Acotar oneshots

Azriel + Eris Part 2

Azriel was very aware that every eye in the room was on him. Still, he refused to move his gaze from his pained mate. He met Eris's eyes. "Its okay." He rasped. "Don't fall asleep." Eris reached a hand to his face. He slowly traced his bottom lip. "I love you, Az." He murmured, a small smile on his face. "Don't say that." Az replied. "You're okay!" Eris shook his head, closing his eyes. Azriel leaned forward, to kiss him for what he hoped wasn't the last time. When he pulled away, Eris was asleep.

Slowly, he stood, clenching and unclenching his fists. Rhys stepped forward, with his favored healer, Madja. She kneeled down beside Eris, running her aged hands over his chest. She murmured a few words, asked a few questions. Azriel answered them, trying his best to ignore the ringing in his ears. "He will be fine. He just needs rest." Madja stepped back, giving Azriel a tight smile. "He should be able to sleep it off." 

After she left, Azriel said, without looking at anyone else; "I'll take him upstairs." He carefully picked him up, bridal style, and, refusing to meet anyone's eyes, walking upstairs. he carefully opened the door to the room that he often slept him, and gently placed him on the bed. He kissed him gently on the forehead, and turned out of the room. 

Azriel had no urge to walk downstairs, but knew very well that he would need to explain himself sometime. Each step downstairs felt like another step to his doom. Wood creaked beneath his feet, announcing his arrival for him. He slowly walked to his favorite chair, still not looking up. Shadows wreathed his face as he sat down, staring blankly at the floor. 

"Is he okay?" Lucien.

He nodded. 

"Azriel, don't do that." Feyre frowned at him. The shadows cleared from his face. "Would you like to explain yourself?" Nesta snapped. Feyre cut her a look before turning back to Azriel. "What happened, Az? You can tell us."

He glanced up. 

"He's my mate." His voice broke. He swallowed miserably. "Beron poisoned him." Nothing but tense silence. "How long have you known?" Cassian whispered. "A decade." Mor made her way over, and everyone flinched, but she just sat down beside him. Azriel glanced down at her. "Its okay!" she croaked. "They had to find out sometime."

"What is going on here? Mor?" Rhys demanded. Mor looked up at him with a tight smile. "Eris likes males, and I... don't. So when our parents arranged a marriage, we found a way to get out of it, as unethical as it may have been." She swallowed. "I gave Azriel my blessing a long time ago."

"A decade, and you never told us? Why not?" Amren demanded. 
"I couldn't. It hurts, Amren, to be mates, but not mated. To love each other, but never see each other. You know that." He hadn't meant it to come out so sharp, but he couldn't help it.

"You love him?" Lucien asked quietly. He looked up at him. "Very much."

~

He was glad to make his way back up the stairs, after almost an hour of relentless questioning. The door creaked slightly as he pushed it open. He let out a long breath at seeing Eris's chest rising and falling. He sat down next to the bed, holding his hand, resting his head against the mattress. He fell asleep like that.

~

He woke with the sun in his eyes. Eris remained asleep on the bed. As he rose, he pressed a kiss to his cheek, before tiptoeing out of his room. 

Elain greeted him cheerfully as he entered the dining room. "Pancakes?" He shook his head. "You aren't going to eat until he is awake, are you?" He shrugged, and collapsed into a chair. "How did you sleep?" Feyre asked, smiling up at him. 

"Terribly." 
"I'm sorry about yesterday." Nesta said quietly. Azriel gave her a questioning look. "We weren't very supportive. Its a big thing, finding your mate." Cassian explained. Az just shrugged, staring at his empty plate. "Beron needs to go." He said emotionlessly. Everyone at the table nodded.

"We can learn to like him. We will try our hardest." Rhys promised, patting him on the shoulder. Lucien caught his eye. "My brother is lucky to have you. Take good care of him." Azriel smiled, finally, nodding at his mates brother.

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad. Perhaps the world wasn't so terrible. After all, there was baby Nyx, giggling in his mothers arms. There was Elain, avidly explaining her plans for the garden to anyone who would listen. There was his mate, standing in the doorway smiling at him.

The moment he caught a flash of red out of the corner of his eye, he leapt up and rushed over. Eris reached out, fisting his shirt in his hands to pull him in close. 

"You're awake!" Azriel cried with joy.
"It would appear that way" Eris mumbled before he pulled his lips to his own. 

"I love you, Eris." Azriel murmured into his lips. 
"I love you more."
"Not possible."

After a moment, Lucien cleared his throat. Eris chuckled slightly. Azriel tugged him to the table, sitting next to him. 

"Hello, Mor."
"Whatever." She scoffed, tossing a few coins across the table. At Rhysands questioning look, she explained. "We had a bet."

I know this was kinda long but I had alot of fun writing it, so thanks for reading!