ACOTAR one shots, imagines and short stories

The Art of Moving On (Azriel x OC) - Part 3

Word count: 4305

Characters: Azriel and Elara (OC)

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Mor and Cassian had tried to drag Elara out for the evening, but she had declined, opting instead for some quiet time in the library. As she slipped into the familiar room, the scent of old books and polished wood welcomed her like an old friend. The evening's events had been overwhelming, and she sought the sanctuary of solitude, away from the lively energy of the others. Her footsteps were nearly silent on the polished floor as she moved through the dimly lit space, her eyes skimming the shelves in search of a moment of peace.

To her surprise, she found Azriel sitting in a cozy armchair by the crackling fire, deeply engrossed in a book. She had assumed he'd be out with Mor and Cassian, enjoying their usual weekly outing to Rita's. With a faintly teasing tone, she said, "I figured you'd be with them, picking up females."

Azriel looked up from his book, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's not quite how I pick up females, but nice try. Besides, it wouldn't be wise to be seen out at Rita's while we're trying to maintain this ruse."

Elara raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. Despite all their outings, she realised she'd never actually seen him interact much with anyone at Rita's. Mor had mentioned that Azriel often had a string of lovers and no trouble meeting females, yet it struck her that she'd never known him to be in a long-term relationship—at least, not that she was aware of. She knew he had harboured feelings for Mor for many years, but that had long since faded.

Azriel's smirk softened into something more thoughtful. "It's not exactly a public spectacle. I keep certain parts of my life private." He paused, as if considering how much to reveal. "And as for long-term relationships, let's just say my life isn't exactly conducive to that kind of stability." 

Elara nodded, absorbing his words. It made sense, considering the life he led—dangerous, unpredictable, often solitary. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what it would take for someone like Azriel to truly let someone in. The thought made her sad as well. Azriel was someone so deserving of love, yet it seemed just out of reach for him. She quickly pushed the thought aside, refocusing on their current situation.

"I suppose that's why the ruse is so important," Elara mused. "It wouldn't look convincing if you were out there..." She playfully wiggled her eyebrows. "...mingling."

"Exactly," Azriel agreed. "This needs to be believable, and that means sacrificing a few things in the short term."

The insinuation in his words wasn't lost on Elara, and her mind briefly wandered to what he might be giving up—something as personal as his intimacy. The thought gave her pause, a flicker of unease mingling with a surprising curiosity. Azriel, who had always been so composed and private about that side of his life, was willing to put it on hold for the sake of their ruse.

Elara felt a pang of guilt. "I didn't mean for this to disrupt your personal life. I know you didn't have to do this."

Azriel waved off her concern, his eyes meeting hers with a steadiness that reassured her. "It's not a disruption, Elara. I agreed to this because it's important—to you, and to what we're trying to achieve. And I can assure you, it's not a sacrifice I'm losing sleep over."

Elara's heart skipped a beat. The warmth in his gaze and the sincerity in his voice stirred a complex mix of emotions. A subtle mix of relief washed over her, mingling with a deeper, more confusing feeling—one that she quickly pushed aside as she focused on their plan. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, the library's quiet solitude felt charged with unspoken words and a shared understanding.