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hyacinthoideshispanica · 4 months

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Oh! A New Years Eve Gwynriel au!

The inner circle hold a huge new years eve party in a rented hall and during the night, Feysand announce they're pregnant and Nessian become engaged. Everyone's super happy and a little drunk, waiting with increasing anticipation for the clock to strike midnight.

Azriel is overjoyed for his brothers, but he's also kind of sad. A new year is just hours away, and his brothers have entered new and exciting chapters in their lives while he's still alone and doing the same things.

From a dark corner, he observes all the party goers, putting names to each face he sees. Even if he doesn't personally know everyone here, like Rhys, he knows who they are, and he idly wonders will be kissing who when the clock strikes midnight.

Suddenly, he notices an unfamiliar flash of red in the crowd and focuses his attention on the girl dancing with carefree passion in the center of everything.

He stares at her, unable to fit a name to her or the dark skinned brunette dancing beside her and Mor. Without any warning, the redhead stops and turns in his direction. Hazel eyes lock with bright teal, Azriel's brow raises questioningly, as if silently asking the girl who she is, and Gwyn flashes him a teasing grin before moving deeper into the crowd.

Azriel follows her, and for the next few hours, a little game of cat and mouse ensues.

Azriel searches for Gwyn in the crowd. They make eye contact, and she'll teasingly gesture for him to come closer before disappearing again.

Azriel will stop by the bar, looking around, and the bartender hands him a drink from, "the cute redhead." The napkin the glass is set on has a little message, "catch me if you can." Grinning like crazy, Azriel downs the drink, stuffs the note in his pocket, and sets off again.

At one point, Azriel feels a tap on his shoulder and turns just in time to see Gwyn turn a corner.

Eventually, Azriel ends up outside on a balcony, thinking his mystery girl left the party. He hadn't been able to find her for the last 20 minutes, so she must not have been enjoying herself as much as he thought.

The countdown starts, and Azriel decides to stay outside and greet the new year on his own. He doesn't particularly want to be surrounded by people kissing and cheering at the moment.

Then he hears someone behind him and turns around to see Gwyn just as everyone else inside is shouting "Three! Two! One!" As soon as the clock strikes midnight, Gwyn pushes up on her toes and kisses Azriel.

Azriel kisses her back without hesitation, and everything that's not her seems to fade away. He doesn't know her name or why she's there, but none of that matters because he's already decided that if she's willing, he will learn everything about her and teach her everything about himself.

However, when Azriel opens his eyes to ask her name, she's already disappearing back inside into the mass of celebrators. He tries to go after he, but it's no use. She's gone, and Azriel feels like he's going to go insane if he can't see her again.

Azriel doesn't sleep. Instead, he pours through the guest book, looking for any name he doesn't recognize and comparing the writing to the note from his pocket, but nothing matches. He goes to Rhys, but Rhys has no idea who Azriel is asking about, and neither does Feyre. He tries Cassian but walks away from that encounter with nothing but a brusied rib from trying to wake his very drunk, passed out, brother. Nesta is far too hungover to deal with this and threatens to castrate Azriel if he so much as whispers to her while she has a headache.

Desperate, Azriel takes to walking around town, hoping to run into her, but the only person he manages to find is Mor. She comments on his apparent lack of sleep, and he explains what he's doing. Mor's eyes light up in recognition, and Azriel demands to know everything she knows. Mor explains that she doesn't know the redhead, but she's very well acquainted with the other mystery girl, Emerie.

Azriel begs Mor for Emerie's number or some other way to contact her, anything if it's means he can find his mysterious redhead. Mor pulls out her phone and calls Emerie.

Mor: Hey Em. No, I didn't forget anything at your place. Just listen, I have my friend here, and apparently, he's like head over heels in love with your friend. So, what was her name again?

Azriel: And number? Or maybe address?

Mor passes along Gwyn's address, and Azriel immediately takes off running down the street.

He ends up on Gwyn's porch, suddenly nervous, wondering if she even wants to see him again or if it was just a silly little game to her. Hands shaking, he prepares to knock, but the door swings open before he can touch it and comes face to face with Gwyn.

There is a brief moment of silence as they look at each other, and then they're kissing and grabbing at one another fiercely. When they finally break apart to catch their breaths. Gwyn giggles and whispers, "Happy New Year, Azriel."

Azriel moves forward, gently pushing Gwyn between the wall and his body and whispers, "I finally caught you, Gwyn." Before kissing her again.

The next day, Azriel takes Gwyn over to the townhouse and is shocked when she hugs Nesta.

Azriel: You know her?

Gwyn: Of course I do. She and Emerie are my best friends. Who do you think invited me to the party?

Azriel, turning to Nesta: You knew who she was the entire time, and instead of telling me, you let me wander the streets for hours?

Nesta: You woke me up at four in the morning while I was hungover. Absolutely, I let you wander the streets!

As always, this prompt is up for grabs.

#acotar #azriel shadowsinger #gwyneth berdara #gwynriel #gwynriel au #acotar fanfiction #gwynriel prompt #new years eve

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mystical-blaise · 1 month

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aldbooks · 10 months

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Part 2 of the wonderful story started by @captain-of-the-gwynriel-shipas part of the ACOTAR Writing Circle hosted by @azrielshadowssing

Warnings: NSFW and BDSM themes

Find on AO3

Part 1 | Part 3

Summary: Working as a Spy for the Night Corp has gotten Gwyneth Berdara everything she ever wanted out of life: a group of friends who would die for each other, a chance to make a difference, and a love she only thought existed in fairytales.

Gwyn is undercover in Mayor Beron Vanserra's office to expose the hidden truths about how he came into power. Her true reasons for working at the Mayor's office aren't the only thing she's keeping secret. Her relationship with her supervisor, Azriel, is kept tightly under wraps. If anyone found out, it would change their lives forever. When a masquerade fundraiser poses the perfect setting for her mission to proceed, more than just Beron's secrets are brought to light.

Ch 2 - 3995 words

NSFW warning 🌶🌶🌶

“Son of a-” Gwyn swore viciously as Eris-fucking-Vanserra sauntered into Rhysand’s office and leaned against the side of the desk, smirking at her.

“Always a pleasure to see you, Berdara,” he crooned. Beside her, Azriel growled. Actually growled. It was a fight not to look at him.

Quickly gathering herself, Gwyn leaned back in her chair, and returned Eris’ smirk with one of her own. “Daddy finally finished yelling at you?”

Something dark flashed in his eyes and for a moment she was struck by how much like his father he looked. Were it not for the red hair he inherited from his mother, Eris could have been Beron, twenty years younger.

“Were you worried about me?” Eris asked with a little condescending pout. Gwyn rolled her eyes and Eris’ expression turned cold. “I’ve been dealing with my father for longer than you’ve been alive. Don’t cry for me. Besides, if you’ve done your job right and not just been parading around my father’s office in short skirts for the last month, no one will be dealing with him any longer after tomorrow night.”

Gwyn tensed, her lip curling at the insinuation she was incompetent at her job. She could feel Azriel preparing to lash out but, before either of them could respond to Eris’ taunting, Rhys stepped in.

“Azriel was just assuring us we have what we need. Our teams have been coordinating the plans for tomorrow night, and you are all here to discuss your roles in those plans.” Rhys gestured to a third chair beside his desk that she had failed to notice earlier and Eris sat, smoothly reaching up to unbutton his suit jacket as he did so. Crossing one leg elegantly over the opposite knee, his elbows rested on the chair's arms, chin propped on the knuckles of one hand. The picture of arrogance.

She hated him.

Waving a hand lazily, Rhys said, “You have the floor, Eris.”

Amber eyes glided over Gwyn from head to toe in a clinical sort of assessment that set her teeth on edge. “If I know my father at all, he’ll have arranged for you to attend the gala in a dress he hand picked for his own pleasure. You can decide if you actually want to wear it or not,” he shrugged. “He’s equally as likely to either get you alone at the first opportunity to rage about it, as he is to ignore you entirely, as his own warped form of punishment for not capitulating to his commands.”

His voice was casual but there was something in his tone, a subtle edge of bitterness that made Gwyn think Eris had likely been subjected to the same sort of bullshit psychological games his whole life. Again, she felt a pang of sympathy for the man for having to put up with Beron as a father… if only just a little one.

“However,” Eris continued. “Invariably, the easiest way to rile him up and thus make more likely to make a mistake, is to piss him off as much as possible. To that end, I’ll be escorting you to the ball rather than sending you alone. Father never much cared for sharing his toys.”

Azriel shifted in his chair beside her, his entire body vibrating with tension. She would have been more inclined to be insulted by the insinuation that she was some sort of possession of Beron’s had Eris’ curling lip not made it obvious how distasteful he found the notion. If there was one good thing that could be said about the Vanserra brothers, among the cesspit that was their reputation, it was that they all loved their mother and she imagined seeing their father constantly disrespecting her with his various mistresses would disgust any of them.

Rhys must have recognized that Az was about one more vague insult away from tearing the man to shreds as he once again stepped in. “Eris,” he sighed. “We could do without the colorful commentary. Please just explain the plan.”

Eris’ brow twitched challengingly at Azriel, and Gwyn had to resist the urge to reach out and grab his hand to calm him down. They just needed to get through this meeting and then she’d find an excuse for them both to go home early so she could help him release his anger in a more… fun manner.

Luckily, Eris seemed to understand how close he was to getting his ass beat and adopted a more professional demeanor. “Once we arrive, I’ll take you about the room a bit to give my father a good look at you with me, which should hopefully get him good and angry. I’ll then leave you at the bar or one of the tables to speak with some acquaintance or other, at which point, Beron will most likely abandon my mother to go after you.”

“This is the part where your… expertise, will be needed. He’ll try to get you alone somewhere out of the way where you’re not likely to make a scene, or draw attention- we’re hoping he’ll choose one of the exhibit halls near the back of the museum. From there just keep him distracted and focused and on you, to give the team time to get in place and, once they ambush you, you can play the innocent victim.” He gave her a condescending smirk. “I’d recommend lots of tears, if you can manage it, maybe some hysterical screaming. He has a thing for weak females-”

“We’ll take care of the rest from there, as usual,” Rhys said, cutting Eris off. “Once Beron is in custody, the information you gathered will be shared with our contact in the feds that will begin the public investigations and media coverage while we… take care of Beron. In whatever manner you choose,” he waved a hand at Eris who smiled coldly.

Gwyn was quite sure that once Rhys’ team had a hold of Beron he would not be long for this world.

—

After fleshing out a few more details both with and without Eris, Rhys allowed them both to take the rest of the day off to make their respective preparations. Probably, he too was sensing the dark mood Azriel was in and knew he’d be of little use to him in such a state. They made a show of avoiding each other as they left Rhys’ office and left the building separately. Gwyn made a quick run by her apartment where, sure enough, a hideously revealing (and hideously expensive) red dress had been delivered about an hour before, and packing a small bag of items she’d need for the night.

Knowing Azriel as she did, she knew he’d likely have her up half the night, most likely on her knees, and planned accordingly. By the time she finally circled around to his apartment, she had refreshed her hair and makeup and was wearing his favorite lingerie- a strappy number made of black leather, sans underwear since Azriel had a tendency to rip off any she wore (and honestly, given the ungodly prices companies charge for a four inch scrap of fabric, it was an annoying habit). As expected, he was already waiting for her on the couch, knees spread wide as he slumped against the leather and his shirt was already half unbuttoned.

Without a word, Gwyn dropped her shoes, bag and coat at the door, silently padding over to him and dropping to her knees at his feet. His gaze followed her the entire way, hazel eyes drinking her in from head to toe. She leaned forward, resting her head against his thigh and was rewarded with the back of his fingers skimming over her cheek. She leaned into the touch.

“Are you up for playing tonight, Angel,” he asked, just as he did every time they played like this. Azriel was always naturally dominant in the bedroom but, during those times he craved more than a rough and dirty fuck, he always checked in with her first to make sure she could handle it.

Gwyn nodded and Azriel’s fingers curled around her chin, his thumb pulling her lips apart. “Use your words, Angel.”

“Yes, sir,” she purred softly, sucking his thumb into her mouth. He made a little sound of approval, his eyes riveted to the smear of lipstick she left on his skin.

“Hmm. What shall I do with you tonight?” he mused.

“What do you need?” She wouldn’t play the part of his brat until she knew what he needed from her, and how she needed to pace herself and push his buttons.

He thought about it for a moment, studying her. “Can I have your ass?”

She winced. “Not tonight.”

Nodding slowly, he rubbed his thumb over her lower lip again, smudging the deep red over her pale skin. When he was in moods like this, she made sure her makeup was easy to take off as he enjoyed making a mess of her. She could already tell she’d been washing mascara and lipstick off her cheeks later tonight.

“Your mouth then?” She gave her consent and his hand slipped around her neck. “Throat?”

“Yes,” she breathed, already anticipating. Azriel was not a selfish lover. For every orgasm she gave him, he returned the favor in triplicate.

Groaning softly, Azriel leaned down to kiss her, pushing his tongue between her lips to dance with hers for a long moment. “Wait here,” he instructed, disappearing into his bedroom.

She waited as instructed, taking the moment alone to prepare herself. Even though she knew she would end the night very happy, she also knew he would make her work hard for it. By the time he returned with a handful of black objects, she had focused her mind and relaxed her body.

Taking up his previous position once more, Azriel hooked a thin collar around her neck and soft, cushioned cuffs around her wrists, linked together in front of her body. Tugging gently on the ring of the collar, he pulled her up to lay across his lap, his fingers prodding softly at her already soaked pussy before inserting a toy that rested against both her clit and her gspot when fully inside her before guiding her back to her knees. He picked up his phone, fiddling with something on the screen for a moment. Gwyn gasped and straightened when rather intense vibrations suddenly shot through her before dulling to a low, steady rhythm designed to keep her on edge.

Azriel smirked. “Ready?”

When she nodded, his palm smacked lightly against her cheek a few times. “Words, Gwyn.”

“Yes, sir,” she panted.

“Good girl,” he crooned. Leaning back, he draped his arms lazy across the back of the couch and said, “Take my cock out.”

She did as told, reaching forward to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants, pushing fabric aside to reveal his hard, pierced length, her movements a bit hampered by the cuffs. She licked her lips, remembering how the studs feel sliding against her tongue and leaned forward to lick along his shaft, flicking her tongue over each piercing.

Hissing a breath, Azriel quickly gripped her hair to pull her away from him, fisting his cock so the tip hovered in front of her. “I don’t have the patience for you to play with my cock tonight, brat. I need you to suck it. Are you going to be a good girl for me?”

“Yes, sir,” she said in a simpering voice, grinning at him. He growled softly, smacking his cock against her lips before pushing himself between them until she gagged. He guided her for a moment, showing her exactly what he wanted from her before releasing her to continue on her own.

A few minutes later, after idly playing with the vibration controls while she obediently sucked his cock until she was so close to cumming she thought she might burst, Azriel again grabbed her hair and pulled her off of him, dropping the vibrations so low they were almost nonexistent. She whimpered at the loss.

“Up,” he commanded, helping her to her feet. Standing with her, he turned her towards the bedroom with a sharp slap of her ass. “On the bed, on your back.”

Scurrying to the bedroom, she climbed onto his massive bed, scooting her body around until she lay on her back, her head hanging off the edge like she knew he wanted. Aching for release, she began to reach for her clit when Azriel stopped her with a soft tsk. “Do not touch yourself,” he ordered. “You come when I say you do. And tonight, you’re not coming before me.”

She pouted, though he ignored her as she watched him retrieve another item from his box of toys. Returning to her, he wasted no time pushing himself back into her mouth, this time pushing down her throat as well, until he was fully buried. Closing her eyes, Gwyn focused on her breathing to control the urge to gag, as she felt two sharp pinches on her nipples where Azriel attached weighted clamps. Fuck, he was really testing her tonight.

Taking her hands and holding them against her chest between her breasts so she couldn’t reach for her clit again, he began to fuck her mouth. His movements were slow, rocking slightly when he bottomed out and she knew he was watching the way his cock stretched her throat with each thrust. He began playing with the vibration controls once more and in no time, she was a sobbing, moaning mess as he brought her to the edge over and over before finally spilling himself down her throat.

She actually did sob when he pulled out of her mouth and turned off the vibrator, pulling it out of her as well and tossing it aside. Before she could complain, however, Azriel had spun her around so her legs hung off the bed and thrust his still hard cock into her throbbing pussy, pinning her to the mattress by her throat. She came as soon as she felt the glide of his piercings inside her, her scream hoarse from the rough treatment of her throat.

He fucked her hard through a second and third orgasm before he came again and finally let her go. “Fuck,” he groaned, cupping her face and rubbing his thumbs through her ruined makeup. “Such a good girl, my angel,” he praised, kissing her languidly.

She lay boneless on the edge of the mattress, sated and exhausted and let him tend to her as he unhooked her restraints, stripped her down and gently cleaned her up before tucking her into bed with him. “Better?” she whispered as his body wrapped around hers.

“Better,” he agreed, cuddling her against his chest and kissing her cheek.

For a long moment, there was no sound but their soft breathing before Azriel said quietly, “we’ll tell him after this mission if finished. Rhys and the others.”

Gwyn’s breath caught. Just that morning they had been discussing the possibility of telling their friends, contemplating both the idea of no longer having to hide their relationship and the potential consequences if they made it known.

“I’ll deal with Rhys- we’ll deal with it together. If they want to separate us and not let us work together anymore…. We’ll make it work… I- I want them to know. I don’t want to pretend you mean nothing to me anymore…”

Gwyn felt tears prick the corners of her eyes as much at the idea of being removed from him as for the words he did not say. I love you too, she thought silently, tightening her grip on his arms that were wrapped around her and turned her face slightly to kiss the arm braced under her.

Nothing else was said as they quietly drifted off to sleep.

—

Checking her lipstick one last time, Gwyn snapped her compact shut and stuffed it back into her bag as the car pulled up to the red carpet that had been set up outside of the museum. There wasn’t a ton of press as the most prominent guests tonight were just the local business owners, for which Gwyn was very grateful. She was always careful to avoid having her picture taken in public in case she accidentally blew one of her covers.

Eris, who had been silent the entire ride since picking her up, luckily seemed to understand this as he exited the car and strategically positioned himself to shield her from view as he helped her out of the vehicle and strode straight to the door without stopping for a single photo. Inside the lobby, they had to wait in a short line as tickets were checked and she took a moment to readjust her dress.

She’d decided to play it safe and wear the damned dress Beron had sent over, figuring showing up on his son’s arm would piss him off enough. It barely covered her breasts as it plunged low in the front and exposed her entire back, with slits clear up her thigh that made it very hard to successfully hide many weapons on her, though she still managed to strap one of her favorite small knives on the inside of her thigh.

Beside her, Eris watched her with a bored expression as she ensured her breasts wouldn’t spill out of her top. “Finished?” he drawled when she’d stopped fidgeting.

Her answer was a silent scowl.

“I’m inside,” Azriel’s voice murmured through the discreet earpiece hidden behind her hair.

“Us too,” Gwyn said without moving her lips.

Once their names had been verified, Gwyn took Eris’ proffered arm, pasting a smile on her face as they entered the gallery hall where the gala was being hosted. Her eyes scanned the room for Beron, spotting him in the far corner, his wife on his arm, as he spoke with a councilman, while her expression remained open and curious as though she were being awed by her surroundings and not searching for someone..

“I have visual on you,” Azriel confirmed as they moved sedately through the room, greeting various acquaintance of Eris who introduced her as his father’s “right hand woman”, and she played along smiling brightly at each person she met, all of whose names and faces were familiar to her either from previous events or research for cases.

She clocked the moment Beron spotted her at the same time Azriel did, murmuring as much into her ear. She quietly informed Eris and they stepped up their performance, for Beron’s sake.

Once she’d been paraded around nearly the entire room, Eris seemed to recognize his father’s patience was near its breaking point and he left her at one of the tables scattered throughout the space, ostensibly to fetch her a drink. He hadn’t been gone thirty seconds before a hand latched roughly onto her arm and Beron was hauling her through the nearest exit into one of the exhibit rooms, just as they planned.

Azriel confirmed he’d seen her leave and suddenly she was on her own.

The way Gwyn stumbled as Beron swung her around in front of him, slamming her into a wall wasn’t entirely feigned. He was a lot stronger than he looked and her heels were just a little bit too tall. Luckily, she’d worn a pair that could be easily discarded if she needed to run and she braced herself to do just that as he boxed her in against the wall, his face full of cold fury.

“Did you enjoy showing up tonight in the dress I bought, with the ticket I paid for, while on my miserable son’s arm?” he sneered, not even trying to hide the way he attempted to visually undress her. Gwyn swallowed her gag and stuttered incoherently, as though she were scared of him.

Cool fingers brushed along the exposed skin between her breasts as he leaned close enough for her to almost taste his whiskey heavy breath. “Have you fucked him yet? Or were you fucking him this whole time while teasing me? Hedging your bets against the bigger prey?”

She refrained from scoffing at the idea that he was possibly a better catch than his much younger son and shook her head vehemently, allowing her eyes to turn glassy and her lip to tremble. “No!” she protested. “No, I swear, I didn’t- I didn’t do anything with E-Eris. He- he just asked to give me a ride. I didn’t know-”

She broke off with a whimper and a heavy flinch as Beron slammed his fist against the wall beside her head. “Don’t lie to me!” he roared.

Cringing back against the wall, Gwyn lowered her eyes from his gaze as she continued to play the trembling fawn he wanted to see. His tone immediately softened. “I’m sorry, forgive me,” he said smoothly. “I didn’t mean to frighten you…”

A glass of champagne appeared in his hand, seemingly out of nowhere. “Here, sweetheart. Have a drink to calm yourself down.”

Gwyn took the glass with trembling fingers and held it up to her lips without actually swallowing anything. She wasn’t stupid enough to trust anything he gave her. Unfortunately, that did not mean she was smart…

Cold fingers once again brushed over her skin, this time along her neck before she felt a sharp pinch that made her gasp as heat flooded her veins from the spot. Fuck. He had a fucking syringe! How had she missed it?

She immediately dropped the glass of champagne, letting it shatter at her feet as she lashed out but whatever he’d given her worked fast. Her movements were already turning sluggish and it took no effort at all for him to catch her wrists and trap them against the wall above her head.

Gwyn’s entire body went numb as he began checking her over for weapons in the few places she could have hidden them with a cool efficiency that scared her a little. She tried to call out, to warn Azriel what was happening, even though it would have blown her cover more than it already seemed to be but she couldn’t make her mouth move. Her tongue felt swollen and heavy and it was starting to get a bit difficult to breathe, especially as the strength in her legs finally gave up and her body collapsed, the only thing holding her upright was her hands still pinned against the wall overhead.

Beron’s hands took far too many liberties as he stripped the dagger off her thigh and tossed it aside- not that she could feel much anymore as the drug pumped through her system. When he was apparently satisfied she’d been disarmed, Beron’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her limp body against him. Thankfully she was too numb now to feel the erection she was sure now pressed against her hip. She fought a gag as horror ripped through her mind that she desperately tried to wrestle into submission enough for her to think.

Azriel had seen her come in here with Beron. Depending on where Rhys’ team had been set up initially, it could take a few minutes to get them in position to storm this particular room, but there was still enough time for Beron to do so many terrible things to her before they did, especially now that she couldn’t fight back.

All she could do now was pray that Azriel was paying attention to the fact that her end had gone silent for a few minutes now and recognized something was wrong.

She almost fainted in relief when she heard footsteps approaching before realizing it was more than one set, but not enough to be Rhys’ team. She couldn’t turn her head to see what was coming but she heard a deep voice murmur “boss”, before something heavy and suffocating was thrown over her head and she lost the battle to remain conscious.

#acotarwritingcircle #gwynriel #gwynriel au #gwyn x azriel #gwyn and azriel #azriel x gwyn #azriel and gwyn #gwyneth x azriel

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dawneternal · 29 days

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Part 3

⊹ Gwyn x Azriel modern college AU

⊹ Notes: sorry if this one is a lil predictable <3

⊹ Warnings: sexual harassment, unwanted kiss attempt, panic attack

⊹ Word Count: 4k

⊹ AO3 Link

⊹ Masterlist

Gwyn leaned in close to the vanity, swiping away lip gloss that had smudged outside of her lip line. Murmurs drifted up the stairs as Feyre and Nesta greeted the first guests. Elain’s muffled giggles sounded from the other side of the wall, followed by Lucien’s deeper laugh. Gwyn huffed a deep breath and stood back to examine her final look.

Dark, glittery eyes looked back at her, sleek ponytail swinging as she moved her head. She’d chosen a cropped, long sleeve shirt in a shade of blue that matched her eyes, a black mini skirt, black tights, and shiny platform boots. Even if she wasn’t thrilled about attending this party, she could still look cute. Nesta and Emerie had dressed up too, and she wouldn’t want to look out of place. Though she did have a pair of sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt waiting in her backpack.

She waited until Nesta had started her playlist to go downstairs, eager for the buffer of music. At least a dozen people were already scattered through the living room and kitchen, sunset colors painting the scene through the windows. Elain’s perfectly arranged snacks lined the kitchen table, charcuterie boards and plates of cookies, labeled with her pretty handwriting. As well as a little cardboard sign that read ‘use a coaster or else’ in perfect cursive. The middle sister had not made an appearance yet, still canoodling in her room with her fiance.

Gwyn continued wandering, trying not to stay in one place for too long lest someone take it as an invitation to approach. But then Emerie appeared in the growing crowd, grinning wide, pulling golden-haired Mor behind her. Gwyn smiled, her shoulders releasing a little tension as her friend rushed towards her.

“You came!” Emerie gave her a tight squeeze, “I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks!” Gwyn took in her roommate’s outfit, a tight black dress with cutouts on the waist and absurdly high heels. Her curls were pushed back with a headband, baby hairs delicately curled and gelled around her hairline. “You look hot!”

“So do you,” Emerie waggled her eyebrows, “Catch you later, okay? Mor wants to say hi to Rhys. Text me if you need anything.”

Mor gave Gwyn a wave as they disappeared. Gwyn watched them weave through the other party goers towards the black-haired man towering above the others. A smile broke through his solemn expression as he saw his cousin. Feyre’s boyfriend. He seemed nice enough, courteous, but she didn’t know him well. She realized for the first time that his presence meant his brother would likely be here, too.

Turning in a circle, she searched the faces around her and found Cassian leaning over a smirking Nesta, smoldering and probably whispering something inappropriate. She kept looking, but she didn’t see the third of the trio yet. Maybe he wasn’t coming. Or Nesta had conveniently forgotten to mention that he was invited. Typical.

Gwyn grabbed a cider from the cooler and made her way outside, hoping no one else was out there yet. Two guys sat talking by an unlit fire pit but they didn’t even look up as she found a chair on the opposite side of the porch. It was chilly, almost unpleasantly so, but she would rather be out here than inside waiting and wondering and overthinking every interaction. What did people do at parties? Nesta would surely scold her for staying out here so long, scrolling on her phone and responding to messages.

When she dared to go back inside, after the sky had dimmed to a grey-blue, the party was in full swing. Loud, weed-scented, alcohol-soaked. She’d sit by Emerie if she could find her, but she was probably dancing with Mor. Emerie didn’t get to see her girlfriend often and Gwyn wanted to give her a chance to hang out without her anxiety-induced clinging. Nesta was nowhere to be found. Gwyn pulled out her phone and shot Nesta a text.

Where r u? I need a buffer :(

She pushed around a laughing group in the hallway and into the living room. It was at least a little quieter here, the dancing seemingly contained in the dining room. A few groups lounged on the couches, limbs tangled together as they all sat half on top of each other. Gwyn’s heart lept in her throat as she caught sight of Azriel and Rhyand sat with a group around the coffee table, some card game in process between them all. At least a game would give her something to do until Nesta returned her text. She glanced down at her phone, but there was still nothing new.

“Hey,” Gwyn smiled at the group, “Can I sit?”

Azriel blinked up at her in surprise for a moment before a grin spread across his face. It was the first time Gwyn had seen him anything but oversized sweaters. He wore a tight black t-shirt, revealing more tattoos, and jeans. And the same beat up boots with charms dangling from the shoelaces. His curls were messy, asymmetrical earrings swinging as he tilted his head. He gestured to the empty spot between him and Rhys and she noticed his nails were painted black.

“I didn’t think this would really be your scene,” He said as she sat beside him, pulling off her boots to sit more comfortably.

“It’s really not,” She admitted, keeping her eyes on her lap, “But Nesta insisted.”

“Haven’t seen her around in a while,” He chuckled, turning his gaze back to his hand of cards.

Gwyn’s stomach churned as Rhys accepted the blunt offered to him from the guy sitting next to him. She glanced at Azriel from the corner of her eye, searching for any signs of reddened eyes. It was one of her least favorite things to be the only sober one in a group. She’d left her half-finished cider in the kitchen and had no interest in finishing it. But Azriel caught her gaze and shook his head just slightly and smiled, reassuring that he was sober, too.

She relaxed a little, then, and let them explain the card game to her. She watched them play and actually found herself laughing and adding a quip here and there. Their group didn’t seem too obnoxious, they were friendly but didn’t tease her or force her to talk. She memorized their names in case she found herself in a similar position - Ameren, Tarquin, Varian, Thesan, Viviane, Kallias.

If it was like this every time, maybe she’d say yes to one of Nesta’s parties again. Tucked between Azriel and Rhysand, her back to the wall, it wasn’t so bad. Though she still checked her phone for a text from Nesta, and still found nothing.

“I need a break,” Azriel said when the round had ended, stretching his arms above his head. Gwyn tried to keep her gaze from gravitating toward his flexing muscles. So that’s what hid beneath those sweaters. “And a snack.”

The group agreed, standing and stretching their legs. Gwyn stayed seated. She’d found her safe spot and didn’t want to venture from it.

“Want anything?” He asked, eyes shimmering as he took in the redhead curled up on the floor. She’d let her hair down, falling in smooth waves over her shoulders.

“Just water, please,” She smiled up at him through mascara coated lashes and he decided to take a breath of cold air outside before returning to the living room. Rhysand smirked, but neither of them noticed.

Gwyn pulled out her phone as her new acquaintances meandered away. So far, she was feeling a little bit proud of herself. She had managed not to cling to Emerie, had potential targets for new friends, and hadn’t panicked yet. She still planned on chewing Nesta out for disappearing on her. Their agreement was that Nesta would hang out with Cassian until he had to leave, and then she’d stick by Gwyn’s side for the rest of the night. Supposedly, he’d only been able to stay for an hour. But it was far past that, now.

A flash of color pulled Gwyn’s attention from her phone screen and she found herself staring at Connor, who grinned at her and swayed on his feet.

“Berdara!” He slurred, as if they were the best of friends. Gwyn gave him a tight lipped smile and turned back to her phone. But Connor stumbled to the ground next to her and tossed an arm around her shoulders. She tried to shrug it off and back away, but his grip was firm.

“It’s so lucky you’re here,” He smiled in a way that made her skin crawl, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Because I was just thinking about that stuff you wrote. Again.”

Not good. Gwyn shoved off his arm and grabbed her shoes.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” She muttered, quieter than she’d wanted to be.

“Oh come on,” He laughed, arms reaching toward her again. One hand landed on her thigh. “Don’t you want to act it out with me? I know that’s why you really sent it. There’s no way it was a mistake.”

So this is what he’d had in mind. He thought she’d been flirting by sending that email and entirely ignored her clarification that it was an accident.

“You’re delusional,” She tried to shove him off again, her phone tumbling to the floor. But he only laughed. And then he was leaning toward her, mouth open, to kiss her. She pushed against him as hard as she could, his lips just barely grazing her jaw before he was falling backwards.

She felt sick, her skin burning with disgust in every place he had touched and her heart was hammering. She needed to find someone. He wasn’t going to leave her alone. He only proved that point by reaching for an ankle. What he hoped to accomplish with that, she had no idea, but now he looked pissed.

This was bad. This was fucked. He was drunk and crawling towards her like some sort of animal. The group on the couch was oblivious and half asleep, the rest of the room empty. Emerie had probably left already. But where was Nesta? Cassian?

Azriel appeared at the edge of the living room holding a water bottle and a cupcake. His jaw clenched as he took in Gwyn’s panicked face and Connor spitting slurred expletives as he made his way toward her.

Gwyn rushed past him and croaked, “I need to go. Please don’t let him follow me.”

She didn’t know what her plan was. She hadn’t driven here. She just needed to get out and away. To cleanse the awful feeling of his hands on her with the cold air outside. So she ran out the front door, shoes still in hand. The chill bit into her as the front door slammed behind her and squeezed her lungs even tighter. Her chest was too tight. She started down the sidewalk, away from the house with music shaking its foundation.

There were too many familiar things about Connor. He brought up too many terrible memories. All of the things that had been burned into her brain without her permission. There were plenty of things she struggled to remember. Like assignment deadlines and where she’d left her keys. But of course, every sensation of the worst day of her life had to be stuck. Always rattling around at the worst times.

“Gwyn!” Azriel’s voice called into the night. She turned, folding her arms around herself, tears threatening to spill over. He walked toward her, brows knit together, the snacks in his hands replaced with a jacket and car keys. He held out the jacket as she reached her.

“Where are you going?” His voice was soft, eyes searching her face, “You’re not wearing your shoes.”

“Away from here,” She managed around the lump in her throat. She didn’t take the jacket, only tightened her grip on her arms. “I need to get away from him.”

“Rhysand’s kicking him out,” Azriel said, “I don’t even think he was invited, anyways. Do you want me to take you somewhere?”

“Please,” Gwyn’s voice cracked. She’d probably regret it when she was calm and alone with him in his car with nothing to say. But she was desperate right now. She couldn't go back into the house until she knew Connor was gone.

“Okay,” He gave her a small smile, gesturing toward a beat-up car parked up ahead.

She let him open the door for her and drape his leather jacket around her shoulders. The whole car smelled like him and it calmed her a little. She lay her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, drawing deep breaths of piney scent. Azriel drove in silence for a long moment, letting her breathe and collect herself.

“Want a milkshake?” He asked when they were a few blocks away from Nesta’s house. Gwyn opened her eyes and turned to him, curious if he’d meant it. He looked serious enough.

“That’s what I do when I have anxiety,” He explained, “It’s usually late at night. I go to a 24-hour place and get a milkshake.”

“I do like milkshakes,” Gwyn whispered, and Azriel grinned.

They drove in silence until they reached the restaurant and he asked her what flavor she wanted.

“Surprise me,” She smiled.

“Are you a french fry dipper?” He asked with a tone that suggested blasphemy.

“No,” She lied.

She was feeling better, driving through the dark in the quiet. Away from the party and Connor and bad memories. They were quiet as they waited at the windows, quiet as Azriel handed her a large chocolate shake, and quiet as he pulled into a spot in the parking lot. It wasn’t a bad quiet. A very comfortable one.

“What did he do?” Azriel broke the silence as Gwyn took her first sip, savoring the sweet taste. It was a very good chocolate milkshake.

She said nothing for a moment, staring down at the fabric of her skirt. There was no reason not to tell him the truth. Especially since he’d already seen her as a pathetic mess and basically put her back together. Twice now.

“He was drunk off his ass and wanted to recreate my fanfiction. He was convinced I sent it on purpose,” She kept her eyes on her lap as she spat the words. If she looked, she’d have seen Azriel’s face contorting in anger and disgust. “That’s why I was so upset yesterday. I could just tell he was going to be a dick about the whole thing.”

“I’m sorry,” Azriel said, swallowing hard. Gwyn shrugged and took another drink of milkshake. “He didn't…try anything?”

“No, but he seemed pretty determined.” She shuddered.

“That's not okay,” Azriel said, his voice gentle. And it should have been validating. It should have been comforting to know she had someone on her side. But all it did was stir up her anxiety. She did not want to make trouble.

“I’m sorry you’ve had to see me in this state so many times,” She said, daring to look him in the eye. They were beautiful in every lighting, it seemed. Including the floodlights of a parking lot late at night.

“I think you’ve just had a rough few days,” He mimicked her shrug.

“Still, you didn’t have to help me. Your friends are still at the party and it’s not like I’m your responsibility or something,” Gwyn punched in all of the bubbles on her lid as she spoke.

“Yeah, but you’re Nesta’s friend and I like talking to you,” He furrowed his brow. Gwyn’s heart fluttered at his words and she looked at him again, wondering if Nesta had gushed about her to Azriel as she’d done to Gwyn about him.

“Thanks,” Gwyn whispered, and Azriel noted her widened eyes. Like she didn’t receive many compliments like that. He made a pact with himself to change that.

“So…Vow of Roses?” He asked. Gwyn choked on her milkshake and covered her mouth.

“What?” It came out as a squeak.

“That’s what your fanfiction was for, right?”

Gwyn blushed and nodded, biting back the smile that threatened to burst through against her will. She noted that he hadn't smirked or grinned. He was genuinely asking.

“I thought you said you didn’t read it,” She scoffed.

“Just enough to grasp what it was,” He flashed a crooked smile, “I recognized the characters.”

“Don’t tease me,” Gwyn covered her cheeks with her hands, cold from holding her cup, “or I’ll have another panic attack out of spite.”

“Hey, I’m not teasing,” Azriel laughed, “I like them too. I just might read them for different reasons.”

Gwyn looked at him, at his twinkling eyes, and a part of her wondered what would happen if she called him a liar. If he’d sputter and get defensive, or smile again and reveal those dimples.

“Fine,” She let her smile spread, “Yes, I like Vow of Roses.”

“If I ask politely, could I read your writing?” He propped a knee up against the steering wheel, resting his elbow on it and curling up against his arm.

“Oh, absolutely not,” Gwyn snorted.

“But I bought you a milkshake,” He grinned, “It’d make us even.”

“Ask me on your knees and I’ll think about it,” Gwyn said, blushing when she realized the double meaning of her words.

She averted her gaze and poked at her milkshake with the straw. Azriel’s grin only grew and he was grateful she couldn’t see the butterflies her words had given him.

If things were more solid between them, he'd tease her about it. But she had only just begun to trust him and he wouldn't risk losing that. He'd been about to ask which book was her favorite, but she tapped her finger against the back of his hand.

“Who painted your nails?” She asked.

“Feyre,” He smiled, “She likes having something to do while she watches movies.”

“They look nice,” Gwyn made a mental note to ask Feyre what the shade was called. It matched the color of his hair perfectly.

“What, you don't think I could do this good of a job myself?” He wiggled his fingers.

“Not everything's a challenge.” She rolled her eyes and smirked.

“It is with you live with Rhysand and Cassian.”

“You didn't tell them about my mistake, did you?”

“No,” He shook his head, “But I make no promises on Nesta's behalf.”

“Nesta,” Gwyn breathed, skin draining of color. She didn't have her phone. It had been left forgotten on the living room floor as she tried to get away from Connor. “She doesn't know where I am.”

“I texted Cassian,” Azriel said, but he turned the car on anyway.

“She's going to scold me,” Gwyn sighed and slumped back against the seat. She forgot about the soft jacket draped over her shoulders until it grazed her skin.

“Hey, it's okay,” Azriel said, “I'll take you back.”

Gwyn was surprised at the pang of disappointment she felt as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed back toward the Archeron house. She had actually enjoyed herself. She wanted to stay there and talk longer.

“Azriel?” She asked, so quietly she wasn't sure if he'd hear it.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

He didn't say anything, but the streetlights revealed his smile.

Gwyn stepped into the house as quietly as she could. She still held her shoes in her hand, milkshake in the other and Azriel's jacket around her shoulders. Azriel followed close behind, shutting the door softly behind them.

Rhys waved from where he and Feyre tossed empty cups into a garage bag. Elain's soft voice drifted in from the kitchen as she encouraged someone to take more leftovers.

Despite their attempts to remain unheard, Nesta appeared in the doorway to the living room, scowling.

“Where the hell have you been?” She snapped. Cassian appeared behind her, studying Gwyn and Azriel with worried eyes.

“I was with Azriel,” Gwyn took a step further into the house so he wouldn't be trapped behind her, but he remained at her side. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.”

“Then you should've answered your phone,” Nesta spat, bracing her hands on her hips. The house was silent, now. Feyre and Rhys had paused their cleaning, seemingly attempting to have a wordless conversation through facial expressions.

“I didn't have it with-” Gwyn started.

“Yes, I know, because I found it on the living room floor and then someone was telling me you left with a boy.”

“Nesta,” Gwyn's face flushed, her own anger rising as she thought of every time she had checked her phone through the night. “You weren't answering my texts.”

“So you just left?”

“You don't even know what happened,” Gwyn cried.

“You can't just take off with her,” Nesta turned to Azriel, pointing a finger at him.

“I'm not a part of this,” Azriel shook his head and crossed his arms, surprisingly unshaken by Nesta's wrath, “But I told Rhysand before we left and I texted Cassian.”

“Nesta, you were supposed to hang out with me,” Gwyn drew Nesta's attention back to her.

“You were fine when the party started,” Nesta countered.

“Nes,” Cass started, placing a hand on her shoulder. Nesta shrugged it off.

“Well I needed you and you weren't there,” Gwyn cried, “You knew this party would be hard for me.”

“Hey, Emerie was here too and she left early.” Nesta crossed her arms. Her face was red, makeup smeared and hair tumbling from her braid.

“Emerie warned me she would be leaving early a week ago. You made a plan with me.”

“I was worried about you!” Nesta yelled, still deflecting.

“You weren’t very worried about what was happening to me while you were upstairs with Cassian,” Gwyn spat. She heard Azriel shift his weight beside her.

“You can handle yourself, Gwyn,” Nesta rolled her eyes, “It’s just a party and you’re an adult. It’s time for you to work on this.”

Gwyn clenched her jaw, anger blurring her vision as she stared at Nesta. She was silent as she stormed to the coffee table and snatched up her phone. Then she turned around and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Nesta called, “Your stuff is here and you’re supposed to spend the night.”

“I’m not sticking around so you can yell at me,” Gwyn growled.

Azriel held out an arm, stopping her from rushing out the door. She looked up at him and felt her own expression soften. His eyes held nothing but compassion. Cassian was murmuring something to Nesta. Truly, Gwyn did not want to go back to campus. Emerie was spending the night with Mor and she hated sleeping at the dorm by herself.

“Fine,” Nesta spat at Cassian and stomped up the stairs.

“She’s going to stay at our place,” Cassian cleared his throat, “You can stay here, Gwyn.”

Feyre and Rhys cleared out of the room and Cassian followed. Nesta’s words replayed in Gwyn’s head and now tears threatened to spill over. Keeping her eyes on the floor, she set her shoes down and pulled of Azriel’s jacket.

“You going to be okay?” He asked, gently taking it from her.

Nesta stomped back down the stairs and stormed past them, a bag clutched in her hands. Cassian followed, keys in hand. He clapped his brother on the shoulder and nodded at Gwyn.

“I’ll be fine,” Gwyn gave him a watery smile. She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all, but it still stung too bad. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

“I would if I had your number,” He grinned. Gwyn wrinkled her nose at him and passed him her phone. The phone screen lit up his mischievous smirk as he entered his contact. He turned it off before sliding it back into her hand, face down.

“See you monday, Priestess Elora.” He sang as he made his way out the door. Elora, the red-headed character from Vow of Roses. So he was a massive nerd, after all.

She watched the door for a moment after he left, waiting until she heard the sound of his old car starting up and driving away. Then she flipped her phone over in her hand and turned it on. She couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on her face, completely erasing the lump in her throat. He had entered his contact as Kieran. Elora’s true love.

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