GRISHAVERSE X READERS

HEALING TOUCH [KAZ BREKKER]

Summary: When you catch a sight of a wounded Kaz, it leads to somewhat sweet moment between you and your boss.

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The night had gone sour for Kaz Brekker. He had been stupid, not expecting the new gang having gathered so many members already. He had fought them off successfully, of course, but not without receiving a nasty gash over his lip.

And now he was making his way towards the Slat, wanting to disappear into his room without anyone noticing. Last thing he wanted right now was someone asking about the gash, asking if he was alright. He was in a bad mood anyway, so someone trying to fuss over him would only make him feel angrier. But of course luck wasn't on his side, and he was met with you right when he walked in from the doors.

"Kaz? What happened to you?" you asked, eyes widening in concern as you took a few steps towards him, staring at the gash.

"It's nothing," Kaz replied curtly, trying to push you off and start walking past you.

"Nothing? Kaz, it looks painful, it needs disinfecting and stitches," you insisted, but Kaz just took a glance at you, continuing to make his way towards the stairs.

"I said it's nothing," he repeated, his tone firm and final. "I can treat it myself."

You sighed, clearly not letting it go. Saints, it was one of your features Kaz had a hate-love relationship with. Every time you showed you cared, he felt his feelings for you grow, and he absolutely hated that feeling.

"Kaz, please. Let me treat it. At least disinfecting it and putting some ointment over it. You want to keep your lips safe and intact, don't you?" you pleaded, trying to catch his eyes.

Kaz paused and pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment but finally relenting. "Fine. But make it quick," he grumbled, following you into your room.

You quickly got into work the moment you got him to sit on your armchair, pouring alcohol into a small glass bowl and dipping a small towel into it

"This will sting," you mumbled, taking a better hold of the towel before you carefully dapped the lip. Kaz squeezed his eyes shut and took in a sharp breath through his nose, trying to silence corpses wailing in his head.

She's alive, she's alive, she's alive.

"I heard one of the street vendors talking about the ship at the third harbor, it will arrive next week. It sounded pretty interesting," you muttered, and Kaz opened his eyes, looking at you. He didn't even register what you said at first, but you continued with your eyes still trained on the wound, "there's supposed to be some valuables in that ship. Paintings and small statues made of gold at least. Probably jewelry too. Could be worth snatching."

Kaz's mind started to catch up with your words, and he managed to make himself reply, "Could be worth looking into. Did they mention anything about security?"

You nodded, dipping another towel in another glass bowl with something sticky and yellow. "Yeah. Stadwatch has increased their patrols for a few nights - stay still for me - and there's some traps around the ship's hold too. Might be tricky. That has to dry up for a moment, it may tickle but don't try to scratch it."

You sat back on your own chair, and you two stared at each other for a while. Only then Kaz realised you had already treated his lip and you smirked at his expression briefly, before your eyes softened.

"You know, Kaz, you don't have to act so tough all the time. It's okay to ask for help, let someone take care of you if you need it."

"I don't need anyone taking care of me," Kaz said sharply.

"I know. But sometimes it's nice to know someone cares," you said with a soft smile, the one Kaz could never understand why you were looking at him like that.

"I don't need anyone's pity," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's not pity. It's caring. And I care about you," you said, your hand reaching for him slightly. Kaz pulled away instinctively even though he knew you weren't attempting to touch him, and you dropped your hand. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

You sat there for a while, his eyes meeting yours. You caught something going past his eyes, just a flicker of something you couldn't quite place. And Kaz's head was going through a swirl of mixed thoughts.

I care about you too. If I could, I would hold your hand. I would let you close, I would tell you everything.

But instead of saying any of those things or anything that would even point that way, he stood up. "I should go," he then said, as if nothing had happened.

You watched him leave, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. Sometimes you cursed yourself for falling for a man like him, always fearing he'd break your heart in the end. But still, each passing day, your feelings for him just grew, and you just wished he would let you in, or at least would show a clear sign whether he likes you or not.

So once again, you wondered what the future held for you and Kaz. Would it ever get sorted out? Would he ever open up to anyone, you or someone else? Or would he always remain a mystery, out of reach, closed off?

Only time would tell.