#Dain Aetos

[twylaelfirstwing]

Dain: Sloane said yes!

Rhiannon: You're in deep shit...

Dain: Why...?

Violet: Because Liam isn't here to give a shovel talk. But Ridoc and I are. My office. Ten minutes. *Walks away*

Dain: Isn't that your office...?

Xaden: She figured you'd say that and gave me orders to tell you "Xaden basically ceded his throne when he sat me on it and said "My house, my chair, my woman" and now you have thirty seconds to get your ass in there upon the message's delivery."

[fancytheoristluminary]

How old were you when you realized that "Aetos" means "eagle" in Greek? In Greek mythology, the eagle was the childhood best friend of Zeus, the god of thunder.

EDIT: just so you know Zeus could also control the weather… Lilith and Dain’s dad?

[xadenxaddy]

Dain: You know, for someone who talks so much, you’re not as smart as you think.

Sloane: And you’re not as charming as you think, but here we are.

Ridoc: I’ve seen Violet and Xaden do this, so let me give you some advice: cut the crap and hook up already.

Sloane and Dain turn, glaring at him.

Ridoc: Yeah... I’ll just... go now.

[bookaddictedrose]

This is going well! :D

NEVERMIND

ABORT ABORT

THIS IS NOT GOING WELL

Unless you're Mira lol

[hiraethjules]

The way that I unhealthy stalk the Dain x Sloane tag on ao3

[reallydifferentcaptain]

They keep mentioning how dull the isles are like..ALOT.

What if the isles are healed drained land?

[spiritualopossum]

dain “eyes here” aetos.

that’s it. that’s the post.

[partoffantasy]

A Chance Too Late - Dain Aetos

⸻ image credits to booknuts & shauna_the_author & enchanted_chapters_art⸻

summary: Dain Aetos spent years convincing himself that pushing Y/N away was the right thing to do—until he saw her moving on with someone else and realized too late that he was losing the only person who had ever truly mattered.

pairing: dain aetos x fem!reader warnings: angst word count: 2.4k

⸻⸻⸻✦ ♡ ✦⸻⸻⸻

Dain wasn’t looking for her. Not tonight. Not here. And yet, the moment he stepped into the crowded hall, his eyes found her instantly, as if they had never stopped searching in the first place. Y/N stood at the far end of the room, a lazy smile playing on her lips as she leaned against the table, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her cup. The lantern light flickered across her face, making her look impossibly soft, impossibly untouchable—except she wasn’t untouchable, was she? Not anymore.

Because Bodhi Durran was standing too close. And Y/N wasn’t pulling away. Something inside Dain twisted violently, a sharp, unexpected pain that rooted itself deep in his chest. He had spent years convincing himself that his feelings for her were inconsequential, that what he wanted never mattered as much as what she needed. And what she needed—what he had always told himself she needed—was protection, structure, distance. A clear boundary between friends and lovers.

And he had been that boundary. He had been the voice of reason, the hand that kept her steady, the one who kept her from making choices that could put her at risk. Even if those choices meant she would have been closer to him. Even if they meant she could have been his. But now, watching the way she laughed at something Bodhi said, the way her body angled toward him—open, unguarded—Dain felt something foreign surge in his veins. Something that had nothing to do with reason.

Bodhi leaned in, murmuring something against her ear, and Dain felt his hands curl into fists at his sides. It wasn’t just how close they stood—it was how natural it looked. As if they had done this before. As if Y/N had already let Bodhi into a space Dain had never allowed himself to claim. He swallowed hard, his jaw tight, trying to tell himself it was nothing. That this was nothing. But it wasn’t nothing, was it? Because Y/N had always been the one to chase him—to fight for him when he refused to fight for her, to pull him out of his own stubbornness, to remind him that he was more than his duty. And Dain, like a fool, had spent every single moment convincing himself that pushing her away was the right thing to do.

And now, for the first time, she wasn’t chasing him anymore. Now, she was looking at Bodhi the way she used to look at him. Dain inhaled sharply, his breath unsteady, an unfamiliar panic rising beneath his ribs. He had always assumed she would wait—that she would always be there, just out of reach, but never truly gone. That no matter how many times he told her not now, she would still find a way to be his somehow.

But watching the way Bodhi placed a hand against the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd, watching the way she let him—Dain felt something crack deep inside him. He was losing her. And the worst part? It was entirely his fault. Because he had spent years telling himself he couldn’t have her. Now, someone else did.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Rain poured against the rooftops, relentlessly, drumming against the stone walkways. Dain barely registered it. He wasn’t thinking—he wasn’t even breathing properly. His feet had carried him here before his mind had caught up. Y/N’s door stood before him, the last barrier between him and the only thing that had ever truly mattered. His hand was clenched into a fist at his side, rain dripping from his soaked uniform, hair plastered to his forehead. He was a mess—drenched, exhausted, and for the first time in his life, completely reckless.

For years, he had been disciplined, measured, careful. Every step, every decision was calculated to ensure the best possible outcome. But this? This wasn’t calculated. This was impulse, need, desperation. He had no plan for what he would say. He just knew he couldn’t stand another second of pretending he was okay with losing her. Taking a breath that did absolutely nothing to steady him, he raised his fist and knocked. Silence. Dain clenched his jaw. His pulse hammered beneath his skin, it only grew worse when, after what felt like an eternity, he heard the quiet creak of footsteps on the other side.

The door opened just enough for him to see her—Y/N, standing there in nothing but a loose shirt and leggings, her hair slightly damp, as if she had just bathed. The scent of something warm and familiar lingered in the air between them, but all Dain could focus on was the flicker of shock that crossed her face when she saw him. Then, just as quickly, her expression hardened. "Dain?" Her voice was quiet but sharp. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He swallowed, his throat tight, the words refusing to form. She sighed, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossing over her chest. "It’s the middle of the night. And you’re—" She motioned at him, at the way he was soaked to the bone, his shirt clinging to him, droplets of water sliding down his temple. "Are you serious right now?" "I need to talk to you." His voice came out rougher than intended, raw with something he couldn’t shove down anymore.

Y/N let out a humorless laugh. "Now? Now you need to talk?" She moved to shut the door, but Dain reacted instantly, his palm pressing flat against the wood, stopping it from closing between them. "Please," he murmured. It wasn’t a command. It wasn’t an order. It was a plea. Y/N’s breath hitched just slightly, and for a second—just a second—he thought she might let him in. But then she stepped back, eyes cold, jaw tightening. "You don’t get to do this."

Dain felt the words like a blade to the chest. "You don’t get to show up here like this, after everything," she continued, shaking her head, the exhaustion in her voice hitting him harder than any training injury ever had. "Not after pushing me away for years, not after telling me over and over that I wasn’t—" She cut herself off, exhaling sharply. "What do you want, Dain?" His breathing was uneven, his heart hammering, but he forced the words out. "I want you."

Y/N flinched, her lips parting slightly, like she hadn’t expected him to say it. Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe she had given up on ever hearing it from him. "I have always wanted you," he admitted, voice hoarse, raw with regret. "But I was stupid. I thought—" He exhaled harshly, raking a hand through his wet hair, barely able to meet her eyes. "I thought keeping my distance was the right thing to do. That protecting you meant staying away. But I was wrong, Y/N. I was so fucking wrong."

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. She stared at him, her expression unreadable, and for the first time in years, he had no idea what she was thinking. Finally, she spoke. "And now that I’ve moved on?" Dain’s stomach twisted. "Have you?" Y/N’s lips pressed into a thin line, and the hesitation—the barest flicker of uncertainty—was all he needed. "Tell me you don’t still think about me," he pressed, stepping closer, his voice lower now, rougher. "Tell me you don’t still feel something when I’m near you."

Her breath stuttered, her fingers tightening slightly against the doorframe. But she didn’t say anything. Dain swallowed hard. He had already lost so much time. He couldn’t afford to lose more. He lifted a hand, fingers trembling slightly as they hovered just above her cheek. He wanted to touch her. Needed to. But he wouldn’t—not until she let him. "Tell me to leave," he murmured. "And I will." Y/N’s gaze flickered, something dangerous and fragile and devastating flashing across her face. Seconds stretched, impossibly long.

Dain’s heart pounded. He could hear the rain outside, the voices from the hall beyond them, but none of it mattered. Only this moment. Only her. Her lips parted, and for a second, he braced himself for rejection. For her to tell him that it was too late, that she was already gone, that he had missed his chance. But then—

She exhaled shakily, her fingers unclenching, her shoulders sinking just slightly. And though she didn’t say anything, she stepped aside, leaving the doorway open. Dain didn’t hesitate. He stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind him. And everything else faded away.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Rain continued to pound against the windows, distant thunder rumbling low in the sky, but inside the room, the silence was suffocating. Y/N stood a few feet away, arms crossed, posture rigid. Dain could still feel the damp weight of his clothes clinging to his skin, his pulse drumming against his ribs. He had done it—he had finally crossed the line he spent years convincing himself he couldn’t. And now, standing in front of her, looking at the woman who had once been everything to him—still was everything to him—he realized he had no idea what to do next.

All he knew was that he couldn't leave. Not again. Y/N exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Say something, Dain." His breath caught in his throat. He had a thousand things he wanted to say, a thousand regrets that clawed at his chest, but nothing felt big enough, nothing felt right. Then, finally—"I should’ve told you a long time ago."Her lips parted slightly, her eyes searching his face, but she didn’t respond.

Dain took a shaky breath, raking a hand through his damp hair. "I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping my distance. I told myself that protecting you meant staying away, that wanting you the way I did—do—would only put you in danger." His jaw clenched. "But I was wrong. I was so fucking wrong." Y/N let out a bitter laugh, her arms tightening around herself. "And you realized this when, exactly?" She tilted her head, eyes flashing. "The second you saw me with someone else? Is that what it took?"

Dain flinched. The truth of it felt like a slap in his face. "That's not—" He exhaled sharply, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "It’s not just that. It’s everything—everything I’ve spent years trying to bury, trying to ignore. I thought if I kept pushing you away, if I kept telling myself that you deserved better, that eventually—" His voice caught, raw with something too big to contain. "Eventually, I’d stop wanting you."

Y/N’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, it hardened. "And did it work?" Dain swallowed hard. His voice was barely a whisper. "No." She let out a slow, measured breath, but when she spoke again, there was no relief in her tone—only anger. "You don’t get to do this now." Dain’s stomach twisted. "Y/N—" "No." She took a step closer, jabbing a finger toward his chest. "You don’t get to push me away for years, don’t get to tell me over and over that I was just your friend, that I should stop hoping for something more, and then show up at my door the moment I finally—finally—start moving on." Her voice trembled. "That’s not fair, Dain."

He knew that. Gods, he knew that. But he had never been fair to her. He had been careful. He had been cautious. He had been cowardly. "You think I wanted to push you away?" His voice rose, sharp with self-loathing. "You think it didn’t kill me every time I did?" She scoffed, crossing her arms again. "It sure as hell didn’t seem to stop you." Dain felt something crack open inside him, something buried deep for too long. "I thought I was protecting you!" His voice was hoarse, desperate, his hands shaking now. "I thought keeping my distance was what you needed. That if I let myself have you, it would ruin you—would put you at risk in ways I couldn’t control. I was terrified, Y/N."

She blinked at him, stunned silent for just a moment. Dain forced himself to keep going, his voice unsteady. "I was a coward. I told myself I was doing the right thing, that if I was strong enough to stay away, it would be better for you. But the truth?" He exhaled sharply. "The truth is, I wasn’t protecting you. I was protecting myself." Y/N’s breath hitched.

Dain stepped closer now, his entire body shaking. "I was scared," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Of what it would mean if I let myself love you the way I wanted to. Of how much it would hurt if I lost you. So I convinced myself that pushing you away was the only choice." His throat tightened. "But it wasn’t a choice at all, was it?" Y/N’s lips trembled, her arms loosening just slightly from where they were crossed over her chest. But her eyes—gods, her eyes—were still guarded.

"And now?" she murmured. "Now that I’m leaving?" Dain’s breath stuttered. "Why now, Dain?" Her voice wasn’t just angry anymore. It was broken. Hurt. "Why do you always wait until it’s too late?" His heart clenched. "Because I can’t lose you." Y/N inhaled sharply. Dain’s hands shook at his sides, his entire body tense with everything he had never said, everything he should have said. "I know I don’t deserve to ask you to stay. I know I’ve already lost too much time. But if there’s even the smallest part of you that still—" He cut himself off, exhaling raggedly. "I can’t lose you, Y/N."

She looked at him then—really looked at him. And for the first time, Dain saw the war waging behind her eyes. Part of her wanted to believe him. But the other part? The part he had spent years letting down? That part wasn’t ready to forgive him. Silence stretched thick between them. Then, finally, Y/N took a shaky breath, stepping back. "I don’t know if I can do this again," she admitted. Dain’s chest tightened. "Please."

She shook her head, and his stomach dropped. But then she whispered, "I don’t know." Not no. Not never. But I don’t know. And for now, that was enough. For now, he would fight for her the way she had always fought for him. For now, he would wait. Because this time, Dain Aetos wasn’t going to let her go.

[dcbookthoughts]

DRINKING GAME IDEA:

Take a shot everytime you read ‘mage lights’

[garricks4thwingqueen]

would u write a story where reader is bodhi’s baby sister who was dating liam and so bodhi takes care of her, comforts her, holds her when she cries when liam dies?

I'll Be There for You. Durran Reader X Liam Mairi

Request/Synopsis: would u write a story where reader is bodhi’s baby sister who was dating liam and so bodhi  takes care of her, comforts her, holds her when she cries when liam dies?  Story takes place at the end of the battle of Resson. 

Word Count: 1306 

Trigger Warnings: Death and Grieving.

     Y/N POV 

  There was so much commotion around you and your friends as you all battled Wyvern and Venin. You had lost sight of almost everyone as you were caught up in a forced wind. Your orange dragon Jade was also mates with your boyfriend Liam Mairi’s dragon Deigh. You and Liam had always had a close relationship ever since you were kids. In fact your brother and your cousin would almost pick on Liam for it constantly of how cute and adorable it was. It was thoughts like these that was a welcome distraction but also kept you focused in the midst of battle. 

  The bond that you had gained since Threshing from Deigh and Jade only made your and Liam’s relationship stronger. Not to mention it was now a major turn on for you and Liam both to be able to communicate using your minds in the bedroom. 

  You had last seen him wielding ice and battling off several wyvern. You tried to reach out to him but the bond was weak. Liam. You pleaded mentally, with no response. Jade! You screamed what is going on? I can’t- I can barely feel him. You said through a panicked voice. It’s Deigh. He took a loss of a lot of blood. No. You thought as you were reminded of the words A dragon without it’s rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead. 

   No! You screamed; Jade we have to go now! Are you going to be able to survive this? I asked through the bond filled with worry as tears came too, as we approached and landed near Liam. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine, I have to be. She said as she flew of no doubt to go be with Deigh who lay a few hundred yards off. 

  You were numb and weak as you made your way to the person that was your whole entire world. One year. One year was all that you had after being separated in different foster homes for almost five years. It wasn’t enough, it never would be enough you thought as you kneeled down next to him taking his hand into yours and placing the other on his chest as you felt the slow heavy breathes. 

   “I’m sorry- I- tired. Xaden’s coming to carry him to Deigh.” You shook your head at Violet’s words. “There was nothing you could do.” You said as you heard the faintest faintest “Y/N and then a strangled “Deigh.” Come from the lips of the blonde haired boy that you loved so much. “I’m right here.” You said squeezing his hand softly three times which was your secret were of saying I love you to each other, the tears were now fully down your face as you felt him faintly squeeze your hand the same amount of times. “Xaden’s here.” You said softly as your cousin approached and you placed a soft kiss on his lips before standing as your cousin took the love of your life into his arms so he could carry him to his dragon to be with him for his  final breaths. You made sure to keep one hand on Liam as Xaden walked to let him know you were still there. That you would always be there. 

 The sight of Jade curled up against Deigh was enough to pull at your heartstrings even more. We have a hatchling. I’m not going anywhere with my precious girl. I have to stay strong for my newborn. You were slightly taken aback at her words having no idea of this concept at all that she had even had an egg; as you watched Xaden lay Liam down against Deigh. The rightful place where he deserved to take his final breaths as you held his hand once more. 

  “Do you want me to leave?” Your cousin asked softly, placing a soft hand onto your left shoulder as you shook your head against Liam’s chest as you felt his breath rattle. The battle is over. Cuir is letting you ride back with your brother when you're ready so I can take care of Liam and Deigh. You couldn’t reply, you still felt numb; all you could do is let a soft emotion of gratitude fill down your bond to Jade.The bond that now felt half gone due to the absence of Liam and Deigh even though you could still fill your bond with Jade fully intact. 

                              Later that night Bodhi POV 

  Your sister awakens and approaches your door. Cuir said into our bond, jolting me awake as I made my way to my bedroom door which was across the hall from my sisters at Riorson house. I opened the door to her fist about to hit the wood. “Bodhi.” She sniffled. “I know, I know, come here” I said and pulled my sister into a tight embrace.  “Can I stay with you?” She said in tears against my chest.

  “Of course you can. You know I’m half surprised you managed to even fall asleep on your own.” She curled up against my side as I guided us back into my bed as she shook her head; “not very well.” She said as there were now full on tears running down her cheek. I reached out and whipped them away and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear and I couldn’t help but smile at the small carved wooden heart that she played with in her hands that had her and Liam’s initials on it. I immediately recognized it as one of the first things he had ever carved for my sister, or anyone for that matter. 

  I started to rub soft circles up and down her back as she clung on to me and cried. “Each time I closed my eyes all I saw was his smile, or if it wasn’t that it was some sort of nightmare. How is he gone, Boh? He doesn;t deserve it. Not him.” “He's never gone Y/N. Even if he physically isn’t with us anymore. Even if we can’t see his smile, hear his voice, even if you can’t feel his touch anymore. He’s still here. I said placing a hand on chest above her heart, and here I said running a finger over the small carved wooden heart in her hands and here I said placing a hand above my own heart and Xaden’s and Sloanes. He's going to live on in everyone’s life that he had the pleasure of being in because that’s Liam Y/N.” I said softly, placing a soft kiss on her forehead while still holding her tightly. 

   “Sloane.” She said now through another round of tears. “She’s all alone right now.” She said sobbing at the thought of Liam’s sister being alone through this not even at her own sadness or pain anymore. “Sloane is strong just like you are. She’ll be ok.” I said softly. “It’s all going to be ok.” I said again softly, giving my sister another tight squeeze. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. “It’s late. Think we can try for some sleep again?” I asked soothingly as I felt her nod her head against my chest. 

   “As long as you promise to be next to me.” She said still through tears “I promise Y/N, I’m not going to leave you anytime soon, not when you need someone to be next to you.” I said as I tucked her hair behind her ear as I waited for a response that didn’t come as my sister was already sound asleep against my chest as I held her tightly. “I’m right here Y/N. I’ve got you.” I said softly once more before I found myself eventually dozing off on my own. 

[court-of-secrets]

my favorite unhinged fanfic tag that I’ve ever written is definitely:

“she may be on birth control but GODDAMN THAT WONT STOP HIM FROM TRYING”

(new Dain and Sloane fic in the works!)

[fuzzyshark5]

Could Aaric have forsaw what was gonna happen on the isles and inserted himself into quest squad for translation reasons but also knew Dain was important for the Unnbriel challenge? 👀

I'm doing a reread and I'm currently in IF so I haven't got to double check any of this yet, but Aaric does manifest precognition at some point. Hoping to nail down the when during my reread.

It was a very clumsy way for him to explain why they were both there without revealing he's precog, but he's also young and very concerned with his secrecy above everything else.

Not saying this was the right move and not a shitty thing to do to the whole quest squad because just fucking tell Violet about your damn signet and she'll believe you and protect you! But yeah... He may have had actual motivations instead of just obnoxious prince

Unpopular opinion

So I don't want to make the Aaric girlies mad and I like him too so don't come at me. I say this respectfully. This:

"Are you fucking serious?" Dain snaps. "Why didn't you tell us you're fluent?"

"You never asked."

Is not... cool or funny 😅😭

This was... no just seriously Aaric?? For what reason did he hide the fact that he speaks the language of the isles fluently. Just why?

Or in regards to Dain when people find it funny when he says so Dain doesn't lose his purpose on being on the Mission. This is also not funny, sassy whatever. Violet could have choosen to take someone else. Dain is the wingleader. We know from Violet how busy his secdule is. In time of war and in such an important matter why take the wingleader who is on their side away from Basgaith when it is not necessary. Why not speak up yourself? Like I am not complaining, not at all that we got more Dain and he was still useful for the mission. But just puttng yourself in this situation and think realistically it was actually kinda shitty what Aaric did. Especially Aaric sighing whenever Dain is struggling to speak a language he is just learing only for the mission as if he couldn't speak up himself?

People say Aaric was sassy or it was funny. No sorry it was just... why? Just why?

[fancytheoristluminary]

*that daily mail audio playing*

BREAKING NEWS FROM BASGIATH WAR COLLEGE:

First-year cadet Sloane Mairi was found unconscious with her eyes wide open. According to witnesses, the cause was Dain Aetos, who had said, "Eyes here," to her.

[xadenxaddy]

Xaden: I have an idea

Dain: Is it legal?

Garrick: …Define legal

Dain: *sighs* I’m already regretting this.

[fantasybooksandtealeaves]

dain holding sloane by the waist so she doesn't throw hands and then letting her punch him? twice? dain telling sloane he doesn't coddle first years anymore and ordering her to train.her.signet.? dain helping her siphon when she's nervous and telling her she is life? "EYES HERE"??

I can feel the brainrot setting in and it's glorious

[bookdragon-shenanigans]

The Empyrean as shitposts (OS edition)

[BEWARE! SPOILERS AHEAD]

Aaric Graycastle

Violet Sorrengail

Bodhi Durran

Mira Sorrengail

Xaden Riorson

Sloane Mairi

Ridoc Gamlyn

Dain Aetos

Garrick Tavis