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azrielhours · 4 days
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When you read about a 10 year study that shows that men who kiss their wives goodbye for 6 seconds before they leave for work live up to 4 years longer -all because it takes 6 seconds for the oxytocin to be released by both partners and boosts the feeling of safety and connection between them - and you cannot stop imagining our man Az doing it for longer than 6 seconds because he loves the feeling 🥺❤️
Sorry for the mouthful but i had to share the warmth it made me feel 🥹
OH!!! 😭😭😃‼️ now I’m gonna think about this all day
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azrielhours · 8 days
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USERNAME APPRECIATION POST, SEND IT TO PEOPLE WHOSE USERNAMES YOU THINK ARE COOL 💗🫶
Thank you baby 😮‍💨😮‍💨
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azrielhours · 8 days
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Tabby 😀😀‼️
I’ve said this before and I meant it, the beautiful writing by @tadpolesonalgae has changed my standard for fic reading. It’s so so good, the language she uses??? I cannot stress this enough. Here’s her masterlist. Highly recommend reading Oranges (nesta), Desk Pet series (Rhys) Drunken Mistakes series (feysand), and Blossom. I’m happily exposing myself as a fiend.
Hi tabby! will u recommend some dark! Az/Rhys fics
Hi hello!!
So, I’m sorry but I don’t really know many, I have to admit :/
I’m quite particular about how I imagine those two, and I think dark fics are a scarcity within the already narrow niche (?) of acotar x reader fanfiction, which is why for the most part I wanted to write them for myself?
That being said, Haunt Me Like The Wind That Blows by @throneofsapphics is a version of dark! Rhys I personally like, and I really enjoyed reading! It does reference poly!feysand, but for the most part revolves around reader trying to run from them, hiding out in a small village for about a year before Rhys comes to retrieve her 🧡💛
Company of Phantoms and its sequel Our Marriage Bed by @azrielhours are both also marvellously written stories, the premise being a lovely mix of infatuation and what’s arguably some psychosis on Az’s part as he begins to hallucinate seeing and hearing reader where she isn’t—these two are both comfort fics (I mean, basically all of her works are, but for the purpose of this ask these two are the ones I’m mentioning specifically 🧡💛)
There’s also running from dark!azriel by @gothicbabydollz which is exactly as it sounds—probably also another one I reread fairly frequently, so feel free to have a nose at these, and I hope you enjoy :)
(If dark!Feysand piques your interest however, @whisperingmidnights has some lovely fics like Lovely Things that I believe you’ll be able to find under #🍁promptober fic🍁 which are all very well written and immensely enjoyable—she has a wonderfully articulate style 🧡💛)
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azrielhours · 8 days
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Oh my 😮‍💨 thank you so much @azrielbrainrot I’m glad you like those fics!! Sending you so much love ♥️ And miss @tadpolesonalgae everything you write is crack. I actually cannot act normal about it I fear
Fave fan fiction atm? ✍️
Hello! I'm not sure if you mean of mine or ones I've read so I'll just answer for both.
Of the one's I'm writing, my fave is "I Laugh Like Me Again... She Laughs Like You" and a couple of ideas I have behind the scenes.
My favorite fanfics I've read are:
- Can't Bring Myself To Hate You by @tadpolesonalgae
- Soft Spot and I Want You to Rest by @azrielhours
- Closed Until Further Notice by @acourtofmenandthirst
- Of Oblivious Minds by @pellucid-constellations
- A court of Breathings and Shadows on ao3 by JimMoriartyH1 (it hasn't been updated in so long though </3)
These are just some of my faves from the top of my head and I definitely recommend if you haven't read them!
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azrielhours · 8 days
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stooooop he's so cute going around with his little camera, capturing how he sees his loved ones... 🫠 i want a picture of him too
I knowwww 😭 and he’d do it the best as the spymaster who always sees everything and assesses everyone. That line in acosf about how he saw straight into Nesta’s weary soul?? Ok 😃‼️ He’d be the one to truly see and capture people in their most authentic form, and do it without getting caught 👹
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azrielhours · 9 days
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Captured
Azriel x Reader
Word count: 2018
Synopsis: The camera has been invented and Azriel takes up a hobby of capturing reader, proving how pretty she can be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What is it?”
“An obscura camera, I think we called it.” You turned the device around for him to see the little hole to look through, let him hold it. “It means ‘dark room.’ Light travels in through here,” you pointed to the lens, “and an image is captured using refraction and shadows.”
Azriel frowned in disbelief, making you laugh.
“Watch,” you said, gently taking the Obscura from his hands.
“What do I have to do?”
“Nothing,” you smiled, positioning it before your face. “Smile for me.”
He gave a small, tentative smile. The distrust in his eyes had you laughing again, which made Azriel chuckle genuinely.
You clicked something. A shutter sounded, light flashed, and Azriel’s eyes widened. You pulled the obscura away as it rattled, producing a thin strip of rectangular film. Azriel’s frown returned. “It’s black.”
“It has to develop,” you plucked it away and placed it facedown. “You’ll see in a few minutes.”
“This is what you’d been working on with Nuan?” he asked, referring to the alchemist who’d been in town for a few weeks.
You nodded. “It’s an early prototype, but it mimics the way light enters the eye.” A mixture of her trinketry, your crafty impulses, and some magic. “All this work so we can finally capture your pretty face,” you teased, enjoying the pink dusting his cheeks. You turned the piece of film to him, relishing Azriel’s shock upon peering down at the photograph.
That sincere smile you’d managed to capture was how you often caught him looking at you. A sweet, receptive earnestness lighting his normally cold face. Eyes that beheld you like he missed you even when you hadn’t gone anywhere. Now etched permanently into a photograph for you to cherish.
It was your turn to blush. Playful words aside, this truly did catch his beauty.
He met your gaze. “Teach me how to use it.” You demonstrated, pointing to shoot the nearby bookshelf, but Azriel shook his head. “I want one like that,” he nodded to his headshot.
Your nose crinkled. “I don’t photograph well, Az.”
He scoffed. “Why wouldn’t you?” He positioned the obscura over his eyes like you had.
You covered your face with your hands, hiding. “I don’t like the posing.”
 “Come on,” he cooed, laughing. He reached to move your hair where it fell forward as you ducked your head, then gently held your wrists beneath your chin, broad hand easily cradling them between a thumb and two fingers. He tilted your face up with his hold. You peered at him through your fingers, rosy cheeks peeking through digits. Still holding your wrists, he took the photo effortlessly.
You uncovered your face, still blushing. He wondered how you didn’t see what a perfect subject you’d be. How you could invent the obscura and deprive him of its most obvious benefit.
Azriel studied you, and you saw the gears turn in his head. “Can I borrow it for a while?"
You laughed. “Okay, Az.”
~
It started off rather clumsy, and it took a few tries for Azriel to figure out that lighting mattered. That snapping photos with light in the immediate background ruined the film. He tested his hypothesis by capturing a bewildered Cassian, the confusion frozen making Azriel chuckle. He understood why you’d been laughing at him before. Next, he found that distance was important; that he could shift the angle of his photography. A practice shot of Feyre losing herself in a painting, so focused that she didn’t turn to wonder about the shuttering sound. Rhys landing on a balcony after training. Nesta reading ferociously by the fire.
He got the hang of it and was ready to really begin.
I don’t like the posing, you’d told him. He had no issues with that whatsoever.
The first one happened in the kitchen. The early morning hours were typically shared by the both of you on the grounds of a close friendship. You’d been sipping on coffee like it was medicinal, the light of the sun softening everything. Eyes closed, hair still slightly undone from sleep. He loved seeing you in your fancy dresses, your fighting leathers, but something about seeing you in soft, utterly personal nightwear—linen pants, knit cardigans, slippers—it spread warmth through his chest brighter than your revered sunrise. Today he'd even caught you in his t-shirt you must’ve swiped. Carefully positioning the Obscura over his face where he stood at the doorway, he snapped his photo before inconspicuously joining you, inquiring about the theft he quietly adored. Adoring your answering smile even more.
The next shot was on the rooftop. He’d caught Cassian bandaging you up after sparring. You were sat on the bench, smiling bloody and beautiful. Laughing as Cassian cracked jokes, allowing him to tend to you. He was kneeling on the ground before you, cleaning the cuts on your brow, wrapping your bruised knuckles. The sheer glee in your laugh, the way you sat so comfortably with his brother had Azriel reaching into the pocket realm for the Obscura, capturing the sight of his favourite people bantering fresh out of the ring.
One night after Rita’s, Rhys had offered to fly you home after winning a drinking game against Azriel. He’d winked at the bested Shadowsinger, taking you into his arms and shooting to the sky. Azriel grumbled at first until he’d realized the opportunity he had mid-flight with Rhys ahead. You reached to the skies above, stretching like you could grab the very moon, safe in the High Lord’s arms. He wished the Obscura had the power to capture the sound of your laughter as well, but he’d gladly settle for your silhouette marked by the Night Court stars, their beauty dimmed in the face of your exquisite joy.
The next photo was stolen after a Hewn City mission. You’d been in a billowing dark gown, face so ethereal, so striking and utterly beautiful that he’d struggled to look at you face-on. Everyone had taken to sprawling on the couches after coming home, still in formal attire, helping themselves to drinks as they winded down. You’d fallen asleep at some point, stretched comfortably across the sofa with your head nearly hanging off, hair cascading around you like a halo and down the sofa to the ground. Feyre mentioned wishing she could paint the sight of you, sleeping like some spite or nymph, some woodland creature of beauty, your dress ballooning around you like a nightshade flower. Azriel silently pulled out the Obscura, taking his time levelling the device so the light of the hearth illuminated your face.
“What is that thing you keep doing?” Cassian asked lowly.
Azriel focused, capturing the shot. Taking another one just for good measure. “Nothing.”
His favourite photo was of you and Nyx. You’d been playing with the boy on the balcony, blowing bubbles as he tried dutifully to pop them. They’d land and settle in his hair, making you laugh boisterously, head tipping back as Nyx laughed with you unwittingly. It was like the sun loved you, how it always shone upon you, doing the work for Azriel. He took the photo, falling into the easy routine. Once that photo developed, his heart skipped a beat at its sight. At the promise it captured that he wished was his.
He was a lucky bastard to have this gift—a device that finally allowed him to freeze the light that you were in his life, to etch the sights he so sincerely loved. God, you were special. Azriel had to walk away from the balcony, still staring at the little strip of film, more invaluable than precious jewel. How lucky he was to witness you. Luckier still to capture you in still frames, while you unknowingly captured his heart.
~
Azriel found you in your room, sitting at your vanity. He handed the obscura to you. “There’s no more film.”
You laughed. “Wow. How many photos did you take?”
He shrugged, smiling roguishly. “A handful.”
“Can I see?”
He handed a few.
You rifled through them, gasping at the quality. “These are amazing.” He’d captured Feyre descending the stairs in her regalia, beautiful like a divinity of legend. Nesta pouting playfully, glaring right at the camera. Mor putting earrings in before an outing. “Their mates would love these,” you murmured.
“They would,” he agreed.
You shook your head, stunned. “God, they’re beautiful.” Azriel didn’t know if you meant the photos or who he captured in them. “I wish I photographed this good.”
He would’ve laughed at the absurdity if he could resist his scoff of disbelief. “You do.”
You just shook your head, sneaking a quick glance at yourself in the mirror before eyeing the photos again.
Azriel’s heart stuttered. “You do,” he repeated. “I—” he reached into the pocket realm. “I took some of you as well.” Handing over a few photos, he watched closely as your eyes widened. You took your time studying each photo, brows pinched. He didn’t know if it was in dislike, or—
“Wow,” you breathed. You met his gaze. The fragility in them told him it was awe. “Azriel,” you breathed again, assessing the shots. “Wow. You make me look…”
You faded to silence. “What,” he gently nudged you.
“Pretty.”
He tried to speak. A breath puffed out of him. “Y/n,” he couldn’t stop the reverence in his tone. “You’re beautiful. What do you mean?” He didn’t care how it came off, how saying it warmed his cheeks.
He’d only pulled out a few of the tamer photos. The ones of you with his family or in mundane solitude. He immediately pulled out the rest, laying them before you. The pinch deepened between your brows, looking at the one of you after Hewn City. “Oh my god,” you breathed. You had no idea you could look so… “beautiful.”
“Yes,” Azriel nodded. “Beautiful.” He pointed to the one of you in the kitchen, freshly woken up. “Here as well.” Always.
You took your time studying them, unable to find it in you to care about how stupidly vulnerable this struck you. Too busy grappling with the comfort of feeling this seen. You finally met his gaze, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d have thought that look in his eyes was…
If you were well and truly self-indulgent, you may have called it how you felt inside.
Azriel wished he had just one more piece of film to capture the look on your face. The depth of fondness in your eyes, like he was worth seeing. His heart stuttered again, holding that stare like he could pour his affection directly from his eyes to yours.
“Will you be keeping these?” you asked about the photos.
Azriel chuckled. “Yes. Try taking even one away.”
Oh.
You blushed, breaking his stare. A fine line to toe with your friend indeed.
But Azriel enjoyed that conviction on your face when you saw yourself as he did. “Okay,” he let up, exhaling in mock annoyance. “You can have a few.” He took most of the photos back, making sure to leave you with a copy of the Hewn City one. “I mean, I can always take more.”
You laughed, standing to retrieve your satchel, pulling out spare film. You showed Azriel how to load it in, but before handing the Obscura back, you eyed the first photo he’d taken, with his hands holding your wrists. “I want one like that,” you said, reaching for his face.
He laughed but didn’t bat your hand away, to your pleasant surprise. Only standing firm, albeit leaving his face uncovered. You cradled his face gently by the chin in one hand, resting your fingers on his cheeks, barely pressing. He smiled warmly at you, looking right through the camera at you. You captured him.
“There,” you handed back the obscura. “Now I got you,” you held up his matching photo.
He liked the sound of that. “I have you too,” he raised his collection of your photos in his hand in reminder. “And I’ll be keeping you with me.”
~
taglist:
@iimisty-a @feyretopia @riddlesb1tch @cullenswife @reiincarnatiion @sfhsgrad-blog @answer-the-sirens @mrstangerinejohnson @marigold-morelli @courtofjurdan @azriels-mate123 @emotionless-lover @marina468 @slvtherinseeker @owllover123 @banasheefan56 @nyotamalfoy @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @lilah-asteria @bakananya @deep-forest-creature @itsswritten
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azrielhours · 14 days
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Hello hello!!! 🤗 just wanted to say I saw someone repost one of your pieces and I have spent the entirety of today devouring your whole page! ✨You have an amazing gift and talent!!✨
I hope you’re doing well and prioritizing your mental health above all (in this economy, god knows we need it😩)
Currently going through my last year of uni studying Psychology (not that it does much help for my actual psyche but I’m still hanging in) and got into ACOTAR recently (also didn’t necessarily help with my psyche seeing the fandom online) - but finding these art pieces definitely changed my perception!
Yours is by far one of the best pages I have found (and I say that while constantly in awe of the beautiful people on here) ❤️
I know your recs are closed at the moment and I would not want to pressure you in any way, but i do have to say that reading “Take Care” has hit very very close to home for me. If you ever find yourself wanting to revisit it for a part 2, I will be first in line (somehow I hope it can heal a part of me while being an amazing read 😭)
You aré absolutely wonderful✨👏🏻
Hiii lovely 😍 hahaha I think I remember seeing your name in my notifs over and over while you were binging 😂😂 I thoroughly enjoyed that ♥️ thank you so so much this is the sweetest message ever ♥️ I’m so glad you like the fics!!
Yes ma’am I’ve been feeling better thankfully! I hope you’ve been doing good as well ♥️
Oooh girl I studied psych in uni as well! Best of luck with the rest of your degree! I liked the ending of the degree more than the start so I hope you find the same ease and liking 🥰
Oh my goodness that’s so sweet 🥺 thank you so much for saying that! I find such a profound amount of talent amongst my fellow writers on here, I honestly reference their work in my learning!! I’m glad you’re enjoying the work as much as I am ♥️
Hahaha thank you for liking Take Care, it’s the very first thing I’ve ever written! Honestly I’m down to revisit it but I almost feel scared to touch it with a part 2 because I don’t want to ruin it if that makes sense, but we’ll see! ♥️♥️
You’re absolutely wonderful thank you for this lovely message ♥️ sending you sm love
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azrielhours · 14 days
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hi ! i’m binge reading all your fics and i am in LOVE with how you write!! especially how you write for my love az 🩷 love your work and i’m so glad i found you!
Thank you so much!! This means so much wow 🥺 I’m glad you’re here! ♥️♥️ sending you so much love
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azrielhours · 14 days
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EEEEKKKKK so happy to see you’re back!!! How are you love?
I haven’t been able to get over how lovely Tight enough was 🫶🏻 but the devil in me would DIE for a part two 😈 just wondered if this was something you’d consider writing? Literally no worries at all if not!
Hiiii lovely 🥰🥰 I’m good how are you darling ♥️ aw thank you so much! Lol I’m gonna be honest I didn’t think anyone would like Tight Enough so I’ve been v pleasantly surprised 😂♥️
I’m down for a part 2! Just trying to think of context where it wouldn’t just be redundant 🤔 I’m open to suggestions! I know a few people asked for Az taking the corset off this time 😈
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azrielhours · 15 days
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Hey rags! I was thinking about the fact that Azriel isn’t unhappy but he is lonely, i would love to read something written by you were Azriel is just extremely happy when he finds his mate and they’re both laying naked on bed and he is just thinking about how lonely he was and he didn’t even notice until now. Maybe he kept having lovers to try and fill that loneliness inside him but it didn’t work, it’s just with his mate he feels loved
Love Letter
wc: 500
Laying with Azriel was one of the best parts of being with him.
Sex aside, passion and loud loving, explicit testimonies—
The quiet peace of being with him was unparalleled. You sighed, snuggling closer, breathing him in deeply. Relishing his naked glory pressing heat into your skin. Pressing safety onto it. In it, as you so often felt strumming down the bond.
He stroked your back. This was routine after lovemaking, and it was just as good as the erotic high.
You open your body to him, your heart, and now the bond.
A sensation of bittersweetness flowing through it had you cracking an eye open.
He continued to stroke your back, gazing absently, still at the ceiling.
The feeling persisted. A tang of ancient ache hummed through your chest cavity.
You frowned. “Az?”
He looked down at you.
“You okay?”
His brows rose slightly. “Yes, my love. Why?”
You bit your lip. The feeling had halted, but whatever had prompted it…
“I—uh, could feel—” This was new, the transmission of soul, and yet—“Um, the bond, baby,” you finished quietly. “Is… everything okay?” Had you done something wrong?
“Oh,” he breathed. He searched your eyes as you waited apprehensively. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to your temple. “I was just, uh—” he broke your gaze, seeking courage beyond the vulnerability in your eyes that threatened his resolve greater than even an open mating bond did his honesty.
A deep breath. “I was just… remembering,” he spoke softly. Swallowing. “How it felt before all this. Before I got to have you.”
Oh. “How did it feel?”
Azriel met your gaze again. “I’d been so lost. Just… existing. Waiting.” Seeking. He didn’t want to think about how he sought it with his whole being—a mate. How he drained himself onto females, old and new lovers, strangers, chasing physical intimacy like empty promises, trying to fill the soul-deep void. Failing over and over. He took another steadying breath. “I’ve always known I craved a mate, but having you now, I guess I—just never truly understood how alone I’d been.” Save for now, with the abundance of you filling him, utterly overflowing. Waking him up.
Your heart broke. He felt that too, resuming stroking your back, pulling you tighter. Reassuring you in the wake of his confession.
“I’m sorry,” you muttered.
He huffed a laugh. “What for?”
You shrugged. “For… I don’t know. Taking this long to find you.”
He laughed again, kissing you. “Finding you in the end is worth all of it.”
Your throat closed with emotion. Another silently conveyed love letter sent to his sternum. He wrapped his other arm around you. You buried your face in his neck, knowing no words would sufficiently convey what your heart was already whispering to his. I love you. I’m here to stay. I would take all the pain away if I could. You’re mine and I am yours. Azriel. Azriel. Azriel.
His heart sang in answer, filling you with such ferocious love it soothed any pain on his behalf. He exhaled, this time in contentment, declaring again, “You’re worth it all, my love.”
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azrielhours · 15 days
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omg can you please add me to your az tag lists 🙏🙏
Yes of course love ♥️ I love adding people 👹 if anyone else would like to be added feel free to reply/message/wtvr lol
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azrielhours · 15 days
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Fave fan fiction atm? ✍️
Omg thank you for asking!!
I’ve been utterly obsessed with Play-mate by @tadpolesonalgae, it is a dark fic (series) but ohhhh my goodness 😮‍💨😍
Obsessed w her writing, the casual artistry in her prose is literally stunning. If you like poly fics, hers are addictive. Also love her Eris piece Thumbprints and On the Strategy Board for Cassian.
Mamma Mia and Here I Go Again by @assriels. The backstory paced beautifully in Cassian’s inner monologue in part 1 and the heartbreaking conclusion in part 2. Ugh just beautiful angst ♥️ tore my heart to shreds
Warm me Up by @themusingsofacurlyhairednerd. So sweet, portrays the loving and mischievous side of Rhys. The domesticity and playfulness of a relationship w him ♥️ (it’s smut tho lol)
Teach me by @solbaby7 is so cute and witty 😩♥️ a fic for girl’s girls 👹 such a sweet and heartwarming fluffy piece
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azrielhours · 15 days
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look who's back ahhhh
Hahaha yessir 👹😈 gonna have another fic up soon!!
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azrielhours · 1 month
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RETURN OF THE QUEEEEN
Hahahaha THANK YOU ♥️♥️😂 ily guys
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azrielhours · 1 month
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my favorite notification!! i was so happy when i saw it was you and with a cute little one shot!! just yesterday i was recommending "take care" and today you pulled a fic!! i call this destiny 🩷🎇
i'll never tire of you writing fluff, it's just so heart warming, with so much thoughtfullness and care that leaves my screen and go straight to my silly little heart 🥹
btw how you're doing?? hope everything is okay!!
Omg stop 🥺 thank you so so much ♥️ you’re so sweet I adore you. (My marketing executive hard at work)
I never tire of your support and love!! I was excited to hear from you when I posted 👹 I’m doing better love thank you ♥️ miss you guys sm. Promise I’ll be posting more these days
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azrielhours · 1 month
Text
Tight Enough
Azriel x Reader
Word count: 1.6k
Synopsis: Reader needs help tightening her corset and no one's around to help but Azriel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Shit,” you breathed, pulling at the laces awkwardly around your waist, trying and failing to tighten your corset. You shifted them around your shoulders, hoping it’d provide sufficient pulleying. You bowed forward, yanking.
Still not enough.
You huffed. You’d been at this for upwards of twenty minutes, hauling and tugging in all kinds of positions til your hands shook.
For all the gentlemanliness and compassion in Rhys and Cassian, you entirely refused to ask mated men to assist you.
Tying the laces onto the doorknob, you tried letting your body fall in the opposite direction. Your feet slid against the tile as you pivoted, nearly tripping. “Shit.” 
This was so fucked.
A gentle knock on the door startled you. “Y/N?”
Azriel.
Fuck.
You scrambled to untie the laces from the doorknob. “Yes?”
“Cass and Rhys stepped out for a bit. Are you alright?”
Fuck.
You scrubbed at your face. This was the outcome you’d been avoiding above all. Worse than the mated men. Mated my ass. You should’ve bit your tongue and asked Cass for help.
“Y/N?” he asked again at your silence.
“Sorry,” you breathed, heart racing.
You cracked open the bathroom door, peering up at him. He searched your eyes patiently as you searched for your courage. “I can’t get my corset on,” you admitted quietly.
A muscle ticked in his jaw, eyes marginally widening.
You shook your head. “It’s fine,” you said quickly, voice tight. “I’ll just—I’ll try—”
“I can help,” he offered softly.
You looked up at him again, eyes pleading. Turn him down. “I—” you swallowed. Turn him down. A glance at the wall behind him with a clock revealed you were even later than you thought. Turn him down. You bit your lip and steeled your spine. Fuck. You were really doing this. “Okay,” you whispered, like you could hide the admission from even yourself.
He gave a slight nod of encouragement, stepping aside to let you come out.
“I—let me—one second,” you stammered, closing the door.
You were still undressed.
Right.
Another huff of indignation as you yanked on a slip to cover your bare legs. This was fine, right? It was just help he was offering. Necessary help.
You took a steadying breath and walked out of the bathroom.
Azriel had moved to stand near the fireplace, watching it with his back to you, like it would offer you privacy. He could surely see your panicked mortification.
You padded to him, placing a hand softly on his elbow to let him know you were ready.
He turned, face carefully neutral as he took in the sight of you.
Where corsets were typically worn over shifts, this one was fashioned to sit directly upon your skin. So you stood before Azriel, flushed cheeks and fidgeting fingers in just your corset and a skirt.
Azriel focused his gaze strictly on your face, didn’t dare let it fall to where the flesh of your breasts generously spilled over the delicate lace trim adorning the hem. Didn’t allow a glance at the thin shift mercifully—barely—covering your legs.
He’d never seen you so undressed.
You shifted your weight between feet beneath his hefty gaze. “Usually, Nuala or Ceridwen or Mor help me,” your voice was still tight. “I’ve never had to do it by myself.”
Azriel nodded. Your skin had a slight sheen to it in the light of the fire. A few pieces of hair had fallen out of your intricate upswept style, curling at the nape of your neck. Azriel might have bitten back a laugh at the endearing sight, at the physical evidence of your struggle—had you not struck him dumb with how beautiful you looked.
How you allowed him to bear witness to your exposed skin, to this intimacy.
He was no stranger to corsets—hell, he’d taken women wearing lingerie that made your attire look like a priestess’s robe, and yet—
He shook his head. This was just help. No matter how lovely you were.
He cleared his throat. He needed you to turn. “Would you—” He twisted a finger in the air, unsure how to ask.
“Oh,” you breathed, still donning that pretty blush on your cheeks. You took another step toward him, turning at last.
With the absence of your imploring gaze—one he’d scarcely forget—Azriel exhaled, allowed himself an assessing glimpse down your form presented before him. He bit back a curse. The laces across the length of the corset were haphazardly pulled. He wondered how Rhys overlooked something like this that clearly required assistance. The spaces between the undone laces revealed your bare back, curving all the way down to the slip resting on your backside.
He didn’t know how to begin touching you.
“Az?” you asked, voice still thin, your nervousness anything but subtle. But you’d been comfortable enough to ask him for help, and that made his heart soar.
“Sorry,” he cleared his throat again. Raised his hands hesitantly; a silent deep breath, and he began.
He carefully pulled at the laces starting from the top of your corset, loosening them to correctly adjust their security. Azriel keenly tried his best to pick up each lace without touching your skin. Tried not to consider how creamy it felt when he did graze skin, how warm and perfect. When he’d finished working his way down, he began tugging at the string to tighten it properly.
At the first firm tug, you gasped, stumbling backwards into him. “Oh,” you stepped away hastily. You’d landed directly onto his abdomen, trapping his hands between your bodies. Your own hands had landed on his thighs, bracing yourself. “I’m sorry, Azriel.”
“It’s alright.” Azriel tried not to think about how your softness felt. “It’s my fault.” He couldn’t recall the last time he’d helped a female with her corset.
You looked at him over your shoulder, doing funny things to his heart again with your eyes. “We need a bedpost.” There was sheepish mirth lighting your eyes, displacing the anxiety from before. He managed a reassuring smile back and nodded.
You walked to Cassian’s bed in the inn room you were sharing, gripping the post for stability. Azriel dutifully returned to your back, and you tried not to think about how the warmth from his body radiated so easily into yours from your proximity. How careful he was being with his hands, doing everything to make you more comfortable.
He yanked gently in warning. When you remained sturdily in your spot, his pulling grew stronger, working his way down. When he neared the base of your spine, he began tying the lace. Your hands moved to your waist, feeling snug but not quite as tight-laced as you’d wanted.
You turned to peer at him over your shoulder again. He met your eye in question. “Um, I was hoping to wear it a little tighter,” you admitted.
“Tighter than this?” His brows rose.
You nodded.
He undid the knot, pulling the laces tighter as per your request, waiting for approval.
Once again, you caressed your waist, pushing the corset to feel its give.
“Is it tight enough?” he asked, voice gravely.
“Can I have one more inch?” you asked, and he internally composed himself.
“I don’t know if it would work,” he said.
“Here,” you released your waist, reaching behind, wiggling your fingers for his hands. Azriel extended his hands to hover on either side of your waist, allowing you to guide them on your waist. You pushed onto his hands, making him squeeze your waist. “Can you hold it there?” you asked.
Azriel swallowed, holding your waist tightly, pressing the corset tighter to your body as you reached behind, pulling the untied lace. He tracked your every move, every careful twist of your fingers, how your arms brushed against his hands. Your hands worked dangerously close to his body as you worked to secure the ties at last.
When you finished, he regretfully released you, allowing you to turn, standing between him and the bedpost. He braced himself for the onslaught of your stare, the way he knew you’d look up at him.
Where there’d previously been jittery nervousness, there was something in your eyes now that set his nervousness off. A sense of open depth that swallowed him whole as you took him in. “Thank you,” you breathed. A small smile tugged your lips up.
He wanted to admit something stupidly vulnerable, like thank you for trusting me. So instead, he took a step back, ducked his head, and said, “You’re welcome.”
That pretty, trustful look returned to your eyes, a look he’d do anything to keep others from seeing. “Maybe you can help me zip up my dress too?” Your playful glint had him smiling back.
“Of course.”
You hurried to the bathroom and rustled for a bit before returning to him with the top half of a floor-length, black evening gown hanging off your torso. You stood before him, more confidently than before, and Azriel took his time zipping it up, tucking away the corset. Tucking away the knowledge, the memory of it. It was all his to cherish.
As you put your heels on, a knock sounded on the door. Azriel opened it to find Rhys and Cassian conveniently ready to go, all smug smirks.
“Sorry for making us late,” you said, rushing up behind Azriel. “I had a hard time getting dressed.” Azriel stepped aside, allowing you to exit, taking Cassian’s arm.
Rhys mockingly tsked. “Sorry to hear that. How’d you manage?”
“Azriel helped,” you said over your shoulder.
“Well, thank goodness for Azriel,” Rhys winked at him.
Azriel stood stunned, staring in disbelief at Rhys until you looked back at him blushing, a shy smile knocking the breath from his lungs.
“Yes. Thank goodness for Azriel.”
~
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azrielhours · 2 months
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Another dawn another day of reading your fics that I know word for word at this point because the SSRI's are trash and your ability to capture Az the way you do is uniquely beautiful and he's legit all I care about 😭
Ughhh this made me so happy 😭😭♥️♥️ thank you so much. I love you this is sickening my heart 😩😮‍💨
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