Hi! Can I request an Az x reader where its just like a bunch of fluff during Christmas time? Like decorating and baking, etc?
winter solstice.
author's note: to all my azriel girlies out there, i got you. here's a purely fluffy holiday piece for our favorite bat boyfriend.
There was nothing quite as magical as Winter Solstice in Velaris.
You spent the majority of the year in quiet anticipation, awaiting the crisp winter air, the fresh powdered snow, and most importantly, the annual Winter Solstice fair. The festivity was a week-long celebration held in the city and showcased vendors, artists, and food from the four palaces. Amongst your favorite activities were drinking spiked hot chocolate, building snow castles, and watching the faelight show that you’ve adored since you were a child, but by far the best part of this season was getting to spend it with Azriel.
Your mate knew how much you loved Winter Solstice and made it a point to accompany you to all your favorite activities even if it involved getting drunk on warm cider and causing a tinsel explosion in your shared flat. Azriel would do anything to put a smile on his mate's face, including cleaning up your mess and tucking you into bed clad in your favorite cozy pajamas. The twin of which you insisted he wear as well.
You considered yourself incredibly lucky to have a mate that put up with your antics. Azriel spoiled you beyond belief and you loved every second of it, but not nearly as much as you loved Azriel himself.
It was only the first day of the festivities and so far you’ve baked, decorated, and drank your fill of spiked hot chocolate. According to the shadowsinger, this was just a glimpse of what he had planned.
“Can you at least give me a hint?”
You balanced on your tiptoes, dangling a crystal star in front of your mate’s face as he loops a string of faelights around the pine tree that you picked out together the night before. Azriel shakes his head, chuckling as you pout in return. You’ve been dying to know what this mysterious plan of his was since the minute he’d woken you up this morning, but so far he hasn’t given you any hints besides telling you to dress for the cold. The male was a steel trap of secrecy. Damn him and his spymaster skills.
Still, you couldn’t even pretend to be mad at Azriel. Not after the amazing morning you’ve had baking holiday cookies and decorating your entire flat with faelights, tinsel, and glitter. The latter of which was currently covering Azriel’s knit sweater. The sight made you grin. You were so used to seeing him in his Illyrian leathers that the cream, cable knit sweater combined with his blue flannel pajamas made him seem like a whole new male. If only the rest of Prythian could see the feared shadowsinger donning fuzzy bunny slippers. You giggled as you flicked the front of his sweater, causing flecks of glitter to rain down onto the carpeted floor.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” you declare with a huff.
The shadowsinger tickled your sides before sweeping you into his arms. He was surprisingly warm and smelled of his usual night chilled mist and cedar with a hint of pine and dark chocolate. You squeal in delight as he peppers you with kisses.
“I promise that the surprise will be worth the wait, my love.” Azriel declares as he scoops you up into his arms. “Now come on, I believe our tree needs its star.”
Perched on Azriel’s shoulder, you carefully positioned the crystal star on top of the tree. You tapped it once and the ornament sparkled, casting an iridescent glow upon your entire flat.
“It’s beautiful.”
Your mate sets you down and wraps his arms around your waist before spinning you to face him.
“So are you, my love.”
“No peeking.” Azriel warns as he fastens the blindfold behind your head.
After your busy and festive morning, you and your mate finally made it out of the flat and into the city. Azriel still wouldn’t budge when it came to revealing his plans, hence the blindfold. You braced yourself as he took off in flight, nestling into the warm cocoon of his shadows as Azriel careens through the skies.
You weren’t airborne for long and landed a few minutes later. Judging by the excited chatter and the faint carols echoing all around, Azriel had taken you somewhere near the four market squares. The crunch of the fresh powdered snow underneath your feet was a pleasant sound and you felt giddy with excitement as the scent of caramel candy apples hit you full force.
“You can look now.”
You eagerly tear off the blindfold only to be greeted with the sight of your friends grinning back at you. The Inner Circle gathered upon the banks of the Sidra River, its icy waters frozen solid underneath you. Fresh powdered snow coated the makeshift wooden barriers that encompassed the whole rink, which was decorated with trinkets and ornaments that rivaled the decorations you had at home. All around you, High Fae and faerie alike whizzed past in a blur of joyful cheer and laughter. It was an absolute dream.
"Surprise!"
“Oh. My. Gods.”
A high pitched squeal escapes your mouth as you encompass your friends into a group hug.
“I’m guessing this means she likes it?” Cassian asks with an amused tone.
“Loves it.” Azriel quips with a grin.
A few moments later, you were all laced up into a pair of ice skates and sliding gracefully into the ice rink. Beside you, Azriel struggled with his footing until you grabbed him by the hand and carefully led him further into the mouth of the Sidra. He grinned sheepishly and gods the sight of it felt like an ash arrow piercing through your heart. Your mate was so breathtakingly beautiful it nearly knocked the air out of your lungs.
The both of you took it slow, circling around the frozen river while the rest of your friends followed suit. Everyone seemed to be slowly acclimating to the icy terrain. The ever so graceful High Lord was currently desperately clinging onto Feyre while Mor and Amren stuck to the edges as they pieced together the momentum and velocity they needed without falling on top of one another. Even Cassian was bested by the ice. For all his muscle and strength, the Lord of Bloodshed was no match against the slippery floor. Nesta, on the other hand, was skating circles around everyone. You weren’t the least bit surprised. She was a graceful dancer. It only made sense that it translated to skating as well.
“I think I finally found the one thing that I’m better at than you, Az.”
Azriel squeezes your fingers, pulling you close to his side without a hint of shame. His wings playfully brush over your shoulders, providing him more balance.
“I’ll take any excuse to keep my mate close. Even if I make an absolute fool of myself.”
You chuckle as you spin in circles around him. “At least you’re doing better than Cas.”
“Hey! I heard that,” Cassian grumbles. The Illyrian warrior teetered on his skates, barely gaining an inch of movement as his wings wobbled behind him. You couldn't help but laugh. It was akin to watching a newborn learn how to walk.
Just to annoy him even further, you skate over to his side and trace a figure eight underneath you before executing a series of spins that made everyone around you gape in awe.
“Showoff.”
“Perhaps you can try this move next time you and Az decide to have another icy showdown with the Vanserras."
Cassian shoots you a vulgar gesture in response, which only makes you laugh.
Despite the cold, you thoroughly enjoyed yourself that afternoon. By the time the sunset finally rolled around, Azriel declared that he had one last surprise for you. After a round of warm cider and candy apples, you and the Inner Circle parted ways. The rest of your friends were off to explore the games, sculptures, and shows happening all around the market squares while Azriel flew you to the top of the highest building in the city.
Fresh powdered snow fell steadily from the sky as you and Azriel perched on the balcony. From this vantage point, you could see the crowd milling about in the streets, their faces bright and happy as they drank, ate, and joined in on the merriment of the holidays. It fills you with warmth to see the citizens of Velaris celebrating after all this city has been through.
Azriel hugs you from behind, resting his chin on the crook of your shoulder as he points to the horizon.
“One last surprise.”
One by one, the buildings flicker with different colored faelights, blanketing the city with the brilliance of the rainbow. Across the starry night, an assortment of jewel toned lights sparkled above the frozen Sidra, spelling a clear message: marry me?
You spun on your heel to find a sprig of mistletoe hanging between you and your mate. A velvet bow was fastened at the end of the branches and in its folds lay an enormous sapphire ring set in a stunning array of diamonds. Azriel carefully untangles the ring and kneels before you.
Your heart was beating so loudly that the sound was ringing in your ears.
“All my life, I have searched for a place to belong. In you, I have found a best friend, a lover, but most importantly, a home. You are my haven and you taught me that there is beauty in vulnerability. You have made me into a better male in every way possible and I’ve never felt safer than when you’re by my side. I love you more than the moon and stars. Being your mate is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, but I’d like to also have the privilege of calling you my wife. What do you say, my love?”
The tears were falling before you even realized that you were crying. Gods, this male. It would’ve been more plausible to number the stars in the sky than to measure the amount of love you had for your mate.
You look into those sincere hazel eyes, cupping your entire world in your hands as you smile up at your mate.
“You’re the love of my life, Azriel. The shooting star that lights up even the darkest of nights. You showed me how to love and be loved. Sometimes I think you were made just for me. I am yours till the end of my days and even beyond that. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Without hesitation, Azriel picks you up and presses his lips against yours. You smile into the kiss, tangling your fingers through his dark locks. The bond snaps between you, lighting your very souls as you send the overwhelming surge of love you felt for this male through the connection you shared.
Azriel was your best friend. Your mate. And now, your soon to be husband.
“I can’t wait to be your wife,” you say with a grin.
Azriel kisses the tip of your nose. “I can’t wait to be your husband.”
“My husband,” you say, testing the word. “Gods, that’s so fucking sexy.”
Your mate grins mischievously. “Why don’t I fly us back to the flat so I can show you just how sexy your future husband can be?”
@my past self: maybe that WAS a broken ankle years ago, maybe you SHOULD have gotten that checked out by a doctor at some point instead of just like...resting it for a week an carrying on on it
