works-of-shyvioletcat

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

*rises from the ashes (or ocean maybe) for the month of May* If there's one thing that kicks me into gear it's MerMay so here's a little update for you. Hope you like it!

~ Masterlist ~

~~~~~

Rowan didn’t know the last time that he had spent so long in front of the mirror. Maybe it had been his wedding day? He had spent so long staring at his reflection to make sure everything was just so, as he’d been told to. Nowadays, it was just a quick glance in the mornings to make sure his tie matched his shirt and his hair was tidy enough. Funny thing was, all those years ago, he didn’t recall being as nervous as he felt right now. That was absurd, a date didn’t compare to getting married. Thinking back, he ignored the obvious testament that it was to the eventual outcome of his marriage.

He held two ties, one in each hand, swapping them in what felt like a ridiculous dance in front of his collar as he tried to decide which one went better with his shirt. Right, then left, green or blue, Rowan couldn’t choose. Behind him humming started to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t stop and instead ignored the baiting coming from the bed behind him. He hadn’t invited an audience and yet here they were. 

Ivy was meant to be at her mother’s tonight, but Lyria had something else on and asked last minute if Rowan could keep their daughter over the weekend. Selfishly his immediate concern was whether or not he would have to cancel his date with Aelin. That wasn’t something he was eager to do for a multitude of reasons. Rowan didn’t want to come across as hesitating or unreliable and it had been a while since he had been on a date, let alone with someone he was excited to see. Luckily, Ivy had a myriad of people who had no qualms with dropping everything to spend an evening with her. This time it was Fenrys, but Rowan had a keen suspicion that he was going to regret his hasty text message two days ago because the busybody wouldn’t leave him alone.

“Since when are ties date attire?” Fenrys enquired from where he lay across the bed, a more than usual teasing edge to his voice. “Have you really been out of the game that long? You wear ties to work everyday, give yourself a break.”

“It’s a nice place,” Rowan replied, considering the blue one again.

“Daddy,” Ivy’s sweet voice called to him from where she sat next to Fenrys. “What’s a date?”

Rowan turned to face his daughter, she was wearing one of her favourite dresses, a pink tutu that fanned out around her. After hearing that word multiple times today and her penchant for eavesdropping he was surprised that this was the first time she had asked about it. 

“Well, it's when you want to go out and spend time with someone so you can get to know them better,” Rowan explained. 

“Among other things,” Fenrys murmured, and Rowan threw his ties at his face. He didn’t need Ivy asking more questions and this conversation getting awkward. 

But like the sensible child that she was, she had ignored her uncle and was more interested in fixing her tiara now that she had a view of the mirror. There was another reason Rowan wanted to avoid questions. Aelin the Mermaid was still Ivy’s favourite thing in the whole world and Ivy still fully believed Aelin was a real mermaid. He wasn’t about to break her heart by breaking the illusion. What if the little glimpse of chemistry between him and Aelin fizzled out to nothing? What if after spending an evening together they discovered they weren’t compatible and he could never take Ivy to the aquarium again? Rowan was cynical enough not to rule out failure as a possibility. The truth was he had been out of the dating game for a while and his flirting skills were evidently rusty if the last few interactions with Aelin were anything to go by. His brain just seemed to be so consumed by other things and it was hard to take time out for himself. Rowan was feeling a little out of his depth. 

And maybe Fenrys was right about the tie. 

“I can give you some more tips,” Fenrys added, noticing the ties weren’t being considered anymore.

“No, thank you.”

“But why? I’m full of good ideas,” Fenrys whined. 

More like full of shit, Rowan thought to himself. “Because I want to be serious, not make her think I just want to get into her pants.”

“Or tail, in this case,” Fenrys added with a grin which disappeared under one of Rowan’s discarded shirts as it was pegged at his face. Fenrys’ next reply was muffled. “Clam shells then?”

Again, another shirt was thrown, with Fenrys not even trying to defend himself. Rowan had changed three times he was that nervous about tonight. 

“Throwing things is not nice, Daddy,” Ivy scolded, then removed the shirts from their target. “Say sorry to Uncle Fen.”

If he hadn’t very conscious about leading by example when it came to things like this Rowan tell Uncle Fen to fuck off instead. “Sorry, Uncle Fen.”

“No worries,” Fenrys said, sitting up. “I know you’re sweating over this. Come on blossom, let’s leave your father to fret himself into an ulcer.”

Ivy took the offer of a piggyback, her arms hugging around Fenrys’ neck. “What’s an ulcer?”

Fenrys chuckled. “I’ll explain over the ice-beam we’ll have for dinner.”

Rowan knew Fenrys was trying to rile him, but he wasn’t going to bite. He had other things to focus on. Like the buzz on his watch that told him if he didn’t stop priming and preening now he’d be late. Looking at the discarded ties Rowan made his final decision to go without, and the off white shirt he had on now would do. He undid the first few buttons now that he was forgoing the tie while he grabbed a navy sports coat from his wardrobe. Aelin was meeting him at the restaurant and he would like to be there before she arrived.

Restaurant on the edges on the city doesn’t know where Aelin lives he lives outside the city

The drive to the edges of the city did nothing to calm Rowan’s nerves. He didn’t know where Aelin lived, and he lived with Ivy in the suburbs so he hoped the restaurant that he had chosen was a happy medium for the both of them. Rowan’s grip was overly tight, making his knuckles feel like they were creaking whenever he had to manoeuvre the wheel. Shoulders, hands and jaw were aching by the time he pulled into the parking lot. There was a high chance that if he didn’t relax Rowan would embarrass himself by overthinking every little thing. It was good that he arrived before Aelin did, he had time to breathe and try and slow down the spirals swirling in his mind. 

Rowan considered if he should go in to claim the reservation and wait inside. The place they had decided on was a swanky restaurant on the river, the white walls of the exterior lit by strings of warm, yellow lights. He had requested a table on the deck that overlooked the water and as a breeze blew off the water he wondered if that had been a mistake. Was it too cold of an evening to be outside? What if Aelin didn’t have a jacket? What if the weather turned?

“Gods,” Rowan berated himself. This was not his plan, insteading of calming down he was winding himself right back up.

Logic kicked in, and Rowan decided the reason that he was so antsy about this date was because he cared. He had only met Aelin a few times but there was something there, a pull and he was hopeful it could become something more given the chance. That was still a possibility just as long as he didn’t blow this. 

The sound of heels on concrete drew Rowan’s attention and on instinct he turned. It was Aelin and to say she looked stunning was an understatement. She wore a red dress, it sat off her shoulders and hugged her figure until it flared out at the knees. Aelin’s hair was swept to one side in soft waves, and when she shot him a smile it just about knocked the wind out of him. As Rowan watched her approach he had to ask himself how he had managed to swing this and was very grateful that his daughter had begged him for a trip to the aquarium that day.

All he had to do now was not fuck this up.

~~~~~

Aelin couldn’t help but smile as she covered the last bit of distance between her and Rowan. Dazzling a man was always an ego boost and Rowan was standing there looking like a stunned mullet. Lysandra had indeed helped her out with planning her outfit, and it had taken them the better part of an hour to work out the particulars. From the dress to the shoes, make-up and accessories, it was all planned to the finest detail.

Since taking the mermaid job it was like the aesthetic had snuck into every aspect of her life. The dress was a mermaid cut, there were delicate white pearl studs in her ears and a matching bracelet around her wrist. Aelin had left her neck bare, more than happy to leave the off-the-shoulder neckline to be the main event. She smiled to herself as she watched Rowan’s eyes dart around as he took her in. 

She had him. Hook, link and sinker.

“Hi,” Aelin sweetly.

“Hi,” Rowan said back. “You look amazing.”

That wasn’t a great date opener, a bit shallow but true, but she’d take it. “Thank you.”

“Shall we?” Rowan offered.

Aelin nodded and Rowan kept a step ahead as they headed to the restaurant. He held the door open for her and sorted the table, and when they got there Rowan tucked in her chair. The manners on this man were impeccable. 

“Have you been here before?” Aelin asked and she looked over the menu.

Rowan cleared his throat before he answered. “Yeah, a few times. My mother likes to come here when she visits. Her favourite is the pesto pasta.”

Aelin found it on the menu and reading through the ingredients it did look good. “Was she at the party? I have to admit I didn’t pay much attention to anyone but the kids.”

“She was, Ivy’s their only grandchild so they try not to miss anything,” Rowan explained.

“Only child?” Aelin asked. 

“She is.”

The corner of Aelin’s mouth threatened to curl up, it was pretty easy to garner that Ivy was an only child. The extravagant party, the way she drew in and loved all the attention. “I meant you.”

“Oh,” Rowan said and shook his head at himself. “Yes, I am. The only child of an only child. she’s been spoiled from the moment she was born.”

The words were said lightly but there was a hardness to his face at the last second that gave Aelin the impression there was more to it than that. But given the reaction it wasn’t a topic to broach on the first date. The conversation was interrupted anyway by the waiter arriving, they ordered drinks and the young man promised to return in a few minutes to take their food order. With the ultimatum given, Aelin turned her full attention to picking her meal. The pasta did look good and it came recommended, it was a solid and safe choice. 

Aelin put down her menu ready to resume conversation, but Rowan was still studying his. It gave her a chance to appreciate him. Both at the aquarium and at the birthday party he had been dressed more casually, tonight Aelin could see the effort that he had made. He wasn’t in a suit, this restaurant didn’t require them. But the jacket was a nice touch and it accentuated the broadness of his shoulders. Rowan was a devastatingly handsome man no matter the setting. 

The waiter returned with their drinks and took their order for food, and with the menus taken away it left the table wide open for conversation. It wasn’t flowing, and Aelin tried not to show her uneasiness as she swept her hair so it sat over one shoulder again. 

“So, Rowan,” she started, throwing the both of them a lifeline in the form of small talk, “what do you do?”

“I’m a deputy principal at a high school,” he rattled off easily.

On the other hand Aelin was brought up short. She wasn’t very knowledgeable about the teaching profession, but she was pretty sure deputy principal was not an early career move. Obviously Rowan was older than she was, he had a kid and she’d been to his house. He had his shit well and truly figured out. But surely, he couldn’t be that much older than her. 

“What?” Rowan asked, like he could read thoughts running through her head.

“I just,” Aelin stopped, trying to figure out a tactful way around this. Sometimes she could be a bit blunt and a little too direct. She leant forward and dropped her voice like that would lessen the awkward impact of what she was about to say. “How old are you?”

If Rowan was taken aback by the question he didn’t show in, in fact he leant in too, like they were sharing a secret. “27.”

“A 27 year old deputy principal? That seems… industrious of you.”

The corner of Rowan’s mouth tilted up just a fraction. “I can thank the teacher shortage for that. And my apparently spectacular leadership skills.”

“That must keep you busy,” Aelin commented. “A lot of paperwork, I presume?”

“That and unnecessary bureaucratic bullshit. I went into teaching to help kids, and some days I feel like I’m just fighting the system so the kids can get what they need,” he explained.

Aelin tilted her head, Rowan’s dedication and passion evident. “They’re some lucky kids then.”

That praise seemed to make Rowan uncomfortable, not openly but there was a definite shift in his demeanour. He sat back and looked around the restaurant, just like that that underlying awkwardness started to seep back in. It seemed inescapable at this point. Aelin knew they had chemistry but also that Rowan had a tendency to stick his foot in it. Like blurting out his marital status and the debacle of getting her tail off. Yet there was something there that made her want to give this a chance. At the very least one date to see if they could carry a normal conversation. So far, it wasn’t looking good. 

They continued with other bits of small talk, including the godsdamned weather, until their food arrived. Aelin dove in right away, and Rowan’s mother was right, the pasta was good. Rowan had ordered salmon set on a bed of asparagus. It looked good but Aelin wasn’t a fan of fish unless it was swimming around her in an aquarium. Even then, there were some hit and misses. 

“How did you get into mermaiding?” Rowan asked, cutting himself a bite. 

Aelin finished her mouthful and then took a sip of her cocktail. “I kind of fell into it. I saw the advertisement and thought ‘what the hell’ and applied. At first I was just a dry mermaid but then I did some training and eventually ended up in the water.”

“How long have you been doing it?”

“Just over two years,” Aelin said. 

Rowan glanced up from his plate. “And that’s all you do?”

Aelin’s fork froze mid pasta twirl, Rowan not noticing as he focused back on his food. There was an implication there that Aelin was hoping she was misinterpreting in his tone. Is that all you do made her job sound like it wasn't a real job. And it was something that she was sensitive about. The validity of working as a mermaid had come up in conversation before. Luckily her parents were supportive of everything she did but there had been a casual comment here and there that implied that this wasn’t a full time career. Realistically, it wasn’t, she knew that. Being a mermaid was reliant on her body and her ability to perform, sickness or injury could impact that. But while she could, Aelin would give being a mermaid everything because she loved it. 

“It is, I love it and it’s all I need,” Aelin said, not giving him more explanation than that. 

Rowan must have heard the hardness in her voice because his head jerked up making Aelin avert her gaze quickly. 

“Shit, I just heard how that sounded,” Rowan said, cheeks pinking. “It was just a question, really. I was just curious—making conversation.”

“I really do love it,” Aelin reiterated.

“And you’re amazing at it. I saw how much joy you brought to Ivy’s visit and her party. There’s nothing lacking in that and I’m sorry if my inability to sound polite made you think otherwise.”

Rowan was sincere, that was easy enough to tell. She wasn’t going to hold it against him. “I’m a little sensitive on the subject.”

“Sorry for prodding at it,” he said, just as earnest. 

Aelin shrugged a shoulder, shrugging off the unpleasant feeling as well. “You didn’t know, I’ll forgive you. This time.”

“That sounds very threatening,” Rowan said, feeding into the humour Aelin was now trying to infuse into another shambles of a conversation. 

“I’ve been told I’m like a vengeful god when it comes to grudges.” It was true, she had. 

That made Rowan let out a small chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

After that things were decidedly less awkward. Not amazing but there was less fumbling from Rowan and threats from Aelin. Conversation strayed away from heavier topics, in particular Aelin wasn’t going near whatever the situation was between Rowan and his ex-wife. She remembered Ivy’s mother who had obviously seemed less than pleased with Aelin’s attendance at the party. She didn’t know why the other woman felt the way she did, but there was a definite vibe there that didn’t give Aelin good feelings. But she did find out that Ivy spent most of her time with Rowan and that she was the apple of his eye. More than once he apologised for bringing her up too much. Aelin told him she didn’t mind, because she really didn’t. Ivy was a major part of his life, hell, Aelin’s own father still loved to gush about her accomplishments every chance he got. Proud dads were a big tick in her book. 

Dessert was had and Rowan very graciously paid the bill. All in all, not one of the best first dates Aelin had had, but not the worst by a long shot.

“Can I walk you to your car?” Rowan asked once they were outside. 

Aelin smiled up at him. “Sure.”

She led the way, walking down the street to where she had managed to get a car park. Without saying anything the tension was there again. It was a physical thing, tangible between them. When their fingers brushed Aelin wasn’t sure which one of them was the first to link their fingers. The closeness of Rowan and his gentle warmth was almost enough to make her forget most of the clumsy words exchanged over dinner. 

All too soon her car came into view, then they were behind it and she stopped. “This is me.”

Rowan moved between the cars to get her door, making Aelin smile at his chivalry. She unlocked the car with the key fob in her purse and Rowan propped the door open a little. Just a little indication that he wasn’t quite ready to let her go. 

Facing him with her back to the car Aelin made no move to get in. “Thank you for dinner.”

“It was okay in the end, wasn’t it?” Rowan asked, not hiding the hopefulness in his voice.

Aelin shrugged, ever a menace when the opportunity was there. “I guess so.”

Rowan leant in, just a little. “Do you think you’d let me make it up to you a little bit if I guess so is the best response you can give?”

Heat flushed over her skin, and Aelin was glad that it wasn’t light enough for the visible evidence to be seen. Her heart beat faster in anticipation and she nodded while making sure her voice was firm as she said, “yes.”

Rowan moved forward a little bit more as his hand cupped her cheek. Aelin was trying to keep her breathing as slow and shallow as possible. She wasn't a particularly patient woman, but her date was in control here. Not something she was mad about, she just wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait. When Rowan closed the last of the distance it made Aelin gasp before she melted into the feel of his lips. He angled his mouth over her and—

Things were a little too wet, his movements a little too slow. Aelin tried to help him out but somehow the readjusted angle made it worse. The fireworks fizzled out and it was a full body relief when it was over.

That was a bad kiss, there was no denying it. Aelin wasn’t sure if Rowan had realised just how terrible it was but she wasn’t keen for him to try again and experience a repeat performance. Truly, the man had been too perfect, now the flaws were stacking up and they all had something to do with his mouth. Aelin was done for the night—it needed to be called. 

“Thank you, again,” Aelin said, putting her hand on the driver’s door, a subtle hint that she wanted to get into the car.

Rowan opened the door all the way, considerate of her and the car next to her. “It was my pleasure, Aelin.”

With the unpleasantness of that kiss lingering, Aelin tried not to grimace. “Bye, Rowan.”

“Goddnight, Aelin.”

Rowan shut the door and Aelin was quick to start the engine and get out of there. She waited until he was on his way back to his car before she pulled out and thankfully went in the opposite direction. It wasn’t until Aelin was stopped at a red light that she realised that Rowan’s hoodie was still sitting on her passenger seat. The whole premise of her date was sitting just there, mocking her, reminding her there was no chance of a clean break now.

Hopefully Rowan wasn’t overly attached to the item of clothing and he’s just let it go. If she didn't bring it up, neither would her. As Aelin drove back to her apartment the disappointment sunk in. Sure, the date hadn’t been a disaster, but it hadn’t been the night of her life either. And that kiss…

Aelin felt mean as she wiped at her lips in an attempt to get rid of the lingering feeling. Poor guy, he’d tried, so hard. Maybe in the morning once she’d slept on it the situation wouldn’t seem so awkward as it felt right now. Aelin held onto that hope because it seemed that the Rowan she had imagined he’d be had indeed been too good to be true.

~~~~~

You hate me now but you'll love me later *wink*.

Also, I think I've officially lost it with tagging. Turning on notifications for @works-of-shyvioletcat is probably the best way to stay up to date but I'm happy to restart a tag list too. Just let me know if you want to be added. Love ya x

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Happy Holidays @mariaofdoranelle ! Sorry this is on the late side, I over extended myself and work was cruelly hectic and I’m currently on a cruise and miscalculated my days that I’d have reception. That being so, I can promise you that this will be a three part series, parts 2 and 3 coming to you in the early new year. Enjoy!

~~~~~

Rowan sat at the very end of the wooden slat bleachers that overlooked the polished dance floor. His daughter was out there with her brown hair in a doughnut shaped bun on top of her head, wearing a pink leotard and a floaty wrap skirt. Ivy was the ideal picture of a ballerina in training, her wide green eyes wide and attentive, taking in everything her teacher was saying. Arms poised, knees bent, she was ready to mimic the steps as best as her 4 year old coordination would allow.

Although Rowan couldn’t hear what was being said, he had a hard time keeping his eyes off the teacher too. Miss Aelin, as the students referred to her, was dressed similarly to the group of girls lined up in front of the mirror, except her outfit was black and she wore her long golden hair in a high ponytail. She was a stunning woman, graceful and elegant as she helped her students rehearse for the end of year concert. There was genuine kindness shining through as she encouraged each one of them, it’s what made her such a good teacher. But that wasn’t what had him under her spell.

When Rowan walked into this dance studio nearly a year ago he had never expected to see his college flame ready to teach his daughter. Flame was a mild way of putting it. Aelin had come into Rowan’s life like a wildfire, merciless in the way she so easily consumed him entirely. They had been perfect for each other, compatible in the best kinds of ways. But in the end, their lives had taken them on different paths and they regrettably had to be mature adults and call their relationship to an end. That had been the most painful experience of Rowan’s life. Aelin had been the one that got away, and turned out he had been hers too. Life had taken them in such different directions and Rowan thought he’d be lucky to see her again. So when he saw her welcoming the students into the dance hall it had stopped him in his tracks, struck dumb like he had seen a ghost. Aelin had gone as pale as one, eyes darting between him and the little girl that held his hand.

Rowan had watched for a long moment as Aelin’s brain tried to piece the puzzle together, feeling too stunned to say anything himself. When the ability to speak returned the first thing he blurted out was “I’m divorced”. Aelin flushed pink but then laughed, a sound that had Rowan’s chest aching with how much he had missed that sound. Aelin had given him a wink and a quiet “thanks for letting me know” and then introduced herself to Ivy and went back to the rest of her students. After that first lesson Rowan had stayed after his ex-wife took Ivy home and the stories came out.

Once Rowan had left college in Terrasen he came back to Doranelle for work, then met Lyria not long after. They dated for a while, thought the next step was to get married and start a family. Turns out it wasn’t, they just weren’t working no matter how hard they tried. Parting on amicable terms they now coparented and made much better friends than spouses. Aelin had been on a whirlwind adventure travelling the world. She had eventually started working for her parents, but ended up feeling lost. So on a whim she booked a plane ticket for Doranelle and found a job working for the dance studio.

They hadn’t seen each other for six years and had lived such different and separate lives. But somehow within a few months they fell back into place so easily. Rowan had asked Aelin out on a date, taking it slow so they could get to know each other again, then within no time, that familiar wildfire was burning making the years scatter like ashes on the wind.

The only hiccup was Ivy, and not in an outright bad way. It wasn’t a great look for the dance teacher to be dating one of the dads and Ivy loved to dance so much they didn’t want to jeopardise that in any way. So Lyria knew, but Ivy didn’t, they would be telling her after the end of year Yulemas concert and Aelin was even considering quitting. Rowan didn’t want that, but they would work it all out in the new year.

“And one, two, and three.” Aelin's voice echoing in the dance space brought Rowan back to the present. The students spun a bit haphazardly, but Aelin didn’t scold them for their poor form, she just smiled and said, “like this.”

With the epitome of grace, Aelin spun, her golden hair swaying. Too easily Rowan could imagine his fingers entwined with those silky strands, fingers tangled as he—

Rowan stopped himself from taking that thought any further. This was not the time or place for such… imaginings. But watching Aelin’s hair sway on her exposed back, it was difficult not to.

“You’re drooling,” Lyria said from beside him, making Rowan jump. He had been watching Aelin so intently he hadn’t noticed anything else.

“Am not,” Rowan replied.

“Not literally, but figuratively? Absolutely,” Lyria teased as she stepped up into the bleachers to sit next to Rowan.

Rowan chuckled. Teasing them was one of Lyria’s favourite things to do, both he and Aelin had been hilarious victims of Lyria’s wit. “I’ll try and stop.”

That made Lyria snort. “Good luck with that. You’re smitten.”

He was. Completely and utterly.

“You’re free to go now,” Lyria said. The arrangement was that Rowan dropped Ivy off for dance and then Lyria picked her up. Usually he would leave, but tonight he was considering hanging around. With the busyness of rehearsals and preparing for the concert, he hadn’t seen Aelin much the past two weeks. And he missed her.

“Think I’ll hang around.”

Lyria didn’t say anything. She just gave Rowan a knowing look and a nudge on his knee with her’s. About 15 minutes later the class ended, and a chorus of voices sang out “thank you, Miss Aelin”. Before getting her bag, Ivy ran up to Aelin, hugging her around the hips before running away. Rowan saw Aelin’s expression soften and the affectionate gesture and the tinge of longing as she watched the girl move away. They both desperately wanted Ivy to know, and they only had to hold out a little longer.

“Da! Did you see me?” Ivy asked as she clambered up the benches to where her parents were sitting.

“Of course I did, little love,” Rowan replied. “You’re doing so well.”

Ivy beamed at him, making Rowan’s chest fill with a warm fuzzy feeling. His daughter was truly the light of his life.

“Come on, Ives, Da is busy,” Lyria said, taking Ivy’s duffle bag.

“He’s just sitting there,” Ivy pointed out.

“Not for long,” Lyria countered. “Say goodbye and he’ll see you Monday.”

Ivy launched herself into Rowan’s arms, squeezing him tight while saying goodbye. Rowan kissed her head and said his own goodbye, offering his daughter a wave back as she frantically waved at him until the last second. He turned his attention back to the dance floor, expecting to see Aelin either packing up or waiting for him, but the space was empty except for him. She must not have seen him unexpectedly staying behind. Knowing he didn’t have long before Aelin locked up, Rowan headed for her office. It was down a short hallway off the main dance space, and sure enough, he found her there leaning over to read some papers on her desk.

Rowan took a moment to admire the sight before him, the angle of Aelin’s body accentuating her long legs and dip of her waist. Her hair had fallen to the side, allowing him to admire her exposed back. Before he once again got too lost in his thoughts, he knocked on the open door, making Aelin startle.

“Rowan,” she almost gasped once she turned to see who had knocked. “What are you doing here? I was coming over later.”

Rowan strode into the room. “I missed you too much.”

Smirking up at him, Aelin said, “I tend to have that effect on people.”

Unable to wait any longer Rowan cupped Aelin’s cheeks and kissed her. Immediately Aelin melted into him, bringing her body flush with his. He couldn’t help himself, his hands roamed, feeling the warmth of Aelin’s skin through her thin leotard. When his thumbs skimmed the sides of her breasts and she whimpered into his mouth, Rowan’s tether snapped.

Nudging the chair out of the way with his foot, Rowan backed them up until Aelin’s thighs hit the desk. She didn’t need any encouragement to sit atop it, her knees widening so he could stand between them.

“I missed you, too,” Aelin murmured between kisses. “So much.”

Rowan’s response was to press their bodies closer, in a way that had Aelin moaning. His cock was hard, missing the memo that they were still in the dance studio.

“We should stop,” the rational part of Rowan’s brain voiced, even as the irrational part had him kissing Aelin harder.

It seemed rationality was becoming scarce because all Aelin did was bring him closer with her legs, grinding up the length of him. “Don’t stop. I need you.”

That request was more than enough for him. Rowan’s hands dragged down the front of Aelin’s body. It was too easy to pull down the thin leotard Aelin wore, exposing her breasts. Rowan took the weight of them in his hands, brushing his thumbs over the stiffening peaks. Aelin hissed through her teeth at the touch but when Rowan drew back to see if she was all right Aelin pulled him down by the collar of his button up.

“Just sensitive, don’t stop,” she breathed and then kissed him again.

Rowan wasn’t about to protest, and as Aelin got to work on his shirt his hands travelled down her body instead, fingers tracing the seam around her the top of her thighs. Then he slipped one finger beneath, then two, and held back his own moan when he felt the evidence of how ready she was for him.

“Fuck,” Rowan muttered, knuckles running along the seam of her stockings. “Aelin, I don’t know if I can wait.”

“I already told you not to stop.” Aelin emphasised her point by undoing his belt buckle and then the button on his pants. “So don’t.”

Before Aelin could distract him by getting her hands on him, Rowan hooked two fingers into the flimsy mesh of her stockings beneath her leotard and tugged. Hard. Just like he hoped the fabric tore and to finish the job he tucked the leotard to the side. Rowan ran his thumb through Aelin’s folds, circling her clit. Throwing her head back, she moaned as her hips rolled with the rhythm he was setting. Then she reached for his cock and pulled it out without hesitation.

“No playing, I need you now,” Aelin urged.

With a kiss Rowan pulled Aelin to the edge of the desk and then lined him up with her entrance. He pushed the tip in, he always loved the first few moments of coming together. But Aelin was obviously feeling impatient, and Rowan wasn’t doing much better, so with a steadying hand on her hip he slid in all the way.

“Oh gods,” Aelin panted, the hand in his hair tightening. “You feel so fucking good.”

Rowan rolled his hips, pressing himself that fraction deeper, Aelin’s whimper of pleasure had his cock twitching. With her teeth sunk into her bottom lip she moaned as Rowan began to thrust in and out. He wanted to pull that lip free, to let all the delicious noises Aelin made come out unhindered, but he still had enough awareness to realise they were in public. Even though he was sure they were entirely alone, he also didn’t want to risk drawing attention to their location. Later he’d have her splayed out in his bed and she could scream as loud as she wanted.

Aelin clung to him as Rowan set a steady rhythm. Wanting access to her neck, his hands slid up her back, stopping when his fingers were tangled in Aelin’s hair. He tugged, Aelin’s head falling back with that encouragement, then he was pressing open mouthed kisses up the length of her neck. Needing more, Aelin worked her hands between them, shuddering as her fingers brushed her clit.

“Good girl, giving yourself what you need,” Rowan praised.

That had Aelin trembling right before her muscles locked. “Rowan, I’m gonna—“

Her moan was low, rumbling from deep in her throat, Rowan felt it with his lips pressed to Aelin’s skin. All the pressure in her body snapped, her hips undulating as she rode his cock, drawing out the waves of her orgasm. Feeling Aelin’s body respond to the pleasure he was giving and she was taking had Rowan’s own climax breaking, thrusting hard as he spilled into her.

They shared sweet kisses once their bodies had stilled, stopping once their smiles made it impossible for their lips to touch.

“Can I take you home?” Rowan asked once they tidied up and were presentable. At least the best they could be. The hole Rowan had tore in Aelin’s stocking gaped at the very top of her thigh, with her still perched on the desk it was hard not to look at it and admire his handiwork.

Aelin noticed when his gaze had locked, a delicious shade of pink flushing her cheeks. To save the both of them from making another questionable choice, she hopped off the desk and let her skirt fall around her thighs.

With a hand on his chest Aelin rose up on her toes and pressed a kiss to Rowan’s cheek. “I couldn’t think of anything I want more.”

~~~~~

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

ROWAELIN MONTH: Day 7 - All Dressed up

@rowaelinscourt

A/N: Well, well, well. Look what came back? If you need a bit of a refresher, the masterlist in below.

The Sweetest Promise Masterlist

~~~~

It had been nearly two weeks since Aelin had seen Rowan and she was officially freaking out. She was definitely questioning her reckless decision to ruin their friendship because she had lacked the sense to think with her big brain. Because obviously that is what had happened. There was no other explanation for the radio silence. Not only had Rowan cancelled any dates but he hadn’t replied to any of her messages either and that was damning. The only reassurance Aelin had was that Rowan’s regular payments had come through. 

But considering the situation, was it all that reassuring?

Aelin couldn’t figure it out, didn’t know where to begin with unravelling the situation. Not for the first time she was questioning her actions on that fateful afternoon. The opportunity had been there and Aelin had barely hesitated before she took it. The fact that it had only taken a few touches to get Rowan riled up had amused her but had also got her going too. You’d have to be blind not to realise how incredibly good looking he was, and he had snuck into Aelin’s mind more than once when she was scratching that itch herself, alone in her bed at night. She had been curious what it would be like to fuck him in real life.

In reality it had been beyond anything she could ever imagine. It was such a shame that it had become her downfall. The main issue Aelin kept landing on was that she had charged him the sex fee. When she had set up her profile on Sweet As Sugar she had filled in that section as a joke to herself. Aelin had never planned to use it. But clearly her horny self couldn’t be contained and she had. Rowan would have read her contract and would have known that stipulation was there. And considering what they were before they were friends she was owed… oh holy gods what had she done?

Before Aelin could stop herself she was out her door and knocking on the one that was almost perfectly opposite hers. It was a weekday and just after lunch, so there was a good chance that Kaltain would be home. And sure enough it wasn’t too long before the door opened.

“Good afternoon,” Kaltain said, she was dressed down in some legging and an oversized t-shirt. Aelin didn’t think she’d ever seen the woman look this casual. 

“Can I come in?”

Kaltain stepped back and opened the door wider. “Sure.”

Aelin walked into the apartment, trying not to act like she wanted to pace just to do something. “I think I fucked up.”

“How so?” Kaltain asked from the little kitchen. 

“Well, I… I guess the best way to say it is that I fucked my client.”

Kaltian froze, jug of water pausing midair, eyes rising to where Aelin was standing. “Did he hurt you?”

Aelin shook her head. “No.”

Kaltain relaxed a little at that and poured out a glass of water. “You get pregnant?”

“What, no!” Aelin nearly yelled. “I didn’t fuck up that bad.”

“So it was bad then, and he wants to do it again?” Kaltain rattled off.

Aelin swallowed, memories of how good it actually was flitting through her mind at high speed. “No, but I have concerns about the second part.”

Kaltain slid a glass of water across the bench. “Alright, explain.”

Aelin succinctly went over the situation, leaving out the finer, more intimate details. When she was finished she sighed heavily. “I think I ruined the friendship and charging him for sex is going to make him ditch me. Considering the whole entire situation I didn’t have anyone else to talk to about it.”

“Well, the continuing payments are promising,” Kaltain said. “If you had offended him or whatever he would have cut you off completely. You charging the fee shouldn’t have come as a shock.”

“But, like…” Aelin didn’t drink, she just spun the glass slowly between her fingers. “This is just a weird development for me.”

“I think your mistake was becoming his friend,” Kaltain said matter of factly. “You’ve become too emotionally involved.”

“I guess you’re right,” Aelin admitted. Damn Rowan and his surly likeability. 

“The best advice I can give you is to let the money keep coming in and if you want to be his friend just keep reaching out if you decide.”

“What about the sex stuff?” Aelin asked. 

Kaltain shrugged. “It was in your contract. He signed it. No big deal. And if it was good, and I’m assuming it was good, all it out and by all means keep fucking around and finding out.”

Aelin snorted at that. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Kaltain said.

Wandering back to her apartment Aelin felt a little better about the situation. Not much, but at least a little. The money that routinely entered her account wasn’t a bad thing. And if Rowan ever talked to her again, maybe they could work this out. But that was going to have to be up to him. 

It took another three days of Aelin pretending not to stress before the silence was broken. She was editing a particularly arduous paragraph when her phone buzzed beside her on the bed. Assuming it was a social media notification Aelin just gave it a quick glance before her brain registered exactly what app it had come from. She tapped on it, quickly diving into the text thread. 

Rowan: Hi Aelin. I’m so sorry about all the missed messages. I’ll just get straight into it. 

While the three little dots danced at the bottom of her screen Aelin’s stomach was a mess of butterflies. Some anxiety, some dread, all of them making her want to vomit. 

Rowan: My mother ended up in hospital with pneumonia. I was helping look after her and my parent’s place and all that and didn’t get a moment to myself. Mam, as you might have gathered, is incredibly nosey and I had to delete the app off my phone just in case. So anyway, I’m back. How are you?

Aelin felt pretty stupid right now. He was off being a knight in shining armour and she thought he was sulking. 

Aelin: How’s your mum?

Rowan: She’s fine now, completely on the mend. 

Aelin: Thank the gods

Rowan: I certainly do.

Aelin looked at her phone for a solid minute before she decided to bite the bullet. 

Aelin: I have to admit I thought you were put out because of the extra sex charge

Aelin: I just now realised my horrible choice of words there

Rowan: Okay

Aelin: Okay?

Rowan: I didn’t know what else to say.

This was going from bad to worse. 

Aelin: I enjoyed it, but I didn’t do it for the money just so we’re clear

Rowan: So, like me, you did it for fun?

Aelin: Yes. Fun.

Rowan: And the sex was so good you charged me for it?

Aelin sat up staring at the message. He was making a joke, she was sure of it. She could do this. 

Aelin: Maybe it was supposed to be taken as a compliment. 

Rowan: By that reasoning, shouldn’t you be paying me?

Aelin: Do you want a refund?

Rowan: I’m… I’m not sure at this point.

Aelin: Good, because I already spent the money

Laughing, Aelin laid back down. If they could joke about it, the situation mustn’t be as dire as she thought. 

Aelin: So, just so we’re clear. It’s not a big deal?

Rowan: Contract. Lawyer. It’s fine, Aelin. 

Aelin sighed out of relief. She usually wasn’t one to overreact and she'd really outdone herself this time. They were fine and it turned out he had a pretty good reason for his silence. She really did feel awful about Rowan’s mother. Iris had seemed so kind and genuine when they’d met at the markets. And she had to commend Rowan for looking after her so well. 

Rowan: Are we good for Friday night?

Aelin: Absolutely.

Rowan: Great. Wear something nice. 

~~~~~

Rowan stood outside the restaurant, waiting for Aelin. He had offered to pick her up but she had declined, letting him know that she was coming from the University rather than home so she’d just book an Uber. Of course he’d offered to get her from there and they’d gone back and forth until he relented. Aelin really knew how to wear him down. 

Even after their discussion he was a little nervous about seeing her again. Their last date… well, it had really been something. He’d been so embarrassed. Touch starved and horny, once he had been sure Aelin wanted to fuck him as badly as he wanted to fuck her, all he could say was yes. The sex had been mind blowing and had left him reeling for days. Rowan would be at work and at the most inconvenient times he’d remember how she looked riding him, the sounds she had made, the way she had made him feel. Even now, he tried not to think too hard about it unless he was left with uncomfortably tight pants in public—again. 

He meant what he said to Aelin about the extra fee. The charge had been a little unexpected, but he’d read over the contract carefully and he knew about that stipulation. Rowan had just never imagined himself as the kind of man that paid for sex. They were friends, but the sex thing was spinning things at a new angle. Would they do it again? Or was it just a one time thing? He certainly wanted to and he wanted to keep seeing Aelin, even if it was through their continued arrangement. 

Rowan checked his watch, it was just after seven, the time he’d made the reservation for. Aelin shouldn’t be too long then. A nondescript white care pulled into the drop off zone at the curb and a familiar figure emerged from it. Rowan smiled, stepping forward, but then what she wore had him stopping in his tracks. 

It was a gold number, made of a slinky, shimmering gold fabric that clung to every one of her remarkable curves. She held a small black clutch in her hand that matched the high black heels on her feet. What drew his attention were the thin gem studded straps that led to a low, curved, draped neckline. Everything was on display with her hair pulled back in an elegant bun— neck, collarbones, her breasts. He felt like a teenager the way he had a hard time looking away from the cleavage. Rowan knew what they looked like beneath all that fabric, what they felt like, tasted like. 

“Evening,” Aelin said, snapping him out of his thoughts. 

“You look amazing,” were the first words out of his mouth. 

“Thank you,” Aelin said, coming to stand beside him. “Sorry I’m a little late, and I forgot a jacket too. Do you mind if we go straight in?”

Rowan shook his head. “Not at all.”

He offered her his arm, and Aelin’s slender hand gripped his elbow. Rowan led them into the restaurant, gave his name and minutes later they were being taken to his table. The lighting in here was dark and a bit moody, almost an old Hollywood look. He had read about this place and thought Aelin would like it, that’s why he’d book here. When they got to the table he helped Aelin into her chair, her head swivelling around as she took in the room. 

“This place is very nice,” Aelin said. “I like it.”

“Good,” Rowan replied, tucking into his own seat. “I thought you might.”

Aelin gave him a bright smile. “You spoil me.”

With her sitting across from him looking like an old time movie starlet, she was spoiling him. They ordered and ate and chatted, conversation straying far away from the awkward topic that was looming between them. Rowan was happy to ignore it and enjoy her company instead. One thing that kept his attention was the way one of the glimmering straps kept slipping off her shoulder. Every time Aelin would pull it back up. He tried not to notice how far down it pulled the fabric of the gown. And failed. It happened again and Aelin let out a sound of frustration. 

“This dress is my friend’s and she threw it into my suitcase as I was packing ‘just in case’,” Aelin said, reaching forward for her wine glass. “She’s better endowed than me and I was worried about this thing staying up, especially considering I'm not wearing anything underneath it.”

Rowan’s knee hit the table, making all the contents rattle dangerously. She’d said it so casually that it had taken him by surprise. Aelin sat there, an amused smirk on her lips, her hand still holding the wineglass steady. 

“You okay there?”

Rowan answered her question with one of his own. “You can’t be serious?” 

“You saw this dress, every line and wrinkle would show,” she said, finally taking a sip of her wine. 

Rowan shook his head, wanting to laugh but also feeling a little warm. Knowing something like that was not helping the overall situation.

“You’re blushing, Rowan,” Aelin whispered conspiratorially across the table.

“Can you blame me?” He asked, just as quietly. 

Aelin shook her head, grinning now. “I like it.” 

Thankfully, the rest of dinner passed without Rowan embarrassing himself. For dessert Aelin had a fancy looking individual cake to herself that oozed a liquid chocolate when she scooped her spoon through it. Rowan enjoyed a smooth whiskey instead. When they were done and the bill was paid they were back on the sidewalk, waiting while the valet brought Rowan’s car around. 

“Let me drive you home,” Rowan said. 

Aelin was inching herself closer to him, leeching his warmth. To ease the chill Rowan rubbed his palms over her biceps which only brought her closer. 

“Mmm, I suppose so,” Aelin relented quickly. 

Ever the gentleman his mother taught him to be, when his car arrived Rowan held the door open and helped Aelin in with the other hand. She thanked him and he didn't miss the way her dress rose up her thighs as she sat. He needed to stop, he was torturing himself. Or rather she was unknowingly torturing him. 

The drive home was comfortably quiet. Everyone once and a while Rowan would hear Aelin humming along to the radio, but other than that they didn’t speak much. She’d typed in her address when Rowan had handed her his phone and it wasn’t long before he was parking in front of her apartment building. 

“You don’t have to walk me to my door. I’m a big girl, I can do it myself,” Aelin said. 

“No chance, my mother would be appalled,” Rowan said, already getting out of the car. He was sure he heard the echo of Aelin’s laughter when he did.

“Thank you, kind sir,” Aelin said, accepting the hand he offered to get out of the car. Once again, Rowan took a moment to appreciate how good Aelin looked and she caught him. “Big fan of this dress too?”

Rowan’s laugh was slightly nervous thanks to being busted. “It’s my favourite colour.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Aelin replied. 

They walked together to the lobby door and Aelin’s hand hovered over the keypad where she would enter her passcode. Rowan wondered at her hesitation, but then she turned around to face him, her expression uncertain. 

“I have to address the elephant in the room, or entryway,” she said, gesturing around them. 

“Okay,” Rowan stepped closer, knowing that she’d only get colder the longer they stayed out here. 

“We had sex, great sex. We’re both adults and can acknowledge that. I just wanted to clear up where we went from here,” Aelin said, the words coming out quickly. “Like, are we really all good about this?”

There was a harsh breeze, Rowan angle himself so that he blocked Aelin from most of it. “I am, are you?” 

Aelin nodded. “And, well… do we do it again or will that ruin everything?”

Her bright eyes stared up at him, trying to read him, watching for his reaction. Emboldened by the whisky, or maybe it was just Aelin, he crowded her a little closer to the wall. She backed up a step, standing up a little bit straighter. 

“The way I see it,” Rowan said, leaning in, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

He indulged himself with a slow perusal of the beautiful woman in front of him, no restraint on matching the vision that she was tonight with the one that had been living in his mind. Aelin’s hand landed on his side, her fist clenching a handful of his shirt. She was breathing heavily, the tension simmering between them affecting her as well. 

“And I hope you haven’t either. And, I would very much like to do it again,” he all but whispered. Aelin’s breath caught as he leaned in closer as she waited for his next move. Rowan pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, maybe lingering longer than he should have. “I guess we’ll see what happens. Good night, Aelin.”

As Rowan pulled back she replied with a breathless goodnight of her own. He knew his smirk was cocky, more than happy with himself with the way he was able to rile her up after he’s made a mess of him the last two weeks. More than that, the cards were on the table now. Air sufficiently cleared. Taking their relationship to a friends-with-benefits level wouldn’t be the worst thing that ever happened to him. Rowan hoped Aelin felt the same.

~~~~~

Not gonna lie, I was a little nervous coming back to this and dealing with *that* whole situation. I think I did okay, though. Time for the real fun to start I guess *smirk*

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

ROWAELIN MONTH: DAY 4 - ACCIDENTAL NUDE

I had fun with this one. Took an unexpected approach but it’s still good.

~~~~~

Rowan was content with his night of leisure. Watching TV, filling in a page of his mindfulness colouring book, letting his thoughts idle around nothing. It was relaxing and he barely had a care in the world. That was until his roommate unceremoniously burst into his room without knocking. The door would have slammed into the wall if a washing basket hadn’t been tucked behind it.

“Fen, what the fu—“

“I’ve made a mistake,” Fenrys said quickly.

Rowan leveled him with an unsurprised glare. “Again?”

“Let’s just skip the whole ‘how remarkable it is for you to make a mistake’ sarcasm because this is very time sensitive,” Fenrys stepped into the room, hands gesturing one over the other in front of him. “And I need your help and I’m coming here because of how much I value your friendship because this concerns you as well.”

“All right,” Rowan said, pausing his show and crossing his arms, dreading whatever his roommate and long time friend might have dragged him into. “I’ll bite.”

Fenrys gave a sharp but heavy sigh that might have been out of relief. “Okay, you know that thing you do when you’re having two conversations, and you finish messaging on one and then you’re thinking about the other one and when you pick your phone you think you’re in that conversation?”

There was a moment when the two men just looked at each other, Fenrys waiting for Rowan to decipher the tangle of words. It did take a moment and even though Rowan wasn’t entirely sure he gave a hesitant, “Yeah.”

“I did that. With an intimate photo. I sent it to the wrong person.”

With a scoff Rowan said, “That sounds like a you problem.”

Fenrys cringed, looking guilty as well. “I sent it to Aelin.

“You what?” Rowan’s gut twisted.

“Remember I said I sent it to the wrong person. Aelin was asking me if I wanted to meet them at the bar they’re at and I was chatting to another girl and I got my lines crossed and I accidentally sent it to Aelin,” Fenrys explained, his words coming out fast in his uncharacteristic nervousness.

“You can’t unsend it?” Rowan asked.

Fenrys shook his head. “It was over text. There’s no taking it back.”

It was hard for Rowan to pinpoint exactly what he was feeling. Despair might be the most accurate description, with a decent mix of jealousy. That was stupid thing to feel, Aelin was his best friend and totally ignorant of his deeper feelings. If she was talking to other guys and receiving messages like the one Fenrys apparently mistakenly sent, that was her business, none of his. Rowan shouldn’t care, but by the gods he did.

“I know how you feel about her, Rowan. I would never do that to you,” Fenrys said earnestly.

One night Rowan had been miserable and more than a little drunk when his deepest secret had come spilling out to his roommate. Fenrys was the only one who knew about how far his feelings went for Aelin and he’d never pushed it. Every once and a while there was some teasing comment or a knowing look, but it would be a complete denial of Fenrys’ nature to do absolutely nothing. So when Fenrys said he didn’t mean to send the photo, Rowan believed him.

“I don’t know what you want me to do about it,” Rowan said.

“Ah, hear me out,” Fenrys said, his face lifting and leaning his palms on the foot of the bed. “She hasn’t seen it. So what you can do is go to the bar, get into her phone and delete the message before she can. I know you know her passcode, which is saying something more that I won’t mention further. Thus, preventing the ruination of her for all other men and preserving my modesty.” When Rowan outright laughed at that last comment Fenrys amended with, “Maybe just my embarrassment.”

“I’m sure Aelin would understand,” Rowan supplied. This all sounded a little too risky and it was late and he was comfy.

“I have never in my life sent an unsolicited dick pic and I don’t intend to start now,” Fenrys protested adamantly. “And bro code, she’s your girl. Not mine.”

If only that were true.

Groaning Rowan threw himself back on his pillows. There was an inner battle going on and he wasn’t a fan of the side that was currently winning. He hated that his main motivation for even considering going was for his own selfish reasons to prevent Aelin from seeing Fenrys naked. If Aelin was seeing a man naked, Rowan wanted it to be him. And Fenrys was a handsome man and he took care of his body—it would definitely be an appealing picture.

“Right now Aelin is dancing the night away, too busy to check her phone. We have a very small window of opportunity.” Fenrys added, cutting into Rowan’s thoughts. “Please, Ro, buddy, old pal. Save me from being a creeper. We all know girls talk about these things.”

Fenrys looked over with puppy dog eyes, beseeching Rowan to say yes. It was obvious Fenrys’ pride was at stake but he was also trying to do the gallant thing, So Rowan resigned himself with his second heavy sigh. “Where am I going?”

~~~~~

The bar was busy and loud when Rowan got there. Even then it didn’t take long for him to spot Aelin and the group she had come out with tonight. They commanded the dance floor, all high energy and clothing that sparkled in the low light. Aelin was in the middle of it, a queen in her chosen domain. It was hard not to stare at her, the joy on her face making her more beautiful if it were possible. Rowan had been invited on this little outing, but he’d declined. Being in his final semester of university he was being slammed with assignments and he was exhausted. A night in was what he needed, and yet it wasn’t what he was going to get. Fenrys would owe him for this.

Aelin spotted him first, smiling brightly as she waved at him through the crowd that he lingered on the edges of. Rowan didn’t know how she knew he was there, but she’d looked right at him. Then she was leaning in and saying something to Lysandra and started to weave through the mass of bodies. It wasn’t long before Aelin was close enough for Rowan to get a clear look at her.

She looked stunning tonight. The dress she wore was made of a cream fabric, small clusters of gold sequins making a haphazard but tasteful pattern. The hem sat high on her thigh, a small slit accentuating the length of her tanned legs. The real show stealer was the neckline that scooped low with a slight drape, held up with thin straps, showing off her cleavage. Aelin was a sight to behold and Rowan had to remind himself that friends didn’t look at each other like the way he was looking at her and he better fix his face before she got closer and noticed.

Aelin was so happy to see him, a wide smile lighting up her face. The way she looked at him did funny things to his heart and Rowan tried to ignore it. When Fenrys was in the mood to pester he asked why Rowan hadn’t confessed his true feelings yet. The truth of it was that he couldn’t risk losing her, if she didn’t feel the same he knew their friendship would dissolve into awkwardness and he cared too much about her to ruin what they had. So he stayed silent and suffered.

“Rowan! What are you doing here?” Aelin asked as she threw her arms around his neck, the scent of her perfume overtaking the smell of alcohol and sweat of the bar. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

When Aelin pulled back Rowan shrugged. “Changed my mind.”

She didn’t go far or let him go, instead linked their elbows. “Good. I’ve missed you.”

He couldn’t help the smile that worked its way onto his lips and the sentiment, or the way his body welcomed her touch. The others had made their way off the dancefloor too, crowding around a tall table. For a while everyone just chatted. Elide and Lysandra were there, Aedion had tagged along as well. Dorian and Manon were pretending not to be interested in each other much to the quiet amusement of everyone.

“Want a drink?” Dorian asked across the table.

“No, I can't stay long,” Rowan replied.

Aedion followed Dorian to the bar, leaving Rowan with the girls who had taken up a conversation amongst themselves. Rowan cataloged whose bag was who’s, relieved when Aelin reached into her bag for lipgloss and not her phone. He still had time, he just needed everyone else to leave so he could ransack Aelin’s bag. The song changed and all three girls squealed. Despite the noise of the club the combined high pitched sound of their excitement hurt his ears.

“Come dance, Rowan!” Aelin said, holding her hand out to him.

“I’ll stay with the table, you go,” Rowan told her.

She looked ready to protest but she must have seen the pleading in his eyes that he was having trouble hiding. Rowan hoped he assumed it was over his reluctance to dance rather than his ulterior motives. He watched as she disappeared through the crowd and onto the dance floor. The light flashed and the bass thrummed though his body, and all the while Rowan couldn’t look away. Aelin moved effortlessly to the beat, smiling and laughing with her friends. He could watch her forever, and he was so entranced that he almost forgot his purpose in being here.

Aelin had left her bag on the table and Rowan did a final check to see if he’d be busted before he opened it. Luckily, her phone was still in there and he wouldn’t have to try and get it off her person. Rowan tapped in her passcode, a string of numbers he didn’t know the meaning of and he was in. The little red bubble on her text app showed more than 100 unread messages. There were two types of people in the world, he was one and Aelin was the other. He ignored the irrational irritation seeing that unattended notification gave him and kept to his task. Fenrys’ thread was near the top, the preview saying there was an image in the latest text.

Rowan braced himself, living with Fenrys for as long as he had, he’d seen the man naked a few times under various circumstances. But Rowan had the feeling this was about to be an entirely different experience. With one final farewell to his current sanity Rowan opened the message thread and trying his hardest not to look he swiped left for delete. It was an impossible feat, he needed his vision to get rid of the evidence. Even squinting, Rowan copped an eyeful of a full frontal nudity mirror shot, everything at the ready. If only mind bleach existed. The photo had just disappeared from existence on Aelin’s phone when a voice came from right next to him.

“What are you doing?”

Rowan started so hard he dropped the phone on the table, the clattering heard over the music. He frantically tried to get it back into his hand, checking for damage because the last thing he needed tonight was to smash Aelin’s screen. Caught red handed Rowan turned, finding the phone’s owner right next to him. Her expression was both curious and amused, and expectant of an answer.

“Uh…” That was embarrassingly the best that Rowan could do.

That only made one corner of Aelin’s mouth crook upwards as she lent on the table to get closer to him. “Why do you have my phone? And what were you doing just before I busted you?”

“Well, I can blame Fenrys for that, for everything actually,” Rowan offered lamely.

“Fenrys?” Aelin asked.

“Yeah, he needed a favour,” Rowan explained.

Aelin just looked more confused by the second. “What does that have to do with my phone?”

“You see—”

Rowan was interrupted by Dorian and Aedion returning to the table, drinks in hand. No one noticed the tension between him and Aelin, or the fact the phone was still in his hand. Conversation broke out around them, but neither joined in. Aelin just had him pinned with her turquoise eyes still waiting for her answer.

Leaning in, Rowan whispered, “I don’t think this is the right place for this,” he handed the phone back. “Can I tell you later?”

It seemed this was one thing that Aelin didn’t have the patience for. She took her phone from Rowan, and then with her unoccupied hand she twisted a fist into the hem of his shirt, dragging him off his stool, giving him no option but to follow her. There were questioning looks from just about everyone they passed, Aelin ignored them and Rowan did his best to as well. They made quite the sight with Aelin physically dragging him off to wherever she deemed an appropriate place to continue this conversation. She didn’t let go until they were outside, taking him around the corner so they were off the main street and in a little alleyway instead.

“All right, Whitethorn. Spill,” Aelin said, leaving him against the wall while she stood in front of him, hands on her hips. “Why were you going through my phone?”

Rowan was trapped, nowhere to go unless he could melt into the wall. “It’s a long story.”

“Oh, I’ve got time,” Aelin assured him.

With the wall at his back and the unrelenting force of a woman in front of him, Rowan truly felt like he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He might as well be honest about it.

“I was deleting a message from Fenrys. He accidentally sent you a nude, so he asked me to delete it before you could see it,” Rowan succinctly put it.

“That was mighty noble of him,” Aelin said, laughter shaking her voice. “And you might I add. I’m curious as to why he sent you, you aren’t always the most benevolent when it comes to Fen’s stupidity.”

Standing here in front of Aelin admitting his wrong doings had Rowan flustered, her outfit wasn’t helping matters either. He was distracted and rambling, and words just started spilling out of his mouth. “It wasn’t just for him, it was for me too. Fen’s knows I’m in love with you and he felt bad and—”

“Wait, what did you say?” Aelin’s hand darted out, landing on his chest.

“Shit…” That was when he realised what he’d said. That he’d dobbed himself in.

Aelin stepped closer, right into his personal space. She’d been this close to him a million times before, but this time it felt different. There was something charged between them. Rowan didn’t dare breathe, afraid to break whatever spell they were under. Aelin reached out the palm of her hand burning through his thin t-shirt.

“Rowan, what did you say?”

That long held breath shuddered out of him, there was nowhere for him to go, nowhere for him to hide. It was now or never, and if he lied to her, Aelin would know it in a second.

“I said I was in love with you.”

Aelin stared at him for a long moment, then there was a cluster of rapid blinks and she shook her head just a little bit. Rowan’s heart threatened to break, his mind imagining all the devastating sentences she might say. None of those came, instead she glanced up at him with an almost shy expression, if she could ever be called shy.

“I thought it was just me,” Aelin whispered.

The words were said so quietly Rowan couldn’t be sure if he’d heard them or imagined them. “What?”

Aelin’s answer was to reach for his t-shirt again, this time up near his collar and pulling him down. Soft and inviting lips met his, the shock of it melting away as Aelin’s tongue swept over his lips. He groaned, on hand on her hip and the other on the small of her back bringing her closer. Aelin came willingly, her body melting against his. When his hand slid up her back to the nape of her neck she sighed, letting him angle her head the exact way he wanted.

Kissing Aelin lived up to every expectation—and then some. His fantasties never did her justice, there was something about the way she kissed him. It was like walking into a wildfire and letting it consume you. Rowan couldn’t get enough. They only stopped when he had to come up for air. He didn’t let her get far though.

Rowan held her, his chin resting on her head. When she laughed Rowan pulled back kissing Aelin’s cheek before she looked up at him.

“I can’t believe it took Fenrys sending me a nude for us to finally admit our feelings,” she said, her laughter shaking her voice.

“That was also not on my list of possibilities,” Rowan agreed with a light chuckle. “His situation is not one I’d ever be caught in.”

Aelin drew back to look up at him. “Wait, you mean you’ve never sent a nude before.” When Rowan shook his head her eyebrows rose in surprise. “Seriously?”

“I… no. Is that weird?” Rowan was suddenly feeling a little self conscious.

“Well, no. Maybe a touch unusual,” Aelin admitted.

There was an implication floating between Aelin’s words, and it had his hand tightening ever so slightly on her hip. “You have?”

Aelin gave him a smirk that told him she knew exactly what realm his emotions had wandered off to. He was getting jealous. “Every now and then, always tasteful though.”

Through the teeth cracking tightness of his jaw all Rowan could manage was soft, “Oh.”

The poorly hidden display of his emotions made Aelin laugh and she was kissing him again. The worry fading from him as the reality of what was happening really set in. His. Aelin was well on her way to being his and it was so godsdamned stupid of him to be jealous. Rowan wouldn’t let anything ruin this moment.

“Will you come back in?” Aelin said onto his lips, like she couldn’t bear to pull away.

With Aelin’s body pressed against him like this it was a tempting offer. But he was tired, and unless it was just him and Aelin he didn’t particularly feel like socialising. Plus, this was new. Rowan didn’t know how he was supposed to act, he certainly wouldn’t be able to pretend things hadn’t changed. He would give them away in half a second. There would be questions and he and Aelin hadn’t even had a chance to talk about it properly.

“I’m gonna go home,” Rowan said, kissing her in between words. “But tomorrow, I promise.”

He didn’t exactly know what he was promising, but tomorrow they would figure everything out.

“Okay,” Aelin said.

When she stepped away Rowan’s body screamed in protest. He would go home, fall asleep, and make tomorrow come that much sooner. Aelin was outright grinning as she took a few steps backward, eyeing him up with intent. It had heat rushing to Rowan’s cheeks made worse when she winked suggestively at him.

“Make sure you keep your phone close. Who knows what kind of messages are flying around these days.”

Rowan didn’t know what to say to that, what to think about the promise she was hinting at between the lines. No matter what, Rowan wouldn’t let his phone drift too far. When Aelin was gone from sight and Rowan composed himself, sending a quick message to Fenrys to let him know his mission was accomplished before starting on his way back home, to wait, and his outlook on life that much brighter.

~~~~~

There is a very fun part two in the works *smirks* @rowaelinscourt

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

~ Rowaelin Month Day 15: What if…? ~

*cracks fingers* Alright. Let’s cause some trouble. An alternate end to Heir of Fire if you will. Italics at the start come from the book.

@rowaelinscourt

~~~~~

“I do. Until my last breath, and the world beyond. To whatever end.”

She would have paused then, asked him again if he really wanted to do this, but Maeve was still there, a shadow lurking behind them. That was why he had done it now, here—so Celaena could not object, could not try to talk him out of it.

It was such a Rowan thing to do, so pigheaded, that she could only grin as she drew the dagger across her wrist, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. She offered her arm to him.

With surprising gentleness, he took her wrist in his hands and lowered his mouth to her skin.

For a heartbeat, something lightning-bright snapped through her and then settled—a thread binding them, tighter and tighter with each pull Rowan took of her blood. Three mouthfuls—his canines pricking against her skin—and then he lifted his head, his lips shining with her blood, his eyes glittering and alive and full of steel.

There were no words to do justice to what passed between them in that moment…

~~~~~

“Quite a performance you’ve put on, Aelin,” Maeve drawled. There was something unsettling in her tone, something that had Celaena on edge. She had won this round against Maeve, outwitted and outplayed, leaving with everything that she wanted and could take. So why then was the Queen of fae so smug as she turned towards her throne, dark dress splaying elegantly as she sat down. “You’ve threatened to turn my people to ash, you’ve taken a member of my court, but you are still a child. Young to this world and the secrets it holds. You have your fire, but there are other powers you have yet to contend with.”

Rowan stepped closer, not in comfort but preparing to fight. Celeana was his to protect now and she did not doubt that he would put himself in harm's way to defend her. The slightest hint of threat from the Queen and he would use his body to protect Celaena first, then whatever else he could get his hands on.

“I have something for you, Rowan,” Maeve said, a spider’s smile on her lips. “A parting gift.”

“I want nothing,” Rowan said, his voice strong but breathless. The injuries inflicted by the twins were still unattended and would be incredibly painful no matter how hard he tried to ignore it.

“Oh, I think you will want this,” Maeve said. Without turning to the other males in the room she commanded, “Leave us.”

The five of them did, silent and without expression as they obeyed. Without her cadre Maeve was no less of a threat, both Celaena and Rowan stood at the ready, waiting for whatever she decided to strike with next. Maeve stood and there was a silent demand to follow.

Do we? Aelin asked, glancing up at Rowan.

Her blood was still on his lips, the sight of it almost disappearing as he contemplated. I’m unsure.

But you want to.

Rowan nodded once. I’m curious to see what it is.

That was all the answer that Celaena needed. She took Rowan’s hand and followed after Maeve who had kept walking, knowing they would come. After a while Maeve led them to a door, behind it a narrow hallway and staircase that went down. Their footsteps echoed on the stone steps, none of them speaking. Behind her Rowan’s breaths turned ragged and Celaena wished that she could take the time to heal him.

They came to another door, made of wood and looked ancient. Maeve laid her palm on it, murmuring soft words that were followed by a ripple of power. The door opened and beyond was a room, the darkness inside pitch black. Still holding onto Rowan, Celaena held up her other hand, flames blazing. Not deterred by the dark, Maeve stepped into the room, disappearing from sight. Looking to Rowan one more time for confirmation, hand in hand, they entered the dark together.

At first even with her fae sight Celaena couldn’t see anything. It took a few moments to adjust to the shadows that seemed to fight against her fire. And then in the centre of the room something glimmered. A silver surface reflected the flames. From what Celeana could garner from the outline she could see, the object was rectangular and about the length of a body. Her gut sunk as she realised what it was: a coffin. She threw her flames wide, illuminating the entire room. Something was very wrong, Celaena could feel it.

“Thank you niece,” Maeve said, voice echoing in the domed room. “It has been centuries since they last saw light.”

Celeana’s sight adjusted again, and she couldn't decipher much besides the fact that whatever it was on the dais was made of glass. Letting go of her hand Rowan stepped around her to get closer and between her and the potential threat. The sight of his ravaged back had bile rising in Celeana’s throat and her flames burning brighter as her anger flared. She’d kill Maeve for that— and all her other sins.

Then Rowan stumbled, but not from pain. He seemed to be caught between lunging forward and reeling back. “How?”

“Fae children are precious, even to me,” Maeve said.

Celaena doubted anything was sacred to Maeve, but the words had made her curious. It took three steps to get to Rowan’s side and she was able to see through the glass. He was utterly still, staring at what was in front of them, an unreadable expression on his face. Celaena followed that gaze to see what Maeve had deigned to gift the Prince.

Oh gods.

The coffin was made up of panes of glass, each piece joined with ornate streams of silver. The beauty of it was startling, a work of art, but what held Celaena’s unwavering interest was what was inside. Of who was inside.

There was a fae female, her brown hair splayed out on the pillow beneath her head. She looked as though she was asleep, dressed in a white flowing gown embroidered with flowers made from an iridescent thread. The female didn’t hold Celaena’s attention for long, because there, tucked into the crook of the female’s arm was an infant. The child was small, tiny hands tucked under their chin. They too looked as though they were asleep, peaceful and frozen in time.

Celeana watched for signs of life. Both figures were unmoving, eyes closed and still. All her focus went into searching for something—anything—that would prove they were alive. The hold Rowan had on himself broke and he lunged forward, his hand splaying on the glass, residue of blood tarnishing the glass. He was watching with the same intensity Celaena was, even more so. Maeve’s soft venomous laughter echoed through the room, filling it. Only she could be amused by something as cruel as this.

Then there it was. The thump of two heartbeats, perfectly in sync, slow and quiet. The temperature plummeted and Rowan’s entire body shuddered in relief and he fell to his knees.

Celaena didn’t need to be told who lay in the coffin. This was Lyria Whitethorn, Rowan’s mate, who’s tragic story was inked into his skin. And the child was theirs and she wondered if they would be blessed with the Whitetorn silver hair. Celaena tried to process what she was seeing, what this would mean for her and Rowan and their journey forward. An agonised sob torn through the quiet of the room as snowflakes glittered in the air. At that sound, Celeana found that her heart was broken too.

“A reward for all your years of dedicated service, Rowan,” Maeve said, coming to stand on the opposite side of the coffin. “Your family.”

~~~~~

……. Yes I felt like breaking hearts

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Rowaelin Month Day 2: Idiots in Love

When I think of idiots in loveI really do think of this au. And the idiocy really comes out in this. If you remember that fic idea I floated about not writing but then decided to write anyway *wink* it’s this one. CW: smut

~~~~~

Rowan reclined in Aelin’s bed, reading over the latest email Fenrys had sent him. His newest book was days away from being on the shelves and that meant the promotional bullshit was about to pick up in a big way. First and foremost was the book tour Rowan was leaving for in three days. There was a list full of times, flights and locations Rowan needed to be aware of. He’d handed over all the social media stuff for pre-release, knowing it was essential for good sales and all that, but besides a few prerecorded reels Rowan wasn’t a keen participant. Book tours were another beast entirely, in person he’d have no choice but to interact. It would be all kinds of exhausting.

For a good few months he would be touring cities across continents, talking about and signing his books. It was starting locally but then he’d be flying to Rifthold, then over to Wendlyn. He had never liked the public side of things, but for the sake of his success he suffered through it. Conventions had been fine because it usually came with a few rounds of verbal sparring with Aelin—which was always a highlight. The travel and time away had always been a non-issue, Rowan had never been overly attached to one place. Because previously he’d been single and unhappy, and the change in scenery had offered him mild excitement. This time was different. This time he was leaving Aelin behind.

Aelin had her own schedule to keep. She was in the thick of writing her next novel and her turn-in deadline was approaching. The best she could do was visit him for a weekend here and there. Other than that they were spending most of the next three months apart. Rowan hated that, he was so in love with her, and borderline obsessed in the most healthy way. Even a few days away from her was hard as it is. The prospect of it being months was torture.

The source of his travelling anguish appeared in the doorway, hands behind her back and a scheming look on her face. Aelin was dressed in one of his shirts, her new favourite attire, but he noted that she’d done her hair and makeup. Odd, because they had no plans on going out today. She already had a collection of shirts in her drawers but always seemed to take another when she visited his townhouse. Rowan might have to buy more before he left on his trip because he didn’t like his chances of getting them back.

“What are you up to?” He asked, discarding his phone on the bed.

Aelin’s smile turned a little more wicked and she took a step into her bedroom, rocking playfully on her feet. “I’ve had an idea.”

”Yeah?” Rowan asked cautiously. There was something afoot here, and he had no idea what it was.

“I’ll miss you while you’re gone.” Another step. “I think I’ve found something to ease the pain of it.”

Rowan hesitated as he tried to figure out what it might be—he came up blank. “How so?”

Biting her lip Aelin presented her prize from behind her back. It was a cylinder and Rowan tilted his head to read the writing along the label. His stomach dropped when the words registered in his brain.

Clone-a-Willy.

“No.” The protest came out immediately.

Aelin’s face fell in disappointment. “Why not?”

“I am not putting my—” the thought was abhorrent. “I’m not putting myself in that.”

“You don’t even know how it works,” Aelin whined, sitting on the foot of the bed.

“I don’t need to know, I can guess and it can’t be good,” Rowan said.

Aelin sighed, rolling the abomination over her palms. “Come on, Rowan. I read a bunch of reviews and it doesn’t seem that bad. Please, for me. It’ll be fun.”

“I’m still very sceptical and not willing,” Rowan hedged.

His ever persistent girlfriend only sighed, yanked the lid off the tube with a pop, and tipped contents out onto the bed. There were two tubs of something—one bright green—a thing that looked like a tube of lipstick, a thermometer, a small wooden stick and some kind of cloth. Aelin picked up the folded booklet which was no doubt the instructions, glancing through them before handing them over.

“See, nothing to it,” she assured him.

Shooting her a disbelieving glare he took the instructions and started reading. Aelin might be confident, but Rowan was not. With each line he read that little scrap of confidence hidden somewhere inside him dissipated a little more.

Measure and cut the tube, mix the mould solution, stick penis into the tube, wait at least two minutes before removing.

“Aelin—”

“I’m begging you, Rowan,” Aelin interrupted, giving him her best doe-eyed expression. “I promise to make your cooperation worthwhile.”

He looked at his girlfriend’s face and the myriad of sinful things she promised there. Two minutes. He would suffer for two minutes and then who knew what his rewards might be. Rowan was considering it, and Aelin was quick to swoop in when she saw him wavering.

“It’ll be fun,” she said cheerfully, then rectified when he shot her a look full of doubt. “I mean, it’ll be something fun for me. Keep you in my thoughts while you’re away.”

Rowan scoffed. “When you put it that way.”

Aelin patted his arm. “Just remember, lots of rewards for you.”

She played dirty, climbing over him, encouraging him to lie back and kissing him. It was a heady and dirty kind of kiss, full of salacious promises. She pressed her body against him, grinding on his lap while her tongue flicked at the inside of his mouth. Rowan was already half hard when she pulled back.

“Please,” she whispered, kissing him again.

Rowan’s hands were tight on her hips, his head dropping back as he groaned. He always found it so hard to deny her. “Fine.”

Aelin sat up, squealing as she clapped her hands in utter delight. A moment later she was off him and dashing out the bedroom door. He heard the thudding of footsteps and a cupboard opening, and then Aelin was back, a towel and a bowl in her hands.

“First reward you get right now.”

Rowan was about to ask what it was when Aelin simply grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it over her head. Underneath she wore a golden lacy lingerie set.

“This wasn’t a spur of the moment thing, then?” Rowan said, eyes roving, taking in every detail. “And you knew I’d say yes.”

“When do you ever say no?” Aelin stated matter of factly, adding her new supplies to the pile and kneeling on the bed. “All right loverboy, clothes off.”

Arguing would get him nowhere, so he did as he was commanded. Shirt first, and then his sweatpants. When he was done, Aelin threw the towel over to him.

“Put this under you, don’t want to ruin my bedding,” she explained. “That one is covered in bleach stains, I don’t mind the sacrifice.”

Aelin picked up the instructions again, and while she read Rowan took the opportunity to enjoy the view. The rich gold of the set was a lovely contrast against the sun kissed tan of her skin. The briefs sat high on her hips, all lace except for a satin panel at the front. The bra had two thin decorative straps that ran over the top of her cleavage, meeting in the middle. It was longer and covered more of her torso than some of her other pieces, but it was just as sexy. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on her—or his lips. The best he could do right now was resting a hand on her thigh, drawing idle patterns while she concentrated. When she shivered it took a lot of restraint not to take it further up her thigh.

“Step one, we need to trim the tube,” Aelin declared.

“Please tell me that’s not a euphemism,” Rowan muttered, rubbing a hand over his face and those nerves started to return.

Aelin snorted, but then picked up the clear tube that everything in the kit had come in. “No, we need to make sure this is the right size and you need to be hard. Do you want to do the honours, or shall I?”

Never one to miss the opportunity to have his girlfriend’s hands on him, Rowan chose the latter. “You.”

The makeout and seeing Aelin in her new get up still had him half hard. It wouldn’t take much for him to get all the way there. Aelin smiled, crawling back over him. Her hands tickled up his thighs, not deterring from their goal though. Rowan held his breath as her hand closed around him, pumping slowly. Aelin’s tits looked amazing from this angle, hanging heavy against the lace. Unable to keep from touching her, Rowan’s hand made its own journey, starting at her ass, heavy with enough pressure to have her body bowing closer to him. His fingers threaded in her loose hair, urging her down for a kiss. All the while she kept pumping him, his cock thickening with every pass.

“Feels so fucking good,” Rowan groaned.

“You there?” Aelin whispered onto his lips.

When Rowan nodded she was gone a second later, that godsdamned instructions back in her hand. Then she picked up the tube and a marker and held it next to his hard cock. Marking a line she then cut it with a pair of scissors that game from gods knew where. She really had come prepared. Aelin nodded at her handiwork and smiled to herself. Then she was up, ready to take on the next step.

“Time for the mould that I’ll mix in the bathroom. And put this on.” This time it was a little tub that Aelin threw at him, beige with a blue lid. “It will stop any hair getting, ah… caught.”

“What?” Rowan spluttered, but Aelin was already gone.

She was headed into the bathroom, bowl and a few pieces from the kit in hand, and that gave Rowan a chance to admire the outfit from behind. Turns out it wasn’t a full thong, triangles of lace hugged the curve of her ass. And he had thought it couldn’t get any better. Rowan heard the water start running and guessed he should do his part. He pulled the lid off the tub of Vaseline and smoothed a decent amount over and around his erection. Only a few minutes later Aelin was out of the bathroom, the tube full of the moulding liquid.

“Sit up and let’s do this,” she said with determined excitement.

Rowan sat up, making sure to keep the towel under him. Aelin was eager as anything as she stood in front of him. “First, this.” She rolled a rubber cock ring down the length of him. “I read that it lessens the mess.”

“Did your research, did you?” His voice was tight as Aelin played with him once she was done.

“Absolutely. These are high stakes. You ready for the fun part?” She ended her question with a squeeze.

Rowan groaned. “I think you and I have a different definition of fun.”

“Don’t be a baby, you’ve come this far,” Aelin said, hiding her amusement very poorly.

“So, what? I just stick it in?”

She nodded. “That’s what the instructions say. Ready?”

It was now or never. Aelin pumped him again, just to help him recover while they had their discussion. Rowan was feeling nervous, and to give him some resolve he looked over Aelin again, reminding himself that he just needed to last two minutes and then the real fun could begin.

Closing his eyes, Rowan bit the bullet. “Just do it.”

Any hesitancy Rowan felt, Aelin outweighed it by ten fold with her resolve. She went for it, taking his dick in her hand and angling it right before sliding him in. It was cold and slimy, and felt disgusting. But he just kept sliding in until the end of the tube met the cock ring.

“Set timer, two minutes,” Aelin said.

Opening his eyes Rowan saw her drop the phone on the bed. Aelin was smiling like she was having the best time, curious eyes watching the tube that was encasing his dick. Contemplating that had him visibly cringing.

“No! You have to stay hard or this won’t work,” Aelin said in a panic, no doubt seeing the look on his face. “What can I do?”

Rowan’s brain scrambled for a second, trying to find something. “Talk to me, touch me. The best you can anyway.”

“It’s so fucking hot you doing this for me,” Aelin said, her voice sultry, not wasting any time and cutting right to the chase. “I love your cock so much, I know it won’t be anything like the real thing though.”

It was working, but he needed more. An idea struck him and he took hold of the tube. “I got this, you get up here.”

He lay back and it took a second for Aelin to catch on to what he meant. She crawled up the bed, her knees resting above Rowan’s shoulders. As Aelin used the headboard to hover over his face, Rowan used his free hand to pull her underwear to the side, baring her sex.

“Keep talking, Aelin. Tell me what you’re going to do while I’m away and you’re here without me,” Rowan said, then he was on her.

Aelin moaned loudly as his tongue played with her clit, her hips dropping lower. That sound was enough to have his mind ignoring the discomfort around his dick, so he did it again, and again, just to hear how much Aelin loved what he was doing. Rowan hummed, and that had Aelin gasping, hips rolling over his mouth.

Pressing a chaste kiss to where she was most sensitive Rowan said, “I can’t hear you Aelin.”

“Fuck, Rowan,” she sighed. “I’ll use it every night, thinking of you.”

Rowan hummed again, encouragingly, urging her to keep going.

“I’ll think of you, how big you are,” each word was laboured, like it was a struggle to get the words out and keep her mind straight. “How perfect you feel inside me.”

“More, Aelin,” Rowan growled on her clit,

The moan of pleasure Aelin let out told Rowan she was close to breaking. Having her ride his face was utterly distracting and his sole goal now was to make her come. A beeping went off—Aelin’s phone—but there was no way he was stopping now.

“I’ll fuck myself with it,” Aelin manged through her heavy panting, her voice shaking and much as her body was. “Just like you do, so deep. It won’t feel as perfect as you, but I’ll be thinking of you every second.”

Rowan sucked, then rolled his tongue over that bundle over nerves and that was all it took. Aelin’s moan was closer to a scream, her hips undulating with each pulsing wave of her orgasm. Rowan kept up his ministrations until Aelin all but fell away from him, a panting mess on the bed beside him. Through heavy lidded eyes, she glanced at him, and a second later she was rolling over and kissing him. Aelin hummed as Rowan ran his hands over her body until her brain cleared enough that she stopped her phone beeping.

“That was certainly one way to pass the time,” she said playfully. “Should we see how our little experiment went?”

Rowan snorted, his attention redirected to the particularly uncomfortable situation he was experiencing. “I wouldn’t call it little.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Aelin replied as she straddled his thighs.

That made Rowan laugh, laying back on the bed so Aelin could get this done with and he’d be free. He’d done his part, gone along with his girlfriend’s whim and suffered through the discomfort. Now he was ready for it to be over. He felt a tug on his dick, not one that felt particularly great. Then another one. On the third the mould still wasn’t budging. Rowan raised his head a fraction and looked down to see Aelin peering at the white filled tube sticking straight up in the air.

“What?”

Aelin cleared her throat, looking no less beautiful in her get up as she bit her lip. “It’s stuck.”

Immediately Rowan reached down and gave it a tug himself. Oh fucking gods it did not move. Rowan’s heart was pounding and he was sweating. This was not happening.

“This was a stupid idea,” Rowan said. He twisted the mould but the only thing he succeeded in was hurting himself. “Did we leave it on for too long?”

“You’re fine, you big baby.” Aelin was trying to play it off but he could still hear the slight nervousness to her tone.

“You should have got a bigger size,” Rowan all but groaned.

There was an ill disguised snort from Aelin. “This was the biggest size.”

Despair was taking him. This was what hell was like.

Meanwhile, Aelin was trying again, and his dick—the stupid appendage that it was—couldn’t figure out that this was not the time to be getting turned on by her touch. It didn’t help that she looked like a literal goddess kneeling over him.

“Stop touching it, you’re making it worse!”

This time Aelin outright laughed. “I never thought I’d hear those words.”

Rowan rubbed his hands over his face. “Aelin, please. I was doing this for you and now neither of us will have my dick.”

“You’re being dramatic,” Aelin said, and for some unknown reason thought it was a good idea to rub a soothing hand over his stomach. His traitorous dick twitched in response, the weight of the godsdamned mould a strange sensation.

“You’ve ruined it, it’s useless,” Rowan bemoaned.

“I stand by my previous statement,” Aelin said. When Rowan raised his head up enough to shoot her a baleful glare she lifted her hands in surrender. “I’ll leave you, I can see my presence is not helping.”

Rowan closed his eyes and felt the bed dip as Aelin left. With the reason for his current predicament gone, Rowan turned his thoughts to the unsexiest things he could conjure up. Getting stuck in traffic, the smell of overripe bananas, that time Lorcan got an infection in his big toenail. Rowan pictured all those things and tried to keep his breathing calm. He needed the adrenaline rush to wear off, not just from his panic but from giving Aelin head. That was the wrong thought to stray to, now Rowan had to think of even more gross things.

It took a while but his heart beat started to slow and he wasn’t sweating anymore. Rowan had never felt such immense relief when he felt the weight of the plaster filled tube dip as his dick finally decided to syphon off some of the blood flow. As soon as it fully landed on his stomach Rowan went to pull it off. There was some residence, but with some slight twisting he was free.

“Thank you Mala,” Rowan sighed in relief.

Curiosity got the better of him and he looked inside. He couldn’t particularly see much except a dick shaped hole. The temptation to throw it across the room was strong, just for the spite of it. Rowan really had seen his life flash before his eyes.

“Still in one piece, I see.”

Aelin had appeared in the doorway, her gold clad body leaning on the frame, like nothing had gone amiss.

“You owe me,” Rowan said, dropping the cloning mould on the bed. He’d be happy to never see it again.

With a grin Aelin retrieved it. “We’re established that. Go have a shower and I’ll finish this off.”

Rowan wasn’t going to argue with that. He left Aelin to do whatever the next heinous step was and went into the ensuite. This shower was much nicer than his and the taps rotated so much smoother. It wasn’t long before he found the perfect temperature and stepped under, letting the pounding water pressure Aelin was so proud of wash away any remnants feelings of his discomfort.

The shower did him good—Rowan cooled down in more ways than one. After getting over the shock of getting his dick stuck in a plastic tube he could see the merit in Aelin’s plan, for her at least. He’d be gone for months and she would be alone while she wrote. It was unlikely that they would get much time to see each other in person. It would be phone calls and video chats. Rowan wouldn’t be touching her body, wouldn’t be able to feel her. Gods knew it would be torture. Could he blame her for taking a more creative initiative?

Rowan turned the water off, not wanting to waste any more of the limited time he had left with Aelin before he had to leave. Dressed in nothing but a towel, he found Aelin lounging in bed, still wearing that set that had kept him hard through his ordeal. All evidence of the cloning fiasco was gone, something he was very glad of. Aelin looked stunning, that self satisfied smirk only enhancing her already beautiful face. She was a menace, but she was his menace.

Already Rowan’s body was reacting, he could feel the fabric of the towel brushing against his cock as it hardened. It took a moment for Aelin to notice him, her eyes drinking in the expanse of his bare chest.

She sat up, leaning on one hand so her golden hair cascading over her shoulder. “Am I forgiven yet?”

Rowan untucked the towel and let it fall away, watching as Aelin’s eyes flared with desire. He crawled over to her, Aelin drifting towards the bed as crept up her body. She was waiting for him to take what he needed, so patient even though Rowan knew she wanted this just as much as he did.

“I have a feeling I will be,” Rowan said, voice low and he loved seeing the way his words made Aelin shiver.

In the end, Rowan decided that he had suffered enough today and he wasn’t going to prolong it any further. His hand started on Aelin’s neck, then traced a path lower, covering her breast before it tightened there. Aelin’s mouth opened on a silent moan, her body arching towards him. Rowan dropped his mouth to her other breast, teasing her through the fabric. Aelin sighed, her hands tight in his hair.

Any other time Rowan might have drawn this out—played Aelin’s body perfectly until she was sighing his name over and over again. But today, Rowan found he didn’t have the patience. He reached under Aelin’s body and unclasped her bra, then he was helping her out of his underwear.

“Roll over for me, Aelin,” he said onto the skin right over her heart.

With a coy smile, Aelin did as he requested. Rowan ran a hand down the length of her back, and then up, brushing golden tresses out of the way. Then he lent over Aelin's body, kissing her shoulder and neck, teeth grazing as he went.

“Are you ready for me?”

Aelin nodded but Rowan decided to investigate for himself. Dragging his hand between her body and the sheets, he touched his way down until his thumb brushed over Aelin’s clit. She moaned, her hands fisting in the sheets. Just going a little bit lower Rowan found the evidence he sought.

“You are. Aren’t you,” Rowan growled, a finger dipping inside. “So wet, so ready to take me.”

“Oh, fuck. Rowan.” Aelin all but moaned his name. “Yes, gods yes.”

Just for a few indulgent moments Rowan teased, easing in out, applying pressure to places that had Aelin gasping. His cock twitched with every sound, getting almost painfully hard. That didn't seem fair after everything Rowan had been through in the last half hour, and Aelin seemed to think so too. She reached under the pillow in front of her and held up the condom between two fingers.

No hesitation and it was only moments before Rowan was ready and lining himself up. Aelin was eager, bracing herself on her elbows and pressing back.

“Come on, Rowan. I know you want to,” Aelin taunted, her voice husky, betraying how far gone she was.

“Anything for you,” Rowan promised and slid in.

Their moans filled the room as Rowan sank as far as he could go. He had one on her hip and the other was at the base of Aelin’s neck, tangling in her hair. After that it was too easy to fall into the rhythm that he knew would have them desperate for release. With each flex of his hips he could feel Aelin coiling tighter and tighter, every moan sharp and wanton. Rowan wasn’t quiet either, groaning as he felt her inner wall flutter around him, begging him for more. And Rowan gave it, he kept going until Aelin was screaming his name, her body going taught before she came, her hips dragging her over his cock relentlessly enough that it had him following right after.

Aelin went limp once they stilled, falling to the mattress completely when Rowan pulled out. He dealt with the condom and was back moments later, pulling Aelin into his arms. She sighed as she settled on his chest and Rowan kissed her head.

“I’m going to miss you,” she said sadly. “My home will be lonely without you.”

Rowan was quiet for a moment, a thought weaving through his mind. He was hesitant to voice it, but the longer he thought about it, the more it made sense.

“What if it doesn’t have to be?”

Aelin propped herself up so she could look at him, expression confused. “What?”

“What I mean is,” Rowan reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind Aelin’s ear. “How about when I get back, I move in.”

“You mean it?” Aelin asked, eyes bright.

“I mean yeah, unless you want to move into my place,” Rowan shrugged.

Aelin lent her cheek on his chest, her smile beaming up at him. “Nah, my place is better. But you can definitely bring your library ladder though.”

Rowan laughed and lent down to kiss his wickedly funny girlfriend. She met him halfway, her hand cradling his cheek.

“If we learnt anything from today,” Rowan said, pulling back just enough so their lips still brushed. “Your wish is my command.”

~~~~~

I laughed so hard reading this one. Thanks for reading!

Tagging @rowaelinscourt

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Day 1 of Rowaelin Month! I thought it might be fun to revisit this one for Long Distance Surprise. Head over to @rowaelinscourt for more Rowaelin Month goodness.

~ Masterlist Pending ~

~~~~~

Aelin knew what she was getting into when she decided to enter a relationship with a global singing superstar. She was no stranger to fame herself with her highly successful talk show and it had been what had brought her and Rowan together in the first place. It still didn’t make certain aspects any easier. She could brush off the constant rumours plastered on the front of the tabloids, the lies for a quick sell didn’t bother her. They were both old hands when it came to the lack of privacy and they did the best they could in that regard. It was the time spent apart that took its toll, now more than ever. 

They were newlyweds and they were having a baby, a time they should have been basking in their overabundant love. But instead Aelin was alone and absolutely miserable about it.

This pregnancy wasn’t planned and that came with some obstacles. Rowan still had obligations, locked in months in advance, and he had done his best to work his way out of the non-essential ones. After they’d had their fun with the stunt on Aelin’s show they’d taken a fortnight off work. Those two blissful weeks were far too short and then Rowan had needed to leave for a tour in Rifthold. For more than a month Aelin had been moping around, missing her husband and trying not to think about how sad she was.  

Rowan hated it too. He was very vocal about his displeasure and the tirade he’d directed at Lorcan in their living room the night before he left had been one for the history books. Lorcan, the levelled headed manager than he was, calmly explained Rowan was under contractual obligations and the fallout from breaking those was not worth it. Rowan was ready to throw the remainder of his career out the window, but Aelin had managed to convince him that they could survive a few months, there was no reason to risk giving up doing what he loved. Right now Aelin had regrets about her practicality. 

She was alone in her dressing room, the call to be out on the soundstage was in about 15 minutes. The phone call she’d had with Rowan this morning had left her in tears and she could still feel the lingering effects. It was usually a video call, but Rowan explained he didn’t have enough service for it to work properly. He ran on her schedule so sometimes he only had a few minutes. Aelin had got used to seeing his face and giving him a bump update, soaking in his words of pure adoration he had for her and their baby. This morning she’d missed that, luckily she had been able to keep it together until she hung up the phone. As soon as the red button had been pushed Aelin had promptly burst into tears. Her face still felt puffy and her eyes felt heavy. If she didn’t have work to do she’d just sleep. 

It was the hormones, she was sure of it. They had to be the reason she was so teary all the time. Everything set her off, just last week one of her guests had told a story how they missed out on their favourite doughnuts and Aelin had been reaching for the tissues. That had been embarrassing to say the least and it had taken a lot of placating and a spicy kind of call with Rowan to make her feel better.

Just like that and her thoughts were back on Rowan. Aelin looked up to the mirror in front of her and watched as her eyes mist up her reflection, threatening to ruin the make-up that had just been finished. She had to pull herself together. Another hour and a half and she could hide in here, lock her door and cry her eyes out. Then she would go home and eat an entire block of chocolate and wait for her evening phone call with Rowan. It was as easy as that. Aelin stood, snapping a photo of herself and the bump, another ritual for her and Rowan while they suffered through this hellish long distance separation. The flower bouquet on her vanity that Rowan sent her every week was starting to wilt, she was more than confident another one would appear today. She was surprised it hadn’t already. 

By some miracle Aelin had made it through the whole show without shedding a tear despite her horrid mood. The segment on the local animal shelter had pushed her close to breaking, but she held out. Phone in hand, Aelin was headed back to her dressing room, ready to try and call Rowan despite knowing he wouldn’t be available. When the message tone pinged Aelin excitedly flipped the screen into view, hoping it was a text from her husband. It wasn’t. It was a reminder from her doctor about her scan appointment tomorrow. 

She was meant to get it when she was closer to 20 weeks, not 23 weeks that she was now. But Aelin, miserable and busy as she was, had been delaying it. Now her doctor was insisting and there was no real reason for Aelin to delay any longer. It was routine and the doctor had no real concerns so she hadn’t felt too guilty in waiting. Of course she had wanted Rowan to be there, and that might have been part of the subconscious reasoning behind her avoidant actions. This unfortunately was one of the sacrifices they had to make. It wasn’t like he was missing the birth and he promised he’d be able to video call her through the whole thing. They were meant to find out the gender, and that was a moment Aelin had wanted to share in real life. 

The first thing she noticed walking into her dressing room was the giant bouquet of kingsflame obstructing her mirror. It was damn hard to miss, even with the smallest of glances that she given the room. With a heavy sigh she turned and locked the dressing room door ready to follow through with her plan so that she could wallow in peace. 

“Locking the door without even knowing I'm in here?”

Aelin whiled, hand going to her stomach. Rowan was sitting on her couch, arm draped along the back of it and looking devastatingly handsome and right there. Not a grainy image, not a voice through a phone, the man was physically in her dressing room. 

“Should I be worried about your lapse in personal security?” he raised a brow at her, the corner of his mouth following. “Or did someone give me away?”

“Rowan?” Aelin said she didn’t know why it came out like a question, like maybe she had fallen asleep and was dreaming. 

“Aelin,” he said far too smoothly, his eyes darting over her. She saw the way his gaze softened when it landed on her stomach. 

They were locked in that moment for a heartbeat and then Aelin was striding forward as fast as she could manage. Rowan was on his feet a second later waiting to catch her once she threw her phone on the couch cushions. Aelin threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest, breathing him in and just so happy to be holding him. Rowan’s arms gently wound around her too, and he pressed a single kiss to her head before resting his chin there. 

“What are you doing here?” Aelin asked, voice thick and tears already falling.

Rowan’s hands were gentle as he cupped her cheeks, wiping away the dampness from her cheeks. “It’s the scan tomorrow, I couldn’t miss that.”

Aelin broke completely, a sob shaking her entire body. Rowan just held her, running soothing hands down her back. He knew she just needed to let it out, he would wait. Her ever patient husband was everything she needed right now. 

“Come on, love. Let’s sit down,” Rowan insisted after a while. 

Aelin’s laugh came out on a bit of a choke, it had been five minutes and he was already fussing. Rowan sat down first, helping Aelin to ease down with him. She did the best she could to sit so she was facing him but her bump was making it a little difficult to get her legs how she wanted them. When she managed to get comfortable Aelin sighed, smoothing a hand over her dress. Rowan tracked the movement, his hand reaching out and resting on her stomach.

“You’ve gotten so big,” Rowan said, awe in his voice. If it hadn’t been for his pure amazement Aelin might have hit him, but he quickly realised his mistake, glancing up with a shy smile. “You know what I mean.”

She did. The last time she had seen Rowan, Aelin was really just starting to pop. Now she had a defined 23 week old bump. There had been some necessary wardrobe updates and she only saw more in the imminent future.

Aelin was never more thankful for her choice of couch. The seat was deep and the cushions were soft—it made her impending plans all that much easier. Tired of being so far away from Rowan, she shuffled over and despite the baby between them she manoeuvred herself to sit straddling his lap. Rowan was more than accommodating, helping her until they were both comfortable. It was a little difficult but thanks to Rowan’s hulkish size it made things easier, and Aelin managed to rest her head on his shoulder. 

“I missed you so much,” she sighed. 

“I missed you too,” Rowan said. 

Then he tilted her head up and kissed her and Aelin was cursing herself for crying and not getting to this sooner. She ran her hands over his shoulders, his neck, wanting him closer like she would never have to let him go again. Rowan wasn’t idle either, his hands were a heavy presence on her thighs, holding her steady as she took everything she needed from him. Aelin could feel the scratch of his stubble under her fingers and her lips as she kissed a path to his neck. She would have kept going but the baby moving startled her out of her plans.

Aelin sat back, hand on her stomach. “That still feels so weird.”

Rowan’s hand followed to cover hers. “I still won’t be able to feel it, right?”

”Not for a couple more weeks, but I know that won’t stop you from trying,” Aelin said. 

The smile that Rowan gave her had Aelin’s heart lodging in her throat and she was crying again.

“I’m fine,” Aelin assured her husband before he started fussing again. “It’s the hormones, I’m crying at everything these days.”

Rowan’s chuckle was light, refraining from wording the teasing that was in his eye. Then his expression turned thoughtful, head tilting as he looked at the door. 

“Why did you lock the door?” He asked. “You’ve never bothered before and we’ve been interrupted so many times. We have literally traumatised Lorcan.”

Aelin couldn’t look her husband in the eye and hoped he didn’t notice the flush on her cheeks. Being caught out about her crying session shouldn’t be this embarrassing. But she was so dedicated to keeping up the appearance that she was one hundred percent okay while he was away, she didn’t want him to know about this. 

“Aelin,” Rowan said, the name half scolding and half pleading. 

Aelin sighed, her head tilting to the ceiling. “I locked it so no one would walk in on me crying my eyes out.”

”Fireheart,” Rowan said sadly, like that admission broke his heart. 

“I just missed you so much.” Aelin looked at him and brought her hands to rest on his shoulders. “I just needed a good cry to make myself feel better.”

“Well, I’m here now,” Rowan said resolutely before his voice dropped lower in a way that had Aelin leaning closer on instinct. “Let me make you feel better.”

This time when Rowan kissed her, Aelin held nothing back. Nothing would distract them now, not when they were about to get utterly lost in each other. Today might not have started out terribly, but it was ending much better than Aelin could have ever predicted.

~~~~~

Thanks for reading!

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Here’s a little update, with the tiniest little bit of insight (and I only went over by two words!). Thanks @throneofglassmicrofics for this prompt, I went with BACKPACK.

~ Masterlist ~

~~~~~

Rowan pulled into his driveway, glad to be done with his day at work. Tonight he was treating himself to takeout, mainly due to the fact he hadn’t been bothered to stop by the grocery store on the way home. So he’d decided takeout with delivery would be the way to go. Locking the car, Rowan went down to check the mailbox before heading inside to the warmth of his small, but efficient, fireplace.

On his way down a car pulled into the driveway next door. It wasn't his neighbour, her car was already parked further up, so this silver sedan was a mystery. Trying not to be overly curious, Rowan didn’t pay the newcomer much mind, just retrieving the few letters he had. They were mostly bills and a slip to collect a package. Nothing too exciting to spice his comfortable monotony.

Then the calm evening was shattered by the sound of wailing. That sound would get anyone’s attention and Rowan turned to see a woman trying to get the youngest neighbour out of the car. It was easy to piece together who the woman was and he recalled seeing her a few times before. With the greying golden hair and the striking eyes, it was clear this woman was the mother/grandmother. There was some gentle shushing and placating, then the baby was out—and not at all happy about it.

Rowan started his way back to his house just as the woman popped the boot and pulled something out, quickly losing hold of it as it fell to the ground with a resounding thud.

“Damn,” the woman said, loud enough that carried over the baby’s fussing.

Looking over properly Rowan’s saw a backpack on the ground, contents spilling out. He was moving before he was thinking, scooping up a bottle, packet of wipes and two pacifiers in little protective cases. When he went to put the things back he saw why it had fallen in the first place. One of the straps was broken.

Instead Rowan gripped it by the top and offered it with the unbroken strap. “Here you go.”

“Thank you so much,” the woman said emphatically, taking the bag. “I’ve got my hands full as you can see.”

“I can,” Rowan agreed with a small smile.

“I’m Evalin, by the way. And I’m sure you’ve met your neighbour.”

Rowan managed to hold back on the derisive scoff. “Not exactly.”

“Oh, well this is Marigold,” Evalin said, pressing a kiss to the child’s head.

Marigold still didn’t look happy, there were still tear tracks on her cheeks as she glared up at Rowan. Still, he offered her a smile. “Nice to meet you, Marigold.”

All she did was turn her face away, which was the baby equivalent of flipping him off.

“She’s very grumpy at the moment,” Evalin explained. “Even a night at Grandma’s didn’t help.”

“Poor thing,” Rowan sympathised.

“Thanks again for your help, Rowan. I should get this little one inside,” Evalin said, with a warm and grateful smile.

Rowan nodded a farewell, ducking back around his mailbox and heading inside. His stomach grumbled and his thoughts turned to his dinner. Maybe he’d get pizza tonight, in fact pizza sounded great.

~~~~~

Aelin had just finished cleaning her kitchen when she heard the front door open. She tugged off the rubber gloves, leaving them on the edge of the sink. It wasn’t long before the whirlwind that ruled her life reappeared. Aelin had a twenty four hour respite and she couldn’t wait to jump back in.

“There she is!” Aelin’s mother announced, walking into the kitchen space.

“Hey there, my baby girl.” In no time at all Aelin was taking back her daughter, holding her tight. “Still grumpy, I see.”

“Yes, but at least you got a break,” Evalin said.

Aelin swayed, looking Marigold over. She looked exactly the same and as her mother had stated, just as grumpy. For the past week her daughter had been fussy and irritable, enough that Aelin had taken her to the doctor for a check up. Everything had been perfectly fine, the doctor had just said Marigold was going through a growth spurt. So all she needed was continued love and care and that was it, it would pass on its own.

That had been great news, but to an already exhausted mum who was doing this on her own and already giving it her all, it pushed Aelin to her limits. After suffering for days she called in backup. Evalin had been more than happy to take her granddaughter overnight. It gave Aelin a chance to recover and reset, even though guilt had her cleaning every chance she got. She had missed her daughter every single minute. It was strange how having a tiny person attached to your hip became so normal. Three months was all it took and just like that Aelin’s old way of life was a very distant and fading memory.

“So, you’ll need a new backpack,” Evalin said.

Aelin wasn’t surprised. “Finally broke, did it?”

“Yep,” Evalin said, inspecting the damage. “Your neighbour was kind enough to help when it did,”

Aelin turned, brows lowering. “The one there?” She pointed out her kitchen window where her newest and unbelievably irritating neighbour resided.

“That’s the one,” Evalin said as she started to unpack the ruined backpack. “Rowan. He seems nice.”

“Hmm,” Aelin refrained from divulging any information about her and her neighbours previous interactions. She didn’t know where he got off. He’d been so rude to her, and needlessly invasive. At least there was someone in the world he could be nice to. “Is he? I wouldn’t know.”

Marigold started tugging on Aelin’s shirt, a very clear indication of what she wanted. Routine was back in full swing, as was Aelin’s job as a walking meal dispenser.

“She’s been pining for you,” Evalin said. “Go do your thing, I’ll start dinner.”

Marigold faceplanted herself right into her mohter’s boob. Message well and truly received. “Thanks, Mum.”

~~~~~

*insert grumbles about taglists*

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

I was going to post this last night but turns out I was way more tired than I thought. Another addition thanks to @throneofglassmicrofics . This one was for celebrate.

MASTERLIST

~~~~~

Winter was finally thawing. Orynth seemed to relish the colder months, holding onto the abrasive weather as long as it could. Snow hadn’t fallen since last week and sunshine was peeking through the clouds more often and for longer. It wasn’t enough to start shedding some of those outer layers, but it was pleasant enough to spend a little time outside.

Rowan had a lazy morning, taking his time to get out of bed and make himself breakfast. Now he’d taken his tea out to his front porch, to catch the last bits of the morning sun before it disappeared behind his roof. The mug steamed between his hands, the wisps dancing in the cold air. It seemed the rest of the street had a similar plan for their Sunday, it was quiet with only a few people and cars meandering around. The older couple from the corner walked by with their cat sized dog. Thankfully they didn’t acknowledge Rowan, leaving him in peace to sip his tea.

His quiet tranquillity was disturbed by the sound of wailing coming from next door. Rowan lent forward out of curiosity but no one was in sight. Last night he’d been up late binge watching a series. It was nearly 2am when he went into the kitchen to put his arraying of dishes in the sink. He’d heard the baby crying then too, and had seen his neighbour pacing in the kitchen where their windows faced each other. Whatever was happening, the baby wasn’t happy and it had carried on into daylight hours.

Rowan had lived here for almost three months, and he’d only had the two disastrous interactions with his neighbour at this point. Since the last one he hadn’t made any attempt to rectify the situation. That first interaction had been so atrocious and the second hadn’t done anything to help. He didn’t dare to try and make peace, that woman was ready to blaze him to his bones with the slightest inclination. Rowan felt for her though, from what he could garner, she was doing this alone.

No one else seemed to be living in the house besides mother and baby. There were a few visitors, but never anyone who stayed. Maybe her partner was out of town, but for this long with such a young baby seemed unlikely, or she could even be a military wife. Rowan didn’t know—wasn’t likely to know either.

Sipping at his tea, Rowan went back to his book. He made it to the end of the chapter when the crying was louder and clearer, drawing his eyes to the sound. His neighbour was stepping down off her own front porch, baby in one arm and a picnic blanket in the other. She was wearing a loose hoodie and a green beanie with a pom-pom on top. The baby was similarly rugged up against the chill. Seems they were taking advantage of the sunshine as well.

With one hand and two feet the woman managed to lay out the blanket. Rowan caught a glimpse of her face, and even from here he could see how haggard she was. Her face was pale, expression tight, the dark circles under her eyes were more than noticeable. He was filled with sympathy for her, but he didn’t dare offer more than that, lest he be torn to pieces.

Rowan went back to minding his own business, enjoying his book and the remainder of his tea. The sounds of his neighbours playing carried on the quiet street, every so often Rowan caught a few words or a babble. Nothing he could decipher until there was a loud exclamation.

“You did it! You clever girl!”

Rowan heard the pure elation in the words and he couldn’t help but glance in that direction. His neighbour held something over the baby, a colourful animal toy with dangly ringed feet, and a little hand was grasping at it but missing. And then those little fingers stretched out and with a perfectly timed swipe and she had it again. Pretty laughter echoed and Rowan watched as the toy was out down in favour of picking up the baby.

A celebration occurred, the baby showered in kisses and words that couldn’t be heard from across the lawn. It was a sweet sight, and Rowan couldn’t help but smile. It was pure adoration for the simplest of accomplishments.

His neighbour settled on the blanket again, sitting the baby in front of her. From the way the infant sat and how she was held onto it was clear that sitting up was a skill she was still learning as well. But she looked up, a smile on her face, soaking in the attention. Rowan hadn’t realised how intently he had been watching the scene unfold until the woman glanced over and he found himself leaning back in his chair to avoid being caught.

Due to their more than strained relationship Rowan didn’t think his casual viewing would be welcome. Hell, the woman might match right over and give him yet another verbal lashing. With his tea finished Rowan headed back inside, leaving the mug in the sink for later. His house was quiet, and after the joy he had witnessed it stung a little. If the gods had been kinder maybe there would be little feet running around, someone would be with him to share that joy. Instead of the silence there might have been laughter and light.

But it was only him, only his weight that made the floorboards creak, voices came from the TV and not from real life people. Rowan knew the dark thoughts were still lingering from the anniversary of Lyria’s death. In another week or two the cloud would lift—it always did. Maybe as the weather warmed so would his disposition.

~~~~

Thanks for reading!

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

A/N: I promise we're going places, just plot, you know?

~ Masterlist ~

~~~~~

Rowan hadn’t shared his living space since freshman year at college. After that first horrid year he decided roommates were not conducive to his living preferences and did everything in his power to not have to do it again. Having someone else in the place he called home was strange to say the least, the fact that it was Aelin was even stranger. They had been nearly inseparable before she had disappeared off the face of the earth. But this… this was nothing like that.

For a week they had been orbiting around each other, barely talking, barely spending more than a few minutes in the same room. Aelin had taken his offer for privacy very seriously, if Rowan was in the apartment his bedroom was where she was. He would come home and Aelin would be on the couch watching TV, but she would turn it off as soon as he walked in and disappear from sight. However long later, Rowan would knock on the door to let her know dinner was ready. Sometimes she would come out after a few minutes, other times it was hours later that she would wander out maybe saying a handful of words before she took her dinner and hid again.

She barely made a sound and didn’t leave any mess. The once a day when Rowan went into his bedroom to grab some clothes the only thing that gave away that someone else was using it were the rumpled sheets and the glass of water on the bedside table. The dishes she used for dinner or any of her other meals were always washed up and left to dry. There was barely an item in the apartment that was out of place. If not for daily sightings it was like Aelin wasn’t even there. 

It was like living with a ghost. 

Rowan felt haunted by a spectre of his past, by the figure of a woman he had once known. By all appearance this was Aelin, but beneath the surface it was more of a hollow shell, a near silent mirage that shared his residence. It was like he had been sucked into a Dickens novel, doomed to be hounded by his past. 

It took him a few days to work out what she was entertaining herself with while he was at home because she was so meticulous about not leaving a trace. Rowan didn’t have a TV in his room and as far as he knew Aelin didn’t have a phone. Then he’d noticed a book in the bookcase leaning over—because the one next to it had been taken. Aelin had always been a reader, her apartment had been full of books and she always had a pile on her nightstand ready to go at any time. Rowan didn’t mind and he wasn’t going to draw attention to it in case he spooked her out of it.

On the way home today he’d stopped by the grocery store. Among the ingredients for dinner and tomorrow’s lunch there were various items not part of his regular shopping list. Chocolate, chips, gummy worms, all things he remembered Aelin liking. Because during his rare sightings of Aelin she had not looked good. She was pale, thin, there were dark circles under her eyes. Aelin did not look well and Rowan was concerned. 

He knew she was eating, thanks to the dishes, but he was concerned that she wasn’t eating enough. And even though these extra items weren’t particularly nutritious, they might entice Aelin to eat more. Try as he might, Rowan couldn’t stop thinking about her, it was like every thought just wound its way back towards her. It really enforced that whole haunting thing he had going on. 

Rowan unlocked the front door to his apartment, picking up the paper shopping bags he’d put down to free his hands. The surprise of seeing Aelin on his couch, awake and tucked into the corner, almost made him stumble. He was later than he usually was, and by now she’d be gone from sight. Aelin glanced his way, fiddling with the blanket self consciously. He could see she wanted to hide from him, but something was holding her back. 

“Hello,” Rowan said, and it was amazing how awkward one word could be. 

“Hey,” Aelin replied so softly he almost missed it. 

Back and forth communication, that was a positive. 

Rowan took the bags to the kitchen, glancing back at the TV. Evidently Aelin had found his DVD collection as well and had put in a superhero movie from a few years ago. It was reaching the climax of the movie, possibly offering an explanation of why Aelin hadn’t disappeared yet. She must have felt him looking, because she turned to him and then back to the screen quickly. 

“I’ll be out of your way in a minute,” Aelin said. “I just want to finish the movie.”

“That’s fine.” Then Rowan took a chance for further communication. “You don’t have to, though. You’re not in my way.”

Aelin didn’t respond, she just made herself smaller on the couch. Not wanting to push it, Rowan left the conversation at that and started putting away the groceries. He made sure to leave the snacks on the bench, in direct line of sight, so Aelin knew they were there. He might have to leave a note saying they were for her, but if she remembered anything about him she would know that at least the sweets weren’t for him. 

The movie played and Rowan started to prep dinner. Tonight he was making spaghetti, from a jar because he was too tired to go through the effort of anything else. He was halfway through chopping mushrooms when there was a knock at the door. Not expecting anyone, Rowan did a quick check of his phone just to see if anyone had said anything. There was nothing, and then the door was unlocking, and then Rowan was moving. 

He’d definitely locked the door behind him and there were only a select handful of people who had keys to his home. Glancing over at Aelin she was wide-eyed and stunned, like a deer in the headlights. She had precious seconds to move but she’d frozen instead. Whoever this was, the intrusion wasn’t welcome.

The guest waltzed through the entryway just as Rowan got there, they were unexpected but not at all surprising. “What are you doing here, Fenrys?”

The man was giving his most charming smile, something that Rowan was immune to. “I just got off shift and thought I would drop by.”

”But why?” Rowan had angled himself between his two guests.

A bag of chips was pressed into Rowan’s chest. “I brought you a present.”

There was an extra shove that threatened to pop the bag and then Fenrys striding into the living area of the apartment. Rowan followed, too slow to give Aelin any warning before Fenrys announced himself. 

“Hello, hello,” Fenrys said brightly. “Pleasure to see you again.”

Aelin at least didn’t look terrified now, easily masking anything she felt as she dismissed Fenrys with a shrug of tense indifference, going back to her movie. Fenrys just took that as an invitation to sit down, throwing his arm along the back of the couch. “I love this one.”

Not a word was said after that and Rowan didn’t know what else to do so he went to the kitchen, keeping a cautious eye on the situation in the living room. Aelin just sat there, ignoring everything except the TV screen and as soon as the credits started she was out of there. She stood, taking the blanket with her, and shut the door of the bedroom. 

Fenrys tsked. “Guess she doesn’t know about the post credit scenes.”

Rowan didn’t withhold his sigh of frustration. “What are you doing here?”

“Your room, huh?” Fenrys, nodding at the closed door. 

“Not that it’s any of your business but I’ve been sleeping on the couch.” The following chop rattled the chopping board.

“Interesting.” Pointing the remote at the screen Fenrys paused the DVD, then made his way over to the kitchen. “I just wanted to check in on our friend.”

“I wouldn’t call her that,” Rowan muttered, adding the mushrooms to the frypan.

“Alright, your friend,” Fenrys clarified.

“I wouldn’t call her that either.” Rowan wasn’t sure if there was a word to describe what they were. 

“Is that so?”

Rowan paused his stirring to point the spoon at Fenrys. “You are no good, nosy, busybody. And that key I gave you was for emergencies.”

“Chips are an emergency,” Fenrys said with all seriousness.

“Your incessant need to stick your nose in my business is the emergency,” Rowan countered. 

“Can you blame me?” Fenrys gave an accusatory look. “You’re calling in favours left, right and centre, you hole yourself up in here with a pregnant mystery woman, and you’re adamant the baby is not yours, no one can get a word out of you. I’m curious, everyone is.”

Rowan ignored his unwelcome guest, choosing to focus intently on making sure all the ingredients were equally distributed. 

“Rowan, come on,” Fenrys said a bit more earnestly, leaning forward on the island bench. “Let’s add to that, I’m worried about you. Something is going on here.”

If that wasn’t the understatement of the decade. 

Rowan stopped his stirring and crossed his arms. “And did you think turning up unannounced would help that?”

“I was hoping that I’d walk into the middle of something a little more interesting than a superhero movie.”

That made Rowan scoff. “Like what?”

“Anything that would shed some light on this situation,” Fenrys said with a shrug.

“Well, you’re out of luck.”

The kitchen went silent except for the bubbling of the pasta sauce and Rowan gave it a stir to keep it from sticking to the pan. He didn’t have anything else to say, his day at the hospital had been exhausting and dealing with Aelin took what was left of his energy. Hopefully Fenrys would get the hint and leave.

He didn’t. “Aren’t you going to invite me to stay for dinner, like you promised?”

Rowan gave Fenrys a flat stare. “Seeming as you invited yourself over, no.” 

That wasn’t the only reason, Aelin was pretty clear about her reluctance to talk to the police. 

Fenrys eyed him for a moment, weighing if he should push this or not. In the end he chose the smart decision and let it go. “Fine, but one day you’re going to have to explain all this.”

“Will I just?” Rowan said, half sarcastically and half a real challenge. 

All Fenrys did was roll his eyes dramatically as he got up from his stool. It made Rowan think that maybe, if things had been different, Fenrys and Aelin might have been fast friends. That was a frightening thought. 

“If you need anything I’m sure you'll ask,” Fenrys added on his way to the door.

“Please make sure you lock up behind you,” Rowan called, not bothering to escort Fenrys out.

The answer was called across the apartment. “Got it.”

After that Rowan heard the door close and returned his attention to finishing dinner. It was just about done, so less than ten minutes later he was knocking on his not-bedroom door. 

“Dinner’s ready if you want it,” he announced, heading back to the kitchen, not knowing the likelihood of Aelin actually coming out. 

Rowan served up his own plate, leaving another bowl on the bench ready to be used. He didn’t bother to eat at the dining table and sat at the bench instead. To add to the surprises of the evening he heard the bedroom door open and cautious footsteps heading his way. 

“Fenrys is gone,” Rowan said without looking up. 

Those footsteps got a little surer and then Aelin was in the kitchen, serving herself up some dinner. Rowan took the opportunity to examine her, she was paler than before, and he swore he saw her hand shaking as she spooned the sauce over the pasta. Fenrys’ visit had obviously rattled her. 

“I didn’t invite Fenrys over,” Rowan explained simply.

“Sure,” Aelin said, an unexpected edge to her voice. “It was just the same police friend from the hospital dropping by randomly. Got it. You didn’t ask him over to try and get me to talk again. Because I won’t. There’s nothing to say. ”

It was the most words Aelin had said to him in a single sitting in a week. But Rowan wasn’t impressed, he doubted there was nothing to say and he didn’t like that she was insinuating he was lying. “Fenrys is just a busybody who can’t mind his own business. And that’s the truth. If you’re going to live here, you’re going to have to trust me.”

Angry eyes snapped up to his, Aelin’s bowl clinking as she put her bowl on the bench. “I’ll go then.”

“But where?” 

That sharp question was his anger rising to the surface. Rowan was frustrated and tired of walking on eggshells. If this was going to work, or at least function beyond the awkward hellscape they were in, it was time for a little honesty. So he didn’t back down from the challenge of his question. This might not be the right way to go about things but Rowan was past being tactful.

“Where would you go, Aelin?” He asked again. “The way I’ve seen it is that you don’t have anywhere else to go, because what other reason would you have in staying here. You have no other option.”

Aelin didn’t answer, she just retreated a step, her arms crossing over her stomach. That was enough to quash some of Rowan’s anger out of pity, which he knew Aelin would hate. She was always too proud for anything as trivial as pity.

“I’m just trying to help,” Rowan added, barely withholding his sigh.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” Aelin all but yelled, her pale face flushing. For a moment she seemed to war with herself, whatever the conflict was it led to a quieter statement of, “I don’t deserve it.”

Rowan kept his anger in check, but didn’t give the same grace to his frustration. “What the fuck happened to you? I’m trying to understand, I’m trying to give you space to figure out whatever it is you need to figure out, but you need to give me something. Anything. Just so I can understand instead of dancing around eggshells in my own home.”

That seemed to hit its target because Aelin looked at him, risking a moment of direct eye contact. It was gone a second later, like if they looked at each other too long all her secrets might be found there. Rowan debated whether he should be the gentleman and rescind his demand for answers because Aelin’s hands were shaking and that nearly broke his resolve completely. But he also knew the not knowing might just drive him insane. 

Aelin clenched her fists, taking a few steps away from him. At first Rowan thought that she was running away to hide, then she stood her ground, and he realised she was bracing herself, determined to offer up something. Rowan waited, not wanting to spook her out of it. He wasn’t going to let this chance slide. 

“I, um,” Aelin started unsteadily. “I was working for someone with a lot of power to get people to do what he wants. I wasn’t doing what he wanted and he got angry. It started with that first night you saw me, I took my friend to the hospital without his permission.”

Rowan knew Aelin was being purposefully vague, and he suspected that if he pressed her for more she might just stop all together. He would take what she was ready to share—one step at a time. But he gathered that this boss was the man that Rowan had seen at the hospital. 

“I made one too many mistakes and I suffered the consequences.” Aelin’s hand ghosted over throat, to the still healing bruises there. 

“He assaulted you,” Rowan said.

“Depending on who you ask, I deserved it,” Aelin muttered, more to herself than him. She realised that, shaking herself out of those thoughts. “He did, and then he found out I was pregnant and that made things worse. He didn’t care and then he said…” she looked up at nothing, eyes unfocused as her voice broke off. “Then my friends got me out. Stopped it all before it could get too far.”

Rowan felt sick to the pit of his stomach. He could read between the lines here, the words Aelin had stumbled over and chosen not to say. This man had put her life and the life of her baby in danger. Gods knew the damage he might have done if Aelin hadn't got out when she did. 

“I’m sorry I’ve imposed on you,” she said, her voice dull. Guilt and shame hanging on every word. “It’s not fair to you, but you’re right I have nowhere else to go. Thank you for what you’re doing and if it’s too much, I can find somewhere else to go.”

Aelin’s voice shook, Rowan could tell she was frightened at the prospect. He wouldn’t make her go elsewhere, not when there was so much of her story he didn’t know. Rowan didn’t trust she would be safe either, and despite everything she had put him through he wanted her safe above anything else. 

“You don’t have to,” that was the best response Rowan could offer without tempting to light another fuse. 

“Okay.” Aelin answered softly.

Taking a chance on a bit of casual friendliness, Rowan said, “Fenrys paused the movie for you. There’s scenes at the end of the credits that are sneak peeks at other movies.”

Aelin just nodded, taking her pasta with her and returning to the couch. The music of the credits started up again as Rowan finished his dinner. He cleaned up his dishes then headed for his study. They’d made progress, infinitesimal progress, but at least it was something.

~~~~~

Aelin couldn’t remember the last time she’d watched an entire movie. She’d enjoyed the utter nonsense of the superhero story, it was the kind of mindless entertainment she needed. Initially she had been snooping around for spare batteries for the remote when she had found the disc folder with Rowan’s movie collection. She’d been so invested that she hadn’t darted off to the bedroom when Rowan got home because she wanted to see the end. 

Then the police officer had turned up and instead of hiding like a sensible person, fear had gripped her so thoroughly that she’d got stuck in a freeze response. Such a foolish thing for her to do, but at least nothing had come of it and she did believe Rowan in the end. 

Trust. Rowan had talked about trust like it was such an easy thing to do.

Aelin had only told him a fraction of her story, just enough to explain how she had ended up in his apartment. She’d been vague but she wasn’t ready for anything else. All this talk about trust, how could he trust her when she had treated him so terribly? How could she trust in him enough when she didn’t fully know how he felt about everything between them? They would have to suffer through their situation for gods knew how long, because he was right. Aelin didn’t have a choice. 

Rowan had disappeared into the only other room in the apartment she hadn’t explored. Aelin assumed it was a study, and as she was already invading his room. The door was always closed and Aelin left Rowan with that sliver of privacy. Finishing her dinner didn’t take long, she didn’t have a big serving. She wasn’t that hungry, if she didn’t need to eat Aelin wasn’t sure that she would. Her appetite was gone, nearly everything she ate made her nauseous. It was exhausting. 

She took her dishes to the kitchen, cleaning them up so Rowan wouldn’t have to. Aelin made sure she cleaned up after herself, limiting the burden she left on Rowan. Her goal was to be as unobtrusive as possible.

This living situation was not ideal. It was something at the forefront of Aelin’s mind and she’d spent a substantial amount of time considering her options. She had none. Arobynn had taken her passport and any other important documents for safekeeping. That was a farce, it was so he could maintain his control. So Aelin couldn’t travel, she had no access to money. Without those, going back to Arobynn was her only choice and gods knew what would happen to her if she went back there. 

Something on Rowan’s usually immaculately clean bench caught her eye. There was a block of hazelnut chocolate, nacho flavoured corn chips and sour gummy worms. All her favourites. The smile felt foreign on her lips, Aelin didn’t even realise she was doing it until her chapped lips cracked under the strain. Rowan had remembered and for some reason had bought them for her. It might have been touching except that Aelin remembered he had every reason to hate her.

Aelin picked up the bag of gummy worms, taking them with her as she went back to Rowan’s bedroom. The first few nights had been rough, despite changing the sheets, the bed still smelled like him. The whole room had been a stark reminder of how little Rowan had changed over the years. Aelin had to forcefully desensitise herself to it, disassociate even further from her reality. 

Exhaustion was weighing her down and the draw of smooth sheets and a soft blanket was too strong to ignore. Aelin dropped the gummy worms on the bedside table and tucked herself into bed. She hoped the nightmares would leave her be tonight and she'd be able to get a full night's sleep. Then she would face tomorrow, and the day after that. Maybe one day Aelin would wake up and this would be the bad dream. Maybe she’d wake up and find herself in her own bed long before she’d made the decisions that had ruined her life. 

Holding onto that impossible hope was the only thing that let Aelin drift off to sleep. 

~~~~~

I spy with my little eye something starting with F, ends in -ussing. Do you know what it is?

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Mermay strikes again. This time in a first time writing for this ship. I couldn't help myself, the mermaid ideas are unstoppable haha. Anyway hope you enjoy!

~~~~~

The sun made the water on Ruhn’s tanned skin glistened, his eyes dancing also the ridge of the horizon. He sat on his longboard, bare chested and wearing charcoal boardshorts, the day and the ocean were warm enough that he hadn’t bothered with a wetsuit. It was the peak of summer and the heat and the busyness of the city had him out here, chasing waves, ignoring his responsibilities for a few hours. In reality it had been days of this. The tides and swells were amazing and Ruhn didn’t see the point in wasting the opportunity to take his board out. Surfing brought him some semblance of peace and calm, so Ruhn would exploit the perfect conditions as long as he could.  

Not when his bastard of a father wouldn’t leave him alone. Ruhn was freshly graduated from Crescent City University with no idea what he wanted to do next. His father wanted him to join the family business, and Ruhn had no desire to put himself back right under that kind of control when he had spent so long running from it. 

Out here the water was crystal clear and a pretty shade of blue was somewhere between sapphire and turquoise. The city sparkled off in the distance, the sand a glowing line defining the break between the buildings and the water. Ruhn was far enough out that the only sounds were the crashing of the waves and the occasional cry of a seabird—nothing from the city. Below him he could make out the shadows of fish swimming around, and not too long ago he swore he saw some dolphins dipping through the waves. It was a comforting kind of loneliness. 

Despite the pristine conditions Ruhn had sole possession of the part of the water. It made sense, the waves were good here but the reef below him posed some problems. Above the water it was all well and good but if a surfer wiped out and went under the coral and rocks were a serious danger. But Ruhn knew he could handle it.

He was sitting on his board, legs dangling in the water, waiting. Part of surfing was having the patience to wait out the shitty waves for the good ones. Being alone, he had the pick of the bunch. Some people weren’t cut out for the lull between waves, but Ruhn loved it. They were quiet moments, not boring to him. There was always something to hold Ruhn’s attention. Watching for waves, looking for the perfect spot to paddle out to, just taking in the beauty around him.

Ruhn had been waiting for his next wave for a while, the last few were all white wash and no height. That usually meant that a better wave was on the way. A few seconds later and there it was, Ruhn could see it coming. It was building and it was set to break right on him. He lay down on the board, paddling himself around so he faced the shore. His arms cut through the water, giving him the speed that would let him catch the surge and get him on the wave.

The moment Ruhn knew he had it he grinned—when he wasn't the one propelling the board. He stood, knees bent, the fins of his board cutting through the water. Ruhn smiled, the thrill of the wave taking over. The board rode through the barrel, then he twisted, water spraying.  He was so focused on this wave Ruhn didn’t see the other one coming.

One second he was standing on his board, the next he was under. The undercurrent caused by the plunging barrel crashing took him under and Ruhn didn’t know which way was up. Then he hit the reef, pain exploding all over his body. His head, his ankle, his arm. The pain made it harder to swim but he could feel his air running out. He needed to get to the surface. Now. 

Ruhn kicked out, his foot hitting something. It hurt like all hell but it at least gave him some sense of direction and he pushed off it. The salt water stung his eyes and it was a struggle to keep them open. Through the haze he saw the world turn a lighter shade of blue and he swam for it, as hard as he could. Seconds seemed to slow to hours and each sweep of his arms and legs burned with pain. He was so close. 

Head breaking the surface, Ruhn gasped, mostly air but salt water burned down his throat too. He spluttered, gasping again, just trying to keep his head above water. His board was nowhere to be seen, Ruhn had been an idiot and left the strap in the back tray of his truck. He ignored the pain best he could and started swimming. There was a rock he could get to, and once he caught his breath and inspected his injuries, he could work out what to do next. 

He fought the waves and his pain, but he made it. Ruhn gained more scratches and scrapes hauling himself up the rock, the salt water making them sting and itch. All that was secondary, his main priority was to breathe, to think. Using his forearm he swept his long black hair out of his face, blinking out the water so he could scope out his surroundings. There was nothing and no one, just him and the water. And the fishes, of course. 

“Son of a bitch,” Ruhn groaned, twisting his leg to inspect the damage. There was a fairly decent graze on his calf, mean looking but not deep. The same went for his arm but luckily when he checked his head injury with his hand there was no blood.

Ruhn was fucked, and he knew it. His best hope was waiting for another surfer to come out here so he could hitch a ride back. He could see his board, bobbing happily on the waves, the current taking it far, far away from him. It was depressing to watch, and yet he couldn't help but keep watching, just hoping the tides would turn and bring it back to him. 

Minutes passed and nothing changed. Ruhn saw the dolphins again, the back and fins bobbing out of the water. They held his attention for a while, their grace and beauty mesmerising, and then Ruhn looked back at his board. He squinted, not quite sure but… he thought it had gotten closer. 

No, it was. It definitely was, against the water too. It was odd, and Ruhn had no idea how, but he was as sure as fuck was going to keep watching it to see if it could come any closer. Ruhn kept watching so intently that he forgot to blink. His eyes were burning but he felt like if he took his eyes off his board for a millisecond it would disappear. Unbelievably, it kept coming, and what was even more bizarre was that Ruhn swore to all the gods that someone was pushing it. 

He thought he could see a head bobbing beside. “Who the fuck is swimming out this far?”

When it got closer he spied a hand gripping the board, helping guide it through the water, belonging to the head that he could see clearer now. There was a woman in the water, bringing his board to him. How bizarre. Ruhn was sure her hair was blonde, it was hard to tell because it was wet, her eyes were dazzling but he couldn’t place the colour just yet. Brown, maybe? But brighter. 

She stopped about a metre away from the rock, resting her chin on the surfboard. Her face was stunning, elegant and gorgeous, without a doubt in his frazzled mind this was one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on.

”Uh, hi?” Ruhn said.

The woman tilted her head, considering him for a long moment. “You are hurt.”

Her voice was smooth and melodic, a lovely sound, Ruhn answered with the hopes he would hear it again. “I am.”

“And this is yours?” This time it was a question.

“It is,” Ruhn replied. “I was surfing and I wiped out. I got hurt when I hit the reef.”

The woman snarled, looking at the water beneath her. Why would she get pissed at that?

“Do you live in the city?” She pointed with her free hand to where Lunathion shimmered in the distance. 

“Yes, I do.”

“Is it nice there? Is it loud?” the woman asked eagerly. 

Now Ruhn was just confused, where did she come from that she was asking something like that? “Yes and… yeah I guess it is.”

The woman looked back at him and now she had drifted close enough that he could see the colour of her eyes. They were amber, hints of a golden copper in the irises. She now rested her elbows on the board, her head laid on top. Ruhn could see her eyes darting over him. As far as he could tell, she wasn’t checking him out, her gaze was more curious than anything. He wasn’t sure whether that was disappointing or not. 

“Are those scales?” She nodded at him. 

Utterly confused Ruhn looked down at his body, trying to figure out what the hell she was talking about. When he glanced back up almost choked. He definitely saw some boob as she raised herself up on the board a little more. They were partially covered by her drenched hair, but they were naked and they were there. Ruhn stared out to the horizon, not sure what else to do. 

Why was there a naked woman in the water?

“The markings on your skin,” she said with what sounded like a touch of impatience. “Are they your scales?”

“What the fuck?’ Ruhn muttered to himself, not meaning to say the words but his confusion was making his head hurt even more. Then his brain pieced it together. “Do you mean my tattoos?”

“Is that what the lines are called?”

Ruhn looked back at her, and thankfully she’d dipped lower beneath the surface of the water again. “Yes.”

“They are beautiful,” the woman said. 

“Thank you,” Ruhn replied. He was so confused, he had so many questions that had to do with her strange questions. Truthfully he was beginning to wonder how hard he had hit his head and whether or not he was hallucinating this whole thing. 

“You are injured, can you use this?” She splayed a hand on his board. 

That drew his attention back to the water and the woman and her tail swaying through the water.

“Oh fucking hells.” Ruhn pushed himself back on the rock. It was painful but his shock was stronger than his self preservation. He touched his head, closing his eyes. He must be dreaming, maybe he passed out and hadn’t realised.

That beautiful voice spoke again. “What is your name?”

Ruhn answered on instinct. “Ruhn.”

“Ruhn,” she said slowly, piecing over each sound. “Are you able to use this yourself, Ruhn?” She rapped her knuckles on the surfboard.

He didn't answer her question. Instead he said, “You’re a mermaid.”

Now that he looked at her closer he started to notice more otherworldly details. Like the glimmering on her skin, especially around her eyes where he swore he could see some iridescent scales with the slightest hint of colour.  

”I am,” she replied.

“I ah… did know you were real,” Ruhn was at a loss at to what else he should say.

“Most humans don’t.”

“Okay, yeah.” He was definitely hallucinating.

“Even though you damaged the reef, if you cannot get yourself to shore I will help you,” the mermaid said, circling them back to the problem at hand.

And still, Ruhn couldn’t help his curiosity. “What’s your name?” 

“Lidia.”

“That’s kind of you to offer, Lidia,” Ruhn said, not about to forget his manners when he was at the mercy of a mythical creature.

She shrugged, with a roll of her delicate shoulder. “It will not be good for you to stay out here.”

Ruhn took a moment to assess his injuries, trying to figure out if he could make it back to shore now that he had his board. He wasn’t confident, his head ached and the salt water would make his wounds sting like a bitch. And it was a long way back to shore.

“I don’t think I can make it all the way,” he admitted. If you could get me as close to the beach as you can, I can try and make it the rest of the way.”

“If that is what you need,” Lidia said, swimming a little closer so that his board was within reach now. “Get on.”

Ruhn edged his way back to the water, careful on the sharp edges on the rock. Then he had to get back into the water to get on the board, he did—his body screaming in protest at the sharp pains the water brought. Without his usual grace he clambered onto his board Lidia holding it steady. He could see her tail clearer now. The scales still managed to glimmer dimly through the water and although he couldn’t see their true colour they looked to be something close to amber. Like Lidia’s eyes.

“Are you secure?” She asked.

“Good to go,” Ruhn replied, bracing himself as he felt the board being taken by the current. 

He expected Lidia to move to the tail end of the board and push him from there. She didn’t, instead she dipped beneath the water moving so she was beneath the board. Webbed fingers appeared on the nose, and Ruhn all but marvelled at the tiny golden scales there. Then they were moving, Lidia swimming on her back and taking them towards the beach. Ruhn peered over as much as he dared, not wanting to disturb the board too much. He only caught glimpses of her face and hair, blurred by the water between them. Looking back he could see the tail undulating in smooth movements. This mermaid was a thing of true beauty. 

Lidia steered them to a more secluded part of the beach, further away from his truck but Ruhn would survive. He still had one good arm and he’d preserve until he got there. As the water got shallower the mermaid changed her position, gracefully spinning so that she was to the side instead. She stopped them, keeping a hand on the surfboard to keep it still.

“I will go no further,” Lidia announced. 

“Fair enough,” Ruhn said. “You’ve saved me, for sure.”

“Beware of the reef, Ruhn. It causes hurt to more than just yourself when you are careless,” Lidia chastised.

Ruhn nodded, not willing to cross a mermaid. “I understand. I owe you one.”

“One what?” Lidia asked, her head tilting.

“A favour,” Ruhn said.

Lidia let go of the board and swam back a little ways, a small smile appearing on her lips. “We’ll see, Ruhn.”

In the blink of an eye Lidia was under the water, and a moment later her amber coloured tail flicking out like a wave of farewell, splashing Ruhn. And then she was gone, like she had never been there. For a while Ruhn just lay there thinking about what had happened, contemplating if he had been the one to discover the existence of mermaids. He gave one more look around, just in case Lidia was still there. There was nothing but ocean and sand and the city that was now within reach.  

Ruhn started paddling, letting the wave help ease him into shore. Maybe he had imagined the whole thing, a mighty fantastical story to get him back to shore. But in the small chance he hadn’t been hallucinating he hoped by some small miracle he would see her again. 

~~~~~

If there's a chance to make someone a mermaid, I'm gonna write it.

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

It's been a long time coming. It wouldn't be Mermay without a The Calling update, would it? I hope you like it. Special shoutout to @westofmoon because this chapter wouldn't exist without her, and @charincharge because i'm pretty sure she might be this fics biggest fan.

~ Masterlist ~

~~~~~

Rowan knew he was a fool for what he was doing. It was an absurd thing to do, being out in the open like this where everyone could see, in a town where gossip spread through it like a wildfire. The near all year round damp and misty conditions that the town was named for would do nothing to deter the chatter, in fact it encouraged it. Fires were huddled around and people were forced indoors to hide from the weather, conversation was the main pastime. And Rowan knew that he and his wife would be the focus of many. 

For the past few days he had been taking Aelin on little outings about town. They, or more aptly she, explored the stores and wares Mistward had to offer. He didn’t know what was compelling him to do it, maybe he could blame it on his companion. Rowan could pretend that she had put a spell on him with her enchanting voice, bending his will to hers. 

But that was a lie.

Aelin took everything in with wide eyed wonder, her excitement almost infectious. Rowan managed to school his features into amused indifference, but he liked watching her like this. She took such pleasure in everything—baked goods, pretty trinkets, the people. There was a kind of human innocence about her that was entrancing on its own, no singing required. And Rowan knew she noticed his attention. Every once and while she would look up at him with a knowing glint in her eyes and he would either quickly look away or shake his head. Given what she was, it was hard not to find her intriguing despite the underlying danger.

The townsfolk noticed her too, and noticed them. There were curious looks from the people who were familiar with Rowan. None of them were brave enough to broach the subject of what he and Aelin were to each other to him directly, but it wasn’t unlikely that the marriage would continue to remain unknown. Rowan had a reputation for being withdrawn and not the most friendly of residents. If they were curious they would thankfully talk amongst themselves and not to him.

There was one store that he endeavoured to keep Aelin away from. The clothing mercantile. Rowan had been limiting his interactions with Remelle for a while, and there was no way he was going to bring Aelin into the middle of that mess. Remelle was only interested in what she couldn’t have, and that was Rowan, gods knew what would happen if she found out he was off the market. In a way it was almost a relief not to be the focus of her attentions. Despite the turmoil Aelin had thrown his life into there were starting to be more benefits than the extra coin she provided. He might have to thank Aelin for it directly. 

Right now they found themselves in Aelin’s favourite store, one she had begged him to take her to this morning as soon as she emerged from her sleeping quarters in the bathroom. She had been wearing one of her ridiculous nightgowns— the lace and fabric they were made from made them poor excuses for nightwear. He had to admit they were beautiful and were flattering on Aelin. It was hard to keep his mind on the task of ignoring the fact of just how stunning she was when there was so much skin on display. He rallied and did the best that he could, the memories of her pointed teeth were enough to quash any lingering thoughts of her beauty. 

Rowan was preparing them a simple breakfast when she demanded that they go to the bookstore, immediately. She had finished her latest purchase the night before and wanted something new to entertain her after being thoroughly devastated by the ending. Rowan had pretended to be irritated by the request, just to save face and hide the effect she was having on him. Then Aelin had pleaded, her voice sweet enough that Rowan knew she was using her powers just to give it a slight edge. He’d called her on it, to his surprise she had apologised but then asked again without even the smallest hint of her siren voice. With a scowl for good measure he nodded and Aelin’s face had broken into a wide grin. Once they had dressed and eaten, they wasted no time and had walked into town. 

Aelin wandered through the rows of books, fingers running along the spines. She already had her chosen newest title, tucked into the crook of her arm, and now she was idly browsing. Rowan followed, appearing like the dutiful husband, trailing after his wife as she shopped. 

“Why don’t you get yourself something?” Aelin said without looking at him as she pulled another book from the shelf. 

“I hadn’t thought to,” Rowan admitted. He still had a book in his apartment that he hadn’t read, there was no use buying more. 

“Well, apparently this fine establishment just received a delivery from Dormanelle. The latest publications.”

“It’s Doranelle,” Rowan corrected. It was the largest city in Wendlyn, the hub for commerce and where the governing powers took residence. 

“Doranelle,” Aelin repeated the word. “I’m not familiar with this continent’s geography and cities.”

Rowan spotted a book with an interesting looking title and pulled it from the shelf. “But you have been to others?”

“Mainly Rifthold,” Aelin said, returning her book to its place. “Of the time I have spent on land, I was there the longest.”

Throwing caution to his curiosity, Rowan asked, “Why? What did you do there?”

Aelin stopped, the new book in her hand going atop the book she held in her arm. She was looking at him like she was trying to decipher his intent behind the question. There was a hint of apprehension there, and the silence stretched out long enough that Rowan considered rescinding the question, but then Aelin’s shoulders relaxed, any misgivings she had dismissed.  

“Why don’t I tell you on our walk home?”

Rowan nodded, pleased that she was willing to share details about her past and who she was. He hadn’t forgotten the scolding that Fenrys had given him on the beach. This might be their first steps towards friendship, however foolish of him that might be to undertake. He would just add it to the growing list.

They spent a little while more browsing until Aelin declared she was in danger of buying one of everything. They paid and left, Aelin holding tight to her bounty. On the way back she all but dragged him into the bakery to buy something sweet for lunch. Sweet chocolate filled buns were added to the day’s purchases even though Rowan insisted they weren’t a proper lunch. Aelin pointedly ignored him and ordered two more out of playful spite. 

On the outskirts between town and the bunkhouse Aelin kept her promise. “Rifthold is south of my underwater city. It is often where my kind venture on land. It’s almost a rite of passage, shedding our scales and trying to pass as a local. But it often poses dangers.”

”What kind of dangers?” Rowan asked. 

“The risk of capture or being stranded without access to water,” Aelin explained. “Both have dire consequences for the sirens involved. When I was young and foolish I spent many months on land, but I at least made sure to acquire the means to protect myself. It ended with me saving the life of a fellow siren in fact.”

Openly intrigued, Rowan pressed on. “How so?”

Aelin glanced over and studied him again, but didn’t hesitate beyond that. “She was being kept as a courtesan against her will. Myself and my friends orchestrated her escape, and now she is one of my dearest friends.”

”That was brave of you,” Rowan said.

Anger clouded Aelin’s features, her chin lifted in what could be described as defiance. “No-one should be caged like that.”

Now that he had started Rowan wanted to know more. “So that’s how you know the language? How you learned to read?”

“My kingdom makes a point of knowing what goes on in the human world. Siren visits are more frequent than you are probably aware of,” Aelin said. 

That had him stopping short, startled. “Are there any here? Now? Besides you?”

Aelin looked far too pleased at his distress, giving him one of those more wicked smiles she had. “Wendlyn is too far out of our way. Rifthold is closer to our settlements beneath the waves.”

“That’s…” Rowan hesitated, trying to place the right word, “reassuring.”

Tipping her head back Aelin laughed. “We’re not as vicious as you assume we are, Rowan. I think the fact I haven’t ripped out your throat is evidence enough of that.”

“Surely there is some truth to the stories,” Rowan added.

Aelin raised her shoulder in a delicate shrug and said without looking at him, “For those who deserve it.”

The conversation was taking a direction he would rather not follow. He wanted to know about her personally, who and not what. The only reason he kept his sanity was ignorance of the extent of Aelin’s true nature. Keeping up the appearances of their farce was enough and indulging the edges of his curiosity would suffice. He’d seen her fangs and claws, he knew a fierce creature lay beneath her skin. 

As they approached the bunkhouse a rhythmic thudding echoed. Rowan knew one of his crew mates must be attending to the one chore Emrys unrelentingly demanded of them. The sailors were in charge of maintaining the supply of firewood, and as the colder months encroached closer with each passing day they were all constantly adding to the pile. The chopping block was kept behind the main building, near the stairs that led up to the private entrance of Rowan’s apartment. 

Not for the first time Rowan wondered why Aelin had chosen him and not Fenrys to play this game of pretend. The two of them together made infinitely more sense, they at least easily fell into friendship unlike the chosen arrangement. Maybe gaining insight behind her reasoning would be in his next round of questions.

Fenrys swung the axe again, the chunk of wood splitting neatly in two. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and despite the cool day the fabric was sticky with sweat. When Aelin noticed she slowed her steps watching as the next piece was set up. Then Fenrys glanced up, noticing them. His brash grin was just about as reassuring as Aelin’s words from earlier. Rowan felt he was about to be caught in a pointless and ridiculous exchange he’d rather not be a part of. 

~~~~~

“Well, well, isn't this a pleasant sight,” Fenrys drawled, leaning the head of the axe on the chopping block and resting both hands on top of the handle. “Never thought I’d see the day when Rowan would agree to sell the ruse in broad daylight.”

The taunt made Aelin’s lips twitch and she saw Rowan stiffen from where he stood next to her.she knew Fenrys couldn’t help himself, that man just had to stir at any opportunity. It would be very unfortunate for Rowan to stop their little outings that she was enjoying so much just because Fenrys decided to tease them about it.

“Hush you,” Aelin admonished. “You’ll scare my dearest husband out of ever taking me out again.”

”I’ve lived in close quarters with Fenrys long enough that I’ve learned to ignore most of the words that come out of his mouth,” Rowan added. “Your turn, was it?”

Aelin looked over and saw Rowan nod towards what she assumed was the chopping block. “What do you mean?”

Fenrys stood a bit straighter and she was granted the opportunity to admire him. Despite the coolness of the morning Fenrys had exerted himself enough that sweat was making the fabric of his shirt cling to him in places. The sleeves had been rolled up to his elbows and showed off his forearms, corded with muscle, no doubt from the work he did as a sailor. When she had first arrived Aelin had dubbed him as beautiful, and he truly was.

“Emrys likes us to keep up on a few chores when we’re home,” Fenrys explained. “Adding to the wood pile is one of them.”

To demonstrate and undeniably show off his prowess, Fenrys swung the axe, the wood on the chopping block splitting only halfway down. Without hesitation he swung again, his aim perfect and breaking apart the rest of the wood.

“Impressive.” That was the only compliment Aelin would grant him. 

Fenrys wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Thank you. I’ll be out here for a little while longer if you’d care to watch.”

Rowan outright scoffed at the remark and suddenly Aelin’s mind wandered to what her husband might look like in Fenrys’ place. In their time in the apartment she had noticed the broadness of Rowan’s shoulders, how like his crewmate, the life of a sailor had shaped him. Rowan was an impressive example of a man to say the least. But admiring the male form was not the entertainment she was looking for at the moment. 

“I have new books that need reading,” Aelin said, declining the invitation. 

“Very important business, I won’t keep you.” Fenrys raised the axe and another piece of wood was split. 

Aelin didn’t bother to wait and see if Rowan followed. She was serious about her books and Fenrys was not enough of a temptation to distract her. She loved reading, but considering the volatile relationship between books and water she only had limited time to consume them. So while she had the opportunity she would take it. 

She barely noticed what Rowan did about the apartment, but around lunchtime a plate of simple fare was offered to her. It was just fruit, cheese and some bread, easy to eat one handed and enough to sustain her as she devoured page after page. This new amiability was nice between her and Rowan, it made Aelin feel content in the storm she was waiting out by being here. So consumed by dark words written on pale pages Aelin ended up reading until dinner, seated on the couch she had made her own reading nest.

“Shall we eat in the dining hall tonight?” Rowan asked, shaking Aelin out of the trance she had fallen into. “I feel as though going to town would take you away from your book for too long.”

Aelin put said book aside, stretching her arms above her head. It was darker outside than she realised as she peeked through the window next to the bed. She hadn’t noticed because Rowan had diligently lit candles so that she wouldn't lose the light. A few days ago he might have just let the apartment go dark, wander off into the night and leave Aelin to her own devices. It was almost touching, even though he was serving himself just as much as he was serving her. But the lamp on the side table next to her was a notable touch.

“That sounds like a good idea,” Aelin said. “That way I can come back to my book sooner.”

”Exciting part?” Rowan asked, tying his hair back. 

Aelin was sure a love declaration was only pages away, but she doubted Rowan would be interested in that fact. So she kept her reply simple. “Yes, very.”

Because they would be walking through the inner hallways Aelin didn’t bother with any added clothing. Her long sleeved blouse and skirt would be enough in the fire warmed dining room. She and Rowan were some of the later arrivals and Aelin dutifully took her seat next to her would-be-husband. The dark haired captain at the end of the table still eyed them sceptically, not yet being convinced of the ruse. Aelin didn’t know why his belief mattered so much, and besides passionately kissing Rowan at the dinner table there wasn’t much that could be done to persuade him. 

Emrys once again laid the table with delicious dishes. While they ate conversation picked up in an ebb and flow, Aelin keeping to the outskirts of it. It wasn’t deliberate, but the only other member of the crew she was remotely close to was Fenrys and he was sitting too far away to keep up conversation. 

Instead, Aelin spent most of the meal observing the dynamics between the men at the table. They were an interesting group, Rowan and Lorcan seeming to set apart from the rest. The other three bickered and bantered and kept the energy of the room lively. It was nice, almost familial. The captain and the first mate the parental figures keeping everyone in line. That thought had Aelin fighting a smile even as a wave of homesickness washed over her. She missed her family and friends desperately, and missed the interactions like the one she was audience to now. The loneliness was something she would have to ignore.

Fenrys reaching for his drink caught Aelin’s attention, her eyes drawn to the movement. As he raised his glass he sent a subtle wink down the table. That only meant trouble.

“I’m glad to see Rowan willing to let you out,” Fenrys said, and Aelin braced herself for the insinuations that would follow. “I think he was enjoying keeping you to himself.”

Aelin knew Rowan wasn’t about to interject so she took it upon herself. “It was the weather. It’s far too cold and miserable here to venture outside. But I think my scratching at the door was starting to annoy him and forced me out the door anyway.”

“It was the claw marks actually,” Rowan added. 

Two things happened, within a mere second of each other. The first was Fenrys choking on something and the second was a surprised laugh that burst out of Aelin. She was shocked that Rowan would even allude to such a thing and when Aelin turned to look at the man she hadn’t realised had a sense of humour he was looking quietly pleased with himself. Rowan tried to hide his smile behind a forkful of food but Aelin saw it. 

Everyone else seated at the table only took the joke as a simple quip, and had no idea why Fenrys was losing all composure. It wasn’t long after that Rowan excused the two of them for the evening. When they got back to the apartment Aelin didn’t say anything about the claw remark, she would let Rowan have this triumph undisturbed. Instead she went back to her book and read until she was forced into the bathtub. 

The next day the weather was too nice to stay indoors and Aelin took her book down to the beach. For hours she read, sitting on the sand with the break of the wave a pleasant hum in the background. She had assumed the sun would last and be enough to warm her, but she was wrong. As the day waned the wind had picked up and the clouds had sailed in from the ocean. Aelin had been so engrossed in her story it took her longer than it should have to realise. A bitterly cold wind had skittered across her skin, making her shiver. It pulled her out of the fantastical story she was in, and she looked around taking in the full severity of the weather. 

Maybe Mistward would be in for one of the seasonal storms that prevented the sailors travelling for months. With no desire to be caught in it Aelin picked herself up and book in hand she had trudged through the sand and back to the apartment. She didn’t know where Rowan was, she had let him know where she was going and what she was doing, but he had just nodded and mentioned that he might duck into town to buy some supplies. 

The stairs creaked under Aelin’s weight as she walked up to the back entrance. She threw one last look out at the ominous clouds gathering and stepped inside, greeted by the pleasant warmth emanating from the fireplace. At first she assumed Rowan wasn’t home and that she had come back while he was still running errands. But then she heard singing, soft and low, coming from the bathroom. 

Afraid that her presence becoming known would make it stop, she crept towards the door as silently as she could. Considering her natural form had fins instead of feet, she did quite well. The singing became clearer with every step she took, as did her interest. Rowan had a beautiful singing voice, and with song being such an intrinsic part of who she was, Aelin was drawn to it. 

Hoary wildwood,

Where within, a rood,

Bends its bough to lift me.

Lithely moonlight,

Name a path and I'll ride.

Fleet of foot, whitherto.

Have I faltered?

Am I shorn from my wyrd?

Hewn of hope, lorn and loath.

Upon the high wind,

I hear a wordless tongue.

Upon the high wind,

whither a calling come.

Incredibly disappointed Rowan had stopped singing, Aelin didn’t think before she twisted the handle and pushed the door open. “You sing?”

Rowan all but jumped out of his skin, the water in the tub splashing out onto the floor. “What are you doing?”

“I heard you…” Aelin trailed off as she took in the details of Rowan’s behaviour. He was frantically trying to cover himself beneath, trying to make himself impossibly smaller within the bathtub. Confused, Aelin cocked her head, and noted the pink on his cheeks while she was entirely unruffled by the situation. Even though she realised why, she walked across the space, propping herself up on the sink basin. “Why didn’t you tell me you could sing?”

”It never really came up.” Rowan snatched a washcloth from the rim of the tub, pulling it low into the water. “Knock next time, damnit.”

Aelin rolled her eyes. “You humans and your propriety. You think I’ve never seen a naked man before? Because I have.” Then mischief took hold of her, and she might just potentially ruin all the progress they had made. But she couldn’t help it. “Though I have to say not many have been as… impressive as you.”

She could have sworn the colour on his cheeks deepened as Rowan growled, “Get out.”

Aelin lent forward, pretending she could see over the edge of the tub. She couldn’t, it didn’t stop her though—she was enjoying herself too much. “I think you need a larger washcloth to hide behind in there.”

Rowan was perfectly still, like that would make her leave, like she was a predator losing interest in their prey once the chase was finished. Aelin would do no such thing.

“You might want to hurry up, I’m starting to dry out. I might end up having to join you.”

Water sloshed as Rowan stood and that washcloth slapped directly into Aelin’s face. The shock of it had her gasping and wiping the soapy water from her eyes.

“It’s yours,” he yelled over his shoulder, yanking a towel from the hook as he stormed out the door. But not before Aelin caught the briefest glimpse of his ass which was just as impressive as the rest of him. Then the door was slammed and Aelin had no doubt Rowan was cursing her to every god he could think of. 

Alone in the bathroom, Aelin wasn’t about to waste the opportunity of a good soak. Not wanting to get her hair wet she used the mirror and two of the ribbons she had bought to tie her hair up out of the way. Pleased with her work that she inspected in the mirror she undressed, glad she had brought her book in with her. Aelin was about to step into the tub when she heard knocking on the outside door of the apartment. She assumed Rowan would get it, but the knocking came again. Apparently home alone, Aelin picked up Rowan’s discarded shirt because that would cover more of her in this short amount of time. 

Thinking Rowan had simply locked himself out, Aelin let the shirt fall from her shoulder just to tease him a little. She had noticed his eyes lingering on her when she wore her nightgowns around the apartment. The sole purpose was to rile him up and even though he pretended to be indifferent to them, Aelin knew better—she had succeeded. 

A new round of knocking started but Aelin was only a few steps away. If she wasn’t so intent on provoking Rowan again she might have noticed sooner that the door was in fact unlocked. It might have better prepared her for what was on the other side of the door. 

With her most seductive smile Aelin opened it. “Change your mind about joining—oh.”

Aelin was stunned, gaping at the sight before her. She wasn’t used to being on this end of the surprise, and that alone was unsettling. Because it was not Rowan’s disgruntled face that greeted her, these were people she had never seen before, but she had some inkling of who they might be. These newcomers were looking just as astonished as she was feeling and standing there wearing nothing but her false-husband’s shirt, Aelin did the only thing she could think of. She shut the door. 

~~~~~

Thanks for reading! I'm not sure of the voice in this one but... *shrugs* Song is: Lorn and Loathe by Wolcensmen. And good news! I know exactly what happens next.

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

I love this au, you love this au. Let's just get to it.

~ Masterlist ~

~~~~~

Today Aelin was only booked in for a half day at the aquarium. It was off-peak, middle of the school term and the usual slow Wednesday crowd. There weren’t many visitors to the aquarium besides the odd school group and to keep it fair the mermaid shifts were split. Aelin had the morning and Lysandra would do the afternoon. 

There was about an hour between performances and Aelin had just finished shedding her tail along with all her other mermaid accessories. She was only dressed in her swimmers and was on her way to the showers when Lysandra walked into the dressing room. 

“Hello, hello,” she greeted brightly. 

“Hey,” Aelin replied, pulling out her clothes to make sure she had everything she needed. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d accidentally left her underwear on the bed.

“Isn’t that the sweatshirt Mr Hot ‘n Loaded lent you?” Lysandra said, sighting the jumper that had just been unloaded from the bag and flicking the cuff.

”Maybe.” It was all Aelin was willing to admit, and quickly stuffed it out of sight, diverting the conversation away from it. “Speaking of, I could have died.”

Despite the seriousness of the words, Lysandra laughed. “You were not dying. We’ve been over this. And you had a far better saviour than me, let it go.”

“Not the point,” Aelin deflected, “and you know I know how to hold a grudge.”

“You’re just jealous,” Lysandra said with a casual shrug and a self satisfied smile. 

Aelin huffed, putting her hands on her hips. “I’m very proud of you for taking the opportunity of casual sex in a bathroom.”

“It was a bedroom, actually,” Lysandra corrected. “Apparently there’s at least three guest rooms.”

“Semantics. What I’m saying is that there is a time and a place, and that was neither.”

Lysandra dropped her bag onto the chair in front of the vanity mirror. “The way I see it, thanks to my little escapade with that very handsome blond you were able to get your own dose of flirting in, you just aren’t game enough to do anything about it.”

Right, because when Rowan had undressed Aelin in that pool room, desperately trying not to look, she and really except for one teasing line she had missed her opportunity. She had been too cold and frazzled to take advantage of the situation. Aelin could feel herself blushing even though she hadn’t been shy in the moment. Maybe it had been because of the onset of hypothermia or maybe it was because she had found Rowan’s own embarrassment so entertaining, either way the pink in her cheeks was damning right now.

”I have no idea what you're talking about,” Aelin tried to bluff, even though on the drive home while yelling I could have died every five minutes, she had gone into heavy detail about what had occurred. Right down to how soft Rowan’s fingers had felt as they brushed over her skin. 

“Yeah, huh. You still have his number, right? Call him, text him,” Lysandra pulled her tail from the wardrobe. “Do something about it.”

For good measure Lysandra flicked the centre of Aelin’s forehead, like that would banish the remains of the hesitancy swirling around in her brain. Swatting the hand away and hissing, Aelin scowled after her friend disappeared into one of the cubicles to start getting ready. 

What Aelin couldn’t figure out was why she was hesitating. It was clear there was mutual attraction ignoring the lack of tact Rowan seemed to have when interacting with her. She had busted him checking her out more than once. And it seemed like he was a decent guy when he wasn’t accidentally propositioning her for shifty sounding private events.

On the other hand, there was a vibe that Aelin had got from the woman she assumed was Ivy’s mother. She had never addressed Aelin directly but there was a definite feeling that she wasn’t happy with a mermaid being in attendance. Rowan had been very clear that he was divorced, so that came with the implications that his ex-wife wasn’t entirely in his life. There was obviously some kind of coparenting situation going on but Aelin didn’t know much more than that. There was so much falling into the unknown category, and there was only one way to fix that and find out. 

Aelin grabbed her bag and left the dressing room. She didn’t need Lysandra hovering and goading her into action. When she got to her car Aelin dug out her phone from where she’d thrown it into her bag and scrolled to the message thread with Rowan. She just needed some kind of opening, something casual to test the waters. The cuff of the borrowed jumper slid over her hand, almost swallowing the phone. Since the party it had lived in her car and she had worn it more than once. It was insanely comfortable and had that nice male kind of smell about it. And it was her ticket. 

Going off their previous conversations, Rowan didn’t seem like much of a texter, so Aelin took the plunge and hit the call button instead. It rang for longer than she expected, and then she realised he was most likely at work, working a real job with real hours. Aelin blushed again and was about to hang up when it connected.

”Rowan Whitethorn speaking,” his tone professional.

”Hi, this is Aelin Galathynius, mermaid extraordinaire,” Aelin said, hoping her quickly summoned bravado covered her nerves. 

“Aelin, hi,” his tone immediately dropped into something more casual. “What can I do for you? Did the money not go through?”

”No, no that’s all fine,” Aelin replied. “You were more than generous.”

”You went above and beyond. Ivy had the time of her life.” She could swear there was a smile in his voice.

”I’m glad.”

Aelin was leaning on the car, fiddling with the too long sleeve on her free hand. She was grinning as well, pleased with herself for doing such a good job.

“I don’t mean to be rude or rush you, but I’m in between meetings,” Rowan said, breaking into her thoughts.

”Oh, yes!” Aelin blurted. “I wanted to return your jumper and maybe say thank you for helping me not freeze to death after I was left for dead by my friend.”

Rowan chuckled and Aelin ignored how it skittered over her skin. 

“What did you have in mind?” He asked.

Aelin’s confidence had returned and she went for it. ”Dinner, Saturday,”

“Just give me one second,” Rowan said and there was some clicking in the background. “I don’t have Ivy, this weekend. She’ll be sad to miss you.”

And he’d gone and missed the point by a mile. “I meant just you and me, Rowan. Like a date.”

There was a heavy beat of silence, then Rowan laughed again, this one astounding significantly more self deprecating. “You should see how red my face is right now.”

”I’m sure I can imagine.” Aelin had already had the privilege of seeing it before and could picture it perfectly. 

“That sounds wonderful, Aelin. We’ll text and work out a time?” 

”Sounds great,” Aelin said, nodding even though Rowan couldn’t see.

“Bye, then.”

”See ya, Rowan,” Aelin replied and hung up the phone. 

For a moment she stood there, smiling, proud of herself for getting a date so smoothly. The whole misunderstanding of Ivy being there would be forgotten and never spoken of again. This was a triumph and Aelin was ready to celebrate, which would start with some polite bragging. 

>> I got that date you were bugging me about. Now you have to help me figure out what to wear.

When Lysandra sent back an emoji of a smiling devil Aelin knew they were about to cause some havoc and Rowan would be their target. 

~~~~~

I already have Aelin's outfit planned and she'd gonna wreck him

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Part 2 of this fic like I promised! This was inspired by the PICTURE prompt provided by @throneofglassmicrofics may prompts but it doesn't fit the micro fic criteria. It's one thousand and something words. But, you'll soon find out, it was impossible to cut anything out. Thanks for reading!

CW: smut

~~~~~

Aelin picked up her robe and gracefully shrugged it onto her shoulders, pulling it across her body but not bothering to tie it. Rowan supposed all things considered, she wasn’t shy about her body. Her… antics during the shoot only proved that. With a knowing wink over her shoulder Aelin headed towards the refreshments table, cracking open a bottle of water. Instead of watching her like a transfixed idiot Rowan did what he was supposed to do and pulled out his laptop.

He inserted the SD card into the slot, clicking away when the photos appeared. A flurry of expletives overtook his brain because holy gods, these photos. Rowan ignored the heat in his cheeks, why was it suddenly so hot in here?

“How did we do?” Aelin called out. 

Rowan turned, drawn to the sound of her voice. “Ah, good.” When Aelin raised a questioning brow he amended his answer. “Great, even.”

“Your confidence is astounding,” Aelin said sarcastically. “At least the merchandise is pretty and I get to keep it. It’s the one bonus of all these lingerie shoots that Arobynn likes to book. Fucking pervert.”

Rowan had to agree there. Aelin picked up a chocolate covered strawberry, her eyes lighting up in delight. Then she looked towards the door, and wariness set in and she put it down. It was like she was worried that pervert could see through the walls and judge her every move. In a blink of an eye that brief show of vulnerability was gone. She was smiling again, as sly as any assassin, and she was looking at him like he was her next target.

Aelin walked over, still wearing those heels and each step with a deliberate sway of her hips. Rowan went back to his screen, willing the torture to end soon. Little did he know but it was only about to intensify as Aelin lent in, close enough that the softness of her body pressed into him—and he tried very hard to ignore exactly where their bodies met. But no, he couldn’t, not when her hair tickled across his cheek, the scent of her perfume filling his nose. Rowan was all but gone when Aelin dragged her clothed breast over the bare skin of his bicep. His jaw was tight as he refused to let his gaze shift away from the screen in front of him. 

“I like this one,” she tapped a manicured fingernail on his screen. 

Rowan opened the thumbnail on instinct and almost failed to suppress his groan when he realised his mistake. The picture Aelin had chosen… it was one small step away from pornograhic. Lost in his creative flow he had just snapped away, capturing everything. Kneeling on the bed, Aelin's bottom lip was tucked between her teeth, her eyes half-lidded but focused enough to send her sultry gaze down the lens. One hand pulled the fabric of her flimsy bra down enough that the edge of her nipple was exposed and the other hand splayed across her hip. She looked like the most decadent of sins. 

Swallowing once, Rowan replied, “They can’t use that one.”

”No, but you can.”

The words surprised him enough that Rowan turned— found himself nose to nose with Aelin. There was a sweet smile on her lips, as if she hadn’t been tormenting him for the last forty-five minutes. The need to kiss her was overwhelming. Rowan had his resolve by the reins, he was in control, but then her eyes dipped down to his…

Aelin stood straighter, moving the laptop away and putting a hand on his shoulder to guide her as she circled to stand in front of him. Rowan wasn’t breathing as she put her thighs over his own, straddling him in the chair. Heat flushed his cheeks when she felt the hard-on he hadn’t been able to will away. Aelin sighed, sinking further into his lap with just the smallest roll of her hips. He had to fight his baser instincts not to return the movement in kind.

Aelin’s eyes focused on Rowan’s face, and she lent in just a little. “Thank you for looking after me.”

Rowan didn’t exactly remember putting his hands on Aelin’s waist, but they were there, his thumbs brushing over the soft silk of gauzy robe. “I—” he realised he hadn’t the faintest idea where his sentence was going. “It’s what you deserve.”

“Do you want to kiss me, Rowan?” Aelin asked, her head tilting enough to send her hair swaying. 

His hands tightened on his waist, he didn’t have it in him to lie. “I do.”

That was all the permission Aelin needed. She closed the distance, not playing around with anything soft. The kiss was just as fierce as she was, and Rowan gave back as good as he got. He dipped his tongue into Aelin’s mouth, making her chase him for more. She moaned when he caught her top lip with his teeth, stoking the fire between them. 

Aelin pulled back far enough to let the robe fall away, exposing swathes of skin for him to touch—to taste. And Rowan did just that. He knew how easy it was to pull the lace of her bra down, so he did. For months he wondered what it would feel like to have her warm skin beneath his palm, so he found out. He wanted to know what noise Aelin might make as he kissed her while he toyed with the peak of her breast. His curiosity was more than answered. 

The sweet noises Aelin made had his cock hardening further and all the threads of his control snapping. When the harshness of her next moan broke the kiss Rowan took the opportunity to urge her taller in his lap, his head bowing to take her nipple in his mouth. He worshipped her, all the while she rode him, writhing over him. 

“Oh Gods, Rowan,” Aelin gasped.

Rowan pressed opened mouthed kisses over her cleavage and up her neck. “Tell me I can, Aelin,” he whispered in her ear, pushing her down against his cock. She was already so close, but he didn’t want her to come until he was inside her. “Tell me I can fuck you.”

”Yes,” Aelin replied, her hands cupping his face. “I might just murder you if you don’t.”

That made Rowan laugh. “If those are the stakes.” 

He stood, carrying Aelin to the bed. When her body hit the mattress she sprawled out beneath him. Rowan wasted no time, pulling his t-shirt over head and unbuttoning his jeans and kicking them off. Aelin’s bright eyes ran over him, taking in every inch of him. He did the same, his hands leading a trail up to her thighs. Aelin hadn’t bothered to fix what he’d pulled out of place earlier and now her own hand toyed with her exposed breast, pebbling the skin beneath. The sight had him bowing down to the closest skin he could find—that was the skin of her left thigh. 

“May I?” Rowan breathed onto her skin, his fingers playing with the waistband of her underwear. 

“You fucking better,” Aelin demanded.

He couldn’t help it, the sass had a low chuckle rumbling through him but he reprimanded her by sinking his teeth into her upper thigh. If she thought he had any inclination of stopping she was the wrong kind of insane. Fucking on a photoshoot set when anyone could walk through the doors, that was the right kind of insanity for him. Aelin’s gasp was more of a moan and Rowan took some delight in the pink mark he’d left behind. Then he’d had enough of waiting. 

Rowan had the patience not to rip the underwear off, but dragged them down her legs and then bracing himself over Aelin. His hand drifted between her legs, feeling her swollen clit and how ready she was for him just from grinding on his lap. The moan that came from her mouth sounded desperate, her hips bucking as Rowan lightly flicked a finger over the bud. Aelin pulled him down, kissing him and urging him closer with a knee hooked over his hip. The tip of his cock dragged over the slickness between her thighs, her hips rising up to encourage him closer. Rowan’s fraying patience didn’t allow room for playing games. A roll of his hips and he was pushing into her tight heat, groaning at the feeling of it. Aelin gave a shuddering sigh, throwing her head back. It allowed Rowan to kiss the length of her neck, careful not to leave any evidence of what they were doing behind. 

“Give me everything, Rowan,” Aelin breathed on his lips, holding him tighter. 

So he did, their bodies moving together. Aelin begged for harder and faster, and Rowan followed the demands as they were given. There was no knowing how long they had left, and even though he may not have been able to draw this out as long as he would have liked, he was savouring every second of it. Every sound, every feeling, this would haunt him. Aelin was perfection, he’d be wrecked and begging for her after this. 

Aelin cried out as her pleasure crested, slapping a hand over her mouth before she gave them away. Her eyes danced with mirth, but then they rolled back as Rowan changed the angle of his hips. Pressure built as the base of—he was close too. 

Then he realised they hadn’t bothered with protection, his sex hazed brain struggled to figure out what he needed to do next. His hips slowed and Aelin groaned in protest, her heel digging into his lower back.

“Don’t stop,” she begged through gritted teeth. 

“But Aelin—”

The pressure on his back built and Aelin looked right into his eyes and said, “Don’t you fucking dare stop.”

The urgent and messy kiss she gave him was the acceptance Rowan needed, thrusting deep and hard like Aelin had begged of him. Her sharp but quiet moans showed how close she was, and only when she shuddered around him, shaking and moaning into the skin of his neck did Rowan let himself go, spilling into her. He fucked into her until oversensitivity made him stop. Aelin was panting beneath him, her hands running idle paths over his body. 

It was hard to believe what they’d just done, but Rowan regretted none of it. Not when he drew back just enough to see Aelin smiling back at him. 

“I’ve wanted to do that forever,” she said softly, nudging her nose against him.

Rowan pressed a soft to her lips. “Likewise.”

Aelin let out a bright burst of laughter, ruining the kiss and maybe his heart as well. She was brave and strong, and Rowan might turn to religion and start praying that this wasn’t the last time they got to do this. A horn blared from the street, breaking the quiet of the room and the spell they had both been under.

“I need to get dressed,” Aelin said.

Nodding, Rowan helped her up, trying his best to make sure that they wouldn’t leave behind any messy incriminating evidence. For a moment they stood there, Aelin looping her arms around his neck. They shared one more kiss, enough to ignite the heat back into Rowan’s blood. But they didn’t have time for anything else, and they both knew it.

“Thank you,” Aelin said and then turned away, walking off to the small bathroom.

Rowan gathered his clothes, slipping each piece on, those two words echoing in his mind. He couldn’t explain why, but they had sounded like a goodbye.

~~~~~

Again, thanks for reading this most definite two part fic that I have absolutely of course stopped thinking about entirely

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

Sometimes when life gives you lemons you just have to write a self indulgent fic to make yourself feel better. this is another late submission for @throneofglassmicrofics. This one is for PHOTOSHOOT. Don't word count check me on this one.

~~~~~

The wall of the small loft studio was cool on Rowan’s back as he waited for the set to finish being dressed. He’d already prepped his equipment, all his cameras were charged and ready to go. The focus of the room was a large bed tastefully dressed in expensive sheets, the backdrop a blank beige wall that would provide the neutrality. Rowan had a cursory say in the set, but it was his job as the photographer to work with what he was given. And he did a damn good job of it.

Rowan had enough self awareness to admit that he thought lingerie shoots were beneath him. More often than not they were tacky and overtly objective of the female form. But the way he was being overpaid was ludicrous just to make sure they got him and he’d just had a lens dropped by a clumsy assistant. The money was opportunely offered and wouldn’t go to waste. 

Heels clicked on the wooden floors, announcing the arrival of whoever Rowan was meant to be photographing. When he saw exactly who it was he stood a little straighter, surprised and more than a little excited about the shoot now. 

Aelin Galathynius walked onto set and he could feel the energy change. Besides her stunning beauty she had a presence that held the entire focus of the room, and it was part of the reason she had made such an impact as a model. Her career had started in her teens and had exploded onto every format imaginable. She’d been a cover-girl countless times, had people bidding outrageous amounts to have her as the face of their product. Aelin was the best of the best. And she knew it. 

She strutted around with unabashed confidence, even though she wore nothing more than expensive red lace strung between hems on satin. A short, thin, gauzy robe offered some semblance of modesty, but Rowan knew for a fact that Aelin wasn’t a shy woman. They’d worked together a multitude of times and their banter had progressively tilted towards flirtation. He couldn’t help himself, not when her wit was as disarmingly sharp as her beauty. They might even be considered friends, or maybe it was just friendly colleagues. 

A make-up artist was touching up Aelin’s face when her manager approached her. Arobynn Hamel was infamous within the industry, a man who could make or break a career on a whim. Much like other men of his position, he was fucking vile. Rowan watched as Hamel snapped at the make-up artist and invaded Aelin’s personal space like he owned it, like he owned her. Aelin didn’t flinch or recoil, either too brave or used to his behaviour. It made Rowan want to punch him in the face. 

Hamel said something and Rowan might have openly applauded the eye roll Aelin gave in response. Her unwavering fire is what gave her the edge to survive in this world. Then her eyes travelled across the loft and landed on Rowan. “You ready to get this party started, Whitethorn?”

There was no point in delaying, so Rowan headed over to his equipment. Meanwhile, Aelin prepped too, dropping her robe onto a fold out chair and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked like a vision, with her golden hair set in soft waves cascading down her back, that barely there underwear accentuating her curves. With her looking like that, this photoshoot might be harder to get through than he thought. 

“When you’re ready,” Rowan said as he dropped the strap around his neck and readied his camera.

Aelin was damn near flawless. She was so expressive, she could capture you through the camera with just a shift of her eyes, a tilt of her smile, her image could sell anything. And her manager knew it and exploited it. Hamel was the worst kind of man imaginable. Over his career there had been multiple allegations brought up against him, it was only his money and influence that saved him. Right now the way he was ogling Aelin and outright yelling directions at her made Rowan’s skin crawl. It was unsettling Aelin too, he could see it in the tightness of her body—how her face was never quite relaxed. The pervert was ruining his shoot. 

“We need to close the set,” Rowan announced. “Now.”

“She’s fine,” Arobynn said curtly. 

Rowan put his hands on his hips and turned slowly. “Everyone here is disrupting the creative vibe of the shoot. Hurry up and leave or I will.”

There was a firm promise in Rowan’s voice and a few people were already moving. Hamel was ready for a fight but Aelin backed up the request.

“You know these creative types,” she said, making it sound like an insult. “Full of bullish stubbornness, he won’t stop until he gets his way.”

Aelin’s disdain seemed to please Arobynn, but even then he reluctantly left. Rowan just turned his back and waited. Aelin was sitting on the bed, her eyes fixed on him. When that door finally shut, the sound echoing in the now nearly empty loft, she smiled.

”Well, that was a neat little trick.”

Rowan shrugged. “You were uncomfortable, doesn’t make for good photos.”

”Oh, this is all about your job is it?” Aelin taunted. 

Rowan gave her a look that said she wasn’t about to get a rise out of him and no, this wasn’t just about his job and she knew it. 

Aelin fluffed out her hair and tossed her shoulders back. “Let’s have some fun then, shall we?”

With a sigh she fell on the bed, sweeping her arms out and arching her back. It was hard to watch her writhing on the sheets, it was like a fantasy come to life. 

“Pick up your camera, Rowan.” The way she said his name had his skin feeling tighter. There was a huskiness to it that sounded like it belonged to the deep, dark hours of the night. “You have a job to do.”

Five minutes in, Rowan knew that Aelin was determined to torture him, slowly, painfully. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her directly, it was safer through the camera. Kept a barrier between them because Aelin wasn’t playing around. With just the two of them she let her inhibitions go. Her hands wandered over her body, lingering dangerously over, and sometimes beneath, edges of satin. It couldn’t be helped the way the camera tracked the path over her exposed cleavage, or when her nails raked up her thigh. And then there were the looks she was giving him—she was determined to unravel him completely. 

They weren’t far off gazes at nothing, she looked right down the lens, right at him. This is what Rowan imagined she might look like if she were to beg for his touch, and if he did touch her and she was caught in the throes of how good he could make her feel. Something about her looks felt like a challenge. Or maybe it was a promise. Whatever it was, his jeans had been uncomfortably tight for longer than he was brave enough to admit.

‘I think that’ll do it,” Rowan said, his voice thick and Aelin definitely noticed. He could tell from the wicked grin he gave her as she strutted across the room, barely wearing a thing. When Rowan realised he was tracking her every step he snapped his gaze away. 

He was in such deep, unending shit. 

~~~~~

this does have a mostly wriiten second part *sly smile*

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

~ MASTERLIST ~

While we wait for Taylor Swift to break our hearts, thought I might dabble a bit in that myself. We get a bit of insight into Rowan this chapter and I lent into canon a little bit. This is the *ADVICE* prompt thanks to @throneofglassmicrofics.

CW: Off page character death

~~~~~

Rowan liked his new house, it was practical, easy to maintain and the neighbourhood turned out to be nicer than he was expecting. The street was quiet, nothing more than the occasional backyard party disturbed him the nights after work or on the weekends. Unless he fully committed to choosing the true life of a hermit and hid away far off in the mountains, Rowan couldn't escape all human contact. And besides his purposefully casual interactions at work and the obligatory check-ins with his friends and family he was managing to avoid the unnecessary kinds. He’d been informed more than once that this outlook wasn’t healthy, but it was how he managed. Especially today.

Today marked three years to the day the life he had known shattered into pieces. Time had dulled the constant ache, but this date still haunted him. Rowan had moved here once the haze had cleared enough that he had the drive to seek out a new job and a new start. Or he might just have been running away, his personal reasoning usually depended on his mood. 

It had been like any other day, Rowan was making dinner waiting for his wife to get home when the phone had rung. In the middle of stirring the butter chicken that Lyria had specially requested out of the blue, he hadn’t bothered to note who the caller was. His blood ran cold at the first words: this is Doranelle General Hospital. After that he was given the instructions that he needed to get to the hospital as soon as he could. 

The drive went by in a blur, but he’d got there. When he gave his name received a look that was full of sympathy and he knew. Rowan knew right then and there but he forced himself into denial. It was hard to ignore when a doctor rounded the corner next and led Rowan to a private room to tell him the devastating truth.

There was a car accident.

Lyria had died.

She was pregnant.

Rowan had sat there, stunned, devoid of feeling, because of the one little fact that he didn’t know. Lyria was pregnant, she was pregnant and she hadn’t told him. Rowan had left the hospital a broken man and three years later he still hadn’t been able to piece himself back together. 

It was a rare thing for Rowan to take a day off work, but that was for the better. His mood was foul and people didn’t deserve to have that inflicted on them. Each year it got better—no, easier—and he didn’t know if it was a bad thing or a good thing. The shame and guilt of not being there when he should have would plague him forever. 

To keep the demons at bay he chose running. This was his fourth lap around the block, everytime he had approached his front yard he’d told himself one more, he wasn’t ready to go home just yet. So he pushed himself for another, then another, and despite the burning in his lungs and the lagging of his feet he might just go around again. Rowan might just have if his neighbour pulling into her driveway hadn't pulled him up. He slowed down to a jog when he saw the car approaching the driveway so she wouldn’t have to stop for him. 

It had been about a month since their first interaction and they hadn’t had another since. She remained the only niggling irritation Rowan had with living here. This woman had come at him so viciously and he was still feeling the need to defend himself. He had watched her almost drop her baby just to get the bins down to the curb. Anyone with any sense would have accepted the help instead of making a point. 

That irritation rose when she slowed down so much that Rowan basically had to stop on the path. He got it, he really did, but anything and everything got to him today. In the end he used this as an excuse to go home. Maybe he could force some food down and see if he could sleep off the rest of his mood. Rowan walked on the path in front of her lawn and as he took out his earbud he caught sight of her waving him down. Confused, he stopped just watching as his neighbour walked across the grass. 

“Hi,” she said tightly, obviously not pleased about the conversation she had been the one to start. 

Unable to do much else, Rowan matched her energy. “Hi.”

Those unusual eyes narrowed at him, and not wanting to be the focus of her ire he shifted his attention to the baby she was holding. It was a mistake. Looking at her was like a shot to the chest. She had brown eyes and hair, her tiny fist was curled from where it clung to her mother’s shirt. What sent him staggering was that this child’s colouring was so similar to Lyria’s. An ill-timed reminder of what could have been. His neighbour talking gave him something else to focus on. 

“I snapped at you, I’m sorry,” she said. 

The scoff he made was involuntary, as were the words that came out of his mouth next, no chance to temper them against his anger. “It must have been so hard to track me down. It’s been a month. You’ve had plenty of chances to apologise before now.”

The woman all but reared back, at this point Rowan didn’t care about the verbal lashing he was going to get. 

“Take my advice,” she all but hissed, shifting the baby in her arms—shifting her away. “Don’t be a dick when someone’s trying to apologise.” 

That was their conversation done, the still nameless woman stomped across her lawn and into the house, the front door not quite slamming but obviously closed with some force. Rowan was well aware all he had done was add fuel to the fire, and it shouldn’t have bothered him as much as he did. He didn’t have the energy or time for this, the best thing for him to do was ignore his volatile and irksome neighbour. Something that would be more than easy for him to do.

~~~~~

After copious amounts of editing I only went over by 42 words, which is a pretty good effort.

[works-of-shyvioletcat]

So, it’s my Birthday! This is my present to myself, a little self indulgent single parent au because it’s is my birthday and no one can stop me. I wrote this as part of the @throneofglassmicrofics prompts from last month but I never had the time to polish it off until now. This was for the prompt ambivalence and my plan is to continue this fic with more with neat little 1000 word updates. Good news is I know exactly where it’s going. So please enjoy!

~~~~~

Rowan pulled up to his new place of residence at 9am sharp, just like he planned to. He had flown in from Doranelle two weeks ago and spent the majority of that time coordinating with the real estate and delivery companies so he could get into his new house as efficiently as possible. A new job had brought him to Orynth, and not one for the hustle and bustle of the city he’d found a quaint little house on the very edges of the city outskirts. It was well and truly the suburbs, but he didn’t mind. Rowan never really understood the aversion society seemed to have to them. It was quieter and less busy, more than a wall between one home and the next. What was there not to like?

A mattress and bed frame were the first on the list of things to be delivered, after that it should be his personal items that he had shipped here. Over the next week he’d be waiting on that bell to ring while he got himself settled. After that his break from work would be over and he would be ready to jump guns blazing into his new life. A fresh start was what Rowan needed and what he was determined to get.

At 9:15 there was no sign of his bed, by 9:30 he was still in a house devoid of furniture. Leaning on the kitchen counter was becoming uncomfortable and with nothing to sit on inside he’d chosen to sit on the top step of his front porch, scrolling through his phone while repeatedly looking for delivery updates. Rowan realised that ther morning sunshine was great here, maybe he’d spend his time waiting finding a chair to sit on when he sipped his morning coffee.

The sound of a screen door clanging shut from next door drew Rowan’s attention. Glancing over he saw a woman stepping down from her own porch, wearing a soft looking dressing gown with a small infant cuddled against her chest. Rowan couldn't see much more than that besides a mess of golden hair that fell down the woman’s back, catching the morning sunlight as she walked. She hadn’t noticed him, she just seemed to murmur to the baby in her arms, heading towards the bins, no doubt to set them on the curb like the other houses in the street had. Rowan watched her precariously manoeuvre the first bin one handed, and then come back for the other. That seemed to upset the baby who cried and wiggled, the bin scraping on the concrete of the driveway as the woman had to suddenly let go. Before he knew it Rowan was across his own front yard, stepping over the small line of shrubs into his neighbour’s so he could help her avoid disaster.

It caught the woman’s attention, had her looking over as Rowan got closer and said, “I can get that for you.”

The hostility in her eyes had him stopping before he could even reach for the handle. What really took him aback was how beautiful this woman was. Not that he had expected her not to be, but it was just how striking features were. Her eyes were bright with ire, only emphasising the startling colour of them. Crystal clear turquoise, like a sundrenched shoreline. Her full lips pursed in annoyance and there was a light dusting of freckles across her nose. If he was meeting this woman in some random bar he might have tried his luck. Maybe not if she was looking at him the way she was now—like she was ready to rip out his throat for no apparent reason.

“I can do it myself,” she all but barked at him. “I don’t need any help.”

Rowan backed up a step, his temper prickling at the undeserved hostility. “Certainly didn’t seem that way.”

The woman glared at him. “I don’t need your fucking judgement.”

A scoff might have escaped him if he had a little less self control. “I wasn’t—“

There was no chance to defend himself, the woman ignoring his attempts. “Don’t even bother.”

With that declaration Rowan didn't know what else to do but leave her, retreating to the safety of his lawn, just watching what would unfold next. The baby, who couldn’t be more than six months old—younger even— fussed even more as the next bin was taken down to the curb. Besides a head of thin wispy brown hair and a beige sleepsuit Rowan couldn’t determine much more about from this distance. It was outright crying by the time the woman had reached the front door where she paused to deal with the door. She saw him standing there watching, rolling her eyes with what Rowan could most accurately describe as disgust. Then they were both back inside, the cries loud enough they could still be heard from where he stood. That was not how Rowan expected his first interaction with his new neighbour to go.

All he had tried to do was be nice when she was clearly struggling. Rowan didn’t know if she had misconstrued his intentions or what, it was ending with him being less than impressed with her reaction. He was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt but being sworn at and treated with utter contempt was hard to ignore.

Rowan turned his back on the new neighbours and their house and went back to his front porch step to keep waiting. As he sat there the bitterness of mistreatment settled on him and he decided that keeping to himself was a good idea. It had been his way of life for years now—helped him survive. He was used to the solitude, there was no reason to question its perks now. So Rowan ignored the fading cries and read through reviews on a chair he was looking at, more than happy to focus on his world and nothing else.

~~~~~

It’s my birthday, I can make all the drama that I want. It’s allowed 😂