a/n: i saw an tiktok abt this and HAD to write it i fear
word count: 861
"Come on, y/n," Rhysand groaned through the phone, his voice thick with the kind of grogginess that only comes after several rounds of drinks. "You have to come out."
You rolled your eyes, tired at just the thought of exiting your apartment. "Rhys, for the umpteenth time, I am not joining you and Azriel. Go home."
You'd spent a lifetime of trying to build walls against Azriel. When you were younger, he and your brother became fast friends, leaving you with your brother and someone who was an extension of your brother. He seemed to solely exist to poke fun at your insecurities and ruffle your feathers. He was the itch you couldn't scratch, and that irritation had amounted over the years to an overall dislike of the man.
"Whatever, sunshine," Rhys scoffed, and then the line went dead.
You exhaled, finally settling back into the cushions to continue your movie. But ten minutes later, your ringtone screamed through the silence. You hit pause, annoyed, as you read Rhys's contact name light up.
"What do you want?" you snapped as you accepted the call, "You interrupted the best scene."
"Oh, I'm sorry sweetheart," a different voice drawled into the phone.
Your stomach did a strange, unwanted flip. Azriel. Even through the speaker, his voice was too smooth, too deliberate.
"What do you want?" you demanded, "And why are you on his phone?"
"Jeez. No hi? No how are you?" He sounded amused, like he was standing right next to you and watching you bristle at his words. "Your brother is currently trying to fight the doorman. We need a ride."
You looked at your pajamas, oversized robe, and slippers, then sighed. "Fine. 10 minutes. Where are you?"
___________________
When you pulled into the narrow, dark alleyway by Rita’s, you felt that familiar, claustrophobic weight settle in your chest. You saw two figures in the gloom and your chest tightened before you realized who they were. Blinking through the darkness you saw a drunk Rhys stumbling, and Azriel, who looked far too composed for someone who had allegedly been drinking.
Rhys shoved his way into the back and immediately passed out, but Azriel slid into the passenger seat, bringing the scent of pine and cold night air into your small, heated space.
"You're a lifesaver," he said, his tone dripping with that signature, infuriating sarcasm.
You didn't look at him. You put the car in drive, and as you inched forward, the walls of the alley seemed to lean in, tighter than you remembered. Panic prickled at your skin, hot and sharp. You realized, with a jolt of horror, that it was a dead end.
"Woah, wait!" Azriel barked. You slammed on the brakes, your heart hammering against your ribs like a trapped bird.
"The alley is a dead end," he said, pointing to the wall. "You have to reverse out."
Your hands were already shaking, the steering wheel slick under your palms. You closed your eyes, forcing your breaths to come in shallow hitches. Don't show him, you thought. Especially not him.
"She's claustrophobic," a voice mumbled from the back. Rhys, bless his drunken, treacherous heart. "Always has been... hates the tight spaces..."
You kept your head back, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for the inevitable tease.
But it didn't come.
Instead, the air in the car shifted. The humor vanished from Azriel’s voice. "Hey," he said, his tone suddenly low and grounding. It was a timbre you’d never heard him use, soft and stripped of the jagged edges of his usual teasing.
He moved closer. You felt the warmth of him radiating against your arm. "Look at me, y/n."
You opened your eyes. He wasn't smirking. He was watching you with an intensity that made the air feel suddenly thin. His hand hovered just inches from your shoulder, hesitant, as if he were afraid you’d shatter.
"Let’s switch," he murmured. "I’ll back us out. You just... focus on me, okay?"
You tried to open your door, but it was jammed against the brick wall. A sob caught in your throat, the panic rising higher.
"It's okay," he whispered, his hand finally making contact, steady and firm on your shoulder. He reached over, his arm bracing behind your seat, pinning you in a space that no longer felt like a cage, but a cocoon. His scent enveloped you as you stared up at him.
"Put it in reverse," he instructed, his eyes locked on yours.
You did as he said, your movements uncoordinated. He took over the steering wheel, his large hand brushing against your wrist as he navigated the tight turn. He was so close that every breath he took grazed your temple.
The car jolted as it cleared the opening, and he finally pulled back, leaving you breathless in the sudden, open space of the main road. He didn't move away right away, though. He lingered, his hand resting near yours on the center console, his eyes searching your face for any lingering tremors.
"There," he said, his voice husky. He leaned back, his eyes dancing with a new kind of light. "That good enough to get us home?"
a/n: alex warren just released this song, and it inspired me! enjoy! as always, listen to the song as you read for the best experience.
summary: the inner circle just defeated Koschei, which led to someone special being resurrected....
For nearly four centuries, a hollow ache had resided in Rhysand's chest, a testament to a loss so profound it had shaped the very fabric of his being. He was High Lord, ruler of the Night Court, powerful and outwardly composed. But before he became that ruler, before he became a husband, he was a brother. A brother to you, (Y/N).
You had been the light in their often-grim High Fae lives, a vibrant splash of amethyst and laughter. You, with your boundless curiosity and a kindness that could soothe even Azriel. He remembered your gentle touch, the way you'd coaxes a rare grin from the stoic shadowsinger, long before your bond had been fully recognized. You, who had been taken from them in the cruelest of ways, slaughtered by someone who he thought as a friend. Rhysand carried that phantom limb of grief with him always, a constant reminder of the sister he's loved and lost. He draws from your courage every day, especially right now.
Now, as they stood in Koschei's putrid lair, he drew his strength from the idea of you. A different kind of tension hummed in the air. This was their chance to sever an ancient evil, but at what cost?
The air in Koschei's lair crackled, thick with the stench of ancient magic and impending doom. Koschei, chained and seething, fixed them with eyes that burned with malicious glee. "You truly believe you can defeat me, little fae?" he rasped, his voice a dry rustle of bone and dust. "Know this, then: if you claim my life, a soul previously lost will return to this world. And you will have no say in who it is."
A cold dread snaked through the Inner Circle. They stood in a tense arc, weapons drawn, their faces grim, each grappling with the terrifying uncertainty. Rhysand’s jaw tightened, his violet eyes scanning each of his companions, a silent plea for readiness. He pressed against the edges of their minds, a fleeting sweep with his daemati powers, searching for a hint, a premonition, any indication of the soul Koschei spoke of. The effort strained him, the ancient magic of the lair resisting his probes, throwing up walls of static and confusion. He found nothing, only a roaring void where clarity should have been. He could feel the weight of their gaze on him, waiting for his word, but there was no certainty to give.
He pulled back, a flicker of profound frustration in his eyes. Cassian’s grip tightened on his sword, his gaze frantically flickering between Nesta and Elain, a primal fear for their safety twisting in his gut. Feyre stood ready, magic swirling around her arms, her jaw clenched, her own senses straining for any clue. Azriel was a statue of lethal readiness, his shadows pooling restlessly at his feet, a silent scream of apprehension building within him. Nesta, her silver sword gleaming, looked utterly resolved, but even she couldn't mask the flicker of profound unease in her usually defiant eyes. Lucien's single eye narrowed, wary and watchful, his hand instinctively resting on Elain's arm.
The unspoken question hung heavy in the suffocating silence: Whose ghost would walk among them again? A beloved parent? A forgotten friend? Or perhaps a monstrous enemy, returned to haunt their victory, to turn their triumph into ash?
"Doesn't matter," Nesta snarled, her voice like forged steel. Her eyes, hard and unyielding, fixed on Koschei. She moved with a predator's grace, ignoring the raw hatred in Koschei’s gaze. With a guttural roar that ripped through the cavern, she brought her silver sword down, cleanly severing Koschei’s head from his neck.
The world convulsed.
A soundless shriek tore through the air as Koschei’s ancient magic unraveled, a force so potent it made their teeth ache. From the crumbling stone floor, an ethereal, shimmering mist began to pool, swirling faster and faster, rising like a spectral column. Above them, through a newly ripped fissure in the cavern ceiling, a blinding shaft of pure, golden light pierced the gloom, striking the heart of the rising mist.
The Inner Circle stood frozen, an arc of wary warriors, their weapons still poised, eyes wide with a mixture of dread and bewildered awe. The mist swelled, then began to recede, coalescing around the blinding light. And then, slowly, majestically, a figure descended, carried on the very light that had torn through the sky.
The mist cleared, revealing her.
She was undeniably Fae. Hair the color of a raven's wing, spilling down her back like a river. Her skin was luminous, touched with the soft glow of resurrection, utterly flawless. And her - your - eyes they were the same startling, vibrant amethyst as Rhysand's, ancient and suddenly, piercingly alive.
As touched onto the ground, the world seemed to shudder. A wave of raw, untamed magic pulsed outwards from you, a tide of power that vibrated through every bone, shaking the very foundations of the cavern, making the very air sing.
And in Azriel's chest, the long-dormant mate bond erupted, not with a gentle hum, but a violent, joyous thrum that threatened to tear him apart and stitch him back together all at once.
"(Y/N)!" Cassian cried out. It was a choked, guttural sound, ripped from the deepest parts of his soul, born of pure, overwhelming, agonizing joy. His sword, that inseparable extension of himself, clattered to the ground with a deafening clang as he simply collapsed, sinking to his knees, his massive frame shaking uncontrollably. Hot, ragged tears streamed down his face, his gaze fixed on you, his sister.
"Cassian!" Nesta gasped, her own eyes wide with shock. Her weapon slipped a fraction in her numb fingers, and her hand shot out instinctively, reaching for him, her face a canvas of disbelief and a fierce, immediate need to comfort him. But he was already on his knees, consumed.
Rhysand, faster than thought, launched himself forward. A raw, heartbroken roar tore from his throat, a sound of ancient pain and boundless relief, as he enveloped you in a crushing embrace. "(Y/N)!" he choked out, burying his face in your hair. "My sister. My (Y/N)."
The names hung in the air, foreign yet deeply familiar, a puzzle piece slotting into place for everyone but Rhysand and Cassian. Cassian, still sobbing, scrambled to his feet, joining the embrace, his immense form trembling with a grief and joy that broke Rhysand's usually composed facade entirely.
Feyre, Nesta, Elain, and Lucien exchanged bewildered, uneasy glances. Rhysand’s sister? The revelation was staggering, incomprehensible. They remained on edge, weapons still clutched, unsure of what this impossible resurrection meant for their already complex lives.
But Azriel was a statue of ice and pure, agonizing disbelief. His breath hitched in his throat, a sharp, painful gasp, and Truth Teller slipped from his numb fingers, clattering to the stone floor with a jarring ring that echoed in the sudden, sacred silence. His shadows, which had coiled in restless anticipation moments before, were now perfectly still, a silent shroud around him, a desperate barrier against the overwhelming reality, against the surge of a bond he thought he’d lost forever. His eyes, usually so guarded, were wide, disbelieving, and utterly, achingly fixed on you. He felt the very air vibrate around him, his mind reeling.
(Y/N)—the name resonated with a truth that echoed through his very soul. You disentangled yourself from her brothers’ tearful embrace, your amethyst eyes sweeping over the group, taking in their wary confusion, your brow furrowing slightly. Then, your gaze, ancient and impossibly knowing, landed on Azriel.
He felt it then, the undeniable, overwhelming surge of the bond, slamming into him like a physical force. It wasn’t a whisper now; it was a roaring symphony, the missing piece of his soul brought violently back to life. His mate. Alive.
A slow, tentative smile blossomed on your lips. You took a step towards him, then another, your movements graceful, otherworldly, your eyes never leaving his. "Azriel," you breathed, the single word an ancient melody that resonated deep within his bones, unlocking a vault of centuries-old yearning that had never truly died. You paused a few feet away, her hand lifting, hesitant, as if reaching for a dream. "I... I've been waiting for you." Your voice was soft, laced with a wonder that mirrored his own. You looked at him, your eyes shining with recognition, wonder, and a profound, bone-deep longing that mirrored his own. "You waited, didn't you? Through all of it?"
He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t even breathe. All the centuries of longing, the crushing loneliness of a severed bond, the quiet yearning for a future he thought forever stolen—it all converged in this single, impossible moment. A single word, torn from his very core, escaped his lips:
"My (Y/N)," he whispered, the sound raw, fragile, utterly broken, yet filled with the most profound reverence.
You closed the distance between you. Your fingers, cool and soft, grazed his cheek, then cupped his jaw, your touch an electric shock that jolted him back to life, re-igniting the bond in his chest to a blinding roar. Your thumb brushed over his scar, a gentle, knowing caress that promised understanding, a memory of moments long past. "My shadowsinger," you whispered, your voice thick with unshed tears and a love so ancient it vibrated in the air. "You’re real."
And then you rose on your toes, and your lips, soft and full, met his. It was a kiss of ancient promises fulfilled, of life finally found. It tasted of starlight and despair, of hope and endless, crushing longing. It tasted of forever. A silent, powerful force, a bond reforged across time, enveloped them both, whispering: Eternity.
And it feels like an Eternity
Since I had you here with me
Since I had to learn to be someone you don't know
line for line from "something there". featured in the disney movie, "beauty and the beast".
a/n: this song is so azriel romance coded, i had to write smth up! i strongly suggest listening to the song, and the bold words are lyrics from the song!
You grasped the teacup in your hands, the gentle warmth seeping into your fingers. Outside the apartment window, the night lights of Hewn City twinkled like scattered stars in the sky, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within you. You had just returned from a late-night intelligence mission with Azriel, and your mind was now replaying every moment, every flicker of a shadow.
There was something sweet, and almost kind that had begun to open up around him lately, like a bloom in a harsh Winter Court winter. When you first arrived in Velaris, you viewed him as nothing more than the High Lord's terrifying Spymaster - a silent, judging worker whose shadows clung to him like a second skin. He was efficient, distant, and abrupt. To you, he was mean, and he was coarse and unrefined in his bluntness, lack of preamble, and intensity.
But tonight seemed.... different.
He had offered you his cloak when a sudden gust of wind had whipped through the open archway you both were stood in. He hadn't said a single word, just pressed the heavy fabric into your hands. When you glanced up at him, you saw his eyes held a flicker of unsure concern before he melted back into the shadows like always. Then there was the way he'd actually let you finish a thought during briefing, truly listening, instead of cutting in with his usual decisive statements. And finally, there was the rare, never seen before, almost imperceptible, curve of his lips when you made a joke about Cassian's eating habits.
Now he's dear, you thought, a warmth spreading through your chest that you had never felt before (and one that had nothing to do with your tea). And so unsure. I wonder why I didn't see it there before.
____
Miles away, in the solitude of his own spymaster's office, Azriel leaned back in his chair, his hands around a glass of whiskey and his gaze fixed on the ceiling. He didn't bother to light the lamps, his shadows providing better company and concealment.
He thought of you. Specifically of the moment you turned to thank him for his cloak. She glanced this way, I thought I saw...a certain softness in her eyes, a curiosity that went beyond simple gratitude, he thought. A warmth resonated deep within him, causing the shadows to settle and hum contently. And then, when you pulled the clock tighter around you, your fingers had touched - a fleeting touch, and nothing more. Yet when we touched she didn't shudder at my hand, he thought to himself once again, taking a sip of the whiskey he housed in his hands. She hadn't flinched, nor had she recoiled. Just a simple breath.
No it can't be, he internally grunted, pushing the thought away with a familiar ease born from years of self-denial. It was simply the late hour, the fatigue. His own desperation for connection was twisting a simple, polite interaction into something more. He'd just ignore it. Like he always did.
But then she's never looked at me that way before. And the truth of it settled into his bones, refusing to be shaken loose.
____
The next day, the House of Wind buzzed with the usual chaos it held. In a lull between drills, Cassian clapped Azriel on the back, a little too hard. "You're distracted, brother," he grunted, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Lost in your shadows? Or is it something else?"
Azriel just rolled his eyes and gave a noncommittal shrug, turning to adjust his leathers, when he saw Mor descending into the training grounds, her red gown swirling around her.
"Well who'd have thought"? she purred, settling down onto a nearby bench, her eyes twinkling as she watched you in the distance, laughing with Feyre. "Our resident shadow-singer has found a distraction from his brooding."
Feyre then left you to train with a smile and joined the group. "She's good, isn't she?" she asked, and then glanced at Azriel. "Well, bless my soul. I've never seen her so... at ease, around anyone else." She shifted her gaze to Azriel once again, a hint of something warm and sisterly in her eyes, "Or you, Azriel, quite so... less broody."
Rhysand appeared then, wrapping an arm around Feyre and kissing her temple. He looked at Azriel, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's quite the development," he said, enjoying Azriel's barely contained irritation. "Though, who'd have known it would be Y/N to finally crack that stoic facade of yours, Az?"
Cassian, ever the pragmatist, puffed out a breath. "Well, who indeed?" He surveyed you and Az, who has walked away from the teasing at his expense to join you in training. He watched as you two had a quiet, intense discussion near the weapons rack. "And who'd have guessed they'd come together on their own? I thought they would just silently orbit each other forever."
Amren, always blunt, appeared with a knowing look on her face. "It was getting insufferable. It's so peculiar," she added, more to herself than them, "how long it takes for people to see what's right in front of them."
Mor sighed contently. "Peculiar, yes, but also rather sweet." She leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "We'll wait and see. A few days more, perhaps."
Feyre nodded, a hopeful light in her eyes. "There may be something there that wasn't there before."
Cassian rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Perhaps there's something there...."
"That wasn't there before," Feyre finished softly, a shared sentiment passing between the group as they watched Azriel's shoulders visibly relax as you leaned closer to make a point, a rare ease settling over him.
____
Later that evening, after the last of the Inner Circle had dispersed and the House of Wind settled down for the night, you found yourself on one of the many balconies. The night air was a balm, and the stars blazed high in the sky.
A familiar shift in the air and a subtle deepening of shadows announced Azriel's presence before you heard his soft footsteps. He came to stand beside you, his usual silent sentinel. Neither of you spoke for a long moment, simply gazing at the sparkling city below. The silence between you, once intimidating, now felt… comfortable. Companionable, even.
You risked a glance at him. In the soft moonlight, his usually sharp features seemed a touch softer, his shadows less menacing, almost like a protective shroud rather than a barrier. You found yourself noticing the gentle curve of his lips, the way his dark hair fell across his brow, and the quiet intensity of his gaze as he took in the familiar view.
He shifted, and his arm brushed yours. It was an accidental touch, light and fleeting, but the warmth that bloomed between you was anything but. You didn’t pull away. He didn't either. The electric hum of his shadows seemed to intensify, a subtle thrumming against your skin.
Azriel turned his head, his eyes, those deep, ancient wells, finding yours. There was a question there, a vulnerability you hadn't dared to imagine seeing in him. It wasn't spoken, but it resonated in the space between you, a fragile, nascent hope.
"It's… peculiar," you murmured, you voice barely a whisper, echoing Amren’s earlier comment. You weren't speaking of the Night Court’s beauty, or the magic in the air. You were speaking of them.
Azriel’s lips curved into that rare, subtle smile you'd seen only a handful of times before. It transformed his face, chasing away the shadows of his past, if only for a moment. He didn't say anything, but his shadows seemed to ripple with quiet agreement, leaning into you, wrapping around you in a gentle, almost possessive embrace.
You stood there for a few minutes more, simply existing in the quiet understanding that had settled between you two. The stars overhead seemed to shine a little brighter. There was no grand declaration, no sudden kiss, but something far more profound had solidified in the silence. It was a promise, fragile but undeniable, that the something there that wasn't there before had finally taken root. And perhaps, just perhaps, it would be allowed to grow.
Summary: The end is sudden, unchangeable. But at least you're not alone.
Warnings: angst, breakups (its last kiss, cmon)
Words: idk it's on my phone 🙂↕️
Author's Note: ahhhhhhh this is very mildly inspired by my first breakup with my ex. But that was over text. And we got back together the next day cause I was a weak willed bitch when it came to him Aaanyways I hope you guys like this. For some reason I don't think it's that sad? But my brain's been broken recently so 🤷♀️ lemme know what you think! Also Click makes me ugly cry literally every time I watch it sooo...
18+ only pls
🤍💙💔💙🤍
The floor should be on fire now, your feet smoking as you shuffled across the carpet again. Nervous energy filled the air as you waited.
And waited.
He was never late.
Well, he was never late. As of the past week...
Things had been off.
So you waited. Pacing a hole through your carpet, you waited.
A bad feeling was resting low in your stomach, one that had been lingering since you woke up.
Hey bunny, can we talk later? I'll swing by after work.
The buzz of your phone had disturbed your slumber, and the message it held had chased away any lingering sleepiness in an instant.
Of course you'd messaged back, asking what was so important he couldn't tell you over text, or call you. But at that point, he'd likely clocked into work, his phone locked away for the entire eight hours he would be there.
A glance to your right had you clenching your fists, nails tugging against flesh. 7:35. The numbers mocked you, only two minutes had passed since you'd last checked the time.
Two minutes that felt like an eternity.
At the latest, he should have been here at 7:20, if he came straight from work. Traffic was almost never an issue for him on his bike, but what if- what if he was hurt?
You resisted the urge to pick up your phone again, enter the passcode and see your unanswered messages leering at you. Maybe he was picking up dinner? Or had to stop for gas? Or-
A knock on your door, fingernail ripped from your mouth as you ran to the door, opening it without a moment to spare.
Azriel.
Safe and sound.
"You're late," you pouted, launching yourself at him and planting a kiss on his lips-
Only to be met with stiff lips, and you pulled back, greeted by a polite smile, unfocused hazel eyes.
You frowned at him, confused.
"Can I come in?" Your brow furrowed at the question; he practically lived here. You nodded and stepped aside, noticing how very intentionally he didn't touch you, not even with his jacket.
The slide of the lock was deafening, and you turned to face him. And you knew something was wrong. Never before had he looked nervous in front of you, not even when he'd asked you out after a semester of stolen glances, increasingly heated looks shared between the two of you.
But now? He seemed ready to jump through the window, just to escape you.
"What's going on, Azzie?" You bit your lip, but kept your distance, even if you wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in his arms.
Hazel eyes looked down, locking onto the floor. "I can't do this anymore, Y/N."
The air was knocked from your lungs, your stomach twisting into a knot. "I... What?"
"I can't do this anymore," he sighed, hands gesturing between the two of you.
Tears filled your eyes, and you fought back a sob. "This? But- I don't understand," you whispered, hoping, wishing to wake up-
"I told you when we started dating, Y/N, I... I'm not good at this. Relationships," Azriel sighed, running a hand through his hair, already mussed from his helmet. "I can't do this anymore. It's not about you, you're-" he sucked in a breath. "You're perfect, Y/N." He stared at you, as if waiting for a response, but you were stunned. "I'm not good enough for you, you deserve someone better."
"But I don't want someone else, I love you," you croaked, fingers extending from where they'd been glued to your sides. "I love you, Azriel. I don't- I don't know why anything else matters."
"Because I can't, Y/N. I just- I can't handle a relationship right now," he sighed.
"I can back off, I can give you space-"
"That's not what I mean, Y/N. I cannot be in a relationship now. I'm sorry, I truly am," he whispered, hand reaching out as if to brush your cheek before falling down to his side. "I should go." Azriel moved to step around you, to leave.
"I- wait!" The dam was broken, waterfalls cascading down your cheeks as you reached for him, grasping the smooth leather of his jacket. "Please, Azriel. Don't do this to me," you sobbed, biceps working to pull him closer. "Please."
He stayed where he was, a pained look in his eyes as he watched your face grow red, eyes wide with panic. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I... I hope we can be friends, at some point," he said, shattering your heart again.
Friends?
Your hand fell from his arm, coming to cover your face instead. You couldn't bear to watch him leave, sinking to the floor as the lock unlatched, heaving sobs breaking from your chest when you heard the door shut firmly.
🤍🩷❤️🩹🩷🤍
You awoke some time later, side aching from laying on the floor, eyes sore from how much you'd cried-
Azriel broke up with you. He left you.
The thought sent a fresh wave of tears down your cheeks, a new stab to your tender chest.
Somehow you managed to get yourself to the couch, curling up under a blanket and opening your phone.
Azriel broke up with me 😭
Three dots danced on the bottom of your screen, then-
He WHAT?! I'll be right over, don't worry love ❤️🩹
You clicked your phone closed, turning your face into the couch cushion beneath you, letting the pain overtake you.
Ten, fifteen, maybe thirty minutes later and your door swung open.
"Y/N! Why was your door unlocked?!" a sweet, concerned voice asked. You didn't bother to answer, staying silent as you listened to the slide of metal, the rustle of plastic, and finally soft footsteps that stopped in front of you.
"Oh, Y/N," Elain sighed, running a gentle hand over your shoulder. "I'm so sorry, love. Do you... want to talk about it?"
You shook your head. What was there to talk about?
"Do you wanna watch Titanic? I even brought brownie B&J for you," Elain offered, poking your side softly when you didn't answer. "You know it'll make you feel better." Your head moved a bit, enough to make eye contact.
"Did you bring chips too?" you asked in a watery voice, hand clutching at your blanket.
"Of course I brought chips. And chocolate truffles, sour gummy worms, a double pepperoni pizza, a case of soda- all the standards of our breakup kits," Elain chirped.
She'd always been a tad too cheerful right after your breakups, though it was no different from how Elain normally acted. And after a while, her happy mood did start to rub off on you, helping soothe the ache in your heart each time.
But this was serious.
You and Az had been together for two years, not two months like most of your breakups. You need to cry, preferably with your best friend sobbing right along with you.
"Can we watch Click first?"
Elain's frown would normally be answer enough. But for you, she didn't fight it. "Alright. You go into the bathroom and splash some water on your face, I'll set the table."
You followed her instructions, shambling into the bathroom and brushing your hair from your face.
God, why did you turn on the light?
A mess is what you were. Remnants of your mascara and eyeliner from earlier streaked over your cheeks, your eyes red and swollen from your tears. Your hair was disheveled, and you tackled that first, running a comb through it until it was smooth and untangled once more. A makeup wipe and several splashes of cool water later, and you looked less... distraught.
Only by a bit.
Maybe this was why he left you. You'd never been pretty enough, especially not for someone as gorgeous as him-
Heat built in your eyes and you tore your gaze from the mirror, forcing your legs to carry you back to the couch. Elain was already situated, an extra blanket on her lap and a feast of junk food set out on the coffee table.
"Come on, love. Let's cry it out," Elain said, patting the seat next to her. You sniffled, more than ready to do it, even without tearjerker of a movie to watch.
"You better cry too," you whispered when you sat, pulling your blanket over your lap and grabbing a slice of pizza.
"Of course, Y/N. Of course," Elain said, rubbing your upper back before pressing play.
🤍💙💔💙🤍
The next morning, Elain had to go to work, leaving you alone.
So.
Very.
Alone.
The day was spent sobbing over videos of the two of you, pictures of all of your dates, anniversaries, holidays spent together.
Two years, gone in an instant.
At dinner, you stalked his instagram- he'd already blocked you, but you used your second account to get around it, even if it was just to torture yourself further.
You combed through his posts, only to find that you were gone. Like you'd never existed. Holiday posts were still up, with the pictures of the two of you removed. Your anniversary post, the one he'd made three weeks ago?
Gone.
Deleted.
You were nothing, now.
The hole in your heart only grew when you watched his stories from the night before, videos you assumed were taken by Cassian and posted without Azriel realizing. He and his brothers had gone out drinking, Feyre, Nesta, and-
Elain?!
Your brows scrunched together, checking the time stamp. Seventeen hours ago. Before you'd told Elain of the breakup.
You let out a sigh of relief.
And continued watching.
Only for you eyes to widen in horror, betrayal.
Because Elain was kissing Azriel-
A sob tore from your throat, a new dagger striking your heart, widening the wound.
How could she?!
She knew- she knew how much you loved him, how much of yourself you'd given to him. And she did this?!
Elain had promised you that she didn't care for Azriel in that way, and never had. That was why you'd trusted his words, that he was over his longtime crush on her.
But obviously you'd been swindled, trapped in a web you didn't know existed.
And now you were being devoured by the spider that made it possible, pain leeching into every breath.
You loved him.
It hurt, thinking that you were just a passing of time, two silly, wasted years while he pined after your best friend.
summary: you recount how you've lost your family. and now you've lost him.
a/n: it's been so long since i've written anything, and i'm so sorry if this sucks! i'm trying to get back into it
life was good before the archeron sisters showed up. you had your family. you had your older brother, rhysand. your best friend, cassian, and all your other friends and companions.
most importantly, you had him. you had azriel. you miss the days when the two of you would fly around velaris, try new cafes and bakeries, and even just sit and read with one another in peace. you miss the life you once had, the life that got interrupted when the acheron sisters arrived.
first came feyre. she isn't that bad, drawing mainly your brother's attention. you can't blame him, she's his mate after all. but gone were the nights where you and your brother would gossip about the other courts and their leaders. gone were the late night flying sessions, just to go look at the stars. when feyre came, it felt like you lost part of your brother.
but you still had azriel.
then came nesta, with a fiery heart and head full of passion. you've grown close to her over the years, understanding her feelings better than most. the longer she stayed, the less time your best friend spent with you. he began to take greater comfort in his mate's presence than yours, and again you couldn't blame him. you would never blame him. but gone were the nights of late night cookie baking, dancing out in rita's, and pranking rhysand. when nesta came, she took your best friend with her.
but you still had azriel.
then came elain.
you had hoped she wouldn't take away the one person you wanted to keep. she had a mate, you thought. a mate that loved her and would do anything for her. lucien was a good man, you had thought. of course, she'd want to be with him. right?
wrong.
the longer she stayed, the more you lost azriel. gone were the days of silent reading, sneaking around the shadows, and training in the early hours of the morning. gone were the hidden glances and smiles, the silent words of understanding, the unwavering support, and looks of love and adoration shared amongst the two of you. in it's place was days spent in the garden with her, baking with her, and whispering sweet nothings in her ear as you watched - hidden in the dark. he began to slip through your fingers like sand, no matter how much you tried to grasp at him.
it doesn't help that elain is beautiful, kind, and everything you thought you were not. she had skin like puff pastries, eyes white as daisies, and the ribbons in her hair made her prettier than ever. she was a dazzling starlet, shining brighter under the gaze of your love. she was the sweetest torture one could bear, and had the one thing that you want.
you had never been jealous of another until you met elain.
these emotions flood your mind, overflowing the floodgates of your consciousness until you begin to cry - tears dripping down your cheeks and off your chin as you stare at the sight in front of you. to an outsider, it would seem as if you are happy at the sight you are beholding instead of filled with angst and jealousy.
there's only one person who would know better, but he's not looking at you.
you stare at the exchange of rings between azriel and elain and at your happy friends and family. the priestess finalizes the marriage, solidifying their love for each other. the bond in your chest fractures as he kisses her, eyes full of love and adoration.
"Welcome back Az!" Rhysand cheered, clapping his brother on the back as the rest of the inner circle turned to smile at him and welcome him back.
Azriel blinked at all the sudden attention but took it gracefully - like a true Shadowsinger. He had been working for three months in the Day court on official Spymaster business.
"Thank you, Az." his brother said earnestly, his violet eyes piercing the shadowsinger and he smiled tight lipped and nodded. "The mission took longer than I had an anticipated for it to take, especially for someone with your expertise. Was anything holding you back, brother? Or was it just that difficult?" he probed, genuinely curious.
Azriel's eyes flashed in remembrance, for a split second, before returning to the soft gaze he kept for his family.
"I guess it was just that difficult..." he said, trailing off.
"Are you sure?" Feyre asked him, a calculating yet concealed gaze covering her face. He did nothing but nod and the High Lady nodded in return, satisfied.
For months thereafter, Azriel found that his dreams were taken over with memories of his time spent in the day court.
His time spent with you.
Flashes of concealed and hushed laughter in aisles of the library. Flashes of pure, unbridled joy at the sight of whipped cream on your nose. Flashes of the feeling of sand and the roar of the ocean. Flashes of stolen kisses, poetry sonnets, and hidden secrets. Flashes of everything good in the world surrounded you. He would have stayed with you forever, if he could have.
Then came the bad. Memories of having to leave you rose in his nightmares. The feeling of anger, despite neither of you doing anything wrong. The swirl of his shadows singing reassurance in his ears as he slept next to you that night. The taste of your salty tears streaming down your cheeks as you kissed him for the final time. The roar of air against his wings as he forced himself to fly back home.
The act of sleeping became a battle.
___
A year passes by, his dreams and nightmares of you ebbing away giving rise to blank sleeps. He's doing his best to move forward, and prays that you are doing the same.
"I WIN!" Cassian's voice cuts through his thoughts, pulling him to reality as he realizes he's been pinned to the ground by his brother.
"You wish," he muttered as he kneed his brother in the gut, using his surprise to his advantage as he pins Cassian down, winning.
"Oh whatever," Cassian grumbles as he pushes Az off, wiping dirt off his leathers as he grins at his brother.
"Again?" Azriel rolled his eyes, but got into a fighting stance regardless.
Suddenly, Rhysand's voice echoed through their heads, "Cassian, Azriel, come to the River House. We have a special guest."
Cassian furrowed his eyebrows.
"Any idea?" he asked Azriel. Azriel looked to his shadows for answers, but all they did was vibrate in excitement and swirled around him - seemingly to excited to speak.
"No clue," he said earnestly. Cassian's brows furrowed further, before clearing.
"I guess we'll find out, race you there?" he said, already taking flight. Azriel grinned and nodded, shooting up into the air with one powerful flap.
____
He landed on the balcony of the River House moments before Cassian, who slapped him upside the head when he landed.
"How did you beat me?" he muttered, before straightening his gaze towards Rhysand and Feyre who were inside, greeting their new guest. He peeks his head through the door - trying to sneakily see who this special guest was - , and his cover was immediately blown by the ever-observant Feyre.
"Oh yes, (Y/N). Meet Cassian, the general of the night court."
Azriel freezes.
(Y/N)?
His (Y/N)?
He heaves forward, the brunt of his memories piercing through him. Everything he's suppressed comes rushing back to him, and he's overtaken with emotion.
Without a second thought, he bursts through the doors - extremely unlike the sly and secret nature he kept.
"Azriel, are you okay?" someone asked him, worriedly. He didn't answer them, all his attention was on you.
You falter in your words, eyes darting towards him for a split second before returning to Cassian. Before he could mourn the loss of your gaze, you turn towards him again - pain and longing in your eyes.
"Azriel," you breathed out, eyes flashing with emotion as you took him in. He'd gotten prettier since you'd last seen him, even more breathtaking than before.
"Do you two know each other?" Rhysand asks, glancing between the two of you.
"Yes," you both said at the same time, unable to break gazes with one another.
"Well," Feyre started, and you snapped your head back to her - sense overtaking you as you remember where you were and what you were doing. "I'm sure Az can answer any questions you have,". He can't find it in himself to do anything but smile and nod.
"Well, I do have one question." you said, giving him a small smile. You stepped forward towards him, your scent of the ocean air taking over his senses.
Azriel would just really like his heart not to get broken again.
And Sky...well, she's just really surprised that that far too handsome male is interested in her at all.
Warning:
Rhys Bashing (as usual), I classified this as Azriel x OC, even when it't technically Azriel x Sellyn Drake (but we kinda know nothing about Sellyn Drake other than that she writes books so Sky is kinda an OC), Cassian is kinda a good guy for once, Azriel has a horrible time, as usual... Stuttering, toxic families (For once I do not mean the IC), Self-Esteem Issues, Secret Identity, Body Image Issues, Fat Shaming, People being utterly horrible. Racism against Illyrians/Lesser Faes?
If any of this triggers you or makes you uncomfortable, please take care of your own mental health and don't read it.
I could write more, but quite frankly, I think I would kinda drag it out and the first major arc is tied up with a neat little bow!
There are definitely be threads left dangling for me to pick up whenever I want to write more about Sky and Azriel, but I think around 50k is a good place to stop for now ❤️
Even the Spymaster of the Night Court paid taxes.
That was the only reason why Rhysand even found out where exactly Azriel‘s home even was.
Azriel’s home was in the outskirts of Velaris, near the mountains. A little lake cabin. Rhys hadn’t even known that Azriel owned it but apparently he did.
Rhys shouldn’t go there. He knew that.
Rhys should be giving his brother space. That was probably the least he owed him. But he couldn't stop himself. He needed to know Azriel was alright. That he was happy.
Rhys needed to apologise. He needed to make amends…
And Azriel was ignoring him. Mental shields as shored up as they ever had been, shoving back at Rhys at every opportunity…
He had never seen Azriel's mental shields like this before, and it concerned him. He knew Azriel was angry at him, had ever right to be angry, but Rhys hadn't expected his brother to shut him out so completely.
Reports were still arriving on his desk punctually as always. But Azriel seemed utterly uninterested in actually talking to Rhys.
It was a small comfort, knowing that Azriel was still working, but Rhysand couldn’t shake off the feeling of guilt that had settled deep in his gut. He knew that he had hurt Azriel deeply, and he couldn’t blame his brother for shutting him out.
Rhys wished he could turn back time and fix things, but he had messed up terribly. He knew he had to give Azriel space, but the silence between them was deafening . It was a constant reminder of just how much damage he had caused.
As the days went on, Rhysand found himself consumed by thoughts of what he could have done…should have done… He tried reaching out to Azriel mentally, only to be rebuffed each time.
Cassian showed up alone for debriefings and if Rhys showed up at the House of Wind for Valkyrie Training, Azriel was nowhere to be seen.
So finally…Rhys had enough. So he showed up at that house.
It was a nice house too, a secluded cabin at a mountain lake. Rhys knew that he wasn’t welcome, not after everything that had passed between them, but he had to see Azriel.
Rhys raised a hand, knocking gently on the door. He could hear the faint sound of movement inside. Rhysand sighed. He should leave. He knew he should leave. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
And then suddenly, to his surprise…the door opened.
“…C…Can I….can I h…help you?“
She was brown haired and short… with deep blue eyes and freckles smattering over her nose.
Rhysand looked at the woman in front of him, taken aback by her appearance. He didn't know what he had expected, but it certainly wasn't a small, curvy, freckled brunette.
"I, uh..." Rhysand stammered, his mind blanking. "I was looking for Azriel." he finally brought out.
The small female studied him carefully, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Az…Azriel's n…not h…here," she stuttered.
Rhysand's heart sank, but he tried not to let it show. "Do you know where he is?" he asked, desperate for any information.
The female hesitated, biting her lip slightly. She seemed to be contemplating her answer, her brow furrowing in thought. After a moment, she finally looked back up at him, her expression unreadable. "He…He's...o…out f…for t…the d…day," she said finally, not giving him anymore than that.
Rhysand tried to keep the frustration out of his voice, but it was difficult. He was so close to his brother, and yet so far away. "Do you know when he'll be back?" he asked sharply.
She nearly flinched away from him at that tone of voice.
He opened his mouth to apologise, but he didn't even get to that. Because some thing with wickedly sharp claws, launched itself at his head with a hissing sound.
Rhysand yelped as the mysterious creature swiped at his face, growling all the while.
"HECTOR NO!" The female shrieked.
Rhysand stumbled backwards, trying to dodge the sharp claws.
Just at that moment, he felt more than he heard his brother's arrival.
Azriel materialized between them with a loud flapping of wings, his siphons blazing. He stood protectively in front of the small female, his expression murderous.
"Hector to me," he snapped. The thing, a cat ...an incredible ugly , murderous looking cat let off Rhys with another growl and slunk back to Azriel's side, heeling like a dog. The woman quickly scooped him up in her arms.
Cassian's laughter washed over him, at that moment, as Rhys was still laying on the ground, bested by a cat .
"Taking down by a cat now, Rhysie?" Cassian asked him with a snort, offering him his hand to gain his feet.
Rhys already knew that he was never going to live this down.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Azriel hissed, his voice filled with anger. His wings were spread wide, and Rhysand could see the barely contained ferocity beneath his brother's cold facade.
Rhysand winced at Azriel's harsh tone. He knew he had messed up, and he didn't blame his brother for being angry with him. "I just wanted to see you," he said, feeling small under Azriel's penetrating glare.
Azriel's expression didn't soften at his words. "You had no right," he said sharply. "You can't just show up here unannounced, Rhysand. This is my home, and you're not welcome here. You terrified Sky!"
Sky. Sky. That was the name of his brother's mate...of the pretty brunette that was standing behind him, fussing over her murderous cat.
Rhysand glanced over at Sky guiltily. "I...I'm sorry," he said to her. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Sky hesitated, before nodding stiffly. Her face remained guarded, her arms still wrapped protectively around the mangy cat. Rhysand couldn't help but notice how small she looked compared to Azriel's imposing form…and the absolute massive cat.
"I am sorry," he turned to his brother, swallowing. The apology wasn't enough. he knew that. And it wasn't going to fix the fact that Azriel didn't trust him anymore or... *Az. Please.*
"How did you find this house?" Azriel demanded.
"I checked the tax reports," Rhys admitted with a grimace.
Azriel's expression darkened even further, and Rhys braced himself for a reprimand. Instead, his brother let out a harsh, bitter chuckle. "Of course you did," he said flatly. "Just can't stay out of my business, can you?"
Rhysand felt a pang in his chest at the hostility in Azriel's voice. He knew he deserved every ounce of resentment his brother felt, but it still hurt deep to hear it out loud. "I...I was worried about you," he said lamely.”I just needed to see you." he added. "To apologise."
"You don't even realise the lines you keep crossing, do you?" Cassian asked him flatly. "Ever thought about the fact that maybe you should have waited until Azriel was ready to hear you out?
Rhysand winced. Cassian's words struck a nerve, and he knew his friend was right. He had been rash and insensitive in coming here unannounced. "I...I wasn't thinking," he admitted softly.
Cassian shook his head, his expression still stern. "That's the problem, Rhys," he said bluntly. "You never seem to think these days. It's like you're so caught up in your own head that you don't consider how your actions affect those around you."
Rhysand's gaze dropped, shame washing over him. Cassian's words pierced straight through him, and he struggled to find a response. He knew he had been making mistakes, but hearing them laid out so bluntly still stung.
"What do you want?" Azriel asked him flatly. "Why did you come here?"
"I wanted to apologise," Rhys said weakly. "I...fucked up. I know that. I want to...fix things."
Azriel's face remained impassive, his eyes hard. "You can't just fix things with an apology, Rhys," He said curtly. "You crossed more than one line, and you shattered my trust. Do you really think saying sorry is enough?"
"Az," his mate said softly, her voice quiet. "H..He's blee..bleeding all over our front lawn after my cat at..attacked him. At least let him sit down and give him a healing salve…"
Azriel turned to look at his mate, his anger softening ever so slightly at the concern in her voice. He let out a heavy sigh, before nodding stiffly. "Fine," he said gruffly. "But no more than that."
Rhysand nodded gratefully, relieved that Azriel was willing to let him in, even if only slightly. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I...I really am sorry."
Azriel didn't respond, turning away from him and herded Sky and the murder cat into the house. Rhysand watched him go, feeling a pang of sadness. It was clear that his brother's anger was far from abated, and he knew it would take a lot more than just an apology to mend their fractured relationship.
"Come on," Cassian prodded him up.
The first thing that Rhys realised about the house Azriel shared with his mate was that it was absolutely stuffed full with books. The second was, that Azriel clearly doted on the Murder Cat that got a crystal dish with tuna on it put on the floor before Azriel even went in the direction of the healing salve, which he slapped down on the table in front of Rhysand. .
"I…I am so…sorry," Sky apologised to Rhys, bright blue eyes apologetic. "H…Hector has nev…never done anything like that before, I swear."
Yeah, somehow he doubted that. But he also doubted that it was going to help his relationship with Azriel if he was going to annoy his mate about her beastly cat. The thing had a worse personality than Amren .
"Don't worry about it," he said, with what he hoped he was a gracious smile. "I think your cat and I just got off on the wrong foot." He looked over at the cat, who was now happily devouring the tuna as if it hadn't just tried to claw his face off.
"Good Boy, Hector," Azriel said warmly.
Rhysand could just stare.
Azriel, the feared Spymaster of the Night Court, was cooing at a mangy cat like a proud parent. He never would have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
"Who knew the Spymaster had a soft spot for cats," Rhysand remarked with a faint smile. Azriel shot him a warning glare, but the sternness was lost at the tender way he was petting the cat. "I am really sorry," Rhys apologised again.
"You said so. Numerous times," Azriel shot back.
Rhysand sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He knew Azriel was still angry with him, but it was hard not to feel the guilt weighing down on him. "I know," he said softly. "But I want you to know that I mean it. I am sorry, Azriel. For everything."
Azriel's expression remained impassive, but Rhysand could see the flicker of sadness in his eyes. He knew his brother was struggling to forgive him, but he hoped that with time, Azriel would be able to find it in his heart to do so.
"I just want to make things right," Rhysand said earnestly. "I miss you, Az. I miss my brother."
"You'll need to decide one of those days," Azriel said sharply. "Am I your soldier or am I your brother?"
Rhysand flinched at the words, feeling the weight of the accusation hit him hard.
He had always tried to balance his role as High Lord with his relationship with his brothers, but he knew that…that he hadn’t been fair to Azriel for a long time. "You're right," he conceded quietly. "I have been treating you like my soldier instead of my brother, and that's not fair to you."
"You have been treating him absolutely deplorably," Cassian cut him off.
Rhysand hung his head, feeling the weight of his mistakes settling heavy on his shoulders. "I know," he said quietly. "I've been so caught up in my own problems and responsibilities as High Lord that I lost sight of what really matters. And I've hurt Azriel because of it."
"And you stuck your nose in things that are none of your business," Cassian continued. "I get it that you are tired of fighting, Rhys, we all are, but you can't keep conflict out of our family by ordering Azriel to behave in the way you would like him to."
Rhysand winced, knowing Cassian was right. He had been trying to control things, to make sure everyone was safe and happy, but in the process, he had driven a wedge between himself and his brothers. "I...I know," he admitted reluctantly. "I was…I was stupid. I am tired of war. Of fighting. And I was just trying to protect him, but I went about it all wrong."
" Protect me?" Azriel asked him, his voice dripping with disdain. " Protect me from what ?"
Rhysand looked away, feeling the shame rise within him. He knew he had overstepped, and he knew that Azriel was angry with him. "The consequences that would have arisen," he said delicately. He didn't know what Azriel had told his mate...didn't know how much she knew, but she was watching him with an expression on his face, he couldn't quite place.
"Well, I am an adult, Rhysand," Azriel snapped. "I am perfectly capable of protecting myself."
Rhys knew that. He knew Azriel was more than capable of taking care of himself. But he still felt the need to protect him, to shield him from harm.
"I...I know that," Rhysand said quietly. "I just didn't want to see you get hurt." He glanced over at Azriel's mate, who was still watching him warily. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being evaluated, judged for his mistakes.
Azriel let out a dry chuckle. "Well, it's a little late for that, don't you think?" he said bitterly. "You've seen to that already." Rhysand winced at the accusation, knowing that he deserved every ounce of Azriel's anger.
"I know," he said again, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I am sorry for that. I see now that it was the wrong way to go about it." He looked into his brother's dark eyes, pleading for understanding.
Azriel met his gaze, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Protecting me by making decisions for me is not protecting me, Rhysand," he said quietly. "It's...it's suffocating. It's demeaning."
Rhysand nodded, knowing that Azriel was right. He had been trying to control everything, trying to make sure that nothing went wrong, and he had lost sight of what was truly important. "I understand," he said quietly. "And I am sorry for making you feel that way. It was wrong of me."
Azriel studied him for a moment, before finally sighing. "Just...stop it," he said simply. "No more interfering in my personal life, no more giving me orders like I am one of your soldiers."
Rhysand let out a shaky breath, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I promise," he said earnestly. "I won't do it again, Az. I...I'll respect your boundaries, and I'll never overstep again."
Azriel snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see it,” he said gruffly. "And if you do...if you try to control me like that again, I swear Rhysand...it won't end well."
"You'll ha…have He…Hecctor to contend with," Sky said, her voice even.
Rhysand looked over at Hector, who had finished his tuna and was now licking his chops. Rhys swallowed. "He does seem to be a force to be reckoned with," he said carefully.
Sky gave him a small, tight-lipped smile. "You could say t…that," she said, her tone neutral. Azriel snorted a laugh, shaking his head as he watched his mate. It was the first genuinely carefree sound Rhysand had heard from his brother…in a long time.
Despite the earlier tension, Rhysand found himself smiling too. There was something about the way Azriel looked at his mate, the way he looked...happy, that made Rhysand feel like maybe everything would be alright.
Hector chose that moment to let out a loud meow, his voice sounding like a rusty hinge in the otherwise quiet room. Azriel looked down at the cat, rolling his eyes. "Alright, alright, I'll get you your second helping, spoiled brat," he said, a hint of fondness in his voice.
Rhysand chuckled, feeling the tension that had been weighing him down lift just a little. Things between him and Azriel weren't repaired yet, they had a long way to go, but for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful.
“They do say the pen is mi…mightier than a sword,” Sky said suddenly. “You treat Azriel like that again and you’ll see just how mighty my pen is.”
Rhysand's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Sky's unexpected threat. It was clear that she wasn't messing around, and Rhys couldn't help but admire her boldness. He glanced over at Azriel, who was trying to suppress a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind," Rhysand said, trying to hide his amusement. "Though I have to say, I can’t imagine a pen being as terrifying as Hector."
Cassian snorted. “Oh you have no idea,” he muttered
Rhysand's eyes widened in curiosity at Cassian's comment. What on earth did that mean? But before he could inquire further, Azriel's voice broke through.
"Don't worry about it," he said, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Let's just say that you don't want to get on Sky's bad side, especially when she has her writing instruments within reach."
"Duly noted," Rhysand said, nodding seriously. He had a feeling that Azriel's mate was not someone to be trifled with, regardless of how harmless she looked, and he had no intention of finding out first-hand just how mighty her pen truly was.
Hector, having finished his second helping of tuna, let out a satisfied meow before padding over to Sky and rubbing against her leg. She reached down and scratched him behind the ears, smiling as he purred contentedly.
Rhysand watched the scene. He had never seen Azriel so relaxed, so happy, and it made him realize just how badly he had missed his brother. It was a reminder that family was more important than anything, and that he needed to cherish the people he cared about.
“Seems like you aren’t Sky’s favourite,” Cassian drawled.
Azriel snorted. “Nah, I come a distant third behind Hector and the shadows.”
Rhys watched with a swallow as these shadows that he had seen torturing people came over to Sky and twined around her hands. Azriel's words were said in jest, but Rhysand could hear the fondness in his voice. It was clear that Azriel adored his mate, and that the shadows had taken a liking to her as well. Rhysand tried not to let the slight sting of jealousy show on his face.
As he watched, the shadows danced around Sky's fingers, like they were alive and had a mind of their own. Rhys had seen the shadows in action, had seen how Azriel used them to fight and spy, but he had never seen them act this way before. There was a tenderness in the way they twined around Sky that was almost...beautiful.
Rhys turned to Azriel, who was watching his mate with a soft expression on his face. "They seem to like her," he commented, keeping his voice neutral.
"That's an understatement," Azriel said drily. "They're obsessed with her. They won't leave her alone."
Rhysand could see that clearly, but what surprised him more was how comfortable Sky seemed with them. She wasn't scared or even bothered by their presence...
It did make sense he supposed. The shadows were Azriel's weapon, his most trusted companions...that they would like his mate.
Rhysand watched as Sky looked up from where the shadows were wrapping around her fingers, a faint smile on her face. She seemed completely at ease with the strange entities, as if they were just another part of Azriel that she had accepted and embraced.
And it was also a sharp reminder of how much trust Rhys had destroyed through his actions. It was very clear who Azriel preferred, who he trusted more. Who he gravitated towards. Who even his shadows doted on, these strange, creatures that Rhys was quite sure would stop at nothing to keep their master safe.
The realization stung, but Rhys knew he had no one to blame but himself. He had caused this rift between them, he had pushed Azriel away, and now he was paying the price for it. But he was determined to make it right, no matter how long it took.
As he watched Azriel gently brush away a stray strand of hair from Sky's face, Rhys made a silent vow. He would do whatever it took to repair their broken bond, to regain Azriel's trust and respect. No matter how hard it was, no matter how long it took, he would make things right.
***
"You want to talk about it?" Sky asked him quietly, after Cassian ad Rhys had gone.
She was fine now. Content. No more pulling at the mating bond so harshly and pushing all her fear at him. It had shaved at least a century of his life, to feel that from her when Casisan and him had been sparring and he knew that she was supposed to be safe at home.
He had expected near everything…but he hadn’t expected to arrive to the view of Hector scratching Rhys’s face with all his might.
Azriel took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day's events bearing down on him. He wasn't sure if he was ready to put his tangled emotions into words yet, but he also knew that he couldn't keep it all bottled up inside.
"Rhys gave me some orders that I didn't agree with," he said drily. "Stuck his nose in things that he had no business to interfere with. He treated me...treated me like my feelings didn't matter. That I didn't matter....It took a really bad fight on Solstice for this apology to occur," he said with a grimace.
"You don't think he means it?" Sky asked him curiously, turning to look at him.
"No, he does mean it," Azriel said with a sigh. He did believe that. “He wants to fix things. to rebuild trust...And I do want that too. Regardless of how much of an asshole he can be on occasion he is still my brother ."
Sky was quiet for a long moment, watching him intently. Azriel felt the weight of her gaze, knowing that she was analyzing the situation, trying to understand what he was feeling. Finally, she spoke.
"You're worried that he'll disappoint you again," she said softly. "That he'll make promises that he can't keep. That he'll go back on his word and hurt you worse than before."
Azriel's throat felt tight. The words hit him hard, because Sky had put a voice to his deepest fears. "Yes," he admitted. "That'sexactly what I'm afraid of. I want to believe him, I do."
But it was hard to trust Rhys right ow. Especially with Sky. Trusting Rhys with the most important, the most precious part of his life...
"I can loan you Hector whenever he pisses you off again," Sky offered him seriously, and Azriel couldn't help but laugh.
"Thanks," he said with a small smile. "I might just take you up on that." He pulled her closer, burying his face in her hair. The scent of caramel and hazelnuts enveloped him, calming his racing thoughts and easing the tension in his shoulders.
"I love you, he whispered into her skin and she hummed. "Regardless of what happens, you have me," Sky promised him. "I'll be behind you, every step of the way. regardless of whatever you decide."
Those words were like a balm to Azriel's soul. The fear and doubt that had been plaguing him since Rhysand's unexpected visit receded, replaced by a sense of safety and certainty. He held onto Sky tightly.
"I love you too," she murmured, the words barely audible even in the still apartment.
They stayed like that for a long moment, simply holding onto each other.
*I don't think I ever thanked you.* he told the shadows softly as he held his mate in his arms.
The shadows fluttered around him, wrapping around his arms and shoulders like a comforting embrace. They didn't say anything, but Azriel could feel their response. They had been with him through thick and thin, protecting him, guiding him, and never once asking for a word of thanks. And yet, he knew that they understood his gratitude, that they could feel it…
a/n: this is entirely inspired by those "xxx quidditch entrance song" tiktoks. i have no other excuse, but i hope you like it! (and if you hate it, don't read it!)
summary: ravenclaw!azriel plays against the slytherin quidditch team. you're his good luck charm.
"please", Rhysand, muttered as he caught up to you and Feyre going to breakfast. "Ravenclaw is NOT going to win," he said - pointedly staring at your blue and bronze robes.
"Yeah," Feyre agreed, her green tie seeming brighter than ever. "We're going to win, cause our team has us on it." she said, grinning slyly at you all entered the great hall.
"We'll see..." you sung to your friends, rolling your eyes as you got up from the table, heading over to the Ravenclaw table.
"Hey Luc!" you say, spotting your friend eating in what looked like a fit of nerves. "Ready for the game, keeper?" you asked, patting him on the back as you took a seat next to him - your favorite food appearing in front of you.
"Honestly? No," he said, "Rhysand is a damn good chaser and Feyre is the best seeker we've seen in a while," he said.
"And you're the best keeper we've had in centuries! Don't even worry Lucien, you're going to do great. I have full faith that Ravenclaw will win." you said, despite not being 100% certain yourself. He was right, Feyre and Rhysand (and the rest of Slytherin) were damn good.
"Sure, sure. You only say that cause Azriel is on Ravenclaw too." he said, wiggling his eyebrows at you with a teasing tone. It seemed the whole school knew of your budding relationship with your teams star beater.
"Whatever, don't you have to practice or something?" you said around a bite of waffles. His eye widened as he glanced up at the clock before shoveling the rest of his eggs into his mouth. He gave you a quick wave goodbye before grabbing his broom and running out of the hall.
You grinned and finished up your breakfast, heading back to your dorm to get ready for the big game.
----- ♡
The crowd roared around you as you climbed up to the highest seat you could get at the game. The wing whipped your hair around, as the blue and bronze scarf around your neck kept you warm.
"Nice makeup (Y/n)!" someone yelled out at you, as you gave them a grateful smile. You worked hard on it, blue and bronze surrounding your eyes, with Azriel's jersey number on your cheek as a last minute show of support.
Before you knew it, the opposing crowd started roaring, the Slytherin entrance song starting to play.
"everybody wants to rule the world.."
The song echoed throughout the stadium, green and sliver smoke filling the field. Silhouettes of the players started appearing to the left of the field, Rhys and Feyre's outlines clear as they appeared out of the smoke.
The beat dropped and the entire Slytherin team got on their brooms, flying to the middle of the field. Rhysand pumped his fist into the air, triggering a cascade of screams down the Slytherin side of the field. As the beat built up, the players got higher and higher. Suddenly, the music stopped and they all dropped down to eye level - getting into position for the game.
"Honestly? A 10/10 entrance." your friend piped up next to you. You couldn't help but agree.
The crowd started to die down from that amazing entrance: people talking to their friends and chit chatting, the Slytherin team talking strategy.
Suddenly, you hear faint whistles and clacks echoing through the stadium. The crowd went silent in anticipation of the incoming entrance by the Ravenclaw.
Then, the drums started resounding throughout the stadium - going directly through everyone and vibrating through their cores. You grinned, knowing that Az had taken your song suggestion for their entrance tonight. The drums ended with a flourish, blue and bronze confetti erupting throughout the stadium.
"all the birds of a feather.."
The Ravenclaw players entered through the confetti, flying in circles around the stadium - looking like blurs of blue just zooming past everyone. The beat ended and the players exited the circle one by one, flipping in the air before landing in place.
Azriel, unlike Rhysand didn't hype up the crowd at all. He didn't need to. At the sight of him, the entire crowd erupted.
He didn't care, he was looking directly at you. You flushed under his gaze, giving him a quick thumbs up as a show of support. He smiled gratefully before turning to roll his eyes at his brother on the opposing side.
Once the players were in position, the game began.
----- ♡
The game was neck and neck for the most part, with Azriel or Lucien blocking most of Rhysand's advances. Nevertheless, Slytherin was in the lead.
Your focus stayed on Azriel for the most part, tracking him as he shot across the field. He was completely in his element, and you were in nothing short of awe.
He could feel your stare as he played the game, loving you and loving the attention. Forgive him if he flexed a little harder, and showed off a little more during the game. He had a pretty person to impress after all.
Despite your attention attuned on Azriel, your gaze flickered away as you watched the Ravenclaw seeker and Feyre suddenly dive to the ground, spotting the snitch. If the seeker caught the snitch, Ravenclaw could overcome the lead Slytherin had on them and win the game.
The whole stadium went quiet as everyone watched the two seekers twist around one another, up and down through the field as they chased after the snitch.
Suddenly, Feyre swerved out of the way as a bludger appeared in her line of flight. Your eyebrows furrowed as you glanced up at Azriel, who smirked - knowing his plan worked. He shot a bludger in Feyre's direction (not intending to hurt her) to throw her off her path.
He was successful! The Ravenclaw seeker sped up and caught the snitch, flying up and thrusting her hand up in the air in victory. The half of the field you were on erupted in cheer as bronze and blue confetti erupted once again.
You cheered alongside everyone, joy overtaking everyone's face. You took the time to study Azriel's face, as he high fived and celebrated with his teammates. Then, he turned to face you - flying towards you.
"All because of my lucky charm, huh?" he said, as he leaned forward on his broom so his lips could meet you own. You smiled into the kiss, shaking your head while laughing.
He didn't need a lucky charm, but you were glad to be his lucky charm any day.
discoholicmusic
2087
janainaart
jbbartram-illu
dailybridgerton
vaporwave
