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What if we get a LoA and Lucien interaction in the next book and she calls him her baby boy?

What if she touches his scar with tears in her eyes?

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Parallels between Nesta & Lucien

(And why I think they should be best friends)

Sharp tongues/sass queens 💁‍♀️

Neither will ever be fully respected or trusted by the IC 😔

Readers 📖

They both know how it feels like to watch someone be cruelly killed and blame themselves for it 🪦

Flames 🔥

Protect Elain at all costs 👸

Not scared of Rhysand 🙄 🦇

Complicated relationship with Feyre 😬 👩‍🎨

Resourceful 🌲

Hot 🥵

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There was a moment, after Lucien volunteered to find Vassa, where he is left alone with Elain. No one, not even Feyre, knows what was said. And I can’t help but wonder if he said something along these lines:

“I see you are betrothed. Do you love him?”

“I do.”

“I loved someone once. When your heart belongs to them, there is nothing that can keep you apart. I wish you happiness, Lady.”

And when Elain takes a half step at the top of the stairs, perhaps it’s because she wants to know one thing—what kept Lucien from his love?

As Lucien goes to the continent, Elain gathers the courage to face Graysen. But when he rejects her, claiming it would never be her, it’s Lucien’s words that ring over and over in her head. Her heart belonged to Graysen, but his did not belong to her. She’s devastated because nothing should be keeping them apart.

And still Elain can hear Lucien’s heart. Beating and beating and beating.

But he does not hear hers.

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I have been musing on Elucien again (because this is what my life has now become devoted to) and I enjoy the similarity of these two lines: 

‘And it was Elain—Elain—who sighed and murmured, “I hope they all burn in hell.”’

vs

‘…while Lucien—Lucien—said, “Well, that explains the wings.”’ 

It’s got exactly the same set-up and sentence structure, same emphasis, same everything. But what I like most of all is that the phrases they spit out that seem unusual for them are 100% things that the other would say?

Elain’s ‘I hope they all burn in hell’ is just, straight up savage Lucien snark. And Lucien’s ‘well, that explains the wings’ is just so 100% Elain’s matter-of-fact, shrugging off chill (See: ‘Nesta did. I just stabbed him.’) Exactly the same tone. So there’s a little bit of the other inside each of them and that’s just beautiful, bless. 

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Saw a sweet art of an acotar ship but [Archeron Sister] genuinely could have been any of them, only her clothes told us which one she was.

And Im reminded of my headcanon that the Archerons actually do look incredibly similar and I desperately want all the men to goose the wrong sister all the time.

Like Cassian sees a blonde head and squeezes her ass and then its Elain. This is very funny to me.

Lucien has the best track record, obviously.

Rhys just gets mad when its Nesta (bc he wants her so badly) and mortified when its Elain bc its the only time he feels genuine shame. 😌

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"Gentle autumn moments..."

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INSTAGRAM LINK

A beautiful commission of our girl by eluciensversion and drawn by evaroseart 🌷

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Is Eris actually the tallest High Fae in ACOTAR? He is described as tall more often than any other character. I checked from Kindle!

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For the spontaneous Elain Appreciation Day 2024 @elainweekofficial I decided to write a poem about Elain. This is born out of headcanons I have about her personality and internal struggles.

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With Elain: I glanced at the others. Rhys was frowning, Cassian and Mor were both grimacing, and Azriel … It was pity on his beautiful face. Pity and sorrow as he watched my sister. (ACOFAS, Chapter 12)

With Gwyn: Cassian glanced over at Az, but his attention was fixed on the young priestess, admiration and quiet encouragement shining from his face. (ACOSF, Chapter 60)

Pity ❌ Admiration and quiet encouragement ✅ 

With Elain:

Mor looked at Azriel—and there was real fear there. Fear—and something else. She didn’t stop moving until she again kneeled beside him and pressed a hand to his wound. Azriel hissed—but covered her bloody fingers with his own. (ACOMAF, Chapter 65)

*Meanwhile Elain was being turned into a Fae here. Azriel had NO REACTION to her greatest trauma. He was busy protecting Mor lol*

With Gwyn: “The first had just unbuckled his belt when Azriel arrived.” Silent, unending tears streamed down Gwyn’s face.

“Azriel slaughtered all of them within moments. He didn’t hesitate. But I could barely move, and when I tried to get up … He gave me his cloak and wrapped me in it." (ACOSF, Chapter 68)

NOT mate behavior with Elain ❌ Mate behavior with Gwyn ✅ 

With Elain:

Then Azriel, gently taking Elain’s hand in his own, as if afraid his scars would hurt her. (ACOWAR, Chapter 50)

//

Az tried not to look at his scarred fingers as they took the gift.

//

[...] he knew she had no idea that he had done unspeakable things that sullied his hands far beyond their scars.

Such terrible things that it was a sacrilege for his fingers to touch her skin, tainting her with his presence. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

With Gwyn:

He slowly demonstrated, rotating his wrist where she did.

//

[...] and he watched her self-correct, fighting against the urge to open up her wrist and rotate the blade.

//

[...] something restless in him settling. Even his shadows had calmed. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

Has negative thoughts about himself with Elain ❌ Gwyn calms him down and does not make him feel unworthy or insecure, especially regarding his hands ✅

With Elain: Elain sucked in a soft breath that whispered over his skin. His shadows skittered back at the sound. They'd always been prone to vanish when she was around. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

With Gwyn:

Gwyn asked Az, her teal eyes bright, “What do we get if we finish the course?”

Az’s shadows danced around him. (ACOSF, Chapter 60)

//

His shadows peered over his wings at her.

The priestess smiled — and Azriel thought it might have been directed at his curious shadows.

//

"How was the party?" Her breath curled in front of her mouth, and one of his shadows darted out to dance with it before twirling back to him. Like it heard some silent music.

//

Azriel entered the warmth of the stairwell, and as he descended, he could have sworn a faint, beautiful singing followed him. Could have sworn his shadows sang in answer. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

Shadows don't like Elain ❌ Shadows are curious about Gwyn and dance and sing around her ✅ 

With Elain: Cassian and Azriel drew sticks for who would remain in Velaris that night.

Both wanted to join us at the Hewn City, but someone had to guard the city—part of their long-held protocol. And someone had to guard Elain, though I certainly wasn’t about to tell Lucien that. Cassian, swearing and pissy, got the short stick, and Azriel only clapped him on the shoulder before heading up to the House to prepare. (ACOWAR, Chapter 24)

With Gwyn: "Happy Solstice," she said, as much a dismissal as it was a holiday blessing.

He snorted. "Are you kicking me out?"

Gwyn's teal eyes flashed with alarm. “No! I mean, I don't mind sharing the ring. I just… I know you like to be alone." Her mouth quirked to the side, crinkling the freckles on her nose. "Is that why you came up here?" (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

Did not volunteer to spend time with and guard Elain ❌ Gwyn gave him and out but he chose to stay ✅ 

With Elain: Azriel and Elain remained in the sitting room, my sister showing him the plans she’d sketched to expand the garden in the back of the town house, using the seeds and tools my family had given her tonight. Whether he cared about such things, I had no idea, but I sent him a silent prayer of thanks for his kindness before Rhys and I slipped upstairs. (ACOFAS, Chapter 22)

With Gwyn: Gwyn threw Azriel a withering stare as she strode past him. “See you tomorrow, Shadowsinger,” she tossed over a shoulder.

Az stared after her, brows high with amusement.

//

Gwyn let out a high-pitched noise that was nothing but pure excitement. Azriel, on the other side of the ring with the rest of the priestesses, half-turned at the sound, brows high. (ACOSF, Chapter 44)

//

"A comfort to every growing child." [spoken by Gwyn]

Azriel's lips twitched.

//

She angled her head, hair shining like molten metal. "Do you sing?"

He blinked. It wasn't every day that people took him by surprise, but… "Why do you ask?"

//

"I blame Cassian for this. He's too busy making eyes at Nesta to notice such mistakes these days."

Azriel laughed. "I'll give you that."

//

Gwyn nodded her farewell, again facing the ribbon. A warrior sizing up an opponent, all traces of that charming irreverence gone. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

Impossible to tell if he's even enjoying himself with Elain ❌ Finds Gwyn charming, visibly amused by her ✅

With Elain: Elain said, “Then I will find it [the Dread Trove]. I might require some time to reacquaint myself with my powers, but I could start today.”

*later*

Azriel stiffened, an outright sign of temper from him as he said quietly, “There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be exposed to.” (ACOSF, Chapter 29)

With Gwyn: “There are plenty of other unspeakable things that could be happening to her,” Cassian said, voice thickening. “To Emerie and Gwyn.”

The shadows deepened around Azriel, his Siphons gleaming like cobalt fire. “You—we—trained them well, Cassian. Trust in that. It’s all we can do.” (ACOSF, Chapter 68)

Coddles and wants to control Elain's actions ❌ Trusted Gwyn to survive the Blood Rite with her own strength (the SAME way Cassian trusted Nesta) ✅

With Elain: "So you'll what?" Rhys's voice was pure ice. "Seduce her away from him?"

Azriel said nothing. He hadn't gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured himself to.

//

"I'll defeat him [Lucien] with little effort." Pure arrogance laced every word, but it was true. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

With Gwyn: He wouldn't go so far as to call Gwyn a friend, but...

//

Something sparked in Azriel's chest, but he only nodded his thanks and left. He could picture it, though, as he ascended the stairs back to the House proper. How Gwyn's teal eyes might light upon seeing the necklace. For whatever reason… he could see it.

But Azriel tucked away the thought, consciously erasing the slight smile it brought to his face. Buried the image down deep, where it glowed quietly.

A thing of secret, lovely beauty. (ACOSF, Azriel's bonus chapter)

Two years of knowing Elain and he still doesn't care about their future or what killing her mate would do to her ❌ Saw Gwyn again for the first time after two years and instinctively reacts to her happiness ✅

Anybody who calls themselves pro-Azriel or pro-Elain should hope for them NOT to be endgame. They're each other's rebounds (Mor for Az and Graysen for Elain) and they're gonna be so toxic I can't even 😭 Sunshine couple and singing couple ftw 🌻 💖 

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Love ain't some magical thing

Summary: When Elain Archeron spends a hot summer day in the townhouse garden, thinking about her developing relationship with her mate, Lucien Vanserra, she gets a pleasant surprise—almost as pleasant as the view Lucien gets when he visits her unannounced.

Read on Ao3

Notes: This little story was inspired by a lingerie newsletter I received this summer and I finally managed to put it on paper so to speak.

Special thanks go out to my fabulous beta @crazy-ache who took the time and talked this through with me—and who also made this wonderful moodboard.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Sarah J. Maas. Title comes from the song Love Never by Jimmy Eats World.

Credits for the moodboard: @crazy-ache

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Cat!Elain Now Complete (Happy Elain Day)

Summary: When Elain is unexpectedly transformed into a cat, Lucien thankfully comes to her rescue. Well, she would be more grateful, if he also wasn't so incredibly infuriating.

Notes: NOW COMPLETE! Rated T (10/10 chapters, ~27k). I’m posting the FINAL chapter on Elain Appreciation Day 2024 put on by @elainweekofficial because I thought it would be fitting to celebrate our main character with her (hopefully) fitting end.

Read Chapter 10 on AO3

Elain must make a decision about her future.

≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼

Thank you to everybody who has supported and enjoyed this story with me! This has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Cat!Elain will forever have special place in my heart.

Special thanks to the below for their fanart (please show them some love):

Cat!Elain & Lucien Doodles by @jadedbugart

Chapter 6 Blobs: Cat!Elain, Lucien, Eris & the Hounds by @bonecarversbestie

Meow! Elain & Lucien by @deaiquiri

More Cat!Elain & Lucien Doodling by @jadedbugart

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Happy spontaneous Elain's Day, everyone 🥰

Elain is someone who shows her love a lot through acts of service: the way she bakes goods for her loved ones (that b-day cake for Feyre was so thoughtful),she's ready to help with her powers if needed, she helps with Nyx...

She deserves to get some of this energy back, but she's not used to it, so when Lucien proposes to braid her hair, she's shy about it. Lucien is very proud of the outcome tyvm😌, and Elain is surprised at how much she loves it 🤭

I can't wait for Elain to be the recipient of many acts of service, of true love and respect and admiration in the future.

Many thanks to @dimaalry for this extra cute and romantic chibi art

COMMISSIONED BY bookish_art_cat on IG here

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Sarah mated Elain and Lucien in book 2. That's a snapped bond people, he's been feeling all the mate things since then. Sarah had Lucien feeling longing and staring at Elain with longing in book 3. Had Lucien trying to control his mate instincts in book 3. Sarah had Lucien upset over Elain's distance in the novella. Had Lucien still trying to control his mate instincts then. Sarah had Lucien STILL staring at Elain with longing in SF. Honestly, this is the longest of long games I think any author has ever written for a character yet he's never snapped, never forced himself on Elain in any way (not physically, just a demand that she speak to him the way we saw Cassian do with Nesta even without a snapped bond). It is canon that Lucien has a willpower unmatched by any other character in the ACOTAR series and I can't wait until Elain gives him permission to finally let go of that control.

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"...I felt her, but …” A blush stained his cheek. Whatever he’d felt, it wasn’t what we were looking for.

Lucien after feeling Elain's thoughts through the bond:

Elain Archeron making Lucien Van-suave-rra blush by simply thinking. Canon.

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Water poured forth, Lucien hoisting Elain in his arms and out of the way.

But Elain was staring over Nesta’s shoulder. At Lucien—whose face she had finally taken in. Dark brown eyes met one eye of russet and one of metal. Nesta was still weeping, still raging, still inspecting Elain— Lucien’s hands slackened at his sides. His voice broke as he whispered to Elain, “You’re my mate.”

“I’m going with you,” he said again, face splattered with blood as bright as his hair. “I’m getting my mate back.”

But Lucien was standing in the doorway. And from the devastation on his face, I knew he’d heard every word. Seen and heard and felt the hollowness and despair radiating from her.

“She needs fresh air.” “We’ll judge what she needs.” I could have sworn his ruby hair gleamed like molten metal as his temper rose. But it faded, his russet eye fixing on me. “Take her to the sea. Take her to some garden. But get her out of this house for an hour or two.”

She’s been talking in those half riddles all day.” I dragged a hand through my hair, freeing strands from my braid. “Did anything happen to trigger—”. (Lucien had recently arrived at the HOW...... carranam?!)

“Let me do something. About Elain.

“I’ll go.” Lucien was staring at Elain as he spoke.

Lucien, haggard and bloody, panting for breath. As if he’d run from the shore. His gaze settled on Elain, and he sagged a little.

“Well, I never want to fight in another battle as long as I live, but … yes, I’m in one piece.” A faint smile bloomed on Elain’s lips. (Elain had just lost her father and lived through a war yet Lucien was the first to make her smile)

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Just me, riding a train once more and trying to finish that smutty one-shot with a straight face.

Just me, riding a train and writing a cock worship with a straight face.