Chapter Text
Feran Sahin said they'd be stopped by the snow for two days. Maybe two days and a half.
At eleven o'clock of the fourth day of the journey, the train was able to travel again, ending the race in the station of Ketterdam with a total delay of three days.
There were several people waiting on the platform, among them a nice pair of Grisha around thirty, who were surrounded by a curious group made of five children and a large, white wolf. It was obvious only one of the children, a little girl with chestnut brown curls and round glasses, was their daughter.
The woman had long red hair, and, despite the scars on her face and the bandage that covered her right eye, she was beautiful. The man wore a pair of glasses and was writing in a little notebook.
Kaz barely managed to get off the train and observe those who had come to greet the passengers: he was immediately approached by several members of the Stadwatch and a judge, who asked him about the crime that happened during the journey and put a pile of documents to fill in his hands.
Mr Radmakker gave him an understanding smile. “There's never rest for you, my dear Detective. May I help you with your luggage?”
“I must say yes, Mr Radmakker,” the young man replied. “I'll go to sit on that bench to fix these documents, I might write an epic poem with all this paper...”
The leader of the Transport Committee nodded, but, before he left, Kaz called him back.
“Mr Radmakker... Thank you for this journey. It has been kind of you to invite me.”
“Oh, my pleasure, dear Brekker, my pleasure. I hope you'll never forget this experience.”
“I'm sure I won't,” Kaz replied, half serious and half sarcastic.
He walked to the bench, sitting down, he placed the documents on his knees and took a pen out of the pocket of his jacket.
While he was writing, Kaz often raised his gaze to take a peek at the other passengers, at those unexpected companions who had been able to find a place in his memories and, maybe, in his heart too.
Kuwei immediately jumped in the arms of a tall young man who was wearing an Inferni kefta . He had thick auburn curls, almost the same colour of the fur of his cat, a chubby creature that quietly sat next to his leg.
Two of the five kids the Grisha pair was looking after (a cute couple of twins around four or five years old), ran immediately into King Nikolai and Queen Zoya's arms, while two others, a brunette little girl and a blond toddler, happily greeted Colonel Helvar and Lady Zenik, along with the large wolf that started jumping around and barking joyfully.
Feran Sahin helped Per Haskell to get off the train, and then he confidently walked towards a skinny blonde woman, who was waiting for him with a little boy in her arms.
Marya Hendriks was the last passenger to leave the train: she exchanged a long, meaningful look with the young detective, then her lips moved, murmuring a silent “Thank you”.
Kaz replied with a little, polite nod and she smiled, surrounding her son's shoulders with her healthy arm and walking away.
Jesper was about to follow them, but he seemed to change his mind: he walked towards the detective, stopping a few steps from him.
“So... Inej told me you're going to invite her for a proper date.”
Dirtyhands cleared his throat, completing the fifth document. “I'd really like to... well, I have never met someone like her before. It would be a sin, losing contact with her. Of course, unless she chooses to not see me again.”
The Fabrikator smiled. “She deserves all the love in this world. I hope you'll keep this in mind.”
“I will always try my best,” Brekker promised. “She's lucky to have you by her side.”
Jesper widened his charming smile, touching his own green hat as a way to say goodbye. “And I'm lucky to have her in my life. Her and all those amazing people you met during this crazy journey. And if you'll make Inej happy, we'll be glad to welcome you into our lives.”
“Thank you,” Kaz replied.
He was never sure about the future, but Jesper's words didn't sound bad. He could be gifted with a new family. A family of people whose souls were broken and wounded, like his, but whose hearts hadn't lost their warmth.
He waved back at Portia Volkova, who was walking away hand in hand with Doctor Parr; then, his eyes met Inej's, who was looking at him in the distance.
They didn't speak a single word, nor move a single muscle; they didn't need to do it.
They simply stared at each other for a while, letting everything around them disappear.
One year later...
The rising sun was colouring the waters with bright, warm tints.
Fifth Harbour was more crowded than usual; that morning, a large number of people were gathering on the moor, in front of a large, majestic ship. On its side, a small sequence of elegantly written letters: Karnak .
Kaz was standing a few metres from the crowd, giving his back to the sea, his eyes staring at the city. He didn't need to join the frantic flock; the luggage was already at its place, and the ship was going to leave in an hour.
He could just stand there and wait.
Finally, a tiny, familiar figure appeared in the distance. A smile curved Kaz's lips.
She immediately saw him and she waved her arms, then she started running towards him, her long hair moving free in the salty air.
“Kaz!”
She slowed her run, but she didn't stop. Better, she stopped in his arms, pressing a quick, sweet kiss on his lips.
Kaz lifted her by her waist, letting the cane fall on the ground. Someone turned to look at them, but he didn't mind.
“Sorry,” she smiled, once they parted. “I cannot wait to leave.”
“No need to apologise, love,” he replied, picking up the cane. “It's always a joy to me, seeing you happy.”
He could barely believe how much things had changed in a year and now... now, he couldn't imagine his life without Inej.
They were taking their time, healing together, and they both knew they still had much to go through. But they welcomed and loved every progress, even the smallest.
Now, after a year, they managed to share brief kisses on the lips, to enjoy the warmth of a hug for a long time and even to hold hands for some moments and gently caress each other's faces, all of this without Kaz wearing his gloves.
Some days were easier, some days were harder, but they were always grateful for the time they spent together.
“All our luggage is already in our cabin,” he announced, while they started walking towards the boarding bridge. “Mr Radmakker might be one of the most talkative persons I've ever met, but I admit it's extremely useful having him as a friend.”
“He's a good man,” Inej nodded, running a hand through her long, beautiful hair.
That day, she was wearing a long, silky purple dress and a soft violet shawl. Even though Kaz liked her a lot when she was wearing her suits, his heart beat even faster when she was wrapped in soft clothes, letting her hair loose.
He had chosen a less informal style himself, for that vacation, just a white shirt and black pants. No ties, no jackets, no hats.
During the three marvellous weeks on the sea that were waiting for them, they weren't Detective Brekker and Miss Ghafa, they were just Kaz and Inej.
Or, at least, that was their intention.
“I cannot wait to moor in Ravka and see Nina again,” the young woman said, once they reached the main deck. “I saw her only last month, but I'm still missing her a lot. And I cannot wait for you to meet her and Matthias' baby girl, she's one of the sweetest and plumpest creatures on earth, like her siblings!”
“I'm not great with kids,” Kaz admitted, with a smirk. “They find me scary.”
“It will be fine,” she promised. “And Saints, my heart is growing at the thought we will spend days in Novyi Zem too! Jes, Wylan, Kuwei and Harshaw will be there for two months, I want to hug them so bad! And believe me, you'll love Jes' father, he's an amazing person!”
“Oh right, the famous Colm Fahey!” the young man said, slowly removing his gloves. “I admit I'm very curious, you all talk so much about him.”
His hand touched hers, a little hesitant at first.
“I'm so happy to be here with you, Inej.”
“Me too, Kaz.” she replied, interlacing their fingers.
They had no idea how long that touch was going to last, but they didn't ruin those precious moments with anxious, sad thoughts.
They simply enjoyed them as much as they could, staring at the orange horizon.
“Everything is so quiet here,” Kaz commented.
“Yes,” Inej replied. “Maybe a little too quiet.”
They looked each other in the eyes, then, they let out a little laugh.
“Let's make a bet: how long will it take before we'll be involved in another case?”