Azriel Shadowsinger - Tumblr Posts

Y’all love some Azriel!

currently thinking about how i have to wait until 2023 to have my elriel endgame

like just imagine the longing, the angst, the softness and the tension, the forbidden love trope of THEIR story.

of elain's journey about HER choices and HER life alongside her beautiful shadowsinger to support her till the end.

urgh can't wait tbh *screeches*

this piece reminds me of elain like idk why? maybe it's the colours, the flowers, the softness and gentleness in this painting, just everything honestly.

so beautiful omg. ♡︎

Sunset in the Pontine Marshes (detail), Enrique Serra y Auque (Spanish, 1859–1918)

stanning elain archeron, the pretty-kind-kingslayer- flower girl-seer is honestly a lifestyle at this point

no wonder why az likes her so much, like get in line mister you're not the only one 🙄☝🏻

[ cr : @ mftfernandez on instagram ]

does someone know where i can find an azriel x reader fic in which they’re mid battle and want to get married because they don’t know how everything is going to end. i think they get gwyneth to marry them mid battle or something like that but it was super cute! if someone could help me find it please??!!

The Shadowsinger & The Inkbird: Masterlist

Azriel x Day Court Librarian Reader

Summary: Y/n's clairvoyance is a gift from the Mother, but it feels more like a curse. With the power to gain knowledge through touch alone, Y/n holes herself up in The Alcove and hopes her powers and parentage will remain a secret. But things will change after the Summer Solstice ball and a chance encounter with a certain Shadowsinger.

Started: 12/12/2023

Ended: 08/04/2024

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

EPILOGUE

If you'd like to be added to the taglist, please comment below or message me!

Wanna be yours

pairing: azriel x reader

summary: When you fall alseep on his shoulder, Azriel does not know what to do, and everyone are being so damn loud

word count: 2.2K

warnings: this is pure fluff and azzie being utterly smitten and fussing shadows

a/n: hiii! this is the first fanfic i've written for acotar, i've fallen down the rabbit hole lately and made this blog. and i just had this idea and had to write it, thought i might as well post it. hopefully someone will enjoy it<3

Azriel thought he had learned how to master his cool mask. Beyond everything he had experienced as The Night Court’s spymaster, nothing had tested him more than his family – a bunch of busybodies who drove him insane most of the time. He had played the role of chaperone between Cassian and Nesta, had been the one to drag Cassian’s ass out of The Summer Court when he wrecked that building and, for the third year in a row now, he had to re-decorate after Cassian and Feyre decorated the living room drunk.

Actually, the more Azriel thought about it, Cassian was usually the one who tested his control and threatened to ruin his cool composure. 

And yet, despite years of practice, he forgot how to breathe when your head fell onto his shoulder. He had to force himself to remain nonchalant as your luscious scent overtook his senses. The river house was still loud and full of life, and the rowdy Winter Solstice party had not yet reached its peak. It was long past midnight and his family showed no signs of slowing down. The faelights above cast a golden light over their drunk faces as Mor continued to pour wine into all their glasses, declaring, “No one is allowed to go to bed until dawn!” 

Which was why, an hour ago, Azriel had found himself slipping away to the couch in the corner of the room. Varian had joined him shortly after, the two of them chatting quietly while watching everyone else continue their quest to get as drunk as possible. Azriel didn’t know if it had been wishful thinking, or just pure naivety, that had made him believe Winter Solstice would be calmer after Nyx was born, but he had been wrong. After Feyre and Rhys had put him to bed earlier -- Rhys had been the one to pull out the fancy bottles. 

While it warmed him to know that nothing had really changed, that his family was still the same after everything they had been through, Azriel was also the same; he still preferred to wake up the next day and remember what had happened the night before. 

Although, he doubted he would ever be able to forget anything that involved you. You had joined him and Varian in the corner a while ago, stumbling and falling next to him on the couch in a drunken mess. His shadows danced around you as you giggled to yourself, and Azriel thought that the sound of your laughter was the best Solstice gift he had ever received. 

The knitted gloves you had made and given to him earlier were a close second. 

“So your hands won’t get so dry from the cold,” you had told him shyly, your cheeks flushed, and his heart had nearly burst out of his chest. Two days prior you had spotted him coating his hands in a thick layer of the salve Madja made for him, his scarred skin tended to get tight and uncomfortable, and even worse so when the temperatures dropped and the air became crisp and dry. 

He most likely would not get the chance to wear them very often, the soft silky yarn was not made to withstand any fighting or training, and he could not bear the thought of ever losing or ruining them.

But it had still not stopped him from blushing as he opened the gift -- Cauldron, he blushed just thinking about them. The image of you rushing home and knitting him a pair of gloves after he told you how dry his hands became during winter... yeah, Azriel would never forget anything when it came to you.   

And when you sat so close, your body pressing tightly up against his, warm and inviting, there was just no way to overlook the emotions that sparked in his chest. Your words were slurred as you talked about an elderly female you had met at the market earlier that day.

Though, it did not matter that the story you were drunkenly telling him was so ridiculously incoherent, your soft voice still enthralled him. Because if you wanted to talk to him, well, he would listen to whatever you had to say. Always. 

But when your voice had faltered and your head fell to his shoulder, Azriel did not know what to do.

Varian was quick to join the others again when he noticed you leaning on him, leaving him alone with you in the corner. Despite Cassian’s and Rhys’s loud voices booming through the room, arguing about something that had happened during the snowball fight that morning, you had fallen asleep right there on his shoulder. Your lips set in a small pout and your dark lashes resting delicately against your cheeks. 

Azriel could not move, could still not breathe, in fear of waking you. A single shadow brushed against your cheek, soothing and gentle, and you let out a content sigh. It took everything not to wrap his arms and wings around you and winnow away; the urge to tuck you in under a heap of blankets and hold your body close overwhelmed him. 

And you were not even doing anything more than leaning on his shoulder. But it was all it took for Azriel to lose his cool completely. 

‘So beautiful’ his shadows whispered around him. It had been a year since you had first walked into the training ring, into his life, and the shadows had not stopped whispering about your beauty since. 

As you had introduced yourself as the new healer, employed specifically to help Madja with the Valkyries and their injuries from training, Azriel had struggled to restrain the shadows. He had never felt them be so curious before, swirling eagerly around him before darting off toward you. He had managed to call them back just before they reached you, but they had still caught your attention, and when he tried to apologize -- you had ignored him. 

Instead, you had focused on the fresh wound on his chest and scolded him for not having it looked at. He had been too stunned to say or do anything else. 

But the shadows had not lied; you were the most beautiful female he had ever seen. Your hair flowed around you in effortless waves, eyes shining with compassion, and you had not looked at him in fear or reluctance like most did. No, you had reprimanded him and forced him to sit down while you tended to his wound. 

You had owned his heart from that very first day, even if he had not told you that yet. 

“Feyre, look!” Cassian’s voice made him snap back into reality. “There’s your new painting!” Azriel glanced up only to discover that his family had turned their attention to the corner, looking at him and you with knowing smirks.

“Ohh yeah, I can see it,” Nesta mused and bit the inside of her cheek to stop the grin on her face from growing. “'The love-sick Spymaster and his dreamy Angel.'” 

Feyre could not stop her giggles even as she tried to end his suffering, “C’mon guys, don’t tease him. I think it’s sweet. They are taking things slow and at their own pace, leave them alone.” 

Azriel's face grew hotter, and yet, he remained as still as possible, afraid that any sudden movement would make you stir and wake up.

Though, he would have to agree; you were an angel. The kindest, most loving, and charmingly stubborn angel to exist in the world. In any world.  

“Sweet?” Amren rolled her eyes. “You need to grow a pair and tell her already, boy. We are all sick of watching you two dance around the fact that both of you want to devour each other whole. It’s nauseating.” 

Cassian let a loud howl thunder through the room but quickly smacked a hand over his mouth to stifle it as Azriel sent a icy glare in his direction. 

“Shut up,” he hissed, trying to keep his voice low. He let his gaze fall to you again, hoping the annoying chatter had not disturbed you. “You are going to wake her.” 

“I think you just proved our point, Azzie,” Cassian sniggered and shared a mischievous look with Rhysand, no doubt contriving more ways to get under his skin.

And the only response Azriel could think of was, “Shut up.” 

Thankfully, they seemed to take some pity on him as they returned to whatever conversation had kept them busy earlier.

Or perhaps, they noticed how his shadows had moved across the room, swirling along the walls in annoyance, ready to strike at any moment if anyone disturbed you. Azriel released a heavy sigh of exasperation, reminding himself that they were just a bunch of idiots and that he loved them dearly. 

“You know, your voice is far more comfortable to listen to than theirs,” you murmured suddenly, your voice full of sleep and still slightly slurred. Azriel couldn’t stop the shiver running down his spine, his shadows quickly drew themselves back and danced across your smooth skin, checking to see if you had been bothered or needed any assistance.

When he looked down your eyes were still closed, but a playful smile flickered across your face. 

Azriel’s mouth ran dry, “I’m sorry-- I tried to tell them.” 

“I know,” you told him and opened one eye to peek up at him, clearly amused. “I heard you.” You made no attempt to move away from him, and, for that reason, he did not attempt to move either. When you closed your eyes again he could’ve sworn you pressed yourself into his side a little bit closer and, Gods, had it always been so difficult to breathe? Azriel wasn’t sure anyone's presence had ever made him feel so utterly captivated. 

And, he just really, really, fucking adored you. 

Before he could think of a proper reply though, you spoke again, “We should do this more often. You make a good pillow.” 

When your lips twitched into a small smirk, Azriel knew you could hear how fast and hard his heart was beating, and his ears burned from his own awkwardness. So all he said was, “I think it’s time to get you to a real bed.” He shifted his body to get up, lifting his arm to wrap around you. “C’mon, I’ve got you,” he kept his voice low; only for you to hear. Your slender hand stopped him, pressing into his thigh dangerously high, forcing him to remain on the couch. 

“Noo,” you pouted. “Please don’t make me move yet... can’t we stay here like this for a couple more minutes?” It did not help his poor racing heart slow down. “...Or maybe even an hour?” 

And how could he deny you that when you looked at him with those beautiful eyes? How could he ever deny you anything? 

“Fine... here,” he mumbled and reached for an actual pillow, placing it in his lap. “At least lay down so you won’t strain your neck.” 

The smile that broke out over your face; it needed to be Feyre’s new painting. Perhaps he would have to let her into his head, let his High Lady see your joyful eyes and glowing face, to make sure your smile could be captured forever for everyone to see. 

As you settled down, your head now resting in his lap, Azriel could not help himself. He let his hand fall to your head, threading his fingers through your soft hair. His shadows settled on his shoulders, peering down at you as well, and he could not focus on anything else. The world could be on fire and he would not have been able to tear his eyes away from you. 

“Azzie, stop looking like that.” 

You glanced up at him again, brows knitted together in a small frown, and Azriel couldn’t stop himself from laughing, “Stop looking like what?” 

There was a moment of silence, the hollering of his family a distant background noise, as your eyes met his. The sparkle in his chest became more intense, impossible to control, and even as you tried to look annoyed with him, the smile twitching at the corner of your mouth gave you away. 

Eventually you huffed and curled into him a little more, “... you’re lucky you're so beautiful.” 

And as you pulled his hand away from your hair and laced your smaller fingers through his, Azriel knew there was no turning back -- knew that there was no one else. 

He raised your hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it before whispering, “You are beautiful.” 

Azriel thought he had learned how to master his cool mask, but when a golden thread weaved itself between his soul and yours, Azriel realized he was more than willing to let his mask slip for you.

ps, english is not my native language, so if there was any spelling or grammar issues; sorry! Thank you for reading <3

there’s just something about this

"They call you shadowsinger. Is it because you sing?"

“I am a shadowsinger— it's not a title that someone just made.”

“Do you, though?” “Sing?”

“Yes.”

and this being said after

“See you tomorrow, Shadowsinger.”

does it mean anything? who knows 💁‍♀️ but it makes me giggle 🤭

it's not even funny anymore

I NEED Gwyn to make a friendship bracelet for Azriel, like I might start a riot if that does not happen.. sorry not sorry.

like IMAGINE him getting it and he just can't belive someone made something for him, SHE made something for him, and Gwyn helps him put it on and he realizes he doesn't care about her touching his hands or his scars against her skin bc all he can think about is how bright her eyes are, how sweet her smile is and how even when he goes to sleep later it feels like he has a part of her with him ALWAYS and he'll never take that bracelet off!!!

Our favorite Azriel stan 🦇🖤💙 !!

1. Why is Azriel one of your favorite characters?

2. Is there a specific scene that made you like them?

3. What theories/headcanons do you have for Azriel?

4. Feel free to share anything else about Azriel that the questions didn’t cover!

ohmygosh 🦇🖤💙

He only really became my favorite in acosf tbh, I just really liked seeing him more and his little dry sense of humour. But I did always find him interesting from the first time we were introduced to him, just how he kinda always just showed up from the shadows and never said much and the mystery around him made me always have like an extra eye on him. He's such a complex character, with such a tragic background that makes my heart break and I just really like those type of characters in books. I love how loyal he is to those he loves, but at the same time he is struggling so much with his own self-hate and feeling worthy. He is without a doubt a huge mess, has anger issues that he struggles to control and comes across as arrogant and cold a lot of time. But it makes so much sense when you look at him closer, with what he went through as a child, being locked away and tormented, it would make anyone doubt themselves, and I do think that is what makes him feel so real to me. He might be over 500 years old, but he is very much still that child that was locked away in darkness, desperate to feel love and worthy, and you can tell he truly cares so much about the people around him and wants to protect them from what he has gone through himself, almost to a point where it's becoming too much, too protective/overbearing. He obviously has not dealt with his own issues and he has so much to work on to fix himself. He is just very relatable to me in how he sees himself and I think his journey toward healing is going to be raw and real, and I'm just really excited to learn more about him and his story because I think it has the potential to be so beautiful!

Ohhhhh, tough one. I think the scene in acosf when he intrupts Nessian in the dining room, being extra loud to make himself known and later tells Cassian “You let her suck your cock in the middle of the dining room. At a table I’m currently using to eat my dinner. I’d say that entitles me to an opinion.” Because I really just found that so funny and it was one of the first times I was like "ok, I see you, more of this pls"

I strongly believe he is the Little Spoon!! Like maybe not from behind because of the wings, but he wants to be held/cuddled!! He loves get his head scratced and just relaxing

I just really want him to heal, and to realise he does not have to literally sacrifice himself, nearly dying every time, in order to have a value to his family/court. I would really like to see him have an honest conversation with both Rhys and Cassian, and open up and them telling him how much they love him as a brother. I want him to learn that love is so much more than just the mating bond and fucking. Which is exactly why I think Gwyn would be perfect for him, for him to expirence that unconditional love because she would without a doubt show him that. But in the end, I just really want him to love himself.

This was such a fun ask!! T

hank you for sending it to me mwah 😘🥰

Happy monday everyone✨ and remember the image of how Gwyn's teal eyes might light up is still glowing in Azriel's chest 🥰

now that i’ve finally finished hofas my new headcanon is that after bryce left with truth-teller azriel panicked and reached out to gwyn because he knows merrill has research on other worlds and gwyn works with her, because he wants to go after bryce and gwyn is immediately like ‘i will help you’ no hesitation, and they start searching for ways to get truth-teller back, and stay up all night researching how they can go after bryce

but then bryce comes back, truth-teller is back, and azriel is like ‘wait wth i really liked spending time with her’ and he continues going to the library and makes up some lame ass excuse as to why they have to continue their research because he really enjoyed their late nights in the library, just the two of them and ofc gwyn sees through him but obviously agrees and they end up not doing any research, instead just spending time together!!!

Hi doll! 🤍 could you write something about reader being azriels mate and just being so girly and ditzy and low-key slightly dumb and clumsy and azriel just being daddy and giving loads of princess treatment and constantly taking care of her, my secret dream istg xoxox

i’m gonna write headcanons on this because there is just SO MUCH that i want to cover.

azriel shadowsinger with a bimbo mate

- azriel is a very tolerant male.

- he is so patient with you every time you stumble over yourself, or take a lot of time getting ready, or ask him what some of the big words he uses means.

- he finds your empty minded nature adorable and endearing, rather than annoying and can spend hours just explaining anything you wanted him to.

- there has been countless times where the two of you have just sat and talked all night; well, mostly you asking azriel loads of questions and the very intelligent spymaster answering them.

- he also loves to help you get ready.

- he’s freakishly good at braiding, and the night before you plan on wearing your hair curled, he’ll braid it for you happily. he knows all kinds of complicated styles too, and sometimes surprises you with them.

- watching you apply your lipstick is one of his favorite past times and he loves when it accidentally smears on the corner. it reminds him of how good he’ll fuck you into the mattress later.

- and loves when you deepthroat him and you leave a little lipstick stain on his pubic bone. he goes feral asf.

- but the dirty stuff is for later..

- he also loves helping you decide what to wear before you go out. he happens to be super helpful when it comes to fashion.

- the color pink now permanently reminds him of his precious baby.

- he buys you jewelry everytime he goes out without you, and it’s honestly so sweet.

- azriel’s the type to slide on and buckle your heels for you, and he’d do it so sensually without meaning to. he just loves the feel of your skin so much so that he can’t help but savor the warmth of them by lingering his fingers along your skin.

“such soft skin, baby. all f’me right?”

- he’s possessive asf, and will flip if another male zips your dress for you or carries your heels for you or even touches your hair. those are his duties only.

- he’s also very loyal. i mean, very. and he makes it abundantly clear to you and everyone else around him that he’s only yours. he keeps contact with females, other than the ones in his family, to a minimum because he simply isn’t interested. you’re the only feminine energy he wants to be around.

- and he is very quick to assure you that you’re the only female he will ever love and yern for, if and when you feel insecure or undeserving of him, by a) fucking you so good to remind you how feral you drive him and/or b) spending the rest of that day with you, cuddling, making love, shopping, dancing, baking; whatever you wish.

- azriel just worships the hell out of you and wants you to be hyper aware of that.

- when you’re clumbsy, azriel is literally the perfect male for the job of catching you when you trip or cleaning up the shattered glass you broke by accident or helping you fix your failed eyeliner while you were rambling to him about gossip.

- he loves shadowing you so much because he can watch you cutely stumble over your feel all day and knock things over, it makes him fall so much more in love with you the more you make mistakes.

- his wings are so helpful too, because he can sympathize with you about clumsiness (he used to have no idea how yo handle his heavy wings when he was little) and also, they shield you from the dangers that you accidentally put yourself in when you knock something important over or almost run into something.

- one time, you left the oven burner on once after you made azriel’s birthday breakfast and you nearly burnt the whole house of wind down if it wasn’t for his shadows alerting him that the dish towel you also left dangerously close next to it, caught on fire. the male had never sprinted down a set of stairs so quick that early in the damn morning—

- he totally had this whole scolding speech prepared for you, but the moment he resurfaced into your shared room and you gave him a sweet smile with a little ‘oops, ‘m sorry, azie.’, he had already forgotten about it and forgave you for your forgetfulness.

- if you ever ask him a question about something you have no clue about, no matter how complicated, he will explain it very thoroughly to you to ensure that you understand. even if it’s the dumbest question ever like; ‘who invented socks?’ or ‘do you think cassian or mor would win a dance off?’ or even ‘if i were a wyrm, would you still love me?’

- he just lives for your pure curiosity, he thinks it’s the most adorable thing ever.

- he tells his shadows to busy you by putting flowers in your hair while he works. not because he doesn’t enjoy your company, but because be feels bad when you get bored of sitting for too long. so he sends you and his shadows outside in your garden to go entertain you. ofc he keeps a close eye on you from the window of his office.

- he has absolutely no issue with flying you everywhere, and he does. he even uses his shadows to keep your hair untouched from the wind so it’s perfect when you arrive wherever.

- he sings you to sleep !!! and memorized your favorite childhood lullabies while you were in the frenzy so you get some much needed sleep. such a sweetie.

- speaking of frenzy…

- remember when i said ‘i’ll save the dirty stuff for later’?

- well it’s later.

!! 18+ minors dni !!

- okay, he loves you to death, he really does and would do nothing to cause you unconsensual harm.

- however, he does have a knack for seeing his pretty princess become a damsel in destress, y’know?

- i’m talking stuff like him tying you up, gagging you with your pretty panties he bought you, just watching you cry and give him those pleading eyes as you writhe around just gets him off so well.

- seeing your teary eyes gaze up at him, your iris filled with the hope to be fucked soon by your smirking mate, never fails to result in azriel shoving his cock in your watering mouth soon after you’ve started.

- oh my gods and when you whimper out ‘please, sir.’ through your gag? any sliver of teasing leaves his soul, and he gives in— but not without a few degrading words for you being such a ‘pleading slut’.

- i should also add that beforehand, while he tying you up and shoving something in your mouth, he always makes sure to be gentle and that you’re okay and comfortable! which is why he saves the gag for last so you can voice any concerns about the ropes or anything else that is bothering you.

- once, half way through tying the knot around your ankles, you admitted that you’ve changed your mind and just wanted to make love. you suspected that he would be disappointed so you pushed it off, assuming that you could push through for him, but once the final bonding was almost complete, reality set in and you knew it was best just to tell him rather then him discovering your disinterest later. and of course, azriel was happy to untie you and move you to the bed where he made sweet sweet love to you.

- moral of that story is that communication with azriel is key or else he will be very disappointed in you. he expects you to trust him wholeheartedly, without the doubt that he won’t understand or comply to your needs. he just wants whats in your best interest!

- definitely has a thing for you in girly lingerie.

- things with ruffles, little satin bows, floral patterns, frilly lace, ribbons, ect. especially in your favorite shade of pink! he just loves his dainty little girl.

- although, you do enjoy occasionally buying his favorite sets in cobalt blue for special occasions (like his birthday or a really tough week) because he literally goes so ballistic on your pussy when he sees you in it.

- man definitely is a munch and loves to make you sit on his face.

- loves to make you even dumber from being fucked out.

- okay back to the wholesome shit

- azriel love love loves to bathe you

- like he has a daily routine for you because he enjoys washing you up so much: a morning and nightly bath which he never misses. he even has curtain care routines for each time.

- in the mornings, he uses a pretty lilac scented soap followed by your appropriate skin and hair care routine.

- at night, he switches to a lavender scented soap with sleep enhancements to assure you a calm slumber, then follows that with your nightly skin and hair care.

- you’re honestly so pampered.

- he also lotions you up after your baths too which the matching scented oils. his hands feels so gentle and nice against your skin, you always feel so beautiful after.

- random thought, but he’d dress you entirely after too, from your bra down to your socks.

- he wouldn’t mind you being too dumb and pretty to do things yourself, he actually prefers it.

- the princess treatment was designed by azriel, like that’s just the truth. he’d spend every penny on you without a regret, and takes such good care of you emotionally and physically.

- i’ll actually elaborate a little more on the princess treatment part rn.

- he will 100% rub your feet after a long day of wearing heels. i canon that he knows very well how to work his fingers, both sexually and non-sexually, so he’s amazing at relieving the aches in your feet.

- as i stated earlier, he flies you around all the time. his big illyrian wings are a true gift to you, and you’re always running your fingers along the membrane absentmindedly. you just love his wings so so much and he doesn’t mind at all. he loves holding you close as you fly above the mountain tops and squeal. most nights when you can’t sleep or whenever you’re bored, he takes you to his favorite scenic places while listening to you ramble about new gossip or just rest on his shoulder silently.

- azriel is honestly the best mate, and loves you endlessly no matter what.

- i wish i have more to say but my writers block is terrible :( i hope this was worth the wait my loves.



I just have this feeling she would work at a bookstore and try for a career in music while doing her PhDs and never having a moment to rest and he would be a private investigator or something, 12 years older (because we need the "you're getting old, look out for your knees'' jokes) with too much baggage and already tired of life.

And they would find happiness and adventure and solace and home in each other.

Modern Gwynriel 📸

Honest question here, I'm not looking for a fight or anything, I genuinely just had this in my mind.

E/riels usually use that sentence "Elain smiled so brightly that even Azriel's shadows seemed to brighten up" or something along these lines to prove the Shadows like Elain.

But... they're shadows. Wouldn't "brighten up" mean they... disappeared?

It's a genuine question I swear, I'm just curious.

Azriel had his shadows since he was a little tiny boy, locked away in a small room with no windows, feeling unloved and uncared for.

The shadows were not a part of his trauma, they actually may have been one of the reasons he survived through his trauma.

They are his company, his little spies, a literal manifestation of his powers and honestly, very loveable little beings. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Azriel is that he is a Shadowsinger.

AND Y'ALL WANT THESE SHADOWS TO DISAPPEAR?

Let me tell you something: That's exactly why I don't ship e/riel. Because, if they were to truly be happy together, someone (or both) would have to give up in such essential parts of themselves that they wouldn't be the same person.

Elain would have to give up on traveling around the world and planting gardens everywhere. She would have to give up on glamorous parties because her partner is an introvert and terrifies everyone in Prithyan except his family and the people who want to fuck him (I'm looking at you Helion). She would not live somewhere sunny all the time and take walks in the nature.

Azriel? Apparently, he has to give up his shadows. He will have to hide the darkest parts of himself, not because Elain can't deal with it, but because he is clearly extra-self conscious and ashamed of those parts around her. He would forever feel afraid of "tainting" her or scaring her away, because he clearly doesn't consider her someone capable of dealing with darkness. He would have to give up on having a mate.

IN ORDER OF THIS SHIP TO WORK, THEY NEED TO BE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS.

Spoiler ahead: these characters already exist.

I don't ship Gwynriel and Elucien because I'm anti-elain or some other bullshit. I ship it because I love these characters and I want to see them grow without needing to become something completely different from what they are.

I don't need gentleman, well dressed Azriel because LUCIEN IS THERE.

I don't need warrior, bloodthirsty Elain because GWYN IS THERE.

Honestly, it's so very simple it hurts.

bro really said "I hate people and living beings and conversations but this one looks kinda cute, I like it. Lemme tease the hell out of her"

I got here too late to vote, but it would obviously be in a random rooftop in Velaris, because Azriel wants Gwyn to be fully comfortable but she wanted to venture into the city. So, they agreed on a rooftop midnight dinner.

Bonus points if it's one of Rhysand's houses and he's like "there were unknown beings in my roof last night and now I'm fricking terrified, Feyre darling can you hide Nyx?"

Monday poll time!