worldofwakingdreams01

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Azriel x Eris

Eris (licking his lips): "Show me what those wings do, Shadowsinger."

Azriel: "I... They fly, Eris."

Eris (inches closer): "What ELSE do they do?"

Azriel: "Uhhh..."

Eris (raises a finger, tracing lightly): "That's not quite flying, now is it, Azriel?"

Azriel (blushes. shadow walks away.)

[worldofwakingdreams01]

nice pair of characters who trust each other more than anyone else in the whole entire world it would sure be a shame if one of them betrayed that trust for the sake of trying to keep the other alive. it would sure be a shame to love someone so much you destroy them

[worldofwakingdreams01]

A major problem of being a writer is falling in love with your side characters. You want to explore them, want to share every detail you created for them, show them off to your readers. The pain of not letting them outshine the main character is real.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Zoom In, Don’t Glaze Over: How to Describe Appearance Without Losing the Plot

You’ve met her before. The girl with “flowing ebony hair,” “emerald eyes,” and “lips like rose petals.” Or him, with “chiseled jawlines,” “stormy gray eyes,” and “shoulders like a Greek statue.”

We don’t know them.

We’ve just met their tropes.

Describing physical appearance is one of the trickiest — and most overdone — parts of character writing. It’s tempting to reach for shorthand: hair color, eye color, maybe a quick body scan. But if we want a reader to see someone — to feel the charge in the air when they enter a room — we need to stop writing mannequins and start writing people.

So let’s get granular. Here’s how to write physical appearance in a way that’s textured, meaningful, and deeply character-driven.

1. Hair: It’s About Story, Texture, and Care

Hair says a lot — not just about genetics, but about choices. Does your character tame it? Let it run wild? Is it dyed, greying, braided, buzzed, or piled on top of her head in a hurry?

Good hair description considers:

Texture (fine, coiled, wiry, limp, soft)

Context (windblown, sweat-damp, scorched by bleach)

Emotion (does she twist it when nervous? Is he ashamed of losing it?)

Flat: “Her long brown hair framed her face.”

Better: “Her ponytail was too tight, the kind that whispered of control issues and caffeine-fueled 4 a.m. library shifts.”

You don’t need to romanticise it. You need to make it feel real.

2. Eyes: Less Color, More Connection

We get it: her eyes are violet. Cool. But that doesn’t tell us much.

Instead of focusing solely on eye color, think about:

What the eyes do (do they dart, linger, harden?)

What others feel under them (seen, judged, safe?)

The surrounding features (dark circles, crow’s feet, smudged mascara)

Flat: “His piercing blue eyes locked on hers.”

Better: “His gaze was the kind that looked through you — like it had already weighed your worth and moved on.”

You’re not describing a passport photo. You’re describing what it feels like to be seen by them.

3. Facial Features: Use Contrast and Texture

Faces are not symmetrical ovals with random features. They’re full of tension, softness, age, emotion, and life.

Things to look for:

Asymmetry and character (a crooked nose, a scar)

Expression patterns (smiling without the eyes, habitual frowns)

Evidence of lifestyle (laugh lines, sun spots, stress acne)

Flat: “She had a delicate face.”

Better: “There was something unfinished about her face — as if her cheekbones hadn’t quite agreed on where to settle, and her mouth always seemed on the verge of disagreement.”

Let the face be a map of experience.

4. Bodies: Movement > Measurement

Forget dress sizes and six packs. Think about how bodies occupy space. How do they move? What are they hiding or showing? How do they wear their clothes — or how do the clothes wear them?

Ask:

What do others notice first? (a presence, a posture, a sound?)

How does their body express emotion? (do they go rigid, fold inwards, puff up?)

Flat: “He was tall and muscular.”

Better: “He had the kind of height that made ceilings nervous — but he moved like he was trying not to take up too much space.”

Describing someone’s body isn’t about cataloguing. It’s about showing how they exist in the world.

5. Let Emotion Tint the Lens

Who’s doing the describing? A lover? An enemy? A tired narrator? The emotional lens will shape what’s noticed and how it’s described.

In love: The chipped tooth becomes charming.

In rivalry: The smirk becomes smug.

In mourning: The face becomes blurred with memory.

Same person. Different lens. Different description.

6. Specificity is Your Superpower

Generic description = generic character. One well-chosen detail creates intimacy. Let us feel the scratch of their scarf, the clink of her earrings, the smudge of ink on their fingertips.

Examples:

“He had a habit of adjusting his collar when he lied — always clockwise, always twice.”

“Her nail polish was always chipped, but never accidentally.”

Make the reader feel like they’re the only one close enough to notice.

Describing appearance isn’t just about what your character looks like. It’s about what their appearance says — about how they move through the world, how others see them, and how they see themselves.

Zoom in on the details that matter. Skip the clichés. Let each description carry weight, story, and emotion. Because you’re not building paper dolls. You’re building people.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Chapter: 4

Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Azriel/Eris Vanserra Characters: Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Eris Vanserra, Gwyneth Berdara, Original Male Character(s), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses) Additional Tags: POV Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Alternate Universe - Bar/Pub, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, night club, Piercings, Tongue Piercings, Cock Piercing, Burns, Scars, Wealth, Safewords, Explicit Consent, Smut, Oral Sex, I Will Go Down With This Ship, Azris, AzrielxEris, Trauma, Angst, insecure, One Night Stands, Hook-Up, Money, Bartenders, Bartender Azriel, Blow Jobs, Angst and Fluff and Smut, No Beta, Light Dom/sub, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Self-Esteem Issues, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied Sexual Content, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Public Hand Jobs, Masturbation, Hand Jobs, Suicidal Thoughts, Dom/sub, Praise Kink, Sub! Azriel, Dominant Eris Vanserra, Submissive Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Aftercare, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Safeword Use, Past Rape/Non-con, not with main characters, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Hurt/Comfort

Do I have two Azris fics going at once? Yes. Yes I do. Anyway here’s an excerpt from Chapter 4. Full fic on AO3.

EXCERPT:

“You’re obedient.” Eris smirked from the foot of his four poster bed. From his hands and knees, Azriel couldn’t see the top of the mattress. He could only see the bottom of the russet dust ruffle skirting the mahogany floor beneath his knees. Shame and embarrassment flooded Azriel’s cheeks, dusting them a crimson hue that Eris was certainly proud of.

“Not always,” Azriel snarked. It wasn’t convincing coming from his nude body on all fours. Still, he mustered as much strength into his voice as he could find.

“Intriguing.” Eris lifted himself onto his bed. Azriel had yet to cross that threshold - that invisible barrier where everything would change between them. It was new. It was riveting. It was terrifying.

Beads of sweat broke out across Azriel’s temple as images of unyielding hands flitted through his memory. Hands wrapped around his throat. Hands tightened around his throat. Hands gripped Azriel’s cock as he tried to tap their wordless safety. Two taps was supposed to be a sanctuary. Azriel’s memory cut out as his consciousness dipped to black. Fionn had said he’d stopped immediately after Azriel’s memories stopped. He said he was sorry, but that was only the first time. Safewords and gestures suddenly no longer felt like solitude. They were beautiful gilded lies. Azriel would probably never trust correctly after Fionn. He was two people now. His person was split into Azriel before Fionn and Azriel after. Azriel after was a shell. Azriel after wouldn’t make the mistake of trusting again. That was fine. Azriel could try to enjoy. He didn’t trust Eris, necessarily. He had no reason not to either.

Azriel focused on easing his shaky exhale quietly. Metal clinked against itself. Azriel looked up to find Eris securing four separate cuffs to opposite corners of his mattress. Excitement and trepidation pooled, mixing in a noxious poison in Azriel’s gut.

Azriel flicked his eyes up, magnets drawn only to Azriel’s gaze. A hundred microexpressions danced across Eris’s cheeks. He flushed. His jaw clenched. His pupils blew wide, but then his jaw ticked. That stare - Eris’s whiskey eyes were impossibly sharp. They were knives, carving straight into Azriel’s soul.

“Azriel?” Eris’s voice was neutral. Azriel cocked his head, focusing on composing each breath into a perfectly punctuated staccato. “ Azriel .”

“Eris.” Azriel challenged, but the bite didn’t reach his teeth.

“Red?” No judgement clung to Eris’s voice. He spoke monotonously, as though he were asking about the weather. Is it raining? He may as well have been asking.

Azriel crawled forward, forcing his lips to curl up in a smirk. “Green.” His slick palms slid softly across the hardwood floors.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Chapter: 3

Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Azriel/Eris Vanserra Characters: Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Eris Vanserra, Gwyneth Berdara, Original Male Character(s), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses) 

(Read the Tags on AO3 please)

EXCERPT:

“You wanted to talk?” Azriel finally questioned.

“Not necessarily. You looked like you might need to, though.” Eris sank back down, this time beside Azriel. His shoulder brushed Azriel’s. Eris was warm. Azriel couldn’t help but imagine his embrace, a real embrace. He could sink into the man for hours, days even.

“I’m fine. Better than fine.” Azriel shrugged and swallowed. Then, he winked and licked his lips, directing the conversation back to safer territory. “I think I’d like to help you get to my current level of fine.”

“I like you a lot.” Eris’s confession was guarded. There was something he wasn’t saying. Azriel felt the ‘but’ coming. There was always a ‘but’ saved for describing affection for people like Azriel. Always. Azriel had heard them all.

But I can’t bring you home to my family.

But I’m not willing to move to a cheaper part of the city.

But you can’t afford to live the life I like.

But I’m not comfortable with your family situation.

But you have too much baggage.

But you’re too much.

That’s what it always boiled down to really, wasn’t it? Azriel was always somehow simultaneously both too much and not enough.

“But?” Azriel hedged. There. He said it first. Maybe it would take the sting out of whatever Eris was about to say.

Eris winced. “Does there have to be a qualifier?” Yes. Azriel waited in the silence. Eris sighed, straightening and pouring himself yet another drink. “I like you a lot. I’d like to get to know you better. I haven’t stopped thinking about you for weeks, and it’s been torturing me. You have been torturing me. My every thought.”

How strong was that whiskey? Azriel leaned back, relaxing slightly. And that’s when the other shoe dropped.

“But, as much fun as I had earlier,” Eris’s fingertips grazed the underside of Azriel’s jaw, tipping his head upward slightly until their gazes met in the middle. “I was distracted.” The admission was a knife to Azriel’s heart.

Fighting to keep the sting out of his eyes, Azriel spoke. “I don’t particularly need to hear about whoever else you were thinking about while I was embarrassing myself before you.” He gathered his feet under himself, ready to stand. Only Eris’s gentle grasp held Azriel in place.

“That’s not what I meant.” Eris spoke low like he was talking to an approaching tiger, slow and worried he’d scare it. “ This ,” Eris gestured wildly, “Is more what I was referring to.”

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Azriel/Eris Vanserra Characters: Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Eris Vanserra, Gwyneth Berdara, Original Male Character(s), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses) Additional Tags: POV Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Alternate Universe - Bar/Pub, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, night club, Piercings, Tongue Piercings, Cock Piercing, Burns, Scars, Wealth, Safewords, Explicit Consent, Smut, Oral Sex, I Will Go Down With This Ship, Azris, AzrielxEris, Trauma, Angst, insecure, One Night Stands, Hook-Up, Money, Bartenders, Bartender Azriel, Blow Jobs, Angst and Fluff and Smut, No Beta, Light Dom/sub, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Self-Esteem Issues, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied Sexual Content, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Public Hand Jobs, Masturbation, Hand Jobs, Suicidal Thoughts, Dom/sub, Praise Kink, Sub! Azriel, Dominant Eris Vanserra, Submissive Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Aftercare, Implied/Referenced Abuse Series: Part 4 of Azris Obsession Summary:

Azriel is a bartender at an exclusive Night Club, accessible by only the most elite of the elite. He has spent his entire life on the outside. His bills are piling up. His cell phone has already been cut off. One night at work, Eris notices Azriel staring at him, and decides to bring Azriel into his world. And his pants. Is it a casual hook up, or is there more to come?

Also, Azriel has a tongue piercing... and other piercings that intrigue Eris.

Excerpt:

Guilt crept across Eris’s perfect face. “My fault?”

“I made my own choices. I knew there could be consequences.” Azriel fixed his eyes on his hands - on those scars. Fionn’s snide comments turned over and over in Azriel’s mind.

It’s good to know even you aren’t perfect.

It’s honestly reassuring to know that even you have something ugly about you.

Have you ever thought about getting them fixed?

Azriel tucked his hands behind the bar. Eris cocked his head, eyes creasing with something at the abrupt movement.

“You never texted.” Those three words carried so much more than they held at face value. Eris knew . Eris wanted Azriel to know that he knew. Azriel wondered how long it might take until he became Eris’s clown.

“I didn’t get the chance,” Azriel shrugged, not bothering to come up with a creative lie.

“Well, is there a chance ,” Eris smirked at his own less than clever word play, “that you might want to meet up when you’re done?”

“It will be close to one in the morning.” Azriel answered.

“I don’t remember asking when you finished.” Eris snarked. Azriel sighed and nodded. Getting this conversation out of the way was the prudent thing, he supposed.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

New AZRIS Fic for me. Might continue, might stay a one shot. Either way, would love feedback 😊😊 Additional Tags: POV Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Alternate Universe - Bar/Pub, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, night club, Piercings, Tongue Piercings, Cock Piercing, Burns, Scars, Wealth, Safewords, Explicit Consent, Smut, Oral Sex, I Will Go Down With This Ship, Azris, AzrielxEris, Trauma, Angst, insecure, One Night Stands, Hook-Up, Money, Bartenders, Bartender Azriel, Blow Jobs, Angst and Fluff and Smut, No Beta, Light Dom/sub Series: Part 4 of Azris Obsession

Summary:

Azriel is a bartender at an exclusive Night Club, accessible by only the most elite of the elite. He has spent his entire life on the outside. His bills are piling up. His cell phone has already been cut off. One night at work, Eris notices Azriel staring at him, and decides to bring Azriel into his world. And his pants. Is it a casual hook up, or is there more to come?

Also, Azriel has a tongue piercing... and other piercings that intrigue Eris.

Not going to mark as complete yet, but this was written as an open ended one shot. I just might continue later.

EXCERPT:

Azriel had considered himself lucky when his step brother pulled strongs to get him a job at this club. Azriel hadn’t even known that clandestine nightclubs for the elite existed before he started bartending. The money was good - better than he could have ever hoped for. Still, Azriel’s bank account would never come close to even the ‘poorest’ of the guests in this room.

The redhead’s eyes found Azriel’s face, and winked. Azriel froze, liquor overflowing from the shot counter and spilling onto his fingers. Azriel cursed as he quickly cleaned his mess. Of course the one and only time one of these pretty boys noticed him, Azriel would have made a fool of himself.

Because of course.  

“Are you stupid?” Matt grabbed Azriel’s elbow. Azriel dipped his chin in labored acquiescence. Customer service didn’t come naturally to Azriel. Azriel only liked to submit in the right situations. If he really thought about it, Azriel wasn’t certain he’d be able to submit to anyone anymore. Azriel hadn’t tried since his ex decided to blow right past his safeword. Twice.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Azriel tutted out as he poured a demonstratively heavy pour of vodka into the man’s glass.

“I need your name.” Matt yanked the glass from Azriel’s grip.

Fuck.  

“So do I.” A slight twinge of humor peppered the man’s voice as they barreled over the cacophonous riot of the club. The voice was wholly unfamiliar, but Azriel felt like he’d known it his entire life. A quick flash of red hair shone brilliantly under the flickering lights. Matt didn’t seem to notice.

“I didn’t realize they hired charity cases.” Matt chided Azriel. “You probably didn’t even finish high school, did you.” Azriel had actually finished high school. He’d graduated fifth in his class. He had been on track to graduate cum laude from college, too, before his biological mother had gotten ill. They had just begun to rekindle a relationship. So. Azriel dropped out.

An incriminating blush crested Azriel’s cheeks as Matt continued, and as the redhead drew closer. Azriel didn’t think he would particularly mind if the floor decided to swallow him whole then and there. A verbal berating was one thing. Azriel didn’t particularly want the approaching fiery Adonis to bear witness to it, though.

“Azriel. My name.” He bit out.

“Very nice to meet you, Azriel. I’m Eris.” The redhead bit out. Gone was the wry smile that had played across his face moments before. Something heavier, more sinister, rested in its wake.

“Whose dick did you suck to get this job, Azriel?” Matt bit out, ignoring Eris completely. It certainly was a blessing the lighting was so dim in this club. Azriel was certain his cheeks would rival a freshly painted fire engine right about now.

“Who in the hell do you think you’re talking to like that, Mathew?” Eris bit out. His knuckles strained white around his empty tumbler. Azriel stilled.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Chapter: 12

Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Azriel/Eris Vanserra, Azriel & Eris Vanserra Characters: Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Azriel's Shadows (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Eris Vanserra, Beron Vanserra, Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Nesta Archeron, Feyre Archeron, Lucien Vanserra Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Mates, Mating Bond, Fire, Scars, Trauma, Soft Eris Vanserra, Eris Vanserra - Freeform, Azriel Needs a Hug (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Soft Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Azriel - Freeform, Shadow powers, Fire Powers, Canon Divergence, Queer Character, Wings, Wing Kink, wing play, Mild Smut, insecure, Established Relationship, Danger, Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Secret Relationship, Torture, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Torture, Wounds, Mutual Pining, Nightmares, Eris Vanserra Needs A Hug, The Autumn Court (A Court of Thorns and Roses), The Night Court (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Illyrians (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Warning: Beron Vanserra, Idiots in Love, Smut, Eventual Smut, Oral Sex, Azris, Eventual Happy Ending, Bargaining, Minor Character Death, Temporary Character Death, it's temporary, It Will Be Okay

CHAPTER EXCERPT:

“You did it. You’re a High Lord, Eris.” Azriel bit out. He bit his lip as he noted his posture. He was still eye level with Eris. Azriel winced through the pain as he moved to bow.

“No.” Eris’s words were both a command, and a plea. “You will not bow. You have half of the Court’s power. You are my mate. You are my equal.” Eris’s words were desperation epitomized. Azriel didn’t stop his motion. His wings hit the ground, bleeding out through the gaping hole in the center of the left one. Blood caked into the creases of every membrane of his wing. He chose not to think of how he might never fly again.

“High Lord.” Azriel revered through heavy lids. His vision was waning quickly. Everything was fading. He would be the first one to bow for his mate though. The honor belonged to Azriel alone. After everything, Azriel felt he deserved at the very least that. Pride seeped through every corner of his mind.

His mate. The High Lord of Autumn was his mate.

“You’re so beautiful.” Azriel wheezed. He meant to keep talking, but smoke and embers clogged his throat.

“What the fuck is this?” Rhys’s too familiar voice boomed into focus. Nest and Cassian shrieked and bellowed in a war torn question and answer in the distance. “You do not command my Spymaster.” Azriel knew that look that haunted Eris's face all too well. He agreed, though he was too stunned to voice it. No matter.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Why would I write when I could imagine my characters going through the story and then get upset when a copy of the work doesn’t magically appear in front of me

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Chapter: 11

Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Azriel/Eris Vanserra, Azriel & Eris Vanserra Characters: Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Azriel’s Shadows (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Eris Vanserra, Beron Vanserra, Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Nesta Archeron, Feyre Archeron, Lucien Vanserra Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Mates, Mating Bond, Fire, Scars, Trauma, Soft Eris Vanserra, Eris Vanserra - Freeform, Azriel Needs a Hug (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Soft Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Azriel - Freeform, Shadow powers, Fire Powers, Canon Divergence, Queer Character, Wings, Wing Kink, wing play, Mild Smut, insecure, Established Relationship, Danger, Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Secret Relationship, Torture, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Torture, Wounds, Mutual Pining, Nightmares, Eris Vanserra Needs A Hug, The Autumn Court (A Court of Thorns and Roses), The Night Court (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Illyrians (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Warning: Beron Vanserra, Idiots in Love, Smut, Eventual Smut, Oral Sex, Azris, Eventual Happy Ending, Bargaining, Minor Character Death, Temporary Character Death, it’s temporary, It Will Be Okay

Summary:

After doing nothing with the mating bond for centuries, Azriel and Eris must make their next move on the giant game board of Prythian. Danger lurks around every corner for this secret, star-crossed pair. A mate’s heart can only handle so much danger before its pushed to the brink. Amidst the threats of getting caught or dying, there emerges only one viable option. If Azriel and Eris want to love each other openly, they must seat Eris on Autumn’s Throne.

EXCERPT:

“You are mine, ” spit flung from Beron’s teeth as he snarled in Azriel’s face. Azriel hadn’t moved from his sullen perch in his cell for months. Beron had burned him. He had branded him, and stabbed him. Nothing, however, was quite as tortuous as that ever growing distance between himself and Eris. Was he happy? Had he moved on?

Vomit crested Azriel’s throat at the notion. Still, it was his own fault. Brashness had always been one of Azriel’s most notable qualities. Once upon a time, it had worked out for him. Once upon a time, Azriel’s reckless tendencies had snared Eris’s heart in a tighter vice. Azriel remembered that night in a forest not too far from here. That was centuries ago, though.

White hot fire raced up Azriel’s arm as Beron grasped his wrist in a vice. Head clanging against the rough rock behind him, Azriel barely marked the High Lord’s words. “You have wasted six months of my time, Shadow Bastard .”

How had it only been six months? Death could not come soon enough for Azriel. Azriel begged for its sanctimonious embrace hourly. He snarled through the pain of the mixture of ash and iron Beron regularly injected into his wing. Not even an ember of that mystical cobalt fire had dared to surface since Azriel signed his soul over to this monster.

“I have done as you asked.” Azriel gritted his teeth as Beron focused his flame atop old scars. “I have stayed.”

“I will kill you.” Beron sneered. Azriel didn’t react. Gripping Azriel’s jaw, Beron yanked Azriel’s chin upward. When Azriel still didn’t react, Beron started again. “Or perhaps,” the smile across his lips was a cruel, wicked thing, “I will kill my son in front of you.”

The iron chain around Azriel’s ankle snapped as his foot yanked upward of its own volition, making sickeningly satisfying contact with Beron’s crotch. Beron gagged. Getting covered in Beron’s eruption of sickness was more than worth it. Beron dropped to his knees.

“We had a bargain.” Azriel said simply, refusing to let anything affect the timbre of his words. He would not waver. His voice would not shake. Azriel, Spymaster and Shadowsinger, would not break.

“You are disgusting.” Beron continued from the ground. Azriel could quite find it in his heart to care. “I know what you are to my son. I know what you’ve done. Do you feel no shame? How does your High Lord feel about what you are? How does he feel about what you do?” Beron wheezed. “Are you proud that you’ve brought a High Lord’s son down so far? You, nothing and no one to the throne, have sullied the heir to the Autumn Court.” Beron’s gag this time was just insulting.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Chapter: 11

Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Azriel/Eris Vanserra, Azriel & Eris Vanserra Characters: Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Azriel's Shadows (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Eris Vanserra, Beron Vanserra, Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Nesta Archeron, Feyre Archeron, Lucien Vanserra Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Mates, Mating Bond, Fire, Scars, Trauma, Soft Eris Vanserra, Eris Vanserra - Freeform, Azriel Needs a Hug (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Soft Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Azriel - Freeform, Shadow powers, Fire Powers, Canon Divergence, Queer Character, Wings, Wing Kink, wing play, Mild Smut, insecure, Established Relationship, Danger, Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Secret Relationship, Torture, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Torture, Wounds, Mutual Pining, Nightmares, Eris Vanserra Needs A Hug, The Autumn Court (A Court of Thorns and Roses), The Night Court (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Illyrians (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Warning: Beron Vanserra, Idiots in Love, Smut, Eventual Smut, Oral Sex, Azris, Eventual Happy Ending, Bargaining, Minor Character Death, Temporary Character Death, it's temporary, It Will Be Okay

Summary:

After doing nothing with the mating bond for centuries, Azriel and Eris must make their next move on the giant game board of Prythian. Danger lurks around every corner for this secret, star-crossed pair. A mate's heart can only handle so much danger before its pushed to the brink. Amidst the threats of getting caught or dying, there emerges only one viable option. If Azriel and Eris want to love each other openly, they must seat Eris on Autumn's Throne.

EXCERPT:

“You are mine, ” spit flung from Beron’s teeth as he snarled in Azriel’s face. Azriel hadn’t moved from his sullen perch in his cell for months. Beron had burned him. He had branded him, and stabbed him. Nothing, however, was quite as tortuous as that ever growing distance between himself and Eris. Was he happy? Had he moved on?

Vomit crested Azriel’s throat at the notion. Still, it was his own fault. Brashness had always been one of Azriel’s most notable qualities. Once upon a time, it had worked out for him. Once upon a time, Azriel's reckless tendencies had snared Eris’s heart in a tighter vice. Azriel remembered that night in a forest not too far from here. That was centuries ago, though.

White hot fire raced up Azriel’s arm as Beron grasped his wrist in a vice. Head clanging against the rough rock behind him, Azriel barely marked the High Lord’s words. “You have wasted six months of my time, Shadow Bastard .”

How had it only been six months? Death could not come soon enough for Azriel. Azriel begged for its sanctimonious embrace hourly. He snarled through the pain of the mixture of ash and iron Beron regularly injected into his wing. Not even an ember of that mystical cobalt fire had dared to surface since Azriel signed his soul over to this monster.

“I have done as you asked.” Azriel gritted his teeth as Beron focused his flame atop old scars. “I have stayed.”

“I will kill you.” Beron sneered. Azriel didn’t react. Gripping Azriel’s jaw, Beron yanked Azriel’s chin upward. When Azriel still didn’t react, Beron started again. “Or perhaps,” the smile across his lips was a cruel, wicked thing, “I will kill my son in front of you.”

The iron chain around Azriel’s ankle snapped as his foot yanked upward of its own volition, making sickeningly satisfying contact with Beron’s crotch. Beron gagged. Getting covered in Beron’s eruption of sickness was more than worth it. Beron dropped to his knees.

“We had a bargain.” Azriel said simply, refusing to let anything affect the timbre of his words. He would not waver. His voice would not shake. Azriel, Spymaster and Shadowsinger, would not break.

“You are disgusting.” Beron continued from the ground. Azriel could quite find it in his heart to care. “I know what you are to my son. I know what you’ve done. Do you feel no shame? How does your High Lord feel about what you are? How does he feel about what you do?” Beron wheezed. “Are you proud that you’ve brought a High Lord’s son down so far? You, nothing and no one to the throne, have sullied the heir to the Autumn Court.” Beron’s gag this time was just insulting.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Writing is wild because you’ll plan a perfectly structured scene and then your character is like

“actually I’m gonna kiss this person now” or “what if I had a traumatic backstory I’ve never mentioned before”

and suddenly you’re spiraling because THEY’RE MAKING CHOICES and you’re just the poor little author with no control

like sir. ma’am. i gave you life. and now you’re rewriting your own plot??

Reblog this and tell me the most unhinged thing a character of yours did without permission.

I need solidarity. i need chaos. i need to know i’m not the only one getting bullied by their own cast.

[worldofwakingdreams01]

This is a picture for those who think being a writer is easy: WE FEELING STRESSED ALL THE TIME!!!!!

[worldofwakingdreams01]

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Writing Prompt #3032

"You're...alive?"

She popped her neck back into place and shrugged. "Not exactly. But I'm not dead, so we're going to see how long that lasts."

[worldofwakingdreams01]

Quick Azris One Shot. Modern Office Setting.  Summary: Azriel and Eris are work colleagues. Eris is the golden boy senior staffer. Azriel is the new hire. A gulf of years and wealth separate them. Azriel must have been running on autopilot when he told Eris he would give him a ride to the company Gala. Now that he's in Eris's Penthouse in the middle of a Chicago thunderstorm, he's over dressed and overthinking. Showing up together would spark rumors that Eris most certainly wouldn't appreciate.

Excerpt:

Azriel slammed on his breaks as his horn blared in angry harmony. No one in this city knew how to drive in the rain. He honked again for good measure. Another glance at the clock on the dash of his used car told Azriel exactly what it had told him three minutes ago. He was late. He was late, and he would look bad, and he would make Eris look bad, and Eris would probably never speak to Azriel again.

Azriel had minutely lost control of his mouth when he agreed to drive Eris to the gala. Azriel had no  plans to attend at all. Eris’s beauty was near godlike in its conception. Azriel might have laughed if he hadn’t spent the last three years pining after the chiseled jawline and auburn hair. Eris was beautiful; he knew it, and so did everyone else. Insurmountable rumors swirled around the man. One week, word spread he was dating Alyssa from accounting. The next week, Cassian swore that Eris had been flirting with Nesta.

Of course Azriel wouldn’t be included in those rumors, regardless of how he might yearn otherwise in the darkest hours of the night. Only then did he allow his mind to wade into the waters of imagination. In Azriel’s dreams, it was Eris meeting him after work for drinks. It was Eris helping him hang new art in his apartment. In his dreams it was their apartment. Those musings had to stay just that, though. Musings and dreams forever in the murky abyss of Azriel’s imagination, they would forever be.

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