"Well, that's it. It's over," Loki says.
Ash glances at the sword in the sand. "It's hard to know what over actually feels like," he says.
Over is when darkness succumbs to light. Over is when the world is rebuilt to be a better place.
I grab Ash's hand. “Over is when we get married," I say.
Ash pauses. "Hey, now. That's a life-changing thing you just threw out there. You mean it? No joking around?"
I think about my condo. My neighbor's cats. Oh, God, I forgot about the cats!
I guess a part of me thought I'd end up back there, lost in the dog eat dog culture of the city. I was addicted to the money, the people, and the rise to the top. But now, I'm addicted to someone.
I can't even recognize that woman anymore.
I crawl closer to him. "We'll find a place outside of town. It could be anywhere. I just want this to be over. I just want you," I whisper.
Closing my eyes, I tilt into his kiss. For the first time, I can taste him without wondering if today will be my last day with him.
But something is still weighing on me, and he can sense it. "What's wrong?" he asks.
His eyes search mine for some hidden truth. I'm embarrassed about what I'm about to say.
I clear my throat and look away. "There's another thing," I say. "Something that I don't want."
"You're worrying me," he says.
My wings fold out as I stand. I offer him my hand, and he takes it. "Hold on to me," I say.
"What are you doing?"
I take off into the air, and he's barely able to get a grip.
"Wait, whoa!"
"I said, hold on!" I yell.
I do a flip through a thick set of clouds, and he falls out of my arms. Ducking back down, I catch him on my wings.
"Raven, this is not cool," he shouts.
Laughing, I slow down and start to drift with him holding on tight. "It's beautiful up here, isn't it?"
When he actually calms down and looks at the world, he agrees. "It's truly incredible."
"Keep holding on, okay?" Before he can answer, I zip through a cold set of clouds.
I fly away, far away from the city, and show him everything that I saw. Above a large forest, I slow a little and point at a quaint neighborhood. Outside, kids are playing street hockey. Some of the parents stand and watch. The world just nearly ended, and somehow, they are still enjoying their time here.
I want what they have.
I say, "This is what I want with you. A life away from all of the chaos. A simple life where we don't have to worry so much."
He leans forward against my shoulders. "You have me, Raven. But what are you really trying to say?"
What I'm about to tell him is really difficult, but it's how I feel. "I don't want to be an angel," I say.
Ash is shocked. "You... what? But you're an angel, Raven. That's something you can't just opt out of. It's who you are."