"(Y..Y/N)..?!"

Paulie barely had time to drop the plank he was holding before I launched myself into his arms, sending him staggering back several paces. There were likely a few confused looks from the other workers, but I didn't care.

I couldn't hold him tight enough, and once he had a few moments to realise that he wasn't just seeing things Paulie nearly crushed me against his body, spinning me around and around.
"Surprise..!" I laughed through happy tears, already becoming overwhelmed by how safe and at home I felt being reunited with him.

"Wh..When did you..?! How did you..?! What are you doing here?! What?!" Stammering out partial questions, Paulie finally stopped spinning and set me down, cupping my cheeks in his hands. "H..Hold on, let me take a look at you!"

Paulie liked to think of himself as a tough guy, but he was one of the most sensitive men I had ever known, so I could tell that he was really struggling to not cry in front of his workers.
"Just like I promised! I'm fit as a fiddle, and twice as annoying!" I laughed, wiping at my eyes with the heel of my hand.

Dragging me closer, Paulie kissed my forehead and hugged me again, cheek squishing down against the top of my head.
"I can't believe it..! You've changed so much..." Again, he pulled back to look at me, and I took the time to study him right back.

"You have facial hair now. I can't even tease you about it because it doesn't look half bad." He really had changed, aside from that ill-favoured yellow shirt he wore. He looked older. More mature.

"So...this is that uptight older brother you're always ravin' about?" The moment Kid piped up from behind me I felt my brother stiffen, and when he stepped in front of me I just let it happen.

Here we go.

"Who are you?" Paulie's voice took on a deeper octave, and several of his men banded together behind us, just as much on guard.
"Do you seriously not know who the fu-"

"P..Pauls!" I called out over the top of Kid, knowing he'd only worsen the situation if I had let him continue speaking. "I'd like you to meet my, uh, my friends...You've actually spoken to them on the transponder snail..."

Jaw set tight, Paulie glanced to me before turning his sights back on the pair, brow creasing.
"You're pirates." He stated the obvious, and Kid took a step forward. He was challenging him, just like I had begged him not to.

"Yeah? What of it?" He asked in a taunting manner, smirking at the thought of a fight. "If ya know my name then say it. Go on." I glared at him from behind my brother, annoyed that he'd choose to be an asshole now of all times.

Killer sighed and put an arm out in front of Kid to stop him advancing any further.
"Please excuse my captain. He's all talk right now, and we don't want any trouble. This is Eustass Kid, Captain of the Kid Pirates, and I'm Killer. Your sister is our companion."

Well, cat's out of the bag...

"Killer...Kipper...God dammit, (Y/N)..." Paulie slowly turned to me and scowled, his temple ticking with a quickened pulse and his complexion pale. He was ready to have a full on meltdown. "Do you have any idea how dangerous these guys are?!"

Skittering out from behind him, hoping to serve as a human blockade, I held my hands up.
"I know, I know, you don't approve. I get it...but they're good to me! I mean, they were kind of dicks at first, but now they're my best friends! Just calm down and let's talk like mature adults, hmm?"

Paulie's eyes remained on Kid and Killer, filled with a stressed aggression I hadn't seen in him before.
"Don't approve? Of course I don't approve, (Y/N)! This is crazy! You're asking me to act like an adult when you're being completely reckless and irresponsible! They're pirates! Dangerous ones!"

I knew he'd be pissed but come on...

"Hypocrite! You got all buddy buddy with those Strawhats, didn't you?!" I snapped, taking him off guard. "They helped save you all, and the Kid Pirates helped save me! Especially these two right here! If anything you should he thanking them!"

As glad as I was to see him again, I knew I had to set him straight, right quick.
"Yeah, Paulie. Where's our thank you?" Kid snickered, grunting when I slapped him hard in the chest with the back of my hand.
"Zip it! Don't be a prick for five minutes!"

Ow. His chest is solid.

Paulie was just about to reach for his rope, likely to start a literal fight, when I heard somebody clearing their throat. We all turned our heads to follow the sound, and my excited squeal broke the tense silence.
"ICEBERG!"

I set off in a dash towards the well dressed gentleman I hadn't seen in forever. With a bright, casual smile he opened his arms and welcomed me into them, lifting me and spinning me once before his hand found my head for a fond pat.

"What a surprise! (Y/N), I didn't know you were coming home so soon! I would have prepared something!" He laughed, letting me nuzzle into the buttons of his striped jacket. I felt something soft and ticklish rubbing against my forehead, and I looked up to see an adorable white face snuffling at me.

"OH MY GOD HELLO MY PRECIOUS LITTLE GUY!" I cared not for my volume as I picked up Tyrannosaurus, bringing him up to my lips to peck gentle kisses to his entirety. The mouse squeaked happily, and I nearly died from happiness.

"I'm sure you're all exhausted from your travels. Please, come join me at the Galley-La headquarters. You too, Paulie. It looks like you need to relax as well." Iceberg laid his arm over my shoulders and started leading me off, as though he knew that all involved in the ruckus would follow. Of course, they did.

Once we were at Galley-La, spaced out around Iceberg's office, things became tense again. I just sat on the floor playing with Tyrannosaurus, but Kid and Paulie were squaring up to each other with their eyes. I could almost taste the testosterone in the air.

"Again, we're very sorry about making a scene at the dock. Kid isn't the best with...well, people, I guess." Killer apologised once more and Iceberg waved it off, sipping at his tea.

"Don't worry yourself about it. Whenever (Y/N) is involved it's always a scene. I've honestly missed it." The man laughed, looking across at me fondly as I booped his pet on the nose. "So, what brings you back to Water 7, (Y/N)? I can't imagine it's just to visit?"

Pulling my legs into a criss-cross I finally gave him my (mostly) undivided attention.
"Our ship needs a major upgrade, and Kid seems to trust my judgement. There's no better people for the job, in my opinion."

As long as Paulie pulls his head out of his ass...

"We're more than willing to pay, of course." Killer added, much to Kid's dismay, but the redhead didn't argue. He was too preoccupied with the silent death match against my brother.

"We'll have to assess your ship, but luckily we're pretty slow this week so it shouldn't pose a problem. Naturally, I'm happy to halve the price. You're basically family after all, (Y/N)." Iceberg smiled at me, and I returned tenfold.

"Thanks, Icy! You're the best!" I beamed, squirming a little as Kid set his hand down upon my head, mussing my hair.
"Much appreciated. There's a bit of damage to the hull, and a shallow crack in the mast, but aside from that we're just after bells 'n whistles." Finally he was starting to act maturely, but I knew it would be short lived.

"While they're busy talking things out, why don't we go and drop by to see Ma and Pa?" Paulie asked, his arms crossed across his chest. Immediately I felt my pulse spike, and I scooted back so my shoulder touched Kid's leg, which didnt at all impress Paulie.

"N..No. Don't tell them I'm here. Either of you." I insisted, looking between my brother and Iceberg, pleading with my eyes. Iceberg seemed as indifferent as usual, but Paulie's face fell further.
"Seriously? They miss you, (Y/N). Can't you suck it up for once and just go and see them?"

Before I could retort, Kid stepped between the two of us, shoulders squared to assert his obvious dominance. He was the largest man in the room, after all, and likely the strongest.
"She's a big girl. She can make her own decision on the matter, and she said no."

I appreciate that you're sticking up for me, but the last thing we need is you beating my brother to a pulp..!

Paulie bared his teeth, standing up to square off just like Kid had done, but it wasn't nearly as threatening. He was strong too, I knew that, but he didn't hold a candle to the strength of Kid, especially without the added help of a devil fruit.

"Butt out, Eustass. (Y/N), I'd like a word. Alone." He was deathly serious, and as I moved to stand Kid lifted me by the scruff, not all the way off the ground but enough to show that he was being protective. Well, it could have been possessive. It was hard to tell with him.

"I've come t' like her bein' close to me, so whatever you've got to say-"
"Kid, ease up. Be nice." I scolded, earning myself a scowl. That was fine. They didn't bother me anymore. "I'll be back in a bit. You two play with Iceberg, and make friends." Placing Tyrannosaurus into the fluff of Kid's coat, I wriggled out of his hold and headed towards the door, Paulie following.

We headed down the hall into another empty room, and the moment the door was closed Paulie spun around and took me by the shoulders, his face no longer angry, but panicked.

"Did they hurt you?! Have they been horrible?! Have they tried to steal your innocence?! It's okay to tell the truth now, (Y/N)! They're not here!" He pleaded with me, and I couldn't help but chortle, despite being touched by how much he cared.

"Pauls, for real, they treat me as one of their own." I explained, placing my hands on his chest to try and soothe his frantic heartbeat. "We started off on the wrong foot, but now? I love them. They mean the world to me, just like you do. Honest."

In no way did Paulie look convinced, but he still heaved a heavy sigh of relief, leaning forward to rest his head on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry...I just...They're dangerous. Pirates as a whole, whether they're good to you or not. You said so yourself...you've been hurt, more than once. How can I not freak out?"

Softening, I ran my hands through his hair, trying to ignore the greasy texture thanks to the wax that held it down.
"I know, and it means a lot to me that you worry. Please, just try to play nice, okay? Kid can be...a colossal dickwad sometimes, but he means the world to me. A..All of them do."

I can't convince you, but I have to try.

Groaning, Paulie pulled away from me and began to pace back and forth, lighting another cigar and taking a deep draw.
"You know he kills people, right? Murders them dead? I've read it in the papers." He was trying really hard to stay calm, which I appreciated.

"Yeah, I know. He's done it to keep me from getting hurt, so I know." I said truthfully, and Paulie paused mid-step, turning to stare at me in disbelief.
"I...don't know whether I should be impressed or horrified..."

Shrugging, I took a seat on the windowsill, stretching my legs out.
"Both, probably. I was about to get killed, Paulie. He saved me. I chose this life, but I trust him and his crew to help me survive it. I ask you to trust me a lot, I know, but please? Could you give them a chance?"

With another groan, this time longer and far more exasperated, Paulie nodded once, raking a hand down his face.
"Fine...but only for you..." He muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You really won't come see Ma and Pa, huh?"

I shifted uncomfortably, looking to the carpeted floor below.
"No. You know exactly what'll happen if I do. Mama will lose her shit over how unladylike I am, and Papa will explicitly forbid me from leaving. I can't get trapped here again, Pauls. It'll kill me, and you know it."

Slowly approaching, Paulie reached out and cupped my cheeks again like he had done before, really studying me in depth this time. I leaned into his touch, having missed it for so long.
"For what it's worth, I think this new look of yours suits you." He said softly, a tired smirk playing his lips. "Long denim and a buttoned shirt, very little skin. I'm proud."

I couldn't help but snort at his odd compliment, reaching to place my hands over his that still sat against my cheeks.
"Thanks, Pauls. If you like this, you'll love my mesh micro dress. It goes really well with my thigh high hooker boots."

Sorry, I had to.

Paulie's expression dropped in an instant, and I doubled over cackling, wiping at my eyes before hopping down from the windowsill and tugging him back towards the door.
"You're so gullible! I'm kidding, man! God, I missed seeing your actual expressions when I mess with you! Come on, let's go back to the others."

"You're a cruel, cruel sister, (Y/N). I love you, but you're cruel."

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
***Fighting this cold like Paulie's fighting psychosis.

Next Time: Babysitter's Club***