#aelinweek

[goddess-aelin]

Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius

Since it’s Aelin week and I’ve made absolutely nothing, here’s a moodboard of our favorite fire breathing bitch queen 🔥

@rowaelinscourt

#rowaelin #aelin galathynius #aelin ashryver galathynius #throne of glass #tog #aelinweek #aelinweek23

[renxzs]

Aelin Week - Day 6: Rowaelin | @rowaelinscourt | AO3 | Masterlist

Summary: Aelin is having a very bad day… or week. Okay, more like a very bad year. She’s in dire need of a little kindness and comfort. Although she tries to deny herself of it, feeling utterly undeserving—Rowan Whitethorn will deny her none of it.

Word Count: 3.5k

CW: basically shameless smut (18+ only), hurt/comfort, mutual pining, depressive thoughts, Aelin desperately needs a hug, mention of parental deaths, coworkers who become..a bit more, modern au

I won't always have the words  to pull you back from the dark.

But I will always be here  to sit with you in it  and take your hand or wrap my arms around you  until it passes.

For every day of sunshine  there will be a night of darkness, 

but I want to spend  both of them with you.

—S.K. Williams

Arobynn Hamel, her prick of a boss, slowly shook his head as the crease between his brows deepened. He flipped harshly through the pages of the case folder she had handed him moments ago.

Aelin’s body went rigid, preparing for whatever verbal lashing he was about to spew. Entirely negating the amount of time and effort she poured into this case over the last two weeks, discounting hard work she was actually proud of. 

She would not allow him the satisfaction of seeing the effect his condescension had on her, how truly deep it sometimes cut. She maintained a look of impassivity and waited.

“This is your best work? Really?” Arobynn scoffed derisively and leveled her with a hard stare, contempt rolling off him. Aelin focused on breathing steadily through her nose.

“If this is it, then I need you to do the fucking best of someone better.” His words were small glass shards being hurled at her, slicing and stinging upon contact. She curled her shaking hands into tight fists on her lap, nails digging into the flesh of her palms. 

Today had been shit, the general week a living hell. 

Then again, Aelin couldn’t honestly say many of her weeks spanning the past twelve months have been much different. 

This weekend marked the one-year death anniversary of her parents. One year since the tragic accident that  had left her entirely alone in this world. One year since unwavering guilt and shame had settled and made a home in her chest. 

Spoken out of hurt and anger amidst a heated argument, those final words to her parents only a handful of hours before they were just… gone would haunt her until the dark god came to claim her. 

Aelin could usually endure Arobynn’s volatile mood swings and mistreatment—weather the rage storm and emerge from his office relatively unscathed.

But this particular week…?

The very moment consciousness had greeted her this morning, she knew she should have stayed curled under the blankets and out of reach from the rest of the world.

Aelin expelled a long breath. It did nothing to relieve the heaviness twisting in her gut and weighing in her bones. It was a marvel how one could feel so heavy yet utterly empty at the same time.

She tipped her drained glass towards the nearby bartender. “Another, please.”

A moment later, a new glass was slid in front of her and her eyes fell to the sloshing liquid. She must look as pathetically dejected as she presently felt, considering the very generous pour. 

A chill of awareness pricked across her nape and skittered down the smooth curve of her spine as a presence sidled up next to her. Quiet flutters stirred low in her belly, and Aelin cursed her traitorous body’s response to his proximity.

Because of course it was him—she knew it was him without needing to look. It was as if she had a preternatural sense specially tuned to him. And she’d been more than aware of his presence across the room—felt him all evening. Those piercing green eyes boring into the back of her. 

Aelin refused to look at him. “Can I help you, Whitethorn?”

“You know,” he drawled, leaning his forearms onto the bar top next to her. “Agreeing to drinks after work typically entails actually sitting within the remote vicinity of those who extended the invitation.”

Aelin lifted the glass of dark amber liquid to her lips and took a long, pointed sip before speaking cooly, “I’m here for the drinks, not the company.”

Rowan slid into the vacant stool next to her. 

Not easily deterred, then.

A few silent minutes passed between them. Rowan patiently waited, watching her still. Aelin inhaled a long breath as frustration started to build. Couldn’t he just leave her alone to sulk in solitude? 

“What do you want, Whitethorn?” 

She couldn’t fully tamper the edge in her voice. All the better though. Maybe he’d take the hint and finally rejoin his rightful group of coworker-turned-friends.

The heat of Rowan’s gaze flitted across the side of her face. She took another drink. 

“Are you okay?” His soft sincerity caused her chest to constrict.

“Christ, Aelin—what do I even pay you for?” Arobynn flung the heavy file folder back across the desk at her. “Being a pretty face around the firm? You barely manage that lately.”

Her eyes closed against the resurfacing memory. The slight burn of unbidden tears pricked in her nose. Aelin sniffed then cleared her throat before speaking. “I’m fine.” 

Aelin met his stare in challenge, to show just how fine she was. But her voice had sounded strained, even to her own ears. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by Rowan either, if the gentle look of disbelief and concern were any indication.

Her chest felt like it was going to cave in. She couldn’t stand him looking at her like that. She didn’t need his kindness or concern. 

Didn’t deserve it.

Yet Rowan is always so fucking nice to her. Checking in during the day and inviting her to outings with their coworkers. Most recently, he’s started bringing his lunch over to eat at her desk once he realized she was never going to take him up on the invitation to join him and the others in the break room. 

Time and time again, he has tried to scale the icy fortress she’s spent years carefully constructing around herself. Yet his efforts seemingly remained undeterred, even with her doubled efforts to keep all others out throughout this past year of hell. 

Aelin threw back the last of her drink. She needed to get away from him before he made a crack in her barrier. Only the gods know he’s come close before. And something deep, deep down screamed at her to let him do it.

But once he did crack her open, only to find cold, ugly darkness seeping out—what then? He’d inevitably discard her like everyone else. Because why would he want that? Why would anyone? 

She couldn’t bare it. Couldn’t risk the hope of maybe having him just to lose him and have her chest hallowed out once more. 

Aelin slid from her seat and threw a few bills onto the bar top.

“Hey, hey—Aelin.” Rowan reached for her arm.

She whipped towards him with a withering glare that could usually send anyone running. Rowan didn’t falter.

“Talk to me,” he implored. 

“Why do you even care?” She demanded. 

Still seated, Rowan tugged her into the space between his legs. A quiet sadness swirled with the flecks of deep green in his eyes. 

“I just… do.” 

Aelin’s heart felt crumpled and emotionally stripped. 

Home. She just wanted to go home and curl up in her bed. Wanted to be done with this day—this dreaded weekend. 

“You shouldn’t.” 

Her lips pressed into a firm line to keep from wobbling.  Her gaze lingered in the direction of their coworkers huddled together in a circular booth. Laughing and joking and clinking glasses. Rowan should be over there with them, not here attending to her mess. 

She averted her eyes upwards, blinking a few times to keep impending tears at bay. A calloused hand smoothed down her arm until he wrapped his hand around hers. He squeezed gently.

“What do you need?”

A single tear streaked her cheek. Rowan’s free hand gently wiped it away. He kept quiet, but she didn’t even know what to say. What did she need?

So many things, all seemingly out of reach. 

So often the silence was deafening and the loneliness gutting within the dark place she’s locked herself, behind the icy fortress wall. Numbed for so long, she’s forgotten what it feels like to live. 

The silence stretched between them before she finally rasped, “To feel something.”

Rowan traced a thumb along her cheek. “Then let me help you feel.”

His words hung between them, their implication glaring and heavy. Every nerve in her body roared for his touch, his kindness, his comfort. Him. 

Aelin’s denied herself of all of it for so long, from anyone. Let alone from this beautiful man who refuses to let her fade to the black nothingness constantly on the brink of consuming her whole. This man who has unknowingly taken hold of her beaten down heart, bit by bit. 

Just this once. 

Just this once she could allow herself to give in, to  want him. Just for tonight. 

Her voice barely a whisper above the din of the bar, “Yes.” 

His small answering smile so soft, so warm, it made her chest ache. 

~

Aelin toed off her heels before stepping past the entry way. Her eyes flitted around the apartment, tidy and warm. Her focus snagged momentarily on a bookshelf nestled against the far wall. The spines a variety of colors, sizes, and conditions of wear. She was inclined to step closer and nose through what kinds of books filled his shelves, to gain a small insight into his mind—

Rowan moving deeper into the living room caught her eye though, and she turned to watch him ease onto a plush sofa. He offered her one of his rare soft smiles, then reached a hand out. 

“C’mere.”

Aelin approached him slowly until she stood between his parted legs. He looked so good like that, splayed out lazily. Lap and warm smile more than inviting. Heat emanated from his large hands as he gently gripped her hips. She didn’t resist, allowing him to settle her astride his muscled thighs. 

Her form-fitted work skirt rucked up to her hips so her legs could accommodate his width. Deep green eyes devoured the newly exposed skin, tracing calloused hands up the soft flesh before hooking behind her to pull her impossibly closer. 

Aelin’s stomach curled and skin pricked with the intimacy of their position. Never imagined they would ever be this close—never allowed herself to.

Rowan ran a hand up her back and she arched gently into the touch, chest pressing into his. It’d been so long since she was last touched like this. Her body craved it. 

So did her heart.

She closed her eyes against that thought. 

“This is just sex.” 

Rowan hummed noncommittally. He brushed loose tendrils from her face and smoothed them behind her ear. Her chest tightened as she settled her gaze back on him. 

“I’m serious, Rowan,” she hedged. 

He nodded softly, running a thumb along her jawline, over her bottom lip. “Is that truly what you want?” his voice hushed.

Was it? No. At least she didn’t think so. But…

“It has to be,” she whispered, resolute. 

His eyes pierced through her, burned to her very soul. As if he could unearth all of her darkest thoughts and secrets and turn them to ash.

“Why?”

Because I am nothing. Worthless. And you should be running—away from this, away from me. 

She wanted to push him away, protect him from herself. Instead her fingers flexed in the soft silvery hair at his nape. The tightness in her chest splintered out as unwanted emotions and thoughts bubbled to the surface, a familiar numbing ache seeping into the hollow parts.

A slow, sad shake of her head. “I have nothing to give.”

Something crumpled behind those pretty green eyes. Then Rowan pulled her face closer, grazing his lips over hers. “I don’t want anything.” The featherlight touch of his lips as he spoke sent a chill up her spine. “Just you, Aelin.”

His words… the way her name sounded on his tongue—it fractured something deep within. And she was helpless to the sob that racked up through her body. No one has ever wanted her before, not for just her.

“Shhh,” Rowan soothed. “I’ve got you.” He gently wiped the salty streaks from her flushed cheeks. Ran soothing fingers through her long golden waves. Held her so close to stave off any fears that he’d let her go. “I’ve got you,” he repeated.

Aelin nuzzled into the crook of his neck, too far past the ability to feel embarrassed over her tears seeping into his shirt collar and skin. Rowan didn’t seem to care anyways. So she sunk into him—reveled in the strength and warmth of his arms wrapped tightly around her. Tentatively allowed herself to be comforted by his unyielding presence. 

It wasn’t until her breathing had steadied and the dampness on her cheeks nearly dried that she pulled back to find eyes open and searching, a gentle caress across her face. 

She stared back, in disbelief of this man and his kindness and his heart. Always so stoic and broody to the outside world… but for whatever reason she’d always had a special pass to the softer, gentler parts of him. Gods knew she’d done nothing to earn that trust of vulnerability.

But she was… thankful, anyways. And she wanted him to know. She could at least give him this. 

Aelin swallowed then placed a gentle hand along his jaw. “Rowan…” she rasped, voice not sounding like her own, hoarse with spent emotion. 

The rest of her gratitudes died on her tongue. She wasn’t any good at these kinds of things. Aelin resolved to showing him then.

His eyes didn’t leave hers as she shifted on his lap, tilting his head back so she could lean over him. Their breaths mingled in the space between them, then Aelin pressed her lips to his. Rowan didn’t hesitate in returning the kiss, slow and deep.

Her mother used to always say Aelin was born with wildfire in her heart. Burning bright and wild, yielding to nothing and no one. Always one to unapologetically blaze her own trail. And oh, how far Aelin has fallen from that little girl once with wildfire. Her heart has been cold and shrouded in darkness for so long, she didn’t remember what it felt like to burn.

Until now. As Rowan breathed flame back into her and it crackled through her blood with every touch and brush of lips. This single kiss fractured her very foundation and reforged her anew. 

A prolonged moan fell from her lips as Rowan’s hands ran down her body then back up her bare thighs, smoothing around to knead and cup her ass. Using the leverage, he ground her thinly cladded core against his straining arousal and devoured the little gasps and whimpers coaxed from her. 

Aelin broke away and pressed open mouthed kisses along his strong jawline as deft fingers worked the front buttons of his dress shirt, only pausing for him to yank hers overhead. The second it was off, her mouth and hands were back on him—touching, licking, tasting. 

Her bra was next to go and Rowan soaked in the sight with pupils blown wide. He almost looked crazed with want, and hell—maybe he was. She surely was. 

The corner of her mouth tugged into a small smirk before tangling her fingers into his hair and guiding him back to her in a messy kiss. Rowan licked into her mouth and greedily swallowed her moan when his fingers slipped beneath the hem of her underwear. And he was so good.

All coherent thoughts fell away. Leaving her with just the feel of him beneath her—of them, moving together.

“Rowan,” she panted, hips rolling against his very skilled fingers. 

Small hands flitted over broad shoulders, across the expanse of firm chest, over thick biceps, into silvery tendrils—unable to decide where to land. Entirely overwhelmed with an incessant need for him—for more. 

Finally her hands landed on his belt buckle, then the button and zipper of his slacks. Shimmying them and his boxers down just enough to free his cock. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him, jutting proud and  head glistening with his desire. The urge to wrap her mouth around him pulsed through her. But first—

Aelin rose on her knees to align herself above him. Rowan’s eyes widened slightly and gripped her hips to keep her from sinking down.

“Aelin… like this?”

His eyes darted over their still half-clothed bodies then back up to her face as if he were asking, Here? She was sure he had a perfectly fine bed somewhere but Aelin swore she was going to die from scorching need if she didn’t have him in the next five seconds.

She didn’t need romantic gestures and soft mattresses. Just to be filled with him, consumed by him.

Aelin nodded emphatically. “Please.” Desperation to feel something—to connect—threatened to swallow her whole.

A look passed through the green depths of his eyes and she knew he understood. Rowan pressed a kiss to her sternum. “Okay, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Tell me how you need it.”

“Hard.”

Mischief glinted in his eyes as he smirked up at her and her stomach flipped. “As you wish.”

Rowan’s mouth crashed against hers in a bruising kiss—demanding, claiming. His thumb hooked and pulled aside the dainty lace that still covered her core, and guided her down onto his cock. 

A throaty whimper fell from her. The way he stretched her open fell just on the side of painful, stealing the breath from her lungs.

“Fuuuck, Aelin,” he groaned. “So fucking tight.”

Before she could fully adjust to his size, Rowan snapped his hips and set into a punishing pace. And she was glad for it—eager to be ruined by him.

Aelin’s head fell back with a cry.

All she could do was hold on, nails digging into beautiful bronze tattooed skin, and lose herself to the burn building within her. Nothing else mattered outside this moment, outside of them and the way he made the flames flicker and dance in her soul.

Rowan wound long gold tresses around a hand and tugged to draw her head back, keeping the hold on her hair taught. Aelin moaned and arched just as he nipped at the exposed skin before licking up the length of her throat.

“Rowan, please,” she begged. Desperate for a release that dangled just out of reach.

Rowan latched on to her pulse point and pressed a thumb to her clit, the added sensations just what she needed to be sent hurtling over the edge with his name singed on her lips.

His breaths turned jagged while he shook with restraint. “Again,” he ground out. Molten pleasure sparked through her core in response to the command. 

Aelin rolled her hips into his, milking the drag of his swollen cock along her oversensitive inner walls. All the while his ministrations didn’t falter, thumb still pressing tight circles against her clit. The the pleasure sharp and bordering too much.

Her nails dug deeper into his heated skin, she wouldn’t be surprised if she drew blood and— 

O-oH, gods!

Rowan grunted as her body began contracting around him again, and a prolonged moan fell from her lips as she drowned once more in a blanketed wave of pleasure. He thrusted one final time before spilling deep into her and joining her in bliss.

Golden waves tumbled down her back as Rowan finally released his hold. He sagged against the sofa cushions, bringing Aelin with him, both of them panting and boneless.

Minutes ticked past, maybe hours. It didn’t really matter as she’d lost all concept of time. Only aware of the warm drag of his fingers up and down her back; of  the soft brush of his lips against her temple. 

Rowan shifted beneath her, slipping out, then effortlessly hauled them both up from the sofa. Aelin’s legs wrapped around him as he carried her deeper into the apartment. 

A mattress gave way at her back as Rowan gently lowered her to the bed. He looked her over for a moment with shining eyes and a soft smile before wordlessly removing her remaining garments, leaving her fully bare before him. 

With eyes glued to her lithe body sprawled out across his bed, Rowan groaned in appreciation while discarding the rest of his own clothes. 

Aelin sucked in a breath. 

He was glorious standing there in the nude—all corded muscle, bronze skin, and tattoos. 

Heat reignited in her core. 

Rowan eased onto the bed and crawled slowly up her body, kissing and nipping along the way. Aelin stretched beneath him and arched into his touch. His hand ran up along her ribcage, thumb brushing the  underside of her breast.

“Gods, Aelin, you’re beautiful.” His reverence washed over her with gentle warmth.

She smiled lazily. “I know.”

Rowan snorted, a broad grin stretching across his handsome face. “There you are,” he murmured. 

Yes, there she was. With the whisper of a flame finally flickering back to life in her heart. 

The smile remained until Rowan leaned down to capture her awaiting lips once more. 

--

Masterlist

#aelinweek #rowaelin #rowaelin fanfic #rowaelin smut #aelin ashryver galathynius #rowan whitethorn #throne of glass #throne of glass fic #rowan x aelin

[gretanotkreta]

Aelin Week Day 2: The Magic of Friendship ✨

Uhmm somehow I spent 17 hours on this 🥴

I haven’t drawn most of them before so it was really hard to get them looking somewhat like in my imagination and I’m not happy with some of them :// but I spent a lot of time today just to color it and now I’m exhausted

Also if you want to do some coloring of your own you can totally save the lineart and color it in, I know how relaxing that is :)))

#please let me know if they are at least recognizable #i don’t really know if I’m happy with this #wow anxiety is really kicking in right now #my art #sarah j maas #sjm #throne of glass #aelin #aelin galathynius #digital art #tog #aelin ashryver galathynius #tog fanart #rowan whitethorn #sjmaas #aelinweek

[vivictory-draws]

So I heard it was aelinweek over at @rowaelinscourt and while I'm still technically not done reading ToG (currently on ToD), I still wanted to draw Aelin for the day 3 promt ❤️

#aelin galathynius #aelin ashryver galathynius #aelin fireheart #throne of glass #rowaelin #tog art #tog #aelin ashryver whitethorn galathynius #aelinweek

[shyvioletcat]

AELIN WEEK: DAY ONE

~ Beltane ~

Happy Aelin week everyone! I know it’s late but that’s kinda my thing. I hope you enjoy this and don’t forget to check out @rowaelinscourt​ for more.

~~~~~

Aelin sat in front of her mirror, finishing up the minor touches to her hair and face. Lysandra had been helping her prepare for tonight—weaving braids through her golden hair, setting the crown atop them, applying cosmetics to her face. It had been months since Aelin had made a public appearance outside of council meetings and smaller responsibilities she could manage around the castle. The early months of pregnancy had taken its toll, and that was all too clear from the paleness of her face and the slight pinch to her features. Tonight she needed to look the part of a regal, resplendent Queen, and examining herself in the mirror she agreed that she looked the part. 

The near constant nausea and exhaustion had forced Aelin to slow down, become less involved, much to the delight of her fussing mate. He had always claimed that she did too much and she had needed to take a step back. But tonight… This was her night. Always had been. 

Beltane belonged to Aelin of the Wildfire. 

Satisfied with her appearance Aelin gave her reflection a smile and stood, smoothing out the swathes of fabric of the dress she had chosen for tonight. With light layers of reds and oranges, and gold thread woven throughout, she looked like a living flame herself. There were thin drapes of fabric that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. The neckline might have been more modest than she would have liked, but it was still elegant and was shown off by the hairstyle that kept all her hair off her neck to combat the early summer heat. At that moment Rowan stepped back into the bedroom, he had been doing gods knew what while she had readied herself. He was dressed in his finest too, his colours less ostentatious though, favouring greys and dark greens like he always did. It didn’t make him any less handsome. 

Rowan had been fiddling with his cuff as he walked into the room, that button or loose thread keeping his attention while Aelin waited for him to notice her. She knew he would appreciate the effort she had gone into her presentation tonight, it was all she could think about while Lysandra had fluttered around her. Once the excitement and joy over the pregnancy had somewhat faded, and the strain on her body had set in, Aelin had struggled to feel like herself. It had been weeks of feeling less than of who she desired to be and like a stranger in her own body. But in this moment she was an image of herself she could at least somewhat recognise. The part of her that delighted in teasing him had certainly reawakened and was waiting for the opportunity to see his reaction. Her impatience almost had her clearing her throat to get him to shift his attention.

“Fireheart, I—”

Aelin had rendered him speechless, after ten years she could still steal the air from his lungs without the need of the wind magic he favoured. Rowan’s assessing eyes ran over her, from head to toe, and Aelin watched as they softened. She had indeed caught his attention, noting how his gaze lingered on her middle.

“You and I both know that there is next to nothing there,” Aelin said, her hands running over her stomach.

She wasn’t showing, not yet. Besides a tightness on her stomach that Rowan had been the one to point out, Aelin didn’t visibly look pregnant. The dress however had been cut to accentuate what might be there. With the waistline set just under her bust and a split of darker fabric over the lighter with a small gathering in the centre, it made it look like there was more of swell than there was.  

“Aelin,” her name was said with a reverence. “You look beautiful.”

The smile that appeared on her face only ever came to her when she was with Rowan. There was an uncharacteristic shyness to it, something only he managed to bring out in her. 

“You would say that, our child had bewitched you,” Aelin said, a hand fiddling the dress at her shoulder. 

Rowan stalked towards her, not denying her words. When he reached her, he ran his hands all the way up her bare arms to cup her face. It was hard to miss the look of pure adoration he was giving her. 

“Can I kiss you, or do I have to wait until after your big moment?”

As much as she wanted it, Aelin knew that a kiss from her husband would ruin all Lysandra’s hard work. This kiss would have to be cautious—an attribute neither of them were known for. 

“You’ll have to wait, I’m afraid,” Aelin conceded. 

“I can wait,” Rowan assured her. He stepped back, but his touch lingered, now resting on her stomach. “I do love this dress.”

Aelin rested her hand over his, pushing it flatter against her. “I thought you might.”

There was sharp and precise knocking on their bedroom door, an announcement and a warning. It was a brave person who approached the royal bedroom without invitation. There were only a few daring enough to do so.

“It’s time,” Aedion called, and then he stepped through the door. “Oh good, you’re still dressed.”

Aelin rolled her eyes, picking up her skirts. “Your lady wife would be most upset if I ruined all her hard work.”

“She immediately had to wrangle Rue into a tense compliance, so you would be right,” Aedion explained, holding the door like he was ushering them out. Like if he did not they would stay in that room and find something else to do. It wouldn’t be the first time they would need a chaperone to keep them on task.

But not tonight, Aelin was more than committed to performing her queenly duty and didn’t need encouragement. She took Rowan’s hand and led the way through the castle. 

The Beltane festivities would take place in the courtyard at the base of the castle steps. The gates would be open and the people of the city could celebrate around the fires and alters that had been prepared. Aelin would address them and commence the festivities, using her magic to do so. They would also officially announce the pregnancy to her people, her country—to the world. The prospect was both exciting and mildly terrifying. Rumours had spread, of course, but without an official declaration they had been able to enjoy these early months or relative privacy. Aelin was not ignorant of possibilities the revelation of an heir might bring. Maeve’s words still often rang in her ears. 

More than that, the death of her parents still left scars. It had shown Aelin in the cruellest way that in their world no one was untouchable. And announcing their vulnerabilities might invite unwanted attention from the wrong people. What gave her comfort was not only her own powers, but the force and dedication of her inner court who would give anything to protect what was dear to them, as this child would be. Aelin shook her head to clear such thoughts, a night of celebration was no such time to dwell on something like this. 

“Aelin,” Rowan said softly, no doubt noticing the shift in her demeanour due to her dark thoughts. “Are you all right?” 

“Yes, Buzzard. I’m fine,” Aelin assured him, holding onto his arm to bring them closer together. “My mind just ran away from me, that’s all.”

“Are you sure? Because we can—”

Aelin’s laughter cut him off. “You would like nothing more that to hole ourselves up in our bedroom and ignore the world outside

Rowan gave her the barest hint of a smile. “You say that like it’s a bad idea.” 

“Not bad, just mistimed,” Aelin said. “There will be plenty of time for that later.”

Aelin didn’t allow herself to see his reaction, because whether it was a smirk or a soft growl, it might just convince her to go back upstairs and follow through with his idea. And they were nearly at the front gates. Seeing her court gathered there brought a smile to Aelin’s face. Lysandra and Aedion were indeed trying to contain the whirlwind that was their son, and the Lochan family were in their own little huddle. Lorcan held their son, Korbin’s hand weaving through his father’s hair. Fenrys was there as well conversing with Evangeline, making her smile. This was Aelin’s family—they had been through all the hells imaginable and made it through to meet each other on the other side. By next Beltane there would be another member to join in the celebrations. 

That thought did have her turning to her mate as scenes of their tiny child playing around the firelight filled her mind. Rowan would hold their child safe in his arms, their faces aglow as he smiled at her. It was so clear, so attainable, it made Aelin giddy. Her hand rested on her stomach and the promise that lay there.

“Are we ready?” Aelin announced to the group.

“Are you?” Elide asked. “We only have to stand there and look pretty.”

“I was under the impression that our appealing features were the only reason you accepted us into this court, your Majesty,” Fenrys quipped. “Lorcan the exception of course.”

“We keep him around for his sense of humour, don’t we?” Aelin taunted. That was met it’s a single scowl and plenty of laughter. 

Aelin went to step through the doors, her court behind her, her mate by her side. It took one look at Rowan for him to know what she needed just a little and he lent down and pressed a careful kiss to her cheek. That was all the bolstering she needed as she pushed on the heavy wooden doors. 

Outside it was loud, voices of what might have been hundreds of people milling around the courtyard. Aelin would stand above them at the top of the stairs, a small pile of wood beside her to mimic the larger ones in the courtyard. When stepped forward into the view of everyone a cheer went through the crowd and she knew what they saw. The way her hands cradled her stomach accentuated it. 

“Good people of Orynth,” Aelin projected her voice as much as she could, to reach as many people as he could. “Tonight we celebrate Beltane, to bring blessing and luck to our harvests, to start the seasons anew. These fires will purify and bring life to our fair country. I invite you to place your offerings, seek the blessing you wish for in your heart, and I hope like mine, they come to fruition.” For Aelin this time in her life represented a conciliation of the old and the new, a new beginning. A fitting symbol for Beltane, especially how close fertility was associated with these festivities. Aelin glanced down at her stomach and Rowan took his place by her side. When she looked out to her people she was smiling. “And I am delighted to announce a bright light for our future. I am with child, Terrasen will have an heir and I promise to raise them to love, honour and respect according to what our fair country deserves. I hope that you will join me in celebrating this joyous announcement tonight.”

They’d take her fire back to their homes.

Rowan's hand tightened on her waist as the cheering got louder. Aelin’s own hand became wreathed in flame and it took half a thought to light the half a dozen bonfires. Shouts of excitement went up and warmth bloomed in her chest. These people would take her fire back to their homes, to warm their hearths and sustain them. It served as a promise that Aelin would provide for them as long as that was within her power. It felt so natural to turn into Rowan’s embrace and for him to pull her closer. And even though the city of Orynth looked on, he kissed her. The world fell away in that moment as the hopes for their future burned as bright as the flames below. 

~~~~~

They had retreated to an inner, more secluded courtyard for a private celebration. A large fire burned in the centre of it and there was a smaller one for jumping. After lighting both, Aelin had taken time to sit, eat and drink before she joined in the festivities. Rowan made sure she had everything she needed, his fussiness kicking in after she had confessed that she was hungry. She was full now and ready to join in the dancing. Searching for her chosen partner, she found that Rowan had the small boys over by the food table, one hanging from each arm. It was an endearing sight, and she’d let them play. 

Aelin left her seat and had barely made it three steps when Fenrys appeared in front of her, hand extended as he gave her a courtly bow. “Would you like to dance?”

Aelin returned the gesture with a short curtsy. “Indeed I would.”

Taking the fae male’s hand and the invitation, Aelin smiled. Fenrys spun her into the firelight, leading her through the steps of the dance. Almost immediately the dress became a nuisance and Aelin paused to regrettably and carefully singe off the last few inches of it so that the length wouldn’t hinder her movements. She had no desire to cut her evening short by tripping over or twisting her ankle. 

Fenrys was an excellent partner, and she was almost sorry to leave him when the dance changed and Aelin spun on. Aedion was a little less enthusiastic but she wouldn’t hold that against him. He was more warrior than courtier—always had been. So Aelin circled around the fire, her magic unwittingly reaching out to the flames and making them dance as well. It wasn’t until her feet started to hurt and she felt a little breathless that her mate appeared, intercepting her spin before she could meet whichever partner was next. He immediately slowed the tempo of her movements, bringing her in closer to support some of her weight.

“Rowan,” she chastised. 

“Fireheart, you’re going to trip going that fast,” he said softly, even though Aelin could feel the concern pounding through him.

Aelin held in her snort of laughter. “No one was going to let that happen. I even shortened my dress as a preventative measure.”

Rowan actually stepped back to inspect her work, satisfied it was enough he pulled her back into his space. “You’ll tire yourself out.”

“I deserve to. I’ve been cooped up too long,” Aelin bemoaned—still not admitting that the pace he’d set was exactly what she needed. “You fuss too much.”

“I know,” he added with sincere honesty and utterly shameless. 

“Dance with me, please,” Aelin asked.

Rowan raised an eyebrow. “I am dancing with you.”

“Really dance with me,” Aelin was nearly pleading. “And then I’ll sit down and rest for a while. I promise.”

“I’m powerless to deny you,” was his answer. 

The fiddles and the drums played a steady beat, guiding them through step by step. This time Aelin kept her partner, Rowan’s hand was on her waist and the other clasped her’s. Memories of their first Beltane together rose and Aelin wondered what might have happened if the burnout had not consumed her. Would Rowan have stayed or flown back to his room? Could she have convinced him to jump the fires with her? Or would he have left her to celebrate on her own? Aelin laughed to herself when she realised that might be the likeliest answer. He would have brooded the night away in the shadows while she spent her night by the warmth of the fire, then returned to her cold room. 

“What is so funny, love?” Rowan asked. 

“Just remembering how grumpy you were when we first met,” Aelin said, teasing her mate. “More than ten years and it still astounds me.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed playfully, any ire lost when his lips twisted upwards. “Was I to blame?”

“I suppose not,” Aelin agreed. 

“What else were you thinking about?” Rowan urged brushing his lips over her temple.

Aelin melted just that little more into him. “Hmm, just the past.”

“And?” He pressed. “Tell me?”

“I was thinking back to our first, and very eventful, Beltane,” Aelin confessed. “And I was wondering what might have happened if the burnout did not happen.”

“Oh, I see.” 

This time it was Aelin who slowed them down. “What would you have done?”

“I would have stayed,” Rowan said. 

Aelin started grinning. “Would you have danced with me?”

With all the utter seriousness only a three hundred year old immortal fae could muster Rowan said, “Absolutely not.”

Aelin’s laughter rang throughout the courtyard as Rowan spun her, the song ending just as she was enveloped in his arms again. They stood there even as another song started and Rowan cupped her face, kissing her sweetly. 

“Is that enough dancing for now?” Rowan asked. 

Aelin caught the underlying meaning of his words. I think it’s time to rest. And this time he may have been right.

“Yes, I think so.” She ignored the small look of triumph on Rowan’s face. 

Rowan led the way to the chairs on the edges of the gathering and then promptly left to get her a drink. In the meantime Ruben and Korbin ran up to her, their faces delighted and covered in soot. 

“And what can I do for you, little lords?” Aelin asked.

“We want to jump the fire!” Ruben said. “Can we? Can you?”

“Of course I can,” Aelin replied, resting a hand on each of their heads. “Are you ready?”

The two boys nodded, thrumming with excitement. Not too far away Aelin willed a fire to appear, small with heatless flames to keep the children safe. Korbin was first, taking a run up that did almost nothing to increase his height over the fire. Ruben wasn’t too far behind, whooping for joy as the flames tickled his feet. Over and over the two boys jumped, Aelin making the embers dance around them. 

Her power thrived, her joy and her magic becoming one in the same. The thing Aelin had once most feared was now celebrated and accepted. What she had fought for and dreamed of had come to be. The babe growing within her was part of that, and her greatest joy of all. 

“Aelin,” the sighing chastisement came from beside her and she knew she would see the long suffering face of her mate. 

She gave him a look of innocence. “Yes, dearest husband.”

“You said you would rest,” he told her.

“This little fire is nothing,” Aelin said with a twist of her hand that had the flame moving the same way. “How could I say no to them?”

Just then the two boys jumped at the same time, hand in hand. Rowan didn’t say anything more as he handed a drink over, his eyes lingering on the children. He was no doubt imagining what she did, a small silver-headed child between them, laughing as they too made the jump for good luck. 

“Just a little while longer, I promise,” Aelin said as she tugged on Rowan’s hand to bring him down into the seat beside her.

“Of course, Fireheart.” Rowan sat, the two of them happy to just observe for a while. 

In the end, it took the children being collected by their parents before Aelin let the flames go. Lady and Lord Lochan retired to their rooms for the evening. Aedion led his family back to the fire for another dance. For a while longer Aelin was content to stay where she was and just watch. The heat of the day was gone and the flames provided a comfortable warmth to her bared skin. Aelin’s hand dragged comfortingly over her stomach. The motion was soothing and was guiding her exhaustion to the surface. But she didn’t want to retire for the night, not just yet.

“One more dance?” Rowan had all but read her thoughts. 

Aelin just nodded, letting Rowan pull her from her seat. The music had slowed now, it was no longer the frenzied melodies that urged quick steps and reckless movements. Rowan spun her in a slow circle, but quick enough that the skirts of her dress fluttered about her feet. Aelin draped her arms around his neck, and his hands found a place low on her hips. 

They did little more than sway to the music, foreheads pressed together. For just a little while longer Aelin wanted to bask in the warmth of the firelight and the perfection that this moment held.

~~~~

#aelinweek #throne of glass fanfiction #I don't have time to tag now so I'll tag in the morning so sorry if you get doubled up

[sarahjswift]

Short Story for Aelin's Week!

I had to write this quick, so sorry if I missed any couples! Hope you enjoy! :)

_

“Happy Birthday!!”

Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius gasped, staring at the crowd of her friends surrounding her. She dropped the dagger she had drawn at the unnerving stillness of the room and covered her mouth with her hands. “Oh my Gods!”

Grinning, Aedion Ashryver stood at the front of the crowd with his hands on his hips. “Did we surprise you?” Aelin nodded emphatically, and hugged her cousin. 

“Come sit down! We got you some chocolates from Adarlan,” Elide Lochan said warmly, leading Aelin to a large table decked with desserts. Aelin gasped again, squealing with excitement as she spotted her favorite sweet. “How did you know what to get?” she asked. 

“That would be us,” Dorian Havillard and Chaol Westfall shouted from across the room. Aelin screamed and ran toward her best friends. They grinned and opened their arms to her as she swallowed them in a hug. “Hey, Aelin,” Dorian laughed, kissing her cheek. Aelin beamed at them, tears falling down her cheeks. She hadn’t seen these two in months since they’d left for their kingdom. 

And that had to mean - she turned to Chaol, hardly daring to believe it, before her gaze fell on Yrene, and the small bundle in her arms. Aelin let out a happy, disbelieving sob. 

“Meet Alavara, our daughter,” Chaol said thickly through tears. Aelin hugged him tight without taking her eyes off of the small bundle of blankets. The baby peeked out of her through the swaddle, her big brown eyes framed with luscious lashes. That and her curls and light brown skin made Alavara the cutest baby for miles. 

Yrene was crying happily too as she moved toward her husband, radiant with happiness.

After an hour of cooing over the baby and devouring the sweets, Aelin still couldn’t wrap her head around what her friends - no, her family - had done for her. “I still don’t understand - how did you all arrange this?”

Lysandra smiled, and pointed to the corner. Aelin turned and looked, the crowd parting to make way to who was there. Aelin smiled softly at her mate, standing there, his piercing green eyes pinned on her. 

She crossed the room and hugged him, inhaling his pine-and-snow scent. The party continued on around them, but as Rowan’s arms pulled her close to him, it felt like they were in their own bubble. “Thank you,” she murmured into his ear. Rowan stared at her, his normally harsh face softened with love for her. 

Aelin was so overcome with happiness in that moment that she felt tears prick at the back of her eyes, and she leaned in and kissed her husband. His lips were soft and gentle against hers, and she felt at home. 

Two hours later, Aelin was blowing out her candles, surrounded by her friends. Lysandra, Aedion and Evangeline, a small but happy family. Lorcan and Elide, the tough male lit up with love. Yrene and Chaol, glowing with pride and love for Alavara. Manon and Dorian, holding hands, the witch smiling up at him. Finally, Rowan and Fleetfoot, her family. She smiled through blurred tears at her family as they all cheered; “Happy 20th birthday, Aelin!”

_

thanks for reading! :)

#sarah j maas #throne of glass #rowaelin #aelinweek #aelin galathynius

[leiawritesstories]

Fire In The Night

did a little thing for Aelin Week (finally lol) @rowaelinscourt

Day 7: Aelin and her fire

This is a small scene from a certain something that will hopefully be coming to you soon :)

Until Proven Guilty masterpost

Enjoy!!!

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

From the rooftop of her building, Aelin could see all of Orynth, the sprawling metropolis glistening with the crystals of the city lights. She leaned against the glass half-wall encircling the perimeter of the rooftop, flirting with danger like she was so fond of doing, feeling the evening breeze stir her loose hair. Her wineglass dangled between her fingers, her hold on its delicate glass stem the only thing keeping it from tumbling hundreds of feet to the ground and crashing into a million fragments. She took a long sip, rolling the rich red liquid around on her tongue to luxuriate in the flavor–a symphony of dark cherry, oak, and just a trace of violet as the wine went down. 

The perfect accompaniment to tonight’s…viewing. 

In her head, she counted down the minutes, then the seconds. Twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven…. Her anticipation built by the second, her heart rate unable to control its excitement. Settle down, she warned herself. No use celebrating too early. 

Boom. 

Right on time, an explosion. A cloud of thick black smoke billowed up a few miles away at the far end of the shipping district–the Wilkins lot, if she wasn’t mistaken. Blazing tongues of flame followed right on the heels of the smoke cloud, the fire rapidly catching onto the nearby containers and setting them ablaze. The fire only grew, though contained within its boundaries; it took only a minute or two before the mini inferno had devoured what looked to be the entire Wilkins lot and one or two lots nearby, its flames painting the night in flickers of orange and scarlet. 

Aelin took another pull of her wine and drank in the sight of the raging blaze, a small smirk curling the corner of her lips as she heard the sirens screaming toward the scene of the fire. Not that the fire department would find anything worth saving. 

She’d seen to that. 

She remained at the edge of the rooftop until her wine was gone and the fire in the shipping district had been tamed, reduced to curling plumes of smoke drifting away into the January night. The decadent alcohol left a lingering trace of smoke and embers in her mouth, which only made her smirk grow. She knew she’d picked the right wine. Then she stood up and turned away from the cityscape, satisfied with a job well done. Regarding the empty wineglass in her hand, she tilted her head, thinking for a moment. 

Then she lazily draped her arm over the balcony wall and let her fingers go limp. 

The wineglass plummeted down, down, down through the silent winter night and landed with a crash on the frozen cement sidewalk, splintering into a thousand crystal shards. Curiously, though, glass wasn’t the only thing that rose up as the wineglass crashed into the pavement. No, there was something else, visible only for barely half a second–not even enough time to believe it really happened. 

As Aelin’s wineglass shattered against the sidewalk, a small plume of smoke curled up from the impact point, disappearing a blink after it appeared. Almost as if the wineglass hadn’t just broken, but exploded.

~~~

TAGS:

@live-the-fangirl-life

@superspiritfestival

@thegreyj

@wordsafterhours

@elentiyawhitethorn

@morganofthewildfire

@backtobl4ck

@rowanaelinn

@house-of-galathynius

@tomtenadia

@julemmaes

@swankii-art-teacher

@charlizeed

@booknerdproblems

@chronicchthonic14

@earthtolinds

@goddess-aelin

@sweet-but-stormy

@clea-nightingale

@autumnbabylon

@darling-im-the-queen-of-hell

@llyncooljones

@silentquartz

@sunshinebingo

@hiimheresworld

#my writing #aelin week #aelinweek #aelin week 2023 #aelin galathynius #aelin ashryver galathynius #until proven guilty #little snippet sneak peek thingy #tw:fire #bad bitch aelin #badass aelin

[elentiyawhitethorn]

Masterpiece

Aelin Week May 7th: Rowan admiring Aelin

CW: none

Aelin Week Masterlist//921 words

Aelin sighed in content as she felt a gentle breeze caress her features. Her eyelids fluttered lazily and her fingers twitched. If every day could be this peaceful, lounging on the porch in the wake of summer’s heat, the cool tones of autumn starting to take over… well, she wouldn’t mind it.

As it was, moments of relaxation like these were sparse what with getting a welcome but demanding promotion at work and the trial of moving both her and her fiancé’s things into the new house they’d bought as they began to settle down. But rare as these moments may be, they made everything worth it.

Of course, Aelin enjoyed the busy things too. She loved her job, and even more than that she loved her fiancé. She loved starting a life with him. Just a few years ago Aelin would have scoffed at the peace she’d found in her life, but feeling it now, she couldn’t wish for anything else in the world. Besides, Rowan rather enjoyed her wild side; it wasn’t something a serious relationship demanded she give up. That was part of the joy she found with Rowan, someone who loved every part of her and asked her to give nothing up.

“What are you thinking about?”

Aelin opened one eye. “Hello to you too.”

Rowan took a place on the lawn chair beside her own. “Hey, baby.”

Aelin smiled and lifted her head up, lips puckered, demanding a kiss. Rowan chuckled and leaned over, pecking her on the lips.

“What are you thinking about?” he repeated.

Aelin smiled. “Why do you ask?”

“I want to know what’s making you smile like that.” Rowan leaned closer, his breath tickling her ear.

“Hm,” Aelin sighed as Rowan’s fingers brushed her curls. “I was just thinking about how happy I’ll be after we get a puppy,” she lied.

Rowan leaned back. The look on his face was enough to make Aelin laugh.

“There’s a cute one at the animal shelter; I saw her when I was volunteering last week. Her name’s Fleetfoot.”

Rowan glowered. He knew she was only teasing him—the poor man was both allergic to and afraid of dogs—but still he frowned.

Aelin pouted at his lack of response. “Don’t you want to make me happy?”

“You’re remorseless, you know that?”

Aelin smiled. “Only for you.”

Rowan laughed and leaned in for another kiss. Aelin tried to deepen the kiss but Rowan pulled back, ignoring her pouty face. His gaze drifted across her face, as if studying her features anew.

“Is there still chocolate on my face?” Aelin asked suspiciously, sensing Rowan was studying her with unusual interest.

He smiled. “No, baby, there isn’t.”

“Then what are you doing?” Aelin asked, laughing as he pulled up one of her hands and traced the freckles he found there.

“I’m taking a moment to admire my lovely fiancée. Is there anything so wrong with that?” Rowan asked as he pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand.

“Of course not,” Aelin replied. “I feel I need to warn you, though—if you stare at me too long you’ll burn your eyes.”

“Because you’re the sun?” Rowan asked drily.

Aelin smirked. “Look at that, old man got the joke.”

He pinched her side and she shrieked. “This is an outrage! Being harassed by some elderly man who’s found his way onto my porch!”

Rowan shook his head, eyes swimming with mirth. “You’re impossible, woman. Stay still.”

He went back to studying her. Eyes tracing their way down her body slowly, languidly, the soft touch of his fingers following.

“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” Rowan asked, trailing a hand down her thigh.

Aelin let her head fall back. “Many times actually. I’m quite the star.”

Rowan chuckled softly, and much to Aelin’s disappointment his hand retracted from her thigh and returned to her face, brushing a thumb across her cheek.

He smirked at her neediness, but then his gaze went soft again, looking at her like this was the last time he would ever get to.

“What’s gotten into you, old man?” Aelin whispered softly.

Rowan hummed thoughtfully. “Well, I was washing up in the kitchen when I glanced out the window and saw my lovely fiancée lounging on a porch chair like she owned the world. And it occurred to me: this is my life now. I get to spend the rest of my days with you, loving you, having you for a companion. I want to know every inch of you, Aelin Galathynius. I want to know you because you’re mine, now and forever.”

Aelin’s eyes were watering. “That’s got to be the sappiest thing you’ve ever said to me. And you happen to be a very sappy man, Rowan Whitethorn.”

He smiled and leaned in for a hug, burying his nose in the crook of her neck.

Aelin held him tightly. “I was thinking about you, Rowan.”

“Hm?” he murmured against her neck.

“You asked what was making me smile the way I was. It was you.”

Rowan leaned back and traced his thumb across Aelin’s lips—not a sensual swipe, but a reminiscent action as if remembering that very smile. “You’re a masterpiece.” Rowan’s voice was raw with emotion.

Aelin flashed a wicked grin. “Does that make me a sculpture? Because you’d better not take me for granite,” Aelin said, never missing an opportunity for a cheesy, downright dreadful joke.

Rowan’s resounding laughter chased the sunset across the horizon.

———

Tag List:

@aelin-bitch-queen

@autumnbabylon

@charlizeed

@evolving-dreamer

@feysand-loml

@flora-shadowshine

@gracie-rosee

@infernoqueen19

@julemmaes

@leiawritesstories

@lemonade-coolattas

@live-the-fangirl-life

@midsizewitch

@morganofthewildfire

@mybloodrunsblue

@nehemikkele

@realbookloverproblems

@rhysandswingspan

@rowaelinismyotp

@rowanaelinn

@sexy-dumpster-fire

@sleeping-and-books

@story-scribbler

@swankii-art-teacher

@the-lonelybarricade

@thenerdandfandoms

@yesdreamblog

#rowaelin #tog #masterpiece #aelinweek #aelin week #my writing

[tomtenadia]

Aelin’s Week - Day5 - Aelin and pregnancy

Here we go with day 5. This fic has a little bit of angst but I promise it will end in pure fluff.

THIS IS US

The two lines on the stick on the counter in the bathroom stared back at her. Pregnant. She was pregnant. The truth finally in front of her after a full week of feeling lousy and sick. It was not a bad bug. No it was something far more permanent. 

She grabbed the stick and the box and compared the guidance images. Two lines. Definitely positive. In a quick burst of desperation she threw the items on the counter and with her back leaned against the wall and then let her body slid down until she was sitting on the cold floor.

She did not even bother asking herself who was the father because there was only answer.

Rowan.

And the realisation of the situation almost triggered a panic attack.

Rowan.

It had been a night stand. A relapse in what had been a very messy and complicated relationship. They had started dating after uni. Two years together, then he took a job in Doranelle and they broke it off when distance started to take a toll on both. Two years later he had come back to Orynth after he was offered a much better job. He had come back to her and they tried. But life, fate, work and being adult did its best to tear them apart and succeeded five months prior when they called it off again, realising that they were just hurting each other. It had been hard. Aelin knew Rowan was her soulmate, but for some reason they did not seem to be able to stick together.

Until two months before when at her friend Lysandra and her cousin Aedion’s wedding they had hooked up. They hadn’t seen each other in three months. And when she saw him in a nice suit old feelings came back.

So when he asked for a dance Aelin did not refuse. For the entire night they had danced only with each other. It had been perfect. Being so close to him once more. Inhaling his scent of pine and snow that she had missed. It felt like being finally back home. Because no matter what everything that had passed between the two she knew that he was her home. He had driven her home and walked Aelin to the door like a proper gentleman and that’s when he kissed her. And the kiss led to much more. She let herself drown again in the feeling of being in his arms, his kisses, their naked body against each other and the feeling that being again with  him in flesh and soul elicited. They were meant to be… but why? Why couldn’t they make it work?”

And now two months later she had to deal with the results of that night. The following morning they had decided to leave it as a one night stand and go back to their own lives. Aelin had almost told him. Almost blurted out the words weighing on her soul. She loved him. She never stopped loving him and never will. In the end she decided otherwise. He had probably moved on and she had just been a hook up at a wedding.

She sighed. She could do that alone. It will be fine.

**

Aelin was standing in front a very familiar door. She hadn’t been there in a long time.

She was nervous and almost felt sick. Sickness that was in part due to her pregnancy. Her sicknesses had lingered far longer than expected and had been quite bad too. She had been a wreck and now, five months in, she was already looking forward to the day she’d be able to enjoy a full meal without feeling nauseous.

Lysandra and Elide had been at her side and both of them had convinced that she had to tell Rowan. He was the father, he had the right to know. It had taken Aelin two weeks to decide and now she was in front of his door. In the morning she had her twenty weeks scan and the doctor had been able to tell her the sex of the baby. They were having a girl and where she wanted to scream in joy, a part of her was terrified at telling him. She had no idea on how he’d react. She had made a mess of things. Of that she was certain.

Aelin took a deep breath and knocked. A minute passed and she was about to go away when the door opened and Rowan stood in front of her. Still the same handsome man, his pine green eyes on her “Aelin?”

She noticed the moment he spotted her bump. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Mind if I come in?”

Without adding a word Rowan pulled aside and let her in and Aelin entered the familiar house and walked to the sofa. Nothing had changed. His modern flat with a living room full of bookcases was her favourite part of his house. Books, they had both been crazy bookworms. That’s what had brought them together. A night at the uni library had been their first meeting.

“This place hasn’t changed,” her hand on her bump while taking in the surroundings.

“I just added a few more books. The bookstore must be tired of seeing me.”

“Nah, you bring business.”

He never sat down. He was still standing in front of her, his eyes fix on the bump.

“What are you doing here?” The bite in his words was almost too much. Gods, that had been a mistake.

 She stood quickly and tried to leave but he grabbed her wrist “Aelin… you are pregnant.”

“No shit, Sherlock,” she bit back “and this was a mistake.”

Rowan’s hand did not lessen his grip on her.

His green eyes bore into her in the way they used to, in the way when he seemed to read the inner depths of her soul.

“Congratulations,” and the sadness in his voice was a knife in her heart “I hope the father makes you happy.”

A sob broke from her “it’s you, idiot,” she blurted “It was at the wedding.”

Rowan froze and let go of her hand. Silence fell in the room. She watched as the news sank in.

“That was five months ago!”

Aelin nodded.

“You have been pregnant for five months with my child and never bothered to tell me?”

Aelin sank on the sofa as the tears started to streak heavily down her face “Damn it Rowan it’s us,” she said a bit too loud “and after our last hookup you made it very clear that it was just a night stand. So I made you a favour and kept my distance,” another sob “it’s us. It’s messy. How could I force this on you?”

Rowan started pacing “So why now?”

“I…” she whispered, while clutching the pocket of her jacket where she had the picture of the ultrasound. Of course he was not interested “I need to go…”

Rowan did not follow her

*

Rowan had the week from hell. After the news from Aelin he hadn’t been able to think straight and even work had been hard. Pregnant. Aelin was pregnant and he was going to be a father. He was furious. Mad at himself for letting her go without telling her that he had never been able to move on. That he regretted all of their separations. Regretted going away to Doranelle. He had missed her. At the wedding he had been the happiest he had felt in a long time. The chance to hold her again and then at home… that night had been special and a part of him had hoped for more. But something she had said had made him realise it was nothing but a hopeless dream. So he had walked away.

And now she was pregnant. He should have told her that he was going to be at her side if she allowed him. That maybe… maybe this time they could finally make it work. Perhaps fate had decided that it was finally the time for them to grow up and be adults once and for all.

So after work he had started driving to her house and had stopped along the way to buy her favourite ice cream. She used to love it when they were dating and assumed that now while pregnant she’d love ice cream even more. On his lunch break he had read as much as he could about pregnancy and also wrote down the titles of some books. He wondered if Aelin had already discovered the sex of their baby. Their. Rowan thought about the word and realised he was not scared. He would have fully committed and asked her to marry him a long time ago if life hadn’t pulled them apart. They had wasted so much time… but no more.

At the house he finally found the courage to knock.

**

“Rowan…”

“I…” he stumbled “I was on my way back from work and decided to pop in as see how you were,” he lifted his bag “I bring ice cream too.”

Aelin opened the door and let him in and went for the kitchen where he put the tub in the freezer. They had to talk first.

He joined her back in the living room and sat on the coffee table opposite from her “how…” he cleared his voice “how are you feeling?”

“Why are you here?”

“I told you.”

“I am fine. Now go.” Her arms folded at her chest.

“You are not. You don’t look fine,” his words made her angrier.

“Geez, Whitethorn, thanks for reminding me that I look like shit. That I struggle to keep food down because there is a fucking human growing in me.”

Aelin looked at him and saw worry in his eyes. Saw him switch on his fussy buzzard mode.

“Let me help you.”

Aelin was silent for a moment “You are free. You can wash your hands of this baby.”

At those words she recognised anger flashing in his eyes. He stood in a quick motion “the hell I am leaving. That is my child too and I want to be involved.”

Aelin stood too, albeit shakily “Why? So then you can leave both of us as soon as you get a fancier job somewhere else?” She shouted at him, while her hands shook in fear. Allowing him in was a risk. What if he regretted his decision down the line?

“I am not leaving,” his tone matched hers.

“You don’t know that. We will be nothing but a burden and I am not putting my daughter through such pain.”

Rowan recoiled as if slapped “A daughter?” He asked in a whisper as he fell on his knees, his hand extended towards her bump “we are having a girl?”

Aelin sobbed at the scene and her hand moved on its own as it brushed in his silver hair in a gentle caress. Seeing him like that melted her heart. She knew Rowan wanted kids, it was something they had discussed when they were still dating and hoping it would go somewhere. His green eyes stared at her full of joy and in second all of her barriers fell.

“Yes,” her answer hidden in the sob.

Rowan scooted closer and finally touched her bump and as his hand caressed it she felt a powerful kick. Almost as if her daughter was giving her approval.

Aelin pulled back and waddled to grab her diary and removed a piece of paper. She turned and passed it to Rowan.

Her eyes never left him and watched his face morph in the one of a man already in love with that tiny human. Their daughter.

Rowan stood and stopped in front of her “Aelin I will be here if you let me. We are done being stupid. Please tell me this is us once and for all,” his hand brushed her wet cheek “I love you, I never stopped and I don’t want to.”

Aelin sniffled loudly and crashed in his arms “this is us?”

Rowan looked down at her and asked himself how he had managed to go on all of those months without her. He nodded. He wanted to kiss her but instead he kneeled back down and kissed her bump and another kick reached him “I love you already, little one,” he whispered while caressing the bump and enjoying every single kick from their daughter “Dad was stupid and let mum go but no more… I love you both. Madly.”

**

Aelin was ready to be done being pregnant. She still had a month to go but the last two months had been hard on her. During one of her last checkups her ob/gyn had spotted a small sign of placental abruption. After that Aelin had been placed on bed rest immediately. She had started working from home while Rowan run the house. A month after he went to her place she had moved in with him with the reasoning that his house was far better and had space for a child too. He was the one on big bucks after all. 

After his visit they had decided to really take things seriously this time. There was another person involved, a tiny innocent human and they owed it to their daughter to be a family. To give their little girl a stable environment to grow.

Rowan had been amazing and as he promised, he had been there for her, went with her to all of the check ups, decorated the nursery and supported her in every possible way. The pregnancy had been an excuse to go to the bookstore and buy books about pregnancy and babies in general. He had also bought a lot of fairy tales and had taken to read to their daughter and given the amount of kicking, it seemed she liked it too.

They had also talked about what happened in the past and the mistakes they both made, promising each other that this time it would stick.

Aelin was finishing her toast when her daughter kicked once more and Aelin huffed “just five minutes? Can you calm down a little bit and let mum rest?”

She texted Rowan telling him that their daughter was being a tornado but was not expecting a reply yet. He was the chief of the A&E at the hospital and sometime it would take him a bit longer to get back to her.

She was bored and had also finished the last three books Rowan had bought her. So she decided to do the only thing she was not meant to do: go out.

“You and I are going book shopping.”

A powerful kick hit her belly.

“I am glad we agree, little one.”

She had taken the bus as far as the bookshop and happily bought five more books. She had time to kill aplenty, so why not splurge. Then when looked at the time she decided to the hospital to surprise Rowan. She could wait for him to come off shift and they could go home together.

That had been a bad idea. Walking to the second bus had left her exhausted and by the time she was in front of the A&E she was breathless and feeling sick.

Aelin walked in and went to the nurses station and saw Sorscha.

“Aelin, what are you doing here?”

Breathing had become hard all of a sudden and she felt sick too.

“Sit down, please.” The nurse grabbed a seat from the waiting room  “Aelin, you do not look okay?”

“Can’t…” a pause “breath,” and then folded over with a scream.

“Stay here, I’ll call ob/gyn.”

Yrene came down a few minutes later “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Bored.”

Together with a nurse they helped her in bed and Yrene examined her “Aelin, I will need to do an emergency C-section.Your baby is coming but she in distress and I want her out.”

“Rowan…”

“I’ll tell him.”

Very quickly Yrene got everything organised and she was rolled out on a bed straight to the maternity ward and an OR.

“Rowan…” she breathed, extending her hand to Yrene.

“I have paged him, but he must be with a patient.”

Aelin lay back down on the bed and closed her eyes, while her hand went to her bump.

*

When Rowan got the page from OB he was busy with a patient and had to ignore the worry rising in him. Why Aelin was with OB? What was she doing in the hospital?

Once done he disposed of his gloves and ran “Sorscha, I am up in OB if people are looking for me.”

He didn’t even wait for an answer, he just ran up the stairs like a desperate man.

On the floor he went straight to the nurse “where is she? Aelin?”

“She is surgery.”

Familiar with the area he went straight for the OR, grabbed a mask in the cleaning room and some coveralls and burst in and stopped as he saw Aelin on the operating table. Yrene was just about to cut her open.

“Rowan…”

“Please Yrene…”

The doctor nods “she is awake, sit at her side.”

Rowan went around the team and reached Aelin and stopped near her head “Fireheart…”

Aelin’s smile was groggy, she was awake but the amount of meds in her body were affecting her.

His hand brushed her hair “I am here.”

“Maya…” a whisper on Aelin’s lips.

“For our daughter? I love the name,” he kissed her head gently while he peeked on the monitor up ahead. Yrene had finally opened her and he could see the little girl’s head appear from the cut.

“I can see her…” he whispered to Aelin looking at her once more.

It was not long after when they heard the scream of their daughter and when he saw Yrene holding the baby he felt like crying.

“Is she…”

“She is okay, my love. They are just cleaning her up and do some checks.”

A few minutes later Yrene moved closer to Aelin and passed her their daughter placing on her chest “skin to skin is really good for the baby,” and the doctor made sure the baby was as close as possible to her mother “We’ll get you close up and the back to your room.”

Aelin nodded, not caring much. Her whole world was now the little girl in her arms.

Rowan kissed them both, his heart bursting in joy and realising that the hookup at the wedding had been the best thing in his life. Aelin was back and now they had a daughter too. His heart could not be fuller.

*

Back in her room, Aelin was sitting heavily against the pillow while holding baby Maya in her arms. Rowan on her bed at her side, his eyes glued to the little bundle in his arms “thank you for dancing with me that night, for making me realise how much I had missed you.”

“Thank you for the hookup,” she smiled kissing him and then searching for his eyes “we are done being stupid…”

Rowan nodded and pressed a kiss on her lips “it’s just the three of us… to whatever end.”

Aelin looked at their daughter and then him again “to whatever end.”

TAGS

@rowaelinismyotp @swankii-art-teacher @courtofjurdan @whimsicallyreading @themoonthestarsthesuriel @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity @acreativelydifferentlove @mis-lil-red @thegreyj @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn @backtobl4ck @susumaus98 @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost  @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin

#aelin week #aelinweek #aelin galathynius #rowaelin #rowanwhitethorn #rowan x aelin #rowaelinkids #aelin x rowan #rowaelin fanfic #rowaelin fanfiction #rowan whitethorn #fluff

[goddess-aelin]

Dancing to a Happy Song

Bonus scene/Part 6: Dramatic Entrances

Masterlist

Word count: 3k

Warnings: Mentions of sexual content, language, birth

- - -

Aelin had been pregnant for what felt like ages. In her mind, she knew it was only nine months but why did pregnancy have to take such a toll on her? First it was the morning sickness. Then it was the afternoon sickness. Then by the fifth month, it was just sickness all the time. Luckily, Yrene, the goddess she was, had given her some sort of tonic to ease the sickness that lasted longer than the one her own healers gave her. Since the peace ball two months ago, Aelin barely had any nausea or trouble with her stomach.

No, now it was just the fact that her belly now exceeded her sight of her feet. Aelin felt like she had tripled, no, quadrupled in size in the last two months. None of her clothes fit so she had taken to wearing Rowan’s much larger shirts. She had done without pants most days, not able to find anything that was comfortable. If Yrene hadn’t confirmed that the baby was just that, one baby, she would’ve thought she was carrying twins. Of course Rowan’s spawn would be giant. The male himself was a giant, too.

Aelin had taken to calling the baby Rowan’s Spawn whenever they didn’t allow her to sleep or gave her a particularly hard kick. Rowan didn’t particularly like that she called their baby that but Aelin was over it. She wanted this baby out. She didn’t care if it was a girl or boy, if it had silver hair or blonde. She only cared that they came out as soon as possible and they were healthy. But she still had another month to go. At the moment, she was cursing her fae heritage. Normal human pregnancies were just a simple nine months but faes had to be difficult and carry a child for ten months. So she sat in the library, cursing Rowan for producing such large offspring and reading a new romance novel in the hopes of getting her mind off of how huge she was.

That was another thing. When she thought about how big her belly was and how much her body had changed, she cried. In fact, Aelin started to cry over everything recently. The bakers made her favorite cake? Cry. Rowan rubbed her feet? Cried harder. Saw some droopy flowers that no one wanted to pick? Aelin was embarrassed to say she cried the hardest at that. She wasn’t even sure why.

Aelin focused again on her romance novel, trying to also keep her mind off of the fact that Rowan was away. He wasn’t far, only in Caraverre helping with some building construction, but she missed him like crazy. He’d be gone for two days and she hadn’t been without him since the start of her pregnancy. Rowan originally didn’t want to leave her while she was this close to having the baby but she insisted she’d be fine. He finally relented when Lysandra agreed to come and stay with her for a few days. She’d even brought Gavryn along to help keep Aelin’s mind off of pregnancy topics.

Currently, the little lord was “napping” which really meant Lysandra was trying to get the six month old to sleep but was failing miserably. His first teeth were erupting and Gavryn had been fussy the whole time he was here. At least it’s good practice, Aelin thought.

She would probably regret her words later but Aelin couldn’t wait for the sleepless nights if it meant getting to hold her baby in her arms. It was something that was so far out of reach at one point that she never dreamed she’d really be able to do it. Simply to hold her child, healthy and whole, and be able to give them the safety and love they deserve. Her many years as Celaena left her body scarred, eventually erased by Maeve. But her heart was still scarred in many ways. She knew that a baby wouldn’t heal those scars. But she hoped that it could be a new beginning. A hope that she didn’t even think was possible all those years ago.

Aelin had been feeling restless the whole day, her mind racing too fast with thoughts of the future to actually focus on the rather dull romance novel. There wasn’t even any spicy smut. How was she supposed to focus on this book when the sex scenes were drier than the sands of the southern continent? Placing the book down, she decided to go for a walk instead. Looking out the window, she noticed though there were a few puffy clouds, it seemed a nice enough day.

She chose to take the long way to the palace gardens, going past Lysandra’s room. She found the Lady of Caraverre sprawled halfway across the bed, asleep, with her son lying diagonally beside her. Aelin chuckled quietly to herself and continued on, allowing the shifter to have her much-needed sleep. Aelin was feeling rather independent today without Rowan’s hovering, so she decided that she had to pass by Fenrys without him noticing. She took a few of the more secluded hallways to avoid the great hall, where she knew he’d be at this time.

Finally, she made it to the gardens where she was pleased to note that, yes, it indeed was a very nice day out. Balmy weather with a slight windy breeze made it the perfect day to take a short walk through the forest. Not the Oakwald, Rowan would kill her if he knew she walked through there alone and nine months pregnant. There was a small grove not far off from the palace that Aelin liked to come to for some quiet reflection. A small gurgling pond was placed in the middle of the large copse of trees, all vibrant green in the pre-summer sun.

As soon as Aelin started making her way to her small hideout, she noticed a sharp cramp in her side. She truly could not wait for the baby to be out if it meant being able to walk more than a few feet without feeling some sort of ache or pain. She sat for a moment on a nearby bench and continued her walk when she felt steady again.

Aelin took in the fresh smell of the newly-bloomed trees, the crisp air that smelled of budding fruits, the smoky lingerings of bonfires from the previous night. All scents of her home. Of Terrasen. She walked and walked until she felt her feet swelling and her side cramping again. Finally, she reached the pond and decided this was a good place to take a little break. Aelin laid in the soft meadowy grass next to the water and let herself succumb to the babbling and gurgling of the water and its inhabitants.

She must’ve dozed off a bit because when she awoke to a pain in her side once more, the sky was darker. Aelin hopped to her feet, though hopped was a strong word for rolling to her side and pushing herself up with no lack of difficulty. As she rose to her feet, she was quickly doubled over by pain in her stomach. Shit. She really should get back to the palace. She shouldn’t have come this far anyway. But fuck it, she was Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius and she had been through worse pain than this.

Aelin rose and started walking once more, the pain subsiding. A strong breeze chose that moment to blow steadily into her, slightly knocking her off balance. As she looked up, she saw that the sky was darker not from time passing but rather from dark clouds rolling in. Ugh, even better! Thunder cracked in the distance and she could already feel some drops of rain landing on her slightly flushed skin. Had it been this hot when she arrived here? No, she thought, that was just her skin feeling like it was burning. Aelin checked herself to make sure her fire wasn’t the cause (it wasn’t) and continued on her way as quickly as she could. At least the stomach pain is gone.

Fate had a sense of humor because the moment Aelin thought those words, the worst pain she probably had ever felt had her doubling over her stomach again. Once the pain subsided once again, she tried to walk but the haze of pain and her mind conjuring all the reasons why she could be feeling this clouded her thoughts, not allowing her to see the small root upturned in her path. Aelin tripped slightly, landing on her ankle at an awkward angle, twisting it under her. She let out a cry as she went down, catching herself on her hands. Well now this is really great.

And once again, fate had it out for her as she felt a wetness run down her leg. Shit. Aelin wasn’t well-versed in pregnancy other than what she experienced so far but she knew that wetness was her water breaking. And those cramps from earlier were probably contractions. She weighed her options and came up with only one: she had to get up and get back to the palace. Otherwise, her baby would be born without help and she wasn’t sure she could do this on her own.

Ever the pragmatist, Aelin looked around for a suitable stick or branch that could support her weight. Once she was within reach, she got up as quickly as she could and hobbled her way, slowly, back to the castle. On her way, the clouds opened up into a deluge but that was the least of her concerns at the moment. She had to stop every few minutes to breathe and still herself through the contractions as well as keep weight off her ankle.

Fenrys was the first to notice her and what a sight she must’ve been. A hobbling, nine-months-pregnant, soaking wet woman making her way out of the forest. Aelin wouldn’t have been surprised if she had twigs coming out of her hair from her short nap, either. Fenrys could see in her eyes that something was wrong. He saw her ankle but his eyes quickly widened once he noticed the wet patch on her gown.

“Shit!” That was the only thing she heard before Fenrys swept her up into his arms and ran as fast, though gently, as he could to her rooms. He made it just in time, too, when another contraction hit her. He held her hand tightly.

“Find Lysandra.” She ground out. “Shit. This one fucking hurts.” Aelin couldn’t focus on anything but the pain. Through that haze, she did remember her breaths. In and out. In and out. “Get me Rowan!” Fenrys nodded. He had no idea how he was going to get all the way to Caraverre and back before Aelin had the baby but there was nothing he wouldn’t try for his queen.

Fenrys disappeared and after a moment, Lysandra rushed into the room with a few healers behind her. She brushed the hair back from Aelin’s sweaty face and murmured quietly to her that everything was going to be ok. Aelin just wanted her mate here. It was too soon for the baby to come. Why did she tell him to go to Caraverre? He should’ve just stayed here with her. All these months she just wanted the baby to come out but the baby was coming and Rowan wasn’t there. She needed him.

Yrene wasn’t here either and the thought had Aelin half in a panic. She knew she needed to stay calm. She had well-trained healers here in Orynth, though none had healing magic and none were as talented as Silba’s Heir. Lysandra still held her hand and someone had apparently brought a bucket of cold water since she was also currently laying a cool cloth on Aelin’s head.

Aelin didn’t know how much time had passed. She went through at least another 7 contractions, maybe 5 minutes apart or less. But they were getting closer. And Rowan still wasn’t there. She had decided already that she was going to hold this baby in until he got there. There was nothing Aelin’s determination couldn’t do. That determination wavered, though, with the realization that she wasn’t sure this was something she could succeed in.

Finally, finally, the scent of pine and snow reached her nostrils and Aelin let out a sob that wasn’t out of pain. Her mate’s green eyes clouded her vision along with her tears and she felt his sweaty forehead against her own. Murmurs of I’m sorry, Fireheart kept reaching her ears over and over. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. When Aelin finally opened her eyes again, Rowan was sitting beside her on the bed, taking over for Lysandra in placing the cool cloth on her forehead.

Everything in Aelin relaxed seeing her mate by her side. She pulled his hand into her own and placed tiny kisses to his palm. She already could see the tears streaming down his face and she would’ve laughed if another wave of pain didn’t sweep over her. Once it subsided though, she once again looked into his emerald eyes.

“I know I said it already but I’m so sorry, Fireheart. I’m sorry I wasn’t here and I’m sorry I left.” Rowan looked like he was about to start crying in earnest. But Aelin took his hand again and brought it to her heart.

“C’mon Buzzard, I told you to go. Of course your spawn would want to make a dramatic entrance.” Aelin looked to her belly. “Already taking after your dad, I see.”

Rowan gave her a look and a raised eyebrow. “Excuse me, I’m pretty sure you’re the dramatic one here. If anything, the baby is all you.” They gave each other the biggest of smiles. Rowan returned to holding her hand and patting her head with the cool cloth. “Where do you need me, Fireheart? Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

“Behind me. Can you sit behind me and just hold me through this please?”

Rowan kissed her forehead before sliding onto the bed behind her, propping her up with his torso. He used his powers to allow a small breeze travel between them and down her spine to help with her overheating.

After another hour, Aelin was exhausted. How did women do this for hours upon hours? It had only been around two for her and she didn’t think she would make it. Lysandra was at her feet, helping the healers with whatever they needed. Though she didn’t have healing powers, it was a relief to have her there, her presence alone helping Aelin to stay calm.

Another two contractions hit her in succession and finally, she was ready to push. Rowan kept the steady wind on her and held her as gently but tightly as he was able. Aelin gripped both of his hands in hers, resting them just above her belly.

In contrast to the rest of her pregnancy, pushing was the easy part. Just three pushes and the baby was wailing, held in Lysandra’s arms. Aelin felt the drips from Rowan’s tears on her bare shoulders and felt his lips on her cheek as they listened to the soft cries of their baby.

“It’s a girl!” Lysandra cleaned the babe as best she could and wrapped her in a tiny green blanket before giving her to Aelin. Aelin took her daughter as gently as she could, not having much experience with holding babies. And although that was the case, her daughter couldn’t have felt more natural in her arms. The baby’s face was pressed to the skin of Aelin’s chest as Rowan’s hand came to gently cup the baby’s head.

“I’m so proud of you, Fireheart.” Rowan was crying at that point. Aelin wasn’t sure if she ever saw him cry so hard. She could feel his small hiccups at the point where his chest met her back. She would never hold that over his head, though, because she was as much of a mess as he was. Aelin felt neverending kisses to her cheek, her shoulder. She had never felt so full and loved, so happy. Her daughter was in her arms, something she never thought she’d be able to say.

Aelin looked down at her tiny, perfect face. She had a tuft of blonde hair and Aelin was sure that when she opened her eyes, they would be the same shade of green as Rowan’s, just like he said. “I’m your mama, little baby. I’m so happy to meet you and I’m so glad you’re here and healthy.” Tears continued streaming down her face as she just held her daughter for a moment longer.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there are still a few more things we need to do, your majesty.” Aelin nodded and gave the baby right back to Lysandra. After the birth was complete, Rowan staying behind her the whole time still, Lysandra walked back over with a freshly cleaned and swaddled little girl. Rowan moved out from behind Aelin and before Lysandra could hand the baby to her mother, Aelin turned towards Rowan, giving him a look.

“I think maybe Papa should get a chance to hold his daughter.” Rowan started crying once more at that. With gentle hands, he tucked his daughter close to his chest, running his hand along her tiny, red nose.

“I’ve never seen anything so perfect.” Rowan said as he looked to Aelin. She nodded and laid her head on his shoulder, the both of them content to simply watch their daughter sleep.

“What are you naming her?” Aelin startled a bit, lost in her world where Rowan and their daughter were the only ones in the room. Aelin looked to Lysandra and then again to Rowan. Both of their eyes twinkled in agreement as twin smiles crossed their faces.

“Her name is Alma. Alma Whitethorn Galathynius.” Aelin again looked down to her daughter.

“That’s beautiful.” Lysandra said, looking to the tiny bundle. “Does it have a meaning?”

It was Rowan who answered, still in awe over his perfect daughter and the strength of his wife. And the fact that he was a father. “Alma means soul.” Lysandra gave a small stroke over Alma’s soft hair before leaving the new parents alone with their daughter.

“Hi, my little love. I’m your papa. I promise I will love you forever and always look out for you, even when your all grown up.” Aelin once again laid her head on Rowan’s shoulder.

“I was so scared when I realized she was coming so early. Yrene wasn’t here and it was an entire month earlier than we expected. And of course, you weren’t here either. I was terrified.”

“I’m so sorry again, my love. I am so, so incredibly proud of you. You amaze me everyday and there isn’t a moment where I’m not completely in love with you. You made this.” Rowan gestured to baby Alma. “And I just…I have no words for what you have given me. Everything.” Aelin tilted her head to give her husband a quick peck on the lips. “Next time, I’ll be here. I promise.”

“Next time? That’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think?” from Aelin’s smirk, Rowan knew she was joking. He would take as many children as she would give him. And if Alma was the only one, then so be it. He would love them both just the same.

Rowan looked down at his wife. He wasn’t sure if this was the most opportune time, but he couldn’t resist gloating. “I was right,” he whispered into her ear. Aelin’s howling laughter was music to his ears after her sounds of pain.

“I love you, Fireheart. To whatever end.” She repeated the sentiment back to him and they lay there for some time, simply existing as a family of three. Rowan had never been happier and he would do anything for his girls, to whatever end.

A/N: this is for day 5 of Aelin Week and also just a continuation of my regular fic. Hope you enjoyed :) keep an eye out for a companion art soon!

Tagging: @cretaceous-therapod @morganofthewildfire @tomtenadia @live-the-fangirl-life @charlizeed @violet-mermaid7 @euphoric-melancholyy @kritical24 @rubyriveraqueen @dealfea @maeclin @ayaashryver @anna-swims @leiawritesstories @whoever-you-choose-to-love @holdthefrickup @kyereads @heirofflowers @bananaanna23 @thecrispypotatochip @shanias-world @rowanaelinn @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity

#rowaelin #rowaelin fanfic #rowan whitethorn #aelin galathynius #tog #throne of glass #aelin week #aelinweek #throne of glass fanfiction #rowaelin fanfiction #rowaelin fic #dtahs #my fics

[writtenonreceipts]

Aelin Week Day four

i literally cannot sleep.  enjoy a headcanon list of what happens when Rowan is away.  written on the fly. it’s chaos.

A Queen in her Castle

It’s a few years after the war over a quiet weekend when Rowan tells her

He and the boys are going on a hunting campaign out in the Staghorns.  It’s been a long few years since the war and sometimes the memories have been a bit too strong.  For them all and they’re trying to adjust. So he, Lorcan, Fenrys, and Vaughn are going to take a trip, like the old days.

Aelin teases as she does and tells them “Go, be big, burly Fae males.”

Rowan is unamused.

The first day that Rowan is gone, Aelin lets herself sleep in.  He’s an early riser and Aelin never likes remaining in bed without him.

So she is up early, but she doesn’t do her usual training.  Instead, she does things a little different.

She decides to dance around the castle. Why not?  She is queen after all.  She dashes from hall to hall, sliding in her socks because shoes aren’t necessary. There’s no one visiting the castle anyways and she’s done with all her important meetings.

In between spurts of dancing, she sneaks into the kitchens and finds a delightful looking chocolate cake sitting on a tiered platform.  It looks divine.  But it has a not efrom the kitchen staff kindly asking her to not cut into the cate.

Aelin swipes a taste of frosting instead.

The next day is much the same, dancing, singing, piano, frosting swiping, book reading. Everything to her hearts content.

Until Aedion tells her to stop being lazy and come train with him.

Never one to turn down a challenge, Aelin agrees.

And promptly gets in trouble.

When it comes to training, especially with Aedion, things can get out of hand.

They might have broken a window of four.  And Aelin had to put out a fire that was not started by her in the first place.

Simply put, it is chaos.

But Aelin does best in chaos.  So, the next two days go by quickly.

Finally, Rowan returns and they trade kisses and touches and stories.  Rowan teases her for the admission of swiping frosting and sleeping in. She tells him he smells and may as well sleep outside.

He insists with her help that a bath will put him good as new.

It’s later when they’re lying curled together in bed that Rowan with hold her close and run his lips along her skin before asking how the weekend was, really.

And Aelin looks into those beautiful eyes of his and answers honestly.

Lonely.

None of it was the same without him.

#aelinweek #aelin galathynius #rowaelin #canon #throne of glass #headcanons

[gretanotkreta]

Aelin Week Day 1: Beltane 🔥

Happy Aelin week everyone!! ✨

I have some larger things planned and maybe I’ll do something small for everyday, just like this 45 minute sketch of Aelin at Beltane :)))

Check out @rowaelinscourt for the prompts!

#aelin fireheart #aelin ashryver galathynius #aelin galathynius #sarah j maas #sjm #throne of glass #aelin #tog #tog fanart #my art #sjmaas #aelinweek #beltane

[mariaofdoranelle]

Aelin week day 2: Aelin and the magic of friendship

I’m usually very adamant when saying I’m not a writer, but then I had a “fuck it” moment this weekend so here’s my first one-shot.

Anyway this is 2,1k words and I hope you like it.

TW: swear words and mentions of drinking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was so close. A couple more tries and she would totally get that shiny Magnemite. Aelin should feel embarrassed about playing Pokémon Go while in class, but she only did that when her students were busy, it was not her fault she could reach a few Gyms and PokéStops from inside the school she worked at. Until she looked out the window and could clearly see a brunette PE teacher. Not a silver-haired one. Ugh. She frowned at the view and began to stare a wall while her mind raced. Rowan was always distracting her by being his usual self from outside the window, but when she could use a distraction, the one outside was Lorcan Salvaterre, her biggest frenemy. But she could very vividly remember Rowan’s tan skin under the sun, the way his adorably cute butt would flex while he jogged and his—

“Miss G?” Evangeline’s voice snapped Aelin back to reality, interrupting her dreamily gaze at a wall and deep sigh. “Oh, hi, Evangeline.” The girl looked at her with a contained smirk on her lips. Her students were too smart for her own good. “Lys and Aed are throwing me a birthday party this month, are you coming?” Aelin already knew that, so she had no idea what was the girl’s point. “Yes, I’m going to be there, don’t worry. Have you finished your test?”

“Yes, I have. Anyway, you can bring someone if you feel like it. Are you bringing someone?”

“I don’t think so, but I’m probably sharing a ride with Rowan.”

“Oh! He’s your plus one, then?” They were always each other’s plus one at parties, but Aelin didn’t feel like indulging the teenager.

“I don’t think he can be a plus one if he was also invited, Evangeline. Can I have your test?”

“Oh, I’m so excited! All of my friends from school are coming too, are you ready to be plus one-ing him like officially? In front of everyone?” Oh, the wonders of working with teenagers. She knew the girl meant well, but ever since changing schools, Eva got really caught up in the gossip about Aelin, becoming her most meddlesome student for being part of her extended family.

It was no secret that Aelin and Rowan were best friends. Or that there were speculations about them. Some students even called them Rowaelin, for God’s sake. Her friend had never expressed his opinion on the matter, and Aelin was secretly pleased people could see herself with Rowan that easily, even though that kind of attention wasn’t very appreciated. The thing is, the two of them had a routine. She woke up, made coffee for both of them. In the meanwhile, he prepared their lunch. And it was a very fair exchange, since coffee was all she could do, and Rowan was practically a chef, she was giving 100% of her skills into the morning routine, while the old Buzzard can’t say the same. But sometimes he would give her chocolate hazelnut cake, so she has to cut him some slack. Anyway, they’d meet at the hall of their apartment complex, share a ride to go to work and come back, and then spend some time together. Their friends would always tease them by saying they’re like conjoined twins, but Aelin wouldn’t change it for the world. Rowan was her best friend and favorite person, it had nothing to do with the fact that she has been in love with him for years and no one knew.

Honestly, she had learned to live with it. So what if she felt like she was having a heart attack every time Rowan gave her one of his rare belly laughs or sometimes came home with gifts for her out of the blue because apparently they reminded him of her? That meant nothing besides a deep connection between two friends. Sophomore year of college, Aelin offered herself in a platter for him at a party while shit-faced drunk and he politely turned her down, but conversation kept going and they soon became inseparable. Co-dependent, even. When he graduated from college, Lorcan gave him a job at the school they work now, and when Aelin graduated and Rowan recommended her to the same school, Lorcan probably wanted to kill him. And then himself. But he got Elide out of it, so the bastard can’t complain. See? Everyone’s happy.

When Aelin walked out of her class, Rowan and Elide were talking outside. Then she noticed his flustered look and Elide’s knowing gaze, and suddenly became curious, rushing to them, “What’s up with you two today?” When they looked up at her, Rowan’s cheeks were red and Elide was quick to tell her about some science project her students were doing, but the conversation didn’t last long since they were all eager to go home and rest. When Aelin linked her arms with Rowan’s and started to walk down the halls to the car as they always did, he asked: “Are you going out with Fenrys tonight?”

“Hell no, tonight he just wants me to be his wingman and then leave. I’d be glad to do it if I didn’t have a pile of papers to grade, though.”

“Come on, Ace, you know you’re only alone at those parties by choice. In fact, are you going out with the guy that got your number last time?” Yeah, she’d sometimes go out with other people, but it never developed into something serious. Dating was tough, but she knew deep down she just couldn’t settle for less the Rowan. Which meant that in the best case scenario she’d continue to be single for a very long time.

“First of all, I don’t like to be alone at those parties, but it’s not my fault you and the other idiots don’t like clubbing,” Aelin would always complain when Rowan skipped their friend’s plans, even though she hated to see all the women ogling him at the club. “Second, ew! We talked a bit via text, but can you believe it he told me he doesn’t like Taylor Swift?” For the first time since they began their small walk, Aelin saw him give a small smile. “Well, Fireheart, I guess that just won’t do. Should we grade papers together, then?” “Absolutely. And then Mario Kart?” “Sure.” Even though Mario Kart wasn’t her favorite game, Rowan seemed to like it a lot when they played together, so it kind of became their thing. She was also competitive enough to get a thrill of it, and that was just what she needed.

***

Rowan fucking hated Mario Kart. Honestly, he wasn’t a video games type of guy, but he loved seeing Aelin’s face full of excitement while playing. She was a competitive one, his Fireheart. He didn’t even mind when she cursed him and threatened to end his bloodline when she lost, she’s such a sore loser, but he finds it adorable. He had even accepted to play a scary game with her, and he almost passed out when—

“Hmmm, I love you.” Suddenly a moan and a love declaration interrupted his thoughts. She’s going to be the death of him. “Aelin, stop flirting with the cake.” “Well, Buzzard, what did you expect when you brought it chocolate hazelnut?” With that, he went silent. Rowan was suddenly flooded with memories of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen approaching him at a college party and bluntly say: “I’m Aelin Galathynius, hi. English Major. I find that we’re equally hot and I’m very inclined to give you sex tonight”, one hand offering a handshake and the other holding a half-empty vodka bottle. She was drinking it raw, and it was admiration at first sight, at least. Even though they couldn’t have sex, they talked a lot, and the first signs of dawn were appearing when she started sleeping on his shoulder, on a couch so old and beaten up it seemed like it had at least 10 STDs, so he took her home.

Sometimes he felt like he let the opportunity of his lifetime slip away, but it wasn’t much of an opportunity if she didn’t think of him like that while sober. Anyway, Aelin was the most picky person he knew, and she would never want him after seeing all of his flaws. He had never seen her have a serious relationship with anyone since they met, and she once dumped a guy just because he played Mario Kart with Waluigi, for God’s sake. He probably ruined his chances on day one and kept doing it at least thrice a day, there’s no way Aelin thinks he’s even good enough for her, let alone consider him romantically. He’d just keep taking care of her platonically, from down the hall of their apartment complex.

His mind just took him to a dark corner of it, it seemed. He has always been good at stifling his feelings for Aelin, but today he seemed to be thinking about it a lot since Elide saw him waiting for her and prodded: “You should just tell her how you feel, you know?” Elide always saw right through people, did she notice how he felt about Aelin? Could people tell? Could Aelin tell? It was one thing to have rumours and speculations spread at school, but quite another to be transparent enough to give hints. To shake up his thoughts, Rowan glanced at her coffee table and saw that her Kindle was completely unsafe again without a case. Typical Aelin. When he looked at it, the lock screen was showing the book she was currently reading. “Friends with Kinky Benefits.” The cover was a cute illustration, but when he opened and read a bit of it… There was no doubt some people called it ‘doing the dirty’. But the book was actually about two best friends, is this something she gets off on? Rowan immediately perked up. He could totally pull off these stuff if Aelin wanted it… If she wanted him, and he went somewhere he didn’t often indulge his mind to go, but was his best daydream anyway. When Rowan was about to get his phone to search what the fuck a cock cage was, he saw his best friend completely frozen on her living room. Looking at him. And then the book. And then at him again. Until she swore: “Buzzard, what the fuck are you reading?”

“Your kinky stuff. I never expected your smutty books to be so educational, Ace.”

“NO. No. Fucking. Way. Give me that.” He could just do that and continue his reading at home, but he loved to tease Aelin. Besides, it was so rare to see her this flustered. She always owned being an English teacher who read smutty novels, except maybe for the students because it wouldn’t be appropriate, but she was always confident about basically anything, and he fucking loved her bravado most of the times. But something about Rowan reading this had thrown her off, and he had no idea what or why.

“Buzzard! Are you listening to me? Give it back!”

“I don’t think so. You see, I’m really enjoying this book, so I don’t think you’re getting it back anytime soon. I dare you to try, though.”

“You’re on!” With that, Aelin jumped at him at the couch while Rowan tried to hide the Kindle behind him. To get the thing from behind his back, she pulled his hair and then the world seemed to stop.

There was Aelin. Straddling this thighs on the couch. One hand connected with his because they both were holding the Kindle, and the other roughly grabbing a fistful of his hair. When he realised the tension, she was already looking at him. Parted lips, heavy gaze looking at his. He looked at her flushed cheeks and chest, the way it heaved for a reason he wasn’t certain of. Then she blinked and bit that full bottom lip of hers, her eyes looking for something. Was it the same thing he was looking for in her? A hint, a green light, an invitation. He inched a bit in, giving her time to recoil, while a single drop of sweat ran down her face, and when it reached her throat the only thing he could think about was licking it clean and then biting that sensitive spot where her shoulder meets her neck, and after he wouldn’t care if he would continue kissing her up or down, he’d—

Some crickets started to loudly sing. His phone, then. He looks at his side and disappointment settles in.

Fucking Fenrys.

#rowaelin #throne of glass fanfiction #aelin week #aelinweek #aelin x rowan #aelin galathynius

[shyvioletcat]

AELIN WEEK: DAY TWO 

~ Love Language ~

A/N: We all know that at least one of Aelin’s love languages is physical touch so this DEFINITELY counts. Okay, so this is a another part of I Wish You Would which was meant to be a oneshot but now it’s not. It’s not as good as the first, I will admit, but I think it passes. 

CW: Smut 18+, a couple of swears.

~~~~~

Rowan was steadily making his way through his third round of edits on his latest book. It was the fifth instalment for his current series and his deadline for submission was starting to get uncomfortably close. He’d been distracted or maybe it could be said one singular distraction instead, not at all an unpleasant one. Aelin was the best kind of distraction he could ever ask for. 

Since their… unexpected and explosive tryst at the pop culture convention they’d found more than enough excuses to be together. Some might call it strange how easily they slotted into each other’s lives. All that animosity turned into something just as burning and passionate, but with far better benefits. To Rowan it felt as natural as breathing to be with Aelin like this. He thought the feelings he’d been harbouring were one sided and that Aelin had truly hated him. When it came to light that all her petty quips and barbed words had come from the denial of her own feelings, that had been the best day of Rowan’s life. Since then they had barely spent any time apart, taking the time to explore many aspects of their new relationship. Some aspects they explored more often and thoroughly than others, frequently in his bed or hers. He wouldn’t deny that their chemistry was out of this world. 

With eyes fixed on the computer screen he startled as Aelin burst into his study, dressed in one of his hoodies and not much else from what he could tell. That golden hair of her’s was loose, but still messy, like she’d been running her hands through it. What caught Rowan’s eye was the open book she had pressed to her chest. It was one of his. 

“It’s me,” she said a bit breathlessly like she’d run from whatever reading nook she’d emerged from. About a week ago she’d turned in her very final draft of her latest book, she currently had all the time in the world to do as she wished. She’d chosen to binge read his books. “It’s me.”

When she repeated those two words and Rowan still had no idea what she was talking about he laughed softly. “What is?”

Aelin rushed forward, holding out the book so it flopped under the weight of all those pages. “This,” she pointed to the black letters on the cream coloured pages. “In here, this character is me.”

He might have been affronted by the physical disrespect being inflicted on his book if he hadn’t just been drastically called out. Rowan turned his office chair with a deliberate slowness, like he was trying to buy himself some time. An unasked for favour from his unconscious mind. “Huh?”

“Don’t play coy with me, Mr Three Time Orynth Bestseller Author Whitethorn,” Aelin was back to hugging the book against her chest. “I’m vain enough to recognise my own imitation.”

Rowan tried his best just to shrug it off. “Maybe your vanity is seeing something that’s not there.”

Turquoise eyes narrowed at him, but rather than arguing the point she started leafing through the pages of his book. And then she cleared her throat. 

“She stood there, blue eyes shining with ire as the bright light of the twin suns that caught the golden highlights in her hair. This woman was ready to fight and wouldn’t back down.” Aelin’s eyes left the page and they fixed on him. “Should I keep going or should I dive into the description of her stunning body?”

“You don’t even have blue eyes,” Rowan defended. “And every second female protagonist has blonde hair. More than that even.”

Aelin rolled her eyes, walking forward and pointing the book at him instead of an accusing finger. “My eyes are a shade of blue, you can’t fool me.”

“Fool you into what exactly?” Rowan said, tilting his head up to look at her.

“This is me.” Aelin all but slammed the book onto his desk. 

That move had her leaning forward a little, making the hoodie gape at her thighs. Rowan couldn’t resist, his hand reached out, fingers splaying across her soft skin. The touch weakened some of Aelin’s swaggering and she stepped a tiny bit closer so that his hand could slip just a fraction higher. 

“You can prove nothing,” Rowan insisted. “And don’t act like you haven’t done the exact same thing.”

The smallest hint of colour bloomed on her cheeks and she crossed her arms defensively. “No, I have not.”

Rowan grinned, his hand sliding down to the sensitive skin behind her knee. It made her squirm. Or maybe that was because he’d turned the tables on her. 

“You don’t think I’ve noticed your penchant for silver haired male love interests popping up in your books.” Rowan pulled on her knee, making Aelin stumble forward but he steadied her with the other hand landing on her hip.

“I’ll have you know,” Aelin’s mouth twisted as she tried to hide her smile, “that it is a very popular hair colour for male characters in fantasy.”

Rowan’s voice was full of humoured incredulousness. “Is it?”

Aelin was close enough now that he could rest his chin on her stomach, to look up at her face that was continuing to flush. 

“Yes.” She untucked one hand and started counting. “We’ve got Geralt, Thranduil, Legolas…” then her face brightened with a new thought. “One of your kick-ass women is named Ayla, how thinly veiled is that comparison?”

“And there’s the guy you straight up named after a tree with green eyes. But you did change the eye colour there, though,” Rowan added.

“But my point is,” Aelin said, choosing to ignore him now that she was thoroughly ratted out. “You did it too.” 

Rowan smirked up at her, pulling on her hip so she swayed. “I didn’t deny it.”

“You… no you just evaded.” Aelin poked him in the chest to prove her point. 

Rowan felt his expression turn smug, catching that hand before she could poke him again. “Just think, if you had read my books to begin with you could have figured out my crush a long time ago. You could have saved yourself a lot of frustration and all that extra brain power that went into that teasing of yours.”

“But that would have been a lot less fun,” Aelin’s voice turned sultry and she stepped closer on her own, her free hand reaching for his neck. “Okay, but consider. Would our first time been *that good without all that tension.”

She drew out the last three words.

Rowan nodded, kissing the fingers of the hand he still held. “You have a point. I did enjoy hearing how much you wanted it.”

He heard Aelin’s breath hitch and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. 

“I never would have gotten that out of you in any other scenario,” Rowan said confidently, squeezing her hip for emphasis. “You’re so godsdamned stubborn and I love it.”

That had Aelin grinning. She stepped out of his grasp and she waltzed over to one of his floor to ceiling bookcases running her fingers along the spines. “So, we both did it.”

“It would seem so,” Rowan said, swivelling in his chair to follow her movements. 

“Also seems like we’ve been falling for each other longer than we care to admit,” Aelin mused. “It’s got me thinking.”

Rowan leaned back as far as his office chair would allow him. “About?”

Aelin sent him a sly smile before she turned around completely and gave him the opportunity to admire her long legs. He was so distracted he didn’t notice she had a book in her hands until she started reading. ““Please,” she breathed, fingers digging into his lower back for emphasis. His low groan was his only answer as he hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, letting him carry her not to the bed, but to the wall, and the sensation of the cool wood against her back compared to the heat and hardness of him pushing into her front.”

When she was done, Aelin just looked at him for a long moment. Then she very deliberately put the book back on the shelf, exactly where she’d got it from.

“So we’ve established that Celaena is me,” something mischievous glinted in Aelin’s eye as she referred to the character from the book she’d just read from, the prequel of the one she’d rushed in with in the first place. “Does that mean this is a little fantasy of yours? For me?”

Now it was Rowan’s turn to blush. “Um… maybe?”

Aelin laughed in triumph. “That’s a yes!”

Her laughter and his embarrassment had him out of his chair and closing the distance between them. He crowded her against the shelving and the laughing turned into giggles. That sound utterly undid him and he was powerless to stop the way his body was drawn to her. Aelin was looking up at him, her eyes wide and expectant—just waiting for him to just do something. 

“You eased your tension with your teasing and taunting,” Rowan said, leaning in a little further. “I had to find another avenue.”

He dragged his hand down the bookcase, right next to Aelin’s body but he made sure not to touch her. She watched fingers dragged over the spines, pages and wood, then as they stopped right text to her hip.

“So what will it be, Aelin?” Rowan said, bringing their faces within an inch of each other. “Will you go back and read my book, or shall I convince you to stay with me for a while?”

Aelin tipped her head up so that their lips almost brushed. “I might be able to be convinced.”

“How shall I do it? Words or with my tongue and teeth?” He accentuated that question by closing the distance and pressed a biting kiss to Aelin’s bottom lip. She’d had so much fun quoting his books, he might as well start quoting hers. That line had always been a particular favourite of his.

Her answering moan was beautiful, and it spiked the arousal that was already coursing through him. There would be no way in hell he’d be able to go back to writing without fucking her first. Aelin would take hold of every thought and moment, and he’d probably just end up typing her name over and over again. And it wasn’t like she didn’t already occupy every other waking thought, but with this need consuming him Rowan would be utterly useless. 

“Yeah, that,” Aelin said breathlessly. “Your mouth is what I want, Rowan.”

“Your pleasure is mine, princess,” he told her, another quote, which she traded in kind. 

“Do your worst, Prince.”

Aelin laughed breathlessly as Rowan brought their bodies flush, with a rough tug on her hips and his lips descended to her neck. That sound was cut short when his teeth dragged over her neck, replacing the soft press of his lips. Aelin moulded into him and Rowan used that to his advantage. With hands on her waist he guided her backwards, until her back was resting on the step ladder he used to reach the books on the upper shelves. Aelin had gushed over it when she’d first seen it, told him she was getting jealous of his library. She was about to enjoy it for an entirely different reason.

Rowan lifted her just a little, so she could perch on one of the flat steps. It took half a second for her to realise what Rowan was doing, and the way he dropped to his knees was the final confirmation. He ran his hands up and down Aelin’s calves, watching as confidence and lust spread through her—her chin lifted, a pointed foot leading her leg over his shoulder as her arms twined upwards to hold onto the ladder. She looked like a god ready to be worshipped. 

As promised, his tongue and teeth teased a course up her leg. Aelin’s composure was lasting but he didn’t miss the way her body shuddered when his fingers hooked into the waistband of her underwear and dragged them down her legs. As his lips travelled higher still, Rowan pushed the hem of his hoodie up. The tension between them went taut, Aelin waiting for him to do something and Rowan considering when he’d put her out of her misery. 

He didn’t have the care to wait. Three more kisses up her thigh and then Rowan had her moaning on his tongue. As often as they had found themselves in scenes like this, Rowan was still discovering how he could get Aelin to unravel under his ministrations. So he catalogued every sound, each little moan and sigh as he worked the apex of her thighs. Rowan made note of how Aelin’s fingers tightened in his hair when he flicked his tongue over her clit, the way her leg shook when he sucked hard.  And the way her whole body shuddered when he bit at delicate skin. 

“Oh, fuck me,” Aelin groaned. “How are—oh!”

A flat lick of his tongue had Aelin writhing and Rowan could tell she was close. He’d learned that much, he could feel it in the way her body was as tight as a drawn bow string. It wouldn’t take much more for her to break. And he needed it. 

He swirled his tongue around her clit and that was all it took. Aelin moaned, the sound coming from deep within her throat. Her body shook from pleasure, and she clung to the ladder like a lifeline. Rowan didn’t stop moving until she did, praising her with soft kisses on her thighs. 

“Gods, Rowan,” Aelin panted as he stood to his full height. “This might be my new favourite piece of furniture.”

Rowan might have joined in with her laughter if he hadn’t been painfully hard. Watching her come without him was both a curse and a blessing. It was as hot as hell but left him wanting her even more. Aelin must have caught onto his dilemma because this time it was her reaching out to pull him forward by his hips, no hesitation before her hand slipped into his sweats. His hand that slammed into the books by her head nearly sent them flying. 

“That feels good,” he groaned, loving the way her hand dragged over the length of him. 

“Where do you want me?” Aelin breathed, her lips hot on his neck. 

The bedroom was too far, and three out of four walls in this room were covered in books, the last had his desk blocking the way. It was hard to think straight with Aelin’s hands on him, but he needed to answer her question. There was an armchair in the corner where he liked to read. That would be his best option. 

Rowan gathered Aelin into his arms and carried her over to that chair, falling into it bringing her with him. They wasted no time, as soon as he was down Rowan slipped a hand under the hoodie, feeling the soft skin beneath. He groaned when he found out she wore absolutely nothing beneath, Aelin swallowing the sound with a kiss. 

She started moving on him, grinding down on his hard cock. Rowan’s head fell back, his breath falling into rhythm with Aelin’s movements. “I gotta have you.” 

“I know.” Aelin pushed off him, standing between his spread knees. Her hands gripped the bottom of the hoodie, pulling it up slowly. 

It was tortuous, watching the revelation inch by inch. Rowan palmed himself through his pants trying to ease some of the strain. When Aelin stood before him, utterly naked and beautiful, Rowan started to ask himself how he got so lucky. 

She lent forward, hands bracing on the chair arms. “Am I going to have to dash to the bedroom for a condom, or…”

“Desk drawer,” Rowan nearly barked. 

Aelin smirked at his tone, and while she strutted over there Rowan took the opportunity to get rid of his own clothes. He only got as far as ridding himself of his t-shirt and lost sight of her as he pulled it over his head. Just like magic, when his vision was a haze of black cotton, she seemed to appear right in front of him. The foil package was ripped open and the next thing he knew Aelin was kissing him, pulling his pants down just far enough to free his cock. 

“Ready, there handsome?” Aelin teased, always ready to unleash some of her sass. It was one of the things that he’d come to really enjoy about her. His brain was currently too lust addled to give that idea some proper thought. If he considered it for long he might say something that might be considered a little preemptive.  

“When it comes to you, always,” Rowan said instead.

Aelin went to lower herself into his lap when he stopped her, with broad hands on her waist. She looked annoyed and confused, until Rowan urged her to turn around. He kept one hand on her hip to guide her and the other ran up the bare skin of her back to the nape of her neck. Aelin arched into his touch, sighing heavily at the first brush of the head of his cock through her folds. 

“Please, Rowan,” Aelin gasped. “I know you need me.”

Those words were his undoing and he tugged Aelin into his lap, fully seating himself inside her. They both moaned at that blissful, intimate contact, the feeling was something Rowan would never tire of. Aelin lay back on his chest, a hand sliding into his hair to give her something to hold on to. Rowan wasn’t idle either, touching everywhere he could reach before resting on her breasts. 

“Gods, yes,” Aelin breathed as he started to play with her hardened nipples. 

“You’re perfect,” Rowan said onto her skin, twisting a bud between his fingers—just shy of pain.

His reward was a sudden jerk of Aelin’s hips and a sharp tug to the strands of his hair. Once she started moving, she couldn’t stop. Rowan timed his thrusts with the rolling grind of Aelin’s body—kissing her shoulder, her neck. Neither of them could keep quiet and the room filled with their sounds of pleasure. Rowan felt her inner wall tighten around him, making him bite down on the soft skin at the juncture on her neck and shoulder.

“Don’t draw it out, I won’t last,” Aelin told him. 

That was more than enough reason for Rowan to take what he needed, that of course included Aelin coming on his cock. A hand snaked over her body, down her toned stomach right to where he knew his touch would make her come undone. Rowan’s finger drew quick circles around her clit, making Aelin cry out over and over again until she finished on a throaty moan.

Rowan kept her steady, chasing his own high with languid thrust as he helped Aelin ride out hers. He let go, release rushing through him, his body sinking into the plush armchair as his cock stopped pulsing. Aelin was limp against him and the sounds of her soft breaths is what brought him back to the present. 

Aelin hummed, the sound was one of contentment. “I think I just got some inspiration for my new book.”

Rowan’s laughter shook both of them. “Will you dedicate it to me so when your next heroine gets laid in a library your readers know who to thank?”

“That’s not such a bad idea,” Aelin said. “Everyone should know just how lucky you are.”

With a hand on her chin, Rowan tilted her face so he could kiss her—long enough that Aelin was breathless when they stopped. He took a moment just to appreciate how truly lucky he was to have this beautiful woman to call his. A thumb brushed along Aelin’s cheek and Rowan kissed her again, then said,  “I’ll be sure to do the same.”

~~~~~

Tags: @fucking-winchester-trash​ // @literary-licorice​ // @galyxsy // @tangledraysofsunshine​ // @highqueenofelfhame​ // @3am-reading​ // @soup-that-is-too-hawt​ // @aelinfire-bringer // @nalgenewhore​ // @highladyofthesith // @http-itsrebecca​ // @sleep-and-books​ // @alifletcher2012​ // @westofmoon​ // @sleeping-and-books​ // @ttakeitbacknoww​ // @armixers-unite // @mariamuses​ // @chocolate-eating-bitch-queen​ // @velarian-trash​ // @queenofxhearts​ // @heroesofterrasen​ // @highladyofstoriesandmusic​ // @empire-of-wildfire​ // @camerooonchiu​ // @crackedship​ // @lowhangingtreebranches // @over300books​ // @yourwhisperingshadows​ // @thesirenwashere​ // @tswaney17​ // @impossiblescissorspeachpaper // @cat5313​ // @judelovescardan​ // @flowerspringsea​ // @chaoticskyy​ // @the-regal-warrior​ // @fanfictrash3000​ // @blueeyes425​ // @starseternalnighttriumphant​ // @bamchickawowow​ // @thehuntressofmoon // @giorgia-the-trashpanda​ // @flora-and-fae​ // @thereaderandfangirl​ // @illyrian-bookworm​ // @chemicha​ // @meltalgel // @gay-book-nerd​ // @that-odd-puzzle-piece​ // @i-love-all-books // @in-love-with-caramel-macchiato​ // @girl-who-reads-the-books // @hizqueen4life​ // @the-third-me​ // @1islessthan3books​ // @bestmelle​ // @cursebreaker29​ // @b00kworm​ // @superspiritfestival​ // @aesthetics-11​ // @maastrash​ // @mynewdreamwasyou​ // @the-last-apprentice​ // @charincharge​ // @firestarsandseneschals​ // @scarznstars​ // @absolute-dissapointment // @thesurielships​ // @df3ndyr​ // @trinitybailey2003 // @gwynethhberdara // @booknerdproblems​ // @larisssss​ // @sevenfreckles-for-sevenloves // @rolltide7​ // @scandinavianromantic // @tillyrubes10​ // @starwarsslytherin // @minaidss // @paytin77​ // @jesstargaryenqueen​ // @anntheintrovert​ // @starbornvalkyrie​ // @loudphantomdragon​ // @woollycat22 // @claralady // @perseusannabeth​ // @fangirlprincess09​ // @maddymelv // @sierrareads​ // @more-espresso-less-depresso-xx // @jlinez // @lysandra-ghost-leopard​ // @rowaelinismyotp​ // @pullnpeeltwizzlers​ // @anne-reads // @jadeaffliction​ // @gracie-rosee​ // @elriel4life​ // @rowaelinrambling​ // @tothestarswholistentodreamers // @thenerdandfandoms // @castielspelvis​ // @swankii-art-teacher​ // @grandma-noob-lord​ // @vanzetanze​ // @highlady-brittney​ // @story-scribbler​ // @linguine-panini // @pastasiren​ // @surielandiareendgame // @silentquartz​ // @live-the-fangirl-life​ // @whimsicallyreading​ // @goddess-aelin​ // @littleboxofthunder​ // @empress-ofbloodshed​ // @booksbqueen // @rowanwhitethornisbae​ // @charlizeed​ // @feysand-loml​ // @aelin-queen-of-terrasen​ // @alyx801​ // @amandaswallowtail​ // @louiseleblancdiggory​ // @abookishfreak // @danibutterr​ // @thegreyj​ // @lizzyfirebringer // @endlessdaydream​ // @magnifique1807​ // @s-uppertime​ // @rowaelinscourt​

#aelinweek #aelinweek2023 #rowaelin fanfiction #i wish you would #it's a oneshot is the biggest lie of my life

[sarahjswift]

Short Story for Aelin's Month Again!

I started at Day 3 so I didn't want to say Day 2 lol

It is Day 4 and the prompt is Aelin's family! Thank you for all the love on the first one! Enjoy! :)

Aelin stared at the soldiers sparring in the arena below her. She sat in the Royal Box, watching in awe at their strength. Turning to her father, she exclaimed; “I want to be like them! I want to be big and strong too!” She was six years old and already was a bundle of promises and excitement. 

Rhoe looked fondly at his daughter and ruffled her golden hair, cut to her shoulders. “Being big and strong like those men takes a long time. It isn’t as easy as you’d like, my daughter,” he said. Aelin pouted, unhappy with this response, and Rhoe smiled. He pointed down to the arena, Aelin’s gaze following. 

“Look past their strength. Look at the patience they have, waiting and waiting to defeat their opponent. Look at their grace, balancing on those small beams. Look at their mental and physical stamina, how they have been sparring for over an hour and they haven’t tired. There are many things that go into being strong, Aelin. Not just muscle.”

Aelin nodded slowly, understanding. “I promise, Father. I will be strong for Terrasen.” Rhoe smiled gently down at her, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yes, you will need to be strong for Terrasen. But be strong for yourself as well, Fireheart.”

_____

Aelin watched her mother carefully, noting her tells that only she could see. Her sharp jaw was clenched, her Ashryvr eyes narrowed, her hands gripping tightly together in her lap, were all tells that Evalin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen, was very angry. At eight years old Aelin knew that when her mother was angry, a storm was about to break. At least she wasn’t unhappy at Aelin - instead, her fury was directed toward the men sitting around her at the table. Some of the court of Terrasen, old nobles who did nothing but complain. 

Evalin said through gritted teeth, “I apologize, Lord Werloth, that you were unhappy with the battalion sent your way, but-”

“Damn right I’m unhappy! You promise a strong set of troops to protect my lands from opposing forces, yet a band of pathetic soldiers appear at my doorstep, asking for shelter,” Lord Werloth barked.  “A good battalion should have tents. I don’t think you understand the threat my lands are on. Maybe your husband should handle this?” 

Evalin drew in a sharp, angry breath, and Aelin smiled. She never liked Lord Werloth anyway.

Thirty minutes and some Werloth-flavored tears later, Evalin was storming down the corridor, Aelin’s small hand gripped firmly in hers. The Queen’s angry pace and sharp clacking of her heels made all those who passed immediately part to make room. 

“Werloth is a pathetic baby,” Evalin fumed. “Who does he think he is? Saying my husband should do it.” She scoffed at this. “I’ve been Queen for fifteen years. I don’t need my husband's help handling Werloth’s meager lands. That battalion was all I could spare, given the threat from-” 

At this, Evalin froze and looked down at Aelin, as if suddenly realizing it was her daughter next to her, not her friends. She crouched down and cupped Aelin’s face in her hands, kissing Aelin’s forehead. “I’m sorry, Fireheart,” she said softly. “I got carried away.”

Aelin smiled at her mother. “It’s okay, Mother.” She was never mad at her mother. Evalin was so strong and beautiful, and Aelin knew that she loved her fiercely. Evalin’s red lips curved into a grin, and she straightened up again. 

“You know what I’m craving?” she asked. Aelin shook her head, hanging on to her hand. “Ice cream. Chocolate. Extra chocolate.” 

Aelin squealed, and Evalin laughed. The Queen picked up her Princess and they raced down the hall toward the kitchens. 

_____

Aelin woke up with a start. The morning light streamed in from the huge window next to the bed, and she panted, bringing her hand up to her forehead. Rowan was awake and surveying her anxiously. 

“Not a nightmare,” she reassured him. “I’m okay. Go back to sleep.” Rowan’s green eyes analyzed her face, before kissing her softly and immediately falling back asleep against the pillows. 

Aelin stared straight ahead as she ran her fingers absentmindedly through Rowan’s hair, thinking of her dream. It was an odd dream - most nights she had vicious nightmares of her traumas or happy, sweet dreams about her life and friends. But - tonight she had dreamed of her parents. 

Even though they had died when she was just ten years old, Aelin still remembers the faces of her parents, her mother especially. They had both been beautiful and adored each other, and had been nurturing and sweet parents to her. They had raised her to be the queen that she was. 

But this dream, the happy memories in it, had only evoked a feeling of deep sadness she hadn’t felt since the War. Aelin wished her parents were still on this earth, to see Terrasen thriving, to see the kingsflame that still carpeted the ground. 

She wished they could have met Rowan. Her father would have been protective but Rhoe would have liked Rowan, his gentle nature agreeing with her mate’s quiet loyalty. Evalin would have loved him but would have kicked his ass if he so much as looked at Aelin wrong. 

But what made Aelin want to cry was that her parents wouldn’t be there for her future children. She wouldn’t have her mother by her side as she went through the pain of birthing a child, and Rhoe and Evalin would never meet their grandchildren. The last time Aelin had felt her mother’s invisible touch was at her coronation five months ago. 

Aelin felt a tear sliding down her cheek, and she wiped it off angrily. She wasn’t going to start the morning off crying. She eased herself out of the bed and padded into the bathroom. She stared at herself in the mirror. She had slight dark circles under her eyes and her face was red. Perfect. 

Aelin showered and then changed into a tight white dress and black heels that made her feel confident. She had a meeting with Darrow in a couple hours, but until then she was free - the one day she didn’t want to be. 

She walked Fleetfoot on the castle grounds before letting her run wild in the fields, and then ate a quick breakfast of oats and fruit. Bored, she paced back and forth through the corridor from her room to the kitchens, going over her presentation for the meeting - proposing a community garden for the castle. She didn’t realize how loud and frantic she had become until a bleary-eyed Rowan stepped out of their room - in his pajamas(shorts) - and walked over to her.

“Fireheart, what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned. He held her hands in his, calming her pacing. Aelin stared into his beautiful eyes and blew out a breath. 

“I…had a dream,” she began. “It wasn’t a nightmare. In fact, it was kind of nice. It was about…my parents.” Rowan’s eyes turned understanding, and he squeezed her hands. “It was two memories, one for each. My father was teaching me about what it meant to be strong, and my mother standing up for herself against the dirtbag men in her court. It just..shook me up, I suppose. Plus,” she managed a smile as tears streamed down her face, “I miss them like hell.” 

Rowan wiped the tears from her cheeks away. “I understand what you mean. I had a good thirty years with my parents before they were killed in battle, and they never got to meet…well, Lyria. And they weren’t with us throughout the pregnancy, or..what happened after.” Rowan leaned forward so their foreheads were touching, and Aelin closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. “But the biggest regret of my parents being gone is that they never got to meet my Fireheart. My heart.” Aelin looked up at him, his face full of love, and placed her hand on his cheek. 

She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his mouth. She pulled away as he hugged her to him. “I wish I could have met your parents. I wish you could have met mine. They would have loved you. But…,” Aelin smiled up at her mate and said the words she’d known all along, “..you are my family. No matter what. I’m not alone, because you will be with me.” 

Rowan kissed her once, twice, three times. “And I you,” he breathed. 

“Now,” Rowan said as he led her back to their bedroom, “tell me about your parents.” ____

#sarah j maas #throne of glass #aelinweek #rowaelin #aelin galathynius

[leiawritesstories]

Territorial Buzzard

Aelin Week, Day 5: Aelin and pregnancy

Word count: 748 

Warnings: language, wonky pregnancy hormones

Enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“BUZZAAAAAAAAARD!” Aelin’s half-yell, half-whine echoed down the hall, bringing Rowan down to their room in a few long strides. 

“What is it, Fireheart?” 

Aelin stood in the middle of the room, tears beginning to stream down her face, the jeans she was wearing open around her baby bump. “Can’t zip my pants,” she whimpered, angrily flicking tears off her cheek. 

“Oh, love,” Rowan said softly, cupping her face in his hands, “are those the new jeans you just got?”

“No,” she sniffled, “they’re old but I love them and I want to wear them and I wore them only three weeks ago and they still fit!” Her voice breaking into a sob by the end of her sentence. “My belly’s grown so fucking much in three fucking weeks that I can’t fucking button these jeans!” she cried, frustrated and hormonal. 

Rowan, not knowing how to respond, just wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. “Fireheart, you’re beautiful no matter what you wear, and your belly is just as beautiful. Especially since you’re carrying our daughter.”

Said daughter chose that moment to kick, the movement fluttering under Aelin’s hands where they rested on her bump. 

“Yeah, mija, we’re talking about you,” Aelin mumbled, rubbing soft circles against where the baby had kicked. “You’ve been making Mama’s life hell these last six months, haven’t you?” Rowan chuckled a little behind her, his big hand linking with hers over her belly.

“How about we give Mama some rest for once, little one, yeah?” 

The baby kicked again at the sound of her father’s voice, as if in agreement. 

Aelin wiped tears from her face, her emotions calming. “Ro, can you grab me the other jeans?”

“Um...which ones, Ae?” He scratched the back of his neck, looking at the row of jeans in her closet. 

She laughed, softly. “The maternity ones on the end, that pair with the green belly band.” He handed her the jeans, helping her out of the pair she’d been trying to put on. “Thanks, love.” She stepped into the new pair, sliding the band around her belly and loosing a soft sigh of relief as the material gave some extra support to the baby bump. 

“You look gorgeous, Fireheart,” Rowan murmured. 

She snorted. “My mascara is streaked, there are tear tracks on my face, and I look like every stereotype of a hormonal pregnant lady, buzzard.”

“You’re still gorgeous, though.” He kissed her bump.

Aelin’s eyes welled up again. “You can’t say those things like that,” she sniffled, “my emotions can’t handle it.” 

“I only speak the truth,” he whispered, handing her a few tissues. She blew her nose, dried her tears, then went and cleaned up her streaked mascara. “There. Now I look human again.”

~

“The fucking nerve,” Rowan growled, closing the door behind them with more force than necessary.

“Ro, calm down,” Aelin admonished, wrapping her hands around his arm. “It was just some half-drunk douche.”

“Who was creeping on my pregnant wife!” Rowan all but snarled. “I mean, what kind of sick fuck even does that? Hits on an obviously taken woman?”

“Drunk ones,” Aelin scoffed. “Buzzard, I mean it. Calm down. Please.” She trailed a hand gingerly up and over his shoulder, across the tattooed side of his face. “You’re making me worried, and baby doesn’t like it when I’m worried.” 

Her husband sighed heavily, his breath whooshing out as he leaned into her gentle touch. “I’m sorry, Aelin. I don’t mean to worry you.”

“I know,” she murmured. “You just can’t help it, you get territorial.” He grumbled something inaudible about it’s protective, not territorial. She snickered. “No, buzzard, you’re territorial. That’s not a bad thing--in fact, if we’re being honest, I get a little turned on every time you go into territorial mode.”

“Do you, now?” he asked, the scene at the grocery store fading from his mind. 

“Indeed,” she smirked. 

Just as Rowan's lips met hers, baby decided she was hungry, and Aelin’s stomach let loose a mighty rumble. He grinned against her lips, laughing softly.

“Okay, okay, calm down mija,” Aelin laughed. “Dad’s making us food right now, mi pequeñita.” 

“I am,” Rowan agreed, caressing Aelin’s bump. “Seems I’ll soon have two hungry girls to feed, won’t I?” Baby girl kicked approvingly, her movements fluttering against her father’s hand. 

Aelin’s eyes went silver yet again at the sight. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, biting back sobs of happiness. 

Damn hormones.

~~~~~

TAGS: please lmk if you want to be added/removed or if tags don’t work!

@charlizeed

@cretaceous-therapod

@clea-nightingale

@autumnbabylon

@loudphantomdragon

@flora-shadowshine

@nerdperson524

@claralady

@fireheartwhitethorn4ever

@julialovebooks

@nesgoddessofdeath

@morganofthewildfire

@rowanaelinn

@wesupremeginger

@story-scribbler

@nicolivesinbooks

@mackenzieclutt

@stardelia

@maeclin

@gracie-rosee

@shanias-world

@mybloodrunsblue

@swankii-art-teacher

@wordsafterhours

@cookiemonsterwholovesbooks

@violet-mermaid7

@holdthefrickup

@skeletons-and-wildflowers

@goddess-aelin

@rowaelinismyotp

@dealfea

@irondork

@themoonthestarsthesuriel

#my writing #aelin week #aelinweek #pregnancy fluff