Round two and definitely not the last of the Grishaverse fandom stupidity. If I played a drinking game where I took a shot every time I read a lie from an anti, I would have drunk myself into the grave already. And that would be just this week.
I’m posting another small batch of these remarkable screenshots because they perfectly show how twisted the current anti mindset has become. You like to scream about Aleksander being manipulative while using the exact same tactics yourselves. You guilt people, twist words, pressure others into silence, and shame anyone who dares to enjoy something outside your approved narrative and above all you lie. Goebbels would be proud that the Grishaverse fandom has outdone the master, because that is manipulation in its purest form dressed up as morality so you can feel superior while doing it.
You keep shouting that others must “read the books” as if that gives you authority, but you clearly have not read them with any real understanding. And that is the funniest part because you behave like religious zealots who scream about sin yet do not follow the rules of your own faith. In the world of Ravka you would not be Kaz, Inej, Jesper or Zoya. You know who you would be? Drüskelle.
You people like to repeat secondhand distortions, claim events that never happened either in your so-called holy books for the poor or in the show, and ignore context entirely. You invent crimes, rewrite motives, and act like you are delivering justice. In truth you are just spreading falsehoods to maintain control over how people are allowed to interpret a story.
What you are doing dear anti, defender of virtue and morality, has nothing to do with analysis or protecting anyone. It is policing taste and emotion. During the Second World War you would have been the ones burning the forbidden books. You push a single moral reading and punish disagreement. That is not literacy, that is social intimidation. Many people have stopped posting Darklina content or even admitting they enjoy it because of this constant moral noise, the hatred you yourselves created. It is absurd and cruel that fiction fans are scared of being harassed for liking a story about power, loyalty, and tragedy. So I really have to ask, have you completely lost your fucking minds?
And if you have any problems, then take them to LB herself, because she not only has nothing against Darklina but also ships Sansa and the Hound, though I am sure you would still twist that into some self-serving excuse. And the same LB herself recently said “fair enough” when someone called Malina a shi**y endgame, which makes your moral crusade look even more pathetic.
As for Aleksander, the man you despise and fail to understand, he is a morally complex character written in a brutal world. His choices are not meant to make you comfortable. That is the point. You erase all that complexity and replace it with simplified slogans about abuse, grooming, and morality because you cannot tolerate ambiguity. You need every story to flatter your modern sense of righteousness. By writing all those things about him you prove how little you understand people, psychology, history, and human relationships. But I admit, there is a certain dark amusement in reading the moral outbursts of a sixteen-year-old who has never studied or experienced anything yet speaks with the confidence of a prophet.
So I will say it plainly and I will keep saying it because the amount of lies and vileness you spread is staggering. You accuse others of being blind or manipulated while you yourselves manipulate through fear, shame, lies, and selective rewriting of facts. You are not protecting anyone. You are only protecting your fragile illusion of moral authority.
But to be honest I think many of you either cannot read with comprehension, which says very little for your intelligence since Bardugo’s books are not difficult, or you are lying deliberately. And if you are lying you are not just no better, you are the absolute bottom of the fandom and of the human kind.
You OBVIOUSLY have not read Crooked Kingdom, where Kaz's lips brush Inej's neck, he has a panic attack, leaves, starts a fight with his ENTIRE GANG and WINS
Like yes the crows are fucked in the head because they commit crimes, and have trauma, and unhealthy coping strategies and y'know all the big stuff that drives the book, but i wanna see the tiny ways their damage shows. I wanna see Matthias go nonverbal when he sees fire, able to walk away but not able to talk about it. I wanna see Nina accidentally eat something old and throw up because she was so hungry post-parem. I wanna see Kaz scratch as his skin so much during an episode it goes red and stings. I wanna see Inej whispering to her knives late at night because she has no altar to kneel at. I wanna see Wylan singing to himself when people argue around him to distract his brain. I wanna know how many clothes Jesper had to throw away because they got torn or stained from debt collectors.
It goes without saying that the Six of Crows duology is my favourite series of all time. Seeing beloved Wylan come to life in the Shadow & Bone show was beyond a dream, and Jack Wolfe portrayed him beautifully. There isn't words, however, there is art, and that is what I chose to do.
A study of Jack as Wylan, with some touches added in from the book. 🧡
Description: Reader and Jesper are having some troubles with jealousy. Wylan and Jesper talk and find peace. But will reader and Kaz do the same?
warnings: Some use of Y/N, some non-canon Kaz (He lets reader hold his hand with some forehead touching), Angst, fluff, drinking, some swearing, hurt/comfort. Please let me know if I forgot anything.
Word Count: 4k words (I got carried away).
Gif not mine! Credit to @mrsbrekkers!
It was a typical night at the Crow Club. Drunken people everywhere, a local band playing overly loud music, people gambling at every corner, and Jesper was being his usual self.
“I am just saying! I think that it is interesting that Wylan’s “friend” is showing up now, of all times!” Jesper exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air, leaning back in his seat, looking exasperated.
I frowned at him from across the table, arms crossed. “Jesper, I think you are just jealous,” I said to him. “Wylan hasn’t even done anything except talk to him and look over here at you. It is clear that you are the only one for him!”
“Oh, bullshit!” Jesper spat, leaning even further down in his seat. “He’s just making sure I am still here, still trailing after him like a lost dog.”
I sighed, “Jesper, you might as well be with how dejected you’re looking at him.”
Jesper sighed and continued to very obviously observe Wylan and his friend at the bar. I took this opportunity to scan the club. As usual, the night was lively. People are drunk, dancing, laughing. I took a deep breath, knowing who I was looking for wouldn’t show his face until later in the evening. The night was still young for the bastard of the barrel to make an appearance.
I was ripped out of my search by a nagging voice, “Now who looks like a lost dog?” Jesper said.
I turned my head to him quickly, my eyebrows furrowing, “Shut up, Jesper!”
“Hey! I am just saying. Wipe that face off, it’s obvious that you’re looking for him.” Jesper smirked, straightening in his seat.
“And it’s obvious that you are just looking for a distraction because your boyfriend is making you jealous,” I replied, raising my eyebrow at Jesper from across the table.
“Fine! I think you should be a good friend and let me use you and your terrible taste in men as a distraction!” He said, smiling from across the table.
“Terrible? You cannot be serious right now.” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.
The table was silent for a beat before Jesper spoke up once again, “Listen, love. Boss is definitely not the worst choice, but he’s definitely not the best. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Jesper said, leaning his arms on the table and talking lower than before.
I gave Jesper a small smile before looking down at my lap. “Thanks, Jes. But I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still look out for you.” He said, raising both of his eyebrows and smiling.
I smiled at him before taking another look around the crowded club, looking across the aisle and seeing that Wylan and his friend were no longer at the bar.
Jesper must have seen the confusion on my face, because he then turned in his seat to look at the place where his boyfriend and his friend once sat.
“No. Fucking. Way.” Jesper spoke. Anger is beginning to take over his face.
“Wait! Maybe they are just playing at one of the tables somewhere, or maybe they’re dancing!” I said, quickly trying to calm the sharpshooter down.
“Dancing? That is supposed to make me feel better? Knowing that my boyfriend and his brand new best friend are out on the floor, dancing?” He said, looking at me from across the table in annoyance.
“Okay, never mind. Maybe that isn’t better.” I said, giving Jesper a small, strained smile.
“I am going to find that boyfriend stealing cow and show him what kind of sharpshooter I really am,” Jesper said, downing the rest of his drink and getting up.
“Wait, Jesper, maybe that isn’t such a good idea-” I said, putting my hands on the table and calling after him as he stalks away.
“He’s going to kill him,” I say quietly, looking into the crowd that Jesper stormed into.
Just then, I hear a sharp voice behind me, “Kill who, exactly?”
I couldn’t help but straighten my posture at the sound of it, “Wylan’s friend from today. Jesper thinks they are flirting with each other. He’s jealous.” I say, not looking back.
“If he does decide to kill him, he'd better make sure it’s not on the wooden floors.” He says before coming to stand beside where I am sitting.
“I’m not sure he cares about anything at the moment,” I said honestly, finally turning my head to look up at the owner of the voice.
As I turned my head, there stood none other than Kaz Brekker. Owner of the Crow Club, leader of a small gang of misfits, and bastard of the barrel himself. He stood tall, wearing all black except for his decorated waistcoat and silver chain; his hair was slicked back as usual. He was sans his usual black coat and leaned against his cane. His expression was neutral as he stared out into the crowd.
Before I could admire him more, he looked down at me. Our eyes met, and I could feel the shiver make its way up my spine, but I refused to show it. His eyes softened, making their way around my being. It felt like a once-over, making sure everything was as it was supposed to be.
His eyes met mine again, and he took a breath as if he was about to say something when someone began to call for him.
“Boss! Boss!” Roddy, one of the bartenders, called as he walked over to the table quickly. “There’s a lady here, says’ she’s got business with ya!” He explains, giving me a nod of acknowledgement.
I couldn’t help the pang of my own jealousy hitting me somewhere between my ribs. I turned my head to look at Kaz, feeling like I was watching the cogs turn in his head.
Kaz let out a small breath, “Right, thank you, Roddy.”
Roddy nods, turning away to go back to the bar. Kaz stood up straighter, turning towards me once again.
“Will you come by my office tonight before you go?” he asks, eyes searching mine once again.
I blink a moment before answering, “Of course, what for?”
He goes to answer, but once again he is cut off, this time by a woman. A beautiful woman.
As she walked over, it felt as though I was seeing something out of a book I’d read once. Her hair was long and blonde, curled tightly as it rested along her waist. She was wearing a long, full skirt that was a dusty pink and was decorated with black ribbons. She was wearing black gloves under her dainty silver bracelets.
“Mr. Brekker! I told that bartender I was searching for you. Seems he didn’t get the message out.” She spoke, smiling up at him.
Kaz raised his eyebrows in response, taking a deep breath before seemingly steeling himself. “Hello, Ms. Clairemont.” He said to her, giving a slight nod of his head.
I didn’t say anything, could only stare at this lady who looked like she was molded by the saints themselves, and Kaz, who looked like he was molded by saints, then deemed too perfect and was banished to Ketterdam.
Ms. Clairemont stepped closer, leaning in slightly towards Kaz. “I know you’re a busy man, Mr. Brekker, but surely you know that you shouldn’t keep a lady waiting.”
Kaz, once again, raised his eyebrows with a polite, barely there smile as a response, “My apologies, Ms. Clairemont.”
I continued to look between the two from my seat at the booth, wishing nothing more than for Jesper to come back and save me. I dragged my eyes away and took a swig from my drink, which alerted Ms. Clairemont that there was indeed someone sitting next to this conversation.
“Oh! Who’s this? A future barmaid?” She smiled, looking at me, then to Kaz with a quirked eyebrow.
I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, looking up at her with a polite smile. “Something like that.”
I looked to Kaz, who hadn’t looked away from Ms. Clairemont after she spoke. He looked slightly annoyed, but professional.
“Ms. Clairemont, perhaps we should attend to the business you are here to discuss in my office?” Kaz spoke sternly.
Ms. Clairemont's smile didn’t waver, “Oh, of course! Please lead the way!”
As the two of them began to walk away, she looked back at me, “Good luck on that barmaid job! Maybe I’ll see you around here soon!” She smiled and kept following behind Kaz.
I stared after the two of them, making their way up the stairs, placing both hands on my drink to steady it. Once they were both out of sight, I took a deep breath and slammed my drink back.
I then decided that I could feel sorry for myself on a different night, and that I needed to find Jesper. As I dragged myself out of the booth, I made my way past the bar where I had originally seen him disappear to. I scanned the crowd while simultaneously dodging dancing drunks, perking up when I saw a flash of light from a corner of the club. I quickly began to make my way through the crowd.
Finally, as I get to a corner of the club near the open floor for dancing, I see Jesper. A very angry-looking Jesper, speaking to a very concerned-looking Wylan. I notice that Wylan’s friend is no longer with them, so I began to look around for him, seeing as I was not confident in breaking up the spat between Jes and Wylan.
I spot the guy leaning against the wall, watching the performance of the band on stage. He doesn’t look too scared, which is a good sign that Jesper hadn’t fully threatened him.
As I am observing him, Wylan passes me and starts heading towards his friend again.
“Where the hell have you been?” I hear Jesper say behind me.
I turn to him, “What? How is this my fault?” I say, looking up at him in frustration.
“You were supposed to follow me, maybe keep me from threatening him and saving me from making Wylan mad!” He exclaims, putting his hands on his hips.
“It is not my job, nor my responsibility, to keep you from both threatening someone and making your boyfriend mad. I think those are both problems you’re supposed to deal with.” I say, slightly smiling up at the sharpshooter.
Jesper quirks his eyebrow at me, “Fine, I guess. It doesn’t matter anyway because Wylan agreed to say goodbye to that sorry excuse for a man and spend the rest of the night with me!” He smiles.
I couldn’t help but shake my head and sigh, “Jesper, you really need to learn how to control your jealousy.”
“He really does,” said a voice from over my shoulder.
Wylan then comes around to stand beside me, hands in his coat pockets, and gives Jesper a look of amusement.
Jesper’s mouth falls open in mock disbelief, “Not both of you! You guys are unbelievably mean to me.”
I smirked at him, looking at Wylan before saying, “I think we need to be meaner if anything.”
Jesper gasped, and Wylan laughed, “I agree!” He then smiled up at Jesper, eyes twinkling in the low light of the Crow Club.
I smiled as I admired the love that the two boys have for each other. Hoping that one day, maybe I could achieve the same. Suddenly, Jesper's brows furrow.
“Who is that?” He asks with a look of pure confusion.
I look at him, confused, before turning to see what he is staring at. Across the way stands Ms. Clairemont, talking animatedly and standing directly beside Kaz. She’s standing close, closer than Kaz would let any normal person stand to him.
My face melted into something more sorrowful before I caught it and slipped back on a neutral look. I watched Kaz turn his body more towards her before saying something with a small raise of his brow, the same look he’d given me a dozen times.
I turned back to Jesper and Wylan, only to find them already staring at me. They both looked at me with pity. I took a breath before answering Jesper’s original question from earlier, “Her name is Ms. Clairemont. I have no clue why she is here or what she does. I do know that she thinks Kaz was trying to recruit me as a barmaid.” I tell them bitterly.
Wylan, of course, opened his mouth in shock. Jesper looked angry again as he stared past me and at Ms. Clairemont and Kaz.
“It doesn’t matter anyway, nothing was going to come from Kaz and me anyway,” I say, looking down at my shoes for a second before looking back up.
“You said it yourself, Jes. It’s not worth the hurt.” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
“Hey,” he says softly, placing a hand on my shoulder, “Just because he isn’t my number one choice doesn’t mean you should give up on the thing entirely. Everyone sees the way he looks at you, the way he treats you differently compared to the rest of us. He’s just not great at doing the whole affection thing.” Jesper says, giving me an honest look.
“I hate to say it, but I agree with Jesper. It’s clear he likes you, even if it is just a little bit. You should just take it slow and see where it goes! We all know Kaz isn’t one for grand gestures.” Wylan says to me with a smile.
I let their words sink in and smile. “I guess. But what about Ms. Clairemont? He’s never let anyone else stand that close except us.” I say, glancing back at the railing where they stood.
As I glanced back at them. Kaz was already staring at me. Still wearing a neutral look on his face, but his eyebrows were furrowed. His eyes drifted away from me and scanned across Wylan and Jesper. I followed his eyes until they eventually landed back on me, his face softening ever so slightly.
Just then, Ms. Clairemont placed her hand on Kaz’s arm, tilting her head back with a laugh. I watched as an uncomfortable expression appeared on Kaz’s face as he discreetly pulled his arm away and turned towards the woman. If it were any other person, they’d be dead. I had seen enough, turning back towards Jesper and Wylan, realizing they had seen the same thing as me.
“There is no way she just did that,” Wylan said, deadpan.
“How is she not dead?” Jesper said, looking between Wylan and I.
“Maybe he likes her,” I said, not really phrasing it as a question, but as a statement.
“Y/N-” Jesper started, but I cut him off.
“Jes! Look at her. I mean, come on, really look at her. She’s gorgeous! She belongs in paintings and book pages. Why would anyone choose me over her?” I said, looking at him with complete seriousness. I continue, “It doesn’t matter anyway, I’m just here to do my job and get paid.”
I don’t stick around to hear what Jesper and Wylan say. I turn around, sparing a glance over at Kaz and Ms. Clairemont. She looks as though her spirits were toned down, but still hopeful. She has her hands resting in front of her, looking at Kaz through her eyelashes. Kaz towers above her, but I can’t see his expression. I don’t seem to care anyway. I pry my eyes away from the scene, making my way back up to the bar area. I make a beeline straight for the doors, yearning for the smoggy Ketterdam air.
I push through the doors and the groups of people making their way in and out of the bar. Heading towards the alleyway beside the club. I stand at the corner, close enough that I can still see the door, but I am hidden in the shadows of the alleyway. I lean my head back against the bricks, taking a deep breath before thinking about how I got in this situation anyway.
I hear a carriage pull up to the front of the club. I can see that it is an expensive black looking one with white horses to pull it along as I peek around the corner. I’m studying the details of it when I hear the rushed tap of a cane hitting the brick ground. I spot Kaz, making his way to the door of the carriage and opening it hastily.
“Mr. Brekker, I really didn’t mean any harm. I just-” Ms. Clairemont says, still standing a few paces away from the carriage and Kaz.
“Just what, Ms. Clairemont? You just wanted to see how close you could get to me to learn my plans? So you could go tell Pekka Rollins?” Kaz said, anger evident in his face and tone.
“No! I mean, yes! But I swear, I do actually think you’re very handsome; I meant that part!” Ms. Clairemont said, brows furrowing in worry.
“Do you think I was actually interested in you? Unfortunately for you, Ms. Clairemont, I already have that part covered by someone much more competent. Now, please, get into your carriage and never come back to my club.” Kaz said, still holding the door open.
Ms. Clairemont didn’t say anything, just sniffled and got into her carriage. Kaz slammed the door shut, stepping back to watch it barrel down the streets. I couldn’t help but feel bad for the girl, knowing I would end up like her, seeing as Kaz already has someone filling that spot in his life. I leaned back against the brick wall before anyone spotted me, especially Kaz.
“Saints, boss. I think you broke that girl's heart!” I hear Jesper say.
“Jesper!” I hear Wylan hiss at him.
“I’m just saying! She was really into you!” Jesper spoke.
“Shut it, Jesper! I am not in the mood.” Kaz said sharply. I hear his cane tapping as he gets closer to the doors of the bar. I listen closely as he speaks again, this time a little quieter than before, “Where is she?”
“I don’t know, she walked out after spotting Ms. Clairemont’s little show,” Jesper said, obviously being snarky towards Kaz.
“Is it possible she went back to the slat?” I hear Wylan ask.
“Perhaps. She and I were supposed to have a meeting tonight before she left.” Kaz said. “Have someone check the slat, make sure she’s safe wherever she is.” Kaz demanded before adding, “Tell her that I would still like to have that meeting.” I hear his cane tap as he makes his way through the doors of the bar.
“Saints, Ms. Clairemont really soured his mood.” Jesper joked.
“Yeah, I don’t think she made Y/N’s night any better either,” Wylan said.
“We should go check the slat, see if we can at least locate her,” Jesper said.
I decided I should reveal myself, just so that they don’t have to go all the way to the slat to find me.
“You don’t have to go to the slat,” I said, rounding the corner of the building.
Wylan jumped and held a hand to his chest, and Jesper’s brows shot up.
“Love! We were just looking for you!” Jesper exclaimed.
“I know. I heard.” I said, looking around at the people lining the streets.
“Y/N, I know you don’t want to, but I think you should go see Kaz. Not only because he wants that meeting done, but he seemed worried about you.” Wylan said softly, coming closer to rest his hand against my arm caringly.
“I think you’re right, Wylan, I’m going to head up now,” I said, giving him a small smile.
“Do you want us to wait for you before heading back to the slat?” Jesper asked.
I hesitated, taking a deep breath before telling him, “No, you guys go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
“Aye Aye, Captain!” Said Jesper with a salute. He then patted my arm before grabbing Wylan’s hand and making their way through town.
I watched them disappear before heading back into the club. I took in my surroundings as I walked through the door before heading towards the stairs that led to Kaz’s office. I tried to calm myself down as I made my way up the steps, telling myself that this would be like any other business meeting we’ve had. We’d go over plans for a new heist, he would ask my opinion on what should be changed, he’d ask me my thoughts on who should do what, and then we’d be done.
I should’ve known that wouldn’t be the case.
I made my way to Kaz’s door, knocking once. A signal all the crows use to communicate.
“Enter.” I hear Kaz say angrily.
I pushed the door open and stood quietly in the entrance as it closed behind me.
Kaz didn’t look up from the paper he was studying on his desk as he asked, “Did you locate her?”
“I’d sure hope so, seeing as I am her.” I joked quietly.
Caught off guard, Kaz’s head shot up to look at me, still standing by the door. He set the paper down that he was looking at and looked me over. Nodding once at the space across from his desk. I walked over quietly, standing directly in front of his desk, looking down at the papers littered all over.
“Where did you go?” Kaz asked, quiet yet stern.
“Just outside the bar, I saw the show with Ms. Clairemont if that’s what you are wondering,” I said to him with a small smile.
Kaz looked at me seriously, no trace of amusement or joking. “She was a rat.” He said.
“She was in love with you,” I stated simply. I gave him a small quirk of my eyebrow.
“Too bad I don’t find anything about her attractive. Plus, that spot is already taken.” Kaz said sharply. Still looking at me, leaning on the desk.
“Is it?” I asked quietly, dragging my eyes away from him, pretending to be interested in a nearby paper.
“Y/N.” Kaz spoke.
“Hm?” I hummed, still not reaching his eyes.
“Look at me.” He ordered.
I felt my heartbeat pick up in my chest, swallowing as I forced myself to meet his eyes.
“It’s you,” He pauses. “Always has been.”
Kaz’s eyes soften before he limps around the desk, standing before me on the other side.
He looks down at the ground before meeting my eyes.
“I- I know that I am not the best choice. I have issues, plenty of them. I am a broken, dirty bastard that can’t handle the thought of touch,” he said, staring at me from above.
“But, I can’t let the thought of you go. You’re all I think about. Day and Night. I get nothing done because of you. And the thought of you being hurt because of Ms. Clairemont was jarring.” He said softly.
He looked down as he brought his gloved hand up to mine, which was resting at my side. He reached softly for me, and I let him. I kept my hand delicately placed inside his gloved one. Bringing it up to rest between us.
“Kaz. I don’t know what to say.” I spoke, staring up at him.
“Just say that you feel the same. That you want this with me.” Kaz whispered.
“I do. I want this. I want you, Kaz.” I said, bringing my other hand up to join our hands.
Kaz let out a breath before cradling both of my hands between his. He leaned down to rest his forehead on them before leaning back up.
“It won’t be easy. And if you decide you don’t want this, me, anymore. That’s okay. I understand.” Kaz said, brows furrowing.
“I won’t,” I said sternly. Lightly squeezing his hand. “We’re in this together.”
