Chapter Text
The ceremony was finally over. Wylan and Inej sat stunned as everyone began to leave and they watched hordes of celebrities pass by them on the way to the exit. Wylan cleared his throat and straightened his tie when he saw Jesper and his friends approaching them. Nina and Matthias were holding hands and whispering like co-conspirators, and Jesper was speaking with Kaz, Jesper’s laughter carrying all the way to where Wylan was. Just that sound was enough to heal the blow to his pride that had been the awards. Wylan and Inej stood and started collecting their things, and Wylan reached down to help Inej get her jacket, which had fallen on the ground. When Wylan stood up and turned around, he was almost nose-to-nose with Jesper. They stayed like that for about a second too long, before Wylan jumped back.
“I am so sorry,” Wylan spluttered as he stepped back, his face growing red. “That was a total accident.” Wylan hadn’t forgotten about the invitation to Jesper’s afterparty, but he wondered if it had just been out of courtesy. Now that Jesper had won, were he and Inej still welcome?
“No worries,” Jesper said. “You know, if you wanted to be in close proximity to me, all you have to do is ask. You don’t have to trip and all that.” He winked and flashed Wylan a smile. “You two are still coming to my afterparty, right?”
“I- uh- Yes. I mean, if we’re still invited,” Wylan cursed himself inwardly. Why could he not string together a sentence in front of Jesper?
“Let’s go then,” Kaz said, cutting off Wylan’s train of thought. He was involved in what seemed like a staring contest with Inej. It looked like Inej was winning.
Wylan wondered if those rumors were true - if Kaz and Jesper were an item. If so, it would be wrong for him to pursue Jesper, right? But it couldn’t hurt if he didn’t tell anyone. A little crush was nothing to get worked up about.
Wylan tugged on Inej’s sleeve to get her to break eye contact with Kaz, and handed her the jacket he had retrieved from the floor. “Lead the way,” he said.
Jesper grabbed Wylan by the elbow and basically dragged him as he started to walk. Jesper was a bit taller than Wylan, so Wylan had to walk quickly to keep up with the other’s long strides. His skin burned where Jesper was touching him, that little bit of contact enough to send his mind reeling. Even if things never went any further, Wylan was certainly excited about this party, and he had gotten some real face time with his crush. What more could he ask for?