A/n. Remember when I said this would be a two-chapter thing? Good, now remember never to believe me when I say such things.

Aka: this is not the last chapter. The story will probably end with the next.

*

«Oh. Fuck.»

That was Booka's comment the moment his eyes landed on the children.

You brought them onto the Victoria Punk, then the few men on board manoeuvred the ship so it would circle the island maintaining a certain distance from the coast – it was safer that way, just as long as your manpower was cut low.

Both kids raised their gaze, and their glares were still enough to shush Booka. The pirate sealed his mouth and quickly shifted his focus to you instead.

«So, huh, what's the plan now?»

You held Kid with your left arm as you passed the Punishers back to Killer.

«Wire is keeping an eye on Bonney. I just talked to him, apparently she's in some kind of inn drinking with most of her crew, and they aren't coming out any time soon.»

«SO WE KILL!» Kid uttered, angrily agitating his little fist in front of your face.

You swallowed back a chuckle.

«Sure, but later. Wire will call me when Bonney is walking out. Hopefully she'll be drunk and reckless. I'll shoot her down then.»

The child scoffed.

«Wait, you're going alone?»

Your eyes fell on Killer, who was now looking up at you. His face was only partly visible, but his lips were tight in a displeased line.

«Well, yeah. I know you guys have beef with her, but I don't think you can do much in your current state.»

«That's not what I meant!» he shook his head «Jewelry Bonney is still a supernova. You have to take Heat and Wire with you. And I should come as well.»

«I'm not planning on getting close.» you tapped the pistol on your hip «You guys wouldn't be of any help. Plus, the more we are, the more difficult for me to be stealthy.»

A deep pout had made its way onto Kid's round face. It was clear he didn't like the situation one bit but, surprisingly, he didn't protest.

Killer was another story though.

«It's too dangerous!» he declared, a little too heated «You can't go alone.»

«Hum, sorry, but I can and I will.»

His blond head jerked towards you, and you caught a glimpse of icy eyes shining through the bangs.

«Who the hell gave you permission to order the crew around and make decisions on your own, Y/n?»

Your eyebrows creased at the cold tone in his voice.

«Killer, this is the most sensible strategy. I'm a damn sniper, I am made for this shit!»

At that point, Booka had backed out of it and kept himself busy tending to the ship, like the rest of the men. The central deck was quite desert.

«No.» the boy cut short, hoisting the scythes onto his shoulder «Get Heat and Wire on the Den Den Mushi. I'll think of something else.»

You snorted.

«Dang, blondie, why won't you let me--»

«BECAUSE, Y/n, if you really wanna know, you're pretty stupid!» he barked «So I'm not entrusting this to you!»

Your mouth snapped closed and every retort died on your tongue.

Stupid?

The word hit you like a haki-coated slap right in the face.

In a moment, all those feelings of inadequacy and weakness you thought you had left behind with your marine life came back rushing under your skin.

Was that what Killer really thought of you? Bonney's power couldn't change his mind, it would just make him more... honest.

He was the first of the crew that called you nakama, and now... were you nothing but a burden to him?

Killer clicked his tongue in frustration immediately after his blurt, a hissed "fuck" leaving his lips before he clenched his jaw and his eyes dropped to the side.

«Kira.»

The blonde bristled subtly before looking up at the child in your arms.

Kid's sharp eyes were fixed on him now. The chaotic anger had left room to a quiet, more terrifying one now, his gaze ready to incinerate the boy right where he stood.

«Y/n gos.» the redhead spoke «This's my odder.»

His words made your heart beat faster and you realized you had frozen for a moment.

Killer gritted his teeth and abruptly turned his back at you.

«Fine.» he growled, marching below deck and slamming the door in the process.

Not many words were exchanged after that.

You quietly walked into the cabin you shared with Kid, absent expression deep in your thoughts. The redhead in your arms stared at you the entire time.

«Pu'mme don.» he ordered after a while.

You blinked and complied.

«Huh, Kid, you need to clean up.»

«I knoo, I knoo.» he grunted, wobbling towards the adjacent bathroom.

When you moved after him, though, he quickly turned and glared at you.

«What're you doigg?!»

«Coming after you?» you raised an eyebrow «You wanna wash up by yourself? You're still a Devil Fruit user, and... you're very small.»

«I can do it!» he snapped, abruptly marching into the bathroom and slamming the door.

You looked at it for a moment before shaking your head with a sigh.

«I hate kids.»

It took hardly three minutes for the situation to go down.

First you heard the growls, then some concerning thumps and the growls transitioning in choked screams.

«KID!»

You stumbled forward and thrusted the door of the bathroom open.

A few pieces of scrap metal, god knows from where, were twisting around in a chaotic whirlpool. The child was on the floor, entangled in the half-ripped shirt he was desperately trying to get off with his one arm. The frustration had sent him on a rampage.

Your stomach churned at the scene.

«What the hell, red.»

«GET OUT!»

Before you could move a second step toward him, one of the metallic scraps darted against you. You managed to block it with your arm, but it still cut the skin and the impact was enough to send you against the wall.

«Ouch! Fuck!»

Instantly, all the other scraps fell on the floor and laid there, motionless.

You slid on your knees and turned to the toddler.

He was frozen now, his wide amber eyes staring at the thin rivulet of blood dripping down your arm.

Well, this is kinda messy.

Kid's jaw clenched and his nostrils twitched. The small hand balled into a trembling fist.

Somehow, that view triggered your instinct and you immediately grabbed him, pulling him close to your chest and wrapping your arms tightly around him.

«It's okay, I'm fine.»

It took a few more second for Kid to snap out of his shock. Then a violent tremor ran through his small figure and he started to wiggle.

«N-no, NO! LEMME GO! LEMME ALONE!»

«No!»

You gritted your teeth and pressed him further into your chest.

«No, I won't leave you alone. No matter what you ask. I won't.»

He stopped.

Slowly, his little fist grabbed a hold of your top and twisted it around his white fingers.

Jewelry Bonney, I swear to god, I'm gonna kill you.

Your hand came to his head and caressed his wild locks as he buried his face into the crook of your neck.

You held him until his tensed body relaxed slightly and his breathing calmed down.

«I'll set the bath.» you whispered, gently letting go of him.

The hot water pouring into the tub averted your attention from Kid just enough for you to pretend not to notice his brusque wrist wiping his eyes.

«Dun need your help.» he croaked, unconvinced this time.

«The water will deplete your energy. I'm just here to make it easier.»

Without waiting for his reply, you turned to the child and quickly pulled the oversized T-shirt over his head, freeing him from the bindings. Once again, your heart missed a beat at the sight of his pale, mutilated body, but somehow you prevented the emotion from showing on your face. Nevertheless, Kid pressed his lips together and dropped his furious gaze to the floor.

«You can take off the rest, right?»

He only scoffed in reply, his hand tearing down the improvised shorts, still too big for him, and standing naked in the middle of the room.

You gave him the time to fully accept the situation by dressing your wound with some gauzes you kept below the sink. The toddler didn't move or say anything for the entire time, silently sulking at the floor.

You took in a subtle breath and slid out of your pants, removing then the bra from under the top, which you kept on before stepping into the tub.

The water was nice and warm, islets of scented foam already forming on the surface. You extended your arm to the toddler.

«Come on, chubby.»

«I'm NOT CHUBBY!»

But he walked into your arm anyway and you chuckled, lifting him easily and pulling him into your lap as you sat into the bath.

Kid grimaced when the water reached his waist, his hand instinctively grabbing a firmer hold of your bicep.

«Relax, I won't let you dive deeper than this.»

He shot you an uncertain glare, but slowly loosened his clawing grip. Though it was partly because of his strength quickly abandoning him.

You squirted some body wash on your hand and started to gently wipe his shoulders. The child tensed up at the beginning, but your kneading fingers on his immature muscles relaxed him. He even leaned into your touch as you cleaned his back and arms, his head slowly coming to rest against your chest.

At least until your hands slid down to his soapy sides. Kid literally jolted in your lap and you stopped.

«What was that?»

«Nothinn. Shut up.»

«Waaait a second...» an evil smirk tugged at your lips and you looked down at him, your hair falling around his head like curtains «You wouldn't happen to be ticklish in this form, would you?»

«I'm not!» he snapped, but his eyes rolled on you with a hint of nervousness.

Your fingers pinched at his bare sides and once again he jolted, with a squeak this time.

«I'M GONNA KILL YOU!» he yelled, backing away against your thighs.

A genuine laugh erupted from your chest and you wrapped your arms around him, bringing him close to you despite his fidgeting.

«What is it, you don't like your own medicine?» you mused.

His usually pale cheeks had flushed violently and he looked up at you in rage.

«You gonna pay for dis, bidy.»

«Yeah, yeah.» you gently let him down again «I'm gonna wash your hair now, okay? Close your eyes, or the shampoo will get into them.»

Kid glanced up at you in suspicion.

«No funny moves.»

«I promise.»

He was still tense as you started to wash his messy locks, but your fingertips massaging his scalp soon did the trick again.

The child leaned back against your legs, eyes closed as you thoroughly lathered his head, part of his anxiety momentarily forgotten.

Once you finished, you shielded his forehead with your hand and gently rinsed the foam away with the shower wand.

«Okay, you're all done now.» you murmured, tapping his cheek.

Kid let out a drowsy groan and peered at you.

«It's not bad to be taken care of once in a while, huh?» you smiled, holding him against your torso and stepping out of the tub. He huffed.

You grabbed a big towel and wrapped it around both of you.

«I'll dry you a bit, then you can take a nap, okay?»

The toddler shook his soaked head.

«No sleep.»

«Kid, it was a stressful day. You have to give this body the time to--»

«No sleep!» he snapped, turning aggressive again.

You sighed.

«Fine.»

Kid pouted, his gaze wondering to your bandaged arm. He stared at it for a while.

«Does it hutt?»

You glanced down at the wound.

«What, this? Not at all. Who are you taking me for? I'm one of the Kid Pirates.»

He scoffed, but you noticed the half smile that curled his lips for a second.

«'kay.»

You had to become creative to give the child something to wear.

After a number of curses from you both, one of his waistbands served as a loincloth, and one of your tank tops served to cover the rest of him.

Eventually, Kid was left on the bed messing around with little Eustass (you surrendered the puppet to him over all the snarling), while you sat on the desk to fill the daily log.

The child was visibly proven by the day, so you hoped he would fall asleep if left alone long enough. And so it went.

As his head repeatedly fell over his chest, Kid would snap it up again and shake it with a grunt. It seemed he was fighting the slumber with all the little energy he had left. At some point tough, you started to hum a soothing tune as you wrote, and that worked.

You glanced at the toddler with a satisfied smirk. He had finally crumbled and laid sprawled on the bed beside the toy, his mouth agape in light snores.

«At last, you piglet.»

You rose from the chair and walked by, gently pulling the blanket over his figure before going back to your business.

Peace didn't last long, unfortunately.

A couple of minutes later, the air in the cabin became heavy with static electricity.

You only noticed after the third time you had to push back your hair and a literal crackle flickered between your fingers.

«What the...»

A faint clinking called for your attention and you turned your head to the hanging showcase where Kid kept his favourite knives.

The daggers were wiggling in their holds, insistently ticking against the glass in urgency.

Then there was a crash and you jumped to your feet, only to see pieces of the little robot whirling above the bed.

You wide pupils flicked down to Kid immediately.

The child was asleep, but not a good sleep. He was sweating, trembling, biting down the pillow in growls, and his pale face was a mask of torment.

It all happened really fast from there.

His fist clenched, the glass of the showcase burst in pieces and the knives came darting towards the bed.

Fuck!

You dived forward, grabbed the toddler and rolled on the floor just as two daggers plunged into the mattress.

Three others spun above your head.

«KID, WAKE UP!» you shouted, wrapping your arms tightly around him and crouching down to protect his body in case the blades were to pour on you.

Thankfully, his amber eyes snapped open and all the flying metal fell on the floor, once again motionless.

Kid frantically looked around, lost for a couple of seconds, breathing heavy and fingers twisting your top.

You sighed in relief.

«Holy shit. Don't worry, all good now. It was just a nightmare.»

You shifted on the floor so your back could rest against the bed.

So that's why he didn't want to fall asleep.

I'm an idiot, I should have listened.

«You're okay.» you repeated, since the child still looked lost.

His bloodshot eyes stared at the knifes in the mattress, then fell on what was left of little Eustass, its fragments scattered all around the cabin. His grip on your tank twitched and he grinded his teeth together.

«Hey.»

You touched his chin and tilted it up so he could look at you.

There was rage in his gaze sure, but also... fear?

Never in your time with him had you seen such an emotion on Eustass Kid's face.

You forced yourself to swallow and smile, although your heart was pounding in your chest.

«We'll fix him up, okay? No big deal.»

Kid didn't reply, his teeth sinking into his lower lip as his face dropped to your lap.

«...no sleep.»

You could hardly distinguish the words in his hiss.

With a deep breath, you stood up again, keeping the toddler against your chest with one arm as you used the other to pull the knives out of the mattress.

«Tell you what, chubby.» you murmured, moving the blades to the desk «I'll stay right here with you, okay? I won't sleep, so I can wake you up immediately if another nightmare comes.»

He gritted his teeth.

«I SAID NO SLEEP!» he yelled, his voice hoarse.

You pried his small hand from your top and pressed in on your chest, right onto your heartbeat.

«You feel that? Calm an steady.» actually, it was only calming down at that moment, but that was the best you got «You won't have nightmares again, okay?»

His livid lips grimaced as you carefully lay down on the bed, settling him on top of you.

It seemed like he wanted to protest again, but instead he stayed quiet for a few seconds.

«...you p'omise you wott sleep?»

«I promise.»

Kid huffed and crawled up to nestle in between your breasts.

You glanced down at him with a half smile.

«You got yourself a nice place, huh?»

«Shuddup. You ooways do dis wi'mme.»

«True.» you chuckled, your hand coming up to caress his fluffy hair.

His body slowly relaxed on yours, and soon enough his breathing was deep and regular again.

He must be so exhausted...

A light knock echoed in the room and the door slowly opened.

«Kid? Y/n?»

Killer hesitantly peered into the penumbra of the cabin, the last candle on the desk dying to the small draft that came with him.

You turned to him and pressed a finger to your lips, hinting down at the sleeping toddler.

Killer lingered to the threshold, his concealed eyes scanning the mess in the cabin before slowly walking in.

«Are you okay...?»

«Just a nightmare.» you whispered, never ceasing to caress the red hair «We're fine.»

The blond padded closer to inspect Kid's face.

«Thought so. His sleep used to be bad.» he murmured, before shrugging «He seems calm now though.»

You watched him sighing and kneeling down to collect the pieces of little Eustass from the floor before carefully placing them onto the desk.

He had cropped down some of his training clothes to fashion something that could fit his skinny figure.

It was hard to see in the half-darkness, but he appeared to be slightly limping, and there seemed to be a livid on his left cheek.

«See ya then.» he breathed, heading to the door.

«Killer, wait.» you whispered.

He stopped, but didn't look at you.

«Did you hurt yourself?»

«No.»

«Killer.»

He pressed his lips together, gaze dropping to his feet.

«I fell from the bed.» he admitted in a fleeting murmur.

Of course, you could see that.

He was probably woken up by the chaos in your cabin, forgot he was a child for a moment and jumped off the bed, only for his small body to betray him and having him hit the ground the wrong way.

You suppressed a chuckle and quietly shifted closer to the wall before patting the space on the bed beside you.

His focus darted on your hand before he shook his head.

«I don't need a babysitter.»

«You can help me keep an eye on Kid. You know him better than I do.»

Killer faltered, his eyes glancing at the exit one last time before he closed the door instead.

«Fine.»

You both knew it was an excuse, but hey. As long as it worked.

The blond crawled up the bed and lay on his side, stubbornly giving his back at you. You rolled your eyes and relaxed on the mattress, focus fixing on the dark ceiling.

Staying awake is going to be a bitch.

«Y/n?»

You blinked, not expecting for Killer to speak again.

«Hm?»

There was a long pause during which you could physically see the tension wrapping around his thin shoulders.

«...you're not stupid.»

Oh.

You stared at his back for a while, heart speeding up a bit. Kid stirred in his sleep but didn't wake up.

«I'm not, huh?»

«No. It's just... sometimes I hate the way you fight. Like you've got nothing to lose.»

You frowned. The following words came out in such a feeble whisper you almost couldn't catch them.

«Scares the shit outta me.»

A faint smile tugged at your lips. You felt like a big burden had fallen off your chest.

«Kid is worse than me.»

«I know. I hate that too.»

You sighed.

«Killer, I'm sorry we're such a handful all the time.»

«Hm. It's okay. I know... I know you can handle this.»

«Thank you. I promise I won't fight like I have nothing to lose.»

...

...

«Thanks, kitty.»