ACOTAR one shots, imagines and short stories

Healing in the Ruins (Cassian x OC) - Part 5

Word count:  4410

Characters: Cassian and Elara (OC)

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After Elara rushes away, leaving Cassian standing alone beneath the stars, his heart pounds with a mix of disbelief and guilt. The night sky, once a backdrop of beauty, now felt like a suffocating expanse, closing in around him. He could still feel the ghost of the kiss on his lips, its warmth lingering like a brand, shaking him to his core. He hadn't meant for it to happen—hadn't even fully realised he was leaning in until it was too late. Now, he was consumed by regret and the crushing weight of betrayal, not just of Elara, but of Azriel.

His instincts screamed at him to go after her, to find her and offer the comfort he had provided for almost a year. But a part of him, defeated and ashamed, felt rooted in place. He stood there, paralysed by the gravity of his actions and the looming sense of betrayal that clawed at his insides.

Moments later, Feyre and Mor emerged from the gathering, their expressions a mixture of concern and confusion. Cassian could see the worry etched into their features, especially as they registered the turmoil in his eyes. They had noticed Elara rushing out with tears in her eyes, and that realisation only deepened the pit in his stomach.

"Cassian, what happened?" Feyre was the first to break the silence, her voice gentle but laced with urgency, like a soft hand reaching for him in the chaos.

His chest tightened painfully as he struggled to articulate the storm inside him.  His hands come up to his head, gripping his hair in frustration. He's beside himself, overwhelmed by guilt. "I kissed her," he blurts out, his voice raw and unsteady. "I—fuck, I kissed Elara."

A heavy silence descended, thick with unspoken thoughts. Mor's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. She had sensed the connection between them, but never thought he would act on it—especially not now. Feyre's expression mirrored her disbelief as they exchanged looks, both of them grappling with the unexpected revelation.

"I didn't even mean to do it," Cassian continued, pacing back and forth, his heart racing as he tried to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. "I don't know what the hell came over me. One second we were dancing, and the next—" He stopped abruptly, tugging at his hair, frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm a fucking idiot."

Feyre took a cautious step toward him, her gaze steady but filled with concern. "You didn't do it to hurt her, Cassian. It was a moment of emotion, but you need to understand how she might feel right now."

"I know!" he snapped, the panic spilling over. "But I should have known better! Elara is grieving, and I just made everything worse." He clenched his fists, fighting against the helplessness that threatened to consume him. "What if I've ruined everything? I was supposed to protect her, to look after her for Azriel. I was his brother, and I betrayed him."

Mor stepped in, her expression softening with compassion as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You care about her, and it's clear she cares about you too. But you can't just chase after her right now. She needs space to process this."

"Space?" Cassian echoed, the word bitter on his tongue. "How can I give her space when all I want to do is comfort her? She's hurting, and I'm the reason she's running away from me!"

"Cassian," Mor said gently, her grip tightening as if to ground him. "You've been there for her through so much. But right now, she's probably feeling overwhelmed. It's not just about you. You need to let her breathe."

Defeated, Cassian let out a shaky breath, the fight leaving his body. He knew they were right, but it felt like a betrayal to do nothing. "But it feels wrong to just stand here," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, vulnerability creeping in.