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chunkypossum · 4 months

Text

By Solstice End

Azriel x Eris

4937 words This section || 16,588 total words

Part Three of Three || or… Read on AO3

Parts: 1 2 3

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After Mor’s concession, Eris felt slightly revived in his fight to find Azriel, though he still wanted very badly to punish him for the run around all evening. Unfortunately for him, entering the next room had consequences he could have never seen coming. Eris was left breathless and as the air left his lungs so did all the fight in him he had.

It would be easy to blame it on fatigue but Eris knew better, he just wasn’t willing to be honest with himself about why his eyes had become irritated. The doors clicked quietly shut behind him and Eris stepped into the room with awe shining in his silver rimmed eyes. The well of tears he was trying to blink back reflected the light from a thousand different points above him where little nodes of fae light hung suspended, seemingly by nothing, at different levels from the ceiling. Eris was staring up into the night sky.

Below the lights, in the center of the room, there was a bed piled high with so many plush pillows and blankets it could only have been made up with one, very spoiled, person in mind, him. The colors were muted by the dim lighting, dark hues that felt comforting, like if he were to lay down he would melt into the stars above him, adrift into an endless sea.

He moved, almost unconsciously into the room, as if pulled by some magic, toward the bed. Each step was more unsteady than the last and he could feel shadows begin to writhe up his legs and arms, offering support. They caressed the soft spots of his face knowing exactly where he needed that cooling touch. The flush of his cheeks, the plumpness of his lips, the velvet of his eye lashes. His eyes closed and Eris leaned into the feel of them, humming softly to himself. Finally content for the first time that evening and he hadn’t even seen …

Warm, strong arms wrapped around his middle from behind and the perfect softness of Azriel’s face found its favorite spot in the curve of Eris’ neck. He pressed a light kiss to the spot, slowly trailing up, up , up until he readed the supple skin just behind Eris’ ear.

“I was wondering when you might finally show. I have been waiting ages.” Azriel’s voice was rough with want and Eris shivered under the sound of it. He could feel Azriel smirk in response. The bat was always so thrilled when he managed to tilt Eris off his axis, even slightly. It happened infrequently enough that Eris didn’t bother to hide it from him, letting Azriel have his wins where he could.

“And whose fault is that, bat?” Eris said with a hint of annoyance. “You only have yourself to blame.” He may have been trying to make a point but it was nearly mute by the fact that he leaned into every touch offered to him. His back was flush with Azriel’s chest and the movement of it as he breathed lulled Eris into the safety of the moment. The heat of each of those breaths coasted up the side of Eris’ neck as Azriel greedily took in all of Eris’ scent.

“Are you mad at me?” Azriel asked, sounding more amused than worried. The fire in Eris veins wanted to rise up against the unseriousness of Azriel’s tone but it was quickly banked as the male pressed kisses to his temples. Eris leaned back into his embrace.

“I tried to be… but no Azriel.” Eris breathed. Awe still tight in his chest as he cracked his eyes open only to be met with a room full of stars, all for him. “Of course not. I just….”

The Autumn male pressed back even further against his lover, relishing in the way those arms tightened around him, held him together. He was unable to turn around and face Azriel, unsure how to look him in the eye. There were too many emotions written on Eris’ face that he hadn’t been able to process and his lack of control on that vulnerability scared him. It would be unfair for Azriel to see him so unsure when he had gone to such lengths to prepare something this intricate and beautiful for Eris. Aside from that, there was a shred of Eris’ inner fire that wasn’t willing to offer any of that up to Azriel until he had an explanation for why he had been given the runaround all evening.

Noting the way Eris silenced himself, Azriel tugged his arms around him tighter.

“What?” He asked quietly, pressing his lips to Eris’ soft skin over and over. It almost felt like an apology and Eris wondered what the male could be trying to apologize for exactly. He worked his way up Eris’ throat while the heir gathered his thoughts.

In the end, he simply said. “I’ve missed you.” His own arms tightened over Azriels where they were anchored across his abdomen.

“I missed you too.” The gruff voice scratched along Eris’ ear, inviting him in.

Resisting that pull he asked, “Then why hide from me all night?”

“I had my reasons.” There was that amusement again. Eris growled.

“Because you were putting all this together? Forgive me Azriel, everything is wonderful but I hardly think it took you all evening.” Irritation surged in him again but he had been so thoroughly worn out that it was entirely too easy for Azriel to take control. Every touch offered to Eris melted him into submission over and over again.

“Well.” Azriel started, nibbling at the point in Eris’ ear. “I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet but … This isn’t really the gift.”

“I’m too tired to play games, Shadowsinger. Your family has exhausted me this evening.” Eris peeled himself away from Azriel enough to give him easier access to more parts of him as Azriel worshiped his skin with teeth and tongue.

“Don’t call me that, brat.” Azriel complained, letting his teeth sink a little further into Eris’ shoulder. “ I’m trying to be sweet here.”

Eris laughed. “Is that what this is?”

Azriel’s teeth sunk into him, threatening to break skin and Eris couldn’t control the moan that quietly slipped from between his lips. The rumble in his chest warmed something in Eris.

“Well. I’m here now.” Eris continued, letting the brat in his tone shine through as he held out his open palm near Azriel’s face. “I’d like my gift. And don’t say my gift is you. You were supposed to be a given this evening. The only given, I might add, and the only thing I have yet to receive besides this elusive gift you speak of.” He chastised, preening at the trickle of laughter it had coaxed out of Azriel.

“Eris.” Azriel growled, nipping the sensitive skin at his nape. “I’ve already given it to you.”

With his interest peaked, Eris squirmed against Azriels hold until he was able to turn around completely and face the male. Narrowing his eyes, he searched Azriel’s smug face for answers but found none.

“I don't understand.” He said carefully, watching for minute changes to Azriel’s expression. “All I’ve been doing all night is getting tossed around by your family.”

Giving his best dramatic performance, Eris let his arms slink around Azriel’s shoulders and collapsed into his chest. A small, so very slight, pout perched on his lips. Azriel moved to bite them but Eris adjusted just out of reach of those beautiful canines.

“I’m sorry.” Azriel brought a hand up to cup the back of Eris’ head, cradling it softly before using the leverage to bring their foreheads together. “I know they make you anxious.”

“It’s not…” Eris sighed. “I don't get anxious you silly creature…” He pressed his forehead harder into Azriel’s squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt not to smirk. They both knew Eris was full of it. “It’s not that I don’t enjoy them. At least, I enjoy them as much as one can enjoy a group of pests. They don’t hide it very well that I am not like them, that I don’t entirely belong. The only thing they hide worse than that is that they consider whatever it is you and I have, to be temporary. ”

“Do you feel like we’re temporary?” Azriel asked, taking a step closer. Their bodies slot together so easily that it was hard for Eris not to groan at the contact, feeling the press of Azriel’s muscles against his own. Ultimately, he lost the fight and a small sound escaped, egging Azriel on. He thrust gently up against Eris, letting their half hard erections slide against one another. The friction was too light, nearly torture.

“No.” Eris admitted, impossibly quiet. Delicately, a gasp accompanied the word. It should have been just as whisper quiet but the sound was a blast of raw power in his ears. Azriel seemed to agree, replying with his own low groan of pleasure.

“Well, neither do I.” Azriel curled his fingers in Eris’ silken locks and tugged lightly until they could look into one another’s eyes. Even in the low light, the hazel in his stare glimmered like gold and Eris could almost see the fire in his own eyes reflected in them. Unable to stand it any longer, Eris surged forward. The kiss was sweet but hungry and Eris closed his eyes as he leaned into it. They stayed that way for untold minutes, basking in the glow of just being able to be together when there was no urgency to stay alert for fear of being caught. The magical high of sneaking around only lasted so long. Both of them were too old now to properly enjoy it as they used to and there was a bone deep weariness to having to stay hidden.

That was the beauty in this time together but there was still pain too. No matter how long they held one another, it never felt long enough. As it was, Azriel pulled away too soon.

“Did they make you feel that way tonight?” Eris smirked at the protectiveness in Azriel’s tone. There once was a time where the bat would defend his family with his dying breath. That had been a major crux at the beginning of their relationship and subsequently, a major turning point for them as whatever was growing between them started to feel more real. With each passing year, those feelings intensified as did Azriel’s willingness to protect Eris over anyone at the Night Court.

“I- well no.” Eris pulled away to wrap his arms around himself as he thought back on his evening.

“Are you sure? Azriel took a step forward, tugging childishly on Eris’ sleeves until he unfolded his arms from around his own waist. “If I need to kill someone I can. I’d do it for you.” Azriel let his nose graze the length of Eris’ neck. Going pliant under the touch, Eris exposed as much of it to Azriel’s touch as he could.

A gentle hum of laughter vibrated in Eris’ chest as he brought their bodies flush once more. “I’ll take a raincheck. As it turns out, tonight they were as pleasant as I think they know how to be. The castle must be spelled.” Azriel kissed him again, making desperate attempts to crawl as close to Eris as he could. Slowly, Azriel walked them back to the bed until Eris' ankles collided with the low frame and they fell back onto it. Eris' back hit the mattress and he sank into the delicious mountain of textiles. When Azriel’s body landed expertly on top of him, his wings flared out wide to help him balance and Eris gasped in awe. It was always a sight to see but something about the way the purple fae lights tried to pierce through the ruddy membranes was especially ethereal that night and Eris felt like he was wrapped in a dream.

“So, was that your present then? Did you ask them to play nicely tonight?” Eris teased as Azriel made quick work of removing both Eris’ coat and shirt. Letting his perfectly shaped nails scratch along the planes of Azriel’s muscles, Eris ran his fingers up the male’s abdomen under his own shirt.

“In a way. I suppose.” Sitting up, Azriel peeled off his top, taking a moment to stare down hungrily at Eris. His heart was beating wildly and Eris found it hard to swallow. With a lion’s purr rumbling deep in his chest, Azriel bent his body low again until they were touching in every possible place they could touch. “Eris?” He breathed against the flutter of Eris' pulse.

With both hands curled in Azriel’s scalp, Eris only hummed back his answering curiosity.

“Mate me.” The words were nearly inaudible and the nails softly scratching in Azriel’s hair stilled as Eris tried to comprehend what Azriel had asked. Not only had whispered them but the slight tremor in his tone suggested a level of vulnerability Eris isn’t sure he has ever seen from the male before.

“What are you talking about?” He asked carefully, wrapping his arms around Azriel’s back and urging his face closer.

Azriel complied with Eris’ silent request and rose to meet his liquid amber eyes. “I want to bind myself to you in that way.” He finally said after a long time. The tremor in his words was still there but lessened slightly.

Eris sucked in a breath through his teeth, unsure of what exactly Azriel was asking of him. Suddenly the room felt too small, Azriel’s weight felt too heavy on top of him and the world felt entirely too frightening. “But…” He stumbled, “ We’re not…” Confusion soaring, Eris wondered briefly if Azriel knew something he didn’t. Those thoughts emptied from his head quickly, no, he would know if they were…

Bracketing Eris’ head in between his forearms where he rested them on the mattress Azriel filled Eris’ line of sight. His glorious wings, nothing but a glowing shadow above them. Making sure he was the only thing in Eris’ line of sight, Azriel slowly leaned forward until his lips were barely grazing his lover’s. Logically, Eris knew there was no reason for his panic, now so palatable in the air, but if these were the results he could expect, Azriel trying to overwhelm all his senses, he would panic over and over again.

So that they were eye to eye once more, Azriel propped himself up a little higher. The softness from the lights above cradled his frame like starlight carving out the silhouette of a mountain. It strained through the membranes of his wings as he spread them out wide on either side of him. The effect was nothing short of divine. For a moment, Eris felt insignificant, a worshiper kneeling at the foot of an altar.

Ruining the moment, Eris snorted, laughing at himself. It caused Azriel to startle. The bringer of death above him groaned and collapsed on top of Eris before rolling, only slightly, off to the side, holding the male, his male, tightly between his arms and legs where they wrapped around him.

“You don’t want me, not in that way.” His lips pressed into Azriel’s hair at the top of his head, Eris spoke softly. “To be tied to me means to be tied to the Vanserra-”

Azriel huffed into the crook of Eris’ neck, squeezing him just a little tighter. “Stop.”

“Listen to me.” Groaning halfheartedly, Eris tried to push away from him. “What we’re doing here Azriel it’s-”

“Do not finish that sentence.” Azriel growled. Loosening his grip on the male in his arms just enough to grip at his jaw and force their eyes to meet. The hazel was piercing normally but the way Azriel was looking at him now made Eris feel as though his very bones were melting.

“I was going to say,” Eris pushed Azriel off of him again, more successfully this time, and sat in his lap. Now with his thighs squeezing Azriels hips, Eris rolled slowly, grinding down into Azriel as he spoke. Azriel’s wings came up around them both, the talons scraping gently along Eris’ shoulders and back. He shivered. “Was that what we have is precious to me. I have already bound myself to you in the ways that matter. But if you… if you end up regretting-”

“Shhh.” Azriel wrapped his arms around Eris’ waist and sat up, his wings wrapping around them both tighter leaving only a small window above them for the lights above to shine through, winking at them. “I could never regret what we have made together. I will never regret that.” He snarled those last words, gnashing his sharp teeth together, desperate to make sure Eris understood him.

“You can’t say that, not when…” Eris swallowed the urge to push off of him and cross the room. It was instinct to pull away during these moments and start a fight just so he could feel better about leaving. “Not when you’ve always yearned for a mate.”

Sensing Eris’ urge to run, Azriel held him tighter. His lips grazed Eris’ chest so lightly it was almost painful. Soft and warm, Azriel made his way up to the pulse point fluttering heavily in Eris’ neck. His breath hitching with each impossibly light caress, Eris leaned into it.

“Listen to me” Azriel breathed, command sitting heavy in his tone. “I don’t need the Mother to tell me who I belong with…” He kissed his way back down Eris’ neck, sucking small hurts before speaking the next words onto his skin as if he were branding them there right over his heart. “It’s you Eris. I belong with you.”

Thich and burning, Eris' blood began to heat up, moving sluggishly through him like molten lava. Steadier than he thought possible, Eris raised his hands to cradle the back of Azriel’s neck and head, holding the bat tightly to his chest as he let those words settle something in him.

“Az…” He bit out, unable to say anything else.

The lips on his overheated skin turned almost punishing as Azriel worked his way down Eris’ chest. He wrote praises with his tongue in only a language they knew as Eris slowly rolled his hips. Each movement, a wave cresting, bringing them closer and closer together.

Without warning, Azriel pulled away. The loss of him had Eris gasping and he looked down into those deep, unforgiving eyes.

“Let’s have a mating ceremony, Eris. Can’t we forge our own bond?” The hope brimming in that hazel hurt to look at but Eris couldn’t turn away.

The answer on the tip of Eris’ tongue was immediately and genuine but something held him back from that simple word. There wasn’t a lot Eris wanted from the world. He had grown up learning how to play a dangerous game, one he was so good at that he sometimes wondered if he was his father’s pet after all. Safety was a dream he had once wanted for himself but had to let go of early on. Now he found himself wanting it again, with this male, for this male. Safety and joy.

“And Beron?” Eris asked unsure if he wanted to hear Azriel’s answer.

“It’s ok.” Azriel lifted a hand to cup Eris’ cheek. He fell into the embrace on instinct, closing his eyes and willing all other emotion from his expression to dissipate. Eris had been thrust into confusing situations all night, leaving him raw and open for this disastrous conversation. Which, in retrospect, had probably been Azriel’s disgusting plan all along. He knew Eris’ defenses were lax, his masks fragile, after having to hold to them so tightly for an entire evening. Just the fact that he knew Eris so well to understand that part of him sent something frantic but exciting galloping away in Eris’ chest.

“What’s ok? If he finds out-”

“He won’t.” Azriel's other hand came up to cup the other side of Eris’ face and he brought their faces close together again to whisper the promise directly into Eris. Eris’ mouth parted, letting the words in as their lips brushed. A promise he couldn’t run away from. “We can do this together, the same way we’ve always done it for as long as it takes to be rid of him. We’re meant for the light, you and I and one day I’ll prove that to you. It’s ok if it takes a while.”

As he spoke, Azriel’s fingers trailed into Eris’ hair, gently undoing the small, intricate braids Eris had woven in at the start of the evening. As they came undone, those long, scarred fingers scratched gently against Eris’ scalp.

“Completely unfair.” Eris whined in a whisper, continuing his slow, methodical rocking in Azriel’s lap.

Having finished undoing Eris’ hair and letting the silken red curtain fall around them as their foreheads came together, Azirel rocked up into him and they both gasped at the sweet friction. Azriel’s arms found their way back around Eris’ waist and he held him tightly, chest to chest as their motions became more desperate.

“Eris…” Azriel breathed. He said the male’s name with so much reverence Eris wondered if he was talking to him or praying to the Mother. They ground into one another, breathing heaving, words spoken almost unconsciously as frantic need took over. “Eris, accept me. Will you accept me… mate?”

Gasping, Eris took shaking hands and held Azriel’s face, guiding their eyes to meet. His brows furrowed at the emotion there. Where Eris had expected to find foolish passion he found vulnerable fear instead. It was the same thing written across his heart but underneath was the unfiltered love trying to shine through. It overwhelmed Eris and tore down the rest of his defenses.

“Always,” He spoke, staring into the depths of all Azriel was offering him. “Always, mate. I accept everything you have ever been, everything you are or will be. You are mine.” The ferocity of that truth slammed into Eris and even though the words were spoken with quiet veneration, the shape of them was searing, like a heated blade carving the vow onto his very bones.

“Mine.” Azriel echoed, the same gentleness in his tone backed by the same ferocity of the vow.

They crashed together into a kiss that would have ended them if Eris hadn’t pulled away in shock. The third finger on his left hand blazed with magic as a newly created bargain tattoo pickled onto his skin.

The color drained from Eris’ face as he stared at it, completely at a loss for words, his fear permeated the space between them. Azriel only laughed and Eris cut a sharp glare at him.

Choked with emotion, Eris started to protest. “If my fath-”

“It’s ok. Only the ones who bore a piece of the bargain can see it. Beron won’t ever know it’s there.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come here. Let me see it.” Azriel let his wings unfurl so Eris could adjust. He turned away to sit properly in Azriel’s lap, letting his back sit flush with the male’s chest as Azriel tucked in protectively around him. He took Eris’ hand in his own, letting his chin drop to the space between Eris’ neck and shoulder and inspected the new tattoo.

It was a crown of stars, wrapped around his finger like a ring. Connected by black whorls and swirls that looked almost like flame or shadow, maybe both, the stars seemed to glow with an inner fire. There was one for… Eris started doing the math in his head, looking back on his evening with a new sense of clarity. One for each member of the Night Court he realized.

“Azriel.” He gasped. “What did you do?” Eris felt himself stiffen as he remembered each of the encounters, and the words spoken to him by all the people he had hoped to one day be accepted by, even Lucien. Where he had seen contempt and reluctance all night, there had been secret acceptance all along.

“I don’t know what those monsters all promised you and you don’t have to share them with me unless I needed to threaten one of them for you…” A canine scraped his neck as Azriel smiled, teasing him.

“No.” Eris replied. His voice was small, stifled with the reluctance to accept all that was being given to him. He didn’t deserve any of it, especially after being so suspicious about their intentions all evening. Though, they could hardly blame him for all they had put one another through over the years.

Azriel turned Eris' hand around, inspecting the stars now written onto his lover's skin. Symbols of the Night Court, of his family, one that Eris now officially belonged to.

“Nyx made a promise?” Azriel asked, pointing to the tiny star hovering between two of the larger ones. Pride and amusement lit up his voice.

“Don’t get too excited.” Eris laughed. “I think we might have to find a way for him to be let out of this one, or amend his promise.”

“He promised to always take your side, didn't he?” Azriel laughed, the robust sound of it vibrating through Eris’ chest, warming him.

“Something like that.” Eris frowned, shaking off Azriel’s touch on his hand and turning his hand back around. “It’s not connected.” He said quietly looking at the blank spot in the middle of the band. Azriel’s spot.

“That’s because I’m not done yet. I don’t know where the future will take us or what is going to happen in your court. What we have now, while something hidden and precious, isn’t meant to stay that way. I know one day we will be able to live in the light like the rest of the ones we love and care for and I am happy to wait until that day.” Azriel said, gently turning Eris until they were face to face again.

“Azriel I-” Azriel brushed Eris’ lips with the pad of his thumb, silencing whatever Eris was about to say.

He continued his speech, a smile lighting up the gold in his eyes. “I promise you… Eris Vanserra, that no matter how or when that day arrives, that until we can walk in the light together… “ He swallowed, a note of vulnerability lacing the confidence in how he spoke. “I promise you that I am wholly yours, in every way.”

Another sting of magic brushed Eris’ finger. This time he could taste it on the back of his tongue, like it was being etched into his very being. When he looked down he saw a new star cresting the top of the band, closing the gap and finishing out his new bargain tattoo. Azriel took his hand in his own and searched Eris’ face for any sign that this was too much. Eris hated that Azriel’s instinct was to watch for him to pull away.

Historically, Eris was the one that reset their relationship time and time again. Whether it was for fear of Beron or fear of feeling too much knowing he wasn’t worthy of it, it didn’t matter. Especially when the look on Azriel’s face haunted Eris. He had seen it too many times, and had been the cause of it too many times.

When he finally peeled his eyes away from his hand and met Azriel’s stare, he offered him a small smile, a sign of peace in hopes that it would help Azriel relax until Eris could form the proper words for the moment. He didn’t want to fuck this up.

Before he had a chance, Azriel spoke up instead. “It’s not a traditional bargain tattoo, it can be amended or … or erased if you-” Fear surged through Eris at the thought that Azriel assumed by his silence that he didn’t want this, all of this and by extension, all of him. He moved without thinking and brought their lips together. It was soft and sincere while Eris tried to pour all of the words he couldn’t say just yet into it.

Fingers tightening where they clasped hands, breaths and heartbeats syncing, Eris pulled away and whispered his own promises back to Azriel.

“You idiot.” He began, earning a laugh from the male across from him. “I know I’ve not been the most careful with this fragile bit of peace we have miraculously been able to create together but for you to think that I wouldn’t want this, want us… you… completely… I.” Eris took a breath and tried again. He was quickly losing control and wanted nothing more than to convey the love he was feeling correctly. “I love you, Azriel. Those words are the single most terrifying things I could imagine saying out loud. So much so that everytime I do imagine them I get sick with worry at all the ways this could go wrong. However, they are also the truest parts of my soul and you need to hear them because you need to know that you are also the truth of my soul. I love you Azriel and I promise myself to you, every piece of me.”

They both gasped slightly as magic coursed between them again. Tears streaming down his stoic face, Azriel brought up his hand to see a tattoo on the third finger of his left hand. The mate to Eris’.

“You and I,” He started his words catching in his throat. “I think we're going to be ok.”

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