Chapter Text
Gwyneth Berdara had a problem.
She’s had one for the past five years. A six-foot three, dark haired, hazel eyed, tattooed problem…who was currently waiting outside her door.
“Gwyn?” He called, voice echoing from what she presumed was the sitting area of her apartment, “You all good in there?”
“Yup,” she replied over her shoulder, “Just zipping my suitcase up right now Azriel!”
Azriel.
God that asshole was the absolute bane of her existence. With his stupid deep voice, aggravating good manners, annoying pretty face, and infuriating calming, quiet personality, Gwyn found herself idiotically, ridiculously, and utterly in love with him.
And she wished that this was a new revelation. Maybe then it would be easier to look at him for more than five seconds without a web of longing constricting her heart. No, because with her luck, Gwyn had found Azriel captivating from the moment they crossed paths all those years ago.
She wished their first meeting was more romantic, but really, they only met because they had been partnered up on a project in an elective class in their freshman year of university, “Music 101”.
Gwyn knew she was a goner from the way her pulse had started racing as he got up and sauntered over to her when their names were called together. And when he opened his full lips and muttered a quiet, “Hello,” in a deep baritone voice? She was just about ready to sign the marriage papers right then and there.
Things only got worse for Gwyn when this Adonis of a man was going to be around her for a lot longer because not one, but two of her closest friends started dating those in his inner circle. From then on, it wasn’t just in class that she had to deal with Azriel’s polite and respectful nature, his attentive listening to whatever odd topic she’d decided to word vomit about, and seeing his unfairly pretty face, but rather at every birthday party, group hangout, or momentous celebration too.
Fast forward to now, a few study sessions, a lot of group get-togethers, a graduation, and half a decade later, the initial giddiness and excitement of having a crush had devolved into a ball of bitterness in the back of her throat as she got used to being in the friendzone.
“Oh by the way Gwyn,” Azriel called out again, “Mor sent me a message saying that her and Emerie got snowed in so they’ll try to make their own way up. We don’t need to carpool anymore.”
Five years and she hadn’t even made it past the carpool phase.
“Got it,” She replied, “Hopefully they’re all okay and are able to come.”
“With how long you’re taking, I’m pretty sure they’ll beat us there.” A teasing tone was evident and Gwyn fought the urge to roll her eyes.
With one last tug of a zipper, her suitcase was finally closed, and after doing a mental checklist of all the things she needed, lifted her luggage with a grunt, and went out to meet the one man who made it impossible for her to function.
It took every ounce of will power that Gwyn possessed to not let her knees go weak at the sight before her.
Azriel was the very definition of effortlessly handsome. Dressed in loose dark wash jeans, an old Velaris University sweatshirt, with a black jacket, paired with black lace up boots, he looked more like an off duty model than a man about to go on a four hour road trip.
A dark eyebrow raised in her direction when she came around the corner. “Are we going on a second trip afterwards that I wasn’t aware of?”
“Very funny Az,” Gwyn replied, sarcasm dripping into every word. “For your information, I am well equipped with every necessity needed in order to survive in case we get lost in the woods, the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, all the electricity at the resort gets cut off-”
“Literally none of that is going to happen.” Azriel deadpanned. With two long strides, he was picking up her suitcase with ease and already walking towards the door. “Besides, you’re with me. I wouldn’t let you freeze to death and I definitely wouldn’t let you get killed by man or bear.”
A fuzzy feeling stirred in her at his words and the way the veins in his hands popped.
“I feel like a Victorian man seeing a woman’s legs for the first time.” Gwyn muttered to herself.
“What?”
“Nothing! I’m just locking up!”
~
By hour four of the drive, Gwyn wanted to die.
The book she had packed for the drive had reached a lull in the story, the small bags she had been knitting as gifts for Emerie and Nesta had been completed by hour two, she’d eaten all of the fun snacks she had packed, gone through the resort’s travel brochure about ten times, and was pretty sure that her left leg had fallen asleep forty minutes ago.
So now, Gwyn had resorted to the last thing she wanted to do. Talking about her Christmas shopping to Azriel.
“And then the lady had the audacity to yell -yes yell- at me for nothing at all!”
“Oh really?”
“Yup! Like, excuse you? My bad for wanting to buy the last hoverbat for Nyx I guess? But even if she did need it for her grandchild’s present, who the hell grabs a toy out of someone’s hands, as they’re about to place it on the checkout counter?”
“The audacity.”
“Oh it gets even worse Az.”
“I didn’t think that was possible.”
“Trust me. With this psycho woman it got real ugly, really fast. We have barely scraped the surface.”
“I’m already on the edge of my seat.”
“The old grandma then starts berating and shouting at the poor store clerk who told her that the hoverbat was rightfully mine to purchase and goes on a whole tangent about how youth nowadays have no respect for their elders. And honestly, what the fuck is she expecting us to act when living fossils starts snatching things out of our hands, demanding it for their snot filled, crying, grandchildren?”
“Bring back the meteor.”
Gwyn let out a laugh that filled the car. “But anyway, at the end of it all, the manager came and called mall security on her. She was escorted out while raging while I was able to get the bat and then a gift card for my troubles.”
“Sounds like all was made right with the world.” Azriel replied, a smile stretching across his gorgeous face.
“Damn right it was.” She huffed, before slightly turning up the slow jazz playing through the car speakers. Contentment soaked into her bones and she relaxed back into her seat. Though every now and then she’d glance towards Azriel, admiring his features.
It was times like this that made Gwyn realize how much she loved him. There was a certain comfort and ease she felt around Azriel unlike any other, a dynamic that allowed her to be so naturally herself, not embarrassed by anything, even getting into a fight with an old lady over a children's toy.
She knew with certainty that even if she recited every book she’s ever read, sang him every song she’s ever heard, or told him every story she’s lived, Azriel would listen.
With effort, she tore her gaze away from and peered out the window, eyes now widening with glee at the view that now entered her vision.
“Az look!” Gwyn exclaimed, “I can see the mountains already! Oh those slopes are going to be so fun to glide down, then look so crisp. And look! Even from here, the lights from the town can be seen! Isn’t it just gorgeous?”
“Gorgeous indeed.”
She turned back to face him and could have sworn that his eyes were fixed on her before darting back to the road. “You’re not even looking at the mountains.”
“I’ll see it better when we’re closer,” Azriel replied, his cheeks appearing slightly flushed. “And with what the GPS is saying, it shouldn’t be long at all until we arrive.”
With a grin on her face, Gwyn looked out at the mountains and couldn’t wait until they were finally there.
~
As Azriel parked the car and brought their suitcases up the steps of the resort, Gwyn had already made a full itinerary for the few days that they were staying.
“...the slopes will be perfect on that and the weather will be ideal too! I also read last week that there is the cutest little shop near the blue slopes that sells the best apple cider. Then on the weekends, they have a little Christmas market in town for the whole night and so many cute vendors are there to sell trinkets! If I leave here without a trinket I will be rioting.”
Azriel let out a deep laugh and she almost didn’t feel the snow falling on her from the way she melted inside. “I will make it my mission that you get your trinket then.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” She proclaimed, chin angled up to meet his hazel eyes.
“Hello and welcome to Velaris Heights, the place to go for winter fun and relaxation! Are you here to check in?” The friendly voice of a clerk by the doors sent a zing of elation through Gwyn.
“Yes and we are so ready! I’ve read so much about this place and it’s even better now that we’re here!”
The employee let out a warm laugh, “It’s always a joy to see energy like yours around here! Just through these doors is the main lobby, to the right is for check in or check out, to the left is where our help desk is for any questions or concerns regarding the resort.”
Azriel and Gwyn both thanked them for the assistance before walking through the main lobby.
“How about I call Rhys and you call Emerie and Nesta to see where they all are?” He suggested, setting both of their luggage down to the side of the check in counter.
She nodded in agreement before pulling out her phone, Azriel walking a little further away to ring his brother.
After a few seconds, the group call lights up with Emerie and Nesta answering.
“Hey girls, Az and I just got to the resort, are you all going to be here soon too?”
There is a moment of silence from both ends and Gwyn’s stomach sinks.
“Bad news Gwyn,” Nesta started, “Cassian’s car broke down about twenty minutes from the house. We’re waiting for the tow truck right now but it’s not looking too good.”
“Oh shit, are you guys okay though?”
“Yeah, we’re okay, just a little spooked because we were about to get on the highway but no injuries at all.” She affirmed, “The mechanic is closed due to the holidays so the car won’t be able to get fixed for a while.”
“Okay it’s good to hear that you guys are alright at least.” Gwyn commented, relieved that her friend was okay. “What about you Em? Are you and Mor going to be able to make it through the snow?”
“I’m sorry G but I don’t think that we will,” Emerie began, “the weather hasn’t let up here are all and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping. A lot of the major roads are closed due to it. I doubt we’d be able to leave now or even tomorrow.”
“God, I’m so sorry,” Nesta apologized, “I know how much you were looking forward to all of us being there. Hopefully Feyre, Rhys, and Nyx will be able to make it.”
“It’s alright you guys,” Gwyn reassured, “Your safety is more important and the last thing I need is either of your names showing up on the news because you’ve gotten yourselves in a wreck. There’s always next year or even the summer!”
They said their goodbyes and well wishes to one another, with Nesta even promising to get the name of the tropical resort Elain and Lucien were spending their Christmas.
Looking up, Gwyn was faced with an approaching Azriel who had a rather bleak expression on his face. She quirked an eyebrow in his direction, “Bad news I assume?”
“Nyx got sick and then Rhys got sick, so Feyre is currently dealing with two snotty babies and can’t make it.” He grumbled.
Gwyn snickered at both his choice of words and the grumpy expression on his face.
“Unfortunately I have no good news either.” She sighed, “Cassian’s car broke down and they won’t be able to get it fixed for a while because their mechanic is away.” Azriel’s eyebrows furrowed and a look of concern came over his face. “Don’t worry, they’re all okay. They didn’t get into a crash or anything, just broke down at the side of the road.”
He nodded and the tension relaxed from him. “Emerie and Mor?”
“The weather has only gotten worse for them and it’s unlikely they’ll even be able to leave tomorrow with how many roads are closed.” She continued with a sigh. “Looks like it’s just going to be us.”
“Fuck, well this is one way for our vacation to do.” Azriel huffed in disbelief.
“Hey look on the bright side,” Gwyn proposed, “Rhys bought the best rooms money could get and now with them gone, we can each get one! We’ll be living like kings and sleeping in a bed designed for one too. Plus all the resort activities aren’t going anywhere so we can still have plenty of fun.”
He studied her for a moment, then a small smile broke on his face. “You’re right, the getaway is not ruined.” Azriel paused for a moment. “Besides, it’s not the worst thing in the world if it’s just the two of us anyway.”
Before Gwyn could even process what he said, Az was already picking up their luggage and heading towards the check in desk, with her then speed walking to catch up with his long strides.
“Hello, how are you?” Azriel greeted the receptionist. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before he continued. “I’m here to check in? The name is under Rhysand Darling.”
“Perfect, I have your rooms prepared for you. May I see a piece of ID please?”
“Oh, I’m not Rhysand. He’s my brother.” Azriel corrected. “He booked all the rooms for the vacation but he’s not able to make it because him and his son got sick.”
“Unfortunately, due to these being luxury suites and multiple of them, I’m unable to give you access to the rooms unless I see a piece of ID for the name it’s written under.” The receptionist replied apologetically but firmly.
Gwyn chewed her lip nervously, “Is there anything that we can do? If we call him up or have him email over documents that have his ID, would that suffice?”
They shook their head. “It has to be a physical piece of ID that can’t be digitally altered.”
“Well there goes the slopes and the market.” She muttered dejectedly under her breath, before turning to Azriel, who seemed to be deep in thought.
“Are there any rooms at all available?” He inquired.
“I can definitely take a look for you.” They replied. After a few moments the receptionist let out a sound of approval. “You two are just in luck! We’re usually booked top to bottom at this time of the year, but there’s been a cancellation and we have one suite available on the seventh floor that is free for the next few days.”
“Oh just the night is fin-”
“We’ll take it for three days.” Azriel interrupted. Gwyn shot him a perplexed look.
“What? Az there’s no way we’re going to stay in a suite here by ourselves.”
“Why not?” He shrugged. “We took the time off, drove all the way here, and you went through the resort brochure about ten times, circling all the activities and places you want to go. We’re already here so might as well make the most of it.”
“I know, but still. The rooms here aren’t cheap and-”
“Trust me on this Gwyn.” He insisted, eyes filled with determination. “I know how much you’ve been looking forward to this vacation, I got it all covered.”
Some part of her hated this. A car ride was bad enough but spending the next three days in a room, alone with Azriel was a whole different story. Not to mention him paying for it all too. But the other part of her was so excited to be at Velaris Heights and to experience all the wonderful things a place like this could have.
And who was Gwyn to deny a handsome man, practically pleading with her to just let him cover the trip?
“Okay, thank you.” She conceded. Azriel’s face lit up with glee, “But the minute I get my next paycheck, I’m covering my portion of the bill.”
He let out a string of words under his breath which sounded strangely familiar to, “No chance in hell I’m letting you do that,” before facing the clerk again.
“We’ll happily take the room you have available.” He requested.
After taking down his information and processing the payment, Gwyn and Azriel were handed their key cards, a welcome pamphlet, and were officially guests at Velaris heights.
“The elevators are just down that hall and to the left. A shuttle bus goes from the resort straight down to the village four times a day. Complimentary breakfasts are every day from six to ten, there are many restaurants near the slopes, in the village, and of course in the resort as well,” the clerk informed, “If you’d like, we can have a bellhop take your bags to your room to give you some time to settle in after the day I’m sure you’ve had.”
“Thank you but it’s alright,” Azriel refused with a polite laugh, “I appreciate all your help.”
Gwyn thanked them as well before the two were on their way to get settled into their one room.
~
“Okay so my suggestion is that we can alternate the days. You can take the bed tonight because you’ve been driving for hours and I’ll sleep on the couch. Then tomorrow we switch.”
“There’s no way in hell we’re doing that. You’re sleeping on the bed.”
“Come on!” Gwyn exclaimed. “You picked me up and drove me here, you paid for all three days, the least you can do is have a good night's rest with no back pain every other night.”
Azriel placed the suitcases on the floor near the bed. “I have no problem at all with taking the couch. I’ve crashed on couches many times in my life, particularly Cassian’s.”
“But this isn’t Cassian’s old apartment, this is vacation at a resort,” she stressed, “besides, it’s really not fair at all if only I get the bed the entire time.”
“I think it's perfectly fair,” he refuted.
They locked eyes and a silent competition was on.
Gwyn knows that Azriel can be more stubborn than a mule, but he could never be more stubborn than her. In an act that can’t be described as anything other than bravado in the moment, she declared.
“We’re going to share the bed.”
His face shifted into a look of shock. “Share the bed?”
“Wha-Why not?” She sputtered, waving her hands to try and plead her point. “It’s a king sized bed, we’re both adults, and we both deserve to be well rested.”
He gave her a deadpan look.
“I’m being serious!” Gwyn argued. Azriel answered with a silent stare.
“You know what, I’m going into the washroom to get ready for bed, and I better see you ready to pass out on the nicest bed either of us has laid our heads on, to greet the morning of tomorrow!” She proclaimed, grabbing some essentials from her suitcase. Not giving him a chance to protest before slamming the washroom door closed.
After a shower and about ten minutes of wondering how much more she could embarrass herself, Gwyn entered the main room again and froze.
Azriel stood there in just a simple black t-shirt and plaid pajama pants. His eyes were slightly hooded from exhaustion, and his thick black hair tousled, as if he’d run his hands through it a few times.
“Are you going to threaten me again if I try to sleep on the couch?” He joked.
She rolled her eyes. “Very funny. Go wash up, I can smell your fumes from here.”
The sound of his laugh rang in the room even as he closed the door.
Gwyn realized right then what she’d gotten herself into. She was about to spend the next few days along with Azriel. Sharing a room. And sleeping in the same bed.
Well fuck.