Six of Crows One-Shots

Kaz and Inej Part 2

Kaz shoved another knife into his waistband.

Jesper raised an eyebrow. "Do you need that many weapons?"

Kaz nodded. "We're getting her back."

Jordan had gone missing the night before. Wylan had crept into Kaz's room during the night, not realizing that the boy wasn't sleeping.

"Are you alright?" Wylan had asked. It was a dumb question.

"No, I'm not alright, Wylan."

Wylan sat beside Kaz. Though Wylan still thought of him as a boy, Kaz was almost thirty. 

Kaz suddenly scooted closer to Wylan, hugging him close. "They took my wife and my daughter, Wy."

Wylan nodded. "We'll save them, Kaz."

Kaz rested his head on Wylan's shoulder. "I can't lose anybody else. Matthias, Jordie. Inej and Jordan are in Pekka's dungeons. If anything would happen to you along the way... I would burn this whole world."

Wylan twisted to hug Kaz. "Nothing will happen to me, Kaz. We'll save Inej and Jordan and everything will go back to normal."

Kaz sighed, his cold hands pressing against Wylan's neck. "Can you sing again?"

Though it was odd, Wylan still enjoyed listening to Kaz sing. It calmed him as it had all those years ago. Kaz must have felt the same way.

Wylan hummed a soft lullaby, drawing out the consonants with soft tonation. When he finished, he murmured, "You need to rest."

Kaz shook his head. "I'll rest when Inej is safely back in my house."

In the present, Wylan shifted awkwardly, tracing his own knives. Though he was a demolitions expert, the knives were for precaution. His bombs were secured in a bag that was looped over his shoulders.

"Ready?" Kaz asked, motioning to the door.

Ella raced into the hallway, Layla following behind.

"Be careful, Wylan!" Layla hugged him close.

Wylan smiled, running his hands through her blonde hair. Though he and Jesper had adopted Layla only a year ago, she fit right in with their little family. She had just turned twelve, tall for her age and extremely smart. It was a shame that any family would decide to give her up.

"I'll be back as soon as possible." Wylan kissed her forehead. "Take care of your sister while we're gone."

Ella tugged on Wylan's shirt sleeve. "Are you going to save Jordie and Inej?"

Wylan nodded, picking up the girl gently. She was six and extremely hyper. "We'll save them and be home soon."

Layla hugged Wylan again. "I love you."

His heart warmed at his affectionate daughter. "I love you, too. When I get home, you and I will dance and sing and do whatever you please."

She huffed a small laugh. "I can't wait."

Then, they had to leave. Kaz walked beside Wylan, his eyes narrowed, gloves on.

They boarded a wagon that would take them to the countryside where Pekka was hiding. It jostled them around, Wylan occasionally bumping into Jesper.

"Are you worried about the girls?" He asked.

Wylan nodded. "Of course I am. But there are armed guards surrounding the house. There is no way that anybody will get into my house."

Jesper nodded, resting his head on Wylan's shoulder. "It jogs the liver."

Wylan couldn't help but snort in laughter. "Of course it does."