Part 1 of 2 for my 2K special!

This is a thank you for all of you! <3

(You don't need to read any previous story of mine to enjoy this one)

(For people who know birdie: in this what if scenario, she's officially part of the crew)
Not canon for the Captive continuity.

As this story does not strictly adhere to canon, Bonney here is officially an ADULT.

«Are you trying to scam me?»

The vendor's smile fell slightly at your pointed remark, the corner of his mouth vaguely twitching before he adjusted his plastic face.

«Not at all, miss, this is the herb you asked for.»

Your sharp eyes lowered on the dried product the man was offering.

Damn, I wish I could tell.

The doctor did all one could to make sure you got it right, but still, he should have brought his ass down the ship and bought the stuff himself.

A quiet huff escaped your lips and you grabbed the sack from the vendor's hands.

«I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. If our doctor tells me that's not it, well... you'll only have yourself to blame.»

His fake smile didn't falter this time as he tilted his head to the side.

«Miss, this is John's Dockyard. You wouldn't imagine how many threats I receive on a daily basis, yet I'm still here.»

«I'm with the Kid Pirates.» you casually informed, dropping the money on the counter before heading to the exit.

«W-Wait, what did you just s--»

The door closed behind you and you winced lightly at the sun-soaked square.

The port was lively that afternoon, with pirates, prostitutes and scoundrels loudly moving across town in every direction. Vending stands crowded the dusty streets, so the salty air was heavy with the yells of sellers advertising their stuff. Every time a door of the numerous pubs opened, whiffs of alcohol and vomit merged with the already smell-pregnant environment.

You made your way towards the innards of the port, passing by brawls, and beggars, and tone-deaf musicians.

Whistles and coarse appreciations trailed your steps, but you hardly heard them anymore. You had learnt to distinguish potential threats, and the two pistols hanging from each side of your belt were an invitation for trouble.

The best deterrent though was still your face.

Recently slammed on a freshly-printed bounty poster, your features were an allure only for the few idiots who didn't recognise you as the sniper of the Kid Pirates.

You stopped at a crossroad and glanced at the buildings and the garbage piled at the corner of the street.

«Damn, am I lost again?»

Yeah, good sniping skills, but terrible sense of direction.

«Y/n!»

You frowned as someone scream-whispered your name.

«This way!»

A small, thin arm stuck from behind a couple of barrels and gestured at you.

A kid?

«Listen, I don't have food nor money with me.» you grumbled, without moving from your spot «You and your little gang try to pick my pockets, I'm gonna throw you in the sea.»

The only kids running around that island were either abandoned orphans or the children of prostitutes. Either way, they could be just as dangerous as the adults, so being lured in a dark corner by them was not on your list.

«No, you damn woman! Come!»

«Damn woman?»

«Fuck's sake, kitty, come here!»

Kitty? Uh-oh.

You clicked your tongue as you finally approached the dark corner at the entrance of the alley.

«Please, tell me it's not what I think.»

It was.

Hidden between a few barrels were two children.

A scrawny blonde with a bush of messy hair covering half of his face, and a redheaded angry toddler whose amber eyes seemed ready to burn the island to ashes.

Your upper lip twitched in a displeased expression.

«Oh, crap.»

Kid's flaring irises darted up to you, his bare brows furrowing in a grimace of rage. He uncovered his teeth in a hiss, the bright lipstick smudged all around his immature mouth.

The child was wrapped in his red fur, which made several layers around his small body, probably restricting his movements. His shock of red hair was left untamed by the goggles, now hanging from his neck, and continuously fell over his eyes. He couldn't be older than three years.

Which, if the difference was maintained, made Killer... six? Seven?

Your gaze travelled to the raggedy blonde. He was wearing an oversized T-shirt and shorts you'd never seen before, maybe snatched from some stand in a hurry. They hung loosely from his thin body. That, paired up with the huge scythes and the striped helmet he had secured on his back with a bandanna, made a weird, concerning little image. He also had signs of blue lipstick around his lips, although he apparently tried to rub it off, because they faintly smeared his left cheek. One of his hands was keeping a tight grip of Kid's fur, and he was slightly painting.

You crouched down in front of him.

«Let me guess... Jewelry Bonney?»

You knew her crew was on the island, just on the other side.

It wasn't so infrequent to cross paths with other big shots in that wild region of the New World, and that often resulted in harsh confrontations. However, there were a few places where the unspoken rule was to leave each other alone, although it was more of a guideline than a rule. Shit could always happen.

Kid growled lowly and Killer nodded.

«She caught us by surprise. It's on us. We barely managed to escape.»

«FUK ESCAPE!» small Kid yelled all of a sudden, startling you both.

Killer shook him by the coat.

«Shh, idiot!»

«SHUT UP! I KILL YU!»

Oh boy.

However, a dark shadow fell on your face when you noticed a red, swollen mark on Killer's forearm.

«What happened to you? Did that bitch hurt you?!» you blurted, grabbing his wrist and bringing the wound closer to your eyes.

He winced and pulled his arm back, but not before you could see the teeth marks on his skin.

«No, I'm fine.»

«Wait, was it Kid?»

Killer didn't reply, his chin tilting down so dirty blond strands shielded more of his face. By his side, the redhead was still seething like a rabid dog.

«He's not... in control of his emotions. Well, less than usual anyway.» the older muttered after some time.

«Ugh.»

You spent a few seconds studying the two. Kid returned your gaze with blazing anger.

It felt surreal.

Your mind still hadn't realized the situation, like the actual Kid and Killer could walk in from around the corner any moment now, and those children were just some fantasy from the past.

But no, it was all true.

Those big, fierce men, two of the most dangerous pirates of the New World, were now reduced to a skinny child and a somewhat chubby toddler.

Bonney's powers were terrifying in a subtle, diabolical way.

«Do you even recognise me?» you slowly asked, locking your eyes with Kid's.

The child bared his fangs and hissed.

«Come on, man, really?» Killer lamented.

Your heart gave a painful thud in your chest as you saw the diffidence on Kid's round face, but you swallowed and forced yourself to stay calm.

«I'm Y/n. Like... your woman?»

He squinted, a new grimace curling his young features, except now the anger seemed to be mixed with effort.

You tilted your head to the side.

«...I'm birdie?»

Kid shut his eyes and his forehead creased, a frustrated grunt escaping his smeared lips.

«Bidy.» he finally spoke, amber gaze flicking on you. Some of the anger dissipated and you smiled in relief.

«Yes! Yes, it's me.»

He stared at you for a few moments before scoffing, averting his attention to the dusty ground.

«Thank goodness.» Killer sighed.

Kid gritted his teeth again.

«I 'eft my amm.»

You raised an eyebrow.

«What?»

«We had to leave his mechanic arm behind.» Killer explained «It was too heavy. We hid it though. My gauntlets too.»

He looked disheartened at the thought.

«Then we can retrieve those later.» you reasoned.

Kid's lips pressed together in a thin line.

«Okay, we need to clear this mess.» you eventually said with a shrug «I'll alert the others, they should locate Bonney and her men, and move the Victoria Punk. Plus I need to get you back to the ship.»

The toddler's head darted to you.

«WAT?! NO WAY! WE FIGHT!»

«You may have to sit this one out, Kiddo.» you grumbled, fumbling in your bag for the Den Den Mushi.

«NO! I'M CAPTAN!»

It was really, really hard not to chuckle and his unwilling, furious cuteness, so you turned abruptly to make the call.

«Oi, Wire? It's Y/n.»

«Hey. What happened?»

«Hum, we have a... situation.»

A sigh echoed on the other side of the device.

«What did you do?»

«Believe it or not, this time it's not me.»

You quickly filled him in, which elicited more heavy sighs and a resigned voice.

«Fine, I'll find Jewerly Bonney. Booka will move the ship, meet him at the South port.»

«Thanks, Wire. And hey, don't disturb Heat unless it's super necessary, okay? He gets to see his woman once in a blue moon already.»

«I know, I know.»

You cut the call and turned back to the kids.

«We'll walk through the red light district, okay? It's the safest route for us.»

«What about our stuff?» Killer asked.

«I'll send the Mohican to get it.» you reassured, reactivating the Den Den Mushi.

The small blonde seemed relieved, but Kid had started growling again, noting that nobody was paying attention to his orders.

After another couple of calls, the crew was scattered around town and out for Bonney Pirates blood. Well, everybody except Heat.

«Okay guys, let's move.» you announced, crouching back in front of the children. Your dubious eyes slid to Kid «Will you let me carry you?»

He snarled.

«No!»

«Listen Chubby, you have to work with me here.»

Even Killer bristled at that.

«You know you're not helping, right?» he grumbled, hand quickly hooking around Kid's fur again «Be careful, he still has his Devil Fruit.»

«Yeah, but you're not going to hurt me, are you?» you spelt out, looking at the redhead in the eyes.

He was close to raging.

«We'll see!»

«Okay, Kid, look,» you smirked «you're always carrying me around and treat me like I'm just a small woman and stuff.»

«You are a small woman!»

«Well, you're a small Kid now.» you retorted, but your voice turned softer «This is my chance to return the favour. Let me be your nakama.»

Kid pouted, his eyes still harbouring a spark of rage in them, but he was clearly getting uncomfortable beneath your and Killer's stare.

«Fine.» he grumbled «But I wanna fight Bonney!»

You leaned your knee down and extended an arm.

«I know. But, just this once, let me fight her for you,» you smiled «Captain.»

The child puckered his lips in a grimace, but his pale cheeks flushed at the epithet, and he finally walked over, although his eyes were fixed on the ground and he was grumbling under his breath.

«Wow, nice touch.» Killer mouthed behind him.

You winked at the blonde from above Kid's head, your hands freeing the little one from the binds of his fur.

However, your heart sank as soon as you caught sight of his small body.

You almost forgot he was missing an arm.

He was wearing an oversized black shirt that pretty much covered his body completely, but it was still quite noticeable.

Since you met him, you had never thought of it as a handicap, because his strength and powers widely made up for it.

But now he was a three-year old toddler.

«What?!» he barked, sensing your expression and jerking his head up to you.

You dissimulated your gasp with a cough.

«Nothing. Come on.»

Your arms gently wrapped around him, still keeping him enveloped in the soft fur, and you lifted him up. Your heart missed another beat when you realized just how light he was.

Kid never looked at you, fidgeting around at first, but when you leaned him against your chest he seemed to calm down a little. His amber eyes flicked on yours and quickly away, and he slowly rested his arm on your shoulder.

«Okay now, let's make one thing clear: you bite me, I throw you.»

He scoffed.

«Then dott piss me off.»

«Fair enough.»

You held him with one arm and extended the other to Killer, which earned him a lethal glare from Kid.

Killer puffed his cheeks slightly before turning his hidden gaze away.

«I can walk by myself!»

Your eyebrow quirked.

«Actually, I was offering to carry your Punishers.»

«Oh.»

A soft redness crept up his neck and he shook his head.

«I can do it.»

«As you wish.»

You walked out of the alley, the sun hitting you again with impudence and the kid following behind.

«Huh, Y/n?»

«Yes?»

«The red light district is the other way.»

Kid was very tense at the beginning, but it didn't take much for him to relax in your arms and even lean his head against your collarbone. Some of his unruly red locks were tickling your chin and you smiled. He was still growling from time to time, and his hand was often pushing the hair away from his face with brusque, angry movements.

«Hey sexy, stop for a second!»

You sighed heavily.

Damn.

A couple of drunks staggered in your direction, ugly grins and hungry expressions running up and down your figure.

«Looking for a papa for those kids, beauty?»

That got Kid's attention.

He raised his head and turned to the two guys, his eyes sharpening.

«Aw, look at the little one, how he's glaring at me!» one of the two uttered in awe, his dirty finger pointing at the toddler's face.

You stopped and rolled your eyes.

«So you guys got mommy issues to hit on me? Or just a death wish?»

«Huuuuh, big words for a single mother.»

Killer stepped closer to your side.

«You're gonna kill them or what?» he growled.

Your mouth twitched.

«I was kinda hoping to get by with no fuss.»

«Come on baby, ditch them, you can have my kids!» one of the men laughed, finally stepping too close and stretching his arm towards you.

You sighed and lowered your free hand to the gun but, before you could grab it, what looked like a nail darted into the rascal's eye, which basically exploded.

It took a second for him to realize, then the agonising pain hit him and he started screaming, his hand frantically clutching to his bleeding socket.

You blinked.

«Holy shit.»

«RON! WHAT HAPP— UARGH!»

The second man fell of his knees when another nail plunged into his throat, inches from the jugular.

Kid gritted his teeth in frustration, his small hand extended to guide the spike to the main blood vessel.

«Fukk!»

His clumsy control also caused the magnetic force to tug at Killer's scythes, and the poor child stumbled ahead.

«Wah, Kid!»

The weight of the blades was too much and made him lose his balance, sending him face first into the dust.

«YOU STUPID WOODHEAD!» he yelled above the men's screams, punching the ground with his small fists.

«What a mess.» you groaned, taking a hold of the gun and ending the scoundrels' misery with two quick blows.

The chaos ceased, but many curious bystanders started to peer around.

«I had them!» Kid protested.

You ignored him and crouched down.

«You okay, blondie?»

Killer spat a clot of dust and lifted himself up on his four.

«Yeah, yeah.»

But you saw his thin limbs trembling under the weight of the scythes.

«Alright, give me those.»

«I said I can carry them!»

«ENUFF!» Kid shouted, pointing his finger at him «I'm carry'd, you giv 'er dose!»

«It was your fault, you woodhead!»

«No, you small, tini Kira!»

Oh god.

«Still bigger than you!» Killer blurted, jumping to his feet and gritting his teeth for the effort.

«I'm your captan! And I say you giv 'her dose!»

Killer growled and you caught a glimpse of icy blue eyes beneath all those hair. They glared at each other for a few seconds, but eventually the blonde gave in.

«Fine.»

He let the band slip down his shoulder and handed you the blades. He kept the helmet.

«Thank you. Also, guys, the trash talk was embarrassing.»

The moment you took the scythes, you realized how heavy they actually were. More than Kid for sure. It must have been a real effort for Killer to carry them around all that time, even more while dragging rabid Kid along.

After a while Killer grew irritated of your continuous misdirection and resorted to walking in front of you so you could reach the red light district.

«How did Bonney manage to sneak up on you anyway?» you asked, entering the calmer streets.

«We were at the black market,» Killer muttered, skipping beside you «Kid was all engrossed looking at some weapons and stuff.»

Well, that made sense. Kid could get utterly adsorbed in weaponry, and his Obervation Haki was only strong when he actively switched it on. Killer, though, had a pretty good passive Observation.

«What were you doing instead?»

The blonde's lips crooked to the side for a moment.

«I was... also looking at some weapons.»

«Ha! Busshitt!» Kid blurted from your arms, his evil grin trailing down to Killer.

«Kid, you shush!» the child barked, glaring at him from behind his hair.

«Why, what were you doing?» you asked, your curiosity piqued.

«Oh, he vas lookin at home stuff a'ight.» the redhead maliciously said.

«Kid, I swear to god...!»

«Tell meeee! Come on, how bad can it be?» you insisted.

«None of your business.» Killer grumbled.

«Aw, why!»

«Yeah, why catt you say?» Kid blurted, now a little irritated «She dott care 'bout your litte kiks!»

«KID!»

Kiks? Wait... kinks!

...okay, that IS a little too much information.

«Nah, it's alright.» you brushed it off «I don't need to know.»

Although I AM kinda curious... I wonder if Bonney saw.

Killer was tense now, his fingers continuously pressing his hair against his face and gaze glued to his feet.

You noticed it was a tic of his, now that the helmet was too large for him to wear, he always tried to have his face as covered as possible. Good for him he had a lot of hair.

The red light district wasn't necessarily less crowded, but there most of the men were already enthralled by a woman, and if they weren't, there were a lot of inviting ladies at each doorstep, all more naked than you were. So they didn't pay much attention to an armed pirate walking around with two kids.

Well, not the men at least. You miscalculated the women's attention.

«Aww, are those your children?!» a mature lady chimed, trotting by your side.

You kept your eyes on the road.

«My little brothers. I'm not old enough to have a seven-year old.»

«Yeah, you wish.» Killer scoffed softly.

You flicked his nape and he groaned, his normally calm features suddenly catching fire as you saw his fangs too.

«Do that again, and I'll cut your fingers off.» he hissed.

«Oh, he's feisty!» the woman gasped, her abundant bosom giggling accordingly «And he's seven?? I was giving him five, six years max. Does he eat properly?»

Even smol Kid snickered at that, while an embarrassed blush tinged Killer's tanned face.

«He'll grow.» you shrugged, speeding up your pace in an attempt to lose her.

«My god, what a nice little red head this one has!» she shrilled, not daunted in the slightest and nimbly keeping up with your steps «Lorna! Joy! Come and see these little beauties!»

Oh joy.

More hookers flocked around you from the adjacent pleasure houses. So many, in fact, they surrounded you and you had to slow down.

«My!»

«Such cuties!»

«Why did you put lipstick on them?»

«Look at this chubby boy! Can I old him?»

«Only if you want to die.» you mumbled, subtly restraining Kid's arm when you saw little purple rays dancing across his fingers.

The young woman blinked at you, taken aback.

Kid was doing his best to glare and snap his jaws at the ladies, but it wasn't too effective.

Some of them had crouched down to Killer's height and they were fawning over him instead. You felt him backing down against your leg to avoid their intrusive caresses, his lips quivering in discomfort and his fingers nervously pulling his locs to hide his face as much as possible.

«Aww, don't be like this, cutiepie!» a brunette cooed, stretching her arms and attempting to brush his hair away from his eyes.

Your leg stomped aggressively between them before she could reach him and she retreated at once.

«Keep your hands to yourself, woman.» you coldly ordered.

She looked up at you with wide eyes.

«Oi, mind your words.»

It wasn't her who reprimanded you, so you turned to the one standing beside the general commotion.

She was one of the youngest, probably around your age, and she stood differently compared to the others. There was a certain pride and confidence in her nice features, and even her clothes weren't as revealing as the rest. Her most flashy trait, however, was the mass of bright red hair that went down to her butt.

The other hookers fell quieter as she spoke, clearing the space between the two of you. There was definitely an electrical crackle in the air as your eyes met.

«Hah?» you tilted your head to the side, studying her with conceit «You wanna tell me what to do again, pimple?»

Killer snorted, and you knew he was covering a chuckle.

Her face curled in offence, but she struggled to keep up a collected façade.

«The name is Maki.»

«Yeah, I'll never remember that.» you shrugged.

«Maybe you should. I'm in charge around here.» she slightly rolled her hip forward to exhibit the small gun hanging from her skirt «You're not the only shooter in town.»

«But I am, by far, the best one.»

She glared at you before a smirk tugged at her lips.

«Not the prettiest though.»

Your smile morphed in a grimace and she grinned.

Kid, who was growing bored of the situation, looked up at you.

«I kill her?»

«No, I got this.» you growled, gaze still fixed on the hooker.

The child huffed and dropped his head back to your chest.

«Good thing beauty is more useful in your line of work then.» you replied, resuming your path «Now move, extra.»

Her jaw hardened for a moment before she shook her long hair.

«You're awfully confident for a single mother walking around John's Dockyard.» a new smirk entering her features «Even if you were better, you forget you have two small children with y--»

The echo of a gunshot burst in the street, cutting her sentence short and causing the other women to disperse in a fit of screams.

That Maki-woman tumbled to the ground, her hands clinging on her broken shin and her eyes wide in horror as her whole body shook in distress.

«You're right,» you mused, slipping the pistol back in its holster «can't fuck around then, can I?»

Her once proud face was now lined with tears and feeble cries were leaving her throat. Her hand tentatively hovered around her own gun, but Killer was quick in snatching it from her belt and throwing it away.

«Relax, it's not a fatal wound.» you sighed, adjusting Kid in your arms «Consider it a warning. And an advice from a fellow sniper: less talking, more shooting.»

Killer rolled his eyes as you walked by the trembling woman.

«You're such a diva, Y/n.»

Kid, who was initially startled by the shooting, giggled happily the entire time.

When you finally reached the South port, the sun was sliding down the horizon, leaving the auburn sky behind.

Unfortunately, the small distance you still had to cover was now cluttered by the evening market.

A diverse crowd was swarming around the docks, people elbowing each other and yelling to pass through.

You clicked your tongue and offered your hand to Killer.

«I'm afraid you have to now, or I'm gonna lose you in the mess.»

He looked at your fingers.

«I am capable of keeping up, thanks.»

«Look, if Kid accepted to be carried, you can hold my hand for ten minutes.»

Killer grimaced, still hesitating.

«What's the big deal, blondie? You throw me around all the time.»

«Shut up.» he grumbled, quickly grabbing your hand and turning his face away at the same time.

His minute fingers were nervous and sweated in yours, but you took a firm hold of him and that seemed to help, a small sigh leaving his skinny figure.

Is this really the same Killer I know?

Your mind was having trouble reconciling that skittish boy with the steady, muscular man you knew and relied on all the time.

Kid, well, he was more or less how you pictured he would be. But Killer? He was apparently spending most of his energy trying to control his anxiety at having his face exposed. You could only imagine the discomfort of being confined into such a frail body after spending years to acquire all that strength.

You had to push down a surge of rage against Bonney as you tugged him along and dived into the crowd.

On the other hand, Kid managed to relax so much he was barely awake now. Or maybe the stress had finally caught up with his too-young age.

You glanced down at him from time to time, and you saw him struggling to keep his eyes open.

It was weirdly cute and you had to swallow back a giggle.

At some point though, you felt a low growl coming from the redhead and you peered down.

He had noticed Killer was holding your hand and his sharp eyes were throwing daggers at him, although the blond was stubbornly keeping his focus on the road.

Really, Kid?

Thankfully, something seemed to distract him soon enough.

His small nostrils flared and he turned his head to follow the sweet scent of a candy stand.

«Oh? You want something, Kiddo?»

The toddler frowned and scoffed in scorn.

«No!»

You ignored him and pushed your way toward the stand.

The attention of the big bearded man behind the stall immediately fell on you and the children.

«Good evening, Miss! What a surprise, you don't see many moms walking their kids around here.»

«They're my little brothers.» you grumbled, a hint of annoyance in your voice.

«Of course! You looked too young to have children already.»

«Precisely.»

«Why are you lying to the nice man, mom?» Killer interjected with his dead-inside voice.

Your mouth twitched and you squeezed his hand too tight, tearing a hiss from his lips.

The man laughed at the exchange.

«Smart kid, huh? So...» he leaned over across the stall, his smile getting wider «Is there a Mr. Dad?»

Up until that point, Kid's eyes were captivated by the colourful, shiny layers of candies lined up in front of him. But when the man leaned over, his sharp gaze jerked up and he snarled.

«I kill yu.»

«Aww, what a boy, so protective of his mommy!» the man chimed, genuinely delighted.

You had to grab Kid's arm before he could bent the bars of the stand and use them to strangle the vendor.

«Okaaay, hum, so what do you want?» you chimed, diverting his attention back to the candies.

Kid's nose twitched and he forcefully turned his head away.

«Nottinn!»

«I'll choose for you then.»

«No, wait!» he uttered, turning back to the stall «...ice crim.»

«Mh, okay. Which taste?»

He frowned, deep in thought as he scanned the different bowls back and forth.

«Whatts the red-red one? Blod?»

You chuckled.

«I don't think so, tulip.»

«It's black cherry.» the man informed with a smile.

Kid glared at him.

«Dat one. And anoder.»

«Which one?» you asked.

«Dunno. Yu choose.»

«Okay, one black cherry and stracciatella, please.»

«Coming right up.»

You turned to Killer.

«What about you?»

He looked up with a puzzled expression.

«Me?»

«Yes, of course you.»

The blonde shook his mass of hair.

«I don't need candies.»

«Aw, please!» you chuckled «What kind of mom would I be if I were to play favourites?»

He scoffed, but his eyes peered up at the exposed goods.

«The crepe.» he muttered after a few seconds «With chocolate.»

It didn't escape you how his hand didn't leave yours the whole time.

«You heard the blondie.» you grinned, looking back at the vendor.

«Right away!» he nodded, handing the ice cream to the toddler.

Kid awkwardly tried to hide his excitement, but the way he dived his face right into it gave him away.

This time, he didn't even notice when the man winked at you.

«Kid, you're making a mess!» you groaned «Look at that! There's more ice-cream on my chest than in your belly!»

The redhead ignored you and proceeded in smearing more stracciatella all over his round face, T-shirt and your neck, greedily lapping at the cold candy. A frown of disappointment curled his features for a moment when he realized it was finished, but it took just one second for him to notice the leftovers and start licking them directly from your bare shoulder.

«Gah! Hey! Wait— Kid! Stop it! It's gross!»

He continued, unfazed, and you were left with no hands to fend him off.

«I spoil you too much.»

When he was finished, he glared at you, his chubby cheeks a little puffed, sharp amber scowl, and face covered in ice cream (and a little lipstick too).

He was terribly cute.

You couldn't help but laugh at the sight, which had his scowl deepening.

You guided Killer's fingers to take a grip of your belt and used your free thumb to gently rub the ice cream away from Kid's mouth.

«Here,» you murmured with surprising softness as you cleaned his face.

He winced, and huffed, but didn't recoil at your touch, his pale skin blushing under your suddenly loving gaze.

«All better now.»

You took Killer's hand back in yours and guided him to the docks, finally emerging from the crowd.

The Victoria Punk slid idly in the shallow waters ahead, so majestic compared to the other modest ships. You spotted Booka waving at you from the deck.

«We made it.» you sighed, squeezing Killer's fingers, but he was still busy munching happily at his crepe to care, chocolate adorning the corners of his mouth as well.

You rolled your eyes in amusement, experiencing a rush of motherly love for the first time in your life.

Gosh, I love these two little bastards.

___________________________________________

Part 2 coming soon!

A little more angst coming up next as the children deal with the dark memories of their past as they're forced into weak bodies.

Although maaaaybe it will lead to a little fluff as they let birdie comfort them.