Kaz had genuinely never heard of "Valentine's Day" until Inej's most recent letter declared that she would be returning home to celebrate it with him, Jesper, and Wylan.

Later that day, Kaz sat in Wylan's luxurious kitchen and said, "What's Valentine's Day?"

Wylan raised an eyebrow at him as he set a plate of cookies down in the center of the table. "You don't know?"

"Kaz isn't as smart as he looks," Jesper said, which earned him a glare.

"Just tell me what it is."

"It's a holiday that you're supposed to celebrate with your significant other."

Oh. Kaz's face heated invulnerably at the thought that Inej wanted to spend it with him.

He felt like such an idiotic schoolboy. This stupid fascination with her was too much, and it had gone on for too long. Yet he didn't think he'd ever let himself end whatever was between them.

"Jes and I were actually planning a party," Wylan said, glaring at Jesper pointedly.

"We were?"

"You're so fucking dumb," Wylan groaned.

"Watch your language, merchling," Kaz grumbled. "Inej is returning home for Valentine's Day. If you need funds, I can provide. Just make sure it looks nice."

"You're such a charmer, Kazy-poo."

Wylan and Kaz sent Jesper twin glares.

******

Wylan and Jesper hadn't disappointed Kaz. The gardens of the manor were flooding with roses of varying shades of red and pink. Candles were lit in the windows, and the inside of the house was perfumed. Inej walked just beside Kaz, silent as always. They hadn't talked much on the way to the manor, mostly because Kaz was afraid his words would come out in a jumbled mess.

He'd been waiting for her at the dock, and when she saw him, she flung herself into his arms.

He hadn't been expecting it, and he nearly fell on his back, but he had tightened his arms around her and taken in the scent of sea salt that lingered in her hair.

Kaz pushed the memory away and held the door open.

"Has Jesper been teaching you how to be a gentleman while I've been gone?"

"He gives lessons every Tuesday evening, if you're interested."

Jesper was sprawled across one of the lavish chaises in the sitting room, Wylan snuggled in his arms.

"Stand and bow for Ms. Inej Ghafa," Kaz said sarcastically, which resulted in an elbow to the ribcage.

"Inej!" Wylan pulled her into a tight hug and Kaz couldn't help but let a slight smile form on his face. It wasn't often that he got to relax, but this night belonged to him.

Jesper grinned at Inej. "I think you've gotten shorter."

She glared at him. "I didn't think you could possibly get dumber, but you surprise me every day."

The four settled at the table, and conversation took over. Inej told tales of her life as a slave hunter, detailing her visits to different countries.

Halfway through dinner, it slipped Kaz's mind that he and Inej weren't two normal teenagers at a normal holiday dinner, and he let his hand rest on her thigh.

Immediately after he did it, he regretted it, but she gave him a soft smile, which to him seemed like permission to leave it there.

After the dinner plates were cleared from the table, the servants placed a platter of chocolate strawberries and cookies before them. Kaz didn't miss the way Inej's eyes lit up at the prospect of sweets.

Jesper plucked a strawberry from the platter and held it up to Wylan's curls. "They're the same color."

Wylan's nose wrinkled. "You're about to get broken up with."

"You'd never find someone as charming or handsome as me."

The redhead snorted, but he leaned in and planted a kiss on Jesper's cheek. "Hopefully I'll find someone less annoying."

Kaz had been watching their interactions silently, a feeling akin to longing tugging at his heart. He was startled from his silence when Inej rested her head against his shoulder.

"You've been quiet all evening, Kaz."

"Have I?"

She hummed softly. "How have the Dregs been without me?"

"My most valued investment being halfway across the world isn't ideal." He winked at her, and she laughed softly.

"I really have missed you, you know. It's stupid, but I have."

"My face is one that's hard to live without."

"Now I'm really starting to think Jesper's rubbing off on you. You're being quite flirtatious."

"I figure you'd cut me up like one of those slavers if I was anything but."

She rolled her eyes at him and offered him half of the cookie she'd been eating. "Tell me how you've actually been, Kaz."

He hadn't been bad, but he hadn't been good either. He truly had missed Inej, as much as the feeling bothered him.

"Inej..."

"When will you stop holding back?" she murmured, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly.

He'd disappointed her. Which was clearly all he was good at.

I can fix this. I've breached the Ice Court. I can fix something as small as this.

"It's been... very... uhm... lonely without you."

She looked somewhat amused, which would've bothered him if his heart wasn't beating so rapidly in his chest. He'd never felt like this. Ever.

"You can do better than that," Jesper said from across the table, a grin on his face. He mouthed, watch this to Kaz, then turned to Wylan. "Wy, dearest, life without you is like the night sky without stars."

Inej covered her mouth, a muffled laugh escaping from behind her hands.

Wylan's face turned beet-red. "You're so corny, Jesper."

"I'm only showing my appreciation for the light of my life."

"Stop talking," Wylan groaned.

"Only when you stop being so goddamn adorable."

"Those two seem happier than ever," Inej remarked. "I wouldn't be too surprised if they got married soon."

"You think?" Kaz asked, leaning closer to her.

In truth, during the time that she'd been gone, he'd been trying to work through his phobia of skin to skin contact. She wanted him without armor, and she would have him without armor.

She nodded. "They do make a great pair."

Kaz had to agree. He'd never seen Jesper so happy, and Wylan had come a long way with taking over his father's position on the merchant council.

He tugged off his gloves and took a deep breath, steadying himself. He was going to be okay. This was going to be okay.

Kaz offered Inej his hand and she gazed down at it, surprised. "Kaz."

"It's okay," he said, more to himself than to her.

She took his hand within her own, slowly, gently. The first brush of her skin against his own sent shudders up his spine, but he steadied himself. He thought of his feet on the floor of this room, his three best friends so close to him. This wasn't the Reaper's Barge.

Inej's skin was warm, her hands calloused from gripping the handles of knives so often.

Deep breath in, exhale.

He kept their hands linked, and continued to breathe deeply. And eventually, as Jesper and Wylan started asking Inej more questions about how sailing was, Kaz forgot that they were even holding hands.

The night ended hours later, after everyone had drunk a little too much. Wylan had tugged Jesper down into a deep kiss, and it wasn't long after that the two disappeared.

All boundaries seemed to have faded from existence during dinner, and Kaz was seated at one side of the chaise, Inej's head laying in his lap. He let his ungloved hands drift through her soft locks of brown hair as she gazed up at him with hooded eyes. It was almost too much for him to handle.

"Kaz?" She mumbled, yawning.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"For what, 'Nej?"

"For everything." She smiled, and he knew it was the smile reserved only for him. "For taking me from the Menagerie. For teaching me how to fight."

"I should thank you, then, I suppose."

She waited for him to elaborate.

"I wouldn't be... good without you."

"Goodnight, Kaz."

"Goodnight, Inej.

******

Wylan tightened his arms around Jesper, shifting to be closer to the boy.

"Have I ever told you how clingy you are?" Jesper asked, ruffling Wylan's curls.

"Shush."

"Don't want to."

Wylan kissed Jesper's nose. "Imagine if Kaz had never held me hostage and dragged me off to Fjerda."

"I'd be quite lonely," Jesper murmured. "I would've never met the love of my life."

Wylan pulled back to gaze into Jesper's captivating eyes. "You mean it?"

"Of course I mean it, Wylan Van Sunshine."

"But... why?"

"Don't you get all insecure on me." Jesper kissed Wylan's forehead, igniting fireworks within his chest. "I'll write a list of 100 things I love about you."

"I wouldn't be able to read it."

"Then I'll read it to you every morning when you wake up in my arms."

Wylan's face ignited. This boy may very well be the death of him.

"Do you want to stay here forever, Jes?"

"I thought that was the plan. Unless you want me to move out."

"No."

Jesper smiled at him, cupping Wylan's chin with one hand. "I want to stay by your side forever, if you'll let me."

Wylan kissed him, Jesper's lips so incredibly soft against his own. "I'd love that."