Cassian x oblivious Illyrian! Reader - Dinner Date
The Illyrian war general stood before you, silhouetted against the harsh outside light of the snowy camp, the sheer bulk of him and his wings taking up your entire doorway.
But then he talks softly, gently, mentioning a new restaurant in Velaris, almost doubtful of himself. You were completely unacquainted with this side of Cassian. He was always so confident, charming even on occasion.
It took you a while to understand what he had said, before nodding in confirmation that you had heard him. “That sounds…nice. I’ll make sure to fly down some time…” Was that the right response? Was he recommending it?
The general’s brow furrowed slightly, moving to step forward then stopping as he was on the threshold of your home. You shook your head, smiling, and welcomed him in, it was Cassian after all. He dipped his chin and stepped inside, shutting the door softly behind him.
“I wanted to take you there,” he spoke, “it seemed like a place you would enjoy.”
You cocked your head. “What’s it like?”
Cassian reached to the back of his neck, resting his hand there, “well, it has…nice lighting?” He began. You gave him an encouraging look. “I saw some plants in the windows,” he added, making you smile. “That sounds lovely, Cassian.” His wings flared slightly behind him.
He opened his mouth to speak but there was a knock at the door making him turn. You shuffled past him, careful to avoid batting wings, opening the door then casting it wider when you saw it was the Shadowsinger, as serious as always. There seemed to be a glint in his eye however when he spotted the general inside - something akin to playfulness?
“I though you might be here,” Azriel spoke quietly, making Cassian scowl at him.
“Would you like to come in?” You stepped aside so he could enter but he shook his head. “Best not,” again, another glance at the general. You tilted your head, had they had an argument?
Trying to get past the tension in the room, you opened your damned mouth, “Cassian was just telling me about the new restaurant that opened?” The Shadowsinger’s eyes returned to yours, a mischievous glint surfacing. “I would be delighted to go out for a meal, how nice of you to offer.”
Your face heated, “I, um—,” this was certainly a new side to him.
“You’re not invited.” Cassian snapped irritably at his brother, arms folding over his broad chest, wings flaring ever so slightly.
“So who is invited?” Azriel drawled from the threshold. The general tried and failed to suppress a scowl, “just the two of us,” he snapped, then added hastily as he turned toward you, “if you would like.”
You squeezed your lips together anxiously, eyes flitting from his to the floor then back, the generals all-seeing gaze marking the reaction and sending a look to the Shadowsinger, a small grin tipping his lips. Azriel didn’t even bat an eyelash. “I would like that, thank you,” you managed, trying to wash the heat from your cheeks.
“I’ll meet you here at dusk, then,” he spoke, male pride shining through his words as the feline grin became more prominent, reaching his eyes.
You tensed at that mischievous look was amplified in the Shadowsinger’s gaze, “another time then, (y/n),” his eyes moved to yours, making you look away from the beautiful male. In your peripherals, you saw how the general’s lip curled, making the Shadowsinger chuckle.
“Calm down Cass, you aren’t there yet,” Azriel drawled, making Cassian’s jaw tense. “Kindly, fu—,” your eyes snapped to the generals, “—go away,” he finished. Azriel raised a single taunting brow, “fu-go away?” Cassian levelled a glare at the Shadowsinger.
The Shadowsinger shook his head, a grin on his mouth, “down bad, huh?” Before Cassian could do anything he would regret, or anything at all for that matter, you spoke up, “‘down bad’?” You hadn’t heard the expression before. Azriel’s eyes returned to yours, a glimmer of delight glinting there. “He’s making things up now, ignore him.” You suppressed a smile at the irony of Cassian telling you to ignore him.
Azriel did no such thing however, now grinning at his brother, “I think I’ll be fu-going now,” he turned, stepped away from your hut, then flared his large wings, soaring up into the air seconds later.
“Prick,” the general muttered under his breath. “He sure knows how to get under your skin,” you laughed softly, shutting the door to your home. “He’s my brother,” Cassian mumbled, “of course he does,” he scowled at the floor.
“Is there a dress code? For the restaurant?” You asked, breaking him out of his brooding. “No—it’s just for a nice evening out, for…” Cassian fumbled, “…us." You tilted your head at him curiously.
“Well I’ll be on my way, see you this evening,” he offered you a small grin. You suddenly understood the appeal of teasing him, “so you’ll be fu-going now, too?” His eyes snapped to yours, a bit wider than usual, before his shoulders relaxed, “not you too,” he groaned, though a playful smile gleamed in his eyes.
What to wear? What to wear, what to wear, what to wear???
You sighed audibly as you rooted through your closet, a very limited amount of clothing inside. It really wasn’t very often you were asked out for dinner - especially not by Cassian.
‘Between…us.’
Your cheeks heated again. You shook your head hopelessly at the various fleeces and cloaks that were displayed before you. Rummaging through one last time, pushing deeper between the folds of fur and leather, your fingers brushed something soft. Wrapping your hand around the material, you pulled it forward, carefully.
It was velvet, the fabric a midnight blue. Your breath caught in your throat. You had forgotten about this dress - rather embarrassingly - you had just never had the opportunity to wear it. It was the gift Cassian had so generously given you one solecist, maybe three years back?
Would that be too weird? It’s not like you had anything else to wear. Your cheeks heated, wondering how he would react.
Not giving yourself anytime to second guess yourself, you undressed and slipped into the navy gown.
Since Cassian was picking you up from the camp and you would be flying down together, you put on one of your cloaks, so as not to freeze while flying down. It was black and lined with fur, weighted at the bottom so it didn’t lift under harsh winds. It was one of your favourites since it had both sleeves, and pockets!
As agreed, Cassian had knocked on your door at dusk, he had come to fly with you down to Velaris. On the way down you made simply talk, asking how his day had been, him then returning the question. Cassian took the lead when you reached the city, showing you where to fly down to.
It was breathtaking every single time, the warm lights glimmering across the city, like stars. The restaurant itself was further away from the centre of Velaris than you had expected, closer to the outskirts but pleasantly quieter.
The inside was lit with bright candles and just as Cassian had mentioned, plants were indeed littered about the entrance and windows, fireflies being attracted to some of the plants. The interior was beautiful too, sofas and armchairs inside, a variety of ochre yellows, sandy oranges and autumnal reds glowing from the lighting. You fought to keep your tears down at the peaceful beauty of the place, forgetting the impact that this rare tranquility had on you.
“Over here,” Cassian murmured, guiding you to the corner of the room where a staircase was. You cocked your head but followed him up the stairs. The banisters had small carvings decorating them, suns, leaves and flowers blossoming up the wood.
He reached the top, opening the door that would lead to the first floor. He walked in and stepped aside for you, watching as the breath was stolen from you. It was the roof, a glass conservatory placed above it so the flowers and plants that needed the sunlight would be plenty full. There was a table inside the glass room and one on the other side of the glass, each had candles decorating their tops, ornate plates with gleaming silverware wrapped in crisp rosy napkins. A small vase of flowers was set in the centre.
Tears really did fill the corners of your vision this time, taking in the sunset flowers that had pale pink leaves blooming from them. “It’s beautiful, Cassian,” you whispered, reeling from the breathtaking scene.
When you met his hazel eyes, they seemed alight with a contentment you couldn’t put into words. There was a smile curving his lips and in that moment he appeared more handsome than ever, a quiet happiness you hadn’t seen on him before now lining his body. “I’m glad you like it,” he murmured, eyes never leaving yours that were wide with curiosity at the secret beauty he had revealed to you.
He moved toward the table, you finally turning to remove your dense cloak, folding it neatly and placing it on a stool that was by the door. The night breeze was held at bay by the glass walls, something you took comfort in as you parted with the fur of your cloak.
You turned in time to see Cassian had pulled out a seat for you and had now turned to where you were. This time it was his eyes that widened as they traced over your figure.
The dress he had gifted you three years ago for your first shared solecist, a velvety midnight blue. It hung from around your neck, crossing over your collarbones then flowing down your body. The waist was held snug against you by the silky laces that were sewn to the sides, so the wearer could adjust the tightness as they saw fit, tying the laces over the bare back. You moved forwards, the slit up one side of the dress parting to reveal a section of your upper thigh that his eyes glided over.
Initially you hadn’t realised it had come with gloves too, until you had removed it from its hanger and they had dropped from within, having been hidden within the inside of the bodice. Now you were glad you had found them as the covered the goosebumps that rose of your forearms as he drank you in.
“You…” he breathed, swallowed, “you kept it?” He managed hoarsely. You stayed silent, nodding. “Beautiful,” he murmured beneath his breath, “absolutely beautiful.” Heat warmed your cheeks as you lowered your gaze, nervous from his intense expression.
You walked to the chair he had pulled out for you, sitting down and moving with him as he pushed you in. He sat down opposite you, watching with a reverence that made you feel like you were the most magnificent being he had ever laid eyes on. And he thought you were.
It had been such a long time since beauty had held his heart at its utter mercy. The sight of you wrapped so perfectly within the midnight velvet, moonbeams making the light in your eyes dance, made you appear like a sapphire swathed in stars.
The dinner passed smoothly, entertaining each other with humorous jabs over the delicious meal, having enjoyed appetisers, a main course and a desert each. You rested your hand on your stomach once you were finished.
“That was delicious,” you sighed, contented, leaning back into your chair. “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Cassian spoke up, a smile on his face though it seemed a bit forced. You tilted your head to one side slightly, watching him from across the table. “What’s wrong?” You frowned. Had you said something wrong?
He swallowed, smiled, shook his head, “nothing’s wrong, it’s fine.” You looked at him, frown deepening, “the very face you had to specify ‘it’s fine’ means there’s something bothering you,” you pointed out, watching as his fingers traced over the cold silverware. He remained silent, either not knowing what to say or not wanting to. “Of course it’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it,” you added hastily, not wanting to push him.
He looked up at you, hazel eyes staring you down, sizing you up. You fought not to reel back in your seat from that look. His pupils had contracted, small spots from where you sat, focus razor sharp - all of it on you. Honestly, sometimes you forgot the power he had, the knowledge and experience of war, everything he had been through. It didn’t scare you - the thoughts of actions he had been made to commit, from circumstance or time - like it once had.
“Cassian?” You murmured, softly, breaking him out of his gaze. He blinked, then also leant back in his chair, shifting so his weight was more on one side that the other - odd. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” you spoke quickly, not wanting to make him feel bad. “If you have something on your mind, or something you need to get done, I can—”
“No.” He cut you off, abruptly, sharply. You blinked in surprise, brows curving upwards in worry and a bit of hurt from the tone, though you tried to ignore that. His tone had never mattered before. “No, it’s fine,” he spoke, softer than before. “It’s just—” he was struggling to find the words. “It’s fine, you don’t have to—”
“But I want to.” His eyes bore into your own, an expression of desire settling behind his eyes, a desperation to articulate his thoughts. You swallowed, heavily, relaxing your shoulders, “then go ahead,” you murmured, gently, “I’ll wait.” You settled yourself, giving him time to figure out what he wanted to say and how.
Eventually he took in a deep breath, “this dinner,” he began, “do you know why I invited you?” He was watching you intently. “Why I wanted it to be with you, and not the others?” Your brow creased, “because the restaurant is new?” You tried. A muscle feathered in his jaw, “it’s because I enjoy your company,” he managed. “I enjoy being around you,” his eyes flickered away to the plants momentarily, then returned. “I feel…” his gaze darted about the room again, trying to put the lightness in his head and tension around his heart into words. His brows narrowed in frustration, irritation lining his body. He almost looked disappointed in himself. “I feel…” he mumbled, eyes narrowed on the floor while you waited patiently.
He swallowed, eyes widening a bit. He looked at you, then away, then back. He took in another deep breath, standing. You remained seated as he walked over to your side of the table, stopping a little way from you. He held out his hand in silent request. You were confused but you gave him your hand anyway, going with him as he pulled you up, bringing your hand to rest on his chest.
Heat rose to your cheeks as he held you palm there, splayed out over his heart. Your lips parted slightly when you felt the beat of his heart, pumping fast, matching the rate of your own. “That’s you,” he whispered, other arm circling your waist, guiding you forwards softly enough that you could pull back if you wished. “That’s what you do to me,” he breathed, pupils blown wide as he watched you, a peace in his eyes now he had done what he wanted to. You looked up at him with widened eyes as his forehead rested against yours. “It’s yours.” You felt his next words on your mouth, so close to one another, “if you want it.”
This was your choice. A big decision to make, one that would no doubt hugely affect your future, how it was spent, who it was with.
This was your choice. The easiest decision in the world as you lifted onto your tiptoes, meeting him the rest of the way as your lips pressed against his. You stayed like that for a bit, before settling back down onto your feet, looking up at him.
You took a moment to breath deeply as you reached to pull his right hand from your waist, entwining your fingers with his. You locked eyes as you brought his hand and placed it above your own heart, certain he could feel the hammering pace.
You smiled up at him, a mixture of nerves and excitement filling you, “you’ll have mine,” you breathed, “and I’ll have yours.” You pressed your lips to his again, delving further, feeling his heart rate soar and yours matching his pace.
You both pulled away, cheeks tinted rose, breathless, “I’ll have you, Cassian.”
