Chapter Text
The Bastard of the Barrel was truly a mystery.
The first thing Wylan noticed about Kaz Brekker was that he always, and he really meant always, carried a deck of cards. No matter what he was wearing or when. He always seemed to have a rather used looking deck on him. Wylan had caught Kaz shuffling the deck when he thought he was alone and was sure to put them away quickly whenever he heard someone approach. Not quick enough tho. Wylan had witnessed it at least a couple of times to be safe to say that Kaz always had playing cards on him.
The second thing he noticed was that Kaz, no matter how grumpy and unapproachable he seemed, appeared to like animals. And the animals liked him back. It had gotten so bad that Kaz, whenever he wanted to use the actual door to get into the mansion, would have to hide from the neighborhood cats until the coast was clear and he could slip inside. One of them, a gray one, always seemed to find its way inside no matter how careful they were so Wylan wasn't surprised to find said cat on his couch every other day. He wasn't quite sure whose cat that was exactly but he assumed it was a stray since it looked a little bit more.. run down than all the others.
What was surprising this morning though wasn't the cat on the couch. It was Kaz sitting next to it with a book in his hands. “Morning.”, he said without looking up.
“You’re out of coffee.”
Well. That was one way to start the day, he thought. Normally Wylan would've asked Kaz how he had gotten in but it was still way too early for him to get mad at Kaz. “Did you let the cat in?”
“What?”
Wylan sighed. “The cat. Did you let it in?”
Kaz finally looked up from his book; eyes wandering over to the fur ball lying next to him. It seemed asleep. “Wasn't me.” He put the book aside. “It shouldn’t surprise you at all though that it always finds a way in. I told you often enough how easy it is to break in.”
“Yeah, since you always do that.” Kaz had a set of keys but Wylan knew for a fact that Kaz liked to come in in a more.. Kaz way.
“You’re lucky no one ever stole anything.”, Kaz kept lecturing him. It was way too early to deal with him right now.
“You always steal my coffee.”
“Guilty as pleaded. But the coffee at the Slat sucks.”
Wylan only hummed before turning around to get himself a nice cup of tea. He didn’t offer to make one for Kaz. He knew the boy on his couch hated it. The kitchen tiles were so cold he could feel them through his slippers. Now that he was thinking about it- the entire house was cold. He would have to put on a fire in the living room. Ketterdams falls were wet and cold and it was easy to get sick during those times. He was just happy he didn’t have to spend another winter at the Slat. The building was dry and not as cold as the outside but it wasn't directly warm either. Which was why most Dregs spent their days at the crow club drinking or working. Finally the water was boiling and Wylan grabbed a bag of Chai that Inej had sent him. This was one of his last bags. He would have to get new ones soon. With a sigh he returned to the living room where Kaz had picked up the book again. He set the mug on the glass coffee table and started the fire in the fireplace.
“No one to do it for you today, merchling?”, Kaz asked after the dry wood had finally caught on fire.
“I gave them time off.” One of Kerchs big festivals was coming up soon. It didn’t seem to be a big topic in Ketterdam but the farmers and maidens who came from smaller towns and villages around Ketterdam seemed to really look forward to it. And so did his mother. Decorating made her happy and Wylan was grateful that the interior finally got a new design. Somewhat. The maiden that was taking care of her had taken her out for a shopping spree and they weren’t supposed to be back til this evening. Kaz must have known since he only ever showed up when no one else was around.
Awoken through he sudden warmth the cat jumped up to move closer to the flame, jumping over Kaz in the process before rolling into a ball on the soft carpet in front of the fireplace. Wylan pat its head before letting himself fall down onto the armchair, pulling his knees up to his body and draping a dark green blanket over himself. It had been a gift from Jesper and Wylan loved it dearly. For a split second he was grateful that he wasn't alone. Jesper had gone to the farm to help his dad rebuild the stables. Wylan had been invited too but he had chickened out and canceled last minute.
Another sigh escaped him as he leaned forward to grab his mug. The tea should be more than done now. “How often do I have to say that to you, Kaz? No feet on the table.” He knew the boys habit on putting up his bad leg whenever he had the chance but he was not having it today. Not this early.
“You hate that table anyways.”
“Still.”
Kaz grumbled something before sitting up straighter, doing what he was told. He didn’t miss the quiet hiss escaping Kaz’s lips when his leg hit the hard, wooden floor. Wylan ignored it but the cat jumped up, startled from the sound of Kaz’s boot hitting the ground. “So.”, Wylan started. “You came over to do what exactly?”
“To avoid Anika. And it’s cold at the Slat. We can’t exactly make it warmer by making a fire.”
That was true enough. The entire building would probably burn down. And Wylan had also figured that Kaz hated the cold. Not that he wasn't a short-tempered person in general but the cold always made him even less.. likable. Jesper had once told him about how Kaz’s leg troubled him more when it was cold and wet after Kaz had snapped on Wylan for no apparent reason once. Wylan had always wondered why the raven haired boy would voluntarily choose to live in a city like Ketterdam, where even the summers weren’t really better. Kaz picked up his book again. Wylan took a sip of tea. It was still hot enough to burn his lip so he quickly set it aside again. “What are you reading?”, he asked after a while of silence. Kaz kept his eyes on the pages.
“A book.”
“Really.”, said Wylan sarcastically. Kaz’s eyes flew form left to right quickly; gloved fingers turning one page after another. Whatever he was reading seemed interesting and Wylan found himself a little jealous of Kaz once again. A movement brought him back from his thoughts and Wylan’s heart made a jump. “Stupid cat.”, he said.
“Rude.”, came Kaz’s voice, defending the cats dignity once again.
“Sorry, cat.” It meowed as a reply. Wylan didn’t know if that meant it forgave him but when the cat stretched and walked over to sit in front of Kaz, he took it as a no. Wylan picked up his mug again. The tea had cooled down fast and was hardly warm anymore but Wylan sighed, drinking it anyways.
“Stupid cat.” Kaz. Wylan looked up to find the gray cat sitting on his lap, book on the ground. Kaz quickly shoved it away, hand flying to his right thigh. The cat meowed. “Bad cat.”, he scolded it. It sat on front of him, the almost naked tail draped over its front paws. It meowed again and after some time he reached out with his free hand to pat its head. “Sorry, Rat.” Kaz had named the cat ‘Rat’ and it honestly fit quite well. The gray fur and the ratty tail. It was truly a perfect name. Still- Wylan refused to call it that. The cat started purring, leaning into Kaz’s outstretched palm. Then it looked at him again. “I know. But not right now. Maybe later.” Another mow. “No.” It stomped away and jumped onto Wylans lap instead. “Oh now you’re cheating on me. Remember who feeds you.” And almost as if it made a snarky reply, the cat snuggled into the blanket Wylan still had around his shoulders. Kaz only huffed. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”, he said before bending down to pick up the book again. He put it aside.
“Not interested in the book anymore?”, Wylan asked.
“Nah- it was thrilling before someone made me throw it away. Rat ruined the vibe.”, Kaz responded before re-adjusting himself. “Man I had just found a comfortable position. Thanks for nothing.” He let his head fall back against the couch and sighed, hand back on his leg. Wylan knew he did that when it was troubling him more than usual and Kaz tried to avoid letting anyone know that it hurt. But old habits seemed to die hard with him. Still, Wylan didn’t offer any help when Kaz pushed himself up and limped closer to the fire.
“Cold?”
Kaz just raised a brow while lowering himself to the ground. The cat joined him. For some reason it always did.
“Throw me that.”, he grumbled and pointed his head to one of the pillows sitting next to Wylan.
“Couldn't have grabbed one on your way?”
Kaz just shrugged. Wylan looked at him for a little longer before throwing the pillow against the back of Kaz’s head. Wylan couldn’t help but laugh as Kaz turned around, dangerous glare in his eyes. He stared him down, before turning around to the cat. “Get him.” Wylan didn’t know if he should be surprised or not when the cat actually listened and jumped onto his shoulders, hitting him with soft paws. Now Kaz was the one laughing while Wylan tried to get the fighting fur ball off his back.
“What are you a secret princess who can talk to animals?”, Wylan asked slightly out of breath as the cat finally let go of him.
“I might be.”