#Dain Aetos

[intairnwetrust]

A headcanon of mine is that Dain's daugter and Xaden's daughter will be besties and both men will bond over that. Two girl dads united. They will team up to keep the boys away from their princesses.

But Xaden will still shit on Dain if he feels like it (lovingly). He will never forget that kiss or "Well, he described you almost perfectly, Dain Aetos." lol

[joyful-lurker]

The redemption arch Rebecca managed to pull off from 'god fucking damn it Dain' to thee magnificent Dain 'eyes here" Aetos is one for the ages. A literary masterstroke

[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

[the-libraryghost]

Fourth Wing incorrect quotes: Quest Squad Edition

Ridoc: I am not an early bird or a night owl. I am some form of permanently exhausted pigeon.

Cat: Come on, Ridoc. Nobody actually believes that Trager is in love with me. Ridoc, to The Squad: Raise your hand if you think that Trager is helplessly in love with Cat. Everyone raises their hand Cat: Trager, put your hand down.

Cat: They don’t make them like me no more. I’m the last of my kind. Garrick: Thank god.

Cat: You are an absolute fucking dork. Trager: Yeah, but I'm your dork! Cat: sighs Yeah, you're my dork.

Maren: You use humor to deflect your trauma. Ridoc: Awww, thanks- Maren: That’s not a good thing. Ridoc: All I’m hearing is that you think I’m funny.

Aaric: Ridoc… I’m bleeding… Ridoc: Oh god… what’s your blood type?! Aaric: B positive… Ridoc: I’m trying to but you’re bleeding-

[its-been-my-honor]

And Sawyer Henrick, Dain Aetos, and Liam Mairi

God created men and then Rebecca sent Xaden Roirson, Ridoc Gamlyn and Garrick Tavis as an apology

[cupidragon]

Please, please, please can you calm your spam posts. I apologize for messaging, but there are better ways to contribute to the fandom than repeatedly expressing attraction to X character/s. I don't want to block anyone, as I enjoy the posts, but yours are overwhelming the tags, and they are not adding anything deep or meaningful, just how horny you are. Sometimes less is more. Please slow them down.

I'm so sorry if my posts have made you feel uncomfortable, but you're totally free to block me, this is the only place where we can speak up our minds no matter the subject as long as we're not hurting anyone, there's plenty of blogs publishing meaningful and deep content about FW/IF/OS but mine is just to have fun and be relatable, I'm so sorry, again, but I'm not changing my content:(

pd: and I've made plenty of posts "contributing" to the fandom, but well.

[violent-little-thing]

At Tea Time, Everybody Agrees

Word Count: 826

Summary: Xaden Riorson's daughter is having a tea party and Dain Aetos is invited. Background/mentioned Riorgail and Slain.

A/N: This is my very first fic, but it's something cute I just couldn't get out of my head! Thanks @intairnwetrust for making me think about Dain being the favorite uncle to Xaden's kids and @garricks4thwingqueen for the name inspo. Title from "Anti-Hero."

Iris Riorson was having a tea party. The adorable 4 year old girl with her mother’s eyes and her father’s dark hair had planned this special day thoroughly. She set her toddler-size table with plates, cups, and saucers from her tea set, each piece covered in pink flowers. Three chairs were arranged around the table, awaiting her guests. With her mom’s help, she had invited two of her favorite people in the world: her dad and her uncle Dain.

Xaden Riorson was sitting at a tea party with Dain Aetos. Never in his life did he think he would say that sentence. He’d come around to Aetos over the years, he supposed. The ice started thawing — at a pace slower than molasses — when Dain helped free Violet from Varrish and came to Aretia with many other Fourth Wing riders. Quest Squad passed without a major incident between the two of them. Then Dain and Sloane got together. Xaden wasn’t exactly thrilled to hear about the couple, but he realized as Sloane trembled with anxiety in front of him that he no longer hated Violet’s childhood best friend. Xaden walked Sloane down the aisle on her wedding day, trying to stand in for his foster brother, and the look on Dain’s face as he waited to be joined by his bride had Xaden almost willing to bestow the “brother-in-law” title on the man. Almost.

When Iris was born, the first baby of the squad, everyone immediately fell in love with her. Her aunts and uncles all showered her with affection and gifts and sweet Iris rewarded them with coos and snuggles. But it was Dain who was holding her the first time she smiled. From then on, Iris had Dain, the strict, disciplined former wingleader, wrapped around her little finger. 

As she grew, Iris’ preference for Dain never wavered. When Violet would ask who she wanted to sit next to at a gathering, Iris would always answer “Uncle Dain.” In a room full of family, she’d launch herself into Dain’s arms, content to stay there for hours. Xaden had hoped her favorite uncle would be Garrick or Bodhi; hell, even Ridoc would have been preferable, but Dain it was. And don’t even get Xaden started on the smug on Sloane’s face anytime Iris ran to hug Dain before any of her other relatives. He sometimes wondered if Sloane had bribed Iris. 

So it shouldn’t have been shocking to Xaden when the third seat at Iris’ tea party wasn’t for his wife, but for Dain. “My favorite boys,” Iris announced, clapping her hands with glee. And that’s how Xaden ended up in a chair that was comically tiny for his large frame, holding a miniature teacup with his pinky up, next to a tiara-clad Dain Aetos. Dain, too, was struggling in the pint-sized chair but no inconvenience could wipe the smile off his face that his niece — the most precious thing in the world to him besides Sloane — wanted him at her tea party. 

Maybe it shouldn’t have, but Iris’ approval and preference meant the world to him. While he’d worked hard to regain Violet’s trust and earn the respect of her and Xaden’s friends, he still felt like somewhat of an outsider in their group. But Iris didn’t know any of that. Iris didn’t know that he’d once been blamed for Liam’s death, that he’d struggled to learn the difference between protecting someone and stifling their growth, that everyone in their group had been petrified that he’d touch them, steal their memories, and reveal their secrets. Iris saw Dain just as she saw Bodhi, Garrick, Imogen, Brennan, and the rest of them — as family, as someone she loved, as someone who loved her and would do anything to protect her and make her smile. The fact that she always wanted to be next to him, to sit in his lap, to give him hugs, and draw him pictures made it even sweeter. He’d wear that pink tiara like the badge of honor it was.

“More tea, Uncle Dain?” Iris asked. 

“Yes, my princess.” Xaden’s eyes narrowed at Dain.

”More tea, Daddy?” 

“Yes, my princess.” 

“Silly, Daddy, I’m both of your princess! And I’m Mommy’s and Aunt Sloane’s and Uncle Gare’s and Aunt Rhi’s and Uncle Sawyer’s and Uncle Brennan’s and…” Iris skipped around the table, tending to her dolls’ teacups as she listed off her aunts and uncles. She was right, of course, she was everyone’s little princess. And Xaden and Dain realized that they were lucky to share her. 

“Hey, Aetos.” 

“Hm?” Dain looked up from his tea to meet Xaden’s eyes, finding they had softened a bit.

Xaden took a deep breath before speaking. “Thanks for coming for Iris. Thanks for being her uncle.”

Dain’s eyes crinkled as he looked between his niece and her father. “I’ll be at every tea party for the rest of her life if she’ll have me.” And he was. 

[sunlight-and-tea]

Xaden hating on Dain during his POV of chapter sixteen will never not be my favorite.

“…Aetos asks Sorrengail, panicking like the infantry soldier he should have been”

“Aetos takes his hands off Sorrengail’s shoulders, and I decide to let him keep them. For now.”

“Gods, please give me a reason to beat the pompous, Codex-loving shit out of him. Just once.”

“Odd time to grow a spine, but good for him.”

“I scoff. Fucking rule-loving coward. He doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Violence. She’s half his size and a thousand times braver. Talk about a disproportionate relationship.”

“Aetos scurries away like the little rat he is.”

Xaden also calls Violet a “pint-size morsel of straight-up arsenic” during this chapter and I love that

[nasthepotprincess]

okay imogen removed violet’s memory, bUT WHAT IF DAIN STRENGTHENS HIS SIGNET TO BE ABLE TO RETURN VIOLET’S MEMORY??????

wooooow bc sloane and dain would truly be the power couple!!!!!

…rEBACCA I NEED ANSWERS

okay they tried mending the venin, bUT HAVE WE TRIED SYPHONING?????

our baby sloane is gonna be the hero of the day if she can syphon a soul, if she can take what was channeled out and put back into the source!!!!

…rEBECCAAAA *i call out erratically*

[intairnwetrust]

Bodhi: So Dain and Sloane are now a thing...

Xaden: I can't believe it. Aetos? Fucking Aetos. I thought Sloane had better taste in men.

Garrick: I mean Violet had a crush on Dain too.

Xaden: ...

Garrick: ...

Garrick: Please don't hit me.

[wgfvhdgv]

how can i ever be happy while dain/sloane ao3 is so crickets? guys, not to make you feel pressured or anything but this is life or death kind of situation. i need someone to write MORE, like i need at least 20 new fics daily.

[callsign-rogueone]

touch

Dain Aetos x reader (Love!) words: 1.4k 🏷: no spoilers and no warnings! Denial isn't just a river in Tyrrendor, Love is down so horrendously bad for this boy, Liam is the captain of this ship, Liz has never taken a physics class in her life, and it’s obvious I fear...

“Why do you look like you want to put your fist through that girl’s face?” Liam asks quietly, nodding across the room toward Amber Mavis. 

You huff, looking away from her and back at your plate, poking at a piece of food with your fork. “You and I both know she’s a loyalist bootlicker.”

He hums in acknowledgement — all of you are acutely aware of the number of unmarked Tyrs here, and how their families are content to stay under the oppression of the crown, how they’d been so willing to fight against their own countrymen. “Just that? Nothing to do with who she’s talking to?” 

Evidently he’s kept his habit of being extremely observant about literally everything.

“And if it did?” you ask carefully, still simmering with anger as you watch them. Dain is seemingly oblivious to the girl’s shameless flirting, the way she’s leaning into his personal space and laughing at every word he says — and he isn’t funny, by any stretch of the imagination.

Liam looks back at you. “Then I’d remind you that you’ve always been a person who knows what you want, and who isn’t scared to take it. I’d also tell you that as a man, he definitely knows what she’s trying to do, and he isn’t interested in the slightest.”

An amused smile crosses your face at his assessment. “You’re too observant for your own good, you know.”

“I do know. Now, are you going to get over there and do something about that?”

“I’m not going anywhere, brother dearest,” you reply. “He’s coming to me.”

Liam’s eyebrows furrow, his lips parting to ask how exactly you plan to do that — and then he feels the whisper of wind moving through the hall; a gentle, jasmine-scented breeze that makes its way to the front table.

Dain’s head turns immediately, his eyes scanning for you in the rows of tables before rises from his seat, giving Mavis an excuse over his shoulder and putting away his plate before he heads in your direction.

Liam snorts. “Hook, line, and sinker.”

You turn your attention back to your nails. They’re getting a bit long. You should file them tonight before bed, lest it earn you a lecture from Garrick when they’re too long for you to throw a proper punch. 

Surely enough, Dain stops a few steps away from the table, looking a little sheepish. “Do you want to study for physics? Since we have a test tomorrow?” 

“Sure,” you offer, trying not to sound too eager as you rise from your seat, falling into step beside him -- until he stops.

“Don’t you need to get your stuff?”

You blink. “Oh. I thought you were just using this as an excuse to leave that conversation. But sure, we can actually study.”

For a second, he looks like he’s regretting this decision, but he’s still there waiting for you when you return with your books under your arm and a pencil in your hair. The walk to commons is silent, as is the process of choosing a table. 

It takes five minutes and forty three seconds for him to speak, if the clock can be trusted. “How are we supposed to calculate any of this without the time? For number five, I mean.”

You don’t refer to your own book, instead sitting up and leaning across the table to look at his, skimming the aforementioned question with the tip of a fingernail. 

His eyes remain glued to the page, a slight blush on his cheeks — he’s likely embarrassed to admit that he doesn’t quite get the concept. At least he prides himself on his intellect more than his muscle, unlike most of these boys. 

“You have to derive the time from the distance and the speed, and then control for mass and the opposing force of the wind. It’s coming Northeast, perpendicular to you, so you’ll be using more time and energy staying in a straight line.”

“That makes sense,” he manages. “Thank you.”

You just hum in response, settling back into your seat. The silence eventually becomes less awkward — it’s almost comfortable to be sitting here reading, but with his quiet presence, just the turning of pages and scratching of pen against paper. 

But all good things must come to an end; you’re both startled out of your thoughts by the bells chiming one thirty.

Time to head to Kaori’s. 

——————

“Okay, question for the assembly,” you posture over dinner. “You have a reasonable amount of evidence that a guy likes you, but he never ever touches you. Is he into you, or not?”

“It depends how long you’ve known him,” your friend reasons from where she’s tucked into Bodhi’s side. “He was too scared to hold my hand at first, but now he won’t let go of me, ever.”

Bodhi looks a little offended.

“It’s a no from me,” Garrick says between bites. “Guys want any excuse to touch a girl they’re into.”

“Maybe he’s just really respectful,” Bodhi counters hotly, “And doesn’t want to assume that you’d be okay with him touching you. Or maybe he’s seen you threaten someone at knife-point before for doing just that,” he adds, playfully pointing his own at you from across the table.

You snort at the memory — Bodhi had found you putting the fear of the gods in another first year who thought he’d try his luck with you by getting a little too touchy, and nearly lost the use of his hands as a consequence.

“Or he’s a total prude,” Imogen offers. “Too stiff to try anything, or too inexperienced.”

“Another fair point. But I really don’t see you of all people with a prude,” Garrick adds, smug. 

You glare at him, knowing exactly what he’s implying.

“So who’s this mystery guy?” his girlfriend asks kindly, not-so-subtly kicking him under the table. 

“If it goes anywhere, I’ll tell you,” you sigh, pushing a chunk of potato around your plate with your fork.

Unlikely. And even if it did, they’d likely object, Xaden in particular. And his approval means more to you than you’d ever admit.

“This is monumental,” Imogen continues. “I have never once seen you torn up over a guy. It’s always them tripping over themselves to impress you.”

“Can we change the subject, please? I regret asking.”

Bodhi comes to the rescue quickly enough, starting a conversation about the stupid shit his first years have done this week. You don’t really listen, just sit quietly, thinking.

——————

There’s that knock again. You drag yourself to the door, nearly tripping over yesterday’s dirty laundry. “Time is it?”

“Five thirteen,” he answers.

He’s been showing up earlier every time, by almost exactly two minutes. Like clockwork. Literally. 

You hum in acknowledgement, turning to dig for clean clothes.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed,” you reply distantly. “You can leave without me, I’ll catch up.”

He takes the shirt from your hands, folding it back up in two easy movements and setting it back in the drawer.  You start to protest, but you’re interrupted by another fit of weak coughs that you cover with your elbow.

“C’mere,” he coaxes.

You take a wobbling step forward, not questioning the order.

He rests the back of his hand on your forehead. His skin feels cool against yours, and you can’t help but lean into the soft touch. “You definitely have a fever,” he appraises, pulling back.

You blink at him slowly, not saying anything. 

“Let’s get you back in bed,” he prods, pulling back the neatly-tucked blanket that your little wisps of air had fixed up for you, patting the mattress twice. 

You hum in acknowledgment, climbing back in. It’s so easy to melt back into the sheets, so much better than having to run two miles. Garrick and Bodhi will probably give you some grief for missing it, but you don’t have it in you to care right now. And if your squad leader told you to go back to sleep, then that’s a pretty ironclad excuse. 

“Thank you, Dain.”

He brushes some loose hair from your face, the backs of his fingers skimming over your cheek. “Of course, pretty girl.”

Your head is throbbing, your entire body sore, but you can’t help but smile into your pillow after he turns away — even when you feel like you’re dying, he still thinks you’re pretty.

[empyreanevents]

Wheeww Riorson!Reader x Dain Aetos. What could go wrong?

Star-Crossed

Dain Aetos x Riorson!Reader

Request: “If you’re open to requests still, would you be willing to write a Dain Aetos story? Maybe the reader can be the sister of Xaden? I would like to read a Dain story where he gets his happy ending :)”

Summary: Dain is the bane of your existence. At least, you keep telling yourself that.

Warnings: first person pov, swearing, blood, injury (series will contain eventual smut)

Word Count: 2.8K

Posted on AO3

Masterlist • Part Two

————

The moment I met him, I knew. We were never meant to be. Loving him, wanting him, would become a curse.

And eventually, it did.

————

“Four more laps, Riorson. Make it count this time.”

I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to run down the field and punch my squad leader in the jaw. The image of him staggering back and possibly falling on his ass has a smirk spreading across my face.

“Are you enjoying this? Fine. Six laps.”

The smile disappears.

Dain Aetos is the bane of my existence. Ever since I crossed the parapet months ago, he’s ensured my life is hell. Early morning drills. Late night chore assignments. Anything to keep me occupied and cursing his name.

With my entire squad watching me with hesitation and interest, possibly wondering if I’ll finally disobey him, I run. My life may be hell with Dain ordering me around, but it’s better to lay low than have any unwanted attention. It’s what I have to do as Fen Riorson’s daughter. As Xaden Riorson’s little sister. There are enough eyes on me already. Waiting for me to make a mistake, to fail.

For my father, for Xaden, I can’t fail.

Just the thought makes the relic on my left arm burn. I pump harder, ignoring Dain’s heavy gaze on my back as I make another lap. And another. And another.

By the time I reach the fifth lap, my lungs fill with jagged, sharp air, pain racketing up my chest. I can easily run six laps on a normal day, but after training all morning for the impending gauntlet, my body is near its breaking point.

When I stagger near Dain to end my fifth lap and begin my sixth, I finally make eye contact with him. His jaw is clenched and brows dipped low. Dark eyes tracking the wobble in my legs, the strain in my breath. He could almost pass as…concerned. I almost stumble at the thought.

“What the fuck is going on here?!”

Every head swivels towards that deep, familiar voice. When my eyes follow, I lose my footing, tripping over my feet. My body hurtles through the air, slamming face first into the dirt. Something cracks at the impact and pain bursts from my nose.

Fuck.

Feet pound behind me, hands grasping at my body before they begin to turn me over. I find Dain crouched in front of me, dark eyes narrowed on the blood gushing down my face. He lifts my head off the ground with a firm hand, eyes quickly assessing every part of me.

“Get a healer!” He shouts over his shoulder.

I try to shove him off of me, but the attempt is half-hearted when the movement makes the pain worse. A groan rises from my throat. “I don’t need a healer.”

Dain narrows his eyes. “Bleeding profusely in the dirt definitely calls for a healer, Riorson.”

“And whose fault is that, Aetos?”

His jaw clenches. Just as he opens his mouth to respond, my brother stands above him. Like the shadows he wields, he towers over us, a dark fire lit within the depth of his irises.

Xaden Riorson is furious and his attention focuses on Dain’s hand on my abdomen, the other propping my neck up. “Get your fucking hands off of my sister.”

Dain stiffens. For a moment, his eyes meet mine. There’s something in his face that has my brows furrowing, the pain ebbing for just a moment as I focus on him. Either I have a concussion or Dain looks almost apologetic. Maybe even regretful. But the moment is gone. The second Dain let’s go of me, Xaden is there. My brother’s arms curl beneath me as he hoists me into his arms.

“I can walk just fine,” I grit through my teeth. “Put me down.”

Xaden ignores me, standing straight with me still cradled like a baby in his arms. Annoyance prickles under my skin when I catch sight of my squad members watching me with rapt attention. This is just embarrassing being carried from the field by my brother. I struggle in his hold, but Xaden doesn’t let go. The overprotective bastard.

When I glare up at him, ignoring the pain shooting through my head, I find him mirroring my glare, but it’s directed at Dain. “This training session is over. Everyone is dismissed,” he narrows his eyes. “Aetos, you’re going to report to me about what the fuck you were doing after I take her to the healer’s quadrant.”

“I’m fine,” I grit through my teeth. “Put me down.”

Xaden continues to ignore me. I wince, hissing through my teeth when he jostles me in his arms, a new wave of pain shooting up from my ankle. Great. A broken nose and possibly a sprained ankle.

I catch Dain raising a brow at me as if to say, You’re obviously not fine.

When the squad heads inside Basgiath, Xaden is hot on their heels with me in his arms, shoving past Dain.

I struggle once again, embarrassment heating my cheeks when we enter the school. “I can get there myself-“

“No, you can’t.” Xaden’s hold tightens on me. “Now shut up and let me help you.”

“I don’t need your help. I was doing just fine before you showed up.”

Xaden finally meets my eye. “You looked like you were about to pass out when I showed up.” He shakes his head. “Fucking Aetos.”

I catch sight of him at the end of the hall behind us. His body tense as he tracks Xaden and me. When our eyes meet, something sparks in me. Something I wish I didn’t feel while in my brother’s arms.

Dain’s concern and his obvious regret rise to the forefront of my mind. My gut twists at the way he looked at me, the way he ran to me, helped me.

“It’s not his fault.” The words fall from my mouth unbidden.

Xaden stiffens. “Of course it’s his fault. He’s punishing you because you’re my sister. Because of who our father is.”

The statement rings true. It always brings me focus and clarity in how people view me here. I’m to be feared and watched. Everyone calculates my next move, hoping I fail or prove everyone right. That I’m the daughter of a dead revolutionary who will follow in his footsteps and bring anarchy and chaos to our world.

Dain must hate me. I’ve spent months under his rigorous training and been the one to take his brunt orders head on. I get singled out constantly. I’m punished more often than not. So it should be reasonable to think he hates me or even holds a grudge against me because of my blood and my family.

But the look in his eyes as he held me, assessed my injuries, has me pausing. Has me seeking him out yet again over Xaden’s shoulder. He’s still watching and when our eyes meet once again, he turns and disappears down the hall.

Does he hate me?

I shake my head, shoving the thought far, far away. Dain Aetos has been the bane of my existence for months, and I’ve made sure I’ve been the bane of his. It’s only fair.

I cling to Xaden, allowing the exhaustion of my afternoon catch up to me. Once we reach the healer’s, Xaden stays close. He holds my hand when they set my nose back into place. He rubs my back when they wrap my ankle, confirming it’s only a sprain. And when they give me pain meds, Xaden is reluctant in leaving me. The healer’s reassure him I’ll be fine after some rest and my injuries should be gone by morning after they do a few sessions on me. Their magic touch already has the swelling and aching going down.

I’m blissfully content with my pain meds and wrapped ankle when he finally gets up to leave. He bends to kiss my forehead, the memory of our father doing the same every night before bed has my gut twisting. A sense of longing forcing my hands to wrap around Xaden’s torso, squeezing him till he can’t breathe.

After the execution of our father, the king of Navarre, along with his generals and counselors, wanted to put an end to the rebellion from ever rising again. So, they separated my brother and I. It was cruel and lonely growing up apart. For years, we were never able to see one another. Never able to write any letters.

The moment I stepped off the parapet, there he was. Grinning with tears in his eyes, Xaden ran to me. I bolted into his arms, sobbing into his chest as we collided. I hadn’t seen my brother in years and we finally, finally, were able to be together.

Ever since I came to Basgiath, he’s been by my side, ensuring I’m well-taken care of. He’s been overprotective and hovering like a mother hen. As much as it can be annoying, I know what life is like without him and I don’t want to ever experience it again.

So, I grip him tightly. Thankful I have him here and now.

“Thanks,” I whisper. “Even if you’re being an overprotective asshole.”

He crushes me against him. “I’ll always be your asshole.”

I laugh, shoving him away as he messes with my hair. When I stick my tongue out at him, he flips me off before disappearing down the hall.

I lay back in the healer’s bed, letting the pounding in my head lull me to sleep. Just before I succumb to it, Dain’s concerned dark eyes come crawling back to my mind. The way his features softened when our eyes met. The way he bent over me, protecting me with his body caging me to the ground. I try to ignore the spark of heat that spread through my limbs at the feel of his skin on my neck. The callouses on his fingers cradling me close as he watched me.

Even now, the image of his clenched jaw, his regret, the burning apology in his eyes, has me curling my fingers into my palms.

Now that I’m alone, I can admit… I liked seeing Dain Aetos this way. I liked the way his skin felt on mine, like a balm to the pain. Even before I tumbled, I enjoyed the attention he gave me while I ran. How his eyes burned into my back, as hot and heavy as the sun on my skin. The way his eyes tracked every movement of my stretching limbs during warm-ups earlier this morning.

I lie to myself, but it’s been like this for months. How his eyes find mine every time I enter a room. How his fingers linger on my skin when maneuvering my arms the way they should be for training in the gym. How his commanding voice, full of demand and promise, sends a shiver down my spine.

When I’m alone, I can recall every dip and curve of his face. The strength in his arms, the broadness of his shoulders. The way his lips form my name, sending a spark through my veins.

It’s only when I’m alone, in the sanctity of the dark, I can admit…

I like Dain Aetos. More than I should.

————

After being discharged and sent back to the first year dormitories the following morning, I quickly change into training gear. It’s loose enough to give me no resistance when on the mat.

The dorm is empty as I rewrap my ankle. There’s not bruising or swelling since my last healing session this morning, but it’s best to keep it wrapped since it’s still sensitive. Once it’s secure, I head towards the door, checking myself in the mirror as I go to asses my nose. The bruising has gone down, as well as any inflammation, thanks to those heavenly healers hands. It almost looks normal.

As I braid back my hair, a knock sounds at the door. I furrow my brows. Xaden said he’d meet me in the gym soon, to practice before my next challenge.

When I swing open the door, the air catches in my throat.

Dain stands there, his dark curls a mess, almost like he kept running his hands through it all morning. I notice a tray of food in his hands, his fingers clutching it with. White knuckled grip as if someone will rip it from his hands at any second. I catch him scanning me from head to toe, checking my nose and ankle. It sparks something in my gut but I try to keep the warmth at bay as he stands a few steps away.

“Uh, hi,” he blinks at me, eyes wide as if he didn’t expect to see me.

“Are you looking for someone else?” I ask. “I think everybody went down for breakfast already.”

He quickly shakes his head. “No, I was looking for you. I, uh, heard you were discharged this morning. And…”

I raise a brow, watching as his eyes narrow on my nose. “And?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were alright. After yesterday.” Dain shakes his head, staring down at the tray in his hands. “I also thought you wouldn’t have enough time to head down to the dining hall.”

I still. He climbed all those stairs just to check in on me? Bring me some breakfast?

My heart beats erratically in my ears as he holds out the tray to me.

“You brought me…breakfast?” My voice is tinted with hints of confusion and awe.

Dain must sense it cause he stiffens, his cheeks reddening in the dim light of the hall. I don’t think I’ve ever seen strait-laced, dedicated, commanding Dain look so flustered. “Yeah, I did,” he pauses. “I mean, unless the healers already fed you. In that case I can just-“

I rip the tray from his hands, staring down at it. Upon closer inspection, everything on the tray looks delicious. And it all…looks exactly like something I’d pick out for myself for breakfast. He even added the right amount of granola and honey to my oatmeal. Even the tea wafting up from the mug smells suspiciously similar to the blend I use every day.

Warmth spreads through my limbs, rising to my cheeks as I stare up at Dain. He knows how I take my tea. He noticed what I eat for breakfast.

“Why are you doing this?”

Dain’s face tightens at my tone. “Yesterday was my fault. I shouldn’t have made you do extra laps.”

“You were just doing your duty, as my squad leader.” I insist, hoping my mentioning his authority and ranking over me stills the erratic way my heart is beating in my chest. It doesn’t.

Dain shakes his head. “I abused my power and I was wrong for doing that. I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

I was wrong.

I’m sorry.

The words echo between us. If I wasn’t holding on to the tray, I’m not sure I’d be able to stop myself from stepping closer. From touching him. From trying to rid the worry lines between his brows and across his mouth. My fingers twitch, wanting to do just that.

“Dain,” I choke out, cheeks flaming. “This is… I’m…” I swallow, trying to catch myself and feeling incredibly stupid for treating him like shit all these months. “Thank you.”

He dips his head, trying to hide the smile tipping the corners of his mouth, but I still catch it. I relish in the way his face changes by the subtle movement. He no longer looks so serious and demanding. With that small smile, he’s boyish and attractive.

I can’t help but smile back, feeling a swell of triumph in seeing this side of him.

In this moment, I realize something. Crimson is the color of rubies and sapphires, precious and bold. The color of blood, rising from a fresh wound or upon heated cheeks. The color of a beating heart, racing with every pulse to a rhythm that flows between time.

Crimson is the color of Dain’s relic, inked upon the skin that peaks out beneath his collar. The color of his dragon, Cath. The color staining his cheeks and neck as he stares down at me. It’s the color beating in the air around us, flowing and pulling us together like a tether. It could be seen as fate or destiny, maybe even luck.

But this is the moment that I realize that Dain Aetos is the color of my veins, the red on my cheeks, the breath in my lungs, and the beat of my heart.

And it terrifies the shit out of me.

Part Two

[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

[teddyniffler]

General Aetos to Violet: You are such a disappointment, Violet.

General Aetos: But do you know who is a bigger disappointment?

General Aetos to Dain: HIM

[court-of-secrets]

sloane getting pregnant during the war and garrick just DECKS dain on the spot, sloane has to talk imogen out of stabbing him, and they have like five minutes of peace before mira shows up to haul dain off to see violet -in charge of riorson house and pissed- and is laughing the entire time going, “oh you’re dead aetos” because sloane is EVERYONE’S BABY SISTER

@violencelittlething and i have been bouncing ideas back and forth again!!