Sparkle Shadow

I wrote this some time ago and I think it fits the theme of the day perfectly. Since it was said in ACOSF that Cassian is allergic to flowers I always wonder about it happening.

Hope you like it! @elrielmonth

After Elain and Azriel have a picnic in the middle of a field of flowers, Azriel returns home covered in pollen, which causes an allergic reaction in Cassian and generates distrust in Nesta.

“A blindfold?” Azriel looked at Elain, arching an eyebrow as she smiled and nodded.

“In the bedroom the rules are yours” she walked to a stop behind him and placed the fabric over his eyes, pinning it. “But in the gardens the rules are mine” she whispered the last part in his ear and he can't help but smile maliciously, as he pulled her forward and intertwined their hands. “So I hope you will guide me”

“We just need to winnow to the field of flowers that I showed you these days” Elain stood on tiptoe and gave him a quick kiss, feeling the shadows surround them as Azriel pulled her closer and winnow up to the flowery hill she had shown him earlier in the week.

Elain had prepared a picnic at sunset, with Nuala's help and when they arrived everything was already prepared. Smiling, even more, she guided Az to the towel and asked him to sit down. When they were both seated, she took a flower crown to put on her own head and placed another on his.

“Can I look now?” he asked impatiently, but a smile threatened to appear on his mouth.

‘Yes, you can” Elain bit her mouth while Az released the fabric and looked around, surprised. “ You liked?” she held her breath waiting for his answer.

Azriel laughed happily, noting the flower crown on his head, and approached Elain. "I like everything you do, El." The setting sun lit Elain's golden brown hair, and Azriel admired her for a long time as she opened the picnic basket and arranged the items on the towel.

They spent the next hour eating the cakes and cookies that Elain had prepared, and between laughs and stolen kisses, the night was falling. It was difficult to be able to spend so much time together without the others being suspicious, but with the trip from Rhys and Feyre and Cassian and Nesta from Nyx nannies, they could extend this improvised meet a little further. A strong wind almost pulled the flower crown from Azriel's hair and Elain quickly got to her knees in front of him and held the accessory in place.

“You really liked to see me with that.” Az said and when she gave him a kiss on the cheek he took the opportunity to pull her onto his lap.

“Yes. You look beautiful.” she gave him another kiss and he felt his skin heat up, his cheeks turn red and it just seemed to encourage her even more. When they realized, Az was already lying on his back on the grass and Elain was over him, filling his face with kisses and repeating that he was beautiful.

Gradually the kisses were getting slower, while Elain was running down with her mouth for his jaw and neck. One thing was the touches and caresses they exchanged in bed, but it was different when they were outdoors and the touches were not sexual, he had never been with anyone like that and his heart was racing. Elain felt his tension and pulled away enough to look him in the eye.

“Az. Something is wrong?” her eyes were nervous and he stared at her for a moment.

"No" he whispered, sliding a hand down her arm and Elain raised an eyebrow, waiting for a better answer.

“This is something new for me, El. But I liked” Azriel placed a lock that was loosening from her hairstyle behind her ear, attention still in her eyes. “Go on.”

Elain smiled and came back with the series of kisses, while he held her tightly around the waist. Something inside him opened, as if a light had been illuminating the darkness he had been carrying for ages and Azriel hugged her tighter when she buried her face in the curve of his neck and sighed.

“Can we stay a while longer and watch the stars?” she spoke against his skin and he nodded.

“We can” and when she smiled and turned around, laying her head on his chest. Azriel could have sworn she shone brighter than the stars in the sky.

He took the hand she left on her chest and intertwined her fingers, bringing them to her mouth and leaving a kiss there.

When Azriel flew to the house of wind, after leaving Elain at the river house, Nesta and Cassian were having dinner and trying to feed a Nyx who seemed more likely to play with the food. Az stopped at the door and watched the scene.

Cass tried in every way to get the little one to eat, but Nyx just tapped his hand on the spoon and spread the soup everywhere, Nesta watched with her arms crossed, murmuring what he was doing wrong. After two attempts, Nesta gave up the words and took the plate of food from Illyrian's hands, and surprisingly the baby gladly accepted the next spoonful. Az laughed and approached, drawing everyone's attention. He gave Nyx a kiss on the head and patted Cassian on the shoulder.

“He beat you” He said and Cassian shook his head.

“How can it be easier to command armies than to feed a child?” Az laughed at the words.

“I'm finding it super easy” Nesta says when Nyx clapped his hands and eat some more.

Az laughed softly, his shadows swirling with the sound and he tapped Cassian on the shoulder, which at the moment was itching, which made Nyx start laughing.

“Stop it, Cassian” Nesta warned, trying to get Nyx's attention to feed him. But Cass

continued to itch, eliciting more laughter from their nephew.

“I can't ... Something, something gave me an allergy.” Cass got up and sneezed out of the dining room.

Azriel was looking in the direction of the door Cass had come out of when he felt Nesta's gaze on him and turned to face her. She looked at him suspiciously and even ignored Nyx who was throwing soup all over again.

“Where were you, Azriel?” Nesta asks and Az shrugged, with his best poker face.

“Talking to one of my spies. Why?” it was not a complete lie, but Nesta continued to stare at him.

“In a field of flowers?” she raised her eyebrow and Az felt his throat dry.

“Where did this idea come from?” he laughed and shook his head.

“Cassian only has allergies to flowers and he was fine before you arrived.”

Azriel walked away to the door, putting his hands in his pocket and a subtle smile on his face.

Delayed again, here is my short fic with the theme "meet me in the silence". Hope you like it!! ps: my first language isn't English, ignore any mistakes and be kind. @elrielmonth

"meet me in the silence"

Elain looked again at the small note in her hand before throwing it into the fireplace and watching the fire consume it. She looked at herself in the mirror again with a smile painting her lips, as she clung the cloak around her neck, it was almost time.

When the clock finally struck 12 clocks and the whole house was in that silence that was only found when everyone was asleep, Elain slowly opened the door and tiptoed across the hall to the farthest window of Feyre and Rhys's room. She could try to go down through the window of her own room, but the roses that were just below made it difficult to pass, which did not happen in that window she was going through now.

The note only had one word and luckily she knew very well what she meant, or rather, where she would have to go that night. It was always like that, a word, a coordinate, a flower and she knew exactly where she had to go. The schedule was always the same and she looked forward to those days, for those secret moments in the silence.

Camouflaging herself in the shadows of the house, she sneaked to the farthest part of the garden and finally winnowing. No one, except Azriel, knew that she was capable of that, and this little secret had been very useful in their clandestine meeting.

Smiling and feeling her heart racing in her chest, she finally arrived at her destination that night, a greenhouse that belonged to an elderly woman and that she had designed months ago. She loved going to tea with Miss. Blossom, who just like her name already said, loved flowers and plants as much as Elain and in one of her many conversations, the lady had a concern on Elain's part, after many doubts about whether it was safe to open her heart, the seer revealed that he was having trouble to meet her love, and the lady, more than happy, offered the greenhouse for these meetings. Miss. Blossom spent part of the month at the winter court in the company of her daughter and on those days she left the key to her own house in Elain's care so that she could take care of the plants, soon the arrangement fell off with a glove.

Azriel was standing in the darkness of the greenhouse, being lit only by the stars that filled the sky, and as soon as she approached, he turned with a smile on his lips.

"I felt you arrive"

Elain ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"One day I will still be able to surprise you" She said with her mouth practically glued to his and he smiled before closing the distance between them.

Hours later, the sky was starting to become lilac, with the dawn, and Elain sighed snuggling closer to Azriel's chest. They were lying on a blanket and their clothes were spread around them, Elain was wearing only Az's shirt and he kissed her forehead.

"It's time to go" His voice was calm, but she knew that moment hurt him as much as it hurt her.

Slowly he took his arm from her waist and she sat down, taking a small glass from her bag and taking a sip before holding it out to him. The glass contained an antidote to mask the scent of each other and they always took it as a precaution.

"I hate it" Az said putting an arm over his eyes and sighing. Elain got up to put on her dress, but he took her hand. "I hate having to hide to be with you when I want to do is scream to the world how much I love you"

She smiled and bent down to kiss him softly.

"Me too. But for now, those moments in silence are enough for me and I'll be glad to hear you whisper in my ear how much you love me"

He laughed and pulled her onto his lap, hugging her around the waist.

"I love you, I love you, I love you" He said softly in her ear, just as she had asked and she laughed, feeling her heart expand with so much love. Slowly she pulled away to look him in the eye.

"I love you too, Az. More than I can put into words, much more" She put their foreheads together and closed her eyes, absorbing his aroma and temperature. They stayed like that for a few more minutes before he sighed and looked up at the sky, noticing that soon it would be too clear and dangerous for her to return home in secret.

I'm a little late, but here's my short fic with the theme "forbidden". Hope you like it. @elrielmonth

When Azriel finally tells Elain the reasons that led him to stay away from her, the seer feels relief fill her soul and decides it's time to break some rules.

"Forbidden"

The word swirled in Elain's mind when she leaned against the railing next to Azriel. Behind them, the Velaris sky was starting to get dark, with the sunlight set, and the river flowed under the bridge. Because of the party that took place on the other side of the city, only the two were there and he finally told her about what happened at the solstice. Was that why he was avoiding her so much? Because of a Rhys ban and not because he wanted to?

She didn't know when started laughing, but when she realized, her body was bent forward and the sound of a deep laugh escaping her lips, with tears streaming down her eyes. Az pulled away from the rail and looked at her with concern, not understanding why she was laugh.

"Everything is fine?" He asked apprehensively and she took a deep breath, wiping her eyes and lifting her body to face him. The last rays of sunlight shone in his eyes, making them greener than brown, and a soft breeze made his dark hair messy. He was so beautiful, so beautiful.

"Yes" She smiled, unable to contain herself and he shook his head, letting out a nervous laugh, without seeming to understand her.

"Do I tell you that Rhys forbade me to speak to you and is that your reaction?" Azriel said soft and she realized that he must not be understanding anything.

"It's better than all the theories that I had created in my head"

Understanding flashed in his eyes as they stared at each other and he absorbed her words. Slowly he approached, placing one hand on the handrail on either side of her body, pinning her there.

"I would never, ever, walk away from you willingly"

His words were low, almost whispered, but something charged was in his eyes and she felt her heart beat faster and faster.

"You did, before the solstice"

She still remembered the conversations during the night, the times when he kept her company in the garden or returned from a mission with new seeds for her. She missed seeing him at dinners, or when her fingers brushed unintentionally and they took a long time to getaway. And she knew very well that after a while he started to avoid the house on the river and her.

Azriel came even closer and she had to lift her head to keep looking him in the eye.

"Yes, and I had to struggle with every cell in my body and with every thought to stay away from you"

He was so close that she could feel the heat of his body passing to hers as their breaths mixing. If she stayed on tiptoe she could join their lips, and that the cauldron saved her, she really wanted to do that.

"And now?" Her words came out in a breathless sigh when he lifted a hand to put a stir of her hair behind her ear.

His hand slid through the lock of hair to her chin.

"I don't think I have the strength to stay away from you anymore. What do you say, Elain?"

She smiled, feeling butterflies invade her stomach. She still had many doubts about her not-so-new life, about this world where she sometimes felt she didn't fit, but she had no doubts about Azriel, never about him.

"I’ve always followed rules, but I think it’s time to break some"

I wrote this running just to participate on that third day, I hope you like it. @elrielmonth

Elain adjusted her dress and tried to calm her breathing, Az watched her from across the room and they exchanged a subtle look before she walked over to Beron, it was time to put the plans into practice.

Putting it into practice

Elain adjusted her dress and tried to calm her breathing, Az watched her from across the room and they exchanged a subtle look before she walked over to Beron, it was time to put the plans into practice.

Hours before

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Azriel asked entering the room and leaning against the door. His shadows of it swirled around him, making his concern clear.

"Don't you trust your good performance as a teacher?" Elain smiled at him in the dressing table mirror as she put on the earrings and he seemed to relax a little, rolling his shoulders and walking around the room.

Elain knew that conversation would happen at some point, Az had been training her as a spy for months and sooner or later she would have to go on her first mission, and fate seemed to have decided that the perfect opportunity for that would be that night, at the annual ball of the autumnal court.

"I know you're ready" He ran a hand through his hair and then sighed. "But it would be easier if you took this with you."

Elain turned in his chair to look at him and he pulled out the truth-teller, holding it out to her.

"Az ... I don't think it's necessary" Elain stood up and walked over to him, holding his hand around the handle of the legendary dagger and holding his gaze. When Az just continued to look at her, she rolled her eyes but ended up smiling. "If you insist...I bet I won't need to use it"

Taking the dagger from his hand, Elain rests a foot on the chair where she was sitting before and pulled the skirt of her dress up to her thigh, revealing the holster where another dagger was already positioned. Az just smiled seeing that she was ready, and bit his lip while she made the switch. “I don't want to bet on your safety, but if you insist”

"Happy?" Elain adjusted the dress and put the other dagger in the drawer, turning back to him.

"Now I'm. And by the way, you look beautiful.” He pulled her gently into his arms and being careful not to smudge her makeup, kissed her on the lips very lightly.

Elain walked away, still with her eyes closed, and shook his hands. "Time to put into practice everything you taught me" her eyes met and he nodded, directing her to the door where they parted on the way to the hall.

Now

Azriel took a glass from the waiter who was passing by the hall and turned its contents at once.

"Hey hey hey, let's take it easy" Cassian patted his on the back, and he stared at his friend.

"I wanted to see if you would be calm if as Nesta over there" Az said crossing his arms and Cassian seemed to get tense.

"Fair" Both hid against the wall, watching people dance around the room as Elain talked to Beron and Eris.

Azriel was using all of his training and willpower to stay in place and prevent his shadows from consuming him. He was not used to it, he worked in the dark, hidden from everyone and when nobody was noticing, his tactic was to go unnoticed in his missions and thus be able to surprise his opponents and he had trained Elain like that, but that night she would put her own techniques in-game. While he armed himself with darkness and worked so as not to attract attention, Elain was great at making people bend their wills, with a few smiles and a few words she would put anyone on their knees and hopefully get the information they were on a search that night. He became even tenser when he saw Baron offer his arm and lead her towards the hall. Az followed them with his eyes until they were out of sight.

Almost half an hour had passed when a glimpse of the red dress caught his eye and there she was, smiling as if hadn't passed the last thirty minutes making him almost lose his head in concern. When their eyes met, she just winked and went back to talking to a girl who was next to her. Now they just had to wait for the ball to end or as they had planned: be interrupted.

Azriel counted to 10 as he walked away to the nearest window and then chaos was installed in a sweet and sickening explosion, with petals filling the entire room as they fell from the ceiling, just as Elain had said that the rain of flowers would do.

"In the second floor, thirteenth window" Elain appeared in front of him running soon as he crossed the garden with Cassian. She already had another outfit on and no heels and after a nod to Cassian, the general went to where he would be on the lookout and soon Azriel was flying towards the indicated window with Elain in his arms.

"Are you okay?" Az asked placing it on the floor as soon as they crossed the window and she smiled, swinging a necklace with a key in front of him "I'm great".

Smiling, they pushed a bookshelf to the side, and using the key that she managed to get from Beron, they opened a safe.

"How much time do we have?" Az had turned the papers over, calmly and accurately so as not to take anything away unnecessary of the place.

"Two minutes" She was nervous, looking all the time towards the door, but she cheered when Az found what she was looking for and tucked the paper in her suit.

"It seems that you passed the test." He smiled at her, pushing the bookcase back into place and they went to the window through which they had entered. “Just as you had seen in your vision”

“Exactly, and It looks like I won the bet” Elain smiled and he laughs, pulling her close.

“I'm looking forward to paying. Let's go home”

Another short fic for elriel month. I Hope you liked!! @elrielmonth

Remembering that English is not my first language, so if there are mistakes you already know. Be kindle ♥

"Scars are often much deeper than just marked skin and words can do much more than drops of medicine"

We still in our clothes from the last mission, Illyrian leathers that I never thought Elain would wear. A few strands of hair were coming out of her braid when she went down the bottom rung of the stairs. I had to go, I couldn't be near her when she looked at me like that.

“Look at me.” her voice was low while she put her hand on my shoulder. I was on my back and felt my whole body tremble, that was not right, she deserved more than I did, much more. “Please. Many choices have already been taken from me, but not one of them can compare to the pain I feel when thinking about losing you too” she whispered.

I closed my hands at my sides and flexed my jaw, I was never able to deny her anything, but how could I give in to her words when I knew that as soon as I looked into her eyes, I would be surrendered? “We can’t, I don’t…”

“Azriel, don’t do it with us” her voice was low, but I felt the anguish in each pronounced syllable and it was the sound of my name on her lips that made me turn to face her. Her eyes were like honey, like molten gold, like the sun reflecting off the waters of the sea. I took a deep breath and she moved even closer, sliding the hand that was still on my shoulder to my hand, where she intertwined our fingers.

“Tell me why we can’t, tell me and if you can convince me I will let you go” Her voice was barely a whisper, and I felt his breath beat against my chest. I looked away from her eyes and stared at our joined hands, the contrast of her soft skin against my scars and everything that my hands represented.

She followed my gaze and a sigh escaped her sweet lips. "I do not mind"

“Elain, you..you don't know what I've done with these hands, I shouldn't even touch you” she squeezed my hand even more and shook her head. With her other hand, she gently held my face and turned it around so that I was looking at her again. "Don't hide from me, you don't scare me Az"

“You deserve more than me. Why you don’t understand?” my voice was broken as she caressed my face.

“Cause I want you and I choose you, Azriel” I was breathless, speechless, and could only look at her beautiful face. She continued as she released my face and held both my hands. “I love you, with all your scars, shadows, and all of your past" each word was punctuated with a kiss that she left over the scars on my hands.

I could only think about the image of her lips on my scars. She looked up at me and when our eyes met, something charged passed between us, as it always did and I felt my heart open, being filled by her light.

“Say it again” I said softly as I leaned my forehead against hers and closed my eyes, feeling when she put my hands over her heart and smiled before repeating "I love you and I will always choose you if you want me."

I took a deep breath, absorbing its scent of jasmine and honey, feeling every cell in my body calm down at the same time as my blood seethed. At that moment, she had kissed much more than the external scars that covered the lines of my hands, she had kissed my soul and every wound present there.

“You had me from the first moment you smiled at me and showed me that I had never seen light brighter than your smile” I said when opened my eyes, leaving a kiss on his forehead as I whispered what I had already kept in my heart for a long time.

“Every beat of my heart is yours since I started wanting to hear you talking about gardening since I changed my routine just to spend time with you since when you saw me as no one else had ever done” I slid one hand to his waist and the other to his neck, the words leaving me. “I love you since I realized that just be your friend would never be enough for me because I wanted to wake up every day listening to your laughter, smelling your perfume, and knowing that I would do anything for you”

I was excited to participate that this project by @elrielmonth and I hope you like this little fanfic.

Roses have always had a special meaning in Azriel's life and when he goes to visit his mom in Rosehall, she gives him advice about a girl who has been filling his thoughts.

Roses, Azriel was never able to understand the connection he had with these beautiful flowers, but they were always present throughout his life. Perhaps it was because of the tea his mother gave him on the days when he was able to visit her when he was little, or because the remedy used on his scars had been made from these flowers, or simply because he always liked to admire the contrast in the soft petals and the sharp spines. That must be why as soon as he can buy a property with his own money, he didn't have to think long before naming her Rosehall.

He rarely went to the property, with all the work he had to do on behalf of the night court, but he spent at least once every 15 days to see his mother and have a tea made from the beautiful flowers she picked in the garden. In this time, as he entered the garden and noticed the dozens of roses that had blossomed along the way, he could not divert the thoughts that filled his mind with just one name: Elain. The friendship between them had blossomed since the first time Az accompanied her to the garden at Rhysand's house, Elain was in a catatonic state at the time and he still clearly remembered the relief he felt when he noticed her improvement, the small smiles that gradually she started to give and the conversations that arose between them. With her he was never afraid to be himself, to tell about his day or his past, she never shied and little by little he was trying to spend more time with her, if only to listen about the plans she had for the garden, to talk about any random subject or just to be in comfortable silence. Elain had a sense of humor that could make him laugh, his jokes were clever and acid and he was amazed to hear her speak, in fact, lately, he was amazed even to look at her from the corner of his eye or notice her presence, it was as his whole body sang when he noticed that the seer was close by. Her body shivered when she noticed the accidental brush of her fingers while he helped her in the garden, or when they were gathered for dinner and she appeared in the living room with that smile that made her heart race. It was as if somehow theirs eyes always met when they were in the same room, and as dangerous as that was, he couldn't deny that he loved playing that game and seeing which one would look away first.

Gradually he was trying to get away, he knew the danger he was running when he let his feelings unfold and he felt that for his joy and also for his pain, Elain felt the same. She had a mate, one she didn't want and didn't like, but it was still complicated and Az didn't want to disturb her happiness, even though something in her heart told her that their happiness was destined to walk together.

"You’re quiet today" his mother said and raised the cup to her lips, watching him over the rim.

"I'm always quiet" he replied stirring his own tea and she smiled, placing the cup on the table between them and approaching to take his hands between hers.

"Today you’re more" Az met his gaze and sighed, it was difficult to hide anything from his mother, even though he was the spymaster.

"It's ... it's complicated." he looked away and released his hands, taking the cup and looking at the submerged petals at the bottom.

“It's that girl, isn't it? Elain? ” his mother was smiling and he felt his cheeks flush, it was like he was a teenager again when he was at home.

"As I said, it’s complicated." his mother continued to smile and he took a sip of tea, just to have something to do.

"I would like to meet her" - Az almost spit out the tea and looked at his mother with a raised eyebrow.

"Meet ... Elain?" he asked quietly as if it were secret and she nodded quickly.

"Yes, she seems to be important to you and I would love to meet her"

"Mom, it's not that simple, I already told you that she has a mate and I don't know if ..." his mother looked at him impatiently and lavished a hand to interrupt him.

“Azriel, things are only complicated when we continue to complicate them. Bring her here the next time you come, I’m sure good friends can go out together sometimes and from what you’ve already told me, she would like to see this garden." his mother was serious and he smiled when he noticed his own personality emblazoned on her.

"She would love to" a smile appeared on his lips, thinking that once again roses would be intertwined in his life since Elain seemed to have a special attachment for these flowers.

"So it's agreed." his mother took the two cups and stood up, walking towards the house and he accompanied her while carrying the tray with cookies and kettle.

"Now tell me what are you going to give to her in the solstice." his mother put the utensils in the sink and turned to face him. "And don't even try to deceive me by saying you didn't buy anything, I know you very well."

"I would never lie to you." he smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Remember that necklace I mentioned the last time I visited..."

Have you noticed how our society uses two weights, two measures to talk about characters depending on whether they are men or women and how men generally have more privileges even when it comes to fiction?

You don't have to think too hard to reach this conclusion, male characters can be quiet, rude, stupid and make thousands of mistakes, that it only helps in their popularity and acceptance, after all, it is enough to say that he had a difficult past, but when the same characteristics are applied to female characters, the conclusion becomes that she is boring and irrelevant.

For a female character to be accepted, she has to walk a tightrope without ever making mistakes. If she is kind, she is weak, if she is sure of herself, she is arrogant, if she chooses to have children, she is demeaning, but if she does not want to be a mother or even cannot generate children, she becomes useless. It’s as if the female characters had to seek validation all the time, just as we women have to daily fight against stereotypes sexist, and misogynistic conditions that others impose on us.

A few days ago I asked a question in the stories, questioning what defined a “strong” character and the answers were: independence, diversity, resilience, willpower, positioning, goals that deviate from the standard, among others. So why do we continue to diminish women for their choices?

Examples:

Molly Weasley: she is a woman, a wizard, who chose to take care of her children and her husband, but that does not make her a weak character. A woman's strength shouldn’t be measured according to her will, just as feminism shows us that a woman may well choose to take care of her children and her husband, it’s all a matter of choice. Molly is happy that way and that's where her greatest strength comes from, caring for, loving, and protecting those she loves.

Nesta Archeron: whenever I think of Nesta, the idea comes to my mind that if her characteristics were linked to a male character, he would hardly have suffered all the hate she suffered. It is much easier for society to accept a man of strong opinion, who does what he wants and how he wants, who isn’t afraid to say what he thinks than a woman who does those same things. Not that the character didn't make mistakes, she made them, but why is she slaughtered by them when male characters are acclaimed for having the same personality like her? The strength is the same, only the gender that changes and any excuse they give for it is at least sexist.

Elain Archeron: Elain is the character that most divides opinions and I’m not here to make anyone change their opinion and like her, but it is good to analyze the reasons for this “dislike”. She is a character that performs femininity and for many, this is a sign of weakness, but why would she like flowers and be kind would be a sign of weakness? This argument is sexist and very problematic, as it claims that a woman has to act in a similar way to what they “expect” from a man to have their strength. Kindness has never been and will never be a weakness, especially in the world we live in, since when is treating people good is a bad thing? We are so used to reading about characters who fight, kill dragons and go to war, that we forget that kindness and intelligence are also virtues and that one thing does not cancel out another. And guys, before saying that gardening is something silly and that it shouldn't be appreciated, research and know that it is a very laborious process and that it takes time and effort, it’s not just going around throwing seeds and waiting for them to sprout. Gardening is a job and it is a talent. We will not even go into the merit of whether or not it’s infertile, because this argument is disrespectful on so many levels that I do not know where to start, besides being misogynistic in defining the value of a woman by her ability to generate children.

Cinderella: this is a character that reminds me a lot of the previous one and that I see many people despise for their choices, but it still remains one of my favorites. Cinderella lost her entire family and was made a slave by her stepmother, but that did not detract from her kindness and courage, which are both very important things for her journey. We have to take into account the context in which this story took place, back in the 1800s, when women had far fewer rights than today. Cinderella didn't have many choices and opportunities, but she clung to what she came up with and fought for what she wanted with a lot of willpower and without having to step over anyone. Are you going to tell me that this isn't being strong just because she agreed to marry?

Carol Danvers: our dear Captain Marvel also suffered a lot of criticism when the adaptation was announced, and the arguments ranged from her body (which is already misogynistic) to her personality. Carol was judged as arrogant for acting in the same way that many male characters (who emphasize: are acclaimed) act, but it is clear that for many the fact that she is a woman brought another weight to this.

After all this, I ask myself: what does a female character have to do to please readers? It's like I said earlier, to be a woman is to live on a tightrope even in fiction.

Before we judge a character, we must stop and think: is this being sexist? Analyze if your argument is just because the character chose to have a romantic couple that you don't like, or if she did something that went against your expectations and remember: a woman can do what she wants, and that is feminism.

Of course, our opinions do not directly affect a fictional character, but they can reach tens of thousands of people who identify with them, that is the beauty of reading, meeting, and identifying with a character. A comment on a character's personality can greatly affect the way a real person sees himself.

I liked the idea that @mrspettyferr have. So I write a shortfic. Hope you like it! ps: English is not my first language, be kind Couples decide to play the famous snowball war in pairs: Feyre / Rhys, Nesta/ Cassian, and Elain / Azriel. They just didn't count that Elain and Azriel would have a big advantage since she foresees the proposal in time for them to formulate a strategy and they are both very good at moving in silence.

Azriel was sitting on the chair when Elain came into the room and slid into his lap. A smile on her lips like a promise of secrets. She had run to the kitchen as soon as they landed at the river house, dying to talk to her friends Nuala and Cerridwen. They hadn't had a chance to talk much since Elain moved permanently to the townhouse with Azriel.

Nesta and Cassian had not yet arrived from the house of wind and Rhys and Feyre were upstairs putting Nyx to sleep. Just the cauldron as known where Mor, Varian, and Amren had gone.

- I heard something. - Elain whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

- With that smile, I assume it was a good thing. Azriel raised an eyebrow and kissed her cheek, making her laugh before talking again.

- Rhys and Cassian are going to challenge us to a snowball war in pairs. - Az laughed at hearing his words, throwing his head back. - Cauldron save us.

- I think they've been planning this for a long time. - She concluded. - But the proposal will be made during dinner today. - Ready to finish them off? - Az smirked.

- Certainly. - She joined her lips to his and he lost himself in the sensation, it was always like this as if the floor disappeared under his feet and time stopped.

- They are even more sticky than Rhys and Feyre. - Az heard Mor's voice coming from the hall and Elain walked away, turning red and trying to get up from his lap. He smiled, pulling her against his body and resting his chin on her neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

- The beginning of a relationship is like that. - Varian entered the room, carrying several bottles of wine and nodding in the direction of the two. They were probably breaking into Rhys's stock.

- She is just jealous since she is the last single in our group. - Amren also entered the room, being followed by Mor who grimaced when he heard his words. Az laughed, feeling happy that he could finally show his feelings for Elain in public and she relaxed in his arms, leaning against his chest.

- If you want I can introduce you to some people, Mor. - Nessa entered the room, with Cassian in pursuit and Mor blushed while everyone laughed.

- I appreciate the offer, but I think I can manage on my own. - The blonde threw herself on the sofa opening a bottle of wine.

- The party is just beginning, use wine glasses Morrigan. - Rhys came down the stairs arm in arm with Feyre and laughed when his cousin showed him the middle finger, turning the bottle directly in his mouth.

Soon they were all settled on the sofa and Rhys made the fireplace light and wine glasses appeared on the coffee table, using a little magic.

- These three I already noticed were in my wine stock. - Rhys gestured to Mor, Amren, and Varian. The latter raised his arms in surrender, casting a look at Amren.

- I'm sorry man, I was coerced. - Rhys laughed when Amren rolled his eyes.

- Today I'll let that go. - The high lord turned to where Cassian was lying on the carpet, his back resting on Nesta's legs, who was sitting on the sofa. - But I want to know why you two are late. - A malicious smile painted his lips.

- Cassian takes more time getting dressed than a bride. - Nessa spoke pretending impatience and the general shrugged before saying playfully: - Beauty takes time.

- Some already wake up with it. - Az murmured and slammed his glass against Elain's, making everyone laugh. Everyone went back to drinking while they waited for dinner and soon the alcohol started to do.

- Hey, couple. Have you managed to break some furniture yet? - Cassian smirked maliciously, turning to the chair where Azriel was with Elain and Nesta slapped his arm, but before Az could think of an answer, Elain was already saying: - I think you would not like to hear details, Cassian. - Az laughed against her neck, surprised by the cross answer, and noticed her skin warm-up, for sure she was blushing.

- Wow, Az. What did you do to my cute and innocent sister? - Nessa was laughing and Elain rolled his eyes looking at her. - Our girl grew up. - Feyre put her hand over her heart as if she had been moved.

- Hey, I'm older than you, Feyre. - Elain folded his arms to channel her sister but then smiled. - You who always had a distorted image about me.

- She's still a good girl. Azriel turned slightly to look at Elain's face. - She’s just a bad girl with me. - Elain blushed, even more, nudging him. - I would be careful with words, spymaster.

- Is that a threat, baby? - Az brought his face close to hers and she bit her mouth, making him want to put his teeth in there. - Perhaps.

- Get a room. - Cassian shouted as he threw a pillow at them and everyone laughed. The noise made Nyx wake up and soon the little Illyrian was being passed from arm to arm, receiving attention from all his uncles.

- That child won't even be spoiled. - Feyre said wryly, hugging Rhys around the waist while Mor and Cassian argued to see who would hold Nyx after Nesta. Az and Elain had already played with their nephew as soon as they arrived, even the baby fell asleep in Az's arms and now they watched the scene with a smile.

Dinner was soon ready, and everyone went to the kitchen, everything was wonderful and Nuala and Cerridwen joined them. Mor who had won the dispute over Nyx with Cassian now struggled to get the baby to feed.

- I will never have children. - The blonde sighed. - At least nephews I can return to the parents. - Everyone laughed as she handed the little one over to Rhys, who easily managed to convince him to eat.

- Just because we were going to ask you to babysit tomorrow. - Rhys shook his head and Nyx clapped his hands together, making Mor melt looking at him.

- What do you not ask me crying that I don't do smiling? - She laughed, helping herself to more wines. - Do you need time just for the two of you? - The blonde winked at Feyre, who laughed.

- It is actually for an idea that these two had. - Feyre gestured between Rhys and Cassian and Nesta winced, probably already knowing what they were going to say. - Here it comes.

Az subtly turned his head to Elain, pretending to fill her glass, and saw her wave only once, confirming what was coming.

- We want to make a snowballs war in pairs. And without offenses Mor, you are the only one without a partner. - Rhys completed and Mor pouted. - Okay, my company will be great, right Nyx? - The little boy threw food upwards, having a party and everyone laughed. Cassian turned to the others at the table. - Who's in?

- Get ready to lose. - Az leaned back in his chair, putting an arm around the back of Elain's chair. - We're in. - Elain completed with a smile.

- I liked the confidence. But it will not be easy to pass us. - Nessa replied, turning to wink at Cassian as if they had some trick up their sleeve.

- Neither us. - Feyre and Rhys exchanged a look and Az imagined that they talked for the connection in their minds.

- Unfortunately, we left too early for the summer court. Varian looked at Amren. - But who knows next year?

- No way. - She said and everyone laughed again. "I will be enjoying the heat while you bury yourself in the snow.

- Then it's agreed. - Rhys raised his glass - Be ready at 6 am.

After exchanging gifts and when everyone had already retired to sleep, Azriel and Elain went to her old room on the property. The snow had fallen outside again and Elain walked to the window.

- Do you think we can win? - She looked over her shoulder at Az and he smiled as he unbuttoned his jacket.

- Taking into account that I won in the last 199 years and only lost last year because I couldn't get you out of my head. I think so. - She walked over to him, a sweet smile on her lips.

- I did not imagine that I would distract you so much. - She replaced his hands on the buttons and pushed him on his back to the bed.

- You have no idea. - He sat up and pulled her to the bed too, making her place one knee on either side of his body and sit on his lap. - But things have changed a lot in a year. - He moved his hands up her thighs. - And considering how happy I am, I think we will win.

Elain laughed, finishing unbuttoning his clothes. - We should rest for tomorrow then. To sleep early ... - Az proceeded to undo the ties of her dress, leaving kisses all over her neck.

- What were you saying? - He whispered against her skin, with his hands working quickly, and soon the fabric was loose. Elain laughed, pushing him on his back on the mattress, raising her arms then, and causing him to quickly pull the dress over her head.

- Wow love. I don't think we're going to sleep early anyway. - Az said, surprised to notice the cobalt-blue underwear she was wearing and she laughed, kissing him afterward. - Happy Solstice.

The morning came even colder than the night before, and Azriel and Elain went over their strategy again before going down for breakfast. Az was in his regular leathers and Elain was wearing leather pants and a heavy coat to withstand the cold. Soon Nesta and Feyre entered the kitchen wearing their Illyrian leathers, as did Rhys and Cassian. Breakfast was fast, and it didn't take long to leave for the cabin, Nestha winnowing with Feyre, Cassian with Rhys, and Az with Elain, Mor stayed at the river house with Nyx.

The snow was soft and untouched when they arrived. Azriel, Cassian, and Rhys exchanged a smile before the latter began to explain the rules to the girls, emphasizing mainly that the use of powers was prohibited and that if anyone did, the pair would be disqualified. Everyone agreed and split across the field, each pair in one direction.

Feyre and Rhys seemed to communicate through that mental link and the high lady laughed without a doubt, something he had said to her. Cassian and Nesta stretched and warmed up their muscles and Elain smiled at Azriel, opening and closing his fingers to warm his hands into the gloves, he noticed the movement and pulled her close, taking her hands between his and bringing it to his mouth to blow hot air into them.

- Ready? - He asked, smiling and getting more closer. She nodded in agreement. - Let's finish them.

Az smiled holding her chin and giving her a light kiss. - That's it! - Elain winked at him and they pulled away and turned away, walking the same amount of steps in opposite directions and ready to start.

Rhys counted down and in the next instant, the battle began, with snow flying in all directions. Cassian went on the attack, a technique that he had been improving in the last years and that Rhys already knew very well. The high lord laughed as he faced his brother, not noticing that Az appeared behind him ready to knock him into the snow. Feyre was agile and ran from the balls Nesta threw, and Elain as a good spy managed to go unnoticed while throwing balls when no one was waiting.

In a moment of inattention, Nesta ended up hitting Cassian in the face with a ball that was meant to hit Rhys in the back and enjoying it while they laughed, Azriel made a big mountain of snow behind which he hid with Elain, going over the tactics of the next one.

Elain jumped when Azriel pulled her to the side and in the next instant, Cassian and Nesta were rolling through the snow in screams.

- Are they fighting or kissing? - Azriel asked confused, trying to decipher what was happening and Elain spilled his head, also curious.

- Fighting. - She spoke when she saw her sister hit Cassian's head with a snowball and sit on top of the general who was lying on his back, but in the next instant, Cassian had pulled her down and joined their mouths together. - Now they're kissing.

Az laughed softly, getting to his feet and pulling Elain up, and soon afterward they dropped the snow mountain on top of the couple who clung to the ground.

- Eliminated. - Rhys's voice came from across the field, as Elain and Az clapped their hands and watched Cassian and Nesta coming out of the snow and not caring about the game, walking towards the cabin.

- Two to go. - Az whispered in Elain's ear, pulling away as she smiled and ran the other way. The wind was rising, lifting snow and making it difficult to see, but both were used to using all their senses and being sneaky.

Rhys was the first to fall when Az came out of nowhere in front of him and dropped him in the snow. They rolled for a few minutes, so couldn't tell who was who, but in the end, Az got up in time to see Elain use practically the same technique with Feyre.

- Feyre, darling. - Rhys called out as he got up and shook the snow. - We lost.

Feyre walked over to him, taking a look at the cabin where Cassian and Nesta were most certainly destroying everything. - Let's go home?

- I have better ideas, let's enjoy that Nyx is with a nanny. - And smiling, they held hands and winnowing who knows where.

Azriel brushed the snow from his hair and turned to Elain, who was doing the same. She smiled from ear to ear and he repeated the gesture while calling her with his hand and she ran up to him, jumping in his arms.

- We won. - She wrapped her arms around his neck and he laughed, holding her by the thighs.

When Azriel comes back from a mission with a cold, Elain manages to take care of him. \\ or When Elain and Azriel spend the night together and he confesses that he loves her.

Azriel had returned from a mission with a cold due to days of rain and snowfall and Elain had managed to sneak into his room, under the excuse of bringing soup to him. “Az?” - She called, noting some swords, reports, and the truth-teller placed on the desk. When he didn't answer, Elain closed the door with his hip and walking over to the bed to leave the tray of steaming soup there, she called him again. “Here” - Azriel's voice came from the direction of the bathing chamber and Elain went over there, leaning against the doorframe and watching him in the bathtub, his body covered in foam. “I brought soup” - She came over and sat on the edge of the bathtub. Giving him a kiss on the forehead, she's noting he was seething with fever. - “And wanted to know how you were.” “I’m fine” - He smiled looking at her and with that she ran a hand through his hair, removing some leaves that were caught between the strands. “You have a fever.” - She rested her hand on his forehead, worried and he smirked before saying: - “Is the effect you have on me” - Azriel winked at her and she can't contain a laugh, it seems he was also raving. Elain gave him a quick kiss and tried to get up, but Az was quicker and pulled her into the bath. “No way. I don't believe…Azriel - ”She started to protest but he shut her up kissing her deeply. "Say my name again" - He asked between kisses. “Az...” - She couldn't resist and returned his kisses, trapping her fingers in his hair and savoring his taste as his tongue invaded her mouth, killing the longing they were both feeling. - “I missed you” - He spoke against her mouth. “I missed you too. - She smiled, putting their mouths together quickly. - "But how will I get back to my room now? How am I going to explain my wet dress?’ - Azriel hugged her around the waist, with a mischievous smile on his beautiful mouth while unbuttoned the buttons on her dress. “Easy. You spend the night here with me.” - He winked and she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “And would nobody suspect that?” - She was already breathless, due to the kisses that Az was leaving on her neck and on every piece of skin that he was revealing when opening her dress. “Not when I'm sick and you're just being a sweet and kind Elain, worried about me.” The sound of her name in his mouth sent chills all over her body, but Elain laughed - “Az. You have a cold, I can't take advantage of you” - Azriel chuckled trying to open another button on her dress and Elain threw foam at him, then got up. - “Good try, bat boy.” Az pouted and Elain blew a kiss as saying: - “Take your shower and go eat the soup. Soon I'll be back.” "Do you swear this is the best option?" - Az started to get up from the bathtub and Elain shook her head, leaving the bathroom before changing her mind and put them at risk of being discovered. She heard Azriel's laughter and smiled alone, leaving his room as quietly as possible towards her own room, where she would charm her body to camouflage their smells. Half an hour later, after telling Feyre that she was tired, she put on her sleepwear and sneaked to Azriel's room. The lights were already off, but as soon as she crossed over to the bed, he lifted the cover in an invitation for her to go under it. “Better?” - She asked, snuggling her body close to his as he hugged her. “Much better.” - He replied and she kiss his chest, smiling as noticed that the fever had subsided. "Your fever has subsided.” - She whispered in the dark and he held her chin, meeting her gaze. "I had a beautiful healer, who prepared a delicious soup." "I think she deserves a kiss." - She said, bringing her mouth closer to his. "Just one?" - He propped himself up on one elbow, his body partly on hers and she laughed, joining their mouths and moving away before Az deepened too much the kiss. "Az. You still have a cold." - She whispered and he kissed her cheek, while she was talking. - "And we can't make any noise." “I know.” He nodded, lying down again and pulling her against his chest as slid his hand down her back in a gentle caress. They held each other in silence

for a while, listening only to each other's breathing, before Az said: - "Thank you" - His words just a whisper in the darkness. "For what's?" - Sleep was already clouding her mind. "Being you and taking care of me" - He ran a hand through her hair and she kissed his chest, while whispered drowsily: - "Always." When Elain was almost falling asleep, she could have sworn that Az had said he loved her while giving a kiss on the top of her head, and with those words in her thoughts, she fell asleep quietly in the embrace of the shadowsinger she loved.

Elain was sitting on the couch with Nyx while Azriel walked around reading some reports he was due to deliver to Rhys soon. Things were still a little tense between them, with charged looks, they had not exchanged any words since the solstice, let alone share the same room by themselves.

Nyx was restlessly trying to get down from her lap to go after his mother, who had gone to get the baby bottle to feed him, the flower that Elain had used to try to distract him was already completely crumpled.

- Easy, my love. Your mom's on her way. - Elain put him standing on her thighs and he tried to throw himself on the ground.

Laughing she put him standing in front of her and he calmed down, holding her fingers as he swung back and forth as if he wanted to walk. If it was hard enough to hold human children when they tried to learn how to walk, she couldn't imagine what a baby with wings would do to this family. Azriel turned as he heard the sound of her laugh and eventually dropped a sheet of his report right in front of Nyx, and when he leaned down to catch it, Nyx's eyes followed the bright siphon in his hand. Letting go of Elain's fingers, the little Illyrian walked out towards Azriel.

It was only 5 steps, but enough for Azriel and Elain to widen their eyes, the first dropped the reports and extended his arms to the nephew who laughed cheerfully as he reached for the bright blue siphons.

- I didn't know you were already walking. - Az said in awe, sitting on the floor and letting Nyx play with the bluestone in his hand, still afraid the scars would scare the baby.

- He has never walked before. - Elain said softly, smiling at the scene in front of her. – It’s his first time.

Upon hearing her voice, Nyx looked at her and let Az's hands out to clap, which made both of them smile more as they repeated their nephew's gesture.

Elain felt her heart filled by that image. Azriel on the floor, with no signs of his shadows as he smiled and watched Nyx play with the siphons.

Elain couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if that was her life, with Azriel and a little baby with wings. Az looked at her and she could swear he thought the same, but swallowing dry he returned to look at the baby.

- Can you do it again, little guy? - Az asked and Nyx seemed to understand his words.

- Come, Nyx - Elain called, swallowing hard in order to forget the image on her head, and stretched out her arms to her nephew. After taking another look at Az, the little boy dropped his uncle's hands and with shaking, steps walked towards Elain.

- Very well, my love - Elain kissed his rosy cheeks and laughed when he clapped, happy claps for his own conquest. She looked up and found Az watching them, a sweet smile painting his lips and she was happy to at least be sharing that moment with him.

Elain closed the bedroom door and leaned against it as she closed his eyes and sighed. The whole morning had been chaos since she announced that her engagement to Lucien was over. Feyre and Nesta were choking her with dozens of questions about her well-being, offering a shoulder to cry on every 10 seconds and Rhys and Cassian didn't seem to know what to say, but what nobody noticed was that she was fine and finally felt free from that engagement that was killing her a little more each day.

Don't get it wrong, for a while she did like Lucien, but not enough to spend the rest of her life with him, and a year earlier when he knelt and proposed in the middle of a flashmob on the busiest avenue in Velaris, she didn't have any choice except to say yes.

Opening her eyes, she noticed a box on her bed and, curious to know what was inside, walked quickly to it. Sitting down next to the mysterious box, she opened it and was faced with a beautiful cake that made her laugh since it was written with whipped cream on its top “congratulations on your break up”. She didn't have to think too hard to know who had sent that cake and it filled her heart with joy. Picking up the card next to the box just to be sure, she read Azriel's name and one small message "I thought you would need some candy from your favorite store." 

Smiling, Elain took her cell phone out of her pocket and took a selfie with the cake, then sent it to her best friend, who didn't take long to answer by asking if she needed help eating. "Bring two forks" was the reply that Elain sent.

20 minutes later Az was knocking on his door, holding two forks.

“Is this where it was asked for two forks?” - He was smiling when she pulled him into the room.

“Thank you for coming so quickly.” -Elain replied as she sat on the floor at the foot of the bed and he sat beside her, handing her a fork that she was soon skewering in the cake she placed between them.

They were silent for a while, that kind of silence that doesn't need to be filled with words and that leaves you with a sense of understanding.

“El.” - Az called softly and she looked at him, watching as he played with the fork between his fingers. - “How are you?”

“Sincerely?” She asked and bit her lip while he nodded.

“I'm feeling terrible for feeling so good.” - She confessed, crossing her legs under her body and turning to face him. Az arched an eyebrow as she sighed. 

“I should be crying and suffering, shouldn't I?” - She finally put out the words that were spinning nonstop in her mind. - “I feel terrible for being so well.” - Az stuck his fork in the partially destroyed cake and turned around so that he too could look at her.

“I think you are one of the strongest people I know and I admire you for always seeing the bright side of situations.” - Elain couldn't help smiling when she heard his words.

“Do you think so? Then do you don't think I am not a horrible person cause I am not suffering and crying…”

“El. I.. I never... Just answer me one thing: were you and Lucien happy in that relationship?” - Az asked before she had a chance to continue rambling about her uncertainties.

“No” - She sighed - “We definitely weren't.”

“And do you think that both of you are now more likely to be happy?”

“Yes” - She played with the cake before looking back at him. - “I think so.”

“Then you have your answer.” - He said before eating another piece of cake as she chuckled, with tears of relief coming out of his eyes. 

“Thank you” - She said softly and he shrugged.

“Whenever you needed, El.” - Az reached out to wipe the corner of her mouth and the tears that wet her cheeks. - “Whenever you need.”

They stared at each other for a moment, with that mutual understanding that only existed between them and Elain leaned back against the bed.

“I bet 50 bucks that it won't be long before Lucian starts going out with Vassa.”  Az gasped and she laughed while patting his back.

“The ginger girl from his office?” - He asked when he finally stopped coughing, Elain just nodded in agreement. - “Wow. And are you okay with that?”

“Strangely, yes.” - She smiled before concluding. - “Now that we break up, I can see that it was not just him who suffocated me and left me with no choices. I think I did that to him too.”

“You'll be fine. You two.” - Az winked at her. - “Sometimes we just need a chance to see what is right beside us.”

Elain unformed the cake and took the platter of whipped cream to start decorating it. The sun was setting and soon the inner circle would arrive for dinner. Nuala and Cerridwen prepared the main course that night and she was responsible for making the dessert.

A strand of hair was coming out of her braid and she used the hand that held the spoon to wipe it off her face, in the next moment she heard a soft laugh that made her whole body shudder. Azriel was leaning against the doorframe and when their eyes met, longing warmed her body and she almost ran towards him.

"Hi," She said when he approached her "Can I know what's funny?"

"You." He said, stopping in front of her, and when she frowned without understanding, Az looked at the door as if to confirm that no one was around and on the next moment he ran a finger over the tip of her nose and put it in his mouth. "There was a little bit of cream over there." He explained with a smile.

"Ah." Elain said with a half sigh, as he took a strawberry from her plate. "So I think I should thank you" Azriel gave her a wry smile, that smile that did her legs go weak. "And how do you plan to do that?" She bit her own lower lip when he brought the strawberry to his mouth, so she stood on tiptoe and bit a piece, brushing her lips against his. "Thanks."

The spymaster wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his body, her blood boiled and his scent was making her dizzy with desire. Elain left the bowl of whipped cream on the table but first brought the spoon to her mouth, staining her lips. "I think you can help me with this mess."

"For sure," Az replied and kissed her deeply, his taste mixing with the whipped cream and making her mind spin.

When they were both out of breath, Az pushed her against the table and lifted her so she could sit. He proceeded to kiss her on her neck and she tilted her head back, giving in to his touches. Elain's hands spread over the bowl of whipped cream and she smeared her fingers, then brushed his cheek. Az looked at her and she blinked innocently, then licked where she had soiled him. 

His hands now held her thighs and she moaned when he squeezed them lightly, then kissed her again. "We better stop before someone arrives" She managed to say with a lot of effort cause all she wanted was to stay there.

"You're right," He said and rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as his breaths normalized. "I'll go back to the room before anyone notices." He helped her off the table and gave her another quick kiss, then walked to the door while she fixed her dress and hair.