[ She says it with such a casual tone but he knows it for the threat she'd make a reality. It never fails to make his heart speed up, warmed by a faint sense of pride and maybe something else. Maybe he's got a few wires crossed. ]
I'm going to take everything from him. [ Not just a painting. But the payment they're owed, his lands, his respect from the council, his life. Not in the same sense Inej is insinuating, though he isn't opposed. He just wants him humiliated first, shown for exactly what he is.
All those thoughts tumble to a halt as she starts putting the bandage on, that first touch sending a small tremble through him. She isn't in contact with any of his skin but he can feel the brief points of warmth from her fingertips as she goes. It's almost too much. It's not enough.
She leans in to loop the cloth around his back and he inhales shakily. As always, caught between wanting to close the gap or staying still. ]
I couldn't stop thinking about how you snuck up on me for a few weeks.
[ Truthfully, the memory is as clear now as it was then. But he'd puzzled over it during those weeks, trying to figure out how, whether he'd been distracted or she had actually been that silent.
Nor could he forget the way his pulse had spiked from the brief fear. The shot of adrenaline from being taken by surprise. ]
[ he seems to be okay, albeit nervous. anxious. but his comment causes a faint upturn of her lips into an amused smile, as she lays another layer of bandages against his skin. careful to not touch too much. ]
Heleen hated it, when I did that. [ as she smooths a light crease in the bandages, shifting her weight a little to loop another round. ] She made me wear anything loud enough to jingle so she could know where I was.
[ much to her fury, inej only learned how to adjust her weight to avoid any sound whatsoever. but she settles back a little bit, to continue her work, her tone shifting from amused to a little more somber. ]
I knew I would be safe with you; I had been watching you come and go. [ she tugs the bandages a little bit tighter, careful not to put too much pressure on the bruising, but making sure they were tight enough to stabilize the bruised ribs. ] You always said no whenever she offered to sell you a girl for an hour.
[ which made kaz different, at the very least. and far better than the other gang members that frequented the menagerie, though inej suspects the dregs avoided the brothel after inej joined. those who were stupid enough to say they partook in such things lost teeth, if they said so within her earshot. or, quite frankly, kaz's.
she wraps a last loop around him, smoothing the bandage neatly before tying it off, tucking it into another layer. and she smiles to herself, settling back onto sitting on the desk. ]
[ It's just like her, to take on a challenge and beat it. Heleen had done everything in her power to break her determination and independence. In some ways, it worked, those claw marks left deep. But he knows she hasn't let that stop her. From learning to outdo the bells to now, feared in the streets as the Wraith. ]
You still took a chance.
[ He never took Heleen up on her offer because he knew he couldn't. Then, even the mere idea of touching skin made him feel ill. Even without that, he thinks he might've still said no. Heleen trapped her girls and he didn't want any part of that.
Inej tightens the bandage and he winces, just a bit, bruises definitely tender with the pressure. With one more loop, she finishes, the bandages laying flat and secure around his ribs. He smooths one hand over them, out of them pure habit, nodding at her handiwork. She smiles when she leans back and he wants to trace the slight curve, always liking how her face lit up with the expression. ]
This will do. [ Should keep him in one piece for the next day at least. ] We should head back.
[ There's still so much to do. But he selfishly wants to spend a little more time with just her, the world shut off from them. Especially if things don't pan out. This could be their last chance.
So he hesitates, not wanting to leave the bracket of her knees, this closeness of not quite touching. ]
[ we should head back, but he doesn't move. and inej watches him thoughtfully before she straightens into sitting up. edging back into his personal space, remembering how lovely it felt for him to kiss her cheek. and though she had teased him for being greedy, she feels the same. craving the closeness that she's wanted for years, but hasn't been able to seize for herself.
this time, though, inej leans forward just enough to brush her lips against his, the movement done before she really has time to think about it. it's purposefully gentle, mindful of his injuries, though she pulls back just enough to murmur: ]
You are going to need to move if we are heading back.
[ and inej reaches out to gently smooth her palm against the bandages, the touch feather light. ]
[ Neither of them move for a brief moment. Inej does first, though, straightening up on his desk, clearly determined. In doing so, she closes the gap between them more. His pulse is loud in his ears, a familiar surge of greediness under his skin.
He doesn't have a chance to worry about the past or water dragging him down. Not when she leans in and gently brushes her lips across his, a touch that's there and gone. When she pulls away, he lets out a shuddering sigh, feeling his face heat at how little had done so much. ]
It's an idea. [ Before he moves, he traces his thumb across her knuckles. A parting gift, a possible last touch till all this is through. He steps out of her space then, taking hold of his cane to hobble into his room and pick out a fresh shirt. ]
[ she already misses him when he steps out of her space, his fingers brushing hers. she watches him limp to his room for a moment before she pushes herself up onto her feet to follow after him, shoulder leaning against the doorframe. ]
Good idea, maybe.
[ though she can't deny that keeping him here and having him sleep is the best idea. but that is a war she is not going to win. though, as kaz picks out a fresh shirt and begins to (gingerly) shrug into it, she straightens up to step into his room properly. ]
Come here.
[ she murmurs, as she reaches out to tug his shirt a little straighter, beginning to button it up. the movement more efficient, and it would prevent kaz from moving his arms too much. it puts them much closer again, but inej keeps herself focused on the task. though she's sorely tempted to kiss him again.
maybe later. but as she thinks about that, another thought pops into her head, and inej says (as she buttons, ever pragmatic): ]
Maybe. [ His answer is amused, as he pulls a shirt out and sets his cane aside to pull it on. He can feel her eyes on his back, though he's attempting to ignore the stare in favor of getting dressed.
It's a slow process, since he lifts his arm up too quickly on the first go, inhaling sharply at the sudden pain along his side. The second try is slightly better, though the aggravated bruises are throbbing under the bandage. Eventually, he gets both shirtsleeves on and is bracing himself to straighten the collar out.
Inej solves that for him, instead, her small fingers sliding under the collar to make it lie flat. She tugs the front straight, palms smoothing over the material to rid it of creases. He wants nothing more than to lean into it, feeling a sudden and dizzy rush of warmth. Instead, he remains still, letting her finish with the buttons. ]
In a minute. [ The final touch, after he makes sure he's at least presentable with his clothes. At the moment, he's a bit distracted thinking about how this resembles something out of a dream.
When his shirt's buttoned, he ticks the tails in carefully and then pulls on a coat with the same measured pace. It would be relatively easy to get a healer to deal with this, but he needs people to believe the fight happened here. ]
[ he's in pain. she can tell, by the movement of his arms, how slowly it takes him to tug on his coat. but inej allows him the space to do so, carefully watching for an opportunity to help. she finds one in straightening his coat, tugging it a bit firmer around his shoulders, smoothing out the fabric against his sides.
saints, she wants nothing more than to stay in the attic and pretend the world outside doesn't exist. but they need to get back to nina, matthias, jesper, wylan. everyone crammed into the geldrunner, waiting for the next move. so she sighs to herself, turning to collect kaz's cane and gloves, thinking out loud to herself: ]
You should be able to go through the back alleys, now. It would be quicker, safer than injuring yourself on the rooftops. [ with the added bonus that inej would be watching his back from above, ready to drop whoever came near him with a well-placed throw of her blade. ] Or I'll come with you, the longer way.
[ she can at least be there to pull him up when he lands. and, without looking up from her task of finding his gloves, she says: ]
[ She steps into his space again when she tugs his coat straight, making sure the lapels laid flat and the shoulders weren't bunched up. It's harder to feel the warmth of her hands through two layers but the pressure is enough. Really, he shouldn't like it, not after the beating he took—everything aches.
He craves it, though, despite everything. Feels that same urge to let her keep going, to fold himself in towards her and shut out the rest of everything.
There's work to be done, however. And Kaz Brekker does not leave loose ends. ]
I'll take the alleys. [ Now that the Dregs are squared away, he won't have to dodge Haskell's ire. There are other gangs but he and Inej know the paths that will circumvent their territories. Or will at least let them pass mostly unnoticed.
At her sharp reminder, he nearly sighs, going to pick the jar of salve back up again. Limping over to the small mirror near his dresser, he carefully applies some of the balm to his face, wincing occasionally when his fingers pass over a cut. It stings worse than the ones on his chest—face wounds always did. ]
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no subject
I'm going to take everything from him. [ Not just a painting. But the payment they're owed, his lands, his respect from the council, his life. Not in the same sense Inej is insinuating, though he isn't opposed. He just wants him humiliated first, shown for exactly what he is.
All those thoughts tumble to a halt as she starts putting the bandage on, that first touch sending a small tremble through him. She isn't in contact with any of his skin but he can feel the brief points of warmth from her fingertips as she goes. It's almost too much. It's not enough.
She leans in to loop the cloth around his back and he inhales shakily. As always, caught between wanting to close the gap or staying still. ]
I couldn't stop thinking about how you snuck up on me for a few weeks.
[ Truthfully, the memory is as clear now as it was then. But he'd puzzled over it during those weeks, trying to figure out how, whether he'd been distracted or she had actually been that silent.
Nor could he forget the way his pulse had spiked from the brief fear. The shot of adrenaline from being taken by surprise. ]
no subject
Heleen hated it, when I did that. [ as she smooths a light crease in the bandages, shifting her weight a little to loop another round. ] She made me wear anything loud enough to jingle so she could know where I was.
[ much to her fury, inej only learned how to adjust her weight to avoid any sound whatsoever. but she settles back a little bit, to continue her work, her tone shifting from amused to a little more somber. ]
I knew I would be safe with you; I had been watching you come and go. [ she tugs the bandages a little bit tighter, careful not to put too much pressure on the bruising, but making sure they were tight enough to stabilize the bruised ribs. ] You always said no whenever she offered to sell you a girl for an hour.
[ which made kaz different, at the very least. and far better than the other gang members that frequented the menagerie, though inej suspects the dregs avoided the brothel after inej joined. those who were stupid enough to say they partook in such things lost teeth, if they said so within her earshot. or, quite frankly, kaz's.
she wraps a last loop around him, smoothing the bandage neatly before tying it off, tucking it into another layer. and she smiles to herself, settling back onto sitting on the desk. ]
Better? Or do you need more?
no subject
You still took a chance.
[ He never took Heleen up on her offer because he knew he couldn't. Then, even the mere idea of touching skin made him feel ill. Even without that, he thinks he might've still said no. Heleen trapped her girls and he didn't want any part of that.
Inej tightens the bandage and he winces, just a bit, bruises definitely tender with the pressure. With one more loop, she finishes, the bandages laying flat and secure around his ribs. He smooths one hand over them, out of them pure habit, nodding at her handiwork. She smiles when she leans back and he wants to trace the slight curve, always liking how her face lit up with the expression. ]
This will do. [ Should keep him in one piece for the next day at least. ] We should head back.
[ There's still so much to do. But he selfishly wants to spend a little more time with just her, the world shut off from them. Especially if things don't pan out. This could be their last chance.
So he hesitates, not wanting to leave the bracket of her knees, this closeness of not quite touching. ]
no subject
this time, though, inej leans forward just enough to brush her lips against his, the movement done before she really has time to think about it. it's purposefully gentle, mindful of his injuries, though she pulls back just enough to murmur: ]
You are going to need to move if we are heading back.
[ and inej reaches out to gently smooth her palm against the bandages, the touch feather light. ]
And you need a shirt.
no subject
He doesn't have a chance to worry about the past or water dragging him down. Not when she leans in and gently brushes her lips across his, a touch that's there and gone. When she pulls away, he lets out a shuddering sigh, feeling his face heat at how little had done so much. ]
It's an idea. [ Before he moves, he traces his thumb across her knuckles. A parting gift, a possible last touch till all this is through. He steps out of her space then, taking hold of his cane to hobble into his room and pick out a fresh shirt. ]
no subject
Good idea, maybe.
[ though she can't deny that keeping him here and having him sleep is the best idea. but that is a war she is not going to win. though, as kaz picks out a fresh shirt and begins to (gingerly) shrug into it, she straightens up to step into his room properly. ]
Come here.
[ she murmurs, as she reaches out to tug his shirt a little straighter, beginning to button it up. the movement more efficient, and it would prevent kaz from moving his arms too much. it puts them much closer again, but inej keeps herself focused on the task. though she's sorely tempted to kiss him again.
maybe later. but as she thinks about that, another thought pops into her head, and inej says (as she buttons, ever pragmatic): ]
You still need to put salve on your face.
[ just in case he forgot. ]
no subject
It's a slow process, since he lifts his arm up too quickly on the first go, inhaling sharply at the sudden pain along his side. The second try is slightly better, though the aggravated bruises are throbbing under the bandage. Eventually, he gets both shirtsleeves on and is bracing himself to straighten the collar out.
Inej solves that for him, instead, her small fingers sliding under the collar to make it lie flat. She tugs the front straight, palms smoothing over the material to rid it of creases. He wants nothing more than to lean into it, feeling a sudden and dizzy rush of warmth. Instead, he remains still, letting her finish with the buttons. ]
In a minute. [ The final touch, after he makes sure he's at least presentable with his clothes. At the moment, he's a bit distracted thinking about how this resembles something out of a dream.
When his shirt's buttoned, he ticks the tails in carefully and then pulls on a coat with the same measured pace. It would be relatively easy to get a healer to deal with this, but he needs people to believe the fight happened here. ]
no subject
saints, she wants nothing more than to stay in the attic and pretend the world outside doesn't exist. but they need to get back to nina, matthias, jesper, wylan. everyone crammed into the geldrunner, waiting for the next move. so she sighs to herself, turning to collect kaz's cane and gloves, thinking out loud to herself: ]
You should be able to go through the back alleys, now. It would be quicker, safer than injuring yourself on the rooftops. [ with the added bonus that inej would be watching his back from above, ready to drop whoever came near him with a well-placed throw of her blade. ] Or I'll come with you, the longer way.
[ she can at least be there to pull him up when he lands. and, without looking up from her task of finding his gloves, she says: ]
Salve.
[ fix your damn face already. ]
no subject
He craves it, though, despite everything. Feels that same urge to let her keep going, to fold himself in towards her and shut out the rest of everything.
There's work to be done, however. And Kaz Brekker does not leave loose ends. ]
I'll take the alleys. [ Now that the Dregs are squared away, he won't have to dodge Haskell's ire. There are other gangs but he and Inej know the paths that will circumvent their territories. Or will at least let them pass mostly unnoticed.
At her sharp reminder, he nearly sighs, going to pick the jar of salve back up again. Limping over to the small mirror near his dresser, he carefully applies some of the balm to his face, wincing occasionally when his fingers pass over a cut. It stings worse than the ones on his chest—face wounds always did. ]