Cassian Week 2025: Day #3 "Atonement" (both art and fic by me)

@cassianappreciationweek

“Pack your things.” Nesta flinched at the sudden order, Cassian bellowing it as he entered through her window and marched to the closet. Standing up, she reached out a hand, only to put it back as he wrenched clothes and a small leather pack.

“Cassian. What happened?” There was no response from him, just more fabric shuffling and the violent clack of hangers ringing together. “Cassian!” she demanded, forcing him to face her. His left eye was swollen, his lip and nose split and oozing twin trails of blood, and Nesta felt anger surge and thunder inside of her chest. “Was this Rhys?”

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Cassian countered, reaching for her hand, “Considering…I left him unconscious in his office.” Nesta’s jaw fell open.

“But…why?”

“Because I’m sick and tired of it, Nes.” Cassian pushed past her, stuffing the bag in a frenzy. “Of the fights. Of Rhys constantly badgering and belittling you over and over! Of having to choose between him and…you.” He sighed, dropping the clothes he was holding. “I told him that he needs to start respecting you, that he can’t expect me to just stand by while he hurls threats and…” Nesta tried to look at him, but Cassian turned his head away. “He tried to pull that High Lord dominance and I…kind of lost it. Mor had to pull me off of him, and I came straight here.”

“Cassian.” Nesta grabbed the sides of his face, forcing him to her, “I can handle Rhys. You didn’t need to do that.”

“It’s more than that, Nes,” he replied, his voice low and cold, “I know you can handle him, but I’m tired of him thinking I’m only good for one thing. I’m tired of feeling like I’ll forever owe him, that I—we, have to live our lives by his rules. He may be High Lord, but I’ll be damned if he is going to say one more word about you, make one more threat, without suffering the consequences.” Cassian sighed, trembling as the words just kept on spilling out, words that had surged in his head for months and months, along with the guilt and shame. “I’m so sorry, Nesta. I’m sorry for everything. I can’t stop thinking about it. The hike, laughing at you when you fell on the stairs, the sex…” Cassian pressed a fist to his lips, “I was supposed to be taking care of you, and I fucking took advantage of it.”

“Cassian,” Nesta called, trying to calm him down, “We both agreed to do that.”

“But you were in my care! I was supposed to help you get better, and I knew that sex was something you used to…cope. I couldn’t just put aside the bond, wanting to be with you, for one second. I practically leapt that the chance and it…” He sighed once more, “It doesn’t matter. I can’t change what happened, but I can stop listening to Rhys, stop thinking that he knows best when I know in my gut what he’s doing is wrong.” Casein’s hands rose to cup both her cheeks, pressing his forehead to hers. “I’m choosing you, really choosing you this time, so we’re done here. Let him Rhys with the Illyrians himself.”

Nesta swallowed, “What about Feyre?”

“We have our own lives, Nesta. Me, Az, Mor? We’ve all lived with each other for way too long. We need space, to find ourselves, to actually remember what it’s like to want what we want, and be who we truly are.” Nesta let his words sink into her, truly absorbing what he had said. She had many of the same feelings, but frankly, it was more trouble to fight and claw back against the Night Court than it was to just sit back and let it wash over her. She hadn’t realized just how light Cassian’s new perspective made her feel, that he was trying to make a change.

“How are we going to get out of Velaris without him knowing?” At that, Cassian gave an actual smirk.

“Because I have another brother, and he’s been feeling very much the same way.” As if to punctuate his words, the shadows of her room peeled apart, and Azriel shunted in through a winnow. He turned to Nesta and gave a small nod, turning to Cassian.

“Everything’s ready.” Nesta blinked.

“What’s ready?” 

“I have a cabin,” Azriel replied, “A small place, remote but well-outfitted. It’s stocked and it’s far from here, and I made sure that Rhys doesn’t know about it.” The sound of a buckled strap made Nesta glance back to Cassian, his bag over his shoulder.

“I just want some time away from all of it, Nes. Some time of just…me and you, without all the pressure and the bullshit. For us to see, what life is like if we can just…be together.” Cassian stepped forward and kissed her, brushing a hair back over her ear before continuing. “Let me make it right. Let me prove myself to be a mate worth having. I can be better. I want to be better. But not while we’re here. Not while Rhys sees us as political pieces and not fucking people.”

Nesta took a deep breath, then gave a playful smile, her arm hooking around Cassian’s shoulder.

Cassian Week: Lover

In Cassian’s own words: “There will be no one else. For either of us.”

One-shot numero dos for @cassianappreciationweek - prompt: Shield. If you prefer AO3- here's the link for it there!

Summary: Cassian has stood between the members of the Inner Circle many times over the centuries- as a buffer between Az and Mor, occasionally being forced to keep Amren and Rhys from destroying half of Prythian. But this time he stands between his two best friends- making sure that one of them gets a chance at the love the other forbids.

Rating: M

Genre: Drama/Fantasy

***

L FLOO JOY UE YEV- QE PCUUIT FBCU LU PLKBU HEAU PI- L FLOO COFCYA JOY UE YEV. 

- Shadow

********

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Cassian groaned as he rolled over and looked at the door. Who- the fuck- would dare to wake him like this? In the Illyrian training camps no one dared breathe heavily in his presence, much less wake him in the wee hours of the morning with thunderous knocks. He took his time, pulling on a pair of loose pants, not bothering to fully fasten them. Anything that might threaten him at that door would be easily dispatched and he already wanted to crawl back into bed. 

He threw the door open and was met with blue siphons, hazel eyes, and that damnably handsome face. Az. He held his pants up with one hand and motioned him in. Azriel was supposed to be on a mission deep within the continent, basically unreachable. And yet, here he was. With a letter in his trembling hands, the handwriting familiar even though the words were written in a cipher. Elain.  

@cassianappreciationweek

Cassian is said to be the one who has the hardest time taking a break, so I can’t imagine him celebrating his birthday any other way than by going about his regular schedule. Of course, between the bat boys and Nesta, they would make sure it’s sprinkled with a few extracurricular activites. So, on the schedule:

+ Waking up to a very good morning with Nesta

+ Training (or showing off, whichever strikes the mood)

+ Dinner with loved ones, dressed to the nines

+ The best birthday cake fitting for the Lord of Bloodshed

And at the end of this wonderful day, flying with Nesta for some “camping” time in the mountains. Where they, indeed, camp. On the rocks. On the ground, in the lake.

In the skies? At least there’s no one below them.

Cheers to our favorite (ding) bat. 🍻 🦇

Image: Pinterest

Edits by Me

On the Playlist: Birthday by TEN

Well. It’s my chance to spread my Cassian x Rhysand as well as my Nesta x Eris x Cassian propaganda😌

For Cassian Week day 7 - free day

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