You weren’t supposed to be on the roof. The plan was simple. Recon the warehouse, grab the files, and meet Sam at the exfil point. But then the local patrol showed up early, and suddenly you were sprinting up crumbling staircases, chased by them.

You burst through the rooftop door, heart racing, lungs burning, and there he was. Sam stood at the edge of the roof, goggles already over his eyes, wings flared.

“Please tell me you brought a backup ride,” you huffed.

“I am the ride,” he said.

You blinked. “What?”

Sirens wailed below. Shouting was getting closer.

“No time.” He reached for you.

You looked down at the five-story drop past the edge of the roof.

“Sam, I—I don’t do heights.”

He didn’t wait. He stepped forward, grabbed you firmly by the wrists, and gave you a look that was surprisingly soft under the urgency.

And then the ground was gone.

The wind hit like a slap, roaring past your ears. Your legs dangled, your stomach flipped, and every part of you wanted to scream. But Sam’s grip stayed solid.

“Hey,” he called over the wind. “Breathe.”

You didn’t answer.

“Seriously, if you pass out, this is gonna get real awkward real fast.”

You forced a breath in. Shaky. Not deep. But it was something.

“See? You’re doing fine,” he said. “You’ve got the easy job, I’m the one hauling a fully grown adult through international airspace.”

Another gust. You squeezed your eyes shut.

“Okay, not helping,” he muttered. “Look, I know it’s scary. But you’re not gonna fall. I don’t let people fall. Ever.”

He touched down like a pro, wings folding in behind him as he gently set you on solid ground.

Your legs wobbled.

“Okay,” you muttered. “Not doing that again.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, already reaching for his comm. “Next time, we bring a jet.”

You looked at him. “Or rope. Or literally anything else.”

He grinned. “But then I’d miss the look on your face.”