***(Y/N) POV*** 

"LOOK! THERE IT IS! SEE HOW AWESOME THE CANALS ARE?!"

"Dammit, girl, be careful..!" Killer hissed, his arms wrapped tightly around my middle, stopping me from falling overboard as I leant over the edge of the ship. "Do you want to drown before we dock?!" 

I knew I was being a little reckless, but I couldn't help it. After so long, I was finally home again, and every cell in my body was thrumming with excited nerves. There was always going to be that small fear of running into my parents, but seeing my brother? Iceberg? Possibly even Granny Kokoro? That kept my bouncing off the railings. 

"Sorry, I just can't sit still..!" I laughed, finally letting go of the wood and allowing Killer to set me safely back down onto the deck, pulling him into a bit of a spin before he gently forced a stop. 

"I know, but try to level your head a bit. We're pirates. They know you, but we have a name for ourselves, and it isn't a very good one." The blond replied, petting my head softly before taking a step back. 

I stood still for all of eight seconds before I sprinted up to the helm, where Mosh was steering the Victoria Punk.
"Don't head straight into the main docks. I know the perfect place to drop anchor, so head to the west side." I directed, a second breed of excitement stirring when I caught a familiar scent.

"What, scared they'll open fire on us?" Kid asked with a snort, appearing by my side with crossed arms. Shaking my head, I still kept my sights on my old home.
"No. Water 7 isn't exactly equipped for that kind of defence, but we still need to keep a low profile at first. You start off by scaring people and it'll be hard to gain any kind of trust."

Either way, you're gonna scare the shit out of Paulie...

To the west we sailed, and after a short while I spied exactly what I had been searching for.
"There! Into there!" I grabbed Mosh's arm and pointed to a hole in the side of the stone edge of the island. Mosh glanced to Kid for approval, and once the red head nodded he set course.

As per my direction, we sailed into the hole in the wall, the rest of the crew sounding their curiosities when they realised it was a hidden port, fit for a single ship. It was a tight fit for one as large as the Victoria Punk, but it would do.

Unable to contain my excitement, I launched myself over the edge of the railing, but halted mid-air, legs curling beneath me when I felt that familiar pressure on my scruff.

"Be careful, idiot!" Kid barked, grumbling to himself as he hoisted me back onto the deck. "You wanna break both your damn legs? Just wait." The second my feet hit the ground I spun and wrapped my arms tightly around his middle, sending him back a few steps.

"I'm just really excited to see my brother! Thank you, Kid! Seriously!" I beamed up at him, laughing when he pressed his palm to my face.
"G..Get off, you dork..! We're here to get Victoria fixed, not for a vacation! Hurry up and get your shit together so we can get it under way!"

He's being shy.

Still grinning ear to ear, I stepped back and gave him a salute, skittering off to disembark the safer way. Once I was on the ground, I raced to close the rolling door to the hidden dock, just in case.

"You know this place best, so you're gonna have to lead us." Killer explained, standing by Boogie as he tied the ship as an extra precaution.
"You lot stay here, on guard! Wire, you're in charge while I'm gone!" Kid ordered, a chorus of confirmation following.

Now that I was on the ground, my nerves began to bubble up into my throat. The Kid Pirates had a reputation, sure, but I also had one here, and it wasn't the best. Not a criminal, but definitely a troublemaker.

Taking a deep breath, I readjusted my hat on my head and puffed out my chest, slapping my smile back onto my face.
"Alrighty then, gentlemen! Let's go!"

Water 7 was exactly as I remembered it. Full of life with cheerful sounds, delicious smells and calming colours. The second we set foot out onto the streets, people veered well away from Kid and Killer, which came as no surprise. They did look rather intimidating, after all.

"So where do we need to go?" Killer asked, looking around at the new surroundings. I wondered what his curious expression would look like under there.
"Way way up, but never fear. Just follow me."

Leading them along the edge of one of the canals, I brought them to a small building. One I had always gone to as a kid.
"Welcome travellers! What can I do you for to...day..?" The vendor trailed off once he saw the two men accompanying me, face paling.

Sliding up to his counter, I pulled my hat off and shot him a wink.
"Aw, come on, Debbon. Don't you remember lil ol' me?" It took him a few moments, but once my true identity hit him he smiled back.

"Well I'll be damned..! (Y/N), it's been a long time! You finally came back, huh?" Debbon offered me his hand to shake, and I returned it with just as much gusto.
"Just for a visit, but please don't tell my folks. You know how they are."

The man nodded, seeming to understand exactly what I was getting at.
"Oh, I know. My lips are sealed." He glanced over my shoulder, cocking a thick brow. "Who're your friends here?"

Not gonna say their names just yet...Don't need to cause any unnecessary panic...

"These two saved my hide on more than one occasion. Best travelling companions I could hope for." I laughed, motioning to them without looking behind me. "Our ship is in need of some repairs, so I think you know exactly who I need to go scare the shit out of?"

Snorting loudly, Debbon grabbed a set of keys off his counter and stepped out, hiking up his pants a little by the belt.
"I'd pay to see that reaction! Not to worry, I've got you three covered. Consider it on the house, for old times sake. Want your usual fella?"

My grin grew wider once I realised who he meant, and I nodded enthusiastically, jumping up and down on the spot.
"Yes please! I wanna see my favourite little man!" Chuckling at my reaction, Debbon started off towards the door to the back, waving over his shoulder.
"Wait out front then, I'll bring him out."

In an instant I was pushing and shoving my two companions back out front to wait by the canal, neither one resisting.
"Usual fella? What is this, a whore house?" Kid grunted, brushing himself off once I finally left him alone.

"No, that's on the other side of the island. This is where we rent the best mode of transportation in Water 7! Yagara Bulls! I'm telling you, my little buddy is the best Bull there is! He'll get us up to Dock 1 quicker than lightning!"

Killer pointed out to the main canal, where gondolas and Yagara Bulls were bustling up and down through the water.
"So, one of those little Sea King looking things with boats on their backs?" He asked, and I shrugged.

"I wouldn't call them Sea Kings, but yeah, they're Bulls." I turned the absolute second I heard a familiar call, very nearly squealing when I saw my favourite Bull swimming out from the aquatic stables. "Titus! My sweet boy!"

The small-bodied Bull splashed about as I ran to him, nearly ending up in the canal when I threw my arms around his neck. He was just as I remembered him. Orange and gold, like a brilliant sunset, and so full of zeal.

"Big name for a pipsqueak." Kid scoffed, approaching from behind us. Still holding onto Titus' neck, I spun around and glared at him, taking full offence. My Bull buddy didn't seem at all pleased either.
"He's got a giant spirit! Don't insult my friend, Eustass Krud!" I snapped, completely ignoring his bared teeth.

"Just remember to send him back when you're done with him. He's one of my best, after all. I'm sure I'll be hearing all about Paulie fainting from shock." Debbon chuckled, giving us a wave before heading back inside.

Motioning for Kid and Killer to climb aboard, I settled myself right up front, feeling at home in the little boat.
"Are you sure he can take the weight of all three of us? Kid and I aren't exactly petite..." Killer murmured, voicing his concern.

"Are you kidding? He's perfectly capable. Aren't you, Titus?" I reached forward and gave the Bull a pat on the neck, and he chirped happily.
"Ni! Ni Ni!" Sounding off, without any direction from me, he kicked into gear.

I was used to such an abrupt start, but Kid and Killer were taken by surprise, gripping hard at the sides of the boat as we tore through the canals past other passengers and boats.
"M..Maybe we should slow down? We do have a devil fruit user on board, remember?" Killer suggested, one hand on the wooden edge and the other holding his helmet in place.

"We're heading up, so the faster we start the easier it'll be." I explained, turning to smirk at Kid, who was trying so hard to remain nonchalant.
"Fuck off. You're just impatient." He muttered, which wasn't far off the mark.

I simply watched their reactions as we sped towards our destination, especially when we were very nearly vertical. They were stressed, but I couldn't help but find it amusing. Depending on how long the repairs would take, they'd hopefully get used to this way of transportation.

Once we got closer, Titus slowed down to a much more appropriate pace, and it felt nice to sit back and take in the sights of my hometown. The quiet sloshing of the water was nostalgic, and I closed my eyes to freshly record it in my memory.

"I'll admit, it's a beautiful place." Killer spoke up, reaching over the edge to run his hand through the water, letting it stream through his fingers.
"Would look even better under my jolly roger." Kid added, and I whipped around to grab his leg, a stern look on my face.

"Don't even think about trying to claim Water 7, Kid. I mean it. A little trouble here and there I can forgive, but nothing like that." I warned, my hand barely able to cover the front of the space just above his knee. Rolling his eyes, Kid looked to the side, lips set into a childish pout, true to his name.
"Fine..."

I should probably keep a close eye on him...Doubt he'd actually try, though. Maybe. Hopefully.

"There it is!" I leapt to my feet and pointed ahead, Titus' boat-back rocking and causing my companions to cling for dear life. "Dock 1!" Standing tall and mighty, the shipyard was a sight for sore eyes, and I began to get a little emotional already.

Growing up, I had spent a lot of time there. Bothering the workers, and eventually Paulie when he had first started as a teenage apprentice. I was very nearly welling up, even as Killer carefully reached out to pull me back into a sit so I wouldn't topple us over.

"How much is this gonna set me back? Looks expensive, and I don't take getting ripped off lightly..." Kid muttered bitterly from behind me.
"Considering I sent that huge donation, I could very well talk Iceberg into doing it for free, or at least pretty cheap..."

My entire body was vibrating as we began to pull up directly out front. The only reason I didn't try to jump from Titus to the stone path was because Killer had a firm hold on the back of my shirt preventing me from doing so.

It was only when we were at a complete stop that he let go of me, and in a flash I was on dry land, hopping up and down in place urging the pair to hurry up.
"Thanks, Titus! Wait here for us, 'kay? Come on come on come on come o-"

"Quit ya naggin', would ya?!" Kid barked, awkwardly stepping off of Titus without accepting Killer's extended hand. I grabbed the two of them as quickly as I could and dragged them through the entrance, which was unmanned for the time being.

Okay, now, where is he? He's gotta be around here somewhe-

"Oi! We need another load of pine planks over here!" It had been so long since I had heard that voice, not surrounded by light static over a transponder snail. Looking around myself, I suddenly spotted him.

Blond hair slicked back, slightly longer than I remembered it. Denim jacket, complete with the large number one on the back. Goggles assisting the gel, sitting atop his head, and a stream of smoke wafting from the cigar he no doubt had between his teeth.

There was no use trying to wrangle my emotions at this point. Waterline bubbling with tears, I set off into a sprint, abandoning Kid and Killer in favour of my own flesh and blood.
"PAULIE! DID YA MISS ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH?!"

The man's body flinched when I called out, and slowly, as though he thought he must have been hearing things, he turned around, jaw dropping and allowing his cigar to fall to the ground at his feet.

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

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***Now we can see Paulie have his mental breakdowns in person :3

Had to take a day off work due to a little cold, so thought I'd make the most of it and try and churn out a few more chapters.

Next Time: Overprotective x3***