A Down Payment

It was a week since the events that had landed Van Eck in jail and had Pekka Rollins flee Ketterdam. Wylan still had a hard time wrapping his head around everything that had happened. They had gone from six criminals with no home and no hope to six friends now able to live free lives. Well, most of them. It was hard to believe Matthias was gone. Of all of them, Fjerdan soldier was the one Wylan was sure would make it.

They still hadn't heard from Nina, but Wylan was sure the Heartrender could handle herself. Kaz had returned to the Crow Club, assuming his mantel of leader of the Dregs. Inej had stayed on with Wylan and Jesper in the Van Eck mansion. It was good to have another familiar face in the house that contained many bad memories for Wylan. The first time he'd woken up there, he had a moment of panic, sure his father would enter the room and kill him. But, it had been Jesper who had entered instead, dressed in his normal bright clothing with his pearl-handle pistols at his hips.

Jesper gave the huge, mostly empty house life with his restless energy. Wylan was grateful for him. The Zemeni boy distracted him from any worry and dark thoughts. He was also a help in the recovery of Wylan's mother. Wylan played the piano and flute for her a lot, but when he needed a break, Jesper would take over, sitting next to her and just taking for hours on end. She was getting better, but it would be a while before she was back to full heath.

The medik had come late afternoon on that first day to tend to Wylan's injuries. Jesper seemed ready to fight the man for not arriving sooner. Wylan was touched by his concern, but was eager to get his body healed. The medik patched him up and told him to take it easy for a week to give his ribs time to fully heal. Wylan was glad the damage wouldn't take long to heal. He had things to do when they did.

Wylan sat in the music room, fingers mindlessly dancing across the piano keys. It was after dinner. His mother had retired as had the servants. Inej was out with her parents. The house was quiet. Well, almost. Wylan glanced over at Jesper who was lounging on a couch nearby, cleaning his pistols. He was whistling tunelessly to Wylan's music and stopped when Wylan's fingers stopped moving. He looked up at him as Wylan rose and leaned against the piano.

"You going to bed?" Jesper asked.

Wylan shrugged. "Maybe," he said vaguely. "Are you tired?"

Jesper flashed him a grin, his bright white teeth contrasting strongly with his smooth brown skin. "I didn't wake up until noon. This life of luxury is getting to me."

He set his pistols and cloth on a little end table and stretched his long limbs. Wylan's eyes slid up and down his lean body. Jesper noticed and couldn't resist teasing him.

"Like what you see, merchling?" he asked and was rewarded by a pink flush rising to the other boy's cheeks. He loved how easily he could still make Wylan blush.

But, Wylan looked up and met Jesper's gaze. There was something in his eyes Jesper hadn't seen before. It was the look a player got when they raised the stakes. Then Wylan turned and headed for the door. Jesper let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, disappointment blooming in his chest. In the doorway, Wylan stopped and turned back.

"You coming?" he asked.

Jesper blinked. "What?"

"The medik said my ribs would be healed today." Wylan replied before walking out.

Jesper sat frozen for a moment, his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. Then he shot to his feet and hurried after him. Wylan had already reached his room and was sitting on the bed, removing his shoes. He looked up as Jesper entered, the blush returning to his cheeks.

"Did you mean what I thought you meant?" Jesper asked.

Wylan stood and moved a little closer. "I'd like to put down a down payment. That is, if we're still in business?"