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[glossamerfaerie]

@nestaarcheronweek

Imagine the House of Wind planning Nesta’s surprise birthday party for weeks, anxiety on high and flitting around nervously, trying to make everything perfect. A day before the celebration, Nesta walks near the living room and the door slams shut quickly. She asks what’s going on, sensing something suspicious afoot, and the house diverts her attention with smutty books, a plate of fresh cookies & a warm lavender bath. The House of Wind wipes its brow, thinking it got away with it but right as Nesta begins to doze off in the bath, she declares into the open air, “I know you’re hiding something from me. And I will figure it out.”

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@nestaarcheronweek | Day Six: Birthday Girl

I like to imagine Nesta celebrating her birthday with those she feels overwhelmed with happiness to be with. And as they are the first to completely accept the way she is, I love imagining that Gwyneth and Emerie, the chosen family, would also be celebrating with Nesta, first thing in the morning.

Art by: Jéssica Brasil (jessi.brasilart)

Commissioned by: @podemechamardek

🚫 Please do not repost.

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Listen I know Gwyndion is probably going to belong to Nesta.

But I do find it interesting that we have a character named Gwyn, a sword called Gwydion, Fionn which is the Irish version of Gwyn and Oleanna whose one of the meaning is light all in one series. All of these characters and swords were also introduced in the same book.

Gwyn: A priestess, name meaning white, fair and blessed

Fionn: High king of Prythian and wielder of Gwyndion. Irish version of Gwyn. Name meaning white and blessed

Oleana: High priestess, imbued magic into Gwyndion by dipping it into Cauldron. One of the meanings for the name being light.

Gwydion: Glows with white light and is described as holy, savior's light.

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A very happy birthday to our Taurus queen, Nesta Archeron! 👑 I'm sure she'd spend it with her besties and chosen sisters, Emerie and Gwyn! And I just know that the House would give them all the smuttiest books to read and all the chocolate cake to eat.

A very big thank you to @/michi.illustrations for working with me on this gorgeous commission to celebrate! Do not repost without credit and do not feed into AI programs.

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Adding on this excellent point and also what @goghwilde said in their reblog hashtags.

Some people see Az’s willingness to question the Cauldron (“What if the Cauldron was wrong?”) as proof of romantic devotion. He’s so in love with Elain that he’s telling the higher powers to fuck off! Maybe he’s even willing to abandon his religious beliefs/commitment to pursue love! Or maybe he correctly pinpoints the mistake and ACTUALLY he and Elain are real mates and the Lucien bond is fake. That’s so romantic, right? /s

Wrong. Despite his shitty childhood, Az clearly believes in the Mother’s capacity to love. He believes that love — in form of a mating bond — is in his future and that the Mother/Cauldron will bless him one day. It’s why he clung delusionally to Mor for years (that’s another post but I digress).

500 years pass and he has nothing to show for his devotion/faith. Then his brothers are blessed with a mating bond. A year ago, he wasn’t jealous of Cassian because Nesta wanted nothing to do with Cass. But Nessian’s relationship status had changed by Winter Solstice. It’s one thing to be single with your BFFs, and it’s another thing to be the last man standing.

Az feels abandoned by the Mother and Cauldron. They’ve blessed everyone around him — Rhys, Cassian, even fucking Lucien. But not him. Why is he the only one suffering when he’s prayed for a mating bond for so long? Has there been a mistake? His questioning the Cauldron is a desperate, delusional attempt at making sense of an illogical situation. He latches on to that idiotic “three brothers for three sisters” argument because it’s logical on paper. Cue the entitled and toxic inner thoughts.

But it’s not romantic. A deeply religious person senses that he’s been forsaken by his deity. Every religious person experiences moments of doubt and hopelessness. His behavior in the bonus chapter has little to do with Elain. He’s lashing out and grappling with self-doubt that the Mother has chosen not to bless him. Why him?! Why isn’t he worthy of a mating bond when his brothers are? In his mind, the Cauldron has to have made a mistake; otherwise his entire belief system falls apart. He lost that faith temporarily during the bonus chapter, but I don’t think he continues with this line of thinking once sanity prevails. Az indulged his resentment/fury at the higher powers he worshipped — a temporary lapse of judgment that didn’t survive the night.

One aspect of Gwynriel that really excites me is religion. The other protagonists don’t seem to take religion or rituals very seriously? Everyone respects the Mother and acknowledges her power (and the Cauldron), but we haven’t explored faith among the fae. Feyre has a terrible experience with Ianthe (a sadly accurate depiction of corruption within organized religion). But we know that not all priestesses are like power-hungry Ianthe. Nesta is understandably indifferent even though she later has an experience with the Mother during Nyx’s birth. Rhys and Cassian seem respectful but we’ve never seen them pray or attend services. It’s giving “only attending church during Christmas” level of religious commitment.

Azriel, on the other hand… we haven’t had much canon insight in his head, but I firmly believe that Azriel is more religious than his brothers. Like he’s not the type to attend temple services, but he probably thinks about faith and the Mother regularly. Clearly he has contemplated mating bonds and who creates them — maybe he’s prayed for a mating bond? Maybe his mother raised him to be more religious. In HOFAS, after Nesta takes the mask off in a close call, Az’s very first instinct is to thank the Mother. Possibly that is meaningless (like how an atheist can say “thank god”) but idk. Az seems to have more faith than his brothers.

“The Mask fell from Nesta’s face, clattering on the stone.

Nesta swayed, but Azriel was there, catching her, bringing her to his chest, scarred hands stroking her hair. “Thank the Mother,” he breathed. “Thank the Mother.”

A few chapters later, Az describes the Cauldron and what happens after death.

“Bryce nodded to the carving. “What’s the big deal about a cauldron?”

“The Cauldron,” Azriel amended. Bryce shook her head, not understanding. “You don’t have stories of it in your world? The Fae didn’t bring that tradition with them?”

Bryce surveyed the giant cauldron. “No. We have five gods, but no cauldron. What does it do?”

“All life came and comes from it,” Azriel said with something like reverence. “The Mother poured it into this world, and from it, life blossomed.”

Later in the conversation, Az explains what happens to souls after death.

“When you die, where do your souls go?” Did they even believe in the concept of a soul? Maybe she should have led with that.

But Azriel said softly, “They return to the Mother, where they rest in joy within her heart until she finds another purpose for us. Another life or world to live in.”

The way Az talks about the Mother, with reverence and confidence, makes me certain that he’s more religious than his brothers.

Then, of course, we have Gwyn — a literal priestess who was raised in a temple. She still attends daily services and sings for the choir. I’ve wondered if what happened in Sangravah shook Gwyn’s faith. Maybe she thinks the Mother exists but isn’t a benevolent deity. Maybe she’s bitter that the Mother didn’t save her servants from Hybern attacks. She definitely feels shame and unworthiness — Gwyn no longer feels like she has a right to wear the Invoking Stone. Working through those feelings will be a major aspect of Gwyn’s arc.

“You asked me once why I don’t wear the hood or the Invoking Stone. That stone is a sign of holiness. How can someone like me wear it?”

Within the temple, Gwyn also faces prejudice and discrimination from her fellow sisters. Ianthe isn’t the only asshole within the organization (cough Merrill cough). I’m sure that some people in Sangravah were cruel to Gwyn’s family because of their nymph heritage. I don’t know what SJM has planned, but I feel that religion will play a major role in the Gwynriel book. I wouldn’t be surprised that, like Nesta, Gwyn has a firsthand experience with the Mother. She will definitely use the blue invoking stone for healing (a nice parallel to Az’s blue siphons).

“It’s an Invoking Stone.” Gwyn unfurled her fingers, revealing the gem within her hand. “Similar to the Siphons of the Illyrians, except that the power of the Mother flows through it. We cannot use it for harm, only healing and protection. It was shielding us.”

I’m also curious to see Gwyn and Az discuss their religious beliefs together. Maybe Az gets permission to join the dawn and dusk services. The man barely sleeps, he might as well watch Gwyn during her religious commitments. The shadows are NOT going to pass a chance to hear their girl sing (or watch her glow). Maybe Nesta can talk Az into singing with the choir. 🥹

Nesta could only gape at the lovely melody, the voices from the front of the cavern leading it, lifting higher than the others. Gwyn sang, chin high, a faint glow seeming to radiate from her. The music was pure, ancient, by turns whispering and bold, one moment like a tendril of mist, the next like a gilded ray of light. It finished, and Merrill spoke about the Mother and the Cauldron and the land and sun and water. She spoke of blessings and dreams and hope. Of mercy and love and growth.

Idk, maybe I’m wrong about Az being religious. But it feels like such a wasted opportunity if we don’t learn more about the Mother! At the very least, I do see Az attending the dawn and dusk services if he’s not on a mission. 🎼🩵🎶

[glossamerfaerie]

One aspect of Gwynriel that really excites me is religion. The other protagonists don’t seem to take religion or rituals very seriously? Everyone respects the Mother and acknowledges her power (and the Cauldron), but we haven’t explored faith among the fae. Feyre has a terrible experience with Ianthe (a sadly accurate depiction of corruption within organized religion). But we know that not all priestesses are like power-hungry Ianthe. Nesta is understandably indifferent even though she later has an experience with the Mother during Nyx’s birth. Rhys and Cassian seem respectful but we’ve never seen them pray or attend services. It’s giving “only attending church during Christmas” level of religious commitment.

Azriel, on the other hand… we haven’t had much canon insight in his head, but I firmly believe that Azriel is more religious than his brothers. Like he’s not the type to attend temple services, but he probably thinks about faith and the Mother regularly. Clearly he has contemplated mating bonds and who creates them — maybe he’s prayed for a mating bond? Maybe his mother raised him to be more religious. In HOFAS, after Nesta takes the mask off in a close call, Az’s very first instinct is to thank the Mother. Possibly that is meaningless (like how an atheist can say “thank god”) but idk. Az seems to have more faith than his brothers.

“The Mask fell from Nesta’s face, clattering on the stone.

Nesta swayed, but Azriel was there, catching her, bringing her to his chest, scarred hands stroking her hair. “Thank the Mother,” he breathed. “Thank the Mother.”

A few chapters later, Az describes the Cauldron and what happens after death.

“Bryce nodded to the carving. “What’s the big deal about a cauldron?”

“The Cauldron,” Azriel amended. Bryce shook her head, not understanding. “You don’t have stories of it in your world? The Fae didn’t bring that tradition with them?”

Bryce surveyed the giant cauldron. “No. We have five gods, but no cauldron. What does it do?”

“All life came and comes from it,” Azriel said with something like reverence. “The Mother poured it into this world, and from it, life blossomed.”

Later in the conversation, Az explains what happens to souls after death.

“When you die, where do your souls go?” Did they even believe in the concept of a soul? Maybe she should have led with that.

But Azriel said softly, “They return to the Mother, where they rest in joy within her heart until she finds another purpose for us. Another life or world to live in.”

The way Az talks about the Mother, with reverence and confidence, makes me certain that he’s more religious than his brothers.

Then, of course, we have Gwyn — a literal priestess who was raised in a temple. She still attends daily services and sings for the choir. I’ve wondered if what happened in Sangravah shook Gwyn’s faith. Maybe she thinks the Mother exists but isn’t a benevolent deity. Maybe she’s bitter that the Mother didn’t save her servants from Hybern attacks. She definitely feels shame and unworthiness — Gwyn no longer feels like she has a right to wear the Invoking Stone. Working through those feelings will be a major aspect of Gwyn’s arc.

“You asked me once why I don’t wear the hood or the Invoking Stone. That stone is a sign of holiness. How can someone like me wear it?”

Within the temple, Gwyn also faces prejudice and discrimination from her fellow sisters. Ianthe isn’t the only asshole within the organization (cough Merrill cough). I’m sure that some people in Sangravah were cruel to Gwyn’s family because of their nymph heritage. I don’t know what SJM has planned, but I feel that religion will play a major role in the Gwynriel book. I wouldn’t be surprised that, like Nesta, Gwyn has a firsthand experience with the Mother. She will definitely use the blue invoking stone for healing (a nice parallel to Az’s blue siphons).

“It’s an Invoking Stone.” Gwyn unfurled her fingers, revealing the gem within her hand. “Similar to the Siphons of the Illyrians, except that the power of the Mother flows through it. We cannot use it for harm, only healing and protection. It was shielding us.”

I’m also curious to see Gwyn and Az discuss their religious beliefs together. Maybe Az gets permission to join the dawn and dusk services. The man barely sleeps, he might as well watch Gwyn during her religious commitments. The shadows are NOT going to pass a chance to hear their girl sing (or watch her glow). Maybe Nesta can talk Az into singing with the choir. 🥹

Nesta could only gape at the lovely melody, the voices from the front of the cavern leading it, lifting higher than the others. Gwyn sang, chin high, a faint glow seeming to radiate from her. The music was pure, ancient, by turns whispering and bold, one moment like a tendril of mist, the next like a gilded ray of light. It finished, and Merrill spoke about the Mother and the Cauldron and the land and sun and water. She spoke of blessings and dreams and hope. Of mercy and love and growth.

Idk, maybe I’m wrong about Az being religious. But it feels like such a wasted opportunity if we don’t learn more about the Mother! At the very least, I do see Az attending the dawn and dusk services if he’s not on a mission. 🎼🩵🎶

[glossamerfaerie]

Balter

Balter (v): to dance artlessly, without particular grace or skill but usually with enjoyment

for @nestaarcheronweek day three: "Self-care." I would like to see Nesta find the joy she does in dancing without the judgment and need for perfection she faced as a child, and I think that that could be a form of self-care for her.

Pushing down on the brass handle of the entry door, Nesta pressed forward over the threshold and into the building. Feyre had mentioned an empty dance studio near her art class on the Rainbow, and Nesta had finally worked up the courage to go inside.

The dim hallways echoed with her footsteps, that and her quiet breathing the only sounds in the building. A door was cracked open to her left, light pouring into the hall from what she could see was the studio.

Nerves wracked through her, shaking the anxiety out of her hands before gaining the courage to step into a room so similar to those her grandmother had forced her to spend hours in as a child. 

But when she stepped into the space, there was a warm to the light, and a comfort she felt at being the only person in there. There were no strict teachers, no mothers or grandmothers to critique her form. It was only Nesta, and she couldn’t help the pleasured smile that reflected back at her through the mirrored wall.

Setting her bag down in the corner, Nesta settled in for warm up stretches, breathing deep to let her muscles fully relax as she pushed and pulled them. She was surprised at how peaceful it was in here, a place to herself.

Standing, Nesta moved to her bag and retrieved the symphonia Cassian had gifted her, eyes glittering at the sight of the thoughtful gift. Setting it down in front of the mirror, she tapped the orb and basked in the melody that rang through the space.

She let her body flow with the music as she began to dance. Occasionally trying movements and variations from her childhood dance lessons, Nesta smiled both when she recalled the movements perfectly and when she made a “mistake.” 

There was no one here to tell her how to do things, how her shoulders were hunched or her legs weren’t turned out. It was a new type of freedom she hadn’t experienced yet, and it unleashed a new type of joy.

Twirling as many times as she could, spilling her soul into each motion with precision and error, accuracy and disregard, Nesta bloomed in the freedom of movement. She expressed herself, lost and found herself in the music until she was dripping in sweat. 

Wiping her forehead, Nesta heard a knock at the door and looked up to see Cassian’s proud smile. The Illyrian leaned against the frame, admiring his mate for a long moment before he spoke.

“Feyre mentioned that you might be here. I thought we could go for dinner in the town tonight?”

Nesta’s smile only grew, a release she’d unlocked within herself pouring into the world and spreading like bright wildfire. “I would love to,” she replied, running to press a kiss to Cassian’s lips. “Let me get cleaned up here.”

As Nesta moved to collect the symphonia, a tune started playing which tugged on her heartstrings - the song she and Cassian had first danced to at the Court of Nightmares, and again at their mating ceremony.

She looked to the doorway in search of her mate, but found it empty. Instead, Cassian stood behind her in the center of the room with a knowing smile, one arm politely tucked behind his back as the other remained held out for her to accept.

“May I have this dance?” he whispered, breathless at the sight of Nesta’s gaze on him, those silver flames in her eyes every bit as powerful as when they danced to this song the first time.

Her gentle hand wrapped around his, the other resting on his shoulder as they danced - not how they did at the Court of Nightmares, or even at their mating ceremony. They danced like they were the only two people in the world - two souls recklessly twining together like thread of fabric, without care if they might tangle, for they’d be together forever nonetheless.

The song ended, but they danced in the quiet for some time after that before Nesta’s stomach growled. A soft chuckle escaped Cassian’s lips, the general looking down at his mate to admire her features.

“Let’s get you some dinner,” he whispered, and she nodded, immoderately content in that moment. “I watched you for a moment. You seemed very happy to go back to dance,” Cassian noted.

Nesta nodded, tossing her bag over her shoulder before reaching for Cassian’s hand. “I was. I think it’s a nice form of self care, almost therapeutic for me. I think I’ll keep doing it.”

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nesta being recognized/feared as a death god while her goals in life are to eat chocolate cake and read smut with her girls is hilarious to me

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🗡️Nesta Archeron 🗡️

*ACOSF Spoilers*

“She would not be mastered by anything again. She was the master of herself.

Seven thousand. Eight thousand. Nine thousand.

And this person she was becoming, emerging into day by day …

She might even like her.”

~ACOSF, CH 61~

Ps: Some ACOSF doodles I did for class ☺️

[glossamerfaerie]

Nesta Archeron

Artwork by @briez.draws

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Emerie Week - Day 2

Friendship

My favorite trio all dolled up. 🥰🥰🥰

I went into ACOSF eager and ready for the angst and romance but this friendship took me by the storm and swept me off my feet. When Emerie was introduced in ACOFAS, I knew she was going to be an important person to Nesta and the moment Nesta stepped into her shop, I had the chills. I absolutely adored the dynamics between Emerie, Nesta & Gwyn and the beautiful friendship that bloomed out of it.  

Big shout out to Talita for another job well done! She was a pleasure to work with, as always. Please go and show her some love. ❤️

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Idk if this is wishful thinking, but the priestesses/Valkyries exude sapphic vibes. Roslin and Deidre?? Ananke?? Ilana?? ANYONE?!! 👩‍❤️‍👩 You’re telling me that this female fighting cohort doesn’t have a single romance yet. Not on my watch!

I know a couple of them sighed whenever Az walked by… maybe they’re bisexual! But I feel very strongly that someone is in a friends-to-lovers journey right now in the Library.** 🥹

Imagine if two priestesses have been in a relationship the whole time (like, DECADES) but haven’t advertised it because they want privacy. Then one day someone gets injured during training; her partner FREAKS OUT and rushes to help, peppering kisses everywhere. Cassian and Azriel are SHOOK, questioning their observation skills. Nesta is like, “okay, is there anyone else sleeping together who wants to tell us?” and TWO OTHER couples awkwardly raise their hands. Emerie is like 👀 and Gwyn just grins (she’s known the whole time, obviously, cuz of her superior sense of smell). 🧡🤍🩷

___

** obviously Gwynriel are in a friends-to-lovers journey, too!

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Azriel and Cassian: *sparring shirtless*

Gwyn, Emerie, & Nesta:

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Okay alright, I updated that little gwynriel hc I had. I still have the continuation in my mind, but this is all I could manage to write right now. I posted the first part loong ago, but I'll post it again cause the second part wouldn't make sense without it. Anyway, here goes

~~~~

One morning, before the training starts, Cassian tells the trainees that today they are going to fight with either him or Az, with their chosen weapon. If trainers win, nothing happens, but if the trainee wins, whoever they fought with (Az or Cass) will owe them a favor. Whoever they fight with is decided by picking a stone from a bag. There are two stones, one blue and one red. Red obviously means Cassian and blue Azriel. Whoever drops their weapon first, loses.

One of the trainees shouts "Is cheating allowed?" There are chuckles and then Azriel says "If you think cheating is gonna help you then why not?"

So the game begins.

A few priestesses fight, some with Cass some with Az. They all lose, some even with cheating in different ways. Nesta picks the red stone and fights with Cass. Cassian gives her a smug smile when she loses despite all her dirty moves. Emerie picks the blue stone. Azriel shakes his head as if to say another time when she loses. And then Gwyn picks the blue stone.

She looks at Azriel and says with a big smile "Ready to lose Shadowsinger?" Azriel, with a little smile of his own, says "Sure."

They fight. Gwyn tries a few dirty moves too, but they do not help her disarm him. After a small eternity of fighting, she finds an opening and gets closer to Azriel. Much closer than an opponent should. She kisses Azriel's cheek and he stills in shock for a few seconds. When he's aware of his surroundings again, his sword is on the floor and all the trainees are laughing and congratulating Gwyn on her success.

Gwyn looks at him with an even bigger smile and says "You owe me a favor!"

Azriel, who is still feeling faint, clears his throat and says "It would appear so."

*************

That night, Gwyn and Az are sitting on one of the training mats they dragged next to the wall after a grueling training session. They are sipping their waters quietly when Gwyn suddenly looks at Azriel and says "I want to call in my favor!"

Azriel looks around and cautiously asks "You do? Now?"

"Yes. What better time than the present, right?"

"O-kay" he says, still a little unsure. "What is it you want?"

Gwyn, a little unsure herself about whether she should ask this or not, says "Can you sing something?"

Azriel is surprised at that. He doesn't know what he expected her to say, but it wasn't this. "What do you want me to sing?"

"You can sing anything, really. I'm not picky" she says with a smile.

Azriel is silent for a while, then clears his throat and starts humming a melody. A few seconds later, lyrics come. The song is a haunting one, the way he sings the lyrics is like he is fighting something or someone but losing the fight...

When the song ends, Gwyn is speechless, she just looks at Azriel open-mouthed. Azriel looks at her too, like he's told her all his secrets. After Gwyn collects herself a little bit, still looking at Az, all she's able to say is "Can I kiss you?"

Azriel doesn't even blink, "Yes."

Gwyn sits up slowly, rising to her knees. Then she leans into him, still looking into his eyes. She lifts her slightly trembling hands to his cheeks, holding him gently. His own hands are on his sides, forming fists. Then slowly, so slowly, she puts her lips on his. Just that. She doesn't move her lips, and neither does he. They stay like that for a few seconds. When she pulls away, putting a few inches between their heads, they look at each other like there's nothing else around them.

Gwyn, heart in her throat, asks "Can I kiss you again?"

Azriel, again without blinking, says "Yes."

Gwyn leans forward once more. When she kisses him this time, she moves her lips a little bit. But she doesn't know what to do exactly, how to kiss properly. Because as much as she read those smutty books, they didn't teach her how to kiss. She pulls away again, frustrated with herself. This time she asks, "Can you kiss me?"

And this time Azriel answers with a question of his own, "Can I touch you?"

Gwyn swallows, then nods once. Azriel lifts one of his hands to her cheek, not yet touching. He pushes a strand of her hair behind an ear. Then he grabs her nape gently with that hand. His other hand comes to rest on her cheek. And he pulls her toward him and starts kissing her like he's been waiting for this his entire life. Hard but gentle at the same time. A lot of nipping and sucking. Gwyn's hands wander to his shoulders, then to the back of his head, pulling at the hair there. When her knees feel so weak that they won't hold her up any longer, Azriel grabs her waist and sits her on his thighs, both her feet where her knees had been a moment ago. Never once breaking the kiss. It lasts for an eternity.

When they pull apart, they're both breathless. Looking at each other like it's the first time they see the other one. Like the ground has shifted beneath them, though they both are sitting. Gwyn, still trying to control her breathing, says "Wow."

Azriel, still breathless himself, chuckles and says "Wow indeed."

[glossamerfaerie]

Gwyn got little distracted 👀

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This absolutely gorgeous Gwynriel piece, representing Gwyn and Azriel at a party at Rita’s was done for me by the amazing viliaud00 and I’m in love with it! ♥️ Enjoy!

[glossamerfaerie]

@sjmromanceweek

Summary: Gwyn and Az go on their first date.

Gwyn had been feeling remarkably brave lately.

Just a couple of months ago, Gwyn had started going on weekly outings with Nesta and Emerie in the city, simply because she felt like it. Just last week, she’d spent several days in Dawn studying some ancient scrolls with no one but Merrill and Ananke as company. Just yesterday, Gwyn had gone with Azriel, Nesta, and Cassian to a new bookshop-cafe overlooking the Sidra.

And just that morning, when Azriel had suggested they go for dessert – only the two of them – Gwyn had said yes without a moment’s hesitation.

Gwyn had, of course, run to Nesta with the news. Gwyn had found her friend curled up on the comfortable couch by one of the library windows, reading a new book. She had thrown herself at the seat, speaking quickly and without a care about having interrupted Nesta’s quiet reading.

“I have to tell Cassian,” Nesta had said, triumph in her blue-grey eyes, her book forgotten at her side. “I knew it, I’ve been telling Cass all week that Az was going to ask you on a date.”

Gwyn had hoped that was what Azriel had been intending, but she had not been entirely sure. All the same, when Nesta had offered to braid her hair and help her find a pretty dress, Gwyn had been quick to take her up on the offer.

Az had come to her dressed in all-black, looking as lovely as ever, and acting as though there was nothing happening that was out of the ordinary.

When Az had taken her hand in his much larger one to winnow them from the House of Wind onto the still-sunny streets of Velaris, Gwyn had brushed it off as a friendly gesture. When Az had not immediately let go, and then had proceeded to interlock their fingers as he led her down the busy, pedestrian-filled walkways, Gwyn still wondered if perhaps she was overthinking and simply assuming Azriel had any sort of romantic intentions.

Perhaps Nesta’s enthusiastic claim that Cassian now owed her for always being right about everything had given Gwyn the wrong impression and had unnecessarily raised her hopes.

Two slices of cake and three cups of coffee later, Gwyn could state with great confidence that Azriel had, in fact, asked her out on a date.

Azriel was holding her hand again as they left the quiet cafe, and Gwyn’s cheeks hurt from how much she’d been smiling. His shadows were trailing lazily behind them, more coming to follow now that the sun had gone down. Azriel held her hand as they walked along the city streets, undeniably so much lovelier at night, all the way back to the House of Wind.

“I don’t believe you.”

“And yet,” Azriel said, a smile in the tone of his voice.

“Black can’t be your favourite colour,” Gwyn shook her head, a few copper strands of hair freeing themselves from her intricate braid, “Too predictable.”

“I also like very, very dark shades of blue,” he replied, amusement lacing the words.

Gwyn’s laughter was loud, unguarded, as Azriel winnowed them right to her room, just outside her door.

“I had a really nice time,” Gwyn told him, hoping he felt the same. She placed her hand on the doorknob just in case Azriel had had an awful night and she needed to escape to her room and not have to face him until training.

“That’s a relief,” Az smiled, and Gwyn thought she had never seen anything lovelier. “Nesta threatened to gut me with a soup spoon if you came home unhappy.”

Gwyn laughed and one of Azriel’s shadows darted towards the fingers she still had lingering by the door.

“Goodnight, Gwyn.”

Gwyn was planning to wish Azriel a goodnight, maybe even be forward enough to suggest they do something like this again sometime soon.

The Gwyn of a few months ago would have done just that, but she was feeling a small pull, ever so gentle, towards Azriel. And, as Gwyn had noticed, she was feeling remarkably brave lately.

Azriel was standing so close, his wings making it seem as though only the space between them existed. Holding his wrist, careful to make it quick so she would not lose her courage, Gwyn got on the tips of her toes and kissed Azriel, only for a brief moment, on the lips. She felt her cheeks burning, her heart beating thunderously in her ears.

“Good night,” Gwyn breathed, rushing into her room to rather rudely slam the door shut. Despite her best efforts not to give Azriel one last look, she still managed to catch the surprised smile on his face.