Summary: Anon Req: How do you think daddy az and mommy reader would react if Zuzu went on her first date ever. Imagine how chaotic it would be, the whole family plus Rhys and cass’s fam stand behind her as her date walks up to her.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1880
Notes: I've missed the babies 💙💙
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“Tone the brooding down, mate,” you hiss to Azriel, who’s seething where he stands next to you. Azriel’s wearing that familiar face that screams murder, and his fingers keep twitching, itching to reach for the familiar knife sheathed at his hip.
To dispel the urge, he crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t like him.”
“You don’t even know the boy,” you tut, peering around the corner to where Zuzu keeps peeking out the curtains of the front bay windows of your home, eagerly awaiting her date.
It’s the quietest you’ve seen her, most nervous too. She’d allowed you and your second youngest, Malos, into her room while she prepared for the date, even letting you help her choose the perfect outfit. You could tell that Malos would have rather been anywhere else, goading Baz into a sword fight or Wren into chess, but even she seemed to sense your eldest daughters’ nerves. Malos even attempted to offer advice, which was quickly waved away by Zuzu, claiming that she hadn’t needed any advice at all.
An outright lie, because she stopped you on your way out the door, bashfully asking how your first date with Azriel went, her cheeks red with embarrassment from thinking about the both of you like that.
“Don’t need to,” Azriel mutters and you shoot a hot thrash of annoyance through your mating bond, berating him for his ill-willed words. You watch your mate flinch in his seat, looking up at you with those innocent hazel eyes and the look makes you want to roll yours. It’s accompanied by a cool feeling of an apology, knowing that if he doesn’t cut it out, he’s going to be in the doghouse tonight. “Sorry, my love. I just don’t like the thought of Zuzu…” He trails off like he can barely manage the word at all.
“Dating?” You question, eyebrows raised. Azriel’s eyebrows pull tight into a scowl again, quickly smoothing into that neutral stoicism that any of your children can recreate at the drop of a pin. It’s made figuring out which of the six was responsible for each mess they managed to get themselves into, but as their mother, you can see right through those masks they wear. You are married to the spymaster of the Night Court, after all.
“Please, don’t remind me,” Azriel groans, and he sounds like he’s taken an ash arrow to the delicate skin of his wings, which flex behind him. Such babies, these Illyrian males are. It makes you wish you hadn’t mentioned it to him like Zuzu pleaded you not to. “I can’t fathom it. She’s not old enough.”
You wish you’d requested the presence of Feyre and Nesta.
“She is,” you insist, keeping your voice low so your daughter doesn’t hear. “Your attitude isn’t helping the situation either, Azriel. Zuzu’s already a mess of nerves. Do you think that if she overheard you loathing the male that she’s smitten over that wouldn’t affect her in any way?” Maybe he’s hoping that it does.
“You’re right, my love,” Azriel sighs. He stands from his chair, crossing the room to where you stand and pulling you into his arms. “I’m just worried, is all.”
“Well, worry quieter,” you answer, squeezing him just as tightly. You rest your head against his chest, listening to the unsteady beat of his heart, riddled with worry. He has nothing to fret over, he’s made sure that Zuzu is better trained than any Illyrian warrior. Plus, she’s not even going on a date with a camp-goer, but instead a male born and raised in the heart of Velaris, whom you’ve heard nothing but good about. You might have done a little digging of your own when your daughter told you of this date, asking around town about the boy. Azriel isn’t the only sneaky one in your family. “If I had known how much you’d be sulking once I got to know you, I wouldn’t have—”
“Good evening, shadowsingers,” An all too familiar voice drawls. You jump in surprise, fingers tightening in the back of your mate’s shirt. They clench for an entirely different reason when you turn, seeing not only the High Lord of the Night Court standing in your kitchen, but with the army of his family and the Lord of Bloodshed’s as well. “Are we too late?”
“Just on time,” Azriel responds, trying to keep his mask of cool in place when you pinch him with a knowing look. One night on the couch wouldn’t hurt, he supposes.
On a brush of night-chilled wind, the rest of your children appear, the shadows swirling around the twins’ feet noting them of their extended family’s arrival.
You don’t miss the look of yearning Asteria gives an unknowing Wren.
You can’t wait to see how Azriel and Rhysand will react to that.
“What are you doing here?” Malos asks, snagging a pear from the bowl in the center of the island. She hops up onto the stone and unsheathes her knife, similar to Azriel’s beloved Truth-Teller, taking the blade to the fruit and eating the slice straight from the weapon.
You grimace, not wanting to know the places that blade has been.
“We’re seeing your sister off, of course,” Cassian scoffs, “Not that it’s any of your business, little miss.” He teases, snagging the next slice of fruit from the tip of her blade with the ease of a warrior well-honed for centuries. Had he been a lesser general, the knife would’ve gone straight through his hand.
You don’t even have it in you to scold your daughter.
“It’s entirely my business,” Malos retorts with a glare. You know that look she wears, and before you can scold her, she’s commanding her shadows away from Knox and tripping her uncle on his way around the corner of the counter. Cassian isn’t quick enough to see it coming, smug in thinking that he’s had the last laugh, but Malos is never one to give up.
He crashes down with a yowl to rival a Helcat’s, and it isn’t long before Zuzu is bursting into the packed kitchen, her mouth agape, her hazel eyes furious.
“What is going on in here?” She screeches, scowling at everyone except for Asteria who immediately glues herself to Zuzu’s side in a reassuring hug. Your daughters face softens slightly as she embraces her best friend, but her face returns to that rivaling your own when you’re scolding your children when she turns back to the rest of the family. “What on the continent are you all doing here?”
She looks to you, helpless and embarrassed, and the only thing that you can offer her in return is a sympathetic, sad smile.
In a family this large and tight knit, it’s inevitable that they’d pry.
“I think the real question is why are you wearing that of all things?” Baz teases, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the counter, looking like he’d rather be out on the town himself.
Normally, your children would go bat for bat with each other, but Zuzu must be more nervous than she’s trying to let on because her cheeks go crimson and she fists the long skirt in her hands, her eyes frantic. “What’s wrong with it? Is it too much?”
Her wings jostle at her back as if they’re begging to be shook, to expel the pent-up energy.
“Basil, go to your room,” you scold, ignoring your second eldest son’s groan of pain when Wren smacks him upside the head. You’re moving across the room toward your daughter, and you don’t like it either, the feeling of every single family members eyes on you as you place your arm on her shoulder in a consoling manner. “Zuz, come with me, baby.”
You guide her back into the front room where she was peering out the curtains in excitement only moments ago. Now, her shoulders are deflated, and her chin is downturned to the floor, hiding her sad eyes behind the draping black hair that reaches her waist.
It’s not a look you’ve seen often on your eldest daughter. She’s confident to a fault, but right now, she looks like she might just crumble.
“Don’t listen to your brother,” you say, sitting her on the plush loveseat and taking the spot next to her. You hold her hand in your own and when she refuses to look your way, you tip her chin up, forcing her eyes to yours. “He’s just jealous because he doesn’t have a date tonight and is stuck here, hanging out with your father and I.” It garners a short puff of laughter from your daughter. “You look beautiful, Zuz.”
“You really think so?” She asks, and you can see the lingering worry lining her iris’.
“Picked it out myself, didn’t I?” You ask incredulously, and thankfully, Zuzu cracks a smile.
“You don’t need to thank me, Zuz. I’m sorry about everyone showing up unannounced but I can promise you that your father will be hearing about it,” you say, emphasizing your words with a flare down the bond and a glare at the shadows creeping in the corners of the room. They disperse quickly at your words. “All you need to do is go have fun.”
Zuzu’s grin is beaming, her hazel eyes shining with delight. “I really like him, mom.”
“I know you do, sweetie,” you match her smile, patting her gently on the hand. She launches herself into your arms, squeezing you tightly.
A knock on the door startles the both of you away from each other and when your daughter pulls back you catch the quick glimpse of her nerves again before she’s taking a calming breath her aunt taught her and collects herself, looking like the prideful daughter you know her as.
“You better go answer the door,” you muse, “Before your father or one of your uncles gets to it first.”
She curses, springing from the couch and is gone in a rush of wind, calling out to the house as she rips the door open, “Wish me luck! Love you all even though half of you shouldn’t be here!”
Before anyone can respond to Zuzu’s goodbye, she’s out the door. And just like that, she’s on her first date.
Azriel slinks into the room, collapsing on the couch beside you. He knows that he has some groveling to do, if your glare is any sign, but right now he just wants to wallow. This is much harder than it was when Baz went on his first date. And second. And eighth.
“I still don’t like this,” he mutters, peeking out from behind the curtain and watching your daughter walk down the street with her date. “I should send some shadows with her.”
“You should leave her alone,” you retort with a roll of your eyes, pushing from the couch. You offer your mate a hand. You can berate him later for his actions, but now that Zuzu’s gone, you can’t ignore your own feeling panging in your chest. The one where you realize that your children really are growing up, and fast. “And you should go entertain your guests.”
Story Summary: On your 145th birthday, your mate Azriel has a very special day planned for you. His only requirement of you is that you give up control and follow your instincts.
Warnings: mentions of abuse and domestic violence, killing your husband, ddlg, allusions to sex, egregious usage of pet names
Words: ~7.4k (~8.9k total)
Author's Note: okay so it's finally here! I know, I know, it took me a lot longer than I'd planned to get it out, but it's also 3x the length I had thought it would be... so there's that lol. Think of this as my apology for loml + my tears ricochet, some cute sweet fluffy goodness with Az to make up for the heartbreak. Also, I'm not sure how much I like this piece, the concept was really fun it was just a bit difficult starting and getting the words to flow. I just know that I appreciate all of the pet names... I hope you all enjoy, and thank you for reading! Oh and there's a second part, since there's a text block limit on here, that will be up in a few minutes.
p.s. there may be a true second part to this, basically a smutty epilogue, if I feel like writing it later
18+ only pls
💙🤍💙🤍💙
Azriel had always tried and succeeded in making your birthdays special. He knew the way you were raised had ruined them for you, nothing but a count down to the day you would be sold off like cattle to a male, likely crueler than your parents.
And he had been. You had been married to a vile excuse for a fae, Marcus at the age of twenty. He beat you for every misstep you made, and in his view nearly everything you had done while together was one.
The food was never delicious enough, you weren’t beautiful enough for a male like him, you talk to other fae too often.
The final straw came when, five years into your arranged marriage, Marcus beat you half to death for not having given him an heir yet. That night, you vowed to yourself that the next day would be the last your husband drew breath.
You prepared him breakfast, even with the broken arm he had given you. Using the small packet of poisonous herbs you had bought when you were feeling brave a few months ago, you slipped some into the middle of his omelette.
And the rest was history.
You were free to live you life, though you had to put your minor healing powers to work to afford the basic necessities. But, you still had the home Marcus had owned, given that he had no living relatives, and it was enough for you.
You had lived your life for another hundred years, as peacefully as one could in the Court of Nightmares.
The first time you saw Azriel had been at a revel, one held for the High Lord’s birthday. Attendance had been mandatory, and as you rarely attended revels you dressed your very best, a black silk floor-length gown with a slit running all the way up your left leg and ending at the top of your thigh. It had thin straps to hold it on both shoulders, and you had never felt more beautiful. It was one of the few things you had saved up to buy, nearly working yourself ragged to do so, but it was worth it.
The way his eyes met your across the room once he entered was electric, and he had made your way over to you almost in an instant.
Your heels had made you four inches taller, but the moment you stood next to the Shadowsinger you felt as if you weren’t wearing them at all. His wings added extra height to him, and you felt so small in comparison. But he didn’t lean over you, attempting to use his height to intimidate you. Instead, he introduced himself.
“My name is Azriel. What is your name, please?”
“I know who you are, Shadowsinger.”
“If you know who I am, would it not be fair for me to know who you are?” Azriel countered. “I merely wish to know the name of my mate.”
Mate. The word struck through you, the bond snapping with such intensity you stumbled slightly in your heels. Azriel steadied you with a calm hand, and you internally scolded yourself.
One conversation and you’re acting like a fool.
“Y/N," you finally respond.
“Y/N,” Azriel said, testing your name out on his tongue. The sound sent instant butterflies into your stomach. “Would you care to join me somewhere more private?” You gave him a look of disdain, having hoped he would be different from the rest. “No no, nothing like that. I figure that the prying eyes and ears turned to hear our every word are something both of us would like to avoid.”
You thought about it for a moment. Truly, the male could have swept you away in an instant, whisking you away to Mother knows where. If he had ill intent, he most likely would have acted upon it already.
“I suppose another location could be nice,” you reply, holding a hand out for him to take. He took it in his, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
Your heart fluttered, tugging lightly on the bond accidentally.
He winnowed the two of you away, and reappeared in a sitting room a moment later.
“I know that this is a shock to you, honestly it’s a shock to me as well,” Azriel started. “I never- I have not once believed that I deserve to be blessed with a mate, but I know that if you choose to pursue the bond, I will take care of you for as long as you allow. Even if you choose to reject the bond, if you would like I will provide you with a home of your own, anywhere you would like in the Night Court.”
Choose to reject- “What?” You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. A male- your mate- was offering to take care of you even if you reject the bond. That was… unheard of here.
“I want to take care of you, even if you have no part in my life. I would enjoy getting to know you if you are open to it, though.”
“I…” You hesitated. A mate was something out of your control. Already, you were acting on instinct instead of carefully planning each action. But… The Mother had judged you as equals, and if he was being truthful… “Make a bargain with me. Promise that you will allow me to leave you permanently and alive if I choose to.”
Azriel blinked at you twice before his face broke into a grin larger than you though possible for such a stoic male. “It’s a bargain, Y/N.”
A burning sensation sparked on your sternum, just below where your dress started. You pulled it back slightly, and saw a delicate moonflower wrapped in shadows. Pretty.
“Tell me about yourself?” Azriel asked lightly.
And you had.
The two of you had gone on a few dates before you even let him inside of your house, and another three months after that you let him stay the night for the first time.
You were slow to trust, even if Azriel had shown no signs of abusive behavior or anything similar. But over time he made his way into your heart, residing around the very middle of it. He was your world now, the one you would do anything for. Even if that made you weak, or soft, and he was the one person you allowed yourself to let your guard down around.
Over a year in, on your birthday, Azriel had spent the entire day with you, a rarity with his job and you occasionally being called away for healing duties. He had cooked you dinner while you watched, flitting around him and wanting to help, but Azriel wouldn’t let you.
The dinner had been wonderful, Azriel was truly gifted in the kitchen. After, Azriel had asked if you would live with him.
You said yes.
The two of you bought a house together in Velaris, a city that made the spark of hope that had ignited in your chest after meeting Azriel turn into a blazing fire. Here, the people were free. They could do whatever they wanted, be whoever they wanted, follow their dreams until the end.
Your dream, your wish that you kept so deeply buried inside of your heart, was to reclaim the softness that had been stolen from you, beaten from your bones.
Azriel had helped with that already, his love and affection melting away the hard exterior you had while in private with him. Five years after meeting, you had accepted the bond on his birthday with his favorite meal, and the frenzy that followed was absolute bliss.
This year was a bit different, Azriel’s sole mission on your birthday was to make your dream for yourself come true, twenty years into your mateship.
You were getting ready for bed, brushing your hair on the eve of your 145th birthday when Azriel called you into your shared bedroom.
“Yes, my love?” You asked as you entered, and then you saw it.
Azriel was holding a baby pink silk nightgown with lace along the hem and a bow on the middle of the collar, far cuter than anything you normally wore. And… you had seen it before. When you went shopping for a set of lingerie to surprise your mate, you had lingered in front of it, testing out the soft feeling of the fabric against your fingers, wishing you were brave enough to purchase something so cute, let alone wear it.
“I… How did you know?”
Redness spread onto Azriel’s cheeks as he confessed, “I might have had a few reports from my shadows about the things you seem to want, but do not buy for yourself. The one that sleeps on the back of your neck all day was particularly vocal about it. I wanted to surprise you, sweetheart, with a wonderful day tomorrow. But that starts tonight, with you wearing this to bed.” His smile was so sweet, your knees went weak. It was always so hard to resist him.
“What is tomorrow?”
“If you allow it, and place full trust in me, I have planned out a day for you to have to make no decisions, just following your instincts.” You wrinkled your nose, the idea of giving up all control was one you had rarely entertained in the dead of night, though it had always been to Azriel… “I know it sounds a bit daunting, but you know that I will never make you do anything that you do not want to, right?”
You nodded your head, that had always been the truth in your relationship. Everything was a mutual agreement, the both of you having issues with trust due to your childhoods.
“And we can drop at any time, and just have a nice day all to ourselves if you don’t enjoy it. All that I ask is that you give it a chance. Will you?”
Having that last piece of knowing it could end at any moment, that small bit of control to put your mind at ease.
“Yes,” you breathed, walking over to where he was standing, nightgown still in his hands.
“Thank you, babydoll. I promise, tomorrow will be wonderful. Now, let me undress you,” he said, setting the nightgown down on the bed and raising the hem of your shirt.
You let him, raising your arms to help. Next came your bra, gently undone with kisses placed on your neck as he did so. Then he unbuttoned your pants, shimmying them down your hips and tossing them away after you lifted your feet.
“Arms up, princess.” You blushed at the nickname, one reserved for tender moments in between the sheets, and did as he said. The nightgown slipped over your head, the fabric running down your body like water. The lace at the edges was soft, no hints of scratchiness to be found.
“You look beautiful, Y/N. So cute and sweet, and all for me,” Azriel whispered into your ear as he pulled you into a hug, your body softening against his after a few moments. A sigh slipped out of your lips, and Azriel kissed the crown of your head before pulling away slowly. “Did you need to do anything else before we go to bed?”
“No, I did everything already Az.”
“Let’s go to sleep then, lovely,” he said, and the two of you slipped beneath the sheets, your back to his chest and his arm wrapped tightly around your chest, one wing cocooning the two of you.
You fell into a peaceful sleep, the scent and feeling of your mate all you could ever think to wish for.
💙🤍💙🤍💙
The next morning you were awoken to soft kisses trailing down your neck, and the sensation of wet hair tickling you.
Az’s arm was still around you, and you wiggled in his hold, pressing your hips back against his.
“Now, now,” Az tutted, slight disapproval in his voice, and you stilled. “None of that right now, my sweet birthday princess. It’s time for your bath.”
“Mm I don’t want to get out of bed yet though, Az,” you whined. The sheets were far too comfortable, and the nightgown you were wearing was heaven against your skin, plus the hard press of your mate against your rear… no, you wanted to stay in bed.
“I promise the bath with be worth it, babydoll. Come on,” he said, getting out of the bed and taking you with him, carrying you into the bathroom and setting you on your feet.
The bath had already been drawn, a thick layer of bubbles covering the surface and a soothing lavender and chamomile scent wafting from it. Candles were set up along the edge, and a cup of coffee made just how you like was sitting on the counter.
You went to remove your new nightgown before Azriel’s hands stopped you.
“Let me do that, sweetheart.” He lifted the gown of your head and put it in the laundry basket. “Go ahead and get in, I’ll bring you your coffee.”
You did as he said, and the water was at the perfect temperature. Azriel handed you your coffee, and you took a large sip before looking at him.
“You aren’t going to join me?”
Azriel smiled and shook his head. “No, princess, this bath is all about you. I took one just before I woke you up. Drink your coffee, sweetness,” he said, tilting the cup toward your mouth again.
You do as he says again, even though your mind is fighting against it. He had asked that you try, so you would try as hard as you could to enjoy it.
And really, with your body warmed inside by coffee and outside by the luxurious bath Az had drawn for you, it wasn’t too hard to like it so far. Especially once Azriel started to wash your body with a soft cloth, taking is time to massage out any knots in your shoulders and arms. You always were tense with your healing work.
But all of that stress melted away with your mate’s gentle hands cleaning your skin.
When he finally pulled you out of the bath, he dried you off with a fluffy towel, pressing soft kisses all over you. You were feeling sleepy all over again, and just wanted to crawl back into bed with your mate.
“Alright, baby, we just need to get you dressed and then I’ll start breakfast.” Azriel went to the closet and pulled out a lavender wrap dress with short sleeves, another item that you had admired while shopping before. It was buttery soft as Azriel pulled it over your head, and it fell to right above your knees. You felt beautiful.
Azriel brought your slippers over to you, helping secure them on your feet.
“You look even better in this than I thought you would, sweetheart, though I don’t know how that’s possible.” You blush at his words, holding your arms out for a hug. He wrapped you in his arms, squeezing you tight against his chest. He’s so warm, and smells so good. His night chilled mist and cedar scent lulled you into a daze, your eyes glazed over when you met his after he pulled away from you slightly.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
“Hi,” you say back, your voice quiet.
“You doing good?” He asked as his hand caressed your face gently. You could only nod, so at peace and in the moment with your mate. A smile breaks across his face, and he tightened his arms around you once more before he disentangled himself from you.
“Come on babydoll, you can watch me make breakfast,” he said, leading you into the kitchen. He picked you up and set you on the island counter across from the stove.
He pulled out two wrapped packages, a carton of blueberries, and a bowl covered with a lid, then grabs three frying pans out of a cupboard.
"What's for breakfast?" You ask, resisting the urge to kick your feet as they hang in the air from your place on the island counter.
"Pancakes, sausages, bacon and some fruit, my love," Azriel replies, placing a kiss on your forehead when he turned to look at you.
"Do you need any help?" You ask out of habit.
While Azriel does take care of you as much as you allow, it has been hard kicking your old habits of always offering to help, any way to make your eventual suffering easier on you.
"No, sweetheart, I just need you to sit there and look adorable. Can you do that for me?" Azriel requests as he unwraps the sausages and puts them in a pan, then does the same with the bacon.
You sigh. Doing nothing? That's difficult. "I can try, Az."
"Good girl." Now that sent a thrill through you, and put a smile on your face. In the past couple of years you had noticed how much praise had begun effecting you, especially from the lips of your mate.
Azriel began making breakfast, pouring some of the batter he had made before waking you up into one of the pans. He places some blueberries onto it, being more careful with them than usual.
Az could feel your eyes on him, and turned to look at you. "Yes, love?"
"You're being careful with the blueberries," you state.
"Yes I am. I'm making smiley faces in the pancakes, sweetness."
You smile widened, the idea of it was so cute. "Smiley faces?"
"Mhm. I figured I would even make your breakfast cute, Y/N. After all, you're so cute you deserve to eat cute things too." His words sent blood to your cheeks, and your legs started kicking gently in the air.
Azriel returns to the stove, dutifully cooking until he hears you make to get off the counter. He whips around and holds your hips in place. "Where do you think you're going?"
"I... I wanted to help."
He kisses your lips, cheeks, then forehead. "You are too sweet, mate. I have everything under control, I promise. Just stay here and eat some blueberries, okay?" He hands the carton to you, and you pout slightly as you toss one in your mouth.
Azriel turns back to the stove, ready to get the food finished so he can pay more attention to you again.
In a few minutes, he's plated everything and brought it to the table, including a bowl of fruit from the fridge, before returning to you. He picked you up, carrying you over to the table as you giggle in his arms. Azriel gently sets you in your chair, then takes the seat next to you, scooting his chair over so that he's right next to you.
You go to pour some syrup on your pancakes- the smiley faces are pretty adorable- before a hand stops you, taking the bottle from your grasp. "Hey-"
"I told you, sweetheart, that you don't have to do anything today. That includes pouring your syrup and cutting your food." Az pours a generous amount on your pancakes, just the way you like them. He cuts a bite for you, and brings the fork to your mouth.
You look between the bite of food and Azriel, raising a brow.
"Open up, babygirl." His gentle tone coaxes you to give it a try, and you let him feed you the bit of pancake.
The blueberries are just the right amount of sweetness, the pancake itself thick and fluffy. Your eyes close for a moment as you chew, and when you open them Azriel has a soft smile on his face.
“Is it good?”
You nod your head. Azriel’s pancakes are one of your favorite foods he makes, always so delicious and fluffy.
“Good. Open wide,” he said as he brought another forkful to your mouth.
The pattern continued, Azriel taking bites off his own plate while you chewed yours. Before long you were full, turning your head away from the last bite of sausage Azriel was offering you.
“You full, babygirl?”
“Mhm, it was a lot of food, Azzie.” The nickname slipped out of your mouth without you even thinking, a sure sign you were relaxed and happy. “This is nice, so far,” you admitted.
Azriel’s face split into a grin, a rarity on his face, though it was becoming more and more common in your presence. “I knew you would like it, Y/N.” He kissed your forehead, then stood up from the table and offered you a hand. You take it and let him pull you into the bedroom. “Now, we are going to go shopping. But, with the weather, you need to wear a little more than you are now, cutie.”
He went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of white woolen tights, and turned back to you. “Sit down on the bed for me.” You do, and he goes to his knees in front of you. He takes off your slippers, then shimmies the tights up your legs until they’re all the way on your hips. “Perfect, sweetheart, you look so adorable in these. Do they feel warm enough to go out into the snow?”
“Yes, I think I will be warm enough. But I’m not sure I have a coat that will be good enough, though…”
Azriel chuckled. “I got one for you specifically for today, but I hope you will wear thicker coats more often. I hate to think of you walking in the cold in just a light jacket when I’m not here, sweetheart.” He pulled you up from the bed, leading you to the entryway closet that he opened, grabbing a puffy white coat that looked like it would go down to your mid-thigh.
You extended your arms without him prompting you, which made him smile again. He slipped the coat onto your arms, buttoning it up methodically. He then grabbed a pair of fluffy white snow boots which you slid your feet into, letting him lace them up for you. He pulled on his own coat, which he let you button up when you gave him a pouty look, then put on his own boots.
“Just a few more things, baby.” He wrapped a light pink knit scarf around your neck, making sure to cover as much skin as he could with it, leaving it loose in the front in case you felt like pulling it over the bottom of your face. Then he slipped matching mittens onto your hands, pressing a kiss to the top of each one beforehand. And the last was a matching hat with a pink puffball on the top. He fit it snuggly onto your head.
“You should wear a hat too, Azzie,” you point out. Especially if it was snowing, you didn’t want your mate to catch a cold. He merely smiled and shook his head at you, grabbing his own black hat and gloves from the closet.
“You worry about me so much, sweetie. I was always going to wear a hat, it’s been snowing since I woke up, after all.” He tapped your nose with his pointer finger, then leaned in for a kiss. It was so gentle and sweet, a perfect kiss if there ever was one. Then again, that was all of their kisses.
The two of you left your home, Azriel locking the door behind you. There was a thick layer of snow on the ground, most likely four of five inches deep.
Azriel grabbed your hand and began leading you down the street that would take the two of you to the Palace of Thread and Jewels.
The snow made the trek take longer than usual, but with your mate’s warm hand encasing yours, you didn’t mind at all. The two of you passed a few shops before you made it to your first destination, a bedding store that the two of you had come to in the past.
He brushed the snow off of your hat and shoulders, the pulled you into the shop.
“Now, sweetheart, I want you to remember to follow your instincts, pick out whatever you feel drawn to, okay?” You nodded your head; After all, the day so far had been amazingly comforting, the caring presence of your mate doing so much to relax you.
He let you wander around the shop, following closely behind you with his shadows swirling around your feet. You paused in front of a shelf of throw blankets, your eyes catching on a blush colored one.
Reaching a hand out, you went to brush your fingers on it before realizing they were still clad in mittens.
“Here, sweetness, let me take that for you,” Azriel said as he removed the mitten from your hand, leaving it free to brush against the blanket.
“It’s so soft,” you breathed. You turned your head over your shoulder to look at Azriel. “Can I get it?” Your voice was shy, still nervous about choosing cute things for yourself.
“Of course, princess. You can get anything you want, today and every day.” He picked the blanket up and held it in his arms. “Keep looking, there’s a lot more you haven’t seen yet.”
You followed his suggestion, walking further into the shop. Your eyes lock onto a sapphire blue pillow, fur all along the top side of it. Your ran your fingers through it- so silky smooth, you just needed to have it. “This too, please,” you whispered to Az, and he licked that up as well. The two of you looked through the rest of the shop, but nothing else caught your interest strongly enough to linger near it. Azriel gently led you with a hand on your back to the counter, placing both items on it.
“Did you find everything you needed?” The clerk asked as he wrote out the total on a receipt, crediting the purchase to your joint account.
“Yes we did, thank you,” Azriel replied, squeezing your hand in his.
“Were you needing a bag at all today?”
“No, thank you, we’ll be fine without one,” Azriel said, grabbing the pillow and blanket off the counter and leading you back to the entrance. Before you stepped outside, he handed the items off to his shadows, letting them carry the goods back to your home. He also pulled your mitten out of his pocket and slipped it back onto your hand.
You left the shop, heading further into the Palace. A few doors down, Azriel opened the door to a clothing store, ushering you inside.
Without prompting, you began to explore the store. This was one you had only looked into from the windows on the street, deeming the clothes, as lovely as they are, too feminine and cutesy for your daily life.
But once inside, you couldn’t help but pick out a decent number of outfits, taking them to into the dressing room to try on, Azriel waiting outside.
“Show me each one that you like, sweetie,” he requested, taking a seat in the chair meant specifically for this purpose.
You do, showing him a halter top and skirt set in a gorgeous blue that matched his siphons near perfectly. “This is perfect, love,” he praises you, pulling you by your hips to him. “It’s so sweet when you match me.”
You giggle softly, placing a kiss on his lips. “I definitely want this one.” You spin your hips, the skirt flaring out attractively from where it had rested at your mid-thigh. “It’s fun to move in,” you say, happiness in your voice.
“Good. Go try on some more, babygirl.”
A few outfits later, and you only found one other piece of clothing you wanted at the moment. It was a shade of pale pink with long, flowing sleeves that came down to the tops of your fingers. The hem reached yours knees, the skirt of the dress separated from the bodice by a matching ribbon at the waistline. The ribbon tied into a bow at the back, something that you would normally never wear out, let alone pick out to try on. But, Azriel had wanted you to try, and it was honestly easier than you had thought it would be to follow your instinctual taste.
You opened the curtain, and Azriel’s jaw dropped open- the only other time that had happened in public was your wedding and mateship ceremony.
“You look…” he paused, and your doubts started creeping in. “You look so, amazingly beautiful sweetheart, like a true angel brought to this earth to bless my life.” He stood up from his chair, scooping you into his arms and twirling you around, causing you to loose a giggle.
“I love this one, it’s so perfect. I feel like a princess,” you say after he sets you down, a wide smile on your face.
“I would have bought it anyways, just for the slightest chance you ever even thought of putting it on again.”
You change back into your clothes, letting Azriel redress you in your outerwear. He brings your two outfits to the front counter, once again handling the interaction for you as you leaned into his side. It was nice, not having to worry about any of the minutiae that went with shopping.
He pulls you out of the shop, a large bag in his hands which he keeps in his hand instead of sending off with his shadows. The two of you make your way over to the Rainbow slowly, enjoying the slow snowfall.
“In here, sweetheart,” Azriel says, guiding you into an art supply shop. “I have something specific in mind for you.”
“Oh? What is it Az?”
“Right here,” he says, extending a hand towards a set of ink pots, neatly packaged together in a wooden box with a glass lid.
“Inks?”
“Yes, I thought you could use something that’s easy, a bit mindless to do when you have free time. I asked Feyre what she thought about an ink set with a few books of drawings to fill in with color, and she thought it was the perfect idea for when you want to do something with your hands, but you don’t want to focus or think. It also comes with quills that are enchanted to return the ink to its pot when you hold it over the correct pot again, that way you won’t have a problem switching between colors… What do you think?”
You thought about it. While it did feel a bit… childish to color in pictures, the idea of having something simple to do when you’re tired but restless would be nice.
“That sounds nice, Az. Do they have books I can pick out here?”
“Yes, they do. They’re over in the back right corner, I’ll meet you over there in a second sweetheart.”
You wandered off into the direction he guided you, finding the selection of coloring books fairly quickly.
One instantly caught your eye, a collection of different creatures found in the Night Court, drawn in a cuter way than they appeared in person. You grabbed that one, and another of plants found in the solar courts.
Azriel came up behind you, placing a kiss on the top of your head, through your hat. You turn around to look at him and held the two books out for him to take, which he did.
“Did you want any others right now?”
“No, I think two will be enough for now. We can always come back again if I want more,” you said, and Azriel’s face softened before he kissed you.
“Alright, I’ll get this paid for and then we have one more stop before we’ll get some tea.”
In a few minutes, the two of you were leaving the shop, another bag in Azriel’s hands. The next shop he led you two was just two doors down from the art supply one, and it was a store you had considered going into every single time you had come to the Rainbow.
The windows were filled with various stuffed animals, plants, and fae. There was a whole half of a window dedicated to Illyrians, all fitted with differently colored siphons, though three you could tell were based off of your mate and his brothers.
That was one of the reasons you had always wanted to enter the shop, having a small miniature Azriel to keep you company while he’s away on long missions and the bond is quieted by the distance.
Azriel drags you inside, taking you over to the display holding the Illyrian plushies.
“Did you want one of me, babygirl?”
Color flushed your cheeks, and you bury your face in his chest before nodding.
“Did you want this small one? Or did you want a bigger one, one that’ll be enough to snuggle while I’m gone?”
“…Both?”
A chuckle vibrates through Azriel’s chest. “Both it is, baby. Go ahead and grab the small one, and look at the other options while I get the larger one ordered, okay?”
You grab the small miniature of your mate, then walk slowly towards the counter in the back of the store that Azriel was standing at. You pick up another plush, this one is your favorite flower, and join him at the counter.
“That will be ready in a week or so, Shadowsinger. We will send a note to your home, informing you when it is ready to be pick up. Ah, are these the other purchases?” The clerk asked, taking the plushies from your arms after you nod in confirmation. “Perfect, I will just grab you a bag, and you two are all set. Have a lovely rest of your day,” she says kindly, giving you a warm smile as she hands the bag to you.
Azriel guides you out of the store with a gentle hand on your lower back, and takes the bag from your hand once you’re back in the winter weather.
“How does tea sound to you, love?” Azriel asked, still leading you with that comforting hand.
“Something warm would be nice.”
He leads you to a tea shop that is decorated in soft pastels and smells heavenly, most likely because of the large case of baked goods that instantly drew your eyes. The two of you approach the counter, your eyes passing over every dessert in the case, lingering on a slice of strawberry cake and an adorable cookie, decorated with pink frosting and in the shape of a fox, it’s features drawn on in black frosting.
Azriel talks with the fae at the counter, but you aren’t listening, only looking between the slice of cake and the cookie, trying to decide between the two.
“Anything catching your eye, love?” Azriel asks softly into your ear, startling you from your thoughts.
“Oh, um…” you try to make a decision between the two, but your brain isn’t working fast enough.
“We can share a few, if you want more than one,” Az suggests gently, and when you point out the two items you want, he knows he found your dilemma.
“We’ll have a slice of strawberry cake and one of those pink fox cookies, please,” Azriel says, ordering for you and pressing a kiss to your head.
“But what about the tea-?”
“I already ordered some, love. Come on, let’s go take a seat.” Azriel pulls you to the side of store with a large fireplace, something you hadn’t even noticed when you walked in. He removes your coat, setting it on the back of a chair, then gently pushes you down onto it.
At this point, you feel like all you can do is follow his lead, so relaxed and in the moment that you don’t even want to make decisions.
Azriel sits in the seat next to yours, scooting as close as he can to you like he did with breakfast. He takes each mitten off of your hands, then removes your hat, smoothing out your hair after he sets it down.
Between the fire roaring in front of you and his wing covering your back, you were so warm and cozy you thought you might even be able to take a nap here.
“How are you doing, baby?” He asks lowly in your ear, wrapping an arm around you as well.
You rest your head on his shoulder and close your eyes, something you usually would never do in public. But Azriel is so warm, and smells so wonderful. And he’s here, keeping you safe. Even from prying eyes, with his massive wing blocking you from the windows leading to back to the streets of the Rainbow.
“Perfect,” you sigh, melting further into his shoulder.
The fae who took your order comes over with a tray, a teapot, two teacups, and two plates with the desserts you picked out on top of it. You keep your head where it is, too comfortable to move, even if it means showing that to someone you don’t know. She sets all of the items on the table, pouring out tea for the both of you. “Enjoy,” she says with a smile as she walks away.
The two of you sip your tea, a sweet floral blend that you can’t quite name, but you suppose that doesn’t matter too much. Azriel feeds you bites of cake and the cookie slowly, taking his own every now and then.
You nearly fall asleep on him once the desserts are finished, so content in this moment you don’t want to move.
“Alright, princess, let’s get home for a little bit before dinner.” You groan, pushing further into his shoulder. “We can snuggle when we get home, princess.” That gets you to move, the thought of being snuggled together under your new blanket on the couch at home. You turn to look at Azriel, who has a fond look on his face.
“What?”
“You’re so cute, love.” He kisses you, then stands up and grabs your coat off the back of your chair. Your face scrunches as you stand, not wanting to leave the warmth of the fireplace behind either, but you let Azriel redress you in your winter clothes, smiling when he kisses you again. He picks up your shopping bags, the guides you out of the tea room, thanking the fae before closing the door.
The two of you make your way back home slowly, the snow even thicker on the ground now that you had spent another hour indoors.
Near your home, along the Sidra, you spot an untouched patch of snow, and pause in your tracks.
“What is it, love?” Azriel asks you, stopping and looking at you, then glancing to where your eyes were locked on to. “Oh, did you want to make a snow Illyrian, princess?”
You bite your lip, then nod your head. Azriel merely secures your hat further down your head, and checks to make sure that your mittens are still covering your hands. “Go for it. By tomorrow, all of the snow will have been trampled, sweetheart.”
You hesitate for a moment, thinking about what other would think of you being so childish-
No. You were going with your instincts today. Besides, hardly anyone was out no about today, and there was no one on this side of the Sidra to stare at you. And Azriel was here, he would keep you safe. So you got down on the ground, repeatedly moving your arms and legs in their full range of motion.
You had always wanted to do this as a child, but even on the times you were let out of the mountain during the winter, you had been kept on a tight leash.
But now, with your mate? You were free to do whatever you wanted, as he had proved time and again throughout your relationship, and so many times today alone.
You stop once you feel you’ve made enough of an impression on the snow, and Azriel reaches a hand down to pull you up. You take it, then step back into what you believe to be the road and glance back at your creation.
It’s cute, though it looks nothing like Illyrian wings, but you suppose that doesn’t matter much.
“So cute Y/N. But let’s go now, I don’t want my sweet little mate to catch a cold.”
The two of you make your way back to your front door, and Azriel unlocks it before ushering you inside.
He strips you of your outerwear before taking his off, and you beeline for the couch in the living room, where your new blanket and pillow are already waiting for you.
“Before we snuggle, princess, you should change out of your dress,” Azriel suggests, and you groan in protest.
“But I want to snuggle right now,” you say impatiently.
“I know, love, but it will only take a moment to change you into something different sot that your dress doesn’t get too wrinkled before dinner.”
You sigh then follow him into the bedroom. He deposits the shopping bags onto the bed, pulling something out of the bag from the clothing store, one that you didn’t recognize.
It was a sleepwear set, a tank top with a bow resting in the middle of the neckline, a pair of shorts, and a set of knee high socks, all in a pale blue.
“When did you pick that out?”
“While you were trying on all of those clothes. I thought I would pick out some to give you as a surprise princess, after all, it is your birthday.”
You approach the bed and peek into the bag, and see that it is mostly full, pastel sets of underthings on every shade of the rainbow.
“Do you want to wear one of the sets now?”
You pull one out, a bralette and pair of panties in a pastel pink. “This one,” you say, presenting it to him.
He sets the clothes down on the bed, then strips you of the clothes you’re wearing. You let him redress you in the new clothes, loving how soft all of the fabrics are, Azriel having shopped for your comfort as well as a softer look than your usual attire.
“You look so adorable in those, baby,” Azriel says, his voice soft and sweet as he puts the socks on you, then your slippers.
“Thank you, Azzie. I really like these, they’re so cozy,” you say, running your hands along the tank top. “Can we cuddle now?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I do have a couple of reports I need to write first, it shouldn’t take more than an hour, but I’ll have you rest your head in my lap, if you would like.”
Your lip slides into a pout, you wanted to cuddle with him now.
“I know, sweetheart, but I’ll be quick about it, okay? And you can hug one of your new plushies while you wait for me to finish.”
“Fine…” you agree, fishing the plush that resembles Azriel out of the bag and clutch it to your chest while you follow Azriel back into the living room.
He sits down on the couch, patting his lap in invitation. You follow him, curling up on the couch and resting your head on his lap, sighing when he settles the soft, blush pink blanket over your body.
Papers rustle as Azriel’s shadows bring him what he needs to complete his work, but your eyes are already closed. One of Az’s hands begins to card through your hair slowly, and you let out a quiet purr at the sensation.
Within a few minutes, you had drifted off to Azriel’s soft touches, quiet breathing, and the gentle scratch of a quill on paper.
💙🤍💙🤍💙
You were woken by Azriel shifting beneath you, attempting to move to lay down underneath you without waking you. You open your eyes, turning your head to look at him.
“Hello, beautiful. I’m all done with my reports, now it’s time for us to snuggle together,” He says gently, moving your body so he’s now laying on his back, you pulled over him, your head resting on his chest. You kick your legs against the edge of the blanket, managing to get it over Azriel’s feet with a bit of work. You let out a deep breath once you have, sinking down into Azriel’s warm body.
You fall asleep again in a few minutes, now soothed by the sound of his heartbeat steadily thumping in your ear.
💙🤍💙🤍💙
Part 2
(tumblr's stupid 250 text block limit cut it off like a page and a half before it was done)
Summary: Anon Req: Batbabies waging their OWN snowball fight imitating their dad & uncles. Some take it too seriously, others don't take it seriously at all, it's pure chaos that ends in cocoa.
Warnings: N/A
Word Count: 2,003
Notes: Happy Holidays my loves 💙
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“Come on, you three,” you tut towards your mate and his friends. They’re standing before the large glass windows overlooking your backyard. The sun casts deep oranges and reds across the snow-ridden land, your children shrieking as they play in the snow. A valiant snowball fight is running its course, and Azriel, Cassian, and Rhysand stand, faces pressed to the windows as they watch, quietly cheering their children on. “They’re going to notice you staring.”
“Maybe they already have,” Feyre adds from her spot at your kitchen counter. She’s concentrating intently on decorating a cookie, adding swirls of black icing to the gingerbread woman’s hand, creeping up her extended arm. The cookie’s dress is provocative, bare dough legs showing between slats of laced icing. She hardly glances up as she continues, “They’re probably imitating them as we speak.”
Curious, you peek out the window, too. Indeed, Wren and Baz have built a fortress in the snow to protect themselves from the onslaught of snowballs being thrown their way. Gideon and Nyx have joined forces against the two brothers, the latter packing the fluffy snow into tight, white balls, while Gideon launches their ammo towards your sons.
Your eldest daughter, Zuzu, and Nyx’s younger sister, Asteria, had joined the competition early on. They’d been a formidable team too, but grew bored of their brothers and cousin who were taking the snowball fight a little too seriously. Now, they are in the snow with little Castor, who had cried until she’d been let outside by her protective father, bundled up in so many clothes her wings nearly disappeared into the fabric. The girls are making snow angels, though Castor’s looks very much like a circle on the lawn.
Dark streaks dart behind the wall your sons have built and you frown, watching as Baz’s shadows help roll clumps of snow closer, creating perfectly circular snowballs. From what you’d heard from your husband’s friends, using shadows was against any and all snowball fight rules.
You cut Azriel a glance but he’s conveniently occupied, watching the game outside.
“Well, at least they’re both on the same team,” you comment to your mate, who refuses to let his gaze stray from the little boys. Good, he can watch them while he does the dishes then, since there’s a window above the sink. You pat him on the ass, nodding towards the mess of dishes in the sink. He nods in response, loping quickly over to peer out the window again. “So they’ll either both lose or both win.”
“They’ll both win,” Az responds immediately, a quick but pointed look your way. “They do take after me.”
Cassian scoffs behind you and you turn to see a scowling Nesta shooting him a look as he tries to steal a cookie. Jax giggles in her lap at his uncle's antics, but when Cassian hands him part of the cookie and its head falls off, Jax’s smile wobbles. He’s not outside due to the nature of his powers. As an empath, sensing the competitive nature of his siblings and the sting of a snowball to the face, it had been in his best interest to be inside around the luscious scents of cookies and warmth, instead of out in the bitter snow.
Nesta coos, bouncing him, and Cassian is thankful for the distraction, slipping further down the counter to where the High Lord sits, trying—and failing—to gain his mate's attention. The commander slips an arm around Rhys’ shoulders and glares at the back of Azriel’s head, continuing his complaining. “The only reason you’ve won so many is because of those damn shadows, Az.”
Azriel throws over his shoulder, wincing as Baz takes a snowball to the face, his face going red with fury. “How was I supposed to know they were unaffected by the magic restrictions?” he claims, sending said shadows out into the yard once he sees Baz’s slipping through the snow, headed for the icicles hanging off the railings of the porch. His intercept his sons in a display of authority, spearing them into blackened mist. Baz glances up to the window, locking eyes with his father, who wears a look of warning on his face, brow raised. Azriel watches his son visibly huff and take his anger out on the snow, building a ball and launching it across the playing field in frustration.
His gaze cuts across the yard, narrowing his eyes. Gideon and Nyx are crouched low behind their own pile of snow, looking like they’re scheming. He wants to trail his shadows in their direction, listen in on their conversation, but he’s alerted to Malos’ whines from the other room. If one of his youngest is awake, they either both are, or will be soon.
“Malos is up,” Az tells you softly, shutting off the water to the sink. He wipes his hands on a towel and kisses you gently on the cheek. You’re mixing color into icing for the cookies, getting ready for when it’s too dark out for the children to play. They’ll get all cleaned up and have some hot chocolate to warm their bellies, and you, Feyre, and Nesta have baked cookies for all of the children to decorate. “I’ll get them.”
“I’ll join,” Cassian answers, stealing another cookie off of a platter. He dunks it into your icing to the neck, the cookie dripping with sugary goodness as he lifts it to his mouth, shoving it inside. He ducks under your glare. “Gotta go get my baby.”
Cassian and Nesta’s youngest daughter, Sif, had been put down for a nap with both Knox and Malos. She’s still a little too young to be outside without supervision, and the eldest children of the Inner Circle demanded time outside without their parents, probably because they knew their fathers would try and take over their snowball fight had they been outside. They didn’t want any tips or tricks, not even your children, even with Azriel’s hundred of wins beneath his belt.
Jax climbs from Nesta’s lap over Rhys who lets out a harsh exhale when his knee lands a little too close to his private area, and then over to Feyre, who finally sets her cookie down to scoop your middle son in her arms.
“Pretty,” Jax comments, pointing at her decorative cookie. It looks just like her, and there’s one next to it that looks a little like Rhysand. Purple dots for eyes stare up at him. “Uncle Rhysie?”
“Good job, Jax,” Feyre coos, pressing kisses to his cheeks. They pink with a blush and he settles into her arms, looking utterly at bliss. He revels in the warmth of her emotions, the pride surging through her. It feels like warm bubbles in his chest, and he noses at her collar.
“Look who’s ready to party,” Azriel announces, entering the room, arms full with your two youngest children, Malos and Knox. Knox still looks a little sleepy, head resting against Azriel’s shoulder, cuddling into his warmth. His tiny wings are droopy with sleep, and his twin sister, Malos, is already reaching for the cookies.
Nesta is quick to scoop her away from Azriel. She claims not to have a favorite niece, but Malos and her have an understanding. You see more of Nesta in Malos’ personality than any of the children of the Inner Circle, and you’re extremely happy that they have such a close connection.
“Hi baby,” you greet Knox, who is signing mommy to you. You ease him out of Azriel’s arms, who promptly returns to his position in front of the window, pressing exaggerated kisses to his chubby cheeks. It makes him smile wide, flaring those wings that he hasn’t quite figured out how to control. “Are you ready for some yummy cookies?”
His dark eyes light with excitement. Of course your children are ready for sweets, they always are. They picked that up from Azriel, who has the biggest sweet tooth you’ve ever seen.
Cassian reenters the room with his daughter in his arms and Rhys pouts. Almost everyone in the room is preoccupied with a child in their arms, except for him. Maybe he can convince Feyre to have one more. The youngest children in the family are two now and he misses having a tiny babe around.
By the heated look in her eyes, his mate seems to be considering the same, sneaking past those shadowy walls in his mind to catch a glimpse of his thoughts. The High Lord smirks. He sends her over some imagery to go with his thoughts, and her cheeks go red. That hot look turns into one of warning, and she’s speaking out loud now, “Why don’t you call the children inside so they can get warmed up and decorate some cookies?”
“Of course, darling,” Rhys sweeps from his seat in a wisp of darkness.
Breaking a cookie in half, you give part of it to Knox, who signs thank you, munching on the sweet. The other half is passed to Malos as you head towards where your mate is finishing up the dishes, leaning against him for a moment, reveling in all of your family happily together.
“I love you,” Azriel murmurs into your hair, leaning over to sneak a bite of Knox’s cookie. Your son stares up at his father with wide eyes, and like this, he looks just like Az. It makes your heart warm, and Jax squeals in happiness in response, your happiness radiating to him. It makes your grin wider, peeking over your shoulder to see him so content in his aunt's arms.
“I love you too, Az,” you whisper back to him, resting your forehead against his.
It’s a nice moment, until the children from outside are wrangled through the door by Rhys. The boys are arguing about who has won their snowball fight, while the girls are peeling away their winter gear, excited to decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles and the edible petals Elain had given you before her trip to the Summer Court with Lucien.
“Now, now, boys,” Rhys starts, but the diplomatic tone he’s using does nothing to deter the cousins from arguing. “I’m sure we can come to a consensus without yelling and acquiescing.”
“But Baz used his shadows,” Nyx complains, wringing his gloves between his hands in frustration. “We all saw it.”
“Nyxie, don’t be mean to Baz,” Wren counters, brows furrowed. He doesn’t like it when his family argues, especially over trivial things. His heart is so kind. “You can win the snowball fight if you want, but Baz and I are gonna win the cookie decorating contest, right Bazzy?”
“No,” Baz says flatly, dropping his gear onto the floor. You give him a look but he almost seems un-bothered by it, done with the debate his cousins are currently having. “We won the snowball fight and we’re going to win the cookie decorating contest.”
You share a look with your mate, watching the scene unfold. Baz is quite the Stubborn Suriel, no matter what it comes to.
“Dad,” Nyx groans, “Can’t you do something?”
Cassian is the one who comes to the rescue, Castor reaching up at him for her sister. He helps the little one down and the older one with her undressing, peeling her thermals off layer by layer. “It’s not about who won, right boys? It’s about spending time and having fun with the ones you love.”
Feyre, Nesta, and yourself awe at his words, but Azriel and Rhysand are rolling their eyes and muttering under their breath at Cassian’s cheesy words.
“What a kiss ass.”
“Smug fucker.”
“Azriel,” you hiss, turning your body away from him, like that will hide Knox from his vulgar words. “Language.”
He winces, “Sorry love.”
It’s your turn to roll your eyes now, bouncing Knox in your arms a little as you turn fully from your mate. You poke Knox’s belly playfully before addressing the rest of the room. “How about those cookies, then? They won’t decorate themselves!”
Summary: Azriel has been very attentive during your first pregnancy, especially with keeping your heightened sex-drive satiated.
Warnings: Smut, pregnant reader
Word Count: 1,395
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“Az, we haven’t even had the first one yet,” you pant, arching up into him. You whimper in frustration, displeased that you can’t rub your pebbled nipples aching for friction against his warm chest. Your bump won’t allow it, the way it protrudes from your body.
“Don’t care,” Azriel responds roughly. He can read you better than anyone, his calloused hands gravitating to your breasts to pinch and play with your nipples. You let your head fall back in bliss, writhing and keening from his touch. They’re tender, but the pain he’s pulling is fuelled by his cock driving into you, and it is arousing more than it hurts. You can feel your cunt clenching around his cock, slick with your juices. Azriel hisses softly in response. “Going to fuck so many into you, love. A whole litter, I promise.”
Your mate tends to get a little distracted as of late while he’s attempting to fuck a second child into you, hands sliding from your swollen breasts lower, caressing the curve of your bump. Azriel can feel his throat tightening a little as he runs his fingers gently over your skin before placing his palms against either side of your bump. His child is in there, all wrapped up in your warmth and already so loved by both of his parents.
You look utterly ethereal like this, splayed out before him, hair strewn across the pillows and glowing with pregnancy. The way you’re staring up at him now, placing your hands gently atop his is a memory he will cherish forever. Maybe he will have Feyre paint this exact image, minus your naked body, as a gift for you when the babe comes, both of your hands holding your stomach.
Azriel especially loves the look of frustration on your face while he’s fucking into you and you can’t do a thing but lie there and take it. He can see how badly you want to sit up and grab at him, pull him flush to your body, but your bump not only keeps you lying pliant for him to do as he pleases, but it makes you that much more desperate for him, tears brimming your eyes and nails raking harsher into his skin.
Your heart soars at his words, at how loving and helpful he’s been through this entire process. Azriel had been terrified at first, when you told him you were pregnant, but elated nonetheless. There had been many conversations about your health and his worry about the babe having wings. After what Feyre had been through with Nyx, Azriel had nearly gone off the deep end with worry, no matter the fact that your family has distant traces of Illyrian and Madja said you should be fine during the birth.
It didn’t stop Azriel from doting on you. You adore seeing him like this, so openly loving and fiercely protective of his unborn child already. He never strayed too far, a hand caressing your bump protectively. He all but gave up his position as Spymaster, not wanting to be too far from you in case anything happened. The only reassurance that kept him working was when you offered to stay with Rhys and Feyre, who have a plethora of nursemaids on standby at all times, the worry-warts that they are.
The fact that Azriel wants this, wants not only one child but a litter as he so eloquently put it in his sexual haze, fills you with so much love it has those pesky tears spill from your eyes.
Azriel’s rhythm slows and you cry out, displeased he’s slowing down when you’d nearly been on the edge with his unfiltered admissions that have your cunt wetter than your tears. Creases form between his brows and his molten gaze goes a touch softer, fingers twitching on your bump as protectiveness kicks in. “My love, why are you crying?”
He reaches up to wipe a tear away, his fingers stroking soothing circles into your cheek. You press your face further into his palm, enjoying his warmth.
Azriel curves his body around yours, avoiding pressing into your bump. He kisses the tears on your cheeks away, his lips gentle and loving. He’s holding you close, slowly drawing his cock out before pressing back in again, his movements soft and sensual.
“It’s nothing,” you smile, but your lip wobbles and Azriel pouts. Your fingers find his face, tracing over scars and his features, before you’re brushing some of his hair off of his forehead. It’s damp, from the effort of holding himself back you have no idea, but you lock your legs around his waist and drive him deeper into you, becoming desperate for his cock. “How many kids do you want?”
Your sex drive has been through the roof throughout your pregnancy, always needing Azriel to fuck you whether it’s the middle of a dinner with the Inner Circle, when you wake up in the middle of the night with an ache between your legs only your mate can satiate, especially when you see him in the training ring, shirtless and sweaty and glowing under the golden sun.
His hips jolt at your question, driving deeper. You moan languidly, head pressing back into the pillows and he takes advantage of your pleasure, dipping down to suck bruises into the creamy skin of your throat. This is what’s gotten you all worked up? The thought of your family growing? The slip of his inner mind as he’d thought of you pregnant with a third or fourth child.
“I want as many as you’ll give me,” he whispers into your skin. The noise you make in response has him picking up pace, wrapping his arms around your body to hold you close as he fucks into you, stomach coiling with emotion and the building of his orgasm. “How many are you willing to give me, love?”
His voice is a touch more ragged, a desperate demand for your body with the way Azriel clings to you. You’re craving him just as much though, rolling your hips to meet his. You share a rough kiss, movements no longer soft, but heightened with arousal and the need to cling to each other.
“As many as you’ll put in me,” you gasp against his mouth. Azriel growls, the deep reverberations rattling your bones. It startles the babe in your stomach, who kicks out, but Azriel only laughs, nipping harshly at your bottom lip.
“That’s my boy.”
“Fuck,” you moan, sliding your fingers into the darkness of his hair. He’s going to make the most wonderful father to your child and any that come after that, you have no doubt. Azriel’s fingers slide around your bump, slipping easily into the wetness between your folds, his touch godly against your swollen clit. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!”
“That’s it baby,” Azriel demands, rubbing your clit faster. Your body shakes with orgasm beneath him as he rips it from your body. “Milk my cock just like that,” he encourages, pistoning his hips faster. He’s chasing that high, nearly cresting over the edge with it. “As much as I love seeing you filled with my cum, it’s so much better seeing you full with my child.”
You cum with a sound that rattles the windows, clinging to your mate as if trying to absorb his body into yours. His wings fold around you like a cocoon of darkness. He wouldn’t share this moment with anyone in the world. This is for you and him, and the unborn child in your stomach.
Azriel’s slipping off the edge right after you, holding you just as tight. The muscles of his abdomen tremble with the effort to keep himself from pressing fully into you. He’ll sidle right up to your side, fuck you from behind later because he knows that this is the beginning of one of the many nights your pregnant desires won’t be satiated. He’s looking forward to drawing each and every orgasm he can from you, and has a running tally in his head of how many times he can make you cum in one night the further your pregnancy goes along. He’ll try and outdo himself during your next one, because there is no way he’s only stopping at one child.
He will give you anything you and your children please, the world and more.
Hello hello. Here's all of my fics that happen on the same timelines. This is part of a second masterlist version that i am organizing by category (this one's for you anon). It's taking forever because tumblr wanna act up and won't allow me to link some things, but it will eventually be up.
Daddy!Azriel
One More [Smut] -> Family Dynamic -> Keep Me Satisfied [Pregnant!Reader] -> Hush Little Baby -> Here's to Tradition -> You Too -> Can't You See? -> Concord -> Come Back -> Burning Man -> Promises -> Summer Daze -> Two is Better Than One -> Taciturn -> In the House Love Built [Smut] -> The Calm Beneath the Storm -> Cuddle Me In -> The Rowdy Bunch -> The Honeycrisp Grove -> Winter Winds -> Sticking Together -> Snatched -> No Tricks, Just Treats -> In Ribbons [Smut, Sub!Az] -> Unwrapped -> Into the New -> Here for You -> Between Me and You -> The Safeguard -> Warrior Status -> About Last Night
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Daddy!Cassian
Terrible Twos -> Strips and Sutures
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Daddy!Eris
Due Time (Part 2) -> Sweater Weather -> Milk & Cream -> Late Nights in the Middle of June -> Cherries, Juniper, and Orange Slices
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Small Town!Cassian [Archeron Sister!Reader]
Break Up in a Small Town -> Dial Drunk
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Rhys' Sister's Best Friend!Reader
Clandestine Love
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Art School AU
Midnight Muse
Coal Lined Lens [Azriel]
Structure of the Gods [Cassian]
Dioxazine (Part 2) [Rhysand]
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Vampire Azriel
You Keep Me Sharp and Test My Worth in Blood -> (Blurb) -> Bleed for Me -> Body and Soul [Smut (read warnings)] -> (Blurb 2)
azriel hc that he would go into panic mode the second you start nesting in your pregnancy bc it becomes very real you’re near popping out this baby
He senses your frustration down the bond and is quick to find you because you’re carrying his child and he doesn’t want you to be frustrated, he doesn’t want that for you or the babe
He winnnows into a room that’s a fucking mess, shirts thrown about, blankets from the couches strewn on the ground, half on the bed and half off where you’re grumbling to yourself
Az gets over the initial shock of the messy room, his tight shoulders relaxing at the sight of your bump peeking out from one of the shirts of his you’ve become very fond of during your pregnancy
Until he notices what you’re doing
You’re building a nest in the center of his large bed
Holy shit
You’re nesting
His body locks with panic, the feeling rushing through his bones makes him dizzy, so much so that he sways in his spot
You haven’t noticed him yet, utterly fixated on tucking the blankets into a shape that doesn’t make you want to disassemble it thread by thread, and then use said threads to choke out the maker of it
Okay, so maybe you’re a bit emotional
The babe in your stomach kicks as if also agreeing with you. It’s that or it’s because he can feel his father in the room with him, trying to get your attention
Az nearly jumps when you turn to face him. Frustrated tears brim your eyes and your lip wobbles. Your hands pressed to your stomach, holding your child
He vows right then and there that you won’t make that face again until the babe is in the world and you’re tearing up from his beauty, that’s the only time he’ll allow you to look like that
Az jumps into action. You don’t have to say a word. He helps you into the nest, taking your direction perfectly as you tell him what to adjust or what’s missing or not to your liking. His hands shake a little, the panic making his heart a steady rate faster
He has the urge to flee. Not because he doesn’t love you, but because this is fucking real and really fucking scary. You’re going to have his babe for fucks sake. How the hell did you get into this situation?
And he loves nyx. He knows how to properly hold a babe, how to make them smile and when they need to eat or poop, but he can give nyx back to his parents when there’s something he doesn’t want to do, when everything becomes a little bit too much for him and he needs to retreat back into the silence of shadows
He can’t do that with his own
You can read your mate like a book, the worry lining his eyes, the down set turn to his mouth, the way he doesn’t respond to your questions because he’s too far in his head
You tug on his arm and he lets himself fall into the nest, and you cradle him to your chest like he loves, exactly how you’ll cuddle your own child too
You speak softly, murmuring everything but nothing at the same time, it doesn’t matter because the soothing sounds of your voice and the rumble of your chest are enough to scare the panic away from now
He places a gentle, if not tentative, hand to your swollen belly, and his son kicks out immediately, knowing his daddy is there
And its then that az knows it’s going to be alright, that his panicking is normal and that the both of you will figure this out together
Story Summary: On your 145th birthday, your mate Azriel has a very special day planned for you. His only requirement of you is that you give up control and follow your instincts.
Warnings: mentions of abuse and domestic violence, killing your husband, ddlg, allusions to sex, egregious usage of pet names
Author's Note: Welcome back! If you haven't yet, go read the first part of this, the link is at the top of the post! I hope you all liked the first part, and again, there may be a smutty epilogue in a few days, but no promises.
18+ only pls
💙🤍💙🤍💙
You’re awoken again by Azriel moving, this time he’s gently pushing you into a seated position, the blanket slipping from your body and you let out a sleepy moan, not ready to be separated from the warmth of Azriel’s body.
“Come on, princess, let’s go get dressed for dinner.” You only push back into Azriel’s grasp, wrapping your arms around his torso. “If you get up and get dressed now, we will snuggle and stay in bed for as long as you want tomorrow morning, baby, I promise,” he offers, and it’s tempting enough that you unravel your arms from him, looking up sleepily at his face.
“What’s for dinner?”
“I booked a private booth at your favorite, Georgina’s.” You hum in approval, standing up without him prompting you, the promise of one of your favorite dishes too great to resist.
Azriel chuckles, then follows you into the bedroom.
“Did you want to wear the dress from earlier again, or the one you picked out today?”
“The one I picked out today, please.” He slowly undresses you, down to your underwear. He gets a pair of tights that match your skin color from the dresser and slips them onto your legs and over your hips, then grabs the dress from its bag, slipping it over your head and tying the ribbon into a bow on your back with caring hands. He kissed from your ear down your neck, the sensation leaving you with a different type of hunger.
Azriel stepped away from you, going to the closet and pulling out a suit, quickly redressing himself.
“Alright, baby, let’s get you dressed for outside,” He says, pulling you toward the entryway for the second time today. He bundles you up carefully before getting his own winter wear on, then guides you out the front door into the wintery cold.
On the walk to the restaurant, you pull your scarf up to cover your mouth and nose to protect your face from the slight breeze. Azriel sends his shadows out in front of your path, clearing the snow to help make the trek easier for you.
You arrive at the restaurant quickly, a waiter leading you back to a secluded both, mostly hidden from sight of the other diners. Azriel removes both of your coats, hats, and gloves, handing them to the waiter to store in the back. Once he’s left, Azriel sits down, pulling you onto his lap.
“Azriel, what are you doing?” You hiss in his ear, nervously lookIng around to make sure nobody can see you perched on your mate’s lap.
“You will sit right here for the entire dinner, baby, and I’m going to order for you and feed you every bite of food. And you’re going to keep being my good little girl, right? Because daddy’s got a surprise for you later, and you want your last birthday present, right?” He whispered lowly in your ear, and you cheeks flamed up in an instant-
You had thought he had forgotten.
A few months ago when you and Azriel had been entangled with each other, you had accidentally let slip one of your biggest secrets- you had been so caught up in the way he felt, so in love and safe and feeling cherished that you had moaned out a soft “daddy” as you came, your cheeks flushing much like they had now. But Azriel hadn’t so much as mentioned it, just nuzzling his face into your neck as he followed you over the brink.
With your eyes wide from mortification, you turned to look at Azriel.
“Hey, hey, sweet thing, what’s wrong?”
“You- I- don’t… don’t tease me,” you finally manage to get out, stumbling over your words in your embarrassment and turning your face into his shoulder.
“I’m not teasing, Y/N.” Azriel manages to lift your head so he can look you in the eyes. “I want nothing more than to provide you with everything you want, and that includes the things that you are to shy to ask for. I would love to play out this fantasy of yours, especially because it’s a fantasy of mine as well.”
The heat of your cheeks subsided slightly at his admission, and rushed between your thighs instead.
“Really…?” You ask in a small voice, needing a second confirmation to be certain, to trust your mate with the side of you that you hadn’t even explored yet.
“Yes, my sweet babygirl. I would love to be your daddy,” he whispers, just as the waiter returns to your booth.
You hide your head in Az’s shoulder again, relaxing a bit when his wing comes to wrap around you. Azriel orders for the both of you, but you aren’t paying attention to what, only waiting for the other fae to leave.
Shyly, you look back up at Azriel’s face to see that he’s already watching you intently. Your mouth parts, and you sigh, “Daddy…”
“There she is, my sweet princess,” Azriel coos, a hand coming up to brush against your cheek. You turn your face slightly and press a loving kiss to the scarred flesh.
The two of you sit wrapped in each other, Azriel feeding both of you pieces of buttered bread every now and then and giving you a few sips of wine until the waiter returns, bearing two dishes in his arms.
He sets them in front of the both of you, one your favorite pasta dish, creamy with pieces of beef and mushrooms, and the other a large steak with a roasted potato and carrots on the side.
Azriel waits until the waiter leaves to begin feeding you, starting with the pasta. It’s as delicious as always, and you relax fully into Azriel’s comforting embrace. He feeds you a bite of everything before he begins to eat himself, you notice.
The two of you eat in a comfortable silence, and you only tense when the waiter returns to check on the two of you every so often. Azriel’s free hand was stroking up and down your spine soothingly the entire time.
It was perfection.
“I’m glad you think so, baby girl.” Your cheeks heated once again, had you really said that aloud without realizing?
Oh well. Azriel is happy that I did, that’s what matters.
He goes to feed you another bite of pasta, but you turn your head to nuzzle into his neck instead, feeling like you might burst if you have another bite.
“All full, baby?” You nod. “Okay, let me get this wrapped up and the check taken care of, then we’ll go home, okay?”
He takes care of everything in a few minutes, and then you’re being bundled up again and led out of the restaurant, back into the chilly air.
The two of you walk slowly back towards your home, but you pause in front of a small coffee stand where fae are lined up. You smell chocolate.
And suddenly your stomach doesn’t feel quite so full, you could definitely fit a bit of hot chocolate into yourself.
“Did you want something to drink for the walk home, baby?” Azriel asks, and you nod your head. “What do you say?”
He’s looking at you expectantly, and you know what he wants. You glance at the people in line in front of you, then move as close as you can to Azriel, standing on your tip-toes to whisper “Please, daddy, can we share a hot chocolate?”
The redness of your cheeks has almost nothing to do with the chill in the air at this point, but you don’t mind as Azriel’s lips break into a grin, the second of the day. “Of course, sweetness. Especially after you asked so nicely, my perfect little birthday girl.” You’re rewarded by a soft but passionate kiss, and a few minutes later with a delicious and warm drink, cupped tightly in your mittened hands.
Before you can return to walking back home, Azriel scoops you into his arms, holding you bridal style.
“This way you don’t need to walk, or let go of the cocoa when I want a sip,” he explained, but you knew he just wanted to carry you. He always has liked taking you places in his arms whenever you allow, and with his warmth pressed against you, you couldn’t think of any place you’d rather be.
By the time you make it home, the hot chocolate is gone and the chill is starting to get through your coat.
Azriel sets you on your feet once you’re inside, and wastes no time in ridding the both of you of your outerwear. He pushes you backwards by your hips, pressing kisses to your cheeks and lips, all the way into the bedroom.
Your knees meet the bed, and you fall onto it on your back, then prop yourself up on your elbows.
“Are you ready for your final present, baby girl?”
His hazel eyes are heated, a promise of pleasure in them.
“Yes, please, daddy,” you say breathlessly, and you know it will be a long night with your mate.
Summary: Anon Request: az sending his shadows to check up on you during long missions!!!!!!!!!!!
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 775
Notes: Okay, this one just HAD to involve the babies. 💙
_________________________________________
The babe on your hip squeals in your arms as shadows swirl around the both of you in an excited frenzy. You laugh, ducking to narrowly avoid missing one as it skitters out of the way of Baz’s grabby hands. They lift your hair off of your shoulders as they wind around the both of you, and you watch admiringly as your first born, Wren, stumbles into the room in a fit of laughter, shadows at his heels.
“Daddy,” Wren squawks, beelining straight for your legs. He wraps himself around you, tiny wings fluttering at his back, swatting at the tendrils as he hugs you tightly, the shadows tickling over his soft skin. “Please!”
Azriel often liked to send his shadows to check in on you and your sons while he was away. In the three years that you had had Wren and Baz, with a baby girl on the way, he’d requested to stay within the Night Court as much as he could. Rhysand understood, of course he did, and while Azriel’s spies were just as trustworthy as the spymaster himself, this mission could not be had without him.
He must be up at the safehouse, nestled in the thicket of trees between the Spring Court and the Human Lands. It was the only way he’d send the darkness to check in on the four of you, half of the flock of shadows missing, begrudgingly on scout for their master instead of here, playing with you and the babes.
You suck in a breath as the barrier separating your bond from reaching out to his slides open, flooding you with longing and warmth from what the shadows darting in and out the doors carry on the whispers of night.
Sending a wave of love right back to your mate, you smile as one of the shadows circles around your middle, a gentle caress to his daughter. The smaller tether slips up your arm and brushes against your cheek, a kiss all its own.
Your heart pangs in your chest. You miss him, and while Cassian is more than helpful watching your two rowdy sons so you can get off of your feet, it isn’t the same as having Azriel around. Your mate loves his children with every morsel of his soul. He’d never had that, a real family, just the one he’d chosen for himself, and he wanted nothing more than for all of his children to grow and love each other. He’d been a nervous wreck when you found out you were pregnant with Wren, didn’t think he’d be a good enough father, but he’d been the most helpful partner throughout your pregnancy and when your oldest was finally born, you could see it from the very first time that Azriel laid eyes on him that he’d be the best father a tiny babe could ask for.
Soon, the shadows seem to say, a stroke across your knuckles, threading through your fingers. Wren screeches, batting the shadows off with a spoon he’d snagged from the countertop where you’d been preparing a sweet treat for your boys before a cozy night in with their mommy. You let them sleep in your and Azriel’s room with you last night and they will again tonight, what Azriel didn’t know won’t kill him. He is a sucker for most things when it comes to the children, but allowing them to sleep in your room too often wasn’t one of them. Azriel likes to have his alone time with you, worshiping your body like he’s done since you’d first met. Hel, it’s exactly the reason you’re pregnant with babe number three right now, the tiny being kicking out as if she senses her father’s presence nearby.
Little Baz squirms in your arms. He’s caught one of the shadows, gripping it tightly between chubby fingers and he giggles while it struggles. You know it’s just your mate playing with the toddler, the shadow isn’t a tangible thing, and it will escape your second born's clutches when Azriel calls them back to him so you can help the babes wind down.
You set Baz down to play with his brother who has gotten bored of fighting nearly imaginary beings with his spoon. He’s abandoned the shadows riling him up in favor of whining to you about how he would like his treat now, cheeks red and sweat lining his forehead from exertion. You puff a breath of laughter at the disheveled sight of him and a prideful feeling thrums down the bond from your mate, squeezing your insides in the best way.
