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bookstantrash · 3 years ago

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A/N: I have Sim’s disease. This disease makes you unable to shut up while writing, causing long chapters and stress because you can’t end it. So the fact that this chapter is not the last one and has almost 7K is totally @perseusannabeth fault.

I promise the next one will be the last (this time for real). While we don’t have the wedding, please enjoy the light smut, sprinkles of angst and a dash of Jealous!Cassian.

You can check here Pemberley’s Lake, Hooked on You, Smells like petrichor and paper, The Sound of Music, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bloody Day and Ominous Letter, Elementary, my Dear Lady and Eternal Flame, part one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight of my Nessian Pride and Prejudice AU.

Jealousy Jealousy

Cassian and Nesta’s engagement was a short one. Nothing to raise rumors of scandals, of course, but still relatively short that it walked in the thin line of impropriety given Cassian’s status.

Four months. That was how long their engagement had lasted, yet Cassian had been so busy with multiple affairs that time went by a blink. Strangely enough, the fact that the wedding date was slowly approaching — barely a week away — filled him with nerves, and made time run ever so slowly when all he wanted was to finally be able to call Nesta Archeron his wife.

These four months, however, had been enough to help lessen the gossip surrounding Elain and Lucien’s marriage, not to mention enough time to have Beron properly put into trial and convicted to a life sentence in the Tower of London. Cassian had kept his promise to the young Spell-Cleaver and made sure his mother’s ex husband had gotten a fair and just punishment according to his evil deeds. He had gone as far as reaching to his contacts in the Court and managed to reinstate the Duchess with her rightful assets, such as her dowry and properties that had been legally hers when she had married. The Vanserras were still quite rich and held some prestige, but most of their fortune had come through Beron’s marriage to Anais, and the loss of it had considerably lowered their fortune — not to an alarming level or risk of bankruptcy, but at least half of what it had been during the marriage years of the Vanserra’s.

To Cassian’s surprise, the new head of the Vanserra Household — the eldest son, Lord Eris — had not gone against the Judge’s decision, fully supporting his mother regaining her assets. Cassian hated the prick, but he had to feel an inkling of respect for the redhead’s actions regarding his mother.

Although he did tease and remarked in passing about the gentleman’s loss of fortune. It was a childish thing to do, but after years of being mocked by the other party — in regards to Cassian’s modest upbringing, his later adoption by Rhysand’s father and even his early interactions with the eldest Archeron — he could not help himself. Nesta had chastised him about his petty behaviour, arguing that, unfortunately, the Vanserra’s were her in laws given Elain’s marriage to Lucien, their half brother, and so they had to, at least in public, appear civil as to not inquire further fuel for gossip.

She did, however, admit to him in private that she had found his “courtier voice” — as she had come to call it — rather… exciting. That had propelled him to whisper — using the same sultry voice — sweet nothings to her, and he had noticed with smug satisfaction how Nesta had blushed, taking a sharp intake of breath.

Oh, how he missed the early days of their engagement, before he was pulled into dealing not only with the trial but also all the paperwork that came to organizing a wedding. Nesta, much the same, had become rather busy with all the preparations, spending days out shopping with her sisters. Emerie had insisted on making Nesta’s dress and bridal trousseau herself, taking upon herself to make Nesta the best dressed lady of all time. That had helped in cutting short the wedding preparations, yet Cassian still missed his bride to be dearly. And after their first kiss that evening at the bookstore… well, he found himself desiring her even more if it was possible.

Cassian grumbled in distress as he recalled that the last time he and Nesta were together alone had been that single time at the bookstore. Nowadays when their schedules allowed them to meet, someone from their party of friends would be present, acting as their chaperone. Cassian wistfully looked back at their days at Pemberley, where not only they saw each other with more frequency but had been able to spend some time unsupervised.

But maybe that was for the best. He would never act in a way to compromise Nesta’s reputation, even if the fact that they were engaged to be married allowed them certain liberties — he knew that most people of the ton would not bat an eyelash at “an early babe”. He wanted to properly treasure his relationship with Nesta and treat her with the utmost respect and affection he held for her. And after their kiss he found himself losing what little restraint he possessed when it came to her. A smile, a glance, even a single touch to his arm would make his heartbeat quicken and his thoughts wander to dangerous places. His failing self control proved that maybe being chaperoned was for the best, lest he ended up acting with his lower head.

“That is the fifth time you have sighed in the last ten minutes” Azriel declared from his position on the couch where he was currently looking over some reports while Cassian double checked documents regarding his marriage.

“I never knew planning a marriage would be so complicated,” Cassian said in exasperation.

“You could always elope” his brother pointed out, which earned him a harsh look.

“I am not eloping with Nesta” he said angrily “She is getting her dream marriage and that is final. Even if I end up murdering the next person that asks me about sitting charts or if I would rather have lillies or roses at the reception tables”

“Cheer up, brother, I have good news. Gwyn— I mean, Lady Gwyneth” Azriel corrected himself, his ears getting slightly pink “will be performing tonight and I happen to have tickets”

“You ‘happen to have tickets’,” Cassian hummed, arching an eyebrow “May I inquire if it is for this night alone or have you bought tickets for the whole season?”

“That is not of your concern,” Azriel answered, and Cassian had never seen his brother appear so ruffled “what I am saying is that I have tickets for Lady Gwyneth's performance and that Lady Nesta happens to be her best friend, and I am sure she would love to prestige her.”

“You are saying you will act as our chaperone?” Cassian asked hopefully.

“Your private box is beside mine,” Azriel shrugged. “I can turn a blind eye this time and let you two have some time alone before the marriage”

“I own you Az, big time” Cassian was beside himself, getting up from his chair and already planning on calling on Nesta to tell her in person about it.

“We will be in public,” his brother argued “It is not like you could do something too scandalous.”

Cassian’s mind went back to his kiss with Nesta, her back against the bookstore’s shelves, in broad daylight and decided to stay quiet. Azriel was being too lenient on him and his ability to act rashly.

Thankfully, Cassian’s apartment in the city was only a twenty minute ride by horse from the Archeron Manor. He had never cared about maintaining a big house in town — being on his own most of the time, he saw no need for such a thing — and also preferred Pemberley to the chaos of the city. But maybe now he should rethink that idea. Maybe Nesta would prefer to live in the city, where it was closer to her sisters and friends, and Cassin wanted to have somewhere big enough to build a family with her. His tiny apartment would not fulfill that intention, and he did not want to get ahead of himself and suppose that Nesta would want to stay at her childhood home. From the little that Feyre talked about their upbringing, he knew that the place held painful memories, especially now that her parents had passed away.

Cassian had just arrived at the Archeron Manor when he spotted Emerie at the entrance, no doubt waiting for her coach.

“If it isn’t the groom,” she greeted him, “you have not worked out more and gained a few more muscles, have you? Your suit is already done and I simply cannot redo it. I am as busy as I can be”

‘Hello, Emerie. How nice to see you” Cassian said with a smile, charmingly kissing her hand “To answer your question, no, I do not have new muscles. My suit will suit perfectly”

Emerie eyed him with an expert’s look, so serious that he almost feared he had indeed grown bigger since the time she had taken his measurements. His stay in town and busy schedule made it harder to oversee the capital’s military training daily — something he, as General Commander, should do — but he had managed to squeeze in a visit at least twice a week.

“You pass,” Emerie declared, smirking at him “do not worry mister husband, I am the best and — as such — have prepared a spare suit. In case of accidents of course.”

Cassian let out a laugh, amazed at Emerie.

“Thank you. I assume you have finished your and Nesta’s business of the day?” he asked, hopefully that his bride would be free.

“You are indeed very lucky, for her schedule is completely free for the rest of the day” Emerie gave him a sly smile “And, she is very much alone right now and I happen to know that her few servants are very discreet and will not disturb you”

“Emerie!! I came here to invite her to Gwyn’s performance!” Cassian could feel his ears getting warm and he cursed his body for turning into a greenboy with his first love when it came to Nesta.

Emerie just waved lazely, dismissing his words and walking towards her coach which had arrived while they talked.

“Have fun at the theater tonight, General! I have gifted Nesta a very large and stunning wardrobe as a wedding gift” she said as the carriage drove away, making Cassian run his hand through his hair.

He was quite familiar with Emerie’s daring and gorgeous designs. And he was very very weak when Nesta was the one wearing them.

“My Lord,” the butler greeted him, “what a pleasant surprise. Should I announce your presence to the Lady?”

“Thank you, but that will not be necessary. Where can I find her?” Cassian took off his coat, giving it to the footman beside the butler.

“As you wish. Your ladyship is at her study, in the second floor, the first door on the right”

Cassian thanked the butler again, and tried to not seem too eager as he made his way up to the second floor. He found Nesta’ study’s door half open and smiled to himself as he pictured her surprised face when he walked in, silently closing the door behind him.

However, he ended up being the one surprised.

“Damn you, Emerie,” Cassian cursed lowly, recalling the modise's devilish smile while she waved goodbye from her coach.

Nesta was standing in front of her, looking down at some papers in her hand, but once she realised she was not alone anymore she raised her head, giving him a rare full smile when Cassian turned out to be her guest.

Her smile made her even more breathtaking, and Cassian swore at the sudden tightness in his pants when she placed the papers on her desk and walked towards him. He could not stop looking as she stopped in front of him, running her hands slowly over his shoulders.

“What a nice but unexpected surprise” Nesta said “I did not know you were planning to visit, and Mr.Jones did not announce you”

“You— I mean, I wanted to—” Cassian looked up, cursing his inability to talk properly.

He was going to murder Emerie. Why could she not have warned him that Nesta Archeron was wearing pants? And not just some normal pants, no. She was wearing high waisted tight fitted custom made beige pants — courtesy of Emerie’s wedding gift, he was sure — and a white shirt with a navy vest that made her eyes even more blue. And her hair, which styled in a crown braid, gave him a full view to her neck, the final snap to his self control.

“What happened Cassian? Cat got your tongue?” Nesta teased, and he would have been annoyed were she not so cute, even while making fun of him.

“I am glad you find my lack of composure amusing, my dear” he said, looking at her and finding her smiling again.

The sight made his heart grow impossibly bigger, and once he thanked the Caudron he was going to marry Nesta. Deciding it was his time to tease her, Cassian placed his hands on her waist, tugging her towards him.

“Since when do you wear pants?” he asked, his hands running up and down her back.

“Emerie gifted me a few,” Nesta answered, a little breathless “I am not as bold as her to wear them in public gatherings, but I do prefer them when I am at home and have to spend a long time working. Especially when I have to deal with my father’s old associates. I learned from Emerie that they seem to respect you more depending on your attire.”

Cassian sometimes forgot that since the late Lord Archeron passed away Nesta had become the leader of his business. Having no malle relatives alive and being the eldest child, Nesta had inherited most of her father’s business, while her sisters had a few assets of their own that came with their dowry.

“I do not know if I like the idea of you wearing such a distracting attire near all those boring associates” his hands squeezed her waist, and he leaned down to whisper on her ear “I am afraid to admit that I am quite the jealous fiancé”

Nesta took a sharp breath, and Cassian smiled to himself at her reaction.

“They are a bunch of old, white haired and round bellied men who care more about their money than anything else” Nesta laced her arms around his neck “There is no need to feel jealous. Once we are married you shall see me more frequently in pants.”

I hope I will see you wearing nothing at all, Cassin thought to himself.

“I came here to rescue you from wedding planning and invite you out and yet you tease me” he pouted.

“If your plans are satisfying, I may say yes” Nesta hummed, trying not to appear too eager. She had missed Cassian terribly too. Not only were the wedding plans keeping her busy but once she was back from her vacation — and Elain’s situation had been solved — she had piles of paperwork from merchants and deals to be looked into.

Her last encounter with Cassian had been at the bookstore, where she had finally told him what she felt.

And where they had finally kissed.

Oh, how she thought about their kiss. While she decided on the table clothes for the wedding reception, while she shopped with her sisters, while Emerie took her measurements and told her about dress designs… she thought about the kiss at night, when she was alone in her room and safe beneath her blankets.

Nesta was not naive. She knew what happened on the wedding night — and sometimes before. She had found some romance books which were not as… innocent as her current reads, and blamed Emerie and Gwyn for her new and graphic reading materials. She kept them hidden in a locked drawer in her bedside table, taking them out only when she knew she was not going to be interrupted by any of her employees.

After their kiss she found herself taking them out to read more and more frequently, and in those four months Emerie and Gwyn had gifted her with new ones, each more scandalous than the other.

“Az has tickets for Gwyn’s performance tonight,” Cassian told her, taking her out of her lust filled memory “and he was kind enough to offer to chaperone us.’

“From his own private box, beside ours” he added with a wink.

“How generous of him,” Nesta said, standing on her tiptoes.

“Are you satisfied with my plan, my dear bride?” Cassian asked, one of his hands cupping her cheek.

“Very much,” she said, kissing him.

It was not a shy kiss like their first, or a hard one full of lust like their second. This kiss was like meeting someone after missing them for a long time. It was tender and sweet and made Cassian think he was finally home. It made him think of lazy evenings spent in bed, of picnics on sunny days near Pemberley’s lake, of reading beside Nesta in front of a fireplace.

It made him think he was finally home.

“I missed you, Nes” he murmured against her lips, kissing her softly.

“I missed you too,” Nesta said, moving a stray strand of hair out of his eyes “Your annoying self managed to pester even my thoughts.”

“So you think about me” Cassian said, his voice taking the sultry tone that drove her mad “Tell me Nes, when do you think about me?”

“Do you think about me during the day?” he kissed the corner of her lips “Do you think about me during the night?”

“Cassian” was all she could say, her hands finding purchase on his shoulders

“Do you think about me while you read your romance books?” another kiss, this time on her jaw “While you take a relaxing bath?” he kissed that spot behind her ear that made her toes curl.

This was dangerous. All of her employees knew better than to disturb her while she was working — even more now that her fiancé had shown up announced — and with her door closed Nesta knew she might not be able to think properly, especially given how long she had missed Cassian and his touch.

“Answer me, Nes” Cassian playfully tugged at her earlobe “When do you think about me?”

“All the time,” she breathed, needing Cassian to kiss her again “I think about you all the time. No matter the place. In my study, my bed or while I am shopping or bathing, I think about you”

“Good girl” and then he kissed her.

This kiss was indeed similar to their second one, if possible even more desperate and demanding in consequence of their lack of unsupervised encounters. Nesta had grown bolder, her hands tugging his hair and her tongue parting his lips. Cassian kissed her back with as much desire, the hand on her waist tightening its grip and the other leaving her face and moving down to her behind.

“These pants,” he groaned, squeezing her ass for good measure and making her gasp “These pants are killing me”

Nesta felt heat pool down low on her stomach, that familiar need to get closer to him growing again, making her flush her body tighter against his. She bit his lower lip, soothing the hurt with her tongue and that was Cassian’s breaking point. His hand moved to her thigh, holding it against his waist.

“Jump,” Cassian ordered, gathering Nesta in his arms. She did as he said, wrapping both legs around him, and she moaned at the feeling of having him pressed so close to her center.

Cassian walked towards her desk, his lips never leaving hers. Holding her with one arm only beneath her, he used the other to send all of her things to the floor and Nesta could not find it in herself to care, not when he placed her on top of her desk, making her stay almost at the same height as him.

“You have no idea how mad you drive me, Nes” he whispered as he started kissing and biting her neck. He would most certainly leave a mark and she did not care if it scandalised her maids.

She wanted him to mark her. Wanted the whole ton to know she was his.

And she wanted him closer, wanted to feel his weight pressing down on her.

Grabbing his shirt, she pulled him down with her, her back touching the hard surface of her desk, his elbows beside her head, caging her.

“Cassian, please” she begged. She did not know what she was begging for, just that she needed him to touch her more.

“What do you want, sweetheart?” he asked, his hazel eyes darkened with lust “Be a good girl and tell me what you want”

“I want you” she moaned “I want you to touch me”

“As you wish” his lips crushed her again, one of his hands moving to her shirt, slowly sliding from her waist to her right breast.

Nesta felt her head spin when he palmed her breast, and she could not help but think how would it feel to have his large calloused hand against her bare skin, teasing and twisting her nipple like she had read in her secret novels.

Her hips started moving on their own, grinding against Cassian, who let out a curse. His lips found her neck again, and she whined in protest when his hand left her breast, only to moan in relief when he expertectly unbuttoned her vest and shirt, the top of her corpert the only thing covering her breasts now.

Cassian knew he had to stop, knew he should get up and away from Nesta, that her first time most certainly could not be in her study room and her desk, but he was past the point of no return now. His lips left love marks on the top of her breasts, his hips grinding down on her, Nesta’s moans making him grow harder and harder.

He was seriously contemplating moving her to the small sofa in the room when a loud knock made him freeze, Nesta going still underneath him.

“My Lady?” a maid called from outside.

“Y—Yes Lily” Nesta’s voice was surprisingly firm, but her reddened complexion betrayed her nerves.

“Excuse me for the bother, but the chef wanted to know whether the Lord would stay for dinner”

“He will not. In fact, I will be going out tonight, so warn Mounsier Jacquin to prepare a light meal and advance the dinner in an hour, please”

“As you wish, my Lady” the maid said, and they waited a few minutes until they were certain she had left before they started laughing.

“My heart,” Nesta gasped “It is beating so fast”

“Indeed it is” Cassian groped her breasts jokingly, making Nesta throw him an annoyed look.

“We were lucky she did not enter the room after knocking.”

“We were,” he said, standing up and bringing her to a seated position, “We should not be left unchaperoned.”

“Good thing Azriel will be with us at the opera then,” Nesta said as she began to righten her clothes.

“It is these blasted pants fault and the fact that you look sinful wearing them” Cassian said huskily, his hands settling on her thighs “My future wife is too stunning for her own good”

Nesta felt giddy whenever Cassian called her his ‘future wife’. She could not wait for the day he called her ‘wife’.

“Well then, future husband, you better gather your wits” she teased, running her hands through his hair “Pants are the last of your worries if you see the other clothes Emerie gave me”

“Caudron help me” he begged, kissing her one last time before they both left the room.

~•~

The rest of Nesta’s clothes would indeed be Cassian’s cause of death. On one hand, he was grateful Azriel was taking the same carriage as them — he was, afterall, their chaperone — but on the other he was feeling rather jealous that he did not have Nesta all to himself, a feeling he was sure was bound to grow as they arrived at the theater and had to mingle with others before the performance began. Cassian knew he was acting like a jealous, greddy and possessive man, something he did not like at all yet could help when it came to Nesta and her ability to appear even more stunning each time they met.

The dress in question was in burgundy — Cassian’s favourite colour, making him feel rather full of himself to see it on Nesta — with a heart shaped neckline that showed off her generous cleavage. Her shoulders and collarbone were exposed, but the long sleeves that ended up with frills near her hand somehow balanced the design. Her hair had been curled and braided in a half up half down style, and Cassian wanted to hide Nesta from the public eye for she threatened to bring entire kingdoms to their knees with her hair down. The simple yet priceless jewelry — drop diamond earrings and necklace fit for the daughter of a man once known as the Prince of Merchants — made her beauty stand out even more. Cassian always knew that Nesta did not need flashy and ostentatious jewelry to make heads turn her way. Her beauty was such that even the most modest of jewelry or clothes made her stand out in a ballroom or event.

“Stop looking at me like that” Nesta whispered to him as he helped her down the carriage.

“I do not know what you mean, my dear” he whispered back, tucking her hand safely on his arm as they climbed the steps to the theater.

“You know very well what I mean, General” she hissed through her teeth as she smiled and presented their tickets at the entrance “Poor Azriel looked as if he wanted to throw himself from the carriage”

“He is doing his chaperone duties,” Cassian argued “Besides, he is not even with us anymore, so there is no need to be shy. He must be halfway at Gwyn’s dressing room delivering the flowers”

Azriel had indeed disappeared somewhere as soon as they had arrived, a beautiful bouquet tied with a teal ribbon on his hands. He had held that bouquet with the utmost care during the carriage ride, and Nesta could still not believe that he was Gwyn's mysterious suitor. When she had first discovered that Cassian sponsored Gwyn, she had supposed him to also be the one giving her the flowers and the ribbons. Imagine her surprise when she got in the carriage and saw no other than Azriel holding the bouquet.

“Besides, given your attire and our moment this evening, you cannot blame me for looking at you the way I am,” he whispered huskily at her ear, shivers running down her spine “You look good enough to eat, Nes”

Nesta hoped her blush was not noticeable. She did not need the others present to wonder why she had the complexion of a tomato, having already scandalised poor Lily while the young maid helped her get ready. Cassian’s love bites and marks had to be covered with a generous amount of makeup or else she would not have been able to wear any of her summer dresses. And Mother knows people would wonder why she was wearing a winter dress — with a high neckline that covered all of her chest and neck — when it was most definitely not cold during this time of the year.

“But I will try to behave,” Cassian said with a small smile, leaving a kiss on the top of her head.

And he did try to be on his best behaviour. They mingled a bit, receiving congratulations for their engagement from the ladies and gentleman present. Some of them were sincere, some of them were clearly fake, intrusive questions and remarks veiled in honeyed words, and others were simply curious. Cassian knew how to play courtier but it was something that usually left him drained, made him want to turn around and leave. Nesta, on the other hand, was a natural. She had a way with words that filled him with admiration for her, helding her “I will eat my enemies for breakfast” look that would make even the most fearless gentleman or meanest lady run away crying.

Yet he knew how she did not enjoy staying in packed places for too long, how lots of noise and people left her tired and anxious, especially if the crowd was surrounding her, leaving her overwhelmed. So after what he deemed enough time for socialisation, Cassian managed to make up an excuse with a polite smile, quickly and efficiently directing them to his private box.

“Some people need to mind their own business,” Nesta grumbled as they got seated “That old hag Lady Hatt had the audacity to inquire of how much my dowry was! She has no shame. No wonder her daughter is still unmarried, she asks the most invasive things”

“However, you dealt perfectly with her, Nes” Cassian said, passing her a flute of champagne.

“I did, didn’t I?” Nesta replied with a hint of smugness, recording Lady Hatt’s ashamed and incredulous face.

Intertwining their hands, Cassian kissed her palm. “You are the most incredible woman I have ever met, my dear”

Not for the first time in the evening Nesta felt butterflies in her stomach. Cassian frequently praised her, telling her how smart and beautiful she was, how much he adored her. It eased her heart, having him assure her of his feelings. Even though Nesta knew he loved her, she could not help but feel insecure sometimes, as if this was all a dream and one day Cassian would wake up and realise he did not love her, that he could find someone more worthy of his affections. She, of course, never told him that. Those negative thoughts came from a place of self-doubt, and she knew how silly she would have sounded were she to voice them out loud. She also did not want Cassian to think she did not trust him.

Trying to disperse these intrusive thoughts, Nesta looked at the stage, the lights turning off and the curtains opening to declare the beginning of the performance.

Gwyn looked stunning, the stage lights making it seem as if her copper hair was on fire, and when she sang she shined as bright as the sun. Nesta loved to watch Gwyn perform, be it on stage or a rehearsal or just her humming a melody when they had their reading meet ups with Emerie. Her singing brought a sense of easiness and peace to Nesta that it healed her soul, that made her want to lay down and listen to Gwyn’s voice until she fell asleep.

“I am going to the powder room” Nesta told Cassian at the end of the last song.

“Take your time, I will be waiting here for you” he said with a smile, tenderly kissing her.

“I will not take long,” she assured him.

Nesta was near the powder room when she heard voices, her name being mentioned among the conversation.

“I cannot understand how the General Commander got engaged to that lowly woman,” Lady Hatt was saying “her father was a merchant, for Mother’s sake!! And her mother was nothing but a noble in name only. Her house had fallen so low no one remembers their name”

“But mama, Lady Archeron’s father was a baronet. '' Nesta identified the other voice as belonging to Lady Hart’s daughter, young Miss Eunice.

“Do not be stupid, Eunice. He bought that title. He could have been the son of a fisherman who got lucky and managed to buy a title but his family will never be one of us” Lady Hatt snorted, “Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted by the General Commander’s horrible choice of wife? That poor gentleman, seduced by that woman’s peasant ways”

Nesta decided she had had enough, walking into the powder room. Yet while Lady Hatt was too busy reapplying her make up to notice Nesta coming in, her daughter did, her face paling when she met Nesta’s hard cold blue-grey eyes.

“You should have been the one to marry him. You come from a distinguished bloodline from both sides of the family and are an extraordinarily accomplished young lady. You only talk when talked to, know how to respect your father and brother and do not go around messing with the peasants as Lady Archeron does.”

“I am quite certain that I have already told you that my private matters concern me and anyone else, Lady Hatt” Nesta declared, looking down her nose at the older woman “And as such concern too my relations with people who you find in yourself to deem ‘lowly’.”

“If you are so opposed to interacting with those who lack ‘true’ noble blood, you may stop frequenting art galleries and this very theatre, for the arts are not attached solely with those who have in their possession certain fortune,” she took a step in Lady Hatt’s direction, making her trip and land on the chair behind her “Furthermore, I may remind you that General Commander Cassian can very well decided for himself who to choose as his wife. He who would never make a choice purely based on his superficial values such as status and money. To suggest he is that shallow is an insult to his person”

“As you can see, no matter of blood or title could make him look at any young lady of marriageable age, especially one with such a horrid mother as you” she added with a piercing glare “I take pity on Lady Eunice. May she find a husband who loves her enough to tolerate his mother in law.”

“I beg your pardon!” Lady Hatt exclaimed furiously.

“At last, may I remind you that although my father has passed away his business is still active. And I am the one overseeing them. Our business has plenty of contracts with your husband, am I right?” Nesta gave her a feline smile “it would be a shame were we to end our agreements, would it not?”

“Are you threatening me?” shouted Lady Hatt.

“I do not make threats. I make promises.”

Deciding she had wasted enough time with someone as insignificant as Lady Hatt, Nesta simply turned her back and left, designing only to curtly nod her head to Lady Eunice. She had been gone for too long, Cassian would be wondering where she was.

Yet it seemed luck was not on her side this night, for came face to face with none other than Detective Sherlock Holmes as she walked down the halfway.

“Lady Archeron! What a pleasant surprise!”

“I wish I could say the same,” she muttered. She had no patience whatsoever to deal with that buffon.

“It is a sign of heaven! It must be a sign that we are meant to be together, the universe is constantly connecting us” Sherlock said in a certain and sure manner.

“Excuse you, sir” Nesta replied in anger “I do not know if you are aware, but I am engaged. My marriage is set in a weeks time”

Sherlock did not seem the least worried about that fact, waving a hand in dismissal.

“Oh I heard during my travels that the General Commander had gotten engaged. Picture my surprise when I discovered that his bride was none other than the very same lady who held my intentions of marriage! I simply could not believe it.”

“Well, you better believe it now.” she made to step aside from him and go back to Cassian’s private box, but the detective got in her way.

“Sir! Get out of my way!”

“Please, you cannot be serious that you are entertaining the idea of really marrying that man.” Sherlock had the audacity to reach for Nesta’s hand, securing it between his “If you only stopped to think about it you would see that I am a better choice than that barbarian. Besides, your questionable choice must have certainly been based purely on lustful instincts. You have a higher moral caliber than that, my lady.”

Nesta was saved from punching Sherlock as she had once punched Tomas by the arrival of the subject of their talk.

“I politely request that you release my fianceé this instant before you make me indeed act as a barbarian,” Cassian snarled.

Nesta looked to find Cassian beside her, and the sight was like nothing she had ever seen. Cassian was lethal, his hazel eyes fixed on Sherlock with predatory intent. His nostrils were flared and his muscles were taut, his bigger and leaner frame mocking Sherlock’s smaller and softer one.

But Sherlock was so self absorbed and oblivious to anything except himself that he did not see the danger lurking behind Cassian’s eyes.

“Forgive my rudeness,” letting go of Nesta’s hand, he bowed apologetically “What can I say to make my lady change her mind?”

“She is not your lady” Cassian stepped between them “She is mine. Do not insult her ever again, she has made her position very clear. And if I ever hear that you are hounding her or any other young lady again, I will make sure to make your life very uncomfortable.”

Nesta placed her hand on Cassian’s arm, and he let out a tense breath, relaxing his stance and sliding a hand on top of hers, covering it with his.

“Let’s go, my love” she murmured and they left Sherlock standing in the hallway without a glance back.

He was quiet on their way to the carriage, only saying that Azriel would be returning later and would take another coach. The silence extended for a few minutes on their ride before Cassian finally spoke.

“Forgive me, I acted rashly and without thinking. It was very rude of me and I am ashamed of my actions,” he dropped his head on his hands “I spent the entire night wanting to kill every single man that looked at you. This possessiveness is far from what you deserve but I cannot help it.”

He looked up, his eyes filled with distress. “Do you have any idea how many gentlemen came to me tonight to congratulate me on my luck of getting married to you? You are desired by many Nesta, and I do not how I was fortunate enough to be deemed worthy of you. I am the luckiest bastard out there.”

“Cassian—”

“I also want to apologize for not giving you a longer engagement,” he rubbed his neck in embarrassment “I am guilty to say I did not want a long one because I feared you would change your mind and realise you deserved more than a bastard born nobody who had been adopted into a prestigious family. I am sorry that my courting may have been lacking but I greedly admit I wanted to marry you fast given my worries. And maybe that makes me an awful man but I am too in love with you to let you get away from me.”

Nesta could not believe her ears. Had her and Cassian been thinking the same thing all this time? Had both of them been holding their insecurities close to their heart and hiding their fears when they both thought the same thing?

“Cassian. My love, look at me” she held his face tenderly, brushing her thumbs over his cheekbones “I have never wanted a long engagement when it came to you. I could not care less if we stayed engaged for one year or one week, as long as I could call you my husband when the time came. I do not care about a long engagement. In fact, I wanted to get married to you as soon as possible too.”

“You did?” he asked with surprise, his hands closing around her wrists.

“Yes,” she let out a humorless laugh “I could not stand all of those mamas who kept throwing their daughters at you because they think you are too good for me. And I agree with them. You are too good for me. I am the one who is not worthy of you. Your courting was everything I could have dreamed of and it made me realise how little was I going to settle for had I accepted Tomas Mandray’s proposal.”

“Nesta, my dear Nes,” he gently kissed her, pouring all of his love on that single kiss “Never speak those words again. You are worthy of a romance book love. You are deserving of a happily ever after and it would make me the happiest man alive to be your prince charming. Promise me you will never utter those words or be bothered by the meanless gossip of envious women.”

“As long as you promise me the same thing,” she stubbornly said “ You are more worthy than all the gentlemen from the purest bloodlines I have met, and more deserving of happiness than any other. The only happily ever after I wish can be found with you. You are not my prince charming but the king of my heart.”

Cassian was not ashamed when he felt tears running down his face, recalling when a drunk Nesta had asked him if he was her king all those months ago at Pemberley.

“I promise you,” Nesta said, brushing his tears “Do you promise me?”

“I do,” he said, kissing her again.

The rest of the ride to the Archeron manor was spent in comfortable silence, and Cassian regretted having to part with Nesta. He wanted to go inside and hold her until she fell asleep. He wanted to wake up with her in his arms and be the first one to say good morning to her.

One week left, he thought to himself on the way to his apartment, just one more week.

•

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#nessian #nesta x cassian #cassian x nesta #nesta archeron #cassian #pride and prejudice au #sarah j maas #sjmass #sjm fanfic

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koumine · 3 years ago

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Simeon x Lucifer feels are coming back around 🤍💖🖤 [LUMDS snippets] [OM!]

summary: snippet A - Simeon-and-Lucifer, a complementary pair, back in the Celestial Realm. // snippet B - Rekindling their friendship, not long after Simeon arrives in the Devildom.

tags: queerplatonic Simeon x Lucifer, fluff and a tiny bit of angst.

Notes: full fic (light up my darkest skies) coming ~someday~ and will be rated E. Other preview snippets from this fic can be found in my [masterlist]!

[rated G below] [WIP ZONE]

It goes like this: Already close friends, they grow even closer, start "living in each other's pockets", a human world phrase that Lilith picks up and teasingly bestows upon them. Lucifer's never sure who, but someone starts calling them Simeon-and-Lucifer, as though it's all one name, as though the two of them are one entity, and it spreads until all of the seraphs and quite a few of the lesser angels and even Michael himself are calling them that in lighthearted jest. "I think it's cute," Simeon says when Lucifer complains to him about it.

Lucifer sighs and shakes his head. "Of course you do." "Why don't you?" Simeon asks curiously, putting his hand over Lucifer's where it's tucked into Simeon's elbow. Lucifer thinks about it. "It's…" A pair of angels comes by on the garden path, so Simeon smiles and greets them, like he always does. "Simeon-and-Lucifer, greetings!" they say. "Hello, Edith-and-Anais!" Simeon says back, gently teasing, making the other two laugh. "Out for an evening constitutional? Oh, by the way --" he stops on the path, forcing Lucifer to stop with him. "Anais, how fares your sister?" "Much better, thank you, Simeon," Anais says warmly. "After you came to speak with her last week, she took your advice to heart and is feeling better and better with every day that passes." "That's wonderful!" Simeon says, radiant in his sincerity. "And Edith, you may need to remind me to finish that book -- I confess I keep getting distracted by other texts lately." "You mean you've been distracted by that new human world play that's been making the rounds," Edith teases, and Simeon laughs a little, rubbing the back of his neck bashfully. "I'll certainly remind you to finish that book, though," she says easily, "as I'd quite like to hear your opinion on it. However, hold onto it as long as you like." "Much appreciated, Edith," Simeon says warmly. "Have a good evening, you two." And he turns away to keep going down the path, towing Lucifer willingly along, like it's just that easy to engage and then disengage from a conversation, like the boundaries of it are just that obvious. Lucifer just nods at the other angels as they pass; they nod back, perfectly cordial but not warm. He really doesn't know how Simeon does it. "You were saying, Lucifer?" Simeon asks, a moment later. This is why Lucifer can never quite manage to be upset at Simeon interrupting their conversation to briefly socialize with others. He always, always picks back up where they left off, never losing the thread of their conversation. Sometimes the pause is even helpful, giving Lucifer time to think something over. "You and I are very different angels," Lucifer says, finally. "You're radiant and charming and charismatic. You know everyone --" "Not everyone," Simeon protests. "-- and everyone is always so pleased to speak with you." Lucifer shakes his head again. "We're very different, and yet they call us Simeon-and-Lucifer as though we're one and the same." "Hmm." Simeon looks at him thoughtfully. "You're right, we are quite different, though not in the ways that you imply," he says. "For you are also radiant, and charming, and you are thoughtful and industrious." "I see you don't think I'm charismatic," Lucifer notes dryly. "I wouldn't lie to you like that, Lucifer," Simeon says, holding a straight face for all of a second and a half before he laughs at his own joke, and Lucifer chuckles too in spite of himself. "In all seriousness, though," Simeon says, still smiling merrily, "everyone I know would love to converse with you as well. They just find you intimidating." Lucifer frowns. "I'm not intimidating." Simeon points his finger right in Lucifer's face. Lucifer blinks and tries to lean back out of range, but Simeon follows him with that accusatory finger until he can poke Lucifer right in the forehead. "Hey!" "That," Simeon says. "That frown right there, that's exactly why angels think you're intimidating." Lucifer starts to frown again, feels it happening, tries to stop it and smooth out his brow again, but it doesn't really work. Simeon laughs at him. "Oh, heavens, I wish you could see how ridiculous you look right now," he says, chortling. Lucifer gives up and scowls at him, which instantly feels more natural. Simeon smiles back, and Lucifer suddenly realizes that it's always been this way: him frowning, in frustration or consternation or just thoughtfulness, and Simeon smiling back.

"Okay, listen to me now, Lucy," Simeon says. "Simeon," Lucifer hisses, looking around the walled garden. Fortunately, there's no one around to overhear that ridiculous nickname. "Listen," Simeon insists, putting his hand on Lucifer's shoulder. "You and I are very different, Lucy, and that's why I love you. You're quiet and focused and proud, and I'm --" "A social butterfly, and easily distracted, and also proud," Lucifer puts in, to make Simeon roll his eyes. "-- so we complement each other," Simeon finishes. "Simeon-and-Lucifer. It's not that they think we're one and the same. No. We're two halves of a pair. Complementary." "Complementary," Lucifer repeats, thoughtfully. He keeps thinking about it, even after they walk on. Complementary, half of a whole, with Simeon being the matching other part. It sounds right. "Hey," he says, when they arrive at the bridge with the best evening view over the lake. Simeon turns and leans back against the railing while Lucifer rests his forearms on it beside him. "What is it?" Simeon asks, concern creasing his brow a little. It's Lucifer's turn to smile back at him. "I love you too, Sim." And the radiance of Simeon's beaming smile nearly blinds him.

---

It goes like this: “Can we be friends again?” Simeon asks bluntly, one day after a lecture on Rowa-period Devildom law. Lucifer has always appreciated directness; becoming a demon clearly hasn’t changed that. Lucifer pauses in the middle of holding the door for him. They’re the last two people in the classroom. “I -- yes,” Lucifer replies, blinking in surprise, then frowning. And that -- finally, that’s a look that Simeon knows how to read. “Did you think I wouldn’t want to?” Simeon asks, eyebrows going up. Lucifer pushes the door closed. He gives Simeon a long look. “Yes,” he says frankly. “We didn’t exactly part on good terms, if you recall.” Simeon laughs nervously, putting a hand to the side of his neck. In truth, he had almost forgotten, in a way. In the intervening eons, he had made a habit of boxing up the memory of that final altercation and hiding it away, to dwell on the fond memories instead. To wield them like shining shields against the intrusive thoughts that always tried to insist it’s your fault and you should have chosen differently and you’ve lost him forever. “I -- I recall,” he says weakly. Lucifer just keeps looking at him. So Simeon takes a deep breath, calls up his courage, and starts talking. He tells Lucifer everything, every thought of regret or sorrow or longing that he’s had since that last conversation in the Celestial Realm. He tells Lucifer everything he’s wanted to say to him in all those empty eons of being apart, everything he’s wanted to say to him in all these aching days of being near. He says I’m sorry (I don’t regret the part I played, but I’m sorry anyway). He says I missed you (I love you, I missed you). And then he says nothing when Lucifer raises a hand to stop him, his other hand over his mouth and his cheeks tingeing pink and his eyes bright and wet with something that could be joy or sorrow or both. And then Lucifer embraces him, and he says nothing at all because his breath is caught in his throat and his temple is pressed against Lucifer’s jaw and his nose is touching the high collar of Lucifer’s uniform shirt, and Lucifer is saying, “I missed you, too.”

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