A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 2: Eris

His ass had grown sore from sitting perched on a spikey log for so long. Originally, he feared he would be late, but half an hour later Azriel had still not arrived, and he worried that he wouldn't come at all. 

It wasn't the longest time they hadn't seen each other, but things had been tight recently. With the work piling up for both of them, and the quiet tension still hovering between their respective courts, they had been tense around together. That was why they had decided they should take a little time to focus on themselves, but as they had drawn farther apart, it had become painful. 

That was why Eris had sent a coded message to Azriel two weeks ago, as a desperate plea to see his mate, to love him, to be close like they once had been. 

finally, a shadow appeared on the horizon, becoming larger and closer at a rapid pace. Eris leapt up in delight, waving him down. 

The tall male skidded down in front of him, sending mud flying. Eris sprinted towards him, throwing his arms around his neck, choking down a sob.

"Azriel, Az, I-,"
"Shh." Azriel ran a hand up his back and through his hair, pulling him into his chest.

"I am so sorry, Az, lets never do that again. Stupid idea, stupid, I'm sorry!" Eris wailed, unable to control his emotion now that he was back in his mates arms. Azriel pulled back, stroking his hair gently of his face.

"Its ok, my Eris, I am here now." Azriels voice was hushed and full of emotion.
"It was like you were dead- It hurt so bad, Az, did it hurt you?"
"Like you could never believe."

They stood there, staring at each others faces for what felt like eternity.

~

The sun was already rising as they wandered through the forest, hands warm in the others. 

"I have to leave soon, Az."
"I know." Azriel swallowed heavily. After a moment, he asked;
"How is Beron?" 

Eris chuckled. "He coughed the other day, so maybe he will die of his own accord."
"Fingers crossed!" 

"What about the Night Court? How's the little one?"
"Adorable, as always, doing really well. Not so little anymore!"

Eris looked over at his gorgeous mate, his reason to live.

"Would you ever want kids?" The question was tentative; he feared the answer.

"Someday, yes. You?" Azriel gazed at his mate.

"Yeah, I think I would too."

A heavy silence surrounded them.

"They could never truly be ours, Az." Eris voices what they both were thinking.

"I know, my Eris, but we would love them all the same, wouldn't we?" Ariel's voice was tainted by hesitation.

"Mhm, yes."

~

They arrived back at the clearing with a sad story of tension between them, words unsaid in the look they shared.

"When will I see you next?" Eris asked, tears in his throat. So soon after getting him back, once again, he would lose him. Not forever, he changed in his head. Not forever.

Azriel just shook his head. "We intend to visit Autumn soon, business with Lucien or something, I guess I'll see you then." A rare tear tracked down Azriels face.

"I'll be with you, my Eris, even when you are alone. I will always find you."

His words hovered between him as he stepped back to fly away.

"I love you, my Eris."

Eris shook his head. "Don't go, Az, please!"

"I have to, my Eris." A sob escaped Azriel.

He took off into the air, not breaking eye contact as he flew away. Eris's knees hit the dirt as his mate became smaller and smaller, and the crack in his heart grew.