#𝐃𝐘𝐍. ┊ when you allow yourself to be blindsided by love‚ two worlds make a universe. ( 𝐌𝐕𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐕𝐊𝐄

[thiefofcrows]

Plotted starter for @mvndrvke | ⇢ INEJ.

   Kaz hadn’t known what to expect when Inej came back — they’d established the desire for something more between them, but at the time, he hadn’t been ready to take that step. She’d known it and so had he. Now, however … while Kaz was far from fully healed, nor did he think he ever would be, he felt better. Bringing Pekka Rollins to his knees, having him locked away in hellgate hadn’t fixed everything, but it had helped. He thought he could manage at least giving the fragile thing between them a try, if Inej wanted to. Given their last conversation, there was a part of him that expected her to say no — which, of course, he would’ve respected. Standing before her, his gloves far from his reach, his coat and hat hung up by the door, Inej had given him permission to try.

   He swallowed thickly, his heart racing and, like before, Kaz offered her the faintest nod. Gradually, he moved in close to her, tracking every slight breath, every fluctuation in her expression with an intensity he’d never allowed himself to indulge before now. He reached out — but hesitated, watching her. How did he word what he wanted to ask?  Kaz settled for a slightly clumsy ❝Can I …? ❞ Only when he heard Inej’s voice, wavering and thready like his own, nervous, but wanting … yes, did he slowly take the last step closer, reaching to curl his arms around her waist, his bare hands resting against her clothed back. Kaz exhaled as if he’d been holding his breath, his eyes fluttering closed — and he heard Inej do the same the moment they made contact. It made him feel … a little better. He wasn't the only one struggling.

   Kaz felt her hands slowly rest against his chest — it was almost too much, but he slid his right hand away from her back, faintly trailing it along her arm … and he took one of her hands in his. Revulsion and terror gripped him, but when his fingers found her pulse at the inside of her wrist, it helped. After a long moment of hesitation, allowing them both to get used to the sensation of contact, Kaz tiled his head forward and down slightly until his forehead gently rested against hers. He gave her hand a soft squeeze, as if for emphasis. ❝Heartbeat helps,❞ he managed, his voice rough, but quiet and almost gentle between them. He opened his eyes and gazed at her, imploring. ❝Tell me to let go and I will.❞