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Wylan stared blankly at the sheet of paper in front of him, somehow trying to will musical notes to appear on the page. Sheet music didn’t always translate well to labeling bottles, and it was always around the two-hour mark when he could feel his focus ebbing away. Kaz had just sent him some brand new shipments of chemicals for the lab earlier that week, which was excellent news- but Wylan now had to take inventory. It was a task he dreaded, regardless of his method of organization.
He haphazardly ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath.
I can finish this.
The pang of annoyance when he turned back to the paper served as a subtle reminder that were times when he doubted his own encouragement. One more hour, and he could be done for the day. One more hour, and he could leave the lab, get some fresh air, and go find-
“Fancy seeing you here, merchling.”
Wylan knew who was at the door before even having to look up.
”You can come in, you know,” he said. “Just don’t touch anything.”
There were a few moments of silence, then a sudden sound of breaking glass. Wylan looked up quickly to see Jesper Fahey backing away from a shelf, hands in the air.
“That was already falling, I’m sure of it.”
Wylan sighed, turning his gaze up to the ceiling. “Just get over here before something else decides to jump off the shelf in your presence.”
“Gladly.” With several long strides, Jesper crossed the room before leaning against the side of the table and promptly placing his hat on Wylan’s head. Wylan rolled his eyes and put the hat back on the table, but couldn’t hide a fond smile no matter how much he tried to turn away.
“So how long have you been at-“ Jesper gestured vaguely to the table surrounded by boxes of bottles, “-this?”
Wylan exhaled heavily. “Too long.”
“Is that so?” Jesper raised his eyebrows and Wylan instantly recognized a familiar glint in his eye. He took a deep breath and structured his expression into a carefully blank slate. He knew, just knew , that Jesper was about to say something either shamelessly flirtatious or utterly infuriating.
And Wylan had never managed to predict what words would come out of Jesper Fahey’s mouth at any given time.
“Maybe…” Jesper looked down at him, fingers tapping on the worn down wood of the tabletop, “...you could use a distraction.” He stared pointedly at Wylan’s lips before flicking his gaze back up to his eyes. Wylan could feel his face heat up at the obvious indication, and he knew Jesper was doing this on purpose.That he wanted to provoke him.
Wylan tried to ignore the way Jesper was looking at him and tilted his head in what he hoped was a noncommittal manner. If he was being honest, he could absolutely use a few minutes to stop working, give in, and let Jesper do as he wished. To let Jesper kiss him senseless and to see his brilliant grey eyes go dark and to forget everything else in the room and-
Saints, Wylan couldn’t deny that he desperately wanted to.
But two could play the game Jesper had laid out so perfectly.
So Wylan put down his pen, looked up at Jesper with an mild expression and said; “Maybe some tea?”
He could nearly see Jesper visibly deflate at the words. He almost felt bad, guilty, even- but tried to remind himself Jesper would get what he wanted. Eventually.
“Anything for you, Sunshine.” Jesper put his hand on Wylan’s, took his hat from off the table, and walked up to the stove to adjust the burner. Wylan got up to select a blend of tea from a shelf, and walked over to Jesper with two mugs in hand.
“Have you ever tried cinnamon tea?” Wylan asked quietly, placing the mugs on the shelf next to the stove and filling the kettle with water. Jesper shook his head.
“Can’t say that I have.”
“It’s really good. I think you’ll like it.”
“What’s in it?”
“Ummm…” Wylan stared at the ceiling, trying to remember. “Cloves, cinnamon, orange, and.. tea.”
“Well, I’d be concerned if tea didn’t have tea in it.”
Wylan failed to hold back a laugh, and Jesper grinned before opening the kettle to check the water.
“So, what came in the new shipment you’ve been taking records of?” He asked, leaning on the counter with his elbows.
“Mostly red phosphorus,” Wylan said. “It’s incredibly hard to find in Kerch, but Kaz managed to get some. He wouldn’t tell me where… which makes me think it was illegal somehow? But a few other things, too.”
Jesper nodded, amused. “Leave it to Kaz to illegally find an explosive substance and somehow bring back four crates of it.”
“Hmm.” Wylan made a noise of agreement and scooped some of the tea from the jar into a small strainer. Jesper leaned over to pour the boiling water out of the kettle and into the two mugs, and Wylan jumped when Jesper’s hand collided directly with his arm. He took a deep breath, willing himself to stay calm.
“And now we wait.” He said, stepping back. The pair waited in silence for a few minutes, until Wylan removed the tea strainer from the mugs and placed them on the counter to cool.
“You know,” Jesper said, and Wylan didn’t even have to turn around to hear the low, suggestive tone he had taken, “I can think of a good way to spend our time.”
Wylan felt his chest tighten and heat rise up his neck.
Damn it.
He was sure that Jesper was trying to get under his skin- standing far too close, twirling his guns in his hands, shooting him an occasional look of anticipation. And Wylan knew that if he wanted to, this was the perfect chance to make Jesper just as nervous and flustered as he already felt. But he couldn’t ignore the lingering doubt settling around his throat.
What if this isn’t what Jesper wants?
He looked up, trying to decide if he should go through with his plan. But seeing Jesper watching him, still wearing that cocky smile and holding himself so effortlessly, so easily - Wylan felt a surge of defiance run through him.
Forget what Jesper wants.
Wylan wanted to see him fall apart.
Wylan caught the spark of triumph on Jesper’s face when he finally decided to turn towards him.
“What is it?” he smirked. “Miss me already?”
Wylan only raised his eyebrows, acknowledging the clear note of flirtation, and walked up to Jesper.
“You look a little restless, Jes.” Wylan placed his hands carefully on Jesper’s forearms, running them smoothly down his arms and wrapping his fingers around Jesper’s wrists. The smug grin on Jesper’s face instantly faded and Wylan saw his breath hitch slightly. Success.
“Maybe some tea would help?” Wylan pressed, pulling Jesper closer by the wrists. Jesper shook his head, clearly trying to return to his familiar state of unfazed confidence.
“It should cool down first.” He managed with a surprisingly steady voice.
“That’s fair,” Wylan mused, moving his hands to run his thumbs over Jesper’s palms. “But,” - he ignored a shudder from Jesper as he caressed the rings over his knuckles- “It’s a shame you’ll have to wait a bit.”
Wylan could feel Jesper’s heartbeat thud against his chest- he knew Jesper was trying hopelessly to stay composed, and it took all he had to keep from grinning.
“Maybe,” He leaned in even closer, making sure Jesper could feel the ghost of his lips, “... you could use a distraction.”
A thrill shot through Wylan’s whole body after processing what he had just said. Throwing Jesper’s own words back at him felt so fucking good.
Wylan pulled away just enough to see Jesper’s expression- and with the dazed, fervent look he got in return, he knew Jesper’s previous smooth-talking demeanor was long gone. He could see it in his face that he was waiting, wanting . The sight nearly took Wylan’s breath away.
He was always amazed at the effect his words had on Jesper. The effect he had on him.
And it wasn’t like Wylan wasn’t struggling himself. He could feel his own heart pounding against his ribs, his own face burning, hoping the scarlet color of his cheeks wouldn’t betray him. Admittedly a part of him thought to just disregard the teasing and kiss Jesper as hard as he could, to let him have what he wanted, because fuck, Wylan really didn’t want to stay like this much longer.
But then Jesper nodded. Just enough for Wylan to see, his voice hoarse as he whispered;
“Maybe.”
And suddenly it all was too much. The closeness of their faces, the sudden heaviness of his jacket, the pure desperation in Jesper’s eyes as he looked at him- and Wylan knew the game was over. He reached up to wrap both hands around Jesper’s neck and pull him in for a feverish, long-deserved kiss.
Jesper practically melted into Wylan’s arms, reaching out to hold his waist. Wylan let him and leaned closer, cupping his face and pressing their lips further. He could feel the warmth radiating from Jesper’s face, and inwardly prided himself on getting him worked up enough to blush.
“Is this distracting enough?” He murmured softly against Jesper’s mouth. He felt Jesper’s hands tighten around his waist, nodding.
“Yes-” Jesper’s voice cracked and he kissed Wylan again forcefully. “- Saints, Wylan-”
Wylan couldn’t even remember why he was so nervous in the first place. He couldn’t even remember what make him think that Jesper wouldn’t want this. Not with how his shaking hands pulled Wylan against him, the sharp inhale he took when Wylan sighed quietly against his lips.
Wylan moved to kiss Jesper on the cheek, but was gently pushed away by the shoulders in response. He stepped back, confused. “Is everything-”
He only got a glance at Jesper’s eyes, dark and burning, before stumbling back as Jesper turned them both around and nearly shoved him against the countertop. Wylan threw his hands back to catch himself, and his heart dropped to his stomach when he looked up.
Jesper’s hat had fallen off in his haste, breathing heavily and staring at Wylan with an intensity that made Wylan’s lungs constrict and his face turn impossibly redder. He looked away for a moment, unable to hold his gaze.
“Hey, Wy?”
Wylan willed himself to glance back. Jesper’s expression had changed slightly; the ever-present mischievous glint had returned to his eyes, and oh no, Wylan knew what was coming.
Jesper leaned in to whisper directly in Wylan’s ear.
“My turn.”
Wylan barely suppressed a gasp as Jesper’s lips brushed the skin beneath his jaw. Any composure he had regained in that brief moment apart was gone now- replaced by a surge of adrenaline that shot up his spine.
He vaguely remembered about the mugs of tea on the table, but once Jesper started to press his mouth firmly down Wylan’s neck any other questions instantly left him. He closed his eyes, trying to breathe steadily despite the overwhelming feeling of warm lips on his skin.
“You know,” Jesper murmured between kisses, “I could try to kiss every single freckle on your face right now.”
“Yeah- well we’d be here a while then-” Wylan choked out, gasping for air. He felt a hand find its way into his hair and he froze at the contact- Jesper must have noticed, too, because his lips turned up in a satisfied smirk against Wylan’s collarbone.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
He continued to weave his fingers through Wylan’s curls, and oh, Wylan could have collapsed right then and there. He fumbled to grasp the front of Jesper’s jacket for stability, and Jesper allowed Wylan to pull him up by the collar and kiss him directly on the lips again.
Wylan could barely form thoughts as Jesper put his hands out to hold the edge of the countertop, leaning into Wylan and kissing him deeper. He found himself suddenly dizzy, reveling in the fact that Jesper was kissing him with so much passion it felt like they were the only two people in the world. His heart was pounding so fast it was almost painful, and he could still feel the ghost of Jesper’s mouth over his throat.
He slipped his hands under the collar of Jesper’s jacket, finding the heavy-beating pulse against his neck. Jesper drew a sharp breath, breaking the kiss, leaning back in to-
“Wylan.”
Jesper released Wylan at lightning speed and backed away, Wylan stumbling at the sudden lack of contact. They both frantically turned to look at who was in the room, and Wylan heard Jesper curse under his breath. Kaz Brekker was standing about twenty feet away, holding his cane and determinedly studying the stone floor as if it had personally wronged him.
“Did you get the shipment I sent?”
“Um- yes, yes, I did.” Wylan faltered over the words, his face burning. He was suddenly all too aware of the situation, how disheveled his hair was and the harsh creases on Jesper’s shirt from clutching at it. “Thank you.”
“Good.” Kaz continued, finally looking up at the pair of them. “I need you both at the edge of the harbor tonight at midnight. I may have found a contact with some information on Jan Van Eck.”
He paused, then turned to leave the room- but just before heading out the door, he looked back.
“You might want to properly lock the door before doing…” He vaguely gestured to nothing in particular, “... this .”
Wylan and Jesper didn’t dare move until Kaz had disappeared up the stairs and the door loudly shut. Jesper let out a shaky exhale.
“ Well… ” He said slowly, “That was eventful.”
Wylan covered his face in his hands, privately wishing he could sink into the floor. “That was embarrassing.” He groaned. “I can’t believe Kaz did that.”
“I can punch him for you,” Jesper offered.
Wylan laughed despite himself. “ No, thank you.”
The pair stood there for a moment awkwardly, Wylan attempting to flatten his hair back in place and Jesper taking a sip from one of the long-forgotten mugs of tea.
“This is good.” He said with a note of surprise.
“You thought it wouldn’t be?” Wylan raised an eyebrow.
“Well,” Jesper looked away, trying to hide a grin, “... I wasn't really focusing on the tea.”
Still smiling, Jesper leaned forward for a quick kiss. Wylan could taste the cinnamon on his lips and silently cursed the flush rising up his face. How was it that Jesper could fluster him so easily? Just a few words and a kiss was all it was, but it wasn’t just any words and it certainly wasn’t just any kiss.
Wylan carefully picked up the second mug of tea and took a sip. The tea was surprisingly still warm, and it tasted like an autumn afternoon. He smiled to himself.
“Thanks for the distraction.” He said.
Jesper choked on his tea in response. He quickly recovered, laughing slightly.
“Anytime, Sunshine.” He grinned, raising his mug in a dramatic salutation. Wylan rolled his eyes, smiling, and clinked his mug of tea against Jesper’s.
A day of demo work, cinnamon tea, and kissing Jesper.
He could certainly toast to that.