#god. thinking abt the fact that kerch has colonies :X and likely the well that got boarded up was from greedy ppl trying to get resources

[crowshoots]

@taitropa said — " if you're not ready to talk about it, let's not talk about it. "

ㅤㅤeven after so much time away from everyone else, inej knows exactly what she needs to say to him.

ㅤㅤreally, he's not surprised that she finds him. jesper's no rooftop climber, but he does go up - further up into the van eck mansion, climbing into the attic and finding the first window that gives him access to a little ledge that might've been a balcony at some point. jesper has no idea. the mercher houses are nothing like the cabin back home, but they still find themselves clambering to some place in the building like it can offer them comfort instead of a gambling table.

ㅤㅤhe's trying. fuck, at least he's trying. inej is giving him an out, but jesper rubs at his eyes and feels the hollow breath rattle in his chest, bracing his fists on the metal edge that ropes around in front of him. he breathes out, clenching his fists open and close. the split knuckles burn.

ㅤㅤ" you already know what happened, 'm sure, " they mumble, dropping their gaze to their feet. " punching some mercher's relative is the type of news that runs through a crowd like fire. " they scratch at their nose, rub the back of their neck, fidget back and forth with the ring on their index. "it's just - fuck, inej, he was - he had a hand in digging up things near my home. and there was this well, and - "

ㅤㅤshe cuts herself off, glancing up towards inej. inej's face is not judgmental, but open, and something about it puts a balm over her heart. " if it were you and he dug up a place near your home, would you have - ? "