Disclaimer: I do not own any characters referenced


Kaltain and Ianthe entered the classroom after their morning classes, retrieving their bags for lunch break. "So... what was up with you and that Sardothien slut?" Kaltain asked, grimacing in the process.

Ianthe responded, "What do you mean?" "It seemed like you knew one another." "No, I haven't met that bitch before today." She lied. "Good." Kaltain smirked confidently, cocking her head.

Suddenly, she froze. Her eyes were fixed on something - or rather, someone - behind Ianthe. "You said you were best friends with Fenrys..?" "Yes." Ianthe flipped her hair and smirked confidently. Kaltain merely glanced at her and said, "Well here's your time to prove it."

"Wait wha-"


Aelin approached the classroom, casually speaking to Nehemia in the Eyllwe tongue, but at the entrance she ran into a muscled back blocking the threshold. Getting ready to snap at the careless person who stood in her way, she paused as she recognized the scent of pine and snow. "Ro! The hell are you doing here?"

"Aah! Fireheart." Rowan tilted his head back and smiled at her subtly, before snarling and nodding towards the inside of the classroom. "Ask that one." Aelin craned her neck to peak over his broad shoulder and a grin tugged at her lips as she recognized the golden hair and tall stature. Leisurely, she maneuvered around Rowan and approached Fenrys, who was facing away from her.

A few feet away, she halted, a devious grin spreading across her face as she perceived the two figures standing before him. Or rather 'the figur'. Kaltain was confidently sizing the model up, doing her best at imitating a sultry smile, as Ianthe discretely cowered behind her, obviously hoping Fenrys wouldn't see her. That's what you get for spouting lies.

"Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" She heard him ask Kaltain and resisted the urge to cringe. Kaltain was blushing like a complete fool. Blatantly, Aelin stated, "It hurt alright; she landed on her face."

Kaltain's starstruck smile faded as she screeched in annoyance. Before Fenrys could look backwards to see who had made the snide remark that had almost made him laugh aloud, Aelin was on the go. Taking a step back, she proceeded to run towards his exposed and wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her tip-toes and shouting into his ear, "RYYYYYYSSSS!"

"By the gods!" She rested her chin on his shoulder and he snapped his head to the side, stared at her for a second before recognizing those Ashryver eyes. "AAEEE!" He shouted in return, grinning like a maniac as he swung her to face him and spun her around in circles, all the while enveloping her in a tight hug.

She noticed Rowan approaching, chuckling at their antics. When Fenrys had finished spinning and put her back down, both of them nearly fell over from the dizziness, having to reassure themselves by grabbing onto Rowan, which didn't help much, as he had very poor balance and all three of them ended up sprawled across the floor. And they laughed.

Dusting himself off, Fenrys stood and offered his two friends a hand. When they were all standing once more, Aelin leaped onto Fenrys back, wrapping her legs around his torso, which earned her a cocked eyebrow and hearty grin. And in that moment they realized that everyone was staring at them as if they were out of their minds.

Aelin laughed sheepishly. "Uum... These are my two friends, Rowan and Fenrys." She introduced the entire class to them, "And Ro, Rys, this is my shitty class." Although few students didn't seem to appreciate being called 'shitty', Aelin's friends laughed.

"Oh yeah, and before I forget!" She turned her attention back to Ianthe, who meanwhile had scuttled halfway through the room, making for the exit as soon as she could. "Ianthe! Who did you say was your best friend?" Her eyes widened in rage.

Kaltain glanced between her clique and Ianthe - who shot her a longing gaze - before ultimately turning to her little possy and completely disregarding Ianthe's not-so-subtle call for help. So the part-time waitress snorted and spun on her heels stalking to the exit of the classroom.

"One more thing!" Aelin called after her retreating back, "Have an amazing year!"

Ianthe's frustrated scream was heard throughout the entire building.


"Fireheart," Rowan looked down to where Aelin's head was resting on his shoulder. Fenrys, Aelin and him were spending their lunch together on the roof. Rowan was sitting beside her, their arms touching, with her head tilted sit on his shoulder, while Fenrys lay on his side, his head on her lap.

Aelin was carelessly playing with Fenrys' hair as Rowan spoke, "What was up with Aedion today? He was glaring me down as if I had stolen his prized collection of weaponry!" "You might as well have..." "What do you mean?" He turned his head completely to face her, and she looked up at the exact same time, ergo leaving them face-to-face with only inches separating their lips.

"He thinks you molested me, or something like that." She stated blatantly, despite Rowan's confused expression. "I swear to the gods," his eyes darkened, "his overprotective cousin shit is getting on my nerves. That's no reason to want to kill me! I didn't 'molest' you, and he knows it. He's just childish and annoying. If he comes to me one more time with that shit, I'm going to snap his neck."

Not a hint of humor was evident in his tone, just as there was no tension in the air as Aelin leaned her head forward, to the point where their foreheads where touching. His pine eyes glowed dimly. Fenrys chuckled silently from where he was watching the exchange, on Aelin's lap.

"Idiot-" Rowan was cut off as the door to the roof slammed open, almost ripping it off of it's hinges at the sharp impact. "ROWAAAAAANNNN!" Aedion stood there, out of breath, his golden hair tousled and wild. There was a moment of silence as he beheld his cousin and the two males - the position they were in, their expressions, the distance.

He glowered, "What do you think you're doing..?" Rowan stood up. Aedion didn't wait out the opportunity and tackled. Both men sprawled back, making Rowan arch his back at the impact on the railing. Aedion groaned in pain from where he landed on the floor, "I must confess... that wasn't a very good idea." He muttered and Aelin scoffed a chuckle, "Ya think?" While Fenrys was trying not to burst out laughing at Rowan in pain. "You're an asshole." Rowan growled, to which Fenrys cocked his head, imitating her, "Ya think?"

Aedion got to his feet again, dusted himself off and pushed Rowan back, grabbing his collar. His upper torso was leaning behind the railing, his hair dancing in the updraft. "This is getting out of hand." Aelin stated, taking a step towards the two, but she was held back by Fenrys. "I want to see this." He stated, fastening his grip on her upper arm. "He'll die if he falls!" "Believe me, it takes far more than that fall to kill a Whitethorn." Fenrys winked at her.

"What did you do to Aelin?!"

Rowan took a deep breathe, piercing Aedion with a menacing glare. He had had enough, "I offered her a place to stay when you weren't there for her."

"You can't talk to me like that! I'm her cousin!"

"And I'm her friend! Something you're obviously to dense to understand!"

"Why the fuck should I trust you with her?!"

"Cause I care about her! I fucking care! Gods, I know that I shouldn't, but I do! That's why! You weren't there for her when she was broken and giving up, but I was! Because I didn't want to see her in pain! Because she's important to me! Because she's my Fireheart!"

Aedion was silent.

Fenrys was silent.

Aelin was silent.

The entire world seemed to silence in Rowan's wake

. No one had expected that outburst, not even Rowan himself.

"Now tell me, why should I trust you with my best friend?!"

His stare was as hard as steel as he glared down Aedion. The grip on his collar loosened as Aedion took a step back, his lips thin and eyes wide. "I didn't-" "You did." Rowan cut him off, " You honestly thought-" But this time it was Rowan's turn to be silenced, as dark, sticky fluid flowed down his hair.

Aelin stood there, her gaze unwavering as she held the now-empty bottle of Coca Cola over his head. His eyes widened in shock. "Enough." Her voice was strong and commanding, reminding Rowan of the first time they had met on the roof.

His queen.

"Rowan, he's heard enough. Aedion, leave us." He opened his mouth to retort. "Now." She added, her tone leaving no choice of debate. "I'll see you at home." A sincere smile graced her features. Aedion turned and left. The slamming of the roof door was the only sound echoing through the open air, as Aelin slowly turned back to her two friends. Fenrys stayed silent. He knew this wasn't any of his business.

"Aelin, I-" Rowan didn't get to finish his statement. Despite his drenched and sticky hair and clothes, Aelin fell around his neck, pulling him close, silent tears leaking from her eyes. Rowan was completely stunned as she whispered into his hair with a weak voice; "Thank you."


By the time Fenrys had grasped what had happened, Aelin had already released Rowan. "Thank you." She repeated. Both of them were drenched, but completely contempt.

"I think you two should go get cleaned up. Ask the headmaster for a leave, or something. I'll be fine on my own." "Really?" Aelin's eyes lit up, "Are you sure you'll be fine?" "Yes." Fenrys nodded, smiling understandingly. As she started heading to the exit, Rowan stopped beside Fenrys.

"You still in denial?" Fenrys asked and chuckled as Rowan shook his head. "I thought you like her?" He asked Fenrys, who shrugged, "There's nothing I can do if she doesn't like me that way~" He grinned and offered Rowan a high five.

"Go get her, cowboy". He saluted and Rowan laughed, "Fen... Thank you."


Fenrys sighed as the entrance to the roof fell into lock behind the two. His smile faltered. He rubbed the back of his hand against his eye and leaned against the railing. Not knowing what to do with himself, he looked around the open skies and down to the school campus below.

Rowan had always been the brother he never had, but Fenrys' feelings for Aelin were undeniable.

Near a cherry tree near the edge of campus Fenrys spotted three second year girls waving at him and giggling. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he waved back. They motioned for him to join them.

He loved her. But what he hadn't told Rowan, was that he loved her as a sister. And nothing more. Both Rowan and Aelin were in denial, so Fenrys simply gave them a push. Though Rowan's outbreak really was unpredictable.

His hands crawled into his pockets as he made for the stairwell.

And he would continue giving them pushes until they were finally happy. Step 1, complete. It wouldn't take long anymore.

He sighed again as he wiped the Coca Cola on his hand - from Rowan's high five - off on his crimson pants. That was going to stain. "I'm not getting enough credit for this..." He muttered as he exited the building to where the three girls were. They smiled sweetly, inviting him over.

"Totally worth it though."


A/N: I hope you liked the chapter! Not one of my personal favourites though... The relationship between Rowan and Aelin had to evolve, but I didn't know how to do it, so this is what I came up with. It was about time someone snapped at Aedion, I mean honestly.

Again, thank you for all the amazing positive support! I almost had a panic attack while editing this chapter cause I accidentally deleted half of it. I didn't know what to do, but then I remembered I had saved a back-up as soon as I finished writing it, as I do for all of my chapters incase my klutziness messes me up. Close call!

If you have any questions, suggestions of (constructive) criticism, feel free to leave a review or DM me. Lately I've gotten some really good suggestions for this fanfic from you guys, that I'll definitely use in the story at some point, so keep an eye out! I might be utilising your idea some time soon ;)

Well, that's about it. Please review! Ja ne!