"I'm heading out to some get together with Nami." You didn't look up from your phone as you came downstairs.

It had been a long week of dealing with Kid's need to be sated sexually literally all the time and Killer's distaste for sitting through your lessons every day. He didn't mind refreshing himself with the information but hearing it over and over again throughout the day wasn't easy for him.

Either way, it was Friday evening and you'd earned yourself a break from the daily grind. Nami was the only real friend you'd made in town so far and you weren't going to pass up the chance to hang out with her and leave Kid high and dry for a night. He had you pretty bruised up from his constant rough lovemaking and you needed at least one night to recover from it.

"What?" Kid immediately snapped his head in your direction and glared suspiciously. "Why and where?"

"A party, because I need a breather, and at a place called...." You squinted at your messages with the orangette. "The Barnyard. It's supposed to be at a literal barn, near the edge of the city, riverside."

"No, you aren't going." He went back to fiddling under a car's hood.

"What are you, my dad? I don't plan on staying out too late and I'll be with Nami the whole time."

"Don't care, you're not going."

"Are you serious?" You were fuming. So much for being an adult and getting to make your own decisions.

"Yes, I'm serious. Now fuck off so I can finish this and call it a night."

You groaned and stomped off towards the side door to leave the garage, only to feel the metal of your belt pull, dragging you over to Kid.

"Wha-"

"I said you're not going." When you were close enough he hooked a finger under the hem of your jeans and jerked you closer, face twisted into an angry snarl.

The rest of the guys kept working like nothing was happening and that only made you more angry. They were fine with him being a total dick over this?

"I heard you the first time! I'm going home you ass." You shoved his hand away and made another attempt to leave.

"Fine, I'm tired of hearing you anyway. One of you guys go with her." He was obviously in a sour mood but you were fine with that.

Wire was done with whatever he was doing for the day and went with you. You'd much rather not have to deal with constant escorts though. When you got home you finally asked the question that's been bothering you.

"Why do I still have to have someone follow me around wherever I go?"

Wire stared you down sternly before collapsing onto your couch with a sigh. He liked playing the part of the quiet and stoic type but every once in a while he'd drop the act.

"You probably don't need it anymore, in this area at least. But if you were to go into someone else's territory you'd still need one of us to accompany you."

"That doesn't answer why you're stuck with me tonight." You sounded pissed still but you were trying to be nice. Wire wasn't a bad guy.

"He probably doesn't plan on coming over, he's in one of his moods today."

"I could tell that much." You scoffed.

"He'll be over it after going out and doing some work for the gang. It's been a while since he's been able to and it's getting to him."

"What kind of work?" You got a beer out of the fridge for him, along with some leftover Chinese.

"Keeping others who don't belong out of the territory, running fights," He popped the cap off with his teeth before you could get him a bottle opener and took a long drink. "Possibly expand our own area. Kid's been looking at doing that for a while."

"Right, don't know what else I expected." You ran a hand through your hair. "I guess I'm going to bed then, you do you."

You got halfway to your room before turning on your heel, almost forgetting something else on your mind. "Also, Kid has abilities?"

"Yeah, he can attract and repel metal."

"Huh, nifty. Night Wire."

He grunted and you slipped into your room, closing the door behind you. You pulled out your phone and shot Nami a text. Did Kid really think you were going to listen to him all the time?

You had gotten ready quietly, layering some warmer clothes to keep the cold night air at bay and putting on a pair of your favorite boots. Nami texted you back after a short while, letting you know her and a friend were ready to pick you up, all you had to do was get out without Wire noticing.

And that would be surprisingly easy. You slid open your bedroom window and climbed down the fire escape without making a single noise. It was silly to have to sneak out of your own home but Kid drove you to it. You needed a break to drink and let loose and this was probably going to be your only chance for a long time. You'd be damned if you didn't take it.

Nami's friend had parked their truck around a corner, out of sight of your apartment so Wire wouldn't notice it. She was standing outside, leaning against the running vehicle with a wide smile on her face.

"So I'm going to need you to explain why you had to sneak out when we get there. I have a feeling it's going to be quite the story."

"Oh you have no idea girlie." You laughed as she opened the door and let you get in first.

The cab wasn't all that big so you soon found yourself sandwiched between her and the driver, a tough looking guy with green hair and a scar over one eye, leaving it permanently closed.

"(Y/n) this is Zoro, Zoro (Y/n)." She introduced you two lazily as he got the truck moving.

"Thanks for the ride Zoro." You offered him a warm smile.

"No problem. The more the merrier when it comes to parties."

----

"My, what a predicament you've gotten yourself into." The black haired woman, Robin, said.

"You could say that again." You sipped at your drink, not wanting to get sloshed while the night was still young.

Nami had introduced you to her group of friends and they were interesting to say the least. You'd never seen such a diverse group of people get along so well, for the most part at least. Zoro seemed to be bickering with a blonde man named Sanji half the time. It sounded like it was over small stuff the entire time so you guessed they had some sort of love-hate bromace thing going on.

The blonde had began flirting with you as soon as Nami introduced you to the group but you wasted no time shooting him down. Kid had made it abundantly clear before that being his "woman" meant you were off limits to other men and you didn't want to know what the results would be if you did find a boyfriend on the side.

"Seriously (Y/n), that's really something." Nami shook her head, wedging herself between you and Luffy.

You were surprised to see him as part of her friend circle but he was a nice guy. A little...odd, but nice.

"Would you happen to know how long it takes for him to get bored of his women? I've never wanted to getting rid of a guy so fast before."

"No idea. You'll have to be the one to let us know that. Maybe he'll be willing to give you up faster if you pull more stunts like tonight." Nami have you a playful wink.

"I won't let him keep me cooped up, the daily grind has been really wearing on me and I need a break, especially from him."

"I don't blame him for not wanting you to come here though." Robin added. "This is in Shanks' territory after all."

You frowned. "I thought Kid wasn't much of an issue for Newgate, why would he be an issue for Shanks?"

"He's not exactly a threat to him, but you've seen Kid's mechanical arm, right?"

You nodded, taking a longer sip from your glass.

"He lost the real arm to Shanks in a fight. He thought he could take on the Yonko and well, he couldn't. As far as I know, Kid is still very angry about it and doesn't like anything involving him."

"Okay, I can get the pissy attitude about losing an arm but just because a party is being held in his territory doesn't mean it involves him, right?" You leaned forward in your stool a bit as someone bumped into your back. The joint was packed for the evening.

"I'd usually agree with you but the man himself is the one throwing this party." Nami giggled. "I would've told you but I didn't know about your situation."

"It's no biggie." You sighed. "If you aren't worried then I'm not either."

"Shanks is a good guy, he won't have a problem with you." Robin said reassuringly.

"Shanks is the best!" Luffy laughed as he caught on to the tail end of the conversation.

"I'm glad to hear that." You laughed as well, deciding it was time for a lighter mood.

----

That was a good call on your part. Soon you had downed a few drinks and had enough liquid courage to join Franky for a dance or two. He and Robin were an item so you weren't sure if she'd be okay with it at first but she could tell you were just looking to unwind and have a good time, your intentions were pure.

With her encouragement, you giggled and laughed with the man as he spun you around and taught you a few of his own strange dance moves. From there, Sanji took over. Somewhere in his lovestruck little head he thought he still had a chance with you. The dancing was fine but you were sure to let him know that was all he'd get out of you. Eventually it devolved into the whole group taking over a section of the dancefloor, almost everyone having drank enough to loosen up and enjoy themselves. Luffy and his friend Usopp were too young to drink but you could still see the latter talking Zoro into getting him a couple here and there.

Eventually you turned to leave the dancing for a moment, intending on refreshing your drink, only to bump into a solid, half revealed chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" You blushed as you looked up to meet the person's face.

"No worries." The man smiled cheerily and pushed back some stray strands of red hair as he glanced over your shoulder. "I see you're with Luffy and company."

He took your empty glass and handed it to a passing waitress before returning his full attention to you, wanting to talk apparently. You couldn't help but notice the three scars going over his left eye.

"Yeah, Nami asked me to tag along and I thought it sounded fun." You smiled.

"Well I hope it is."

You nodded. "It's been a much needed break."

He chuckled, eyes flicking up for a second as the music changed to a slower song. You could see the cliche question forming in his head.

"Would you listen to that, how about a dance?" He offered a hand.

"Sure, why not?" You accepted it, quickly realizing it was his only hand. His long jacket sleeves and the alcohol in your system kept you from noticing sooner.

"So how did you meet the gang?" He asked, leading you slowly through the dance.

"Funny story actually, Nami and I found out we were dating the same guy at the same time and kinda bonded over it after we both dumped him."

His shoulders shook as he chuckled. "Funny indeed. Have you moved on to someone new?"

"Uh, yes and no. It's complicated." You shrugged.

"I imagine anything with Eustass Kid would be."

Your face fell. You were tipsy but you knew you didn't mention Kid's name, let alone your own. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"No, but I know of you. Kid is quite possessive and likes to make what he considers his property well known as such."

"Who are you?" You decided to get straight to the point.

"Does it matter?" He continued to smile warmly. "I'm not here to harm you if that's what's worrying you, I'm just curious why Kid would let his newest...partner out of his sight."

"He didn't, at least not on purpose." You relaxed, trusting he was telling the truth while wishing he would at least tell you his name at some point before the conversation was done.

"Ahh, so you're an escape artist?" He chuckled again.

"If you consider climbing out the fire escape enough to make someone an escape artist then sure."

The song changed again, going back to setting a more fast paced tone. "Well miss (Y/n), Kid should count himself lucky to have found a catch like you."

The man released you carefully, almost like he didn't want to.

"But I'll tell you what, if you find yourself tired of him or needing a break, feel free to contact me. I'd love your company." He gave you a mischievous smile as he handed you a card he produced from his pocket.

You took it, glancing over it to finally learn his name. Shanks, the Yonko himself. No wonder he already knew about you.

"S-shanks I-" You looked up but he had slipped away, taking away your chance to refuse the card.

You shook your head and slipped it into your pocket.

"I need another drink."