Friends, but not quite

"Coming home" Teaser

Azriel was bored out of his mind. Filling reports for Rhysand, training with Cassian, then working on his reports some more. In his long life, he'd never felt sick of his routine, but it started to bother him lately. He was dragged out of his misery when she came through the door.

...

With Nesta being in the Illyrian mountains and Feyre being Highlady of the Night Court, the position of the human-realm emissary was free. So, Elain willing to help her sister for everything that she had done for her and Nesta, took the position. Having this job meant a lot of traveling and meeting people from all courts and making a diplomatic relationship with them.

When seven years ago Elain came to the dinner table and announced that she wanted to help Feyre and Rhys and became the emissary for humans, they all decided that she will need training. So Elain began training, and that was the first step towards starting her new life in a fae body.

Elain lived in the Night Court in theory but traveling made it hard for her to stay in one place for long. Today was a day when she was finally returning home from an unusually long trip in the summer court. The relationship with the summer court was still tense, and Elain put some extra work in reducing that tension. Spending five weeks in the summer court and two weeks before that in winter court got Elain missing her family. Especially the very handsome shadowsinger, who she got so close to during the past decade. She wasn't supposed to come home for a few more days, but the work was done, and Elain wanted to surprise her sister.

When she opened the doors to the manor, she was greeted with a loving expression. Feyre squeaked running to Elain and hugging her tight "It's so good to see you back! You look so different" This was the same thing she always heard from Feyre after her trips, and it was true. Every court had different weather conditions. Sometimes Elain would come back in winter clothes; sometimes she would come back looking tan with her hair lighter. Today tho she didn't feel very unusual, she wore black leather tights and cream color sweater, her hair loose but straight, not in curls like they usually were.

"I missed you all too." Elain looked over everyone with a smile "Speaking on which where is my favorite nephew?" Octavian was only two years old, but he was such a strong part of this family already, and Elain loved her nephew greatly. "Little tavy is upstairs sleeping; he had a long day with his uncle Cassian," Rhysand said coming to the door and hugging Elain, "Where is Nesta?" Elain asked, and Rhys replied, "Cassian will stay here for a short while only, the situation in the Illyrian camps is still difficult, and someone had to stay there and since everyone is afraid of your sister.." Elain nodded and touched Rhys arm in empathy "It will get better. The reports about the summer court are in your study." Rhys smiled and strode off to Feyre. During the years Rhys and Elain formed a good relationship, he treated her like a little sister and Elain loved it.

"About time El, it was getting boring out here," Cassian said with the grin. Elain gave a grin of her own "That's why I got you all wine. Tarquin gave it to me said it was older than his ancestors." Cassian whistled as the bottles appeared on the table. Elain met Azriels eyes for the first time. She saw a little smile that tugged on the corners of his lips and held in her own.

The evening went slowly, they chattered about Elain's trip, and Cassian told her about the progress Nesta was making. It was hard to admit, but Elain was doing better than her oldest sister. Nesta was still hard on herself and everyone around her, but it was getting better Cassian spoke. And Elain wished to believe him.

After an hour Mor shoved up, and so four bottles of expensive alcohol were gone. When Cassian and Mor went to Rita's and Feyre with Rhys went to Tavy, it left only Elain and Azriel.

Elain stood up taking empty glasses to carry them to the kitchen. She felt Azriel standing up behind her. "So how have you been?" Elain asked trying to sound casual. "I've been working and training and then working some more." Elain set the glasses on the kitchen table and looked at him "That doesn't sound interesting." She said putting a hand on his chest; he put his arm around her waist pulling her close "And I've been waiting for you to come back."

Elain smiled against his lips "Missed me, huh?" Azriels eyes darkened "You have no idea."

Azriel crashed his lips to hers. It was always like this between them, fast and hard and full of desire when everyone was asleep. They weren't lovers, not exactly. They were not together, and they never told each other that they loved one another, it was purely want and need. She needed someone after Greyson, and Azriel was clearly in love with Mor. They were each other release, and no one knew about it but them. There were days when Elain have felt something more than just a pleasure with Azriel, but she tried to keep those thoughts to herself. Azriel did not think of her that way, and she would not let her mask slip.

She felt her back hitting the counter as he lifted her up. She stroked his wing and Azriel shuddered. "Not here" Elain whispered, Azriel nodded.

One second they were in the kitchen, the next they were in Azriel's apartment. His shadow-traveling doing a fast job for their needs and Elain chuckled. He kissed her jaw, her neck not even looking as he walked her backward. Elain's legs were still around his middle as he kissed her passionately. They were both drenched, and it took seconds for their clothes to be gone.

Azriel always took his time satisfying Elain and tonight was no exception. Elain moaned so loud for all Velaris to hear and in the end, she was trembling with pleasure.

It never ended with that. They both lay on the bed Elain on top of Azriel, her arms around him and her face buried in the crook of his neck. It was this that she looked forward to most, they would stay like that until they fell asleep, breathing hard, but warm in each other's embrace. Azriel needed it just as much as she did, this closeness. He was stroking her hair and humming some melody that Elain didn't know. They fell asleep wrapped in each other, feeling relished and warm. Elain felt happy to be home as the sleep claimed them both.