don't modulate the key and not debate with me. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
legalized) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
timewasting2020-05-20 02:21 pm
legalized) wrote in timewasting2020-05-20 02:21 pm
Entry tags:
OPEN POST 2020.
【my ❝CALL ME OUT❞ post】
get my ass in gear.
|
【my ❝CALL ME OUT❞ post】
get my ass in gear.
inej
- her first time back after sailing
- pre-canon/adjusting time life in the dregs???
- immediately post canon
- idk undefined cute fluff/smooching whathaveyou
- wildcard
oooo... first time back which will inevitably be undefined cute shit??
she hadn't told anyone of her arrival, though she was certain kaz had found out somewhere. she didn't really know who his new information collector was, and while inej was careful to always cover her tracks, kaz always seemed to know where she was, or what she was doing.
annoying. but the way of life, when you befriend someone like kaz brekker.
she navigated the streets carefully, melting into the shadows as easily as breathing. skipping up to the rooftops of ketterdam was mere muscle memory, and as she made it to the roof of some nondescript building, she could take a proper view of the barrel for the first time in months.
it made her heart swell, in an unexpected way. to see home.
without really knowing or recognizing it, inej began to move across the rooftops quickly and silently making her way to the slat. the sun was beginning to set, which suited her just fine. but as she rested against the roof adjacent to eye the entranceway to the central stronghold of the dregs, she contemplated just . . . walking through the front door.
it took about two seconds to determine that that was not going to happen, and so inej began to climb. and after a few more minutes, inej silently picked the (broken) lock to the window of kaz's (ridiculously isolated) old office at the very top of the stairs (so unnecessary, given his leg, what a dramatic moron), and carefully opened the window. hesitating for half a moment to determine that the office was, indeed, empty, before she slipped inside.
it would only be a matter of seconds, before kaz realized someone was in his office. so, she settled herself into his chair to wait. ignoring the smile that was edging to the surface, at the prospect of seeing him again. ]
Fair and valid tbh
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
( kaz. )
she had been back in ketterdam after months of being away, and she had arrived at a bad time. the gang violence in the barrel had come to a head, and inej truly arrived in the midst of mayhem. she had no problems crossing ketterdam to slip into kaz's office, but had been greeted with something of a predicament.
she had expected a hug, an excited grin, or an ask on how the seas were, but none of those things happened, because kaz was on his way to deal with a threat. something he apparently had to do personally. and when inej had volunteered her services (because of course she would), she had been refused.
then, they had gotten into an argument. it was a pointless argument, one that was was full of vitriol for the sake of being vitriolic. he didn't want her to go because she didn't need to go, and inej pointed out that no one had to know she was going because no one would be able to see her, and it had ended with inej telling him fine, do what you feel is best, and slipping right back out the window, vanishing from sight into the dark skies of ketterdam.
she then, naturally, flipped herself up easily onto the roof, and waited. to follow kaz wherever he was going, picking her way along the rooftops silently, to make sure the moron didn't get himself killed.
she did not spend four months at sea to return to a dead kaz brekker because he was too stubborn to accept help out of some maligned attempt to protect her. ]
no subject
Some territory encroachment, probably. A Black Tip getting too fresh, also possible.
Either way, negotiation—in the Barrel way—has fallen through and it's gotten to the point where something physical will have to happen. Ever since taking over the Dregs, he hasn't had as many reasons to go out and do something himself, his reputation keeping most well enough away. So maybe there's a vicious part of him looking forward to getting his hands dirty. It would allow him to vent his personal frustration in a way that wasn't occasionally screaming into his pillow.
The only downside to all of this, aside from knowing he'll have plenty of Dregs to patch up in the aftermath, is not only Inej showing up at the wrong time but deciding she was going to get involved. All of the qualities he likes about her—determination, self sufficiency, pride—become extremely vexing because she won't take no for an answer. She didn't need to be there for the fight, that was a pointless venture.
So naturally, with two headstrong people, they have a row over it.
Her parting words are as far from a concession as possible and he doesn't feel any better as he stalks downstairs to the awaiting Dregs. Anika tilts her head in his direction and he ignores the concern, fuming and ready to have this be over with. ]
Let's go.
[ As they head out, he doesn't need to look to know Inej is following on her own path. He isn't sure where she is exactly, aside from slipping across a rooftop. It annoys him the entire way, expression dark and thunderous by the time they come across the Black Tips. Maybe there's a slight satisfaction in seeing some of their number unable to meet his eye.
It isn't enough of them, though, because soon the tension snaps and the fight starts, everyone in a flurry of motion. The only thing he thinks is: stay out of this, Ghafa. But she probably won't. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
for: mysterio, that dick. some AU or something.
so he had elected to check it out on his own. natasha had told him he was an idiot, and tony was fairly certain she was tagging along somewhere in the shadows, unbeknownst to him (supposedly). but tony stark could take care of himself.
obviously. he was iron man.
which is why he was hanging out at a cafe, with coffee, scrolling through his phone . . . or, at least, pretending to scroll through his phone, which in actuality was hacking into cctv to scan the city for anything weird. ]
C'mon, FRIDAY.
[ it's muttered to himself, glancing out the window at the odd honk of a car. ]
I haven't got all day, I've got things to do that don't involve being here.
[ he was supposed to have gone on vacation at least a year ago. ]
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
Inej.
Aside from some usual business, he finds his schedule suspiciously free. Or perhaps not suspicious, as Anika practically shoves him out of his office at the beginning of the second week. Part of him is annoyed by it, but he can't put his whole heart into it, especially not when he can do this.
This being: taking an evening walk with Inej, showing her a new building in the university district that has a great view of the square– by design. No scaling the wall necessary. It has a garden attached which is mostly fresh turned earth, things planted for the autumn bloom. Mostly, he likes it because there's relative quiet and being recently constructed, the bricks are laid evenly. Less likely to trip. ]
I didn't get to ask– how's your family?
no subject
[ warmly, as she walks with him, her eyes scanning the square. taking in the city. it’s bittersweet, because she knows she has to leave soon... but a peaceful evening walking her city with kaz is a lovely thing. even with the knowledge that she has to leave soon. ]
My mother asks me about you.
[ mildly, as they walk. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Inej; that ship thread
The weeks leading up to his (tentative) departure had seen him doing almost nothing. Working together with Anika, he'd gotten a group together to handle the paperwork and at least two bright minds—Frey and Sixes—to make sure they kept the books in order. Pim was in charge of keeping the club running and successful. Anika herself had stepped in as acting leader. Both had seen him off at the harbor along with Jesper and Wylan.
So, it would be fine. He wasn't going to come back with the entire gang in shambles. Except he worries and brings that worry with him belowdeck as most of the crew starts to retire for the night. He's not sure he's going to get much sleep but he'll have to make an attempt. When he gets to Inej's room, he pokes his head into the open doorway, rapping once on the frame. ]
Still working?
no subject
she had retreated to her room to go through new evidence, new leads. she had rearranged a little, to make more room, and was seated against her bed in the corner, legs crossed as she unfurled a map over her lap, to track down new leads. and at the knock against the frame, she looks up with a warm smile, gesturing that he can come in. ]
I am almost finished.
[ which is the truth; it would be a month at sea, at least, before they docked at the next port. and inej pats the bed with a free hand, indicating that he can take a seat next to her. ]
How are you?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
That thread with the house in it
Which he does, progressively, over a few years.
Gaining the ground in the Barrel hadn't exactly been easy, not even with the success of the dregs in combination with his reputation. Gangs here were possessive and mistrustful, tended towards violence at the slightest provocation. He spends plenty of time putting out fires (as well as starting them, in response to disrespect), though he hasn't been chained to his work nearly as much as he used to be as a lieutenant. Ever since that time he visited Ravka with Inej, he's made sure to step away and reset where he could. Sometimes, he takes a couple days even when she isn't visiting.
Mostly to turn some of those investments into something a bit more personal. Perhaps more permanent. Ketterdam likely won't forget the Dregs anytime soon, but gangs are an impermanent structure, rising and falling like a tide. It's even possible it'll happen while he's around (not likely, but still). Whatever the case ends up being, he does his research and eventually, he buys a house. Near the Church of Barter, which wouldn't have been his first pick but it fit what he'd been looking for: enough space, a specific view, generally quieter. There's also the matter that the house isn't exactly complete, originally belonging to a merchant who had plans to move and then never did. Kaz has all the information in a file somewhere.
Mostly it's an allowance to customize some things without having to knock down too many walls.
He spends the better part of a year getting the details correct, occasionally hiring people to do the more difficult jobs and handling the rest himself. Jesper wrangles it out of him when he catches Kaz coming back to the Slat with paint all down one pant leg and Kaz threatens him with exquisite pain should he say a thing to Inej.
It seems to work, though he suspects Wylan knows. At almost exactly a year later, Inej sails back in and he waits three days before subjecting her to the travel out to the house. Manor. Whatever. He's sure he's being frustratingly vague, his expression placid even as they come to a stop in front of it. ]
no subject
she's not entirely sure what it is, which is frustrating. jesper had avoided her eyes during dinner the night before, with all of them there. wylan had found his food particularly interesting, and kaz had an expression of silent threats of death at either of them before changing the subject to prompt her to tell a story of her time in ravka, meeting nina. and inej had let it go, but she was still suspicious. and was even more suspicious when kaz had bothered her into a walk.
it was . . . a long walk, which (again) made her suspicious. but she remains silent, eyeing him thoughtfully before they finally stop in front of what looks like a pristine mercher manor, near van eck's.
the first thing that pops into her head is they need to break into it. and the windows are massive, high, and she scans the facade of the house, placing out her path to the roof in her head . . . easy enough, but not something that anyone but her could probably do.
she waits for kaz to say something before she turns, arms crossed over her chest, eyebrows arched. ]
You could have just told me you needed me for a job instead of walking all the way out here.
[ and inej inclines her head toward the house, unimpressed. ]
Who is it and what did they do to you?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
kaz.
however, life has still been . . . well, life. working to unseat the slavers in ketterdam has been hard work, which has gotten her into her fair share of scraps. heleen still hasn't shown her face, but there are rumors flitting about that the menagerie is about to be posted for sale . . . and inej has the coin ready to bid, if necessary. the barrel remains as violent as ever, and kaz and inej both have been responsible for smacking down people who try to challenge their peace. sometimes, though, people forget who they are.
all of this to say, sometimes, fights happen. and the night before her parents are supposed to arrive in port, inej is in their bathroom, frowning at a bruise on her arm, trying to figure out the best way to hide it from her parents. two nights ago, she had been at the white rose, trying to find information, when she had heard a customer getting violent. which obviously would not do.
he had gone out the window into the trash heap below. but not before digging his gross fingers into her arm. he won't have use of that hand (or, honestly, much of his body) for a good six months, but he had still left a mark. which didn't bother her other than the fact that now she had to hide it.
( hiding it from kaz had been a lost cause. taking off her shirt had resulted in a litany of death threats before inej could put a word in edge-wise that the person who did it was already unconscious in the hospital. )
still. the house was clean, and ready. and food was bought. the rooms were prepared. and she could feel the nervous energy edging throughout the house, because: ]
You have nothing to be nervous over.
[ she says to herself, prodding her arm as she runs cold water over it, almost willing the bruise to just go away. she can always hear kaz when he moves, but the pacing (or, well, movement or checking something or whatever he's doing in there, but really, it sounds like pacing) around their bedroom is punctuated by his cane, which makes it even more obvious. and she raises her voice a little, to call into the bedrooom: ]
It isn't as if they haven't met you.
no subject
After two times, it felt like he'd gotten somewhere with Inej's father, but her mother was a different story. Something about her calculating look and air of disapproval made Van Eck's threats seem tame. She could probably school half the Barrel on how to be threatening without saying a word. Dirtyhands shouldn't have any anxiety over this, but he did—because he couldn't just write her off. This was too important.
As such, he's spent the last couple weeks making sure everything was exactly in its place. That the rooms were all made up, that Anika wasn't going to do anything drastic for a few days, and that he didn't end up in too many scuffles prior. Of course, neither of them could avoid it if trouble came to them. Which it inevitably did, once they poked the stick into the hornet's nest of Ketterdam's slavers. Kaz has a mostly healed gash, from one such fight that happened about a week ago. Jumped in an alley. It hadn't lasted long.
And Inej has a fresh finger print shaped bruise on her arm, from when someone grabbed her during her reconnaissance at the White Rose. He'd been livid at the thought that someone had touched her so much and only calmed enough to stop seeing red once she informed him, firmly, that the man had been punished appropriately.
That leaves him with nothing to do but pace. Which is a bit more awkward with a cane involved. ]
Your mother makes me nervous. She's constantly judging me and doesn't like what she sees.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
slaver take down of the century
In that time, Kaz learns Ravkan well enough to speak passably. He also learns enough about slaver tactics that it turns even his stomach, the queasiness fueling his determination to help Inej find the ones responsible.
When they do, it's almost a total surprise. They had gone to investigate where the trail had gone off and nearly walked straight into the encampment. Inej's reflexes had saved them both from losing the upper hand. From there, it had been a brutal little fight. No one made it out.
But they hadn't been able to relax just yet. The next couple weeks had been spent returning the handful of children they'd found back to their homes. He'd written Anika the morning after dispatching the slaver ring to warn her that he'd be gone longer. And it'd been worth it; every last child made it back to their parents. Hopefully to stay permanently until they were older and could defend themselves.
Now it's back to just him and Inej. They'd put up in a hotel near Os Kervo, intent on resting for the next few days at the very least. She needed it most—this entire trip had been taxing. There were dark circles under her eyes and an exhausted strain around the line of her mouth. He sits next to her on the bed and carefully strokes his hand down her back. ]
Inej? You should get some rest.
no subject
she had been silent, upon checking into the hotel. and she had sat on the bed, still as she tried to parse through her thoughts. feelings. next steps.
kaz sits next to her, and she distantly hears him ask her to rest. the feeling of his hand against her back. it causes a weight in her chest, as she curls her fingers into the fabric of her pants. ]
How?
[ after a moment, her voice quiet, her throat tight. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
bean.
the appointment only lasted a few minutes, after a test was administered despite inej’s reluctance. it had been over a year of trying, and failing, and inej had written off the lack of baby as just a sign that her body couldn’t handle the process. it had been a heartbreaking year of tests, and visits, and nights spent crying because of how invasive it all was. and so when this doctor suggested a test, inej had just sighed and agreed absently. it would just be another disappointment, and she would get some medication for nausea, and be sent home.
that isn’t exactly what happened, though. and inej walks home in something of a daze, letting herself into their home. and inej rests her back against the door for a moment before she sets off in search of kaz, assuming he’s in their room, or office. sulking, likely, because she told him she could go by herself.
she actually finds him in the foyer on the couch, reading something, and inej decides promptly to cross over and sit in his lap, tucking her head underneath his chin, a sudden warm feeling spreading through her chest as she closes her eyes.
(the nausea medication the doctor gave her was kicking in, quickly replaced by a quiet elation. )]
Hi.
[ warmly. ]
no subject
Inej, too, doesn't seem to catch many colds. Which is a relief—despite how much he's told himself someone couldn't die from a cold, it still grips him with a strong paranoia. So it's a bit worrying when she does come down with something, her stomach turning too often and leaving her retching over the toilet. He argues with her about it for two days, insisting it's not something she's just going to get over, though he knows she loathes going to see a doctor.
Perhaps that's why she stubbornly says she'll go by herself. He can't even be completely annoyed by the decision, because at least she's going instead of laying in bed looking much too pale.
That doesn't stop him from low key worrying while she's out, of course.
Eventually, he immerses himself in a book, brushing up on newer business procedures. Very boring but useful. He does hear her come back, after some time, and the book is put down immediately when she slides into his lap. ]
Hello. [ His arm curls around her waist, some of the worry dropping away now that she was back. ] What business?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
inej; a proposal (finally)
(Then again, he thinks it had something to do with securing the Van Eck estate. Not that reasoning lessened how much they clearly adored each other).
Neither he nor Inej had a normal life though. He was busy with running the Dregs and she was out on the ocean, pursuing her dreams. And coincidentally, taking down slavers at the same time. It hadn't left them with much time together in the same spot. And certainly hadn't given them time to even consider a wedding, no matter how small the actual ceremony would be.
That, of course, did not stop him from thinking about it. Or planning meticulously, because that's what he was good at. He ends up making a list to sort through, something he uses to kill his idle time. Or whenever work is particularly frustrating. Or more often than not: when he misses her too much. It helps to think about something other than the possibility of her ship crashing and sinking.
Ultimately, part of those plans are put aside as he gets the house ready. And then after that, there's making sure her semi-permanent stay in Ketterdam is set up correctly. Her parents also come and go, her mother inquiring almost immediately about when he was going to actually marry her daughter. He ends up putting it off for another six weeks, mostly revising his ideas and finally settling on a day.
Because he's had the ring for...far too long. And it currently feels like it's burning a hole in his pocket. He'd kept it at his desk, knowing Inej rarely if ever went in there. The times she did, it was if he asked her to a grab something when his leg was protesting. She didn't seem to find it or even make any note, though he's still filled with nerves. It's illogical.
Hopefully none of it is showing on his face as he walks with her out towards the Fifth Harbor. They'd spent some time looking for an import spice shop (which they found) and another spot that had Ravkan coffee before deciding to take a walk out towards the docks. It was, after all, one of the busier harbors, ships of all sorts coming in with their bright white sails. The dock posts themselves were decorated for end of summer, ribbons and flowers fluttering in the breeze coming off the water.
Maybe one of the other harbors would've been (technically) safer. Or perhaps more quiet. But this was where they'd started; there was something satisfying in bringing it full circle. ]
I thought that couple was going to try and adopt you on the spot. [ The ones who ran the spice shop were two wives, one Shu and the other Suli. They'd clearly adored the Wraith for a multitude of reasons. ]
no subject
learning shu is her next journey. if she can speak three languages, why not four? ]
They’re lovely.
[ warmly, as they walk along the docks. Kaz had wanted to go for a walk, which didn’t strike her as odd. it’s a relatively nice day, for ketterdam. ]
I think half their business comes from our street.
[ jesper has been buying from them, too. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
Frankly, he's betting they haven't figured it out. Neither the Black Tips nor the Razorgulls has much kicking around in their heads.
Either way, Inej is back and the streets aren't a complete riot for at least a couple days. She's able to get some rest upon immediate arrival, having come in with the late tide, and the two of them got to spend some time together just yesterday. Today, she'd finally gone out to visit Jesper and Wylan, knowing at any moment they were going to start banging Kaz's door down for keeping her solely to himself.
Of course, almost as soon as she's likely gotten to their house, the Barrel turns upside down. The Razorgulls finally gain the guts to make a move on some territory, claiming it wasn't technically part of Fifth Harbor. Unfortunately, the maps of the city are conflicting, so they're right, depending on which one is read. Trying to solve it through logic or getting the city to care about an area dispute isn't worth it. So he goes out to dissuade them by force.
The thing about the Razorgulls is they've gotten better fighters as of late. And he feels that, personally, when a couple of them manage to tackle him to the ground. By the time the Dregs drag themselves back to the Slat—triumphant, of course—he's bruised and bleeding and his leg is complaining fiercely. He'd kept most of the hits away from his face, but someone managed to nick his cheek with a knife. He's sprawled in a chair in his room, door open just in case someone shouted for something. There's a whole first aid kit dumped out across his desk; he's currently cleaning off any cuts, the front of his shirt open as he does. ]
no subject
the first few questions are predictable -- where is kaz? and inej shrugs it off, because kaz decided to stay behind to do paperwork. but about an hour or so into the meeting, she gets an odd feeling in her stomach. and once they finish lunch, inej excuses herself to head back to the slat, but instead of walking the normal way (which she had done on the way there), she takes to the rooftops.
the city has a different energy, when something snaps. it felt fine, on her way to jesper and wylan's, but it now feels dangerous. and true to her instinct, it only takes a few moments to uncover that a fight had happened in fifth harbor. razorgulls grumbling in alleyways, but no specifics that inej can overhear. and as she makes her way to dreg territory, she skips the front door to head directly to the attic.
and once she pulls herself up onto the window to see kaz slowly mending wounds, her heart sinks. her first thought is that he had been jumped, which is what the razorgulls had been complaining about. maybe kaz was with other dregs, who clearly failed at their jobs, if he was so injured. ]
What happened?
[ as she slips inside, landing silently on the wooden floorboards of the attic, brushing back her hood. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
inej; nap time
The thing is, alongside a stubbornness, Ella seems to have inherited a fussiness about bedtime. She's more active than any child has a right to be the later in the day it gets. Except her tiny body doesn't have the stamina to keep going and she quickly gets cranky close to evening.
And then hates every second of being put down for a nap.
Honestly, he can relate. He hates that he can relate. It has to be some sort of karma for how much he's driven everyone in this damn city nuts with his general crankiness. Considering all of that, he tends to be the one who takes over getting the poor thing to bed. Especially since she's been going through a particularly grabby period– Inej's hair is a prime target. She's also associated her with mealtime, which doesn't help in getting her to sleep.
Today is a particularly rough day for it and Kaz barely registers when Inej ducks out of the house to get some time and peace. Eventually, he gives in and lies down with Ella on their bed, intending to put his leg up and soothe her to sleep.
She ends up on his chest, one small round cheek pressed against it, her tiny (but strong) hand clinging to his shirt. There's no doing anything like this. And truthfully, he doesn't want to go through the whole process of accidentally waking her up just so he can read or something. Instead, he ends up drifting off, both hands laid across her legs and back, to keep her in place. ]
no subject
inej goes anyway, but spends the trip to the market distracted, and accidentally spends a solid five minutes picking out apples — so much so that the keeper has to politely ask her to stop touching all of them. and eventually, inej decides that taking longer than normal to get some peace is not worth the distracted anxiety she feels being away from home, and so she finishes the trip.
when she does get home a few hours later (after getting food, sending letters that have been sitting, and picking up other things that they’ve been running low on, like ink and stamps), inej forces herself to put away what she’s purchased, glancing at the clock on the wall. ella has proven sleeping through the night is possible, but a nap before dinner was the usual routine. she has to be hungry, by now. but hearing no screaming, maybe kaz and ella have found something to distract themselves until she got back.
so she makes her way to the bedroom, intending on taking a quick shower when she finds them both in bed, seemingly asleep. and her heart immediately warms, abandoning the idea of a shower to gingerly crawl into the bed, trying her best not to wake either of them. and when she finally lays down, she realizes that ella is staring at her, seemingly awake (or, at least, a little bit), with her free hand stuffed into her mouth. ]
Clever.
[ inej says quietly, amused, not daring to move the baby from her comfortable perch.
she apparently got what she wanted, and inej is loathe to disturb the peace. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
inej; this is a first
He isn't in too much better of shape, having just dealt with the Black Tips and Razorgulls forming a temporary alliance to try and tip the scales of power in the Barrel. It isn't quite the same level of stress of the Ice Court or Van Eck, but it definitely fits into the top five. The complicated nature of it had him asking Jesper and Wylan for a hand. A rarity, as he tries to let them live their relatively normal lives away from the chaos of his.
They were both, perhaps, a bit more enthusiastic about it than he expected.
With the gang nonsense resolved and Inej proclaiming at least two weeks of being land bound, he doesn't hesitate to suggest they go get some space away. It's been some time since their last vacation, work pulling them in their respective directions without much mercy. Being so last minute, they can't go terribly far, but as usual he has a plan.
Which is how they end up in the countryside of Kerch. In Zwel, a town just outside of Belendt. Close enough that the Dregs or Inej's crew could shout, just in case. But also, like most country towns, having plenty of space and quiet. The hotel is more of a bed and breakfast, with sturdy walls and modest decoration. Something about it is immediately soothing. Whether that's the relative silence or the nostalgia, he isn't sure.
Either way, they've been here for a couple days now, keeping mostly to themselves and catching up on some needed rest. Their room has a small balcony overlooking the neat rows of laden fruit trees. It lends a sweet smell to the occasional breeze. He spent a better part of the day reading out there and is paying a bit for it, his nose and cheeks pink from the sun.
At least now it's evening and no one will really notice. Aside from Inej, of course. Who apparently has some surprise cooked up, because she's shut herself into the bathroom before dinner. He hasn't heard anything—which he rarely does, she is quiet with most things—not even a splash of water, so he knocks. ]
Have you fallen asleep?
no subject
she’s not sure why she picked tonight, to try this. dressing up for the sake of it. but it feels right, and exciting, even. at least to try. and inej knows Kaz enough by now that she’s certain he’ll love it. she’s noticed, by now, that he really likes being able to see and touch her legs.
at his knock, though, inej rolls her eyes. how impatient. but she draws in a breath, letting it out in a smile as she opens the door, arching her eyebrows slightly. ]
No.
[ mildly, amused. ]
I was waiting on you.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
at the end of the evening, inej can safely say it was.
all of their friends were in attendance -- even nina, who had made the trip and promised to stay to celebrate. her parents were thrilled, and her mother cried. and it had been a fun night, with a lot of wine and music and talking and general . . . merriment, really. which isn't something they all get to have.
so it's roughly three in the morning, when they eventually get back to their home. she is still wearing the long lace dress she had picked out what feels like forever ago, with kaz's suit jacket draped around her -- it had gotten chilly, later in the night. and nothing sounds more delightful than getting into bed, honestly. inej had put her parents and nina in a lovely hotel, mostly so she could have peace and quiet at her own home after a chaotic day. as much as she loves and adores her family (both blood and not), she needs calm, every once in awhile. even if her mother had been miffed.
she's exceptionally grateful for her decision now, as it's taken about three times to get the stupid key into the lock of their front door. maybe the last glass of wine had been a mistake. ]
I think we need to replace -- ah. [ success, as she manages to unlock the stupid door, because it's clearly the door's fault, and not her's, and inej opens the door triumphantly. ] There we go.
[ sometimes she forgets she's about a hundred pounds soaking wet. and, incidentally, jesper does too, who is definitely responsible for filling inej's glass so frequently. ]
no subject
(At one point, while buried color swatches, he very nearly regrets wanting this at all.)
They make it to the other side of the stress, though, and it's worth every minute. He doesn't think he's ever laughed or smiled so much in one sitting. He even managed to dance, briefly, badly, before he ended up drinking enough that standing was a precarious situation. It helps to know that most of the rest of his friends were in the same position by the end of the night. That is to say: drunk, happy, and slightly off-balance. Even Nina, who could famously hold her drink better than the rest of them.
By the time everything winds down and he and Inej get home, he's still tipsy enough to feel the pleasantly warm buzz under his skin. It's enough to keep the chill off, even though his coat is currently draped over Inej's small shoulders. He wants nothing more than to pull the coat off and kiss a line down her back. The dress she picked had left her back exposed and he'd been preoccupied with tracing her spine the whole night. Of course, the desire to kiss her was right up there alongside the desire to pull her into bed and crash out for the night.
Which they both clearly need to do because it takes her three tries to get the door open. He's not sure if his attempts would've been better. ]
I'll be honest, I'm not sure I could've picked that right now. [ He doesn't sound the least bit shamed, instead following her in and feeling a deep satisfaction at being home. Alone. Asena had been affronted at first, being put up in a hotel instead of at their place, but he's immensely glad they have their space right now.
After they step into their room, he gently pulls her into a hug, mouth pressed to the top of her head. ]
Hey, we're married. [ He can't keep the giddiness out of his voice. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
kaz is a present father ok.
roughly twelve hours ago, the irregular contractions had grown a bit more regular, and a bit more painful -- to the point that inej was fairly certain it was time. but she had long been lectured by her mother and several different midwives that the process could take days. and, really, worrying kaz at the outset seemed like a pointless decision. he would only fret, and not sleep, and that would only serve to annoy her further.
so she said nothing, instead choosing to (gently) bully kaz into taking a bath with her. the hot water felt incredible on her back, and the uncomfortabe pain was somehow more tolerable, in the bath. she felt relaxed to the point of nearly taking a nap, but instead sighed lazily, resting the back of her head against kaz's chest. ]
Why didn't we invent time travel.
[ tiredly, her tone rueful. ]
We could jump ahead and have this be over with by now.
no subject
So Inej frequently running low on energy as she progressed had been somewhat of a surprise. He was so used to her being up early and constantly moving about. While he knows she doesn't like the feeling of being essentially bedridden, it has relieved his nerves somewhat, especially as the potential due date drew closer and closer. Sure she could still protect herself if she were out in the Barrel, but his paranoia had hooked its claws in, spinning so many unlikely scenarios. To his mind, it didn't matter that logically, people would rather flee than walk in the same five foot radius as the Wraith. Or to even consider doing anything in what was basically Dregs territory.
Which is why he's gladly allowed himself to be bullied into the bathtub with her, despite having work to do. Something about her behavior had been off in the past number of hours, he just couldn't place what had changed. He forced himself to relax, though, Inej a comfortable line of weight along his front. One hand had settled on her stomach, thumb lazily drawing a soothing line across the skin.
(While it's been years, he's still amazed he's able to do this, to touch wet skin without flinching). ]
Because someone would use it to do something stupid. [ Or terrible. ] If you nap long enough it's almost the same thing.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)