headcanons (woh) ─── bad day

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𝕾tasiaj Yahontov adored her work. It was clear to everyone around her that she loved the power, the feeling of holding someone's life over their head and making them beg for it all to be saved. However, there was one thing that she loved more than her work, and that was Kaz Brekker.

"Afternoon Malkus," The man hovered in the doorway, shaking water out of his curly hair as he shot her a grin.

"Afternoon Ma. Brought you lunch," He leant down, pressing a kiss to her cheek and placing a box in front of her.

"You're a gem," Malkus winked, throwing his dark coat over the rack. It was the same dark wool as Kaz's, and Stasiaj chuckled whenever she saw the pair together. The years had changed things, with Malkus growing taller than both Kaz and Stasiaj, but he still followed Kaz around like a puppy. "What news have you got?"

"Pekka Rollins is back in town," Stasiaj cocked an eyebrow, pausing in unwrapping the food in front of her. "He's trying to gain a foothold, got his son in tow as well."

"The one we threatened,"

"Yeah, that one," Malkus took a bite of the apple, slumping into the chair opposite her. "Don't think Dad is too happy. He's pacing and he's got the brooding look on his face."

"Scheming face?"

"Nah, murderous face,"

"I'll pay him a visit then," Stasiaj ran her hands through her blonde hair, before ringing a bell on her desk. Celia opened the door, raising an eyebrow. "Who am I supposedly seeing after lunch?"

"Merchant Council for the new proposition for the Den and then there's a minor Barrel boss who wants to ask about some information on your husband," 

"Well, that's awkward," Stasiaj deadpanned as Malkus snorted. "Malkus, deal with the gang leader. Celia, tell Ivarn he can do the proposition to the Merchant Council. I need to head down to the Slat, I'll be back later."

"Of course, Stasiaj,"

"Thanks, darling," Celia saluted her, before closing the door as Malkus glared at her.

"Why don't you call me darling any more?"

"Cause you're a pain most of the time," He giggled as Stasiaj pressed a kiss to his head, pulling her own coat off of the rack and sliding it on. "Intimidate the gang leader, but no killing or maiming."

"I would never,"

"You spend too much time with your father," Stasiaj called back, already sauntering down the stairs and out onto the street. She stalked along cobbled roads, past old haunts that she used to hang out at, as well as buildings that she had robbed before. Finally, the rich area of Ketterdam ended, and Stasiaj entered into her familiar home turf.

Despite now living in near luxury as both a princess and one of the wealthiest women in Ketterdam, Stasiaj still preferred living in the Barrel. This was her home, where she had grown up and learnt her trade, where she had met her Vipers and where, most importantly, she had met Kaz.

Men tipped their hats to her as she passed them on the street, as Stasiaj was deep in the Dregs territory. Taking a sharp right, she brushed past the bouncers on the doors of the Crow Club and into the room.

It wasn't quiet, but there was a tenseness in the air, like one small spark would set this whole place ablaze.

"Is Crow Man in?"

"Upstairs," The bartender stuttered, and Stasiaj nodded, taking the stairs two at a time. Despite having been married for near to three years, Stasiaj still called him by his nickname in the club. Neither of them needed others looking in on their relationship and trying to monopolize on it.

Knocking on the door to his study, Stasiaj waited before cracking it open and peering in. Kaz was at his desk, face dark with thought.

"Afternoon," Kaz barely looked up, dark hair falling across his eyes. As much as Stasiaj wanted to reach out and push it away, but knew that doing that might not end too well. "Malkus told me the news."

"That Pekka Rollins is back?" Kaz spat, hatred twisting around his words like a noose. 

"Yeah. Good day or bad?"

Kaz didn't reply, but Stasiaj heard the answer clear as day. She nodded to herself, before leaving him to his brooding. Bad days were more and more rare now, but when it did happen, Kaz's PTSD and anxiety were set off far more easily so Stasiaj had to make sure not to touch him at all, lest he initiated it.

Turning to his office, Stasiaj quickly cleared the mess at the back of the room, opening the windows to let the afternoon breeze in. The wind smelt of smoke and rain, which was typical of Ketterdam, and she knew that Kaz found that comforting. Looking out, Stasiaj watched storm clouds roll in from the horizon, covering the sun.

"Okay. I'm going to go home and give you some space," Stasiaj told him carefully, knowing that's what he needed, more than her here and hovering. "I'll leave food out for you and I'll set up the spare bedroom if today gets worse."

He huffed and Stasiaj stood back up. She tapped the desk next to him.

"Remember to eat and drink," He looked up at her momentarily, causing Stasiaj to tap the wedding ring around her neck in a silent 'I love you' before disappearing back up to her home so that she could hear what Ivarn and Malkus had to report on their separate assignments.

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Stasiaj was already curled into the bed she shared with Kaz, her eyes fluttering closed when she finally heard the door close beneath her. The familiar click of a cane was accompanied by footsteps, and Stasiaj placed her fang away as she waited to her what he was going to do.

She assumed that he was late because he was going to deal with Pekka Rollins after she had left the Crow Club and if he was dredging up memories of Pekka Rollins, then memories of Jordie were going to accompany that. Normally, this only really happened on the anniversary of Jordie's death, or with certain triggers, and Stasiaj was worried sick whenever it did.

She knew how anxious and scared Kaz could get when Jordie was brought back up, and she wanted nothing more than to hug him and press kisses to his head, but she also knew that Kaz wouldn't so easily be able to overcome his fear of touch with his emotions going haywire.

Finally, the door to their room opened and Kaz appeared, getting ready for bed in a calculated manner. Each motion was stiff, but Stasiaj felt her worry subside a little. If it was truly bad, then Kaz would retreat to the guest room until he felt like he was able to be around her again in a way that wouldn't trigger his fear.

"Bad day?" He nodded, pulling a long sleeved shirt over his head as he slipped under the covers. "Can I hold your hand or not?"

Kaz didn't answer, gently knocking their knuckles together and waiting for Stasiaj to gently interlock their fingers.

"Do you want to talk or sleep?"

"Sleep," His voice was rough and raspy. "Sleep now and talk in the morning."

"Alright," Stasiaj sent him a brief smile. "If you need me, wake me up. Alright?"

"Yeah," She tapped her wedding ring around her neck, before releasing his hand and rolling over. 

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The next morning, Stasiaj was up later than Kaz, a rare occurrence. He was already getting dressed, doing the buttons of his shirt up, when Stasiaj yawned and opened her eyes blearily. 

"Morning," Kaz hummed in response as Stasiaj pulled herself from her bed and padded over. "What are you up to?"

"I've got a meeting," Stasiaj raised an eyebrow at his words, before opening the wardrobe and pulling out a tie for the man to wear. 

"Who with?"

"Pekka Rollins,"

"Do you need me there or not?" Stasiaj turned back around, going to place the tie in Kaz's hand. He ducked his head, silently giving her permission to do the tie up for him. She smiled, gently wrapping it around his collar, knowing that it was a silent way for him to tell her that he was dealing with his trauma better than the day before. "Are you that certain I'm not going to strangle you?"

"You love me to much,"

"An unfortunate thing actually," Kaz huffed, a grin appearing on his face as Stasiaj quickly finished doing the tie up and tightened it. "You trust me too much."

"You're my wife," Kaz muttered in response. "If you want to come, I won't stop you."

"You wouldn't be able to stop me if you tried," Stasiaj grinned, before throwing open the doors to her wardrobe and pausing. "What are we trying to accomplish from this meeting?"

"Intimidation,"

"Black dress it is then," Stasiaj reached for her favourite black dress, turning back around to meet Kaz's chest. "Have you got a problem?"

"I won't be able to take my eyes off you in that dress, you insufferable woman," Stasiaj laughed at him. "Wear the green one."

"So you can take your eyes off me in that one?"

"You know what I mean, Princess," She laughed again, before Kaz wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her head. "Thank you for yesterday."

"You're my husband, Kaz. I'll do anything for you, including sailing, on a ship no less,"

"I am truly blessed then," He replied, before tapping her wedding ring. "Get changed and let's go and intimidate people."

"My favourite thing to do on a Thursday morning,"

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Hiya,

So this is if Kaz had a bad day and more older Kaz and Stasiaj. This was actually a lot of fun and both Kaz and Stasiaj are super interesting characters to write. Requested by rxckless_6628 and JanaHusseini .

The requests, at the moment and in no particular order, are Stasiaj revealing she's pregnant to everyone, Kaz and Stasiaj being parents (to both Malkus and Jordie), Kaz struggling with pregnant Stasiaj, and a honeymoon one (FLUFF). Let me know if you want anymore and what one you want to see the most.

Deep End updates (the sequel to War of Hearts) are coming, I'm just prewriting some stuff and let me know what you think,

Love Li xx