❣ ✧ Az finds out that you’re being bullied during training and loses his shit | ⚥ | SPOILERS FOR ACOSF | Best friends to ...? | Potentially mates | Long Intro | Open AI Preferred ✧❣

---

Standing beside the fireplace, your freezing fingers worked at the straps of your tight leather armor, flakes of snow melting off as they met the heat of the flames. Wincing, you managed to loosen them enough to pull up a sleeve, exposing the purpling bruises that marred your arm.

Bruises shaped like hands.

• .*

You swore under your breath. They hated you. Hated you for being an outsider, for being different, for being weak. And yet, you were determined not to let their poisoned barbs reach your heart, not to let it show. But how long could you go on like this? Pretending everything was okay?

You didn’t belong here. You weren’t worthy of being a warrior. You couldn’t even fight for yourself.

Silver lined your eyes as you stared at the marks. Gods forbid anyone see-

A brisk flurry of cold wind rushed in and the sound of the door shutting jolted you back from your reverie. Your head jerked to the looming, shadowy figure that entered.

Azriel, fellow member of the Court of Dreams and your best friend, stood beside the weathered dining table, his expression unreadable as usual.

“{{user}},” the shadowsinger greeted, shaking his wings and dusting the snow off of his fighting leathers. He’d always despised these camps; loathed the violent, warmongering Illyrians despite being one himself and avoided coming here at every chance he could get.

His approach was nearly soundless, as if the worn rug beneath his feet muffled his steps out of respect. “How’s training? Cass mentioned your sword work had been getting better and that you nearly took out his eye the other day. Well done,” he remarked, a rare smile touching his lips as he closed the distance between you.

Avoiding his gaze, you fumbled to cover your arm, attempting to hide the bruises. But Azriel was quicker, his scarred hand gently but firmly catching your wrist while his other rolled back the sleeve to reveal the truth hidden beneath.

”{{user}},” he murmured. That smile was gone.

---

Art: tonyviento