Work Text:
Inej was perched on the edge of the roof. Beneath her the never ending stream of tourists, thieves and thugs. The endless symphony of noise calling up to her from the streets of Ketterdam.
It was a cold night with mist gathering in between buildings. Sight was bad and her hands were getting numb from the cold stone walls. Without a thought her feet had taken the usual route and led her across the roofs slick with rain and moss. Back to the Slat.
His window was open. It usually remained open just as if he was waiting on her arrival.
Inej shook her head at the thought. As if Kaz Brekker, the bastard of the barrel, would be waiting for anyone. He probably kept it open to remind everybody that he didn’t need to fear anyone. Not out of carelessness, but out of spite.
Cautiously she stepped closer, peering inside the room. It was dimly lit, the only light source coming from deep inside the apartment. She traced the room with her eyes, but couldn’t make out Kaz’s lean frame anywhere. Silently she slipped through the window.
Any minute now she would hear his rasping voice. Greeting her like the many times before even though she could never quite figure out how he knew she was there.
But the room remained silent.
Maybe he was still downstairs. Business was high around this time at night and Kaz liked to stay in control of all his affairs.
Her gaze shifted towards the door. It was locked from the inside. The Crow headed cane leaning on the wall next to it.
Her stomach lurched. Something felt off.
She went deeper into the apartment, following the single light source leading up to the desk.
What she discovered was a sight she had never encountered before.
Kaz Brekker, head cradled upon his crossed arms, asleep at his desk.
For a moment she froze. She didn’t dare to step closer. It felt as if with every move, every breath he would suddenly wake.
She didn’t want to intrude, invade his privacy. Him being sound asleep, so open, so vulnerable. She knew what it felt like to be stripped of any privacy, any security even in your own bedroom.
As she turned to silently recede, she noticed his flushed cheeks. Small beads of sweat covered his forehead. Kaz’s breath was uneven, coming in shallow gasps as if he was in pain.
She hesitated, unsure about his reaction. Would he get mad at her for spying on him?
“Kaz?”, she whispered.
He didn’t move. Carefully she stepped closer.
“Kaz?”
With a startled gasp he woke, head snapping up. He scrambled to his feet, trying to get away from the intruder, the threat. His eyes were searching the room before finding her. For a moment there was no recognition, only panic. His bad leg gave out and he crashed to the floor.
Inej took a step back trying to give him more space. She knew that if she tried to come closer his panic would only increase. There was no comfort that she could give him. Not like this.
Breathing heavy and visibly shaking Kaz sat on the floor. He had backed up against the wall not facing her as he started to speak.
“What are you doing here, Inej? I’m not keeping you around to spy on me.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“I’m fine,” he stated, anger lacing his voice.
Inej crouched and searched his eyes. After moments of silence Kaz finally turned towards her, meeting her gaze. His eyes were glassy and lacking his usual alertness. His pupils dilated, making him seem even younger.
“You are not fine, Kaz. I don’t know what’s going on, but let me get Nina. Let me help you.”
“I don’t need your help. Or Nina’s. Just leave me alone.”
“No. I won’t leave you, Kaz.”
For a moment anger washed across his face. Then suddenly he swayed, his hand running across the wall trying to find something to hold on to. His face slacked and he seemed to stare into the distance. Then his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.
In a second Inej rushed forward, catching his shoulders and breaking his fall. As she gently placed him on the floor she could feel his shirt clinging to his body, drenched with sweat. She placed two fingers on his neck feeling the rapid drum of his pulse beneath her fingertips. His skin was slick and hot, heat radiating off him in waves.
Despite his slender frame she knew she wouldn’t be able to get him into bed on her own.
“I’ll be right back,” she whispered.
As she returned with Jesper and Nina in tow Kaz was still unconscious.
“Saints Inej, you said Kaz isn’t well. Not that he blacked out on the floor. What happened?”
Inej shook her head. “I found him asleep at his desk. He came to briefly and then he suddenly collapsed. Nina, how serious is it?”
The heartrender was already crouched next to Kaz, hands gesturing over his body. “He’s burning up. I don’t think it’s too serious yet, but we have to get him into bed and make him stay there. At least for a few days.”
“He must have gotten it after the job last night,” said Jesper looking down at Kaz. “We were hiding in this alley for hours, while it was raining. Completely ruined my favorite coat.”
Inej gave him a stern look.
“What? I’m just saying he is not the only one who made sacrifices that night.”
“Just help me get him settled.”
Jesper’s jokes couldn’t hide the worried look he cast on Kaz as he slipped his hands under the other boy’s arms. Inej grabbed his legs and together they made their way over to the bed, Kaz’s motionless body cradled in between them. They set him down on the bed.
“Keep him propped up,” Nina said, a clean shirt in her hands. “We need to get him out of these wet clothes.” She cast a prompting look at Jesper.
The sharpshooter looked horrified. “Oh no. I’m not doing it.”
“Well I can’t do it,” Nina replied. “It isn’t propper for a lady to undress a young man.”
“Because you care about being proper?,” Jesper snorted.
“I’ll do it,” Inej said, taking the shirt.
Jesper positioned himself behind Kaz, holding him steady. His head leaning on Jesper’s shoulder. Inej’s fingers trembled as she quickly unbuttoned the shirt. The damp fabric was clinging to his body. Careful not to touch his bare skin any more than necessary she removed the wet shirt.
She knew that Kaz would have never let anyone undress him if he was conscious. Never let anyone take care of him like this. He would have writhed even under her light touch.
With Jesper’s help they managed to slip the fresh shirt on and laid Kaz to rest. He hadn’t so much as stirred through the whole ordeal. It was probably for the best that he was out cold for the moment.
Nina set down a basin with water next to the bed. She held out a cloth. “Who wants to take the first nursing shift?”
Inej studied Kaz’s face in the dim light. She had volunteered to look after Kaz. To watch over him like she always did.
He was tossing underneath the sheet. His brows furrowed, forehead covered by the wet cloth. Mumbling and weakly trashing he seemed to fight invisible demons. A few strands of hair had fallen into his face. Careful not to touch him she tucked the sheet firmly around his body hoping to hold him in place. “You’re safe with us, Kaz. Please, be still.”
“Inej?”, he whispered. A moment later his eyes opened, clouded with pain and glassy from the fever. She wasn’t sure if he could really see her as he seemed to look right through her, focused on a point in the distance.
“Yes, I’m here,” she said, resisting the urge to lean in closer to him.
“Good.” He shifted on the bed, curling on his right side and crawling close to the edge of the mattress. His whole body was facing her, falling back asleep only a few inches from the chair where she was sitting.
“Stay.” he mumbled, eyes already closing.
She would stay, watching over him like she always had.