#mtb4

After grabbing her dress hanger and makeup bag, she quickly headed to Feyre’s room. The door was already open when she arrived. She was only 10 minutes late, but it was already an absolute madhouse. Bridesmaids were bustling around trying to get ready in such a small space without tripping on all the supplies strewn around. The videographer was also in everyone’s way doing their best to get some nice behind the scenes shots. Amidst the chaos Feyre was getting her hair curled by Rhysands cousin, Morrigan while Amren worked on her makeup.

Nesta noticed the other bridesmaids were already dressed in their light baby blue dresses. She quickly pulled her own dress out of the protective bag. Her and Elain’s dress were navy blue to differentiate them as maids of honor, which also contrasted the light blue beautifully. The wedding wasn’t for another couple hours but it seemed that the photographer wanted to get pictures of the wedding party ahead of time. Probably to capture everyone while they were still fresh faced and energized.

Elain noticed Nesta and welcomed her with a hug before she began doing her makeup. Nesta usually stuck to natural looks so Elain did her makeup for all the big events such as prom and graduation. She started by applying some soft smokey brown eyeshadow onto her lids. Then she dusted powder all over her face to set the liquid foundation. 

“You look stunning Nesta,” Elain said as she finished adding pink gloss to Nesta’s lips and some shimmer to the bridge of her nose. 

Elain handed Nesta a small mirror and she couldn’t help but smile. She looked radiant. “All because of you El.” 

***

Nesta scowled as her foot sunk into the snow. The wedding photographer made the bridesmaids brave the frigid weather in their thin dresses. Nesta did her best to look happy in the pictures and not the freezing, miserable mess she actually was. They took some basic, professional ones, but the photographer also wanted some fun ones to capture Feyre and Rhysand’s goofy side. She had to admit the one of the groomsmen holding Rhysand and bridesmaids holding Feyre horizontally was pretty cute. 

“That was great guys. You can all take a little break. I want some individual shots of the couple,” the photographer called as he dragged Feyre and Rhysand away. 

The rest of the wedding party huddled underneath a canopy watching the happy couple pose in the snow. Nesta shivered as goosebumps covered her bare arms. Damn Feyre for making the dresses sleeveless. 

Before Nesta could attempt to rub some warmth back into her arms, she felt something cover her shoulders. She looked back to see Cassian draping his suit jacket over her. He turned to leave but she grabbed his hand, “stay?” she asked softly. 

He nodded, body tense as he stood next to her. After a few minutes of silence it was clear he was not initiating anything, so Nesta did. 

“I’m sorry,” she began. “About yesterday, I didn’t mean what I said. You were only trying to help me. You’ve been nothing but nice to me and I should’ve appreciated that instead of attacking you.”

Cassian ran his fingers through his hair, clearly thinking about what he wanted to say. “Nesta, every time I get close to you, you run,” he paused. “Every time I think you’re opening up to me, you close right back up and push me away.” 

She sighed, taking a breath. He wasn’t wrong. She did run from him. It wasn’t his fault she was so back and forth. “It’s just hard for me to trust people, but I’m trying,” she said as sincerely as she could. She meant it. She just hoped he could see that. 

He looked at her. Really looked at her. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the photographer calling them all back. Nesta mouthed a quiet “thank you” as she handed his jacket back to him. 

The photographer got a few more shots of them kicking snow around and then it was time to really start getting ready. People were already seated and Rhysand had already taken his place at the front. 

“You nervous Fey?” Elain asked as she touched up Feyre’s makeup outside the chapel doors. 

“No,” Feyre smiled, practically beaming. “I’m more excited.”

Nesta smiled as she fluffed Feyre’s curls. She was also excited about her younger sister marrying her soulmate. “I can’t wait to see Rhysand’s face when he sees you,” Nesta laughed softly.

“Me too,” Feyre giggled like a blushing bride. “I’m glad that you’re here Nesta,” she said squeezing her hand gently. 

“I’m glad I’m here too,” she said, pulling Feyre into a hug. She squeezed her as tight as she could without flattening her dress.

“Hey Az!” Elain practically squealed, breaking up the heartfelt moment. 

“Hey Lain,” Azriel smiled softly at her as the groomsmen walked up. 

Nesta wished those two would just admit their feelings for each other. Elain lit up like a Christmas tree every time Az walked into a room. Even Azriel who was hard to read looked more relaxed as Elain put her arm in his. 

“Ready sweetheart?” Cassian asked as he also put his arm out for Nesta to grasp.

“Of course.” She smiled as she linked arms with him, savoring his warmth.

Elain and Azriel led the way, followed by Nesta and Cassian. The rest of the wedding party not far behind. Once they all reached the front the crowd stood as Feyre walked in. Both their parents had passed, so Feyre walked alone with her bouquet. If anything that only made her look more regal. She looked like an absolute queen in her lace sleeved, beaded gown. Nesta saw Rhysand unsurprisingly shed a few tears at the sight of his fiance walking towards him.

The service was relatively short and sweet. Nesta did her best to pay attention, but every few minutes her gaze shifted to Cassian. She didn’t even realize she had been staring at him until the crowd’s cheers startled her. 

“Get ready to eat everyone!” Rhysand called as he pulled his wife down from the altar. 

Feyre laughed as her now-husband spun her down the aisle. Everyone slowly migrated to the ballroom for the reception. The crowd cheered once again as Feyre and Rhysand were introduced as a married couple for the first time. 

Of course their group, or inner circle as Rhysand liked to call them, were all seated together in the center. Everyone was mingling and to be honest it wasn’t really Nesta’s scene. 

“Can I get you a drink, sweetheart?” Cassian asked as he stood from his seat.

“Trying to get me drunk are you?” she teased. 

“Maybe I am,” he whispered in her ear from behind her chair. She shivered slightly from the feeling of his breath on the back of her neck. 

“I’ll have a long island iced tea,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice even.

Cassian only winked as he walked towards the bar.

Nesta downed her 2 long island iced teas before dinner was even served. She already felt the buzz. Being a lightweight drinker was a blessing and a curse. She enjoyed the feeling of being tipsy. Alcohol made her feel lighter, happier. The usually stoich, ice queen Nesta found herself laughing and smiling after a few drinks. She even enjoyed the company of the inner circle, especially a certain oversized brute. She could feel herself leaning into Cassian when he put his arm behind her chair. They most definitely got a couple of stares, but drunk Nesta couldn’t even seem to care. Maybe she even liked it. 

The festivities really began with Feyre and Rhysand’s first dance. Nesta was definitely not a romantic but even her eyes watered as Rhysand swept Feyre across the dancefloor. The love and adoration in his eyes as he held her could be seen by everyone. Feyre looked like an absolute goddess with the lights shining down. Her smile was ethereal. There was no couple more made for one another as Feyre and Rhysand. 

After the song ended they took a bow and other couples began to raid the dancefloor. Morrigan was slow dancing with her girlfriend and even Amren took a break from supervising to dance with her boyfriend.

“Want to dance Nes?” Cassian asked as he stood up, offering his hand. She swore her heart melted at the look in his eyes. 

Nesta didn’t say anything, but taking his hand with a smile on her face was an answer in it of itself. 

They walked hand in hand to the center of the ballroom and she even let him lead her across the dance floor. His hands were so warm on her waist and she couldn’t help but lean into his touch. She tightened her grip around his neck and let one hand play with his hair. If she was honest, nothing had ever felt more right. 

“Nes?” Cassian asked, interrupting her thoughts. 

“Cass?” 

“Sweetheart if you keep dancing with me like this people might think you actually like me.” He said it jokingly, but she could tell he was trying to read her intentions.

“And if I said I did like you?” she asked, not backing down. 

“I would say I don’t believe you.”

“Let me prove it then,” and before Cassian could even respond Nesta was pressing her lips to his in the middle of the dancefloor. He was still for a moment as if he couldn’t believe this was happening. Nesta pulled back trying to read his face. She didn’t get very far. Cassian took her face in his hands, kissing her once again. Her lips parted as she followed his lead. After what felt like forever Nesta pulled away, slightly breathless. “Believe me now?” she asked. His answer could be seen by his smile alone. 

“You trying to steal my thunder there Cass?” Rhysand asked, appearing out of nowhere. “It is my wedding you know,” he said, smirking at the couple. Feyre snickered softly as Rhysand led her to the center of the room. 

“I’m throwing the bouquet now bitches!” Feyre giggled, clearly intoxicated. 

Nesta laughed at her antics as she and Elain quickly took their place in the circle of awaiting ladies. 

Feyre gave a wink before turning around. 

The cheers went crazy as the bouquet flew. It only got louder when it landed perfectly in Nesta’s hands. Her eyes went wide.

“See you all at Nesta and Cassian wedding, peace out!” Feyre practically screamed as she stumbled over her own two feet.

“Why don’t we go sit down Feyre darling,” Rhysand asked, grabbing his wife so she wouldn’t collapse in the middle of the floor. 

Nesta blushed as she made her way towards Cassian. “Sorry about that,” she laughed, pointing at the bouquet. Doing her best to play it off as a joke. 

Cassian laughed, taking the bouquet from her hands as she settled onto his lap. “I told you we were meant to be. This sign only proves it.”

“Cassian I -”

She was interrupted by Rhysand clapping his hands. “We’re going to cut the cake now before Feyre is so far gone that she cuts me instead of the cake.”

Everyone laughed as Feyre smashed Rhys’s face into the cake. He only smiled as he pulled her in for a kiss rubbing the frosting all over her as well. 

It wasn’t long after that everyone wished the newly wed couple farewell. Rhysand was practically carrying Feyre to the limo waiting to take them away to their honeymoon. It was a sight to see. Nesta would have to make fun of Feyre for that later. 

All jokes aside, it was a perfect evening and she was so thankful to be a part of it. Being with her sisters, meeting Cassian, made her feel alive again. Standing with the rest of the wedding party, she waved as the car slowly drove away. 

Nesta felt him before she saw him. Cassian placed his jacket on her once again before pulling her gently to his side. Turning into him, Nesta wrapped her small arms around his torso. By the cauldron he was strong. She could literally feel his toned muscles through the shirt. They stood there for a few minutes, just content to be in each other’s arms.

“Wanna head back inside?” Cassian asked once the snow began to fall.

Nesta nodded and the pair walked hand in hand all the way up two flights of stairs. When they reached their rooms neither wanted to leave. 

“Do you maybe wanna stay in my room tonight?” Cassian almost looked like a child asking to stay up past their bedtime. 

Steel grey eyes met ones of chocolate honey. “More than anything.” 

Nesta couldn’t help but smile as Cassian handed her his shirt to change into. It was a soft grey t-shirt with faded letters. When she put it on she was engulfed by his scent. 

Once under the covers she leaned into him, feeling his heartbeat underneath her hand.

When his breathing evened out she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. “I’m trying to take down my walls,” she whispered against his ear. “For you, I’m trying.”