Work Text:
“Nes? Are you awake?” Cassian asked, his mate’s answer a mumbled ‘yes’.
He chuckled, kissing Nesta tenderly behind her ear. They were cuddling after a long love making session, Cassian holding Nesta tight against his chest, his thumb slowly drawing patterns on her arm.
“I have been thinking of something”
“Should I be concerned?” she inquired.
“Very funny sweetheart” he nipped at her pointy ear, making Nesta yelp “I was thinking that I want to take you out on a date”
That woke Nesta up.
“A date?” she turned around in his arms, looking at him and furrowing her eyebrows in confusion “Cass, you do know we've been mated for a month now right?”
“How could I forget the happiest day of my life, wife ?”
“Forgive me, husband . I thought your old age was catching up to you” that made Cassian roar in laughter, Nesta smiling at him.
It had been a beautiful ceremony and Cassian had teared up when he saw Nesta entering the temple and walking towards him. He had always found her breathtaking, but she had never been more beautiful when one month ago they were officially mated and married.
Cassian knew that deep down she would always miss being human, so he had wanted to have a ceremony that combined both Nesta’s: the human and fae.
And at the end of the ceremony, when the priest declared them not only mates but husband and wife — the black ribbon tied around their wrists and rings proof of it — Cassian was sure he had done the right thing, the image of Nesta wearing a white dress and smiling the most he had ever seen making the mate bond glow even brighter.
“I know we are already mated and married but we did everything backwards. I did not properly court you”
“Not that I regret it!” Cassian was quick to add “I just want to give you the best and cherish you, Nes. And, since we are not even able to go away for a while on a honeymoon given the messy situation with Koshien and the Autumn Court, I thought doing our very belated first date was the most sensible option.”
Nesta could only blink at Cassian in surprise. He had been going over such things all this time? It always amazed her how her mate, General Commander of the Night Court and Illyrian Armies, Lord of Bloodshed and legendary warrior, could be such a thoughtful and sweet male.
“Please say something, Nes. If it is a stupid idea or—” she shut his nervous blaberring with a kiss.
“I love it. It’s a wonderful idea.”
The boyish smile Cassian gave her was enough to make Nesta kiss him again, sleep all but forgotten as he rolled them over, deepening the kiss.
~•~
Cassian tried to calm his nerves as he knocked on the door.
Wanting to make it very first date like — and also to avoid getting distracted by other things — they would get ready in separate rooms. They shared Nesta’s old room, given that the view was one of the best and did not have hidden weapons all over it like his. So Cassian had gotten ready at his old room while Nesta did the same on theirs, and afterwards he would take them down to Velaris.
He had made sure to check the reservations thrice and go over his check list of all the other things he had prepared in advance.
This day had to be perfect no matter what.
“Come in!” Nesta shouted behind the door “I am almost ready”
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door, finding his mate sitting at her vanity putting on her earrings.
Cassian had to keep himself in check not to undress her right then and there and ruin his careful planning.
His wife was too beautiful for his poor nerves.
“Nes… sweetheart you look absolutely incredible” he said, taking her in as she walked his way, her mahogany dress fitting her like a glove, the ruby on her wedding band seeming to spark. But what truly killed him was the fact that her hair was down, a section of it pinned back with silver combs that gave a free view of her lovely face.
“Stop looking at me like that or we won’t be leaving this room” Nesta remarked, arching an eyebrow “You are drooling, Cassian.”
“You can’t blame me. It’s your fault for being so damn perfect” he declared kissing her cheek, not wanting to suffer her wrath were he to ruin her lipstick.
“You don’t look bad yourself” she answered, running her hands over his chest, when all she wanted was to rip it apart.
Cassian had foregone his leathers for once, wearing a loose dark blue shirt with the first buttons open and black pants. The perfect man bun also made Nesta thank the Mother for her Mind-Stilling exercises.
“Are you going to tell me where we are going?”
“If I told you it would not be surprise Nes” he said as they walked the her balcony “But I promise you will like it”
“Lead the way then, bat” Nesta said as he gathered her in his arms, taking flight.
Their first stop was at a restaurant near the Sidra famous for its live music. Cassian had gotten them a table with a view to the river. He was not one to go to fancy restaurants, only getting less nervous when he saw Nesta’s face lighting up upon hearing the musicians. He’d make sure to pay attention to her favourite pieces and come back with her Symphonia later and ask the musicians to play them again.
They took their time eating, and he went as far as eating a big slice of cake after much insistence from Nesta.
“You can burn the calories during our training tomorrow” his mate said as she fed him.
“I would rather burn them by other means” he winked at her, making Nesta roll her eyes.
“Perverted bat”
After paying the bill, Cassian took Nesta to her favourite bookshop in the city. They had some time to kill before the next thing he had planned and she had yet to spend her sisters’ generous Solstice gift.
She was quick to leave him aside as she browsed the shelfs, his only job to hold her numerous books.
“Nes, dear we have to go or else we will be late” Cassian informed behind her pile of books.
“Five more minutes Cass” she pleaded.
Five minutes became fifteen, and they were almost left outside the theatre, arriving just a minute before the doors were closed.
Cassian had to call in a few favours, but he managed to get a privileged view of the stage.
“Which play are they presenting?” Nesta whispered as they settled down, not having been able to look through the pamphlet yet.
“You will see” was all he answered.
He remained looking at his mate beside him all the time as the curtains, watching the exact moment she opened her mouth in surprise as the first dancer stepped on the stage.
Because they were not watching your usual play. No, Cassian had gotten them tickets to the opening performance of a famous Dawn Court ballet company who was travelling all over Prythian. He had had to call in a few favours to get them the tickets, but it was worth it.
Nesta didn’t even dare to blink while she watched them dance, not wanting to miss a single thing. Cassian swore he saw her crying a little during a very emotional part but he knew she would deny it forever.
“This was perfect” Nesta sighed as they left the theatre, walking holding hands.
“I am glad you enjoyed your day, Nes” Cassian said, feeling love and gratitude flowing through the bond “I wanted to make this a perfect first date”
Nesta smiled softly at him, squeezing his hand.
“You could have taken me to Oorid to hunt down evil creatures and it would still have been a great date. I just want you. Any time we spend together is precious to me” she nudged him with her shoulder “However, I do not object to delicious cake or special tickets to see a show.”
“I will keep that in mind, wife ”
“I expected nothing less from you, husband ”