#I love midnights fae world

[totallynotagremlin]

So... i did a thing @atherix

This was the end resukt of your little sneak peak

I thinks its been like 3 or 4 days, idk

Midnight summers is by far my favorite part and im totally not avoiding cub with every bone in my body. Shush ill get to him

Maybe

I had fun, ill probabky do more of these

Also expect lots and updates soon ive got many big projects in mind

Im gonna go bookpress this for like 3 weeks now

[llamagoddessofficial]

Hello! How have you been? I hope all is well on your side of the world! I was wondering if we could get some more of knightmare? J-just a thought... please🥺🌹

"there you are,"

You jumped, tearing your eyes away from the aurora above you. When you moved your arms and stood up straight, a little snow was disturbed from the smooth stone of the balcony; shooting a glance over your shoulder, you saw Nightmare, silhouetted by the torchlight from within the castle.

"what are you doing out here? you aren't wearing nearly enough to be outside." He closed the door behind him. Immediately, he too was bathed in the green aurora glow that felt like it filled the whole world. The glittering snow crunched gently under the soles of his leather shoes - as he walked toward you, he started to toy with the collar of his large fur-trimmed midnight cloak, unclasping a metal moon charm that took on an emerald glint every time it shifted.

"I'm watching the sky," you replied, meekly, breath escaping in a shimmering cloud.

He came to your side at the balcony, eyelight peering curiously down at you. He tugged loose a fabric knot at his throat. "for how long? i expected you'd be long asleep by now."

"I-I don't know." Now that he had snapped you out of your trance, you were starting to really feel the cold through your simple woollen dress. "It's hard to keep track of time,"

Nightmare sighed. With the knot undone, he drew the great cloak off his shoulders. You watched, mutedly confused - you could hear its silver embroidered ends sweeping over the flagstones.

... He stepped up to you... and brought the cloak around your shoulders.

You blinked up at him, flustered by the proximity once again, as the heavy thing suddenly weighed down upon you. Warmth-imbued soft fabric suddenly soothed your skin, fur tickling your cheeks and nose. He looked so different without the cloak - he wore a lovely long-sleeved dark tunic beneath, the neck and wrists lined with real silver. He looked so handsome, the aurora's glow suited his complexion far more than sun; you liked being able to see his face, less obscured by layers of fur.

You wanted to ask many questions - Are you really sure I can wear this? Is this ok with you? Isn't this precious to you, you wear it all the time? Isn't it expensive? Are you certain?

... Yet... the questions didn't come. Instead, a tiny tired "Thank you," fell out of your mouth.

His eyelight got wider, for a moment. And you could not tell if the aurora had merely brightened, or there was colour on his face. But his expression quickly returned to normal.

Seemingly subconsciously, he touched the fur of the cloak, very near to your face. "i choose to not hear that," he said, gently.

You exhaled. Ah, right. You couldn't thank the fae, could you? Nor apologise. There was implication of debt. "Oh."

He sounded sympathetic. "you've got to be more careful than that. this is no place for slips of the tongue."

"I know. I just... when I'm comfortable, I forget."

He got a strange look on his face.

"could i ask why you are staring at the sky?" He shifted, standing beside you, mimicking your position of elbows rested on the balcony edge. The subject change was not lost on you, but you chose not to speak on it. "with not nearly enough clothes on, i might add."

You stared at him. "Why am I staring? Is that a genuine question?"

His brow creased. "yes?"

You looked back up again. At the sea of stars - but equally, the silent river of green and pink fire that flowed across the open sky.

You had never seen it this strong in the human world, never. There were no words that could fully make sense of it. It was gentle, silent, like smoke, like water, like fire. Like magic.

"I mean..." you were breathless. "... Just look at it."

"it signals morning, for us. a high aurora and a full moon is the closest we get to daylight." His dark, soft voice was perfect for the setting. "some days it is strong, some days it is weak. but it always comes."

"It's really, really beautiful."

... He hummed.

"... yes. it is."

You glanced at him. He looked away from you, up to the sky.

"You weren't even looking,"

"i must admit, i have long struggled to see any beauty in my realm." He relaxed his whole weight onto his forearms. "i see only darkness and cold. shadows of what the summer realm has."

Your eyes were getting heavy. "If it was hot, you could never have given me your cloak. And if it was bright, I could not see the stars."

Nightmare hummed. His hand shifted, as if to move toward yours, but instead he knitted his fingers together.

"perhaps we should make a deal."

You turned, shooting a withering look up at him. "Nothing binding."

He grinned. It was hard to believe that face belonged to the very man that had unhorsed a dozen knights to win your hand. "yes, yes, nothing binding, i swear. a human sort of deal."

"Hm. Go on, then."

"you remain here, at the palace. you live as you wish to, under my complete protection." He played with a silver ring on his index finger. "and in return... you will tell me when you find my realm beautiful. metaphorically lend me your eyes. perhaps then, i'll finally start to see what you like so much about all this snow and stone."

Ah, you couldn't help but smile. "Alright, I agree to that. You'll realise it's far, far more than 'snow and stone'."

He chuckled. "i hope so."

"We'll start with this. I find the aurora very, very beautiful." You looked back up to it. "Look at the shapes. The patterns. But just... look at the colours. Aren't they breathtaking?"

Nightmare settled in beside you, his upper arm brushing your shoulder.

...

"... i think i'm starting to see it." He murmured.

You could tell, from the direction of his voice, that he was still looking at you.

[florencemtrash]

Please remember me - Azriel x Reader

Ok but just imagine how heartbroken Az would be if he lost the woman he loved, but when the Cauldron brings her back, she doesn't have any memories of him.

It's after midnight and I'm feeling things...

___________________

You broke through the frigid darkness, something fragmenting beneath your fingers into a million sharp pieces as you wrenched your body up and gasped for breath.

Freezing. You were freezing to death in a pool of water. Or so you thought. Weak, uncooperative limbs flung over the lip of the pool, rough skin grabbing hold of you. You spilled out of the Cauldron into Azriel's waiting arms, and he wasted no time in burying his face into the crook of your neck, breathing in your familiar scent no longer tainted bitter and metallic by blood.

"Thank the gods. Y/n. I thought... I thought I lost you. Y/n. Y/n." He whispered your name over and over. A word more precious than the holiest of prayers.

You basked in the safety of his arms, the strength in the hands that gripped your hip and cradled the back of your head. That feeling of safety didn't go away when the stranger pulled back, molten hazel eyes staring into yours. He was the most beautiful male you'd ever seen. A face composed of graceful lines broken up by the tragic pain in his eyes, the tears that traced a path down his cheeks, the pained smile. He looked at you the way mates did in all the stories you'd read. Like holding you was the same as holding the world in his palms.

But when he kissed you, stealing the breath from your lungs like he was the one that had nearly drowned, you knew you needed to put a stop to this. One hand on his chest, the faintest hesitation on your lips, was all it took for him to pull away, eyes searching your body for any sign of hurt.

"Y/n? What is it? What's wrong, love?"

You hesitated. Your name was familiar on his lips, like it belonged there, like it belonged to him. But none of that changed the fact that you had no idea who this raven-haired male was.

"I-I don't..." You didn't want to say it. Didn't want to break the look of hope and relief on his face.

"Y/n?"

You finally noticed the small collection of fae behind him. A striking female with silver-tinted eyes beside a male as strong and wide as a mountain, Illyrian wings held tight against his spine like a notched arrow. A male and female, clearly mated, looking like figures carved from the fabric of the night sky. A female in red with golden-blond hair and doe-brown eyes. All of them weeping, or wiping away tears from red-rimmed eyes.

"Y/n? Please, look at me." Azriel begged, "Please." He whispered, feeling the tension in your body and the panic in your eyes, "Talk to me. What's wrong?"

When your eyes slid back to him, his heart plummeted in his chest, nose diving faster than he'd ever fallen in his life. He knew what words would tumble off your tongue before you said them. The confusion in your eyes spoke volumes.

"I don't... I don't know you."

The room stilled, voices trapped in everyone's throats along with their breath, and Azriel's hope shattered into a million pieces.

[acotarxreader]

Storybook

Azriel x Reader

Synopsis: Azriel's insecurities of not being good enough for the glowing Dawn emissary that had enveloped his world can't be silenced and erupt at Cassian's birthday party. But can he find his way again into the storybook life he believes you deserve?

Warnings: Angst, silly Azriel, fluff, typos

A/N; A cute lil fic while I mull over the end of Mirror for the thousandth time! Let me know what you guys think! Requests Open!

---------------------------------------

Azriel traced small circles along the base of your spine as you huddled close to his side, the buttery sheets of the gigantic bed swaddling you from the cold. Hazel eyes examined your snoozing state with a loving gaze, Azriel unsure why you spent any time at all with him let alone choosing to be his partner. Doubt swirled across the Spymaster's head, as it often did in the quiet moments when you weren't available to silence them.

As if hearing these very thoughts, your eyes gently fluttered open, a haphazard smile graced your face, his uncertainty faltering on sight. Azriel brushed a stray hair from your face, your own moving from across his abdomen to lace into his, gently pressing a kiss on cracked knuckles as you did so.

“We should get up Az” “You Dawn Court females are such sticklers for punctuality” He laughed down to you, kissing the top of your head before you rolled reluctantly away from the heat to stand and dress, Azriels focus never leaving your movement. You threw his tie back to him, breaking his stare.

“C’mon Az, Cassian won’t like if you miss his birthday because you were ogling at me” “True, he’ll be jealous” You smiled at his reply while he stood to find his discarded clothes across your studio apartment. Azriel found himself slightly struck by the simple contrast of his midnight blue and black suit decorating around your warm pastel environment. Sticking out like a drop of ink on a sundial. He scrunched his face for a moment, fighting through the feelings the visual representation of your differences brought.

Scarred hands locked buttons on his chest back together as he turned to land his eyes on the most beautiful female he could ever imagine. The dress you wore was relatively simple, a long light pink chiffon dress that shimmered in the soft glowing light of the space, its v-neckline and loose sleeves flattering you endlessly. You took no notice of Azriel's awestruck state as you sat at your vanity, plaiting your hair back, a few sneaky strands framing your face. You pinned small golden stars into the tendrils of hair while Azriel crossed the floor to stand behind you. 

“You look radiant YNN” “Not too Dawn Court-” You teased, standing to kiss his cheek “-Not too shabby yourself Shadowsinger” A small blush dashed across his cheeks as he took your hands in his, too Dawn Court, too perfect he thought to himself before winnowing the both of you back to the Night Court. 

-

It was a larger party than originally intended, they always were when Mor was organising them. Azriel sat close to you at the table of his friends in River House, fae flowing from every entrance and exit as the sound of celebrations filled the ancient streets.

You laughed wholeheartedly at Cassian's story of locking Rhysand out of the cabin one winter in nothing but his undergarments, the group's laughter almost as loud as the music. Feyre kissed your cheek lightly before sitting alongside her mate. Azriel thought of how perfectly you had slotted into his world and how he had still struggled to find his flow in Dawn and with your friends. She complimented your dress, it softly shimmering in the surrounding light, contrasting the deep blues, maroons and violets of his beloved city. 

“Az? Hello?” His arm shook gently with your grip, waking him from his trance to look at your grinning face directly again. 

“I’m going to get a drink, want one?” he just gave a small nod, you just laughed before finding your way towards the kitchen area. 

“She’s like a perfect little doll, the ones we played with as children” Feyre laughed, Nesta agreeing.

“Like a damsel from one of our storybooks”

“Yes Elain, Azriel is quite the Prince Charming” Nesta’s sarcasm added to her sister, the group laughing, Azriel forcing a chuckle. As much as they all loved you, they agreed you didn’t exactly fit into the image of fearsome Night Court and would find themselves constantly remarking about the storybook world you came from, to your equal amusement. Azriel not agreeing with its humour, the comments re enforcing a deep-seated fear within him. 

“One day you’ll tell us how you got that drop of sun to co-exist with the shadows Az” “I'll let you know when I find out myself” He painted a smile on his face at Lucien, the group laughing at his jest. You returned to the table with Mor in tow, her arm around your waist as you both laughed, some of Azriel’s drinking splashing over the rim. 

“C’mon, let's dance, we can sit and chat like old boring people tomorrow” 

“Who are you calling old Mor?” Cassian stood in playful defence, slightly wobbly from the copious amounts of alcohol he had consumed.

“You, you old bat! C’mon let's move those hips while they still work” Her hand took his and pulled him back towards the dancing crowds, you, Nesta and Feyre following happily. It wasn’t long before Lucien and Elain joined the revelry, Rhysand and Azriel watching proudly from their seats. 

“To being old bats” Rhysand tipped the top of his glass off of Azriel’s, both brothers smiling into their drinks. Azriel watched you dance hand in hand with his brother, truly carefree and endlessly happy. 

“I’ve never seen you so happy Az, perhaps we’ll be making more visits to Dawn”

“What do you mean by that?” Azriel tore his smiling face from you to look at his brother. 

“I’m sure YN would rather settle in Dawn, they tend not to stray too far from their Court. Besides you can work from anywhere, but she glows best at home” Rhysand offered with a soft smile before he looked back towards his mate who had taken you from a drunken Cassian.  Azriel felt a small match light near the explosives in his head as the General of the Night Court came almost crashing back to the table, taking Rhysand’s drink from his hand. 

“They’re right, I’m getting old-” He chuckled, sinking back next to his best friends “-I’m going to have to work on my dance moves for your wedding Az” Azriel choked slightly on his drink, his two friends laughing loudly.

“Don’t kill the male Cass” “Oh c’mon, you two have been together for years now, I don’t see you finding much better Az and as for YN, she’ll settle for our best soldier, no prince charmings need apply” He teased. Nesta sat proudly on her mate's lap, reaching for her discarded drink. The match’s flame grew in size.

“YN should be Queen of Prythian, and it not the alcohol talking, I believe it-” She practically slurred, chasing her thirst from dancing away with the wine “-Darcoo might marry her” “Drakon” Rhysand corrected with a laugh, Azriel shuffling ever so slightly in his seat. 

“Whatever, she’s wasted as Dawn’s emissary to the Solar Courts, she should just assume all power of that court, marry one of you silly little High Lords even and ride into the sunset…or I guess sunrise” 

“Ahem” Azriel cleared his throat, Cassian looking apologetic towards him on behalf of his mate as she rolled her eyes and stood again, finishing off the drain of alcohol left in the glass before rejoining the party. Azriel watched you again, head tilted back as you laughed with his dear friends, the room feeling now completely silent, almost moving in slow motion. The match touched the explosives. 

“I know that look” Rhysand’s warning tone was a reaction to Azriel’s knitted eyebrows as he stood suddenly, crossing the dance floor before his brothers could stop him. Azriel moved with the quick precision he normally reserved for missions but he needed out of this now suffocating space. You caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of your eye, instinctively following him only slowed by the mass amounts of crowds that Azriel transversed with ease.

Azriel seemed almost drunk in his movement as he reached the cobblestone streets but his thoughts felt stone-cold sober. By the time you had made it to the entrance of the house, Azriel had made it halfway down the street. You called out to him as you ran after him. 

“Hey! You didn’t hear me call you?-” You laughed as you reached his side, your face flushing from the brief bit of exercise “-What’s-what’s wrong?” Your smile faltered at his stony expression as it landed on you. 

“I-I just need to go-go for walk” “Okay cool, I’ll come with you, let me borrow a throw from Feyre and-” “NO” Azriel’s voice uncharacteristically got away from him and it startled you, instantly causing guilt to pace through him. You moved to take his hand from his side, only to see him tuck it into his pocket before reaching your touch, you took a small step back from him at the movement, laughing lightly with your own rising panic as you asked - 

“What?” “You don’t belong with me walking around the Night Court” “Don’t be silly Az, we walk all the time tog-” “No YN, you’re not listening to me, you don’t belong in the Night Court” he looked away from you again, fixating on a crooked stone in his path.

“What do you mean?” You quickly exchanged scared for offended, tucking your arms across your chest.

“I mean….I mean look around YN! You don’t fit in here! It’s like the sun trying to blend in with the shadows!”

“Az, what does that even mean?! You’re being ridiculous!” you shot back, standing in front of him to block him from walking away from the argument he had nightmares about every night. 

“It means that you've got this fairytale and it's just not mine!”

“Why can't it be ours?!” Your own voice was beginning to rise, some passing fae throwing side eye glances. 

“It-it just cant be! I think- I think it's time we say goodbye YN and I think deep down you agree”

“Az-I- What?! I don’t understand?! what did I do-” your shaking voice was cutting at Azriel as you continued “-I-I need you!”

“I don’t know why” His cold tone washed over your skin, freezing it on contact as he looked down to you, glazing his face over with an expression he usually reserved for his work.

“Becau-se because I love you Azriel” Your voice finally broke under the immense weight of heartbreak as you verbalised your first confession of love, making Azriel flinch slightly. He took a weighted breath through his mouth before biting down on his tongue, allowing the silence to fill the street in what he believed was mercy. 

“Don’t-don’t you love me too?” Your eyes were defeated by the charging fears and Azriel found his own glossy eyes fixed on yours. He bit down more harshly, drawing the blood of your heartbreak. He knew this would finish you off and it did. You took a big deep breath, trying to collect whatever possible composure you could before dragging a manicured hand across your face. Your tears were free-flowing now as you winnowed out of the street, Azriel’s whole body slumping forward as you disappeared. 

—------------------

“You absolute fucking asshole!” Mor threw a discarded book from the coffee table at Azriel who sat, head in hands on the couch of the Town House. Rhysand paced almost the length of the house trying to comprehend what Azriel had confessed, a week after its occurrence. 

“I just thought you two were off screwing but instead you were just screwing up!” Rhysand agreed with Cassian, scolding Azriel like a small child as he towered above his brother.

“You fucked up Az” Feyre sighed across from him as she watched her mate cease his pacing.

“But I didn't! It's what's best for YN! She wasn't fitting into this stupid fucking world”

“Except she was! You big idiot!” Mor hurled another book at the broken-hearted male, which he bearly dodged as he sat back into the plush couch.

“You don't get it, I did it for her best interest”

“Oh yes because brokenhearted and confused is much better for her than happy and in love!”  Cassian caught Mor’s arm before she could grab another weapon. 

“Az, fix it” Rhysand ordered, sinking next to his mate, their hands instantly lacing together.

“I fixed it by ending it! Now she can go off and be happy and live the picket fence dream in Dawn that she deserves!” Azriel stood suddenly, anger bellowing from him as his shadows swam lazily around the floor, unable to find life since the incident.

He moved with heavy steps to the window, looking out onto the stage of your battlefield. His family all shared knowing glances, deciding to proceed with caution. Mor stood and caught Azriel by surprise, dragging him into her for a hug. His figure practically swallowed her petite stature and yet he found himself resting the majority of his weight down her, tears finally winning their battle on the shadowsinger and free flowing from his eyes. Cassian placed a hand on his brother's back before joining the huddle, helping Mor to support Azriel’s heartbroken weight. 

“This is so stupid” Azriel let out a little laugh through weak tears, quickly wiping them from his face while pulling back from the huddle. 

“C’mon Az, let's go get your storybook ending” Rhysand smiled, placing a gentle hand on his and Cassian’s shoulder before winnowing them away from the Court of Dreams. 

-

Azriel stood outside the gate of your house, his eyes wandering up the manicured path, flowers leaking from every crevice. Rhysand and Cassian had agreed to make themselves scarce while he spoke to you, taking themselves on a walk around the neighbourhood.

Azriel cleared his lungs of air before taking shaky steps up the steps to your door, marred knuckles gently rapping off of the solid oak. After a moment, you opened the door smiling, only to have it drop from your face again as you tried to close the door, Azriel stretching his foot to block its path. 

“YNN, I need to talk to you” “I’m busy Azriel” Your sharp tone contrasted harshly against his sheepish one. 

“Please, give me two minutes” He stepped back, gesturing you to follow him to the porch steps where he sank into the wood. You sighed, looking back into your house and back to Azriel’s silhouette again. You joined his side, keeping some distance between the both of you as you sat. 

“Okay so firstly you look beautiful and-”

“I'm only giving you two minutes Azriel” You warned.

“Right right sorry. Okay I broke up with you because we are just from such fundamentally different worlds and-”

“-this doesn't sound like an apology” You knotted your arms deeper into your chest.

“Well I mean it's kind of not-” You went to stand only to be pulled back down again before you could escape him again “-because it's why I fell for you in the first place, it's why we work, you're so not who I pictured myself with and that makes you beyond perfect, I just didn't want to ruin perfect, I ruin everything, case in point. Us”

“Az-” “-I need to explain myself please, I just I really love you and that-that is why we can’t be together, the things I love get ruined, I’ll ruin you” He admitted quietly, looking down on the flowers in the garden again as your soft eyes traced the outline of his side profile.

“Azriel, I love you and you could never ruin me and I’ve never thought you would, you’re not capable of hurting me on purpose….well except that little scene at Cassian’s birthday party” You found a small genuine laugh leave you, a surprising smile growing on Azriel’s face for the first time in a week. 

“Yeah I fucked up”

“At least you know you fucked up” You laced your fingers through his the way he adored and he found his eyes landing on yours once again.

“So you're perfectly happy being with someone imperfect? No storybook ending?” You nudged him for his words and then nodded before meeting him in a sweet kiss.

“The only story I want to be in is yours”

-----------------------------------------------------

Whatcha think?

[cuppajj]

Neo Beast Head cannons?

WOOWOO

✨Saint Vanilla Cookie

He’s the only one who goes wherever he wants. The other beasts are pretty stationary for the time being, but Saint’s on a mission and he will show up literally anywhere

Still loves animals and thinks they’re incapable of sinning, so they don’t get the purifying touch. It’s why raisin’s crows are still alive

Speaking of raisin, he does miss her but he thinks she’s in a better place. Calls her his martyr and talks about her like she’s still alive

He has tea every morning

It’s unknown where he sleeps when he’s traveling the world

He keeps Crepe’s headset extra clean for the day they meet each other again

❤️‍🔥Dragonberry Cookie

She is still the same old Hollyberry who loves drinking berry juice like there’s no tomorrow. She even brings pints to Neo beast meetings

Even though her pride has given her a massive superiority complex, she still views her family and even Pitaya rather fondly, though it doesn’t prevent the latter from being spared any sort of pain. She sees everything as playful until it’s not

Does frankly miss Tarte Tatin and Royal Margarine even though one or both of them has Snapdragon, who she’s trying to get her hands on

Snores

❄️Frigid Cacao Cookie

Rarely speaks but when he does it’s usually to give orders, and half of that time he asks for food

His incense always remains lit

Alongside the cookies left, sometimes the licorice sea monsters that now roam his halls act as his servants. He can also use the licorice ooze to do wacky things like teleport from one place to another

Sometimes he appears in the fog of the snow like an apparition, something you can barely see but know he’s there. It’s one of the rare sightings of him outside

Another thing he does when outside is stare at a frozen Cacaoian. Sometimes he touches the icy surface, maybe kneels. Who knows what he’s thinking?

☀️Celestial Cheese Cookie

A lot of her mannerisms are akin to white diamond from steven universe, she was actually one of the main references I used for her design

She can summon as many golden arms as she wants and they operate on hydra properties. Cutting one will grow two

Despite this, she doesn’t have the legit Midas touch where everything she touches turns to gold, she can be selective. Which is good when she wants to pet jackals

Her growing kingdom is full of converted desert inhabitants and travelers, maybe a handful of townships, and it’s remarkable how she’s been able to grow a lot from nothing. She does get a bit of an inferiority complex when comparing herself to the likes of Dragonberry, but it motivates her to conquer more

🥀Midnight Lily Cookie

She picked up playing the harp after she became queen, and she plays often. The silver fae like to gather around to listen to their queen perform, and her harp can be heard across the kingdom

She’s grown more accustomed to speaking like the silver fae as well at times, her voice songlike despite how neutral it sounds. She’ll sing as she plays the harp as well

Despite being a beast, she’s the least accepting of that name for lack of a better word. She doesn’t see herself as being corrupt, only staying true to her decisions and her sovereignty, what she believes is right for herself and everyone. It just so happens that it enables the bad to do worse, but it’s not her problem anyway.

Her kingdom is still strict to outsiders, probably on the same level as cacao. You might need an invitation inside or risk the silver fae being free to do whatever they wish with you

As I mentioned previously they operate similar to the fae (unseelie in aesthetic) so you don’t want to bother chaotic neutral creatures

The only one allowed without invitation is Saint Vanilla, who has a habit of showing up in her garden to lay among the flowers. Lily can only imagine what he thinks of when he sees her

[madockisser]

How does Cardan actually look in the books? Cuz I've seen a lot of fanart and he looks different every time. Sometimes he looks like the hottest guy I've seen and sometimes he looks like the bad guy from Lazy Town ☠️

cardan greenbriar appearance analysis!!

LMAOO thank u for the ask!!

as per usual when it comes to my character appearance analysis i can only speculate on facts rather than bias! so here’s what we know:

jude describes him as looking better than the rest (gentry children/ppl, keep in mind that the gentry are the richest most flamboyant of all the fae so this is certainly saying something) even when she has NO reason to feel that way abt him considering how he treated her, implying that he is FINE atleast according to jude’s standards!

but also according to the world of elfhame, if there is beauty, then it is great beauty, excruciating beauty that makes everything else seem dull in comparison. beauty that the mortal mind cannot comprehend, which is how jude describes him, so hes prob an absolute heartthrob, but honestly, there is no way for me to word it that will describe how good looking cardan must be.

like imagine the absolute hottest most beautiful most perfect guy ever and boom. cardan greenbriar.

secondly, she says his hair is black iridescent of a ravens wing, as black as midnight, and his eyes are tar-like, coal/crow black minus the gold around his irises. jude also mentions that when looking into them, she is hyper aware of the alienness of faerie. (is it possible his eyes are fully black? minus the golden irises?)

he has moon pale skin w scars across his chest and back, and he often wears kohl, and wears a scowl/sneer. she also says that he has high cheekbones sharp enough to cut out a girls heart (so cliche but i love to hear it)

he has soft pink lips, long fingers (which jude never fails to mention as often as she can) of which he wears many rings, most notably jude’s ruby ring and his greenbriar ring. he has long black lashes that are so long, they brush against his cheek.

his ears are pointed and usually bear jewels.

he has soft curly hair that falls in his eyes, and jude several times says he looks as though he’s just risen from a bed, so it’s messy but in a sexy way. and based on jude’s descriptions i don’t think it’s very long just bc i think it def would’ve been mentioned, this is considering holly blacks writing style, in the modern faerie tales two love interests have long hair and it is described that way, so i think he’s got a pretty basic cut, yk he’s a prince so he’s well groomed.

as for his animal trait, which all greenbriars have, he has a thin whiplike tail that curls and unfurls as such, it is hairless except for a soft tuft at the end. it sways and wags, revealing his emotions, it wraps itself around jude’s thigh and leg when they are intimate. adorable.

he smiles often, when he is nervous, and jude says he is very charming, which jude thinks is very dangerous. (👅)

jude says that if she didn’t know how cruel they all were, she would be just as in love w them as the rest of the gentry. she says that they are beautiful like blades forged in a divine fire. she also says that cardan is sickeningly handsome. she ALSO says that he is horrifically beautiful. (jude is the realest)

madoc says he is foppish (foppish meaning: a man that pays too much attention to his appearance. LOL) but tbh i think cardans just effortlessly beautiful. and no good w a sword.

we can assume in tcp that he’s pretty scrawny, lanky yk.

as for his height, a controversial topic since ppl cannot seem to decide if they want him to be short or tall, though i remain unbiased, jude is of average height, in tcp she says that she is suddenly struck down by his sheer height.

i believe somewhere it is said that he is about a head taller than her, making him about 6 foot+

as the series progress, he grows not just as a person, emotionally, but physically, as the land accepts him as the high king and he begins training w the roach.

jude mentions that she can feel the flex of his muscles beneath her hand, and she slides her hand against the flat plane of his stomach.

jude says many times how he looks the part of the high king, particularly at the end of twk, when he finally uses his high king powers against orlagh, and at this point we know that being the high king has effectively changed him since his being a prince.

he’s also given up his alcohol and never addictions by the end of the series so i don’t think at the end of the series he looks the same as he did, but that can be a biased take since we don’t know the severity of cardans addictions.

we can assume that by the end of the series he’s a bit more muscular, considering his training w the court of shadows and being king and whatnot, but body types are usually up to the reader!

anyway i skimmed by books for this ask (took me an hour but i did it for u anon) so i hope it’s well done enough, and that it answers your question!! sorry for not getting to it right away, i wanted to answer it well! 🫶🫶 posting more analyses soon i promise i have so many asks to get to, so im sorry if anyone waiting on me to answer them !!!

[sitp-recs]

hello!! i love your recs so so much, and i finally have something to ask. what about fics where harry is very good at something beyond just having powerful magic (love that trope tho) like commanding a classroom, solving a complicated puzzle, or idk even whittling. and draco notices and likes it? like competence kink. thank you!!

Oh I love this ask! Such a great concept, and not something I see often (competent Auror Harry is pretty popular though!). I’m sure I’m forgetting a bunch of fics and might add more later, but these are all great:

In Which Harry is Magnetic North and Draco Is An Idiot by bryoneybrynn (T, 13k)

For as long as he can remember, Draco’s been bringing fake dates to his family’s annual Yuletide celebration in order to evade his mother’s matchmaking. This year, Potter’s posing as his pretend boyfriend. But as the party gets underway, it gets unclear who’s playing who, who’s pretending what, who’s not pretending at all, and what the game really is. Confused? Yeah, so is Draco…

Unfinished Business by cupiscent (E, 20k)

Ten years after the War ends, Harry and Draco still haven't got their act together. But maybe it's not too late.

This is Never Happening Again by hpleems (M, 32k)

“Potter,” Malfoy said, shaking his head. “Do I look like I care about your holiday plans? Trust me: this is *never* happening again.”

Meet Me at Midnight by thestarryknight (T, 57k)

Harry was beginning to wonder if he’d ever make anything again when Malfoy stormed through the door of Harry’s furniture shop. Now Harry’s got an impossible Ministry commission to finish, and even less energy than ever to deal with his elusive muse. That is, until he stumbles upon the surreal and beautiful world of a mysterious fae creature…

A Room Up There (And You In It) by thestarryknight (T, 59k)

When Preservationist Draco Malfoy was assigned to work on Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, he was excited to delve into the gorgeous Black family antiques. His excitement quickly ended when something in the House decided it did not like his presence one bit. Featuring a grumpy antiques lover who most certainly did not sign up for this, encounters with a vengeful apparition, and a healthy application of Christmas spirit.

Among Ancient Pines by Theartfulldodger (M, 74k)

Every day, Draco Malfoy tries. With every fiber of his being he tries. But he doesn’t much think about what he’s trying for. In his final term of Healer training, Draco is unfortunate enough to find himself on a plane, the only means of traveling to a small, magical town in rural Alaska. Years of hard work have culminated in an opportunity to work with an experimental wandmaker to study the intersection of Healing and wand theory.

Azoth by zeitgeistic (E, 88k)

Now that Harry is back at Hogwarts with Hermione for eighth year, he realises that something’s missing from his life, and it either has to do with Ron, his boggart, Snape, or Malfoy. Furthermore, what, exactly, does it mean when one’s life is defined by the desire to simultaneously impress and annoy a portrait? Harry has no idea; he’s too busy trying not to be in love with Malfoy to care.

Little Deaths and How to Avoid Them (or Draco Malfoy's Guide to Stop Dying and Start Living Instead) by nerakrose, dustmouth (T, 96k)

Malfoy is way too interested in coroner reports for somebody who's definitely not looking for ways to die, Harry wants to be friends with him, and Ginny wants to break up with Harry.

[small-z24]

One-Shot: A Dance in the Shadows

Summary:

At a Night Court ball, Y/N, forced to attend by Rhysand, reluctantly dances with Azriel, the shadowsinger she doesn't trust. Despite her resistance, Azriel's protective nature begins to break through her defenses, revealing a deeper connection between them as the night unfolds.

Word Count: 677

Warnings: None

Author’s Note: I took this from @creativepromptsforwriting body guard prompt list "I will keep you safe. If you like it or not." Thanks for reading, would love some feedback! 

The grand ballroom of the Night Court glittered with ethereal beauty. Twinkling lights floated like stars above, casting a soft, shimmering glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The air buzzed with laughter and music, a symphony of strings and flutes weaving a melody that was both enchanting and haunting.

Y/N stood by the edge of the dance floor, feeling distinctly out of place amidst the glittering fae. Her dress, a deep midnight blue that matched the hues of the starry night, clung to her form gracefully. She admired the intricate details of the room, trying to distract herself from the fluttering nerves in her stomach.

She didn’t like events like these. She preferred the solitude of her own company, away from the probing eyes and the murmurs that always seemed to follow. But Rhysand had insisted—no, demanded—her presence tonight. And defying the High Lord of the Night Court wasn’t an option.

Azriel, the shadowsinger, had been a constant presence since they arrived, his silent strength offering an unspoken reassurance that she neither wanted nor appreciated. His shadows danced around him, a protective veil that kept the curious gazes at bay. He was a vision of lethal elegance in his tailored black attire, every inch the deadly warrior she had come to distrust.

Their eyes met across the room, and Azriel’s gaze softened. With a slight nod, he excused himself from a conversation with Rhysand and Feyre and made his way towards her. The crowd seemed to part instinctively, sensing the power that radiated from him.

As he reached her, he offered his hand. “May I have this dance?” he asked, his voice a low, velvety rumble that sent shivers down her spine.

Y/N hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. “Do I have a choice?” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Azriel led her to the center of the dance floor, where other couples swayed gracefully to the music. He pulled her close, one hand resting on the small of her back, the other holding her hand securely. As they began to move, Y/N couldn’t help but feel like they were the only two people in the room.

“You’re doing wonderfully,” Azriel murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “Just follow my lead.”

Y/N’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not some damsel in distress, Azriel. I can handle myself.”

Azriel’s grip tightened slightly, his shadows swirling more protectively around them. “I know you can,” he said softly, his eyes locking onto hers. “But you’re with me tonight, and I will keep you safe. If you like it or not.”

His words, spoken with such conviction and a hint of threat, sent a wave of anger through her. She looked up into his hazel eyes, seeing the promise of protection and something more—something deeper. A connection that went beyond words.

“I don’t need your protection,” she snapped, trying to pull away. “I’m not some fragile flower.”

Azriel’s gaze hardened, and he pulled her even closer. “I’m not protecting you because you’re fragile. I’m protecting you because you matter.”

The music swelled around them, and for a moment, it felt like they were dancing in their own world, untouched by the prying eyes of others. Azriel’s presence was a comforting anchor, grounding her amidst the swirling chaos.

As the dance came to an end, he led her off the floor, keeping her close by his side. “Thank you,” she said softly, her heart full of conflicting emotions.

He smiled, a rare, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Anytime, Y/N,” he replied. “Always.”

With Azriel by her side, she knew she could face anything. And as they mingled with the other guests, his hand never left hers, a constant reminder of his promise.

In the grand ballroom of the Night Court, surrounded by the beauty and intrigue of the fae world, Y/N found her strength in the shadowsinger’s unwavering support. And in that moment, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

[t4tower-of-t4terror]

‘Cause I Swear, I’d Burn This City Down to Show You the Light

Malleus Draconia x gn reader fluff

Malleus looked forward to your moments together more than anything in this world. He found himself waiting for nightfall, waiting until he could talk with you in front of Ramshackle underneath the light of the moon.

He saw you with your friends every once in a while, laughing and smiling as you all talked. He didn't know what the feeling in his chest was when he saw that. He wanted to bring you those feelings. Malleus would do anything to preserve that smile.

He didn’t know how often he made you smile. Your eyes lit up as you saw the glowing green fireflies through your window. They always preceded his appearance. And before you could blink, there he was, tall and ethereally handsome and standing in your shoddy garden yet again.

The air around you buzzed with his magic. It held the same weight as the air before a late-summer storm. You told him months ago that he was always invited to hang around your dorm and the glow of his joy hung in the air like the glow of his fireflies (were they his? You didn’t know). And so he sat cross-legged on a pillar in front of your home, holding his little egg-shaped tamagotchi in his hands.

Malleus’ head shot up as he heard the loud creak of your door as you rushed to meet him, parcel in hand. You were bounding with energy. The usual fatigue of your nighttime encounters hadn’t hit you yet.

“Hello child of man. What do you have there?” the fae prince asked, cocking his head to the side in the way he often does when confused. You find it endearing.

“Well, it’s your birthday, right? I wanted to be the first one to give you a present!” Malleus felt a pull in his chest, as if his heart was jumping out from his ribcage.

“You remembered? In all honesty, I hadn’t even noticed that the clock had already struck midnight,” he said, trying to cover up the emotion in his voice at you remembering such a small detail about him. A detail he didn’t even remember telling you.

“Lilia came up to me about a week or two ago to tell me that your birthday was today. I wanted to do something for you, so here!” you placed the parcel in his hands.

He carefully undid the wrapping paper to see a bracelet made of shiny plastic beads and string. The beads were green, black, and purple all in an organized sequence. In the middle of the bracelet was “Tsunotarou” spelled out in silver cube-shaped beads with black lettering. Malleus’ eyes widened. He slipped it around his hand and it fit perfectly against his wrist.

“I’m sorry it’s not much. I know you’re probably used to bigger presents. It does glow in the dark, if that makes it any better,” you say, slightly embarrassed that you’re giving the prince of Briar Valley a glow-in-the-dark kandi bracelet.

He takes your hands into his. Softness leaks into his emerald eyes. He’s smiling with similar softness. You can see that he is moved to tears. Malleus experiences his senses and emotions in the strongest ways possible. He is often composed out of necessity. But he lets that mask drop around you. He lets himself be emotional and he talks about the things he loves. And in this moment, the contact of your hands on his holds an intimacy beyond description.

“This means more than you could ever imagine,” Malleus says.

“I have one, too. I had extra beads after making yours. So I made one with your nickname for me. We can match now, if you want,” you say, removing your hands from his grasp to rustle through your pants pocket and pull out your bracelet.

It is in the same colors, except now it says “child of man” in the same silver and black beads. Malleus gasps softly when he sees it, when he sees how the moonlight glints off of the plastic. He takes the bracelet from you and takes your hand again. He slips the elastic string onto your wrist with the same affection that a lover would slip an engagement ring onto the finger of their betrothed. It’s deeply emotional to a point where it feels silly. You’re both on the verge of tears over exchanging bead bracelets. He does not let go of your hand.

Wordlessly, he lifts your hand to his face, pressing his lips against the bump of your knuckle. Your breath catches in your throat.

“Thank you for this gift you’ve bestowed upon me. I will not remove it. You are kinder to me than anyone has been in centuries. I cannot thank you enough, child of man.” Fae do not often cry, but Malleus feels as if he might.

“I also have ice cream inside, if you want,” you offer, breaking him from his spell-like daze.

"Do you want me to stay? It's late," he says.

"Yes, of course I do. I got it just for you. You're always invited here," and he squeezes your hand, unaware that he's even doing so.

"In that case, it would be my pleasure," Malleus says. He is calm, yet sincere.

You walk hand-in-hand to the kitchen of Ramshackle, where a shoddy mini fridge resides on a countertop. You pull out two rectangles, white and wrapped in plastic.

"What kind of ice cream is this?" He sounds excited. You know it's his favorite food.

"It's ice cream sandwiches. They're Neapolitan, so it's vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry all together" and his excitement shows in his face, grateful as you offer him one.

You watch as he tears open the wrapper and sinks his pristinely white fangs into the chocolate cookie and ice cream. He quickly goes into another bite as you start to dig into yours. You can hear the beads on his wrist softly click against each other as his hand moves.

"So? Thoughts?" You ask, licking your lips of the remains of ice cream.

"I like it. I think the addition of all three flavors is unique. If you are more particularly interested in one flavor over the others, you can eat that one first. Or last, if you're so inclined. I prefer to eat my favorite part of a dish last, to savor it the most." You listen as he explains his ice cream preferences.

"Thank you, child of man. You have brought more joy to my life than you could ever know," and you smile. That smile that caused him to fall so hard.

"Could I request one more thing of you?" He asks.

"Yes of course, Tsunotarou," you say with that same smile.

"Could you stay by my side like this? I know about your desire to return home, but I cannot fathom a future without you." He is so tender and earnest in this request-slash-confession that you feel as if the world is just the two of you.

You have grown fond of this world. You looked at your future in your old world with a sense of looming dread. Now, that dread was finally replaced with hope. Despite everything, you were happy here. You had been planning to ask Crowley to cancel his efforts to return you home. You were going to break the news to Malleus after that, but now seemed like a better time.

“Of course I will. I was secretly hoping you’d ask. I know I miss my old world, but this world is kinder to me than that one ever was. I want to stay by your side, Malleus. I want to stay for as long as you’ll have me.” You are just as tender as he is and he perks up in joy.

“It would be an honor to have you with me. I will write home for my grandmother to set up the preparations,” he says, his smooth baritone voice filled to the brim with excitement.

“Preparations? For what?” You ask, slightly confused.

“Our arrival and the announcement of my future co-ruler of the Briar Valley.”

[bluessmutifyplaylist]

Choking so hard rn…Could I have Malleus and male/gn reader just praising each other with some more spicer kisses…? If not, you’re fine^^ I just wanna praise my mans so hard with all my affection.

-💫

Male Reader. Implied smut, but mostly just suggestive. Still tagging this as smut.

Malleus Draconia

You and the prince were laying in bed after one of your… rather passionate… midnight rendezvous. You needed a breath after the dragon had finally marked you as his, and while you were sore everywhere, you wouldn’t trade this moment for the world. 

With the way you laid your head on his bare chest, you could hear his quick heartbeat, something that was normal with fae folk. Neither of you wanted to fall asleep just yet, having too much fun reveling in each other’s conscious company. The blankets were warm while he was cold to the touch.

“You did so good for me, my love. Do you need anything? Water, perhaps?” He asked. You mustered up enough strength to shake your head no, not wanting him to move yet.

“No, I don’t need anything, Tsunatarou,” A few moments passed with you both gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. You lowered your gaze to Malleus’s chest, starting to draw small little designs on his skin with your finger. Looking back up at him, you said, “Do you know just how amazing you are?”

“Enlighten me, darling.”

“Despite being so closed-off to the rest of the world, you still have the ability to love. Despite all the responsibility that rests on your shoulders, you still make time for love. You were made for love, and I pray to every being that I can continue to love you,” Although you were whispering, he heard every word.

“And I, you, Child of Man. Through losing your world and gaining a new one, you remain a creature of love just as I do. I believe fate has destined us to be together, and we will be together when you become king alongside me. We will be equal rulers, with you as my husband and me as yours.”

“I love the sound of that, Malleus,” You reached up to place a few kisses upon his lips, each kiss more passionate than the last. Realizing that he had no intention of stopping, you did what you could to straddle him as you continued to kiss him.

“Darling, are you proposing a second round?” He asked, a smirk now upon his face. The same smirk appeared on yours as you went under the blankets, trailing your kisses lower and lower… and that was the beginning of Round 2.

[acourtofkindness]

Thank you for sending in all the stories, here you can find the collection! Some of these are one-shots, some are longer stories, just click your way through them and also check out their other fics!

A Court of Vice and Victors

by @wishcamper Acosf rewrite where Nesta actually gets help and she and Cassian have a healthier dynamic, plus an Illyrian murder mystery

Pages Turned

by @climbthemountain2020 A character study on Nesta Archeron, the hardships she's faced through her life, and how they've shaped her as a person.

Could You Love Me While I Hate Myself

by @witch-and-her-witcher Humans have just been freed from servitude to the fae after years at war on Prythian and times are desperate for Nesta Archeron. With Feyre MIA and Elain a shell of herself, her options are becoming increasingly limited. When one of the young fae warriors, Cassian, who has carved a name for himself on the battlefield proposes to her after recognizing a mating bond between them, Nesta doesn't see any choice but to agree to take him as her husband and move herself and her sister to his home Court and the wilds of Illyria. War brings them together, a bond binds them - but is that enough for two broken people to find love with each other?

Firm and Fragrant Still the Brambleberries

by @foundress0fnothing When Nesta became a nurse at the start of the war, she could not have predicted a patient as challenging as Lieutenant Cassian Davies, nor he a nurse as captivating as her. As the same war that brought them together threatens to tear them apart, Nesta and Cassian must navigate the complexities of love and duty to find the way back to each other. A WWI historical AU.

Wreck My Plans, That's My Man

by @c-e-d-dreamer Drummer for the Bat Boys, Cassian has a large following, but sometimes Nesta doesn't appreciate fangirls calling themselves "Cassian's future wife."

It Looks As Though You're Letting Go

by @Darkcat18 (on ao3) Everyone is born with an arrow on the back of their hand which points to their soulmate at midnight on their eighteenth birthday. After her parents' disastrous marriage and her father's subsequent depression following the death of her mother, Nesta realized a soulmate is nothing more than guaranteed heartache and ruination. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she packs up her car and leaves her family and life behind forever. What she doesn't count on, however, is having a soulmate like Cassian, who may be the one to prove to her that a soulmate is what she needs.

I Guess It's Half Timing (And The Other Half's Luck)

by @moodymelanist Nesta and Cassian have a steamy one-night stand while out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, but their lives are changed forever once Nesta realizes her period is late. Follow along as Nesta and Cassian navigate preparing to become parents, balancing their other life stresses, and figuring out their feelings for one another!

Amidst the Madness

by @This_Immortal_Hope (on ao3) Love and war have always followed the same rules: Quick to ignite, slow to extinguish. There aren't many things Cassian has dared to openly want in his 500 years of existence. Not even the position he currently occupies as Lord of Windahaven (far too lofty a spot for nothing more than a well-blodded bastard, if you ask the other Illyrian Lords), but from the second Nesta Archeron stepped foot in his camp, the entire world ebbed into a single truth. She is his. He is hers. Everything else - the war he is meant to lead, the people relying on him, the legacy he should be fighting to protect, cease to exist the second his eyes are caught in roiling silver flames. There is pain in this female, his female. And retribution will be exacted. Rhysand has his war, and now so does Cassian. Whether the two align ... only Nesta can give that order.

Sweetest Con

by @separatist-apologist Nesta Archeron has been trapped in witness protection for the past five years, hiding a secret no one can ever learn. All she has to do is wait out the criminals back home determined to punish her and her sisters for a lie they told years before. She can handle anything- even the new agent sent to keep her safe.

The Whole Truth

by @TheTeaQueen (on ao3) A beautifully heartbreaking story about what if Papa Archeron used/sold Nesta back in their village, and the IC learning this truth. It features Rhys and Nesta sibling bonding over their respective SA traumas. And Cassian helping Nesta to heal and feel comfortable with touch again

The Nesta Variation

by @persegrace (on ao3) A modern AU where Cassian is a military vet and Nesta is a former ballet dancer. They're both dealing with trauma, and meet in AA.

Ultima Ex Nobis

by @fieldofdaisiies Six years into a global pandemic which was caused by a mass fungal infection that turns hosts into zombie-like creatures and makes the whole of Prythian collapse, the former army general Cassian Cadell is tasked with one very special mission – escorting Nesta Archeron, one of the few immune survivors, across a post-apocalyptic Prythian to a group of people of the name L. Their identity is unknown but they can make an antidote.

you make my motor run

by @wilde-knight When Nesta and Cassian are set up on a blind date, neither of them can imagine their families feeling whole again. But with sparks flying between them, will they finally be able to imagine the road ahead?

[fleetingcalypso]

Even children can act as Kings, even Kings can act as children.

≋ There is a certain joy in acting childish with one's lover at times. Far too often with time we become accustomed to a routine and abandon that carefreeness. Play harmless pranks on your beloveds, it is worthy if only to hear their laugh, see their smile lines and their eye crinkle.≋

≋ Cardan Greenbriar x Jude Duarte ≋

≋ Word count: 1350 words.

≋ CW: Mentions of alcohol. This is set sometime after Queen of Nothing, nowhere specific in the timeline, just a dip into Cardan and Jude's married life.

“Quit your squirming and drink this.” Jude’s ever present frown is noticeable even just by the tone of her voice, “I’d rather not have to pry your lips open, pour tea down your throat and risk staining these pristine sheets.” She was met just with an amused hum, coming from the bump currently occupying the High King’s bed, unruly raven strands of hair stand out against the blankets. “Your aim is far too perfect to ever miss my lips, sweetest joy I’ve ever known.” His muffled voice fails to hide the saccharine honey dripping from his words, in fact it did nothing to dissuade her from the matter at hand: make Cardan drink a hot tea to facilitate his return to sobriety. 

Brown eyes roll in annoyance and her free hand itches to throw the covers off his body, pin him to the bed and make him listen to her, but knowing him he’d find no lesson nor punishment from it, only pleasure. “You’ll find that flattery rarely ever is a way to change my mind, Cardan. I won’t repeat myself, sit up and drink.” Oh, how he loves that sliver of a threat in her voice. Reluctantly his form emerges from his burrow, with sluggish movements and a low groan that sounds anything but dignified. He’s sitting up at last, but the worst is yet to come: the herbal tea residing in the golden goblet Jude holds needs to be drank by his royal lips, and if he’s so kindly complied with sitting up, she can only imagine how much the High King is going to whine before he takes even the smallest of sips. To her surprise no whine comes, instead, as Cardan is greeted by a scowling face -of which he is too busy admiring pouty soft lips he knows taste like a golden sunset- Jude is greeted with rosy cheeks,a glazed gaze veiling a trickster’s twinkle and the smallest peek of pearly white teeth biting down on a bottom lip that is still damp with what is most likely faerie wine. For what feels like forever, but very well could have been only a second, the only movement in the room is midnight eyes running across all of Jude’s features, drinking her in like she was the sweetest of inebriants, resting at the very bottom of a bottle, swirling around in a hurricane of red at the slightest movement of his hand. “Every time I look at you, wife, you always look more beautiful than the last. And when I blink, and my eyes are shut, that’s when the magic happens, I can still spot you imprinted in the darkness. That’s never enough for my greedy heart, though, lucky for me when light comes back, you’re still there. You don’t disappear when the dark fades. You never do.” There are the words of a drunk, Jude needs to remind herself: a drunk who is very much in love with her, a drunk who married her and fought against all odds to forever keep her by his side, a drunk who is the High King of Elfhame and who rules on , but a drunk nonetheless. A foolish enamored fae who thinks he can get out of sobriety with the allure of a few sweet words.  No one could be this adoring to another living being, she’s sure of it, he seems to wholly be the contradiction to each and every one of her assumptions about the world. The way his words don’t slur almost turns her into a helpless victim to his charm. Almost. “Drink, Cardan.” Not even a single droplet of tea accidentally rolls down the goblet when she taps the edge of it against his bottom lip. Another hum escapes him as his eyes narrow, maybe the scent of sweet herbs swirled together delights him, or maybe, just maybe it’s her being too flustered to say anything that makes his heart sing.

“This is what I awake for, each day of my lowly life,” he says, his voice swirling in the air like a glamour as his long, rings-clad fingers graze hers while wrapping around the cup, “To hear you say my name, just like that. You make it sound like a curse and a blessing, all at once.” 

“Cardan,” she insists he stops talking and begins drinking. After another moment of admiring her, the corner of his lips curls upwards, he takes just a small sip, barely enough liquid makes it into the warmth of his mouth to be considered one. “Done.” His voice is a level of low she’s heard only a handful of times before. 

The scoff that leaves her is almost comedic, he doesn’t miss a second before his voice from low becomes a purr from the back of his throat, “I’ve done it, my love. Shouldn’t I be rewarded?” Jude’s fingers softly tilt his head up, she should have seen this coming. “You’ll get your reward when you drink all of your tea, you sly, cunning thing.”

“You’re not lying to me, are you?” He breathes.

“You could always find out.” 

“I don’t need to. I know you’re not lying,” The goblet slips out of his hand and hits the floor with a clunk after he chugs what is probably the sweetest herbal tea ever created. A rivulet descends down his chin and he does not bother to wipe it.

Her world and its views shift when Cardan pulls her onto the bed, next to him with a swift motion. “Reward me, now.” He murmurs, his hand cupping the back of her head, fingers threading through brown locks. He doesn’t have to wait much, she’s eager to give him his prize just as much as he’s eager to receive it. 

Their lips meet in the middle first in a soft kiss, until it evolves and it becomes difficult to ascertain where Jude ends and where Cardan begins. His knee nestles itself between her thighs, her hands slide into his unbuttoned shirt, their breaths are entangled as one. 

“I love watching you fight,” he sighs against her neck, “Even if it’s against me. Especially if it’s against me.” His fingers draw invisible, shapeless figures on her back, sending shivers down her spine, they’re still clothed but when he holds her like this she can’t help but feel naked, completely and utterly naked. 

Their glistening lips meet one last time before Cardan’s hand slides down to intertwine his fingers with hers, “It was worth it.” One slightly confused look from his human goddess prompts him to elaborate, “Having to drink that horrendously sweet tea for the second time. It was worth it, if it got you to look at me the way you do.”

“Second time?” Jude sits up, her head tilts in an even deeper confusion, this time whirling with a blossom of confusion that quickly shifts into annoyance once it clicks. 

His laugh echoes in the room, “Liliver all but forced it down my throat a couple hours ago as you threatened to do, just now. While her… quite intimidating ways have worked on me, I was curious to see how you’d convince me. As it turns out, not even my darling wife can unmask my facade when she’s busy worrying about me.” 

Satisfaction tastes sweet, it tastes even sweeter when a soft pillow hits him a number of times, knowing he was able to trick his quick-witted Jude and that she is retaliating with the one thing she finds comfort in: violence, although a softer, more sensible version of it, is a feeling he’ll never grow tired of. To Jude’s dissatisfaction Cardan’s laugh only grows louder and more melodic.

It’s a bright, warm summer’s day in Elfhame. From Insmire, to Insmoor and Insweal no one has any idea that the High King and the High Queen are busy having a pillow fight in the privacy of their bedroom, not a soul would suspect that just for a moment their monarchs are playing like children, keeping secrets from the world like teens and living their love like grown ups.

[mjr-acourtofdreams]

Dancing On My Own

Azriel x y/n, Eris x y/n

warnings: angst?

summary: this was heavily inspired by the song dancing on my own by calum scott. It kind of gotten in a different direction then I wanted it to go but yeah!

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I made sure that I looked absolutely beautiful well the best that I could for being me I was definitely not as flawless as Elain I didn't even come close to compare. My eyes where not that pretty brown that shines in the sunset just right or my hair wasn't soft and had that golden glow to it. Look at myself in the mirror one last time the midnight black dress hugged my curves just right my curls flowed down my back a small smile ghosted on my face maybe he will finally notice me.

The party was at full swing by the time Rhysand picked me up and flew me to the house of wind everyone was already dancing, mingling and drinking their fill. "Thank you for the lift." I glanced over at Rhys he lightly bowed his head "The pleasure was mine y/n, please enjoy the party." he smile and made his way toward Feyre who looks stunning in her starry gown her smile grew has she made eye contact with Rhys her eyes caught mine and she grab a little wave I smile and then made my way towards the bar table. "Wow! You look absolutely stunning y/n!!" I nearly choked on my drink I turned and came face to face with Nesta and Cassian I nod my head "thank you, Cassian." I gave a small smile and turned "Nesta" I nod my head to her she did the same "I didn't think you would actually come." Nesta raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Well, I think it would have been rude if I didn't since Feyre invited me in person and I needed to get out the house..." I took a drink she just nodded and turned and walked away I let out a sigh I didn't know I was holding in "It will be okay." Cassian put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a soft smile and went to find his mate.

I still haven't noticed the two that I've been trying to avoid, well mostly I was hoping to at least see Azriel and for him to notice me and then maybe just maybe I'll tell him what has been on my mind since the before that day my sisters and I was dumped into the cauldron. I glanced my eyes to the dance floor and that's when I saw it. Elain in Azriel's arms dancing across the floor she smiled up at him, he looked at her like she was his whole world. The tears in my eyes started to form but that didn't compare to the pain in my chest that started it ripped through my soul tearing my apart slowly, a slow painful death but I couldn't look away from the sight in front of me and I don't think it would even help ease the pain if I did.

I forcedly wiped the tears from my eyes and turned towards the drink table grabbed a glass and downed it as quick as I could and then reached for another and did the same. if I have to stay here all night and watch those to fall in love in anymore, I'm going to need a good buzz to do so, fuck this. I glared back up and see the whole inner circle and my sister gathered around chatting and laughing without me figure that much. I have all ways been on outcast of our family, being the youngest of the sisters made it was I was pushed even farther aways from the afterthought of everything and everyone else I would think after turning High fae and after everything things would change clearly, I was so wrong.

Holding the glass so hard it might bust into a million pieces staring at the perfect found family that acts like I don't even exist I didn't notice the male approach my side and stood there "If you don't let go of that poor glass, we are going to have a mess to clean up." I jumped so hard and grabbed my chest trying to calm my racing heart, turning my body to face the person who scared the life out of me. "Oh, Eris!" I set my glass down and glared at him "You just scared me to death! Don't seek up on people like that!" putting my hands on my hips looking up at him and he gave me his devilish smirk. I never minded the new High Lord of Autum we actually grew a very close friendship through the short years I have been fae. "Why are you over here guarding the bar table?" he looked into my eyes, studying them. Shaking my head I looked back out towards the dance floor "well someone has to." I smirk playing on my lips I soon forgot why i was so angry a moment ago. I felt him move closer bending down close to my ear and he whispered, "well why don't you give up your post for a moment and come dance with me." I shiver ran down my back "looking has exquisite has you do you shouldn't be hiding on the side lines." I turned my head coming nose to nose with Eris looking into his eyes "I-I w-well..." I couldn't get my words out before he grabs my hand and drag me into the middle of the dance floor a smile grew across my face and I threw my head back and laugh, I real laugh Eris glance back at me with a smile across his face and a glow in his eyes.

Azriel's POV

A smile ghosted across my face while I took in my family all gather together laughing and smiling, glancing to the side I see Elaine holding her glass close to chest smiling brightly at Feyre and Nyx while the talk about something I am not sure I lost track of the conversation moment ago turn to see if anyone needs another drink I heard the my joyous laughter fill room bouncing off the walls, I could pick out that laugh anywhere. Turning to find the person behind the laugh, looking across the dance floor I see her, y/n spinning around the middle of the dance floor, smiling and laughing like I never seen her do she looks so free, so happy and at peace it made my smile grow even wider until I see the arm that reached out and grabbed her and lifted her up spinning with her... Eris, the smile that cover my face vanished and my blood ran cold my shadows started to swarm around. "Azriel... Azriel?" I felt a hand touch my arm and a shook it off and whipped my head around to see a worried Elaine and a confused Feyre looking at me the glance at Rhys, I felt claws coming down on my walls "what is he doing here?" I spoke to Rhys in my mind he took a moment to respond, "all the High Lords attended this year's Starfall, he is the new High Lord of Autum." I just glared at Rhysand and turn back to the dance floor now see them both in each other's embrace he smiled down at her, she looked at him like he was her whole world. The tears in my eyes started to form but that didn't compare to the pain in my chest that started it ripped through my soul tearing my apart slowly, a slow painful death but I couldn't look away from the sight in front of me and I don't think it would even help ease the pain if I did.

[spotsandsocks]

Fuck it Friday

Tagged by @wikiangela @giddyupbuck @daffi-990 @tizniz @diazsdimples with amazing snippets go check them out

Beautiful cover by @ronordmann this was my first fic for one of Ro’s challenges and I’m so glad I joined in with it, I’ve had so much fun since and made a lovely friend (no pressure tags under cut if anyone wants to share today)

Felt like a fantasy theme for today’s FIF (and a bit of self promo for an older fic) I was particularly pleased with my use of Oliver’s tattoos in this fic 😆😆 and now he has so many more…

Once upon a time, that’s how it starts isn’t it.

Once upon a time, it’s how his sister started all the stories she read to him when he was little; a prince, a princess, a wizard, challenges to overcome true love and a happily ever after.

Well he’s a prince and he’s been waiting for his happily ever after, he’s been waiting for it for a long time now. He thought he’d found it in brown eyes that turned gold and a warm smile that made him feel seen like no one else ever had, but that was lost. Turns out you don’t get a happily ever after when you’ve been cursed, not even if you're a prince.

Eddie was the seventh child of a seventh child and that means magic. He was born on a night with a new moon, when the sky was illuminated by the stars and the rainbow colours of raw magic. The magic glowed and wove a pattern into the inky blackness, high above the cottage where his mother laboured to bring him into the world.

He took his first breath and his parents felt the magic gather around him and settle into his skin, his eyes turned gold then settled back to brown.

He grew as children do and he was four when the second prince was born and he was eleven when the first prince died, leaving behind a sister, heir to the throne and a brother, the younger prince, the one with a curse in his blood.

Of course Eddie doesn’t know anything about that yet, he’s just a child, but he won’t be forever and one day he’ll learn what was done to his prince, the man who will become his friend, the man he’ll love and lose when even all his magic isn’t enough to break a curse.

But that’s not now, that’s later.

His parents always said they hadn’t known what would happen. They’d gone to the fair folk with a sick child to ask for help. Their son and heir was dying and they needed a cure. All they did, they said, was ask for help, but there is always a price to pay for help from the fae.

A bargain was struck for a healthy child and the price agreed was something of equal value.

The queen hadn’t known, that’s what she said, again and again, she hadn’t known that there was already a life growing inside her, their third child.

The fae knew; it smiled before vanishing, sharp teeth flashing, eyes lingering on the queen’s stomach. That was when she understood what the price would be and she knew too that there was no purpose in becoming attached to something you’d already lost.

Nine moons passed and payment was due.

The creature that arrived to collect the fee was clearly not of this world, Its hair, midnight blue trailed down its back, skin the colour of moss glowed softly from within. There was no mistaking what they were or what they had come for. It was very beautiful, mesmerising and bewitching but in much the same way that a fire is beautiful and with the same risk.

The King and Queen accepted the inevitable and stood aside but his sister and the older prince said no, they stood together and tried to keep him safe, tried to keep him theirs.

The princess picked him up and held him close, lips pressed to his brow. Her love for him was new but already so strong. His brother stood before them both, young but brave and determined to keep the ones he loved safe, unsure what he could do but willing to try.

Their actions provoked laugher, bright and brittle it rattled round the hall. The fae found itself amused by the futile gesture of the young ones before it and being capricious in nature it changed its mind on what it wanted and the ripples of that decision were sent into the world.

The children shivered as a melodious voice, laced with cruel, mocking humour rang out.

“Such courage, such love, such a thing should have a reward so you may have him a while longer but you will remember the promise, who he really belongs to. When the moon is new you will not forget that he is already ours.”

So the children were given time and although it was not the intention they were also given a chance at changing his fate.

“25 years I think.” it said, amused, it could wait, 25 years after all was only a moment to the fae for whom time moved so differently but it was enough to cause trouble in the human world.

The princess and the oldest prince exchanged a glance, they were just children but they knew their brother had been given both a gift and a curse.

The beautiful face smiled but no glimmer of kindness could be found in it. The parting words left them cold.

“You love him now, think how much harder it will be to say goodbye then.”

The princess closed her eyes to hide her tears.

The king said nothing throughout it all, remaining silent on his throne, unable to look any of his children in the eye. He had made a bargain and although the price was high, the heir was worth it.

That was until the accident;because when the younger prince was just seven years old he lost his beloved brother anyway.

A fall from a horse; no magic, no curse. Just bad luck.

So in the end the kingdom was destined to lose both its princes anyway.

Except there’s that one chance, a gift of time; time to find someone who could help.

@monsterrae1 @shortsighted-owl @the-likesofus @hoodie-buck @loserdiaz @buddierights @fiona-fififi @rogerzsteven @bekkachaos @thekristen999 @hippolotamus @spaceprincessem @disasterbuckdiaz @like-the-rest-of-la @disasterbuckdiaz @heartshapedvows @underwater-ninja-13 @wildlife4life @wikiangela @stagefoureddiediaz @thewolvesof1998 @exhuastedpigeon @weewootruck @honestlydarkprincess @pirrusstuff @elvensorceress @jesuisici33 @eddiebabygirldiaz @steadfastsaturnsrings @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @rainbow-nerdss @lover-of-mine

[inkblot-mirror]

Sappy Romantic Things They Do:

-Reina learns the fae language in secret to surprise Malleus. She sings him a popular folk melody he often heard in his childhood and it almost brings him to tears.

-Duets! So many love songs sung between the two. Reina has a nice voice for sure, but Malleus takes the cake with his beautiful, deep baritone.

-Malleus would materialize a rose of the loveliest pink shade, and braid it in her hair, complimenting how it matches her hair and eyes. Later on, he grows real ones.

-Speaking of flowers, especially roses: the two of them spend time tending to Ramshackle’s garden. After much effort, they manage to raise their own lovely batch of roses.

-Basically canon but midnight strolls underneath the moonlight. Sometimes they dance too, waltzing hand in hand.

-Stargazing. Malleus tells her of all the myths associated with the stars and constellations from Twisted Wonderland and Reina shares with him the stories from her own world.

-Malleus got this idea from Silver, but he borrows the most regal and majestic white horse from the school stable (one fit for a king-to-be and his bride-to-be), and takes Reina out for a ride in the woods behind school. She either rides behind him, clinging onto his waist or in front as his dorm cape flows regally outwards.

Yes he could just fly. (But I just LIVE for the image of Malleus riding on a horse)

Reina never saw herself as a romantic, but Malleus really was her fairytale prince.

[spellbound-willow]

An under-utilized Horror subgenre:

Fae Horror

There’s so many ways to do it! So many aspects of fae that make for solid horror concepts.

Being taken away, coming back wrong, being replaced by something else, transforming into something, the cold indifference of nature, getting tricked or manipulated, holes in the ground, feeling like you’re being watched, time moving faster while you’re gone, getting lost in the woods, games, riddles, myths and fate

There’s not a lot of examples of fae horror but here are some I have seen starting from overt fae stuff to objectively not fae but my personal interpretations

- Pan’s Labyrinth – the most obvious, I think they actually use the term fairy. You even see the Court.

- The Hole in the Ground – the title kind of solidified my point. Nature, holes in the ground, changeling horror

- Coraline – come on, the Beldam is totally an unseelie. She takes children, and she loves to imitate real life, trick people and play games

- The Midnight House – I can’t really explain this one without spoiling the whole movie, if you know you know. Basically the house and the reason for the house.

- Hellraiser – the most controversial on this list but the riddles, puzzles, pain and pleasure, interdimensional beings beyond our understanding, you see what I’m saying right?

- Over the Garden Wall – not technically horror but it is very spooky and fae, especially closer to the end. Another world, lost in the woods, things aren’t as they seem, The Beast loves to trick people, talking animals, Adelaide of the Pasture, and one of the main antagonists isn’t even a character, it’s the indifference of nature

- Annihilation – the strange dimension, the body horror (especially the flowers scene), nature warping, the rainbows everywhere, the doubles, time warps, coming back wrong, being replaced. I think it’s a totally valid interpretation

Please add more if you can think of any! I only listed ones I have personally seen, movies I’ve only heard of before didn’t make the list but if you have recommendations or personal interpretations please share!