"(Y/N)! Really! Thank you so much!" Shoving another fast food burger in your mouth, the sincere gratitude almost went past you as you continued to tear through the food so graciously given to you.

(Y/N).. Ace is trying to thank us..

Finally paying attention to the raven sitting across the table, you blinked at the empty wallet hanging from his fingers, then you trailed over to the tearful look on his regretfully torn face.

Usually you'd feel bad for draining his savings- actually no, you never did that's a lie, however, seeing him so upset almost did, but of course if he didn't want to be broke then he shouldn't have fed you.

Idiot.. never learns..

Sweat dropping at Cracker's choice in words, you just shook off the Kiseichu's unsympathetic words and focused back on Ace, "no need to be like that man! We're friends! I was just doing my duty!" Smiling light heartedly, your body moved subconsciously to continue shoving fries in your mouth as you spoke.

Ugh.. why must we be forced to consume these fat patties?

Making a point to ignore Cracker's complaints, you just led the conversation on and discreetly flexed your stomach, "but it makes me kinda troubled though.. what the hell is going on at that place?" Both Ace and Cracker became serious at your question.

"This whole time we all thought they killed all the Kiseichus that they took but.. the fact that Sabo's alive.. they're up to something.." staring hard into the crumpled up wrappers you've thrown to the side of the table, you continued to fall deeper into the horrific possibilities.

"(Y/N)" being brought out of the trance by a quick clasp of rougher hands over your own, Ace stared you down gravely, causing a cold sweat to go down your back, "what ever you're thinking, just forget it"

We agree with him!

Sitting back, the teen's eyes darkened, and he began to reach out for some stray fries and chew on them distractedly, "whatever's going on there isn't our business.. one thing's for sure, I almost lost- no, I lost Sabo for poking my head in business that didn't belong to me, and I'm never risking that again.."

Mulling over what he said, your hand slowly moved over your stomach, where Cracker thrummed underneath your skin comfortingly and coagulated at the area, one of the only sensations that could ever keep your nerves from frazzling.

That's right, you've stopped thinking for yourself a long time ago.. you got someone else relying on you now.

"Alright" giving Ace a soft smile, you shook off the small twinge of responsibility in the back of your mind and sighed, "you're right, I can't risk losing Cracker over stuff that ain't even our problem yet.. besides, the protesters are probably dealing with whatever that is"

The older D. brother relaxed at your words, and you could feel Cracker unwind from wherever he was in your organs as well.

"Good.. well, I've already paid so I'm gonna go" the raven moved away from his seat and fondled a small piece of paper, you grinned mischievously at it, "oh.. you gonna go take Sabo on a long awaited date?"

Ace immediately went red, "sh-shut up!" For the first time ever, you watched the fiery man dwindle into embers in the face of a few words, left hiding his face meekly behind his hands, and Cracker twisted in your body in interest.

Oho..? Ace looks so.. overwhelmed.

You sweat dropped at the evil tone in his watery voice, that was probably a sign of bad things to come in the future.. for Ace at least.

In no time the older boy rushed off in a flurry of embarrassment.

And then it was just you and Cracker..

Something kinda felt a little off.. ever since you left that horrible place and got out of Ace and his unbearably deadly hugs, Cracker's been silent, and you could feel him stir in your body like something was disturbing him.

But you didn't know what to do, it wasn't like he gave you any hints.. in fact, ever since the field trip was announced he was acting strangely, although you thought he'd go back to being normal again after it passed..

(Y/N)..

Flinching at the pulse in your intestines, you cradled your chest, feeling the Kiseichu rise to where you knew your rib cage was protecting your heart.

(Y/N).. can we go back home?

Not questioning your partner, you decided to take the quickest way back to the apartment and make a beeline there, whatever it was it felt important, and you didn't want to make the other wait.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Here.." sweating nervously, you took in a series of deep breaths as the apartment's door slammed behind your back.

Frowning at the sweat clinging to your clothes, you began to strip away the damp clothing and curse your inability to run for long distances- until your legs went numb and you nearly fell on your face.

Stumbling around the living room, you just watched and waited as your legs were manipulated to bring you into your bedroom instead.

What was Cracker doing?

Collapsing onto the small, creaky mattress, you felt your innards stir and twist as Cracker slowly oozed through your skin, travelling through your bloodstream and past the cell's membranes until he was hovering over you- briefly bringing back the memories of a distant rainy night.

"Cracker..?" Weakly reaching out to the Kiseichu, you could feel his feelers reach out and dance along your palm, coating it in a damp solution whilst tickling the nerves below the surface of your skin.

There was a shift in the bed as another feeler flowed over your chest, resting on your cheek, he continued to idly feel over your skin, almost distractedly or obsessively.

"(Y/N).. (Y/N).." you were surprised to hear his voice sound out as a whimper, it was nearly pitiful to hear such a tone leave from Cracker, and it only got more confusing as the Kiseichu fell upon you, encasing your body in his polymer-like body.

"Cracker?" Shaping your arms inside of him like you were holding him, the Kiseichu purred at the thought, "(Y/N).. we were scared to lose us.."

Smiling softly at the confession, you twiddled your fingers around in his body, you never knew how or if he even felt it, but for some reason it would always seem to comfort the other so you just rolled with it, "I should be the one saying that.. I was terrified thinking what they'd do to you.. to us"

The Kiseichu squeezed you lightly, "(Y/N).. you are my territory.. you know that right?"

You couldn't even remember how long it's been since Cracker used singular first-person pronouns, and it shocked you so much to hear him use them that his question totally went over your head at first, "Cracker.. you- what?"

The liquid-like mass coating you in a bubble fidgeted around, stirring like someone just stuck in an arm and began thrashing about carelessly, "you're my territory.. (Y/N)"

Blinking at the familiar word, you smiled easily, brightening up when the Kiseichu's body vibrated, shallowly poking under your skin and playing with your nerves in a way that stoked a fire in your belly.

"C-Cracker.." moaning in surprise at the feeling, your hips bucked up against your will, and the purple mass slowly started to shift in a pattern, rubbing circles, prodding at areas that gained a positive reaction, and squeezed playfully.

Hold on, hold on, this was starting to feel sexual..

"Cracker-!" You reached up reflexively in trying to push the other away, but you were quickly sobered up when your hand just melted through the surface of his body.

"(Y/N), don't worry, I won't do anything we don't want.." as he said that, the pressure was soon moved towards more intimate areas, and that was when you were starting to realize the nature of the situation.

Breathing haggardly as you looked up into pink eyes, you quivered a moment, now in full understanding of what the intensity they held meant and sighed into the sensations the Kiseichu was giving you.

Cracker..

"Cracker" now shuffling your body in a futile way to get closer to his touch, you leaned your neck up to where his eyes just watched, and for the first time, a pink smile stretched along his body where you always assumed his head was.

"Cracker.. take us please.."

"With pleasure"