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Jesper Fahey had survived impossible heists, outshot trained soldiers, and once talked his way out of a situation that absolutely should have ended with him in chains.
But nothing—nothing—had prepared him for Wylan Van Eck with attitude.
“Put that down.”
Jesper didn’t look up from the deck of cards in his hands. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The cards, Jesper.”
“I could be holding anything.”
“You’re shuffling them.”
Jesper clicked his tongue. “Speculation.”
From across the table, Wylan finally lifted his gaze—and the look he gave him was devastatingly unimpressed.
Jesper paused mid-shuffle.
“…Okay, that was a little intimidating,” he admitted.
“Good,” Wylan said calmly. “Now stop cheating.”
“I haven’t even started cheating yet.”
“That’s worse.”
Jesper leaned back in his chair, grinning. “You wound me.”
“I’m about to, if you don’t put the cards down.”
Jesper blinked. “…Was that a threat?”
Wylan tilted his head. “Do you want it to be?”
Jesper stared at him for a long moment.
Then he slowly set the cards on the table.
“Wow,” he said. “You’ve changed.”
“I’ve improved,” Wylan corrected.
Jesper let out a short laugh. “Is that what we’re calling it?”
Wylan went back to adjusting something on the table—small metal pieces, a bit of wire, something that looked suspiciously like it should not be indoors.
Jesper eyed it. “Should I be concerned?”
“Yes.”
Jesper leaned forward immediately. “Tell me everything.”
“No.”
Jesper pressed a hand to his chest. “You can’t just say ‘yes’ and then refuse to elaborate.”
“I can,” Wylan said. “I just did.”
Jesper dragged a hand down his face. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Immensely.”
Jesper pointed at him. “You used to be nice.”
“I am nice.”
“You just threatened me and denied me information in the same breath.”
Wylan shrugged. “Multitasking.”
Jesper barked a laugh. “Saints, you’re ruthless.”
Wylan didn’t even try to hide his small, satisfied smile.
Jesper watched him for a moment, then leaned his elbows on the table, chin in his hands.
“So,” he said. “What are you making?”
Wylan didn’t look up. “Something that will explode if you touch it.”
Jesper’s eyes lit up. “You say that like it’s a deterrent.”
“It is.”
“It’s really not.”
Wylan sighed. “Jesper.”
“Yes, sunshine?”
“Stop leaning over the table like that.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re about two seconds away from losing your eyebrows.”
Jesper immediately leaned closer. “Worth it.”
Wylan finally looked up, completely deadpan. “You’re not allowed to flirt with me while actively endangering your life.”
Jesper froze.
“…I’m sorry, what?”
“You heard me.”
Jesper sat back slowly. “That felt targeted.”
“It was.”
Jesper stared at him, then broke into a grin. “You just admitted I was flirting.”
“You always are.”
“That’s not—okay, that’s fair.”
Wylan rolled his eyes and went back to his work.
Jesper drummed his fingers against the table. “So you’ve just decided to be insufferable now?”
Wylan didn’t miss a beat. “I learned from watching you.”
Jesper clutched his chest. “Unbelievable. I open my heart, I share my charm, and this is how you repay me?”
“You haven’t opened your heart,” Wylan said. “You’ve opened your mouth. Repeatedly.”
Jesper choked on a laugh. “That was uncalled for.”
“It was accurate.”
Jesper shook his head, still smiling. “You’re getting bold.”
“I’ve always been bold.”
“You absolutely have not.”
Wylan looked up, one eyebrow raised. “I blew up a lab.”
Jesper paused. “…You know what, that’s a good point.”
“Thank you.”
Jesper leaned back again, studying him. “Still. This?” He gestured vaguely. “This level of attitude? New development.”
Wylan considered that. “Maybe I just got tired of letting you get away with everything.”
Jesper grinned. “You love letting me get away with things.”
“I really don’t.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You absolutely—”
“Jesper.”
“…Yes?”
“Stop talking.”
Jesper closed his mouth.
One beat.
Two.
Three—
“Okay, but—”
Wylan didn’t even look up. “I will throw this at you.”
Jesper held up his hands. “Alright, alright. Silence. Peace. Tranquility.”
Wylan nodded. “Finally.”
Jesper lasted approximately five seconds.
“So if I asked you—”
Wylan grabbed a small metal tool and held it up without turning around.
Jesper stopped mid-sentence.
“…Is that the thing you’re going to throw at me?”
“Yes.”
Jesper leaned back. “Understood. Carry on.”
Wylan smirked, victorious.
A few quiet moments passed—rare, peaceful.
Jesper watched him work, the way his hands moved with careful precision, the little crease between his brows when he concentrated.
“…You’re doing that thing again,” Wylan said.
Jesper blinked. “What thing?”
“Staring.”
“I’m not staring.”
“You are.”
“I’m observing.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“It’s not.”
Wylan finally looked up, meeting his gaze directly. “You’re staring at me like you’re about to say something annoying.”
Jesper smiled slowly. “I was actually going to say something nice.”
Wylan narrowed his eyes. “That’s even more suspicious.”
Jesper laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet,” Wylan said, “you keep showing up.”
Jesper’s smile softened just a fraction. “Yeah. Funny how that works.”
Wylan held his gaze for a second longer than usual—then looked away first.
Jesper noticed.
Of course he did.
“So,” Jesper said, gentler now, “what’s got you in such a mood today?”
“I’m always like this.”
“No, you’re not. Usually you’re only a little terrifying. Today you’re… efficient about it.”
Wylan huffed a quiet laugh. “I had to deal with Kaz Brekker this morning.”
Jesper winced. “Ah. That’ll do it.”
“He asked me three questions and somehow made it feel like a full interrogation.”
“That’s his love language.”
“I’m concerned about your definition of love.”
Jesper grinned. “You should be.”
Wylan shook his head, but there was a smile tugging at his mouth.
Jesper watched it, then said, “You know, I kind of like this version of you.”
Wylan glanced at him. “The version that threatens you?”
“Especially that one.”
Wylan rolled his eyes. “Your standards are very low.”
Jesper leaned in slightly. “No, they’re actually very specific.”
Wylan’s expression flickered—just for a second.
“Oh?” he said. “And what are they?”
Jesper’s voice dropped, softer now. “Smart. Dangerous. Knows how to handle me.”
Wylan didn’t look away.
“That sounds exhausting,” he said.
Jesper smiled. “It’s worth it.”
Wylan held his gaze for a long moment—then reached over and flicked one of the cards Jesper had left on the table.
It hit him square in the chest.
Jesper blinked. “…Did you just throw a card at me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you were being charming.”
Jesper laughed, delighted. “And that’s a problem?”
“It is when you think it’s working.”
Jesper leaned back, still grinning. “Oh, I know it’s working.”
Wylan raised an eyebrow. “Confidence is not the same as accuracy.”
Jesper pointed at him. “That right there—that’s the sass I’m talking about.”
Wylan shrugged, entirely unapologetic. “You’ll survive.”
Jesper tilted his head, studying him with something warmer now.
“Yeah,” he said. “I will.”
A beat passed.
Then Jesper added, “But just so you know—”
Wylan sighed. “Here we go.”
“I like you like this.”
Wylan paused.
Jesper didn’t look away this time.
“Good,” Wylan said finally, voice a little quieter—but no less sure. “Because I’m not toning it down.”
Jesper grinned. “I’d be disappointed if you did.”
Wylan smirked.
“Then I guess we understand each other,” he said.
Jesper tapped the table, still smiling. “Oh, we definitely do.”
And somewhere between the threats, the sarcasm, and the dangerously casual eye contact—
They really, really did.