#nic cassian

[illyrian-dreamer]

And Then There Were None – Part 1

Azriel/fem!reader

Synopsis: In the lead up to the war, Hybern releases a catastrophic spell that wipes out all humans, sparing just one.

Abandoned in the desolate human lands, you scavenge to survive long enough to find your family.

Reluctantly, you are found by the Shadowsinger as fate intervenes to guide you under his watchful eye.

Part 2>>>

Word count: 3.2k

Warnings: Death, blood, suggestions of miscarriage

Twigs snapped beneath your boots, your steps heavy with exhaustion as you stumbled through yet another town, as barren and deserted as the last one. 

Exhaustion and dehydration weighed heavy, wisps of dust caking your skirts, your boots the only thing to disturb the rubble in days. 

There was no concern for a carriage that might pull up behind, or a bossy merchant to yell at you to clear the path. While the ghosts of the life that once flourished echoed in closed shops and abandoned stalls, you stopped looking over your back days ago.

There were no plumes of smoke from chimneys, no distant chatter or laughter or cries. Safe from the occasional grunts or mews of abandoned cattle - there was not a single sign of life, and no human in sight for the past ten days.

A jarring cramp ripped from your abdomen, pulling you from delirium with urgency.

Water, food, bathe and sleep. That was why you were here.

You tried not to think about how quickly resources were depleting, even though you were sure you were the only one using them. Without people to treat water, the stagnant liquid became increasingly dangerous. And you couldn’t farm a vegetable to save your life, and had spent too long journeying to have tended to any crops.

You’d have to go further into the woods soon, find a fresh stream, perhaps hunt too. But you'd need strength for that, and you had just about run out.

At least it was spring, and at least the trees bloomed with fruit as you travelled from town to town, feet blistered and chapped. You cursed you parents for not teaching you formidable survival skills - fighting, hunting, even the ability to ride a gods damned horse would have been an incomparable luxury these past hellish days. 

A clang of guilt, and frustration quickly churned to longing. Gods, you hoped they were alive. You would do anything to have them here, to journey this devastating isolation together, the little ones too. You prayed to the Mother for the umpteenth time that day that they were safe and well. 

It was not a concern when you woke to an empty house almost a fortnight earlier. Your father was likely at the market, your mother hard at work at the tailor in town. Your siblings were hard to catch at this time of year, with school out of term and the warm spring air, they would spend each waking moment by the river if your parents let them. 

It wasn't until you spotted your fathers wheelbarrow through the speckled glass of your kitchen window, held by rotting wood. Empty and unmoved, his tools lay flat on the ground, untouched since the day before. You could have sworn he told you he’d be at the market by dawn. 

Scanning the room, your eyes flicked to the doorway where your mothers workbag lay untouched. Needles sat poked in balls of yarn as stray thread sprawled over leather - but an eery stillness sang to you at your parent’s tools. 

Names and calls went unanswered, and after a quick search of the home you ran outside, urgent to ask your neighbours where they had gone, your heart fastening with every step.

Too frantic to observe the lack of movement and noise from your own street, you rapped on the door, waiting only a few seconds to push the rattling screen and forcing your way in.

Names went unanswered again, and it was instinct that steered you straight for the nursery. You halted at the sight of new born's empty crib, blankets rippled as if the babe was taken straight from it’s sleep.

Your calls turned frantic as you scoured each room, an upsetting, looming sensation creeping over your skin.

Bursting from the home, you shielded your eyes from the bright sun as you scanned the street with urgency. Your only greeting was a quiet breeze and snort of a horse left abandoned by a cart - as if it had stopped it's journey halfway through.

In a panicked haze, you searched the next home, and the next, and the next. The dizziness found you then. 

Clearly there was an emergency of some kind. But you had been abandoned, left to sleep until midday amongst the quiet. The thought pained you.

More calls to anyone who might have stayed behind, yet still no answer. Your heart was a thunder in your ears. 

Had the war finally reached you? Had your family fled in the dead of the night? You shook the thought from your head – they would have woken you, would have needed your help to escape with the youngens.

And then you were running – yelling, sprinting through the dusty streets, voice breaking as you dashed from home to home, shop to shop, calling, crying, pleading.

You were utterly alone. You had been left there, alone. 

In a swarm of panic, you pressed a palm at your heart, willing yourself to calm. It was a dream, surely. You were not abandoned, only stuck in a nightmare, the kind that often found you as murmurs of Hybern’s army reaching human lands became louder. 

In that dizzying thought, you willed yourself awake, forcing your eyes open to the walls of your dark and cramped room, to the noises as your siblings shouting and playing from downstairs, to the whistle of the kettle and the creak of the wood as your father came to wake you.

But the light was blinding, the sun as true as the your abandonment.

Beads of sweat that ran down your neck, a gnawing anxiousness building in your stomach as it heaved and cramped, nausea and panic churning to one. 

Something truly terrible had happened.

And in that moment of utter disbelief, a stabbing pain ripped from your stomach, so great it forced a whimper from your throat. 

As silent trickles of blood ran from your thighs to your knees, tracing your calves beneath the fabric of your skirt, you found a numbing sort of courage. Pushing your legs forward, you mindlessly heeded the road out of your home town, and on to the next. 

People. You needed to find people.

————

Ten days, and still not a single sole in sight. Each home, each tavern, each market and farm left eerily untouched. 

The silence was enough to drive you mad, if not besides the aide you so desperately sought. This was not your cycle - although the pains were familiar. You had known what you were, what this was.

Almost a fortnight, yet the blood still came. Slower now, spotting instead of trickles. You had stolen clothing from abandoned shops, food and water too. But you were distraught, moments away from folding into utter madness. And you were weak – very, very weak.

Water, food, a bath and rest. A list you repeated to yourself, your body begging to prioritise sleep with every step as you approached a farm at the town’s edge.

With a weak hand, you pushed past the gate to the yard, large rusty barrels sat open where a cow and her calf now drank. The water was murky with a distinct smell, but it would have to do. Tomorrow, you’d find fresh water tomorrow.

The trembling hand that dipped to the cool water hardly looked like your own. Dirt lay thick under your nails, your skin littered with cuts from the countless times you had shattered windows of stores and traders homes, scouring the stock for preserved goods and weapons. 

Bringing the cool liquid to your lips, you ignored the taste of iron as you willed it to soothe your throat - hoarse from the endless calls that went unanswered.

Ears pricking at sudden growl behind you, you jerked at the site of a pack of dogs who approached on stealthy paws. Their eyes were hungry - flicking between you and the calf. Once loyal farming dogs you were sure, now abandoned by owners and left to fend for themselves. They had formed packs - clever things. While you were sure they couldn't kill you, you didn't have the strength to fight an infection if they got close enough to sink their teeth. 

From your side, you unsheathed the hunting knife you had looted from a previous town. Swinging it with unpracticed skill, you shouted at the pack, your heart thundering as you waited for them to recline on hindered paws and leap. 

They pack seemed to weigh you up, deciding the calf was an easier target. You fled inside the house before you could see it meet it’s end. 

The home was neat, and you almost cried at the sight of a loaf of bread sitting atop the kitchen counters. Mould had attacked it’s edges, but you tore at it, fisting mouthfuls of the centre, dry crumbs coating your throat it was an effort not to choke.

Your stomach lurched, unhappy with the quality of the food and water, but you didn't care. You were on step closer to rest.

Another jarring cramp from your stomach, and you faltered, gripping at the wooden table as you trembled to keep yourself upright. This ailment, how much longer would you last? Sleep begged at you, your body moments from giving out. You’d have to forgo the bath, and prayed to the mother you’d find the strength for it in the morning.

Forcing yourself to the bedroom, swaying with each stumbled step, consciousness was already slipping as you collapsed on the bed, clothes and boots in tact. 

————

It was a feverish sleep, your body doused in sweat as you stirred often, jolting awake in panics, phantom calls of your family mixed with the flap of wings, and the crunch of stone and rock under heavy boots.

Then a voice, voices – ones you were sure they were part of your slumber. 

But as those footsteps got closer, you woke in a startle, your heart fastened as you blinked furiously. 

Voices. Humans. People. Alive, well enough to talk. 

You leapt from the bed, ignoring the spin of your head as you clambered to the window, peering behind sheer drapes to the street in front.

Your stomach sank. Lurched. Then sank again. 

A large, demonic figure stalked for the home. Wings arched behind it’s head, it’s figure blackened by the leathers it bore, sword and knives strapped around. 

And, wisps of some kind. Deadly, reaping magic.

Fae.

Fae had come. 

Knees buckling, you stumbled back a few steps. 

The world around you reeled as adrenaline coursed through. You would have just moments to prepare if you wanted a chance to survive. 

Knife. Your hunting knife. Still strewn at your hip.

Grasping it’s hilt tightly with a trembling hand, you scanned the room for the best place to hide. 

The cupboard was too obvious, and there was room under the bed - but there’d be not enough to swing your knife, only enough for them to drag you by the ankle… 

The gentle click of the front door opening, and it took all you had not to whimper in panic.

Scrambling for the door as quietly as possible, you pressed your palm to your mouth, begging yourself not to cry as you pressed yourself behind the wood.

From what you could hear over the thunder of your heart, the steps of the fae were quiet despite it’s size. 

“Anything in there?” a deep voice boomed from the street. You jolted at the volume. More than one, then.

There was no reply from the creature in the home, only the creak of the wood as it made it’s way through. 

“Really, Azriel? Are we to check every home?” Female this time, impatience and ignorance laced in the somehow ancient voice.

No response again, instead a footstep, right by the door.

Something tickled your ankles then, and it was beyond you to stifle your compulsive scream. 

Black furling wisps coated your boots.

And then the door opened.

The creature made it one step inside before you had aimed your knife for it’s heart. 

A prepared, cool hand caught your wrist inches from it’s chest. Your bones crushing in it’s grasp, and you let out a yelp of pain. 

It’s face - his face - was one of shock. “S-sorry,” he stuttered, dropping his grip all together. 

You blinked back in shock, ignoring at the throb of your wrist as you snatched it back. 

For a dumb moment, you stared at each other with equally wide eyes. The male didn't seem to know what to do. 

“You’re human? How are you here, where-?"

The males sentence was clipped short as you drove the knife towards his chest again. 

Quick as an asp, he caught you by the forearm this time, more gently too. 

Hazel eyes scanned you, his features schooling as he called over his shoulder. “I’ve found someone.”

You were sure you looked mad, grunting with the effort to pull your arm from him, breaths ragged, eyes and hair wild. The male studied you as he might a rabid animal. 

Behind him appeared an even taller male, his form more terrifying than the one that gripped you. 

“Mother above,” the new one whispered, scanning you in the way the first one had. 

“L-let go of me,” you rasped, pulling your arm back, tears stinging at the pain of you surely broken wrist began to swell. 

It was a odd detail to note, the scars and ripples of the fae’s hand as he gently unfurled your fingers, prying the hunting knife from you before releasing his grip. 

“Let me see,” the female’s voice piped from behind, the males struggling to fold their wings further, cramming into the room to let her through. 

You faltered back on instinct, legs hitting the edge of the bed. 

As the female broke through the males, harsh silver eyes scanned you up and down. She was half their height, a little shorter than you actually, but the depth of her gaze kept your hands by your side.

“Seems the Mother has spared one after all,” she muttered, nose crumpling at your scent. 

Your answered with a scowl. 

“What is your name?” it demanded. 

“Amren,” the taller male warned, his eyes flicking back to you with softness. 

You refused to answer. Couldn’t if you wanted to. 

Amren sighed, casting her head sideways to the one with rippled hands. “She bleeds.”

“I know,” he answered, hazel eyes not breaking from you. You blushed, furious and humiliated. 

He stepped around her then, the movement graceful and soft despite his size. 

“You need aide.”

You gulped, unable to process his words. “L-leave me be,” you demanded, voice hoarse as you tried to create more distance between you and it. 

He crouched in front of you then, leathers stretching against ripples of muscle. You noticed them then, jewels, saphires, humming from his body as if they were alive.

He followed your eyes curiously, before answering you with a soft smile. 

“These are siphons,” he said plainly, giving one a friendly tap. 

You snapped your eyes back to him, disgust forming your features. “You are here on behalf of Hybern?”

The female snorted from behind, earning a shove from the larger male beside her, his siphons glowing red.

The one in front of you studied you. “No, absolutely not.” 

You scowled, not inclined to believe them. 

“We come one behalf of our High Lord Rhysand, and High Lady Feyre. Rulers of the Night Court. Do you know of them?”

Feyre - the human women who had freed the fae from the grasp of their enemy. You knew the story, the heroic tale of a human women who gave her life for the male she loved. Had heard of her triumphs Under the Mountain, that she had been made into fae herself in exchange for her sacrifice. 

“The-the curse breaker?”

A small smile cocked on both of the males faces. 

“That’s right,” the one crouched in front answered. “She sent us to retrieve you.”

A panic surged within you. “Me?” you spat. Oh the ignorance of the fae, as if you were some pawn to pluck and place elsewhere. 

Azriel frowned, eyes dancing as he realised the mistake in his words. “To help you, of course. There has been-"

"No-n-no. My family, they will seek for me-"

Azriel's brow pulled with softness, his tone falling flat. "We will search for them. Meanwhile, you must see a-"

“Where are the others?” Your voice was louder now, eyes dancing in panic, chest rising with fastening breaths. Had they taken them too? “The people, they've left, I don't know-"

“We are searching for others. You are… the first we have found.”

Your mind reeled. How could that be? You had searched by foot - but with those wings, and the strength and power of fae…

“WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE OTHER HUMANS?” the volume of your voice shocked even yourself, that strength, that demand from deep within your chest. 

Azriel gave you a pained look, before standing to turn to his counterparts. “Amren, can you heal-?”

“I’m spent,” she cut off the male with a flick of her fingers. “Those canines out back were hardly enough to keep me going until sundown, so forget about healing. Unless you suggest I drink her blood, though I doubt she’d survive.”

Mother above.

You were too hazed to see the glare both of the males cut her.

“Then she will need to see a healer before we can continue.”

“She might refuse,” the larger one countered. 

“If she’s smart, she won’t. She won't survive out here on her own,” Amren muttered, cleaning her nails as she leaned one on leg, checking her cat-like claws for flecks of blood. 

They continued their mutter without once turning to you.

“There is no option here. I’ll take her to Velaris, and return once she’s safe.”

A shaking, blubbering anger grew within you, the creatures in front of you as ignorant and obnoxious as you had always been told fae are – to discuss your own fate as if you weren't in the room.

A killer instinct flared in you then, and you remembered the second knife you bore, hidden within your corsette. A pocket knife, a tool from your father to help pit and peel the fruit from his farm. 

The oak handle was cool in your left hand, the right throbbing and limp. With the last remains of energy,  you pushed up from the bed, swinging with all your strength - aiming for the blue-siphoned back. 

In a graceful turn, the male caught your arm for the third time. You had to blink at the speed with which he stopped you. 

Bracing for cruel, unforgiving anger, you were instead met with sympathetic eyes. 

Loathing coiled within you. 

“Release me,” you spat.

“I’m sorry to do this,” was all he said, and then pads of those rippled fingers were grasping your jaw, pressing to the pressure points of your neck with precision. 

Grunting to fight his grasp, you didn’t struggle long before a ringing in your ear grew to defeating silence and the world tipped to black. 

Part 2 >>> AN: HELLLOOO! And welcome to ATTWN - massive shout out to @kindasleepywriter for finding the perfect name for this series! I so so hoped you liked part 1. I edited it like a million times, still not 100% happy with it, but I think I just needed to get it out. Fair warning - this fic won't be light hearted, our reader is going to go through some really heavy stuff. I'll of course put my warnings ahead of each part, but please know I plan to explore some darker themes surrounding mental health etc. If you'd like to join the tag list for this fic, let me know in the comments! Always love hearing your feedback, and thank you so much for reading! <3 Nic

[completeoctrash]

Konnie: EVERYONE SHUT UP, I'M ADOPTING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!

Shi: ...I would just let him, it's easier for us all if you do.

I’m a grown man. - Cassian

I’m a king! - Nic

….I’ll accept another dad. - Aster

I don’t need another parent. - Oliver

I have 3 moms- I’m good. - Blake

[lucienarcheron]

My Remedy [Nessian]

Prompt: Cassian helping Nesta overcome her fear of the bathtub. | Soft Nessian is my favorite kind of Nessian. | Originally posted on 01.31.2018

Genre: Fluff Rating: SFW

Nesta stared down grimly at the empty bathtub. She did not want to take a bath. She was perfectly fine with her damn bucket but someone wouldn’t stop nagging her about it.

“Time to face those fears, young lady.”

She rolled her eyes and then glowered at him.

“I don’t want to.”

“You were able to sit in there for a little bit every day this past week.” Cassian replied. “Let’s try that with more water this time.”

Nesta frowned, her fingertips tracing the edge of the tub. “I don’t want to.” she mumbled again and Cassian gave her a look.

“Nes.” he started, pulling her against him and interlacing their fingers. “You need to push those fears. You can’t let it control you. You told me to help you. I’m here to help you. You can do this. You’ve been doing it. It’s going to be fine.”

Her eyes locked on their interlaced fingers and she pursed her lips. He was right, of course.

She just had to have those eight shots of vodka and just had to open her big fat mouth about the damn bathtub thing. She just had to make him promise to help her get over it. Her eyes followed the matching tattoos that laced both their hands down to their forearms. What an idiotic way to seal a bargain. And it wouldn’t go away until they fulfilled it. So here they were.

“I’ll have to be naked.”

“That is generally how one takes a bath, yes.” Cassian said and the smirk that followed had her glaring at him. “But seeing as you’ve been wearing something each time you sat in here, I didn’t think you remembered that.”

“I don’t want to be naked with you.”

“Now now, no need to lie, sweetheart. You said very different things on that eventful drunken night of yours.”

She groaned and he laughed, bringing a hand up to lift her chin and meet her gaze.

“It’ll be fine. I’ll wait outside. We’ll only put a little bit more water than last time and I’ll wait until you need me.”

Nesta’s face paled and the grip on his hand tightened. “No. I don’t want you to be outside.”

“Then I’ll be here with you and you can wear something you don’t mind getting wet.”

Nesta swallowed then frowned. She loved him. Getting naked shouldn’t be a problem, right? She actually hated sitting in wet clothing but the prospect of being completely bare in front of him…

There had been a lot of touching here and there, hands had slipped under dresses and shirts. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what would be underneath her clothes. He’d certainly felt her up enough.

But this was too many vulnerabilities in one situation.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” he said quietly and she met his gaze.

“Why are you so nosy?”

He snorted. “You are my business. It’s not being nosy when it’s my business.”

“You think everything is your business.” she grumbled and he grinned.

“Everything about you is definitely my business. Mate.”

She squinted at him even though her heart leaped at the word. Nesta had been very hesitant about the mating bond even though they both knew it was there. They had talked about it at length and had reached a point they were both comfortable with....but still. Mates or not, they had chosen each other.

“Nesta.”

She hated when he said her name like that. All soft and caring and loving. It always made her melt for him. She glanced at him and he gave her an encouraging smile in return.

“I’m thinking...that I love you.” she mumbled. “And getting naked shouldn’t be a problem.”

He gave her a soft smile. “I love you too. And you don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with, Nes. Get one of your sleeping gowns. That should work fine.”

“I was in a sleeping gown when I went into that stupid cauldron.” she grumbled and her fists clenched. Cassian leaned in and gave her a small kiss on the forehead.

“That may be true but there is no cauldron here. It’s just you and me and some water in a bathtub.” he said slowly, reassuringly. “Nice, calm, safe water. You will be fine.”

Nesta scowled though her heart was thundering. She felt so weak and she hated it. She hated this fear. She hated that it was taking so long to get over it.

“Are you going to start petting the bathtub and telling me how nice and calm that is too?” she asked with a quirked brow. Cassian grinned then on cue, let his hand pet the edge of the tub.

“Nice bathtub. Safe bathtub.”

Nesta shook her head, trying but failing to hold back a chuckle. “You’re impossible.”

“Yet, you wouldn’t have me any other way.” he said with a wink and Nesta snorted, despite the small smile on her lips. He planted a kiss on her cheek then moved around her, wings tucked in tight so as not to knock anything over, and he opened the water to start filling the tub. She watched him, her heart warming incredibly as he moved about.

Sometimes, when he slept beside her at night, she marveled at how they had gotten this far. At how this annoying, bat-like person had wormed his way into her icy-cold heart. Gods, it terrified her at times. But then he smiled at her and her stupid heart did flip-flops, making it all okay. She used to think that love was such an idiotic concept and yet, it was the best thing she had ever felt.

“Nes?”

He was waving a bottle in her face and Nesta blinked, realizing he had been talking to her.

“Hm?”

“You alright?” he asked, brows furrowed and she nodded.

“I was just thinking.”

“I know it’s hard to resist thinking about me naked, Nes but keep your dress on. I feel like I need to call Az for protection.” Cassian scoffed dramatically and Nesta rolled her eyes.

“I’m going to kick you out if you don’t stop.”

“I don’t think you can resist how magnificent my ass is going to look when I casually bend down to close the water.” he replied with a grin and did exactly so. “Are you watching, Nesta? I’m casually bending.”

Her lips twitched and Nesta tried so hard not laugh when he looked over his shoulder, exaggerating his pose but she failed, her laughter ringing throughout the room. Cassian chuckled as he straightened then leaned in for a kiss, back to holding a bottle up.

“Want to add bubbles? It’ll make it relaxing.”

Her eyes finally flickered back to the tub, momentarily forgotten in their conversation and the laugh died in her throat.

“I don’t know.”

“Hey...look at me.” Cassian said softly, gently guiding her chin so that their eyes met. “I am right here.”

Nesta swallowed and then she asked him a question she had been very hesitant to ask before. “Will you sit in there with me?” she asked quietly and Cassian blinked, then gave her a soft smile.

“Of course.”

She watched him slip off his shirt and her anxiety calmed. He was here, she could do this. Nesta turned and slipped off her dress, a little slowly, hesitantly.  During these previous bathing sessions, Feyre had given her a swimsuit and so she didn’t feel as self-conscious as before. But today, she hadn’t anticipated this forced bathing session so she was wearing a matching bralette and panties set that were very different to the swimsuit.

Judging by the noise that had escaped from Cassian, he seemed to agree and Nesta flushed.

“Don’t get any ideas.”

“A warning would’ve been nice.”

“It isn’t any different.” she insisted which was a lie, she knew it was different. Which was why Nesta refused to face him.

“Forget how nice my ass looks, your ass is the magnificent one, Nes.”

She turned to find him smirking and she glared at him. “You’re a pig.”

“That you love.”

“I hate pigs.”

“Impossible since I’m your favorite.”

“Cassian.”

“Nesta.”

“You’re being irritating.”

“I could do this all day.” he replied, giving her a grin and Nesta was ready to launch herself at him. “But, the water is going to get cold and while you were giving me a strip tease, I remembered to add the bubbles. Let’s not waste this nice opportunity.”

She finally noticed how he was standing in nothing but his boxer shorts and Nesta was satisfied to see that indeed, she was leaving more of an impact on him than she had anticipated.

“You go in first.” she said, her eyes on the steaming water filled way past what she was used to and with bubbles covering most of it. Cassian slowly stepped in and sank down with an exaggerated enough sigh that Nesta couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She watched him settle back, resting against the tub and then he gave her a smile that made her fight against the hesitation she felt.

“Come on, Nes. I’m fine. You’ll be fine too.”

“It’s deeper than before.” she mumbled, nearing the tub. She knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She trusted him enough. It was a matter of getting it over with at this point.

“That’s true. But you can do it. I’m right here if you need me.” he replied with a smile.

Nesta slowly let her fingers dip into the hot water and she watched the bubbles spread around. It couldn’t be so bad. This was different. She was different. Nesta hesitated once more and her eyes flickered to Cassian. His nod was all she needed, he was right there. Nothing bad would happen to her.

Biting her lip, Nesta slowly climbed into the tub and stood for a few minutes, watching the bubbles move gently. Of course, Rhys would make tubs this huge just so he and Feyre could fuck around in them. She scowled then swallowed. It was fine. It was completely fine that the water reached this high while she was standing.

“How high will the water reach when I sit down?” she asked, her voice strained and Cassian immediately moved forward, reaching out his hand.

“Doesn’t matter, your head is always above the water. Look at me.”

Nesta turned her head to meet his gaze and he gave her an encouraging smile.

“See where the water reaches me? It won’t go past there. You’ll always be above the water.”

“Above the water.” she repeated quietly, her hands locked at her sides.

“Yes.” Cassian confirmed again then reached out and gently tugged on her hand. “Come, sit down with me. I won’t let go of your hand.”

Nesta swallowed again then slowly, clenching Cassian’s hand as tightly as she could manage, she sank down into the tub.

“Cassian.” she choked out, her knuckles turning white as she tightened her grip. This was a bad idea. She shouldn’t have listened to him. This was going to be a terrible, terrible thing —

“I am right here.” he said calmly, pulling her body against his in the water. She had sat, braced on her knees, one hand still gripping his and the other gripping the edge of the bathtub. “Take a deep breath, Nesta. Everything’s fine.”

Nesta did as she was told, taking a deep breath and then blinked, glancing around her at the pool of water with bubbles surrounding them. The water was steady. Nothing was pulling her down and she felt the firm bottom of the tub. The water reached a little bit below her shoulder. She was fine.

“I’m fine.” she said quietly.

“Yes.”

“The water is fine.”

“Feels quite nice, actually.” Cassian replied, his tone humorous but his eyes never wavered off her for a moment. Nesta’s gaze flickered to her hand that was firmly locked in his and then to the other, firmly gripping the tub. Slowly, very hesitantly, she moved the hand gripping the edge of the tub closer to where it met Cassian’s shoulder and then she let go, quickly moving her hand to grip his shoulder instead, feeling his warmth.

She felt Cassian watching her as she pursed her lips, her eyes firmly on the hand gripping his shoulder. Her heart was still beating wildly despite the reassurance of having him there. But here she was, sitting in a tub filled with water and bubbles and a large Illyrian.

“You’re right here.”

“Yes, I am.”

“You won’t go?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Not unless you want me to.”

“I don’t.”

“Then I’m not going anywhere.”

Nesta met Cassian’s gaze as his hand reached out to brush her hair to the side and he leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her shoulder.  She flushed. And Nesta Archeron didn’t flush.

“Are you using your Fae magic on me?” she asked quietly, taking a jab at that one moment between them long ago when his lips had first gotten a taste of her neck.

Cassian chuckled as Nesta slowly let go of his hand and placed it on his other shoulder instead.

“You tell me, Nesta. Am I?” he replied, his hands coming to firmly grip her waist and pull her closer to him. She settled on his lap, straddling him, less scandalized to be in this position than she expected. Nesta leaned in to rest against his chest, her head tilting up slightly so her eyes would find his.

“I should be able to do this on my own.” she whispered to him but Cassian only curled a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

“You can do it on your own. Doesn’t mean you have to.” he replied simply.

“You can’t always be here to do this with me.” she argued and Cassian only gave her a smile as his finger slid up her arm to her bralette strap and he gently pushed it down.

“Actually, I can. We can make it a thing we do. Take bubble baths together.” he said and leaned in, kissing her shoulder again and she let him. She let him and let her eyes flutter shut when his kisses moved from her shoulder to her neck. Nesta let him, as his tongue darted out to taste the sweet spot higher up on her neck. She let him, as he sucked gently, causing her fingers to dig into his shoulder and a rush of air to escape her lips.

“You’re doing it again.” she whispered when his hands slid up from her waist, gently massaging her sides and back.

“Doing what?” he asked quietly, his fingers sliding just underneath the bralette she was really despising at the moment.

“Using your Fae magic to distract me.” Nesta replied and he laughed, his lips finally coming up to place a kiss on hers.

“I must be so powerful to be able to use any kind of magic on the mighty Nesta Archeron.” he teased and she chuckled, leaning her head back to place a soft kiss on his neck.

“Are you going to tell me it’s some magic called love next?” Nesta replied, wrinkling her nose, feigning disgust and Cassian laughed again, leaning in to kiss said nose.

“No magic needed to get you to fall for my charms, sweetheart.” he replied with a grin and she rolled her eyes.

“Don’t ruin the moment.”

“Does putting bubbles on your head count as ruining the moment?”

Nesta paused. She had almost forgotten that she’d been sitting in the bathtub for this long. Her hands weren’t gripping him as tightly as before. Her body felt relaxed.

She was okay. She was safe.

Nesta locked eyes with Cassian and her heart felt so full. This was only a start but it was something she could work with. She’d found a remedy.

“As long as I get to give you a bubble beard in return.”

Cassian laughed then leaned in, his lips locking on hers and she returned the kiss with as much fever as she could muster.

If this was how her baths were going to be from now on, Nesta found that she didn’t mind sitting in a bathtub at all. In fact, as Cassian deepened their kiss and his arm wrapped around her waist, Nesta was looking forward to spending more time in the water with him.

Maybe next time, they wouldn’t have any clothes between them.

Maybe.

[notasapleasure]

Stupidly long playlist to go with the stupidly long fic. In short, it follows a kind of meandering path from Icelandic youth to swaggering mercenary behaviour on the continent, to service in the Varangian guard in Constantinople. It is very much in an order I chose, and should be listened to in order. I designed it to have them coming closer together and parting ways at various points, and it follows a very rough outline I have for three 'books'' worth of adventures.

Bit more info about each track under the cut, but basically it's Weird FolkTM, Icelandic rock, a smattering of prog, and some entirely self-indulgent pop picks.

Sumer is icumen in - you may know from Wicker Man soundtrack? Everyone's go to creepy folk song because it's one of the oldest. Included because of cuckoo theme. Kólbítur - Icelandic term for 'coal-biter', a character type in medieval stories and folk tales. Usually a lazy boy who rolls around in the hearth ashes as a child getting in the way of the women. After some trauma he is usually revealed to be a great hero, who just needed a bit of goading on. Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu well known Icelandic ballad, full of longing and intertwined personhood: 'mine was yours and yours was mine'. Nitlayokoya - kind of a spoiler for the fic, but Cassian isn't actually a 'skraeling' (Norse name for the American peoples encountered around Newfoundland), he's from...way further south. This song has the same title as poem by Nezahualcoyotl, meaning 'I am Sad', though this wasn't composed until the fifteenth century. Get Out of My House is based on The Shining, so there's the link to Native American land, and there's shapeshifting in the song too. Seems a good angry bb Cassian song. Filthy Game a stranger and a good man gets drawn into the locals' 'filthy game'. The Devil & the Huntsman mainly for the Sam Lee, but also a rollicking banger from the King Arthur soundtrack. Vibes. The Dark general foreshadowing and vibes. Don't Say No - there's a lot of Patrick Wolf on there, this is early Patrick Wolf urging us to run with our instincts :)) and teeth. Shapeshifter there's also a lot of Richard Dawson in various iterations on here because he does Weird Folk like no one else. Shapeshifter so impressive he's even handing out potatos pre-Colombian exchange. Pagan Poetry best fucked up Björk song everrrr. 'He makes me want to hurt myself'. To Try for the Sun just boys being lads, sharing coats and hanging out on the streets, nothing to see here. Teardrop this is how you do a cover. Theseus 'A black sail billows, the sun hits your blade / And you are hungry, you are hungry for you'. Jolly Bold Robber I love the way Nic Jones sings this. A 'jolly bold robber' attacks a young sailor who's just come ashore with his earnings and they fight - moral is don't fight a desperate sailor who wants to spend his shore leave well. But the way Nic Jones sings 'like lambkins they've stripped' sure is something. And the apology in the sailor's voice for killing his attacker. Feels very Cassian. Two Brothers - any folksong 'and they were brothers' me: 'what if they were ""brothers""?' Here with wrestling matches, bruised egos, pocket-knife stabbings and regret. The Best Excuse in the World I remember seeing this live and David Rotheray explained it as being about a gay man realising he has 'the best excuse in the world' for not loving his wife, but the way Jim Causley sings it erases any of the triteness of that, it's gorgeous. Go Your Way classic 'I love you so much I'm letting you go' folk song. Nonantzin another Nezahualcoyotl poem, this one asking mother to cry for her child when he dies. Crown Shyness is just one of my Brassian songs. Growing up together but not quite being brave enough to reach out to each other. Raincatchers ditto, also shut up I love it.

We used to be the raincatchers And we couldn't see what we were running from You made me feel like Nothing really matters Here in my dreams, we're raincatchers Come back to me like it was before You made me feel like Nothing really matters, nothing really matters If we let this run Caught on a river Everything that we left unspoken Will never be said Revenge of the Bear instrumental, for the title mainly. Who could it refer to, you ask? Animalia whaaaat it's from the soundtrack to my favourite film, also fucked up love and animal imagery. Daring Highwayman getting into the Norwegian/continental mercenary/troublemaking part of their careers now, Cassian definitely makes robery seem cool. Hare Spell he also makes shapeshifting seem cool. Because it is. Stendur æva is about nine minutes long but it's essential I'm afraid. Played on a glockenspiel made from Icelandic rock, I usually LOATHE your man from Sigur Rós and his squeaky voice, but he sort of sounds like a seagull in this, and it features the then head of the Icelandic folk singing club, who has a lovely voice. It's all bullshit medievalism about 'Odin magic' but it sounds fucking amazing. VIBES I SAY. Trøllabundin this is tumblr, you all know about Eivør Pálsdóttir here, right? Ogre more Richard Dawson! But this time the community is not so happy with the outsider figure on its edges. Twa Corbies is a pan-European folk song with pretty old roots. Pov: you are a corvid observing the body of a dead knight. Villon Song high medieval roots for this poem about all the cool things you can do to break the law. Bwganod Richard Dawson AND FRIENDS this time. The title is Welsh for 'scarecrow', which doesn't really have any bearing on things, but the following lines are just relevant, ok Always jokey-woking ‘Til the shit hits the fan Spray my face in fertiliser Grow a mos-toosh Hairy pits Super fit Built like a brick shit Wearing leopard-print Fishnet underpants

I’m on the run, Barely began Gathering sun, but I’ll take my time I’m overrun The damage is done Everyone’s gonna sink into the slime Hellismanna kvæði for the 1990s girl rock!! Also it's an outlaw song. Strákarnir á Borginni means 'the boys on the town' and is a camp tango about the hypocrisy of 1980s homophobic farmers in Iceland. I've posted it here before, it's iconique. Fin Cop a more tragic outlaw song. Nobody loves a troll. Escape oh just for the Vibes, because Plunkett & Macleane has the energy I want my outlaw saga to have. The Night Safari much more recent Patrick Wolf about love not being enough to stop self-destructive tendencies. Also shapeshifters. Excuse me While I shift shape The ocelot Slips the bowline knot But soon falls to prey As a boy I worshipеd the thunder Now it's just a sky under I wait for to fall No why only whеn Still Too Soon to Know yes yes blorbo got on the playlist. Pleasingly few pronouns in this. After all they've been through, surely Brasso would know? Á Sprengisandi is a jolly Icelandic folk song about riding across the highland interior on the main path. There's unclean spirits! Outlaws! Elves! All those fun guys. Ten Thousand Miles just another nice travelling song :)) Oh come ye back My own true love And stay a while with me If I had a friend On this Earth You've been a friend to me Dodona more recent Patrick Wolf going through it. Night Ride Across the Caucasus I'm not sure yet precisely what route they'll be taking by this stage but you've gotta have some Loreena on a medievalish playlist. Anyone But Me what pining would be complete without some jealous misunderstandings? This is such a sinister and sexy song of obsession and it's a fave. Ivy to go with the general move towards the cradle of ancient civilisationTM this is more Richard Dawson (and DIFFERENT friends, these ones Finnish metalheads) this time telling Dionysus's story. Hey Matt if you can take me at my best you can take me at my Darren Hayes-est, gay angstiest: Hey Matt The water carried all my secrets Sifting through the muck I saw my dirty little grievances And the memories I killed All the shameful feelings spilled Lay bare on the asphalt Broken parts I thought I'd drowned real good Oops! I Did it Again it's a Cassian song, ok? Nikitoa last of the songs with a title matching a poem by Nezahualcoyotl, this one about the transience of all things :)) Móðir mín í kví kví what if we made this lullaby into a girl screamo track? Vibes, I say again. Feet of Clay more on the topic of not being able to make a move despite wanting to. Whispering Light the version with Willy Mason. Distance, mark of distance Your burden is your brilliance There's a vessel A hiddеn vessel in the stonе Difference, not indifference Your passion marks you different And you wrestle And how you'll wrestle to come to know The Gates of Istanbul more Loreena! Constantinople, but, well, I don't need to quote They Might Be Giants. Shim El Yasmine It might not be Istanbul but let's get some Arabic language angst about leaving your boyfriend behind in anyway. Last Polar Bear it's about the long overdue proliferation of contemporary queer folk singers actually. Also bears. From the north. Make you think of anyone? The Moon Shone on my Bed Last Night sneaking some more Sam Lee in for the 'muckle ballad' about being with your lad no matter what. Stál og hnífur this is what happens when you leave the pronouns out, Bubbi! Steel and knife is my symbol, the symbol of travelling workers. Yours was mine and mine was yours while I lived among men. Fire Light soothing. Good vibes. Hopefuly. Probably a happy ending, through I'm a long way from knowing how I'll achieve it yet. What is the medieval equivalent of a Death Star? Over Again haha is it all a flat circle? Or once free to be together to they just go out robbing and causing trouble again? :)

[belphieslilcow]

Cassian: *comes in with a cigarette* somebody hook me up with a flame, I'm havin a nic fit

Lucifer: cassian!!

Belphegor: here

Satan: encourage him in his habit

Belphegor: *lights his cigarette* that's a good smoker

Lucifer: when did you start smoking??

Cassian: this morning!! now where's my whiskey I'm gon get tore up

[mandaloria314]

ao3 wrapped [writers edition]

How many words have you written this year? 124,497!

How many works did you publish this year?  32 works!

What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)? My long Narcos series about Javi. I poured a lot into it while watching the series. I went in with zero expectations or knowledge about what was coming.  

What work of yours has the most hits? A bobf bobadin missing scene I wrote to cheer up a friend: You’re My People, Too.

What work of yours got more feedback than you expected? A treat fic I wrote for the Star Wars Rare Pair exchange in which Din accidentally time-travels and meets Obi-Wan. I think it’s because they are a lot of people’s favorite blorbos, so putting them together in any capacity is a siren call. The Mando, The Jedi, and the Crystal Cave.

Favorite title you used: I have two: 

(`1) The Abyss of Disenchantment. This is a serious one taken from a Gabriel Garcia Marquez quote, because it was for Narcos and he’s a Colombian writer who is quoted in the show; 

(2) Big Talent Energy, a play on BDE for the Nic Cage movie with its own big title: the unbearable weight of massive talent. I love this title.

If you use song lyrics, which artist’s songs did you pull from the most? I don’t.

Pairing you wrote the most for this year? Javi/Pacho from Narcos

Favorite pairing you wrote for this year? Bobadin, even though I had a bit of a hiatus on it. They are still the bee’s knees. 

What work was the quickest to write? I write most things super quickly. I would say some of my Andor ficlets just jumped onto the page. Also, The Vice Minister of Nothing about Eduardo Sandoval from Narcos came esp fast. 

What work took you the longest to write? The Din/Leia exchange fic took a long time to put into words, even though I have been thinking about them for ages. I honestly think they’re great together! I wish there was more fic to gobble up about them (and I really loved that I both gifted and received a very lovely Din/Leia fic!).

How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year? 2 or 3. I want to finish the Hostage (Din and Grogu) as well as add more to Alpha Pack (Narcos werewolf AU). I also started a fic about Din and Boba picking Mayfeld up from prison (again)!

What’s your longest work of the year? (not counting the bobadinluke catch-all work, which I last updated in January) The Abyss of Disenchantment.

What’s your shortest work of the year? Numb, a Cinta/Vel fic from Andor.

What’s your most common “Additional Tags” tags? Missing Scene, Humor, Canon-Typical Violence, Swearing. (No surprise that humor is high up there! It’s my favorite.)

Your favorite character to write this year? Javi from Narcos (Din and Cassian are runner-ups)

The character that gave you the most trouble writing this year? I only write about what and who I like. 

What’s one pairing you want to explore next year? No idea.

Which work of yours have you reread the most?  My Narcos series. I love rereading it, even (especially?) the cringe moments. 

How many kudos in total did you get this year? 1,868 kudos

Which work has the most comments? Big Talent Energy

Did you do any collaborative works this year? No.

Did you write any gifts this year? Yes! I participated in the Narcos fic exchange and the Star Wars rare pair exchange.

Did you receive any gifts this year? Outside exchanges, I got amazing fanart  of Din’s drone ‘crown’ in Aureole (the dinluke tabloid romance fic) as well as a thrilling (and devastating) Javi/Pacho fic.  

What do you listen to while writing? Indie pop

Favorite work you wrote this year? Personal fave is probably most all the Narcos stuff. It was just a different vibe for me, and I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed that it brought me into a new fandom with fun, good people.  

[dhampiravidi]

for .etdraconis

Cassian & Jaena: Multimuse RP written by Jayn, 23NB. : etdraconis·: Continued from x Loading... Cassian... (tumblr.com)

Jaime & Naela: Multimuse RP written by Jayn, 23NB. : sunxxblessed​: Loading… A smirk crossed Jaime’s... (tumblr.com)

Nic & Jen: https://dhampiravidi.tumblr.com/post/690307891955187712/sunxxblessed-loading-a-small-sound-of-surprise

[illyrian-dreamer]

I just read Our Girl, and I-

I looooove the bat boys, I’m an Azriel girl through and through- and I love Feyre too!

I just feel like what they all did was rather.. Tamlin-y and it would be great if Y/N pointed that out to the inner circle and to get Feyres reaction to that-

I understand why they wanted to intervene, but I also understand why she felt the way she did-

And I also would like to use a quote by Dr. Taylor Allison Swift here “You don’t have to forgive and forget to move on. You can move on without either of those things being true. You just become indifferent, and then you move on.”

I think having a nice long chat with the IC and Az and Cass would be great to read, but I’m not 100% sure they deserve immediate forgiveness either.

I’m excited to see how you continue this masterpiece!

Bahaha you have coined the term Tamlin-y and I love it!! 💕

And yes, absolutely. Mind you, I think we're all kidding ourselves if we don't think the IC tend have 'Tamlin-y tendencies, even in the books this behaviour is everywhere.

Definitely will need to deep dive into their justifications and thought-process to keeping it a secret from the reader. I mentioned this in another reply, but I really do believe most of the IC would have control complexes over protecting vulnerable people they love.

And I'm so glad you quoted the Dr, she's a poet and a medic in one, and that quote could not be more relevant (and it's a reeeeally good life lesson too).

Thank you lovely, and thank you for chatting about this fic with me! I love seeing how you think/feel about it! 😍😍😍

[completeoctrash]

*boops them all then runs away from the consequences of my own actions*

??????? - Cassian

[boops you back] - Aster

:D???? - Nic

What the fuck. - Blake

[fragmcntedsouls]

Abel, Asher, Billie, Cassian, Dex, Dreas, EZ, Keelin, Llaus, Nic, Oliver ( x )

sacred romantic moments

“ don’t go. stay. “

“ but you’re here, so stay. “

“ i don’t want to be alone tonight. “

“ just come over. “

“ let’s be alone together. “

“ i didn’t know where else to go. “

“ i don’t want us to be apart anymore. ever. “

“ i wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t important. “

“ you can talk to me about anything. you know that, right? “

“ just… be honest with me, do you hate me? “

“ i could never hate you. not really. “

“ you’re my friend, but… sometimes i wish you were more than that. “

“ we’re not just friends. you know that. “

“ i think i’m falling in love with you. “

“ can i hold your hand? “

“ yeah, you’re in love with me. “

“ just hold me. “

“ things would be so much easier if we were honest with each other. “

“ why can’t you be honest with me? with yourself? “

“ maybe you could stay? just for tonight? “

“ it’s dark outside, and it’s raining. my arms are much safer. “

“ you can’t keep doing this. you can’t keep lying to yourself. “

“ i can’t keep lying to myself, or to you. it’s not fair on either of us. “

“ i think you should kiss me. “

“ kiss me like you mean it. “

“ just kiss me. “

“ you shouldn’t kiss me right now. “

“ look me in the eyes and tell me you love me. “

“ you can’t lie to me, you know. “

“ you know me better than anyone. you always have. “

“ you’re pretty amazing. you know that, right? “

“ you’re just… you’re extraordinary. “

“ you’re good to me, you know. really good. “

“ you’ve made me the happiest i’ve ever been. “

“ i don’t know what i would have done if you weren’t here. “

“ our love can conquer anything. “

“ and for many generations to come, our love story will live on. “

“ i want you to marry me. “

“ if you asked me to marry you tomorrow, i’d say yes. “ “ what about today? “

“ marry me, name. marry me and make me the luckiest [x] in the world. “

“ your kiss could mend a broken heart. “

“ are you going to kiss me again, or do i have to do it myself? “

“ i could cry, that’s how much i love you. “

“ you’re worthy of my love. “

“ truth is that i’m so damn in love with you that i don’t know what to do with myself. “

“ maybe tonight, it’s you and me. “

“ i don’t know what the future holds. all i know is that i hope you’re in it. “

“ could you promise me one thing? “

“ promise me that we’ll be together, no matter what. “

“ it’s you and me, forever. no matter what. “

“ i didn’t want to tell you until i was sure, but… i’m pregnant. “

“ we’re going to be family! “

“ this baby, it’s the best thing that could ever have happened to us. “

“ i can’t believe this, we’re going to be parents! “

“ dance with me? “

“ may i have this dance? “

“ you’re my whole world, you know. “

“ don’t speak, just… kiss me. “

“ you have no idea how long i’ve been wanting to that. “

“ i’ve been wanting to tell you for so long… “

“ so… is this like, a thing now? “

“ i always miss you, even when you’re next to me. “

” i miss you. i miss you so much it hurts. ”

” i don’t want you to miss me. it’s tearing me apart. ”

“ you make me happier. “

“ i love waking up next to you. “

“ my favorite thing is falling asleep next to you. “

“ come cuddle with me. “

“ this is torture, isn’t it? “ “ not in the slightest. “

“ do you love me? “

“ could this be something more? “

“ move in with me. “

“ do you think we should move in together? you spend all your time here anyway. “

“ are you serious? i’ve had a crush on you for as long as i can remember. “

“ i know you’re in love with me. “

“ you’re really cute, you know. “

“ you’re so damn attractive. you know that right? “

“ if anybody were to kiss me, i would want that person to be you. “

“ and right now, i think you should kiss me. “

[breannbooks]

“You’re growing on me. Slowly. Like a fungus.”

- Nic Cassian, Immortal Reign

[lunastorta64]

"Forever," she said, tears streaking her face. "Whatever happens—you and me are together forever. All right?" "You and me," he agreed. "Until eternity. I love you, Cleo." "I love you, Magnus." ❤

[onebrainsel]

Falling Kingdoms Fan-Cast

Well, I’ve seen so many thoughts on the casting, @morganrhodes included, and I wanted to share my ideas with you. These are more or less how I pictured them in my head. What do you guys think? What are your fancasting ideas for Falling Kingdoms?

 House Bellos 

House Damora

House Agallon

The Cassians

House Cortas

Rebels

Limeros

The Watchers 

Auranos

Alternative/Deleted Casting Ideas:

*Gaius

*Felicia

*Felix and Lysandra

*Timotheus

[princeofbloodandgold]

Ashicolo 2.0

[rain-fire17]

Hello! Yeah, Falling Kingdoms Fandom? WHERE ARE YOU?!?! Do you EVEN EXIST?! I just finished Crystal Storm and IM DYING!!!!!!!

*muffled sobs* help me

[swordswoman97]

Y’know I’ve been wondering, why does Ashur always call Nic, Nicolo? Is it some Kraeshian culture thing? Is Ashur just being formal? Does Ashur just like the name Nicolo? Is it supposed to be a parallel to Magneo? Why? Also, no one except Ashur calls Nic that (that I can remember) so how did he learn it anyway?