jsmelodies

She/her, 20 something Soft nessian owns my heart. Sometimes I also knit things Header art by @vivictorydraws

[jsmelodies]

Fanfiction Masterlist

Join my Nessian tag list!

Nessian

Till the Dawn Breaks

An expansion of what happened after the events of the prison in ACOSF (One shot, completed)

Of Broken Wings and Promises

AU where Cassian loses his ability to fly in the final battle with Hybern, and Nesta and Cassian learn to heal together on more equal footing (Multi-chapter, in progress)

The Man who Cried Wolf (And the Wolf who Heard Him)

Three times Nesta rescued her human mate in the forest, and the one time he gave a helping hand back. (One shot, completed)

The Knight and his Witch

Cassian thought it was supposed to be simple.

1. Find the witch in the woods. 2. Convince said witch to give him Ataraxia. 3. Rescue the princess from the dragon guarding her tower, with said sword, from said witch.

If only the damned witch stopped getting in his way. (Multi-chapter, completed)

Family Man

Moments in time of Nesta and Cassian's journey as parents. Or, five times Cassian shows his family he loves them, and one time they show it back. (Multi-chapter, In progress)

Apex Predator

Cassian gets himself captured by a group of Illyrians, and Nesta will stop at nothing to rescue him. (One shot, completed)

The Relapse

AU where Nesta relapses after finding out the truth about her made weapons. (Multi-chapter, In progress)

Tell Me to Leave

AU where Cassian is there for Nesta immediately after the war. Nesta wants to push him away, but finds herself unable to. (One shot, completed)

Elucien

I'd Go Back to the Winter: ACOTAR Gift Exchange 2024

Five years ago, Elain Archeron loved Lucien Vanserra. Supposedly. She can’t remember a single second of it. And the only way to bring it back is to relive it all. (Multi-chapter, in progress)

The Mystery of Lucien's Jackets

Lucien’s jackets keep disappearing. He’s determined to find out who’s stealing them. (One shot, possibility for more)

Nesta & Rhys

One Step Forward

Nesta thinks Rhysand might actually kill her this time. After a tense family dinner, Rhysand and Nesta finally come to an understanding with each other. (One shot, completed)

[theslowesthnery]

when someone is completely fucking wrong about your blorbo but you don't want to argue about what basically boils down to opinions about shit that doesn't matter so you just sit there like

"that guy's wrong tho"

[theslowesthnery]

you get it

[jsmelodies]

Happy WIP Wednesday!! It's been a while since I've done one of these, but I wanted to post a little something I've been working on for Cassian Week. Here's professor!Cassian having a lucky second encounter with the woman of his dreams.

Cassian’s eyes are stuck on the beads of condensation on Azriel’s beer, of which he watches his brother take a long, slow sip. Azriel says, “Sounds like your day’s been full of undergraduate stupidity.”

Cassian can’t help but agree, even though it’s really no different than any other Friday. Still, though, the interaction from this morning is weighing on him. Striking isn't enough to describe the woman he’d met. She’s a haunting phantom; throughout the day, he kept finding his thoughts drifting back to her — the surprised flush in her cheeks after she’d all but crashed into him, and the simple silver hoops hanging from her ears, which had drawn his attention to the cutting, blade-like line of her jaw.

“My students will be glad to know that I’ve joined them in their stupidity today,” Cassian admits.

“Oh?” Rhys asks, eyebrows raised.

“Say you meet a girl, Rhys. So stunning you can barely breathe. What’s the logical next step?” 

Rhys thinks for a moment, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, before saying, “Get her number and take her out, I suppose.”

“See?” Cassian says, falling into the back of the seat behind him. “That’s what I should have done.”

Azriel makes no effort to hide his amused smirk. “So, who is this mystery woman?”

“That’s the worst part. I have no idea,” Cassian says, barely holding back a groan. “I ran into her, literally, at Suriel’s this morning, and I just…let her go.”

“That is unfortunate,” Rhys agrees. “If it’s any consolation, though, I’m sure we can find a solution to your problem tonight.”

“Can we?” Cassian asks. “I literally don’t know her name.”

“Oh, come on. There’s beautiful women everywhere,” Rhys says, motioning to the bar. “You can find someone else in minutes. In fact, I bet the next woman who walks through that door will be just as pretty as the woman you met this morning.”

Cassian scoffs. “You can’t just–”

The front door of Rita’s opens, and in walks two women: both of whom Cassian recognizes. 

By some miraculous, near-impossible stroke of luck, it’s her. She’s still wearing the white silk top from this morning, but she’s changed into a pair of jeans that defines her figure perfectly. Her hair is down, too, a sheet of golden brown that looks soft to the touch, falling around a sharp face with stormy blue-gray eyes. 

“See?” Rhys says, still trying to make his point. “There you go. Not my type, exactly, but I’ll admit she’s hot.”

[bigfootbeat]

[tarragonthedragon]

idk i just feel like "it is more acceptable and in fact encouraged to mock anything enjoyed primarily by women" and "being enjoyed primarily by women does not make thing feminist and righteous" are thoughts that can and should coexist

[tarragonthedragon]

oh and also "even if the thing is bad your criticism of it can come from a place of patronising misogyny"

[jsmelodies]

16 and 24 for the ask game

16: Describe your current WIP with just emojis

👓📙🎵👨‍🏫☕🍷

24: What colors, sights, sounds, textures, etc. inspire you? Do certain environments make you feel more creative than others?

Usually I get some of my best writing done with some background noise! I love a coffee shop or sitting on my couch with lofi music in the background

[museaway]

✍️ yet another list of fic writer asks

You all seem to like these, so here is another batch of writer asks! These questions are a little more relaxed than the last two. Followers can send an ask with a number OR you can reblog and answer everything like a Q&A. I always see a lot of “idk if i’m a writer” in the tags for these so let me just say in advance, yes you are and you can play.

What is the crackiest* thing you’ve ever written? (*I mean this with great affection)

Has writing a fic ever changed your opinion of a character?

Tell us about a headcanon you invented for a fic

Have you ever written a fic inspired by a tumblr post?

How do you know when you’re finished writing a fic? At what point do you call it done?

When do you title your fics? Before you write them? As you write them? While posting to AO3 and that “Work Title” field is staring at you?

Navigate to your complete list of works on AO3. What are your top 5 Additional Tags?

Tell us your shortest and longest titles of all time

The two fandoms you’ve written the most have been suddenly crossed with each other! What AU are you writing?

What’s a phrase you catch yourself using in multiple fics, not necessarily on purpose?

Oh no! You’re posting a fic to AO3 and completely forgot to write a summary. What is your summary-writing strategy?

Do you write in order, jump around the draft, or a mix? Something else?

Congratulations, you’ve just finished the WIP you’ve been working on for months! How are you going to celebrate?

Is there a word or phrase you intentionally use in every fic?

How many times has someone nodded in your current WIP? This is for posterity so be honest

Describe your current WIP with just emojis

When you get a new fic idea, what does that look like in your mind? Does it play out like a film? Do you imagine lines of dialogue or a certain moment? Does a character just sit there staring at you?

If you have noticed themes emerging in your writing, what are they? What broad themes and topics do you enjoy exploring?

It’s a lovely morning in fandom land and a horrible goose is running rampant through your folders. How many WIPs is it going to step on?

What’s the story behind your pen name?

Without getting into any discourse, just thinking as a writer approaching characters, would you ever write about your NOTP? If you did, do you think that would change how you feel about it? (If you’ve done this, how did it go?)

Do you have a fixed writing routine, or do you write when you have time? Is there a time of day when you prefer to write?

What is your #1 distraction when you’re trying to write? If it’s a pet, post a pic

What colors, sights, sounds, textures, etc. inspire you? Do certain environments make you feel more creative than others?

Someone you know outside of fandom has heard that you’re a writer. “I’d like to read something of yours!” they say with sincere enthusiasm. “Where can I find it?” What’s your answer?

Do you have a routine you run through before you write?

Share a random sentence from a WIP. The less context, the better. Be confusing.

You’re out and about, nowhere near your home, when a fantastic story idea pops into your head! What do you do?

Have you ever actually remembered one of those 3am “I’ll remember it in the morning” ideas?

Finish this sentence with your fandom’s variation(s): No beta, we die like _________

[brawlite]

honestly sometimes there's no better feeling than rereading a fic you've written and coming out of it going, "yeah that actually this DOES slap. exactly what i wanted to read. fucking nailed it."

[chelseamorninggirl]

Art by the wonderful @janearts

Blind Side - Chapter 3

Rating: E (eventually)

Chapter: 3/?

Word count: 29,366 | 11,941 (this chapter)

Relationship: Nesta Archeron/Cassian, Gwyneth Berdara/Azriel (background)

A/N: Credits for the dish Cassian cooks for Nesta go to @janearts, who so kindly lets me yap about this story endlessly, making me cry-laugh every single time. Ty queen!

Taglist: @alexof90s @jsmelodies @misstyfikacja @freyjascatchariot @something-xoxo @heyluuu @musty-old-claptrap @pham-tastical @heirtotheshad0ws @spilledcoffeechronicles @wolfnesta @frostystarlight @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk @acourtofladydeath @theteaqueendom @acourtofbatboydreams @spookypersondinosaur @nus4yy (Scottish Cassian with the big rugby thighs bb)

Let me know if you’d like to be added to or taken off the taglist!

Snippet below the cut

Thursday arrived too slowly and then suddenly, all at once. Nesta had selected her outfit Wednesday evening with methodical efficiency, and had hung it on the back of her wardrobe door. She’d gone to bed, staring at the outfit and lying awake for over ninety minutes thinking about Cassian’s hands on her waist and his lips moving against hers, before firmly redirecting her attention to her dissertation methodology chapter, which was considerably less fun. It did put her to sleep in the end.

By Thursday at six, an hour before Cassian was supposed to pick her up, she was showered, dressed, and standing in front of her full-length mirror conducting a rigorous assessment. She was wearing a dusty pink camisole tucked into her dark tailored trousers she’d owned for two years and knew was perfectly adequate. She looked fine. She looked appropriate, even. She also looked like a woman attending a professional obligation, which was—

“You look like you’re going to submit your viva,” Emerie said from the doorway.

“Shut up, Em.” Nesta put in her small diamond studs.

“You’re nervous, aren’t you?” Emerie was in her sweats and a tank top, a mug of coffee cradled in both hands and her wildly curling hair loose and enormous around her shoulders. She pushed off the doorframe and came to stand behind Nesta, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “The camisole isn’t quite right.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s fine in the same way that a cheese sandwich is fine. Technically, it’s adequate, but it’s not what you actually want. We want him to lose his mind, babe.” She crossed to Nesta’s chest of drawers, knowing she needed to search the second drawer from the top. She’d been navigating Nesta’s wardrobe for years without invitation or apology, and she began sorting through it again with focused efficiency. “You have that navy one. The silk one with the scoop neck that makes your collarbones look—”

“I know which one you mean.”

“Then you know that that’s the one you should be wearing.” She produced it and held it out. “Here.”

Nesta took it and looked at it, before looking back into the mirror, at the one she was wearing.

“I already ironed this one,” she said somewhat petulantly.

“The navy one doesn’t need ironing, it’s cut on the bias.” Emerie said this with complete authority despite being a person who had never, to Nesta’s knowledge, ironed anything voluntarily.

“How do you know that?”

“I have eyes and I’ve borrowed it twice.” Emerie settled back against the doorframe, mug raised. “Wear the navy, Nes.”

—————

Continue reading | Read from the beginning

[nikoisme]

i imagine being medicated would feel good as fuck. unfortunately i have to rawdog whatever's wrong with me

[chelseamorninggirl]

Are there any Nessian fics you’ve been obsessed with lately?

Okay so, I’m horrible when it comes to bookmarks, but I definitely have Nessian fics I’m obsessed with lately! (I’d suggest going through these authors’ entire catalogues, because I literally drop everything when any of them updates or posts something new, but I’ll try (and fail) to stick to one per author otherwise I’ll still be here tomorrow)

- @theteaqueendom’s I Could Find You, Darling, In Any Life (honorable mention for The Whole Truth, which was finished recently and had me feral).

- @wishcamper’s smoke signals. Read it, it’s the best. Bi!Cassian struggling through life, finding love and trying to figure it out. It’s amazing. (Also eagerly awaiting In the bulrushes, but in a patient way).

- @jsmelodies’ devils, where Nesta’s from the Hewn City and Cassian is a man with the concept of a plan (how we love him best), seeing her and going that’s my WIFE (mate). It’s delicious.

- @janearts’ A Court of Steel and Flame, which is an amazing ACOSF rewrite/fix-it with jaw-dropping art that you can find on tumblr. Girl really can do it all.

- @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk’s Hold Me Like A Knife because Viking!Cassian is one of the hottest things I’ve ever read and they’re delicious together.

- @unhealthyfanobsession has me obsessed with a new wip My Kingdom Come Undone, which vibes remind me of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and it’s everything.

- @c-e-d-dreamer’s When We Howl The Moon Will Cower. Werewolf Cassian and Witch Nesta, and all I’ll say is I want to be the meat of their sandwich. I’m not kidding when I say I’m obsessed with this.

- @dustjacketmusings’ Baby, Don’t Hang Up. Nessian being dumb and ignoring feelings, is there anything better? The shenanigans and smut are like cakes I stuff my face full of every single time I read this.

- @jellybeanjellyfishblog’s A Court Of Fallen Stars. An ACOSF rewrite, with Nesta in Day, taking place 10 years after ACOWAR.

- @xxvalkyriesxx Flying Changes. Equestrian Nesta is charged with community service at Cassian’s range. Forced proximity my beloved.

- @moodymelanist’s Freak Like Me. Domme Nesta, need I say more? The smut is unparalleled, and they haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet (except all that has happened has been the good stuff too).

- @ncssian’s Take The Long Way Home. An angsty, achingly sad but hot and beautiful modern au that I am obsessed with. (Also check out Better Man because the latest update was ah-maze)

I’m tossing in some Nessriel too, because these three have me obsessed as well:

- @acourtofladydeath’s Take These Broken Wings. Devastating, heartbreakingly beautiful. Starts out Nessian, turns Nessriel. Won’t spoil too much but get ready to be destroyed and put back together in the best way.

- @thesistersarcheron’s viciousness & intelligence. My first Nessriel and it’ll forever live rent free.

- @wishcamper’s silverfish. Wet cat Az, need I say more?

Happy reading, anon! Thank you for the ask! And again, check out these wonderful artists’ entire catalogues ✨

—————

AMA

[jeonjam-deactivated20180304]

GO ON ANON AND ASK ME ANYTHING YOU WANT

[shamebats]

"it's just stress" oh thank god, it's just the silent killer that slowly kills you, perfectly harmless, no need to worry

[tokkibean]

"work in progress" is actually so misleading like it assumes that im actually making progress on my work

[knightedpuppy]

big strong knights covered in blood looking at you like a feral animal. that’s the post

[cassianappreciationweek]

Announcing Cassian Week 2026!

Join us in celebrating our favorite bat boy from July 19 through 25, 2026!

Welcome to Cassian Appreciation Week 2026! Feel free to participate in any way you can, from headcanons, fanart, moodboards, fics, drabbles, playlists…. no matter how big or small, anything celebrating Cassian is welcome!

Please tag @cassianappreciationweek and use the tag #CassianWeek2026 so we can see all your lovely posts!

And if you plan to post on Instagram, make sure to follow us and collab with us on the post!

This year’s prompts are as follows:

Day One: Devotion ⚔︎ Cassian is devoted to many things, his family, his soldiers, Illyria, his mate — how do you see him sharing and showing his devotion?

Day Two: Birthday ⚔︎ Cassian may not have an official, canon birthday, but we all agree he gives big Fire Sign Energy — how do you see Cassian celebrating his birthday and channeling his inner Leo?

Day Three: Enalius Reborn ⚔︎ The Illyrians call Cassian Enalius Reborn — how do you see him embodying the warrior-god? What might Cassian's destiny include?

Day Four: Lover ⚔︎ Cassian has had many opportunities for love across Prythian — who do you ship him with? Nesta? Azriel? Eris? Lucien? Any and all ships are welcome!

Day Five: Home ⚔︎ The cabin in Illyria? The House of Wind? The townhouse in Velaris? Or another unseen home? — what do you think home means to Cassian?

Day Six: Victories & Loss ⚔︎ Cassian's life has been fraught with both victories and losses — how do you see him handling these moments both past and present?

Day Seven: Free Day ⚔︎ Any topic of your choosing!

Thank you to @talkfantasytome, @c-e-d-dreamer, @moodymelanist, @dustjacketmusings, @melphss, @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk, @theteaqueendom , @podemechamardek, @perseusannabeth, @unhealthyfanobsession, @wishcamper, @xxvalkyriesxx, @jsmelodies, @jellybeanjellyfishblog, and @chelseamorninggirl for helping to plan this event!

We can't wait to see what you create!

[absurdlyinaccurate]

me, the motherfucker with over 50 abandoned works in progress: i have an idea