#nessian jealousy

[stargirlfeyre]

If Mor only hates Nesta because she has the attention of a Bat Boy then why doesn’t she hate Elain who also has the attention of one.

“Feyre escaped Mor’s mean girl behavior only because she’s with someone who is her cousin” Okay and Elain is about to be with someone who isn’t Mor’s cousin yet she’s always been kind to her. If Mor is the jealous pick me y’all say she is then why is that energy only applied to Nesta and not the other Archeron who Azriel is falling for?

It’s almost like Mor isn’t this shallow woman who acts purely on jealousy and she has emotions and feelings. It’s almost like her negative feelings towards Nesta has nothing to do with Cassian liking her and everything to do with how Nesta treats those she cares about. Stripping away a woman’s personality and watering them down to someone who’s a “pick me and loves the attention of men” simply because they don’t like your favorite character reeks of misogyny.

#morrigan #pro morrigan #nesta archeron #elain archeron #elriel #nessian #acomaf #acosf #I mean she had a front row seat to azriel and elain falling for one another and she’s never treated elain with anything other than kindness. #nesta is the one who hates people out of jealousy. not mor.

[lgnite-me]

Ookay. Well. I did it. I wrote my idea out instead of doing my homework. Oops. Oh well no regrets.

Summary: Right after their mating, Elain unknowingly brings an old frined to the House of Wind and Cassian goes feral. A little smutty at the beginning, cute nessian, a little bit of post-acosf plot, and jealous/possesive Cassian! (since we were robbed in acosf)

Word count: ~2500

Author’s note: this is barely edited and i have never written smut before so pls be kind :) also i am still working on other prompts this one was just screaming at me. Also pls note i am not an elriel stan nor am i an elucien and gwynriel stan. I am a stan for whatever makes the characters happiest and was literally just following the post plot of acosf so pls dont come after me. Ok enjoy!

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Lying next to her, more like on top of her, Nesta stared at her mate in wonder. She never knew the kind of peace and joy she currently felt, lying there with him. Just last night she and Cassian had been mated, and their night together had been thorough. She had whispered to him how she loved him over and over and he had reverently worshiped her body in return. He had returned the sentiment to her in words, but the way he knew to express his love was through physical touch, and she more than felt it last night.

“I can feel you staring,” Cassian murmured, with his eyes still closed.

“I was just admiring,” she replied. Cassian’s eyes opened at that, and in them she saw the love and lust shining through. She kissed his lips softly, then his jaw, slowly moving her way down his body showing him how much she admired it. Cassian groaned when she reached his cock and took him in her mouth.

“Nesta”, he groaned. He gently gathered up the loose hair with his hand as she continued to suck until he came with a groan, yelling her name. She looked up at him with a gleam in her eye as she wiped her mouth, and licked her fingers. He pulled her up to him, kissing her thoroughly, as he began to return the favor. Nesta moaned at his thoroughness as he went down on her, licking her clean. When she began to temple from her incoming climax, she shouted his name to the ceiling, praying that they were alone in the house. She expected they were, as no one was foolish enough to get in between mates during a frenzy. Afterwards, they both lay there as they held each other closely and once more drifted off to sleep.

**

Elain knew they thought her weak. That all she did was garden, but gardens made her happy and who was to deny themselves the pleasure of doing something they enjoyed. Lifting a flower out of one of her pots, she gently turned it around to admire the pink petals and bright green leaves before carefully putting it into the soil next to the other plants.

“There”, she thought. The row was perfect now, and she was satisfied with taking a short break now. Honestly, she was starving, having forgotten to stop and eat since she’d gotten so consumed in making the perfect row of flowers.

“Excuse me,” a voice behind her coughed.

Elain whipped around, startled to find a tall, dark haired Illyrian standing there. This wasn’t an Illyrian she knew, but rather one who looked quite cleaned up, except for the slightly crooked nose. Truthfully, he has a bit of a baby face besides the nose, Elain mused to herself. He was wearing the traditional Illyrian leathers, but donned only one, maybe two siphons. Considerably less than Cassian and Azriel.

“Can I help you with something?” Elain asked as she shielded her eyes from the sun to stare up at him. She was wary of this stranger, but he seemed friendly enough that Elaine would first find out what he was looking for.

“Sorry to bother you, but I was looking for High Lord Rhysand’s house?” He nervously shuffled his feet, and Elain couldn’t help but smile to herself at how skittish he looked. He didn’t even really look at her while he was speaking. Elain couldn’t help but like him.

“I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

“Sorry. Balthazar.” he reached out his hand to her, and Elain took it with faint amusement.

“I’m looking for the High Lord, as he asked me here to do something for him.”

He still had the nervous look about him, but the name registered in Elain’s mind. Balthazar…

Suddenly, it came to Elain, and she gasped before exclaiming, “You're the one who was in the rite with Nesta weren’t you?”

“Nesta Archeron? Erm, yes, that was me.”

Elain smiled brightly, glad to have remembered. She couldn’t wait to tell Nesta, as a matter of fact, she would surprise her by bringing him to her.

“You know, I bet she would love to see you,” Elain grinned to herself. Nesta would be so excited to see the male who had helped her during the rite again.

“Oh. Well, I-I suppose if she was available. I wondered how she fared after I left her. Sure, I’d like that.”

“Great!” Elain clapped her hands excitedly. “Come on, they’re just that way.” She pointed up at the House of Wind and Balthazar followed her finger, eyeing it as though sizing it up. He held out a hand for her.

“I assume we need to fly,” he stated as she took a hold of his hand.

“Yes, but it's fairly easy for a person with wings.”

Balthazar cracked a small smile at that as he picked her up off the ground and shot into the sky.

**

Landing on the balcony of the House of Wind, it was eerily quiet. Balthazar had never seen such a building, built into the side of a mountain the way it was. He had just received the summons from his High Lord, and had eagerly flown down to Velaris for a meeting. Having run into the small girl who smelled and looked like sunshine had been an odd but welcome surprise. He had been curious to know how the two females he had helped in the rite had fared, and now he was about to find out.

“Hello?” Elain called out as they stepped further into the house. “Is anybody there?”

Elain turned back to him. “They just had their mating ceremony last night, so they have to be here.”

“They just had their…” Balthazar couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She had brought him here right after a mating?!

“Nesta and Cassian,” she replied matter of factly. “You know him as the General Commander.”

Balthazar's eyes widened in recognition, body tensing to flee, but before he could react there was a large force slamming him against the wall.

**

Cassian woke to the sound of a voice calling out. He carefully looked around the room to make sure there was no immediate threat to his mate, and once assured there was no pressing threat, he listened more intently outside the room. Voice, two of them, one male and one female. His instincts coiled at that, at the potential threat to his mate. He looked over at her still carefully sleeping and sighed. If they had woken her…

Watching her sleep so thoroughly soothed his male instincts, and he slowly got up off the bed, careful not to wake her. Pulling on a pair of loose pants, he grabbed two of his sharpest daggers, and exited the room, throwing up a sound shield so that whatever he was about to do wouldn’t disrupt her peaceful slumber. As Cassian prowled along the corridor, careful not to make any noise, the smell of the two intruders grew stronger and stronger. The male.. well he was dead now. All Cassian could see was red, at the thought of the male so close to Nesta’s vicinity and for the fact that he could have woken her. Finally making it to the two, he slammed the male into the wall. The female with him started screaming. What she was screaming he had no idea. Maybe his name. He was too lost in his bloodlust to care.

**

Rhys was staring down a pair of hazel green eyes for who knew how many fucking times it had been. He was starting to get really pissed off. Actually, he was already pissed off and this conversation had just made him angrier. Azriel refused to back down and stared right back at him, the two locked in a battle of silent, stubborn wills.

“I told you, she needs to be left alone,” Rhys grit out.

“And I told you, I don’t fucking care what you said. She came to me and wanted to talk. I wasn’t going to fucking refuse.”

“Well next time -” Rhys was cut off by a voice calling to him in his mind.

Rhys! Help! Please, the female was almost sobbing at him, clawing at his mind shields.

Elain, he recognized and lowered them so their communication line was open.

What’s going on? He asked with alarm.

Cassian is going to KILL HIM, she screamed back.

Kill who? Now Rhys was even more alarmed. Show me what you’re seeing.

Suddenly an image popped into his mind. It was what Elain was seeing, and it wasn’t pretty. They were in the House of Wind and there were broken pieces of glass and furniture littered across the room. Elain was huddled underneath one of the few remaining pieces of furniture while Cassian and a male Rhys faintly recognized were destroying the room left and right as Cassian chased the shorter one with his daggers. There was a bloodthirsty look in his eyes, a predatory one, and Rhy realized that with everything happening with Azriel, he had forgotten about the situation his other brother was in. One in which he would try and beat up any male who got in the way of his mating. That was supposed to be Rhy’s job, payback from his own mating frenzy.

Please help, Elain whimpered.

I’ll be right there, Rhys soothed before quickly showing Azriel, whose eyes widened in recognition of what was happening. Rhys quickly shut the link right before Feyre walked into his office.

“Elain just asked me to go help her stop Cassian from killing someone, what is going on.” she pressed with a not so amused look. She raised her eyebrows in the most adorable way, but Rhys didn’t have time to stop and admire.

Come on, we have to go to the House of Wind.

Well, what happened then?

You’ll see when we get there, tell Amren to come watch Nyx and then we can go.

Feyre’s eyes widened before quickly sending a message to Amren. Rhys picked her up, with Azriel following suit as they shot off to the House of Wind.

**

When they got there, it looked like every piece of the house had been thoroughly destroyed. Except, of course, for the one Elain was hiding under. Before Rhys could react Azriel hurried over to her side with Feyre in tow to help calm her down. Rhys looked around, but before he could start to go look for them, a body was slammed into the wall next to him. Jerking towards the commotion, he saw Cassian in full battle-mode, ready to kill. Honestly, he would be surprised if the male wasn’t already dead. Then he realized that the male was Balthazar, the Illyrian he had summoned to do some business with, due to his involvement with Nesta’s rite.

“Shit”, he mumbled before grabbing Cassian and hauling him off the Illyrian.

Cassian struggled against him, landing a few punches before he was able to get a good grasp on him.

“CASSIAN,” he shouted “CASSIAN STOP”

Cassian did not stop. He kept fighting like a male possessed, and before Rhys knew it he was on his back with an angry Cassian glaring down at him.

“Fuck”, Rhys mumbled. His head had been thoroughly bashed in. He had forgotten the fact that in hand-to-hand Cassian used to and still could wipe the floor with him. It was part of why he had made him General, and how they had started their relationship.

Fitting, he thought amusingly. Then his head was slammed into the floor and he wasn’t so amused anymore.

Before he had time to regroup another body was slamming into Cassian’s. Rhys tumbled to the side to sit up and saw Azriel grappling with Cassian on the floor.

“Mating bond chafing, Cass?” he asked with a smirk. Under Azriel, Cassian growled at his remark, but really, Rhys thought, he had to do it. Looking over to Feyre, he saw her still trying to sooth Elain, while in the corner the male, who was definitely still alive thank the Gods, was grumbling in pain and clutching his stomach.

Why isn’t she out here? he shot to Feyre.

He has a sound shield around their room. Probably didn’t want to disturb her.

Rhys rolled his eyes. How kind of him. Break it, please, and get her out here.

All he got in return was a slight nod and the bond closed off. Before he knew it he was back in the heat of the fight, as Cassian seemed to need both of them to keep him down and get his energy out.

**

Nesta awoke to a prodding in her head. Groggily, she opened her eyes before realizing it was inside her head and gently lowered her shields, wary of who she was potentially lettering in.

Nesta, you need to get out here. Now.

Suddenly, there was the loudest crash she had ever heard in her life, shouting, crying and a lot of groaning from what seemed like pain. She shot up in bed and mind linked back to Feyre.

What the hell is going on?

Elain thought you might like to see your old friend Balthazar, but didn’t realize how… adversely Cassian would react. He put up a sound shield around your room, that’s why you didn’t hear anything. Don’t blame her though, she meant well.

Nesta was already out of bed, pulling on Cassian’s shirt.

How long has this been going on? she frantically shot back.

A few hours, I think.

A few HOURS?

Nesta quickly hurried out of their room and down the corridor until she reached the room everyone was currently occupying. It was absolute carnage. The furniture was broken, Elain was hiding under a table crying, with Feyre trying to comfort her, Balthazar was slumped against the wall, and in the corner Rhys and Azriel were trying to wrangle Cassian away from breaking anything, or anyone else. As soon as she entered the room, Cassian stilled and looked at her. She saw the gleam in his eyes, that predatory instinct that had taken over during his fight. They softened when he looked at her, then shot around the room taking in the damage. Slowly, his eyes drifted back to hers with a guilty look, but Nesta simply walked towards him carefully, eyes only on him.

“Cass,” she whispered gently as she held out her hand. Carefully, she placed it on his cheek, Rhys and Azriel having stepped back. As soon as her hand made contact, his eyes fluttered closed and he nuzzled against her palm. Nesta placed her forehead against his as he pulled her in closer, wrapping her up in his wings. Behind them, damage control was being done, but Nesta didn’t care about any of them. All she cared about was the male right in front of her.

Easily, he scooped her up and brought them back to their room. Laying her on the bed, she let him take her while he whispered “mine” roughly in her ear.

“I’m yours Cass,” she reassured, and she felt him shudder with relief. “And you’re mine,” she whispered. At that, he shouted her name and spilled within her, Nesta following right behind. They continued to make love until the sun rose the next morning and they finally drifted of to sleep, content in each other’s embrace.

**

#acotar #acotar fanfiction #acotar headcanon #nessian #cassian #feysand #nesta acotar #fluff #nesta archeron #nesta x cassian #smut #nessian smut #jealousy #jealous cassian #possesiveness #mating bond #post acosf #elain archeron #azriel #mating

[obsessedwithallthingsbookrelated]

This is set in the ‘Change is good’ universe. Basically a one shot- where Nestas still living her best independent life and then Cassian catches her out on a date with another male.

This is at request of @bittermuire Thank you for the prompt! (I’ve changed it a little so its a bit more relaxed and flirty because all I do is write angst now haha)

https://href.li/?https://archiveofourown.org/works/40911090

She knew he was watching.

He always was.

But this wasn’t like the other times, when she would pick a male at random and drag them back to her apartment with her. It was always a blur of sweat and hands and whiskey tainted breath.

She had hated it. But it kept her mind off of other things.

The male standing in front of her now was not like the others.

Jarek was handsome, he was sweet but a little soft and she supposed he was funny. She hadn’t slept with him yet, she wanted to take things slow, build a connection. She wanted it to be different this time.

They had been out to dinner three times already and Nesta was enjoying his company. It was nice, to be wanted. To be liked.

So she let him walk her home, they had paused outside of the apartment buildings main door and he was looking at her. She knew that look, he was going to kiss her.

He leaned slowly towards her, his eyes closed.

Not exactly the most passionate move but what the hell, she hadn’t been touched in over a year.

Then she saw it, a shadow out of the corner of her eye. It was getting bigger, almost like it was coming towards them.

Dammit.

She couldn’t stop the galloping of her heart at the sight of him. She knew he had been watching.

Because he always was.

A tiny still bitter part of her had wanted him to witness this. Her moving on. But then she saw his stupid face.

His mouth was pulled down in a tight frown, his eyes were dark and they promised nothing but violence when they looked at Jarek, who had flinched and ducked behind Nesta for protection.

Cassian smirked.

Anger bubbled inside of here. What the hell did he think he was doing.

‘’What the hell are you doing here Cassian?’’ she snapped.

He shrugged, casually, but those dark eyes remained focused on Jarek. Whose hands had went to Nestas waist.

She saw his jaw clench. His hands were fists at his side.

‘’I was just out for a stroll,’’ he replied.

‘’A stroll?’’ she snorted. Crossing her arms over chest she raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow at him. ‘’Shouldn’t you be hanging upside down in a tree somewhere? It’s night time,’’ she taunted. Jarek would probably burst into tears if she teased him like that.

Cassians eyes narrowed but his lips twitched, hiding that grin she had missed.

‘’Your right sweetheart, it is quite late isn’t it?’’ he looked at Jarek then, who had paled slightly as the general stretched out his ridiculously enormous wings. ‘’Shouldn’t you be fucking off now?’’ he snarled at the cowering male.

Jarek fled at the sound.

Cassian glared after him, like he was thinking of chasing him down.

‘’How dare you! You have no right interfering in my love life Cassian,’’ she hissed. She turned on her heel and walked towards the main door. She was seething.

‘’Love life,’’ Cassian laughed but it was hollow. ‘’That male was pathetic, he wasn’t worthy of standing that close to you, never mind anything else.’’

She paused, turned her head to look at him. She wanted to slap him. She wanted to kiss him. She needed to go inside.

‘’That’s not up to you Cas,’’ she murmured.

His face softened at the nickname. His hands clenched and unclenched. Like he was trying to distract himself. Form what she didn’t know.

She was still staring at him.

He tilted his head at her and grinned. She hated that grin. She loved that grin. She was going to do something stupid.

She spun quickly and darted inside.

She heard him chuckling as she sprinted up the stairs to her apartment.

#nessian #nessian fanfiction #nesta and cassian #nesta archeron #acosf #acotar #pro nesta #jealousy

[danikamariewrites]

Okay but being mated to Az, Cass, and Nesta but you don’t know and a foreign dignitary comes to stay at the House of Wind with the four of you and Rhys asks you to seduce/be flirty with them and the three of them are absolutely feral trying to keep their jealousy down

Just One Night

Nessian x Azriel x reader

A/n: I’ve been dying to write another fic with these four! They would absolutely want to kill Rhys for this especially Nesta.

Warnings: possessive Nessian & Azriel

Today is the day. Nesta had decided for the group that today they would tell you about the bond. She was just waiting for you all to get out of a meeting with Rhys and her sister. The last thing Nesta wanted was to confess the bond - and her love for you - in front of Rhys.

Nesta heard the angry footsteps echoing off the marble floor of her mates before she saw them. Setting her book down she tilted her head curiously at their disgruntled looks. The males dropped into their respective arms chairs letting out dejected sighs. Nesta stood with her arms crossed and a raised brow as she looked between the two.

“Well.” She said sharply. Azriel let out a low growl from the back of his throat. She felt his annoyance down the bond and looked to Cassian for an answer. Sighing through his mouth and rubbing the bridge of his nose Cassian bites out, “Rhys is having her seduce the emissary from Montesere. Cyrus Yarrow.”

When they looked up at Nesta those silver flames were dancing with anger in her eyes. Her left one practically twitching. “He’s having her do what?” She growled. Nesta turned on her heel, black dress flaring dramatically. Cassian grabbed her wrist before she could go give Rhys a piece of her mind.

Her fist balled. The first and only warning Cassian would get to release her. Letting go his open hand hovered cautiously. “Wait. She, just…she took the job. She knows what to get from the guy and we won’t let it get farther than that, yeah?” Nesta cracked her neck, letting out an annoyed sigh. “Fine.”

“You don’t want to be overbearing, Nes.” Azriel said. That deep, even voice relaxing her. “You’re right.” She looked back at her mates as Azriel waved her over. His arms open for her. Without hesitating Nesta sat on Azriel’s thigh, resting her head against his chest. “I know you’re impatient,” he says against her hair, “the Mother knows we are too, but we want to make it special for her.”

———

Pulling out the garment bag from your closet a knock sounded at your bedroom door. “Come in!” You hear whom ever enter, shuffling around the room. Nesta poked her head in your closet. You smile at her, “Hey you.” She gives you an equally dazzling smile. For a moment you swear something like love sparkles in her eyes.

Your heart leaped at the thought then quickly sunk. Remembering how in love she is with Cass. Blinking rapidly you plaster that smile back on your face. “What’s up?” You ask lightly. “I thought we could get ready for the ball together.”

You nod vigorously. “I would love that.” You and Mor used to get ready together - Feyre too - until she found Emerie. Usually when Rhys gave you a job for the evening you liked to get ready alone. Being alone lets you think through your plan for the night. Being with Nesta will be a nice change though. She was able to distract you from the awaiting nightmare of Cyrus.

Cyrus Yarrow was renowned for the females he chose to surround himself with. Always beautiful and charming. He was also quite demanding and handsy when he found something he liked. A shiver runs down your spine causing you to shake, your chin dropping to your chest.

Looking back up you saw Nesta had moved closer to your face. Her hand poised to draw with the kohl on your lid. “Are you ok?” You give her a small nod. “Stay still,” she giggled. A warmth bloomed in your chest at the sound.

———

The ball was in full swing. Nesta had stolen you for the first dance before you were swept away by Cyrus. Azriel had grabbed her waist before she could kill the male, dragging her into a waltz she could do in her sleep. Cassian was sending waves of calm to her down the bond. He stepped in for Az once the song was over. Also so Azriel could keep an eye on you for the night.

“Remember what Azriel said, Nes.” She gave him a curt nod, looking over her shoulder for you as they spin around the floor. “Hey,” Cass demanded, taking his hand from her waist to grip her chin. “She is fine. She is capable. I know the instinct to protect her and be by her is intense, we’re feeling it too. But tomorrow, he will be gone.” “Yeah.” She mumbled. Cassian pressed a quick kiss to Nesta’s lips before dipping her dramatically.

Azriel watched from the shadows as you entertained Cyrus. His party from Montesere was nothing like him. Kind and proper as they chatted with Mor and Feyre. His eyes bounced between the groups wanting to make sure that his court was safe. Feyre stood up straighter. A shocked and confused look pulling at her features.

He met his High Lady’s gaze and she tapped on his mental shield wasting no time in updating her spymaster. Cyrus no longer held the power they were told about. His Lord had stripped his title a week ago. This relieved Azriel. It meant he wouldn’t feel guilty about pulling you away from work and that Rhys wouldn’t give him a tongue lashing.

The Shadowsinger was about to step in and save you from Cyrus’s awfulness when a panicked feeling froze him in place. His shadows had reported Nesta and Cassian were safe. He even spotted them smiling and laughing as they danced.

When the realization hit Azriel that it was you projecting your feelings down the bond ran to you, sending his shadows ahead to pull Cyrus off of you. The look of disgust on your face had his instincts to protect you screaming at him to go.

Azriel drew Truth Teller, holding it to Cyrus’s neck. “Back away from my mate.” Azriel said practically roared. The fae around them stopped, gasps sounded through the crowd as they stared. You clung to Azriel’s arm through the whole ordeal. As the word mate left his mouth you stared up at Az, your eyes twinkling with love.

You had always had a crush on Azriel. But Nesta, you thought to yourself. No, you’d let her go. You have Az now. “Mate,” you repeat. Azriel stilled as the realization of the word he just spoke dawned on him. He slowly turned to look at you. The corners of your lip turning up at the his shock.

“Yeah, umm…” His gaze drifted behind you. You followed his gaze to find a stunned Cassian and a fuming Nesta. “Az?” You ask softly. The party had resumed around you as the couple stepped closer. Cassian placed his hands on Nesta’s shoulders in a calming manner. “Why don’t we all go talk somewhere else.” Cass suggested. “Why do we all,” you trail off as Nesta grabs your hand to drag you out of the ball room.

You kept looking between Nesta, Azriel, and Cassian as she leads you to the living quarters of the House of Wind. Her iron grip never leaving you. Entering the main living room Nesta drops your hand making a beeline for the bar cart housing one of Rhys’s expensive bottles of whiskey. Pouring herself a finger she downs the amber liquid in one go.

“I thought,” she started, her tone dangerously calm, “we wanted to make it special. To do something sweet for our mate.” Nesta flashed her perfect canines in a saccharine smile at the males. Azriel’s jaw tightened. His head dropped, clearly frustrated with himself.

You hold his hand with both of yours. Running your thumb across the back of his hand in calming circles. Nesta’s words caught up with your brain. Our, she had said.

You looked at her with wide eyes. “Our? As in all three of you are my mates.” Cassian couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah sweetheart. You have all three of us. We’ve been waiting to tell you and we wanted to make it special. Cyrus just got in the way.” You covered your mouth as happy tears lined your eyes. That warm feeling in your chest that appeared with Nesta earlier returning. The bond glowing fiercely as it branched out to all three of them.

You sink on to the plush couch taking in the information. You have been blessed with three mates. Each one you were madly in love with. And you get to love them all for the rest of your life!

Cassian came to sit beside you. He wrapped an arm around your shoulders pulling you into his side. You could sense the apology on his lips before he could even say it. Cassian has always been too apologetic for his own good. You grabbed his hand resting on his thigh. “I’m not mad. I am incredibly happy to hear this.” Cassian’s head dropped to rest on yours. Azriel takes the spot next to you wrapping his arms around your waist pressing a kiss to your cheek.

You stare at Nesta who hadn’t moved an inch since you entered the room. You wave her over to join couch snuggles, tugging on the bond to entice her. Nesta ran at you. Jumping to straddle your lap and pushing Cass and Az off you. You hugged her tightly inhaling her scent of fire and steel masked by the vanilla and almond perfume she wears.

“I love you so much, y/n.” She whispered just for you to hear. “I love you, Nes. With all my heart.” You whispered back, just for her to hear.

#acotar #acotar fanfiction #acotar reader fic #acotar reader imagine #acotar imagine #azriel x reader #azriel acotar #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x you #Cassian x reader #Cassian x you #Cassian acotar #cassian fanfic #nesta archeron #nesta archeron acotar #nesta acotar #nesta x reader #nesta x you #nesta archeron x reader #Nessian x azriel x reader #Nessian x azriel x you #poly!nessian #poly!cazriel #poly!acotar

[harrystylesfan2686]

Crush On Them

Pairing: Nessian x Reader

Summary: When your small crush ends you up with you in their bed. MDNI

Warnings: Little smut with plot. A little fluff.

A/N: There isn't enough Nessian on this app😤 also first time writing smut please forgive any mistakes and tell me your thoughts😁

Masterlist

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You had always liked Cassian, from the moment the two of you met. Your crush was so obvious to everyone around you, it was like watching a lost puppy follow it's master. Everywhere Cassian went you were there, no matter where or what time. You would somehow always find yourself seeking Cassian's attention. You love having his eyes on you all the time, and you thought he did too.

But then Nesta came along.

She walked around with so much anger and hate towards everyone, you worried she would get in serious trouble because of her snappy mouth. Little did you know, she managed to pull off Cassian.

You were jealous as hell at the starting few months. But when they accepted their mating bond, the one you couldn't ever guess they had, all that jealousy and anger had dissolved in a pool of sadness.

You distant yourself after that.

Gave them the privacy they should have. After all who would want anyone lingering around them when their newly found mate was standing with them. It was very hard considering you lived in house of wind. The mating frenzy was disastrous. And the noises, gods, you would scratch out you ears if you could.

There were so many moments where you wondered if you wanted to be them, or be with them. Like the one morning while training, you and Azriel sparred while the newly mated took each other. In the small one minute you took to drink water, you nearly chocked to death, catching a glimpse of Cassian and Nesta.

The smooth and sweaty skin of Cassian not wearing any shirt, shining glitters thanks to the early morning rays, looked so good. Nesta, too, the fighting leathers hugged her body in all the right places. The slight smirk on both of their faces as they attacked and defenced each others moves with persistence. That was the first time you looked at Nesta, not with envy but admiration.

There were a lot of times where you thought maybe they want you too. Like the time you were shit drunk, coming back from Rita's.

You didn't realize how much you drank until you couldn't see straight. Cassian and Mor being the only ones there were to bring you back home but Mor having disappeared with someone, Cassian was left with the responsibility of taking you home.

"Where is Nesta, Cass?" The pout on your face seemed permanent for the night as he flyed to your house.

"Nesta's out with Gwen and Emerie for the night, remember?" His smile at your state seemed permanent too.

"Right! She told me about that!" You giggle to yourself. You were still babbling nonsense as he lands on the roof, walking to your bedroom with you still in his arms, not trusting yourself to walk without face planting on the floor.

"Alright, sweetheart. You should go to sleep now." He layes you down on the bed and gently removes you shoes and jewelry. Tucking you in, stilling smiling at you as you hum in comfort.

You don't remember much from the night but clearing remember his lips kissing you to sleep, lingering near your mouth as slumber pulls you in completly.

Or like the time you accidentally cut your finger while attempting to make dinner.

You hissed in pain, throwing down the knife to look at your first finger. You were so distracted by the smell from Nesta that reeked sex while walking into kitchen for a glass of water. She was at your side in a second, taking your hand with gentleness and aspecting the small cut that now bled red. Her lips thinned and eyes furrow just a little as she looked at you with a hint of worry.

She didn't say anything but take you finger in her mouth. Your breath hitched as her tounge swept over the injury, licking away the blood, all while keeping her eyes on yours. She pulled away when the cut healed, her lips curling at the sight of your flushed face, eyes on her lips and breathing heavily.

She pulled back and walked out of the kitchen, leaving you red faced and with a shocking realization of your crush on the female.

These along with all the other confusing interaction that happened with the couple left you speechless, having no idea what to take of them. Your small crush somehow growed into full on love feelings. You have no idea when it happened but you had realized it one day while readying (more like trying to read) a book that you loved them.

It killed you knowing they didn't share the feelings and having to see them together, loving each other, having to hear them together, everyday. It's not like you can go to all day missions like Azriel to get away. No. You had to say hear and endure it all without doing anything that raised questions.

Little did you knew, they knew about it all long before you knew yourself.

On their side, Cassian and Nesta were doing everything they could to talk to you, look at you, have your attention all to themselves. They loved playing with you and making you blush over the slightest of touches. They were working with each other from the start, trying to get to you confess your feelings to any one of them.

They loved watching you try to not look at them, try to control your blushing expressions, control your arousal around them. They found it funny whenever you stutter while talking when they eye your figure, found it annoying when someone else grabs your attention from them even for mere seconds.

Why do you think they are so loud at night? To have you listen to them. To only have them on your mind at nights, thinking of all the ways they would please and pleasure you.

They loved this game so damn much.

Which is why when you walk in on them in the exposing position, they smirk at you instead of scolding you away as you thought they would, they let you watch.

Watch how their naked bodies blend together. How Nesta's back to Cassian's chest plush against one another. On they're knees with his one arm holding her upright while the other rubbing her sweet botton and hers in his hair, clucking on for dear life as he slams himself into her again and again and again.

The sight waters your mouth.

Gods, you knew they had good bodies but your imagination does not do justice to the real thing. You knew he had a big cock but not could never guess the actual girth, and her body, the lipstick speared mouth, the peachy nipples begging to be sucked on, and her thighs...

You squeeze you thighs together as you look where they join, feeling yourself get so wet. The smell of sex heavy in the air and your hands form fists to keep from moving.

"Like watching us sweetheart?" Cassian's voice heard above the sweet little moans of Nesta. You nod once, not seeming to know what words are.

"Yeah? Wanna watch her cum for us?" You can hear the smirk in his voice. You nod again and he says,"Come here then, help me make her cum."

You swallow and move without thinking, kneeling in front of them on the bed, facing Nesta. Not knowing what to do, you look at him. "Come on, Y/N. Don't get shy on us now." His hips not stopping their blissful torture. You look into her eyes and lean forward, resting your hands on her waist and taking the pink bud of her breast into your mouth and suck.

Her moans coming out louder now, as Cassian grunts, enjoying the view of his girls. You take the other nipple between your fingers and pinch, and she cries out. Cassian letting go of her clit to hold her tighter for harder thrusts. Your other hand replacing his on her nub, moving in fast circles and you whisper, "Cum for us, Nesta."

She screams as her orgasm hits her, rocking her to her very core, harder then any she's had before. Cassian and you don't stop your movements, prolonging her pleasure. You only slow down when she whimpers, silently begging you to stop from overestimating her and Cassian pulls out of her heat.

Only deep heavy breaths sound in the room for a few seconds and she comes down from her high. You feel hard chest behind you at the same time Nesta grips your jaw, forcing your eyes on hers. Cassian's hands slid into your top, up to your breasts and Nesta orders.

"Now, your turn, sweetheart."

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

#acotar #acotar fandom #acotar fanfiction #acotar fluff #acotar smut #cassian x you #cassian x reader #nesta x you #nesta x reader #nesta x cassian x reader #nesta x cassian #nesta x cassian x you #nesta smut #cassian smut #nessian #nessian x reader #poly!nessian x reader #poly!acotar

[c-e-d-dreamer]

You Love Our Permanent Chase (And the Bite of Our Bark)

A/N: Down to the literal wire, but a very happy holidays to @freakingata! It is I, your Secret Santa! It has been so lovely getting to know you these past few months, and I've loved writing this fun Nessian fic for you 🥰 I hope you enjoy soccer star Cassian and the holidays shenanigans he gets up to with his work rival Nesta 😉 (cc: @acotargiftexchange)

Word Count: 9,337

Read on AO3

Nesta hates Cassian Valdarez.

She doesn’t care that his play helped carry Velaris FC to the top of the league standings year after year. She doesn’t care that his save against Hybern during penalty kicks sent Prythian to the World Cup final. She doesn’t care that he’s beloved by the nation, and she certainly doesn’t care that he was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world before a shattered knee ended his career.

Because when Nesta looks at Cassian Valdarez, she doesn’t see the friendly, likable soccer superstar that everyone else seems to see. Instead, all Nesta sees is a cocky, arrogant, insufferable man who’s had everything handed to him on a silver platter.

Nesta worked hard for years to get where she is. She worked hard in high school to earn a scholarship to one of the best universities for journalism. She worked hard to graduate top of her class for her degree. And she worked damn hard interning with barely two pennies to rub together until she was finally promoted to reporter and anchor. She thought she had finally done it. Thought she’d finally made a name for herself and achieved her dream.

Thought.

But then Cassian Valdarez had all but strolled in, the network more than happy to pant at his feet and offer him the job.

So now Nesta is stuck being a co-reporter, a co-anchor to the former soccer star. She’s forced to sit beside him and force a smile while they talk through the biggest plays and the biggest games of the week, the top news in soccer from around the world. She’s forced to listen to his deep timbre, to his drawl as he calls her sweetheart. It’s infuriating.

“Morning, sweetheart.”

Speak of the devil. It takes everything within Nesta to swallow down her annoyed groan. At least with Cassian standing over her shoulder, she’s able to roll her eyes in peace without him clocking the expression. She doesn’t even bother turning to greet him, to even lift her head and meet his gaze. Instead, she keeps her focus on the papers on the desk in front of her, organizing her notes until she’s happy with them. She hopes the blatant dismissal grates his nerves as much as his presence grates hers.

“Did you have a good weekend?” Cassian asks anyways, sliding into his seat beside her.

“Certainly not as good as yours.”

Nesta remembers the pictures, the headlines that took over social media like a blazing fire. Cassian with his curls disheveled around his face, his hazel eyes bright but hazy, a pretty blonde all but hanging off his arm while they stumbled out of a bar called Rita’s downtown. With bright red lipstick pressed against the golden skin of his cheek in a perfect mark, the photos painted quite the picture, and almost every headline included a cheeky play on words over the fact a former goalkeeper was scoring now.

“Jealousy isn’t a good look for you.”

“Jealous?” Nesta scoffs, snapping her attention to Cassian and his stupid smirking face. “I just feel bad for the poor girl, that she had to spend a whole night with you. Must have been terrible.”

“I’ll be sure to pass that message along to Mor,” Cassian tells her, his eyes practically glinting in amusement despite the fake solemn tone he puts on. “Platonically, of course. In case you were curious.”

Nesta rolls her eyes again, turning back to her notes. “I don’t care.”

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.”

Cassian chuckles, the sound low and warm, and Nesta clenches her jaw against it. But before either of them can say anything more, the floor manager, Balthazar, steps over to the news desk. He quickly runs through some high level notes from the director, the makeup staff stepping over halfway through to touch up both their faces.

The routine of it all helps Nesta to focus, to center herself. She focuses on the words Balthazar is saying, on the brush skating across the skin of her face. She glances back down to her notes, and for a moment, the rest of the studio fades away. No longer is there the chatter of the camera crew, the movement of coworkers as everything is readied, the blaring stage lights overhead. It is merely the steady thrum of her heart within her chest, the air through her lungs with each breath.

It is merely Nesta in her element as they're counted in.

“Welcome to Velaris Sports and the Football Show,” Cassian begins, shooting a winning smile toward the camera. “I’m Cassian, here with Nesta, and it certainly was an interesting week for the world of soccer. Wouldn’t you say so, Nes?”

It takes everything within Nesta to swallow down her reaction at the stupid nickname, to keep her face smiling toward the camera, even as her fingers flex against her notes. “It certainly was, and I think we’d both agree that one of the top things to happen this week was the Women’s National team’s showing against Hybern. It was clear that though the match was just an early qualifier for next year’s World Cup, those women are here to play. Emerie Marciano’s sipping tea celebration after her goal early in the second half will live in infamy.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Let’s check out that and other highlights from that game in case you missed it.”

~ * * * ~

When the call to cut finally echoes across the sound stage, that red recording light finally flickering off and the stage lights dimming to nothing, Nesta lets out a quiet breath. She takes a moment to close her eyes, relaxing fully back into her seat, back into herself, and lets her television smile drop away.

“Great show today, sweetheart.”

“Thanks,” Nesta mutters, pushing up and to her feet and straightening out her skirt. Whether Cassian notices the distinct lack of offering a ‘you too’ or not, she doesn’t know or care, gathering up her papers.

“I especially liked those extra tidbits about the Vanserra family you threw in. Great tie-in for that segment on Lucien Vanserra.”

Nesta doesn’t even bother swallowing down her eye roll. One day, she's sure her eyes are going to fall out of her head, and it's all going to be working with this man’s fault. She turns back toward him, offering a bland, mocking smile. “That’s what happens when some of us actually do our research.”

“Exactly,” Cassian agrees easily with a wide smile of his own, his hazel glinting. He leans back casually in his seat, stretching an arm back and across Nesta’s now vacated one. “That’s what I have you for. You be the brains, and I'll be the beauty.”

Nesta scoffs, settling Cassian with a final scowl before she turns on her heel and stalks off the sound stage. At least now she can settle back at her desk, put on her favorite podcast, and spend the rest of the day peacefully in her bubble away from Cassian while she prepares for their next episode. She needs a drink, a stiff one ideally, but it’s only the afternoon. She decides to settle for something sweet instead to help her through the rest of the day, beelining for the refreshments table set up back near the kitchen.

She grabs one of the mugs at the end of the table first, carefully filling it about three quarters of the way with coffee. She adds creamer next before grabbing a handful of sugar packets, tearing them all and dumping them at the same time. Snagging one of the wooden stirrers, she brings her coffee to the perfect shade, lifting the mug to her lips and taking a small sip. Just how she likes it, the taste blooming on her tongue and warming her all the way down.

“You made me coffee, sweetheart? You shouldn’t have.”

Before Nesta can even react, before she can even turn or say something or roll her eyes for the twentieth time today, a large hand reaches over her shoulder. Dark swirls of ink twist and curl down toward the wrist, and long fingers curve around the top of her mug, plucking it straight from her grip. She whips around, an annoyed scowl already twisting across her face, a raging fire burning in her narrowed gaze. She swears Cassian’s eyes glint at her expression, his smile twitching up that little bit higher as he brings the mug to his lips and takes a sip.

Cassian pulls the mug away with a grimace, peering down into the coffee. “Cauldron, you don’t want to add some coffee to your sugar?”

Nesta smirks triumphantly, even as she blinks innocently up at him. “It’s sweet. Like me.”

“I think you got your ratio off, Nes. It’s clearly not bitter enough.”

“Nesta,” Nesta snaps, jabbing a finger at his chest as she enunciates. “Nes-ta.”

“Isn’t that what I said?” Cassian fires back, his ever present cocksure smirk betraying his faux innocence.

“Perhaps you’ve taken too many balls to the head over your career because clearly you must be deaf.”

Cassian chuckles lightly at the quip, but he doesn’t disagree. Instead, he brings the pastry in his other hand up to his mouth, taking a bite. Nesta can’t help but track the chocolate that begins to ooze between his fingers, the way his tongue darts out to catch the sweetness. Her gaze snaps back down to the platter of pastries, excited at the prospect, but all she sees are regular croissants and jam filled scones.

Of course.

Of course, Cassian took the last chocolate pastry. Because taking her job, taking her sanity each and every work day clearly isn’t enough. The audacity of this man. Nesta’s chest feels tight with the heat and rage bubbling between her ribs. It boils over and scrapes beneath her skin, fueling her inner fire and goading her on. Harsh words sit heavy on her tongue, poised and ready to strike, but a quiet throat clear to her left has her swallowing them back down.

Nesta and Cassian both turn their heads and their attention at the same time, finding one of the production assistants, Diedre, standing beside them. Nesta has always noticed she’s a bit on the shy side, and even now, as her eyes glance back and forth between them, Nesta spies the barest hint of pink beginning to spill across her cheeks.

“Sorry,” Diedre mumbles, reaching between them to grab one of the jam filled scones. The color on her cheeks deepens with the attention still on her, her shoulders pinching upwards. “Are either of you planning to participate in the Solstice Week events?”

“Solstice Week events?”

“Don’t you read the company emails?” Nesta sneers with a scoff.

“It’s um… it’s just different events to build excitement for Solstice,” Diedre explains, answering Cassian’s question. “Desk decorating. A cookie exchange. Ugly sweaters. And a Solstice inspired scavenger hunt.”

“So a contest, then? And what prize do I get if I win?”

“What makes you assume you're going to win?”

“I…” Diedre stutters slightly, glancing between them again. “I don’t think there’s any sort of prize.”

“That’s alright,” Cassian offers, turning his gaze back to Nesta and daring to shoot her a wink. “I’ll still win anyways.”

Nesta will admit that when the email came in for her earlier in the week, she merely skimmed it before ultimately deleting it. She’ll admit that she didn’t care about something as silly as the company’s attempt at team building and morale. But, now, she knows. She knows that she will not let Cassian Valdarez get another thing over her, even something as stupid as Solstice Week events. She will not let him bask in another victory that’s all but handed to him because no one else even tries.

Determination has her spine hardening like steel, her chin raising just slightly as she holds Cassian’s gaze firmly. She refuses to let him have this. She’ll show him and this whole production company, the whole network, and she’ll do it in such a way that it wipes that stupid, smug look right off Cassian’s face.

No, this time, Nesta Archeron is going to win.

~ * * * ~

Nesta squints down at the piece of paper she has laid across her desk, running her fingertip over the drawing there. She had stayed up late with Gwyn at the rickety kitchen table that’s been with them since their college apartment. The redhead had always had an affinity for Solstice and the celebrations. And a creative eye. She always ensured their apartment was decked out for the season as early as socially acceptable, and Nesta intended to use her friend’s talent to her full advantage.

Tapping her finger against the page in confirmation, Nesta turns in place. She crouches down toward the bags she brought into the office with her this morning, rooting around until she finds the package of stuffing. She stretches out the stuffing and lays it across her desk, crumbling up pieces of paper and shoving it beneath to create little hills just as Gwyn suggested.

Nesta adds various random figurines and mini fake Solstice trees, and she steps back to admire her work, happy with the winter wonderland she’s created. She returns to her bags and grabs the green streamers next. She maneuvers her desk chair until it aligns to her liking, carefully stepping up onto it. Even with the added height boost, she has to press up onto her toes to get close enough to the ceiling. She jams a hook into the material of the ceiling tiles, draping the first streamer across it.

“You’re in already? What did you do? Sleep here overnight?”

The sudden voice has Nesta jumping in surprise, her balance on the chair wobbling. Two hands shoot out to help steady her, fingers spanning across her entire waist and heat seeping beneath her blouse and skittering across her skin.

“Careful, Nes,” Cassian chuckles quietly. “Don’t want to break that pretty little head of yours.”

Nesta makes a fake gagging noise at the comment. “Don’t try to be cute.”

“You think I’m cute?”

Nesta turns her head enough to glare at the hands still at her waist, but Cassian doesn’t seem deterred. In fact, his telltale smirk only seems to grow at her reaction. With an annoyed huff, Nesta turns back to the task at hand. She hangs the other streamer over the hook, adding the large, red ribbon tied in a bow as the final touch. She steps down off the chair and out of Cassian’s grip, carefully placing the ends of the streamers so it gives the illusion of a tree.

“Looks great,” Cassian comments. Nesta snaps her attention back to him, but the teasing smirk she expects to find is decidedly missing. In fact, there’s nothing but genuineness painted across his expression. “You certainly went all out.”

“Well, it is a desk decorating contest,” Nesta reminds him. She can feel pride bubbling up in her chest, blooming and taking root between her ribs. She doesn’t even bother swallowing it down, doesn’t bother biting back the victorious smirk that tugs up her lips. “What did you expect?”

For a moment, Nesta swears that Cassian’s smile grows at her expression, an emotion she can’t quite pinpoint flaring in his hazel eyes. But then that all too familiar cocksure smirk takes over his face again. His attention dances back toward Nesta’s desk, taking in the different decorations she’s arranged, before he meets her gaze again.

“I honestly assumed you’d be more of a grinch.”

Nesta’s nostrils flare at the remark and she crosses her arms across her chest. “Fuck you.”

Cassian laughs again as though the insult delights him, the sound prickling across Nesta’s skin. Her blood sparks just as much as Cassian’s gaze seems to. She rolls her eyes and turns on her heel, stalking away and toward the coffee, Cassian’s voice following after her.

“Game on, sweetheart.”

~ * * * ~

Nesta lets out a quiet breath as she steps out of her car. She swears that she can still feel flour in her hair. No matter how hard she scrubbed in the shower, it’s as if the cookie dough is now embedded within her from where the beaters sent it all flying. Almost as badly as it's embedded in her apartment. She's still not sure how cookie dough got on the ceiling.

Another soft sigh and Nesta grabs her bag and the tupperware full of cookies from her passenger seat. She can’t help but wince as she peers at her cookies. They spread more than she had anticipated, losing their shape, and the edges and bottoms are crispier than she’s sure they’re meant to be. She had followed the recipe to what she thought was a T, but something went wrong somewhere along the way.

At least they’re made with love.

That’s what Gwyn had said the previous night, and Nesta hopes that counts for enough. It should count for enough in her opinion, that at least hers are homemade. She’s sure that most of her coworkers will just be bringing in store-bought for the cookie exchange today. Including a certain former soccer superstar that Nesta is confident has never stepped foot inside a kitchen before in his life. He probably used his money to have a private chef that prepared all his food for him.

Nesta steps inside the studio kitchen, finding the area that’s been set up for the cookie exchange. Already, there are various cookies out and on display, including the cakey icing heavy ones that the grocery stores sell for every holiday, still in the plastic case. Cassian’s contribution if Nesta had to guess. With a roll of her eyes, she opens up her own tupperware and adds her cookies.

“Morning, sweetheart. What kind of cookies did you make?”

Nesta takes a moment to breathe before turning toward the voice. Cassian leans casually against the counter near the refrigerator, wearing a soft looking, deep red henley shirt since they aren’t filming today. His hair is pulled away from his face in a bun, the lights of the kitchen casting shadows across his jawline. He has a cookie in his hand, perfectly shaped and iced to look like a soccer player, and he offers Nesta a cheeky smirk as he pointedly takes a bite.

“Sugar cookies,” Nesta grinds out from between her clenched teeth.

She turns back to her tupperware of cookies, spying a stack of sticky notes and a sharpie set to the side. She grabs both, quickly scrawling her cookie type on the purple paper to match the other cookies on display. She feels more than she hears Cassian sidle up behind her, heat prickling up her spine as it radiates off him. His breath skates across her cheek as he leans forward to peer over her shoulder.

“Are they… snowmen?”

“They’re meant to be gingerbread men and Solstice trees,” Nesta explains, trying desperately to swallow down her annoyance.

“Really? Are you sure?”

The annoyance burns into full blown anger, fire raging through Nesta’s veins. She whirls around, but almost instantly regrets it. It puts her chest to chest with Cassian, and she has to tilt her head back slightly to keep meeting his gaze. His hazel eyes practically seem to spark, all green vines and golden specks, and that smirk of his grows slowly but surely across his face.

“You know, you’re supposed to chill the dough after you cut them,” Cassian continues, not even bothering to take a step back to give her space, leaving Nesta caged in. “That’s the trick to getting them to keep their shape and not spread so much.”

“I don’t recall asking,” Nesta seethes. She settles a hand against his chest, shoving gently, but Cassian’s large frame is unmoving.

“The other trick is to use your hands, to really knead the dough to the right consistency.” Cassian’s voice dips lower as he speaks the word, holding a hand up between them and curling then flexing his fingers. “I’d be more than happy to give you a demonstration some time.”

“Yeah, right. You really expect me to believe you’re some great baker?”

“Try for yourself,” Cassian offers, reaching back behind Nesta and producing a tupperware of his own.

Nesta eyes the cookies, the perfectly shaped and iced soccer players, and scoffs. “You did not make those.”

Cassian presses a hand dramatically to his chest. “You wound me, sweetheart. I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent cook. And an excellent baker. In fact, this is my own recipe.”

Nesta scowls as Cassian shakes the tupperware toward her encouragingly. She snatches up one of the cookies and makes a big show of taking a bite. She hates it. She hates that the cookie is actually delicious. She hates that it's buttery sweet and melts perfectly in her mouth, the perfect mix of crispy edge and a soft center with icing that's not too overpowering.

It takes everything within her to swallow down a moan of delight, to not give Cassian that sort of satisfaction, but from the way Cassian’s smirk only seems to grow, it’s clear he already knows. With a huff that she pushes out between clenched teeth, Nesta knocks her shoulder against Cassian’s and shoves past him. Hard. She stalks back toward her desk, mind already reeling with ways for her to win the Solstice Week event tomorrow, to ensure victory after today’s misstep.

And if Nesta sneaks back to the kitchen throughout the day to grab more of Cassian’s cookies to help fuel her? Well, no one has to know.

~ * * * ~

“That has got to be the ugliest sweater I’ve ever seen.”

Nesta tugs at the hem of the fabric at her hips. The pink color probably wouldn’t be half bad if it wasn’t practically neon, and the two toned green fringes of yarn clustered across the front only seem to add to the charm. That and the clumps of yellow yarn with lopsided faces. Nesta has to bite her lip around the smile threatening to break free across her face. It’s exactly the type of response she was hoping for.

Schooling her features, Nesta finally raises her face to Balthazar. “Thank you.”

“Not usually the response you’d expect to that,” Balthazar chuckles, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Today only I’ll allow it.”

“Well, you definitely have my vote.”

With that, Balthazar vanishes back toward his own desk and his own work, so Nesta finishes mixing her own coffee to her taste before doing the same. She pulls up her notes she’s been working through these past few days, quickly skimming through what she already has written. Nodding to herself, she pulls up the game clips from the last World Cup, finding where she left off.

“Hope you’ve been working on your gracious loser speech, sweetheart.”

For once, Nesta doesn’t roll her eyes at that all too familiar drawl. In fact, her grin is wide as she turns in her seat and comes face to face with Cassian. He has his arms spread wide, showing off his own sweater. A fake, felt fire has been glued to the center of the sweater, various small stockings pinned in a line along the shoulders, and tinsel loops around the collar.

It’s certainly ugly.

Almost in slow motion Nesta watches as Cassian takes in her own sweater. His brows start to furrow low over his eyes, his arms dropping limply back to his side. But the true victory comes from watching Cassian’s cocksure smile slip from his lips and be taken over by a confused frown.

“What the hell is that?” Cassian asks, gesturing toward her attire.

Nesta tugs at the fabric, smiling down fondly at her attire. “My sweater for today’s contest. It’s meant to be solstice trees and kittens. Allegedly at least. But it’s perfectly ugly, don’t you think?”

Cassian crosses his arms across his chest, raising a practically sardonic brow. “What possible store could you have found that in?”

No longer wanting him towering over her, Nesta rises from her seat, truly going toe to toe to him. She narrows her eyes at him, the scowl familiar and easy. She lets a slow smirk tug up her lips, keeping her voice the picture perfect of innocence as she tells him, “Jealousy isn’t a good look for you.”

Cassian chuckles softly, shaking his head. “What are you going to tell me next? That you knit it yourself?”

“Unfortunately not. My great aunt did,” Nesta explains, peering down at her sweater again. “She’s half blind.”

“That sounds like cheating.”

“Since when are there rules for an ugly sweater contest?” Cassian huffs quietly, but he doesn’t say anything, and Nesta knows that she’s won, knows that he doesn’t have an argument for that. She offers a condescending hum, tilting her head in mock innocence. “Guess someone’s a sore loser.”

Cassian leans in closer still, and Nesta raises her chin higher in defiance, unwilling to back down from his attempts to cow her, back down from his gaze pinning her in place. With the little space between them, Nesta realizes his eyes are more green than brown, specks of gold seeming to glint amongst those swirling vines. This close, she can feel the heat that radiates off him, can feel his breath skate across her cheeks. She can watch in slow motion as that smirk returns.

“Until tomorrow’s contest then. Nes.”

~ * * * ~

Nesta leans forward in her seat, squinting at her computer screen and the image displayed there. She currently has two wins for this week’s contests to Cassian’s one, and she’s determined to win today’s challenge too, to claim her victory for the whole week.

A scavenger hunt.

According to the email sent around to everyone, various small, plastic penguins have been hidden around the studio and offices to be found. Each one is worth a different amount of points, and whomever has the most at the end of the day, wins. It seems simple enough, and if Nesta plays it strategically, it’s practically in the bag.

Nodding to herself, ensuring she’s memorized the image and what exactly she’s looking for, Nesta closes her laptop and pushes up to her feet. She glances around at the other desks around her, hoping to spy one of the penguin figurines. The ones with the top hat are worth two hundred fifty points, but she’d accept any to begin the search.

Nesta heads for the studio kitchen next. She opens up the refrigerator, and there, beside all the packed lunches, is a penguin, no taller than an inch, with a pink bobble hat on. Only ten points, but Nesta snatches it up all the same and continues her search. She finds another ten point penguin amongst the mugs, a penguin with yellow earmuffs worth twenty five points between tea pouches, and a penguin on skis worth fifty points in the freezer.

She continues her search across the soundstage, winding through the desks, and even checking in the production control room. By the end, she has an entire paper cup full of various penguins. Plenty of the ones worth ten and twenty five points, and she’s even found a few of the penguins in a blue coat worth one hundred points.

Still no top hat penguins though.

“And how many penguins have you found, sweetheart?”

Nesta doesn’t even bother turning around, doesn’t bother stopping her search, as she pulls open the bottom tray of the printer and locates a blue coat penguin. “I’m already at eleven seventy five.”

“Not bad,” Cassian comments, and when there’s silence after, Nesta hopes that means he’s decided to leave her alone. “Aren’t you going to ask how many I’ve found?”

Nesta scoffs, straightening and turning to face Cassian and lift a sardonic brow. “No.”

“Well, I’m at a thousand and ten.”

Cassian steps closer, right up into Nesta’s space until the heat radiating off him prickles across her skin. His hand reaches out, stretching back behind her. Nesta can’t help but hold her breath, Cassian not even breaking eye contact while he lifts the document cover on the copier at her back. When he pulls his hand back, a penguin with yellow earmuffs sits in the center of his palm.

“A thousand thirty five,” Cassian offers with a smirk.

With a roll of her eyes, Nesta side-steps away from Cassian. She can hear him trailing behind her as she makes her way down the hall, but she pointedly ignores him. The sound of a door opening draws her attention, and when she whirls around, she spots Cassian opening what appears to be a janitor’s closet of some kind. Nesta rushes forward, slipping in quickly before he can, determined to find whatever penguins might be hiding in there first.

“Who knew you were so competitive, Nes.”

“Nesta,” Nesta snaps, whirling around to watch Cassian step inside behind her.

The door closes behind him with a soft snick, and Nesta realizes too late just how small the space is. She and Cassian are practically standing chest to chest, and the wide set of his shoulders and his tall frame makes it seem even smaller still. Nesta tries to take a step back, but the metal of the shelves in this closet merely digs into her spine.

“That’s what I said,” Cassian tells her with an easy shrug.

“Do you enjoy riling me up?”

“Oh, there are many things I enjoy when it comes to you, sweetheart.”

Just like at the printer, Cassian’s hand reaches up between their bodies. Only this time, his hand reaches toward her face. For a moment, his fingers brush along the strands of her hair that hang loosely around her temples. For a moment, Nesta swears she can feel the barest whisper of a touch across her cheek. She can feel heat creeping up her neck, threatening to spill beneath her skin, threatening to send goosebumps skittering down her spine.

Cassian pulls his hand back, showing off a penguin in a blue coat pinched between his fingers. “Eleven thirty five.”

Nesta lets out a growl of frustration, both at the fact that Cassian is now only forty points behind her, and at the fact she allowed herself to be distracted by him. She whips her attention back toward the shelves, moving around the rolls of paper towels and cleaning bottles. She lets out an excited noise when she looks between the stack of microfiber towels, pulling out one of the coveted penguins in a top hat.

“Would you look at that,” Nesta declares, turning back around and holding up the penguin for Cassian to see. “I’m at fourteen twenty five now.”

“The day is still young.”

“Whatever. I doubt they hid that many in here so just get out of the way so we can leave.”

Cassian offers an eyeroll of his own, but he turns toward the door at least. Nesta waits for the light of the hall to spill back into the small space, for Cassian to step out so she can follow behind him, but instead his entire body tenses, shoulders raising slightly.

“So… bad news,” Cassian starts, turning his head enough that Nesta can see the grimace that’s taken over his face. “The door is locked.”

“Don’t fuck around, Cassian. It’s not funny,” Nesta snaps, smacking his arm in annoyance. “Open the door.”

“You think I’m lying to you?” Cassian jingles the handle of the door in emphasis. “It’s locked.”

“You’re probably just doing it wrong. Move out of the way.”

Nesta elbows past Cassian, reaching out and trying the handle for herself. It barely moves, so she tries again, more aggressive, but it’s definitely locked. She lets out a noise somewhere between a frustrated scream and an annoyed huff, slapping her hand against the wood.

“I told you it was locked.”

Nesta nearly jumps out of her skin at how close Cassian’s voice is. She realizes too late that when she elbowed past him that Cassian didn’t move, that she’s now practically pressed up against him. She can feel every hard line of him, every muscle built from years of playing soccer. Can feel the way his heart seems to skip and beat between his ribs.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, to swallow down the shiver threatening to skitter up her spine at the proximity, Nesta pounds her fist against the door. “Help! Someone help! We’re locked in here!”

“Really, sweetheart?”

“Can anyone hear me? Unlock the door! Help!”

“You know, we could always just—”

The sound of the door clicking echoes in the small space and cuts Cassian off. Balthazar’s face comes blinking into view, his eyebrows dipping low in confusion as his gaze darts between the two of them.

“Um…”

“Don’t ask,” Nesta pushes out between gritted teeth, shoving past Balthazar and stalking down the hall and back toward her desk.

By the end of the work day, Nesta’s collection of penguin figurines comes to a total of one thousand, eight hundred, thirty-five. She takes a photo and sends it to the email for all the Solstice Week events, her submission. It doesn’t take long before the email comes in, announcing the winner for the scavenger hunt, but Nesta frowns as she reads the name, as she eyes the photo of the winning penguin collection. The figurines practically overflowing to the point they don't fit in the frame.

Jumping to her feet, Nesta stomps her way down the line of desks. “How did you do it?”

Cassian leans back casually in his seat, his easy smile not fooling Nesta for a second. “Do what?”

“Two thousand seven hundred five?” Nesta demands, glaring down at him. “How is that even possible?”

Cassian’s smile turns into a full blown smirk, lifting his hands back behind his head until the sleeves of his shirt ride up his biceps. “Someone’s a sore loser.”

“You cheated. You had to have cheated.”

“I’m offended that you’d make such an accusation. It’s not my fault I’m charming.”

Nesta snorts, rolling her eyes. “Charming? That is not a word I would use to describe you.”

“Clearly others find me charming,” Cassian tells her with a shrug, that infuriating cocksure smirk unmoving. “Charming enough to share the penguins they found with me.”

Nesta’s jaw slackens at the admission. She steps forward, in between Cassian’s legs, so that she can glower down at him. “That’s. Cheating.”

“I prefer the words charming and resourceful,” Cassian fires back, his hazel eyes practically sparking even under the fluorescent lights. “That means two wins for me, and two wins for you. We’ll have to call it a draw, Nes.”

“It is not a draw. You forfeit because you cheated.”

“Nowhere in the rules of the scavenger hunt did it say I had to find all the penguins myself. It just said whoever had the most points at the end of the day. And I did. It’s a technicality.”

Nesta huffs and crosses her arms across her chest. “Then we do another challenge to settle the score and determine a true winner.”

“It’s a Friday and the end of the day,” Cassian chuckles, shaking his head. “What possible work challenge could you come up with?”

“We’ll stick with the Solstice theme like it’s been all week to be fair. It snowed last night. You, me, snowball fight.”

“Fine,” Cassian concedes surprisingly easily, reaching forward enough that he can close his computer. “But when I win, and I will, I want you to remember this moment and how you begged me for this.”

“I am not begging,” Nesta snaps, stepping back enough that Cassian can stand up from his seat.

“Is that another challenge? More than up for rectifying that one, sweetheart.”

“Just meet me outside.”

Nesta turns on her heel and storms off back to her desk. She quickly shuts down her own computer for the day and packs up her work bag. She tugs on her gloves and hat, winding her scarf around her neck. She zips up her coat and heads for the door, following around the building to the grassy area now blanketed in white waves of snow.

Nesta lets out a yelp of surprise as a snowball hits her straight in the chest, wet snow streaking down her jacket and dripping to her feet. A deep, booming laughter follows the assault, and Nesta raises her gaze to glare at Cassian, another snowball already balanced in the palm of his hand.

“Does this mean I win now?”

“No,” Nesta snaps, crouching down to scoop snow into her own hands.

She packs the snow down until it’s a ball, stretching her arm back and lobbing it at Cassian’s head. Cassian is quick to jump out of the way with another deep laugh. He tosses his own snowball toward Nesta, but she ducks before it can hit her, using the motion to scoop more snow into her hands.

Cassian starts to charge toward Nesta, and with a yelp, she makes a break toward the right, quickly tossing her half formed snowball at him. She skitters slightly as she stumbles away, but she crouches down again to gather more snow. She straightens and presses her hands together, packing down the snow until it forms a ball. She whirls around again just as cold wetness settles on her head, dripping down her temple and the back of her neck.

Her jaw drops open, staring with wide eyes at Cassian’s own shocked face, his hands held above her head. For a moment, they merely stare at one another, but then Cassian’s lips start to twitch. His hazel eyes light up and he gives in to the laugh he’s clearly trying to hold back, the sound surprisingly warm despite the cold now settling deep within Nesta’s bones.

“You look like a wet, angry cat, sweetheart.”

“You’re such a shit,” Nesta seethes, shoving hard at Cassian’s chest in retaliation.

With the snow and ice slippery beneath their feet, Cassian’s balance wobbles, and before Nesta knows it, he goes tumbling to the ground. Unfortunately for her, his hand latches around her wrist, almost out of instinct, and she falls half on top of him with a quiet oof. She quickly shoves off, but that just leaves her in the snow, her entire back now cold and wet.

“So,” Cassian starts, propping up onto his elbow so he can smile down at her. “When are you finally going to go out on a date with me? Does tomorrow work for you?”

Nesta blinks a few times in surprise, her mind trying to wrap around Cassian’s words. “What?”

“Oh, come on, Nes. Isn’t it about time we finally put an end to all this sexual tension?”

It takes everything within Nesta to keep in her startled laugh. She can’t believe this turn in the conversation. This notion. The absolute absurdity of this man. A date with him. With Cassian Valdarez. The bane of her existence. The man who’s the reason she has to share her job. The man who is all endless cocky smiles and looming over her with his large frame and those hazel eyes that practically pierce through her in a way that’s almost unnerving.

“What are you talking about? I hate you. I’m pretty sure I’ve made it very clear that I hate you.”

“Oh… um…” Cassian clears his throat a bit awkwardly, pushing a hand up and through his hair. “I thought that was just how you and I flirt. Our back and forth. Like a game.”

“I hate you,” Nesta repeats, not even bothering to swallow down her scoff. “In what world would I ever agree to date you?”

Cassian’s smile slips fully off his face, the hazel of his eyes dimming before he drops his gaze away from Nesta. He pushes up to his feet, still not quite looking at her as he brushes the snow off his pants.

“Well,” Cassian finally says, his voice suddenly hollow and lacking any of his usual warmth. “Clearly I read this whole situation wrong. Sorry.”

Nesta opens her mouth, but words die in the back of her throat, thoughts a tangled mess of vines. She can do nothing but gape dumbly, can do nothing but watch as Cassian lets out a quiet, self deprecating breath and shakes his head, turning on his heel and stalking away.

~ * * * ~

By the time Monday rolls around, Nesta’s reeling mind still hasn’t calmed since the events of Friday. She spent the entire weekend replaying that moment in the snow with Cassian on loop, the look on his face before he walked away. She kept replaying every moment she ever had with Cassian. All the smirks and easy laughs. All the quips and jabs. Every sweetheart and Nes. It started to all make sense, that look he would get on his face, the way the golds of his hazel eyes would glint.

The worst part was that the more Nesta thought about those moments, thought about those looks, thought about him, her chest got that little bit tighter, emotions running rampant and kicking up a swirling storm. Only one thought broke through the raging seas in the end: what was wrong with her? She hated Cassian Valdarez.

Or did she?

Cassian who never balked at her fire, who never belittled her or told her to bring down those flames. Cassian who always goes toe to toe with her, practically lighting up in amusement at every quip or remark. Cassian who never questioned her knowledge or skill, never commented or joked about her being a woman working in sports journalism. Cassian with his delicious baking and gorgeous eyes and warm laugh and—

With a soft sigh, Nesta tries to shake her head of those thoughts. She focuses on her notes and today’s show, mentally running through the stories and the points she wants to discuss. Even still, the words on the page start to blur together, and she worries her bottom lip between her teeth, the skin already ragged from the same tick chasing her all weekend.

“Good morning, Nesta.”

Nesta’s head snaps up at the greeting, turning to find Cassian standing in front of his chair. For the first time, it feels like he's not smiling or smirking. Instead, his lips are pressed into a neutral line, a dullness clinging to the hazel of his eyes that’s almost unsettling. It certainly sends a crack ricocheting through Nesta's chest. It takes her a moment too long to realize he said her name, her proper name. No teasing nickname to be found. It almost sounds strange hearing it fall past his lips. It almost sounds wrong.

“Morning,” Nesta murmurs back.

Cassian settles into his seat beside her, not quite meeting her gaze. Nesta opens her mouth, but she’s not even sure what to say. Does she mention what happened last week? Does she pretend that nothing happened and ask how his weekend was? Before her mind can settle on the best approach, Balthazar steps over and begins his pre-show spiel and notes.

As the show kicks off, Nesta just hopes any awkward air between herself and Cassian doesn’t show through on camera. It’s certainly the most professional show they’ve ever filmed, sticking firmly to their talking points, the segments. But with each passing minute, Nesta’s spine straightens that bit more, her fists clenching that little bit harder against the table. By the time the shout of cut echoes across the sound stage, the air around her feels stifling, a tightness pinching between her ribs like twisting vines.

“I wanted to apologize,” Cassian starts quietly once it’s just them again, and when Nesta turns to meet his gaze, there’s a burning to his hazel eyes that has her breath catching. “For what happened on Friday, but mostly for all the teasing and everything with Solstice Week. I… I shouldn’t have assumed that it was flirting for you or that you felt what I did, and I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It won’t happen again. Have a great rest of your week, Nesta.”

With a nod of his head, clearly having said his piece, Cassian pushes up and to his feet, heading toward his desk. His name presses against the back of Nesta’s throat, desperate to be released and call after him. An emotion she’s been unwilling to name all weekend, one she’s been running away from since Friday, swirls in her gut. It twines and squeezes around her heart, tugging like a thread wrapped tight through her chest.

Watching Cassian walk away from her for the second time is like that thread going with him, yanking hard. It leaves Nesta swallowing hard, and she realizes one simple fact with a stark clarity that would knock her on her ass if she wasn’t already sitting down.

She misses Cassian Valdarez.

~ * * * ~

“And everything is good and ready?”

Emerie sighs, flopping back against the pile of pillows on Nesta’s bed. “For the fourth time, yes. All you need is the code I texted you and you’re good.”

“Okay okay,” Nesta concedes, turning away from the mirror where she was fixing her hair. “I just want to be sure.”

Emerie’s lips part, and Nesta can see the retort sitting primed and ready on the tip of her best friend’s tongue, but then her eyes sweep over Nesta’s frame. She takes in the deep blue velvety fabric that hits Nesta mid-thigh, the sweetheart neckline that sweeps low across her collarbones. The way Nesta’s styled her hair so it falls in loose waves down around her shoulders and along her spine, her makeup drawing attention to her eyes.

“Well damn,” Emerie comments with a smirk. “You’re definitely looking hot as shit.”

Nesta smoothes down the skirt of her dress, not even bothering to bite back her own smirk. “Thanks. Now, I just need the rest of my plan to work.”

Turning back toward the mirror, Nesta gives herself one last look over and dabs the lipstick painted across her lips. She grabs her heels and slips them off, rolling her eyes at Emerie’s hooting and teasing that follows her out the door. When she finally settles in her car, she takes a moment to breathe deeply, to steady her thundering heart, and then she’s off.

The event space that the network has rented for the evening is almost unrecognizable as Nesta steps through the doors. Golden streamers decorate almost all the walls, colored balloons clustered about and structured into a balloon arch over the doors at the far end. Small, tall tables dot the space, covered in white tablecloths, and workers dressed all in black weave between them with various hors d'oeuvres balanced on trays.

A bar has been set up along the back wall, and Nesta spies Cassian standing there. He has an arm slung across Balthazar’s shoulders and a beer in his other hand, his head thrown back as he laughs easily at whatever is being said. His hair falls in soft curls around his face, some sort of product making the dark strands shine beneath the lights, and the dark green sweater he wears looks especially soft even as it clings perfectly to his wide shoulders and chest.

Swallowing hard, Nesta steps over to the bar. “Happy Solstice.”

“Happy Solstice,” Balthazar echoes, raising his beer in a cheers.

Cassian turns to her, and sparks ricochet through Nesta’s nerve endings at finally having his gaze on her again. She doesn’t miss the way his hazel eyes flare, doesn’t miss the way his lips part and his throat bobs as his attention sweeps over her. It sends her own blood heating, her heart stuttering for a moment.

“Nesta, you look…” Cassian breathes before he seems to catch himself, clearing his throat and looking away again. “Sorry. Happy Solstice.”

“I was wondering if we could talk?” Nesta asks, darting a quick glance toward Balthazar who wastes no time making himself scarce.

Cassian is quiet, and for a moment, Nesta is afraid he’ll say no, but then he’s nodding his head. He downs the rest of his drink and looks to her expectantly, so Nesta begins to lead the way. She weaves between their coworkers and toward one of the halls that stretches through the rest of the building.

“So, who’s the gift for?” Cassian asks, breaking the awkward silence between them.

Nesta pauses her steps, glancing down at the gift bag in her hand before looking up at Cassian again. “It’s for you, actually.”

“You got me a Solstice gift?”

“You sound so shocked.”

“You hate me, remember?”

Nesta winces at his words, looking up and into his eyes, praying to the Mother that he can see the sincerity in her gaze. “I don't actually hate you. I thought I did but I…” She lets out a soft sigh and holds the gift out to him. “Just open it, will you?”

Cassian lets out a quiet breath of his own, but he reaches out and takes the gift, his fingers brushing against Nesta’s with the movement. He shifts through the tissue paper until he reaches the gift inside, lifting it out with a confused frown.

“A… soccer ball?”

“Yes,” Nesta answers, her voice more short than she intends. “It will all make sense in a moment.”

With a determined huff, Nesta whirls back around and continues stalking down the hall. It takes a few seconds, but soon she hears Cassian’s steps falling in behind her. At the end of the hall, she finds the double doors exactly as she expects. She digs her phone out and pulls up her text chain with Emerie, quickly punching in the code to the lock. She pulls open the door and looks back to Cassian expectantly, but he merely raises an eyebrow.

“Is this the part where you lead me away from the party to murder me?”

“If it was, do you really think I’d tell you?”

Cassian chuckles, shaking his head. “Touche, sweetheart.”

Nesta gestures with her arm, and finally Cassian steps inside. She follows behind him and allows the door to fall shut behind them both. As promised, the lights have been left on, but from the looks of it, it’s only half the lights, casting everything in a dimmed, yellow glow. The domed roof stretches high overhead, and an almost eerie quiet has settled over the rows and rows of seats, over the grass, over the crisply painted white lines.

“How’d you get the keys to this place?” Cassian asks, stepping forward and spinning in a slow circle, taking it all in.

“I know people.”

Cassian hums quietly and cranes his head back, his eyes falling closed as he takes a deep breath in and then out. “And not that I’m complaining, but what exactly are we doing here?”

“We never determined a winner for Solstice Week,” Nesta reminds him, stepping forward and taking the soccer ball from his arms.

Cassian watches as Nesta steps up onto the grass and makes her way toward the box at one end of the field, the hint of that all too familiar smirk beginning to peek through. “And this is how you want to do that?”

“If you’re scared of losing, just say that,” Nesta taunts, bending down enough that she can place the soccer ball on the dot in the grass.

“I never said that,” Cassian offers, stepping across the grass himself and making his way toward the goal. “Did you forget who you were talking to?”

“Good.”

Nesta bends one of her legs back, slipping a finger beneath the strap of her heel and tugging it off. She does the same with her other heel, allowing both to dangle from her fingers before dropping them unceremoniously against the grass. Cassian tracks every movement she makes, and even with the space between them, Nesta swears his eyes darken.

Nesta resets her stance, offering a smirk of her own. “I thought we could make things interesting.”

Cassian licks his lips. “Interesting how?”

“If I make this goal, you have to take me out on a date.”

Cassian’s expression shifts to shock, and Nesta waits with bated breath for him to say something, for him to do something. Even after what happened last week, it feels like a shot in the dark, like a leap right off the ledge without knowing what waits beneath. What if he’s changed his mind? What if after telling him she hates him, he decided he wants nothing to do with her any longer? What if this is the stupidest thing she’s ever done?

The thoughts swirl like dark, churning waves inside Nesta’s mind. They leave her heart skipping nervously between her ribs, the blood pounding in her ears with each second that ticks by like an eternity. Her stomach flips over itself, and the urge to take the words back and swallow them back down, to backtrack, digs sharp claws into the back of her throat.

Nesta isn’t sure how much time has passed, but Cassian seems to come back to himself. He shakes his head and starts to bounce on the balls of his feet, stretching his arms out wide and tapping each of the goal posts.

“Take your shot then,” Cassian calls out to her.

Taking a steady breath, Nesta backs up a few steps. She glances down at the ball then back at the goal, eyeing up the space between, thinking through where she wants to aim. Running forward, she kicks the ball hard. Cassian doesn’t even bother moving. He stands firmly in place, his eyes never leaving Nesta’s face as the ball sails right past him and into the netting. Warmth floods through Nesta’s chest as they continue to stare at one another, a smile tugging up the corners of her lips.

“You know,” Cassian starts, turning around to retrieve the ball and walking back toward Nesta, bending down to place it back on the white dot. “Usually, it’s best two out of three.”

“Is that so?” Nesta asks, her voice breathless even to her own ears at the way Cassian is looking up at her.

Cassian straightens, slowly backing up toward the goal again. “I was thinking this time, if I make this save, I get to kiss you.”

“Feeling confident?”

“Are you? I was one of the best goalkeepers Velaris FC ever had after all.”

Nesta hums, feigning disagreement, but they both know it’s true. Just like before, Nesta takes a few steps back, eyeing up Cassian and the goal. She makes a big show of glancing to the right just before she runs forward and kicks the ball hard toward the left side. It doesn’t fool Cassian for a second. He goes sprawling across the grass, knocking away the ball with ease.

Nesta doesn’t even care where it rolls off to, and it’s clear Cassian doesn’t either. He’s barely made the save before he’s jumping back to his feet, long strides swallowing the space between them. His hands come up, framing Nesta’s jaw and tilting her face up, and then he’s crashing his mouth down against hers. Nesta doesn’t waste a moment. She surges up onto her toes, meeting him stroke for stroke. She buries one hand in the soft, dark curls of his hair, the other clutching into the fabric of his sweater, as one of his arms drops to around her waist, pulling her closer still until any space between their bodies vanishes.

When Cassian finally pulls back, he doesn’t go far. His nose bumps against Nesta’s, breath skating across her skin. She can feel the heat of him everywhere they’re pressed together, can count every green vine and gold fleck of his hazel eyes. And for once, it’s not one of his cocksure, teasing smirks greeting her, but a soft, wide smile. One that she suspects might be just for her. One that has her breath catching. One that she knows is echoed across her own face.

And in that moment, Nesta realizes that she doesn't hate Cassian Valdarez at all.

—

Taglist (let me know if you’d like to be added or removed): @moodymelanist @nesquik-arccheron @sv0430 @talkfantasytome @bookstantrash @eirini-thaleia @ubigaia @fromthelibraryofemilyj @luivagr-blog @lifeisntafantasy @superspiritfestival @hiimheresworld @marigold-morelli @sweet-pea1 @emeriethevalkyriegirl @pyxxie @dustjacketmusings @hallway5 @dongjunma @glowing-stick-generation @melonsfantasyworld @isterofimias @goddess-aelin @melphss @theladystardust @a-trifling-matter @blueunoias @kookskoocie @wolfnesta @blurredlamplight @hereforthenessian @skaixo @jmoonjones @burningsnowleopard @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk @ofduskanddreams @rarephloxes @thelovelymadone @books-books-books4ever @tenaciousdiplomatloverprune @that-little-red-head @readergalaxy @thesnugglingduck @kale-theteaqueen @tarquindaddy

#nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #acotar #acosf #acotargiftexchange #nessian fanfiction #nessian fic #nesta x cassian #my fic

[throneofsapphics]

hi, i’ve recently found your page & i’m obsessed with your writing! i have a request, i’ve had this idea for a while now.

we’re in the court of nightmares, eris walks up to the high lord & lady and the inner circle to ask nesta to dance BUT he sees reader instead. either feysand or nessian gets jealous, but reader does dance with eris. feysand or nessian gets so jealous that eris and reader gets interpreted. reader gets a reminder who they belong too. reader would be mated with whatever couple you pick.

i would like angst, smut (maybe a little bit darker), jealousy, just do your thing girl 👀

thank you, i can’t wait to read more of your writing 🖤🖤🖤

a reminder 

Feysand x f!Reader 

Summary: She played her part perfectly, laughing and smiling at all of the right moments. The High Lady watched as Eris grew more and more smitten through the entire dance. Then - his hand drifted lower, squeezing tightly around her hip. Rhys moved before she could. 

Word Count: ~2k 

Warnings: smut, almost all smut, a bit of angst, light bondage, d/s dynamics, impact play, jealousy, possessiveness, i think thats it?, minors dni!!

A/N: ah thank you! and thank you for the request!! this was fun to write & I loved this idea, sorry it's not too heavy on the angst,

She’d rarely gone to the Court of Nightmares, only on a few occasions. She hated the cesspool, but when Feyre and Rhys asked her this time, she agreed. You’ve always been exceptionally skilled at reading people, and body language - even without being a Daemati, and sometimes it came in handy when dealing with those extensively trained against your mates powers. 

When the male they told her to keep an eye on, Eris, approached her, it was the perfect opportunity. 

-

Feyre watched in amusement as Eris approached the Dais. Every time he visited, he would always seek out Nesta for a dance. She agreed - and she had a feeling her sister only did it to spark some jealousy in Cassian. They always disappeared shortly after, coming back with slightly flushed cheeks. 

But, she watched as his eyes passed over Nesta - straight to y/n. They brought her here this time to try and get a read on Eris, without invading his mind outright. She didn’t notice his attention, scanning the room instead. Eris’s eyes gleamed as he approached her for a dance. Rhys went dangerously still next to her. Maybe it was a mistake disguising her scent, hiding the traces of them. 

Y/n agreed with a smile, taking his hand and following him to the dance floor. They did tell her to act as if she had no close relation to them … It’s what we told her to do, she spoke to Rhys. 

Not to dance with him, he growled. His bored mask was perfectly in place, but she felt the jealousy rolling through the bond. Her sentiment echoed his almost identically.  

She played her part perfectly, laughing and smiling at all of the right moments. The High Lady watched as Eris grew more and more smitten through the entire dance. Then - his hand drifted lower, squeezing tightly around her hip. Rhys moved before she could. 

-

She would admit Eris was a good dancer, and she was enjoying herself. Charming, funny, and trying a bit too hard. After the first dance, she’d gathered almost everything she needed to. Watching him for a bit longer, how he interacted with everyone else, would finish that up. But - he asked for another, and she felt rude turning him down. She forced her heartbeat and expression to remain steady as his hand drifted further down, right on her hip. Not obscenely low, but slightly suggestive. An invitation of sorts. Y/n knew this wouldn’t end well. 

“May I?” Rhys’s voice sounded, cutting in, so smoothly nothing seemed off to any outsiders. He cut a sharp look to Eris, one that would make most Fae shake immediately. To his credit, Eris only gave a polite nod and made himself scarce. 

Rhys’s hand tightened around her waist as he led her around the dance floor. Bruises would appear there tomorrow. He didn’t speak, but she could feel the anger, jealousy, and pure possession rolling through the bond, and immediately went on the defensive. 

I wasn’t- she tried to send down the bond. 

Not here. He replied sharply. She bit harshly on her bottom lip, nearly drawing blood. Her mate’s eyes gleamed as he caught the motion. We’ll be cutting our visit short. 

I still need to - 

No. She bristled as he cut her off again. I’m certain you have enough. 

Y/n realized when she wouldn’t win a fight, and kept silent. 

You need a reminder of who you belong to, he purred into her mind, showing her a preview of what would be coming later. 

Arousal and fear flooded through her. A delicious but dangerous combination. Her heart started beating faster, tension coliling in her stomach … Rhys didn’t wait for the dance to end, he brought her back to the Dais, muttering a few instructions, and they left within minutes. 

-

“What the hell was that?” 

She was surprised Feyre raged at her first. 

“It - it’s what you told me to do.” She stood still, her eyes darting between the two of them. They were both pissed. But she couldn’t quite figure out why, she’d done exactly what they wanted to her. It’s not her fault Eris asked her for a dance. 

“You let him touch you.” 

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “I did no such thing, it was a dance, dance partners touch each other.” 

Her words seemed to roll right over them. “You belong to us, don’t you?” Rhys’s tone was mild, and she saw all of the warnings signs - the gleam in his eyes, the way he held himself, how his fist clenched slightly. 

Even as fear lanced through her, she ignored them. “Yes,” she did roll her eyes this time, and her filter completely disappeared. “It’s not my fault you wanted to hide my scent. You’re the ones keeping me like a secret, he never would’ve asked if you hadn’t.”

Rhys stalked over to her, every inch the predator. His fingers tilted her chin, “you need a reminder, don’t you darling?” 

“I-” 

Before she could answer, Feyre cut in, moving to stand shoulder to shoulder with Rhys. “I believe she does.”

Her hand trailed down her shoulder, catching her wrist in a vice-like grip, but she couldn’t look away from Rhys, not with his hand gripping her chin. 

“Do you think he could please you?” she cooed, and she knew exactly what game they were playing. 

Y/n shrugged casually, “I haven’t tried him.” She waited a few seconds, “but you never know unless -” 

She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence before Rhys’s arm wrapped around her waist, winnowing her to their bedroom. One thing she knows for certain about her mates, is they get very jealous, very easily. And that she usually loves the results of that jealousy. Feyre winnowed in a second later. 

“Scared?” Rhys asked as she took a few steps back. 

She was, but she wouldn’t admit that to him, and she shook her head. 

“Foolish,” he tutted, and her clothes disappeared. Waves of magic bound her arms behind her back, before forcing her to her knees. She hit the floor with a soft thud, the carpet dulling some of the impact. 

“Right where she belongs,” Feyre teased, circling around her. Her hands gently gripped her hair, tugging her head back to expose her neck. She struggled, trying to yank her head back, but the female’s grip was firm and unyielding. Still, she knew her safeword if she needed it. 

She crouched behind her, her other hand gripping her throat. “Don’t make this any harder on yourself.” 

“Where’s the fun in that?” She panted, and the small coil of arousal started building. 

“I don’t know what else I expected from you.” Feyre let out an edged chuckle, and left a deceptively gentle kiss under her ear. “Look at him.” 

Her eyes shot up, meeting Rhys’s - standing right above her with a smirk. Her body stiffened, she knows exactly what that expression means. “Stand up.” 

She swallowed and Feyre released her grip on her hair. She rose to her feet, and he merely pointed at the edge of the bed. Y/n didn’t move, and his eyes narrowed. She felt the tension growing in the room. She’s playing a dangerous game, walking a very thin line. 

“I won’t tell you again.” 

“You never said anything,” Y/n gave him a sweet smile and he snarled, shoving her towards the bed. The push knocked the air out of her, but she was left bent over the bed, hinging at the hips and leaving herself completely exposed. They’d be able to see just how wet she is. 

She feels Rhys’s body pressed over hers, his hands, gently brushing the hair away from her face as he kicks her legs further apart. He kisses the side of her neck, one hand between her shoulder blades, pushing her further into the mattress. “Remember Darling, you’ve earned his.” She shudders, having an idea of exactly what’s coming next. A silky rope replaces the magic tying her hands behind her back, winding tightly from her elbows to her wrist. 

Then, his hand slaps down on her ass. She whimpers, but the first one isn’t that bad, it’s more of a warning. 

She can tell Feyre is next, by the difference in size, and Feyre hadn’t been holding back - her body rocks against the bed. They don’t relent, each of them timing it perfectly until her ass and the backs of her thighs are burning, bright red. Tears stream down her face, leaving wet spots on the mattress below. 

Her leg kicks up involuntarily, and Feyre shoves it back down with a delighted chuckle. It’s almost too much, her word is on the tip of her tongue, but just as she’s hurling towards her limit, it stops. Rhys’s body folds over hers, his pants painfully brushing against the raw skin. Feyre’s knelt next to her on the bed, tugging her head up. Y/n thinks she might kiss her, let her taste the wine she can smell, the sweet scent of her, but she kisses the tears on her cheeks, her tongue darting out to lick one. The sign of her submission, of them breaking her down in a way only they can. She’s whimpering as they tug her further up the bed, Feyre’s legs spread, guiding her down towards her pussy. 

Gods, she loves the taste of her - sweet and musky at the same time, and doesn’t hesitate. She nips at the soft skin next to her thighs, dragging her tongue up between her folds. She wiggles at the bindings holding her back, but they don’t relent. 

Her hips are tugged up. A strangled mix between a sob and moan left her as Rhys pushes into her - giving her no time to adjust before he sets a brutal pace. 

Feyre presses into the back of her head, switching her focus, trying to put all of her attention on making her feel good. She alternates dragging her teeth over her clit, sucking, and giving small but firm kitten licks. All of the things she know will send Feyre over the edge. 

Another smack on the bare skin of her ass draws a moan out of her - and Feyre, the vibrations finally sending the High Lady over the edge. Y/n doesn’t stop, but slows to small licks, bringing her down from the high. 

Rhys’s hand snakes around to circle two fingers around her clit. She finds herself screaming, her head resting on Feyre’s thigh. 

The female ran her fingers through her hair, “so good now,” she murmurs, “taking him so well my love.” 

“A good little slut, just for us,” Rhys accentuates his words with another slap to her ass, squeezing her hips so tightly she knows she’ll bruise. 

It doesn’t take long before that coil in her stomach tightens, 

“Please, please please,” she chanted. 

“Please what?” Rhys asked, with a cruel tone. 

“F-finish, please let me cum,” 

“Do you think she’s earned it?” He asked Feyre, who’s still stroking her hair. 

She hums, “I think so.” 

“You’re too soft,” He growls, but increases his speed, tilting his hips to hit that perfect spot. 

She’s screaming - maybe their names, maybe to the Gods, she has no idea, but her body goes limp, Rhys still pounding until his cum fills her. 

He yanks her back by her hair, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush to his chest. She feels the burn of him against her raw skin and relishes in it. 

“Who do you belong to?” He nips at the space where her neck and shoulder meet. 

“You, Feyre, both of you,” She mumbles, barely coherent. It seems it was enough to please him, because he releases her into Feyre’s arms, letting her mate hold her, stroke her hair, murmur sweet things to her that fly in one ear and out the other. Rhys returns with a rag to clean her. She’s blissed out, her eyes glazed over, and a satisfied sleepiness is starting to take over her senses. Still, they take the time to quickly bathe and clean her before tucking her into bed between them. 

#acotar x reader #acotar smut #feysand x reader #feysand x y/n #poly!feysand #poly!feysand x reader #poly!feysand x y/n #acotar fic #rhysand x y/n #rhysand x reader #feyre archeron x reader #feyre archeron x y/n #not proofread

[mayi-lau]

Nessian & Elriel —Jealousy😌🤝

Cassian and Azriel, both males can't stand the sight of seeing the person they care about next to another male.

Cassian:

—“Because I was fucking jealous!” he roared, wings splaying.

"Because I 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩, right down to my gods-damned bones!"

Azriel:

—he 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩, the scent of their mating bond, and needed to have the option of leaving if it became too much.

"I just can't look, it's killing me

And taking control" 😌

#azriel #elriel #sarah j maas #acosf #pro elriel #acotar #elain #azriel shadowsinger #elain archeron

[tadpolesonalgae]

Nessian x mate!reader: Good Things Come In Threes

A/N: Based of this ask. I am planning on making a part two where the bond snaps for everyone, so I’ll try and get around to that asap!

It had taken you a long time to come around to them.

A very long time.

It wasn’t that you hated them, or didn’t want to be with them, more that it had never occurred to you to seek out a partner. So to realise you could have two was a revelation. And like most children of Prythian, you’d grown up with stories of not lovers, not husbands and wives, but mates. To find one is to find your world, but to find two? Unheard of.

Nesta had figured it out first, and with Rhys still showering her with gifts, it was no struggle to have him seek out a book that held the information she desired. She’d brought the news straight to Cassian, guessing that if she was feeling the effects of a second bond, then somewhere within him, he would be too.

They’d pondered tirelessly how to bring it up with you: whether they should just tell you outright? Have one of them broach the subject with you and if so, which one? To leave it until you noticed? Or to ignore it completely?

The trouble was, you were difficult to read at the best of times, often not shifting a single one of your features even as you made—what they had come to realise were—jokes. It had gotten to the point they thought it would be best to leave you be, no matter how much they wanted to welcome you into their bond. But when Cassian had caught you sharpening your blades in the Spymaster’s company, both of you grinning in that quiet, secretive way, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stand it. Not when—as soon as you’d spotted him—the grin had vanished, unreadable once again as your shoulders stiffened.

And after that, it had only served to bring their attention to how you’d been quietly avoiding them—slipping out of rooms with a small look toward the Shadowsinger, an excuse that you needed to prepare for a mission, or you needed to leave in time for your job. The list went on.

Maybe you’d already realised the bond, and simply weren’t interested. The thought didn’t sit well with either of them. Which had lead to Cassian knocking rather stiffly on Azriel’s office door that night, hoping he could provide an insight. He seemed to be the closest with you—much to his envy.

The door swings open, and Cassian has to restrain his jealousy when he spots his brother at his desk, with you leaning casually against it with your feet crossed at the ankles. Again, that small smile slides from your lips, dropping to the floor at the sight of him in the doorway. He swallows against the slight sting of pain, remembering what he came here for.

“Have a moment, Az?” He calls as casually as possible, trying to appear normal and not like he’s burning with jealousy that he’s found you yet again in the company of his brother—looking for all the world you’re enjoying yourself with him.

You both share a look, some silent conversation happening that he has to remind himself not to demand to be let in on. Once, it had been just the two of them—Rhys as well, of course, but he wasn’t always there at Windhaven—but now Azriel’s attention seems to be swaying more heavily to you. Gods, is this how he’d made Az feel when Mor had come along?

“I should get some shut eye, anyway,” you finally mutter to the Spymaster, and move to leave, not so much as greeting, or simply acknowledging him as you brush past. He might as well have been invisible; even Azriel’s brows narrow almost imperceptibly. Maybe that’s why his words come out a slight bit harsher than he’d intended once you’ve made your escape. “You seem cushy together.”

Azriel’s eyes flick to his, sensing the accusatory undertone. “I’m not positioning myself between the two of you, you know,” he says instead, remaining infuriatingly calm. “What did you want to talk about?” And Cassian just knows that his brother is being intentionally difficult. “Do you know why she acts so cold towards me and Nesta?” He voices, shutting the door behind him as he takes the spot where you had been.

The Shadowsinger’s eyes don’t stray from his reports, “why don’t you ask her?”

“Do you know?” He repeats, sensing something’s being kept from him. He doesn’t like that, not one bit—the idea of you sharing secrets with his brother. Keeping him out of it.

“Maybe she’s said something to me, maybe she hasn’t. What’s it to you, Cassian?” The bastard still isn’t looking at him, and it’s beginning to make him antsy. “I think it’s perfectly understandable to want to know why she avoids us so much, Azriel.”

“Is she avoiding you?”

“Don’t play stupid,” Cassian barks, hands fisting at his sides. An action he knows his brother marks. The bastard smiles faintly. “I’d have thought as my brother, you’d be willing to help,” he snaps, “but it seems you’re picking her over us, huh?”

Finally, Azriel shifts in his chair, leaning back with a casualness that bothers Cassian, how nonchalant he is about this whole matter. He clearly knows how much it’s bothering him—yet he’s only adding to the problem. Why? “I’m not the one taking sides here, Cass,” Azriel drawls evenly. Cassian’s brow narrows at his words, “and I am?” The Spymaster’s lips quirks again, and he has to fight the urge to slam his fist into his brother’s jaw—he’d wait for answers before taking his frustrations out.

Instead of answering, though, Azriel changes the subject. “Just ask her. She’ll appreciate the directness.”

“And how am I supposed to ask her when she practically sprints from every room I walk into, huh? Do you have an answer to that, Azriel?” He snaps, temper fraying at the edges. Something glints in his brothers eyes, forming an expression that makes him see red, “wound a bit tight, Cass?” It has enough of a bite to snap him out of his momentary lapse in judgement. But all this stress—not knowing what’s going on with you, if they’ve done something wrong—it’s making things difficult.

Cassian drags a hand through his hair, looking away for a moment, brows narrowing. Then, “you really think she’ll be fine if I just ask her? ‘Hey, we hardly know each other because you seem to run from me every time I so much as breathe in your direction, but is there a reason you seem to hate even being in the same room as me—or Nes?’” Azriel gives him a look that reads, no, and you know damn well that’s not what you’d say.

“Then what?” Cassian snaps, glaring at his brother.

“Just knock on her door. If she’s not in there, then she’ll either be out, or in the library since she’s not here,” Azriel says, and he doesn’t miss the hint—you spend a fair amount of time in his office. Fire burns in the pit of his stomach but he calms it. He needs to be level-headed for this, especially if he wants to make sure he doesn’t screw it up.

Cassian nods to himself, turning and leaving silently. He can practically hear Azriel roll his eyes, but he decides to ignore it—he needs to talk to you, find out what’s going on it that head of yours.

————

After a brief catch-up with Nesta, they both head to your door the following day, knocking quietly in case for some reason you aren’t yet awake—though the sun is fairly high in the sky. They share a look when they’re met with silence, wondering if you’re pretending to be asleep to avoid them.

Cassian raises his hand to knock again, but—

“Is there something you need?”

Neither of them flinch overtly, but instead share a mutual moment of surprise through the bond. Of course Azriel would have been teaching you stealth techniques.

And now you’re moving toward them down the hallway, Cassian firmly planting his feet on the floorboards, equidistant from one another. Beside him, Nesta settles into a similar position. “We want to talk to you. Both of us,” Nesta says calmly, features neutral as she takes you in. “Both of you,” you repeat, eyes flicking between them. “One of you wouldn’t have sufficed?” You ask pointedly, gaze darting to your door with clear intent.

“Not for this,” Nesta replies. “There are some things that need to be cleared up. I think you realise that too. Isn’t that why you’re avoiding us?” She asks, clearly. She’ll appreciate the directness, Azriel had said.

Your eyes narrow warily, moving between them and the door. “Let me put my things away, then I’ll see you in the kitchen,” you say, not waiting for them to move as you brush past Cassian’s side, shutting the door firmly behind you.

In your wake, they exchange glances. But as they turn to leave, they pause. A small spark flickers from a third direction—tense, but hopeful. Cassian blows out a breath, following behind Nesta as she makes her way to the kitchen—your suggested meeting point.

————

It takes you longer than normal to set your bags down on the table and put everything away with the adrenaline in your blood. You wonder what they want to talk about.

They’ve taken the seats that face the nearest exit—so you’ll be closer—watching as you come in. Watch as you sit down. “What did you want to talk about?”

The two fae before you exchange glances. Directness.

Nesta sets her hands on the table, spine straightening as she meets your eyes. Takes a breath. “We think the mating bond extends to you, too.”

You blink. “What?”

Nesta doesn’t falter, “our mating bond.” She gestures between her and Cassian, “we think it includes you, too.”

You blink again, “oh. I see.” You shift in your chair, leaning forward ever so slightly. “And you called this meeting because?”

“We wanted to know if you’d realised,” Cassian says steadily. “If you’d felt anything on your side.”

Your gaze runs over them, weighing; assessing. “I’d felt something,” you admit, “but what makes you think it’s a mating bond? Those are shared between a couple, they don’t go for threes.”

“Actually,” Nesta speaks this time, “mating bonds join equals, connecting those fate or the Mother believes belong together. Originally, that was the only condition, but with the rise of civilisation and society, ideas of marriage were pushed onto the concept of the mating bond. In the earlier centuries marriage was strictly between a husband and wife, purely heterosexual and monogamous, and so those views became ingrained in the modern idea of how the mating bond functions,” she explains. “But that’s wrong. A mating bond was never limited to two individuals, was never limited to male and female,” She finishes, watching you carefully.

Like Nesta you don’t stutter or stumble, just take her words in at your own pace. “Okay, so your mating bond extends to me. Do you want me to join, or promise to stay out of your business?” Your scent has shifted ever so slightly, along with your posture as you readjust in the chair.

Right. If you’ve admitted you’ve been aware of something tugging at your soul, then it’s reasonable to assume you’ve been able to sense whenever they’ve…

You realise they’ve made the connection between your confession and the slight flush heating your features. “I haven’t purposely sought those senses out,” you add hurriedly, sensing their mild shock, “they just sometimes wash over me—I don’t know how to block them out. And it felt too personal to ask Feyre, or even Rhys.” You look between them again, and a spark of nerves skitters from your side of the bond.

“That aside,” Nesta somehow manages, pushing away the thought of you being able to feel either of their pleasure—at all times of day. How much do you know about their coupling? How they like to play it in bed? “To be perfectly transparent, we hadn’t got to that point. As far as we were aware, you had no idea this connection even existed, and your behaviour was confusing.”

Your brow furrows ever so slightly, the smallest contraction of muscle, “how so?”

“You weren’t exactly subtle in your recent avoidance of us. Is that when you started to realise that there was something more between us?” Nesta asks, holding your gaze calmly. You swallow down your nerves, trying to calm yourself as your heart begins to accelerate. “I was developing feelings that were new to me. I didn’t know what they were, an to be honest, they made me feel uncomfortable. Disgusted, sometimes. So I think it was a reasonable response to have. As far as I was aware, you were a perfectly happy, mated couple that I had no business tampering with. Or invading.”

“So, it wasn’t out of a dislike for us,” Cassian says slowly, processing, “but rather you felt guilty for having a seemingly open pathway into our relationship.” You nod in confirmation, then flush a little.

“Have you ever felt anything from my end?” You ask.

“Occasionally a spark or two, like when you were with my brother yesterday,” Cassian answers, hiding his jealousy well.

“I sometimes feel a tug in the mornings—when Cass’s still asleep, so it couldn’t have come form him—but I can’t tell the emotion behind it,” Nesta adds on.

Your eyes again flick between them, teeth finding the inside of your lip. “You’ve never felt anything else? No…?” You trail off, and it takes a moment for them to figure out what you’re asking. “It’s not directed at you,” you hurriedly tack on, “it’s just a bother to go through a day with that in the back of your mind.”

“No,” Cassian answers, a little hoarsely, “we haven’t.” His throat woks as he stares at you, hands fisting on his thighs beneath the table. You nod to yourself, relieved they haven’t been able to sense you scratching that itch. Rare as it is for you to fall for that temptation.

“About how to progress from here,” Nesta diverts, getting a handle on the tension that had begun to thicken. “I’m sure one of our siblings would be happy to help in blocking out the senses—if that’s the direction you want to move in.”

“What other direction is there?” You ask carefully, watching them a little warily.

Cassian and Nesta share a look across from you, something passing between them that you can only catch the edge of. Their gazes return to you, and you can feel your hairs rise. Skin prickling. “We trust in the Mother’s choice,” Cassian admits slowly, attempting to select his words carefully but you can practically see the cogs turning in his mind as he tries to sort through the correct way to phrase what he’s wanting to say.

But, directness.

He sighs, shoulders loosing their tension as he leans back in his chair, giving Nesta a signal to take over. He doesn’t know what to say—she’s better suited for this task.

“We’d like you to join, but if you would rather take up lessons in strengthening your mental shields, we will not interfere with you anymore,” she says. Straightforward. But then you nod, as if in acceptance, “I think I would like that, then.”

Cassian stares between the two of you—how quickly that was sorted through. Maybe directness really was the solutions to his problems. He can practically picture Azriel’s shit-eating grin at the realisation he was right about you.

“Right,” Nesta breaks the silence, her voice slightly rough around the edges as something warm spills across the bond. “Well, we’ll take it slowly and see what happens. Is that fine with you?”

You nod, but add, “I’m not…” Your eyes dart about the room, as if debating telling them. Cassian sits a little straighter while Nesta leans forward openly. “I’m not that interested in sex. It’s never been a topic of interest for me. So I might… I’m not sure what ideas you had regarding intimacy, but I thought it better to be upfront about this.”

“Of course,” Nesta reassures, even if the slightest flicker of disappointment reaches Cassian’s side of the bond. “If you’d rather stay clear of that side of things, that’s fine. I’m sure we’ll find a way to work around the frenzy when the bond properly clicks,” she soothes, glancing at Cassian who nods in agreement.

“It’s not a hatred, or repulsion, or anything like that,” you say, quickly. “I wouldn’t mind trying, or it actually happening if it will help ease any tension brewing. I know it’s supposed to be more intense for the males—I don’t want to make things complicated.”

Cassian’s mind goes a little silent at the offer. Beside him, Nesta’s stiffened—so you won’t detect her scent, he realises. Good idea on her part. He copies her lead. “I suppose we’ll take that one when we get to it,” he says to you, offering a tentative smile designed to set people at ease.

They’re both relieved when your shoulders relax, hearing the soft puff of breath from your lips as you settle back in your chair. “Yeah,” you agree, “maybe that would be better. Let things happen as they’re supposed to.”

Taglist: @myheartfollower @tcris2020 @mali22

#Nessian #Poly!nessian #poly!acotar #acotar #acosf #Nesta #Cassian #Nessian x fem!reader

[nikethestatue]

Plot hole?

So we've been talking for 3 years about how Azriel is entitled and how he 'only wants a mate' and how he is 'obsessed with the mate bond' and all that. That he doesn't care about Elain and wants sex, and a mate bond with anyone because his brothers are mated.

However, at the time of the bonus chapter, when he has his conversation with Rhys, Nessian are NOT yet officially bonded. They were getting all golden threaded and all ON Solstice night.

Therefore, officially, only Rhys and Feyre are mated. Yes, there have been speculations about Nessian, but nothing confirmed. So the jealousy that Az is supposedly experiencing over mate bonds is completely unfounded. He doesn't know that Nessian are mated. The only example of a happily mated couple that he has is Feysand. He is broken up over Elain and not a bond.

I think SJM jumped the gun when she wrote "you believe you deserve to be her mate?" Rhys also doesn't know that Nessian are officially mates. So his question doesn't make much sense in he context of what they both know.

#elriel #pro elriel #azriel and elain #elain x azriel

[greenleaf777]

This fandom is so damn embarrassing. The JEALOUSY of the fact that Elain or Nesta get their own books makes them lash out at the people who are just enjoying the canon story given to us…why are you telling us about how much you hate Elain or Nesta or “insert random character you hate for no reason here”???? SJM is the one thats writing it. It’s not like we paid SJM to write Elriel’s or Nessian’s love story. We’re just enjoying the ride. If you don’t like the canon book why the absolute hell are you reading it?

Its like getting mad at someone for enjoying a theme park ride

#elriel #nessian #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #acosf #a court of silver flames #acomaf #acowar #acofas #a court of mist and fury #a court of wings and ruin #a court of frost and starlight #elain x azriel #nesta x cassian #elain archeron #nesta archeron #azriel #cassian

[acourtofthought]

This post was actually inspired by something @acourtdelaluna said to me. I always assumed Azriel was jealous of Lucien simply because Lucien was giving a mating bond while he wasn't. And not just any mating bond, a bond with the third Archeron when his two brothers got bonds with her sisters. Which makes sense well enough on its own considering Az has been wondering for centuries why Mor was not made his mate (leading to the belief he must not be worthy of one) and he already struggles with feeling like an outsider even within the IC. Not being given a bond like his brothers is compounding to all of that but.....it doesn't completely explain his behavior towards Lucien in ACOWAR because the Nessian mating bond wasn't a certainty at that point.

But what she mentioned is her thoughts that the issue may be something more, that the bond may have been secondary in terms of his jealousy of Lucien and that the original issue had more to do with Lucien encroaching on his place within the IC and his two brothers.

Az struggles with feelings of worth, he struggles with belonging even though the IC gives him unconditional love. And it's reflected in Azriel's standards of himself, the "sadistic tendencies" he holds himself to, the many times he's willing to throw himself into danger to protect those he loves, his belief that his spies and his information are infallible.

Yet we have this outsider enter their lives and almost immediately make himself invaluable. He's providing them information even Az doesn't have access too and at one point he's siding with Cassian (Azriel's best friend).

(Apologies for the way the excerpts run together, I had to stitch some and create a collage of others in order to not exceed the limit of 10 attachments).

(aren't the above two lines interesting when you consider everything that's happened so far? The meeting with Eris has already occurred, where Az feels Mor rejected his attempt at comfort when she snatched her hand away from him, when she expressed being upset with him for going behind her back. Cassian expresses disgust towards Rhys and Azriel for working with Eris and Lucien then seems to side with Cassian.

We know for a fact that Az is still in love with Mor at this point as he gets into a fight with Eris over her later in the book and he looks at her with yearning in ACOFAS. We know he doesn't have any feelings for Elain because he's relieved not to have to get her a gift at Solstice. So what's left that's driving his desire to help Elain and his dismissiveness towards Lucien? It feels a little like he's being a bit passive aggressive because of Lucien seeming to so seamlessly fit in where Az has never felt that and the one way to do that is to pay a bit of attention to another males mate.

I think the issues prior to SF really were a result of Lucien being someone Rhys began to depend on which felt threatening to Az. And that is very noticeable in the novella when he's almost aggressive while discussing Lucien. Then in SF when his face shows tightness at having to contact Lucien, when he claims "Lucien will never be good enough" and "he'll defeat him with little effort". Also in SF we have a confirmed Nessian bond (or one that was looking like more of a certainty) which is when Az added the "two brothers with two sisters so why didn't he get the third" onto the list of things he was already struggling with. Which is the straw that broke the camels back for Az. Not only does the IC look to Lucien where they once looked to only Az, not only are they hanging out talking sports while Az stands by himself in the door but Lucien is (in Azriel's mind) breaking up the brotherhood even further by getting the remaining bond with the remaining Archeron when Rhys and Cassian are her sisters.

It makes so much sense to me and I'm so excited @acourtdelaluna mentioned it as a way to view everything that's been going on with the whole Az / Lucien / Elain situation ❤️

#pro elucien #elucien #elain archeron #anti e/riel #lucien vanserra #elain x lucien #lucien and elain #elain and lucien #antie/riel #azriel acotar #acotar lucien #acotar elain

[stargirlie25]

SARAH JANET MASS PLEASEE

I just know when we get the Elucien book we are not in for a sappy romcom.

We are going to get All of Elains feelings of being underestimated and her sadness towards losing her dad.

We are probably going to get flashbacks of Luciens childhood, during Amaranthas reign,Jesmendas death,Tamlins abuse,his eye AND HOLY CRAP ITS GOING TO BREAK ME.

I just know Luciens mind space will be the most heart wrenching thing ever. The way he thinks he is nothing and how he use to cover his pain with a goofy smile. I SWEAR those characters are always the characters who are going to make you SOB.

We are going to get how Elain feels the need to erase who she is to fit in to the NC while slowly draining the life from her. We are going to see her confuse herself with HER future and her sisters future.

These two people who never ever had a true home. A place where they can be themselves and equally respected as would a Trained Illyrian man and a badb!tch women. So far they have not got that.

I just know they are going to say the most angsty heart breaking things that will break them both. I know they will both say things they regret and just wish to be in eachothers arms.

I suspect they might have a downfall where Elain is once again sitting silently in the NC and Lucien constantly working but never visiting Elain.

No i dont want Elain to grovel. I want her to pin after him. I want her to start to realise how special he is but eventually see he is far more distant and upset herself by thinking it is her fault. I want him to tell her that he could never forget about her even if he tried to.

I want to see jealousy from both sides that bring out parts of them they both have never explored. I want to see them test each others limits. I want to see them HEAL each other (as sarah said they would so she better give that)

Im pretty sure there will be a conflict in which separates them kind of like the nessian/blood rite situation.

Then i want to see Elain defend Lucien in front of all who have done him wrong and say that he is her home and vice versa ofc.

I want him to show her all the colours of the world she has dreamed to see except no one thought so.

I want her to indulge with different people and make new friends (sorry imo Nuala and cerridwen are like aunties or grandmothers not girlfriends)

LAST OF ALL I WANT MY ELUCIENS BABIES TO BE HAPPY

I want her to snort when he makes a joke

i want them to have a food fight or something improper ifykwim

i want her to weave flowers into his hair

I want them to dance at a ball

I want to see her wait for him to come to the NC.

I want Lucien to tell Elain about all his adventures with her dad.

I ALSO WANT LUCIEN x HELION MOMENTS PLEASEEEEEE

I need my man to HL too. It has been foreshadowed imo.

#pro gwynriel #gwynriel #anti elriel #elucien #pro gwyn #pro elain #acotar #pro elucien #anti e/riel #pro lucien

[snelbz]

Better or Worse {16}

Nessian. Angst. Modern AU.

@snelbz x @theladyofdeath collab

Better or Worse Masterlist

Sera Marigold Draeven is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

I’m ninety-five percent positive I thought the same thing when Nyx was born, but it can’t be helped. I’ve got the world’s cutest niece and nephew.

It’s been a week since Sera was born and I’ve been wrapped around her finger since the moment Elain laid her in my arms. She’s awake, for once, and her eyes, hazel, just like her daddy’s, are wide open and gazing up at me.

“Was I ever that little?”

The question comes from my left, where Nyx is peering over the arm of the couch, still not quite sure what to think about his new cousin.

“You were even smaller than Sera, bub,” Rhys answers from the kitchen. Nyx drags his gaze from the baby to his dad. “You were born prematurely.”

His little dark eyebrows knit together. “What does prematchery mean?”

“It means,” Feyre jumps in, rolling her eyes at her husband, “that you were so excited to be with us that you came out of mommy’s tummy early.”

“Oh,” he says, nodding and dragging the word out. He looks back at Sera. “So she didn’t want to come out of Aunt Elain’s tummy?”

“No, she most certainly did not,” Elain replies from her seat in the recliner.

I chuckle as Nyx’s brows raise. 

“She’s stubborn just like her mom and aunts,” Cassian chimes in.

I shoot him a look as Elain rolls her eyes, but I can’t help but look at him fondly. He’s watching Sera with such love and adoration that my eyes line with tears. His eyes meet mine and his smile softens even more.

“Can we take her home with us?” Nyx asks, curiously, genuinely. 

“No,” Feyre laughs, “but we’re going to see her all the time. Don’t you worry.”

Rhysand tosses an arm around Cassian’s shoulders and leads him into the kitchen. I take that as a sure sign that my brother-in-law is getting hangry and wants Cassian to put the steaks on the grill as soon as possible. 

Azriel stays. It seems he can’t get enough of his baby girl.

I look back down at my niece just as she gives me the biggest of yawns. It’s ridiculously adorable.  

I stopped trying not to allow myself to get jealous. After meeting with Gwyn this week, we talked about how jealousy is a natural reaction and trying to reject that jealousy will only bring anxiety and depression. Sure, there is an obsessive amount of jealousy that’s important to stay away from, but the kind of longing and want and emptiness that I feel… Turns out, that’s normal.

And although there’s nothing I can do about that feeling, I must say that my niece is absolute perfection. The second I look down into her beautiful round face, all I feel is love and protection. 

I’ve been talking to Feyre a lot in the last week, since I told her about our past, and she’s been an amazing listener and support. She recommended that I tell Elain, which I did, and just like Feyre, there was no judgment or condemnation, only love. Their reactions had only made me wish I had said something sooner. 

Even Azriel pulled me aside and held me for a long while, crying alongside me, just like I know he had done for Cassian. Azriel may be the quietest of us all, but he loves and feels greater than us all, too. 

Half of me wants to go help Cassian with dinner, but the other half of me - the half of me that refuses to give up my niece - is the one that wins. 

Rhysand comes back into the room, only to whisper something in Nyx’s ear before the toddler runs toward the kitchen, giggling. I give my brother-in-law a curious look, but he only plops down next to Feyre on the couch and bites her earlobe. They’re so cute it’s sickening, but that’s nothing new.  

I hear the screen door open and close, knowing that means Cassian has taken the steaks out to the grill, and settle in to get more snuggles…

Until I smell something.

Sniffing twice, I look up and catch Elain’s eye. “I think she has something for you.”

Chuckling softly, Elain begins to extract herself from her seat, but Azriel presses a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll get her. You relax.”

“She probably needs to feed.” She presses a hand to her chest and adds with a wince, “Badly.”

Feyre chuckles knowingly and once again, I’m hit with a surge of jealousy that I’m unable to stop. Hearing my sisters talk about all aspects of their pregnancies, both good and bad, only makes me yearn for it more. Even things like engorged breasts, late night feedings, and diaper changes don’t seem so bad when I look down at the precious angel in my arms.

One day, I promise myself. It’ll happen for us one day.

Azriel scoops Sera from my arms, promising to bring her back down to feed after she’s changed. Rhys, despite the fact that Cass only took the steaks outside minutes before, goes outside to check on dinner, mumbling something about how starving he is, and to make sure Nyx is behaving. We know Cass is watching him, but you can never be too careful with a toddler and a hot grill.

When it’s just us, Elain sighs, pressing a hand to her tender breasts. “It’s only been two hours and my body is screaming at me to feed her.”

“I’ll be honest, having my supply dry up when Nyx was a few months old was frustrating, but relieving,” Feyre said, tucking her legs beneath her as she drapes an arm over the back of the couch. “I wish I could have fed him for longer, but he did fine on formula, and my boobs were screaming for a break.”

That jealousy rears its ugly head again and I do my best to ignore it as they discuss the merits of breastfeeding vs formula, unable to add to the conversation. Instead, I think about how far Cassian and I have come, how happy we are, and how relieved that I can talk about these things with my sisters once again. I hadn’t realized I zoned out until Feyre says my name.

“Sorry, what?” I ask, blinking out of a memory from our vacation. She and Elain are looking at me like they know exactly what was on my mind.

“How are yours feeling?” Elain asks, color blooming on her cheeks. Feyre is trying not to laugh as she glances down to my chest.

I feel myself blush. I’d told my sisters about my new piercings when we returned and they both didn’t believe me until I’d proved it—through a shirt, of course. “Great now. Wonderful actually.”

Elain’s cheeks turn even brighter as she shakes her head. “I can’t believe you did that. I walked in on Azriel the other day while he was on the phone with Cass. He is, uh, very vocal about his love for your new jewelry.”

Unable to contain her laughter any further, Feyre cackles. “I, too, have walked in on a similar conversation.” Her eyes soften, even though her grin remains. “It sounds like you two are doing really well, Nes.”

The softest joy forms in my core. “We are. Really, really well. I feel like we’re in the honeymoon stage all over again, and I know that we’re going to keep having our fair share of trials, but…” I shrug. “I feel like our relationship is stronger than it’s been in years. Since we got married.”

My sisters share a look before they look back to me. 

“We’re happy for you,” Elain says, and maybe it’s the new-mom hormones, but she’s crying.

Which makes Azriel frown as he walks back down the stairs with a freshly-changed newborn. “What’s wrong? I was bringing her right back.”

She waves him off as she takes their daughter and he leans down to give her a sweet, chaste kiss before heading out on the patio with Cass, Rhys and Nyx.

Elain was just putting a milk-drunk Sera in her swing when Rhys, Az, and Nyx came in, the former carrying an aluminum foil covered platter. He grumbles, “The chef says we have to let these rest for at least twelve minutes before eating them.”

“You’ll live, you big, Illyrian baby,” Feyre says, rolling her eyes.

“Starving,” he mutters, heading into the kitchen.

Az chuckles and follows him, while Nyx hurries over to Feyre, motioning for her to lean down so he could whisper something to her. He shoots me a look as he murmurs in her ear and then shot off again, back into the kitchen.

Feyre was shaking her head as I ask, “What was that about?”

“Nothing, he’s just silly.” She smiles, but I couldn’t miss the mischief in her eyes.

I narrow my own, but realize someone was missing. Turning towards the kitchen, I holler, “Where’s Cass?”

A pause in the conversation and beat of silence follow. It was Azriel that answers. “Cleaning the grill.”

Bullshit. The man turns the heat up and lets it char the inside for an extra twenty minutes after he’s done, leaving nothing ash to scoop out. After a decade, you learn things about a person. I get up and head for the patio, wondering what he’s up to.

“Aunt Nesta, have I shown you my new Lightning McQueen?”

I turn and find Nyx right behind me, a bright red car in hand.

“Wow,” I say, trying my best to act like the tiny, red  car is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. “That’s awesome, buddy.”

“Wanna see him drive?”

Well, I can’t say no to that. “Of course.”

I expect us to do a quick trial run of the toy car, but we end up sitting on the hardwood, attempting to have Lightning McQueen outrun every other toy car that Nyx brought with him.

Which is a ton.

Thinking it surely must be twelve minutes by now, I call for my sisters, but neither one of them answer.  It’s Azriel that comes around the corner, cradling Sera in his arms.

“The table is set.” It’s all he says before he turns on his heels and disappears.

Before I can get to my feet, Nyx is running off, heading for the kitchen, leaving me in the dust.

Cassian has suddenly reappeared, along with Rhys and Az, and the table is indeed set, but now my sisters are nowhere to be seen.

“Elain wanted to show Feyre the vegetable garden,” Azriel offers as I look around.

Looking between them all, I ask, “Right before we eat?”

“I made a salad.” Cassian is busy cutting Nyx’s steak before plating it. “They were checking to see if anything was ripe enough to go in.”

“Oh.” My suspicions settle, but I still feel like something is off. When my sisters come back in though, everything seems normal. Elain deemed two tomatoes ready, but she’d rather save them for salsa one night this week, so Cassian continues as he planned and a few minutes later, everyone was devouring the delicious meal.

I can’t help but look around the table, that unsettled feeling remaining in the pit of my stomach. Cassian meets my eye and smiles from across the table, but he almost seems anxious.

Which makes me anxious. 

“Not hungry?”

I blink, realizing I’d just been pushing my vegetables around. The sound of Cassian’s voice hardly breaks me out of it. 

“I just…” I hesitate, not wanting to offend anyone, knowing this food is delicious. I clear my throat. “It’s hot. I have a sore in my mouth…don’t want to agitate it.”

Cassian lifts a brow as he takes a bite of his steak. He hums, pleased with the flavor, with the texture, and I’m amazed that that alone turns me on.

And makes me want to eat the beautiful meal he’s prepared.

And him.

However, we’re in the presence of our siblings and nephew, so I behave myself and start to eat.

Much to my culinary husband’s dismay, I don’t eat steak often and when I do, I sometimes like to add steak sauce. He considers this blasphemy, I consider it enhancing the flavor. Standing from my seat, I ask, “Az, do you have A1 in the fridge?”

“I’ll get it,” Cassian announces, standing and rounding the table, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. At the same time, he not so subtly pushes me back into my chair.

I stare after him, eyes narrowed. “Okay,” I say, quietly as I dab the sides of my mouth. “He’s acting weird.”

“I don’t think he’s acting weird,” Rhysand says, his mouth full. “And I would know. I’ve seen his weird.”

“Remember that one time,” Azriel begins, “when we all went out on a triple date in high school and he was so nervous that he sweat through his shirt and knocked over the water pitcher? That was weird.” 

“Or that time, at the football banquet, when he was so nervous that he ate half of everything on the table and spent the time he was meant to be on stage in the bathroom, getting sick,” Rhysand adds.

I blink, trying my best to follow their conversation. “All you two are doing is proving me right.”

They don’t get the chance to respond. Cassian comes back into the room with a bottle of steak sauce and lovingly sets it down next to me.

I swear his hands are shaking.

My eyes remain on his massive frame until it’s plopped in the seat across from me. He picks up his fork and stabs a piece of steak, and when he looks back up at me, he frowns. 

“Aren’t you going to use that?”

I hadn’t even realized I’d been gripping the steak sauce, its cap still on. Without another word, I unscrew the top and create a little puddle on my plate. I swear he’s holding his breath as I dip the meat in the sauce and take a bite. 

Yes. I’m a true abomination of a chef’s wife. 

We continue on eating but the air remains thick. I think I’m making it thick with my own mindless worrying, but I can’t help it. I can’t help but think that there’s something going on that I’m oblivious to, and that doesn’t sit well with me. 

Nonetheless, I try not to let my mind wander. I eat, even though I taste nothing and wish to leave the room….or have a drop of alcohol. 

Alcohol would be a blessing, something to ease the anxiety flooding every inch of my being. 

Time goes slowly but I finish what’s on my plate, and my family that surrounds me finishes theirs with lively conversation. 

I stare at my empty plate, wondering why I feel so insecure, so lost. Surely I’m not so fragile that a simple case of anxiety paralyzes me. 

Fuck.

Who am I kidding?

Of course, I am. 

I put my silverware on top of my plate and fold my napkin, placing it on top of it all like a bow. My eyes meet Elain’s, who is frowning, which makes my rise to my feet. 

“Can I take anyone’s plate?” I ask, forcing a smile.

Apparently Azriel was in the middle of talking, because now everyone is looking at me with a frown. I take my plate and everyone who surrounds me, and head towards the kitchen.

“What’s wrong?”

I whirl around and look at my husband, who’s leaning against the threshold. I can’t read the look on his face, which is…odd. I’ve always been good at gauging what he’s feeling, even more so in the past few months. He wears his feelings for all to see. There’s a cross between nerves and something else I can’t name in his eyes, something that sets me even more on edge than before.

I hesitate, and the silence around me has me feeling like the walls are closing in. I notice Nyx shift in his seat uncomfortably and hurry out of the room before I do something even more embarrassing, like have a full on mental breakdown in front of my family.

Even though I think the breakdown has already begun.

I’m in the kitchen when his heavy footsteps sound behind me. I place my plate in the sink with shaky hands, and then his arms are around me, pulling my back against him. He kisses my cheek, then my neck, gently and soothingly. 

“I did something to upset you,” he says quietly, as I close my eyes and try my best to take a deep breath. In through my nose, out through my mouth. 

“I can’t read you,” I say, “and it’s making me anxious.”

I don’t deny it, don’t tell him that there’s nothing wrong and everything is fine, even though I want to, even though it’s something I once would have done without a second thought. Instead, I let out the truth, let out my emotions. 

“You’re acting strange, and I feel like I did something to make you act strange,” I continue, when he says nothing. 

When he continues to say nothing, I feel like I’m going to puke. When I spin around, nothing comes out, my anxiety that was turning into anger slowly starts to dissipate as I see the crease between his brows. 

“I wasn’t trying to be weird,” he says, taking my hands. “I was just trying to…”

His words fade away, and he seems to be at a loss, which is also weird for Cassian. I shake my head, exasperated, “Cass, what the hell’s going on?” 

He sighs, all the breath leaving him. “Look, I wanted to make tonight special, and the last thing I wanted was to get you all worked up, but now I feel like I failed in that area, and I feel bad because you’re fucking stressed, which is the last thing I wanted.”

The words rush out of him and I finally realize that my husband is anxious, too. About what? I don’t know, but I do know that something is on his mind. 

Before I can say anything more, he’s pulling me towards the backdoor. “I wasn’t able to finish everything I had planned,” he says. “It’s been kinda hard sneaking out all afternoon without you knowing, but Rhys and Az have been a huge help. Nyx, too, although there were times where he did more harm than good considering, you know, he’s a toddler.” My confusion grows as he chuckles, but when he opens the backdoor and we step onto the porch, I’m suddenly speechless.

Ten years ago, at a family dinner very similar to this, Cassian asked me to marry him. The three of them lived in a shared house off campus at VU and though that house has been long gone for years, it’s like I’ve stepped back in time.

It was never the most romantic place to be, but so many of our early memories were made in that house, in that backyard. In the span of an afternoon, Elain and Azriel’s backyard has been transformed. There are string lights and candles and music playing, with the purple, silver, and black coloring of Velaris University scattered everywhere. Even a few touches from the fraternity Cassian spent a few years in, including, to my chagrin, a keg off the side of the porch. A path of candles line the walkway, leading to where a small wrought iron table and chairs sit in the corner by the fence. Atop that table is a lone red rose.

“Cassian,” I breathe, unable to find the words as I gaze around us.

Taking my hand, he leads me down the porch stairs and towards the table, just like he did all those years ago.

“I kept trying to find ways to top my marriage proposal,” he begins, stopping in front of the table, “and there are probably a million ways that are more romantic than this, but I figured… It worked out so well the first time, so we may as well relive the moment.” A sound comes out of me that falls somewhere between a laugh and a sob, but both are joyful. Cassian grins. “Nesta, I love you. I love you now, and I loved you then. Every moment that I’ve spent by your side has been a blessing and the past year has proven to me that your love isn’t something I’m willing to take for granted. I want you to know unequivocally how deeply, hopelessly in love with you I am. I can think of no better way to do that then to stand before our families and the Cauldron and declare my love for you again.”

He pulls something from his pocket and drops to one knee. A surprised laugh breaks free as I cover my mouth with my right hand. My right hand because my left is in his.

“Marry me again, Nes.”

A simple silver band, inlaid with diamonds is held between his fingers. The twin to my wedding band, save for the tiny, red stones, alternating after every few diamonds. They flash in the lights, looking like fire and catching the eye.

I nod, because I can’t say a word. I nod so hard that I nearly give myself a headache, but it’s all well worth it. He slides the ring onto my finger, and I don’t realize how hard I’m crying until he’s on his feet and his lips are on mine. 

I hear cheering from the porch. I haven’t even realized everyone has been watching, but their joy consumes me, making me cry harder. 

We’ve come so far.

In a matter of months, we’ve come so far. I can’t believe that we were ever in such a bad spot, that we let our marriage become so awful, but looking at us now…it’s all ancient history. Never again.

#nessian bow #better or worse #nessian #acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas #acosf #cassian #nesta archeron #cassian x nesta #snacmc collabs #snelbz x theladyofdeath collab #sjm fanfic

[chunkypossum]

WIP Wednesday

Let’s talk @polyacotarweek shall we? Who else is as excited as I am for this event?

I’ve got content for 6/7 days so this week I’ve got editing up to my eyeballs to do.

I think a little snippet of each is in order today…. Yeah?

Under the cut check out what’s coming next week!

Days 1-4: Title TBD - Nesta X Cassian X Eris (4 parts)

Day 1: Beginnings - Nerissian Part 1

“The flight over Velarias at sunset was Cassian’s favorite. The way the gold, pink and purples of the last rays of sunshine washed over the mountains made him feel like he was getting to witness something only reserved for the gods.

Smiling, he looked down at Nesta in his arms as she yawned lightly into the back of her hand.

“Are you getting tired?” He asked her, kissing the side of Nesta’s temple.

“A little. But …” She tightened her grip around his neck and looked out at the sun setting before them. “I’m not quite ready to get to the party. If it’s ok with you, can we stay up here a little longer?”

Cassian’s smile widened and he kissed her temple. “Of course.” He whispered in her hair, kissing the top of her head. The movement lost them a few feet of height in the air but Nesta didn’t bat an eye. Instead, Nesta dropped her head onto his shoulder and sighed contentedly. “

Day 2: Comfort - Nerissian Part 2

The sound of the sea crashing against the cliffside was the only thing keeping Cassian from slowly going insane. No one in the room was speaking, they were just sitting there across from one another, staring. It had been this way for an hour since they had shown up in the little seaside cottage just over the Day Court border from the Night Court.

Ironically it was progress. For the first half an hour Eris kept trying to bolt past the wards so he could winnow away. Every move he made caused an animal instinct to rise up inside of Cassian resulting in a comical amount of growls. It was giving him a headache.

Day 3: secrets -Nerissian Part 3

“You said it yourself. That he might not be so bad after all.” She teased, squeezing his fingers a little harder before letting go.

When he didn’t respond to her teasing, Nesta closed her mouth and waited. If she pushed him, Cassian would get flustered and end up saying things he didn’t mean. She wanted this to be productive. The tightening bond in her chest needed it to be productive.

Unable to look at her, Cassian focused on his breathing. He was a few minutes into slow, even breaths before he spoke.

“I do feel shame about everyone else finding out.”

Day 4: Adventure - Nerissian Part 4

Now less of a burden than before, Nesta had found herself relying on the strength she found in their growing bond. She still sent pieces of her day to both males and had to hold back her giddiness when one or both of them deigned to send something back. She was making progress and so proud of herself.

Keep holding out your hand.

It was the thought that carried her from day to day. Even if she was too embarrassed to say it out loud, somehow, she could tell Cassian knew.

Though the growth of the bonds were ultimately a good thing, they chafed terribly at the worst times causing their family to continue to cast them suspicious glares at dinner or other outings. Even though Cassian seemed to have gotten ahold of himself and kept their secret locked up tight, he was still going to be the first to crack if his brothers, or cauldron forbid, Feyre, got him one on one with the intent to interrogate him.

Day 5: favorite tropes - Azris Nessian X Neris Polycule

- Wedding date + a little bit of Jealousy

“What do you want?” Nesta demanded, sneering instead. “My date is waiting on me.”

Cassian scoffed, looking back out towards the party. “Your date. Why did you come with him Nes?”

Inspecting her fingernail, Nesta replied casually. “Why not?”

“Was it just to ppiss me off?” He nearly growled, clearly trying to keep his temper even.

“Not everything I do is with you in mind, prick. In fact, very little of my day to day revolves around you at all.” Her nose went up in the air and she too, looked back out at the party, waiting to see how her blow landed.

“So some of your day still does?” He asked quietly, taking a step closer and brushing his fingers through the tiny hairs at her nape. Nesta shivered at the unexpected touch. The vulnerability in his voice was nearly too much for her.

Day 7: Free Day - Azris + Eris x OC

Eris sighed. - “It’s obvious that in your heart, you want change to take place and you want to be a part of that change. How can you do so when each visit leaves you in shambles? It took you hours to calm down this time. You didn’t even know where you were for most of it.” With seemingly great effort, Eris peeled his eyes away fro mthe window to look at Azriel directly.

“I know.” Azriel admitted quietly. “But…” He couldn’t finish, his thoughts were so jumbled.

“Let the General and his mate handle Illyria. They are doing enough good there from what I hear that you can put your talents to use elsewhere. You can still do good in the world, in a way that you choose. In a way that won’t damage you to the point of no return. What good is a free Illyria if it kills you in the process?”

“It’s not about me.”

“Maybe it should be.”

Azriel’s head shot up, his brows bunched in confusion as he looked at Eris who was back to looking out the window.

“What are you talking about?”

“Might I make a proposal?” Eris asked, more timid than Azriel had ever heard him. It made his heart stop briefly before it picked back up in high gear. “Come work for me for a while longer. Your methods were effective and you seemed to find the work fulfilling. But if you don’t want-”

“Yes.” Azriel cut him off, answering without thinking. “I’ll do it.” His breath was hot in his lungs as he accepted Eris’ offer. The smile on the other males face felt a bit like coming home.

And some shit line art I’m doing in between to procrastinate editing lol

#poly+acotarweek2024 #azris #azris supremacy #azriel x eris #nerissian #nessian #nesta x cassian #nesta x eris #Cassian x eris #eris vanserra #acotar fanfiction #azriel shadowsinger #eris acotar #nesta archeron #cassian #azriel angst #eris angst #cassian angst #cassian and nesta #acotar art #acotar au #acotar angst #polyacotar #polycule #throuple #mating bond #acotar smut #acotar ships

[harrystylesfan2686]

ACOTAR:

With entire IC (platonic relationship):

Alone 🌩 part 2(Azriel) 🌩🌸 part 2(Eris) 🌩🌸

If Rhysand had really died in the War. (🌩drabble)

Azriel:

Burnt Pie 🌸

Lost Her 🌩 (drabble)

Pieces Series 🌩(Discontinued)

Ferryman 🌩🌸

Cuddles 🌸

Thirst For Blood 🌩🌸

Crush ((kinda 🌩) drabble)

Cheat 🌩

Weight 🌸 (drabble)

Care 🌩🌸

Love You, Always 🌸🌩

"Stay With Me." 🌩 Part 2 🌸

Crazy Girl 🌩🌸

Cassian:

"Would you rather...?" 🌸

"Truth Or Dare?" 🌸

Lewd Thoughts 💋

Weight 🌸 (drabble)

Rhysand:

Battle 🌩🌸

Weight 🌸 (drabble)

Jealous 🌩🌸

Mor:

Starfall 🌸

Loving Her: (ongoing series)

Prolong

Chapter 1

Eris:

Revenge (idk what emoji to put. Just know this one's a badass reader fic)

Elain:

Drunk 🌸💋

Nesta:

Swordsman Ship 🌩

Jealousy 🌩🌸

Poly Relationships:

Nessian – Crush On Them 🌸💋

Nessian – Body Shot 🌸💋

#acotar #acotar fandom #acotar fanfiction #azriel x reader #cassian x reader #elain x reader #morrigan x reader #eris x reader #acotar x reader #acotar fluff #acotar angst #nesta x reader #rhysand x reader