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goddess-in-heaven-and-hell · 4 months

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Happy Solstice, Shadowsinger! (ER) - A Gwynriel One-Shot

A little fluffy fic that features Gwynriel's first official family outing for the winter solstice, written from multiple perspectives of the inner circle and their perception of the couple.

word count: 5.1k

warnings: crude language

Azriel always thought that waiting around for the right moment to strike suited him and his personality. Waiting and observing came natural to him. He found solace in the dark quiet, alone with his thoughts and Shadows.

Tonight, however, he wanted to crawl out of his skin in anticipation.

“Az, stop fidgeting.”, Nesta mumbled under her breath. He hadn’t even noticed he moved – so much for being the Spymaster of this court. His brother’s mate stood beside him in the bustling living room of the River House, a glass of sparkling champaign cradled in her hand. They had sought their refuge in the corner of the room, closest to the door. Just like it had been last year on this very occasion.

Now, however, he didn’t want to drown in self-pity due to his unrequired longing.

Now, he waited for his date to arrive.

“I’m sure she’ll be here soon, and I’m sure everything will be alright. She is ready for this.”, Nesta continued to whisper affirmations to him, which only caused his Shadows to swirl more excitedly around his shoulders and wings. Nesta just promised them the soon arrival of their favorite person after all.

Azriel had blurted out the question only last week, asking Gwyn to be his date for the winter solstice. Even though they had shared innocent touches, deep secrets and plenty of kisses with each other up to this point, Azriel was still nervous to be taking this next step. His family, however dearly he loved them, could be a lot. And Gwyn was used to solitude. If he could, he would protect her from every prying eye, every mean thought of the world.

His thinking was promptly interrupted by the new arrival to the sitting room which let out a high-pitched screech. “Awy!”

And that would be his little nephew, who for the life of him couldn’t pronounce the Shadowsinger’s name. Azriel’s heart melted just a little as the future High Lord of the Night Court stumbled in his direction on uneven footing, blabbering excitedly and waving his little hands. Always the obedient servant, he picked up Nyx and positioned him on his hip. Nesta too stepped closer to gush over the babe.

Nyx was at an age where everything was interesting, and everything needed to be touched and inspected. Azriel’s hair, nose and Shadows were no exception to the rule. The babe tried to catch a strand of black mist, while Azriel placed a kiss atop his head. Nyx had been only the second person to not be immediately afraid, or at least a little hesitant, around his Shadows. The first would hopefully arrive soon to spare his heart from giving out with excitement.

“That look suits you brother.”, Rhys came up behind them, leaning on the doorframe with all of his highlordly-charisma, eyes trained on his son, “Let’s hope your mysterious date for the night proves to be your forever partner.”

Azriel rolled his eyes at him, even though his insides squeezed together violently, in complete and utter agreement with his younger brother.

“If you didn’t spend so much time talking, little Nyx here might already have a sibling. Don’t you have a duty to your court, mylord?”, Nesta drawled from her spot next to him, eyebrows raised in challenge.

Rhys’s cunning stare fixed on Nesta. “Anything concerning future children will be on Feyre to decide. And until then, I’ll impart all my wisdom upon you, as is the duty of the brilliant.” He bowed mockingly in Nesta’s direction, causing her to snort.

“Sometime soon you have to share the secret on how to endure his lordships presence with me, Az.”, was all she commented, turning her back to Rhys and stealing Nyx out of Azriel’s hands.

Az smiled mildly, both at his sister-in-law and at his brother. They had called a truce when Nesta saved Feyre and the babe from certain death. That truce didn’t prevent them from bickering like an old couple though. Not that he would share that particular thought with them – he’d lose at least one of his balls in the process.

“By the way”, Nesta was already on her way to Cassian when she turned again, a smug smile on her lips, “I do know Azriel’s date for the night. So much for imparting wisdom.”

Rhys looked dumbstruck, mouth slightly agape as he watched Nesta prance over to the sofa, where Cassian and her now went about hogging little Nyx. He immediately seized up Azriel. “She knows?”

Azriel raised his hands in surrender. Gwyn had requested one thing at the start of their relationship, and that was privacy. Nesta knew, obviously, because she was like a sister to Gwyn. And if Nesta knew, chances were Cassian was on it too. Azriel wasn’t one to gossip about his lovers anyways, so the whole lot of the inner circle was completely unaware about who was coming to their festivities tonight.

“Nesta found out through another person, not me. I didn’t tell a soul.”, Azriel tried to calm his nosy brother down. “And you’ll see her within the hour anyways. It’s no big deal.”

Rhys threw him another hurtful stare, before nodding his head. “Why didn’t she arrive with you?”

“She had other obligations to fulfill beforehand, but she’ll try to cut them short.”, Azriel’s answer was as vague as he could get, otherwise the identity of his date would have been clear. Gwyn was at the dusk service in the city until 6.30pm and would join them as soon as she was done.

Rhys just nodded his understanding. “But do tell me one thing, brother.”, he placed his hand on Azriel’s shoulder, squeezing in his familiar manner, “Does she make you happy?”

Asking if Gwyn was making him happy was like asking if the sun warmed the earth, or if the moon shone at night. He was convinced he didn’t even know true happiness until that female came into his life.

“She does. More than I ever thought was possible.”, was his honest answer.

Rhys nodded again, his hand falling off Azriel’s shoulder. “Good. Then I can’t wait to welcome her into this family.”

***

The doorbell announced her arrival just half an hour after.

Azriel’s family, and what some members of it considered family too, was still gathered in the sitting room of the house. Mor had started drinking. Nesta had too – to cancel out Mor’s increasingly intoxicated rambling. Feyre, Mother bless her, tried to keep Cassian from inspecting, weighing, and shaking every present already piled under the tree. But what Cassian didn’t reach, Nyx covered for him.

Azriel quickly got up, hoping with all his might they didn’t hear the doorbell over their noise, and hurried to the front door.

“Happy Solstice, Shadowsinger!”

The last time she uttered these exact words to him, he thought she meant it as a farewell. As a ‘Well, nice talk, but don’t you have places to be?’. It startled him just slightly, how much change a year could bring. How, now, he didn’t quite know how to function without her presence.

“I’m glad you made it, Berdara. Come in.”

Gwyneth Berdara was a sight to behold. She was positively glowing, all the way from her snow speckled hair to her rosy cheeks to her frost-glazed coat. In her hand, she held a linen pouch of what looked like presents. But her eyes – Mother her eyes! – spoke of so much joy and light that he almost forgot his own nerves at the prospect of having to expose her to his family.

Azriel tried his hardest to step away from the door enough to let her in, but not enough to let people behind him get a glimpse of her. He might even have flared his wings a little just so they could bask in their private bubble for a few more seconds.

When Gwyn finally stood so close to him that he could feel the cold radiate off her, he leaned down to capture her lips with his for a moment. She tasted how she always did – like cherries and chocolate. And seeing her in this house felt like the final piece of the puzzle clicking into place. Like his heart mending over and glowing quietly in her presence.

“Happy Solstice to you too, love.”

***

Rhysand knew who Azriel’s secret date was the moment Nesta confessed that she knew too. After all, there weren’t many people who managed to befriend both his brother and sister-in-law. The fact that she’d managed to do that, and hold onto their affection like she did, must make Gwyneth Berdara a true saint. Or just incredibly unlucky.

He sensed her arrival a few seconds before Azriel jumped out of his chair like Mor had suggested a group hug. She had to breach the wards of his house, after all. And then he held his breath, observing his family and the merry fire of the hearth, until his brother formally introduced her to the guests. He waited a suspiciously long time for that to happen – so much, that he was certain Azriel had just snuck off with her and abandoned all plans of celebration.

But there she was.

Even though the priestess wasn’t a small female, Azriel still dwarfed her as he led her into the sitting room. Rhys suppressed his grin as he figured out exactly why their height difference was so apparent tonight. Azriel’s wings were flared, posture ramrod-straight, and his Shadows swirling around them both like a gigantic black cloak. He tried to commit this picture to memory, so he could tease the hell out of his older brother as soon as he got the chance.

“Everyone, this is Gwyn. Gwyn, this is, well –“, Azriel then went around the room, calling names and relations respectively. The priestess by his side seemed only a little intimidated by the sheer amount of people present, and flashed everyone a bright smile. Well, Feyre and Rhys (much to the former’s horror) got a curtsy.

Cassian barked out a loud laugh. “Stop that immediately Gwyn, or he’ll make you curtsey every time he enters the room.”

Rhys just raised his eyebrows, grinning first as Cassian, then at Gwyn. “I just might think about that. Happy Solstice, Gwyn, and welcome.”

Nesta took that as her cue to race over to the priestess and engulfing her in a hug. Then, one by one, every member of their family said their greetings. Azriel stood by her the whole time, as unmovable as a mountain, and smiled. Well, smiled seems like too little of a world. His brother beamed, his hand barely moving from the small of Gwyn’s back.

And that’s when Rhys knew.

***

Nesta felt like the proud mother of a child who had just recited a poem to their relatives without faltering. Like she might raise her glass any second and toast to the existence of Gwyn, who, in all fairness, would slide off her chair in shame. So Nesta suppressed the thought and instead reached for another roll.

Because her mind couldn’t really find a fault in that idea.

The dining room of the River House could have come straight out of a Winter Solstice commercial at this point, with garlands tastefully wrapped around the walls, candles burning and an abundance of food that no collective effort from the group could ever demolish. And, even though the picture-perfectness of it all still made her stomach churn a little bit, she found herself smiling at her favorite people – thankful to be here and not on the other side of the massive bay window.

Especially the fiercely loyal and wonderful redhead seated right next to her evoked that feeling of gratefulness, and pride. Every time she saw a flash of copper in the periphery of her vision, she was reminded again of Gwyn’s journey and her bravery. And of the fact that she found her first true friend in the priestess.

“And then – wait, what did he say again?”, Mor was already fumbling for words at the other end of the table – as well as another glass of wine – while telling some ridiculous story of a male asking her out. Another thing to give Gwyn credit for: listening seemingly interested to Mor’s stories and not wanting to bang her head straight into a wall. Rhy’s cousin was the personification of nausea.

Cassian chimed in, drawling out the syllables while trying to mimic the bloke they made fun of. “He said: “Nah! Give me a chance girl. Spend a night with me and you’ll never want pus-“

“That’s quite enough brother, thank you.”, Rhys interrupted carefully before little Nyx learned a new word tonight.

Mor’s eyes glowed with mischief while continuing. “He was so full of himself! If he hadn’t been so drunk and stumbly, he’d have walked through the club with his crotch first.”

Beside her, Gwyn’s hand shot up to cover her mouth in scandal and amusement. Nesta leaned over, whispering, “Before you ask: Yes, they are always like this. Especially after a few bottles of wine.”

The priestess’s eyes sparkled as she answered with an equally low voice, “Then I have no idea why you don’t like them that much!”

Nesta snorted. Gwyn, despite her introverted tendencies, was a people person.

“Mor, I think we should turn to more peaceful topics. What will Gwyn think of us, talking about people’s bits at the dinner table.”, Feyre chimed in a soon as she saw an opening in conversation. If her sister knew just how likely it was that intimate bits came up at the table…

From her other side, Cassian flashed her a surprised smirk. Nesta still had issues filtering which thoughts made it through the bond and which were best kept secret. She couldn’t complain about the heavy, warm hand though, that now found its place on her thigh in silent, steady company.

“How was the solstice service, Gwyn?”, Cassian asked, leaning forward to catch Gwyn’s eye and giving her an encouraging smile.

The priestess quickly swallowed her food. “It was lovely. Very different from the way we usually do it in the library, but charming nonetheless. More music, actually, and less of the ceremonial business.”, she beamed, cheeks tinting pink just slightly. Her eyes sought Azriel’s as she spoke, then wandering courageously up and down the table.

“Do you sing yourself?”, Elain asked from where she sat right beside Feyre, still a little flour on her bodice from all her baking. Her sister initially looked a bit taken aback by the vibrant, beautiful female who had Azriel wrapped around her little finger, even if she was unaware of it herself. But Nesta saw her trying.

“I do. It’s my absolute favorite part about all services. Honestly, it’s the only thing getting me out of bed for the dawn worship some days.”, she replied, a chuckle in her voice which Elain mirrored. With her melodic voice, it wasn’t hard to believe that Gwyn didn’t just like to sing, but that she sang well.

“I visited a few times now. You can’t compare it to any religious worship we might have had across the border. It felt … enthralling.”, Nesta now chimed in, still unsure where Elain was taking this conversation.

But Gwyn seemed unaware. “Why don’t you come yourself and see if you like it? I’ll walk you there, the chapel is a little tricky to find. I recommend the dusk service though, if you value your sleep.”

Nesta felt more than she saw Rhys draw in a breath and Feyre flashing him a warning look. Azriel, too, stiffened on his chair. Her own eyes were bouncing back and forth between the two females, then staying on Elain.

They all felt some weird, unspoken business between the Shadowsinger and Elain last year. And were now waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The pause was over in a heartbeat though, as her sister smiled back at the priestess. “I would love to see it myself. Thank you for inviting me. Should I wear something specific?”

Gwyn didn’t miss a beat and immediately rattled off a list of appropriate outfits, jewelry and hair styles – all with explanations as to why they became fashionable with the priestesses and the symbolism behind them.

And just like that, the tension that seemed to have overpowered every person at the table – except Elain and Gwyn themselves – evaporated. Nesta caught Azriel’s gaze when the females fell into easy conversation, Gwyn now complimenting Elain on her baking, and they smiled at each other.

Their worry was absolutely misplaced, it seemed.

Dinner went on after that encounter, and Gwyn fit in so nicely with the family it was as if she had been a part of it for ages. But what was there not to love about the priestess? Of course, they would all fall head over heels for her.

No one as much as Azriel, though.

The change in his demeanor was obvious. With the way Azriel usually was, Nesta felt almost like an intruder when she observed the two. Like she barged in on some intimate moment that should have stayed between the couple. It turned out, cool and collected Azriel had an infinite reservoir of affection that he was all to happy to spend on one person only.

Every time he reached for Gwyn’s hands and brought them to his lips for a quick kiss, when she leaned over to whisper some kind of joke that made them both chuckle, or when he served her a ridiculous amount of dessert, Nesta couldn’t help but smile.

They both deserved this. An easy, quiet love that flowed as strong as a current.

Never mind that Nesta would still hang Azriel by the balls if he ever did something stupid.

Still, as Nesta settled back on her chair with a blissfully heavy belly, she knew.

***

Cassian could honestly jump through all floors of this house and the roof with happiness. But Feyre wouldn’t approve – that was the only thing holding him back and in his designated armchair in front of the fire.

His brother had finally found his courage, and the necessary charm he usually kept well-hidden, and asked the female of his dreams to the solstice party. The warlord had no idea how long the two had been an item, with Nesta-dearest not uttering even a hint in his direction, let alone the vault named Azriel himself, but from the way they acted around each other it must have been at least half a year.

It was honestly hard to tell, since Gwyn had this air of irreverence around his brother from their very first day of training.

The Shadowsinger was currently sat on one of the sprawling sofas, Gwyn tucked closely to his side, while more and more presents started piling in from wherever Rhys kept them hidden.

All that previous snooping for nothing. He knew the ass would hold back the best ones so Cassian didn’t have a chance to scout beforehand. With Azriel and Gwyn, Rhysand and Feyre, Mor, Amren and Varian, Elain and Nyx, and finally Nesta and Cassian, the living room resembled a wrapping factory. He didn’t even want to estimate the accumulated wealth currently sitting underneath the tree.

“So, who wants to start? We’ll be sitting here for hours anyways.”, Rhys clapped his hands and surveyed his family. They all held back their own ego, waiting for Nyx to have his first turn, but the boy sat patiently in his mother’s lap, more than content as he played with a loose ribbon.

“I will sacrifice myself.”, Amren drawled from behind him, prancing forward and going through the presents with a scarily accurate precision. Like she could sniff out the hidden jewelry from beneath the packaging. Only when she couldn’t fit any more packages in the tiny span of her arms did she return to her seat, spreading out her bounty over hers and Varian’s lap.

“Will we all go one by one?”, Gwyn whispered in Azriel’s, Cassian’s and Nesta’s general direction, her gaze flicking between the presents underneath the tree and Amren tearing into hers, “Because I’m not sure I can handle the attention.”

“I second that. Let’s go all at once.”, Azriel replied. His brother had been advocating for a simultaneous present opening for decades and seemed all to happy to lessen Gwyn’s worries. Nesta sprung into motion, calling out names and distributing the first round of packaged goods among them.

As she carefully placed a beautifully wrapped, large box on Gwyn’s lap, the priestess lit up with excitement. “Who is this from?”

“Yours truly”, Nes winked at her before settling down herself, a similarly large box next to her, “And if my calculations are correct, this is from you.”

Gwyn nodded, biting her lip a little as she observed the difference in wrapping. It was pretty obvious which presents the priestess brought with her from the house of wind, and which were acquired mostly in Velaris. But Nesta beamed as she opened her box and pulled out a rather massive collection volume of novels by an author named Sellyn Drake.

“Oh wow, look at those sprayed edges!”, she exclaimed, running her fingers over the intricate images and golden accents. Cassian observed the females with a smile, happy for Nesta to have found such a friend. And because for whatever reason, his mate always seemed to be in the mood after reading form this particular author.

Gwyn smiled, her own present balancing forgotten on her knees, “There is more!”

And sure there was. Nesta could barely tear her eyes away from the novel as she pulled out a smaller box, which revealed to hold lovely pearl earrings with sparkling moons and stars engraved in the stone. From behind them, they even heard Amren draw in a breath as she spied Nesta’s gift.

Cassian shared a glance with Az which seemed to communicate his absolute anxiety in trying to trump the priestess’s taste in presents. The Shadowsinger only smiled and raised his eyebrow in mocking challenge. Since Azriel was the master of conjuring up the most well-received gifts, the ass obviously had nothing to worry about.

Gwyn finally tore into her present too, which held soft, turquoise duvet sheets as well as an assortment of scented candles. The priestess ran her hands over the luxurious fabric in awe, probably already picturing how it would look in her newly acquired room in the house of wind.

Among the general mumble that ensured as everyone opened and redistributed their presents, Gwyn rose to draw Nesta into a tight hug. “Thank you so much, Nes.”

“No worries. I wanted to be first though, because I’m sure I can’t trump Azriel’s gift for you.”, Nesta chuckled.

Almost inaudibly over the excited chatter and Nyx’s squeals of happiness, Az mumbled, “She has a point.”

On cue, two neatly wrapped presents flowed over to them on a dark breeze, gently plopping on Gwyn’s lap who looked over to Azriel with a challenging look in her eyes. “We’ll see about that Shadowsinger.”

But Gwyn’s pompous demeanor changed quickly as she beheld the contents of his gifts. One was a portable journal Azriel said the priestess could use for services with a beautiful gold and white cover, patterned and glowing like the scales of a siren’s tail.

“How can I bring myself to write something in it, it’s too beautiful!”, Gwyn exclaimed as she leafed through the pages, each one shining with an iridescent sheen. The second present contained a knitted, cream-colored cardigan which Gwyn put on immediately, her face lit up with joy as she felt its softness. ‘Because you can’t keep running around the library with a blanket slung over you’, Azriel explained.

The whole family passed a few pleasurable hours like this, going through the plethora of presents until the pile of wrapping paper started to look like Mount Ramiel. But even after all was cleared away and wine got exchanged for hot chocolate and tea, the inner circle remained seated around the fire, exchanging stories and watching little Nyx in amusement.

Cassian couldn’t help thinking how well Gwyn fit into their family, slowly warming up more and animatedly talking to Feyre and Varian. Even Amren deigned to perch on the arm of their couch for a time to quietly talk to Gwyn, apparently quite taken with the priestess’s wit and happy about the ‘grown-up conversations she could finally have in this house with her present’.

Among the chatter and flow of conversation, Cassian managed to catch the gaze of Rhys, who, one arm around Feyre’s shoulder and the other stroking Nyx’s back, levelled his stare right back to him. I never knew he could be like this, Rhys’s voice filled his head and a discreet nod into Azriel’s direction confirmed what Cassian had been thinking this whole evening – Mother, even the last few months. Never had he seen another female that inspired their older, grumpy brother to be this attentive, this gentle and talkative.

Mind you, he still was quiet most of the time, content to lay back and follow the conversation or add some sly commentary of his own, but compared to last solstice, their brother showed outright cheerful behavior. The quiet encouragement shining off him when the priestess sought his gaze or the squeeze of his hand from time to time was enough to make even Cassian swoon.

Me either, but I also never saw you as a one-female-kind-of-guy until you got yourself whipped, Cassian directed his thoughts through their mental connection, hoping to convey the teasing undertone.

Rhys only directed a meaningful look at Nesta before jumping back to him. It’s quite nice though, isn’t it?

Cassian couldn’t help the smirk that stretched his lips, subconsciously drawing Nesta more closely to him. Even when he and his brothers were in their wild youths, they had yearned for something permanent, something mere friendship and the environment of war and hate couldn’t provide for them. It seemed that now, after centuries of instability, they had found their peace.

I never realized I needed to see him like this until today, Cassian admitted, letting his gaze linger on Azriel’s relaxed form. Even his shadows were content to sway around his shoulders, occasionally pooling in Gwyn’s lap like a cat made out of pure night.

Rhys nodded absentmindedly, For all the shit he went through, let’s hope this is it for him.

And as Cassian surveyed his family, especially the newest addition, he knew.

***

Mor felt sick to her stomach.

And it wasn’t even the day after solstice, when her hangovers usually kicked in with a vengeance.

After tossing and turning for what felt like hours and consulting the ancient gilded clock in her room, she decided to get some vomiting-prevention going and stumbled out of her bedroom, towards the stairs of the massive house.

The hallway was bathed in darkness, all residents probably sleeping peacefully and non-intoxicated in their beds. Mor cursed herself for her lack of willpower when it came to Rhys’s wine collection and tried to activate her remaining functioning braincells in order to not stumble and break her toes.

She half-limped, half-crawled down step after step, maintaining a vice-like grip on the banister as she swayed forward. Mor hoped she didn’t make any noise, but she couldn’t be sure over the whooshing sounds that filled her ears.

It took all of her effort, but eventually, she reached the bottom of the stairs. Where she nearly stumbled on her ass in surprise.

She had been so focused on her mission, she hadn’t even seen the soft golden glow that still emanated from the living room. The hushed, secretive voices slowly becoming more audible as she crept towards the half-open door.

Seated on the bay window that looked out the icy river flowing beyond were Gwyn and Azriel, so completely absorbed in their whispered conversation that it seemed they hadn’t heard her. The young priestess lay between Azriel’s legs, her upper body supported by his chest, as they gazed out the window to the dancing snowflakes.

Mor’s heart gave a little squeeze at the sight. The comfort and intimacy the scene presented. The way Azriel interlaced his fingers with Gwyn’s, his other arm coming around her waist to hold her even tighter.

She was ashamed of the way she toyed with the male for countless decades, too afraid of their friendship breaking to speak her truth and in turn do right by him – even though she had no reason to believe that Az would have betrayed her secret. And for all his longing gazes, his crushed hopes and fierce loyalty, he deeply deserved this.

This love that seemed to be so honest, so raw and vulnerable that you couldn’t help but root for them. That seemed to give Azriel the security and attention he so desperately craved, a place where he doesn’t feel the need to hide himself or parts of his personality in order to be accepted.

Gwyn’s love and support surrounded her friend like a blanket, cancelling out his sharp edges, and it was visible to everyone who knew the Shadowsinger beyond his violent reputation. He seemed calmer, more at ease with himself and the world. Attentive as always, but with a demeanor that softened just slightly, that allowed room for error and for joy.

It wasn’t the dramatic love of Feyre and Rhys, or the brutally challenging love of Nesta and Cassian. It wasn’t just a seedling that would eventually pine away under the pressure of darkness and secrecy. No, Gwyn’s and Azriel’s love snuck up on them, having quietly but diligently build a bridge between their souls that now appeared impossible to break.

Mor was just about to retreat from the door when Azriel’s head turned in her direction, a shadow moving by his ear. He didn’t utter a word, neither to her nor the priestess that had fallen silent as she sat there with her eyes closed. But he flashed Mor a small smile.

Not a quick twitch of his lips as an answer to being caught with Gwyn, nor the smile he showed the world when he was uncomfortable, the one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The smile that lit up his whole face now, letting him go from handsome to extraordinarily beautiful, spoke volumes about the male and the priestess cradled in his arms.

Mor found herself smiling in return, stepping back and closing the door as quietly as she could when she felt her eyes water.

As she made her way to the kitchen, her heart so much lighter than just a minute before, Mor knew three things with frightening certainty.

That this love was so right she felt its truth in her bones.

That this love went beyond what Azriel ever felt for her.

And that it will only grow stronger.

#gwyneth berdara #gwynriel #acotar #azriel #azriel x gwyn #gwyn x azriel #pro gwynriel

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thelov3lybookworm · 9 months

Text

You Deserve Better (epilogue)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

a/n: Thanks to everyone who followed along with this series. It has been a journey. Anyways, this one is pure fluff. And azzie got his happy ending too, what more could I ask for.

•○🌑○•

3½ years later.

As Althea entered the living room, she wondered what the kids and her husband were doing. Hopefully not getting into any trouble. But by the sounds of their screams and squeals, she wasn't really sure about that. Silas, her cat, was nowhere to be seen as well.

She smiled. Silas had become somewhat of a mother hen the moment Althea's sons were born, always keeping an eye on them, even though he was really young himself.

As she stepped out onto the porch, she found the source of all the squealing.

Aidan, the older of the two, and Kaden, the younger one, were stumbling around in the snow, Casteel chasing after them and pretending to lag behind. They looked absolutely adorable, with the kids' faces barely visible through their heavy jacket that came up to their jaws, a knitted hat on their head and gloves on their hand. She wanted to just pick them up and squeeze them.

Then Casteel glanced at Thea and grinned, before picking the kids up, their legs kicking around. Casteel murmured something in their ears, making them look at Althea and giggle. She knew why. She had told them to not play in the snow, because they could get sick. But of course no one listened.

They began running towards her as soon as Cas set them down. She settled on the edge of the porch next to Silas, who was lazily staring at the boys. Aidan reached her first, throwing his tiny hands around her neck, nearly making her tumble back from the force.

"Sorry mama! We wanted to play with daddy."

She just pecked his nose when he pulled away, before running back towards his father. Kaden was a little less enthusiastic in his endeavours. Walking up to her and smiling.

"Mama? Can we make a snowman? You promised me." He asked, standing between her legs, a hopeful look in his eyes.

He was the the calm one, where Aidan was the talkative one. Both of them were talkative when alone with their parents, but when out, they would only talk when spoken to. But even then, Kaden would try to hide behind his parents when Aidan would blabbering about anything he could think of.

And despite being the complete opposite in everything, they were the best of friends.

"Hmm. We could make one... but don't you want to wait for Nyxie?"

"He's coming?!"

"Yes." She smiled. "Uncle Rhysie told me they were coming here today."

He gasped and ran off to where Aidan was trying to throw snowballs on Casteel which were disintegrating before they were even out of his tiny hand. He paused, turning to Kaden, and a yay was heard.

The three of them continued playing there, Althea occasionally chiming in to help the kids attack their father, but otherwise just running her fingers through Silas's fur, who purred.

Soon, the Inner Circle started appearing outside the barrier, and, as predicted the kids started running towards their cousin Nyx. As Rhys picked up Aidan who had run upto him, Cassian grabbed Kaden, who was lingering back by Nyx's side. He laughed, walking up to Althea with the child squirming in his arms, giggling.

Althea hugged her Cassie before turning to Rhys, and then, Azriel. He hugged her as well, smiling. Then, Gwyn, his wife, also hugged Althea. As the family finished their reunion, Kaden again started begging to build a snowman.

"Ask uncle Cassie. He is the best at making a snowman." She crouched next to him.

"How do you know?" Rhys narrowed his eyes. Althea and Cassian shared a knowing grin, beginning to gather snow for the snowman along with the kids.

•○🌑○•

"Hey, psst, Thea!" Thea looked up from the paper that she was drawing on. Cassie stood in the doorway to his room. He motioned for her to come in, which she did, though suspicious. It was nighttime, and soon her mother would come to tell her to go to bed.

"What?" She asked as he closed the door behind her. He crouched in front of her, whispering.

"I want you to listen and only speak when I'm done, okay?" When she nodded, he continued, "So you know how Rhysie, Azzie and I do a snowball fight right? We're going to be doing that in a few hours. Okay? And i want you to help me by hiding and making snow balls for me. I'll give you candies."

"Candies are not enough."

"Then what do you want?" When she shrugged, he sighed. He thought for a few moments before speaking."I will take you on a trip to the biggest mountain nearby."

Althea pretended to think, even though inside she was giddy. She had wanted to go to a mountain, but her mother wouldn't allow it. There was one more thing that she wasn't allowed to do though. "That, and you'll also have to play with me in the snow as well as build a snowman. Only then will I agree."

Cassian frowned. She shrugged and turned around. When he caught her shoulder to stop her from leaving, she grinned as she knew she had won. "Your mother is going to kill me, but fine. But you can't tell anyone about this, though." She nodded eagerly, Cassian sighing and opening the door for her.

The next morning she was woken up by Cassian shaking her. He had an hour atleast till the other boys woke and came down to play. They would start in advance.

Soon enough, they started playing, and, as expected, Cassian won. A few hours later, after lunch, Cassian took Althea to the mountain, making the excuse that they'll 'just be flying around the place' when Althea's mother asked about it.

The whole day they played in snow and made snowmen on the mountain. Sliding around on the ice and laughing like maniacs. Cassie even built a makeshift castle for Althea and gave her a stick to attack him with, him being the monster that was trying to conquer her kingdom.

When they returned, they didn't answer any questions asked.

It's safe to say that Cassian won for over a decade with Althea's help and then flew her to a secluded place, letting her do anything she wanted to do and the things that her mother wouldn't allow her to.

•○🌑○•

Althea grinned as the kids jumped around in happiness, now declaring they wanted their own different snowman.

Cassian and Althea made their way back to the front porch where the Inner Circle was sitting Rhys and Azriel fuming, Gwyn and Feyre shaking their heads. Nesta had Silas lounging on her lap, right next to her swollen belly.

"I always wondered how he improved from being a shitty player so much that he won for straight fifteen years." Azriel muttered.

"Hey!" Cassian shoved his shoulder.

They soon went into the warmth of the house to drink some hot chocolate and rest.

•○🌑○•

Taglist: @bubybubsters @act1839 @we-were-beautiful

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busterswritehand · 23 days

Text

You're Timeless To Me

Roughly 180 years after the events of ACOSF, Lucien looks up to find that he is surrounded by strangers. Meanwhile, Nesta realizes she has stayed still while the world around her keeps moving. Misery loves company, but these two can hardly make small talk.

Part 2

Nesta watched that copper-haired male with narrowed eyes. It was a week until Starfall - a week of enduring him when it should be Elain. Elain should be making small talk with Azriel, Gwyn, and Mor - not him.

He was supposed to have turned tail and fucked off when it was apparent Elain wanted nothing to do with him. Instead, he had lied to everyone. He lied to protect the mating bond between Elain and Tamlin, of all people. He lied - and she followed suit. They lied and then they both left. Her gaze steeled into fiery daggers as those thoughts festered in the front of her mind.

"Staring at me like that isn't going to make me drop dead."

Nesta blinked. Lucien was staring back at her - his eye flickered with an impish challenge.

She could feel her face begin to heat up, but Nesta simply huffed and stalked towards a table of appetizers. Wines, cheeses, fruits, meats, nuts, jams, and breads littered the table in an intricate display. She poured herself a glass of sweet red wine from the Spring Court, a present from her dear sister - an apology for not being able to make it.

She could hear the chattering pick up almost instantly, but it wasn't until a moment later that she felt eyes shift away from her. From her peripheral vision, she could see Feyre settle beside her.

"You could try to be cordial with him." Feyre picked around the spread, selecting bits of food and setting them on her plate.

Nesta did not respond. A mixture of pride and embarrassment. The thistles she tried so hard to trim always grew back eventually. A defense to protect herself and her sisters - not that they needed it. They were happy.

"It's not his fault," Feyre pressed.

Nesta knew that on some level. It did not change the fact that Feyre had slowly replaced Elain's presence with anyone but her. Usually, she could ignore it, but this was a slap in the face.

Feyre stared at Nesta, refusing to back down.

"Fine," Nesta sighed, "I'll try."

"Thank you," Feyre nodded graciously before approaching the small group.

Nesta watched from the sidelines as she always did, observing her sister's inner circle. It had grown to encompass her own friends, Gwyn and Emerie. It was not necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't the same as when it was just the three of them. It wasn't hers anymore.

She watched as Amren trickled in, then Emerie, who greeted Mor with a loving kiss on the lips.

They all were like a confusing, elaborate puzzle, and she was a rigid piece that didn't fit.

"Cassian will be here tomorrow," Rhysand announced as he sauntered into the room. Nesta jumped slightly, not at his abrupt entrance, but at the mention of her mate's name.

She could feel that pair of eyes on her again.

"And Nyx?" Feyre reached out a hand to Rhysand. He took it, interlocking their fingers.

"Will be dragged here by his ankles if his uncle has anything to say about it," he sighed. "I swear that boy might as well have been birthed by an Ilyrian war camp."

A pleasant laughter swept through the group. Despite that laughter, Nesta still felt pinned down by prying eyes. When Nesta looked over, Gwyn and Emerie caught her attention. They waved her over. She shook off that gaze with icy steel and walked towards her friends.

The chattering lasted from appetizers well into dinner. It was too much chatter for Nesta's liking. She had always loathed small talk, and as usual, she was surrounded by it. One thing that stayed consistent was the constant blabbering about nothing at group dinners.

She would occasionally pitch in on the conversation at hand -whether for the sake of catching up or giving her opinion - but Nesta never said anything more than she needed to. She wasn't the only one though. Lucien only spoke when addressed directly, though he seemed engaged in the several conversations around him. Like he was trying to feel out of his place in the group. Not that Nesta particularly cared, but it was cathartic, in a way, to see someone else on the outskirts of the tight-knit group.

Soon dinner devolved into a rowdy house party, one last hoorah before Feyre and Rhysand had to be responsible parents again. It was a little much for Nesta who slipped outside for some peace and quiet. The night air was refreshing, and it would have been the perfect spot to relax if someone hadn't beaten her to it.

Lucien sat on one of the steps, peering at the city skyline against the mountains. He set his wine glass down beside him on the step. Gas lights reflected off of his red hair, making his silhouette glow. Nesta stepped back to try and bypass him, but Lucien had turned around before she could even set her foot down.

"Tired of the noise too?" Lucien patted the spot beside him as an invitation.

"I'm fine right here."

"Suit yourself," he shrugged before turning back to look at Velaris.

Feyre's words echoed in her mind. Try to be cordial. Nesta sucked in a breath and apprehensively took a seat beside the male. She set her wine glass beside his and looked out at the city with him. They sat there for a moment while she tried to find words.

"I'm sorry for earlier," she said stiffly.

"For the door-slamming or the threatening stares?"

Nesta whipped her head to see a smile creeping across Lucien's face. He was teasing her.

She held her breath as she replied, "Both."

He laughed. She bit her tongue.

"You've never hid your disdain for me, Nesta Archeron."

"I don't hate you," Nesta was stumbling over her words as Lucien raised a sarcastic brow. "I was protective over," He didn't seem convinced. She huffed, "Oh like you were ever that fond of me."

Nesta clenched her jaw in response to his smug grin. This was funny for him - like a fox that had caught a venomous serpent for entertainment. Her cheeks began to heat up. She grabbed her glass and threw back her wine. Except it was not her glass or the sweet red blend she had poured. It was bitter, earthy, like freshly tilled soil. She reflexively spit out the wine all over her skirt. That seemingly broke Lucien, who let out a hysterical cackle.

She pointed a finger at him and opened her mouth to hurl some insult at him. She stopped before a sound ever left her mouth. Lucien's head was thrown back with tears peaking out from the corner of his good eye. He was a far cry from the male that danced on eggshells around Elain for months on end. This side of Lucien was genuine. Nesta knew that she had gotten him all wrong, and it infuriated her.

"I'm going home," she stood up and began to walk down the front stairs.

"Come on. I thought we were having fun," Lucien teased.

"We were not," Nesta cut him off. She stomped down those last few steps.

"Nesta," he called after her. He made no real effort to chase her down or make her stay. Instead, he just kept being coy.

"Goodnight, Vanserra," Nesta warned.

And that was that. She was left to wander home alone in the silent night. His teasing laugh played again and again in her head.

#lucien x nesta #nesta archeron #lucien vanserra #acotar #acotar fanfiction #gwenriel #emorie #i do what i want with side ships #and lowkey the tamlin and elain mates theory eats #the drama alone #tamlin x elain #you'retimelesstomeacotarfic #lucnes

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julemmaes · 2 years

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Jamie, part two

A/N: just enjoy!:)

tw: angst related to birth but also father/daughter fluff

Word count: 3.530

Cassian managed to get to the waiting room asking someone to take him there.

He was obviously still in shock. Everything had happened so quickly.

He entered the small room, smiling at Nyx, who was playing with another girl on the carpet. As soon as the kid saw him, he snapped up and ran towards him, jumping on him.

Cassian grabbed him, squeezing him to his chest. Little Vega, who was in the arms of one of the nursery nannies, wriggled into the woman's arms and stumbled towards her uncle. He lowered himself just in time to pick up the baby and then sat down on one of the chairs, with both nephews in his arms.

"Where is auntie Nesta?" Nyx asked in a small voice, almost as if he were afraid of the answer.

Cassian sighed, struggling to smile, but forcing himself to try for the tiny, impressionable children in his arms. "JJ is throwing a tantrum and won't come out," he said, chuckling at Nyx’s frown. "Or rather, she wants to come out, but she's doing it the wrong way, so auntie needs an extra hand. But the doctors are good. The doctors are excellent," he explained, trying to convince himself it was true. They're doctors. They know what they're doing.

The fact that doctor Towers wasn't there was making him a little nervous. She had followed the whole pregnancy, and they even made the birth plan, even though they knew things could change any minute. But at least she knew Nesta, she knew what her worries were, what problems she had had during the last few months.

His heart started beating fast again. He had to calm down.

He looked at the two children, who had collapsed on him and were holding hands, blabbering to each other. That vision lightened some of the weight in his chest.

"I have to call someone, can you wait here for a while?" He asked, getting up without waiting for an answer. Nyx nodded, going back to the little girl he was playing with earlier as Vega was taken by one of the nannies. Cassian thanked her with a simple nod and a soft smile.

He left the room and headed out into the fresh air. He needed a moment alone.

He reached the car and got in, moving it from where he had left it in the middle of the road and parked it where he could. He turned it off and picked up the phone with trembling breath.

He quickly dialed Rhysand’s number and, after a couple of rings, his best friend's cheerful voice answered. "What, you can't keep two kids an entire afternoon anymore? Jamie’s gonna be here any day now and you're not gonna get fr-"

Cassian interrupted him, not at all in the mood to listen to Rhys speak nonsense. "We're at the hospital. Nesta is having the baby."

A pause and then he heard Rhys apologize and some muffled noises.

"Are you serious?"

He didn’t know what part of that simple question brought him to tears, but when he replied, he couldn’t hold back.

"Yes, I'm serious. Please come here." A sob broke that thin bubble of tranquility he had created. The hand that was tightly wrapped around the steering wheel went to his hair and he pulled at the strands. "Nesta is in surgery. The baby is breech and she’s having a c-section."

Cassian, who was fully crying now, squeezed into his shoulders. "I don't know what to do, Rhys."

"I'm coming, Cass," he heard Rhysand say. "Have you called Feyre and Elain yet? The others?"

"No, we just… they just started the surgery," he said, remembering one thing, "your kids are with nurses, don't worry about them."

Rhys laughed lightly, but he didn't seem amused at all. Cassian heard a car door slam. "I'm not worried about my kids. I know the nannies keep them for you. We left them Nyx when Vega was born."

Cassian ran his hand over his face, sobbing.

"I don't know what to do," he repeated.

"I know, Cass. Try to calm down in the meantime. I'll warn the others, alright? You try to distract yourself with my kids, if you can." Suggested him.

He could do that. He could at least try.

He ended the call and decided to go back in case someone came looking for him and he wasn't there. He started running towards the entrance. How stupid had it been of him. What if something happened while he wasn't there?

Cassian reached the waiting room and was relieved not to see a doctor waiting for him. He waved to Nyx with one hand and took Vega in his arms. She was tired and hungry and fussing. He placed his hand on her back, rocking her gently. "I know, love, I know," he whispered in her hair. "Soon your mom will be here and you can eat all you want. You just have to hold on a few more minutes."

He looked at the clock on the wall. Less than ten minutes had passed. He knew the c-section was a normally quick procedure. That the baby was born between ten and fifteen minutes.

He started cradling Vega a little more frantically, trying not to think of Nesta, on a hospital bed, with her stomach cut open, crying alone in that operating room, but it was difficult for him. He tried not to think about his daughter, little Jamie, who was being taken out of her crib, that had been her home for the last nine months and who could not be with her mother except for mere seconds. He held Vega tighter to his chest, and the baby took the pacifier out of her mouth, resting it on his neck.

He shuddered at the sensation of the baby's drool dripping into his shirt, but he smiled with watery eyes when Vega pulled herself slightly away from his chest and pushed the pacifier against his chin, missing his mouth by a few inches.

"No thanks, baby," he said, kissing her cheek. "I'll pass."

Vega, who understood everything with impressive rapidity despite her almost two years of age, put it back in her mouth and leaned her head in the hollow of his neck, slurring a silent 'okay'.

Another ten minutes went by and he was starting to fret. Why wasn't anybody calling him? Why weren't they telling him how Nesta was doing?

"Cassian."

He almost burst into tears at the sound of Gwyn’s voice. He turned to the door and there, in all her grace, was his daughter’s future godmother. The woman gave him a worried smile and then Cassian found himself in his friend’s arms.

"How are you?" She asked, as she pulled away and took Vega from him. The little girl, who had fallen asleep in the meantime, wailed a little as she was passed by, but closed her eyes as soon as she touched her acquired-aunt’s shoulder.

"Awfully," he said sincerely. "Nesta has been in there for almost half an hour and I know nothing."

Gwyn seemed thoughtful as she swung left and right to keep Vega asleep. "I'm sure everything is going well. When I gave birth to the twins, I was in surgery just for an hour. Jamie’s definitely already born. They must be checking on her," she said, putting her hand on his arm. "Don’t worry."

Cassian looked at her, leaning against the wall. Gwyn gave him another smile and then walked towards Nyx.

"Where's Azriel?" He asked, curious as to why they hadn't arrived together.

Gwyn didn't even look at him as she put the child down and handed her a toy car to play with. "He's on his way. He was with Mor and Emerie. They should be here any minute."

He paused, hesitant. "And Elain?"

"I warned her as soon as I arrived. She hasn't answered me yet."

Cassian walked out of the waiting room, running his hand through his hair. How could it be so stressful for him, when the one who was suffering was Nesta? When the one who had just been deprived of the joy of a natural childbirth was the mother of his daughter?

"Cass."

Before he could turn around, Azriel' arms were holding him. He opened his eyes wide, holding his friend in turn, looking into the eyes of a worried Feyre. She had one hand to her neck, holding the star necklace that Rhys had gifted her.

He released a trembling breath, before holding his brother tighter and bursting into tears.

"It's okay," he muttered to him, his voice stoic and sure. "It's alright. Nesta and Jamie will be alright."

Cassian cried louder and then felt Feyre join in the embrace. She was crying, too. He could feel it as his friend's body trembled to the rhythm of his own, shaken by sobs.

Azriel pulled away and grabbed Cassian by the shoulders. His eyes were red, but he wasn't crying. His gaze shifted to something behind him and his lips curved ever so slightly.

He nodded towards the hall. "Why don't you go meet your daughter?"

Cassian turned around and one of the doctors who had gone with Nesta smiled at him.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm doctor Faliq, I'm the midwife who delivered your daughter.”

He swallowed, holding his hand over his mouth, nodding.

“Your wife is still in surgery, they're closing her up, but she asked us to tell you that you can see the baby. They're both fine." She told him in a calm but excited voice.

Cassian’s body sagged. His lungs filled with air and finally he was able to breathe, think.

He turned one last time to Azriel and Feyre and she said, "Go on, don't keep her waiting, I'm sure she's just as excited to meet her dad as he is."

Cassian was about to say something, but Nyx came out of the waiting room and jumped in his mom’s arms. Feyre grabbed him midair and laughed as she twirled him around.

"Mommy!" Cried the boy. Azriel went into the room and took Vega from his wife’s arms. He saw the moment Azriel told Gwyn Jamie was born, because she also burst into tears and brought both hands to her cheeks, a smile splitting her face in two.

The doctor pointed him down the hall. "This way."

"Wait a minute, sorry." The woman signaled to him that there was no problem.

Gwyn hugged him tightly, congratulating him, like everyone else present. Two fathers who were waiting there also gave him a nod of sympathy.

Cassian approached Feyre and Nyx and she smiled at him as she had not done in a long time. He turned to the little boy in Feyre's arms.

"Did I promise you you'd see JJ first or did I not?"

Nyx squeaked into his mother’s arms and almost fell to the ground. He grabbed his uncle's pants with both hands, eyes and mouth wide open, shining with pure, undiluted happiness.

"Yes. Please."

Then he turned to the doctor, worried he'd promised something he shouldn't have, "Can he come too?"

She smiled, "Sure."

Nyx started jumping, screaming like a dying cat.

"But you have to be quiet, because there are a lot of very small children sleeping, okay?" The doctor warned him. Nyx shook his head frantically, pretending to sew his mouth shut.

They started walking and Cassian could feel Azriel’s look burning on his back.

He was a father. He was about to meet his daughter.

Nyx was jumping next to him, almost unable to contain the emotion, and Cassian was a little jealous he couldn't jump too, lest they'd think he was crazy.

Jamie was born.

His Jamie.

Without even realizing it, he sought the hand of his nephew, who without even asking himself too many questions, took it and gave him a smile that went from ear to ear. He knew that the others were happy for him and Nesta, but his heart warmed with the reaction Nyx was having for the birth of his child. He was a perfect brother to Vega, he knew he would be just as perfect for little Jamie.

Glee was flooding his body. Yet Cassian was torn between waiting for Nesta to come out so that they could meet their daughter together and doing it all by himself. He had seen that, in movies, the baby was given to the mother for a few seconds, right after birth, so he knew that Nesta had already technically met her, but this was different. They should have been together.

He just wanted to see Nesta. He wanted to tell her that he loved her. That she was a superhero for what she had just done.

Dr. Faliq turned left a couple of times and then they took the stairs. They went up two floors and then Cassian got lost. Nyx was unusually quiet and the new dad was trying to keep the excited giggles threatening to come out of his mouth at bay. His heart was beating so fast that he wondered how others could not hear it.

How could the world go on undisturbed when the most beautiful thing in his life had just made its first appearance on this planet? How could everyone keep walking or running towards their goals without feeling their legs give in under the enormity of everything that had just happened?

How could Nesta, the woman to whom Cassian had given heart and soul, not be worshiped for what she had just given him?

Nesta, my Nes.

How come they were all going the opposite way? How could it be that the invisible force that was pushing him towards his daughter was only pulling him?

Faliq stopped in front of a glass door and turned towards the two boys, who were both going mad with excitment. "The baby is probably doing her last checks, but you can go in and see her if you manage to keep quiet as they finish up. It's the second room on the right. I'm going to check how Nesta is going and I'll come over, okay?" She asked, rubbing her hands on her scrubs.

"Of course. Thank you very much," replied Cassian with his heart in his throat.

She ducked her head and smiled and then opened the door with a pass, letting them in alone.

From there, the hallway seemed to never end and he could hear more children crying than he had ever heard in his life. He could smell Vega’s head everywhere. It was overwhelming.

Nyx was pulling him to the room where Jamie would be, but for him all was moving slow. As soon as he walked through that door, he'd be in the same room with his daughter.

His eyes filled with tears. Maybe he had been wrong to bring Nyx along. Maybe he should have gone back and left him with Feyre and the others. He should have met Jamie alone.

Before he could think about it, he found himself in front of the room, and Nyx had let go of his hand, running to the smallest crib he'd ever seen.

A nurse was keeping a hand on the little white bundle inside of it. The hand so big compared to that little thing.

He took two unsteady steps to the crib, and the woman noticed someone had walked in when Nyx grabbed onto the her pants, "Is Jamie in there?"

She seemed taken by surprise and gaped like a fish a couple of times before turning to the father. A wide smile opened on the woman's lips. "You must be Cassian. Nesta wouldn't stop talking about you during the surgery," she told him, but he kept his eyes fixed on that milk-white blanket. He saw her move and started crying as he laughed and took a stride to his daughter.

And there she was.

Her skin red and her eyes wide open, light-colored, looking at everything without really seeing anything. She held up her hand over the head and her little fingers opened and closed. Her mouth was open and she was pushing her tongue out. She was probably hungry.

His vision blurred and he let a choked laugh out. He put his hand over his face, turning to the nurse, "Can I hold her?"

"Of course," she replied promptly. "Have you ever held a newborn? Do you know how to hold her head without hurting her?" She asked, making sure Cassian knew what to do.

"I- yes. I've picked up a lot of babies, I have a lot of nephews, you know. This is Nyx, and he's one of the oldest. Then there's Leon, Catrin, Rhian—Catrin's twin sister—and Elis, Noe and Vega. Sweet little Vega..." Cassian was blurting nonsense with tears flowing, but he couldn't get over the fact that the pure, silent creature they'd waited so long for was really there. "And now our beautiful Jamie."

At the sound of her father's voice saying her name, the girl turned to him. He knew she couldn’t see him, but that little gesture warmed his heart.

"I want to see her, uncle!"

"Come, can I lift you up?" The woman asked him.

Nyx seemed to think about it a little, and then he turned to Cassian, who nodded in between a hiccup and another. When he turned to the nurse again, he said, “My mom doesn’t want me to be picked up by strangers.”

The nurse raised a brow, but then nodded, probably finding it fair. She extended a hand and introduced herself.

"My name is Elaine."

Nyx he blew out his cheeks, "My aunt's name is Elain, too." He chuckled as she lifted him. "That's a pretty name," he whispered to her when he was near her face. She blushed. Cassian let out a laugh. Like father, like son.

"She looks like aunt Nesta." Nyx said then. Cassian didn't know whether it was an insult, considering that all children always looked like old men, with all the wrinkles they had when they were born and that lost look, or simply a fact, but he had said it with so much love in his voice.

Jamie squirmed in the cot, and Cassian stretched himself over her, putting his hand under her neck and head. The other went behind her back, to support her weight, but she was so small that his hands touched, and he was quite sure he could hold her with one hand, perhaps when she grew stronger and he would not risk breaking her if he touched her.

He positioned her against his chest and sat in the chair where mothers usually sit to breastfed.

He brushed her cheek. It was so smooth and soft. Jamie grimaced.

Nyx, meanwhile, had complained that he had barely seen her and was looking for a way to climb into the armrest of the chair. As soon as he perched on his uncle's shoulder, he sighed, "She's beautiful like aunt Nesta, too."

Cassian laughed, making Jamie shake a little. "It's true. She has aunt Feyre’s nose though."

Elaine had gone out and left them alone.

"Can I touch her?"

"Are your hands clean?" He asked under his breath without taking his eyes off the baby. She was gaping and yawning, and it was mesmerizing. Nyx nodded his head against Cassian’s shoulder. "No, you haven’t washed them, buddy. You just touched a whole hospital, basically."

"Then your hands are dirty too!" The child accused him.

Cassian's grimace was his daughter's twin. "You're right."

"Mhmh."

"Alright, but not the face or the hands," he said, settling down so that Nyx was closer to Jamie. "And be careful with her head."

"I know. Mom told me we can't play together because she's too small and the head is too big." He continued as he extended a chubby little hand towards his cousin's arm. The man doubted whether Feyre had used those exact words, but nodded anyway. Nyx grazed her with his fingertips, as if afraid of hurting her. "Dad" he whispered this time, "also told me that little kids can't see us. And that they have a hole in their head." Cassian chuckled.

They remained silent for some time. Nyx continued to caress his cousin gently.

God, he couldn't believe it. She was so beautiful. So little.

And it was theirs. His and Nesta’s.

"She looks a little like Vega, too."

Cassian frowned, coming out of that strange trance he was in. He turned to Nyx, "What are you even talking about?"

Nyx seemed offended and pouted, "She has blue eyes like Vega."

Cassian turned to his daughter who had her eyes wide open. That was clearly a brownish-green. A color destined to turn as dark as his. "No, Nyxie Pixie, they're not."

"You're just jealous because she doesn’t look like you," he retorted.

Cassian snorted, but before he could answer, a voice he knew all too well answered by the door. "You're so right, Nyx. He's just jealous because Mimi looks exactly like me."

Cassian’s head snapped up as his eyes filled with tears again. She smiled at him with eyes just as glossy.

"Nesta."

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#nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #acosf #pregnancy fic #angst

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shallyne · 11 months

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So if Nyx is like 9 months old in CC3, does that mean he's already speaking? I don't know when babies start to speak but shouldn't he already start blabbering? Imagine him saying "Mama" 🥺 SJM PLEASE

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m4st3rm1nd-k1ng · 11 months

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All seasons react:"too hard to remember "-

creators notes : All right you guys want sad stuff you guys get sad stuff reaction from them (yes I change the title) along with the introduction of our new 3 host!

Ps! - Some information on the players post are outdated so they'll be new information of them below

Summary: Now they'll have to remember all the harsh Stuff they went through and now everyone shall knows(TW)

*nyx unmutes theirselves*

Nyx :"Hello everyone!!, Just sit where you comfortable in and just watch the screen"

@cyberanalogy (Komi ):" And Right there's are Foods, Some Stuffs just sit down the couch or maybe somewhere you know the fuzzy carpets and Comfy Stuffs"

@issy5316 (Liz) :"We aren't Going to harm to you guys just like Nyx say's, Just relax and look at the screen

@funniemoment-blog (funnie) :*Laugh* "Wait gimme a camera this will be so fun and don't worry it's all be ok"

As they seat were they comfortable in

Even tho some have an uncomfortable feeling for the hosts(mostly the players) and so on an awkward feeling

Nyx:"Before we start I think we should have an introduction"

Nyx :"as you know I am nyx as someone had mentioned my name"

Komi :"I am komi or-"

Nyx:"i think they didn't need to know a lots of names they might be confused"

Komi :"eh ur right "

Liz :"i am Liz! "

Funnie :"and I am funnie! "

Nyx:*whispers*"Hey funnie here's"*gives camera*

Funnie :*whispers*"ooh just what I need ,we can catch funny moments of screen or fanfic"

Liz :*Whispers*"Guys don't break the forth wall"

Funnie:*whispers*"oops"

Nyx:*on mic* "now let's start! "

The screen starts to show something

It's show a kid walking he had blonde hair and Dark Brown eyes (Past/P. Terrence)

S. 1 Jones :"mmhh he looks familiar "

S. 5 Jones:"yeah,your right ur younger me"

As the 2 Jones's talk then it's show the young boy

Opened the door to a house

*Both Terrence noticed that house and realize who they'll reacting*

and then shows a woman and man arguing both are too busy arguing that they don't noticed the boy

Marina :"Poor boy.. I feel like he's used to this"

then the young boy sigh and told to himself in a quite voice

[Past.Terrence:"They're arguing again..."]Then he Head's to his room before he could close the door one of the parent yelled

[Parent 1:"Thats it I have enough of this shit! "] As parent one holding a knife

Sanjay :"Huh?What just happened?!" He said that because carmen covered his eyes with her hands As The other children eyes is also covered by the adults

Liz:*Whispers*"Should we give Elliott a blindfold?

"Nyx :*whispers*"Meh,he probably gonna kept his gothic mouth blabbering, let's see how he react to this"

Chief king now realized who they reacting to and what they're reacting too

S. 5 Terrence just turned his head another side avoiding the screen and closed his eyes as he remembering all of it again frightened in horor with an anxious and distressed look

As then s. 1 Terrence covered his ears looks down with an anxious and distress look

S. 1 Jones :"Hey,terrence are you ok? Chief king :"Terrence i-" S. 1 Terrence :"I never thought I would remember this again " He said in a quiet and shaky tone S. 1 Jones :"i- Terrence what do you mea- "

As parent 1 grabs a knife and aiming for parent 2 but parent 2 dodged it even tho parent 2 fell on the kitchen counter and breaking it then parent 2 runs to another counter and grabs a knife from the counter and start attacking parent 1 then lots of Blood splattered everywhere as the boy frightened of horor

Almost Everyone in the reaction room surprised even gasped and some yet even terrified because of this

As s. 1 Terrence started to cry a bit

soon grace and Nathan realized it

Nathan:"oh my terrence..."

As Nathan goes comforting Terrence Grace told the rest of the s.1 Crew

As for s. 5 ,s.5 Jones asked s. 5 Terrence so as the others then they also saw him crying a bit so some of them comfort him and also trying to know what's wrong while others asked s. 1 Crew cuz s. 1 terrence also crying after they knew both of the crew Tries to comfort both of The 2 Terrence some people from others season also noticed and wondering what's wrong even trying to help a bit

Nyx :"Alrigth lets take a break "

Extra notes : sorry for bad grammar and taking so long to post this I have a test all week (still doing it) and please gives some ideas on what should they be reacting next

#criminal case #criminal case game #criminal case oc

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kayla-2 · 2 years

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I think Rhys the type of dad that applaud anything their baby do (That’s not a bad thing) like nyx could pick up a pen off his desk and Rhys would go run and tell feyre that he’s damn near ready to write. Or Nyx would be blabbering one day and Rhys would be like “Omg, did he just say dad?”

#acotar #acosf #acomaf #acowar #rhysand #nyx

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kharonion · 1 year

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Since I've been asked a couple of times...

Yes, I still love Fallout. Yes, I am a smidgen hyperfixated on Cyberpunk 2077 lately.

People can have multiple fandom interests. I know, crazy thought.

I've been having... many issues regarding certain persons on the Fallout side of things, and it's honestly left me in a place where I'm hesitant to post much of anything in that regard again. Slowly, I've been working out of that mindset, but yeah, its claws are in my brain holes pretty deep.

So, brain decided to shift to something else. As a form of subconscious self-care, I suppose.

Lots of words to say: I love both deeply, will not stop doing so, but I have to care for myself before anything else. Can't create when I feel like shit about doing it.

#nyx blabbers #i appreciate y'all asking (those who did so with a positive mindset) and checking in. <3 #shit's been Rough and i'm slowly working through it.#y'all's patience means so much more than i can say.

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popnpoppifer · 5 years

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Current mood is

Current mood is listening to romantic songs while doing homework and thinking about my girlfriend @swimmay who I love to hell and back bitch wake up I MISS YOU

enjoy sappy hours ig

#personal #robin blabbers #nyx tag

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honeysoothed · 5 years

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anyway. on a lighter note, clovis and nyx are tight and the first time they met each other they shit talked the gods and it was wonderful

#` i have reached peak dumbass. / * ( blabber )#clovis: i don’t care very much for zeus #nyx: no one does sweetie. he’s a dumbass with a superiority complex and should’ve been devoured by kronos #clovis: .........damn gramma alright

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fieldofdaisiies · 2 years

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Elucien | This damn button

type: fluff

warning(s): so much fluff, curse words

word count: 2049 words

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This damn jacket. This damn jacket on which Lucien‘s stupid scent still lingered. Stupid, idiotic, fucking jacket.

Not even having said the words out loud, Elain smacked her hands over her lips. She only ever heard Nesta or Cassian or Azriel use such words and now…now she thought them too. That was Lucien’s doing. He made her think such...inappropriate things.

He often unintentionally made her think inappropriate things.

Slowly striding around in the room, or rather surrounding the armchair which the jacket was draped over, she always kept a wary eye on the piece of clothing.

It was just a damn jacket, why did she care so much about it? Because it was Lucien’s. And even though she over and over again told herself that she did not want the fiery male….some deep, maybe primal part of her knew that this was not the truth.

She liked being near him, although she would never admit it. She liked how much sunshine and warmth he radiated. She knew he could make flowers grow just by standing next to them.

And she loved his voice, especially when he was laughing…gods, hearing him laugh was music in her ears. Unfortunately she never was the reason why he laughed. She actually only was the reason for his grim, sad expression.

Slowly swaying her hips and practically dancing, nearly floating, closer to the jacket, she let her fingers trace over fabric.

"Maybe." she whispered into the calm room and with the next movement she had picked up the jacket, her traitorous heart skipping at least two beats when her nostrils were filled with his scent. With Lucien’s scent. With her mate’s scent. How dare he smell so damn good?

For years she had kept the jacket locked away in her closet. Since a few weeks it now lingered on her chair, normally always covered by a pompous gown that she always had placed carefully over it.

With the jacket in her hand she tiptoed to the window, glimpsing outside. Cassian and Azriel were training, Feyre and Rhys playing with Nyx and Lucien…Lucien had probably returned to Jurian and Vassa. Vassa. Rolling her eyes, Elain felt the burning rage and….jealousy erupt inside of her. She did not want to hate her, not at all, but…but…why did she actually dislike her so much? If Lucien wanted to be with Vassa, if he wanted to kiss her, if he—

She did not dare let herself finish this thought. Maybe they have had…intercourse already? Gods, hopefully not. But she could not blame him, she, his own mate did not as much as glimpse at him and Lucien was only a male…he had needs. Desires.

So did Elain. Finally snapping back to reality, she noticed that her fingers had turned sweaty around the material of the jacket. Shi-shame.

Moving one arm into the sleeve and then the other, Elain happily squealed, spinning around and running to the big mirror in her room. Giggling loudly at her own image, the way too big jacket on her thin figure, she moved her fingers up to the buttons, closing them all.

Taking one spin, another one and another one, she breathed in his scent entering something like ecstasy, her mind wandering off to…to the thought if this would be what it smelled like when Lucien hugged her. No, that would be a million times better, but—

"Lady Elain, I will leave now for the Mortal Lands, there is something I would like to give you before I leave. May I come in."

Elain‘s breath hitched in her throat, staring at her big eyes in the mirror, no words left her mouth.

"Lady?"

"Erm…I am……, please a moment," she blabbered, pulling on the buttons but this damn upper most button would not open.

No. No. No.

But she could not let him go. Not when he was going back to Vassa. She had to see him again. He after all came here, for her.

Vigorously pulling on the jacket, ripping on the button she did not at all noticed that she walked backwards, her slim feet getting caught in her long, amethyst dress and—

With a loud thumb, first her bum and then her head made contact with the harsh ground. "Shit."

Lucien, the clever fox who was always on high alert for his mate, stormed into the room without more thought and expecting the worst.

He nearly doubled over at the sight. At what was going on in front of him.

His mate lay on the ground, her legs spread and herself nearly vanishing under his large jacket. His. Jacket. She was wearing his jacket. Her beautiful waves of hair covered her face and Elain quickly blew a strand away, immediately regretting it since now her deep red cheeks would be on full display.

"My lady, what has happened here?" Lucien tried to sound calm but he soon bursted into laughter, taking a few steps towards Elain.

"The top button won‘t open."

"I know, a nasty thing…that’s why I never buttoned it up fully," Lucien grinned, leaning over his mate and extending his hand. "May I be of help with your little issue?"

"Are you not going to ask why I wear it?" she grumbled, slowly moving her hand to his and gods…something erupted when their palms met, flushing even redder, holding his warm, callused hand tightly she let him pull her back onto her feet.

"Nah…I thought you might like the colour, fits perfect with that lovely dress of yours." He grinned, which made heat pool in a really, really odd part of Elain’s body. And talking about heat, she was standing so close to him…for the first time in her life that his heat lured her into a comforting warmth she hadn’t felt in…she had never felt before.

"Now let me help you with the button. You allow me to..to touch you?" Elain was sure that Lucien must hear the thrumming of her heart against her rib cage. Biting her lip, she looked up at him with her big eyes, nodding. A smile plastered Lucien’s handsome face, a slight pinkish colour on his cheeks. He slowly lifted his tanned fingers to the buttons, his knuckles brushing against the soft skin of her neck and Elain…Elain was gone. She was lost and she was falling. Falling in love. Falling for him. Gods, she really was falling.

"Elain, do we have to get a healer? You just lost your balance, did you hit your head so hard?" Lucien asked, panic and worry lacing his voice while he tightly grabbed Elain by her upper arms, steadying her. If it was possible even more heat dashed into her cheeks.

"Gods, no…I just lost balance…I am perfectly fine," she stated, not directly looking into his eyes. She would only stumble again. She knew it. Lucien was without doubt the most handsome male that there was in Prythian. There was no one who was even close to how handsome he was.

"I will believe you for now, but—"

"I really am fine." He nodded, a small smirk creeping onto his lips when he finally opened the button, already wanting to help Elain out of it but she stopped him.

"No!" she shrieked to which the emissary’s eyes went wide. "I want to keep it on…unless you want it back.” Lucien’s heart made one flop after the other, the tug on his chest pulling and pulling harder. Gods…his mate wanted to keep his jacket and looked so damn adorable in it.

Moving a hand to the back of his neck, Lucien flushed an ounce redder, nervously scratching his neck, "Absolutely not, I am…I would love for you to keep it. It looks beautiful on you. But honestly what does not look beautiful on you?”

Elain’s only answer was a squeaky giggle, quickly turning around so he could no longer see her fully flushed face but then she remembered—

“You said you have something for me? Why you came here.” Slowly turning back towards him she noticed him nod.

A moment later he pulled a small booklet out of the back pocket of his breeches. “It is a small guide on healing plants that can be found in the north of Prythian. So here…I thought you might like it.” She did not only like it. She loved it. It was just a small gift. A small gesture. But it meant so much. Grinning brightly she approached him quickly, taking the booklet out of his hands and said: “Thank you so, so much. That is amazing.” Lucien mirrored her grin, seeming utterly surprised that after everything and after every gift she always only half-heartedly accepted, she thanked him and grinned brightly at him.

“Well, I am happy you like it, my lady. I will be going now, don’t want to disturb you any longer. If there is anything you need you can always send a letter to the mortal lands, I will respond, I promise.” He stated, clapping his hands on time and already turning on his heel. But Elain was faster, although she immediately regretted what she said next, wanting to vanish into thin air and never appear again.

"Did Vassa and you engage in intercourse?"

"Did Vassa and I what?" Lucien expressed, absolutely irritated. He spun around, eyes wide open. One could cut through the tension in the room and immediately Elain’s breath hitched in her throat. Cauldron, why did that come out of her mouth? Why could she not just let him go?

"You know what I mean?” she quickly answered, lowering her gaze to the ground.

"Hm…what if I don’t? My lady can you be a bit more clear? What did Vassa and I do?” His thumb moved to Elain’s chin, grinning he examined her absolutely embarrassed and bright red face. Never would she utter those words.

“Forget it.” she whispered, wanting to step back and turning her gaze away but this time Lucien was faster. He cupped her face in both his large, warm hands, showing her a genuine smile.

“My lady, no. Vassa and I haven’t engaged in intercourse. Her and Jurian have this thing going on but I am not too keen on joining in. So no worries although I am slightly irritated and curious why you would worry?”

Why did she worry? Because..because of the bond? Or because she slowly was falling more and more in love with the fiery male standing right in front of her.

She was going to show him why she cared. Slowly getting onto her tip-toes, as much as possible, Lucien still towering over her, she leaned forward and placed a featherlight kiss to the corner of Lucien’s mouth.

Grinning she moved her head back, slowly letting her hands trail over his torso, even feeling the strong panes of muscles through his jacket. “That is why I care. Because I…because I like you.” she whispered, her eyes wide open.

Now it was Lucien’s turn. He was now gone, lost and falling. Blankly staring into his mate’s face, his heart sped up and heat erupted in every fiber of his body. His mate…his mate had just kissed him. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple popping out, while slowly letting his hands trail down Elain’s neck, resting there. He still stared at her…the most beautiful female he had ever seen.

Finally clearing his throat and snapping out of his stupor, he said: “And I like you too, my lady.” Tilting his head and leaning down quite a bit he now fully placed his lips on hers, waiting for her, for her consent that she really wanted to kiss him and she did. Pressing her lips against his a small gasp escaped her and Lucien moved her body closer to his, his warmth immediately wrapping around her. Way to soon he pulled back, the biggst grin she had ever seen on him, plastered on his face.

“Maybe you could stay another day?” Elain mumbled, chewing on her bottom lip, both not removing their hands from each other’s body.

“Maybe I would really like that.” he said, before placing his lips on hers once again.

#elain archeron #lucien vanserra #elucien #elucien headcanons #acotar #acosf #pro elucien #pro lucien #pro elain #acomaf #acowar #elucienfluff #elucien fluff #lucien x elain #elain x lucien #a court of silver flames

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