Winter break was fast approaching which meant the bookstore would be busy selling study supplies and workbooks, on top of last minute collegiate themed gifts. Not to mention you had studying to do for exams. It had been two weeks since Killer and Kid's party and Law still hadn't sent you more than the 'break up' text.

Usually Law pulled all nighters with you during exam season. You'd had to find a new partner.

Your smile quickly dropped into a frown as you opened your door to see Kid standing behind Killer.

"Hey cutie." Killer smiled pulling you into a hug.

"H-hey." You blushed.

Kid huffed and looked away.

Things had been rather awkward since the day he tore your purse.

"It smells good in here are you cooking?" Killer asked stepping in.

"Shh." You yanked Kid in behind him, "I have a hotplate Sabo doesn't know about."

Killer chuckled, "So you made dinner?"

"Nothing special just a hot pot. It's the easiest thing to make. Cafeteria food gets old after a while." You pulled some bowls out of the cabinet above the microwave and grabbed some utensils on your way to the coffee table.

"You said you were having trouble with calculus and this guy needs help with English Lit so I brought him along." Killer said dropping his bag in front of the futon.

"You're good with math huh?" You glanced at Kid while setting the table.

"Kinda have to be when you're building stuff." He shrugged.

After eating the three of you dove into books, notes and worksheets intermittently seeking help from each other.

Sometime after midnight Killer fell asleep snoring quietly beside you on the futon.

Kid shifted on the floor leaning back on his palms.

"You don't have anything packed aren't you going home during break?"

You sighed debating on how much personal information you wanted to share.

"I don't really have a place to go back to." You shrugged, "Though I used to go back and switch between Law and Sabo's houses."

A small smile ghosted your lips.

"I didn't realize you were so close with Sabo." He commented.

"He certainty doesn't play favorites, does he?" You chuckled.

"Guess not. So, why aren't you going back this year?" He watched you shift and cover Killer with a blanket.

"Things are weird with Law right now and the Newgate boys can be a little overwhelming. So many prank wars."

"What about your parents?" He leaned forward.

You frowned again, "Dad passed away a few years ago. He'd saved enough for me to go to school at least. But I have to find an apartment in the spring. Can't live in the dorm forever." You stood clearing the small table.

"Sorry." He murmured.

"It's fine. Isn't as hard to talk about as it used to be." You shrugged stepping into the bathroom to wash the dishes.

"Need some help?" He rumbled from the doorway.

You chuckled glancing around at the small room, "I don't think we both fit in here. You can grab a hand towel from the cabinet by the fridge."

Quietly he helped you dry and put away the dishes.

"So, where do you keep the hot plate? Sabo always finds everything I hide from him in my room."

"It goes under the sink in the bathroom." You pointed watching him as you wiped down the coffee table.

He laughed opening the cabinet finding it filled to the brim with tampon boxes.

"He's too shy to touch any of it." You giggled mischievously.

Kid slipped hotplate behind the boxes and came back into the main room.

"He'll sleep through anything huh?" You pointed at Killer who seemed unfazed by the noise in the small room.

"Yeah. I might have to leave him here for the night if that's OK." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah I have spare blankets and stuff if you wanna crash on the floor or something." You walked to your dresser to pull the linens out of the bottom drawer before tossing them to Kid.

"I'm gonna study a bit longer if you don't mind the lamp being on." You flopped on your bed with a notebook after turning off the overhead light.

"Ah it's fine. Can I raid the DVDs?" He asked sitting in front of the TV.

"Sure. Nothing scary unless you plan on staying up and watching something funny with me after." You flipped to the last page you'd been studying when a chuckle caught your ear.

"You have a lot of Disney movies." He waved your copy of Moana around.

"Hey no judging. I like the songs." You narrowed your eyes at him.

He shrugged putting the DVD in the player. For most of the movie he laid on his back arms folded under his head watching you absentmindedly sing along with the soundtrack while reading through your notes.

______________

Law stepped out of his car and crossed the street for the bookstore stopping short at the picnic tables you use for breaks glaring through the front windows. You were pelting Kid with Christmas themed plushies of the university mascot. Kid didn't look very pleased however, you were laughing hysterically as they bounced off his face sending his wild red mane in all directions.

"Made your decision?" Killer piped walking up on the raven.

"Uh yeah." Law replied sheepishly, "Looks like I'm a little late though."

They continued to watch Kid stomp over picking you up and tossing you into a beanbag chair in the reading corner. He turned as Shanks came out to scold both of you. Sliding down in the bag you poked the back of his knee with the tip of your shoe sending him to the ground.

"I don't think we stood a chance, even if they don't realize it." Killer sighed palming Law's shoulder.

Law blinked at the blond with a slight frown, "When did it happen?"

"The moment she punched him in the face." Killer chuckled.

"You little shit!" Kid growled scrambling to his feet and flipping the beanbag you were sitting in over.

"Can you two stop!" Shanks shouted grabbing the younger redhead by his collar.

You crawled out from under the bag covered in pea sized styrofoam beads.

"You broke it!" You laughed.

The ding of the store front door caused all of you to freeze gazes shifting as Law and Killer walked in.

"Hey!" You cheered, "Just in time for my break."

"I can't stay." Killer chuckled picking beads out of your hair as you hugged him, "I just needed a gift for my mom."

"Awe." You sighed before turning to Law, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I uh wanted to talk to you." He flushed slightly rubbing his arm.

Kid grumbled under his breath stalking off to the stock room for a broom.

"I'll grab my jacket." You skipped off to the break room leaving a trail of styrofoam behind.

"Things won't be like they used to." Law said pulling out a container of chicken salad.

"Like how?" You tilted your head.

A rosy shade of pink flashed across his cheeks.

"Like... no more kisses and cuddly stuff. It isn't fair to you a-and I realize now I was taking advantage of your feelings." He stared down at the cement table.

He'd initially come there with every intention to confess these newly discovered feelings. Things he only felt strongly about after not having you around, your laugh, your angry little outbursts, your strength, how he could get you to go from angry to shy in a matter of seconds. He mentally kicked himself for ignoring it for so long. You may not have been aware of it but you had definitely moved on. Not without hesitation of course, your mind still hadn't caught up with your heart.

"O-ok." You blinked, "As long as we can still be friends it doesn't matter. I was afraid you'd never talk to me again."

He frowned at you, "That will never happen."

His hand came up to cup your cheek but he retracted it.

"Can I at least hug you? You look like you need it."

He gave a small sheepish nod before you pulled him into your chest and rubbed his back.

"Welcome back." You smiled.

"Thanks." He replied evenly pulling out of your embrace.

_____________

He sat on the floor in front of the coffee table in your dorm room as you sat next to him trying to figure out some equation. It was quiet but not awkward as the two of you sat alone and worked on your studies. You softly asked for help placing your hand on his knee to get his attention. Your touch sent a buzz through him like it had many times before. This time he was having trouble shrugging it off. You were so close and comfortable with him. Girls were never this at ease around the ill-tempered redhead.

Before he could correct the urge, he was already leaning in to kiss you. To his surprise you didn't push him away, instead you matched his rhythm even nipping at his bottom lip to deepen it. His heart raced as you allowed him to run his hands down your sides. You combed your fingers through his crimson locks sending shivers down his spine. He broke away to catch his breath as you unbuttoned his shirt running your fingers over the dips and curves of his pectorals. Goosebumps flashed over his alabaster skin. He pulled you into his lap yanking your shirt over your head and tossing it into the corner.

You placed your hands on his shoulders pushing him back onto the floor. Your long tendrils tickled his face as you hovered above covering his neck with kisses and nips. His hands slid around your hips into the back of your trousers as you rocked rubbing yourself over the stiffness in his jeans.

He really tried to concentrate but everywhere you touched him was scorching hot, it was overwhelming.

You leaned down lips brushing against his cheek, your breathy voice filling his ear, "Ah~ah Kid~!"

Kid shuddered swiftly sitting up in his sheets finding himself alone - thank god - in his room. An embarrassed flush heating his face and neck, he huffed and headed for the shower.

A/N - Woo my heart.