#uncle lorcan😂😂

[skyfallscotland]

Ok last Kingdom of Ash update and so, last Throne of Glass update ever! The relief is immeasurable. Let's do this!

Asterin 😭 I feel like that scene would have been so powerful if I didn’t know it was coming, but I had it spoiled for me a while ago

I did cry when Manon begged for Abraxos though 😭

Chaol and Dorian, Dorian crying 🥹🥹 the husbands are reunited!

I hate that there’s so much depression and suicidal ideation in this book but it’s never really addressed?

Aelin brought her husband with her, Chaol brought his 🥹🫡

RHYSAND hiiiiii! 👋🏼

I…kind of hate it when the woman has to give up her power to save the day, but it’s an SJM special I guess

“He adored his friend’s wife already. Likely would have married her, too, if he’d had the chance.” Look, you still can buddy, it seems like you want them both well enough 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’ll never understand the fascination SJM has with having her MC’s fucking in war tents surrounded by soldiers, honestly

She’s riding the staaaag 😭 honestly she is very thranduil coded I must say

Gavriel?! 😭 noooooo, not uncle kitty cat!

“Lorcan glanced at the castle, where he knew Elide was watching and said a silent farewell” oop, this is about to get awkward because she is sooo not being safe lmao

Elide getting stabby is very cute

Aww Dorian + Yrene getting murdery together, the throuple is thriving

What year did this come out? Because I feel like SJM might have watched Avengers: Endgame while writing the final scenes 😂

Sorry, when did they supposedly draw those? They were fighting on horseback??? I'm???

Lorcan and Elide are the cutest tbh and I’ve just realised I blanked right over the “and Lorcan did” 💀😂 I was clearly very engaged

“I hope it will wash off.” 💀

Poor Yrene, her mother in law’s asking to move in already 😂

“You could just marry each other, it would make it easier for you both, so you don’t need to pretend.” Oh yes, I do so love Yrene 😂

Look, I just feel...tired? Relieved? Let down? I don't know. I definitely think this would have been a more impactful ending had I not had the (arguably) few most major things spoiled for me. But I also feel like by 1/3 from the end I was just slogging it, waiting for it to be over. It felt like so much happened, but not much at all and I feel like having two 'big bads' kind of split the attention and made the end blow just so unsatisfying? Yay, happily ever after, but...I don't know.

I like the characters, don't get me wrong. Well, most of them (lol) but maybe that's why it's so disappointing? Because I do really like them. I think it was a bit of a case of doing so little with so much. There are so many stories being told that none of them really get the attention they could have, so many side characters that are so compelling but you don't hear much about. I don't know, it can be hard to bring all those threads together, so I think she did an ok job, it's just that in hindsight it's easy to say perhaps there were too many threads.

I also don't think she ever gives the space necessary to trauma and mental health. Like it's there, but it's never touched upon in the raw way it probably needs to be.

I don't know, I feel like I enjoyed the last couple of books more, but I'm still leaving the series feeling pretty meh about it, which is how I've felt pretty much the whole way through. Not terrible, but in no way lived up to the hype for me, personally.

[acourtofthought]

Bestie I think you’re so right!

The Aidas - cat connection and the mystery of the library

Rhys’ mother being starborn & the Illyrian’s being demons (Truth teller hs Illyrian markings on it, and I believe the Starsword does as well, can’t remember)

I personally think CC3 will be a segway for Azriel confronting his distaste for his heritage, and his self loathing by proxy. But you raise the point — Az gained his shadows while imprisoned by his father. That’s actually one of the clues I feel hint he isn’t Starborn. And that what he possesses is a blessing/gift from another. But I geeked at the term Shadowborn for the sheer parallel it has with Starborn.

We know Bryce first displayed her light when she was little and her parents were almost killed by the Autumn King’s men. But before that is unknown. And knowing what we do about emotions and magic/powers presenting in ACOTAR, I don’t think we can rule out Az being a shadowsinger as something tied to his blood. But what I would love is that if that’s the case, it came from his mother. 😭🥺

Bryce is my favorite of the leading ladies, and I love her relationship with Ruhn so much. Obvi Hunt too, but as a girl with two brothers their bond just hits me different 🥹

🧼💖

Awwww, are you the little sister, the older sister or in the middle? I have a brother though he's much younger than me but I have to tell you, he's one of my favorite people in the world. He's just such a good person, a really great Uncle, is not ashamed to confess his love for things like Disney movies, and super intelligent. He's on his way to getting his doctorate and I don't understand any of the papers he's published 😂 After growing up with a sister 15 months older who hated me for most of our lives, he was like a gift. You saying that it might have been a gift by another makes me wonder if he'll have similarities to Lorcan who feels gifted him his powers by the God of Death, Hellas. Or maybe it is just something past down through his ancestry. It's off topic but I hope that we eventually learn more about Rhys's powers too. She really went heavy on how he's "other" and has galaxies in his eyes and I'd love an explanation on all of that too.

[ladybookstan]

Headcanon - Baby Manorian✨

The part two is here!!

Manorian would surely be the parents of a Little Witchling.

Her name would be Asterin Blackbeak Crochan Havilliard. The Crown Princess of Adarlan and the Heir of the Crochan Witch Clan.

Dorian would always have a stupid smile on his face every time he saw Manon breastfeeding. It would be the same smile he wore when she had a belly the size of a watermelon and was complaining of back pain.

When Manon was pregnant and her belly began to grow, Dorian would read to her every night. The two of them would always be sure that they would be parents to a Witchling, so Dorian would read stories and more stories and always be running his hand over Manon's swollen belly and talking to his daughter.

Manon would pretend not to be enjoying all the attention and care that Dorian would give her, but deep down her heart would palpitate and sometimes skip a beat from so much happiness.

Baths in the bathtub with conversations about each other's day or just daddy telling a story would be Manon's favorite moments.

On some afternoons, Manon would go to the gardens, find a well-hidden spot and stay there, smoothing her big swollen belly and often, looking up at the sky, thinking about the Thirteen.

Abraxos would be with her, being a bodyguard, babysitter, and friend. He would be sniffing flowers, even plucking some and taking them to Manon, who would jokingly hit him calling him a "Soft Hearted Beast", Abraxos would just snort and curl up on her side.

Manon would smile at this and look up at the sky again, this time she would talk to the Thirteen.

The Queen would talk to her cousin, Asterin, to Sorrel, Vesta, Ghislaine.... She would tell them how happy she would be, really happy. And she would tell them how much she was missing them all, how much she wanted her Little Witchling to meet the Thirteen.

Abraxos would be the comforting presence at her side.

Manon and Dorian would be "full-time Owl Parents," especially when Asterin was a baby. Together or individually, they would always stop by her room at least five times during the night just to check if she was all right.

Elide and Chaol would be Asterin's godmother and godfather and would spoil her too much, but in a good way.

When the teeth started to grow and that phase came, Manon would not part with Asterin, she would be furious and feel helpless to see her daughter in pain and not be able to do anything about it.

Then Dorian would hug her and say that this was just a phase, something necessary for their daughter's development, but that it would soon pass. Manon would punch him in the biceps and say something like: "Don't pretend you're handling this better than I am, Princeling.

Asterin's first word would be "Dada."

Dorian would be arriving shortly after an annoying meeting with some lords and then he would find Manon and the baby sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace; when Asterin saw him, she would raise her little arms and shout excitedly and smiling "Dada!" Dorian would widen his eyes and in a few steps, he would be taking his daughter in his arms and spinning her in the air with a giant smile.

Manon would be watching with a radiant smile (and one that few people would have seen before).

Asterin's second word would be "Mama" and then she would go on the long journey of pronouncing Abraxos' name.

Speaking of him, the Wyvern would be overprotective to the max and take care of Asterin even before she was born.... Refusing to fly when Manon was in the last months of her pregnancy.... Supporting Dorian in discussions - to persuade Manon to rest and stay still for a minute or to make her eat healthy food -.

Dorian would build a balcony big enough for Abraxos to have his own nest near the couple's bedroom, and a few years later, near Asterin's bedroom.

The young princess' firsts steps would be with Dorian holding her little arms and walking towards Manon sitting on the floor. Waiting with one more of those radiant smiles.

After a storm, one night when Asterin was four or five years old, Dorian would be asleep and when he turned to put his arm around his wife's waist, he would find a little body wrapped in a pink blanket in the middle of the bed, Asterin would already be snuggled up against her mother and sleeping soundly.

Dorian would just smile and wrap his arm around the two most important women in his life, his queen and princess.

Vacations in Perranth with Aunt Elide and Uncle Lorcan were guaranteed when Asterin was a little older. Besides being best friends with baby Chaorene, Asterin would love and have great adventures with baby Elorcan.

(Maybe it's just me, but Elide is 100% a boy's mother.) So I can see how Asterin would be the little princess of her aunt and uncle.

Asterin Blackbeak Crochan Havilliard would have Lord Lorcan Lochan wrapped around her finger. Something like, "Uncle Lorc, give me a piece of the chocolate pie, please." He would, even though Manon would have a heart attack if she knew.

Or else when the princess' fight training sections arrived, Lorcan would personally take it upon himself to train her with the simple motive of: "My niece needs to know how to kick the ass of any male being who approaches her and is not family."

A friendship would begin to emerge between Manon and Lorcan from then on.

Dorian's heart might burst with pride the first time Asterin showed signs of possessing raw magic as well. Then they would begin their own training sessions, which would almost always end in laughter.

As the years passed, Asterin would grow into a beautiful young woman, with dark hair like her father and golden eyes like her mother.

Flights with Abraxos and her mother early in the morning, listening to stories about the Thirteen - and having sure Manon smoothed out some parts -, afternoons in the libraries - often, accompanied by her father -, walks in the gardens, training sections with Uncle Chaol - when she was in Perranth, they would be with Uncle Lorcan - ... A bit of Asterin's routine.

But not everything would be just fun, there would be the moments of behaving like The Crown Princess of Adarlan and the Heir of the Crochan Witch Clan. But Asterin would like even that more serious and strict part because she would know that her parents would always be there to support and teach her. Then she would be fine.

From a young age, Asterin would show to be a kind, intelligent and gentle girl. At first, this would frighten Manon. Never in a thousand years would she have imagined having a daughter like Asterin. Soon, the doubts, the questioning, and the self-charges would come. "What if I'm not a good enough mother?", What if I'm not the mother Asterin deserves?"

Dorian would always be there to send those questions away.

So would Elide.

And Asterin, would always make it clear how lucky she would consider herself to have Manon and Dorian as her parents.

The mess would be complete when Asterin, Baby Chaorene, Baby Elorcan, and Baby Rowaelin were together. Every man for himself!

Teaching Asterin to control the raw magic within her would be one of the best parts of Dorian's days. He would try to act like a real teacher instead of a totally silly father with pride for his daughter.

Sometimes Manon and Dorian would watch Asterin fly off with Abraxos and they would exchange a look that speaks something like, "We did a good work." And then they would smile at their Witchling Princess.

So Asterin Blackbeak Crochan Havilliard, would grow up to be a gentle and educated young woman. Surrounded by people who love her and in a Better World.

[talkfantasytome]

Model Students - Part 3

After Aedion played the unaware cockblock, there wasn't much else to excite Rowan for the remainder of the weekend. Luckily for him, his study habits are apparently good for more than just his grades.

Warnings: Mentions of drinking. Light smut. | Word Count: 3,258

Previous Part | Model Students Masterlist | Read on AO3

a/n: Rowaelin Month Prompt: Library or Librarians

Woo, finally got this finished! Could I do more in this AU? Yes. Will I? I don't know. I find it fun. If I do get working on that other fic one day, I may find myself back here for the light, fluffy version of the Model UN college AU. 😂 But, this particular short story feels fairly complete with this part.

The party had been a complete bust.

Well, maybe not a complete bust. At the very least, Rowan couldn't help but believe his feelings for Aelin may be mutual. He was pretty sure she'd been leaning in.

Until Aedion arrived. Apparently it had been a big mistake to invite him. As if Rowan had much of a choice. Aedion was one of his closest friends due to being in ROTC together.

Didn't mean Rowan couldn't regret it. The second he heard Aedion's voice and saw him standing there he'd backed so far away from Aelin they barely looked like they'd been talking. And after that he and Aelin had remained separate during the party, even if he couldn't stop staring at her. His only satisfaction: he'd catch her looking back at him.

Which meant Aedion had become a true cockblock, and he wasn't even aware of it. Rowan doubted he'd care. In fact, he was pretty sure Aedion would have only been worse had he known.

Rowan had hoped for a chance to get Aelin alone for a couple minutes, but too soon the typical crazy started and just kept coming. Fenrys and Dorian had separated long enough to attempt to drink each other under the table, which is exactly where they both ended up, passed out and shirtless due to a game of 'strip slap cup'. Rowan wasn't entirely sure how one could turn slap cup into a strip game, but he was far too terrified to ask.

Beyond that, Elide left early due to having an early morning brunch planned with her uncle that she wasn't allowed to cancel, which left Lorcan in a miserable mood the rest of the night. Drinking way too much and sulking, forcing Rowan to attempt to comfort the giant. He may have ended up getting a punch to the gut before Lorcan fell asleep on his shoulder on the couch. Then there were all the typical shenanigans that happened when you had too many drunk students, and by the end of the night Rowan was stuck at the front door, playing bouncer as freshman found out about the party and he'd have to card them to make sure they were actually nineteen - most weren't.

Not that he didn't drink as a freshman either, but he had no interest in getting caught with minors drinking in his house. That would literally ruin his and his housemates' lives.

He put Connall in charge of that around 1:15 AM, just in time to see Aelin preparing to leave. And it was finally an opportunity to claim a bit more time with her. He offered to walk her home - to make sure she got there safely, of course. She looked like she wanted to say yes, but before she got the chance, Aedion showed up again.

The bastard. His timing was truly horrendous. Or, Rowan supposed, perfect, if you asked Aedion.

"Appreciate you looking out for my cousin, bro," Aedion had said kindly, slapping his hand on Rowan's shoulder. "But Lys and I got her. We're heading back there anyway. Don't worry yourself."

They were some of the worst words Rowan could have heard at that moment, and all he wanted to do was growl at Aedion and tell him it wasn't a worry at all. Instead, he gave Aelin a look that he hoped showed her how he was actually feeling, and nodded at Aedion.

And then joined Lorcan in a weekend of sulking and brooding that would have given Edward Cullen a run for his money.

At least, that's what Fenrys said.

Rowan didn't pay much mind to that, though. He often chose to ignore Fenrys - life was easier that way. So he moped and grumbled, and only allowed his mood to improve Monday morning when he woke up and remembered he'd see Aelin in class.

It only got better as the day went on. Not that he and Aelin spoke much, really. But he met her eye a lot, and each time felt more charged than the last.

It was enough to have him riding high Monday evening as he made his way into the Orlon Memorial Library.

He went up to the second floor study area, which was his favorite place to study as it was the quietest in the library. So large and open, you really couldn't get away with making any noise in that area like you could if you were at the desks scattered about the stacks, hidden at the edges of the library. And most of the other areas allowed some amount of talking.

Being so early in the year, it was just the Orlon hermits - as those who chose to do most of their homework and spent almost all their study time in the library were called - who were present in this area. And he managed to snag the last fully open table. It was only just after seven, so it would fill up a bit more, he knew. But at this point in the term, they'd all abide by the unspoken rule that you only ever joined someone at the four-person table in the diagonal seat, unless it was someone you knew, as must have been the case with the full table in front of him.

Rowan didn't pay any attention to them, or the other students, sitting down and quickly sinking into the reading for his Contemporary Political Ideologies class.

Once he finished the now well-annotated passage, he looked up to see one seat at the table in front of his had emptied, creating an opening that revealed exactly the girl currently living rent-free in his mind. Taking a closer look at the table, he realized Aelin was sitting with Lysandra and Elide, both of whom seemed more focused on their phones than the books and computers in front of them. But not Aelin.

No, she was engrossed in a textbook that reminded him of the economics class he'd taken last year. Poor girl.

Suddenly, Rowan wasn't quite so focused on the homework and readings he'd planned on doing. His eyes remained on the golden-blonde head as he waited for her to look up and see him.

It was only a few minutes after that when she finally pulled away from her reading to whisper something to Lys, her eyes flicking up and making her pause. Turquoise and gold met pine, and Rowan beamed slightly, throwing a quick raise of his eyebrows at her. Aelin smiled back, nodding at him in hello before going back to her book.

After that, she looked up far more frequently, and each time Rowan ensured he did something to make her smile. Whether it was wink, a stupid trick with his pen, or a silly face. It didn't really matter, so long as he got to see that smile. Or, better yet, see her try to hold in a laugh, drawing the attention of her friends, who didn't notice Rowan.

Lysandra didn't remain long after Rowan noticed them, getting a text that seemed to accelerate her into action. Elide left about fifteen minutes after that, leaving Aelin all alone at her table, just like Rowan.

Leaning back in her seat she looked up at Rowan and then quickly flicked her eyes to the seat next to her - an invitation and a request. With a smirk, Rowan replied with an invitation of his own, looking down at the seat next to him.

So the standoff began, neither willing to move and sit at the other's table, yet neither willing to stop trying to get the other to join them.

Finally, Aelin rolled her eyes and reached for her phone, typing something quickly. Rowan felt his own phone buzz and looked down to read the message.

Let's try a compromise. Meet me in the basement.

By the time Rowan looked up, Aelin was gone, and then he was quickly packing up his own backpack to follow her.

Aelin had just found a spot in the basement of Orlon, which was brighter and funkier than the rest of the library, when Rowan found her.

Toward the back, near one of the study group rooms, there was a 'study bar' that she loved to sit at with friends, letting her feet dangle from the brightly colored bar stools. It was really just a long, rounded, high table, but study bar sounded more fun.

While the basement wasn't like the collaboration room, it was still a more collaborative space where talking and softer noises were allowed. Perfect for studying with friends when your goal was to actually study with others, or to be at least a little social.

Just don't get caught with snacks when that one librarian is on duty. None of the others cared. They rarely even left their desk, needing to be easily accessible as this was also the multimedia area and people often needed assistance with the more advanced technology down here. All except her. The crow-haired woman who would patrol around every once in a while, all too happy to remind the students that food wasn't allowed anywhere in the library.

It didn't stop anyone, and it sure as hell would never stop Aelin. Besides, that librarian was rarely on night shift duty. And Aelin was rarely here before six PM. It may have been purposeful.

"You can say it. I'm a genius," Aelin offered as a greeting.

"Or, maybe I'm the genius for considering and accepting your compromise," he countered with a grin that made Aelin's heart race. He slid into the stool next to her, which she swore he'd moved to be closer to hers.

She turned her face fully, her eyes meeting his as he looked at her. "Well, it does take one to know one."

Rowan laughed softly. "Another compromise, we're both geniuses."

"Precisely," she purred.

"Did you bring your case book?" Rowan asked. "If you did, maybe we can do that reading, so we can talk about it after?"

"As a matter of fact, I did." Aelin pulled out the massive red book from her own bag and then grabbed her pen, highlighter, and post-its.

Rowan smiled again and pulled out his own, flipping to the right page.

The two started to read and it was the most unfocused studying Aelin had ever done. It was bad enough being next to Rowan, so close their legs sometimes brushed. To add to it, the goofy attitude - which Aelin hadn't realized existed in Rowan until he started making faces to distract her earlier - persisted as they studied. He kept nudging her playfully, tapping her book, drawing little images on her post-its, and more.

When he poked her cheek with his pen, Aelin finally stopped trying and looked over at him. "What's going on with you?" Her voice was full of amusement, and she knew the feeling spread to her gaze.

Rowan simply shrugged. "Just in a good mood," he explained.

"Any particular reason why."

"I like a girl," he answered, what could only be described as a stupid smile on his face. "And I think she likes me, too."

Aelin felt her breath hitch at that comment, not entirely sure what to think. Was…was he talking about her? She thought he might like her, based on what had happened at the party. But, she could have read it wrong. He might have just been being nice. She was, on some levels, his student. Even if he wasn't a full TA and didn't actually do any grading, because he was still an undergrad, and even if there weren't any rules against them dating.

"Oh, really?" she said, trying to sound more taunting, but it still came out slightly breathless and a touch too curious.

"Yep!" He popped his 'p' in a near-childish way that was adorable, and completely unexpected. "Almost kissed her Friday."

Her cheeks started to heat, but Aelin couldn't look away. She summoned every last ounce of swagger she had to hold his gaze and try to appear like she wasn't too fazed. "Almost doesn't mean much."

Rowan's smile only grew. "Pretty sure she was going to let me. It definitely seemed that way."

Aelin raised her eyebrows, as if she were surprised. As if she hadn't experienced it with him. "Then why didn't you?"

"We got interrupted," he groaned, rolling those emerald eyes. "But, I'm fairly certain she was about as put off as I was by it. So, more proof to my theory." He winked at her, and now Aelin was certain her cheeks were bright red.

"Was she? How can you be so sure?"

"Her face can be quite…expressive." Rowan's eyes were glowing with mischief, and Aelin's heart was speeding so much she wasn't sure she'd survive the night. Especially not as the butterflies swarmed within her stomach and her extremities started to tingle.

Still, Aelin held her façade as best she could. "Well, if you like her so much, why'd you let yourself be interrupted?"

"Cousins can be a real pain in the ass." His smile fell in mock-seriousness, but that light in his stare never left. "But, I've figured it all out. I just need to find a time when we're actually alone, and seize that opportunity. No other people around."

Aelin couldn't stop the grin that spread as a gentle laugh escaped her. "Or maybe, Rowan, you need to take control and create that opportunity for yourself." She let her eyes flick over his body once before meeting his gaze again.

With a wink of her own, Aelin stood up and started toward the stacks that filled the right side of the basement.

Rowan was completely frozen.

He had no idea what came over him as he spilled that all out to Aelin. But her reactions, the way she egged him on, it just kept him going. Encouraging him to continue, to flirt in a way he'd never done before.

Rowan wasn't obvious. That just wasn't his style. He was subtle, but calculated, preferring to use touch than his words in most cases.

Clearly, Aelin brought out something different in him, and he didn't hate it. He just had no interest in using it with anyone else.

He watched Aelin get up and walk into the stacks, and for a moment Rowan couldn't figure out why she'd be looking for a book down here. Beyond all the multimedia sources, those stacks also contained the fine arts section of the library.

Watching her turn down one of the furthest stacks, the one that held books on instruments no music major he'd ever met played - like the theremin - he realized what was happening.

Heart racing and hands shaking, Rowan took a deep breath and stood from his chair, his long legs carrying him toward the same stack as fast as they could. And as he moved, Rowan steeled himself for what he was about to do, a tingle of excited nerves overtaking his body.

He found Aelin acting like she was browsing the books, her pretense at being interested in the titles likely believable to any that didn't know her. But Rowan could see how her eyes were just slightly gazed, clearly not reading the titles.

Not wasting any time, Rowan walked up to her. She turned her head and smiled at him as he reached her, but the smile soon fell into an open-mouthed gasp as he gripped her waist and pushed her against the bookshelf, leaning down and crashing his lips to hers.

The kiss ignited a fire within him, pulling at his desire, fanning the flames of his lust. And yet, it also created a softness in his heart he'd never felt before. A tender feeling that made him want this even more. His body pressed against hers until there was no space between them.

With her mouth already parted, Rowan's tongue immediately slipped in, finding itself welcome as Aelin kissed him back, caressing his tongue with her own. Her hands quickly slid up his arms and into his hair, pulling him closer as the two moaned softly in harmony with one another.

They remained like that, tangled in each other's arms, for a minute until Rowan pulled away just enough that their lips separated.

"I don't suppose I could convince you to take another night off of studying this week to go out with me?" he breathed on to her lips, panting through his smile.

Aelin met his eyes, smirking up at him. "Oh, I think you could convince me of a great many things."

"Friday?"

"It's a date."

Rowan felt his breath leave his body at her agreement, the look in her enchanting eyes. He beamed down at her and then leaned in again, brushing a kiss to her lips quickly.

Apparently, it wasn't enough for Aelin. She grabbed at his silver hair, pulling it slightly, eliciting a groan from Rowan and arousing him in a way she didn't seem to be expecting. Even he hadn't realized that would cause the fire to grow so spectacularly.

His hands tightened around her waist as he angled his lips over hers, capturing her mouth in another passionate kiss. He deepened it immediately. Aelin's hands remained in his hair, pulling at him while holding his head close to hers.

Her kiss was enthusiastic and warm, her tongue like a taunting playmate to his, her lips a seductive trap that he was all too glad to fall for. Needing to get impossibly closer, Rowan took a knee and spread her legs slightly, resting it against the shelf between her legs. Another thing Aelin could play with, and he hoped she did.

Dorian had just arrived at the library, hoping to do some extra research for Model UN. He needed to find something on Adarlan, still hoping to get Aelin back for that question on Friday.

He'd found a few recent newspapers he could borrow from the library and brought them down to the basement to read. He'd always enjoyed sitting at the short table with the colorful pouf seats that was by the back of the lowest floor. It was the silliest design, really. This long table was surrounded by the semicircular study bar that held the tallest seats in the library. But it worked.

He reached the area to find two familiar backpacks on stools, the bags separated by two shockingly close seats, and on the counter two identical law books laid open. He instantly noticed the bright turquoise post-its, Aelin's signature post-it color, and the 'Orynth Airforce' keychain Rowan always had clipped to his backpack.

But no Aelin or Rowan.

Dorian wasn't an idiot, despite what Aelin may have insinuated last week. He'd seen how the two were acting at the party; and worse, the way they were practically eye fucking today in class. Not that it was an issue. Undergrad TAs didn't grade, so there were no rules about them dating their 'students'.

It didn't mean he couldn't have some fun with them.

Placing his backpack on the table he planned to use, Dorian leaned against the study bar and waited. It was only a minute or two before Rowan and Aelin emerged from a stack they most definitely had no need of. Faces flushed, lips a bit swollen, eyes bright and entirely focused on each other, they didn't notice Dorian until they were only a few feet away, both pausing in their tracks at his shit eating grin.

"Well, well, well. I believe you two have some explaining to do."