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At first, Wylan felt a little guilty about blowing up the Crow Club. Even if Kaz Brekker, the bastard of the Barrel himself had asked for it. The reconstruction process had not been too long fortunately and when Wylan and the rest of the Crows entered the brand new Crow Club, the demo man felt a lot better. For everything had been upgraded, the furnitures, the bar, the whole interior decoration. You could still recognise the soul of the previous Crow Club but this was a new and better version of it. Thanks to Nikolai’s country’s money for the most part. « We need a party to celebrate our big return » had pleaded Jesper. Surprisingly enough, Kaz had agreed, for communication strategy he had assured but Jesper suspected that his boss also wanted to enjoy a little good time after all they’ve been through.
For all he knew, Wylan wasn’t a huge fan of parties. The only ones he remembered going to were when he would accompany his father outside or when they were receiving guests. In both cases, Wylan mainly remembered how ashamed his father was of him. How he would either force him to hide in his room as much as possible or how he would make fun of him in front of his merchants friends. In the worst scenarios, Wylan would get punished for saying or doing something wrong according to his father. Parties had never been fun before so Wylan had been a little wary when Jesper insisted that he should come. « Please Wy ! You’ll see it’s going to be so much fun ! » had begged Jesper and in the end Wylan couldn’t resist his boyfriend’s endearing excitement.
In the past, Wylan had come near the Crow Club, mainly to play his flute and hope to get enough kruge to buy a modest meal. There was this one time he met a beautiful Zemeni boy and bought him stroopwaffles, maybe the only time he entered the previous Crow Club but only to go through it and straight to a room where not-so-straight stuff happened. But this was another story. What is meant to say is that for the most part Wylan only heard from the outside how exciting and fun could a night at the Crow Club be.
Wylan was curious and after all he deserved as much as the others to enjoy himself. He was a crow now, wasn’t he ?
…
« This one is one of my favorite cocktail ever, you have to try it. » informed Jesper cheerfully as he put down two glasses on the table he and Wylan shared. They already had several shots of different alcohols and despite the small quantities Wylan knew he would soon be tipsy. The club was at full capacity, the musicians Kaz had hired for the night had brought a lot of new clients which was very good for business. Wylan liked this atmosphere more than he thought at first, much to Jesper’s pleasure. He enjoyed hearing the music in the air, he missed playing his flute or the piano. Perhaps he could ask Kaz to perform one night at the club. He enjoyed seeing people having fun too, it’s been a while since he’d been surrounded by such a festive energy.
« Thanks, Jes » Wylan took a sip and his lips curved into a small ‘o’ form as he tasted the sweet liquor. « Is there any alcohol in there at all ? » questioned the younger boy confused.
« Yes, there is. That’s the catch of it, its so good but you don’t see how strong it is until you’re already drunk. » warned Jesper with playful eyes. « But it is divine ! I couldn’t live without it » sighed dramatically the Zemeni boy. Wylan rolled his eyes but still smiled at his partner and took another sip as did Jesper.
« Those musician are good, I miss playing and dancing » he admitted as his gaze was fixated on the dance floor. The Crow club wasn’t usually a dance club but for tonight Kaz had wanted something a bit different to attract new people. « You think Kaz would let me play the piano ? » Jesper who had followed his boyfriend’s gaze to the dance floor turned back to him with a huge smile.
« It would be wonderful Wy ! » exclaimed the gunslinger already thinking about how he would pitch it up to his boss as the idea of the century.
« What would be a wonderful idea ? » inquired Nina arriving at the table followed by Inej. Jesper explained Wylan’s idea as the boy was drinking with a light shade of pink covering his cheeks. « I’ve never heard you play, I’d love to » encouraged Inej.
« I’ve heard him, he’s really good on the piano ! » Wylan choked on his drink and put down his glass half-empty now. « You’ve heard me play less than a minute ! » complained Wylan embarrassed.
« You mean to tell me you’re not a good musician ? » Asked Jesper in disbelief. « No, no I am ! », after all his tutors had assured him he could easily get into one of Ketterdam’s prestigious music school. « But you need to hear more to give a true appreciation. » the boy protested which only earned him a cheeky smirk from his boyfriend.
« So you do want to play for me more then ? » said Jesper with a smug look. « Flirting is on, Inej I need a drink, mind coming with me ? » hurried Nina, quickly followed by Inej.
In one last sip, Wylan finished his drink and stood up. Jesper wasn’t lying, as soon as he started moving, Wylan could feel his head spin and his vision fazing a little. Strangely it felt great, the boy had never really gotten himself drunk but if it was it Wylan could understand why people enjoyed a beer or more once in a while. He felt a burst of new confidence and energy, he wanted to dance and have his boyfriend close. The demolition expert, newly a crow and boyfriend of the best gunslinger in the city leaned over said boyfriend with determination in his eyes.
« There’s a lot more I can do for you, maybe you need me to show you ? » and oh saints how much Jesper loved when Wylan took the lead. « Yes, please, show me love ! », so Wylan pulled his boyfriend by the collar of his shirt and kissed him passionately. They both lost themselves in the heated exchange until a loud cough interrupted them.
Kaz was standing in front of them, avoiding their direction at first. « I need my gunslinger for a moment. » he announced with a stern voice. Jesper sighed and Wylan let his head fall backwards. Their boss finally looked at them with a slightly offended look but said nothing. « I’ll be right back love, okay ? » Gave up Jesper as he stood from his chair.
« Fine, I’ll wait for you on the dance floor. » informed Wylan mischievously, hoping this would motivate his boyfriend to come back as quickly as possible. Jesper’s eyes widened, already sad he have to wait to join him. « Let’s go. » cut sharply Kaz and Jesper followed.
« See what you’re making miss boss ! » he protested dramatically.
« Shut up, Jes. » sighed the bastard of the Barrel.
…
In the middle of the dance floor, Wylan was lost between hot and messy bodies moving restlessly in since with the music. For once, Wylan was letting it all go, no thoughts, no insecurities, no problems, just the burning feeling of dancing like nothing else mattered. Wylan was overwhelmed by a liberating feeling, a sense of freedom he never got to taste before. He only missed one thing, in the mist of this intoxicating chaos, Jesper. His lover’s touch, kisses and warmth.
Suddenly Wylan felt a hand on his waist but something wasn’t right. « Jes- » Wylan cut himself up as he turned to face a light blond man. He was taller than him and most people would consider him to be a handsome man. He had piercing navy blue eyes and his lightly opened shirt let Wylan see that the man’s body was well built. In other circumstances, a few months earlier maybe, Wylan would have been flattered that a guy like that would look at him. Key information here : he would have but he don’t want this man’s attention now.
Wylan tried to step back but the grip on his waist tightened making the boy tense instantly. « What is it pretty boy, you don’t want us to get to know each others ? » the man pouted. Wylan frantically looked around him, searching for a familiar face but was met with a wall of people blocking his view of the club. He didn’t want to cause trouble, especially tonight but he could feel his anxiety rise at the uninterrupted and unwanted contact with this man. He tried to take a breath despite his dizziness and gather up a little bit of false confidence.
« I-I’m good thanks, I’ve got a boyfriend already. I don’t think he would appreciate this proximity and I don’t either so, so if you’ll excuse me. ». Once again Wylan tried to escape to no avail. « Come on sweetheart, I’m sure I can give you a better time than him. » the blond whispered seductively in the boy’s ear which only cause a shiver of disgust.
Wylan wished he was anywhere out of the Crow Club where he would have been able to drop a flash or smoke bomb to escape from his situation. He felt trapped and really annoyed at the insistent guy. Alcohol running through his veins making his movement slower and weaker combined with the man being clearly stronger than him also didn’t help.
The blond pressed Wylan against his chest and leaned down to kiss the crook of his neck. Wylan was abruptly stopped in his tentative to push away the other. His skin was burning and to feel the lips of another man on him made him feel so uncomfortable and disgusted.
« I’ve got friends who won’t like it if you keep going… » pleaded Wylan hoping the guy would be scared by the perspective of the crows or the dregs coming at his aid. The man seemed unfazed by this information and kept attacking Wylan, kissing and nipping at his neck making his whimper against his will.
Suddenly the blond stopped, Wylan had a spark of hope that the guy understood he should go before Jesper came back but… « Now that I think of it, your lovely face does seem familiar. » the man took a bit of space to look properly at Wylan, though never loosening his tight grip on the boy’s waist. Maybe he understood, maybe he would finally leave Wylan alone and-
« You’re a Van Eck, aren’t you ? The long lost son or something. You know your daddy promised quite a sum for your return. » informed the man under the horrified gaze of the boy before him. « That’s what I thought love. » he smirked wickedly.
Wylan started hyperventilating at the idea that this man had recognised him. He knew is father wanted him dead but he hadn’t received any new letter since he started officially working for Kaz Brekker. He had hoped his father just forgot about him for good. It seems he was wrong and it put him in state of distress. With the alcohol taking its toll on him, Wylan’s mind was running wild. If he wanted to run earlier, now he wanted to disappear from the face of the earth. All sense of freedom erased in an instant. « I take it that you don’t want anyone to find out. »the man carried on, « Does your boyfriend know ? »
Wylan tried to push him away once again. « Oh no, you’re not going anywhere sweetheart. » warned the blond as one of his hand came holding his chin up so Wylan was forced to look at him. He noticed with a sick pride the angry and confused tears threatening to fall from the smaller boy’s eyes. « Here is the deal. Let us enjoy the night and I might consider not spelling out your little secret. ». He didn’t let Wylan time to answer and grabbed the boy’s wrist to pull him out of the crowd.
Wylan couldn’t go back to his father but he refused to let this man have is way, he needed to find a way out and fast. Once again he looked around despite his vision getting more blurry by the second. He wanted to scream for Jesper, Inej, anyone ! But he felt alone in the crowd, desperately and utterly alone. Fear and hopelessness overwhelmed him as they started to make their way out. Wylan looked down at were his arm was trapped, resisting as much as he could when-
BANG. A single gun shot.
The whole club went silent and everyone froze, including the man pulling Wylan away. The music had died instantly. Only one person would dare to shoot inside Kaz Brekker’s club. His right-hand man, the famous gunslinger who can shoot impossible shots and never miss. Jesper Fahey. As the crowd moved out of the way, Wylan saw his boyfriend appear and behind him Inej and Nina.
« Get the fuck away from him, now. » Jesper ordered coldly, his gaze burning with fury and his gun now pointed at the blond.
The man stumbled away from Wylan, hand raised in a weak attempt to calm the situation. When Wylan said he had friends he had automatically thought about his father and the means he could put in place to find his son but this… « I’m sorry man, didn’t think this boy toy here was yours, if I knew I- » two gunshots followed by a terrible shriek of pain filled the quiet room. The man fell to the ground, hands bloodied with a hole in each one.
Wylan witnessed it all like he was far away, deadly silent and frozen in place. Jesper quickly made his made to him closely followed by Nina. Inej reappeared behind them with Kaz at her side.
« Next time my aim will be a lot more lethal. » threatened Jesper with a raging tone, his gun directed at the man.
« Jesper. » stopped Kaz, coming by his side but not ordering his man to lower his gun. « I’m going to handle this. » he said calm and cold which made the man panic even more.
« Wait, wait ! I know something ! You like informations don’t you !? » pleaded the man, terrified he would end up dead in a street before the sunrise. « Him ! » he designated Wylan who flinched instantly. « You know who he is, no ?! I can tell you, you hit the jackpot cause he- ». Kaz knocked him out with his cane and the man fell face first on the ground. The Bastard of the Barrel exchanged a quick glance with his youngest crow and could see how terrorised he looked. « Jesper, Nina, take him upstair » he spoke with directive tone. He then gesture to the dregs to come take the man on the floor. « Bring him to my office. » Kaz gave a last look to his gunslinger and if Jesper wasn’t so used to Kaz’ micro expressions he wouldn’t have noticed the hint of concern in his eyes.
…
Wylan was worriedly silent. Nina could hear his heart beating fast, too fast. « Hey Wylan, it’s gonna be okay dear » reassured Nina softly but the boy was barely listening. His body was shaking. The man had almost spilled his secret, Kaz had stopped him, does Kaz know ?!
« Wy, Wylan, hey look at us… » called Jesper in vain. « Jesper, be ready to catch him okay » warned Nina. Jesper didn’t understand until Nina made specific movements with her hands in Wylan’s direction, gently slowing down is heart until the boy fell unconscious. Jesper caught him and took a time to watch the features on his boyfriend’s face soften. He proceeded to place Wylan comfortably on the bed. « Thanks Nina, I’ve got it from here. » he assured, Nina nodded and left the room.
« Oh love, I’m sorry I left you alone » whispered Jesper sadly.
…
Wylan’s first thought when he woke up in the bed him and Jesper shared, was that the event of yesterday night was only a dream. The memory was blurry and felt unreal, but as the boy felt slowly more awake he could faintly hear voices around him. « … taken care of. » he heard Kaz ? Say.
His eyes fluttered open and he caught Jesper’s gaze on him. « Morning sunshine » breathed the Zemeni boy in a calming tone.
« Hey.. » whispered back Wylan, he sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes. He was feeling a bit nauseous and had a bit of a headache but otherwise was fine. « How are you feeling dear ? » asked Jesper still slightly concerned. « Fine… I think, I’m really thirsty though and I- » Wylan froze when he noticed Kaz in the room. His mind showing him a flash of yesterday when the Crows’ boss stopped a stranger from telling his secret. Kaz seemed to understand what was on his mind.
« You should bring him something to drink and eat. » stated Kaz to Jesper. « Water this time. » he added, Jesper rolled his eyes then checked one last time his boyfriend to reassure himself it was fine to let the boy alone with Kaz. Once he was out of the room, Kaz went to sit down on a chair near the bed under the constant worried gaze of his demo man.
« You know ? » Wylan questioned, not waisting anytime. Surely Kaz wasn’t the kind to play dumb, if he knew something he’d tell right ?
« That you’re a Van Eck ? Yes. I’ve known all along. » he informed casually. Wylan on the other hand tensed visibly. The man had the time to tell Kaz he had hit the jackpot with him, maybe Jesper or Inej got suspicious. « The others don’t. It’s not my secret to tell. » Kaz heard the younger one sigh in relief. « Don’t worry for what happened, you won’t see this man again. »
« Did you…? » Kaz knew what was Wylan unspoken question. « He’s on his way to Ravka, not that he knows yet. » summed up Kaz with a face Wylan couldn’t read. He won’t have time to as both men heard Jesper’s steps in the corridor. Kaz stood up deciding it was his cue to leave his younger crew member to rest.
« Thank you.. » Kaz turned around at the door, looking at Wylan with a softened gaze. « For the record, I think you can trust them, my crows. We protect each other, whatever past we have. » he concluded and left.
Jesper entered the room to find his boyfriend looking deeply relieved, he put down a plate of bread and cheese and a big glass of water. They both ate in a comforting silence and when they had enough Jesper joined Wylan under the covers.
« I’m sorry I wasn’t there last night. » finally declared Jesper. Wylan could feel the guilt in his tone, he didn’t accept it. « You have nothing to be sorry for you know. » a silence fell again.
« Neither do you. » Wylan glanced at Jesper confused. « I know you. I can imagine what you’re thinking. It’s all this guy fault for being a poor excuse of a human being. You’ve done nothing wrong. » the Zemeni boy added.
« I wanted to push him away but I wasn’t strong enough. I hate that I let him touch me and if you hadn’t stopped him… » Jesper sensed the anxiety slightly rise in his boyfriend’s tone. « Hey, stop. None of that, you did what you could to resist him. ».
‘And it wasn’t enough’ thought Wylan. He had let his guard down, this guy came so close to reveal his secret. Wylan wasn’t completely sure he was ready to tell Jesper but he sure didn’t want him to learn his past like that. Jesper seemed to catch his lover internal struggle. « If you want, Inej could teach you some notions of self-defence. Height and weight aren’t the only factors when it comes to fighting. » he proposed.
« Yeah, that’s an idea. » nodded Wylan.
…
Later in the day, the crows were chilling in the empty club. The dregs were refilling the stocks for nights to come under Kaz’s supervision, Nina was quietly reading while Jesper and Inej were cleaning their weapons.
Wylan was gazing in the void, he’s mind repeating Kaz’s words from this morning. Wylan tried to refocus his attention and his eyes fell on the piano in the corner of the room. Unconsciously, he made his way to it and was startled by Kaz’s voice. « Jesper told me you know how to play, go on help yourself. »
Wylan quietly thanked him and sat down. He let the tip of his fingers gently brush the instrument, taking in a deep breath as memories of him playing for the servants in the Van Eck mansion came back to his mind. Then, a sweet melody filled the room. Everyone took a moment to watch and enjoy Wylan playing. The melody was sweet and comforting, you could hear it for the first time and it still brought a sense of familiarity like this song was written about one of your favorite happy moment. When Wylan finished and looked up, he realised the whole room had stopped moving to listen to him. He blushed shyly.
« It was beautiful. » praised Nina and everyone agreed. « Told you, you’re talented and I’ve heard you play for more than a minute » chuckled affectionately Jesper.
« You can play all you want Wylan. » said Kaz knowing his demo man had wanted to since he bought this piano for the club.
So Wylan kept going for most part of the afternoon for the greatest pleasure of anyone having the chance to hear him. The boy felt at peace, for the first time in a while he felt at home with people he cared about. And perhaps Kaz is right, they would accept him and keep caring about it despite who is father was.
You can trust them, my crows. We protect each other, whatever past we have.