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In the burnt-stricken glow of light pouring from the building, shining down on them both as it went up in flame, Jesper only really did notice just how beautiful every single one of Wylan’s features were. It caught on the copper of his curls, making them appear as though they were a lit spark, as fervent as the fire which they were now surrounded by, and he honestly could’ve dropped to his knees and sobbed in manic joy at the sight.
Despite all they’d endured up to this point, the hasty breakout they’d had to make and Wylan’s insistence on following Kaz’s orders of leaving no traces behind, there was something so very at ease about him, something so incredibly calm that was stark in contrast to the fresh-faced runaway prince he’d met all that time ago, jumping at every loud noise he heard and the first (if Jesper didn’t beat him to it) to want to get away from the scene of the crime for fear of what might happen next.
As he turned to where Jesper was standing, staring, lost in a trance, he smiled a crazed yet brilliant thing. It was almost simple, commonplace, and Jesper wondered for a moment if he’d lost his mind, if they’d both.
“That went well.”
Jesper wheezed out a laugh.
“Sure. If this is what you count as your definition of ‘well’, then I think we’re all doomed.”
Wylan’s eyes gleamed.
“You think?”
Jesper sighed, removing his hat and walking over to Wylan, haphazardly putting it on him, slotting it atop his small skull and covering his crown of curls, tipping it to block his eyesight - to which Wylan, maturely, grumbled incoherently. Jesper’s heartstrings tugged like an out of tune piano, his replying laughter awfully fond.
This is insane. I'm insane.
Well, what else was new?
“We should get a move on. Stadwatch’ll be here any minute now, and we can’t risk it.”
Wylan hummed.
“I have another idea in mind.”
Jesper quirked his brow.
“Will it involve us getting carted off to Hellgate?”
“Not if we’re quick about it.”
“That’s not at all reassuring.”
“Wasn’t meant to be.”
"Saints, Wy, you're eager-"
The look Wylan gave Jesper quieted him almost immediately, and Wylan's face turned apologetic.
Jesper took a breath, gesturing for him to continue. He was getting jittery now, aching all over, the essence of a wild animal that might spook at any moment enveloping him like an unwanted letter.
Instead of explaining any further, Wylan reached out with one hand and grabbed both of his own, using the other to cup Jesper’s face and give him no other choice but to stare straight into those clear-water blue, that calm sea amidst the raging storm around them.
Slowly, gently, Wylan brought one of Jesper’s hands and placed it on the left side of his waist, slotted precisely into the curve where his stomach meets his hip, and intertwined the other with his, bringing it up to rest between them, just above their hearts.
What really set Jesper off, though, what made it all click, was when they began to sway.
Under his breath, Wylan muttered - to him, to the Stars peeking out above, Jesper wasn't sure. He didn't care, either.
“Peace amidst chaos, hm?”
He didn’t have the words for it, only managing a nod in response. Wylan tucked himself closer, thumb rubbing over the peak of Jesper’s cheek, the smudges under his eyes from their many sleepless nights together, before bringing him in and letting their lips lock in something far, far away from the reality of their current situation.
Like that they remained, doing so for a countless period, parting only ever when air demanded it of them. At some point they’d moved into the centre of the wreckage, their dance becoming more elaborate, more complex yet loving and kind all the same. The smoke cloying at their lungs, the inevitability of being found, it all didn’t bother them in the moment, couldn’t have possibly.
It was simply them as the world burned to nothingness around them, and–
“Oi! You pair!”