A/N: *Crawls out from under pile of textbooks, gasping* I haven't had much of a chance to update any of my other stories (despite the greatly appreciated pleas! ), so I was just going to throw this one-shot out there. It's a little difficult between a week of school and a week of Driver's Ed! I blame Nightwish's spectacular music for making me write this.
The night was sapping away the strength of the day, the vibrant colors in the sky a final farewell. A weary sun sank into the caress of the horizon, while the moon eagerly took her sister's place. It was an amicable transition though, no pushing or shoving, just an ancient passing of the torch. Manhattan's skyline began to come alive, tiny sparks of light igniting in every building as countless lives continued. The city that never sleeps. Danny Reagan was definitely not sleeping. He was perched on the window sill of his hotel room, the faint chill from the air outside felt by his face, which was leaning against the glass. Condensation formed where his slow breaths passed out of his nose, and the opaque spot grew longer when he sighed. The divorce had been quick and they both agreed it was the best thing for the family. His heart felt like it was drowning in the deep, unforgiving waters of his soul. And nobody was diving after it, no life preservers were thrown.
It was time. Danny got up on his knees, pressing his palms against the cold glass, spreading his fingers, wanting to taste the sweet, crisp autumn night air that called to him outside his prison. He was only focused on unlocking the window and shoving the heavy pane upwards, smiling when the wind hit his face, pulling him out onto the ledge. The detective cautiously crawled out onto the stony ledge; below him, he could hear the quaint music of street musicians, brassy notes from a trumpet and the solid beat of a drum, matching the thumping of his pulse. He hadn't done this for a while…probably not since he was a boy. He had to be psychotic. Taking a deep breath and leaning forward, he felt the building slip from beneath his feet, and then a feeling like no other grasped his body. The adrenaline was slowly building, creating a weightless hollow inside him, letting him just be free. But Danny knew what to do…it had to be just before he hit the ground. Drawing on all his strength, he felt a long-forgotten yet familiar flutter inside him, getting faster and faster until…whoosh. He sped upwards, away from the pavement and away from the disbelieving tourists, away from the musicians, away from the skyscrapers, and towards the stars that beckoned him.
Stopping to gaze down upon the great city, he brought a soft wing forward, his fingers sweeping lovingly over the plumes. He was high above his troubles, and now the sky was his friend, welcoming him. It had been forever since such powerful feelings had transpired in him, and the only thing he wanted to do was dance with the stars all night.