Here's what I love about Wattpad: I posted a message about writing a new story on my feed, and one of my gorgeous readers said, "Uh, yo, what about the end of Feathers...?"  And I went, "Oo, great idea!"  

And here we all are, less than a day later, the second last chapter written and posted because someone asked.  Never doubt the impact your words can have on a writer on this platform - sometimes, you're the only reason a writer is still going :)  Thanks to @lecturacuarentena for the nudge on this one.

Enjoy our last time inside Leigh's head...

Leigh

"Nanny," I said, reading out loud from the first list I found on Google. "Nanna, oma, gammy, meema, geegee, bunny, kitty, pippi, lola, nona, and oh my Ra, this has to be my favourite – 'big momma.'" I looked up from my phone and grinned wickedly at Sevic. "You know, you definitely look like a 'big momma.' Although I could make an argument for bunny, too..."

I was nervous as hell, crammed into a van with my newly reconciled grandparents, only minutes away from seeing Keira for the first time since the compound. Sentinel was at the wheel, while Noah and Masque had opted to drive Pop's truck. I'd spent hours watching Pop and Sevic stare adoringly at one another, interspersed with bathroom breaks where I had to deal with Noah and Masque, equally infatuated.

Instead of staring out a window or playing a stupid phone game, I dealt with my angst and anger by taunting Sevic with new grandmother monikers. She'd be Sevic to me for a while to come, and maybe I'd eventually be able to think of her as Lily, but the idea of labelling her with a goofy nickname was too much fun to resist. "Maybe," I said, rubbing my stubbled chin thoughtfully, "I can combine the two. How about 'Big Bunny?'"

I waited for Sevic to take the bait. Instead, she smiled knowingly. "If I didn't know any better, Cobb, I'd say that you were feeling apprehensive about something..."

"You got me, Bun-bun," I said, forcing myself to stretch out casually. "I'm just in a dither about what to wear to your vow renewal ceremony. I'm a bright winter with cool undertones, but my heart just lives for peach chiffon – what's a boy to do?"

"That's not a bad idea," said Pop, twisting in his seat to face Sevic. "Lil, what do you say? Want to throw a party when all this is over? Stand in front of a priest and say the words again?"

She leaned her wrinkled brow against his and said, "I think that sounds magical." Sliding sly eyes my way, she said, "Thank you for the suggestion, Cobb."

"I live to facilitate the love lives of others," I muttered darkly.

The van pulled to a stop in front of a huge mountain home. Keira's mom's home. Steeling myself, I stepped out into the rapidly cooling air of the dusky evening. Here we go...

A woman approached the van, and I did a double-take; she was the spitting image of Keira, or who Keira might be years from now. She smiled broadly, her easy energy wrapping around us as she hugged and greeted everyone. "Hi! Hello! I'm Coraline, call me Cookie. Do you need a hand with the bags? Noah, good to see you again."

I watched in shock as she gave Noah a hug – and he reciprocated. "Good to see you, too, Coraline.

She turned her savvy silver eyes on me. "You must be Leigh."

"I am."

I stood, pinned by her intelligent gaze. "Hmm... You don't look like a blithering moron..."

"Uh, thanks?"

"It's a mystery why you're acting like one then... But I'm sure you'll come around." She winked merrily at me, then said loudly, "Okay, everyone inside! The others are waiting and we've got a war council to convene."

The grandparents, my brother and his girlfriend headed in. Sentinel was already inside; I could hear Talon's excited squeals at their reunion. I hung back, stung by Coraline's words, attempting to delay the excruciating for as long as possible. Casting around for something to do, I stuck my head back inside the van and pretended to look for something.

"Leigh?"

Her soft voice caused me to jerk, and I whacked my head on the metal door frame. I swore viciously, then turned to face her. "Keira," I said, my voice flat.

There she stood. My ex-girlfriend, my brother's ex-girlfriend, my prison mate, the love of my life. She wore a simple outfit, just black jeans and a white, low-back tee, but my body instantly and viscerally reacted to her, every cell in my system reaching for her – particularly those cells inside my big boy pants.

I'd expected her to look nervous or repentant. Instead, she eyed me curiously, with a hint of amusement behind her eyes. "Since when do you swear?" she asked.

"It's been a messed-up year. Seemed like a good time to start."

"Fair enough." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and said, "Listen..."

I opened my mouth to tell her that now wasn't a good time to talk, but she beat me to it. "Now isn't a good time to talk - there's things bigger than us at play here. But when we get a chance to take a breath, I hope you'll make time to hear me out."

Dual-sided emotions ripped through me. Relief that we didn't have to have the conversation now, dread that it still had to happen. Joy at seeing her again, grief at not being able to lift her up and hold her and kiss her. "Sounds good," I said, my voice cracking dangerously like a pubescent teen.

She limped away towards the stairs leading into the building, her silver wings pulsing in pain with each step. I flinched watching her, knowing that her injury was because of me.

When she reached the first riser, she paused. "Can... Can I get a hand, please? Noah normally helps me inside."

"Sure," I said, because I'd have to be the worst kind of asshat to let the woman who literally took a bullet for me to flounder in agony unaided.

I offered her my arm, and she paused her a second, her cheeks colouring, before sliding her cool fingers over my bare skin. My entire arm burst into goosebumps, my stupid senses reacting to her nearness.

She leaned heavily on me, her fingers gripping me tightly as she attempted to draw her injured leg up the first step. She shivered, a small mew of pain escaping her, and something in me melted. "Here," I said, opening my arms. "I'll carry you up. If that's okay."

"Yes, please," she whispered.

Without overthinking it, I scooped her up and alighted the stairs. I didn't think about how she fit in my arms, about how her scent never changed, that blend of citrus and sun – and I most definitely didn't think about twenty different sexual positions that we could have explored together if the world had been a different place.

Just outside the huge wooden entry doors, I set her down. "Thanks," she said, straightening her clothes and pointedly avoiding my eyes. "But just so you know, helping me up the steps doesn't mean you're out of trouble."

She headed inside, leaving me with my jaw agape, all the words I wanted to say jammed at my throat like a blocked popcorn dispenser. I'm not in trouble! You are! You're the one who led me on, abandoned me, tried to break up with me by note and almost ruined my relationship with my brother! I stalked inside, impotent and enraged.

Fortunately, there was plenty happening inside the vaulted lobby to distract me. A dozen people milled around, winged and unwinged, chatting and animated. Talon and Sentinel spoke with Sevic and Pop, while Keira's mom and Noah leaned over a laptop held by Masque.

The crew who'd descended from the sky to rescue us were there too. Sentinel had filled me in: Vapor was their green-winged leader, standing with a muscly little man, Puff, whose Irish accent carried over the gentle din. Astra and Apex were the brother and sister duo, and standing with them-

"Cobb!" screamed an ecstatic voice. "How the fudge are you!"

A small, red shape hurtled towards me. Blue flapped her wings at the last second, launching herself into the air and wrapping her arms and legs around me. "Woo!" she shrieked in my ear. "The dream team is back, bishes!"

"Good to see you too, Blue," I said, grinning despite myself and hugging her back.

She wiggled against me, dropping her voice to say. "Mmm, this feels good. You know, Astra and I are back on like Donkey Kong, but that doesn't mean we can't all have a little fun together...?"

Over Blue's shoulder, I saw Keira's face, a frown tugging at her fair eyebrows as she watched Blue and me. I'd never felt more adrift, the gap widening between what I wanted and where I was. It seemed unbelievable that less than a week ago, I'd stared into her eyes as a scalpel was held to my wings, my love for her powerful enough to act as an anaesthetic. And moments before that, I'd been about to make love to Keira, so close to sinking into her and offering her a piece of my soul. Now, we stood on opposite sides of the room, strangers with so much history.

Keira's mouth pulled into a shrug, and she turned away, speaking to Sentinel. Stung, I gave a tight smile. I slid my hands beneath Blue's tight backside to lift her a little higher and said, "Well, you know I like fun."

Blue giggled, but before she could respond, Sentinel's voice rang out over the group. "Okay. Let's begin."

Everyone quickly found seats on the low couches facing the vast windows. I deliberately sat with Blue and Astra towards the front, as far away from Keira as possible. Or so I thought.

Sentinel nodded solemnly. "Thank you. I'd like to hand over to Keira to explain why we're all here. We've had several discussions over the last few days, and I believe that she is the right person to conduct this session. Keira?"

She stepped to the front, smiling. "Thanks, Sentinel. And thanks to all of you for being here. I'm not sure if I am the right person to be standing here, but I believe with all of my heart, that the brains in this room can come up with a solution to the problem that has impacted all our lives."

"What problem is that, specifically?" Noah asked from the far side of the room, Masque standing behind him. "When conducting research, it's always best to begin with a clear problem statement."

Keira said, "You're right. Because these are the questions we need to know the answers to. Do we want to stop being hunted by just this one government department – or do we want to be safe from all threats around the world? Are we content to live in the shadows as dreams and myths, or are we ready to begin a new era? Because we can keep living like this, dealing with one threat at a time – or is it time to change the game?"

Vapor spoke, her acid green wings shimmering. "I've spent my whole life trying to stay one move ahead. I'm done. I vote to flip the whole damn board."

"I agree with this goddess," said Talon, staring at Vapor with open worship. "Time for something new."

The rest of the group nodded. Keira's eyes locked with mine as she waited for me to weigh in. "Let's do it," I said, adding, "Although, it would be great if someone could explain to me exactly what 'it' is that we're going to do..."

Keira indicated Sevic. "We need a plan. I think you can help."

My grandmother – yikes, that was going to take some getting used to – sat straighter in her chair. "Tell me what you require," she said formally.

"If we understand our enemies, we can figure out how to beat them. So, what's the story? What does your department fear the most?"

"Simple." Sevic leaned forward. "Exposure. All of their plans revolve around having Avian Humanoids in the service of the government, but their scheme only works if no one else knows about our kind."

"Damn," said Blue with a theatrical sigh. "I was hoping you were going to say their biggest fear was something easy to work with – like spiders or clowns."

"Coulrophobia is a legitimate condition," said Noah.

"Noah, are you scared of clowns?" giggled Talon.

"No, I just don't find them humorous, and I don't wish to look at them or to have them in my vicinity."

"Sounds like a complicated way of saying that you're sca-ward..." said Talon in a baby voice.

I jumped in before they escalated. Speaking slowly, I said, "Why can't we use this to our advantage?"

"How?" countered Puff, his strong Irish accent curling the edges of his words. "Exposure for them means exposure for us. You really want to undo centuries of work to keep our kind protected, lad?"

"But that's the problem," I said, standing. "We're not protected, not really. If it isn't these guys coming after us, it would be someone else – and maybe next time, it'll be someone who isn't as warm and fuzzy as Sevic and her people, which is saying something. But who are you going to complain to? We can't drop into a police station or take them to court. We can't even visit a hospital. We believe that hiding is our shield, but it's becoming a tomb."

I paced as I spoke, addressing each person in turn. Revelation filled me and I said, "This is how we do it. This is how we create a safer world for our kind. It's time for us to reveal ourselves."

An awed silence hovered over the room as everyone allowed the idea to settle. Sevic spoke first. "The idea has merit. Exposure and acceptance would mean AV people would be seen as part of humanity, rather than non-humans ripe for exploitation under the banner of secrecy."

"We'd have to ensure our claims couldn't be disputed," said Noah.

"We can do that," said Pop. "I've got a few ideas."

"Let's get them down," said Keira, taking the lead.

We connected a laptop to the widescreen TV hanging over the bar, and Keira's mom typed frantically, capturing our thoughts. Keira crafted the ideas-dump into the bones of a plan, and we worked as a team for hours, filling in the details.

The grandfather clock was banging out four chimes when Sentinel said, "So, we need wings in numbers – as many of our people as possible in the one place."

"That'll take some convincing, gaffer," said Puff. "I don't think a group email is going to cut it."

"A face-to-face recruitment drive might work," said Vapor. "We can enlist Squadron members to call on their families, but there are other people who aren't connected to our ranks that might need a personal visit."

"I volunteer as tribute," I said. I'd almost been drifting off to sleep in the corner as our planning session started to wrap up, but Vapor's suggestion caused me to bolt upright. "Just give me the details and let me fly."

Noah mused, "My brother has always been a cynosure wherever he goes. Mostly due to his garrulous ways, but I believe he's the best choice over a polemicist in this situation."

"You're a pole mister," I retorted, grinning. Things with Keira may have been ruined beyond repair, but as long as I could tease my brother, the world would be okay eventually.

Sentinel nodded. "We'll build you a list, but I have a few places you can start."

Ten minutes later, I tucked a phone charger in my pocket and prepared to take off. Cramming a sandwich in my mouth, I walked out to the driveway to find Keira perched on the edge of the koi pond.

She hadn't seen me, and I didn't want her to. There was only about an hour until dawn, and my first stop would take at least 45 minutes of flight time. It's better this way, I decided, silently leaping into the air and beginning my cross-country recruitment tour. Better to keep the image of her sitting peacefully, her hair wafting in the breeze, her wings wrapped loosely around her shoulders.

Better to pretend that she was waiting for me to come back into her arms than face the awful truth that things would never be okay between us.

***

Two weeks later, I ran my fingers along the feathered shaft of a strong wing. "Mmm," groaned Blue. "You know exactly how to rub me right, dog..."

"I have magic hands," I said, palpating the swollen area around a joint.

"Ow!" she squawked. "Watch it!"

"Okay, done. I think it's just bruised, but go easy for a few days and let me know if it gets any worse." I tossed her some ibuprofen from my bag and she grabbed it easily. "How did you hurt it, anyway?"

"Well..." Blue leaned back on my bed, grinning wickedly. "My Star-girl, she likes to play rough. I just got a little tied-up, that's all. Thanks for checking me out – I know you only just got back."

I smiled weakly, drained and spent. I'd spent every night winging it between locations, and all day in deep conversations with people just like me, convincing them to join our revolution. I hadn't slept, I'd barely eaten. When I'd arrived back at the property that morning, I'd fallen face-first into the plush bed in a glamping tent Coraline had reserved for me and slept for sixteen hours straight, only to be woken by Blue seeking a wing consult. She brought a massive plate of bacon and eggs with her, which had definitely worked in her favour; I had demolished them while I checked out her injury. "You're welcome," I said.

We sat in companionable silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the camp around us. People had begun to flock to Coraline's property, ready for our big moment in a few days. The cabins and glamping tents had started to fill up, and the main house was packed to overflowing with winged people from around the country. More were due to arrive, people I'd convinced to join and others who'd had longer journeys from overseas.

I'd only seen Keira briefly as I'd landed; she was in the main lobby, organising and directing, her grey eyes alight with drive. She was magnificent, and my stupid heart twisted in on itself like a sad kitchen sponge, too overused to regain its original shape. Will it always hurt like this? As soon as this was over, I need an exit strategy: a long trip to somewhere far away for an extended stay.

Blue leaned back on her elbows and said, "So... I have to ask. I know that you and me were never serious back in the compound – although, you know I'd totally throw you one, just say the word."

"Thanks, Blue," I said, grinning at her candour. "I wasn't trying to lead you on – I like you a lot. You're funny and hot as hell."

"And brilliant in bed, don't forget brilliant in bed."

"Naturally, I assume."

"So, I knew what you and I were. But what was the deal with you and Keira?"

I sagged into my seat. "It's complicated."

"It was you and Noah she was talking about, wasn't it?" Blue tilted her head, looking like a mischievous pixie. "You guys were the other two corners of her bizarre love triangle, right? So, did you talk to her? Who did she end up choosing? Cause I've got dibs on the loser."

"Blue..." I scrubbed at my face in frustration. "There's nothing to talk about. It's over, okay?"

"Oh." Her features scrunched up in pity. "I'm sorry, man."

"Me, too."

We sat for a few more moments, Blue diplomatically looking away as I attempted to blink back my tears.

She eventually stood, saying, "I should go. I'm coordinating the video footage for the webpage, and I've got sooo much work to do. Stupid Puff needs subtitles because no one can even understand a word he says and I'm supposed to add them - but I don't understand him either."

I chuckled and walked her to the door. Blue said, "But my offer still stands: you, me, Astra, a bottle of gin and sexy times. No love, I promise, just three consenting adults enjoying some earthly pleasures."

"Thanks," I said, giving her a hug. "I'll keep that in mind."

A voice interrupted us. "Oh, hi!"

We pulled apart to see Keira standing at the entrance to my tent, taking in the scene. Blue, clad only in a sports bra and Daisy Dukes, me, freshly showered and shirtless. She raised her eyebrows. "Am I interrupting anything?"

Blue winked at me. "We were just ironing out the details of our threesome – you know how it is! You have to get the logistics sorted or they'll bite you in the arm, amiright?"

"Right." Keira's face was unreadable as she smoothly segued. "Speaking of logistics, Blue – Puff wants to have another take at his filming. Something about his beard not being even?"

"Are you frogging kidding me?" wailed Blue. "That Irish idiot is going to give me an aneurism. Catch you later, guys," she said, flapping away irritably.

Keira and I stood awkwardly. "So..." she started.

I cut her off. "Keira, we don't need to do this. Seriously. I don't need a big speech. There's more important stuff going on anyway. We're about to launch the most dangerous endeavour our people have ever attempted, so greater things, blah, blah. I don't need to hear your breakup talk. I'm sure your note covered it perfectly."

She blinked her luminous eyes slowly. "Did... Did you actually read my note?"

"Nope," I said, affecting a cheer I didn't feel as I pulled on a tee. "But I'm sure it's all in there. 'Dear Leigh, soz but I choose your bro, sorry for all the random foreplay when we were trapped in a cage together, hope we can be buds, sincerely, Seraph.' Does that about cover it?"

I looked over at her, expecting to see tears or anger. I was being a prick and I knew it. I did want to be friends one day, but I had to get past this bit first, like pulling a knife out of a wound. It wouldn't heal until then.

Instead, shockingly, Keira began to laugh. "Oh my god, Leigh!" she giggled. "You didn't even read my letter? Have you still got it?"

"I threw it out," I said carelessly.

"Well, if you'd read it, you could have saved us both all this drama." A wry grin tugged at her perfect lips. "You're so dramatic sometimes."

A tremor of doubt rolled through me. "What are you saying?"

"That my note didn't say any of the things you think it did."

No. I pulled myself back from the dangerous ledge of hope and said, "That seems convenient. The note is gone, so you can claim that it says anything you like."

Keira rolled her eyes. "Dude, if you want to believe that I'm lying, then nothing I say is going to convince you. But I'm not going to stand here and beg. Trust me, or don't."

I didn't have a response, my grief-soaked psyche struggling to make sense of this new information. Keira said, "I've got the night off. I'm in the tent at the top of the hill if you want to talk." And she left, an air of calmness in her wake.

My knees buckled and I dropped into the chair again. What does all of this mean? She said the note wasn't about breaking up or being in love with Noah. So... Was she in love with me? And had I screwed it all up by being so afraid of being chosen last?

"I'm an idiot," I whispered to no one. I had to go after her, I realised, pushing out of my seat. I loved her, and she loved me. Everything else was just details.

As I raced for the door, I knocked over a chair. My coat had been resting on the back, and it flopped gracelessly to the floor. I stepped over it, unwilling to let anything else get in the way, then froze. "I didn't throw it away," I muttered, digging into the pockets of the coat. I'd meant to toss the note out, but I never got around to it. Thank Athena for my chronic procrastination.

With shaking fingers, I unfolded the papers and began to read. One line in and I had already begun to sob. By the end of it, I was nothing but a snotty puddle of tears and regret.

Keira. She was the only thought I could hold in my head; no logic, only need. With the note in my hand, I ran for the door on flying feet before springing into the sky. I split the air like the east wind, faster than a falcon, bound for the tent at the top of the hill where the woman I loved was waiting.

Writing Feathers is like playing with an old toy box - I should be ready to move on, but I just have so much fun with these characters.

But after the next chapter, I have to close the lid forever on a world that I've spent almost a decade in :(  This is why I'm a sucker for an extended LOTR style epilogue - I can't leave my characters for good without setting them up for the rest of their lives without me.

I'm pretty sure I promised about this time last year to finish Feathers before Christmas - but now, I'm more certain that's a promise I can keep.  Please remember to vote and I'll see you again soon.