Bloom and Destruction (ACOTAR - Elain + Azriel)

Chapter 1

Azriel

I land on the roof just as the sun starts peaking into the sky. I sigh heavily, sitting right where I landed. My shadows dance around, whispering about someone being in the garden. I take in a sharp breath and slowly stand back up, grabbing at my Illyrian blade.

"It's just Elain," I grunt to them. They push me forward before disappearing into the spring sunrise. I move to the edge of the roof and jump, flapping my wings once for a gentle landing. "Hello," I say politely from behind her as she sips her water. She jumps slightly, turning her head towards me. "I'm sorry," one of my scarred hands rubs the back of my neck. "Didn't mean to frighten you."

    "That's all right," she places her glass on the table and brushes some dirt off of her dress.

I watch intently, every move so graceful. "The garden looks lovely," a smile tugs at my mouth.

She turns to look back at her handy work. "Thank you," a red tint coats her cheeks. "Would you like a tour?"

I step closer to her, debating if she would flinch if I grabbed her hand. I decided against it, standing by her side and admiring her face. "I would love a tour."

It was hard to focus on the words she was saying to me, every flower and plant she pointed out to tell me the name and have me smell. All I could focus on was the way she moved, the way the dirt stuck under her nails- not bothering her at all, the way she smiled when I smelled whatever flower she gently moved toward me so it's stem didn't break.

"Elain?" Feyre's voice calls into the backyard. "Breakfast is ready!"

Elaine looks over her shoulder, her hands joining in front of her waist as she begins picking at her nails. I watch her hands, ready to grab them if she digs a nail too deep into the skin. "I should wash up before breakfast," her voice pulls me out of whatever far off land I'd travelled to.

"After you," I gesture toward the house. She smiles gently at me, bowing her head before turning and walking toward the door.

I follow behind her, watching the skirt of her dress flow elegantly in the wind. She picks up her glass of water off of the table as I open the back door for her. She steps in and mumbles a 'thank you' as she kicks off her shoes by the door.

"There you are," Rhysand's eyes meet mine as I walk into the dining room behind Elain. "I would've thought you'd been home an hour ago. Gettin' old on me, Shadow Singer?" He taunts.

I slide out a chair and take a seat beside Cassian. "I was in the garden, smart ass" I grunt as my brother pours me a glass of orange juice.

"In the garden?" Nesta snaps, her eyes darting to her sister. "Doing what?"

"He was smelling the flowers with me," Elaine answered with a shrug.

Feyre looks to me, a small smile on her lips. "What do you think of how it's coming along? Elain has been working nonstop to make it as beautiful as it is," she takes a bite of the muffin in her hand.

"It was wonderful," I mumble, taking a sip of my drink before digging into my food.

Mor walked into the dining room while rubbing her head. "Well good morning, sunshine," Rhys croons.

She makes a dissatisfied noise, plopping down in the empty seat next to me. She wastes no time laying her head on my shoulder. "Feed me, Az," she groans making everyone laugh.

Everyone but Elain. She simply stared down at her plate, finished the last bite of her fruit, before standing up and carrying her dishes to the kitchen, throwing a quick "back to work" over her shoulder.

I tried not to frown, tried to shove down the need to run after her and ask if she had enough to eat while I lifted a piece of bacon to Mor's lips. She opened her mouth and chewed it slowly. Feyre looks to the doorway Elain had just rushed into, then to me. She chews on her lip and I nod. I gently move Mor off of me, her moans of protest making Nesta scoff loudly.

I feel my shadows creeping around the house as I make my way up to my room. They meet me in the pitch black room. "Elain," I whisper to them. "Watch her, make sure she's alright," I plot down onto my bed and unlace my boots.

Before I could even get one off, they were gone. I strip down to nothing and walk into my bathroom. I fill the tub with the hottest water the faucet would deliver and soaked in it until it went cold. I scrubbed myself clean before draining the tub and grabbing a towel. I quickly dry my body. Beads of water still trickle down my skin but all I could think about was sleep.

Elain

I huff, sitting between the bushes in the far right corner of the garden. Why did that bother me so much? Mor and Azriel have known each other far longer than I have known him, it made sense that they had a close relationship. But he was just in the garden with me, spending time with me, why couldn't he have fed me by hand? Why couldn't he have fed me with those beautiful scars? Nobody appreciated those scars like I do, no one can see the beauty in destruction like I can.

"Elain?" Nesta's voice calls out. "Elain?"

I stand up, quickly wiping myself off before calling to her. "Coming!"

I make my way to where she stands at the edge of the expansive garden. "Feyre and I are going shopping to get some things for your birthday. Everyone else is off doing other stuff, but Azriel is in the house sleeping. Will you be alright?" I nod in response. "We'll be shopping in the square so if you need anything, please come get us. If we want to go anywhere we else, we'll stop home first."

"Nesta, I'm fine," I grab her hands. "Go have fun with Feyre. I will be here."

She nods, pulling her hands away from mine and walking back into the house. Feyre waves at me from the window with a grin. I wave back, giggling to myself.