Credits: the art above is from ceejindeed, an amazing artist very dedicated to the Kid Pirates - you can find him on twitter, instagram and many other platforms.

*

Your fingers traced the old covers, wiping some dust away to reveal the ancient inscriptions.

«These are...»

«Yes.»

Aokiji leaned on the wooden wall. Thin slides of light were filtering through the beams.

You felt your breath becoming heavier as realization slowly entered your mind.

«Sensei, this is...» your voice quivered and you couldn't complete the sentence.

The Admiral observed you.

«You can say it.»

The books felt like a burden in your hands.

You searched his face for an indication, anything that could tell you what he was expecting from you.

You bit your lip down.

«...treason.»

The whisper left your mouth in a breath and you shivered.

«It is indeed.» he nodded «I told you it was your choice what to do. If you think you should turn me in, I won't resist.»

«What?»

You shook your head brusquely.

«Sensei, why the hell are you showing me these?»

«I'm not 'showing' them to you, I'm giving them to you.»

«What for?!»

«You decide, [Y/n].»

You growled in frustration, dropping the books on the battered table.

«Why me?»

«Because they are wasted on me.» he calmly explained «I cannot understand them. But you're smarter.»

You eyes widened.

«I should... STUDY them?»

Aokiji sighed.

«The only thing you should do, [Y/n], is stop putting all your trust in me. You don't need it. I'm giving these to you because, whatever you do, I know it will be the right choice.»

Shaken by his words, your eyes crawled back on those covers.

«If you think they should be destroyed, do it. If you think they should be given to someone else, or to everyone else, do it. A man who cannot even understand them has no right to decide.»

You raised your face to him, observing his expression.

«I know I'm loading you with a great burden,» he continued «but you're the only one who can take it. And, whatever you decide, I will protect you.»

The room grew quieter. Lazy grains of dust were dancing in the thin beams of light.

«No.» you lowly said.

Aokiji quirked an eyebrow.

«Mine the decision, mine the consequences.» you stated «If I don't depend of you, I won't rely on you either.»

The shadow of a smirk spread across his face.

You didn't turn him in.

The agitated sea woke you up. The cabin was rolling quite a bit.

You were alone in the wide bed, and, you soon realized, completely naked.

At some point you must have fallen asleep, and Kid didn't bother to put clothes on you. Not that something like that was plausible.

I guess I should just be thankful he put me in bed in the first place.

Your fingers caressed the creased sheet where he left his trace, while your mind wandered back to the night before.

The way he hid his face in the crook of your neck, how he held you, for how long, you didn't even know.

And the fact that you gave up on your escape. Not once, but twice.

For them.

Until that moment, you lacked the courage to even express that thought in your mind.

But that was the truth, that was what you did.

It was treason. Again.

Fuck, [Y/n], be honest with yourself for once: you already betrayed the Marines for Aokiji's sake.

They abandoned me to the Kid Pirates, so what if I fucking try to make the best of it?

But there was that thing with Koby and Helmeppo.

Pushing them in a dusty corner of your mind, you climbed down the bed.

The aftermath of the coma were almost gone now.

You quickly refreshed yourself in the bathroom before putting on some clothes, picking up the only decent bra someone had provided you with.

There was the little detail of all the dark halos decorating your neck, shoulders and chest, along with the marks on your arms. Especially where his metallic hand held you, wide red stripes encircled your bicep.

Unfortunately the tank top didn't really cover them. The best you could do was letting your hair down. And trying not to care.

You were pretty sure everyone heard, after all.

The rocking of the ship intensified, almost making you lose balance.

«Woha, okay.» you huffed, stumbling to the door and getting out to the deck.

Most of the pirates were busy manoeuvring the sails to keep the strong wind favourable.

«[Y/n]!»

Heat waved at you from the railing. Wire leaned beside him, while the Mohican sat on the floor, a plate full of sandwiches on his lap.

At the mere sight, your stomach growled.

Right, it's been a while since I've had some solid food.

You reached them.

«Hey guys. Any chance I can have one of those?»

«Help yourself.» the Mohican answered, throwing one at you.

You almost missed it.

«Huh, thanks.»

You dived your teeth in the sandwich, humming in pleasure when you felt the meat on your tongue.

«You don't have to thank us. After... whateveryoudid, the boss is not in a murdering mode anymore.» Heat explained.

Oh.

Wire nodded solemnly.

«Not even Killer is that effective, I must say.»

You sat onto the taffrail and waited for the three of them to all take a bite of their food.

«That's because Killer cannot probably make sweet, sweet love to his captain.»

Heat, Wire and the Mohican all choked in their sandwiches and seriously risked to die.

You burst in laughter as they coughed and spat humid crumbles all over the deck.

«This woman. She's evil.» Wire wheezed, pummelling his chest.

The Mohican covered his face with his hands.

«Holy crap! This image is stuck in my head forever!»

«S-Sorry, that was hard to resist.» you panted, still trying to hold back the laughter.

«Speaking of Killer... although I regret it – he wants to talk to you.» Heat said, rubbing away some sauce from his mouth «He's in the crow's nest.»

You shot a glare at the main mast.

«Hum, what for?»

Heat just shrugged.

«I'm not a fan the duo Killer and high places.»

«I hope he throws you down again.» the Mohican blurted.

«Yeah, then you calm Kid down next time.» you retorted, sticking your tongue at him.

He grabbed the shotgun on his belt and angrily waved it at you.

«Go, before I beat you down, marine girl!»

Despite being more or less sure he wouldn't do that, you jolted away nevertheless.

He looked pissed, and they were always the Kid Pirates.

«Don't fall down!» Heat yelled at your back.

You peered above the hatch of the crow's nest, after climbing up the mast.

Killer was in the centre of the small room, shirtless, doing push-ups on his fingers with what seemed a thousand-kilo weight on his back.

Streams of sweat were dripping between his defined muscles, and his hair was tamed in a long, messy tress.

You blinked, taken aback.

He was not as massive as Kid, but he was definitely impressive.

You cleared your voice, lifting yourself inside the nest.

Killer turned to you and shifted seated with a fluid movement, setting the weights aside.

«Hi [Y/n].»

«Heat told me you want to talk.» you said, closing the hatch beneath you.

«I do.»

He grabbed a towel from the seats that lined the small room and wiped the sweat away from his neck.

You did your best to keep your eyes on his mask, without lingering on his bulging pecs.

«I hope this "talk" doesn't end with you throwing me down the mast.»

«Not if you behave.» he mused.

You scoffed lightly, taking a seat and crossing your legs.

«What is it?»

«Just a few quick things.» he rested an elbow on his knee, letting the towel fall on his shoulders «First: I'm still watching over you, so don't even think about escaping, because I'll get you.»

Your lip twitched.

«Well, I hope you're fast then, Massacre Soldier.»

He sighed.

«I knew you'd say something like that. This is not the main point, though.»

He looked up, like he was pondering his words, then moved his focus back to you.

«Things have changed from when you arrived, obviously. The crew is fond of you now and... well, you know better than me how things are between you and Kid.»

You felt a light heat spread to your cheeks.

«I don't care how it turned out,» he continued «but you're still a marine on a pirate ship. Things can happen.»

«Killer, get to the point.»

He observed your resolute face for a second.

«[Y/n], if anything or anyone makes you feel threatened or unsafe in anyway... you must come to me.»

You frowned.

«What?»

«You heard. If someone hurts you, you come to me.» he paused «And I mean, including Kid.»

Your confusion increased, and it was probably evident on your face because he pressed further.

«I know you may now think that he's not going to harm you. And you're somehow right, he won't... on purpose. Or until you piss him off.»

You shook your head.

«I'm not following you. Why are you telling me this?»

«Because he will hurt you, [Y/n]. And when it happens, I don't want you to feel lost.»

The whole conversation was making you uncomfortable. You weren't sure how to feel, how to interpret his words.

«Isn't what you're saying a betrayal of your captain?» you hissed.

«Quite the opposite. It may look like I'm trying to protect you, and I am. But, before anyone, I'm protecting him.»

Like I always do.

He didn't say the last words out loud but, in your head, they were the natural epilogue of his sentence.

You stood, mixed feelings agitating in your chest.

«I can take care of myself, Massacre Soldier.» you coldly stated before turning and heading back to the hatch.

«[Y/n].» he called «I have reasons for what I say.»

Seeing that you were not stopping to listen, Killer got on his feet and took a few steps towards you.

«I know him, [Y/n]! It wouldn't be the first time he hurts the things he–»

He stopped abruptly, and you suddenly turned to him, eyes wide open.

The things he...?

Killer sighed, running his palm over his mask.

«Just promise you'll come to me, okay?»

You swallowed, feeling your heartbeat race once again.

«Killer, I'm not some stupid little girl who fell for the wolf.» you said «I'm a Marine official, a master sniper you took captive on your ship. Try to remember that.»

You kneeled down to the hatch, ready to get out.

«Is that so, Surprise D.?»

Your arms froze in place and your breath got stuck in your throat.

He nodded.

«I knew it.»

Fuck.

«You knew what?» you muttered, desperately trying to act natural «That I'm "Surprise D."? Sorry to disappoint you, but that mythical marine actually never existed. Some journalist made it up years ago.»

Killer tilted his head.

«Then why did you stiffen like that?»

«I didn't, it's your imagination.»

«"Surprise D., where D. stands for Death. Because you'll die with surprise on your face, never knowing what hit you"» he recited.

You made violence to yourself not to cringe.

Those were the words the news used when talking about the mysterious sniper that seemed to escort Admiral Aokiji in his journeys.

«There has been no mention of Surprise D. in the past two years, so it's common believe that they died during the War of the Best, or left the Marines with Aokiji.» Killer said, gaze fixed on you «But that's not true, isn't it? I realized when I saw you shooting down Big Mom's sails.»

«Killer, I told you. There is no "Surprise D.". Never had been. It was Aokiji's power or something. Besides, even if I were this mythical sniper, what would the point be?»

The Massacre Soldier stayed quiet for a while as the tension grew inside you.

«No point.» he finally said.

You sighed and opened the hatch, but hesitated before sliding out.

«Oi, Killer.»

«Yes.»

«Have you... have you mentioned this to Kid?»

The blond placed the weights back between his shoulder blades, resuming the push-ups position.

«Surprise D. doesn't exist, apparently. So why bother my captain with fake information?»

Back on the deck, your absent eyes lingered on the mast.

Killer's words had messed with you a little, throwing you in a cold bath of reality.

He didn't buy your denial, you were sure of it. And all that rambling about Kid hurting you...

«Marine girl!»

You turned to see a pirate gesturing towards the workshop.

«The boss is waiting for you.»

«Yeah, yeah.»

The waves were getting bigger and darker, so you quickly crossed the deck to knock at the door of the workshop.

«You asked for me, Eustass?»

«Come on in.»

Once again, Kid was bent over your special boots, but this time a satisfied smirk adorned his face.

Seeing his imposing red figure reminded you of the warmth of his body.

«Here, try them again.» he said, pushing the shoes towards you as you approached.

«No free fall this time?» you asked, grabbing them.

«We'll see. Nice marks, by the way.»

You stopped mid-action to shoot him a glare and met his mischievous eyes scanning your skin.

«Not so ashamed of walking around like that anymore, hm?»

«You know, you're the first gentleman who brings it up.» you replied, adjusting the boots on your feet.

Kid stood to follow you outside.

«Oi.»

You turned to him at the entrance. There was a serious expression on his face now.

«Let's try not to commit suicide, shall we?» he grumbled.

An involuntary smile tugged at the corner of your mouth.

«I have to fully test them to make sure they work. Besides...» you offered him a cheeky smirk «...you'll catch me if I fall, won't you?»

His bottom eyelid twitched.

Kid bent over you and you tensed, not sure of what was about to happen.

Then he not-so-gently flicked your forehead.

«Get ready, you spoiled brat.» he growled, pushing you out.

There was no need for that.

This time, the boots worked perfectly. They were even more balanced and easier to steer.

You flew and pirouetted all around, above the eyes of the crew, before landing confidently in front of Kid.

«I don't know how you did it, you damn redhead, but they are perfect!» you uttered, unable to conceal your grin.

«Damn redhead...?»

His smile shifted in its sadist curl and you almost shivered when his eyes sharpened.

«Someone is looking for a punishment, apparently.» he whispered so you were the only one who could hear.

You felt an inner squeeze in your lower abdomen at his promise.

«Now give them back.» he ordered, stretching his metallic arm.

«What? Why?»

«I never said you were allowed to keep them.» he sneered.

Well, aren't you a jerk.

«Plus there is still some stuff I wanna try on those.»

Not wanting to start a useless fight, you decided to comply, at least for the time being.

Having Kid in a good mood was precious not only for you, but for the whole crew apparently.

«Fine, fine.»

You slid out of the boots and handed them over.

The captain took them with a suspicious look.

«You're strangely yielding today.»

Your gaze lowered a few inches so he couldn't study the look on your face.

The truth was that Killer's words were still on your stomach and in your head. A subtle sense of anxiety had blossomed inside since your talk, and now you felt emptied of energy.

«I... must still be convalescent or something.» you mumbled.

His fiery eyes were still tracing burning paths on your head when one of the navigators approached.

«The storm is near, captain. It's a big one, and fast, the weather may get worse any second now...»

He almost couldn't finish the sentence.

The sunlight quickly faded, thick black clouds coating the sky in an instant.

The already agitated sea started to rage, and a curtain of rain appeared out of nowhere.

«Men, get ready!» Kid yelled, throwing your boots inside the workshop and slamming the door «Let's keep our Victoria on course!»

The pirates were immediately on their feet, everyone already knowing what to do.

Eustass Kid traversed the ship, barking indications in the darkness.

Soon, the first higher waves started to wipe the deck.

«TIGHTEN THE SAILS!» the navigator shouted.

Being one of the smallest and nimbler on board, you joined the team climbing up the mast, trying to rearrange the knots as soon as possible.

How the weather could change so quickly in the New World never ceased to amaze you.

Within instants, the wind gained impossible strength and the darkness became depeer, while the waves and the rain showered all of you.

Three men who climbed with you were knocked down the mast. You resisted, probably thanks to your size, flattened against the beam.

Holy sheit.

«[Y/N]!» someone yelled from below, trying to surpass the roar of the storm.

Grasped at the mast for your dear life, you looked down.

Wire was desperately signalling something above you.

Squinting in the rain, you carefully moved your eyes up to notice a rope which was still holding the main sail opened. The knot, however, was threatening to come off any moment.

Because of that, the ship couldn't be stabilized. But if the rope simply unfolded on its own, the sail would have been completely at the mercy of the crazy wind, worsening the situation.

You groaned, soaked to the bone, fighting against the storm to climb up.

If the men were shouting something else from below, you couldn't hear.

Despite the darkness, you were pretty sure no one else managed to stay attached to the mast.

Come on, [Y/n], you can do this.

The rain and the saltwater made the wood slippery, and the wind was trying to tear you away. The height was enough for you to fly directly in the sea now.

You thought you heard someone starting to climb, but there was no time. The rope was tugging crazily in the air, and you were almost there.

The wind increased, if possible.

You watched in horror as the knot finally came off.

«No no no no no no NO!»

With a desperate movement, you locked your legs around the mast and grabbed the rope with both hands before it could fly away.

Suddenly, you found yourself holding the whole weight of the main sail against the mad wind.

It took a second for the backlash to hit you, but when it did, it felt like all the muscles in your body were tore apart.

The air was sucked away from your lungs.

Somehow (maybe thanks to your self-preservation instinct) you managed to keep your grip on the mast.

Then the wrestling against the storm began, and you realized you were done for.

«A LITTLE HELP?!» you screamed, hoping that someone could reach you soon.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to tell.

The pain became unbearable.

I can't hold it any longer.

A new gust of wind hit you, and your legs ceded.

For a terrifying second, you saw yourself flying away with the sail, and then in the black storm.

It was just an instant, though, then strong arms grabbed your waist, holding you tight against someone's torso.

«I got you.»

Killer's firm voice blew directly in your ear.

«[Y/n], don't let go. Just a few seconds.»

Your face was distorted by the effort of keeping the rope between your bleeding fingers. Your arms felt like they were about to break apart.

Luckily, you blinked to see both Heat and Wire swiftly climb up till you, leaning forward to grab the sail.

«It's okay, you can let go now!» Heat screamed over the storm.

It was painful to release the grip.

Your whole body was pulsating.

With their strength combined, the two pirates were able to tame the sail, while Killer held you against his side and glided down the mast.

All your focus was on catching your breath.

Everything hurt.

Even when you reached the deck, Killer had to keep you up.

You pressed your head against his chest, trying to escape wind and rain.

«What the fuck!»

Kid's growl was recognisable above the din.

Your vision was as blurred as your balance, so you couldn't distinguish his dark figure properly.

Killer handed you over to his captain, careful not to let you stand alone till you ended up with your forehead against a more familiar torso and a metallic grip secured around your body.

A big fur was now shielding you from the rain.

«Why the hell were you on the mast?!» Kid barked, and his chest rumbled.

«Because!» you tried to shout as well, but your voice was weak «I'm the best man on the ship!»

«Oh god.» Killer groaned.

«But don't worry!» you continued, still trying to overcome the wind with your words «Your trusty blondie saved me!»

«Hey Kid!» you heard the second in command yelling «If she stays on the ship, I'm seriously concerned about my mental health!»

«Then we'll hire a fucking shrink on the next island!» Kid yelled back.

«Good!» you stepped in, holding onto Kid's vest to stand on your feet. The ship was steadier now.

«So he can treat my Banaro syndrome!»

The captain frowned.

«What's a Banaro syndrome?»

«It's when a prisoner falls in love with their capt–»

Killer was forced to cut his sentence short to avoid the kick directed on his shin.

«Shut up, blondie!» You snapped.

But Kid's coarse laugh startled you.

«Well, that sounds interesting!»

However, he had to quickly catch you back, since you were still damaged by your last actions.

«We'll get back to this later.» he sneered, planting his wolfish eyes on you.

You buried your face in his fur to hide the blush, hoping we would think it was because of the storm.

«Now let's get through this fucking squall, men!»