“Kaz reached into his coat pocket. "Here," he said and handed Jesper a slender book with an elaborate cover."Are we going to read to each other?""Just flip it open to the back."Jesper opened the book and peered at the last page, puzzled. "So?""Hold it up so we don't have to look at your ugly face.""My face has character. Besides - oh!""An excellent read, isn't it?""Who knew I had a taste for literature?”
— Leigh Bardugo
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Nothing says 'I care about you' quite like an insult paired with a life-saving surprise! 🖤 Leigh Bardugo captures the hilarious yet deeply loyal bond between Kaz and Jesper in this unforgettable moment. What’s the most sarcastic way a friend has ever shown they care about you? Let’s chat in the comments! “Kaz reached into his coat pocket. 'Here,' he said and handed Jesper a slender book with an elaborate cover. 'Are we going to read to each other?' 'Just flip it open to the back.' Jesper opened the book and peered at the last page, puzzled. 'So?' 'Hold it up so we don't have to look at your ugly face.' 'My face has character. Besides - oh!' 'An excellent read, isn't it?' 'Who knew I had a taste for literature?'”
About this quote
In life, true care and deep affection rarely announce themselves with grand, sweeping gestures. Often, the people who love us the most are the ones who show up quietly, hiding their vulnerability behind a veil of sarcasm or witty banter, just like Kaz hiding his genuine concern for Jesper behind a book. We learn that kindness doesn't always look soft; sometimes, it looks like a concealed safety net, a carefully planned surprise, or a shared joke that masks a moment of profound protection. This tender dynamic reminds us to look closer at the relationships that anchor us. The people who insult our 'ugly faces' while secretly securing our futures are the ones worth holding onto through every storm. Life can be unpredictable, brutal, and exhausting—much like the gritty world of the Dregs—but it is these unexpected moments of camaraderie and quiet loyalty that make the journey worthwhile, proving that we are never truly walking alone.
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