Six of Crows One-Shots

First Date - Kaz and Inej

Kaz was hardly able to make it through that first week when Inej was gone. He was hardly able to get to his room before he broke down and cried as he received her first letter. So gently, he had opened her letter, unwilling to rip the precious note.

Dearest Kaz,

I miss you so much. More than I thought I would. Before you get worried, I'm alright. We hit a storm and had to rest for a few days, but everyone is okay. My mom and dad are safe and back in Ravka, though I miss them already.

It's truly amazing at sea. One day, maybe I can bring you and the rest of the crows out with me. The sunsets and sunrises are gorgeous. The sky seems to bleed into the water and turn the whole world to fire. 

Anyway, I want to see you soon and I thought of a way to spend time together. There's a celebration that my circus used to go to. It's a ball, a dance of sorts. I know you don't like to take part in those frivolous activities, but I would love for you to come with me. Maybe like a date.

I want you to tell me about Ketterdam without me. How are Jesper and Wylan? How are you? Are the Dregs doing well? I'm sure you've found a way to help them with your kruge. Tell everybody I miss them.

Yours truly,

Inej Ghafa

Kaz wiped tears from his face as he stared at her signature, the delicate curve of her letters. I miss you so much. Kaz traced her name, stared at the smudged ink at the end of her last name.

He hadn't expected to be so... broken. He had wanted everything to return to normal with no distractions, no gorgeous girls to capture his attention. 

But he felt so empty, felt like half of him had been ripped away.

He reached for a piece of parchment and an inkwell, scrawling out a letter.

Inej,

I miss you, too. I miss you and I want to go to the Suli ball with you a million times over again. I'm glad you're okay. I'm really glad that everything is going well. I can't wait to see you again and go with you to Ravka. Jesper and Wylan are doing really well. We all hang out at least once a week at the mansion. The Dregs are doing great, but they miss you, 'Nej. We all miss you.

And me? I'm a mess, 'Nejy, but I'm the mess you want to take to a Suli ball, so I suppose I'm well.

Write to me soon. When you arrive to go to the ball, I'll be ready.

~Kaz Brekker

Kaz's hands shook as he folded the letter that was way too short. But he meant every single word on that crumpled paper.

A date. Kaz was about to fall on the floor from excitement or horror, he didn't know. But he was not stable in that second.

After delivering the letter to their messenger, Kaz rushed to Wylan's mansion.

He knocked twice and a young girl opened the door, bowing slightly.

"Mr. Brekker, right this way, sir." 

He followed her to the living room on the second floor, waiting patiently until Jesper and Wylan emerged from a hallway.

"Kaz!" Wylan said happily. "Do you need something?"

"Inej asked me to go with her to a ball."

Jesper let out a loud laugh. "I never would have expected that."

"What do I wear? What do I say? How do I dance?"

"Wear what you normally wear."

Wylan slapped Jesper's arm and said, "Be yourself."