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#gwynriel appreciation week
sadiegirl2021 · 19 days
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My submission for @gwynrielweeksofficial on Ao3
One bed trope mixed with firsts!
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Where It All Started - Sneak Peak
It all began innocently enough.
One night, Gwyn found herself ensnared in a recurring nightmare, the kind that relentlessly disturbed her sleep. Azriel's shadows had woken him up, whispering that Gwyn needed his help. He hadn’t been in her room before. She’d claimed one near his own a few months ago, finally accepting Nesta’s offer to live in the main house.
Without hesitation, Azriel, armed with his trusty dagger, hurried to her room, ready to defend his friend. But, upon entering, he discovered no external threat—only Gwyn thrashing feverishly in bed, repeatedly uttering the word 'no.'
“Gwyn,” he called gently, hesitant to touch her. He instructed his shadows to shake her lightly while trying to call to her again.
“Gwyn!” This time she responded, shooting up out of bed, startled and frantic, scanning her surroundings for intruders, sweat coating her body.
“It was just a nightmare,” Azriel reassured her, settling himself at the foot of her bed while reaching for her hand.
“It felt so real,” she said, her breaths coming in pants, unshed tears threatening to fall.
Azriel squeezed her hand in comfort. She willed herself not to cry, running through her mind-stilling, trying to calm herself.
He copied her breathing in solidarity, wondering if she had bad dreams like this in the priestess dormitories and how they would soothe her back to sleep. All he could offer was his patience.
When Gwyn had finally calmed, Azriel dropped her hand, moving to leave her to sleep. “I’ll be down the hall if you need me,” he said, offering a small smile as he rose.
She grabbed his hand back before he could leave. “Az….”
He looked at her with a softness she rarely saw. “Yes?”
“Can you stay with me tonight… please?”
Azriel nodded. He moved to grab one of the chairs near the fireplace to place beside her bed.
"Can you sleep beside me, maybe hold me? My sister used to do that when I had nightmares," she interjected.
Azriel nodded once more but glanced down at himself. He had rushed into her room so quickly that he was only now painfully aware he was in just his undershorts. "Do you want me to put more clothes on first?" he asked tentatively.
She probably should have been more concerned about his lack of dress, but she trusted Azriel. He could be completely bare, and she knew he wouldn’t touch her without permission. "No, it’s fine," she replied, pulling the blanket down for him to join her in bed.
They adjusted until Azriel’s arm enveloped her shoulders, and her face nestled against his chest. He couldn’t help but inhale her scent as her hair brushed against his nose. It was hypnotic, lavender and sun-kissed oceans. Had anyone ever smelt so divine to him? His wing instinctively wrapped around her like an extra blanket of protection against the world.
“Thank you, Azriel… It’s coming up to the anniversary of losing Catrin. The nightmares are always worse around this time.”
Azriel’s heart squeezed. He should have remembered it was coming up, but he tried to block out the memories of that day as much as possible.
“Of course, Gwyn. I’m always here for you… we all are,” he reassured her, placing a gentle kiss on her head. She snuggled closer, holding him tighter. Azriel could get used to this. He couldn’t remember the last time he just held someone. He was usually all business when it came to intimacy. Trousers were back on right after, and he was out the door before he could be roped into pillow talk.
But this was nice. Gwyn felt so soft and warm, and he couldn’t resist tracing soothing circles along her arm as he listened to the rhythmic beating of her heart. He willed his own to beat in sync.
It felt right being with her in this way, an additional means to comfort and protect her. Lately, he found himself doing that quite often—keeping a watchful eye on her during training, strolling a bit closer to her in the city, sitting beside her at dinner… and breakfast, and sometimes lunch! If she noticed the extra attention, she didn't mention it. They were friends after all… maybe even more than that. He was drawn to her. And not just because she was the most beautiful female he'd ever met, but because she was so much more than that. She was strong, fierce, and competitive. And he loved spending time with her.
“Azriel,” Gwyn whispered.
“Yes?” he replied, feeling extremely relaxed. Which was rare for him.
“What are you thinking about?”
He smiled to himself, “I was thinking you might be the best friend I’ve ever had.”
She laughed against his chest, “Wow! Don’t tell Nesta that!” He chuckled in agreement.
“Do your shadows sleep?” she asked.
Azriel hummed a ‘yes’.
“Where?”
“In the corner, under the bed, beside the door… anywhere dark.”
Gwyn went quiet, and he could feel himself falling asleep. That was until she asked, “Did they tell you I was dreaming?”
“Yes,” he confirmed while letting out a yawn he couldn’t hold back.
He could feel Gwyn smile against his chest, “Do you want me to stop talking now?”
“No, no… I’m fine,” he answered, his voice unconvincing as he held in a second yawn. Staying awake seemed impossible.
Gwyn chuckled. “Goodnight, Azriel,” she murmured, placing a tiny kiss against him, right on his heart.
Azriel tightened his grip on her. “Goodnight, Gwyn.”
Within moments, he drifted into oblivion, Gwyn not far behind.
They both slept soundly, undisturbed by anything else for the rest of the night.
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We’re proud to announce that Gwynriel Weeks 2023 will be going from February 26- March 11! The biggest feedback we got from last year’s event was that it was too short so hopefully 2 weeks will be enough.
We’re so excited to see what you guys have in store and stay tuned for prompts, rules, and more!
Art credit: @mistilteinn.art Commissioned by: @yazthebookish
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jealousveronya · 1 year
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Gwynriel ♥
A little something for @gwynrielweeksofficial
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Gwynriel Week 2023 - Day 1: Series of Firsts
Look who crawled out of their cave and into the sunlight for the first time in months. Seriously, I thought I had forgotten how to form sentences and string them together, but here we are. I just can’t let Gwynriel week pass without doing something. 
So here is an angsty, fluff and slightly smutty one-shot for our favourites. (I feel like I’ve changed my usual writing style for this, but I hope you don’t mind too much.)
@gwynrielweeksoffical
Word count: around 2500 
Warnings: non-explicit smut (?) 
The first time they held hands, Azriel found truth.
It was after a particularly grueling training session. Rain came pouring from the sky cold and heavy, making his leathers stick uncomfortably to every inch of skin. His wings got heavier by the minute too and he had to remind himself time and time again to not let them drop and slouch all over the floor. But even if the sun had shone and Cassian would have started to dance the gavotte in a tutu, his mood wouldn’t have been any better.
He probably was too caught up in his head over the mission. He probably gave out commands a little too harshly, let the females run a little too many rounds. It didn’t help as well that his shadows were constantly commenting Gwyn’s improvement instead of figuring out a plan like he ordered them too. He never snapped at his Shadows, but that day, he came close to it.
When training ended Azriel made his way across the ring in record time, wanting to sort out his thoughts without any company. But he didn’t get very far at all.
“Hey, Shadowsinger!”
Closing his eyes in a desperate attempt to gain patience, Azriel came to a halt. A beaming priestess caught up to him in no time, neither the cold nor the rain seemed to bother her.
Right in front of him, she held out her hand expectantly. “I would appreciate it very much if that little deal of ours was fulfilled immediately. I kicked ass today, the combination included.”
Azriel signed, his breath a white cloud in front of his face. “You did?”
Gwyn nodded solemnly. “Indeed. And I am sure you saw, or at least your Shadows did. So, hand me the treats I was promised.”
“You know that I have better things to do than to monitor you constantly?”, Azriel bit out. He regretted the words the second they left his tongue – not only because they weren’t true, but also because they were the reason that beautiful smile on her face began to dim.
“Well, yes.”, she lowered the hand that was previously outstretched and cradled it to her stomach, “I just figured you’d might-“
“Gwyn.”, he cut her off, “can we talk about this some other day?”
His Shadows immediately started to scold him. Now he had definitely driven her away, he had been unnecessarily cold and made her so uncomfortable that she’d surely end this conversation.
But instead of retreating, Gwyn drew together her brows, little pearls of rain cascading down her nose in the process. “Are you okay, Az?”
She asked the question like no one had ever done before. Rhys usually asked with the tone of the High Lord, wanting to know if his mental state is good enough to lead the spy network. Nesta asked sarcastically over a shared dinner. Elain asked timidly, like the answer might scare her and she’d rather not know.
Gwyn’s question had been genuine, laced with the concern of a close friend and the fearlessness of something more. Her softly spoken words were music to his ears, a symphony he wanted to replay in his mind over and over again.
So, instead of just sidestepping the truth or lie, he confessed. “I’m not.”
Gwyn gave him a sad smile, her curious gaze searching his face for answers, silently encouraging him to go on. “I think I haven’t been okay for a long time.”
It was then, when it happened. Gwyn slowly reached out her hand and intertwined her dainty fingers with his. Squeezing lightly, she told him, “Well, if you are in need of a patient listener, you know where to find me.”
Azriel bit his lip, nodding. He was suddenly too shy to even look at her, so instead his eyes wandered to the ground and then to their hands. He couldn’t find words to describe how much that little sentence meant to him. Because he knew – with Gwyn, he wouldn’t have to hold back, he could be brutally honest and yet wouldn’t face judgement.
The silences stretched on while they stood in the empty training ring, connected by their hands, until Gwyn broke it. “I could also tell you that I’m a good advice giver, but that would be a stretch.”
The Shadowsinger cracked his first smile of the week, which in turn caused Gwyn to smile as well. The night, he indeed sought her out, cutting his heart out for her to see and inspect.
He had hoped she would find it worthy.
She had never seen something so beautiful.
---
The first time they kissed, Azriel found hope.
He planned every little detail about the date with unwavering precision. He knew the exact minute more people than usual crowded the center of Velaris, knew when the musicians start to play, what to wear, which flowers to present her with… but he forgot to set his own head straight.
He stumbled over his words the second he saw her descend the stairs in a beautiful green dress. What was meant to be a compliment came out in a jumbled sentence, causing Gwyn to suppress a smile. That smile didn’t help his nerves either.
During their dinner, overlooking the lit-up streets of Velaris, Gwyn chattered away freely while Azriel pondered over every word, every sentiment he wanted to share with her. Conversation was usually easy with Gwyn, but the weight of calling this their official ‘date’ threw all comfort he felt with her overboard.
He kept checking if she was comfortable, if she wanted more food or drink, if she was too warm or too cold, if the amount of people surrounding them bothered her.
When they made their way home, arms interlinked and strolling through the cobblestone streets, Azriel was certain he fucked up for good, and that he didn’t deserve to exchange another word with her.
“You’re brooding.”
His head snapped to the side, facing a wide-smiling Gwyn.
“I was fairly certain my company would keep you from overthinking your work, but it appears I overestimated my dazzling personality.”, she drew her voice out teasingly, baiting him to answer.
Azriel signed, stopped in his tracks and turned Gwyn to face him. He might as well use this opportunity to explain himself to her, that’s what she deserved.
“I’m incredibly sorry, Gwyn. I know this wasn’t the date you expected. I just couldn’t help my nerves.”, he confessed, his voice low and audible just for Gwyn. “Thank you anyways for agreeing to this. I hope it wasn’t a complete waste of time.”
Being done with the best explanation he could muster, he searched Gwyn’s features for any sign of annoyance or sadness. To his surprise, he only found confusion.
“Wait a second.”, Gwyn crossed her arms in front of her chest, “Do you mean to tell me that you barely spoke on this date because you were nervous?”
Now it was his turn to furrow his brows in confusion. “Yes?”
Gwyn burst out into giggles. “I can’t believe it. The infamous Shadowsinger, who fought in more wars than I can even name, who has years and years of dating experience, was nervous to take out a little priestess from the library?”
She didn’t get it, still smiling at the apparent silliness of his nerves. Because she didn’t know that he had been envisioning this date from the moment she first talked to him in training. That he looked at his brothers and their mates and wished with all of his heart that he could have what they had with her. That he would protect her with his life if he needed to.
“Gwyn, do you even know how big of a deal this is for me?”, he asked, his voice quivering just slightly with all the pent up emotions now bubbling to the surface. Gwyn’s smile froze. “You aren’t just another date to me. If I messed this up, then we wouldn’t just lose the opportunity of being together, but maybe our friendship too. And that’s something I can’t live without.”
He looked to the ground, suddenly unable to face the female he fell hopelessly in love with. “But it appears that I have to now.”
Suddenly, he felt a warm hand gently cupping his cheek, lifting his head. “Az.”
He covered her hand with his, desperately trying to memorize her touch, but still not meeting her eyes.
“Azriel, please look at me.”, Gwyn’s voice held nothing of her previous lightness, “Who ever said that you messed this up?”
The Shadowsinger found the courage to look at her now, if only to find out if she was joking or not. But Gwyn just looked sad, like she accidentally stepped on a puppy’s tail.
“This was the best date I’ve ever been on. I’ve gotten the most beautiful flowers, a flight over Velaris, a romantic dinner, and a male that clearly went out of his way to make this a memorable day for me.”, she swallowed, her eyes turning a bit glassy, “I genuinely thought something was bothering you, that you changed your mind about us being together, but were too polite to say something. Never in a million years would I have guessed that you were nervous.”
It was like the weight of a whole mountain fell from his chest at her words. He couldn’t even reply.
Gwyn smiled lightly, taking another step in his direction so that they stood chest to chest. “Az, may I kiss you?”
He only mustered a nod, completely overwhelmed by this sudden change of direction. And then, there was only the feeling of her lips on his. Gwyn kissed him gently but firmly, and he all but melted into her. Thankfully, he had enough presence of mind to engulf her into his arms as she sank into his body. This was more than he ever expected, more than he deserved, but he drank up every ounce of attention she gave him, every brush of her lips to his, every inch of her body pressed to him.
After the kiss ended, they still held each other close, foreheads touching.
“Don’t ever feel like you need to impress me in order for me to like you. You are all I’ve ever wanted.”, Gwyn whispered, and Azriel would be damned if her words didn’t break his heart and mend it all at the same time.
---
The first time they slept together, Azriel found religion.
They had been moving slowly, Gwyn’s reactions dictating every move, touch and inch of skin revealed to each other. It was a process of up and down. On some nights, Gwyn would be too insecure, too shy to even share a deep kiss, so they would end up cuddling on the sofa in front of the fireplace, with Azriel stroking her hair softly and whispering to each other. Other nights were a blur of passion, with clothing almost ripped off and carefree smiles of encouragement.
He knew what a big deal it was for Gwyn to show him her body completely. The first time she let her gown slide from her shoulders and onto a forgotten pile on the floor, Azriel couldn’t find the strength to take his eyes off her for one second. Her lithe body was toned with ropes of hard-earned muscle, skin so flawless he itched to reach out and feel its perfection under his fingertips. She let him do exactly that for the entirety of the night, quivering in his arms from his skilled fingers and coming back again and again for more.
Azriel would spend hours with his mouth between her legs, making her find release over and over again and getting drunk on the taste of her. He never felt more cocky then when he saw Gwyn’s thighs shake from the intensity of her orgasm, hearing her call his name like a prayer. Azriel knew that he’d never want another female in his bed, or by his side, ever again.
If he felt elated when he got to please her, he was positively ecstatic when she started to explore his body on her own accord. Her fingertips traced over every dip and curve of muscle and the ridges of his scars, coaxing out moans and sounds from his lips that he didn’t even know he could produce. He wasn’t above pleading, not with her, and it gave Gwyn the extra push she needed to take him into her hands.
Months had passed from the moment they started to explore the sexual side of their relationship, to when she finally slid onto him. Both of their bodies were already covered with a fine sheen of sweat, chests heaving and eyes lit-up. Azriel held her close on his lap, not leaving an inch between them as he guided her onto his hardness, pausing here and there to let her adjust. He littered kisses on her face, her neck and her collarbones in silent encouragement. But Gwyn didn’t need to be encouraged, an expression of pure bliss on her face as she sank onto him completely.
Azriel bit back his groan and the urge to move immediately, letting her decide how she wanted to go about this. Gwyn paused, seeking his gaze and then breaking out into the biggest smile he’d ever seen her wear. He couldn’t help his answering grin, thrusting up lightly and making her screech out a laugh. When she started moving on him however, all laughter was fast forgotten and replaced by need.
Azriel had his faire share of sex, but never was it like this. Never did it feel like his soul was searching for another, never did he want to please so badly. With Gwyn, every single thing felt ten times more intense, more purposeful.
He was sure he found his purpose in life when falling in love with her. And he was going to make sure she knew every second for the rest of her life.
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lady-riel · 2 years
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Gwyn: What’s it like being a spymaster?
Azriel: Secretive.
Gwyn: Secretive like playing a game of telephone or secretive like burying your heart in the ground in the dead of night?
Azriel:
Azriel:
Azriel:
Azriel: What heart
________________
@azrielshadowsingerweek
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bookishlilcorner · 2 years
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A Kiss under the Never Ending Sky
Gwynweek2022 Day 6: Romance & Ships
A Gwynriel short fanfiction
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If it wasn’t obvious already, I love the idea of Gwyn and Azriel being endgame (and most likely mates)!
Although I think both Azriel and Gwyn have to go through their healing journey (especially Azriel, he needs to get his shit together), I honestly believe they might have one of the best romances in the ACOTAR universe. The potential is there and is so sweet and cute!
I love how Gwyn brings out a side of Azriel we have never seen before. He’s much more relaxed, smiles and laughs with her. He doesn’t shy his hands away from her gaze and is out of his head (and self-loathing). He seems much more radiant and himself around her. And I love how Gwyn is so comfortable around Azriel as well. She doesn’t mind being alone with him not only during Solstice, but also during private dagger lessons. She is competitive and talks back to him when he gets cocky. Their interactions feel so natural! And we certainly didn’t miss the slight romantic coding between them. ;)
I made a little piece of Gwyn and Azriel sharing their first kiss on Starfall. It’s all fluffy and warm! Enjoy!
Word Count: 3k
@gwynweek2022
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Tonight’s Starfall was the most animated one Azriel had ever seen since Rhysand came back from Under the Mountain.
He could see it all through the large window of the dinner room at the House of Wind. Faes of all kind, clad in suits and dresses of all colors, iridescent under the street lights, were dancing in Velaris’s open air centre. Stations of food were displayed in front of the different stores and restaurants surrounding the centre, the warm scent of their spices enticing and delicious. The wind carried the Night Court’s signature scent of jasmine and lilies around, hitting Azriel’s face with softness like a gentle caress.
His shadows surrounded him, whispering things about what was going on. Apparently, Cassian had tripped over a step while showing Nesta the city centre’s decorations and was sprawled out on the floor while Nesta laughed at him. Feyre had gently pushed Rhys after he made another dirty joke. Elain and Lucien were by the river, talking about things he couldn’t hear. They seemed to be getting along pretty well these days. And Mor was with Amren and Varian, laughing with a glass of wine about some anecdote Varian was telling them.
A small smile spread across his face. He couldn’t wait to go down there with everyone, with Morrigan, Emerie, Elain, his brothers Rhysand and Cassian and their mates, Feyre and Nesta, Amren and her... Varian. He wasn’t sure what they were exactly. And of course, with Gwyn.
Gwyneth Berdara and he became friends. Close friends even, although he wasn’t sure now if what he felt for her was truly platonic. He couldn’t take his eyes off her whenever they were together, either during training with Cassian and the other valkyries or when they were hanging out by the river or in the House alone. She was always on his mind at night, and not in a steamy kind of way. He kept thinking about what he could do to make her happy and smile the way it made his heart bounce at every occasion, about how warm, comfortable and just right her hugs were, about her coppery brown hair that light up in strands of gold and red under the sun and about how her teal eyes sparked every time they look at each other, bringing back the sparks he felt inside since that Solstice.
She made him feel things he never did before. He felt a little thing for Elain before and he thought he had been in love with Mor, but whatever it was with them didn’t even come to the feet of what he was feeling for Gwyn. 
But maybe that is because they’re best friends, right?
Rhys and Cassian were rolling their eyes when he said that, the night before. 
“Az, you’re in love. Stop with the excuses and face it.” Cassian said.
“You’re describing the exact same things I feel for Feyre. You’re gone for her, brother.” Rhys added.
Although his pathetic excuses made them want to roll to their graves, they were overjoyed. Not only did he open up and came to them for advice, but they also noticed just how relaxed and happy he was. He no longer looked shrouded with envy and self-loathing. He no longer stayed in his corner with his thoughts. He no longer had that icy rage burning in his eyes.
And it wasn’t entirely because of Gwyn. They could sense it. The shift that made him want to become better, to be at ease with himself, started before he began to feel more for her than friendship. They didn’t know exactly what caused it, but it must’ve been quite big for him to snap out of his misery. A rude awakening indeed.
He didn’t hear the footsteps coming up. His shadows didn’t bother telling him anyways. Gwyn stood in front of the room, about to step into the threshold.
She stared at the Shadowsinger’s figure by the window looking down outside, the wind blowing through his made up hair. Wearing a black, neat cut suit with slits for his Illyrian wings, the blazer beautifully crafted with small intricate details of dancing silvery swirls, his cobalt blue siphons glowing lightly, he looked like the angel of Death with his shadows swirling around him, bringing out his sharp angular features.
Beautiful, lethal, almost dangerous to touch, and yet Gwyn felt the urge to run her fingers over his sharp jawline, his strong eyebrows, his tall nose, his soft lips. She felt the air constrict in her throat as he softly smiled at the gathering outside, and the sight of him made her all hot and nervous.
He was her closest friend after Nesta and Emerie, and she was irrevocably in love with him.
She licked her lips, composing herself. She didn’t want him to know how much he affected her.
“Lost your head in the stars?”
He turned his head at the feminine voice, sweet yet deep and mystical, and he felt the air knocking him out of his balance at the sight of her.
Gwyn stood at the threshold with a confident gaze, a hand on her hip and the other on the doorframe. She wore a gown of a deep blue almost identical to the cobalt siphons on his person, reflecting the light of the city on its smooth, silky material. He caught shine on the dress. The tissue had been encrusted with a few small crystals here and there, less in number than the one Feyre wore during her first Starfall. The straps of the upper bodice was held onto below her shoulders by a silvery adornment on both sides, and a deep sweetheart neckline showed a bit of her cleavage. She wore silver bracelets on her wrists with details he couldn’t tell, and a crystal headpiece on her head with dropping strands of silver gems on top of her hair, the resulting effect being a harmony of gold, red, brown and silver blue.
His shadows danced at the sight of her as well, following a music he couldn’t hear, but feel. He was finding it hard to breathe.
Mother above, he thought, she‘s putting the stars to shame. She’s so beautiful.
Look who’s sprouting poetry now, his shadows seemed to say.
“Your mouth’s hanging open.” She teased, walking towards him.
He closed his mouth at the statement, his face turning hotter. He meant to take a step towards her, but his legs felt weak, so weak, that he stumbled on his feet. Gwyn’s laugh echoed in the room.
“I’ve made the Shadowsinger of the Night Court stumble on his feet. That must earn me some respect, and rewards.” She teased with a wide smile.
Now that they were standing close, he noticed gold and silver sparkles on her eyelids, her long eyelashes coated with darkness, bringing out the blue in her irises. Her smile became softer, her plumb lips coated rosy nude.
He stared at her lips a little too long, because his shadows suddenly seemed to tell him to look away. He smiled at her and said, “You’ve dolled yourself up pretty nicely.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Looks like I’m not the only one.” She reached her hand towards his shoulder, tracing the silver swirls.
“Rhys insisted I dress up for the occasion.” The lie came out smoothly. In truth, he went to Rhys for help, but no way would he ever admit that out loud.
“I didn’t think I’d see you without your Illyrian leathers and weapons.”
“I’m not unarmed.” He answered, showing his dagger, Truth-teller, under his blazer. He never was.
“So am I.” She smirked. She pushed the fabric of her gown aside, the slit showing her two daggers strapped to her thigh.
He wasn’t sure if the weather went warmer or he did.
She started to take her hand off his shoulder, but he caught it in his hand, dropping his head to press a slight kiss. Barely a brush of his lips grazed her skin, and yet he swore she held her breath at the touch. He smirked, feeling satisfied with himself at how affected she was around him even with her best efforts to hide it. He looked at the bracelets on her wrists, catching the details depicting designs synonymously Illyrian.
He lifted his head, his gaze turning from tease to seriousness. “Y-you-“ He cleared his throat. “You look really beautiful tonight.”
She blushed, but held her chin high. “I’d hate to add to your cocky ego, but I must say you’re pretty handsome yourself.”
He laughed, his shadows swirling around their locked hands. “Let’s join the others, shall we?”
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The stars were falling. Specks of green, gold, teal and white floating in the sky over the crowd of Faes drinking, eating and dancing the night away.
Gwyn was seated with Emerie, Nesta, Mor, Elain and Lucien. Emerie and Mor, drunk, were playing some sort of game, their shoulders touching. Elain and Lucien were in a debate over which court had the prettiest flowers between Day, Dawn and Spring. Lucien seemed to be winning so far as his travels all over Prythian gave him an advantage over Elain and her books on flowers. Gwyn and Nesta, by themselves, were discussing smutty books they’ve been reading recently.
Azriel, at the other end of the open air centre, was in the middle of a challenge with Cassian. The loser had to babysit Nyx while the other would go with Rhys to Illyria for some court business. He would’ve easily won had he not been so entranced by Gwyn’s mesmerizing laugh that echoed all the way to him despite the loud sound of the crowd. He didn’t understand how he could hear her, but he did. This thing between them was something else, something he could never explain. It glowed inside whenever he and Gwyn were having a good time, and went tight whenever something was not right with her. He felt connected to her, and strangely didn’t mind it.
Rhys and Feyre were dancing under the falling stars, their eyes softly staring into each other. He smiled at them, at the love they had for one another. Amren and Varian were nowhere to be seen, but he suspected they went somewhere else for more privacy.
“Just ask her to dance.” Cassian’s voice broke his trail of thoughts.
He turned his head, shadows resting by his shoulders. “What?”
“It’s obvious you want to. You’ve barely paid attention to the game, which you lost by the way. Have fun babysitting Nyx tomorrow. Two years old and his powers are already threatening to blast Rhys’s town house.” Cassian snickered, taking a sip of his wine.
Azriel groaned. Fair. “She’s already comfortable with Nesta. I don’t want to-“
“Shut up.” He interrupted. “She was comfortable with Nesta, but I’m about to ask my mate to dance. Also, Gwyn would not reject a dance from you, unless you pissed her off. Did you?”
He shook his head. Their interaction at the House did not indicate any sign of Gwyn being pissed at him.
Cassian put a large hand on his back, laughing. “You were the one making fun of me complimenting Nesta five years ago, but look at you now. Anyways, I miss my mate. See you.”
He took two steps before turning back. “Oh, and make it romantic.”
Azriel glared at him half-heartedly. “We’re just friends.”
“Sure you are.”
Azriel, now left alone, contemplated how to ask her. It should be simple, no? Just ask her. Why was he so damn nervous about such a simple question?
Gwyn, now alone after Cassian took Nesta away, stared into the crowd. Cassian, ever the awkward, but surprisingly good dancer, laughed at some insult Nesta threw him, but she could tell by the soft eyes and smile on her face that it wasn’t anything mean. She smiled at them before catching movement by the corner of her eye.
One shadow curled in front of her, disappearing as quickly as it appeared, and she laughed. Azriel must’ve sent it to her. She stood up, passing by Lucien and Elain, the latter holding the handsome red-head’s hand.
Azriel wasn’t at the place he was with Cassian when she saw them earlier. She looked around before finding a pair of Illyrian wings by the bridge standing over the river. There was only a few other people there. He stared at her with a soft smile, the light of the stars above illuminating his face parts of his handsome face while leaving others in the dark. She could’ve sworn her heart skipped a beat at the sight.
She reached to him, resting her back on the balustrade. “Your shadow sent me word that you wanted me here.”
He stared at her. “My shadow? I didn’t send it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure you didn’t.”
He adjusted his collar, seeming nervous. She noticed. “Is everything alright?”
He nodded. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I was wondering if- do you want to dance? With me?”
She stared at him before deciding to tease him. “Hm, let me think. Do I want to dance?”
A silence fell. He looked at her. She was making him even more nervous as he stood there waiting for her answer.
She noticed it as well and couldn’t help but smile, taking his hand in hers. “Of course I want to dance with you.”
The smile that spread across his face shone so brightly it could put Rhys’s to shame. He pulled her closer to him, his arm circling her waist slowly, “Is it okay for me to touch your waist?”
She nodded, his touch leaving tingles all over her body. “Yes.” She breathed.
They danced like this, the stars falling over their head, with the sight of the mountains behind the Illyrian spymaster’s wings and the river illuminated by green, silver and gold starlight. Having her so close to him, her scent clouding his mind, made Azriel feel so at ease, so relaxed, so happy. This night was perfect beyond words.
“I like Starfall. It’s different from seeing it from the library’s windows.” Gwyn said, looking up. “The crowd is so lively, the food is exquisite, and I love being surrounded by my friends during such a beautiful night. But most of all, I get to spend it with you.”
He stared at her, stared as her teal eyes shone with starlight. Damn, he thought. I’m in love with her.
Rhys and Cassian were right. He was such a dumb, blind fool.
“With me?” He whispered, his hair catching a strand of her hair and placing it behind her delicately arched ears, slightly touching the crystals on her hair.
She looked into his eyes, swirls of honey and green specks. “Of course. You’re important to me, Az.”
He felt his heart warm up at the words, and he wrapped his arms around her, his chin resting softly on her head. He closed his eyes, whispering, “You are important to me too. You have no idea.”
She wrapped her arms around him, closing her eyes as she breathed him in. He smelled so nice, a blend of wood and jasmine. Their bodies moved side to side at the slow song playing from the city’s centre.
She unwrapped her arms first, wanting to stare into the eyes of the male she loved, but instead her eyes fell on his lips. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to kiss him so badly. She did for awhile, but tonight felt particularly stronger.
She unconsciously bit her bottom lip, but Azriel noticed. He noticed her stare as well, what it was looking at, and his heart started beating faster. She wanted to kiss him. He could tell. And he knew he wanted to kiss her as well, wanted to get lost in her scent, her touch and her taste.
He began slowly lowering his head, hers immediately raising to close the gap. Resting their foreheads against each other’s, he looked at her face, her closed eyes, and asked, “I- Can I kiss you?”
She nodded. “Yes, please.” She sounded eager, as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He grinned, closing the gap between them as their lips touched. Sparks lit up between them, his shadows swirling around them, as if dancing and singing to a song only they could hear. He put his hand by the side of her neck, tilting her head up as he deepened the kiss. She rose her arms to his chest, bringing herself closer to his body. He felt so warm, so nice. She couldn’t get enough of his touch.
They were so deeply engrossed in their kiss under the falling stars that they didn’t notice eyes staring at them. Cassian and Nesta were grinning, telling Emerie ‘I told you so’, the latter laughing and suggesting ideas on how to torment them during training. They walked away from the very platonic couple, giving them some privacy, and joined the rest of the crowd.
They laid their foreheads against one another after their kiss, laughs leaving their mouths. Gwyn pulled back to stare at the stars, a beautiful smile on her face. “This Starfall is really one of a kind.”
Azriel, who was totally looking at the sky, said, “Yes, it is.”
She looked down to see him gaze at her. She playfully hit his chest gently. “Oh, shut up, shadowsinger.”
He laughed, tightening his grip on her hand. His shadows curled around their hands. He looked behind her, noticing some movement. “I see Rhys and Nesta calling us. Do you want to join them?”
She looked behind at the crowd, at the ambience and the life it exuded. “Do you?”
He nodded. He felt particularly sociable tonight strangely enough, as if Gwyn’s kiss revived some energy deep inside him. They made their way to the crowd.
The rest of the night went smoothly. Azriel had fun with Rhys and Cassian, making up silly games the drunker they got, and the women would challenge them whenever they would get cocky and think they could win against them.
The night was memorable, one that everyone would cherish for a long, long time.
Indeed, this Starfall was one of a kind.
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positivewitch · 2 years
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@gwynweek2022 Day 5 - Hopes and Theories
Gwyn finds courage to leave the libary and Az takes her to the Velaris.
https://href.li/?https://picrew.me/image_maker/1417820
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idiocracy-42 · 2 years
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Nesta is the best character that Sarah J Maas has ever written. I understand why people hate her. She is a bitch. It’s a universal fact. But I completely understand her. I pull away because I want people to chase me. I want them to keep holding out their hand. To see all the dark parts of me and love me anyway. Nesta is the first character that I have understood down to my soul. She is the first character that has made me want to change. She is the first character to make me feel like a can do what ever I want. She is the first character to make me feel brave. Nesta is who I would be if I was braver. I would verbally resent my parents instead of keeping it bottled up. I would drink and say fuck the world. I would tell everyone that they hurt me instead of just smiling and saying I’m fine. I would finally tell people that, no I’m not fine. I would fight like hell to get to my friends. I would point that finger at who was hurting me giving them a death promise. If I was braver. If I was braver I would climb those 10,000 steps. If j was braver I would train till I was as good as any Valkyrie. If I was braver I would finally tell someone. If I was only more like Nesta I would never be helpless again. If I was like Nesta I could finally take back my life. If I was like Nesta I could finally be a bitch to those who deserve it. If I was like Nesta I could finally be me. If I was like Nesta I would learn to stop hating myself. If I was like Nesta I would take that hand and I would live my life like I deserve.
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velidewrites · 22 days
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Gwynriel Weeks 👀
I have a little announcement! Baby’s writing her first Gwynriel for the upcoming event and I’m SO very excited about it. I want to keep the plot a surprise until it’s time to post, but I thought I’d open up a taglist in advance for anyone who might potentially be interested in reading. If you’d like to be added, please let me know via reblog, comment or ask!
I appreciate you all!
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hlizr50 · 10 days
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I didn't predict my first contribution to Gwynriel Weeks 2024 being an all-consuming sequel to a friend's fic, but here we are @gwynrielweeksofficial
It's just convenient that it fits well enough with Day 9: Music
This is a sequel to Humming of the Heart, posted by @sunshinebingo for Day 6: Mates. It was such delicious, heartbreaking groundwork that I felt the overwhelming need to give it a happy ending.
So, without further ado, may I present:
A Symphony of Two
Read on AO3
Two years.
Two years since that hum had begun, low and steady. If his heart was a metronome, the beat that guided the rhythm of his life, then the quiet thrum of the mating bond was the long, sweeping notes of the cello, just waiting for the orchestra to enter. To match their melody to his sorrowful, lonely harmony.
Two years since his mate had run from him, the salt of her tears bitter on his tongue. Or perhaps those were his own.
From all the stories he’d been told – the legends – Azriel had expected the loss to drive him nearly mad. True, the year that passed between that fateful day and his first day of training had been long and bitter and dark, but he’d been perfectly able to appreciate the bright moments, too. The addition of Feyre into their circle, into the family. The victory over Hybern and the Cauldron. There were so many things to be grateful for. So many times he had grinned.
And yet, that humming in his heart remained.
He’d realized, after a solid month of wallowing, that Gwyneth Berdara hadn’t rejected the mating bond. At least not officially, apparently, by whatever great magic decided those things. Did that mean he stood a chance? Not by any stretch of the imagination. But at least he hadn’t been made feral.
Well, perhaps he was feral.
Not because his mate had denied him the bond that he’d craved for centuries – the proof that he was a male worthy of love and happiness. No, the potential loss of his Cauldron-chosen partner warranted little of his attention anymore.
No, it was that he’d spent the last year watching Gwyneth Berdara bloom before his very eyes, a beautiful, delicate lily that had finally been showered in sunlight. Gone was the timid priestess who had given him an uncertain smile the first day he’d assisted with training. Now, in the pastels that were lighting the dawn sky, stood a warrior with a quick wit, a mischievous glint her eye, a powerful body, and a confidence that could outshine the sun.
Every day he’d watched, keeping a polite distance whilst his heart and mind and soul warred, that hum a constant undercurrent to every moment of tension, every glance, every smile, every proud observation. Azriel couldn’t deny that there was something that tugged at him ceaselessly, pulling him toward the Valkyrie who was the first to cut the ribbon.
But it wasn’t the mating bond. It was just… her.
To his surprise and his utter delight, their estrangement hadn’t lasted long. Azriel had been charmed by her irreverence from the moment she’d had the courage to show it, and he’d been practically enamored ever since. They’d become friends over daggers and punches during sleepless nights. Gwyn had gifted him smiles more luminous than the moon could ever hope to be, and she’d pulled so much laughter from him that he almost feared for his infamous Spymaster reputation.
The shadowsinger had never told her about those long, sleepless nights, poring over reports and maps, when he’d felt the pluck of that constantly thrumming chord. Sharp and sudden, the fleeting, phantom terror and desperation almost real enough to grip between his scarred fingers. He wondered if Gwyn felt his nightmares as keenly as he felt hers, and cursed himself that they might add to her sleepless nights. If she did, she never shared. But they would both inevitably find their way back to each other in the training ring, where they would battle their demons together.
“I’m sure that, as Spymaster, you’ve developed quite a talent for lurking, Shadowsinger. But it is quite impolite.”
Gwyn hadn’t turned to face him the entire time he’d been perched at the edge of the doorway. But, of course, that never seemed to matter. Was it the bond that made her so aware of him? Or was it more than that? With a chuckle he stepped into the morning light, flaring his wings to feel the warmth of the sun’s first rays as he joined her at the edge of the ring, her feet dangling precariously over the edge.
“You shouldn’t sit like that. You could fall to your death,” he mused, sitting down next to her. Close enough that he could feel the warmth of her body, but far enough to be proper.
Close enough for her to bump her shoulder against his playfully. “But I have a big strong male with wings sitting right next to me. Surely he would be chivalrous enough to take flight and save me.”
Azriel couldn’t help but huff a small laugh, even as he rolled his eyes. “Chivalrous winged males cannot save you when you’re sitting on a ledge alone, Berdara,” he scolded, earning nothing more than an apathetic hum in reply. So stubborn, she was. Nearly reckless in her contentment. His shadows danced lazily around them both as he gazed upon her, drinking her in like a male dying of thirst.
The priestess had tilted her chin, angling her face to be warmed completely by the sun as it continued to rise over the horizon. Her skin had taken on more color as training had progressed, staining her cheeks a near-permanent pink, and her freckles had multiplied, splattering over her cheeks to outnumber the stars in the night sky. Azriel often found himself wanting to count them, connect them, commit them to memory.
Clarity struck him like the tip of a spear, aimed at his heart. While the bond had thrummed incessantly behind his ribs, what he felt for the redhead beside him went far beyond mystical magic and power matches. The deep pit of despair and icy rage that had sharpened him when she’d been stolen and dropped into the Blood Rite – those were not the bond’s doing, but his own thawing heart. The smiles and the laughter and the heated debates over the best way to take one’s tea – those intimacies were not forged by a mystical cauldron or a deity in the heavens.
It was her. It was him. It was them.
The Cauldron didn’t always choose mates that were compatible beyond the power games of the fae. His brothers had just been extremely lucky.
Perhaps Azriel was just lucky, too. But only if Gwyn felt the same.
The silence stretched, with the Valkyrie smiling gently into the sun as his shadows drifted and his lungs filled and the hum lifted, singing to him with a siren’s song. Beckoning. Encouraging.
“Do you still feel it?”
He didn’t know if it was a question so much as a plea. Please, still feel it, his heart beckoned. Please want to.
Gwyn’s eyes were wide and gleaming like the Sidra at midday as she jerked her chin toward him, rosy lips parted in surprise. Her expression softened after only a moment, a sad smile lifting the corners of her lips.
“Every day.”
Azriel swallowed, an effort to dislodge the lump in his throat. He’d wondered about this for a few weeks, now. Wondered whether he should tell her. Whether he should try to reach out to her, try to acknowledge this link between them.
Mother knew where the courage came from, but he summoned it with a deep inhale and placed his scarred hand over hers on the stone.
“I feel it, too.”
He hated the way that her eyes shuddered, growing dark with uncertainty. “Az—”
“You told me two years ago…” his voice drifted off, realization dawning on him.
Fuck… this was really it. He was doing this.
“You wished for me to find someone that could see all of me,” Azriel continued, thumb absently drifting over her knuckles. “Do you?”
“I do,” Gwyn whispered. He smiled, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
“Of course I do, Gwyn. I could never forget that day,” he admitted, then continued before she could respond, “You also told me that you wished for me to find someone who could match my beauty and strength and courage. Someone truly deserving of me.”
“Azriel—”
He lifted his hands before her eyes, a silent question, and her breath hitched even as she nodded, silver tears flowing over her lashes. Azriel cupped her cheeks in his palms, brushing away those tiny droplets as he stared deep into her stormy blue eyes.
“Gwyneth Berdara. You are the strongest, bravest person I think I’ve ever known. You could have stayed in the Library forever, shielded from the outside world, and nobody could have ever judged you for it. And yet… you didn’t. I have watched you build your confidence and hone your body. I’ve been blessed to get to know you and laugh with you, to call you my friend. I’ve had a spectacular vantage point to watch as you have blossomed into the fierce, incredible female that you are.” The words were a declaration. A vow. A plea. Everything. Azriel laid himself bare before her, praying that she understood how wrong she was those years ago. “If anything, it’s me that doesn’t deserve you.”
His favorite Valkyrie sniffled, doing her best to shake her head as he held it. That was the only sound, and his heart threatened to beat out of his chest if she didn’t answer, and soon.
Gwyn’s palms were warm over his fingers – holding him, holding her. “You deserve the world, Azriel. I just,” she hesitated, taking a shaky breath, “I just don’t know if I can give it to you.”
It was Azriel’s turn to shake his head, his unruly hair falling in front of his eyes until he shook it away again.
“I don’t need the world, Berdara. I just want you,” he murmured, watching her expressive face for every twitch and hit of reaction. She was never able to hide her feelings from him, not with the way her eyes would widen and her lips would hitch for a moment. A tiny smile lifted one corner of her mouth, but her gaze was still unsure. So he plunged onward, “You said back then that you were broken. I think you know, by now, that I am, too. Maybe our broken pieces will fit together. Maybe that’s how it was always supposed to be.”
He pulled away for only a moment before reaching for her again, grasping at her fingertips and gripping one of her hands between his.
“There’s no pressure. No expectation. I care for you deeply, Gwyn. Not because some magical relic proclaimed it, but because I have been blessed to know you. I only humbly pray that you might want to give this a chance. Because the only person who fits all those criteria you so thoughtfully laid out – what feels like a lifetime ago – is you.”
Azriel had always known that Gwyn’s smile was a wonder, incandescent and genuine and joyful. But seeing it now, as he begged her to step fully into whatever this thing between them could be, felt like flying.
“You want me, Shadowsinger?” she breathed on a wet little disbelieving huff. He grinned back at her.
“I do, Berdara,” he confirmed. And then she laughed with all of her voice, a melody of bells and harps and strings finally joining that cello humming in his heart, and threw herself into his chest, her arms circling his neck.
“I want you, too,” she whispered as he wrapped her in his embrace.
And his shadows sang along, the symphony complete.
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acourtofkindness · 3 months
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all the people who organised celebration weeks!! it must be so much, hard work and you are all incredible appreciated but don't get enough love for what you are actually doing!!
celebration weeks are something incredible - they bring people together and manage to unite a fandom. thank you for everything:
SJM Romance Week
Gwynriel Weeks
Elain Archeron Week
Nesta Archeron Week
Elriel Month
Aelin Week
Queen of Shadows Read Along
Empire of Storms Read Along
Azris Week
Gwyn Appreciation Week
Tamlin Appreciation Week
Sun and Flame Week
Elucien Week
Archeron Sisters Week
Elorcan Week
Cassian Appreciation Week
Mor Week
Valkyrie Week
Feysand Week
Neris Week
Rowaelin Month
Aedion Ashryver Week
Elain Archeron Week
Nessian Week
Eris Vanserra Week
Rhysand Appreciation Week
Lucien Vanserra Appreciation Week
Crescent City Week
Emerie Appreciation Week
A massive thank you to the people organising the @acotargiftexchange🤍
And lastly, a huge thank you to @maased-out, for keeping track of all the events and keeping the fandom organised🤍
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Week 2 prompts!
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Day 1: Favourite Headcanons and Theories
Day 2: Tropes
Day 3: Au Day
Day 4: NSFW Day
Day 5: Mates
Day 6: Domestic Life
Day 7: Free Day
If there are any questions feel free to comment them or message any of the account pages!
Art credit: @mistilteinnart
Commissioned by: @yazthebookish
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freyjas-musings · 2 months
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To all my dear Gwynriel friends here while I understand the satisfaction of telling people " I told you so" what i would like to request is people redirect that energy into actually enjoying Gwynriel as a pair and we can do that through the Gwynriel week event coming up in March....
Making content takes time and while we have already been working behind the scenes with some fun things , I would urge people in the fandom both new and old to have a look at the prompts see if you would like to participate.... its the best time to make friends , enjoy content positively and actually experience the fandom.
Content isn't limited to art and fanfics ... appreciation posts , mood boards , drabbles , headcanons , memes , incorrect jokes the potential for content is infinite ♾️....
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maased-out · 4 months
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Hi everyone and get ready for another year of SJM fun! Below, you'll find a list of events for 2024.
NOTE: These events are meant to foster positivity within their respective fandoms. Negativity towards any specific event is not welcome.
NOTE: If you would like your event to be included on the maased-out calendar, please click here.
January
February
SJM Romance Week (February 8th–February 14th)
March
Gwynriel Appreciation Weeks (March 10th–March 23rd)
Feyre Appreciation Week (March 18th–March 24th)
Starfall Week (March 19th–March 25th)
April
Feylin Week (April 1- April 5th)
Poly+ ACOTAR Week (April 7th–April 13th)
Tamlin Appreciation Week (April 14th–April 20th)
Nesta Week (April 21st–April 27th)
May
Elriel Month (May 1- May 31)
Ruhn Danaan Week (May 19th–May 25th)
June
Azris Week (June 2- June 8th)
July
Elucien Week (July 14th-July 20th)
Cassian Appreciation Week (July 22nd–July 28th)
August
Rhysand Appreciation Week (August 18th-August 24th)
September
Eris Vanserra Week (September 8th–September 14th)
Nessian Appreciation Week (September 15th–September 21st)
October
Feysand Week (October 13-October 19th)
November
December
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azsazz · 4 months
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ACOTAR Appreciation Weeks
I found most of the weeks! If I'm missing any lmk and I'll update! TY! 💙 Also, idk if these are reoccurring but it's what I found.
SJM Romance Week: Feb 8-14 (@sjmromanceweek)
Gwynriel Week: Mar 10-23 (@gwynrielweeksofficial)
Feyre Week: Mar 18-24 (@feyreweekofficial)
Starfall Week: Mar 19-25 (@starfallweek)
Poly!ACOTAR Week: Apr 7-14 (@polyacotarweek)
Tamlin Week: Apr 14-20 (@tamlinweek)
Nesta Week: Apr 23-29 (@nestaarcheronweek)
Azris Week: Jun 4-10 (@azrisweek) (2024 dates TBD)
Gwyn Week: Jun 11-17 (@gwynweekofficial)
Elucien Week: July 9-15 (@elucienweekofficial)
Archeron Sisters Week: Jul 16-22 (@archeronsistersweekofficial)
Cassian Week: Jul 30-Aug 5 (@cassianappreciationweek)
Mor Week: Aug 6-12 (@morweekofficial)
Valkyrie Week: Aug 14-23 (@officialvalkyrieweek)
Feysand Week: Aug 21-27 (@officialfeysandweek2023)
Neris Week: Aug 28-Sep 3/Aug 26-Sep 1 (@nerisweek)
Elain Week: Sep 3-9 (@elainappreciationweek)
Nessian Week: Sep 10-16 (@nessianweek)
Eris Week: Sep 17-23 (@erisweekofficial)
Rhysand Week: Sep 24-30 (@officialrhysandweek)
Lucien Week: Oct 8-14 (@lucienweekofficial)
Azriel Week: Nov 5-11 (@azrielappreciationweek)
Emerie week: Nov 12-18 (@emerieweekofficial)
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rosanna-writer · 10 months
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Our Song - A Gwynriel Songfic
Just a short songfic based on Taylor Swift's "Our Song" for Day Two of Gwyn Appreciation Week - Song Association
Originally I didn't have anything planned for today but the song came on at work, and I thought it would be fun to write something a little meta :)
The full fic is below the cut!
@gwynweekofficial
I was ridin' shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car
On yet another night that Gwyn and Azriel couldn't sleep, she found herself in his arms in the skies above Velaris. It happened less frequently now, but there were still nights like this, and they'd taken to flying once they'd given both up on attempting to sleep. The cool night air sometimes did them more good than trying and failing to rest.
He's got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel
The other on my heart
There was nowhere Gwyn would rather be than curled up against Azriel's chest with the city spread out beneath them. Even when they placed bets about how much free fall she could take before she screamed or if Az would beat his fastest time from one end of the city to the other, this felt like the safest place in the world.
I look around, turn the radio down
He says, "Baby, is something wrong?"
Tonight, though, they just made lazy loops around the city in companionable to silence. Gwyn might be able to draw Azriel out better than anyone else, but she didn't always need to.
After a while, Az glanced down at her and said, "Everything alright?"
I say, "Nothing, I was just thinkin' how we don't have a song"
And he says
It was, and Gwyn knew he'd know if it wasn't, but it was in his nature to confirm everything, not to make assumptions. Azriel didn't leave things to chance.
"Completely fine," she said, giving him a smile. "I was just thinking that for all the singing we do, it's a bit strange we don't have a song, isn't it?"
Our song is the slamming screen door
Sneakin' out late, tapping on your window
"It's probably for the best. Anything distinctive is predictable and easy to track."
Gwyn rolled her eyes and wondered if there was anything in the world he couldn't relate back to espionage. "Azriel. Not everything in life is about being sneaky."
When we're on the phone, and you talk real slow
'Cause it's late, and your mama don't know
"Not everything. But quite a lot."
His voice was deadpan, but Gwyn could read Azriel well enough to spot the barest hint of a smile on his face. He knew what he was doing, being pedantic just to rile her up a bit.
And Gwyn wouldn't give him the satisfaction of rising to the bait.
Instead, she just changed the subject and said, "Now that I think about it though, I wonder if you could use music to pass coded messages."
Azriel hummed thoughtfully, and Gwyn could feel it rumble in his chest. "A bit difficult to communicate much detail when there's only seven notes in a scale to work with, though."
If he wanted pedantic tonight, he'd get pedantic. Gwyn smiled.
"Actually there are twelve in a chromatic scale."
"That's still less than half the letters in the alphabet. My point still stands."
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date, "Man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have"
That was enough to consider it a draw. They lapsed back into comfortable silence and watched the city fly by underneath them.
Eventually Gwyn—completely incapable of letting anything go as always—said, "We really should have a song, though. And for the record, telling me having a song is predictable might be the least romantic thing you've ever said to me."
"Don't worry, I'm sure I'll outdo myself soon."
Gwyn laughed at that, then rested her head on the space between Azriel's head and shoulder. It fit perfectly, as if she was made to be there.
"There aren't a lot of things that are more important than being sneaky, but that laugh is one of them, you know," Azriel added softly.
Gwyn didn't have a sarcastic response for that, just kissed him.
And when I got home, 'fore I said, "Amen"
Asking God if he could play it again
They didn't stay out much longer than that. The flight had done its job, tiring Azriel out enough to catch a few hours of sleep. Gwyn wasn't quite so lucky, but sleepless nights weren't as bad when she spent them curled up against his side, one wing covering her like an extra blanket. While she listened to him breathe, she hummed to herself quietly and got lost in thought about music theory and cryptology.
I was walkin' up the front porch steps after everything that day
Had gone all wrong and been trampled on
The next day, Gwyn was not nearly as content. After only a couple hours of sleep, training the next morning was miserable. She couldn't bring herself to skip it. Instead, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to keep going, even though she lost three sparring matches in a row and failed to block countless hits she should have dodged.
No one asked what was wrong—the bags under her eyes were answer enough.
And lost and thrown away
Got to the hallway, well on my way to my lovin' bed
It had been a horribly long day, and Gwyn had pushed herself to get through all of it. Azriel considered telling her to rest, but he knew Gwyn—she'd only dig her heels in more if he did.
So instead, he made sure to be home first, ready to take care of Gwyn when the exhaustion finally overtook her and she collapsed into bed.
I almost didn't notice all the roses
And the note that said
And just as he predicted, she took one look at the carefully tabbed and annotated book he'd left on the nightstand for her and decided she'd open it when she'd gotten some sleep. The vase of roses next to it made her smile though.
Azriel was patient. He could wait until Gwyn had rested up enough to find the note he'd left explaining that he'd annotated the songbook for her because there was no obvious choice of which song should be theirs.
He'd rather just give them all to her.
I've heard every album, listened to the radio
Waited for something to come along
That was as good as our song
After flipping through the entire book together, Gwyn and Azriel agreed there wasn't a single song that felt quite right. Gwyn was beyond caring—it was the best gift she'd ever received.
But still, the next day, she'd returned to the library and gotten her hands on every book about music theory and codebreaking that she could find. She was on a mission.
I was ridin' shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car
Gwyn and Azriel had a few more weeks of peace before insomnia struck again. Gwyn had her nose stuck in the library books she was still making her way through when Azriel said he couldn't sleep either. He suggested flying again, and she never turned that down.
Gwyn sang softly to herself as they flew. She almost didn't realize she was doing it until Azriel joined in.
I grabbed a pen and an old napkin
And I wrote down our song
Something about the sound of their voices together unknotted the problem. When they got back home, she didn't come to bed, just cracked open the notebook full of staff paper and grabbed a pen.
Azriel might have thought that music was an impractical means of encoding information, but Gwyn was sure that with a few tweaks, her system would work.
And there was no song that was sweeter than "I told you so."
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