Birdie's POV

The baby transponder snail went off again from your pocket.

«Captain [Y/n]?»
«Captain [Y/n] my ass.» you muttered without picking up, still dragging the girl along narrower allies.

Oddly enough, she wasn’t doing anything to stop you. You didn’t sense any bad intention from the beginning, but still.

She came to you like it was nothing.
What. The actual. Fuck.

A moment later, the Den Den Mushi started again and you were forced to reply.

«I’m following a lead. You’ll be fine by yourselves for a while, see ya later.»
«Wait, captain! We just received a communication from the outpost: the Kid Pirates were spotted around the archipelago.»

You finally stopped, letting go of the pirate’s wrist and turning to her, an eyebrow quirked.

«You don’t say.» you mumbled in the receiver.
«Because of your… ah-ehm… incident with them, the officials want us to head back. They are sending someone else here, you know you cannot make contact–»
«I know.» you cut it short «I don’t care about them. We came for the Gifters, and that’s what we’ll get. I’ll meet you at the inn tonight.»
«But–»
«That’s an order. Goodbye.»

You abruptly hung up, placing the sleeping snail back in your pocket.

«Now you, Mute Gypsy.»

You watched her tensing up at the nickname.

Doesn’t she like it?

Your eyes locked together as you were challenging each other.
And she, she stared at you proudly.

Why would she come to me?

With a twitch of your mouth, you reminded yourself she was protecting you from her devastating power in that very moment.
Suddenly, she sighed and moved her hand to her bag.

«Whoa, not so fast!»

In an instant, the rifle hanging from your shoulder slid in your hands, and you pointed the weapon at her.

She stopped, frowning at you.

«You may be able to blow my head up with your voice, but trust me, I am pretty fast with this thing too.»

You were expecting the pirate to use her power against you at that point, but she didn’t do anything.

A feeling of uneasiness spread inside you.

«It’s pretty obvious you know who I am.» you continued «I don’t know what you want from me, but you have to go, now.»

You hesitated for a second, nibbling at your lower lip.

«And tell… your captain to get the hell out of this island.»

Don’t think about him, don’t think about him, don’t think about him.

You grimaced saying it, just for a second, but she seemed to notice it.

The Gypsy shook her head. Slowly, she mimicked the gesture of writing, communicating you what she wanted to do.

«I don’t care!» you snapped «Yes, good job, Ki… Eustass got you on board. I don’t wanna hear!»

You mentally insulted yourself.

Saying his name out loud… you had been avoiding it since you came back. The shrinks of the Marines thought it was normal, it was part of the posttraumatic syndrome.

You swallowed

Looked like he was quick in replacing you, after all.

She frowned.

Great, now she knows I’m a jealous little girl!
And you were.

Deep down, since the news of a woman joining the Kid Pirates came out, you had been tormented.

When you saw the wanted poster, you were hoping she was not actually that beautiful, but now that the Gypsy was right in front of you, that childish fear became reality.

And the worst part was her eyes.
So big, and So. Fucking. Innocent.

«Just get away.»

She gave you a few more seconds, then decided she had enough. Ignoring the rifle pointed at her, the woman reached her bag and pulled out the notepad.

You were taken by surprise.

«What the hell are you doing?! Didn’t you get the part where I say I can blow you up?»
<Why did you leave the crew?>

You blinked at the page she shoved in front of your eyes.

«Have you not seen my uniform?»

She nodded and started scribbling something else.

«Besides, they have a new woman on board, don’t they?» you grumbled, unable to keep things for yourself (as always).

She huffed and shifted her position so you could read directly what she was writing.

<Stop it. I’m with Ki>

Your heart crumbled.

However, you were interrupted by someone storming in the ally, delivering a giant punch right where you were.

«Fuck!» you yelled, pushing her on the ground with you right in time.

The man towered over you, agitating a chain mace. Before he could do anything, though, a bullet split his head open.

«God knows how I’m not in the mood.» you growled, standing up.

F/N crawled beside the body, observing him.
He had long horns and a beast-like attire.

«A Gifter.» you passed your hand on your face «You screwed up my haki, girl.»

Despite having just been almost killed, she didn’t look too shaken. Well, she was part of the Kid Pirates, after all. And she’s with…

A second huge man jumped off a roof, landing exactly behind you.

You froze.
How did I not see it?

That’s when the Gypsy just rushed forward, diving a dagger in the man’s stomach. His devilish grin muted in a distorted expression. He coughed blood and fell down. She quickly finished him slitting his throat. You witnessed at the whole scene without being able to do anything. When the second man died, you shook yourself up and grabbed her arm, dragging her across the allies.
 
 

Killer was living up to his name just now.

An entire group of Gifters seemed to have located the girls and were preparing a sneak attack. He guessed that F/N’s arrival had messed up your haki, so he took the problem into his own hands.
Once more than ten corpses laid down his feet covered in blood, he turned to the ally where you disappeared, only to find it deserted.

The two Gifters he couldn’t intercept were dead. Apparently, you had killed one each. More voices resounded from the streets.
He cursed.
Kaido’s men were bad news.

He had to report it to Kid immediately, but at the same time he felt horribly worried about F/N.

«You better be okay, damn woman.» he whispered to himself.
 
 
When you felt you put enough distance between you and the bustle, you let her go, and you both leaned on a wall to catch your breath.

«Okay, we’re even.» you panted.

Your body was still incredibly tense, and you couldn’t look at her. If you looked at her now, your evil mind would have immediately pictured her with him.

«Now, go. I don’t wanna deal with Kid’s girlfriend.»

Her eyes widened.

She took a look at the notebook still in her hand and gasped. Frantically shaking her head, she quickly wrote down the rest and showed you.

<KILLER!! I’m with KILLER>

His name was underlined three times.

You frowned, then all your muscles seemed to relax at once.

«Oh. Ooooh.»

An overwhelming wave of relief invaded you.
You slid on the ground, leaning your elbows on your knees, eyes closed.

«Holy shit.» you breathed.

Then your eyes flicked on her, while a soft shade of red diffused on your cheeks.
She seemed quite amused.

«Not that I actually care!»

She just lifted an eyebrow at you, a small smirk appearing on her lips.

You grimaced, rubbing your nape.
 
Sure, [Y/n], very convincing.

«Bad liar, uh?»
<Definitely>

Okay, now you don’t have to be like this.
You got back on your feet.

Now that the misunderstanding was clarified, you felt much more comfortable.

Eust– he didn’t replace you.

She was with Killer.
With… Killer.

«Waaait a second.» you flashed a mischievous smile at her «You’re with the blondie?»

It was her turn to blush now.
Adorable.
Killer is… in love?
It felt so weird.

He was the rational one, always calming down his captain and taking the wise decision. Always so fair with everyone, you included.
And now… look at this cutie.

«I mean, don’t you hate it when he throws you down high places?»

She tilted her head at you with a confused expression.

«Got it. He doesn’t do that with his own girlfriend, that damn troll.»

A much softer expression entered your features.

«But he’s the kind of man who takes care of the others, as deadly as he can be. And you look… so pure.»

Your mouth twitched, as you were uncomfortable expressing those feelings.

It was hard to talk about the Kid Pirates, to picture them on the ship, living their life. Taking care of someone else, now.

Nevertheless, you placed a hand on her shoulder,
«Take care of him, okay?»

She smiled sheepishly.

Oh my god, it’s so freaking obvious now.
OF COURSE Killer would fall for her.

<It’s more the other way around so far, but I’m trying>

«Are the others kind to you?»

She nodded.

Yeah, you better be, you lovely assholes.

«You know… the more I look at you, the more I ask myself how I didn’t get this earlier. You and Killer.»

She averted her eyes, embarrassed.

No, seriously Killer, you better keep her safe from your stupid captain.

You leaned towards her with a conspiracy face.
«So tell me, from woman to woman: what does he look like?»

A tinge of sadness seemed to enter her gaze.

<I never saw him>

You squinted.

«What?!» you stared at her «Girl, let me tell ya: I had a totally messed up relationship with the fucking redhead, but you have your issues too.»

She rolled her eyes.

<We have a deal: I tackle him, he removes his mask>
«Well, good luck with that. I tried to elude his guard so many times while I was trying to escape your ship, and I never succeeded.»

You adjusted the rifle on your shoulder.

«Let’s get out of here now. The Gifters are around. They are Kaido’s men, and you guys must not get involved with them. They should be just weaklings based on the information I have, but still. Show me where your ship is, I will escort you nearby.»

You both walked along the empty streets.
Something was not right though.

<What is it?>

Whoa, she’s smart.

«Nothing, it’s just… it feels like my Observation is not working properly.» you pinched the bridge of your nose «And I think I know why.»
<Why?>

You sighed.

Well, she was sincere with me.

«Because I’m upset» you quietly answered «knowing that he’s so close.»
<Then come say hi>
«SURE.»
<He’s been moody since your article came up>

You felt a squeeze in your guts.
Was he thinking about you?
Stop it. These thoughts are not useful to anyone.
But… is this the reason she…?

<That’s why I came to find you>
<Nobody knows that>
<Though I’m sure Killer realized by now>
«Wait. If he did, he should have found you already. His haki is hella strong.»

You stopped.

From the expression on her face, she agreed with your words. You could see the rocky shore from your position now.

«Something is off.» you whispered «It’s too quiet.»

What if they are not just weaklings?
 

«CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHERE THE FUCK IS KILLER?!»

All the pirates on the deck pulled back while Kid marched back and forth, rage deforming his features.

That was not how it was supposed to be.

Kid didn’t want to dock on that fucking island, but they just had to supply. The deal was clear though: he would have waited on the ship while Killer and a few others quickly provided what they needed, so they could set sail as soon as possible. And now his first mate was gone along with his little mute girlfriend.

«I swear, if they are just messing around there, I’m killing them both.» he snarled.

Of course he knew Killer better than that. Still, he just wanted to get away from that place.

«Boss Kid!»

He turned abruptly.

Heat startled seeing the murderous light in his captain’s face, but swallowed and continued.

«I just received information from the island. Looks like Kaido’s men are here.»

Kid’s eye twitched.

«There was a brawl, I think they are getting involved with some… some marines, and…» he averted his eyes «I’m not sure, but it’s possible F/N set off to find… the Navy girl.»

An awfully still expression entered Kid’s face.

«She what?»
«We, hum… we told her about it yesterday and she… she mentioned something about bringing her back?»

Eustass Kid closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

«Boss Kid…?»
«Gather the others. We’re getting off.»
«Yes captain.»
«Heat?»
«Yes?»
«Tell Killer that I might cut his girlfriend open real soon.»
«Yes captain.»