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that-one-ostrich-friend · 3 days ago

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Young Love & Old Money

kaz brekker x reader - young love & old money

word count: 3k

summary: this is a kaz x fem!reader fic inspired by elizabeth gerardi’s song “young love & old money”

warnings: maybe angst? other than that none :)

a/n: this is my first fic to be published here so I hope you enjoy! my requests are open if you like my writing and have any fic suggestions <3

It was an unnaturally sunny day in Ketterdam when Kaz saw her. She was sitting in a corner booth at one of Nina’s waffle places with Jesper at her side. He knew instantly who she was, y/n l/n, heir to the l/n fortune and daughter of y/f/n l/n. One could only wonder, what the hell was she doing with Jesper?

“Kaz!” Jesper called him over and patted the area next to him.

Kaz found himself hesitating, eyes still on y/n. She had an air of elegance and vulnerability that captured him, but she lived in a gilded cage— one that even he could not break into.

A wave from Jesper broke his trance. Y/n’s eyes met his, and he looked down as he took his place beside Jesper.

“This,” Jesper began while motioning towards her, “is y/n. She’s a friend I met in my… uh… brief time at university.”

Kaz nodded slightly in her direction. He didn’t want her attention. She came from a life he despised— people who were so rich they never felt pain and who had their tapestries of life woven from silk and gold. Compared to her, he was nothing but the scum that desperately tried to cling to the shoes of those walking on the streets.

He looked up God, why did he look up?

Her face was turned towards him with nothing but warmth radiating from it. Her smile could rival the diamonds that surely covered her mother’s neck.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kaz,” her voice was soft, making his pulse quicken. “I would love to talk, but I have to return home.”

Home. It was a word heavy with meaning. He could only imagine the luxurious estate she was bound to.

“Oh, c’mon, just stay a little longer,” Jesper urged, leaning back into the cushioned booth.

Her eyes met Kaz’s again, this time prompting Jesper to look between them.

“You should at least keep Kaz company while I order.”

She looked down with a small smile that hid something else, mischief perhaps, “Only if he’ll have my company.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” the words didn’t feel as though they came from him. His gaze was still fixed on her.

Jesper whistled as he stood, “I’ll be back.”

They were left alone.

Conversation flowed easily between them. The mood was light as she talked about Jesper and his escapades at university. He had lost track of how long ago Jesper had gone off to “order”. Kaz couldn’t complain; however, he felt a warmth spreading within him that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

As the conversation died down and her voice melted away softly, he had a question begging to be answered. “Y/n?”

Her eyes found his again, “Yes?”

“Do you ever get tired of it?”

Her smile faltered, “Tired of what?”

He cleared his throat, carefully choosing his words, “The wealth, the expectations?”

She sighed; it was a very slight sigh, almost unnoticeable, “It can be… tiring, having your whole life mapped out for you.”

There it was. The cracks in her porcelain facade. She was trapped, consumed by a life of luxury, condemned.

Her eyes flicked to the window. The once bright sun was now setting over the dirty city. Jesper wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

She stood up abruptly, “I really need to be getting home.” Her voice trailed off as they made eye contact once more. “I,” she hesitated as if asking permission to say what she was about to say, “I hope to see you soon, Kaz.” She offered him a genuine smile before walking out of the cafe.

Kaz watched her leave, the door chiming softly behind her, and he felt an unexpected ache in his chest. Jesper returned later, laden with waffles and toppings, oblivious to the moment that had just passed.

“Did you two hit it off?” Jesper grinned, sliding into the booth. “She’s a gem isn’t she?”

Gem. She was a gem wasn’t she? A diamond in the rough of Ketterdam.

Kaz composed himself to mask his deeper thoughts, “She’s… interesting.”

“Interesting? More like enchanting! You should ask her out,” Jesper said, his mouth full of waffle “I mean, c’mon. Look at her. You’d be a fool not to.”

Kaz shot him a look. There was too much risk getting involved with her. They were from completely different worlds, and she did not deserve to be dragged down to his.

“Not a chance,” he said flatly.

Jesper rolled his eyes, “Your call, I guess. Just don’t let good things pass you by because you think you’re not good enough.”

The thought lingered in Kaz’s mind, but he quickly brushed it aside. He had no business entertaining such fantasies. Yet, he couldn’t shake the image of her smile, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Days passed, each one heavy with the echo of their conversation. Kaz found himself wandering the streets of Ketterdam, searching for a glimpse of her. He could rationalize it all he wanted—curiosity, boredom—but deep down, he knew it was something more.

One evening, as twilight cast a purple haze over the city, Kaz found himself at one of the docks, waiting to monitor a shipment. He leaned against a wooden post, watching the water ripple under the dim glow of lanterns when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

He turned to see y/n, her silhouette framed by the fading light. The sight of her made his heart race. “What are you doing here?” he asked, feigning indifference.

“Just out for a walk,” she replied, stepping closer.

“Isn’t that what your estate’s garden is for?” he realized his tone was too harsh when she quickly looked away and shifted her feet. “I’m, uh, actually… it’s good to see you,” he tried to mend the situation and was met with her smile.

They stood in comfortable silence, the distant sounds of Ketterdam buzzing around them. The world felt smaller in that moment, just the two of them sharing an unspoken understanding.

She broke the silence, “Y’know, sometimes I wish I were you, Kaz.”

“No you don’t,” his response was quick, without thought.

She chuckled lightly, “Perhaps I phrased that wrong. I wish I were the idea of you. Someone with freedom.”

Kaz looked at her sideways, “You don’t have freedom now?”

“My parents run my life until I find a husband with deep pockets and strong connections to support me. A rich man’s jokes are always funny, right?” A hint of bitterness laced the honey that formed her smile.

He wanted to offer her something, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t get involved.

He cleared his throat gruffly, “I need to document this delivery.”

Her posture straightened out and she stepped back from him, “Right, I won’t keep you any longer.”

Before she could walk away he called to her, “Y/n!”

“Yes?”

“I hope to see you again?”

The only response he got was a small smile before she turned her back to him. Kaz watched her walk away, the distant sound of her footsteps fading into the hum of the docks. His heart raced, a mix of frustration and longing coiling within him. He could feel the weight of her unspoken words, the desire for freedom that echoed in her every glance.

Days passed and he found himself haunted by thoughts of y/n. He had to maintain the walls that he had built around himself, but the more he saw her absence, the more it felt like an ache in his chest.

One afternoon, as he sat at the bar, Jesper plopped down next to him. “You’re still brooding over her, aren’t you?” he said, smirking knowingly.

Kaz glared at him, “I’m not brooding.”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that. You’ve got it bad, my friend. Just ask her out already.”

“I can’t,” Kaz replied, frustration bubbling over. It wasn’t that simple.

“Maybe you’re exactly what she needs,” Jesper said, his tone serious for once. “You might just be the escape she’s looking for.”

That night, Kaz lay awake, staring at the ceiling of his cramped room, Jesper's words replaying in his mind. He couldn’t shake the idea that y/n might be different, that perhaps she could understand the darkness he carried. And yet, the thought of pulling her into his world felt selfish.

A few nights later, unable to resist any longer, Kaz found himself at a lavish charity gala hosted by y/n’s family. He had disguised himself well, opting for a simple dark suit that blended in with the shadows of the grand ballroom. The rich and influential were gathered, their laughter and chatter filling the air, but all Kaz could focus on was y/n.

She looked stunning in a sapphire gown that shimmered in the candlelight, her laughter ringing like music amidst the crowd. For a moment, he simply watched her, captivated by the way she navigated her world with grace.

As the night wore on, Kaz gathered the courage to approach her. She stood by a large window, gazing out at the city, her expression contemplative. He could feel the tension in the air as he stepped closer.

“Y/n,” he said softly, and she turned, surprise lighting up her features.

“Kaz! What are you doing here?” Her smile was radiant, yet her eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty as they looked around.

He pulled back the cuff of his sleeve just enough to expose a few gold watches.

She gasped dramatically, “This is a charity gala! You dare steal?”

He rolled his eyes and gestured around, “As if half of this would go to the poor anyways.”

She opened her mouth to respond but was cut off as a woman’s voice called her name.

“Y/n!” A gloved hand grabbed her arm and pulled her away from him, “I have someone you need to meet.”

Kaz stood there, watching helplessly as y/n was swept into the throng of guests, her laughter fading into the background noise of the gala. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him. He had finally worked up the courage to approach her, only to have their moment stolen away by the very life she was bound to.

He turned his back on the ballroom, feeling the weight of the opulence around him—gold-plated chandeliers, laughter laced with insincerity, and the masked faces of the elite. He needed air. The exit beckoned, and he slipped outside, the cool night air hitting him like a balm.

Leaning against a marble column, he forced himself to breathe, reminding himself why he had come to the gala in the first place. This world was not his. Y/n was not his. And yet, every time he tried to push her from his mind, she returned—her smile, her spark, the hint of rebellion in her eyes.

Kaz decided to cut his losses here and return to the Crow Club for the night. As her name lingered in his mind, he found himself picking up a pen and writing a letter addressed to her.

To his surprise, Kaz found a letter on his desk days later. The address was written in thin, elegant ink.

That’s how it happened.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months.

Kaz walked the familiar streets of Ketterdam, the letter from y/n clutched tightly in his hand. It had been months since they started corresponding, and each exchange deepened the bond between them. She wrote about her world—the endless soirées, the suffocating expectations, the empty laughter that filled grand halls. In turn, he shared snippets of his life, the thrill of a successful job, the camaraderie of his crew, the shadows he navigated daily.

Yet despite the distance, their connection felt tangible, like a thin thread woven between two worlds. He often found himself wondering what it would be like if he could just step into her life for a moment, to experience the beauty of her laughter without the weight of her reality bearing down on them both.

Today she had invited him to her estate for a walk in the garden. As he stood before the imposing doors, heart racing in anticipation, he couldn’t help but hesitate. What if she saw him as nothing more than a distraction? A fleeting moment of entertainment. He swallowed hard and knocked, the sound echoing in the silence.

After what felt like an eternity, the door opened to reveal y/n, her face sparkling with joy. “Kaz!” her voice was a melody that wrapped around him. She softly stepped aside to let him in.

Kaz stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “We’ve spent months writing to each other. I was looking forward to seeing you in person.”

As they walked through the lush gardens, the scent of blooming flowers mingled with the tension in the air. They talked about trivial things—flowers, the weather—but underneath it all, Kaz felt the weight of unspoken words pressing down.

After a while, they found a secluded bench beneath a willow tree, its branches swaying gently. Kaz took a deep breath, his heart pounding. “Y/n, I need to tell you something.”

Her eyes widened, and he could see the flicker of hope there, “What is it?”

He leaned forward, searching for the right words, “These past months… I’ve come to care about you. More than I thought I could. You make me feel alive, like there’s more to life than just surviving. I wanted to ask you if you would—”

But she interrupted him, her expression shifting to something more serious. “Kaz, wait. I—”

“No, please,” he pressed, desperation creeping into his voice.

But she looked away, her gaze fixed on the flowers blooming around them, and Kaz's heart sank. She didn’t need to explain the cause of her hesitation.

Silence enveloped them, heavy and suffocating. Kaz’s heart raced as he tried to find words, but nothing came. The moment stretched on, the weight of unfulfilled dreams and unspoken desires pressing down.

Finally, he stood, the ache of rejection settling deep within him. “I’m sorry for putting you in this position,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“No!” She stood as well, “I just need some time, I promise. It’ll work out.”

Everything in him urged him to turn away now, get out while he still could, but as he searched her face there was nothing but sincerity. Kaz's heart waged war with his mind. He couldn’t leave her.

They continued to write letters until her’s gradually started to trickle away. He was left to relive their moments through her past writings.

One day as he was doing his rounds in the club he spotted Jesper with a copy of the paper. The cover had a familiar face on the front, y/n. Kaz approached him and took the paper. Flipping through the pages.

“Hey, I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” Jesper tentatively tried to approach a conversation.

Kaz didn’t look up. His heart felt heavy, the words from Jesper’s mouth barely registering. He’d been expecting this moment for weeks—no, months—but that didn’t mean it hurt any less.

“I’m going for a walk,” he stated simply.

Kaz walked down the chilly roads of Ketterdam, the newspaper still clutched tightly in his hand. His cane hit the ground harder than it usually did, whether it was due to his anger or the cold, he did not know. Suddenly a very familiar voice called out of the blurry pedestrians.

“Kaz?” He didn’t turn around, he couldn’t. “Kaz Brekker?” Ever so lightly a hand tapped his coat covered shoulder.

He clenched his jaw but as her face came into view he could only whisper her name, “y/n.’’

She smelled like wild flowers and smiled like she had stolen the sun, so beautiful, so out of place in this godforsaken city. However, clouds covered her smile when she saw the paper in his hand and for a very small moment she looked as though she belonged here. “You’ve heard the news I see.”

“Congratulations,” something awful was in the back of his throat, he couldn’t look at her.

“You know, Kaz, I almost called it off,” her voice trailed into nothingness and her hand reached out tentatively.

His eyes caught on the huge diamond that sat upon her finger and he scoffed, “Almost.” Her hand retracted but he wished it hadn’t. He wished for it to rest upon his chest while her lips were on his and their belongings were sprawled across the floor. Tears like acid pricked at the corners of his eyes but he blinked them away.

“I meant what I said,” her cracking voice drew him from his thoughts, “I truly did.” She tilted her head to see his face, “Our lives are just… too different. We could never really be happy together, right? It all just seemed so much better because it was forbidden.”

His lungs stopped working. He was in the middle of Ketterdam and fighting for control over his own body, but he wanted his body to win, he wanted to curl up and die. All he ever was to her was a forbidden fruit. With a forced and shaky breath he said, “Goodbye, y/n,” and he walked past her on unsteady feet. Every fiber in his being begged him to turn around, to go back to her.

“I’ll never forget you, Kaz Brekker,” was that just his mind telling him what he wanted to hear? But he couldn’t turn around because if he did and she was there he wouldn't be able to leave. He would spend the rest of his life in that spot if it only meant he could be with the ghost of her memory.

He forced himself to keep walking.

Somewhere he lost the newspaper.

He kept walking.

And walking.

She was gone.

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