Kaz was up and standing by his window, looking out into the narrow street that soon met the building beside the Slat. The industrial area didn't leave much room for gardens and open spaces, it was packed in with bustling businesses. One reason disease and fires spread to rapidly, but also why titans of industry could rise and fall with equal speed. His dark gaze seemed to be studying something beyond what was found outside, with the cake sitting on his desk. Indeed, it was untouched. Kruge was lying in one of her favorite places, in the top shelf of Kaz's bookcase, tail lazily swinging as she studied those below her. Kaz didn't bother turning around before he said what he always did when she entered. He always seemed to know precisely who it was even before she spoke.

"Hello, Kate."

Hearing her call him horrible drew a small smirk, his usual lopsided one that carved up the left side of his mouth briefly. He turned to face her, hands in his pockets. As he was just in his office and not walking much, his cane was resting against his desk rather than in his hand. "Possessive, aren't we? It looks good on you. So what was that nonsense with Jesper?"

"I do enjoy a good fact." A play on his genuine appreciation for harsh truths over hopeful platitudes, but also a remark on this specific fact. For all that Kaz Brekker gave off standoffish vibes and monstrous rumors, at heart he did want to belong to the ones that mattered to him. They were his in turn. It was a sense of connection that he'd deprived himself from admitting for so long, and even now he had trouble putting it into words. It was always through actions that he tried to offer his version of an IOU.

He gave a nod, now understanding the excitement Jesper had held when banging on his door. He should probably feel guilty over ignoring his best friend, it was a bit of an asshole thing to do, but he'd been deep in thought and hadn't wanted to be disturbed. He'd make it up to Jesper later. "I was thinking. He would have interrupted it." A beat. "Though that was nice of you. Even if it might give him false hope about his abilities." Kaz moved forward to settle in his chair behind his desk.

"I suppose so." It wasn't as if Kaz was opposed to rigging games. It was the only way he preferred to play, when everything was stacked in his favor. Jesper's gambling was just a sore spot for Kaz, that protective brotherly streak inside of him always ready to chastise and warn. Wylan these days was trying to steer Jesper's need for risk taking into actual investments. Still with an easy chance of losing, but more legal. Kaz blew out a sigh. "I'll make it up to him later."

The easiest way to appease Jesper, aside from filling his pockets with money, was to spend quality time with him. It was also the quickest way to hurt him when time together was rebuked. Kaz resigned himself to at least drinks if not dinner later with his friend.

He watched as Kate slid his work aside to place herself as the main focal point in his desk. Leaning back in his seat, head tipped back and upwards to study her gaze intently, he said in a low voice, "Hey. I did keep the cat away from the cake."

There was a small, crooked smile, brief but present, before Kaz leaned forward and sucked the chocolate off her finger. Then he slowly, gathering himself for a moment and with breath held, leaned over to kiss Kate. He was getting better at these small moments and touches if he planted himself and prepared for them. He let her share in the chocolate flavoring in his mouth while he also tasted hers. It was a kiss that both brought ocean waves to lap at his ankles and a kiss that provided the anchor that kept him from drowning.

Both were true at once, the only logical failing that Kaz was willing to accept.

Kaz's mouth and breath tasted like chocolate and coffee, his usual bitterness offset by the sweet treat Kate brought.

"For what you owe me," he said when they parted, lips practically brushing against hers, their new teasing way to say the loved one another.

From picking the lock in his room to acting as his sniper, Kate was his partner in every sense of the word. In ways that Kaz hadn't fully thought would ever be realized. Their patience had paid off in them sharing an ever-growing intimate bond that took many forms, from sweetened kisses to shared showers to touching themselves in one another's presence. While Kaz still suffered from touching other people, Kate was becoming the exception to his phobia. The glittering chance that maybe someday, he could hug Jesper and playfully flick Nina.

Kaz wasn't a man who believed in hope. He trusted odds rigged in his favor. He trusted hard work. This just hadn't been a job he could do by himself, but Kate had proven willing to help. Just as he tried to support her in her own insecurities and issues.

He took off his gloves and used a finger now to swipe some of the cake, licking it off. Illogically, it tasted better on Kate's finger, but he couldn't say that, because. Well. Illogical.

"You're a 1%-er, you might," he teased her back about being able to pay. He took another fingerful and this time held it out to Kate, as usual holding his breath to anticipate the touch.

"It's going. There are three new acts at the club, I was just reviewing their contracts and background vetting. Poppy still won't sign on, but they've always been too emotional to really do business. You?"