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one-big-fangirl · 22 hours

Text

In The Act

Based on this request.

Pairing: Modern!Azriel x Reader

Summary: In which Cassian catches Azriel and Reader who had been trying so hard to keep their relationship a secret.

Warnings: fluff | Az openly being a perv

2.6k words

"We've got to get ready Az," I murmur into his bare shoulder and he groans, pulling the sheets over our heads. I look up at him in the darkness of the blankets. "We're going to be late," I warn but he doesn't reply and rolls over, half of his body crushing me into the mattress.

"We should just stay here all day," He says, his voice still deeper than usual with the effects of sleep.

We were supposed to meet our friends for a late breakfast in less than half an hour but Azriel and I haven't even left the bed yet.

"Az, c'mon," I ran a hand through his hair, tussling it from his face while he rolled off of me, gripping my waist and taking me with him, forcing me on top of his chest.

"I'm not ready to stop being your boyfriend yet," He sighs and a smile tugs at my lips at the sentiment. "You don't have to stop, just don't mention it," I shrug, leaning forward and pressing a tender kiss to his lips which he returned with equal devotion.

We had been keeping our relationship secret from the rest of our friends for the past month, it had been only a week after I broke up with my previous boyfriend when Az and I got together— and though I trusted everyone in my friend group to keep me and Az a secret, I couldn't risk word getting out and being eternally slut shamed for the rest of my young adulthood.

"Just wait it out a few more weeks alright? Then I promise you can tell everyone I'm all yours," I hum with a cheeky smile, slowly dragging my hands up his arms and then around the nape of his neck so my chest was flush with his.

"All mine," He says with a look in his eyes that made my heart swell.

"But only if you get ready," I slide from his lap and off the bed, despite his protests.

"Gods, you're gorgeous in the mornings," He admires as he watches me stretch, his eyes particularly staring at the way my shirt lifts to expose the curve of my ass when I extend my arms upward. I yawn and take off the oversized tee, walking towards the closet in nothing but my underwear. "So gorgeous," He mumbles, mostly to himself so I pretend not to hear, but my soft smile remains.

I picked out a simple summer dress, a pale blue color with thin straps that accentuated my figure nicely. I turn to my boyfriend, looking at him, still sprawled out in the bedsheets unabashedly staring at me with so much adoration in his gaze. The warm blankets were welcoming enough, but with him in it, the bed might as well have been screaming my name.

I walk closer, closing the distance between me and the bedside. His eyes light up like he recognizes that I'm about to crawl back into bed, but instead of clambering over him, I lean down, my nose brushing his. "If you're not ready in the next ten minutes I'm revoking kisses for the rest of the week," I warn and his eyes widen a fraction, then they oddly relax.

"You couldn't keep that up if you tried," He says with a polished grin. I shrug and then begin to back away but he catches me by the back of my neck and keeps me close. "Wait I'll get ready, just give me a kiss," He immediately switches his tone and I can't help but give in, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his lips.

"Now do I need to help you get dressed or can you get ready by yourself?" I tease as soon as I pull away and he shakes his head, playfully pushing me away as I giggle.

The car ride had been silent for the most part, other than the music playing steadily from the radio and my botched singing. But Azriel didn't mind, just placed his hand on my thigh and continued driving with a soft hum emitting through his lips.

"You ready to ignore me all breakfast?" I say with a cheeky smile as he pulls into the parking lot.

"Don't remind me," He groans and I only laugh with a light-hearted attitude. He puts the car in park and looks at me with a pout.

"I appreciate you for being patient with me," I cup his face in my hands. "I promise I'll be so good to you tonight," I grin, leaning over the center console and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"I just want to look at your ass in public without Cassian calling me out," He mutters and I chuckle, giving him an amused grin.

"How romantic," I taunt, ghosting the words over his lips. "And, because I want to take you on dates," He argues.

"Oh, I'm sure," I say, my words laced with sarcasm.

"Swear it, I can't wait to take you to your favorite restaurants," He said, fingers dancing along my thigh. I wait for him to finish that sentence. "And so I can see you in those obnoxiously tight dresses."

"There he is." I grin.

He rolls his eyes and presses his lips to mine, soft and tender, a silent goodbye because he knows that for the next hour, he won't be able to stare at me with every chance he gets. "I'll go in first, alright?" I whisper softly against his lips and he nods, pulling away and slumping into his seat.

I open the car door and give him one last look before closing it behind me. We carpooled so often it had become routine to enter a place separately, either he or I would go in first, wait a few minutes, and then the other would enter so as to not raise suspicion.

On my way inside I spotted Cassian and Nesta approaching the entrance so I held the door open, greeting them with a smile. "Morning," Cassian wiggled his brows at me and I creased my own, confused at his awfully amused tone. I look to Nesta for answers but she offers none and only gives me a smirk, doubling my confusion.

I walk behind them, following them to a table where Rhys, Feyre, and Morrigan already sat chatting. They all looked up at us with wide smiles as we seated ourselves, leaving two empty chairs to the right of me.

"I love your dress," Morrigan said from my left side, pinching the fabric between her painted nails. I smile over at her.

"Thanks, Mor," I bump her shoulder.

"How do you look so good so early in the morning?" I ask and she beams.

"It takes hard work to look this magnificent," She fans herself and I chuckle.

"It seems to pay off—" I stop my next words when someone sits beside me. I turned my head to spot Azriel doing his best to ignore me, but he was awfully obvious with the way he inched his chair closer to mine whenever adjusting his position.

"Az I haven't seen you in forever, where have you been?" I tease him, deciding that this game would be a cruel kind of fun. He looks to me, clearly unamused. But the grin on my face is contagious and sooner or later I have a gentle smile coming to his features.

"Been busy with work," He shrugs. "Plus I've been talking to this new girl," He adds.

"Who?" Morrigan gasps, now entirely interested in the gossip.

"When can we meet her?" Feyre asks with an eager smile.

"Do you like her?" Rhys crosses his arms over his chest.

"Yes, and not anytime soon," He warns the golden brunette.

"Is she the one?" I impose as a mere taunt but he looks to me with utter seriousness and a lack of hesitance.

"I think so," He answers, and something about his voice was so very honest. It was hard not to crumble into his arms, hard not to press my lips against his and melt into his every crevice.

Cassian coughs and we all look at him in concern, dropping the subject of Azriel's new girlfriend, but the tall male only dismisses us with a wave of his hand as he drinks from his water. "Don't tell me the party started without me," A familiar cold voice stated and we all looked to Amren with cheerful smiles as Rhys said, "We wouldn't dare."

Halfway into eating our food Azriel had gotten a text. I was acutely aware of everything he did, so when he pulled out his phone to check the message and choked on his food I startled. The male rarely gave away any form of a reaction so when he jumped we all looked at him confused.

But he only looked at Cassian, then to me. He discreetly passed me the phone beneath the table and then continued eating.

The message had been from Cassian, and it was not words but an image, one of me and Azriel in his car, noses touched, staring at each other with a pure expression of love. The image rocked me. Not only because it had been revealed that Cassian knew, and most likely Nesta, too, but because of the way he looked at me. I hadn't realized how obvious it must've been to all our friends that we were irrevocably in love with each other.

I look to Azriel, then to Cassian, panicked. Cassian mindlessly dug into his food as if he had no idea what he had just stirred.

"Excuse me, I fear I've grown faint," I stand, making a show out of clutching my stomach. "Oh no, do you need anything?" Feyre said with pure concern that I admired. "I'm sure it'll pass, excuse me," I clear my throat tucking my chair in then navigating my way towards the washroom.

"I'm going to check on her," Azriel silently got up, dismissing himself. "Cass, I could use some assistance," He added and the male who was gorging himself on food stopped his eating, only to look up at his brother. "Right," He set his fork down and chased after Azriel who did not wait for a reply and began to rush after me.

I stood in the secluded hallway, back leaning against the door of the female bathrooms. Two males approached and I squared my features, wondering what part it was I would be playing in front of Cassian. I looked to Azriel for answers but his stoic features offered me none.

"Care to explain?" Cassian immediately interrogated and Azriel shifted to my side so we were both facing the other male, a clear line drawn between us.

"What do you mean Cass?" I ask, feigning innocence. He deadpanned, but inevitably pulled his phone from his pocket and brought up the incriminating photo, noses touching, hands all over each other.

"That's not me," Azriel denies.

"Oh really?" Cassian zooms in on the image, putting Azriel's face so clearly on display. We both swallow thickly.

"Every person has seven doppelgängers each, must be one of them," The male shrugs innocently and I look at him with creased brows, he had to have known how ignorant that had sounded, right?

"You have the same tattoos," Cassian narrows his eyes at his brother, as if he even had to argue. He had photographic proof in his very hands, there was nothing more to be said.

"So it's just a coincidence that both of your doppelgängers are at this diner right now and I just so happened to see?" He arches a brow and we both shrug. He looks to us, then to the image, then back to us as if we were genuinely convincing him.

"Alright fine, it's us," I confess and Azriel looks at me slightly shocked, I had been the one hiding this from them for so long, it was my rule. There was no way he was going to let some stupid coincidence ruin everything he's been trying so hard to hide. "I had something in my eye, she was helping me get it out," Azriel cuts in and I crease my brows, gazing at him with an odd look. "It looks wrong I know but we're not like that, could you imagine?" The male looks at me with a scoff and I feign a laugh at the idea. "Me and Az? Psh, never," I wave him off and Cassian's features settle. "Not in a million years," Azriel seconds, patting my head the way one might to a little sister, the action making me viscerally cringe but I managed to contain it with a smile.

"Alright, whatever you say," Cass mumbles, either believing us or giving up entirely because he knows we won't give in, he puts his phone back into his pocket with a defeated expression and some part of me feels bad for lying, he had us trapped in a corner and we just kicked him until he let us go. I look to Azriel, silently communicating my pity. He shakes his head no, but I keep nodding with a mischievous smile.

"Hey, you've got something on your lip," I say, bringing my hand up to his jaw then rising onto my toes and pressing a gentle kiss to his mouth. His hand wraps around my waist, pulling me closer greedily. I press a hand to his abdomen and push him away because I know he wouldn't have let me go otherwise. "There, got it," I swipe my thumb over his bottom lip and he only stares at me with such wonder in his eyes, like he had never seen anything greater.

I look back to Cassian and he just stands there, stunned. "Am I dreaming?" He mumbled and I only laughed while Azriel's hold tightened around me.

"You can tell Nes, but no one else alright?" I warn.

"Wait— I don't get more information than that?" Cassian whisper-shouted and I shook my head. "No, no, no. I deserve an explanation, Azriel has been talking my ears off for years about how badly he wants you—" Cassian begins to expose but my boyfriend smacks a hand over the other male's mouth before he gets the chance to finish.

"We don't have to get into the logistics, we'll explain later, we've been gone for too long," Azriel grits out then removes his hand. "Go on now." He shoos him with a hand gesture that makes his brother grit his teeth, but inevitably he spins on his heel and stomps away.

I let my concealed amusement bubble out the moment he turned the corner, out of earshot. "We'll tell the others tomorrow, I doubt Cass can keep his mouth shut for long," I point out and Azriel nods with a chuckle, loosening his hold around my waist. "Alright, c'mon," I intertwine our hands, tugging him down the hall but he pulls me right back to him, my body pressing into his chest with the sudden change of momentum.

"Hold on, you've got something on your lip," He repeats, his thumb pulls at my bottom lip and I roll my eyes with a soft grin, rising onto my toes and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, warmth spreading through my body as he fills me entirely with tenderness.

"Is it gone?" I mumble when he pulls away a fraction. His gaze wanders over my lips.

"Let me check," he leans back in and I giggle into his mouth, overcome with endearment as butterflies soar in the pit of my stomach.

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one-big-fangirl · 1 day

Text

Done

Summary: you are done with the way Cassian treats you

word count: 2k

There you were yet again. Alone. Cassian had been doing this a lot recently. Avoiding you that is. It never used to be like this. In the past you couldn’t get him to leave you alone, he was obsessed with you. That was until your work took you to the continent for almost a year. Nine months if you were to be exact. Sure being away from the people you loved wasn’t the best situation to be in but yet you didn’t let that stop you. Often after a long day of playing in the world of politics you would return to your room to write each person of the inner circle a letter. Cassians was always the first to be written and sent out. The rest followed soon after. Since you physically could not be the night court you tried to find ways to remind those you loved that you did in fact love and miss them dearly. Oftentimes sending little items that reminded you of them. Hand made emblem for Rhys to stamp his papers with, beautiful paints that weren’t available in the night court for Feyre. So on and so forth.

At first everything was fine but the more time you spent on the continent the less you heard from Cassian. The first thought that crossed your mind at the lack of communication from Cass was that Rhys put him to work. Giving him something to focus on other than your lack of presence. With a quick letter to the high lord you quickly found out that was not the case. He in fact was not currently tending to anything other than his recurring requirement to his court. This was strange.

Something you had learned in your time with Cassian was that sometimes you just simply did not have enough energy to deal with another person, let alone have a conversation with them. So you slowed down the letters you were sending but never failing to remind him that you loved him and couldn’t wait to be home once more and if you were able to visit then you would. Sometimes he would acknowledge the letters you sent, sometimes he wouldn’t. If he sent a letter to you he would oftentimes disregard what you said about missing him, simply brushing past what you said as if it held no significance. This didn’t happen right away of course, no, it was a slow and minute thing that happened over time. When he first stoped sharing your feeling of longing and want to be with the other person you didn’t mind, figuring that he was enjoying some time alone without you but by month six you were concerned, exhausted, sad and overall hurt and frustrated. This lead you to calling him out on his actions in your next letter. “What is going on? We barley talk, when I offer to come visit you say no, when I ask for you to come here instead you say no. Ive tried just about everything to see you but yet you never do the same for me. I find it quite ironic how every time I think I will have enough time to return home you suddenly are very busy, but yet when I ask Rhysand if that is the case it isn’t. You never have enough time in your days for me but you always have more then enough time to spend with your friends. You will pick literally anything and anyone else over me. Why is that? Do you not love me anymore? Am I not good enough? If you don’t feel the same or want to be in this relationship then please let me know because I can’t do this.”

Cassian obviously talked you down from the ledge of a breakup reassuring you that he did in fact love you; he was just busy with everything happening within the inner circle especially since he was the peacekeeper between Rhysand and Nesta. Bregurgenly you accepted his answer not without reminding him that what he did was not ok and he needed to change his behavior. Immediately he agreed stating that he saw how it was a problem and needed to do better.

But better never came. Three months had passed since that argument and almost a month more had passed since you returned home. It was mind blowing how even upon your return back to the night court Cassian never came to see you. Not once. Once again something or someone else always needed him more. With a defeated heart and building anger you accepted each of his excuses in hope that he would one day return the effort you were putting in the relationship. That day never came. Rhysand wanted to see you after your long excursion across the ocean and to a foreign land. He also needed a report from you in full but that was neither here or there. Once at the river house Rhys greeted you with a big smile and open arms, inviting you into a very much needed hug. “How are you my friend?” the question was asked as your high lord led you to his office “I’ve been better but you know how that goes.” Rhysand frowns at your answer “Continue on. What do you mean by that?” sighing you deflate in the chair across from him. “It’s Cassian. I asked him when we could see each other and he said he was busy this weekend and last but I know he was just here. I can smell him. If he was just here, why couldn’t he have stayed and finally acknowledged my existence for the first time since I’ve gotten home?” Rhys simply nodded his head in understanding sensing you had more you needed to get off of your chest. He was right about that. “And then when I asked about seeing him this weekend he said he was busy celebrating the new Valkyries. Like seriously? C’mon. You can’t spare five minutes of your day to say hi, how are you?”

“I see why you have been better.” with another heavy sigh you nod while closing your eyes to stop the burning sensation of oncoming tears from succeeding in their mission. “Not even that but he doesn’t even talk to me anymore. I will try and try and try but it's like he couldn’t be less interested in what I have to say. If I don’t say anything first we would never talk. Gods, we don’t talk. Actually now that I think of it I can’t remember the last time we had a conversation that lasted for more then five minutes. That is when he can pencil me into his very busy schedule.” You felt Rhysands observing eyes take note of your completely exhausted appearance. And the drained feeling radiating off of you. It wasn’t from the trip. He knew that much. “Y/n my dear you need to talk to him about this.” the first sigh of your impending breakdown was your wobbling lip being pressed inbetween your teeth and the deep breath you take to stop yourself from crying. It was not successful as tears freely made their way down your cheeks. Rhysand saw it then. You were not angry, or frustrated you were simply done being treated this way. You knew what you needed to do but your heart hadn’t let you. “I have talked to him about this. All I do is talk and talk and talk.” A broken laugh makes it way out at how completely stupid you feel. “I’m done talking. He has shown me time and time again just how exactly he feels about me. You prioritize the people you love. And I am no longer a priority.” Finally opening your eyes you see those stunning violet eyes staring back. At first it felt like pity but the longer you looked the more you recognized the true emotion displayed. Empathy. Oftentimes you forgot Rhys could look into people's minds but as you felt the gentle nudge in your head asking for permission to see what had been going on you allowed it. A few moments pass as he shuffled through your memories before he finally retreated to his own mind. “Y/n my dear you don’t deserve that. You know this right.” You couldn’t find it in yourself to verbally respond to him so instead you simply nodded your head while trying to hold back the tsunami of tears fighting to be released. “I know.” you whispered

Getting Cassian to yourself was no easy feat. The first few failed attempts resulted in getting Rhysand involved as much as you hated having to do so. But this conversation was much needed and you knew you would never feel content with your decision unless you were able to talk with the male face to face. There in that exact office where you had cried to your closest friend about your relationship being in shambles is where you now stood in front of Cassian who was silently sitting in the chair in front of you. “We should break up.” That finally got his attention. As soon as Rhysand revealed that the pretend meeting was just a ploy to get him in the same room as you, Cassian had shut down completely. Now he was staring at you with wide eyes and an open mouth. “I have tired and tired to get you to care about me and I am done trying. I am tired.” Cassian tried to speak but with the raise of your hand he was quick to close his mouth. “Everything else in your life has taken more priority in your life than me, and I am not saying that I am the most important person in your life because I am not. But I have been begging for you to give me even an ounce of your attention and you can’t even do that so I am done. I am done begging you to allow me in your life, hell to even want me in your life in the first place. I will not continue to beg and plead for you to show me you care because it is quite obvious that you don’t and that you haven’t for a very long time. This is not how you treat someone you love. I would know because I would never do the same to you.” Cassian stood abruptly closing the distance between the two of you causing you to take an equal about of steps back from him. Seeing the hurt flash in his eyes brought you a sense of disbelief. Only when you are about to walk away does he finally show interest in you again. How ironic. “Please don’t do this. Don’t leave me. I can do better, I can be better.” His whisper of words are overshadowed by the laugh falling from your lips. “That is what you have been saying for months and yet you never change. Sure you do better for like a week and then everything is back to normal. It's time to face the music, Cassian. This relationship is over. It has been for months. I was the only one putting in effort and you honestly can’t believe that I would continue to stick around when you don’t do the same. Relationships are two-sided and you know that but yet I was all alone.”

Swiftly you move past him and his outstretched arm. Only stopping once you reach the threshold of the doors. You don’t look back as you speak “I hope you are a better partner for Nesta.” Cassian remains silent as you pull open the door. Rolling your shoulders back you stand tall as you make your way down the hallway lined with Rhysand and Azriel. Finally you had set yourself free from the person who valued you the least. Outside of the River house you took in Velaris one last time. Life on the continent was calling and you couldn’t fathom telling it no. Something in your soul had changed walking out of that room. Something no male could ever take away from you again. Happiness. And for the first time in your life you finally understood what it meant to put yourself first.

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one-big-fangirl · 1 day

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Hiiiii I love your writing!! May I request Azriel x Reader, where reader gets amnesia. She’s Illyrian and was hurt by Illyrian men, so she’s scared of Az because she doesn’t remember him. Then wonderful angst because he never thought she’d be afraid of him, so he avoids her and is heartbroken. Then something happens, maybe he’s forced to interact with her or he says something specific, and her memories come back, so happy ending! Feel free to ignore if you don’t want to write this, thank you!💙

Hi lovely! Thank you so much for reading my work and for your request! I hope you like the story! 💙

Divider is once again from @tsunami-of-tears, eternally grateful to you for your creativity!

Dazelroot Daze

An Azriel x Reader imagine

Warnings: angst, poisoning, swearing, allusions to abuse / previous SA.

"Rhys, I am not cut out for this kind of mission - why did you not send Nesta!"

You huff to yourself as you climb the uneven stairs through the prison, following closely behind Rhys. You hated coming in here, and hated having to interact with the Bone Carver even more. You patted your back pocket, checking your gifted bone for him was still there, before climbing yet another stairwell.

"Y/n, you know I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't necessary. I can't exactly send Nesta in here even if she's only early in her pregnancy, they would sense it a mile off and she'd be a target. Not to mention, I don't fancy getting pummelled by Cassian for letting his pregnant mate in here".

You knew he was right, but it didn't make this any easier. You struggled through another narrow doorframe, trying to avoid smacking your wings against the wood, and stood in front of a metal gate. You hear Rhys hum to himself.

"What's wrong?".

"I've never seen a gate here before, this should be an open walkway".

You begin to feel uneasy as you see Rhys take a step back.

"Rhys?"

Before you can get another word out, you feel a powder cover your face, filling your nose and mouth, causing you to choke. You try to call out for help, but you can't get anything out, breathing becoming harder and harder. You hear Rhys distantly calling your name but you can't respond, can't move, all you can do is drop to the floor, your legs giving out from underneath you.

"Get Madja, now!"

Rhys' voice bellowed through the River House as he winnowed in carrying your lifeless body and placed your down on the living room sofa. The rest of the Inner Circle descended on the pair of you, including Azriel. When he saw your pale body, arm hanging off the sofa, his heart sank. He grabbed Rhys by the collar.

"What the fuck happened?"

Rhys didn't have time to answer before Madja appeared in the room, pushing everyone to the side and leaning over your body. Silence descended on the room as she ran tests, took bloods, checked your vitals - all the while your eyes remained closed and your body limp.

"She has been poisoned with a plant known as Dazelroot. It is highly toxic and can only be found in some very remote parts of the Spring Court. Thankfully, it looks like this particular strain was either incorrectly handled or extremely dried out, as it hasn't taken hold quite as potently as it should have. She will be ok, in that she will live, but we won't know the consequences until she wakes up".

"The consequences?", Feyre asks.

"I have never seen a person be poisoned with Dazelroot and live to tell the tale. We won't know what it will do to her until she wakes".

Feyre sobbed silently, her shoulders shaking. Nesta joined her, the sisters holding each other through their sadness. Cassian could only watch in horror as Azriel fell to his knees next to your body and cried into your shoulder.

"Madja, what can we do?", Rhys asks, wringing his hands.

"There's nothing, Rhys. We have to let her wake, and see what happens next. I'll be on hand, as will my assistants. Call us as soon as she wakes up".

Rhys shook Madja's hand and allowed her to leave, his grief weighing down on his shoulders heavily. It was his fault that you were in the prison, that he hadn't seen the trap beforehand, that you were the one to be poisoned. He tried to reach for Azriel, but Azriel swatted his hand away.

"Don't touch me", he gritted, his face still buried in your shoulder.

Rhys could do nothing but watch as his family fell apart in front of him.

It took 6 days for you to wake. 6 agonising days of your family watching your chest rise and fall, terrified that you would never again open your eyes. But you did.

Your eyes opened, and fell on Feyre's face.

"SHE'S AWAKE", Feyre called to your family, reaching out for your hand. You let her take it, but she couldn't overlook the confusion she saw in your eyes, the hesitancy of your body to let her touch you.

The room filled with your family and your eyes settled on a pair of Illyrian wings. Male Illyrian wings. Trauma racked through your body, memories of your life at the Illyrian camps, wing-clipping, assault, and you couldn't hold back your scream as you pulled your body up the bed, as close as you could get to the headboard.

"Y/n?", Azriel said gently, attempting to approach you. He froze when he realised it was him that you were trying to get away from.

Madja burst through the door at that moment, having been summoned by Rhys the moment he heard Feyre's shouts. She saw the blankness in your eyes the second she looked at you, and her eyes fell pityingly to Azriel.

"Hi y/n, I'm Madja, a healer here in the Night Court".

Your family looked at each other in pure confusion. You knew who Madja was. She'd been the family's healer for centuries. Why was she acting like you'd never met before?

Madja carried out her assessment before providing you a sleeping tonic. Once your body settled back into the pillows, looking more at peace than you had when you had woken up, she turned to Rhys.

"The Dazelroot has caused amnesia. She doesn't remember anything after her life after the Illyrian camps".

Rhys shook his head. "Ok, but when will her memory come back?".

Rhys saw the look on Madja's face and his stomach somersaulted.

"Will her memory come back?"

Madja placed a hand gentle on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Rhys, there's no way to know".

She turned to Azriel, tears falling down his cheeks. He had realised that you had forgotten him, forgotten your mateship, the love you had shared for centuries. You only remembered the trauma you had faced at the hands of Illyrian males, males that bore the same wings as him. He had realised, seeing the look on your face, that you were afraid of him.

"You can try to offer her gentle reminders. It might break through the amnesia cloud. But there's nothing more we can do".

Madja departed, leaving your family to process the news. You didn't remember any of them.

17 months later

It had been 17 months since the incident, and your memory hadn't come back.

Feyre, Nesta, Elain and Mor had made it their mission to rebuild the friendship that you had had with them - regularly taking you out for brunch, shopping, and nights out at Rita's. Over time, you developed a new bond with them, and had started to trust them.

You had also re-kindled your friendship with Rhys and Lucien, the males giving you distance but engaging with you as often as possible, mostly through Feyre and Elain.

But Azriel and Cassian, you couldn't be near. Their wings reminded you too much of the trauma you had faced in the camps. Reminded you that your own wings had been clipped. Reminded you of the males that had used you for their own entertainment. Anytime they tried to approach you, their wings pinned as tightly as possible behind their backs, your body began to involuntarily shake and your eyes would fill with tears.

It had broken Azriel. He had become a shell of the former male he was. He started to withdraw from family dinners, he gave up his morning training. Azriel had slowly started to descend into a downward spiral, feeling the mating bond cold on the other end. His family had tried their best to help, but Azriel wanted for nothing but you. He locked himself in his bedroom most days and nights, seeking solitude in the shadows.

That was why, when his family decided to visit Sevenda's restaurant that evening, Azriel had ignored the inviting knock on his door. He didn't want to make it harder for you seeing him sitting at the other end of the table. He waited for the footsteps to pad away before grabbing a bottle of Whiskey from the shelf and pouring himself a generous glass.

Several hours later, Azriel was sat in bed with his book when he heard commotion. It sounded like crying, but it was pained. He sat up, listening out, when he heard it again - this time closer to his door. He thought everyone was out at Sevenda's, or maybe Rita's now, but there was unmistakably someone wandering through the hallway.

Azriel cracked open his door and peered out. At the end of the hallway, gripping the window pane, he saw your small frame huddled over. The scent of blood filled the air. Azriel panicked. He knew how bad your cycles were from the centuries you had spent together, that you needed help desperately, but right now he was the only one in the house with you, and you were terrified of him.

"Y/n?", he called out gently, trying not to startle you with his presence. He watched you turn slowly, your eyes wide in alarm.

"It's ok, it's just your cycle", he whispered, raising his arms to show you that he was not going to hurt you. You whimpered slightly, clutching the window pane so hard your knuckles had gone white.

"Can I help you?", he asked, not daring to move. You looked at him, his wings, your body shaking. But you knew you were helpless, not sure you could get yourself back to your bed even if you tried with all your might. So, you took a deep breath, and gave him a timid nod.

Azriel walked slowly towards you, his hands in front of him, and when he reached you he carefully put a hand forward to touch your shoulder. You shuddered, but didn't pull away.

"I'm going to take you back to your room, ok?". You could only nod as Azriel scooped you into his arms and walked you slowly back towards your room.

He placed you down carefully at your dressing table and silently walked into your bathroom, the sound of running water filling the room. Whilst the bath ran, you watched him strip the soiled sheets from your bed and replace them with fresh ones, putting a pair of your pyjamas neatly folded at the end. He then offered you his hand and guided you to the bathroom.

"Do you need some help?".

You didn't want to admit it, but you did. You could barely stand up under your own weight.

Azriel turned away from you to allow you to undress, holding a hand behind his back for guidance as you carefully lowered yourself into the bath. Once you were in, and hidden under the bubbles, you turned to look at him. At his wings. You had never known an Illyrian male to be so gentle. So calming. Even sat here alone in a bath with him in the room, you felt comfortable. You felt safe.

"Azriel?", you whispered.

"Would you like me to leave you be?" he asked, his back still turned to give you privacy.

"No".

You saw Azriel's shoulders sag slightly with relief, but he still kept his back to you.

"Please could you pass me that bottle over there, the green one?"

Azriel walked over to the counter to pick up the shampoo bottle and attempted to hand it to you behind his back, still not facing you. You giggled as he offered the bottle out to the empty end of the bath.

"It's ok, I'm hidden in the bubbles".

Azriel turned, his eyes not leaving your face, as he handed the bottle to you. You took it, pouring some into your hand, and he watched you wince as you raised your arms above your body to your hair, stretching your stomach.

"May I?", he asked quietly. You nodded, handing the bottle to him. Azriel knelt down behind your head, pouring the shampoo into his hands and massaging it into your hair. The moment his hands touched you, you felt a calming peace descend over you, and you closed your eyes to bask in it. You were about to ask him to rub it into the nape of your neck, your favourite place, when you felt his hands move there instinctively. A jolt went through your body, and Azriel jumped backwards.

"Are you ok?"

You turned to face him, his leathers covered in water, bubbles and shampoo suds, and looked down at his scarred hands. Visions flew through your mind of his hands in your hair, his hands offering to feed you grapes on your honeymoon to the Summer Court, his hands touching your body, his hands placing a ring on yours at your mating ceremony, his hands holding out your cup of coffee to you every morning - black, just how you liked it.

You reached out to take them, feeling every emotion come flooding back to you. A tug at your chest made you look up, as Azriel's filled with tears.

"My mate", you whispered.

"My mate", he replied, his head moving to rest on your forehead.

You held each other, the bath water turning cold and the bubbles melting away, allowing all your love and devotion to flow to each other through the bond. Forgotten, but never gone.

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one-big-fangirl · 1 day

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one thing that was missing from psych was an amnesia episode. imagine shawn forgets he's supposed to act like he's a real psychic so he just starts pointing out the clues he sees and everyone is like what???

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one-big-fangirl · 3 days

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Blood Tether

Azriel x Reader

Summary: After the mating bond snapped you made the decision to keep it from Azriel, thinking he was in the process of pursuing Elain. When a horrible attack leaves the shadowsinger badly injured, your secret gets revealed.

Warnings: Graphic description of injury, angst, fluff

Word count: 2.2k

You stood in front of the huge windows in the River House overlooking the gardens, arms crossed in front of your body, watching him. Well, him and Elain.

Azriel had been the sole thing on your mind for months, ever since you joined the Valkyries. Nesta was looking forward to a fun night at Rita’s, drinking and dancing, that ended with the both of you talking and laughing at one of the luxurious mahogany tables as if you’d known each other for years. You’d been inseparable since, which inevitably also included Cassian, who’d also become a close confidante for you. Feyre was the one who introduced you to her family, after you helped her make her final escape from Spring. You’d come far from the maid you were in Tamlins manner, to the fighter you’d become, a transformation that left you deeply in depth to the high lady. Something she’d never accept, if you were to say it out loud.

When you discovered your mating bond with Rhysand’s spymaster a few months ago, you were confused, but happy. The first time the two of you had met, you instantly felt drawn to him and his hypnotizing beauty. One early morning during training you’d suddenly felt a snap and a warm excitement in your chest, a string of gold connecting you to him. It took you days of contemplating how you’d tell him, and when you’d finally gathered the courage it was the way he looked at Elain, that made you stop in your tracks and leave the plan behind like an intrusive thought.

“You should tell him, or stop staring. You’re torturing yourself.” Cassian said, startling you. You’d told him and Nesta the same night you abandoned your mission to tell him about your bond, after getting mindlessly drunk and crying your heart out.

“I can’t. Look how happy he is, it would be disgustingly selfish.”

Cassian sighed, “maybe he’s returning your feelings, you don't know that.”

You scoffed and rolled your eyes.

“Does he look like a male who has trouble determining where his affections lie?” You asked sarcastically pointing at your mate and the alluring seer next to him. Cassian gave up, laid his heavy arm around your shoulders and pulled you with him.

A few days later Rhysand had sent Cassian and Azriel on a mission together, overlooking the illyrian camps. The overall atmosphere in the camps had been getting more tense for a while now, leaving the high lord no other choice than to send his brothers to try and make amends. Nesta and you had met at the House of Wind for breakfast.

“Nes, something feels off this time, I’m kinda worried about them.” You told your friend, taking a sip from your steaming peppermint tea.

“They’re going to be fine, Y/N. They always are.” She said with a reassuring smile, but you knew she sensed it too. Afterwards you sat in the library, distracting yourselves by reading your favorite romance books to each other. Nesta giggled as she read you a specifically seductive chapter, when you heard a loud bang followed by commotion in the sitting room next door. Both of you jumped out of the cushioned chairs, running as fast as your legs could sprint. The sight before you was horrifying. Cassian held Azriel’s limp body in his arms, carrying him over to the sofa, laying him down gently despite the tremor and adrenaline pumping through him.

“What happened?” Nesta asked, already starting to gather supplies. You stood in the middle of the room, eyes wide open in utter shock. He was badly injured, looked barely alive. His abdomen was ripped open, blood leaked from countless wounds scattered all over his immaculate skin. Several bones looked out of place framed by bruises in various colors of blue and green.

“I- I don’t… we were just… they had ash arrows and suddenly Az was gone… when I found him, he was…” Cassian sobbed, unable to continue speaking.

“It’s okay, we have to get Madja.” She said and you could tell she was screaming for Feyre and Rhysand in her mind. Seconds later, they appeared, Rhys immediately nodding towards his mate and winnowing back out, returning with the seasoned healer just a few moments later.

The tumult had also lured Elain to the sitting room, who gasped when she saw Azriel and started crying, throwing her hand in front of her mouth. All you could do was watch. The despair was unbearable, the bond inside you practically screaming and for once you were glad he wasn’t able to receive any of it on the other end. Madja started working rapidly, her experienced hands hovering over Azriel’s lifeless form to analyze the damage dealt. Uncertainty and worry flashed her features, making you wince. “Can you help him?” Rhys asked, trying desperately to stay as calm as possible, but even the high lord of the Night Court couldn’t hide the anguish of the possibility of losing one of his brothers.

“Let me do my work, high lord.” She simply replied and Feyre petted his arm, dragging him towards a chair to sit down on. Cassian was on the floor, still sobbing silently, elbows on his outstretched legs, head in his hands. Nesta was by his side, rubbing soothing circles on his back, her eyes switching between the injured spymaster and you. When you met her gaze, there was unwavering sympathy in her silver eyes and a sense of relief that it wasn’t her own mate she had to watch fighting for his life.

An hour went by and nobody dared to speak a single word out of fear to interrupt the healers routine. Azriel didn’t seem to stabilize much and you wanted nothing more than to hold the blood smeared hand hanging beside him, comforting him. “There must be something- anything we can do.” Cassian interrupted your thoughts, pacing the room.

“I assure you, I’m doing all I can, general.” Madja said calm and collected, focusing sharply on her work. Cassian hesitated a short while, before asking “What about a mate? When Rhys was injured he drank Feyre’s blood and healed faster.” Your heart stopped beating at the question, veins turning ice cold, panic running through every fiber of your being. Nesta shot you an apologetic look.

“Well, technically, if he had a mate, that could work, yes.” The healer replied and the room was dead silent, air thick with confusion and hope. Cassian looked at you, a new wave of tears streaming from his eyes and you knew he was sorry, but nothing mattered anymore. The thought of saving your mate was all consuming and ripped you out of your stupor. Rhys and Feyre seemed to be talking mind to mind, but they couldn’t hide the surprise of the sudden news, embarrassment hitting you. Madja turned to you “are you his mate?” you nodded at the question.

“Give me your arm.” She commanded and you rolled up your sleeve while rushing to her side, sitting next to her. “It will sting a bit.” She took a blade from her bag and sliced through the delicate skin of your bottom arm making you grimace in pain. Madja gripped your wrist and pulled your forearm over Azriel’s face, carefully placing the bleeding wound on top of his slightly parted lips. You felt the blood run into his mouth and first you were afraid it could choke him, but even though he was unconscious Azriel eventually started swallowing. Everybody watched tensely. “That’s enough.” She said and you slowly removed yourself from Azriel. While Madja healed the cut on your arm, your other hand reluctantly moved to his face and tenderly brushed away a lock of his ebony hair.

“I think you just saved his life.” She said, getting up from the floor next to the sofa Azriel laid on. “He needs to rest now, I will return tomorrow to check on him.” She gave a stern nod to Rhysand signaling that it was time for her departure.

The room was awfully still, heavy breaths and sobs lingered in the wide space. Cassian's eyes remained on his brother when he addressed you “I’m sorry, Y/N.”

“It’s alright.” Your mouth was dry and your heart was aching.

“I’ll bring him to his bedroom.” Cassian said and Nesta took you into her arms as he walked off with your mate and your body started shaking as you weeped into her shoulder.

Three days had passed and Azriel had yet to wake up. Madja checked in several times a day, making sure his condition kept getting better. At least that was what you’d gathered from the updates Nesta gave you. You had barricaded yourself into your apartment in the city. Even though Azriel being alive was the most important thing, you felt such shame at the thought of your mating bond being revealed like that. Were you even worthy of him? His beauty? Did his family think the cauldron made a terrible mistake? And what about Elain? She had remained completely stoic during the ordeal. She must be furious at you.

A knock sounded on your door and it took all your remaining willpower for you to get out of your bed. The door was only halfway open before Nesta started speaking, “he’s awake.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s asking for you.”

“Does he know?”

“Rhys showed him what happened.”

A sigh escaped your body and tears stung your eyes once again and you were surprised you even had any left.

“It’s gonna be fine, just come with me.”

“I can’t, Nes. I’m mortified.”

“You just saved someone's life and you're mortified?” Her strict face sometimes reminded you of Amren, it was obvious they spent a lot of time together.

“I know how this is going to go, he’s going to thank me for saving him and tell me he’s with Elain. I simply can’t bear it, I’m sorry.” You were already closing the door again, when Nesta put her foot in the gap, preventing it from shutting.

“Alright, you listen to me. You are delusional and I may have had the patience for it when nobody knew of the bond, since it was your secret to tell, but now I’m really running out of it. So you can either come with me voluntarily, or I will put the gods damned mask on if I have to, but you are coming with me.” The door slowly swung open, Nesta’s cold stare boring into you. “Am I making myself clear?” She asked when you remained mute. “Crystal.” You replied and turned around to gather your shoes and a coat.

The House of Wind seemed so eery when you arrived. Cassian apologized several more times while flying you up, but you assured him that it was fine.

When you reached Azriel’s room you paused, standing still in the hallway for just a moment, taking a deep shaky breath before reaching for the doorknob. Azriel was already sitting up, smiling at you, “hey.” He said softly and you walked towards him cautiously.

“H- how are you feeling?” You asked after you reached the side of his bed.

“Glad to be alive, thanks to you.” He answered and pointed to the free space on the edge of the mattress for you to sit.

“I mean it. Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” You wanted to die, right there on the spot. Here you were, with your mate, the male you had pined over for months and you couldn’t even form a coherent sentence.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked eventually.

“Because I saw you with Elain and I thought it would be… I don’t know, Az, what was I supposed to do? Ruin your relationship?”

“What? What are you talking about? What relationship?” He tried to sit up higher and groaned at the motion.

“You are always together and I see the way you look at her…”

“We are not- we are not together, Y/N.” Azriel reached for your hand that you leaned on, brushing his fingers over yours.

“I’ve been fulfilling my orders. Rhysand told me to help her transition into this new life. We’re friends, that’s it. In fact, she’s on a date in the city with Lucien, right now.”

“Oh…” Was all that left you, the touch of his hand leaving you startled.

“You have no idea…” Azriel scoffed, “I’ve been trying to find a way to ask you out for months now. I just didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“What? Why would you think that?”

“Because you basically run away from me everytime I approach you.”

“That’s ‘cause I’m in love with you and I thought you were with someone else!” You said accusingly before even realizing what you’d said.

“You’re in love with me?” He asked, wearing the most shit eating grin.

“Yes…” you answered, voice barely above a whisper.

“You’re not disappointed?” You asked him and Azriel reached for your face, pulling himself upward until he was close enough to place a supple kiss on your lips.

“No, not at all.” He said, gazing at your parted mouth before kissing you so deeply that it left you dizzy. When you cut off the kiss to get some air, your foreheads rested against each other. Azriel suddenly sent a deep feeling of love and appreciation down the tether and when it reached you, it almost brought you to your knees.

“You can feel the bond?” You asked him surprised and he nodded.

“It snapped right when you walked in.”

Tags: @starsinyourseyes @lilah-asteria

I hope you enjoyed it, please let me know if you'd like to be tagged in anything! ✨

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one-big-fangirl · 3 days

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'Boom' would've been five minutes long if it had starred Eleven because no force in the universe could've forced him to stand still for more than three seconds.

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one-big-fangirl · 3 days

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Body and Soul | Azriel x reader

Summary: Azriel and his love are still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship and spend some time discovering each other’s stories and bodies (in a wholesome way lol).

This is part of my oneshot-series Crush and can be read separately.

A/N: YOU GUYS THIS IS SO ADORABLE I WAS KICKING MY FEET WRITING THIS. We have domesticity, we have touching, we may have the first “I love you”s 🤭 I think timeline-wise it would be situated between Every Time We Touch and Apple Pies and Family Ties.

Word count: 2812

Warnings: fluff of the teeth-rottingly sweet kind, brief talk of injury, death and loss (of a parent)

Azriel's eyes were closed, his breathing as calm as it had rarely ever been before. He kept his hands resting loosely on her thighs, his head leaning against the headboard as he revelled in the way her fingers felt on his skin.

He loved these moments with her—moments of warmth and comfort in the quiet privacy of her home when the only sound he could hear was the steady beating of her heart.

"Where's this one from?" she asked into the silence of the room.

Azriel opened his eyes to find her gaze already on him.

He followed the smooth length of her arm from where she sat straddling his hips to find her fingertips brushing along a silvery five-inch scar on the right side of his ribcage.

"Knife," he spoke quietly, pushing his own palms a bit higher on her bare thighs for his fingers to slip beneath the hem of her shirt. Well, his shirt. It looked good on her. "First war with Hybern."

She hummed, flattening her palm over the scar before letting it slip to the wide patch of uneven tissue just above his hip bone.

"And this one?"

"Sword. Windhaven."

Her brows shot up at that. "You stab each other during training?"

Azriel observed her, watching the way she tracked her eyes along the exposed planes of his skin, as though taking stock of all the injuries he’d obtained over the centuries.

"It's considered natural selection," he said. "If you take a killing blow, you weren't good enough to be a true Illyrian warrior anyway."

She blinked at that, meeting his gaze as though searching for something before moving back to his scars—this time to one that sat on his left pec, breaking the accurate lines of his winding tattoos.

"Was this a knife too?"

The tingle of her touch seeped right into his chest as she ran the very tip of her finger over his skin.

"No," Azriel said. "An arrow."

Alarm entered her features, her hand stilling. "You took an arrow to the heart?"

Azriel smiled, his fingers wrapping around her wrist to drag her palm a little closer to the centre of his chest, his own hand covering hers as he pressed it to his skin.

"Actually, my heart is here." He could feel it pick up its pace at her touch, and he knew she felt it too.

"Azriel," she mumbled, concern in the crease between her brows. Though, when he lifted his free hand to smooth the pad of his thumb across it, the crease disappeared.

"It was a graze," he spoke quietly. "It came from the side."

She looked at him for a long while then and Azriel felt naked beneath her gaze. Well, he was. Naked. But it was more than that. Like she could glimpse into the very essence of his soul.

"Did you ever get close?"

Azriel tilted his head in question.

"To dying," she clarified, her voice so quiet it seemed she was afraid to even entertain the thought.

He contemplated it for a moment. "It depends on what you'd consider coming close."

"Close like ..." she tilted her head. "Like a wound that would have killed you quickly if a healer hadn't gotten to you as fast as they did."

Azriel released a long breath through his nose. "Only once."

When the worry still shone bright as day in the beautiful depths of her face, Azriel offered a gentle smile and lowered his palms back to her thighs, squeezing her warm flesh once.

"I have an advantage, you see," he said, sending a shadow to brush against the delicate skin of her throat until she smiled and lifted her hand to banish the tickling sensation with a wave. "They warn me. They can pluck flying arrows from the air and winnow me across a field when things get tight. They rarely miss things."

"But they did miss once?"

Azriel once again sought out her hand on his chest, and when he moved it to cover the offending patch of scar tissue on his side this time, she sighed softly.

"It was when we went to Hybern to steal the Cauldron," he explained. "I got shot, and the arrow was poisoned."

She stared at the spot that was now covered by her hand, her thumb moving in slow strokes against him.

Azriel observed the tiny changes in her expression, and when she'd remained silent for a long while, he asked, "What are you thinking?"

She hesitated. "I'm thinking that your body is ... mesmerising." Azriel's heart stumbled at that, and her eyes shot back to his as though she'd heard.

"I mean it," she said, moving both palms to the sides of his neck before gently tracking them along the lengths of his arms. "It's a work of art made up of all the things that made you who you are. All the things you survived."

He thought about the scars of varying sizes littering the skin of his back, his legs, his arms. The countless scars on his wings. His hands.

His entire body was a stark contrast of jagged skin in comparison to the perfection of hers.

When she reached his hands, she lifted them to her lips, and her eyes closed as she breathed a kiss to his knuckles. "You're beautiful."

Azriel couldn't help but stare at her.

Nobody had ever called him ... beautiful before. Attractive, sure. Handsome, many times. He knew the effect he had on people—Cassian had reminded him often enough—but beautiful? The thought had never even entered his mind, and he could tell from the look in her eyes that she knew.

Her lips met his then—her kiss sweet, innocent, like the first time they'd kissed on that bridge by the Sidra—and Azriel felt like he was floating. Somehow, she always tasted so damn good, her body always warm, her touch always gentle. Azriel could have lost himself in her and he would have been grateful for it.

Clearing his throat when she pulled back, Azriel took his hands from her to slip them back beneath her shirt, palms coming to a rest on the sides of her ribcage, thumb stroking over the patch of skin he knew carried the little seashell tattoo.

“You never told me why you have that tattoo,” he spoke quietly, grateful when all she did was offer one of her kindest smiles rather than calling him out on his blatant inability to take a compliment.

“I got it for my mother after she died,” she said, palms stoking down his chest to come to a rest on his stomach. “She was born in the Summer Court.”

“What happened to her?” Azriel asked quietly.

He watched intently as her eyes began to grow distant, sinking deep into a memory, the smile on her lips fading.

“She died in the attack on Velaris.” She swallowed, watching her hands as they stroked Azriel’s skin. “One of those … things burst through the window of her shop. It was already half-dead, but it thrashed as it died, and she … well, she stood too close.” She hummed as she thought of that day, tilting her head, her eyes still focussed on her hands. “It’s where I got the scar on my hip, too. A flying piece of glass.” She huffed. “A ridiculous injury, really.”

Azriel’s breathing came to a halt as his heart broke for her, shame overcoming him as he thought of the day Velaris was attacked by Hybern. If the beast had been dying as it burst through her mother’s window, it meant that either Azriel, Cassian or Feyre had likely struck it only moments before. If they’d done a better job, if they’d been a little more thorough … how many lives could they have saved had they given a little more?

“I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice suddenly thick.

She smiled then, though it didn’t reach her eyes as she finally looked at him. “It’s okay. I’ve mourned, and I’ve grieved, and part of me still does, but … it’s okay. I’m just— … I’m devastated that she never got to meet you. She would have adored you.”

Azriel took one of his hands from her ribs to cup her cheek instead, his thumb gentle as it ran along the soft skin beneath her eye. Her smile seemed to grow a little at his touch, head leaning into his palm.

“Did you get the tattoo in her memory?”

She nodded. “She had one exactly like it on her wrist. She got it as a memory of her home when she fell in love with my father and moved to the Night Court. He died when I was an infant, but she’d already fallen in love with Velaris by then and so she stayed and raised me alone. We always planned for me to get a matching tattoo when she took me to Summer for the first time. But … well, she died before we made it there, so I had it done in the city.”

Azriel stared at her. “You’ve never been to Summer?”

She lifted a shoulder. “We planned to go once I’d turned twenty, but then Amarantha came, and nobody was allowed to leave Velaris. And when Amarantha was gone, we still couldn’t cross court borders, so ...”

“So, to this day, you’ve never left this city?”

She gave a self-deprecating smile, scrunching her nose in the way he adored. “I guess I’m a bit of a homebody.”

Azriel twirled a strand of her hair around his finger with a twinge of sadness to his smile. “You’re very lucky to have had such a loving mother,” he spoke quietly. “I would have loved meeting her.”

She sighed deeply then, her expression brightening considerably as though she was forcing painful memories back into the cupboard she kept them in.

“I choose to believe that she’s with me every day. The world is a magical place, so she must know about you, and I’m sure she’s incandescently happy for me.” She leaned forward then, grinning as her nose bumped his. “Seeing as I landed an absolute catch.”

Azriel chuckled quietly, weaving his fingers through her hair when she breathed a sweet kiss to his lips.

Humming, he moved both his hands to hold her head then, looking up at her with all the love he felt for her.

And he did.

By the gods, he loved her. He’d have to work up the courage to tell her soon.

“Close your eyes,” he mumbled when she kept her attentive eyes on him—eyes that now narrowed a fraction.

“Why?” she asked, a note of teasing suspicion in her tone. “Are you going to hand me a bug?”

Azriel blinked. “What?”

“The last guy who told me to close my eyes and open my hand handed me a bug.”

“I won’t hand you a bug.” Azriel pressed another quick kiss to her lips. “I promise.”

“Fine,” she sighed, and when he leaned back to look at her, her eyes were closed, a small smile on her lips. “But be aware that the course of our relationship could very much depend on whether or not you’re handing me a bug next.”

Azriel tried to ignore the joyous skipping of his heart at her choice of words. Relationship.

“I wouldn’t dream of betraying your trust like that,” he smiled, observing her face closely. “Just trust me and keep your eyes closed.”

She felt warm palms on her cheeks, her own hands still resting on Azriel’s bare chest as she sat straddling him with her eyes closed, revelling in the moment.

She had no idea why he’d wanted her to close her eyes, but when suddenly she felt a tug in the pit of her stomach, a gasp slipped from her lips.

She felt weightless for a moment, and she knew at an instant that she’d felt this before.

Azriel had pulled her into his shadows.

Suddenly, there was no warm body beneath her, no mattress pressing into her knees. The air warmed considerably, and when she opened her eyes, she had to blink against blinding sunlight.

“Azriel, what—” she stopped when she felt warmth beneath her bare feet, grains of sand between her toes, wind on her face. When she looked down, she was no longer wearing Azriel’s shirt, but instead a light sundress with flowy sleeves and a skirt to end just above her knees.

She heard it then, recognised the sound of the sea she’d only ever heard from the top of Velaris’ cliffs, and when she lifted her head, she saw herself faced with deep blue waves and sunlight gleaming on the waters’ surface all the way to the horizon.

There were seagulls screeching in the distance, dolphins emerging from the depths of the ocean only to dive back in nose first.

Her toe hit something hard then and she realised she’d taken a step towards the water without realising it.

She bent down, mesmerised as she watched the way the sand was running through her fingers no matter how hard she tried holding on to it, and when she opened her hand again, there was a seashell resting in the centre of her palm.

A seashell to match her tattoo.

“What is this?” she heard herself breathe into the salty sea air blowing the hair from her face. Only moments before, she'd been able to see the frosty Sidra from the window of her home. “Is this a dream?”

“It’s the Summer Court.”

Her head shot up at the low sound of Azriel’s voice, and she found him standing a few feet behind her, hands buried in the pockets of the loose black pants he now wore, matching a shirt with a neckline reaching a few inches deep enough to have his tattoos flash whenever the wind blew his collar wide.

His sole attention was resting on her, his face as unreadable as ever, though she thought she spotted the tinies glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes. His shadows had vanished entirely in the bright sunlight.

Suddenly, his face fell, and with a few wide steps he was standing before her, his palms on her cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” he spoke quietly, and only when his thumbs began to gently wipe beneath her eyes did she realise that she was crying. “We can leave if you want. I know this was something you wanted to do with your mother. It was a stupid idea, I’m sorry.”

She stared at him. “Where even … how did you—”

He sighed softly through his nose, lifting his gaze to the horizon briefly. “Varian gifted this beach to Amren a few years back. We’re in a small bay north from Adriata.”

Silence fell, and this time, when he looked at her, she saw the worry clear in his eyes. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. I should have asked first.”

“I love you,” she breathed then, and she felt Azriel’s hands stiffen on her cheeks in response, his chest halting in its gentle rise and fall.

Only the wind made a sound as it kissed her nose, ruffling both their hair, and blowing calm waves into the shore.

“I love you,” she said again after a while, feeling her head begin to shake in wonder. “I love you so much. I think I have for a while now—”

Azriel’s lips found hers then, and when he kissed her, her eyes fluttered closed and she let herself sink into him. She kissed him on the beach of her mother’s home, kissed him with everything she had, every drop of love she harboured for him, and when she lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck, and his own wrapped around her waist, she felt their heartbeats mix into one.

When Azriel pulled back, her breath left her in a rushed exhale, gaze finding his as her eyes pulled open.

“I love you,” Azriel said with a raspy tone, his usual mask long forgotten. For once, everything he felt shone devastatingly bright from every inch of his face. “I’ve loved you since the first time I set foot in your bakery.”

She felt her bottom lip wobble, Azriel’s hand coming up for his thumb to brush against it, a smile on his own lips. And when he spoke his next words, she laughed.

“I can’t believe I let you say it first.”

She laughed with every drop of relief, every bit of joy she felt, head tilted back for delighted giggles to flutter towards a cloudless sky. And when she turned back towards the ocean, and Azriel’s arms wrapped tightly around her middle, she leaned back against him, and in the arms of her love, she felt her mother’s presence glow warm on her ribs.

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one-big-fangirl · 3 days

Text

Now that we have a sequel coming we need to somehow make it clear that there does not need to be ANY drama.

Like the most stressful part of the movie should be what flavor wedding cake they’re getting and/or if the proposal will go off without a hitch.

I want 0 drama, 0 villains, 000breakups or fights,

I literally just want 2 hours of firstprince fluff with the family thrown in.

Like an extend epilogue. Just happiness.

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one-big-fangirl · 7 days

Text

Little Sister: I Promise

Summary: After the news of a lifetime is revealed you are left to deal with the consequences

Word count: 3.7k

The pain in your head was pulsing as if it had a life of its own. The thumping could rival the beat of war drums before a fierce battle. Between the raging pain and apparent dehydration, due to excessive amounts of crying, you had failed to notice the males lingering in your room.

Sleep did not easily grace you with her presence during your many failed attempts at forgetting the very unforgettable night that was generously blessed upon you from the gods themselves apparently.

The whoosh of the door first caught the attention of your still sleeping mind, followed by the loud bang of your door handle against the wall. The force of which the door was thrown open sends a waft of air barreling towards you. Jolting awake you first recognize your room in the river house. How you got there was still a little foggy but there were more pressing matters at hand apparently. Such as your body pressed against Azriels. Looking up you see him leaning against the headboard of your bed staring at who you could only assume was your brother. Time came to a complete stop as you took in your mate before you. There he was laid out on your bed, wings splayed out in a sign of comfort, a gentle hand against your back and the other resting on his bare chest after leaving your hair upon your arising. His legs encased you in a warm blanket of content and happiness.

Less than sixty seconds had passed since the door of your room was unexpectedly blown open and you taking in all that Azriel’s appearance had to offer. Your guess of who interrupted your much needed sleep was proven to be correct. “I told you to stay away from her. I’m going to kill you.” you could feel the venom dripping off of his words. With a heavy sigh you glance up to Azriels face and gasp at what you see. Now that you're really looking and have since rubbed the sleep-covered fog out of your eyes, do you realize the condition he is in. His body was littered with dark purple, black and blue bruises, some bigger than the palm of your hand. You felt your heart constrict at the sight of your mate. With an uneasy stomach you dare to look at his face and you swore your heart stopped beating for a few seconds. One of his eyes was surrounded by splotches of red purple and blue from broken skin and veins. His cheek and jaw were also covered in bruises that matched the ones on his abdomen.

You had so much to say but were so tongue tied. How in the world were you going to fix this extremely unfortunate situation? Mother knows you are going to need all of the help that both she and the gods can spare you.

“Rhys don’t. You may be mad at him but, Azriel is my mate.” you found the words leaving your mouth before you could stop them. It wasn’t like there were any other words you had formed to say instead. Gently you turn around in between Az’s legs, careful not to knock into him in fear of causing him more unnecessary pain. With your back facing Azriels chest do you finally take in your brother. He was in better shape then your mate but not by much. If you knew anything it was that Azriel was holding back on your brother out of respect for him. You knew Azriel was a far better fighter than your brother.

“Y/n I love you but move.” Rhysand barely spared you a look before focusing on your mate once again. “No.” This caught your brother's attention “No?” he asked “No” a gentle shake of your head accompanies your firm tone. “I will not ask you again, move.” In all of your life you couldn’t think of a time Rhysand used his power as high lord against you. Never had he allowed the power to rattle your bones, commanding them to bow to him and his superiority. There was always a first for anything. Even with the power radiating off of your brother crashing into you like the ocean crashes into a cliff side you do not waver under the pressure he applies. You would be the clift. Unmoving,unyielding, unforgiving. Straightening your back you raise your head leveling a look at your brother. He may be a high lord but he often forgets your power rivals his own and oftentimes is much more powerful than his.

Slowly you released the rein you had on your powers allowing them to poke and prod at the feeling of your brother's dark energy engulfing the room. After mere milliseconds they started pushing back against him and the invisible force he possessed. “I am not some low level coward who you can push around as you see fit. I am your sister, a blood wielder and you will respect me as such.” If Rhysands voice was the commanding tone of a high lord then you would match it. Far too often have you let your brother forget the powers you possess. Today you would remind him that not only could you fight your own battles but in fact you never needed him to fight them for you in the first place.

You watched as your brother tried to not grimace underneath the push back from your own power and the threat of just what it was exactly that you were capable of. “You may be my brother but he is my mate and as much as you hate him right now this does not concern you. As much as that may be a shocker to you.”

“You are my baby sister and he hurt you which means this does concern me, actually” Swiftly you move to the edge of the bed letting your feet touch the pulse carpet laid underneath your bed and march to your brother. Only once face to face with him did you come to a stop. “Let me remind you Rhysand that I never once gave my opinion or thoughts on your relationship even while Feyre actively despised you and repeatedly reminded you how much Tamlin was better than you. All I ever did was offer my unwavering love and support even while she broke your heart time and time again. So you should take note and leave me, my relationship and my mate alone!” Never had you yelled at Rhys. Often you yelled for him, about him, but never at him. This left everyone in a state of shock. “If that is how you feel then I suggest you find somewhere else to stay that isn’t one of my houses and leave me out of your life. I do not want to hear you come crying to me when he inevitably breaks your heart.” No longer was this the voice of a high lord but the voice of somebody who didn’t have a single ounce of care to give. Darting back and forth between his eyes you saw nothing but cold indifference. This was the male you saw at Hewn city. Never did you think the look would be directed at you. “I want you gone.” His voice left no room for argument. “Now.”

Stepping back you scoff at who the male standing before you has become. Without another look you track back to Azriel’s side. Gently you grab his hand giving it a small squeeze before winnowing the two of you away.

The smell of wind and salt and ocean was the first thing to hit your senses. The strong midday sun was the next. Finally after a few slow blinks you are able to recognize your apartment that resided in the summer court. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.” you whisper quietly while releasing his hand. “Don’t apologize, please. This is all my fault.” With a tight lipped smile you look up to see Azriel is already looking at you. Once again your eyes dart over his face causing a frown to pull at your lips. Wrapping your hand around his wrist you tug gently, careful to keep your grip loose in fear of hurting him more, “Let's get you cleaned up. You look like you got into a fight with a depressed rainbow.” The sound of your mates laugh rings out against the wall of the hallway and into the bathroom. Softly you pat the edge of the tub in a silent order for him to take place there, which he does.

While rummaging around the drawers and cabinets you feel the weight of Azriel’s stare against your back causing a shiver to run down your spine. You were used to being under the watchful eyes of Az but this time it was different. This time it was as his mate. “You're staring.” you mumble while struggling to read the weathered label on the bottle you possessed. “I know.” The slightly tired tone of his voice causes goosebumps to rise along your arms. That was definitely something you could get used to. Wordlessly you turn around and walk two steps to be in front of him again and summon a stool to sit on. Sighing once again as you take in the damage your brother inflicted upon your mate. Seeing him like this made you want to cry. Blood, bruises and all things that came with knowing warriors rarely phased you, even seeing your brother beaten up was barely cause for concern unless it was dire. But there had always been something about seeing Azriels body covered in anything other than his tattoos made you feel deeply emotional. Now you guessed you knew why.

A warm hand gently cupped your cheek while wiping away the tears you hadn’t noticed escape your eyes. “Hey. I’m ok. I’ve been dealt much worse.” The gentle worried sound of his voice causes another tear to slip past your lashes. “How did you know I was worried about you?” You watch as he wipes the other rouge tear while quietly laughing. “Well for as long as I have known you, you have always cried when I get hurt, even if it's something like a paper cut.” he chuckles again. “So there is that but I can feel how worried you are through the bond.” subconsciously you feel your eyebrows raise “Right the bond.” you mutter. Pulling the cork off of one of the many vials you shrug “I’ll try to be as gentle as I can be.” you state before motioning for him to move his arms so you can lather the salve upon most if not all of his abdomen.

Nothing about this was new to you, often times after missions or just a little too rough of a training session with Cassian, Azriel would seek you out in hope you would help aid him back to health and each time without any complaint, you did. “I guess we are going to have to talk about the obvious huh?” you tried to make it sound like it was no big deal, just like any other conversation you would have with the shadowsinger. “Only when you are ready.” Silence once again followed in the room while you held Az’s jaw in your hand, keenly aware of the pressure you apply “This whole being mates thing is weird isn’t it?” you ask while applying more of the salve on the bruise that covered his whole cheek that connected to his eye. “Why would it be weird?” Shrugging you don’t answer, instead choosing to focus on the task at hand. After a few beats of silence do you answer. “I have always just been Rhysands little sister you had to deal with. You get him, you get me kind of deal. And now we're mates and everything is super awkward and my brother probably is going to try and kill you the next time you step into his sight.” Azriel nods while you speak but never interrupts. “You have never just been his little sister to me. You have always been your own person, capable of your own choices, capable of living your own life how you see fit. You have always been you. And I would pick you over him any day of the week-” “You're just saying that because we're mates” You cut him off. With a shake of his head he continues. “While that may be true, the mates part that is. I would always choose you no matter what. Because you are everything I could ever need wrapped into one person. And yes your brother may want to kill me right now, but I am sure that will fade…..eventually. If not then I can handle another round with him.”

“You were holding back on him weren’t you?” Azriel shakes his head back and forth before finally giving up the answer “Yeah I was holding back” his sheepish tone has a laugh falling from your lips. “That's kinda what I figured.” Comfortable silence surrounds the room while the two of you observe each other. Finally Az breaks the silence. “You're right, you know? About how it was wrong of me to hide this from you. I should have said something as soon as I knew. And I will never try to give you an excuse as to why I did what I did but I will give you a reason. After we came home after the war and you were standing there I felt the bond in that moment. But all I could think about is what we just came back from and how I never wanted you to go through the fear and pain and worry that Feyre had experienced with Rhys. You of all people know what I do. Who I’ve hurt and those who are waiting to get their revenge. And the thought of you being subjected to that scared me in ways I’ve never felt before. I would do anything to keep you safe, even if that meant keeping you away from me. I promise that I was going to tell you but I was scared of the danger it would put you in or if you would even want to accept the bond and things of that nature.” You didn’t need the bond to tell that Azriel was being sincere, you could see it in his eyes, in the way he was looking at you. The silent pleading for you to believe him. “And I swear I did not plan on your cousin being the person to tell you.” You had stopped picking up the mess you made of vials and tins full of salves and tonics. “I can’t lie and say that the fact you hid this from me doesn’t hurt but I understand where you are coming from, well at least as best as I can. As for Morrigian being the person to tell me…yeah I would agree but hey at least we can say it was more unique than anyone else?” The rise and fall of Azriels chest as he laughed at your confused tone brought you a sense of peace that you didn’t even know you needed. “But,um, you know that I would never reject you right? I would never do that to you or our bond. I want this. As long as you want this.” you taper off at the end suddenly overcome with shyness.

The smile that spread across the male's face was slow moving at first but within seconds it was in full bloom. “Baby you can’t be serious. You know that I have been waiting for this my whole life and now that I know it's going to be with you makes me want this that much more. I want this, I want you more than I want anything else.” At his confession you felt heat run up your neck and make your cheeks your home. Looking down at the rings on your fingers you begin to fidget with them nervously. At the nervous habit Azriel pulled the stool you were perched on closer to him. Gently he cups both of your cheeks between his hands forcing you to look at him. “I know that you're nervous sweetheart. This is a big change for the both of us, but you know me. I am the same Az that you have always known. You just get to know me in a different way now.” The blush that rested upon your cheeks deepened at the implication of knowing him in a much different way. Once again this caused a laugh to tumble out of your mates lips. Nothing went unnoticed by him. “Can I kiss you?” The thought had been bouncing around in your head for what felt like forever and how that you had asked you swore your heart could give out from how fast it was beating. “It’s cute that you asked. Just for future reference you never need to ask.” You couldn’t get a response out before he pulled your face closer to him and finally let your lips touch his.

This was not the first time you have kissed Azriel but this was unlike anything you have ever experienced. Suddenly it felt like your entire being was on fire but in the best way possible. All the racing thoughts disappeared and all you could think about was the feeling of his lips on yours. You would give up oxygen in return for being able to kiss him without ever needing to pull away for air. Everything in life up until this point was all to learn of your bond with him and you would do it over a thousand times if necessary. “Wow” the word barely made it past your lips before they were smashed by the lips of the spymaster. Finally after the both of you were thoroughly out of breath did you finally pull away. A giggle ruptures from within you causing Azriel to simply raise an eyebrow in question. “I’ve never seen you look like this.” That was aside from the bruising painting his face, you had also never seen him like that. Pushing the stool away from him you stand and grab his hand pulling him to see himself in the mirror. There you watched as he took in the flush cheeks and swollen lips with dazed eyes. After a few seconds he started to take in your appearance. At first you didn’t even think about how you looked but with those piercing eyes directed at you, you bowed your head in an attempt to hide just how much of an effect kissing Azriel had on you.

Apparently your mate decided to spare you more embarrassment. After taking in a long look around your apartment and you are sure, he was also given a report on the rest of the unfamiliar place from his shadows. Did he finally speak. “Since when did you get an apartment in the summer court? Also how did none of us find out?” smirking you gesture for him to follow you back to the living room of your home away from home. “You my spymaster are not the only one capable of keeping secrets, as for when? It's almost been two years.” Stopping before two french doors you pull them open walking out onto the balcony revealing the view of the ocean from your little slice of peace along the shore. “I always wondered where it was you ran off to and now I know.” The sound of your laugh is overshadowed by the sound of the waves crashing against the beach below you. Walking toward your mate you wrap your arms around his waist careful not to cause any more pain and rest your head against his chest right over his heart. The feeling of his arms wrapping around you brought so much peace to your soul.

It was later in the evening when you spoke up for the first time in almost an hour. You were laying in bed with Azriel resting on top of you. His head on your stomach and your hands in his hair. “Azzie?” The sound of his name pulled him from the realm of sleep. “Yes, my love?” His response is just as quiet as your question was. “Do you think Rhys hates me now?” looking up at the ceiling you pause getting lost in the throws of your argument. “He said to leave him out of my life. He has never said something like that to me before. And the worst part is I think he actually meant it. Do you think I made the right choice by standing up to him?” This isn’t your first time fighting with your brother but never in four hundred years has he said something so harsh to you before. And to go as far as to say he didn’t want you in his life was heartbreaking. You fear this may be the point of no return. Sudden movement on your stomach causes you to look down. The sight you are met with is beautiful. Azriel placed his hand over your abdomen resting his chin upon his hand. Stirking hazel eyes were already looking at you when you pulled your focus from the ceiling to the male in front of you. “I think he needs some time to process everything. I also think he said some things he doesn’t mean. You are the light of his life. Give him some time eventually he will come around.” The tear that fell from your eye was sudden and before you could wipe it away a shadow did the act for you. “I don’t know Az. I don’t think I mean much to him anymore let alone light up his life. What am I going to do?” The more tears that fell were met with an equally compassionate shadow fiercely whipping away stray tears. “I’m not too sure I agree with that but no matter what we will face this together. I promise.” Lifting his head he moves his arm closer to you and offers his pinky for you to wrap your pinky around. Azriel had never broken a pinky promise he made with you.

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one-big-fangirl · 8 days

Text

His little Sister: I'm sorry

Summary: The mating bond between you and Azriel has been revealed and he isn't sure if any apology will ever make up for the hurt he has cause you.

Word count: 4k

Warnings: none that I know of

Authors note: Guys I just got my nails done so if there is typos it's because I'm not used to typing with daggers on my hands. But anyways that's not what we're here for. Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

Azriel was screwed. Royally screwed. Even as the spymaster of the night court he had no idea how he was going to get out of this one unscathed. First and foremost there was you. You were the mosting important thing in this giant mess that your cousin just caused and making sure you were ok was his first priority. That is once you inevitably get all of the hurt and betrayal out of your system. He could feel your emotions barrelling down the bond and it damn near made him crumple under the weight of your hurt. Next on the list of casualties was Rhysand. And by the look on the high lord's face it was a mixture of pure unfiltered anger and the need to protect his little sister. Azriel can’t blame him, you look like you could either rip him to shreds and bawl your eyes out while doing so.

Rationally Azriel knew that Rhys would never really do anything to hurt him but the other part knew that Rhysand played dirty when it came to his family and it was some sort of unwritten rule that he would go to the end of the world to make sure you were ok. If Rhysand played dirty before he was about to get filthy now. This would not be the first time he stepped toe to toe against a high lord, specifically against Rhys, but this time would without a doubt be different. This time Rhysand would pocket away all of the years of their friendship and in turn he would fight Azriel like a traitor. He, without trying, had broken your heart and betrayed your trust. To Rhysand this was the ultimate act of betrayal.

Only being one hundred years younger than your brother means all three males were also relatively young in the grand scheme of things. Rhysand held your tiny body against his. The three males had taken a break forming training in the mountains to visit you in Velaris. It wasn’t often Rhysand was allowed to leave the camps, much less often for Azriel and Cassian. But with the arrival of a new babe they had been permitted to leave. It became a tradition to visit the ever growing babe once a year. Somewhere in the chaos of training for the Blood Rite you had grown into a teenager. Cassian was sprawled out on one of the couches in the cabin and Azirel had taken his place in the chair that was unofficially deemed as his. There in a seat a little bit bigger than his own but yet still smaller than the couch Cassian claimed you were curled up against your older brother, peacefully sleeping.

Rhysand had always disliked the way things were run in the camps, oftentimes they made his blood boil but something changed in him the day you were born. Rhys knew from a young age that he would be a protector. A protector of his friends, his family, his people and his court. But he never knew that the most precious thing he would come to protect was you. He never wanted in the camps, walking amongst those who would take any opportunity to clip your wings or even kill you without a second thought. Unfortunately there was nothing he could do to stop your visit as your father deemed it necessary.

Silence was light in the room. Occasionally there was a pop or crackle from the fire, the sound of clothes shifting against the couch from Cassian and the light noise of you breathing. With a heavy sigh Rhys rubbed his face causing both males to look at their friend in confusion. “Something on your mind brother?” Cassian's deep voice filled the once quiet room. For a moment nothing was said as Rhysand just looked deep into the fire before once again sighing and rubbing his face before throwing his head back to rest on the couch. “What if I’m not capable of protecting her?” The two males looked at each other in confusion before turning their attention back on their friend. Everyone knew that the power Rhys possessed was quite frankly, insane, to put it simply. “Rhys, I think you're forgetting you are there, bud.” Once more Cassian's voice takes over the room. This time in a gentle laughter. “It’s not that I’m unaware of what I am capable of.” Rhys stops speaking as he looks down at your resting form laying against him. Gently he moves a piece of hair that had fallen in your face. “I know what I can do. What I am willing to do to keep her safe but I will not always be around to protect her and that is what I fear.”

“Being her brother is the greatest honor I have ever been given but what if I fail? What will it cost her? Just her being here possesses a threat to her life. Those males out there would not hesitate to clip her wings or flat out kill her. What happens when I am needed elsewhere and she is in trouble? Who will save her then? I know my mother is training her to fight but I never want her to be put in that position where she has to. Making sure she is safe, happy and loved is all I want for her. I never want her to experience the world we have endured.”

Neither males have a sister but they do have the love of siblings for each other and they know the lengths they would go to for the other males. They may not know what it's like to have a sibling but they do know what it's like to love you. Since the day you were born they have done nothing but love and dote on you. If you tripped and fell and scraped your knees Cassian would scoop you up and cradle you until you stopped crying. Only then would he set you somewhere where he could properly clean the cuts littering your body and then take you for a treat to make you feel better. Azriel would help you with any of the boring assignments your mother would hand out. “I don’t even know what this means!” you would groan out in frustration before dramatically letting your head fall face first into the book. Luckly Az knew you very well. Without looking up from what he was doing he placed his hand palm up in the book and waited for the impact of your head against his hand.

Finally once your head was in his hand, did he finally look up. “You may not understand it right now but eventually you will and you will be grateful your mother made you do this.” Groaning once more you left your head where it was. “Easy for you to say you're like a genius or something.” You grumble while Azriel lifts your head for you. Gently he pats the top of your head. “Maybe if you studied more you could be one too.” A mixture of a frustrated groan and sigh made its way through your lips causing Azriel to chuckle.

It was safe to say that they understood what a light you are in the world. In their world. And each male would do anything to protect it. “You know we would protect her with our lives, right?” Cassian now sat up on the couch. This conversation was important. “We have known her since the day she was born. We have watched her grow and reach each millstone just like you have Rhys. We would never let anything happen to her. If it were my life or hers, I would happily give up mine. I’m sure Az feels the same way.” And Azriel did. “You don’t have to worry about her by yourself. We can share the worry Rhys. You know you can count on us. If anything ever happens to you, we will protect her just as fiercely as you do. You know that right?” And Rhysand did in fact know that but there would always be some part of him that thinks only he will ever be able to do a good enough job at keeping you safe.

Apparently Rhysand was right. Only he would protect you. Azriel had broken his promise and now he would pay. Next on his list of people to deal with was Morrigian. At the moment she was not a priority but eventually would be. First he needed to survive the night.

If Azriel were to go back in time less than a week ago, he would have been more or less avoiding you. After his talk with Rhysand about the more interesting part of your relationship the shadowsinger thought it would be a good idea to give you some space, not wanting it to seem like he was trying to pursue something with you. Obviously that was the exact opposite of what he wanted but he was also keenly aware of your brother's disapproval of any male you chose to date. Azriel was sure he wouldn’t fare better than the others. On the other side Azriel truly had no idea how you would react to you being his mate and that terrified him.

He hadn’t seen you much since the training incident with Cassian. As much as it bothered him to not be able to check on your healing himself he had Cassian right there basically giving me second by second updates. Which he did appreciate but since Cassian knew you were his brother's mate he was being a little over the top. Which is why Azriel was not expecting to see you on the rooftop for the daily morning training session.

Az and his shadows watched from across the room as Cass ushered you back towards the house. That was until you saw him and course corrected to be right in front of him. “You’ve been avoiding me. Why?” The hurt in your voice made him feel like a terrible person but he also couldn’t give you the real answer why. Not right now and definitely not right here. “I haven’t been avoiding you.” He knew he was whispering but he also knew there were more listening ears then just yours, mainly Cassians. Azriel watched as Cassian scooped you up and walked back to where he was herding you, just moments before you veered off on your own.

As the shadowsinger and spymaster of the night court there wasn’t much, if anything, that made him nervous. The piercing stare of your gaze following his every move was definitely unsettling. But his male ego wouldn’t let him slip into that unflinching state of mind that he would usually find himself in when sparring. Now he was keenly aware of each move he was making while in front of you. His need to impress didn’t go unnoticed by his brother. Thankfully Cassian decided to have mercy on his soul and let him get in a few good punches as his repayment for when Cassian did the same to him while in front of Nesta.

The daily sparring session was over sooner and also later then he wanted it to be. One part of him wanted to continue to impress you, even if he wasn’t a hundred percent sure that you were even impressed in the first place. The other part of him just really wants to get the awaiting conversation over with. Azriel headed over the bench where his long forgotten shirt and water bottle had been previously placed. He had barely gotten in one drink of water when you appeared in front of him. “Why have you been avoiding me?” It was the same question that you had previously asked him before being dragged away by Cassian. And yet this time it made him even more nervous then the first time you had asked him. The last thing Azriel ever wanted to do was make you feel like he didn’t want to be around you. Even before the bond he wanted to be around you every chance he could get and you knew that. He needed a reason you would believe. A downfall that came with spending all of his spare time with you is that you were able to tell when he was lying better than anyone else in the inner circle. There was only one thing he could tell you that wasn’t the full truth nor a complete lie. Rhys wasn’t a fan of the relationship, or lack thereof, between the two of us and he needed to step back in respect for Rhysand.

Thankfully the mother was on his side that morning because you believed him.

Opening up his arms in a form of some peace offering he’s quickly wrapped in your arms. Even though hugging anyone who was sweaty was something that he knew drove you crazy you did it anyways and it warmed his heart. But watching you place your chin on top of his chest just about made his heart melt. He prayed that you wouldn’t be able to feel or hear just how fast his heart is beating, and it is not from the training.

Oh how Azriel wished he could go back in time to just a few days ago. Hell he would even go back to when he was avoiding you. Truthfully anything would be better than what was currently unraveling in front of him.

“How long have you known?” Azriel tore his eyes away from Morr to look at you. The look of heartbreak that painted your face was like a suckerpunch to his gut. He took a sharp breath in. You were always stunning in Azriels eyes but looking at you now was like looking like a fallen angel. As much as the poetic beauty was undeniable he also never wanted to see that look on your face again. He would do anything to make you trust him again.

“I-” Azriel didn’t realize just how dry his throat was until he tried speaking. Actually now that he was focused on his body he was pretty sure he felt like he was going to throw up. Swallowing he takes another deep breath. A quick glance to his right reveals Rhysand with a raised eyebrow and barely contained anger. “I’ve known since the war.” Azriel always imagined this moment would be very different. Just the two of you in private. And it would finally feel like a brick being lifted off of his chest.

But watching your reaction to his confession felt like the opposite. He watched as you blew out a heavy breath and grabbed the back of Morrigians chair for support. Looking at the look he watches a tear finally free itself and makes its way to the ground. Just as quickly as the first tear had fallen the rest had also followed suit. He watches as you shake your head and look at your brother for the answer of what you are supposed to do. The dining room had never been as quiet as it was in these waking moments and Azriel despised it. Even if he was the cause of it. “You’ve known for almost a year and you never told me?” The spymaster watched as you fought against the lump in your throat only for your voice to crack on the last word. “Were you ever going to tell me? Or were you just going to let me continue to dream about the love I desired. Let me think I was never going to get the love Rhys and Fey have? You’ve known for months!” Azriel sat unmoving as your betrayal turned to sadness and then anger. You had never raised your voice and yelled at him before but he knew he deserved every ounce of anger you threw at him. “You-you out of all people knew how I felt about mates and yet you held this from me. My mate! I-I-I -oh my god.” Time seemed to slow down in that moment as he watched you grab your chest in pain then collapse to the floor. He felt himself rise. Azriel wasn’t sure why, was it to move to the other side of the table and comfort you? Was it in shock? Fear for your breaking heart? He wasn’t sure. It was like slow motion as Mor swiftly twisted out of her seat and caught your limp body on the way down to the floor. Together the two females sat on the floor. Morrigian had wrapped her arms around your body and held you pressed against her chest as you sobbed.

“Azriel!” That was the commanding voice of a high lord. The force of which Rhysand said his name and allowed his power to wash over him was the only thing capable of pulling his focus off of your crumpled body. Looking back to his right he notes that Rhysand has pushed the chair he was previously sitting in far behind him. It didn’t go unnoticed how Feyre made her way to you with urgency. The primal anger and need to protect his family also didn’t go unnoticed by the shadowsinger. He was about to get his ass beat. If not altogether killed. Rhysand may have been mad at Cassian for hurting you but he did go easy on him, even if it resulted in a few nasty bruises littering his body. Azriel knew for sure this would be nothing like that time. Rhysand had a look of death in his eyes and Azriel was sure death was waiting to greet him.

“Uh oh. Yeah you guys may want to get out of here it's about to get ugly.” Cassian also stood from where he was once seated and began stretching. Noting Feyres' worry Cassian continued “Don’t worry I won’t let them hurt each other too much.” He paused, “Well I won’t let them kill each other.”

Only after everyone except Mor and Cassian had winnowed away his Rhysand lunge at Azriel.

Ever since learning that you were his mate one of his shadows followed you religiously. He never even told them to do that, it was just something they did naturally. His shadows always were ones to keep an eye on you even if you were completely safe.

That's how he found himself in front of the river house. His shadows danced around him in warning of the two females sitting in the living room still awake at this hour. Without looking at a clock Azriel would assume it was around three in the morning. Gently he pushes the hard oak door open only closing it after allowing himself inside the quiet house. Azriel knew he could make his way to your room without either one of the females knowing but he assumed it was better to get everything that could tear him apart over with while he was down.

“I feel bad for her. I know what it's like when the other person knows they're your mate and you're left in the dark. But this is something else. If Mor hadn’t said anything would he?” He could hear the voice of his concerned high lady. “Do we know if she even still has a mate? Rhysand looked like he was going to kill him.” Nestas' voice that usually dripped in sarcasm was dry as bone. Stepping into the room he made his footsteps louder than he would ever step to announce his presence. A sharp gasp was the only noise that Feyre made as she brought her hands to cover her mouth. “Oh my gods” The scraping of the chair against the wooden floor pulls his gaze from the spot on the floor he found particularly interesting to see Feyre making her way over to him. Over her shoulder he could see Nesta taking inventory of the damage Rhysand caused. “Are you ok?” He shrugs off her question but allows her gentle hands to move his head from side to side.

“How is she?” Everybody knew who he was talking about. Feyre led him to the couch ushering him to sit down as Nesta answered “As well as you can expect.” Feyre had stepped out of the room to grab a pain relieving tonic “She just fell asleep a few minutes before you got here” she pushes the vial into his hands “Drink” she insists. “I never meant for it to go like this. For it to get this far without me telling her. I just was waiting for her to feel it herself but then I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting and the next thing I knew I was sitting at that table listening to Mor tell her. I promise I never meant to hurt her. You know that right? You have to believe me.” The constant throbbing throughout his body finally forced him to drink the tonic in hopes it could even touch the pain he was feeling. “I’m sure you never meant for this to happen az. But why didn’t you just tell her. Anyone with eyes could see that she already had feelings for you.’’

“I wanted it to be her choice. I would never force her to accept the bond. All I want is for her to be happy no matter what.” A heavy sigh fell from both females before the peaceful silence filled the room. Nesta was the first to leave in hopes of getting at least an hour of sleep before she needed to be awake for training. With a gentle squeeze of his arm Feyre stands above him “I Believe you Az. But you need to understand how hurt she is currently feeling.” looking up he sees not his high lady or Rhysands mate but a concerned friend. “I know I can feel it through the bond.” Feyre smiles sadly before stopping in the hallway leading to the bedrooms. “Go be with her Az. You both need it.”

The warmth of the fire was the first thing Azriel noticed upon entering your room. Although fae ran warmer than humans you were the rare exception. Unless absorbing heat from the sun or another person you were on average at least ten degrees colder than anyone else. A small smile found its away to his face to see the fire going. His own personal relationship with fire may be nonexistent but for you he would endure it a hundred times over. The next thing he noticed was your sniffling and quiet sobs. In three large strides he was kneeing besides your bed. “Y/n” you name was like a whisper of a prayer in a silent coven meant for worship. He watched as your eyes opened to meet his and listened as a sob racked your body. “I am so sorry baby” Quickly he raised from where he was previously knelt on the floor and climbed into bed with you. The move to place your body on top of his was easy but listening to the silent cries of your heart breaking wasn’t. “I never meant to hurt you I swear.”

Eventually the tears raining upon his chest and was replaced with the gentle breathing of your sleeping form. Azriel knew he should sleep but he couldn’t help but admire every part of you just in case this was the last time he got to hold you like this. That's why he wasn’t startled when Rhysand barged into your room, startling you awake. “I told you to stay away from her. I’m going to kill you.” He promised. Azriel didn’t take his eyes off of your brother as you raised to sit in between his legs. Rhysand could do whatever he wished but Azriel wouldn’t leave without making sure you were ok first. “Rhys don’t. You may be mad at him, but Azriel is my mate.” The bond had never sung in happiness like it did basking in the warmth of your acknowledgement.

Taglist

@kemillyfreitas @lana08 @willowpains @username199945 @tothestarsandwhateverend

@kylaisra @lilah-asteria @nickishadow139 @br0klynbby @blacktreacle22

@amysangel @mp-littlebit @mybestfriendmademe

@olive-main @mariahoedt @tele86 @marina468 @fangirlloza010 @kennedy-brooke

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one-big-fangirl · 8 days

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My Superhero

~ Cassian x SingleMum!Reader

My Beautiful Girls Series Masterlist

Based on this request

Summary: Your daughter calls Cassian dad for the first time.

Warnings: Fluffy goodness.

"Evie, baby? Isn't there something you wanted to ask Cassian?"

You look to your daughter, her round cheeks burning red at your question as she moved to hide behind you. Head shaking shyly as she tugged on your dress before quietly asking, "Can't you do it mama?"

Sighing, you made to give in, unable to argue with her begging stare. Yet Cassian spoke first, moving down onto one knee before he held his arms out to the timid girl, an encouraging smile crossing his lips as he softly prompted, "Come here Eves, I would love to here what you have to say."

Evelyn's wide-eyed gaze turned from Cassian back to you, your daughter seeking input as to what she should do next. "Go on baby," you coaxed, hand coming to meet the small of her back to gently push her in the male's direction, "you've got this."

You watched on with a smile as Evelyn nervously shuffled towards Cassian, her small hands coming to to meet the male's outstretched palms before he carefully pulled her into a loving cuddle. "That's more like it," the general grinned, lightly squeezing Evelyn's shoulders in comfort before he continued to speak, "now what does my darling baby girl have to ask me?"

Cheeks dusting pink at his words, Evelyn avoided Cassian's adoring gaze as she bashfully mumbled, "Will . . . will you come with me to school?" Cassian permissed his smile to remain as he briefly glanced at you for context, hand absentmindedly rubbing circles into Evelyn's back as he patiently waited for an answer.

"For career day" you clarified, eyes bright as you watched the scene before you, "Evie has to do a talk and she wants us both there to watch." Cassian's cheery eyes turned back to Evelyn, an exaggerated gasp leaving his lips before he earnestly replied, "I would love to come and watch you talk at school Eves."

Your daughter continued to blush, a timid smile working its way onto her lips before she quietly uttered a small thank you to the male. His hazel eyes watering, Cassian moved to place a gentle kiss onto Evelyn's forehead before he countered, "Thank you, little dove."

You beamed at the pair before you, heart full of love as you watched Cassian affectionately dote on your daughter. The general's loving gaze meeting your own as he beckoned you towards him with a motion of his head. Softly nudging Evelyn closer into his arms in order to free up some space as he whispered, "Budge over Eves, we've got to make some room for mama."

"Stop fidgeting Cassie, you look amazing" you reassured, moving your comforting hands to lace with his own clammy ones as you pulled them down from the collar he was continuously straightening. "You think so?" he anxiously asked, looking down in uncertainty at the shirt he had opted to wear for the occasion, "Maybe I should have worn my tunic instead."

You chuckled warmly, pulling the male to a stop before the entrance of the school. Tenderly giving his hands a loving squeeze before you spoke, "It's a school Cassian, not a palace." The general nodded along to your words, looking down at you with appreciation as you continued to ease his worries, "Evie doesn't care what you're wearing, she just cares that you're here."

"You're right, as always" Cassian gratefully smiled, lifting a gentle hand to cup your cheek as he placed a swift kiss upon your lips before pulling away to rest his forehead against your own. Hazel eyes flooding with determination as he confidently smirked, "All right then, let's go see our girl."

"Ah you must be Evelyn's . . ." the teacher's voice trailed off as she watched Cassian walk into the room behind you, eyes blowing wide as she took in the foreboding figure of the Lord of Bloodshed, "parents?"

"Oh uh, no I'm-"

"Yes we are" you finished before Cassian could get the words out, your thumb moving to caress the back of this hand as his surprised gaze fell to your nonchalant form. A low growl of contentment rumbled in his chest at the casualness of your answer, a possessive arm coming to wrap around your waist in order to pull you closer to his side.

"Uh wow, well. . ." still flustered by the general's appearance in her classroom, the teacher struggled to get her words out, "please d-do sit down!"

Thanking the female, Cassian made to eagerly lead you towards the front of the classroom. Yet your gentle tug pulled him to a stop, a sad smile crossing your lips as you explained, "Cassie, I think your wings may be a little too big to sit at the front."

"But Evie-"

"Will still see us, even if we are a little further back" you promised, Cassian's wings hanging lowly as you pulled him to sit at the back of the room. The astonished stares of the other parents following the two of you as you passed.

Once seated, Cassian craned his neck over the crowd of waiting parents. Eyes scanning the children stood at the front of the room as he searched for the one face he so longed to see, a beaming smile gracing his lips as they finally landed on Evelyn. Hand raised as he wildly waved at the little girl who blushed at his overenthusiastic greeting.

The pair of you sat in baited anticipation as you listened to the other children speak, your hand coming to rest on Cassian's thigh in a useless attempt of trying to stop his impatient shifting as you waited for Evelyn's turn to arrive.

When the time finally came for your daughter to timidly shuffle her way onto center stage, your encouraging thumbs up were overshadowed by Cassian's excitable shout of support.

Evelyn flashed the pair of you a grateful smile before she shakily exhaled, her hands nervously locking together as her worried eyes flickered to you for assurance. Softly nodding to her in comfort you mouthed, "You can do this baby."

Evelyn's once tense shoulders relaxed at your words, the young girl inhaling deeply before she finally began to speak, "The person I love most has the bestest job in the world" Cassian nudged as your shoulder as he sent you a cheery wink, brows wiggling comically as he reacted to Evelyn's mention of you.

Yet his smile didn't last for long, grin dropping at the next words your daughter spoke, "He is a superhero! He's big and strong and . . . and he always makes sure to keep our High Lord and High Lady safe."

A shaky gasp fell from Cassian's lips at the realization that Evelyn wasn't talking about you. His trembling hand darting to grasp onto yours for support as Evelyn continued to speak about him. Your little girl looking straight at the teary-eyed Illyrian as she did so, "But even though he gets very busy saving the world, my favourite thing is how he always makes time to play with me when he comes home, even when he is very tired.”

A soft sob broke from Cassian's mouth at her words, the male sniffling as he made no attempt to hide the downpour of emotion that had washed over him. His watery eyes shining with love as they never strayed from Evelyn for even a moment.

"He fights all the monsters under my bed and in my wardrobe and he always makes sure to kiss all of my boo boo's. But most i- imporan- importantly he always shows me and my mummy how much he loves us. So even though he is the bestest superhero in the world, I love it even more when he is just my dad."

When she finished, Cassian was too stunned to react. The sound of his cries being drowned out by that of the other parent's applause. With all the speeches now finished, Evelyn eagerly ran over to greet the two of you, only for her smile to drop upon seeing Cassian in tears.

“What’s wrong baby?” You asked in concern, a comforting hand coming to rest on her shoulder, “It’s alright, you did so well Eves.”

Yet Evelyn wasn’t looking at you, her disappointed eyes stayed locked on Cassian.

"You . . . you didn't like it?" Evelyn asked weakly, silver tears beginning to line her eyes at the sight of the weeping Illyrian.

"Like it?" Cassian answered, moving to sweep Evelyn into his arms, "No baby girl, I loved it." The general proceeded to cry further as Evelyn stretched out her little hands to wipe away his falling tears, her face considerably more cheerful now she knew she hadn't upset the male.

"Mummy helped me write it . . . I just wanted everybody in school to know that my daddy is a superhero!"

Cassian's shoulders shook as he cried, his hand moving to pull Evelyn's head to his chest as he embraced the smiling girl. Lips pressing against her head in a gentle kiss as he replied, "Being a superhero is fun, little dove. But being your daddy is my favourite job."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes: Feel free to send me any more scenarios you’d like to see!! This family makes me feral and I will write for them forever.

Taglist:

@brekkershadowsinger @sarawritestories

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one-big-fangirl · 8 days

Text

Do you think Clark Kent's first few major articles were about the continued presence of lead pipes in parts of Metropolis' water system

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one-big-fangirl · 8 days

Text

Apple Pies and Family Ties | Azriel x reader

Summary: Azriel brings a girl home to meet his family for the first time ever.

This is part of my oneshot-series Crush and can be read separately.

A/N: Here’s the promised part where Azriel’s love meets his family! FINALLY. Thank fuck this was like 90% done so my writing slump brain managed to finish it. But don’t expect it to be proofread lol. The Cassian scene has been inspired by this beautiful post by @glossamerfaerie 🫶

Word count: 3765

Warnings: fluff, fluff, all the fluff, language

Azriel stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched her bounce about the kitchen like a headless chicken. Her steps were hectic, her hands busy, her eyes focussing on everything and nothing.

A small smile curled the corners of his lips when she whooshed past him, the light fabric of her dress fluttering behind her.

“When did you last use it?” Azriel asked quietly, watching the way she flipped open the doors of every cupboard in her kitchen only to shut them with a huff each time.

She was looking for a cake dome.

A really fancy cake dome.

“I’m not sure,” she sighed. “I think I lent it to Molly at some point, but I’m pretty sure I’ve since used it for my birthday a few months ago, so she definitely gave it back to me.”

Azriel hummed, eyes flickering around the inside of her home. “And you’re sure it’s somewhere in the kitchen?”

“It should be.” She sounded distressed now, shoulders drooping with a hopeless bend to her eyebrows. “It’s incredibly delicate. I always keep my glass dishes in that cabinet over there, but it’s not there.” A thought seemed to enter her mind. “Wait, maybe it got mixed up with some of the stuff I’ve been meaning to throw out. There’s a box of it upstairs, I’ll just go and—”

Azriel’s hand wrapped around her wrist as she moved to swoosh past him once again, this time aiming for the stairs leading to her bedroom.

His fingers were gentle against her skin, warmth immediately flooding his veins from where he touched her. She was so … delicate in comparison to him. The skin on her wrists was soft and thin, smooth to the touch of his scarred hands. He cradled her wrists like precious gems, pulled her close with a gentle tug, moved her palms to spread out over his heart.

He tilted his head as he looked down at her, his voice low and soothing. “Breathe, sweetheart.”

“We’re running late already,” she said, eyes flickering to the stairs as Azriel’s hands wandered along her sides, broad palms finding her hips for his thumbs to stroke gentle circles into the fabric of her dress.

“We will get there when we get there.” Azriel smiled when she snorted at his words, and as she continued to talk, he sent his shadows to trail up the stairs and through the crack beneath her bedroom door.

“I don’t want to make a bad first impression,” she said, her hands slipping from his chest to the sides of his neck and from there along his shoulders and the lengths of his arms. She did that. Run her hands over him when she was nervous. Azriel found it incredibly endearing.

“You won’t,” he spoke quietly. He could already feel some of the tension seeping from her muscles at the weight of his hands on her. He liked that he had that effect on her. His shadows crawled further. “They will adore you.”

Another emotion entered her eyes then—one he wasn’t used to seeing in her. It came with a sense of … insecurity.

“You think?” she asked quietly, and the cautious hope in her tone cracked the edges of his heart.

“I know.” There was not the shadow of a doubt in him. “They’re eager to meet you.”

Well, Feyre and Mor were. He hadn’t exactly told the others yet. He’d only mentioned bringing a friend around for dinner tonight. He’d wanted to spare himself the torment his brothers would have no doubt unleashed upon him at the prospect of meeting her.

This was still so … fresh. So new that his heart seemed to float whenever he lay eyes on her. It was precious, and it was theirs, and he’d wanted to keep it to himself – protect it – for as long as possible.

She inhaled deeply before releasing all the air in her lungs through slightly parted lips. Azriel’s eyes flickered down at the motion. He wanted to kiss her.

“It’s just a little daunting,” she said, absent-mindedly running her palms back up his arms. “Meeting your entire family all at once.”

“We can cancel, if you want,” Azriel said, lifting one hand from her hip to curl a loose strand of her hair around his finger and place it behind her ear. “Only Feyre and Mor know who you are, the others think I’m bringing a friend over.”

“Well that does nothing to soothe my nerves,” she half-joked with a pained grin. “But no, I don’t want to cancel. I really want to meet them.” Her eyes narrowed a fraction. “But I need my emotional support cake dome.”

On his silent command, Azriel’s shadows gathered between their bodies, and when he took his hands from her to hold them before his chest, he felt the cool weight of glass settle into his palms.

As the shadows moved back to curl around their master’s limbs, she gaped down at his hands before beaming at him with a smile that had his heart pick up its pace.

Shooting to the tips of her toes, she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“You’re the bestest.”

Azriel smiled, and as she bounced back to the kitchen to skilfully transfer the cake she’d baked into the cake dome, he tried his best to act like his cheeks weren’t burning up with her words.

Gods, he was smitten.

“Alright, I’m ready,” she said, stepping back to where he stood by the door, eyes wide in anticipation, nervous energy showing in the slight bounce of her feet. “How do I look?”

Azriel ran his eyes down her appearance, and he allowed himself to take his time with it, appreciating every inch. She wore a pale pink dress that only reached down to her knees and would do absolutely nothing to protect her from the winter cold if they were to fly. The fabric ended in delicate lace patterns, and Azriel smiled at the shoes she’d matched. He thought he’d seen a matching bow in her hair earlier as well.

She carried the cake dome before her like an offering, the stand on which it rested shaking slightly with the nerves that resonated through her hands.

Azriel felt his entire face morph into a smile, his heart full to the brim.

“You’re perfect.”

As they stepped from Azriel’s shadows and straight into the entrance hall of the House of Wind, her eyes widened considerably.

“Shut the fuck up,” she muttered, to which Azriel suppressed a smile. “You’ve got to be kidding me. This is where you live?”

“Most of the time, yes,” Azriel said, his eyes attentive as he watched the way she took in her surroundings.

He’d winnowed them to the entrance hall on purpose. He knew the others were probably gathered in the dining room already, some perhaps scattered throughout the house. He’d wanted to give her the opportunity to brace herself before facing his family.

“Oh right,” she nodded as she leaned a bit closer to one of the huge potted plants Rhys kept by the entrance, marvelling at the giant leaves. “The townhouse, I forgot.”

Azriel refrained from mentioning the fact that he hadn’t spent a night at the townhouse in weeks. Whenever he wasn’t at the House of Wind, he was with her.

He smiled at the thought.

She shook her head in thought as she took in the high ceilings, the open rooms, the archways. When her eyes found the wide windows offering a breath-taking view of Velaris, a quiet gasp passed her lips.

“I can’t believe you live in a palace.” Amusement laced her tone when her eyes found his. “My home must feel like a broom closet to you.”

“I love your home,” Azriel spoke quietly.

And he did.

He loved the pieces of herself she’d scattered throughout the two small floors she inhabited by the Sidra, especially in her kitchen. He loved the too-narrow bed that required them to sleep with barely a breath of space between them for his wings to fit. But most of all, he loved the softness that came with the comfort of her space—the domesticity he felt whenever he watched her bake, or held her on the couch, or followed her into the shower that had him tilt his head to fit beneath the spray of water.

Nothing in her home had been built to accommodate an Illyrian and yet he fit right in. She’d made sure of it.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a new voice interrupted, and at once, the slight tremor of nerves returned to her hands.

“There you are, we’ve been wondering whether you’d show up at all!” Mor beamed as she rushed down the stairs that led to the floor containing dining room and kitchen.

Keeping one hand in the small of her back, Azriel had the foresight to take the cake platter from Y/N’s hands because next thing he knew, Mor had thrown her arms around her neck in a tight embrace.

“I am so glad I finally get to meet you,” Mor all but sighed into Y/N’s hair. “It’s so hard to get details out of him. I was beginning to doubt you actually exist.”

Azriel caught Y/N’s gaze over Mor’s shoulder, and the surprise at Mor’s enthusiastic greeting soon vanished to make way for amusement.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” she said, a smile in her voice. “You must be Mor.”

Mor pushed back, though she kept her hands on Y/N’s shoulders, her eyes narrowed slightly. “Whatever he told you about me, it's a lie.”

Azriel gave a slight smile as Y/N giggled.

“It’s my fault we’re late,” he said, his tone calm. “I held us up.”

Mor waved a hand. “Don’t worry, we haven’t started yet.” Looking at Y/N, her face beamed. “The others are really excited to meet you too. This is the first time Azriel’s brought over a … well, anyone really.”

Y/N’s attention flittered to the side, and Azriel felt his neck heat at the bright shine in her eyes. It seemed she wanted to say something, but Mor interlocked their arms, and began to lead her towards the stairs.

Mor chattered all the way up, and as Azriel watched Y/N laugh at something one of his oldest friends said, his heart swelled. Because perhaps this was it. Maybe, after all these years, he’d finally found the person that just … fit.

Keeping a firm grip on her cake dome, he followed closely.

His family had already taken their seats around a lavishly set table, but upon their entrance, half of them rose from their seats.

Azriel raised a brow just as Mor leaned a bit closer. She lowered her voice, though it did nothing to conceal the slight tint of guilt in der tone. “I’m sorry, I told them who she is. I couldn’t help myself.”

Azriel sighed. This was going to be a long night.

“So, Y/N,” Rhys drawled over the rim of his wineglass, violet eyes gleaming with interest as he beheld his brother’s love. “You run the little bakery down by the Sidra?”

“Oh uhm, yes.” Rhys watched with barely contained joy as she fiddled with a corner of her napkin, trying and failing to pull it apart and place it on her lap until two tiny shadows curled along her fingers to help. “Well, actually, no,” she added, her smile almost apologetic. “Not alone, that is. I run it with my friend, Molly.”

“I must say, Azriel’s infatuation with you has proven incredibly fortunate for all our taste buds,” Rhys purred, hiding a grin behind his glass at Azriel’s glare.

You’re embarrassing him, Feyre chided into his mind, though he could hear clear amusement in her tone.

I’ve waited over 500 years for a chance to tease him about a girl. Don’t take this away from me.

From the corner of his eye, he caught Feyre’s smile, and his heart swelled.

“That’s true,” Cassian spoke, cheeks stuffed with the cake she’d brought. “He just randomly started showing up with bags full of baked goods. I gained like five pounds just from the donu—”

Azriel cleared his throat, and Rhys might have bounced with excitement at the redness that crawled up his gloomy brother’s neck.

Y/N attempted to hide a smile herself, though the rising curve of her cheek betrayed her as she focussed intently on her attempt to stab a piece of cake with her fork.

“It is very delicious,” Elain spoke softly from Feyre’s side, smiling in an attempt to come to Azriel’s rescue and somewhat divert the topic.

Y/N gave her a grateful smile, but before she could thank her further, Cassian had already piped up again.

“I’m sorry, Y/N, I must have not paid attention earlier. Please do remind me again, how many times did Az visit before asking you—OW!”

Rhys snorted at Cassian’s scandalised expression as he looked at Nesta, who’d no doubt kicked him beneath the table, though her face remained a picture of perfect nonchalance.

Y/N was actively trying not to grin now. Rhys could tell from the bottom lip she’d sucked between her teeth, though her eyes softened when she turned to look at Azriel, who was glowering at Cassian from the seat next to her.

“I think it was sweet,” she said, moving her palm to the shadowsinger’s thigh, to which his attention swiftly moved to her, his face brightening considerably.

Rhys and Feyre exchanged a look—one as though to say, “by the gods, are you seeing this??”—and Mor beamed across her entire face as she watched the scene unfold.

It was Amren who sighed from where she sat on Cassian’s left. “Sweet enough that it’s making me nauseous.”

Smoothing her palms over the skirt of her dress, she threw a last glance at her reflection to make sure that every last strand of her hair sat perfectly.

She hadn’t been entirely honest with Azriel, hadn’t wanted to let on just how nervous she’d truly been to meet his family. He’d known of her nerves, of course—to a certain extent. It would have been near impossible to hide them from a spymaster. But he didn’t know of the six times she’d changed her dress, the three times she’d pulled the bow from her hair only to retie it again. She’d gifted a load of cupcakes to her neighbour’s children because she’d thought them to be a bit crooked, a bit wonky, a bit too … cutesy. And so she’d gone with the cake instead.

They were his family, but she knew that it was more than that. They were his oldest friends, his closest confidants. If they didn’t like her … what chance would they truly have?

But it seemed to go well so far, and so she loosened a shaky exhale and forced her heartbeat to slow to a normal pace before stepping from the bathroom she’d excused herself to a few minutes ago.

She halted in her steps when her eyes fell on a dark figure—one whose face split into a smile at the sight of her.

Cassian was leaning against the wall opposite the bathroom door, muscled arms crossed over his chest, and head tilted to the side as he registered the way she’d stilled.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“That’s okay,” she said, returning his smile. Truth be told, she’d noticed her smiles coming freely ever since she’d set foot in the house. As intimidating as Azriel’s family was, they were just as easy to like. “I wasn’t expecting a queue.”

“Actually,” Cassian said. “I wanted to speak with you.”

“Oh?”

Her expression must’ve been telling because next thing she knew, Cassian offered a cheeky grin.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad,” he assured her, nodding down the corridor. “Walk with me?”

“Oh uhm …” Y/N’s eyes flickered in the opposite direction, back towards the dining hall for only a split second before moving to rest on Cassian. “Sure, okay.”

She couldn’t help the smile that tugged on the corners of her lips as Cassian pushed off the wall to offer her his arm. Hooking her hand to his elbow, they began walking at a slow pace, and she could tell that he deliberately shortened his usually long strides to match hers as they headed for a huge glass door at the end of the hallway.

“Is this the part where you tell me that you’re going to hunt me down should I break your brother’s heart?” she said with a gently teasing note, though she was only half joking.

“Something like that, I suppose.” Cassian offered a grin. However, it shrank as his thoughts took a turn. “Azriel didn’t exactly have an easy life, as I’m sure you’re aware. People think he can take a lot. And he can. He has. But even Azriel has his limits, no matter how hard he tries to hide the fact.”

She observed Cassian from the corner of her eye, noting the pensive expression, the crease between his brows as his gaze rested on the nearing doors.

When his attention flickered to her, his words were suddenly hesitant, as though worried he might say the wrong thing.

“Did he … tell you about Mor?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling mildly as it was her who moved her attention to the glass door next. “Having met her now, I can see why he loved her for all those years. She seems very easy to fall for.”

Cassian hummed. “She is.”

Silence coated their next few steps, and when they finally reached the door, Cassian moved to hold it open for her to step on a spacious balcony. At once, her breath got stuck in her throat at the view of Velaris.

“Wow,” she whispered, hands resting on the cool stone as she leaned against the railing, almost forgetting the cold wind whipping at her bare arms and legs.

“Here,” Cassian said as though having read her thoughts, and produced a cloak out of thin air to drape around her shoulders. “We have them lying around the entire house. The view is good, but the wind can be a real pain.”

She chuckled. “I would imagine, given the title of the house.”

It was silent for a while as she took in the beauty that was Velaris at night. She’d lived in this city her entire life. She’d been born here, she’d grown amidst the winding cobblestone streets and had walked with her mother along the Sidra. She’d spent almost every day of her life in this city, and yet, each time she viewed Velaris at night, her breath was once again stolen as though she beheld a sight she’d never seen before.

“It nearly broke him,” Cassian finally muttered after a long while, and when she turned, she found his eyes already on her. “The thing with Mor. He was pining after her for 500 years, sometimes more, sometimes less, but it was always there. And even when it was finally over, he was alone.”

Y/N watched intently as his lips formed the words, listened to the tale of Azriel’s love for the sweet woman she’d met just a few hours earlier.

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked softly.

“Azriel loves … fiercely,” Cassian finally said. “He acts like the untouchable shadowsinger, like nothing can ever hurt him, but that’s not true. His heart is the most fragile thing about him, and judging by what I’ve seen tonight, it is you who carries it now.”

She stared at him, not knowing what to say, and Cassian offered a smile.

“I’ve never seen him like this. Never. Not even when he was pining after Mor,” he said. “I tried setting him up countless times, tried finding him the love he deserves. It would have worked too, had he agreed to it, because apparently the whole damned world has a crush on him. Have you noticed? It’s infuriating, really.”

At her incredulous laugh, Cassian waved a hand. “Anyway, that’s not the point.”

“I’m having a hard time following if I’m honest, Cassian,” she spoke carefully, not wanting to hurt his feelings when he so obviously cared for his brother.

“Yes, I suppose I’m not making a whole lot of sense.” Cassian gave a quiet chuckle, studying his shoes for a moment before he met her eye.

“My point is, Azriel’s been waiting and wishing for a love like this for centuries, and now that he’s finally found it, I’m just … I wanted to ask you to be gentle with his heart.” His face was serious as he looked at her now, worried. “You seem like a wonderful person, and I’m not asking you to put his happiness over your own. Just … should it come down to ending things, and I hope it won’t, but … please don’t shatter his heart. Because I’m not sure he’d recover.”

Y/N studied Cassian for a moment, with only the wind breaking the silence.

“I won’t,” she finally breathed. “I won’t hurt him. I promise.”

Cassian’s lips twisted into a wide grin then, his arm coming up to wrap around her shoulders and pull her into his side as they turned to look over the night sky of Velaris. “Good. Because if you do, I will absolutely hunt you down.”

“I’m sorry about them,” Azriel spoke quietly as he carefully untied the laces of her corset later that night, back in the comfort of her home as nimble fingers loosened her strings one after the other.

“Don’t apologise.” He could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke. “I loved them, they’ve all been incredibly welcoming. Well, accept maybe Amren … I think she might not like me very much.”

Azriel smiled to himself then, careful to keep it from morphing his words. “Oh, she does. You’d know it if she didn’t. Believe me.”

He breathed a kiss to the base of her neck when he’d reached the bottom of her corset, palms slipping to her hips to gently turn her back around.

“I really appreciate that you agreed to meeting them,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She was grinning now, lifting her arms to loop them around his neck. “Three hours of relentless teasing, six new friends, and a threat to hunt me down should I break your heart. I’d say it was a success.”

I hope the tags all work I'm so fucking tired rn the words are literally swimming before my eyes haha