#kanej fic recs

[quillsthrills]

Chapter 4 is up!  Inej rediscovering her lust,  albeit only briefly before she deals with nightmares, is important to me! Even if neither Inej nor Kaz is anywhere near ready to act on those urges, the role that fantasies play in reconquering your own sexuality after abuse is so crucial. So it starts there, with a glimpse of bare skin and a thirst for more.

Chapters: 4/? Fandom: Six of Crows Series - Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Kaz Brekker/Inej Ghafa Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Nina Zenik, Matthias Helvar, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck Additional Tags: Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Implied Sexual Content, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Touch Aversion, Healing, Love, soft kanej, Kanej - Freeform, Friendship, Crows, Canon Compliant, Inej Ghafa-centric, Kanej-centric Summary:

Inej has left her friends to hunt slavers and search for her family, but when a cryptic letter arrives she makes a decision that will once again alter the course of her life. On a journey touched by danger and death, will she find the strength to heal and the courage to love?

This story starts at the end of Shadow and Bone S2 and encompasses my vision for season 3 from Inej's point of view. It will comply with the SoC duology canon, except for where the show has already deviated.

[nextstopparis]

i really just need good like mid to long length fix recs please i’m begging

hey bestie, i didnt know if you had any specific type of fic in mind or just length and what u consider mid so here are a few fics with 25k+ word counts and thats basically all they have in common🫶 also these are all more or less merthur im so sorry. i hope u find something new here!!!

Arthur, Sincerely by MerlinLikeTheBird (47.8k) (THE FLUFF IN THIS MADE ME CRY also its canon era)

To Begin Anew (need ao3 acc) by ohHeyThereBigBadWolf (27.7k) (ive read this like five times. i think about it constantly. canon divergence)

that lightning-strike feel by TheLurkingContessa (32.5k) (cmon merthur training with weapons together??? also canon era)

An Illusion of Sorts by lordvoldemortsnipple (133.7k) (ive also read this like 3 times which is sorta insane bc its 100k+ words omfg… modern au w magic)

Annum Inanis (The Empty Year) (need ao3 acc) by anonymintea (43.2k) (i DIED. canon era)

Charting Stars On A Stained Glass Ceiling by mornmeril (80k) (my note on ao3 under this is just OHMYGOD a bunch of times so. future au with magic)

a thimble of light for an acre of sky by celaenos (36.2k) (THIS IS NOT MERTHUR well theres like a hint of merthur at the very end but mostly its pendragon siblings and morgwen. I DIED. canon divergence)

Chasing Spring (ok TECHNICALLY this is a series but overall its 58.7k words so) by Gimli_s_Pickaxe (god merlin au do i really need to say anything else. canon era)

Keep the Magic Secret (73.5k) (i feel like i cant say I DIED again or else it’ll start losing its meaning to you but really i did. canon era)

M-RYS by mornmeril (123.2k) (ive also read this three times and was actually just craving a reread yesterday so. hmm. future au with magic)

We Pull These Jobs To Make A Little Money (No One Gets Hurt If They Don’t Act Funny) by leashy_bebes (48.9k) (this fic left me speechless all i could muster in my ao3 notes was “oh my god” not even capitalized like it shook me to my core. modern au)

You’ve Got My Heart, I’ve Got Your Hand by FervidAsAFlame (29.3k) (ive read this about five times it makrs me cry its so sweet i Love Them. modern au)

The Tournament of All Magicks by Cori Lannam (corilannam) (41.3k) (CMONNNN merlin fighting in a TOURNAMENT??? cmon. ohh craving a reread for this one too now… canon era)

The Future Soon by lady_ragnell (30.2k) (i loved this fic so so much. like theres just something about the vibe of it that im obsessed with. could also be the enemies to lovers thing. modern au with magic)

Sweeter Dreams by Tierfal (35.3k) (FREED VIVIAN OF MEN! i mean what more could i want. canon divergence)

Truth Is a Whisper by seperis (25k) (im being so serious go read everything by seperis. everything. GO. FIRST TINTAGEL bc that is my fav fic of all time probably but its 20k words so i couldnt put it here. GO!! theyre my fav author it took EVERYTHING not to rec all their fics. canon divergence)

Accidental Memory in the Case of Death by derryere (74.9k) (theres just something so. So. I DONT KNOW. overwhelming about them in this. its reincarnation au which might be why. one line made me cry)

The Ivy Crown by dayari (derryday) (252.2k) (ive read this three times. look at the word count. i will probably read it again. green knight au thing. theyre just. ohmygod)

Dower the Stars by RurouniHime (40.6k) (LISTEN. actually idek what i can say about this. except for the fact that its the PERFECT FIC. literally. its perfect. im especially in love with arthur and gwens friendship in this but anyway. canon divergence.)

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Okay I’ve been toying with an idea for a Six of Crows au post-Crooked Kingdom where Van Eck won for a little while now and yeah idk but I had a scene idea come to me just now so I’m gonna write it here to see what you guys think and if there’s any interest then I might add it to my list of fics to write

This feels like a weird introduction but, er, here we go:

Inej knew the moment Kaz got home. There were no longer any crowds in the house to come to attention at his entrance, or if there were then no-one had bothered to come down to the half-room and tell Inej, but she could hear his voice drifting through the vents as soon as the door upstairs banged shut behind him.

“Where’s Inej?”

“Where do you think?” Matthias’ reply came roughly, and Inej could all but picture the disapproving grimace that must be crossing his face about now.

Let him judge. She didn’t need to leave the half-room, and for as long as that was true she wouldn’t. The vents did not give her every room though, and she did miss gathering her secrets. She wondered if there was anyone else in the house, but the five of them. Five? She stopped and counted them on her fingers. Yes, five. Hopefully still five. Inej had not bothered to leave the half-room in days, and no-one had been down to see her since yesterday morning.

She heard the door click open behind her, of course, but she did not bother to look up as Dirtyhands entered the room.

“Wraith,”

“Don’t you read the papers, Kaz?” Inej asked, without turning, “The Wraith is dead,”

She stood up, hand wandering across the table for her little pot of jurda. It tasted like shit and it wasn’t nearly as strong as she wanted it to be, but it took less than a month for the price of the blossoms to surpass the height of the stars so she’d have to make do with whatever they had left.

“Inej-”

“They found her body on the steps outside the Church of Barter almost three months ago, remember?” she finally turned to face Kaz, unscrewing the lid on the little silver pot as she did so, “Killed by some mercenary called the White Blade, who still hasn’t been found by they way in case you haven’t seen the latest. I guess it’s difficult to catch a ghost,”

Difficult to catch a wraith.

“We’ve had this conversation several times, Inej-”

“And we’re going to have it again,”

Inej placed an orange jurda blossom on her tongue, then offered the open container to Kaz. It was almost empty. He waved her off.

“I thought you didn’t go in for that sort of thing,”

Inej shrugged.

“Gotta stay awake somehow, haven’t I? We’re busy,”

“We’re not on a job”

“We’re never on a job. Unless the reason you’ve bothered to grace me with your presence is a proposition?”

Kaz shook his head.

“I just wanted to tell you there’s no news,”

Inej looked away. There was never any news. And yet somehow she always expected differently.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?”

“Probably,”

Inej caught another jurda blossom between her fingers. She needed to stay awake, because if she slept she would see him. She would see all the ways she’d failed.

“It wasn’t your fault, Inej, we’re having the same conversations on repeat can’t you see-,”

“And we’ll have them again,” she shrugged, “We will have this conversation again, Kaz, because I made a mistake and you are coddling me like a child who won’t be able cope if you tell them something was their fault. Tell me it was my fault, Kaz! We both know that it’s true,”

Kaz shook his head.

“I’d rather repeat the previous,”

“Then let’s,” snapped Inej, because hell if this jurda wasn’t strong enough to keep her awake then maybe an argument would be, “Let’s repeat the goddamn conversation, Kaz, because you’re right. We have the same two conversations on repeat and do you want to know why? Because I am owning up to the mistake I made and I am trying to deal with the consequences of it, but you had no right to do what you did, do you understand me? You messed up and you need to take some damn responsibility, because if you think-”

“You always knew Tailoring Dunyasha’s body to look like yours was a possibility for your escape option,” said Kaz, calmly.

She hated how quiet his voice was, how slow and deliberate he sounded next to the and ramblings that she could not stop from stumbling out of her.

“You know that’s not what I meant,” she hissed, slamming her jurda back down on the table.

“I couldn’t have done anything to stop that,”

“You could have tried,”

“Inej-”

“Shevrati,”

Know-nothing.

She waved a hand vaguely at the door.

“Get out,”

Kaz turned to leave, then paused.

“I am sorry, Inej. They’d like to see you upstairs, you know. Nina misses you,”

“Nina can come down here then,”

“Inej… I can’t do anything for you but apologise,”

“Keep you apologies,” she snarled, and when the door had closed behind him added: “Choke on them,”

Kaz could apologise all he wanted. She would not forgive him. What right did he have to expect anything different from her than this? Did any of them? Kaz had not had to watch his parents cry, as they carried home the body of a child that wasn’t theirs. Kaz had not had to feel the ironclad grip of the person he thought he’d trusted most in the world as they held him back and told him to swallow his sobs and keep quiet. Kaz had not given up and gone limp in their arms, a mess of tears and useless prayers, as he saw his parents slip from his grasp once again and knew that he would not have the chance to tell them truth.

Kaz had also not failed the others, and did not have to feel the truth of that choking him every time he saw them. Kaz had not spent almost three months barely daring to venture out of the half room, just so he would never have to lock eyes with Jesper Fahey. There was a scream inside Inej that had been slowly building itself since the day of the auction, and if she did not find a way to release it soon it may very well eat her alive.

[capinejghafa]

kanej author recs | Whitherward

Notable/Favorite works:

roomy, and drenched in sunlight

It was a story they’d told each other often, over too much kvas. A running joke between them, what they would do if they ever decided to leave it all behind. She’d never dreamed they actually would.

Rating: M / Quirks: Broke-Up Kanej/Developing Kanej, (Heavy) Angst with a Happy Ending, Kanej's Children

save the undone years

He’s like all the others, when they bring him in. More than half dead, covered in mud. Leg almost hanging off him, just a mess of torn flesh and exposed bone. Likely won’t survive. God knows Inej has seen better off than him succumb to their injuries. Northern France, 1917. In a battlefield hospital, Corporal Kaz Rietveld lies gravely wounded. His nurse is determined that he will not be another thing she loses to this war.

Rating: M / Quirks: Developing Kanej, Angst with a Happy Ending, WWI AU

[cameliawrites]

Kanej Fic Recs: The "Figuring Out Intimacy" Trope

If you're anything like me, you're a glutton for very specific fic tropes applied to your very favorite OTPs (and we all know my OTP of OTPs is kanej). To this end, ao3 tags are your best friend. When you see that delicious combination of tags like "emotional hurt/comfort" and "healing" and "pining" with some sort of moody, vaguely poetic title, that's the good shit right there. That is a MEAL, and you are about to feast.

Anyways. I'm getting off track.

I come to you today with more than just an offering to the potluck; I am here to open up the doors to the whole damn buffet. That's right - FIC RECS. Specifically, fic recs that scratch the particular itch for "post-canon fics where Kaz and Inej figure out how to touch each other, but really the Physical Armor is always symbolic of the Emotional Armor that they have to learn to lower if they hope to ever really Be Together." Do you know what I'm talking about? If you know, you know. It's kanej figuring out intimacy. It's touch, but it's about the way they touch each other's souls. It's a fandom-classic fic trope. FEAST AWAY. (And feel free to reblog and add any of your own favorites! This is certainly not an exhaustive list, just some favorites of mine that fit the bill.)

They're all complete, they're all canon compliant (I had to set some limitations because my list was getting out of hand lol), and they're listed in order of rating (T, M, etc.), but otherwise they're in no particular order, and the summaries and/or most of the excerpts are those provided by the authors on ao3!

Can We Stop? by thegoldenkneazle (Rated G, 220 words, drabble)

Excerpt:

Kaz immediately drew back, rolling over onto his side of the creaky bed to create space between them. “Are you okay?” he asked, dark eyebrows drawing together.

Every Time We Touch by Pokemon67 (Rated G, 1k words, oneshot)

Summary: "Inej hadn't been exaggerating. It wasn’t easy for her either."

Excerpt:

She couldn’t quite recall how they’d ended up here, in Kaz’s room, on his bed. She was perched on his legs, right in front of him, and if she raised her head she could look into his eyes count the little flecks of gold the light always teased to her were there. 

Uncharted Waters by insignificant457 (Rated T, 5k words, oneshot)

Summary: "One step on the long and winding road to intimacy."

Excerpt:

Perhaps Inej should be insulted that she’s been penciled into Kaz’s schedule, fit snugly in between a Crow Club shareholders’ meeting and a parley with the Liddies, but when it comes to taking steps forward in their relationship, romantic spontaneity is not exactly something they can afford.

Council of the Tides by blacktag189 (Rated T, 15k words, multichap)

Excerpt:

With each tiny step forward they made, the urgency to be pulled out to sea still built. She couldn't ignore the brutal truth in that - that no matter how much he gave her here...one day everything would align just right and she would leave. But today wasn't that day.

Discover the Rest by Silver_89 (Rated T, 4k words, oneshot) (note: restricted to ao3 account holders)

Summary: "Post Crooked Kingdom fic where Kaz and Inej have made some progress with touch but touch is not the only progress Inej wants to see from him. She wants to know him too."

Excerpt:

Inej didn’t share much about her time at the Menagerie...And yet she had shared that she struggled with touch too. He understood why. But she didn’t know why he was the same. I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all. It was time he tried taking it off.

All Flowers in Time (Bend Towards the Sun) by laurie_ipsum (Rated M, 10k words, multichap)

Summary: "Does this fandom need yet another Kaz and Inej figure out intimacy fic? Probably not, but I did it anyway."

Excerpt:

Kaz wants all his firsts. It’s written in his eyes, on his face, in every line of his body. She can tell it terrifies him. It terrifies her, too.

One Thousand and One Nights by Trogdor19 (Rated M, 11k words, multichap)

Summary: "One new touch, every night…"

Excerpt:

He dips his head, his cheekbone brushing against hers so quietly it’s like the way she moves. So silkily between shadows no one’s ever quite sure it happened. 'Wait for me,' he breathes. The letters barely given enough air to shape them.

The Trouble With Wanting by A_nonnie_mouse (Rated M, 6k words, oneshot, part of a series)

Summary: "Inej begins to reckon with her own armor so she can have what, and who, she wants."

Excerpt:

“Kaz.” She was frustrated at his self-deprecation. “Please understand. My mind wants you. My heart longs for you. My body…” She struggled for words, the shame rising again, threatening her eyes with tears. “My body isn’t entirely convinced something horrible isn’t going to happen again. This wasn’t because of you. You understand that, don’t you?” 

show me where my armor ends (show me where my skin begins) by kingsandqueensofthebarrel (Rated M, 25k words, oneshot)

Excerpt:

“You’re something I want, Wraith,” he says, his tone all business like. “And I don’t stop until I have what I want.” “That could have sounded romantic.” “It’s a fact.” She hums and squeezes his hand.

collision course by cameliawrites (Rated M, 10k words, oneshot) (shameless self-promotion)

Excerpt:

Inej adjusts to Kaz the way that winter adjusts to spring: she thaws, and thaws, and thaws—and then she utterly melts.

you're a bandit like me, eyes full of stars by sarathedreamer (Rated M, 54k words, multichap, part of a series)

Summary: "Kaz and Inej learning to be with one another after Crooked Kingdom (events in Rule of Wolves might be mentioned in later chapters but you'll be warned!) Basically a slow burn filled with angst and fluff, and little plot :)"

Excerpt:

She blushed and felt a smile tug at her lips, so she looked down at his hand, held up in front of her like an invitation. His fingers were barely shaking. Inej looked back up at his eyes, asking a silent question once more, and Kaz nodded after a short hesitation. She gently cupped his hand in hers, fascinated by the softness of it, by the way two of hers were not quite enough to hold one of his. No one but she could know how graceful Dirtyhands’ weapons were under his gloves, and that was another one of his secrets she would gladly keep close to her chest.

Things We Can Never Do by rainstormdragon (Rated E, 3k words, oneshot, part of a series)

Excerpt:

They had done this before more than once. First words, then their hands on their own bodies. Gasped encouragement and shared fantasies. “Tell me what you’d want to do,” he urged her, not moving even a hair’s breadth toward her, giving her the safety of the space between them. “Tell me what you’d want me to do.”

Closer by lilieswho (Rated E, 7k words, oneshot)

Excerpt:

There is a deep desire crawling under Inej’s skin. It’s a feeling she’s begun to grow used to by now — the feeling of wanting someone, wishing for their touch and hoping they wish for hers back. Not someone’s, no. Kaz’s.

If you've made it all the way to the end of this rec list (hi!! thanks!), you should absolutely reply to or reblog this post with your favorite "kanej figure out intimacy" fic, whether it's on this list or something else! :) Support your local organic pasture-raised fic authors, etc. etc.

[lunarthecorvus]

Six Of Crows College/University Modern AU fanfiction recommendations part of Lunar's soc fanfiction rec series

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Birds of a Feather by @sc11vb

Wordcount: 8.8k Chapters: 6/? (It's still being updated:)

Characters: Nina Zenik, Inej Ghafa, Kaz Brekker, Matthias Helvar, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Zoya Nazyalensky, Nikolai Lanstov, Tolya Yul-Bataar, Leoni Hilli, Alina Starkov, Maleyn Oretsev, Background & Cameo Characters

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, Friendship/Love, Plot What Plot, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Fluff without Plot

Author's summary/notes: “You know what they say, ‘trouble is my middle name’.” “Your middle name is Deirdre,” Inej said. “Don’t remind me,” Nina groaned. My summary/notes: In this fic we have a years worth of Kanej pining and currently there is some drama between those two, let's just say the angst is angsting. We have some other grishaverse characters featuring in the fic as well, there's established helnik and established wesper. I love Nina so much and in typical modern!au Nina fashion she comes up with a plan to stop the Kanej pining and it certainly is a plan... Nina and Inej's friendship very important in this fic (as it should be) and its written so well.

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I Like You a Latte by sevenofcrows

Wordcount: 45k Chapters: 28/? (Hasn't been updated since Janurary but the last chapter works well and doesn't end on a cliffhanger)

Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Nina Zenik

Tags: Alternate Universe - Coffee Shop & Cafés, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, Kaz Brekker Needs a Hug, Kaz Brekker is Bad At Feelings, Texting, Fluff, Tooth-Rooting Fluff, rated explicit but the chapters are marked + not related to the plot, so the explicit parts can be ignored

Author's summary/notes: "Kaz Brekker was not your usual college student. He didn't leave assignments until the last day, he didn't stress over finals, he never left the house in sweatpants and a t-shirt. He was always put together, dressed in jeans and a properly ironed shirt, the answer keys to his next three exams hidden away in his computer and essays already written even before they were assigned. He didn't leave things to chance. If you asked any of his friends, they would call him a control freak. He liked to say he was born to be in charge. So, seeing him rush into a coffee shop with his hair messed up and shirt wrinkled was a once in a lifetime event." What happens when Kaz Brekker meets Inej Ghafa, a bright eyed barista who seems to read his mind when it comes to his drink orders? They fall in love, of course. This is the story of what happens in between. My summary/notes: You ever get that fic that you don't entirely remember whats it about because you haven't read it in a while but when you read the title the flush of serotonin and you just start to smile because you just remember that it was SO GOOD, this is one of those fics for me. Honestly the author's summary is just perfect, but heres some notes. The recipe thing is so cute, the kanej here is so adorable, Inej with the doodles is again so cute. The last thing I will say is they're both down so bad, especially Kaz.

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honey, honey by halfahint

Wordcount: 21k Chapters: 3/3

Characters: Inej Ghafa, Kaz Brekker, Nina Zenik, Matthias Helvar, Wylan Van Eck, Jesper Fahey

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, POV Inej Ghafa, Friends With Benefits (sort of), To explain the Friends With Benefits tag it basically means that they agree to work on healing their respective touch phobia together, Intimacy, (but also emotional intimacy, feelings are hard

Author's summary/notes: “Look,” Nina says. Inej has startled her badly enough that she’s made a mess of her eyeliner – the wing on her right eye careens wildly to one side. “I’m all for reclaiming your sexuality. Seriously. Two thumbs up from me. But, honestly, Inej, does it have to be with the most emotionally unavailable man you know?” “Well, who would you suggest?” Nina’s eyes bulge. “Oh, I don’t know, literally anyone with a pulse and a conscience?” “Kaz has – “We don’t know that,” Nina says sternly. My summary/notes: A story of healing as Kaz and Inej work on their touch phobia and while doing that they fall harder for eachother (they already knew eachother 2 years before the events of the fic). They have some cute moments. The crows dynamics in this fic are showed so perfect, it defintely reminds me of book!crows.

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You'll Be With Me Wherever I Go by @rupturedhaven

Wordcount: 35k Chapters: 18/? (It's still being updated:)

Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Nina Zenik, Matthias Helvar, Genya Safin, Maleyn Orestev, Nikolai Lanstov, Zoya Nazyalensky

Tags: Six Of Crows AU, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, Grishaverse, Texting, Drunk Texting, Chatting & Messaging, Fluff, Background Relationships, Background Characters Freeform, Slowburn, minimal angst

Author's summary/notes: It's their last year of university, and Jesper has insisted on starting a new group chat. There's chaos. There's bickering. There's friendship. There's love. Six of Crows texting fic. My summary/notes: Ok, ok, I love Rupturedhaven's fics, they write brilliantly so recommending this fic was a must. In this fic you get to see more of the Wylan and Matthias friendship dynamic. There is of course some Kanej pining after eachother and the latest chapter-. A TON of Wesper flirting and you get to see them go from friendship to lov- as well as going into some of Jesper's troubles. The Nina and Kaz dynamic in this fic is definitely siblingly and I adore it. Helnik also develops in this fic and we get to see them be as amazing as ever but also go through a couple problems but nothing can ever stop Helnik those two are so adorable in this fic. I was about to write about the amazing Nina and Inej friendship in this fic but I'm going to finish off by saying that all the friendships in this fic are just beautiful.

[malconnorsupremacy]

kanej hickie kanej hickies kanej-

this ask came in 1 month ago. i am happy to say i have finally obliged anon.

enjoy

[ketterdamheat]

Manners, Mannerisms and Misdirections by @rainstormdragon

Kaz and Inej take a vacation in a small port town where no one knows them, and are able to be young and in love and take more steps toward intimacy.

I have probably reread this fic over 100000 times because it is soooooo good. the author said the only thing that isn't soft about this fic is Kaz's dick and they were RIGHT.

read this. please.

[wandawxdow]

Kaz Brekker x Inej Ghafa

fic recs

If At First You Don’t Succeed by KatyaMorrigan

A Sign of Affection by teacup_tyrant

Splintered and Shattered by writetheniteaway

if the whole world was watching (i’d still dance with you) by heavenlyshadows

see your daybreak through my black curtains by TheTenthSunrise

No Mourners, No Funerals by Introverted_Mess

I Can Help You by gftomyofo

Breathe New Air Into My Lungs by ThisQueenShallConquer

shaking the wings of their exultant and terrible youth by lovebeyondmeasure

Sunshine Bleach by QHQ

A Safe Place To Land by insignificant457

The Calls by TWrites

[fanfic-corner]

Kanej Fic Recs

I've been thoroughly sucked back into the Grishaverse fandom after Shadow and Bone S2, so here's some Kanej fics for you to enjoy! But don't worry - none of these fics have spoilers for the show.

not like this by rebel_hearts (865)

Inej has been kissed before, but not like this. Not as if she's everything somebody could ever want - and not just because of her body, or her talents, but because it's her.

Drowning by witteefool (1.2k)

The shock of cold sent any stray thought from his mind, his body sinking as his wool coat grew sodden and heavy.

Then they were back. His demons grabbed at him from the depths, their bloated, grisly bodies pulling him downwards to the reaper. His escape had only been temporary. Jordie was ready to take him back now.

Tantalus Skin Hunger by PestilenceandSunshine (1.6k)

Why should they keep our Secrets? Keep us Safe? The Demon in his mind spoke.

Because they love us. They're our Friends, our Family. The Child answered again. They love us.

Dirtyhands did not speak again. 

Or: Kaz Brekker platonically pines and yearns, but Recovery takes time and is not a linear process

a laugh I could recognise anywhere by onthelasttrain (1.7k)

“Jesper Llewellyn Fahey, domesticated at last.” He freezes, his breath trapped in his lungs. All those months looking at maps, wondering where she is, and now he doesn't have to wonder. She travelled farther than any merchant or sailor ever did, and then she came back to the Barrel.

(Back to him, he thinks selfishly).

two solitudes by sixappleseeds (2k)

“I was going to say,” Kaz remarked. “That memory is a tricky bastard. It takes cheap shots when you’re not looking. Cuts you up when you least expect it.”

we wear red so they don't see us bleed by A_7187 (2.9k)

jesper fahey: this really hurts. after everything i’ve done for you

kaz brekker: which is nothing?

jesper fahey: I LITERALLY KILLED SOMEONE FOR YOU. ARE WE JUST FORGETTING ABOUT THAT NOW???

inej ghafa: im sorry?

Kidnapped by Youknowit (2.9k)

Inej's parents and some of her caravan are kidnapped by slavers. It's up to Inej and Kaz to fight the encampment and free those who were stolen.

a foreigner called candor by kallliope (2.9k)

A new strain of parem is tampered with to make a truth serum, which Kaz unknowingly consumes.

the end of a movie i've seen before by downn_in_flames (3.3k)

And then, standing before her, in a sober black wool coat, ink-dark hair tossed about by the wind, a small rolling bag at his side, is the very same person who’s taken up permanent residence in her dreams.

She’s not entirely convinced she’s not dreaming now - though if she is, this one’s an entirely new creation of her imagination, with not an ounce of intertwined past memory to be found. She entertains the thought of pinching herself just to be sure.

Six Fifteen by orphan_account (3.5k)

Every morning at six fifteen, gymnastics instructor Inej Ghafa sings in the shower. Her apartment neighbor Kaz hears her through the connecting wall, and one morning accidentally joins in.

love is not love which alters when it alteration finds by cameliawrites (3.8k)

“I do look forward to meeting this husband of yours one day, Captain,” the deputy drawls sardonically at her back.

Inej finds herself dangerously tempted by the notion. She caresses the blade of Sankt Petyr at her side as she takes her leave, the metal smooth and sharp as her lover’s dark gaze. The thought draws her homeward, and she quickens her steps, a single utterance underneath her breath:

“No, you don’t.”

By the Book by marycontraire (4.2k)

“You look like a pirate,” Kaz says.

“I am a pirate,” Inej reminds him as they emerge into the dark storage room. 

Kaz holds his bonelight aloft to illuminate the rows and rows of garments.  “Not this morning,” he says. “This morning you’re the bride of a respectable gentleman farmer."

home by northyard (5.5k)

When the assassin spoke, his voice was gravelly and strange. "Smart." He mused. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Dirtyhands. I've heard a lot about you." His hands drifted to the two knives strapped to his thighs. "And I'm sure it'll be a pleasure to kill you. Most of Ketterdam wants you dead, Brekker." He added, hands deft as he unsheathed his knives. Kaz didn't miss the bulge in the forearms of his sleeves (more knives) nor the two tipped daggers that emerged from the end of his boots.

Kaz lifted an eyebrow, waving his hand in a nonchalant manner. "Tell me something I don't know."

The assassin grinned. "You've underestimated me," he fired back, teeth bared like a wolf. "Any person who crosses me does not live to tell the tale."

Kaz shot back a wolfish grin of his own, tipping his hat to the assassin. "It's a good thing I'm not a person."

Can I Watch You? by aknosde (6.7k)

The older they get the more late nights working on his bed mean. And sometimes they let themselves become a little more vulnerable. And sometimes their friends are nosy and annoying.

farmer kaz by cafatonin (7k)

Kaz cleared his throat. “It reminds me of home.” Inej’s head popped up, her senses finely attuned to Kaz’s sharing voice. She looked to where he was lounging on the bale nearest the door, bad leg lazily draped over the side. He didn’t dare look back at her.

my pain shouldn't be yours by dregstrash (11k)

In a world where soulmates exist, what do you do when you feel the pain of someone else? Kaz Brekker and Inej Ghafa share that singular thread, and neither of them wants to acknowledge it. Kaz Brekker, the boy who never admits to weakness, and Inej Ghafa, the girl who has her own scars, must learn to navigate the dangerous streets of Ketterdam while trying to ignore the bond between them.

Dinner & Diatribes by Thesuncameout (12k)

There wasn’t supposed to be a storm.

Time spent creating this plan had taken up almost a month’s worth of days and nights. Neither of them had slept more than four bells, too caught up in perfecting the swindling. Even Jesper had lost a few nights helping them figure out the heist. They planned everything. The ins and outs, the what ifs and possible dooms, the plan A all the way to Z.

And yet, they hadn’t bothered to look above and see the rolling clouds and rumbling skies.

i wanna hold the hand inside you (i look to you to see the truth) by hyperspecificplaylists (12k)

It's 7:00 a.m. on the day before Valentine's Day when Kuwei's listicle comes out and promptly exposes everyone.

Wherein Nikolai sings love songs for the internet and pretends they're not for Zoya (except they totally are).

O Loving Hate by this_pendent_world (13k)

‘The Ravkan Roast’ is the top coffee shop on the doorstep of Ketterdam University - or at least, it was until ‘Tooth & Claw’ opened up right across the street.

While her friends insist that they are at war with the rival coffee shop, Nina Zenik believes that Matthias Helvar is too cute to be her sworn enemy.

If only they weren't on opposite sides of the brewing war, and the street.

Ace by KatyaMorrigan (15k)

Healing takes time and work, but Kaz and Inej have been putting in the hours. While once it seemed that they may always have to love each other at a distance, it now couldn't be further from the case. Although, Inej's thoughts have been wandering, and now she isn't sure what they are working towards. Even though the possibility that had once seemed so slim is now an option, is sex something she wants? Is it something Kaz wants?

And if the answer is no, what happens then?

A coming-out-to-herself fic in which Inej and Kaz explore intimacy and come to the conclusion that, for them, sex isn't a part of the equation.

all in good time by terribletruths (15k)

Inej needs a powerful man dead. Kaz, busy conducting 'renovations' across the West Stave and feuding with famous stage actors, is glad to have the opportunity to eliminate a threat.

False Hearts by QHQ (16k)

This was the weirdest fucking job Inej had ever taken.

Kaz and Inej go to marriage counseling. The only thing is, they’re not married. They don’t even know each other.

Killing Me To Love You by venus_in_retrograde (31k)

Inej comes down with a bizzare illness that has her weak and feverish and at the brink of death. As a result, she is forced to confront some truths about her heart she's spent the longest time avoiding.

Truths meaning her feelings about Kaz Brekker. Feelings which, knowing him, are most definitely unrequited, and will therefore only make her suffer more.

All in all, it's a pretty dire situation. Things are bound to get messy.

But her time is running out.

Dealing with Our Demons by ravenyenn19 (747k, in progress)

Inej's first letter back to Kaz after she leaves on her journey to hunt slavers, reunion ensues! Will they continue to learn how to battle their demons in order to get close to one another?

If you have any other Kanej fics that you recommend, please let me know! And in the meantime, thank you to all the fantastic authors who shared their work with us and happy reading :D

[quillsthrills]

Masterpost Kanej Fanfics

For those who are interested I have compiled a list of my Kanej-centric fics below. Be warned: I am a sucker for fluff with a side of murderous rage, but I suck at angst. :)

A Life For Us 

Words: 16,447 Rating: M

Post Crooked Kingdom, featuring Captain Ghafa and Kaz Brekker deciding he might as well run the whole show. Fluff factor: High

Notes to Inej 

Words: 2890 Rating: Not Rated

When Inej returns from her first voyage on the Wraith she finds The Slat cold and empty. While waiting for Kaz to (hopefully) return she borrows his coat to keep warm, and in the pocket she finds an unexpected treasure. Fluff factor: Through the roof

The Chink in his Armour

Words: 1233 Rating: Not Rated

Who in their right mind keeps returning to Ketterdam? A Kanej one-shot (my first). Fluff factor: Bunny rabbit

Treasure of my Heart

Words: 50,357 Rating: Teen and up

AU where Inej arrives in Ketterdam to study law, but after a traumatic event her world is turned upside down and she finds herself accepting an offer she should refuse. NOW COMPLETE. Fluff factor: Soft, with a side of simping. Features all the Crows.

[kazbrekkerfast]

the six of crows fandom is seriously lacking in helnik fanfics and tbh anything with Nina in as main character

if I had an ounce of writing talent in me I would write it myself however I don't have the ability or patience to write so I'm stuck being sad about it

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

AO3 author: This fic is dark and sad and includes major character death - be warned!!!

*adds archive warnings and written warnings*

Me: Okay, I know that going in so I’m prepared, it’s all good

Me, approximated ten minutes later, sobbing: I WASN’T PREPARED!!

(This is absolutely about The Auction - a kanej au by Mydarlingtaco007 it’s a Darkling wins fic and it’s so so good but it’s also made me cry multiple times in only 9 chapters so far, I’m so excited for the next one! )

[capinejghafa]

kanej author recs | Patrocool

Notable/Favorite works:

band-aids on our bullet wounds

“Inej,” he said evenly, like how he used to greet her whenever she came to his window to report, but now she knew him well enough to see it for what he was; both a reminder of who she was and an acknowledgement that he saw her. He recognized her and said her name as if it was the simplest fact in the world. A series of mostly angsty one shots (some fluff too!)

Rating(s): M / Quirks: Multiple One Shots (refer to the tags for specifics)... trust me :)

and i hate myself everyday that’s dealt that i couldn’t comfort you

Dirtyhands had everything he had ever wanted and more. Kaz only wanted one thing- one holy, unattainable thing. Not thing. Person.

Rating(s): T / Quirks: Established Kanej (maybe kind of broken up?), Post-Canon, Sickfic, Angst with a Happy Ending

the demons within | collab w/ rainstormdragon

Out of all of Kaz’s so-called monstrous features, it was his eyes Inej noticed first. Two slitted pupils sitting in irises the color of soil after a rain– but when she had snuck up on him and he turned to look at her, they flashed like golden coins in the sun. She had seen his razor sharp teeth as he had spoken to Heleen, the unnatural sharpness of his bones and the way his fingers seemed just a bit too long. She knew what he was– damned by the Saints. But she was not afraid of him; an escape damned by the Saints was better than no escape at all.

Rating(s): E / Quirks: Established Kanej, Creatures AU - Demon, Demon/Human Relationship, Smut - Would heavily advise reading the tags first, Light Angst, Fluff (you know if think about it)...

[fantastic-nonsense]

yeah I did read the books, and I totally get it actually:

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Kaz wants to heal and be able to touch people without feeling like he's drowning. He's always wanted to heal because he sees his touch aversion as a weakness, of course, but it's also pretty blatantly obvious that he both wants to be able to touch Inej and wants her to be able to touch him. And he proves it by the end of CK; being able to hold Inej's hand at the harbor is one of his first steps towards healing, but why would anyone think it would be his last?

It will take Kaz and Inej quite a bit of time, healing, and effort to get to a place where they can have sex, but canon indicates on multiple occasions it's something they both think about and want. A large part of Kaz and Inej's relationship revolves around their mutual trauma related to physical touch and how they both want to heal from it, and exploring sexual desire and eventually sex (or consensual sex, in Inej's case) would inevitably be part of that journey. And fans wanting to explore that journey makes a ton of sense because it's a desire that's both implied and directly addressed at various points throughout the books.

tl;dr when people learn that Kaz's trauma (and resulting PTSD-induced touch aversion) doesn't mean he doesn't still feel those things or WANT to be with Inej in every way they can I will finally know peace

[cameliawrites]

jealousy and kanej fic recs?<3 (although we know kaz and Inej would never be possessive of each other in the sense that they both know they don't own each other and are free persons with individual wants and needs, and they would never impose their insecurities on the other in the sense that-) (you get what i mean)

Hahaha I love the way you phrased this question. Here, have some jealous kanej fic recs, conveniently sorted into 3 categories for you: jealous Kaz, jealous Inej, and "everybody's fucking feral here."

Jealous Kaz:

1. turning saints into the sea by terribletruths (rated T, 10k words):

"You’re Kaz Brekker ?" He repeated with dawning horror. Brekker glanced at Inej, something faintly like amusement in his expression. “Oh, look, I must be famous in Ravka after all.” “No you’re not, shut up.” Inej said. "You're a monster!” Vanya protested. “Thank you.” Brekker said. 

2. have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways by redbrunja (rated T, 1k words):

He wrote his parents twice weekly, laughed often, and was utterly devoted to Inej. Kaz loathed the man.

3. someone to watch over me by @cameliawrites (rated T, 6.5k words) (it's shameless self-promo but it is literally tagged "jealous Kaz Brekker" ok???):

Inej frowned at him. “Did you threaten him with something?” “Why would I need to?” Kaz bit, gloved fist tightening around a dinner knife, but then seemed to collect himself, dropping the cutlery and clearing his throat. “Your roasted goose is getting cold, dearest Inej, and we wouldn’t want to appear anything less than the consummate guests, would we?”

4. Samples by @anonniemousefics (rated T, 3.5k words, modern AU):

Oh, God. Kaz was suddenly having a realization, right there in the middle of counting his cards. Oh, God.  He was jealous of Matthias Helvar. Oh, this sucked.

Jealous Inej:

1. duplicitous by @desidarling123 (rated G, 2k words):

“And he's keeping her at a firm distance.” Jesper counters, though he feels far less confident in that assertion than he ordinarily would. “Don’t worry. He knows how to do this.” Inej stills at that. Evidently, the wrong thing to say. “You mean, he did this to other people?”

2. The Cut of Her Jib by @teacup-tyrant (rated G, 7k words):

“Welcome to Zierfoort,” she said, stretching out a hand to shake Inej's and beginning to spew a well-rehearsed pitch. “I'm Imogen and I'll be taking care of your fees today. Can I get an overview of your cargo weight and value, and the length of stay you'll need at our harbor?”

everybody's fucking feral here:

1. come to me in red by @alltheworldsinmyhead, @whatanybodygets (rated M, 43k words):

Inej closes her eyes, grimacing as if in pain. “It seems that my parents have announced my intention to select a husband this midsummer.” Kaz blinks at her for one long, drawn out moment, head perfectly empty of thought, and then he says, “I beg your pardon?”