Chapter Text
It had been a few months since Kaz and Inej had split for good this time. Although it was painful for Jesper to watch he couldn't help admit that perhaps it was a good thing that Inej had chosen to stay away at sea for a while. From her letters she sent it sounded like she was doing better. Perhaps she was even happier and he especially loved hearing her describe the peacefulness of the sea and how she felt at home with the new crew on her ship.
Kaz on the other hand was definitely not good. Jesper knew how much he cared for Inej, despite his best attempts to hide it, and even though he had hoped for the best he still saw Kaz slowly spinning into a downward spiral. He didn’t quite understand Kaz’s feelings though. Not that anyone did really because the man was about as open as a brick wall. Kaz had been the one to leave Inej, so why did he seem so torn up about it?
A loud thunk sounded from upstairs and Nina cast Jesper a sideways glance from her seat at the bar.
“You should probably go check on him” she said.
Jesper scoffed and took another sip from his drink.
“And what? Just get yelled at again? He won’t accept my help and you know that.”
Nina just glanced nervously at the staircase.
“Yeah well, he’s been up in his room all day and I’m thinking he’s already gone through the rest of that whiskey bottle he thought no one saw him grab from the bar.”
Jesper threw up his hands in defeat. “Fine, I’ll go up there. But if I get that bird cane lodged in my throat it’s your fault.”
He climbed the creaky three flights of stairs up to Kaz’s office and paused to knock on the door.
“Not now” Kaz rasped from the other side.
“Can I come in boss?” Jesper asked. “Was just coming to see if you wanted some dinne-“
“I said not now Jesper, I’m busy.”
Jesper tried the door and too his surprise it swung open. Kaz sat at his desk, his dark hair, which was usually neat and slicked back, fell forward into his eyes as he hunched over his desk; lazily scrawling signatures onto stacks of paperwork. Jesper glanced around the room and saw his usual vest and suit jacket abandoned on his bed along with the whiskey bottle that lay shattered on the floor next to it.
“Do you want me to clean that up?” Jesper nodded towards the pile of glass.
Kaz just continued to stare blankly at the paper in front of him.
“What did I say 'bout bargin in -ere? Are you a grown man or do I need to repeat mself so you understand?” Kaz slurred.
Jesper just rolled his eyes. “Just thought you could use a break boss you’ve been up here all and day and Nina-“
“Oh s’ you two ve been talking down there -ave you?” Kaz growled. “Decidin what I need hmm?”
He picked up the glass of whiskey still sitting on his desk and downed it before snatching his cane up and ungracefully getting to his feet. He smoothed his hair back with a gloved hand and narrowed his eyes at Jesper.
“Perhaps I do need to get out forn bit. At least so I don have to listen to whaever you n’ Nina ave to say.”
He brushed past Jesper and somehow made it down the stairs without falling. Nina tried to get a word in as he limped past the bar but he didn’t acknowledge her and was soon out the front door of the Slat which he slammed behind him. Jesper followed soon after and tiredly rubbed a hand over his face as he joined Nina.
“It went that bad huh?” she asked. Jesper just shrugged.
“I just don’t know what to do with him anymore Nina. I mean everything’s running smoothly at the club and he’s getting jobs done but he’s not himself anymore.”
Nina just nodded. She wasn’t around Kaz much these days but just his appearance concerned her. He was even thinner than the last time she had seen him a few weeks ago and his sharp and calculating eyes now only seemed to stare off into the distance.
She looked out the window at the setting sun that cast long shadows onto the street. Kaz shouldn’t be out by himself right now. Sure, he ran half this city by now but that just means he had more enemies than ever. Still, even if tonight was rough, he was Kaz Brekker. She was certain he would get back to being himself soon enough. He always seemed to figure things out in the end.