#listen: brotp nesta and lucien and i will die on that hill

[bowdawn]

Hey! Can you do a one shot where Elain wants to leave with Lucien but Nesta and Azriel are like hell no and then Elain loses her shit please?

😏

After the mess that had been her Winder Solstice, Elain had decided to stop whatever she had been doing and try to at least talk to him.

She of course couldn't trust herself to speak or have any conversation with Lucien, since her senses and instincts were too strong around him. All she wanted was to smell him, touch him, taste him. Every cursed time he would come.

Naturally, Elain would do none of those things. Instead she would try to stay as far from the male as she could.

Until the Solstice of course. He went there, gave her the most precious gift she ever received - not even Graysen had given her such a thing - and he left. All because Elain got scarred that this male knew her better than anyone else without even knowing her.

And Elain wanted to feel safe.

Azriel did make her feel safe. At the time at least. Then she met Nesta's friend, Gwyn at her sister mating ceremony. Gwyn, as lovely a female could be, was wearing the necklace Azriel had given her.

To be fair she had given him back. He had called her a mistake, then she had heard him talking so... so... crudely of her with Rhysand that Elain was glad to not have shared a kiss.

Still she had never imagined he could just give the present to another female. Especially one that was as sweet as Gwyn. And especially because Gwyn had told others that someone had given her the beautiful necklace. Gwyn had glowed as she spoke.

To say Elain had been discontent at Nesta and Cassian mating ceremony was a lie. She did enjoyed seeing her sister finding happiness. But Elain also wondered about her own... mate.

Yet she couldn't, and wouldn't have a conversation with him. Instead Elain decided she would write - well thought and without feeling everything at once.

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Lucien,

I'm writing you this letter because I don't know how to act when you come to Velaris - regardless if it's to see me or not. Although I know you intent no ill to me, I cannot behave as I would normally do. The mating bond it's too much for me to deal, and I do not speak of the terms of accepting. It blinds me when it comes to you. The impulses are strong and painful, and I do not wish to be with anyone just because of magic compels me to.

I'm writing you to confess that do not wish for a mate, nor a male. However it does intrigues me how two of my sister are mated and happy. It also intrigues me - and frightens me - knowing that someone else can know me as I know myself. The pearls earrings you gave me, I loved them. Enough for my guts tell me to be far away of you, and the danger that could lead.

Yet I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of acting like others do. I wish for a friend, one that will actually care for me. And I fear I will never find such a person.

I rambled, this was not what I wanted to say... I wanted to thank you, belated, for the gift. I wanted to offer something as nice for you, but I fear that I do not know you very well.

And I wish to know. As I said, it is hard to control myself around you, and I don't wish to act upon impulses. If you don't mind, would you become my penfriend? No promises and pressures of the mating bond attached?

I wish to know you. And I wish we can be friends. A resolution must come with the bond, but I won't dare take a decision we both my regret.

Elain.

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Lady Elain,

Of course I agree to become your penfriend. I apologize for the overwhelming feelings the mating bond causes - I fear I share them. And if letters are an easy way for us to guide through it all, I'm glad to do so.

I'm also glad you liked the pearl earrings. If I may be bold, I recall your father telling me once pearls were your favorite, and I had noticed you had a hairclip that those pearls could match. I assure you, I don't know you as well as you might think, but I do observe things other might not - my glamoured eye help, I confess.

You may not need to worry about giving me presents. In the possibilities of sounding creepy: receiving your letter had been enough treasure.

Since we're penfriends from now on, and since Feyre does not takes me serious when I speak of the humans I live with - and now have to confess indeed become my friends - I must vent and you must bear this reading: if Vassa and Jurian don't stop bantering I will have to burn them both alive. Maybe my flames will sparkle their flames and they will consume what they wish of one another.

Although I think once they do I will miss their bantering over the banging I'm sure it is to come.

Tell me Elain, can we think of a bargaining chip for us to use with Almighty High Lord Rhysand Darling to free us of such a burden? For I'm sure you have something similar living with them by the River House.

Awaiting for information,

Lucien.

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After several months writing back and forward, Elain had grown to adore when Lucien's letters would arrive. They built a tentative bridge between them that lead into friendship and maybe more.

Elain knew it wasn't the mating bond that made her heart skip several beats when Lucien's name was mentioned. She knew it was not the mating bond when Elain saw something that reminded her of him. Elain knew it couldn't be the mating bond when she grew annoyed at their rule to not see each other when he indeed had to go to Velaris.

She wouldn't dare say she was in love with him. Only that she might be falling. And she was tired of imagining his voice in her head. Elain trusted that both could keep their bond in check and still share moments.

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Dear lady Elain,

I will keep this short as I have a pressing royal matters - Vassa, as you might guess.

The human queen is tired of hearing stories of you. She wishes for you to come and met you, for she is sure you both would be friends.

Jurian as well wishes you to come. But I warn you: his intentions are less noble, and more with the intention of teasing you endless. Again I'm sorry I shared that story with them.

So, will you come?

Yours,

Lucien.

P.S. I also wish to see you, if you're wondering.

🌷🌷🌷

My lordling,

Of course I will go. Will you winnow me? Friday afternoon?

I promise I will put Jurian in his place, and befriend Vassa to the point you will be jealous. Ask Vassa if she wishes for me to stay over the weekend - you may say to her that I'm deadly tired of Velaris (which you know to be truth).

Yours,

Elain.

P.S. I do too wish to see you, maybe we can walk to the meadow at Crossing Road? Just the two of us?

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Friday have come painfully slow. Elain had everything packed already, all she needed was for Lucien to go pick her up.

She was bouncing at lunch, Nyx on her lap for distraction, when Nesta had enough of her. "You're going to make him throw up." Her stern sister picked their nephew, cooing at him, all the while Nyx smiled non-stop.

"It's her nerves." Feyre smirked at Elain and she almost threw the carrot on her plate at her head. Rhys snickered.

"Why?" Nesta asked, looking at Cassian as if he had hidden something from her. Her brother-in-law kept eating if nothing was amiss. "Tell me." Nesta looked at Elain demanding the truth.

"Lucien is coming." It was all she offered.

"Oh." Nesta's harsh expression soften. Elain had no idea what Cassian had done to her, but Nesta went from hating Lucien to adore him. She had been quite delighted when Elain confessed she had been exchanging letter with him. Maybe it was Nesta coming to terms with her own mating bond.

"Tell her the whole truth Elain." Feyre picked Nyx from Nesta, and he laughed at being back to his mama.

Nesta shot her a confused glance and waiting. "I will be spending time with him. Not just him." Elain quickly emended. "Vassa and Jurian. To get to know them."

"The Band of Exiles." Feyre snickered at her own joke. If Elain's nerves weren't a mess already, she would have retaliate at her younger sister.

"At the human lands?" Nesta asked, in horror. "For how long?"

Elain frowned her brows. "The weekend." A sudden darkness fell around the room and quickly Elain glanced at Rhys. He was not looking at her, but at Azriel.

"Elain, you can't! The humans hate fae! Lucien barely did any progress, you know how they are." Nesta clapped their hands together, but Elain couldn't stop staring at Azriel. It was his shadows turning the room dark.

"If you wish to spend time with Lucien-" He spoke as if his name was poison. "then make him come to Velaris. Nesta is right the human lands are not safe."

"Azriel." Rhysand's words were a command. The shadows only expanded. "Feyre, take Nyx upstairs." Elain saw her sister go, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Think of Graysen. His father has an army, they can hurt you." Nesta ignored the two males imposing dominance. Between the shadows Cassian appeared next to Nesta and Elain, his broad hand on Nesta's shoulders, ready to protect her if needed.

"Nesta don't be dense. I'll be fine. Lucien will be there."

"I know, I know, but what if they get him?"

"I don't understand why the sudden worry, Lucien has been living in the human lands for years now. Nothing bad ever happened."

"Lucien is fae. And yes, you're fae too Elain, but you were human. And you lived there before. Please-"

"Nesta, I will be fine. Again Lucien will be there, he would never let anything bad happened to me."

"Elain is right sweetheart." Cassian spoke and Nesta glanced between them, nodding in the end.

Azriel's laugh shook them. "Lucien is weak. Elain, you will not go, it's dangerous."

Something inside Elain twisted. "I didn't recall asking for your opinion nor permission Azriel. And Lucien is powerful enough."

"Please, he barely has any depth within his power. If you want to see him, tell he must come here. Where we can watch that traitor fox."

Elain felt Nesta stiffen beside her, Cassian too. "We don't need chaperones Azriel. Lucien is my mate, before you forget."

"And he can't be trusted. You're too naïve Elain."

"I wil go with her then." Nesta spoke, but something in her voice was wrong. "He is right Elain, Lucien may not be the strongest to hold the humans off."

Elain rolled her eyes. "Lucien is fine. Stop fussing. I will be fine. Azriel cut it out with your shadows, enough."

His shadows wiped around the place. "You wil not going. And it's final."

"You don't have the authority to decide that Azriel." Rhys defended her and Azriel scoffed.

"You're sending her to danger. You know he isn't worthy of her."

Elain stood up. "And you mean you are? Least I checked you were lurking around Gwyn these days." His shadows froze in place. "Should I reveal to her that the necklace she got at Solstice came from you?"

"What?" Nesta asked confused.

"And that the same necklace was a present for me first, after I realized I couldn't accept it and returned to you?" Azriel's face bleached of colors and all of his shadows vanished.

"WHAT?" Nesta jumped from her chair, glaring at Azriel as if her eyes were daggers.

"Elain-" His voice was so small, she almost felt pity.

She sent a shout down her rib and waited.

"I'm going to the human lands because I want to. My mate is there and you can do nothing about it. You're no one to deny me anything and if you don't act properly I will let Gwyn know just exactly the type of male you are."

"No need." Nesta said, and Elain knew that her sister would be telling Gwyn the truth. Elain hoped the female would both be fine and kick Azriel's ass for being stupid.

"You called?" Lucien's cheerful voice made everyone turn to him. In a split second Elain went from furious to the happiest female alive.

"Yes! Do you mind taking me early?" Elain crossed the room and without thinking, as if they have done this several times before, linked their arms and kissed him on the cheek.

Lucien looked smug through his blush and he said. "Not at all."

Nesta smiled at them even if she still had a scowl, Cassian at her heels. "I will help you get your things."

As the sisters made their way upstairs, Elain heard Lucien ask. "Should I be worried?"

"Nah. I think we will be having another mating ceremony soon." Cassian said in a laugh, clapping Lucien's shoulders loudly.

Elain didn't have to be a seer to know that it both excited and frightened Lucien.

#elucien #my writing #listen: brotp nesta and lucien and i will die on that hill #again poor aaron #elain x lucien #lucien x elain #lucien vanserra #elain archeron #send me prompts! #also i love that elain loses her shit like a proper lady #ngl thats me #im petty but i wont yell at you