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"I may be a criminal, but even I have my limits."
Jesper looked at Wylan with a mix of shock and disbelief.
Wylan snickered and immediately regretted the move as sharp pain struck his chest.
"See??" Jesper said pointedly. "You have several broken ribs, Wylan. I will not touch you until a medik has seen your wounds."
Wylan let his head fall back to the back of the sofa. He only suggested that he wouldn't mind starting on that particular down payment. But Jesper still looked at him like he was some fragile doll.
"I can handle it. I waited enough for it. For you."
Jesper's smile was sweet as he ran a finger gently down Wylan's jaw.
"Then what's a little more? Have patience, merchling," he leaned close to whisper into his ear. "Good things come to those who wait."
Wylan gave him a sour look. "You are not making it easy."
Jesper grinned, his eyes shining wickedly. "Who said anything about easy?"
Wylan groaned and managed to keep his painful grimace to himself. Okay, maybe Jesper had a point. But he didn't have to be happy about it. Wylan decided to be sulking all afternoon.
"You are pretty when you are cross, sweetling," Jesper said, picking up Wylan's hand and pressing a tiny kiss to his wrist.
"Pretty annoyed at the moment," Wylan groaned.
The medik finally arrived after 8 bells. By that time, Wylan was definitely cranky about his limited movements.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting Mr. Van Eck, Sir," the man apologized as he rushed through the door. "It's absolute mayhem out there. What is this city coming to... criminals everywhere..." He stopped abruptly as he saw Jesper spread out on the sofa.
Jesper knew exactly how out of place he looked in the luxurious drawing room of the Van Eck mansion, but he couldn't care less. They better get used to it, anyways.
"It's okay, really," Wylan said with a kind smile. "Thank you for coming anyway."
"Of course, of course. Being a member of the Merchant Council makes you a high priority, Sir. Where can we work?"
Wylan looked around. His old bedroom got turned into a nursery and he didn't really choose a new bedroom for himself yet. He was averse to claiming his Father's room as his own.
"I think we are good here," he sat back down next to Jesper, who immediately took his hand in his own with an encouraging smile.
The medik gave Jesper a last resentful look before getting to work.
Jesper had to squeeze Wylan's hand when he saw the damage done to Wylan's upper body. The otherwise creamy white skin was brutally bruised, patched with red and blue.
"Looks worse than it is," Wylan tried to say, but it was to no good.
"No, it isn't," the medik said with a shake of his head, as he assessed the damage. "Several ribs are broken, and there might be inner bleeding. I will do my best, but you should maybe find a grisha healer."
"Too bad Nina is not in that business anymore," Wylan groaned and squeezed Jesper's hand as the medik started to rub ointments into his skin. "Maybe we could ask Genya? Are they still in the city?"
Jesper shook his head. "Genya is a Tailor, not a Healer. We will find someone, don't worry."
The medik worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning out and dressing up most of Wylan's bruises.
"There is nothing much I can do about the ribs," he finally said as he packed his bag. "You probably don't have inner bleeding, but it will take a couple of days at least. Keep to your bed and have someone change your bandages daily. I will leave my card and the instructions with your staff."
"You can leave it with me," Jesper said with a charming smile. "I will take care of Mr. Van Eck."
The medik handed the papers over reluctantly, before leaving. They could hear him scoffing under his breath.
"What has this city come to when Barrel rats infiltrate the respectable families..."
Jesper put the papers down on the coffee table and turned back to Wylan who was stretched out on the sofa, buried among the various pillows.
"How are you feeling?" Jesper asked, pulling a pillow off Wylan's face.
"Miserable. And still horny."
Jesper chuckled and caressed Wlyan's face softly. "We will get you a Healer, don't worry."
"It's highly unfair, that's all I'm saying," Wylan pouted.
"I know," Jesper said softly. "Now up you go, let's find you a bed in this huge ass place. I'm sure there is plenty to choose from."
"I don't care, choose one," Wylan said as they climbed up the staircase.
Most of the guest bedrooms were always prepared and made, keeping them available for Van Eck's business partners.
Jesper opened the first one on the right and helped Wylan inside. The room was spacious and warm, a fire already burning in the crate, the curtains closed over the french windows.
"Perfect," Wylan muttered as he collapsed on the double bed. "Stay with me?" He asked, looking up at Jesper with big, tired eyes.
"Of course, merchling. You are not getting rid of me that easy. Scoot."
Jesper kicked his shoes off and put his holster down on the bedside table with his prized guns so he could wrap his arms around Wylan.
"I will make that down payment tomorrow," Wylan whispered and Jesper kissed the back of his neck with a chuckle.
"Of course. I will hold you to it. Sleep now, sweet prince."
But Wylan was already asleep, the exhaustion of the past weeks finally catching upon him.
Jesper smiled to himself and closed his eyes. For once, he felt no need to chase the high of gambling. He already hit the jackpot.