A Gamblers Luck | Jesper Fahey

Always

Eliana looked towards where Kaz and Inej were engrossed in conversation. He looked worried, not just about their new plan, but for Inej. Eliana had noticed the subtle changes in the twos behavior throughout the past weeks. She's good for him. Mused Eliana silently. 

She felt a tug on her wrist and looked up to find Jesper standing there. She turned away from him. He grabbed her shoulder, she could feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of her shirt. "What do you want?" she hissed, spinning around to face him.

He swallowed nervously. "I wanted to talk." 

She laughed. It was a dry, humorless laugh. "You didn't want to talk earlier." 

He let go of her shoulder. His head turned away from her. What was that expression? Was it guilt? Shame? When Eliana was young, her mother had told her a story a young grisha, blessed with power. He had used his power for evil, unintentionally creating a tear in the Earth. He was too prideful to apologize for his actions, to seek help. So guilts claws gripped him and didn't let go. It drove him crazy.

"I'm sorry," he said, lifting his head up to meet her stony gaze. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was grisha, and I'm sorry I said it was none of your business."

It was guilt that ate men whole. Eliana would not let Jesper feel its claws slowly shred apart his life as it had hers. 

Her gaze softened as she looked at the sharpshooter. His nose had ash on it from the incinerator, and his hair was puffy from the heat. She could tell his apology was genuine by his nervous breathing and tapping feet. "It's okay," she said. Her lips quirked into a smirk. "But if you hide anything like that from me again I'll melt your revolvers." 

He looked at her, stunned. "You wouldn't." 

"Don't test me, Fahey." 

"Wouldn't dream of it." 

She laughed. Not a humorless laugh a real one. Her hair fell into her face and her eyes sparkled. 

"What you said back there," started Eliana. He looked at her with a raise of his eyebrow. "About, what we are." 

"What about it?" he asked. 

"Well, what are we?" A blush had started to sneak its way up her cheeks. She looked down at her ragged clothes and ash dusted skin. She probably look like hell. 

"I don't know," he said quietly. When she gave him a crestfallen expression he continued, "But that doesn't mean we can't be something." 

He walked closer to her. He smelled of ash and gunpowder. His hand cupped her cheek as he brought her closer to him. She looked towards where the others were, a few yards away by the window.

"The others-" she began. 

"Let them watch."

Their eyes fluttered shut as their lips met. Every time they kissed she felt this electrifying spark between them, full of adrenaline. She loved it. 

She loved him. 

"Get a room!" yelled Matthias, shielding his eyes. Nina laughed. 

"Alright, we're leaving," said Kaz. 

Before Eliana could turn to leave, Jesper grabbed her wrist. "Come back to me." 

"I always do."