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jahayla-parker · 1 year

Note

writing prompt:

"We can't afford to gamble like this."

"Are you kidding? This is the perfect time to gamble."

for character of choice

To Gamble or Not To Gamble: Jesper Fahey x Reader

Description: 6.6k wc, Jesper and reader find themselves in a situation where they must decide how to proceed and Jesper suggests he puts his gambling skills to the test.

Warning: mention of injuries and some descriptions of that and blood, angst but happy ending, guilt and remorse, curse words, typical six of crows warnings, mentions of gambling and addiction.

“How are we supposed to sneak it off the table?” Y/n groaned, the side of her head resting against the brick wall in annoyance.

Kaz had sent her and Jesper to retrieve some antique chest that had saints-knows-what inside of it.

According to the intel Kaz had, it was supposed to be here, this dingy and cramped gambling den that is buried deep in the abandoned outskirts of the barrel.

The gambling den also operated as an auction house whenever their crew’s leader came into possession of something worthwhile; such as this allegedly valuable chest.

Kaz’s intel was right about the chest being present.

However, the chest was not up for sale during some auction.

Instead, it was being used by some gambler as payment for his night.

Y/n had frequented enough of these shabby gambling sites around Ketterdamn to know that it was rare for a gambling house to let someone pay in anything other than Kruge.

But anyone who looked at the chest, its shine nearly blinding despite its evident old age, knew it was likely worth a hefty price.

Not to mention, the house likely knew what was allegedly inside of it.

It would help if Jesper and y/n had been told of it’s contents, but Kaz once again elected not to share this crucial detail.

So, here they were leaning against the entrance to the smoky gambling hall trying to decide how to proceed.

A simple theft was one thing, but now that the gambling den’s customer had used the chest as payment for however many hands the house had agreed to, it was being closely monitored by countless guards and in full view of the remaining patrons.

“Relax love,” Jesper grinned, kissing her cheek, “I have an idea”.

“Care to share there, Jes?” Y/n teased, pulling her slumped frame off the bricks.

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” he winked.

Y/n laughed and rolled her eyes, “Jesper, they aren’t going to let that chest leave here”.

“They won’t have a choice if we win it” Jesper said, with a shimmer in his pupils.

“How are we going to do that?” Y/n asked, scanning the room.

“Do you see how the chest is resting on the table to the right, along with that box of Nastoki?” Jesper asked, placing his arm over her shoulder.

As her eyes made contact with the overpriced alcoholic import in question, she nodded.

“That means it’s not just being used in exchange to fund a few hands for whatever mercher brought it here. Instead, it’s up for grabs, assuming one wins at least the total amount the house exchanged for it, plus usually twenty five percent profit.” He explained confidently.

“Okay, so, I somehow calculate the worth of the chest.. maybe by asking around without striking suspicion? Even if so, how do we get it? Claim we played a few hands and then offer the money from Kaz as our alleged earnings in exchange for whatever it’s worth?” She questioningly planned aloud.

“No darling, it’s much simpler than that; I play for it” Jesper winked, smirking over at his girlfriend before looking at the den ahead of them.

“Jesper, honey, Kaz doesn’t want you -“ y/n began, feeling iffy about the idea.

“I know, I know, but come on it’ll be fun!” Jesper pleaded, practically bouncing with excitement.

“Jesper, we cannot afford to gamble like this” she told him.

“Are you kidding? This is the perfect time to gamble” he joked, flashing the kruge from Kaz.

“Unless we lose, then we’ll be far worse off than if we just tell Kaz we couldn’t get it today” y/n pointed out.

She didn’t really fear Kaz herself, but she knew that regardless of the outcome, Kaz wouldn’t react well to Jesper’s idea and that Jesper would in turn, pout the rest of the day until Kaz moved on.

“We won’t lose” Jesper said confidently.

“How do you know that Jesper?” Y/n sighed.

She didn’t want to make him feel bad about this, but she also needed to keep him level headed.

“‘Cause I’ve got you. You’re good luck” Jesper grinned, kissing her cheek flirtatiously.

Rolling her eyes she whispered “come on, let’s just go Jesp”.

“Doll, I’m serious, we can easily get that chest, we just gotta play a few rounds and it’ll be ours” Jesper swore, playing with the hair that hung on the sides of her face just next to her temples.

“Kaz will kill us, that is unless they kill us first” y/n resisted.

“Nah” Jesper said, wrapping his arm back over her shoulder, “we’ll be fine”.

She rolled her eyes, “no Jesper, now come on, we need to get out of here”.

“Kaz wanted us to grab the chest” Jesper argued, getting a bit irritated now.

He found a solution!

Why wasn’t she letting him fix this predicament?

“Yes, but not in this way” y/n reminded him.

He shrugged carefree, “then he should’ve specificed”.

“Jesper again, Kaz’s money or not, we cannot afford to gamble like this” y/n said, her eyes making note of each weapon she could spot the patrons hiding on their bodies.

“Love! Are you kidding?! I’m serious about this being the perfect time to gamble” Jesper defended.

“For you, I’m not sure there is such thing” she scoffed, giving him a soft but knowing look.

She wasn’t going to get on him about his issues, but she was also not going to encourage him to partake.

“Rude” Jesper feigned offense, “let me show you what I can do.“

While he knew she meant no harm and didn’t judge him, he wanted to show her this wasn’t a big deal.

He wanted her to see that he didn’t always lose the way Kaz liked to tell her he did.

Jesper cupped her face with his palm, “let’s go”.

As he guided her across the hall, his right hand never left her waist.

His left hand was resting on his hip, signaling to everyone he was carrying a gun should they try anything.

He was well aware that this wasn’t the most reputable gambling house in Ketterdam.

As such, he wasn’t sure how these patrons would behave around someone as radiating as Jesper found y/n to be.

He slid into an empty seat at one of the scuffed up dark mahogany tables.

Jesper tapped her hip bone softly as he guided her to sit down.

As she sat cautiously on his leg, he whispered into her ear, “relax love”.

“It’s not a good idea, Jes” she stubbornly stated, head buried in his neck making it seem flirtatious instead of appearing as a random couple suspiciously whispering inside the den.

As Jesper signaled that he’d be joining the game, he rubbed her back, “want to bet?”

Y/n leaned back to look into his fieldstone colored eyes, “ isn’t that already what you’re doing?”.

He smirked and kissed her cheek before turning his attention to the table.

Jesper was feeling lucky tonight.

He wasn’t lying when he said she was his lucky charm.

Perhaps it was merely that he paid more attention to the bets in an attempt to impress her.

Tonight only fueled that desire.

He knew Kaz had told her of his frustration with Jesper’s gambling.

He knew Kaz saw it as problematic and to be fair Jesper knew it could cause problems from time to time.

But he was hoping that maybe tonight he could show her it isn’t a big deal not was it always a bad thing.

Plus he didn’t want her to think he was horrid at the game, even if she didn’t really care if he was skilled in this area or not.

“Doll, play along please” Jesper pleaded in a low voice, leaning his chin over her shoulder as he placed his latest bet.

Y/n gave him a look when no one was looking their way, before her eyes once again analyzed the room for threats.

“Y/n/n, they’re going to know I’m up to something if we don’t “ Jesper whispered with a sigh as he examined his hand.

“I thought you didn’t recognize anyone Jesper” y/n asked with clear irritation in her tone despite the way she leaned into him to speak without anyone hearing.

“I didn’t, until now” Jesper said tapping her left arm softly before stroking it to remove any suspicions from the other patrons over his movements.

After a few moments of bickering between some of the other gamblers playing at their table, y/n looked slyly over to her left, flipping her hair flirtatiously as a mask for her real intentions.

As she snuggled into his body, her lips against his ear, hair covering her lips from view, she asked, “tall, white guy in stripes?”

Jesper bent his head in a sly nod as he smirked when a patron began watching him and y/n closely.

“Should we leave?” She asked, hand on his chest as she lifted her head and looked around the room as if bored.

“No doll, let’s just enjoy our date, hmm?” He asked, his tone as he said ‘date’ emphasizing his point.

Jesper knew this person in stripes to be Mr. Callaghan.

Mr. Callaghan knew Jesper and of his gambling troubles and it wasn’t good news if he was here.

However, Jesper figured if she could keep up their cover and make it seem like they were on a date, he wouldn’t find it questionable.

After all, the couple did have some nights she’d join him for a round or two, so it wouldn’t be too unusual.

The worker at their current table shoved the round’s winnings towards the undercover crows as soon as it was deemed Jesper won the round.

“Yes!” Jesper smirked, kissing her cheek, “what did I tell you doll?”.

Playing her part and loving the grin that formed on his face she smiled and cupped his face, “fine, you won”.

“Mmm” Jesper smirked smugly, “always do”.

“So not true” y/n teased, shaking her head softly.

“You do know who I came in here with, right?” He winked, “like I said, I always win”.

Y/n rolled her eyes as her cheeks heated up, shuffling closer to him.

They deliberately made their way to the lead table, trying to take enough time to not look suspicious.

But they also couldn’t take too long as y/n was certain Jesper’s luck would surely run out soon.

She hadn’t seen him this lucky in his wining streak before.

And while she was happy for him, especially as he seemed even more confident than normal, she knew it would take just one wrong overly wagered bet to make things go terribly wrong.

In order to earn a spot at the main table and be considered for the chest (and the similarly placed higher value winnings), the couple had to wage some large bets.

And while they’d been lucky so far, the luck was only making Jesper even more cocky and blind to the risk.

The wagers he was placing were now not only enough to keep them going to their goal, but were well above that for no reason other than Jesper needing that rush.

“Jes, honey” y/n softly spoke, rubbing his hand as he went to double his wager.

“Yes darling?” Jesper asked, kissing the bare skin between her collarbone and neck.

As y/n saw some eyes on her, she put on the facial expressions of an irritated girlfriend, giving Jesper a look with her eyes so he knew it wasn’t genuine.

“Can’t we just go Jesper?” Y/n wined, a dramatic pout on her face as she dragged her hand down his chest.

Jesper suppressed a smirk, not having any problem with her ruse if it meant her hands stayed on him.

Yet, he knew what she was doing, also having seen the other patron watching them closely.

Jesper felt a bit on edge, uncertain if they were scrutinizing their ruse or worse, checking y/n out.

As the man’s eyes glanced up and down y/n’s body as she sat on Jesper’s lap, Jesper restrained from laying his hands on his pistols and guiding his girl home.

Giving the man a warning glance before smirking and kissing y/n’s cheek, Jesper responded, “we will soon love, gotta win you that chest you wanted first, hmm?”

Y/n batted her eyes and nodded, “really? You can win it for me?”

Jesper grinned at her dramatic statement but also took it as a true challenge, “for you, of course“.

Jesper’s attention was drawn back to the other guy when he groaned and commented that Jesper needed to place his bet already.

Jesper smirked and slid some kruge across the table as he moved y/n to his other leg away from the guy.

“Jes, I can’t see the back office from this angle” y/n whispered, dipping her head into his neck.

Jesper hummed, squeezing her hip, “I know, but I don’t like you near him with the way he had his eyes on you”.

Y/n looked up from his shoulder to see what he was referring to; instantly making awkward eye contact with the man in question.

Swallowing thickly, she gave the man a look she hoped showed her lack of interest before turning back to Jesper.

“Where’s the chest?” Jesper asked, resting his hand on y/n’s small back as they stood at the table.

“When you’re ready to cash out, you’ll get it” the handler said, waving to his left; the direction where another worker had moved the chest.

“That’s not how this works” Jesper argued, starting to sense something was off.

“Look man you don’t want to have to carry it around all night “ the employee pushed.

Y/n rubbed Jesper’s arm as she stared at the man, “oh don’t worry! He can still play, I can carry it”.

Jesper fought back a grin and smirked, “as my lady stated, she can hold it until we leave”.

“That won’t be necessary. What, do you not trust us or something?” The man asked, staring at Jesper with a taunting gaze.

“I could give you just about a thousand reasons why that would be reasonable” Jesper remarked, moving his arm from behind y/n to her front.

The man looked Jesper up and down, “that is rich coming from you”.

Before Jesper could respond or y/n could react, the man continued, “the boss needs to record it for the books. You’ll get your winnings soon, why don’t you stay and play a few more rounds?”.

Jesper glanced over at y/n who sighed loudly, “it’s fine. We can wait a bit babe, as long as it doesn’t come back all scratched up”.

The man chuckled, “course not, no damage will be done to your pretty chest darling”

Y/N’s hand twitched against her leg, her fingers brushing Jesper’s thigh briefly as she restrained her disgust.

Jesper sent a harsh glare at the man and guided y/n away.

Jesper huffed as he walked back to the table.

“Play a few more rounds, I’ll find the chest” y/n whispered while no one was nearby.

Jesper raised an eyebrow at her, “says the one who didn’t want me to play tonight”.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed, “you got us into this, but now it’s hidden. Might be back to plan A of just stealing it. But we have to know where it is to do that. Three rounds max though”.

Jesper nodded, rubbing her back, “agreed. I am sorry doll”.

Y/n smiled at him, “it’s fine Jes, but be conservative on these rounds Hmm? Don’t need to go home short handed tonight”.

Jesper understood her message, not only should he do smaller bets, but he should also drag out the rounds by contemplating his betting decisions.

Partially because it meant less chances for him to lose his winnings, but also because he needed to make it seem like he had been trying to leave before he lost money rather than just because they’d earned the chest and were therefore done.

Y/n waited with Jesper for another few rounds, sipping on very watered down drinks.

Once the staff were back to ignoring her and Jesper, she stood.

“Where are you going hun?” Jesper covered.

“I need to pee” y/n said, pretending to as if she wanted to whisper but was too drunk to do so.

Jesper chuckled and nodded, squeezing her hand, “don’t be long”.

Y/n squeezed his hand back before moving through the crowd.

Y/n was just about to check if the next closed door in the long dingy hallway was locked when she heard voices.

She’d checked at least five rooms which were all useless, but no one had been present in them.

Y/n froze and leaned against the wall next to the door to keep steady so she wouldn’t accidentally make a sound but could still hear.

“He’s never this lucky” she heard someone remark.

“I don’t care. You weren’t to let anyone else play for it, Bracken!” The other voice barked.

Y/n felt a sinking feeling in her gut, it had to be about the chest.

This room was one of only three rooms left in her search of the club where she’d seen the chest be moved to.

Did they know what was in the chest?

Is that why they weren’t supposed to be waging the chest?

How did it get thrown in as part of the den’s possible winnings then anyways?

As she heard more arguing and feet shuffling closer, she glanced around before sliding back down the hall and through the bathroom door.

She took a moment to compose herself, feeling her hidden leg belt holding her small blade.

It was better than nothing, but far less ideal than what she normally liked to have on her.

But Kaz was insistent that this was to be an auction and even in Ketterdamn women were expected to wear dresses at such events.

Y/n was just glad she had brought a hair tie, having snuck it in by placing it inside her heel.

It was uncomfortable to walk in, but it meant her hair could be out of her way should things go sideways.

Taking it out, she tied up her hair and swiftly made her way back to her boyfriend.

Chest or no chest, the staff were getting suspicious and the couple would be wise to leave soon.

Meanwhile, Jesper had finished his third round and began panicking that she wasn’t back.

He did another round to distract himself and focus on trusting that she’d be able to handle herself.

“Saints, that girl really is your good luck huh? You suck without her” His opponent asked mockingly as Jesper lost yet another hand.

Normally, he’d be offended or at least give some sarcastically witty retort but his kind was on her absence.

She should’ve been back by now.

Jesper looked up and saw she was empty handed as she gave him a look that communicated she didn’t get the chest.

But he couldn’t have cared less, he was just glad she was okay.

He majorly regretted having suggested they stay instead of just telling Kaz the chest wasn’t up for auction.

Regardless that she hadn’t found anything and seemed okay, Jesper intended to keep her close to him now.

“What did I miss?” Y/n asked, adjusting her dress as she sat down.

“Nothing love” Jesper sighed, biting his lip.

The other guy scoffed and laughed, “you’ll see, he’s about to lose again”

Y/n glanced at Jesper who just shook his head, setting another kruge down to increase his bet.

“Something is up!” The man shouted, slamming his hands on the table when he lost.

“Woah” y/n giggled, playing her roll of ignorant girlfriend “you okay over there?”

The man’s nostrils flared as he growled, “hey! Security, it’s her!”

Jesper promptly stood, pulling y/n behind him.

She no longer had to pretend she was confused.

She felt like a lost and pathetically naive girl in that moment.

A large crowd formed around their table as her boyfriend shielded her, one hand on her and the other on one of his pistols that he was no longer concealing; his fingers twitching to pull them from their holsters.

She was too busy measuring the threats around them to listen to the argument, letting Jesper focus on that part.

But she knew from his tone Jesper wasn’t pleased, “not going to happen”.

“Look, she’s pretending to be scared and confused! Such a sneaky little bi-“ the gambler argued angrily as he moved closer.

Jesper pulled his pistol out within a split second, it now being positioned at the man as the den’s security freed their weapons in response.

The man stopped mid curse and smirked “see how defensive? He’s protecting his secret stash”.

“You’re done talking about her” Jesper remarked, his empty hand still on y/n as he moved her to a slightly more guarded spot behind him.

“Stash?” Y/n questioned, shaking her head.

“The innocent doe eyes thing isn’t going to work sweetheart “ the man remarked.

Jesper’s grip on his pistol tightened but he let his eyes flicker to his girlfriend’s hand that she’d rested on his hip when the scene first started.

Jesper felt horrible.

He’d gotten them into this situation.

He was the reason why there were not only men crowding them but armed men.

Not to mention, it was his reputation of bad luck that had this man doubting Jesper’s sudden string of good luck tonight.

“Leave her out of this. If you think I’m cheating take it up with me, not her” Jesper stated sharply.

Y/n glanced at the back of his head before back to the others and stepping sideways as she came to understand what was happening.

Jesper’s eyes shot to her in panic and disappointment, a firm whisper, “y/n/n”.

Y/n waved an arm down her body, “you think I’m concealing cards on me?”

Only one single man was decent enough to look embarrassed as she pointed out the fact her dress didn’t cover much; and therefore there weren’t many hiding spots.

“I mean, there’s not many places I could,” she chuckled, “but feel free to look”.

Jesper stepped closer to her, uncertain what she was doing.

The guy who’d been eyeing her earlier, smugly moved forward far too eagerly.

“With your eyes, not your hands” she demanded holding a hand up to stop the man.

Jesper glared at the man, his second pistol out and now pointed at the men as he clenched his jaw.

One guard looked her over, “how do we know you’re not hiding cards were your skin is covered?”

“Where?” She asked, hands running down her dress everywhere but the area of her knife belt, “there’s not even any pockets or sleeves”.

“You know where” the guard smirked, explicitly eyeing her breasts.

Jesper clicked his revolvers as he stepped closer with a low growl deep in his throat.

“Enough, we’ll just get out of your hair then. Let’s just cash out and leave , Jesper. “ y/n said, knowing Jesper was at his end.

He kept staring at the men for a little longer but nodded his head once.

He lowered his pistols at the same time the security did, but didn’t place them back in their holsters until after the others had put theirs away.

Not that it would matter, y/n knew very well that Jesper would easily be able to pull his guns back out long before the others could even attempt to raise theirs.

An obese man tossed a bag of their winnings towards the couple and y/n caught it.

Jesper placed his hand on her back and gently lead them to the door.

“My chest” y/n reminded them, turning around and stopping their exit.

Jesper wanted to groan.

Yes, they needed the chest.

But, he’d have found someway to make it up somehow.

Just not now, not when the staff were already on edge and eyeing y/n.

“Wouldn’t you rather have the money?” The man asked , “maybe your man will get you something nice with it”.

“My girl wants the chest” Jesper argued, “so, where’s the chest?”

“The chest is not for sale” some random person spoke loudly.

“That’s fine because we’re not buying it” Jesper smirked.

Y/n caught a glimpse of the chest next to the man who’d recently spoken up.

She nodded her head his direction and Jesper raised an eyebrow.

Looking back at the house boss, Jesper gave him a questioning gesture.

The unknown man pushed the chest against the ground, the box scrapping against the bottom of the bar.

Y/n and Jesper shared a moment of eye contact before all hell broke loose.

Y/n unsheathed her blade as Jesper flipped his pistols around on their way up to his hands.

The guards weren’t too far behind and soon the couple were separated.

Jesper wasn’t even watching where he was pointing his guns, his eyes following his girl as she fluently leaped between tables as she fought off some of the guards while trying to get closer to the chest.

He was glad she wasn’t only skilled at avoiding gunshots, but also that the guards were poorly equipped.

Most had a few, dirty but sharp blades, but few had anything of larger concern.

And for those that did, Jesper guarded her from them.

As someone tried to grab his left pistol, Jesper faced him and snapped the barrel upwards against the guys’ hand, using the man’s stumbled response to send him to the floor. Jesper hit the man’s head with the butt of his gun on his way down; knocking him out.

Jesper’s eyes had just located y/n when she hissed loudly, his wide eyes seeing red pour down her exposed leg; the color visible even under the minimal glow of the club.

Even though she kept fighting her way to the chest, Jesper rang shots out faster as he rushed towards her.

As he shot the man who had stabbed her, y/n looked over at him and gave him a weak cocky smile.

Jesper could see the strain through it and his heart dropped.

She looked away and clumsily jumped off the bar counter and towards the man and his chest.

“Y/n!” Jesper called, pleading her to stop.

“I believe that’s ours” she said to the man, ignoring Jesper.

“Psycho little -“ a guard said just before y/n used her good leg to swipe his legs out from under him and knock him down.

Jesper kept one gun pointed at the guards before her who were holding her at gunpoint.

His other was turned sideways to hit the man charging at him from across the room.

Y/N’s sharp inhale rang through the air, making Jesper’s eyes freeze for a moment in fear.

But as he turned to her, he saw her nearly on the floor.

None of the guards he’d pointed his gun at had even moved.

What happened?!

Y/n pressed a shaky hand on the dingy floor to catch herself, groaning as her wrist screamed at her.

The man she’d knocked down had returned the favor by tugging her dress’s edge downwards, making her land on the floor in front of him.

She looked down and faintly made out the dull knife the guard had in his grip just as he dug it into the already broken skin.

Y/n cursed and broke the guy’s wrist as she moved her blade to his neck.

She heard the men above her moving in response and she could envision all their guns directed downwards at her.

But, she couldn’t do anything about that.

At this one she had pinned would pay for the scar he likely was causing.

She knew Jesper was there, and she hoped he’d seen what was going on.

But, she knew he had countless other threats surrounding him in the packed bar, so she wasn’t certain if he had.

She flinched and squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the familiar clicking of guns and braced for their shots.

As gunfire rang out through the now-stuffy air, y/n felt the man pull his knife out of her leg, going back for another strike.

She pressed her blade to his throat tightly, knowing she had enough pressure to subdue him as she heard him start to squirm.

Upon hearing bodies hit the floor next to her, y/n peeled her eyes open and saw Jesper had wounded each man.

Jesper was beside her, kicking the guns away from the men as he bent down to lift her up.

“Hang on love” Jesper huffed, one hand around her waist as he hoisted her back to a standing position.

He positioned his other hand so it was pointing his pistol toward anyone who dared to try and come forward.

He didn’t want to have to shoot anyone else but he would willingly shoot-to-kill every person in the bar if that’s what it took to get his girl out and he wanted them to know that.

Y/n mumbled something unintelligible as she pressed her palm to her wound while trying to brace herself on Jesper.

Jesper fought to keep his sorrowful and pained eyes off her leg as he helped her walk out of the bar.

“Wait” she gasped, making him freeze as his wide eyes snapped to her face.

“T-the.. Ches-“ she groaned, eyes squinting in pain.

Jesper huffed in irritation but leaned her on the counter as he rushed back to the chest, hurriedly grabbing it and then her hand, “now come on”.

Once they’d ventured down the narrow side-street alleys far enough to feel somewhat less at risk, she slowed her pace as she moved to rest against the wall.

Jesper fell to his knees before her as she pressed her back against the cold mossy bricks, sliding down until her butt hit the ground.

He finally let his troubled eyes examine her leg, his teeth grinding as they did.

“Shit” he sighed, looking around for water to clear the wound so he could see it better, “love, fuck”.

Y/n chuckled faintly, rolling her head side to side as the back of it rested against the bricks, “it hurts like the bitch they said I am, but I’ll be fine”

Jesper shook his head, tears flooding his vision as he faced her, using his hand to wipe the blood away since there were no liquids around.

“Fuck, Jesp-“ she moaned, pushing her fist to her mouth to keep quiet.

He glanced up at her with remorse as he wiped some sweat beads from her forehead with his other hand.

Jesper stared back down at her leg, trying to problem solve, “I know baby, I’m so sorry. Shit I- I don’t. Okay so-“.

Y/n reached out and tenderly stroked his face, making him let out a choked sob, “Jesper, honey,-“.

He shook his head firmly, pulling the bottom section of torn material from her dress and pressing it against her wound.

She grimaced but nodded as his eyes looked into hers, “let’s go”.

Jesper gave her a thankful smile at how strong she was being despite their situation.

By the time they made it back, y/n was dragging her leg so much that Jesper was nearly carrying her.

In fact, he wished he was, but her stubbornness and pride got in the way.

Ironic, right?

He used his free hand to throw open the doors, not caring that they slammed against the wall loudly.

He was glad it helped announce their entrance, his focus on finding Nina.

“I-it- just a scratch Jes” y/n tried to comfort, gripping the material of his shirt.

He knew the wound wasn’t life threatening but he hated that there was one at all.

She shouldn’t have been hurt.

He shouldn’t have gotten her hurt.

As Nina finished up the stitching on y/n’s leg, y/n continued drawing shapes on Jesper’s palm.

He hadn’t left her side from the moment it happened, not even when Kaz tried to pull him out so they could talk.

He’d face Kaz’s wrath later even if delaying it only made him angrier.

He wasn’t ready to leave her side.

Kaz had taken the chest to hide it wherever and hadn’t returned since.

Nina had already fixed the pain and bleeding and was just stitching up the skin to aid in her healing.

“Twice daily, rinse between applications” Nina stated, facing Jesper as she handed him a jar.

“What is that?” Y/n asked, reaching for his other hand.

“It’ll keep it clean and fix the infection” Nina said softly.

“Infection?” Jesper asked, the way his head was still hung and the pain and guilt in his voice made y/n frown.

“Whatever Saints-forsaken dagger was used wasn’t exactly clean, nor is Ketterdamn” Nina explained.

Jesper nodded, turning the jar over in his hand as he scrutinized the material.

Y/n gave Nina a pleading look to which her friend smiled in understanding.

“But, she’ll be fine, you got her out” Nina said, “she’s lucky you were there, it could’ve been worse”.

Jesper began to argue but y/n squeezed his hand to stop him.

Nina gave them both a kind smile before she stepped out.

They both called out a thank you to Nina before y/n tilted Jesper’s head up so she could his pewter-green eyes she adored.

He took a shaky breath, setting the jar beside her as he cupped her face with his hands, “I’m so sorry y/n, if-“.

“Please stop Jes, it’s not your fault “ she sighed.

“Doll, -“ Jesper argued softly as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Jesper!” Kaz’s booming voice called out the sound forced into the room before the man himself did.

“Ka-“ y/n began defensively.

Jesper shook his head at her, willing to accept his punishment.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, was I?” Kaz snapped, sending her a harsh stare.

But y/n noticed the way a grimace formed as his eyes fell to her patched leg.

It lasted only a split second before his anger returned and he looked at Jesper.

“I know” Jesper admitted, not moving his eyes from his girlfriend’s leg.

“Then look at me when-“ Kaz demanded.

“Look at you?!” Jesper scoffed shaking his head, “y/n’s hurt because of me, I’m not taking my eyes off her until she’s healed”.

Y/n pouted as she sighed, unsure how to help him.

“You two were to get the chest. That’s it! Then you come back bloody” Kaz stated looking at y/n.

To Jesper, he said, “and you gambled with the kruge I gave you I said to only use to purchase the chest!”

Jesper nodded, looking intently into y/n’s eyes, “I should’ve listened. We should’ve left when y/n suggested”

“Aye! Brekker, we got the chest did we not?” Y/n smirked, stretching her leg on the bed.

“And came back inoperable for at least a week” Kaz griped.

“At least two” Jesper corrected firmly.

Kaz raised an eyebrow at him, having spoken to Nina himself moments ago.

“Jes,” y/n shushed, “not helping. And Nina said one week”.

Looking back her way, Jesper gave her a pleading look, “two”.

Kaz wanted to keep criticizing them Jesper but even as mad as he was at the behavior, after watching the way Jesper looked at y/n, Kaz could tell he wasn’t going to be making that mistake ever again.

Y/n played with Jesper’s rings as he held her torso to his side.

“It’s not your fault” she reiterated for the hundredth time.

Jesper let out a loud sigh, watching her fingers spin the rings he donned.

“You had said we should leave. I should’ve listened” he admitted.

The scene had been playing over in his mind on a loop.

“You had an idea Jesper, and it would’ve worked if things hadn’t changed twice on their end” y/n said encouragingly.

Jesper stayed silent as he wished he could take her place.

He deserved to be the one with a gash in their leg not her.

“Jes, my beautiful baby boy, Kaz’s intel was wrong. You tried to adjust so we could still accomplish the task. You had no way of knowing they’d change things again on us” she pointed out, lifting his knuckles to her soft lips.

It was true.

Inej had just left y/n’s room after informing them that the auction had been cancelled moments before they’d arrived.

Allegedly because the seller argued for a better price for which to sell it to the auctioneer.

Then, the seller made a deal to wager the chest instead, in a bet he wagered against the auctioneer.

Through all of that, Jesper’s plan would’ve worked.

However, unbeknownst to them, the auctioneer/gambling den’s leader had staged one of their own employees at the tables to win it.

But, the seller too had arranged a ploy, intending for the box to be won by his true buyer.

Evidently whatever was in this box was not something one could legally sell or even auction off.

Not that Ketterdamn much less the bare ever stuck to the laws or legalities.

But, Inej found out the intended buyer was a high ranking merchant and therefore had to make it seem they’d stumbled upon the chest on a routine night of high stakes gambling in some abandoned part of the barrel.

“Doesn’t matter” Jesper mumbled.

“Jesper Fahey, come on now” y/n pouted.

“I let my ego get in the way and you- you’re hurt becau-“ Jesper rambled.

“Don’t you dare finish that Jesper “ Y/n warned, holding his hand tightly as she kissed his knuckles again.

“Y/n, just…please, you don’t know the underlying motive I had” Jesper remorsefully whispered.

“Which was?” She asked, letting him explain in hopes he’d feel better after.

“I wanted to impress you- and Saint’s! I just.., like I said, my ego won and I wasn’t thinking as clearly as I should’ve been. I should’ve been more focused on our safety. Your safety. But instead I was thinking about showing off to try and impress you. I’m so sorry y/n, I-“ Jesper mumbled, voice strained.

She pushed her tailbone into the mattress beside him as she leaned to sit up without moving her leg.

Y/n turned to look at him as he copied her movements with a mixture of confusion, fear, and sadness swimming in his normally comforting eyes.

She shook her head vehemently, grabbing his hands in hers.

“Jesper Llewellyn Fahey” she hummed and shook her head with a smile on her lips, “you, my dear, do not need to try to impress me. You already impress me on a daily basis. Okay? You’ve got nothing you need to prove; certainly not to me. I need you to know that”.

Jesper let a few tears trail down his cheeks, hitting her thumbs until she tenderly wiped them off before kissing both of his cheeks.

“I really am so terribly sor-“ Jesper began again, his arms locking behind her to hold her to him.

“Fahey, if you don’t stop apologizing I swear I will hide your ever so precious pistols somewhere in Kaz’s office” y/n threatened.

Jesper chuckled into her hair, kissing her ear softly.

“I like that sound” she hummed, snuggling into him, “are you okay now? This is over, hmm?”

“Two weeks” he spoke, playing with her hair.

“Ugh” she complained, “fine but only if you’re keeping me company during those two boring ass weeks”.

Jesper tucked her head deeper into his shoulder, as he held her, listening to her breathing to soothe any remaining negative emotions.

“Darling, I’m never leaving your side again” Jesper threatened sweetly, closing his eyes.

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