Honestly Before I Went On Instagram After Acosf I Didnt Even Known Gwynriel Was An Option And Genuinely

honestly before i went on instagram after acosf i didnt even known gwynriel was an option and genuinely thought no one shipped elucian 😭

This scene in ACOFAS is iconic. ICONIC! This was such a respectful, kind thing to do Az did. Even though they’re a family and super informal, it re-iterated how much he does pay attention to Elain, her presence, her efforts to be part of the family. (ALSO, CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW THIS WAS SUCH A HUSBAND THING TO DO - yes one of my headcanons is that Elriel is going to get a human wedding LOL)!!

The fact that it was clear he meant, wait for Elain to sit before eating, the fact that nobody began eating till she served herself, the fact that after she said hello to him she excused herself to fix her hair and apron, the fact that at this dinner table, Az breaks the tension between Elain and Amren… it’s so fascinating and sweet to see how innately he seems to be aware of her feelings her thoughts. Even if he doesn’t know what she’s thinking, he always seems to be trying to understand. Which is more than can be said for most of the IC, at the moment.

And in this same scene, when Rhys tells Feyre that Az told everyone to wait because he’s sensitive to how women are treated because of his mom (which I fully do believe!!) but then doesn’t seem to be able to connect the dots that this moment is very much about Elain when Feyre very obviously pokes holes in his explanation… SIGH. Rhys unintentionally pulls the wool over what is obvious to Feyre.

Sometimes I feel as though Rhys misunderstands Az’s feelings for Elain as purely physical. Perhaps he doesn’t expect it, perhaps he doesn’t want to face that he is asking his brother not to pursue the person he loves for political reasons. As if Az hasn’t been emotionally tapped into Elain’s every emotion, laugh, helping her heal from her trauma, from the second she arrives in Velaris. How in the midst of everything he tried to be her FRIEND, he wanted to and did save her from Hybern, the necklace, the talking about her garden plans. How Az seems to care for Elain in a way where he ‘sees’ her. And it’s understood how important this is for Elain, (who is ironically now a Seer) - to be seen. She commented much earlier in ACOWAR, how Graysen ‘saw’ her when nobody else did. When Az comes for her in Hybern, she ‘devours’ the sight of him, even says the words ‘You came for me.’ I always found Az’s response to her words, a mere incline, cock of the head so.. telling. As if it was unfathomable that he wouldn’t come for her, as if he was implying that it made all the sense in the world for him to be there for her and get her home, unharmed and safe. He sees her, he notices her, puts her first, prioritises her, is as aware of her laughter as he is of her sadness.

And that is WHY it isn’t purely ‘physical.’ And I know that when Elain and Rhys comes to a head about everything (because let’s be honest, Elain is going to pop off at Rhys for interfering, albeit unintentionally, with her choice, and maybe even at Az if he doesn’t tell her). And Feyre and Nesta will be right behind her and things will work out because Az and Elain deserve to have a happy ending, just as much as everyone else in this damn story.