"... Now you're bringing that ugly thing to school?" Nami tilts her head.

"He's not ugly. He's cute." You hug Kid to your chest, nuzzling his hair. "The cutest ever." You grumble.

"Cutest ever huh..." Nami sweatdrops.

"___, hey!" You look over as Ace approaches with a smile.

"Hey Ace, how are you?" You smile.

"I'm alright, how are..." He trails off, looking at Kid and blinking. "Where did you get him?" He points at Kid.

"My caretaking job, she said I could pick whatever I wanted from the attic." You hum thoughtfully.

"What!? You picked that when you could've found something expensive or rare?" Nami gaps.

"... Well yeah, he caught my eye and I just... Couldn't leave without him... And he is rare. In his own little way." You hum cuddling Kid's cheek affectionately.

"... You've been acting weird since you got him." Nami frowns. "Maybe its cursed, right Ace?" You both look to the freckled guy. He was frowning lightly all of a sudden.

"Cursed sounds right... I uh... Have to go... See you in class." He smiles again and waves before leaving.

"Ace?" You frown after him in concern, that was not normal behavior.

"Weird... Maybe he doesn't like that doll." Nami comments, "Come on, lets get to class."

School was numbing as always, all you could think about was going to the city with Kid afterwards. Would he like it? You shift, poking Kid's plush cheek before letting your eyes wander around the class until they land on your neighbor. Ace was fast asleep, snoring quietly. He seemed to be fine now compared to this morning.

His eyes ease open, meeting your gaze sleepily. You blink and tilt your head, offering a smile. He blinks and smiles a bit. "Hi..." He whispers.

"Hey sleepy head, sleep well?" You respond quietly.

"Not really." He yawns and stretches. "What are you doing after school?"

"Going to the city with my friend." You smile. He blinks, raising an eyebrow at you.

"Who's the friend?" He inquires.

"His name is Kid, he's new to town." You tell him.

"Ah... Maybe I'll see you later then, I'm heading there later too." He murmurs resting his head on his arms as he watches you.

"Why not join us then?" You inquire.

"Mm... Because you don't have detention." He responds pointedly.

"Oh right... Have fun with that.." You smile, reaching over and patting his shoulder.

"They're huge..." Kid breathes looking up at the buildings.

"Right? Don't look up at them too long, you'll get dizzy." You tell him just before he staggers. You grab his arm, pulling him into you to keep him steady.

"... I'm alright." He shakes his head and looks around. "What do you humans do here?"

"Live, shop, eat.... And maybe go to the movies." You shrug.

"Movies... Like the one we watched on your television?" He tilts his head.

"Mhm, but on a really big screen." You hold open your arms.

"Really?" He hums curiously.

"Yeah, we'll go see one later.. Are you hungry?" You ask looking up at him. He looks down at you and pauses since you still had his arm, standing so close.

".... Is there different foods here?" He inquires as he carefully moves away.

"Yeah, maybe there's a different buffet here." You smile before leading the way. It seemed to bother him whenever you were too close, which made you feel rather sad. You would try to give him more space in the future. It's just, you wanted to make sure the man didn't get lost or something. Maybe you felt over protective?

Kid watches your back quietly, "Do you like this place?" He asks.

"Mm... Not really, it's crowded and not very safe." You admit. "I'd be afraid to walk around this place alone."

"... I don't understand... Wouldn't it be safer with so many people around?" He asks.

"Well... There's a lot of people here, but no one's really paying attention. In town there's not many people so you pay attention to everyone you come across. If I were to get taken away here, few would look up, and if they did, maybe only one would try to help." You explain, Kid frowns, pulling you back into himself, glancing around warily. The movement surprised you, making you tilt your head back to look at him. "Its okay, I don't think it happens often. And we're safer since we're together."

"Is that so?" He relaxes a bit, you give a nod. "Good, then stay close." He breathes before moving to your side. You blink at him before nodding and carrying on, apparently you weren't the only one feeling protective of the other.

After eating, you decide to take him to the bar, maybe the old General would like to drink. Kid looks around the dim establishment. "This... Actually feels familiar." He comments looking at you.

"Good, you used to call it a tavern, now we call it a bar." You lead him to sit at the counter. Kid sits beside you, glancing around again. You decide to order for him and yourself. The redhead seemed to like the drink you got him, smiling a bit to himself.

"It's more mild than it used to be." He breathes.

"Really? Well, they have all kinds now, so there's no telling what you used to drink." You hum.

"What are you drinking?" He peers at your glass.

"My favorite, it's a bit sweet. Have a sip." You offer him the glass. He tries it and raises an eyebrow, chuckling.

"Wow... That's really different..." He breathes.

"What's so funny?" You tilt your head.

"Tastes like juice." He admits.

"Juice... Its liquor." You frown. He just smiles and leans on the counter, resting his chin in his palm. Well, he was enjoying himself at least. Someone sits on your other side drawing your gaze as the man smiles at you.

"Arent you a bit young to be drinking?" He rumbles. Kid's smile falls and he openly glares at the man, but is ignored.

"I'm the right age." You respond with a small frown.

"Ah, then its nice to meet you." He moves to touch your arm but Kid pulls your seat away from him, glaring more.

"Don't touch her. Get lost." Kid growls. You blink in surprise, that was same tone he had when you first woke him. Icy, dangerous, and made you feel so safe. The man seems to pale, moving away at that. You toss Kid a grateful smile, he just gives a nod, keeping you close.

You didn't stay at the bar long after that, deciding to do some window shopping. "___!" A voice makes you look ahead as Ace comes up.

"Hey Ace, how was detention?" You ask.

"I honestly think they just like to watch me sleep." He shrugs, eyeing Kid. "You must be Kid, nice to meet you. I'm Ace." He smiles, offering his hand for a handshake. Kid takes it, smirking back.

"Hello Ace." He greets. You blink, raising an eyebrow between them. There was a weird atmosphere now. "So what next ___?" He looks at you.

"Um... I... Movie?" You scratch your cheek.

"Sounds fun! Lets go." Ace grins, taking your hand and starting off.

"Hey." Kid frowns following. You blink back at Kid and free your hand from Ace's grasp.

"You okay Kid?" You ask him.

"I'm alright." He steps beside, you glancing at Ace as he turns to you two.

"How about a scary movie?" Ace smirks slightly.

"We'll see what they have first." You sweatdrop, you didn't want Kid to get startled again. You reach the theater and frown. "... Scary movies is all they're playing..."

"Lets watch this one." Ace points.

"Yeah alright." You hum.

"You two are really close already." Ace says as you leave the theater. You sweatdrop at that, Kid had basically pulled you onto his lap protectively during the movie, holding you tightly. It was cute in a way but kind of embarrassing since Ace had snickered during that.

"I guess." You and Kid mutter together. Ace stretches with a groan.

"Gotta say Kid. I didn't take you for the protective type." He comments.

"And I didn't take you for the sap type." Kid deadpans. Ace's lips twitch at that. "You look more like a fire starter."

"Heh... I'll see you guys later, have a goodnight ___." Ace waves before departing. You just felt confused as you watch him go.

"Um... What was that about?" You look at Kid. He shifts and rubs his neck.

"Who knows? Lets go home." He breathes. You nod, peering at the dark sky.

"We'll have to take the bus.." You sigh, leading him to one of the stops and waiting. Kid watches you quietly for a bit.

"How long have you known Ace?" He asks.

"Three years. We moved to town, and the first person I met was Ace. It was an awkward meeting, because he stared at me for like five minutes before even trying to speak to me." You giggle. He smirks lightly, tilting his head.

"I believe it." He comments with a nod.

The bus was packed when it pulled up, letting off like three people before you lead Kid on, standing in the middle of the bus, gripping onto the handle. "Hold on to something Kid." You advice. He blinks and holds onto your handle, tensing when the bus starts to move.

The bus turns a corner, gravity pulling on your back, making Kid fall forward into you, lips meeting yours. Wait. What? You blink as he pulls back swiftly, putting his fist over his lips. He looks away, pink covering his face. "Um... You okay Kid?" You ask in concern.

"Y-Yeah... Not used to the ground moving beneath me." He coughs.

"Yeah... We should be able to sit down soon. Takes an hour to get home like this." You hold onto his arm as the bus makes another turn.

"An hour?"

           "Yeah... Welcome to the present." You smile.