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lyssasdrafts · 3 months

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“IN A WORLD OF BOYS, HE’S A GENTLEMAN.”

note: happy valentine’s day <33 we love our acotar boys

characters: rhysand, cassian, azriel, and lucien x reader!

— RHYSAND

holds the door open for you, always insists on paying first, cooks for you, brings you breakfast in bed, “i don’t care what they say, i only want you,” and always compliments you.

“everyone wants him, that was my crime.”

you always noticed how everyone’s eyes were drawn to rhysand, how he was treated differently whenever you went out, and how sometimes people would glare at you for dating him. but he never fails to reassure you that you’re worth it to him, that nothing else matters to him except your opinions. he’ll grab you by the waist and kiss you in front of everyone so they know he’s taken and who he’s with without question.

— AZRIEL

buys you flowers, holds your bags for you when you need help, wants to drive you everywhere, texts you updates 24/7, long phone calls, and “you can tell me anything, baby.”

“the wrong place at the right time.”

azriel is someone who will always make time for you despite the circumstances. he’ll sneak out in the middle of the night to meet you, will show up to the places you usually go to just for you, would drop everything in the moment for you once you just say the word.

— CASSIAN

always pulls out a chair for you, “i don’t wanna go to sleep mad at each other,” walks on the outside of the sidewalk, makes sure you get home safely, loves to cuddle you into his chest, and “wear whatever you want, i’ll protect you.”

“and i break down, then he’s pulling me in.”

you never knew that you would like a guy like cassian so much. you'd never expected the loud popular guy that everyone talked about to be such a lover. he's the type that feels comfortable enough in himself to be direct about his feelings and that's how he confessed to you. he's the type that follows you around and trails behind you after fights because you’re too important to lose, you realized the reason people feel drawn to him isn't because he's some jock who leads them on, it's because he actually cares.

— LUCIEN

writes you love letters and notes that he leaves around the house, celebrates every holiday or special day with you, he goes all out for them, zips up your jacket for you, and introduces you to everyone as “the love of his life”.

“got lovestruck, went straight to my head.”

your honeymoon phase lasts the whole relationship with lucien. domestic life with him feels so sweet you don’t think you can ever go back if you lose him. he still tells you he loves you every morning, you argue over chores and he makes you coffee/tea in bed. also loves coming home to tell you every detail of his day and loves hearing all about yours too.

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famouscyclenerd · 3 months

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Some actually believe that Lucien isn't (sexually) attracted to Elain.

"Touch her, smell her, taste her-"

"But he couldn't breathe as she faced him fully. She was the most beautiful female he'd ever seen."

Next time, don't skip chapter 24 in acowar. ;D

AND REMEMBER THAT LUCIEN VANSERRA IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A GENTLEMAN

#acotar #elucien #pro elucien #lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra

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gwynniethenymph · 15 days

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Azriel had his shadows since he was a little tiny boy, locked away in a small room with no windows, feeling unloved and uncared for.

The shadows were not a part of his trauma, they actually may have been one of the reasons he survived through his trauma.

They are his company, his little spies, a literal manifestation of his powers and honestly, very loveable little beings. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Azriel is that he is a Shadowsinger.

AND Y'ALL WANT THESE SHADOWS TO DISAPPEAR?

Let me tell you something: That's exactly why I don't ship e/riel. Because, if they were to truly be happy together, someone (or both) would have to give up in such essential parts of themselves that they wouldn't be the same person.

Elain would have to give up on traveling around the world and planting gardens everywhere. She would have to give up on glamorous parties because her partner is an introvert and terrifies everyone in Prithyan except his family and the people who want to fuck him (I'm looking at you Helion). She would not live somewhere sunny all the time and take walks in the nature.

Azriel? Apparently, he has to give up his shadows. He will have to hide the darkest parts of himself, not because Elain can't deal with it, but because he is clearly extra-self conscious and ashamed of those parts around her. He would forever feel afraid of "tainting" her or scaring her away, because he clearly doesn't consider her someone capable of dealing with darkness. He would have to give up on having a mate.

IN ORDER OF THIS SHIP TO WORK, THEY NEED TO BE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS.

Spoiler ahead: these characters already exist.

I don't ship Gwynriel and Elucien because I'm anti-elain or some other bullshit. I ship it because I love these characters and I want to see them grow without needing to become something completely different from what they are.

I don't need gentleman, well dressed Azriel because LUCIEN IS THERE.

I don't need warrior, bloodthirsty Elain because GWYN IS THERE.

Honestly, it's so very simple it hurts.

#gwyneth berdara #pro gwyneth berdara #gwyn berdara #gwynriel #gwyn acosf #pro gwynriel #azriel x gwyn #pro elucien #elucien #pro lucien #elain x lucien #pro azriel #pro elain #anti e/riel #azriel shadowsinger #okay bye

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sunbrightheart · 6 months

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when taylor swift wrote: “in a world of boys, hes a gentleman.” she was actually writing it about lucien vanserra.

#࿓ brightheart.#lucien vanserra #slut! taylor’s version

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shadowqueenjude · 5 months

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Azriel is jealous of Lucien

Azriel is 100% jealous of Lucien and here is, in my opinion, why: 1. There's the obvious factor: he has a mate and Azriel does not (or so he thinks). He's jealous of Rhysand and Cassian for this but he still manages to be happy for them because they're his closest friends. But he perceives Lucien as this "outsider," yet he got a mate while Azriel did not. 2. Truthfully? Lucien and Azriel have many similarities, particularly when you consider their backstories. Both grew up in abusive households and have difficulty getting over females that are not their mates despite their conviction that they are (Jesminda and Mor). Both feel like outsiders, although it's wild that Azriel feels that way considering he has Rhys and Cass but whatever. They even both have scars as a result of unbearable cruelty. But while Azriel came out of that situation with unresolved anger issues and a tendency towards violence (as demonstrated during the High Lord's meeting) and a darkness to him, Lucien came out of that situation a gentleman, still managing to be kind and with an incredible amount of self-restraint and lightness to him (and typically opting for nonviolence). Azriel sees himself as a bad person and he resents the fact that Lucien still maintains himself as a good person despite it all. 3. Lucien was easily accepted as a part of the group as his true self (or that's what Azriel sees) while Azriel still feels like he can't be his true self. He admitted in the bonus chapter that he only lets Rhys see the full extent of his anger because Rhysand is the only one who can match it. So, he doesn't even show his full anger to Cassian or Feyre. And look at them during the solstice in ACOSF: Rhys sprawled in an armchair, and Cassian occupied a second armchair with Lucien leaning against it, arguing with them about something that seemed related to a sporting event.

vs Azriel: Azriel lingered near the door, quiet enough that when Feyre and Mor began talking about some of her paintings, Nesta went over to him.

Lucien, with his ability to talk with people, worked his magic on Rhysand and Cassian easily. Lucien, despite having to deal with the strain of the mating bond, is still managing to converse with them while their own best friend of centuries cannot bear the scent of Lucien's bond, even though the person most affected by it isn't him. 4. Azriel feels replaced by Lucien. He is the Inner Circle's spy, mainly, but he isn't good for much else if we're being honest. Lucien, on the other hand, can ALSO spy. Evidence: Lucien took a steadying breath, and I wondered—wondered if being emissary also meant being spymaster.

Apart from that, he has exceptional abilities with people. He was instantly seen working his magic when the IC was having difficulty working out a time and place for the High Lord meeting. He helped create the antidote for the faebane as well. Then there's Azriel's other use: being a warrior. Lucien is a warrior too. And he is so powerful that he was able to venture into the continent by himself where even Rhysand with all his power feared to tread and come back with a large army which was essential for their victory. And post-war, he is the one keeping Prythian together, along with his beloved older brother Eris. He had to give Lucien credit: the male was somehow able to move between his three roles—an emissary for the Night Court, ally to Jurian and Vassa, and liaison to Tamlin—and still dress immaculately. Then there is this from Azriel: “No. But we need to summon Lucien,” Azriel said, just a shade tightly, as if he didn’t like it one bit. Elriels take this to be about Elain, but I actually believe this is further evidence of his complete and utter jealousy. It pains him to admit that the IC needs Lucien even more than they already did. With Lucien's increased role, Azriel's role further diminishes in Az's eyes. So when Azriel says he thinks "Lucien will never be good enough for her?" He is projecting his own feelings onto Lucien. Deep down he knows that he is completely and utterly wrong for Elain and that Lucien is 100% right for her. When he says that he'd "Defeat Lucien with little effort?" In his mind, it's a chance to regain some of his worth. He perceives that his only value to the IC is his spying and warrior abilities. He wants to prove that Lucien can't replace him because Azriel is better at these things. But in reality, he can't possibly believe he'd defeat the male who dominated Cassian with one word with little effort. Because even if he wasn't there for that moment, he knows Lucien survived the continent. He knows everything Lucien has been through and has definitely sparred with the guy. And we know Rhys agreed with him to keep him from getting any angrier or more frustrated. The beef between Azriel and Lucien is soooo one-sided. Lucien thinks of him as a decent dude! These two could be best friends if Azriel got over his dumb jealousy. But I don't care; I'm a Lucien stan for life and you'd better start treating my man right. Going through trauma is NOT an excuse to choke people or challenge them to blood duels. Lucien has gone through plenty and he hasn't even lashed out at anyone, even though he'd be completely valid for doing so. Learn from Lulu, Az.

#lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra #elucien #pro elucien #anti e/riel #anti azriel

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nickel156 · 1 month

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Y'all really think LUCIEN, LUCIEN-

"I'm a mated male"

Is going around flirting with Vassa then comes to visit Elain with gifts and longing looks?!

FUCK NO!!

This male is a gentleman/male and he knows what the fuck he wants.

He's the only male to actually give his mate space!

No they are not in love, but they will be.

#elucien #elucien supremacy #lucien is a fucking gentlemen/male

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pastelpinkkadan · 1 month

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Anti-El*cien and kinda Anti-Lucien so I would really not read if you’re triggered by that.

I cannot reiterate enough how Lucien has done the BARE minimum for Elain as her “mate”.

Lucien is not “being a gentleman and giving her space/comfort” by living with the band of exiles. He’s AVOIDING her. It’s not polite, he’s literally just dipping out. Because it’s so painfully obvious that ELAIN DOES NOT WANT HIM. And honestly, there’s nothing in his actions to suggest he actually wants her either.

He’s not being a “good male” and thinking of Elain’s feelings. He wants out.

Him gifting her gardening gloves is NOT a good gift, If he actually cared, he’d know that Elain likes to garden with her bare hands. And in the Feysand BC it even says Elain has not used these gloves once. Also, the pearls he gave her? I literally cannot think of a worse or ill fitting jewel to give Elain. Like, he could have chosen anything and he went with pearls?? The jewel you’d give some stuffy old court lady. That’s a “safe” jewel you give to someone you DO NOT KNOW.

I’m just sick of these wild interpretations that Lucien is such a gentleman and a good mate, when he’s done nothing to deserve the title. Or the theory that Elain avoids him because she likes him sooooo much.

SJM has shown us time and again that Elain and him DO NOT FIT.

If Elain was not his mate, Lucien would not give her the time of day. Which he barely does already.

This is why I truly believe their bond is wrong/false in some way. If they were REALLY mates, Lucien wouldn’t be able to stay away like he is. And to an extent, neither would Elain. But they can separate for months without so much as batting an eye. It goes against EVERYTHING we know about mates.

Note- I’ve also been seeing from some El*ciens that “Azriel is like Graysen and that’s why Elain wants him”, and I cannot BELIEVE the reach. 1. We’ve gotten like one scene of Graysen and he was NOTHING like Azriel so where is this comparison even coming from? 2. It’s super disrespectful to Elain and her growth/healing to imply that she would do that. She’s into Az because of how kindly he’s treated her, how they’ve spent time together, and the romantic/connecting moments with her rescue and TruthTeller come ON.

#acotar #acosf #elriel #elain archeron #pro elain #pro elriel #azriel #elain x azriel #anti gw*nriel #anti el*cien

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acourtofthought · 1 month

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Your poll on Elucien’s first time has inspired these thoughts…

…because I think their first time could be an act of desperation. A moment in shadows, the corners of a hallway, the darkness of a ship cabin in the dead of night. Perhaps broken by flickering candlelight, or the steady beams of the moon. But I think it will be frantic, perhaps spurred by one of them (Lucien) being gravely ill, or better yet, injured. A moment of heightened passion after Elain’s thought “I almost lost him. Forever.”

Lucien, the gentleman, telling her it’s alright. Overwhelmed by her furor and surprised by her action. His hushed whispers that they can wait, that she deserves better, that he wants to give her better. Protests that don’t cease until she presses a finger to his lips, and tells him to be quiet. To look at her, the tears in her eyes, and realize they are for him. That her worry and fright and frustration, it is all for him. Will always be for him, she promises. That he can still give her that sunny, patient, thorough loving.

But right now, in this moment where her breath isn’t discernible from his, she needs him. Please. Even if it’s only for a short while, quick and fast and sloppy. She will not regret it, she will not shrink away after. Because she needs him, to feel him and taste him and be consumed by nothing but his presence. The reminder that he is okay, will be okay, and he’s here. He’s with her, and she needs to feel it. Right now

And Lucien could never deny what his mate needs.

🧼💖

NTSSM.....where have been hiding all of that?!???? I'm hoping you are active on Ao3 and Tumblr with fanfiction and I've already seen / liked some of your work. And actually, I could see something like this for them because it's been SOOOOOO long. They have been dealing with this unfulfilled bond for two years. We know for a fact that when a bond snaps it's difficult to maintain control yet these two people (who are pros at maintaining control and used to a certain level of decorum) have been pushing down their instincts for months and months (and months). At some point, it makes sense that some event, might cause that control to completely snap.

#pro elucien #elucien #elucien headcanon

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bettdraws · 3 months

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Elain exasperated, telling Feyre just how mistaken whoever made Lucien her mate was.

“He is insufferable, I cannot have one moment of peace when he’s around” Shes pacing in her little garden, Feyre holding Nyx in her lap while seated in a bench, listening to her sister. “He always has a comeback to everything I say” She throws her hands, palms up in exasperation as she continues pacing, eyes on the ground. “He’s cocky, he thinks he’s so smart and smug, with his… stupid smile” Images of his white teeth, pointy canines and lopsided smirk flash through her mind. “He thinks he can get me, thinks he knows me, he doesn’t know the first thing about me” She says to Feyre and her sister just shakes her head in agreement. “He’s always studying me…” She sees his infuriatingly cunning eyes, one of rust one of metal staring at her with long lowered lashes. “Assessing me like I’m some… prey” That glance she caught him throwing at her more than once, as if he was taking her all in, eating her up from head to toe. “He’s shameless, the words he uses” She feels her cheeks heat up a bit when she remembers how he had talked to her now that his gentleman act was gone. Now that he had learned what things get inside her skin. “He’s nothing more than a rake” She tells her sister and she nods quickly in agreement as his words flood her mind like thunderstorm. ‘If you don’t believe my gentleman act, Elain, you’ll be glad to know I don’t believe your proper lady act either’ He had told her a few hours ago in one of their latest heated exchanges. “He thinks he can seduce me with his wicked ways, with his big mouth” And plump lips. “His ridiculous hair” Always looking perfect as if he had been born like that. She scoffs and Feyre shakes her head again, Nyx scoffing too. ‘Find me when you’re finally ready to admit you cannot endure a second longer without me touching you’ He had said making her face light up in crimson heat as he breathed on her ear. ‘Rake’ She had managed to say. He had just chuckled. ‘Oh, I can show you how much of a rake I can be, my lady.’

“Elain?” Feyre snaps Elain’s attention back to the present moment. Her cheeks are still heating. She shakes her head.

“They made a mistake” She says again. “Whoever decided this, decided that he–“ She points at the house even though Lucien is no longer there. “Was to be my mate. We can’t be more incompatible. He brings out the worst in me… all I wanna do is slap him–“ Flashes of his soft smile invade her. “Yell at him” His broad hands trapping her hands and holding her up when she slipped on the frozen ground past winter make her stomach tighten. “He’s unpredictable” His broad back to her, dressed in fighting gear and his hair bound by a scrap of leather enthrall her all of a sudden. “I want him as far away from me-“ Him and his intoxicating, overwhelming smell of citrus, wood and a hint of cinnamon. “As physically possible” An image of his hard bare body, pressed onto hers, hips moving in a sinful rythm, take over her mind, images of a dream that haunt her more nights than she likes to admit. Slow touching of hands, sounds so unholy she could not understand how her mind could come up with something like that. Her nails on his broad back, the muscles on his frame rippling under them, the feeling of belonging, of contentment, of utter satisfaction possessing her whole…

She suddenly remembers Feyre and Nyx are both still there, when she brings her eyes towards her sister’s cooled, knowing stare and she realizes for once, just how screwed she actually is.

#i cant seem to stop thinking about them #elucien #elucien headcanon #elain x lucien #elain archeron #she is in DENIAL im telling you #elain and lucien banter will eat #feyre archeron #this took a spicy turn #couldn’t help it

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lunaduskxo · 3 months

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I had posted before how Elain was home in the NC. I still stand by that, but there was an elucien post how we are just letting her basically rot there 😅

Is she?

This anti went on to say how we’re holding her back and so on, but excuse me, no the fuck we have not. We know she has the potential to kick ass. We know she’ll possibly have to travel new places but we are not saying that’s wrong but antis are the ones wanting to ship her off to Day Court or Spring Court where she absolutely has no family! She’s thriving in the Night Court. She doesn’t need black clothing to live there.

Then saying Lucien is a gentleman and he’s respectful.. okay and? Is he entitled to her? Hell no. If she was reciprocating his “feelings” then so be it. She isn’t as of now. It’s in the books. Lucien says he can’t stand being in the same room as her and she feels relief when he’s gone. Sjm had plenty of books to build their “bond.”

Instead she made Elain and Azriel’s relationship stronger. They were actually having moments of Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton. Glances and brushes of their fingers…

BTW, Elain isn’t rude to Lucien. She’s just not interested.

The End.

#pro elriel #elriel #elriel supremacy #queue #elain x azriel #elriel forever #pro elain #elain and azriel #elain archeron #acotar #elriel facts #elriel endgame #sjm fandom

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yourejinx · 8 months

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I wanna know who do you see yourselves with within the SJMaas universe, like not who's your fave but who do you think you would actually match with? For example I love Azriel (he's my husband), he's quiet and reserved and mysterious, would undoubtly catch me eye and I wouldn't need social battery to be around him; but RHYS? unapologetically a flirt, and a smartmouth, cunning, dark? I'm a sucker for this type irl and LUCIEN? don't even get me started, he's handsome and a gentleman and funny and smart and also a flirt. I'm a gemini, leo rising and leo Venus so when i tell you I like to flirt... and getting compliments from a confident man 😅

#azriel shadowsinger #acotar #azriel x reader #acotar fanfiction #acotar fandom #acotar series #acomaf #acowar #rhys acotar #rhysand #lucien vanserra #cassian acotar #nesta archeron #elain archeron #feyre acotar #eris vanserra

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separatist-apologist · 26 days

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What do you see as the difference between fanon Lucien and canon Lucien?

Canon Lucien is an asshole and fanon Lucien has no flaws, is the perfect gentleman and also just really boring.

I was ranting about this to LB, maybe I'll just make it public but if you examine the facts:

To break the curse of Amarantha, Tamlin HAS to send his soldiers over the wall. Presumably, Lucien also went in the wolf form looking for a human woman. They ALL know what's at stake, they all volunteer knowing the risks. Feyre is a starving human and she sees a wolf which is a threat even if she wasn't starving. Its a threat to her newly acquired deer AND her life- it makes sense to kill it.

So when she sets the curse in motion and Tamlin brings her, this is a LITERAL last ditch attempt to break the curse in the final hour and Lucien KNOWS this. He KNOWS if they fail that they'll all be enslaved. He, better than anyone, KNOWS what he has to lose because Amarantha has already taken his eye and forced them all into masks.

And yet when Feyre shows up, skinny, starving, and scared, his first words to her are insults. It's not necessary but he's pissed off and resentful- he wants to fight knowing three other courts tried this and were all killed for their trouble. Fanon Lucien would treat her with kindness and help her but actually interesting Lucien does not.

Lucien is the one who sends Feyre to the suriel knowing the dangers and knowing she's ill equipped to take on a Fae monster. And when he hears her scream, he ADMITS he hesitated to help her and if you follow the logic, its because he doesn't like her.

And I see people all the time lamenting for book 1 Lucien to return but then turn around and DEMAND we all acknowledge that Lucien would NEVER be anything other than a PERFECT gentleman when Lucien's own monologue acknowledges that what he loved most about Jesminda was how unimpressed with him she was. How she'd called him on his bullshit- and you HAVE to assume he gives it as good as he gets. The minute Elain has shit to say to him, she's gonna hear something back.

I like Lucien- like OBVIOUSLY, you don't write 2 MILLION words about a character you don't like. But I resent the constant posts going around that erase everything interesting and declare you're not a "true" elucien/Lucien stan would never write him/head canon him as a dick when like.

Baby. He IS a dick.

He's also loyal and clever and willing to do what's right even when its hard. He gets retconned into a perfect gentleman and I think this is borne of the pushback a lot of Lucien stans get from other folks in the fandom that lean too hard on his early missteps and refuse to acknowledge all the ways he's grown, too. But the swing went too far in the opposite direction imo and now I've got people in my AO3 comments mad that Lucien isn't weeping over Elain's beauty and it annoys me.

I have a longer piece brewing in the drafts about Lucien and Feyre and the ways the love each other + their misunderstandings of one another that I just need to get out of my system. It's taking forever because I hate quoting these books.

#anyway free lucien and let him be himself- a lowkey ass

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captainofthetidesbreath · 1 year

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This is a more focused and somewhat more serious of the version I ran yesterday that included Gustav Fletching, Lucien and Molly, and Fjord (for Kingsley reasons).

That poll was more for the comedy of the spread of possible options, but I got curious about if the results would change if I restricted the options to actually their father or strongly held to be a father figure by that character, particularly with how this no longer potentially splits a vote between Vandran and Fjord.

For the record, the qualifications here is that he actively fulfilled that function in their life, hence why Lucien and Molly are disqualified from this poll; apologies, but comparing them to parents doesn't quite qualify for this. This is also why Gustav doesn't qualify, since Molly does not seem to have considered him that way, but Baska gets by on a technicality.

Anyway, pick one.

#Again I think it's funny of me to give no parameters for HOW to pick.#Favorite? Best? Most interesting guy? Most interesting to HAVE as a dad? Hottest? Most dad (affectionate)? Most dad (derogatory)?#Nope. No guidance from me. Pick as what your heart says. <3 #Critical Role things #CR

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shadowqueenjude · 6 months

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TOG characters meet ACOTAR characters part 1

It was the annual Yulemas celebration, and all of Aelin’s friends + Lorcan had convened in Terrasen’s palace. Everyone from Ansel of Briarcliff to Manon Crochan Blackbeak came. Even Yrene with her abdomen that was now showing had come. Aelin and Rowan’s home had never felt more full. It was an amazing feeling. She wondered if this was how it would feel to have children.

She pushed the feeling aside. As much as she wanted children, she wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment yet. Terrasen’s rebuilding came first.

Aelin was wearing a shiny silver dress while her mate wore green armor (sigh, when was he going to start wearing normal clothing?) that brought out his eyes. Fenrys on the other hand, was having way too much fun dressing up. He’d shown up in a full-blown white toga, paired with a golden laurel and golden waistband. He’d tied half his hair up and left the rest to cascade in waves around his shoulders. He seemed just fine as he went to annoy Lorcan, but Aelin could sense the sadness radiating out of him. Aelin just wished she knew how to fix it.

Lorcan was not in black (gasp!), but rather it seemed he had been forced into dark red robes by his wife, who wore a matching dark red dress. It never failed to amuse Aelin that one, his name was Lord Lorcan Lochan, and two, he willingly followed the small, delicate young Lady of Perranth’s every order. He had been teaching her how to read while helping rebuild Perranth, so Aelin would sometimes catch Elide reading children’s books out of the Terrasen royal library.

Chaol was awkwardly standing in a corner with Manon, of all the people. Dorian was dancing with Chaol’s wife, leaving the two standing near each other. Chaol looked slightly pale and constantly stared at Manon’s hands, as if waiting for the iron nails to unsheathe themselves. Aelin decided to spare her old friend and come in between them.

Once she was within earshot (since she was Fae, she was still quite far from them), she heard Manon hiss in his ear, “Agree to dance with me Chaol, so that Dorian thinks I’m playing nice with his friends.”

“Are you playing nice with his friends though?” Chaol dared to ask.

“Do I look nice to you, human? Come, let’s dance.” Manon grabbed his hand.

“Mind your manners, witch,” Aelin said coolly, stepping towards them. There was a glimmer of relief in Chaol’s eyes as Aelin interfered. “I’ll keep her from doing anything murderous, don’t worry,” Aelin said, patting Chaol on the arm. Then they began to dance.

Manon had very little grace, but Chaol made up for it with his own steering.

“No interest in dancing, my queen?” Rowan suddenly appeared in front of him, offering a tattooed hand to dance. Aelin snorted. “Still pretending to be a gentleman, I see.” But she accepted the hand and let him pull her to the dance floor.

Aelin swished and swayed around, and Rowan laughed. “Are you drunk already, my queen?”

Aelin shook her head. “No, the floor is just unsteady.”

“Why would it be unsteady?” Rowan asked. But then he suddenly tilted sideways. “Oh shit.” Aelin had no time to react when she and a majority of the guests at her party got sucked into a vacuum in the ground like a black hole. Meanwhile in Velaris… Gwyn rolled her eyes as she trained with Emerie and Nesta. “Merill has become more and more obsessed with her otherworld theory ever since you used the Harp. I don’t know how she found out about it, but…” Gwyn swiped low with her sword and aimed a kick at Emerie, who dodged it quickly. “She’s convinced she’s found a way she can actually look into other worlds. I told her she’s barking, and she got mad.”

Nesta snorted. “I’d be pretty irritated too if a little priestess called me crazy.”

Gwyn elbowed her, and the three of them laughed. Merill’s experiments were ridiculous anyway.

Lucien was just strolling through the streets of Velaris when he was hit by flying fae.

The Mother must really hate him, he decided. He’s just minding his own business on any other day and of COURSE he’s hit in the face by a body.

“That’s it, I’m done with this shit,” Lucien grumbled, pushing the body off of him. He found himself staring into the eyes of a beautiful female. Her eyes were a turquoise with a ring of gold around the pupil, with long flowing blonde hair that fell to her waist. She was wearing an elegant crown along with a silver dress so sparkly Lucien almost had to look away. But that wasn’t the strangest thing. No, the strangest thing was that…

“I can smell the flame on you,” he said. The female just stared at him, confused. Then she replied back in a foreign language.

Lucien recognized it from a class he had taken ages ago. He was probably the only one of his brothers who would ever recognize it, as he had had the most thorough education as the youngest child. He was pretty sure there would never come an occasion where he’d need to converse in such a dead language, but here he was.

“I can’t understand you,” she had said. “No one has spoken that language here in thousands of years,” Lucien replied back in that old tongue. His words sounded strange, like they were spoken by a different person.

The blonde girl gasped. “Oh no. I must have traveled between worlds.”

Lucien raised a brow. “Impressive. How’d you manage that?”

The girl shook her head. “This was not supposed to happen. The Wyrdgates are closed.”

“I have no idea what Wyrdgates are, but I’m pretty sure there are multiple ways to cut across worlds.” The girl stared at him. “Where am I?”

Lucien shrugged. “Prythian.”

“My friends- they must have fallen here with me. Where are they?”

Lucien shrugged. “I don’t know. I only saw you, as you literally knocked me down.”

The girl winced. “Sorry about that.”

Lucien smirked. “There are better ways to get my attention than sitting on my face.”

The girl smirked back but replied with, “You’re hot for sure, but I’m married.”

Lucien stood up, brushed off his clothes, then offered the girl a hand. “I was only joking. I’m a mated male.”

The girl took it. “What a coincidence. I’m also mated. What is your name?”

“Lucien. You?”

The girl grinned. “Aelin.”

Lucien and Aelin searched around Velaris for her friends. It wasn’t hard to find most of them. They were all dressed in strange attire and looked extremely disoriented. Lucien soon met Aelin’s mate and husband, a male who looked as if he’d fit right into the Summer Court with his white hair and tanned skin. He later found a male he could only describe as golden. Golden hair, golden skin, golden on his clothes. He gasped when he saw Lucien. Lucien had raised a brow. “Is something wrong?”

The golden male had replied with, “Wow…your hair. It’s so bright, and thick, and colorful, and long, and shiny!!!!!” He’d turned to the white-haired male and said, “I want red hair now, Rowan.”

Lucien had to stifle a laugh. “Thanks.”

“How do you maintain your hair?” The golden male, who Lucien soon came to know was named Fenrys, kept asking him about his hair care routine and it occupied them until Aelin found their other friends.

Lorcan groaned as he got off the ground. He was covered in snow, having landed in a nice, clean patch of it. He panicked for a moment, searching for his wife before he realized he hadn’t let go of her hand. Elide was right next to him, and she looked a little winded but otherwise ok. On Lorcan’s other side several feet down, he could see Manon, Chaol, Dorian, and Yrene getting off the ground. Yrene was frantically patting her womb, trying to ensure that her baby was still alive. Lorcan resisted the urge to shout that her baby was just fine. He had no idea what sort of enemies were here.

He got up and gently pulled his wife with him. Together, they began to walk towards the King of Adarlan. Just then, he saw Aelin walk around the corner with Fenrys, Rowan, and a strange male with red hair and a scar that added a dangerous edge to his handsome face.

Together, Lorcan and company walked towards Aelin.

“Who the hell are you,” Lorcan asked shortly of the redhead.

Aelin tsked. “Sorry about him, Lucien. He’s a miserable bastard, but don’t let him put you out. You ever need him to do something, just ask his wife, Elide.” She gestured to the woman whose hand Lorcan still held.

Lorcan scowled, but the male who Aelin referred to as Lucien looked him over and grinned.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lorcan demanded. The male with glossy red hair and a wicked scar to go with the metal eye on one side of his face only grinned and replied, "You're taller than Cassian."

“Who the hell is Cassian?”

Lucien shrugged. “Nobody important. An annoying, bratty, overgrown bat.” Lucien turned to Aelin. “I’m assuming you’ll want a safe place to stay temporarily with all your subjects.”

Aelin raised a brow. “Subjects?”

Lucien snorted. “I don’t think ordinary citizens walk around with that kind of glamour or with crowns on their heads.” He gestured to all of them. “I have a residence in this city. I’ll take you all there.”

Lorcan wasn’t sure if they could trust the male, but he seemed decent enough. Lorcan could smell no ill will on him. He wondered at the scar on his face. Fae did not scar easily, and for him to have a metal eye like that…he must have survived unbearable cruelty. He immediately thought of his wife’s ruined ankle, a product of the tower she had been locked in for ten years, and he clenched his teeth. What kind of fucked up shit went on in this world?

#lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra #lorcan salvaterre #aelin galathynius #rowan whitethorn #fenrys moonbeam #elide lochan #manon blackbeak #dorian havilliard #chaol westfall #yrene towers #anti cassian #nesta archeron #gwyneth berdara #emerie of illyria #the valkyries #fanfic

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works-of-heart · 2 months

Text

The cracks in your mask

An Elucien fic idea that I had in my head last night as I listened to music. Just a simple one-shot.

Please note, I write for fun, I'm not a professional writer so... it might be super cheesy!

Summary:

Lucien and Elain have been travelling to the Spring Court. When they find a place to rest, Elain begins asking questions of Lucien to get him to open up to her. In doing so, she manages to understand him a little better, and offers him a look inside as well.

We had been traveling for some time when we were forced to find a place to rest. Night was quickly encroaching upon us. Lucian found a quaint place for us to stay for the night, and being ever the gentleman he was, paid for a suite.

“There’s only one vacancy for the night,” he spoke, pressing the key to the room into my hand, “You can have it.” Our hands brushed against each other for a brief moment and I could feel the warmth radiating off his body. I held onto the key for just a moment too long, finding it hard to pull my hand away from him until he made the first move and tugged his hand back. Briefly, I scorned his absence, watching him pivot as he made his way towards the common area.

“Wait,” I called out, unsure why I spoke up. Something inside of me forced the words out of my lips. “I'm sure the room is big enough for both of us.” I offered him a pleasant smile, looking up to the stairs that lead to our suite.

Our suite.

I had never been brazen enough to share a room with him before, and yet for some reason, I couldn’t shake the guilt of forcing him to remain in the common area where I was certain he’d hardly find rest. I swore I could see a hint of shock and maybe a glimmer of relief in his eyes when I offered.

“Are you sure?” He dare not take another step towards me, not until he was positive that I was absolutely certain in my decision. Again, I offered a polite smile, calming my nerves from having another male share the same intimate space.

“I’m certain,” I reiterated. “We’re going to need a full night’s rest if we plan to head out early tomorrow.” He studied my gaze for a moment with that mechanical eye of his, as if maybe he’d see right through me, to see that my reasoning, while true, wasn’t in fact, the whole truth.

“Ok.” He nodded, allowing me up the stairs first while he trailed closely behind. I wondered then, if he thought I’d change my mind. If I did, he’d respect my decision and leave without a word- of that, I had no doubt.

There was a moment of silence between us. Uncomfortable silence. I could tell that Lucien was being a little more distant than normal. His eyes avoided my gaze, despite how much I could feel he wanted to steal a glimpse of me. Our walks together, even when we were alone, emptiness filled the air with not a word passing through either one of our lips, though it felt like we both had so much to say,

He set his things down, claiming the couch for himself while I began setting my things near the bed. I studied his back for a moment, watching him unpack before I broke the silence with my question.

“Are you- are you planning on sleeping on the couch?” I hadn't realized even my whisper sounded as if it was a shout.

“Would you prefer I sleep outside?” He answered. It was an honest question, but there was an undercurrent of disappointment to his voice that tugged at me. It was as if he was asking ‘Am I so insufferable to be around?’

“No,” I muttered under my breath. What was my intention, asking that question? I didn't want him to feel forced to sleep outside, but I doubt the small loveseat was much better. Then again, I wasn't actually inviting him to share the bed with me either. What was I asking for? Maybe a part of me wanted him to answer honestly, to tell me what he was thinking. I knew so little of him, of fae males in general. “I just- I thought it might be uncomfortable, that's all.”

“I've slept in worse conditions,” his tone was flat, but I could have sworn that I saw a hint of a relaxed smile tilt from the corner of his lips. “You don't have to worry about me.”

Worry? Concern? Was that the feeling I was experiencing? I thought it was simply a polite question, though the moment I thought too much into it, I realized I actually had grown concerned for him. He wasn't a bad man, by all rights, he became a trusted friend of my sister. He somehow gained rapport with my father during the war. No…he wasn't bad.

After getting our sleeping arrangements settled for the night, we remained silently in our room, sitting in our respective spots. The tension continued to stir between us, even more now as we were in such close proximity, alone. The feral, instinctual call gripped me tight, as I knew it must have hit him as well. I had overheard Cassian say that the bond for the males was so intense, that denying it had physical consequences. He described it as unbearable.

An insufferable pain.

Looking over at Lucien, he seemed much more pale than when I last remembered. His normal vibrant eye that shone like the sun, now seemed lackluster and dull, though no less beautiful. He was like a withering flower without light and water, starving for love, starving for affection.

Seeing him this way wracked me with pain. It was not his pain I felt, but my own. The same pain I felt when Graysen left me, exposing his disgust for what I had become. I heard Lucien stir, watching him struggle to get comfortable for just a moment, then loosing a heavy sigh. The weight of the world was on this man's shoulders, yet he lay there, alone without uttering a word.

“...Does it hurt?” I asked, again, breaking the silence that existed between us.

“Does what hurt?” I knew he understood what I meant, maybe he wanted me to say it, to admit that I was strafing away from the mating bond.

“The bond.” I answered, finding a firmness in my tone that I hadn't intended. Lucien just rolled over on his back, resting his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. His face looked relaxed, his eyes staring off into a point on the rafts and studied it intently.

“No.” He answered flatly, “I've gotten used to it.”

Liar.

It didn't take the mating bond for me to figure it out, nor was it the change in his scent, or the feeling of his heart beating a little faster. No, I could tell by the subtle change in his expression, the pain in those eyes, the way he had to still himself around me when all he wanted to do was find comfort. I could hear the shaking of his breath, and see how his own body betrayed those words he spoke. I knew from what Cassian and Rhys had said about mating bonds, and how males suffered the most.

He was lying to me. Did he not trust me? Did he, too, think I was weak like everyone else, that I couldn't handle the truth? No. I don't need to be handled with child gloves, I don't need to be coddled by everyone around me. I don’t want to be ‘protected’ from the truth.

‘Hmph’, an indignant breath escaped my lips as I turned to face the male, feeling my body tense at his words. His brow arched on his face, making him look inquisitive, in that stupid, charming way that caused blood to rush to my cheeks.

“I'm not a child you know, I can handle the truth. Are you lying to me because you don't trust me, or because you think I'm too weak and the truth would somehow break me?” I felt a boldness inside that I hadn't tapped into before, a fire within that threatened to burn everything. Lucien's eyes matched that flame when he sat up.

There was a spark in his eyes, something deep inside that my words ignited. His brows furrowed, his body stiffened and I could feel the intensity of his emotions, his frustration radiating down the tether. He was angry.

Good.

“What is it that you want, Elaine?” He asked, stressing each word between clenched teeth. Even my name, said with such indignance, caught my breath in my throat. My heart quickened, not from fear- but something else entirely.

“I want you to be honest with me, I want you to stop walking on eggshells around me and tell me what you're actually feeling.” I spoke earnestly, clenching my fists upon my lap, unabashed. Lucien stood up, the cracks in his mask finally dissipating, allowing him for the first time to let down his walls.

“And what do you want me to say? That I'm in pain?! That every second with you is both bliss and torture at the same time? Do you want me to tell you of how every night I yearn for you to look at me just once, while knowing the look you offer me is one of pain and resentment?” The cracks in his facade started to unravel, and I could see, and feel his absolute anguish. It wasn’t just flooding our bond now, it was all over his face.

“Do you want to know how my heart beats solely for you and you alone, and how I feel like that is a betrayal to the woman I was to marry, the woman I thought would have been my mate? Or how guilty I feel that I was chosen to be yours, when you want nothing to do with me?” His feelings that were once bundled up, hidden behind an iron wall were now a raging tidal wave out of his control, and for the first time, he was vulnerable with me.

“Or do you want to hear of how miserable I am, knowing I will never, ever be good enough for anyone, let alone you?” That was it. The last words that broke free, spilling from his lips without filter. His calm and cool demeanor shattered before me as his voice cracked and his arms slacked at his sides. Lucien’s chest heaved, how long had he been holding onto those feelings, bearing the weight of them without letting anyone know?

Lucien bore the weight of the world on his back, and yet, he never took off that mask. He had to be strong for everyone- had to prove himself capable, perhaps more now than he ever had before. The male had nowhere to lay his head down, to let out all of this frustration.

Until now.

I sank back into my heels, I could tell he was starting to regret having his emotions burst free like that. He fumbled with his fingers, looking for an excuse, an apology dancing on his tongue.

“I’m-”

“You’re not alone,” I interjected, cutting himself off from apologizing. It wasn’t pity I felt, it was understanding. He stood there, stunned that I didn’t somehow lash out at him, as if that was exactly what he had expected. Perhaps if I were Feyre or Nesta, that might have been an appropriate train of thought.

“I get it,” I said, relaxing back into the mattress of the bed, sitting so that my back was now against the headboard, leaving space for him if he so chose to sit beside me. I was surprised when he took the offer. “I’ve been overlooked by everyone, told what I can and cannot do. I get it, everyone has always seen me as fair and sweet, I’ve lived a sheltered life up until now.” I could feel Lucien’s gaze settle on me, though I kept my gaze at the wall across from us. “Greyson took one look at me and abandoned me, I wasn’t what he wanted anymore, despite the fact that I was still me, just fae.”

I let that sink in for a moment. Was I still me? Was I still the same girl who played dress up and attended balls and wanted nothing more than to tend to my garden? “Maybe something in me has changed.” I whispered, “and maybe, he loved the old Elain, and knew that I could never go back.” My eyes drooped down to my hands that were now fidgeting with the ruffles and folds of my gown, trying to distract my mind from the sadness those thoughts welled up in my chest. “I want a chance to prove that I am worth something, that I can help.” This time, I looked up to Lucien, my eyes meeting his and captured his gaze.

“I think… I think you’re doing a good job Lucien. I think you’re strong, and capable of doing amazing things. I hear about how you’re balancing three jobs at once. You’ve found Vassa, you’ve kept the spring court from complete ruin, and so many people look up to you.” It was true, Rhysand relied heavily on Lucien for information, and the spring court needed him.

I pulled the blanket out from under me, sliding my body under the duvet and brought it up to my chin. I started to feel it again, that inadequate sensation taking over me. How could I compare? How could I ever be good enough for someone like that? The heaviness in my chest sank into my stomach and weighed me down to where I felt like I’d sink into the floor at this rate.

“You give me too much credit,” he answered, his jaw feathered with a slight twitch, and his expression lightened. “I’m a complete mess, but it at least seems we have that in common.” I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my lips, leaning my head against his shoulder. He didn’t flinch or shy away from me, he just simply let me rest my head there.

I don’t know how long I lay there, resting beside him for warmth. I could lay here all night, though I felt a shift when he moved from my side, silently cursing the absence of his warmth again, and was placed down into the bed, my head resting on the pillow that still smelled of him. Lucien slowly stood from the bed, making his way to the couch before halting mid step, his back still facing me.

“You’re not, you know.” His voice was soft and calm. Again, there was a pause before he continued. He angled his head towards me, and I caught that sly grin as his mechanical eye focused in on me. It was in that exact moment, I could see why people referred to him as a fox.

“I can call you many things, Elain Archeron. Weak is not one of them- Never one of them.” He said with such certainty, finally making his way towards the couch where he’d eventually find sleep.

#elucien #elucien supremacy #pro lucien vanserra #pro elucien #lucien acotar #elain x lucien #lucien vanserra #elucien fic #elucien fanfiction

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