Chapter Text
Kaz
In the end, it was Matthias who threw the first punch. Kaz preferred it that way- he has rules and routines for everything, and fighting isn’t excluded from that. He never strikes first, but he always leaves a mark; for Matthias Helvar, he’d given him a shiny purple bruise beneath his eyelids and a bandage across his newly crooked nose. He’d given Kaz a black eye in return, but he didn’t pay it much mind; the satisfaction was there, and it soothed any lingering pain.
Jesper, of course, had been there when it all started, and in his usual fashion, did the exact opposite of what he was supposed to do. While Kaz was throwing punches and trying not to get knocked off his feet, Jesper was walking around the circle of students that had formed and taking their bets. Kaz hadn’t really expected him to be useful, but Jesper didn’t have to know; not until he got his cut of the winnings, at least.
Inej was in study hall during the fight, but Kaz had no doubts she’d be waiting outside the principal’s office. He could picture her now, leaning against the lockers with her arms folded across her chest, slender fingers tapping impatiently against her forearms. She’d have one eyebrow raised, and she’d purse her lips in the way she always does when Kaz has done something reckless. The slightest bit of adrenaline shoots through his chest at the thought; having Inej Ghafa’s eyes on him is a privilege, even when she’s angry with him.
In the meantime, Kaz gets the privilege of sitting in a horribly uncomfortable chair while the principal decides their fate. Matthias is quiet and stone-faced as usual, not as intimidating now that he’s been deprived of his usual gang of jocks and a functioning nose. Still, there’s something in the set of his jaw and the coldness of his eyes that has Kaz itching to get as far away as possible.
“This is the third time you’ve been in my office this month, Mister Brekker,” Principal Van Eck sighs. He’s pinching the bridge of his nose like a disappointed father and has his glasses pushed up on his forehead; if Kaz didn’t know any better, he’d say his principal might actually be tired of doling out punishments.
“And Mister Helvar,” he continues. “I’d expect better behavior from our team captain.”
Kaz can’t help but roll his eyes; the Ketterdam High hockey team is the pride of the school, and the bane of his existence. Every Friday of fall semester, the entire team is excused from homeroom and gets to stride around the school in a parade, followed by the marching band and the cheerleading squad. There aren’t even supposed to be cheerleaders for hockey, but the school doesn’t have a football team and the district needs something to throw their money at so they can keep claiming they don’t have the funds to support any of the arts programs. So the Ketterdam High Druskelles are the darling of the school, and no one is quite as insufferable about it as captain Matthias Helvar.
“I’m sorry, sir,” he grinds out, not looking the least bit like he means it. “It won’t happen again.”
“It had better not; I’d hate to get Coach Brum involved.”
That seems to strike a nerve; Helvar’s fists clench, and his eyes slide slowly into his lap, head bowing ever so slightly. Kaz tries not to be too smug about it.
“Look,” their principal says with the sigh of a king burdened with the weight of caring for an entire kingdom, and not a high school principal who has coffee spilled on his tie. “I was your age once; I understand what you’re feeling right now. It’s your junior year, it’s stressful; sometimes you need to let off a little steam, I get it. But this is not the appropriate place to do it.”
If it were anyone else talking, Kaz would think it a little odd that he’s not being specifically told not to fight, just to not do it on school grounds. That being said, he is not surprised in the least by Van Eck saying that.
“I’m not going to suspend you two, but there does have to be a consequence for your actions. And since I’m feeling particularly generous, I’m going to give you a choice. The two of you can either spend every day of the next month in detention, including Saturdays, or. You can volunteer your time to the homecoming committee.”
Kaz waits for the punchline, but it doesn’t come. Principal Van Eck is deadly serious.
“That’s it? We just have to make a few posters and hang streamers?”
“The head of the committee has requested some extra help - mostly with building elements, floats and the stage and such - but yes, I suppose you’ll be required to hang a few streamers. Think of it as community service; you two will learn how to work together, and you’ll be helping out a classmate in the process.”
He doesn’t miss the notably pink tinge that creeps up from Helvar’s neck all the way to the tips of his ears, and allows himself the small victory of a smug smirk. He knows exactly which classmate they’ll be helping, and if Matthias is as predictable as Kaz thinks he is, then this is going to be entirely worth the black eye.
“Is there any other option?” Matthias asks, the choked-off sound of his voice only adding to Kaz’s amusement.
“You’re welcome to opt for detention instead, though I don’t know how well Coach Brum would take to his star player missing practice.”
Matthias swallows. “Fine. I’m in.”
“Me too,” Kaz adds, his smile now leaning more on the shit-eating side of things rather than cool satisfaction. “I think it’ll be good for us to bond over something, don’t you think, Matthias?”
Matthias, pointedly, says nothing, only shoots a glare at Kaz and huffs when all he gets back is a wink.
“Excellent,” Van Eck claps his hand together. “I’d better let you two go before the bell rings; try to stay out of trouble.”
No promises, Kaz thinks. Matthias practically sprints out the door first, probably in a hurry to go splash some cold water on his face before anyone sees him blushing. Poor guy; it’s almost enough to make Kaz feel sorry for him. Almost.
“Mister Brekker?” Van Eck calls just as he’s almost out the door So close, and yet so far; if Inej were here, she’d say it’s karma for laughing at Matthias’ discomfort. Kaz doesn’t believe in karma or signs from the universe. He believes that most people are assholes, and Van Eck is just a particularly large one.
“I’m aware this past year has been rough for you,” he says, voice dripping with insincere sympathy. “But do try and keep yourself out of trouble. I don’t want to see you in this office just as much as you don’t want to see me.”
Kaz has to clear his throat to get rid of the lump there. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As predicted, Inej is waiting for him with Jesper outside the office, and he instantly forgets about that last awkward comment from Van Eck.
“I can’t believe you picked a fight with Matthias Helvar,” she says in lieu of a greeting.
“He started it; I ended it.”
“You broke his nose.”
“And he gave me a black eye. I’d say we’re even.”
Jesper cuts in, practically bouncing on his heels as they make their way down the hall. “So, did he suspend you?”
“No,” Kaz snorts. “We have to help the homecoming committee.”
Inej stops in her tracks. “The homecoming committee? That’s it?”
“And that’s not even the best part. Matthias and I will be working very closely with a certain cheerleader.”
Jesper’s eyes widen comically. “Nina Zenik? Oh, this I have to see.”
“Absolutely not,” Inej maintains, arms folded across her chest. “This is Kaz’s punishment, not ours.”
“Aw, come on, Inej.”
“No.”
“It’ll be fun!.”
“Jes, we are not joining the homecoming committee.”
Saturday morning sees Inej, Kaz, and Jesper in the auditorium with paint brushes in their hands. It hadn’t taken much to change Inej’s mind- a combination of bribes from Kaz and Jesper’s whining had gotten her to cave by lunch. Jesper is the only one who actually looks happy to be there, and won’t stop trying to mix paints and make new colors just to frustrate their fellow committee member, Wylan. The only silver lining to this is that Matthias looks just as miserable, though Kaz suspects his cause is less that they have to be at school on a Saturday and more the fact that Nina Zenik spilled paint earlier and had to practically crawl into Matthias’ lap to avoid staining her clothes. Maybe Karma is real.
“Hey,” Jesper stage-whispers across from Kaz. “Are we starting the new campaign this weekend?”
“It won’t work with the amount of players we have. I could have a self insert and DM, but we would need at least two more.”
“Are you guys talking about DnD?” Nina asks. Kaz bristles, but there’s no lilt of teasing to her voice. She’s smiling and her ridiculous puppy dog eyes are widened, and she almost sounded excited. “Are you guys all in the same party?”
“Kind of,” Inej replies kindly. “We used to be part of a larger one, but there was a...difference of opinion with our DM. We’re trying to form a new campaign, but it’s difficult with just the three of us.”
Wylan perks up from beside Jesper. “Could I join? I’ve always wanted to play.”
“Me too,” Nina chirps brightly.
Kaz gives Inej and Jesper a look; since they first met in middle school, the three of them have perfected the art of speaking only with their eyes. He’ll admit he’s wary- a party is a delicate thing, and they don’t know Nina and Wylan as well as they know each other. On the other hand, they’re desperate, and they look genuinely excited to play. Isn’t this what they had wanted, when they decided to split from the old party?
“Fine,” he eventually agrees. Then, just for fun, “Helvar has to join too.”
Matthias appears to choke on air, and Kaz takes maybe a little too much satisfaction in it. “Me?”
“It’s better with an even number of players.”
“Need I remind you that we’re here right now because you broke my nose?”
“Now, Matthias,” Kaz tuts. “You heard principal Van Eck. We’re supposed to be learning to get along, remember? To work as a team.”
If looks could kill, he would be dead twice over by now from the glare Matthias is giving him. It’s worth it, though, to see his face when Nina bats her eyelashes at him.
“Please, Matthias? You heard Kaz, we need an even amount of players. It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah, Matthias,” Jesper croons. “It’ll be fun .”
“Just one session; if you hate it, we won’t force you to stay.”
Helvar’s eyes narrow, and the group seems to hold a collective breath as he takes a good amount of time pondering his decision.
“Fine,” he concedes with a frown. “Just one session.”