This is hilarious to me because regardless if they are in a relationship, Azriel would stop at nothing to save Gwyn. They share the utmost respect and honor towards one another. I usually don’t argue about posts but this was really unnecessary. Do better Elriels ♀️
Rhysand scents it first thing in the morning and can’t stop smiling. He strokes Feyre’s hair, patiently waiting for her to wake up and silently reminding himself that everything is going to be okay. He has to keep a clear head and stay calm for her (because just after a few minutes of knowing he’s already thinking of every way he can make this easier).
Feyre wakes up and sees Rhysand smiling at her (which isn’t unusual) but his eyes are wet. She assumes he’s had a nightmare but then he softly breaks the news and she runs through a myriad of emotions - happy, frightened, worried, then overjoyed.
Just like Rhysand, she’s reminding herself to keep a clear head and not worry because it’s not good for her or the baby. But just like Rhysand, she’s excited to see their family grow.
While Rhysand is more protective of Feyre as a whole in public, at home he spends a lot of time touching her bump absentmindedly. Reading reports with her on the couch, having dinner together, but mostly when they spoon. Feyre on the other hand is always touching her stomach, usually subconsciously.
Altogether, they are glad to share this experience without being in peril this time around and enjoy every moment.
Nessian:
Of all the Bat Boys Cassian has spent the most time thinking about having a family (though he is in no rush to start one).
Nesta misses her cycle but says nothing, because maybe it’s just late and she would hate to get his hopes up. But then Cassian visits her in the private library after returning home from a mission and scents it and he gasps so loud it gets her attention.
She immediately knows what’s happened and just says “Really?” and Cassian can’t stop laughing and nodding his head.
Nesta immediately starts crying. He hugs her for five minutes straight, rubbing her back and promising that he’s gonna make this so easy on her.
Cassian adores Nesta’s bump and is constantly touching it and announcing how big the baby is to anyone who will listen. Nesta pretends it annoys her, but secretly his obsession with her stomach is a relief. She worries that he feels more “shackled” than ever, and his affectionate pats, strokes, and rubs reminds her that these are shackles that he’s glad to be in.
Also, Nesta secretly enjoys all the attention and happiness of their family. Cassian knows it though.
Bonus: Cassian loves to call the baby different awful names to make Nesta laugh.
Cassian: How is Hogarth today?
Nesta:
Gwynriel(I have the most thoughts):
When Gwyn asks Azriel how he feels about starting a family the guy is immediately at attention. Patient strategist that he is, the Shadowsinger has been taking notes for nearly two decades during his time as “Everyone’s Favorite Uncle.” He’s paid attention to every complaint about pregnancy and the corresponding remedy. He’s memorized every cure to a cry when he was babysitting. He. Is. Prepared.
Gwyn is about to explain when they will have the highest chances of conceiving but Azriel already knows how her cycle factors into the odds.
Azriel is returning from a mission when he finds Gwyn in the training ring, sparring with Cassian. He can scent she is pregnant, but it’s so early that only he as her mate can tell, there’s no way Cassian could know. Azriel’s instincts take over and when his brother goes to sweep Gwyn’s legs out from under her, the shadowsinger barrels into Cassian full force knocking him out of the ring.
Gwyn is about to reprimand Azriel for stepping in but when she looks at him, he is crying and pulling her into his arms, apologizing into her hair. She’s confused and so is Cassian but finally, Azriel pulls away and tells her she’s pregnant. Cassian offers his congratulations and strongly advises to retire to their quarters…
Where Rhysand is protective and Cassian is proud, Azriel is attentive as hell.
“Your feet? Lay down, we’ll elevate them, I’ll give you a massage and get circulation going.”
“Your back? You should sit, I got this pillow especially for your lower back.”
“Nauseas? I bought a ginger tea. Wait here.”
“Tired? I’ll finish the paperwork, you go to bed.”
“You’re anxious? I’ll tell everyone we won’t make it to dinner.”
He is a firm believer that she’s doing entirely enough carrying their child and he will make this as easy as possible for her.
Early on, Gwyn notices that Azriel is way too worried. Azriel notices that Gwyn is too stubborn to ask for help. They strike a good balance around month five of Gwyn knowing when to ask for help and Azriel knowing when to offer.
Also, Azriel sings to her bump every night, talks to it constantly and is a big believer in belly kisses.
BAHAHAHAHAHAA I CANT, I can totally see the shadows being jealous of Azriel getting all of Gwyn’s attention : Like this is how they would feel in the ‘court of shadows’
This is also for sjm romance week but it’s a crack ship :
High Lord Shadow : *grumbles* I can’t believe that motherfucker stole her away from us this easily. WE WERE THE ONE WHO GOT THEM TOGETHER!
High Lady Shadow : I KNOW RIGHT?!! WE WERE THE ONE WHO GAVE HIM THE IDEA TO TAKE HER OUT ON A DATE! WE WERE THE ONE WHO PESTERED THEM!
Clown Shadow : and he stole her away simply by preparing a candle lit dinner, y’all are stupid af *snickers*.
Everyone : *murmuring* Shut up.
Logical shadow : No but srsly, we did all the work, we made the bond snap for Azriel, we made him realize his true love was Gwyn. I think he took advantage of us.
High Lord Shadow : *Gapes: NO*
Clown Shadow : *breaks out into laughter* It’s ironic isn’t it, he made her forget about us by not even taking us on his first date, a date WHICH WE ORGANIZED.
High Lady Shadow : Enough. We’re having a war. get the ignorant shadows ready. We aren’t helping him until he promises never to leave us alone and leash us into place when he’s with her. Get the innocent and lovey dovey shadows ready too, we’re gonna get mama Gwyn on our side.
Ignorant shadows: *groan* We have to work? Again? Gods why can’t this guy do anything right.
High lady shadow : Oh shut up, all you have to do is ignore him.
Ignorant shadows : *role eyes* fine
High Lord Shadow : Great. Let’s commence this war. ALL HAIL GWYNETH BERDARA!
I’ve hit the big time. Twitter E*riels are mocking my headcanons
E*riels shitting on my headcanons for uplifting Gwyn, an SA survivor who conquered her fears.
E*riels shitting on my headcanons for praising mutual respect in a relationship
E*riels shitting on my headcanons because we ship two different relationships for different reasons
I ship Gwynriel because I’m a fan of a person who doesn’t need rescuing and I like the idea of Azriel empowering someone rather than protecting them for once
They ship E*riel because they like the soft aesthetic and they appreciate the protective mate behavior (and no shade — I used to ship it too so I understand)
Anyway, this is just rude. And kind of childish. I actually make a point not to attack E*riels for why they ship their ship. I only fight back when I see them saying Gwynriel won’t work because Gwyn is an SA survivor.
If anyone wants the list with context and all the points she left out
Im so sorry you had to go through this shitty situation. I still cannot believe that they’re attacking what actual people write . I really hope you don’t get discouraged by this childish behaviour of theirs. We all from the Gwynriel fandom love you and support you. And we are the most thankful and grateful for your amazing headcanons.
Her scent was intoxicating whenever she got this near to him. It flooded his senses and he let himself drown in it — let the smell of willow trees and water lilies smother him.
Just as they had in the training ring last week, when she’d pinned him to the mat with her thighs, Azriel’s eyes flicked to her lips. Pink and delicate like rose petals. He wanted to claim those lips.
Azriel inhaled through his nose steadily, forcing himself to meet her gaze. Her teal eyes sparkled in the moonlight, in them he saw anticipation. Anticipation to rival the citizens of Velaris who were waiting for the stars to begin falling in the town far below this hill where they sat.
She wanted it. She wanted him to kiss her.
He swallowed and Gwyn sucked in a breath, a tendril of shadow curled away from him to dance with the exhale. Gwyn’s teeth dug into her lower lip slightly. Gods, did he wish he could bite that lip.
“It’s been quite a year,” he said, voice husky with need.
Gwyn nodded and shifted to sit closer on the blanket, the fabric of her blue gown rustling quietly.
He felt his brows pull together. “I’ve had… much time to think.”
“Me too,” she said.
Bracing his hands on the blanket, Azriel bowed his head. Never in his life had he felt so afraid. “I am… I am utterly in awe of you, Gwyneth Berdara.”
The moment of truth. Would it be like with Morrigan? Would Gwyn try to silence him with confessions of where her heart truly lay, admitting it would never be his?
No. Gwyn smiled at him, then her eyes flitted bashfully to one of her exposed freckled shoulders — cheeks flushing. She said, still grinning, “Then why won’t you just kiss me already?”
The shadowsinger nearly choked, staggered by the charming irreverence he still hadn’t quite grown accustomed to. He doubted the thrill would ever elude him.
“Because I am afraid,” he finally said. “I fear given all you know of me you will…” he forced the next words out, “you will doubt my affections for you.”
A weight was lifted from his shoulders as he rid himself of the words that had spun like cyclones in his mind ever since he confessed to Gwyn his desire for a bond like his brothers’. A confession no one else had ever heard him say aloud — though he was not obtuse enough to deny they probably suspected as much. He feared she would assume he desired a bond and nothing more. That if she was not his mate, he would be incapable of caring for her with the depth and compassion he’d associated with the bond.
When he met her stare again, he was surprised to find her beaming, no traces of concern on her face. “You have affections for me?”
Azriel snorted, a dark brow lifted. “That’s all you got from what I said?”
The freckles on the bridge of her nose crinkled as she lifted a hand to cup his right cheek. He shuddered beneath her touch.
“I know all of you, Azriel,” Gwyn said quietly. She raised her other hand to cradle the left side of his face. “And I am not afraid of it. It does not give me pause.”
“I just– I need you to know that we don’t need to be mates for me to feel–”
“Do be quiet, Shadowsinger.”
And then, gently but with intent, Gwyneth Berdara pulled Azriel’s face towards her, slanting her lips over his. He made a low noise in the back of his throat and deepened the kiss.
From beneath his closed lids, there were flashes of light. The stars had begun falling.
But he couldn’t be bothered to look. He couldn’t be bothered to end the kiss so they could behold the glorious ferrying of souls through the night sky. Nothing, nothing, was more beautiful than this kiss. Nothing was more important. His shadows purred, finally content after a year of quiet fascination that had slowly crescendoed.
When they finally parted, both a bit breathless, Azriel felt his head swim. He felt almost delirious. Like he’d won a battle. Like he’d emerged victorious.
“I had wanted to do that,” Azriel said.
Gwyn laughed. “You waited too long. I had to take initiative.”
Azriel shared in her tentative laughter, all the while his shadows singing a song he couldn’t quite make out.
Imagining Gwyn and Azriel going public with their relationship by mistake:
They kept it private at first because they wanted time to get to know themselves as a couple. Have a first argument. Sleep together. The essentials of being in a relationship.
But eventually they just fell into a rhythm and simply forgot about announcing it.
So when Azriel is gone on a mission for longer than either of them anticipate and he returns to the House of Wind during the middle of a training session with Rhys, Feyre, Cassian, Nesta, Emerie, Morrigan, and Gwyn, his eyes immediately seek her out.
She’s by the water station and when her eyes meet his a broad, infectious smile breaks out on her lips.
And they’re both making long, hasty strides across the ring to meet each other halfway.
Azriel doesn’t realize he intends to kiss her until they’re nearly face to face — doesn’t remember their entire family is present and watching Azriel prioritize reuniting with the priestess he’s become such “good friends with” over his brothers.
Azriel slows his pace, but Gwyn does not. It’s her who closes the distance and without pause flings her arms around his neck and crushes her lips to his.
All hesitation leaves him and his own arms wind around her waist, lifting her off the ground.
Gwyn moans softly against his mouth, and something in Azriel chest rumbles.
He feels her teeth against his lips as she smiles and when he opens his eyes, Gwyn is beaming at him.
“Welcome home, Shadowsinger.”
Chuckling, Azriel brushes his nose against her. “Thank you, beautiful.”
Slowly he sets her back down, arms still looped around her waist. “You missed me then?”
Gwyn shrugs. “A bit.”
After holding each other’s stare for another moment, it seems to dawn upon Gwyn that they just revealed their hand. Azriel’s hold on her tightens comfortingly and they look at their family who have frozen in their training to gawk at them.
Cassian is snickering and Rhysand’s brows are nearly in his hairline. Feyre has a hand over her mouth, though her eyes dance. Nesta and Emerie are whispering between each other and Azriel’s shadows pick up on the Illyrian female saying “I fucking knew it.” Morrigan just watches with a warm smile.
Rhys grins, resuming his fighting stance before his mate. “About time.”
Everyone resumes their training with knowing smiles and soft whispers but when Gwyn starts to head for the water station, Azriel snatches her wrist.
He tugs her to him, mouth brushing the shell of her ear. “You’re coming with me, priestess.”
Gwyn giggles and the two of them set off for his chambers — not minding the quiet chuckles of his family behind him.
