#Evaline asks

[system-of-a-feather]

Is it really final fusion if there are parts that you're still keeping separate and disowning from yourself? These parts deserve to feel like they have a right to exist, that healing is possible for them and that they are not a lost cause. It isn't fair to call yourself final fused when these parts are being excluded from your recovery. Repressing trauma is not healthy and it isn't sustainable to do that forever. It would be healthy if you worked with them, held compassion for them, and helped work through their trauma beliefs with them. Sometimes to heal you need to be disregulated sometimes, because you're letting yourself finally feel the feelings, and they've been kept away for so long, naturally it will cause disfunction for a while.

Bro, you are assuming an awful lot off of an awful little combined with a lot of poor interpretations of that post. I also find it a bit rude and crossing some boundaries for you to be 1) telling me how my vulnerable parts feel 2) telling me that I dont know what >I< feel and 3) telling me how my vulnerable parts - both when they are operating seperate from me and fused with me - should be treated.

If you think you aren't doing that and are not encroaching on territory you don't know about (ie my trauma, my system, my recovery and my healing) then please, tell me the details about my vulnerable trauma holders that you seem to know more about than I do, because man, between being literally them and living 24/7 with them and talking with them for my entire life, I really thought I'd know them better than a random anonymous stranger online. Go figure. You learn new things every day.

Putting aside the honestly disrespectful breach of boundaries under the assumption its well intended, I will continue the rest of this post assuming you asked me about how the post on how we handle our vulnerable parts relate to our fusion rather than assuming and judging because I honestly think the question I am giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you MEANT is actually a really interesting one! Because it can be totally confusing how our system that does not actively engage and actively interact and actively force our trauma holders to go through trauma processing could POSSIBLY fuse with them.

(Actually I have to comment on a few points of confusion and disclaimer on this before I can fully just move onto the next topic in case there is some really strange miss understanding or reading comprehension issue that might make the interesting part of this response confusing if not addressed)

---

Confusion and Clarity Section:

To remove any potential confusion, I'd first like to state that it is "really" final fusion because they're literally me, I know what they feel, I know what they think and I know what they've been through. I can only write the post about how we used to handle things and how we operate now AND speak for those parts because I AM them like, genuinely and fully. Not even "technically them" I deadass AM them, so please don't assume I can't speak for myself and my own trauma and recovery. I know myself and my needs.

There isn't really a debate whether or not we are "finally fused" or what aspects of our life determine "final fusion" other than, you know *checks notes* the fact we literally operate like 75% or more of the time as a complete solid whole with little to no dissociation and honestly even these days, no disconnect between our identity beyond a general and standard IFS way of navigating complicated feelings.

Clearing up that odd comment on "really final fusion", I'm pretty sure you are referring to this post? And if so, I think you missed the part where we have always stated they are absolutely welcome to engage and hang out and we don't "lock them up" or repress them in any way or form.

---

Final Fusion & Our Sleepy "Dragons" / Trauma Holders

The post in reference discusses some of how a lot of our heaviest trauma holders and parts that have been extremely disconnected and dissociated from life for years actually don't regularly spend a lot of time near the front and our system / whole has STRONG rules against EVER forcing those parts to "recover" or process their trauma or "engage in the real world and life and exist" if they don't want to.

It's a concept our system didn't really understand and used to REGULARLY do the opposite of because of good intent and good will "these parts deserve to live and exist and they deserve to heal and be better and so they need to heal from their trauma or they will be forever suffering and they deserve better" and its something we spent over a year learning from one specific part in our system - a major trauma holder - that it is far far more HARMFUL than helpful and that A LOT of that good intent / good will interest in making parts heal came from a lot of 1) projection of me wanting to be perfectly healed right now and projecting that need for healing onto other parts and 2) very trauma-unresponsive, inconsiderate, and not respecting either the autonomy, individuality, or ability for those parts to speak for themselves and their own needs.

Trauma informed care, both internally or with other people, is built on a principle of respecting the traumatized individual and ACTIVELY listening to what THEY are saying and what THEY need and what THEY are experiencing. Often trying to push your ideals, your agenda, your recovery schedule and pacing and trying to push an individual to heal faster than they are ready, serves in small amounts of reinforce the idea that the traumatized individual can not make their own decisions, they do not know how they feel, they do not know whats best for them, they shouldn't have a say in how they are treated, and that they have to conform to another person's standards and heal correctly.

I would LOVE for those parts to come sit with us and talk with us for hours upon hours about trauma. I would LOVE fro them to cry and throw things and be in crisis. We actually get slightly excited whenever those parts are around and in crisis because it gives us an opportunity to support them, show them some coping skills, and help them learn that life is actually pretty okay. Some of our best and most happiest moments (on both sides) have been in those post-crisis where those parts have, for the first time in their entire life, EVER felt ANY support from ANYTHING or ANYONE and those moments are so warm, healing, and impactful on both the supporting and the supported end.

That being said, while our whole and our supporting parts would LOVE to be able to speed run those moments until those parts are completely comfortable existing immediately, that would require us to ACTIVELY make them suffer, feel pain, and relive their trauma when they otherwise would not have to.

These parts have COMMUNICATED to us, when they were more stable and when they were not, that they >do not< want to regularly be around the front and out because everything as it is is too much for them. They have actively asked us to let them rest and have extended periods of calm and peaceful sleeping when things are good so that they can have a break from chronic suffering.

Yes, if we dragged them out, made them process trauma, made them look it straight on, made them dysregulated, eventually they'll "get over it" and "get used to it", but that is only after EXCESSIVE pain as those parts are EXTREMELY prone to being thrown into deep and intense flashbacks. We COULD quickly desensitize them and get them used to life, but the quick method is honest to god cruel, inconsiderate, trauma-unresponsive, and arguably traumatizing to those parts.

Instead, we listen to what those parts have communicated and meet them where they are at in their recovery. Those parts have told us that they are in *peaceful* sleep when they are not triggered and that sleep / distance actually helps them process the sheer amount of stimuli and information that is required for them to regain some stability.

Of course, sometimes triggers come in our life that forcibly wake them up and they get thrown into flashbacks and thats okay! Not ideal, not fun, and I feel bad for them but its okay! Because while they are suffering deeply, they are also surrounded with SO many parts that are actively and intently here to support them, help them, show them the world, and help them develop an understanding for the present and coping mechanisms that are healthy.

And usually after we have helped calm them down, showed them around life and given them some time to enjoy and appreciate existence, they - in a good mood that is now regulated and calm - actively ask to go back to sleep because they are 1) tired and 2) have a lot of new things to process and anything more would be overloading.

And so we have parts - specifically Lin - who is good at holding the front and keeping them company while they fall back to sleep, much like a parent reading a kid a bed time story. It's a very healing and very helpful and trauma informed way of approaching, supporting method that respects the communication and feelings of the individual parts and minimizes the amount of unnecessary stress, triggering, and flashbacks for those parts.

And thats all when we operate as independent parts - which we mostly do when those parts need support because its easier for us to give them focused support when operating as independent parts than as a fused whole as it can be hard to utelize our coping skills as a fused whole when they're triggered. (Think of it like using IFS framework, but instead of parent part and inner child, they just have actual names)

As a whole, I don't "stop being those parts" or exclude them, I am still them and their traits are integrated into the whole. As a fused whole those parts can actually exist and engage in the world A LOT easier than as individual parts because they themselves don't have to be over active and the predominant part of the brain while the trauma they hold can really just remain sleeping in the back. As a fused whole they aren't "trauma holders that are sleeping" they are Feathers and their trauma that they held remains sleeping.

And as a fused whole, I don't think I have to be chronically experiencing and processing my trauma to be me, to be happy, or to be present. My trauma isn't my identity and I am not any less "existing" by not chronically living in my trauma.

As a fused whole I'm literally just Feathers. I got "brains" because I know where certain thoughts and feelings would have come from as individual parts, but like... I'm Feathers. I'm literally just fucking Feathers XD And I literally am those vulnerable trauma holding parts as well. And thank you for your concern, but as those vulnerable trauma holding parts, we're fine and honestly enjoying our life the way it is man.

If you are really that concerned about us, please check to make sure you aren't projecting your own struggles because if you are, please take care of your trauma holders and give them lots of love, support, patience and understanding and please don't rush them to heal faster than they need to.

(the pink is very much explicitly from an Evaline brain which is one of those heavily traumatized vulnerable parts; I am explicitly calling that part of this out because I am genuinely very fucking proud and surprised any of them actually wanted to voice anything for themselves and I am gonna reinforce that cause its awesome and I love that for them)

[the-heroines-of-thedas]

"Why are the Archdemons even still alive? Even dragons are mortal creatures. Why haven't they died of old age?"

Evaline stared hard at her hands folded gently in her lap. The campfire crackled and popped in front of them, casting eerie shadows all around them.

“That’s the thing isn’t it though,” she said, her brow furrowed in deep thought. “Are they simply dragons? Or are they something else entirely? Why call them arch-*demons*? Perhaps there’s a spiritual component to what they are.”

Looking up at Inara, she heaved a sigh and shrugged.

“All I know is that I’m not looking forward to meeting one. Darkspawn are already horrible enough.”

[heartblobs]

1890s Lookbook — Evaline Mendoza 📜

Starting off this revival with a lookbook for Evaline! I tried to convey that although Evaline has grown up wealthy, she left all of that behind when she married Walter. When she ran away to elope, she of course took a few of her belongings with her. The jewelry she didn't pawn off would be worn only with her formal attired, and the dress itself is a remnant from her past. The rest of her clothing would be semi-new; dresses that are new to her but not newly made. They're gifts from Walter's family, dresses his mother and sisters would have worn.

Although she doesn't have all of that money anymore, Evaline still likes to dress herself nicely. She keeps her long, black hair up in a bun according to the trends of the time, and the sleeves are still big and the hems long. I think she will be much more hesitant to change with the times once the 1910s come along, as she cherishes the 1890s and all they offer her.

If you'd like to know where any piece of cc came from, send me an ask!

[euphoniusowl]

Since I want to start posting the fics I've been writing, I figured I should do an intro post for my Rook. Basic overview, they're a non-binary elf rogue Shadow Dragon who adores Emmrich. Just posting my notes on them seems boring so I'll let Neve do it instead:

Neve’s Case Notes: Rook

“Rook” is only the latest name. They’ve gone by Evaline, Kel, Teo, Kai, Alexand, Kassa, and Dio, plus various undercover identities.

They were found and adopted by Charon and Helena Mercar as a baby. The Mercars are an old military family with no mages. Charon’s a Legatus near Ventus and well respected. Helena served too but quit when their oldest was born. She went missing during the Antaam invasion. Julius is the older brother. He followed in Charon’s footsteps and is expected to make Legatus soon. Not sure if Rook’s in contact.

Left home at 20 and wandered for a while. Made it to Minrathous a decade ago and never looked back.

Has been with the Shadows almost since the beginning. The Viper recruited them along with their friend Mira and a few others. Takes their oath seriously. Tarquin likes them more than he’ll admit.

Has a pretty standard rap sheet for a Shadow Dragon but Nessus made them famous. Or infamous, depending on who you ask. Pretty sure they were also involved with the Icilius incident. They deny it too fast.

Smarter and more competent than they seem. Most people don’t expect much from an elven soporati and they use that to their advantage. They encourage it, downplaying their abilities and intelligence. I fell for it too until they fleeced me at Wicked Grace.

It’s easy to see why Varric recruited them. Not even a god could see Rook coming.

—

Trivia:

Knows some amount of five languages: Trade, Tevene (fluent), Old Tevene (as much as any non-linguist), Qunlat (can read & understand but isn’t great at speaking), and Elven (decent but less than Bellara)

Once drunkenly hooked up with Tarquin but it was so weird that they both agreed to never speak of it again

Has a gender-related hang up that means they hate wearing jewelry. Eventually gets over it enough to wear a minimal amount but never fully embraces the Nevarran grave gold tradition.

Claims they got the scar on their nose from fighting slavers but actually hit themself in the face while trying to impress a woman with a knife trick. They were 32.

Plays the piano

Hates being cold and complains anytime the temperature drops below 20℃

[leiawritesstories]

We're Really Doing This

Rowaelin Month 2024, Day 28: Eloping @rowaelinscourt

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: some swearing, innuendo

A/N: ✨happy birthday to me✨ here have a fun little elopement fic!! enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“And do you, Aelin Galathynius, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?” 

Aelin looked at Rowan, grasping his hands. “Are we really doing this?” she whispered, her breath hitching. 

He grinned at her, eyes bright. “We’re really doing this.” 

The officiant cleared his throat politely, and Aelin snapped her attention back to the ceremony. With a smile bright enough to shame the sun, she met Rowan’s gaze. “I do.” 

~

Three Hours Earlier

“So, to clarify, you’re actively trying to give your entire family and his entire family a massive heart attack?” 

“That’s exactly what we’re going for.” Aelin smirked at her best friend. “Are you in, maid of honor?” 

“Hell yes!” Lysandra kicked her feet giddily. “We need to go find you a dress like, now!” 

Aelin laughed. “One step at a time, Lys.” 

“Bullshit.” The brunette leapt to her feet and caught Aelin’s hand. “I wasn’t expecting this at all, since you and your mom have been planning a big-ass wedding ever since you and Ro got engaged, but you go, girlie. And if it’s your wedding day, you need a dress. Now.” 

“What if I told you I already have a dress?” Aelin and Rowan had gotten engaged just over a year ago, and Lys was right—practically since the day Aelin came home with that emerald glittering on her left hand, Evalin Ashryver had been in full event-planning mode. 

Lys stopped in her tracks. “You do not.” 

“Oh, I do.” Aelin’s grin turned wicked as she crossed the hotel room and opened the closet, revealing a garment bag that she unzipped. With a flourish, she pulled the dress out of the bag, and it unfurled in a spill of white silk. 

“Holy fuck!” Lys stared at the sleeveless sheath dress, examining its beautiful tailoring and the slit running up one seam. “Where did you get that?” 

“Ells knows people.” Aelin shrugged. Elide Lochan, another of her close friends and one of her bridesmaids, worked as a modeling agent, and she was always picking up clothes from various designers that she gave to her friends. “I had a few alterations done, and here we go.” She hung the dress up and picked up a smaller, flat box. “And I have my mom’s veil, so she can’t be too mad at me for defying tradition.” 

Lys laughed at that. “I still stand by my heart attack statement.” 

“Oh, you were a hundred percent right about that.” Aelin glanced over at her phone, where her notifications had been pinging for almost a whole minute. “Lys, what the fuck? Did you text the groupchat?” 

“Of course I did!” Lys patted Aelin’s shoulder. “Just the one with you, me, Rowan, and Lorcan.” 

“That’s marginally better.” Lorcan was Rowan’s best man, so the groupchat with just the four of them was where they handled most of the wedding details. Aelin looked at the string of texts. “Why is Lorcan asking if we have a limo?” 

“We’re in Vegas, baby!” Lys beamed. “Why shouldn’t you get a limo?” 

“Because they’re tourist traps, and before you say it, hell no. We’re not getting married by Elvis.” 

Lys frowned. “What happened to your sense of adventure?” 

“Ro and I already went and applied for a marriage license at the courthouse, and we have an appointment there later today.” Aelin flicked Lys’s shoulder. “We aren’t drunk enough to get married by some middle-aged man in a shitty Elvis suit.” 

“Fair enough.” Lysandra rolled her shoulders. “All right, lady, you better have brought all of your hair and makeup stuff, because so help me gods, you’ll be the most glamorous bride in the courthouse.” 

“I wouldn’t trust anyone else to do it.” Aelin grinned and opened up her makeup bag. 

~

A good two hours later, she had her makeup done and her hair resting in rollers, lips held apart as the smudge-proof scarlet lipstick dried. Lysandra made her close her eyes as she sprayed her face with setting spray, and Aelin obediently sat and waited until Lys told her she could open her eyes and stand up. She looked at herself in the mirror, and she beamed. 

“I love you, Lyssie.” 

“Love you too, Aelie.” 

Aelin wrinkled her nose. “Ugh, why? We’re not in college anymore.” 

Lys snickered. “You said it first.” 

“Oh, fine.” Aelin went over to the closet, dropped her robe, and let Lysandra help her into the dress, carefully sliding up the zipper in the back. She turned slowly, admiring the way the silk flowed over the lines of her figure, molded to her body. The slit climbed up her left leg, stopping at the middle of her thigh, and the heels she’d brought paired perfectly with the sleek look of the dress. 

Behind her, Lys sniffled as she pinned the veil into Aelin’s curls. “You’re really a bride,” she murmured, and Aelin turned and flung her arms around her best friend. 

“You’re the best maid of honor,” Aelin murmured thickly. 

Lys managed a smile. “Of course I am.” She blinked back the sheen of her tears. “Let’s go get you married.” 

She and Aelin went downstairs to the hotel lobby, and a car was waiting at the curb. They climbed into the back seat and went off to the courthouse, only a short drive from the hotel. As she hopped out of the car, Aelin looked across the limestone steps, a smile unfurling across her face when she saw Rowan and Lorcan standing shoulder to shoulder at the bottom of the stairs. 

“Hey there, handsome,” she hummed, touching his shoulder. 

He turned, and wonder suffused his face as he gawked at her in her wedding dress. “Holy gods, Fireheart,” he finally managed to say. “You’re so beautiful.” 

She blushed under her makeup. “Thank you, love.” She swept a long look up and down his figure, appreciating the fit of his tux. “You look stunning, too.” 

“Luckiest man in the world,” he murmured, holding out his hand. “Ready?” 

“For you? Yes.” She tucked her hand into his, and they walked up the courthouse steps together. 

They checked in at the reception desk in the lobby, and an aide led them back to a small, unassuming courtroom. It looked like an office, just with a small version of a judge’s bench in place of a desk. The placard on the desk read “Justice of the Peace,” meaning that the man behind the desk was officially authorized to perform weddings and other official duties. He greeted them and had Aelin and Rowan stand facing each other in front of the bench, with Lysandra and Lorcan a couple steps away as the witnesses. Hand in hand with Rowan, Aelin lost herself in his gaze as the officiant began the wedding ceremony. 

~

“Do you, Rowan Whitethorn, take Aelin Galathynius as your lawfully wedded wife?” 

Rowan’s eyes were soft and filled with love. “I do.” 

“And do you, Aelin Galathynius, take Rowan Whitethorn as your lawfully wedded husband?” 

Aelin smiled. “I do.” 

They exchanged rings, Aelin sliding a steel-gray platinum band with an inlay of tiny rubies onto Rowan’s finger and Rowan slipping a gold band engraved with a subtle flame design onto Aelin’s finger, tucking it into place beside her engagement ring. 

“With the authority vested in me by the state of Nevada, I hereby declare you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride.” 

Rowan smoothly hooked an arm around Aelin’s waist and dipped her into a fervent kiss. 

Behind them, Lysandra whooped, applauding vividly. Lorcan joined in, whistling lowly when Rowan finally pulled away and set Aelin upright on her feet. She was smiling brighter than he’d ever seen her smile, her joy warming his heart, and his smile matched hers. 

“Hi, husband,” she whispered. 

He kissed her again. “Hi, wife.” 

Aelin raised her and Rowan’s hands into the air like a winning boxer as they walked out of the courthouse and down the steps. They climbed into the car that was waiting for them, Lys and Lorcan following, and they drove off to the hotel, where the families were gathered for what they thought was going to be an engagement party. Aelin’s mother had repeatedly questioned her daughter’s desire to hold her party in Vegas, but she begrudgingly agreed when Aelin told her that was where the bachelor and bachelorette trips were going to be. 

Lorcan and Lysandra went into the hotel event space first, giving Aelin and Rowan a few minutes to themselves. She and Lys had planned it out during the drive—the best man and maid of honor would say some words of welcome, and when Aelin and Rowan were ready, they’d walk in and be announced as Mr. and Mrs. to everyone’s shock. 

“Ready?” Rowan asked, wrapping one arm low around Aelin’s hips. 

She flicked a sultry glance up at him. “I might need a few more minutes.” Even in her heels, she still had to rise up to kiss him, and in a blur of hazy kisses, she’d tugged him into the closest coat closet. It was empty except for some hangers, since nobody was wearing a jacket in Vegas, and he backed her swiftly against the shelves, his lips attached to her neck. 

“Love you so much,” he murmured against her skin. 

She wove her fingers into his hair. “Love you more, Ro.” 

A fist thudded against the door, shattering their little bubble. “Break it up, you two,” Lorcan grumbled. “I’m not opening this door, but you might want to get your lovebird asses out here.” 

“Jackass,” Rowan muttered. 

Aelin snickered. “Thank you, Lor darling.” 

“Gods above.” Lorcan left, probably rolling his eyes. 

“We should go,” Aelin whispered, deftly tucking Rowan’s shirt back into place. 

He raised a brow. “Do we have to?” 

“I want to show you off, husband.” She kissed the corner of his jaw. “Please?” 

“Anything for you, love.” He laced his fingers with hers and led her down the hallway and through the double doors into the event space, where their family and friends were gathered. 

Lysandra leaned into the microphone in her hand as the couple walked in. “Mr. and Mrs. Whitethorn, everyone!” she whooped. 

And the crowd went wild.

~~~

TAGS:

@live-the-fangirl-life

@superspiritfestival

@thegreyj

@wordsafterhours

@elentiyawhitethorn

@mariaofdoranelle

@rowanaelinn

@house-of-galathynius

@tomtenadia

@julemmaes

@swankii-art-teacher

@charlizeed

@booknerdproblems

@earthtolinds

@goddess-aelin

@sweet-but-stormy

@clea-nightingale

@autumnbabylon

@llyncooljones

@silentquartz

@renxzs

@anarchiii

@fauna-flora11

@cynthiesjmxazrielslover

@mysterylilycheeta

[charincharge]

I Don't Want To Wait, seventy-four

rowaelin high school bff au masterlist

AN: Well, babes, this is it. The final effing chapter of IDWTW. When I started writing this, almost exactly four years ago (chapter 1 posted on may 29, 2020!), I had no idea what it would become. I thought it was going to be vv casual prompt-based high school pining vignettes, simply to rewrite my own version of Dawson’s Creek – if you’ve ever wondered why it was called IDWTW, that’s why! It was a temp title that stuck! – but 375k+ words later… it’s become so much more. And that is because of YOU. Whether you have been here since 2020 or you joined along the way or you're finding this years after the face, I am infinitely grateful. I don’t know that I would have been able to pull through the last few years without your kindness and enthusiasm for these two idiots (and their friends and fam). I have loved telling this story, but mostly, I’m grateful that this journey introduced me to so many incredible humans and created a community of babes I will hold near and dear to my heart for literally ever (it’s true, I loved one of you so much that I drove across the country to meet her, and in a few short months she will be my WIFE!). This story brought so much good into my life, and I am hella proud to finally conclude it. From the incredible creators who made fanart, to the essays of comments on each chapter, to the back and forth of discussing consent, sexuality, and reproductive rights in my inbox, every gif, comment, reblog, message, ask, and interaction of any kind has been a joy. Thank you.

With all of that said, let’s wrap this mother up.

A soft glowing circle lit up the black beneath Aelin’s feet. Her stomach tightened as she rested on one leg and hitched to the side in a slow exhale. Her breath centered her as she pulled her pointed toes up her calf until it extended into a slow and steady develope. Just as she had barely met the apex of her leg’s vertical reach, she exhaled again and twirled to the floor. The music cascaded over her as she continued to move, her muscles moving on autopilot into seamless choreography. She had beaten out several far more senior company members for this solo and had practiced it so many times that it lived within her, sure to remain there for the rest of time.  With each of her graceful steps, the spotlight followed her and swathed her in its golden column, as if she were being beamed up into the sky above. With how much lift she got in her leaps, she felt like she was, too. Finally, the bass came in signaling the end of her solo and for the rest of the company to join her on stage, but even as the spot widened until it cast a bright haze across the floor, the floor remained empty.

Confused, she looked into the wings, but all she saw was blackness, not even the barely there violet glow of the stage manager’s lamp. She was grateful for her muscle memory, as her limbs continued their practiced movements as her brain whirled in confusion and panic. She was mid-twirl when the music came to an abrupt stop, and she had to put her entire energy into not tumbling over her own foot. When she finally regained her balance, she looked up and around in confusion. The audience, which she’d thought was packed, was emptied out, only one solitary figure remained. Even barely lit and in silhouette, Aelin would recognize her mother’s haughty posture and signature bouffant. Her slow, delicate clap was a stark contrast to the thrumming pulse of Aelin’s heart pounding against her rib cage.

“Mom?” she breathed, barely a whisper but it still echoed through the empty theater.

“A child bride,” Evalin replied with disgust.

Aelin’s brow shot up. “H-how did you—?”

Evalin cut her off. “You thought you could steal my wedding dress from my closet, and I wouldn’t know about it?”

Aelin looked down in confusion, but sure enough, her recital clothes had transformed into the ivory strapless column sheath she used to admire as a small girl. Rhoe had kept their wedding photo in his bedroom long after Evalin left, only removing the photo when a young Aelin commented with a wistful sigh that she’d never seen Rhoe smile the way he did in the black and white snapshot. The dress was stunning in its simplicity, all clean lines and structured satin.

Her hands pressed against the fabric, as if knowing this wasn’t right, but unsure of the how or why. A soft tinkling laugh drifted across the room, and Aelin’s eyes darted to the noise, hopeful that someone had come to save her from this bizarre encounter and nearly collapsed in relief when Rowan’s shock of icy hair appeared in the doorway.

He looked as handsome as ever in his lacrosse jersey, a wide grin on his face and a giant trophy in his hands. Her smile matched his, realizing that he must have come here straight from his championship. Winning his championship.

“Rowan!” she called out, but he didn’t look up. Instead, he offered his free arm to the source of the tinkling laughter. A beautiful woman accepted his bicep and wrapped both her manicured hands around his forearm possessively. He leaned down and brushed his lips against the top of her head in a gesture so familiar that it physically hurt Aelin to watch. “Rowan?” she called out again, this time much quieter.

Evalin’s cruel bark of laughter was the only response she received. “You offered him everything, and it still wasn’t enough. You’ll never leave this small town. You really are your father’s daughter.”

“No,” Aelin told her mom emphatically. “NO!”

“Yes,” she said simply.

“NO!” Aelin screamed again as unwitting tears streamed down her cheeks, hot under the persisting spotlight. “R-rowan!” she choked out, but he couldn’t hear her, too enraptured by the woman in his arms, eyes — and ears, apparently — only for her. “Rowan!” she sobbed. She went to leap off the stage, but she was caught mid-air, her back hitting something with such a force that it knocked the wind of her.

“Ace?” Rowan’s voice was in her ear, his hand rubbing at her back as she gasped for air. She cracked her eyes open and sagged as she realized that she was safely wrapped in Rowan’s firm embrace. “Whoa, you’re okay.” His voice was a reassuring balm to her heart, which felt bloody and bruised.

“I’m okay,” she forced out, though it came out so shaky that Rowan pulled back to peer into her eyes. She wanted to avert her gaze, hopeful that he wouldn’t be able to see the panic that was still coursing through her body, but the dark green of his irises calmed her, so she stared and focused and thought of things that reminded her of the deep shade of Rowan’s eyes. Emeralds. Yulemas garlands. The long row of lockers in their gym room. Grass and trees in the setting summer sun. The jade plant that Maeve claimed brought her good luck that sat on her kitchen counter. Moss. Green tea leaves. The fake snake he’d placed in her bed every prank week. That knocked her out of her tranquil stupor, and she couldn’t help but frown at him.

“Yeah, you’re okay,” he said, but continued to rub circles into the tense space between her shoulder blades. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Aelin shrugged. “It was weird.” She paused for a long while, trying to think of how to tell him about it. “My dance showcase went off the rails?”

Her admission had its intended effect. He squeezed her tightly and kissed the soft spot of skin behind her ear. “Well, that’s silly, brain,” he said, letting his kisses trail up to the side of her temple. “You already crushed your showcase.”

She grinned in response. It was true. She had crushed the showcase, and Rowan had been there just as she’d dreamed in his jersey and trophy in hand. They’d gone into double overtime, and he’d barely made it to her opening solo. With seconds to spare, he’d slid into a seat in the front row, so she’d be sure to see him cheering her on. But she’d known it the whole time. She could feel his gaze on her as she twirled across the stage. The end of that performance had been, well… not the same as her brain had rewritten it. But, Rowan was right. Her brain was being silly.

“Maybe it’s just acting out because someone kept me up all night,” she said, loving the way that Rowan’s ears still turned pink.

“It’s not my fault,” Rowan said, but his blush said otherwise.

“Sure it’s not,” she said with a lascivious smile.

To celebrate their final week of high school, Aelin and Rowan had planned a movie marathon on Maeve’s rooftop. It included a trifecta of essential graduation movies: Can’t Hardly Wait, Booksmart, and Grease. But what she hadn’t realized was that Rowan wouldn’t be able to help himself from singing along. And he knew what his singing voice did to Aelin’s libido. She couldn’t help herself. Somewhere in the middle of Greased Lightning, the movies were all but forgotten as the pair tangled themselves in each other.

Stretching his limbs to the sky, Rowan looked like a literal god. The early morning sun cast a glow across his stern brow and strong nose, making him look as chiseled as a marble statue.

“If you keep that up, I’m taking you right back to bed,” he said of her lusty gaze and hooded eyes. He poked her side, eliciting a loud squeal.

“Whatever,” she laughed. “It’s not like we have anywhere to be today.”

It was true. Today was the last Monday of the year. AKA, senior skip day. And she’d purposefully not committed to joining anyone’s plans, so she and Rowan could extend their marathon if they wanted to – she also had High School Musical 3, She’s All That, and Dazed & Confused lined up — or just laze around all day. But they had time. Considering where the sun was, it was still very, very early. She imagined Maeve would be in the midst of morning service and briefly considered heading downstairs to grab them some coffee and croissants, but instead she laid back onto the mattress and fluffed a pillow beneath her head. Rowan followed, nuzzling onto her chest. She stroked his hair, not wanting to separate herself from him with the tendrils of her dream still lingering in her consciousness.

“Last week of senior year,” he said. “In three days we’ll be high school graduates. How do you feel?”

“Terrified,” Aelin said, the word blurting out before she could filter it back. Damn that coffee-free brain.

She could feel Rowan tense slightly, but he let her early morning admission slide, and she was grateful for it. “Mm, me too,” he agreed. “The lacrosse boys signed up to do a car wash for community service day, and I’m worried I’m going to see things I can’t unsee,” he said with a shudder.

Aelin couldn’t help but snort. While today was a skip day, tomorrow was a service day. Each senior had to do some sort of community service in order to graduate. Ridiculous. Not like they hadn’t all passed their classes already. She supposed the sentiment was nice, but as someone who’d been volunteering with the hospital for the last two years, it felt a bit shallow. Unauthentic. Forced, if you will. And the athletic teams always used it as an excuse to strip down to their skivvies and wash horny housewives’ cars for an exorbitant amount of money. At least it was better than the Boy Toy auction Lorcan had told them they’d finally outlawed because of the gross raunch factor.

“Just tell them to use a sponge and that their junk isn’t for rubbing against dirty cars,” Aelin advised. Rowan groaned loudly.

“Great, now I can never close my eyes again,” he whined.

“Are the cheerleaders also doing the car wash?” Aelin asked, definitely not thinking about her dream at all. But Rowan was definitely not going to let that comment slide. His head popped up, and she found herself ensconced in his shadow as he peered down at her with an accusatory glare.

“I think a few of them are,” he said. “But… you remember that I’m about to marry you, right?”

“A lot of married people cheat, Rowan,” she said, pushing him off. She hadn’t meant to be so pouty about it, but she couldn’t get the image of his arms wrapped around that dream woman out of her mind.

Rowan looked rightfully hurt, the corners of his mouth turned down and his brow furrowed as he stared her down. “You cannot be serious.” He knocked at her temple. “This has gone beyond your brain being silly. We are so many years beyond this. Do you have amnesia?” He knocked again. “Helloooo, Aelin, are you in there? Have you been possessed by the ghost of your past self?”

“Shut up,” she mumbled, pushing his hand away, but he persisted.

“No,” he said, pulling his pants from last night on. He searched for his shirt briefly, but unable to find it, he simply turned toward Aelin in stoic silence, arms crossed over his bare chest and face looking discontent. “I’m not going to let you say shit like that, Ace. That’s…” He pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. To be fair, she was exasperating. “That’s hurtful. To me. I know you’re scared about the future, but I thought we established that I’m in this with you.”

Aelin scrambled to her feet. “We did.”

“So…?”

He stood there, tapping his fingers against his bicep which was curled protectively around his torso still. Not letting her in. Waiting.

But she couldn’t explain it to him. That lingering nagging feeling of insecurity and worry and failure. So instead, she apologized. It wasn’t what he wanted, but it was good enough for now.

. . .

Instead of spending senior ditch day in bed, Aelin and Rowan joined their friends for a never ending picnic day in the park. Which wasn’t exactly what Aelin had wanted, but she had a feeling that she needed to loosen the reins on her panic, lest she piss him off even more. She had a feeling that maybe she’d loosened things too much, though, when she realized midway through her community service day that she hadn’t heard from Rowan in hours. She’d been helping the hospice section of the hospital, which was designated for those who needed round the clock medical care. Their rooms varied from being fully decked out with medical equipment and monitors to the one she was in, which simply had a low bed, a tv, and a chair. Not a monitor in sight. Had she not known the woman needed constant care and surveillance each time she rose from her chair to go to the bathroom, she would have thought she was in someone’s grandmother’s house. As the woman made her tenth trip to the bathroom, Aelin took out her phone. Just to peek. There was no text from Rowan, btu there was one from Dorian. It was a link to a TikTok with the side eye emoji, and she clicked it quickly.

She watched as washboard abs and pecs were drenched with soapy suds as they washed dirt-ridden cars. She bit her lip as Rowan came into view, his muscles rippling as he reached across the hood, his biceps flexing and unflexing with each wipe.

“Mmmmm,” Aelin’s elderly patient hummed appreciatively over her shoulder as she exited the bathroom and spotted the phone screen. She scrambled to put it back in her pocket, but her patient simply chuckled dryly as she snatched the phone into her wiry grasp. “A friend of yours?” she asked curiously, peering up from the screen where the video was replaying.

“Boyfriend,” Aelin admitted, her cheeks burning.

“Lucky girl,” the woman giggled, her hazel eyes alight with joy as she handed the phone back to Aelin where it made its way back into her pocket quickly. “What are you doing spending your time here with an old fuddy-duddy like me?” Aelin was about to protest, but the woman continued. “What’s his name?”

“Rowan,” she finally said as the woman wrapped herself in a thin blanket and tucked herself into her favorite upholstered rocking chair.

“Rowan,” she repeated back. “That’s a good name. A strong name. A reliable name.”

Aelin frowned. “Reliable?”

“Well, isn’t he?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Sturdy,” the woman continued. “In more ways than one. I can tell.”

Aelin gasped, chastising the woman for her forwardness but she simply laughed it off.

“You’re right,” she whispered, as if she were letting her in on a big secret.

“Go, get out of here,” the woman laughed.

“But I still have two more hours?” Aelin said of her unsigned sheet of volunteer paper, but the woman simply shook her head and beckoned for Aelin to come closer.

“I appreciate your service,” she rasped, “But I just want to nap, and it’d be a shame for you to watch me sleep for two hours. You’ll have the rest of your life to work,” she said signing and dating Aelin’s paper for two hours in the future. “You can fuck around for a few hours.”

Aelin gasped again at the profanity, but smiled regardless.

“Thanks,” she said, but the woman had already nodded off in her chair.

. . .

“Droooooool,” Lysandra laughed as she poked Aelin’s side and pulled her out of her skin-induced stupor.

“I—”

“Were staring?” Lys cackled, following Aelin’s eyeline to where Rowan was clad only in his old red lifeguard shorts. The backs of his thighs were exposed, the hem of the shorts riding up as he leaned down to clean the back bumper of a particularly dirty sedan. Unlike his teammates who were filming each other and tossing sponges back and forth, Rowan was focused on the task at hand, making sure that the car he was working on was well-cleaned. “I hate to interrupt your literal wet dream,” she continued, “But, I wanted to invite you to a party.”

Aelin grabbed the paper from Lysandra’s hands and looked down at it.

“You’re having a party?” Aelin asked, surprised by the idea of her sober friend having the graduation rager she’d always wanted to throw.

“It’s gonna have booze,” Lys said, “But… I will not be partaking.” She cleared her throat. “I know that this year is not at all what I imagined, but I finally feel like I’m okay, and I would feel like shit if I didn’t throw the graduation party of the century.” She flicked her brown curls over her shoulder. “Just because I’m sober doesn’t mean I can’t party.”

“Certainly not,” Aelin agreed. She looked at her friend who’d been through the wringer and spit out again and had come out seemingly unscathed and couldn’t help but wonder… “Hey, Lys?” she asked before her friend could move to the next person. Lysandra looked up, eyes curious. “Do your parents know you’re having this party?”

If Lysandra was surprised by the question, she didn’t show it. Instead, she half shook her head and half shrugged. “No.”

“Should I be worried about that?” she asked, but to that, Lys gave a hard head shake.

“No.”

“But you haven’t reconciled with them?” Aelin didn’t know why she was asking these questions, but at the same time, the answers seemed all too important.

“It’s hard to reconcile with someone who doesn’t care,” Lysandra finally said. “But, I will say that I’ve let it go.” She cleared her throat. “The needing them to care.” She smiled then, a small curve but Aelin saw it regardless. “I wanted them to care for so long,” she admitted. “For too long, probably. So I acted out. A lot. Willing them to pay attention, at the very least. But you can’t will someone to care, even your parents,” she laughed softly. “And I’ve been through enough therapy now that I’m starting to realize that as much as that hurts, it’s okay.” She paused. “I don’t need them to care. Because I care enough for all of us. And I realized there are a lot of people out there who care, too.” She paused, looking at Aelin, as if trying to cut through the bullshit and tell Aelin exactly what she wanted to hear, and in that moment… she did. “Does that make sense?”

Aelin nodded. “It does.”

Lysandra tapped the paper in her hands. “Immediately after graduation, and we’ll go all night. Bring your bathing suit,” she said.

“Will do,” Aelin laughed, but she couldn’t help but let her mind wander to Lysandra’s words. Her friend had laid it out plainly for her. What she’d been afraid to admit all along. That she maybe really seriously actually needed to go to therapy. The wounds her mom had imparted on her psyche ran deeper than she knew how to deal with. If her dream was any indication, her mom still controlled some part of her identity, and she needed to release that. Because that had nothing to do with who she was as a human. Not at all.

After the dream, she had thought that maybe she needed to call her mom and let her hear her thoughts, but Lys was right in her assessment: it was impossible to control someone else’s feelings. Even your mom’s. Yes, she wanted her mom to love her and want the best for her, but truly, her mom barely knew her. All Evalin knew was propriety and etiquette and history. She didn’t know that her favorite color was green, like Rowan’s eyes. She didn’t know that her favorite food was Maeve’s chocolate cake. She didn’t know that she was thinking about a career in medicine and how much she loved helping people. And she certainly didn’t know that Aelin wanted at least five kids and to make sure that every single one of them felt loved and adored by both their parents. No. She couldn’t make Evalin care, or pay attention long enough to even try to care. And she had to let that go. It would take a lot of work, but she had to.

With that in mind, she called out Rowan’s name, followed by a whoop and a loud expletive. His answering blush and crooked finger, beckoning her to wrap herself in his half-naked embrace was all she needed to know that she’d been forgiven. But she knew she had to explain anyway. He let his teammates know that he would be back in a minute and let Aelin pull him away from the long line of cars still waiting to be washed.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, tilting her head upwards where he loomed over her. He softly kissed the top of her head, warming her even more than the mid-afternoon sun. “I could say I don’t what came over me yesterday, but… that’d be a lie,” Aelin continued.

He squeezed her side in response, not interrupting her but acknowledging that he was listening and waiting.

“Did you know that the morning of my sixteenth birthday I woke up and resolved that I would kiss you that year?” she asked, and he barked out a confused laugh.

“Um, what?”

“I was so determined to do it, too. And do you know why?” she asked as she let her hands trace small circles into the soft skin of his back.

“Because you knew you wanted to be with me forever and ever and that we’re perfect together and meant to be and we’re each other’s soul mates and other halves and one of us just needed to make a move?”

Aelin snorted loudly. “No,” she laughed, screwing up her face. “Not at all.”

Rowan’s forehead wrinkled as his brow transformed into a deep furrow. Clearly her words weren’t at all what he expected to hear. But, she knew she needed to get this out.

“When I thought about why I wanted to kiss you so badly, I realized that it was a test. If I kissed you and blew up our entire friendship, then I’d be right about everything I thought about myself. That you could never love me as much as I loved you. And so obviously you’d leave. Because everyone leaves.”

Rowan’s grasp tightened around her waist, locking her against his chest. “But I’m still here.”

“You are.” She paused, finally letting the words come to the surface. “I think…” She shook her head. That wasn’t the right start at all. “I know… that my mom deeply screwed me up.” She took another deep breath. “And watching you get recruited and this whole college limbo thing has made it so much worse. Because every day it feels like I’m just waiting for you to get up and realize that you’ve outgrown me. But you haven’t done anything to make me feel like that at all. And so, I’m really sorry. My issues are my own, and I’m going to work on them.”

“Thank you,” he said. “For the apology, and for letting me know what’s going on in there.” His fingers tucked under the hem of her shirt and matched the circles she was placing on his back. “I’ll try and remember all of that when you inevitably freak out again, but I look forward to proving you wrong every day for the rest of our lives. Because I’ve said it a few hundred times before, but I’ll keep saying it until you believe it: you’re stuck with me. Forever.”

“Forever,” she echoed back.

“Whitethorn,” a rough voice called out. “We need you back!”

In his absence, the line of cars had somehow grown impossibly longer. “Looks like you’ve got work to do,” she said, raising her brow.

“Will I see you later?” he asked, and Aelin couldn’t help but scoff.

“Oh, you thought I was leaving?” she laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m going to snag a prime spot for ogling and then maybe we can hop into the jeep when you’re finished.”

“Really?” he laughed. “Even smelling like sweat and sunscreen?”

“Ohhhhh yes,” she said, practically drooling as he let her hands climb up the ridges of his defined abs. “That’s even better.”

He responded with a deep kiss that set her body ablaze, tingling from head to toe, that was interrupted by more panicked calls from his teammates. After prying himself away, Aelin found a spot on a nearby bench, giving her the perfect view to fawn over half-naked and half-wet Rowan for the next few hours.

. . .

The next morning, Aelin was awoken much too early. She was pulled from her easy slumber with a dance remix of Pomp & Circumstance coming from her phone alarm. What the hell? As she slapped at the table next to her, attempting to turn off the too-loud music in vain, she felt her dad’s hand cover hers and lead it to the offending object.

“Congrats, graduate,” Rhoe’s warm voice lilted as he gently rubbed at her shoulder.

“Dadddd,” she groaned as she attempted to put her pillow over her head. Now that that music was off she could go back to sleep. Or so she thought. She should have known better than to play tug of war with a man who could bench press and carry three times her weight. Rhoe’s soft laughter was a stark contrast to the forceful way he wrenched the pillow away. She managed to keep it within her grasp, but Rhoe’s strength kept it locked at a significant distance from her face. She tried to pull it closer, but Rhoe wasn’t letting that happen. She guessed it was time to wake up, per Rhoe’s request.

Defeated, Aelin let her fingers drop from the pillow, and finally cracked an eye open. Behind her dad’s head was a swath of green and gold, and she focused she could see that nearly ever inch of the room had been filled with balloons.

“Happy last day of high school,” her dad said with a too-wide smile given the early hour. When she opened her other eye, his smile widened even further, showing off two deep dimples that she recognized from her own reflection.

“It’d be happier if I could sleep more,” Aelin grumbled, but it wasn’t with any real mirth. Hung on the outside of her closet door, Rhoe had steamed her deep emerald graduation robe.

“I have one more day left with my high school student, and I plan on making every second count,” Rhoe said, causing Aelin to smile in reply.

“Tyrant,” she laughed. But she was grateful.

After allowing her to get ready, the pair made their way to Maeve’s, where she’d saved a two top for them by the window. Within seconds of sitting, a large hazelnut coffee and platter of stuffed French toast and bacon appeared in front of her. Yes, being in a small town was sometimes annoying – but no matter where she and Rowan went in the world, she knew a plate of Maeve’s home cooking would be waiting for her when she came back.

She and Rhoe enjoyed a lazy brunch, ordering second and third cups of coffee.

“Fourth?” Rowan asked, coming around with the coffee pot.

“If I have any more coffee I’ll be peeing every twenty minutes for the rest of the day,” she laughed, shoving him away. Though he hadn’t been able to join them for their breakfast because he was helping train a new staff member for Maeve, he’d dropped a soft kiss on her cheek every time he’d passed by their table. Which. Was a perfect way to enjoy her day. They’d planned to have a celebratory brunch the four of them, since they’d all be going to Lysandra’s (family inclusive!) graduation party following their graduation ceremony, but having it just be Rhoe and Aelin felt right, too.  

“As if you don’t do that already,” Rhoe scoffed. “I’m half expecting you to hop off the graduation stage as soon as they hand you your degree to take a pee break.”

“Dad!” she said, cheeks blooming with redness. Yes, she had brought up peeing first, but she couldn’t believe her dad would talk about her like that in front of Rowan.

“Please,” Rowan laughed. “As if I don’t know about your tiny bladder.”

“You’re both the worst,” she grumbled. “Can we talk about something else besides my pee schedule?”

“Yes, I wanted to ask what you’re wearing under your gown today,” he said before his brain caught up to what he said. “Not in a sexy way!” he said, blush raging as Rhoe raised a pointed brow in his direction. It’d been a while since she saw Rowan look so flustered under Rhoe’s gaze, and she forgot how amusing it was. “So we can coordinate,” he finally said. “For photos.”

“Not in a sexy way,” Rhoe muttered to himself. Something akin to a wheeze came out of Rowan’s mouth as he tried to correct himself again, but Aelin thought it was time to put him out of his misery.

“You can wear whatever you want,” she said. “Because I’ll be wearing a white dress.”

Rowan’s widened eyes darted to Rhoe and then back to her, and she didn’t miss the way his throat bobbed with a nervous gulp.

“A white dress?” he croaked.

“Mhm,” she said. “So anything you wear will go with it.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Speaking of,” Rhoe said, clapping his hands loudly and breaking them from their joint reverie. “We should head out so you can start getting ready.”

Aelin rolled her eyes, knowing that her dad was teasing her about how long it took her to get ready, but as she glanced at the time she realized he wasn’t entirely wrong. They had been so caught up in their lengthy breakfast that it was now well after noon.

With a small kiss, she told Rowan she’d see him out on the lacrosse field in a few hours. Unfortunately, Galathynius and Whitethorn were annoyingly far apart in their grade lineup, so she wouldn’t see him for real until after the ceremony. But all he did was send her away with a smile and a kiss.

“Can’t wait,” he said.

. . .

Of course they were graduating on the hottest day of the year. Though the weather forecast had predicted partly sunny skies and balmy breezes, instead they received a cloudless sky, still and relentlessly hot beneath the beatific sun. The thick polyester robe in dark emerald green created a tent of heat around her, and she could feel every inch of her skin beading with sweat beneath it. She hoped when she took off the gown she still looked somewhat presentable, otherwise her hours of preparation would be for naught.

True to her dad’s prediction, Aelin had taken a while to get ready, shaving her legs thoroughly and straightening each strand of her long blonde locks. Of course, beneath her cap and combined with the thick humidity, her hair was beginning to show its natural wavy texture again. And she had a feeling that as soon as her cap was off, she’d be pulling her tresses into a giant pile on top of her head, pictures be damned. Luckily, she’d sprayed her face with a few layers of setting spray so no matter how much she sweat, her winged eyeliner and flawless complexion weren’t budging.

Beside her, Dorian swiped a bead of sweat that had fallen down his temple. Not even his mop of thick curls was enough to prevent the amounts of sweat from cascading down his cheeks and neck.

“If this speaker doesn’t hurry up, we’re going to boil alive,” he whispered as their graduation speaker drolled on. The man was supposed to be inspiring — he was an author turned executive, but his slow talking pace seemed to be getting slower with each word. Not only that, but each word seemed to be the same tone with no inflection, and Aelin was worried all of them were going to fall asleep before their names were called. Maybe she’d be more inclined to listen to his words of wisdom if the hundreds of them weren’t swimming in pools of their own sweat.

Somewhere in her musings, she heard a round of applause, signaling the end of the speech. Thank god.

The next speaker was their class valedictorian, slash Prom Queen. None other than Elide.

“On behalf of the Seniors, I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who has been a part of our success,” she began. “The last four years have been filled with bumps in the road, and it hasn’t been easy. But our success is a direct result of everything you’ve given us. Your care and belief in us and faith when we doubted ourselves have been integral in our quest for knowledge. That includes our teachers, who taught us not only school lessons but lessons in life. Our parents and families, who have been there since the beginning. And the families we’ve created along the way.” She paused, searching for a face in the audience, smiling widely when she found her teal-haired girlfriend smiling back at her. “The bond that links us isn’t one of blood. It’s forged in joy and tears and friendship and respect,” Elide’s eyes found Aelin’s at that moment, and she couldn’t help but smile at her friend. “And no matter where this crazy life takes us beyond today, we will always take this place with us. Because home isn’t just a place. It’s a feeling, it’s a light in the darkness. It’s hope. And so, to the Orynth High senior class, I say, as we forge new paths for ourselves, may we never forget home.” She cleared her throat and smiled widely. “Let’s hold onto the memories and camaraderie and picture-perfect moments, for they made us who we are. Congratulations… we did it!”

The whole class whooped and hollered and clapped wildly, none more so than Manon, who beamed up at her girlfriend from the front row.

And just like that, it was time.

Aelin held her breath as Principal Havillard took the podium and started calling out their names. Her heart raced as her row stood, waiting to take the stage. Her nerves were momentarily squashed as Manon made a lewd gesture with her tongue between her fingers after accepting her diploma. She watched as Lysandra proudly plucked the degree and held it over her head. She knew her friend hadn’t been sure she’d be able to graduate, and it was a relief to hear her name.

Before she could process anything else, she was walking up the stairs and hearing her name being called out. “Aelin Ashryver Galathynius.”

She nearly tripped over her own feet at the chorus of shouting that came from the back of the chairs. She looked over at where Rhoe and Lorcan were shouting wildly and realized that they were accompanied by the entire fire squad. Aelin’s breath caught in her throat at the display of raucous hooting and hollering. These people who had known her since she was a child had come to cheer for her and see her graduate. She had not anticipated that at all. And she found herself completely overwhelmed.

Beside the squad, Maeve cheered, and on the other side of the chairs, down by the W’s, Chaol and Rowan stood and shouted with hands on either side of their mouths. A thrill of love and support rushed through her. She couldn’t believe how many people were here for her.

She grabbed the diploma from Principal Havillard’s hands and raised it into the air, causing the cheering to explode again. She stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes, making a silly face in the direction of her family.

Elide’s words rang in her ears. Her family. The squad, her dad, Lorcan, Maeve, her friends, and of course, Rowan. That vast group was more support than most people got in their lifetime. She’d never forget that.

She made her way back to her seat, laughing as Dorian flipped off his father and then booked it away from him, cackling wildly. Always a troublemaker, that one. And finally, after what seemed like forever, it was Rowan’s turn.

“Rowan Eugene Whitethorn.”

Aelin shot up from her chair, screaming as loud as she could, and despite being many rows back, she could feel Rowan’s eyes lock with hers. His lopsided grin was just for her, and she felt a thrill of joy run up her spine at the look.

“I love you,” she mouthed to him, causing his grin to widen.

“And with that,” Principal Havillard concluded. “I give you the senior class. Congratulations, graduates!”

Aelin stood and joined in the cheering again, her voice starting to go hoarse with the efforts of her support. They did it.

. . .

“Congratulations, Fireheart,” Rhoe said, throwing his arms around Aelin. Despite the heat, she welcomed his embrace.

When he pulled back, she noticed a large bouquet of her favorite flowers in his hand. He held them out to her, the red and orange flowers flickering like a live fire beneath the late afternoon sun.

“Thanks, Dad,” she said, suddenly feeling emotional.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said, and she could tell that despite his dry cheeks, he’d been crying. “And I love you so much.”

She hugged him again, pulling him tight and not letting go for a long while. After they parted, Aelin was passed around for hugs to the entire squad, each one of them telling her a story of something she did when she was a small girl hanging out at the station, imbuing her with joyful memories.

Then it was Maeve’s turn, who didn’t hold back her tears at all. Fat blobs rolled down her face, and she didn’t both to move them away, seeing as they were coming in a steady stream.

“Oh, hon, I’m so proud of you,” she said as she practically squeezed the life out of Aelin. She was grateful she’d unzipped her graduation robe, otherwise she was sure she would have passed out from heat stroke by now.

“And what about me?” Rowan low voice interjected. Maeve burst into a fresh round of sobs as she pulled him close.

She blubbered into his shoulder about how proud she was of him, of both of them, of all their achievements and how grown up they were, and Aelin could feel her heart expanding. It felt like she was going to burst wide open.

By the time everyone had said their piece, the field had mostly emptied out. Aelin heard a soft ripple of groans as a few of the firefighters took out their pagers.

“Fire?” Aelin asked as she peeled the sweaty gown from her shoulders.

Rhoe shook his head. “Worse. Graduation pranks abound, apparently.”

Aelin laughed, understanding that her dad was probably in for a long night of nonsense work.

“So I shouldn’t expect you at Lysandra’s?”

Rhoe shook his head. “You don’t want your old man crashing anyway.” He narrowed his eyes at her, as if he was blinking back more tears and sniffed loudly. “Have fun. You deserve it.”

“I will,” Aelin said, hugging her dad one more time. As he left her with a wave, she looked around for Rowan, who was standing just a few feet away, talking with Maeve. She took a deep breath and lifted her chin.

“Hey, you” he said, offering his arm out to her with a wide smile. She leaned into his side and took a deep breath, letting her happiness flow through her.

A flash went off in their face, and Aelin knew that whatever moment Maeve had just captured that she’d be framing it.

“You ready?” she asked, and his smile widened.

“You headed to Lysandra’s?” Maeve asked, completely unaware of the real conversation happening between the two of them.

Rowan nodded. “Do you want to meet us there?” he asked Maeve, but she shook her head and waved them off. Apparently she had a big night of dinner service ahead of her, but she sent them off with a joint hug and another tearful smile.

And just like that, it was time.

. . .

 In the days, months, and years that followed, whenever Aelin was asked about her wedding, she would say that it went by so quickly that she couldn’t remember it, and that was mostly true.

From the time the pair entered city hall to when they exited, a total of maybe ten minutes had passed. There was no aisle to walk down, no verbose exchanging of vows, no romantic readings or passages, but it was perfect nonetheless.

Aelin clasped her bouquet of kingsflames in one hand and Rowan’s hand in another, letting her skirt swish as she swayed back and forth. She had no idea what words the city official said. All she remembered was the brightness in Rowan’s eyes as they stared down at her and the way he kissed her when they’d been pronounced husband and wife.

As they made their way back to his car, Aelin was giddy. They rolled the windows down, letting the cooler air whip through the jeep, a wild giggle bubbling up in her throat and fizzing like champagne with each second that passed. Delicious and lightheaded inducing.

They had done it. They’d actually gotten married.

She looked over at Rowan, who was already staring back at her, a soft dreamy smile on his face. She couldn’t help but grin wider at him, laughing again as his smile pressed against hers. She loved when they kissed like this – a smashing of two smiles that wasn’t quite a kiss at all.

The stress that they’d felt over the last however many weeks, months, years, wasn’t present at all in his posture. She glanced down at his hands poised on the steering wheel, his fingers curling around the black leather in a loose grasp and tapping along to some silent tune in his head. The late afternoon sun filtered through the window casting him in a glow that made him look like a bronzed god, and Aelin sighed happily. This man was all hers. Forever.

FOREVER.

She’d always known their lives would be intertwined, but to actually make it official was something else. The light turned green and the car lurched forward as he pressed on the gas and began driving again. But the adrenaline surging through her was too much. She couldn’t just sit in this passenger seat, she needed to do something.

“Pull over,” she said, eyes flashing at their surroundings.

“Huh?” Rowan’s head whipped toward hers, confused.

“Pull over!” she said again, louder this time. Verging on panic.  

Rowan’s relaxed posture immediately reversed, the thick corded muscles of his shoulders and neck tensing as he looked for a spot to pull over.

“There!” she said, her pulse racing wildly.

Up ahead was the empty parking lot of the library. Though it was usually sparse there, there was not a car in sight, and Rowan wasted no time swerving into the lot and putting his hands on Aelin’s shoulders, examining her up and down.

“Are you okay?” he asked, green eyes taking in every detail of her body as if searching for a gaping wound or sudden injury.

“I’m perfect,” she replied. And she was. She was elated. Running on adrenaline and joy.

To calm her suddenly worried boyfriend — no, husband — down, she placed her hands on both his cheeks and kissed his mouth in a soft, sweet kiss.

“Keep the car running,” she said, picking up Rowan’s phone where it was plugged into the car and adding a song to his Spotify queue.

“What are you doing, Ace?” Rowan sighed, exasperated with her antics. Panic was nowhere to be seen anymore in his posture, only annoyance. Which only made her smile wider. As the first notes of the song came onto the stereo, she cranked up the volume and hopped out of the car. She smiled up at the sky, swaying to the beat, basking in the first signs of sunset and pink tinged clouds overhead.

To his credit, Rowan didn’t ask any more questions. He simply followed her lead and exited the jeep.

“Husband,” Aelin said, offering out her hand. “May I have this dance?”

Rowan’s returning smile was so large she thought it might crack his whole face. Gods, he was gorgeous.

He pulled her close, swaying with her as their song played. “I can’t believe our first dance is to Dancing In The Moonlight,” he chuckled.

“We wouldn’t be us if it weren’t,” she said, leaning into his chest as his arms circled her waist and pulled her close.

And though the song was upbeat, they stayed embraced and tangled up in each other, slowly swaying, chest to chest, hearts beating in rapid tandem with the beat of the song. They were so wrapped up in each other that Aelin barely noticed the sun disappearing behind an ominously dark cloud until a large raindrop plopped onto her nose.

And another.

And another.

She thought they would run back into the car and seek shelter, but neither of them made a move. In fact, the rain just seemed to invigorate them. Rowan stared up at the sky and laughed, Aelin following right after him. He lifted his hand and spun her in a circle, both of them laughing with reckless abandon as Aelin’s skirt flared out around them. He spun her again and this time ended his flourish with a dip, kissing her deeply.

Time seemed to cease to exist as they danced. Under the raining sky they became a mess of water-drenched spinning, laughing, kissing, and singing.

The skies continued to pour, until they were both soaked through. But as the last notes of the song played, their little magic bubble disappeared.

Aelin looked at Rowan and then back at her white dress, which was now dripping.

“Omg I look like a drowned rat!” she shouted through the rain.

Rowan laughed, pulling her back into the jeep and grabbing a towel from his back seat to dry his own hair off before sliding into the driver’s seat.

“But a very cute rat,” he said, causing them both to burst into laughter once again as they took off toward their graduation party.

By the time they arrived at Lysandra’s, they were still water-logged, giggling messes. Lys gasped at their disheveled appearance, eyeing them up and down with a wary eye.

“Ummm, no,” she said.

“No?” Aelin laughed, feeling drunk on endorphins.

Lysandra’s wary eye morphed into a blinding smile at the pair of them. “Get out of here and go celebrate on your own,” she laughed. “And congratulations,” she whispered.

“For graduating…?” Aelin asked, and Lysandra couldn’t help but snort loudly.

“Babe, you’re wearing a white dress and a shit-eating grin.” She paused. “I’m happy for you.”

She embraced the pair of them. “Now get out of here before anyone sees you.”

Aelin and Rowan didn’t need any more prompting. Apparently they were not subtle enough to pull off seeing other people right now.

“Where to?” Aelin asked Rowan as they slid back into the car.

Rowan smiled back at her. “Anywhere we want.”

“Let’s go,” she said.

And with that, they hit the road. Overwhelmed from the day, Aelin promptly fell asleep in the passenger seat, letting the feel of the car lull her into a dreamless sleep.

. . .

“Aceeee,” Rowan whispered, pulling her from her slumber. It was completely dark outside and the pair were stopped at a gas station slash motel. “You gotta get out of the car and then you can go right back to sleep,” he said softly.

“I’m awake,” she mumbled through a wide yawn. “Where are we?”

Rowan chuckled as she practically poured out of the car into his arms. She hadn’t realized how exhausted she truly was until after they’d checked into the motel, which was surprisingly not seedy, and she was sitting back on the bed. Her dress wasn’t wet anymore, but it certainly wasn’t going to be comfortable to sleep in. She wished they’d thought to prepare better for this sudden excursion. Of course, Rowan had.

“I picked up some essentials at a rest stop,” Rowan said, as if reading her mind. He pulled out an oversized tee that read “Geck Yo Act Together,” with a large picture of a gecko on it and tossed it to her, along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a little thing of mouthwash. He also pulled out giant sandwiches and chips and bottles of water and a Terrasen mountains tee for himself.

“Smart,” Aelin laughed, realizing the last time she ate was her (albeit giant) brunch, hours ago. “Is that where we are?” she asked, realizing she had no idea where they were.

“No,” he said, grinning softly. “I thought maybe we’d drive south. Explore for a while.”

“Is this our honeymoon?” Aelin laughed, looking around the small, dingy motel room. It wasn’t exactly what she’d imagined, but she also had never imagined getting married at eighteen.

“You told me you wanted to find the continent’s best chocolate piece of cake,” he said, and she couldn’t help but bark out a loud laugh.

“That could take weeks!”

“You got somewhere to be?” he asked, brow raised. And she loved the way his smile promised devious, devious things. And suddenly, she wasn’t so tired anymore.  

“I also got one more thing,” he said. She watched as he pulled a thick gold band out of his pocket, and she suddenly couldn’t breathe. He sat on the bed beside her and slid it onto her finger and her heart nearly stopped as he pulled another to slide onto his own. They were practically matching, except while a red stone sat in the middle of her ring, a dark green one that matched the shade of his eyes sat on his.

“Oh,” she said, her throat feeling remarkably dry. She tried to swallow, but it was too rough. A lump in her throat that wouldn’t abate. She tried again as she stared at the ring on her finger, her heart pounding as the red stone flickered in the dim motel room lighting. Why couldn’t she swallow?

“It’s just temporary,” Rowan rushed out, mistaking her silence as dislike. “The rest stop had a pawn shop, and I just knew we needed them, but they’re just for now…”

She cut him off with a swift and forceful kiss. “They’re perfect.”

“Hey, where’s my phone?” she asked. “I need to take a picture of this immediately.”

“I plugged it in,” he said, pointing to where he’d already set up a little charging station.

She picked it up, intending to take a picture of her ring, but an alert from literal hours ago disrupted that. She couldn’t believe it. An email in her inbox that read: Wendlyn University Admissions Update. Oh gods.

Without another word, she clicked into the email, heart pounding. Her eyes skimmed quickly, hoping to get the band-aid ripped off quickly, but she paused on the word CONGRATULATIONS.

“Oh my god. OH MY GOD!” she screamed, throwing the phone at Rowan. He picked up the phone and smiled widely, whooping and wrapping her into a bear hug so tight she couldn’t breathe.

“You did it,” he mumbled through kisses. “I knew you were going to do it.”

Unable to control themselves, their kisses increased, heating up wildly until his kisses seared through her, worshipping each inch of her skin. She was breathing hard as he peeled her out of her dress and pushed her onto the bed and continued to whisper adorations and plans of their future. How proud of her he was, and how he was never going to let her forget it. She shivered as he let his mouth skimmed against her, and she promised in that moment to never take him or his love for granted. This is why she didn’t need handwritten wedding vows — because they vowed to each other all the time with a simple kiss. And more than kisses. They brought each other to orgasm again and again, until they were both sweaty and spent and shaking with pleasure. They both poured every ounce of joy and relief into their intertwining bodies, finding their own perfect rhythm, until long after they should have gone to sleep. But neither wanted this magical day to end.

He was twirling the ring around her finger when Aelin remembered that she hadn’t taken a picture of it yet. She reached for her phone and started at a text from her dad, which just said: Checking in.

“Oh my god,” Aelin said again, bolting upright.

But Rowan just chuckled sleepily, reaching out with one of his hands to squeeze her bare backside. “Yeah, baby. Oh my god. You’re incredible.”

“NO, ROWAN,” she said smacking his shoulder. “What were we thinking? We got married! And then left home without telling anyone?” She actually couldn’t believe she had done that. What was she supposed to write back to her dad? “Rhoe is going to KILL ME,” she said, finally realizing what had occurred over the last twelve hours. “No, wait. He’s going to kill YOU! He’s going to arrest you for kidnapping his only daughter!”

At that Rowan really did laugh and pulled her back down into his embrace. “Ace, are you serious?” his laughter poured over her, silky smooth. “You think I would marry you and take you out of state without explicitly asking your father for permission and telling him our plans?”

Aelin’s eyes widened as she looked at Rowan with serious eyes. “He knew?”

Rowan kissed her shoulder and mumbled a soft, “Go to sleep. I’ll tell you everything in the morning.”

She paused. “You made a plan, but didn’t think to pack a bag for me?”

He chuckled again, pulling her tighter against his side. “I did pack a bag for you,” he said. ”I just forgot toothpaste and a nightshirt,” he said, his lips loosening as sleep threatened to take him over. “You didn’t need it, though.” And with that, he was asleep.

“I love you, too,” she replied, pushing his hair from his eyes and loving the way he smiled at her touch, even asleep. Unable to help herself, she laced her fingers through his and snapped a quick pic of their intertwined hands before sending it off to her dad. As she rested the phone down and closed her eyes, she felt ready for the next chapter. Except, it wasn’t really a chapter, she guessed. It was the rest of her life. A new book she was writing. She didn’t know what it would entail, but she knew that she couldn’t wait.

THE END

[manonblaqkbeak]

A Little Tumble

Rowaelin month Day 6: Misunderstanding Leading to Disaster. @rowaelinscourt

I hope it's okay that I'm posting this a day early, I have a busy weekend ahead and I don't trust tumblr's queue system tbh lol.

I can't wait to read everyone's stories and see what everyone does, I feel like I'm never on here anymore but I couldn't stay away for rowaelin month. I love this little tradition of ours!! Rowaelin forever <3

cw: forced kisses, teenagers being dramatic (although not about the forced kiss because that would be horrible), injuries and mentions of sex but nothing graphic and me attempting to be humorous because nothing super disastrous happens lol.

1700 plus words. Sorry for any grammar errors :)

Please enjoy!!! Xx

Aelin couldn't stop crying. She had been crying for an eternity now, or what felt like it. And everything hurt, from her eyes to her toes as she sobbed and sobbed.

She hugged her pillow tighter as she heard her phone vibrate on her nightstand. She didn't need to look to know that it was Rowan. Her phone had been buzzing for ages now. She was sure her phone would soon freeze from the force of all the notifications she was getting.

She should block him. She should, but she couldn't move her arms. She breathed in the scent of Rowan's aftershave that clung to his pillow.

He wouldn't be sleeping in this bed next to her anymore. Wouldn't buy her iced coffee every morning on their way to school, would no longer would there be talks about their futures. No more of him buying her favourite snacks as study aides. No more calling her 'Princess'.

She no longer had a future with Rowan Whitethorn and her soul broke at the realisation.

A soft knock rapped against her bedroom door, and her mother's voice filled her ears. “Aelin, sweetheart, can I come in? I just want to talk.” Aelin nodded, her throat too sore to speak. “What happened today, at school?”

Fresh tears left Aelin's eyes as she made herself speak the horrible truth. “Rowan broke up with me.” Her voice was raspy.

“What? What do you mean that Rowan broke up with you?” Evalin asked.

“He dumped me, mum. He dropped me for Remelle Frost.”

“Are you sure?” she had never heard her mother sound so confused.

“Yes! I saw him kiss her!” Just saying it out loud made her cry even more, if that was even possible. Her mother came closer to her, running a smoothing hair along her hair. Her phone buzzed again. “Can you please leave me alone, and take my phone with you?”

“Okay, sweetheart, but I'll be downstairs if you need me.”

Aelin just nodded and her mother left, taking Aelin's phone with her.

Aelin closed her eyes and sobbed some more.

X X X X

Aelin woke up to the sound of knocking—not on her door, but her bedroom window. She lived in a two storey house, so that only meant one thing; someone climbed the tree next to her side of the house and was standing on the roof.

Aelin sat up and saw Rowan outside her window, his face desperate as he knocked again. Like she was fucking blind and couldn't see him there. At some point it had started to rain and he was drenched.

Anger shot through her at the sight of him, that he would come here after everything that happened today.

She left her bed, her blankets tangling around her legs but she managed to stand up straight as she unlocked her window. “What do you want, Rowan? To rub it in my face about your new girlfriend? Because I don't want to fucking hear it.”

Rowan's face crumpled at her anger. “Aelin, please, I can explain. There's been a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” she hissed. “I saw you kiss Remelle.” Bile raised in her throat at the words, at the image that zapped through her head. Remelle's hands clenched in Rowan's school blazer, her lips on his. “If there's a misunderstanding, then I don't want to hear it. Go to your new girlfriend and leave me alone!” Aelin ripped off her beloved promise ring and threw it at him. He flinched as it hit his face and tumbled off the roof.

Aelin heard her parents voices echoing, asking her if she was alright, and then they were there, at her bedroom door, watching Rowan as he watched her.

“I didn't kiss her!” Rowan said, pleading. “She was talking about how she's leaving during the summer to go to a new school and that she didn't want to leave with no regrets and she kissed me. Forced herself on me, actually. I pushed her off. Lorcan saw the whole thing, he can tell you what happened. Please, Aelin, let me in.”

“I don't believe you.” Even though it did sound like something Remelle would do—and Aelin was aware that Remelle was leaving, and was ecstatic when she heard the news. She and Remelle had never gotten along, not even in kindergarten.

“Please, text Lorcan,” Rowan begged, his own eyes filling with tears. “He doesn't like you enough to lie to you.”

That was definitely true.

“Rowan, you should come inside, before you hurt yourself,” Aelin's dad, Rhoe, interjected. He ignored the glare Aelin sent his way. She was willing to text Lorcan but she didn't want Rowan in her room, not now.

Aelin went to ask her mother for her phone when her parents gasped and swore, and when Aelin turned around, Rowan had fallen off the slip of the roof and was on the ground.

Aelin had never run so fast in her life.

X X X X

Waiting in the urgent care felt like an eternity—which made Aelin dub this day as the longest day in her life.

But soon Rowan was walking out towards the waiting room—towards her—when Aelin noticed the cast covering his right forearm. Tears sprung up in her eyes at the sight.

“I'm okay,” Rowan said as he sat next to her. “No concussion, no bleeding on the brain or anything, just this eyesore for the next eight weeks. Thank the gods that summer has started, at least.”

“What about work?” They were both employed at the Stag Rose Grille as servers and were going to use half their weekly paychecks to go towards their trip after graduation next year.

“Doctor gave me a sick note, and I have a lot of personal leave saved up.”

Aelin nodded and they sat in silence, even as the loudness of the urgent care lobby surrounded them.

“I called Lorcan as I was waiting,” Aelin said after a moment, and Rowan's dark green eyes snapped towards her tear swollen face. And his heart broke at the sight, at knowing that she had cried so much over him. “And he told me what happened, about Remelle. I'm sorry that I didn't believe you, and I'm sorry that she forced herself onto you. Are you okay? We can go to the police and report it, I'll be with you every step of the way.”

Rowan leaned over and kissed his girlfriend on the cheek. “I'll be okay. And I just want to forget that it happened. I've already blocked her on everything—I should have years ago.”

“I blocked her, too,” Aelin said, “but not before I gave her a piece of my mind.”

Rowan knew Aelin, and knew that what she said wouldn't have minced words. “What did you say?”

Aelin's answering smile was the very definition of pleased. “That if she ever came back here or ever contacted you after what she did, I was going to set her on fire.”

“Aelin! I think that's considered a felony.”

“What she did to you is a felony! Besides, she called me a cunt and said I was insane and that she would torch me if she ever saw me, so I think we're even.”

Rowan snorted, even though it made his head throb a little—he had no concussion, but his head was definitely a little sore.

Aelin yawned and looked ready to pass out. “You should tell your parents what happened, I know they're away for their anniversary weekend, but they would want to know before they come home to an unexpected insurance bill.”

“I'll tell them later. Let's get you home.”

Aelin smiled and kissed him on the lips. “I like the sound of that.” As they slowly made the way to Aelin's car, she said, “I also like the idea of ordering an extra large cheese crust pepperoni pizza, with garlic dipping sauce.”

Rowan smiled. “You drive and I'll order.”

X X X X

It was midnight when Evalin checked in on Aelin and Rowan, the young couple clinging to each other in Aelin's queen sized bed, Rowan's cast resting on one of Aelin's many pillows.

The room stunk of garlic and cheese and she slowly made her way across her only child's room to open up her window to let in some fresh air.

As Evalin made her way towards Aelin's nightstand where the last of the pizza remained, Aelin's eyes cracked open.

“Sorry about today, mama.” Her voice was still a little strained.

Evalin reached down and kissed her daughter on the forehead and smoothed her hair away from her eyes. “It's okay, I'm glad it worked out for the best. And your father found your ring, by the way, it's in the kitchen, drying after its wash.”

“Thank you.”

“Get some sleep, you've had a long day.” Aelin nodded and closed her eyes.

Evalin grabbed the pizza box and froze at the sight of Aelin's bin.

She knew that Aelin and her boyfriend had made up after the events of today—they had been dating for three years, after all, and Aelin was very open about their relationship— it was the reason why Aelin's TV was so damned loud earlier, but she hadn't expected to see three condoms on top of the waste bin.

“Mama, if you keep looking at them like that, your eyeballs are going to fall out,” Aelin said, her eyes still closed. “Rowan got too excited—”

“I don't really need to hear the rest. Goodnight, love.”

Aelin chuckled. “Night, mama.”

Aelin's bedroom door closed and Rowan groaned beside her. “Did you really just tell your mum that I came too early?”

Aelin chuckled again, her boyfriends face a little red from the embarrassment. “She won't judge, she'll just tell me to cover them up next time like I normally do. Besides, she knows everything that we've done. And she's walked in on us, too, remember?”

Rowan's groan vibrated the bed. “No. I had made myself forget.”

Aelin smiled at how bright Rowan's face had become and pressed a great, big smacking kiss on her boyfriends cheek. “Goodnight, buzzard.”

“Goodnight, Fireheart.”

Aelin rested her cheek against Rowan's bare chest and fell asleep to the sound of Rowan's strong heartbeat and the light drizzle of rain.

[gravity-falls-dreamer]

Gravity Falls: Dreamer Chapter 41: Presents

Tumblr Links: << Chapter 1 // < Chapter 40 // Chapter 42 >

Ao3 Links: << Chapter 1 // < Chapter 40 // Chapter 41 // Chapter 42 >

WattPad Links: << Chapter 1 // < Chapter 40 // Chapter 41 // Chapter 42 >

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Ford led Evalin back to the shack, her hand still firmly in his as they walked through the trees.

She smiled the entire walk, the prism pendant around her neck catching the light, casting tiny rainbows as she moved.

Ford stopped right in front of the screen door and, with a final squeeze, he let go of her hand.

He grabbed the door handle, looking over his shoulder at her. “Are you ready?”

Evalin nodded, a smirk still on her face.

Ford flashed her a smile before opening the door to the Mystery Shack Gift Shop.

Melody was at the counter, counting the cash in the drawer.

When she saw the two of them, she smiled warmly. “Hey, you two!”

Evalin gave a polite bow. “Hello, Bosslady Melody.”

Melody shook her head with a sigh but still smiled. “Evalin, how many times do I need to tell you? It's just Melody.”

Evalin chuckled, a tinge of mischief in her tone. “A few more million times for sure~”

Ford raised his eyebrow. “I see you are still doing well at your job.”

Evalin shrugged, a cocky grin on her face. “What can I say? I take my jobs seriously.”

Ford tilted his head. “What other jobs have you had?”

Evalin froze, her eyes widening.

Something flickered in her expression—just for a second.

Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

“Oh... um... Just odd-end jobs. Nothing really worth a damn.”

Ford went to ask more but Evalin turned to Melody.

“Look what Ford made for me! Isn't it super pretty?”

Melody leaned in to see the pendant that Evalin was pointing at.

She hummed in approval, nodding.

“That's beautiful, Evalin! You really outdid yourself, Mr. Pines!”

Ford's face burned as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Yes, well, she seemed to like the prism display I made for her the other day so I wanted to make her something that she could have with her always.”

Evalin smiled wide, enjoying Ford's reaction.

Melody chuckled, amused. “Well, I shouldn't keep you too long. I think the others are waiting for you in the living room. Happy birthday, Evi.”

Evalin smirked with a nod. “Thank you. See you later, Bosslady Melody!”

With that, she strode toward the swinging door that said 'Employees Only', Ford close behind.

As soon as she stepped into the living room, her eyes widened.

There was a handwritten banner hanging above that said, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVI!' as well as some balloons scattered throughout the room.

Dipper, Mabel, and Stan sat around the dining room table.

Their faces lit up as they saw Evalin walk into the room.

“Happy Birthday!” Dipper and Mabel said in unison.

Stan pulled the string of a party popper.

POP!

Evalin's eyes widened, her fingers twitching at her sides.

She was frozen in her spot, unsure how to react.

Ford noticed and came up behind her, his fingers wrapping around her arm.

Evalin looked back at him, a warm smile spread across his face.

He gave her a quick arm squeeze before letting his hand slip away.

Evalin turned back to the others and gave them a weak smirk.

“Um... Th-thank you. You didn't need to do all of this.”

Mabel threw her arms in the air. “Of course we did! Everyone deserves to have a good birthday!”

She bound over and took Evalin by the hand, pulling her toward the table.

Sitting Evalin down with a plop, she shoved a couple of wrapped boxes in her hands.

One of the boxes was smaller, well wrapped in the most perfect way possible.

Dipper pretended to buff his nails on his shirt. “Yeaaaah, that one's from me~”

Evalin carefully took the wrapping paper off to reveal a picture frame.

Inside was a picture of stars with the date on it.

She tilted her head, tracing her fingers over the constellations.

Dipper beamed as he pointed at the picture.

“That is what the sky would have looked like if you were born here in Gravity Falls today thirty years ago.”

Evalin’s face lit up, her smirk widening.

“Wow, Dipper! This is really cool! So, this is what the sky would have looked like if I was born here on Earth?”

Dipper smiled wide. “Exactly! Well, here in Gravity Falls but yeah! I figured you would like to see what the sky would have looked like that day and now you have it framed.”

“What a well thought out gift, Dipper,” Ford complimented, nodding in approval. 

“Not as good as mine is gonna be!” Mabel scoffed before leaning in closer, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Open mine next! Open mine next!”

Evalin looked over to see the other box.

It was held together by tape, glue, glitter, and sheer determination.

She chuckled as she shook her head.

With the crazy box in her hands, she started to unwrap it.

When she opened the box, she froze.

Her stomach plunged as her smile completely disappeared.

In the box was a small yellow star-shaped pillow.

Memories started to flood in.

“…You possessed a man, walked all the way out here… just to give me a pillow?”

“You’re—gods, you’re the biggest idiot ever—”

“HEY! EXCUSE YOU! I am literally the best gift-giver you’ve ever met—”

Her lips twitched violently.

Her eyes stung.

A smug grin flashed in her mind.

“Nailed it.”

Mabel's voice cut through, small and hesitant.

“Evi?”

Evalin looked up, tears running down her face like waterfalls.

Her hands shook as she gripped the pillow so tight her knuckles turned white.

When she opened her mouth to speak, nothing came out.

Her throat locked up—tight, suffocating—like invisible hands were squeezing the air from her lungs.

A voice deep in Stan's mind piped in, observing the situation from Stan's eyes.

'Uh oh.'

Stan's ears perked up as a shiver shot up his spine.

“Uh oh?”

Ford, seeing Evalin's shoulders start to shake, reached out his hand.

“Evalin? Are you alright?”

Before he could touch her, she turned to him.

His breath hitched as he froze completely.

Tears soaked her face, her jaw tight.

She clenched on the pillow, her hands trembling as she held it to her chest.

She was trying so hard to smile but it was clear that she was hurting.

Before anyone could say anything, she reached up a shaking hand and tapped her collarbone, disappearing in an instant.

The entire room gasped.

Dipper was the first one to speak up. “What the hell just happened?! Evalin can teleport?!”

Ford's fingers twitched in the air, still reaching out where Evalin once stood.

Then, he heard the sound of footsteps rushing out of the room followed by the slam of a door in the distance.

He furrowed his brow, lowering his arm.

“No... She can't teleport. She just turned invisible.”

Stan jolted, eyes wide.

“She can do that!?”

Mabel held her hands to her chest. “Did.... Did I do something wrong?”

Ford looked down at his niece. He could see her hands shaking as she tried her hardest not to cry.

Sighing, he leaned down and placed a hand on Mabel's shoulder.

“No, Mabel, you've done nothing wrong. Evalin must have gotten overwhelmed. She hasn't had a family before so this must be a lot for her.”

“She's never had a family before?” Mabel asked as she studied Ford's face for a moment. “But... we’re her family now.”

Ford gave her a small smirk.

“That's right. And because we are her family, we need to be patient with her when things like this happen. Would you like to come with me to try and talk to her?”

Mabel sniffled and nodded.

“What should we do?” Dipper asked, rubbing his arm awkwardly.

Ford looked at the doorway Evalin ran through and then back to Dipper.

“Go ahead and get ready to leave. Mabel and I will get Evalin.”

“How do you expect to find someone who literally just turned herself into a ghost? Whole new meaning to the name Spooky,” Stan scoffed, throwing a hand up.

Ford tapped the side of his glasses, activating the magic sight sigil.

“Evalin made me these enchanted glasses and I can use them to find her, as well as see full color in the dark.”

Dipper's eyebrow shot up.

“She made those for you? Did she use the same drawing technique she has on the roof?”

Ford nodded firmly.

Mabel's face lit up with interest regardless of the tears.

“Can I try them?”

Ford watched the small pink light in Mabel's chest flickered slightly.

He chuckled, tousling her hair. “Not right now, sweetie. Let's go talk to Evalin first.”

With that, he led the way out of the living room to Evalin's door.

~n~

KNOCK KNOCK

“Evalin? Can we talk?”

There was a moment of silence.

Then—

Click

The door slowly swung open on its own.

Ford and Mabel looked at each other.

With a nod, they walked inside Evalin's room.

To the naked eye, the room was abnormally dark save for one string of fairy lights that constantly twinkled like the stars.

More books filled her bookshelves as they started to pile on her dresser with all of her ingredients and tools that she had been collecting.

A herb rack was installed on this ceiling where many plants were hanging to dry, replacing her old method of stringing them to the ceiling with twine and tape.

In the high window sat the prism Ford gave her alongside beautiful crystals.

On her bed was a mountain of pillows.

However, Ford saw more than Mabel.

He could see the glowing sigils she had carved around her room.

Some above her closet, a few on her dresser, the door frame was filled with them.

On the wall was one sigil that wasn't completely done quite yet.

Ford's eyes flicked back to the bed.

There was Evalin's light, so dim, buried in her pile of pillows.

He couldn't see her body but he knew that light anywhere.

Mabel watched as Ford approached the bed cautiously.

Her eyes flicked between him and the bed, not seeing what he saw.

Taking just as cautious steps, she followed him.

Ford sat on the bed, talking to what Mabel saw as an empty space.

“Evalin?”

Mabel's eyes widened as she realized that Evalin was in that empty space where she couldn't see her.

She squinted but it did nothing.

Evalin's light dimmed more under Ford's gaze, pressing smaller.

He gave her a small reassuring smile.

“Evalin. Mabel and I came to check on you. Everyone's worried about you. Can you tell us what happened?”

Evalin didn't respond, didn't even move.

Ford's smirk faltered.

He turned to Mabel and motioned her to talk to Evalin.

Mabel swallowed hard.

“Evi.... Are you mad at me?”

Evalin's light flickered brightly as her head snapped up.

“What?”

She tapped her collarbone, her body shimmering back into existence.

Her eyes were red and puffy, her face flush and twisted in confusion.

“No! Why would I be mad at you?”

Mabel blinked, tilting her head to the side.

“But you ran out of the room after you opened my gift?”

Evalin full body recoiled before throwing a hand out.

“Mabel, that had nothing to do with you. That was—“ She looked down to the side. “Something else...”

Ford raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.

Mabel studied Evalin's face for a moment.

“So... you're not mad at me?”

Evalin sharply shook her head.

“Godsdamn it, no! You didn't do anything wrong.”

She locked eyes with her.

“I don't think I could ever actually be mad at you, Mabel. You are far too sweet for any of that.”

Mabel smiled warmly as she threw her arms around Evalin. “I'm so glad you're not mad at me!”

Evalin jolted for just a second, the sudden weight shifting her slightly.

She placed a hand on Mabel's back. “Sweet stars, Mabel...”

After a moment, Ford leaned forward a little.

“Evalin, would you like to talk about what happened?”

Evalin's grip tightened around Mabel.

She pulled down her hat, covering part of her face as her light dimmed slightly.

“No.... I don't...”

Ford watched her for a moment.

Then, he reached out.

Evalin flinched as Ford touched her shoulder, her light flickered for a moment.

“That's okay. We are here for you if you ever want to talk about it, alright?”

Evalin's light froze before curling like normal.

She didn't say anything.

Only nodded.

Mabel shifted herself to sit in Evalin's lap.

“Would you like to continue your birthday celebration?” Ford asked, smiling warmly.

Mabel perked up, throwing her hands in the air as sparkles flowed like waterfalls.

“Yeah! We have one more surprise for you!”

Evalin looked at Ford, then Mabel, and back at Ford again.

Ford chuckled softly. “No, it's not a trick.”

Evalin narrowed her eyes, studying him.

After a moment, she sighed. “Fine.”

Mabel went to get up but was stopped.

Ford and Mabel both gasped.

Evalin wrapped her arms around Mabel and pulled her in for a hug.

“I'm sorry I made you feel like you made me upset. I hope this hug proves that...”

Mabel froze for a split second before patting Evalin on the head.

“No hard feelings. I'm just glad I still have my Witchy Sensei.”

Then she turned and wrapped her arms around Evalin in return.

“Besides, I freaking love hugs!”

Evalin chuckled weakly. “Yes, I'm very aware.”

She gave Mabel a quick squeeze before letting go.

“Alright, get up. I need to shoo away all this cosmic dust out of here.”

Mabel climbed down off the bed.

Evalin waved her hand in the air as if she was swatting a fly.

The area around began to lighten up, the evening sun shining through the high window.

She shifted out of the bed herself, hopping to her feet, rubbing the sadness from her eyes.

Ford gave her a gentle nod following her out of the bedroom.

Before the door shut, Mabel looked back one final time.

In the middle of the bed.

Where Evalin was sitting.

The little yellow star pillow sat.

Mabel's smile grew wide, the door shutting with a soft click.

She skipped down the hallway after Evalin and Ford as they made their way back to the living room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tumblr Links: << Chapter 1 // < Chapter 40 // Chapter 42 >

Ao3 Links: << Chapter 1 // < Chapter 40 // Chapter 41 // Chapter 42 >

WattPad Links: << Chapter 1 // < Chapter 40 // Chapter 41 // Chapter 42 >

[shallyne]

My ACOTAR OC kids

Yesterday I asked if y'all wanted to read a fic with my OC's and someone voted no so I got demotivated but I may introduce you to all my babies

We start with Feysands kids!

Nyx

I count him as an OC because he's just a baby in the series!!

He/Him - Pansexual

Aries

First born and oldest Feysand child

Partner: Alara Cai

inherits Feyre's painting talents

has insomnia

He can play the guitar

Spends a year abroad

Works in Feyre's Studio

Best friends with Carl

Feyre's nickname for him is little star

Scared of Jelly (Nemesis' snake)

Tallest sibling

- Canon Universe (opposed to Modern Universe):

Prefers water powers

Nemesis

She/Her - Lesbian

Leo

Second born and third oldest of the siblings

Partner: Eirene

Dancer (Ballet)

Scared of thunderstorms (only Nyx can calm her down)

Hates physical contact

Dropped out of college

Always hungry

Shares clothes with Feyre

Has two pets

Jelly (snake)

Kronos (blind cat)

Best friends with Bragi

Feyre's nickname for her is little whirlwind

- Canon Universe:

future High Lady of the Night Court

prefers her fire powers

Bragi

They/Them - Non Binary

Libra

Last born and youngest of the siblings

Partner: Aiden Cai (only in Modern Universe)

Loves reading and writing poetry

Loves traveling

voluntarily visited a voaeding school

Plays the piano

Obsessed with Taylor Swift

Light/Dark Academia aesthetic

Very intelligent

Friends with Briar and Nemesis

Feyre's nickname for them is little shooting star

Probably on the spectrum

They aren't attached to their hair, they change it like they want it

- Canon Universe:

Born in the day court

has daemati powers, finds out through an accident and refuses to master them

Carl

He/Him - Straight

Cancer

Adopted and second oldest child of Feysand

Partner: Meadow

His mother died when he was six

Spent two years in an orphanage

Got adopted by Feysand at 8 years old after befriensing Nyx on the playground and becoming an inseparable duo

Best friends with Nyx

Friends with Meadow before officially getting into a relationship

Loves dragons

Confused but got the spirit

Clumsy

Has midnight zoomies

Secretely ripped under baggy clothes

Feysand purchased his mothers house when Carl was younger and gifted it to him when he was 18

Feyre's nickname for him is little sunshine

He wanted to be a vet but didn't pass his exams, now he works in an animal shelter

That was it for Feysand kids! Now we continue with the Elriel kids

Briar

She/her

Virgo

Oldest and first born child of Elriel

Straight-A student

Popular but nice

Introverted

Friends with the Feysand kids

Always studying, often with her cousin Bragi

Swimmer

Feyre is her favorite Aunt

Daisy

She/Her

Youngest and last born child of Elriel

Ice Skater

Big age gap between her and Briar, born after Feysand's first grandchild was born

That was it for Elriel, now for the partners of the Feysand kids!

Alara

She/Her - Straight

Taurus

Youngest and last born child of the Cai children

Partner: Nyx

Has three brothers who are protective of her

Nurse

Emotionally and verbally abused by her father

Mother was absent

Loves Cooking

Loves Nail art

Friends with Nemesis Archeron, Evalin Whitethorn Galathynius and Trinity Blackbeak-Havilliard

Plus size

Can sing very well but rarely does

Has a pet (together with Nyx)

A chihuahua named Baby

- Canon Universe:

Alara is a mortal born with healing powers

Her brothers send a letter to the Hugh Lord of Dawn to take Alara in to train her powers and get her away from the father, Feyre volunteers to take her in and train her

Falls in love with Fae Nyx

Dies of old age

Eirene

She/Her - Lesbian

Capricorn

Only Child

Partner: Nemesis

Born in Korea

Abandoned in a subway as a baby

Living with her dads in Australia, later in life moving to Velaris

Plays soccer

Has pink hair

Has a pet

A ferret named Popcorn

- Canon Universe:

is a lesser faerie

First lesser faerie to get into an official soccer team

Her pink hair is natural

Meadow

She/Her - unlabeled

Gemini

Only Child

Partner: Carl

Free spirit

Her real name is Rena, she chose Meadow for herself

Loves and lives in nature

Very into yoga

Mostly vegan but doesn't label herself

Has a pet

A pitbull named Mars

Aiden

He/Him

Partner: Bragi

Youngest brother and third born of the Cai children

Musician

(Fun) Facts

Rhys gives Nemesis his sister's old clothes, so they have a purpose again

Nemesis looks like a copy of Feyre, only that Nemesis has Rhys's violet eyes. Rhys realized when Nemesis got the same bangs that Feyre had as a teenager because they almost looked the same

Carl finds it extremely easy to get used to Meadows lifestyle

Nyx finds his mate a century after Alara's death but rejects the bond because he's still mourning his wife

Every birth story correlates to the fears and personalities of the biological Feysand kids

Feyre died during Nyx's birth and Nyx is extremely clingy to her

Nemesis was born during a very bad thunderstorm and is extremely scared of them

Bragi was born in the day court (the court with all the libraries, a whole other court) and loves traveling and reading. As a baby, Rhys and Feyre had to fly around with them when they got moody, because they just needed to be outside

Nemesis could have graduated college with great grades but she quickly found out that college for her and dropped out

Bragi and Aiden started getting to know each other when they argued about the best Taylor Swift songs during Nyx and Alara's wedding

Bragi was in a toxic relationship before, in the Canon universe she never dates anyone after that. In the Modern Universe, it takes almost a decade until Aiden and Bragi realize they are in love

Rhys didn't want to adopt Kronos first, later he became a cat dad and spoiled Kronos rotten, like the princess she is

Nyx and Alara's child is named Oizys

After Bragi's birth there was a rumor that Azriel was the real father because they have hazel eyes and a personality more fitting to Azriel's. Ofc they are Rhys's childs and tjey just inherited his mother's eye color

[tomtenadia]

Detours to you - Epilogue

Here we are with the final chapter.

I hope you will love it... it's just pure fluff..

Before I leave you to the story, thank you to all the people who followed this and left a comment... love you ❤️

MASTERLIST

Three months later.

January had arrived and Orynth was deeply covered under a thick layer of snow. 

The Whitethorn-Galathynius household was a flurry of movement because on that day, Aelin and Rowan were finally getting married. They had decided to go for a firehouse wedding since that’s where they met after Elide took Aelin with her for a visit when she was still dating Lorcan. Rowan being the captain, had given her the tour of the station and slowly things had progressed between them.

The station was going to be taken out of service for an hour, just enough to get ready and perform the wedding.

Aelin was in her room surrounded by a slightly pregnant Elide, Lysandra, Evalin and Eiddwen.

“You can finally join the married club.” Joked Lysandra, while tending to her hair.

“How do you feel?” Asked Eiddwen.

“Happy,” and she was. It had been a long time coming but she was looking forward to call Rowan her husband. 

In the background she heard the noises of her son fussing and her instincts kicked in “mum, pass him here.”

“Aelin, he just finished his lunch, Tom needs burping and I am not having you smelling of rotten milk on your wedding day.” Evalin pulled her grandson on her shoulder and patted his back “isn’t it, love? We are letting mum get ready for her special day.” Evalin kept pacing the room while cooing at the infant.

Maya had gone to the firehouse with her dad and the boys, claiming that she wanted to help decorate and Aelin had happily let her be one of the boys. She smiled and thought on how her life had changed since she had let Rowan in. How much happier she had felt and Maya had made incredible strides too. They had set aside the five dark years that had separated them and slowly had rebuilt the family that they were meant to be.

“Lys, you can get a move on and join the mum club too. It would be awesome if we all got kids of the same age.”

Lys scoffed “Aeds and I have talked about it but we might just wait a bit.”

They other two women booed her and then all laughed together.

*

Station 15 was alive with activity. They still had half an hour before they were removed from service but the chairs and all they needed, had been brought in the common room ready for the go ahead from Lorcan. Maya was following Asterin and Ansel around the station. The girl had become quite attached to the two women, especially with Asterin after she told her she wanted to become a paramedic. The older woman had begun showing Maya more of the ambulance and the girl’s fascination had grown quickly to the point that at the station they had a toy doctor’s set and the paramedic had been teaching Maya how to use the toys to treat people. Asterin and the other members of the station had offered themselves as guinea pigs. 

“Rin? When is dad getting married?”

The woman kneeled at her level “we are just waiting for the station not to be on duty, then we can decorate the floor and wait for your mum to arrive.”

Half an hour later Lorcan announced his team that dispatch had confirmed them being off duty and the station had become alive with activity.

In the Captain’s quarters Aedion was helping Rowan to get ready. He was wearing his dress mess Chief uniform “have you texted Aelin that we are good to go?”

“Lorcan called Elide and the girls are ready. Brullo is taking the engine to pick them up.” That had taken a bit of planning and a few requests of approval from the commissioner. Also, given where Rowan lived they had to plan a meeting point in the village. He just needed the day to be special.

Lorcan waltzed in “Brullo just radioed with an ETA of 2 minutes.”

“It’s finally happening,” commented Aedion happily.

Rowan nodded and walked on the apparatus floor where, in a very short time, all the chairs had been pulled out and truck and ambulance parked not to obstruct the area.

He stopped in front of the truck and Maya joined him in a run “dad, mama is coming.”

“I know, my love.” He pulled his daughter against his legs and brushed her head.

Not long after, the rolling doors opened and the engine appeared. Nox honked and they parked beside the truck. Rowan turned his head and spotted Aelin sitting at the back, his heart racing madly in joy.

Fenrys, who had been on his day off, had joined them and went on the ride with his former team. He was the one who helped Aelin off the truck while Brullo aided the two grandmothers, Elide and Lys. 

Rowan’s eyes never left Aelin. She was wearing a sleeveless pastel blue dress and kingsflames in her hair. She was stunning and he was a lucky man. He spotted his mum carrying their son and taking a seat with Evalin and the other guests. Maya was firmly at his side. They wanted her involved in the wedding.

Rhoe had taken Aelin from Fenrys and was now walking with his daughter on his arm to where Rowan was standing.

“Look after her, Rowan.” He kissed his daughter on the cheek and joined his wife.

“Mama, you are so pretty.”

Aelin smiled, “thank you, my love. You and dad are dashing too.”

Her eyes lifted and saw Rowan staring at her, his eyes shining in happiness.

“I believe the ride was smooth?”

She took his hand and nodded, but Rowan moved Maya in-between them and they both held their daughter’s hands.

Aedion stepped up and took position in front of them. They had asked him to perform the wedding and he had been delighted.

“Friends, family, first responders, thank you for joining us today to celebrate Aelin and Rowan’s wedding,” he started “This has been a long time coming. Aelin and Rowan have overcome a lot but today they are here to show us that loves conquers all.” A chuckle “now, I know we are on a tight schedule so let’s get cracking.”

The guests laughed “I believe you have vows?”

Rowan pulled Maya in front of him, her back resting against his legs “Aelin, fireheart, I have imagined this day in my head a million times, the moment I would get you to call you my wife.” A smile “you, the love of my life.” A squeeze of Maya’s shoulder “what I had not imagined was to do it with our children at our side. I am the luckiest man alive and I love you madly.”

Aelin stared in his eyes and a sob escaped her lips “you mushy old man.”

Everyone laughed and Maya went to hug her mother. Aelin crouched down and held Maya in her arms and they both stared up at him “Ro, for a long time it was just Maya and me and we thought we were fine, didn’t we?”

“Yes.”

“But something was missing and I am so glad that you spotted us on that day over a year ago. I am glad you pushed because this, being here with you and our kids, has been my dream too. I love you Rowan.”

He kneeled too and held them both in his arms and kissed Aelin while Maya protested at the PDA.

Then the trio stood up and Aedion proceeded. They exchanged rings and just before proclaiming them husband and wife, Evalin brought forward Thomas and Rowan took him. The other arm sneaked behind Aelin’s waist and Maya squeezed between them.

“It makes me happy to pronounce you husband and wife and children.”  

Rowan turned and kissed Aelin deeply while the crowd celebrated in the background.        

All he cared in that instant were the people in his arms. 

Later that night back at home the newlyweds were sitting on the sofa, enjoying a quiet night in. Maya was at their feet playing on the carpet while Aelin was tucked at Rowan’s side and breastfeeding the infant in her arms.

“Dada, why can’t Thomas eat chocolate cake like us?”

“He is too small, his tummy can only drink milk for now.”

“What about chocolate milk?”

Aelin laughed “He needs my milk because it’s very special and it has all he needs to grow strong and healthy.”

Maya seemed happy with the answer and went back playing.

Rowan squeezed Aelin and kissed her head.

“You seem happy, chief.”

He nodded and caressed Thomas’ head “we took a long detour through life, but now we are here and I would not change it for anything in the world.”

“Mama, dada, it smells of doo doo.”

Aelin detached her son and smelled him “not even this, Chief?”

“No, not even our son’s full diaper.” He took the baby and walked away, leaving his two girls alone.

Aelin sat at her daughter’s side and pulled her to her chest “are you happy, my love?”

“Yes mama, and I love dada and my brother too.”

She kissed her daughter and smiled. 

Well I lost my way

Damn near lost my mind

Pedal to the metal, let the devil lead me blind

I was way outside the lines

And I got way off track

Took some wrong turns lookin' back

It's been one helluva ride in my rear view

And only He knows all the hell I had to go through

I thank Him for the detours to you

All the detours to you

taglist

@rowaelinismyotp @swankii-art-teacher @whimsicallyreading @elentiyawhitethorn @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity  @mis-lil-red @thegreyj @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn  @susumaus98  @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love  @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart @lovely-dove-zee @athena127 @mariaofdoranelle

[system-of-a-feather]

Hello side system! Nice to meet you :)

- Flicker System

[leonsleftbicep]

Bake Me Back To Eden

Chapter: I

Ao3 Version

Word Count: 1,375

tags: Bakery AU, Modern Setting AU, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Getting Together, Getting to Know Each Other, Vessel/II/III are dating, IV doesn't know them… yet!, Trans II, Nonbinary Vessel, Genderfluid III, They/Them Pronouns for III, It/Its and They/Them Pronouns for Vessel, Vessel and III are very creature they deserve creature pronouns

Summary: IV runs a bakery called Ivy Sprigs Bakery & Records, The Echo's work along with him. II, III, and Vessel are customers that don't yet know IV. yet! -- this is being cross posted on here and Ao3. alt names that are more "human" are used at times for the vessels, but i try my hardest to keep up with the numerical names for parts that are not being spoken verbally. The echo's or the esparas have made up names as well for i do not know their actual names and don't really want to use their actual names.

the alt names i will be using for each vessel and espara is listed below. please keep in mind that these names are fake and not anyone's actual names.

Vessel: Verna II: lii III: Thea IV: Ivy Espera/Echo 1: Evaline Espera/Echo 2: Erie Espera/Echo 3: Elanor

---

Ivy Sprig Bakery and Records. A newer place that opened up just a walk away from Vessel’s house. It was II’s idea to check out the bakery, after the couple of times he bought coffee there on his way to work. He thought it was time to show them this cute little hobbit hole of a bakery. 

III was apprehensive about all of this, not knowing if they would like anything. Vessel was just nervous in general. Vess hates going out in public, everyone stares at them because of its height. II might be the only one not nervous, for the main reason that he knew there was a certain person he had a feeling that would change their minds. 

The three of them walking through an alleyway while II led the way. “ii are you gonna kill us or something, this is shady.” III says unnerved by this as they hold Vessel's hand. “where almost there, you know i'm not a big fan of main roads for numerous reasons” II smiles as he walks, taking a turn that leads to the front of Ivy Sprigs. “Here we are” II exclaimed as the two taller beings look at this lovely little bakery, with a dark cottage core almost witchy vibe to it. “I call dibs on the records!” III calls out before they run into the cafe. Both II and Vessel giggle as they hold hands and walk into the bakery. 

they find III already scouring the records for old albums from a band they enjoy. III does squeak and bounce around when they find a limited edition color variant of a record.

“I'll go get coffee, while you watch him” II speaks softly to Vessel as he gets up on his tippy toes just to kiss Vessel's cheek. Which makes the taller blush and hum in agreement. 

II making his way to the cafe/bakery section of the shop, he knew III and Vess would be on their way soon after III found their records. II gets in line and soon feels the presence of his two tall lovers, which calms his paranoia.

III’s jaw drops to the floor all of a sudden. II just chuckles when he feels Vessel also fluster, just by the way they are clutching onto II’s shoulder. “I told you guys I would change your minds” II say with a grin as he also checks out the person they are collectively looking at.

The person in question is a lovely brunette with grays at his temples and widows peak, thin wire oval glasses low on his nose as he smiles and talks to customers. ‘Ivy’ was the name on his apron, which if they all thought right he was the owner. II had met the man a couple of times, though never really had a super meaningful conversation with him. 

“How can i help you lads today?” IV asks as he looks between all three of them. Smiling when he sees II “oh it you Lii!” IV expels like he was surprised. “Its II, i just say Lii for simplicity” II nods, knowing a lot of people find his name odd.

Ivy types out something on his ordering tablet, “i'm guessing the usual black eye” ivy smiles. II hums in confirmation, “and anything those two would like?” IV asks as he gestures to III and Vessel. “They are your partners, right? you mentioned a Vessel or Verna? And some one you called Red?” Ivy asks as he pulls out cups and starts to write down II’s name on it. 

“Black coffee, please” Vessel says with a slight shake to its voice before they just whisper to II what they want. “And a blueberry scone” II adds on, wanting to make sure vessel got all it wanted. “And what's your name sweetheart” IV ask’s vessel so he can write down the name on their cup. Vessel at first flusters at the pet name being used so smoothly. “Vess- no, put down Verna” Vessel says with a soft smile, which makes II squeeze its arm gently in congratulations. 

III smiles when IV turns to ask what they want, “what do you recommend..” III looks at IV’s name tag “..Ivy?” they finish with a smirk. IV just smiles “i fear I- it might be too sweet for you” he tries to flirt back.

II kicks III in the ankle “OW!”. this sight makes IV laugh and snort, which amazes all of them. “goodness. okay, too answer your question Red” IV say with a big grin “my favorites the cafe miel, coffee wise. but tea wise, i usually go with a london fog” IV responds as he plays with his pen “your pick though”.

III leans against the counter as they think, “I'll try the cafe miel” they say “as long as it's, as sweet as you” III purrs. “oh jesus christ” Vessel whispers “this is the same thing they did to me when we first met” Vessel tells II. 

IV just snorts and writes it down “what's your name?” he asks with a soft expression “unless you just want me to write down Red?”. III shakes their head “put down Thea, but you can call me III.. or whatever you want” III chuckles. “III you are horrible at being subtle” II groans and crosses his arms as Vessel rests its chin on his head. 

IV gets pulled away from the cashregister by evaline so she can discuss something with him. III just watches that and then giggles and turns to II and Vessel “i'm not trying to be subtle, i'm trying to get closer” III admits. 

II’s eyes widen “you just met him, Thea!” II yelps. “I feel like that's what you said to yourself when you met me, Lii” III counters, being a smart ass.

Vessel takes a deep breath “ok my loves, can we not get into a tift at the moment. Both of you need coffee, and some food” Vessel says as it takes their partners hands. Both III and II take a deep breath. 

“I'm going to finish ordering, you take III to look at the records. Try and find me something please” II mutters as he pulls away so he can finish the order with Elanor as vessel and III walk off to cool down.

After coffee and some food II and III hold hands as they feel normal now. “Sorry that i was rude” III apologizes. “I accept your apology. But you aren't wrong, there was a reason that Vessel was the one to start dating you first before I did. And it was because I felt it was too soon” II explains, even if this might be odd to discuss in the middle of a bakery. 

IV walks over after finishing up what he needed to with evaline. “Sorry I had to walk away, evidently someone wants an ambrosia salad style cake for their wedding.” IV laughs as he takes off his apron and pulls up his sleeves to expose his forearms. Which the three men gawk at, seeing the ivy tattoos wrap around his wrists and up.

“So can I get you three anything before you head out?” IV asks with a soft expression that makes his eyes look more blue then they were before. 

“Some ivycakes” III blurts out as their face reddens. “I've never heard of that, we do have angel food cake though!” IV responds obviously.

II clears his throat and chimes in, “we are good, we are just about to go purchase those records Thea picked out and then head off home.” II excuses. 

“Well, come back soon. it was great to finally meet your partners, they are very sweet” Ivy says as he makes eye contact with III. which II notices, and so does Vessel by the way it grabs II’s waist and squeezes gently.

After they pay for the records and walk out the bakery, Vessel finally speaks about its experience. “I like Ivy, he has pretty eyes. I wonder if he's single” Vessel smiles as all three of them walk together. 

“The ivycakes thing was about his ass… i asked for a slice of his ass” III explains. 

Both II and Vessel look over at III in surprise.

[the-heroines-of-thedas]

is it just me, or did i do really badly back there? (for whoever u like!)

"Well..." Evaline paused, scrunching her nose in dismay. "To be perfectly fair, those traps were fairly well camouflaged. At the very least, we all got out with just a few minor burns and bruises. That has to count for something, right?"

[astro-nerd]

Day 11: grounding

Fandom: original characters

Character: Eva

TW: panic attacks, implied abuse, implied threat

There’s a hand gently stroking my face as I wake up. Bishop must’ve finished with her meeting as I lean into the touch.

Cold metal rings meet my face.

My eyes shoot open as I sit up. For a moment I’m sure I’d imagined it until I turned to the figure who’d been touching my face.

He’s here.

He can’t be here.

This can’t be real.

“What’s wrong, Evaline dear? You used to love it when I held your face.” He straightens to his full height. He's dressed in civilian clothing, just some jeans and a jumper and his hair is messy. There’s no way to mistake the glint of his gold tooth when he smiles.

I need to do something.

Say something.

Run.

“You’re not real.” I told him. He can’t be here. There’s no way for him to get up here. Sure I’ve had many hallucinations in my time but this is just too far. I’m still sleeping. This is a nightmare.

It has to be.

His smile widens as he crouches down to my level, I can smell the alcohol tainting his breath. Before I can flinch he grabs my face in his hand and pulls me close.

“Is this real enough for you, Evaline?” I hardly breathe until he lets go and I finally move to stand and put the room between us. Where’s Gomez? Why wasn’t he here?

Did Damien do something to him?

I grab the closest chair to try and stop shaking. If I’m dreaming I really need to wake up. Damien doesn’t say another word. He just observes me and the breakdown I’m obviously having.

“You can’t be here.” I wish it had come out stronger. I can’t get a hold of myself long enough to put the act on.

He knows that.

“What are you going to do Evaline? Call for someone? Are you sure they’d come for you?” I hadn’t thought of that. If I scream for Gomez or Roman or Bethany or in general someone’s bound to turn up. He wouldn’t be able to stop me in time.

I take a deep breath.

I scream.

I keep a tight grip of the chair in my hands as I put all of my effort into the most blood curdling scream I can muster. Damien seems as surprised as I am that I’d actually taken his suggestion. The scream lasts as long as my lung capacity does and we both pause for a moment in silence. My breathing is shallow but I will absolutely do that again if necessary. Damien anticipates it this time because he’s moving towards me and I’m scrambling back around the table.

Gomez appears in the doorway.

He takes one look at the situation and comes to stand in front of me. Damien stops, still confused.

He didn’t expect anyone to come.

Roman appears moments later and sees the situation. They both know who he is. They both look as if they’re dying to arrest him. We have no cause.

“This room is for employees only. I must ask that you leave.” Damien knows they know who he is. He also knows they can’t do anything.

He puts on his winning smile.

“I’m very sorry gentlemen, I got turned around after my interview. I’ll be going now.” Roman’s eyes ignite in fury as we watch him walk away. I don’t miss the glare Damien gives me as he walks out of the room. Roman follows him to ensure he leaves and once I see the elevator close my legs give out from underneath me. Gomez tries to catch me as I hit the floor but it only serves to drag him down a bit with me. He moves his hands to protect my head from the floor and cabinets before helping me sit against them. My body goes numb with ringing overtaking my hearing. I’m vaguely aware of Gomez kneeling on one side of me while Bethany seems to have appeared at the other. She’s holding one of my hands between her hands while Gomez keeps his hand behind my head and puts the other on my leg. I’m not entirely sure I’m breathing or that I still have my hearing aids on.

The ringing is so loud.

How was he here?

He was going to hurt me.

I shut my eyes to counteract the spinning of the room.

I’m going to pass out.

There’s no way I’m not going to pass out.

Something cold comes into contact with my arm and something else cold touches the back of my neck. Slow brain signals tell me that Bethany must’ve rolled up my right sleeve and applied something cold while Gomez had something on the back of my neck. Sound comes back full force around the ringing and I can hear my own breathing. It’s short and rapid but I can hear it. Forcing a full breath into my lungs I feel Bethany press the cold object tighter against my arm.

“Breathe sunshine, you got it, just breathe again.” I try to take another breath only to cause my throat to spasm and cough from how dry it is. Gomez leans me forward until I finish coughing and manage to breathe again. My eyes open and I notice the room is dark. Who turned off the lights?

“Hey kid, try drinking this.” Gomez raises a glass towards me and pours some water down my throat without causing me to choke. Throughout this process it occurs to me how badly I’m shaking and that Gomez has his hand on my leg in an attempt to keep me still as well as Bethany having her hand on my shoulder. There were also tear tracks down my face and sweat on my forehead. Gomez goes to roll up my other sleeve and I shake my head frantically.

“Okay kid, okay. Relax. You’re going to hurt yourself.” I stop moving my head as he lets go of my sleeve. Once my breathing is steady enough they help me move to a chair. The glass of water is placed in front of me and Bethany moves a chair to sit beside me so she can continue to hold my hand. I continue to shake although it’s lessened and I watch Gomez head over to Roman who seemed to be guarding the doorway.

“It’s alright sunshine. He’s gone. Roman escorted him out.” Bethany rubs her thumb over the back of my palm.

He really was here then.

Other people saw him.

I’m not losing it.

So why does being on the ground feel like I’m sinking?

[plantyl-m]

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[heartblobs]

March, 1895, 2/2

He wasn’t sure how Evaline would react to such a question. Ever since their marriage, she was hell bent on proving to her father that she no longer needed his money. She sold most of her old jewelry, denied anyone who asked if she were Grover Stanfield’s daughter (“Who?” she would say and tilt her head as if she had never heard the name before). However, Hector was right. The only way to truly get a jump start in this country is to have connections, and if your connections lead back to a family like the Stanfields… 

Walter steadied his nerve. It would all be fine, he told himself. He couldn’t think of the growing pile of bills or the nearing empty icebox.

“Mi amor, I have something to talk to you about,” he started, sitting his wife down in the kitchen to speak with her. He tried his best to appear rational, calm and collected, yet inside he was a roar of endless energy. If she denied him this, he wasn’t sure of what he would do. His career in the fishing business would not sustain what his family needed from him, and he couldn’t let his wife get a job to help out. He was the provider, the head of the family. It was up to him to straighten this all out.

Just with a little help is all.

After hearing Walter’s entire plea, Evaline sighed. Was that a good sign? “Darling, I… I cannot ask my father for help in getting you a job-”

“It doesn’t have to be your father,” Walter insisted. “Irving could do it. He’s the heir to your father’s fortune, mi amor. One word from him and I could get us out of this never ending hole.”

“Based on my father’s fortune,” his wife gave his hand a small pat. “I’m sorry but I cannot. I do not want to depend on my father for the rest of my life, especially now with the children. We will find another way, do not worry.” With that, Evaline planted a kiss on his lips and ran off to deal with a crying baby. Leaving Walter sitting there in the kitchen, not overly defeated but utterly frustrated. He would get that job, with a shining recommendation from a Stanfield, whether she knew it or not.

🕰️ / 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 / 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡