timewasting | OPEN POST 2020.

[ She comes over whenever she's done drying off and dressing, settling next to him with a cup of coffee. As much as he's annoyed by having to stay in bed right now instead of being able to go downstairs and have breakfast, he does like doing this with her. Some of his favorite meals have been from takeout cartons while sitting on the roof of the Slat with Inej.

Of course, the bed is a more comfortable spot.

When she speaks up, he flexes his foot experimentally and winces, giving in to the idea that he'll be here for most if not all of the day. ]

There's worse places to be. [ Even if he hates being stuck in one place because his own body has decided to betray him. ]

There are worse places to be.

[ in agreement, as she sips her coffee, amused.

she can't really remember where the eating on the roof tradition started. she actually isn't sure if he ate up there on his own prior to inej's induction into the dregs, or if he just started to tag along with her when she invited him to join her one night. either way, it was a nice reprieve from the chaos of their respective roles.

so sometimes, it's nice just to sit by themselves without other people. like now, though he's clearly not totally happy about it. ]

Besides, it isn't as if we had anything planned.

[ she says as she reaches over to collect a scone of her own, placing a napkin over her knee, balancing the scone on it while she returns to her coffee. ]

You could go back to sleep, if you really wanted to.

[ He picks at his scone some more, trying to concentrate on that rather than the pull of nerves in his leg. Eventually, he'll mentally phase them out, like he usually does, he just doesn't have enough to occupy his attention away. ]

Well, true. [ Is that better or worse? At least they don't have to cancel plans, aside from breakfast ones. But then, it's not often they have a free day to do whatever they like, so that's a downside. He sinks back into the pillows some more, finishing the rest of his scone and sipping on his coffee. ]

Only if you are too.

[ It's very possible for him to fall back asleep on his own. But why do that when he could cuddle? ]

[ she leans backwards to set her now empty cup on her bedside table, turning her attention to her own scone once she resettles back next to him. and as she neatly breaks it into two, careful not to get crumbs on the sheets -- ]

I wouldn't just leave you here by yourself.

[ as she takes a bite of a piece of her scone, chewing thoughtfully. she would rather stay in bed with him all day than wander the town by herself, anyway. ]

Maybe we could set up a bed in the sun on the balcony. . . the warmth would help. Although you may burn more than you have already.

[ a little wryly, as she reaches out to gently run a thumb over his cheek. ]

We could find an umbrella.

[ She has a pretty good point. The sun is strong enough right now that the warmth might help soothe some of the bone deep ache. Plus, as much as he dislikes the possibility of burning and the general brightness, he honestly doesn't mind the sunlight too much. The grey skies of Ketterdam suit his mood better but he doesn't hate the sun.

He just hates that he's pale enough to burn from it. And the freckles that like to show up with too much exposure. They take away from the severity of his face, he thinks.

(Yes, he is a little vain). ]

As long as my face in the shade, it shouldn't be too bad. Maybe I should've brought a hat.

[ The brim would've done just the trick. With her hand on his cheek, he tilts his face towards the touch, ignoring the way the skin feels a bit too sensitive from yesterday's carelessness. ]

[ she grins a little, at the mention of the hat, and the protection of his precious face. what a priss.

she finishes her scone easily before cleaning up, careful not to drop crumbs. and once she’s done with that, she settles herself next to him, tugging him gently. ]

Come here.

[ so he can use her for a pillow. like the infant he is. and as she runs her fingers through his hair, she adds: ]

You are very cute, with red cheeks.

[ said half in seriousness and half because inej knows he’ll be irritated. ]

[ He follows the tugging without any resistance, though he's careful about how he sets his leg when he lies down. Because of course he actually does, cheek pressed to her chest like he did earlier. His arm loops loosely around her middle and he closes his eyes for a few moments when she runs her fingers through his hair.

It's just. Nice. ]

Don't wanna be cute. [ At least he isn't cranky about it. More petulant than anything else. ] It makes me look like I'm twelve.

[ That isn't very threatening. ]

[ she rolls her eyes at his complaint, threading her fingers through his hair as he makes himself comfortable. what a baby. ]

There is nothing wrong with being cute.

[ though she does try to envision what he looked like, at twelve. probably the same, with rounder cheeks. the same stubborn scowl. a thirty year old stuffed into a small thin body. at least, the twelve year old he should have been before ketterdam. ]

But I imagine some people still find you terrifying.

[ she never has, but some people still do. ]

[ Even if he can't see her face he can tell she's having none of this. It does make him smile a little bit. ]

Just some people?

[ He sounds incredulous. Because he's well aware that Inej herself isn't really afraid of him. That isn't what their relationship was built on. And he's always treated her a bit differently than the rest of the Dregs.

Or even the rest of the Barrel. ]

Cute's for small animals and kids. I guess.

You have never been terrifying to me. Or remotely scary.

[ a bit dryly, continuing to play with his hair as he continues to pout. ]

You have been cute, though.

[ when he first wakes up in the morning (before he talks), or when he only wants to hold her, or when he puts his hand at her back when someone gets too close to them while waiting in line for dinner.

adorable, really. ]

I've noticed.

[ That should rankle more than it does. But they have such a specific history; it's no wonder she sees him very differently than the rest do.

Not to mention—even if some days it's aggravating—he does like having someone willing to tell him exactly how things are. A straightforward opinion without the nervous glances as if he'll shiv them on the spot for daring to speak to him. ]

Yeah? [ He tilts his head up a little, getting a brief look at her face. ] I suppose that's alright, coming from you.

[ She is the one with his head on her chest, after all. Though he hasn't been particularly cute this morning, if at all. ]

You're cute all the time. [ Well, more like extraordinary, but the sentiment is similar. ]

Am I?

[ a bit knowingly, as she glances down at him, grinning a little before she dips down to press her lips against his forehead. he must be feeling better if he's doling out compliments so easily. what a charmer. ]

I don't think I can remember a time where you have ever called me cute.

[ ( she definitely can. at least one. but, whatever. ) ]

[ Truthfully, this is giving him something to think about. Though there's a low level hum of an ache in his leg, he can focus on this back and forth easier than when he'd first gotten up. ]

You're cute when you're concentrating. You get this small divot between your brows.

[ Usually her expression is more thoughtful when she's thinking about something really hard, but occasionally he catches that concentrated face. ]

I'd say you're more beautiful and fierce than cute, most of the time. [ That serves in place of telling her that he's grateful she's even in the same room as he is, right? ]

[ the description of her own look of concentration causes her eyebrows to raise slightly, because inej truthfully didn’t know she did that. but her surprised expression turns into a quiet laugh as he differentiates between beautiful and cute, and inej gently brushes his hair back again. ]

Hmmm . . .

[ thoughtfully; she does look like she’s considering something with utmost seriousness. ]

I do like fierce.

[ that sounds apt, she thinks. deadly, but still wanted, and loved. a cat is nothing without her claws, and inej has those in spades.

she considers listing off what she thinks about him . . . but instead: ]

I think you are most cute when you are half asleep.

[ and mumbling into her hair. ]

[ She considers and he cuddles a little more, half nuzzling the spot he's got his cheek pressed against, letting out a content sigh as she brushes his hair back. ]

You're always fierce. And lovely when you have that steely look.

[ Does he like when she means business and is flashing her knives about in her subtle way? Probably more than is normal. He doesn't think most people feel their heart speed up and a warm flush spread through them when they see their partner brandish a sharp object with intent.

Is that a thing he picked up from the Barrel or was that always there? He wasn't even remotely interested in anyone until Inej came along so he isn't sure. ]

I'm pretty incoherent when I'm half asleep. [ Though maybe that's part of the appeal. ]

I know.

[ mildly enough, regarding his incoherence. even before they got together, inej knew better than to bother kaz before at least ten, especially if he had been at the club the night before. not even she would be spared his irritation if he was woken up before he wanted to be, particularly if he had a chance to sleep.

— it’s essentially the same rule now, but she has much more leeway in bothering him to get up. ]

I only have that look when I’m annoyed.

[ she adds, amused. and she rests her chin on top of his head, content. ]

I am sure I have better looks than that.

[ Before, he would be in the foulest of moods if he were awoken before ten bells. It didn't matter who it was, they'd face at least a little wrath if they made an attempt.

Inej had figured out a way to do it without invoking a sharp tongue and a rude gesture. But then, she has more leeway than basically anyone else. He isn't any more coherent at that point, but it is nice to wake up to her combing her fingers through his hair or kissing his cheek. ]

Inej, every look is a good look for you. [ Ah, the truth. ] Besides, I like it when you're annoyed with someone and ready to tell them to think better of doing so.

You only like that look because it is reserved for you.

[ accusingly, though she does feel a little warm at every look is a good look. his adoration never really gets old.

though, as she traces the curve of his cheek with a finger . . . ]

My favorite expression of yours is when you think no one is looking at you, and you are doing something you enjoy.

Well, that's a factor too.

[ He grins as he says it, giving her a small squeeze with the arm he has draped over her middle. Maybe he shouldn't push her to annoyance so much but sometimes the banter is too easy.

Plus she really is cute when she gives him that slightly annoyed look. ]

I have no idea what that looks like. [ Honestly, he can't guess. Usually he isn't aware of what his face is doing in that moment, engrossed in what he's doing instead. Is it a curious expression? Open? ] But I'm glad you find it to your liking.

You look very deep in thought, but at peace.

[ it’s a different look, than when he’s trying to solve a problem or thinking about something frustrating. it’s soothing. like when he’s reading a book for fun, rather than something he has to read because it’s required for his work. ]

You sometimes hold your tongue between your teeth right here.

[ and she draws a finger along his cheek. ]

And you knit your brows if you are reading something very interesting. Or if you are learning something new.

[ Kaz is aware that she pays attention. That's just who she is—someone with a sharp eye, who takes in everything. It's why she's done so well as the Wraith, remembering little details or looking for things other people wouldn't normally.

It's strangely satisfying to have that same attention directed towards him; her description of his expression clearly says she'd been watching. He almost feels embarrassed, but it's a good type of embarrassment. A faint blush works its way across his face, one he's not sure she'll see. Thankfully. ]

You do something similar, when you're looking at your maps. [ Sometimes she chews at her bottom lip. It's very endearing. ]

I've always liked when you sat on my windowsill, taking in the sun. You look— [ Hm, how does he put this? ] —radiant. Like one of those saints of yours.

OPEN POST 2020.

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