[ Kaz doesn't want to admit that he is anxious for her return.
The letters they exchanged had been enough for him for some time, appreciating the fact that she had needed her freedom, to spread her wings and enjoy the world. Kaz couldn't possibly fault her for that - the fact that he is anchored to a single place should not mean that should be here with him, especially now that her contract was over. She had no need to stay at his side, only... He wished...
He wished for a lot of things that would never happen, could never happen.
There's no denying that he has become more settled and more comfortable since she had left, embracing the strength that comes with being as successful as they had become. Kaz had solidified his grip on his assets, he had proven himself more than capable of running things as he wanted them to be run, and he was as feared as he had been before.
Kaz is stronger, more powerful, authority bleeding from him. But that didn't mean he was completely happy.
When he gets to the harbour, commanding Jesper and Wylan to wait elsewhere to greet Inej, he tries not to appear so out of place. Leaning on his cane, he lifts his head, watching the anchor sink down, the plank roll out, the crew making all the proper preparations. No one seems different, which is good - no deaths? A lucky thing, from being at sea.
He doesn't smile when he sees Inej, but he's not frowning any longer either. His head tilts, and he drinks her in - happy, healthy, eating well? He hopes so. Strong. Proud.
Stepping forward, he rolls his shoulders, as if trying to prove that he doesn't care as much as he really does. ]
I happened to be in the area.
[ And then he finally smiles, a twitch of his mouth, barely there before its gone. ]
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The letters they exchanged had been enough for him for some time, appreciating the fact that she had needed her freedom, to spread her wings and enjoy the world. Kaz couldn't possibly fault her for that - the fact that he is anchored to a single place should not mean that should be here with him, especially now that her contract was over. She had no need to stay at his side, only... He wished...
He wished for a lot of things that would never happen, could never happen.
There's no denying that he has become more settled and more comfortable since she had left, embracing the strength that comes with being as successful as they had become. Kaz had solidified his grip on his assets, he had proven himself more than capable of running things as he wanted them to be run, and he was as feared as he had been before.
Kaz is stronger, more powerful, authority bleeding from him. But that didn't mean he was completely happy.
When he gets to the harbour, commanding Jesper and Wylan to wait elsewhere to greet Inej, he tries not to appear so out of place. Leaning on his cane, he lifts his head, watching the anchor sink down, the plank roll out, the crew making all the proper preparations. No one seems different, which is good - no deaths? A lucky thing, from being at sea.
He doesn't smile when he sees Inej, but he's not frowning any longer either. His head tilts, and he drinks her in - happy, healthy, eating well? He hopes so. Strong. Proud.
Stepping forward, he rolls his shoulders, as if trying to prove that he doesn't care as much as he really does. ]
I happened to be in the area.
[ And then he finally smiles, a twitch of his mouth, barely there before its gone. ]
Welcome back.