could maybe clear a path to the library?” Callum asked him, eyes big and pleading.

 Soren chuckled. “Yeah, sure. Why not.”

 Callum fell into step behind him. It was slow going, Soren having to clear each step they took. But his friend was big and seemed to be putting those workouts to good use; throwing huge chunks of snow off to the side with apparent ease. Callum shuffled along behind him, one step at a time, trying not to think about the stinging in his toes and fingers.

 Shoving his hands deep inside his pockets, Callum cleared his throat. “So, how you been?”

 Soren didn’t need to turn around for Callum to know he’d raised an eyebrow. “I dunno. Same, I guess. Why?”

 “Just, um, Ez mentioned that Claudia made it home for break. He said they miss you.”

 “I am pretty great.”

 “Yeah.” Callum could tell his friend’s heart wasn’t in the jest. “Just wanted to ask if you were okay. I know it’s gotta be a little weird not going home for the holidays.”

 “You didn’t.” Soren pointed out, glancing back at him.

 “Yeah, but… I stayed cause of Rayla not cause of… you know.”

 “Yeah, I know. But at least you’re both here, and Corvus. We’ve been hanging out a lot.” Soren said, a little smile spreading across his lips as he turned back to shoveling.

 “Oh, really?” now it was Callum’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “And what have you and Corvus been doing?” 

 “I dunno.” Soren said, chucking a clump of snow aside. “Just chilling, I guess. We go jogging together. That’s why I’m clearing the sidewalk.”

 “You must really like jogging to be willing to do all this.”

 “You can’t tell him I said this,” Soren said, pausing in his clearing to turn back to face Callum. “but I think I might like him.”

 “I mean, why wouldn’t you he’s nice-”

 “No. I mean I like like him.”

 Callum’s eyes widened. “Oh.”

 Soren grinned, turning back to his plowing. “Yeah. He’s just… he’s really smart, and he’s actually pretty funny, if you give him a chance to warm up. And he’s cute-”

 Callum snorted. “Just get married already.”

 “You’re one to talk.” Soren tossed the next chunk of snow back over his shoulder, forcing Callum to dodge it. “All you do these days is make googly eyes at Rayla.”

 “I do not-”

 “Every thing she says is just ‘Oh, Rayla, you’re the funniest, smartest person in the whole wide world.’” Soren pitched his voice up far higher than Callum thought he needed to.

 “I don’t sound like-”

 “‘Oh, Rayla.’” Soren threw a melodramatic hand to his forehead, leaning against the snow shovel. “‘It’s been a whole two seconds since I last told you how beautiful your eyes are, let me tell you again.’”

 Callum’s face scrunched up into a grimace and he held up a finger, about to point out why that was not, in fact- “‘Oh, Rayla, you are the moon in my sky and the stars in my eyes.’ ‘Oh, Callum! Have I told you yet that I think of everytime I see the sun in the sky? For you are the light of my-’”

 Callum cut him off. “We do not sound like that!”

 “Corvus told me you two were practically falling over one and other under the mistletoe.”

 Callum let out an indignant squawk. “We didn’t even kiss!”

 “Yeah, only cause he didn’t let you.” Soren grinned at him, hefting his shovel again. “Just ask her to be your girlfriend already.”

 “It’s not that simple.” Callum said, ducking again as the snow began to fly again. “I really like her. I think one day I might - I don’t know, that’s not the point! - the point is that I really like her, and it needs to be perfect.”

 “‘Oh, Callum, but everything you do is perfect. You are the-’”

 “She does not sound like that.” Callum said, but he couldn’t help but laugh a little bit. 

 “Sure she doesn’t.” Soren said, coming to a halt in front of the library. “Well, here you go. What you gonna borrow, a book of love poems?”

 “That’s… not a bad idea, actually.”

 “Oh my god.” Soren rolled his eyes, laughing. “You are such a dork.”

 “At least I asked the person I like out.”

 “I’m working up to it.” Soren tapped his fingers on the snow shovel’s handle, twirling it slightly. “I just don’t want to do it too soon, you know?”

 “Do you want it to be… perfect?”

 “Yeah, I guess I do-” Soren chuckled. “Okay, you got me. I admit it.” 

 Callum grinned, wading up the stairs and fighting to open the library doors despite the drifts of snow piled before them. “Want me to borrow a book of poetry for you, too?”

 “Nah, I can write my own.”

 And Soren walked off back down the path he’d cleared, leaving Callum to process the fact that he, of all people, wrote poetry.

[dargorian]

Not me having watched S7 putting my second Rayllum AU one-shot/minific on hold for a moment as I plan out a post 7x09 sandwich fic.

Inspiration's hitting so hard right now, like jfc I also want to draw so much too

If anyone is interested, my one-shot/minific is on the sealegs, with thoughts of potential consequences coming to light after what they did in my inn fic.

The inn fic had sandwiches. The sealegs fic may also have sandwiches because it's like she almost died but he's also injured and is he sure he should be doing this in that state. This post 7x09 fic meanwhile is 100% sandwiches AND has a title already. I'm also losing control of it. Send help.

(The Lavender Inn is what my first AU fic is called on AO3. Don't have a title yet for my sealegs fic but I should when I've done more)

[a-very-sparkly-nerd]

his hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room, and his voice is a familiar sound

to absolutely NO ONE'S surprise, here's some rayllum making out <3

The sun of the day they’d set off had just reached its peak when fatigue finally started taking its toll on Callum. Yawns, slower and sloppier flaps of his wings as he lost altitude bit by bit, speed considerably dropping, too.

Rayla only suggested stopping when land finally blend into view, the green and yellows and oranges of badlands a welcome shift from the constant icy blues below, making sickness churn perpetually, deep in her gut from the very start.

Still a bit rocky steering-wise, but at least not dropping as much as she had initially, Rayla maneuvred herself closer to Callum, pointing ahead even as he smiled sleepily, droopily at her from a few feet above.

A soft wing brushed her hand, a feather shedding, and Rayla curled her fingers around it as she told him, “Let’s take a break. You look exhausted.”

He shook his head, clearly forcing himself to brighten up and soar just a bit higher for her benefit. “I’m okay! Just- just zoned out.”

“Callum.”

“Rayla,” he hummed happily, shooting her a cheeky grin.

He barrel-rolled to soar under her on his back, smiling up at her lazily as Rayla shot him her best pleading eyes. “I’m tired, too. Just a wee break?”

She yawned in a manner she was well aware was by no means convincing, but Callum had never been one to refuse her anything, especially not now, not with… that. Not with his fingertips and shuddering gasps still slathered over every inch of her skin, not with that unfair way he’d smirked at her from above in the dim lighting with the feel of one hand on her face and the other between her legs still hot everywhere.

And he claimed she was selfless. They had all the time in the world now, the prison finally secure and his family safe and her parents just within their reach. The first moment they’d had to breathe in what felt like eons. But he was rushing, wanting to get her parents back as soon as possible, as if she couldn’t afford to add another two hours to what was already nine years of waiting.

But maybe she could be a little selfish by taking advantage of the break. That would be for her benefit, which was what he’d been focused on. So it wouldn’t be a lie, necessarily. Just an… ulterior motive.

His eyes sparkled in gratitude, and he managed to land a light, glancing kiss to her hand, his aim off without his hands to take her, to hold her. Rayla giggled, blowing a kiss back and melting at the way he mimed catching it against his chest with both wings, rolling again–showing off for her, clearly, which was even dorkier and sweeter and Callum–to regain his balance and momentum.

Six more rounds of exchanging blown kisses through the wind were exchanged by the time Rayla finally led them to touch down at a plateau carved into the side of a mountain.

Callum went first, banishing his wings so he could help steady her as she landed, stumbling into his arms as the sensation of weightlessness vanished.

“You alright?” he asked, following through with tucking a strand of hair behind her ear like he’d almost done that night spent huddled up on the freezing boat.

Rayla nodded, straightening but keeping their hands together just because she could. Because she could touch him and he could touch her, and they had. “You never fail to catch me, Mister Mage.”

read more on ao3 :)

[sarasade]

Your recent reblog reminded me, how did you feel about the theories that Viren either put Harrow's soul in the bird or in a cursed coin?

Also, if you're willing, I'd be super interested on your take (headcannon, one-shot, art, ect) of either senario

"Harrow is the Bird" is definitely a classic TDP theory.

From economic storytelling POV I never really saw what it would add to TDP. I always loved how profoundly sad it was when Ezran and Callum had to face the harsh reality of their father's death. One of the reasons besides Aaravos and Viren's intense homoerotic chemisty that made the season 2 my fav season. Harrow managed to be on of the most impactful characters in TDP despite the little screentime he had. I thought bringing him back would be kind of a disservice for his character. At the same time I really miss him and I do like the idea of getting more Harrow scenes, especially with Viren.

It's a neat theory and Viren would totally do something like put a man in a bird . When it comes to headcanons I once entertained the idea of writing a fic where Aaravos was the one who brought Harrow back to get into Ezran's good graces (for manipulative reasons of course). I never got around writing that becuase I had a gut feeling that Aaravos was way too antagonistic to treat Ezran even with a modicum of respect and now we know the canon agrees.

Also if Harrow came back it'd be really funny to see him desperately struggling to grasp everything that had happened during his dark magic bird coma.

(Harrow's reaction to learning about Rayllum etc.)

[kataraslove]

Do you know anything about where i can find people talking about the fake zk interviews, or how "zutara was originally gonna be endgame" was fake news? conversions haha 😅😅

as it stands, some of the writers on the writing team (joshua hamilton and john o’bryan specifically) wanted zutara. they confirmed this on braving the elements, the atla podcast hosted by dante and janet. one of them mentioned that there was an original pilot that initially had a zutara endgame. i’ve yet to find any evidence of this, and the actual series bible posted on Reddit mentions no ships, so who knows if this was something legitimate or false.

the popular rumour is that aaron ehasz was adamantly pro-zutara and devised a whole season 4 in which they became endgame, in addition to an azula redemption arc. this rumour came from a fake interview from a zutara blog who claimed to be an intern working at nickelodeon. aaron ehasz on video confirmed that the interview was fake, and also stated that he did not personally ship anything in his writing because rooting for a particular ship would lead to contrived plot points. rather, he went with the “natural flow of things” by listening to his characters and their needs. bryan later echoed the same sentiments on the braving the elements podcast, that fandom could ship what they want but ultimately they would make their writing decisions based on the direction of the story and the characters’ wants and needs, whether those decisions ended up finalizing platonic or romantic relationships.

on top of that, aaron ehasz also:

said that the only thing he would change in atla was a composition shot of azula and the gaang in the chase in the same interview that he denied wanting zutara as endgame

loved mai and maiko (him and his ex wife first introduced maiko in zuko alone)

confirmed parallels between kataang and rayllum

expressed his interest in reading kataang-rayllum parallel meta (i can’t find the tweet, but it was an interaction regarding @raayllum’s meta).

requested, alongside mike dimartino, the tale of oma and shu to be created as a way to develop katara and aang’s romantic relationship in the cave of two lovers (as confirmed by the writer joshua hamilton himself)

[raayllum]

one of my first ever fandoms being a teeny tiny side pairing corner of a much larger fandom was good for me because not only am i grateful every time i get to see my favourite characters / ship having scenes in a canon material, i am also surprised

[an-actual-attack-helicopter]

Book 6, Episode 3: The Frozen Ship Analysis/Commentary

Pretty atmospheric scene. And is that...whale sounds...? Yup, there a whale sounds all throughout this scene in the background. Fits pretty well, actually.

The Shadowpaw only breaks the ice after Callum takes Sneezles.

"Sup, i came here so that when i faint it will be your responsibili..." thud

"'Rayllum.' Seems like a nice name for a ship."

"I mean look at it. This ship is going nowhere!" Just wait a few episodes broski. By the end, Rayllum shippers are the only ones not sobbing like they lost their unicorn daughter.

Okay okay I'll stop with the jokes about this scene. We all get the gist.

Where the hell he get the sponge lol? If he got a wild one we would have to like sterilize it and stuff. And he wouldn't wanna harm it. Maybe they just brought it though.

Then we got Rayla crying over a romance novel. Seriously though, I think she relates to Skall. Like, after the two years she was gone, she felt that it was for nothing and she really just needed to be with Callum. And then...

Condrad, if you were here-

*KICKS DOOR* RAYLA RAYLA IM HERE- OWWW *PUSHES DOOR BACK OPEN* IM HEREEEE

Yet another example of how the animators and stuff played with lighting more this season. I can't stop talking about this. They've really improved.

"K I L L M E ."

viren in episode 8 be like--

Okay, there is no way Damian's respiratory disease wasn't related to Soren's. Maybe it was a virus spreading throughout Katolis. Buuut he said he had been living with it his whole life, and if Soren caught it you would think Callum would too. Maybe he did and he just recovered? Or maybe certain people are more susceptible to it. OOOOOR it's genetic and Soren and Callum are actually distant cousins. Okay, okay, I'll stop.

Anyway, I find it so funny how loudly Callum is shivering. Bro is trying to guilting her into sharing the blankie without having to ask lmfao. It literally comes off like that though--

Also, the scene where they almost kiss but Callum stops because he has to reveal something totally reminds me of a certain Claudium scene from season 2. Okay, enough Rayllum fluff, time for the pain. And the addiction allegories. Hear me out.

"I did cocaine again."

I mean, look at this. She even uses the word "quit." DARK MAGIC = DRUGS BASICALLY. Is it just me??? WHY ARENT PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS??? IT'S SO GOOOOOOD. The animation too btw, like DAYUM.

Imagine the pearl breaks and aaravos gets out and is like "bro why are my toes on fire" shbfhdghjjkhh

This combined with Rayla's theme playing in the background...am i a Rayllum shipper now?

Finally, we're back to Viren and his deluded selfishness. He claims not to plead for mercy, and yet, he rambles on about how he is better than he was before. Cool shot though.

That's about it for this one. More packed than episode 2, though.

[kilfeur]

Du mal à dormir (Having trouble to sleep)

Elle se souvient de ses deux ans de traque, elle a eu du mal à trouver le sommeil. Toujours à rester en alerter, ne dormir qu'un seul oeil au cas où quelqu'un s'approche d'elle durant son sommeil. Ses deux ans seule, trouver Stella a été une source de réconfort, lui permettant de tenir le coup. Pourtant quand elle lève les yeux vers le ciel, elle pense à Callum et à Ezran. Ils lui manquent terriblement, elle aimerait tant les revoir ! Mais elle doit retrouver Viren, il le faut, elle a besoin de réponses concernant sa famille. Pendant ces deux ans, cette quête de le traquer, finit par devenir une obsession. Ce n'est qu'une fois, qu'elle est arrivée à Port Racaille après avoir agressé un mage noire, qu'elle en a assez ! Elle aura beau le chercher partout, elle pourra jamais le trouver !

Et puis qui lui dit qu'il est encore vivant ?! Il est tombé depuis la montagne de la flèche de tempête. Comment pourrait-t-il être encore vivant ?! Elle soupire et est retourné à Katolis, chez elle ! Les retrouvailles ont été mouvementés et compliqués et ça le frustrait un peu, elle semble comprendre mais ne semble pas vouloir jusqu'à quel point elle avait blessé celui qu'elle aime. Ezran était content de la revoir, Soren ne semble pas comprendre pourquoi elle agit ainsi. Or ce n'est que plus tard, qu'elle finit par comprendre et qu'elle sent qu'elle peut devenir plus forte non pas toute seule mais ensemble.

Un soir, elle se réveille, il fait encore nuit mais étonnamment, elle a jamais aussi bien dormi. Elle regarde à côté d'elle, Callum dort paisiblement dans son lit. Elle lui sourit avant de caresser tendrement ses cheveux et se rendormir. Elle peut enfin dormir car enfin depuis longtemps, elle se sent en sécurité.

___________________________________

She remembers her two years of tracking, finding it hard to sleep. Always on the alert, sleeping with one eye open in case anyone came near her while she was asleep. Her two years alone, finding Stella has been a source of comfort, keeping her going. Yet when she looks up to the sky, she thinks of Callum and Ezran. She misses them terribly and would love to see them again! But she must find Viren, she has to, she needs answers about her family. During these two years, this quest to track him down becomes an obsession. It's not until she arrives in Port Racaille after assaulting a dark mage that she's had enough! No matter how hard she looks, she'll never find him!

And who's to say he's still alive?! He fell from the mountain of the storm spire. How could he still be alive?! She sighed and returned home to Katolis! The reunion had been hectic and complicated and it frustrated her a little, she seemed to understand but didn't seem to want how much she'd hurt the one she loved. Ezran was happy to see her again, Soren doesn't seem to understand why she's acting this way. But it's only later that she finally understands and feels that she can become stronger, not alone, but together.

One evening, she wakes up; it's still dark, but surprisingly, she's slept better than ever. She looks beside her, Callum sleeping peacefully in his bed. She smiles at him before tenderly stroking his hair and drifting back to sleep. At last she can sleep, because at last, after a long time, she feels safe.

[moondustgleam]

⚠️⚠️ TDP S6 EP 01/(02 just a little) SPOILER WARNING SERIOUSLY LOOK AWAY ⚠️⚠️

-aaravos crying omg 😭

- lady's voice is pretty

-moon nexus??????

-giants on moon nexus????????

-VIREN???????

-Terry omg where have you been the whole divorce/death arc

-he continues to be too wholesome for this world (thay family)

- BABE WHY DO YOU CARE IF HES DEAD OR NOT

-HES NOT DEAD??????? aaravos you little bitch

-he is alive! And free!

-that's a tone shift to Claudia's blood

-Jesus christ that's a lot of blood

-sir sparklepuff no!!!!!!!

-omg it wasn't her bloooooood

-Jesus christ

-HIS WINGS NOOOO

-her voice no :((((((((((

-his voice nooooo :(

-oh Jesus her leg

-nooooo his wingggggggg

-bro finally making a good choice in his life

-why didn't we notice sir sparklepuff wasn't in the trailer

-it's a little late to be a good influence on your daughter, dude

-NOOOO HES LEAVING EVERYONE LEAVES HER CLAUDIA

-RACQUEL FUCKING KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE FUCKING PARK HOLY SHIT GIVE HER ALL THE AWARDS

-that's a fucking tone shift

-opeli is relevant finally???

-lord breadsandwich 🤣

-the baitlings my beloved <3

-ayyy the sphere shot that came sooner than I thought

-oh shit they're looking at viren in the rain from that one shot

-barius why are you here. Like no offense

-OH SHIT HES GETTING POSSESSED

-head cannon destroying it releases him that was too suspicious

-fellowship of the pearl 😭 sorens becoming self aware in a 4th wall kinda way

-the lightings so pretty omg

-zym errands friendship <3

-CUDDLE FAMILY LETS GOOO

-bro is getting possessed. I can feel it.

-moonfam this season?

-the way jack said runaan 🤣🤣

-rayla called him king oooooh

-bro is getting possessed

-bro is getting possessed

-omg it's happening

-sleep possession AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

-NO GET AWAY FROM THE FUCKING PEARL

-GET HIM SNEEZLES

-wtf is happening

wtf is happening

wtf is happening

wtf is happening

wtf is happening wtf is happening wtf is happening wtf is happening wtf is happening wtf is happening

-bro don't just drop it

-hair down rayla?????? Slayyyyyyyy

-the instant belief 😍

-he took their blankie 😡

-barius plot relevant???

-zym picked up cues from ava awwwww

-furry soren?????????

-let ezran sleep jesus

-LET ALL OF THEM SLEEP JESUS

-barius is the chocolate guy canonically

-NOOOO WHY ARE YOU TAKING IT WITH YOU. UR GONNA USE THE FUCKING QUASAR DIAMOND ON IT AND RUTHARI SHIPPERS WILL STARVE FOREVER

-FATEFUL MISTAKE I CAN FEEL IT

-Ayyyy sorvus

-awwwww sleepy callum

-sleepy rayllum

-OH SHIT ANOTHER TONE SHIFT

-poor Terry. Deserves better

-maybe Taylor and Terry could be cute

-Terry why are you crawling u have legs (unlike someone oops)

-AHHHHHHHHHHH

-CLAUDIA STATUE THING?????? (NOT FIRST EPISODE BUT HAD TO MENTION OMG)

[milevenstancyendgame]

Revelatio Noctis

For Rayllum Month 2024, prompt: "I still love you" - reconciliation

One-shot fanfic, from Rayla's perspective (angsty, fluffy, rated T, I guess). Enjoy! :)

The rustling of her sheets and Rayla's own breathing were the only sounds that cut through the silence of midnight, as she turned around in her bed for what felt like the fifth time in a minute.

It wasn't exactly helping her to escape her restless mind. Ever since they had returned to Katolis from their mission, she had found herself being haunted by what general Amaya had told her in the great bookery.

She was surprised and slightly annoyed at this. Now that they had Aaravos' prison in their care (not exactly a peace-inducing state of things, in her opinion), shouldn't her first priority be to figure out how to free the trapped souls of her parents and Runaan?

The heat of shame crept up her face. Why wasn't she in the library right now or consulting a Xadian mage about this? Instead here she was, the great moonshadow elf warrior - tossing and turning because of a boy!

A snarl escaped her lips as she sat up. Things between her and Callum had definitely gotten better, so why was she so preoccupied with their relationship? Wasn't it obvious that they needed more time?

"That's only what you want to believe..." a little voice in her head responded.

Rayla frowned. Was this true?

Ever since general Amaya had opened her eyes about how selfish she had been in leaving Callum behind, she had realised that protecting him hadn't been the only reason for her solo adventure.

Opening up to Callum and her love for him scared her. That was the truth. And it had been easier - way too easy! - to just go back to "being strong on her own", than to stay and face that fear.

Fear of getting hurt, fear of getting abandoned, fear of herself, fear of being loved and cherished for exactly who she was!

Rayla clenched her knees and bit her teeth. It was hard admitting these things to herself, much harder than any physical fight she had ever faced. But then again that was what Runaan had focused on in her upbringing and there had been no "big feelings"-times. She was starting to think it wasn't as silly as she had thought at first. Maybe not silly at all.

Sighing, she got up and put on her cloak. There was only one way to get rid of this ruminating - she had to talk to Callum. "Share your burden", as general Amaya had called it.

Acting on a whim, she decided to climb out of the window and nimbly jump over to his, instead of taking the easy route. She felt like she wanted to turn back time and get another chance at that first meeting after two years. Only this time she wouldn't pretend like everything was okay (she cringed at the memory).

Her heartbeat echoed much louder in her ears than her knocking, but finally she heard footsteps and a slightly anxious "Who's there?"

"Callum, it's me," she replied. "Can we talk?"

"Rayla?" Callum's voice sounded even sleepier after he opened the windows and stared at her in surprise (an incredibly adorable combination, as she noticed).

"I'm sorry for waking you up," she started, before jumping into the room. "I couldn't sleep and felt like talking to you might help, but I understand if you'd rather wait until-"

Here she was interrupted by Callum. "No! I'm fine with talking now. What's the matter? Is it your coins?"

She bit her lip. Dear Callum! Always so eager to help, even when it meant discomfort or trouble for himself. Had she ever truly appreciated him? A strange war between shame and love seemed to rage in her chest.

"No, actually it's not about that." Ugh! Even he thought this should be her priority! "I came here, because..." She took a deep breath. "Because I wanted to apologise for leaving you two years ago."

The silence that followed these words was definitely louder than the one she had been annoyed with before.

"Oh," was all he said.

Rayla had to will herself to stay standing where she was. Her insides were screaming at her to run, to lighten the mood, to change the topic - anything but this!

"Yes," she continued awkwardly, feeling confirmed that he was still angry - and rightfully so! "It was wrong and selfish and stupid. I thought I was doing it to protect you from the dangers that came with my mission, told myself that you deserved rest and peace after everything we had gone through...but the truth is that I was scared of how our relationship might develop without constant threats to keep us on our toes."

Now that she had started, she didn't want to stop. Just get it over with.

"So I ran away. I literally ran away from you and my feelings. I'm so sorry, Callum!" Tears she didn't know had gathered, began to spill from her eyes, unbidden. Heavens, he must think me so weak and pathetic!

"Rayla."

To her surprise, his voice wasn't dripping with disgust, but was ladden with tenderness. She startled slightly when he cupped her cheek.

"Rayla, look at me." It wasn't an order, it was a gentle invitation. She still couldn't believe her ears and next thing she knew, her eyes were telling her nonsensical things too.

Instead of scorn, she saw nothing but love and concern shining in his green eyes (was there a candle burning in the room? Or was it the moon? She neither knew nor cared).

"Rayla, you're not weak." The fact that he had spoken her name three times in a row in this impossibly tender tone now wasn't lost on her. She felt dizzy from the delight of it.

Then the meaning of his words sank in. "But Callum - how can you say that? I hurt you so badly, and all just because I couldn't handle my own emotions! How is that not weak?"

Was she actually begging him to be angry with her? Goodness, she was more messed up than she had thought!

"You made a mistake. That's not the same as being weak. If you were weak, you wouldn't have returned. You wouldn't have figured out all these things about yourself. You wouldn't be brave and caring and just...you wouldn't be you."

Rayla shook her head, trying to make sense of what he was telling her. It was such a completely new perspective, so different from what she had grown up with!

But Callum hadn't finished yet. "If you were weak, you wouldn't be Rayla. And I wouldn't have fallen in love with you."

There was the slightest hesitation at his last words, as though he wasn't sure whether she would reciprocate his feelings.

A bell was ringing in Rayla's ears, it was just too much - here he was, treating her with understanding and praise when she deserved none, but also implying that he wasn't sure whether she still loved him? Had he been thinking that she had left because of that?

She gasped audibly at this last thought.

"Callum, I hope you don't think...or ever thought that I left because of anything you did, or because my feelings for you changed!"

He looked vulnerable now, like a timid little child, who wasn't sure what kind of answer was expected from him.

Her need to protect his feelings was stronger than her shame and fear.

"Callum, I still love you. I always did. It won't ever change."

The atmosphere of the room changed immediately. It was as though the walls themselves were heaving a sigh of relief.

He didn't respond anything, and all she knew how to do to emphasise her words, was to hold his gaze and place a hand over his on her cheek.

Then his gaze dropped to her lips and he leaned in...Rayla watched it with no wish to run or hide, those feelings seemed to be something of a long distant past.

She had always been baffled at how soft his lips were, but not having kissed in two years...she felt like her whole body was melting and all that existed were the sensations and movements of their mouths. Not to forget his scent (Books. Definitely books, with something slightly musky that reminded her of his scarf), his breath on her skin, his hand on her waist (when had that happened?)...

It all ended too soon for Rayla's taste, but she guessed they had to catch their breath.

There was something reassuring in the way they held on to each other. She wished this moment would never end, as she lightly rested her forehead against his.

"Rayla?"

There was no uncertainty or concern in his voice now, just pure love.

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you couldn't sleep tonight."

She laughed and he soon joined in. It had been so long since she had laughed like this, she hardly recognised the sound. It was a special laugh, her Callum-laugh.

"Same here," she mumbled fondly, resting her head on his chest now, with the intention to stay there.

~End~