acotar one shots

i am the rock against which the surf crashes

A little gwynriel moment comfort moment. First from Gwyn's perspective, then Azriel's. I love them with all my heart.

Hearts Don't Break Around Here - Ed Sheeran (listen to it before you roast me)

***

When Gwyn spotted the dark shape in the sky soaring toward the training ring, her heart fluttered. A little smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the last time Azriel had landed in the ring this late. What had passed between them barely constituted as flirting, but it may as well have been to Gwyn. And she definitely would not mind repeating it.

But when Azriel's face came into view as he landed and stumbled to his knees, that smile faded.

"Azriel?" She asked softly, watching him brace his hands on the floor, his chest heaving. His shadows were a chaotic mess, flying around him with the grace of a hurricane.

He did not look at her. His eyes, wide and wild, were focused on the ground between his hands. Gwyn rushed to kneel beside him and set her sword aside.

"Azriel what happened? What's wrong?"

He didn't answer. He was breathing heavily, on the verge of hyperventilating. His wings were still flared out behind him. Glancing up at her for just a second, he put one hand on his throat in answer.

Gwyn studied his face for a moment before asking, "Is this a panic attack?"

One nod in response. And then he straightened and let his head fall back, as if that would get him more air. His hand trembled as it slid from his neck to his chest, over his heart.

"Breathe with me?" Gwyn said, gently. His eyes rested on hers and he attempted to slow his breathing to her pace. The swarm of shadows calmed slightly.

"Good," She said, "You are safe, and you're not alone. Keep breathing."

When he was no longer in danger of hyperventilating, she slowly reached toward him, allowing him the time to signal not to touch him. But he said nothing, only kept his gaze steady as a shadow reached toward Gwyn's hand and danced around her finger tips. She resisted the urge to giggle in surprise. Instead, she rested that hand firmly on Azriel's shoulder.

"Try to relax your shoulders," she said, keeping her voice calm and steady. He closed his eyes and let his body droop.

Gwyn breathed with him, murmuring affirmations and squeezing his shoulder until his chest was not rising and falling at such a rapid pace. Then she brought her other hand to cover Azriel's scarred one, still resting over his heart. She could feel his heartbeat underneath it. Solid, still a little too fast.

His eyes shot open and found hers, surprise and wondering in them.

"I am the rock against which the surf crashes," Gwyn said, willing her own calm to cross over to him.

She hadn't expected him to, but he whispered it back, his voice hoarse.

"Nothing can break me," She finished. But Azriel didn't say that part back. He just wiped the sweat from his forehead and laid back on the ground, releasing himself from her touch.

"You don't believe that part?" Gwyn asked. She laid down on the ground beside him, careful not to brush his elbow.

"Maybe someday."

Gwyn didn't ask what had triggered him, what he had been panicking over. He would tell her if he wanted, when he wanted, and she would wait patiently. She knew terrible things had happened to him. And once she knew what they were, it was going to stick in her mind. It was going to add to her list of vengeful quests, and prayers to the Mother to carry out justice as she deemed fit.