Tycho stands at the edge of the balcony, a wild grin on his face. There's a breeze blowing through his unfurled wings, and after months of captivity, it feels amazing. The healing energy his flock gifted him with last night has him feeling strong again, ready to take to the air and enjoy that most intense feeling of freedom.

The sound of beating wings echoes off the building as Wes and Hobbie fly into view. “Come on, Tycho, what's the hold up?” Wes asks. His powerful iridescent wings pump the air, holding him in place.

Still standing on solid ground beside Tycho, Wedge catches his eyes, his own black feathers twitching subtley. “You're sure you're ready?” he asks.

Tycho nods. He's rarely felt so ready in his life. He flexes his wings once more, tawny feathers catching the air tantalizingly, and takes a running leap for the edge of the balcony. Two seconds later, he vaults the low railing and hurls himself into the air.

For glorious moments, he holds the dive, cold air streaming past his face and stealing his breath, then he flares his wings, stomach swooping and heart pounding as he catches the air and sails back upwards, a whoop of pure joy tearing itself from his lips.

Three grins greet him where the rest of his flock is waiting above the building.

“Looking good,” Hobbie comments. He circles Tycho, eyes roving appreciatively over the strong muscles beneath his feathers. “Very good.”

“I'm glad you're finally back up here with us,” Wedge says, eyes shining, and for a moment it's hard to tell if it's lingering sadness or relief. “There is where we should be. Together.”

Before Tycho can swallow the sudden lump in his through to respond, Wes thumps both of them gently with his wingtips before taking off across the city, the wind carrying his departing words back to them: “Last one to the top of the communication tower's a rotten egg!”

Wedge, Hobbie, and Tycho exchange amused looks before quickly winging after him. With the breeze on his face and those he loves around him, Tycho can almost admit that this is better than being in his X-wing.