Together With You -Rayllum-

Chapter 3

They ended up setting camp in the forest. Soren and Claudia fixed up camp while Ezran went out to get some more water. Terry remained tied to a tree and Callum stayed at Rayla's side making sure she was okay.

Callum was sitting against a tree keeping an eye on Rayla who was sound asleep on the ground. He took out his pencil and book and started drawing her. He knows it was weird but he felt like doing it. He hasn't drawn her since he told himself to move on a year ago.

But honestly, if you ask him, he hasn't completely moved on yet. Everyday he missed her, wishing she was there to experience all the happy times. But when she came back, all he could feel was anger and hatred. She left them to get revenge on a man who fell off a cliff. Though he was supposed to be dead if it wasn't for his understanding daughter.

Even though Viren was dead, he couldn't help but stay angry. He was hurt when she left. It was on his birthday too...

Rayla groaned, catching the attention of the mage. She slowly opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was her past lover looking down at her. Callum stood up, running off to get some water Ezran had stored in his bottles.

He took one and came back. He helped Rayla sit up and gave her the clay bottle which she immediately took. She gulped down the water out of thirst. Once she finished she set the now empty bottle aside and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Still dazed, Rayla hadn't realized where she was or who was with her. In this case, it was Callum. He had a hand on her shoulder staring at her with a face full of worry. "Where's Stella?" She asked with a groggy voice and a groan mixed into it.

Callum looked behind him. The cuddle monkey was cuddled up with Zym and Bait, all three fast asleep. He gave a small smile. "She's sleeping." He told the elf with a whisper. She slowly nodded as her eyes started to close. She laid back down, not even noticing Callum's presence before she fell into her slumber once more.

He sighed and his head leaned back on the tree with a strong force, causing him to pull away and rub the back of his head. He grumbled and cursed under his breath.
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Dinner came and they were all sat around the fire, eating the fish Soren and Callum had caught. They decided to release the earthblood and so far, he was doing good.

"And then I farted in front of him!" Terry said, causing chuckles to surface. The mage took a bite of his slice of the fish before looking to the direction of Rayla. She was sleeping under a tree. He felt guilty. They were not even sharing food with her.

He sighed and looked the gang. They were all talking so he decided it was the right time. He quietly snuck out of the circle they formed carrying his stick of fish. Half of it was uneaten so he decided to share it.

He crouched beside Rayla and gently shook her awake. She groaned and stared at him for a few moments before slowly sitting up.

"Come on. You need to eat." He handed her the fish which she gladly accepted. She sniffled and heard laughter coming from behind him. She saw an orange light plus huge shadows. This spooked her as she tried to back away.

But Callum grabbed her wrist, preventing her from leaving. And as if reading her mind, he said, "They're just goofing off." Rayla leaned to the side to see them. And he was right.

She looked at her wrist. His hand was still there. He held it so tightly as if she was going to run, which she considered. But he held it so gently too like it was going to fall off if he put a lot of force to it. She internally smiled.

He let go if his hold and took the stick from her hand. He held it in front of her mouth and Rayla knew what he was doing. She nibbled on the fish, taking small bites.

It took her forever to finish it. But Callum was patient. Especially to those who are sick. He dosen't mind even if his arm went numb. Once she took the last bite, he threw the stick away.

He gave her another clay bottle and she chugged down the water. It spilled on her chin, travelling down to her jaw and neck before she wiped it off. Callum took the bottle and she sighed in satisfaction.

She looked at him. "Thank you." Was all she said before turning around and laying down. Callum stood up and turned to leave but was met with Claudia. He jumped but was cautious not to scream.

"Can we talk?" He nodded and they left the camp. They walked far out in the forest which put Callum on alert.

They stopped and Claudia sat on a boulder. She patted the space next to her, gesturing for Callum to come. He sat down and looked around for a way to escape. Just in case..

They both stayed silent, creating  an awkward atmosphere.

"What happened to you and Rayla?" Claudia spoke after a few minutes. Callum looked down and stared at the grass as if it was the most interesting thing.

"You two used to be so close. You were practically best friends. Now you're so awkward around her. You avoid each other and you two barely talk. What happened?"

Callum contemplated whether or not he could trust her with this. He sighed knowing he was going to have to answer anyway.

"When Viren fell off the cliff, we assumed he was dead of course. But Rayla thought otherwise. She was so paranoid but I thought I calmed her down. Until, one night, she wrote a letter for me and left. Just like that..."

"Callum you have to understand. My dad was the one who took her parents away from her. As well as her guardian. Though they're not dead, she was left all alone. And my dad uses dark magic. There are a few spells he could have done to save himself." She put a hand on his shoulder and leaned forward to see his face.

"But he didn't survive. You had revive him!" "I know I did but there are many possibilities of that happening. You have to understand." "I can't!"

"Callum you forgave me for what I did after a day because you thought it was reasonable. Well Rayla's reason makes more sense. I did all that because I didn't want my family to be torn apart. She did it because she wants to protect you and Ezran. She wanted to make sure. She wanted to avenge her parents and guardian!"

"I know why she left. I know it was more reasonable than your excuse but it hurts. It hurts so much that it's so hard to forgive her. Believe me I want to. But my brain says otherwise."

"Why are you listening to your brain?! If your heart wants it then you must want it as well. Why does it have to be so complicated?!"

"Because I think this serves as her punishment for leaving! Your penance is a 6 year sentence in jail. What about her?! She hurt us the most and she gets away with it?!"

"Just admit it Callum! You love her. You want to be with her but somehow you let you're brain get in the way of that! And you're not the type to think when it comes to these things!"

"Yes I admit! I do love her and I still want to be with her. But don't you understand?! I can't forgive her yet! There's too much to deal with right now and talking to her is at the bottom of the list!"

Claudia stayed silent. She sighed in defeat. "Fine. But talk to her when you get on the bottom of the list. She emphasized the last few words.

She walked away, leaving Callum to process her words.