Summary:
So yeah...um this is after Kaz wakes up.
The Crows and Inej's parents have lunch together. Stuff...happens...
Kaz had woken up shortly before lunch. Wylan came to him and insisted that he stayed in bed.
Well uh...let's just say Kaz is...convincing...
Yeah.
So now here they were. The Crows and the Ghafa's sitting by a table eating lunch together. The Crows, mainly Wylan and Nina, were trying not to make much eye contact with him.
His Wraith looked up sometimes and gave him a warm smile, which made his ches ache a little.
In a week, he will probably never see that smile again.
So every time he looked away.
Kaz was also aware of the Mr. and Mrs. Ghafa watching his every movement with concerned eyes. He frowned looking at his plate. He gloved hand tightening around his fork and knife.
There was no reason for him to be concerned.
Saints, they barely even knew him!
They are quietly for a while. Few words were exchanged. None of them directed towards him.
That quickly changed when Jesper looked up from his food.
"How are you doing?"
Kaz stopped eating and let his gaze land on the sharpshooter, he swallowed his food and stared at him blankly.
"What?"
"I asked how you are doing."
Kaz looked at his food again and frowned.
"I'm fine."
Silence again.
"Inej told us about your...phobia."
Kaz's head snapped up as he looked at Mrs. Ghafa in shock and surprise. His eyes drifted to Inej. He glared a little, but of you looked closer you could see the silent question in his eyes.
Why?
"We understand that we must have startled you", he looked at Inej's mother again. "And we wanted to apologize. I wouldn't have...", she trailed of. Her eyes looking everywhere but at him.
He cleared his throat.
"It's...not your fault. Not many know. And how should you?", his voice still had its usual rasp. But it was much gentler and reminded him so much of the voice of his brother. His dead brother.
And his voice that would never leave Kaz's head.
Mr. Ghafa shook his head. "We still wanted to apologize. We weren't even sure if could carry you here while you were...unconscious", oh, that's right. He had been out for a while hadn't he? "We didn't want to startle you more than we already had."
Kaz stared at them again. It was so rare that he got an apology. At least, a sincere one, spoken in such a gently tone, a tone, that only a parent could muster.
The teen had to admit it reminded him of his father. He remembered waking up from a nightmare once and Jordie trying to sooth him. It hadn't really worked.
In the end Jordie had called their father, who took Kaz to his room and talked to him for almost an hour.
In the same gently voice.
Shockingly there where tears in his eyes. The others were looking at him now. Waiting for his reaction.
He shook his head again and looked at the Ghafa's.
"It's nothing. Really. It could have been worse so I-"
Nina's fist collided with the table.
" 'It could have been worse'? Kaz, you were unconscious for a whole day! You shouldn't even be here right now! You should be in bed and resting!"
Kaz had to say he was shocked at her outburst. Not that shocked, but still shocked. He knew that they were all concerned (for reasons still unknown to him), but they really needn't make a fuss about it.
"Nina, dear, I assure you that I'm capable of handling myself! I have done so before I even met any of you! So I'm very certain that I can do it now just as well!"
He wanted it to come out as a snap. Instead it was just a barely threatening growl, that sounded as if he might choke on his food.
In the corner of his eye he saw Wylan fidgeting in his seat.
Is there something you would like to ask, Wylan?"
The boy froze and stared at Kaz fearfully. Kaz's brows furrowed a little. The last time Wylan was looked this afraid of him was during the Ice Court Heist.
The boy bit his lip nervously.
"It - it's just, I - uh - we...um...what...?"
Matthias groaned loudly gaining everyone's attention he sat up straight and glared at Wylan, before pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly.
"What he wants to ask", he snapped. "Is what exactly happened before you met us?"
The other Crows glanced at each other. Kaz sat there frozen eyes a little wider than usual and mouth hanging slightly open.
He shook his head and was about to say something, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
First he tensed, bit when he looked up he saw Mrs. Ghafa looking ahead staring at his friends.
"Now is really not the time to talk about stuff like this! The poor boy needs rest, so how about we all share stories tomorrow, hm?", even though she said as a question, everyone knew better than to argue with her.
In his seat, Mr. Ghafa nodded.
"My wife is right. We have plenty of time to talk later. But I think now you should all eat up. We will guide Kaz back to bed."
Said teen was about to protest, but was silenced by a look from Inej. She knew her parents and when she said no, it's no.
Kaz learned that the hard way. He really should have listened to her at that time.
Now it almost made him chuckle.
He hadn't even realized it when they were standing in front of his room.
He turned to the Ghafa's and opened his mouth and closed it.
He considered for a moment before speaking.
"I - I have to thank you Mr. and Mrs. Ghafa. You kinda saved me there..."
The adults just smiled at him. Before Kaz could open the door he heard Mr. Ghafa speak again.
"You know. I don't think we have been properly introduced."
He held out a hand, Kaz eyed it for a moment and then took it.
Mr. Ghafa smiled.
"Well, let's start this properly, shall we?", he chuckled. "Hello young man, I am Arian Ghafa."
Kaz nodded and shook Mrs. Ghafa's hand as well.
"It is very nice to meet you! I am Saira Ghafa. May I know your name?"
Kaz stared at her. Mrs.- Saira - was covering her mouth with her hand, giggling.
M - Arian just shook his head smiling.
Kaz opened the door and took a step into the room.
Before he entered completely he turned to Arain and Saira again. Just staring at them with a distant look in his eyes.
Finally he let a small smile be seen on his face as he answered.
"My name is Kaz. Kaz Rietveld."
With that he closed the door behind him.
