#Prospects AZ

[petnews2day]

Kristi Noem is unfit to be VP after shooting 'untrainable' dog

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/news/pet-news/dog-news/kristi-noem-is-unfit-to-be-vp-after-shooting-untrainable-dog/?utm_source=TR&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230&utm_campaign=social

Kristi Noem is unfit to be VP after shooting 'untrainable' dog

Opinion: Shooting a wayward 18-month-old pup isn’t one of life’s ‘tough decisions.’ It’s taking the easy (and heartless) way out. 6 Of The Smartest Dog Breeds You Should Know About Dogs are often much more intelligent than we humans give them credit for. Here are six of the smartest dog breeds and their positive traits. […]

See full article at https://petnews2day.com/news/pet-news/dog-news/kristi-noem-is-unfit-to-be-vp-after-shooting-untrainable-dog/?utm_source=TR&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230&utm_campaign=social #DogNews #Dogs, #Donald, #DonaldTrump, #Elections, #Kristi, #KristiNoem, #Mention, #Prospects, #ProspectsAZ, #The, #Trump

[3416]

"i KNEW auston was in town for a reason" uuhhhhh where did you see he's back in town and how do I also acquire this information (I'm not creepy i just miss him I swear 🥺)

it was reported by lance hornby, a toronto journalist, here just yesterday that he'd been in town at the leafs facilities this week. that's not really readily available info usually unless he's spotted with a fan somewhere or at an event, but i knew it had to be for personal reasons, lol, bc he never comes back to toronto in the offseason just for fun. he spends most of the time in az or traveling.

[degraziagalleryinthesun]

Southwestern artist Ted DeGrazia was fascinated by the beauty and lore of the Superstition Mountains, where he made many expeditions to the backcountry prospecting for gold. Happy Throwback Thursday! ⛏ Just a reminder, miners and prospectors are the subject of "DeGrazia Underground", a new exhibit at the Gallery in the Sun Museum. This selection of drawings and oil paintings dates from 1936 to 1972, and will be on display through August 30th, 2023.

[pellucid-constellations]

I'd Answer

You've been gone. Azriel's been broken. Something has to change, and Azriel would do anything.

Part 2 of If You Cared to Ask

“This is for you,” Mor huffed, plopping down a small bouquet of roses onto the growing garden that seemed to have sprouted on the table. “What is that, number twelve?” 

“I don’t know, I don’t count them,” you brushed off, your gaze falling on the gifts for a fleeting moment.

Mor hummed. “Are they doing anything for you?” 

“Not particularly.” 

Your friend shuffled into the small sitting room and gracefully landed in the chair beside yours, her eyes piercing a hole in the side of your head when you refused to look up. She sighed, and then sighed again, making a show of slotting her chin in her palm and looking forlorn. 

The third sigh was your breaking point. 

You placed your book on the table and turned to Mor with your brows raised. “Yes?” 

“Oh, nothing,” she airily replied. “I was just wondering when you were going to give this up. You don’t have to forgive the guy, but at least put me out of my misery and let me tell him where you’re staying. I’m basically a delivery service at this point. He says sorry again, by the way.” 

“Oh, well in that case—” 

“More than just sorry, but I can’t remember everything he said. It was all rambly and his face was all gaunt.” Mor pressed her fingers up to cover her eyes. “I’m not even sure if he’s eating. Rhys had to stop sending him out because he almost fell out of the sky.”

“Is this supposed to make me feel bad?”

You hoped your ruse was believable because hearing that Azriel was doing so poorly did make you feel bad. Your heart lept up to your throat at the prospect of your mate falling from the sky from exhaustion. But he had had so many opportunities to make this right and you weren’t about to give up your anger so easily. 

Mor offered a sad expression that looked authentic this time. “Y/n, he loves you. He’s an idiot and the whole lot of them are mindless fools, but Azriel has never loved anything the way he loves you.” 

“Yeah, I’m sure,” you snorted. “And he shows that love by forgetting me and then arguing when I’m clearly upset over it?” 

“I know. He told me how much of an ass he’s been. But, I promise you, I’ve known Azriel for a long time. He was just—just handling everything with Rhys poorly. He felt so so guilty when Rhys got trapped. You know that.” 

You bit the inside of your cheek and avoided Mor’s gaze. “I know.” 

The lack of vitriol in your tone had Mor perking up. “And you remember how hard he tried to get him back—how broken he was when Rhys sent out his last message. Az feels responsible for everything when it comes to his family.”

You didn’t need the reminder. The tortured way he carried himself over the past 50 years was evidence enough of the truth behind Mor’s words. And you had been there to soothe that pain, to help run the court that Rhys left behind. 

When silence persisted, Mor craned her neck to catch your gaze. “I’m not saying what he did was right, but you know he’s been in overdrive since Rhys returned. He goes off on those missions when Rhys calls, but… y/n, he only leaves without notice when his informants…” 

Mor trailed off. 

Your gaze finally flickered up. “When?” 

Mor bit her lip and winced. “He told me not to tell you this part. He said he didn’t want you to think he was making excuses.” 

“Tell me anyways.” 

“Fine. But you can’t rat me out.” Mor sighed and leaned back in the chair, still facing you. “He does go on every mission Rhys proposes, and that’s… stupid, but he tells you about those ones, I think. When he just up and leaves, it’s because—y/n, it’s because they're about you. You know there’s a slew of people that want you dead for your involvement up in Illyria. He has a team of informants with the sole purpose of listening for you name.

“He goes on Rhys’s missions because he doesn’t want his family separated again, but sometimes, it’s because he just wants to protect his mate.” 

A stone dropped past your ribs and into your stomach. “But, he never told me—” 

“You know these overgrown bats think that suffering in silence is an honorable thing to do,” Mor rolled her eyes. “They overwork themselves fighting the good fight or whatever and seem to forget that the rest of the world is still out there, facing the consequences of their actions. And… I think he just wanted you to feel safe. I think he’s been scared.” 

Something sickly climbed its way up your consciousness. You looked down at your hands as they rested in your lap. 

You hadn’t seen Azriel in six days, and each day had more anger coursing through you, building up a wall that you thought impenetrable. Because you were so angry; Azriel had disappointed you time and time again, left you feeling abandoned and alone, and then he got defensive about it as if you were the one at fault. 

Part of you always knew it was a defense of some sort, but you had thought it a defense of something nefarious. You had tossed around the idea of infidelity a few times, and that rivaled the thought of him simply falling out of love with you. 

But it was this. 

It was him hiding how hard he’d been trying to protect you—however idiotic his tactics may have been. 

“You can tell him where I am,” you murmured clenching your fingers into your palm. “And leave the door unlocked, I guess.” 

Mor had left the small apartment on the outskirts of Velaris before you finished your sentence. 

It took approximately 7 minutes for a tentative knock to sound at your door. 

Mor had left it unlocked, but there was still a knock. 

You took a glance at the pile of flowers on the table before heading to the front door. The old floorboards creaked under your feet, a reminder of the rundown apartment you had sought out after you left. It was a frantic process, searching for a place to stay; you hadn’t cared much for luxury or comfort.  

Opening the door was jarring. Azriel’s wings were half-raised as if he’d just flown down and then forgot how to control them. His face was pallid with dark smudges beneath his eyes. His hair was windswept, expected from the flight, but it looked tugged at and disheveled beyond that. 

“Hi.” 

Maybe you’d been looking him over too long because Azriel’s voice cracked at the single word. He sounded unsure, verging on afraid, and all you had done was pass over his figure with your eyes. 

You tightened your grip on the door handle. “Um, hi.” Your tone was harsher than you meant it to be. 

Azriel flinched. “I’m sorry, Mor said…” 

“No, I—Come in.” 

You stepped back and pushed the door open to accommodate his hesitant steps into your rental. Azriel stood in the middle of the space and wrung his hands as you shuffled behind him, a slight tremor showing in his fingers. You leaned back against the door with your own hands pressed at the small of your back. You watched Azriel’s lingering gaze trail over the flowers in the corner of the room. 

“You didn’t like them?” he meekly asked. 

Something inside of you hurt. 

“They were okay,” you answered. “But I didn’t want flowers.” 

Azriel nodded and his lashes fluttered shut. His hands twitched. 

“I’m sorry—for the flowers, I mean. They were a pathetic reason to send Mor to you. You wanted to be left alone.” 

“I did not want to be left alone, Azriel.” You kicked away from the door, bringing your arms across your chest for some form of protection. “I wanted you. I wanted you to care about me.”

“I do,” Azriel stressed. He took a step forward and the wood beneath his boot creaked. “I do, y/n.  I care about you more than anything—I love you.” 

“Then why couldn’t you show me? Why did it take me leaving, me getting hurt, for you to finally listen to me and see how much I’ve needed you?” 

Your chest was heaving, each word from your lips a choked gasp. Azriel took all of it and absorbed your full meaning, seeming to wince at every insinuation that he didn’t love you. His jaw quivered and he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. 

“Why did you stop talking to me?” you asked, a broken rendition of your anger. “Why—Mor told me… She told me things. Things that make sense. But why does it feel like I don’t matter to you?” 

“My love,” Azriel stressed. Yearned. He rushed forward, abandoning all reservations and gathering you into his arms as tears began making headway down your cheeks. “I’m so sorry, baby. I can’t—I’m so so sorry.” His words were almost lost against your temple as he held you, each apology a whisper of a kiss against your skin. 

“You weren’t there and Devlon—he—” 

“I know, angel, I know and I’m so sorry. Had I known… Had I listened.” He pulled you back from his chest, crouching down to meet your eye and wiping tears from your cheeks. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was keep you safe. I thought I was doing that. I don’t know what Mor told you—” 

“She told me everything. She told me you’ve been following leads about me and taking on too much. She told me you’re scared.” 

Azriel breathed and it sounded anguished. “I am terrified. We lost Rhysand and now you are in the throes of a society that almost killed me. I—I wake up every morning and everything is good and I am so afraid to lose that. I thought I was protecting you, protecting us. But I almost lost you and—” 

You let out a breathy cry. “You could never lose me, Azriel.” 

He pressed his forehead to yours, the wetness of his cheeks now apparent. Azriel’s hands were firm on either side of your head and his fingers laced up into your hair. 

Gods, you missed him. 

You missed him and everything hurt. 

“I’ll do better. I’ll be better. Just please—please, don’t leave again. Please come home. Let me fix this.”

The want was overwhelming. It would be so easy to say yes, but it would be just as easy for nothing to change. 

“You can’t do that again, Azriel,” you stressed, shaking your head and causing your mate to draw back. Only a breath was left between you. “You have to tell me what’s going on. You can’t—you can’t leave me in the dark. You can’t make me feel like that.”

Azriel’s head shook in desperation. “I won’t. I promise I won’t.” 

“I need to know I can rely on you—trust you.” 

“You can, angel.” 

“I need to know that you love me.” 

A pained sound escaped Azriel’s throat. He licked his lips and reaffirmed his hold on your face, locking his eyes with yours in a beseeching gaze. 

“I love you more than life itself, angel. I couldn’t breathe when you were gone. I can’t believe I made you think that I don’t. You are my life. Let me show you. Please, let me show you.”

You tracked your eyes between both of his. “Okay, Azriel.” 

“I’m going to keep you safe.”

“I am safe.” 

“I love you.” 

"I know you do, Az. I know."

[acourtofquietdreamers]

Azriel Week Day 4: Paid Time Off

𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙤𝙧-𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦. 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙖𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨. 𝘚𝘰 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴.

…

𝘈𝘻𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘹 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘭𝘺, "𝘗𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦?" 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁.

Art by the sweet and talented sunshinecovey_ on instagram and commissioned by me 🦇🌸

In Azriel’s bonus chapter, we learn he’s been sleeping terribly because of his feelings for Elain, but when Elain asked him to put her necklace on, his head went quiet. I think we’ll see Azriel finally get a restful sleep once he’s able to sleep next to the woman he’s been wanting and needing for over a year now. The woman who caused those razor sharp thoughts in his head to quiet at the prospect of being close to her.

Once they finally act on their feelings, I think there’s nothing Az would rather do on his time off than spend time with Elain (and catch up on his sleep 😅). We already saw hints of this when he chose to spend time with her in the garden or stay up with her at 3am to talk while everyone else went to bed 💗

Please do not repost without permission. Likes and reblogs are appreciated!

Find this art on instagram here!

@azrielappreciationweek

[acotarxreader]

High Lord of Game

Azriel x Reader

Synopsis: Cassian and Azriel use a simple competition to decide who deserves the title of High Lord of Game, but at what cost to you?

Warnings: Light smut, males being males

A/N: I hope you enjoy this, my first fic away from my beloved Shadow and Flame. I described this once as "silly goofy" but I was sleep-deprived and I'm no longer sure if that fits it best. Let me know what you think!

If you would like to be added to a general tag list please let me know as I didn't want to tag those who asked to be tagged on Shadow and Flame because I was unsure if that was just for that series

------------------------------------------------------

“Az, give it over, I am the High Lord of Game” 

“Don’t flatter yourself Cass” Azriel shoved his best friend across the path as they walked through the streets of Velaris, Winter coming to a head . 

“Rhysand would agree with me” “Fine, you're the biggest whore” Azriel laughed, Cassian feigning offence, striding toward the city centre. 

“I think I should wear the crown of High Lord”

“Do I sense a coup amongst my friends?” Rhysand winnowed in between the two, both laughing at the idea.

“Azriel believes he is High Lord of the Game when we all know it's me” Rhysand rolled his eyes nearly from his head at the prospect. 

“Surely I am High Lord, I have a mate, therefore I've won the game” silence followed before both Illyrains locked eyes behind Rhysand, both then shoving him forward laughing. 

“Don’t depress us while we have our competition Rhys”

“That's it, a competition! Az, I will choose a female for you to pursue and you for me, that will decide it once and for all” Rhysand shook his head side to side gently, happy to have Feyre but ever so slightly missing his single days, the thought dissolving almost instantly as he saw Feyre come out of her gallery laughing with another Fae. 

“It's a deal” “A deal” the two shook hands, Rhysand rolling his eyes again. 

“Right, that female there Cass, off you go” Azriel pointed to a fae he recognised, Cass not taking a second glance overly confident as always. He sauntered over to the fae sipping lemonade at a table outside a cafe. 

“Wait isn't that-” Rhysand was cut off by Azriel laughing at Cassian and the Fae. In one swift movement, the female sloshed her full drink up and into Cassian's face before standing and storming off. Both Azriel and Rhysand were doubled over howling as Cassian stomped over soaking wet.

“Unfair, I already slept with her” Cassian scolded his two friends as they tried to gather themselves together again. 

“Oh, you think you’re so funny! Fine, fine, Az your challenge is ... .YN” Azriel and Rhysand immediately stopped laughing, looking towards the Fae Feyre had left, smiling to herself, cracking open a book as Feyre winnowed away. 

“Cass, give Azriel at least a small bit of a chance” 

“Nah, he set me up for failure, his turn” the three stared at you again, flicking through your book.

“Fine, what are the terms?”

“Great, you have until Starfall, that gives you a chance-” Cassian beamed nudging Rhysand “-to bed her and I will crown you High Lord of Game” Azriel took a moment to ponder these words before shaking his wings slightly and striding over in your direction. A little over four months, easy he thought. Azriel hadn’t really ever taken much notice of you before, only hearing of you from Feyre talking about you volunteering with the outreach programmes. He knew she was fond of you but never introduced you to the group, he was unsure why.

“Hello” he gave his best coy smile towards you, no response from you. 

“Hello there” he tried again. No response. Azriel looked over his shoulder to where his brothers stood laughing some distance away. He rolled his shoulders back undeterred and cleared his throat, raising his hand slowly to lower your book from your face.

“Hello YN” you threw him a look through your eyelashes, already over the conversation before it began. Azriel nearly forgot why he stood in front of you, captivated by your eyes.

“Yes?” you raised an eyebrow, Azriels throat completely dried out and he began to cough causing you to scoff lightly before passing him the canteen of water you had in your bag, he politely declined.

“I’m Azriel” he managed with no reply from you. Perhaps this wasn't going to be as easy as he thought. 

“What are you reading YN?” “Why does it matter Shadowsinger?” you almost purred sarcastically, tucking the book into your bag. 

“Just making conversation” Azriel couldn't help but come off as over it, perhaps this wasn't worth the title he’d win but then you smiled at him and he felt all the tiny hairs on his neck stand with excitement. You stood, throwing your bag across your body.

“Well thanks for the sparkling conversation Shadowsinger” you patted his shoulder pushing past him and back into the street. Azriel turned on his heels to face his smug friends. 

*******

For the next two weeks, Azriel made it his mission to show up wherever you did, trying to play it off as the Gods intervention and not his careful planning and reading of Feyre's planner. 

“Are you stalking me, be honest” you whipped around to him one day as you left Rita’s having met Feyre and apparently Azriel, for a drink. 

“One date and I'll leave you alone” “Why?”

“Why not?” you clicked your tongue at him, thinking of the millions of reasons why not and yet you couldn't help but be pulled in his direction, to his magnetic energy.

You agreed and that's when things began to change so rapidly in both of your lives and by the one-month mark you were accompanying him to family dinners and welcomed with such open arms. Azriel had coaxed you out of your self-inflicted solitary confinement but couldn't get you quite to fully engage with his family, still that air of caution lay within you. 

At Feyres birthday dinner Azriel felt it was time to be bold. Something about you, the way you smiled, the way you looked at him, he was becoming putty in your hands, hearing you laugh made him never want to hear anything ever again. Azriel sat next to you at that dinner as he did at every other meal with you, the table’s conversation ebbing and flowing around you both as always, happy to just sit in one another's presence. He couldn't help it, time to be brazen he thought. 

Azriels hand found its way slowly to the top of your thigh, almost afraid as though his touch would hurt you and you'd shatter in his hands. He quickly removed his hand at the feeling of you tensing next to him, internally reprimanding himself. Azriel felt a smile grow on his face as your hand gently unfurled the fist he had made with his hand and interlocked your fingers with his, all without breaking eye contact with whoever was speaking. You were glowing, Azriel thought. 

“I’m sorry to interrupt the party but I must make tracks for home” You gave a smile to the room sometime later, slipping your hand from Azriel again where he instantly missed it.

“I'll walk with you, I could do with the stretch after the meal” You gave a small smile to Azriels words, fetching your jacket. Cassian gave Azriel a coy smirk causing Azriel to send a shadow to knock Cassian's wine into his shirt. You both left River House as Cassian gave out loudly.

You both idly walked down the winding streets of Velaris, entirely comfortable in the silence that surrounded you until you both reached the bottom gate of your small townhouse.

“Well I had a really nice time YN, maybe see you tomorrow” Azriel moved from you, happy to leave it there, not wanting you to feel pushed.

“Wait Az” you reached, catching him by his suit jacket collar, pulling him down to meet your lips. Electricity coursed through Azriel’s veins, electric, he was being electrified by you.

“Well goodbye, see you tomorrow” you pulled suddenly from him, hurried words spoken as you released his collar and moved to run and hide. His turn to catch you by surprise, he almost swept you back to meet his lips again, every nerve buzzing to life, every cell wanting more. 

That set off the whirlwind relationship you both deserved. By February you had both learned to trust one another entirely. He confided in you about his difficult childhood and you about your violent tumultuous previous relationship. In three and a half months you both became inseparable, teaching and taunting one another and so entirely happy whilst taking things slow as you worked through your leftover relationship issues. 

Azriel sat in the booth with his friends, you working late with Feyre one weekend evening.

“So should we be getting you fitted for a crown yet Az?” “What are you talking about?” Azriel laughed, Cassian raising an eyebrow, going to explain before you came into the bar with Feyre, instantly joining the friend group, and pulling Azriel to the bar top with you.

************************

Azriel stood with his brothers in their coordinating gem-tone suits basking in the moonlight of Starfall. You arrived with the rest of the females but Azriel didn’t see any of the others the moment his eyes landed on you. A simple slip dress the silver colour of the very stars that shone above. He found his throat dry out again as it had that very first time he looked into your eyes. You kissed his cheek and smiled, he couldn't quite believe his luck to share this night with you. Azriel took your hand, twirling you while you laughed before escorting you to the dance floor where you stayed for what felt like hours. 

Azriel showed you around The House of Wind, arriving at the balcony of his room as the spirits began to transverse the sky above. You both radiated such pure peace as the sky filled with lights, Azriel caught your hand in his, pulling you into his chest. You leaned up kissing him, the sky illuminated. His hands went to your hips as yours went around his shoulders, deepening the kiss further. 

“I think I’m in love with you Azriel” you said so quietly separating briefly.

“I know I’m in love with you YN” He placed a soft kiss on your forehead before you backed away leading him by the hand back towards his bed. You both kissed there for a moment, growing hungrier and hungrier for one another. Usually, you would have stopped by now, feelings of unresolved trauma in you taking the reins. But not this time.

“Are you okay YN?” you just nodded at him before pulling your slip dress over your head, turning and crawling deeper into the bed, beckoning Azriel with you. He hovered over you, taking you all in, his very own Goddess. He kissed down your neck, checking in with you before removing his own shirt. You traced up the grooves of his abdomen, sending a shiver through his wings as you smiled.

“I wish I could look at you smiling forever” “Maybe you can” he lowered back down to kiss you at your words. 

A screech of rusty hinges being twisted separated you both as the door of Azriels room swung open, a very very drunk Cassian stumbling in. Azriel threw his shirt to cover you, launching himself towards the door. 

“Get out Cass!” “Oh A-zzz I did-n’t know you wer-e in here” he slurred, Azriel catching the door trying to close it in Cassian's face.

“YN- heeeeeey. Oh shit! A-m I interrupting the cr-owning of the High L-ord of Game” a shiver shot down Azriel at these words, he had forgotten. He had totally and utterly forgotten. You pulled your dress back over your head, slipping from the bed almost laughing in confusion.

“What Cassian?”

“It's gonn-a be your weddin-g story! How roman-tic a bet turning in-to lov-e, who’d have though-t it '' The giant Illyrian took another deep sip from his cup, one he definitely didn't need, your laughter coming to a complete halt. 

“Get the fuck out of here Cassian!” Azriel gained the upper hand finally slamming the door in his drunk brother's face. He turned to look at you, sheet white like you’d seen a ghost. You took deep measured breaths, trying to prevent full scale hyperventilation.

“YNN”

“Don’t call me that”

“Please listen to me” you were hurriedly searching for your bag, Azriel had his arms out as though he was trying to stop a wild horse.

“Az-Azriel, was there or was there not a competition or bet or what-the-fuck-ever based around our relationship” you stood before him, wild-eyed, begging and wishing and hoping that what came out of his mouth next would make this all go away.

“Yes…it's why I talked to you that first day- but wait please!” You had pushed past him at these words, straight for the bedroom door, needing out. 

“-But YN then I fell for you! I forgot about the stupid competition! I swear! I promise, please, I need you” your back was to him as he spoke these words, fist around the door handle.

“What you need Azriel is for someone to build your fragile masculinity and I’m sorry but I am not the Fae for you” you whipped the door open, stepping over a passed out Cassian and running down the hallway from the mess. 

************************

A week had passed, Feyre practically forbidding Azriel from seeing you after hearing of the whole ordeal. Azriel still was yet to speak to Cassian but really his anger was mostly at himself. He completely messed up. 

You opened your front door a week after what happened to find Azriel sat at your garden gate. You went to close the door again but he shot towards you.

“Azriel” you glared.

“Please speak to me YN” you sighed, closing the door on him, not ready for it all.

“I'll wait here for you! I’ll wait forever for you” he sat back down on the step and there he stayed for almost 48 hours. 

You looked out through your bedroom window at him sitting below in the rain on your doorstep. You sighed before heading down the stairs, opening the door and staring down at the soaked Illyrian. 

“Can I please talk to you now?” you sighed at his words, just stepping back from the door beckoning him in. He didn't need to be told twice, darting into your living room. You crossed your arms as you watched him shake the water from his wings. 

“I know you probably have questi-” “Why Azriel? Tell me why! I've been racking my brain for over a week and I can’t figure out why you would do this to me” you raised your voice to him, something you’d never done before to him and it rattled him slightly.

“To build my fragile masculinity” he attempted a joke, gaining a pillow thrown at him by you for him to dodge. 

“Okay, because I am a big Illyrian idiot who had no idea how hard I’d fall for you! I had no idea someone like you would fall for me! I completely just lost all sense of judgement! He practically slumped to the floor, tears brimming in his eyes.

“Are you…are you crying?” you moved slowly towards the slumped Shadowsinger.

“Yes! I completely fucked up so bad YN and I am so beyond sorry for even causing you any ounce of pain!”

“Get up off the floor Az, you're destroying your fragile masculinity” you gave a small smile, reaching out your hand and pulling him to his feet. You sat down on your sofa, still holding his hand, nudging your head to the side indicating for him to sit. He then explained the details of the competition at your request. 

“I know I am the scum of the earth but I promise I totally forgot about it when I started to get to know you and it was beyond the furthest thing from my mind when we…when last week happened” his voice shook at the end of his tale of betrayal.

“I must be crazy” you shook your head side to side.

“No you’re not YN”

“Yes, I am because I believe you” he met your eyes frantically as you rubbed the back of his hand. 

“So you still want to be with me?!” “Yes, stupidly” you half laughed and he matched you.

“But you or Cassian pull anything even close to this shit again and I'll castrate you both and throw you into the river” “I'll lend you the blade to do so” Azriel smiled.

“I love you YNN” “I- I can't say that back right now Az” his heart sank for a moment before he spoke again.

“That’s alright YNN, I love us enough for the both of us anyway” Azriel moved to kiss you in the way he dreamed of since that night.

“Ah ah ah-” you pulled back and shook your finger at him smiling. 

“-Back to hand holding Az” “Okay, great, I can do that” You both sat there for a moment in that familiar comfortable silence you both thought you'd never feel again. 

“Okay that’s enough hand-holding,” you said hurriedly, pushing yourself on top of him to straddle his lap as he sat, kissing him deeply. 

“Thank the Gods” he laughed into the kiss.

“You wouldn't have lasted with just hand-holding anyways” you nudged him.

“Wanna bet?” he grinned, gaining a hand into the chest again before sharing a searing kiss once again.

-----------------------------------------------

[inkedinshadows]

All Tied Up

Day 7: Bondage — Azriel x f!reader

Warnings: oral (f receiving), p in v, praise

Word count: 1.072

“You look so pretty like this.”

You lay on the bed, spread out and at your mate’s mercy. Quite literally at his mercy, since Azriel had secured your hands to the headboard and then, still not satisfied, managed to tie your ankles to your thighs so that your legs were bent. The only movement you were allowed was closing and opening your legs, though you were sure that he was already thinking of a way to keep you from doing that too and that he would eventually figure it out.

Not that you minded, actually. Other than to fasten the soft rope, Azriel hadn’t yet touched you, but you were already soaking wet just at the prospect of what was about to happen.

The Shadowsinger knelt between your legs, caressing your thighs and calves with his scarred hands.

“Tied up and helpless,” he went on as he leaned closer. His mouth brushed over your neck, a featherlight touch of his lips before he moved to your collarbone and then down to your breasts.

You knew this game. You knew he was going to tease you until you were a squirming mess, just because he could. There was nothing you could do to stop him, and no amount of begging would convince him to skip that part and just fuck you.

Yet, his name left your lips in a pleading murmur the exact moment his tongue flicked your pert nipple. Azriel chuckled softly, the sound skittering across your heated skin and giving you goosebumps.

His mouth latched onto your breast, and you arched toward him. His golden eyes found yours as he sucked gently, and you couldn’t stop the moan that broke free at the sight, hands twisting in your restraints, itching to find their way into his hair to keep him close.

“So eager,” he drawled. “You like being at my mercy, don’t you, bunny?”

“Yes… Yes, Azriel,” you breathed, hoping it would be enough to have him give you what you wanted, but already knowing it wasn’t happening any time soon.

“I bet you’re also dripping right now,” he continued. “The smell of your arousal is overwhelming.”

One of his hands moved between your thighs and he dragged two fingers up your cunt, gathering your slickness while you quivered. But as quickly as it had come, his touch disappeared when he brought his digits to his lips and licked them clean with a satisfied hum.

“You always taste so good, love.”

“Then please,” you murmured, hips raising slightly to try and grind against his cock, but he was keeping his body too elevated for you to reach him in your bound state. “Don’t torture me.”

Azriel held your stare for a few seconds before he trailed kisses down your stomach. He pushed your bent legs further apart, and for a moment you really thought he was going to give in to your plea… only for him to leave a soft kiss just above your clit.

“But where would the fun be in that?” he drawled.

He smirked when you groaned, fingers gripping your thighs. “I know you love this, though. Or you wouldn’t let me do it.”

He was right, of course. The build-up and helplessness of your situation only added to the pleasure, later leading to a mind-blowing orgasm. When Azriel finally let you have it, that was. But you weren’t about to admit any of that, or he would drag it out for even longer. Also, you were sure he already knew.

“Az, please…” you said instead. “At least give me something.”

It was as if he had been waiting for you to ask that. His tongue immediately darted out to give your clit kitten licks, which was not enough but still better than nothing. 

You tried to lift your hips, but Azriel held you down with one big hand and simply continued his slow teasing. Out of other options, you brought your legs closer to each other, effectively trapping your mate’s head between them.

He just chuckled. “I’d happily let you choke me with your thighs, love. This won’t get you anywhere.”

Your frustrated sigh turned into a small yelp when he bit the soft flesh of your inner thigh.

“Behave now,” he reprimanded you. “Or I’ll stop touching you.”

You knew he’d do it. It was his punishment—leaving you tied up, forced to watch as he pumped his cock, so close to you and yet out of your reach, until you were begging for even just a flick of your tongue on his tip.

Not something you were looking forward to at the moment.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered as your legs relaxed a bit. “I will behave.”

Azriel’s smile was almost feral. “Good girl.”

And so, the torture began. Kitten licks, soft nibbles, slow thrusts of his tongue inside you while his hands held you open for him. You were a mess, whimpering and squirming, pulling on your restraints on both wrists and legs. Pleas mixed with his name as if it were a prayer—sometimes murmured and sometimes screamed—but he only chuckled.

You had no idea how much time passed. It could have been minutes, or hours, or even days, when his voice echoed in the room again.

“You want to come, bunny?”

“Yes… fuck, yes, please…” you breathed.

“I’ll let you come, then.”

Those were probably the most beautiful words you had ever heard, and you almost cried just at the sound of them.

You whined as Azriel pulled away, but his mouth was quickly replaced by his cock pushing in with a single thrust. You screamed when he set a punishing rhythm, hitting your deepest spot with each roll of his hips, and when his fingers began to tease your clit, it was a matter of seconds before you came with a loud moan. Your legs quivered, shaking with the need to splay out on the bed while pleasure overwhelmed you, but the bindings made it impossible for you to move.

Azriel eagerly fucked you through it all, groaning alongside you as you squeezed his cock, but after you settled down again, he grabbed your chin with a hand to make meet his hazel gaze.

“I’m not even close to being done with you, bunny,” he growled, free hand undoing the ropes on your thighs. He didn’t touch the ones on your wrists. “You know that, right? We’ve still got all night.”

General taglist: @mrsjna @navyblue-eternity @paintedbyshadows @highladyandromeda @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @azrielsmate3 @mollygetssherlockcoffee @mirandasidefics @tinystarfishgalaxy @cynthiesjmxazrielslover @anarchiii @readinggeeklmao @anneas11 @azrielslittleslut @lilah-asteria @aaahhh0127 @lorosette @azrielsrealmate @pey2618 @mellowmusings

Kinktober taglist: @thyellablackk @p1nkfluffysocks @maddieboo8 @a-courtof-azriel @whataenginerd @loviseamms @chaconnelatte @okaytrashpanda @scarsandallaz @velarisdusk

[qwimblenorrisstan]

Beach Day | Cassian x Reader

Summary: During a lengthy visit to Day Court with the Inner Circle, so Rhys and Feyre can discuss political matters with Helion, you and the Inner Circle find more entertaining things to do, such as have a beach day.

Word Count: ~1k

Warnings: None! Other than cass slamming his toes into rocks

A/N: Another little fluffy drabble for @cassianappreciationweek , hope you enjoy<3

Requests are open!

There were few days when Cassian was able to simply lay back and relax, but luckily today, it was one of them.

Rhys and Feyre were busy in Day Court with Helion, and so naturally, most if not all of his Inner Circle was dragged along, especially Cassian and Azriel. Whenever they’d arrived, Helion had only given the two a wink as he’d led the High Lord and Lady of Night Court into his personal office, declaring that it would be a “Private conversation.”

Azriel had bristled at that, but with a lazy grin and a hand on his shoulder, Cassian had gently led him away and out of their palace. If there was one thing Day Court was notorious for along with Dawn Court, it was the beaches on their shores. Velaris didn’t have such beaches in general, only the rocky shores that lined Night Court.

“C’mon Az, if we’re gonna be stuck here waiting for Rhys, we might as well enjoy it.”

Cassian said, giving his brother a pleasing look. Azriel only sighed, shadows wielding, excited at the prospect of swimming, as it wasn’t something they often did.

“Fine. Go swim with the rest of them.”

He grumbled, but before he could object, Cassian grinned and picked Azriel up, already bounding down the streets of Day Court (getting many weird looks from the locals on the way) to the little nearly vacant home Helion had provided for Rhys and the rest of your menagerie while they were here.

As he opened the door, finally setting Az down and giving him a look that said “Go get your swimsuit, or else.”, he was greeted by a distanced hug from you, his mate. He could already tell that you were overheating, too used to the constant soothing breeze and persisting chill of Velaris.

“We’re going swimming!”

He announced loudly enough for everyone to hear, including Mor and Amren who were lounging on the couch, fanning themselves with whatever was in hand. They gave exasperated groans.

“It’s hotter than hell out there, Cass.”

Mor complained, looking miserable.

“Yeah, well the water’ll cool you off, I’m sure.”

He said, rolling his eyes as he followed you to the bedroom that you two had claimed as your own, and he yanked his leathers off, his undergarments as well as he slid into a pair of shorts that were mostly water resistant and suitable for swimming. You had already changed into your swimsuit of choice, a bikini in the same shade of red as his siphons, one that would no doubt drive him crazy.

When they all got done changing, Azriel’s cheeks a light pink from the pink trunks Cassian had made him wear, being the only thing he had to swim in, everyone made Cassian carry their towels, and donned some sort of sandals as they walked outside into the suffocating heat of the summer sun, quickly walking down to the beaches of Day Court, and quickly wading into the water.

They only had a respite for the briefest of moments before Cassian splashed Azriel, and Azriel splashed back harder, accidentally getting you as well, until you were all splashing and thrashing like maniacs in the cool water. Mor and Amren didn’t seem to care much for the playing, both getting inflatables out of nowhere (and judging by the sounds of confused beachgoers, probably stole them) and floating on them, occasionally taking a dip in the water to cool off.

“I bet I can make a better sandcastle than you.”

Cassian declared to you, and you grinned ferociously back, both storming up to the beach to make the best sandcastle.

However, you already knew how Cassian played, so you made sure to include a layer of rocks in the bottom of yours covered by sand, and if anyone tried to kick it, their toes would meet jagged rock edges. You began building up layers, adding dry sand, then water, then compacting it, then wet sand, and then starting over again in a cycle.

Once your little cylinder-like shape was built up, you used seashells nearby to decorate the side, and tying some random part of a nearby plastic bag onto a thin, long stick, you made a tiny flag of trash and stuck it in the middle of your sandcastle on the very top.

You glanced over at Cassian’s sandcastle, it was more oval-shaped than anything, like a sad attempt at recreating a football, and it had some random shells strewn about on it.

“Done!”

He exclaimed, glancing over at yours as his grin turned to a playful scowl.

“Try-hard,”

He muttered under his breath, and you rolled your eyes, looking over at Azriel who was just standing in the water, watching, not seeming sure what to do. You beckoned him over.

“Come judge our sandcastles, Az!”

You called out, and he met your gaze, his own shining with amusement as he strode up and started examining your mate’s castle.

“Is the oval shape intentional?”

He asked in a dryly amused tone, and Cassian shot him a glare.

“Yes, it was.”

He said defensively, chest puffing out as you snorted, and Mor did too as she watched from the water. Azriel then moved to look at your sandcastle, observing it for all of two seconds before declaring his decision.

“Y/N won.”

He said, shaking his head in fond exasperation as he turned to move back into the water that shielded him from the harsh sun. That was when Cassian grumbled something under his breath, stomping over to your sandcastle even as you began following Az to the water.

You nudged Azriel with your elbow, both of you turning just in time to see Cassian’s foot go back and slam right into the rock base of your sandcastle as he howled and held his foot, glaring at you with a glimmer of begrudging respect for you somehow knowing what he was going to do.

Az quietly chuckled, even as Cassian huffed and hopped over to you on one foot, entering the water again.

“You’re going to pay for that once we get home,”

He murmured to you, and you only gave a lazy, sly smirk back.

“Worth it.”

[elrielbaby]

The hope I carry with me.

Alright, folks. This is the first thing I’ve written in bloody years. It’s rough, I did it in about 20 minutes and I did it on the notes app on my phone bcos my laptop doesn’t get here til Sunday and the idea was literally not leaving me alone so I had to get it out - so I apologise in advance if there’s any spelling/grammar issues, I did go through it but the notes app is not the best thing to write in 😆 it’s based on a headcanon I have that Elain & Az will have to bathe after their secret rendezvous, in order to hide the others scent. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

As the sun rose over Velaris, Elain lay her head on Azriels chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The gossamer curtains of the four poster bed were drawn around them, swaying gently in the breeze. They wore nothing but their skin and even in sleep, Azriel held her as if she might slip from his grasp at any given moment - gentle, but with a hint of aggression that threatened anyone who might take him from her.

Elain had begun to stir as the sun rose. She knew what was coming, and she hated it. She wanted to live in this moment for as long as possible, in the peace and quiet with the one who understood her best, the male who had captivated her heart and soul. A change in his breathing let Elain know that he was awake, so she began to draw light circles on his ribs and pressed a kiss to his chest.

“Good morning, my love” he murmured, resting his cheek on her head “what time is it?”

“It’s still early” she replied “we have time.”

A wicked gleam entered Azriels eyes and with that his hands were in her hair, his mouth was on hers and she was on her back as they began to make love for the fourth time since they’d reunited the previous evening.

The sexual appetites of the Fae had shocked her, but none more so than her own. She had wanted as a human, yes, that much was clear by her short lived connection with Greyson… but turning Fae had turned her hunger to starvation, and no one made her feel as famished as Azriel. It was one of the many reasons their relationship being a secret was so painful.

She wanted him so much it was agonising to be apart, to pretend at family gatherings. She ached for the day they could be together openly, with nothing and no one standing against them. She yearned for the mundane, Azriel coming home after a long day, or her returning from work to find him working on reports from their home. She longed to make dinner plans, for them privately but also for their family, where they could be open and honest about their love. She wanted nothing more than to be able to make small plans and decisions with him - what they should get Nyx for his birthday and solstice, if they should go on a couples retreat with Nesta & Cassian, what they were having for dinner, what colour they should paint the walls in the hallway, where they should place the portraits and where to plant the flowers in the garden.

After a particularly emotional reaction from the pair of them at the prospect of leaving each other again, Azriel had been ready to let the world burn for her. He had been ready to march into Rhys’ office and tell him everything - Elain had stopped him. It was too soon, after the birth of Nyx & the politics of Prythian were still all together too precarious. They couldn’t risk alienating Lucien, although she was sure he wanted as much to do with her as she with him, she needed to be sure, and to minimise the potential fall out.

“I love you” Azriel whispered, his eyes brimming with emotion as he looked at her.

“I love you” she whispered back, and with that they were both falling over the edge, coming together.

They lay entwined, sweaty, breathless, their foreheads pressed together.

“It’s time” he said, his thumb stroking her cheek.

She sighed as she heard the bath tub filling in the bathroom adjoined to their room. They had to do this every time they lay together. Scrub every inch of their skin, in order to remove the scent from the other. Azriel wasn’t as much of an issue, he could somehow hide much of his scent from others although he’d never explained how he was able to do that. Elain however, was covered in him. She loved it, and that’s why she hated this part. She was desperate for the world to know they belonged to each other, that they had chosen to be together - as mortifying as the prospect of her family knowing just exactly what she’d been up to actually was.

Azriel scooped Elain into his arms and walked her through the doorway to the bathroom, placing her gently in the water. The temperature was perfect, soothing the aches from their more fervent couplings, and it was scented with cherry blossom & tea rose, her favourite. Azriel sat on the floor, his head resting on the tub watching as Elain scrubbed at herself half heartedly. The sadness in his eyes wrecked her, and she knew that she wore a similar expression. Once she was done, hair and body washed thoroughly, Azriel gestured for her to stand as he wrapped her in a towel and drained the tub. He carried her back to the freshly stripped bed, and set her down gently.

“This never gets any easier does it?” She said, her voice thick with emotion.

“No,” he replied “it gets more painful with every passing day. I don’t have your powers of foresight, Elain. But if there’s one thing I know for certain it’s this - we won’t be doing this forever. At some point, the pot will boil over, neither one of us will be able to stand it anymore and we’ll tell everyone. Or, we’ll stop caring so much about what everyone thinks, or how everyone else feels, we’ll get sloppy and they’ll figure it out. I hope it’s the latter, but I don’t really care which way it happens, so long as this road we’re travelling ends with me being able to call you my wife, to love you openly. So long as it ends with us loving each other in the small moments and the big ones, and all the moments in between I will be happy. That is the hope I carry in my heart every day I’m forced to be without you”

The tears Elain had been keeping at bay spilled over, Azriel catching them with his thumbs.

She once again pressed her forehead to his and said “that is the hope I carry with me too”

[ninthcircleofprythian]

Just Call My Name

Part 2 to Kiss- Don't Tell

Cassian/Azriel

Word Count - 4.7k

Summary - After an unsuccesful night out at Rita's, a tipsy Azriel can't stop thinking about his previous shared night with Cassian

Warnings - intoxication and talk of alcohol, friends don't let friends fly druink, smutty M/M goodness, graphic descriptions of sex, biting and scratching, Az has a secret praise kink

Author's Notes - this part 2 was requested by a wonderful anon (sorry it took me so long). So anon - I hope you enjoy. Consider this my Solstice present just for you. As usual thanks to @tsunami-of-tears for the dividers, my lovely divider queen.

Azriel pressed his back harder into the wall behind him, slinking even further into the shadows that were clinging to this corner of the bar. His sharp hazel eyes wandered over the crowd, ever the Spymaster, always scanning his surroundings.

Rita’s wasn’t as lively as it would have been on a weekend. The weeknight crowd was still raucous but more sparse than the usual bunch. Cloaking himself further into the darkness, Az obscured himself from view. No one seemed to notice though. He caught sight of his friends having fun among the crowd, neither one of them bothering to worry about Azriel and his moodiness. 

Rhysand was in the center of the dance floor, a gorgeous blonde attached to his front, her slender hands skimming over his chest as they swayed to the heavy beat of the music. Leaning closer, Rhys smoothly tucked her hair behind her ear before lowering his mouth and whispering something. Whatever it was must have been delightfully funny as the blonde threw her head back in laughter, exposing her neck to the High Lord. Az watched his friend’s eyes darken with a predatory gleam, like an animal stalking his prey. 

Across the long bar, Azriel’s eyes tracked down his other companion. Cassian was perched atop one of the barstools, muscled arms on full display in his sleeveless tunic. A lithe and lovely brunette was leaning flirtatiously close to him, just close enough to assume they were together but not touching. Just like the blonde, she too found something hilarious about whatever he said, tossing her long hair over her shoulder as she giggled. 

The pattern of behavior from both women intrigued Az. The laughter, the subtle shows of flirting, Cassian’s tight smile in response, his laughter that sounded forced instead of its usual freely released sound. Surely Cas had spotted better prospects among the crowd if he was holding back on this beauty. Interesting, but not enough to stick around and dissect. 

He supposed now was as good a time as any considering both his friends had found someone else to occupy their time. With a flick of his hand, the shadows dispersed and revealed himself to the room once more, just long enough to flag down the bartender so he could pay his tab. The thought of falling into the quiet solace of his own bed blessedly alone didn’t give Azriel the satisfaction he was hoping for. Instead it sent a strangely uncomfortable ripple through his gut.

Tossing the feeling aside, he attributed it to his rather hefty consumption of alcohol before promptly cloaking himself once more in shadow and slipping through the crowd into the cold night.

The rather stunning brunette leaned into Cassian once more as she laughed merrily at his latest quip. He hardly noticed the long line of her neck as she tossed her hair more obviously this time, instead finding himself staring into his drink trying to remember what she had said her name was. 

Was it Phaedre? Or maybe Dierdre?

He couldn’t recall. Her shoulder casually brushing against his shook him from his thoughts but it was the slender hand that landed perfectly on his large thigh under the bar that had him shifting uncomfortably. 

He had kept his body centered toward the bar during the entirety of their conversation hoping that maybe his refusal to face her would be hint enough without being outright rude. It seemed however that she wasn’t picking up on his signals.

“Your drink is looking awfully empty there,” she commented smoothly as she flagged down the bartender from the other end of the bar. 

“Ah, well, it’s for the best,” Cas remarked as he drained the last swig of his drink. “I really should be cutting myself off.”

“Oh c’mon!” she wailed pitifully with an exaggerated pout. “It’s still early. Live a little!”

The playful nudge of her body against his did little to sway his decision. As the bartender approached, he ordered another of her fruity drinks but slid his own empty glass across the bar and signaled for the tab.

“Early to bed, early to rise as they say. Can’t keep looking this good being hungover all the time.” A subtle flex of his bicep had her giggling all over again, her hands roaming over the exposed muscles. “Besides, I should really be getting my friends home. One of them didn’t seem to be having a great time before I lost sight of him in the crowd.”

“Suit yourself,” she said icily with another flick of her long hair. Grabbing her free drink from the bar top, she popped the cherry into her mouth and sauntered off. Cassian almost felt bad that she had wasted all her time vying for his attention all night when it was obvious she could have landed any other male she pleased. 

Rolling his shoulders and releasing the guilt, he tipped the bartender handsomely and made his way through the crowd towards the door. 

Reaching the sidewalk just outside the door to Rita’s, Cas quickly noted his lack of sleeves or a coat. He almost chuckled aloud at the irony of wanting to show off his chiseled arms earlier in the night and now leaving very much alone. 

Stuffing his hands deeper into his leather’s pockets, he scanned ahead on the sidewalk and caught sight of Az further down the block. He hadn’t expected to actually be able to catch up to Azriel but judging by the way he was weaving over the cobblestones, Cassian couldn't say he was surprised. 

“Hey,” Cas hollered as he jogged to catch up. “Sneaking off so soon?”

The sudden voice behind Az in the nearly still Velaris night startled him out of whatever reverie he had been in. Just as his head swiveled to find the source, his foot slipped off the edge of the curb, rolling his ankle and sending him sideways. Azriel’s wings flared in an attempt to steady himself but it was the two calloused hands gripping around his upper arm that saved him from his descent. 

“Whoa there,” Cas laughed. “Allow me to escort you home, Spymaster.” With a firm tug, Az was yanked back up onto the walkway and set straight again.

Even in his liquor-addled mind, Azriel still quickly noted how this sound was different than the one he witnessed earlier. Less restrained, more free. Az scoffed as he shoved his shoulder into Cas, more to dismiss the fixation over his laugh than anything else.

“Where’s your date?,” he mumbled.

“Oh, her?” A sly smile bloomed as Cassian cocked an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure she was just trying to make Rhys jealous for picking the blonde over her. I don’t think she was that into me.”

A short singular grunt was all that came from Az in response as they continued their way over the cobblestones. Just a few strides further in silence and another misstep left Az reeling for balance as he tripped over his own foot. Once again it was Cassian’s reflexes that saved him. Bare arms snapped out in a fraction of a second and gripped his shoulders like a vice. 

“Ok, I’ve seen enough,” Cas admonished with a lopsided smile. Moving himself around his friend, he planted himself directly in front of Azriel, all the while his hands remained firmly holding him upright. 

Once he was satisfied that Az wasn’t going to topple forward without a bracing hand, Cas held his arms out in front of him as if carrying an invisible load. “Jump up, pretty boy.”

No sly smile or ringing laugh followed the command. Cas waited expectantly for Az to follow through. 

“I’m fine,” Az grumbled. Since his friend was insisting on blocking the way forward, he attempted to dodge past him, swerving more aggressively than he intended. 

“You can’t even walk in a straight line,” Cas noted as one of his muscled arms braced itself across Azriel’s chest. “I’d hate to see you try to fly in one.”

The normally stoic face of the shadowsinger quickly showed the annoyance that was bubbling its way to the surface. “I’ll grab a room at the inn then,” he spat out as he swiveled around to walk in the opposite direction.

“Oh c’mon, Azzy,” Cas sing-songed from alongside him as he trailed Az in the same direction. “It’s not like I’ve never carried you princess style before.”

Az didn’t even need to glance over at the male’s face to know that the sly grin had made a reappearance but he did hear the barely swallowed chuckle that nearly escaped Cassian’s throat.

That noise, though halted, is what caused that annoyance from a bubble to a flare. “I was grievously injured,” he gritted through his teeth. 

“Injured. Drunk. What’s the difference?” Once again, Cas’s muscled arm braced over him, this time across his back. Az couldn’t say that he wasn’t grateful for the steadying presence this time as he felt the ground beneath him begin to tilt once more. 

“Besides,” Cas continued. “Do you really want to toss and turn in a bed not even meant for wings when you can have your own luxurious one in just a matter of minutes?” A smooth spread of his own webbed wings punctuated his point.

Azriel halted midstep and considered his options. It was true that the beds at the inn weren’t built for the hulking frames of Illyrians, much less the wings. The desire from earlier in the night to find solace in his own bed pulsed back to life, this time without the same uncomfortable rolling sensation in his gut. 

I’m not going home alone after all. I’m going home with Cassian. That thought however produced a wildly different sensation. One that was quickly shaken from Azriel’s head.

“Fine,” he growled. “But not a word about it afterwards.”

Cas didn’t even wait for Az to finish his statement before scooping him up into the cradle of his arms and settling his heavy frame against the hard muscle of his body. 

“And watch the wings,” Azriel grumbled as he shifted the appendages into a tight tuck against his back. 

“Certainly, darling,” Cas teased lightly. “Just hold any hurling until we land, alright?”

The jarring force of the kickoff rattled through Azriel’s head. The alcohol of the evening seemed to be catching up to him quicker especially now that he was in the air and gaining altitude. Screwing his eyes shut, Az quelled that noxious feeling that the world would just start spinning rapidly beneath them. The cold wind whipping against his face rallied his senses into something resembling normalcy, as long as he didn’t peer over the arms that carried him to the ground far far below. 

Choosing not to focus on the movement of their bodies through the sky, Azriel instead honed in on the chill seeping into his body on one side and the warmth permeating from Cassian on the other. Eyes closed and the silence of the sky surrounding them, Az couldn’t help but allow his head to settle peacefully into the nook of Cassian’s shoulder.

The lull was broken by a sudden short dip in flight. Azriel’s hand moved instinctually to grip at the front of Cassian’s shirt.

“Sorry,” Cas grunted apologetically with a chuckle. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a passenger of your stature.”

Azriel didn’t respond, his face still hovering so closely to Cassian’s neck that he could see his throat bob as he swallowed. His hand remained where it landed, still grasping the fabric against Cassian’s hard chest. Az’s gaze traveled up from the hard planes of muscle beneath fabric to the side of his neck once more, landing on the peek of collarbone that was revealed. The sudden urge to drag the tip of his nose along that slender protrusion was nearly overwhelming. He leaned in without thinking, holding back at the last second and inhaling Cas’s scent deeply instead. 

Another dip, this time a slow controlled descent followed by the reverberations of feet meeting stone. Cassian stood on the balcony of the House of Wind, unmoving. His arms still bearing the weight of the warrior within them and he made no effort to rid himself of his cargo. For a moment he considered continuing into the confines of the house and carrying his presumably sleeping friend to bed, until he felt the subtle shift of Azriel’s hand.

Releasing his hold along Cas’s shirt, Az slowly dragged his hand over the swell of muscle beneath. Ridged fingers glided smoothly over cloth to the exposed skin of his neck. The heat no longer held back by a shirt, Azriel felt it flood through his palm at just the same time that he noticed the pulse beneath picking up speed.

Feeling Az’s head lifting from his shoulder, Cassian swiveled his glance to meet his gaze. The motion pressed his thrumming pulse harder into the palm still settled there and his breath hitched in his chest. 

Slowly peeling his eyes open and meeting the glittered ones above him, Azriel paused for a fraction of a moment. “Cas?” He intoned softly.

Without a response and with a gentle bend of the knee, Cassian lowered his frame and righted Azriel to his feet, hands hovering a moment in case he swayed. 

The hand along his neck slipped but not before a testing swipe of scarred thumb along his stubbled jawline. So subtle in fact that Cassian questioned internally whether it was intentional or not. He didn’t leave himself time to decide, his hand moved of its own accord to catch the one dropping back down to Az’s side, slowing its fall and allowing his fingers to intertwine briefly before they returned to their respective owners. 

Azriel didn’t drop his eyes or turn to move toward the house. Cas remained steadfast, rooted on the spot, staring back into those eyes hazy with inebriation. Or was it something else?

“You should get some sleep, Az.” He said roughly, like gravel in his throat.

Neither Illyrian made the first move, the suggestion hanging in the air between them as Cassian watched that haze drift through Azriel’s eyes before realizing it wasn’t inebriation. 

Just as Az opened his mouth to speak, whether in protest or plea, Cassian didn’t let him finish. 

“It’s – “ he swallowed thickly. “It’s not a good idea. Not right now.”

Clearing his throat abruptly, Az jerked his shoulder sharply toward the direction of the house as he turned to head inside. “Yeah. Sleep. Of course, you’re right.”

The shadows along his shoulders began to gather thickly as Azriel walked off into the entrance hall. 

Again, Cassian’s hand moved of its own volition without thought and caught his wrist. “You’ve been drinking.” Not a statement but an apology. 

His movement halted by the digits encircling his arm, Az said nothing. One half hearted pull against the restraint and he was released before immediately allowing the shadows to engulf him and disappearing.

In the confines of his own room the air felt colder, despite the roaring fire already lit by the house, presumably ever since their presence had been detected on the balcony. Azriel stood there watching the flames mulling over the thoughts that barraged his mind. 

You’ve been drinking. 

Now in the quiet of his room, Azriel was no longer sure whether it had been an apology or an excuse to let him down gently. 

Maybe the last time was just that. The last time. 

Az felt his skin flush hot at the memories that invaded. Cassian’s hands on his skin. Their mouths drinking each other in deeply. The feel of their hands meeting over their most sensitive areas. 

He shook the whirring thoughts from his mind as he kicked off his remaining clothes, briefly considering a bath to relax his mind before ultimately deciding that sleep was the better choice. Hopeful that the oblivion of slumber would claim him quickly in his altered state, Azriel flopped into bed. 

He didn’t even bother with pulling back the covers and tucking himself into the sheets. With the roaring fire and the alcohol still working its magic in his bloodstream, he was more than warm enough. Stretched out on his stomach, he punched his pillow into a more comfortable place and spread his wings in relaxation spanning the entirety of the bed. 

Maybe it was disgust. The thought prodded at him as he attempted to fall asleep, pulling the memory of Cassian’s face to the front of his mind in order to dissect it. He couldn’t help the maelstrom that was stirring, the thoughts swirling faster and faster beyond his control.

Closing his eyes, rolling onto his side, staring at the ceiling - nothing helped. Azriel tossed and turned until finally he pulled himself from bed and into the bathroom. After drinking an impressive amount of water he splashed his face straight from the tap. As he returned to bed, he left the faelight burning over the sink and the bathroom door open, allowing the soft warm light to spread into the room. Hoping maybe it would work to chase away the thoughts and invite sleep much like it did as a child when he believed there were monsters under his bed. 

He fell into bed once more, this time staring at the patterns of light streaming across the ceiling. The warmth that the light brought to the room wasn’t the warmth he was wanting.

Several hours later, Az padded his way into the bathroom once more. His shadows had given up on soothing him long ago and had found their place scattered over the expanse of the bottom of the bed, weary and still in their own form of slumber. 

Sleep had evaded Azriel however, and as he stood before the mirror and scrubbed his hands over his face once more in exasperation, he saw the evidence clearly on his face. Tossing and turning all night had left him with heavy lids and bloodshot eyes staring back at himself - tired but sober. 

Sober.

Before another creeping bloom of a thought could reach its tendrils into his mind, he turned and stormed from the room. The shift in his energy and flurry of movement bolted his shadows into wakefulness as they zoomed out the door after him.

Reaching the door down the hall, his hand reached out and turned the handle before he could even consider pausing and rethinking. 

The shadows slipped through the door before it was fully opened and now they hovered, swirling silently over the form upon the bed before him, a sleeping hulk of Illyrian warrior. Cassian didn’t stir from the gentle caress of those dark tendrils over exposed skin. 

“Cas?” Az queried into the dark, barely above a whisper.

Even in its hushed tone the sound of his name crashed through the haze of sleep and jolted him awake.

“Az?” Cassian answered, worry bleeding into his voice as he shoved himself up to sit. 

The only answer in the darkness of his room was the shuffling of wings and feet. Cassian felt the nervous energy that permeated the air carried in the shadows that still corralled around him. Before he could voice concern, that whispery voice sounded again.

“I haven’t changed my mind.”

The words hung in the silence between them. Cassian sat stock still, now perched on the side of his bed, heart racing.

“I –,” he swallowed the knot forming in his throat. “I need you to know that I turned her down.”

In the span of a breath, Cassian felt the energy before him, Azriel’s presence as he winnowed the short distance to the bed. Just as before on the balcony, his hand moved without thought to reach into the darkness for the scarred hand hanging at Az’s side. 

A testing swipe of his thumb across ridged palm and he felt Az closing his fingers around his own. That was all the signal Cas needed. One insistent tug and he pulled Azriel closer, bringing his face closer to his own and sliding his free hand to cup Azriel’s jaw.

“Well, come on then,” Cassian whispered over the surface of his lips. “Let’s wear you out.”

Their lips met, Cassian tender and teasing as he pried open the seam of Azriel’s mouth with his tongue. Azriel responded hungry and wild. 

Nipping gently at his bottom lip, Cassian tugged as he leaned back on the mattress, inviting Az to follow. Nestled among the pillows, his hands were free to explore and his calloused fingers roamed over smooth muscle tense with desire.

Azriel followed suit, scarred hands brushing over skin. One placed along the side of Cassian’s neck, pressing against his erratic pulse. The other slid down over his hip and along his taut thigh. Cassian had always preferred to sleep in the nude and right then Azriel had never been more grateful.

Following the unspoken thought, Cassian’s fingers caught in the waistband of the briefs Az had tossed on in his hurry. In a rush of tangled limbs, Azriel briefly broke the frenzied kiss and reached down to rid himself of his scant clothing.

As Azriel’s hardened length was freed between them, it landed beside Cassian’s own against his belly. Cas stretched briefly to the side reaching for the side table drawer. Blindly grabbing, he knew what he was after and turned back to press the bottle of oil to Az’s chest in command.

Pulling away from Cas’s mouth and kneeling upright, Az popped the lid open and drizzled oil into his palm before grasping his cock in hand and tossing the bottle aside. Fingers still slick, he reached down and coated the tight ring of Cassian’s backside before pressing the tips of two fingers inside. 

Cassian accepted the intrusion with a bend of his knees as his legs fell open wider and a shudder ran through his body, wings spread over the bed. The tremble permeated his voice as he let out a deep moan.

Settling deeper into the male beneath him, Az draped his body over Cassian. Tucking his wings in tight to his frame, he leaned in to nuzzle at his collarbone. The purely male scent invaded his senses and he didn’t even attempt to curb the urge to bite. Teeth scraping over skin against bone, Cas released another sinful sound. Whether from the biting or the intoxicating curl of his fingers buried inside him, Az wasn’t sure, so he repeated both actions with intensity.

Azriel could feel the straining hardness of himself, jumping in time to the noises that escaped Cassian writhing beneath him. With a testing thrust, he ground against him, cock slipping into the crease of where Cassian’s thigh met groin. 

The friction sent a heady thrill through him like a shockwave and yet still left him wanting. His roving mouth continued to nip and bite his way over the taut planes of Cas’s body. Every bruising pinch of skin was met with the scraping of nails along the back of Azriel’s arms. 

Sitting upright into a kneel once more, Az removed his fingers from Cassian and grabbed his hips roughly, firm ass planted squarely onto Azriel’s thighs.Textured thumbs swept over the graceful hip bones before his hand circled the base of his own cock and lined up at the other male’s entrance. 

Cassian shifted slightly in Az’s lap readying himself. “Don’t rush,” he heaved out breathlessly.

The command felt electric across Azriel’s skin, zinging outward to the tips of his wings. Knowing that Cas wanted more than a hurried coupling in the night made the sensation of pressing the tip of his cock inward that much sweeter. 

Pressure gave way to incredible warmth, tight and throbbing as Azriel gasped out a moan. The flutter of intrusion began to calm around Az’s aching cock and he started to rock in small even strokes. Each slight push further inside he could feel the flex of Cas’s thigh muscles rippling under his hand.

“Yes,” Cas cried hoarsely. “Perfect.” The word came out almost choked as Cassian threw his head back further into the pillows in pleasure.

Fully seated Azriel paused, leaning forward over Cas once more. The raging urge to withdraw and thrust forward harshly felt like a burning pain along the base of his spine. Pressing his lips once again to Cas’s neck, he tasted the fine layer of salty sweat as he licked at damp skin.

Bringing his hands up, Cas caressed Az's ribcage in encouragement and nuzzled his lips against his ear.

“Say it.” Az whispered, much the same way he had when he had entered this room earlier. Quiet and meek.

The tongue dancing along Az’s lobe paused in confusion, unsure of what exactly he was asking him to say. Az rocked gently into him, sending a jolt of pleasure rolling through Cas once more. 

Answering the question unasked, he repeated. “Say it.” Azriel sagged slightly against the body below him as if resigned. “Call me pretty.”

Cassian could almost feel the pained embarrassment spreading over him for asking for what he wanted. His tongue darted out once more to pull his lobe between his teeth before rolling his hips against Az and feeling his cock twitch inside him. Azriel responded with a harder roll of his hips.

“That’s it,” Cas moaned. “That’s my pretty boy.”

Relief flooded into Az at the words he so desperately wanted to hear. Snapping his head to the side he latched his mouth once more to the side of Cassian’s neck, feeling his racing pulse against his tongue and briefly wondering whether it would feel the same as his cock pressed there. Drawing back, he thrusted hard. 

He set a rhythmic pace, panting against Cassian’s mouth and catching his moans between his teeth. Savoring each sound against his taste buds. With each punishing plunge he could feel Cas’s nails digging into whatever body part they were grappling for. Shoulders, arms, hips, back. The burn of barely broken skin spurred him on, adding to the pleasure coursing through him.

The picture in his mind of seeing that evidence in the mirror come daybreak, bright red lines marking his skin, a claim of who he shared a bed with, sent Azriel into a stuttering rhythm. He could feel his impending release building, cresting ever closer.

Az continued to thrust as he kneeled upright again. With one hand he pressed Cassian’s swollen and leaking cock firmly against himself, feeling the velvety skin glide across his lower belly. 

“Cassian,” Azriel whimpered as he gripped harder along his cock just as Cassian swung his legs around his hips. Az glanced down to see the tendons of the male’s hands straining as he clawed at the bed sheets beneath him, his pleasure just as merciless as his own. 

“Give it to me,” Cas cried with a roll of his hips. “Please, pretty boy.” He could hardly catch his breath enough to utter the plea.

The plea hitting Azriel’s ear sent a tidal wave through his body and his cock responded with release. Pulsing wave after wave filled Cas’s insides and as the throbbing slowed, Az fell forward. Barely catching himself on his forearms, still rocking into Cassian’s body. Moments later, Cassian’s warm release was forced out between their sweat slick bodies as he bit down along Azriel’s shoulder. 

Az laid there, spent and satiated. The thoughts that had plagued him earlier in the night,quiet and still much like the shadows that had abandoned them both. Heavy with exhaustion, he relaxed fully on top of Cas. 

Cassian did not rush him. He only trailed rough soothing fingertips over the broken skin he had caused along an expansive back. 

“Tired yet?” Cas whispered against his hair, lips brushing gently before being followed with a tender kiss. 

Azriel just pulled out and rolled onto the mattress with a grunted sigh, wings flaring on top of the night cooled sheets they hadn’t occupied yet. 

Rolling over on his side, Cas was mindful of not tangling their wings together as he reached over and slid his hand onto Az’s chest. It was quickly met with Az’s scarred hand squeezing on top of it and twining their fingers together as he listened to his heartbeat slow. 

Pulling himself further up on the pillows, Cassian shifted his arm beneath him free and brought his other large hand to Azriel’s forehead. Thick fingers combed through dark curls, pushing them back from falling into his face and scrubbing gently along Az’s scalp.

“Close your pretty eyes,” Cas whispered as Az listened diligently and his eyelids fluttered shut. “Get some sleep, Az.”

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[prythianpages]

ACOSM | The Night she played the violin for her Father

azriel x rhysand's sister (oc)

warnings: angst

summary: Valeria has a violin solo that doesn't end as she had hoped. ft possessive Az

A/N: this is an imagine among my collection that follow Rhysand's sister, Valeria. while I'm still working on them, you can find the masterlist for it here. I was able to update this so quickly because I had already written this awhile back. I probably won't be able to update again until next weekend.

**

Valeria had never been nervous to perform. Music was second nature to her, it flowed through her veins. She loved it. She lived for it.

The announcement of her solo for the Night Court’s annual concert was exciting and thrilling. She had poured her heart into her audition, dedicating countless hours to perfecting her performance. The piece she performed was one composed by her grandmother.

It had brought those who were in the audience during the auditions to tears and the orchestra’s conductor had recognized the tune immediately. He was the one who told her the song was an ode her grandmother composed for her beloved son, Valeria’s father. One that many struggled to interpret and perform with the same emotion her grandmother would. Doubts of favoritism nagged at her, fearing she only secured the solo due to her family name. Yet, the orchestra’s genuine love and praise for her silenced those concerns. They were overjoyed to have her join them.

As the performance date drew near, the initial thrill morphed into a relentless anxiety, all due to the daunting prospect of her father’s attendance. She had casually reminded him a couple days prior and he had responded with a thoughtful hum–an interaction her heart clung to desperately.

Valeria had rehearsed her grandmother’s composition countless times after the audition. Every chord and note was etched in her heart. She was confident in her abilities yet, she could do nothing to ease her nerves. What if she was not good enough for the only person’s opinion she cared for?

She hated how much power her father had over her, the weight of his approval was heavy.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached to clasp her beloved necklace.

“Allow me.” A voice chimed in, startling her but her body relaxed under the familiar and warm touch.

“You’ve got to stop doing that.” Valeria exhaled as her gaze met Azriel’s through the reflection of her vanity’s mirror, referring to the way the dear shadowsinger had gotten into the habit of sneaking up on her.

Azriel shrugged with a smirk, his shadows swirling around him. “You left the balcony doors open.”

Valeria hummed in acknowledgement, realizing she had indeed left the doors to her balcony open. It had become an unspoken invitation between them–an open balcony meant Azriel was welcome, making his nightly visits easier with the assistance of his shadows. 

As Valeria remained uncharacteristically quiet, Azriel sensed her nerves. With a frown, he turned her around to face him. He grasped her smaller hands in his, noticing the blisters on her fingers as he gently held them.

She met his gaze, finding comfort in the way his hazel eyes radiated warmth and reassurance. “You’re going to do great today.” 

“What if he doesn’t show up?” Her bottom lip quivered, threatening to curve down into a frown.

“He’d be a fool not to.”

Valeria sighed, releasing her hands from his. “I should get dressed.”

“Why?” Azriel teased, his eyes raking over her form, barely covered by the thin and rather short night gown she wore. “I much prefer you like this…or with nothing at all.”

Valeria shot him a look. Her playful glare was overshadowed by the flutter of her heart against her chest. Judging by the smug look on Azriel’s face, she wondered if he could hear it.

Azriel’s shadows rose, the black tendrils undulating like a cat’s arching back, sensing someone’s approach.  Lady Yvaine. His eyes locked with Valeria’s curious one. His head inclined toward her door, a silent goodbye shared between them.

Before vanishing into the shadows, he gave a kiss to each of her cheeks, saving her lips for last.

Valeria was left blushing and flustered as her mother entered the room.

**

Valeria stood on the grand stage, her violin poised delicately in her grasp. The spotlight shined on her like the moon as she drew the bow across the strings. The first notes emerged, flowing seamlessly into the room.

Valeria’s eyes were closed for most of the performance, fearing to look at the audience and choosing to let the music absorb her completely instead. Her every movement was graceful, her passion intertwining with the melody she coaxed from her violin.

As the music surged, a tide of emotions rising and falling, she carried the audience on a mother's journey through joy, sorrow and love, unveiling a world of emotions that transcended words.

When the last note faded, Valeria slowly opened her eyes, her chest rising and falling in rhythm with the lingering emotions. A thunderous applause erupted as her eyes searched the audience. She found her mother, brother, Azriel and Cassian instantly, their wings standing out amongst the crowd. They, along with most of others, had risen to their feet.

Her eyes continued to scan the crowd in vain, searching for any glimpse of her father. But the one person she longed to see, dreamed to see among was the standing ovation was not there.

Her father had not come.

A wave of crushing disappointment washed over her, shattering something deep within so violently that she feared the entire audience could hear it. Her steps faltered backwards, tears welling in her eyes.

With a quick bow to the audience, she rushed behind the curtain and winnowed away, one singular thought echoing in her mind.

**

Worry washed over Rhysand as he witnessed the profound hurt etched across his sister’s face before she abruptly vanished from the stage. The audience around them were unaware of the shift in her face, attributing it to the emotion from her performance but Rhysand knew better.  He knew how much this performance meant to her and with each passing moment, he held onto hope that their father would eventually arrive. He turned to his mother, noting the shared look of concern.

“I need to go to her.” 

The words had slipped out of Azriel in a surge of concern that he forgot who was standing next to him.

Rhysand turned to Azriel, his gaze sharpening. There was something in the Shadowsinger’s tone that didn’t settle well with him. Something possessive, almost. Rhysand didn’t know what came over him next but he was stopping the Shadowsinger before he could disappear into his shadows.

“She’s my sister. My responsibility.” Rhysand firmly reiterated. “I’m going to find her.”

Azriel felt a burning sensation in his chest, causing his jaw to tense as he clutched the purple peonies he had picked for Valeria, the pressure making his knuckles turn white.

Cassian, sensing the tense energy between the two, moved himself into both of them. 

“We’re just worried too, Rhys.” Cassian said gently, extending both arms towards his brothers. “She’s like a sister to us…Right, Az?”

Azriel remained silent, though he made a conscious effort to relax. He could feel Valeria’s pain and wanted nothing more than to rush and soothe her.

Rhysand noted the silence but his priority was finding his sister so without another word, he winnowed away.

Azriel stilled when he felt Lady Yvaine’s hand at his shoulder. Her gaze was warm and loving as always, despite her concern over her daughter.  “Rhys will find her,” she reassured him with an ease that only a loving mother could provide.  “Do you and Cassian mind accompanying me back to the Moonstone palace?”

**

Valeria stood at the doors of her father’s office in the grand Moonstone palace. Her violin and bow were still clutched tightly in her trembling hands. She didn’t bother to knock, forcefully throwing the doors open with her powers. 

She had hoped to find him busy, drowning in his work and duties as High Lord. Her hope shattered into an overwhelming torrent of anger when she discovered him engaged in a casual round of chess with Keir. 

The words were bursting from her, charged with the weight of her dashed hopes. “Where were you?”

The High Lord remained fixated on the chessboard, seemingly uninterested in her presence, drawing a chuckle from Keir. Their indifference only fueled her burning rage. “Can’t you see? We’re in the middle of something,” her father replied, dismissing her without a glance.

“You said you’d be there–”

“I promised nothing.” His tone cut through her like a blade.

“I practiced so much.”

Tears blurred Valeria’s vision as her hands, singed with pain from the blisters, clutched the violin and bow fiercely. Her voice shook with emotion, the words she wanted to add–"for you”--hovering on the edge of her lips. Fear and anguish held them back.

It was Keir who looked up from their chess game, casting a mocking glance her way. “As expected.”

She glared at Keir but her attention quickly turned back to her father. Though she knew she should leave before things escalated, she was too overwhelmed by her hurt to turn away.

“I spent these past six months trying to meet your high expectations. I listened. I obeyed. I kept my mouth shut. I–I did everything I could to be the perfect daughter. I thought you’d be proud…”

It was then that the High Lord, her father, lifted his gaze, finally acknowledging her presence. His cold violet eyes met hers and with his next words, he shattered the remaining pieces of her heart completely.

“Proud?” His voice was laced with an incredulous tone that mocked her. “Over you doing what is expected of you? Over you learning how to play a mere instrument?”

Both the High Lord and Keir shared a look, chuckling darkly.

“That is no reason to be proud, you child.”

 His voice was venomous as he reduced to her nothing and she recoiled back at the sting.

“Daughters,” Keir said, rolling his eyes. “Always so entitled. It’s why sons are preferred.”

“If that is all,” her father said as he returned his attention back to their game of chess. “Then you may leave before you cost me this game.”

**

Valeria ran to her place of solace within the Moonstone palace–the moon gardens. It was only once she confirmed that she was alone that she released the tears in her eyes, allowing them to run down her heated cheeks.

Her violin and bow were still in her hands and at that moment, she hated them. All the blood, sweat and tears she had poured into her performance… She had been praised and applauded by her audience but she hated how the absence of her father’s presence reduced her hard work into nothing.

But this hurt went beyond her performance.

Valeria had exhausted herself over the past couple of six months to gain her father’s approval. When he had suggested she return to her etiquette classes, she did so with no hesitation. When she noticed he had a keen appetite for strawberries, she had baked the most delicious strawberry tarts for breakfast the following morning. When marriage had been brought up, she even humored the idea, despite her heart already having been claimed by another.

Everything she did was delicately crafted to ensure that she was worthy of being his daughter. Although her father was still not aware of her secret training sessions with the Valkyries, her practice became lacking as she shifted to activities that might please her father instead. The only sliver of happiness she allowed herself was her secret relationship with Azriel.

She was not happy with all these changes, but she did so for the High Lord, her father. She had desperately clung to their shared love for music–hoping that it would be the last piece of the puzzle to appeal to him.

Yet it meant nothing to him. She meant nothing to him.

Valeria threw her bow to the floor and stomped on it with her foot until it was also reduced to nothing. Nothing but broken pieces of wood and string. She felt as if she wasted her time with the instrument. Her violin went next. She raised it with both hands before slamming it down against the floor. It broke into two jagged halves at the impact. She directed her hands toward the pieces, using her powers to destroy it further. She didn’t stop until her violin was completely just as shattered as her heart was.

She didn’t even register the presence of another until she felt hands on her face.

Valeria blinked the tears away, finding a worried Rhysand right in front of her. Her breaths were heavy and jagged as the pieces of wood beneath her feet. Rhysand kept his hands on her face, his eyes searching her face and body in search of any injury. 

“Nothing I do is ever good for him.” She sniffled. “It is literally impossible to please him.”

“Val, I’m so sorry.” Rhysand’s voice was soft and full of compassion and when he confirmed that there were no physical injuries, he let out a small exhale and pulled Valeria into his arms.

“I don’t know why I care so much anymore.” She admitted, burying her head into her brother’s chest. “But it hurts, Rhys. I hate and fear him at the same time.”

And then the tears were falling again as she began to sob uncontrollably. Her tears drenched his shirt as his hold on her tightened. He rested his chin on top of her head. “I’m sorry,” he whispered once more, uncertain of the right words to console her.

Rhysand held her until her cries and sobs gradually came to a stop. When he pulled away, he led her to sit with him at the edge of a grand fountain in the heart of the gardens. After a deep exhale, Valeria spoke.

“You can light a candle and he’d be proud of you.” 

 There was envy in her tone but no trace of anger or resentment directed toward him

 “I can light a candle and he’d scold me for my candle being too dim.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “Even though it would be just as bright as yours.”

Rhysand frowned and said nothing, acknowledging her words. He hated the truth of the situation as much as she did. She turned her body to face forward. Her violet eyes were distant as she continued.

“I excel in everything I set my mind to but somehow, it’s never enough. I have to reach out and find my place as the High Lord’s daughter but never forget my place as an Illyrian woman. I have to always be grateful for keeping my wings unclipped but never forget how quickly they can be taken away. I have to be strong but I cannot train. I can never be rude, never be selfish, never show fear.”

Valeria let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and Rhysand’s heart broke. He knew his sister had been hurting for a while but he failed to realize the depth of her suffering all these years.

“I am always doing something wrong and somehow, it’s always my fault. I’ve been a failure since birth for something I had no control over. I should’ve just not been bor–”

“Oh, my sweet child.” Her mother’s voice interrupted, refusing to let her finish that sentence. She approached her children, kneeling before Valeria and coaxing her gaze to meet hers. “You’ve been nothing but a treasure and joy since birth.”

“I almost killed you.” Valeria spoke in a soft, subdued tone, her eyes reflecting that flicker of guilt she always carried with her. She had caused her mother so much pain at birth–something her father never failed to remind her of. “And the reason you can’t bear him another son.”

Lady Yvaine was shaking her head in protest, frowning slightly. She wiped the tears from Valeria’s face. “I give thanks to the Mother and Cauldron for your existence every day.”

She grasped both Rhysand’s and Valeria’s hands into her own, rubbing soothing circles onto the back of them. Warmth emanated from her brown eyes, filled with deep admiration for the children she had brought into this world. Her wings unfurled behind her, enveloping them in a motherly embrace as a radiant smile graced her face. 

“You two are enough for me. You mean everything to me and I love you both so much. Don’t you ever forget that.”

“We never will.” Rhysand finally spoke. “We love you so much.”

Valeria felt a flooding warmth in her heart. Her father may not love her as she yearned for but she was not alone. She had her doting mother and brother. They were enough.

She would no longer live beholden to her father’s expectations. She decided she was going to follow her own path to happiness, where she would live life for herself.

**

tag list:  @justrepostandlove , @kemillyfreitas, @thelov3lybookworm

A/N: sorry this one didn't have much of Az and Val but this is a pivotal point in Val's life. The last couple of imagines are building up to the storyline I have planned. But you got to see a glimpse of possessive Az and a suspicious Rhys lol.

idk if y'all are DPR Ian fans but he just released a song called "violet crazy" and I feel like it's a song that matches Val and Az so well. I added it to the playlist I made here. I listened to Billie Eilish's "what was I made for?" a lot while writing this as this imagine was inspired by the monologue in the Barbie movie.

[aziraphales-library]

hello hello hello! how are you lovely mods doing? first of all I want to thank you for this blog, it's given me all the best GO fics I've read!!

I wanted to ask you, are you guys aware of any Cinderella!au fanfic for AziraCrow? Cause I've been thinking about writing one, but I don't want to accidentally make it too similar to an existing one!

Thank you ever so much ❤️

Hi, I'm good thanks! We have some Cinderella aus here, and I've got more now...

Raven by desk_mess (T)

King Gabriel's son, Prince Ezra, is coming of age to take a wife for themself. A servant-girl, Antonia, dreams of escaping the clutches of her cruel step-mother and step-sisters. Little do they know they have someone looking out for them. After all, it's ineffable. (Good Omens Cinderella AU) (Rated Teen for Language and Implications.)

A Midsummer Midnight’s Dream by pilatesandpinot (E)

Aziraphale Fell dreams of becoming an actor and dancer but instead lives in servitude to his wicked stepfather and stepsisters. When a mysterious duke invites all of the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes to the Midsummer Masquerade Ball, he thinks he’s found his escape. His stepfamily shuns him from attending, though that’s not something Aziraphale or his sassy godmother will take laying down. Will Aziraphale find his happily ever after, even if it’s not entirely what he expected? A Cinderella/Fairytale inspired AU

Cinderfall by a_serpent (G)

Azira Fell had a really though childhood - his parents died and he had to live with his terrible stepmother and stepbrothers. Everything changes when one day Az meets intriguing (and deadly handsome) redhead stranger.

Cinderphale by Ezra_Oakenshield (G)

As the title suggests, this is a rewrite of "Cinderella" with the Good Omens characters. After the death of his mother, Aziraphale is at the mercy of his cruel adopted siblings. They reduce him to a lowly servant. The solace he finds is with his animal friends, his bookkeeper friend from town, the mysterious blank book that she gave him, the prospect of the three-night ball at the palace, and a certain handsome red-head with dark glasses.

Cinders Bound by Golden Crown by AJ_Constantine (E)

Good Omens Alpha Beta Omega Cinderella AU From the far end of the ballroom Prince Aziraphale’s eyes locked on Crowley as he raised his hand beseechingly. Crowley couldn’t look away from him if his life depended on it, although he was keenly aware of the increasing number of eyes joining the Prince’s to stare at him standing frozen on the dais. As he realized that he was incapable of not answering the silent call of the bright Alpha below him, a calm washed over him, acting as a soothing balm over the jagged edges of his seething emotions. Just breathe. He inhaled shakily as he began descending the steps to the ballroom floor. Prince Aziraphale mirrored his steps, stepping forward to close the distance between them. The sea of nobles between them parted like waves receding from the shore as they moved closer. When Crowley drew close to the Prince, his hand slowly rose to settle in the Alpha's outstretched one. The Prince looked at Crowley's face searchingly. His voice was quiet yet ringing with intent as he asked, "May I have this dance?"

- Mod D

[opencommunion]

please go to a protest for Land Day tomorrow (March 30th) if you can

AUSTRALIA – Hobart / Nipaluna. 1PM Every Saturday @ Davey St. (Grand Chancellor).

CANADA – Antigonish, NS. 1PM Every Saturday @ Antigonish Town Hall. Antigonish 4 Gaza.

CANADA – Montreal. 2PM Land Day Tatreez Workshop @ Refugee Center. PYM Montreal.

CANADA – Ottawa. 2PM Land Day @ Human Rights Monument.

CANADA – Toronto. 2PM Land Day @ Yonge & Dundas. PYM Toronto.

ENGLAND – Halifax. 1PM Every Saturday @ Wilkos on Southgate.

ENGLAND – Hebden Bridge. 3PM Every Saturday @ Holme Street. 4PM @ St George’s Square. West Yorkshire for Palestine.

ENGLAND – London. 11AM @ 7 Tavistock Square. PYM Britain.

ENGLAND – London. 12PM @ Central London. STW UK.

NETHERLANDS – Amsterdam. 7PM Every Night @ Dam Square.

PORTUGAL – Porto. 10PM Every Night Vigil @ Camara Municipal.

SCOTLAND – Orkney. 1PM Every Saturday @ St Magnus Cathedral Steps. Amnesty Orkney.

AZ – Phoenix. 1MP Land Day @ Civic Space Park. PSL Phoenix AZ.

CA – Los Angeles. 1PM Land Day March @ LA City Hall. PYM LA/OC/IE.

CA – Petaluma. 12:30PM Every Saturday @ Petaluma & E Washington. Occupy Pelatuma.

CA – Ventura. 12:30PM @ 181 E Santa Clara St. ANSWER Coalition.

CO – Fort Collins. 3PM Every Saturday @ Old Town Square. NOCO Liberation Coalition.

DC – Washington DC. 4PM @ DuPont Circle. ANSWER Coalition.

FL – Gainesville. 11AM @ Depot Park. ANSWER Coalition.

FL – Orlando. City Hall. TBA. ANSWER Coalition.

FL – Pensacola. PM @ Main & Reus (Blue Wahoos). PSL CGC. 

GA – Atlanta. 2PM @ Consulate of Israel. PYM.

ID – Pocatello. 12PM Every Saturday @ Bannock County Courthouse. Pocatello for Palestine.

IL – Chicago. 1PM @ TBA. USPCN + Chicago SJP.

LA – New Orleans. 3:30PM @ 701 N Rampart St.

MA – Springfield. 2PM @ 36 Court St. ANSWER Coalition.

ME – Portland. 1PM @ Monument Square. PSL Maine.

MI – Detroit. 1:30PM @ Beacon Park. USPCN.

MI – Detroit. 10AM Land Day @ Rouge Park. PYM.

MN – Minneapolis. 2PM @ 2707 West Lake St. ANSWER Coalition.

MT – Kalispell. 12PM Every Saturday @ Main & Center. MT 4 Palestine.

NC – Asheville. 4PM @ 1 N Pack Square. ANSWER Coalition.

NC – Charlotte. 4PM @ Wilmore Centennial Park. CLT 4 Palestine + PSL Carolinas.

NC – Raleigh. 3PM Land Day @ Moore Square. PSL Carolinas.

NC, Charlotte. 4PM @ Wilmore Centennial Park. Land Day. CLT 4 Pali + PSL Carolinas.

NM – Albuquerque. 4PM @ UNM Book Store. ANSWER Coalition.

NY – New York. 12PM @ City Hall Park. Within Our Lifetime.

NY – New York. 12PM Vigil Every Saturday @ 5th & 44th in Brooklyn. Sunset Park Elders.

NY – New York. 5PM @ Times Square. PYM.

NY – Rochester. 1:30PM @ MLK Park. End Apartheid ROC + SJP UR.

OH – Cincinnati. 3PM @ 801 Plum St. ANSWER Coalition.

OH – Cleveland. 2PM Land Day @ Edgewater Upper Pavillion. USCPN.

OH – Columbus. 4PM @ 120 W Goodale St. ANSWER Coalition.

OH – Dayton. 5PM @ 2680 Ridge Ave. ANSWER Coalition.

OH – Wooster. 11AM @ 538 N Market St. ANSWER Coalition.

OR – Bend. 12PM Saturdays @ Peace Corner. Central Oregon 4 Socialism.

OR – Portland. 12PM @ Desert Island Studios. Letters for Palestine PDX.

PA – Philadelphia. 5PM @ 7th & Walnut. ANSWER Coalition.

PA – Pittsburgh. 3:30PM @ 4100 Forbes Ave. ANSWER Coalition.

RI – Providence. 5PM @ Prospect Terr. ANSWER Coalition.

TX – Houston. 1PM @ Waterwall Park. PYM Houston.

TX – San Antonio. 12PM @ 301 E Travis ST. ANSWER Coalition.

VT – Burlington. 1PM @ City Hall. ANSWER Coalition.

WA – Seattle. 2PM Land Day @ Lake Union Park. PYM.

WI – Milwaukee. 1:30PM @ Sijan Park. PSL Milwaukee.

WI – Viroqua. 11AM Vigil Every Saturday @ Main & Decker. Driftless Solidarity / Wolves PSC.

WV – Martinsburg. 12PM Land Day @ Martinsburg Town Square. PSL WV.

DISCLAIMER: I didn't make this list and it's not comprehensive. If you don't see a protest near you, look up what your local orgs are doing, and if you still can't find anything, take autonomous action

[mcuamerica]

The Shadowsinger: Twenty-Three

Warnings: Healing wounds, mentions of parental abuse, mentions of death, ACOTAR series spoilers.

Pairings: Azriel x Fem!Reader

Summary: As an official part of the IC, and an Oristian Illyrian warrior, you heal with your mate as you fight battles for your Court.

Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters or plot lines, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.

Graphics are my own. If you use, please give credit!

Series Masterlist

Your leg and your wing were the two things that still bothered you. With the infection that took root in your calf, it was harder to heal. Meaning that you now limped just a little, and Madja said it may never fully heal. Your wing, as well, was still healing. The top tendon that went about halfway down your wing snapped. Madja did everything she could to piece it back together, but it was too thin. You could fly short distances. But not in the cold and certainly not with any other weight on you. You worked with Madja, Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel to get the strength back up, but nothing was really working. Not yet. You still had faith your wing would get better and you could fly in the Illyrian ranks one day.

You decided with Azriel that you wanted to wait to offer him food, to accept the mating bond. The flash of hurt in his eyes had you scrabbling to explain you wanted everything to be back to normal, to not be at war. You wanted Feyre here.

You didn’t want a large ceremony. But just a small one with your family. And then Az and you would go up to the mountain cabin and spend however long you needed to officially mate.

So you waited. As much as you wanted to accept the bond and mount him almost every minute of the day, you wanted to have a proper future. You didn’t want to be mated in the middle of a war. The prospect of losing him when the bond was accepted… you didn’t dwell on it too long.

So you waited. And fought alongside your family when the time came. The worst of it was the night Azriel returned with Elain, Feyre, and some human girl. Your heart almost shattered at the look of his wings. How badly he was hurt. Was this what it was like for him when you returned from the Blood Rite?

You sat by his bedside, forcing him down and keeping him from going off to spy or fight or whatever he wanted to do. Because he needed to rest and heal.

You stood on the battlefield as Illyrians died, as Nesta saved Cassian. As Amren unleashed herself onto the army and brought victory to you all. You watched by Azriel’s side as Rhys died, and was then brought back to life when Feyre pleaded for his life.

You spent the next Solstice with them all, watching as Feyre’s sister, Nesta, withdrew into herself more and more each day. You became somewhat friendly with her, while Azriel took to helping Elain. Not nearly as close as she was with Amren, though.

You stayed with Mor and Feyre as the boys had their snowball fight, Azriel coming out the victor (again). You were his reward that night.

Once Solstice had ended, you started planning the mating ceremony. Or dinner, as you called it. You planned to make Azriel’s favorite meal with Nuala and Cerridwen.

Azriel and you also started looking for a new place to live. Feyre and Rhys offered to let you stay in the River House once it was built, but you decided you wanted your own space. You didn’t want the House of Wind or the Town Home. You wanted your home. One you could build with Azriel. Neither of you have ever truly had the ability to call a place your home. It was always owned by others.

So you bought a decent sized home on the River, not too far from the River House, and began making it just that. Your home.

After getting a bed, the dining room was the main thing you focused on. You wanted everything to be perfect because this was where Azriel and you would officially accept the bond. You could technically stay in the house for your mating, but the cabin was better cause there was no one to hear you. And if you knew anything from the past year, it would be that Azriel and you would disturb your neighbors. Maybe even Feyre and Rhys down the street.

Your shadows were still gone. And you knew in your gut you wouldn’t get them back. Not unless something terrible happened.

When you came out of the Rite, you were a different female. You were an Oristian, which many of the Illyrian males wanted to reject, but they couldn’t argue with what was final. Above all else, you weren’t alone anymore. You think the moment you chose to defend your brother, almost dying because of it, was the moment your shadows knew you didn’t need them anymore. You had always been fiercely loyal to your chosen families, but never to your blood.

When you exited that cave many many years ago, you were lonely and desperate. You were lost and didn’t know where to turn, so you found comfort in the darkness and the shadows were the ones to be there for you through everything. But you didn’t need them now. You had your family, chosen and blood (though, it’s still just Varyn that you trusted). And you were finally happy with your life. Your family. You didn’t need the shadows for comfort.

You didn’t think the shadows came to Azriel for the same reason they came to you. Yours was in need of survival while his was a triumph in darkness. A way for him to make the best of the terrible situation he was in. Once you completed the Rite, proved to yourself that you could survive without anyone’s help, the shadows had done their job. They had made sure you were safe. And it was now on you alone to protect yourself.

You couldn’t winnow yet, but you tried every day with your Siphon. It never worked. So you relied on your mate and the rest of your family.

You went to group meetings with the priestesses, helping them through their trauma. And sharing your own. You even saw Gywn at a few of them, and you were glad to see her somewhat happy. Healing. Slowly.

And then came the day you were dreading. Before the mating dinner you wanted to go to Valorworth. First to invite Varyn and Wessian to join the dinner, but also to see your blood family. To announce to the new camp Lord that you would be coming once a week to check on the females’ progress in training. You would be visiting each camp and giving them the next month, to get their acts together before you and Cassian would return to fix it. And to quell the murmurs of rebellion.

You took Azriel’s hand, smiling up at him as he winnowed you both to Valorworth. The rest of the Inner Circle was at the River House. This was something you would do with your mate. And if you needed comfort, a drink, or a night out afterwards, they would be there for you.

You watched from the hill just south of the camp. The same smells from Windhaven were present. But it was different. The air was slightly thinner, higher up in the mountains. Though you weren’t scared. You wore your Illyrian tattoos now, going across your chest, shoulders, and mid back. You were an Oristian. One of the top warriors of Illyria. You were to be a commander of the first female unit in centuries.

You wore your Siphon proudly on your right hand, while the pure black dagger hung on your waist. Twin to Azriel’s Truth Teller. And you had two swords across your back. You took up archery, Rhys and Feyre being the ones to teach you. Rhys taught you how to maneuver the Illyrian bow while Feyre taught you proper aim. You were an Oristian. You would not be afraid of your father and elder brothers. Not when you were higher rank than them. Not when you went through so much to come to this moment.

You greeted the camp Lord, the son of the one that you remember. Marc, the male that your father wanted you to marry 150 years ago. His father died in the final battle against Hybern, and he took the title of camp Lord.

He was surprisingly respectful. Maybe it was your new title. But you bet it was your towering male mate that was scowling at every single person that looked at you the wrong way. Az was itching to accept the bond, and his need to protect you grew only more when you approached your father’s cabin and told him you would be back. He didn’t want to leave you alone with him, but he knew that if something went wrong, he would be there in an instant. And he sent a few shadows with you to be his eyes and ears.

“Father.” You said once you crossed the threshold. He survived the battle and so did your brothers. You weren’t sure whether to be relieved or upset. But chose not to dwell on it for too long. Your older brothers, Corin and Caden, were in the small sitting room as well, monitoring your every move. Scanning you over to see the steel on you. And your Siphon.

“(Y/N)… I see you’re still alive.” He said, standing up. “I’ve missed you. Why haven’t you visited?” He asked, a knowing smirk on his lips. You wouldn’t play into his games.

“You will be seeing much more of me now.”

“Is that so?” He asked and smirked. “Come to infiltrate our camp with your females?”

“No, I’ve come to teach the females how to be the warriors they want to be. If they choose.” You said and glanced around.

“Those your shadows? It’s a poor excuse for a Shadowsinger.” He motioned to Azriel’s shadows that swirled around your feet.

“I don’t need my shadows anymore. I’ve relieved them on their duty.” You said and looked down as Az’s shadows stayed close to you in a protecting manner. One swept up and brushed against the back of your neck in comfort. “These are my mate’s.” You said.

Your father scoffed, shaking his head. “I’m surprised the Spymaster would waste his time on you.”

“Unlike you, Rechard, most males like a female who can protect herself.” You said. “This is not why I’m here. I’m here to inform you that if I so much as hear about you helping these so-called rebels, you better believe I won’t hesitate to kill you. Or maybe I’ll let my mate do it for me, he certainly knows how to take his time with males that have hurt females.”

You turned around, walking straight out the door. They didn’t stop you.

A/N: only one more chapter left! (This format might be off, I’m posting from my phone)

Series Masterlist

Taglist

Tagging:

@cherry-cin @cleverzonkwombatsludge @nickishadow139 @complete-randomness2 @lilah-asteria @tele86 @mybestfriendmademe @mariahoedt @6v6babycheese@secretsthathauntus @krowiathemythologynerd @fightmedraco @he6rtshaker @kayla-rose15 @aelincaddel @mfri06 @hauntedstudentobservationus@brieflyclassymortal @read-write-sleep-startover @krowiathemythologynerd @ialwayscryatendings@chxosangxl @tanyaherondale @randombibitch @plants-w0rld @etsukomoonbeam @riorgail @herondale-lightworm @panther-girl-124

[starsreminisce]

“is it bad that I HC that Gwyn and Lucien end up bonding over being two AC exiles for Az and Elain to be like... why are they even friends? Just for them to be like "dude, we're cousins"

what I would give to see this LOL just putting this out in the universe: someone pls write this!!

I had this cooking and finally got it in a place I liked. Putting this out in the universe too if anyone wanted to write this HC! Heavy on Elucien but maybe part two - choose your adventure kind? Maybe?

Hope you enjoy!

Lucien stood in the softly lit room, a tapestry of emotions etched across his features. He furrowed his brow and pursed his lips in deep contemplation, a slight furrow between his brows, his thoughts churning like a tempestuous sea. Across from him, Feyre watched him with a trace of annoyance, her eyes narrowing as they darted between him and the four meticulously wrapped presents he had placed on the ornate table in the center of the room.

Her voice was tinged with a mix of frustration and curiosity as she probed, "So you really aren't going to show up to the Solstice party tonight?"

Lucien, leaning against the table, exhaled a deep sigh and offered a nonchalant shrug, his eyes not quite meeting hers. "I've made other plans," he replied, his voice tinged with an air of mystery.

Feyre's exasperation grew, her gaze fixed on him. "With who? We lent you the townhouse so you could be with Vassa and Jurian. So, they'll be here, and you'll be where?"

Lucien hesitated, choosing his words carefully before he reluctantly responded, "Not here."

"Lucien," Feyre's tone turned more insistent, a mix of concern and frustration lacing her words.

Lucien gritted his teeth, the painful truth lingering unspoken. The prospect of enduring another Solstice haunted him, the weight of pretending that Elain's indifference didn't affect him becoming unbearable. The anticipation of witnessing her distant gaze, as if she wished he were anywhere but there, compounded the pain. Gifting her another token of his affections only to receive silence in return seemed like a masochistic cycle.

His mechanical eye clicked softly as he tried to maintain composure, "You're mad at me over something else."

Feyre's frustration softened into a weary sigh. She stepped closer, her voice laced with genuine concern, "You've been here for a week, Lucien, and we haven't even had dinner together. Do I need to make an appointment for you to have dinner with us over the next week?"

"I am sorry," Lucien admitted, his voice laced with sincerity and a hint of regret. "People heard I'm on vacation and wanted to catch up."

Feyre's frown deepened as she studied him, a mix of sympathy and irritation dancing in her eyes. "I didn't realize you were so popular."

Lucien extended his hands in a gesture of surrender, his palms exposed in a placating manner. "If I don't get too caught up where I am, I promise I'll stop by. Is that fair?"

“You're not spending the night here? But it’s tradition,” Feyre protested, her voice a touch wistful.

Lucien shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of his choices press upon him. “It seems rude to come back here when everyone is asleep.”

Feyre considered his words for a moment before reluctantly nodding her head, the tension in the room easing slightly. She understood his reasons, even if she didn't entirely agree with them.

Lucien couldn't help but flash a warm, reassuring grin as he closed the gap between them, embracing Feyre gently. "Happy Birthday Solstice."

Feyre returned his hug, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Please stop by. It'll make me happy."

—-

Elain returned from shopping, her heart sinking as she caught a whiff of Lucien's signature spiced scent, reminiscent of mulled wine, lingering in the air. She inhaled sharply, her gaze drawn to the four beautifully wrapped presents on the table. She hadn't bought him a gift during her last excursion, and the feeling of dread settled in the pit of her stomach. She knew that Lucien's generosity only deepened the guilt she felt, a silent reminder of a connection she had been avoiding.

Suppressing her unease, she sucked in a steadying breath and returned to the kitchen to focus on finishing her cooking. She silently prayed that the night would go smoothly, and that Lucien wouldn't try to engage her in conversation.

The day wore on, and Elain became absorbed in the meticulous preparation of the Solstice meal. She took pride in her improved kitchen skills but couldn't help feeling a touch weary, knowing that she had to anticipate four more guests than usual. Her mind wandered briefly to the mysterious presents on the table, wondering what they held and why Lucien had left them.

As she let the last dish cool, she decided it was time to change into something more festive, even though her heart wasn't fully in the celebration. She heard the first guests arriving, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Elain made her way to the staircase, her steps hesitant.

Before she could reach the stairs, she came face to face with Azriel, the same spot where he had uttered those words that had pierced her heart.

“Happy Solstice,” she said, forcing a cheerful note into her voice.

“Happy Solstice,” he replied, his voice soft and filled with an emotion she couldn't quite place.

Elain gave a curt nod and began to ascend the stairs when she heard him say, “Elain, wait.”

She turned back to him, her eyebrows raised, waiting for him to say something, to bridge the chasm that had grown between them. He only looked at her, his shoulders slumped, but still, no words came forth.

“Excuse me, I have to get ready,” she said, her tone a mixture of politeness and distance. Azriel nodded in understanding, and with a heavy heart, Elain continued her journey up the stairs, hoping that the night wouldn't bring about more painful conversations.

Elain took her time getting ready, feeling the weight of her avoidance weigh on her as she prepared for the evening. She knew that she was deliberately sidestepping the issue, and as she made her way back down the stairs, she couldn't help but notice the conspicuous absence in the room.

A gnawing unease settled in her stomach as she looked around the dinner table, the first of many singular questions on her mind. Still, her pride held her back from voicing them aloud.

“Where is Lucien?” Nesta asked, her sharp observation marking his absence.

“Not here,” Feyre replied, her tone carrying a hint of mockery as she took a sip of wine.

Elain furrowed her brows as she took a seat, and Nesta pressed on, glancing towards Vassa and Jurian. “So where is he?”

Vassa and Jurian exchanged a glance and then looked up at the ceiling as if it held the answers they sought. “He mentioned where he might be.”

“Summer Court to visit Alis?” Vassa suggested.

Jurian frowned, deep in thought. “That was last week. I think he’s at Dawn Court with Nuan.”

“No,” Vassa shook her head. “Nuan was earlier in the week. Didn’t Eris say he wanted to meet up with him?”

“I thought he met up with Eris right before Hewn City Solstice,” Cassian chimed in.

“Viviane invited him to their Winter Solstice celebration,” Mor finally answered, unraveling the mystery.

Feyre's expression soured. “So he would rather be at some high-class shindig than here with family? No wonder why he didn’t want to tell me.”

Rhys, ever diplomatic, gave a sympathetic smile towards his mate. “Their celebrations are quite fantastic. A little formal but at least he’s not in Day with their drinking, dancing and dallying debauchery.”

Elain's clenched fists revealed the turmoil within her as the reality of Lucien's absence settled in. She had known all along what it meant, though she had refused to admit it to herself.

“Am I too late?” a voice broke the tension, making Nesta and her friend, Emerie, jump up with excitement.

Elain looked up to see a copper-haired female with a stunning pair of teal eyes hesitantly entering the dining room. Gwyn, she recalled the name. Gwyn sheepishly smiled and exchanged a warm hug with Nesta before finding a seat near them. She then cast a glance towards Azriel, who responded with a grateful smile.

However, that smile quickly vanished, replaced by irritation, when Gwyn inquired, “Lucien’s not here?”

“Evidently not,” Nesta snorted. “We aren't high class enough for him these days.”

Gwyn pouted, a hint of disappointment in her expression. “That's too bad. I was hoping to see him.”

Dinner proceeded smoothly, the atmosphere filled with stories and anecdotes about Lucien's year. Elain couldn't help but grow increasingly irritated as she noticed Gwyn's evident fascination with her mate. Vassa and Jurian happily contributed to the conversation, sharing stories about Lucien that painted a picture of him quite different from the one Elain had imagined.

There were tales of Lucien chasing Tamlin in his beast form to coax him into eat, moments when Lucien had to babysit a drunken Graysen, instances where Lucien's sharp wit had managed to persuade the council to agree in record time, and even times when Lucien and Eris had raised their voices, causing the very house to rumble with their power.

Elain attempted to engage in the various conversations swirling around her, but it seemed that everyone else was preoccupied. Azriel, in particular, was focused on catching Gwyn's attention, while Feyre, Rhysand, Cassian, and Nesta appeared eager to escape for some private moments. Mor and Emerie were engaged in playful flirtation, and Jurian and Vassa seemed entranced by their own private world as they discussed their observations of the fae realm with Varian and Amren.

Elain needed something to divert her thoughts from the realization that she missed Lucien. The longing in her heart was something she couldn't quite comprehend, and it left her feeling adrift in a sea of emotions.

The party eventually transitioned to the spacious living room, where the conversations continued to fill the air. Elain's gaze kept drifting toward Azriel, who was engrossed in a deep conversation with Gwyn. Feyre clapped her hands together and excitedly declared that it was time to open presents. Rhysand snapped his fingers, conjuring even more presents to join the ones Lucien had already placed on the table. Elain's excitement grew, wondering how well the presents she had chosen for her family would be received and suddenly eager to see what Lucien had prepared for her.

As the presents were distributed and unwrapped, Elain found herself delighted with a new cookbook, some shiny baking ware, and a set of gardening tools. Her heart warmed as she felt the gentle tickle of her bond with Lucien, the familiar spiced scent of her mate washing over her.

“Lucien!” Gwyn exclaimed, leaving Azriel behind to give Elain’s mate a warm hug. Elain had to summon all her self-control to keep herself from pulling Gwyn away from Lucien.

He looked impeccable, wearing cream-colored pants, high black boots, and a periwinkle jacket adorned with small snowflakes, and a cravat to complete the outfit. Of course, his attire perfectly complemented Elain’s lavender dress.

“You came!” Feyre greeted him with a bright smile, her arms enveloping Lucien warmly as he returned the gesture with a grin that reached his eyes, reflecting the warmth of the hearth.

“Had to,” Lucien replied with a playful wink, his voice carrying a hint of mischief. “A certain someone might melt my mind tomorrow if I didn’t show.”

Rhysand, ever composed, responded coolly, his sapphire eyes glinting with amusement, “I said nothing of the sort.”

Feyre quickly steered the conversation toward the exchange of presents, her voice eager as she anticipated the joy of the moment. Lucien's smile faltered slightly as he settled into his seat, his features becoming more guarded.

He kept his expression neutral as the last few presents were revealed, his gaze shifting between his friends with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Feyre shifted around, her brow furrowing in confusion before her gaze landed on Lucien, who simply blinked and then looked at Elain, a silent plea for understanding in her eyes.

The first present was a small box for Cassian, wrapped with care and adorned with a simple bow. As Cassian cautiously opened it, his fingers grazing the delicate paper, he discovered it contained only a calling card. "What's this?" he asked, perplexed, his voice a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

Lucien grinned mischievously, the corners of his lips quirking up in amusement. "The name of my tailor. About time you start dressing the part of a courtier in colors that compliment black," he teased, his tone light but tinged with affection.

Cassian's eyes lit up as he whooped in delight, his laughter filling the room like a warm breeze. He threw Lucien a playful grin and said, “I got you something, pretty boy.”

She felt her heart sink when he uttered, “I think that’s my first present,” the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air like a stormcloud on the horizon.

It sank even further when his face broke into a huge smile upon opening his present. Cassian gifted him a set of Illyrian blades, the metal glinting in the soft glow of the fire. He looked at the set of daggers, marveling at the gems embedded in the steel, his admiration shining in his eyes like the sun in the blue sky.

“I was laughed at, by the way,” Cassian said, his voice tinged with amusement. “But Feyre made sure to point out that you like jewels with your blades,” he added, his grin widening as he recalled the memory.

Elain frowned, her mind racing with thoughts she struggled to articulate. She didn’t know that about him, a realization that left her feeling strangely disconnected from the moment unfolding before her.

The second present was a book for Nesta, wrapped in elegant paper and tied with a delicate ribbon. Nesta's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting in astonishment. "Is this what I think it is?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her fingers trembling as she reached out to touch the spine.

Lucien nodded with a smile, his gaze softening as he watched her reaction with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty.

Nesta examined the book with a mixture of awe and disbelief, her fingers tracing the embossed letters on the cover. Then, with a sudden burst of enthusiasm, she exclaimed, "But this is rare, and you hate this book. This is my favorite book."

She went on to describe the rarity of the edition, her words tumbling out in a rush of excitement and gratitude. Elain listened intently, her heart aching with a strange mixture of longing and regret.

Nesta turned to him and smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I got you something too,” she teased, her tone playful yet with affection.

The color drained from Lucien’s face as he accepted the gift, his fingers trembling slightly as he unwrapped it with care. Elain watched as Lucien winced while Nesta thoroughly enjoyed his reaction, a sense of unease settling over her like a shadow.

Lucien groaned and held up the book to Nesta, his expression a mixture of disbelief and resignation. Elain's heart twisted with sympathy as she witnessed the exchange, her emotions swirling like leaves in the autumn wind.

“Really?” He asked, his eyes betraying a mixture of surprise and amusement.

Nesta lifted her chin defiantly, her gaze unwavering as she met his gaze head-on. “You can not not read a gift. It’s my favorite book,” she countered.

“Favorite book? You just said that the one I got you was your favorite,” Lucien pointed out, a hint of confusion coloring his words.

“I can have multiple favorites,” Nesta replied matter-of-factly.

Lucien frowned and started to flip towards the end of the book, his curiosity getting the better of him. Nesta lunged at him, her laughter echoing in the room as she tried to pry the book away from him. Elain tried to remain calm as she watched Nesta straddle him, a sense of unease settling over her like a shroud.

“No one dies,” said Nesta, her voice filled with laughter as she tried to reassure him. “I promise!”

Too close, Elain thought, her heart pounding in her chest like a drumbeat. They were too close, the air thick with tension and unspoken emotions. She glanced towards an agitated Cassian, his expression mirroring her own concerns.

“Can you please get off my mate?” Cassian interjected, his voice laced with amusement yet tinged with concern.

“She’s on top of me!” Lucien protested, his words muffled by Nesta's laughter.

“No one dies in this one, Lucien,” Emerie confirmed, her tone reassuring. Nesta pulled herself away from him, her laughter echoing in the room like a melody.

The third present was a play bow and arrow for Nyx, the wooden toy gleaming in the soft light of the fire. The little boy's face lit up with excitement, his eyes sparkling with delight as he reached out to touch the gift with wonder.

Gwyn’s eyes widened in surprise as Feyre peered into the present, her expression a mixture of curiosity and admiration. Elain chewed on her cheek nervously as Gwyn and Lucien exchanged a knowing look, their unspoken understanding hanging in the air like a veil.

“Autumn Court tradition,” Lucien explained. “When we reach his age, we choose the weapon that becomes our weapon to master. Not surprising that your son picked that.”

The last present was a package of the molten chocolate Alis used to make for Feyre, the sweet aroma filling the room like a comforting embrace. It brought tears to her eyes, her emotions overwhelming her in a tidal wave of nostalgia and gratitude.

Four presents from Lucien. None of them were hers.

“I guess that’s it for presents,” Feyre said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, the weight of disappointment hanging heavy in the air like a lingering fog.

The unspoken weight of Lucien's deliberate omission of a gift for Elain lingered heavily, casting an uncomfortable tension that no one seemed willing to address. Elain felt an isolating sense as she sat there, her emotions swirling, sensing the collective gaze upon her. Lucien resumed chatting with Gwyn.

Desperate for reprieve from the scrutiny of her family's concerned gazes, Elain fought to maintain a composed facade, pretending that she was unfazed by the absence of a gift from her mate. With a small, forced smile, she excused herself under the pretense of needing a moment alone.

"I just remembered I left something in the kitchen. I'll be right back," she said softly, her voice barely trembling.

As she left the room and retreated to the kitchen, her heart ached with the weight of the unanswered questions and the awkwardness that had settled between her and Lucien. The sense of rejection and disappointment gnawed at her, but she was determined to keep up the appearance of being fine.

In the kitchen, Elain took a moment to gather herself, her breaths deep and measured as she fought to suppress the tumult of emotions swirling within her. She reminded herself sternly that she hadn't purchased any gifts for Lucien either, though the hope that the presents were meant for her persisted, stubbornly clinging to her thoughts. As her heartbeat slowed and her breathing steadied, she cast a glance at the untouched cake, resolving that it was time to present it to the guests.

Just as she was about to leave the kitchen, she froze upon catching snippets of conversation between Feyre and Lucien in the adjacent room.

"You humiliated her," Feyre's accusation rang out, sharp and cutting.

Lucien's response was swift, his tone tinged with defensiveness, "I would never intend to humiliate her. I merely thought—"

Feyre interrupted, her voice edged with disbelief, "Thought what, Lucien?"

His reply was clipped, filled with frustration, "That perhaps Azriel could offer her the comfort she deserves."

Feyre's confusion was palpable as she questioned, "Why Azriel?"

The tension in Lucien's voice was unmistakable, "Do I really need to spell it out for you, Feyre?"

As the conversation unfolded, Elain's heart raced once more, a surge of anger coursing through her veins. She retreated from the door, her steps quick and purposeful, only to find herself face to face with Feyre upon her entrance.

"What's going on between you and Lucien? And now Azriel?" Feyre's concern was evident in her gaze.

Elain's response was terse, her tone firm, "Nothing. It's nothing."

Feyre's expression softened, but her concern lingered, "Elain, please—"

Elain's patience snapped, her voice laced with frustration, "I said it's nothing."

She turned her back on Feyre, her resolve firm as she focused on finishing the cake. Each movement was deliberate, her hands working with precision as she willed Feyre to understand, hoping her sister would take the hint and leave her be. The tension between them hung thick in the air, an unspoken barrier dividing their shared space. She heard Feyre sigh, a sound heavy with unresolved emotions.

Once Feyre departed, Elain finished the cake with meticulous care, her hands moving with practiced ease despite the turmoil brewing within her. Placing it on a table, she plastered a smile on her face, though the weight of unresolved tensions lingered heavily still. Her gaze wandered across the room, seeking solace in the familiar faces of her companions.

She spotted Lucien, Gwyn, Vassa, and Jurian engrossed in a serious conversation, their expressions grave and their voices hushed. A pang of anxiety gripped her heart as she watched them, sensing the weight of their discussion. And then, her eyes landed on Azriel, standing alone in the corner, his posture rigid and his eyes fixed on Lucien with an intensity that made Elain uneasy.

Feeling a surge of recklessness fueled by anger and frustration, Elain made her way towards Azriel, each step a silent declaration of her determination to confront the palpable tension between them.

Elain's voice carried a hint of defiance as she initiated the conversation, her eyes fixed on Azriel's distant gaze, refusing to be ignored.

"Can we talk?" she pressed, her tone tinged with urgency, a silent plea for understanding.

Azriel's silence was deafening, his demeanor unyielding, but Elain persisted, repeating her question with growing impatience, her gaze sharpening with determination.

"What do you want to talk about?" Azriel's response was measured, his voice betraying a subtle tension beneath the calm facade.

Before Elain could formulate a response, Gwyn's laughter filled the room, momentarily distracting them from their exchange. With Vassa and Jurian engrossed in the allure of cake, Elain and Azriel observed in silence as Gwyn playfully interacted with Lucien, their laughter forming a barrier between them.

Elain's heart twisted with a pang of jealousy as she watched Lucien's easy camaraderie with Gwyn, the contrast to their own strained dynamic stark in her mind. Beside her, she sensed Azriel's clenched fists, his emotions bubbling beneath the surface.

Struggling to break through the tension, Elain blurted out the words that had been weighing on her mind, her voice barely a whisper but heavy with significance.

"You like Gwyn," she murmured, the admission hanging in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the complexities that lay between them, fraught with unspoken desires and unaddressed feelings.

Elain observed the subtle softening of Azriel's features at the mention of Gwyn's name, his gaze drifting back toward the pair engaged in lighthearted banter. Gwyn's laughter rang out like a bell, a melody that seemed to tug at Azriel's heartstrings, while Lucien's grin radiated warmth and charm, drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

"I do," Azriel admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and longing. His eyes remained fixed on Gwyn, a silent testament to the depths of his unspoken affection.

Her heart clenched at his confession, the realization dawning upon her with painful clarity. She shifted uncomfortably, fingers nervously toying with the fabric of her skirt, the soft rustle of the fabric a stark contrast to the heavy silence that enveloped them.

"But I thought... I thought that you liked me," she ventured quietly, unable to mask the hurt in her voice. 

Azriel's gaze fell to his scarred hands, his expression guarded, revealing a vulnerability that cut through the shadows shrouding his usual demeanor. Elain felt a pang of sorrow as she witnessed his internal struggle, the unspoken acknowledgment that she had never been enough for him.

She sucked in a shaky breath, blinking back the tears threatening to spill. Despite her diminishing affections, the sting of rejection still lingered, a bitter reminder of what could never be.

Forcing a strained smile, she offered a feeble reassurance, "Lucien is mated to me, so I doubt you have to worry about that." The words felt hollow on her tongue, a feeble attempt to mask the ache in her heart.

A soft chuckle escaped Azriel's lips before his attention returned to the scene before them, where Lucien's grin contrasted sharply with Gwyn's horrified expression as she playfully chastised him. The warmth of the fire cast flickering shadows across their faces, lending an air of intimacy to the moment.

"Perhaps it's my punishment," Azriel mused quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Lucien puts her at ease." The flames danced in his eyes, reflecting the turmoil of his inner thoughts.

Elain's heart ached at his admission, the realization sinking in that she had been blind to the depth of Lucien's impact on Gwyn. She watched the pair with a mixture of envy and resignation, her own feelings tangled in a web of unspoken desires and unfulfilled longing.

Azriel's voice held a note of self-recrimination as he continued, his words heavy with regret, "I was arrogant enough to think that because you weren't interested in him, he wasn't deserving to be your mate. But look how he makes her laugh and smile." Each word felt like a dagger to Elain's heart, a painful reminder of what she had lost.

"I don’t... I don’t give her that," Azriel confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "A year ago, she didn't like being touched by any male. She could barely handle being alone with another male, and I was surprised she allowed me to stay with her. But next thing I knew, she was talking about Lucien, and how she was helping him, and then they spent so much time alone together." The confession hung heavy in the air, a silent testament to the depth of his longing.

Elain's breath caught in her throat as Azriel's anguish became palpable, his clenched fists betraying the depth of his torment. The soft glow of the fire cast flickering shadows across their faces, lending an air of intimacy to the moment.

"I thought it hurt being the only one among my brothers not mated, but nothing compares to watching someone fall in love and knowing I can't stop it," he confessed, his voice thick with emotion. The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken regrets and unfulfilled desires.

"But he's mated to me," Elain reiterated, her words a feeble attempt to anchor herself amidst the storm of conflicting emotions. The flames danced in Azriel's eyes, reflecting the turmoil of his inner thoughts.

"I know," Azriel sighed, his gaze never leaving the pair across the room. "That's what makes it hurts much more." The words lingered between them, a silent acknowledgment of the pain that bound them together.

As they continued to watch, a sense of longing and regret enveloped them both, their unspoken words echoing in the empty spaces between them, a silent testament to the pain of unrequited love and shattered dreams.

---

Lucien felt the weight of Azriel's presence, intertwined with Elain's, tugging at the edges of his consciousness. Though the bond between them pulsed with a muted ache of longing and melancholy, Lucien found it difficult to fully comprehend, given the circumstances. After all, Elain was with Azriel now, having chosen him.

“He’s with her,” Gwyn observed, her tone tinged with a hint of melancholy.

“He doesn't seem that happy,” Lucien remarked, his voice betraying a touch of sympathy.

It was a familiar sight for Lucien, accustomed to witnessing the complexities of their relationship. But for Gwyn, it was a stark realization, one that had taken time for her to come to terms with. She had confided in Lucien about her growing feelings for the shadowsinger, unable to ignore the tension whenever Azriel and Elain were together. Gwyn had attempted to broach the topic with Nesta, only to be met with dismissal, as if Elain's bond with Lucien precluded any possibility of her being with Azriel.

Their conversation drifted back to the library, where Lucien had sought Gwyn's assistance with Vassa's curse. It was there that they had forged an unexpected connection, their shared lineage serving as a bond that transcended their individual struggles. Learning that they were cousins had provided a sense of solace, uniting them as kindred spirits navigating their intertwined destinies.

Lucien had become Gwyn's confidant, offering sage advice and a sympathetic ear as she grappled with her feelings for Azriel. While Nesta and Emerie remained oblivious to the underlying tensions, Lucien understood the turmoil brewing beneath the surface, a silent witness to Gwyn's unspoken desires.

As their friendship blossomed, Lucien found comfort in Gwyn's companionship, grateful for the understanding she offered. Yet, he couldn't shake the sense of irony in their situation - while Gwyn found safehaven in confiding her feelings for Azriel, Lucien found himself drawn deeper into his own unspoken longing for Elain.

“Are you leaving soon?” Gwyn inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance.

Lucien nodded solemnly. “I am.”

“Can you take me back?” Gwyn's request was accompanied by a note of uncertainty, as if she feared intruding on his time.

“Are you sure? You spent the entire time talking to me,” Lucien remarked, a teasing smile playing at his lips.

“That's because you're family and mated and…” Gwyn's voice trailed off, her words laden with unspoken implications.

Elain's beauty was undeniable, a fact that hung heavy in the air between them. Lucien offered her a gentle smile, his heart heavy with unspoken longing. “Okay. I'll say goodbye to the others, but I think it'll be worth saying goodbye to him too, even with her there.”

----

Elain's heart skipped a beat as Lucien rose from his seat and strode confidently toward Feyre and Rhysand. Gwyn, her presence hesitant, approached Elain and Azriel, her smile radiant yet tinged with uncertainty. Her fingers nervously played with the hem of her cloak as she glanced between Lucien and Azriel, sensing the tension in the air like a palpable force.

Azriel, usually composed, straightened in his chair, his gaze fixed on Gwyn with an intensity that Elain couldn't ignore. His hazel eyes bore into Gwyn's, silently questioning her decision to leave with Lucien.

“I’m leaving,” Gwyn announced, her voice like a delicate melody in the tense air. The words hung in the space between them, laden with unspoken implications.

“With Lucien?” Azriel's tone dripped with bitterness, his eyes darting between Gwyn and Lucien. Elain observed the subtle tension in his jaw, a testament to his internal struggle.

Gwyn affirmed with a subtle nod, her eyes flickering towards Lucien, who had now joined her. The hesitant smile on her lips betrayed her uncertainty, contrasting with the determination in Lucien's expression.

“Ready?” Lucien's voice cut through the awkward tension, his eyes deliberately avoiding Elain's. She noted the slight furrow of his brow, a sign of the turmoil beneath his confident facade.

Elain tried to focus on the conversation, but her attention drifted to the simple piece of string adorning Lucien’s wrist. Its significance eluded her, a stark contrast to the complexities swirling within her own mind.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Lucien suddenly seemed engrossed in the space between Azriel and Gwyn. Elain observed his subtle gestures, sensing a flicker of recognition in his expression. The tension between them was palpable, adding an undercurrent of unease to the situation.

Then, as if a realization had dawned upon him, Lucien spoke with conviction, “I think Azriel should take you home.” His words resonated in the air, breaking the uneasy silence and igniting a spark of hope within Elain.

His gaze shifted to Azriel, who nodded in agreement. “Yes, he should take you home,” Lucien added, his tone final. Elain watched the exchange with bated breath, her heart pounding in her chest.

But Gwyn's response was unexpected. “Nooooo,” she protested sheepishly, “I asked you.”

Elain felt a surge of determination rise within her, spurred by the sudden turn of events. “I can’t... because…” Lucien faltered, searching for words, but Elain found herself finishing his sentence, her voice unwavering.

“Because he forgot that... I am... joining him,” she declared firmly, her gaze locked with Lucien's. The weight of her words hung in the air, a silent plea for understanding.

Lucien's surprise was evident, his brows knitting together in a moment of realization, yet Elain pressed on, her determination unyielding.

“You've been running around the past few days with your vacation, but don’t you remember?” she challenged him, her voice edged with urgency, each word a pointed arrow aimed at his comprehension.

His response was hesitant, his eyes widening in gradual recognition, like two pools slowly catching the first light of dawn. “You knew I was on vacation?” he questioned, his tone heavy with disbelief, the weight of his realization palpable in the air.

Elain met his gaze with an unyielding glare, her eyes flickering with an intensity akin to smoldering embers, silently urging him to grasp the truth that lay before him.

“Yes… that's right…that's what you wanted as your present,” Lucien continued, his voice faltering slightly as he wove through the web of their shared deception, the weight of his words hanging in the charged atmosphere between them.

Gwyn's frown deepened, her brows knitting together in suspicion, as though she could see through the facade with uncanny clarity. But Lucien pressed on, his resolve unyielding, his determination etched into the lines of his face.

“We are going to be late,” Elain pushed, her voice firm and commanding, a note of urgency coloring her words as she tried to steer the conversation back on track, her fingers tapping anxiously against her thigh.

“Az… Azriel… Az … riel … can I trust you to take my cousin home?” Lucien implored, his tone tinged with desperation, his gaze shifting to Azriel with a silent plea for assistance.

Azriel's brow furrowed in confusion, his expression a portrait of perplexity as he processed the sudden revelation. “Cousin?” he repeated, his voice tinged with uncertainty, his mind racing to make sense of the revelation.

His eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope as Lucien turned to Gwyn with a scowl, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. “You never told him we were cousins?” he accused, his tone tinged with exasperation, a note of betrayal seeping into his words.

Gwyn remained impassive, her lips pursed in a tight line as she met Lucien's glare with a steely resolve, her silence speaking volumes in the charged atmosphere. But Lucien pressed on, his frustration mounting with each passing moment.

“Never… Never…” Lucien muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose in a futile attempt to stave off the rising tide of irritation, his patience wearing thin as the tension continued to mount. "You valkyries are going to kill me," he added with a wry twist of irony, a weary sigh escaping his lips.

Azriel's lips twitched in amusement, a ghost of a smile dancing across his features as he observed the unfolding drama with quiet interest. "You should try training them," he remarked dryly, his voice laced with subtle humor, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes.

Gwyn's smile was tight-lipped, her gaze flickering uncertainly between Lucien and Azriel, silently weighing her options. Sensing her hesitation, Lucien intervened, his tone softened by a note of gratitude.

Lucien, noticing her hesitation, amended, "I owe you one session if you go with him." Elain could see the tension melting away from Gwyn's shoulders, a sense of satisfaction blooming within her like a flower in bloom.

Gwyn's expression shifted to smugness. "Two now." Elain couldn't help but smile at Gwyn's playful banter, the tension dissipating like mist in the morning sun.

"I knew your bracelet came with a price. Fine. Two. It’s settled. I’ll see you not tomorrow.” Lucien's resignation hung heavy in the air, a sense of defeat settling over him like a heavy cloak.

As Lucien turned to leave, Gwyn interjected, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. “Should you be taking Elain?” she asked, her words hanging in the air like a challenge, a subtle undercurrent of doubt coloring her tone.

Elain and Lucien locked eyes, a silent exchange passing between them. In that moment, a myriad of unspoken emotions danced between them, their gazes lingering a fraction longer than necessary, conveying a depth of understanding that words could not capture.

“Yes, because I said I would,” Lucien stammered, his voice strained with a mixture of apprehension and determination. He held Elain's gaze, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation or doubt.

Heat flushed at Elain’s cheeks, a rush of warmth spreading across her face as she realized the significance of the moment. This would be the first time she would be alone with him, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air, uncertainty mingling with excitement in her chest.

“Yes,” Elain said, her voice steady despite the fluttering of her heart. “And I said we should leave now.” With a firm nod, she affirmed her decision, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.

Lucien hesitantly offered his arm, a silent invitation hanging between them. Elain reached out, her fingers brushing against his in a fleeting touch, a spark igniting between them as they made contact. She felt all eyes on them, the weight of expectation heavy in the air as they walked out the door together, stepping into the unknown.

“You don’t have to come with me,” Lucien said, his voice strained with a mixture of apprehension and longing, his gaze searching hers for any sign of hesitation.

“They are going to be asking me where you took me, so might as well come along,” Elain replied, her grip tightening on his arm, her fingers tracing the contours of his muscles beneath the fabric of his sleeve.

Lucien sighed, a mixture of resignation and gratitude in his breath, the weight of their impending journey hanging heavy in the air. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, a small, genuine smile played at the corners of his lips, a testament to the trust he placed in Elain's judgment. "You're right," he conceded, his voice soft yet tinged with a hint of amusement. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

Elain furrowed her brow, her expression a mix of accusation and curiosity. "You were in Day, were you?" she questioned, her tone laced with a hint of skepticism.

Lucien stilled, his demeanor shifting slightly at the mention of Day. "What do you know about their celebration?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Drinking, dancing, and dallying debauchery," Elain replied matter-of-factly, her words laced with a touch of dry humor.

A faint blush crept onto Lucien's cheeks at her blunt assessment. "I wasn't there," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "I was in Winter."

"So we are going back to Winter?" Elain inquired, her brow furrowing slightly as she processed the information.

"Ah, no. We are going to Day," Lucien clarified, his tone hesitant yet resolute.

Elain's lips formed a thin line, her features masking her inner turmoil as she absorbed Lucien's words. "For that... dallying debauchery?" she questioned, her tone betraying a hint of skepticism, her eyes searching his for any sign of deceit.

Lucien's brow furrowed, a fleeting shadow of defensiveness crossing his countenance. "I am mated to you. I would never dream of being with someone else," he assured her earnestly, his words laden with sincerity. "But yes, that's where we are going."

Elain remained silent, her thoughts swirling tumultuously as she wrestled with the implications of his admission. Lucien couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in her demeanor, a blend of uncertainty and something more enigmatic, a mystery he longed to unravel.

"Interesting that's where your mind went to," he commented, a note of curiosity coloring his voice as he observed her reaction, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Elain's glare intensified, her gaze piercing as they winnowed away to Day Court's celebration, the tension between them simmering beneath the surface, unresolved and fraught with unspoken emotions.

[erisweekofficial]

Another week done! Tonight let's unwind by giving @ceoofyearning all our love 🧡

Check out her Mafia AU fic half algorithm, half deity! It's the perfet combo of smutty and angsty. We're taking notes over here!!

Read on to learn more about Mira's thought's on the Vanserras and what reality show Eris is participating in 👀

What drew you to Eris x OC as opposed to other Eris ships?

The main appeal of Eris x OC/Reader, for me at least, is the creative freedom. With an OC, I can explore different character dynamics and backstories without the constraint of lore or fan expectations. Also, I’m still new to the fandom, and I get a bit anxious about whether I’m interpreting the characters well. Character x OC is closer to my comfort zone and the immersive quality of these stories is a fun little bonus. But I’m also a fan of other ships with Eris, particularly Azris and Neris! I’d definitely love to write for these ships in the future.

How do you interpret Eris's relationships with his family?

There is still a lot we don’t know about Eris and much of his relationship with his family has been left as subtext. I’m definitely no expert and this is just my personal interpretation of their dynamic. I imagine living in that household is a constant balancing act. Beron has been cast in a cruel light, and I suspect he would be an even crueler father. He’s uncompromising, unforgiving, and the only traits he tolerates in his children are those that mirror his own. Eris resents him and fears him, but his father’s approval and being indispensable to Beron are necessary for continued survival. In a culture where sibling rivalry is encouraged and fratricide is expected, it would be near impossible for Eris to build a deep and meaningful relationship with his siblings. Whether they’ve inherited their father’s sadistic tendencies or are just reluctant participants, these siblings can never truly trust each other. They’re all in survival mode. I don’t believe that Eris would hurt any of his siblings unprovoked, but as the eldest living son and prospective heir, he has to maintain their respect - even if that means keeping them at arm's length and constantly keeping himself in check. Despite all that, I suspect Eris has a soft spot for his mother and Lucien. He would try to protect them in his subtle way.

What inspired you to tackle a Mafia AU featuring Eris?

I've always been a big fan of AUs since it gives us a chance to explore our favorite characters outside canon. I feel like Eris, with his cunning and moral ambiguity, would be fun to see in the dark and cutthroat world of a Mafia AU.

If you could cast Eris on a reality tv show, which one would it be and why?

I want to see Eris and Az or Eris and Nesta in The Amazing Race. They’d either beat everyone in record time or end up at each other's throats.