#see The Dragon Prince's Callum x Rayla

[bisexualenbyblueberry]

as an apology for my recent brief shift from tdp content. (my heart just got broken by a show about dead british people I apologize) here are some textposts

[tategaminu]

"Keep my boyfriend out of your f***ing boat”

I'm pretty sure this mofo Finnegron (I'm not bothering remembering his name) is the one who kidnaps and beats Callum up so I hope Rayla whips his ass.

What if- WHAT IF. He asks her to fight in the arena again giving Callum in exchange for winning. She didn't win in the short story because she got discracted cuz Callum but maybe she will win now because he wants to save him! her weakness being her strenght now!

I doubt it will happen but It sounds angsty enough and I like it

Either way she gonna be insane trying to save him.

Edit: it ended up being the other way but I'm happy.

[that-disabled-princess]

Has this been done yet

[winterstorm032802]

Callum: Ah, the morning air is so nice!

Callum: Isn't the morning amazing?

Rayla: ...

Rayla: ...no.

Callum: Oh come on, not even the least bit?

Rayla: For fuck's sake Callum...

Callum: Ahem...

Rayla: Stella, don't repeat what Mama is saying. No swearing allowed.

[soulsbleedink]

𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙀𝘾𝘼 | 𝙍𝘼𝙔𝙇𝘼 𝙓 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙐𝙈

Prompt: [Written while listening to Seneca by Novo Amor!] Rayla's been on a mission and she misses Katolis, specifically the high mage. So she decides to pay them all a visit, namely Callum.

Warning[s]: None! It's all fluff :D

Pairing: Rayla x Callum

Word count: 1.7k

masterlist

i just had to write some rayllum, i was losing it, and they were going to get my sanity back /j. but really, i love them sm, theyre so precious, so of course! i know rayla may seem a bit soft, so i'm sorry- i'm not extremely good at writing her character, yet. anyways, my beloveds <3 have fun reading!!

Rayla’s footsteps were soft but agile as she sped across the acres of dirt, inching closer to the land where she’d first met Callum. She stopped to catch her breath, her gaze caught on the looming castle of Katolis. With a slight bounce to her step, she tread forward. Upon entering the streets that led up to the castle gates, she was quite happy to find that no one paid any attention to the fact that she was an elf. Life buzzed around her, the heady smell of baked goods lingering in the air, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips at the soft sounds of children giggling flitting in from a side street. 

Just a bit farther were the castle gates, and the village was further back, now much quieter. The breeze whispered in her ears and before her hand could touch the rough wood of the door, it slid open, just a crack. And a certain blond appeared between the cracks, his eyes piercing her soul, but then they softened.

“Rayla!” Soren reached out for her and she braced herself for a bone crushing hug, and bone crushing hug she got. His arms wrapped around her torso and lifted her into the air, all air knocked out of her lungs. 

“Soren, put me down…” She mumbled, barely wheezing the words out. And slowly, her airways weren’t so restricted anymore. When her feet touched the ground she almost considered kissing it for a moment. She inhaled as much air as possible. 

“What brought you here?” Soren asked, walking back into the castle grounds, Rayla beside him.  She let her eyes gaze over the rough stone walls, the passing workers, the baker she only briefly remembered, or did she even—Now was not the time. Opeli was walking next to him while he carried a tray of jelly tarts, a smile playing on his lips.

“Oh, I just wanted to visit Ezran,” She said, as if that was the full reason, but then again she wasn’t entirely lying. 

“Oh, I know it’s about Callum.” Since when had Soren gotten so good at reading minds? “It’s written all over your face.” 

Rayla huffed, but warmth crawled up her neck at the mention of the high mage. She refused to agree or disagree, hoping it would fly past him. Well, it didn’t. The next time she looked up at him, he was wiggling his eyebrows and his armour clanged loudly when he shoulder-bumped Rayla. But the murderous expression on her face was apparently something he wasn’t scared of, because he laughed out loud, his laughter a burst of joy swept away with the breeze when he finally quieted down. She sighed, she didn’t hate it, not truly; at least. Some part of her kind of wanted to have that every day, little moments of joy with her friends, and him. 

“Woah, you look like you’ve missed him,” Soren said, the lightest tint of laughter still threatening to spill over the threshold of his mouth, Rayla grunted. “Dare I say heart eyes?”

She was ready to swing a joking punch but from within one of the doors leading into the main castle a head of brown curls appeared, his stark red attire and silver crown always noticeable in the gleaming sunlight. Ezran turned around, his blue eyes fixating on Rayla and the biggest smile she’d seen in so long sliding onto his face. He didn’t waste a second longer when he made a beeline straight for her and sped over the rough stone, Bait trying his hardest to keep up with Ezran’s gait. 

“Rayla!” He jumped into her arms, and she caught him, hugging him as his hair tickled her chin. Bait grunted and she grinned down at him.

She let Ezran down, ruffling his hair, his crown now tilted. She reached down, fixing it. “How’ve ya been, Ez? Thought I’d visit you.” The grin on her face said it all. 

He smiled, letting the words linger in the air. “You don’t have to lie.” Apparently everyone here could read her like a book, and she was not having it. The sun was already beating down at her, and the heat collecting under her leather assassin attire was uncomfortable. 

“Who’s lying?” She asked, rather unconvincingly too, much to her own chagrin. But behind those words was a heart beating quickly within her chest, and her eyes wanting to stray towards a specific direction, up to the door that led into his quarters. And she just knew he was in there. 

“I won’t hold you back much longer, you can go, but thank you for visiting!” He said, cheery as ever. She didn’t acknowledge the first part of the sentence verbally but smiled anyway, catching his gaze once before she received a sharp jab between her shoulder blades, most probably from Soren. She grunted, stumbling forward and catching her pace. 

Her feet carried her across the remaining few steps, mind buzzing in a whole new dimension. She reached out, hand hesitating on the wood. Should she knock? Should she wait—When had she gotten so tentative? 

She wasn’t allowed the chance to ponder on that. The door slid open, creaking on its hinges. A familiar, far too familiar face appeared in the doorway. She smiled, well, she thought she did.

Because Callum didn’t change too much, again, of course he wouldn’t. It had only been a few weeks, and it should’ve been a few more; but her heart longed to be back at Katolis. The catalyst to everything. She missed Ezran and his jelly tarts, Soren and his jokes, and most importantly; Callum. Her high mage. 

“You’re a few weeks early,” He said, raising an eyebrow at her. But his tone didn’t sound like he minded one bit. 

She laughed. “Yeah, most of what they need is collected, thought I’d pay you a visit.” She shrugged. 

“Sure you didn’t just miss me?” He asked, teasing; of course.

She shoved him in the shoulder, playfully. He stumbled back, placing a hand over his heart, feigning disbelief and whatever heartbreak he could muster. She burst into chuckles, stepping inside when he beckoned her closer. 

Her eyes roamed the room. Trinkets scattered the tables, the shelves, even the walls. And fuzzy crimson curtains hung over the window, open so only just a sliver of sunlight was let into the room. She couldn’t blame him for that; it was hot. Or maybe it was her Moonshadow elf preference for cooler temperatures. Anyways, she didn’t linger on it. She walked over to a shelf with books, and ran her fingers over the leathery spines. 

“What a nerd.” She huffed in amusement. Then turned around when she heard creaking. Callum had sat down on a couch, smiling and shrugging. 

She tilted her head, making her way over and plopping next to him. He turned to her, eyes lingering on the books that she was touching a few seconds ago, but then those beautiful brown eyes were on her. And her breath hitched in her throat. Suddenly, the room felt warmer too. 

“Well, I need all the resources I can get to learn about magic, of course,” He started, his eyes never leaving her face, and she kind of wanted to curse him, “I’m literally the high mage!”

“I’m sure that even a wee elfling could tell that much.” She laughed. “I missed seeing that excited face of yours.” And your love for knowledge, about magic namely. 

“I missed you too, but where did sappy Rayla come from?” He asked, surprised for just a moment before his face fell back into that teasing amusement. “Are you the real one?” He raised a brow, placing a hand on his chin in mock scrutiny. 

“Am I?” She feigned confusion, but then he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. And she finally managed to meet his eyes for longer than a few seconds. 

They stared at each other, and he leaned closer, and she did too. But then they burst into fits of laughter, her head falling on his shoulder as he slapped her shoulder playfully. 

She truly did miss him, and being with him, and everything that reminded her of this place. 

“Thanks for getting back early, Ez was getting a bit lonely without Zym and Corvus around as often,” He mentioned, his voice muffled by her hair, the hum of his words lulling her into a comfort and peace that she related to being with Runaan and Ethari. 

“What about Soren?” She scooted closer, his arm going around her shoulder and pulling her head onto his shoulder. Then his head rested on hers.

“He’s been training, says he wants to be the best crown guard there is.” She could feel his eyes on her, but she didn’t look up, she stared at the sliver of sunlight on the wooden floor. It reminded her of him. He was kind of like sunlight, but in fleeting moments, in the early morning when it was a bit weaker, but it wasn’t so strong it made you feel like you were burning into a crisp. He was like sunlight that filtered through curtains, warmth that you could bask in, that made you feel like you were at home. He was the type of sunlight you got in autumn, the type you wanted to linger around, and the type you place your hand under and watch the shadows that form. She wasn’t ever really poetic, but for Callum? She could be, if she tried.

“He’s really dedicated—” He was saying, and she barely caught on, but placed a hesitant hand on his other one. He stopped, the words catching somewhere in his throat, and she could feel the quickening beat of his heart near her ear. Almost like it jumped to his throat. She didn’t stop the smile that graced her lips at the thought. 

“Ez deserves that, he deserves that love,” She mumbled. Faintly, she could feel the nod of Callum’s head against hers.

“He really does.”

“And so do you.” She didn’t know where that came from, but it made Callum’s heart beat even faster. The warmth creeped up her face and she cleared her throat, prompting him to laugh, the sound rumbling through his chest, up his spine, to her. 

She relaxed into his touch, fearing that if she spoke, she’d say something that she would cringe about later. So she let herself sit in silence, with him. Although it wasn’t really silent, he kept on talking. But she was content listening too. Especially when it was him. 

She liked listening to him. Or being with him, she guessed.

[archivedbyebye]

evermore by taylor swift ft. bon iver is the most rayllum-during-the-two-year-timeskip song i apologize for nothing

[arcadianmoonshadowjedi]

How to know Callum and Rayla were meant for each other since they first met: They both believed that “sweep the leg” was a thing in sword fighting 🥲❤️

[ymmh-ao3]

Alright! Please help me write the next chapter of You've Marked My Heart (if it's a tie I'll do both)!! Of course, any other ideas or suggestions are very welcome and you can comment them down below or leave them in my inbox, I'll be sure to credit you! :)

[dannydevitosthiccdog]

I have a TDP theory

To 'unlock something of great power in Xadia' the key of Aaravos needs all 6 sources of primal magic at the same time.

Callum/Zym-sky

Rayla- moon

Bait/Janai-sun

Star- Stella? (Strongly believe that the only reason creepy furby cat was introduced)

Ocean- idk yet.

And following this logic.... And perhaps some hoping.

Terry- earth

UPDATE.

Ocean -Callum, yet again. Him learning the ocean arcanum, the ONLY element unaccounted for just seals the idea for me.

[mandaloriandragontrainer]

Alternate Rayllum S4 Plotline

I'm going to write a salt post later venting about my issues with how Rayllum (and Callum and Rayla's characters) were handled in season 4, but first here's what I think could've happened instead, while still preserving the major plotlines and character arcs...

It seems to me that the entire "Rayla leaves to find Viren" storyline was intended solely to cause Rayllum angst, but for whatever reason the writers didn't follow through on the emotional fallout they so beautifully set up in Through the Moon, "Dear Callum," and the final scene of 4x01, nor did they address its profound effects on Rayla's character at all. Maybe they will in season 5 (and I dearly hope they do, and I maintain that the story could've worked very well if they'd handled it differently), but for now I'm thoroughly disappointed and frustrated. So what would I have preferred?

Keep the separation plotline, but make it less extreme. Callum and Rayla are still an established couple, but Rayla's responsibilites as the last Dragonguard and Callum's as High Mage of Katolis keep them physically apart most of the time. They visit regularly (mainly Callum flying out to see her), but the ache of separation still takes its toll.

Callum is still very lonely without her and pours himself into magic as a distraction. While not quite as dangerously obsessed as in canon, he's still emotionally vulnerable and open to attack from Aaravos.

Rayla is still bothered by Viren's "death" and the fates of her parents and Runaan. TTM can still play out as it does in canon, except Rayla decides not to leave or Callum goes with her and they abandon the search after a short time (possibly at Zubeia's request), it doesn't really matter to me either way. She still investigates whenever she's able, and since she's spending most of her time at the Storm Spire, keeps finding little clues hinting at Claudia and Terry's presence beneath the mountain, heightening her paranoia.

Season 4 kicks off with Rayla arriving in Katolis alongside Zubeia and Zym, and it's been 4 months since she and Callum saw each other (the same amount of time that passed since Ezran saw Zym). The plot plays out much as it does in canon and Callum and Rayla still go through their respective arcs or lack thereof, but work through them openly as the partners they are.

Bonus: Rayllum are pens pals and write ooey-gooey love notes back and forth, which the Associate Crow Lord absolutely does not read before passing them along how dare you even suggest that?

[fritoley]

The Dragon Prince Thoughts 6x02 - Love, War, and Mushrooms

Previous Episode // Masterlist // Next Episode

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Spoilers under the cut

CLAUDIA’S IN THE INTRO THIS TIME???

Omg wait what does that mean

AARAVOS GRABBED HER FIGURINE

Like he did in s4 when he was using viren

CORVUS WHOOOO

GAHH

They’re so gay for each other lmao

“Karim’s threats are no longer empty with General Miyana’s might behind them.”

Ok but did no one stop to think that miyana MIGHT be a little biased considering she’s karin’s literal girlfriend—

Like I would’ve kept a closer eye on her

“Based on these claw markings, she was unsteady…”

I forgot how good of a tracker Corvus is it’s nice to really see him in action

Soren grabbing Corvus’s shoulder lol

NOT THE WAY CORVUS FULL ON PULLED SOREN’S HAND OFF HIM LMAOOO—

Corvus being so done with Soren’s shit yet still humoring him is so cute

OOH you can see Karim in the reflection of the crown I love that

G U R L WHAT ARE YOU DOING—

I’m sorry the way Gren was waving that cape around trying to put out the fire is so funny—

“You think it’s edible?”

“No, and please don’t find out.”

Their banter ugh—

Soren is literally a golden retriever it’s so wild

“Why are we stopping? Do you not like my summer camp song?”

We NEED a short story of Soren at camp that would be soooo funny

I still love how Ezran and Zym can telepathically communicate it’s adorable

I hope they explain that later

Oop more mushrooms—

I swear Soren and Corvus argue like an old married couple lol

NOT THE PIGGYBACK RIDE LMAOOOOOOOO

“If I ever start to doubt you, I’ll know I am truly lost.”

See Amaya and Janai are such good examples of girlbosses who are still madly in love, want to get married, etc. it’s soooo cute

I’m not gonna get into it too much cuz i don’t like talking about politics on social media but you can still be a woman with a career and still want a to get married, still want a family and whatnot and even though amaya and janai aren’t a “traditional couple” it’s still a good example as far as feminism goes

Like this is how your portray a power couple this is the correct way right here

Notice the difference between the responses in Janai’s and Karim’s audiences. Janai’s people cheer for her because they see her as more than a queen. They see her as more than just a leader; they see her as a friend or even a sister. 

Karim’s people bow in respect, but they only acknowledge him as a commander. That kind of “respect” always fades.

“He’s got me. A good man with a big heart.”

They’re so just—

GAHH—

*dies of cuteness*

“Your brother Ezran needs you.”

Considering zubeia was the one  who ordered Harrow’s and Ezran’s deaths in s1, she prolly had the most development, except we as an audience see the least of it.

“It’s time to set a wedding.”

FINALLY WHOOO

We’re FINALLY doing this

Oh callum and rayla i forgot about them

WAIT WHAT—

WHY IS THERE AN X OVER DUREN???

Aaaaalllllright it’s really picking up now. It’s good to know zubeia’s alright, and i’m excited to see how this whole thing with janai and karim carries out. Soren and Corvus are SOOO CUTE they need to kiss already. ALSO how DARE they leave off on callum with his little key of aaravos or whatever it’s called and him MAPPING THE COORDINATES of the lines on the floor??? They better explain that i swear imma be mad if they don’t—

[tategaminu]

[platinumrosetail]

i’ve read the rules and i shall confidently ask, could you pretty please with sugar on top (if it makes you feel comfortable and you aren’t burnt out/ have a writer’s block/ uncomfortable) do a yandere callum x elf! reader (and maybe also a yandere rayla too 👀) where the reader is just trying to get back to Xadia but dear yandere is like “mmmm nope, you’re stuck here now, i will use the power of magic to keep you here” or reader tries to escape and fails but gets like a really bad punishment cause she tried to escape on like a special day or something along those lines

i never thought i’d see this kind of writing ask so THANK YOU and have some digital food! 🎂🍿🍭🍩🍪🍬🍫🥛🧃🧋🍎🍉🍓🥯🍟🍣🍤🍝🍜🍦🍡🥠

Oooh interesting, I’ll definitely do this, thank you for the requesting 😁 also I’ll be genderbending rayla (ray in this) as I don’t do female x reader so I asked if that’s ok with them and they said yea so here we are lol anyway hope yall like it!

Characters: callum, male!rayla.

Warnings: noob author, female reader, yandere characters, aged up characters, and others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you had met callum and ray when they were on their mission with callum's little half brother; ezran, to take the dragon prince egg to his mother you decided to join them not thinking of how you shouldn't as it lead to a bad future, at least for you.

while on that journey you had gained a crush on both callum and ray of course you didn't know at the time that that would be your downfall in the future.

after the journey and everything was at peace for now you, callum and ray got in a poly relationship which in the past would have made you happy as you got to b with the two you loved but now it all seemed like a big mistake.

ray had unexpectedly leave, looking for viren and claudia which made callum paranoid that you would leave next if he didn't imprison you in the your room most of the time, only letting you out when he felt like he could trust you to be out even if he was by your side; watching, to make sure you never left.

you had succeed in escaping by pure luck, only getting about 2 days away when ray decided to finally show up after 2 years on his search for viren and claudia. ray learned the news pretty quick on how you had escaped 2 days before he returned and immediately went to search for you with callum; the two ad to go after you as the royal guards couldn't find you what with you being elf but since callum is a mage and ray is also a elf they were abl to find you much quicker than if callum went by himself.

once the three of you returned to the castle you had been given a punishment; the punishment being grounded to your room with only them coming in and out, so that you would only have to rely on them for food, water and entertainment.

you had slowly started accepting that you would never be able to escape them. they were happy with you accepting them as they had loved you since the 2 had met you as well as each other. but what they didn't know was that they would soon have a problem, not from you but rom your father, who had longed to find you as he had lost you a long time ago, thinking you were dead.

(A/n: so i hoped y'all liked it! i decided to add a little something at the end because i thought it be a interesting idea to add, i want y'all to guess who the father is as well, i would think it be pretty easy to guess so i won't be giving hints so comment who and i'll answer who is correct! anyway i think that's it so i hope y'all have a wonderful day/evening/night!!)

[winterstorm032802]

I need a scene in season 5 in which during a fight or whatever! Rayla's hair goes down. I need it. I want to see her hair down. I don't think she cut it. Two years of growth. I want to see her hair. I want Callum to be there. He's just there. Seeing her hair down. Please. I'm begging you.

[raayllum]

I don't know if you've already posted about this, but why do you think Claudia seems to have a strong hatred towards Rayla that she refuses to acknowledge her and refers to her as "their elf" in her reflection short story. Could it stem from Rayla being the catalyst that essentially turns Claudia's world upside-down, or does it stem from a sort of jealousy somehow?

Oh bless, as I was just thinking about Claudia's end of her and Rayla's dynamic (given that she also has more of one, tbh)

I've written metas about Rayla and Claudia's dynamic previously (X, X, X, X) but most of that has been from a Foils perspective rather than an interpersonal one. For that, I'd recommend the fic I co-wrote, "if heaven and hell decide," a S2 divergence where Claudia and Soren don't betray the trio right away at the Moon Nexus, and thereby spend the bulk of the season actually travelling together as a group.

As to your actual point of Claudia's view on Rayla, well, first and foremost:

Rayla is an elf, and that means she's not a Person.

“So are you two… Did I interrupt something? Between you and… your elf?” Claudia asked, lifting her eyebrows slightly. (—Book Two: Sky novelization)

Where Terry and Aaravos are exceptions, likely precisely because they are willing to help Claudia with her goals, Rayla is never anything more than an obstacle, and there is never ever given even a shred of conceivable 'humanity'. This is best seen in her response of her smiling at the prospect of Soren murdering Rayla, citing not even that the girl is an assassin, but that she's an elf (although, with Moonshadow elves, that could easily be one in the same):

It is also most likely, given that Claudia is the one (1) other character we see refer to elves as bloodthirsty (whereas Viren reassures Runaan that his drink is berry juice) that Claudia learned stories about elves from Amaya and then told Callum and/or reaffirmed stories that Callum heard from his aunt.

Never mind in the one (1) interaction they've had, it was Rayla arguing that the dragon egg was a baby who deserved to go back to its mother. Claudia didn't even see or know for sure that Rayla had threatened the boys, and saw that Rayla was speaking with them and only (visibly) drew her swords once Claudia showed up.

Claudia's malleable stakes of what constitutes a person reinforced that while despite definitely knowing Rayla's name (Callum introduces her and says it a few times around Claudia) and knowing Rayla's features well enough to pick up that Lain and Tiadrin are her parents (also makes sense, given that being a dark mage means being able to differentiate and identify a lot of very similar looking components), Claudia never uses Rayla's name. Not once.

Zym, with thoughts and feelings and a name and a mother, is not a person. Magical creatures with lives and cultures and languages and families, families she knows Rayla gives a shit about because that's precisely what she weaponizes against her (comparing it to her love for Terry), are not People to her.

And this all loops back into Claudia's big cognitive dissonance, which is that even when she and Rayla are doing or want the exact same thing, Rayla deserves to suffer and/or be punished for it, because Claudia (in her mind) is a Person with Understandable Good Motivations, and Rayla is not.

Keep in mind that Claudia saw Ezran and then Callum consciously choose to go with Rayla. She saw Callum hesitate and then chain her to a wall, stealing her primal stone without Rayla saying a word. Hell, Ezran is even the one Claudia sees take the lead ("Follow me") that Rayla follows. That kidnapping the princes is literally exactly what Claudia is going to do an episode from now, and while she apologizes, she cites, "I have to do what's right" and when she and Soren are punished upon their homecoming (much like Rayla in S3) with being seen as traitors, Claudia insists, "We didn't do anything wrong!"

Aaravos whispering in her ear takes this up a notch, to the degree that Claudia claims that intergenerational trauma is a uniquely human trait that the elves and dragons couldn't possibly understand:

Which like, dehumanization and being willing to cause suffering generally go hand in hand, both IRL and in the show, so that absolutely tracks. But despite literally being an assassin that she knows killed the king, Claudia never shows the same vitriol towards Runaan. If anything, she seems almost sympathetic in the one scene we see of her with him, even if she also took him for "practical" (dark magic "uses".

So why does she seemingly hate Rayla, then, so specifically? Well...

In season one, losing the egg can't be the boys' fault (they're spelled, they're innocent, they're—) and it can't be Claudia's fault (she's going to get it back, really, just like her dad asked), so it must be Rayla's. She invaded Claudia's home. She stole the boys away. She's the one literally stepping in between her and Zym, between her and her goal, between her and her dad's approval. Absolutely not. This evil elf's braid (however cute) will be her undoing. (The fact that the braid is a symbol of someone who loved Rayla is just the icing on the cake, tbh, symbolically.)

Then in season two, Claudia actually meets Rayla and realizes very quickly that Callum is inordinately Close to her. She's seen them interact twice — Callum, noticing that Rayla is missing in the middle of the night, running to her aid, and being in defensive stance for her, not Claudia and Soren; Callum and Rayla sitting closely on a bed, Rayla looking like she's about to nervously confess something while Callum listens patiently, regrouping for their own convo the same way Claudia and Soren did — before she assumes there Might be something between them. Not just that Rayla might've caught feelings for the boy Claudia's always been gently teasing, but that Callum — whose knowingly liked Claudia forever, and whose feelings Claudia has always been very confident in — might've fallen for her, too, in only a week or so's time. Which says a lot, I think.

Then, even after not knowingly doing anything wrong to Callum - and to Claudia, all she's trying to do is safely bring the boys home and keep a weapon from falling into Xadia's hands - he still lies to and betrays her in his own way. With a moon illusion magic spell that Rayla was blatantly, clearly, in on (even if Claudia may not know it was literally Rayla's idea). And that, of course, Callum ultimately trusted this elf over her; it was Callum setting his own Test of Love for Claudia in a lot of ways, and she failed just about as poorly as she possibly could.

She and her brother take down a dragon, and there's the elf, again, getting in their way and wasting their time. But she does present an opportunity: she can lead them to Callum and Ezran. Only Callum shows up - and Claudia doesn't know whether this was the plan or not - willing to do dark magic - which he wasn't before when he offered it - with an angry, vengeful look on his face. Him breaking the chains, and Rayla freeing the dragon (as Soren says) is what leads to her brother becoming paralyzed. And although Claudia doesn't want to think of the lingering ramifications, that is still the moment she knows on a certain level that she Loses her family, because the second Soren tells her that their dad tried to kill the princes, she can't actually come back from that unscathed. From this until the end of S3, she's in damage control trying to hold onto both her father and her brother at any cost.

And I'm not gonna summarize further (after all, it doesn't seem that Claudia knows Rayla was the one who killed Viren, otherwise I don't think she ever would've given back the coins come hell or high water or a massive character arc) but I think it's a few things:

Rayla is an elf, and a Moonshadow elf, and all that comes with it in regards to dehumanization and demonization. A process that Rayla never returns (admitting the pancakes are good, looking happy for Callum when things seem to be okay / Claudia understands why their mission is important)

Rayla's presence and influence being the consistent through line that ruined Claudia's life, culminating in the literal (unknown) death of her father.

Rayla is an enemy by default and because she creates instability / disruption. The boys trust her over Claudia, which would've been unthinkable a week or perhaps a day ago; Soren is on her side and is the primary elf that he presumably knows; Rayla has Callum's loyalty/devotion, not Claudia - not anymore (which, I will be interested to see if they ever give us a moment where Claudia puts it together that they're a thing, but I'd be fine without one, lol).

Claudia already has a smug streak (see plenty of her interactions with Soren and Callum, and even Terry and Viren) and enjoys feeling more secure / in control. Claudia being able to lord something (the coins) over someone has magic ("We were born with nothing") and who just threatened someone she loves... Claudia being able to get Rayla back for tricking her all those years ago?

TLDR; I think there's jealousy for the life Claudia perceives Rayla has having / having 'stolen' from her (for all she knows, Rayla has been living a cushy life in Katolis with the boys the past two years) and for having earned Callum's trust so decidedly and drastically. I think Rayla, subconsciously, is where Claudia has levelled a lot of blame in how her life turned out (because it can't be her own fault; she can't Be Wrong; the dragons leaving the Storm Spire is a "Sign" she's on the Right path, isn't it?), partially grounded in reality, but mostly not. Rayla is just the easier person to blame, and well... Rayla also has a habit of destroying / fucking things up, mostly unintentionally. Claudia's life might as well be one of them, at this point.

[dragonfly0808]

Some of my Top Ships for Valentine’s Day!

This was supposed to be like 5 ships but shit got a little bit out of hand…

In no particular order:

Helia x Flora (Winx Club): they were my first OTP, it’s a classic, we know it, we love it, they invented the word adorkable. They are just… chef’s kiss

Callum x Rayla (the Dragon Prince): they are… my everything. From their very first interaction I was like… oh. They just balance each other out so well and it’s so much fun to watch them fall in love and grow together even if there have been a few… bumps in the road recently… they are my babies.

Runaan x Ethari (the Dragon Prince): WHERE IS MY SPIN OFF?! I NEED TO SEE HOW THESE TWO FELL IN LOVE! They just… the second Ethari was introduced these two had my heart and I just… I can’t even describe what it is about them that just gets me right there.

Lizzie x Daring (Ever After High): I said what I said. No regrets. Should’ve been endgame. You don’t get it, they get to be their real selfs when they��re with each other! The fucking potential! We only got 5 min in the webisodes and like a few dialogues in the books but they will forever live rent free in my brain.

Zuko x Katara (Avatar): …was this one predictable? I feel like this one was predictable, it just made so much sense with their respective characters, story lines and everything about them was just set up so perfectly but just never paid off. But yeah… these two were PERFECTION, up until they didn’t end up together somehow.

Percy x Annabeth (Percy Jackson): Come on, this is THE ship. I apologize in advance for the person I will become when the show comes out cause I’ll only be talking about them for a very long time.

Luka x Marinette (Miraculous Ladybug): You don’t understand how much I mean it when I say that I will go down with this ship. Luka is just… the cutest? And like… Marinette? Being supported? Being loved? Getting to have someone on her side that doesn’t feel like she owes them anything? Is this a potential OTP? Yes, yes it is.

Inej x Kaz (Six of Crows): I don’t think I have to say anything here. These two are just… wow. They would both kill for each other and… I love that it’s not an ‘I can fix them’ relationship, it’s a ‘I will change and be better for them’ relationship and I just…they are the pinnacle of romance.

Raven x Beast Boy (Teen Titans/Comics): Come on… do I have to say anything else? These two were made for each other! They understand each other in a way that almost no one else can, they both have dark sides that could take them over but they fight it, be it in different ways. And I just… they deserved so much more.

Mateo x Rufus (They Both Die at the End): If you haven’t read this book… it’s one of my faves but you shouldn’t read it unless you’re in a somewhat stable mental place ajajjajajja. But these two were just… ugh. I usually despise insta-love with every inch of my being but it worked so well for these two I just- AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Sophie x Gideon (Shadowhunters: Infernal Devices): These two I feel like are underrated in the fandom. Like, come on! In my personal opinion, they have the best love story in Shadowhunters. I’ve loved them since I was 9 and they are just so… they are just so good with each other? I love them. Every single moment of their relationship slaps.

Ron x Hermione (Harry Potter): They invented hesitant friends to friends to best friends to lovers. And they were done so wrong in the movies. Can anyone recommend me fics with them as the central focus? The Harry Potter part of AO3 is a fucking mess and I’ve found like two and I need more!

Luz x Amity / Hunter x Willow / Eda x Raine (The Owl House): How the fuck did a single show give me 3 new OTP’s? I’ve got no fucking idea but somehow they did it. I adore this show, I cannot wait for the finale. All the love stories are just… top tier just… wow. Lumity are the perfect enemies to lovers arc, Huntlow are just… so cute and perfect and of course we have Eda and Raine who are just iconic and IF I DON’T GET A KISS I AM GOING TO-

Wednesday x Tyler (Wednesday): COME AT ME BRO (please don’t), I love when people say they shouldn’t be together cause *SPOILERS* like… this is Wednesday Adams we’re talking about, if anything it makes it better! I love this ship. Their dynamic is just superior to me. Crazy x different kind of crazy? Perfection.

Charles Xavier x Erik (X-men): X-MEN WERE FUCKING COWARDS. That’s all I’ll say about that. I deserved so much better.

Rarity x Apple Jack (Equestria Girls): My fave sapphics, they were girlfriends. Farm girl x fashionista? Fucking genius. The aesthetics and dynamics are just perfect. The heavens open up and you can hear the choir when there’s a plot line revolving around their… ‘friendship’.

Nam-ra x Su-hyeok (All of us are dead): They are just… so fucking precious? He runs towards zombies to protect her and they are both crushing on each other from a distance, trying not to be obvious and it is so cute and so precious and just… I can’t wait for s2.

Stiles x Lydia (Teen Wolf): I’m not watching the movie. I refuse to. These two had 14 year old me in a choke hold.

Barry x Caitlin (The Flash): yes, I’m that person. Seasons 1-4 I still held on to hope. I love these two, just two nerds supporting each other and being THE team. This was truly so much potential.

Sarah x Leonard (Legends of Tomorrow): *sobs* they were just… so unexpected but they also made so much sense?

Hiccup x Astrid (How to Train Your Dragon): They were my obsession for a good while, Race to the Edge gave me way too much serotonin. I cried violently watching the last movie I just- they were so good. Their whole character development in Race to the Edge? Absolute fucking hold.

Winter x Jacin (The Lunar Chronicles): These two are just… childhood best friends to lovers, I’d kill and die for you, we know we love each other but we’ll never admit it and just be teaseful and then when they finally kiss it’s just so intense I was fucking fainting. I love them.

Dominick x Erika (Barbie, The Princess and the Pauper): They invented romance and they are the only insta-love love story that I will accept.

Robin x Regina (Once Upon a Time): I will die angry. Srly, they were just… perfect for each other? The definition of true love and they understood each other, Robin was so good for her and he believed so much in her and they loved each other in such a pure way and just… also they were just hot as fuck together I mean, they had me questioning my sexuality.

Starfire x Robin/Nightwing (Teen Titans/DC Comics/DC Movies): I don’t even know how to describe the amount of serotonin these two give me, they just make sense to me and I love them.

Kid Flash x Jinx (Teen Titans): They had 1 episode and they made history.

Artemis x Kid Flash (Young Justice): …I’m still waiting… fuck me… THEY WERE JUST SO FUCKING GOOD AAAAAAAHHHHHH- The way they annoyed each other but slowly grew to trust each other and then became friends and you can’t even pin point the exact moment they start falling in love because it just happens so naturally and so organically and it’s just- AAAAAHHHHHHHH

Impulse x Blue Beetle (Young Justice): Bart is in love with Jaimie and he is not subtle about it at all. Jaimie is a bit oblivious but you know that he is just as much in love if not even more

Jonathan x Nancy (Stranger Things): I swear yall’ if they really redo the triangle next season, I’m going to riot cause these two, their story is so well done in the first 3 seasons and it’s just like… what the fuck ya know?

Mike x Eleven (Stranger Things): I don’t care what anyone says, I still love them.

Lucas x Max (Stranger Things): …ow? I honestly don’t know what else to say.

Ben x Evie/Harry x Uma (Descendants): YOU KNOW I’M RIGHT, DID YOU WATCH CHILLIN LIKE A VILLAIN/WHAT’S MY NAME?! THE CHEMISTRY WAS LITERALLY DRIPPING OFF OF THEM. HE WAS SO HAPPY EVERYTIME HE SAW HER AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GOLD TOGETHER.

Lucas x Maya (Girl Meets World): I am so tired… these two were just… so good together, the chemistry, the story line, Maya accepting the ‘bad’ side of Lucas in a way that Riley never did and him just being there for her no matter what ‘I could never hurt you’ I just… why?

Veronica x JD (Heathers the Musical): Listen… hear me out… I know that he was kinda crazy but… they were kind of an iconic duo okay? Freeze Your Brain? Dead Girl Walking? Our Love Is God? Seventeen? Meant to Be Yours? I Am Damaged? Sorry was I… not supposed to ship them after listening to those? I love them. I’m allowed to have at least one kinda-toxic-if-you-think-about-it-ship.

Juliette x Warner (Shatter Me): They created sexual tension. Every single scene slaps and their arc is just perfect and I love them and they are just… they are so intense but in the best way possible.