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Chapter Text

A loud sound jerked Azriel up from where he had fallen asleep on his desk. He groaned and rubbed the back of his neck, stretching and wincing as his joints popped in anger. He didn’t remember falling asleep, the last thing he knew was that he was doom scrolling on his computer and ignoring Cassian’s texts. This didn’t do, apparently, since he was calling him at this late hour. He picked up his phone, squinting his eyes at the bright light and grumbled when he saw that it was 02:21 at night.

Soft steps padded on the floor and seconds later Shadows’ wet snout pushed against his thigh. He looked down at his massive, black dog and pet him behind his ears. His phone stopped ringing and for a second Azriel enjoyed the silence and darkness. His curiosity, however, was awakened and he wondered what his big brother wanted. He knew that Cassian and Rhys had flown to Florida after Mor had decided to join in with a group of friends. There was a two weeklong festival/party happening with different activities on the side. He shook his head at the idea, Cassian was doing a self-defense class and Rhys was doing something ridiculous which surely made him look good but was utterly non-essential. He was lost in thought looking at Shadow, who had put his head on his lap, when his phone shrieked, and Cassian was calling again. No, he wasn’t only calling, he was wanting to Facetime him. Azriel groaned, he knew that his brother would not leave him in peace, so he reluctantly picked up and accepted the call.

The phone was the only light source and Azriel was kept in complete darkness except his eyes and part of his face were illuminated. His silent room was violently disturbed by loud music and many people chatting at the same time. There was so much going on that his senses were immediately overwhelmed. Cassian was lying in a bed on his back in a tank top, and his muscles and tattoos were on full display. He held his phone up in his huge paw and he was sandwiched in between Mor and Cerridwen who were talking and giggling uncontrollably, obviously drunk. Kelis’ track “Milkshake” was playing loudly in the background.

“BABY BROTHER!!!!” Cassian bellowed when Azriel’s face appeared on his screen. Both girls stopped talking and waved at the camera and screamed a loud hello. Azriel waved back and raised his eyebrows “Hey guys, what’s up?”

“You weren’t sleeping, were you? I thought you didn’t sleep at all, insomnia and all that shit.”, his brother replied.

“Well, I- “Azriel started but was interrupted when Mor shrieked loudly and clapped her hands like a little toddler. Everyone’s eyes looked towards an apparently new person and Cassian smirked devilishly. Cerridwen jumped up and then there was commotion in the background and more female voices talking over each other. A definite soft giggle pierced through the noise and Azriel’s consciousness perked up, suddenly making him feel wide awake.

“You won’t believe the night we have had; we went to this amazing party and met some really cool people. Why are you not here again?” Cassian asked, his eyes still trained on some person behind the phone.

“You are literally an angel. AN ANGEL!!!” Mor exclaimed and got up on her knees, suddenly out of the picture and soon after sunk back down with fries and a milkshake in her hand, beaming from ear to ear.

“Come here and say hello to my friend.” Cassian beckoned to a person and patted the now vacant spot next to him on the bed. Azriel was about to hang up, obviously he was superfluous, and he was starting to feel his social anxiety kicking in. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair exasperated and lifted his thumb over the red button on his phone. He’d put it in flight mode and come up with some silly excuse to why the call had ended to appease Cassian the next day. Maybe he wouldn’t remember that he had called him, when he was sober, anyway.

Suddenly the most beautiful eyes came into focus next to Cassian and the air was sucked from him. Big brown eyes, framed by long dark eyelashes peered at the camera and he felt like she was looking directly into his soul. She had a petite upturned nose and lush rosy lips. Freckles were sprinkled across her cheeks and bridge of her nose, one prominent one rested on the left corner on her Cupid’s bow and Azriel couldn’t stop staring. She wore a cobalt blue sundress with little pink and purple flowers embroidered on it. She had long golden-brown hair that curled and waved around her body. Was he even breathing?

“Hello”, she said shyly, and Cassian slung his free arm around her pulling her against his side. She giggled and propped herself up to snatch a fry from Mor. Azriel shot daggers at his brother, how dare he touch her like that?! What was even happening?!! When she plopped back down, she asked Cassian “And who is this?”

“This is Azriel, my baby brother.” Cassian announced grinning down at her, casually checking her out. Azriel felt something ugly coil in his stomach at the way his brother was looking at this fairy. No, Mor was right, she was a real-life angel who blessed everyone in existence with her presence.

She bit into her fry and chewed slowly, blinking and studying him. Azriel started feeling hot under her gaze, but he could only stare back at her and take her in. Then she smiled at him and her eyes lit up. Cassian nudged her and demanded “I want some fries too!” The girl looked at him and Mor made a noise of distress, lifting her box of fries of out his reach. The girl looked at her half-eaten fry and back up to Cassian, offering it to him. He smiled devilishly at her and ate it, probably trying to be seductive, keeping the eye contact. She, however, took her hand back and looked back at the camera, shifting to get into a more comfortable position.

Hazel eyes stared into brown and Azriel felt a smile tug on his lips. “Hello” he husked, his voice coming out deeper and almost like a purr, surprising himself. The girl’s eyes dilated, and her cheeks got a pink tinge, and he was completely done for when she bit her bottom right lip and smiled bashfully at him. She gasped suddenly, as he heard Cerridwen’s voice from behind the phone. “What’s going on here?” and then she was pulled by her ankles down the bed out of Cassian’s embrace. It looked like a scene from a horror movie, but the girl giggled and put her hands over her mouth and Azriel thought it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. Unfortunately, she was out of the picture, and he zeroed back on his brother. The music changed to Beyonce’s “Cuff it”.

Cassian looked mildly annoyed and was obviously looking at the girl but snapped his eyes back to him, as if remembering that he was the one who had called. “Why are you not here again? You are SO missing out.” he said and waved his fingers through his long hair, styling it with the help of the camera.

“Where’s Rhys?” Azriel tried to deflect the questions away from him, but he was also genuinely curious now. And where was the beautiful girl? Cassian was distracted pushing his hair around and took some time to react to the questions.

He was about to open his mouth as he heard a loud gasp, and he recognized the angel’s voice saying “There they are! Look how cute!”

At that everyone got up and Azriel felt almost motion sick at how much the picture was moving around but then the camera was held still, and he saw the back of the head of the goddess. She looked to the side at Nuala, who had her nose pressed up against the window, smiling brightly. In the background, outside he could make out a man and a woman on the street standing close to each other. Azriel squinted his eyes and was sure that the man was Rhys. He stood smiling at the girl in front of him and they held hands timidly, she must be new? Cassian moved behind the girl and caged her in with his body, resting one hand on the windowsill next to her.

Azriel exhaled loudly, agitation fighting its way to the surface. He bit the inside of his palm hard to stop the growl from exiting which was inching its way upward from his throat. His phone case squeaked under the pressure of his death grip and Shadow huffed next to him, stomping his feet.

The girl didn’t seem to notice as she continuously watched the couple from the window and breathed “They are perfect.” Her voice and gentle words snapped Azriel out of his rage and he focused on her.
She was jerked away from the picture with a court “We should be heading home. Bye everyone!” from Cerridwen.

The girl said bye to the group and Mor spoke “Oh no, already? You’ve got my number, text me when you are home!”

“We will, goodnight!” replied Nuala.

“Seems like Rhys and your sister are getting it on, so we will be seeing quite a bit from each other. Welcome to the family, Elain.” Cassian said mischievously and chuckled darkly.
Azriel wanted to teleport himself to the room and tackle his brother to the ground, but Elain’s name rang like an echo in his head, and he couldn’t stop the smile from breaking out on his face.

When the door closed Mor groaned loudly and sighed “God damn, the Archeron’s are so hot.” Cassian laughed in agreement and turned the phone facing him.

“So brother, when are you coming? Don’t want to miss out on the fun, do you?”

Azriel chuckled and said “Leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Now get to bed you silly drunks!” Cassian bellowed a loud laugh and Mor gave him the finger.

With that he smiled and hung up the phone. Azriel’s body was buzzing, and he felt wide awake. He scratched Shadow’s head and asked, “How do you feel about going on a trip for a few days?”

Chapter Text

Azriel woke up a few hours after the phone call, feeling refreshed and energized. In his dreams Elain was sitting with him, and they were just looking at each other, holding hands. He normally hated when other people touched him and only really accepted physical contact from his close friends. It took him a great deal of willpower to go out to busy clubs and on dates he had to be the one initiating anything physical. Only when he was in the ring, did his overthinking mind shut down and primal instinct take over. Since his verbal and physical abuse from his father and half-brothers during his childhood he had used this as a trauma response to dig into the fear and torture when fighting in the underground MMA clubs.

Azriel was normally reluctant to take Shadow with him to a party place, but he was his emotional support animal, and he felt like he might need him there. Maybe to use him as an excuse to leave a place early or give him space to be by himself when walking him. And to add to that, Rhys had a huge fucking house for at least ten people and that gave Azriel a sense of security and calmness. Before leaving, he stopped by his mother’s place and then drove off with his car, Shadow in tow. He promised to be back three days later for his mother’s birthday. He would never miss it.

While he was driving on the highway, he listened to some music on his Spotify playlist and watched the traffic absentmindedly. The song changed to Sleep Token’s “Chokehold”, and he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, humming to the tune and lowly speak-singing along. Suddenly, he heard the distinct sound of a motorbike revving on his left and he looked into his mirror. The bike rider was trying to pass but an asshole was blocking the lane, driving slower than necessary. Azriel honked his horn to get the driver’s attention and soon the driver switched lanes giving way.

A sleek black motorbike drove up to his left and his eyes wandered to the rider. The face was hidden behind the reflective helmet but the gorgeous figure clad in full leather lead him to believe that it was a female. She raised her hand as a thanks and looked directly at him for a few seconds. He could not see anything past the reflection of his car and road, so he raised his hand back in greeting. She whizzed past him and to confirm his suspicion, there was a purple bow attached to the back of her black helmet and he was rewarded with a perfect view of her sweet ass in her tight leather pants. The rider leaned closely to her bike and arched her back, stretching the material and Azriel had to shift in his seat, forcing his eyes to look at the road ever now and then, however they continuously drifted back to her.

He sent a silent thanks to the gods when they approached a red light and he stopped in the lane next to hers. She shifted on her bike and looked over to him. They held their stare which seemed to go on forever and then she revved her bike at him. He smiled, arousal growing and cursed that he was not riding his own bike now because then he could be racing her and oh, racing her he would. The light turned green, and she flew away on a wheelie. Azriel smirked at the beautiful sound of her bike, and she turned once more to look at him, waving. Soon after she zoomed away, and she was gone as quickly as she had appeared. Shadow whoofed next to him and Azriel shook his head smiling.

A few hours later they arrived at their destination and Rhys and Cassian were already waiting for him in front of the massive house. Cassian was apparently in charge of the sound system as 3OH!3 “Don’t trust me” was blasting through the speakers. The three brothers hugged each other and Azriel was shown his room which was pure luxury. Shadow was happy pouncing around the three men and exploring his new home. Cassian handed him a cold beer and Azriel sunk down on the sofa and clicked it with the others.
“So, what’s the plan for today?”, he asked.

Rhys smirked at him, sitting perched on the arm of the sofa and drawled “Well, Emerie has invited us to go to her fashion show. A friend of mine was invited spontaneously to walk for her, and I promised to go.”

“Bullshit, it’s that new chick you have lovey -dopey heart eyes for. I didn’t know that Feyre was a model.” Cassian countered, taking a swig.

Rhys shot him a look “Shut up asshole. Feyre has an incredible body but no, she is no model. She works at an atelier and is also hosting some workshops here. I might check them out.”

Cassian barked a laugh “You mean you are going to check HER out, prick.”

Azriel chuckled enjoying the verbal spar between his brothers and leaned back relaxed.

“Oh, and what about you and Elain? You weren’t very subtle, coming on pretty strong. Not that I feel she was interested, even the slightest.” Rhysand sneered.

At the mention of Elain’s name, Azriel sat upright and stared at Cassian. “Is that the girl from the videocall?”, he tried to ask casually.

His older brother laughed amused and nodded “She’s got one hot body on her and that face.”, he whistled lowly.

Azriel crushed his bottle in his hand to stop him from hitting his brother in the face. “And…? What happened?” he ground out.

Cassian sighed, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I KNOW she is single though.”

Rhys nodded in agreement “She is very pretty. Feyre though…man. There is something about the sisters.”

“What do you think baby bro? You saw her in the call. What do you think?”

Both brothers looked at Azriel and Cassian leaned in, waiting for his response.
“Well, she surely is beautiful, but I don’t know her. I would have to see for myself to make any judgement,” he quickly stumbled out, his heart beating fast under their watchful gaze.
Rhys pinned him with a look and hummed to himself.

“Oh, I thought she might be your type. Wouldn’t want to step on your toes bro.” Cassian said and smacked him on the shoulder with his bearpaw.

“Judging by the way every man and woman was looking at her I believe she is everyone’s type, Cassian.” Rhys answered and looked at Azriel again. Cassian laughed out loud and took a deep pull from his beer.

“Can we change this shit music to something that won’t make my ears bleed?”, Azriel asked, trying to steer the attention away from him.

Rhys smirked and asked “So Azriel, care to join me for a fashion show tonight?”

Chapter Text

Soon after the three brothers rolled up to the event, Rhys dressed in tailored black pants and a white shirt, Cassian in cream chinos and a polo and Azriel all in black. When they entered, they saw Amren behind the DJ booth, unsurprisingly and Kiiara’s “Gold” set the mood. After they had got a drink Cassian moved to the seating area to find their seats. Azriel could see that Rhys was looking rather nervously around, possibly searching for his new girl. He felt happy for his younger brother but also a pang of jealousy made itself known. He swallowed it down with the help of his neat whiskey. Cassian sat down on one of the seats in the first row and motioned for his brothers to follow when someone cleared their throat loudly.

Cassian looked to his side and his mouth was instantly dry when he saw legs stretching on forever, ending in a black miniskirt. His eyes travelled up the athletic body and landed on a pair of steel grey-blue eyes looking bemused at him. “And who do you think you are?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“I…uhm…what?” he mumbled.

“Speak up when being addressed to. I asked who you think you are? You can’t just come waltzing in and sitting down wherever you want. There is organization behind this you know.”
His eyes fell to her hands, clutching a clipboard.

“I am sorry, what?” His mind was shutting down, his eyes couldn’t get enough of this beauty and continued roaming her figure.

She squinted her eyes and popped her hip out, which made his cock stir in his tight pants. He shifted in his seat and was about to open his mouth when Rhys came to his rescue.
“I am awfully sorry for my brother here. You must be Nesta, Feyre’ sister, right? I am Rhys, and she invited us to come tonight.”

Nesta gave Rhysand a hard look but eventually sighed and looked at her clipboard, tapping her perfectly manicured finger. “Yes, Feyre has mentioned you in passing. She is backstage getting ready. Your seats are over there. Try not to break anything on your way there and take your beefy friend with you, will you.” She turned on her heel and strut away on her high heels. The song changed to Arctic Monkey’s “I wanna be yours”.

Cassian watched her leave, his eyes fixed on her ass and hips which were swaying side to side calling his name. Rhys grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up hissing “Is it possible for you to help me make a good impression on Feyre’s sister or do you have to always stomp around like a bull in a China shop?!” He dragged him to the allocated seats and Azriel couldn’t keep the snicker from escaping him. “I thought she was about to rip you a new one”

“I thought so too and let me tell you, I would have thanked her afterwards. Damn, that’s Feyre’s sister too? What is it with the Archeron’s?!” Cassian beamed, looking back trying to find Nesta among the crowd.

Rhys looked annoyed and agitated next to him and drank deeply from his Gin and Tonic. He snapped his head to the side in time to catch Feyre reaching her hand out to touch his arm. Azriel could see Rhys’ body language become relaxed in an instant and his eyes twinkled taking her in. Feyre had already had her makeup done and her hair was set in braids for styling. She leaned to him and pecked Rhys on his cheek, smiling brightly at him, her own eyes glowing. Rhys introduced Azriel to her and told her about their encounter with Nesta.

“Oh, her bark is worse than her bite, but I know that she can seem intimidating. She is stressed because she wants it to be the best show for Emerie. Which reminds me, has anyone seen Elain?” Feyre inquired, looking around herself. The background song eased into “Woman” by Doja Cat, setting a seductive mood.

Azriel’s attention caught hearing a melodic laugh from the bar at the left from his seat. He followed the sound, and his eyes landed on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The video call had not done her any justice, seeing her in person, even in the dim lighting of the venue, he could not stop staring. His heartbeat kicked up and he suddenly felt hot under the collar. She was standing casually, chatting with Nuala and Cerridwen, all nursing a shot of brown liquid in their hands. His eyes widened when he saw her click her glass and down it in one go, her face not twisting in disgust. She even licked her lips, gathering the remains on her tongue and at that he licked his own subconsciously. He wished he could be licking whiskey off of her lips or any other body parts for that matter… Elain was chatting animatedly with the twins, using her hands. She was wearing her gorgeous long hair open, and she shifted them over her shoulder, exposing her long neck and collarbone. Azriel imagined wrapping his hand around her hair, pushing it back to make her back arch her eyes snap to him while he… His mind turned hazy, losing himself in a daydream about her but he stopped himself before his body could react to the pictures in his mind. He rasped his throat and asked, “Isn’t that her over there at the bar?”

Everyone’s eyes swiveled to her and Feyre thanked him and stalked to her sister. Rhys monitored Feyre’s steps and then looked back at Azriel; his eyebrows raised. “How do you know Elain?”

“I don’t”, was all he said and drained his glass. He got up and went to the bar stopping a few feet from the girls. Feyre was talking to her sister in a pleading tone, clutching Elain’s hand to her chest. Elain’s back was turned to him, but he heard her sigh and negotiate “Okay, under two conditions.”

“Anything!” Feyre squealed and jumped up and down, her hair bouncing. “First, I get to choose the song and secondly I need a shot if I am doing this.”

“Yes, yes, yes! Done! You are the best big sister.” Feyre exclaimed happily and ordered her a whiskey shot. Shortly after it arrived and she downed it in one go and the sister walked away, holding hands and disappearing backstage. Azriel watched them go and his eyes followed every step Elain took. She moved as elegant as a deer through the crowd, which seemed to react to her and part, giving her space to pass. He did not miss the curious, friendly and even heated looks many of the guests threw her way and he wondered if she noticed the effect she had on people. After his drink was topped up, Azriel moved back to his seat. His brothers were chatting to Emerie, who seemed nervous but excited. She was dressed and styled, wearing a fitted body, with a sculptured structure in grey with neon orange accents. Her skirt was cut from different fabrics and multiple layers covered her knee-high combat boots. Buckles, belts and a hip harness completed her look.

“I can’t believe that it is finally happening. Thank you so much for coming and supporting me.” She said, smiling at each one.

“What’s the theme of your show?”, Rhys asked.

“It starts off very feminine and delicate, my girls represent fairies from ancient times. It switches up in the second half to something more modern but with mystical elements. Maybe you’ll be enchanted.”, she laughed and winked.

“Oh, since I know who is walking I already am.” Rhys smirked and drank from his Gin.

Emerie shot him a knowing look and giggled. “And what about you, gentlemen? Are you ready to be enchanted?”

“I am always ready.” Cassian grinned wolfishly.

“Sure, why not?” Azriel replied.

“Well, you are in for a ride. The last-minute changes have perfected my concept. I must leave you now, enjoy the show!”

With that Emerie left, the fabrics of her skirt swishing around her. The music faded out and shortly after the light dimmed to a soft blue. On the runway there were plants and flowers, it really looked like a scene from little red riding hood or a similar fairytale. In the far back Azriel could spy a piano, waiting to be played.

The lights flickered a few times, and everyone got seated. He heard a soft inhale from a microphone and with the first note struck on the piano, Azriel was catapulted into a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere. He noticed immediately that the song was “Idea 22” and his existence zeroed in on Elain sitting at the piano playing and singing almost with a haunting vulnerability. The way she phrased the lyrics and the slight breathiness in her voice, created an intimate and almost whisper-like effect that complemented the surrounding ambience perfectly. She wore a soft pink tulle dress that made her seem like she was perching in a mist of swirling light and the added fog looked like shadows were caressing her petite form.

Azriel was so transfixed on her that he almost didn’t take notice of the other models, who had emerged similarly dressed and were dancing in ballet style, gliding along the runway. He could hear Cassian shifting in his seat and eventually he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. Nesta was on the runway dancing beautifully and gracefully, dressed in a red, whimsical two-piece dress. This was not her first time dancing like this, she obviously had had classical ballet training. Azriel looked back to Elain and noticed that his breathing was shallow, and his heartbeat was picking up. She was an absolute vision and played and delivered the song soft yet emotionally charged.

The song came to an end and the words “be mine” sung by Elain’s ethereal voice echoed into his soul and took root there. Azriel took in a shuddering breath and through the speakers “BMF” by SZA was played. The lights turned from the blue tones to a soft yellow and green. Elain was enveloped in darkness and was out of sight, which made his soul shiver, and he felt cold at the loss of sight.
Feyre was the first model to walk out, she wore her hair in long broad, different sized gold rings and clips were inserted, which twinkled in the lighting. Her form fitted gown was a vision of spring, yellow, green and soft blush tones were woven together. Azriel was no expert in fashion, but Feyre seemed a bit washed out by the colours, something was not quite right. He liked the added fur details, and the bow and arrow, which were strapped to her back.

More models walked out and spun around, showing off the well-tailored and interesting details of each gown and piece Emerie had created. Azriel’s mind couldn’t focus on the show properly, his mind was constantly conjuring pictures of Elain sitting at the piano and Elain laughing with her friends. His fantasies started to betray him again, imagining him standing behind her at the piano, leaning over her and dominating with his height and presence, kissing her neck. Her lying on the piano, legs spread wide and him worshipping her with his mouth and fingers. He seriously needed to get a grip… on Elain.
He was snapped out of his reverie when the atmosphere was changed, the lighting became dramatic, red and orange tones filled the space. Azriel’s eyes snapped back to the piano, where Elain had emerged again. In the dark, he could make out another person sitting on a chair close to her, not yet illuminated. He balled his fists, bile rising in his mouth. His gut instinct was telling him that something was wrong. Elain was playing “Golden Hour” when the first model exited, wearing a burgundy red gown. Suddenly, the light next to her illuminated the person sitting close to her, playing the cello. Azriel bit the inside of his cheek, hard.

He recognized the person instantly, the unmistaken long red hair and distinct scar that adorned his face twinkled in the lighting- Lucien. Azriel exhaled sharply through his nose and watched the two of them like a hawk. He did not miss the way Lucien kept glancing at Elain, his eyes travelling from her playing fingers up her arm, shoulder and eventually landing on her face. She seemed oblivious to his looks and was fully concentrated on her instrument. They complimented each other on the surface but Azriel felt that Lucien’s cello was sometimes overpowering Elain’s piano and that they did not harmonize when looking and listening more closely.

When the last note was struck and it vibrated to a silence Lucien looked over to Elain and offered his hand, for her to stand. Azriel felt that she hesitated but then the lighting was turned off again and they were swept back in darkness. Irritation spread through his body, and he leaned over and whispered “The Vanserra’s are here?” to Cassian. Since Nesta had not appeared again, after the beginning dance scene, Cassian had been shifting impatiently in his seat.

“Yeah, trouble is here. Only Lucien though, apparently. He seems to be the least asshole of the bunch. He is friends with Feyre, and she likes him.”

At the mentioning of Feyre’s name, Rhys perked up and look to his brothers. “What’s with Feyre?”

‘You are so fucked. Is that how I get your attention from now on? Whisper her name?” Cassian goaded.

“Fuck off.” Rhysand waved him off.

“No but seriously, what’s with Lucien? You know best what happened between Mor and Eris. Do we trust this kid?” Cassian prodded.

“Feyre knows him and likes him. He is not like his brothers and seems okay. He has taken a liking to Elain and from what she’s been telling me they are hitting it off. So let them be.” Rhys looked at Azriel for longer than necessary when he spoke.

Azriel kept his face utterly neutral, but an icy storm was raging inside of him.

What does he mean they are hitting it off?

Chapter Text

The show continued, but Azriel was stewing, stuck in his mind replaying what Rhys had told him and trying to connect it to what he had seen with his own eyes. It did not add up to him and a possessive pressure was building in his gut, clawing its way up to the surface. After the models had finished walking in their fairy like dresses, there was a loud crashing sound, and an eerie sound crawled its way through the venue. Then a medley of different songs was played, a powerful ode to strong, independent women. It varied from Jennie’s “Extra”, to Chappell Roan and obviously and not surprisingly, to Beyonce’s “Run the World”. The switch ups between the songs were fast and upbeat and the walking models had changed from soft, tulle dresses to bold, daring vibes. Laced blouses were tucked into high waisted trousers, combined with edgy combat boots. Emerie played with the balance of the feminine silhouettes by using a combination of flowy and form fitting. She had mixed textures like silk with leather and the pastel tones were now rich and loud.

Azriel heard Rhysand loudly inhale when Feyre reemerged for the second round, her whole outfit and make up was a stark contrast to what she had worn the first time. Her dress was black, sheer and skintight, reveling without being outright indecent. It was cut low in the front and back, showing off her athletic body and the gauzy fabric clung to her with the help of silver accessories. The fabric looked like the sky had been projected on it, her hair was unbound and fluttered behind her, bouncing with each step. Feyre smiled and her eyes were focused on Rhysand. A silent conversation was exchanged between the two, they stared at each other as if no one and nothing else existed.

Mor followed shortly after in a red suit, she was radiant and beamed at the audience, casually winking at the boys as she passed. There had been a time when he was head over heels for Mor, he could not deny that she was beautiful and he had been absolutely infatuated, however that was in the past. She had never shown romantic interest in Azriel, and he had quietly moved on, accepting that it just wasn’t to be. He still gave her a lopsided grin when her eyes lit up in surprise.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see the twins Cerridwen and Nuala rush to the back, phones in hand. They stopped not far away from where Azriel was seated, and he could hear Nuala giggling “I can’t believe she is doing this!”

“I know,” Cerridwen whisper giggled back, “People always underestimate her and we as her friends, should stop doing it too.”

Nuala nodded frantically at that and clutched her phone to her chest, looking at the stage entrance. “I can’t believe Gwyn chickened out.”

“I don’t blame her. But lucky for us, now Bambi will be walking instead.”

“Did you see the way fox boy was looking at her? He always tries to get too close.” Nuala tutted.

“I know, he does NOT know how to read a room. Or her for that matter…” Cerridwen muttered.

“Foxes hunt and eat Bambis, don’t they?”

“Yes…but not in the good way.” Her sister snickered, even after earning herself an elbow into her ribs.

“Oh, oh, oh! Showtime!”

“Smile for the camera, Bambi.”

The music changed to Rüfüs du Sol “On my Knees” and smoke was pouring out of the cannons, creating the pre mystical effect from the first round. When the beat and heavy bass set in, Elain walked out of the shadows and smoke, head held high. She didn’t just enter the space, but Azriel felt a shift in the atmosphere. Her steps aligned with the drum of the bass, which sent vibrations through the floor. She wore a flowy maxi dress with asymmetrical, layered sheer panels. The colour was a dusk blue combined with earthy greens and browns. The top was a well-constructed corset with delicate lacing and boning in textured fabrics. She glowed, a subtle highlighter giving her a moonlit skin glow, her eyelids were rose-tinted, and kohl eyeliner accentuated her big, brown eyes. She wore her hair half-up with tendrils framing her heart shaped face. As she stalked closer Azriel could see that pressed flowers adorned her hair and botanical amulets hung around her neck.

For a few breaths the world felt quieter, as if Elain’s soul had walked in and asked to be noticed. His wretched beast, lurking under the surface, was curious and opened its eyes, staring at the sheer beauty in front of him. She was walking straight ahead but her eyes started flickering to the side, smiling at people she knew. Her gaze fell to the twins, and she gave a small wave but then Azriel’s and Elain’s eyes locked. He saw the moment of recognition and gazed intensely at her, taking in every shift in posture. He told himself that he should not stare but he failed. There was something unreal about this moment, like someone had carved Elain from the idea of a person rather than a real one. It felt like fog curling over water or the hush of snowfall and by the time he realized what he was looking at, it was already too late.

The moment passed and Elain walked past his seating, now her back to him. His eyes travelled along her body, greedily taking everything in. The songs lyrics “looks like I’m on my knees again” resonated heavily within him, images of him worshipping her body, her writhing underneath him, coaxing breathy sounds from her, made his skin prickle. Heat erupted and Azriel clutched his now empty glass with an iron grip to keep his hands occupied.

Elain walked the full circle and shortly after breezed past him again. The distinct floral scent of Jasmin hit him, and he inhaled it like a drug addict. This time the fog machine was turned on again and the smoke continuously curled around her body. He licked his lips while looking her up and down, memorizing her long legs, wide hips and perfect hourglass figure. Her long, curly hair framed her delicious body and Azriel could feel himself losing to his daydreaming again. Like a tether, that was pulled taught, his attention snapped back in full force when their eyes met again. This time he swore he saw her eyes turn sultry and they scanned him head to toe. She bit her plump lip and smiled shyly at him, raising an eyebrow slightly. Was this her saying hello?

The moment came to an abrupt halt when she glided past him and disappeared backstage again. Short after all the models walked out again and Emerie followed, enjoying the applause from the audience. The young artist bowed deeply and beamed, sending kisses to her friends and waving. Azriel spotted Elain at the back, applauding Emerie and beaming from ear to ear, obviously happy for her friend. The twins hooted from their places at the back and screamed “GO BAMBI” in unison. Elain shook her head and hid her laughter behind her hands and Azriel could not tear his eyes away from her. Out of the corner of his eye he felt Rhys staring holes into his face, but he refused to avert his eyes, afraid to miss something. The lights, however, went out and Elain was enveloped in darkness again. Azriel sighed and looked to Rhys, who was still watching him intently, squinting his eyes slightly.

Cassian broke the staring contest by grunting and getting up swiftly. “Who else needs a drink?” he asked, drowning his beer and walking to the bar, not bothering waiting for their answer. Azriel got up too and followed his brother, who looked tense.

“You okay?”

Cassian ground his jaw and stared straight-ahead at nothing. “Yeah” was all he said, not elaborating further. Azriel knew he was not ready to talk about what was bothering him. Mor clapped both men on the shoulder, squeezing in between them.

“Hello stranger! I didn’t know that you were blessing us with your broody presence. How did you like the show?”, she beamed.

“Yes, Emerie did a great job. So did you.” Azriel replied casually.

“All I did was walk as I usually do”, she laughed and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

“Did you see anything you particularly liked?”, she teased.

“Per usual, he only had eyes for you Mor.” Rhysand slid into the conversation, having followed Cassian to the bar too.

Mor threw her head back and laughed loudly, clapping Azriel on his shoulder and leaving her hand there. “You are such a flirt! I know who you had your eyes on, cousin.”

Rhys smirked and ducked his head. “Feyre has been asking about you, trying her hardest to be subtle. I hope you are joining us girls for celebratory drinks?” Mor continued.

Cassian perked up at hearing this and asked, “Who are you going out with?”

“Most of the girls who walked in the show. Emerie wants us to keep wearing her clothes to promote her, which I think is a great idea! Hopefully Feyre will be wearing her second outfit.”

Azriel looked back to see Rhys’ reaction, but he had disappeared. He looked around the room and spotted him chatting to Feyre and he rolled his eyes, drinking from his whiskey.
Cerridwen and Nuala bumped into them after saying hellos started talking excitedly with Mor about the show.

“Which outfit did you like the most?”, Mor inquired drinking from her white wine spritz, leaning on Aziel and resting her head on his shoulder.

“I thought the first round was amazing, I really loved the feminine style she chose. The dichotomy of soft and rough was so creative.” Nuala sighed.

Cerridwen smirked “I preferred the second round, all rough edges and strong warriors. That’s more my style.” Her eyes flicked swiftly to Cassian and then back to the group.

Her sister bubbled her lips “Pfft, feminine women can be warriors too, that’s more my type.” Nuala giggled and her eyes twinkled towards Mor, who winked at her.

“Speaking of feminine warriors, how amazing was Elain? Playing the piano and singing the way she did, I got goosebumps everywhere. Had to really shake myself out of my trance to start walking.”

“Yes! Emerie pleaded with her to play the two pieces live and sing and then she also jumped in last minute for Gwynneth.” Nuala said nodding her head.

“She is such an angel.” Mor said dreamily, putting her arm around Azriel’s middle and squeezing him lightly.

He kept quiet during the conversation, listening intently to everything they said but his eyes had found Elain across the room. She was standing with her sisters and Rhysand, chatting and smiling. Envy and jealousy wove itself through his blood system, gripping his heart and lungs in an iron fist. He wished to be standing next to her, breathing in her delicious scent, maybe leaning in too closely and grazing his arm along hers. He might feel her body heat and absorb it, make it seep into his dead, cold bones and store any essence of her.

Her eyes flickered once to him, and he swore she smiled even more but then her eyes scanned the people around him. Her brows bunched and her smile froze and then she turned away, not looking over to him again. Azriel squinted his eyes and looked around too, shrugging away from Mor. Did she think that he and Mor were a thing? He started to feel nervousness spreading and his anxiety kicking in.

“The boys and I are definitely going out after this, are you joining?” Mor asked the twins.

“I will have to check in with Elain, we are on the run you see.” Nuala said however her sister shushed her. Mor and Azriel looked confused, but the sisters stared at each other, a silent conversation passing between them. Cerridwen was the first to speak.

“My sister has had too much to drink. Forget what she said but I will text you where we are.”

“Uhm, sure. Keep me posted?” The tall blonde said, slightly unsure.

Azriel looked back to where Elain stood and saw that she was saying her goodbyes to her sisters. She hugged both and Rhys leaned in, giving her a peck in the cheek, which she reciprocated and then she disappeared amongst the crowd. From the back Lucien caught his eye, who was standing staring at Elain and was suddenly also on the move. She was moving in the opposite direction of him and he tried to push is way to her but was cut off by Nesta, who stood in his way and forced him into a conversation. From his body language Azriel could see that he was tense and annoyed, continuously looking to see where Elain had drifted off to but when she was gone and lost to him, he looked rather deflated. He ground his jaw and gave Nesta curt answers, Feyre joined in, and he was smiling tight lipped at her, seeming to be more at ease in her presence. Rhysand chatted with the group, but his suave façade was crumbling every time Nesta seemed to butt in with a snide comment. Azriel chuckled under his breath and finished off his drink.

Chapter Text

The rest of the night Azriel was entertained by Mor drunkenly dancing with everyone, Cassian and Nesta bickering about absolutely everything and anything and Rhys and Feyre glued to each other. At some point Cassian took it too far with his jokes and flirting that Nesta even chucked her drink in his face. When he smiled wolfishly at her and licked his lips, she stomped away from him and threw herself on the sofa where Azriel was sitting.

“Your brother is an absolutely perverted neanderthal. How to you stand him?!”, she asked crossing her arms across her chest.

Azriel chuckled into his drink and shook his head. “He is only half as bad as he is behaving now. You two seem to enjoy rattling each other up. Your stunt just then is only spurring him on more.”

“I can’t believe my sister told me that he was a sweet puppy. What a liar.”, she muttered, staring daggers at Cassian. He, however, was now dancing with Mor, both making fools of themselves but clearly having fun.

“Who, Feyre?”

“No, Elain. She wasn’t supposed to not come here at all, she keeps herself very busy and is sometimes hard to pin down. Last night she appeared out of nowhere, surprising Feyre and me and soon after went out with her best friends, the twins. You know them, don’t you?”

Azriel nodded, “Yes, I work with them.”

“Well, she suddenly declared that she felt like she had to go out. Felt it in her bones or some bullshit. Feyre joined in with the group and that’s when they met your brothers and Mor. My baby sister and your brother had an immediate connection, but I am going to be honest. I don’t like him. Think he’s a conceited prick but Feyre has chosen to continue with whatever it is. Elain, of course, approves of him. Claims she has a sixth sense when it comes to reading people.” Nesta drank heavily from her vodka soda and exhaled loudly.

“Rhys can come across high maintenance but behind all that he is a really great guy. Same for Cassian.”

At that Nesta hummed but did not want to discuss this any further, her mind already made up.

After some seconds of silence Azriel stated quieter, “Elain sounds like an interesting person.”

Nesta sharply turned her head and pinned him with a long, hard look. She scanned his carefully blank face but there was still a fire ignited in those steel grey eyes. “She is the best, no one compares to her. Not even the sun can compete with her light, she is always giving life to those around her. The moon pales next to her, she is gentle, wise and quietly lights the darkest nights. If you knew her, you would know.”

Azriel gulped but held her hard glance, not backing down. His inner walls had come up completely shielding him from Nesta’s pent up fire which was itching to break out. She leaned in and he fought against the urge to retreat.

“Do you want to get to know her, Azriel?”, she smiled at him devilishly. Before he could form an answer, Cassian landed heavily next to Nesta on the sofa and swung his arm across the back of it. His fingers grazed her naked shoulder, and he leaned in asking “What are you two intimately gossiping about?”

Nesta scoffed and pushed at his bicep aggressively and got up, stomping away. Cassian watched her walk away, licking his lips at the sway of her hips. Azriel just shook his head and slumped back into the sofa.

” What were you two discussing so closely?” he asked again.

“Jealously does not look good on you, Cassian”, Aziel replied.

“Fuck you and your secrets. Let me into your life, share a little! Why won’t you?” Cassian whined, pouring himself another drink.

Azriel laughed at his antics and looked towards the dancefloor where Rhysand and Feyre were dancing as close as possible. Their foreheads were pushed together, and her hands were in his hair, his roamed her body greedily and their bodies rolled in synch.

There was fast movement on the side and suddenly Elain stood next to them, grabbing Feyre’s arm and looking earnest and panicked. Rhys bunched his brows and pulled his girl closer to him, looking towards the exit with sharp eyes. Cassian felt the tension and stood up at the same moment as Azriel leaped from his seat.

Lucien rushed through the dancing crowd to the group and hovered near Elain, speaking frantically. She backed away from him, hiding half behind Rhys and looking past his shoulder. She hugged her arms, making herself small and was clearly uncomfortable. Feyre looked pale and clung to Rhysand’s side, who had his arm protectively slug around her.

From the back of the club Azriel suddenly saw, what all the unrest was about. The group on the dance floor locked eyes with Tamlin, who stood stiff and stared at Feyre. He was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Then he moved towards them and Lucien grabbed Elain’s arm, trying to get her behind him for protection. She squirmed at his touch and that’s all it took for Azriel to move. He prowled as quickly as possible to the group, but Nesta beat him to it. She emerged and shoved Tamlin hard on his chest before he could reach them, who stood rooted to the spot. What she snarled at him was drowned out by the sound of the music pumping through the club but judging from the facial expression, it was a clear warning. Tamlin was about to snarl back and raised his arms but didn’t get far when Cassian appeared all up in his face. He shoved Nesta behind him, blocking her with his massive build and stood all tense and ready to strike.

Azriel reached the group and exchanged a look with Rhys, who had ground his jaw, and his eyes flickered to Elain. Lucien paled when he saw who now stood in front of him and Azriel fought an arrogant smirk. So, his reputation had proceeded him, word had spread who was one of the undefeated underground fighters. There were little to no rules there and only the insane or really skilled fighters found their way into the ring and Azriel had up until now beat them all.

Lucien looked to Elain who was now staring, with her big doe eyes at the newcomer and time seemed to come to a halt. People were dancing and talking, music was playing in the background but none of it reached them. Not really. The moment their eyes met and hazel and brown collided, the world inhaled and held its breath. The air grew thick between them but neither of them moved. Time didn’t stop but for them, it bowed.

Everything came crashing down as Rhys stepped in their periphery and blocked his sight on Elain. “Let’s move. Now.” His eyes bore into his brother’s and the cold mask of the brutal fighter came to the surface. Lucien flinched away and tried to take a hold of Elain’s hand again, but she moved further away from him, behind Rhys and her sister. Azriel gave the redhead a menacing look and he froze, paling further and he snatched his hand back and looked sheepish. Rhys moved first and pulled Feyre behind him to an exit at the back of the club. Azriel followed behind and Elain stepped in synch with him on his side, being pushed into him while filtering through the crowd of dancers.

She was so much smaller than him, her head only barely reached his shoulder, and his instincts were screaming at him to protect her at all costs. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Cassian and Nesta were still facing off with Tamlin, who was snarling something horrific. His brother stood unimpressed and smirked, replying with something sassy when Lucien reached them and tried to deflate the tension.

People in the club were pushing more and Elain reached to hold her sister’s hand, who was stumbling before her and reached for Azriel’s mangled one too. He froze and held his breath, waiting for her reaction that he knew so well. The surprise, recognition and repulsion he always saw and felt when it came to one of his biggest visible insecurities, but she did not show any sign of those. She firmly held his big hand in her delicate one, not wanting to let go. He shuddered when her lithe fingers curled tighter around his. Since the night of his burning, he had lost most sensation and feeling in them, however her touch seeped through his skin and bled into his soul.

She was now the one tugging him behind her and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from where they connected. Her hair, which hung down her back in waves and curls tickled along his arms, like vines reaching for him. He stepped closer to her, closing the distance and with each step his chest brushed against her back. Azriel felt her inhale at the contact and thought that she was slightly snuggling up against him too. He smiled at that and felt a blush form.

As they stepped outside, the fresh air hit them like a warm welcome and Rhys whirled around and faced Elain. His eyes went to her hands which were still clasping Feyre’s and Azriel’s and he was surprised and confused simultaneously.

“What just happened?” he demanded calmly.

Feyre gulped nervously but Elain held his stare, chin held high. “Tamlin is Feyre’s ex-boyfriend who has found it hard to let her go. I heard that he grew restless when he found out that she was coming here and decided to join Spring Break. He came with the whole group, Andras, Hybern, Koschei and their entourage.”

Feyre started shaking next to them and Rhys wrapped her in his arms. Elain let go of Azriel’s hand and rubbed her back soothingly.

“So, imagine his reaction when he saw you two on the dance floor.”, she continued. Then there was a loud bang and Mor, Cassian and Nesta barged out of the club, the male laughing loudly. His face and knuckles were smeared in blood, and he boomed “What a night! Who is ready to hop to the next bar?” Mor cackled next to him and Nesta gave him a look and scoffed, walking to her sisters.
“Tamlin is such a sorry asshole.” she muttered and added sternly “We should go home, nights over baby sisters.”

Elain blinked and Feyre looked at Rhys, obviously not wanting to leave him. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and the sisters waved goodbye to the others, leaving together. Each sister huddled to Feyre’s side, and they disappeared into the night, the three brothers watching them go.

“What the fuck happened in there?” Rhys demanded again and looked at Cassian’s bloodied face.

“Well, Tamlin barged in all high and mighty, wanting to get to Feyre and probably kill you. Nesta, the queen, stopped him halfway but when I saw that he wanted to push her back I snapped. So, I gave him a handful when he did not stop running his mouth. Lucien tried to calm the situation, but he rattled Nesta up in the process. Tamlin pushed me once, making my arm smack against Nesta’s head and then I saw red, hit him square in the jaw. The rest is not worth mentioning.”

“Not worth mentioning? You two brawled like there was no tomorrow. That split lip will make all the ladies come and want to tend to you, huge advantage Cass.” Mor said, winking at him.
“Didn’t work on the one I want tending to me.” He mumbled, kicking stones away with his foot.

Rhys crossed his arms and stared at his family. “We have to be careful now and make a plan. This is shared turf where the different districts meet so there is no claiming on any side and if what Elain says is true, then the whole shitshow is here. Let’s go home and regroup there.”

Mor was disappointed that her night out had come to an end but nodded and slung herself around Azriel. “You looked like you wanted to kill Lucien in there, what’s that about?”, she whispered to him.
He shrugged “I don’t like him; I have a bad feeling about him.”

“Judging by the way Elain reacts to him, he gives her the heebie-jeebies.” She shuddered.

Azriel looked at Mor then and asked, “What do you know about them two?”

She didn’t react for a while, and he thought that she wouldn’t answer at all but then “I haven’t known her for long, but Elain seems like a soft, fragile person. Lucien is all sharp remarks and sometimes pure arrogant confidence. He’s been trying to be sweet with her though. I don’t feel like they match but Feyre and Rhys seem to have a different opinion. Feyre has known Lucien for longer, so she is the better judge. Why do you ask?”

Azriel shrugged again, feigning indifference but Mor eyed him. They continued walking home in silence.

Chapter Text

After a couple hours of sleep Azriel stretched in his bed and looked to his side. The sun was about to rise, and the first sunrays crept in through the window. Shadow was curled up next to him and he noticed that his black shirt from the night before lay next to him. His dog must have pulled it with him, strange he never really did that.

He got up and dressed in comfortable lounge clothes, ready to go outside with Shadow, who was eager and jumped excitedly, scratching on the door impatiently. Azriel frowned and told him to stop and the second he opened the door, Shadow whizzed outside and sprinted like mad on the sand.

Rhysand’s house was right at the beach with a semiprivate entrance and the sound of the crashing waved and saltwater smell was an excellent reprieve from his busy mind. All he could think about was Elain, every image, movement and sound was replaying constantly in his head. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was her smile and those gorgeous eyes that shone like molten chocolate. He had slept surprisingly well, even if it had only been a few hours but the situation with Lucien still bugged him. Whatever that was and whatever that meant.

Shadow was now only a tiny black dot racing back and forth on the still empty beach and Azriel leisurely walked in his direction. His dog looked back to him, tongue hanging out and panting and then took off again in a fit of morning zoomies. He disappeared behind a wall of stones and Azriel cursed under his breath. He scraped past the big boulders and stopped in his tracks when he heard the melodic laugh that had branded itself into his consciousness. He peered past the stone wall and saw that Shadow was playing fetch with Elain, who laughed all the while. She was wearing a long, cream coloured dress with yellow flowers on it and a heavy blue knit cardigan which protected her from the nippy air.

Shadow was over eager to bring her the stick she repeatedly threw for him and gently brought it back to her and Azriel shook his head. Normally, his dog was curious, yes, but never to the point that he would run to a stranger and want them to play with him. He normally stuck to his side and never ventured far away. Things seemed to be different here.

Shadow nuzzled Elain’s hand and she pet him softly. “You are such a beautiful boy. Who do you belong to?” she cooed and smiled at the animal.

“That would be me. Even though by the looks of it, he wants to be yours now.” Azriel spoke gently, stepping out from the rock formation.

Elain’s face radiated like the sun climbing the horizon as she looked up. Her chocolate brown eyes lit up when they found him, warm and deep like sunlight melting over rich earth after rain. At that moment their gaze didn’t just lock, but they both lingered and softened. Quiet wonder spread, like they had discovered something precious they both hadn’t known they had been searching for.

“I would never” she teased, her eyes devouring his dog, who was greedy for her attention. Shadow brushed his whole body up against her and when Elain bent down, he set his paws on her thighs and pushed his snout into her face. Azriel approached fast, Shadow was a quite shy and reserved dog, who needed time to warm up to new people. He only showed this intrusive and brash behaviour with people he knew well.

“I am so sorry; he is normally not this dominant. Shadow, stop!” he said apologetically.

Elain giggled and petted him with more vigor “It’s absolutely fine, I am normally very cautious around dogs, but he has been playful and gentle.”

Azriel sighed a breath of relief at her words and shook his head watching his dog’s antics. Shadow was a huge animal and Elain lost her balance and fell backwards into the sand. She laughed out loud in surprise and squeaked when a wet and cold snout wandered across her face. His tongue followed soon after and that was it.

Azriel pushed Shadow away with his thighs and stood before Elain, offering his hand for her to stand back up. Still laughing, she did not think twice and took it. The second their skin met the point of contact sent a bolt of electricity through his body and heat erupted everywhere. Again, their eyes locked and time seemed to come to a standstill. Elain’s breath caught in her throat and her eyes scanned his, unconsciously stripping away his inner armor that he had carefully built around himself as a self-defense mechanism. Shadow barked and circled them excitedly pushing up on both.

“Okay, that’s enough now.” Azriel reluctantly let go of her hands and took the leash and clipped it to his harness. Shadow seemed to think it was playtime and continued running circles around the couple, stringing them together. Elain laughed full heartedly and Azriel was startled and started blushing at the close proximity. He let go of the leash and Shadow galloped away barking. Elain had her hands on his chest and he looked down at her, finding that she had the perfect height for him to hold. It was as if they were made to fit together.

Elain blinked up at him and slowly lowered her hands. Why was she not backing away? Why was he not stepping back? Azriel felt his heartbeat increase and the pulse thrum in his wrists while he saw that her cheeks started to pink.

Painstakingly slowly, they detangled from each other and Azriel immediately felt cold at not having her close. Elain scanned his eyes and bit her lip, which forced him to suppress the urge to lean in and taste them himself. He had just seen her twice, how was he this drawn to her already? “I seriously need to get a grip”, he thought to himself.

Shadow came bolting back, carrying a stick and nudged Elain with his snout. She giggled and took his offering, throwing it for him to fetch. Azriel shook his head and looked back at her, “Are you staying somewhere close?”

She started leisurely walking, and he fell into step with her, tucking his hands into his Jeans pockets.

“My sisters rented a house with some of Nesta’s friends, but I am staying with my best friends. I came here to breathe for a bit.”, she answered.

Azriel looked at her profile and admired the way the breeze made her long, curly hair float like tendrils of shadows.

“And what about you?”, she inquired.

“I am staying at Rhy’s house, he luckily has enough room for Shadow and me”, he replied smiling.

“Were you not planning on spending time here?”

“Oh…it was a spur of the moment decision to come here but it definitely has been the right call. What about you? Were you always meant to be here?”

“Yes, it was fate to come here. Felt a tug in my bones and it led me here. No regrets.”, she smiled raising an eyebrow at him.

He chuckled and they continued strolling in companionable silence. It was relaxing and not awkward at all, which surprised him. Azriel often felt self-conscious around people he didn’t know well, especially one on one, but with Elain he felt peace. It was as if their souls recognized each other from a previous life and sighed in unison at being introduced again.

Elain’s phone buzzed and Nesta’s name popped up on her screen. She picked up and told her that she was on a walk at the beach. Her cheeks turned pink when she mentioned that she wasn’t alone but walking with Azriel and he couldn’t stop looking at her, taking everything in.

Shadow appeared at his side and nudged him with his nose on his leg. He looked at his companion and raised his hands in confusion. Shadow tilted his head and nudged him again, this time with more force. He was panting, his tongue hanging out and he let a small bark escape him. Elain had finished her conversation with her sister, but Azriel hadn’t heard the rest since his dog was bugging him.
“My sisters say that it’s going to be very hot today, so we are meeting at the main pool later. I should head home and get ready for that. Maybe we’ll see each other again soon?”

“I do hope so.”, he replied hiding his disappointment that their time together was coming to an end.

Elain gave him a dazzling smile and a little wave and turned away. Azriel stood rooted watching her leave, but Shadow was running back and forth between him and her, which made her laugh out loud every time his dog came galloping and almost blocking her path entirely. When he reached back to Azriel he pulled on his trousers in the direction Elain was walking. After some time Shadow decided he couldn’t stop her leaving and stood next to his owner, barking at him. Azriel shook his head and walked back to Rhys’ house, Shadow reluctantly following him home.

When he walked into the house, the others were already up and drinking coffee in the kitchen. “Where did you disappear to?”, Cassian asked with a mouth full of blueberry muffin.

“I took Shadow for his walk on the beach.”, Azriel said pouring himself a mug of black coffee.

Rhys was leaning on the kitchen counter tapping away on his phone, completely distracted.

“So, what’s the plan for today? Which fun activities are planned?”, Cassian asked impatiently, sitting on the kitchen island.

Azriel sipped his coffee and after some time Rhys lifted his head and asked with a smirk “How do you feel about hitting the pool?”

An hour later the three brothers entered and stalked over to the sun loungers by the pool, finding some opposite the outdoor gym area.
“Why did you specifically choose these, Rhys? The ones further up overlook the bar area man.” Cassian sighed, putting his bag and towel on one of the loungers.

“Wait and see, brother. Just wait and see.” Rhys answered secretively and winked at his older brother.

Mor strutted by and waved at them, dressed in yellow gym clothes. Azriel sat down on the lounger, still dressed in black shorts and T-shirt, his eyes hid behind his Ray bans. He scanned the area and was also unsure to why Rhys had steered to this particular spot.

Across from them a group of young people in gym clothes were meeting, each rolling out a yoga mat. Then he spotted Feyre entering the space, wearing a purple and silver matching two piece. She was beaming from ear to ear and took her position next to Mor. Azriel chuckled, so this was the reason why his brother was adamant about taking these seats.

“I’ve got to hand it to you, this is effective but also creepy. Is Feyre turning you into a pervert?”, Cassian goaded laughing.
“A lovesick pervert.”, Azriel added, laughing under his breath.

Cassian laughed louder and smacked Azriel on the shoulder, but Rhys did not respond, just kept his gaze, hidden behind his sunglasses, steady on Feyre.

“You’ll be eating your words in a second.”, he countered self-confidently, his words laced with slight arrogance.

And as if right on cue Nesta and Elain waltzed, the elder sister wearing a silver-grey set and the younger sister in a blush rose and sage green piece. Azriel and Cassian both stilled when they saw the sisters and felt heat erupting. The gym clothes clung to their bodies like a second skin and every curve and dip was accentuated in the most delicious way.

The sisters took their positions next to Feyre and Elain waved at Mor. Nesta rolled out her mat and started stretching her legs, giving Cassian the perfect view of her ass. “Fuck me” was all he could mutter under his breath and shifted in his seat.

Azriel crossed his arms in an attempt to ground himself, but his body was reacting on its own accord. His heart was beating uncontrollably, and his hands were sweating. He couldn’t stop his leg from bouncing up and down, a nervous habit.

Elain sat down cross legged and stretched her delicate arms above her head. Images of Azriel holding her wrists in one of his large hands flooded his consciousness, her back arching to his touch wanting to get closer to him. Him then leaning over her, his lips ghosting over her shoulder, neck and finally landing on her lips.

Azriel was pulled out of his starting daydream when a gong sounded, and the yoga instructor entered. All the participants took their places on their mats and the lesson started with a round of mediation and stretching.

Cassian groaned every now and then next to him, but no words came up to comment because he was just as enthralled and could and would not tear his eyes away from Elain. Rhys started shifting in his seat, propping his feet up and crossing his arms, nails digging into his biceps.

After the stretching, the group started doing a round of Sun Salutation. Nesta must have known the order since she immediately jumped into action. Feyre and Elain watched for the first round, the latter sat kneeling with her hands in her lap, the yoga pants stretching over her ass that made his mouth water. When Nesta launched into the downward dog, Cassian jumped up and muttered “fuck this, fuck this, I can’t” and waddled away, his towel bunched up, covering his bottom half.

Rhys chuckled next to him, but Azriel could only swallow, his mouth dried up knowing that Elain was about to join the rest of the group in their flow. She took her position and when she moved into a standing forward bend, he lifted his left hand and propped his chin in it, his fingers covering his mouth. Her back was straight, and she easily flowed from one position to the other. When she got into the Cobra pose, and her back was arched, new images of him taking her from behind, her hair wrapped around his first, making her upper body bow to him entered his mind and he had to bite into his hand to not let himself get lost in that fantasy.

He knew what was coming after the Cobra pose and he braced himself when Elain launched into the downward dog position and held it for some time. He inhaled sharply and held his breath, taking in the glorious view of her perfectly round ass. He imagined how it would jiggle if he slapped it or how it would bounce in various positions he wanted to take her. All the images made him incredibly hard, and he tried to shift to make more room but also to try and conceal it.

Elain stretched her legs, still in the position, and shifted her weight from one foot to the other, making the fabric of her leggings stretch and hold on for dear life. Azriel swore that he could see the hot pink of her thong become visible and he bit down even harder on his hand. When the group finished the routine, he exhaled sharply through his nose and looked over the Rhys, who was still sitting with his feet propped up.

The following 40 minutes passed in both pure bliss but also excruciatingly slow and by the end Azriel could taste blood from where he had been biting his hand. His knee was still bouncing up and down and when the yoga group finished the last round and got comfortable for the final meditation, he muttered something about a shower and left with his things. By the time he arrived at Rhys’ house, which was fortunately not far away, he couldn’t hold it in any longer. He rushed to his room, locked the door and tore down his pants to find release. After finishing embarrassingly fast it took him another two rounds until he felt like his thoughts and body were finally settling down. Azriel lay on his back on his bed and closed his eyes. What had just happened?

Chapter Text

Rhysand watched Azriel rush away from the corner of his eye and his mind desperately wanted to comment something snarky but his triumph at holding out the longest was hanging by a thin thread. He tried to compose his body to not show how much watching Feyre doing yoga had affected him, obviously he did not want to scare anyone away by showing his huge boner.

He took measured breaths and tried to focus on non-sexual things to help him cool down, but his thoughts and imagination went back into overdrive when he saw Feyre walking towards him, smiling beautifully. He smiled back and waved her to him. Since his brothers had scrambled away the loungers were now vacant and calling her name. Behind her Mor walked with Elain, who was chatting away amicably and giggling, gym bags swaying on their shoulders with each step.

“Hello Feyre, darling”, Rhys greeted smiling and patting the lounger closest to him.

“Good morning”, Feyre replied, not being able to hide her excitement at seeing him. She sat down and set het bag on the ground and her hand quickly found his. They got lost in each other’s eyes and simply looked.

Mor winked at the pair, who did not notice her approach and she guided Elain to one of the empty lounge chairs next to Feyre. Elain smiled happily at her sister and her soon-to-be-boyfriend.
“I’ll sit down at the pool, and then catch some sun in the grass or sand.” The middle sister said to the group and started to turn away.

“Wait! Let me rub some sunscreen on your back before you go. Don’t want you getting burned.” Mor purred, trying to sound innocent.

She sat down on the chair and scooted back, patting the spot in front of her, between her legs. “Sit, I’ll do it for you.”

Elain hesitantly sat down and pulled her hair to the front. Mor squirted sunscreen into her hands, rubbed them together and started lathering Elain up.
“If you pull up your shirt, I can get your whole back”, Mor offered while massaging Elain’s arms.

She rasped and cleared her throat by saying “Oh no, that’s fine! So kind of you. I’ll get going. Bye!” and off she went. The blond smirked and watched Elain walk away, casually checking her out.
Feyre swatted her arm “She is not into girls, if that was your attempt at getting closer to her.”

“She’ll never know before she’s tried and dipped her toe in my side of the pond.” Mor countered and winked at her. “What’s her type anyway? It’s a complete mystery to me that she is single and not dating half of the people here. I have seen the way people look at her.”

“She is pretty closed off romantically, her last relationship didn’t end well. There are still some things she hasn’t shared with us yet. Don’t let her looks deceive you, she is battling some demons within.” Feyre said, while watching her sister float away from them, her braid swinging side to side like a pendulum.

“HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!” Mor shouted exasperated. “I do feel for her though. I can tell that she is a sweet soul. Well, it is safe to say that she isn’t into red heads. Not a good match.”
“I guess, even though it seems like red heads are VERY much into her. What about your friend, Azriel?” Feyre smiled mischievously and looked at Mor over the rim of her sunglasses.
The blonde laughed and clapped her hands.
She opened her mouth and was about to answer when Rhys cut in “Whatever direction you are heading, I don’t think that’s a good idea- “

Both females furrowed their brows and looked at him expectantly.

“Azriel is a great guy, and I love him deeply. He does, however, have some unhealthy habits when it comes to relationships. He carries not only physical but also emotional scars that he is avoiding facing. If you say that Elain has her demons, wait until Azriel’s come out. How would that work out?”

Everyone stayed silent, letting his words sink in.

“I think he would be great for her; his deep sense of protectiveness and loyalty could ground her and she would draw strength and stability from that. Elain could offer him a gentle love that he desperately needs.” Mor broke the silence.

“They both don’t want to be the center of attention or the loudest in the room. Elain wants peace and quiet. As the middle sister she is always torn between Nesta and me, trying to keep the balance. After how you have described him, Azriel sounds like exactly like what she needs. She’d probably cling to him the second she gets the chance, and he lets her in.” Feyre added.

“Oh, from what I’ve seen I am sure he wouldn’t mind that one bit. Probably tie her to his bed or to himself to prevent her from leaving him.” Mor giggled; her eyes sparkling.

“Is that something he is into?” Feyre shot up from her lying position, mouth hanging open.

“Difficult to say with Azriel, he is the most closed off person I know but if I had to bet money, I’d say he is the kinkiest of the three.” She whispered back, sticking her tongue out and biting on it.
Feyre gasped “You know, I was once in Elain’s room wanting to steal one of her dresses for a date when I found her goodie toy box. There was some freaky shit in there.”

Mot cackled “You don’t say! So lovely Elain is a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets. Azriel would eat her up! Mind you, many probably would beg for a taste of her sweet nectar though.”
“Ew, okay okay enough now about my sister and her nectar.” Feyre coughed and laughed at Mor’s comment.

Rhysand just shook his head during the whole conversation “Can we please change the topic, away from my brother’s and you sister’s sexual preferences?”

“You mean, soon-to-be-their-shared-sexual-preferences?” His cousin teased laughing at her own comment.

Rhys sighed and Feyre looked at him confused. “Why are you not a fan?”

“Azriel can get intense, he goes above and beyond once he is set on something. He is incredibly stubborn and as Mor has mentioned, very difficult to get emotionally close to. Does that scream Elain to you?”

Feyre regarded him for some time, her mouth set in a line. She needed some time to process his words, but her gut feeling was protesting against his insinuation.
“I think that it is up to them to choose what to do”, she said with a finality.

“Wouldn’t hurt to give them a little push”, Mor commented from the side.

Rhysand smiled at Feyre and lifted their joined hands to kiss the back of it. She smiled back at him, already having made up her mind about her sister and Azriel. She herself, had already chosen who she was giving her heart to and it was the beautiful man holding her hand.

Chapter Text

Elain woke slowly, blinking away the dream she had still replaying behind her eyelids. Her mind clung to the fragments of it, not wanting to let go yet. She was walking in a thick forest, her hands brushing along plants reaching towards the sun. She heard rustling and suddenly a fox appeared, regarding her curiously. It came up closer and circled her sniffing. Behind her was a loud snapping sound and she spun around seeing two sets of eyes on her. She thought she could make out a big wolf and a larger animal with antlers standing in the deep thicket of the forest. The fox started running around her, nervously yapping.

She stood silently and stared at the two figures, her heart beating frantically. When a growl reached her ears, it was her starting signal, and she ran as quickly as her feet could carry her. She jumped over roots and ducked under branches but the panting and crashing behind her was getting louder. The fox was running along, nipping at her ankles and yapping away. The forest got darker, and she felt a presence beckoning her to it. She ran towards the pull of her instincts, and it seemed as if shadows and smoke were forming, creeping towards her. Her inner voice screamed at her to keep steering into the heart of the black shadows and just as she felt the beast right behind her, she jumped and an outstretched hand from the shadows emerged, ready to catch her.

That was all she remembered from her dream, and she waited until her eyes had adjusted to the sunlight. She was laying on her stomach, her arms acting as a pillow on her towel in the grass. She saw that the twins were lying next to her. Cerridwen was sleeping too, lying on her back with her cap drawn over her face. Nuala was reading a book and when she noticed Elain waking up, she set it down and looked at her, blinking rapidly.

Elain scrunched her face, unsure what her friend was trying to tell her when she raised her head slowly. Nuala was mouthing something inaudible now too but the sounds around her were drowning out everything. As she moved her upper body, she felt a weight draped across her lower back and froze. Nuala nodded over eagerly, and her eyes flitted between Elain’s and a person behind her. She motioned with her fingers that Elain should turn around and she kept mouthing a single word, but Elain’s brain was not catching on and she cringed.

Slowly, ever so slowly she lay back down and turned her head to the other side. Lucien lay very close next to her on his stomach too and his arm was strewn across her body. His eyes were closed, and his long auburn hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Elain gasped at the audacity of him cuddling up to her and she abruptly turned back around to face Nuala, her mouth open in shock. The twin nodded even more aggressively, her eyes torn open and eyebrows raised, and Elain could finally hear that she had been saying “Lucien” all along. A shudder worked itself involuntarily through her body and she jerked upwards.

As she got up, his arm flopped down and smacked on the ground, but Elain moved fast and gathered her things quickly into her bag. Lucien groaned lowly and slowly blinked his eyes open, but she was already standing shoving her feet into her Birkenstocks. “Elain?”, he rasped and focused his eyes on her. She just reacted with a high pitched, panic sounding “hmm?! Oh, I’ve got to go. Bye!” and rushed away, looking at Nuala.

Elain was trying to process what had happened and dialed Feyre’s number. Her younger sister picked up and Elain asked where she was and what she was doing.
“I am hanging out at Rhysand’s house with Mor and Rhys. What’s happened Elain? You sound panicked.”, her sister asked, clearly worried.

“Can I come over? If that’s alright. I feel like… I can’t speak right now.”, Elain spoke fast.

“Yes of course, I’ll text my location. Do you want us to come and get you?”

“No, please it’s fine. I need to clear my head, but I am on my way.”

They hung up and shortly after her phone pinged and Elain headed to her new destination.

Rhysand’s house was a masterpiece, it was definitely an old soul that had been retouched and modernized but the bones remained ancient. Elain smiled at that and immediately felt at home, especially when her baby sister opened the door and pulled her in. Rhys was sitting on a huge U-shaped couch playing video games with Cassian and Mor was standing in the kitchen preparing a charcuterie board for the group. Shadow, silent as the night, emerged out of nowhere and sniffed, wagging his tail happily. He whined and licked her hands when she crouched down and started petting him. “Hello beautiful boy. I am happy to see you”, she cooed gently.

After everyone had greeted her, she plopped down in one of the corners of the sofa and curled up. Feyre gave her a mug of tea and Shadow climbed on the sofa too, snuggled up next to her and set his head in her lap, looking at her with big puppy eyes. She hesitantly told the group what had happened with Lucien while absentmindedly petting Azriel’s dog. The monotonous movement grounded her and kept her tethered to the present.

No one moved after she finished, Feyre had taken her hand, which Elain had first flinched away from. Her hand was shaking slightly but she took her sister’s outstretched hand, waiting for her to come in her pace. Mor kneeled in front of Elain and whispered, “Have you ever ordered an angle shot?”

Elain stared at her for a long time and took in a deep breath. “An angle shot with a twist. But you can’t order them from a house.” She swallowed but held eye contact, her gaze piercing into the blonde sitting opposite her. The men stilled and Feyre gasped, raising a hand to cover her mouth as she stared and stared at her sister.

Mor looked at Elain and nodded “You are safe here with us. You know that?”

“I feel very safe. I have a good innate ability to judge someone’s character, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” Shadow whimpered and pressed himself closer to her, half of his body now draped over Elain’s. A yawn worked its way up her throat and a shiver followed suit. Cassian grabbed the closest jumper he could find and gently gave it to her.

“Here, put this on. Do you want to take a nap in one of our rooms?”

She smiled gratefully at him but shook her head. “Thank you, Cassian. I might just close my eyes here. I love the sound of people around me, don’t try to be quiet on my account.”

As she put on the huge jumper, almost being swallowed whole by it, she was enveloped in a scent that immediately calmed her nerves. She couldn’t pinpoint it, but it smelled woodsy and fresh, cedar maybe?

The group gave each other looks and Rhys broke the tension by offering to play some online video games together. Elain curled back up on the sofa, Shadow acting as a blanket again and the others tried to resume to joking and playing around. Elain buried her nose in the jumper and closed her eyes, sighing happily and feeling lighter at sharing some of her darkness within.

An hour later, Azriel opened the door to Rhys’ house and immediately felt like something was off. He heard bellowing and laughter from the loungeroom, and he set his gym bag on the floor next to various sets of shoes. When he entered, his eyes immediately fell on Elain, sleeping curled up on the sofa in the corner with Shadow pushed up against and on top of her. Was she wearing his jumper?

Rhys, Cassian, Mor and Feyre were playing video games together, the group was playing in a team of four against other online players and shouting commands and insults at each other. Amren and her boyfriend Varian sat cuddling on a single recliner, commenting on the others playing and Nesta sat next to Elain reading a book.

Nesta looked at him while everyone said their hellos and Rhys paused the game. He and Cassian grabbed Azriel and pulled him into the kitchen where they quickly explained why everyone was at their house and what had happened with Elain. Azriel dug his fingers into his crossed arms while listening and coldly asked “Who touched her?”

“Feyre thinks it was her ex-boyfriend, but Nesta is convinced it was actually his father. Nesta came rushing here after Feyre texted her and hasn’t left Elain’s side since, but she has an appointment at the gym in twenty minutes.”

Rhys and Azriel frowned and looked at their brother. “And how do you know this…?”, Rhys asked.

“Because she has that appointment with me. She just doesn’t know it yet.”, he smiled wolfishly and winked at his brothers.

“This is such a bad idea”, Azriel muttered and looked to the ceiling.

“Hey, how was your workout? You ready for the fight next week?”, Cassian tried to change the topic.

“Yeah, I am all set for now. Well, shouldn’t you get going?”

“Right, I’ll get changed. Maybe Feyre can make her go to the gym. Elain is fine here, no?”

“Don’t pull her sister into your scheming! Be a man, grow some balls and ask her out if you’re interested!” Rhys seethed at him.

“I’ve got the biggest balls wanting to pursue Nesta I reckon. After the session we can come back and have a family night in. Games, drinks, maybe some truth or dare?” Cassian wiggled his eyebrows at his brothers and clapped them on the back. He left to go to his room and Rhys and Azriel walked back to the other, carrying drinks to the table.

Nesta regarded Azriel for a long while and then slowly peeled Elain’s sleeping body from her. Her sister only stirred slightly and curled in on herself, Shadow following suit. She got up and stalked to Azriel and looked him up and down.

“Sit next to Elain, will you? Keep her company just like your furball.” A ghost of a smile graced her lips and with a kiss to Elain’s head and Feyre’s cheek she grabbed her bag and slipped into her shoes. “Oh, and Azriel? She likes to hold hands.” With that she smirked and left.

Azriel swallowed and looked at the sleeping sister and Feyre laughed. “That’s true, as children we used to share a bedroom and often slept in the same bed. Elain’s hand always found mine or Nesta’s during the night, I think it grounds her.”

He tried to push down the storm of emotions swirling in his head and chest as he slowly approached the now empty spot next to her. Shadow lifted his head and grunted in greeting, wanting to get pets.
Azriel self-consciously sat down next to Elain and draped a light blanket over her. His dog huffed at being borrowed and reluctantly got up, stretching his legs. In the process he jostled Elain, and she shifted to her other side, facing Azriel and curled up into him. He held his breath as she moved and watched in awe how she openly snuggled into him. Did she feel safe around him? Did she think it was still Nesta sitting next to her? After some minutes of him staring at her, she inhaled deeply into his jumper, which was bunched up around her face and her hand started to wander.

Azriel swallowed a few times nervously, he was more than horrified every time someone saw and registered the state of his mangled hands. He hated the way it made him remember what his half brothers had done to him when he was younger and that he couldn’t hide them. Then he thought of the night in the club, where Tamlin had emerged and when leaving the place, Elain had taken his hand then too. There was no hesitation and for the first time then he had felt fine holding someone else’s hand.

In a matter of seconds, her soft and tiny hand had found his massive one and her fingers intertwined with his. Then she exhaled a contend sound and fell back into a deep slumber, not noticing that his grip tightened around her hers. Azriel wasn’t sure anymore who was holding on to whom.

Chapter Text

Azriel was not really paying attention to the others playing online games, his body and mind were focusing completely on the soft hand, clutching his. In Elain’s sleep she had mumbled incoherent words and snuggled further into his side. Her hair was splayed across his stomach and thigh, like tendrils grounding and climbing. Shadow was no where to be seen, surely he had sulked off after Azriel had burrowed him under the blanket for Elain.

At some point the group had started a game against Lucien, Andras, Jurien and that prick Hybern. Azriel hated all of them, they were all undeserving assholes in his opinion, Hybern being their prick leader. He was an arrogant ass who walked around with a smugness as if the world belonged to him. He believed that women should only exist to cater to their men and stay at home with the children, never having an opinion or a voice. It irked Azriel on a deep personal level, since his mother was treated horribly by his biological father, but he did not want to dive into that bottomless hatred.

Azriel looked to the screen and saw that the group was in a forest, trying to kill the other team before they got to them first. Mor and Cassian were playing warriors, and she had taken down Jurian, whereas Cassian was trying to hunt down Lucien, who seemed to disappear into the forest. Out of nowhere a fireball emerged and almost hit Cassian square in the chest.

“That little fucker has fire magic! Watch out people.” Cassian shouted, barely dodging the attack.

Rhys and Feyre were deep into working together to get to Hybern, who seemed to disappear and appear with his necromantic warlock magic, sending creatures along the way. Both were completely focused and communicated sometimes without speaking, it was as if they could communicate mind to mind.

To Azriel’s right he felt Elain start to stir, she squeezed his hand and her fingers slid slowly and as light as petals dancing in the wind up and down his scarred skin. His eyes fluttered shut at the soft exploration of her lithe fingers and he leaned into her a bit further, enjoying her body warmth and presence. He wanted to be a boulder for her to lean on, someone to protect her from any outside harm, physical or mental.

Her fingers were continuously drifting up and down and he opened his eyes to look at her, to see that she was awake and admiring his hand. He flinched internally that she was not only acutely aware of his scars but studying them, however the way she was neutrally looking at them made him relax. He had never received this reaction before, this was an absolute first.

As if she had felt his inner tumult her eyes wandered up to his and again, it felt like time was suspended, holding its breath to see what was going to happen. He felt the pulse in his throat and his fast heartbeat increasing every second that passed. Her beautiful big, brown eyes scanned his and took him in. Azriel could drown in her eyes, and he hoped that she felt safe around him so that they could stay in this little bubble forever.

A loud shriek, however, echoed through the room and Elain jumped and snatched her hand away. He immediately felt cold, and he could barely contain his annoyance. Both looked at Mor, the source of their disruption and she was huffing about being shot down by Lucien.

“I underestimated that douchebag. He seriously just got me from the sideline! Go get him Cassian! Eugh!”, she crossed her arms and threw herself deeper into the couch, her eyes glued to the screen.
Elain sat up and stretched like a cat, watching what the others were playing. Shadow emerged from his hiding spot and came bolting, jumping up on the sofa and nuzzling into her. She giggled at his intrusion and Azriel shook his head smiling.

“What an attention seeker you have become”, he murmured and reached over to scratch his dog’s head. Shadow looked at him with big black puppy eyes and licked his hand, draping himself over Elain and Azriel.

Mor was shouting commands at Cassian, who was following Hybern now too, when Elain said, “He’ll snap your bones.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow but shot back smugly “It’ll take more than that to kill me.”

“No, it won’t”, she answered in an eerie tone and Mor shuddered at her words.

The group gasped as Andras was declared dead, shot in the eye with an arrow from Feyre.

“Damn, didn’t think you had it in you! Nice shot!” Amren praised and Rhys smiled widely at Feyre.

“Lucien is in hiding, waiting for you to fall into his trap.” Elain said from the side and Varian looked at her making big eyes. Before Cassian could retort, he slipped and fell into a hole being scorched from the top with fire magic. Luckily, he was a well armored warrior, and he could take the hits while climbing out and throwing knives at the source. The attack stopped and everyone released the breath they had been holding in.

Mor was the first to speak, “HOW did you know that?!” and threw her arms up in the air.

Elain just shrugged her shoulder and continued watching the game. Hybern’s voice sounded through the speakers, and he sneered “You’ve got something I want”.

Rhys and Feyre stayed completely still and with those words the screen went black, and the game was over.

“That asshole rigged the game!”, Cassian shouted and jumped up from his spot. He threw the controller on a pillow and stormed off into the kitchen.

The rest of the group just stared at the black screen, and no one moved or said anything. “That was certainly interesting. Well, time to go”, Amren announced and pulled her boyfriend with her out the door, him saying a swift goodbye to the others.

Cassian came bouncing back in with different bottles of alcohol and glasses. “This game sucked, and you boys promised me a family night in. Ladies, you have been at the right place at the right time so everyone, gather up and let’s get this party started!”

After a heavy eyeroll from Azriel, a heavy sigh from Rhys and a loud whoop from Mor, the table was pushed away, snacks were gathered around, and music was blasting from the speakers. Everyone had chosen from a variety of liquors and full glasses were seated in front of them. They all sat on the floor, Feyre leaning into Rhys, who had an arm draped over her shoulder.

“Let’s play truth or dare!”, Mor said excitedly.

“Nope, definitely not.”, Azriel immediately countered.

“Why not? Are you afraid of what I might force you to do, broody boy?”, she goaded smiling, raising one eyebrow.

“No, I am more afraid of scaring our guests into never wanting to be in our presence again”, he mumbled into his glass.

Mor gasped exasperated and Cassian laughed loudly “What about the one time you made one of us wear one of your club dresses and go and buy some tampons?”

Elain and Feyre both gawked at Cassian but then Rhys interjected “Red is just not my colour, it does not work with my complexion”.

The sisters burst out laughing and leaned into each other. “What did we get ourselves into?” Feyre wheezed.

“Look, I’ve just downloaded this app and there are only harmless dares and mostly questions for groups to get to know each other on a deeper level. I’ve just typed in all of our names and the app tells us who has to do what. Is that fine with everyone?”, Mor shot a look to Azriel, who raised his eyebrows right back at her.

“Okay, so the first question is for Rhys. Who would you hook up with from the group? Feyre excluded, obviously”, Mor winked.

Rhys smirked and drawled “Azriel, hands down. No one can resist those looks.”

Azriel rolled his eyes and looked towards the ceiling, hating this game already.

“App says the person mentioned must take a shot. Down the pipes it goes.” Cassian grinned, “Rhys your turn to read out the next task”.

The game continued on for a good hour and the group was starting to become tipsy and honest. Elain had to style Cassian’s hair, Mor had to put makeup on Feyre blindfolded for one minute, Azriel had to write and recite a love poem to Rhys and Feyre had to speak in rhymes for ten minutes. The questions were a mixture between light and fun and some were deeper and even raunchy.

Elain had tried to make Nesta join but she was being short on the phone and wanted to stay in with her books. She swore that Cassian looked mildly disappointed, but he tried to hide it well. Feyre and Rhys were flirting very openly with each other and could not stop touching. Elain smiled at her sister and loved the way she was glowing and simply happy. She pet Shadow, who had barely left her side and was cuddled up next to her. His body pressed her into Azriel and she looked up at him apologizing for intruding his personal space but he smiled warmly at her and murmured that he didn’t mind one bit.

Feyre had the phone and read “Pair up accordingly and look into each other’s eyes for two minutes. The first person to look away drinks. The pairs are Rhys and Mor, Cassian and Feyre and Azriel and Elain!”

Elain blushed and felt overwhelmed with emotions about the task while the others shuffled and stumbled to get into position.

“Here’s looking at you, kid”, Cassian said wagging his eyebrows. Feyre giggled at him and her eyes shone with determination.

Mor winked at her cousin and Rhys leaned back on his hands, completely relaxed, smiling at her.

Azriel turned his body to Elain and their legs touched when he got into position opposite her, his long legs stretched in front of him, one on each side of her. She sat cross legged, and Shadow grunted, got up and decided to make himself at home in the space between them, curling up in a ball and setting his head on her thigh.

Feyre looked around the group and started the countdown, pressing start on the timer. Elain inhaled through her nose and slowly opened her eyes to see that Azriel was already looking at her. Her breath caught every time his hazel eyes turned to her and she felt like he was peering into the depths of her soul, not in an uncomfortable way but in a nurturing and gentle way. She scanned his face and, as always, took in every detail of his magnificent face. His long, dark eyelashes framing his gorgeous eyes, his nose which seemed to have been broken but healed beautifully and adding character to his physique. His slightly outgrown designer stubble gave him an edge and Elain wondered if it scratched when kissing. She bit her lip at the thought and her eyes landed on his plush lips that rarely, so rarely were graced with a smile but when he did, her heart soared, and her stomach made a funny flip. Thinking of hair, she sighed inwardly at his dark hair, which curled at the ends and were also growing out a bit but she loved the slightly rugged look on him. Elain bit her lip further when she decided that his hair was the perfect length for her finger to glide through and grip and pull. Before her heated thoughts could go any further her eyes snapped back to his and they were completely focused on her. She felt like prey being watched, a predator waiting in the forest to jump on its next meal. His pupils dilated and moved from her eyes to her mouth in a slow triangular movement. Elain felt her heart beat against her chest and she did not want to run away from his intense eye contact, only if he would hunt and chase her. She rather wanted to run towards him at full speed and be the one chasing him if he decided to turn away.

The sound of the timer went off and there was commotion around them but neither Elain nor Azriel registered anything. Their focus narrowed down to the person sitting opposite them and the air seemed to cackle between them, the pull towards each other getting stronger by the second.

Rhys’ hands landed on Azriel’s shoulder and that shook him out of his stupor and Elain looked away to Rhys, who was smiling tight lipped.
“You lost Elain, drink up”, he said but his grip on Azriel’s shoulder did not let up.

The latter turned around annoyed and smacked his arm away. Rhys gave him a hard look and slowly moved the kitchen, motioning for him to follow him.

Chapter Text

Azriel reluctantly got up from his perfect view and followed Rhys into the kitchen. Cassian was already there shoveling pretzels into his mouth.
“What’s up Rhys? You trying to crash the party?” Cassian asked with his mouth full.

Rhysand looked at him and shook his head in annoyance at the crumbs he was spreading all over the floor.

“I got a message from Hybern, he did not take the game very well. He is planning to do something but no idea what. You know how difficult it is to get intel on that group, so be in your toes and watch out.”

“This is what you dragged us in for?”, Azriel said his impatience showing.

“This is not a game, Azriel. You know what fucked up things he has done.”

“I am aware, I am the one who dug up the most shit.”, he shot back.

Rhys and Azriel stared each other down and Cassian stopped crunching on his snacks.

“Okay, easy guys. We don’t need an argument between the two of you too.”

Silence stretched on.

“Are we done here?”, Azriel asked but didn’t wait for an answer. He turned away and went back to being in the presence of his actual angel. The girl’s laughter carried through the house, and they had been drinking while they had talked in the kitchen.

“Hey, Emerie called and she will be joining with some friends. Hope that’s okay.”, Mor announced to the others and drank a round of shots with the girls. Feyre filled the cups up again and motioned for the others to come back.

“Let’s continue playing until the others get here, I saw some good questions coming up.”, she said winking to Elain and Mor.

Elain giggled and rolled her eyes at her sister and took a sip from her drink. Azriel took his seat next to her again and immediately felt his annoyance at Rhys dissipate. He eyed her and studied the way her eyes lit up when she truly laughed, and a smile started to form on his lips at that.

His brothers strolled in shortly after and Rhys kissed Feyre on her cheek, while Cassian stretched his legs and slung an arm behind Elain. Azriel fought with himself to not slap away his brother’s arm and take his position instead. He felt envy that Cassian was able to casually be touchy with people without second guessing it. He himself felt that most physical advances always seemed awkward in his head that he internally cringed at the thought of initiating anything. He had mastered keeping everyone at arm’s length away from him that he felt he couldn’t even break out of his self-built dungeon anymore. Like he had thrown away the key to the only entrance and was damning himself to live in eternal darkness so that he couldn’t get hurt or more, and so he could not hurt anyone.

“Questions for the ladies: describe a penis without using the words big or small.” Rhys read out and smirked at Feyre.

Mor gagged and said “travel-sized and rechargeable”.

Feyre blushed at added “two hander” while looking Rhys straight in the eyes.

Cassian laughed and Mor screamed in hysterics.

All eyes swiveled to Elain who held her head high and stated, “best seat in the house”.

There was a pause before chaos erupted. Mor screeched again on the top of her lungs, Cassian threw his head back and bellowed a laugh and Feyre gasped an appalled “ELAIN!”. Rhys laughed out loud too, clearly surprised at her answer and whispered something to Feyre, who then looked towards Azriel.

His eyes were glued on Elain, and he drank in the way her face blushed at the attention, but her eyes sparkled with mischief at her honest answer. She had clearly cracked open a tiny bit for even her sister to give her a glimpse into her private life. He knew from Feyre and what he had heard from other conversations that Elain was a very private person and most of the time her sisters didn’t know what she was up to, but they respected that. He wouldn’t mind her sitting on his lap though.

“Elain you are a little wild card, I KNEW it!” Mor said and blew her a kiss.

“If it fits, I sits. Is that your sex life motto?” Cassian asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“She is not a cat, Cassian!” Feyre shot back.

“If I choose to, I’ll make it fit”, Elain winked at him and giggled behind her glass.

Another round of laughter erupted and Azriel absentmindedly licked his lips. “I am sure we would make it fit”, he thought to himself, looking her over.

“Okay okay, stop now with the gross word play! Next round is for everyone. Tell us your favourite pet name for a partner.”

“Easy, beautiful.” Mor opened the round.

“Rhys’ is obviously darling. Mine is babe and princess.” Cassian said.

“I like sweetheart. And hey, I thought you only called me that!” Feyre continued, swatting Rhysand on his chest.

He smiled and murmured “Only you, Feyre darling” and kissed her.

“What about you Azzy baby?” Cassian looked at him.

“I use my love”, he answered, looking away feeling the honesty of the question.

Elain gazed at him and smiled “I really like that.” They held eye contact for a while before she continued looking to the others “I don’t have specific pet names; I think just saying your partners name can be the most intimate and romantic thing.”

Azriel couldn’t look away, her answer hit something deep and primal in him. “Say my name” his inner demon chanted and rattled.

“Next question is for everyone! What is your favourite sex position?” Elain read and blushed further.

“Me being on top. Eye contact is important to me,” she continued and cleared her throat.

“A top! I thought you would be a bottom! Mine is 69.” Mor added.

“I would consider myself a switch, Mor”, Elain countered and downed her shot.

The men chuckled and Feyre’s eyes ping ponged between Mor and her sister.

“Okay, I see you beautiful angel.” Mor winked and gave her a dazzling smile.

“Spooning or against the wall.” Rhysand said and whispered something in Feyre’s ear which made her blush and give him a peck.

“Missionary, gazing into your eyes,” Feyre whispered against his lips.

“Doggy style is my fave or her lying on her stomach and me draped over her.” Cassian drawled and had a distant look in his eyes, like remembering something.

“Anything with bondage or blindfolds”, Azriel finished the round and took a shot too, feeling exposed.

“You little fucker!” ,“I fucking knew it!” and “Atta boy” were simultaneously shouted out loud from the group and Azriel ducked his head and smirked.

He looked over to Elain, who was watching him with big, round eyes and he swore they were laced with pure curiosity. Oh I could show you some things.

He took the phone and declared that all the men had to take a shot, which they did. He continued reading out loud, “Men, what is your love language”.

Cassian contemplated for a while and then declared “Physical touch and words of affirmation”

“Words of affirmation and quality time”, Rhys kept his stare on Feyre, watching for her reaction. She beamed at him and leaned to him for a kiss.

“I am not sure but I think acts of service and physical touch.” Azriel said lowly but Cassian heard it.

“What?! Acts of service yes, but seriously? Physical touch? You hate it when people touch you.”

Elain’s wide eyes shot to Azriel’s, remembering that she had held is hand twice and shame and embarrassment mixed to lead in her stomach.

“Oh, I apolog-“, she started but then the door swung open and Emerie, Gwynneth and some more female friends spilt into the house giggling and talking loudly. Nuala and Cerridwen strolled in arms linked and said loud hellos.

Elain kept scanning Azriel’s eyes and snatched her hand, which had been petting Shadow close to where Azriel had his hand resting. She self-consciously cleared her throat and leaned away from him. She slowly got up from the floor and plastered on a smile for her friends and glided over to them.

Azriel held his breath and stared at Elain the whole time. Fury at Cassian’s words were mixed with panic at her retreating. His hand twitched to reach out to her and pull her back, possibly even closer than they were before but he saw the confusion in her eyes at his brother’s words and he felt like screaming out loud, however no words came out. He sat there dumbstruck and only stared at her, unable to do anything. Shadow had lifted his head when Elain had moved her hand away, angling his head to lick her arm but she was faster. He turned his head to the side and started to get up as she stood up and whimpered when she moved away. Azriel grabbed the ring on his harness to prevent him from bolting away and to ground himself too. He dug his fingers through the metal ring and closed it in his fist with too much force. His dog stood and wanted to go to Elain and attempted it a few times, trying to pull away but Azriel did not let go. They both watched as she hugged her sister Feyre and disappeared through the crowd. Around them the party was now really picking up, people were talking, and the music was blasting but through the sounds Azriel could not hear anything but white noise buzzing in his ears.

When Elain was not in his sight anymore, he felt a pang and pain like sting in his chest and he shot up and walked to where he had seen her last. He passed some friends, who were looking sightly confused at him brushing past and Rhysand angled his head to the side, watching him from where he stood, in conversation with someone.

Azriel could not find Elain anywhere, would she leave without saying goodbye? He moved to the front door and as he was about to open and run after her, when he saw that the sweater she had been given, was folded up neatly with a post it attached to it. In her beautiful feminine handwriting, she had written “Thank you” on it. His hands shook a little as he lifted his sweater, and he couldn’t help himself but inhale deeply from it. It was still warm from her body and her scent of jasmin and something floral and her invaded his senses in the best way. He suppressed the urge to groan at her delicious smell and moved silently, without anyone noticing to his room. Azriel shut the door and locked it, let himself fall backwards on his bed and kept inhaling Elain’s essence from his jumper. He closed his eyes and let every detail, every moment, every look they had exchanged wash over him and replay in his mind. Shadow jumped up on the bed too and lay down next to Azriel, pushing his snout into the sweater as well.