#yulemas swap

[elentiyawhitethorn]

Like a Dream

CW: language, sexual references, light drinking

AN: Happy Yulemas @goddess-aelin!! Or I guess New Year’s now… this is very late but I hope you enjoy it all the same, and I hope your holidays have been lovely ❤️

8047 words

“I’m sure you’ve wondering been wondering what this is about.”

Rowan shifted uncomfortably. Lorcan, his boss, had requested his presence in his office several hours ago, and the day had passed with relatively little worry.

Even upon seeing Aelin Galathynius, someone whom he very much did not want to be in the same room as, waiting in Lorcan’s office as well, he hadn’t felt concern. It was probably just an update to policy or something similar. Hell, maybe the coffee machine had broken and Lorcan wanted them to inform their departments.

But then Lorcan had greeted them, and asked them to sit, and stated that he knew they’d been curious about the topic of this summons.

And a pit of anxiety had opened in Rowan’s stomach.

Lorcan Salvaterre was not a man to make small talk. He didn’t wait for others, he didn’t bother with light conversation, and he wasn’t friendly.

Which meant he was about to tell Rowan and Aelin something that they wouldn’t like, and not a small thing like they’d have to coordinate a client together or share the break room sometimes, because Lorcan had no trouble breaking bad news. Something worse, something bad enough to have the bluntest man Rowan knew stalling to conversation.

Rowan took a deep breath and said, “What is it?” He didn’t dare look to Aelin beside him.

Lorcan leaned forward and laced his fingers together on the desk. “You both know of Dorian Havilliard.”

Of course they did. He was one of the biggest names in romance writing in the country. Their publishing house had been trying to get him to switch over from Hamel Inc. for years, but they’d had no luck.

“Yes,” Aelin said, and Rowan jolted at the sound of her voice. He finally risked a glance and was met with startling blue eyes rimmed in gold.

Rowan looked away.

“Well, as you know, Terrasen Publishing has been working on him for years.”

Rowan’s fingers tapped against his thigh impatiently as Lorcan restated what he already knew.

“We’ve finally convinced him to discuss the possibility of switching over.”

Considering the meeting, Rowan was hardly surprised. It also made sense for the two of them to be here; Rowan was head of the editorial department and Aelin was his counterpart in publishing. Together, they represented most of the publishing house and were often paired together when it came to potential clients.

It was the easy explanation for this meeting that had Rowan on edge. This didn’t make clear Lorcan’s apprehension.

“And what do we need to do?” Rowan asked cautiously.

Lorcan sighed. “Mr. Havilliard is working on his next book. He predicts the first draft will be finished soon; he’s using his Yulemas vacation to get it completed. And he doesn’t want any delay on the editing process, which means if we haven’t convinced him to switch contracts by the end of his vacation, he’ll remain a part of Hamel Inc.”

A sinking feeling formed in Rowan’s gut.

“He’s leaving for his vacation tomorrow,” Lorcan continued, “and even if we could have managed a short meeting before then, he needs more time with us to discuss logistics and a contract for him. He needs time to see everything we have to offer.”

“I’m sure he’d be open to discussing it over Zoom or even email,” Aelin suggested, and from the waver to her voice Rowan guessed she’d caught on as well.

“Mr. Havilliard is traveling to a resort in the mountains for his vacation, where there will be no cell service. He says the lack of distraction helps him concentrate. He graciously offered two fully paid tickets for any of my employees who would like to join him. You two will be traveling with Mr. Havilliard on his Yulemas trip. You leave first thing in the morning.”

Silence washed over the office as the pair of them took everything in. Rowan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“I don’t recall expressing my desire to join him,” Aelin protested.

“Me neither,” Rowan managed.

Lorcan sighed once more. “Look, let’s face it. You two aren’t going home to your families for Yulemas and you don’t have any significant others to celebrate with. Everyone else, including myself, is not completely void of a social life and has plans for the holidays. You two are lonely as shit and I’m taking advantage of that.”

Aelin’s mouth had dropped open at some point during that little spiel but Rowan was used to Lorcan’s blunt transparency. He was honestly relieved that Lorcan had given up on trying to break it to them slowly. He liked the man, even—if he could manage to overlook the fact that he was being asked to spend his holidays on a work trip with his least favorite coworker.

Okay, maybe he didn’t like Lorcan so much after all.

“You can’t just,” Aelin spluttered, “I, my vacation, it’s my time off, you can’t…”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Galathynius, but this was his only offer and we’re in no position to deny him. If it helps, Mr. Havilliard alloted only a certain amount of time to meet with you as he wants most of the time to write his novel. And as I mentioned, he paid for the tickets and everything else that comes along with them. You’ll be spending most of your Yulemas holiday in a high-end resort doing whatever the hell you like. I’d say it’s a step up from whatever you were planning to do instead.”

Rowan leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. “Surely not both of us need to go.”

Lorcan glared at him. “Please explain to me the publishing process that Mr. Havilliard will be subject to.”

Rowan just blinked at him.

Lorcan turned to Aelin. “And do you know anything about the editing process?”

“You just… do grammar checks and stuff.”

Rowan cringed at the crass oversimplification of his job.

Facing both of them now, Lorcan said, “He needs every specific detail of every process. Neither of you can do that on your own. Both of you are going. That’s final. Now go home. I’m giving you the rest of the day off to pack, and I’ll email you the information of where you need to go tomorrow morning and at what time. Are we clear?”

Aelin nodded mutely. Rowan was pretty sure he felt himself do the same.

He lived in hell.

First he’d been transferred to a different publishing location six months ago as part of a promotion, only to find an enemy on the very first day. He’d smiled at her and was met with uncalled for distain and malice. The months had passed torturously slowly as the woman who’d shown him so much unkindness on the first day was constantly by his side, coordinating clients, attending work parties at his side, acting as a liaison. And throughout it all she was constantly either bickering with him, or ignoring him, or silently scowling at him. He just couldn’t figure her out.

But of course that wasn’t enough. No, now Rowan was being sent on a Yulemas vacation with Aelin, just the two of them and some eccentric smut writer who would be spending most of his time locked up in a room writing, which left Rowan and Aelin. In a resort with no cell service. Alone.

Only Hellas himself could have been so cruel as to put him in this situation.

—

Aelin dumped her bag in the back of the car with a little more force than necessary. She knew she was pouting, and she knew it wasn’t a good look on her, but how the hell else was she supposed to react to being shipped off on a work assignment for the entirety of Yulemas?

Of course they’d been given a rental car to drive together, just the two of them. Just Aelin and Rowan, a shitty GPS, a map for backup, and six months worth of loathing.

What fun.

“Are you ready?” Rowan asked.

Aelin looked up and was met with something slightly more passive than a scowl. She nodded, breaking eye contact, and slumped inside the passenger seat.

A moment passed before Rowan opened his door and got in the driver’s seat. Aelin didn’t look over, focusing out the window on some obscure building as he set up the GPS, then buckled in and put the car in drive.

This couldn’t possibly be more uncomfortable for her. All of this was just one more thing to torture her after another. But honestly, Aelin couldn’t say she didn’t deserve this. This was probably the gods’ way of cursing her for being such a jackass to Rowan that first day, and failing to apologize every day since.

Why couldn’t she just have the holidays to herself?

The first two hours passed with little fanfare. At one point Aelin had turned the radio on, almost driven insane by the silence, and the soft tunes of some laid-back pop music—not her first choice, but she wasn’t going to risk Rowan’s objection with anything more flamboyant—had helped to ease the tension.

At the halfway mark Aelin asked Rowan if he wanted to switch, but he gruffly told her the driving was a nice distraction. From what, he didn’t say.

So Aelin pulled out a book and spent the following hour consumed in the pages. The turns became sharper after that and she had to put her book away for fear of becoming carsick. Aelin then glanced at the GPS and saw their estimated arrival was still nearly an hour away.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive?” Aelin asked, desperate for something to do.

Rowan glanced over at her. “No thank you, I’m okay.”

Frowning, Aelin turned back to the window and watched the trees fly by. She eventually zoned out as the scenery became greener and the atmosphere much more frigid.

The road become steeper and icier, and their pace slowed to a crawl. Aelin’s boredom became unease, and she gripped the sides of her seat a bit tighter.

The remaining time passed uneventfully: no conversation, no accidents, no nothing except for silence and staring. Finding the resort was fairly simple, and parking was as well. The moment Rowan slid the gear into brake, every muscle in Aelin’s body relaxed. “Thank the gods,” she muttered.

Aelin climbed out of the car. The door shut with a satisfying slam. She stretched her legs, unsure of where they were meant to go from here. Before she could say anything to Rowan, a man exited the large log-themed building and began to make his way over. As he approached, Aelin realized that this was Dorian Havilliard, not some employee. He must have been notified of their arrival somehow; Aelin decided not to ask.

“Welcome!” he called, and Aelin couldn’t help but smile. She waved as he continued to step through the thin layer of snow that coated the ground.

Dorian definitely fit the manic writer stereotype; he wore a sweater vest and wire-framed glasses, and he actually had a pencil—did writers even use those anymore?—tucked behind his ear.

“You must be Ms. Galathynius and Mr. Whitethorn. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Pleasantries were exchanged, and Aelin felt she and Rowan did a decent job of pretending their Yulemas vacations hadn’t been stolen out from under their noses. Dorian’s grip on her hand lingered for a bit longer than necessary when they shook hands, but otherwise he seemed like quite the gentleman, and Aelin found herself thankful that at least their client wasn’t a douche. She’d had plenty of less-than-friendly clientele and was glad Yulemas wasn’t entirely ruined with another.

Really, Aelin hadn’t wanted to meet Dorian. She’d come face-to-face with several authors whose writing she enjoyed and their rudeness had ruined the reading experience for her. Hopefully Dorian remained polite and she didn’t lose the will to read his books.

“So when will we have our first meeting to discuss? Immediately?” Aelin asked.

“I figured you’d want the first day off as you’ve been traveling for so long.” Aelin really just wanted to get this over with, but she could hardly contradict the man. “You two will meet me in my room at nine tomorrow morning and we’ll begin. I’ll show you to your rooms in the meantime.”

Rowan thanked him while Aelin reached for her bags. Rowan turned around to do the same, but Dorian stopped them both.

“We can have someone take that in; you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Rowan said. “I only have one bag.”

Aelin had two for the ten-day trip, but neither was particularly large. She certainly wasn’t in need of a fucking bellhop. “We’re good, really.”

Dorian protested a bit more—he didn’t seem like a man used to doing much on his own—but finally allowed them to take their own luggage. He led them inside a massive lobby/commons room that Aelin didn’t get much of a chance to take it in before they were whisked up a grand staircase, not stopping to check in. They followed Dorian down a well-lit hallway that was surely adorned with enough gold to buy a house. Finally, they stopped in front of a doorway near the end, spaced out from the handful of other doors they’d passed.

“Here’s you go.” Dorian inserted a key in the door and pushed it open.

“Oh, which of us…” Aelin trailed off when Dorian looked over.

“Whose room is that?” Rowan finished for her.

“Both of yours,” he replied simply.

No. This could not be happening. Dorian had said rooms, hadn’t he? Plural? Or maybe he meant rooms as in the bedroom and… the sitting room?

Apparently dissatisfied with their expressions, Dorian continued. “I arranged for one room to be shared; they had limited bookings left when Mr. Salvaterre and I arranged this agreement and I figured you wouldn’t mind, as there is plenty of space to claim as your own.”

As if they were in any position to deny him.

“That’s fine,” Aelin assured him. “Thank you again.” She flashed her fakest smile.

Seeming satisfied, Dorian smiled back. “I’ll leave you to it. Remember, our first meeting to discuss logistics will be tomorrow morning, at nine. My room number’s with the informative pamphlet I gave you.”

“We’ll be there,” Rowan replied. The pair of them exchanged farewells, and then watched as Dorian sauntered off.

“So.”

Aelin glanced over at Rowan. “Um.”

He looked conflicted. “Which bed do you want?”

Aelin sighed, brushing past him and stepping inside the room, their room, at last. “I guess that one?” She pointed at the bed on the left of the room at random.

To be fair, there was a decent bit of space between the beds. And the room was enormous. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the beautiful snowy mountains were framed by plush curtains. Carved wooden furniture that Aelin assumed was genuine was placed tastefully around the king-size beds. A wide open doorway led to what appeared to be a sitting room and another open door showing a hint of tile probably connected an oversized bathroom. Aelin figured it’d have some kind of jacuzzi or gods knew what else in there.

It began to truly sink in why Terrasen Publishing wanted Dorian Havilliard so badly. The man knew how to make money.

“So what are you planning on doing first?”

Aelin glanced over. “I’m not sure… I don’t really know what these kind of places have. Like, skiing?”

Rowan shrugged. “I don’t know either. I might just read a book.”

Aelin nodded tersely.

In an effort to distract herself, Aelin pulled the key out of the door and shut it, then set it on a table. She carried her things to the bed she’d pointed at and arranged them neatly on the wooden bedside table, then, with nothing left to do, turned to Rowan.

“Do you want room service for dinner? I’m about to order something.”

Rowan looked up from his book. “Uh, yeah, I’m getting kind of hungry. Is there a menu?”

“Yeah.” Aelin stood and walked over to his chair, handing him the resort’s restaurant’s menu, which allowed room service.

Rowan reached for it and his thumb brushed Aelin’s hand. She jerked away.

Frowning, Rowan started at where their hands had met. “Why do you always…”

“What?” Aelin asked defensively.

Rowan sighed. “Look, this isn’t going to be fun for either of us, but can we just try to be civil? So that this whole trip isn’t as miserable as humanly possible for the both of us?”

“We don’t need to be civil. We can just go our separate ways, okay? You can stay in here and I’ll eat in the other room.”

Rowan rubbed his temples. He looked like he was figuring out how to phrase what he said next. “I don’t understand why you’ve always acted like this, Aelin, why you can’t just behave like a regular person. You’re always trying to stay as far away from me as possible and when you can’t avoid me you treat me like scum under your shoe. I just don’t get it.”

“Is that a question?” Aelin asked, avoiding eye contact.

“Yes, that’s a fucking question,” Rowan snapped. “Why do you hate being around me so much, Aelin? What have I ever done to you?”

Aelin deflated at that. Her shoulders slumped as all the fight drained out of her and she sank into the chair beside Rowan.

“I caught my boyfriend cheating on me the night before you started at Terrasen Publishing.”

Rowan’s lips parted in shock and understanding, but Aelin didn’t stop.

“That first day, I was cruel to you. I didn’t just cold-shoulder you or glare. Lorcan told me to show you around and acclimate you the publishing house and you were right there and I—”

Aelin cut herself off and squeezed her eyes shut. She opened them and looked down, too afraid to meet Rowan’s eyes.

“I was nasty to you, I spent the day belittling you and making you feel uncomfortable, just throwing all the shit on you I could because all I really wanted in that moment was for someone else to be as miserable as me.

“And I was so… I don’t know, embarrassed? That you’d seen me vulnerable, even if you didn’t realize it, so I just started avoiding you. That way I treated you that first day reminded me of the worst parts of myself and I just wanted to forget about it, but we were always forced to work together.”

“Aelin… why didn’t you just explain to me the next day what had happened? Or at least told me you’d had a rough day if you didn’t want to share the whole story? It didn’t have to go on like that.”

Aelin’s finger twisted around a hole in her jeans anxiously. “I’m not good at apologies, Rowan. And the longer it went on, the harder it got to think about explaining.”

Moments passed. Aelin kept her eyes down, barely keeping herself together with sharp breaths as she waited for Rowan’s response.

Finally, it came.

“I forgive you.”

Aelin scoffed. “No, you don’t.”

“You don’t know me, Aelin, and you have no right to tell me what I do and don’t mean. I forgive you,” Rowan repeated. “I’m not saying you treating me the way you did was excusable, or that all those months of bitterness can be forgotten. But you’re apologizing now, and that counts for something.

“Look, you heard what Lorcan said. We’re at a high-end resort at no expense to us. We aren’t working the whole time. I know it’s not an ideal situation, but it could be a hell of a lot worse. Let’s try and, you know, start over?”

Aelin finally got the nerve to look over and was met with the intense stare of Rowan’s pine green eyes. Her fingers stilled against her thigh.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” she rasped.

Then Rowan smiled, and something deep inside Aelin’s chest began to thaw.

—

“Where should we start?”

Rowan opened his mouth to respond to Dorian, but before he could Aelin reached for her bag and retrieved a small binder.

Aelin pulled a stack of stapled papers out of her binder. “I brought a sample contract to go over with you; it’s all very adaptable to your needs but in preliminary form it still lays out the rudiments.”

Rowan blinked in surprise. He hadn’t thought to do anything other than show up, and here Aelin was with her organization and a whole fucking binder despite the one night to prepare. Though, Rowan really shouldn’t be as disbelieving as he was; he may have his strengths in overseeing the editing process but Aelin’s strong suits were people and deals.

Dorian nodded at her, and Rowan leaned back, ready to watch Aelin do what she did best and answer any questions about the editing if needed.

The next hour passed with less misery than Rowan had anticipated. Watching Aelin negotiate with an expensive client-to-be like some kind of lawyer was… impressive. To say the least.

Dorian was rushing them by the end of the meeting, seeming keen to return to his new novel, but they’d gotten a decent bit of talking done. Feeling satisfied with their work—or rather, Aelin’s—Rowan followed Aelin from Dorian’s lavish hotel room, even more grand than their own, and out into the hall.

“Do you want to do something together today?” After hearing why Aelin had always acted the way she had, it had been easier to look past her actions and closer at her. They’d spent the evening eating room service dinner in bed and talking—not about anything too personal, but about their work and their hobbies, interests, all the like. Rowan was pretty sure he’d learned more about the prideful woman last night than he had over the course of six months of working together.

Aelin looked over at him, a surprised smile pulling at her lips. “Like what?”

Rowan shrugged. “Like ask the front desk what kind of rich-people activities they offer.”

Aelin laughed, bright and melodious. “I’d like that.”

Upon walking to the front desk, the pair was informed they could go skiing or snowboarding, go snowmobiling, swim in the indoor pool or jacuzzi, ice skate, relax in the spa and/or get a massage, visit the bar, exercise in the full-size gym, or do a number of other activities that Rowan hadn’t even heard of before.

The front desk attendant, Yrene, sent them a friendly wave as they walked away.

Rowan, mouth hanging open, glanced over at Aelin, who snorted at his expression.

“Is it all really paid for?” Rowan hissed. “Fully?”

Grinning maniacally, Aelin nodded. “I read in the pamphlet Dorian gave us that to go skiing or snowboarding you need to have brought your own equipment, but everything else is entirely paid. We can do anything.”

“Maybe I’m not so mad at Lorcan after all,” Rowan murmured.

“So what do you want to do?” Aelin asked, looking more excited than he’d ever seen her.

“You pick,” Rowan said.

Aelin bit her lip. “Ice skating?”

He smiled. “Have you been before?”

She shook her head. “You?”

“A couple times. It’s been years though.”

Aelin nodded and grinned again, and then they were walking back to their room to get coats.

Ten minutes later left them outside next to an iced over pond bordered on one side by the resort, another side by a rock overhang that sheltered the space from the wind, and the rest by a grove of massive conifers. The frozen pond was almost perfectly circular and surrounded by an iron handrail. It seemed like a convenient, authentic location, but Rowan guessed at least some of the details aside from the rail were artificial.

Rowan had no idea how many guests were staying in the resort, or what they spent their days doing, but apparently none of them were interested in skating. The enclosed outdoor area was void of all life aside from Rowan and Aelin.

They’d been provided with skates and then showed out the door. Aelin had been bouncing with energy, seeming quite youthful, and Rowan had realized this was the most unguarded he’d ever seen her.

Rowan watched as Aelin eagerly stumbled toward the rink, her hands out to keep her balance. She placed one blade on the ice, sliding almost immediately.

Aelin fumbled around for a moment, then gave up trying to skate and clutched to the handrail. “This is not as easy as it looks on TV.”

“You’ve only just started. Give it some time.”

She blew a stray tuft of bangs from her face, no less determined. Rowan watched in amusement as Aelin started clopping around the perimeter, most of her body weight on the handrail.

Rowan stepped onto the ice himself. It was a little tricky at first, but after a few minutes his body had remembered how to move and soon enough he was skating upright, albeit with a wobble, decently enough.

The thump of Aelin hitting the ice caught Rowan’s attention and he looked over to find her sprawled out on her back, a pout on her lips.

Rowan chuckled. He skated a smooth line across the ice and Aelin glowered at him from below.

“Having fun?” he asked.

Aelin frowned as Rowan extended his arms. “Yes,” she said stubbornly. She reached for him, clasping her hands in his.

“Careful,” Rowan murmured, holding them both steady as he adjusted his weight and pulled her to her feet. Aelin swayed, but Rowan’s grip was firm.

He could feel Aelin’s grip loosening when she regained her balance, trying to let go, but Rowan kept his hold on her. “What—”

“Let me help,” he interrupted. Rowan tugged her forward and she gasped, but didn’t fall.

Rowan skated backward a few more feet, letting Aelin get a feel for her balance and how her feet needed to move. Her body relaxed a bit as she accepted his help, trying to move her feet in time with his.

As Rowan skated back and Aelin stared at the ground in concentration, he watched her. Her hat was askew and her bangs were falling into her face again. A determined little frown resided on her lips.

After a few laps around the rink, Aelin’s grip on Rowan became less lethal and her feet began to move more steadily. Something had clicked for her, it seemed.

Aelin looked up from the ice and their eyes met.

“I really am sorry for how I’ve treated you,” Aelin whispered.

“I know,” Rowan said simply, and Aelin’s returning smile was answer enough.

“Ready to let go?” he asked.

Aelin nodded, and Rowan watched with a warm heart as she released him and tried moving on her own, one hand hovering over his just in case.

—

Aelin woke shivering.

Her eyes snapped open and she recounted her surroundings, processing the stack of blankets on top of her and the heavy, thrumming feeling of cold.

Aelin slipped out from under her mound of covers, wincing as she was surrounded by freezing air. She stumbled over to the radiator.

There was some kind of error symbol in the corner. Frowning, Aelin tapped at the buttons, unsure of how to use such a high-tech system. Only a thin hint of residual heat emitted from the thing.

“Dammit,” she murmured.

How was she supposed to stay warm in the mountains at night with no heat? The past few days of ice skating—Aelin had insisted on going every day, getting better with each try—had chilled her but not severely. It was the nights that Aelin couldn’t handle, and this one was even worse than the last. She’d already pillaged every spare blanket Rowan hadn’t claimed and still she’d woken feeling a chill in her very bones.

Trying the stay quiet, Aelin reached for the closet doors and started sifting through the various linens. Finding nothing, Aelin rifled through the drawer below, only coming across towels.

Aelin was just reaching for a whole stack of towels, too desperate to care about propriety—and honestly, these towels were nicer than any of Aelin’s bedding at home—when a voice rasped, “What are you doing?”

Aelin winced, not wanting to have woken him. “I can’t find any more blankets,” she whispered.

“That’s because you already have seven on your bed.”

Aelin shot a glare in the general direction of Rowan’s bed. “I’m cold.”

She waited for a witty retort, but all she got was the rustling of his covers and a faint silhouette as Rowan sat up. “Come here.”

“What?” Aelin asked cautiously.

“Come here,” Rowan repeated.

Rising clumsily and kicking the drawer shut, Aelin walked toward Rowan’s bed. She hesitated when she reached him.

Rowan moved over, making space beside him. In the dark Aelin couldn’t make out his expression, but she could see him gesture beside him, faint but unwavering.

Still tentative, Aelin slowly eased onto the bed, breathing rapid. She didn’t dare say a word as she lowered herself onto the bed, jerking backward when her leg brushed Rowan’s.

Maybe he was still half-asleep, or maybe he really didn’t see this as anything odd, or maybe a wave of confidence had washed over him, but Rowan only wrapped an arm around Aelin’s waist and tugged her flush against him, every curve and edge of hers pressed against hard muscle.

Aelin was pretty sure she gasped at the contact.

He pulled his covers over her, cocooning her in warmth. “Still cold?” Rowan asked, and Aelin bit her lip as his breath tickled her ear.

“No,” she whispered.

“That’s good.”

“Mm.” Aelin lay perfectly still as Rowan’s arm went farther around her waist, his hand sliding underneath her from the other side. Getting comfortable.

“Your heart’s beating very fast.” Rowan’s voice was still gravelly from sleep. Aelin told herself the shiver that followed was from the cold.

“No, it’s not.”

“It’s definitely is.”

Aelin could hear the smugness in his voice. “Shut up,” she hissed.

He let out a soft, rumbling laugh, and the vibrations traveled down Aelin’s spine. He didn’t say anything more, though, and Aelin pressed her head against Rowan’s chest, seeking his warmth and trying to relax.

It took a while for Aelin’s heartbeat to slow and her heavy breathing to subside, but when sleep finally washed over her, it was more deep and peaceful than it ever had been.

—

Morning hit Rowan in the form of a head of blonde hair.

Blinking away the sleep, he looked over at Aelin, curled into his side. Her cheek was pressed up against his bare chest. His own arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her securely.

The drowsiness had obliterated his restraint.

Trying to process the fact that Aelin was really here, in his arms, rather than in some twisted wet dream, Rowan gently let go of her. He scooted away, wincing when Aelin whined sleepily and reached for him.

Climbing out of bed, Rowan rubbed his temples. What was he doing with Aelin? What did all this mean?

“Rowan?”

He pressed his eyes shut and let out a heavy breath, then turned. “Morning.”

“Mornin’,” Aelin slurred.

“We have another meeting with Dorian today. We should get ready.”

Aelin groaned in protest, pulling the covers over her head. Deciding to give her a few more minutes, Rowan checked the time and then grabbed a towel from the linen closet, headed for a shower.

It wasn’t as cleansing as he’d wished it to be. Rowan had thought the cold water would wash away all the inappropriate thoughts, the twisted emotions, the smell of Aelin’s perfume. But ten minutes later he was wrapping a towel around his waist and the confusion lingered.

Rowan left the bathroom to grab some clothes, noticing Aelin’s sleepy gaze snap straight to his bare chest, then his arms. Pretending he didn’t notice, he reached for clothing out of his unpacked bag, then retreated back to the bathroom.

Aelin had finally gotten up when he emerged, and was reaching for an outfit from the neat little stacks she’d set up next to her own bed. They exchanged a heated stare and Rowan wasn’t entirely sure of what he read in Aelin’s expression.

She waltzed past him to change in the bathroom, and he just grabbed some notes on the past few days with Dorian to distract himself.

They’d had three meetings so far, spaced out every other day. The first had been a day of covering the basics of the contract, and the next two had been full of negotiations, shaping Dorian’s potential contract into something he could agree to. Aelin and Rowan had been discussing yesterday and come to the conclusion things were wrapping up in Dorian’s mind; the contract-to-be was close to being fully edited to suit his needs. He was going to give them an answer on switching publishers soon, one way or another.

After each meeting, and on all the off days as well, Aelin had dragged Rowan outside to practice skating, and each time he got a little more emotionally confused. Sure, she’d apologized, and his forgiveness was genuine, but that didn’t mean he could just brush right over everything. A week was hardly enough time to go from hating someone to… not hating that person. Rowan shouldn’t be—

Rowan stopped that thought. So much for distracting himself.

He let out a frustrated growl, clenching his fists.

“You okay?” a voice asked, and Rowan cursed himself to hell for not noticing her leave the bathroom.

He turned to find Aelin leaning against the doorframe, dressed in a cream sweater and jeans.

“I’m fine. I was just thinking about Dorian. Lorcan will be pissed if all this was for nothing.”

Aelin’s face said she didn’t believe a word of it, but she didn’t pursue it. Instead she asked, “Do you think he’s finished the book?”

Rowan shrugged. “He said he was getting close a couple of days ago. He could be. He might even give us the draft today if he’s finished it.”

“If he’s going to sign with us,” Aelin added, wandering over to a dresser.

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to start editing right away if he gives you the draft?”

Rowan gave another shrug. “Probably. Or maybe I’ll be able to stretch out the last few days of this vacation and pass it off when we get home.”

“Why?” Aelin reached for a pair of earrings, gaze on a mirror as they made small talk.

“I don’t often edit romance books. That’s Fenrys’ job.”

Aelin sent a smirk in his direction. “Ah, yes. You’re the historical fiction editor. How could I forget?”

“What’s funny about that?” Rowan asked defensively.

“Nothing at all,” Aelin replied, but she couldn’t keep her laugh in.

Rowan sighed. “Historical fiction is good. It offers a realistic perspective on time frames and events that deserve to be delved into. You shouldn’t be laughing.”

Grinning fiendishly, Aelin finished with the mirror and crossed her arms. “If you say so.”

Rowan just shook his head, shooting her an exasperated glare and nodding toward the door. “You ready?”

The walk to Dorian’s room wasn’t tense or silent, but it wasn’t as open as previous conversations between them had been. Aelin had likely picked up on Rowan’s weird mood, he thought with an internal cringe, and they were both nervous about the book deal as well.

Dorian greeted them and showed them into his sitting room as he’d done every other time. He had set out tea again, a habit of his, and Aelin accepted a cup graciously. Less inclined toward the substance but never wanting to offend a potential client, Rowan sipped his as well.

“I’m sure you’ve both realized that my mind is made up by now.” Dorian clasped his hands together and let the suspense linger.

Geez. This man knew how to be unnecessarily dramatic. Then again, maybe the millions his books had made had earned him the right to be a little sensational.

“Yes, we figured,” Aelin replied smoothly. “Is it good news?” Rowan could tell she was just as anxious as him, but Aelin was a hell of a lot better at hiding it.

Dorian smiled. “For you, quite. I made some last edits to the contract. You can look them over here, and if you find everything satisfactory, I’ll sign.”

Relief washed over Rowan in waves. He may have been lying to Aelin earlier when he told her that was what was on his mind, but he truly had been concerned. If Dorian had declined their offer and renewed his contract with Hamel Inc., Lorcan would be furious.

“Then I’ll give you the first draft of my new novel,” Dorian continued. “I finished looking over it yesterday so it’s very rough around the edges, but all the same, you can start editing right away if you so choose.”

Rowan nodded, and Aelin asked for the contract. They looked over it together, finding only minor changes that were acceptable to them. Dorian signed with an expensive fountain pen, and Rowan and Aelin released their bated breaths.

The whole meeting was a whirlwind of suppressed celebration and shared grins between the pair. Dorian sent them off with the draft, and they left, almost skipping down the hallway. As soon as Dorian’s room was out of earshot, Aelin let out a squeal and Rowan whooped.

“Thank the gods,” Aelin exclaimed, raising a hand for a high five.

Chuckling, Rowan met her hand. The contact felt like an electric shock, but Rowan ignored his confliction. They’d gotten one of the best-selling authors in the country to sign with their company. Today was not a day to be moping.

“Let’s go to our room,” Aelin said. “I want to read it.”

“Isn’t that my job?”

Aelin shrugged. “I can help.”

Rowan squinted. “Why?”

“Well…” Aelin looked away. “I’ve been waiting for book four in this series since January.”

Rowan let out a surprised laugh. “Oh, don’t tell me.”

“Shut up,” Aelin hissed.

“You read…” Rowan looked down at the draft. “The Toxic Heaven series?” he asked, scoffing at the title. He hadn’t even realized this thing was part of a series until now.

Aelin frowned. “It’s good. You can’t judge me. And don’t tell me you haven’t read any of them.”

“Um, no. I definitely have not.”

“None?” Aelin gasped.

Rowan crossed his arms. “I’m the boring historical fiction guy, remember? I don’t read this garbage.”

“It’s not garbage,” Aelin snapped, tugging the pages from his grip.

“Hey, that was definitely meant for me.”

“You’ll get your turn soon enough. Just give me a day or two.”

Shaking his head with a smile tugging at his lips, Rowan followed Aelin down the hall and back to their room.

—

Aelin got through the entire draft that day. She had allowed a break for ice skating; she was enjoying it immensely and was actually becoming decent. Other than that though, her eyes were glued to the smutty masterpiece all day long. Rough around the edges, sure, but it still had Aelin blushing.

Rowan had sent her amused glances throughout the day, which she’d pointedly ignored.

Flipping the last page, Aelin closed her eyes and grinned to herself. The main characters, who’d broken up in the last book, were back together. There was I’m-mad-at-you-but-I-still-love-you sex, makeup sex, fluffy sex, dirty sex. And Aelin refused to be embarrassed about enjoying it.

“That good, huh?”

Eyes opening and darting to Rowan, Aelin sent him her meanest stare. “You should try it you know. Maybe you’d get some if you paid enough attention.”

“Who says I don’t already get some?” Rowan’s voice was soft.

Oh, this was dangerous.

“I don’t know,” Aelin said, much more casually than she felt. “I don’t know a whole lot of people who are into historical fiction fanatics.”

Rowan crossed his arms, and Aelin tried not to stare at his bulging muscles. Had the room been this hot earlier?

“You’re ridiculous, you know that? I don’t think there’s a rule that says what I like to read means I’m clueless around women.”

Aelin opened her mouth to retort, but noticed something behind him. “Is that champagne?”

“Yeah, I figured we deserve to celebrate after landing that deal. I didn’t want to interrupt your reading, though,” he added with a grin. “Should we have some?”

Aelin ignored the jest and nodded. “We should.”

She sat up on her bed while Rowan popped the cork poured the alcohol into champagne glasses. He brought two over, sitting next to her on the covers. “You know, not only were we harassed into a work trip over Yulemas, which I’m pretty sure is illegal, we also got a famous author to sign with us. I feel like there’s got to be some kind of raise coming our way.”

Aelin laughed. “Gods, I hope so.” She took another sip of champagne, savoring the way it warmed her as it moved down her throat.

“What is all the fuss about Dorian Havilliard, anyway? There are only so many ways to write porn.”

“You clearly have no creativity,” Aelin replied. She picked up the draft and held it up. “He’s quite decent.”

Rowan squinted. “Let me see that thing.”

Aelin shook her head but he reached for the papers in her hands too quickly for her to draw them back. Rowan set it on his lap and flipped to a random page. “‘Celaena whimpered as Sam fucked her. Gods, she wanted to hate him, and maybe she did, but she could never hate his large, pulsating—’”

Aelin threw a pillow at him. “Stop it.”

“This is shit.”

“It’s not,” Aelin hissed. “Put it down and let Fenrys edit it when we get back.”

Rowan rolled his eyes. “I never realized what poor taste you have.” He tossed the draft on the bedside table.

“You’re just provoking me.”

Rowan scoffed. “Trust me, I may know nothing about writing smut, but I assure you there are better words to describe a cock than pulsating.”

Aelin sat up beside him. “Do you ever read smut, Rowan? Or do you just criticize people for having more game than you?”

He snorted. “I prefer doing over reading when it comes to certain things.”

Aelin felt her face warm. “Well… that’s just great for you.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow.

Aelin took a sip of champagne to occupy her mouth before she could say anything more humiliating, but Rowan didn’t let it slide.

“Do you ever get laid or is it all fictional?”

“That’s none of your business,” Aelin blustered.

“I entirely agree, but you’ve already asked me. I feel like it’s only fair.”

Aelin scowled. “Of course I do.”

“And when you do is it more or less pleasurable than reading Toxic Heaven?”

“Now you’re just teasing me.”

“Oh, I definitely am.” Rowan’s eyes darkened. “We’ve been dancing around each other all week, Aelin.”

Her toes curled. “I guess we have.”

Rowan plucked the glass out of Aelin’s hand and set it with his on the table. “Tell me you don’t want this.” Their knees bumped.

“I do,” Aelin whispered, shivering when Rowan’s hand found her hair, gently tugging on a strand of blonde. He leaned closer and Aelin felt her breath catch.

Rowan’s other hand fell to her thigh, sliding up slowly, giving her every chance to say no. His lips were now so close to hers, their eyes locked.

Rowan closed the last half inch but just before their lips could meet, Aelin turned her head to the side. “Um.”

Rowan leaned back.

“I’m sorry.” Aelin stood up.

Rowan rose beside her. “You don’t have to apologize, Aelin. It’s okay.”

She glanced at him, then looked away, nodding silently.

“If something’s wrong I can—”

“It’s not you, Rowan. It’s not your fault. I just can’t.”

He nodded, not asking her why. Aelin appreciated him for that more than she ever had before.

“Do you want me to go?”

“No, you can stay.” Aelin felt a tear slide down her cheek.

She could feel Rowan’s hesitation. “Aelin, I’m sorry I tried to kiss you, I shouldn’t have done that. We can pretend it didn’t happen if that makes you feel better.”

Aelin shook her head, blinking away more tears and feeling ridiculous for crying. “I don’t want to forget. I just don’t want it to happen. It can’t.”

“Why not?” Rowan’s voice was gentle, soothing.

“Because,” Aelin threw her hands up in defeat, “If we do anything now it’s going to be some short-lived fantasy that ends the second we’re home. And I don’t want this to be like some fucking dream that I—” Her voice cracked. She finished the sentence in a whisper.

“That I wake up from.”

Silence washed over the room. Aelin could barely hear anything over the pounding of her own heart, anyway.

For once, Aelin didn’t look away from Rowan. She started straight at him, watching, waiting.

He stared back at her for what felt like an eternity, unmoving. And then all of a sudden Rowan wasn’t still anymore; he was moving forward, and his hands were on Aelin’s face, and then his lips were on hers, and the rest of the world faded into grey.

Kissing Rowan felt like this whole whimsical, expensive vacation had felt. Like some kind of magic thing that was unexpected but not unwelcome, frustrating yet so freeing at the same time. Like every moment she’d had with Rowan prior, honestly.

One of Rowan’s hands fisted in her hair and the moan that left Aelin’s lips sent her mind straight from convoluted metaphors to the rush of heat headed straight down.

Before Aelin could drag him back to the bed and jump him like every molecule of her body was begging her to do, Rowan pulled back.

“I don’t want this to end either, okay?” Rowan was panting. “All the months we spend bickering because of one misunderstanding, one bad day, have been dissipating over the past week. I misjudged you, Aelin. And now that I’m no longer blinded by the idea that I dislike you, I’ve seen that you’re not somebody that I want to have a vacation with and then forget about. I want to get to know you better, I want… I want this to continue.”

Aelin looked up at him in shock. She nodded faintly. “Me too.”

He flashed a smile then, wide and genuine, and Aelin couldn’t help but grin back.

“I hope this means we get to go on a date,” Aelin murmured.

“Oh, it most certainly does.” Rowan pecked Aelin on the lips again, and the casualness of it sent butterflies off in her stomach. “I hope someday I can live up to the standards Dorian’s novel has put on me.”

Aelin choked on a laugh. “Gods. You’re horrible.”

Rowan twisted a finger around a lock of blonde hair. “You know, you’re going to have to put up with a lot of teasing if you really want me. And gods, imagine what the people will say about you dating a historical fiction editor. It’s not too late to back out.”

Aelin shoved him playfully. “I wouldn’t back out for the world.”

She’d meant it to match the joking mood, but it came out serious. Rowan stared at her silently, then moved impossibly closer. Their noses bumped.

“I wish that first day had never happened,” Aelin whispered. “We wasted so much time.”

“I regret nothing,” Rowan said. “Because things worked out so that I’m here with you, right now, and it was more than worth the wait.”

Aelin beamed at him. “And you say you don’t read romance novels. Who taught you how to charm a lady so well?”

Rowan laughed. “Not everything can be found in a book, Aelin.”

“You’re wrong,” Aelin murmured.

Rowan hummed. “I think I could teach you a few things Dorian left out.”

“Oh yeah?” Aelin tugged Rowan toward the bed. “Like what?”

Rowan grinned ferally. “Let me show you.”

They were laughing as they hit the bed.

———

Tag List:

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[morganofthewildfire]

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

By Your Side

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Happy Yulemas Swap @writtenonreceipts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This piece was originally supposed to be a whooooole long oneshot but i've been really out of the groove so i was forced to shorten it down to just a snippet, but there's more out there if i ever get the chance to write it!!!

This is very much inspired by your love for my oneshot 2 AM Walks from two years ago 🥰 you were always so nice about that one, so I wanted to deliver you another single parent holiday au! Hopefully you enjoy, this is just an introduction, there's a lot more to this world 😉

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Aelin’s arms were going to fall off. It was official. The dozen plastic grocery bags were digging into her arms, making indents on her skin through her sweater as she struggled to carry them up the stairs. Eloise had asked if she needed help, but all she’d ended up giving to the little girl was one plastic bag, filled with just the little reindeer stuffed animal they’d picked up at the store.

It’d been on sale. That was the only way she’d be able to afford it with all of the money already spent on Yulemas presents. 

Even the price of just groceries and essentials had made her cringe. Sam’s child support hadn’t kicked in yet for the month, but she still needed the food. So she’d done what she had to do.

“Mama!” Eloise called out, skipping ahead up the stairs. “Hurry up!” 

Aelin huffed a laugh, doing her best to walk up the stairs as quickly as possible. Their apartment building had an elevator, but it wasn’t working right now, leaving her and her daughter to trek up five floors worth of stairs every time they went to and from the apartment. 

It was usually a decently slow process; Eloise was still young, still small. She had energy, but didn’t have the size to bound up a set of stairs quickly. But today was different. Her favorite cartoon was having a Yulemas special, and she absolutely could not miss it. 

Nevermind the fact that it was set to record, and that there were still a few dates until Yulemas to watch it. Eloise didn’t think like that.

She wanted to watch it now, And who was Aelin to deny her?

“One second, baby,” she called ahead, “I need to unlock the door for you.” Her daughter had already bounded ahead up the stairs, undoubtedly pushing out onto their floor and hurrying to their apartment door. 

She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to keep the bags stable as she pushed up the last few steps, turning to use her body to open the door to her floor. Eloise was at their door, jiggling in excitement, her light brown curls bouncing up and down as she waited (im)patiently. 

At four years old, Eloise was already beginning to look like Sam. She had the same hair, the same skin, some of the same mannerisms too, but she had Aelin’s eyes. 

Aelin hadn’t expected being married, divorced, and a mother by the age of 25, but here she was. Getting pregnant by her college boyfriend, marrying him, and then subsequently getting cheated on less than a year later had not been in her plans. But even then, she’d given Sam the chance to be a father. 

Yeah, he was a crappy husband, but she was of the belief that that didn’t always indicate if someone would be a good father or not. And she certainly didn’t believe in taking someone’s ability to be a father away just because of a personal grudge. 

But, he hadn’t stepped up. They’d gotten divorced quickly, and she’d asked him about custody, trying to solve it civilly, but he’d just let her take charge. And hadn’t fought her for any visiting rights, just showing up when he wanted to see Eloise, which wasn’t often and never announced despite how much Aelin had complained to him about it.

So when a great job opportunity had opened up for her over in Doranelle, she hadn’t regretted moving away. Sam hadn’t proven that he wanted to be a father, so she was just going to do her damned best to be a great mother. 

But sometimes…it was hard. 

He’d managed to take most of their friends in the divorce, and with the move to a completely new city, there wasn’t anybody for her to rely on except for herself. And -

“Hey, munchkin,” a familiar voice sounded from down the hallway, and her cheeks immediately flushed red. Even though he wasn’t even talking to her. “Where’s your mom?” 

“I’m here,” Aelin called down, smiling lightly at the man exiting the apartment next to theirs, clearly concerned about why a four year old girl was standing by herself in the hallway. 

When that green gaze shifted and locked eyes with hers, she felt her heart squeeze almost painfully. But she ignored it, walking down the hallway and still trying not to drop all of the bags she’d so painfully carried up the stairs. 

Rowan Whitethorn was an interesting case. He was their next door neighbor, and had been one of the only ones to introduce himself, but not of his own volition. They’d run into each other in the hallway, literally, and after being on the receiving end of his frown for a solid minute or so, he’d finally straightened up and introduced himself.

That’d been a few months ago, and since then they’d settled into friends? Kind of? It was difficult to tell. 

Yes, he was hot. Yes, he was charming in a shy way that was incredibly endearing. Yes, he was amazing with Eloise. In fact, the little girl adored him. It was nice to see her willing to open up to someone after the disappointment that was Sam. But, because of Sam, was she really willing to entertain the possibility of more heartbreak?

Aelin wasn’t sure.

“Need any help?” Rowan asked, breaking her out of her thoughts, and she was about to shake her head no, but he was already walking over, relieving her of the burden of probably 75% of the bags. She nearly sighed in relief, her arms sagging, and she resented a little how easy he made it look. But she also had to hide the blush that spread on her face at the strength it showed.

“Sure, I guess,” Aelin said faintly, smiling at him as he gestured for her to head toward the door.

“I think someone’s in a rush,” Rowan said, nodding at Eloise, who was standing at the front door, bouncing back and forth on her feet.

“Her favorite show is starting soon,” Aelin said, rolling her eyes, but obeyed her daughter’s plea, taking out her keys and opening the door. Eloise bounded in, skipping toward the carpet in front of the TV, laying down almost immediately and kicking her feet. 

Rowan gestured for her to go, and Aelin stepped inside her warm apartment, setting the few bags she had left on the counter and sighing as she took off her heavy coat. It was starting to get really cold outside. 

But still no snow. 

“Thanks for the help,” Aelin said as Rowan set the rest of the bags down on the counter. But he just dismissed her thanks with a shake of his head and a smile. And even started unpacking the bags, taking all of the groceries she’d bought at the store and beginning to sort them on the counter. 

“Where were you off to in such a rush?” Aelin asked with a small smile, hoping he understood it was teasing and not accusing. But he caught on, rolling with her punches as easily as he had in the few months they’d known each other. 

“Lawyers,” Rowan said, smiling weakly. It was an answer, and he didn’t seem annoyed at her question, but he didn’t seem as lighthearted as before. 

“Oh?” Aelin asked, helping him get everything out of the bags. Most important was the gingerbread house kit she’d bought. It was a bit of a splurge, and she’d cringed at the price, but making a gingerbread house had been on Eloise’s list for what she wanted to do this Yulemas, so she couldn’t say no. 

It was their first one without Sam at least around, so Aelin wanted to do everything she could to make it a great one.

“Aren’t you going to be late?” She questioned, but he just shrugged. Aelin didn’t want to pry, but she couldn’t deny she was curious.

“Doesn’t matter,” Rowan dismissed, with a loose shrug as he opened the fridge to put away a carton of milk. “She’s going to be late too, anyway.”

Aelin’s brows shot up, but she knew better than to ask, deciding to just help put the rest of the groceries away instead, in silence. It wasn’t awkward, but there was a bit of tension there that wasn’t there before. She was tempted to ask if he was okay.

But she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to risk losing the tentative friendship they had by making things uncomfortable. Not that they really had too much of a friendship. He had her number, and they’d texted maybe once or twice. But mostly it consisted of him helping her out with chores and things like that.

Rowan always insisted she call him if she needed help with anything. Aelin had only taken him up on that a few times, one notable time being when the sink faucet was broken and she needed someone besides their incompetent landlord to look at it. 

He’d obliged, and fixed it in twenty minutes, before staying over for dinner and watching a princess movie, at Eloise’s insistence. 

“Do you think it’s going to snow soon?” Aelin asked, after a few moments of silence. The only sound in the apartment was the cartoon on the TV and the rustling of grocery bags being balled up and put away.

Rowan hummed a bit in consideration, glancing out the small window in the kitchen. “It’s hard to predict, but I would say so.” 

“I promised Eloise a white Yulemas, so it better.” Aelin huffed a laugh, setting the gingerbread kit on the now clear counter. He leaned against the counter, looking over at her with a smile.

“Then you better tell the sky it needs to listen to you,” he teased, and she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, looking up at him.

“I’ll use my mom voice,” she said, lifting her brows. “It’ll have to listen to me then.” 

They grinned at each other for a moment, before his phone rang. He sighed and broke their stare, checking who was calling. But he didn’t answer it, just rejecting the call and sliding the device back into his jeans pocket.

“I better go,” he said, pushing off of the counter.

“Okay,” Aelin said, nodding. But her heart felt like it was shrinking at the idea of him leaving, even if it was only for a little bit. Even if he lived next door. It was just…nice. Being able to pretend in a way. Pretend that she wasn’t alone, that she had someone by her side to make sure the weight of everything she was carrying didn’t pull her down completely. 

It wasn’t fair of her to do that; he didn’t owe her anything. But she couldn’t deny the way she felt no matter how much she wanted to.

She walked him toward the front door, about to see him out when -

“Wait, are you leaving?” Eloise asked, darting up from her spot on the carpet and prancing over to the door. Her eyes were wide and sad. Aelin was just surprised she’d been able to unglue them from the TV.

“Rowan’s gotta go, sweetie,” she said, brushing a hand through her daughter’s curls. “He was just stopping by to help keep my arms from falling off.”

Her daughter’s blue eyes started watering and she clung onto Rowan’s leg, as if she could keep him there by sheer force of will.

“Eloise,” Aelin chastised, but he just laughed. 

“I’d stay if I could, Firefly,” he said fondly, ruffling her hair. “But your mom’s right, I have to go.”

Her daughter’s face could win a record for how pouty it was, and a laugh bubbled out of her too.

“Let him go, baby,” Aelin urged, laughing while she did. “You’ll see him soon.” 

Rowan’s brow shot up, and Aelin winced, especially as her daughter piped up.

“Yeah! You’re coming over for Yulemas Eve right?” Eloise asked, finally letting him go and bouncing a little bit as she spoke.  “My mama said she was going to ask.”

Rowan turned his green eyes on her then, and Aelin’s heart thundered in her chest. But she forced herself to do what she’d been putting off for a few days now.

“I didn’t know if you had any plans,” she spoke, a little stilted. “But if you didn’t, me and Eloise are just hanging out here if you need something to do.” Rowan didn’t seem to have a lot of people coming over, nor did he seem like he went out much, which was the only reason she’d actually considered asking.

And once she’d voiced the idea to Eloise, she’d had quite the enthusiastic support.

“I’d love to,” Rowan answered, before she could stuff her foot in her mouth anymore. 

“Yeah?” She asked, and a blush spread across her cheeks when he smiled at her. 

“If I wouldn't be intruding, yeah.” He shrugged, his smile settling into a half quirk of his lips. It was incredibly endearing. Aelin normally prided herself on never getting flustered, at always being the one holding the power in a conversation, especially with men. But it hadn’t been the same since moving out on her own with Eloise, or maybe it was just Rowan.

Either way, she’d be embarrassed if it didn’t seem like he found her endearing too. 

“So you are coming!” Eloise piped in, a wild smile on her little face, and Aelin was once again reminded of another exception surrounding Rowan. Her daughter could be the shyest person you’d ever meet around most strangers, but pretty much from the moment she’d met Rowan, she’d been a bundle of energy. 

It hadn’t been instantaneous, but it’d been pretty damn close.

“Looks like it,” Rowan chuckled, before crouching down by Eloise and tapping her on the nose. “Now, the quicker you guys put away the food, I bet the quicker you’ll get to work on that gingerbread house I saw on the counter.” Her eyes went wide. “So you better be good and help your mom out, alright?”

Eloise nodded rapidly, bouncing on her feet once again. He straightened up, about to head out the door before pausing and turning back to Aelin.

“See you in a few days,” he said, with a wink, and she could barely squeeze out a bye with the little breath she had.

The lingering fear of commitment was still there, and wouldn’t go away for a while, but she was also pretty sure this was going to be one of her favorite Yulemases yet.

--------

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[rowanaelinn]

A Fortunate Accident

happy yulemas swap day @llyncooljones !!!! hopefully you will like this piece, and won’t find it too rushed <3

Word Count: 2,700 | Warnings: angst, but HEA

Aelin didn’t want to be here. Well, she did want to be on a plane for Adarlan, where she knew awaited the best winter holidays. But she didn’t want to be in this plane with him.

They’d broken up a couple of months ago but had booked this vacation nearly a year ago. It’d been too expensive to cancel, and Aelin certainly wouldn’t give up her chance to go skiing in the mountains she loved so much. It seemed as if Rowan Whitethorn, who had been the only person she met who could rival her stubbornness, had had the same idea as her.

She hadn’t really thought she’d see him at the airport this morning, and from the look of surprise in his eyes, he hadn’t thought he’d see her either. But she wouldn’t back off. Maybe the cold was his thing, he’d been the one to teach her how to ski when they were teenagers after all, but after all the work she’d done these past few months… she deserved that vacation.

It wouldn’t be so ironic if all that work hadn’t been the reason why they separated. Aelin adored her job, and she had no issues with working as many hours as needed. She was a surgeon, after all. But Rowan didn’t like that. He didn’t like that she didn’t come home for days, that sometimes their plans were cancelled so she could work.

He didn’t understand. He was a lawyer, he had responsibilities as well, but it wasn’t the same. Rowan could leave work and come back with things the same way they were the day before. Aelin couldn’t. So, no. She wouldn’t say no to a patient waiting to be saved for a date night. At least, that was the way she felt for years.

These past two months, she’d been home less than before. She couldn’t stand being in that house without him. There was nothing for her to come home to, after all. So, what was the point of it all? She was better off doing something kept her mind off the emptiness in her life. Her house was a mess, she barely had any time to clean these days. It was too big for just her, anyway. Maybe she’d sell it one of these days. Get rid of it, so the memories would leave her as well. Well, not that she really could take this decision on her own, the house also belonged to him.

The plane had taken off an hour before when she said, “I want to sell the house.”

From beside her, she felt his body stiffen. “Excuse me?”

She shrugged. “It’s too big. It’d make good money.”

He took a few seconds to answer, “Do you realize that it is my house as well?”

She knew that. Maybe it was why she wanted to move out. They had too many memories in that house. She shrugged, brushing off the sourness settling in her stomach. “I’m telling you, aren’t I?”

“Do you need money?”

She rolled her eyes. She had more than enough money, that was for sure. But even if her bank account was far from empty, she still valued money. Hence why she still showed up for this non-refundable trip. “Of course, I don’t. The house’s just too big for only me.”

It’d already been too big for her and Rowan together. But they’d planned big. For future children. Though those never came, not for any lack of trying. But after a while… It turned their sexual life into something that had to have a purpose. They couldn’t just have sex for the pleasure of it, it had to result into a child. And Aelin never got pregnant. So, if she had to fill the void of it all, she’d do it in her work. Where she could help people.

“I’ll take it, then,” Rowan said. He’d been the one to choose to move out. “Or I’ll buy your shares of it. But we aren’t selling the house.”

She frowned, “You don’t even live there.”

He shrugged, doing as she did before. “I will once I buy your shares.”

“Why do you want that house so bad?”

“It has great trees,” he told her, shrugging again.

She almost wanted to cause a scene there and then, but she knew they were in public. She couldn’t do that. She just rolled her eyes and put her headphones over her ears. If he wanted the house, then she didn’t care he could have it. She could find a nice apartment near the hospital. It’d be good.

---

Rowan Whitethorn, although he adored the snow, despised skiing. In itself, the sport was amazing. Being only one with the snow and mountain and nature was great. What was less great was how many people were skiing. There was waiting for the lift. Then, there were people all over the slopes, making it impossible to ski the way he wanted to. Maybe he sounded like an entitled asshole, but he never made it a secret that he hated crowds.

And sharing this vacation with his ex-girlfriend was exhausting. Not because he hated her. He far from did. No, it was exhausting to keep from reaching for her hand, to not look at her for her reaction when the tiniest of things happened.

She had made it clear that she didn’t value their relationship. It was why he’d left on that dreadful Thursday night, when she once again failed to come home. She hadn’t reached out. She’d accepted their breakup. He couldn’t do much to change this.

He hadn’t expected her to show up at the airport four days ago, but he should have. He knew her better than that. This trip had been a chance at keeping his mind off her, to make him think of anything else than how much he missed her. And then, the torture device crafted for him especially showed up. Aelin, looking as beautiful as ever. He didn’t miss the dark circles under her eyes, and he wondered when was the last time she’d slept for the whole night.

And now, as she skied a little ahead of him, it hurt his brain to not glance at her every few seconds.

They’d been living apart the whole trip, her in the bedroom and him in the couch. They didn’t speak to each other, and yet they had somehow silently decided to ski together. He excused it to himself by saying it was for safety reasons. He’d always been an awful liar.

They were on a black diamond slope, his favorites. But it was crowded. Maybe it was because it was Christmas day, but everyone seemed to be out on the mountains. An idiot had slid on his goddamn ski earlier, and if he hadn’t been going so fast and so obviously a teenager, Rowan would have ruined him. He could still remember being a teenager on that very mountain, young and stupid. Strangely, it’d always been with Aelin.

His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw that very same teenager sliding down the slope. But this time, it wasn’t toward Rowan that he was going obviously too fast. It was in slow-motion in Rowan’s eyes. He saw the teenager try to change direction, but there was a huge part of ice on the slope. He didn’t turn, and he went right into Aelin.

She fell on her side, her head hitting the hard patch of ice, and he heard a cracking sound.

Rowan was there in a second, and Aelin was lying motionless on the ground. The kid was standing up again, apologizing over and over again. Rowan ignored him, instead he said her name. “Aelin?”

There was no answer. Why wasn’t she answering?

“Aelin? Can you hear me?”

Still no answer.

Fuck. It wasn’t like her to pretend to feel bad. She was more of the type to pretend as if everything was okay, even if things weren’t. He cursed loudly, nearly not noticing the people who started to gather around them. Until he needed them, “Someone calls for help!”

He wanted to take off her helmet, he really did. But he’d been dating a doctor for years. He knew he shouldn’t touch or move her. He still took the risk to take off the ski glasses, if only to see if her eyes were open. They weren’t.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He couldn’t lose her now. This broken thing between them… It wasn’t permanent. Not the way their love was. He hadn’t planned on leaving forever. Fuck, he wanted to grow with her. He just needed… space. Because her absence had been too overwhelming. He’d been suffocating in loneliness.

It was why he didn’t want the house sold. He’d ask her to marry him in that goddamn house, so no, she couldn’t sell it.

But if he lost her now… He’d lose a part of himself. The better part of himself. The one that laughed and felt at ease in a world where he never felt like he fit in.

He wanted to shake her so she would wake up, but it would do no good. Seconds felt like minutes as he waited for someone to come and help her, as he held her hand tightly and asked her to wake up. Once ski-patrol was here, everything was a little foggy. They took charge of her, securing her so she wouldn’t be too shaken up when they bring her down the slope. Rowan followed after them, after he answered the questions of the paramedics.

Once they were down the slopes, they brought her to the nearest doctor’s office which was only a few feet from where they were. It was a doctor specialized in people hurt while skiing. Once there, they asked him if he was family. He said yes.

She seemed to gain consciousness back when they took her for a scan. He wanted to stay with her, but the doctor’s assistant told him that he couldn’t, that he had to wait by the door. She tried to offer him a cup of coffee, but he simply shook his head. He wasn’t in the mood for anything. She tried to reassure him, telling him that it probably was only a conclusion. Nothing that would cause damages in the long run.

He knew it was most likely this, but he didn’t care. He wanted to be sure.

After what felt like years of waiting, the doctor and Aelin came back from the scan.

“Are you Mrs. Galathynius’ husband?”

Rowan stood, shaking the hand of the doctor. “Her boyfriend.”

“Well, your girlfriend is fine.” It was as if his lungs finally opened then, and the weight of his chest disappeared. “That was a very big shock, and she does have a concussion. I recommend bed rest for the next week, and no more skiing for her unfortunately.”

“But she won’t have any bad consequences?” He asked, other than how goddamn expensive that little visit to the doctor would be. He didn’t care, he had the money, and Aelin did too. “She’s a surgeon, she has to have a full recovery. And I heard something breaking, was that her--”

The doctor stopped him, “She will make a full recovery, and with rest she will be able to go back to work. The sound you heard was her helmet, it was a good thing she wore it.”

A sigh of relief escaped him. He may not love her work, and how much of herself she poured into it, but he was aware of how much it meant to her to help others. To use her hands to spread the good in people’s lives.

--

Everything was blurry when she opened her eyes, and her head was pounding. Her mouth was dry, and the lights were too blinding. She groaned, turning her head to the side. But she moved too fast, and now it felt as if someone had hit her right in the back of the head.

“Fireheart,” a calm, familiar voice said from beside the bed. Her hand reached for Rowan’s, and he grabbed her hand. She sighed, closing her eyes.

“It hurts.”

“I know,” he said slowly. “Are you thirsty?”

She thought about it for a second, and slowly nodded. Even if her vision was a little blurry, she saw him reach for a pill and a glass of water on the bedside table and he handed them to her as she sat in the bed, wincing at the movement. Her head hurt so, so bad. She thanked him and swallowed the pill, as well as drank the whole glass.

“You need to rest now, Aelin,” Rowan said, voice hard. He didn’t angry, just like someone who wouldn’t accept a refusal. “Two weeks off work, at least. I’m coming back home also. There’s no more working multiple days at a time, standing late to the hospital. From now on, you are taking a step back.”

She frowned, and could only focus on one part of what he’d said. “What do you mean you’re coming back?”

He nodded. “You heard me.”

“I don’t remember agreeing to this.”

His lips parted, and his head slightly fell to the side. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t want you back, Rowan,” he said, the words tasting sour in her mouth. “Stay in that apartment of yours. I find yourself a better person, one that can give you want you want because we both know that it’s not me.”

“What the hell does that mean?” He asked, an edge to his voice but he wasn’t yelling. Probably because he knew how bad her head hurt.

She swallowed and looked away. “Life showed us I can’t give you the life you want. And I can’t do it, rowan,” she admitted, finally looking at him. “I can’t come back every evening and see you disappointed because my body didn’t give us the result we wanted. I can bear my own disappointment, but yours is too heavy, Rowan. I can’t.” Her voice broke on that last word, and so did something on Rowan’s face.

With a voice barely louder than a whisper he asked, “Is that why you pulled away?”

She took a deep breath and nodded. “It was easier that way, and when you left… It didn’t get easier, but that burden was lighter to bear.”

“Aelin,” he breathed, reaching once again for her hand. “Look at me.”

She did.

“I don’t give a shit if we don’t have a child, do you hear me? Yes, it’s something we want, but we don’t need it. We can stop trying now, even. I’d die the happiest man on earth as long as I’m with you, Fireheart. You’re it for me. And if we want company, we can adopt a dog like you wanted to before. Aelin, I’m begging you, don’t push me away because of this. I love you, and I need you.”

She hiccupped, “But you’ve always wanted a big family.”

He sat on the bed next to her, laying a hand on her blanket covered leg. “I do. But I want you, first. The Gods know your cousins will have enough kids to give us a big family. And if we truly want kids of our own, we can adopt. There are so many other possibilities, Aelin.”

She looked at him then, and she felt her walls break. She let out the tiniest of sobs, “I feel like such an idiot now.”

“No,” he shook his head. “I should have fought harder. I should have known you were pushing me away for a reason, I’m so—”

“Don’t be,” she said. “Let’s just forget about it, alright?”

He nodded and leaned in for a kiss. It was quick, as if he knew how much her head hurt.

“Well, at least those four awkward days weren’t for nothing,” she joked. “Though, I wish I didn’t have to be run into by a teenager to make things better.”

HE smiled, “Let’s be honest, I wouldn’t have lasted two more days without tasting your lips.”

She blushed under his gaze. She had him. For ever. “You can taste them more now.”

••••••

@sheharahu // @morganofthewildfire // @thestoriesyoutell // @fromthelibraryofemilyj // @swankii-art-teacher // @itsforeverinnocent-blog // @becarefuloflove // @imnotsogoodatthis // @rowaelinismyotp // @a-court-of-milkandhoney // @feysand-loml // @elentiyawhitethorn // @live-the-fangirl-life // @story-scribbler // @loves-books // @fangirlprincess09 // @theysayitscrazy // @danibutterr // @endlessdaydream // @thegreyj // @gracie-rosee // @acreativelydifferentlove // @cretaceous-therapod // @louphantomdragon // @mis-lil-red // @backtobl4ck // @whoever-you-choose-to-love // @lemonade-coolattas // @mad-madeline-ace // @the-introverted-bibliophile // @leiawritesstories // @emilyoftheshadows // @anniesbookshelf // @rainbowcheetah512 // @astra-ad-mare // @story-scribbler // @superspiritfestival // @wordsafterhours // @rowaelinrambling // @black-daisy-water // @fireheart-violet // @livsdriverslicense // @charlizeed // @ladykreads // @mariamuses // @autumnbabylon // @justreadertings // @highqueenofelfhame // @earthtolinds // @bowdawn

[house-of-galathynius]

Christmas Kisses: Part 2

After a long time, part two is finally here! @tomtenadia​ I apologise that it’s so late, but I suppose it’s better than never! I hope you enjoy this second part and happy belated Christmas and New Year 🥰

Part One

Warnings: NSFW

Word Count: 5.1k

~

Rowan tossed and turned all night. Partly due to the fact that he felt so stupid at what he had said to Aelin. The other part was that he was all too aware of her sleeping figure beside him. He hadn’t been able get comfortable for fear she would wake and realise he was still next to her— and then ultimately she would leave.

The fact that it was Christmas Day meant nothing to him when Aelin barely gave him a second look all throughout breakfast. She hadn’t been excited by the snow that was falling outside, nor the mound of presents that had been growing under the tree. No amount of Christmas music or mulled wine seemed to improve her mood and Rowan was kicking himself for saying something so stupid.

When they had seated themselves around the makeshift table, and they had started to devour their lunch, Enda gave Rowan a knowing look. Then grinned.

“So Aelin and Rowan kissed last night.”

Both Rowan and Aelin, who were seated next to each other, whipped their heads to Enda and glared.

“Well it’s about time.” Aelin’s father said coyly. Spooning some more brussel sprouts onto his plate. Aelin’s mother smiled and nodded her agreement and Rowan didn’t know whether to feel outraged that Enda was making it out to be something bigger than it had been, or whether to feel honoured that Aelin’s own parents were thrilled.

“It wasn’t anything special. Just like kissing any other man.” she said bitterly, glaring at Rowan.

There was a beat of silence and then everyone seemed to realise the awkwardness from the two of them and swiftly moved the conversation on— not once mentioning it again. Enda seemed to realise his mistake in mentioning it at all and shot the two of them apologetic glances throughout the meal. Although neither of them deigned to respond.

The rest of the day went much like that. Aelin making snide comments here and there and Rowan trying desperately to make it up to her. Giving her extra helpings of her favourite cake, more wine, letting her take the comfiest spot on their sofa. But apparently she was going to be holding her grudge for a while.

In the evening when everyone was settled down and ready to open presents, Rowan hoped that what he had got Aelin would maybe sway her into favour again and that maybe it would be enough for her to actually look at him in the eyes. Because honestly, he missed their playful teasing and her laugh and the way they just always seemed to be so at ease.

People were unwrapping things at a pace that was too slow for Rowan. He could see his gift for Aelin sitting beside her and all he wanted was for her to open it and see that he did care. But the kids were too excited about their own gifts and the other adults too anxious about the food that needed to be prepared for their second meal. Which meant that neither of them could have the moment that they needed.

So Rowan watched as Aelin carefully moved the gift to the side and promised the group that she would open the rest of hers later.

~

Aelin had used cooking dinner as an excuse to not open her last present. She knew it was from Rowan and she knew he had been eyeing her the entire time they had been swapping gifts. Despite her annoyance, she still felt satisfied when Rowan opened his gift from her and had exclaimed it was perfect— sending her a smile that if she had been standing, would have knocked her off her feet.

She knew he was trying. He had been nothing but lovely to her all day and she knew deep down that he was trying to make up for his comment. Honestly, she didn’t know why it had bothered her so much. Maybe it was because she had realised that her feelings for him were deeper than she could have imagined; and hearing him say that their kiss had been like kissing any other person, had disappointed her. Being icy with him was a way of protecting herself.

She continued giving him the cold shoulder, even as the Christmas turkey and the trimmings were devoured, even though she was sat beside him and had to try not to think about the proximity of their bodies.

Despite their food comas, the group managed to play charades and drink more wine until most of them were passed out on the various chairs and sofas. The sounds of varied snoring coming from each person.

Rowan had been watching her. She could feel his gaze, even as she stood from her own perch and headed into her bedroom to put away her gifts.

“You never opened mine.” Rowan said, leaning against the doorway.

“I’ll open it later.” She replied.

Rowan stalked into the room and stopped behind her. She was facing away from him, but she didn’t need to see his face to know he was giving her a confused expression. A disappointed expression.

“Ace, I’d really like you to open it.” He pleaded slightly.

She spied the gift sitting on the edge of her bed. It wasn’t that large, in fact it had felt feather light when she’d picked it up and it had taken a lot of strength not to open it. But now he was standing before her and asking her to open it. When she did finally turn to look at him, his expression was a mixture nervousness with a hint of delight. Like he was genuinely excited for her to see what he’d bought.

“I know you’re not my biggest fan at the moment…”

Aelin shook her head. She didn’t want to have this conversation with him right now. She didn’t have the words to explain to him how she was feeling without spilling everything. She needed more time, she needed to think over her words. So she grabbed the small package and ripped it open.

At first she was confused. She furrowed her brows whilst she looked over the words that were written on the top of the folded piece of paper.

Royal Academy of Music

Dear Miss Galathynius,

We are pleased to inform you—

She stopped reading and glanced up.

“What is this?” She whispered.

Rowan smiled carefully and found it safe enough to walk a little further into the room.

“I know that Chaol didn’t want you applying. But you are far too talented to let these sorts of opportunities pass you by.”

She was staring at the words on the paper again.

“It’s not full-time. But you could sign up for as many classes as you’d like and at the end you can perform at Orynth Apollo.”

Orynth Apollo. The most prestigious and sought after music venue to perform at. Every year they would have musicians from all over the world come and perform. It had been Aelin’s dream since she had first laid her hands on a piano to be able to perform there. Chaol had been impressed by her playing, but had told her that it would take up too much time if she chose to apply— essentially telling her she shouldn’t do it.

“I debated for a while whether to do it… but you deserve this, Aelin. I hated the fact that Chaol told you no.” Rowan was coming towards her again. His smile gentle as he took the paper from her hands. “You can be angry at me for doing it behind your back—“

“How did you do the audition?” She wasn’t thinking about their proximity or the anger that she had been feeling. She was reeling from the news in front of her.

“That was a little more tricky. I had to tell them you wouldn’t be able to make it in person and could you instead send in a selection of performances.”

Aelin rose a brow. “I don’t have a selection of performances. I’ve never recorded them.”

Rowan’s expression turned sheepish. He held up a finger as he dug around for his phone. He tapped on it a few times before turning it around. “You’ve never recorded them, but I have.”

This was all too much. Rowan giving her the greatest present she could ever wish for. Then telling her that he had been saving every single one of the performances she had ever done. And on top of that, she couldn’t get the stupid kiss out of her head. Nor could she ignore the feelings that were bubbling up inside her. Her stomach was filling with butterflies and her heart was beating quicker with every glance at him.

Rowan blew out a breath and he looked like he was debating with himself. He wouldn’t meet her gaze at first… but then he stopped. He looked up, his eyes meeting her own and he had the most wonderful, lovely smile on his face. It was so soft, so tender and he didn’t hesitate as he came forward and took her hands in his. His touch was careful but firm and he held her hands tightly, still looking at her.

“Aelin this may not come as a shock to you— or maybe it will. But you are one of the most important people in my life. I care about your happiness more than my own. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you,” he smiled at her, “I love you, Aelin. More than just as a friend. I was an idiot to say what I did last night. I was just scared of my own feelings for you— or that you wouldn’t feel the same and I’d have to live with ruining our friendship. But I can’t lie to you and I can’t see you upset and angry because of my words. So I’m telling you the truth. I am in love with you, and I have been for a while.”

Aelin was erupting. Her whole body was flushed and her stomach was doing flips as Rowan’s words settled over her.

He loved her.

She thought back over all the little things he’d done for her. All the comments he’d made about them. The touches here and there. The way he had made no move to correct people when they would assume they were a couple.

Aelin had never put much thought into it before. But now— it all made sense. And her own feelings for Rowan were put into perspective. The way she had been battling with herself about how she had started to think of him as more than just a good friend. The way that every time she looked at him she wished she could just go over and kiss him. Or touch him. How she wished she could fall asleep in his arms every night and wake in them every morning. Rowan was more than just her best friend… and she had known it for longer than perhaps she wanted to admit.

He was her soulmate and her heart belonged to him.

“You don’t have to say anything. I will understand if you don’t feel the same, or you need some time to think—“ he sighed, “I just wanted you to know. The kiss last night meant more to me than I can tell, and kissing you was nothing like kissing anyone else. Because you are incredible and no one could ever compare.”

Aelin knew she could let him continue on rambling. She could listen to him talk all night if need be. But she was all too aware of the torment in his voice, behind the lovely words was a man struggling. Her silence was killing him ever so slowly and if she didn’t say anything soon he would either leave and then the opportunity to be candid like this would pass them by. Or he would take back his words and it would be too late.

So she summoned all the courage she had— which right now, was not a lot— and gripped Rowan’s hands back. Eventually sliding her fingers through his and holding on tight.

“I wasn’t angry at you because of what you said after we kissed. Or maybe I was a little,” she smiled, “I was annoyed because when you kissed me everything changed.”

Rowan stilled.

“I’ve thought about what it would be like to kiss you. I’ve played out scenarios in my head, wondered what your lips would feel like on mine… I’ve thought about where it could happen and what it may lead to.”

“Aelin—“

“When we kissed last night all my feelings for you were thrown into the forefront. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all and I was terrified that if I said anything you would turn me down or say that it was a mistake. Yes, I was hurt with what you said after it happened. But I realised that it wasn’t the words themself that hurt. It was the idea that you didn’t in fact have feelings for me and now I’d have to deal with getting over you.”

“I shouldn’t have said what I did.”

“Maybe not. But I understand why you did. It seems you were scared too.” She laughed lightly. Rowan’s thumb brushed over her skin and she shivered. “Ro, this is scary. Because in the last couple of days I realised that,” she paused, her heart beating faster. “… I realised that I love you as well. And loving you isn’t scary. What’s scary is that we’ve been friends for so long. And if we decide to take this somewhere… it could end badly. And not only would I lose the man I love, I’d also lose my best friend.”

“I wouldn’t let that happen.” Rowan murmured.

Aelin smiled gratefully, knowing that he was probably telling the truth. But he couldn’t promise that completely. She said as much.

“Aelin… I have had a while to think about my feelings for you. I know that it’s risky and that if things didn’t work out then we’d be in an awkward position. But I would risk everything for you. I want to risk everything for you— for a chance to be with you and love you. It’s a little crazy and an insane change for us, but I believe that it’s right.”

She was barely breathing as Rowan let go of her hands and instead brought one of his own to her face, gently caressing her cheek.

“We both love each other, right?” He asked quietly.

Aelin managed a nod.

“And there is no one else who I can imagine spending my life with…” He trailed off. Then he was moving away from her and leaving the room. Aelin was too in shock to move a muscle, even when he rushed back in a moment later with something else in his hand. “This is not me proposing. I mean— it sort of is. But you deserve better than me asking you in your bedroom.”

Aelin’s eyes widened. “Rowan…”

He grinned. “I know, I know. I’m crazy. But this is me promising you,” He opened the box and she couldn’t help but gasp a little at the ring nestled in the velvet. “This is me giving you my grandmothers engagement ring, telling you that when we’re ready, I want to marry you. I may have only realised I was in love with you a few months ago, but Aelin we have been inevitable from the very beginning.”

“You’re insane.” She breathed.

“You don’t have to wear it. I just want you to know that it’s there and I’m serious about us. This isn’t me trying to make up for being an asshole last night. This is me telling you that I am absolutely, one hundred percent in love with you.”

Aelin wasn’t sure she could find the words. So she took the little black box from his hands and then placed it on her bedside table. Then with the utmost gentleness she took his face in her hands and stood onto her toes and kissed him.

It was a small and unhurried kiss. Her lips merely resting on his. There was no rushed movements as Rowan leaned into it. His lips were soft and slow as he shifted to bring his body closer to her own. And then Aelin was turning into him as well her grip on him tightening as she felt the hunger and need for him growing.

This. She thought, was something she could get used to. The feel of his body against hers, his lips smooth and careful as they kissed across her cheeks and down her neck. He was everything she had ever dreamed of— the man who she had called her best friend for ten years, was in fact the probable love of her life. And though the thought didn’t scare her in the way it might most other people, she was stunned at the speed of her feelings.

She giggled when Rowan’s breath tickled her neck and she pulled back slightly to look at him. He had his own grin and his eyes were shining with love as he came forward and kissed her once more.

“Is this really happening?” Aelin whispered.

“I really hope so.” He whispered back.

Aelin almost felt the switch, where one moment they were tentative and restrained, their revelations still settling. The next there was this sudden feeling of utter right. Where she could suddenly no longer hold back— Rowan the same. There was a clash of teeth and tongue and hands as they touched and tasted. Aelin was pulling Rowan down onto the bed, his body resting over hers.

Aelin didn’t have time to think about what would happen after. She didn’t want to think about it. All she wanted was Rowan. And that was what she was getting.

“We should—“ Rowan started.

Aelin shushed him and went back to kissing. Her hands finding his t-shirt and yanking at the bottom— begging him to take it off so she could feel the skin beneath. Whilst he started to pull it off, Aelin did the same with her own top, then her bra. Rowan had paused to glance at her breasts that were on full display for him. Aelin held a satisfied smirk as she saw his eyes darken with want.

“You can touch them you know.” She laughed.

Rowan was pulled from his thoughts when she spoke and then he was on her. His mouth surrounding her nipple as he sucked. His other hand went to the other, flicking and pinching as Aelin started to writhe beneath him. She wasn’t sure what to do with her own hands so she gripped his head to keep him there. Although moments later he pulled back.

“Don’t think about it, Ro.” She murmured. His expression was still that of utter want, but behind it was the creeping hint of doubt and she wanted him to know it was okay. That she wanted this as much as he did.

Aelin wanted him to believe she needed this. So she shifted from beneath him, then pushing him down so he was lying beneath her now. She ignored his slight protest and kissed down his chest, reaching the button on his jeans and popping it open quickly before grabbing the waistband and pulling them down. She grinned at the bulge that was prominent in his underwear and was slightly relieved that he was as into this as she was.

It took a moment before she had pulled his jeans off completely and threw them on the floor. But she was quick to return to him and palm him over the thin fabric that was the only thing separating her from his obvious desire.

“Fuck, Aelin.” He growled.

It was all the encouragement she really needed. Her hand slipped beneath the cotton and Aelin almost groaned at the size of him in her palm. His cock was smooth and rock hard as she wrapped herself around it and started to move— slowly at first— then faster as she found a rhythm that suited them both. She relished in the feel of him and the sounds that were coming from his mouth.

All at once she retreated her hand and she stood from the bed so that she was able to shimmy out of the rest of her clothes. She stood there naked in the middle of the room; letting Rowan get a good look at her before she sauntered back towards him and kissed him once on the lips.

“What are you—“

The words were lost as Aelin climbed back on top of him and placed her own centre at his lips. Her hand then gripping him, directing his length to her mouth where she encircled it hungrily. Rowan cursed once and then took her offering, his tongue darting between her wet folds. She was sighing in absolute pleasure as Rowan licked and sucked and she did the same. Her mouth taking him all in, the tip of him hitting the back of her throat before sliding easily back out. She licked the saltiness from his cock and began to rock ever so slightly as Rowan devoured her, too. Aelin was ravenous as she sucked him. Her own pleasure was building and building and she was desperate to chase the orgasm that was on the brink of being released.

But just as soon as she was ready to let it all out, Rowan pulled his mouth away and brought one finger to swipe down her middle. He pushed it into her once, circling it around before removing it and then pulling his own length out of her mouth and moving out from beneath her. Aelin turned too, resting on her knees as she watched Rowan bring his finger to his mouth and suck and she would’ve come undone there and then if it hadn’t been from the shake of Rowan’s head, instructing her to hold it together.

“Lie down.”

Aelin was too enamoured with him, her body needing him too much to argue. So she did as she was told and laid down on the bed.

“Spread your legs.”

Her legs parted. She could feel her wetness, could feel her walls pulsing in anticipation. She knew she should tell him to get protection. But she was too far gone to care right now. She took birth control anyway. And she wanted to feel him bare inside her. She wanted Rowan to spill himself into her. She wanted him to claim her.

Aelin could barely think as Rowan crawled over her and nipped at her earlobe, then kissing her neck again, biting the sensitive skin. His mouth brushed her own and she arched her back and lifted her lips to get another, but he moved away and she released a frustrated moan. Rowan ignored her and brought one hand down to her centre again. His fingers trailed over her skin before he pushed two of them in. She was squirming beneath him, begging for more.

“I can’t wait any longer.” Aelin gasped out as Rowan continued. Although he paused as she spoke and then she could almost see the relief, the excitement in his eyes as he took his fingers from her centre and then gripped himself, his hand moving up and down along his shaft as he manoeuvred himself towards her entrance.

Neither of them needed to ask permission. They were too far gone for that. Both of them were ready and needing the other more and more with every second.

Aelin spread her legs further and Rowan took that as invitation to move between her. The top half of him was leaning over her; his head was looking down between them— watching as he guided himself in.

There was a moment of stillness as his cock slid into her seamlessly. They both seemed to sigh in utter bliss at the feel of them together. He was a perfect fit. Aelin’s hands gripped his strong arms as Rowan began to pull out a fraction, and then back in. The two of them moaning quietly.

Aelin’s eyes fell closed as Rowan picked up his speed and started to find his rhythm. The slap of their skin together aroused her more and she could feel the throbbing increase as Rowan plunged in and out, over and over. His movements were precise and hard and she was trying not to cry out— trying not to wake the people who were just outside of her bedroom.

“I’m going to come.” Rowan ground out.

Aelin didn’t reply as she brought a hand to her clit and started to move her fingers over it. The feel of him inside her and her own pleasuring was sending her over the edge and her eyes were closing again and her back arching as her own orgasm began to intensify.

In what seemed like seconds, she was coming over the edge, Rowan following her shortly after. His movements slowed and she could feel the pulse of his cock as he started to spill himself inside of her. Then he was pulling out, moving off the bed and standing— grabbing a towel from a chair and cleaning himself, before offering it to Aelin.

She shifted on the bed and then carefully stood as well. Her legs were shaky from her orgasm, but she had never felt more satisfied in her entire life. No man had ever compared to Rowan and she was cursing herself for not experiencing him sooner.

Aelin held the towel between her legs— the less glamorous part of sex— and tried to clean herself off too. Neither of them spoke as they found each others clothes and handed them silently to the other, until they were both mostly dressed again.

“I—“

“We—“

They both laughed nervously.

Rowan spoke again, “you first.”

Aelin smiled gratefully and perched on the edge of her bed again. “I was just going to say we should probably… I don’t know. Talk about what this means?”

Rowan nodded. “I know what I want. And it’s you,” he came to sit beside her. “I love you, Aelin. I wasn’t messing around when I gave you the ring or told you how I feel. I am certain that you are the rest of my life. There is no one on this earth that I will ever want or love more.”

She blushed.

“We can take this slow— despite what just happened. We can date like normal people would, or we can go all in. I just want you to know that I am here and I am ready for whatever you want.”

Aelin was sure too. She loved Rowan, she knew that with one hundred percent certainty. There was never going to be another person in the world who would love her or understand her the way that he did, and she didn’t want there to be. He was her soulmate and best friend and the man that she knew she would one day marry.

“Aelin? What are you thinking?”

She looked to him. Then smiled. “I’m thinking that I love you… And that my bedroom door has been slightly ajar this whole time and I’m pretty sure everyone heard us.”

~

Three Years Later

Christmas was still Aelin’s favourite time of the year. She still loved the festive cheer that people had, she loved decorating and baking and present shopping. Everything about the season just made her happy.

This year there was even more to celebrate.  

Not only was it her second Christmas married to her best friend, but she was also celebrating graduating from music school— which had been three years of utter chaos, laughter and absolute joy. In fact, that’s how she would describe the last few years in general.

Since she and Rowan had admitted their feelings to each other, things had moved at breakneck speed and had never slowed down. First it had been telling all their friends and family about their relationship, then not even six months later they had decided to elope. Then Aelin had been immersed in her music degree, whilst Rowan had worked his way up the ladder at his own job. During this time, they had also moved into a house— a real, proper, adult house. And finally they’d celebrated two years of marriage and a love that grew stronger every day.

This Christmas was special in more than just all that though. And her plan was already in action.

“I have a gift for you.” She said to her husband who was lounging on the armchair in the living room.

Rowan looked up at her, his smile growing as he beheld her. “Christmas isn’t for two more days.”

Aelin shrugged and then sat herself on his lap. “I want to give you this now.” She handed over the thin envelope, her heartbeat increasing as he took it from her and carefully opened it up.

“You didn’t get me into a university did you? Because I hate to tell you, but I don’t really have the time.” Rowan laughed and she playfully pushed him, motioning for him to hurry up.

Rowan gently removed the piece of paper that was inside and she watched as he unfolded it and another, smaller piece of paper slipped out and fell to his lap. Rowan was completely silent as he picked it back up and studied it. Aelin’s own expression was blank as she waited for him to realise.

“Aelin…” Rowan’s hand shook slightly as he held the picture. He read over the other piece of paper in his other hand and then glanced back to his wife. “Is this real?”

She nodded.

“I thought—“ he trailed off.

“They said it would be hard but not impossible.”

“We’re having a baby?”

Aelin nodded again. “I’m ten weeks along.”

Rowan could barely contain his happiness as he put the papers down and held her face in his hands. He leant forward and placed the softest, most precious kiss on her lips. Then he bent lower and kissed her stomach too. Whispering his promises of love to their unborn child.

And maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, or perhaps it was the Christmas spirit— or a mixture of both. But Aelin had never felt more happy or excited in her entire life. And she would thank every single moment in her life for leading her up to this point.

And she would thank Rowan for loving her, for cherishing her and holding onto his belief in them for as long as she would live.

~

Tag List: 

@morganofthewildfire @tomtenadia @fredweasleyhasadhd @luckyrunawaycheesecake @live-the-fangirl-life  @fireheart-violet  @charlizeed @scarblx @xo-fangirl-xo  @wordsafterhours @jesstargaryenqueen @sailorsassley @sjmships @endlessdaydream @aflickeringsoul @tillyrubes10 @rowaelin-cressworth @cookiemonsterwholovesbooks @rowaelinismyotp @rosegoldannie @maryberry @viajandosinalas @becarefuloflove @allthebooksunderthemoon @sheharahu @swankii-art-teacher @superspiritfestival @becarefuloflove @tanvee1231 @viajandosinalas @backtobl4ck @emily-gsh​ @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart​ @becarefuloflove​ @goddess-aelin @thegreyj​ @leiawritesstories​ @nerdperson524 @rowanaelinn

[slytherhys]

Threads of Fate and Magical Pubs

Happy Yulemas Swap to the wonderful @talkfantasytome ! You wanted a meet-cute and I tried to deliver. I've also added a bit of a magical flare to the whole thing so I really hope you enjoy this. x

word count: 2,227

Rowan wrapped his coat tightly around him as another shiver ran down his body. The wind howled, snowflakes floating around him and coating his skin in icy layers. Once upon a time, he had found the Orynth weather lovely, a far-cry from the mild winters he usually got back in Doranelle – but as the years went by, Rowan couldn’t help but miss the warm winters of home, how the sun seemed to shine all year long. 

Rowan felt particularly bitter about the chill as he walked the streets of the Terrasen capital alone – on Christmas Eve, nonetheless. 

It hadn’t been the original plan – no, that had been to spend the holidays with Lyria’s family in their country home, possibly celebrating something other than Christmas. Rowan couldn’t help but scoff at the reminder of the engagement ring that remained inside his bedside table – not forgotten; simply rejected. 

And despite it all: despite the ring, despite the tears and the anger, Rowan couldn’t help but feel…relieved. And maybe Lyria knew that as well, could see it on his face when he popped the question that had done more evil than good. Maybe that’s why she had left him just 10 days before Christmas with an empty apartment and a ring he hadn’t even wanted to give her in the first place. 

But why shouldn’t he have? Lorcan surely did it - merely months after meeting Elide, might he add - and they were happy. In love. When Rowan’s mother had visited him and given him the family heirloom, Rowan felt it was obvious what he had to do. 

Apparently, not so much. 

Definitely not, if the fact he was wandering through the streets of Orynth on Christmas Eve alone was any indication. 

Truth was, he wasn’t sure where to go. He had woken up hungover, after having one too many drinks at his company’s holiday party, and the idea of staying in his empty apartment had almost sent him hurling. He hadn’t even had the time to get a tree, for Hellas sake. How depressing was that? 

Lorcan and Elide had invited him to spend the day with them but, honestly, he was doing them a favour by not going. Rowan appreciated his friends entirely too much to let them be tainted by his own grieves. Sure, he was more hungover than heartbroken but the sentiment remained: he’d be shit company today. And tomorrow, for that matter.

Maybe he should go back home. His family would be thrilled, even if his mom was still trying to wrap her head around the fact she wouldn’t be getting a new daughter-in-law anytime soon. He’d have no trouble finding a new job and he could live with his parents until things settled down and he could buy his own house… But was the idea of going home really that enticing? Despite being from Doranelle, Rowan wasn’t sure the country was his home anymore. 

But then again, was Orynth? 

Rowan had just decided to go back to his lacklustre apartment when he rounded the corner, coming face to face with a… pub. How he hadn’t missed it was a mystery - other than a flickering light signalling the fact it was open, nothing about the place justified his attention being caught. And yet, as if a pressuring nudge to his shoulder, Rowan felt the need to go inside. Maybe it was the cold, he thought. Or maybe it was the fact it was open on Christmas Eve. 

It wasn’t as if it was exactly odd for stores to be open on Christmas Eve in Orynth, but it was usually bakeries and grocery shops for any last-minute buyers. Certainly never the pubs. Not that Rowan was complaining. Maybe some mulled-wine was exactly what he needed today - and the warmth of a closed space would be a nice bonus as well, Rowan thought as he pushed the heavy door open.

The Wild Stag - an obvious nod to Terrasen’s infamous history with the wild beast - was a cosy reminder of the past. Wooden chairs and tables dotted the large room that appeared to have been built around the times of the first king and queen of Terrassen, the royal coat of arms cut into the wood itself - just above the fireplace - in a beautifully detailed carving that Rowan suspected even the Royals themselves would appreciate. 

Behind the counter an elderly and hunched man, with tan skin and grey hair pulled into a bun, filled large mugs with whatever ale he had on the tap. He had a kind face, marked with a life well-lived. To his side, an equally old man eyed him with love and mirth as he held out drinks to a blonde woman. They all looked close…Like a family that had formed in the absence of the real thing. 

As far as Christmas company went, Rowan suspected he could do a lot worse.

The man with the bun looked up, smiling gently as he noticed Rowan’s frozen figure standing by the door. The blonde left the counter without a glance back, carrying a small tray with entirely too many drinks on it - and yet without spilling a single drop. Rowan eyed her with polite appreciation, quickly looking back at the old man who now eyed him suspiciously. 

“Merry Christmas,” He said, a thick accent to his voice that Rowan identified from the south of Adarlan. “What can I get you, lad?”

Rowan frowned as he sat at the wooden stool. He had just gotten drunk last night, was he really in the mood to do it again? “Do you, erm,” He said, looking at the chalkboard menu with squinting eyes. “Do you have any food?”

“Depends what you’re looking for.” The man simply said - and why that phrase made his heart beat a little faster, he didn’t know. 

“Company.” He muttered, not really sure why he said the word. Mainly as the old man eyed him with entirely too much interest, a glint to his eyes.

“Aren’t we all,” He drawled, nodding behind him. Rowan turned slightly with a frown. 

The pub was packed, much to Rowan’s surprise. He hadn’t even noticed it - what with the dim-light and the delirium of not being freezing anymore - but everywhere he looked people were sitting at tables, on the worn leather couches surrounding the fireplace, either eating or drinking, but always happily chatting with whoever was closest. A traditional Yulemas carol played on the jukebox as a few patrons listened teary-eyed, their eyes unseeing as they relieved Christmases-past. It was as if he staring at a surreal Christmas postcard - a memory playing right in front of his eyes. To whom it belonged, he couldn’t tell. It felt more natural not to know. 

The blonde from before seemed to fly in between tables, her golden hair flowing behind her as she served patron after patron, leaving laughter and interest behind. Something inside his chest seemed to flutter as she laughed loudly at one of the patrons and not for the first time that evening, Rowan wondered why exactly he had ended up wandering the streets of Orynth; why exactly he was now standing inside a pub he had never noticed in all his years living in the city. 

Aren’t we all, Rowan thought as he frowned. 

He shook his head, pushing loose thoughts to the side. Maybe these people were alone just like him, looking for a safe, warm place to spend the night with. And if he had been lucky enough to find them as well, why would he complain? Maybe it was okay, he thought as he eyed the blonde, to let strangers be your warm embrace for the night. 

Rowan turned, his cheeks immediately heating once he noticed the heavy scrutiny of the old man. “So what can I get you?” He pressed, tilting to his tone that Rowan couldn’t quite understand.

A sweet familiar scent reached his nose, gone before he even had a chance to taste it.  He cleared his throat. Why was it suddenly dry? “Just some mulled-wine, please.” Surely getting drunk with other people was less sad than doing it alone, right? Right.

“What brings you around, lad?” The barman’s sturdy voice sounded again just as he served him some spiced-wine. Rowan stared at the cup, frowning as he thought about an answer. 

What exactly was he supposed to say? That he had been dumped a few days ago by his long-term girlfriend who he wasn’t even sure he loved? That he had a perfectly good apartment but it felt too empty for Christmas, too cold even though it was all due to his own doing? Every possible reason sounded ridiculous even to his own ears, and as the old man stared at him, wisdom pouring out of his pores, Rowan felt a bit ridiculous too.

Pretty blondes and gut-feelings aside, he didn’t belong here. He wasn’t even sure he belonged anywhere anymore. And maybe the wine was top quality, and the smell of whatever was cooking in the kitchen was enough to make his mouth water, but truth was - this wasn’t his Christmas. 

“I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.” Rowan smiled sadly, his eyes never leaving the untouched copper-cup. 

The barman lifted a shoulder. “I think you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.” He said cryptically, and why Rowan felt his heart race again, he didn’t know.

“I should go,” He shook his head, standing up as he reached for a coin, dropping it clumsily onto the bar as he backed away. The barman raised his brows but remained silent as he watched Rowan back away, a cryptic smile on his face. “I’m so sorry. Merry Christm-”

The noise hit him before he even realised what had happened: a female squeal, the sound of glass shattering against the wooden floor and the echoing clatter of an aluminium platter hitting the floor. Rowan’s hands were wrapped around something - no, someone -  his breathing heavy as he stared with wide eyes at the waitress from before - her turquoise eyes staring right back, so wide they resembled the burning sea. 

Rowan winced as he took in her body - absolutely alluring, yes - but also covered in ale, wine and what appeared to be…fries. Rowan choked as he tried to think of something to say - an apology first and foremost.

“I think you can let go of me,” her melodic voice was like a balm to his self-induced meltdown. Rowan frowned, not quite understanding what she meant until he realised his hands were still wrapped around her arms. He let go of her like her skin was on fire, taking a step back for good measure as he stumbled with his words. 

“I’m so sorry.” He groaned. “I wasn’t seeing where I was going and then you-”

A ghost of a smirk. “I’m aware of what happened.” She teased, and Rowan found he liked it when she did that.

Rowan felt himself blush for what was probably the first time in years. Odd. “Merry Christmas.” He added for some reason, and if not for the melodic chuckle she let out, Rowan would’ve left the pub running. He could feel the judging look the barman was sending his way and to be fair, he couldn’t really blame him this time. He was making an absolute ass of himself, as if he had only learned how to talk to girls hours ago. He was 28 years old, for Hellas sake!

“Merry Christmas…” She prompted with two raised brows. 

“Rowan.” Rowan replied with an ease he didn’t feel. Mainly when he could feel his entire body tighten as she stared at him. 

“Rowan. I’m Aelin.” She said, and never had anything sounded as beautiful. Rowan felt himself smile down at her, pleased with the way her cheeks darkened. “And what brings you to this lovely joint on Christmas Eve, of all days?” She grinned, and despite the flutter he felt in his stomach, Rowan couldn’t help but feel pleased at the sliver of nervousness he saw in her widened gaze. 

Did she feel it too, then? As if suddenly everything simply made sense in the world. 

Rowan looked back at the barman, a satisfied smile on his lips as he served more ale to new customers - two of them, each more nervous-looking than the other. Rowan wondered, just for a silly second, if maybe there was a reason lost souls wandered into this pub. If maybe, by some Christmas miracle (and he put that loosely) these people had found a way right to where they needed to go. 

“I think you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.” 

Rowan looked down at Aelin; at the pink that tinted her cheeks, at the lock of hair that stubbornly kept curling in front of her eyes. 

He had never believed in fate; tales of such fortune had all seemed childish and nonsensical most of his life. And yet, in that cosy pub on Christmas Eve, Rowan couldn’t help but think that maybe - just maybe - he was, indeed, right where he was supposed to be. 

“I’m not sure yet,” He chuckled softly. “But I’m willing to find out.” He added and if the brilliant grin Aelin sent his way was any indication, maybe she too was searching for something. Maybe she too thought that maybe she just had found it. 

Merry Christmas indeed.

[thegreyj]

A little peek into A Holiday Dream

Happy holidays @sassyhobbits! ✨❤️ It is I, your Rowaelin Yulemas Exchange Secret Santa! As it is the official day for the Yulemas Swap, I sadly have to inform you I have not finished your gift yet, thanks to me suddenly working long, tiring days.

BUT! I do have a little peek for you to get into the spirit, and I promise to finish soon. (There is a little fic and it will have an accompanying art piece too!) You wished for something sweet and romantic, and I couldn't think of anything more sweet and romantic than this little idea I started for you! I hope you enjoy this little snippet - and eventually the entire gift! ❤️

--

A Holiday Dream - snippet

I had the weirdest dream, Aelin thought as her brain was reaching consciousness. Her eyelids still felt heavy, so she didn’t try to open them yet. Instead, like any normal human being, she tried to feel around her bed for her phone. She was patting the bedding, the pillows, the body next to her-

There was a body next to her.

Suddenly, her brain was wide awake, and her eyelids popped open quicker than a lightning.

Then she realised her hand was still touching the warm, naked chest next to her. Swallowing loudly, she turned her head only to see the familiar silver hair glinting in the morning light. As if sensing her eyes on him, the silver-haired man sighed in his sleep and turned slightly towards her, his hand grasping hers.

Aelin couldn’t help but to stare at their hands together. It wasn’t just a dream.

Then the smile took over her face, and happiness enveloped her entirely. Rowan was home.

She didn’t know how long she simply watched her boyfriend sleeping, but at some point, she realised his beautiful pine eyes had started looking back at her. Oh, how much she had missed those eyes.

“Good morning, love,” his voice was deeper than it usually was, as was normal for him in the mornings. Aelin blinked and teared up. He really was here.

“Rowan,” she choked and reached her free hand to touch his face, her other hand still entwined with his.

“Yes, love, I am really here,” he smiled and wiped away the few escaped tears from her cheek. “Happy Yulemas.”

--

will update taglist eventually

[julemmaes]

Mrs Flatus

HAYOO @live-the-fangirl-life I'M YOUR ROWAELIN YULEMAS SWAP COMPANION!! I'm sorry sorry sorry about this, but the fic is not at all finished. I've been traveling a lot and it's been hectic and I'm taking a flight in like two hours, rushing to finish a French assignment that I had no idea was for tomorrow and hoping not to pass out on the metro, so yeah

Chaotic af, that's me:D

I hope that this little snippet will be enough for now!

He wasn't sure when it had started to change with Aelin, but there had been a moment when their relationship had gone from being a simple acquaintance to something much deeper. Rowan would have liked to say that it was thanks to that night when they had both opened their hearts to each other, discovering that they had much more in common than they thought, but he knew that his feelings had been there for much longer—dormant perhaps, but always ready to explode in his heart.

And as supportive as their friends had been of this hypothetical relationship, Rowan and Aelin still hadn't hinted at what was between them. And Rowan was fine with that. More than fine.

There was a certain dynamic between him and Aelin, and there was no reason to break that perfectly stable balance by complicating things with feelings he himself still couldn't fully comprehend.

[goddess-aelin]

Hello rowaelin fandom!! Does anyone know if anyone is organizing another rowaelin yulemas swap again?

[elentiyawhitethorn]

Like a Dream (preview)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS @goddess-aelin!! It’s Yulemas Swap time :) Unfortunately I’m sick right now so the time I’d set aside yesterday to finish everything up turned into resting time, so I’m giving you a preview today and a promise of the full fic within the next few days! I debated rushing the rest of it out today but I wanted to do a good job for you so hopefully this is okay. Have a lovely Yulemas ❤️

———

“I’m sure you’ve wondering been wondering what this is about.”

Rowan shifted uncomfortably. Lorcan, his boss, had requested his presence in his office several hours ago, and the day had passed with relatively little worry.

Even upon seeing Aelin Galathynius, someone whom he very much did not want to be in the same room as, waiting in Lorcan’s office as well, he hadn’t felt concern. It was probably just an update to policy or something similar. Hell, maybe the coffee machine had broken and Lorcan wanted them to inform their departments.

But then Lorcan had greeted them, and asked them to sit, and stated that he knew they’d been curious about the topic of this summons.

And a pit of anxiety had opened in Rowan’s stomach.

Lorcan Salvaterre was not a man to make small talk. He didn’t wait for others, he didn’t bother with light conversation, and he wasn’t friendly.

Which meant he was about to tell Rowan and Aelin something that they wouldn’t like, and not a small thing like they’d have to coordinate a client together or share the break room sometimes, because Lorcan had no trouble breaking bad news. Something worse, something bad enough to have the bluntest man Rowan knew stalling to conversation.

Rowan took a deep breath and said, “What is it?” He didn’t dare look to Aelin beside him.

Lorcan leaned forward and laced his fingers together on the desk. “You both know of Dorian Havilliard.”

Of course they did. He was one of the biggest names in romance writing in the country. Their publishing house had been trying to get him to switch over from Hamel Inc. for years, but they’d had no luck.

“Yes,” Aelin said, and Rowan jolted at the sound of her voice. He finally risked a glance and was met with startling blue eyes rimmed in gold.

Rowan looked away.

“Well, as you know, Terrasen Publishing has been working on him for years.”

Rowan’s fingers tapped against his thigh impatiently as Lorcan restated what he already knew.

“We’ve finally convinced him to discuss the possibility of switching over.”

Considering the meeting, Rowan was hardly surprised. It also made sense for the two of them to be here; Rowan was head of the editorial department and Aelin was his counterpart in publishing. Together, they represented most of the publishing house and were often paired together when it came to potential clients.

It was the easy explanation for this meeting that had Rowan on edge. This didn’t make clear Lorcan’s apprehension.

“And what do we need to do?” Rowan asked cautiously.

Lorcan sighed. “Mr. Havilliard is working on his next book. He predicts the first draft will be finished soon; he’s using his Yulemas vacation to get it completed. And he doesn’t want any delay on the editing process, which means if we haven’t convinced him to switch contracts by the end of his vacation, he’ll remain a part of Hamel Inc.”

A sinking feeling formed in Rowan’s gut.

“He’s leaving for his vacation tomorrow,” Lorcan continued, “and even if we could have managed a short meeting before then, he needs more time with us to discuss logistics and a contract for him. He needs time to see everything we have to offer.”

“I’m sure he’d be open to discussing it over Zoom or even email,” Aelin suggested, and from the waver to her voice Rowan guessed she’d caught on as well.

“Mr. Havilliard is traveling to a resort in the mountains for his vacation, where there will be no cell service. He says the lack of distraction helps him concentrate. He graciously offered two fully paid tickets for any of my employees who would like to join him. You two will be traveling with Mr. Havilliard on his Yulemas trip. You leave first thing in the morning.”

Silence washed over the office as the pair of them took everything in. Rowan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“I don’t recall expressing my desire to join him,” Aelin protested.

“Me neither,” Rowan managed.

Lorcan sighed once more. “Look, let’s face it. You two aren’t going home to your families for Yulemas and you don’t have any significant others to celebrate with. Everyone else, including myself, is not completely void of a social life and has plans for the holidays. You two are lonely as shit and I’m taking advantage of that.”

Aelin’s mouth had dropped open at some point during that little spiel but Rowan was used to Lorcan’s blunt transparency. He was honestly relieved that Lorcan had given up on trying to break it to them slowly. He liked the man, even—if he could manage to overlook the fact that he was being asked to spend his holidays on a work trip with his least favorite coworker.

Okay, maybe he didn’t like Lorcan so much after all.

“You can’t just,” Aelin spluttered, “I, my vacation, it’s my time off, you can’t…”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Galathynius, but this was his only offer and we’re in no position to deny him. If it helps, Mr. Havilliard alloted only a certain amount of time to meet with you as he wants most of the time to write his novel. And as I mentioned, he paid for the tickets and everything else that comes along with them. You’ll be spending most of your Yulemas holiday in a high-end resort doing whatever the hell you like. I’d say it’s a step up from whatever you were planning to do instead.”

Rowan leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. “Surely not both of us need to go.”

Lorcan glared at him. “Please explain to me the publishing process that Mr. Havilliard will be subject to.”

Rowan just blinked at him.

Lorcan turned to Aelin. “And do you know anything about the editing process?”

“You just… do grammar checks and stuff.”

Rowan cringed at the crass oversimplification of his job.

Facing both of them now, Lorcan said, “He needs every specific detail of every process. Neither of you can do that on your own. Both of you are going. That’s final. Now go home. I’m giving you the rest of the day off to pack, and I’ll email you the information of where you need to go tomorrow morning and at what time. Are we clear?”

Aelin nodded mutely. Rowan was pretty sure he felt himself do the same.

He lived in hell.

First he’d been transferred to a different publishing location six months ago as part of a promotion, only to find an enemy on the very first day. He’d smiled at her and was met with uncalled for distain and malice. The months had passed torturously slowly as the woman who’d shown him so much unkindness on the first day was constantly by his side, coordinating clients, attending work parties at his side, acting as a liaison. And throughout it all she was constantly either bickering with him, or ignoring him, or silently scowling at him. He just couldn’t figure her out.

But of course that wasn’t enough. No, now Rowan was being sent on a Yulemas vacation with Aelin, just the two of them and some eccentric smut writer who would be spending most of his time locked up in a room writing, which left Rowan and Aelin. In a resort with no cell service. Alone.

Only Hellas himself could have been so cruel as to put him in this situation.

———

Tag List:

@aelin-bitch-queen

@autumnbabylon

@charlizeed

@evolving-dreamer

@feysand-loml

@flora-shadowshine

@gracie-rosee

@infernoqueen19

@julemmaes

@leiawritesstories

@lemonade-coolattas

@live-the-fangirl-life

@midsizewitch

@morganofthewildfire

@mybloodrunsblue

@nehemikkele

@realbookloverproblems

@rhysandswingspan

@rowaelinismyotp

@rowanaelinn

@sexy-dumpster-fire

@sleeping-and-books

@story-scribbler

@swankii-art-teacher

@thegreyj

@the-lonelybarricade

@thenerdandfandoms

@yesdreamblog

@rowaelinyulemasswap

[morganofthewildfire]

Wine & Bath Ask

It’s me. Hi. I’m your Yulemas Swap, it’s me.

How do you feel about Rowan starting as the mistress? The main story can still happen if he waits a little, so don’t be shy to say no! I’m using your go-to starter husband, if you know what I mean.

If Rowan becomes our mistress, do you want her to get pregnant before or after they actually get together?

Babies are a given no matter what you choose, don’t worry.

Do you have anything you’d like me to add in the fic? Again, there’s no need to be shy, shoot away! 😉

oooh some arobynn action with rowan on the side? 😂 i am vibing with that very much

I'm fine with whatever you choose!! I trust your judgment! And as for the pregnancy, I also trust your judgment haha 😊 i'm just excited for whatever you come up with!!! (As long as it ends well 👀)

sorry to not be very helpful haha, but I'm really fine with whatever!!!

[live-the-fangirl-life]

Hey love

Just wanted to ask if you have any plans for a Rowaelin AU anytime soon? I really love your fics and style of writing but no pressure.

Thanks

hi 🥹❤️

I do! I am actually hoping to post one today, my late gift for the Rowaelin yulemas swap. I also really want to participate in 12 days of Rowaelin but I’m not sure how much I’ll get done for that. The last few weeks months have been really hectic and stressful and it’s just been one thing after another that’s taken my energy and concentration, so I haven’t been writing nearly as much as I wish. That being said, I really want to dive back in during the new year and get back the groove I had months ago when I was churning out 3 fics in a week lol.

Thanks for checking in 💖

[leiawritesstories]

Leia!!! Tis I, your Yulemas Secret Santa!

Your fic isn't ready, and I want it to be finished before posting, so it'll be another day or two, hopefully before Christmas. But! I do have another gift for you that is read and I'll post it for you here in just a little.

You are a gem! And I've enjoyed spending the past few weeks getting to send you asks!

I figured it would be better to reveal myself this way, lol. I hope your doing well and that finals and everything went well! ❤️❤️❤️

AAAAHHHHH HI OMG I JUST SAW THE MOODBOARD AND I AM OBSESSED

OBSESSED

take your time!!! my fic isn't finished either, haha, but i made it through finals (barely) and i'm home now!

happy holidays ❤️❤️❤️

[house-of-galathynius]

Christmas Kisses: Part 1

Happy Holidays @tomtenadia​!! I’m your secret santa, and here is your Yulemas swap! I hope it isn’t too late and you’ll forgive me for my slowness! 

I hope you can also forgive me for not having this completed just yet... but I can promise you that you will have the whole thing soon and more parts as well! So I hope you enjoy the first 4.4k words of this little Christmas fic (that will have a happily ever after, don’t you worry)! 

Part Two

Word Count: 4.4k

~

It was hard for Aelin to ever hate Christmas. It was unequivocally the best time of the year. Who could ever hate the utter magic in the air? The smell of mulled wine or gingerbread baking in the oven, the excited children writing letters to Santa and staying up too late trying to sneak a glance at him. All of it was wonderful and Aelin had loved it ever since she could remember.

Except this year.

It had all started at the end of November when she had been asking her then boyfriend, Chaol, if they should give joint gifts to family and friends. After all, they had been together for three years and were in the midst of looking to move in together. Chaol had been noncommittal about the whole thing and so Aelin had questioned him on it. The result of that conversation had been a screaming match, followed by a lot of crying, and Chaol walking out on her. She had called her best friend, Rowan, and he had come over. He had brought chocolates and ice-cream and all things she would need to feel better. He had stayed until she had managed to crawl into bed and sleep.

The next nail in the coffin for this disaster of a Christmas was her other best friend, Lysandra, breaking the news that her and Aedion were no longer spending Christmas with Aelin and her family. Lysandra had been apologetic but had forgotten a promise to her own uncle that they would spend Christmas with him. Of course, Aelin couldn’t be too angry, but she still felt the well of disappointment growing.

Last but not least, her parents had called her to say that their family home had suffered damage from the cold. The pipes in the ancient house had burst and as a result they had a giant puddle of water growing in the kitchen and bathrooms, and no actual water running to the house anymore. Which meant that they were having to stay in a hotel and would no longer be able to host Christmas. Now, this wouldn’t have been so disastrous if it weren’t for the fact that Aelin lived in a flat with Rowan, and he was already using it for his own small family Christmas— and she had already given up her room for his guests. So now, she was torn between going to stay in the hotel in her hometown with her parents and settle for a depressing Christmas dinner in the one restaurant her town had. Or she could stay on her own in Lysandra and Aedion’s tiny studio apartment and get herself a selection of ready-meals and some outrageously expensive Christmas chocolate and watch movies until she eventually fell asleep. None of those options sounded particularly fun.

However, when she explained her predicament with Rowan, he had laughed at her pathetic solutions and suggested she just stay at their flat and have her parents stay at Aedion’s and they combine their Christmas’.

“Rowan, we barely have enough room for the two of us in here. How are we going to fit all six of your family members and then my parents?” She had gestured to their small dining table which had two and half chairs (one of them had no back support and the legs were all different lengths).

Rowan seemed completely chill about it though. “I was going to see if Luca had some we could borrow from the coffee shop.”

Aelin still seemed a little unsure. It wasn’t the first time Rowan had tried to convince her to have Christmas with him. Last year he had been super close in getting her to stay, only for Chaol to tell her he felt weird if she spent it with Rowan. Lysandra had said it was because Chaol had felt threatened by Rowan this entire time— Aelin had laughed it off, exclaiming they were just friends.

But now, Rowan was listing her all the reasons why their families having Christmas together would be a good thing— exclaiming it had been years since they had all been together and what better time to do it than now.

“Ro, how are we going to cook a Christmas dinner in this kitchen?” She was running out of excuses. Their kitchen wasn’t even that bad either. There was enough room for a couple of them to be in there at least.

“Aelin. It’ll be fine, and if everything goes to shit at least we have copious amounts of booze and a million and one board games we can play.”

So she had finally relented.

In the few days before her parents were meant to arrive, Aelin spent most of her time going back and forth between all the flats, making sure everything was clean and ready. The other half of her time was spent cooking or baking or buying decorations.

The day before everyone was to arrive, Rowan and herself had taken it upon themselves to buy a tree.

“This one is too tall. Rowan we do not have ceilings that high.” She looked at him incredulously. He was standing beside a tree that was seven foot high and looked to be almost as wide as their living room. “Also, how are we meant to get it home?”

“They do delivery.” He stated matter of fact.

Aelin rolled her eyes and then smiled at the salesman who approached them. “Do you and your husband need any help?”

She almost choked on her laugh as he said husband, and went to correct him when Rowan spoke. “My wife doesn’t trust me to pick a good tree. It’s our first Christmas together you see, she wants it to be perfect.” Rowan stepped away from the tree he was admiring and then came to wrap an arm around her shoulder.

She froze at the contact.

It wasn’t like Rowan had never touched her before… they’d been friends since they were fifteen and they had hugged, slept in the same bed, seen each other (almost) naked. It wasn’t like it was new to her. But right now, with his arm around her shoulders, his fingers resting on her shoulder— one of them drawing little circles— she felt nervous.

Rowan seemed completely unfazed as the salesman led them over to a patch of smaller trees. His arm still around her shoulder. He didn’t move as he nodded and laughed, only letting go to stand next to another tree and ask for her opinion.

“It’s too wide.” Aelin said sharply. A pit had grown in her stomach and she suddenly hated that they were here together. She didn’t want to feel the little hint of butterflies, or the way her breath caught in her throat when the sun hit Rowan’s face in just the right way.

“We’re going to be here all day, Ace.” He groaned jokingly.

She tried to swallow the strange feelings that had started to build. Her mood had soured, but she managed to pick a tree that was somewhat good enough and they had even made it back to their apartment with little fanfare or drama. Aelin had barely helped bring the tree up before she was escaping into her bedroom and cursing herself for whatever had just happened.

The afternoon gave way to evening and Rowan had been oddly quiet, only knocking on her door moments ago to see if she would help decorate the tree. She almost choked when Rowan had been standing there with nothing but his christmas pyjama bottoms and no shirt on. His chest hard and muscled and if she weren’t feeling these strange things all of a sudden she might have joked to him to put something on before her eyes melted.

“I’ve made mulled cider and put on your favourite Christmas movie. Don’t tell me that can’t tempt you out…” He smiled so proudly at her and she was unable to withstand it. Aelin reluctantly exited her room and took the cider, having a healthy sip of it before she helped with the tree.

The two of them worked in somewhat easy silence. Rowan placing decorations on the top, places where she couldn’t reach. She would then find a stool and rearrange what he had done. It was their tradition and her odd feelings from earlier seemed to dissipate as they worked together.

“Do you remember giving me this?” Rowan asked amused. He was holding up a red bauble, his name written messily across it, then underneath a small heart in silver glitter, then Aelin’s own name scrawled beneath.

“I remember making it. I don’t remember giving it to you.”

Rowan hummed. “You were so nervous. We were, what? Seventeen? You had just come home from school and your cheeks were rosy and your eyes terrified as you cornered me in the kitchen and held it out in front of me, then ran off as soon as I took it.” He laughed, hanging it on the tree. “I was sure you were going to tell me you had a crush on me, but alas…”

Aelin glared at him. “Why would I have told you such a thing? You were a brute and nothing more than an annoying big brother. I made it because I was bored and my mum found it in my bag and forced me to give it to you.”

Rowan grinned. “If that’s what you need to believe.”

She scoffed. “You thought I had a crush on you?”

“I know you did.” He replied coyly.

Aelin dropped the star she had in her hand back into the box and turned fully to him, hands on her hips. “I never had a crush on you.”

“Aelin, Lysandra told me.”

“Well she was lying.” Gods. Had Lysandra really done that?

Aelin remembered that day well. She had been bored in class and had just been doodling things. She had made that bauble as a joke and then her mother had found it in her bag and had been delighted, forcing Aelin to give it to Rowan. She had been mortified— mostly because her crush had been very real back then. But Lysandra had promised not to tell him.

“It’s no big deal. I had a crush on you too.” Rowan said casually. As if that admission wasn’t a huge deal and had Aelin’s eyes widening in shock. “Oh, come on. Aelin, we spent every waking hour together and you were a girl and I was a teenage boy with too many feelings. Of course I had a crush on you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I was seventeen and didn’t know how to.”

That warmth at the bottom of her stomach had returned. Many years ago she had thought about whether he had ever liked her as more than just a friend. She had agonised over it, hoping that maybe he did and he would sweep her off her feet. But when it had never come, she had let go of that foolish fantasy and moved on.

“Don’t worry, Ace. You’re like a sister to me now. I don’t harbour any feelings towards you other than perhaps a slight annoyance at how messy you are.” He nudged her with his elbow before pouring her some more cider.

She didn’t know why she felt disappointed at those words. It wasn’t like she was harbouring feelings towards him either. The feelings she was getting in her stomach were merely that of loneliness from her breakup with Chaol and the time of season.

The two of them didn’t speak any more of their feelings. Aelin shoving whatever it was right down into the pit and ignoring it. They continued their decorating, Aelin finally happy with the tree and allowing them to migrate to the sofa where Rowan put on another Christmas movie.

She was barely paying attention to it as all she could feel was the steady weight of Rowan’s arm around her shoulders and the way that his other hand held her knee, his fingers tracing patterns over it.

“Do you think if we went back to our hometown we’d also meet our soulmates?”

Aelin furrowed her brows and looked to Rowan in slight confusion. “What?”

“All these movies have the main character go back to their hometown and meet someone they’d been to school with or had been best friends with and then suddenly they’re in love and they’d been in love this whole time but hadn’t realised it…”

“The only people left in our hometown are the people who used to bully us. I’m not exactly sure I’ve been secretly in love with any of them for ten years.” She shifted slightly and Rowan moved with her, their new position cosier than she had anticipated. “I don’t think I’ve ever had any feelings towards anyone from our hometown. Nor will I ever.”

Rowan seemed to stiffen slightly at her answer. “You had feelings for me.”

Her stomach flipped. “That was different.”

“So you did have a crush on me.” He replied triumphantly.

She almost cursed herself for letting it slip. For admitting that, yes, for a brief period she had feelings for Rowan.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Ace. I mean… look at me.”

She didn’t deign a response, instead refocusing her attention on the TV and ignoring the glances from Rowan every so often.

~

Rowan didn’t know why he was goading her into talking about their feelings. Or maybe he did.

Maybe it was because since she had broken up with Chaol and had agreed to spend Christmas with him, he had come to the conclusion that he was hopelessly in love with his best friend.

Honestly, he wasn’t that surprised. The speed at which his feelings had developed may have taken him a little by surprise, but there had always been some part of him that had just known.

So when they had picked their tree together and the salesman had confused them for husband and wife, he had taken the opportunity to pretend. Even if she didn’t want to.

He had felt like a five year old playing pretend. He had imagined Aelin was really his wife and that they were having their first Christmas as a married couple together. He imagined that they had a nice home that they owned to go back to. He imagined a dog waiting for them, and then his mind had gone further to imagine that after picking their tree up they would be on their way to collect their kids from school. He hadn’t been able to help himself looking down at Aelin’s stomach and imagining a small bump where their newest addition was growing.

Rowan had had to pull himself out of that vision pretty quickly. His heart starting to hammer in his chest. He had been getting too carried away.

But he hadn’t been able to stop himself from bringing up his teenage crush, and when had seen the flash of something pass over Aelin’s face, he had tried to ease the tension by telling her he thought of her as a sister.

Fuck.

A man didn’t think of his sister naked. He sure as hell didn’t get off to the image of her writhing in pleasure beneath him or picture the sounds she would make whilst he licked and sucked her.

He cleared his throat.

Aelin was focused on the TV and he wished he could lean over and brush the hair from her face. He wished he could kiss her cheek and tell her how much he loved her. But instead he made do with just being near her like this.

~

The moment people started to arrive, Aelin felt herself relax.

Until the room situation was brought up.

Aelin had assumed she would be sleeping on the couch and her room would be given to Rowan’s parents. Rowan himself would sleep on the blow up mattress in the little study that came off the living room and then his own cousin and wife and their children would be sharing his room. But apparently Aelin had assumed wrong.

His cousins had brought their own mattresses and had announced they would be making up their own fort slash den of sorts in the living room and study, his parents had uttered that they would take Rowan’s own room and that had left the only available bedroom as Aelin’s, which was going to be occupied by her and Rowan.

Honestly, none of it made sense. But even after Aelin had tried to be logical about it all, they had all dismissed her and prepared their sleeping quarters.

Rowan had just shrugged his shoulders at her.

Their conversation last night had awoken something further in her. And all she could think about now was him. Her stomach seemed to flutter every time they were near, every brush of their hands or smile he sent her way. Their proximity during the day made it impossible for Aelin to rationalise or try to talk herself out of the feelings. And so every hour that passed she found herself struggling more and more to deny what was happening.

The smallest kids had been put to bed and the doors to the study shut. The adults had cracked open the wine and had gathered around the sofa and coffee table to play a round of poker. There were no hard and fast rules with any of them, but payment came in the form of shots or downing your drink and by the time they had played a few times, Aelin was starting to feel the booze.

“Why don’t we play something a little more exciting?” Enda had cheered.

At this point, Aelin had had enough alcohol to give her a nice hangover in the morning. But she was having too much fun and there was the selfish part of her that didn’t want to move from her seat because Rowan was perched right behind her, legs around her as she had settled into his chest. Neither of them had said a word to the other, clearly both happy to sit there and be close.

“How about a game of truth or dare?” Enda suggested brightly, laughing as he did.

The group groaned and Aelin’s father rolled his eyes before helping Evalin off the couch. “We’ll let you youngsters play. We’re going to head back.”

Rowan’s own parents had also wished everyone a goodnight.

Rowan played with some of her hair and leant further back, Aelin shivering at the soft nature of his touching.

“Maybe we should call it a night.” Enda’s partner said.

Aelin on cue, yawned. And nodded in agreement. She was needed in the kitchen tomorrow anyway, and she was starting to get far too comfortable in Rowan’s arms.

The remainder of them gradually stood from their seats and hugged each other goodnight, loitering for a moment. They chatted quietly and then they all looked to Enda who had suddenly gasped excitedly and then pointed to something above Aelin’s head.

“I knew it would get someone.”

Aelin glanced to wear he was pointing and in her drunken haze didn’t seem to register what it was. Not until Rowan was looking up too and chuckling to himself.

“Come on, you have to. It’s tradition.” Sellene said happily.

Aelin was confused, she looked up again and then back to the group. It took a second longer for her to realise and then she whipped her head to the ceiling once more and then to Rowan who was laughing silently at her slowness.

Mistletoe hung above them.

“I don’t think…” She started.

Enda grinned, “you don’t think what? It’s just a little kiss. Surely the two of you have done it before.”

They hadn’t.

“Ace, they’re not going to let it go.” Rowan said. He was pulling her towards him and she was could feel that tightness in her stomach letting go a little, the butterflies starting to erupt once again. And though she had drunk a lot, there was still a little bubble of nervousness as she let Rowan pull her in further.

His hands brushed away the hair from her shoulders. One hand came to her face to cup her cheek ever so gently, his other on her shoulder, slowly gliding down her arm until his fingers found her own. Aelin let him twine their hands together and she was swallowing back the anxiety, the anticipation as Rowan tilted his head in question. Her own nod was barely noticeable.

There was a moment where time was suspended. Where she could see his head moving downwards towards her own, where his eyes were fluttering closed. But everything was in slow motion. Aelin could only watch, she wanted to watch as their mouths got closer and closer together until they were a breath away. Her eyes closed on their own accord and her heart was beating fast in her chest, she could hear it loudly, the sound drowning out anything that was going on around her.

“Kiss her, Rowan!”

And he did.

It was so quick that Aelin wasn’t sure he had even done it. His lips had barely grazed her own and then he was pulling back and laughing, running a hand through his hair and then pulling her away from the group and into her room— the room they would be sharing for the next couple of nights. Rowan was quick to close the door behind him and then he dropped her hand as if it burnt him.

“I’m—“

“You—“

They stuttered at the same time. Then both of them laughing awkwardly as they gestured for the other to speak.

“I’m sorry.” Rowan said.

Aelin cocked her head and furrowed her brows. “For what?”

Rowan gestured to outside. “For them. For kissing you.”

Aelin laughed then. The nervousness from a second ago, gone. Replaced with a sudden bout of confidence.

“That wasn’t a kiss.” She exclaimed.

“Oh?”

She nodded. “That was a brush of lips that barely constitutes a kiss.”

Rowan remained unmoving as Aelin stalked towards him.

“What are you doing?” He murmured.

“Showing you what a proper kiss is like.”

And then she was on her toes and pressing her body against his. Her mouth was careful at first. Her lips pressing over his so gently, testing to see if he would move or not. When he didn’t, she let her hands slide up his chest and over his shoulders until she was pressed further against him. She pressed her lips more firmly over Rowan’s. She relished the taste of him— the whisky and the sugar cookies— he was divine as she slanted her mouth to deepen the kiss.

And then Rowan was moving. He held her hips and he tilted his head so that he could match her own movements. Then he was moving them both, pushing them to the edge of the bed. Aelin didn’t stop him as he pushed her down onto it, his body resting over her own. She didn’t shy away as he deepened the kiss, their tongues brushing and a small moan escaped her.

“Aelin…” Rowan murmured.

She met his eyes and saw the torment. The question of whether this was a bad idea.

But she didn’t have the answer. She wanted him— right in this very moment, she wanted him. Aelin wanted Rowan to kiss her like their lives depended on it. She wanted him to devour every single part of her. And there was nothing she wanted to do more than devour him, too.

But there was that hint of hesitation in his eyes and though the alcohol was probably clouding her judgement, she didn’t want to push him.

So she crawled out from under him and sat crossed legged on the bed, patting the spot beside her.

~

Rowan couldn’t get the kiss out of his head. He couldn’t get the feel of her beneath him, nor the taste of her out of his head. She was exquisite and he could have happily kissed her forever. But he had seen how much she had drunk. He could see the alcohol clouding her eyes and her judgement and though there was nothing he wanted more than to have his way with her, he was thankful she had the control to break them apart.

There hadn’t been any talking as they sat side by side. Although, she had taken his hand in her own and he was grateful for the small ounce of contact. But the room was ultimately quiet as they both went through what had happened.

For Rowan it was unexpected, but welcomed. Although he had been in love with her for a while, it wasn’t like the tension between them had been building up for a long time. If anything, it had only begun the day before. There had been no big intense sense of broodiness— only their normal day-to-day lives. But something had shifted in the lat twenty-four hours and suddenly the love he held for her was no longer good enough being hidden. His silent pining needed to be shouted to the world.

He didn’t know what Aelin was thinking. In some ways he was too afraid to ask.

But luckily, his best friend always had words.

“Should we talk about it?” Aelin asked finally.

Rowan swallowed and looked to her, shrugging.

She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. “We can’t ignore it, Ro. We kissed and that’s not something that best friends can just ignore.”

He knew she was right. But what could he say? That he had been waiting eight long months to tell her that he loved her. That he had been so fucking happy when Chaol had ended things that he had almost proclaimed his love mere days after their break up. Did he tell her that he could only see his life with Aelin in it and that anything— anyone— else would never be enough.

“Ro?”

He shook his head. “I liked it.”

The words surprised them both.

“You… liked it?”

He nodded. Then, “I mean any guy likes a kiss from a beautiful woman.”

He regretted the words as soon as they were out. And he cursed himself when Aelin moved away from him and then without bothering to change, slipped under the covers of the bed. One hand reached out to turn the lamp off, plunging the room into darkness.

~

Tags:

@morganofthewildfire @tomtenadia @fredweasleyhasadhd @luckyrunawaycheesecake @live-the-fangirl-life  @fireheart-violet  @charlizeed @scarblx @xo-fangirl-xo  @wordsafterhours @jesstargaryenqueen @sailorsassley @sjmships @endlessdaydream @aflickeringsoul @tillyrubes10 @rowaelin-cressworth @cookiemonsterwholovesbooks @rowaelinismyotp @rosegoldannie @maryberry @viajandosinalas @becarefuloflove @allthebooksunderthemoon @sheharahu @swankii-art-teacher @superspiritfestival @becarefuloflove @tanvee1231 @viajandosinalas @backtobl4ck @emily-gsh​ @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart​ @becarefuloflove​ @goddess-aelin @thegreyj​ @leiawritesstories​ @nerdperson524 @rowanaelinn

[writtenonreceipts]

Fly the Black Flag by @leiawritesstories​

Pirates, mayhem, and passion.

A scoff from behind the two idiots. They turned to find another sailor leaning against a brick wall, a pipe hanging out of his mouth and a razor-sharp grin on his face.

“Nah,” this third sailor drawled, his grin growing. “She’s a pirate.”

~~created as part of my @rowaelinyulemasswap gift for leia!

[julemmaes]

Hi hi! I'm your secret santa for the Rowaelin exchange! And I wanted to ask you some questions so I can make something you'll hopefully love!

Is there anything else you generally enjoy more? AU types, meet-cutes, established relationships, fluff, holiday themed, other themes, etc. Happy to know any details, likes, kinda-likes, and definitely please share dislikes, too. Excited to create a gift for you! 🙂

Hiii, sorry I'm just seeing this now I don't know when you sent this oop-

I am a s l u t for established relationships and domestic fluff after a tiring work day. Like them cooking together, showering with cute moments (possibly no smut, but I'm not opposed, I just don't want the fic to be one of those "no plot just porn" fics) (also, nothing against that, I love those, just not as a Yulemas gift), going on a date. I really really really love proposals and overly romantic shit

I'm also a self-proclaimed queen of kids fics, or pregnancy fics, so feel free to play with that as well. I love myself some Rowaelin kiddos

I also kinda-like hurt/comfort, but no heavy angsty stuff or anything like that I don't wanna cry at the airport (where I'll be on the 20th, so yeah)

OOH ALMOST FORGOT I FUCKING L O V E LOVE LOOVE RANDOM TOUCHES!!! Physical touch is what I'm starved for and aoisuydfvgbciudgfrb just, yk, random brushes of the arm, the neck, a hand on a tigh, on the jaw. Hugs from behind when the others is busy doing something and the other wants attention. That kind of things:DD

I can't really think of any dislikes right now cause I'm running on three hours of sleep and I'm currently in French class, so my brain is mush, but I'll reblog this post if I come up with anything

Hope I could help, have a nice dayyy<3<3

[tomtenadia]

Masterlist

A Little Braver (COMPLETED)

For the love of a kingdom (COMPLETED)

Thicker than blood (COMPLETED)

Island Dreams (COMPLETED)

Remember Us (COMPLETED)

Stranded Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 3

Detours to You (IN PROGRESS)

Light my Fire - ALB AU

Leaving my soul behind - ALB AU

Fire in her veins - Island Dreams AU

The tie that binds us - Island Dreams AU

Winter Bliss

Till food do us part

The thread between us

Rewrite the Stars

Heathens and cakes

Dogs and Hawks

Game of stares (Elorcan)

Our beginning

My Sunflower

In your arms

Another brick under my foot

Paint me green

A trip to the Aquarium

Dangerous games (answered prompt)

Milestones (answered prompt)

Take away my pain (answered prompt)

Second Chances

Drunken Cuddles (answered prompt)

Where I belong (Yulemas swap)

Never Too Late (answered prompt)

Sunday adventure

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CLICK HERE 

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ROWAELIN MONTH 2022

CLICK HERE

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12 DAYS of Rowaelin

Day 1: Home again

Day 2: A White anniversary

Day 3 : Dance with me

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AELIN’S WEEK

Day 1 - Beltane

Day 4 - The distance between us

Day 5 - This is us

Day 7 - My menace

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ROWAN WEEK

Day 1: Samhain

Day 3: Happy Bird-day

Day 4 and 5: Rite of passage

Day 7: My Buzzard

image credits: https://evilienne.tumblr.com