You peered across the breakfast table at the shadowsinger. Even when everyone was staying under the same roof, it was a very rare occurrence that you would find a majority of the group eating breakfast together and this morning was no different to that. Rhys had left early with Feyre whilst Amren had stayed at her own apartment, Mor had been at the Court of Nightmares and you had no idea where Cassian was, leaving you alone with Azriel for the morning until work got in the way of any ones much desired and needed rest. You hadn't been part of Rhys' inner circle for long, roughly the same amount of time as Feyre and although they welcomed you with open arms, you had always noticed a distance from Azriel.

He was quiet most of the time, pleasant but not fond of frivolous conversation. It wasn't as though he didn't make you feel welcome, frankly he didn't make you feel much past confusion. He was focused on eating his breakfast, and although you knew well enough that he was aware of your staring, he didn't make it known to you.

"Do you ever smile?" You pondered aloud.

Azriel looked up, raising an eyebrow, not sure if you were merely talking to yourself or to him.

"Pardon?"

"Do you ever smile?" You asked. "I think I've seen you smile once or twice since I've known you. And even then, it was short lived or at Cassian's expense. Does it cause you pain to show happiness?"

As if to disprove your point, he cracked a smile at you, leaning an elbow onto the table so that he could support his chin with his hand.

"You think that happiness hurts me?"

You shrugged your shoulders. "Everything faerie is a bit distant to me, for all I know you get to control shadows but smiling it your one true downfall."

He chuckled at your comment. "No, Y/N, smiling isn't my downfall."

"So, you're just a grumpy ass then?" You retorted. "I think this is the most joy I've ever seen from you. Maybe its just my company that puts you in a foul mood."

"Do you truly think that your company makes me grumpy?"

You shrugged again. It certainly felt like that was the case, anytime he seemed happy it was due to one of the others and once you were around, it was quickly diminished.

"Maybe. I don't know."

Azriel rose from the table with his empty plate, a soft smile on his face.

"You do not put me in a foul mood." He stated. "Actually, I quite enjoy your company."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.