GRISHAVERSE X READERS

[KAZ BREKKER DRABBLE]

Prompt: D24. Ghosts

Word count: 670

That shop owner should be more careful, keeping his well-profiting shop in the Dreg area without supervision even for just a few minutes - a couple of handy children could rob him.

You glanced at the door every once in a while as you worked on the cash register. Lock picking hadn't taken that much time to learn - but on the other hand, you had had the best teacher in Ketterdam, barely older than you. You carefully turned the pin in the lock, finally hearing the final click and you opened it, scooping as many coins as you could to the pouch before closing it and pulling the pins out. You made your exit and walked to the meeting point in a steady, but quick pace.

"Okay, I got the money," you grinned, running up to your partner in crime, dare you say a friend, as soon as you saw him. Kaz smirked as you handed him the pouch and nodding towards the alleyway. He turned around with you following quickly, falling into step with him.

"Do you think Haskell will be pleased with our work? He's been grumpy lately," you chuckled and Kaz glanced at you.

"Maybe. We did the job, at least." he answered. "Maybe he'll even-"

He stopped abruptly, staring at the bridge crossing the canal, and you glanced at it, but not seeing anything. You turned back to your friend. "Kaz? You alright?"

Kaz just stared at the bridge, it was like he saw something you didn't.

"Kaz?" you repeated, holding back your urge to touch his arm to snap him out of it. You really had to move, the Stadwatch could see you. He clenched his jaw, but that was the only reaction you got out of him as he continued staring forward. You frowned, looking over to the spot again, but still not seeing anything. "Kaz, we have to move."

Kaz swallowed, seeing himself and Jordie sitting there, seeking for shelter from the weather. Jordie gave Kaz a generous amount of bread he had stolen, settling for a piece as large as his finger. The scene was shortly after Rollins had betrayed their trust, just a couple of days after it. It wouldn't be many days after that moment before the Plague would wash over them. On that moment, Kaz was still naive, not comprehending how cruel the city would turn out to be. And his idiot brother, giving him hope, sitting there and saying that "their luck would change". What would he give to go over to them right now, and tell him that in order to protect his little brother, he needs to become tougher. Ruthless, even, abandon all the naivety and weaknesses.

"Kaz!" your voice pierced his trance-like state and he flinched, seeing you standing in front of him. "What's the matter?"

He stared at you for a moment, then glancing back to the bridge. There was no one there. He casted his eyes down, and grumbled, "Nothing. Nothing that concerns you."

Immediately after that, he started walking again, faster than a moment earlier, and you had to take a few running steps to go after him.

You had known Kaz when you had just turned ten, and you knew that if he was behaving like that, you shouldn't ask what's the matter. Something had happened to him not long before you met him, but you had joined your forces to survive, stole stuff together, joined the Dregs together. You learned that he had something against the Dime Lions leader Pekka Rollins, but he wouldn't tell you what was it.

You had thought of him as a friend ever since you started working with him over three years ago, but he wouldn't call you a friend. You didn't push it, you recognized the signs. Something had happened. Something painful.

Maybe he'd tell you one day, or maybe not - but in any case, you wanted to be there for him, maybe even be the one person he cared about in this cruel world.