The Worst Generation managed to get away from the Marines thanks to the passage created by the Mera Mera no Mi user.

You were pushed back while the crew was facing the battleships, so you climbed to the posterior crow's nest and holed up there until all the enemies disappeared from the horizon. And long after that.

It was a night of new moon. The clouds covered the stars, giving the impression the sea and the sky were merged in a single, black entity, and the Victoria Punk was a dot of light floating in the darkness.

You spent many hours in the crow's nest without really thinking about anything, huddled in a corner, eyes lost beyond the window. You were only stirred out from your trance by the sound of someone climbing up the mast. Eventually, the hatch opened and a pirate peered inside.

«Oi.»

You turned to him and grunted.

The Mohican crawled inside and took a seat on the corner in front of you.

«Soo... the captain and Killer-san are all patched up. They're both resting in their cabins now. Do you, hum... need any medical attention?»

You observed him talking before shaking your head.

«I'm fine.»

«Huh, okay.» he scratched his neck, clearly looking for something else to say «Are you planning on spending the night here? You know, we had to keep Heat from coming up and check on you.»

You cocked an eyebrow.

«Why are you here, then?»

«Er...» the pirate's gaze slid to the side «I just thought you may need something.»

The two of you stayed silent for a while.

Finally you sighed and stretched your legs.

«How's the rest of the crew?»

«All fine, no serious wounds.»

«Good. Kid's mood?»

«Hum... pretty bad.»

Of course.

You nodded and moved to the hatch, preparing to climb down the mast.

«Y/n, wait...!»

Your eyes rose to him as you moved down the ladder.

«I just...» the Mohican hesitated but eventually stared at you with a resolute expression «The captain didn't hurt you to make you come back, did he?»

You frowned at him for a few quiet seconds before descending the mast.

It was dark and still below deck. Many of the men went to sleep and the few required to keep the ship moving were outside.

You weren't really sure where you were going. Your aimless steps guided you down to the infirmary, then towards the silent corridor that led to the captain's cabin. When you passed Killer's door, though, you hesitated.

He was probably sleeping. He got beaten up pretty bad after all, and using the adrenalin came with a price.

You shifted your weight from your heels to your toes a couple of times, then knocked. Very gently, just enough so he could hear if he was awake.

«If it's not urgent, I'm going to slice you in half.»

Your eyes widened at the uncharacteristic threat that came from the cabin. Killer's voice was low but sharp.

Boy, he can be scary if he wants to.

«See you in the morning then.» you grumbled, stepping back.

«Y/n?»

You stopped and glanced at the door.

There was a soft bustle inside and you thought you heard the click of his helmet.

«Come in.»

You opened just enough to peer in the cabin.

Killer was sitting on his bed, various bandages covering his upper body and a pair of baggy pants as unique item of clothing. The only light was coming from the small oil lamp on his nightstand.

«You can go back to sleep, I don't really need–»

«Come.»

You pressed your lips together but obeyed and closed the door behind you, then leaned against it.

There were a few moments of silence.

«How are you doing?»

«I'm fine.»

Despite his words, the pirate struggled slightly to lie back onto the bed, a hiss even escaping his mask when he moved his torso.

«Where are you going to sleep?» he asked.

You walked around the room and sat on the other side so he could see your face.

«Why?»

He scoffed.

«I'm pretty sure you know it's not the case to go back to Kid.»

You frowned.

«I didn't do anything wrong.»

Another groan.

«Well, if you think that's going to be of any help, you're not very smart.»

«Did you still have doubts on that?» you smirked, tilting your head to the side.

He didn't reply and the smile disappeared from your face.

«Killer.»

«Mh.»

You crossed your arms over your knees and rested your chin on them.

«Would that be so terrible if I saw your face?»

Again, silence.

«Is that what you came here for?»

«I don't know what I came here for.» you slowly stood «Or maybe I just needed a moment to collect my courage.»

Killer's head turned to you.

«Y/n, don't. You should sleep in the infirmary.»

«It's strange.» you murmured «I feel like he cannot really hurt me anymore.»

«Then you're an idiot.»

His words made you chuckle.

«Probably.»

You reached the door and opened it.

«Well, see you tomorrow then. Hopefully. I wouldn't wanna die without knowing how ugly you are beneath that mass of hair.»

You left the cabin, killing the thin bundle of light that sneaked inside.

After your steps faded away, Killer reached for his helmet and took it off, setting it aside. His had ran to his face and he grimaced.

«You damn woman.»

When it came to Kid's cabin, you didn't knock. You just opened the door and walked in.

«WHO THE FUCK–»

You ducked down to avoid the knife that plunged into the wall.

«You know, one day you're going to hurt someone.»

Kid gritted his teeth when his eyes fell on your small figure.

Just as Killer, he was sitting on his bed all bandaged up, although he was only wearing his boxers. He didn't even have his goggles, his crimson hair falling over his forehead.

In the penumbra of the room, his amber eyes seemed to glow like the ones of a night beast.

«What the fuck are you doing here, Y/n?» he growled.

You closed the door with a sigh but didn't move from it.

«Normally, this is where I sleep.»

Your gaze was low, your voice was tired.

Kid didn't like your reply though.

«Are you messing with me?»

A cruel, mad smirk twisted his lips and he stood, throwing the sheets aside.

«You think it's a good idea to come here after the shit you pulled? Do you want to be hurt, little marine girl?»

Your eyebrows wrinkled.

It had been a long time since he called you that.

Nevertheless, you took a deep breath and raised your gaze to him.

Now that he was facing you, you barely reached his chest.

«Why?» you asked, staring right back at him «What can you possibly do to me that you haven't done already?»

Kid's eye twitched. The smile disappeared from his lips.

Then his hands grabbed your arms in a sudden, painful grip and he lifted you up enough to press your nose against his, the sadistic grin back to his face.

«Do you wanna find out?»

He threw you on the bed and straddled you immediately after, his mechanic hand pinning you down and his flesh one rising to wrap around your throat, choking back your groan.

You tried to jolt away but he was too fast. Your muscles could only flex and strain under his iron grip.

Kid's wild snarl hovered on you.

«Still not scared, birdie?»

You looked at him and gritted your teeth for a moment.

Your heart was racing and the adrenalin was pumping in your system, yes, maybe there was even rage buried somewhere below all that confusion swarming in your chest. But no matter how hard you looked, there was no fear.

Your body relaxed beneath his.

«No.»

Kid growled.

«You're a crazy bitch, you know that?»

His grab around your throat tightened a little and you coughed.

«How did you think you could run from me? Why?»

Why?

You closed your eyes.

Is this the same man who saved me when I was falling into the arena, yesterday? Is he the same who showed me off proudly to the crowd?

The images flooded your mind.

He used his fur to cover you when you fell asleep on the grass. The way his eyes would shift to the side and his lips would twitch when he was flustered, like when he asked you to keep the corset on. How he tugged you on his lap and stole the sausage from your mouth with that wicked smile.

Is this why I came back?

Was the safety of my comrades just an excuse?

A single tear escaped your eyelids and rolled down your cheek.

«Go on.» you whispered.

Kid froze.

«I came back to you. Whatever you do to me, I deserve it.»

For a while, nothing happened.

You had just dared to open your eyes when he suddenly released your throat, his hands grabbing your wrists and pinning them to the mattress instead.

He roughly pressed his forehead against yours, a furious grimace deforming his features and his eyes livid.

«I fucking hate you, birdie. I hate you.»

You were struggling to control your breath.

«I hate you too.»

He snarled and attacked your mouth like a beast would bite at his prey. You fought him back with all your desperation, and confusion, and panic.

Because yes, you were terrified now.

Kid kissed you like his life depended on this battle, holding you down with rage, even when you ran out of oxygen.

When he finally pulled away, you gasped and panted, swallowing sips of air in your burning lungs. He, on the other side, darted away from the bed and used his mechanical arm to wipe out whatever was on his desk, hurling everything around the cabin with a horrific yell. Then he left, slamming the door behind him.

With your heart pounding, you slowly reached for the blanket and pulled it over your body. You coiled up beneath it, trying to stop shivering.

Everything was still dark when you woke up.

The ship was rolling gently on the calm sea. A soft creaking echoed in the cabin.

It was warm now. A stark contrast to the unbearable cold you felt before falling asleep.

Your hand encountered a warm body and it almost startled you when you realized.

The beast was sleeping against you and his dreams seemed to be tormented. His face was buried in your chest and his flesh arm wrapped around your waist. So tight you couldn't roll away.

Careful not to make any sound, you let your hands crawl in his hair, lightly fiddling with his locks.

Another scene came back to your mind, casually blossoming in your memory like a solitary flower.

The day before, when he took you in the woods, the one thing you didn't say, the thing he cut himself from asking by sinking his teeth in your breast.

Call me ca–

Your lips were trembling when you hid your face into his hair.

And you finally allowed yourself to cry.

End.

I swear this was supposed to have a lighter, happier ending.

Apparently I can't really help myself, can I?

Once again, thank you for all your support and the love you showed for Kid and birdie. Every vote and comment means the world to me and makes my day better.

I know many of you are waiting for "Bonds". I am too.

I can tell you that I'm already working on it but I will only start to post it when Oda gives me enough information – this could mean when Wano reaches its end.

I'm sorry, but I want to do right by my story.

Thank you for all the patience, you're all wonderful.

Abyss Cronica