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shadowsxgwynriel · 1 year

Text

Mistaken Identity

Day 1: Meet Cute 🥰 @sjmromanceweek

Gwyn tries to help Nesta breakup with a clingy guy, but Gwyn accidentally dumps the wrong man.

Ship: Gwyn and Azriel 💕

Word Count: 1,822

Read on AO3

“So, let me get this straight,” Gwyn said. “You want me to go and dump some guy for you? One that I haven’t even met or knew you were dating?”

“Pretty much,” Nesta confirmed.

“And why can’t you do it?”

“I tried!” Nesta insisted. “But Dave keeps crying and hyperventilating every time I mention the word breakup. One time, he even got on the ground and begged me not to leave him. In public. Do you know how many people were staring at me like I was a heartless bitch?”

Gwyn winced in sympathy.

“And when I tried to text him that we were over, he just ignored it! I don’t know what else to do. We’ve only been dating for two weeks, so I don’t know why he’s acting like this. I mean, most of the time I forgot he even existed!”

Well that explained why Gwyn had never heard of him until now.

”Maybe he’ll miss the sex?”

“Ha! We haven’t even had sex!”

Gwyn frowned. “Really? What about other things?”

She snorted. “We barely even kissed. It’s like I’m a toy that he wants to look at, but doesn’t want to play with.”

“What happened to your no relationship rule?”

“He put me on the spot. I said yes without thinking. But he’s not . . . he’s just not my type.” Gwyn had a feeling that she was about to say he wasn’t Cassian. She wondered how long Nesta would deny her feelings for him. “I really want to be single again, so will you help me out? Please?”

“Fine,” Gwyn said with a sigh. “I’ll breakup with him for you.”

~~~

Gwyn looked around at all of the cubicles. She normally wouldn’t show up at anyone’s place of work, but she figured that he couldn’t possibly make a scene around his colleagues.

“Excuse me, could you tell me where Dave’s desk is?” Gwyn asked a balding man.

He looked away from his computer with a tired face, reminding Gwyn of a zombie. His eyes squinted as if he wasn’t used to human interactions. “Who?”

“Uh, Dave?” She didn’t know his last name, but surely he had to know who he was, right? There couldn’t be that many people who worked in the building with the name Dave.

“Oh. Him. His desk is right next to the water cooler.” Without another word, he went back to typing on his computer.

Okay then.

She found the water cooler and came to a halt. That’s because the man standing at the desk was absolutely stunning.

He was wearing an all black suit and had his dark hair slicked back, though a few strands were out of place, like maybe he had a habit of running his hand through it. His face was polished and classically beautiful, and he had golden-brown skin with piercing hazel eyes. No man had the right to be that perfect.

What was she doing? She was here to dump him for Nesta, not ogle him.

He was busy looking over a file of some kind, so he hadn’t noticed her yet. Gwyn took a deep breath to steel herself, then she approached him.

Though she almost reached his shoulders, she still had to tilt her head just to look up at him. Gwyn tried not to blush as he gazed down at her. She tried even harder not to wonder if he liked what he saw—coppery-brown hair, big teal eyes, freckles. It shouldn’t matter to her what he thought.

“Hey, so, I’m very sorry to be the one to tell you this, but . . . Nesta doesn’t want to be with you anymore,” Gwyn told him in a kind yet strong voice.

He opened his mouth to say something, but she held up a hand and shushed him. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, like this was the first time anyone had ever silenced him.

“No, no. There’s no need for you to speak, Dave.“ She placed her hand on his muscular arm—and okay, maybe her touch lingered for longer than necessary. “It’s best if you don’t try to contact Nesta anymore. In fact, it’s probably better if you just delete her number.”

His lips twitched and Gwyn figured it was time to leave. She didn’t want to risk him causing a scene.

“I’m sorry that things didn’t work out between the two of you, but I’m sure that you’ll find someone who is perfect for you.” She gave him a sympathetic smile before turning to leave.

That hadn’t been so bad. It was actually pretty easy.

Gwyn stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby. The doors were in the process of closing when a hand suddenly stopped them. Her eyes widened when Dave joined her inside the elevator.

It was just the two of them, so admittedly she was a little concerned.

Gwyn cleared her throat. “If you try anything, just know that I have a black belt in karate.” That was a lie, of course, but she didn’t have to know karate to kick him in the balls.

He ignored her and reached out to press the emergency stop button. Her jaw dropped. There was no way he actually just did that. Just how crazy was this Dave guy?

“Are you serious?” Gwyn questioned him. “You and Nesta went out for two weeks! Don’t you think you’re overreacting? I mean, why can’t you just get broken up with like a normal person?”

“I think there’s been some confusion,” he said, leaning against the wall like he wasn’t completely batshit. Also, how dare he have a deep and sexy voice when he was holding her hostage?

“And what confusion would that be?”

“I’m not Dave.”

Gwyn laughed nervously. “What? Of course you are . . .”

“Afraid not.”

“But you were at his desk!”

“I was looking something over.” She recalled that he had been looking at a file when she approached him.

“So then . . .” Gwyn was almost scared to ask. “Who are you?”

The man—not Dave—smirked. “Azriel. And you are?”

“Gwyneth,” she mumbled. “Look, I’m sorry about, you know, mistaking you for someone else.” She bit her bottom lip nervously. “Um, can you start the elevator now?”

He eyed her long enough for her cheeks to heat. She had to fight the urge to squirm under his keen gaze.

Finally, he nodded. “Sure,” he said, restarting the elevator.

She frowned as something occurred to her. “Aren’t you worried you’ll get in trouble?”

Azriel outright laughed. “I don’t think I’ll have anything to worry about.”

Cocky bastard.

But as it turned out, he was right. Nobody said anything to him when the doors opened, despite the long line of people waiting to get on the elevator.

“There’s Dave over there,” Azriel told her, pointing at a man who just entered the building.

Gwyn squinted. Dave wasn’t Nesta’s type at all. She was honestly surprised that he even managed to get a date in the first place. It wasn’t that he was unattractive, but he just looked so mundane.

“Great, guess I can dump him after all.”

She left Azriel standing there and caught up to Dave as he was signing in at the desk.

“Dave?” Gwyn asked. She would double check, just to be sure this time.

“Yes?” he said cautiously. “Do I know you?”

“Not really. I’m a friend of Nesta’s.”

His eyes brightened. “I can’t believe I actually get to meet one of Nesta’s friends.”

“Yeah, just listen,” Gwyn said. Unfortunately for Dave, she had used all of her patience on the accidental breakup with Azriel. “Nesta doesn’t want to see you anymore.”

His face dropped. “Wh-what? But she can’t! We were just starting to become a serious couple!”

Okay, so clearly this guy was delusional. And he was starting to draw attention to them.

“Mr. Winston, if a woman sends her friend to breakup with you, then shouldn’t that tell you something?“ Azriel interjected.

Gwyn jumped. She was too busy dealing with Dave, that she hadn’t even realized he had followed her.

Dave paled, and started to fidget nervously. “S-sir!”

“Sir?” Gwyn whispered in confusion.

But Azriel had heard her. He smiled at her. “Did I perhaps forget to mention that I was the CEO?”

She stared at him in disbelief, mouth agape. “CEO?”

He nodded, amusement clear in his eyes. Well, she was glad that he seemed to find levity in the whole situation, because she was completely embarrassed.

“Why are you still here?” Azriel asked.

Her cheeks heated. “I-“

“Not you, Gwyneth. I meant you, Mr. Winston. Why are you still here when you should be upstairs working?”

“Oh, yes, of course. I’ll go right away, sir!” Dave started to rush off.

“Oh, and Mr. Winston?” Azriel called, stopping him. “Don’t contact this Nesta woman again. She’s obviously not interested, so leave her alone. Do you understand?” His tone was full of authority, making her shiver at the sound of it.

Dave turned bright red. “I-I understand. I won’t contact her anymore.”

“Good. You can go now,” Azriel told him, and Dave took off like the floor was on fire.

While he wasn’t looking, Gwyn slowly inched her way to the main door.

“Leaving so soon, Gwyneth?”

She sighed, figuring that maybe he wanted another apology. “Just Gwyn is fine. And once again, I’m really sorry for earlier.”

“I like Gwyneth. It’s a beautiful name,” Azriel said.

“Uh, thanks.”

“Can I walk you to your car?”

“I don’t have a car.”

He frowned. “Then how did you get here?“

“I took the bus.”

Azriel looked at his watch. “I have a meeting in thirty minutes. I’ll have my driver take you home.”

“Thank you, but that’s really not necessary.”

“Okay, I’ll admit that my intentions are purely selfish.”

Gwyn raised an eyebrow. “How’s that?”

“I want to take you out on a date,” he informed her causally. “And in order to do that, I need to make sure that you get home safely.”

Wait a second. “Did you just say you want to take me out on a date?”

“I did.”

“But why?”

Azriel smiled. “What can I say? You had me hooked from the moment you opened your mouth.”

Gwyn couldn’t help but return the smile. “Well . . . I guess maybe it would be nice to get a ride home. If you’re sure it won’t be too much trouble?”

“Of course not. And how about that date?”

This wasn’t how Gwyn pictured her day going, but she certainly wasn’t about to complain. Nor was she going to turn down a date with a very attractive man.

“Does tomorrow work for you?” she asked him.

“Just one sec.” Azriel pulled out his phone and typed something, presumably a text or email. “My schedule just cleared up,” he told her.

“Then, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

His eyes gleamed with something that made her pulse race. “I look forward to tomorrow, Gwyneth.”

#sjmromanceweek2023 #gwynriel #gwyn berdara #azriel #meet cute

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gwyns · 21 days

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“The misogyny in this fandom is insane. I've never in my life seen such hatred and negativity thrown at a fictional woman in all my life until I saw the comments from eluciens / gwynriels on various platforms saying the most disgusting things about Elain Archeron. It genuinely makes me scared for how they view real life soft and feminine women. I'm appalled.”

I’m not going to deny that there is toxicity and negativity, but it’s not just one side. It’s both sides. It’s funny how E/riel’s cry misogyny and all this other stuff, but go back around and say vile stuff about Gwyn, and send r/pe threats to Gwynriel’s. “It genuinely makes me scared for how they view real life soft and feminine women” well it genuinely makes me scared for how E/riel’s view real life survivors of assault with the shit they say. I’ve noticed that some E/riel’s pick one thing that was said (maybe even from a while ago) and just run with it.

Most Gwynriel’s have been very supportive of Elain being more feminine and soft. There probably are a few idiots who have said awful things, I’m not denying that, but for the most part I’ve seen Gwynriel’s support Elain wanting to not be a warrior. It’s E/riel’s who keep making the fanart and theories of Elain in leathers and wielding Gwydion and being a spy.

I do agree that the misogyny in this fandom is insane. It’s ridiculous and gross. But E/riel’s only apply that misogyny when it comes to Elain. Not when it comes to Mor, Nesta, Gwyn, or even Feyre. It’s funny how some of them say Elain owes Lucien nothing, but argue that Mor owes Azriel an explanation/apology. It’s that selective feminism.

mhm, it's both sides. or rather, all sides these days. i'm sure many would include me in that toxicity because of my snarky remarks but meh, at least i don't send death or rape threats over fictional characters like a loser

e/riels like to try and rewrite history, yeah i've seen gwynriels be rude and weird too but never to the extent that e/riels take it. it's like these books, this fandom, this ship is all they have going on in their lives and if true, that's pretty sad. i'm not even trying to be mean, i know how important hobbies can be for your mental health and distracting you and being a safe space and all that but like... maybe take a walk? get some fresh air, yeah?

the worst i've personally seen about elain is that she's boring and useless, while i disagree heavily with that sentiment it also doesn't truly compare with calling gwyn "spoiled goods" or attacking real life survivors or wishing assault on people who are minding their business. like i'm sorry but the hate towards these characters, and by extension their fans, simply cannot compare. they're on entirely different levels and if people want to get upset over me saying this, oh well!!!!

VERY good last point anon. they're super selective and tbh they don't even care when it's about elain, not really. they just use that as an excuse to show how morally superior they are with their ship. they cry feminism but then turn around and hate mor for "leading az on" or wish death on nesta for... suffering from her mental health? some of them are genuinely such disgusting people. i hope they seek help because this shit isn't healthy

#yes i know 'not all e/riels' and all that blah blah blah #if this doesnt apply to you/someone you personally know. move on #antielriel #anti e/riel #asks #anonymous

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shadowriel · 1 year

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Out of the Storm

For @gwynrielweeksofficial, I really wanted to celebrate my favourite ship with something fun and purely self indulgent. So I wrote kinda-rivals, kinda-crushes Gwyn and Az, fighting, flirting, and eventually fu… You get the idea. Part 1 is up today and 2 and 3 should be uploaded on Day 10 and 11 of the event!

Part 1/3 - Day 3: Solstice Night

Summary: Azriel is the last person Gwyn wants to spend her Winter Solstice with. But after asking him to drive her home for the holidays, his car breaks down and forces them to spend the night at a nearby inn.

Read here on AO3

Read a snippet below:

“There’s an inn down that way.” He lifted a hand to point just beyond the passenger’s window. “We can stay the night there, at least until the storm is over and we can get my car towed.”

An inn?

Gwyn felt her brows furrow with her skepticism. Turning towards the direction he pointed in, she used a hand to clear the condensation on the glass. Beyond the window, however, all she could see was snow—all over the ground and the evergreen trees that lined the road.

She turned back to Azriel. “How do you know that?”

“Another question,” he hummed. The flashlight sparked to life, and Azriel set it on the dash before reaching towards the backseat and grabbing his bag. “Do you want me to keep a tally?”

“Only if I can keep track of whenever you avoid answering me.”

“You ask too much of me, Berdara.” There was that slight quirk of his lips. “You know I hate talking to people, especially if it's you.”

Gwyn let out a soft laugh, and when she met Azriel’s eyes, they were gleaming.

“There was a sign a while back that said there was an inn,” he said, “and, unlike you, I actually pay attention to my surroundings.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

His head tilted to the side, the look he gave her teasing. ”The only thing you were paying attention to was your erotic audiobook.”

Gwyn’s mouth fell open.

How did—

How did he—

“Oh, come on, Gwyn.” Azriel gestured to her AirPods case. “You want to deny that you were listening to smut? I could hear your breathing go heavy, and don't get me started on the number of times you crossed and uncrossed your legs.”

Of all things, she couldn’t believe his audacity. She also couldn’t believe he had noticed.

“Whatever,” Gwyn replied. “You’re the one who was sitting here in silence, brooding the entire time.”

Resting his elbows on his bag, Azriel leaned towards her. Every bit of humour in him fell away and morphed into something darker—something more dangerous. His jaw clenched. His pupils widened, painting his eyes a near black. When he finally spoke, each word was rough.

“Don’t forget that I only sat in silence because you wanted to listen to your audiobook,” he said, “and I wasn’t brooding. How could I, Gwyneth, when you were panting on the seat right next to me?”

Gwyn’s lips parted. She shifted a fraction of an inch closer to him.

“Am I getting in your head?” Another question from her. Each word was a breath. “Getting you all hot and bothered?”

A blink. That’s all Azriel did, all he seemed capable of doing.

Gwyn let herself move forward just a bit more.

“I’m surprised you could even focus on the road, much less take note of where we could find an inn.”

His gaze dipped down.

Not to her lips—it couldn’t be her lips.

“I’m very good at multi-tasking,” Azriel told her. Multi-tasking. On his tongue, the word sounded filthy.

“Really?”

He gave a single nod. Just a dip of his chin that had his head tilting down towards her.

Show me, she wanted to say, the words nearly pressed against his lips, against that mouth that always seemed to test her patience. Show me, and maybe he would. Show her how he could move his mouth over hers as his fingers tangled in her hair and tugged on her sweater. Maybe he’d pull the material off entirely and show her exactly how good he was at multi-tasking.

#gwynrielweeks2023 #gwynriel #gwynriel fanfiction #gwyn berdara #gwynriel supremacy #au gwynriel #modern gwynriel #gwynriel fanfic #azriel #acosf #acotar fanfiction

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acourtofthought · 1 year

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Someone on tik tok made a video asking anyone who supports Gwynriel specifically to give her one shred of evidence that hints towards them being together. AND if you mention the ribbon or shadows she’s going to laugh bc that’s not enough. Ok…I mean there are other reasons hinted at for sure, but those are a start lol. Since Eriel is so “obvious” why can’t we start with obvious hints towards Gwynriel?

I’m fine with having difference of opinions but it gets exhausting when people tell you that if you interpret things differently, you’re just making stuff up and that there’s nothing there and they barely spoke, etc. I think that’s the worst part of the whole argument. It’s not that people disagree, it’s how people basically call each other stupid for having the opposing opinion. Plus… it’s not stupid when you can pull out the book and flip to the direct page number to prove your point (that goes for either side). Lol. Sorry, just needed to vent for a minute bc my husband doesn’t understand and gets the characters confused when I try to explain it all to him 😂

Feel free to vent!! I think even if a significant other was willing to listen to our frustrations, if they're not invested in the series they won't be able to fully understand 😂 At this point I think it's safe to say "there's no reasoning with crazy". The back and forth does get exhausting and frustrating but that's because there's never any meeting in the middle or moment of pause where the other side goes, "yeah, I can see how that looks like something in favor of your ship." They just point blank refuse to admit that something could be hinting at a Gwynriel or Elucien romance. I honestly believe SJM tanked E/riel in ACOSF but before that I completely see all the moments where she could have been building them if she wanted. There are things that stand out very clearly as, "this right here could have been a hint for E/riel" if she had chosen to continue down that path. But those moments were always followed by Az then staring at Mor with longing, Elain taking that moment and turning her back on it which essentially means she was turning her back on Az (in the long run) or they were preceded by the fact that someone else had the idea to help Elain before Az. So those moments definitely amounted to something between E/riel (a shared rebound of sorts) but didn't suggest endgame potential. Eluciens and Gwynriels rarely deny that E/riel had "moments'. They just theorize that those moments won't lead to anything lasting. With E/riels though, they won't even consider Gwynriel / Elucien moments as having the potential to lead to something romantic. Not a crush, not a rebound, definitely not endgame, just nothing. And I think that's because if they admit that, they will then need to try to prove to themselves why Gwynriel or Elucien won't end up together in the long term and they struggle to do that. Because there's not real reasons why Gwynriel and Elucien (if open to a relationship) really wouldn't be compatible. So it's easier to deny, deny, deny and that's the hill they're dying on. They hold fast to Elain not wanting a Mate in the novella and convince themselves that can never change (regardless that the text tells us she also didn't want a Male). They hold fast to Gwyn maybe being nervous around males at the start of ACOSF and convince themselves that can never change (regardless of what the text actually tells us). They put blinders on the second SJM begins to change what the character is experiencing if it goes against E/riel and there never will be any getting through to them. When someone shuts down and figuratively sticks their fingers in their ears so they can't hear you, it's going to be a waste of breath and time for us. I'm not saying not to fight those fights because sometimes their takes are too ridiculous not to comment on. But do it because it makes you feel better to get your thoughts out there. Do it so that maybe someone who is on the fence and not as knowledgeable about the series can have a clearer picture. But don't do it because you have any hope you'll get through to an E/riel. It's truly a losing battle and the ONLY thing that will ever change their mind is if SJM releases an Elucien or Gwynriel book.

#anti e/riel #antielriel #gwynriel #pro gwynriel #pro elucien #elucien

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merymoonbeam · 1 year

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With all due respect, I’m not the one who needs to get a life. There is a large amount of gwynriel fan art - especially of that scene where Azriel rescues Gwyn. However, there has only been one creator who has depicted Azriel as shirtless. And, of all the countless (!) gwynriel shippers, only a select few people have made comments calling the scene ‘passionate’ (keeping in mind that for many, English isn’t their first language…)

And, even if you do have an issue with how this particular scene is being portrayed by some people in the fandom - why can’t we simply have a conversation about it? Especially given that the people elriels are ganging up on (who are real life people - not fictional!), could very well be SA survivors themselves. But instead, and as always, the default mode for elriels is aggression and hostility. I actually used to ship elriel myself, but couldn’t stomach being part of a community that is full of so much hatred.

You are also incorrect in saying that the comparison I made is like “apples and pears.” Literally just google search ‘Feyre and Rhys Under the Mountain’ to see COUNTLESS art pieces of Feyre dancing over Rhys’s body, or any other scene from the first book (which was incredibly traumatic for Feyre, and something that Rhys himself acknowledges was awful) but is instead made to look like this super sexy scene between the two of them. I’ve seen art of Rhys twisting Feyre’s broken arm as he winks, or art of Rhys drugging Feyre, and kissing her as tears fall down her face in disgust. Yet, I don’t hear the same outcry. As far as I can tell, gwynriels aren’t producing art of Gwyn being assaulted… yet there’s a myriad of art pieces of Feyre being assaulted (which is then also romanticised! By other elriels too!)

As for your point about Gwyn (potentially) being a morally gray character - sure, no one’s denying that. Anything is possible in SJM books. But, the lightsinger theory, by extension, suggests that Gwyn is lying about her past. It’s also in poor taste to suggest that the character who has endured extreme sexual violence is ‘luring’ Azriel as a means to get between him and another girl. If elriels care so much about how Gwyn’s SA is portrayed (to the extent that they’ll go after gwynriels who don’t paint it in a way they deem appropriate), then why doesn’t that apply to your theories as well? Or even how you all talk about Gwyn online…?

Do you care (or even listen) when gwynriels and other people in the fandom have spoken out about how so much of the discourse elriels engage in is actively harmful to SA survivors (and spreads a really gross and incorrect rhetoric?) Or, is it just another chance to dog pile on, and demean people in the fandom who just so happen to have a different shipping preference to you…?

let's go bit by bit again shall we...

TW: SA

With all due respect, I’m not the one who needs to get a life.

you are the one who is sending me anon defending the romanticizing of Gwyn's SA...so yeah. get a life.

There is a large amount of gwynriel fan art - especially of that scene where Azriel rescues Gwyn. However, there has only been one creator who has depicted Azriel as shirtless. And, of all the countless (!) gwynriel shippers, only a select few people have made comments calling the scene ‘passionate’ (keeping in mind that for many, English isn’t their first language…)

so you accept that you guys use that scene to show "gwynriel"? the scene that didn't happen in the book but you are altering the scene to show gwynriel? Did I get that right?

there is so many of that scene where azriel is naked. I see them daily. Like come on... don't lie. He is shirtless in nearly 90% of them.

and english being their or any ones second language doesn't give them the right to be careless about their language. English is my second language and I use Google translate when I don't know a meaning of the word or to check if I'm correct about the meaning and use it correctly. So get out of here with that mindset. they can use Google translate like me or any other translator. that is not an excuse to use that word or doesn't give them any right to be so careless. and passionate is not a hard word to know like...it is a word I learned early on when I started learning english so...

Especially given that the people elriels are ganging up on (who are real life people - not fictional!), could very well be SA survivors themselves. But instead, and as always, the default mode for elriels is aggression and hostility. I actually used to ship elriel myself, but couldn’t stomach being part of a community that is full of so much hatred.

the fact that when elriels speak up about a fanart being triggering for SA survivors beeing seen as ganging up on a real person is...just weird.

And there is this stigma that when a person is from a country or from an ethnicity or have some type of trauma that doesn't mean whatever they do or say about that situation is right. When other people who is from that country or ethnicity or have that trauma as well say that thing is wrong or triggering it should be listened not get their comments deleted or get blocked. and this case that artist is deleting comments and blocking people who is spoken about that art being triggering or any other situation closer to this.

and I don't see elriels as hostile sure there is bad apples in every fandom but where is your standart against gwynriels who bullied artists out of the fandom or bullied people to closing their accounts or people who got ban from gwynriels reporting their fanarts? Why are we not talking about that? if there is 3 elriel bad apples there is 100 of gwynriels bullying elriels left and right. but bc of their numbers they are more heard bc they are louder. when we raise our voice about something, we are shown as "ganging up on the artist or whatever".

I googled. only saw one. other fanarts are with either the twins nuala and cerridwen or Feyre as alone. and those other fanarts with feyre sitting on rhys' lab is from acomaf lol. Get that right.

and if there is anything else I have never seen them.

I’ve seen art of Rhys twisting Feyre’s broken arm as he winks, or art of Rhys drugging Feyre, and kissing her as tears fall down her face in disgust. Yet, I don’t hear the same outcry.As far as I can tell, gwynriels aren’t producing art of Gwyn being assaulted… yet there’s a myriad of art pieces of Feyre being assaulted (which is then also romanticised! By other elriels too!)

I didn't see it. and if you did why are you not talking about it in your blog? coming to me using this to defend romanticizing gwyn's sa...LIKE ???????

I only saw one fanart of Rhys' holding Feyre's arm and it was done way before I joined the fandom. What do you want me to do about that? Go talk about a fanart that was done years ago when I didn't have any clue who sjm was?

and the issue is not about gwyn's assult being show...it is Gwyn's trauma is being used as a way to get a point for gwynriel. Literally this is what I'm trying to explain but you don't get it and trying to justify it to me by using Feysand fanarts that I can't seem to find.

lying about her past? lmfao. Lightsinger theory doesn't say or show that. I don't get it. WHAT? I'm confused. It is a theory to explain why she is glowing when she sings or shadows singing in answer to her breath like nesta's power did. that's all about it. where did you get that for real?

maybe it isn't to get between the girl and the guy but there is an another reason. literally you guys made yourselves believe that gwyn is a love interest for azriel and when we theorise she could be a lightsinger you are saying we are making gwyn be in between azriel and elain. lol no. That's not it at all. it is just that we are theorising why this girl glows when she signs and all those singing reference in the bonus. I can literally give two shits about gwyn coming in between azriel and elain.

do you mean when we said Gwyn might not be ready bc she hasn't shown anything about being ready and at the end of the book went back to library which is the place she went in the first place bc of her trauma and Gwynriels started assuming about her being ready and drew her in extreme sexual positions(I'm talking bdsm and all) and other SA survivors also talked about how we shouldn't assume she is ready and then we were made villains bc gwynriels twisted our words to "elriels say gwyn can't have sex bc she is SA" if you are talking about that...READ THIS AGAIN. I explained. you are not the one who is dog pile on for shipping another "couple"...we are.

Okay. Bye now.

#anon ask #I'm done.#wtf is this.#I'm not answeing anything after this...bc what is this??????#TW SA

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nikethestatue · 2 years

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so let’s break something down here because my mind is like ?????

i was reading this random thread and someone pointed out how majority of the acotar shippers for Az are gwynr*els.

now, how in the world is that logically possible? Canonly possible? there was no hint of any romance between the two in the acosf or the bonus chapter per se. now you can ship who you like but I’m m just trying to understand this by logic and numbers.

I do not know how true this is, so correct me if I am wrong but how can there be so many of them with nothing in canon to go off of? there needs to be a scientific research on this.

there is no way all these people are gwyr*el or gw*n fans because if they are claiming that we don’t know a lot about Elain, heck than what do we know or a side character who was only introduced in the most recent book? Also how well do we know Azriel outside of everyone else pov just like Elaine?

Now I want to hear your thoughts and others from the fandom that want to chime in. But here is what i think: a good majority of gwynr*els are first and foremost Elain haters/dislikers and that can only be for the following reasons plus more, give me some of yours if you can.

1. First: the read acosf as a stand alone: which still makes no sense but if someone doesn’t have the brain capacity to think wait this can’t possibly be a stand alone? How can we expect them to have the reading comprehension to pick up on all the 4 books and the novela’s foreshadowing and clear evidence that Elaine has been involved in every single aspect. Even though we don’t see her often, we still see that she does so much. How does your brain not register that? outside of ships, let’s be real for a second. This is ridiculous to me.

2 . She has more feminine traits and they want all woman to be warrior princess with a sword. apparently you are strong or exciting if you don’t sword play or ar

3. they self insert

Azriel wants Elaine and you have to be delusional to deny that lol. but moreover this whole Elaine doesn’t challenge Azriel thing sends me because first of all we don’t know them enough to assume they don’t challenge one another. But also, not everyone wants to be challenged. Have you all ever wondered why Azriel choose Elaine and not anyone else? Because maybe just because he wants peace and quiet??

Honestly I forgot where I was going with this lol but yeah I’m saying the numbers aren’t adding up. I feel like on tiktok/insta a lot of casual viewers + like, like things and move along but it’s in the polls where we see the actual numbers. for instance that whole Romeo&Juliette art send them freaking with “we refrained from voting” 😭

Sorry for the rant, but in hindsight, what I am asking is: how do these numbers make sense? How does this ship make any sense? Where are these ppl getting the nerve from?

One word answer to all your questions:

TikTok

The rise of Gwynriel directly coincides with the rise of booktok and TikTok.

Now, you can just blather on and on without anyone checking for facts. You can make up any headcanon, and if you are someone with lots of followers or convincing enough, people will simply think that you are telling the truth. That it actually happened in the books.

That's why the most common questions from newly minted Gwynriels, who've been drinking from the TikTok and Insta firehouse, is 'where is the Gwynriel book?' 'where can i read all the cute Gwynriel scenes?" 'i saw adorable art of Gwyn and Az, what scene was it?"

The answer is:

YOU CAN'T FIND IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST.

But essentially, that's how it got started and how it spread. No other vehicle was more useful to useful idiots than TikTok.

They think that ACOSF is chockful of Gwynriel, and then, when they finally read the book, it they are very disappointed because there are no Gwynriel scenes.

They attribute 'you are the new ribbon' saying to Gwyn, even though of course it was Nesta who said it.

They think that Gwyn is walking around parading in her regifted necklace. No she isn't.

They think Azriel just about confessed his love to her, where as all he thinks about is Elain.

It's really quite sad.

But that's why you have to check your sources and your facts.

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romaisamaria · 2 years

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Friendly reminder that although Persephone was the goddess of Spring, and she loved her “little” gardens and flowers… she was also the Queen of the Underworld and she was more vicious than Hades when it came to issue punishments.

Do not underestimate the power of a “feminine” woman… just because she doesnt wear leathers to fight, does not mean she cannot handle herself. As we have seen in Acowar.. that delicate depressed girl who couldnt stomach the screams in the battlefield, was also the one to jump into stabbing a powerful fae. Without using powers, or having any training.. just her “delicate feminine” hands.

I love that people choose to focus on what they want but you cannot deny canon not matter how strongly you feel.

I don’t understand why some people cannot accept that you don’t have to be a warrior to be strong. What part of feminism says we have to tear women down when they dont fit your feminist narrative?

So I’m very very excited to see Elain’s journey and whatever you like it or not, Azriel is in love with her. He doesnt have a crush.. HE IS IN LOVE with Elain. And she loves him back.

You can villainize Elain all you want, but you cannot deny real canon from the books.

Elriel has been cooking for the past four books, even before she was mated to Lucien.

Gwyn is a nice girl but she’s not more important as a background character than Mor, Amren, Emerie, Lucien or Eris. And if you going to bringing up the bonus chapter… please remember Cassian also had a whole chapter with Emerie in Acofas.

She will have a nice friendship with Az just like Cassian has with Emerie and that’s about it.

I understand you hate Elain with passion (god knows your reasons) but canon is canon.

#elain archeron #azriel shadowsinger #elriel #acosf #acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas #a court of silver flames #a court of thorns and roses

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doublel27 · 2 years

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No, you don’t like Owen Strand right now (and you’re not supposed to)

Or my meta on why I think the show is purposefully running Owen into the ground and out of our hearts, and that it’s coming for a big pay off.

CW: 9/11, Minor Character Death, Cancer, and other just general 911 problems.

A lot of people cite the issues with Owen Strand as a growing problem on 9-1-1 Lone Star. And if you listen, most people say it starts in Season Two, where Owen leaves funny and quirky and takes a straight run at insufferable. I’m of the mind that this is part of a larger arc we’re going to see come to a head later in season three. And if I’m wrong, I will publicly admit it and eat my hat. But until then…

Season Two starts off in an interesting place for Owen. TK has recovered from his gunshot wound, Owen’s cancer is heading into remission and he just needs surgery to remove what’s left of the tumor, Owen is sleeping with his ex-wife who he strongly suggests to Judd in season one is the “One Who Got Away,” and things are looking great for the 126. However, the first scene, the first big speech and moment at the start of the season for Owen is about forgotten heroes—the military, the first responders to 9/11, being left behind by the system. Owen’s anger in that opening sequence is real and righteous. The cancer Owen is diagnosed with in the pilot is real, it does affect the first responders who survived 9/11, and they sued the city because their insurance didn’t pay for it. He’s standing alone in front of the VA hospital and opens with this speech “Mr. Vasquez, this is Captain Owen Strand Austin FD. I wanna say how sorry I am for your loss. No one should ever have to feel what you’re feeling. I understand you wanna blame the government for what happened to your daughter. For denying her sacrifice. I know how painful that feels. [...] You see, on 9/11, it was the one day this country swore it would never forget. And it did. Those of us who were there that day, we don’t have that luxury. We don’t get to forget. And I know too many people who survived that day, only to die years later, forgotten. Ignored. Because their problems were too expensive. Too inconvenient. So yeah, I understand your rage.” The moment ends with the gun of the tank stopping inches from his face and he responds to Grace with “Still standing.”

Season two opens with Owen acknowledging his rage but that he’s still standing. It’s one of the few times he even touches on his feelings.

Things get blown to hell (literally) in 2x02 when Tim Rosewater, the sweet and sarcastic paramedic, gets hit with a flaming chunk of lava three feet from Owen’s face, and there’s nothing Owen can do. The promise he made to the 126 at the opening of the series: everyone gets a fair shake, no one gets left behind, and everyone who clocks in at the beginning of a shift clocks out is broken here, as it inevitably would be. When he goes home to Gwyn, he sits in the ashes of the volcanic eruption, jokes about what’s the worst that can happen—he gets cancer again, and is reminded of the ash on 9/11, although muses that this time it’s prettier and I don’t know if it’s because he’s further away from that moment, or his losses are smaller or he’s actually sort of letting Gwyn comfort him. Gwyn suggests that she’s glad he’s okay in the wake of Tim’s death and Owen responds “Oh, I was always going to be okay. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m invincible, evidently.” He recounts that being diagnosed with cancer was the universe finally evening the score, but surviving it…he doesn’t know what to do with.

2x03 opens with Owen not sleeping, dreaming of Tim’s death and of Tim haunting him. We see him take a reckless turn in the wake of Tim’s death, but it doesn’t bother us because it’s to go get Judd, Marjan, Paul, Eddie and the kid. But we watch him unspool the longer he and Hen are in the mineshaft. He’s hallucinating Tim and it’s getting deep into his invulnerability psychology, into the voices of the people who died on 9/11 from Tim’s mouth. The 14 men who didn’t make it home but Owen did. Owen tells Hen the whole thing, the anger he feels that they let him leave that building alive without them. The guilt he feels over forcing TK into following his footsteps, over the failure of his marriage (singular). When Hen suggests they’re going to die, Owen quips, “You’re only trying to cheer me up.” (If you need to know more about the house Owen’s is modeled on, BlueInk3 detailed it here.) Owen once again escapes certain death due to the 126 and 118 stealing the truck and driving into a wildfire. Owen wakes to TK and Judd and the rest of his team staring at him and they carry him out. Owen wakes again to Tommy, who was so concerned by the conversation with Owen she came up to where they were fighting, and in the end another miracle has contained the fire. Owen’s takeaway is that it’s okay, he’s invincible and it’s the only logical explanation for how they walked out. Hen corrects him, that the actions of two teams, particularly TK and Buck deciding to steal an engine, explain what happened and they didn’t walk, they were carried. Owen doesn’t buy it. And we can see that based on his actions further on.

Then, in 2x04 “Friends with Benefits,” that storyline seems to disappear, because Gwyn pushes for a label and it turns out, she’s miraculously pregnant and Owen heads into a three episode arc of “I’m going to be a dad (again).” He pulls himself (mostly) together after ping-ponging between professing that divorced together not-together is the best thing and proposing to Gwyn by recreating their wedding suite set up. (Gwyn says no.) But with the advent of the baby, Owen makes a commitment to Gwyn, choosing to get the surgery he’s been avoiding. He throws himself wholeheartedly into this second chance. We have already learned that Gwyn and Owen’s relationship fell apart in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11 because Owen chose the 252 over Gwyn and TK. Here he is, with another tragedy that brought all of those feelings and memories back up, but Owen has a chance to fix it. Here’s Gwyn, warm and alive and they’re not miserable, and there’s another baby. A baby he doesn’t have to leave. He can fix this. He can have his do-over.

Until he can’t. Gwyn figures out in 2x07 that it might not be his baby, due to timing, and Owen is fixated on the Kintsugi bowl, all the more beautiful for it’s cracks. And when it comes down to it, when it comes down to the moment she’s emailed the paternity test, he asks her to delete it. Owen doesn’t care. He wants her to delete it. Because for him it’s not about whether or not this baby is biologically his. It’s about what the whole system of their reunion represents. It’s that he’s had a better time with Gwyn in the last year than they did their entire marriage. It’s a chance to fix something he broke, to come home to someone instead of run away. It’s a chance to have a more beautiful life because of the cracks that he repaired. Gwyn checks the email and Owen says he still doesn’t care. It doesn’t matter, because again, it’s more than whose baby it is. It’s this miraculous do-over for Owen to get things right. But Gwyn doesn’t believe him. And she leaves him, again. The spiral that was put on hold with the news of the baby quickly starts up again with the advent of 2x08. “Bad Call” is a fan favorite episode for a lot of reasons. It gives Carlos, as a character, backstory and depth, introducing us to his father and continuing the path to detective Carlos that began in season 1 with Michelle and Iris. It weaves together all of the calls into one beautiful storyline. Tommy, Nancy and TK get a solid feature as the paramedic team. Paul, Marjan, Judd and Mateo get a beautiful save in the building. But it’s also the start of Owen’s unraveling. He’s doing alright-ish at the top of the episode, but he and Gwyn haven’t told TK about the break up. They haven’t told anyone. Owen is, literally, still living in a world where no one knows his world is unraveling. And then TK shows up at work frosty and Gwyn calls to tell him that she told TK, that she had to, and she’s worried about him shutting down. We then get to the call with the explosives, where Owen has to call everyone out of the building, and the 126, being the one 126 (and Owen’s proteges) stay in the building to find the kid, and Owen goes back up after them—because he’s working on keeping that impossible promise to bring everyone home. The episode continues with Carlos showing up to Owen’s because TK hasn’t come home and he’s worried. Gwyn jumps straight to relapse, but Owen stays cool. Owen stays collected. He calls the station and discovers that no one has had contact with Tommy’s team for hours. Owen starts with his invincibility/god complex by starting his own investigation here with Carlos, a currently suspended cop, along for the ride. Now, this is all easily justifiable to the audience. We love the paramedic team. Owen and Carlos love TK. Of course they’d be going off to find him. But there are channels this probably should have gone through that were not Owen and Carlos out on their own mission. Owen is supportive of Carlos, and is helpful. He supports Carlos in calling his dad to solve the investigation his dad’s been working on. They find Tommy, Nancy and TK. Owen is the first one through the door of the Sun and Salt. Owen picks up the gun that TK had kicked away moments earlier and shoots Tommy’s assailant after she had jabbed him with a heavy dose of drugs and Carlos rushes in to pick up TK. Now, the only quibble most people had with this looking back is that Owen is the one who shot Tommy’s assailant. But Carlos was relieved of his gun and badge earlier in the episode and asked not to leave town by his father. Owen got to the gun on the ground first and did what had to be done, but the thing is, why is Owen the first through the door? It’s this hero/god complex/invincibility business that makes him sure he can enter that building first. It’s also the fact that he would like to die, especially in the line of saving someone. That drives him to pick up the gun and shooting it off. And, let’s be honest, it’s not the first time Owen comes in at the tail end of someone else’s legwork to appear the hero. But that’s all part of the game.

2x09 doesn’t feature Owen that much, and that’s because “Saving Grace” is really a Judd Begins story. The 126 as we know it doesn’t feature until the halfway point, the show bouncing between Judd and Grace’s car accident and Judd’s life since 1995. When we do see Owen, he greets Judd, but can’t look at him as Judd cuts a piece of lasagna for Grace, and the framing of that shot is a choice. He supports Judd, being the first to hug him. He listens as two on-duty cops tell Carlos they’re here to interview a drunk guy who definitely ran into a convenience store and might have run a couple off the road, and Owen watches Judd and specifically asks if he’s good. Judd is not good. Eventually, Judd spirals into the man’s room and is ready to kill him over Grace’s injuries, when Owen and Grace’s daddy show up to get him, and it’s Owen who speaks to Judd first, calling him off, and Owen who eventually touches him to ground him and get him to back off. And again, Owen is Judd’s friend. They’re more peers—Owen, Tommy and Judd—than with the other members of the 126 (who I affectionately call the kids’ table). But he’s still chasing down other people’s problems. Judd credits Grace’s awakening with saving the man in the bed’s life, but the last shot of the scene is Owen looking back at the man who might have almost killed Judd and Grace, alive. Our last glimpse of Owen is when Judd comes out to tell everyone that Grace is going to be okay. He’s concerned for Judd, but when the news that Grace is pregnant comes out, Owen claps, a little awkwardly, and then heads in for the hug, insisting that the whole team come congratulate Judd. But the juxtaposition of Judd becoming a father and Grace living, as Owen is losing Gwyn to New York and the baby isn’t his…well, that’s something.

2x10-2x12 is a whole Owen spiraling out arc that gives us, as an audience, a true look at the mess that Owen is becoming. TK moves out of Owen’s house and in with Carlos. Owen tries to spend the whole day moving them and is looking for new jobs to do around the place, and TK has to both tell Owen that they’ve got it and take the time to check on his father. He wants to make sure his father will be okay with him moving out. Owen blows it off, putting on his usual smile and dipping out. Later, TK invites Owen over for dinner with Carlos and Owen insists that he’s busy, but we see him just playing solitaire. He finds Mateo, currently homeless because Mateo’s roommates have been awful idiots, and takes home a surrogate son/friend. On their 24 hours off Mateo, who just wants to sleep, is badgered into staying up all night with his beloved Captain, drinking an entire bottle of very expensive tequila. And when he raises a question about tequila hours Owen points out that he can now “Because there’s no cancer treatments, no one in recovery and no one who is pregnant in the house.” YIKES

The yikes continue to roll in 2x10 as Owen breaks down with Mateo while very drunk, and spills that he’s canceled his cancer surgery. He’s sad, he’s distraught, and when Mateo comes to work the next day he sounds the alarm with his coworkers. He’s worried about Owen. Owen’s clearly depressed. Owen walks in, his smiling chirpy self, and everyone looks at Mateo like maybe he’s crazy. But the audience watched him fall apart with Mateo. We know Mateo didn’t imagine it. Well, it comes out that he DID indeed cancel his cancer surgery and TK shows up at Owen’s house the next day PISSED with an intervention. Owen is glib throughout the whole experience, putting everyone else on the spot, and the team pushes back. TK in particular pushes at his father. He has known something is off, but Owen blows off every concern. He skewers Mateo for telling the rest of the team, suggesting that Mateo—who remains the most conscientious of all of the members of the 126—cannot be trusted. In the end though, Owen cannot deny that he canceled his surgery, even if he uses everybody else in the room as an excuse of why he hasn’t rescheduled. TK ends up leaving, suggesting his dad is going to do whatever he wants, and the rest of the 126 follows.

The thing that shifts Owen to schedule his surgery is a false alarm with Buttercup. Owen thinks Buttercup’s cancer is back and calls TK and Carlos to let them know something is wrong. His family shows up, and Owen promises to schedule the surgery because of Buttercup’s illness. It turns out that Buttercup just ate Gwyn’s sloth tea infuser, but Owen goes through with the surgery anyway. It takes nearly losing someone that Owen loves to get him to take care of himself. This will come around again.

He lets TK come to the hospital, but promises that he’ll be fine. He rolls his eyes at the puzzle TK gives him. TK knows that he needs to be busy, and Owen tries to keep busy. We get a montage of Owen doing all kinds of ridiculous things, but he learns how to download a police scanner app from Billy, and like two sides of the same coin during their medical leaves, Billy and Owen listen to various dispatch calls to keep their adrenaline running. Owen listens to the scanner like it’s a podcast. He’s still out and about with his scanner podcast, when he stumbles upon a fire. Owen, like a moth to a flame, throws himself at the fire. He watches the man who set it run away, and tries to help. When the 126 shows up, they make him get out of there, but Owen is already hooked. He’s convinced it’s arson, and tries to talk to the deputy chief about it. But when he’s blown off, Owen goes off on his own to try and figure it out. He buys a bunch of things to try and prove it was arson, which is not a smart look, but then Owen’s not thinking about that.

He’s so focused on solving a problem, Owen isn’t thinking about what things look like, or how they’ll be taken. This is a continuing problem with Owen. He leaps without looking. It doesn’t matter, not really, because Owen is invincible, untouchable, in his own mind. This theory of why he’s alive, that he cannot be taken, or that if he does enough he’ll finally be deemed a hero enough to die, leads Owen into these situations. And it also leads us into being entirely irritated in the process.

He gets to the point where he’s so focused chasing the arsonist that he delays going to TK and Carlos’s house to investigate and ends up needing to get dragged out by Billy. He then hatches a plan with Gabriel Reyes to catch the arsonist, one that leaves both of their sons in the dark and opens a rift between them. The plan culminates in arson fires set in both the 126 and in TK and Carlos’s home. Owen figures it out in the nick of time, both times, warning the 126 with minutes to spare. With Carlos and TK’s house, Owen gets there with Judd and Tommy and Billy to help save them.

Once again, things fall apart around Owen, but Owen remains relatively unscathed. He wasn’t at the 126 when it blew up. He gets TK and Carlos out of their house and he’s got some minor burns.

You would think this would lead Owen to take a break, but in the next episode, Tommy Vega ends up in a hostage situation in the wake of her husband’s death. Owen, not knowing what has happened, but learning Tommy is in the middle of a disaster, throws himself in the middle of it. He’s running around, calling people, bothering the SWAT team and eventually sweet talking his way inside to get to Tommy. Owen is legit inserting himself into something that isn’t his business and is potentially incredibly dangerous. Again, we have a man who believes that he’s invulnerable, who is waiting for the universe to deem him fit to die, and so it’s a win/win. Either he makes it out alive or dies a hero.

We move into the dust storm, and while Billy and everyone else stays inside, Owen runs out into the middle of the storm. Despite it being a mistake, there are more people that are going to need his help. When Owen walks out into the storm, visibility is incredibly low. There’s a chance he’s going to get lost or end up dead. But he’s Owen, and he’s either going to be deemed heroic enough to die, or he’s going to live. And unsurprisingly, he lives. His former team all think he’s responsible for the mass-triage happening outside, but it’s really Mateo who has done all of that work. This isn’t the first time Owen’s won the credit for things, even if he hasn’t done them. But he gets through without incident. The team decides to go clean up the 126 on their own. While there, Billy shows up, letting Owen know that he’s taken the Deputy Chief job that Owen has turned down. Billy lets Owen know he’s pulling the plug on the 126, and Owen punches Billy in the face.

This leads to the spiral that we find Owen in at the start of Season 3. Owen has tried to solve a problem and lost—it’s not a typical thing for Owen, and he bolts in the face of losing. He ends up in a cabin out in Hill Country making twigspresso and genuinely pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist. He hasn’t shaved. He doesn’t respond to the team. Marjan comes up there ready to bully him back down into Austin and he refuses. During this storyline, Owen ends up involving himself in a drug cartel that is smuggling people into the country and using them to move drugs as well. Owen makes several blunders in getting involved in this situation. When it comes down to it, Owen nearly gets everyone killed. If it wasn’t for Marjan, Owen would have died right alongside everyone else. But she explodes the dirty deputy’s cruiser and she saves the day. Owen seems to get the credit, but it’s really Marjan being there that allows those people to live. Marjan tries to get him to see reason, but beyond getting Owen down into Austin, he refuses. He shaves, Tommy comes to get him and it turns out TK is in the ICU and dying. Like with Buttercup, having someone he loves in grave danger spurs Owen to take action he was avoiding. Owen throws himself into getting the 126 back up and running because he takes TK’s current predicament as a punishment for giving up in the first place. As an audience, this seems ridiculous. But again, Owen has a bit of a god-complex. The world is hurting him because he made a poor choice. TK is giving up because Owen gave up first. So he has to go. He refuses to stay.

Now, the rest of the team (aside from Tommy) reads as very confused in this scene. Marjan actively suggests that Owen not go, which is contrary to her desires up to that point, but let’s be honest, TK’s not doing so hot. Paul looks concerned and Carlos looks very doubtful but it’s hard to tell where any of his emotions are at this point. The fandom, though, definitely took it as Carlos being done. Tommy goes, because she long ago accepted that Owen is both an immovable object and an unstoppable force. They track Billy and that leads them to finding out Grace is gone. Owen throws himself into solving problems, because there’s nothing he can do for TK. Also, an Owen who gives up, an Owen who isn’t trying hard enough, is an Owen who doesn’t deserve the miracle of his son living. In Owen’s flawed logic, TK will not be okay as long as Owen is failing. He hugs Carlos, passing on the caring of TK to TK’s ex-boyfriend, and leaves.

Throughout 3.04, we watch Owen do what Owen does best, knuckle down, pretend things are not as bad as they seem, and shove his emotions away. Tommy tries to apologize, but Owen offers her comfort. Truth is, Owen doesn’t fall apart until Grace is giving birth, presumably because he’s very much reminded of his son’s birth; the same son who is potentially dying at that moment. Owen escapes the bus and falls to his knees in the snow, because the reality is talking to Billy, saving Grace, none of that will actually make a difference. And I think deep down, Owen knows that.

In the end, TK lives, and I’m sure Owen can add this as another one of his miracles that came because he, Owen Strand, did the right thing. It’s not. We as an audience know what happened, because again, like with Mateo, we were shown the reality that it was Carlos pouring his heart out to TK and TK’s ‘Coma Carol’ with his mental projection of his mom which convinces TK to fight for the life he wants.

The 126 gets saved as well after Owen brings his apology letter to Billy, (but really thanks to Marjan for her fighting this whole time and Paul for convincing Lindsay’s parents that the gift he needs isn’t a maserati but Marj’s Go Fund Me funded) and Owen is able to rebuild his house, again. It’s the third time he’s rebuilt a supposedly dead firehouse, although this time he hadn’t lost the people, just the space.

There’s a party, with Gwyn and Jonah coming to surprise TK and the whole house dancing and celebrating. Everyone except Owen. Owen retreats up to his office where he can look down on the party, separate and above them. He sets the bit of iron from the second tower of the World Trade Center on his desk. Owen Strand may have survived to live another day; he may have put his house back in order, but he is still trapped back in 9/11.

By 3.05, the 126 is up and running and Owen is banging any woman that walks, especially ones significantly younger than him. Mateo calls him on it, pointing out that he doesn’t know these girls' names, that he’s not coping with anything that’s happened. The intervention gets brought up, as well as Gwyn and Jonah. Owen pushes this off and gets Mateo to help him with online dating. His first date off of his fancy dating sight goes wildly awry and while Owen is waiting for his and his date’s cars to be brought up by the valet, he spots a car there's an Amber alert on, so he steals his date’s car to chase it. There’s no reason for Owen to do this. This is indeed theft. He calls in the Amber alert car to dispatch and dispatch tells him to stand down and not do anything with the woman in the car, to wait. At this point, Owen is racing through the streets. The way it’s filmed, very shaky and wild, it’s almost certain he’s going to get himself and his carnapped-date killed. Owen ends up deciding to ignore dispatch entirely, but to pull the kidnapper over and confront her. There’s a lot of ways that this could have gone wrong and is foolish. But Owen Strand, the invulnerable hero, doesn’t think about these things. We’ve seen it before, and we see it here.

Once again, he gets incredibly lucky and manages to keep the woman from stabbing him before Carlos and Detective Washington and other members of APD show up. Owen appears to be the hero here, but the audience has watched Carlos build this case, pouring all his spare time into finding out what happened to little Katie. Many audience members were once again angry that Owen seemed to get the save for something he didn’t do. But that’s part of the point. Owen is throwing himself into things he doesn’t know, into situations he has nothing to do with, and when things don’t go to shit, it adds to the evidence that he’s here to save as many people as possible, to be a hero, before he dies a hero.

The next two episodes see a slightly more toned-down Owen, but not really. He’s mentioned as feeling closer to season one Owen, but he’s still tossing himself into disaster at every opportunity.

In 3.06, we learn that Owen is an alien conspiracy theorist, but considering that Owen has taken in every health fad that has ever crossed the internet and is pretty sure that he’s been deemed invincible by the universe, this isn’t a surprise. He and Judd end up finding a massive radiation poisoning incident, and throw themselves into an investigation while they are off-duty. Considering Owen has just recovered from cancer caused by carcinogens, this is a bad plan.

In 3.07, Carlos tries to warn Owen about Sergeant O’Brien, but Owen being Owen, takes it as a challenge. Now O’Brien is an asshole, but Owen doesn’t help the situation. Owen deliberately antagonizes him, and it leads to a bit of a battle that Owen decides how to handle. TK tries to warn him off as well, reminding him of the anger management classes that he took after he hit Billy. They end up on the softball field, which seems harmless, but Owen is out quoting The Art of War and planting people on his team to be ringers. Unsurprisingly, the game ends in a brawl, because even when TK tries to warn him off, Owen cannot hold his temper. He’s been warned off this particular fight multiple times, by multiple people, but it still ended up here. Owen’s redemption in this episode comes when Sergeant O’Brien is caught in a fire and Owen saves him. Once again, Owen comes through with a save due to heroics, and yes, this time it’s because he was doing his job and not throwing himself at someone else’s problem, but it still adds fuel to the narrative of how things work in Owen’s head.

The problem is Owen keeps upping the ante, but calms down a little when things are going well—Gwyn and the baby in season two or as we see in 3.05-3.07 a slightly less unhinged Owen in every episode since the reunion of the 126 in season three. But the longer it goes on, the less reasonable Owen's choices have become. What was justifiable as a father’s love and concern in 2x08 has quickly become an obnoxious pattern. But as we’ve seen, it’s been going on consistently since 2x08. That's EVERY EPISODE for 14 episodes. No wonder we're all like "What the fuck dude?" And now, at the end of 3x07, we’ve hit a thing Owen cannot fix and cannot solve. Gwyn is dead. Gwyneth Morgan, the one who got away, the woman he loves, the gold-standard of women, is gone for good this time. The only times he’s done anything to turn anything around have been either when he thought he had a second chance with Gwyn, or in her absence, when he thought Buttercup or TK was dying. Now he will be confronted with an actual death, and of the one person he tried to rebuild things with.

In the preview, he says that TK’s mom died, but we know it’s more than that. On top of that, he’s going to be involved in a plane disaster. As a survivor of 9/11, as a first responder who was on the scene early, especially as his firehouse was probably in Midtown, a plane disaster is going to bring things up. It’s going to bring a lot of things up. It has to, considering the mass fears around flying that cropped up across all of the US over planes after 9/11.

This combination should get Owen to the point of TRUE rock-bottom, which we haven’t seen yet. As these themes keep circling, I have faith that the writers are planning on bringing Owen to an actual reckoning and recovery, where he deals with at least some of his trauma and begins to heal. Now, I know there’s a lot of concern out there that Lone Star doesn’t know what they’re doing with Owen here, but I think they do. They’ve carried some solid through lines for their characters through multiple seasons. Detective Carlos Reyes was signaled early in Season One as he supported Michelle in her investigation into Iris’s disappearance. We’ve followed Mateo’s struggles to stand up for himself, to the point where he has a voice now from season one through three. There’s more. The show has set Owen up as an unreliable narrator by showing what happens in reality vs. what Owen says/thinks. They have had multiple characters, including one from a sister show, confront Owen about his beliefs about himself, and Owen stubbornly doubles down. Owen may be over twenty years out from 9/11, but it’s never ever really left him. He carries that day with him in his bones, from the promises he makes to his team that he cannot keep, to his belief the only real heroes that day didn’t make it out alive, to his need to constantly make up for the fact that everyone sees a hero when he’s in fact a man who’s failed many times. I cannot imagine they’re giving us this particular set up without coming through with the payoff. They’ve made Owen unlikeable, inconvenient, arrogant and really a continued spiraling problem. And I think it’s on purpose.

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gimme-mor · 3 years

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ACOTAR THINK PIECE: ELAIN ARCHERON, UNTOUCHABLE

*DISCLAIMER*

This will be a long post.

Please take the time to read this post in its entirety and truly reflect on the message I am trying to send before commenting. My goal is to use my background in Gender and Women’s Studies to deconstruct the comments I have seen on Tumblr and Twitter and bring awareness to the ACOTAR fandom.

The reason I am tagging “Elriel” in this post is to call attention to the arguments in the Elriel fandom that: weaponize Elain’s femalehood to shame real life people for their opinions about Elain’s character and her relationship with Lucien; victimize Elain’s character in fandom discussions; and coddle Elain’s character, which limits fandom discussions about her narrative development and prevents the ACOTAR fandom from holding Elain accountable for her actions and inactions in the same way that the fandom holds other characters accountable for their actions and inactions. It is for these reasons that I WILL NOT remove the “Elriel” tag from this post because all of the above points contribute to the toxic discourse surrounding Elain’s character.

I urge those who use these arguments to understand their implications, why they are problematic, regardless of intent, and reexamine their contributions to the ACOTAR fandom. I WILL NOT tolerate anyone who tries to twist my words and say I am attacking people and their personal shipping preferences. In fact, I AM CRITIQUING THE ARGUMENTS THEMSELVES NOT THE PEOPLE USING THE ARGUMENTS.

Also, I highly encourage the Elriel fandom to read this post because it addresses how the concept of choice as an argument enables arguments to exploit social justice and feminist languge in order to vilify Elucien shippers, among other problematic things.

Elain Archeron is one of the most polarizing characters in the ACOTAR fandom. Though opinions about Elain vary, arguments in the Elriel fandom cite society’s perception of traditional female characters in comparison to non-traditional female characters as the reason behind the hate, and this belief is used to provide an explanation as to why other characters in the series are favored over her. In the series, Elain is portrayed in a wholly positive light and this image carries over into the Elriel fandom, painting her character as a good and kind female who has been unfairly wronged and a victim of circumstances that were out of her control. When arguments in the Elriel fandom oppose other viewpoints in the fandom, they fall into one of three categories:

Category 1: Weaponize Elain’s femalehood to shame real life people for their opinions

Maybe people who hate Elain are just jealous of her in a weird way similar to when someone hates the pretty, nice, and charming girl in school just because she is too perfect

Disliking Elain is misogynistic

What happened to feminism? What happened to women supporting women? What happened to she can say no? All of that disappears the second you force Elain to be with Lucien

Elain antis are misogynistic

All Eluciens are Elain antis

Antis claiming they’re feminists when in reality they hate on Elain and Feyre but love Nesta

Elain antis are such sore losers. Y’all were that bunch of people who could not get over being rejected from hanging out with the cool kids so y’all are projecting your hatred towards pretty people now to get validation

I don’t get how Elain’s love for gardening equals boring for some people. I’m sorry your misogyny finds traditionally feminine activities boring

Why are you attacking a female? What did Elain do? Where are your feminist voices?

The fandom is misogynistic towards Elain

If people loved Elain they would ship Elriel

If you hate Elain it says a lot about your feelings toward women

If you hate Elain because she has no “development” then you must hate Azriel because otherwise you’re misogynistic

Eluciens are turned off by the idea of a woman that has the autonomy to reject a man for the simple reason that it is her choice

Eluciens are all about feminism and “it’s HER choice” until it comes down to females not wanting a male

Eluciens don’t respect Elain’s feelings when they ship her with someone that was part of her trauma and makes her feel uncomfortable

The way some Elucien shippers completely disregard how uncomfortable Elain is around Lucien is so hilariously not funny. Prioritizing being mates over Elain’s feelings is just regressive

It’s hard as a fan of Elain to see someone ship her with a person who makes her physically uncomfortable to be around. Wouldn’t you want both characters to be happy to be around each other

Imagine if SJM saw all the awful things her “stans” had to say about Elain

It’s true that we know comparatively little about her, but is she really boring or do you just not value stereotypically feminine traits?

So y’all are just gonna tell me you prefer Elucien over Elriel? Even though Lucien treats Elain as if she’s something that belongs to him? The only reason he wants to be with her is because she’s his mate, he doesn’t respect her, doesn’t treat her as his equal, even though that’s what mates should be? He doesn’t bother to look past what’s on the outside to see her for who she is. And Elain is obviously repulsed by the idea that she should belong to anyone or have no choice in who she can be with. Azriel is her friend and the only person who sees her quiet strength. He has so much faith in her, in her abilities; he’s the one who kept her company when no one else did, he’s the only one who bothered to see her for more than her brokenness. You’re going to tell me you still prefer Elucien over Elriel?

The more I see Gwynriels that ship Elucien out of their hate for Elain, the less I can understand Elain stans that ship Elucien. Pls Elain has made it very clear that she doesn’t want Lucien, why would you ship her with him? Do you hate her too? Smh

The real question would be, if you care and understand Elain why would you ship her with Lucien (where she canonically shrinks when he is near)?

People crying over Helion and Lucien’s mom not getting to be with each other and her being forced into a relationship she didn’t want, but also ship Elucien? Just say you hate Elain

When Elain’s book is out, Gwyn stans will look like clowns and I will laugh because they set her up by shipping her with Azriel just because they hate Elain. Watch them play the victims now because Elriels are clapping back the hate they’ve sent towards Elain

As romantic as wanting girl who is visibly uncomfortable around a guy who caused her trauma to end up with the said guy. Guess their standards for romance are in hell

Category 2: Victimize Elain’s character

Gwynriels only want Gwyn with Azriel because they despise Elain

Gwyn stans and Gwynriels are Elain antis

No one in the books dislike Elain, so why are there so many people who do?

Elain hasn’t done anything wrong or questionable to warrant the hate she gets

Not having Elain’s POV makes it easy for people to be swayed a certain way about her character if you already don’t relate to her in some way

It’s been years since this series came out and we haven’t gotten a lick of an Elain POV, but people still hate her for what? We don’t know her thoughts, dreams, or aspirations

We haven’t even had Elain’s perspective yet and people are passing these judgments off on her

Elain antis who say she’s boring are just cruel when she has obvious symptoms of PTSD like Feyre and Nesta

Gwyn is one of the most overhyped characters and that’s only because most people hate Elain and they couldn’t wait to find a random girl to ship Azriel with

Nesta was abusive to her sisters but Elain (who has only ever been kind) is painted as the villain

From the text we know that Elain is the epitome of feminine stereotypes (gentle, gardening, baking, non confrontational for the most part). Yet people still call her boring or deny that she has any interesting character traits?

You can’t love Nesta and hate Elain

People hate Elain because of internalized misogyny and lack of taste. All the girl does is tend to her garden and mind her business and they treat her worse than Tamlin

Does Gwyn deserve all this support? Of course yes! She is amazing! But where’s that support when Elain was in the same situation as she? Where’s that support for her right now? Why do they idolize Gwyn for her interactions with Azriel and hate Elain for having any interaction with him?

It’s not even a ship war anymore, they just hate Elain

People hate Elain for no reason

Some of y’all don’t like feminine traits and it shows

We know less about Eris and Helion but people don’t call them boring. Why would rejecting femininity make Elain more interesting?

Elain has had a lot forced upon her

The main reason I believe most people love Gwyn so much is to get Azriel away from Elain. It’s not a secret that Elain has been a widely hated character for years so suddenly we get a new female who has a minimal amount of interactions with Azriel and BOOM. New ship that once again doesn’t make sense (just like Azriel x Emerie after ACOFAS)

Elain hasn’t done something so terrible for her to get this hate. At this point some of you are just being misogynistic and you don’t want to accept it. Don’t call yourselves feminists and then say bs like this, it’s embarrassing. She’s pretty and everyone agreed to hate on her

Just a personal feeling, but I feel like a lot of the Elain hate stems from internalized misogyny. That to be a strong female lead, you need to pick up a sword and fight. That to be strong, you need to adapt traditionally masculine traits

Elain is feminine. She is beautiful. She loves to bake and garden. She is docile, quiet, observant, and a people-pleaser. All traditionally feminine traits. Yet for some reason, she’s like the worst in these people’s eyes?

I think also maybe a lot of people can’t relate to her femininity? That her being so beautiful and quiet doesn’t allow for the people who dislike her not to self-insert? Most of the hate stems from people not wanting Elain to be with Azriel. It’s mean, but maybe the people who hate Elain literally just can’t self-insert if they have a story and that’s why they’re vehemently against it?

Poor Elain. The Cauldron dealt her a bad deal. Upon emerging as Fae, she is immediately declared by Lucien as his mate, never mind that she was already engaged to a prick. Her love life is not good

It blows my mind how they really think that they can compare all the shit that Elain gets with some dumb jokes about Gwyn on Twitter (and yes, the “hate” towards her started mostly because Elriels are clapping back, it was bound to happen)

I would think of it as anti-feminist with Elain and Lucien because she has consistently stated that she does not want him so if she was forced to embrace the bond that would be taking away her right to have a choice but with Az she feels comfortable around so if they were mates then Elain would be happy and feel safe which again should be the priority for women to feel safe in their relationships with anything and to not be forced into any type of situation aka the mating bond in this

Category 3: Coddle Elain’s character

Elain has value the way she is, in all her domestic girly glory. Not every character has to be badass

We don’t speak of Elain’s flaws frequently because everyone else already speaks badly of her, mainly in an unfair way

There is definitely something deeper going on with Elain but by no means will she ever be evil or any less feminine. That goes against everything we already know about her

It’s ok to critique Elain because she needs growth but y’all keep forgetting the shit her and her sisters went through

The last “bad” thing Elain did in ACOTAR was not help Feyre when they were impoverished and I’m tired of people acting like she’s a terrible character when it was their father’s responsibility. It happened 4 books ago and Feyre has forgiven both Nesta and Elain

Elain’s character and the evil Elain theory are a great example of the trend where people only consider female characters interesting if they reject femininity

We don’t know enough to hate Elain

Many people want Elain to turn evil (which in my opinion seems to come from a place of internalized misogyny)

However we don’t tend to talk about her faults, at least not publicly, as that has been, and still is, done to death, and I--personally, at least--find it much more fun to theorise about potentially interesting aspects of the overall plot, than dwell on negatives

And ultimately, I would be shocked if Elain has a more karmically-charged story than Nesta, considering that Elain’s “wrongs” are so much less severe and bad than Nesta’s, and Elain has already apologized for them (or paid the price in other ways, like through what Graysen did)

I guess I also think Elain has suffered and been punished enough. I hope her story is about finding hope in terrible situations, and learning to love her new life, and choosing her own path after everything that has been done to her. I don’t think she needs to be punished anymore or face any additional trauma

Also, why is she being judged on her decisions as a human at all? Fae are monsters to humans! They enslaved them for thousands of years, and the Wall was erected to keep them out

Like I’m sorry, but think Elain would want to leave her ONLY FAMILY AND FRIENDS for the Spring Court where she has no one because--oh look, lots of flowers!--is the craziest thing I have ever heard

Her sisters are in the Night Court. Her nephew is in the Night Court. Her closest friends (Nuala and Cerridwen) are in the Night Court. Her love interest is in the Night Court. Her extended family is in the Night Court. Her home is in the Night Court

SJM isn’t going to keep two sisters together and split up the third. Especially not keep Feyre and Nesta together and separate Elain. They were either all going to end up in separate places, or together. Not 2 here and 1 there

Compared to the other female characters in the series, Elain is the only character whose femalehood is at the center of conversations; this is because arguments in the Elriel fandom fixate on it when discussing her character. While Elain, Feyre, Nesta, and Mor are all representations of white womanhood and white beauty, Elain epitomizes the most fragile version of white womanhood. It’s easy to blame society’s perception of traditional female characters in comparison to non-traditional female characters when it comes to the discourse surrounding Elain’s character because it: falls in line with the fixation on Elain’s femalehood to silence opposing viewpoints; is a simplistic explanation that fails to tackle the underlying issues with Elain as a character, the same issues that are downplayed in-universe; absolves Elain of her wrongdoings; prevents the ACOTAR fandom from holding Elain accountable for her actions and inactions within the series; and diminishes the impact Elain’s actions and inactions have on those around her. It’s not that Elain is hated in the fandom because she’s a traditional female character; it’s the fact that arguments in the Elriel fandom deflect a critical analysis of Elain’s character because she’s a traditional female character who embodies the ideal white woman in need of protection. White fans and white-aligned fans of color, especially white women, have a tendency to vehemently defend, gatekeep, and coddle white female characters in fandom; this makes it difficult for other fans to engage in critical discussions about these white female characters because they’re viewed as flawless and all around perfect characters despite evidence to the contrary. Since Elain is viewed positively by the other characters in the series, it has rendered her character untouchable to any perceived slight or criticism in fandom discussions because those negative opinions challenge what has been said about her character thus far. And as a result, her character has been placed on a pedestal and implicitly hailed as the epitome of white womanhood; and when she’s criticized, it’s seen as a direct attack against white womanhood. Arguments in the Elriel fandom: exploit feminist language and perpetuate white feminist tactics under the guise of defending Elain’s character; center Elain in conversations about female oppression in the ACOTAR world and uphold white feminist ideologies in their critique of ACOTAR’s patriarchal society; and use the fragile white woman narrative to victimize Elain in Lucien’s presence, playing into racial biases that are associated with white supremacy’s defense of white womanhood.

Feminism is a social movement that seeks to promote equality and equity to all genders, and feminists work toward eradicating gender disparities on a macro-level, in addition to challenging gender biases on a micro-level. As feminism became more mainstream, a flat and oversimplified version of feminism emerged: mainstream feminism. The mainstream feminist movement is meant to represent all women, but rarely does it center conversations around issues that concern most women. The problem with mainstream feminism is that it’s just a popularized version of white feminism. White feminism has relied extensively on an individualized understanding of women’s oppression, exclusively from the lens of privileged white women. White feminism only focuses on the oppression experienced by white, able-bodied, affluent, educated, cishet women; and it views gender as the key mode of privileged white women’s oppression, isolated from the privileges granted by their other social identities. White women can be and are oppressed under the patriarchy but only because they are women; their identity as women does not exempt them from the privileges granted by their whiteness. The term white feminist does not mean any feminist who is white, but refers to feminists who prioritize the concerns of privileged white women as though they are representative of all women. However, the term is not exclusive to white people. Because white feminism is so pervasive, people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds often buy into white feminism, believing that if they work hard enough, they may be able to reap its rewards.

Just like white feminism, mainstream feminism only recognizes the identity of being a woman, assumes that all women share common experiences of gender oppression, fails to address other social identities in relation to overlapping systems of oppression, and disregards privilege in relation to various social identities. Just like white feminism, mainstream feminism is palatable because it doesn’t seek to challenge the systems in place, instead its goal is to succeed within them. Essentially, mainstream feminism and white feminism are extensions of performative feminism. Performative feminism is a type of performative activism that’s used to describe feminist views that are surface level and solely for the benefit of one type of person. It’s a pretense which often has nothing to do with genuine activism. Arguments in the Elriel fandom normalize and promote performative feminism because the topic of feminism is only referenced when discussing Elain. This indicates that these arguments are engaging in disingenuous discourse to push a personal agenda within the ACOTAR fandom, and it becomes more apparent when they use white feminist tactics to shut down opposing viewpoints:

White feminists weaponize and exploit feminist language to silence the opinions of other women, especially when they’re called out for their problematic behaviors

White feminists use the phrase “Women supporting women” to defend other white feminists who exhibit problematic behaviors instead of holding them accountable

White feminists weaponize phrases like “Women supporting women” and “You just hate women” to attack other women who disagree with them on any given topic

White feminists use phrases like “All women face challenges” and “Stop pitting women against each other” to sidestep conversations about privilege

White feminists divert conversations away from privilege and towards the Trauma Olympics to equate their struggles to the oppression of marginalized people

White feminists skirt around the realities of other forms of oppression and discrimination, downplaying the experiences of marginalized people

White feminists diminish or ignore the ways in which gender oppression affects other marginalized people

White feminists paint those they harmed as aggressive, mean, or divisive when confronted with the ways they have harmed a marginalized group

White feminists deflect criticism by focusing on the anger or emotions being expressed rather than the issue that is being discussed, invalidating the concerns of marginalized people

White feminists speak over marginalized voices in an attempt to sound “woke”

White feminists get defensive and insist there’s no way they could be a part of the problem because of what they’ve done to help marginalized groups already

White feminists say they don’t see color in an attempt to obscure racial issues that need to be addressed

White feminists center and victimize themselves in conversations about racism, which derails necessary conversations from taking place

White feminists who are white weaponize the intersectionality of their race and gender to avoid accountability

Feminism is not meant to be approached from an individualistic perspective nor is it only about addressing the experiences of privileged white women, it involves addressing the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, and other social identities as well; and it involves addressing how these social identities relate to privilege. Moreover, feminism is not about women upholding complete loyalty to other women because of a shared gender identity, and to claim that it does implies that women should be held to different emotional standards than men. If men are able to dislike and criticize other individual men, real or fictional, without their characters being compromised, why aren’t women granted that same privilege?

It’s clear that SJM set up the ACOTAR world to mirror a patriarchal society, and that the imbalance of power between males and females stems from sexism. Arguments in the Elriel fandom analyze the ACOTAR world through a feminist lens to show how ACOTAR’s patriarchal society, to which the mating bond is innately tied, contributes to female oppression and limits their agency. When choice and free will are emphasized as part of Elain’s arc, they imply that Elain, through the mating bond, experiences female oppression under ACOTAR’s patriarchal society because of her identity as a female with that identity being the focal point of her oppression in the world. Elain is one of the most privileged characters in the ACOTAR world: she’s High Fae; she’s the sister of the High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court, which gives her access to wealth and political influence because of that connection; she’s able-bodied; she was magically blessed by the Cauldron; and she lives in Velaris, a place that grants females autonomy and power because of the beliefs of Rhysand and Feyre. Arguments in the Elriel fandom trivialize female oppression in the ACOTAR world because they disregard the fact that Elain’s privileges prevent her from experiencing female oppression in the same way that other marginalized females in the world do. The mating bond being one such example because those around Elain are not forcing the bond on her, instead they’re allowing Elain to reach a decision about the bond for herself; a privilege that other marginalized females in the world probably wouldn’t have. Just because Elain has endured hardships in her life and is a female in a patriarchal society, they do not erase the privileges she holds within the ACOTAR world. The failure to include Elain’s privileges in discussions about Elain being a female in a patriarchal society feeds into white feminist ideologies because white feminism operates from a very narrow perspective; it doesn’t take other intersecting identities into account when it examines gender oppression, leaving no room for discussions about privilege (or lack thereof) in relation to those intersecting identities. When discussing oppression in hierarchical societies, it’s imperative that privilege is also included in the conversation because privilege and oppression are not mutually exclusive; they equally affect the ways in which people navigate those societies through their social identities.

Rather than attributing Elain’s uncomfortability to her new life as a Fae female or the mating bond itself and her trauma to the Cauldron, the King of Hybern, or Ianthe, they’re placed on Lucien to cast his character in a negative light. Moreover, fandom discussions portray Lucien as a possessive character to further emphasize Elain’s discomfort despite the inaccuracy of this characterization in canon. Arguments in the Elriel fandom play into racial biases when it comes to Lucien (a male character of color) because they mischaracterize his character in order to victimize Elain (a white female character), placing her character in the role of the white damsel in distress. In Western society, the concept of womanhood has been conceptualized from a Eurocentric perspective with femininity and feminine attributes favoring white women. It’s the idea that a certain type of femininity is only inherent to white women as they are seen as the embodiment of an ideal womanhood. White womanhood has been a symbol of innocence and purity, and white women have been viewed as fragile beings in need of protection. The reason white womanhood functions within white supremacy is because it’s the same idea that has motivated white men to kill and beat black and brown men. The so-called protection of white women has been used as a justification for the horrific violence committed by white men because black and brown men were stereotyped as aggressive and seen as a threat to the virtue of white women. The white damsel in distress trope considered white women as worthy of protection because of their perceived innocence and purity; women of color were not granted that same treatment because they did not fit into the ideal image of womanhood. Over the years, this trope became a means for white women to exercise limited power in a patriarchal society with white women weaponizing their status as the damsel much to the detriment of black and brown men. It’s through the white damsel in distress trope that white supremacy sustains its dominance in Western society. The misrepresentation of characters of color in fandom, the dismissal of their importance to the overall story, and using them as tools in arguments centered around white characters are the foundation of fandom racism; they’re examples of how racism moves silently in fandom spaces. Instead of examining their behavior and taking constructive criticism from fans of color, white fans will often double down on their bigotry and center their uncomfortability in the conversation when confronted with their complicity in fandom racism. White fans expect fans of color to swallow fandom racism in its many forms in order to not ruin the experience of fandom, dismissing the fact that racism is prevalent in nearly every aspect of society. This mentality ensures that no one is held accountable for the harm they caused and alienates fans of color in fandom spaces.

To reiterate what I mentioned in my first think piece: terms like “oppression”, “the right to choose”, “feminist”, “feminism”, “anti-feminist”, “anti-feminism”, “internalized misogyny”, “misogyny”, “misogynist”, “sexist”, “sexism”, “racist”, “racism”, “classist”, “classism”, “discrimination”, and “patriarchy” are all used in specific ways to draw attention to the plight of marginalized people and challenge those who deny the existence of systems of oppression. Yet these words and their meanings can be twisted to attack, exclude, and invalidate people with differing opinions on any given topic. When social justice and feminist terms are thrown around antagonistically and carelessly to push a personal agenda, it becomes clear that these terms are being used to engage in disingenuous discourse and pursue personal validation rather than being used out of any deep-seated conviction to dismantle systemic oppression. Being an ally, activist, or feminist is not an identity, it’s a practice. It requires: ongoing self-reflection; holding ourselves accountable; listening to marginalized people; educating ourselves; dismantling implicit biases; challenging those around us who are exhibiting problematic behaviors; and action behind our words.

It’s important to be aware of the language that is used within the fandom when defending or critiquing characters and ships. It’s also important to question how an argument is framed and why it’s framed the way that it is to critically examine the intent behind that argument: is it used as a tool to push a personal agenda that reinforces problematic behaviors, or is it used as an opportunity to share, learn, enlighten, and educate?

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Tagging: @spell-cleavers @bookofmirth @m0bulidae @ilya-boltagon

#elain archeron #elriel #acotar fandom #acotar: fandom critical

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elainsshadows · 3 years

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I want to talk about Elain today and her role in future books. I will also be talking about other ships at the end of this including: Lucien x Vassa, Lucien x Elain, and Azriel x Gwyn. These are merely my opinions and thoughts, this is not me trying to bash anyone else's opinions. I am open to having discussions as long as you are kind and respectful.

This is going to be long as a warning. Let's begin.

Quiet Strength

My friend recently start reading ACOTAR and she came to me one day and said that she had found a quote that she really liked. That quote was:

"She had looked at that cottage with hope; I had looked at it with nothing but hatred. And I knew which one of us had been stronger" ~ ACOTAR, pg. 259

I know that a lot of antis like to bring up the fact that Elain didn't do anything but plant flowers and such while Feyre was out risking her life to put food on the table. Why hadn't Elain planted food instead? As someone who tried to garden vegetables with her dad one year I can tell you it's not as easy as flowers.

Maybe Elain was trying to bring some color into their drab little existence like Feyre had done with the paints. Maybe she wanted one thing to make her happy.

When Feyre comes to see them in ACOMAF, to ask for their help, it was Elain who said that they should help.

"If... if we do not help Feyre, there won't be a wedding." ~ ACOMAF pg. 247

"Feyre gave and gave - for years. Let us help her. Help... others." ~ ACOMAF pg. 248

Elain was risking a lot by saying they should now help their Fae sister. She was going to be married to someone who's family hated the Fae. If they found out what Elain and Nesta were doing it would probably be the end of her engagement to Graysen. They would become Fae sympathizers and like the Children of the Blessed we see mentioned throughout the books.

Would a coward risk all of this? Not to me they wouldn't.

When Rhys, Az, and Cassian arrive once Elain had cleared out the servants. Elain, while scared, still tries to be a good host to the four of them. I want to come back to this scene when I discuss Elriel because this was the moment that I first started thinking that they would make a good pair.

But while Nesta and Feyre are more bold with their actions like wielding swords, bow and arrows, knives, etc., Elain doesn't necessarily back down from a challenge. When given Truth-Teller she simply states that she doesn't know how to use it. She does not shove it back at Azriel and refuse it, she simply informs him she doesn't know how to use it.

Also when they had been captured by Hybern and all that mess was going down. Tamlin had been gunning for Feyre and it was Elain who did this:

"But Elain's cry - a warning. A warning to- To my right, now exposed, Tamlin ran for me. To grab me at last." ACOMAF pg. 602

Elain, despite being scared in this highly stressful situation, saw her sister in danger and tried her hardest to warn her. If it had not been for Elain, Tamlin might have been able to grab Feyre at that moment in all the confusion and chaos. Despite being in her nightgown and terrified she still tried to protect her younger sister.

Once again when people are in danger once the Wall had been taken down it was Elain who spoke up. She knew that Graysen's family's estate could help protect those closest to the Wall and from any Fae that may come to do them harm.

"Glamour me," Elain said - to Rhys. "Make me look human. Just long enough to convince him to open his gates to those seeking sanctuary." ~ ACOWAR pg. 471

"It's already ended badly. Now it's just a matter of deciding how we meet the consequences." ~ ACOWAR pg. 471

She's Fae now. If Graysen or any of his family or those working for them knew this (which we see that they did) then they might kill her on sight. She risked her life to make sure defenseless humans remained as safe as they could with the oncoming war.

When Azriel and Feyre go to Hybern's camp to save Elain they also save another human. They are being pursued and clearly, the human girl is terrified of them, but it is Elain that says this:

"Grab onto him!" Elain ordered to the wide-eyed human girl as Azriel thundered toward her. *skipped ahead* "Elain screamed at her, "If you want to live, do it now!" ~ ACOWAR pg. 577

She also does this when the King of Hybern's beasts are upon them:

"Elain moved. As Azriel battled to keep them airborne, keep his grip on them, my sister sent a fierce kick into the beast's face. Its eye. *Skipped ahead* "Elain slammed her bare, muddy foot into its face again. The blow struck home." ACOWAR pg. 577

Knowing that their lives are in danger and that if this beast does anything to Azriel's wings they are all going to die. She does not hesitate and does not back down as she goes after the beast with her barefoot.

She slays the King of Hybern as well:

"Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the King's neck as she snarled in his ear, "Don't you touch my sister." ~ ACOWAR pg. 652

She has a protective streak in her and she will go down swinging if she has to.

And this I just found interesting. Everyone seems to shy away from Amren, but in ACOFAS this happens when they're all eating together:

"Elain, to my surprise, held Amren's gaze." ~ ACOFAS pg. 108

I just like that she held Amren's gaze.

Being Feminine Isn't Boring

I see a lot of people saying that Elain being feminine is boring, that she isn't an exciting heroine. Yes, Elain isn't one of SJM's typical heroines, but I think that makes her all the more interesting. We've never seen someone who isn't like Aelin, Bryce, Feyre, and Nesta from SJM.

"Elain stood between Nuala and Cerridwen at the long worktable. All three of them covered in flour." ~ ACOWAR pg. 386

"Elain was in the kitchen, helping Nuala and Cerridwen prepare the evening meal." ~ ACOFAS pg. 101

"She'd been toiling in the estate gardens since dawn." ~ ACOSF pg. 28

"Elain had already departed with Feyre, claiming she had to be up with the dawn to tend to an elderly faerie's garden." ~ ACOSF pg. 311

Do I think Elain's entire book will be based on her baking and taking care of gardens? No, I don't. I think she is capable of more than that and that is going to lead into my next point.

Elain Archeron, 007

This is not a new theory and it isn't even one that I came up with. Many lovely Elriels have pointed out comparisons to Azriel and Elain and how he may even teach her how to be a spy. I think it is a perfectly lovely idea. Let me show you some quotes from the book that make me think that this could be a possibility.

"Elain spoke from the doorway, having appeared so silently that they all twisted toward her, "Using me." ~ ACOSF pg. 230

They were talking about looking for the Dread Trove here and scrying. They were debating who should do it when Elain stepped up. She has done this before and with her seer abilities she is a perfect choice for the job. Obviously several characters aren't thrilled with the idea (Nesta and Azriel being two of the ones that don't like the idea).

"Azriel stiffened, an outright sign of temper from him as he said quietly, "There is an innate darkness to the Drea Trove that Elain should not be exposed to." ~ ACOSF pg. 311

"Elain saw every single thing Nesta had done, and understood why." ~ ACOSF pg. 470

"You came," Elain said behind her, and Nesta started, not having heard her sister approach. *skipped ahead* "Wondering if she'd been taking lessons in stealth either from Azriel or the two half-wraiths she called friends." ~ ACOSF pg. 595

We see that even Nesta is questioning whether or not Elain has been having lessons. She very well could have or this could be a hidden talent that Nesta has never gotten to see or never cared to see because she viewed Elain as someone who is innocent and needing protection.

Nesta mothers Elain throughout the series, we constantly see her coming to Elain's defense, stepping in front of her, talking for her. And while Elain used to let that slide we can see now that she is coming into her own and not letting Nesta walk all over her.

"Elain said, "You can't have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater." ~ ACOSF pg. 232

I think Elain has been denied many things in her life because she has been seen as the most beautiful. Her own mother seeing her as nothing more than a pretty face that would be easy to marry off once she was of age. What will she do now that she has more freedom than she did before? Now that she will not become some lord's wife?

I do not see Elain as a warrior who is ready for battle, but I see her being ready for a different kind of battle.

"It took hours for Elain to work her charm on the staff to swiftly pack their bags and leave, each with a purse of money to hasten the process." ~ ACOMAF pg. 250

You know who else is charming? James Bond.

Being another pretty face has something going for Elain. No one would look at her and think "Yeah she's totally a spy." She can charm people, make them feel more at ease, and get them to open up. Maybe even enough that they think nothing of divulging things in front of her that otherwise shouldn't be overheard.

Maybe she can learn to glamour herself so that she is not recognizable to others. Who knows but I'm sure we'll find out when her book happens.

Welcome To Spring

One of my least favorite theories I've seen is that Elain will leave the Night Court and her family to go to Spring. Even going as far as saying that she will wind up with Tamlin. I don't think Feyre would let her sister wind up with her abuser plain and simple. Nor do I think Elain would fall for her sister's abuser just because he lives in a land of eternal spring and has flowers.

In ACOSF Nesta has this thought:

"Elain would love this place. So many flowers, all in bloom, so much green, *skipped ahead* But Elain... The Spring Court had been made for someone like her." ~ ACOSF pg. 454

While I do believe that Elain would love the Spring Court I do not think she would ever leave her family or friends behind.

"Two half-wraiths she called friends." ~ ACOSF pg. 595

"Cassian kissing Elain's cheek in greeting. *skipped ahead* Amren came next, giving my sister a nod. *skipped ahead* The Mor, with a smacking kiss for either cheek." ~ ACOFAS pg. 105

We also know that the sisters tend to consider one of the brothers friends. Feyre with Cassian, Nesta with Azriel, and I believe Rhys and Elain will also be friends. He seems to like Elain (certainly more than he likes Nesta).

Plus now there is Nyx in the mixture and why would she leave and miss out on her nephew growing up? What about if Nesta becomes pregnant and has a child? So no I do not believe that Elain will leave the Night Court.

Shipping Time

Here is where opinions and feelings may vary and people might not like what I have to say. Just know that these are merely my feelings on a ship. Ship what you want to ship, I am not here to gatekeep. These are merely my feelings on the matter. I'm going to start with the two ships I like: Elain x Azriel and Lucien x Vassa.

Elain Archeron x Azriel

I mentioned this earlier but I've been shipping them since ACOMAF. I saw the potential for them from the moment they began to interact.

"Elain rasped, "Nice to meet you," before hustling after her, the silk skirts of her cobalt dress whispering over the parquet floor." ~ ACOMAF pg. 253

I like the symbolism in this line. Cobalt = Azriel's siphons. Whispering = Azriel's shadows. While it might not be that deep as a writer I like the small things like this in my works. Things that later when you come back to them after something important happens that is a callback to something like this you can go "ooooh that makes sense now, yeah." We also do see other mentions of Elain wearing blue, but this post is long enough and it's only a few more times so I don't think it's worth noting. This part just sticks out to me because it's the first time they're meeting and like I said I love symbolism.

"Elain said to Azriel, perhaps the only two civilized ones here, "Can you truly fly?" ~ ACOMAF pg. 256

Elain who has been taught to fear the Fae is talking to him, also probably leaning around Cassian - who she is seated next to and also has wings - and asking if he can fly.

Azriel responds on the same page saying, "We're born hearing the song of the wind." And her response of, "That's very beautiful." This is the same male who famously said he wouldn't need poetry to woo a woman. Maybe he's not trying to woo her here, but he's trying to impress her.

"Elain, noticing Azriel's ease as proof that things weren't indeed about to go badly offered one (a smile) of her own as well." ~ ACOMAF pg. 258

She seems mighty comfortable with a Fae she just met. Which leads my into my two mate theory that I've had for some time now.

We know the tweet where SJM says that someone can have two mates. This was during a time when one of the TOG novels was about to come out and was probably referencing something in there, but I think it would be interesting to see play out in this situation as well.

We've seen several times people questioning Elain and Lucien's mating bond. Feyre and Azriel both do it. Feyre during ACOWAR and Azriel in his bonus chapter from ACOSF.

We also know that not all mates are happy pairings ie. Rhysand's parents and Tamlin's parents. We also know that sometimes it's based on who would have the strongest offspring. We can see this reflected in both Rhysand and Feyre's mating (he's considered the most powerful High Lord and she has abilities from all seven HLs).

But what if Elain and Lucien aren't true mates? True mates to me is a happily mated pair like Feyre and Rhys as well as Nesta and Cassian. Azriel questions why his brothers were mated to two sisters while the third was mated to another. (Pardon me for not using quotes here, I do not have the bonus chapter so I am going from memory.)

Why indeed? And I think it was because he was on the floor dying at the time. We know that the Cauldron loves Elain, so if her true mate was on the floor dying and there was no guarantee for survival it would make sense for the Cauldron to gift Elain another mating bond.

I will talk more about this in the section where I discuss them as a ship, but I wanted to briefly mention it here.

We also know the scene where Azriel hands over Truth-Teller to her, something that shocks all of them. I think of Truth-Teller like Azriel's security blanket. Something that brings him comfort and he never ever wants to part with it. But he gives it to Elain.

After she was taken by the Cauldron and held captive at Hybern's camp. After she says this:

"She shook her head, devouring the sight of him as if not quite believing it. "You came for me." The shadowsinger only inclined his head." ~ ACOWAR pg. 573

Why did she look only to Azriel? Why did she seem so surprised that he would come for her? Kind of like how a princess might not believe that her prince has come for her. (Love me some Disney princess movies)

To me these two just fit together. And to me they are more like Hades and Persephone than Feyre and Rhysand are. And hear me out: Elain as Persephone, goddess of spring. Azriel as Hades, god of death. (Feyre once calls him Death when thinking of a painting of him and Elain. Death and the lovely fawn she called it). Some might see Azriel and Elain falling in love as stealing her away from her mother (or mate in this case).

Also if you want another mythology reference. Paris (Azriel), Helen (Elain), Menelaus (Lucien). Helen was considered the most beautiful and was stolen away from her husband Menelaus (though I think she went with Paris willingly so there's that.)

I see so many parallels and signs that point toward an Elriel endgame. We know Elain's book is in the works and I'm pretty sure it's next since Sarah has talked about doing research for her book. We also know that Sarah is excited to work with Azriel as well.

Moving on.

Lucien Vanserra x Vassa

I've been shipping them since ACOWAR. So not as long as Elriel, but since a bit. I think this was the line that did it for me:

"Indeed, Vassa still remained inside, chatting with Lucien animatedly. *skipped ahead* Lucien, surprisingly, was chuckling, his shoulders loose and his head angled while he listened." ~ ACOWAR pg. 690

Unlike with Elain, he seems comfortable around Vassa.

"Even with Elain here, he's become close with Jurian and Vassa. He's voluntarily living with them these days, and not just as an emissary. As their friend." ~ ACOSF pg. 57

I'm a sucker for the friends to lovers trope (it only falls after the enemies to lovers trope). And while we do not have a lot on them I can see the two of them being happy. I can see Lucien trying to find a way to make her immortal if that's what she wants. And I just want the two of them finding their HEA together in the final book.

My theory is that Vassa will be the MC of the last book and will deliver the killing blow to Koschei (as she should). I would love to see their journey together and their time together in the mortal lands especially since the mating bond would be severed at this point if Elriel is the book before this one. I want Lucien to be happy and I think that he could be happy with Vassa.

Elain Archeron x Lucien Vanserra

We know that Elain and Lucien are mates. He announced this on page 608 a little bit after Elain had come out of the Cauldron. But these two do not seem to fit together in my opinion. Now please note I have nothing against Elucien, I even like some of the fanart and the theories I have read are wonderful. I'm just personally not a fan of these two because of how they were thrust together.

When comparing Jesiminda and Elain, Lucien says this:

"Elain had been... thrown at him." ACOWAR pg. 249

I know Lucien wants to be happy and I know mates are special, but I don't necessarily think that Elain will be his happiness. I think that the way they met ruined that for them.

"But Elain blinked slowly, "You were in Hybern." *Skipped ahead* "You betrayed us." ACOWAR pg. 250 - 251

Lucien, however willing or unwillingly, did play some part in Elain being turned Fae. He was one of the reasons she could no longer go home or marry Graysen. I don't know if that's something that could be overcome especially since Elain is still dealing with the events of that day.

We also know that Elain tends to avoid him, shrinking in on herself when he's around. Another reason why I can't ship this is because I've been in a similar situation where people were pressuring me to be with someone I had no interest in. I know what it's like to hear "you two are perfect for each other", "you should give him a chance", "just try".

Their relationship is not evolving naturally like Feyre and Rhys's did or Cassian and Nesta's. I don't think Lucien would ever push the mating bond onto Elain, but I do think since it's something special to Fae he may cling to it more than she will.

Another thing about their bond that doesn't sit with me is how it is described.

"It felt... strange," Elain breathed. "Like you pulled on a thread tied to a rib." ACOWAR pg. 301

"There's a bond - it's a real thread," he said, more to himself than us." ACOWAR pg. 301

Other bonds have been described as "so much golden thread" or an "unbreakable chain". But Elain and Lucien's is described as a singular thread that feels as though it were attached to a rib. To me mating bonds are like soulmates, why would that bond be attached to a rib and not the heart or her being?

I believe that once again either the Cauldron created this bond between them or maybe they are not what's considered a "perfect match" like Elain's sisters with their mates are.

I will say this: If Elain and Lucien do wind up together I won't be mad. Sure they are not my preferred ship, but they both deserve happiness and can find it together then good for them. We will just have to wait and see where SJM takes them.

Azriel x Gwyn Berdara

I've lowkey been dreading talking about them because of how toxic this fanwar between Elriels and Gwynriels gets. Once again this is just my opinion and my theories. No hate or shade to any of the shippers. I will not be bashing theories. If you don't want to read my thoughts then please just leave now and pretend you never saw this.

I do not like Azriel and Gwyn as a ship for one very big reason: power imbalance. Azriel saved Gwyn from a highly traumatic experience. Now before I go any further let me say that I brought this up to my mom who also reads the series but isn't a shipper, she just reads them to enjoy them. I asked her what she thought of Az x Gwyn as a pairing and if she would like to see that and she said no that she also felt there would be a power imbalance.

Gwyn is a strong character, but I do not think I could get behind her and Az as a couple because of how they met.

I also do not believe that Gwyn will be the MC of any of the last books there are. We still have Elain's book, possibly a Mor book, or even Vassa. There are too many people from the original trilogy that we need to see books for. While I will not rule out a book in the future I don't see her getting one now.

I know the necklace is a hot button issue, but I also don't believe that Clotho gave it to her. We never hear it mentioned in the main portion of the book and I think Clotho knew how troubled Azriel was and thought that she should hold onto it just in case.

"You're the new ribbon, Az," ~ ACOSF pg. 623

Gwyn is a competitive person, to me this line that Nesta says is here merely telling Az that Gwyn's next challenge would be to prove him wrong about the training course. Nesta knows of Azriel's feelings for her sister by this point, so I don't see this line as her teasing Az about Gwyn possibly having a crush on him.

But again these are just how I interpret things between them.

These are all my thoughts at the moment that I'm going to share. If you would like to have a discussion my ask box is open. Hate will not be tolerated though.

#Elain Archeron #Elriel #Azriel #pro Elain Archeron #pro Azriel #pro Elriel #ACOTAR 5 #ACOTAR 5 predictions #ACOTAR theories

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moodymelanist · 3 years

Note

If you’re taking nessian prompts they show up to the same halloween party accidentally wearing matching costumes so people think they’re a couple bonus points if cassian has the sluttier costume

OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS HAHAHAHA. also shoutout to @talkfantasytome for the funniest line in here. @nessianweek

Nesta and the girlies look something like this and Cassian looks something like this but with shorter shorts hahahah

“Are you almost ready to go?” Nesta called out to her friends while she adjusted her costume in front of her bedroom mirror. She was dressed as Hugh Hefner, complete with a silky, dark red robe, a lacy black corset, tiny matching shorts, and dark black tights.

“Yeah, I just need to find my shoes!” Gwyn shouted back as she raced around their apartment. She, Nesta, and Emerie shared a three-bedroom apartment about five minutes from campus, and it had been one of the best decisions Nesta ever made to live with them.

Nesta pulled on her own heels and found the sailor’s hat to complete her costume before looking around for their other roommate. “Emerie? Status update?”

“I’m ready,” Emerie declared while walking into Nesta’s bedroom. Her friend looked absolutely stunning in her Playboy bunny costume, the tiny black bodysuit showing off Emerie’s toned figure wonderfully. Instead of white bunny accessories, Gwyn and Emerie had decided to wear black ones instead, and Nesta whistled lowly as Emerie turned around to show off her little tail.

“You look amazing,” Nesta complimented. Emerie twirled again, flipping her dark waves around while Nesta looked on appreciatively. “I think Mor will lose her mind.”

“She already has,” Emerie replied, smirking. “Who do you think came costume shopping with me?”

Nesta laughed as the two of them made their way to the living room to wait on Gwyn. Thankfully, their redheaded friend didn’t keep them waiting too long, emerging from her bedroom in a similar outfit to Emerie but slightly more conservative.

Emerie whistled lowly under her breath. “Damn, Berdara. Are you trying to kill someone?”

“Just you two,” Gwyn said cheekily. She looked amazing in black, Nesta thought, the color contrasting nicely with Gwyn’s bright hair and pale skin.

“I think Azriel will have thoughts about that,” Nesta teased as she grabbed her keys.

“Not as many as Cassian will have,” Gwyn fired back. Nesta rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but wonder what he’d have to say about her costume -- probably something incredibly inappropriate, knowing him.

“Let’s just call this Uber,” Nesta muttered, ignoring Emerie and Gwyn’s snickers. “I don’t need to respond to that kind of allegation.”

“It’s not an allegation if it’s true,” Emerie taunted. “Let’s just see what happens when we get to the party, hmm?”

Twenty minutes later, Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn found themselves outside Rhys’ townhouse in awe. He’d gone all out on decorations, including cobwebs, skeletons, fake gravestones, a smoke machine... whatever it was, he had it. There were a couple people milling around outside, but from the bass pounding so loud they could feel it, the party was clearly going strong.

The three friends were swarmed with people the second they stepped inside. Nesta spotted several people she knew dressed in great costumes -- Tarquin as Aquaman, Elain and Lucien as Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming, Amren as Edna Mode from the Incredibles -- but nothing made her jaw drop like seeing Cassian dressed up as a playboy bunny.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she yelled over the music. He somehow heard her and did a similar double take before a wide smile took over his handsome features. “Cassian, what the fuck!”

“Nes, this is too perfect,” Cassian shouted back. Unlike Emerie and Gwyn, Cassian had every bare inch of skin on display that he could get away with. He only had on a tiny pair of black underwear, a tiny collar around his neck, and a pair of white bunny ears on top of his hair. “We’re matching!”

“Who the fuck told you my costume?” Nesta fumed. She spun and glared at Gwyn and Emerie, both of whom shook their heads and shrugged. “Someone did this on purpose.”

“I lost a bet,” Cassian explained. “Azriel told me I had to wear this as punishment.”

“That motherfucker,” she muttered under her breath. She told herself she was mad that Cassian matched her costume and not because of the way several partygoers were eyeing him appreciatively. She didn’t care how good he looked and certainly wasn’t wondering what his skin would feel like under her hands.

“What do you think, though?” Cassian asked. He spun around and she pretended that she didn’t sneak a peek at his ass. “Impressive, huh?”

Nesta snorted. “You’re nowhere near as impressive as you think you are, sweetheart.”

“Why don’t you look down and see just how impressive I am?” he fired back cheekily.

“Oh, fuck off --” she started to say.

“You look great, though,” Cassian interrupted her, complimenting her before she could really work herself up. He raked his eyes over her, his eyes lingering over her breasts and legs far longer than it should have. “What’s under the robe, Nes?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she replied. “And I thought I told you not to call me that.”

His eyes gleamed with challenge. “Are you inviting me to undress you?”

“Absolutely not,” she snapped. She crossed her arms over her chest and quickly dropped them after she realized what it did to her breasts, his smirk only infuriating her more. “Stop looking at me like that!”

“Like what?” he asked, leaning forward so he didn’t have to yell so loudly. She held back a shudder as his lips barely touched the outside of her ear. “You look sexy as hell. How else am I supposed to look at you?”

Nesta was saved from having to come up with a witty response when Mor appeared, dressed in a cute Tinkerbell costume. “Picture time, my bunnies! Everybody act like they like each other!”

Nesta spent the rest of the night actively denying how it felt way too good to have Cassian’s body pressed against her during the photos.

#acotar #nessianweek2021 #nessian #Nesta archeron #Cassian #moodymelanistwrites #halloween prompt #day 5: alternate universe #Nessian prompts

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iridiscent-aesthetics · 3 years

Note

I just saw your headcanon of az being jealous of gwyn and eris, may I suggest the opposite? gwyn being jealous of az and eris talking.

Oh I LOVE this one! Might be a tad bit tricky but I'm soo very up for it! Thank you @aelingalathyniusrailme for SUCH a great idea!

Gwyn would've found this entertaining. IF it wasn't Azriel there. She was aware of their hatred. Aware that they were literally always at each others throats. But she couldn't help but fume with jealousy while watching them in the training ring take on each other. Blow to blow, matching at each stride. She was watching Eris and Az spar. It began with a heated argument leading to the Autumn court heir challenging the Shadowsinger to spar. And now here they were, since a straight of 15 minutes, sparring. Neither nowhere close to yielding. Gwyn was cursing the redheaded male with all she had for choosing sparring instead of dueling. The absence of the weapons as a bridge and the proximity of their sweaty bodies was too much, nor did it help that neither had a shirt on. The angst, the tension built between them; it seemed straight out of one of her smutty romance books. Gwyn wasn't liking this one bit. "Come on guys, We get it! You're strong and bold. You're Fearless males! There. fed your bloated male egos. Now stop. would you?!" She yelled, throwing her hands in the air frustrated. "Let them be Gwyn, this is far more entertaining than having to listen them arguing to the point of biting each others heads off." Cassian stood besides her crossing his arms and watching them with a hint of curiosity as to who would win. Gwyn bet her money on Az because she would have it no other way, but as much as she hated to admit, Eris was just as good. "Yeah Gwyn. Besides, two of the hottest males fighting, now that's a sight to sore eyes. Enjoy the show!" Nesta chimed in elbowing her, eyeing Cass as he put his hand to his heart and feigned a dramatic expression of pain. Nesta rolled her eyes. "Oh I'll give you a good show Ness." He said scooping her in his arms and took to the sky. Newly mated idiots, couldn't stay away for a minute. Gwyn looked back to the ring and groaned "Well at least take a break!" "Okay!" Yelled Az before delivering a good blow right to Eris's jaw. "Break." There. That should teach the male a lesson for getting all cocky and getting Az worked up. "Going easy on me Shadowsinger?" Eris said rubbing his jaw. Mother! this male's audacity was insufferable! "Wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face of yours, your highness." Az smirked back. Gwyneth clenched her fist. Pretty face?! What in all of Prythian made Az think Eris was pretty! Did he find him attractive? Was he into males? Eris was beyond fine, he was VERY attractive. A strong jaw and sharp eyes with a strong intensity. The male was hot . quite literally. He would make a fit equal to Az. His lethal darkness and Eris's burning fire. She shook her head, No. She was over thinking, Az hated Eris; old bad blood. There was no way he'd fall for him. But she'd make sure of it. Az walked out of the training pit and straight to her, sweat dripping off him. Gwyn couldn't tear her eyes off him. "Enjoying the show Berdara?" Came a teasing Azriels' voice. "Mhmm." She didn't even want to deny it, let him know she was attracted to him. About time it got through that dense head of the Night Court's infamous Spymaster. "Hey Az..., what's your type?" She shot him the question looking everywhere but him. He shot his head to her. "What?" She finally met his gaze. "I'm asking you what kind of people you're attracted to Shadowsinger!" Gwyn was certain her face was as red as her hair now. He looked into her eyes for a hard moment before answering in a low voice. "Redheads. Stubborn ones with a fiery attitude at that. Bonus if they're competitive." He was still looking straight into her eyes, with a small smirk, tilting his head aside as if waiting for her expression, while his shadows were dancing around her in excitement. Gwyn's jaw almost dropped. Along with her heart as it fell to her shoe. She was right. Of course. Of course he was attracted to fucking Eris. Redhead, stubborn, fiery attitude AND competitive. Should've added fire d*ck to the list. "Right." She'd say nothing else. She looked away. "Gwyn?" Came his voice again. Her heart ached as she looked over

to Azriel's concerned face, trying to keep her sorrow reeled in within her. His shadows were frantically jumping around them. "Is everything alright, why'd you ask?" She gave him her best smile. "Yes of course." she waved it off. " just curious." He didn't seem convinced at the slightest but didn't push as he held up a water bottle and drank. Gwyn couldn't stop herself then, She was still his friend, He deserved to be happy, even if not with her. She'd help him pursue Eris. Even if the male would never deserve Az. "So I take it you're into males?" Az choked on the water he was drinking. "What?" He croaked out. Gwyn rose an eyebrow. "Males Shadowsinger, the ones that usually have a d*ck and insufferable egos but pea sized brains?" Azriel looked amused. "You forget that I'm a male too priestess." "Didn't." She muttered and leveled him with a bored stare. "Answer the question Spymaster." Az looked away, his gaze probably searching for Eris. "I've had male lovers in the past. But I've never felt a strong attraction, especially romantic attraction to them over five centuries. Pretty sure nothing's changed now." "Then Eris- how, He's an exception?" Azriel looked at her with a bewildered expression eyes widened. "Eris? What-why, what about him Gwyn?" Gwyn rolled her eyes, hands on her hips, looking down at him. "Quit the puppy eyes act Az. It fine admitting you're attracted to Eris, he's okayish. You'd look good together I guess. Enemies to Lovers arc, angsty slow burn romance,," she shrugged nonchalantly even though she was fuming inside. Az's shadows dropped. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Should he laugh, should he be hurt, or angry maybe? Eris? Of all people in Prythian, HIM? Gwyn though he was attracted to THAT male? "Gwyneth." He started in an emotionless tone face solemn, "What the actual fuck led you to THAT conclusion?" "Oh please. It was evident, for all that being Spymaster and stuff, you sure are obvious about your crushes. I mean for starts, you HATE him, or at least ACT like you do. That's always the first step to enemies to lovers. And then you guys are ALWAYS bantering! Score 2. And did you SEE that tension while you were sparring? AND Flirting with Eris? Its clear as day 'Mr. I show No Emotion'. And Redheads? Seriously Az, could you have even tried and been any more subtle? Az looked at her for a dead half a minute and then burst out laughing so hard that everyone in the training arena were now staring at them in pure shock to see the infamous Spymaster laughing his ass off. Az looked at her, trying to stop laughing, but one look at her angry face and he burst out in fits all over again. Gwyn kicked him good and hard in the knee. "Ouch!" He yelled, not stopped laughing as he held his knee. "Gwyn- I oh Cauldron. Wait." He heaved in and out. "Good shot Berdara." He said with a hint of pride, still chuckling. Gwyn kicked him again. "Nice try deflecting Spymaster." Az shook his head rapidly, still trying to catch his breath. He calmed down and looked at her. "Gwyneth Berdara. My darling. You thought I was attracted to Eris?" He started laughing again. Gwyn grew nervous, "You're not? But you said Redhead, Stubborn, Fiery attitude, Competitive. Eris is all that." "Well I'm not attracted to Eris. AT ALL. Please don't ever say or even think of that again. Please. For the sake of my sanity." Gwyn sighed in relief. "Sorry, I assumed Wrong." But then she tensed again. "But then, if not Eris, then..." She trailed off. If he wasn't attracted to Eris, then who else was it? Redheads? Lucien? Az stood up and held her arms. "Gwyn. Gwyn look at me." She looked up at him with weary eyes. "Can you think of a better Redhead? A stubborn, competitive, fierce one? She's fearless and strong." Gwyn scrunched her nose in thought. A she, was it Vassa? He flicked her nose. "She's a Valkyrie Gwyn." A Valkyrie? There weren't many new ones other than her, Emerie and Nesta, only about two or three. She looked around to see if there were any redheads in them. Az rubbed his hands on his face. "Mother's sake Gwyn,

its YOU." Her eyes shot to his in disbelief. He liked HER? "I- you, me?" She pointed a finger to herself. "You like me?" Azriel was furiously blushing red, he rubbed the back of his neck giving her a sided grin. "Yeah...that's what I'm saying..." Gwyn thought she was going to burst with all the emotions. "I-" Before she could say anything else Eris walked up to them. "Break over yet Shadowsinger?" He smirked. Gwyn growled, literally growled and stepped in front of Az. "Stay away from him Eris, find someone else to play fight. If I see you anywhere near him or talking to him, I swear to the mother, I will rip your throat out." Eris took a step back at her promised violence. "Hiding behind a female, Scared of losing Spymaster?" Gwyn took a step at him, she was certain she'd show Eris hell today. "Leave us alone Eris. I've scored my best win today." He said, looking at Gwyn fondly and putting a hand on her shoulder. Eris snorted and left muttering something to himself. "So..., are we going to talk about how adorable you are when you're jealous and angry? Especially over Eris?" Az teased her with a huge grin and happy eyes "I have no idea what you're talking about." Gwyn shrugged in charming irreverence. His gaze darkened as he looked into her ocean eyes, "You never finished what you were saying before asshole Eris butted in?" Gwyn gave him a soft smile before reaching up to his collar and pulling him down so she could kiss him. She pecked his lips once slightly before letting go and grinning at him while she walked away, leaving Az to process what happened and blush furiously like a teenager. He watched Gwyn walk away in victory. Mother, this female never failed to amaze him, And he was certain that this wouldn't be the last time. For the first time in five centuries, Az found hope. Found himself looking forward for the next day, and the rest of his life. Something sparked in his chest at the thought, A smile unconciously made way to his lips, like every time he thought of Gwyn; and this time, he didnt make to erase it. He'd let it for the world to see, the happiness Gwyneth Berdara brought to his life.

It's not about them talking exactly, but this seemed more fun to write😅

I tried! Not sure if it was good enough, but I've never really tried writing from Gwyn's POV.

Feedback, suggestions and other ideas always welcome!

#gwynriel #acotar #acosf #azriel #gwyneth berdara #azriel x gwyn #gwyn x azriel #gwyn #acosf headcannon #headcanon #eris vanserra

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gwynrielsupremacist · 3 years

Text

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

Read at AO3

(if you want to be tagged in the series, let me know!)

"Now you must pass the blue thread under the black one, stretch hard to leave them together and finally place the red one above the other two." Gwyn explained as she turned the strands around and around, weaving them over and over until she got a decent bracelet.

However, the threads between the Spymaster's fingers weren't decent at all.

The priestess began to laugh softly, watching as the male next to her struggled to keep all the strings in order, failing at it, of course.

"I give up" He growled, undoing the little development he had achieved in the two hours they had been together, the shadows that were on the tips of his wings descending on his neck.

She already understood their behavior a little in front of the Shadowsinger. She knew what they were doing at that moment was comforting him.

"It's not that complicated." she murmured, grasping the edges of the threads, slowly starting to weave them, showing him the process step by step. "See? Pure practice."

But it was true in the two hours they had spent trying, Gwyn had already made more than six bracelets, while Azriel had not finished his yet.

Azriel leaned back on the sofa in the House of Wind, closing his eyes and ruffling his hair, irritably.

"I can't believe I’m not able to do this" He announced, grabbing the thin edges of the filament again, trying to interlock them, but failing again. "I quit" He said, leaving the colored strands on the table and getting up from the couch, earning a soft chuckle from Gwyn.

"I can't believe you're not capable of making a simple bracelet!" the priestess teased, grabbing her six bracelets and putting them in a small drawer, where were the different crafts she did when she couldn't sleep, or didn't want to sleep.

"I'm not as talented as you," he recognized, his voice coming from the kitchen near the living room where they were. "Do you want sugar or milk in your coffee?"

"Both!" she bellowed, hearing a laugh from the Shadowsinger.

"I imagined it," he replied, bringing in his hands a tray with two coffees, a jug of milk and a sugar bowl, while his shadows circled the tray, excited. He left the tray on top of the threads, then sat on the sofa, careful of his wings, while the shadows settled back in the crook of his neck, although some of them ran to where Gwyn was, surrounding her playfully.

"So why do you ask if you know what I'm going to answer?" she questioned, grabbing the coffee Azriel passed her, grabbing the milk and sugar to serve herself.

"Just in case you had changed that horrible taste you have" he hinted, reaching for his coffee cup, and without adding any sweetener he took it to his mouth. Noting the amazement with which she was watching him, he asked, "What?"

"Aren't you going to put a sugar cube in your coffee?" the female recommended, adding three sugar cubes to hers.

The Spymaster denied, raising the cup to his lips: "The coffee is better without anything."

Horrified, the priestess replied: "That's a lie, black coffee is just disgusting, it is very bitter." some shadows located with Azriel went towards Gwyn, as if by this they implied they agreed with her.

"Do you understand I am your master, right?" he snapped, looking amused at his shadows.

She laughed, letting the shadows entwine around her fingers, spinning rapidly.

"Maybe you don't like it, priestess, but I prefer it that way" he continued, putting the coffee down on the table and looking at the edges of the threads sticking out of the tray.

Carefully he pulled out three, one blue, one black, and finally one purple, and went back to trying to braid them.

For the first few moments, Gwyn thought he had finally learned how to make them, since he was weaving them together well, but the moment they joined one another, they became entangled.

He snorted, put the bracelet half on the table and crossed his arms, disappointment in his eyes. Some of his shadows passed around his neck, staying there.

She chuckled softly, then got to her feet and, looking at him, questioning if she could sit next to him, to which he nodded curiously, dropped to the side of the Spymaster, grabbing the edges of the bracelet and releasing them onto the ring, middle and thumb fingers.

"May l?" She asked cheerfully.

With surprise, the Shadowsinger understood what the priestess was looking for, therefore he nodded, silently asking the shadows to stay in the arc of his wings, moving closer to her and leaving his fingers flabby, for her to manipulate as she wished.

Her proximity to Azriel seemed strange to her. Someone who kept so many secrets and didn't like people occupying his personal space was allowing Gwyn to do so, and also allowing her to take his fingers and use them to create the bracelet.

The fear in Azriel's eyes when she noticed the scars on his hands made her think that it was not a good idea, that he felt uncomfortable for her touching his hands, but when his eyes met hers, Azriel nodded slightly.

She slowly stroked his palm and the back of his, earning a strangled sigh from the male.

She wondered if his scars hurt or bothered him. It was clear that something had happened to him, those marks did not occur overnight, but if he did not want to explain it, she was not going to be the one to ask.

She grabbed the ring finger and the index finger and began to tie the knot at one end of the thread so that it would be attached. Then she took his other hand and with it passed the violet through them, creating a small circle. Finally, she took the black thread and passed it through the center of the circle, holding it, while with the other hand she maneuvered to tie everything under the blue thread.

Although she didn't say anything, she did notice Azriel's irregular breathing, and Gwyn didn't know if it was because she was hurting him or if he was trying not to think that someone was touching his hands, and therefore his scars. Or if he too felt that strange sensation in his chest, as if something was slowly glowing deep within him.

She tried to compose herself, and went through the same process over and over again, trying not to touch Azriel's hands too much just in case he felt uncomfortable, until she finished the task.

Between her hands and the Spymaster's scarred hands was a perfectly made bracelet the size of a male's wrist.

When she looked up, satisfied with the result, she almost choked on her own saliva.

Tears fought to get out of the Shadowsinger's eyes, while he struggled to prevent it, without much luck, of course, preferring to lower his head, trying to make the female in that place not see the state he was in.

Gwyn didn't know what to do, he had never seen Azriel, not the Spymaster or the Shadowsinger, but Azriel so heartless and broken.

She had froze, trying to make room for her brain to understand what she had done wrong.

"Have I hurt him?" She wondered herself, alarmed.

The shadows, seeing the state of his master, went to his hands, hiding them in a mist of darkness, while others melted in his neck, reassuring.

She didn't know how long he had spent in that position, she sitting, staring at the shadows and at the Spymaster, worried that perhaps she had spoiled everything they had.

Suddenly, the shadows disappeared from his hands, reaching Gwyn's neck, and slowly they stayed there, licking her skin, getting her to calm down, even a little.

Impromptu, Azriel's right hand moved towards hers.

She didn't know if she was misunderstanding the situation, but she knew that, if she were in his situation, she would want to. So she grabbed his hand, entwining it with her fingers.

He sighed, running his free hand over his eyes, ruffling his hair and finally connecting his eyes with hers.

"I'm sorry you had to witness this" he apologized as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

She shook her head: "You've seen me in a worse situation, I think it's okay to see you having a mental breakdown" she laughed, watching his reaction, relieved when a snort left his lips.

They were silent for a few minutes, the only sound was the movement of his thumb across her hand.

"It's because of my childhood" he began to explain, stopping the movement of his finger, sighing.

"No ... You don't have to explain it to me if you don't want to," Gwyn exclaimed.

"I think, I think I owe you an explanation as to why I have behaved like this" Gwyn tried to interrupt him, but he raised a hand, indicating silence. "I'm not going to tell you the whole story, maybe another day, because I don't feel mentally stable right now to tell the whole story," he began to explain. “My mother worked as a maid for an Illyrian lord, and let's say the lord abused her. Well, I was the result of the abuse. I lived with my step mother, father and step brothers, and they locked me in a cell, denying me, among many things, human contact." Gwyn's eyes watered, and she tried to keep it minimally hidden, but it was impossible to keep an emotion hidden when the Spymaster was present. "Please don't cry, I don't think I'll be able to go through with it if I see you cry." He announced as he wiped her tears away with his index finger. “As I was saying, they denied me practically everything, and they only let me see my mother once a week. She was the only one I allowed to touch me, because when the other members of my family came to touch me, it was to attack me. I ended up being afraid of anyone's touch other than my mother's.

Gwyn's heart was squeezing little by little. She could not fully understand the behavior of the Spymaster, but she could understand that he had been a beaten, abused child, and that only the gods would know what had happened to scar so bad an Illyrian with healing powers.

"When I was dropped off at Windhaven at eleven, I would back off when they tried to touch me, and sometimes now I even refuse physical contact if it's not exactly necessary." he explained, as he began to caress her hand again. "When you have put your hands on mine, I have not felt disowned, but I have remembered in your hands the hands of my mother, always kind."

That male, known for how brooding and terrifying he was, had just admitted that he had started to cry because his touch had reminded her of his mother's touch when she was the only one who was not going to attack him.

Tears came out of her eyes, trying to hide them, but it was too late. Azriel had already seen them.

"By the Cauldron, don't cry." He said with a grimace, laughing and crying at the same time as her.

"Don't say such nice things, Shadowsinger, that way I won't cry," she replied, getting a laugh from him.

He nodded: “Okay, Berdara. If you promise me that you will do the same with me.” she chucked softly, quiet for a moment until Azriel said: “That, and don't tell anyone that I'm so fucking bad at making friendship bracelets, because holy gods, I'm terrible.”

Gwyn's laugh must have been heard by the gods themselves, earning another laugh from him.

They were silent for a moment, looking into each other's eyes, lost in each other's gaze, until Gwyn came up with something,

"I hope I don't look like a damn stupid." she thought to herself as she spread her arms, silently asking for a hug from the Spymaster of the damn Night Court.

Azriel stared at first, puzzled that he didn't really know what the hell she was doing.

Until he realized what she was asking for.

Gwyn was about to drop her arms, embarrassed, but at the last moment Azriel threw himself into her arms.

She froze.

She didn't think he was going to react that way.

“This male has spent 500 years craving physical contact. And he hadn't found anyone who didn't fear him and knew him as Azriel. Not like the Spymaster or Shadowsinger of the Night Court, but Azriel." She thought as her arms, taking care of his wings and his shadows, that she did not know when they had gone from her neck to the hollow of his wings, entwined around her back, stroking softly.

And there, with Azriel in her arms, in the House of Wind, it was when she realized that, at last, she had come home.

TAG LIST: @bookish-isha @imsointobooks @shisingh @feyretale @niaacotar @flora-shadowshine @tealnymph24 @trashforazriel

#gwynriel #gwynriel fic #my fic #azriel #gwyn

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