Kaz Goes To Church (Six Of Crows)

one

AUTHOR'S NOTE - PLEASE READ

This book is made to be 1.) the epilogue to Crooked Kingdom we had all been hoping for 2.) an answer to the question we've all been asking ourselves without even knowing; what if Kaz went to church? and 3.) mainly a joke, some serious interactions will come between the characters, but overall it's not to be taken seriously. I do happen to be religious, so you won't have to worry about me making an exaggerated, satirical impression of religious people, that's not the vibe. This story will also be continuous, meaning more stuffs gonna happen after what happens in the title. Inej and Kaz may hug. I dunno I guess you have to keep reading. Okay no more talky hope you enjoy.

The decision to keep his gloves off while shaking hands with Mr. and Mrs. Ghafa was a decision Kaz had made days prier to meeting them. He knew that leaving them off had two possible outcomes;  Inej's parents and he shaking hands with no issues and a possible comment by Mr. Ghafa about how strong his grip was, or him flinching at the first sign of contact and then jumping into the harbor and swimming to Ravka to escape the embarrassment.  

But either way was preferable to the most definite outcome of him leaving his gloves on; Inej making the face. It wasn't an expression she seemed to know she was making, but it came whenever Kaz did something that disappointed her. For instance, calling her an investment. The face was a mixture of regret and annoyance, like she wasn't sure she was doing the right thing. The thing being trusting him. 

Kaz figured he could manage a handshake, it wouldn't be the first time he had done it since losing the ability to handle contact with skin. 

The Inej and parent reunion began about as Kaz had imagined it would. They cried for a while, hugging each other tightly as he stood there, awkwardly. To say Inej had a lot she needed to tell her parents since the last time they saw each other would be the understatement of the year, but that could wait. They were happy to see each other.

After a moment, Inej wiped her eyes quickly and turned to face Kaz. "Mama, Papa, this is Kaz. He's the one who brought you to me," she said. 

This was the moment Kaz had been preparing for. He took a step forward and offered Inej's dad an ungloved hand. Mr. Ghafa took it without a second's hesitation. 

"Thank you," he said. Kaz's grin he had given Inej's moments before at the railing had since worn off, but his mood hadn't shifted. He was able to accept this thank you. He had done a good thing. 

Still, Kaz only nodded in response. It had been a while since he had said the words "you're welcome" and meant it. Inej didn't seem to mind the lack of verbal communication from his part. She may have lost the ability to mind anything at that moment. It was as though her world had been put back together, and now she knew how to prevent it from breaking again. 

The four of them hadn't shared more than a brief conversation before Kaz claimed to have work to do and disappeared down the boardwalk. He knew Inej would be disappointed he wouldn't stay a while longer, but Kaz would make sure to visit them again over the next few days. He wanted her parents to get used to him being distant, but not so much shady. 

Kaz's plan was going pretty well, Inej and her parents were bonding as a family again, and according to Inej, her mom thinks his voice is very seductive. Kaz could have done without the last part, but he guested that was a good sign. Everything was going according to his plan, until Kaz opened the door to his office one morning to find Inej at the window sill, feeding the crows.

At first he was relieved, a visit from her could mean things were turning out in his favor. However, before Kaz had a chance to open his mouth, Inej's voice took complete control of the situation.

"My parents found a Suli church nearby, and you're coming with us," she said. Just like that, one sentence and Kaz's entire plan was ruined. Inej hadn't even asked for his say in the matter, she had stated it as if it were a fact. He knew as soon as her confident words met his ears that their would be no brekkering his was out of this one. He could still try, though.

"What?" he asked. He voice sounded to taken off guard, so not Kaz, that Inej laughed a little. Then her expression changed.   

"I want you and my family to get along. That won't happen unless you show interest in some of our traditions. I know you don't share our beliefs, I'm not asking you to. But I am asking you to pretend like you care about what's going with us, at least long enough for them to stop worrying about me," she said. 

Kaz cleared his throat. He did care about what was going on with them. Couldn't she see that? 

"Inej, you know I don't belong in church." He meant for it to sound more light-hearted than it did. Inej crossed her arms and raised a brow.

"I didn't belong in a gang," she said, coldly. Kaz wasn't sure if she meant for the conversation to turn this direction, but he decided the best thing to do would be to keep quiet. Inej rarely put him in his place about turning her into a murderer, but Kaz knew not to take that piece of their story lightly. It was wrong of her to manipulate him like this and she knew it. He narrowed his eyes to mirror her's.

"Very well, when should we meet up?"

Going to a Suli church service with the Ghafas was the last thing Kaz had in mind when it came to playing part in their family. He hadn't attended a service since he was a child. And even back then, it was the most dreaded part of his weekly routine. But, as Inej had so kindly pointed out, religion is a very important aspect to Suli tradition. Kaz had to get Inej's family on his side. He didn't know why, but he had to.

Churches in Ketterdam were scarce, but far more orthodox than most other places in the world. Kaz would make a fool out of himself if he didn't grow accustomed to the proper etiquette. Inej was the most religious person he knew, but he wasn't about to ask her to spend less time with her family to teach him how to behave in church. Not when she had just got them back. 

Of course, Kaz knew the location of the service the Ghafa's were planning to attend. He figured he could observe some of the Ghezen worship that was held at noon twice a week. If that wasn't enough, he could just pretend that his improperniss was due to his anxiety towards expression his feelings to the Saints. The Saints? What were their names? Alina, Elizveta... Abigal? 

Maybe Kaz was looking too far into this whole "going to church" thing. He hardly ever over-planned, and when he did it always involved water, for some reason. 

After Kaz had successfully avenged his brother, he began to feel his mood shifting. Ruining Pekka Rollins' life had been the glue that had kept Kaz together for so long. What exactly was his purpose now? 

Kaz knew that the way he acted over the last several years had been... controversial. But he always told himself that his attitude was necessary in order to make it on his own. But now he was at the top of the food chain, and Jordie's ghost no longer haunted him.

Surprisingly enough, Kaz hadn't put much thought into after he had taken down Pekka. The moment always seemed to far away from him, and the thought of it actually happening was too much to fathom.     

It was over now. He didn't have to be a douche bag anymore. But he still was. Sure, he had infected the Menagerie where Inej was trafficked with a fake plague and brought her family back. And sure his weekly body count had been slowly decreasing over the last month. But overall, anyone who met him would agree he wasn't exactly a pleasure to be around. 

Maybe it was too weird for Kaz to become a normal human with social skills after years of acting how he did. Or maybe he had long forgotten how to be "nice." 

One thing was for sure; murder was not tolerated in the Suli House of Worship. And boy was Kaz screwed. 

I'll probably be editing this over the next few days so it's not as rushed, but I really wanted to get this part posted because it's an idea I've had for a long time. I'm writing one other fic (Six of Crows Texting), but it's cool to write about my favorite characters in a more serious manner, so I really hope you enjoy. Be sure to comment if you want to make sure something happens at some point, I can probably include it. Anyways, happy Easter!