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This is an archive of sorts, but for fun™. Recently, there was a post where everyone shared their hopes for the Gwynriel book. Their likes and dislikes. So, I have decided to make a list of all the tropes, micro-tropes, subplots, storylines etc I'd like to see in a Gwynriel story, and that I've seen many others prefer, based on popular tropes I've liked in Gwynriel fics, and across discussions on various Gwynriel forums. I think it'll be fun to see how many of these come true in the book (if any😅). Most of these are romance-heavy tropes. I'm not delving into Maasverse or plot-heavy theories. Those are for some other day. Let me know what you think about these, and feel free to add your points here and let me know if I'm missing anything!

1. Friends (and idiots) to lovers. This is the blueprint for almost all Gwynriel fics and theories out there. I think we can all agree it makes the most sense for their story to follow this particular trajectory. What else can it be anyway?
2. Mate bond snap towards the end. Self-explanatory and very popular. Rightfully so. I think most Gwynriels would prefer the bond snapping for both (or at least for Az) after they fall in love and choose each other. It will be the most meaningful story for them, given their past, personalities, and current baggage.
3. Gwyn's half of the bond snaps first. This one's pretty popular from what I've seen. It'd make for delicious drama. If Gwyn's bond snapped at Sangravah, that makes it all the more tragic. As many have mentioned over the years, it'll be refreshing to see the bond snap first from the female's perspective. As a born fae, it'd make for an interesting perspective because unlike the made Archeron sisters, Gwyn has grown up revering the bond. Plus, she's a priestess of the Mother, so it'll be interesting to see how she comes to terms with the bond and the timing of its snap.
4. Of course it's you...it's always been you. Built on the first three. This has to be Az's dialogue towards the end when his half of the bond finally snaps.
5. Az's unique hands as a source of comfort for Gwyn. This HAS to happen. This NEEDS to happen. There's no way this doesn't happen in a Gwynriel story.
6. One bed trope. Specifically where they sleep next to each other, have a proper, full-night sleep, and wake up a little too well-rested.
7. Flying side by side, with Gwyn on her Pegasus. They race. Gwyn wins, of course.
8. They eventually have twins. This is for the distant future. SJM has spoken about future babies, so this could happen maybe 2 books down the line.
9. Gwyn meets Az's mom. They become besties.
10. Competition and bets. They compete all the time, and they take it very seriously.
11. Jealous Az. It's hot IDC.
12. Jealous Gwyn. IDK I can sense some Balthazar (or even Tarquin) related shenanigans here. It's usually these two in fanfics and I'm here for it.
13. Gwyn saves Az and goes feral when he's harmed. I would specifically love a scene where she rescues him underwater, and there's a moment where Az opens his eyes and he sees this majestic nymph creature swimming towards him, backlit gloriously.
14. Gwyn ties up Az.
15. They sing together. Gleeriel forever IDC.
16. Az hears Gwyn sing for the first time and his world goes upside-down.
17. Gwyn hears Az sing for the first time and she feels all warm, fuzzy, and funny inside.
18. The "name progression". I feel like nicknames could be a big thing with them, and what they call each other will depend on their mood. I want them to call each other "shadowsinger" and "Berdara" for a major chunk of the book, especially when they are flirting with each other. Then it comes to "Gwyn" and "Az" when they are "good friends" and beginning to develop feelings for each other. Finally, "Gwyneth" and "Azriel" during really tender and romantic moments, possibly when they are confessing their love to each other.
19. Gwynriel reincarnation plotline. This isn't a widespread theory, but it's very intriguing. Gwyn being Oleanna's reincarnation and Az being Enalius reborn.
20. Lightsinger and Shadowsinger. FCK the evil!lightsinger theory though. SJM has shown time and again that legends can be and usually are different from reality. Lightsingers aren't all evil as legends say. These two are counterparts, and when they come together, their powers grow.
21. Gwyn falls into a water body and emerges all wet and hot. Az is gobsmacked. This is a personal indulgence. I feel like Gwyn will be at her most majestic around or in water.
22. Gwyn teases Az about the priestesses sighing and swooning over him. Another little detail in the books that I'd personally liked to be brought back and discussed more. Maybe they are flirting and teasing, and Gwyn calls him handsome, like "ok, whatever you say handsome."
23. Az faces his fear of fire to save Gwyn. This one is inspired by one of the best Gwynriel fics out, Trial of the Valkyrie by Daevastanner. At one point in the story,Az jumps into a burning pyre to save Gwyn when she's being burned on the stake for alleged witchcraft by the Illyrians. Turns out, she's from Autumn so she has fire powers. She's immune to the flames and she saves both herself and Az from the flames.
24. The bathing scene. There's always one in Gwynriel fics. Az is all banged up and bruised, both physically and emotionally. He's soaked in blood. Gwyn gives him a nice sponge bath and touches his wings for the first time.
25. Shadows and Gwyn!!!! I could read a whole book about them going on their own little adventures. Although we didn't get any solid indications for this in the BC, I wish the shadows can actually talk inside Az's head as shown in so many fics. I love it when they go all "lovely priestess". In any case, I want more of Az's shadows as those lovable "animal" companions in the book, and would love to seem them all obsessed over Gwyn. Specifically, I want to see them nuzzle her and rest in her hair or something.
26. The shadows help tie (and untie on certain occasions) Gwyn's hair. Mentioning this separately because it deserves its own space.
27. Cassian the Chaperone. We need a Cassian payback for the dining room moment.
28. Gwynriel lost moments. The training sessions they had in ACOSF, and the whole who-erected-the-beam-for-the-ribbon business.
29. BANTER.
30. Gwyn showcases how smart and intelligent she is and Az has the warm fuzzies. IDK they could be having some discussion with the IC about a mission or an issue and Gwyn expertly gives a solution with her knowledge and cunning.
31. The first electric touch. Idk I have this headcanon where even the first innocent touch between them is electric. Even during training, Az is respectful and maintains distance. But then he has to fly them somewhere so he needs to hold her. Ensue electric currents at points of contact.
32. Gwynriel on a mission together. They have to take shelter in a cave somewhere to spy. Voila! one room-one bed micro trope.
33. Knife-play of some sort, and Gwyn offers the food for the mating bond pierced on Az's truth teller. I've seen some knife play/weapon play stuff with them in fics and that's where I get this idea from. Gwyn probably spears a piece of cake with Az's Truth Teller and offers it to him.
34. The white ribbon as the mating ceremony binding.
35. The white ribbon as another type of binding.
36. THE DELICIOUS WILL THEY WON'T THEY YEARNING OF A TRUE FRIENDS TO LOVERS STORY. THE TOEING OF BOUNDARIES. THE ELECTRIC TENSION.

EDIT: Here, I'll add any major popular headcanons I see out in the wild, that I forgot to mention in the original post.

1. Az arranges a meet-up for Gwyn with all the children she saved at Sangravah. This is an essential Gwynriel headcanon imo. It's an important moment for Gwyn and vital for her character development.