Hello everybody, Welcome to my first Fanfic! This chapter is just a simple Post-Crooked Kingdom oneshot of Kaz and Inej (Kaej? Inaz?). I might add more oneshots to this fanfic, of more Kaz/Inej or maybe even Wylan/Jesper. If I do It will take while as I am a SLOW writer, and I'm rather busy these days. Okay, I'll stop talking now... To the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the books Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. They all belong to the amazing Leigh Bardugo!
Inej swooped through the window into the top room of the Slat, Kaz's room. Even though it was late, Kaz wasn't back. Being the man that he was, Inej could only imagine what he has been doing the past few months she'd been gone. Inej glided around the room, taking up everything. The room was almost the most disorganized she had ever seen it. Papers were thrown halfheartedly on the small desk.
Below, the Slat was dancing with activity, as always it seemed these days. Inej simply sat into Kaz's chair, the scheming chair, and waited in the shadows.
When Inej finally heard the thumping of a cane on the Slat's rickety stairs Inej knew who it was... The dreaded Dirtyhands himself.
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Kaz slowly climbed the stairs, each one creaking loudly under his weight. Damn stairs, Kaz thought. He ought to get them fixed, It's not like they are going to stop anyone as slick as his Wraith. Kaz almost paused. It's been months since Inej left Ketterdam, off to make slavery a thing of the past. like ones who stole her from her family at the age of 14.
When Kaz opened the door to his room, the first thing he noticed was the shadowed figure sitting in his chair. Unconsciously Kaz took in a sharp breath.
"That's my chair you know," Kaz stated after a long moment.
"It's nice to be back" Inej replied with a smile.
"I'm glad your back" Kaz blurted and instantly regretted it.
"Couldn't break a promise," Inej said. She gracefully got out of the chair and stood before Kaz. She stared intently into Kaz's eyes. Kaz involuntary held his breath, staring back just as intently.
After a moment Inej spoke barely above a whisper. "You look like you haven't slept in days".
Kaz has been sleeping terribly since Inej left. His dreams filled with nightmares of Inej's ship being swallowed by the sea, Inej along with it, screaming his name. Her skin rotting and peeling under his touch.
Kaz just shrugged away her worries. Inej frowned.
"You're staying at Wylan's?" Kaz asked, changing the subject.
"I guess. They don't know I'm coming, but he and Jesper shouldn't care."
"You could stay here." Kaz blurted once again, cursing himself mentally for being so straight forward.
"You gave away my room." he had, to his new spider. A twig like boy from a poor, hateful family. The boy got the job done but was clumsy compared to his Wrath.
"You could stay here" Kaz repeated quietly, this time gesturing to the bed in the corner of the room.
Inej stared at him for a moment, waiting for him to change his mind. Then as though daring him walked over to the bed and sat on its end. She slipped off her shoes and slid herself to the far side of the bed, near the wall. Kaz stepped to the edge of the bed and laid down facing Inej.
The two dark-clothed figures laid facing each other on the bed in the dark room, illuminated by the moon through the window. Breath intertwining, the two stared at the others shadowed face. Trying to etch the memory of the others face into their mind forever.
Slowly Inej rolled over, so her back was slightly pressed against Kaz's chest. A tremor ran through Kaz, water rising. She is alive, he told himself, She is alive. The water slowly receded.
Kaz noticed that Inej's breathing had become deep and slow as she fell asleep. And soon Kaz closed his eyes and joined Inej in her slumber.
For the first time in weeks, Kaz slept without a single nightmare.
So there we go! First Fanfic, I feel accomplished! (even if it might not be very good!). I'll see if I write another chapter. Feel free to write any suggestions!
FlyingCats signing off!