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If there is something Wylan knows about himself with everything he’s been through until now in his life, it’s that he is good at adapting to new situations and find his own ways of learning new skills despite not knowing how to read. So when he heard Kaz earlier today complain about one of his waitress being sick on a Friday night which is one of their busiest night. Well, Wylan nicely proposed his help as a replacement. « Have you any experience with clients ? » had asked Kaz.
« I did work at the tannery so… » had tentatively tried the boy. Kaz had looked at him unconvinced by the boy’s point. « And I’ve already seen how the rush works, I’ve also memorised the list of what you serve here. » Wylan added hoping this would help his case.
Kaz still looked mildly unsure but he had no one else on such short notice so he gave in and accepted Wylan’s help. « For tonight then, that’s settled. Be ready at 6 bells, I’ll have one of the girls give you the specifics, we have a busy night ahead. »
Kaz gave a last glance at Wylan, implicitly giving him a chance to change his mind but Wylan seemed set on doing this job tonight. Kaz, finally left to give his orders to the dregs for the evening ahead.
…
In his shared room with Jesper, Wylan was slowly getting ready.
« So tell me again. » said Jesper from the bed where he lied bare-chested, his eyes fixated on his boyfriend. « Why did you agree to work the whole friday night when you didn’t have to ? ».
Wylan didn’t look away from his reflection in the mirror while he buttoned his shirt up. « Because I wanted to. I like spending time in the Crow club on busy nights, I get to be with you and the others. ». His task complete, Wylan went back to sit on the bed next to Jesper.
« Not that I don’t love spending time with you dear, but you can do that without working. ».
«True, but I’ve always liked to watch how it all organises itself. How everything falls in place in nights where the rushs are intense, people being lucky and joyful, music in the air… » Wylan seemed to visualise it all in his head. « It’s fuzzy with all kind of energies. It’s like watching a world in pocket size ». The boy suddenly realise how weird it sounded and turned to look at his boyfriend afraid Jesper might think he’s crazy.
« If you say so, love. » Jesper responded sounding amused by his boyfriend unique view of the world. He stood up to give a chaste kiss on Wylan’s cheek. « Still, I think you’re too nice, helping Kaz for nothing in return. ».
« Well, I’m only useful when we’re on a job, I may be your demolition expert but when there’s nothing to blow up I’m not much of a use. » Wylan lowered his head, Jesper resisted the urge to joke on that but the slight touch of shame and sadness in his lover’s voice stopped him. Wylan, quickly corrected his tone though to sound more cheerful. « But I’m glad I can help tonight ! By the way I better be going ! » He exclaimed before he gave a quick kiss to his boyfriend and exited the room.
Jesper, followed Wylan’s movement until he was out. The Zemeni boy sighed and pulled himself out of bed. If his boyfriend wanted to play the waiter tonight, Jesper might as well be there to see that.
…
« How is he doing ? » asked Inej.
Jesper was at the bar, a shot of whiskey in hand, eyes on his lover navigating in the room, efficiently serving drinks and cocktails to the clients. Wylan wasn’t lying about his memory, not that Jesper ever doubted that. The boy knew by heart the name of every drinks the club proposed, he also remembered what was the number associated to each table. If Kaz had been afraid that Wylan’s inexperience would slow him down, he was now fully reassured.
« Amazingly, never thought otherwise. » said confidently Jesper.
Kaz, who was only just emerging from his office joined Jesper and Inej against the counter. « I might consider hiring him full time » he admitted, which only earned a look of disapproval from his gunslinger.
« I’m not letting you steal my boyfriend every nights boss. » protested jokingly Jesper.
When Kaz responded only with one of his signature side eyes glare, Inej took her cue to propose a break and a drink. The night was quite advanced, Kaz had dealt with the main things he had to do for now and allowed himself a little moment of peace with his crows.
Wylan was feeling quite satisfied by the work he was doing. After a quick explanation on what part of the club he had to cover he began taking orders and bringing drinks. The bartender and the girls working with him told him how helpful he was tonight. His clients seemed more than happy to see their drinks come quickly as they enjoyed their games. Sure he heard some rather dirty remarks from clients here and there but nothing to bad, they were in the Barrel after all. Wylan knew that for the most insistent ones, Jesper had his way of scaring them off.
Overly, clients were in a good mood. But everyone knew, as the night goes on, things can get more heated. If some wins, some must lose.
« Come on mate, you should stand down ! Haven’t you lost enough kruge for one night ? » laughed one of the men at the table Wylan was approaching after being called.
« Shut up Viktor ! One more game and ya’ll go crying to your mom for losing your money tonight ! » claimed the other.
Wylan took a second to let them finish their little argument, while waiting he gave a good glance at the annoyed man before him. Wylan couldn’t say if he was tall seeing as he was slumped on his chair. The man’s cheeks were red from alcohol and from his frustration at the game or so Wylan supposed. He was big but not particularly muscular, the man must be around his sixties, as his hair is streaked with white and grey.
« What can I do for you sir ? » asked Wylan with a polite smile. « Bring me a double whiskey, ravkan whiskey not Kerch and beers for this gentlemen who are about to lose their bets. » This earned a choral of ‘oh’s and laughs around the table. Wylan began to make his way to the bar when he heard : « Hurry up boy, I’m thirsty » from the man behind him.
When he arrived at the bar he was happily surprised to see Inej, Jesper and Kaz chatting together with a drink in hand. Jesper interrupted the monologue he currently was giving on how hats were the best part of all his outfits when his gaze met Wylan’s. Much to the relief of the other two..
Surprisingly, Kaz was the first to inquire on how the boy was feeling. « A bit exhausted but the good kind I think. » Wylan answered with a timid but assured smile. « You’re shift is almost over, you’ve done well Wylan » Kaz was not the kind to give a praise lightly and Wylan felt his heart warm up with pride.
Inej and Jesper watched quietly but they both knew how much those words were important for Wylan.
« Last order of the night I reckon. I’m gonna need four beers and a double whiskey, ravkan. » Wylan demanded. « I’m sorry we’ve finished our last bottle of ravkan whiskey » said the bartender already putting down two of the four beers asked on a wooden platter.
« Our shipment arrives tomorrow, give them a Kerch whiskey and if there’s any problem just tell them this one’s on the house » settled Kaz. The bartender nodded and finished to prepare the order.
« A last shot before I take my boyfriend back boss ? » exclaimed Jesper playfully, Kaz sighed but didn’t refuse.
Wylan made his way back to the table with his platter full, he carefully put down each beers in front of the men. By the looks of it the older one who had claimed he’d win earlier was not having a better luck and seemed quite upset by how the game was unfolding. When Wylan arrived by his side he slowly put the drink down, eager to leave and go back to Jesper. His shift went smoothly but left him mentally and physically exhausted, Wylan couldn't wait to go lie down on his bed.
« What in the Saints !? Are you trying to poison me boy !? » snapped the man in a fit of anger, he got up brutally sending his glass, some coins and some cards on the floor. The sounds of shattering glass sent Wylan in a sudden state of anxiety. Under the strong and furious gaze of the man, memories of his childhood came back flooding in his mind. His breath was caught in his throat and he could feel the rise of a panic attack. He desperately tried to get a grip on reality and calm himself down but…
« I asked for fucking ravkan whiskey, you useless boy ! » yelled the man raging.
Useless boy, you’re not worthy of being my son. You’re not worthy of being the name Van Eck.
« Don’t you know how to take orders !? »
Are you capable of anything ? You can’t even read !
Images of his father yelling at him and threatening to punish him filled the boy’s head. Wylan could hear it, almost feel the stinging pain of a belt or his father’s hand on his skin. He remembered how much he had begged for it to stop. Overwhelmed, Wylan’s legs gave up under him as he sinked to the floor, he was shaking uncontrollably, quiet sobs barely contained. « I-I’m sorry » he kept repeating, head as low as possible. The rest of the world around him was blurred, every sounds were amplified to Wylan’s ears, he just wanted to disappear, melt into the ground.
The man looked even more annoyed by Wylan’s reaction, he wanted a fight, he needed to get all his frustration out but he couldn’t, not as much as he wanted at least. He couldn't make sens of the boy's reaction but seeing as his words didn’t provoke what he expected, he raised his hand up in a motion to slap Wylan.
Such a disappointment !
Wylan could see his father’s hand raise at him, he’d not been good enough, not done enough. He was a child all over again, terrified and alone. Wylan closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable blow.
A disgusting noise of bone cracking against metal.
The sound of guns being armed.
Daggers sliding against soft fabrics.
A beat of silence.
Wylan looked up.
He saw Inej first, she was behind the man and had his head pulled back by his hair and a dagger under his throat. Next, he noticed the man’s arm stopped by Kaz’s cane just above Wylan’s head. Kaz was at his right, a stone cold murderous gaze fixated on the man who just tried to hurt his crow. Finally, Wylan could feel more than see his boyfriend’s presence behind him both guns out and pointed at the old man.
In a swift movement, Inej tackled him to the ground while Jesper fell to his knees at Wylan’s level.
« Wy, you’re safe, I’m here. Is it okay if I hug you ? » whispered softly the Zemeni boy in an attempt to not startle his boyfriend. Wylan simply nodded, still not fully out of his haze. His breath was still rigged, his heart was beating really fast and he felt dizzy. Jesper gently pulled Wylan into a warm and reassuring embrace. Both of them didn’t pay much attention as some of the dregs came hold the man up by his arms in front of Kaz Brekker.
« I’m a customer here !? You can’t treat me like that ! » protested loudly the man. Jesper rose his gaze at him, ready to put a bullet between his eyes but then he caught his friend and boss’s glare. Contained fury, the same kind of look he had when he had talked about destroying Pekka Rollins. « And for what ?! This pathetic piece of- ».
A sharp punch of his cane in the man’s jaw shut him up. « I will not tolerate such ill-temper in my club. Especially against my staff. » said Kaz in a low, calm yet menacing tone. « If I ever hear about you causing trouble again, you might lose more than a few teeth » threatened Dirty Hands, the bastard of the Barrel. He then motioned to the dregs to let the man go. He scrambled on the ground to gather the little money he had left and hurried to the door. « Show’s over, please keep enjoying your night in the Crow club » announced Kaz.
As the people around slowly turned back to their activity, Kaz brought his focus back on Wylan who was now surrounded by both Jesper and Inej. Wylan seemed to have calm down a bit thanks to Inej’s breathing exercises. « You should get him upstairs » advised the Suli girl.
« Wy, love are you able to stand ? » instead of answering to his lover, Wylan looked up to Kaz with frightened eyes. « I’m sorry I- I can clean up, I’m sorry » he stuttered.
Kaz’s gaze softened with a hint of sadness for the boy before him. « Wylan, you follow Jesper. » indicated the Crow’s boss with a firm yet gentle voice. Then he repeated ; « You’ve done well tonight, it’s time for you to rest. », the praise made Wylan gasp and was followed by more quiet sobs. Kaz knew Wylan wasn’t crying out of fear this time but out of relief from these words. He was safe and he would not get punished like he used to.
…
In their bed, Wylan and Jesper were cuddling. This had been an eventful night for Wylan and as the tension left his body, he felt more and more exhausted. Jesper broke the silence first since they got into bed. « Wanna talk about what happened ? You don’t have to if you don’t want to. ». The other boy hesitated, sighed and decided it was better to get it out of his system now or he wouldn’t be able to sleep at all.
« He… He reminded me of my father. That's why i freaked out... When he called me useless, when he implied I was incapable of doing something right. » Jesper stayed silent, leaving space for his partner to either end the conversation there or keep going. « I know I haven’t talked a lot about my past but… My father wasn’t a good man, he hated me for not being the son he wanted and needed. »
« He can’t hurt you now. » assured the Zemeni boy with a determination that Wylan found sweet. « I’m here. So is Kaz and Inej. We won’t let you get hurt, you’re part of the Crows now. »
Wylan’s lips curved into a tiny but honest smile. « One day maybe, if I gather up the courage I’ll tell you all about it. But for now… Thank you Jes, really. » whispered the boy genuinely happy to be in a better place now. His boyfriend could see that and wanted nothing more than to keep him safe and protected.
Jesper let his hand lightly slide against Wylan’s cheek and tenderly pulled his lover’s face into his own « I swear, you’ll never be hurt or sad again. I’ll give you the sun and moon and I’ll keep you safe just to see you smile and- »
Not for the first time and hopefully not for the last, Wylan shut his boyfriend mouth with a kiss.
If I gather up the courage I’ll tell you about it all, but not now, not today. Let me enjoy this bliss a little more.