Pairing: Azriel x F!Reader
A/N: I'm still having awful writer's block and have been busy and not having a great time in my personal life so here's a very short and very self indulgent story.
The air was colder than you anticipated, wrapping your arms around yourself as the wind caressed the bare skin, raising goosebumps with its touch. You were ready to give up when the shadowsinger spoke up from his place sitting against the railing.
It takes you a moment to process the words, eyes widening slightly as you did. You'd think you heard him wrong if it weren't just the two of you on top of the roof, making it impossible to mistake the whispered words. In all the years you've known Azriel he had never asked something like this of you, or anyone, not so openly.
You followed him here because you noticed how upset he seemed at dinner, barely saying a word and keeping to himself even more than he usually did, but beyond a few encouraging words from you and a refusal to share his feelings from him, you had expected to go back to your room empty handed.
Azriel always seemed so intent on keeping his emotions to himself that it made you even more curious and worried for the reason he was feeling like this today. You weren't going to let that stop you though. Nevermind what happened, all that matters is that he needed you.
“Of course,” you answer quickly, perhaps a bit too loudly, especially in the quiet of the night and the vulnerability of the moment. You've always wished Azriel would let you or anyone else in at times like these, that he shared his problems or at least let someone comfort him.
A ghost of a smile appears on his face before you both reach for each other at the same time, kneeling down in front of him and letting him pull you closer, your arms wrapping around his neck as his circle your waist, his wings following suit and creating a cocoon around your melded bodies, his shadows joining in and effectively hiding you both from the outside world.
You let him hold onto you like it was his last lifeline. His face falling onto the crook of your neck, breath hitting your skin in unhurried pants, as you run your fingers through his hair, trying your best to give him the peace of mind he seems to be craving so badly.
Over the last few months, your relationship with Azriel seemed to have evolved into something else, something you were too scared to admit for now, not quite ready for such monumental feelings. Still, your heart stirred as he held you close, as his breath came out slower and his body relaxed against yours. You were happy to be a calm and comforting presence for him, it was all you needed actually.
“You don't have to tell me what's wrong,” you start, softly this time, careful not to disturb the air around you, “but I want you to know that whenever you feel like this and you just want someone to hold you, or listen to your worries and doubts, take a walk with you or even spar with to let out your frustrations, you can come to me.”
He stops for a second, letting your words sink in before he pulls his face away from the safe place he made for himself against your neck, never straying too far as he looks into your eyes, searching.
“I'll always be here for you,” you confirm softly, a smile playing at your lips, one that widens when he lets out a sigh, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against yours, arms holding onto you even tighter than before, until you could feel his heart beating against yours.