Love The Story! (BTW: No Explicit Content…!)

Chilumi~

...I guess?

Lumi in Taru's clothess ovo

i saw a tweet to this effect and then i had to

Giv me them doggos plz

Water competition

Okay... But Yae Miko being Kitsune Saiguu’s Daughter

I’ve got two fics for ShiroMichi Week 2021!

First, Savor Every Moment follows the Day 4 prompt: Living Together

Next is I’ll Be There, following the Day 5 prompt: Children

Just click the titles and you’ll be taken their respective stories.

Please enjoy!

their interaction in this event are priceless lmaoo so of course i need to draw them a bit

i want to draw razor too but i’ll save it for another post hhshshshs

Prompt: Kaz scoping out and stealing an engagement ring for iInej. And maybe even the proposal? 🥺🥺🥺

Ok so this was a *brilliant* prompt and, although initially I was all like 'oh I'll write a quick drabble, it'll be fun!', here I am 2000 words later... hope you enjoy 😘

The Black Diamond of Ravka

It was a problem Kaz Brekker had been mulling over for several weeks now.

He let it sit there, in his mind, where he could pick up tiny bits of information while never looking directly at it, just the same as any mark. He poked it gently, turned it this way and that, slowly uncovering more and more knowledge as he did.

It wasn’t a question of money, of course. His personal coffers — and those of the Slat, for that matter — had only grown in the years since the Van Eck play. But there was always something more deserving for Kaz to spend his kruge on. Always something she’d rather have at her disposal.

So, it would be a lift. She couldn’t begrudge him if it was stolen, rather than bought…

But still, the problem wasn’t solved.

Kaz knew he couldn’t go traditional, not with her. She wouldn’t wear something ostentatious, not out at sea. And the last thing she needed when in Ketterdam was something that could catch the light so easily, and give away her position in the shadows.

So, the problem wasn’t solved.

At least, not until Kaz spread the Ketterdam Chronicle open in front of him that morning.

He always read the papers with his morning tea, everything from the Chronicle, aimed at the merchers and the elite, down to the Kruge News, which actually only cost a half-kruge to buy. It always paid to know what lies — or worse, truths — the printers were telling the punters.

His eyes settled on a particularly interesting article, tucked up in one corner in the middle of the sheets. His tea sat forgotten, rapidly cooling next to him, but Kaz paid it no heed.

‘Anika!’ he called out.

She was there between one breath and the next, eyes sparkling. ‘Yes, boss?’

Kaz knew she waited outside his office when she wasn’t on a job, eager to be on hand. She’d proved herself time and again since Kaz overthrew Haskell and took back the Crow Club. He’d come to rely on her, and thought she had a bright future ahead of her in the Dregs.

Not that he would ever tell her that, of course.

‘Tell Jesper to come see me,’ he said. Anika nodded. ‘And then get me Henessey.’

For once, Anika hesitated at his request. ‘Henessey?’ she repeated. Kaz just stared silently at her, until she squirmed under his gaze. ‘Henessey,’ she said, this time with determination. She hurried out of his office without another word.

Kaz leaned back in his chair and smiled grimly in satisfaction.

There was no problem, in the end, that Kaz Brekker, the Bastard of the Barrel, Dirtyhands himself, could not solve in that scheming mind of his.

xXxXx

‘Saints, Kaz,’ Jesper muttered as the sweat started to roll down his forehead. ‘What kind of job is this, anyway?’ He was holding up a heavy sash window on his shoulder, keeping as still as possible as Kaz picked his way through several high-security locks on the inner grating.

‘The kind where you shut your mouth and do your job,’ Kaz hissed, wiggling a second pick into place as he manoeuvred the false tumblers out of the way. A second later, he felt the final lock give, with a satisfying click. ‘Now, let’s go.’

Jesper at least managed to keep quiet as they slid through the halls of the Mohs Building, deep in the heart of Ketterdam’s jewellery quarter.

And at the heart of the building, on a raised pedestal, nestled on a plush red velvet cushion, there it was.

The Black Diamond of Ravka.

The largest, flawless black diamond ever found. Rare, dark, beautiful — and utterly priceless.

Kaz reached down and plucked it from the cushion, deftly switching it for a perfectly matched weight before the pressure plate below could trigger. He couldn’t help the curl of his lip, almost into something resembling a smile, as he made it dance over his gloved fingers. There was a legend that a Ravkan black diamond granted its wearer invisibility: a myth Kaz knew would make her laugh. The diamond disappeared into his suit, and he flashed Jesper a grin.

‘Let’s get back to the crows.’

xXxXx

Kaz could tell the exact moment when Henessey Lynch walked into the Slat. The murmurings of the crows quietened down, for once, and a strange, expectant silence settled instead. Sure enough, Anika appeared in the open doorway of Kaz’s office a few moments later.

‘Henessey’s here, boss.’

‘Thanks, Anika,’ Kaz said, and Anika disappeared again, letting Henessey stride into the room. Kaz struggled to his feet, grabbing his cane and limping to the front of his desk.

‘Brekker,’ Henessey greeted him with a smile.

‘Henessey,’ Kaz replied, leaning back on his desk. Henessey Lynch was almost as tall as Kaz, with dark skin and black hair. Her neck was tattooed with a string of flowers.

‘Been a while since my presence was required among the crows,’ Henessey said as she made a slow circuit of Kaz’s office. ‘You must have something juicy for me.’

Kaz reached into a hidden pocket, and pulled free his prize. He unfurled his gloved palm, the black diamond nestled within. Henessey let out a long whistle, and plucked the jewel from his hand.

‘Is this the Ravkan gem everyone’s looking for? Should’ve known you’d lifted it, Dirtyhands.’

Kaz raised an eyebrow at her, watching as she held the diamond up to the light. ‘You can see why I needed your particular talents.’

She laughed at that, tossing the diamond in the air before catching it and looking back at Kaz. ‘I can get it done for you. You got the details?’ Kaz pulled out a scrap of folded paper, and Henessey snatched it, her quick, dark eyes scanning his instructions.

Henessey Lynch happened to be the best forger the whole of the Barrel had to offer. She could do official documents in her sleep, and could paint a DeKappel for you so good even the artist himself would have struggled to tell the forgery. And, if you happened to have a hot jewel that was incredibly recognisable, there was no better person to set it for you.

Henessey looked up from the paper. The diamond had already disappeared, but Kaz had seen exactly where she’d put it. Her sleight of hand wasn’t bad at all, but nothing got past Kaz Brekker. ‘Perfect. I’ll have it for you tomorrow,’ Henessey said, turning to leave.

‘I’ll be waiting,’ Kaz murmured.

And wait he did, once Henessey returned, the diamond set perfectly to his specifications. All he had to do now, was wait.

xXxXx

‘Boss?’ Two weeks later, Anika’s blonde hair peered around the open door to Kaz’s office. He waved her in, not bothering to look up from his work, and he heard her walk up to his desk. ‘The Wraith’s been spotted on the horizon,’ Anika said. Kaz looked up, so sharply his neck twinged, and found Anika grinning knowingly at him. Kaz narrowed his eyes, and Anika managed to smooth at least half of the smirk from her face. ‘She’ll be docking in about an hour.’

Kaz didn’t move, finishing up his work instead. When it was done he folded his papers and pushed his chair back from the desk, grimacing a little at the stiffness in his leg. Being a Barrel boss meant more time sitting than wandering Ketterdam as much as he used to, and his leg was certainly starting to complain about it. He leaned on his cane as he shuffled to the safe, spinning it open and stashing his papers away. Then he shrugged on his jacket, put his hat on, and straightened his tie, before heading out from the Slat.

Half an hour later, just as the Wraith sailed elegantly into Berth 22, Kaz reached the Church of Barter. He started to climb, slowly, following the path she had led him up all those years ago, just before their impossible auction job. He made his way to the roof, and found a perch overlooking the distant sea. He sat down, removed his gloves, and waited.

Between one breath and the next, Kaz knew she was there. He smiled to himself, tilted his head to the side as the cold bite of familiar metal ran gently up his neck.

‘Welcome home, my love,’ he said quietly, as the knife fell from his neck and she appeared in front of him.

Inej Ghafa.

His Wraith, his confidant, his partner in crime.

His everything.

‘I missed you,’ she said, and perched easily up next to him on the ledge. Their thighs touched, through the material of their clothes, and Kaz found himself pressing against her hard, warm presence. ‘What are you doing up here? I thought you’d have come to the docks.’

He usually did, whenever the Wraith glided into harbour after a stretch of slaver-hunting at sea. He gave a little shrug, gazing up at the sky. It was just turning to twilight, the sky a rainbow riot of colours melting into a dark, limpid blue far above them. ‘I know this is your favourite place in Ketterdam,’ he said.

Inej shifted slightly, and a moment later, she’d laid her head on his shoulder. Kaz took a deep breath in, the faint scent of sea-salt from her hair grounding him in place. Even after all this time, he had to work at being able to touch her. To be touched.

‘That’s what I told you,’ she said, and her silken hair, braided as usual, tickled his cheek when she spoke. For a brief moment, Kaz was unsure of himself. Of the plan.

‘What do you mean?’ he asked, trying to keep his voice even. He felt her shrug.

‘It is my favourite place in Ketterdam,’ she explained. ‘But only after wherever you are at the time.’

Kaz didn’t trust himself to speak for a moment. No matter how many times Inej had shown she loved him just as much as he loved her, when she said something as simple and heartfelt as that, he still found himself momentarily blindsided that she’d chosen him, when she could have had anyone. As if sensing his inner turmoil, she moved her head very slightly, just enough so her nose could nudge against the skin of his neck. ‘Don’t get sentimental on me now, Brekker,’ she said playfully, and he couldn’t help grinning.

‘Wouldn’t dream of it, Wraith,’ he replied. He reached into his pocket, not letting himself overthink things, or second guess himself. He pulled out the Black Diamond of Ravka, now set into a flawless gold ring. It was beautiful in the twilight, turning almost a dark blue colour, and instead of sparkling, it glowed like faint moonlight as he held it out.

He heard Inej’s gasp of breath, and her head whipped off his shoulder as she sat up next to him, straight as an arrow. ‘Kaz?’ she breathed, her voice completely different now. It was alert, questioning. Hopeful.

‘Inej.’

She waited in silence, her dark eyes fixed on him, as he pushed himself to his feet. He shuffled awkwardly in front of her, and got to his knees on the stone outcrop in front of them. His bad leg fired with pain, but he ignored it, drinking in the sight of Inej before him, looking down at him in wonder. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth, and her hands were clenched between her knees. He reached up with one hand, and she unclasped her own, letting him take one in his hold. In the other, he held out the black diamond ring, an offering to the only goddess he recognised in his life.

He paused, and she watched him. Words were not Kaz’s way of showing love, but he knew right now he had to try.

‘I’ll never ask you to stay in one place,’ he started, his voice harsher than he’d planned. ‘And I’m never going to be able to give you everything you deserve--’ Inej squeezed his hand then, as if to counter his words, but he just squeezed back and continued. ‘But I love you, Inej. So much it burns. And I will worship you, and protect you, and stand by your side, for the rest of your life.’

‘Kaz…’ Inej’s voice was raw, and he could see her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Her hand in his tightened, holding him in place as the black diamond glowed between them.

‘Please, Inej,’ he said. ‘Will you marry me?’

Inej moved so fast, Kaz was sprawled on his back on the stone before he had chance to blink. Inej straddled him, braced up on her hands and knees so they weren’t touching. Her nose was close enough to brush his. ‘Of course I’ll marry you, Kaz Brekker,’ she breathed, her smile dazzling. ‘I love you.’ He turned his head slightly to the right, and saw the ring was already on her finger.

‘I love you,’ he smiled up at her, and she lightly brushed her nose against his.

‘Can you kiss me?’ Inej whispered, and he could hear the hopefulness in her voice. He lifted a hand to her cheek, gently stroked her skin. She pressed into his palm, and he wrapped his other hand into her long braid and tugged it, pulling her lips down to his.

Kaz would spend the rest of his life kissing Inej Ghafa.

xXxXx

My ask box is still open if you want to send in a kanej / six of crows pairing prompt of your own!

Delusion

A Childe X Lumine Fanfiction

Rating : Not Rated

Tags : Psychological, Mild Angst, Character Death

----

During moments of utter silence, Childe recalls that which Lumine once told him about a book she had read from a far away land. 

"It is of utmost importance that those who seek to fight monsters must not become one in the process." 

He likes to think that perhaps, by mentioning it, she had once hoped that he would be reminded of his main aspiration—to conquer the world that is, and not to simply bathe in the blood of his enemies. 

It has its merits, he admits—for he finds himself fighting alongside her during the turning point of the war, the darkness in him dampened by the white light she emits—cleansing the corruption that has resided in him for the longest time. 

This too though, reminds him of another of her words. 

"The deep dark abyss—stare for too long and it would stare back to those who dare." 

It is true, for he knows that ever since he dropped down that hole in the world, he emerged as a monster that is only tamed by bloodshed. 

And from the moment he knew Lumine, perhaps by her as well. 

He has always carried a portion of that so-called abyss, feeling its vines wrapping inside his very being. He is a monster, that much is true, but tamed as one can be, he became a tool under her commands. 

He does not care, for it is times with her when the whispers of the dark become muted—turned into nothing but echoes of the past. 

"Childe? Breakfast?" 

The man spies her slender form by the doorframe of his bedroom, sees her domestically ushering his sleepy person into the kitchen and he feels as though he had achieved that which he desires, with her by his side. 

To conquer the world. 

They did. They won. And it was all that he could ask for. 

Celestia is no more. The abyss is no more. It is just him, Lumine and the rest of the world. 

He smiles as he sits down at the table, reaching for her hand as she places the bowl of steaming Calla Lily Seafood Soup before him. 

"Oh, my favorite. What's the occasion, girlie?"

"Mhm, nothing in particular. Just wanted to cook something special for you." she smiles back and he thinks he saw the glimmer of stars beyond her eyes. 

Or perhaps it was nothing but an illusion, masking the deeper end of the void he is familiar with—if such end even existed. 

Childe shakes his head for he believes that that is not the case. Lumine is here with him. And the abyss is no more. It is no more. 

And if the calling of that dark bud inside him grows too strong anyhow, he knows she is here to defeat it for him. 

For she is also perhaps a monster in her own rights. 

--☆☆☆--

The bags under his eyes, and the haunted looks in his face tell everyone that he is far from recovered but everytime someone comes to ask him how he is faring, he will do nothing but face them with a smile before answering. 

"I'm very much fine! Lumine takes good care of me." 

If there were curious glances sent his way, he does not care. They must be seething inside—jealous that it was him who conquered her heart by the end of it all. 

The savior and the reformed harbinger.

What a perfect love story—great as a tale to pass down from generations to generations. He sighs at the thought. 

"Childe, pardon my query but I must ask—how have you truly been?" 

He already lost count of how many times the same question had been asked of him. 

He stops walking—to face the former Geo Archon a few steps behind. 

"I do not understand why everyone keeps on asking the same question. I already told you i'm fine, didn't I?" 

Oh how he hates it when they ask—as if they were doubting his princess' ability to care for him, for it was her who has been on his bed, in his kitchen, in his very house ever since the world achieved true peace. 

They do not understand just how capable Lumine is. 

And they will never know, if he has anything to say. 

"Though we are but friends, I must express my deep concern. The dips on your cheeks beg to differ from that which you uttered." 

The blue in his eyes shift into something malicious, to that belonging to the beast he keeps inside. 

"With all due respect, Mr. Zhongli. I do not appreciate the implications of what you just said. You asked and I answered." He pauses. 

The abyss is no more for Lumine is with him. 

"I shall be going now. My wife is waiting for me at home." 

As he walks away, he ignores the burning gaze on his back. It's fine. That former god does not matter. 

What matters is him and Lumine while the rest of the world could go crash and burn, he thinks. 

--☆☆☆--

"Tough day at work?" 

Childe sidles up to her side, wrapping an arm around the apron-covered waist of his beloved. He kisses her temple with reverence—for it is what she deserves. 

"Not really. It was just Mr. Zhongli. And others. Being annoyingly repetitive as always." He grumbles, tucking her head under his chin. 

The small hand resting atop his chest tightens against his clothes. 

"Do they... not approve of me?" She asks almost inaudibly. 

He was quick to deny the preposterous thought. 

"Don't listen to them. They do not matter, girlie." 

Childe feels her shift and he looks down at her. 

Golden pools decorated by the glittering of stars—of tears, he realizes, meet his abyssal depths. 

"Are you... are you going to leave me?" 

He brushes the hair out of her forehead and tucks the strays behind her ears before promptly brushing away the tears that cascaded from her eyes. 

"Never. You are mine, Lumine. As much as I am yours." 

Even the sweetest wine cannot compare to the smile that adorns her face after his declaration. She buries her head on his chest once more, arms crossing behind him, bestowing him with nothing else but warmth. 

Childe thinks for a second, that this moment is perhaps the best there is in the world. And he knows he is ruined for anything else.

It is impossible to feel anything akin to this feeling and he strongly believes that the desire to even experience it from others aside his princess does not exist anymore. 

--☆☆☆--

The sound of deliberate knocking at the door rouses the harbinger from his sleep. Childe growls in annoyance at whoever is behind that piece of wood as he untangles his limbs from the goddess laying beside him. 

He kisses the top of her head before deciding to rise and check who their visitor is. 

He stills when the one in front of his humble abode makes himself known. 

Zhongli, of course. 

"Mr. Zhongli, why the early visit?" 

The man only hums before crossing his arms, pinning him with a serious gaze. 

"May I come in, Childe?"

"Ah, of course." 

He lets him in and ushers the former archon to the couch. Upon sitting, the latter immediately scans his surroundings with vague concern in his eyes. 

"I must say, your house is surprisingly empty and devoid of life, Childe."

"What do you mean? I think it's pretty homey. Lumine designed it by herself when she first got here." 

A frown makes its way to the other man's lips. 

"Childe, can we talk?" 

He stiffens, tone changing into a defensive one. 

"We are talking, are we not?" He spats.

"Why don't you ask Lumine to come down here with us?" 

He summons one of his water blades. 

"Why exactly are you here, Zhongli?"

"Call Lumine, Childe." 

In a flash, the water blade comes in contact with the polearm that materialized in front of the visitor. 

"Why. Are. You. Here?" He asks, hostile in every way as he accents each word with a swing of his blade—all thankfully parried. 

"I need you to understand, Childe." Zhongli calls forth a jade shield that rattled even the sturdy walls of the other man's home. 

A water spear slams against the shield. 

"That Lumine..." 

Yet another side step, perfectly timed to avoid the beast cloaked in water suddenly crackling with electricity. 

"Stop it!" It yells. 

But Zhongli is not known for being gentle. The wrath of the rock and the harsh truth—both must be laid out for him to save the monster disguised as a man. 

"Is no longer with us." 

A beat passes.

"She's gone, Childe. And you must accept that fact."

"No!" 

And like that, the man surges forward with the fury enough to fuel wars. 

The walls crumble and the terrified shrieks of townsfolk in the immediate vicinity sound off but Childe could no longer care. 

Him and Lumine. The rest of the world does not matter. 

His mind goes blank with nothing but white hot anger, and he brandishes his weapon with renewed vigor. 

"Take it back." He quietly demands, voice distorted. 

Instead of complying, multiple stone steles rise up from the pavement, obscuring the two men from prying eyes. 

"Everyone grieves for her departure, I assure you. We are hurt as much as you are." A water blade makes contact with the archon's cheek and he winces as response, "but she chose to sacrifice herself for this world's peace and she will not be happy if she sees you rotting away to your demise, Childe."

"You—you don't know anything! Do not lie! Lumine..." A crack in his composition and Zhongli is quick to take advantage of it. 

All at once, like a puppet with strings cut off, Childe falls forward when Zhongli's polearm strikes down his chest. The accumulated hunger and fatigue from weeks of barely holding on to her memory suddenly come crashing down upon his person. 

Empty plates and sweet nothings. 

Cold bed and pristine kitchen. 

Unused scarf with the color of the skies and the clouds—like the view he's witnessing right now. 

Stare into the abyss, and it stares back at you—its remnants staying within, slowly consuming that which it latches on to. 

The abyss is no more—or so he believes. 

"Lumine... she promised me." he whispers into the wind. 

The rustling of cloth distracts him from his thoughts. 

"Do not lean too close to that edge, Childe. I beg you, not as your friend, but as Lumine's—please, do stay with us." 

Before his eyes closed, he heard the call from the deep dark abyss of the waters. 

The sea is calm. And he couldn't care less about the rest of the world. 

Him and Lumine, he thinks. Him and Lumine.

Brunita, yesterday I saw an Alf x Liza old headcannon and I miss my other babies... Do you have any really cute/fluffy ones? Maybe when they're kids and not together, like 6-7 y/o?

María!! Of course!! My gosh, I missed Alf x Liza SO MUCH. I decided to mix in some Kanej like that nonnie asked, because I miss them just as much :’)

***

A/N: If you guys don’t know about my Six of Crows gen 2, Liza is Kanej’s daughter, and Alf is Wesper’s son! You can read more about those two here.

My links:

masterlist

headcanons page

askbox

***

it didn’t matter that he was a year older

she terrified him

not in the way that the kids at school frightened him, not at all

but in a way that made his heart catch in his throat

that made his chest ache 

especially now, as he watched her walk the rope that she’d tied between two thick oak trees, graceful as a bird

ever since they were little, Alf and Liza hadn’t missed a single weekend together

they were inseparable

Alf could remember being smaller and running around in Kaz and Inej’s farm, chasing her through wildflowers and trying not to trip on rocks

he could remember feeding the little ducklings at the pond with her

and saving a little bird that had fallen from his nest - how brave she’d been that day, to climb the tree and place the little one back

“You should be careful,” he tells her now, watching her and wincing with every step she took

she never fell

or he never saw her fall

at last, Liza jumps to the ground, landing like a cat

she smiles tauntingly, “One of these days, you have to stop worrying about every little thing.”

she has grass stains all over her dress

and leaves in her black, wild hair

“Let me have my worry,” he says back, crossing his arms

Liza pushes his blond hair away from his eyes and said, “You worry too much, Alf. One of these days you’re going to get a headache so bad you won’t be able to move. Or you’ll grow another brain so this one can rest,” she pokes the center of his forehead and laughs when he pushes her hand away

the summer afternoons are long and lazy, with them lying on the grass and bathing in the pond, catching frogs just to let them go again

now, she falls backwards, spreading her arms over the flowers

she says, staring up at the sky, “Papa is teaching me card tricks.”

Alf lies down next to her, breathing in the summer air. “Yeah?”

Liza rises on one elbow and looks at him, “I think I’m pretty good at it.”

“You should show me sometimes.”

“I wonder, though, where he learnt it,” she frowns. “Papa is really good at it.”

Alf looks at her. “Ask him.”

“I have,” she says. “But he always says he learned on his own. He never says anything else.”

“Maybe that’s all there is.”

“There’s always more to a story,” Liza murmurs, and lies back down

that makes him think

that’s what she told him once, one day after school, where she’d caught him crying after some kid made fun of him

called him Bastard

Alf didn’t even know what a bastard was supposed to be then - he’d just thought it to be a rude word you called people that you didn’t like

he’d learned over the years what the kid had meant

Alf didn’t have a mother - had never met her

his dads had told him the story - how his aunt Inej had rescued his mother in one of her travels, how she’s given birth to him on that boat, how she’d passed away right after

they’d wanted him to know, they said

they told him what his mother had told Inej that day - the day he was born

they told him of his father, a fjerdan on his way to return to his wife, only to be assassinated on the way to their house

that day, Alf had also learned what assassinated meant

thought his dads had put it gently, Alf had always been a smart kid

he read a lot

so he knew that mean people had done terrible things to his biological parents

he also knew that, if it hadn’t been for Inej, if it hadn’t been for his dads, he probably would never have found himself here - next to Liza, watching the skies, his hair still damp from swimming

Liza had told him, after he’d been angry at the kids for making fun of him, for calling him bastard, “There’s so much more to you than what they think you are.”

there’s so much more to a story

Alf guessed it was easy for her to stay that - she was brave, and unrelenting, and didn’t care what people thought

“”Are you okay?” She whispers to him now, worried, bringing him back to the present

“Yeah,” Alf says. “Just thinking.”

satisfied with that, Liza pats his knee. “I’m going to swim again.”

“I’ll be right there,” Alf murmurs

Liza runs to the pond, and flings herself in, dress and all, startling some ducks that lounged on the grass

Alf watches her, sighing quietly to himself

he never thinks about his biological parents much

his dads are all he ever knew

and they are his, entirely his, even if he isn’t blood

they are his family

as much as Kaz and Inej aer his family

as much as Nina and Matthias are his family

as much as Liza is, too

she calls for him and he waves at her, smiling, mouthing that he’ll be right there

he lies down in the sun for a couple more minutes, thinking

he pities the end his parents got

it unsettles him that there are still people out there that do terrible things to others

it unsettles him even more to know that there are children that will never have his luck

he closes his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away

and then he feels water drip into his face

hovering above him is Liza, smiling down at him

and squeezing the water out of her hair right on top of him

he groans, pushing himself away, “AH! Why would you do that?”

“You were falling asleep in the sun,” Liza laughs. “Look at you - you’re going to get red all over.”

“How friendly of you - to warn me with water on my face.”

she smiles, then takes his hand. “That duck’s been giving me the eye ever since we got here, let’s give him something to talk about to his stupid, snobby friends.”

“Don’t make fun of the duck,” he says, glad to be distracted. “Poor thing.”

Liza scoffs, then sits down at the edge of the pond, before diving down again

the duck flutters his wings and walks away

Alf laughs then, shaking his head, sitting down where she’d previously been, his legs on the water, his shorts wet

she surfaces, then rests a hand on his leg to keep her steady. “You’re not well today.”

she notices everything

that also terrifies him a bit

“I’m just thoughtful,” he splashes her gently. “Let me be.”

“I’ll never let you be,” she shows him her tongue, and he laughs. “Trying to get rid of me will only make me bother you more. What’s on your mind?”

Alf sighs softly, “I’ll tell you one day.”

Liza rolls her eyes. “Tell me tomorrow then. As good a day as any.”

he smiles, watching her swim, opening his mouth to retort-

“LIZA, ALF.”

Alf turns as his uncle limps his way to the porch

“Come back home, dinner is almost ready.”

“We’re coming, uncle Kaz.”

Liza waves, grinning, and Kaz gives her a smile, gesturing with his head for her to come home. “Get yourselves dry, then come eat.”

Liza gives Alf a secret win. “I’ll find out how he knows all those tricks.”

Alf grins. “I suppose you want my help.”

In the kitchen, Inej secretely watches through the window

Kaz comes around, wrapping his arms around Inej from behind her

“Did you see it?” She whispers to him, as Kaz nuzzles his face on her neck

Kaz grins. “She’s good. She’s like you.”

Inej turns to him, biting her lip as if to keep her smile to herself. “Can you believe I taught her that dismount once?”

“I can,” Kaz nods. “She’s your daughter, of course she’s good at it.”

Inej smiles. “She’s her father’s daughter, too. I know you’ve been teaching her tricks.”

Kaz’s chuckle is hoarse and raspy. He says, “She’s too good. I used to go mad with rage because I had to repeat the motions time and time again, but she...picked it up the first time.”

Inej rests her forehead against his chest, smiling to herself

Kaz holds her, kissing the top of Inej’s head. “Eight years ago, I was petrified that I would taint her;” he murmurs, as if he’s speaking to himself. “I thought that, somehow, some of that... darkness would be born in her, too.” Kaz looks out the window thoughtfully, watching as his daughter dances around in the sun. “But she’s the sun.”

Inej looks at him, then touches his cheek. “What darkness?”

“I-”

“What darkness?” She whispers, pulling him down for a kiss

Kaz breathes against her, leaving his cane on the side, his hands touching the counter behind Inej

she pulls back with a smile, then kisses the tip of his nose. “That is lives’ away. Think only of light, Kaz. That is our life now.”

he nods, speechless, his brow touching hers

the garden door opens, and Liza stands there, making a face, Alf on her heels. “Gross,” she tells them both, before making her way to the table

Inej pats Kaz’s chest, laughing softly to herself

they share a look, but say nothing as they depart, and join the children at the table.

***

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