Kaz Brekker Imagines

The Rollins Job

Weak sunlight filters into your room in the Slat, although its frail glow barely illuminates a single one of the stained wooden beams lining the walls and floor. Instead, a sputtering oil lamp is hung from the ceiling, casting its dismal hues across the room. You sit, waiting, legs crossed. Your hands busy themselves with a variety of weapons, some climbing gear, the edges of your shirt. Eventually, you can't stand the judgemental silence and issue the dark-haired boy in the corner a withering stare.

"Look, Kaz, we both know I'll be going. You could at least stop your moping and give me the all clear." Kaz Brekker glances up from his carefully arranged seat on your other ragged armchair, looking to all the world like he has no idea what you're talking about, like he was just popping into your room for a discussion on the Crow Club shares instead of glowering at you for the last half hour.

He raises an eyebrow, the gesture as practiced and contemptuous as always. "I don't believe we know anything at all, Y/N. All we both know is that there is a job, and there is an open spot in the team. I haven't decided who will fill it yet." You sigh, fighting the urge to throw something at him. There's a particularly heavy text next to you that just might do the trick. "You need someone to break into a house full of guards. They'll likely need to kill all of the guards to keep your secrets, so you can't send Inej. They'll also have to be absolutely silent in said killings, so no sharpshooters. That means no Jesper. It also deals with our favorite charlatan Pekka Rollins, meaning it's going to be very important, so you need someone you trust. That leaves me."

Kaz steeples his fingers on top of his crow's head cane. "It is precisely because of the nature of this job that I cannot send you. Pekka Rollins is dangerous. I'm not risking one of my best sentinels for a replaceable role." You crack a small smile. "One of your best sentinels? If you're already shelling out the compliments, I know this is good." Kaz doesn't return your smile. He rarely does. Instead, he leans back in his chair, fixing you with the same keen eye he directs towards suspicious Crow Club patrons or rival gang bosses.

"Then, Y/N, if it's so good, convince me why you should take part in the job. You've got unbeatable reasons, don't you? Let's hear them." You have no doubt that this is a test, one he'd offer up to still-green newbies on their first day running with the gang just as he'd offer it to people like you, who have been here almost since he built the gang in the first place. He wants to see if you'll take him seriously, if you'll lay out your list of reasons like he's never thought of them before.

You, however, have nothing to fear from Kaz's possible wrath. You've seen him judge these tests before, and you know exactly what to say. Regardless of this, he isn't going to throw you out of the gang for one slight misstep in a conversation. He's having this whole debate because he doesn't want to get rid of you so quickly, so you doubt he'll have your head if you crack a joke.

So, you clasp your hands in front of you, giving Kaz your best tortured look. "Dearest Kaz, most devious of all the gang bosses in this Saintsforsaken city-" He cuts you off, grumbling a most bothered tune, "I don't like where this is going." You, however, entirely ignore this little interruption, with only a widening grin proving you heard him at all. "-we both know I'm right about this, so you might as well let your pride down for a second and give me the okay. There's no other person who could do the job, even if you'd rather not admit it. Are we in agreement?"

Kaz regards you for a second longer, looking seconds away from giving up on etiquette and just launching his cane at you across the room, then makes a sound almost like a chorus of rocks tumbling down a mountain. If you didn't know better, you'd say he was laughing. "I'm suddenly remembering why I have you as a hired gun instead of a diplomat." You fold your arms across your chest, unable to hide your grin. "If you only remember it now, I'd say I'm not staying true to my reputation."