3ofcrows

[3ofcrows]

[3ofcrows]

This safe house was worse than the blasted boat, and that was saying a lot. On the boat, at least, there had been the promise of a destination. They’d been moving toward something, the wind rushed over them, and there was a set amount of time until they would be back on land. Only back on land was proving not to be at all what Jesper hoped. After the ambush they’d gone straight into hiding, and the only reason Jesper hadn’t fled to Knockturn for a game by now was because there were too many eyes on him to get away with it. He was ready to crawl out of his skin. He paced. He polished his wand and repolished his wand. He goaded Wylan and Nina into card games that were hardly fun when they refused to actually bet him anything.  He pestered Rotty whenever he came by with news or supplies, which wasn’t nearly often enough.He’d been by to see Inej once, and avoided the room in which she was recovering -- avoided his guilt -- ever since. 

Did Kaz know? Jesper couldn’t look him in the eyes. He was terrifying in his rage, and it was easy enough to attribute that fury to the men who’d attacked them, to believe that Kaz didn’t know about the conversation Jesper had before they’d left. An accident. An accident, an accident, an accident but that didn’t matter, did it? Once a screw-up, always a screw-up. 

Jesper couldn’t take it anymore. He jumped to his feet from where he’d been sprawled on the couch next to Wylan, leaving the other very little room to himself. “That’s it. I’m exploring the neighborhood. What if we have to make a break for it? We should know our surroundings.” And Jesper was going to burst out of his skin if he was confined in this suburban prison for a second longer.

[3ofcrows]

[3ofcrows]

The Dregs + Knockturn Alley

No mourners, no funerals.

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Wylan had lots of reasons to be nervous about learning a new spell. The reasons behind the need. Jesper’s dangerous grin pointed right at him with no chance of turning away. And of course all the memories of that terrible tutor and the pressures about dueling. Not to mention the other tutors and their insistence that he couldn’t learn how to use his wand if he didn’t know how to read. As if the two went hand in hand. But Jesper’s soft encouragement made him feel better despite the first failure. It made it easier to try again, though closing his eyes helped a lot too. That grin was just too distracting. And he’d done it! Wylan was surprised enough but the wand flying out of his hand was a bigger surprise. So was the fact that he didn’t bristle under that laughter. Instead he just watched impressed as Jesper gave him back his wand. “Thanks,” he said with a half smile. The smile grew at Jesper’s nod of approval. He listened and watched intently as Jesper demonstrated the spell once again. Though his eyebrow lifted at Jesper’s explanation. He’d never felt energy from any of his spells. Of course he didn’t use the same spells as Jesper so maybe that was why. Could be. Instead of questioning it he took a breath, he could do this. “Okay,” he said more to himself than Jesper. Wylan closed his eyes again so he wasn’t distracted by Jesper and did the wand movement and the incantation perfectly. But he didn’t feel anything. Wylan opened his eyes and bit his lip. “I dunno if I did it,” he confessed. It probably meant he hadn’t, but Wylan kept his wand pointed out, looking into the space near it trying to see, or feel, something. 

It was clear enough from Wylan’s raised eyebrow that the other probably didn’t know what Jesper meant about the energy from the spell. But Jesper didn’t know how better to describe it, that current of energy in the air around him whenever he cast a spell -- the more difficult the better. It was one of the reasons he liked dueling so much; it felt like the one time all his pent up energy had someplace to go. He didn’t know how to explain that, though, so he just kept quiet, twirling his wand in his fingers once again while he waited for Wylan to try, watching carefully so he could give the other pointers once he’d done it. He positively beamed when Wylan produced a shield on his first attempt. Granted it was a weak one, something he’d easily be able to break though -- but it was a starting point. Though Jesper grin fell when Wylan expressed his own uncertainty. “You don’t feel it?” He asked, surprised and somewhat confused. But no matter; Wylan probably just wasn’t used to it. “Here, look,” Jesper lifted his wand. “Expelliarmus!” He didn’t put as much as he could have into the spell and watched as it rebounded weakly off Wylan’s shield. Not enough for it to come back at him, but enough that it didn’t affect Wylan either, and that was as good a start as any. “See that, Princeling? That’s your shield.”

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Wylan laughed, an appreciative smile on his face, at Jesper’s words. It was probably practical, despite what he’d said about Wylan’s curls. Having a member of the crew who didn’t know even a basic shield charm might be a hinder at some point. Though Wylan really had no idea what to expect. He was here for potions. Specifically the one that beat back the dementors. He wasn’t even expecting to be taken along to the Ministry. Truthfully he’d been surprised to be taken along to the prison. Still Jesper had cared to ask, and had been nice about what he didn’t know. Wylan appreciated that even if there was a practical aspect to it all and not just about saving his curls

He watched Jesper move into position and got a clammy feeling at how similar it was to those ill fated dueling lessons. Except his tutor hadn’t had a grin like that. Or could pull off teaching a spell while eating a sandwich. He nodded at Jesper’s words. Unlike those dueling lessons he wanted to learn this. More like needed. But that too was an uneasy thought so Wylan pushed it aside as best he could. He watched intently as Jesper performed the spell, trying to take in the wand movements as easily as he did when they were over a cauldron. For a moment Wylan looked perplexed because nothing happened. Yet Jesper looked so damn happy. Wha— Oh, it was invisible. Wylan smiled at the warning, wondered if Jesper would have given the same warning to anyone else he was teaching. Which was a thought he needed to not have. Especially right now. He frowned for a moment trying to think of a jinx. There were only two spells he remembered from dueling lessons, the knock back and the disarming charm. Wylan glanced over his shoulder at the water behind him and decided he didn’t want to risk it. Instead he tried the disarming charm. He was a little nervous and it showed when he first tried to do the charm. Wylan forgot to say it and his wand movements were choppy. It was obvious it didn’t work and before Jesper could say something Wylan was calling out. “Hang on, let me try again. Please.” He really wanted to not look stupid. Without waiting for a reply he closed his eyes, because trying to look at Jesper and not screw up seemed impossible, he focused not on the awful lessons but just on the tutor performing the spell. This time his wand movements were better and he remembered the spell name, “Expelliarmus.” But he forgot the bounce back and opened his eyes in surprise as his own wand flew out of his hand. Shit!

That brief look of confusion had Jesper’s grin pulling wider. So maybe he was showing off a little, but Wylan was a good audience for it. Which was reason enough to not want to mess with him about aiming a hex at his shield charm, and the decision wasn’t one Jesper lingered on. Instead he just took another small bite of the sandwich while Wylan seemed to consider what spell to use on him, casting a nervous glance over his shoulder at the water that had Jesper lifting an eyebrow. Before he could say anything, though, Wylan was lifting his wand in choppy movements, apparently trying a non-verbal jinx, which would have been impressive if it had done anything. Before he could say anything this time Wylan was speaking up, and Jesper was quick to give him a nod. “No problem. Non-verbals are trickier.” He lifted an eyebrow when Wylan closed his eyes, not sure whether that was the best move when firing jinxes -- but Wylan had chosen a simple one. Jesper grinned when he heard the other say the disarming spell -- a good choice given Jesper’s warning about the shield -- and he let out a laugh as the spell rebounded off his shield and sent Wylan’s wand flying. “See?” Jesper asked, waving his own wand to stop Wylan’s flying past the rail of the ship and letting it float back to the other’s hand. “It can do that with just about any spell, if it’s strong enough. The disarming spell’s a good one to know, too,” Jesper added with a nod of approval. “So. Want to give it a go? It’s just like this,” Jesper demonstrated the wand movement again and repeated the incantation. “You’ll know if you got it right ‘cause you’ll feel the shield even though you can’t see it. It’s got its own sort of...energy,” he explained, not at all sure whether that would make sense to someone else.

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Wylan smiled at Jesper’s answer, pleased. But that flush of pleasure didn’t last long. Instead Wylan thought of all the little ways he wasn’t honest. Like how Jesper didn’t know he couldn’t read. Wylan knew lots of things, but it was the one thing he didn’t know that pulled him down. He hid it. It wasn’t just Jesper didn’t know yet. It was that Wylan hid it from people. Wanted to keep hiding it from Jesper. That wasn’t the only thing he was hiding from Jesper. He hadn’t told why he was living in Knockturn. Jesper knowing his own father wanted him dead felt almost as bad as him knowing Wylan couldn’t read. So maybe he wasn’t as honest as he wanted to be, as Jesper seemed to think him. The thought bothered him. A lot. But Jesper’s flirting helped him push that bother away. His cheeks went red again as Jesper tugged on his curl, Wylan hadn’t expected it. Another flustered laugh, breathy again, he was glad no one was around to witness it, fell off his lips.

It would have been nice if things could have stayed soft and flirty. Instead Jesper was getting restless again. He hadn’t realized just how still Jesper was being until the other was moving around again. It was a stark contrast even if he hadn’t been as still as Wylan. One Wylan might have wondered about if not for the direction of the conversation. Despite his defensiveness he knew Jesper wasn’t asking to point out his lack of knowledge. But he was still grateful for the light agreement that came. The offer that came on the heels of it was surprising. It was the teasing that he focused on first because it pushed the offer out of his mind for a moment. He smiled and chuckled at Jesper’s words. “You would?” Jesper missing his hair felt nice. The question was no sooner out of his mouth than Wylan was realizing what Jesper meant. His eyes got a little wide thinking about being in a situation where he might risk having his curls singed off. He wanted to believe he could handle it, he had handled the dementors pretty not badly. But the idea of someone shooting spells at him made him queasier than he’d felt the first few days on the boat. Except Jesper had offered to teach him a shield charm. The offer touched him. “I’d really like that,” he answered finally. Wylan could do magic, it had always been the practical part of it, reading and writing essays that he couldn’t. But those parts were things his tutors always insisted he know first. Other than the one that thought every gentleman should know how to duel. Yet those lessons hadn’t gone well either. Because Wylan wasn’t interested in dueling. He was however interested in staying alive. And interested in spending time with Jesper. There was a chance that Jesper would fluster him enough that he’d suck anyway but he wasn’t worried about sucking because of his own shortcomings. 

That breathy laugh of Wylan’s was a jolt straight through Jesper’s spine, his grin widening as he noticed the blush on the other’s cheeks. Yeah, definitely a good look on him. One Jesper wouldn’t have minded finding ways to prolong, if only that restless energy always bubbling beneath his surface hadn’t gotten the best of him. The longer he and Wylan spoke, the harder it was to forget just how ill-suited Wylan was for everything they were heading into, just how much Wylan didn’t belong here and Jesper didn’t want him to. But he also didn’t want Wylan to die, and when he received the confirmation the other didn’t even know a basic shield charm he was even more glad he’d asked. And even more so when he saw Wylan’s face fall with the seeming realization as to why his hair may end up singed in the first place. That singed hair was hardly the worst possible outcome for any of them.

At least Wylan actually seemed to want to learn how to protect himself, even if they were only going to get to cover something very basic. Jesper nodded his approval. “Good, ‘cause I wasn’t taking no for an answer,” his voice was as light as his step as he swiped the sandwich they were sharing with his free hand and pushed off from the rail. He took a bit as he moved so he was standing a few feet opposite Wylan, facing him with a grin. “Right,” Jesper said once he’d swallowed his bite. “We’re just gonna focus on the most basic shield charm, ‘cause you get it down good and it can still hold up to some pretty nasty spells.” Something Jesper knew from experience. Without further ado, and because he’d never been a teacher and didn’t know what better way to teach than simply to show it, he waved his wand and said the incantation aloud for Wylan’s benefit. “Protego!” And with that --  nothing. He grinned. “Another great thing about a good shield charm, you can’t see it unless a spell is bouncing off it. Go on, try to jinx me,” he prodded. “Nothing too bad, mind, don’t want it to come right back and hit you.” A warning he might not have tacked on for someone else, but he didn’t fancy tricking Wylan into hexing himself at the moment. He cared more about the other actually learning something from this.

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Jesper had a way of making him relaxed and nervous all at the same time. His words all wrong and coming out unsure, yet Jesper wasn’t making fun of that. Or laughing at him. Wylan smiled at Jesper’s answer, that grin dangerous again. He chuckled at Jesper’s teasing. “I’d rather be thought of as honest,” he replied. A sentiment that didn’t go with where he was but how he felt all the same. He might have argued with Jesper about his potion skills but he wouldn’t disagree that he couldn’t lie well. He didn’t want to lie well. Certainly not to Jesper. Kind of wished he could lie a little to Kaz. But then it didn’t seem like anyone could lie to Kaz. Wylan didn’t want to think about Kaz. Not anytime but especially not now.

Wylan laughed again at Jesper’s answer. Even Jesper’s cockiness seemed softer tonight. Maybe he was just finally not looking for the hidden barb he thought he’d find in Jesper’s words. Besides dressing the way Jesper dressed the bloke had to be cocky, or at least really self-assured. Still it worked for him, better than the rest of the blokes that dressed gaudy on Knockturn. It looked more like he was wearing an outfit and less like a costume. Wylan wilted a little under that appraising glance, afraid of what it might mean. His eyes got wide at Jesper’s words. “Me? Doubt it.” Wylan felt a tug of disappointment at the fact that Jesper didn’t tug on his curls again. But he wasn’t walking off, that was something. That was a lot actually.

Their conversation held a lot of twists and turns, most of them unexpected for Wylan. This new one especially. “Shield charms,” he asked wondering if he missed something. “Uh, not really.” The admission felt like it cost him some of the ease he had talking to Jesper. Dueling, even for ‘fun’ just hadn’t been fun for Wylan. A shield charm wasn’t a spell he needed outside of dueling, or so he’d thought. Most of the spell work he knew was limited anyway because he’d only had his wand a year before his father lost interest in paying tutors to waste their time. “Don’t really need a lot of shield charms in potion work.” There was a touch defensiveness in his words but not like it had been any of the other times he’d gotten defensive around Jesper.

Of course Wylan would rather be thought of as honest. It was a sentiment as endearing as it was deadly. The only thing honesty got you on Knockturn, Jesper had learned, was dead. But it went further than just Knockturn. He’d been hiding who he was -- what he was -- ever since the same thing killed his mum. Even when he wasn’t lying outright, he’d learned long ago to dance around the truth, to gloss over uncomfortable topics with jokes whenever he could. He wasn’t sure he knew how to be completely honest anymore. Jesper just offered Wylan a small smile. “I’d say you are, Princeling.” And maybe that could be a good thing, once Wylan left all this behind him. Jesper had to believe that he would. Wylan didn’t belong here, with his innocence and his softness. The way he got wide-eyed and flustered at a flirting comment. Jesper’s grin widened again. “Yes, you, and I know these things,” he teased, and this time he couldn’t stop himself reaching out to tug on a curl.

It was hard to say if it was the way Wylan’s shy comments and blushing cheeks were affecting his pulse, or if it was the fact that he so actively didn’t want to think about how as soon as this job was over all of that would be gone -- but whatever the reason, Jesper’s normal restlessness was back with a vengeance. But that didn’t mean Wylan couldn’t still be a distraction for him. He didn’t like to think about the other caught in the crosshairs of anything that might go wrong on this job -- but at the very least he ought to know how to defend himself. With shield charms, not hexes. Jesper wanted Wylan to be able to protect himself, not turn him into something that actually belonged in Knockturn. It wasn’t a shock to hear Wylan say he didn’t know much about them, though really he’d have thought Kaz would have considered that before tasking him to this job with them. This time, though, Jesper kept those thoughts to himself, very much aware of how Wylan’s voice had taken on a defensive tone -- though it wasn’t Wylan Jesper thought had done anything wrong. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t belong here, that he was soft, that he was innocent and naive and better than all the rest of them. But it was fact. And Wylan was still a liability. One Jesper would prefer make it to wherever he was headed after all this. “No, that you don’t,” he agreed lightly. “But seeing as you’re not just doing potions work now, how would you like to learn something basic? I’d miss your hair more than mine if it got singed off,” he quipped, but it was the truth, and he didn’t like to dwell on the thought of Wylan actually getting caught in crossfire.

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hpcrows:

“I’ve noticed,” he replied without thinking. Shit! There was no way he could make that sound less like he’d watched Jesper. Because he had. Even dueling. Wylan never stopped to watch the fights around Knockturn, there always seemed to be at least one happening. But he did when he saw it was Jesper. He watched wide eyed from a spot he hoped was hidden from most. It’s why he was so surprised to hear Jesper got singed because he looked like a bloke who was untouchable while dueling. Of course basically admitting he had watched Jesper wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as speaking lame french to him. Or admitting that he’d just said something about Jesper’s face. This time he didn’t translate, not sure if Jesper would like it or find it silly that Wylan had said he liked Jesper’s face in French. That wasn’t even good flirting in english. “Flattered, I hope,” he said biting his bottom lip and looking over at Jesper with a hopeful look.

Not that he thought Jesper wouldn’t like getting a compliment, of sorts, on his face. But Wylan was certain he’d gotten better. He heard the birds around Knockturn talking about Jesper. Not just the working ones but he’d whispers in shops and even some of the birds in the Dregs. Jesper was well liked by lots of birds. Blokes too, though Wylan tended to stay even further away from them then he did the birds. He wasn’t interested in any of them and he didn’t want them to be interested in him. It was bad enough the birds that pretended to be. Wylan felt certain they were pretending just to get him to blush. Regardless of how many people complimented Jesper it was him that Jesper was grinning at now. “They suit you, the hats.” It was fitting that Jesper’s patronus was a peacock.

It wasn’t altogether a surprise to hear Wylan had noticed he was a skilled dueller. Jesper’s reputation as the best dueller in Knockturn had been well-earned, after all, the product of years of practice and enough fights with the Dregs that others thought twice before they stood against the other end of his wand. Most likely Wylan had spotted him in passing some time after he’d joined the Dregs. Maybe he’d even paid attention, though Jesper was torn between being pleased by that thought or concerned that Wylan would be anywhere near a fight like that. He had no business being close to any of that. And yet, here they both were, headed to even greater danger. “Good,” Jesper answered with a grin that only widened when Wylan confirmed whatever he’d said about his face had been a good thing. “Flattered it is, Princeling. I’d say you better not be pulling one over on me but I’m not sure you’d know how.” More good-natured teasing, even if it was the truth.

Any thoughts of what exactly Wylan might have said were fleeting as the other seemed intent on compliment Jesper in more than one way tonight. Jesper never second-guessed his style, but it was a pleasant surprise to hear the Princeling liked it, accustomed as he surely was to finer things than the gaudy neon Jesper preferred when he had the choice. “Yeah I know,” he flashed a wide grin instead of a thank you; that felt too serious, and they’d just steered away from that. Instead he eyed Wylan for a moment, pretending to appraise him. “I reckon you could pull one off too, if you wanted, but it’d be a shame to cover those curls.” He didn’t reach out to tug on them again -- it wasn’t as fun if Wylan started expecting it from him -- instead turning so he was leaning with his back against the rail once more, leaning back slightly so he was still able to see Wylan while they spoke. His fingers found his wand in his pocket and set to twirling it again. Talking to Wylan was proving a surprisingly good distraction, but he’d been too close to still for too long; he was getting antsy again. “You know your basic shield charms, Princeling?” He asked, suddenly inspired. Kaz couldn’t fault him for duelling on the ship if he was just giving Wylan pointers.

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hpcrows:

Wylan liked the way Jesper just went with it. He always felt so foolish when he missed a joke. Obviously foolish. But Jesper had too much confidence for that. Instead he was going with it. Making Wylan feel funnier than he knew he was. His smile brightened at Jesper’s words. “Better than me,” he agreed. For once not feeling bad about doing poorly. Not that Jesper needed the encouragement. He had to know he was smart. At the very least he knew he was good at spells. And that Wylan wasn’t. Which didn’t bother Wylan right then. What did bother him was the worry he’d been dumb to speak french like he was showing off or something. Except Jesper was teasing him. “Thank you for having me,” he translated feeling even worse about it. Wylan wished he’d said something nicer. “J'aime ton… visage.” This one didn’t flow so easily because he hadn’t said it a million times. Or ever. And he really wish he hadn’t said now. “That was about your face,” he stammered out shyly.

That urge to jump off the boat was back. He was in over his head. The tugging on his curls wasn’t helping. Especially not with that grin as Jesper did it. At least he had a distraction. Focusing on Jesper took away a lot of his embarrassment. His eyes got a little wider at the idea of Jesper getting singed. Not that he didn’t mixing potions, sometimes the ingredients were volatile. But it was still a surprise that Jesper had. He laughed at Jesper’s addition, that wink nearly making speaking impossible. Yet not impossible enough to save him. “You do.” Shit! “Probably easier to wear those hats too,” he added quickly, his cheeks burning.

“Better than most,” Jesper corrected Wylan with a cheeky grin, half boasting but also half a gentle reminder that it didn’t mean much that, conceited or not, Jesper’s duelling abilities were not the standard of comparison for someone like Wylan. He wondered, given how inclined Wylan seemed to write off his own abilities, just how good or bad he was with spells. Not that it mattered. Wylan wasn’t a dueller, that much was certain, and that meant he didn’t belong anywhere near any fight that might occur. A fact made even more evident by the way Wylan spoke to him in French. Jesper laughed when the other explained what he said; had Jesper ever even said that in English? He didn’t know, but it certainly sounded nice in French. As did whatever Wylan said next, though Jesper was pretty sure he preferred that shy stammer that followed even more. “Oh yeah?” Jesper asked, grin widening as he quirked an eyebrow. “Should I be flattered or offended?” He teased, though he was quite certain he already knew the answer.

If there was one thing Jesper had never doubted about himself, it was that he was good-looking. It was, after all, in his blood to be, and he’d certainly noticed those effects of who he was that he couldn’t turn off even if he’d wanted to. He knew it wasn’t just his constant movement or loud clothing that drew eyes to him -- but they were his ways of leaning into it, of giving a reason beyond the fact that he was something he never wished to be. And maybe it sort of worked, after all. At least someone noticed his style. “That it is, Princeling,” he answered with another grin. Shame he couldn’t dress as flamboyantly as he liked on the job.

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Jesper had clearly missed his point and Wylan had to admit it was nice being on this end of that. But he wasn’t going to be a jerk about it. “The only people who have conversations in latin are douches or latin tutors.” Wylan’s words were not condescending, there was no reason Jesper should know that. “All I know is spells, pretty sure you know more of those,” he added with a smile. It went sheepish at Jesper’s question. He still wasn’t used to the fact that Jesper seemed really interested in things about him. There was a little bit of a worry that it was in the same way Kaz was but Jesper seemed too sincere for that. “I can hold polite party conversation but not much else.” Not useful here. “Merci de me recevoir.” It wasn’t meant to show off and Wylan wasn’t sure why he’d decided to throw out the most boring, polite phrase he could think of. But he had.

Yet Jesper wasn’t losing interest in him. And Wylan wasn’t feeling that urge to jump off the boat to get away from that very dangerous grin. His laugh as Jesper tugged on his curl came out more like a soft rush of air. The only thing more dangerous than that grin seemed to be Jesper’s touch. Or that wink. But somehow Jesper was making Wylan feel less foolish. “Really?” He was keenly interested in anything having to do with Jesper. “Did it get singed before? You didn’t get burnt by it did you?” Unlike earlier there was nothing stopping him from peppering Jesper with questions. Maybe he’d even get answers to these.

“Oh.” It was a strange moment of role reversal, Jesper the one who’d missed a joke, but he was unfazed, letting out a laugh as he caught onto Wylan’s meaning. He didn’t care much why no one but douches and latin tutors had conversations in latin; the way Wylan put it was funny, and he nodded lightly. “In that case maybe I do, guess I’m better at latin than I thought.” It was funny, how he’d never much thought about where spells came from. He wondered if that was something Wylan’s tutors taught him or if he’d just been curious. Clearly he hadn’t been all that interested in mastering french, at least it didn’t seem like he’d been. Party conversation? Before Jesper could ask what that was, Wylan was making sounds there were gibberish to him. Nice gibberish, though, and he grinned. “What’d you just say about my face?” He teased, feigning a moment’s offense before he chuckled.

His grin only widened as Wylan let him tug at his hair again, this time met with a breathy sort of laugh that sent a thrill down Jesper’s spine. Yeah, he liked that. And he didn’t mind where Wylan’s questions went this time either, something about himself he had no problems with putting on display. “It’s been singed a couple times, yeah,” he answered with a shrug. “Nothing a burn potion couldn’t fix, but I figured it wasn’t worth burning my face off just to have a little extra hair. Since I look good as hell either way,” he added, cocky but also jesting, giving Wylan another wink because he was the one who’d said he liked Jesper’s hair in the first place.

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hpcrows:

Wylan ducked his head. “Just a little French. Well latin but I bet you know more Latin than I do.” Because Jesper knew more spells than he did. Probably could spell them properly and read them. Both things Wylan couldn’t. All he could do was make polite party conversation in French. Nothing useful. Not here or where he’d come from. None of what Wylan knew felt useful anywhere. But Jesper, Jesper was the one who had knowledge that was useful. Sure most of it was about illegal things but Jesper was smart. He could handle himself anywhere. Wylan couldn’t. He was a little envious of that. But more so impressed. Whatever schooling Jesper had it had ended too soon because he was around the same age. Couldn’t be more than a year older. Yet he was still clearly smart. Whatever disadvantage the lost years of schooling were it wasn’t evident in Jesper.

Meanwhile Wylan was sure he came off like a pampered jerk who just didn’t care about those things. Spoiled and coddled. Except Jesper was saying nicer things. Some he’d been saying all along Wylan just hadn’t realized they were meant to be nice. Still felt like he was wrong. But Jesper seemed sincere. The words brought Wylan’s glance back to Jesper. Was that a reminder of their future conversation? Wylan was already excited to find out more about Jesper but this extra reminder just made his heart go quick for a moment. His cheeks went redder at the ‘freebie’ Jesper gave him. “You do?” Wylan smiled. “Well in that case I guess you can tug on it whenever you’d like.” He wasn’t sure why he’d made that offer, it was a weird offer to make. Except the birds in Knockturn always seemed to think tugging on his hair was great fun. Maybe that was jsut because he didn’t like it. But he did like it when Jesper did it. He chuckled sheepishly. “I like your hair too,” he said. That was even dumber.

Vaguely Jesper wondered what qualified as a little French -- probably a hell of a lot more than most people in Knockturn knew how to speak -- but he chuckled at the mention of latin. “I dunno about that, Princeling. Don’t think my latin is exactly conducive to conversation.” Unless that conversation involved shooting spells back and forth, which was generally what Jesper preferred in the first place. Though he wasn’t minding this conversation, and he wasn’t entirely convinced that was only because he had nothing else to do. He wasn’t thinking on that too hard at the moment either. “What’s that mean, a little French?” He prodded, curious. Probably more than Jesper would know even if he hadn’t flunked out of university.

But it was easy to find something else to think on other than that, that didn’t involved flinging himself off the boat, when Wylan’s cheeks went red again. Jesper grinned wider, chuckling at Wylan’s answer. “Maybe I will,” he quipped back, unable to resist reaching out and doing just that. He laughed at the next thing Wylan said, giving him a wink. “Good, ‘cause I let it any longer and it just gets singed off whenever I duel.”

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Another laugh quickly followed the first. Wylan couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed this much and he hadn’t even laughed all that much tonight. But it felt good. Any thoughts on his father and what would happen after they got back to London were forgotten. For now. Which was something in itself. “Surprisingly sayings about dogs’ arses weren’t part of the curriculum. Or if it was it was in Latin or French. I think there was German once.” Wylan shrugged his shoulders, he’d never learned any of them. The only latin he knew was for spells and potions, and he didn’t know the meaning just the pronunciation and what they did. But right now he wasn’t worried about looking dumb. He was just enjoying himself, relaxing finally.

For a moment. The talk about his rent and the terrible room dampened things. Especially when Jesper seemed to think he was going to be leaving soon. Wylan knew the only way he was leaving was dead. That alone was enough to dampen everything. Except it hadn’t completely. Jesper’s teasing had pushed those thoughts aside yet again. The question felt in jest but it surprised Wylan all the same. “Cause you don’t sound like you do,” he answered, trying to pretend it was just him going along with the joke and not truth. “At least when it comes to me.” Wylan’s cheeks burned even redder and despite the smile still on his face he had to look away. It wasn’t all Jesper. Wylan’s default had been set long before he met the other bloke. But Wylan did think Jesper didn’t find much to like about him. Why should he? In Jesper’s eyes he seemed like some spoiled rich kid slumming it in Knockturn. Wylan wondered what Jesper thought was the reason? Something stupid probably. Not getting his way. He doubted Jesper would ever work out that Jan Van Eck had wanted his son dead. Whatever Jesper thought it didn’t seem like it was too bad tonight for a change, and Wylan was enjoying that.

Jesper laughed along with Wylan, glad for the lightness between them even though a moment later he found himself taken by surprise, eyebrows lifting to show it. Latin, french, german…. “Wait. You speak all those languages, Princeling?” If so, Jesper was impressed. And something else he couldn’t put a name to. It wasn’t jealously; Jesper had no use for knowing all those languages himself. And he wasn’t intimidated either. His own knowledge was a hell of a lot more useful for where they were right now. But maybe that was it; it was a reminder that Wylan was meant for something else. Something more. The Dregs were some kind of stop for him, whatever it was that brought him here. Jesper was stuck, but that didn’t mean Wylan had to be.

So he wasn’t sure why the other seemed to care so much about his teasing, especially when it was about things Jesper generally considered good thing. So maybe being cute and having equally adorable curls weren’t valuable traits in Knockturn. Wylan wasn’t meant for Knockturn, and maybe that was one of the things Jesper liked about him. It would be a shame to see all that innocence gone (though Wylan could stand to lose some of it, if Jesper was being honest). He lifted an eyebrow and shrugged, the grin never quite leaving his face. “Maybe you just don’t know me that well, then.” It wasn’t an accusation but a simple statement of fact, and maybe something of a reminder, too. Something else Jesper didn’t want to linger on, so he was quick to add, “So here’s a freebie. I happen to like your hair, too.”

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Wylan laughed at Jesper’s teasing. Jesper didn’t know it wouldn’t have mattered if he said something. His dad would have never believed he knew anything, even about art. In Jan Van Eck’s eyes Wylan was as useless as books were to Wylan. Stupid. Wylan wouldn’t have wanted Jesper knowing any of that even if he wasn’t a useless hostage. If he knew what Wylan’s father thought he’d want to know why. Once Jesper found out why he’d probably think the same things as his father. Wylan really didn’t want that. He preferred Jesper thinking he was some spoiled rich kid over that. And he really hated that Jesper thought that. Jesper’s joke was enough to keep the bad thoughts away and Wylan laughed. “I’ve never heard that saying,” he said amused. For once he resisted the urge to correct Jesper. This time he was sure Jesper had meant to say it wrong.

There was a little bit of surprise at Jesper’s words. It had started to feel like the Dregs knew everything. Maybe that was just Kaz. Kaz and his Wraith. They knew everything. At least as far as Wylan could tell. But he was glad that Jesper didn’t. If he wasn’t getting a fair deal he didn’t want Jesper knowing. It’d just make him look dumber in the other’s eyes. He didn’t need any help in that department. “Maybe I’ll look into moving,” Wylan said, ignoring the comment about it not mattering. He wasn’t prepared for Jesper to switch the conversation again. The tease surprised him. So did the tugging on his curl. Wylan’s cheeks heated up again as he batted Jesper’s hand away but he was smiling. Unlike when the birds’ tugged on his curls he didn’t mind Jesper tugging on them. “Are you saying you don’t like my hair,” he asked, managing to direct his smile in Jesper’s direction. “Cause I’m not changing it. I happen to like it.”

Wylan’s laughter, it seemed, was as good a distraction as Jesper was going to be able to find on this boat. Might even be a good distraction on land -- but he didn’t let himself dwell on that thought. As soon as they were done at the Ministry, Wylan would take his cut of the pay and go off to whatever was waiting for him, be it in Diagon or London or some other country. Not to mention the ever-present thought that Jesper wasn’t sure there was anything out there that could make him stop wasting away every penny he had until his da discovered the truth and he was completely alone. “No?” He asked, exhaling those thoughts with a laugh. “What, none of those fancy tutors told ya the old saying about the dog’s ass?”

That was no surprise, nor was it entirely surprising that Wylan had no idea what a fair price ought to be for something. Had he ever had to pay for anything? Jesper wasn’t judging on that; he was the last person who could judge what anyone else did with their money, and he knew it all too well. But he couldn’t help the nagging urge to want to make sure Wylan wasn’t getting taken for a ride. Not that it would matter after this. He could leave that flea-ridden box he was staying in. Leave Knockturn. Jesper much prefered to go back to teasing, especially with the reaction he got from Wylan this time, flushed cheeks and a hand batting his away. “Why do you always assume I don’t like things, Princeling?” He asked, feigning affront though there was no edge to his voice, even if he was a little curious. Thinking Jesper was insulting him did seem to be Wylan’s default.

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

This laugh came even easier than the other’s had. The look on his father’s face if he ever found out… “I’d like to shake the hand of the bloke that swindled him,” Wylan said honestly. Not that he thought his father was hard to trick, his old tutor had done it as had the new wife. But he still thought it was pretty great since he felt certain other’s had to know. With the way his father bragged on his paintings it couldn’t be a secret. “I dunno that it’d change his mind.” Wylan added once what else Jesper said sunk in. But even that thought wasn’t enough to dampen his spirits right then.

And it just got better with what he was taking as an invitation. The prospect of talking to Jesper again even when he wasn’t stranded on a boat with only Wylan for company almost made the next turn of their conversation easier. Wylan had gotten too comfortable and let slip stuff that made him feel embarrassed. He hated the room he lived in. Maybe Jesper had it better or worse, Wylan didn’t know and thinking about where Jesper slept was a sure fire way to have him leaping off the boat, but he didn’t want to sound like he was some spoiled kid. Jesper thought that enough. He shook his head at Jesper’s comment about needing sleep. Everyone needed sleep. But if anyone might not, Jesper would be it. His cheeks heated up when it came to the cost of the room. Wylan had no idea if he was getting a fair deal or not. He had no way of knowing. All of this was new to him. “I have a blanket,” he said, not mentioning that it was a thin, cheap thing. Probably the source of the fleas. “It’s most of my paycheck,” he admitted, “but that’s not a whole lot so.” Wylan shrugged his shoulders. He was alive, that was what matter. Alive for now. Hopefully he stayed alive long enough to have that conversation with Jesper.

“You helped it by not saying anything, might as well shake your own hand,” Jesper teased, though another part of him was wondering what to make of Wylan’s attitude toward his father. It was hard to imagine Jan Van Eck being anything like his own Da -- but was Wylan’s amusement over the painting something that stemmed just from annoyance at the man, or something more than that? Something more, maybe, was all he could think after Wylan’s addition. Figured Jan Van Eck would be a dick to his own kid. But was that really bad enough to make Wylan leave a life of luxury and opportunity for the Dregs? If it was, Wylan was more foolish than Jesper originally thought. And the more he got to know Wylan, the more he was coming to believe the opposite. Wylan was innocent, yes, and way too naive. But he was no fool. “Yeah, well, what’s that saying about old dogs? Can’t teach ‘em to stop sniffing their own asses?” He asked with a crooked grin, fully aware that was not the saying but enjoying his own version so much more.

And with the minefield that was Wylan trying to get more information out of him successfully navigated for the time being, it was easy for Jesper to wonder once again what had the other leaving a warm bed in a mansion for fleas. Again he lifted an eyebrow. “I got no idea what you make, Princeling, so I can’t say whether you’re getting a fair deal or not.” He was inclined to believe Wylan was not. “But I can say I know the Dregs are always fair, and we don’t have fleas biting our asses.” It was one of many reasons the Dregs were the best gang in Knockturn. People actually got out, even while paying rent, if it took them a while. “Not that it’ll matter after this,” he added, though that topic hadn’t led anywhere good the first time so he didn’t leave it there. “Figures you’d be a flea magnet with that mop of yours.” He grinned, unable to resist reaching out to tug briefly at one of Wylan’s curls. 

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

“Yep! He threw a party and everything. I feel like some in the room had to know but no one told.” Jesper’s addition had him laughing again. He felt lighter than he normally did talking about his father. Probably because he didn’t normally bad mouth his father. But it felt good! Really good! “I don’t think he got it insured or he’d have found out. Their people would have said something. Instead it’s hanging in the house like the real deal, he brags on it all the time.” Wylan wasn’t worried about telling a member of a thievery gang about his father’s uninsured painting. Sure they might be able to sell it to another person who didn’t know but to Wylan it was worthless. Not worth the trouble to steal it.

He was glad for the subject change though. Wylan had been interested in Jesper long before this job. Even before the other had showed up in the backroom of the potion shop. All the blokes in Knockturn seemed to like flashy clothes, except Kaz. But even in a group of Dregs all decked out in their gaudy best Jesper stood out. Not just because he was so tall either. There was just something about him that drew Wylan’s eyes to him. It was why he was always so quick to take offense at the jabs that seemed to fall easily from Jesper’s mouth. Because he wanted Jesper to like him not mock him. And now it felt like he was finally getting that. This was an invitation not just for a nice conversation after they got off the boat but for a personal one. It cleared up any questions about if Jesper was jsut being nice to him because he was bored. Surely he wasn’t. Not if he wanted to talk again.

Wylan’s cheeks heated up at the gentle teasing from Jesper. He was finding more and more he didn’t mind this kind. “No,” he answered with none of the heat he would have used earlier. “Don’t you think it’s kind of loud to sleep?” Wylan realized that maybe Jesper liked that. “And my room is always cold. Not to mention the fleas.” Did he sound like a spoiled rich boy? Wylan hoped not. Surely these things bothered Jesper too. Maybe it was just him. The noise thing certainly. Because it wasn’t just how loud Knockturn was. It was Wylan being pulled awake at every bang, every loud noise really, in fear that it was someone coming for him. He looked away from Jesper, wishing he hadn’t said anything.

Jesper let out another loud, surprised laugh when Wylan told him about his dad throwing a party to celebrate what was actually a fake painting -- and that Wylan had known it the whole time and never said a word. And Jan Van Eck thought drawing was a useless skill. His smile widened when he pulled another laugh from Wylan, and he let out another chuckle at the other’s addition. “Damn, I’d love to see him try to sell it or get it appraised. See what he says about how useful art is then, huh?” He flashed Wylan a conspiratorial grin.

If only things could stay easy, stay focused on Wylan instead of on Jesper. Because whatever Wylan wanted to think, there wasn’t much else to know about Jesper. Whatever he may have been once, that was something long forgotten. What you saw with Jesper was what you got now. A Dreg. A Dueller. A gambler. A screw-up. Knowing where Jesper came from wouldn’t make any of that better. If anything, it would probably only make it worse. His fingers tapped against the rail, and he was glad to let the subject go finally, to focus on Wylan once again.

Too loud to sleep. Jesper had a vague memory of his first night in Knockturn. His first night outside the dorms of the university, fortunately also his first night staying among the Dregs. He’d liked the noise. It was a distraction from the thoughts swirling through his head, it promised action within his fingertips whenever those thoughts got too loud. Fleas, though? Jesper wrinkled his nose and lifted an eyebrow. “Cold you can fix with a blanket, Princeling. And I like the noise -- told ya, I don’t need sleep. As for the fleas...hope you’re not paying a lot for that room.”

[3ofcrows]

hpcrows:

Wylan let out a surprised laugh at Jesper’s words. He’d never heard anyone say something like that about his father. Jan Van Eck was a respected pillar of the community. A highly regarded member of the Ministry. A man people looked up to, feared if they were smart. He didn’t doubt there was some who thought less of his father but they didn’t voice that. At least not that Wylan had ever heard. But Jesper was a Dreg, they didn’t respect highly respected anyone. “I can confirm he doesn’t. He’s got a painting that he thinks is a Bimp. It’s a fake. He paid a fortune for it.” Wylan shook his head with a slight smirk on his lips. He’d known it was a fake but he hadn’t told his father. Not that the man would have listened to him anyway. At one point Wylan had felt guilty for not speaking up, now he felt amused. He hoped Jesper would find it funny too.

Jesper was a better subject than even his father’s painting. But he wasn’t sure how to go about a conversation with him. It felt like testing ice to make sure it was solid enough to stand on. Was admitting he wanted to get to know Jesper okay? Should he play it cool? How did one play it cool anyway? Wylan had no answers and no one he trusted to give them to him. Instead he just had himself and a hopeful look in his eyes as he watched those fingers tap away. He wanted to reach out and put his hand on Jesper’s. See if the tapping would stop. He wasn’t brave enough for that. Instead he leaned a little closer and let his shoulder touch Jesper. His entire arm felt like it had just woke up. Wylan’s breath caught to see those fingers stilled. Had he done that? Was it a good thing? That enough had him smiling even when they started back up. Jesper had stilled. Even for just a second. Merlin.

His breath caught for a second time at Jesper’s answer. That soft quality of Jesper’s voice did him. It took him a little longer to realize what Jesper said. There was no dismissal in there. Instead it felt like an invitation to ask again. Wylan would. Though he laughed softly at Jesper’s addition. “You might want to rethink that offer. I always have trouble sleeping. Might ask again before you want me to.” Because he would ask again. Wylan was too buoyed by the fact that he hadn’t been dismissed and that Jesper hadn’t moved, to realize he had just given Jesper more information. Though honestly he didn’t see how anyone slept on Knockturn. It was loud at all hours. His room was always too cold. Not to mention the fleas. He hated everything about it. Except for the fact that he was alive, even this was preferable to death in his eyes.

Wylan’s obviously surprised laugh surprised Jesper in turn, pulling a smile to his lips to see the change in Wylan from how he’d looked when he first mentioned his father. As a Dreg, Jesper had no concerns over saying anything that might upset anyone in power; he would never have the respect of someone like Jan Van Eck, nor did he ever care to have it. And he was glad to see Wylan didn’t seem to care about that, either, though he preferred not to think about why. A task that was easy enough to accomplish when the next thing Wylan said had Jesper letting out a surprised laugh of his own. “You serious, Princeling?’ He asked, letting out another chuckle. “See? Told ya. He doesn’t know shit,” he added, part of him hoping for another laugh from Wylan.

If only the subject could have stayed there instead of turning back to Jesper. To questions that were too personal, and he didn’t know what to do with the way that Wylan was somehow neither pushing him nor letting the subject go entirely. He was pretty sure he knew what to make of the way Wylan’s arms was still just barely pressed against his own -- but he wasn’t sure Wylan would be acting the same if they weren’t very possibly headed to both their deaths right now. It made him want to tread more carefully. Wylan might very well want to know more about him now -- but as soon as this was over he’d take his four million galleons and head off to the life that was waiting for him.

For a moment, when Wylan let out that soft chuckle, Jesper thought maybe he’d successfully diverted him. But then that hope was dashed, as was the hope that maybe Wylan hadn’t realized just how thoroughly Jesper didn’t want to talk about himself. Before you want me to. Whenever Wylan asked again, if he asked again, was going to be before Jesper wanted him to.“You don’t sleep?” Jesper asked instead of acknowledging that Wylan would ask again, or that Jesper had more or less told him he could. Only because it wouldn’t matter after this job was done. “What, need someone to tuck you in?” He added, teasing again, a slight smile pulling at his lips.