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mordredisacoolname · 7 months

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GRISHAVERSE CHARACTERS WHEN YOU FALL ASLEEP ON THEM

Shadow and bone / six of Crows

MALE READER (can also be read as gn)

Characters: Alina Mal Genya Nikolai Kaz Inej Jesper Nina Wylan Matthias

*Mostly based on the show as I'm only in the middle of Siege and Storm

ALINA- you were both very tired, riding in a carriage led by horses. Alina was starting outside the window when she felt a weight on her shoulder, turning her head she saw you with your eyes closed asleep on her. Smiling to herself she moved a little so you'd be more comfortable and spread a little warmth through you so you won't be cold. She tried staying as still as possible in the carriage to not wake you up.

MAL- you were both drinking some kvas and talking nonsense outside your tent while everyone else were asleep. As he stared into the sky talking about keramzin memories he was interrupted by your head falling on his shoulder. "Do I bore you this much?" He barked out a laugh, watching your sleepy face and moving to a more comfortable position. He decided to let you sleep a little more before waking you up and returning to the tent.

NIKOLAI- you were hanging out in his ship quarters with a few other ship mates, his arm hang around your shoulders when he felt your body leaning towards his own, your hair tickling his neck. He watched you in amusement while Tamar and Pryvet were telling a story about a past adventure, tightening his arm around you.

GENYA- you both were sitting on a sofa in your room at the little palace, genya talking about her day and (rightfully) complaining about the queen, with a tea cup in her hand. When she asked you about your opinion, not hearing an answer she glanced at you finding out you were asleep. She presumed you were just leaning against her as you often did, but to her surprised you were just passed out from the tiring day as a grisha in the little palace. Smiling softly she carefully helped you fully lay down on the sofa, and left you to your rest.

KAZ- you were sitting in his room trying to form the next step leading to the fall of Pekka Rollins when he felt a slight weight on his shoulder. He immediately tensed up frozen in place. He tried calling your name hoping you'd wake up but unfortunately for him you didn't. He wanted to shrag you off, and he would've if you didn't know each other for a very long time. It felt weird, anxious but also a little comforting. He stayed like this still as a statue for a few minutes before slightly tapping you on your arm to wake you up.

INEJ- you were both sitting outside in silence wanting some peace and quiet from the loud tavern when inej felt your head slip down to her shoulder. She smiled softly, studying your face; feeling the urge to let you stay like this forever. Unfortunately it was getting late and unsafe outside, so she had to wake you up, but she really enjoyed those few minutes of you together.

JESPER- you were sitting at a table in the barrel watching people drink, talk and play, when you felt the tiredness creeping up on you "don't you dare fall asleep and leave me alone in this boredome" said Jesper while holding some sort of drink on his hand. "I'm not asleep" you perked up at the accusation, taking a sip of your own drink you left on the table. As the time passed on, you stopped answering Jesper's questions and observations. "Not asleep my ass" he snored, finishing the rest of his drink and helping sleepy you stand up and go to your room.

NINA- you were sitting on soft cushions near a window watching the snow. You rented a small room and decided to lit a fire and warm up a bit. You were both quiet, enjoying the outside view and the inside warmth, wrapped together in furrs. You slowly fell asleep, head tilted back when Nina noticed you're not awake, laughing quietly she guided your head on her shoulder, tightening the furr around you two.

WYLAN- wylan was mixing some stuff together when you called him to take a break and join you on the sofa, petting the empty space besides you. After a few protests he finally agreed and sat down next to you, your arm wrapping around him. Drawing him closer you kisses his head, nuzzling your nose to his wild hair, feeling sleepy. He was telling you about what he was making when you slowly started shifting away to sleep. When he noticed he smiled trying not to move his head too much as your head was on his. He was just sitting there squished between you and the sofa, and eventually fell asleep too.

MATTHIAS- he was sitting all grumpy away from the rest of the crows when you approached him. "Mind if I join you" you asked not waiting for his answer and sat down besides him. "Why do you ask if you're going to do that anyway" he scowled. You shrugging your shoulders leaning against him and observing everything that was going on in front of you. Announcing you were tired, you tilted your head to rest on his shoulder, instantly falling asleep. Looking at you Matthias sighed annoyingly, but let you stay mumbling something in Fjerdan.

#male reader #male reader insert #x male reader #gn reader #x gn reader #shadow and bone #six of crows #alina starkov x reader #malyen oretsev x reader #nikolai lantsov x reader #genya safin x reader #kaz brekker x reader #inej ghafa x reader #jesper fahey x reader #nina zenik x reader #wylan van eck x reader #matthias helvar x reader #six of crows x reader

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ao3statistics · 1 month

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Guide to all charts on this blog

The "most popular ships" and "most popular tags" charts are most often connected to a certain character.

Please not that the number of percentages in my pie charts correlate to the numbers in the chart and NOT the overall number of hits I got.

Meaning: All the hits displayed in the chart make up 100% and if I get many hits off Ao3 not all the hits will be displayed in the charts and the 100% will be made up from the most popular hits only (which are then displayed in the pie chart).

Long story short: I let Excel convert the real numbers I make the pie charts of into percentages.

I try to make my charts as easily accessible as possible. This includes:

writing that isn't too small

numbers and writing in black instead of grey etc.

colours that are easily distinguishable (no too dark colours next to each other etc.)

no colours from the red/green spectrum directly next to each other because some Tumblr users might have red-green colour blindness

colours that won't make you fall asleep

colours that (in combination with each other) won't give you an epileptic episode from looking at them

everything written outside of pie charts instead of outside and inside for easier comprehension

the same kind of chart for the same categories (pie charts for ships, bar charts for the most popular tags etc.)

I cannot account for everything though and might make mistakes. Some of my earlier charts might also not really conform to the above in all aspects.

Current Poll

Most popular Sakamaki Vampire

Popularity of the Mukami vampires

Popularity of (all) the vampires in DL

Grishaverse

Who Kaz Brekker loves the most

Underswap Sans (Undertale)

Non-statistics stuff

Fruity Jason Todd Tags:

Part 1 Part 2

This will be updated regularly.

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sissytobitch10seconds · 2 months

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Febuwhump 20: Cherished, Beloved, Treasured

Fandom: Grishaverse: Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows Summary: He had always wanted to hear those words, but not like this. Warnings: Gang violence, massive injury, major character death, and mental angst Word Count: 2,076 Ship(s): Wylan Van Eck/Kaz Brekker

Archive link!

Wylan felt the bullet enter his stomach before he even registered that the gun in front of him was being fired.

He knew that his new line of work was dangerous, but he was supposed to be safe from the worst parts of it. That was what was nice about being the demo man instead of the sharpshooter or the brute force the way that Matthias and Jesper were. He was able to stand far back on rooves or at the back of the fighting so that he could lob his explosives into the crowds of enemies that they were facing. He sequestered himself off in labs and stalls during the day so that he could make what would protect his friend and lover.

His life was nothing like he had thought it would be when he was younger, but he was safer than he could have ever imagined what he would be back then. Now Wylan had a partner that knew him inside and out, was willing to protect him at every turn even if admitting his feelings out loud with his own tongue was beyond him. Wylan had friends that would give up their lives and had tried to on many prior occasions. Wylan knew what he was doing and he was more than a little bit good at it.

He wasn’t exactly happy, per se. He had things that made him happy and things that he derived joy from, but neither of those things were what he was raised to believe that true happiness was. He wanted more than he could really ask from his relationship, both because he knew it was not fair to his boyfriend and because he did not deserve them. He took what he was offered and he held onto it with both hands so that it could not be taken away again. He was not happy, but he was content with what he had. What he had was messy, strange, and a bizarre form of safety.

He had thought that he was safe, at least. He knew that when he was working in the Barrel there was no way that he was going to be struck or hit for not being able to read the same way that he was in his father’s home. He knew that he wouldn’t have to run away in hide in the cupboards of the kitchen or the back of his mother’s long-unused wardrobe. Instead, he could do something about his attackers. There was no safety when it came to people wanting to cause him bodily harm, but there was a safety in being able to retaliate against them.

He supposed that they were just doing the same thing, when they used their guns and knives and explosives to try and harm him. None of them really just wanted the other person to die when they were all faceless people with black ink marking which side they were on. Nothing was personal unless someone was in the position that Kaz was, presiding over every step that someone made and guiding them along the path that he wanted alone.

Wylan tilted his head down so that he could see the bright red patch of blood blooming on his shirt. He had no idea that liquid coming from inside of him could spill just as quickly as liquid spilled on the outside of him. It was being wicked away by the soft material of the linen shirt that Kaz had gotten him when he had mentioned that all of his favorites were stained. Kaz was always doing little things like that, listening when Wylan was sure that he was thinking about more important things and then acting on those tiny requests.

His first instinct was to reach for the base of his shirt so that he could remove it. Whenever he was in his lab, that was the first thing he had to do then. It wasn’t safe to leave the chemicals that he worked with to make his poisons and explosives that close to his skin. He had learned that the hard way when he had worked at the tannery and could almost feel the chemical dyes leaching into his skin so that they could kill him.

It was as though his fingers were moving like worms, reaching down towards the base of his shirt where it was tucked into his pants. They were slow and drying out as the sun raised higher and higher over the Ketterdam skyline. Once upon a time, he had a bedroom that allowed him to look out over all of it as though he were a mythical prince. His bedroom now didn’t quite allow for it, but that actually made it better in his opinion.

His ears were ringing something fierce, which made it incredibly hard for him to tell what was going on around him. He was aware that they were in the middle of a firefight and he was supposed to being attention so that he could give them the upperhand. Kaz had requested that he throw down a flash bomb or a smoke bomb depending on what was happening with the crew at that moment and what would give them the best advantage. Something had gone wrong and the men had gotten a lot closer to him than they should have though. It was probably something that he had done, a movement that he had missed or a signal that had gone over his head.

“Wylan!”

Kaz’s voice was the first thing to cut through his mind. By the time that he tilted his head back up, the world was already starting to dim around him. It wasn’t all the way gone yet, but the sounds of the surrounding fight were all but gone. His vision had lines of darkness around the outside edges, nearing the center of his vision but leaving enough that he could still see around himself.

He felt something shy and nervous cross his features when he saw that the others were all gathered around him. Matthias was to his left, his rifle poised out over their heads so that he could shoot at the gang that had been following them. Jesper was on his right, both of his guns drawn and his hands making quick movements so that he could take down each person at the wrong end of his barrel. Nina was standing at his side, her hands already reaching out towards him. Inej was both there and not at the same time, her dark form just barely peaking out of the shadows to let him know she was nearby without giving her position away.

Before Nina had the chance to truly grab him, his legs gave way. He felt his knees buckle and then he was tumbling down to the ground. Despite the pain that was echoing through his body and the alarm bells ringing in his mind, all he could think of was the other night.

He had climbed up all three staircases to the attic room in the Slat that Kaz had turned into his office. He had been called there for something personal instead of something business related, so he was excited. He had been promised a walk down the Lid and some wonderful fried dough or potatoes or whatever else Kaz was in the mood for. Instead, when his boyfriend had risen so that they could go out, he had immediately tumbled down to the ground in a massive heap. He had apologized a thousand times over as he allowed Wylan to move him over to the bed. Wylan hadn’t really minded, especially not when they got to lay in the breeze coming off the ocean and talk about their plans for that day.

Before he hit the ground, he felt a pair of gloved hands reach out and catch him. He was lowered the rest of the way to that his head was pillowed on a pair of legs that was very familiar to him. He supposed that was why he had been thinking of Kaz and their cuddling the night before. He had thought that he had run Kaz out of the ability to touch the others with that activity, though, so he was quite surprised when he was allowed to stay there.

“Guess I ruined the plans for tonight,” he tried to joke around the mouthful of blood that was gathering in the back of his throat. He hadn’t even realized that his chest was heaving as it tried to get oxygen into his blood to prevent him from dying. Perhaps it was the different way that he was positioned, or maybe his sudden fall had caused the bullet in his gut to jostle around slightly.

“You did no such fucking thing,” Kaz replied. “You were supposed to be away from the fighting. I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry, Kaz. I already told you that,” Wylan shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize for being yourself, not when everyone else was the one to turn you into this. I like this.”

“Shh, shh,” Nina immediately said. “I want you to focus on Kaz but not say anything. I have to go get my kit, we’re just about done with this stupid brawl anyway. Brekker, don’t move him.”

“Her kit?” Wylan asked, despite having been told just barely that he had to shut up.

Kaz clenched his dark coffee eyes shut for just a moment before he opened them again. Wylan always felt like he was a pupil under the microscope of a testing tutor when Kaz looked at him. It was something that made his stomach squirm and his skin feel all tingly in a way that he had never thought he would get before. It was almost addictive.

He felt the gloved hand of his lover move down to the hot wound on his abdomen, carefully applying pressure that had let up when Nina moved away from them. Wylan let out a soft grunt but didn’t object to anything. He liked it when Kaz hurt him, and this actually made everything feel a lot better. “She’s going to try and save you, my love.”

“I don’t think I can be saved,” Wylan said. He tilted his head back so that he could see the blistering storm clouds rolling in from the ocean. It felt almost like Ghezen wanted to wash Wylan away with the storm, pelt him down into the cobblestones and then return him to the god of another culture because of how bad he had been. At least Kaz was there to hold him down until he was ripped away. That was actually quite nice.

“Shut your fucking mouth,” Kaz attempted to snarl. His voice sounded as quiet and broken as it did when he woke from nightmares.

“Kaz, don’t be sad,” Wylan brought his hand up to the other man’s face and cupped his cheek sweetly. Kaz reached up and grasped his hand before it ever made it there and that was when Wylan saw that he had taken his other glove off. “I really like it when you do this,” he said. His words were starting to slur together and he couldn’t figure out why. He felt a bit light and floaty, like he had taken something nice from one of the non-sexual pleasure houses on West Stave.

He felt something bend over his body and them warmth flooded through his entire being. Kaz was laying on him, like he had done the one time that Wylan had gotten so anxious and overstimulated that he had started hysterically bawling and wasn’t able to stop. It was comforting and wonderful.

His mind was just barely able to register the rasp of Kaz’s voice as his mind faded in and out of that wonderful dark, warm place. “You are cherished, you are wanted, you are treasured, you are worthy, you are my best investment, you are everything that you promised to be and more. I’m so fucking sorry that I was never able to tell you this before now. You deserve better than me, a better investor, a better business partner, a better everything. I love you, Wylan. I’m sorry that I couldn’t have been better to you, that I got you wrapped up in this fucking mess. I’m sorry, I’m so fucking sorry. I love you, I love you, treasure. I love you.”

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lynsstrange · 2 years

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! about me ig

♠️ Lyn, She/her ♠️ DNI: nsfw/18+ blogs, TERFs, if you are literally anything-phobic, etc

- I am a minor - INFP-T - swiftie - reader - aspiring author - color guard member - amateur artist

Fandoms (the ones I’m most active on at least): The Grishaverse, The Inheritance Games, Taylor Swift, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, The Riordanverse, Watcher Entertainment, some other stuff. Mostly just yelling about what I’m currently reading lmao

Currently Reading: There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins, just finished Five Survive by Holly Jackson

TBR soon: To kill a kingdom by Alexandra Christo

#new to tumblr #intro post #blog post #bored

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acourtofcouture · 3 years

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An Insider’s Guide to the Grishaverse: The Grand Palace in Os Alta, 2/?

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lantsovsupremacist · 3 years

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hi! could I request a Nikolai lantsov one shot where him and the reader have kids? and it’s all fluffy and everything!

not too long but enjoy 🥺🧚‍♀️ dad!nikolai stays skyrocketing to the top of my request lists ;)

nikolai lantsov: stolen time

”you’re supposed to be in bed,” nikolai shouted after you, having turned a corner and caught sight of your distinct blue kefta.

you groaned, stopping in your tracks before planting a graceful smile back onto your face, “i have many responsibilities, mr. lantsov.”

“one of which is resting, my darling wife,” he countered, clearly exasperated by your antics, “please, for me?” he finally reached out to you, grabbing one of your hands to swing at his side.

“i’m not tired,” you shook your shoulders, now grinning at your husband’s attempted persuasion.

he gnawed on the inside of his cheek, truthfully a little frightened by the idea of opposing his wife, “sweetheart, it’s not just you i’m worried about,” he trailed off with a look you recognized all too well.

you reached out to slap his chest but he swiftly caught your hand, bringing it to rest over his heart. you poked his chest, attempting to retract your hand. he tightened his grip, narrowing his eyes to express his annoyance.

“i’m pregnant. not dying,” you confirmed, ceremoniously rolling your eyes in his direction.

“i know. i know,” nikolai responded gently, still grasping his hand over yours, “but i worry.” he titled his head. with blonde curls flopping over his forehead and his bottom lip jutting out, you doubted you could hold out much longer.

you sighed, pausing to shut your eyes longer than necessary to blink. when you fluttered them back open, nikolai was right there waiting. appreciative of the accommodation to collect your thoughts, you resounded to agree with him.

“maybe i could go take a nap,” you began with a pout, “if you joined to warm me up.”

nikolai smiled pleasantly, “i would love nothing more,” his lips slipped into a frown, “but genya needed me to run over something this afternoon.”

your face fell. the sight that had become all too familiar for nikolai caused him to curse under his breath. he had increased his recent responsibilities to ensure he would be available once the baby was born. unfortunately, it meant a significant decrease in time spent together. his utmost favorite time.

“it can wait!”

from across the hall, you caught genya’s kind smile. her hair cascaded over her shoulders like fall leaves. she winked at the both of you, migrating to where you stood. clasping her hands together, she took in a breath. genya kept tabs on you rather well these days. she was indescribably excited to become an aunt.

“ravka will be still be here in an hour or two if i have anything to say about it” genya spoke sincerely, “go and take care of your wife now, nikolai.”

“genya, i’ll be fine,” you protested, hating to feel as though you were monopolizing the availability of the king, “i don’t even need the rest, truly.”

sharpening her gaze in your direction, she refused to tolerate any rebuttal, “as your healer,” you swore a smirk flittered over her features briefly, “i am not simply recommending you do so but demanding it.”

“i’d hate to get on her bad side,” nikolai piped up, incredibly content to play along with the red head, “she can be quite scary, love.”

you sighed, looking back and forth between your opposition, “oh, alright.” there was no mistaking it, you were joyful at the prospect of having nikolai all to yourself for the first time in a long time.

nikolai grinned, taking your hand in his own and mouthing his gratitude over his shoulder for genya. he dropped his lips to kiss the top of your hand. you watched him guide your arm back to your side in the shadows trailing along the surrounding castle walls.

once the door to your chambers came into view, you tucked your head into nikolai’s neck. he turned the handle, opening the door for the both of you to walk through. simultaneously kicking off your shoes, you let him guide you to the bed. he pulled back the duvet cover, allowing you to get in first before he swiftly followed.

the sun’s position behind the clouds helped darken the room. nikolai brushed the hair that had fallen into your eyes behind your ear. he began to braid the rest that fell over his chest where your head rested. his tongue poked out of the corner of his mouth, evident of his focus.

“thank you for taking care of me,” you whispered, grabbing both of nikolai’s hands once he finished, “both of us.”

nikolai smiled without much effort, eyes already sleepy, “‘m always gonna do that,” he breathed easily while separating one of his hands from yours to rub your stomach.

“you love so well,” you whispered through a wide smile, gaze raised to capture his, “so unconditionally.”

“you make it easy,” he kissed your nose, “you’re quite alluring, my love.”

you giggled, finding his hand around the outside of your waist and tracing a hand up his forearm behind you, “you have so much love to give. no matter the unknowns of our world, i have never doubted the beautiful life you will give our child. i’ve never been afraid.”

nikolai blinked softly, lips upturning, “you’ve already given me the adventure of a lifetime, and i cannot wait to begin this right here beside you.”

delineating his features under your touch, you ended by cupping his jaw. his lips warmed you. your eyes began to droop, muscles relaxing against his. he smoothed over your hair carefully, getting caught in his desire. you pulled away slowly after a moment, taking a welcoming breath.

“i lied,” your eyes twinkled, “i’m quite worn out.”

he hummed, already perceiving your exhaustion, “i’ll be here when you wake up,” his whisper soothed, “and every time after this.”

nikolai lantsov was a thief, always able to romanticize the smallest stolen moments of time.

grishaverse taglist: @just-a-human-witha-pen @ilovemarvelanne1 @story-scribbler @subjecta13-thefangirl @existentiallycrappytbh

#nikolai lantsov imagine #nikolai lantsov fluff #nikolai lanstov imagines #nikolai lanstov x reader #nikolai x reader #nikolai lantsov #shadow and bone fic #shadow and bone #sab fanfic #sab fanfiction #sab netflix #rule of wolves #genya safin #alina starkov #aleksander morovoza

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quillsandcassettes · 3 years

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Crowtober Day 1: Pumpkin

Summary: A short oneshot where Nina convinces the Crows to do some pumpkin carving for Halloween.

Word Count: 1,038

Warnings: None

A/N: This is the first in a long line of Crows/Grishaverse oneshots I'll be doing for October! If anyone has any prompts they want me to use for oneshots after October, feel free to send them my way and I'll see what I can do! The image I'm getting each prompt for this month from will be at the bottom.

Nina couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled past her lips as she watched him struggle. She knew from the start he’d be far too heavy handed, but it was fun to watch him try. “Alright, alright just slow down.” She spoke through her giggles, reaching out to rest her hand over his. “Be gentler, pretend you’re holding me.” He met her gaze, a blush covering his cheeks. “Such a thought is not appropriate for right now, Nina. It is neither appropriate nor helpful. I’m hardly going to try and carve you.”

Nina rolled her eyes, curling her fingers around his hand gently. “There was a time you may have but that isn’t the point. Don’t be so heavy handed, be softer.”

Jesper spoke up from the other side of the table “Asking Matthias Helvar to ‘be softer’ is like asking Inej to ‘be taller’. I’m truly not sure it’s possible.” His comment was met with a sharp elbow to the ribs from the woman in question.

He winced as he looked over her shoulder “who’s idea was it to allow Inej to pumpkin carve anyway? She has an unfair advantage, and we all know it.”

“Jesper, are you going to continue to whine or are you going to finish carving? I can always help if you need it.” Inej was doing her very best not to elbow him again, although she felt he deserved it.

Jesper’s reply came out a cross between hurt and indignant. “I’m fine. I can carve my own pumpkin thank you very much.”

Wylan gently bumped Jesper’s hip “you can’t be doing any worse than the Fjerdan so take solace in that.” He murmured, offering Jesper a small, slightly rosy cheeked smile.

“I appreciate that, Merchling. Although maybe I should just shoot it instead, it’d be easier.” Wylan stopped him as he reached for his guns.

“Not exactly in the spirit of it, Jesper. Come on, let me help you.” He moved so he was closer to his side and begun to help guide him better, much like Matthias, Jesper was surprisingly heavy handed.

Kaz watched them all from his place at the end of the table. How they’d also dragged him into this he wasn’t sure. Not that he was really participating, he was mostly observing. He knew of course, exactly how he’d gotten here. Nina had suggested it, given Halloween was coming up, Jesper and Wylan had jumped at the chance and then Inej had batted her rather perfect eyelashes at him and boom, pumpkin carving for six.

They had another thing coming though if they thought they were displaying these things anywhere in the club. He knew Inej and Jesper wouldn’t ask but Wylan and Nina had the potential to try. No carved pumpkins were setting foot inside the Crow Club. No word was to get out about any of this, lest Kaz’s reputation take a hit.

Inej was studying him as she finished up her own carving, it looked like she’d been making them for years, perks of a knife being her preferred weapon of choice. She settled herself beside him once she’d finished. “You don’t have to worry about them you know, they won’t ask to have them in the club. They know the rules. Nina just thought we deserved some fun.”

Kaz nodded but didn’t speak, he didn’t have much to say. As long as they stayed here, he didn’t care. Nina Zenik had very interesting ideas of fun and he wasn’t sure they aligned with his own.

“They seem to be getting on quite a bit better.” Inej remarked as she watched Nina and Matthias interact. It was nice to see them finally together again, properly after so long apart. If anyone deserved to be happy it was those two. She watched as Nina threw some of the pumpkin pulp at Matthias over whatever had been said, the man himself only offering her the smallest of smiles before he finally let her take over and finish his pumpkin.

Kaz’s eyes were on Jesper and Wylan, it wasn’t like him to speak much on the topic but since Inej had started it. “and those two.” He remarked, nodding ever so slightly in their direction.

Inej’s gaze flicked to them next, he was right. Wylan and Jesper were deep in conversation, the red head’s cheeks were still coated in the softest tinge of pink, not that Jesper seemed to notice, or if he did, he didn’t mind.

They were both bad at this, communicating their feelings but maybe given the environment they were in and the people surrounding them, they should give it a try. Inej turned her focus to Kaz. “Guess that just leaves us.”

Kaz turned to her with a blank expression, although she hadn’t missed the slight widening of his eyes before that. “Leaves us to what?” He questioned, they both knew he was aware of what she was referring to. They’d been pining after each other for how long now. They had their own problems but just maybe they could work through them together.

“I think you and I both know what I meant.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, partially so the others didn’t hear and partially because she’d just initiated a conversation that terrified her.

“It’ll be far from easy.” He stated. Especially given he couldn’t touch her without feeling like he might drown.

“When has anything ever been easy for us?” She questioned, neither of them had said it but that small exchange was enough to agree that maybe trying wouldn’t be so bad.

He wanted nothing more than to take her hand, and maybe one day he would be able to, for now though, the knowledge that they’d have each other either way was enough. She’d be patient, he knew that. Probably far more patient than he deserved. He may not always communicate his gratitude very well but he hoped she’d understand.

As he studied the people who were rather quickly becoming his family, and the girl beside him who had always watched over him better than any Saint ever could, he drew the conclusion that perhaps Nina’s little pumpkin carving idea hadn’t been such a bad one after all.

#oneshot #six of crows #leigh bardugo #kanej #wesper #helnik #grishaverse #jesper fahey #wylan van eck #inej ghafa #kaz brekker #nina zenik #the crows #pumpkin carving #crowtober #halloween #spooky season #mathias helvar

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shenanigans-and-imagines · 3 years

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♥️

I’m going to share some more of my Grishaverse OC, Klara, because I’ve started Ruin and Rising and I have no self control. Here's a link to some rough notes if you're curious to see more.

Klara placed her hands against the fallen rock, reaching out to her power to guide her. It was just stone. She had bent it to her will before, fusing and shaping it until not a crack could be found. It could break just as easily. She could feel its crevasses and chips. It was old. It had sat in still silence while centuries of earth and tree above it eroded and died. It knew little of the world above and did not care to. It would get a lesson now. She searched, moving deeper through it until she felt as if she were placed directly inside it; surrounded by unending cool dark nothing. Still she kept moving and finally she found the light on the other side. For all its age and history, it was still just a door. "Now open," she whispered. She pushed against the stone and a like all the rest, it inevitably bent to her will.

#grishaverse #shadow and bone #siege and storm #the grishaverse #grishaverse oc #grisha oc #nikolai lantsov x oc #klara

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rainandhotchocolate · 4 years

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Unexpected

A/N Merry christmas to Australians and NZ-enders! For the rest of ya, hope your holidays are going well :)) If not, here’s a fic to read on the toilet whislt ignoring your family xx this is my first grishaverse fic so pls be kind I don’t think I’ve quite gotten the characterisation yet but also I need to write like 4 in the next two days so WELP

Kaz brekker x reader

Y/N twirled around, her skirt swishing out in a circle around her. Nina cheered loudly, Jesper grinning beside her as they leaned against the small table sitting in the small house. She was wearing a deep blue dress that hugged tightly to her curvy frame, hanging earrings that had matching blue gems sitting in a large curling silver tree. Nina had coloured her cheeks and given a soft glow to her skin and had made her hair shine a little brighter than normal. It wasn’t much, but it was the first time in a long time that Y/N had felt somewhat pretty again, and was definitely better than the peasant pants and army boots that made her feel like a small boy.

“Well Kaz is going to be confused for sure,” Nina winked at her but Y/N just rolled her eyes. It was no secret that Y/N liked to annoy Kaz by flirting incessantly, but a little more hidden was the fact that Y/N had developed a small and irritating crush on him ever since he’d inducted her into the small group after the heist, given Nina’s… inability to leave the house.

“Honestly, I’m a little confused myself,” Jesper smiled slyly, moving over to the hallway to call Kaz up. He’d been told to disappear for thirty minutes whilst they got Y/N ready. Kaz had been frustrated at first, and was very close to telling them to fuck off but Mattias had stepped in to tell him to let Nina do at least one thing to distract herself.

The familiar clicking of Kaz’s cane could be heard coming up the corridor, his growling face moving into the kitchen area.

“Are we ready?” Kaz’s eyes scrolled up and down Y/N’s outfit and Y/N winked at him.

“Like what you see?”

“It’ll do. Do we need to go over this again?” Kaz raised an eyebrow at her and Y/N huffed.

“I do remember the very small task you asked from me.”

“Just bat your pretty eyes and get me my information, let’s go.” Kaz turned around on the spot and limped towards the front door.

“I guess I’m off,” Y/N turned to Nina and Jesper, “No mourners.”

“No funerals,” they called back, Nina giggling softly as Y/N adjusted her breasts slightly so that they sat higher in her dress and eyes glittering.

Nina had found her in Ketterdam, begging for money on the side of the street wearing a destroyed Ravka army uniform about a year ago, and had helped her find work with some of the lower downs in Kaz’s crew. She hadn’t heard from Nina in months, but had gotten a letter telling her to meet a the edge of town and wear a costume. Kaz had known who she was, though Y/N had been surprised that he’d ever noticed her given that she was normally in the casino wearing a tight-fitting golden dress and bringing drinks over to handsy businessmen. It was because of this that she would be good for the job, she knew how to get in and out of a casino unnoticed and definitely knew how to get a guy to follow her around a room.

Kaz and Y/N sailed towards the main canal in Ketterdam, wearing Mister Crimson and The Lost Bride outfits over their clothes. It was loud amongst the canals, tourists blustering around the cobblestone streets wearing almost nothing against the cool evening air. They moved surreptitiously towards the casinos, Kaz ducking his head every few metres when he spotted someone he knew wandering along the streets. The plan was simple enough, Y/N was an unknown in relation to Kaz and was one of the crows who could safely move around the streets without someone alerting the Stadwatch.

They glided underneath a bridge where Kaz looped a large a rope attached to the boat to the small entry point to the sewer system underneath the casino’s where Kaz would wait. He said nothing as they stepped out, Y/N stripping off The Lost Bride costume and holding her hands out to show him the outfit once more.

“Look good enough to seduce a guard?”

“He always goes for the girls with larger chests, so – “ Kaz cut himself off as he gestured towards Y/N’s chest. Y/N grinned and pulled her dress down a little more, revealing a bit more of herself.

“Better?”

“I better not regret involving you.” Kaz hissed, somewhat to himself, staring at the giggling girl in front of him.

“Let’s not underestimate the pretty ones, Brekker,” Y/N pouted and hoped back into the small boat. “I’ll see you soon!”

She waved a little over exaggeratedly and watched as Kaz shook his head before turning back to the canal and where she needed to dock to join the flock of tourists. She smiled brightly at one of the guards who was tying boats and helping guests out of the boats, deliberately pointing towards the Emerald Palace to try and filter tourists towards Pekka’s casino.

“Thanks so much!” Y/N cooed, smiling up at the guard who held out a hand for her, “Would you mind keeping an eye on that boat? I’d love to make sure I have one to get me safely home.”

“Of course, Miss,” The guard nodded his head, clearly glancing at her overfull bosom.

“Oh, thank you!” Y/N gripped onto his arm softly and walked away from him, turning back to give him a small wave over her shoulder. He was still watching her, blinking a little dazedly.

She moved quickly through the crowd, a little unsteady on her heels, heading towards the Silver Sun casino where Kaz had said Van Eck’s head guard spent his Saturday nights getting drunk and stalking the easiest girls in the club. Tonight, that would be Y/N.

She wasn’t questioned as she made her way inside, heading straight to the bar to get a drink, sans alcohol, not that it would look like that. She sat at the bar casually, watching over the crowd, scanning for the man Jesper and Kaz had described to her over and over again. Spotted. The large man, grey beard and pot belly with a small gold earring on his right ear and a booming laugh was sitting at a table to her right, holding a set of cards in his hands. Y/N prepared herself, shaking up her hair slightly and sipping some of her drink before stumbling towards the table, a drunken smile playing on her lips.

“Whose winning over here?” She slurred a little loudly, leaning over the edge of the table so that her breasts were in the corner of the Guards eyeline.

“That would be me,” He gave her a sly smile, “But I could use a bit more luck?”

“That’s what I’m here for, lovely,” Y/N bit her lip, giving him a very obvious once over and sitting down in his lap.

They spoke intermittently for a few minutes as the guard continued to play, looping his arm around her waist at one point, his greasy hands sliding against the soft dress.

“I want another drink,” Y/N pouted, “Can we get some more?”

“Of course,” the guard grinned at the men around the table, “We’ll be back soon.”

“Sure thing,” The man to his right winked back, taking his cards back as Y/N and the guard stood up and headed towards the bar.

“What would you like, beautiful?”

“Champagne!” Y/N giggled, pushing her chest upwards and hands behind her back.

“Done,” the guard ordered and handing her a glass of champagne that was very full. Y/N sipped it softly and smiled up at him.

“So, what does someone as fit as you do? Surely something brave and heroic.” Y/N slurred a little, feeling up his arm and gripping softly on his bicep.

“I’m a guard, for a very powerful man in the city,” He bragged, looming over her with a creeping smile.

“Who!’ Y/N widened her eyes and pretended to look impressed, “Come on, you have to tell me.”

“Ahh I don’t know.”

Y/N pouted, pressing herself up against the guards chest and looking up at him.

“Please…” She batted her eyelids and he grinned at her. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her ear. Y/N supressed a shudder.

“Mr Van Eck,” he whispered softly, clearly trying to be seductive.

“Wow,” Y/N bit her lip as he pulled away. “You must have done some amazing things! You know, if you buy us a room, I’d love to hear some stories.”

Y/N kept herself pressed against him and could feel his breathing increasing steadily.

“Well I am currently his most trusted guard.”

Y/N gasped, creeping an arm around his waist.

“I do love important men, they always know how to treat a lady.”

It was as if he couldn’t help himself, stuttering over words as Y/N moved her hands slowly across his back.

“I’m currently entrusted with ensuring the safety of his wife,” He whispered again, smiling as she bit her lip once more.

“You care for his wife! Mmm a soft side huh?” Y/N licked her lower lip softly, keeping her eyes on the man in front of her.

“You know I’ve got a place just around the corner…” The guard started to guide her towards the front door before Y/N had even replied, keeping up her pretence of stumbling as they made their way back out into the street. Y/N gripping tightly onto his arm and giggling every time she bumped into him.

“Oh wait, wait, I think I’m going to be sick.” Y/N stumbled sideways and away from the guard once they had stepped outside the tourist crowds and towards a small alleyway to her right.

“We shouldn’t wait here, it’s not safe for a girl like you,” the guard tried to pull her back to him but she moved sideways and stumbled forwards, pretending to lean over the wall of the alley way. The guard huffed, clearly annoyed at the detour but followed her off the main road. Bad move, Y/N thought, rolling her eyes as Kaz began limping out of the shadows and towards the man who still had his eyes on Y/N.

His cane whipped out and slammed into the guards knees, his body hitting the ground hard. Kaz moved over, looming over him, his preferred position over his enemies. He was still wearing the Mister crimson outfit but Y/N had winced when she saw the cane, closing her eyes. They had told him again and again that it was too obvious, but he’d refused to give it up, holding it tight to his body now like a hardened security blanket.

Y/N could see a flash of recognition in the guard’s eyes when he realised he wasn’t just being mugged, but he was being mugged by Kaz Brekker, his expression turning from fear to excitement.

“Look who we have here! The cripple king himself.” The guard struggled to move backwards and out of Kaz’s reach, sitting back against the alleyway wall. Y/N kept her pretence of fear, cowering back into the shadows as Kaz stalked his prey.

“Are you missing your pretty little spider?” Y/N could sense Kaz’ anger flaring when he mentioned Inej, still prisoner to Van Eck, and Kaz’ one failure. In Kaz’s momentary lapse of concentration the guard had pulled out a knife and swiped into the air, cutting across the front of Kaz’s body.

Kaz stumbled backwards and towards Y/N, which confused her more than anything. The knife was small and would have barely touched him, let alone give enough force to push him backwards. The guard stood up as Y/N stumbled sideways, shrieking loudly as she moved out of Kaz’s way, hiding behind the guard. She poked her head out from behind him, looking over at where Kaz was cradling his… glove? Fuck.

His glove had been slashed completely open, his right hand now completely bare against the cool Ketterdam evening.

“Pathetic,” The guard spat, “What kind of mastermind are you?”

“The kind with an accomplice.” Y/N slammed her knee in between the guards legs, pulling her hand around the front of his face when he was doubled over and pulling him backwards and away from Kaz before slamming his head against the stone wall. The guard slid softly down the wall, unconscious.

Y/N leaned down and rummaged through the guards coat, pulling out two sets of keys and hanging them in front of Kaz.

“These what you needed?”

“I didn’t need your help,” He hissed, jamming his right hand into his pocket. “This is ten times more conspicuous than the original plan.”

“That plan wasn’t going to work since you refused to leave your cane,” Y/N hissed back, pocketing the keys, “And a simple thank you would suffice.”

She rubbed her hands against her dress and checked on the guard. He was out cold, hopefully, a concussion.

“How did you know how to do that?” Kaz said after a moment, his face contorted as if it hurt to ask.

“Not that you ever asked, but I was in the second army. I know how to fight.” Y/N shrugged, handing Kaz his cane back which he’d dropped when his glove had been slashed. Y/N never asked about why he was always covered, but it wasn’t hard to guess that it had something to do with his bare skin against, well, anything. Great person to have a thing for.

“Right.” Kaz was still staring at her. It was a new stare, his head crooked to one side, eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Kaz murmured, lowering his gaze, “Let’s get back.”

When they arrived back at the house, everyone was still awake and sitting around the table. Nina was biting her nails as Mattias rubbed circles on her back. Jesper was practising cards by himself whilst Wylan watched him, calling out his mistakes every few minutes. They all looked up when Kaz and Y/N entered.

“So?”

“What happened to your glove?”

“You destroyed your dress!”

“Did we get the keys?”

“Can I not come home to peace for once,” Kaz growled, moving straight inside and towards the bedroom.

“No!” Nina called to him as he passed, “Y/N, what happened?”

“Well basically, I saved his life and now he is indebted to me forever.”

“Oh man, I need to hear about Kaz needing saving please.” Jesper begged, holding out his hands to her, “I will do anything, ANYTHING!”

“You all need to calm down,” Kaz had returned, a new glove on his right hand and his composure returned. “If anything she ruined half the plan.”

“Oh, you’re just jealous that I got the keys and you didn’t.”

“You got the keys instead of him?” Mattias looked impressed, though Y/N was sure it was just because he was desperate to take Kaz down a peg. Kaz scowled at him and Jesper snorted with laughter.

“I wish I could have seen Kaz’s face! Please tell me you absolutely destroyed the guard,” Jesper was sitting upon his seat, grinning mischievously.

“Knocked unconscious by yours truly.” Y/N bowed low.

“You’ve got to teach me some time,” Nina shook her head, “I never got into training with the second army back home.”

“You knew?” Kaz narrowed his eyes at Nina, “You didn’t think to mention she could fight?”

“I prefer to subvert your expectations,” Nina winked at him. “Come on tell us what happened.”

Y/N launched into the story, over exaggerating every so often to Kaz’s annoyance. The crows looked impressed by the end of the story, Kaz staring at her in the same confusing expression as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Well I know who I’m picking for partner next time around,” Nina leaned into Mattias, who was now playing softly with her hair.

Y/N blew her a kiss, turning back to Kaz.

“Here are the keys, I’m going to wash myself and go to bed because I am covered in drool.” Y/N bid them farewell and started to get ready for bed. It wasn’t until she had been laying in bed, wide awake, for over an hour that she heard a soft knocking on the door.

“Come in.” She called, sitting up in bed, leaning on the back wall where the cot was pushed up against. Kaz was standing in the doorway when it opened, his cane tapping against the side of the door frame. Y/N raised an eyebrow when he walked in slowly, closing the door behind him.

It wasn’t like they hadn’t spent time alone before, but he’d never come into her bedroom just as she would never dare enter his (though part of her wondered if he had trophies of all his enemies hanging up in there).

He didn’t say anything for a second, sitting in the small chair by her bed and pursing his lips.

“I just… wanted to say thank you.” He spoke softly, kinder than Y/N was used to. “For helping me.”

Y/N was momentarily shocked. Kaz wasn’t looking at her, rolling the cane around in his hands.

“Of course.” Y/N wanted to say more, ask if he was ok, what had happened to him. But she knew he wasn’t ready for that, if anything it would just push him back into the closet. “Anytime.”

Kaz lifted his head momentarily and gave her what looked like a smile.

“Sleep well.” He left the room slowly, turning back to look at her once before he left and the room was once again plunged into darkness.

Taglist: @maraudersandco @hermionie-is-my-queen @gollyderek

#Rainandhotchocolate #kaz x reader #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker x you #kaz x you #six of crows imagine #six of crows fic

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heartsechoed · 3 years

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zoya nazyalensky (grishaverse) an easy guide: (primarily book-based + show influences // book spoilers below up to row)

- squaller (= airbender) + later on she learns to control lightning - all because she kinda sorta has a thousand year old dragon spirit inside of her - proud soldier of the second army - half-suli on her father’s side, which is a part of her heritage she hid for most of her life - after her father left the family, she was left with her pretty shitty mother who tried to marry her off at the age of nine - her aunt was the only one to stand up for her and basically the only family she had...... up until the darkling kills her when he expands the fold; that’s when she decides she’s going to end this man’s whole career - at first sight, she looks like your typical mean girl - which she lowkey is when she’s first introduced, but she grows out of that petty behavior over time - has a tough af exterior and you’ll need approximately 938265 years to break past it (once you do, she is pretty Soft and ride or die) - wants grisha to be safe and treated fairly, and will follow any leader who can provide that, even if she doesn’t like them on a personal level - flirts like it’s second nature but not really looking for a relationship (until she does fall in love and it’s an Absolute Mess of pining) - “i can’t live without u” “then die” - has that Good character development throughout the series and ends up becoming one of the head grisha along with her friends (with whom she had a mutual dislike for quite a while there before she started opening up to them more) - by the end of row, not only does she end up mastering a bunch of different summonings thanks to her dragon friend, she also becomes the queen of ravka (which she really didn’t want at first bc she thinks she’s only fit for the war frontlines, but she realized she could do more for her country up on the throne) - for canon divergence from the show, please check this post

#( headcanon ; zoya nazyalensky )#the bio i had for zoya was really outdaded #with row + the show coming out #so i figured i'd update it #and i explained some basic stuff for non-grisha rpers #so y'all can interact with my queen as well

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justbitsofastory · 4 years

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“How could someone offering you a present sound so creepy.”

““Good, good.” He smiled, revealing a mouth of crowded, yellowing teeth, his gums black like a wolf’s. “I want us to be friends. It is so important that we are friends.”

“Of course.”

“I would be pleased if you would accept a gift from me,” he said, reaching into the folds of his brown robes and removing a small book bound in red leather.

How could someone offering you a present sound so creepy.

Reluctantly, I leaned forward and took the book from his long, blue-veined hand. The title was embossed in gold on the cover: Istorii Sankt’ya.

“The Lives of Saints?”

He nodded. “There was a time when all Grisha children were given this book when they came to school at the Little Palace.”

“Thank you,” I said, perplexed.

“Peasants love their Saints. They hunger for the miraculous. And yet they do not love the Grisha. Why do you think that is?”

“I hadn’t thought about it,” I said. I opened the book. Someone had written my name inside the cover. I flipped a few pages. Sankt Petyr of Brevno. Sankt Ilya in Chains. Sankta Lizabeta. Each chapter began with a full-paged illustration, beautifully rendered in brightly colored inks.”

-Shadow and Bone, Leigh Bardugo

@lbardugo

___

Review of The Lives of Saints:

Let me start off by saying how excited I was to hear Bardugo was publishing this book for us all to enjoy. I immediately froze, freaking out inside, as I read her post, trying to learn as much as I could about her new book. Every day I would log online in hopes she would release something new in regards to it. It’s one thing to read about this small, red book in Shadow and Bones, envisioning myself within the Grisha world and connecting to the characters as they fight against the darkness in their world. It’s another thing completely to actually possess it. By fully writing and publishing this book, she is giving us the chance to live the lives of the characters we read about.

Sure, we don’t have the power to heal someone. Sure, we can’t make someones heart explode with the snap of our fingers the moment they piss us off. Sure, we can’t drift our enemies out into sea, slowly downing them in what will be documented as a harsh storm.

But we can be like the little Grisha kids who would go to school with wide eyes and read the stories of the saints who will help guide them. We can experience the feelings they each felt while looking upon every illustration and crave to start the next chapter after finish the last. We can look back at everything that happens in the Grishaverse, rather it is the interactions between Alina and Mal or Matthias and Nina, with new eyes after learning the very stories they were once told.

It may just appear as another book to add to our never ending list, one that will cause us to redecorate our bookshelves in hopes to make room (even though we know we will never get everything to fit properly), but to me, it is another step into fantasy and a step away from reality. Bardugo once mentioned a nonexistent book in Shadow and Bones and yet here it is. Now all I need is Netflix to release the show.

#the lives of saints #shadow and bone #siege and storm #run and rising #Leigh bardugo #alina starkov #malyen oretsev #the darkling #book photos #books #book blog #shadow and bone netflix

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thewraith-inejisasaint · 4 years

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I started reading The Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy a couple weeks ago and it’s so good. The writing style is just hilarious and the circumstances of the story are as well. I really recommend reading it. It’s science fiction but it’s so comedic.

I also got the grishaverse passaport from eBay! It came with the two pins that are shown. It’s actually really cool

This is what the inside looks like

#grishaverse #six of crows #crooked kingdom #the grisha trilogy #leigh bardugo #passport #pins #book #merchandise #the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy #so funny #the book is from my school library #i got the passport on ebay #ebay

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padfootdidit · 6 years

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a little pretence (pt. i)

Kaz Brekker can pick any lock. Inej Ghafa can scale any roof. They’re powerful, unbeatable, intimidating, talented but - can they handle pretending to be in love?

What’s this?? A six of crows fanfic??? You bet! This is my first fanfic for these characters and this fandom so some of the characterisation might be a little off but please bear with me whilst I find my footing! This fic in particular has not been edited and is also not set in the Grishaverse. More like a limbo between that world and ours. What’s most important to know is that they had to leave Ketterdam for some reason or other and are in a new town where no one knows them. Yet.

For @fleamontpotter because, well, Kayla you’re amazing and also the person I need to thank for getting me into soc in the first place !! You’re so strong, so funny and so genuine. Thank you for introducing me to this bunch of idiots and for persuading me to write a fic. (Also shout out to @zeniik for also supporting me in this endeavour!)

read on ao3!

Saturday, 23:54

The Palace

Never in a million years would Inej had thought that this would be her most difficult job. Breaking Kuwei Yul Bo out of maximum security prison? Strong contender for top spot. Stealing forty million from Jan Van Eck? Sure. A routine heist with Kaz? I don’t think so. Yet, there she was, in the middle of the ballroom, struggling to keep it together because, well, she knew why. She was struggling to keep it together because Kaz had his arm around his waist and was currently telling an earl how they’d fallen in love.

Three Weeks Earlier

Tuesday, 18:06

The Waffle House

“- no way we’ll be able to get in, it’s basically a prison. You can’t -”

“- as if, you really think -”

“- not your best plan, Brekker, really -”

“What about through the front door?” Matthias’ firm voice cut through the bickering and everyone turned to look at him. Even Kaz raised his eyes, barely a fraction, but that was something.

“Don’t be daft,” Jesper scoffed. “They’re not going to welcome a crew of thieves to their party.”

“They won’t be. They’ll be welcoming two guests on the list,” Matthias said, leaning forwards on his elbows so they all head to crane their necks to hear him. “Specht can forge the invites easily enough.”

“At a cost,” Kaz said, speaking for the first time since they ordered. As everyone else had been arguing about ways in, the security, the risk, he had just been slowly working his way through his pile of waffles, listening. Inej knew he heard everything, whether or not he reacted. If Jesper had Kaz’s poker face, he’d win a lot more games.

“Surely one you’re willing to fit?” asked Wylan. They all knew Kaz would fit any cost for this particular job. It was going to make his name.

“So, me and Matt go through the front door,” Nina butted in. “And then what?”

“It can’t be you and Matthias,” Kaz said.

Nina scoffed and, around a mouthful of waffle and syrup said, “Well who else is it going to be? Jesper and Wylan? Doubtful.”

“Back off, we’d make great inside men,” Jesper said, petulant. It’s a moot point though, and they all know it. Nina swallowed, stabbed another waffle with her fork, and made to add to her point. Kaz was ahead of her. And Inej was ahead of Kaz.

“It has to be me and Inej.” Wylan choked on his milkshake. The others all shared a look and then laughed. Kaz was right though. What would be the point of getting Nina and Matthias in when they didn’t have the skills to carry out the job? It would be tricky enough getting them in through the front door, let alone making a diversion to allow Kaz and Inej to sneak in without invites. It had already been agreed it could only be two people inside anyway. Any more and they’d start to lose track. Kaz was the only one who could pick the locks and Inej was the only one who could cross the distance between the house and the safe house without setting off the alarms. “Unless any of you have suddenly learnt to walk the tightrope?”

Nina looked at Inej across the table, and Inej could tell she was trying hard to keep her eyebrows under control. Inej shrugged in response to the silent question. I’ll do what needs to be done.

“But surely only you’d need an invite, Kaz,” Wylan said. “Inej is the Wraith, she doesn’t need the front door.”

“A couple is far less conspicuous than a man on his own,” Matthias supplied and Inej wouldn’t be surprised if he was enjoying this. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Kaz since he’d first suggested it.

“So what, you guys are brother and sister?” Jesper asked, eyes alight with glee, and Inej frowned. They were all enjoying it. Nina wasn’t bothering to hide her shit-eating grin, the absolute traitor.

Kaz sighed and made to stand up, pushing his now empty plate across the table. “We’ll be distant relatives of the earl. We’re too young to be married so we’ll be betrothed.” His eyes flicked to Inej for a second as he buttoned up his coat. “We can work out a backstory later.” Then he grabbed his cane and marched out, the bell above the door jingling to announce his exit. They all watched him walk across the street in silence and then turned back to press Inej. But she had gone.

18:44

“I know you’re there,” Kaz said to the alley’s shadows. He’d know she’d follow him, had felt her presence join him two roads down from the Waffle House. Usually, he waited for her to talk, if she ever did, but this time his patience had reached the end of its tether. He leant against the wall and waited, suddenly unsure if she’d appear.

“Engaged?” Inej said as she landed softly in front of him. Clearly she’d been tracking him from the roofs, her favourite method. Her face was unreadable. He knew his was just as blank.

“Something tells me we won’t pass for siblings,” he said, tone flat. They might both have dark hair, but that was where their similarities ended. Kaz was the moon and Inej was the canal water it reflected on, although he suspected that that metaphor only worked for their appearances.

“You realise this means we’ll have to act,” she paused, and he could tell she was choosing her next words carefully, “like we’re in love.”

“Never heard of an arranged marriage?”

“Kaz.” Her voice was almost a growl and he wasn’t sure how they’d gotten there so quickly.

“I’m sure you can handle a little pretence.” A dig about The Menagerie would be too far. A dig about The Menagerie would never be on the table, not when Kaz was involved, yet it still hung in the air, the potential of it, and he could guess that’s what she’s thinking about.

“But can you?”

18:50

Inej jumped before he could reply and she forced herself not to think about the flash in his eyes as she pulled herself up the wall. She reached the roof of one of the two buildings that made the alley and looked down to check if Kaz was still there. He was staring up, not at her, he would never be able to spot her, but she knew it was meant to give that impression. She sighed. Or maybe he’s just looking at the moon. Nina’s voice in her head answered, doubtful.

The crescent-moon wasn’t bright enough to guide her across the new city, and she longed for the Barrel’s familiar rooftops so wouldn’t need it. The Barrel and its city was behind them now, and Inej needed to forget it. They couldn’t go back. That’s why they were here, starting fresh, starting small - well in terms of numbers. This job was anything but small. Kaz wanted to make his name quickly, carve his place before anyone could try and threaten them. It was just them though, which was nice. It was a relief not to be second-guessing who to trust.

She swung herself across the last gap of her journey and landed easily inside her window. Though the city was unfamiliar, Inej knew how to travel quickly, whatever the terrain. She was sure to have beaten Kaz back, and possibly the others as well. Which is why she took the chance to wash herself, knowing that soon her room would be crowded with Nina and Matthias. It would have been alright sharing with just Nina. Matthias complicated things though. Well, Nina and Matthias, together, a duo, a package, complicated things. Mainly they complicated things at night when Inej wanted to be sleeping.

As she stood over the cramped room’s basin and used the skinny bar of soap to rid herself of the day’s grime, Inej thought about the job. About what pretending to be Kaz’s betrothed would mean. What ‘a little pretence’ would mean. Holding hands? Smiling at each other? Staring lovingly into each other’s eyes? Kissing? Inej could handle half of those things, and none with ease. Kaz could most likely handle zero off the list, and they both knew it. Maybe, if they were lucky, their pretence would only have to hold for the time it took them to cross the ballroom. Inej didn’t believe in luck though. She believed in her Saints and she wasn’t sure they still believed in her.

A Week Later

The Slat 2.0

Friday, 10:17

“How long have you been together?” Nina looked far too happy to have this job. So far, Inej and Kaz had been performing abysmally at what Jesper had nicknamed their ‘compatibility test’. Inej blamed Kaz. Kaz blamed Inej. They both blamed Matthias for putting them in this position in the first place. For the past week, Inej had fallen asleep thinking of all the different ways she could introduce her knives to Matthias’ stomach, face, throat, legs, really any part of his body that presented itself. Kaz had taken to reminding Matthias that his only real use was for his muscles, despite this being mostly false.

“Three years.”

“A year and a half.”

Nina raised an eyebrow. “They’ll gut you.”

“I’ll have slit their throats before they can try,” Inej said, pointedly sharpening Petyr . She had also taken to bringing her blades to these sessions, as a reminder that she had the ability to kill anyone she wanted to before they could blink. It was unnecessary, totally, but it kept her calm.

“We’ll stick to three years. It’s closest to the truth so it’ll be easier to remember.” Kaz’s suggestion was met with a grin from Nina and Inej imagined cutting both of their throats.

“Excellent thinking, Brekker. So, how long have you been together?”

“Three years.”

“And how long have you been engaged?”

“A month.”

“Inej?”

“A month.”

“Brilliant!” Nina cried, clapping her hands together. “And now from the top.”

Kaz sighed. “Can we take a break?”

“Not if you don’t want to get caught! Now, how did you two meet?”

Inej answered monotonously for the rest of the session. They both knew the answers by now, and she’d hope so considering that they’d been going over the story every day since they came up with it. Most of it was the truth, or at least an adaptation of it. They had been working with each other for three years, so they’d been together for three years. Everything was derived from something in their lives, including how they fell in love. Jesper had come up with it, and Inej had just managed to restrain herself from skinning him. ‘You fell in love working together! Obviously!’ He’d declared, happening upon Kaz and Inej last Wednesday when they were first inventing the story. Kaz’s glare had been enough to shut any coward up, but Jesper was immune to them by now. He’d continued: ‘Every job you got closer and closer until, eventually, the sexual tension was too much and you sealed the -’. He’d only stopped when Kaz had rapped his cane on the floor twice, a warning.

Now Jesper wouldn’t shut up about it. Whenever he caught her without Kaz, he would ask her how the engagement was going, if they were waiting to consummate the marriage. Wylan wasn’t helping either. His favourite question was about Inej’s wedding dress.

She’d be relieved when, in two weeks, the job was over and she’d never have to talk about engagements or falling in love with Kaz again.

Two Weeks Later

Saturday, 20:30

The Palace

“Looking dapper, as always, Brekker,” Jesper said in Kaz’s ear as he and Inej joined the queue having their invites checked outside the palace. He was already regretting agreeing to having communications. It had been Wylan’s idea and, in truth, it was going to help. They wouldn’t have to rely on signals to know when to act, or be worried if someone didn’t show up to the rendezvous. Still, he’d rather not have everyone’s voices in his head when he was trying to focus. It was hard enough with Inej holding his hand. He’d had to buy a new pair of gloves, ones not adapted so he could easily pick locks, because he didn’t want to risk a single brush of her skin against his. His usual ones were tucked safely in his inside pocket, ready for when he faced the safe.

“And I just look like a mess?” Inej asked quietly, facing Kaz so that, to everyone else, it would just like they were chatting to each other.

“You look radiant,” Jesper said.

“Absolutely stunning,” Nina added.

“Positively a blushing bri-”

“If you’re quite finished,” Kaz interrupted, “should we get on with the job?” He refused to look at Inej. If she was blushing, it’s not like he would be able to tell anyway.

“Yessir,” Jesper said and Kaz could almost imagine his mock salute.

“In position Wylan?”

“Check.”

“Matthias?”

“Uhuh.”

“Jesper?”

“Guns at the ready-”

“Nina?”

“Yup. And I’ve got eyes on Rotty. He’s waiting by the exit route for you.”

“Good, then let’s get to work.” He and Inej moved forward with the line and he continued to stare straight ahead. He didn’t need to check she was ready, she was right next to him. Kaz was pretty sure he could feel her pulse flicking in her wrist. That couldn’t be possible though. Rather that than no pulse at all, he reasoned. But it wasn’t the time to start down that path. This was going to be an easy job. All he had to do was pretend to be engaged to Inej to get through the hall, and then they were basically finished. All he had to do was keep away from the memory of piled corpses and rotting flesh and blank eyes and lapping water and the stench and the

Kaz tightened his jaw. Not today, not now. Inej’s pulse was there. Even if he was only imagining that he could feel it. Everyone around him was living breathing beating alive. This job was going to be easy, over before he could think about it, and then his name would be made. All he had to do was pretend to be in love with Inej.

#six of crows #crooked kingdom #soc #soc fic #rhiannonwritesdrabbles #fleamontpotter #zeniik #steeveharrington #kaz x inej #the dregs #two of a kind #hope you all like this #am v nervous abt posting this #but ive done it now #so #NO GOING BACK #let me know if u want to be tagged in the second part

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