We'll wait

( Rhysand POV ) :

"... And this idiot here really tried to convince his mother and father that-"

A loud belch cut off Mor's light voice.

All eyes immediately turned pointedly to Cassian.

Cassian only grinned smugly, patting his stomach. "Excuse me."

Feyre snorted from where she sat beside him, shoving an elbow into his side, causing Cassian to yelp. "Cassian using manners. I never thought I'd see the day."

This drew a laugh from everyone except Cassian. I was simply relieved that the interruption had seemed to cause everyone to forget about where Mor had left off. My cousin was taking the joy in reminiscing about our younger days, centuries ago. When I was a stupid, naïve boy, and did stupid, naïve things. Most of the time dragging Mor along with me. My family seemed to love to mock their High Lord.

Amren wrinkled her small nose in disdain.

Cassian protested at the gesture thrown at him by the female. "One : Dinner was delicious, as usual. Two : I pretty much ate half of Nyx's plate on top of my four plates."

He realised his mistake as soon as he shut his mouth.

"You had four plates?!" Mor howled, and Azriel snorted.

"May I ask why you were helping yourself to Nyx's dinner?" I asked amusedly.

Cassian grimaced, avoiding Feyre's stare boring into him. "The kid begged me to help him out. Who am I to refuse? I know I wouldn't want to eat any of that at his age."

Feyre sighed, meeting my gaze from across the room. "He's already such a fussy eater."

"Looks like he took after Rhysie," Cassian smirked.

"You were a picky eater?" Nesta asked interestedly from under Cassian's arm, his other draped around Feyre's shoulders.

I opened my mouth to object, when Azriel drawled, "He wouldn't eat his vegetables. His mother used to chase him around their house, trying to shove them down his throat."

The whole room burst into laughter, even Elain chuckling from her seat by the fireplace.

"Is today 'mock Rhys' day?" I questioned defensively.

Cassian threw me a wink. "That's everyday, brother."

Amren smirked at me. "It's a shame that Varian isn't with us today. I would love for him to entertain the Summer Court with embarrassing childhood stories of the High Lord of the Night Court."

I took a sip from my wineglass, refraining from firing back at her. Varian had become a close member of our family, if only because he was important to Amren, so he was important to me. But, I trusted the Prince of Adriata with our secrets. I trusted him to enter my home and to have no ill intention.

"I think I would enjoy that, too," my mate said, voice full of humour.

I stroked a mental hand across her mind. Play nice.

Feyre raised a brow at me. Or what?

I smirked slightly. We'll see if you're mocking me when I have you screaming my name.

Feyre couldn't stop her cheeks from darkening, even as she threw me out of her head.

I chuckled. Azriel coughed next to Feyre.

"Sorry," my mate muttered to no one in particular.

I settled back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. When Feyre's blue-grey eyes finally met mine again, I winked at her, full of promises.

"What did we say about public displays of affection?" Mor raised her voice, sending a look heavy with accusations our way. "You mates are insufferable."

"We didn't do anything," Nesta retorted, Cassian echoing his agreement.

"How does Nyx manage to sleep in the same bed as you two?" Mor asked.

I shrugged. "Ask him."

"Tomorrow," my cousin said, flinging an arm over her eyes and stretching her legs out in front of her.

We settled into a quiet, peaceful silence.

As if we had summoned him, Nyx toddled into the room. But his cheeks were streaked with tears. I immediately went into defence mode and went to get up, but Feyre was already moving. Azriel beat her to it however, kneeling in front of Nyx.

Feyre sent a worried glance my way, but I nodded. If anyone could tame the darkness, it was Azriel.

My brother took Nyx's hands in his scarred ones. "Breathe," he murmured.

Nyx didn't calm down. His sobs filled the room, the sound like a knife to my gut, no, my heart. Azriel kept his stance, didn't balk.

"It's okay. You're okay. I understand."

The rest became muffled sound as Az's shadows coiled around Nyx. But slowly, his sobs began to quieten.

The room was dead silent as Nyx reappeared. He was still crying, silent tears streaming down his face, but his shaking had ceased, and he had calmed down. He knew where he was. He clung onto Azriel, who kissed his forehead, before moving out of the way.

Feyre took the last few steps to Nyx, stopping to press a kiss to Az's cheek in gratitude, before she dropped to her knees and pulled her son into her arms.

He had had a nightmare. Most of the time, my mate and I were right next to him to comfort him. It's why I believed he still slept with us in our bed, even going on four years old.

"Mama," Nyx mumbled quietly.

"Yes, love?"

"Water."

Feyre got up, making her way towards me and bundled Nyx onto my lap. "Stay with Dadda while I get you water," she said gently, kissing his head before leaving the room.

I observed my son, his blue eyes staring back at mine. I carefully wiped his damp face with my thumbs.

"Want to tell me what happened?" I asked softly.

"Bad dream," he sniffled, rubbing his nose with his sleeve. I plucked a piece of tissue paper from the table beside me and moved his arm to wipe at his nose.

"Blow as hard as you can," I said.

He did, his face turning pink until I released his nose. "That's it," I murmured, the tissue disappearing.

I clenched my hand in a fist, poking my thumb out between my fingers. "Got your nose," I said lightheartedly.

For a second I regretted making the joke, until a small giggle spurted through Nyx's mouth, his hands grabbing at his nose.

"Dadda," he complained.

I smiled, my heart warming. "Fine. I'll put it back," I gave in, tapping my thumb lightly to his nose.

Nyx laughed. "Thanks."

His expression quickly turned to one of sadness again, though, the fear still lingering in his eyes. So I cuddled him into my chest, holding him tightly.

I met Nesta's stormy gaze over my son's dark head. She was already watching me, like everyone else in the room. She offered me a smile, and I inclined my head.

I tried to convey everything I wanted to say with my eyes. Thank you. For this. For life. For my son. For my mate. That I can hold him, and comfort him. You granted me a gift that I will never stop being grateful to you for. As long as I live. Thank you.

She seemed to understand though, her smile slightly widening. Cassian squeezed his mate's shoulder, his arm tightening around her.

Mor dawdled over to where I was sat and brushed a kiss over her nephew's cheek.

When Feyre came back in, holding a glass of water, our son had already begun to doze off. She discarded the glass on a nearby table, her eyes softening when they landed on us. She came over to sit on the the arm of the chair, resting her head on my shoulder.

Is he okay? She said into my mind.

For now. I frowned, tucking him in closer.

What's that supposed to mean? Feyre replied.

I chewed on my lip. He never wants to talk about them, the nightmares. One day, he's going to have to.

He's still a child, Rhys, Feyre countered. He's not ready.

So we'll wait until he's ready, I said simply.

Feyre seemed content with my answer, sliding her arm around my shoulder.

Yes. We'll wait.

***

Nyx baby has nightmares :'((( that hurts me.

I assume they're connected to his birth or something, given that he wasn't breathing when he came out of the womb. I can't imagine how traumatic that must be for him :(

And can I just say something to people who are mad that Feysand had a baby.

Firstly, no, Feyre isn't too young to have a kid. You don't get to decide that for her. She's probably 22 at the age when she gave birth to Nyx. Feyre wanted a kid herself, it was completely consensual and I think that she gets to decide if she's ready for a child after everything she's been through, and clearly, she is.

People who think that Rhys is abusive and pressured her into having a baby???

Rhys has always been the most supportive of Feyre, and he never once even pressured her into that. When she brings it up to him on Solstice, he asks her if she's sure multiple times. He tries to reason with her, give her room to change her mind, obviously making sure that this isn't just some sudden decision that she'll regret in the future.

We've already seen that Rhys would never force Feyre into doing anything she doesn't want to do. In Acowar, on the night of the High Lords meeting, when Feyre said that she didn't want to have sex because Tamlin was so close, Rhys was completely fine with that. He didn't hesitate at all, he had no objections and he told Feyre that she never needed to apologize to him for anything. Ever. If Rhys isn't the most goddamn respectful male out there, I don't know who is.

And when he hid from Feyre how dangerous the childbirth could be, he was only trying to protect her in his own way. If Feyre found out so soon that she could very well die giving birth to her baby, I'm sure that wouldn't have been good for her or her pregnancy at all. Yes, Rhys should have told her sooner, but Feyre understood why he didn't. Adding on to that, Rhys wasn't the only one who hid it from her. The entire Inner Circle agreed to. So even though Rhys is Feyre's mate, don't shove all the blame and responsibility on to him.

Another thing, Nesta stans. After reading Acosf, believe it or not, I stan Nesta too. She's total badass and she really grew on me.

People have an issue with how Rhysand treated her throughout the book. Well, he had always tried to be nice to her before that, even when he didn't want to, even when she was a complete bitch in return, time and time again. So yeah, I guess he lost his patience trying to be civil to someone who was never nice in return.

People have an issue with Rhysand's behaviour towards Nesta, but when Nesta is a complete bitch to him, her sisters and everyone else who tried to be nice to her, we like her! Because she's different, she's not like other women. She stands up for herself, she's a badass. Whatever. Still a bitch, though. And it doesn't excuse her behaviour.

People forgave Nesta in the end because they got to read from her point of view and see how she was feeling and her healing journey and her trauma. So once you started to relate to her and empathise with her, you forgive her.

But God forbid we ever forgive Rhysand. Here's a thought, you didn't get to read from his point of view, you only saw how he was feeling from other people's eyes, not his own.

Just wanted to put my thoughts out there...

I don't believe that anyone who is anti-Rhysand would ever click on a Feysand fanfic, but if you're here, hi!

Sorry for ranting lol

But anyway, I hope you enjoyed some time with the IC. We love them.

As always feel free to leave any suggestions or prompts - much appreciated!

Love you all and see you soon :)))

Ayesha xoxox