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Jesper Fahey was a lot of things. Charismatic, Grisha, a great shot. But one thing he wasn’t, was religious.
It just never appealed to him. It wasn’t a topic people brought up a lot in Novyi Zem, and when he moved to Ketterdam he always ignored everyone’s talk of Ghezen. Then he met Inej. She was always so sure of her religion, and believed whole heartedly that her Saints did the things they did for a reason. Jesper never argued with her, always allowing her to believe what she wanted to believe.
But then he met Wylan Hendriks. It was then on that he believed that either the Saints sent Wylan down as a blessing, or that he himself was one.
Over the course of their relationship he loved noticing the small things he did and comparing it to something Inej would say about her Saints.
1.
Wylan waking up first was rare. Along with that, so was a sunny morning in Ketterdam.
But both of those things occurred today. Jesper woke up slowly, reaching over to find an empty mattress beside him. He woke up with a groan at the lack of a brunette boyfriend to kiss senseless, but figured he was probably downstairs.
He didn’t bother putting a shirt on, rubbing his eyes as he walked to the kitchen. The house was cold, despite the warm sun outside. Wylan normally liked it that way so he couldn’t complain.
When he reached the room, he stopped. The sight in front of him took his breath away.
Wylan was idly making coffee, quietly humming to himself. If Jesper was being honest he looked beautiful. There was something so gentle about how he looked. His back was facing him right now, but even then he could see his ruffled hair and relaxed clothing.
For a moment Jesper just stared, not wanting to disrupt. It seemed like Wylan hadn’t heard him though, because when he turned he jumped slightly. “Oh! Hello, I was just about to bring some coffee to you.”
Sure enough, in his hands were two mugs. But Jesper wasn’t paying attention to that when Wylan looked like that.
With the window behind him, it brought in that Ketterdam sun to bathe Wylan in its light. His dark hair glowed, picking up the more reddish parts that were more hard to see. It looked like a halo around his head.
It made him think about what Inej had told him when she saw what the Sun Summoner could do in the Little Palace.
She bathed the entire room with light, Jes. It looked like a halo.
He imagined if he had gotten to see it, it’d look exactly like what he was seeing now. A holy light surrounding her just like he saw before him now. Only it wasn’t supposed to be holy, but Wylan sure made it feel like that.
Jesper tiredly opened and shut his mouth a couple times before finally settling on, “O- yeah hey.”
Wylan let out a breathless laugh, “You okay? It looks like you just rolled out of bed.”
“Becuase I did. Was sad I didn’t have you to wake up to.” He pouted, moving over to lean against the corner next to him.
“I guess I just wanted to get ahead on my morning.”
“You? Waking up before eight bells? I’m shocked.”
Wylan gaped at him and lightly hit his arm, “Ah! I’ve woken up that early before.”
Jesper crossed his arms, “Name the last time you did.” He quickly pointed a finger when Wylan opened his mouth, “Kaz waking us up for a job doesn’t count.”
He was met with silence. Wylan sighed, “Alright you might have a point.”
They laughed together, the sound bouncing across the room. Jesper’s got quieter, completely distracted again by the man in front of him.
Wylan furrowed his eyes slightly, “What are you staring at?”
“You.”
He blushed, “Me? What about me?”
Jesper leaned closer, “Everything, love. What’s there not to look at?”
Wylan playfully rolled his eyes, “Now you’re just sucking up.” Then he turned back to their coffees. He could see Jesper give him a look out of the corner of his eyes and turned back to him, “Don’t you dare.”
Jesper shut his mouth with a near audible sound. He huffed, “Fine. You’re no fun.” He then leaned in further, kissing Wylan slowly.
Wylan indulged in it for a moment before pulling away, “Ew Jesper you probably haven’t even brushed your teeth yet.”
“Like that’s stopped you! Do you know the amount of times we’ve made out first thing in the morning?”
“Yes I was there.”
Jesper’s eyes narrowed, “Well someone’s feeling sassy this morning. Guess I’ll just go and enjoy my morning coffee by myself.”
He grabbed his cup and started to walk away, but not before Wylan grabbed him by the back of his pants.
When Jesper opened his mouth to say something, Wylan beat him to it by kissing him. Jesper melted into it, hand not holding the coffee being placed on the man’s hip.
“What happened to ‘Ew Jesper you haven’t brushed your teeth yet!’” Jesper exclaimed when they separated.
Wylan was close enough to where their noses were nearly touching, “Shut up.” He pulled him back in. Their coffee was getting cold, but Jesper was completely content with just kissing his boyfriend all morning.
2.
Jesper thrived while being shot at. It’s been a while since they’ve been in a situation like that, but he really couldn’t be complaining right now.
The six of them were back together again. The Crows. Jesper couldn’t complain about that either. So of course they had to pick up a job.
Nothing intense, not like the Ice Court, but just a simple job where they’d be back home by morning. Well that was at least the plan. But the Crows were famous for deviating from a plan.
So that’s why Jesper was currently in a shoot out right now. He could hear his friends around him, knowing Inej was probably on the roof or somewhere unexpected. Though he had lost Wylan in the craze and just had to hope he was doing alright.
Jesper was only slightly panicking right now. With one of his beloved guns kicked away from him, he was trying to fight off three men with his other one. He’s dealt with worse, though. So he managed to shoot two of them with ease, knocking them to the ground.
He could hear yells of people from around him, smiling at the thought of his friends succeeding as well. That was his mistake though, because he was so focused on the other sounds that he forgot about the third person he was fighting.
There was a harsh pain in the back of his head, then his knees hitting the ground. As soon as he hit the ground, he twisted around to be on his back and tried to raise his gun. His arm was stepped on, causing him to lose feeling in his fingers.
He knew the next sound immediately. The sizzle of a bomb fuse and the bright light of it going off. Luckily he knew what was coming, and closed his eyes before it got too bright. His attacker didn’t though and he could feel the weight of the man’s foot lift off of him.
Wylan came into view, shoving the guy away from both of them. Jesper opened his eyes, and for a moment he thought he got shot because his breathing wasn’t coming out normally. The sight in front of him made him remember something Inej told him in the beginning of their friendship.
Sankt Adrik, he protected an entire village. Saved their women and stopped them from consuming poisonous water. He was seen as a Saint after that.
Now here he was now. Wylan being his knight in shining armor. This wasn’t the first time, and Jesper didn’t want it to be the last.
“Are you okay? The explosion didn’t hurt you, did it?” Wylan shook his shoulders lightly, “Jesper?”
Jesper blinked, “Yeah! Yeah all good. Thank you, love.”
Wylan frowned at him and cupped his face, “You sure?”
“Positive. Just got distracted by how beautiful you are.” Jesper winked at him.
“Ghezen sake, get up. I should’ve let that guy shoot you.” Wylan was smiling, tone lighthearted as he helped his boyfriend up to his feet.
Jesper gave him a grin, “C’mon love, you know you couldn’t live without me.”
Wylan picked up his gun and handed it to him, "Whatever helps you sleep at night.” He scrunched his nose, and Jesper thought it was probably the most endearing thing he’d ever seen.
As much as he’d like to pull him in and kiss him until they both couldn’t breathe, that would have to wait until they weren’t being shot at. Jesper begrudgingly went back to firing shots off but this time with Wylan by his side.
3.
Even though Wylan and Jesper were done with the Barrel life, they still visited every so often. The Crow Club was still the same with the pigeons flocking to the gambling tables.
Jesper steered clear, of course, far too interested in what was going on on the small stage of the club anyway.
Wylan was a musician first and foremost. It was something he prided himself on. Jesper joked that his boyfriend loved his flute more than he did him. It wasn’t true, of course- though some days he really had to wonder- but Jesper honestly couldn’t complain too much. Wylan was amazing at it. He always looked so happy, like he was transported somewhere else when playing.
That’s how he looked now. Up on the small stage it was like he commanded the room. People were cheering, raising their glasses when Wylan finished a piece.
He started out nervous, trying to do his usual defense and try to hide in on himself, but the more cheers he got made himself more confident. Soon enough he was more open with his movements and became more sure of what he was doing.
Jesper was entranced, to say the least. Glass of whiskey completely forgotten in favor of watching his boyfriend.
In the time between two songs, Inej’s voice filled his mind.
He went into bear infested woods with only a lyre and came out unscathed. Sankt Grigori, they called him. But when they sent him back in with his hands bound he didn’t survive.
This must've been what the bears felt like. Totally and utterly inthralled by a singular sound, so effortless by the person performing it but still so beautiful.
Wylan finished his last one, a more upbeat song that Jesper had heard him working on a couple days ago. He bowed, and Jesper practically leaped to his feet to start applauding.
The cheers started dying down, and Wylan did one last bow before walking off the stage. Around Jesper the crowd around him went back to mindless chatter, downing drinks and cheering from the gambling tables.
But Jesper’s eyes were trained on Wylan. As soon as they made eye contact, the brown haired boy’s pace quickened. They met in the middle, Wylan wrapping his arms around Jesper’s neck and the taller boy picked him up slightly off the ground to spin him once. The sound of Wylan’s laughter was right next to his ear and for a moment Jesper considered that a far more pretty piece of music than his flute playing.
Jesper set him down with a large grin, “That was amazing, love. You did so good up there.”
Wylan kept his arms draped over Jesper’s neck as he grinned, “Thanks, Jes. It felt really good. Do you think everyone liked it?”
“Liked it? Baby, everyone loved you. Though I will say, there were a couple people looking at you a little too long.”
The shorter man playfully rolled his eyes, “Relax you know I only have eyes for you.”
Jesper pulled him closer by the waist and kissed his forehead, “I sure hope so. Does that mean I can get a free concert anytime soon?”
“Well of course. And maybe you’ll get something else afterward.” Wylan's chin was held high, blush creeping up his neck but eyes sure.
“I can’t wait, darling.” Jesper spoke in a low tone, in Wylan’s ear like they were words reserved for him and him alone. And they were. Jesper was now allowing himself to be dragged out of the club and back home.
+1
Jesper was practically buzzing with excitement. Not only was he back in Novyi Zem, his home, but he was here with Wylan.
They’d spent the entire day seeing the sights of Jesper’s hometown, Colm by their side for the majority of it. But they were now by themselves. They were at Jesper’s home, the tall Zemeni showing Wylan where he grew up.
“Where to next?” Wylan asked, smiling as Jesper dragged him further into the property.
All he got from Jesper was him shaking his head, “Somewhere very special.”
He wanted to ask more, but it died in his throat when he saw what Jesper was leading to. It was a giant cherry blossom tree that sat on top of a small hill. The house was pretty far behind them now, faint noises of birds chirping and horses walking somewhere near them.
Wylan was looking at the scenery around him, but Jesper was focused on Wylan. He grabbed the shorter boy’s hand softly, “You like it?”
“I love it. This place is beautiful.” He now turned to look at Jesper, eyes full of so much wonder.
“This was where we buried my Ma. I would come here all the time when I was upset.”
Wylan’s eyebrows furrowed only slightly, “Oh. Thank you, Jes, for showing me this. I’m sure she’d be so proud of you now.”
“I really hope so.” The air almost shifted between them, Jesper’s face being more serious than Wylan had seen in a while. But even with that serious expression, there was love and excitement beneath it.
Jesper nervously started popping his fingers, “Wylan, I love you so much.”
His boyfriend’s response was instant, “I love you too.”
Jesper continued on with that serious tone, “I’m so happy we found each other. You stayed by me through everything, when I was stuck at the tables, you always stayed. Even when I was an ass you stayed. I’m so in love with you it hurts.”
He starts fishing in his pocket, and Wylan is getting more confused by the minute. That was until he saw Jesper get on his knee. Then it all clicked. Why he wanted them to travel to Novyi Zem, taking him to such a special place.
There were tears in Wylan’s eyes but he let Jesper continue.
“You’re my everything, love. I want to spend every single day of my life reminding you that you’re perfect in every single way.” He took a deep breath, “Wylan, will you marry me?”
A half laugh, half sob escaped Wylan. He didn’t trust himself to speak, and just nodded hurriedly. Jesper seemed to understand and slip the ring onto his finger. He immediately collided into Jesper and hooked his arms around the taller man’s neck.
“Yes. Yes, yes yes. Yes, I love you so much. I love you.” Wylan whispered senselessly into Jesper’s neck.
Meanwhile Jesper was placing kisses anywhere he could reach. They were both crying, they knew it, but both didn’t care. All that mattered was each other.
Wylan pulled back to look at the ring. The ring was gold, deep engravings that made his eyes go wide. Music notes. Different music notes danced around the ring, small flowers along with it. New tears were streaming down Wylan’s cheeks just at the sight of it.
He looked back up to Jesper, “Did you make it?”
Jesper nodded, “For at least a year. I think I made a dozen attempts before landing on that one. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful Jes, it’s perfect. I love you.”
Before he knew it he was kissing Jesper again. But this time it felt new. They’ve kissed dozens of times, soft ones, short ones in passing, heated ones that usually led to something more. But this one was a whole new feeling in itself. It was a new beginning for them. Wylan wasn’t kissing Jesper as his boyfriend, he was doing it as his fiance. He loved the sound of that.
When Jesper pulled back, he just let himself admire. All the times he truly believed Wylan was some Saint sent from above became true all in one moment.
The warm glow of the environment around him made his skin glow, his smile shining along with it. His eyes shone in a way they never had before. So full of love that Jesper didn’t think he deserted sometimes. All the times Wylan would cry in Jesper’s arms about all the features he hated about himself, but all Jesper could see was every perfect detail that made Wylan, Wylan.
He let out a watery laugh, “Saints you look- well like a Saint. You are a Saint, you’re perfect. Absolutely gorgeous.”
The blush that was on Wylan’s face made Jesper’s heart race even more. His smile was so wide it was bound to be hurting.
“Kiss me again, Jesper Fahey.”
“With pleasure, Wylan Fahey.”
Wylan’s nose scrunched as he smiled, and he let out one more sob before indulging himself in a kiss once more. The hand that now had a ring on it was trailing down Jesper’s neck until it was right over the man’s heart.
This was where they were both meant to be. Holding each other close with a love that went beyond anything the world tried to throw at them.
Jesper did hope his mother was proud of him. That she saw the man he was with made him happier than any gambling table or exciting shootout would.
To Jesper, Wylan was a Saint. In every weakness Wylan saw in himself, Jesper saw a strength. He saw a reason to wake up every day and go to sleep every night. No Saint story would compare to anything Wylan did on the daily. Now they would spend every single day for the rest of their lives together, for that he felt blessed. Maybe Jesper really was religious.