Inej had crossed her arms and glanced away. "We weren't made for each other. I'm sorry, Kaz, but it's the truth."

****

Wylan sighed and knocked on Kaz's door for the third time. Nobody answered, so he clawed out his lockpicks and unlocked the door.

Kaz was laying on the bed, still in the same clothes as he wore two days ago.

Wylan sat on the end of the bed. "Are you going to lead the Dregs again?"

Kaz wiped at his eyes. "No."

Wylan sighed once more and laid beside him. Kaz tried to wipe at his tears, but Wylan did it for him.

Kaz broke down and pulled Wylan close, breathing too quickly and trying to say too much. "I-I-I loved h-her."

Wylan ran his hand through Kaz's raven hair. "Shh, Kaz. Just stop."

Kaz stopped talking and buried his head in Wylan's shoulder. Wylan hummed softly.

The boy eventually calmed down, his breathing turning back to normal.

Finally, he whispered, "I loved her."

Wylan felt crushed. His heart was in tatters for the boy. "I know."

Kaz pulled back for a moment, his eyes full of the sorrow that reflected inside of Wylan. "Wylan, will you stay here with me?"

Wylan gave the boy a half smile. "Why don't you come back to the mansion for the night? It's a new place that you won't have memories of her in."

Kaz nodded and slowly rolled out of bed. He didn't even put his gloves on as he followed Wylan from the Slat. As they walked down deserted streets, Wylan moved closer to the boy and took his hand. Kaz didn't even wince, just squeezed Wylan's hand, his palm sweaty.

They reached the mansion and Wylan took Kaz to the guest bedroom.

"Can I stay with you?" He murmured, still holding onto Wylan's hand.

Wylan nodded. "Oh, yeah, sure! If Jesper doesn't mind, that is."

They walked up to Wylan's room where Jesper was laying on a bed reading.

"Hi, Wy! Hi, Kaz!"

Kaz glanced down, his eyes hollow and his cheeks gaunt. "Can I stay in here with you guys tonight?"

Jesper nodded, marking his page and tossing the book to the floor. "Yes, of course! I heard about what happened with Inej and... I hope things get better."

Kaz nodded. "Yeah, me too."

Wylan searched through the closet and handed Kaz some pajamas. "You should change, Kaz."

The boy nodded and stripped down, ignoring both Jesper's and Wylan's blush. He pulled on the black pajamas and laid down on the bed, curling up in the center.

Wylan tucked the two boys in before he joined them. "I wish Matthias was here to mother us like he used to."

Jesper nodded and Wylan watched as he curled around Kaz, resting his head on the boy's shoulder. Wylan slid closer to Kaz and smiled as the boy wrapped his arms around Wylan, pulling him closer.

****

In the morning, Kaz awoke to a comforting warmth. Jesper was behind him, his long legs wrapped around Kaz's hips. Kaz was holding Wylan close, his arms embracing the boy like he was about to be ripped away.

When Wylan awoke, he rolled over. "Do you feel better?"

Kaz did. "A little bit."

They all stayed there until it was late in the day and Wylan finally got up to get something to eat. Kaz stayed with Jesper, relieved at the fact that the boy who was just like a brother to him was comforting him during his situation.

Wylan smiled and sat back down, eating a bowl of cereal. "I love you guys."

Kaz smiled. He loved Jesper and Wylan, too.