𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 | azriel

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐱

As soon as Azriel was awake the next morning, Flavia thrust a coffee into his hands. Azriel took it, barely comprehending anything at all. If he didn't feel Flavia touch his arm and shake it, he would have been sure that he was dreaming. Instead of the rain they had the previous day, sunlight streamed through the window, nearly blinding Azriel from where he was sitting on the couch.

Flavia barely let Azriel sit around long enough to even finish his coffee before she thrust some of his clothes his way.

"Get dressed," Flavia said. "It could start raining at any point and we haven't had weather like this in a while. Oh! And the market is on too. I want to get there before they begin closing down for the week."

"Isn't it early in the morning?" Azriel questioned. "Everything will be open until long after midday."

"That isn't the point," Flavia sighed. "I want to have a look around all of the good stalls! There is a jewellery one that I have been meaning to go to for a long time but I've never had the chance to go."

Flavia fell back down on the couch and huffed. Azriel only watched on with amusement. The clothes on her figure suited her more than anything Azriel had seen her in before. The dress clung to her waist and flared out around her, stopping at her mid calf. The sleeves draped across her shoulders and gave it an elegant look. It wasn't even the dress that gave Flavia an elegant look. She had always carried herself that way. However, the way she sat on the couch was in no way elegant.

Flavia lightly nudged Azriel's arm. "Stop your gawking and get dressed."

Azriel's mouth opened and closed, trying to form some kind of response but he couldn't think of one. He thought she didn't realise he was staring.

Flavia smirked. "I see I've rendered you speechless."

"You have not," Azriel retorted, standing to his feet. He stretched his wings wide while stretching his arms.

As he did so, he did not fail to notice Flavia now gawking at him. Azriel smirked. "I see you are now gawking at me."

Flavia looked away, clearly flustered. "I– shut up."

A deep chuckle emitted from Azriel as he walked away to the bathroom to change, leaving Flavia flustered on the couch. As he entered the room and closed the door behind him, Azriel let out a breath. He changed as quickly as he could, not wanting Flavia to continue waiting for him. As he changed, the only thing he could think of was Flavia and her excitement to look around the market. Azriel smiled upon remembering her utter joy and excitement as Flavia explained where she wanted to go. The light in her eyes never dimmed for a moment. Azriel hoped it never did.

The moment Azriel exited the bathroom, Flavia was waiting by the door. She smiled upon seeing him. "Come on! Let's go."

Azriel followed her out of her apartment and into the bright sun. There was still a slight chill in the air but it wasn't too bad for Azriel. If Flavia was cold she didn't make it known at all as she simply linked her arm through Azriel's and dragged him in the direction of the market.

***

Azriel could tell that they were nearing the market from the rise in volume around them. More and more people came into view until the whole street was crowded with different vendors and customers. Azriel's shadows became restless around him as he surveyed the crowd. Azriel never considered himself an anxious person before, that had only become a recent development. For too long he had only held the company of his family and perhaps anyone who he was dealing with in Hewn City. Azriel couldn't remember the last time he was in a crown this large.

"Are you okay?" Flavia asked, her wide eyes staring at him in concern.

Azriel cleared his throat, trying to sooth his shadows but no matter how much he tried, he couldn't. They were betraying exactly how he felt. "I'm okay," he lied.