Autumn Open Post

[callmeles]

Autumn Open Post As we know, I love my AUs and PSLs! I love exploring worlds and discovering how little changes can tumble and create big changes. My characters are top-leveled but feel free to add your own and let me know if there's someone you'd like! ♥

C

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[pearlhandles]

"The worst," Jesper jokes while shooting him a teasing look. "I appreciate you looking out for my frown lines. I'm much too young and too handsome for that." He grins and considers that. "You know, if you put it to song, I am more likely to remember it better."

He snorts at the noise from Kaz and looks over at his best friend.

"And the air we breathe isn't free?" He likely knew the answer that Kaz would give him but he can't help it.

"I've made my rounds around the tables and let Abbott go. He wasn't happy."

[musicandmayhem]

"Breathing is a privilege, not a right, and the cost is determined by what words it's used on," Kaz predictably replies, though his mood shifts at the mention of Abbott. He leans on the mop he's using, utilizing it as a makeshift cane at the moment as he stands still. Shark eyes latch onto Jesper, devouring the news with satisfaction. "I'm not in the business of keeping someone on freelance payroll because it makes them happy. I'm sure someone else will scoop him up, but he doesn't have enough on us to be of use tattling secrets to them."

Wylan gingerly cleans off his equipment as the other two men handle the floors. "Not everyone actually goes to the effort of revenge, Kaz. He just got fired, of course he's upset."

"Then he shouldn't have done a poor job," Kaz replies bluntly, going back to mopping. "There. Done."

Wylan sighs. "Thanks for your help, and glad we got the job finished." He looks over at Jesper though and says in a small voice, "I'm sorry you had to do that, though. It couldn't have been pleasant to deliver news like that."

[pearlhandles]

"Of course," he says, not in the least bit surprised by Kaz's answer. "I've no doubt someone will snatch him up until they realize he can be a loose canon. I'm only impressed that he didn't try to pull one out on me."

With all of his experience at the tables and dealing with his addiction to gambling (with a lot of help from Wylan to be sure), Jesper can see the situation just a little more clearly than he did before. He didn't like letting anyone go, not when it was hard enough in Ketterdam but they only had room for one hothead and it was usually himself. Or Nina.

Jesper finishes sweeping the remaining area and gives Wylan a little smile. "It's not fun but after he made a commotion that didn't go unnoticed, it couldn't be helped."

[musicandmayhem]

"We're all glad about that," Wylan reassures Jesper, speaking on even Kaz's behalf whether Kaz wants him to or not. "Not that you wouldn't be the quicker draw of the two of you, but still." He doesn't want Jesper put in that position. It's a part of their lives, he gets it, but that doesn't mean he has to wish it or want it.

Reaching out he takes the broom back, wincing a little at the movement. "I'm fine. Just a little sore. From ducking." He's really not that impressive, is he? Quickly turning and his body ending up on the ground came with some bumps and bruises. Wylan is still hardening himself to Ketterdam life, even if psychologically, he was raised to play the game in spades. "Kaz threw me out of the way."

Kaz gives a shrug as he limps his way to the door. "Can't risk your fingers, can I? Anyway, you two can handle the rest, I'm sure."

[pearlhandles]

It was, as Wylan thought, simply part of the job and Jesper didn't think much of it. He knew his skills, especially with his beloved pistols and he would come up on top of that situation. Still, he appreciated Wylan being there and while he may have given him a hard time initially, he liked that Wylan didn't automatically go to the worst like the rest of them.

He narrows his eyes when Wylan winces then shakes his head when he admits it was from Kaz throwing him out of the way. "We'll get you some ice for that."

Jesper looks at Kaz. "We can handle it. I assume you're no worse for wear then?"

[musicandmayhem]

Kaz rolls his cane through his fingers, the bottom spinning on the ground as he shakes his head. “I only wear the worst when it suits me, Jesper. And even then, I’m always fine.” The bold line is cast out with a careless precision that is really anything but uncalculated. “I’m sure you two have time to waste though, so I’ll be going.”

Wylan moves forward to slide an arm around Jesper’s waist, shaking his head as he hears Kaz thump up the steps and away to his solitude. Or to his crew where orders are to be given, that formidable wall as usual holding out anything personal. In a way, Wylan gets it. He’s holding back some truths himself, isn’t he? Aren’t they all. Still. Does that make him a better or worse liar than Kaz, that he’s letting people get close enough to maybe eventually realize what he’s hiding?

For a moment his brow is furrowed, but he buries his fast in Jesper’s chest then. Taking a deep breath, he says, “Let’s go to our room. Get cleaned up. Do something that isn’t actually useless, as someone likes to call it.”

[pearlhandles]

"Of course you do," Jesper says and watches him go before turning his attention to Wylan when he wraps his arm around him.

No doubt, Kaz will start issuing orders to the rest of the crew as soon as he returns. It was just how Kaz operates.

Jesper smooths over Wylan's furrowed brow with his thumb and holds him tight when he suddenly buries his face into his chest. He chuckles low and presses a kiss to the top of his head. "You'll hear no complaints from me, love. Let's go," he says before taking Wylan's hand. "After all, I have to make sure you're completely alright, don't I?"