I've had so much fun writing this for you, happy holidays! Here's a song I feel like matches the vibes of this final chapter:
Almost a year after their first late-night training lesson, Azriel and Gwyn are closer than ever. Will one of them finally act on the feelings brewing between them?
Read the final chapter: Solstice on AO3!
It's exactly a year from that fated night, and Azriel decides to make his move.
Check out a snippet under the cut!
“Gwyn,” he gritted out, and she looked up, those teal eyes even brighter in the light of the morning. “WouldyouwanttogotoSolsticewithme?” Az resisted the urge to bang his forehead against the stone wall as she stared, brain clearly working hard to decipher his jumbled words. As she opened her mouth to reply, he jumped in again, unable to stop himself.
“At the River House. Nesta will be there, and I think Mor invited Emerie last week. I don’t know if you already have plans, but I–” he sucked in a deep breath, stomach swooping. “I would love if you would accompany me to the party.” To his immense satisfaction, Gwyn’s freckled cheeks pinked and she smiled slightly, taking another sip of her coffee as if to draw out his torture, and so what if he loved it? He would happily die by her hand.
I CANT THIS IS SO CUTE!! This is the best gift ever! It’s literally everything I could have ever wanted in a fic!! Im gonna read this over and over again whenever I need some good feels. Thank you so much @letstrytoohard this was so special!! I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Thank you for being such an amazing Santa and for all the hard work you put into this adorable fic!
Almost a year after their first late-night training lesson, Azriel and Gwyn are closer than ever. Will one of them finally act on the feelings brewing between them?
Read Chapter 2: Interrogation on AO3!
Azriel is called away, so the Valkyries have a girls' night!
Preview under the cut!
Was it warm in here? Her face felt hot. Gwyn was acutely aware of Nesta and Cassian, both of whom had silently walked around to read over her shoulder. Cassian let out a low whistle, clapping a huge hand over Gwyn’s shoulder so hard she was surprised to see the floor hadn’t broken.
“‘The shadows will miss you’, why the fuck don’t the shadows ever miss me? And even after five hundred years of knowing each other, Azriel has never left me a note. What a rat bastard– oof.” Nesta straightened after pulling her elbow out of Cassian’s gut.
“It was nice of him to leave a note.” Nesta’s voice was light, surely her attempt to be casual. “Why don’t we have a sleepover tonight, Gwyn? Since you won’t have sparring. I’ll ask Emerie at training today” Those grey-blue eyes glittered in the light of the morning, and Gwyn knew there was no way she was getting out of this one. “I’ll grab my stuff after my shift at the library,” she smiled at her friend. And try to figure out what I’m going to say under interrogation.
STOP THE ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS. The note was so cute!! And the Valkyrie friendship will always have my heart!! I loved the sleepover and Gwyn opening up to them 🥺 The shadows are SO CUTE I LOVE!! And omg the coffee and croissant!! I love that Az remembers all the little details!
Wishing the amazing @foreverinelysian a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!! I was so excited to get your name when they announced who our recipients would be! I also love the headcanon that Az counts Gwyn’s freckles. When you mentioned it, I knew I had to draw it and make it as fluffy as possible :) Sending lots of love this holiday season and I hope you like it!! ❤️❤️
Almost a year after their first late-night training lesson, Azriel and Gwyn are closer than ever. Will one of them finally act on the feelings brewing between them?
Read Chapter 1: Anything to Win on AO3!
Late night sparring, highly competitive insomniacs, and friends realizing their feelings for each other has begun. Read a snippet under the cut!
Az’s face lit up with feral delight, hazel eyes sparkling as he absorbed the ferocity of her hits and Gwyn felt her stomach flutter in response. Gritting her teeth, she pressed harder, forcing the speed of the fight to increase drastically. Their sparring became a blur, punctuated by flashes of copper and cobalt with each strike.
“Slowing down, old man?” she taunted, the butterflies in her stomach still a maelstrom as he kept up with her brutal pace. A swift kick to the side forced the air out of her lungs, forcing Gwyn to spin out of his reach. Nostrils flaring, she forced the air in and out of her lungs, trying to steady her breathing before another onslaught of blows.
“Who’s slow now, Berdara? I could do this all night.” And she knew he could, but she wanted to win so she allowed her eyes to widen in surprise, crying out in pain and clutching her side, stumbling a little as she dropped to her knees. In an instant Azriel was by her side, shadows flaring frantically.
“Gwyn! What’s wrong, what’s happening? I need you to tell me how bad the pain is, on a scale of 1 to 10.” He kneeled down beside her, eyes scanning her face, and Gwyn kicked her leg out, hooking behind his knee and yanking. Azriel fell to his back with an audible thud, as Gwyn scrambled to straddle him, knees lightly pinning his wings, fist cocked back and ready to make the killing blow.
AHHH THIS IS SO PERFECT!! 😭 U HAVE ME GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET, you portrayed their dynamic so perfectly! I love the two truths concept so much, that is SO CUTE! And the TENSION is DELICIOUS!! I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! 😩🥺
Happy Holidays from your Secret Santa, @conebrain! This moodboard represents the vibes of your fic that I’ll be posting a chapter a day for the next three days or so.
It’s been so fun getting to know you over the last few months (I too love New Girl and Gwynriel!!) and I’ve had the best time writing for you 🌊💙🦇🩵🗡️
Thank you @acotargiftexchange for such a fun event!
AHHH OMG! Hii @letstrytoohard it’s so nice to finally meet you!! I have had so much fun answering all of your asks! The moodboard perfectly matches Gwynriel’s vibes, and I am so excited to read the fic in the coming days, you have no idea!! ❤️❤️❤️
Ho ho ho and happy Monday, it’s your secret Santa! We’re in the final countdown to your present reveal 🎅🎄 hoping your November was amazing! And that you’re as excited as I am🩵🦇🌊
One final question!
What are some of your favorite tv shows or movies?
Hi Santa!
Sorry I’ve been a little MIA, it was finals season these last two weeks 😵 So excited to be done and to hear from you! I hope you’ve been enjoying the holiday season so far!
My favorite TV shows are probably New Girl, Haunting of Hill House (really anything from Mike Flanagan), and The Good Place
Favorite movies are Little Women, Arrival, and Everything Everywhere All At Once
Looking forward to meeting you! It’s been so much fun getting your messages answering your questions ❤️❤️❤️
Hi there, it’s your secret Santa! The elves and I have come up with a plan, so we’ll be busy writing and crafting something special for you! And even though we have some ideas, we’ll still be popping into your inbox with more questions because it’s fun to get to know you! In the spirit of spooky season:
1. What’s the best kind of Halloween candy?
2. Do you think Az and Gwyn would ever wear matching clothes? Think couples Halloween costumes, ugly Christmas sweaters, etc.
Happy Halloween week! 💙🦇🌊
Hi Santa! 💙
Omg I’m so excited! Happy Halloween to you too! I hope you had fun!
1) Honestly I’m not the biggest fan of candy in general (crazy, I know). Buuutttt when I’m in the mood for a sweet treat I might reach for a Kit Kat.
2) I think they would and it would be 100% Gwyn’s idea. Az wouldn’t be about to say no to her. He’s gonna put up an act like he’s doing it begrudgingly, but he secretly loves it and how happy it makes Gwyn
It’s your secret Santa! Back at it again with more questions:
1. What are some of your favorite Gwynriel fanfics?
2. Do you have any tropes you love to read? Any that you dislike?
3. Do you think Gwyn is more of a tea or coffee kind of girl?
4. Are there any characters (other than Gwyn and Az) that you’d like to see in your gift?
Ideas are starting to flow, I hope your week has been more relaxing💙
Hi Santa!
1) Ooh that’s a good one. There are SO many amazing ones. It’s been a minute, but I remember I really enjoyed The Shadow Singer by StephsReads. It’s so cute and I love the dynamic between them in that one. I also loved Crow Song and Things You Can’t Have by damedechance. I’m realizing now those are all AUs. For more cannon compliant ones, Khajoors’ gwynriel fics have a special place in my heart. Time Keeps on Learning and Hidden in Parenthesis are both so lovely and I find myself searching those up to reread every once in a while!
2) this question made me realize I don’t actually know the names of a lot of tropes. I had to google a list of them haha. I love a slow burn, some mutual pining is always delicious, friends to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, idk what it’s called but when everyone knows they’re in love except them. These always make me so 🥰
3) Hmm that’s a good question. I think she enjoys tea, but with her lifestyle and how busy she is, I think coffee is a must.
4) I’m not picky! Interactions between them would be wonderful, but they also have a lot of fun relationships with the Cassian and the Valkyries to work with. I trust you to do what fits best, Santa!
What better time to make my first tumblr post than for @valkyrieappreciationweek
Here’s to three of my favorite fictional women & one of the scenes that broke my heart in ACOSF. Thank you to @conebrain for making this piece as incredible as I imagined it would be 🥰
The ghost face mask obscuring his features didn’t help, either. Feyre didn’t move, heart hammering against her ribs. Scream. Run. Do something.
“There you are,” a deep, rich voice spoke from beneath the mask, “I’ve been looking for you.”
-Guilty As Sin by @separatist-apologist
Since @officialfeysandweek is in October, MB and I couldn’t resist commissioning at least one spooky Feysand piece.
And since the incredibly talented artist @conebrain created Lucien VanGhostface for us earlier this year, we thought why not make it a series? Thank you so much for working with us again to create this deliciously wicked piece!! 🥵
It's your Secret Santa, coming to you live from the North Pole! I've been scrolling through your page and your art is so lovely, the way you draw Az and Gwyn is beautiful! 💙
and I have some starter questions to get to know you better!
Why do you ship Gwynriel? What drew you to them?
What kind of fanfics do you like? Canon vs AU, angst-heavy or light and fluffy? Smutty or cuddly (or both?👀)
Do you have any favorite headcanons about our favorite couple?
What kind of music do you like? Do you have a favorite music artist? (or top 3)
I have so many questions but I'll start here, I'm so excited to read your answers! I hope you have a great day!
Hi Santa!! Sorry this took a minute, it been a busy week! Thank you so much, that’s so sweet!
1) I am a sucker for some sassy banter. If a paring can go back and forth I am IN. That’s probably what initially got my attention. I think they just complement each other so perfectly, and they have so much potential. I’m excited to see what comes next!
2) oooh… I’ll take gwynriel in any form. Their dynamic works in so many contexts. In general, I love fluffy fics that make me giggle and kick my feet. Gwynriel especially has the potential for a great friends to lovers type romance so anything that is sort of in that vein I will eat up every time. And ofc I am never opposed to a little spice 🥴
3) I love the popular headcanons that they are super competitive and that they train together at night to help each other deal with their insomnia. I feel like they’re both very observant people and they pick up on little things about the other and surprise each other by remembering them later on. Like how they take their tea or their food preferences. Or they immediately pick up on when the other is a feeling little bit off but they’re trying to hide it (like they’re injured, or upset, uncomfortable etc).
4) My music taste is kind of all over the place. Its to hard to pick a top 3, but I’m in a cozy cold weather mood these days so I’m listening to a lot of hozier, tame impala, and fleet foxes at the moment.
Thank you secret Santa! I hope you had a great week! ❤️
Is there a slight chill in the air? The elves and I are hard at work brainstorming your Gwynriel secret Santa gift! 🎄🎅 I am super excited to get to know you, more to come soon! 💙🦇🌊🗡️
Brrr, now that you mention it, it does feel a little chilly… 🥶❄️
AHHH, hi secret Santa! I’m so excited, this is already so much fun!! Can’t wait to hear from you again! 💙
Synopsis: Gwyn finds Azriel in a bad state after his return to the House of Wind. Not feeling worthy of her attention, Azriel tries to push her away. But she will not have it and insists on staying by his side.Word Count: 1k
This is based off THIS STUNNING ART that @conebrain did for Gwynriel Weeks 2024. This fic is a little gift to this wonderful artist ❤️
Read on Ao3 or below the cut
Gwyn opened the door to Azriel’s bedroom and walked inside. She could not find it in herself to feel bad that she was invading his personal space without permission. Not when she knew that something was wrong. She had felt it. Gwyn had clutched her invoking stone in her hand and had prayed that she was wrong. She couldn’t explain it, but deep down, she had somehow known that he needed her.
Her heart had been racing for an unknown reason since she had gotten under her covers. She had spent hours trying to sleep but in vain. No amount of mind stilling had been able to calm her down. It had only gotten worse when she had noticed the shadows that had slid under her door to join her, each as frantic as the other as they wrapped around her.
“Az?” she warily called out as she advanced in the room that was shrouded in darkness.
Azriel opened his eyes at the sound of her voice, the only sound that his shadows had allowed to reach his ears since he had gotten back. Even the sound of his own breathing had been hard for him to hear. It was a reminder that he was still alive; still a monster.
Knowing what he needed most better than him, the shadows parted just enough for Gwyn to see him. Azriel was not surprised by her gasp.
“Mother above,” she breathed out.
Her heart grew heavier at the sight of the Shadowsinger sitting on the very edge of his bed with his head resting in his hands, both of which were splattered with blood. With him being shirtless, she could see all the places where he had been cut or bruised. Even his wings seemed to have been hurt in some places.
Gwyn rushed to his side without wasting any more seconds than she already had. “Hey,” she said as soon as she sat down next to him. This close, she noticed the blood on his face and neck. And when he finally turned to look at her, she saw the pain in his eyes. “I am here.”
Azriel hated himself even more for being the reason why Gwyn’s bright eyes were glistening with unshed tears. The quiver in her voice was like another stab through his chest. What he had done with pure rage earlier in the deepest pit of the Hewn City couldn’t be changed. His guilt at having lost some of his most loyal spies in the field to those same fae would probably never go away. But he would be damned if he allowed his miserable state to be the cause of Gwyn’s pain. He did not deserve her care and concern.
“Please leave.”
Gwyn moved but not to leave. He should know better after months of being each other’s confidants that she would never let him suffer in silence. She unclasped the chain around her neck and held her invoking stone in her hands.
The chain to which the blue stone was attached had been a gift from him. So that she could wear it underneath anything that she wore – fighting leathers, priestess robe, or even while lounging in her sleepwear. He had hoped that, even though she still did not wear the stone on her forehead for the world to see, this could remind her that she was worthy.
Gwyn brought her feet up and kneeled on the bed closer him. “We always support each other, Az. You are always here for me. So let me be here for you too.”
He did not know why she still bothered with him. He did not understand why she did not act like everyone else and simply let him be. He did not know what great action he could have ever done in his life to be blessed with her. Azriel dreaded the day when the knowledge of all the terrible things his scarred hands had done would scare her away. But it would be selfish of him to expect her to always stay. A light like Gwyn should not be dimmed by him.
Azriel turned his back to her. “I don’t deserve your help.”
I don’t deserve you, was what he wanted to say.
He started to stand but failed, as Gwyn launched forward and wrapped her arms around him to stop him from leaving.
“You do,” she said firmly. How could he believe such lies? How could he, the bravest, strongest, kindest male she had ever known not be worthy of her, a female who was still learning how to put her broken pieces back together? Azriel deserved the world. Gwyn often feared that one day he would find his world and realise that she did not fit in it. But until then, she would do her best to prove her determination to stand by him.
She rested her head on his. “Don’t ever think that you don’t deserve me. I... care for you. More than you can imagine.”
A lump lodged itself in his throat. His eyes stung. Was it possible that she had heard his unspoken words? What were the odds that the way in which she cared for him was similar to how he cared for her? Hoping for the latter was dangerous for its uncertainty. But her arms around him and her head on his pushed him to trust her, like he couldn’t stop himself from always doing for some unknown reason. Azriel held her hand and sighed, something settling in him.
Her invoking stone dangled in the hand that he gripped. The other one tangled in his hair, the usually smooth strands crusted with a little blood. Then, Gwyn’s voice started to fill the room. The light from her invoking stone and that of her glowing skin illuminated the cocoon of darkness that his shadows had wrapped them in.
She sang a melody that closed the open wounds on his body, unaware that something else also started to heal deep inside him.
I’m in tears rn! 😭 @sunshinebingo your writing is absolutely beautiful as always. Thank you so much! I am so happy we got to work together on that project and I am so honored that you wrote this gorgeous piece to go along with it! 😭❤️❤️
For @gwynweekofficial day 1: friends and family, I was inspired by You’re On Your Own Kid by Taylor Swift. It just fits her so perfectly and her friendship with the Valkyries makes me think of these lines in particular:
