Its Unusually Late For Cassius Morning Walk. Normally, Theyre Up At The Crack Of Dawn, Making Their Way

it’s unusually late for cassius’ morning walk. normally, they’re up at the crack of dawn, making their way to the park before the sun can even rise. before most people can rise. but this morning she slept in - and her usually trusty alarm clock didn’t even attempt to wake her before 7am with his usual barks for breakfast. the extra hours spent slumbering must why he’s in a particularly good mood as he bounces through the leaves. the pure delight on his face stops her from being too annoyed by the disruption to her routine; by the fact that she now has to smile at passersby and exchange small talk about the weather. for a while she thought one of the benefits of having a staffordshire bull terrier would be that most people would prefer not to interact with him. but his sweetness is infectious, and even she has to admit that she prefers when children beam at him to when they shrink away. 

“you’re a good boy.” she murmurs to him as he plods happily along, giving nothing more than a curious glance to a toddler in a pushchair who had outstretched a hand to him. still, she keeps him on a tight leash as they wander through the entrance of the park. there are certainly worse ways to start the day than by wandering under the cover of trees, with sunlight peeking through thinning leaves to kiss her cheeks. for over a year after her accident she’d spent many a morning in a far worse state – alone, hungover, utterly disgusted with herself.

that was until elain bought a dog home from the shelter she volunteered at. “to foster” she’d claimed, while he healed from a surgery. at the time she’d assumed that her sister was simply using it as an excuse to keep the dog - barely an adult at the time - for herself. but when she continued to leave them alone each day, only coming home to give him medication on her lunch break, and he’d taken an unexpected shine to nesta despite her initial lack of interest, she began to suspect he was the one baby sitting her. when elain moved out a few months ago, leaving cassius with her as a “parting gift”... that was when she knew it had all been a ploy. she was more cunning than she looked. 

with the sunlight warming the bridge of her nose, nesta takes a moment to breathe in the fresh air; to roll her shoulders and move her neck from side to side. from the corner of her eye she can see that cassius has spotted a couple of pigeons ( hasn’t even noticed the squirrel overhead, launching itself from branch to branch… yet ) and she wants a couple more moments to adjust to the day before they begin to move again. 

“wait there, good boy…” she knows he’ll listen to her words, or perhaps the tone of her voice is what will resonate. but she definitely doesn’t expect a response. it isn’t the first time a man has made a comment during their walks - usually they have something to do with wishing they were the one on her leash, so this is tame in comparison. even so, she turns with an icy stare, pushing her sunglasses up onto her head to ensure that he can see just how unimpressed she is. although when she sees him, she is impressed. just slightly. it’s not often that the comments come from somebody who may actually stand a chance of her taking him home. he's tall, dark, and handsome - he also looks like he could throw her over his shoulder. exactly her type. unfortunately for him, she isn’t in the habit of picking up strange men in parks.

cassius must pick up on her irritation. he begins to bark at the stranger in warning. she looks the man up and down with a small raise of her eyebrows, lips curling; pleased that she’s inadvertently taught her dog to respond to men approaching her like this. but then he utters the word “treat” and it’s all over - the little traitor tugs on his leash so suddenly ( tail wagging madly ) that she’s pulled towards him. the effort to stay upright pulls her breath from her and she sighs, sniffs, wrinkles her nose.

“— it smells to me like you’ve had more than enough treats, but i’ll save you the time it takes to ask. i’m not interested in rubbing your belly… come on, cass.” with that she turns on her heel, gently tugging on the leash, and although cassius follows his gait is slow and stubborn.

cassian night has been out - all night. and while he does in fact smell of spilt liquors, sweat, and several unknown bodily fluids not of his own creation -- he is still in a cheerful mood. after all, being a bouncer at the most exclusive nightclub in town isn't the dream job necessarily, but it is an honest living. and it means that he gets to sleep for the next eight hours, and then wake up and do it all over again. and after the last tour of service? he'll take drunk hen parties over active duty any time.

he's stopped at his favourite local coffee spot, sipping his dirty chai latte with a double shot of espresso -- just strolling through the park district. it's the autumn season, and while he'd avoid this place like the plague in spring, the autumn? it's his favourite. the crunch of leaves beneath the big black kick ass boots he wears makes him feel nearly giddy. the smile that lights his face as he nods at the little old ladies who are feeding the pigeons as they do nearly every day. and then the nannies and their charges bundling off to daycares and exclusive schools.

most are familiar by sight, though he only knows the name of a few. a hum as he sips his drink slowing his walk to enjoy the crisp breeze that stirs the unrly crown of curls. he isn't sure how long he's lost in the enjoyment of that moment - but a voice draws him out of that reverie.

great brown eyes turn towards the voice, there's a rasp to it, a huskiness that speaks of -- unspeakable things in soft illuminated rooms with satin sheets and light glittering through the drapes -- he hears the words now.

wait there -- good boy. ( @moondevoured ) says.

' yes ma'am -- ' ever the good soldier replies. instinct more than thought fuels the action.

and the grin widens, a flash of teeth as he cocks his head - inadvertantly doing just as that siren's voice as told him. stopping. there. in the middle of the sidewalk, sipping his drink, waiting for whatever that voice might tell him to do next. of course the not idiotic part of his brain is shrieking that it's not about him -- but he isn't listening to that part. no -- instead his gaze is finding her. slim and well built, a woman stands there with her dog, the dog having clearly had designs on one of the wandering well fed pigeons.

cassian can't help the laugh that bubbles out of him -- he doesn't care he's just made a fool out of himself. but -- there is a flush that rises up his neck.

' do i get a treat? if so -- i have a request. '

sorry i was passionate & intense & insane. it will happen again

amusement lights her eyes at his unexpected comment, the beginnings of a laugh catching in her throat in a way that makes her scoff, and surprise is evident on her features when turns to face him once more. in her first few meetings with the shadowsinger nesta had been under the impression that he was simply reserved; or perhaps unusually shy for somebody with centuries beneath their belt. she realises now that he’s brooding. it isn't necessarily unattractive, but if she was trying to entice him in any way before, that instinct has been forgotten. “it’s probably good sense to be disgusted by the scent of excited males. we should all be so lucky.” 

she takes another sip of the syrupy wine and closes her eyes to steady herself from the haze that keeps setting in while it warms her. normally she’s on high alert in these situations, focused entirely on avoiding conversation with any male who may take an interest in her as if she’s nothing more than a shiny trinket. but with azriel and his borderline scowling face by her side, she’s confident none will approach. in the momentary darkness she realises that an emotion is rolling from him that she can’t quite place, but it does feel familiar; it reminds her an awful lot of how she felt before arriving at the party this evening. how she had only made an appearance to get feyre and elain off her back for a few more weeks. hours have passed, surely that’s enough of her time to satisfy them until the next time they deem her presence necessary. 

silver eyes re-open, and she attempts to focus them once more. they follow azriel’s gaze across the room, and although his eyes don’t linger on her, it’s easy to notice that he looks at mor for a few seconds longer than anybody else. at the male ( plain, by fae standards ) who draws a rich laugh from the beautiful blonde. there’s a history there that she’s only scratched the surface of - but it’s none of her business. all that she knows has been pieced together from what she’s been told over the last few months. for a brief moment she wonders if he does still have feelings for her, then promptly realises that it’s an awfully long time to be in love with somebody. whatever the emotion is in his eyes, longing or otherwise, nesta thinks it would be nice for somebody to look at her like that. she remembers then that somebody does. just as quickly she pushes the thought away. 

“you’re the prettiest, i win. my prize is that we’re leaving... has my sister mentioned that i need a chaperone? we can argue about something else while we walk.” 

the way her eyes dart across his face, he can clearly see she's mapping him. perhaps she's tucking it all into memory for a later session of viewing. maybe she doesn't want to forget. or maybe she's just never gotten close enough to truly see him for what he is. shadow or illyrian? male or monster? his eyes watch her now, noticing the color of her stormy eyes and the slight furrow of her brow when she focuses. parted, pillowed lips that appear soft enough to kiss or lay upon. it's his nature to observe but it is not his nature to fantasize. that's all want to.

" good to know. " azriel comments, glancing off into the distance where people are dancing, eating, and drinking. it appears he has no interest in the fae in front of him but his shadows sneak teasing twirls toward her that say otherwise. he's not going to speak of her secrets - it's also in his nature to keep them until death calls him home. he's trusting in the fact that whatever he says is also trapped with her until death. the amount of high fae and beings in this one space has had him edging toward the door all night. dancing was something he actually partakes in but tonight he's not drunk enough. he's simply not in the mood. it doesn't help that a male has been all over mor all night and she hasn't pushed him away once - on purpose. azriel doesn't hold a candle for her anymore but the fact everyone thinks he does makes him irritable.

" i'm over here alone because the smell of arousal makes me nauseous. " stars reflect upon golden eyes as he flicks his gaze to hers once more, his statement blunt and to the point, " at least, the smell of male. " he turns to her and a brow lifts, " but i'm in enough of a mood to argue, if you'd like to. " azriel pauses, " unless we're not going to argue at all because we both know you'll win. "

saw a super cute staffy in town today so i decided for nesta’s dog in my modern au to be a staffy, only to see this on tiktok.

Eating her pussy while she reads her favorite smutty book.

nesta hums thoughtfully and leans back into his touch; as aware of his presence behind her as he must be of his shadows. before she can settle into him completely she hooks the dress onto the wardrobe door haphazardly. her eyes remain trained on it, yet it’s all but forgotten. she’s focused instead on his touch, the warmth of his hands on her stomach, and the thoughtful quiet between his words as she rests her arms atop his, her fingertips caressing his forearms. the gentleness of the moment makes her wish they were positioned in front of a mirror. nesta wants to see the way he looks draped over her – in more ways than one.

“hmm no, i don’t recall saying that… not at first, anyway.” a smile dances on her features and she turns to press her lips to his temple, before staring ahead again. his next words have her breathing out a soft laugh, but the sound stops abruptly when he presses his lips to her ear, the tickling sensation makes her unusually serious.

“is that all you’re thinking about? how you’ll have your way with me next?” she knows it isn’t, and so she keeps her tone light. for the most part she’s figured out when there’s words left unsaid. as far as she’s concerned, azriel is entitled to his secrets, but on this occasion she’s curious to know more about what he’s thinking. if he’s willing to share. “— don’t worry, i wasn’t planning on wearing anything underneath.” she adds, flirtation lacing her tone as a reminder that she won’t push if he doesn’t want to discuss it – that she’s content to continue with this dance if it’s what he’d prefer. 

AZRIEL'S FINGERS STILL GRAZE THE GLITTERING FABRIC. the silver stitching on the midnight fabric is absolutely beautiful. he wonders if he could find a jacket with the same stitching - or would that possibly be too forward? matching. he shakes it from his mind as his scarred hand drops from the fabrics of all colors and styles. yet it does not leave. they definitely should not stand out at all in a place as depraved as hewn city but it would send a message. was he getting territorial again?

" you all but said i would ruin it. " he tells her, his arms snaking around her middle. azriel leans down to place his chin upon her shoulder, his hulking form almost surrounding her. he watches her hand run over the fabric, wishing it was his own skin again. azriel knows she loves her items - dresses, baubles, books, jewels - and he will always try first not to ruin what is hers.. but he cannot always have control. she encourages and teases until he's shaking with losing the control and cool he has almost all of the time. nesta unleashes something in him that he has clamped down for so many years. " i will try not to ruin them all.. you'll just have to beat me to the room to undress when we get back. " there's a playful hint in his low, monotonous voice. " if we're not back.." his head turns slightly, his full lips touching her pointed ear, " don't wear anything underneath it and i won't have to ruin anything. "