Nesta X Cassian - Tumblr Posts

I’ve just finished A Court of Silver Flames and you cannot tell me that it is healthy to think about sex that much. Like no fucking way is that healthy.

Elain: You've had a lot of sex, right?

Nesta: What, today?

Nesta: *shrug*

Nesta: Some, not a lot.

Cassian, staring lovingly at Nesta: I would die for you.

Nesta, reading her books: Then perish.

Nesta: I wonder who’s ruining my life. 

Nesta: *looks in the mirror* So we meet again.

Elain, holding truthteller: I've got a weapon, and I'm... admittedly very afraid to use it!

It’s hard to realize this, but Embers and Light was the first ACOTAR fanfic I ever read, and we’re coming up on my one year anniversary of finding it. If you haven’t read it, it is one of the most beautiful depictions of trauma, healing, love, and strength that I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. The world building of Illyria is perfection, and it has one of my all-time OC characters from a fanfiction ever (Mas, who is present in this snippet) (one of the others being Arina from @separatist-apologist). If you somehow haven’t read this yet and you’re thinking about it, DO IT. 💖

Embers and Light: Chapter 54 (teaser)

Notes: The longest delay in getting you this chapter but I’m so nearly there! Here’s a snippet to keep you guys warm until I post… 12k. 12! I promised myself I’d never go there again but here we are 🤷🏻‍♀️

“You forget I have seen battle fatigue, sinta,” Mas told Cassian. “I have seen battlegrounds—I’ve been a part of them.”

The skin around Cassian’s mouth tightened, bracketing his mouth like a grim smile. Because Mas was wrong on that count. He would never forget the day of the kerit attacks. He would never forget Mas’s body on the ground, her blood. He would never forget Nesta kneeling beside her, wreathed in the purest of light as she knitted the torn flesh back together. As she healed long brutalised wings.

“Nesta saved me,” Mas continued, her voice resolutely soft in its purpose but determined all the same. “She brought me back for another life and I intend to fight for that life. For you. For Nesta. For everyone who has ever suffered under our own people. For a better life.”

Her words fell away and into more silence. Mas retracted her hands and reached back into the suds, her fingers slipping against cutlery which clattered against the sink. Eventually, she drew out a teaspoon and began to methodically clean it before she extended it out to him without glancing away from her task.

Cassian found that he was relieved. To look at Mas now would mean to memorise every inch of her face, terrified that he’d not have the chance to study it again. He’d already begun to do it with Nesta without meaning to, his mind whispering its own cruel prophecy.

“You saved me, too,” Mas continued into the grim yet resigned silence Cassian had woven himself into. “When we met, I was beaten down. I was so small and insubstantial, the wind could have just tossed me away. Do you remember?”

Now, Cassian forced himself to look at her. He felt his brow collapse in on itself, his eyes felt as if they might melt with the emotion—with the memory. “Of course I do,” he rasped through the chokehold in his throat.

Because of course he did.

Tags (let me know if you want to be added/removed): @arinbelle @superspiritfestival @sayosdreams @perseusannabeth @mylittlebigplanet @biggestwingspan-az @bellsqueen @ekaterinakostrova @bookstantrash @prophecyerised @rainbowcheetah512 @awesomelena555 @wannawriteyouabook @lovelynesta @melphss @laylaameer01 @a-trifling-matter @fanboy7794 @thalia-2-rose @champanheandluxxury @swankii-art-teacher @lavendergoomsltd @princessofmerchants-reads @jeakat @imwritingthesewords @nestable @inejbrekkxr @silvernesta @amelie775 @helen-the-weirdo @pizzaneverdisappoints @wishfulimaginings @trash-for-nessian @my-fan-side @sophilightwood @valkyriesupremacy @vidalinav @onceupona-chaos @inardour @thesunremembersyourface @teagoddess99 @misswonderflower @nessiantrashh @miamorganvel18

Prompty-prompt! Nesta as the badass mafia queen and Cassian as the unknowing regular-joe husband! Bonus points if it's him that gets kidnapped. And extra bonus points if the kidnappers assume he must be in on his wife's work since he's all muscle and tattoos 😇

thank you so much for sending me this *cracks knuckles* we’re about to have a field day

Cassian’s day had been going perfectly fine. He’d gotten to actually spend time with his wife before she left for her fancy yet mysterious job in the city, his middle schoolers were actually willing to learn instead of making fun of him today, and he hadn’t spilled anything on his white shirt for once.

Well. Until he got kidnapped while walking back to his car in broad fucking daylight.

“This is a mistake,” Cassian said for what felt like the millionth time. After he’d gotten shoved into a van and gotten stabbed in the neck with a syringe, he’d come to a few minutes ago in what looked like a decrepit warehouse. Some guys were tying him to a chair while another one leaned against the wall to watch, and once they were done, the guy motioned for them to leave him and Cassian alone.

Cassian figured this guy had to be the one calling the shots, at least for right now. He was tall, with golden brown skin and thick, dark curls pushed back and away from his face. He was dressed in an immaculately tailored suit that made Cassian feel even grosser from how badly he’d been roughed up so far.

So much for keeping his white shirt clean.

“We don’t make mistakes,” came the cool, measured reply. Cassian was surprised to see someone so young caught up in something like this; the guy looked closer to his age than he’d expected. “Are you not Cassian Archeron?”

“…Maybe,” Cassian replied warily. He’d seen one too many cop shows and it was all blurring together whether he should try to cooperate or be as difficult as possible. “Why does that matter? Who are you? What do you want with me?”

“Your wife’s up to some crazy shit, Cassian,” the guy told him. “Can I call you Cassian?”

“Do I have a choice?” Cassian said sarcastically. Probably not the wisest thing to piss off his captor, but his mouth always did move faster than his brain.

“Guess not,” the guy answered. “I’m Kallon, if it makes you feel any better.”

“It doesn’t,” Cassian replied. The bad guys only let you see their faces and know their names when you were expendable, and Cassian wasn’t getting a great feeling about how freely Kallon seemed to be volunteering information.

Kallon just laughed. “You got any idea what your wife’s been up to, Cassian? Money laundering, assault, conspiracy, murder…”

“My wife?” Cassian exclaimed, shocked. This had to be some kind of sick joke — Nesta wasn’t capable of any of that. She wouldn’t even let him kill bugs in the house, let alone be able to kill someone in cold blood. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“What, she didn’t fill you in?” Kallon asked. “Big guy like you? Doesn’t she bring you to all her meetings?”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” Cassian told him. “I have my own job.”

“I don’t want to get my suit dirty, Cassian,” Kallon said with a heavy sigh. “I just need you to cooperate and we can all go home. Got it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, man,” Cassian repeated. His stomach sank as he realized this was probably some really serious shit, and he didn’t have the faintest idea what was going on.

“You don’t know anything about the activities of the Russian mafia in this city,” Kallon responded, his voice making it clear he didn’t believe a word out of Cassian’s mouth. “Really? You’re married to the woman in charge and you expect me to believe you don’t know shit?”

The Russian mafia? What the fuck was this guy on? “I don’t know anything, I promise, okay? Just let me go and I won’t even tell anyone you took me.”

“You really expect me to believe you’re married to Nesta Archerova and you don’t know anything—” Kallon began, stalking toward Cassian with intention before the door slammed open.

Cassian turned toward the noise and his jaw dropped open as he saw Nesta standing in the doorway, flanked by some of the largest men he’d ever seen. Her perfectly manicured fingers were wrapped around a Glock, and the look on her face was so cold he hardly recognized her.

“I’m sorry,” Nesta said, cocking her head. “Am I interrupting you, Kallon?”

Kallon’s face had gone almost comically horrified. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize—”

“You fucking bastard,” Nesta seethed, dropping the facade entirely before pointing her gun directly at Kallon. Cassian jerked in shock as she shot Kallon in the kneecaps without a single hesitation, looking even more pissed than when he’d eaten the last slice of her chocolate cake by accident. “You think you can go after my husband and I won’t fucking hear about it? You think you can go after what’s mine without consequences? By the time I’m done with you there won’t even be enough pieces left for your mother to bury.”

She then launched into a tirade of Russian so fast that Cassian couldn’t even pretend to know where one word ended and the other began. Judging by the look on Kallon’s face and the volume of his wife’s tirade, Cassian was starting to think maybe Kallon hadn’t been wrong about her after all.

He’d known she had a temper, but he’d just chalked it up to her being Russian. He hadn’t quite expected something like this.

“Get him out of my sight,” Nesta demanded after a few moments, switching back to English without issue. Two of the men entered the room and started handling cleanup, ignoring Kallon’s screams of pain as they dragged him away. Another one came forward with a knife, and Cassian held back an undignified scream before he realized he was there to cut Cassian loose.

“Nesta,” Cassian said once he was freed, completely flabbergasted at the scene before him. “What the fuck?”

Nesta sighed heavily, holstering her gun before reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry, Cassian. I never wanted you to find out like this.”

“Find out what?” he replied loudly. He knew he was starting to sound a little hysterical, but he didn’t care. “Cause it sounds like you’re some kind of mafia boss or something, but that’s fucking insane—”

“It’s not insane,” she cut him off gently, reaching up to cup his face. “I was born into this, and it’s not like I can just… quit.”

“Is everything a lie, then?” he asked, not sure what to believe at this point. His wife was high up in the Russian mafia and he didn’t know which way was up. “Do I even know you?”

“Of course you do,” she reassured him. “I love you, and maybe you didn’t know the full truth, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I like that you’re a normal guy, okay? I never wanted to drag you into this. I only ever wanted to keep you safe.”

“We’re talking about this at home,” he said decisively. He didn’t know whether he should be furious about how much she’d hidden from him or oddly touched that she’d wanted to keep him out of it, but he either way, they needed to talk about it. “Not gonna lie, though. The gun thing is kinda doing it for me.”

Nesta laughed before pulling her hand away and sliding it around Cassian’s waist instead. “Noted.”

tag list: @perseusannabeth | @bookstantrash | @charming-butt-insane | @oversizedbats | @melphss | @sv0430 | @podemechamardek | @autumnbabylon | @live-the-fangirl-life | @julemmaes | @that-little-red-head | @jmoonjones | @sayosdreams | @thewayshedreamed | @hiimheresworld | @brieq | @pearloftheorients | @swankii-art-teacher | @nerdperson524 | @snickerdoodlechittybangbang | @imsointobooks | @nesquik-arccheron | @sweet-pea1 | @champanheandluxxury | @dustjacketmusings | @mrs-shadowsinger04 | @unlikelypersonalknight1 | @goddess-aelin | @arinbelle | @talkfantasytome | @simpingfornestaarcheron | @duskandstarlight | @letstakethedawn | @vidalinav | @c-e-d-dreamer | @dealfea | @katekatpattywack | @burningsnowleopard

Illustration : Emelinc Pommery

You're the Risk, I'm Going to Take It

A/N: It's here! It's here! Happy @cassianappreciationweek lovelies! I know I for one am super excited for all the content and fun in the cards this week. We're starting out this week with a fun little ficlet! Because flying on a rollercoaster totally counts as flying, right? Hope everyone enjoys :)

Read on AO3

In Cassian’s humble opinion, an amusement park is the perfect place for a first date. The rides provide the perfect amount of excitement and adrenaline rush all while offering a built-in conversation starter, no awkward small talk or uncomfortable silences that so often seem to come with a nice dinner. The lines give the perfect excuse to chat and get to know each other in between the excitement. The thrills give the perfect excuse to hold hands. The games even give the perfect excuse for him to show off.

What’s not to love about an amusement park date?

And so when Nesta Archeron finally agreed to a date with him, an amusement park was the easiest suggestion he ever made.

Honestly, he still can’t believe Nesta even agreed to a date with him in the first place. He’d been completely enamored from the very first moment he laid eyes on her. The very first moment those icy blue eyes rolled back in her head. Mother save him, he loved making those eyes roll. He loved the adorable scowl that took over her face anytime he called her sweetheart, and he loved their teasing game of back and forth.

He loved the first time he saw her eyes truly spark, the first time he made her laugh, and he swore he’d break his own back to see that expression, to hear that sound. Again and again and again if it were up to him. He’d give anything to find out if her lips taste as delicious as they look, to find out if he can make her blush a pretty pink beyond just her cheeks. He’d give anything to get a second date.

“Is this why you said to wear comfortable shoes?” Nesta asks from the passenger seat, tearing Cassian away from his thoughts.

“Yeah,” Cassian answers easily, throwing his truck into park. He slips out of the driver’s seat, quickly jogging around to pull open Nesta’s door, but she’s already clambered out before he can. Still, he holds out his arm in offering. “M’lady.”

“Idiot,” Nesta teases softly with a roll of her eyes.

The reaction just has Cassian grinning even wider, especially when Nesta settles her hand in the crook of his elbow despite her words. He leads the way toward the front gates, pulling up the tickets on his phone, and then they’re stepping inside. There’s various families, groups of friends, and even a few other couples milling about, their voices and laughter mixing with the melody of wheels on tracks and screams from the rides. The sugary sweet scent of fried dough floats on the breeze, flooding his senses.

“So, what do you think?” Cassian asks, turning his head so he can peer down at Nesta. “Start easy and work our way up?”

“Sure.”

Despite the response, Cassian doesn’t miss the way Nesta keeps her face forward, the way there’s not a single slip to her expression as though she’s purposefully keeping it neutral. Cassian tilts his head, curious what could cause such a reaction, but before he can ask, Nesta snaps her attention fully to him, raising an eyebrow expectantly.

Cassian chuckles easily and shakes his head, leading them both down the winding path and toward the large, wooden rollercoaster of the park. Luckily, the line is quite short, and they barely have to wait at all before they’re sliding together into one of the cars. Cassian pulls the black bar down over both their laps before slinging his arm across Nesta’s shoulders, offering her a winning smirk.

“Ready, Nes? If you need to hold my hand, you don’t even have to ask.”

“What am I? Five? Why would I need to hold your hand?”

Cassian gives her shoulder a teasing squeeze. “Because of all the turns and drops? Because I’m so attractive you can’t keep your hands to yourself?”

Nesta scoffs, driving her elbow right into Cassian’s gut hard enough that he lets out a pained gasp, curling forward over his knees. Of course, it’s at that exact moment that the ride goes rocking forward, the cars pulled along the track and up the large first hill. As the cars go cresting into the first drop, Cassian throws his arms up, laughing through every twist, every swoop of his gut as they go flying over another hill. By the time the ride is pulling back to the beginning, he feels breathless.

Breathless and ready for another.

He leads Nesta to the other wooden rollercoaster in the park, the one with two tracks that ‘race’ one another, and when they’re finished with that ride, it’s on to their first steel rollercoaster of the day. Cassian is buzzing as he secures the safety over his thighs, but when he glances toward Nesta in the seat beside his own, her grip on the metal handles is white knuckled. Her fingers flex as the ride operator begins his teasing introduction spiel, throat bobbing with a hard swallow.

“Alright, sweetheart?” Cassian leans over as best he can to ask.

“I’m fine,” Nesta snaps, not even bothering to meet his eyes.

Cassian doesn’t believe her for a second, but before he can ask again, the ride starts, the only sound filling his ears the click of the track as they climb up and up followed by the rush of wind as they crest into the first drop. But when the ride ends, he focuses his attention back on Nesta. On the way her shoulders slump almost in relief when she gets off the ride and her feet are back on solid ground. On the way she takes a deep almost steadying breath before pushing through the exit gate. On the way she holds her spine straight as steel like she can feel his attention as he follows her down the path and back into the main part of the park.

“Which ride next?” Nesta whirls on him to ask before he can utter a word.

“Are you afraid of coasters?” Cassian asks anyway.

“No,” Nesta answers too quickly, crossing her arms. “Why would I be afraid of rollercoasters?”

“You could tell me if you were. We could–”

“I’m not.”

Nesta raises her chin, her blue eyes blazing and narrowing on him. Daring him. I Will Eat Your Eyes for Breakfast, that was what he named this look of hers. One of many that he has named in the time since he’s known Nesta. And in that time, he’s also learned just how stubborn she can be, that iron will and pride one of the many attributes of hers he loved.

“Aright,” Cassian concedes with a shrug. “Let’s go big then. Do the one with the big drop and all the loops.”

“Great.”

Cassian presses his lips together to keep from smirking. “Great.”

Nesta is quiet as they wait in line for their turn, and Cassian wonders if she’s trying to mentally psych herself up for the rollercoaster. He watches her carefully, waiting for the cracks to show, for her to finally cave and admit the truth. But perhaps he truly is underestimating her and her unwillingness to yield.

“Last chance,” Cassian offers when the small gate swings open, indicating it’s their turn to step onto the ride.

Nesta doesn’t even bother deeming him with a response. She strolls right through the small gate and to the first open seat of the ride for their row. She hops up into the seat, quickly pulling down the shoulder restraint. Cassian shakes his head with a chuckle, stepping over to the seat beside her and doing the same.

“Hold hands?” Cassian suggests again, holding his hand out palm up.

“I don’t need to hold your hand,” Nesta bites out. “I told you, I’m not scared.”

Cassian puts on his best pout, wiggling his fingers. “But what if I need to hold your hand? Please, Nes?”

Nesta makes a big show of sighing, but she carefully releases her grip on the metal handle of the shoulder restraint. Her fingers slide between Cassian’s own, and he curls his, daring to slide his thumb across her skin with a wide grin.

It’s at that exact moment that the ride surges forward, going from zero to seventy miles per hour just as the rollercoaster’s tagline promises. Nesta’s scream is blood curdling, her grip on his hand tightening enough that he actually winces. As they go soaring through the first loop, he chances a glance toward her, but he finds Nesta with her eyes squeezed shut, face scrunched in fear.

The high speed has the ride ending before Cassian knows it, laughter echoing from the seats behind them and a ‘whoop’ coming from a guy in one of the front row seats. But Nesta still has her eyes closed, still has a death grip on his hand, even after the ride comes to a full stop and the shoulder restraints release with a quiet whoosh.

“You have to let go of my hand now, sweetheart,” Cassian leans over to whisper.

It takes a moment, but slowly Nesta’s fingers uncurl and she pulls her hand away. She hops down from the seat, stalking toward the exit without a glance backward. Cassian is quick to jog after her, slinging his arm around her shoulders when he catches up.

“You know, that was quite a scream for someone not scared,” Cassian comments teasingly.

“Shut up. I hate you,” Nesta snaps, shrugging out of his hold and continuing forward.

“Come on, Nes.” Cassian continues after her, moving in front of her and halting her steps. “I’m sorry, okay? No more coasters, I promise.”

Nesta continues to watch him dubiously, those blue gray eyes still narrowed, but her shoulders relax at least. Cassian steps closer into her space, reaching up for one of the stray strands of hair that’s come free from her updo through the rides and now tumbles down along her temple. He twists it around her finger, tugging until that scowl finally vanishes, until the corners of her lips twitch with the barest hint of a smile.

“Forgive me?” Cassian requests, giving in to his own soft smile that he knows there’s no point trying to fight.

Nesta hums, clearly intent on denying him, but she can’t hide the spark in her gaze that gives her away. The reaction has Cassian laughing and shaking his head fondly. She’ll be the death of him, and he’ll die happy.

He glances around, spying one of the game booths just down the path from them. With a decided nod, he starts to walk backwards from Nesta, holding his arms out and shrugging in faux innocence. It earns him an eye roll, and he knows he’s won, finally turning full around and stepping up to the booth.

He hands over the money to the worker, awkwardly settling onto one of the low stools despite his tall frame. He squints at the small target, moving the water shooter up and down until he’s confident he has the right aim.

“I expect the biggest prize,” Nesta tells him from his left.

And Cassian intends to give her nothing less. As soon as the bell sounds for the game, he presses down the little red buttons with a single minded focus. He doesn’t spare even a glance toward the kids sitting to his right that he’s playing against. He doesn’t even bother to think about them. He stays focused on his target until the winning bell rings out, the lights flashing above his station.

“Let’s go,” Cassian cheers, pumping his fist and jumping up from his seat. He points toward the prize he wants, a large purple narwhal plushie, that the worker hands over, and then he whirls back toward Nesta, presenting it with a wide smirk. “M’lady.”

“You’re an idiot.”

She says the words, but she still laughs softly as she does, still takes the plushie to hug close to her chest. It’s a sight and a sound that has Cassian’s heart stuttering and blooming with warmth between his ribs. Has him grinning wide enough that he’s sure he really does look like an idiot. Not that he cares. Especially when Nesta leans closer, pressing up onto her toes and kissing him on the cheek.

“And now you’re forgiven, but no more rollercoasters.”

—

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

In Between The Lines - Bonus Scene

Summary: In her desperation to contact every friend and relative for help, a young Nesta stumbles onto a written connection with the most dangerous being of them all - a fae.

She just doesn’t know that he needed the contact just as much as she did.

OR a canon divergent AU where Nesta and Cassian becomes secret penpals while Nesta is starving and Cassian is trapped in Velaris.

Read chapter one (and the main oneshot) here on AO3 | Tumblr

A/N: This bonus scene when Cassian finds out it’s Nesta has been stuck in my head since I posted the fic and I’m happy to finally see it in words. Some quotes lifted directly from Wings and Embers (which I love wholeheartedly💗) and I hope my little take on it does it justice!

A shifting of the log, a loud spark of embers in the flames running behind them snags Cassian’s attention.

To the stray piece of paper burning in the blazing fire, scrunched up but those words. That writing.

The roaring in Cassian’s ears ebb away, taking with it some of the redness that clouded his vision at the mere thought of some worthless male piece of shit who dared to hurt her.

Because those words, the slopes and strands of every stroke — he has memorised them all, engraved them into his soul.

His guiding light in the darkness. The one thing that kept him drowning in his own ineptitude and self-loathing during those last few years trapped in Velaris. His human, his bookworm, his Nina.

His his his.

The realisation steals his breath and Cassian staggers backwards. The hand that had curled over a lithe hand on his chest slips downward, grazing each callous over soft, smooth skin. He traces the movement, catching himself in time before his legs could tremble and fall to his knees, before he could raise those quick-witted fingers to his lips and worship them the way they ought to be.

Nina. Nesta. Nina. Nesta.

Nesta Nesta Nesta.

Deep in his chest, something purrs. A feeling that he can’t shake off that, this is right. His mind refreshes those steel-cut words wielded like a blade, cutting down enemies, regardless of who they are. Fae or human, High Lord or bastard born Illyrian.

Something must have shown on his face, of his desperate relief because she wraps her fingers around the side of head, bringing his gaze back to hers. Stormy blue against hazel.

The world quietens.

Her gaze is a summer thunderstorm. Borne from the hottest temperatures, bringing stark relief to the heat that clings to one’s skin, cloying and uncomfortable. It chases away everything and remoulds the world in its image.

He raises his hand to envelop soft hands completely. Those silvery blue eyes are suddenly impossibly near. A brush of his thumb over her cheek and the tips of their noses graze each other.

Another pop in the fireplace has Nesta gasping sharply and pink blossoming across her chest.

Cassian resists the urge to press his forehead against hers and instead steps back, quick with a response before she can spit vitriol, “Lonely in this big house, Nesta?”

It’s a fruitless taunt, weak and meaningless with no true bite to it. Its effort lost in his realisation of who Nesta has been to him this past couple of years. He watches as her eyes are plagued with uncertainty even as it gathers ice, layering them over and over until it freezes over.

“The queens have not sent a reply.” She dismisses with a wave of her hand, the clothing over chest still trembling in betrayal of the jungle beats Cassian can almost hear. “Tell my sister and that High Lord of hers to send someone else next time.”

She knows it’s him.

Perhaps from the very instant Feyre made the introductions. She knew even as she sharpened her verbal weapons, exchanging blows with her distaste for the fae on full display.

But if this was the gameplay she had chosen then he would play it for now. The thought settles within him and draws out the strategic commander within him, the one that grins viciously at victory.

The Illyrian general casually takes out Rhys’s letter, his hand stretched out deliberately near her face, the back of his palm almost touching the side of the immaculate braided crown, and places the letter on the mantelpiece.

He flicks his chin upwards at the envelope and orders, “Send that to them too,” he gives a lopsided smile when a muscle feathered at her jaw at the command, “I look forward to our next meeting, Nesta.”

Her eyes are hard as she slips in the space between his larger frame and the mantelpiece, stalking gracefully towards the room door. “Send someone else.”

Cassian straightens his back, his wings tucked tight as he gives the glamour shrouding him in obscurity a once over. Satisfied, he follows his writing companion out the door. She whirls around to snipe, gesturing pointedly in the direction of the windows, “Where do you think you are going?”

Cassian shrugs, his lips lifting into a smirk. “I’ll see you around, sweetheart.”

The seething gaze of the human female rolls off his back, and as he spreads his wings to take flight back to Velaris, it’s with an exhilarated heart and a tight tug on his rib bone that he can’t, wouldn’t, rid himself of.

Comfort Zone

Summary: Nesta just wants to have a cozy Saturday morning, but it's not easy to have when you have a new housemate. 

Notes:

A little gift for @asnowfern. Happy Birthday! 🎁 I had to write my first Nessian fic for you because you deserve all the love. 🥰

A special thanks to @tunaababee for beta-reading.

Modern AU One Shot, Fluff and Angst

Word Count: 847 Read on AO3

Another flip of a page.

Her blue-gray eyes read words but did not register them. Too distracted by the grunting sounds outside her window.

God, what unearthly exercise was that man doing outside?

It was invading the serenity of her comfort zone.

Nesta shut the book closed and begrudgingly got up from her favorite lounge chair. She shelved her raunchy romance novel in its designated place beside a framed artwork of the vixen of a main character and her broody lover, which she commissioned from Feyre. It was a lovely perk to have an artist for a sister. Anytime she discovers a new life-altering book obsession, Feyre is more than willing to bring it to life for her. No questions were asked. She and Feyre may not always agree, but this small act she cherished.

The sounds of a skipping rope continuously hitting grass spurred her toward glass patio doors, where she got a full view of the spectacular specimen of a man doing his morning workout in her back garden. 

Cassian. 

He was an Olympian god, reborn to torment her. Only in his gray joggers, his rippling muscles gleamed with sweat in the morning light. His black hair was tied into a messy man bun, and Nesta suddenly had an urge to rip the hair tie off, letting those silky strands fall towards his tattooed golden brown chest. 

She gulped. It was nonsense. Cassian was her new housemate. Not some man she should be ogling at. 

He was there for a reason. 

Six months ago, she fell into one major depressive episode. Grief and guilt gutted her heart. It was the ten-year anniversary of her father's death. It had been ten years since she guilted her father into going to her ballet recital. She threatened to never speak to him again. He traveled for work and was constantly missing out on any major milestones in his daughters' lives, and she had enough. To her horror, he died in a motor vehicle accident on the way to see her. 

She never danced after that. She did not want to.

She never forgave herself for that and drank her way into the hospital. 

Elain and Feyre were furious and heartbroken when they found out that she was punishing herself for his death, but they helped her get through it, even going to the lengths of going to therapy with her and moving in with her. But Nesta knew in her heart that she couldn't let her sisters cage themselves, caring and worrying for her forever. They had their own lives to live. Feyre was engaged to Rhysand, and they were starting their lives together. Elain had a dream job offer that would take her to countries that she had put on her vision board for ages. And so a month ago, her sisters agreed to stop mother-henning. They moved out on the condition that she'd let Rhysand's best friend Cassian move in, and she agreed. She wasn't overjoyed at the idea, but it was a compromise. A slightly reluctant one. 

Cassian needed a place to stay in Velaris after moving away from his hometown, Illyria, while she had spare bedrooms in her house. Although she was certain that her sisters had an ulterior motive—something to smooth their consciences for leaving her behind—Nesta had to admit that having someone to help pay the bills was nice. And if she delved truly deeper into her feelings, she'd realize she didn't mind having company. She actually craved it. 

Now, every Saturday she had to deal with an early-bird fitness pro interrupting her cozy, easy-going morning book reading in her pajamas. 

Why??? What did her bookworm soul do to deserve it? 

Most days they took breakfast together, and every time, Cassian would invite her to join his daily workout. Rationally, she always refused. 

"It's mind-freeing. Something I can tell you could use," he told her one morning.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she snapped back. "Fuck you." She walked towards her library and shut him out.

Moments later, she heard his gravelly voice speak through the wooden door. "I'm sorry, Nesta."

Shrugging off her mind-wandering, her thoughts returned to the present task at hand. She slid the glass doors open. Arms crossed and stiff-backed, she called out, "Elain wouldn't be pleased to see the grass demolished from your rope skipping when she returns home for the holidays. Try the garage pavement up front." 

"Trying to lure me away from your oasis, Nesta?"

"Yes." She wasn't going to lie.

He chuckled. "Only if you join me this time." 

Nesta ran her fingers through her golden brown hair, gathering strands and tying them into a makeshift bun. 

Cassian's brow raised. He stopped his skipping, intrigued by the prospect of her joining him.

She got him good.

Crushing his hopes, "No," she said, and walked back to her lovely library. 

"One day, Nesta Archeron," he said, resuming his rope skipping in the grass. 

She snorted and looked back over her shoulder, meeting his vibrant hazel eyes in the sunlight. "But, not today." 

Thank you for reading! 🩷

🌷 Masterlist

Books divider is by saradika-graphics

Behind Closed Doors: A Study in Boundaries

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When Feyre overhears Nesta informing Cassian that the family's teasing has gotten to be too much for her, she realizes that there are many things about her sister that she may not know. That she is not privy to. Things, perhaps, that are reserved just for her mate.

In an effort to understand the eldest Archeron better, her family attempts to investigate, only to come upon soft moments between Nesta and Cassian instead.

Cassian, however, wants nothing more than time to dote on his mate in private.

Or, 5 times the Inner Circle witnesses Nessian behind closed doors, and one time they're truly alone, based on the theme of respecting boundaries and learning healthy communication.

A submission for @nessianweek 2024 Day 5: Behind Closed Doors

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Tag List: @c-e-d-dreamer @podemechamardek @talkfantasytome @moodymelanist @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk @doriansgf @eerievixen @sweet-pea1 @thewayshedreamed @agents-assemble @jsmelodies @aelinchocolatelover @unlikelypersonalknight1 @slipknotvol3 @stylishmuser @lady-winter-sunrise @bri-loves-sunflowers @misswonderflower @acourtofladydeath @natasharomxnov @unhealthyfanobsession @fiction-loving-person @daddyduncan69 @bobanna81 @a-trifling-matter @blueunoias

Nessian🖤

“my mate taught me well”

-nesta in acosf

Prompt-

(I'm imagining this fic a couple decades after your AU ACOSF story,not the Canon ACOSF but you can keep it however you like)

If you feel okay with doing a pregnancy related fic then-

Can you do one where Nesta is pregnant and very hormonal (like prone to crying or getting upset easily which is very OOC but I want the fluff and angst in this so) and Cassian is very overprotective of her and tries to make sure she never gets upset.So like one day when Cassian is away in Illyria and Nesta is staying at the River house for some reason maybe she is having some argument/conversation with Amren (cause she's basically fixed over issues with everyone except her so ig it will make sense for Amren to be there)or someone else (if you don't feel like writing Amren because understandably she's an annoying character) and she bursts out crying out of frustration or something ( cause hormones ) and then the rest of the IC tries to make her happy/calm her down cause if Cassian shows up and finds out that they upset her then he'll get really pissed of and pick a fight or something (cause protective male instincts) so it's just the whole of the IC ( excluding Cassian but literally everyone else partners and all) that is trying to comfort,soothe and downright beg Nesta to calm down and stop crying(Like Rhys gets involved and asks Amren or whoever she was arguing with to apologize cause he doesn't want to see her stressed and doesn't want to deal with Cassian lol).My idea is it ends with Cassian showing up and something happening (good or bad-whatever it takes for you to make this angsty or fluffy-as long as it has a happy ending imo).

Ofcourse you don't have to follow this to the exact request and you can steer completely away from it for all you want.The basic hormonal pregnancy concept is something I would love to see with Nesta since I feel like it will be such a shock for the IC to see her so open with emotions.

I set this at some point after AU ACOSF so it mentions Zasha and Rovena. Eris is also still buddies with Nesta.

Hope you enjoy pregnant and hormonal Nesta!

Pregnancy was hell. Feyre had birthed a cherubic baby boy weeks earlier and her entire pregnancy had been a breeze. Only in the final few weeks did Feyre’s pregnancy slow her down - and that had been at Rhys' insistence. From the back, she hadn’t even looked ten months pregnant.

Nesta wished the same could be said for her, but her own pregnancy was utterly horrendous.

She had entered month eight. Every single month had been plagued with morning sickness. And not just morning sickness, afternoon and night sickness too. The whole pregnancy, Nesta had felt as if she was at sea. The healers had run out of things to try. Nesta had even tried the old wives’ tales spouted by mortals with no luck. If she wasn’t vomiting, heart burn clawed at her chest. No position was comfortable. She couldn’t sit for long, couldn’t stand for long – and night time was filled with fitful tossing and turning. Every afternoon, her ankles had swollen like balloons and the gigantic bump she lugged around gave her terrible back ache.

Everybody blamed Cassian. If it wasn’t for his enormous size, the baby wouldn’t be the size of a small elephant.

‘I’d say they’re nearing ten pounds,’ Madja had said after their last appointment.

‘But I have two months left. It can’t grow anymore.’

The healer had shrugged then pointed at an uncharacteristically sheepish Cassian. ‘Have you seen the size of your mate?’

Despite getting her into this state, Cassian had been a stalwart support in every moment. He had doted on her constantly. He refused to allow her to do a single thing around the house. He had prepared the entire nursery, massaged her swollen feet, and got whatever food she had a sudden craving for. Once, he even flew all the way to the Autumn Court to purchase a single candy-covered apple for her. He did anything to ensure she didn’t cry.

Crying happened as much as vomiting. Nesta saw a child trip and bloody their knee in Windhaven, and she’d been the inconsolable one. Cassian had eaten the last stale biscuit after asking her three times if she wanted it then she burst into tears when he’d finished it; her body deciding it did want it after all. Being near baby Nyx was hell. If he started, Nesta sobbed. The sound of his cries made her milk leak so Nesta cried even more at her soggy dress.

Nobody knew what to do when she wept. They hadn’t gotten used to her hormonal state in eight months. Cassian was the only one who could soothe her fully. The pregnancy had brought them even closer. He’d only made he cry once in the last week, when he’d confiscated her salted pistachios and claimed too much salt was bad for her and the baby. He’d soon learnt never to take the food away.

Nesta spent the morning hugging the toilet then needed Cassian’s assistance to rise. She wore one of his tunics. Nothing much fit her these days. Everything was too tight or too uncomfortable. The steadily rising temperature of the summer made her miserable too.

‘Everything’s packed, sweetheart.’

Her lower lip wobbled. It had been agreed that they’d relocate to Velaris for the final few weeks. Nobody expected Nesta to reach full term anyway. Saying goodbye to the cabin even for a few weeks made her sniffle. Cassian brought her close and cuddled her.

It was not only Nesta whose emotions were on edge. There was nothing fiercer than a male with a heavily-pregnant, thoroughly miserable mate it seemed. When Nesta had been out of ear-shot, he’d argued with anybody over anything. If Rhys hadn’t moved his knee enough out of the way when Nesta moved past. If Mor hadn’t offered Nesta a fifth strawberry. If the wraiths cooked something that turned Nesta’s stomach. Elain had made a comment with no ill-intent about how different Feyre and Nesta’s pregnancies were. That was it. As soon as Nesta’s eyes had filled with tears, Cassian was on his feet ready to wage war for his mate against Elain of all people.

Azriel and Rhysand took it in turns to come to their cabin on the outskirts of Windhaven to spar with him. Mostly they ended up bloodied and beaten, but it helped to take the edge off Cassian’s temper. Usually, Azriel would escort his mother there so that Rovena could placate Nesta meanwhile. The Illyrian female would bring knitted blankets or toys, traditional Illyrian meals, or homemade remedies for all of Nesta’s ailments. She was the gentle mother that neither of them had, who always brought comfort and reassurance.

‘We won’t see Rovena.’

Cassian stroked her head. ‘It’s just a few weeks. We’re closer to the healers and our family.’

‘But Rovena’s our family,’ Nesta wailed. ‘And Zasha? He’s our first-born. We can’t just leave Illyria.’

Their dog would remain with Rovena for the time being – that had been another upset. Rhys was reluctant to let the ill-mannered, untrained hound into his elegant riverside estate, especially with his own new born son. Nesta had cried and protested that Zasha wasn’t an issue. Eris had offered to keep him a while, but the dog was bonded well with Rovena.

When Cassian’s brothers came to transport their belongings, Azriel asked if everything really was necessary. His eyes had lingered on Nesta’s weapons piled up by the door. She hadn’t managed any activity more than a slow walk around the garden in weeks and weeks.

‘It’s coming,’ Cassian growled. ‘Nesta wants it. It’s coming.’

As they settled into a floor of the vast river estate, various members of the inner circle helped move their furniture around and unpack for them. They had four blissful days together in the early summer sunshine then Cassian was sent on a mission to the mortal lands to meet with Jurian and Eris.

‘It’s only a few days,’ he promised.

Cassian had not been happy about the decision. He’d argued with Rhys over his selection when Nesta was so heavily pregnant. They still had a few weeks in theory, Cassian knew, but Nesta was ready to pop at any moment it seemed. There was no way around it. Only him or Rhys could go. Rhys had a baby to care for. Feyre’s pregnancy might have been a dream, but at least their son was proving to be the opposite. The fact was a balm to soothe Nesta. Cassian would whisper to her that they’d have an easy baby who slept all night. Nyx didn’t sleep. It was their fault for naming him after night. The pair of them were lucky if they managed two hours a night – and never solid. That fact was evidenced by Rhys throwing his full mug of tea into the bin and keeping hold of the tea strainer

‘But what if the baby comes.’

‘Rhys will bring me back. But the baby won’t come yet.’

‘I can’t do it without you,’ she pleaded, hooking her fingers into his. It always broke his heart when she began to cry, even if now Nesta cried if a spider was squashed.

‘And you won’t. Just a few days.’

It had taken almost an hour to prise himself out of her grip. Azriel had employed emergency diversion tactic number one and brought Gwyn for a visit. Nesta’s mood had brightened so Cassian swooped down for a kiss then was on his way before she could fully register his absence.

***

They had managed two days with no blubbering. Cassian was due back for dinner, thank the Mother. Azriel felt for Nesta, he really did, but they all trod on egg-shells around her. Where was the silver-eyed female who’d blazed with power? Washed away with all the wailing that happened. Mor had nearly set her off the previous night by asking if she missed Cassian. The whole room had tensed as Nesta sucked in a breath. They had employed emergency diversion tactic number two and a babbling baby Nyx was pressed to her chest. He hadn’t wanted to sleep anyway, Feyre had muttered.

It wasn’t the crying that was the worst bit. It was what followed Nesta’s tears. A male, full of rage and protectiveness, would come and bellow at them. It was like upsetting a cub and the big, daddy bear was lurking round the corner ready to rip their heads off.

‘It’s sweet.’

Azriel rolled his eyes at Gwyn in the garden. ‘I feel like a prisoner.’

‘Then keep your jailer happy.’

They did all they could to keep Nesta happy. She’d been taken for a slow plod around the garden by Lucien and Elain and sat now with her feet in a stream, drinking lemonade with a book. Azriel was glad he was not female. If he’d only seen Feyre’s pregnancy, he might have thought it was something magical. Nesta had opened his eyes to the horrors that came with bringing life into the world.

In the afternoon, their horror became a reality. Nesta’s cries rang out from the kitchen. Azriel surged there, his shadows carrying him quicker.

She clutched her handkerchief to her chest and sobbed.

‘I’m sorry. Please, don’t cry. I’m sorry,’ Varian said, trying to pull an arm around her.

Nesta stood rooted to the spot crying. Rhys was there, pushing Varian out of the way and putting his own arm around Nesta. Miraculously, she sunk into his touch.

‘What did you do to her?’

Amren threw up her hands. ‘It was a valid question.’

The male hung his head. ‘It was wrong of me. I’m so sorry.’

‘He asked me if was carrying twins. I look like a beached whale.’ Nesta let out a high-pitched whine.

‘You look beautiful, Nesta,’ said Gwyn. Mor nodded her head in agreement.

It only made Nesta cry harder. ‘You two are perfect. I look like I’ve swallowed a boulder. I haven’t seen my feet for weeks.’

Feyre bounced a red-faced, screaming Nyx on her hip. ‘I was the same, Nesta. It will pass.’

‘No, it won’t! You didn’t even look pregnant. I’m an elephant.’ Tears streaked her face. Her crying made Nyx cry.

‘It is an unnaturally large baby,’ Amren grimaced.

Rhys shushed her. ‘Pregnancy is a blessing, Nesta.’

‘You carry this gigantic bat then,’ she hissed.

It was at that moment that Elain and Lucien entered carrying groceries. One of those items hung over Lucien’s arm; a floppy-necked pheasant ready to be plucked.

‘Is that a dead bird?’

Lucien wasn’t quick enough to hide it behind his back.

Nobody could stop Nesta’s crying. No offers of cake or massages or future babysitting could slow the flood of tears. They all fussed about her, trying to get her into a chair and to drink a nice, cold lemonade again. One of Azriel’s shadows brushed against Nesta’s forehead to cool her down. The summer heat wasn’t helping things. Nesta was inconsolable at the thought of the bird being killed now.

Rhys suddenly froze. His face drained of colour.

‘Cassian’s coming.’

If they thought mention of her mate’s name might have improved the situation, they were sorely mistaken. They flapped around the kitchen, debating what to do. Amren and Varian fled as quickly as they could, knowing that they were most likely to be victims of the general’s ire. Lucien stashed the pheasant in a cupboard then Feyre yelled at him to get rid of it properly. Through it all, Rhys bounced Nyx in his lap, trying to get his son to stop crying, while keeping an arm around Nesta’s shoulders as he perched on the arm of the chair.

‘Should I bar the door?’ Azriel asked drily.

‘Like that will keep him out,’ Mor snorted.

‘Nesta, you have to stop crying,’ Elain whispered, clutching her sister’s hand. ‘If Cassian comes back and you’re crying, he’ll…’

None of them wanted to think about what Cassian would do. Nesta cried at everything and he’d fight them over it. Azriel had been banned from eating eggs because Nesta started crying thinking about them one day being chicks. Even when he had explained to Cassian that it was physically impossible for the eggs he ate to turn into chickens, Cassian had still enforced the ban.

They felt the tremor as Cassian landed on the front step.

‘Give me my son,’ Feyre had ordered before scurrying from the room with him.

Azriel gave a nod to Gwyn. Leave while you still can, he thought.

‘You’re not going anywhere. She’s ­your sister,’ Lucien said, catching Elain by the arm as she tried to flee. He pulled Elain in front of him and gave a twinkling smile.

‘Nesta, stop crying. I’ll give you anything. My entire bank account. Stop crying,’ Mor begged. ‘He’s coming now, just please stop crying.’

‘I can’t,’ she sniffed, dabbing at her face. ‘All I do is cry and vomit.’

The great shadow of Cassian loomed into the kitchen. The wraiths had the sense to vanish, dragging Azriel’s shadows with them.

He said nothing, merely looked at Nesta sobbing in the chair. He raised an eyebrow to Rhysand who leapt away from it. Each step towards his mate made the house quake.

‘Lucien brought a dead bird into the house,’ Mor said, throwing Lucien under the wagon.

‘You know she’s not eating meat,’ Cassian hissed, engulfing Nesta into a fierce embrace. ‘None of you should have meat in the house. You know this.’

Yes, they did, Azriel thought miserably. They couldn’t have meat or eggs because Nesta felt too guilty about the animals who suffered. No fish either. She’d gone off the smell of cinnamon. They weren’t allowed to drink because she couldn’t. It had to be said that Nesta never insisted on these rules; it was the overprotective nursemaid that puffed up his chest and set the commandments.

‘Varian asked if she was having twins,’ Lucien shot back, angling Elain so she was his shield.

‘He what?’

Nesta cried harder at the memory. ‘I’m huge.’

‘Where is Varian?’

They knew Cassian well enough to recognise the challenge in his voice. That low note always meant danger.

‘Do you know what, Cass? Since you work so hard, you can go on leave. You and Nesta deserve fun. Take as much time off as you want. I wanted to build you a house too. Here. Illyria. Both.’

The fearsome face of the general melted away as he turned back to Nesta. His wings spread out behind him, blocking her mostly from view. Azriel could still see a glimpse of Nesta as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She spoke Illyrian fluently now. Her accent gave her away, but only Azriel and Rhys could eavesdrop on the conversation.

‘Do you want to go back to Illyria?’

‘I just want this baby out of me. I’m so hot and miserable. I can’t sleep. They’ve been kicking me all day.’

Cassian’s massive hand rubbed Nesta’s stomach then she guided it to the side of her bump. The corners of his mouth ticked up as a foot met his palm then he said in a stern voice, ‘Stop hurting your mother.’

He rummaged for something in his bag then pulled out an apple on a stick drizzled in toffee. ‘From Eris.’

Nesta tore open the wrapping and crunched down on the sticky flesh. The moment the sugar touched her tongue, she let out a sigh of happiness. Cassian stroked her hair, glad his mate was at peace finally.

To them, still cowering in the kitchen, he mouthed, ‘Food. Always food.’

NESTA and CASSIAN

Acotar babies 🔥🔥🔥 with my love

CASSIAN

Lord of bloodshed

🔥⚔️🔥

🔥My MATE 🔥

Nesta and Cassian

🔥NESSIAN 🔥

Nesta and CASSIAN .... 🔥❤️🔥

I’m reading ACOSF and I like them.

Nesta and Cassian - A Court of Thorns and Roses

Artist: @goldshadedart