Your environment is shaping you more than you think. 💭✨
If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or drained, it might not be you… It might be your circle.
✨Here’s your reminder:
You deserve to be surrounded by people who inspire, uplift, and challenge you to grow.
✨Your life changes when your environment does.
#InnerCircle #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #SelfWorth #PositiveEnergy #SuccessMindset #LevelUpYourLife #EmpoweredWomen
Nyx x reader where reader is a childhood friend and they’re mates but just haven’t told anyone yet, keeping it to themselves. One of the IC (doesn’t matter who, honestly) overhears them talking and being like “should we tell them?” and of course that member tells everyone else and they’re all freaking out thinking it’s some dark, dangerous secret until they tell them? Then everyone is relieved and Nyx and reader are like “what did you think we were going to say?”
Broken Telephone
Warnings: Implied potential pregnancy, no actual pregnancy, Inner circle has no concept of boundaries
A big thank you to @embersofonyx for beta reading <3
Dividers by: @tsunami-of-tears
Word Count: 2.8k
"I think that's the last one," Nyx says, dusting off his hands. Stacks upon stacks of boxes surround them holding everything they want to take to their new house.
"I can't believe you're moving out." Feyre hugs her son tightly, holding back tears. "If you forget anything, you can stop by anytime. You're always welcome here"
"We know, Mom. You've made it very clear," Nyx replies hugging her back just as tightly. "We promise to visit all the time. We'll be around so often you'll get sick of us"
"Never"
Feyre releases Nyx, moving to give Y/n the same treatment, "Is it crazy that I feel like I already miss you?"
"Not at all"
Rhysand enters the room, taking his place at Feyre's side. "Don't worry darling, I'll be keeping you plenty busy"
"Rhys!" she admonishes.
"Gross, dad. You couldn't wait until we left?"
"I will flirt with my mate whenever I please, thank you very much. Especially in my own home"
Azriel's voice comes from the shadows, as usual. "I'm pretty sure this is their way of informing you that you should be expecting a sibling soon"
Mor, Cassian, and Nesta are the next to join the farewell.
"I don't mind getting a sibling, I just don't want to hear about their conception."
"And if you don't want to see it either," Cassain starts, "I think you should give plenty of notice before dropping by."
"Classy," Nesta states dryly.
"Do you know if Amren has deigned to join us, or is this everyone?" Nyx asks.
"Amren sends her best wishes, but feels that the dramatics of the event are unnecessary given that you aren't even leaving the city," she informs.
"That sounds like our Amren. Well, seeing as everyone coming has arrived, I believe drinks are in order?"
The house instantly provides glasses full of wine on the centre table, and another sealed bottle for the inevitable refills. They all get passed around.
Nyx offers one to Y/n. "My love?"
"No thank you"
"Just water?"
She nods. Like clockwork, another glass appears with ice-cold water. "Thank you, house"
Nyx turns to face his family, drink raised. "First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for coming. Y/n and I may not be moving far, but it's a huge step in our relationship, so I'm thankful you're here with us to commemorate it. We appreciate all the love, and support you've given us, and look forward to this new chapter of our lives. Cheers."
"Cheers!" they chorused.
The party moved to the living room where they actually had space to walk, and lasted several hours. Toasts were given, stories were shared, and many good wishes were extended. Amren had even stopped by with Varian on her arm, surprising everyone. The party eventually died down, rather early in the evening — for them, at least — so Nyx, and Y/n could move their things into the house, and spend their first night in their new home.
"You sure you don't want help moving those boxes?" Cassian asks for the third time today.
"I'm sure," Nyx says, and in an instant, the boxes all disappear, "Because they're already there."
Cassian laughs entirely too loud as he is admittedly quite drunk. "I forget just how much like your dad you are."
Rhysand comes along, wrapping his arm around Nyx's shoulder so he has to bend down, "Of course he is, I'm an excellent role model."
All around them, Rhys gets varying looks of 'is he serious?'.
"Traitors," he scoffs, "all of you, I should have you banished from my court"
Nyx can tell that the argument is going to pick up, and is about to weigh in when he notices Y/n's exhaustion.
"While I would love to stay for the ensuing debate, Y/n and I have a lot of unpacking to do, so I'm afraid we'll have to love and leave you"
They say their goodbyes, then make their way to the patio, Nyx's arms wrapped around Y/n.
"Would you like me to fly us there, or winnow?"
"Winnow. I'm so tired."
He happily obliges. The world bends to his will, and within seconds, they're standing in their living room. Y/n's gaze dart about the space, most of it obscured by all their things.
"I am not looking forward to unpacking all this"
"No, neither am I, but that's tomorrow's problem. Tonight, we get to sleep in our very own house, and wake up to the absence of Azriel and Cassian's bickering over breakfast"
"Sleep? Is that what we'll be doing?"
Nyx smiles at her, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not if you don't want to, mate," he quips, putting emphasis on the last word.
"Soon-to-be mate," Y/n corrects.
Nyx playfully rushes at her, scooping Y/n up into his arms and spinning while she laughs. "You are my mate, there's no 'soon-to-be' about it,you little tease." He walks them to the bedroom, placing her on the duvet. "We're just not mated yet, but that is soon-to-be remedied."
"Yeah? How soon?"
Nyx climbs on the bed, hovering over her. "I spoke to Vivienne and Kallias, they said they would be happy to host us. We are to arrive in three days and can stay up to two weeks. Two whole weeks with no one to disturb us"
"Can't wait"
-The Next Day-
Mor rests her face on her hand, mindlessly poking at her breakfast. "Do you think they need any help?"
Azriel barely raises his head from where he was sitting in silence, eating his own protein packed… whatever it is. "Who?"
"Y/n, and Nyx," she responds as if it's the most obvious answer ever. Of course she meant them. How could he not discern that from the previous topic of conversation that's been happening in her head all morning?
"No"
Mor continues as if Azriel hadn't said anything, "I mean, moving out is a big step, you know. He's never even lived alone, and now he's living with a female"
He raises a single brow. "Nyx has lived with females his whole life, and he lived alone for months at a time during his illyrian training"
"Family doesn't count, Azriel. And neither does his training, not in this instance. The living situation of Illyrians and the average home is completely different. Specifically division of labour, and cleanliness"
"Agreed, though I'd hardly call their house 'the average home' but I know what you mean," he says quickly before Mor can interrupt. "It will be different from any of his past experiences, but that just means he'll have to adapt. There's no reason for you to step in unless he, or Y/n ask you to"
"Okay, but what about interior design?"
"Are we redecorating?" Cassain asks as he enters the room, "Cause I think some boudoir photos of me would look fantastic in here"
Azriel ignores him completely, "What about it?"
"Like, I could just give them some advice, help them bring their vision to life—"
"Is this house for you, or is it for them?" Azriel doesn't wait for a response. "Mor, stop trying to find reasons to invade their relationship"
"I'm not invading!" Mor yells indignantly. "Nyx is just so secretive about his relationships, and this is the first time he's ever been serious about someone"
"'Not describing it in explicit detail', and 'Secretive' are two very different things, Mor."
Cassian decides to jump in with, "They probably haven't set up the kitchen yet, so bringing them lunch might be helpful."
Mor stands up with conviction. "Yes, thank you, Cassian. That is a brilliant idea." She leaves the breakfast nook without finishing her food to go Mother knows where.
It's silent between Azriel, and Cassian for some time while they eat.
"Why would you enable her like that?"
"Because, Azzie, I wanna know too! What if there's drama?"
"It's been a day! Not even. They have spent one night, and half of a morning in their own home"
"Have you met this family?"
Azriel stops, thinks for a moment, and then sighs the deepest sigh known to Fae kind. "That is unfortunately a fair point"
"I rest my case"
Mor busies herself with meaningless errands until it's finally lunch. She stops by Rita's to get their favourite orders in a takeaway, and instead of walking up to the front door, like a normal person, she winnows right inside their house. Looking around, Mor notes that despite it only being the first day, most of the boxes are already unpacked.
"It could use an accent wall," she mutters under her breath.
She was about to announce her presence, but she hears conversation in the other room, and just can't help it.
'Azriel is wrong,' she tells herself, 'I'm not invading, I'm invested in their future'
Mor creeps up to the wall that separates them from her to hear better.
Y/n's voice is the first one she can make out clearly, "…Do you think we should tell them?"
'Tell who? what are you telling them?'
"Definitely not"
"Nyx, they're your family"
Mor's heart stops, while her mind runs a mile a minute thinking of what they could be hiding, and why.
"I know, I just… We will tell them, but not right now"
"Alright, we'll wait. Has there been word from Kallias?"
'Kallias? Like, High Lord of Winter Kallias?'
"Not other than the confirmation, no"
'Confirmation? Confirmation of what?'
There were too many questions swimming around in her head. She needed answers.
'If it's something political, than Rhys will know something, right?'
With that, she winnows to the river house finding Rhysand, and Feyre very close to each other on the couch, but luckily still fully clothed.
"Gather everyone"
Azriel is the last to arrive.
"You're late," Mor says, impatiently tapping her foot.
"Yes, because if this is about what I think it's about, then the need to rush is non-existent."
She scowls at him, but does not comment on the jab, instead, Morrigan turns to address the room at large. "As you all know—"
Cassian interrupts, "Why are you holding a Rita's take out bag?"
Mor looks down, and sure enough, she was still holding their lunch. "It's not important. Focus." She places the food down on the table beside her. "I have just returned from Nyx, and Y/n's new house—"
"Really, how is it?" Feyre asks.
"I— it's fine, actually they've done a really good job of— Not the point! Stop distracting me! I overheard them saying—"
"And this isn't invading their relationship?"
"Shut up, Azriel! Listen! I heard them talking about something they apparently don't want to tell us about"
Feyre's brows furrow. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know, I just heard Y/n asking if they should tell us, and Nyx said no."
"I don't understand, what would they not want us to know?"
Cassain's face lights up as if he's solved the whole thing. "Y/n didn't have wine at the party, what if she's pregnant?"
"Y/n rarely drinks in general," Azriel objects, "that means nothing"
"And why would Nyx hide that from us?" Rhys adds.
"It could be really early on in the pregnancy," Cassain says, shrugging.
"Wait! There was something else they said. Y/n mentioned Kallias needing to confirm something. Rhys, do you know anything about that?"
"No, Nyx wanted a more hands-on experience with the duties of a High Lord, and given Y/n's past position in Winter, I've let them handle all communications, and issues with Kallias and his Court."
"Damn. Azriel? Please tell me you know something"
"No, I don't, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"What! Why not?"
"Because you're all missing the point. Nyx and Y/n talked amongst each other in what should've been the privacy of their own home," he pauses to glare at Mor pointedly, "and came to the conclusion that they aren't ready tell us about it. Whatever 'it' is, we should respect that."
"But what if it is something to do with the Winter Court? Some threat or resource shortage—"
"Then they'll deal with it. If there's a problem that they can't handle, they'll tell us. Until then, it's none of our business. Agreed?" He looks around the room to see everyone nodding albeit a bit hesitantly.
"Azriel is right," Rhysand states. "They aren't kids. They don't have to tell us everything, and if there's trouble, they can take care of it. I know we're all worried about them, but it's out of our hands. Nobody is to pry into this."
Nesta, always adding dry commentary, "Azriel already gave us the lecture, you just repeated it a different way. There was no need to try steal his thunder, he's more scary than you'll ever be"
"…Just get out"
They all disperse, going off to do whatever they're supposed to be doing in their roles.
-16 Days Later-
"Nyx. Nyx, stop it," Y/n says, lightly pushing on his bare chest with no real urgency. Neither have fully opened their eyes yet, still tangled in the sheets.
"Mh mh," he replies, continuing to kiss and nuzzle her neck.
"We have to get up"
Nyx furrows his brow, seemingly disgusted by the notion. "No we don't"
Y/n chuckles at his childish tone. "We do, actually. Our stay ends today, and it would be rude to check out late"
"We weren't given a check out time."
"No, but it's already 12:00, we're no where near ready to leave, and the attendants will need time to clean for the next clients. Plus, I think you're family will be expecting us back sooner rather than later. Knowing them, if we're not, they might send out a search party"
Nyx groans loudly in protest. "They'll survive."
"We just spent two whole weeks without them with zero contact"
"And it was so peaceful"
" 'Peaceful' is not the word I'd use."
A shit eating grin blooms on Nyx's face thinking about how 'active' they'd been. "No, neither would I."
Y/n rolls her eyes just hearing the smugness. "You don't miss them?"
He goes quiet at that. "I do."
"…but?"
"I love my family. I really do, but they're kind of the final boss of overbearing. I don't think there was a single part of my life that they didn't know about before you, and I know it's because they care, but it made exploring things difficult"
"How so?"
"As a kid, it was mostly great. Anything I had interest in, I was free to try, and they'd support the learning process. I could dabble in a number of hobbies, and figure things out. As an adult, however, the things you're exploring is often what you like in bed, and more importantly, with who. Sometimes the answer to those questions is 'I don't know', and it can stay that way for a while. My family would never turn against me or anything for whatever the answer would be, I just— this isn't making sense. What I'm trying to say is that I always felt like I had to progress. I couldn't stay still, and just be confused. There had to be some kind of update, good or bad. It felt like if I started I had to see it through to the end as quickly as possible. Am I making sense right now?"
"Yeah, you are"
Nyx smiles, taking a moment to admire his mate. "By not telling them right away about you, or about our bond, I got to slow down. I got to just be in the moment with you, and not worry about how I was going to tell my family what happened. I could sit with my emotions long enough to figure out how I felt about it without looking through the lens of someone else's experience, because nobody was expecting an update every day."
"So you want to keep it to ourselves a bit longer?" Y/n asks in a thoughtful tone.
"No." He brushes a piece of hair behind her ear. "I know how I feel about you."
Nyx, and Y/n eventually haul themselves out of bed, gather their things, and check out. They have lunch with Vivienne and Kallias to thank them personally for their hospitality, and finally winnow into the river house living room…
Finding the entire family sitting there in tense silence. Their heads shoot toward the couple, and wait for the news with baited breaths.
"…Hello," Nyx starts awkwardly. "What did we miss?"
"Nothing!" Feyre interjects with a tad too much faux enthusiasm. "How was your trip? Any news?"
It was if everybody leaned in simultaneously.
"Uhh, yeah, Nyx, and I have some news"
You could cut the tension in the room with a knife.
"Y/n and I are mates!"
Mor puts a hand to her chest, letting out a breath of relief, "Oh thank the Cauldron. I mean, congrats! You guys found your mates! And they're each other!"
They all swarm the newly mated couple, expressing their excitement to varying degrees. Cassian on the high end with skeletal altering hugs, and Amren on the low end with a simple nod.
"Wait, what did you guys think we were going to say?" Y/n inquires.
They all look every which way at each other, floundering. With terrifying unity, they answer, "Nothing"
Hi! Just read your dives and theories on ACOTAR. I agree with so many of your points, especially about Rhysand manipulating Feyre’s mind. Honestly, I feel like he was manipulating everyone. His whole Inner Circle is so intensely loyal it almost gives off unhealthy cult vibes. He could have totally brainwashed them. Also, in book one, he might have locked them in Velaris not to protect them, but because Amarantha took his powers and he was afraid his lackeys would slip off the leash. Would love to hear your thoughts on this if you have the time!
Hello! Thank you so much for reading my theories and dives <3
Honestly, Rhysand manipulating the Inner Circle is something I had never really considered before. Mostly because I always thought he didn't really need to.
Cassian and Azriel have been his friends and adoptive brothers since childhood. That said, if anyone in the IC could be vulnerable to manipulation, I actually think those two would be the most likely, simply because of how deeply loyal they are to him.
Mor is his cousin, and Rhys also helped her gain freedom from her father, so she already had strong reasons to stand by him.
As for Amren... she's actually the one I find hardest to imagine being brainwashed. 😂 If anything, I feel like she and Rhys share the same brain cell when it comes to ambition and the pursuit of power. They make the perfect political partners because, in many ways, their personalities are incredibly similar. I think Amren follows Rhys because she genuinely agrees with him, not because she's under his control.
Regarding why he kept them hidden during the first book, I personally think that's more a result of SJM changing her plans for the series. From what we know, ACOTAR was originally intended to be a trilogy focused on Tamlin and Feyre. My guess is that the Inner Circle, at least as we know them now, either didn't exist yet or hadn't been fully developed when the first book was written.
That being said, I don't think the theory is impossible. Rhys is a daemati, and manipulation is part of his skill set. If he were ever to manipulate someone within the IC, either now or in the future, my first pick would actually be Azriel. Out of everyone, he's the one who, in my opinion, has the greatest potential to eventually question or rebel against Rhys.
