#i know it's not sjm related

[the-shadowsingers-whore]

"a man should pay tribute to your body, for you are beautiful, and that is your right" -voyager p.174

james alexander malcom mackenzie fraser the man that you are

[theladyofbloodshed]

Obsessed with Sarah writing Cassian to have potential with everyone BUT Nesta actually. Mor is written from Cass point of view like Sarah doesn't actually know what platonic relationships between a man and woman look like, Cassian literally only had sex with Mor because he was wildly jealous he didn't have Azriels sole attention, Feyre and Cassian have a solid enough dynamic, like genuinely its insane. What IS this

But the platonic relationship also seems like a retcon. I don't know if this was left in with a Lucien and Nesta endgame as well as a Moriel endgame with Cassian angst that was scrapped, but despite both claiming they're just friends, we have this extract:

So Cassian only sees Mor as a sister, but also is irritated by the fact that the woman he only slept with to annoy his friend didn't want him again - and even Rhys recognise that it drives Cassian insane that he never had another chance with Mor?

This is all so disrespectful to Nesta. They've had 500 years to sort their shit out.

What the actual fuck is going on?

[gwyns]

ok friends i have finally finished hofas and oh my god... that ending was so good. i made it through nearly the entire book without crying but that did it for me. sjm, no one will ever compare to you in my eyes

[rosenecklaces]

now that i sit and think about elain mental state after the cauldron violation (because that's how it was described) then to her seer powers acting up...I really feel disgusted at how people made fun of her for it and even still find her weak by being quiet and crumble emotionally when things became too much in less than a year

She had depression you guys, just as feyre had it on the second book and just as nesta destructive habits growed on hers

To keep it short, i have my share of depression since i was 14, not only I didn't knew how to call it back then but also, when i realized what was happening to me, i just didn't tell my parents nor anyone for that matter (and we had no money for therapy anyway, so)

How did I handled it? acting like everything was normal, going on into my day and life as regular without really showing signs of someone being "sad", just being tired here and there, not sleeping and then releasing all my pent up despair at night, crying. And as more I think about it the more i realize Elain was probably handling her fragil mental state the same way

She was trying to talk normally to her closed ones, keeping up to herself to not call attention to how she really felt or tought and in some way distracting herself with chores and gardening while only letting be seen how her broken proposal affected her, and her prophetic dreams (since people saw it and actively kept an eye on her about that situation)

Like is so weird to me because in one hand they wanted her to stop crying about a very serious matter that literally changed her life and on the other they called her brain dead and too bland just because she didn't asked for help and wasn't being loud about it, is just‼️She can't fucking win with this people and is so sad and also makes me angry! like if this is their reaction to someone silent mental health declining in fiction i could only imagine how would they be with someone irl presenting this same signs of depression...

[nikethestatue]

I wrote an ask to you several weeks ago with some thoughts, as someone working in publishing with marketing/PR. I see Elriels are still being harassed for simply picking up what SJM/BB put down and it saddens me. Sometimes it feels like this fandom needs adult supervision. I'm in my mid-30s and never feel as old as whenever I venture into this fandom.

This might be really long but since you are one of the biggest Elriel accounts I hope it would be alright if I provide some very general knowledge about media-publisher relations that I think a lot of people would benefit from knowing. I am absolutely no ACOTAR insider. Everything I say, I only say as someone who has worked within publishing/PR for a long time (never with anything ACOTAR related!) and who has been following this upcoming release closely out of an interest in the publishing side of things.

In general, this is all you need to know:

What the publishers back = what reputable media outlets mention.

This is simply standard industry practice. It is no secret. Every single thing about a high profile book release is carefully coordinated between publishers and media outlets. It serves them both. Publishers manage expectations by shaping the narrative surrounding their releases, all to maximise sales and foster a positive reception of the release. Reputable media outlets maintain their credibility with readers and their relationships with publishers by not publishing random nonsense.

Fandoms often seem to lack self-awareness about their importance amd influence on publishing decisions. While publishers certainly keep an eye on fandom discussions, their primary focus is not on fandom-driven narratives (fanon) and preferences but on the massive casual readership, which drives the majority of book sales (and SJM is HUGE).

Fandoms are disproportionately populated by readers who were dissatisfied with canon, who seek alternate narrratives or ships. This is what makes fandom spaces so dynamic, but it doesn't reflect the general readership. Fandom is a tiny fraction of it. Publishers are very aware of this. So fandom theories and fanon ships will never be acknowledged by a publisher unless it serves a strategic purpose. Why? Bevause every PR and marketing decision is made to guide expectations in a way that maximizes book sales. Acknowledging fanon doesn’t serve that goal. It only risks confusing casual readers, weakening pre-orders, or generating negative buzz.

In fact, media-publisher relations can work to "combat" spiraling fandom narratives ahead of major releases by adjusting expectations rather than fueling speculation. This is, I think, why BB has never entertained the ship wars: because the only narrative they care about is the one in the books. They want the general readership to have appropriate expectations, not to confuse them.

So (and here is simply how I judge these events), why has an Az-Gwyn-Elain love triangle never been mentioned anywhere reputable, despite it dominating fandom discourse? Well, you guessed it. Because it doesn't exist to BB. It is a fandom creation. A gwynriel ship is simply not part of BB's narrative surrounding the upcoming release, as seen in the past year's media coverage. It's Elain and Azriel all the way. Even Lucien barely receives an honorary mention. We're talking the credible, reputable sources here (like TIME, E! News, etc). The only sensible conclusion is that BB wants the casual readership to focus on Elriel. Becasue, again, the last thing a publisher wants is confusion ahead of one of the biggest releases of the last decade.

To the Elriels that feel harassed and tired: You are not delusional. You’re picking up exactly what SJM and BB are putting down. Don’t let anyone bully you into thinking otherwise. When people call you insecure for being excited about Elriel's media attention, it is a deeply naive view. There’s no “winning” the ship wars because there was never a competition, at least not from the publisher’s perspective. There is one narrative, one endgame couple, and no other ship was ever a real contender. Fandom discourse may create the illusion of an open-ended outcome, but publishing doesn’t work that way. Writing is not the throw of a dice. Writing and producing a book of this scale is a years-long process involving immense financial investment and coordination betweem multiple large actors. The story’s direction is set long before fandom discourse begins, and no publisher would gamble that investment on shifting fandom opinions that reflect neither the general readership nor, and most importantly, the author's vision (which is what they have invested their money in).

Sorry for coming to you on anon to say all this. I just feel for Elriels and want them to know this. I'm sick of seeing them gaslit and ridiculed and questioning their own perception of reality. I'm not active in this fandom and don't really want its attention directed at me (I've seen too much over the years) so I prefer being anonymous.

I say this is standard industry practice but of course, always take what I or anyone else say with a grain of salt. Especially someone who anonymously claims to have credentials of some sort. None of this information about the industry should be difficult to confirm with a little bit of research (and please do look into this, double check what I've said, because the more you know about publishing, the less susceptible you will be to gaslighting!).

Thank you so much for this!

Everyone: PLEASE READ -- super interesting. But also kind of confirms what we've been saying all along. Nothing is accidental and of course everything in terms of publicity runs through BB and from them.

And you are so right about fandom usually being against canon and making up alternative options for their fave characters. I see it even with couples outside of Elriel/GA. Look at Nessian, and the stans who weren't happy with Cassian, and moved on to Eris (as if he is a better choice?! WTF). Same with Bryceriels, who weren't happy with Hunt, and now made up Azriel and Bryce connection. The anti Rhys campaign, and pro Tamlin one, because 'Tamlin is sad' and therefore Rhys is the devil. Many such examples.

This is really informative and I think would bring some calm to Elriels who've been hassled like hell in the past few weeks.

[readychilledwine]

MASTERLIST:

** - Indicates Smut

Bold - Indicates a Multipart Fic

Please see my "Get to Know Me" if you are interested in requesting something

Check out my WIP List if you're interested in what I have coming

Want to request something but need some inspiration? Check out this list of my favorite prompts from across Tumblr

Per request - DV Resources for the US. You aren't alone. You are seen. You deserve to be heard. Your story should be told.

SJM Fandom:

Rhysand

Azriel

Cassian

Eris Vanserra

Lucien Vanserra

Tamlin

Helion

Ruhn Danaan

Rowan Whitethorn

The Whore Home Masterlist

(Aka the smut featuring characters no one asked for)

ACOTAR Drabbles

Acotar Headcanons (coming soon)

Acotar Body Headcanons

2023 Halloween Masterlist

Elizabeth's Birthday Celebration Masterlist

Readychilledwine's Maternity Celebration Masterlist

2024 Poly+Acotar Week Masterlist

2024 Kink Bingo Masterlist

2024 Villain's Week Masterlist

2024 Rhysand Week Masterlist

2024 Elain Week Masterlist

2024 Eris Week Masterlist

2024 Monster Mash Masterlist

Elizabeth's 2024 Birthday Bash Masterlist

SJM Poly+ Week 2025

The Empyrean:

**will not be posting anything fourt wing related until the end of March out of respect of Onyx Storm readers**

[consciouscarrot]

flufftober day 2 - “i’ve got you,” [ rhysand ]

rhysand (acotar) x fem!reader (i do not support sjm)

content warnings; angsty fluff, hurt/comfort, aftermath of night terrors from sexual assault related trauma (rhysand), non sexual nakedness and bathing

note; no actual sexual assault or those memories in this, just vague mentions. be gentle with yourselves <3 i liked this one a lot :)

kinktober/flufftober masterlist

—————

you were awoken by thrashing limbs, murmured pleas and heavy breathing. ever since under the mountain, this had become a routine for your lover- he never managed to go a night without waking up in a panic, plagued by memories and moments that could’ve been if amarantha still lived.

you rolled over towards him, assessing the situation before deciding it was safe to touch him. you’d learnt from previous experiences not to go straight to physical affection, as he was prone to forgetting where he was, and could sometimes get violent. rhysand still felt guilty about those times, but you continued to reassure him that it wasn’t his fault, and that you should’ve been more careful.

gently placing a hand on his shoulder, a neutral place that wouldn’t have any sexual connotations if he were to wake up, you applied light pressure, knowing that he responded to this the best.

you muttered loving praises, begging him to wake up. you couldn’t bear the thought of him having to relive it all, wishing that he had never gone to that wretched place in order to protect you all.

suddenly, he shot up in bed, crying out in terror. his arms flailed as he tried to gain his bearings, tears falling down his reddened cheeks. his wide eyes landed on you, chest heaving as he whimpered your name.

you crawled over to him, letting him pull you into the safety of his lap. he wrapped his arms around you tightly, as if holding onto you was the only thing that could keep him breathing. you gently guided his head to rest against the top of your chest, and he breathed in your scent, beginning to calm down.

you continued to whisper to him, hoping the distractions and praise would help him. you were still learning how to navigate these types of situations, where he was so scared and traumatised from memories you were yet to learn about. you would always be patient with him, and would never push him to tell you anything he wasn’t ready to talk about yet, and he was eternally grateful. he had been half worried that you’d be disgusted by him on his return, trauma twisting the logical part of his brain into something else. he knew now that you could never think of him like that, he had started to unravel all of the lies of betrayal that amarantha had fed him about you, myths of you moving on and forgetting about him, about him not being worthy of you.

having finished crying, breaths steadier and hands beginning to loosen their grip on your back, he pulled his face back, looking up to you before pressing your foreheads together. you slowly lifted up your hands, not wanting to startle him out of his newfound calm, and softly wiped away his tears, brushing his hair out of his damp face.

you waited for his next move, wanting everything to be on his terms, and when he pulled back again, faces close enough for your breaths to mix with each others, you knew that the two of you were in for a long night. his lids drooped, exhausted but too scared to be able to sleep again. he hesitantly pressed a kiss onto the tip of your nose, before moving down to your soft lips. he held the kiss for a while, not moving, just light pressure and having eachother close.

“bath?” you asked quietly against his lips, knowing how he felt about cleanliness and that the warm water would help soothe his tense muscles. he nodded into you, retightening his hold on you and carrying you through to the bathroom. he let you pamper him, running the bath and pouring in lavender bath soak, before grabbing towels for the two of you afterward.

you approached him when the bath was ready, placing your hands on the waistband of his boxers, watching his reactions and waiting for him to give you permission to take them off. he nodded again, understandably not up to speaking yet. he observed as you pulled them down his thighs, maintaining eye contact the entire time. you gently grasped his ankle, encouraging him to step out of the fabric. when you stood up, he nudged your (his) sleep shirt, and only when you muttered your approval did he return the favour.

you helped eachother into the bath, and he refused to stray far from you, nuzzling his nose into your neck and holding your body close to his. the two of you stayed that way for a while, just enjoying each others company before eventually moving on to washing one another. he moaned when you washed his hair, massaging the shampoo into his scalp for longer than necessary. usually he wanted to be the one to take care of you, but this time he just closed his eyes and leant into you. maybe that would be a silver lining to all of this, that he’d let you look after him more.

you scooped water out of the bath, cupping a hand over his eyes to protect them before carefully rinsing his dark hair. rhysand looked so content like this, that if you couldn’t still see the tear stains on his cheeks, you could never have guessed what had been going on an hour ago. you applied conditioner to his hair, detangling it with your fingers delicately, trying your best not to pull on a knot and disturb his peace, before rinsing that out too.

you took your time washing his body, stopping to check in with him occasionally and ask permission to continue. you rubbed at any sore muscles, cleansing away all the sweat and tears. you couldn’t help but stare at him, you loved him with everything that you were, and you were so thankful that you’d gotten him back. you hadn’t been coping very well in the last fifty years without him, relying mostly on mor or azriel to keep yourself together. it still didn’t feel real sometimes, him being home, and you refused to ever take another moment with him for granted.

feeling your staring, he unhurriedly peeled open his eyes, finding you on the verge of tears.

“i love you,” you whispered to him, voice thick with emotion, thumbing tenderly at his hairline. his brows rose slightly in the middle, focus flitting from one of your eyes to the other.

he lifted a hand out the water, cupping your cheek as you lean into his touch, his other giving a squeeze to your waist.

“i love you too, darling,” he rasped, voice still hoarse from crying. his thumb stroked over your face, slowly up towards your eyebrow, brushing over the corner of your eye, before moving back down, feeling the softness of your skin beneath him.

you bend forward, kissing his lips again, long presses of love and care. you wished that you could spend the rest of your lives like this, close and gentle, loving and content, but the water was starting to cool, rhysand being too tired to magic it warm again, and you could feel his fingertips pruning against your cheek. you kissed him once more, more of a smushing of your faces together rather than anything more, but it was all you needed, and all you could really muster up the energy to do.

eventually, you both managed to make your way back to bed, slipping under the covers and intertwining your bodies together, arms wrapped around backs, heads resting in the crooks of each other’s necks and legs tangled together until you weren’t sure who’s limbs were who’s anymore.

you were glad that the two of you had decided on no clothes, happily laying against him and feeling so close. being like this, you weren’t really sure how you had managed when he was gone at all, and you know that you would give up anything just to feel like this forever. there was no feeling like being skin to skin with someone you love like this, nothing that you could possibly compare it to. everytime you were away from him, it’s like your whole body ached to be closer to him, even if he was just a couple of paces away. you could never really give something or someone your full attention if he was near, even if you tried your body just decided for you that he was the best place to be.

eyes slipping closed, you both began to drift back off to sleep, feeling safe and comforted in each others hold. you’d discuss it more in the morning, but for now you just wanted to live in your little bubble, at least until tomorrow night, when his nightmares came back to agonize him again.

[offtorivendell]

What you all seem to be missing is that this isn't even a topic of infertility, it's of delivery. The discussion is NEVER "can Elain get pregnant" because the problem was not "could Feyre get pregnant." The plot introduced into the series was what happens after she became pregnant and carried the baby to term, could a non Illyrian safely deliver a baby with wings which has now carried over into the discussion of Elain since it's canon that Feyre and Nesta were changed while we were not told the same of Elain. It's not a reason Elain can't be with Az but it is a valid topic of discussion within this series since the author posed it as a plotline. In the real world, most women safely choose a Caesarean section if they're dealing with delivery issues in their pregnancy so acting like delivering a winged baby has real world implications is simply you jumping on a pedestal for something to yell about. That's not to say there aren't delivery issues in the real world but this scenario is not one of them.

TW: death, infertility, pregnancy and childbirth related trauma. Also a brief mention of sexual assault.

Hi anon,

Respectfully, please stop being deliberately obtuse. Let's break this down, line by line.

What you all seem to be missing is that this isn't even a topic of infertility, it's of delivery. The discussion is NEVER "can Elain get pregnant" because the problem was not "could Feyre get pregnant."

I'm aware! I assume that you sent me this ask because I reblogged an old post of mine yesterday, so what you seem to be missing is that I've already discussed this.

Here, where I implicitly acknowledged both infertility and trauma related to pregnancy and childbirth as potential triggers in the post:

And here, where I explicitly stated that we know you guys don't mean that Elain is unable to conceive at all - which is impossible to know, as per the text she hasn't tried. If you read what I wrote, you'd see I said that - assuming Nesta had not changed her anatomy and would not be able to in the future, or that Elriel would even conceive winged children if they wanted kids at all - Elain and Azriel together would be functionally infertile*, as any child with wings (which is not a guarantee, by the way, though as you guys treat it as a foregone conclusion I worked off that premise) would die before or during birth, killing Elain at the same time.

* Is it more correct to say they'd suffer from "impaired fecundity"? Yes! But please read a little further.

The plot introduced into the series was what happens after she became pregnant and carried the baby to term, could a non Illyrian safely deliver a baby with wings which has now carried over into the discussion of Elain since it's canon that Feyre and Nesta were changed while we were not told the same of Elain.

It's really not hard to understand that we are discussing a fictional woman's ability to successfully have a specific man's children, and that their impaired fecundity does not (or should not) impact her worthiness to be loved by that man; that it has been equated to the struggles that many real, living people have experienced with regards to conceiving, carrying their babies to term and giving birth; and that - while an oversimplification - all these issues are being lumped under the umbrella of "infertility struggles" to be concise and accessible.

That being said, let me correct you quickly. While you very carefully said that we were "not told the same of Elain," with regards to Nesta changing her anatomy, you neglected to mention that SJM actually had her choose wording that didn't explicitly exclude Elain from the change, either.

The brisk spring wind whipped her golden-brown hair across her face. “I gave it back to the Cauldron in exchange for the knowledge of how to save them.” She swallowed. “But a little remains. I think something else—someone else—stopped the Cauldron from taking all of it. And I made some changes of my own.” The Mother. The only being who would see the sacrifice Nesta had made and give a little back. Perhaps it was she who had peered out at them through the Mask. “What did you change?” Nesta rested a hand on her abdomen. “I changed myself a little, too. So none of us will have to go through this again.” - ACOSF, chapter 78

Also of note, Nesta specified she had the "knowledge" to perform the change, which suggests that even if Elain wasn't changed then, it could be done in the future.

It's not a reason Elain can't be with Az...

Literally all that ever needs to be said on the topic.

... but it is a valid topic of discussion within this series since the author posed it as a plotline.

You should have stopped after the first half of the sentence. Elain's lack of pliable bones - ie. the second half of the "Illyrian womb" discussion that posits Gwyn as the only logical love interest - is not even a medically accurate theory, so it shouldn't be entertained full stop. While SJM may have posed Illyrian womb/wing issues as an issue for Feyre and Rhys, she never suggested it would impact any couple's decision to get or stay together. In fact, Nesta and Cassian were mates while Nesta was still unable to birth winged babies, too.

In the real world, most women safely choose a Caesarean section if they're dealing with delivery issues in their pregnancy so acting like delivering a winged baby has real world implications is simply you jumping on a pedestal for something to yell about. That's not to say there aren't delivery issues in the real world but this scenario is not one of them.

Once again I'm asking you to put your thinking cap on.

Obviously we do not have to consider the delivery of winged babies in the real world, but if you cannot see how the frequent suggestion (that Elain's hypothetical inability to successfully have Azriel's children is a valid reason as to why an author would separate, or even hint at separating, a potential couple) could be hurtful and upsetting to the many people who have/are currently struggling with infertility - or who have lost their much wanted and loved babies during the course of pregnancy or childbirth - then I have to assume that you're either suffering from a catastrophic lack of empathy or, respectfully, you have a sheep or two loose in the top paddock.

As I mentioned in the post I linked above, if the fandom is (rightfully!) expected to handle the topic of Gwyn finding love after experiencing SA with grace - out of respect for real life assault survivors - then it is not wrong to expect the same degree of care in return when discussing the anatomy change in ACOSF, out of respect for those who have trauma associated with infertility, pregnancy and childbirth in real life. It's an incredibly simple act to listen in good faith, rather than jumping straight to accusing us of wanting to "yell about" something just because you are prioritising shipping discourse over being kind.

It's 2025, the "Elain doesn't have an Illyrian womb or pliable bones" theory is both medically inaccurate and hurtful, and it really needs to end here.

Please.

[travelingbandit]

So we all know that authors have their little things that they use every now and then, just something they go back to.

Now it’s rude to make fun of authors. However: I don’t know if I really consider SJM an author, and she happens to be a vile person in general, so here’s a list a bunch of people and I compiled of her overused phrases and things she should’ve done her research on before writing.

Overused SJM phrases:

-simpering smile

-watery bowels

-I didn’t let myself think about it

-vulgar gesture

-he climaxed with a roar

-seed

-kernel

-she bared her teeth

-claws and talons and teeth

-bellowed

-shook the mountains

-slid his hands into his pockets

-and —- and —- and —- and —-

-Picked lung off their shoulder

-invisible lint

-he came with a roar

-velvet wrapped steel

-his wings twitched

-his balls tightened

Running list of things SJM should have done her research on:

-village dynamics

-growing crops and flowers

-household duties in this time period (medieval???)

- hunting

-painting

-gardening

-dancing

-religion and mythology

-medicine

-battle

-sibling dynamics

-reading

-historically accurate diseases

-instrument playing

-international relations

-sizing in relation

-infastructure

-Do they breed as fast as humans though?

-Basic Biology and Anatomy

-economics

-money in general

-red hair

-Hybern vs Prythian

-PTSD, Trauma, Trauma Responses

-sexual trauma/assault/violence/exploration

-does divorce exist? is the bond/mating ceremony stronger then the marriage?

-reading disabilities

-any sort of art research

-chronic pain

-immigration control in fantasy cities?

-systemic issues within a city

-poverty in a city

[rizzoreads88]

✨You can love Elain AND Gwyn…

You can love Azriel AND Lucien…

You can love Nesta AND Feyre…

You can love Tamlin AND Rhysand…

You can love Chaol AND Rowan…

You can love Aelin AND Manon…

You can Love Cassian AND Eris

You can love whoever AND whoever else…✨

Everyone is going to like/dislike different characters and that’s ok too but I constantly see a lot of people pit other characters against each other and for the life of me I don’t know why.

Every single one of SJMs character has their good/bad qualities and moments.(except the actual villains). They are all flawed and relatable in different areas.

[slytherin-pen]

The Nesting Fox

After five years of being mated, you and Lucien are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your first litter. As you enter the seventh month of your pregnancy, Lucien returns home from his Emissary duties to find you meticulously rearranging the baby's room, consumed by the need to prepare the space for your growing family. Sensing your stress, Lucien takes it upon himself to ease your worries by drawing a warm bath for you and offering comforting words to soothe your nerves.

pairing: Lucien x Reader

word count: 3.7k

all ACOTAR related credit goes to SJM

warnings: none/ fluff vibes only 🤍

A/N: i had writer’s block for a bit so i missed Elucien week but i started this with the theme in mind last week 😭 anyways, i hope you enjoy fluffy future-dad Lucien

As the warm afternoon sun painted the cottage in a golden hue and gently streamed through the windows, you hustled about, checking off tasks from your never-ending to-do list. Your little kit wasn't due for another two months, but time seems to go too fast and too slow while pregnant. You know you have all the necessities and have their room prepared, but that doesn’t stop the nagging feeling that there’s still more to do, leaving you restless.

Your best friend Mor has been taking you shopping for baby items and garments to replace your weekly pre-pregnancy coffee dates, and despite your complaints about the extra laundry, you do love spending time with her, however it may be. With your family living in the Night Court and you being heavily pregnant in the Spring Court, it’s easy to feel lonely, but Mor winnows in and catches up with you as if you never left. Aside from her visits, you keep busy preparing for the baby’s arrival by repeatedly cleaning and shuffling things around until it's just right.

Today's list of tasks includes organizing the new clothes in the baby’s dresser, dusting—a task that seems pointless in the Spring Court—and baking snickerdoodle muffins because the baby wants snickerdoodle muffins.

Lucien has had to remind you numerous times to take it easy. He frequently comes home to find you doing something you are not supposed to and swiftly ushers you to a chair. Pregnancy has not been the kindest to you, but you haven’t let it slow you down yet. You wouldn’t be his relentlessly energetic mate if you just sat around doing something mundane like knitting.

Before discovering you were pregnant, you and Lucien spent your days outdoors or traveling across Prythian and the Continent. You were far from being a passive couple. Besides, the basket storing away the yarn and needles became riddled with dust ages ago. It was a lovely gift from a Lord in the Day Court after your wedding ceremony inside the palace, but the longest you’ve sat still was when your previous High Lord, Rhysand, let you hold his son Nyx during a casual meeting in the River House. Babysitting Nyx occasionally has helped ease some of your worries about becoming a mother. Still, your mind was in a constant war between being confident in your abilities and thinking the absolute worst would happen and you would fail at being a mother.

Lucien has been your unwavering support during the most challenging days, helping you combat negative thoughts. He reminds you to breathe and trust that both of you will be loving, nurturing parents. You don’t know if it’s just everyday prenatal stress or the hormones making you an anxious, compulsive mess, but Lucien has remained his kind, witty, and ever-attentive self. He always knows what you need, whether you are cleaning the house inside-out until your feet swell or crying and raging about being out of sugar, and now ‘the baby will be sad.’ He bites down his retort about the baby's inability to conceptualize anything about the situation every time. Instead, he holds you, massages your feet, and goes to the shops as soon as they open.

When you first found out you were pregnant, it was after a trip to the Summer Court with Lucien as his plus-one on an emissary trip. The two of you had dined on shrimp and pasta among Tarquin and his courtiers. After dinner, Lucien attended a private meeting with Tarquin, Cresseida, and Varian while you returned to your shared suite. As you bathed and got ready for bed, you noticed you felt nauseous but thought you must have overindulged during dinner. You had just opened your nightly read when the urge to vomit was too strong to swallow down. You ran to the toilet and heaved until there was nothing left. Afterward, you brushed your teeth and requested a servant bring you a cup of ginger tea. You didn’t initially tell Lucien for fear he would fuss over you instead of focusing on why you were in the Summer Court. You had hoped an ingredient just didn’t settle well with your stomach and you would feel better shortly.

The trip lasted for three days, and as per Summer Court, every dish contained seafood. After each meal, you found yourself in the nearest bathroom, throwing up what little you had eaten. Lucien became concerned, noticing that you would run off, but you assured him you were fine and that the spices were giving you an upset stomach. He gave you a skeptical look, not believing your excuse due to your frequent travels and exposure to various cuisines. Still, he accepted you were keeping your bathroom habits private, as any gentleman would.

When you touched down in the Spring Court, and Lucien ran off to meet with Tamlin, you found the nearest healer. Something was wrong. You loved seafood. Not every Summer Court dish is delicious, particularly the scallop omelet, but shrimp was one of your favorites, and you threw it up every time. The meals made you sick after you ate, and the smells began to nauseate you as soon as they appeared on the table.

You were shocked when the healer informed you nothing was wrong but that you were pregnant. Your mind became a torrent of different emotions: fear, excitement, hope, and more fear. You and Lucien had stopped taking contraceptive tonics years ago with the knowledge you could become pregnant, but something about it happening made you question everything. Were you ready for a baby? What if Lucien changed his mind and didn’t want children with you? Would you be a good mother? The internal turmoil had paralyzed you, rooting you to the ottoman before the fireplace. That’s how Lucien found you after he met with Tamlin, and he knelt by your side, asking you what was wrong. You hesitated initially, but Lucien whispered encouragement in your ear, and you eventually told him you were pregnant. His gold and russet eyes lit up joyfully and immediately soothed your worries. He assured you he still wanted children with you— lots of them, even–that you would be the best mother, and between his salary and both of your families, obtaining everything the baby would need would be no problem.

A few months into your pregnancy, you and Lucien went on ‘Tour De Baby,’ as he called it, celebrating the news with family and friends. The two of you attended a formal dinner with Tamlin, and Helion and Lady Autumn hosted a baby shower. Eris insisted on visiting him and the hounds so they could ‘learn the kit’s scent,’ and your family in the Inner Circle guided you and Lucien on a rare, non-alcoholic night out through Velaris. Seeing your families so excited to meet your little one made your heart swell with adoration and gratitude. Even if your family was spread across three courts, your baby has a formidable village of warriors and High Lords who loved them endlessly, and that was more than you could ever ask for.

The tantalizing scent of snickerdoodle muffins baking in the oven filled the cozy cottage as you set out to rearrange the baby's room. As you surveyed the room, you realized the crib was too close to the window. What if the moon's light wakes up the little one? You quickly decided to move it. Then, you noticed a framed picture precariously hanging above the changing table. You couldn't risk it falling and hurting the baby, so you made a mental note to relocate it as well. As you stepped back, you noticed that the dresser seemed slightly off-center, prompting you to adjust its position.

Lucien heard a distinct dragging sound across the wooden floor as he walked through the front door. Curious, he followed the noise and poked his head into the room. "Release the dresser immediately," he demanded, a playful glint in his eyes. "What exactly are you up to, my sly little fox?" A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he noticed your blush.

“I was just tidying a few things up,” you replied sheepishly, putting the dresser back on the ground.

With a playful smirk, he hoisted the dresser and carefully set it in its new spot, perfectly aligned against the wall. Sauntering over to where you stood, he took hold of your hands and teased, "Is destroying our poor floors your idea of tidying up?”

You inhale sharply, glancing around the room and blinking back tears. “I just want everything to be perfect,” you whispered.

Lucien’s face softened with understanding as he pulled you into his chest, wrapping one arm around your waist and cradling your head with the other. “I know, my love, but do you know what I want?”

“For your mother to send me her apple pie recipe?”

He chuckled before shaking his head. “I’m not opposed, but no. I want you to be healthy. I want our baby to be healthy. And then I want all of us to be happy. That’s it. That’s all I could ever ask for.”

The dam of tears you held back burst as you listened to your partner's sincere words. “I feel like there’s so much left to do. I know we have gotten so much done, but I can’t help but stress about what else we can do,” you whined.

“Oh, darling,” he sighed. He cupped your cheeks and wiped your tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “Perhaps you subconsciously feel the more work you find, the more ready you will feel, but that is not how it works, unfortunately. We still have two months left, but I promise you we will be ready. You are ready. I have complete faith that you will be a natural once our kit is born. As for being physically ready, you’ve handled it all, my love. All that shopping with Mor and planning lists with Feyra paid off. I told you to leave some work for me,” he winked.

You snorted, smacking his chest lightly. “You’ve hardly let me do anything. You made me sit in that chair,” you pointed to the rocking chair in the corner, “while you built the crib, installed the bookshelf, and made me stay at Tamlin’s manor for two days while you painted the room.”

“Technically, it only took one day to paint and one more for the fumes to air out,” he quipped.

Before you could roll your eyes, the smell of burning cinnamon hit your nose. “Muffins!” You turned away from Lucien and waddled quickly towards the kitchen.

Lucien laughed as he followed after you. “I was wondering what sort of concoction you had brewing in there.”

“The baby asked for snickerdoodle muffins, and what kind of mother would I be to deny my child before they’ve even left the womb?”

“Ah yes, this telepathic connection between the two of you. Pray tell, what else does our little kit ask for,” he asked, leaning on his hands, watching you from across the island that separated you as you pulled the muffin pan out of the oven.

Placing the pan on the counter, you hummed before looking up at Lucien. “Well, since you’re asking,” you smiled deviously, “a nice warm bath complete with a massage. And chocolates.”

He licked his lips as he moved closer to you. “I can’t deny my child before they’ve left the womb, now can I? I shall run you a bath this instant.”

You giggled as he kissed the crown of your head and rubbed your belly before leaving the room. Staring at the muffins on the counter, you couldn’t resist eating one while they were fresh and steaming right in front of you. The crumbs of cinnamon and sugar crunched between your teeth as the bready muffin melted on your tongue, and an involuntary moan escaped you. Your baby may not be born yet, but they certainly have good taste in pastries.

“My love,” Lucien called. “I have a warm, lavender-scented bath ready for you.”

“Coming,” you mumbled, swallowing the last of the muffin before rounding the corner and trailing after Lucien.

As you walked through your bedroom and into the ensuite bathroom, you practically groaned in pleasure at the sight. Steam rose from the clawfoot tub, courtesy of Lucien’s heating powers, and bubbles covered the water's surface. You slipped off your clothes, and Lucien held your hand as you entered the tub. He quickly followed, chucking his clothes onto the floor next to yours.

You leaned back onto his chest as he sat behind you, thick, muscular thighs caging you in between them. “This is nice,” you sighed. The bubbles came up to your breastbone as your body slumped against his, but your bump protruded slightly out of the water's comforting warmth.

He hummed in agreement, grabbing a folded washcloth and submerging it in the water before gingerly running it across your arms. “It is the least you deserve,” he murmured. “I cannot thank you enough for carrying our child.”

You looked at him over your shoulder and smiled. “You don’t have to thank me, Luc. I love you, and I love our baby. I can’t wait to meet them.”

“I know you do,” he kissed the tip of your nose, “but I also know being pregnant is no easy feat. First, there was constant nausea and vomiting; now, it’s insomnia, swelling, and back pain. Not to mention the mental toll it takes on you, worrying day and night about what our baby will need, and as much as I hate that you’re so worried, your concern is how I’m sure you'll be a wonderful mother.”

“You can't know that,” you grumbled. “Preparing for it and living it is not the same thing.”

Lucien lathered shampoo in his hands and began to scrub your scalp. “Perhaps, but after believing Beron was my father for most of my life, maybe I’m just content in knowing we can love our child without that monster looming over us. Knowing I will never be like him and you, being an angel sent from the heavens, I think we’re quite set. All I ever wanted was for my future children to be safe, especially in their own home, and they will be.”

You sighed as he rinsed the soap out of your hair, one hand shielding your eyes from the suds. “That is a perspective I haven't considered. I’m sorry,” you murmured.

“Don’t apologize, my love. I only mentioned it because I want you to feel as content as I do. I don't want you spending your first pregnancy fretting over the little things when what's most important is that both of you are okay. We don't know what the future holds, and things could change in the blink of an eye, but in the meantime, I want us to love each other and enjoy ourselves while our kit gets ready for their debut.”

You intertwined your hands with his as you gave him a peck on the lips. “Thank you. You always know what to say to bring me back to Earth. I don't know what I would do without you.”

“Oh, I have a few ideas. Starting with rearranging this house until labor forced you to stop, you stubborn female.”

A soft giggle escaped you as you leaned further into Lucien’s chest. “The day can not come soon enough. My back might break if my stomach gets any bigger.”

Lucien chuckled as he caressed your bump with his large palm. Despite how huge you felt, his hand could still cover the top of your stomach, reminding you that you were, in fact, not actually the size of a mammoth. “I hate to tell you that our little fox is not done growing and will get bigger, but-” he leaned over your shoulder to kiss the bump, “I can assure you that you are unbreakable, my brave and resilient mate. Pregnancy is nothing compared to the battles you’ve overcome, but after this battle, we will be blessed with a precious baby in return, and they will be ours to cherish alone.”

You craned your neck to gaze up at him. “We’re going to have to share them every now and then, you know that right,” you teased.

A soft growl rumbled through his chest before he nipped at your nose, eliciting your squeal. “We don’t have to do anything. We could hide in the woods and live like cave dwellers. No one could make us leave.”

“Well, technically, Tamlin could, being High Lord and all.” You trailed off as he began to leave kisses along your neck.

Lucien hummed, the placement of his lips on your throat sending vibrations coursing straight through you. “I’d like to see him try. I do believe he owes me, coming back to help him repair his court and all,” he teases.

“Would he be grateful enough not to mind his Emissary and wife living in his woods like animals? We might scare the villagers.”

“Darling, if the villagers can’t handle two Fae harmlessly prancing about the woods, they are in the wrong court. Their High Lord turns into a beast, for cauldron's sake.”

You laughed, clenching your eyes shut and squeezing your thighs together lest you pee yourself. “I can’t believe I forgot that. My stupid pregnancy brain has me forgetting everything, including changing out my slippers for shoes before leaving the house. I was halfway to town before I realized.”

"Was that the day you asked me to go to the shops for more strawberry jam after you had said you were going to fetch it yourself," he chuckled.

“Yep,” you grimaced. “I had to turn around. That was a whole trip in itself. No way I was walking back to the shops.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. I told you to take it easy, not run around town like a headless chicken.” You smacked his arm for referring to you as a chicken, and he kissed your cheek in apology. “I will handle the shopping from now on. You needn’t worry your pretty little head about a thing.”

“Oh, so now I have a head?”

“You’re a wicked thing when you want to be.” He rose from the tub, reaching for the towels before stepping onto the rug. “Come on out, love. The water is getting cold, and I still owe you a massage.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” your eyes brightened as you took his hand and let him wrap you in a soft, fluffy towel.

You held hands as the two of you walked into your bedroom, cast in the warm glow of flickering candles. Lucien changed into sleep pants while you slipped on a silk nightgown. You sat down at your vanity, and before you could reach for your hairbrush, Lucien grabbed it. “Let me,” he murmured.

Smiling at him appreciatively over your shoulder, you nodded and closed your eyes as he gently brushed through your hair. He was careful to start at the ends with light strokes and work his way up to your roots, mindful of how fragile hair can be while wet. Starting at your hairline, he separated your hair into three sections and began to tie your hair into a french braid. It became your favorite way to style your hair for bed due to all the night sweats you’ve had during pregnancy. Sleeping while pregnant was still uncomfortable, but getting all your hair off your neck helped tremendously with not overheating at night.

“So beautiful,” Lucien whispered, trailing his fingertips down your arms. You made eye contact with him through the mirror and couldn’t stop the blush that crept upon your cheeks. “Let’s get you in bed now, my love.”

You let him lead you to the bed in the middle of the room and watched him pull back the covers. He sat down first, to your surprise, and patted the spot between his legs. You giggled but situated yourself between his thighs and pulled the covers up to your waist.

“First, the chocolate I promised.” He handed you a bowl of small rectangles of dark chocolate. You moaned and popped a piece into your mouth as you grabbed the bowl and placed it in your lap. “Now for that massage,” he leaned over to the side table and picked up the bottle of oil, shaking a few drops on the palm of his hand and rubbing them together. You pulled your braid over your shoulder and let the straps of your nightgown slip down enough for Lucien to access your back. “Where does it feel the most sore?”

“Along my spine and lower back,” you replied, chewing another piece of chocolate.

He hummed in acknowledgment and began to massage your back. Starting at the top of your spine, he ran his knuckles down your back, releasing the tension with his motions. He moved on to massaging circles into your lower back with his thumbs, and the pressure was heaven-sent in such a sore spot.

You don’t know how long you sat there feeling every ounce of love and care he put into relieving your pain. Your eyes remained shut, and you’d never admit that you may have dozed off a couple of times, only once or twice, with a piece of chocolate in your mouth.

After the massage, you leaned back onto his chest, placing the chocolates and oil back on the table, and he wrapped his arms around your bump to lift it. He dipped his chin down to your shoulder and kissed your neck softly. “Does that feel any better, darling?”

Exhaustion consuming you, you could only hum and nod. Lucien chuckled, turned off the flames with a snap, and shifted your bodies so that your head rested on his chest as he pulled you into his side. “Goodnight, my love,” he kissed your temple. “And goodnight, my little fox,” he splayed his hand on top of your bump and rubbed his thumb in soothing circles as you fell asleep.

[elrielffs]

Elriel in all the major articles.

"They just want to get views!" "We stalked the writers and they are nobodies so we can't take this seriously!"

Never mind that they like to tout that GA/EL are far more popular but if they wanted views they would write all ships to appeal to everyone or even just write about the ship war. Also they are quick to prop up the 1 or 2 Screen Rant articles that came out.

Elriel mentioned by major brands.

"Our ship gets mentioned too!" Doesn't provide screenshots.

SJM talks about rejected mates and poor mate couples on Today show.

"She means HOAxBeronxHelion!"

SJM posting Guilty as Sin, the most heavily coded Elriel song when she could have posted any other.

"It doesn't mean anything!" They try desperately to twist it for their ship and claim it.

And yah yah, "it's just a song!" but given how little SJM posts to her instagram, how she knows people watch and dissect anything she does like a hawk, how she could of chosen ANY song from the new album (cause let's be real, Guilty as Sin does not relate to her happily married self personally) but chose a heavily coded Elriel song...

SJM Bloomsbury provide the Feysand bonus chapter in the Night Court exclusive editions and not the Azriel BC.

"It's cause they don't own the rights! That's all!" If they wanted to, they would.

Idk man, if my ship was excluded from all these major and far reaching publicities and I kept having to make excuses of why it isn't included in anything significant, I would read the writing on the wall.

And no, these aren't confirmation but it IS very telling and I'll never be convinced that in the major instances (Time, Today show, E!, Spotify that worked WITH SJM) isn't handled by PR/Marketing with Bloomsbury/SJM.

[emmitaaa4]

“Elriel is too predictable! It’s boring & lazy writing!”

… 🧍‍♂️

My sibling in Christ. You call SJM the fated mates author. Through 15+ books and 3 series she hasn’t diverged from that trope. Elain has a “mate”.

If an Elriel outcome is predictable, it’s because the author willed it so and therefore ✨wrote scenes✨ to ✨develop their relationship✨.

and by that i mean…

(long post ahead…. bear with me)

SJM wrote that despite how different they may look, Elain does not balk from Az. She never has: from their 1st meeting she finds comfort in him, and he in turn notices her—she’s never been afraid of him, he has always seen her.

SJM wrote Mr. “I don’t need to resort to poetry” going all Azriel Allan Poe, flustered as he tells Elain “we are born hearing the song of the wind”. She wrote him uncharacteristically open, while when he 1st met Feyre he deferred all her questions to others.

SJM wrote the 1st coherent thing to come out of Elain’s mouth in WaR to be “beautiful” as she beholds Azriel’s scarred hands. In turn, she wrote our gardener not minding imperfections on hers, for despite her lady-like conditioning, she prefers to get her hands dirty.

SJM wrote Az spending time with her in the sunshine: no forced conversation, no one hEaLinG anyone, just them both doing their own thing as a relaxed Az suns his wings. Just two pals comfortable with one another… which SJM foreshadowed in MaF through Feyre’s “Elain would likely cling to Az for some peace and quiet”.

SJM wrote Az and Cass both stilling at the sight of El & Nes, she wrote Az cutting in to set Elain up in her garden even as Feyre was about to do it, she wrote the mention that Elain was safe after the twin raven’s attack bc Az had stayed with her at the townhouse.

SJM wrote Azriel’s eyes churning as he looks at Elain and her too-thin body, before abruptly winnowing away, and we’re left with Mor looking at the spot where he left. Wonder what that was about (it certainly did not remind me of Rhys in TaR).

You know, Elriels are not just making stuff up and theorizing about the E/ucien bond cause we’re desperately pulling at straws…

SJM had Madja say “a mate would know if something is amiss”, then wrote a scene juxtaposing both Lucien’s and Azriel’s reactions/assessments of what was going on with Elain… and she had Azriel be the one to know nothing was “wrong” with her—no, she just had rare powers and needed to be heard, to be taken seriously. He didn't let her be misunderstood, for he was the ONLY one that listened to her, that took her visions/ramblings seriously right from the get go. And so he gave Elain the understanding she needed to free herself from the dream-like murky realm she was trapped in. Through it all, SJM emphasizes that Azriel also understands what it is like to struggle with rare, strange, prized powers in silence; what it’s like to be othered by them. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: she sees everything and he hears everything.

SJM wrote that “Elain had hoped that love would trump even a mating bond” and had her characters question the Cauldron in relation to Elucien *twice* (years apart!).

…

SJM wrote Az being the only one—in a room full of Made beings speaking of being Made—to notice that Elain was missing. A reassuring but empty statement by Cass to Nesta that they’d get her back….but then it was Azriel that stated, eyes glowing golden, that HE would be getting her back, despite the girl’s own sister discouraging him & telling him he’d die. Hell, Feyre had this whole deliberation on whether she’d join him only after he’d say he’d go. His initiative.

The Hybern scene is too long to add, but this post and this theory break it all down brilliantly.

Yes, Az has sacrificial tendencies. Yes, he’d risk his life for loved ones in general. But we have never seen him this affected, and it is because SJM purposely used language to emphasize Elain and Azriel’s meaningful reactions to the other… despite it being wholly “unnecessary”

It is all intentional… lazy’s antonym.

SJM wrote the Truthteller scene. She emphasized the exchange, which left Cassian gasping and Rhys flabbergasted; it also left Feyre with a significant painting in her mind, that Rhys urges her to paint after the war. It lead to Elain, aka “my God has answered me,” stepping out of a shadow to save her sister. Azriel, aka “God is my help”, indeed helped armed Elain so she could answer her sisters prayers.

SJM ended WaR with Elain’s smile literally lighting up Az’s shadows.

SJM had Elain’s thoughtful gift to him make his eyes the brightest we’ve seen—and by doing so gave us the most beautiful description of his earthy eyes, “the hues of green amid the brown and gray like veins of emerald.” We have never seen Az so joyful & carefree throughout the entire series—he literally throws his head back and laughs, and "Feyre had never heard such a sound, so deep and joyous."

SJM wrote that Azriel beat Feyre to Elain’s side as she was looking out into the night. She wrote Elain stilling at the sight of a dashing Azriel—her throat bobbing—while Az “just moved towards her”.

SJM wrote the potato scene—“sit i’ll take care of it”—Azriel again being the one to respect Elain’s presence & contribution as he makes a room full of his “superiors” wait until Elain finishes tidying herself up (cause girlie wanted to look put together for a certain shadowsinger). Mor gapes, Amren smirks, Rhys talks of Az’s mom… all because of that surprising, singular behaviour from him.

SJM wrote Az making a joke at Amren’s expense upon noticing Elain’s discomfort; our girl’s shoulders indeed relax in relief. THE LIGHT RETURNS IN HER EYES.

SJM has Azriel staying up past 3am with Elain, listening to her speak of something she is passionate of.

SJM wrote Azriel spending an entire convo with his brothers looking out into the garden from the window (SJM mentioned it 4 times yet some still missed it).

SJM wrote Rhys goading Az for a reaction as he quizzes him on Lucien and Grayson; wrote Rhys realizing that Azriel did not want to know what Elain did with Lucien (in the case she did anything). She wrote Azriel nervously stuttering as he asks risks if they need to get the sisters a present… I wonder why.

And Rosehall… SJM wrote ROSEhall: cracktheory this cracktheory that, to the gwonriels I’d say we both know you wouldn’t say it’s irrelevant had SJM chosen to call his estate Tealhall.

~~~~

Keep in mind: SJM could have written those significant scenes and ultimately kept it PG: she could have chosen language that built up a profound platonic relationship.

Yet… in MaF she has Feyre comment that they would be good together—as in make a good *couple*. WaR roles in and they’re both dealing with the very public rejections they went through—but SJM had them build a quiet companionship in the background, while giving them a wealth of scenes of great significance for both their characters, and while using language like “she DEVOURED the sight of him” “he CRADLED her to his chest”. In FaS they are slowly but surely getting over their last loves, and SJM continues developing their connection.

And in ACOSF, in the book that supposedly “ended” Elriel…

SJM wrote Az following the sound of her laugh (😭). “ It’s just lust” PLEASE BFFR.

SJM chose to remind us—THREE times—of the Hybern rescue scene... then had Az tell Cass that he’d know, in his chest, if something happened to Nesta.

SJM had Az longingly stare at the gift Elain gave him every night for a YEAR—mind plagued by thoughts of her—made him so affected by her that he had reactions to every mention of her name in SF, so affected that it took Nes one look at them to notice his feelings, to reach out in comfort upon noticing the pain that keeping himself apart from to her caused him. As SJM said she would, Nes saw through his secret in ACOSF, still it is “his secret to tell, never hers”. After Solstice we are met with a grumpy Azriel, who lost the snowball fight for the 1st time in centuries (i wonder why…).

SJM chose to link his every secret back to his feelings for Elain, as per the bonus . Why does he stay up so late and wake up so early? He longs for Elain so much he can’t sleep. Why is he staying in the HoW? It is too hard to be close to Elain given their circumstances; he must physically distance himself from her. Why has he moved on from Mor after centuries? Elain. Why is he grumpy post Solstice? The argument with Rhys concerning Elain.

~~~~

Ultimately, SJM wrote for Elriel:

- Complementary imagery (flowers and death? light and dark blending together to form something new… DUSK, anyone?)

- AND plot altering scenes

- AND chose to liken them to one another multiple times

- AND genuine moments of companionship that slowly bloomed into something more…

… Is it so insane to believe that maybe SJM spent so much page time and effort building connections & common ground between them because she intends for elain & az to find peace and quiet within one another?

Or idk, maybe it was all for shits and giggles… and if it was i salute her commitment to the shits and the giggles🫡

Either way, it is the opposite of lazy writing…

It’s SJM’s world & words, and we are just reading them.

P.S: This was all just typed on my cell phone from the top of my head… yes remembering all this is probs concerning, yes I am obsessed. Please correct me if I got anything wrong.

[nikethestatue]

If Sarah truly wanted elriel to be endgame that bonus chapter did a horrible job of getting people to root for them. Many people who shipped elriel got the ick after reading that chapter and started shipping gwynriel. It turned off a lot of fans from them. It did not convey any genuine feelings between Elain and az. There was no need to add gwyn in that chapter at all, when there was already a love triangle with Lucien. Gwyn and Azriel may not have many interactions but their chemistry is so electric they’ve become the most popular ship. This was not accidental. Sarah wanted us to root for them. All of her couples have banter and challenge each other, elriel is the only one that doesn’t fit the bill.

You know anon, I would love to spend a day in your Discord. I assume you guys have one. Imagine talking about the bonus chapter and only the bonus chapter for FOUR YEARS?!?!!

A bonus chapter that you’ve convinced yourself is trumping everything else written in the books.

A bonus chapter that’s just one among many many many bonus chapters that SJM wrote.

A bonus chapter that 94% of readers never heard of and never read.

A bonus chapter that’s never been rereleased by BB.

And a bonus chapter that’s only been mentioned ONCE by the author—how? In relation to the snowball fight where Rhys and Az were ENRAGED with each other.

I say this in the most sympathetic way—but you guys need to be studied. I’m talking a whole observation theater. Somewhere in Austria or Switzerland. Serious places. Because the level of gaslighting that you’ve imposed on yourselves is off the charts.

PS

No Elriel, in the history of Elriels has ever gotten the ick from the bonus and became a Gwynriel.

No Elriel would ever exchange a Mercedes for a Yugo.

PPS

WHAT CHEMISTRY?

PPPS

If Sarah even remembers Gwyn I’d be very impressed

[ofbreathandflame-archive]

I think people are purposely ignoring the issues when it comes down to both (1) Feyre's decision to get pregnant and (2) the pregnancy plotline in general. Motherhood does not equate to weakness - not inherently. Traditionally, though, we've seen motherhood and/or pregnancy used as a conduit to disempower women in both literature and entertainment industry as a whole. The issue is not that Feyre decides to get pregnant, but that the pregnancy and motherhood status has resulted in Feyre's prominence in her own series diminishing. I know this because even people on the pro-side have complained about Feyre's lack of appearence in the last two books.

First and foremost - it's not misogynistic to critique Feyre's decision to get pregnant because Feyre is fictional, so the choice is the authors - and readers have the right to question the author's decision, especially when it undermines the the whole theme of the first three books. Or at least provides some contentions to it.

Secondly, Feyre's role is diminished after her pregnancy. The entire pregnancy plot is written to...disempower Feyre. Feyre is not able to do combat, she's not 'allowed' to leave Velaris. Rhys covers Feyre in a shield so strong and so heavy, that her own family cannot hug her, or even smell her natural Fae scent. Feyre is not allowed to make a decision about Nyx...and ultimately Feyre dies as a result of this pregnancy without ever knowing the severity or have any control on how she would like to approach the issue. And - within SJM's work - motherhood is generally indicative of hyperviolence and fridging. And as I've mentioned earlier, it's not until SJM becomes a mother herself, that we see semi-positive representations of motherhood and pregnancy (see: Yrene, Ember, Feyre). And even with those examples, two of the three characters are at the receiving end of extreme violence and pain as a result of their pregnancy.

And on the flipside, Rhys's role in the Maas-verse has only increased. He's the secondary antagonist in SF, and is the one who has the most conversations with and about Nesta, even though Feyre is her sister. He's the one featured in HoFas as a primary character - not Feyre. And the only comments we even get about Feyre or in relation to her have to do with....motherhood. So, even within this short-frame of time, Fatherhood is not shown to hinder or diminish Rhys role, if anything he's even more prominent not just in his own series, but across all of SJM's works.

If Feyre was prominent and written like a character similar to Catelyn from asoiaf - then I would not complain. I could respect the decision, even if it misaligned with my own opinions. But in this case, I believe Feyre's pregnancy and her role as a mother have acted a conduit to disempower and ultimately fridge Feyre. And I think the criticisms that derive from the plotline are worth having conversations about.

[zenkindoflove]

✨ Thank you for being in the fandom! ✨

Being here, you have contributed so much and have made so many people happy and excited. Now, just so we can get to know you better:

What made you first read the books, and which SJM series did you begin with first?

What character across all of her books do you relate to the most and why?

What inspired you to begin contributing to the fandom (i.e., fanfics, artwork, commissions, analysis, all of the above, or something else?)

Are there any accounts that you’d like to shoutout that have either inspired you, or made you feel the most welcomed and loved here?

💕 Thank you again for all that you do 💕

This was a very sweet ask, anon. Thank you!

What made you first read the books, and which SJM series did you begin with first?

It was a mix of seeing them talked about on TikTok and knowing a few of my friends had read them. I had been in a reading slump for a bit and decided to give them a try. I started with ACOTAR in September 2023. Decided to catch up on CC in November 2023 so I could read HOFAS with everyone. Have never gotten far in TOG.

What character across all of her books do you relate to the most and why?

Hmmmm, I think in terms of who do I identify more of my own traits in, I think I'm a decent mix of Elain and Nesta. I'm the oldest sibling, more introverted, and tend to take over/be bossy (Nesta), but I'm also a chronic people pleaser, handle my own emotions and trauma inwardly and try not to upset people, and I'm more of a romantic (Elain).

What inspired you to begin contributing to the fandom (i.e., fanfics, artwork, commissions, analysis, all of the above, or something else?)

After finishing the series and reading a few Elucien fics, I wanted to write my own because I had written quite a lot of fanfiction in past fandoms and felt very inspired to write again. That started my very long journey of writing tons of Elucien fic, and then branching out into my Eris x Alexius journey, with some misc. rare pairs thrown in there.

Are there any accounts that you’d like to shoutout that have either inspired you, or made you feel the most welcomed and loved here?

All the friends I've made on here are amazing, talented, loving, and inspire me all the time. I'm seriously so amazed at how much talent is in this fandom. Fanworks make this often toxic fandom bearable, and I wouldn't be here without the community of people that I've met that focus their efforts on creation or supporting creators in this fandom. I tried my best to name as many people as I could but I know I'm missing people. I'm sorry!

@crazy-ache , @jadedbugart , @bonecarversbestie , @works-of-heart , @thrumbolt , @fierling , @starsreminisce , @themadmorrigan , @the-darkestminds , @yennas-stuff , @olenvasynyt , @spiritedstars , @clarafae , @ethereal-lionheart , @goghwilde , @sapphiresandgold , @teddyhoneybear , @buffy-vanserra , @clockwork-ashes , @lovely-vanserra-sunshine , @jules-writes-stories , @what-about-elvenis , @constantsins , @jon-snows-man-bun , @matrixsss , @highlordofkrypton , @fourteentrout , @fortheloveofbanksy , @shadowhunter2003