Warnings: mentions of fighting, reader gets hit on and grabbed (at the waist) but nothing comes of it.
Word count: 1.5k
I’d like to state that I only recently started watching Shadow and Bone, and so this is largely a story I’ve made up with the characters. Also Non Canon Kaz because I couldn’t resist adding a little bit of touch into this.
Also I dipped a little bit into the classic, cold character getting into a fight for mc. I’m sorry I know it’s cliche but I couldn’t resist!
NOT PROOFREAD SO I'M SORRY I KNOW A FEW PARTS SUCK ASS
And I will be returning to the shadow and bone world because I fear this oneshot didn't do it justice
tags: @adorabee3. @mara-brekker
Earning Kaz’s trust was a long treacherous path. One full of risking everything and anything, sticking your neck out and executing every single plan perfectly. All for one man. Many have begged the question; what makes him worth it. What makes him worth all of this. To be honest I couldn’t tell you. He’s cold when you first meet him, hell he's cold even now. He’s a calculated cunning man. One who’s built himself up to the stature he is today, though of course he wants, needs more. So back to the question. Why do I put up with him? My answer will remain. I don’t know. Maybe it’s the thrill of a heist, or the euphoria of a full pocket. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the way Kaz’s eyes softened, well softened is a generous word, when he sees me. After a long day he’d be sitting at his desk, pouring over some paper. I’d walk in and he’d look up. And for a split second I could swear to you the glint in his eyes shifted from a cold front to recognition and even care. As soon as I’d catch it it’d switch back, like an elusive firefly just straying out of my touch. There was something about Kaz for me. Something that drove me mad with longing, as if he wasn’t just right next to me. The small flicker of moments I got with a warmer him I cherished. And played over and over again in my head, pretending I was something special to him. Something more than just a part of the group and a friend. Imagining in my mind that he felt the same insane longing that I bore day to day. So maybe that’s why I did it. Partly from delusion but also because being in Kaz’s inner circle felt like nothing else. It was as close to the meaning of home as I could get. We were a group, us against the world. At least that’s definitely how I feel. How I’d describe it. So even if I didn’t know why I did it, I’m sure to keep doing it for however long life will let me.
The air outside was cold, brisk, it danced on my skin and sent a small shiver up my spine. But I gritted my teeth and forced a chatter down. Not now, not on the job.
They had put me as a distraction, not that I minded all too much. Less risk for me at the end of the day. But I can say it gets excruciatingly boring after a while. Standing on the corner of a street pretending to be interested in whatever person I was talking to until the cart arrived, if it arrived. I didn’t want to doubt Kaz, he’d been so certain of this plan, but the weather had been cold and I found myself doubting if the carriage would even want to brave the weather. Nevertheless I was stationed here. The plan was simple. A horse drawn cart carrying something Laz wanted, at this point I don’t even ask, would be arriving in the square. I was to trip out in front of the cart to startle and stop the horses while the rest stroked. A sufficient plan given the lack of time we had to plan. And I had full faith we could pull off something as simple as this. The rest were all here too of course. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see Inej, standing at the other side of the street with a surveying glare in her eyes, and Kaz, who was inside one of the bars that lined the street. Watching over to make sure everything went accordingly. Jesper, though I couldn’t see him, was standing in the alley. Ready to slip out.
The evening was in full swell as the streets swarmed with drunken fights and tempting glances. I’d picked myself up a drink, better for the cover I argued, and was now talking to some random drunk man that had stumbled by. He was a cocky shit from what I had gathered so far. Bragging about some investment he’d made, or the money he made gambling. I couldn’t tell but it was definitely something to do with money. I was more bothered by how close I could feel him getting, his hot alcohol laden breath wafting and fuming my face with every drunk laugh. I took a small cautious step back. I wasn’t nervous, I was even sure I could take this guy in a fight, but I was uncomfortable with his closeness. I chuckled half heartedly at one of his jokes and glanced back over at Inej and Kaz. Inej was still at her post, paying more attention to the road than those around her. I didn’t see where Kaz was in my glance but I’m sure he was still there, harbouring a drink as he waited. I looked back and was greeted by the drunk man’s face.
“Say, you want to take this elsewhere.”
He proposed, through belches and slurring. I chuckled and took another step back.
“I’m sorry it seems like you’ve gotten the wrong idea.” I smiled, my goal was to keep the charm up and just get him to walk away. That’s all I needed, just him gone and then I could go on with the night.
I froze when I felt his hand in my waist.
“Cmon, I’ll treat you nice.” His grip tightened, his other hand came up to grab my wrist as I tried to pull it away.
“I don’t think that will be necessary.” I said. My voice lowered. But the man wouldn’t let up.
“Cmon just one-“
Whack!
“I think you’ll find the answer is no.”
The voice shocked me. Looking up I saw him standing there. Cane in hand, the drunk man fell to the floor beneath him.
“Kaz.” I breathed out.
He looked at me, eyes briefly checking me over for anything wrong.
I was about to apologize, the whole operation had been ruined after all, when the drunk man stumbled to his feet, swinging a hit at Kaz. Kaz stepped out of the way but the next punch hit him flat in the face. He stumbled backward, stunned, before he took his cane again and swung it at the man’s legs. The man crumbled to the street and Kaz stepped over him. He then surprised me even more when his gloved hand grabbed mine.
“Let’s go.”
Kaz tugged be along the street. His steps brisk and hastened. I followed after.
“Shit Kaz I’m sorry.”
“I don’t see how it’s your fault.”
“But the whole operation! And I could’ve handled him, told him to back off…”
Kaz’s steps stopped and I had to force myself to slam to a stop next to him.
“It’s not your fault.” He repeated. His eyes met mine, sincere. I bit back another apology.
“You're bleeding.” I mumbled. He dropped my hand and held a finger to his nose.
“That prick.”
I chuckled.
“He was a right dickhead.”
A rare smirk rested on his face.
“Bet his legs will hurt for weeks.” I continued.
“Yeah, teach him a lesson.” Kaz replied.
“And what lesson is that?” I grinned. Kaz didn’t reply. We just started walking again. Silence enveloped us for a few more minutes until Kaz spoke up again.
“I would never let anyone.” He said, his voice held a whisper of vulnerability.
“Hm?” I replied. Looking over at him.
“I would never let anyone touch you like that. Or hurt you for that matter. I wouldn’t let that happen to anyone in the group. But also…”
The street quieted as we kept walking. Less and less groups passed us on our way.
“Not you.” Kaz finished. His eyes wouldn’t meet mine. I looked away, a small smile on my face. I stopped our walk. We both stilled, eyes meeting. I could see his lips twitching slightly as his eyes searched my face curiously. I surprised us both by hugging him. He leaned back a little, stiffened. But his body relaxed just enough for him to put an arm around me, and for him to lean his head against the side of mine. Lips ghosting the shell of my ear as he lightly placed a kiss and whispered;
“Never.”
We pulled apart. A smile on my face and a small light in his eyes. He didn’t say anything else, just kept walking. but he leaned into me for a few seconds, dropping his gloved hand to brush mine, before continuing on.
I think I’d like to revise what I’ve said. If you asked me why I do it. Why I work for Kaz. I’d tell you that even with all this risk, and the little reward that comes of it, I’ve never felt safer.
I'm sorry if this sucks, I wrote it and have been revising for a while but honestly I just need it out of my drafts. I think I’d love to write another one with a different premise because I feel like I could write that better. As always constructive feedback is so welcomed, I’m here to get better. And as I said, I’m 100% new to watching Shadow and Bone (sorry I haven’t read it) so if I miss characterized Kaz then I’m so sorry please don’t come at me 😔🙏 I’ve just been very busy recently and haven’t been able to finish the show
