𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐖𝐎 — dear brekker

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 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 Ketterdam was set in stone. As though someone had taken a chisel to marble, carving out its likeness as though crafting a statue for the many to gape and gawk at... everything was frozen in time, it seemed.

 From the Crow Club and the Slate... to Kaz's Office. Kaz's little slice of solitude had always contradicted him in a way. He appeared so very cold and calloused, he was a multitude of edges so sharp that even breathing near him could have dotted cuts and slices into one's flesh... but his office was always warm, even with the window cracked open, even with raindrops seeping into the room.

 Perhaps it was due to the candles scattered over the surfaces. Perhaps due to the scent of old book pages and parchment.

 Either way... it was still the same. Aleksa drew a finger over the bookcase. She had memorized his collection, and now there were at least a dozen more added to his arsenal. She stopped, her finger dipping into a scrape against the wood. An old remnant of Cas; a memory of him.

 Aleksa dipped her head and the ring upon her pointer finger felt heavier than it ever had before. Kaz would be elated, or at least as elated as he could be; Cas wasn't around to muck up his wood or peck at his cheeks... he wasn't around to claw through his coats.

 Aleksa slumped into the chair she had practically claimed; it sat opposite his desk and would always grant the most perfect view of dear Kaz Brekker. The candlelight would spark beneath his cheekbones, casting a shadow over his structured features... she used to stare for hours, grinning when he would tut and roll his eyes.

 She missed that.

 She wondered what exactly Kaz had gotten himself into; he looked just as he always did when he arrived at the Slat, but Aleksa knew the details. She could see things about him that nobody else could; from the slight rumple of his coat to the little red patch of skin beneath his jaw. There had been an altercation.

 Soon enough, Inej slipped into the room. Aleksa had no doubt that she'd spied through the little peep hold in the wall, watching as Kaz and Per Haskell had their little talk. Kaz always regained his manners in front of the 'boss'. From banishing his snark to using the title sir... he always knew how to play people.

 "Anything interesting?" Aleksa uttered, hands flicking through the papers atop Kaz's desk. Just because she'd been gone for months didn't mean she'd forgotten her place... and her place was to stick her nose anywhere and everywhere.

 Inej tucked herself away on the windowsill, watching as dewdrops trailed down and over Ketterdam. The sky was hard to see through, even with a squint, "There's a job. Kaz said he'll be gone for a while."

 Aleksa perked up at that, papers suddenly abandoned on the desk. How strange it was that Aleksa had returned from war with nothing more than a heavy heart, a tried mind and betraying eyes... only to feel reinvigorated at the prospect of a heist. She truly did belong in the Barrel.

 When Kaz entered, he paused. It was strange to see Aleksa right by his desk once more, her eyes fluttering as her fingers coiled around his documents. He should have felt the need to bat her hands away, to tell her to get up and get out... because she'd left them. She'd left him.

 He felt like a boy. A little boy still coddling a warm cup of hot chocolate in his hands, the boy who wanted nothing more than to twirl little Saskia's ribbon between his fingers; the same naive boy who hadn't known what life would toss his way.

 Even with that feeling, with that revelation... Kaz still said nothing and only made for his chair. He pinched the papers from Aleksa's fingers and pried them away, certainly not missing the little smile she sent his way. He'd thought his heart had grown resistant to such a look, yet he felt as foolish as the day she'd left.

 "I have a job," Kaz said, his gloved fingers picking through the figures of the previous day, memorising each printed number with a mere glance. He truly tried to appear as though his words were for Inej, for the Wraith... but his eyes stuttered and found their way to Aleksa, "What would you say to four million Kruge?"

 Aleksa was surprised Kaz hadn't drooled at the simple mention of such a sum, but more than that... she was truly bewildered that he met her gaze. Coffee flecked with sweet crystallised honey met ocean blue and it was like no time had passed at all. He looked the same, if not a little more stern and cold, as though winter had wrapped him in a snowy blanket.

 Inej was the first to speak. Her eyes were still drawn over the fog stampeding through the city, "Money like that is more curse than gift."

 Kaz scoffed, mockery clear within his voice, "A little Suli idealist. All you need is a full belly and an open road?"

 Things really hadn't changed. Inej was still ready and willing to combat each and every words that Kaz spoke aloud, and he was right there, ready to mock her beliefs and her kind heart.

 Aleksa loved that about Inej; the unending kindness she held... but four million kruge? Aleksa tapped her pearl-coloured nails atop the wooden desk, "Four million? Who's dying?"

 Kaz almost felt his lips tick upwards at that. It was a fair enough statement, after all, four million Kruge seemed unattainable. He flicked his eyes back to the papers despite having already tucked away every lick of information in his mind, "Well?"

 "Well, what?" Aleksa said, slumping against the back of her chair, "You've not given us much to go by."

 "It's an impossible job, near certain death, terrible odds, but should we scrape it ..." He rose from his chair, gloved digits coiled around the edge of his desk. He lingered a moment, then trailed through the little opening behind him that would lead to the small bedroom to which he occupied. He worked on his waistcoat, popping one button, and then another.

 Aleksa could still hear that edge on his voice... it wasn't harsh like the pointed tip of a knife, no it was almost whimsical. Though this was Kaz, if anything was to make him swoon, it was going to be Kruge.

 Inej hopped to her feet, "How long will we be gone?"

 "A few weeks, maybe a month."

 "Are you sure you should be leaving with the Black Tips so riled up?"

 "This is the right gamble. Speaking of which, round up Jesper and Muzzen. I want them here by dawn. And I'll need Wylan waiting at the Crow Club tomorrow night."

 Aleksa furrowed her brows, Wylan? That was a name she hadn't expected to hear.

 "Wylan? If this is for a big job—"

 Kaz interrupted Inej just like he always did, "Just do it."

 That was that. Inej blew out a heavy sigh, her toes already carrying her through the open window. She paused, eyes cast to Aleksa, "I'm glad you're home."

 Home. Yes, that was right. Aleksa was finally home. She tossed her hair over one shoulder, feeling curls bunch atop her arm. She slathered on her most dazzling smile, "As am I, darling Inej."

 Then, Inej was gone. Aleksa would never understand how she did it; how she disappeared into thin air without shadows coddling her body, without so much as a sound emanating beneath her rubber-soled shoes... she was an enigma.

 Silence ensued.

 Kaz pried his waistcoat away the moment inej had disappeared as nothing but a plum-coloured blur. This wasn't something he did around anyone, anyone but Aleksa. His bare skin was something to be kept buried beneath layers of obsidian material, beneath shirts and waistcoats and woollen coats.

 He plucked the glove from his left hand, using his teeth to shuck the leather from his right hand... He spared a short look into the mirror before him, he almost hated that he was delighted to find Aleksa staring straight at him, entirely unabashed.

 "Is this my welcome home present?" Aleksa tried, her voice as sweet and sinful as aged wine. She could see Kaz positively struggling to maintain their eye contact. This was what she'd missed most, her delightful and rather arduous attempts at getting Kaz Brekker to blush like a schoolboy.

 It didn't happen often, perhaps just twice or even thrice, but Aleksa couldn't help herself.

 "Don't get me wrong, pretty boy —" Kaz blinked at the name that hadn't been used in so long, yet felt as familiar as the security of his gloves, "— I'm enjoying the show, but don't we have things to discuss?"

 Kaz averted his eyes, stooping them to the washcloth floating within the basin. He trailed it over his bare arm, watching as a line of scarred tissue glinted beneath the water. He was covered in old remnants of cuts and wounds... and while his knuckles were flooded with pearled skin, his fingertips were almost... fragile. They were delicate and soft, so very unlike Aleksa's that were protected by hardened skin, and callouses that had grown over time.

 He had the slender fingers of a lockpick. He flexed them, voice low and full of grit, "Things?"

 "Don't act aloof, Kaz, it doesn't suit you."

 "You left."

 Ah. There it is, Aleksa pondered. She had guessed this was to be how their conversation went. There was something between them, perhaps not entirely on the level to which Aleksa desired... but she was different. Kaz would never have plucked away his gloves, he'd have never popped the buttons of his shirt if Inej had lingered, or if Jesper had intruded.

 She was an exception, somebody he allowed to see him beneath a clearer light.

 So she knew that her departure would be seen as a personal slight, no matter her intentions.

 Aleksa sighed a breath so heavy, it dragged her down with it, "It was inevitable, you knew that. I told you as much."

 He said nothing.

 "Saints, Kaz," Aleksa almost snapped, hissing like a venomous snake... he hadn't heard her break and twist so easily before. It was like she'd finally lost that hold on her patience, as though she was done with dragging things out. War would do that to you, "The Black Heretic was threatening to expand the bloody Fold. What else could I have done? Told Alina 'sorry, no thank you. I have heists to go on, save the world on your own'? I had to. I trusted him, I had to help end it all."

 Kaz Brekker latched onto the name she used. Not his... no, but rather, The Black Heretic. Even after she'd found out about his slights and his awful deeds, Aleksa would still call him by his name. Aleksander. Brother. Sometimes the Darkling... never his true title.

 She was distancing herself from him now...

 That was when Kaz finally remembered that the Black Heretic was dead. The man Aleksa had only ever known as her brother had died right before her eyes. That was all he knew, the details were a secret from him and his fingers simply ached to pick that little lock.

 "So?" Aleksa huffed as she dragged herself to the doorway. She watched him drag the damp cloth over his skin, over his corded muscle that one would have been shocked to see on his body, "Are you going to put this little grudge to the side?"

 Kaz only asked one question, "Are you a member of the Dregs?"

 Aleksa's brows curled together. Was he insane? Yes. The answer was most definitely yes... but to ask that of her. Did he really think so little of her? Did he really believe she'd leave her Crows behind? Her family?

 "Of course I am, you idiot."

 Kaz swallowed. He had never doubted her loyalty, not once. But he just had to hear it from her, he had to know her lips had confirmed that she was with them. With him.

 Aleksa watched him as he ever so carefully drifted the cloth over his flesh. He was so very pale that he almost reminded her of the moon high above. The head of hair, and the clothes he wore were like the vast expanse of twilight, and his face... his stark-white face like the moon poking through.

 She spied his tattoos... the familiar Crow lapping from a cup, and the little R inscribed upon his bicep. She had her suspicions as to what the small scrawl of ink might have meant... but she'd never speak it aloud, if only to avoid her ankle being jabbed by that ugly golden cane.

 She could feel her lips curling higher and higher, "Well... as much as I really am enjoying this little show, my dear Brekker..." That was a new one, "I have some questions."

 "I thought you would."

 "Firstly... Wylan? The boy who made your phosphorous bombs?"

 "He's passable at demo."

 "I bet Jesper is ecstatic."

 "I wouldn't be so sure."

 Aleksa rose a brow, "If I recall correctly, he was always begging for an explosives expert... also," She jutted her chin, "The bruise?"

 Kaz spied himself within the mirror, watching the way his pulse thrummed beneath a patch of raw skin. On his complexion, any batter or bruise truly stuck out like a sore thumb, "From someone who should have known better than to have me jumped."

 Against Alkesa's will, a light bubble of laughter spilled into the air... she didn't catch the way Kaz's movements stilled for a beat, "Jumped? Darling, are you losing your touch?"

 "It won't be happening again." With that, Aleksa dropped it, just as Kaz had known she would. That was how they'd always been; able to tell when a subject should be dropped and left to bitter towards the ocean floor. He wasn't often the best at following through, but then again, Kaz was relentless.

 Kaz soon found his way back to his desk, fingers still free of his gloves. It was the most Aleksa had seen of them, watching the way such pale skin seemed to glow beneath the candlelight.

  Aleksa shifted and drew back to her chair, and Kaz simply couldn't ignore the slow grin that soon curled over Aleksa's lips. Aleksa stared for a short while, fingers thrumming against the desk, "You'll never guess why Dreesen left us alone when we returned all that time ago."

 Aleksa had been beside herself when Nikolai had spilt. On the same day they'd met, he'd pointed a finger, his rugged face slathered with recognition at her name. He'd laughed as he spilled his plan; the plan to hire a bunch of capable thieves he'd heard whispers about. He'd gone through Dreesen to do it; providing all resources and funds. That sly little fox.

 Kaz rose just one brow, perfectly angular and poised; she'd gotten his attention, snagged it like a snare, "Hm?"

 "Nikolai Lanstov."

 Kaz blinked "The King of Ravka?"

 "None other. He'd caught wind of everything that'd happened in the Fold and wanted Alina to destroy it whilst bearing the double eagle. He hired Dreesen to find him a bunch of thieves. He was the one who had us wrangled up in that mess."

 Kaz leaned backwards, hands folded together on his knees. Now that was something he'd never have guessed. Something so odd and out of sorts for a King to do. They were often filled with too much pride, their bodies weighed down with jewels and full guts as they perched upon their thrones. Kings liked a show, they liked to flaunt their men and merit.

 To have a King seek out thieves... Well, even Kaz had to hand it to him, it was what he would have done, "And was the king aware that you were one of those thieves?"

 Aleksa huffed, a smile on her face as she peered at her fingers, "He simply told me to stay away from his family emeralds. Told me the rest were ugly enough that even a thief wouldn't want them." Then, she looked up. Kaz's face was still set in a stone cast, still unmoving. He coddled his grudges like no tomorrow. With a roll of her eyes at his incessant dramatics, Aleksa fished a single hand into her bag.

 She'd passed over the ring for Jesper, and the broach for Inej... she had yet to reveal the last of the items in her gaudy bag. 

 "Are you up for a bribe?" Aleksa asked with sugar in her words. There was a smile directed at Kaz, his brows climbing higher in turn. She procured something then... a cane in fact. 

 The cane that Kaz carried was atrocious. It had chips and dents, the crow head was such an awful colour of gold, it almost looked as though it was slathered in mustard. Aleksa had always jabbed at it, poking fun as the poor thing carried Kaz's weight... so, an improvement was needed.

 David had been utterly confused when Aleksa had requested a cane, but with a nod, he simply set out to work. It was lead-lined, almost entirely black, though there was some silver detailing along the shaft, little slivers of glittering metal to make it look less like a stick found in the depths of a bog. 

 The handle was still a crow's head... only Aleksa had asked for detail to be a skull. The pointed beak was almost as sharp as a blade and could certainly cut a man if the strike was swift enough; something Kaz was certainly more than capable of. 

 The weight was distributed in the best way, meaning that if Kaz swung in a perfect arch... he'd break a bone with utter ease.

 Aleksa held it high, a hand settled at either end of the thing as she brandished it like a sword, "I just couldn't stomach the thought of seeing that dreadful old thing again," She jutted her chin towards the poor old cane resting against the wall.

 Kaz curled his fingers around the cane bringing it closer as Aleksa watched him through slitted eyes. She couldn't help but follow his fingers as they trailed over the silver skull, following along the line of its beak. He tapped it, pressing down with a smudging of pressure and soon enough there was a splotch of blood upon his finger.

 Aleksa let her lips curve ever so softly, her voice accompanying in the lightest manner, "Well? What do you think?"

 Now, Aleksa knew she'd never receive a thank you. Those words in that order just simply didn't exist within Kaz's vocabulary, but the glint in his eyes, the way he handled it with a type of care she'd never seen before... it was enough.

 It felt... perfect. The weight, the material, the grip and the shape of the skull. Kaz had to admit that the Fabrikator Aleksa had recruited was aeons better than the lone wolf he'd found in the depths of the Barrel. His finger stung when he'd applied some pressure to the beak... not quite sharp enough to cut him if he grappled for it, but certainly enough to claw at the flesh of somebody he was striking.

 He looked up, and as Aleksa had likely deduced... his thanks died on the tip of his tongue. instead, he nodded and diverted his eyes to the bow and quiver propped against his door, "You've chosen a weapon."

 "Guns and knives were coined, and I don't think the cane suits me as much."

 "I thought you believed everything suited you."

 "Touche."

 Kaz cleared his throat, "Now I have a question for you." He said, slotting the final button of his waistcoat through the slit of the obsidian material that seemed to have been dotted with strokes of gold.

 "I've been back for mere hours... and you're already asking for my hand?"

 His stare was utterly blank, and when she rolled her eyes, fingers brushing through the air as though to tell him to continue, Kaz faced her, "Do you remember Nina? The girl from the boat?"

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DATE: 30-03-2023

:･ﾟ★ bit of a shorter chap, but I'm actually BUZZING for my love, my life, my heartrender Nina and she deserves to be introduced in a whole new chap! <3

also, we've had an influx of new readers and thus, new comments... just fyi the whole 'ben barnes is hot, so how can i hate the darkling' thing isn't cute. you're saying that because this sexual assaulter, abuser, manipulator, p*edophile etc is hot, it's okay? idc if he's fictional, that's weird and i'm muting you and deleting your comments, mwah<3

please remember to leave feedback & comments. i require a certain number of comments before i publish the next update. please give me a follow to keep updated and receive sneak peeks! do not leave 'update' comments, you will be muted.