#elucien fan fic

[crazy-ache]

Angsty, steamy, hilarious, and of course, lots of hotness. Must read.

Summer Heat - Chapter 12

Title: Summer Heat

Relationships: Elain x Lucien, Eris x Male OC

Rating: E

Status: Multichapter - WIP

Summary: Summer Court is hosting the Summer Solstice Summit and the Night Court is sending their best emissaries to attend. It will be Elain's first time mingling in another court, and it's a good thing she has an expert guiding her: the mate she's been ignoring for the last two years.

Post-ACOSF, Elucien and Eris x OC.

READ ON AO3

Note: This is an all Eris x Alexius (OC) chapter.

Chapter 12 excerpt

Eris could feel his flames licking up the back of his neck. This is for the best, he thought to himself. Alexius could find another distraction, and he wouldn’t be such a temptation, putting himself directly in Eris’ way. Eris could handle watching him move onto his next prey, and he would walk away and leave this mess behind him.

Of course, when the male leaned forward again, brushing his lips against Alexius’ ear, Eris wanted to burn the entire tavern to the ground. An angry, painful strain squeezed in his chest. He clenched his fists, and just as he felt sure he might actually lose it, Alexius patted the male on the shoulder and made a gesture towards the other side of the room. He walked away, giving a signal that seemed to communicate, “I’ll be back.” Eris watched as he headed towards the dark hallway that led to the washrooms, and Eris quickly stood up from his bench and weaved through the crowd.

Alexius was halfway down the hall when Eris made it to the entrance. The toilets were single occupant, and when he selected one to enter, Eris winnowed into the room just as Alexius shut the door behind him. When Alexius looked up and saw him, he only smiled, as if he had been expecting him.

[the-darkestminds]

A Dying Flame

Eris POV — my first fic

Heyyyyy friends. I decided to write the two scenes UTM from Eris’s POV where Lucien is being tormented and Eris is forced to watch. It can also be found here. I’ve never written anything before so be nice to me 😭 I took a few lines directly from ACOTAR to set the scene and make it as canon as possible, but the rest came from me. I tried to channel SJM's writing style as best I could. I am trash for Eris so I couldn’t resist. I hope you guys like it 🥲 title is dumb so I might change it. I am eternally grateful for any of you who choose to read the whole thing, I promise it’s not too long! 🙏

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

Eris

I stood at the edge of the gathered crowd, struggling to keep the cool mask of indifference on my face as Amarantha once again had Lucien bound and on his knees before her. Would his torment never cease? He had never quite mastered the ability to keep his mouth shut, to leash his tongue until the moment it would best serve him. Lucien’s loud mouth had already cost him his left eye, plucked right from his head by Amarantha herself. Rage coursed through me at the role I was forced to play each day under this cursed mountain. How useless I’d become at protecting those I held most dear. 

Lucien and I had not exchanged honest words in over 30 years. I longed for the chance to speak to him alone, to beg him to hold his tongue so as not to draw Amarantha’s ire more than he already had. Not for the first time, I desperately wished for the daemati abilities the High Lord of Night possessed so that I might speak to Lucien privately. Abilities he was about to unleash upon my brother.  

Beside Lucien stood a small and ordinary mortal girl, likely Amarantha’s newest plaything to torture and discard.

“Her name?” Amarantha asked Tamlin, who didn’t reply. “I don’t suppose your handsome brothers know, Lucien,” she purred.

Give up her name! I nearly begged him. To hell with the girl. Instead I heard myself say, “If we did, Lady, we would be the first to tell you.” The words tasted like poison on my tongue. My brothers chuckled from behind me.

Amarantha only smiled and nodded at Rhysand. He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing slightly on Lucien, who hissed in pain.

I tensed as Rhysand began smiling faintly. Bastard. He was a loathsome, foul bastard. And though I knew he played a role and wore a mask as much as the rest of us, it didn’t stop me from hating him as he held Lucien’s mind in his clutches.

Lucien stiffened in pain. A groan slipped out of him, and– 

“Feyre!” the girl shouted. “My name is Feyre.” 

Lucien sagged on the ground, trembling. Relief shuttered through me, and I bared my teeth and snarled quietly at the girl to disguise the trembling in my hands, my legs. He was safe, for now. And no thanks to me. 

The conversation continued, but I let my mind drift far away. Tried to feel nothing as I attempted to calm my racing heart. I clenched my sweaty palms at my sides and allowed myself a quick glance at Lucien’s prone form. Alive–for now. 

I slipped back into the crowd as they dragged Feyre away. He was alive. I repeated this to myself as the cruelty continued through the night, as it did every night in this miserable place. Alive–as I sipped wine and smiled at the punishment the Attor was inflicting on the poor faeries Amarantha had singled out this evening. Alive, alive, alive a steady chant in my blood as the night wore on.

Alive.

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

“Well, Feyre, your second trial has come.” I heard Amarantha smugly announce from her throne at the front of the room. A gnawing dread had been pooling in my gut for the last hour. I could only guess at what new horror she had in store for the girl, but I grew increasingly anxious when I did not see Lucien amongst the revelers. He tended to lurk in the shadows of the room, one eye on Tamlin, ever the loyal sentry. I couldn’t help the low snarl that escaped me at the thought. That Lucien was willing to risk his own life for the Spring Court brute. The faerie next to me skittered away at the sound.

I slowly made my way towards the gathered crowd. Faeries averted their eyes as I passed. It was a relief that I still commanded a modicum of fear from these leeches. Their fear of me was a weapon I wielded frequently.

Amarantha sat proudly on her throne. The Attor at her left, Tamlin braced stiffly behind her on her right. 

“Here, Feyre darling, you shall find your task. Simply answer the question by selecting the correct lever, and you’ll win. Select the wrong one to your doom. As there are only three options, I think I have given you an unfair advantage.” Something metallic groaned at the snap of her fingers. “That is,” she added with a snake-like smile, “if you can solve the puzzle in time.”

I had just gotten a glimpse of the girl when the floor where she was standing began to sink down, revealing a small chamber split in two by a metal grate.

I went rigid as I beheld the figure chained to the floor, previously hidden from view. A loud roaring began building in my head. My skin felt tight and hot as I saw that it was Lucien–Lucien, who would again be part of the night’s entertainment. Lucien wrenched at the chains binding him to the floor. I nearly puked on the throne room floor at the sight of it.

Only the many years of practice in my long immortal life stopped the cry of anguish from escaping me as burning spikes began to slowly lower towards Lucien from above. I was a fool. A wretched fool to think Amarantha was done torturing him. That she would not use his friendship with the girl again and again until she finally broke, or was dead, Lucien along with her. I made to take a step forward but then jerked to a stop. Nothing. There was nothing I could do to stop this without damning us both further. I would be forced to watch in silent agony as Lucien was slowly and painfully crushed under the weight of those red-hot spikes. 

I stared and stared at Lucien, only vaguely aware of the girl flailing and panicking in the chamber next to him. This was some new level of hell. My nightmare brought to life, one that I could not wake myself up from. 

“Answer it!” Lucien shouted, his voice hitched. My eyes burned, and I felt a cold drop of sweat begin to drip down my spine. Only sheer force of will kept the practiced smirk on my lips. The spikes lowered further.

“Just pick one!” Lucien shouted. He strained against the chains, panting frantically, eyes wide.

My brothers around me laughed gleefully, and I forced myself to join in, the sound a pitiful rasp in my ears. I was grateful that the crowd around me was thoroughly distracted by the horror unfolding before us. That they could not hear my pounding heart or the screaming inside my head as those molten spikes lowered another inch closer to Lucien’s body, helplessly chained to the floor. This was the true torture. Not the painful lashes I’d so often received from my father for disappointing him in one way or another. Not the loneliness and fear that threatened to crush me after so many years navigating the snake pit of my father’s court. But this. Forced to stand idly by as my loved ones were killed. Forced to hear the fear in Lucien’s voice as he begged the girl to just pick a lever and be unable to stop any of it.

“Feyre, please!” Lucien moaned. The terror in his voice nearly brought me to my knees. And yet I stood there like a statue. Maybe this was my punishment for being so useless. So worthless. I desperately wished I could take Lucien’s place. That it was me chained to the floor. I deserved it.

I held my breath and shut my eyes as the girl finally reached for the third lever, bracing myself for what was surely to come. 

Silence. Then–a sigh. From Lucien. 

I opened my eyes at the sound and choked down the sob building in my chest. The girl, Feyre, had actually done it. By dumb luck or fate, she had saved them both.

I did not stay to witness Amarantha’s reaction to the girl besting her once more. Could not stand to be there a minute longer. I turned, not seeing any of the faces around me, desperate to escape the swirl of both panic and relief pressing in on me, threatening to swallow me whole. I could not fall apart, not here.

I stumbled away to the back of the throne room and kept walking until I was alone in a darkened passageway, the sounds of jeering and wicked laughter slowly disappearing. I leaned heavily against the nearest wall and emptied the contents of my stomach onto the floor. My eyes and throat burned and I let out the broken sob I had been holding in. I would allow myself one minute to fall apart, away from prying eyes. Just one minute, and then I would return to join in the merriment of those who had cheered as my brother had nearly been killed again.

I breathed in the damp, cold air of the mountain, my body shaking silently as I sunk to my knees. I listened to the drip, drip, drip of water on the stone floor and used it to slow my quaking heart. When the minute was up, I stood. Tunneled deep down inside until I could barely feel the rage and sorrow. I brought the smirk back to my mouth–it was second nature after all these years. I took one last deep breath, and turned back the way I had come. I had been gone too long, and these caves had eyes and ears that were always watching, always listening–always reporting back to her. And though Autumn Court fire burned in my veins, I forced my heart to freeze over, as cold as Kallias’s ice. I let that ice flow through me as I walked back–as I blocked out the despair that fought to drown me with every step I took. Until I was no one, and nothing. 

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

A small part of me was aware that I was in shock. I drifted through the following day as if underwater, not fully hearing the words spoken to me or how I responded. Through it all, I made sure to keep the haughty mask on my face. Only when I spotted Lucien across the room did I feel as if I had come up briefly for air. Our eyes locked, and Lucien’s mouth tightened in displeasure. He held my gaze, emotion flickering in his right eye–there and then gone before I could decipher it. After a beat he looked away and was promptly swallowed up by the crowd.

I knew Lucien despised me. It was written on his face whenever he deigned to look me in the eyes, and I let him believe I felt the same. As much as it pained me to do so, I treated him as if he were nothing to me, no more than trash to be discarded. I hated myself more with each passing day–was at risk of being consumed by it entirely and slipping deep into the burning pit of fire within me. It was sheer defiance against the bitch queen that prevented me from doing so. The hope that I might one day see Autumn again. So many years trapped down in the dark were wearing heavy on my soul. The steady fear that I would fail those I sought to protect slowly ate away at me. What I’d give to breathe in the crisp, cool air of home, to walk amongst the red and gold leaves that sparkled like jewels in the dawn light. I held on to the hope that I would one day return. Tucked it deep down inside where it flickered softly, the aching pain in my heart its only companion.

[ataraxiasflame]

When You Move, I’m Moved - Elucien One-shot

When Elain Archeron flees Nesta and Cassian's Mating Ceremony for a moment alone after an emotional experience, her mate follows her out of concern for what he feels through their bond, resulting in an evening neither had planned, but both had been wanting for ages.

Words: 4, 008

Rating: E

Steamy excerpt below …

Their tongues met instantly, neither attempting to ease into their kiss. There was fire within them, each driving them to claim the other. Lucien’s right hand drifted into the soft hair at Elain’s nape, gripping her gently as the intensity between them climbed and climbed and climbed. He tightened his grip, tipped her head back, and placed slow open-mouth kisses on her neck while he breathed her in. She tasted as incredible as she smelled. Elain….Elain…

[antipinkkitten]

Friday Update - What I'm subbed to

So, since I'm still working on this Helion/Lady of the Autumn Court epic, I thought it would good to share what I'm reading for other ACOTAR fans reading enjoyment.

A Court of Suns and Shadows - Not updated since March, but it's a good long story right now: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53610613/chapters/135709468

A Court of Vision and Bloom - A love triangle trope, not updated since April but is only 11 chapters to dive into. http://archiveofourown.org/works/46456888/chapters/116971312

All I Wanted - (Elucien) An amazing close-proximity, hi-jinks and reluctant lovers trope that's in progress: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53217082/chapters/140577592

Best Laid Plans - (Elucien) A nearly done fic about miscommunications and Gwyn/Lucien trying make Azriel/Elain jealous. A ton of fun, very RomCom. https://archiveofourown.org/works/50033911/chapters/126334117

And finally, my Roman Empire:

Bid the Stars Farewell

A two-part series with 1 POV per version. It's an Elucien fic and every time it updates, I stop whatever I'm doing to read. This is one of the ones I recommend jumping to ASAP. https://archiveofourown.org/works/47385157/chapters/119402707

[shallyne]

Sunshine and Reunions

This plays in the same universe as Sunshine and Promises BUT it is a oneshot that can be read seperately. You do not have to read the other fic.

Words: 1,533

TW: none

Elain gets sick and Lucien comes over to keep her company

Elain was rarely sick. The last cold she had was years ago when she was still in High School and since then, she was extremely lucky to not get sick. Until she woke up this morning and felt like she got hit by a bus. Her head was pounding and her nose was stuffy and her coughs made her wish she was dead. Well, not dead but a little less conscious because everytime she coughed, or sneezed, it felt like her head would just burst. Because she never got sick, she didn't have any medicine at home, which meant she would have to get up and go to a pharmacy. Now. But she couldn't get herself to leave her bed, not even to make herself tea.

Elain groaned into her pillow when her phone rang and she was tempted to just leave it ringing but she picked it up and looked at the display. Lucien Vanserra. Her Co-Worker.

Sighing, she picked up. "Hello?" she sniffed.

"You called in sick?" he asked immediately without greeting her.

"Yes." she replied, already exhausted from holding that damn phone.

"Why?"

"Because I'm sick." she answered.

"You're never sick." he countered as if it never crossed his mind that Elain could get a cold. She could also make out a hint of concern but she probably imagined that in her state.

"Trust me, I wish I would have lied but I really am. Thanks for your concern but I have to hang up now." Elain said, her voice cracking. "Goodbye." She hung up and threw her phone in the drawer of her night stand. When she settled back into her pillows, guilt overcame her. Of course she didn't blame Lucien for being curious, it was a well known fact how rarely Elain called in sick for work and she never intended to talk so unpleasant to him.

Yes, Elain owed him an apology but only after her nap. Everything had to wait until she woke up again.

Which was about three hours later when a loud knock pulled her out of a nightmare where her garden was on fire. Groaning she slipped on a dressing gown, heart still pounding from her dream and dizzy from her cold she walked to the front door. A knock sounded again. "I'm coming!" she snapped and opened the door with more vigor than she had anticipated, just to look into Lucien's russet eye. He held a brown paper bag, filled with whatever, Elain didn't know. She could just see something pink peeking out. He still wore his office attire, surprisingly. She knew that Lucien hated his attire and that the first thing he did after coming home was slipping Into something more comfortable.

"I brought you some medicine." Lucien interrupted her thoughts and plastered a smile on his face. "I thought you might be in need of this. I also got chicken soup. It doesn't compete with your own cooking of course, but it's alright."

Elain nodded, speechless. She hadn't expected Lucien to come over, she hadn't expected him to care. Yes, they talked a lot during their working hours but Elain always assumed he asked her all kinds of questions to keep up the small talk and because he was genuinely interested. She shook her head and stepped aside, "Come in."

Lucien nodded in thanks and as he stepped in her apartment, he quickly looked around and then went to the open kitchen to their right and placed the bag on the kitchen counter.

"Sit." he said, pointing to her couch. Elain did, without saying a word, smoothing her hair in the meantime. She must look terrible, she just woke up after all. Elain probably looked like she just fought a racoon.

A ripping sound came from the kitchen and then Lucien walked towards her. He put the medicine on the coffee table in front of them. It turned out the pink Elain had spotted was a very fluffy blanket that he now wrapped around her. "Is that okay?"

"Yes." Elain answered, smiling. She watched him as he went back to the kitchen and brewed her tea. As Lucien waited for the water to boil, he loosened his tie and rolled his sleeves up to his elbow, showing his muscular forearm. His long, red hair was up in a ponytail and as he maneuvered himself through Elain’s kitchen, she looked at him in a wholly different light. At work he was just Lucien, she hadn't paid him a second glance while they just did their work or had smalltalk but now he was….attractive. Elain was glad for the sneeze that was coming, able to hide her blushing face but Lucien didn't miss a beat.

"What?" he asked as he looked back.

Elain quickly shook her head, her hair, still not brushed and wild as ever, flew in her face. With a sigh she brushed the few lingering strands away and said "Nothing. I was just…thinking." she wouldn't say she was a bad liar, not at all, but she really disliked doing it so she'd rather tell the truth but keep it vague. Lucien apparently wasn't one to accept vague answers.

"What about?"

So Elain told him a half-truth, much more personal but at least she can ignore this new, weird feeling when she looked at Lucien. "I am thinking a lot about my sister lately." Not a lie at all, she was thinking a lot about Feyre lately, it just wasn't the truth he implied.

"Nesta?" he asked. Elain looked at him, surprised. Lucien had remembered her sister's name.

She shook her head, "No, Feyre." she explained. "I am in contact with Nesta," rarely "but not with Feyre. I mean we aren't fully no contact, we text each other in holidays on birthdays but just generic stuff that everyone texts each other on these days." Elain shrugged, biting on her thumbnail. "I don't know, I miss her."

Lucien picked up a steaming bowl and cup and bought it over to Elain, putting it down on the table in front of her. She thanked him as she took the cup of tea and took her first tea.

"You should call her." Lucien said, perching in the arm roll of the couch.

Elain craned her neck to look up at him, "You really think so?"

Lucien extended his hand, as if he would take a curl of Elain’s untamed mane and wrap it around his finger but changing his mind in the last second and dropping his hand. "Yes, I think so. You miss her, so why not?"

"I'm scared she doesn't want any contact."

Lucien sighed, smiling at her. Not a condescending smile, but an understanding one. "Then you tried."

They looked into each other's eyes for a moment until Elain looked away and took the bowl of soup. "You're right." she said.

That was it about that topic. They kept having some smalltalk about work before Lucien had to get back to work, but he repeatedly told her that she can call him if she needs anything. Elain almost had to drag him out of the apartment so he wouldn't be late.

The rest of the day, Elain watched movies and did some work that she could do from home, her eyes always wandering to her phone until she grabs it around seven in the evening, and dialed Feyres number. Her heart squeezed painfully when she heard her sister's raw voice at the end of the line. "Hey Elain."

It was half past five and Lucien should already be home. Maybe he was grocery shopping or visiting a friend or working later, but Elain felt nervous. She sat on the steps at his apartment complex, a bouquet of flowers balancing on her legs. Maybe she shouldn't have taken the bouquet with her but she made it herself and felt, well, right.

She jumped when his car turned into the parking lot and watched him as he gathered his things and left his car. He immediately smiled when he spotted Elain. Lucien had that kind of smile that lit up a whole room. Lucien felt like a ray of sunshine after a storm.

"Elain," he said. "What are you doing here? Not that I'm disappointed, I'm just surprised."

Elain offered him the bouquet of flowers, "This is for you."

He smiled as he accepted them, but his expression turned confused, "What's the occasion?"

"It's a thank you," Elain explained. "For encouraging me to call my sister." she played with the hem of her floral blouse, "It turns out she's pregnant! I'm going to be an aunt."

"Wow!" Lucien said. "That's…congratulations!"

"Thank you." she said. "She just started announcing her pregnancy."

Lucien looked at her, understanding filling his features, the relief that was clearly written on Elain’s face. She wouldn't know how she would have reacted if Feyre wouldn't have told her at all, it just turned out Elain was quicker with contacting her. Although she felt bad for even questioning her about this. Before they all followed their own paths and went to college, Feyre was the glue that kept the family together. Maybe it was time to give something back.

[separatist-apologist]

Hello!!! I just finished reading devouring Throw Me To The Flames

I was wondering if you wrote the Eris x Arina sequel?? No rush or pressure!!

Love your work!! ❤️

Hey! I need to thank @elvhendis for all the traffic their sexy Lucien gave Throw Me To The Flames. I did NOT write the sequel- well, okay, I wrote like, half of it? And then abandoned it for other projects. Lots of people are asking to know what went down and maybe I'll come back to it.

[ataraxiasflame]

I mean, I’ve only written one. But sure, this will always apply 😅

Reblog if you write fic and people can inbox you random-ass questions about your stories, itemized number lists be damned.

[carolcarebear]

Tumblr is turning me into a Gwynriel

I’ve always been an Elucien girly. Always. There’s just so much potential, so much beauty in their dynamic. The tension, the slow burn, the second-chance-at-love vibes... I’ve always seen something special in Elain and Lucien, and that’s the ship I’ve rooted for from the start. 💕

And Azriel? I care about him, I do. I want him to be happy, but…I’ve just never paid him much attention. He’s cool, but not my focus

But Tumblr is turning me into SUCH a Gwyriel girly. The fan arts, the theories, the analyses, the fics! Y’all are changing me. I’m suddenly looking at Azriel differently, noticing all these nuances, and pairing him with Gwyn is perfection. She’s such a powerful, dynamic character, and they just fit.

The bonus chapter has me hyped for their story.

His shadows had not warned him 🖤

Something sparked in his chest ✨

The shadows know.

I’ve been imagining a scene for their book: Azriel and Gwyn hunting Bryaxis together. Gwyn’s in full Blood Rite mode, tracking Bryaxis with her hunting skills, and Azriel’s just like, “She is incredible.”

When they find Bryaxis, she thinks they’re going to attack and readies to strike, but Gwyn steps forward and starts singing. Azriel's shadows slowly begin swirling around Gwyn, drawn to the glow of her hair. 🥹

Yeah, I'm a Gwynriel now.

[the-darkestminds]

If anyone is interested, I posted my new Eris/lucien one-shot fic to my blog (and ao3). It features jesminda’s death, eris’s punishment for disobeying and Lucien’s escape from autumn + pain and suffering + Tamlin holding Lucien 🥺

Will be eternally grateful to anyone who reads it 🥹❤️

My other (very short) Eris POV fic is here!

[ataraxiasflame]

Chapter 9 of Turning Saints into the Seas has been posted!

An excerpt of the two mates becoming friendlier with each other appears below:

“You’ve no interest in becoming a citizen of Night?” She asked, curious whether Lucien had ever considered permanently relocating to Velaris. If someone suggested it to him, perhaps he could find somewhere to belong again.

Lucien slowly turned to look at Elain, and his gaze warmed. He studied her face, her lips, her neck, then swallowed before looking away. “I doubt Rhysand would welcome me into his court. Especially not after today.”

“What happened today?” Elain asked, sitting forward, her curiosity piqued. Lucien noticed the interest she had taken as he observed the way she had moved a whole step closer to him. He released one of the charming half smiles she had come to…appreciate.

“He ordered me to return to Velaris so I told him to shove his orders.” Lucien’s smile bloomed across his face. Elain couldn’t ignore it. She burst out laughing.

“I am weirdly jealous of you right now.”

“Only now?” Lucien smirked at her, and they held each other’s gazes for a moment before she rolled her eyes, then picked up a twig and threw it at him. He laughed once more as it bounced off his jaw.

Happy Reading!

@the-darkestminds @crazy-ache 💕

[ataraxiasflame]

I wrote a Blood Duel one-shot specifically highlighting these exact differences between Azriel and Lucien because I also believe that (canon) Lucien won’t accept the challenge of a blood duel. I know I’m biased, but if SJM was foreshadowing anything with the scene below, it’s not how strong Az is, but just how much he is under-estimating Lucien’s power (you know, the male who was able to force dominance on Cassian when he isn’t even a HL yet?)

“Pure arrogance laced every word.” Doesn’t sound much like a hero, does it?

Anyway, I wrote this scene after I considered what might happen if they were to have that face-off, knowing Lucien wouldn’t want it and that Az would definitely under-estimate Lucien’s real strength.

It’s not super flattering to Az though, forewarning!

Lucien wouldn’t even call a blood duel and if Azriel somehow called it I am 100% sure he would not participate. He abhors violence. He did not kill Graysen, the man who disrespected his MATE. He did not seek revenge for Jesminda’s death even though I know he wants to. He would not participate in it, tradition be damned.

But Azriel would.

Even if it hurts Elain. Even if it scars her. Even if losing her mate potentially messes her up. And we know that because of his eager response to Rhys. We know that because he liked the idea of Lucien killing Greysen even when Elain asked to spare him. He did not care. But Lucien understands this, Lucien understands Elain and their morals align.

That’s the whole point.

[violetasteracademic]

Rambling thoughts post. Won't delete.

I learned a long time ago to stop commenting on the state of the ship war/ SJM fandom as a whole and asking people to be kinder, and anyone who has followed me for a while (which sounds silly to say since I've only been here since March) has likely witnessed my slow disillusionment of the SJM fandom space. As my therapist said, if you keep trying to clean up debris in someone's house who refuses to fix their roof, you'll drain yourself for nothing. (That was about my ex husband but hey I think it applies here.) I've also realized that in the long run, individual creators don't matter, really. There are too many creators in this space who burn out and disappear and even if it upsets or disappoints people in the moment, there is always someone to replace them. I'm very replaceable. My thoughts really don't matter. But here they are anyway.

The SJM tumblr space is extremely hostile and negative. But it isn't all hostile and negative, and the more I filter out the shipwar content and anti content (seriously, I have filters on anti elriel, anti gwynriel, anti elucien, and shipwar buzzwords like delusional, reading comprehension, touch grass, ECT and thank you to my dear friend @yourstarsmyscars for showing me how much more the filters can do than I realized!) the more free I am to see how many kind and wonderful creators there are on here making cute art and amazing fanfics and nourishing a positive fandom ecosystem.

Again, I don't matter in the long run. I'm not sure how many people even still follow me really since I've stopped engaging in the shipwars beyond art, fics, and kind posts. But I do want to let anyone out there who, like me, has had their tolerance for the ship wars plummet to the core of the earth, break through the crust in the middle of the Pacific ocean, and then drift into space, know that there IS kindness in this fandom beyond the noise. There are people doing great work on all sides, who are welcoming to all, and just trying to create something people will enjoy.

I can't say I'll be here forever, or even much longer. But I feel moved to signal boost the positivity. I also know that, although I do believe I tried very hard to be positive and not insulting the majority of the time, I had days that I let the negativity get to me and I was snarkier than I wish I would have been. I'm truly sorry if I ever made a post that even remotely hurt anyone's feelings or added to the negativity. I'd go back and delete them, but frankly they are my most popular posts and still get reblogged so it feels sort of pointless since reblogs don't get deleted.

Although I am an Elriel in my heart of hearts, I want to continue to be a welcoming space for all. If that means my followers get cut in half or only a few people interact with my posts, that's okay with me. I can't try to patch the roof of the fandom, but I can keep my own space toasty and warm for anyone looking for reprieve, regardless of who you ship. I've stated multiple times here that I'm the only Elriel in my IRL friendships, and I love my friends dearly. I tried to speak to Tumblr as a whole the way I'd speak to them, and I didn't always do that. But the world is too abysmal and scary and a lot of SJM fans come online and struggle to find a space that isn't extremely hostile and negative.

Here's to all the goofy little spooks making art, fics, texts, and transcending the shipwars and just trying to connect over the things we love.

In the words of our Lord and Savior Taylor Swift, I want to be defined by the things I love, not the things I hate.

Also still committed to writing a banger Elain Lucien and Azriel throuple once I get through my laundry list of current fics. Maybe a quadruple with Gwyn. Maybe I'll just write a giant orgy, actually.

[lovemyromance]

(Not a troll ask please don't shoot :D - genuine question)

But I feel like it's really downplayed how much Gwynriels gaslight the fandom. I joined ACOTAR bc I saw Gwynriel fanart and thought they were cute. I Got all the way to ACOSF still hoping for Gwynriel and got a whole lot of NOTHING. And honestly I think Elain is as interesting as cardboard (sorry), but you'd have to be downright blind to ignore she had something going on with Azriel.

Then I saw on titktok about the bonus chapter, everyone going in saying omg thats where gwyn & az are mates! So I cracked it open, read it - and bruh - HE'S OUT HERE TRYING TO GO DOWN ON ELAIN??

How can you put THAT interaction & the conversation he had with Gwyn side by side and people are walking away from it saying Gwyn & Azriel are mates?

I'm so genuinely confused why someone would start that nonsense. The way I ate up Gwynriel art/fan theories it was like she was a major character there from the start and they'd already had 8 kids and a HEA.

Then I open the books and they barely even have a conversation??

It was honestly really annoying. felt like a scam, like one of those authors peddling their book on social media and then you realize its a wattpadd fic written by a 12 yr old not an actual book

If it helps - we're all confused. Nothing has been proven yet about any remaining couple so idk why the Elucien and Gwynriels are out here straight up inventing fiction and trying to pass it off as fact to anyone willing (and even unwilling) to listen.

This ship war could've just been - "Hey I like Elucien more!" Or "I love elriel!"

But instead of just accepting these are all opinions and not actually what is in the books - people decided to straight up gaslight and claim that Elucien are a couple and Gwynriel are mates.

If you cannot point to it on the page where such a thing it explicitly happened - then it is not canon.

Lucien & Elain? They're mates. That's canon.

What's also canon - is that not all mates are a good pairing and end up happy together.

Whats also canon - is that the cauldron was wrong.

It shouldn't be hard to reach accurate conclusions if people stopped treating their wants and headcanons as fact.

Like for gods sake - let's just look at fanart. I'm not saying that every piece of fanart is canon or even should be canon - but elriel has much more canon fanart. Thats literally a fact. They have multiple major moments together - on the page.

What is canon Elucien fanart? When she falls out the cauldron - naked and humiliated and he gives her his cloak? When they sit together over a tea service acting uncomfortable? When she avoids him every other time she sees him?

What is canon Gwynriel fanart? When he gives her boss a secondhand necklace to give to her or anyone else? When he - and cassian and everyone else - watch her cut a ribbon she sees as an enemy?

I've seen so many people open up these books expecting some grand romance between Elain & Lucien and end up disappointed because... she doesn't even want to be in the same room as him.

So many Gwynriels with similar stories to yours expecting some entertaining Gwynriel love story only to also end up disappointed because Gwyn doesn't even exist till the last book and she and Azriel barely interact.

They chose to believe in a nonexistent ship and are trying to compete with canon Elriel evidence. Like ok - tough shit? But you can't just start making shit up.

Until Elain accepts that bond - or even gives Lucien the time of day - they're not a couple. They are nowhere close to endgame if everything she has done and said has shown us she doesn't want him.

Until Azriel himself declares Gwyn is his mate or vice versa - they're not mates.

And yeah I'm gonna get a lot of backlash from the "foreshadowing and crumbs" crowd.

But let me ask you this:

There are some Elriels who think the mating bond between Lucien & Elain is fake. There is plenty of evidence and similar language used about their bond that resembles the fake Rowan & Lyria bond. Plenty of signs showing their bond isn't quite right.

do you think Elriels can then claim it's canon that the Elucien bond is fake?

"We have crumbs and foreshadowing and similar language used" too. But do you see us going around claiming it's canon?

No.

We are very clear about the distinction between canon and headcanons. About what's in the books, and what is just pure guesswork and theory.

"Sparky spark" and "elucien is endgame" are both theories until proven. They are NOT canon.

Wish they'd just learn the difference. They'd be a lot less unhappy fans.

[lady-embers]

Let's start a thread....

If you read fan fics, what is your favorite Elucien and/or Gwynriel one? And where can one read it at?

Right now I'm loving The Bargain by HeadCanonHeadCase on AO3. It's based off the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy & in it Azriel is the Hockey Captain and needs Gwyn's help for a course while she needs his to get the notice of another guy. Little do they know things would lead to more between them. Y'all should check it out if you haven't already!

Comment or reblog so others can see your favorite/recommendation!! 💖 🌻

[velidewrites]

VIFFY I AM INSANE

Rita’s Shenanigans 🪩

Summary: Hoping to break the ice with her mate, Elain enlists her family’s help in setting up a night out at Rita’s. A post-ACOSF, Modern AU (with Fae lore).

A contribution to @elucienweekofficial and dedicated to @velidewrites who inspired this with her Rita’s moodboard!

It wasn’t Elain’s first time at Rita’s, but it certainly felt different from all the other times she’d gamely tagged along with the Inner Circle, not wanting to be left out.

Her mate, Lucien Vanserra, was here. He trailed behind her, the tension between them as taut as the golden thread of fate that connected them. Lucien was close enough to touch, yet figuratively, he could not be farther away.

It had been difficult trying to start fresh with Lucien when she had a history of ignoring him. So Elain confided in Nesta that she needed help interacting with Lucien, which then led to Cassian inviting Lucien to join them for a night out at Rita’s. It was the perfect venue for a night of drinking, dancing, and chatting…plenty of opportunities to grow closer with him.

Elain just couldn’t believe her normally observant mate was not getting the message.

“I like your shoes,” she tried to tell him over the pounding music. They were following Mor, Nesta, and Cassian as the trio made their rounds on the ground floor, greeting the friends they so often saw when they visited Rita’s.

“Thanks,” Lucien replied shortly. He held Elain’s gaze for a full second, looked like he was going to say something, and then thought better of it. The attempt at conversation ended permanently when he looked away awkwardly.

“What kind of drink do you like?” Elain attempted five minutes later.

“I’ll drink just about anything.” Lucien didn’t bother leaning in, which was precisely what Elain had wanted him to do in the loud club. “...you?”

“I like fruit-based drinks.” But Lucien didn’t offer to buy her another drink. Didn’t ask if she wanted to try his non-fruity drink for a change. He simply nodded and went back to talking to Cassian.

Whatever happened to the natural progression of social interactions? Elain huffed internally.

It ground Elain’s gears when Lucien joined Mor in chatting avidly with strangers. Strangers that included other females. Elain told herself that Lucien wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was sociable without being flirtatious. He never put a hand on anyone. Yet Elain’s blood boiled hot when she caught him chuckling at something another female said, or when a female would lean in to hear what he was saying. Too close, she’d thought, clutching her drink so hard it could’ve shattered. Too close…step away from him please!

Perhaps Lucien was trying to give her a taste of her own medicine; payback for all the times she’d duly ignored him at Night Court functions.

Elain debated on chatting up a male or two, just to see if Lucien would be affected. There were certainly a few eyeing her with interest, but the thought of forcing out bland small talk with any of them had Elain grimacing. No. Her goal tonight was to get to know Lucien better, and she was not one to stray from what her mind decided.

When Mor, Cassian, and Nesta had finished saying hello to their friends, the group ascended to the second floor, where the Inner Circle’s regular booth overlooked the massive dance floor. “I’ll sit next to Cassian, Mor will sit next to me, which means you will sit next to Lucien,” Nesta had reviewed with Elain earlier. But when the time came, Lucien chose to squeeze in next to Cassian, which put him opposite of Elain instead of next to her.

Nesta shot Elain an apologetic grimace that bordered on pity. Elain only took a long, long sip of her strawberry daiquiri, head bowed in frustration. She checked her phone. It was only 11:14. I shouldn’t worry, she told herself, there are plenty more opportunities if the night is still young…

***Approximately one hour prior***

“Wait!” Feyre came running down the hall of the River House. “Here’s a touch of shimmer, for luck.” Elain held still as her younger sister, the High Lady, carefully dabbled ultra-glittery eyeshadow over her eyelids and cheekbones.

“How do I look?” Elain asked nervously.

“Absolutely stunning,” Mor said cheerfully as she breezed by. The blonde-haired female was just as stunning herself, with her glossy tresses and sharply-lined brown eyes. She wore a tight black corset that deeply contrasted the flowing ruffles of her classic red skirt. Mor tossed her hair behind her shoulder with flair. “Lucien won’t be able to resist you at all. And Cassian’s already waiting for us, so let’s go!”

Nesta and Elain took Mor’s outstretched hand in the River House foyer, a light breeze of caramel and sweet grapes enveloping them as Mor winnowed. The quiet of the River House was replaced by the vibrant hustle and bustle of Velaris.

They had arrived. Sure enough, Cassian was standing by Rita’s vibrant entrance, his membranous bat wings glowing amber in the faelight. Cassian’s face lit up when Nesta strode towards him in her thigh-high boots, swishing her hips in her slinky silver dress as she walked. The general swept Nesta into a deep kiss, a proud display of affection that passers-by hardly batted an eye at.

“You look gorgeous, Nes,” Elain could hear him rumble appreciatively as she tottered after Mor like a wobbling fawn, unused to the purple heels she’d borrowed from Feyre. Although Rhys had magicked them to fit her shoe size, the extra height had Elain feeling off-balance.

She’d worn the purple heels specifically to match her muted lavender dress. The garment’s semi-sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps accented Elain’s smaller breasts and sun-kissed shoulders, and the soft fabric hugged her waist and hips before flaring out into a delicate skirt. As pretty as the dress was, Elain fought the urge to cross her arms across her chest, compensating for the lack of coverage. And she tugged at the dress’s hem every few seconds, making sure it hadn’t ridden up her butt.

“Damn it, we should have taken pictures before we left,” Mor sighed, pulling out her phone. She snapped several selfies, cycling through multiple photo-ready expressions in a matter of seconds. “The lighting is so shit in the dark.”

“Can you take a pic of us, Elain?” Cassian asked. “Just use flash.” Cassian and Nesta posed in front of Rita’s manicured hedges, both beaming widely. Nesta’s hand rested on Cassian’s broad chest, while Cassian’s hand wandered dangerously close to her ass. Elain’s cheeks were heating at their intimacy, but she dutifully took some pictures for the couple.

“Lucien!” Nesta suddenly called out, waving to someone behind them.

Oh fuck, Lucien is here. Elain’s heart rate accelerated, every hair on her body prickling with anticipation. She tried to appear blase as she turned around, but Mor still snickered at Elain’s doe eyes growing wider at the sight of Lucien.

He looks good. Elain blinked, trying to comprehend how a male could be so attractive. Oh, he looks really good.

Lucien was striding towards them, his full mouth quirked upwards in a wry grin at Nesta’s greeting and his shoulder-length red hair fluttering perfectly in the breeze. Though his shoulders and back were rolled back with impeccable posture, he still exuded a casual air by hooking a thumb through a belt loop and swinging his other hand lazily.

Lucien’s crisp white shirt had been tucked into a pair of straight brown slacks. And—dear gods—the first three buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a triangle of warm brown skin. Elain knew her face was burning up even as she averted her gaze, before she could be caught ogling at Lucien’s chest.

“Good to see you, Nesta,” Lucien replied, his voice low and delicious to Elain’s ears. Unable to look him in the eye, Elain stared at Lucien’s feet. He was wearing mossy green sneakers—did he buy them recently? She hadn’t seen him wear those before, and had been meticulously observing him during all his visits to Velaris. “Thanks for the invite, Cassian. I don’t usually come to Rita’s.”

Cassian’s grin was completely natural, despite the artificial nature of their outing.

“Happy to have you here,” he replied, clapping Lucien on the back. “It’s on me tonight, so drink up!” He led the way into Rita’s, everybody else following suit. Elain lingered back a half step, wondering how she would proceed.

“Hey, Lucien,” Mor said as she passed him. “How’s it going?”

“It’s alright,” Lucien shrugged his broad shoulders. “Busy putting out fires, as usual.”

“Well, that’s your specialty, isn’t it?” Mor laughed.”Come on, let’s go inside.” Mor gave the bouncer a nod in greeting, her face easily recognizable having been Rita’s patron for hundreds of years. She slipped through the door quickly, leaving Elain and Lucien still standing outside.

What the hell am I supposed to say? Elain clutched the strap of her purse, feeling overwhelmed at the aroma of crisp leaves, apples, and sun-warmed skin. Lucien’s scent.

“Hi,” was all she could muster. Elain waved her hand shyly. Lucien inclined his head, a neutral expression on his face. This was not at all what she’d imagined when she was getting dolled up for the night. Elain’s heart sank. She had been hoping for an appreciative up-down glance, or even a spark of interest in his eyes.

“After you,” Lucien responded, holding open the door. He held himself stiffly, so unlike the casual grace from before.

“Thanks,” Elain mumbled, ducking her head and rushing through. She clutched her purse to her chest, feeling like such a fool. Of all the things I should’ve said, why the hell did I start off with a hi, she fretted internally. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

She barely had time to dwell on her mishap, though, for the pleasure hall immediately bombarded her senses with flashing red and magenta lights, and booming music. Friday night at Rita’s was well underway.

Tonight’s theme was pink, apparently, judging from the cotton candy glow that illuminated Rita’s cavernous interior. It smelled pink, too, like strawberry taffy and peonies, with a hint of citrus. And while groups of Fae were already dancing to the buoyant pop music, Elain made a beeline for the bar. She needed a drink—desperately.

***Just before midnight***

Cassian said something to Lucien, the music too loud for Elain’s Fae hearing to pick up. Her mate’s grin the corners of his eyes. Lucien leaned into Cassian as he said something back, his shoulder brushing Cassian’s and his mouth inches away from the general’s ear. Elain shifted restlessly in her seat, squeezing her thighs together. The thought didn’t normally cross her mind, but…gods. She wanted to be Cassian more than anything at that moment.

Elain was three drinks deep—she’d counted a strawberry daiquiri, a sangria, and a rum soda—hoping to muster the courage to make a move on Lucien. But instead of feeling brave, Elain was frustratingly horny.

It didn’t help that Lucien was strikingly beautiful. No male could ever look like him, with the jagged scars running down the left side of his face and the golden mechanical eye that mesmerized Elain with its whorls and etched runes. Lord of Foxes, Rhys had nicknamed him. Fitting, since Lucien’s countenance was sharp and pensive, as if he was always thinking. What’s passing through your mind, Elain wondered. What do you think of me?

Lucien himself had downed six drinks, most of them from a drinking game with Cassian. Since the games were based on wit, not luck, Elain half-wondered if Lucien was losing on purpose to get free drinks. She also wondered if the alcohol was going to his head.

Because after his fourth drink, Elain had sensed him watching her throat move as she tipped her head back, swallowing the last of her cocktail. After his fifth drink, Lucien had made eye contact with her multiple times over the fan of cards in his hand, his eyes burning with molten intensity.

If the alcohol was encouraging Lucien to send sizzling looks her way, it still wasn’t pulling enough weight when it came to initiating conversation.

Lucien brought his sixth drink—a mint mojito—to his lips. The slant of his mouth against the rim of the cocktail glass made Elain’s own lips tingle, for it was impossible not to imagine him doing the same to her mouth. The tilt of his sharp jaw and the half-lidded close of Lucien’s eyes had Elain holding her breath. This is the last time I’m going to stare at Lucien for the next five minutes, she promised herself, for she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of her attention. He probably already knew she had checked him out multiple times in the past hour. The last time—

As if he could sense her thoughts, Lucien’s russet eye—the one facing Elain—opened mid-sip. Lucien’s eye narrowed into a sly smirk, his lips still on his drink, sending Elain reeling from the heady sizzle of heat that seared through their bond.

But Elain maintained steady eye contact with Lucien as he set his glass down. If he thought she was a trembling fawn, she would show him otherwise tonight. Mates are equals, are they not? I should be able to match Lucien’s wily stare, no problem.

“Wait, I need to use the bathroom,” Mor said, getting up, breaking the tension between Elain and Lucien.

Mor had just left when a young waiter, likely a University of Velaris student, came by with a tray of shots. “Five shots for Cassian?” he asked, checking the tablet with the orders.

“That’s me, thanks,” Cassian took the small platter from him. He turned back to the table with a broad grin. “A shot for you, a shot for you—oh don’t look at me like that Elain, you’re getting one too—a shot for you…oh, and I guess I’ll take Mor’s.” Cassian doled out small glasses of clear liquid to Nesta, Elain, and Lucien.

“Cheers!” Nesta whooped, raising her shot glass. She and Cassian looped arms, taking their shots at the same time. Elain sniffed the glass and blanched. It smelled like liquid death, strong enough to make her eyes water. She looked towards her sister for help, but Nesta was now busy pouring a bit of sugary cocktail down Cassian’s open mouth.

“Cheers,” she said coolly to Lucien, clinking his glass.

“Cheers,” he repeated, his brows raised in faint amusement. Elain swallowed down three-fourths of the glass quickly, but coughed and sputtered at the last bit. The burning bitterness of the alcohol was too much. “You alright?” Lucien asked, his gold eye fixated on her, whirring and clicking.

Damn, was that all it took for him to say something? I should’ve gotten Cassian to start shots earlier.

“Yeah,” Elain replied, wiping the edge of her mouth, still cringing at the disgusting residue on her tongue.

“Aw, come on, I can’t believe you guys did shots without me!” Mor pouted, having returned. “But don’t worry, I just got us another round.” She pulled a little platter out from behind her back with a wink. There was also a small bowl of lime wedges and salt on the tray, to her confusion.

Lucien chuckled slightly at Elain’s pained expression.

“You want to lick the salt, take the shot, and then suck on the lime,” Lucien advised Elain, leaning across the table to sprinkle some onto the back of her hand. “It’ll help with the taste.”

Elain blushed at the words “lick” and “suck” coming from Lucien’s mouth, so she only nodded furiously. After a resounding “cheers!” and a bracing of her gag reflex, the alcohol ended up going down more smoothly, thanks to the numbing salt and tangy sour of the lime.

“Fuck yeah, Elain’s taking it like a champ!” Nesta shouted, as Elain slammed the glass down, looking directly at Lucien. Elain blushed extra hard, for her mouth puckered around the lime in the most undignified manner when Lucien glanced at her.

“Forget the card game, let’s dance!” Mor suggested, capitalizing on the moment. Elain got up first, resisting the urge to glance at her mate. “Everyone, including you, Lucien!”

Rita’s consisted of three levels: a dance floor, a second level of booths and tables for parties and cards, and a third level of private rooms. The upper two levels overlooked the first, giving patrons a view of the writhing bodies below. The group descended to the first level, where thin streams of faelight extended from the ceiling to the floor, creating an illusion of falling water.

Fae were congregated in little dance circles, bobbing their heads and throwing hands up in the air. Pink-tinged faelight pulsated in sync with the chest-vibrating beats, drinks flowed freely on the sidelines as Fae of all backgrounds mingled gregariously.

It was a particularly festive night at Rita’s. After years of turmoil—first Amarantha, then Hybern, then the Asteri and Koschei—peace was finally here. Instead of partying recklessly like the world was ending, the Fae smiled and laughed as they danced and chatted. Tonight, Rita’s atmosphere was marked relief and hope for Prythian’s new era.

Mor worked her way into the center of the dance floor, the rest of the group following close behind. Her joints and limbs were a bit awkward, but Elain gamely moved with the beat, buoyed by the room’s vibrant energy. Next to her, Cassian tucked in his wings, making use of the little room they had to expertly spin Nesta. Elain smiled. The general had been practicing his dance moves, it seemed.

Mor had taken to dancing on her own, rolling her body and side-stepping in her heels to song after song. She knew all the words, and was not above singing loudly when a personal favorite came on.

Lucien, who had put Mor between himself and Elain, was seemingly lost in the music. The gold earring on the tip of his pointed ear twinkled in the pink light and the pale scar cutting down his face was stark as he tilted his head up. His eyes were closed, chin nodding with the music.

Elain took full liberty to stare at Lucien’s sculpted chest and his strong, brown forearms—revealed thanks to his rolled-up sleeves. Desire, itching for an outlet, burned in her throat like residual alcohol.

She had been shyly bouncing on her toes for the first few songs, which was how Elain knew the drinks from earlier kicked in. Her movements suddenly became fluid like butter, more frivolous. She didn’t care if anyone was watching now, not even Lucien. All Elain’s body wanted to do was dance the night away.

Left leg, right leg, and a gyrate of the hips. Left leg, right leg, a flick of her honey-brown hair and shimmy of her shoulders. Hop, hop, hop to the beat. Left leg, right leg, swing to the side. Was this what Nesta and Mor felt when they commanded the ballroom floor during the Hewn City Solstice? This melting of notes, this frenzy of accelerating beats, this arcing melody that guided her body along the river of song?

Mist pumped onto the dance floor, muting the flashing lights in a dream-like haze. Elain threw her hands up and cheered with the rest of the crowd when the beat dropped, the floor vibrating as everybody jumped with frenzy. Being tipsy smoothed over any pain points in her feet and made her forget how clunky her heels were.

Elain wasn’t sure how much time had passed. She had made sure to stay within the confines of their little circle earlier, but now Elain could care less about the strangers’ bodies that kept bumping into hers. If Rita’s got more crowded during the last few minutes, she didn’t mind at all. The more people, the more fun to be had.

The circle of constellations on Rita’s high ceiling, with its painted animals and mythological Fae, swam in Elain’s vision. Her lips parted in breathless admiration: she was weightless in a sea of stars and pink, her body so dizzyingly spinning as if she would ascend to those heights any moment now. Elain’s ankle buckled when she landed a tad too hard.

“Steady there.” A voice Elain knew all too well murmured lowly by her ear. That voice was accompanied by a calloused hand she was less familiar with, the warm palm steadying her bare shoulder. Lucien. An electric shiver ran down Elain’s spine at her mate’s touch. He must’ve been with me this whole time, Elain realized.

“Hello.” She half-turned, suddenly aware of how close Lucien was. His scent, of sweet apples and sunlight, wreathed around her, drawing Elain in like a moth to a flame.

“Hey.” By the Cauldron, how could such a beautiful male be her mate? Elain was tempted to run her hands through that silky long hair. She longed to caress the high cheekbones and brutal scarred rivulets of skin, to memorize the shape of his face with her hand. She wanted to pull him down by the collar of his shirt, until she knew what those lips tasted like. She must have been staring open-mouthed at him like a fish, for Lucien’s handsome brow furrowed with concern. “Do you need to get back to the others?”

She could barely hear him, but Elain shook her head fervently. “No, I still want to dance.” Lucien’s eyes flickered, scanning her to make sure she was as alright as she claimed. “Will you stay here? With me?” Elain blurted out.

Gods, the alcohol…it certainly made her more expressive and less preoccupied with what others—including Lucien—might think. Her mate was so tall that the bobbing of his throat was at eye level when Lucien swallowed. Elain fixated on the little groove at the base of his neck, wondering what it would be like to kiss it. To mark it, with a juvenile hickey, so that the other females would know he was hers. Her instincts sharpened into something territorial, ready to snap at anyone who dared lay hands—or eyes—on her mate. Lucien was hers tonight.

“Yes, of course.”

Fuck, yes. Elain turned back around, unable to hide the victorious smile on her face. Did she know what she would do next? No, but it didn’t matter if Lucien was beside her. His simple presence was more than enough to light her up, renewing her energy to dance.

The song was faster now, crowd around them surging back and forth like the choppy sea, pushing her up against Lucien every few beats. Elain savored it every time it happened, leaning more into her mate and even wiggling her hips against him as a sign of encouragement.

Would Lucien take it?

Elain’s breath hitched with excitement when she felt broad hands rest lightly on her waist. Elain’s nerves sparked delightfully in response. “It’s just me,” Lucien reminded her, his breath tickling her ear.”

If she turned and tilted her head just so slightly, she would be kissing him. But even in her heady buzz, Elain held herself back. She leaned against Lucien instead and moved as the song demanded of her. Lucien kept his hands placed on her waist, but the thin fabric of her dress made it obvious whenever his fingers shifted against her hips.

A feeling of security settled deep in her bones as she swayed against Lucien. Her mate had a strong sense of rhythm, for he matched her steps and mirrored every roll and gyrate of her lithe body. They were well-matched on the dance floor, utterly perceptive to the changes each song elicited from each other.

“You’ve been such a tease,” Lucien hummed in her ear, his voice low and sultry. “I was wondering when you were going to drop your good girl act.”

Elain’s response was to bend forward slightly and grind her ass against Lucien. She didn’t really know what she was doing—she hadn’t done this before—but Lucien’s grip tightened on her hips. Pulling her flush against him.

Fuck…the growing erection she felt against her ass only made Elain’s head buzz even more. Her core clenched at the thought of Lucien’s cock sliding along her ass, between her thighs, through her—

“Shit, Elain,” Lucien groaned as she straightened back up. His russet eye was dark with blatant desire when she glanced back.

“What, didn’t think I had it in me?” she shouted over the loud music. Lucien’s grin was positively wicked as he pulled her hips towards him again.

“I always knew you had it in you. Like I said, I’ve just been waiting for you to show me.” Lucien splayed his palm against her lower belly, running it up her abdomen. More, more, I need more. Elain heaved a shaky breath when Lucien’s hand traveled up between the valley of her breasts to play with the gold necklace she was wearing, her mind wandering to all the things he could do with those dexterous fingers.

“Want me to show you again?” Elain asked slyly.

“Fuck, yes, Elain. What do you mean, want me to show you again?” Lucien’s tone was teasingly indignant. Elain was slightly more practiced this time, relishing the way Lucien’s body moved in sync with her hips. The air was musky with the scent of Lucien’s arousal, twining around Elain’s instincts and driving her urges up, up, up.

She turned to face Lucien fully when DJ transitioned from techno pop into one of her guilty-pleasure songs, making Elain even more giddy. The two bounced up and down, half-shouting half-singing the raunchy lyrics to each other. Somehow, Lucien knowing all the words made Elain want him even more. When Lucien tipped his head back and laughed, the look of pure, unfettered joy on his face induced a twinge in Elain’s heart.

Lucien’s hands returned to her body, gently stroking her waist and cradling her close with a hand on her back. Now that she was facing his chest, Elain couldn’t fight the urge to trace the edges of his open shirt, marveling at the hard lines and gleaming bronze of his skin.

“When I first saw you tonight,” Lucien said in her ear, leaning down. “I wondered if you had any idea just how beautiful you were.”

“Says the male who had no reaction when he saw me,” Elain replied, slightly indignant. Lucien’s hand grazed the small of her back, drifting closer to the curve of her ass. It was difficult decide whether she wanted to lean into his broad chest, or lean back until her ass filled his hand.

“An emissary always knows how to keep a poker face.” Lucien chuckled lowly, nipping the tip of her pointed ear delicately. Elain shivered from the bite of pressure, the pleasing sensation traveling down her spine. “I initially caught sight of you when Mor winnowed in, so I had a couple minutes to collect myself, actually.”

Elain blushed.

“If we’re going to reveal our tricks to each other…I actually asked Nesta and Cassian to help with setting something up between us,” she confessed.

“I know.” Lucien’s grin was teasing. “Cassian was being quite obvious.”

“Oh, Cauldron!” Elain cried, mortification rising. She buried her face against Lucien’s chest, inhaling his natural, crisp scent as well as his arousal.

“There’s a reason why he’s a general, not an emissary,” Lucien joked. He took one of Elain’s hands into his, spinning her around to break her embarrassment, and brought her back against him with ease. “Even then, I thought it was too good to be true. Elain Archeron, finally going out of her way to interact with little Lucien.”

Elain wrapped her arms around Lucien’s neck, pressing every available inch of herself against his body. There was nothing little about Lucien—especially if they were going to acknowledge the hardened length she felt against her stomach.

“Is that why you’ve been so standoffish?” Elain demanded.

“Partly,” Lucien admitted, still keeping them in sync with the beat by taking little steps forward, backwards, and side-to-side. Elain followed his lead, savoring Lucien’s fluid motions and his warm hands on her body. “I was waiting for you to take the lead.”

“Hmph,” Elain pouted, turning her doe brown eyes up. The glittery eyeshadow Feyre had dusted over her lids shimmered under the pink light, making her look particularly ethereal. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a passive male.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Lucien winked, a mischievous gesture that had Elain’s heart stuttering. “But this…our mating bond…I wanted to treat it with more care.” His large hand had migrated downwards, caressing the shape of her ass.

“Oh? And this is what you’re doing? Treating me with care?” Elain replied coyly, still obsessed with tracing Lucien’s chest through his open shirt. Lucien inhaled sharply at her feather-light touch, his russet eye darkening.

“I’m appreciating your ass,” he clarified, articulating the word ‘appreciating’ with an edge of sarcasm. “A respectable male like me would never deign to grab it—or smack it.”

Elain stretched up until her mouth was near her mate’s ear.

“But what if I want you to smack it?” Lucien threw his head back and laughed, a throaty, genuine sound.

“That’s the alcohol speaking for you, Elain. Let’s save the ass-slapping for later.” Later, he had said, Elain’s chest tightening with giddy anticipation. There’s going to be a later. At least Lucien’s hand inched further down, cupping her ass and kneading the soft flesh. Not quite a slap, but still offering some of the attention Elain was desperate for.

“Mmmm,” she hummed against his chest, eyes closed in bliss. Lucien kept his hand possessively on her rump, pressing her snugly against him. Elain sang her heart out, grabbing Lucien’s other hand and hoisting it into the air whenever the chorus played. She’d sobered up now, but Rita’s was still a sensory overload: loud music drowning out her everyday stresses, Lucien’s cloying scent and arousal, his devilishly perfect face and mismatched eyes being all she could see, the heat emanating from his body, and his hands all over her.

Lucien whistled loudly when Elain decided to shimmy down, running her hands along his body as she got low on bent knees.

“That’s my girl,” he praised, using two fingers to tilt her chin sensually as she came back up. Lucien’s expression of approval and hunger boosted Elain’s confidence through Rita’s lofty ceiling, her inner vixen purring at Lucien’s words.

She wasn’t sure how many more songs passed. Maybe it was because each one was more “danceable” than the last. Or maybe it was because she was with Lucien. Her mate’s energy was boundless: his feet were nimble, his shoulders were sharp, his claps were perfectly on beat.

He matched her moves perfectly. When Elain body-rolled against him, his hand was always on her lower back to steady her. When she leaned in, Lucien’s lips were poised at the tips of her ear or along her jaw, in a ghost of a kiss he would not bring to completion. When Elain sashayed forward, Lucien took the appropriate steps back, before returning the gesture with artful steps of his feet.

She may have hooked her fingers through his belt loops a couple times, yanking him closer whenever she felt he was getting a little too far away. There were moments when Lucien dipped his head low, heightening the delicious, stomach-tightening tension between them. Electricity practically crackled as Lucien’s golden eye shimmered and whirred, savoring the presence of his mate.

But at some point, Elain’s feet began to ache. And it dawned just then how dry her mouth was, before spiraling into a realization of how sweaty it was in the middle of the dance floor.

“I need to get a drink,” she shouted into Lucien’s ear. He nodded, and protectively led her out of the dancing masses. Elain squeezed her way back to the table upstairs, where Nesa, Cassian, and Mor had apparently been hanging out the entire time.

“Welcome back!” Cassian grinned smugly, holding out a hand for Lucien to clap as Mor scooted down the horseshoe-shaped booth, making room. Lucien sat down besides Elain and poured her a cup of crisp, icy water. It was absolutely delicious.

“How are you feeling?” Mor asked. The female’s brown eyes regarded Elain briefly, before shifting into a sly I-saw-you type of expression. Elain blushed vividly. Mor’s gift of truth likely meant she saw just how close and personal Elain got with Lucien—if she wasn’t already watching them from above.

“Sober,” Elain replied. Lucien, still talking to Nesta, distractedly moved Elain’s wavy hair behind her shoulder, smoothing the frizz down by running his fingers gently through it. The completely natural air of his gesture, made Elain melt a little at her mate’s attentiveness and care. “I’m a bit tired, though.”

“Oh, come on, Elain! We just started this card game!” whined Nesta. “We can’t leave yet!” Cassian flashed Elain a wink when Lucien was preoccupied with the chips and dip on the table.

Elain blinked.

“Oh….oh!” She flusteredly understood Cassian’s message.”I-I wouldn’t want to interrupt…perhaps Lucien can escort me home?”

Lucien nodded, taking one last swig of water. “Sure,” he replied, getting up from the table and offering his arm. Elain’s hand tingled when she placed it on his forearm. It was nice and solid, warm and safe. She hoped the pink faelight hid her blush when she recalled how that same forearm was previously wrapped around her stomach, pulling her back flush against his muscled body…

She clung more tightly to him once they stepped out into the chilly night air. Elain figured Lucien could have just winnowed them back to the River House, so she appreciated the fact that he was willing to walk. The main thoroughfares of Velaris were still well-lit, with night owls bustling and chatting. Stars twinkled in the velvet black sky, the moon glowed in its shapely crescent.

“Where are you going after?” Elain asked, hoping to prolong the time they could spend together.

“My apartment in Velaris,” Lucien replied, glancing down with a small smile. “It’s too late to winnow back to the human lands.”

Elain didn’t know how to respond to that. Did dancing sensually together bring them close enough for her to invite herself over? Still, the question ‘can I come over’ felt too forward to her. And saying ‘I’d like to see your place someday’ sounded awkward, since Lucien was hardly ever in Velaris. Part of her wished they were going home together, wherever “home” could be.

“Let’s give your feet a rest,” Lucien noted, steering them to a gurgling fountain in a small square. They had escaped the hubbub of central Velaris into a residential area, though a couple Fae were spotted walking their dogs on the street. Elain sat down on the fountain’s cool stone edge, the night air wicking away the remainder of her sweat. She was about to take off her shoes, when Lucien said, “allow me.”

He sat down beside her on the fountain, propping her leg onto his muscled thigh. Ever so gently, Lucien undid the strap of Elain’s chunky purple heel, massaging the reddened skin with firm fingers after he slipped the shoe off. That feels nice, Elain thought, resisting the urge to make satisfied noises that would sound too much like moans. I haven’t had someone take care of me like this in a while.

Lucien did the same to her other shoe, his focused expression making Elain soft. He seems witty and sarcastic all the time, but he’s kind and gentle underneath. He’s confident in his looks, but never overly cocky like other Fae males. I hate that I waited this long before trying to know him better, Elain thought, though she knew perfectly well that she had not been in the right headspace to consider a mate when she had been freshly Made Fae.

She swung her legs off his lap when Lucien finished. Her mate started to get up.

“Wait,” Elain said suddenly, gripping his wrist. She gulped nervously, heart beating faster than a rabbit’s at Lucien’s concerned expression. She’d grabbed him in a spur-of-the-moment impulse, and was suddenly left without any words to say. I don’t want the night to end, Elain thought. Please…stay with me a bit longer.

Elain’s earnest, doe-brown eyes glimmered and blinked up at her mate in the moonlight. They skimmed his exposed chest through his shirt and traveled up the strong column of his throat. They lingered on Lucien’s full lips and brushed over his high cheekbones, before settling on his eyes. She wanted him so badly, it almost hurt to breathe.

“Elain, are you alright—” Lucien tried to say, but Elain was already leaning in.

Her soft berry-colored lips grazed his, promptly shutting Lucien up.

Elain had severely misjudged her incoming angle, for she ended up kissing only half of Lucien’s mouth. Elain’s cheeks flaming as she pulled away. Holy shit, I’m probably worst kisser Lucien has ever had and I am his MATE. Embarrassment crowded out all other thoughts, including the very important thoughts that should have remembered how her first kiss with Lucien felt.

But Lucien had gone utterly still, his chiseled face a deep red. Even his golden eye had stopped whirring.

“I’m sorry,” Elain nearly whispered, her voice small. “I should’ve asked if…if you wanted a kiss.” Lucien shook himself out of his daze, blinking. Composing himself quickly, Lucien looked down at Elain with a sly smirk.

“Oh, come on, Elain. Give me a proper kiss, won’t you?”

“Wh-what?” Elain stuttered, not sure if she heard him right.

“Like this, silly.” Lucien leaned down, broad hand cupping the underside of Elain’s jaw as he slanted his mouth over hers. Warmth blossomed within Elain’s chest as the golden thread within her glowed with the light of the sun. Lucien’s kiss…it was so magical, so full, so sweet…it was simply perfect. Just the right amount of pressure, the perfect fit of his full lips against her rosebud lips.

They broke apart after several moments, though Elain petulantly felt it was altogether too short. Now that she kissed Lucien once, all she wanted to do was kiss him again. It looked like her mate was feeling the same way, for Lucien’s chest was heaving slightly, the warring disbelief and desire in his eyes a contrast to his suave demeanor.

“Again, please.” Elain hadn’t realized she’d uttered those words until Lucien kissed her again, more deeply this time.

So this is what kissing is supposed to feel like, Elain thought, just before she let the reins of self-control go. She didn’t care that they were making out in a public space. Didn’t stress if she was a bad kisser. She simply leaned into the moment, letting her body respond to the cues from his, savoring every kiss he bestowed upon her.

Elain stopped kissing Lucien to catch her breath, her cheeks flushed and brown eyes half-lidded with yearning under the moonlight. Lucien looked similarly disheveled, with the collar of his shirt askew and swollen mouth parted slightly.

His hand was still caressing her cheek, his touch stirring Elain’s instincts. She was burning with desire, too ready to jump out of her own skin and continue down the path of where they left off. But a public fountain was no place to be engaging in such lascivious activities.

“Would…would you like to come over?” Lucien asked, as if he was reading her thoughts.

“Fuck, yes, Lucien. What do you mean, would you like to come over?” Elain grinned as she invoked the same teasing indignation from earlier.

[the-lonelybarricade]

LB my dear dear! I have devoured all yours and MB's ao3 works till date ❤️🤌 and I am feeling pathetically ravenous for more 🫠. Although my question is- since I have seen people asking you for suggestions as to which blog and which writer to look to for more feysand/elucien content I would like to request the same only and only if you are comfortable and have the time for this pressing request. And thank you even if you couldn't for some reason im only scared since you are busy and wouldnt want to burden you with such an exigent task. . I'm sorry to bother you That would be it 🥺 👉👈

You want blog suggestions for Elucien/Feysand authors? And you think you're bothering me??? Anon, this happens to be my exact area of exertise and there is nothing love more than hyping up my friends!

To kick us off my lovely friend @velidewrites is an extraordinarily talented writer and artist, and also just an all-around ray of sunshine whose blog I cannot recommend enough.

There's also @writtenonreceipts who's every work is literal potery. Pick any of her stroies and you will come undone.

@belabellissima has a beautiful Feysand/Elucien series called the State of Grace and is also one of my favorite people 🥺💝

@azrielshadowssing also regularly feeds us with delciioiusly sinful Feysand and Elucien stories 🥰 hehehe definitely read the tags though!

Among a host of other incredible fics, @damedechance has an onlyfans series that will make you feral - Playgirl (Elucien) and darling.exe (Feysand) 👀👀 Come back to me once you finish losing your mind

@xtaketwox and @itsthedoodle come as Feysand/Elucien pair hehe. @xtaketwox has treated us to lots of goodies, but I wanted to highlight her modern soulmate AU which has a dedicated work for Feysand, Elucien, and Nessian! @itsthedoodle has written so many beautiful feysand oneshots and is the sweetest, most unhinged person you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing.

@asnowfern is so talented and writes for a lot of different pairings, including Feysand and Elucien! Right now she's working on a stunning Feysand AU inspired by a chinese legend called Till Forever Falls Apart

if you're a fan of next-gen, @areyoudreaminof has lots of adorable fics and headcanons centering around Elucien and Feysand as parents!

@witch-and-her-witcher again writes for many couples, including Feysand and Elucien! She recently wrote a Feysand and Nyx oneshot, The Little Tiger, that completely fractured my heart and put it back together.

@thegloweringcastle is another extremely talented writer who has a wealth of feysand and elucien fics! One I really love is the The Law of the Land which is a Feysand western AU with background Elucien 🤠

@darling-archeron has been in this fandom since 2016 and in that time has blessed us with so much wonderful Feysand and Elucien content!! (One day you really need to sit us all down and tell us the fandom lore we all missed out on from the acomaf/acowar releases 👀)

@iambutmortal has a lot of delicious Feysand and Elucien stories! For Elucienweek last year she wrote a really addicting story called The Honeymooners

@labellefleur-sauvage has written so many incredible Elucien fics! As well as a very delicious monster!Feyre fic called Meet Me In the Woods hehehe 👀

@foundress0fnothing always blows me away with her writing. For Elucienweek last year she wrote an Elucien sex cult fic titled Both Forever and Rather Die that lives in my head rent free.

@howlingcaptaincommando is working on a really amazing pirate AU, Never Shall I Die, centering around Elucien, Nessian, and Feysand!

@vulpes-fennec has so many lovely stories, including her Prythian Fantasia WIP which centers on the Archeron sisters and their mates 😍

@popjunkie42 has yet to dip her toes into writing Elucien but maybe one day we can convince her 👀👀 That said she has so many amazing Feysand works such as Hate Me Instead and her current WIP Blossoming In Winter.

Likewise my dearest friend @wilde-knight has only written Elucien and Nessian, but I can't recommend her works and blog enough!! She's working on an amazing Princess Bride AU called Burnished Gold

@captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship is a die-hard Feysand, Elucien, Gwynriel, and Nessian! Currently they're working on a Feysand fic Five Minutes to Midnight which also features background Elucien!

@octobers-veryown creates so many wonderful moodboards for variuos ships and characters! I cannot recommend following them enough💕

And finally @rosanna-writer, @reverie-tales, @thesistersarcheron, and @starfall-spirit are my multishipping queens 🥰 On their blogs you'll find wonderful content for Feysand, Elriel, Elucien, and other ships as well!