[ N o   o n e' s   P.  O. V ]

~~~

"I finally got him off of his ass. He saw Y/n." Kid spoke, his glaze darting in the direction of the ruckus. They stood on the side, light feebly reaching their corner, consequently making it easier to blend with the passing crowd. Other players were silently murmuring by the table, patiently waiting for the game to launch.

With bulging eyes, the redhead tapped the inside of his jacket, playing with the trigger of his gun.

"Yes." Killer affirmed, lowering his head at the bystanders when he spoke, casually leaning on the wall.

"Good. Now we'll have at least less problems without him in the scene." The redhead hummed.

"Should I send Heat to spy on him. For precaution?"

Kid seemed to be deep in thoughts. His half-lidded eyes widened and set themselves on one non-particularly chosen spot. "No," he uttered, gridding his teeth. "This time too much attention would be drawn to something pathetic as him."

"So, you are confident there's no reason to worry. For it is a trivial thing?" Killer launched himself from the wall, small movement making him shift to the redhead. His blond hair fell to his chest. "Tho, we must be careful. We can't underestimate any enemy. He is preparing for something." He leaned back and huffed. "I can feel it."

"..." Not responding to him right away, the other male took some time to answer him, meanwhile lowering his strong voice. "That bastard's summoning to the manor is ambiguous. It wasn't only for pleasuring Bege's friendly invitation. Bastard. Not only two months ago, he attacked numerous headquarters of some smaller mafia community. Luckily, his irrational moves didn't bring any damage to our sells in the harbor. But some sources informed me of his suspicious activity with that drug Capone spoke of." Kid's veins were now pulsing in his neck. "I can't figure out what that asshole is planning."

Killer seized the gained information. The redhead's concise response did a wholesome overlook into the manner. It sufficed enough for Killer to put an allegation on the suspicious man-Mr. Strom*.

"But I can't help to wonder about his sudden interest in Y/n. Not that it wasn't something we haven't predicted. Doflamingo's news is spreading like crazy. It will be almost impossible for us to move freely without anyone noticing her existence."

"That asshole can do whatever he wants. We'll just think a move ahead." Kid spat, taking a dim view of Killer's half-accurate perspective. " It makes me sick when I see guys like him acting all pussy."

Kid's demeanor then changed. He grinned, his bare teeth shining in the dark, as he relaxingly leaned his head, his hands now finding their way to the side pockets of his suit.

The laugh came from the red like a newly sprung leak-first almost unnoticeable. From deep inside his chest came a great shaking motion and his face muscles grew tight. "Heh, trafficking his own drugs and still being the government's dog?" The ominous look in Kid's eyes made his statement suffice enough. He clenched his jaw and pressed his lips tightly together. "He's deluded." The redhead made a step to the enlightened space and tilted his head towards his companion. "Now less taking. We can't fall behind."

~~~

"Y/n, come."

It was Bonney's voice. Wire turned on his heels and spotted the two familiar females. He leaned to Killer and whispered quickly something, slightly pointing at the leaving girls in front of them.

"Should we tell the boss?" He acquired, his deadpan facial expression not bulging for an inch.

"..." Before he could answer Wire, Kid groaned. "What do you need to tell me?"

The blond processed the situation and inconveniently gestured with his head, redirecting Eustass gaze to the incisive Y/n's red dress.

She and the pinkette stepped on the first floor and swiftly slid through the crowd, successfully reaching the staircase.

"Wire."

"Yes, Eustass?"

"Intervene when necessary. Don' t lose them out of your sight."

"Yes, boss." With the redhead's s permission, the large black posture strutted away from the corner of the Hall.

The blond noticed the lingering stare that the redhead was making in the direction Y/n was previously headed to. Killer's eyes then transformed. He now showed concern. He laid his hand lightly on Kid's shoulder, making him flinch by the sudden established contact.

"Are you ok, Kid?

"Yes." Not even looking up, the taller male swore, seemingly wrecked. He closed his eyes for a long time. Before his features swung open to his companion, his expression grimaced.

"Shit, fuck everything!" The tightly held fist almost punched the wall, but it was firmly ceased in mid-air, not even two inches from the impact. "I'm not. I've got business to attend to, but I'm thinking of her. She was scared shitless of me, Killer. Y/n cried. She. Was. In pain."

"You did it for her safety." Kid dismissed his comforting words and lightly brushed his arm with the blonde's, facing him with his back.

"Don't mess with me, trying to use those petty words! Fucking forget it! She either way hates my guts."

"Bonney will surely figure out soon why you did that." He responded calmly, a bit surprised by the boss's unusual reaction. "Law too. His perception was always on alert."

Kid cracked his knuckles. "Don't mention me that son of a bastard! That cafone* already knows the reason for my outburst. And what will that worm do now?" He turned to Killer, agitated by the mere thought. "Now he'll try to get to her just so he can mock me."

"Hmm, I've never imagined that The Great Eustass Kid would care for someone."

"Moron, I thought you were my friend." The redhead grumbled, smiling darkly afterwards.

Chuckling, he confirmed his statement. "I am. But it is my duty to tell you that you have a problem."

"I know, Killer. Bringing up the obvious was always your fort, you jack-ass."

Now observing their close vicinity, they reached the soaring height of total silence. The pair didn't move until Kid, with the most tranquil voice that he could produce, uttered.

"How long, Killer?"

"Hmm? How long what?"

"Is it that obvious that I don't particularly dislike Y/n?" As he noticed the growing softness in his voice, he quickly banished it, and threatened. "And. Don't be an eyesore. That sweet act as a fucking parent makes me gag. I didn't dispose of that old shit just for fun."

For a second, Killer stood still. They turned their heads to look back at each other. "You didn't mention him for a while."

A shadow fell upon his features, as he spat venomously. "That bastard deserves being six feet under. He was lucky I only had a gun. If I were to kill him right now, I would have tortured him until he would beg for death." Kid took a deep breath. "Now answer me."

"You remember our conversation? From a few days ago?"

"...What of it..."

"I asked you about her. About her being involved. Will she be able to keep up with all of this?"

Without hesitation he informed his partner. "Yes, she will." The way he said it, made Killer shut his mouth. But only for a fragment of a second.

"You are confident in it." It was a statement.

"Stop. Just stop. No one's going to touch a single strand of Y/n's hair, while I'm here. I can guarantee that." His focus settled calmly to the almost prepared poker table. "I shall not continue with this discussion anymore."

"But when you will, I'll listen. And you can relax. We won't let anything happen to her." They made a step, when the blond suddenly halted in his motion and called out for the redhead. "Oh, before I forget. She liked the present."

"Why are you mentioning this to me?!"

"I thought you would be interested."

"That's fucking disgusting. You grew soft, Killer. Too fast, if I may add."

"You too, Kid." He chuckled but was looking solemnly at him.

I know. Kid thought.

~~~

Author's note

* Cafone is an Italian word that has found its way into American English slang. It was originally a neutral Italian word meaning a poor peasant. However, in Italian it evolved to mean an uncouth, boorish, ill-mannered person, and that's also what it means in American English slang.

* Strom (synonym: elektrizität) from German to English, the dictionary meaning for electricity.