Work Text:
When he first started working there, the tanner had warned Wylan about the chemicals. Not only that they could stain, burn skin, and ruin work, but also that, given prolonged exposure, they could lead to headaches, and in the worst of situations, if the right compounds mixed hallucinations.
Wylan knew all this of course. And he knew he already had a tolerance to the smell. He was cautious enough to never have to worry about any of the issues the tanner warned of. However, when he walked into Wylan’s small workshop, the boy had to question for a moment. He glanced down, worried enough that he needed to confirm no mistake.
When Wylan would think back on this meeting later he would laugh. Jesper would ask what made him smile, and Wylan would tell him. Wylan would explain how he almost thought Jesper a hallucination caused by a chemical mistake.
But no mistake had been made. And the pretty man with the stupid hat had walked into Wylan’s work and subsequently his life.
–
There’s a small bell above the door when you enter the tannery. It rings when someone enters or leaves. Jesper wondered why they’d invest in such a thing if no one came to the front when the little thing rang anyway.
“Hello?” He called while wandering around the front of the shop. He hadn’t been here before, picking something up for Inej, so he wanted to see what all the place was about.
There was no answer to his call. Further wandering around the shop yielded the same result. It seemed no one was in, and yet the door had been unlocked.
There was a large door towards the back of the shop. The kind that swung backwards, indicating a space for staff.
Jesper should’ve hesitated. He should’ve waited at the front, or left, but he did none of those things. Rather, he looked gently over his shoulder, tipped his hat slightly, and walked proudly through the door.
–
Hanging leather, tools of varying sizes, and flickering lights awaited behind the door. Jesper walked, a casual gait, deeper into the shop. “Hello?” He called again.
“Pickup for Inej Ghafa?” There was a responding silence. “I would expect better service than this!” He declared, without any truth.
He pressed forward, through more hanging curtains of different material, until he stumbled into a wide open space. There was a large table, different beakers and glasses. A large window let the setting sun in. To the right, a burning oven steamed, glowing slightly red. Any of those factors might’ve drawn Jesper’s eye.
But they didn’t.
They didn’t.
Jesper couldn’t tear his eyes from the boy behind the table. His hair was a mess, fluffy brown sticking in every direction. He held himself tightly, smaller than Jesper suspected he truly was. His eyes sparkled as he stared intently at the work in front of him.
Jesper wondered, not for the last time, how this princling had ended up in this story. In this mess of a city. He felt a tug in his gut as the boy looked up at him and noticed him for the first time.
“Oh!” He said, surprised, setting down the tools in his hands. “Hello, sorry, I didn’t hear you. Can I help with something?”
Jesper knocked his head. “I bet you can.” He flirted, looking the other boy up and down.
The boy blushed slightly, turning his head to hide a smile. “I mean in the shop.” He walked forward, coming out from behind the table. “Wylan.” He said, sticking his hand out. “Tanner’s apprentice.”
“Jesper.” Jesper responded, taking the hand in his own. “A pleasure.”
Wylan grinned.
Jesper thought he heard the boy whisper “Not yet.” as he led Jesper back towards the front of the shop.
“The tanner is out for the day.” Wylan explained. “I was meant to keep an ear out for any customers, but I… well I got distracted with work.”
He bit his lip when he finished speaking. Jesper wanted to bite it himself.
“No worries.” Jesper said. “I’m just picking something up.”
“Well then.” Wylan smiled. “Let me get that for you.”
Wylan left Jesper at the front of the shop, walking towards the shelves along the other wall. “What are you picking up?” Wylan asked.
“A pair of blades. They needed new grips on the handles. Name’s Inej.” Jesper responded, leaning against the front desk.
Wylan didn’t turn back to Jesper, flipping through the boxes there. “You don’t look like an Inej.”
Jesper couldn’t stop the laugh that was forced out of him. Not his performative laugh, not his flirty smile, but a genuine burst of laughter. “Pickup for a friend.”
“I see.” Wylan said, returning with a box. “Just a friend?”
Wylan kept his eyes on the box in front of him. Jesper could see a blush at the top of his ears. Jesper dropped his head forward, catching Wylan’s eye.
“Just a friend.” He confirmed.
“Good.” Wylan mumbled, passing the parcel over to Jesper.
“Is it?” Jesper pressed, letting his hand stay on Wylan’s.
Wylan nodded, a smile growing on his face as he turned his head away again.
Jesper couldn’t help his own smile as he asked, “Would you like to get a drink tonight? With me? Seeing as you don’t have to worry about my friend.”
–
Drinks. Just drinks. Nothing more.
Well, maybe more.
Hopefully more.
It couldn’t be the crow club. Jesper didn’t bring flings there. And since he didn’t have anything other than flings, he didn’t bring anyone there.
Wylan didn’t seem like the kind to wander deep into the barrel either. So it needed to be something as close to nice as you could find in the barrel.
Nothing owned by a rival gang.
There needed to be rooms. In case of the hopefully more.
And there couldn’t be gambling tables. Too many people who might recognize him, who might take issue with him.
That left only one real option. The Sterling Bullet.
–
Wylan was standing in front of the small dirty mirror he owned. He didn’t know why. It wasn’t like he had another, better outfit he could change into. It wasn’t as if his hair would suddenly become manageable.
He was wasting his time.
He spent another minute in front of the mirror.
–
The walk to The Sterling Bullet was not far. Wylan walked quickly and quietly, as he often did in Ketterdam.
He didn’t have much on his person, just a small amount of coin, but he didn’t want to lose even that. He didn’t want to gain a black eye either.
He found the bar easily, in one of the more well lit corners of the city. Wylan took one further breath, attempting to press his hair down once more, before walking through the shining door under the swinging sign, a revolver emblazoned upon it.
He noticed Jesper immediately. How could he not?
Jesper was stunning. His suit was so bright, or it wasn’t. It was a simple deep green color, but the lining and the design sparkled with bright yellow pinstripes and golden shining buttons. His hat, because of course he was wearing a tall hat, was a matching green with a golden ribbon.
Jesper raised one hand in a wave, beckoning Wylan over to the small table he was at. Wylan noticed how intimate the setup was. It was slightly away from the main bar, leaving it quieter and more private than some of the other tables.
“Uh hi.” Wylan said when he sat. Any plans he had of eloquent greetings fading completely.
“Hi.” Jesper replied, with a wink. “Let’s get you a drink.”
Just like that a server appeared at their table, smiling gently down at Wylan.
“Uh…” Wylan hesitated. He didn’t want to get drunk, but he also thought some liquid courage would be nice. Ironically he hadn’t thought much about the drinks part of getting drinks.
“The spiced wine is decadent.” Jesper stage whispered, relieving Wylan of the choice.
“Yeah. Sure, spiced wine. Please.” He tacked in the end, trying not to forget his manners.
The server nodded and walked away, leaving the two boys to themselves.
Jesper smirked. It was a gambler’s smirk, Wylan recognized that. It made him wonder if this conversation would be a game itself.
Jesper already had a drink, holding it loosely in his hand, the liquid sloshing to and fro.
“Tell me, tanner’s apprentice, what brings you to the barrel?”
So it was a game. But which one? Roulette or poker?
Wylan could have laughed at the question. Not really a “just drinks” conversation.
“What brings anyone?” He said. The server returned, saving Wylan for explaining any more.
Jesper hadn’t been lying. The spiced wine was decadent.
“What bring Jesper Fahey to the Steerling Bullet?” Wylan asked, revealing more of his own hand.
Jesper at least pretended to look apologetic. “My reputation precedes me, I see.”
Wylan nodded. “I wasn’t sure at the tannery. But the Steerling Bullet. That’s rather a staple of yours, isn’t it?”
“I’m prone to favoritism.” Jesper knocked his head towards his own guns sitting on his hips.
“Do you mind?” Jesper asked. Wylan noticed something new in his voice. A tell. Jesper was opening up, if just slightly. “My reputation.”
Wylan considered it. Jesper was known as a flirt. Wylan had heard of the other boy’s conquests, if only through eavesdropping.
But he didn’t mind. In fact, Wylan found the idea rather exciting. Like he’d won something to be sitting here, drinking with Jesper.
“I don’t.” He finally said. “As long as you make good on the rumors.” Wylan finished, taking a long drink of wine.
—
How could Jesper resist that? How could he resist him? The soft boy in front of him, not shy, but coy. Exciting. Intriguing.
Jesper wanted him. And Jesper knew very well how to get what he wanted.
“Good.” Jesper smiled.
Jesper had so many questions. He wanted so many answers. He wanted to know which rumors Wylan had heard, which ones he wanted Jesper to make good on.
But more than anything, he wanted to remove the table between them, close the distance, and learn what Wylan tasted like.
That would be rather forward though. So instead, Jesper glanced back toward the rooms the bar kept for drunkards, skin trade, and other escapades.
“Shall we then?” He suggested.
Wylan blushed again, high on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. He took one last sip of wine before nodding. “Yeah. Yeah, we shall.”
—
The room was exactly what one could expect from the barrel. A bed, side tables, mirror, and a window. Jesper pulled the curtains immediately upon entering. They didn’t need any prying eyes.
By the time he turned round, Wylan was already in his space, looking up at him with hunger in his eyes.
“Hi.” Jesper whispered, needing to fill the silence, but not wanting to startle the quiet mood that had fallen over them both.
Wylan didn’t respond. Not with words anyway. His hand wrapped around Jesper’s neck and all of a sudden they were kissing.
There was only one word to describe the way Wylan kissed: movement. He pressed tight to Jesper, his fingers fluttering along the base of Jesper’s skull, chest heavy with breath.
Jesper pulled away to press kisses along Wylan’s jaw. “What do you want?” Jesper whispers.
“Hmm?” Wylan’s focus wasn’t entirely there. Jesper could help but grin.
“What do you want?” Jesper repeated, moving up to Wylan’s ear. “What do you like? What can I do-” Jesper couldn’t resist biting the other boy’s ear lobe “-to make you feel good?”
Wylan’s eyes got big. He turned his head as he smiled.
Jesper grasped at his chin, pulling him back. “Let me start. I want to see you. I want to hear you. No hiding for me, okay?”
“Yeah. Okay.” Wylan placed his hand around Jesper’s wrist. “I… well. I liked that, when you bit my ear. More of that is good. And compliments. Yeah.”
Wylan laughed, more exhale than anything. “Come on.” He pushed Jesper onto the bed, settling onto Jesper’s lap as Jesper knock his hat off his head.
Jesper weaved his hands under Wylan’s shirt, relishing the feeling of skin on skin. Wylan shivered, bending to kiss along Jesper’s collarbone.
“Off.” Wylan insisted, pressing at Jesper’s suit jacket.
“You don’t like it?” Jesper teased. “I’ve been told I have impeccable style.”
“Not really concerned with your fashion sense right now.”
Jesper laughed again. It bubbled in him like an explosion, and he had to kiss Wylan. He lost his jacket at the same time, biting at Wylan’s lip, trying to taste the spiced wine he’d had earlier.
Wylan’s coat had already made a home on the floor. Wylan pressed at his suspenders, eager for his top to join his coat.
Before Wylan had the chance, Jesper flipped them. Wylan gasped as his back hit the bed, Jesper settling in above him, elbows on either side of his face.
“I believe I have some rumors to make good on.” Jesper teased, slowly undoing the buttons on Wylan’s top. “This okay?” He asked, pausing.
“Very okay.” Wylan nodded.
It didn’t take long to divest them both of their shirts. Jesper could help but admire the boy beneath him as his skin was slowly revealed. Pale and covered in freckles, goosebumps along his arms, a flush down his neck.
“Gorgeous.” Jesper whispered. He moved to kiss Wylan’s freckles - he had a strange urge to lick them.
“Fuck.” Wylan whispered when Jesper licked along his nipple. “Jesper, Jesper.” Wylan called out.
Jesper looked up at him. His hair was sticking on his forehead. Jesper found himself feeling fond.
“Can I blow you?” Wylan asked. Jesper groaned.
“Yeah.” He nodded, biting his own lip. This boy was hot. Painfully hot. “Yeah, yeah, let’s do that.”
Wylan slipped off the bed, pulling Jesper to sit at the edge. He rested his hand on the laces of Jesper’s pants.
“Okay?” He waited. He was looking up into Jesper’s eyes.
“Fuck your hot.” Jesper responded. His thoughts rarely remained in his head. “Yeah, yeah go ahead.”
Wylan blushed, but he smiled and began undoing Jesper’s pants.
Jesper’s cock was long and pretty. Or at least Wylan thought so. Wylan was craving it already. He wrapped his hands around it, pumping once, twice, just to hear Jesper groan.
He couldn’t help himself as he lent forward to taste the pre-cum beading at the head.
“Self control has never been my strong suit.” Jesper murmured as his hips twitched forward.
Wylan laughed. He didn’t respond, rather he took Jesper into his mouth.
Wylan worked wonders with his tongue. Jesper knew he was being loud, streams of yes and wonderful and gorgeous falling between moans.
Wylan’s mouth was hot and tight, and Jesper could help the way his hips twitched.
One of Wylan’s hands settled on Jesper’s naval, gently, but strongly holding him in place.
“You’re very good at this.” Jesper groaned. His head fell back, staring up at the ceiling, cursing quietly.
Wylan hummed around his cock, using his hand to press against his own arousal. His pants felt far too tight.
Jesper whined when Wylan pulled off, quickly snapping down to look at him.
“Please-“
Wylan interrupted. “You can pull my hair. If you want.”
And then Jesper’s cock was back in his mouth, barely giving Jesper time to recover from how fucking hot that sentence was.
His hands wrapped around brown curls, pulling gently. “So good. So good for me.”
Wylan flushed, moaning at Jesper’s words.
“You like being good for me? My good boy. So good.”
Wylan pressed his hand hard on his own cock. Two could play at this game.
The press of cock against the back of his throat wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to Wylan, but it also took some adjusting.
“Fuck Wylan, that is just… fuck unfair.” Wylan felt a sense of pride at that.
“Hey, hey.” Jesper pulled Wylan back by his hair.
A line of spit connected Wylan to Jesper’s cock when he pulled away. Jesper laughed softly when Wylan blushed at that. Surprising what made the boy shy.
“Can I fuck you?” Jesper asked, cupping Wylan’s jaw.
The boy shivered. “Yeah. Yes. I’d like that.”
—
The settled softly onto the bed. Side by side sharing gentle kisses in the gentle light.
“Do we have oil?” Wylan asked, quietly fingers dancing on Jesper’s chest.
“I brought some.”
“Presumptuous.”
Jesper snorted. “I wasn’t wrong, was I?”
“Suppose not.”
Jesper rolled off the bed, walking towards his discarded pants to search through the pockets. Wylan sighed, spreading out to stretch his limbs, coyly looking at Jesper’s ass as he walked away. His cock throbbed thinking of what was to come, and Wylan pressed the heel of his hand against himself.
When Jesper turned back to the bed he was greeted with a lovely sight of Wylan touching himself.
“Saints you’re pretty.” Jesper said, sliding beside Wylan. “Want to take you apart.”
“Please.” Was all Wylan could say.
“Your wish.” Jesper winked. He uncorked the oil, settling between Wylan’s thighs.
Wylan let his legs fall open. His eyes wandered across Jespers face, chest, hands as Jesper coated his fingers.
Jesper teased Wylan first. His finger found his hole and rubbed soft circles around it. Wylan gasped into the feeling, his stomach turning deliciously.
“So good.” Jesper praised. “Ready?”
“Jesper.” Wylan sighed. “Yes please.”
Jesper pressed into Wylan, one finger and then, after more teasing, praise, and begging, two.
“You’re a bit of a slut, aren’t you?” Teased Jesper. Wylan was writhing on his fingers, moaning and gasping.
Wylan huffed. “You’re the one who said no hiding.”
“It wasn’t a condemnation.” Jesper grinned, adding a third finger. “You are a slut though. Look at you.”
Wylan couldn’t very well look at himself so he moaned instead. Jesper was pressing his fingers up inside him, making Wylan see stars.
“So needy for it. So good for me, fucking yourself on my fingers.”
Jesper bit at Wylan’s inner thigh. He wanted to leave a mark for the tanner’s apprentice to remember him by.
“Fuck me.” Wylan stuttered out. “I’m ready, please!”
Jesper pulled his fingers away. “I won’t make you beg, good boy.” He smiled, lining himself up with Wylan’s hole.
“Ready?” Jesper asked, one more time, resting his hands on Wylan’s hips.
Wylan nodded. “Ready.”
If anyone was sleeping in the adjoining rooms, the sound Jesper and Wylan both made when Jesper pressed in would’ve woken them.
It was loud, crassly so, but neither boy could bring themselves to care.
“Fuck Wylan. Feel so good.”
Wylan whimpered. “Come on, you can move.” Wylan insisted, already needing more more more.
“I’ve got you.” Jesper weaved his fingers between Wylan’s, and started fucking him with vigor.
It wasn’t perfect. They were strangers, unfamiliar with one another’s bodies, wants, needs. But it was close.
It was close to perfect in a way that made it ache. In a way that left opportunities to learn, to grow, to become perfect.
It was close in a way that meant it was brilliant. Laughter and moans intermixed, praise and sparring.
“I’m close.” Jesper whispered. They’d been moving together for a while now, and Jesper knew it wouldn’t be long.
“Me too.” Wylan echoed, kissing at Jesper’s wrist below their entwined hands.
Jesper’s free hand wrapped on Wylan’s cock, already wet with pre. “Come on Wylan. I want to see you come. Bet you looks so pretty. Be good for me.”
It only took a few strokes for Wylan to come apart.
Jesper fucked him through it, whispering more praise.
“Keep going.” Wylan murmured. “Wanna see you come.”
Jesper groaned, biting his lip again. He lent down, kissing Wylan intensely, bringing himself over the edge.
—
Jesper adored the afterglow. He enjoyed the warmth of a body against his, slow breathing, cleaning one another up together. He liked the intimacy. Intimacy without commitment.
Which is why, when Wylan went to stand up, slipping his clothes back on, Jesper stopped him.
“I’ve got the room for the night. You can stay.” He offered.
Wylan smiled, tilting his head again. “I know.” He said. “I’ll be back.” He gave Jesper a short kiss before slipping out the door.
Jesper wasn’t sure what he was up to, but decided not to worry himself with it, closing his eyes instead.
When he woke up from his impromptu nap, Wylan was back and something smelled wonderful.
“Welcome back.” Wylan teased, passing Jesper a plate.
“What’s this?” Jesper wiped his eyes of sleep.
“Food.”
Jesper looked at the plate in his hand. There were stroopwafels stacked high. “Stroopwafels? Where’d you get these?” Jesper grinned, quickly breaking one to begin eating.
“I’m friends with the cook here.” Wylan smiled.
“Just friends?”
Wylan blushed. “Just friends.” He confirmed.
“Good. Don’t want the man who makes my food angry with me.”
—
They fell asleep cuddled up to one another. Wylan fit naturally into Jesper’s arms.
Wylan woke early. He always did, a habit he’d developed.
He had choices now. He could stay. Wake up in Jesper Fahey’s arms like so many others had. Kiss him in the morning, have an awkward breakfast, and finally go their separate ways. Maybe he’d see Jesper in a tannery from time to time. That is if Jesper chose to stay too.
Or he could leave. Never give Jesper the chance to do it himself. He could walk through the gloomy morning, find his way back to his workshop, and distract himself with work.
He wanted to stay. He did. He wanted to kiss Jesper’s face until he woke up laughing. But this was the barrel. Wylan knew this wasn’t the place for love stories, not the bedroom for slow morning sex. No, the barrel made people tough. It made them unyielding.
So Wylan wouldn’t yield.
He collected his things easily, slipping his coat on as he walked to the door. He looked back one last time, a pull in his gut begging him to kiss Jesper’s forehead, just to say goodbye.
Tough.
Unyielding.
Wylan walked away.