#acosf snippet

[moodymelanist]

happy WIP Wednesday 🫶🏽 here’s a little something I’m working on for @sjmromanceweek 2024!!

“I’m sorry?” Nesta eventually said. She hoped she didn’t look as out of breath as she felt.

“You’re not in trouble,” Azriel repeated. He had a healthy serving of breakfast in front of him, and her stomach panged with hunger once the smell hit her. “You’re not expected at training today.”

“What?” she replied, taking a few hesitant steps closer to the table. He had no reason to lie to her, but a large part of her didn’t quite believe what he was saying. “Why not?”

“You needed the rest,” Azriel told her mildly. Despite his gentle words and the softness with which they had been delivered, she could tell he wasn’t inviting any argument. “I told Cassian you’d be back to training tomorrow.”

“He let you?” Nesta blurted out without thinking. Cassian never let her miss a day of training no matter how exhausted she looked each morning, so the fact that she’d gotten to sleep in today almost felt… wrong. Like she was getting away with something that she shouldn’t be.

“He doesn’t let me do anything,” Azriel replied, his tone a little cooler now. “I’m my own person, same as you.”

[nocasdatsgay]

I swear I’m writing the Nuan/Lucien fic. I swear it.

fic Snippet below the cut 😬

~✨✨✨~

“What are we?” The breeze of the balcony blew his hair gently. He took another swing of wine and leaned back against the pillar. “Truly?”

“What do you want us to be?” She asked in return.

He turned his head to her and realized he was too close. Then again, he always had been. Too close to her, too close to her heart. He was just a friend. A flirt for sure, but she never expected him to be anything else. But if he was posing that question- she needed his answer first. He turned, and reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear. She tried not to shiver at the touch.

“I feel like I’m cursed.” The hurt in his voice cut down to her soul. “So what I want doesn't really matter.”

“You are not cursed, Lucien.”

He laughed, “the one who I thought was my mate was murdered and my actual mate rejected me. By all accounts I should have been driven mad. Yet here I am, somewhat sane. That alone is a curse bestowed directly from the cauldron.”

“Your curse is my blessing,” she retorted immediately. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

@thelov3lybookworm @lorcanisdabest

[acourtofladydeath]

TTBW Snippet #3

Alrighty, here's your last tasty morsel to get you ready for what's to come.

Devlon simply began to scour the group again, eyes narrowed as he took in the faces of the five camp lords around him. The mistrust he had was written clearly across his face as he hung around the outskirts of the group. “I don’t trust this, Cassian. When you said you’d be coming, I didn’t expect anyone else to turn up. This seems,” Devlon’s speech trailed off as his words became softer. “I don’t know what it seems like, but I don’t think this will end well.”  Cassian clapped him on the back as he spoke, voice still full of the joviality and mocking that he could find in any circumstance. “Well, if it goes poorly, that’s why you’re here. You’ve never failed to get me out of a jam before.”  Devlon let a small smirk grow on his face as he said with mock severity, “yeah, well, getting you three demons through the blood rite alive nearly killed me.”  Cassian laughed with the male for a moment before he continued, tone more serious than before. “Dev, I don’t think you’re capable of letting me down. You and I discussed the stakes. Cauldron, Nesta and I nearly debated to death over it. This is how I can make a difference. Let them know I don’t think I’m above them, that I want to work with them and not just order them around like pawns.” Cassian’s voice changed from confident and convicted to something smaller, hopeful and yet not. “I have to try. I don’t know what else to do, progress has grown stagnant. It’s just a drink. Illyria needs this.”

Stay tuned tomorrow for the title and description drop.

[talkfantasytome]

Do We Like a Gladiator Cassian? 👀

So, I've been playing around with this idea a lot - some friends can confirm - and trying really hard to start my Gladiator!Cassian AU. And by that, I mean drowning in research. I love research. And history. It's glorious! And extremely stifling.

I was hoping to have part 1 ready for romance week, but as the weeks went on, it was clear that wasn't going to happen. It was initially meant to be for meet cute day (cause, I mean, you can have a meet cute in Ancient Rome)...and then it got pushed back to free day. Well, it's free day now and...😬

But, I did get some inspo today to write some parts of the piece! So, I have a small snippet for y'all that will hopefully grow to more in time. I give you Gladiator!Cassian!

Nesta's eyes skittered over the group of men training in the yard. They were all shirtless, each one carrying a large wooden sword. Many were striking tall poles, others standing and waiting for their turn. Another group was doing strength building exercises led by a well-dressed man who must work for Marius.

It was overwhelming. Nesta could only imagine how Feyre would react in a situation like this, surrounded by some of the strongest men in the country. Nesta would do better. She had to. She could maintain control.

They paused, Marius explaining the training regimen to her father. Their morning and afternoon routines, their eating schedules, their diets. It gave Nesta more time to actually see what was in front of her.

Her eyes fell upon a man striking the closest pole to them and her mouth went dry.

He was inhumanly tall, something she could tell even as he was slightly crouched for a stronger striking stance. His shoulders were broader than she'd ever seen before, his torso packed with muscle. It was most defined in that moment in his arms as he lifted the rudis and struck and struck and struck. She could see the way the muscles flexed and clenched as he lifted the heavy sword and slammed it down again.

Beads of sweat glistened across his golden brown skin, shimmering in the bright light of the day. His shoulder length near-black hair was damp from the exertion, clinging to his neck and cheeks. His face was dusted with pink and his eyes blazed.

He was focused, his eyes fixed on the palus as he hit it again and again with his rudis. Nesta could've sword she heard a slight cracking sound, but he continued, never missing the post. He began to move around a bit, slamming it from different angles. His strength never wavered. Each hit was as hard as the last.

It was rough and violent, and as graceful as a dance. She'd never seen a man move so seamlessly. Most gladiator fights were beautiful in their own way, but this was something else entirely. His movements entranced her, drew her gaze and hoarded her attention. It was a symphony and Nesta could swear she could hear the glorious music in every strike of his sword.

[ae-neon]

Nesta x Cresseida

The ever present sound of the ocean filled the air as the sky slowly brightened with the first light of day.

Nesta was already up, mind barely able to process full thoughts; though not in the way she had been in Velaris. This was rest, contentment and - a secret smile touched her lips - exhaustion in the best possible way.

She turned, leaning her head on her hand, to look at the woman beside her. Cressida was still asleep, naked, with her arms flailed about and the sheet tangled around her legs. She wouldn't believe she ever slept so messily, would think it unrefined.

Nesta reached out, unable to resist always touching the Princess, and traced her finger tips over Cressida's skin. Just there, over the ribs that shielded her heart, under the swell of her breast. Her brown skin, soft and delicate under Nesta's hand.

Home. That was home. It was where Nesta had finally found herself enveloped in warmth and love.

She leaned forward, it was never enough, and pressed her lips to that spot. Licked it. Grazed it with her teeth.

More, Nesta thought so she did it again, biting with more force on Cressida's side as she heard a faint murmur from the waking Princess. A little laugh before it died in a gasp, a hand reaching forward to push Nesta's golden hair from her face.

Nesta shifted so she half lay on the other woman, it was never enough - never close enough. She slipped her arm under Cressida's waist and lifted her, her other hand pulling the sheet away from the Princess' legs.

More. Her hand reached down between them to find Cressida's knee and push her legs open. Bury me here, hold me where I belong.

[litnerdwrites]

Justice for Nesta recs (AO3)

Most, if not all, of these recs are in the Justice for Nesta/ ACOSF rewrite/fix-it vein. It will be updates as I find more fics, but feel free to send any recs you have.

TRIGGER WARNING! Many of these fics will be very dark, with references to suicide, ptsd, misogyny, and IC BS. However, I'll be sure to add specifics where applicable.

Fics For Those Craving Nesta JusticeI put all the fics I found into one collection on AO3 that, as the title suggests, are for those craving Nesta Justice. Please read the relevant tags for each fic, as many of them contain reference to PTSD, SA (both past referenced and in story), and general IC BS.

I'll also list every fic in this collection bellow, just to keep them all in one place. Feel free to also add your own finds or works if you have any. The collection is open, but moderated.

Those the Stars Cannot Hear by @kataraavatara An ACOSF rewrite where Mor makes good on her threat to leave Nesta in the CON.

Baby, now we got bad blood by Pumpkinspice_Lou They say you should never come between a male and his mate. Rhysand should've known better. Aka Cassian finally choosing Nesta. Completed two-shot.

A Court of Vice and Victors by Wishcamper Acosf rewritten by a therapist. Need I say more? Incomplete.

You Made Her Like That By BookWorm77071 A few days into their Hike from Hell, Nesta is able to form one coherent thought: I don't want to do this anymore. So she stops. Three chapter short story. Completed.

Nesta becomes a baby by Theladyofbloodshed Exactly what the title says. Oneshot.

A Court of Tangled Flames by Theladyofbloodshed A Neris fic where Nesta gets the love story she deserves.

ACOTAR snippet collection by Theladyofbloodshed A collection of Acotar what ifs.

Nesta vs. The Buffer by Theladyofbloodshed After Nesta finally snaps at another 'family' dinner, calling Cassian and Mor out on their shit, she begins to heal and fall in love on her own terms. With a certain shadowsinger. Completed. Nezriel fic. Anti IC but they kind of redeem themselves at the end. Completed.

AU Where We Pretend Acosf Didn't Happen by Theladyofbloodshed An alternative take to ACOSF, starting from post ACOFS. Nesta ends up leaving Velaris, starting herself on a journey of self discovery and healing. TW Beron Vansera, implied/referenced SA, IC being assholes.

Nightmare Dressed Like A Daydream by This_Immortal_Hope Nesta was a wolf. So, much like a wolf, she bided her time, accepting her exile with ice in her and determination in her heart. When she was ready, she tore their Court of Dreams apart with their own hypocrisy. One shot. No ship. Rhysand is thoroughly put in his place. Oneshot.

Second Chances by miryamdev Cassian apologises to Nesta after the HOFAS bonus chapter.

A trick of the light by closet_monster There was nothing condemning about madness or paralyzing fear. Nesta was familiar with both — they seemed to be a recurring theme in both womanhood and life in Hewn. Oneshot. TW Depression, self harm, and implied abuse. Please double check the tags before reading.

Burn for Eternity by rosemai Nesta is defeated and broken down by the words of her sisters and the IC, so she takes matters into her own hands and meets a group on individuals who could give her the help she needs. Incomplete.

Nesta's Truth by grovellingboyfriends After another year of leaving Nesta alone, Cassian finds Nesta in her apartment on Solstice, standing over a dead man. TW for implied SA, parental abuse, Elain is a bitch. 3/5 chapters published as of making this post.

Daylight by Flowerflamestar Nesta Archeron, banished and betrayed, ran from cold and hatred straight into the light of Day and found a place where she could belong. Completed.

Might I Suggest You Don't Fuck With My Sis by MacabreGiggles The intervention rethought, where the Archeron sisters decide to stand up for one another and put the IC in their place. Incomplete.

I died. I will die. It's alright. I don't mind. By MacabreGiggles Nesta resorts to other means to cope, like drugs. Incomplete. TW. Abuse. Alcolism. Suicide. Sexual assault. Drug abuse.

The Veil of Silence by Hrizantemy There exists a veil of silence, it shrouds our voices masking our truths, muffling our cries, our voices are muted, and dreams whispered. Incomplete.

You're a crisis of my faith by porque_nolosdos Nesta and Elain leave the NC, and upon seeing the IC's reaction, Feyre decides to ditch them too. Incomplete.

A thousand cuts by adelindschade It finally clicks for Cassian just how badly Nesta was hurting (it only took three TW suicide TW attempts), so he decides to try thinking of what Nesta would want. This decision leaves a ripple effect that will change the NC as we know it. Incomplete.

The consequences of normality by TheTeaQueen After the events of ACOSF, things seem relatively normal. Until Cassian realises that Nesta doesn't ask for things, or that self hatred still grips her, or the facade she puts on for her family. When she starts cutting back on training and work in the library, he begins to worry. Maybe things aren't as perfect as he thought. Maybe their methods in helping her weren't as effective as he thought. Incomplete.

Three little words by TheTeaQueen Cassian finally says those three little words that Nesta needed to hear. Oneshot.

Like fire, she raged by TheTeaQueen Emerie stands up for Nesta and puts Rhys and Feyre in their place. Completed.

Of Death and Resurrection by TheTeaQueen Part 1 of In the name of healing and happiness. Nesta was ready to die. So to save Feyre and Nyx, she did. Can Rhysand, the only person who can save her, bring her back from the brink? Completed. TW Implied suicide, rape/sa, anti Elain.

Of Shadows and Light by TheTeaQueen Part 2 of In the name of healing and happiness. Technically more of a Gwynriel fic, but does have some Nessian since it follows the aftermath of Of death and Resurrection, only Azriel, Gwyn & Elain are the main focus. Ties up a lose thread or two from part 1, and is 100% Anti Elain. Completed. TW Implied child abuse, implied suicide, torture.

Of Reopened Wounds and Retribution by TheTeaQueen Part 3 of In the name of healing and happiness. A trip to the human lands to discuss the treaty leads Nesta to face Thomas Mandray again. This time, she has family willing to go to hell and back for her. Incomplete. TW Implied rape/sa, panic attack.

Lady Death and Her Kingdom by TheTeaQueen Amren pushes Nesta too far, causing her to awaken a strange new power. TW Implied child abuse. Incomplete.

The Hike, Alternatively by TheTeaQueen An alternative take on The Hike from Hell, where Nesta attempt to TW commit suicide TW, and Cassian realises just how messed up their methods, and the events leading up to the hike are. Written for Suicide prevention month. Completed. TW Self harm, suicide, The Hike.

To Pay a Debt by TheTeaQueen When Nesta sees that Feyre didn't include her in any of the paintings, she does the only thing she can think of; Run. Incomplete. TW, attempted suicide, suicidal thoughts, mentioned sa.

Burning from the Inside out by TheTeaQueen An au where Nesta's secretly lived with Chronic pain her whole life, only for the cauldron and her new powers to exacerbate it. Complete. TW Implied/referenced child abuse, suicidal thoughts, ableism, internalised ableism.

The Whole Truth by TheTeaQueen An alternative take where Nesta's deepest secret comes to light when Elain explodes at the dinner table one night. This forces the IC and her sisters to reevaluate their perception of her. Incomplete. TW: Child abuse, suicidal thoughts/ideation, forced prostitution, sexual assault (underage!!)

Set my Soul Alight by moodymelanist Nesta finds solace in Autumn. No Nessian. Completed. TW Implied/referenced child abuse, implied/referenced rape, implied/referenced torture.

Falling by becauseofreading Another take on what happens after Cassian tells Nesta that everybody hates her. Incomplete. TW Self harm, suicidal thoughts, blood and injuries.

Destruction and Renewal by Vorbi Nesta is given the opportunity to form new alliances. Initially, she scoffs at the idea, but after a small, final act of disrespect from the IC, she decides to see where this new path leads us. Incomplete. TW Implied/referenced abuse.

No One Likes A Mad Woman by Separatist_Apologist You made her like that. Nesta has had her choices tripped away, so when Eris offers her an out, she takes it. No happy ending for Cassian. The Night Court gets no sympathy. Completed. TW Domestic violence

A Cup of Tea by shaziskhalid After realising that the Cassian of her dreams isn't the Cassian she's mated to, everything changed. (MCU! Wanda, modern Au). Incomplete.

Promise by Daughterofthesea Begins during that scene where Cassian follows Nesta, and ends with him understanding just how much pain she's in, and deciding to actually help her.

Stay here (I love you, but I need another year) by littleplease Nesta is tired, and losing the will to even try. Complete. TW Apathy, depression, vuage suicidal thoughts.

What you did to me (I'll spend my life trying to rise) by filthymouthedslut Nesta is done with the IC's holier-than-thou attitude. No ship. Incomplete (3/4) as of updating this post.

Everybody hates you by Booksandsushi A different take on the time Cassian tells Nesta that Everybody hates her. Incomplete.

Change is good by Booksandsushi Nesta figures her life out on her own. Complete.

Truth of the Heart By TheFreakPanda The months after ACOFAS leave Nesta presented with some new opportunities. Full of therapy and dancing. Completed.

I've Always Liked to Play with Fire by catalyste After her village is destroyed and family killed by Hybern following Feyre's revenge mission, you wake up healed in the NC. After Lucien leaves you there, you find yourself trapped with Nesta Archeron, who turns out to be an unlikely ally. The two of you plan your escape with the help of Eris Vansera. Polly, Neris/reader, with IC bashing, and dragons. Incomplete.

The relapse by Janes_Melodies Something broke in Nesta when she learned about the results of the vote, knowing it was a tie until Feyre. She was trying for her sisters and for Cassian, yet they still think she's cruel enough to create a whole new trove just to kill them all. For the first time in months, she gave into her desires. Incomplete. TW Alcoholism, Implied/referenced self harm, suicidal thoughts.

You're safe now by annieleonhardtsring Rewrite of the scene where Nesta falls down the stairs, and Azriel stands up for her. Complete.

Love her how she should be loved by julemmaes Cassian overhears his family making some not-so-subtle comments about Nesta, and it pushes him over the edge. So he goes to bat for her, blaming his friends for everything wrong with their relationship with his girlfriend. Modern AU completed.

The Nest World - The Next Life by bat_called_phil ACOSF canon divergence fic that starts with the intervention, but diverts when Nesta takes a stand for herself, and Feyre starts holding Rhys accountable. TW Implied/referenced suicide, Implied/referenced abortion.

A Court of Spite and Isolation by xxTAO Nesta choses the human lands, separated from the IC and the distractions from her trauma, she spirals. Incomplete (4/6) TW Suicidal thoughts, Implied/referenced alcoholism, Suicide attempt.

Come Home by Rhysanoodle Cassian learns how Nesta's been living since she came to Illyria, and which fears haunt her the most. Complete.

[8bitrosethorn]

Tonight, I’m bringing forth a tiny piece of the larger Azriel/Sleeping Beauty theory. I hope to dive even more into that soon, but here’s a small snippet for now 🤓

There’s a passage when Feyre shows up to the Hewn City in Ch 42 of ACOMAF that stuck out to me on my latest reread:

At first, I didn’t think too much of it, until a page later, Feyre says this:

Cassian and Azriel reminded Feyre of the beasts carved into the pillars shown earlier… the SLEEPING (Azriel) and FIGHTING (Cassian) beasts.

And how else were the pillars described?

With a NEST OF CLAWS AND FANGS (Nesta) and FLOWING VINES OF JASMINE AND MOONFLOWERS (Elain).

Need more evidence? I gotchoo 🫡

Cassian, as described by Amren:

Nesta’s way of describing herself:

Elain, as described by Nesta:

And finally, Azriel’s Bonus Chapter from ACOSF, where his shadows are trying to tell him to… (wait for it) …. SLEEP.

And why isn’t he sleeping?!?! 😚 E L A I N 🤪

I truly believe that SJM has had everything planned this whole time, leaving the breadcrumbs she said she’d planted along the way. Especially after recently finishing all of TOG (🥹 no, I’m not okay 😭🫠), even if she’s a “pantser”-style writer, there is still the editing process that allows her to leave intentional, purposeful clues for readers to uncover that align with later revelations throughout her work.

And me, personally? I find it SO FUN AND REWARDING to look for them each and every reread 🧐✨

Thanks for reading, friends 💖🌸🦇

[infiniteetcetera]

I serve the ACOTAR fandom with a defense of Feysand, just not the one you’d expect…

One of the weirdest takes I’ve seen recently is the “Tamlin is actually the better guy so Feyre was better off with him.” Now listen, i’m not a Tamlin hater. Im also not a “Rhys has never done anything wrong and is perfect” type of fan. But this stance is simply so so wrong to me. Despite the flaws of all these characters I think one thing that is very consistent and just factually real in this series is that Tamlin and Feyre were wrong together and her and Rhys (even if you don’t like them together) make much more sense.

Tamlin and Rhys are foils of each other in a lot of ways and both go through a similar journey where their narratives flips in our protagonists view. The reality is, Tamlin has always had red flags and anger issues and been very paranoid and self righteous and Rhys has always been very secretive, manipulative, and controlling. He and all his friends tell Feyre this themselves. There’s textual evidence for both these takes in all the books of the series and despite claims that “Tamlin wasn’t himself in ACOMAF” or “Rhys wasn’t himself in ACOSF” I think if you’re actually paying close attention these two are written very consistently the whole series, flaws and all. They have many similar qualities that make sense from their similar backgrounds and positions in society. But there are differences too, and those differences are key in why Feyre chooses Rhys.

The first big thing is loyalty. Tamlin is loyal to his sense of morality and what he believes is right. Rhys is loyal to the people he considers his family, even above what is right. The two perfect examples of this are their separate paths in ACOTAR and their relationship with friends. Amarantha sexually pursues both Tamlin and Rhysand. They both have terrible histories with her that would make being in her presence awful, but Tamlin refuses to engage with her at all and his people suffer the consequences of it. IM NOT SAYING TAMLIN SHOULD HAVE EVER HAD TO DO ANYTHING WITH AMARANTHA miss ma’am is an irredeemable creep and we all know this, but this is the reality of Tamlin’s circumstances and choices, which directly parallel how Rhysand gave up his bodily autonomy and suffers for decades all because the extra bit of magic Amarantha lets him have is enough to keep his family hidden and safe. Even after all that, when Rhys has nightmares about UTM it’s not about what she did to him, it’s about Amarantha getting her hands on Cassian or Azriel. That’s what Rhys fears more than his lands being taken over or him literally being a sex slave, he doesn’t want his family hurt.

Regarding the second point, Feyre meets Tamlins Spring Court friends and simply doesn’t get along with any of them except Lucien. And Lucien, the one close friend Tamlin has, is constantly mistreated by him and canonically afraid of him. This is not just something new in ACOMAF, it’s sprinkled throughout ACOTAR too that Lucien is willing to contradict and argue with Tamlin because he’s Lucien but when Tamlin says what’s done is done it’s done. Meanwhile, we get snippets throughout the series of Cassian, Azriel, and Mor all directly laughing in the face of Rhys’ orders and straight up arguing with him as an equal. Even when Rhys does pull rank (happens maybe twice the whole series?) none of his friends are ever shown to be even slightly scared of him. It’s usually a combination of respect and guilt that keeps them in line.

I know that sounded like a Rhys defense blurb but it’s really not. If you value loyalty (which Feyre does) then yes, Rhys sounds better than Tamlin. But it should be noted Rhys is willing to do terrible awful gross things and cross villainous lines that Tamlin just won’t, and there’s value and honor in that too. I think this is best exemplified by a conversation Feyre has with Tamlin in ACOTAR about the war. Tamlin mentions he was so young he had to side with his family, but if he were old/powerful enough he would have fought for the humans no matter what because it’s just the right thing. Feyre our human narrator thinks it’s noble but says she wouldn’t do the same. Feyre’s first priority would be her family, even if keeping them safe meant not doing the right thing or doing something terrible like not fighting against slavery. THIS IS WHO FEYRE IS AND ITS ALSO WHO RHYS IS. It’s laid out for us so early it’s still a shock to me everytime someone claims something was suddenly changed in ACOMAF.

The next big thing for me here is going to sound simple but it’s personality. The few times Feyre sympathizes most with Tamlin and relates to him is when he’s discussing his flaws. When he mentions being called a wild beast she recalls how Nesta called her the same. She relates to Tamlin in being loved “thorns and all” and overall the thing these two bond over is this idea of being wild, untamed, and unrefined but that’s not who Feyre is, it’s who’s she had to be to survive. Feyre did not enjoy hunting, her dream was always to stop hunting and just paint and live an easy quiet life. Tamlin does have other interests, but overall the wild/hunter/violent part of him is predominant enough that he still clings onto it even though it does not benefit him. While on the surface these two seem to have things in common, Feyre’s shared traits with Tamlin are things she was forced into and doesn’t always like about herself.

Rhys on the other hand, these two are actually so incredibly alike. They have the exact same sense of humor (there are literally dozens of examples of this). They both value loyalty and protecting their family above all, even if it means being controlling, overbearing, and morally wrong. They both value being able to fight and take care of themselves because it’s necessary, but even this feeds into an I’ll do it myself mentality.

I’m going to get controversial here in saying this but I would argue even Rhys keeping the pregnancy thing from Feyre is something Feyre would 100% do in his position. That’s why she forgives him. Not because he’s got her manipulated or mind controlled to hell, but because it’s WHAT SHE’D DO TOO. Rhys wasn’t hiding it from her to force her to give birth or anything, he didn’t want her to worry and take on any burden. He wanted to control the situation and take care of her himself. That doesn’t make it right, but for someone who sees the world as he does (Feyre) it makes sense. There’s literally countless times throughout the story Feyre lies, sneaks off, and just generally hides thing from Tamlin, Rhys, and others. She goes to see the Suriel in secret during the war despite knowing Rhys would have let her go if she told him because she doesn’t want him involved and putting himself at risk. Her decisions are on a lesser scale than Rhys’ decisions, but that’s because she’s had less power than Rhys for most of the series. At her core though, Feyre’s morality and instincts are a lot like his. They are mates for a reason and honestly out of all of SJMs series, the pair of mates that make the most sense to the core of the term (except maybe Rowaelin)

Overall, I understand people have issues with this couple and with Rhysand that are valid (I can and will fight the Feyre haters though) but anyone who argues Feyre was better with Tamlin is just factually wrong and I think it’s a misunderstanding of her character and a weirdly infantilizing/patronizing take to make it seem like Rhys is manipulating Feyre all the time and she’s just too silly goofy to see it. We know for sure he is not manipulating her with his powers all the time (despite what the evil Rhys truthers think). Feyre might be younger and less experienced than Rhys but I promise you all she is not stupid. She knows what she’s doing with this man and has a lot more culpability in their relationship than people think. If that means you don’t like Feyre then I guess so be it (be wrong🙄) but I would say despite Rhys’ many flaws (and I do think there are a lot and a lot of people are valid in not liking him) him not loving Feyre and manipulating her is not one of them. He may still lie and keep secrets from her from time to time but this is something he confesses to her he struggled with in the past and would continue to struggle with in their relationship. Feyre knows this. She knows who Rhys is at his core even if some readers don’t and she loves him not because she thinks he’s flawless but because she understands his flaws and values his virtues over them. They’re still learning to work as a couple and pushing past the obstacles together, they’re both still healing from immense trauma the haunts them . Again they are not perfect, but they are definitely the most functional ACOTAR pairing we’ve seen so far and work not because they’re both heroes/good guys but because they’re both willing to be bad or good when the need calls for it.

[gwyn-nesta-emerie]

This little snippet from Chapter 60 of ACOSF caught my attention when I was reading it:

Why? Because it reads as if it is a snippet from Gwyn POV..

She wanted to be the first. Wanted Nesta and Emerie and her to be the ones who wiped the smirks from Azriel's and Cassian's faces. Especially Azriel.

That doesn't really scream third person limited POV and like it was told from Nesta perspective.

& the fact Sarah put an emphasis on that it was Gwyn who wanted to wipe the smirk from Azriel's face...

Why would she do that unless there is an ulterior motive? Like say putting them together as romantic love interests?!

[moodymelanist]

happy WIP Tuesday* (since I am a silly goof who accidentally posted a day early lol).

anyway, here’s a little something I’m working on for @nestaarcheronweek hehe

“I do not consent to a search of my home,” Nesta snapped. She closed the door behind her and turned to follow the officer, very intent on getting his name and badge number so she could tear Metro PD a new one. “What the f— someone record this!”

Most of her assembled friends and family looked confused, but Emerie and Feyre already had their phones in hand and were clearly recording. If Nesta had been paying more attention, she would’ve realized someone had brought out one of the dining chairs and put it in the middle of the room, but she was much more concerned with the Fourth Amendment violation playing out in her living room.

“I will ask you one last time,” Nesta hissed at the officer. He looked far too smug for her liking, and she couldn’t wait to wipe that stupid look off his face when she found out who his commanding officer was. “What the hell is the problem here?”

“There’s a problem here alright,” the officer — whose nameplate just said Cassian, which Nesta was realizing was not standard issue — told her with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows. “You have the right to remain horny!”

Oh, Nesta thought, everything abruptly clicking into place. Oh no.

[chunkypossum]

Mother Save Us From Your Twisted fate

From ACOSF: 

Eris glowered. “Has this been the plan the whole time? To string me along, make me an enemy of my father, then use the Trove against all of us?”

“You made yourself an enemy of your father,” Cassian said, smiling faintly. “When he finds out, I wonder if he’ll let your hounds rip you to shreds, or if he’ll do it himself.”

Eris paled slightly. “Don’t you mean if he finds out?” Cassian said nothing. Kept his face neutral.

Nesta stifled her smugness and did the same. Eris observed them.

... For the first time since Nesta had known the male, uncertainty banked the fire in his gaze.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ A little snippet under the cut

Read Complete on AO3 and MIND THE TAGS

Azriel found Eris on the side of the mountain… again. Though he hadn’t been allied with the Night Court for long, Azriel learned pretty quickly that he had a few favorite places to go when he wanted to be alone. This was one of them. After he missed his last meeting with Keir, Rhys had sent Azriel down to the Hewn City to see if Eris was somewhere within the mountain, knowing as well as Azriel did by now that Eris was known to hide out in the forgotten spaces of this cursed place. He knew he should just leave him there, let Rhys know and go about his other duties so he could leave the Hewn City as soon as possible but something rooted him to the spot. The shadows swam around him pestering to join the lordling in the blistering wind outside.  Shadows wrapped around his wrist and pulled him towards the small opening that would lead him to the ledge outside. He really didn't want to go but let them lead him away anyway.  The sight was more pitiful than he thought it would be. Eris was curled in on himself, holding tightly to his knees tucked up against his chest with his face buried into them. His wild red hair whipped around him in the wind, completely broken out of the neat braids they had been in.  It had been a while since Azriel had to talk with him. Rhys had pressured Cassian to take on the responsibility of dealing with Eris in recent weeks. Even though Azriel knew he was the one who requested it, seeing Eris now, a slight tinge of regret washed through him at that.  Without saying a word, Azriel walked over to him, footsteps drowned out by the howling wind and came to sit beside Eris. Far enough away that they didn't touch but close enough that he could if he wanted to. He didn’t want to.  Putting up a shield of magic from his siphons in a sphere around them, Azriel looked down at the male who had yet to acknowledge him and smiled as he noticed the way the shadows played in the tangles of his hair. Pests. “What are you doing out here?” He asked  Eris mumbled something without lifting his head that sounded something like ‘None of your business.’ prompting a chuckle from Azriel. Their relationship had gotten more confusing over the past few months and it was hard for Azriel to know where the line was now that they weren’t strictly enemies. The Mor situation would hang over all of their interactions until the truth was out but ever since Azriel got himself caught spying in the forests of Autumn, things had gotten infinitely more complicated. “Brat.” Azriel said through a laugh. He didn’t press further and sat there in silence while Eris stewed and Azriel watched. It wasn’t uncomfortable and somehow Azriel knew Eris would tell him when he was ready.  After a while, He raised his head and spoke. “Cassian threatened to tell my father about our little … arrangement.”

The songs I wrote this to Annnnd the Azris Tag List: @iftheshoef1tz @born-to-riot @pathfinderofnight @fell-in-luvs @@fieldofdaisiies @aktrain @honeysuckle-daydreams13 @secret-third-thing @acourtofladydeath @pippsmcgee @talibunny30

[acourtofladydeath]

TTBW Snippet #2

If you know anything about me, it's that patience is not my strong suit. So here you are, snippet #2 of this project.

“Relax Nes,” Cassian said as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as he met her gaze in the mirror in front of them. “Everything is going to be great. You’ll see. This is the next big step forward.” Nesta allowed her body to settle into his hold as his wings wrapped around them. She felt safer here, cocooned within the web of tendons and veins, analyzing the beautiful patchwork that had pieced his broken body back together more times than she cared to remember. But each time, he returned to her.  “Fly me to the female’s celebration before you go?” Nesta asked, a slight tinge of fear at the edge of her words, though she tried to keep it contained.  “I’m sorry sweetheart, I can’t.” Cassian said as he shuffled into his boots, chronically late as per usual. “I’ll take you flying tomorrow okay? We can go out to the mountains and get away from it all for a while.” As he spoke, he smiled down at Nesta, voice full of reassurance. Cassian brushed a loose strand of hair off her face and tenderly placed it back where it belonged in her braid. His words and action were a promise for the two of them, that tomorrow would come and they would take flight.

Take from it what you will...

[talkfantasytome]

ACOSF HIKE FIX YESSSS!!!

💕💕💕

I admittedly don't have much for this. But, the idea is the hike doesn't happen...they'll still probably get to the lake at some point. But instead of "punishing" Nesta (for doing nothing wrong, really), Cassian recognizes that Nesta is already deeply punishing herself. So takes her to a cabin to take care of her, instead (and still get her out of Velaris, which was needed).

The concept is, honestly, to show that Nesta was on the verge of breaking down anyway, and didn't need to be brought to the brink of death for it. I honestly believe that she would've had the same reaction to care and support as she did to being pushed physically. And I think it was out of character of Cassian to be so pissed off and mean and distant and un-observant. At least in terms of ACOWAR Cassian. I mean, this is the guy who took Nesta's concerns for what they were, listened, and acted on them as Feyre was just brushing them off as nothing. So, while I may not hate the hike as much as other people, I'm also definitely not in the camp of "it was needed to get her to that point", and I want to prove it. Her thoughts were her thoughts, and the spiral had started. And nothing in the writing told me hiking made a difference to what was going on in Nesta's head.

Anyway, rant over. Snippet below the read more.

WIP Ask Game

"Nesta?"

Cassian whispered softly, rubbing a hand down her arm.

Nesta stiffened beneath his touch, gentle in a way she didn't deserve. She cracked an eye open, her face scrunching against the bright morning that was shining through the windows. Turning, she could make out Cassian standing beside the bed, leaning over her slightly.

His brows furrowed as he looked at her, concern lacing his gaze. She'd barely slept despite the shockingly soft mattress. She just laid there, staring at the wall, attempting to ignore the crackling fire and wondering what it would take to disappear into nothing. It seemed he could read that all in her eyes.

She rolled onto her back and Cassian sank into a squat on the floor. Nesta turned her head to look at him as he said, "I was thinking we could stay here for a few days, maybe a week. Take a break from all the stressors in Velaris. There are some pretty beautiful sights nearby I can take you to, if you're feeling up to it. But, first, you should eat some breakfast."

It was easy, to pull her eyes away from Cassian, lift them to the ceiling. To avoid that unearned kindness.

Nesta hoped the dismissal would be enough of an answer. What did she care if she ate or slept? If she joined Cassian in sight seeing or stayed in the cabin?

[yazthebookish]

I miss them 😭🩵 snippet from the ACOSF Graphic Audiobook!

Artist credit: frostbite.studios

[ennawrite]

I love ACOSF in the sense that I ignore everyone being a part of it EXCEPT for the Valkyries

(and the small snippets of Eris & Lucien)

[hrizantemy]

Snippet pitch: Over the 25 years after ACOSF, Nesta and the IC are still on the outs. They continue to be unpleasant to her, and she gives as good as she gets.

The worst part (from the IC's perspective) is that Nyx utterly *adores* Nesta. Whenever they try to exclude her from anything, he just heads over to her and does stuff just the two of them. Nesta loves him just as much. The Valkyries have basically adopted him as an honorary Valkyrie. Mor and Cassian can't believe that their role as the "fun" aunt and uncle have been usurped by Nesta/Gwyn/Emerie.

Nyx's teenage rebellion happens as he learns about Illyrian misogyny and refuses to train with them, instead demanding to train with Auntie Nesta and her friends. Rhys is incensed, Feyre is conflicted. Azriel, Lucien, and Elain are just vibing in some dramatic love triangle that nobody in the story is paying attention to.

I absolutely love this concept—it’s adorable and incredibly satisfying! The idea that Nyx would naturally gravitate toward Nesta, in spite of the tension between her and the Inner Circle, feels like poetic justice. Nesta as this fiercely independent figure who Nyx sees as his true role model, and who he’s comfortable being around, would be a heartwarming dynamic. The Valkyries adopting him as an honorary member is just perfect—he’s essentially growing up in an environment that values strength, equality, and respect.

The fact that Cassian and Mor can’t stand being replaced as the “fun” aunt and uncle is hilarious. It makes perfect sense that they wouldn’t get why a kid like Nyx would prefer Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie, but it speaks to how much deeper and more meaningful those relationships would become.

Nyx’s teenage rebellion is where it hits another level! Him rejecting the outdated Illyrian training system and choosing to learn from the Valkyries would drive Rhys wild, and Feyre being conflicted makes it so much juicier. I can already picture Nesta subtly smirking while everyone else loses their minds. This would be so much fun to explore!