#I mean we know Kaz is very loyal

[laoih]

SHADOW AND BONE Season 2, Episode 1 “No Shelter But Me”

[multi-fandom-bi]

Who is your fav Crow? (Mine is a tie between Kaz and Inej)

What is your fav ship? Why? (Mine is Kanej because duhh)

What your fav scene out of the whole series?

What is your fav scene of your fav Crow?

1. Goddddd, why would you make me choose? 😭

I think if I had to choose i'd choose Inej or Nina maybe?? Idk man choosing this stuff's hard

2. Same for me!! I love Kanej so much because it's built with a sort of trust and understanding that you don't really see in YA books. It shows that ppl can change if they want to and how you shouldn't settle for less just because you love someone, how loving someone has to also be a choice and not just a feeling. They really changed my view on love as a whole and I also love how they're both interesting in their own way outside of their relationship

No hate to Wesper and Helink, I love them too but Kanej altered my brain chemistry a little too much

3. Again, a hard question, but I think I have an answer for now (idk might change later 😅)

It's probably the scene where Kaz beats every Dreg that stands with Per Haskell. It's just so badass and also the way Inej said that she'd kill everyone who dared to beat Kaz up and how he silently tells her to wait and then beat the shit out of everyone *chef's kiss*. I just think it's a scene where we truly see Kanej in it's truest form: them just trusting eachother and just Inej being there and Kaz knowing oebdhebdhdjdn.

I love them

4. Okay so for Inej: the incinerator scene a hundred percent. It shows how strong she is and her internal struggle after being taken from her home. Also i'm pretty sure this is the first scene where she realizes what she wants to do with her life: hunt slavers. I think this is the moment where I just truly feel in love with her character

And for our dear Nina: the scene where she heals Inej after she's been stabbed by Omen. I personally think that Nina's greatest qualities are her stubborness and her loyalty. These are shown on multiple occasions but out of all of them I choose this one because it's also a side of Ninej here and I love them sooo yeah, no other reason really. Anyway what I mean by stubborness and loyalty is this: Nina isn't a healer and we are told she has very limited knowledge on healing but she still forced herself to heal Inej because she's her friend. She was stubborn enough to push herself to the brink of exhaustion and loyal enough to do so for her friend.

[just-1other-nerd]

I want to talk about the morals of the crows real quick

Kaz is very ruthless, especially when it comes to achieving a goal. He is a means to an end guy. But he doesn't like slavery, especially forced prostitution. He looks after his crew (one overlooked example is that he makes the slat warm and dry, which shows that he also cares about the less important members of the Dregs). He holds his end of the deal. He awards and appreciates the people who are loyal to him (once again not just the inner circle, because he also gives Rotty and Specht each a half of the money that was originally intended for Per Haskell). He works for his own good and for the good of the people he cares about, so even if he does something good, like smuggle Grisha out of Ketterdam, it is oftentimes because of selfish reasons or because it's beneficial for him. He doesn't follow any religious rules because he's an atheist. The law and the government didn't protect him and Jordie, so he breaks it with pleasure.

Inej is a woman of faith, and she tries to live by it as much as she can. She only kills when it's self-defense, and she prays for forgiveness (and maybe also the souls of the people she killed, I'm not sure). She knows what's right and what's wrong, but she also knows that sometimes good people have to do wrong things for the greater good. She knows slavery is bad, so she hunts slavers. She knows stealing and threatening are bad but she does it anyways because it is her way out of the indenture and because people like van Eck or Pekka Rollins deserve to be robbed and threatened and because people like Kuwei (and his father) deserve freedom. She works mainly for the greater good of the world but sometimes for herself and the people she loves. When she is free to choose, she always wants to improve things and do something positive even if she has to threaten people. Inej doesn't give a shit about the law because it never protected her, other slavery victims and the Suli.

Jesper has loose morals. He likes the thrill and adrenalin rush of Barrel life, gambling and fights. That leads him to do bad things like killing, which he doesn't enjoy or being in great debt because he made bad decisions. But even if he doesn't show it to others all the time, he constantly feels guilty. Jesper's motivated by working for himself and the people he loves. He doesn't really give a shit about the world as long as it doesn't affect himself. That's mainly because of his trauma about the death of his mother but also because he feels like he can't do anything about the state of the world. He wants to be better and he tries. He's not following any religious rules. He still likes to break the law because it's fun and exciting.

Wylan isn't a pacifist because, on a logical level, he knows that the world doesn't work like that and that that means that violence is necessary sometimes. But he'd still prefer talking it out, and when that could actually solve the problem, he sure as hell tries. He doesn't want innocents to get hurt. He doesn't want to participate in violence if not necessary for the goal. So when he has the chance to leave the criminal world, he does, and he distances himself from that as we can see in RoW. But that scene also shows that he is willing to break the law for his friends but he doesn't want more trouble so he abides it in general but not because he believes in it, like he works with the idiots of the Merchant Council on a daily basis and knows that they're incompetent and/or greedy. He doesn't follow religious rules but has a strong moral compass.

Nina is a soldier and patriot, but she still sees errors in the system and has sympathy for the enemy. She is willing to leave a seemingly endless war behind her in order to be happy even though she knows it'll hurt, leaving her beloved country behind. She wants to save Fjerda even if it took Matthias from her because she promised. She is a soldier, which means she is okay with killing the enemy if they don't show regret or decency. She fights for her people, her loved ones and the greater good. She is a spy, so she is okay with lying if it serves the cause. She does have borders she won't cross, but there is still a lot she is willing to do (gaslight and girlboss Fjerda for the next couple of decades). If she's home, Nina follows the Ravkan law in general even though she can ignore direct orders if she thinks she knows better. She isn't very religious and even willing to use religion to manipulate people into not discriminating against Grisha. She doesn't give a shit about the laws of Ketterdam or Fjerda.

Matthias is a soldier, a patriot and a man of faith. But his love for his country and Djel were exploited, and he was manipulated into doing bad things and hating Grisha. But whenever it came to normal people and animals, he always had a strong moral compass that even the Drüskelle couldn't destroy. He learns that his country is corrupt and he discovers the right way of Djel. He wanted to fight for the people he loves, for the country he loves and the God he loves. He didn't want to hurt innocents. That never changed he just began to see that he hurt people because someone lied to him when they said those people are evil and unnatural. Honour is very important to him. If it's necessary, he will use violence (like surviving the hell show, breaking into the ice court, fighting evil people like Van Eck and Pekka Rollins, etc.). If he thinks the law is something good, he will abide by it, if he discovers it's corrupted, he won't.

That's why I think Matthias is the real cinnamon roll of the crows.

Bonus: Kuwei just doesn't give a shit. He isn't religious, the law never protected him or his father and if he doesn't want to talk, he'll straight up pretend to not speak your language.

[googolduplynx]

mgsV spoilers

one of the most common interpretations of Venom Snake's character and of the overall narrative of the game is that. MGSV is simultaneously the last piece of the puzzle as to how Naked Snake became a villain (approving the plan to convert the man who saved his life and miraculously survived anyway into his body double and thus becoming more concerned with revenge than people) and also the story of how venom snake became just as bad as him. i agree with the first bit, but i don't feel like the second bit makes any sense, given that Venom Snake is an entirely new character (besides the confirmation that he is the big boss you fight in the original metal gear). as much as the narrative sort of sucks because the game was unfinished, i doubt the direction they would've started with was "Let's write an expedited version of another character's arc with a new character which is less impactful". as much as i do generally agree with the idea that Venom Snake doesn't get a whole lot of opportunities to demonstrate personality, in part i think his apathy is intentional. he wakes up from a coma looking like someone else, being told he's someone else, with the memories of someone else - but, even from the very beginning, he knows he isn't that person. and so when his closest advisors start clamoring about revenge against XOF and Skullface and whatever he goes along with it - and whilst i doubt he's exactly Skullface's biggest fan, it's ultimately Kaz who ends up blowing Skullface's limbs off before leaving him to die. the few moments where Venom Snake does demonstrate significant emotion doesn't have anything to do with revenge - it's when Quiet sacrifices herself for him, it's when he has to mercy kill his own soldiers, it's right before operation intrude, it's Paz. ultimately, if Venom Snake was a vengeful person by his own merit, he'd most likely want nothing more than to get revenge on Naked Snake after learning the truth of his identity. but he doesn't. i wouldn't call Diamond Dogs good guys, exactly - they're a private military force, and who knows what Revolver Ocelot is doing to the guys in the brig - but they certainly don't get worse under Venom's leadership. they remove animals from warzones at the behest of environmentalists. when they come across child soldiers, they rescue them and educate them to try and give them a better life. Venom Snake himself is hardened, but he's arguably the most burdened of all the metal gear protagonists (including the actually good ones) over the people he's had to kill in his line of work to the point that he'll start hallucinating if you kill too many people.

because he ISN'T Naked Snake. he's a medic. that's the one thing we definitively know about him before he got converted into Naked's body double. he was a good soldier all-round, given that he wasn't just chosen to be the body double out of the convenient circumstances - he was just as good as Naked Snake, but he chose to be a medic. and after he learned the truth, he remained loyal to Naked Snake. taking the nuclear disarmament cutscenes to be canon - and, given how you're forced into the online mode, i'd bet they're supposed to be - as much as he was loyal to Naked, I really doubt he ever believed in his quest for revenge against the world. his final speech really seems to indicate that his goals are actually actively opposed to Naked Snake's. he believed in the man Naked Snake used to be. that's the version he was loyal to. the best indication we have as to Venom's activities between 84 and 95 is that he was continuing private military work with Kaz (who swears revenge on Naked after learning the truth about Venom), and that after the main plot of mgsV wraps up he starts trying to stop other private militaries from getting hold of nuclear weapons. i mean, at the end of the day this is all just speculation given that it seems to be the case that MGSV is missing a lot of its planned narrative, but i don't buy that Venom Snake ever sunk to where Naked Snake ended up. why the fuck did outer heaven have a self-destruct sequence anyway

[aeymii]

Also imagine the trio ending up in the grand meetup of the other Komas and their ship clubs. And because he's a protagonist in his verse, and has so much ship teasing going on with like a quarter of the cast, Protag!Nagito has doppelgangers on all sides insisting that he join their club.

Matsukoma Nagito: "You're not one of those Mikan-loving Komaedas, are you? There's only one truly worthwhile medical partner. Even if he's dead in your verse, Yasuke is irreplaceable."

Protag!Nagito: "Now wait just a minute! I'll have you know that Mikan is a lovely person, and a very dear-"

Komamiki Nagito: "ONE OF US! HE'S ONE OF US!"

Protag!Nagito: "Wait, wait! I didn't say that-"

Matsukoma Nagito: "You didn't say that you weren't either. Well?"

Protag!Nagito: "I...But..."

Roulette Nagito: "Hold the phone! We saw footage of that hotbaths scene with Gudham. You seemed to be quite enjoying yourself there."

Protag!Nagito: "I was just really happy to be included as one of the guys!"

Soumaeda Nagito: "Kaz was there too!"

Roulette Nagito: "...What if he's in a poly relationship with Gundham AND Kaz?"

Soumaeda Nagito: "Ooh! I don't think we've had that combo yet. Or maybe with Gundham, Kaz, AND Sonia. He seems to get along very well with her too."

Protag!Nagito: "What?! No, you've got it all...I mean..."

Komazumi Nagito: "Oh come on. We've seen you've had some cute bonding moments with Mahiru. No one can smile quite the way she does. And those freckles!"

Protag!Nagito: "Mahiru...is important to me. But this is all so very sudden!"

Komanami Nagito: "NO! Stay loyal to Chiaki to the very end! Even if it means waiting until the next life!"

Protag!Nagito: "Aargh! Leave me alone!"

All the while main Nagito and Nagiko are just laughing in the background eating popcorn. Just to be clear I treat main Nagito and Protag!Nagito's OTP as "Insert preferred ship here". It could be Komahina. Or it could be something as wild as a resurrected cyborg Yasuke for the Matsukoma diehards.

I do also have this one idea I've mused about for Nagiko's flings. Generally speaking she actually doesn't hold the many Kamukuras of the multiverse in high regard. Feeling that the novelty wears off fast, as once you've met one Kamukura, you've met most of them. Channeling Stillwell from the comic The Boys and thinking like "What have you thought of to do that the lowest speck of humanity couldn't, were they to be granted your level of power?". Being especially unimpressed by the ones that try to assuage their boredom by joining Junko or doing something else she considers equally dull and unproductive.

But there are exceptions to that. Like one Natsumizuru that she took a fondness to. Who had a bit more of a spark in her than a lot of other Kamukuras did, and channeled her talents in more productive ways to stave off boredom. I have this one mental image of Nagiko trolling main Fuyuhiko by not-so-subtly implying she had a thing going on with an alternate superhuman version of his sister. Being all like "Man she was rough, if I didn't have a reinforced skeleton that girl would have demolished my spine."

Komas unite for real HAHAHA, EXACTLY like, the protagonist always gets the best ships in this franchise!! I can't even pick a favorite Saihara ship- I have like 4 favorites?!?!

Nahh Koma's not gonna defend her- I WILL DEFEND HER!! WHADDYA SAY TO MIKAN PUNK?! hehe, Go Yasuke lol, YEAH TELL EM PROTAG- ONE OF US AHZDVA IM DYING HAHAHAHA THIS IS HILARIOUS!! Y'all calm down maybe he's a Matsukomamiki something haha!! YOOOO HE'S EXPOSED 💀💀💀💀 GET EM GUYSSSS‼️🗣️ AND KAZUICHI WAS THERE TOO!?!? EXPLAIN YOURSELF BWAHAHAGA

THIS SHEET EPIC!! AND SONIA'S THERE TOO LOL<33 poor PROTAG he can't even catch a break, that's crazy!! GET HIM Y'ALL!! IMMA GRAB THE POPCORN 🍿 🍿 OMG Mahiru smiling?!?! That's a rare one and she's so adorable<33 HAHA GO KOMANAMI NAGITO!!

AND THEY JUST LAUGHING IN THE BACKGROUND LOVE THEM!! I agree!! FOR DA KOMAHINAS!! AND THE DIE HARD MATSUKOMASS AND ALL THE KOMASS THE SHIPVERSE LOL!! YEAH Nagiko slayy queen!! She don't give two sheets about Izuru<3 yeah it wares off after a while I mean there's like the whole different versions around, she don't care about nobody hahah love the girlboss NATSUMI I MISSED HERRR YASS, OOOO SHE HAS THE HOTS FOR HIS SISTER?! go women yayy OOOOOO this is just pure epicness I LOVE IT YOUR IDEAS ARE SO GOOD MY FAV ANON, have some cookies!!!! 🍪🍪

[witchthewriter]

𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @timetobooooooogey.

Want one? Here’s more info 🦋🌈  

𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞

𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 ... 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚...𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆�� 𝑭𝒂𝒉𝒆𝒚! The man with many talents, the one with all the humour, the comic relief, the man we all want to marry. I think you two would be an absolute HOOT together. A cracking good time, absolutely always getting on Kaz’s nerves with your shenanigans and tomfoolery. 

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒔

・Okay so you’re apart of the Crows, you ended up in Ketterdam when you were young or maybe you were born there, either way the soiled city was your home. But the Crow club was were family. 

・Jesper was a long time crush of yours. I mean... who wouldn’t fall in love with Jesper? Even a little bit? His charm, the way nothing fazes him, his humour in horrid situations... it makes everything easier

・It was Nina who pushed you two together. Always making sure Kaz put you on the same mission, if an item needed buying she would make you two get it etc

・Jesper knew what was happening all along and just went with it. He thought you were cute, but with each outing, he realised just how interesting you are

・Kept asking Nina if you actually liked him. 

   “No but are you serious though-”

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Little Alice by Danny Elfman

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

・Nerd (You) x Jock (Jesper)

・Isn't Scared of Anything (Jesper) x Worries About Everything (You)

・Confident & Flirty (Jesper) x Has Never Been Flirted With Before, Thinks They're Just Being Nice (You)

𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

Constant Banter

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖

Your heart. Your personality, god he can’t choose one??? The way you light up when talking about your favourite subject, when you ramble on about your crappy day, just everything about you. He absolutely loves. 

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅

Inej, and Nina. Even if you don’t see each other all the time, your bond is the kind where you pick up exactly where you left off. You have so many inside jokes. You’re like the Powerpuff girls (is it Powerpuff or Powder Puff i Literally don’t know). But like you’re own version of it. 

𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆

Wylan mixed with Alina. I think you’re a very strong yet quirky individual. God I don’t want to spoil season 2 so I won’t but there’s a specific scene where you are LITERALLY WYLAN and it would be so representative of your personality. Anyway, you seem like a loving and caring individual who doesn’t know exactly how to show it at times, but you’re loyal to a fault and would do anything for the ones you love. 

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒕

Ketterdam is infested with ... everything. You know this, everyone knows this. So it wasn’t surprising when a cat followed you come one night - you tried to get rid of it but it wouldn’t leave you alone. He kept rubbing against your leg, purring, rolling on the ground, wanting you to rub him. You just ... couldn’t leave him. 

So you did everything you could to get rid of the fleas (he was a very good boy when you bathed him) and he ate like a horse. 

It took you a while to come up with a name...which did you choose?

𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒖𝒔 𝑳𝒖𝒑𝒊𝒏! I’m so sorry about the gif, Joseph Quinn is my fancast for youngish Remus and I thought “wow this gif is perfect” but also wow he’s crying. So sorry about that!

 Anyway-

I think you two would work because you said that you don’t want a significant other who takes things too far. And Remus doesn’t do that while James and Sirius ... well...they do sometimes. Remus is also very calming to be around, he would feel like a rock in your life. Someone you can count on. 

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒔

・Likes to knock his knee against yours when you’re sitting next to each other, or give you a wink from across the room when you’re apart

・You’re the only person who knows all of Remus’ secrets. It took a while for him to open up, but you finally got to the stage where he showed every part of him

・Whenever you laugh at his jokes, he nearly dies inside from happiness. Like he’s never felt this overjoyed before. 

・He’s like the mother of the Marauders and that doesn’t diminish when he’s around you. He’ll literally have your favourite things on him when you’re out, just in case you want them. He also has bandaids, an extra jacket, another book etc. Just for you. 

・One time you had to take care of a drunk Remus because he was celebrating with the Marauders and he had a lil too much. When he’s drunk, he’s very honest, gushy and giggly. Not violent at all, and when someone gets aggressive he’s like, “woo someone needs a nap!” 

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Gwen & Arthur by Rob Lane

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

・Closed Off (Remus) x The Person They Warm Up To (You)

・Pair of walking disasters who cannot function without the other 

・Plant Dies (You) x Buys Them A New One (Remus)

𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

Character That Doesn't Believe The Other Could Ever Love Them Back But They Do

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖

Your creativity and imagination. It’s so powerful and intriguing to him. From that your mind is open and curious. He finds it so attractive. You have this quality to make him think about things that he’s never thought about before. 

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅

Lily; she’s actually extremely humorous in her own right. And yes,, a very bright witch of her age. She showed you a lot of the muggleworld - her world and you fell in love with it. She’s so loyal and would have your back no matter what. 

𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆

A mix of Luna, Neville and Ginny. I can see that you’re so sweet and loving, with a flair of weirdness (in the best way) but also very badass. I feel like you would kick ass when the time is needed

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒕

This little guy somehow wandered into your pocket and never wanted to leave. He could somehow sense that you were a good person, a lovely human to be around. And he loved that you spoke to him about everyting- even if he can’t respond

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥

𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈-𝑪𝒉𝒊! Ooh that boy can fight. I think you two would have such a heart warming dynamic. His feelings for you are so deep but it would take so much convincing from the people around him to get him to do something. But once he steps up ... boy are you gonna be wooed. 

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒔

・IS THE TYPE OF MAN TO DO ALL THE TRADITIONAL DATE THINGS. Buy you flowers, open doors, tuck in your chairs, offer you his arm, give you his jacket, walk on the side of the road etc. 

・Takes things slow; courts you. He kinda reminds me of Steve in that way, but he’s like Steve but with ... extra spice? Shang is just so kind hearted that he’d always make sure you get home safe and wait until you’ve gone through your front door

・During your relationship he shows you his favourite things to do and yes you have ended up drunk singing karaoke 

・Does that romantic thing when he’s teaching you how to defend yourself but his body is close to yours and you both end up blushing and stumbling over your words

・Loves hearing you laugh and says the most corny jokes just to cheer you up. He would literally do ANYTHING to make you happy. 

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Trapped Souls by Brian Tyler

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

・Shy 'n' Awkward (You) x LOOK HOW CUTE MY PARTNER IS (Shang)

・Brave Warrior (Shang) x Somewhat Self-Assured Damsel (You)

・Always Bringing Them Rocks They Think They Would Like (You) x Keeps The Rocks (Shang)

𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

Home Is Wherever You Are

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖

How you try to make everyone laugh. He loves that you even though you’re anxious, you still put yourself out there. And that , as well as your creativity, he thinks you’re such an interesting person. He also loves the tarot cards - I mean, you live in a magical world, how can divination not be important?

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅

Yelena Belova! You guys can get so loud when you’re together. Nothing is off limits - she loves talking about anything and everything. And she’ll just say the most randomest things but you go along with it because small talk is too boring. 

𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆

A mix of Peter Parker and Thor - you seem like a funny, charismatic and awkward person but you can turn that awkwardness into something charming. But you’re also someone that people should be wary of, because I thinnk there’s more to you. 

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒕

Pretty classic pet, he’s a cutie patootie. When you and Shang move in together you decide that you want a pet. And what better pet to get for a golden retriever, than a golden retriever?!

[vole-mon-amour]

2x03, part 1.

Oh wow. OH WOW???? I'M— That's is soooo uncharacteristic for Kaz. And for once, it fits.

She's the only one who can beat his ass and stay untouchable. Get his ass!!

Damn it. I think they nailed it. Even the memory of that in the book gets me all riled up. I'm so mad at Rollins and what he did to those kids. I'd say "Damn it, Jordie", but really, it wasn't his fault. They were just orphans against the entire world, and Jordie wanted the best for him and Kaz. He could he could trust this man. The question of rolling robbing them and leaving them to die, though? How can somebody to that is another topic.

And that's why I disliked you even in the books. :) Funny, though, and very convenient to turn back into the prince when the situation needs that. "My Tsarevich."

For once, I agree with Alina. Show him who's the boss.

I have an ao3 tab open since 2x01. And I am definitely reading that after finishing the season. :) This is a good moment.

Honestly, the way they mixed up the books and something that didn't exist in it.

Wait, WHAT??????? Somebody explain pls. Surely they're not hinting at Jesper and Wylan having sex before????? Surely it's something else???

Jesper is precious.

A Merchant's son. The one whose father hired people to kill him. My good, their stories! The book is sucking me back in.

Yeah, Jesper, you're a goner. :') Just like you were with Kaz. I'm still convinced that if Kaz was more... available, maybe? Then something would have happened. Bc there's no wonder in my mind that Jesper has a crush on Kaz in the books.

I mean, technically, she may be right. But she constantly demands of him. I mean, yeah, she's loyal, but so are other crows? And they don't ask anything in return because they know who they are dealing with and what comes with it, pros AND cons? Sorry if I stick with Jesper that will follow Kaz to Hell and accept that maybe not blindly, but quietly. He'll be ok with Kaz scolding him or whatever. Doesn't mean it should be that way forever, but Jesper knows what comes with it. He trusts him. He loves him. So why's Inej special, huh? The fact that she pushes Kaz into telling her = pushes him away. Let him have this at his own pace. "Oooh, I don't care about your trauma, oooh, tell me immediately." Piss off. Perfect couple, my ass.

Like here. Jesper ACCEPTS it. Jesper will follow him. Kaz means so much to him. He doesn't entirely understand Kaz, but he TRUSTS him & waits for him when Kaz needs him to.

And before anyone says anything, K*nej is my absolute notp. Choose the reason that suits you, but I will never ship Kaz and Inej. Kaz can stay with Jesper and Inej can stay with Nina.

Gorgeous. Stunning. Breathtaking.

No fucking way? Wait, did Kaz tell her in the books? I believe he didn't, and definitely not at that moment? HELLLOOOOOO??? I'm not really sure. A re-read is a must now.

That is a beautiful gesture. *sigh* His hands are shaking, and yet.

It was Kaz's trauma that pulled him back from Inej in the books. Not Nina. I don't need this implication that they would've kissed if it wasn't for Nina. Yeah, I'm having a hard time watching those scenes, just like I knew I would.

Now THIS I ship. "She missed Nina." Girlfriends. <3

He. Him.

A badass!!

Not Genya :( Get fucked, Sasha. Get fucked.

Are they... holding hands? I'm so confused about how they portray Wesper. It's out of nowhere!! C'mon, they hold hands the entire time & I'm so disappointed??? Jesper doesn't know him at all. He calls him a stranger. It's so logical in CK, what happens here????

Kaz прикладывается к бутылке? Like, yeah, he drinks when he stressed out, but to carry a drink with himself, everywhere? Is this the Kaz we know?

[kattangeln]

Shadow and Bone commentary s2

Cause I did it for s1 (this is in the order of watching)

So every change in the crows and ketterdam story makes me scratch my teeth. I hate it cause like we all know six of crows has one of the best writing ever

Kinda hate that they are all um speaking English? Like sure they have languages, but just speak English. And I get why. But also, like takes away a lot of the world building. Nina is a language prodigy and I want it to be known <3

The ravkans can only speak ravkan pretty much. Jesper can speak Zemeni and Kerch. And yeah, it’s sad. I miss languages

Like Pekka Rollins is getting way too big?

Nina following Inej, and like managing to follow her. That’s cute <3

Waffles and people skills, love you girl

We are already getting to know about Kaz’s backstory???

Also Nikolai is great. He looks just as charming and slug as I imagined. Hm his introduction though, that was um interesting.

Okay when Wylan is playing the piano and Jesper just wow. I need need the scene with Kuwei playing the piano and Jesper thinking it was Wylan. And them kissing. And that whole scene and misunderstanding and everything. Please guys. Like this could be an amazing foreshadow. Like dude jespers face. I need it

Actually love love that Nikolai’s proposal came that quickly. Yes, dude. You are so ahead of time <3 and Mal talking sense into Alina, yes

I mean I still don’t hate Mal (like the books). But I’m not sure if I would care if he died? Like I remember liking him in s1 for your knowledge.

Genya is crazy. Thinking she can flee Kirigan like that? Wow

David hearing Genya being scarred like that? Oof. Knowing how awfully um that was? Knowing he can do nothing? I mean I love that he is smart enough to like don’t try to stop it cause he wouldn’t have had a chance. But wow, the powerlessness. David <3 you will be rewarded I promise

All the bonding Jesper and Wylan are doing. To die for <3

Why do the Netflix um subtitles call them dogs? Aren’t they supposed to be wolves? Like yes they are obviously dogs and not wolves cause like many reasons. But come on. But also, the foreshadowing <3

Nina, nina, nina? What are you doing? Pekka is there? What the fuck (about nina calling matthias name after the fight)

I hate not being able to tell what the fuck is happening. Although the stakes are so high and I love it

Love the girl who’s so loyal to the darkling. Like she’s pretty. Go girl, go do what you think is best. You’re most likely a sadist.

Every episode opener is soo pretty

Genya getting her nickname <3

Baghra and Genya bonding??

You know at least, Alina is less selfish. And Mal is still selfish. Character growth guys

Love how much this explores Baghra and Aleksander’s relation. And his upbringing and so. Awww like this is well done. I can see the hurt child still in him. And I mean Baghra has some um stuff on her conscious

“I kinda like your face” goosebumps wow hate it (the place in the story) and love it

yes, Alina is training

Love the new mythology, more saints, mythology yay

Okay, hm I do believe Nina and Kaz are in on it. But eh Inej caring about a crying baby? I do not think was part of their plan. Why is Pekka always kicking their asses? Guys, I’m scared

Okay, I love love this scene with Pekka and Kaz. Oh, it's amazing.

Is the brother of Nikolai actually supposed to be smart now? I liked him better dumb. Cause some people are selfish and dumb and only care about themselves and yeah. Pls don’t be smart (yes I’m very happy he died)

Wylan and Jesper. I don’t know how to feel about their backstory.

Oof, my bisexual afraid of commitment self is feeling this very much. Jesper, love. I’m so proud of you. Like I could never do that

THEY KISS IN S2E4 NOT OKAY NOT OKAY WOW AMAZING AHHH GUYS WHAT

one fear I have, is I still want the ice court and everything with that to happen. Nina sacrificing herself, taking that drug, being her most powerful self. God, just that whole heist, guys. I need to see it executed.

Wylan? “Maybe you need a fuller reminder” what is happening guys? Wylan is not supposed to be that gutsy. Even if you get a weird ass confession like that, it still takes guts you know. Oh my goodness, my feels are all over the place.

Kaz turning his worry for Inej into blaming Inej. I love that for him. Very him.

Alina’s smile when she saw Nikolai. Yes.

“Love it when you quote me” is already here. Omg my Nikolina heart is already dying.

Okay he got killed quickly, I love that.

Some part of me love that Pekka Rollins is being dealt with so early. But he is such a good villain though. And I also wish to spend more time with Nikolai and Alina pls <3

Okay, love jesper and Wylan. But no. Too soon. But omg my heart

Alina and Genya omg <3

Genya, go hard! On the queen and on nikolai. Now some years later. You speak for survivors and I feel you. You speak for me too. And I love you for it.

Love it when Mal and Alina fight <3

If nikolai already gets turned into that in s2 I hate it

Nikolai and Alina <3

Baghra and Aleksander, that was so sad. Also I’m glad we are seeing more of Aleksander and his journey. (her dying)

Jesper’s and Wylan’s relationship is just not doing it for me in the show, like it’s the pinning and dumbass and all that. Like it’s too romantic??? And too soon?? I feel like they barely know each other. The heist in six of crows is like weeks yk

I love that Mal is the firebird. Love. Love. Love. Please do it. Kill him and use him <3

This season really makes me realize how much I want more for Alina. Way more than the goddamn book ending. Show Alina, please be better.

And now Aleksander knows that tooo. Amazing. Amazing. There’s no way Mal won’t die right?

Oh, Nadia and Tamar already. Yes.

I don’t have a good feeling about this. (about going out to war with the ambush and all that)

Okay, actually. Alina bringing him back with merzost is actually better than him just dying. Cause pain <3

Can’t believe Nikolai still got cursed 😭

“Make sure there’s nothing left of me”

Also I adore that we got a last emotional and beautiful scene with the Darkling, and Alina.

That was one of hell of a demonstration of jurda parem. But wow god, Alina hasn’t used her powers since she brought back Mal. The price she had to pay is.. from light to shadow?

[lalinna]

Shadow Rankings - Part II (Top 5)

Here we are: the Shadow and Bone characters I am *way* too invested in. Like my previous post, just remember that this is 100% my personal preference and I am a weird old lady. Oh, and this is after watching season 2, episode 4. A lot could change.

5. Nikolai (Nikolay? - Ok, I didn't check the correct spelling)

I confess - he's not as pretty as the Darkling, but I find him more attractive. He also reminds me of actor Rupert Penry-Jones (ah, Black Sails). Is that weird? Weirder still -> kinda ship him and Alina. Even if they were just pretending, seeing them as a power couple made so much sense. They simply work.

4. Nina and Mathias

Yes, of course I'm cheating, lumping couples or groups of characters together to fit more than ten in the list, while only writing ten spots. I don't have a logical explanation why I find these two so compelling, I think it's down to their chemistry. You buy the desire, and you also buy the love. Well done, show!

3. Jesper and Wylan

Speaking of chemistry, these two are so great. I really don't have much to say, I love Jesper since season 1 (I miss Milo, though) and Wylan was instantly adorable. Here's hoping these two survive everything and build a life together.

2. Inej

Gotta be honest, Jesper was my #2 with a very small lead on Inej until S2E4, but her choice during the action in that episode almost catapulted her to my #1. She's badass, she's loyal, she clearly loves Kaz more than it's good for her, but she is still able to make the right call, even when it clashes with his expectations. Inej, you rock!

1. Yeah, yeah, of course it's Kaz

Could it be anyone else?

You know, the television gods have a wicked sense of humor. Because a quick scroll around this site and it's clear that I am not alone, dude's quite popular around here.

And so the world turns round and round and here I am, deeply invested in the emotional wellbeing and hapiness of a character named Kaz? Oh, come on! I mean, you slightly change a couple of consonants and... damn you, television overlords. That's just mean!

Worse still, I can't see things ending too well for this guy. He seems like the type to burn bright and self destruct, he appears to have been crafted in just the perfect way to make me cry.

So, hey, television overlords, can you please do something about it? Let this Kaz get his happy ending. Please.

[crowsheadcaneandleathergloves]

shadow and bone s2 thoughts

things i liked:

nikolai <3 (he was never my favourite in the books nor did he really stand out to me much, but seeing him in action in the show was absolutely incredible). probably one of my favourite characters on the sab side of the plot

sankta neyar (she was so so cool⁠—i loved how nonchalant she was when talking about her first husband). pretty much the entire shu han bit was great

tamar and tolya (also, we learn that kaz also knows poetry?)

genya and david (kinda sad they killed off david so soon, but i think it's better than him dying ON THEIR WEDDING DAY)

david in general...i love him so much <3

wylan and just wesper in general (i do admit, i don't know how they plan on doing the other things that occur during the soc duology)

kaz and inej....just amazing. the tension was there

that squaller woman who was the darkling's right hand woman. i wish we could have gotten more of her backstory and get deeper into why she was so loyal to the darkling

overall i really enjoyed it. i have seen other reactions not so positive, and i think that's because i hardly remember the trilogy and do not love it as much as i do the soc duology (or even the kos/row duology). i mean, i read it. but only after reading the soc duology, and it was an absolute slog to get through

things i don't know how i feel about yet:

alina maybe turning evil? (also, keeping her at the palace is going to be interesting)

jesper being okay with publicly being a grisha (it was nice to see him with his mom, but what about colm?)

the crows basically knowing kaz's backstory already (again, i loved inej's instant "let's kill pekka rollins" after hearing it, but it does change a bunch of things for soc and ck)

things i didn't like:

doing the whole pekka rollins thing??? just??? very early??? like way to early??? this is probably my biggest dislike. it's basically the climax of ck and when kaz finally takes down pekka after everything he's done

(also the whole plague heist that usually happens in ck...that was nina's whole thing)

killing off tante heleen (she's so integral to inej's arc; it's just so weird. how's that going to work for the ice court heist?)

inej going after slaver ships when that's how her arc from the books end (how will they bring her back for the ice court heist?)

i wish we had gotten to see one, at least one, zoyalai interaction

[thegreatmelodrama]

(omg lol am an idiot I didn't realise you had already read it)

New things you discover on a re-read! How does it differ from your first read?

Omg ahahaha, no worries!!! And so far, it’s been interesting to go back and pick up on certain characteristics of each of the characters. Insecurities, patterns of thinking, fatal flaws, etc. have become a lot easier to spot from the get go. But also with a multi-POV book, I have found that a reread has allowed me to spot things I may have missed the first or even second time around. Especially since I my first read through was especially speedy, I have found that I now better understand the actions that take place and their motivations as well as certain character fools and similarities. Kaz and Inej and their performance/show-man like actions, especially when it comes to acts of violence or threats and what it hides. Big displays of violence, like what Inei does to Rojakke, to show that just because she is a girl and perceived as weak does not mean that she should be crossed or played with. Her knives and her reputation as the wraith, provide her with a sense of protection and armour against those who might use her or harm her, experiences she knows too well from her time in the pleasure house. Kaz’s use of violence for his reputation, his nickname Dirty hands, all to hide his weaknesses: his hephaphobia and his limp.

But also themes like struggling between values, beliefs, conflictions and survival/necessity. We see this with Matthias when he battles the wolves, pitting his patriotism with survival. This a rather strong them throughout the duology, and one which each of our main characters must confront.

The tattoos also I have found reveal much about the relationships. The dregs have the crow and cup tattoo, Kaz included, but not Inej. Inej has a scar from where she removed a brand from the menagerie, which is very much so reflective of her time spent there and the trauma endured. Her time at the menagerie still has an effect on her, rightly so, and we see this throughout the book in her reactions to certain touches and interactions. She is aware that her time at the dregs is still an indenture, and so her not having the dregs tattoo reveals a reluctance and a desire to be free and not owned by anyone or anything. But it also says something of her allegiance to Kaz and the dregs. She very obviously cares for Kaz and is loyal to him, but she also has allegiances to herself, to her beliefs/morals, and to her family whom she wishes to return to one day. Her belief in the Saints, her desire to not ever have to kill, etc. are all things which separate her from the other dregs, and more specifically Kaz.

These are things I’ve picked up on for chapters 1-6. I really really appreciate and love this question @caesarflickermans !!! 💕

[rviden]

since requests are open, how will the reader react if kazuha returned injured (but not those serious injuries) & maybe they will start nagging at him like a sick mother until he had to kiss them to shut them up <333

track title — only one way to shut you up

featuring — kazuha x gn!reader

cw/tw — injuries (not graphic)

note — ou anon you just brought up one of my favourite tropes :)

kazuha had tried to be discrete and silent in his movements, trying not to show the pain that he was in — all because he knew how his react.

he had seen you gush over him when his finger slipped while sharpening and tending to his blade, how you would put him on bed rest at something so small as a twisted ankle, and how you acted as if it was the end of the world if he so much as sneezed.

you were protective, loyal, and caring — all characteristics that he never thought that he would get in a partner, but despite this, it didn’t stop him from not wanting to worry you for a minute.

so he hid his injuries.

or so he thought.

counter to what he thought, his attempt in hiding the obvious limp and ‘discreet’ hand holding his side were futile against your perceptive eyes — eyes that could pick up on even the smallest of details, especially when it came to him.

“kazuha, are you okay?” you were by his side in an instant, arm wrapped tenderly around his waist in attempt to take the pressure off of his swelling foot while trying not to disturb the injury he had sustained on his waist.

“i’m- fine,” kazuha cringed at the grunt that made its way between his words, wishing that for once his composure would stay solid in front of you. “just need to sit down for a minute, that’s all.”

“sit down for a minute my ass — you need actual rest,” will slow and small steps, you brought kazuha towards the cushion — hoping to help the boy ease into a comfortable position so he could properly rest. “all i wanna know is how you managed to hurt yourself this bad in the hour you were gone — do i need to start accompanying you or something?”

“y/n, i said i was fine-“ he was cut off as your hand brushed his side, the yelp leaving his mouth even as he tried to stop it.

you helped him to his bottom, hands moving to hold onto his forearms to keep him upright. “i’m sorry for hurting you, but from a gentle touch alone and a reaction like that — you’re far from okay.”

standing to your full height, kazuha watched as you walked away from him, no doubt going to gather medicines and materials to tend to his wounds. while he wasn’t proud to say it, he was used to this process — he had come home injured and sore too many times to count.

sighing, kazuha let him self bask in the silence and calm of the room — not having you baby him in any way. he loved you with everything in him, but you saw everything as a life or death situation — that if you didn’t tend to his wounds that second, he would simply shrivel up and disintegrate in front of your very eyes.

“we need to talk about how often i’m patching you up — this can’t keep happening kaz,” your voice grew louder as you walked back into the room, hands now full of bottles, boxes, and ointments. “i’m constantly worried sick about what you’re doing out there.”

“i know and i’m sorry about that, but-“

“y’know i fear every second you’re gone because i can’t help but think about every possible thing that could go wrong.”

“yes love, i know-“

“and you seem to not care at all about what happens to you! i mean, you’re supposed to be agile and quick — how do you end up a new injury seemingly daily-“

“y/n-“

you opened your mouth to spout more complaints and pleads, desperate to get your point across, but kazuha was done with your rambling and trembling hands.

he paid no mind to the ache in his side as he leaned forward, hands coming up to cup your cheeks, and pulled your face to his own — his lips capturing yours and successfully halting the words on the top of your tongue.

the kiss was innocent, soft, and promising — promising that he would heed your warnings and listen to your pleads.

after what felt like an eternity, the two of you broke apart for air, lips red and eyes half closed.

“i understand, and i promise to be more careful — as long as you promise to stop talking about it for just a second.”

you could only nod, kazuha’s hands that still cupped your face minimizing the movement slightly.

“did you kiss me to shut me up?”

“it was the only way i deemed fit to keep you quiet — i apologize for the abruptness of it.”

“you don’t see me complaining do you?”

[yesimwriting]

Searing Starlight (chapter 3)

A/n I CANNOT believe how many people have supported this story,, I’m so excited to continue it with you guys :)) 

Just a reminder that while this is based off the show i hope to blend in some book aspects/vibes and this is just a fanfic and it won’t be completely accurate/follow the show 100% and any changes I make/parts I chose not to focus on are for the sake of the story I’m trying to tell 

-- 

I can’t tell if I wish Kaz had let me go with Inej or not. She’s faster than I am, and considering that I have no real reason to be loyal to them, I’m a flight risk. That means I’m stuck here with only the Kaz Brekker and Jesper, who I tricked. I hadn’t exactly befriended Inej entirely in the few minutes I was alone with her, but she seemed more trustworthy than them. More susceptible to reason. And when she heard where I was from, who was responsible for raising me, something in the way she watched me changed. It was the oddest combination--a look of both tired sympathy and cautious admiration.

“What I don’t understand…” Jesper breaks the silence. “Is why you all go back there. He lets you leave, he gives you money--there’s no reason to return.” 

I try not to let the question anger me. I shift awkwardly, scratching at my palm. “We tried leaving.” My stomach knots. “Once.” How do I make them understand? “He caught us because we young and stupid, and then he…” I exhale slowly. They’re just words. They don’t change anything. Whether I speak them or not, the events of my history aren’t different. “He picked the youngest, a girl only six months younger than me, and he slit her throat from ear to ear and took a finger of anyone that flinched as her blood splattered onto them. He said her blood was our penance and to live with knowing what we did to her would be our punishment.” 

I don’t tell them that I was twelve. I don’t tell them Anya lied about my birthday on the records. I don’t tell them I’m missing the very tip of my pinky--a small punishment for the twitch of my lip. “When Kenya is truly angry, he never hurts you--he hurts those around you.” No one responds to that. They’re making me seem like such a bummer. “It’s not awful all the time...he borders on agreeable when you listen to him.” 

Most days we have peace, left to our own devices as long as we accomplish certain goals. Their silence does little to unnerve me. After speaking so freely of such a nightmare, the desire to be rid of the taste of those words from my mouth is almost overwhelming, but I hold to the silence. 

“Why has he never sold you to the grisha that are so desperate for you?”

Of course Kaz Brekker would ask a question like that. “He isn’t the business of money, he’s in the business of creating gods. He indentures people he thinks could one day become saints or something else entirely. He wants to be owed by the heavens.” 

I watch Kaz carefully, a part of me curious about how someone like him could react to a goal like that. I can see him understanding the ambition of it all, but I can’t imagine himself a person of faith. Perhaps he’ll think it a clever trick. Perhaps he’ll even agree with Kenya.

He nods once; something I get nothing from. 

Whatever. He can be coy and distant this entire time. They all can. I’ll be out of here soon enough, and I’ll find Anya. And if I can stop something bad from happening to Alina then that’s a bonus I’m willing to take risks for. 

“That man is awful.” 

Inej’s voice comes from right behind me. I snap my head around. “You’re in here.” 

She nods once, oblivious to how shocking her sudden appearance is. She hands me a knapsack casually, staring at Kaz. “What’s the plan? We have six hours.” 

I look around the room, only seeing one closed window and one closed door. “There’s one door in this room.” 

“We take the Inferni to the ship.” He doesn’t even bother looking in my direction. 

Okay, they can be mean to be all they want but they can’t ignore me. I don’t think I’ve ever been ignored in my entire life. Gods in the making get attention. It may be the cruel attention of fate, but it’s something. 

“Did she come in through the window?” 

Again, I am ignored. 

“And then what, boss?” Jesper casually crosses the room, sitting down next to me on the small couch. It’s like I’m not even here. “We’d need to break into the Little Palace to get Alina.” 

What? “You guys are going to--” No. No. I am not kidnapping Alina. And there’s no way she’d be in the Little Palace. “First off--if you want to kidnap Alina Starkov for whatever insane ploy you’re all playing at, you’d never find her at Little Palace. She’s not a Grisha and second--” I cut myself off, standing from my seat. “Why am I even telling you this? I shouldn’t be helping you kidnap her.” 

Kaz’s eyes dart to me boredly. At least it’s some kind of acknowledgement of my existence. “I thought you two weren’t close.” 

I seriously consider scorching him. Just a little. Not even enough to scar him, just enough to get him to shut up. “She’s still a person who has a right to her body and what happens to it.” 

“Not that it’s any of your concern, but if we pull this off we get one million kruge.” 

What does he think I’m going to say? ‘Okay, well as long as you’re doing it for a good reason.’ Is that the response he expects. “Okay, well that makes it fair.” 

His eyes narrow skeptically, but Jesper is the one to ask, “Really?” 

“No,” I scoff, slumping back into my seat, “I was being sarcastic.” 

I drop my head back, neck craning over the back of the small couch. It isn’t exactly comfortable, but at least it makes it easier to ignore them. I’ve kept worse company for less. There’s an odd silence for a long second. I look forward without moving, I see Kaz vaguely gesture in Inej’s direction.

“Y/n,” Inej’s voice is refreshingly measured, “I think after the kinds of things we’ve gone through we understand that there’s some relativity in morality.” 

I shift my head to the right so I can look at her. “...Yes, but you’re just forcing another girl into a similar situation.” Why is Alina even worth so much? “And why would anyone pay so much for Alina?” 

Inej hesitates, glancing at Kaz and then back at me. “She’s a Sun Summoner.” 

On instinct, I straighten entirely, my body rigid. They’re insane. “You all are cracked if you think Alina’s a Sun Summoner.” No. No. It couldn’t be her. “Bless your hearts, seriously, she’s--she was trained to be a map maker--she’s not…” None of them relax, none of them shift in any way. What good would lying about this bring them? They have no reason to lie about this. “Saints, I should have had more to drink while downstairs.” 

So what if she’s a Sun Summoner? She didn’t ask to be one. She doesn’t deserve this. I cross my arms. “It doesn’t make this okay.” 

“And would it make it okay if you were getting a cut of the profit?” What? 

Kaz is looking at me in that tactful way. It takes all of my focus to not let myself become unnerved. “What?” 

“If I offered you a cut, would you be able to push aside more protests in order to make working with you easier?” 

Could I do it? Could I betray Alina? I drop my gaze away from his, opting to focus on the forgotten lantern on the coffee table in front of me. It flickers to life with no conscious prompting on my part. The flame is low and blue. Still though, Kaz notices it. What doesn’t he notice? 

“I can help you do what I agreed to.” I swallow around a lump in my throat, “But I cannot help you kidnap Alina.” 

The corner of his mouth tugs downwards. “We’re just going to get her to work with us.” 

“Work with you?” 

“We never said anything about taking her, and if Alina is really your friend you should know that the entire world is after her. Better us who can get her out of an unwanted situation quickly than the brutal General Kirigan who will hold her hostage until she does what he wants.” 

...I guess he has a point. “Oh.” I’m not naive enough to think that their methods will revolve around making Alina comfortable, but perhaps it’s not as dark as I assumed. “Maybe I was a little quick to assume…” I trail off awkwardly, looking at Inej for some type of reassurance. She avoids my gaze. 

I scratch the back of my arm, feeling like a spiraling child. I pick up my knapsack and place it on my lap, fiddling with the strap. 

“Come on,” Kaz stands, adjusting his grip on his cane, “We only have until sunrise.” 

As I stand, I pull down the skirt of my dress, suddenly aware of how inappropriate my clothing is for this late in the night. “Can--can I change first?” 

It’s a sheepish question, leaving me feeling like a child. 

“Five minutes,” Kaz offers, stepping out of the room with the rest of them. 

Inej leaves last, feet more silent than a cat. She offers me the tiniest hint of a smile. Despite my reservations, I beam at her. Something about me finds her politeness endearing despite it all. I think she closes the door loudly on purpose, to assure me of privacy. 

Normally changing in a building so full of drunk men would leave me nervous, but knowing Inej is outside leaves me feeling safe. I may not trust her with my life but something about her being tells me she values personal autonomy enough to protect it. 

I sift through the belongings Inej brought me. Clean underwear I try not think of her searching for, a thin white dress, comfortable pants, shorts, a few casual shirts, my red hood, and a nightgown. When I get to the bottom of the bag, and I see the personal belongings Inej smuggled back for me, I’m moved so powerfully my hand flies to my mouth on instinct. She had brought the folded up piece of paper with the only information I’ve been able to find about Kamil, the book I left on my nightstand, the small candle holder Alina had given me the day before I was taken away, the blade Mal had given me the day I left, the deck of playing cards Anya had first taught me to play with, and my mother’s necklace. The silver north star on a long chain. 

Before I can become too emotional, I take off the Crow’s Club T-shirt Inej had given me when I looked cold. I change into black pants, tucking the small blade Mal had given me into the pocket. The shirt I put on is pale blue, breaking the dark theme of everything around me. I fasten my red hood over my shoulders, basking in the familiar fabric. Lastly, I pull the north star necklace over my head, watching the blue orb with a black dot at its center blink at me in the light. I always found the stone at the pendant’s center odd. I'm quick to walk towards the door, nervous about what wasting their time could mean. 

“Let’s do this,” I sigh, pushing open the door. 

They all pause. Or maybe they were never moving. I try to imagine them interacting normally, but it’s hard to picture them as anything but intense and unflinching. There’s something odd about them, though, Jesper practically sulking and Kaz dropping his head despite Inej’s harsh stare.

“What kind of stone is in your necklace?” 

I swear to the Saints that if Kaz Brekker tries to steal it I’ll melt those leather gloves into his hands. “Try to take it and--” 

“That’s what I get for trying to make ‘polite conversation.’” He throws a look at Inej as he speaks the last two words. 

Wait--did Inej tell him to try to make polite conversation? Wait--more importantly, did he just kind of, almost say something that borders on casual? 

Wrinkling my nose, I let out a slight sigh. “Sorry.” 

His eyebrows draw together quizzically. “Did you just apologize for assuming I’d steal from you?” 

Great. Now I’m fully embarrassed. “Can we just go?” 

“Not before meeting me, I hope.” The stranger’s voice means nothing to me, but the others tense at it immediately. What? The man continues to walk forward, his steps too casual and confident for me to trust. The stranger is quick to respond to the question on my face, “Pekka Rollins.” 

--

Taglist: @ambrosia-v-black @fandomstuffff @boxofteenageideas @losers-club6 @cityofstaars @stillreadingfantasy @slatersbrekker  @xoxo-aclown @alzawas-plug @nuwanda-greaser @swearingsolemnly @-thatgirloverthere-

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[serpenteve]

is it just me who thinks that both versions of the darkling suck at manipulation? it's obvious that show Darkles was just not trying at all because he fell in love pretty much at first sight, but I don't think book Darkles was very good at it either? Alina never really becomes dependent on him at all, he very obviously did not set out to seduce her romantically (despite the retcon in R&R) and even seems to be avoiding her at points. Alina is never convinced at any point that he's into her beyond physically lol. I definitely do not believe book Darkles when he tried to say he wouldn't have collared her if she hadn't run away though - she was going to end up in it eventually no matter what. I think he did a good job of feeding her insecurity around her summoning but beyond that...I mean he couldn't even get her to be loyal to HIM let alone all the Grisha. What are your thoughts?

I don't know what was in the script, but Ben plays the Darkling like a lovesick puppy with TERRIBLE game because he hasn't been on a date in like 300 years ��️

Like, the whole "darkles manipulated alina" narrative in the show is a fucking joke to me because all I see is fucking idiot who is genuinely like *shocked pikachu face* when Alina hates him for putting that collar on her like "whaaat? She doesn't like that I killed a magical deer for her and used it's antlers to gift her this awesome necklace that gives her a massive power boost??? Why is she yelling at me like that??"

Like, dude. Buy her dinner first 😂

The only time I feel like he actually manipulates her is when he implies they're going to destroy the Fold but then he's like "pfffft why would be destroy it when it's the greatest weapon we have" and she's like "YOU LIED!!" and then Ben has this truly hammy moment where he does this dramatic ass villain turn while his face is obscured by darkness but even then it's like "Yeah, she hates me now but she'll forgive me in t-minus 15 years and then the wedding is back on" 🤡

The story tries so hard to be like "he's pURe EviL!!1" and it's literally just darkles looking at Alina with literal TEARS in his eyes or even bothering to show so much genuine emotion when he doesn't even have to because Alina isn't even in the damn scene to witness it 😂

Like that time he was acting like a heartbroken 15 year old when he gets roasted by Kaz or stands on the other side of the door after Alina left and all you can do is point and laugh at this immortal dumbass like

So maybe there was *an attempt* by Show!Darkling to manipulate Alina at the start but that pretty much went out the window when she first started yelling at him and he immediately decided to plan their immortal married life together like a hopeless dork:

In conclusion: show!Darkling is a hopeless simp whose entire eViL pLaN got derailed because he caught feelings for an angry sunbeam 😌

As for book!Darkling, he at least didn't get his plan derailed until much later and unlike his show counterpart, actively HATED his crush on Alina? Like it was a massive fucking inconvenience to him and he'd be so embarrassed to see the absolute simping clownery that show!Darkling got into that he'd probably fake his death again.

But the other thing about the book is that book!Alina herself is so desperate for approval and a place to belong that she makes it very easy to manipulate and play on her emotions.

The reason book!Darkling comes across as more morally grey is because a lot of his actions always end up serving like two different purposes (one of them working in Alina's favour, and the other self-serving):

He deliberately keeps Mal's letters away from her to try and cut her connections to the past, but this actually ends up being a good thing because even Alina later admits that had he not sabotaged her communications with Mal, there's no way she would have learned to summon her power on her own (In the show, it comes across more like Darkles is low-key jealous that Alina has a strapping boyfriend and he probably cries himself to sleep reading their letters lmao)

He initially stands up to Alina getting railed on by Baghra when her summoning is weak because he doesn't really need her to be a good summoner if he can just strap a collar on her BUT this ends up helping Alina feel better about herself because he's like the only person who ever advocates for her or gently encourages her

He lies to her about destroying the Fold but his plan actually makes a lot more sense, especially looking at the complete clusterfuck Ravka became after the Fold got destroyed lmao 😂

You could argue his first kiss is pure calculation because he wanted Alina to be loyal to him with something other than duty or fear, but his second kiss at the Winter Fete was literally just him losing his cool and he even admits he doesn't want to give in to his "weak" puny mortal emotions, but this implies there is still some humanity left in him

Had Baghra not shown up to warn Alina, it's likely Alina would have worn the stag collar with 100% consent because she was looking forward to it, but she likely would not have consented to him using her powers to expand the Fold so when he says "that was never my intention" with regards to collaring Alina, I think he really means that it was never his intention to collar her without her consent but he decided he was gonna do it anyway once she ran off....however, I think he's being deliberately vague by leaving off the part where he planned on using her power to destroy a village lmao

So while I think book!Darkling definitely manipulates her because he's a man for whom the ends always justify the means, it still leaves me feeling kinda "meh" about the whole thing because had Alina been a more morally grey character herself, they could have literally just taken over the world???? the wasted potential 😭

[kazbrekkerscrutches]

Kaz Brekker - The Night of Sorrow

Part 2 here

Warnings: Mention of haphephobia (fear of being touched or touching others), mention of the Menagerie aka selling people, lost family.

A/N: I am not romanticizing Kaz's phobia. The context of this imagine is that the reader has been known by Kaz for a long time, just like for Inej. It is not sudden, or else his phobia wouldn't be his diagnosis. Overall, enjoy and let me know if you want a part 2!

Words: 1.5k

[Kaz’s POV]

Rotty.

What a fool.

An evil and ironic thought came through my mind, making scoff a bit. I do have that painting, though.

Everyone in this club, my club, my Crow Club looked like pitied old fools who wouldn’t be able to hold on for another drink. I walked to my chamber, to finally get some peace from this hellhole.

As I walked through the door, locking the door, I could hear the wet and muddy streets of Ketterdam. My window was always open, hoping to get the humid and wet air from outside into my lungs.

I carefully took off my gloves, hoping to have them refreshed before going further on the night. I heard a slight sound, other than the one coming from my gloves, behind me.

I felt a familiar presence coming out of the shadows; the only person I would let into my personal chamber.

Y/N.

“Hello, Y/N.”

I looked at her through the reflection of the mirror placed in front of me.

“What information do you have for me tonight?”

I watched her slowly pull her hood out and place her mask down to show me her beautiful complexion.

“A lead on a job. A big one. Enough money to change lives.” She spoke with her stern, but sweet voice.

I would do anything for her, but for a job? That is not likely.

“It doesn’t take much to change someone’s life in the Barrel.” I kept scraping off the dirt off of my hands when I heard her heels tap on the floor.

“A million Kruge?” I raised my head, slid my gloves onto my hands and turned to look at her. Closely walking up to her, I felt my heartbeat race at the sight of Y/N.

I knew how promising she was, both being kind and loyal, but also being useful and resourceful.

“What’s the name?” I cocked an eyebrow.

“Dreesen. A wealthy merchant.”

“Dreesen. I’ve heard of him. He could afford it. The question is, what’s worth a million Kruge to him?” She looked nervous, almost scared of what she was about to say.

“He’s looking for a crew willing to cross the Fold into East Ravka and bring back something.”

“The Fold?” She nodded. “Well, of course, certain death pays a million. He didn’t say what he wants nicked?”

“No. But he’s taking meetings tonight, starting at midnight. Don’t worry. I followed him.” A small smirk appeared on the side of my mouth. She was a very fast learner, and a brave soldier.

She told me details about what she saw. I will say one thing: She’s a smart girl.

We both moved to my desk, hoping to set a plan for the night to come.

“Kaz, I got this lead from one of the girls at the Menagerie. They tell me things in case you’d buy them out, like you did with me.” She released shyly. I knew she felt bad about all of her friends.

“I didn’t, I’m paying off your indenture.” She tilted her head impatiently

“You know what I mean.” She stared at me with dark eyes.

“This one girl, Kesh, she has skill. She’s like me-” I swiftly cut her off, lifting up my head from my papers.

“I only invest in the one of a kind. She isn’t like you. No one is.” I felt her eyes flutter in mine. I never had a deep conversation with her, certainly not of this kind.

“Kaz-” She insisted.

“This isn’t up for discussion, Y/N. Now, are you in or not?”

“I'm in." She started walking away, I could see how mad she looked on her face. As though I was never able to touch anyone, I quickly walked towards her and grabbed her hand.

Her skin on my gloves didn’t feel wet and cold, it felt warm and comforting. She turned her head to face me again and most of that anger was now gone. She sighted, and held back my hand.

“I’m… I’m sorry I can’t help them out. I just… I need you. Only you, darling.”

Ever since I’ve met her, I couldn’t explain how I felt.

Something in me was moving every time that I could see a glimpse of her. My heartbeat felt heavier. A drop of sweat dropped on the back of my neck.

She stepped away from me, losing the warmth of her hand. She cleared her throat.

“So, what do we do now?”

“You’re the one who believes in a higher power.” I clenched my jaw, cursing to myself about the last sentence. “If we’re going to survive a round trip through the Fold, we’ll need a miracle or two.”

“Y/N?”

I looked up, only resulting facing my open window, reflecting the street of Ketterdam.

[Time skip]

[Y/N POV]

“Inej?” I called out from the shadows. The small and discrete girl walked out from the club.

“Y/N. There you are, I’ve looking for you for hours.” She took off her hood, showing me her face.

“What have we learned?” I asked sternly.

“Too make it short, we have to find a way to get through the fold, by sunrise.” I raised my eyebrows sarcastically.

“By sunrise? It’s in less than 6 hours. Saints, what is so important to Dreesen?” She looked down and took my hand to lead me somewhere quieter. We walked up some stairs, to Kaz’s chamber. He opened the door, letting us both in. But I looked behind me, only finding the door.

“Where have you been?” Kaz asked as he looked at his pocket watch. “Out.” I answered dryly.

“Inej told me you were by the sea; I know you go there when you’re troubled.” He looked up at me with his beautiful blue eyes.

It was true: I always go there when I don’t feel like myself.

[Flashback]

I jumped right through the window, leaving Kaz to himself.

My only thoughts at the moments were dark and disturbing. I almost ran to the sea, inhaling the salty and humid smell. My heart felt heavy and weird. I don’t know why, but the way Kaz said: “Only you, darling.”. It almost made me feel nauseous.

I’ve never had a romantic relationship before, even just a real friendship. Inej and I were taken to the menagerie when we were young, and well I wasn’t as good as her back then. She was always the better one with weapons, mostly knives. I was always better with a bow and arrow, but it’s not convenient nor easy to find. She was also better to make friends, that is how she got out of the menagerie.

I sat down on the shoreline, admiring the waves of the True Sea. I remembered in my childhood that I would sing to my little brother, Dmitri. My throat started to sing before I even thought about doing it. I let my thoughts drift off, enjoying the time to think about Kaz.

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel anything for Kaz. He does make me feel like I’m the only one he cares about. I knew about his past, and I respected his boundaries. In fact, I do believe I was the only one who could walk into his room without getting a cane in the face.

Oh Saints.

I need to go back.

[Present time]

“What is it that Dreesen wants?” I took some papers in my fingers, studying them.

“You didn’t answer to my question, Y/N.” He stopped what he was doing for a second, studying my expression.

“I needed a break, that’s all. Answer to mine.”

“He wants a Saint.” My head snapped to his. A Saint? The only Saint that ever existed was more than a thousand years ago. As if he read my thoughts, he continued his sentence. “A Sun Summoner.” My eyes widened.

A Sun Summoner? Saints, that explains the million Kruge.

“What’s the plan, Kaz?” “I’ll find a way.”

“Are you sure?” He didn’t reply. “Do you want me to go?” I started walking away, but he called me, just like the previous hours.

“Stay, I need your help. Besides, you’re coming with us.” He completely dropped the papers and walked closer to me.

“I can’t leave.” I insisted, showing him my wrist: which had the mark of Tante Helene.

“You will. I have a plan, for you.”

“Bu-” “Don’t you worry about a thing, Y/N. I’ve got you.” He lifted his hand to my hair, taking a deep breath and passing it through my locks. A small smile appeared on my face, as it did on his.

The two lovers of Ketterdam.

The Bastard of the Barrel and the Orphan Hunter.

Even Jesper knew it would happen.

[draggingthedregs]

Hello! Absolutely adored your protective Kanej fic, especially how you managed to make it meet the middle ground in a dignified manner. I was wondering if you could do the same with the topic of jealousy? Would you be willing to write a fic about Jesper's feelings for Kaz, and his pov on Kanej falling in love, with a healthy dose of jealousy? Maybe a bit where he and Inej bond over their feelings for Kaz? Totally understand if you don't want to, but thank you either way!

a/n: ah! thank you so much! i’m so glad you enjoyed that lil fic!! i also really loved your ask and was really excited to write it. i’m actually on vacation right now and didn’t bring a laptop so i hope you don’t mind that it’s in the headcannon type structure (i did get slightly carried away but what’s new)! so yeah! here ya go <3

Inej had been gone for nearly a month, her first voyage on The Wraith proving to be a success

And all of Ketterdam felt her absence in the darkening shadow of gloom that followed Kaz Brekker.

The Dregs were careful to keep every toe in line, for fear they would find a cane breaking the bone. Even Jesper managed to tone down his charm

Though he wasn’t sure if Kaz’s anger was the whole reason.

When she’d left, they had all gone to the dock to see her off

Jesper slung his arm around her shoulder, pulled her tight, and made her laugh with one last terrible joke

Then he watched as Kaz said goodbye, in whatever twisted way he was capable. It didn’t sit right with him.

The way Kaz spoke to her, how he held her hand, hell- how he looked at her. As if it were the first and last time he was seeing her.

Jes watched until he couldn’t any longer. Something had balled up inside him, manifesting itself in his pounding chest and heated cheeks

He recognized the feeling

It was the feeling of someone else winning at Makkers Wheel, of watching someone make Wylan laugh, of his revolvers in anyone else’s hands.

it was the feeling of jealousy

It warmed his skin and froze his bones. He hated himself for it.

It wasn’t as if he loved Kaz the way she did, wanted him the way she did. But you’ve been here longer, saved his life just as many times.

Then she was gone, disappearing into the sea like she’d always been good at. And a dullness settled in Kaz’s eyes as he headed back to his city.

Now, as they all approached the dock once more to welcome her home, Jes felt anxiety flipping in his stomach

Wylan must have noticed, taking one of the hands that he’d begun to tap along his thigh

The dock was crowded, a mess of ships coming and going, and still they knew which ship was hers as it sailed smoothly into her berth

And through the thick, bustling crowd they knew their Wraith by silhouette alone. Her grin was wide, her hair down and curling in the salty air.

Jesper laughed, his anxiety forgotten, as he grabbed her and lifted her off the ground

“Is it possible you got smaller out there?”

Inej laughed now. “Is it possible you’ve gotten taller?”

“Just prettier. But I see how that would be confusing.”

He let her go and Wylan reached for a hug. As they spoke, he became aware of a dark spot ebbing into view

And so did Inej.

She looked up to him, taking a deep breath as she scanned him in his entirety

When Jes followed her gaze, he could see that Kaz was doing the same to her

Then, Kaz reached a single hand out, every inch deliberate. She watched him with careful eyes until he gave a single nod.

Jesper was sure he didn’t make up the near desperation on her face as she rushed toward him for an embrace.

His hands wrapped around her frame slowly, pulling her closer and tighter to him. There was a hitch in his breathing and Inej looked up at him, but Kaz didn’t pull away.

As he watched, he could feel the ball of jealousy rattling once more

Wylan cleared his throat, “All of your things you left at the house are still there. You’re both more than welcome to eat with us tonight.”

Then he tugged at Jespers hand and off they went. He had turned back once to see that the pair separated, but the intensity on both their faces remained

What are you even jealous of? She deserves to be happy. That’s all that should matter to you.

It was dark by the time Inej snuck inside the Van Eck mansion. She approached the sitting room from behind, nearly scaring them to death

“Hope i’m not too late?”

After Wylan recovered from his heart attack, “Of course not.”

Jesper mustered a nod, unable to shake his feelings this time

Inej came around and sat in an open chair

And suddenly Wylan was up. He squeezed Jes’ hand and gave him a small smile. “I’ll just be in the kitchen cleaning up.”

Of course he noticed. My merchling has decided to be observant.

The two of them left sat silently for a bit, letting the crackling fire fill the air, then, “I missed you... I missed being here.”

Her eyes were already on him when he looked up. Inej gave him the barest smile and shrug.

“Well- I’m impossible not to miss.”

She laughed, pulling her legs up underneath her. “Fair enough. How was it here while I was gone?”

Jes let out a scoff. “Kaz didn’t tell you anything?”

“Not about Ketterdam, no.”

“Well it’s been shitty. He’s been worse than usual, if that’s even possible.”

He could see the look on her face as she registered that he was upset. Inej turned to the fire then.

“You know-“ He immediately regretted it. “I couldn’t begin to guess what he has over you but he isn’t worth it, Wraith.”

“Jesper. You’re being mean”

“To who? Him?”

She turned to face him now, her face severe. “To me.”

It was then that he crumpled.

Jesper fell inward, elbows on his knees, face in his hands. “I’m sorry- I just-“

You just what? What could you say to dig yourself out of this? Why do you even feel like this?

Then she was beside him, taking his hand.

“Jes, what is it?”

Even if he’d wanted to, he couldn’t lie to her. And he couldn’t control what he said next.

“You’re too good for him- we all are! And- and yet we all just go along with it all! For what? It’s not like we get anything back, he doesn’t even-“

“Care?”

Jesper looked up at her again.

“Look- I know how he is. He’s cold and frustrating and nearly impossible. But he’s also loyal and fierce and he would do anything for his crows. I think that’s what we all stick around for.”

“Is that enough?”

He could see her turning his question over in her mind.

“I wasn’t always sure but- I believe so. And if it isn’t, then we’ll revisit this conversation. Surely you can see that things are changing.”

Despite his anger or jealousy or frustration, Jesper couldn’t ignore that she was right. When isn’t she?

Kaz was changing. Between Per Haskell and Pekka Rollins, Inej leaving and becoming a barrel boss, he was different.

“Call me crazy. Call me too optimistic or pious for my own good, but there is something in him. Even if it’s buried deep.”

Jesper interrupted, “Very, very, very deep.”

Inej laughed. “I know.”

“I just want something in return sometimes. It feels like running on water and getting nowhere. The rest of us- that’s friendship, but him-“

“It isn’t the same. I understand that. Though he does feel something for you... something deeper than friendship I believe.”

He thought back to the clocktower of the Geldrenner, to the intensity in Kaz’s eyes. What do you think my forgiveness looks like, Jordie?

He nodded, supposing he wouldn’t start doubting Inej today.

“You aren’t alone, Jes. I know how you feel...”

That, he hadn’t even considered. Of course she knew how this felt, probably better than anyone.

“How do you do it, Inej? How do you love him?”

To his surprise, the Wraith smiled. “I love Kaz as he is, in every way. Not the boy he was or the man he could have been, but who he is right now. Ketterdam needs him like this just as much as it needs you and me as we are.”

Jesper hadn’t known Kaz before he had become the Bastard of the Barrel and he’d always had a difficult time placing him as a child. He couldn’t picture a young Kaz, coffee eyes and black hair glinting in the setting sun as his little legs carried him home.

But he figured Inej could. She always saw the big picture, the city from above instead of a single grimy street.

“How long will you be in Ketterdam?”

She shrugged. “As long as I’m needed here and not somewhere else.”

“Waffles in the morning then. On me.”

Inej laughed. “Jesper paying for breakfast? Things really have changed.”

It felt like a weight lifted off him as he laughed with her. “Dont get used to it.”

They stood, hugging for a brief moment.

“Goodnight, Jes.”

Then, he watched as she melted into the steady shadows with ease, as though she had never missed an evening in the mansion.