"Oi! I'm talking to you, put the gypsy down!" The man called again.
"There's no gypsy here." Killer rumbled stopping.

You glanced over your shoulder watching the man approach. He was in the shop the day you met Killer; the guy you'd kicked. He's a merchant that owns a fabric shop; he must've been traveling for more product.

Why couldn't people just leave you be?

"Someone said they'd seen her leave with a bunch of pirates." He huffed.
"If you have any brains in your thick skull you'll stop and go back the way you came." Killer turned tightening his grip on your legs.

You wished you could tell him to just go back to the ship. It wasn't worth a fight. This guy didn't stand a chance anyway.

"Filth like her doesn't deserve to live." He spat.

Killer's fingers dug into your caves for a brief moment before letting you slide down his back.

"So, you set her home on fire and drove her out." The blond growled, "You got what you wanted. She isn't on your island and if you want to go back there in one piece you'll turn around."

He was already unsheathing his blades.

The man shakily reached for the pistol he kept tucked in his trousers. Before he could brandish it, Killer's scythe was millimeters away from his face. His brown eyes lulled into his skull as he gasped and fell back into the snow.
Killer took a moment to collect himself and walked back over to where you'd plopped down on the ground.

"Let's get back before you get sick." He crouched and hoisted you up wrapping his arms around your thighs as you hugged his neck.

Part of you was a little disappointed he didn't beat the shit out of the guy. But you also knew the crew didn't need the added attention being stuck on the island longer than expected.

"Oi F/N!" One of your younger crew mates called as Killer stepped on the deck.

You turned to look at him acknowledging you'd heard his call.

"Some guy from your hometown was looking for you. Did you see him? "The brunette chirped.

A low growl resonated through Killer's mask. You frowned and nodded watching realization wash over the young man.

"I-I'm sorry," He murmured, "He said he was a friend."
"Don't be so quick to trust a stranger Kai. You're on toilet duty for the next month." The first mate rumbled, "Now, go make sure the showers are cleared out so F/N can use them."

Kai nodded and scurried below deck.

Poor kid.

"There you are." Your captain boomed strolling away from his workshop scrunching his nose as he looked you over, "Does she need the doctor?"
"No, she just isn't used to running around for hours on end. A hot shower and she'll be fine." Killer answered letting you slide to your feet.

You crossed your arms giving your captain a hefty eye roll. He seemed to be itching for you to become a burden. Though if he really wanted he could have tossed you in the sea yesterday when you nearly shook the ship a part.

"Don't look at me like that woman." Kid scoffed.

You huffed again.

"F/N!" Kai called approaching the three of you, "Baths are empty. You can head down."
"Go watch the door for her." Killer ordered, "And be sure to keep your eyes to yourself."

Kid's painted lips screwed up into a smirk at his first mate's last words.

"Y-yes sir." Kai nodded and turned to you.

As soon as you were out of earshot of the captain and first mate Kai began muttering apologies. You stopped and raised your hand shushing him. He looked down at you for a moment a sincere look in his green orbs before you reached up and ruffled his hair.

It's OK kid.

You quietly continued to your room, which was still being repaired, for a change of clothes.

"Oh, they put a new tub in this afternoon." He informed you stopping outside the showers.

You nodded and entered. All you wanted all afternoon was a hot bath. After wrapping your hair and rinsing your body you slipped into the steaming tub. The water still made you feel listless but not nearly as bad as being doused in the sea. Your tensed muscles relaxed as you looked over your bruises finding a few shallow cuts your freezing skin had been numb to before. 

                                                                         ________________

You'd curled up in Killer's bed reading the newest book in your growing collection. It had to be some time after midnight. He was still with Kid most likely preparing to depart. The only repairs that remained were minor and could be taken care of by the crew. In fact, you had spent the evening after dinner showing Kai how to tie up the dinghies and fixing the portholes in the galley. The kid was eager to learn and you felt useful for the first time since the crew had taken you in. You were quite handy after all, you'd built a house on your own.

The door opened sending a frigid breeze through the room.

"Oh, you're still up?" He shrugged out of his coat shaking fresh snow out of his long tresses, "I don't usually mind the cold but I'm tired of having wet hair."

"Wear a hat." You scribbled in the notebook you kept near you.

He scoffed, "This isn't fitting in a hat."

"Cut it or stop crying about it." You smirked flipping the book toward him.

"You've got a lot of attitude for someone who got their ass handed to them this afternoon." He laughed crossing the room.

Your eyes hovered over his form a tad too long as he dressed down to his thermals.

"You'll ruin your eyes reading in light this dim." He commented turning back to you.

"OK mom."

"Fine. When you're blind don't come crying to me." He shrugged crawling up the foot of the bed.

You closed your book and placed it on the floor.

"You're really going to keep that on until the lights are out? "

"You haven't beat me." He chuckled.

You huffed dropping your notebook on the floor next to your other book.

"You didn't even warm up my side of the bed."

Prying his shoulder of the mattress you used your whole body to shove him into the wall.

"Alright, alright." He laughed, "You can take it off."

You hopped back letting him sit up cross legged to face you.

Finally!

Your stomach summer salted rattling your nerves. It didn't really matter what he looked like under the mask, he was still... whatever he was to you. Nothing would change how comfortable and safe he made you feel.

You sat on your knees leaning in closely, heart pounding in your ears. Killer sat perfectly still hands resting in his lap. Hooking your thumbs under the mask on either side of his scruffy goatee you began to lift. Slowly his squared jawline emerged, a few small scars became visible. You swallowed hard as his full chapped lips came into view. His breath fanned across your cheeks as his lips parted. When did you get so close?

Suddenly he nipped your nose and nodded sharply locking the mask back in place while you sat back blushing wildly.

"Just kidding!" He chimed playfully.