Inej couldn't remember when it started. When his cheeks had first paled, or when his temperature rose. His mood was terrible, and worsening by the second.
"Kaz?"
He groaned a response from the bed. Inej had buried him under layers of blankets, but he still shivered like it wasn't warm enough. All she wanted to do was curl up next to him, yet she was afraid it would only make the situation worse.
When Jesper had tried to walk into his room above the Crow Club, Kaz had shouted at him to get out, and when Jesper resisted he threw a shoe. To think this was the infamous Dirtyhands, the man who had killed and tortured repeatedly, was laughable. All Inej saw was a shivering boy.
She nudged his gloved hand to get him to look at her. She moved slowly as he watched, bringing her hand to his forehead. It felt hotter than it had been, but maybe that was just her worrying.
"I wish Nina was here to help us with things like this," she told him.
He nodded and grabbed her hand with his. He brought it under the blanket with him and clutched it to his chest. 'Oh, now he's being sweet,' she thought.
She had hardly been able to drag him up to the bed from his office, he insisted that there was more work to be done. Inej responded that there was always more work to be done, and was glad he had dropped the idea.
Kaz let out a deep breath through his nose and turned onto his other side, bringing her hand with him. She was forced into an uncomfortable position, her arm half wrapped around his chest and her body still seated in a chair next to his bed. She tried to tug her hand away from him, but he held on tight.
"Kaz," she whispered.
He let out a soft sigh and released her hand. Inej felt her heart twist, but she stood up and walked around the side of the bed. She blew out the candles that lined the windowsill and grabbed another blanket from inside of his closet. It was funny to her that he had so many, perhaps he got cold often.
Inej shook out the blanket and lifted it over him. He pulled it to his chest with the other ones and curled further in on himself.
She stood for a moment, admiring his soft side. He knew it would be unwise for him to act like he was around others in Ketterdam, but he didn't hide his weakness around her, and Inej reveled in his willingness to be vulnerable with her.
Before she could reconsider, Inej pulled back the covers slightly and slid in. Her idea had been to help keep him warm, but she startled when she realized that he could be sent into a panic because of her. She didn't touch him, keeping to a sliver on the edge of the bed. Her motives changed when he called her name.
"Yes, Kaz?"
He stayed curled away from her, but she felt his hand move and touch hers. Inej wrapped her fingers around his. He lazily dragged her hand back to his chest, pulling on her shoulder. Inej scooted closer to him, letting her other arm rest under him. Kaz leaned back into her arms and Inej moved her legs near his. He flinched when she brushed his bad leg, and Inej paused, listening to his breathing. It remained steady. She rhythmically stroked her thumb against his ribs and he relaxed against her.
She warmed up instantly under the heat of the blankets, and he soon became warm in her arms as well, at last falling asleep and resting his tired body.
