#once again i am positing that s5 is just the 'in search of silver linings' long con lmao

[raayllum]

"You took Ezran's place. And so even when I realized you had lied—and I was angry, I was also angry because… it was brave and loyal of you to do so. It showed how deep your love for your baby brother ran. It made it that much harder to think of what I would have to do. It's still one of the bravest, most selfless things I've ever seen someone do." He smiled softly. "I'd do anything for him," he said, his voice suddenly soft.

He swallowed hard and took Rayla's hand. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. Ever. I promise." Rayla smiled softly, squeezing his hand. "I know." He didn't lighten up. "I know I'm not a fighter the way you are, but I'll always do everything I can to keep you safe. Everything." She caught his steady gaze, and frowned. "You can't dabble in Dark Magic again." "I will if I have to." She grabbed his sleeve in her other hand, twisting her fingers around the fabric. "Callum, no, it's not right—" "It doesn't matter," Callum said fiercely. "If it's to save your life, then I'll do it. Every time."

"Rayla told me you used Dark Magic," Tinker said, more stiff and cold. Callum shrank a bit, but his eyes hardened. "I couldn't just let her die." "You'd do it again," Tinker translated. The prince scowled. "I'm not like Aaravos. He twisted the primal to be like Dark Magic. I would never do that." "Unless you felt like you had to," Tinker reiterated. "To save Rayla." "Wouldn't you do anything to save the person you love?"

—in search of silver linings, 2019 / Book Five: Ocean, 2023