#they're what feysand think they are but could never pull off

[littlest-w01f]

Celestial

Feysand x Reader

For @starfallweek [hosted by: @azsazz and @writingsbychlo]

Starfall Week 2025 Masterlist

Day 7 - What if getting struck by a Starfall Star invoked a new power within Character A? How might Character B react?

Summary: Starlight is the core power of Night. And getting struck by a pure streak of it, ended up giving you some unseen gifts of Night.

Cw: None

Starlight was known to be pure Night, there was no form of magic bigger than starlight. It was in everything, it was the essence of Night. So it was easy to figure out that when a streak of it struck you, it would leave with something new

As you stood beneath the celestial canvas, your skin tingled with anticipation, watching Starfall. The night air hummed with otherworldly energy as if the very stars themselves were alive and whispering secrets. You closed your eyes, breathing in deeply, and felt the weight of starlight settling upon you like a gentle rain.

A shimmering trail of silver light danced across the sky, weaving an intricate pattern. Without thinking, you extended your palm upwards, as if beckoning the celestial light closer.

The moment the star made contact, a jolt of energy surged through your body. You gasped, feeling the starlight coursing like liquid fire within your veins. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, leaving you breathless and trembling.

When you opened your eyes again, they gleamed with an ethereal luminescence, casting an aura of mystique around your delicate features. You were in a bed, their bed as your High Lady and Lord stood over you, worry written all over their features.

Feyre's gaze searched yours, trying to discern the extent of the change that had taken place. She reached out a hand, hesitating for just a moment before gently touching your cheek. Her fingers brushed against the radiant glow emanating from your skin, and she flinched slightly at the unexpected warmth.

"I... I don't know what happened," You whispered, still reeling from the encounter with the starlight. Your voice sounded foreign, resonating with an otherworldly timbre that sent shivers down Feyre's spine.

Rhysand sat beside you, he reached to hold your hand and flinched the same, "It was just starlight, it shouldn't have made you pass out. It could be something to do with you not being from Night... But..."

His words trailed off as he studied your face more closely, noticing the subtle changes in your appearance. Your lips, once a soft pink, now held a faint blue hue, almost imperceptible but undeniable. He exchanged a concerned glance with Feyre, who nodded grimly.

As Feyre helped you sit up, you noticed the way her eyes lingered on your hands, the ones that had touched the starlight. A flicker of unease ran through you, but you pushed it aside, focusing instead on the strange sensations coursing through your body.

"Can... Can you not touch me anymore?" You asked them, worried at the thought of them never holding you again.

Feyre's expression softened, and she reached out tentatively, letting her fingertips brush against your arm. "Of course we can still touch you. We're not afraid of a little starlight." Rhysand nodded in agreement, his thumb stroking the back of your hand reassuringly.

However, their attempts at comfort only seemed to heighten your anxiety. You pulled away slightly, needing space to process this newfound awareness of yourself. "I don't understand what's happening to me," You admitted, frustration creeping into your voice. "This power, these changes... They're not natural. I'm Day, not Night."

Feyre sighed, her brow furrowing in concern. "We'll figure it out together, I promise. But first, let's get you some rest. You've been through quite an ordeal." She guided you back under the covers, tucking you in warmly.

Rhysand sighed, rubbing his temple, turning to Feyre, "We've never encountered anyone like this before, someone who absorbs starlight and begins to exhibit Night traits. Making you into High Fae gave you the powers of all Courts. But starlight?"

The implications of their words sank in, sending a chill down your spine. You were something else entirely now, a mysterious fusion of Day and Night, born from the very essence of the cosmos.

"I think it chose you." Feyre said softly, holding your paling hand, a surge of electricity rushed through you. As Feyre's words echoed through the chamber, the room began to spin, colours bleeding into one another. "Starfall stars don't randomly land on you."

The electric current from Feyre's touch intensified, pulsing through your veins like a heartbeat. You gasped, feeling the starlight within you respond, the electricity was yours, not Feyre's, coiling tighter, ready to unleash its full potential.

Suddenly, the room stilled, the spinning colours fading into a mix of blues and purples. You blinked, disoriented, as Feyre's hand slid from yours, leaving behind a trail of glittering stardust.

"What did it do?" Rhysand asked, his voice laced with worry as he watched you, waiting for signs of what might come next, for something he'd never seen before.

You took a shaky breath, trying to calm the turmoil inside you. The starlight pulsed within, urging you to embrace its power. Slowly, you raised your hands, studying the glowing trails left behind by Feyre's touch. With a tentative gesture, you brought your palms together, feeling the electricity crackle between them.

To your amazement, the sparks grew brighter, swirling into a miniature vortex above your joined hands. The air around you shimmered, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate the raw energy. You gasped, realizing the true extent of the starlight's influence - it had awakened a part of you that defied explanation.

Feyre and Rhysand watched in awe, their faces illuminated by the dancing lights. "By the stars," Rhysand breathed, "you're a conduit for the celestial power."

The vortex intensified, growing larger and more complex, tendrils of light reaching out like grasping fingers. You felt dizzy, overwhelmed by the sheer force coursing through you. Feyre and Rhysand stepped back, their expressions a mix of fascination and fear.

Suddenly, the vortex exploded outward, bathing the room in a blinding radiance. When the light faded, you found yourself standing alone, the bed you were on nothing but stardust, the starlight reflected in your eyes. The changes it had wrought remained, etched into every cell.

You looked down at your hands, half-expecting to see them glowing once more. Instead, you noticed a subtle shift in them, the brown skin pulsing with silver, the nails sharpened into delicate claws. You lifted your gaze to meet Feyre's, seeing her own surprise mirrored in her eyes. "What have I become?"

Rhysand approached you, hands raised, as if he was cautious, "It's ok... We'll help you figure it out."

You nodded, trying to steady your racing heart as Rhysand drew near. The starlight still thrummed within you, a constant reminder of the transformative power that now resided within your very being.

"We need to understand your abilities," Feyre suggested, her voice measured and calm despite the shock of witnessing such a phenomenon. "For your safety, and ours."

Rhysand nodded in agreement, his violet eyes searching yours intently. "Let's start with small tests. See how much control you have over the starlight's effects."

You swallowed hard, steeling yourself for the unknown. "Alright… What do you suggest we try first?" As you spoke, the starlight within you responded, a soft glow emanating from your skin once more. You felt its eager pulse, a siren call to unleash its full potential.

Rhysand considered your question, his gaze flickering between you and Feyre as they conferred silently in their head. After a moment, he turned back to you, a hint of excitement colouring his tone. "How about we begin with something simple? Like making the room lighter or darker." He demonstrated the suggestion himself, effortlessly manipulating the darkness around him with a mere thought.

Now it was your turn. You focused on the starlight within, visualizing a gentle breeze rustling the silken curtains. As you willed it, the fabric swayed. Emboldened, you tried to warm the chilly air, imagining a cosy fire crackling in the hearth. You gasped when the curtains set on fire instantly, flames licking at the edges of the luxurious material.

"Shit!" Feyre leapt forward, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air, dousing the blaze with a cool, soothing mist. Smoke curled upwards, dissipating into wisps of stardust.

Rhysand swiftly moved to Feyre's side, his presence calming even as he assessed the situation. "Careful, love," he murmured, though there was no real danger now thanks to Feyre's quick thinking. He glanced at you, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. "Perhaps we should start smaller next time, hmm?"

You nodded vigorously, cheeks flushing with embarrassment and the thrill of wielding such immense power. It was exhilarating yet terrifying, a double-edged sword you weren't yet sure how to wield properly.

"Remember, it's okay to make mistakes," Feyre reassured you gently, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder. Her words soothed your frayed nerves, and you managed a weak smile in return. "Maybe don't burn the house down. We should take this outside."

Rhysand chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Sounds like a plan. Let's move this training session to the gardens. Plenty of fresh air and open space for our experimentations." He offered you his hand, helping you to your feet. As you stood, you noticed the way his touch sent shivers down your spine, the connection between you humming with barely contained energy. "You'll have to train these powers."

You sighed, looking back down at your slivering hands, "Now who will tell my brother about this?"

Rhysand's expression softened at the mention of your family. "Leave Helion to me. I'll handle the news and ensure he doesn't overreact." His confidence was reassuring, and you felt a weight lift off your shoulders. "Right now, focus on mastering your abilities. That's what matters most."

Feyre nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with determination. "We can't predict the extent of your powers, but with practice, you'll grow stronger and more trained at controlling the starlight within you. Whatever it may do." She placed a reassuring hand on your arm, the warmth of her touch grounding you amidst the whirlwind of change.

Together, the three of you made your way to the sprawling gardens beyond the castle walls. The night air enveloped you, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of Night creatures.

{General Taglist- @lilah-asteria @paleidiot @dee-writes-angst @adalia-jaycee @anarchiii @alwayshave-faith @velarisnightsky444 @minnieoo @mellowmusings @daughterofthemoons-stuff @tele86}

{Rhysand Taglist- @yeonalie}

[emeriethevalkyriegirl]

Soo... since you do requests, I got one.

I had seen a post from someone, saying that Feysand had the "you owe me a thought" and Nessian the "Keep reaching out your hand" and Gwynriel would have the "Tell me a secret"

So what if one night, when they're gazing at the stars, after a 7 seconds- silence, she says "Tell me a secret, shadowsinger" and when he turns to look at her, he's neven seen such beauty before, so he tells her a silly secret about him which makes her laugh.

Honestly? I would love this to actually happen on Starfall 😍

So.. would you 👉🏽👈🏽

OH! Never done a Gwynriel fic before. I can’t wait. And there’s a surprise at the end! ;)

Gwyn was resting her head on a tall masculine body. Yep, the body of her mate. The mate that the cauldron had chosen for her. The mate she never thought would come to her. She never thought it would even be him to began with. But it was him. Azriel the Shadowsinger.

She had a crush on him from the moment she saw him. She believed that it was just a love stuck and nothing to worry about. But when Azriel was staring off into space one time in training, she went over to him to see if he was okay. Azriel looked at her and almost dropped the training swords in practice. Yep, definitely a love struck couple.

Either way, she was glad that the cauldron blessed her when the one male she loved more than anything in the universe. The one male who would do anything for her and all she had to do was ask. The one male who blessed her with a loving home filled with laughter and joy. She couldn’t ask for anything more.

Azriel, who was next to her, started to laugh. Gwyn raised her brow and looked at her mate. “What?” Azriel chuckled and shook his head. “Oh nothing. Just thinking about something.” he replied as Gwyn smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck. Azriel smirked right back. “What are you doing?”

“Tell me a secret shadowsinger.” Gwyn smirked as Azriel laughed and planted a kiss on her forehead. The radiance in her beauty reflected across the stars. Not even Starfall was able to compare to this wonderful woman who’s arms were already around his neck. He would search far and wide to the mother and back and Gwyn would still be the one for him. No one else but her.

Azriel rolled his eyes. “Well, sense you asked so nicely,” Azriel started as he booped Gwyn’s nose, his shadows dancing around the mated couple. Gwyn giggled making his shadows cheer. Azriel looked at the sky, wanting to get her attention with his words. “Well, there is a secret that I never told anyone. Well except you of course.”

Another laugh from Gwyn. “Me, Rhys, and Cassian were all going to the bar to get away from the High Lord, General and spying business. It was fine for a while. Until Cassian started to dance to the music. Lemme tell you that dumbass can’t dance to save his own life.” At this point, Gwyn had to let go of him so she could laugh at him without tipping over. Azriel had to laugh along with him the memory still there for him to look back on. “Well anyway, he force me to dance with him and being the best brother in the world I couldn’t resist.” Gwyn rolled her eyes this time and turned to his shadows. “Did he go willingly?” she asked them and even though they couldn’t talk to one another, they were able to shake their heads.

Azriel glared at them but they only snickered. “Some brother.” Gwyn smirked as Azriel wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Azriel leaned over and bit her ear gently causing Gwyn to let out a sound not even he knew. But he loved it. “I did go willingly. Just like you will in our bed tonight.” He replied. Gwyn felt her toes curling up in her shoes.

Azriel kissed her cheek and continued his story. “So in short, Cassian did something stupid and we got kicked out of the bar.”

“That’s it?!”

“I’m sorry my lovely wife, but the remaining details will be remained a secret.” Gwyn pouted playfully earning a heartful laugh from her husband. “You’re cute when you pout.” he said as he gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. Gwyn instantly deepened the kiss surprising him a bit. Azriel picked her up and slammed her against the wall. Oh he was going to do unholy things to her. He was gonna make her his and he was hers. He was gonna-

“Mama, Papa!” Both of them froze hearing the small child that was making her way to the patio. Azriel groaned. “Come on just a little longer.”

“Azriel.”

“The trip downstairs will take longer, she’s only 4.”

“Azriel!”

“Fine.” Azriel replied, setting down his mate right before their 4 year old daughter found her parents on the patio. She had little water nymph fingers and red hair like her mother. Her pigtails were tied up with Valkyrie symbols on them and she smiled with her cute little dimples and dotted freckles. Her wings were tucked in to avoid bumping into walls. She was holding her little brother who was only 7 months old. He didn’t mind that she was holding him wrong. He just loved the twinkie that was in his mouth.

Gwyn chuckled at them and patted her daughter’s head. “Ariel did you feed you brother?” she asked already knowing the answer. Ariel nodded rapidly. “Yes mommy. He really likes twinkies.” The baby boy Czar was busy trying to finish his huge twinkie. Azriel rolled his eyes and bent down to their level. “Ariel, Czar can’t eat anything that’s solid yet. He doesn’t have any teeth yet.”

“But it taste so good.” Ariel replied as her father kissed her forehead. “They are good, but Czar not ready to eat it yet. You have to wait until he grow teeth okay?” Azriel said as Ariel looked at her brother with sadness because he can’t taste sugar yet. “Okay.”

“Now, why don’t you give your brother to mommy.” Ariel nodded and held out Czar like the scene in the Lion King. Gwyn smiled and took the 7 month old out of the 4 year old’s hands. “Come on silly boy, let’s go clean that twinkie off of you.” Czar only responded but finishing the twinkie and playfully cheering at his mother. Azriel picked up his daughter and kissed her cheek. “And you are going to be fed as well.” Ariel giggled and squeezed his neck like her mother did. Yep, he loved this family. Mainly because he was apart of it.

[separatist-apologist]

For the ship thing: Elriel, Gwynriel and Azriel x his one sided love obsession for Mor?

I went on a 4 mile hike, can't wait for the hate that's coming for me after answering this. Let's start with Moriel.

MORIEL: Honestly? Kind of good? It's not GREAT but when we meet Az and Mor it reads sort of like, they're both in love with each other but Mor isn't ready for the foreverness of Az. He wants to settle down, a house in the mountains, 2.5 kids and Mor is nervous. Her family life was scary, what if he's going to replicate that? And Az is content to wait, certain a mating bond is going to snap for them. I didn't hate it. It's very SJM of the dude wanting his girl and willing to wait on her.

And then the RETCON, which I'm sorry but was done BADLY. Now we're told the court of dreamers is a topsy-turvy nightmare in which a queer woman has to hide her sexuality from her supposed best friends to escape the angriest dude in the group. and EVERYONE knows hes in love with her but...won't do anything about it?

And how do we get obsessive, creepy Az over Mor and ready for a forever LI? By making him possessive and obsessive over Elain. Yes. I'm sorry, but if you cant see the Moriel-E/riel-Gwynriel pipeline thats happening in these books, bummer but its there. Elain is literally the "moving on" girl. He's not in love with her but he is interested. She's hot, he's hot....some of ya'll have never experienced that dynamic. We were in his head, man is MAD about his rejections.

E/riel, which I will not tag because they can't handle even good-natured criticism (and please note, EVERYONE is getting roasted here before you come in my ask box mad) is literally watered down Feysand. Take everything interesting about Feysand, dilute it and congrats you've got E/riel. The most compelling thing about the ship is they might break the bond and every theory centers around them being mates like okay I guess?

Literally no change/growth happens between these two over three books. ACOSF Az tells us they don't TALK? only brush fingers occasionally? Rhys is like, "leave her alone!" and Az could have said "BUT DAD I LOVE HER" and instead...did what he was told to do. They're absurdly boring- he gets to boss her around and she gets to hide in the shadows. No change, no growth, no conversation. He speaks for her even when she so clearly has done it for herself. What does he know about her? That she likes to garden? Man is masturbating to a tylenol bottle and I keep getting told that sexy, I promise its not.

"He saved her life-" he's saved everyones life. Mor, Gwyn, Feyre, Elain, like my man has a HERO COMPLEX because he doesn't think his life is worth much, and goes running face first into murder, unconcerned if it'll hurt him. I think its telling the biggest shippers want an off-scream romance between them...which SJM has never written and never will write. All her heroines start at a place of apathy, antagonism, or outright hatred before falling in love (HELLO ROWAN). Queen of healthy, soft romances she is not.

And Gwynriel. Theres not a lot for them, imo. It's better than Mor/Elain. Gwyn and Az already have a dynamic (he's apparently privately dagger training her, v interesting). the best thing they have going for them is they're equals. He can't speak for Gwyn because he's spent the last year teaching her how to beat his ass. He respects her enough to do things on her own, at her own pace. She gave him shit and pulled him out of his ugly mood on Solstice, which is apparently hard to do. I think of all the romances for him that aren't Eris, Gwyn is certainly the most interesting (assuming it doesn't go the Nessian route).

That regifted necklace is not a good look and I PRAY I never hear another word again about it. Literally HATE that.

[gwyns]

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone draw parallels between Feyre leaving Tamlin for her Mate to Elain leaving Azriel for her Mate. (Ignoring the fact I hate Rhysand, the books obviously want me to think he's the best person ever so I'll just pretend). Because that's what I see happening.

Elain and Azriel are so clearly rebounds for one another. Elain's still grieving her human love and life, and Azriel is still hung up on Mor. They're both quiet and available, so they jump to each other. That's it. The Azriel POV was purely about what he wants. How he wants to fuck her and taste her. He's just sex to her.

Even if E/riels had a more convincing case, it's not like SJM hasn't pulled a SIKE on us before. If she goes anywhere with E/riel, she'll undoubtedly pull it back. SJM doesn't take Mating bonds lightly, and she's stated that she loves Lucien. And if anyone deserves the happiness of a bond, it's him.

Feyre and Rhys, and Cassian and Nesta, all had relationships/lovers before Mating. Elain "liking" Az now, (which we're not even clear on), doesn't really mean much.

I'd like to hear your thoughts! You're so good at this, and you always explain my thoughts so perfectly. Love and light 💕💕💕

honestly there are quite a few feysand/elucien parallels that people either don't see or choose to ignore.

rhysand was first presented as a villain to feyre, the same could be applied to lucien just bc of his envolvement with tamlin (that he wrongfully gets blamed for btw idk why e/riels love blaming tamlin's mistakes on lucien). feyre was engaged before she went to rhys, elain was engaged before she met lucien. both were/are? still hung up on their former fiances. feysand as a couple represents the night, elucien would represent (at least in part) day. it's literally night and day with them. they're similar but also wholly their own pairing, it's fascinating to me.

anyway i think i will use this ask to spill some of my e/riel opinions sorry about that! alright let's start off with this controversial statement: i don't think e/riel was ever meant to be endgame.

i've seen it said a few times over the years that sarah changed her mind about elucien and while that's possible bc she also previously changed her mind on lucien and nesta one has to ask themselves..... if she wanted to write a mate bond rejection why didn't she stick with her original plan of lucien and nesta being mates? she's said herself that they wouldn't work but she chose to change lucien's mate to someone who compliments him better, and it's to feyre's other sister no less. that tells me lucien is important and powerful, he's mated to one of the sisters, one of the key players of the entire series.

another point is we can assume (and we could be wrong, let me put this here before someone yells at me or vague blogs about it) that sjm had an elucien endgame in mind when writing acowar, right? and when she was touring for that book hadn't she already started work on acofas? and we know that she's never on social media, so if she had an elucien endgame in mind when she wrote all of the supposed e/riel "evidence" where does that leave us?

drama. tension. conflict. angst.

i think that's what it all comes down to. people will say that elucien was a front while e/riel is the true endgame but... it all seems a bit easy, doesn't it? e/riel is right in your face while elucien is silently brewing in the background. what if the bait and switch isn't elucien, but e/riel?

sarah has shown us before that she likes to use her characters as ways for her other characters to end up with their endgame matches. for example, without tamlin, feyre wouldn't have met rhys. and moving over to throne of glass for a second, if not for chaol, aelin wouldn't have met rowan. and in turn, if aelin hadn't given yrene the money she needed in tab, chaol wouldn't have met her.

are the e/riel scenes romantically coded? yes, probably. i'm not saying they aren't, some people picked up on it but i personally didn't get that vibe myself, especially in acowar, but acofas kinda blurred the lines a bit. but even then, i didn't think they'd work out and i still don't understand the arguments that are supposed to be in their favor from that book. elain says she doesn't want a male so that excludes lucien but not azriel somehow? that line means she doesn't want any fae, she wants a human man, she wants graysen. then we have lucien saying he can't even stand to be in the same room as elain which i never read as a "oh i hate this person" kinda way. no, it's bc the whole situation between them is awkward and it obviously makes both of them uncomfortable. it doesn't help when literally all of the inner circle is constantly around them, and being in the night court in general doesn't give them the privacy to get to know each other.

some people like to ask why build e/riel up at all if they're not going to be together? one thing i've always loved about sjm's books is how she can write relationships. now, let's say you meet someone irl and you like them, eventually maybe fall in love with them, and fail to notice how they're not good for you. maybe everyone around you can see it, but you don't. you want a relationship and you're in a decent one, it should work out. like they're not a bad person, this relationship just isn't right for you in the long run. why waste your time? it's life. sometimes things are good for you at a certain point in time but not later on. sometimes you just end up in a relationship that was never good for you. sometimes you fall out of love with someone. you're constantly learning and adapting to things and that's my stance on e/riel. i think they're both looking for companionship and they're the "safest" and most available option.

taking it back to acofas, azriel was relived to not have to get elain a gift and was still gazing longingly at mor. now in acosf he's avoiding talking about her while wanting to fuck elain and getting defensive when helion mentions mor. he's not over her. he's not going to just completely forget 500 years of pining bc elain showed up, especially when they haven't even helped one another to move on. if they had, we would have seen the proof of that. not just "oh she's hot we both want sex", that doesn't make a healthy relationship.

as for elain, she's been taught she has to act a certain way her entire life. she has to downplay her trauma and emotions to appease others so they don't worry about her. maybe she's even had visions involving lucien that upset/scare her somehow and she's reaching out for something else. i think they're both lonely and desperate (at least on az's end) for someone that they ultimately are drawn to the wrong people.

as for the lack of elucien development... this is how i see it. if they're endgame, why would sarah have all of their big moments happen off screen or as a throwaway line in acosf? elain is getting a book, we know this, and with how much of the story is tied to lucien and how much is left unresolved with him, we can also assume he'd get a pov at some point. so imo it makes sense for the fact we got little to no development for them in acosf. no, she wants a huge wedge between them so we can watch them come together. the payoff will be that much sweeter. kinda similar to how she put a wedge between nessian before acosf, sure they had more development in acowar than elucien but i think that's bc sarah knew they'd get the first spinoff. she had to give them that development whereas elucien can wait, a bit longer. it's frustrating yes but i do think we'll get something in acotar 5.

maybe i'm an optimistic fool, maybe sarah did at one point have an endgame in mind for them, but i find it hard to believe she wouldn't see how wrong they are for each other in the long run. she's very good at showing us how well characters fit together with just a few lines.

[rosegoldannie]

I'm a sucker for Feysand, Elriel, and Elorcan so something starting with a fight between them? Idk like they're already together but something happens and one of them thinks they gonna end it or somthing. All angsty and such that ends with fluff because I dont want my heart broken that bad. That make sense and/or sound interesting?

Uh YES!

please send in any prompts you think of, this was sosososo fun! Sorry it took awhile, I just wanted to get it right.

Feyre glanced across their shared living room to see her boyfriend of two years typing away on his phone. As of late, this had become the norm; she would arrive home from work, and he would either be exactly as he was now, or in the middle of a call.

Whenever she asked what he was doing, he would give a half-answer, never really telling her much. At first, she had been unbothered, and assumed that he was speaking with clients from work. But after nearly three weeks of this, she had begun to grow somewhat hurt, resentful even.

She had attempted to distract him, even going to far as to wear some new lingerie to bed, but he had been uninterested, and told her that he was tired, and didn't feel well. Feyre had been disappointed, but ultimately climbed into bed with him.

Turning back to her sketchbook, she continued working on her newest piece: A portrait of her boyfriend, as she had seen him these last few weeks -- almost exactly the same, but with a certain guardedness to his eyes. A closed-offness that concerned her. With the exception of his recent personality change, he was exactly as he had always been: loving and affectionate, constantly showering Feyre with praise and love. And while the logical part of her brain screamed that it was something else, a small, small part whispered that it was because Rhys had tired of her, that she wasn’t enough..

The longer that thought sat in her mind, bouncing around, the more velocity it gained, until it was the only thing she could hear above the roaring of her heartbeat. Not enough, not enough.

Before they had begun dating, Rhys had been somewhat of a womanizer. Always respectful, but also always seeking out a nighttime companion. Had she really expected him to give that up for-No.

No. Rhys loved her. Feyre knew he did. She also knew that he would never cheat on her. Not after Tamlin, therefore it must have been something else.

That stupid, wicked thought still rumbled. Not enough, not enough. Tired of you. 

The lead of her pencil snapped with a loud crack!

Feyre blinked in surprise, holding it up for inspection. Rhys glanced up, his gorgeous violet eyes meeting and holding hers. How she loved his eyes, the way they caught and reflected the light, that little spark of wicked humor that flared whenever he told a joke. The way they softened when he smiled, that shimmer of joy and life that was a balm to her weary, broken soul. Gods, she loved him. She would have happily spent eternity gazing into his eyes. Something seemed to shift in their swirling depths, as if he had come to a decision. He motioned to the setting sun now streaming in through their bay window. “Walk with me?” He murmured. His words sent a slight tremor of fear through her, but she forcefully shoved it back.

“Sure,” Feyre replied, tossing her sketchpad onto the table, and pulling on a hoodie.

Rhys gave her a smile. Not huge, but something.

~~~

The setting sun turned their city aflame in gold, as if it had been just pulled from a forge. It turned his normally tan skin alight, as if he glowed from within. Feyre fought the urge to ask if she could go back and grab her sketchpad.

Rhys was near silent as they walked, a noticeable sheen of sweat on his brow. A sickening feeling settled in her gut. He’s going to break up with me, Feyre thought, shoving her hands deeper into her pockets. 

Several times, they each tried to make conversation. It always failed, sending a jolt of sadness into her heart. It had never been this way between them before. They had always flowed seamlessly together, always anticipating what the other would say or do next, but completely surprised all the same.

Keeping a slight step ahead, he lead them to their favorite park, where they would sit together and watch the families, sometimes joking about how marriage was undesirable, or planning what they would name their children.

He stopped beside the fountain by which they always sat, and motioned for Feyre to take a seat. She did so, albeit suspiciously. Her fists clenched in her pockets, blue-grey eyes tracking his movements. Waiting.

Despite their relationship beginning as purely physical, those moments in the park with him had allowed her to simply imagine a future in which she was married. Rhys had resurrected a part of her that had perished years prior at Tamlin’s hand. And now she savored every second before he inadvertently destroyed that part of her.

“Alright,” He began, pacing back and forth. Feyre braced herself for the heartbreak to come. “Feyre, we’ve known each other for years, and I swear that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” A warm feeling spread through her, a shy grin on her lips, even as that blasted voice returned. But you are not enough. Not enough. Her grin vanished, but Rhys continued. “I-honestly, I don’t know where I would be without you.” He took several steps toward her, until Feyre had to lean her head back to see him, his voice lowering. Gods, did he not know how his words affected her? How every word was both a balm and a shiv to her broken and fragile heart?

 “You brought back a part of me that I was certain had died long ago. Feyre, you made me want to live.” An aching tightness began in her throat, spreading to her chest. Feyre clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the final blow. The blow which would shatter her soul, the soul they had worked so hard to mend. But you are not enough. “You made me become the person I never knew I could be. Without you… Without you, Feyre Archeron, I am nothing. My heart has been yours since before the Universe was created.” He dropped to one knee, hand going to his pocket. “And I will love you until the end of time, regardless of your answer.” He pulled out a small, velvet box. “Feyre, I would crawl across miles of broken glass, swim through lava, anything to see you happy.” He popped the lid open to reveal a simple, sapphire ring. “Feyre Archeron, will you marry me?”

Instantly, her hands flew to cover her mouth. “WHAT?” she hissed, leaping to her feet. This wasn’t a breakup...he hadn't brought her to their spot to break her heart. He had brought her here to declare his love. Rhys was...proposing to her? 

Suddenly it all clicked into place. The few times she had managed to catch a glimpse of his phone, he had been searching for rings, or texting Mor about a ‘surprise’. A long forgotten memory surfaced, of when they had first moved in together. 

In between carrying boxes up countless stairs, he had pulled her aside, away from their friends. And Rhys had sworn to her that he would never break her heart, that if the relationship were to end, it would not be from him.

Rhys was everything she had never known she wanted: Someone who loved her dearly, supported her passions. He listened to her, he supported her ideas, and called her out on bullshit. He held back her hair when she was sick, and rocked her back to sleep when she awoke from nightmares.

And so Feyre barely had to think before she replied clearly and truly, “Yes.”