***KID POV***

"There's like, a whole crap-tonne of canals! It's so much easier to hire a Bull Boat to get around, unless you're a crazy good swimmer. Oh, and once a year we have to deal with Aqua Laguna! It's a huge storm that ends up flooding the lower levels of the city!"

I wasn't sure what I was doing, just sitting at a distance, listening to (Y/N) excitedly tell my crewmates about her home. There was plenty for me to do, but instead I had found myself watching her, silently and honestly, probably creepily.

What do I see in her..?

For the life of me I couldn't figure it out. It couldn't have been how excitable and hyperactive she became when she was happy. There was way too much energy, and it was annoying, to say the least.

There was no way it was her looks. Unless she made a conscious effort, she often looked like a boy, or androgynous at best, especially when she insisted upon wearing that binder of hers.

Not a chance it was her abilities. Yeah, she could sling bullets well and good, but she wasn't overly strong on her own. Not like the rest of my crew.

Why can't I stop thinking about you..?

"Berry for your thoughts?" I snapped out of my daze when Killer spoke up beside me, and I turned to give him my full attention. It was a welcomed distraction.

"Just thinkin'." I replied, not exactly lying. Still, this was Killer I was speaking to. The man who knew me better than I often knew myself.
"You've been staring at her a lot more the past few days. If you want something to happen, you gotta give her more than just your eyes."

Scowling in mild irritation, I went to snap back at him, but decided against it. He had known before I had, so perhaps he was the only person who could help. I was hesitant, however, because just as he had known my feelings, I was well aware of his.

"Somethin' already did happen." I admitted, for once unable to decipher what his silent stillness meant. Despite that, I chose to continue. "Last week. I kissed 'er. Haven't said shit about it to each other since, but it happened. Haven't decided what I wanna do about it yet."

After another long silence, Killer heaved a sigh, moving to lean beside me so it didn't seem like we were up to much.
"I won't lie, it was a bastardly move to kiss her before knowing what you want, Kid." He spoke firmly, like he used to when we were younger.

"Don't you think I fuckin' know that?" I muttered, bitter not at him, but at myself. "Call it poor impulse control. You know I've never been good with it."

Killer nodded in agreement, folding his arms across his chest as the salty wind whipped at his hair.
"You say you don't know what you want. Why not? If you were so eager to kiss her, isn't that enough?"

You know it ain't...

Resting my elbows on my knees, my chin dropped into my palms, and I stared across the deck at where (Y/N) was excitedly explaining something to Bubblegum, her hands moving wildly around her.

"I wanna know why. There's no reason for wanting to in the first place. I mean, just...look at her. She's an idiot brat." My brow creased as I grew more annoyed, and moreso when Killer scoffed.

"I'm looking at her, Kid, and I have no idea what you're talking about." He said with a lilt to his voice. "I know the reason. It's actually painfully obvious."

You do, do ya?

Humming in question, I waited for his response, turning after a time because he wasn't continuing. Killer's head tilted towards me a little, and he scoffed once more.
"Oh, no, I'm not gonna tell you."

My fists clenched beneath my chin, and I bared my teeth towards my friend, wishing I could show my temper without drawing attention.
"Why the hell not?" I asked in a growl, eye twitching when his shoulders shrugged.

"Because. You need to realise it for yourself. Besides, my reasons could be completely different to yours. Don't worry. It'll come to you eventually." He was too smart for his own good sometimes, and even though more often than not I appreciated it, this time it was aggravating.

"Your reasons, huh? Ever gonna share?" I asked, words soured by my tongue. Killer's shoulders bounced with silent laughter, very much at my expense.
"Nope. They're something I'll be taking to the grave. Just be patient with yourself Kid, and with her. I know you're not good at it, but if you're gonna have any virtue, I'd strongly suggest it be that."

Patience? That's the hardest one...

"What are you two gossiping about? Is it how cute Killer would look with pigtails? Because I so wanna get in on that."

I flinched when I realised (Y/N) was directly in front of me, my back suddenly straightening from its poor posture.
"Don't make me shave my head, girl. I'd rather be bald than have that done to my hair." Killer sighed, obviously faking frustration. I knew if she sincerely asked he'd allow it, just to keep her happy.

The girl pouted, but she recovered quickly, her eyes turning to me. There was something behind them that I was struggling to read, but apart from that she was acting normal. As though nothing had happened between us.

"I wanted to give you guys a heads up. When you meet Paulie, he's, uh, well, he's probably gonna have multiple strokes and shit himself. Figuratively, but maybe literally, too." (Y/N) explained, turning mostly serious.

I kept my eyes on Killer's hand as it extended to ruffle the woman's hair fondly, so casually. It never usually irritated me, but after our conversation it made me grit my teeth. How could he be so okay with his feelings after what I had said? How could he act so normal when I was struggling?

"Don't worry, we'll play nice. Right, Kid?" Killer asked me, and I shrugged once.
"Sure, as long as he doesn't try to start shit..." I flinched back when a finger flew right up in my face, wagging sternly.

"He won't be happy. Like, at all, so I mean it. Don't try to fight him. Promise me." She held out her little finger, and I rolled my eyes, caving just to appease her. Once our fingers were joined, she raised her thumb. "Come on. Stamp it. Doesn't count unless you stamp it."

Childish. Why do I care about her so much?

Muttering a couple of curses under my breath, I stamped my thumb against hers, chest doing something I found unnatural when she smiled. It was so bright and genuine, it didn't feel right being directed towards me.

Dashing past me, (Y/N) jumped to lean over the railing, and both Killer and myself jerked a little, ready to reach out and catch her. At the very least, I was glad that I wasn't the only one looking out for her safety.

"I'm getting nervous!" She laughed, shielding her eyes with her hand as she looked out over the ocean. "Iceberg will be fine about helping you guys with Victoria once I have a chat to him, I'm sure! I mean, they helped the Strawhats, so it would be pretty shitty if they discriminated."

They don't have the same kind of reputation...

"Still, this'll be fun! I can show my favourite people all my old haunts, and stuff I used to do growing up!" When she turned back to us, my heart squeezed tighter than it ever had. Her (H/C) hair caught the breeze, whipping around her beaming face, and everything about her sang out to me in a voice near impossible to resist.

"We're looking forward to it. I guarantee we'll be on our best behaviour, too. Won't we, Kid?" Killer nudged me in the shoulder, and I swallowed, putting pressure on my back teeth to try and keep myself from acting a fool.
"Yeah..."

Her smile suddenly became more excited when she looked further down, and she sprung from the railing back past me, bending down to pick something up.
"Hello my sweet little baby! You come to say hello?"

The naked freak of a cat gurgled as (Y/N) held up under its front pits, one eye skyward and the other sinking lower to the deck.
"That thing really needs t'be sterilised. Preferably with fire." I muttered, scowling when the woman uttered an offended gasp.

"Don't be rude! You two have a lot in common. Look! Neither of you have eyebrows!" She held the feline-ish thing out towards my face and I leaned back, having to hold onto the crate I sat on so I wouldn't topple backwards.

"Fuck off. I don't wanna catch whatever it's carryin'." I growled, shifting once she pulled it back and trotted over to Killer.
"Are you gonna reject our mascot too, Killz?" She offered Missy to the blond, and he hesitated. Of course, it didn't surprise me when he caved and took it into his arms.

Immediately shaking his head, Killer offered it straight back to the woman, making sure it was at arms length.
"Nope. Don't like that. Doesn't feel right."

Huffing, (Y/N) took her creepy pet back and squished her face into its wrinkled skin, nuzzling it almost aggressively. Missy gurgled louder, but he seemed to like it. Well, he either liked it or was about to vomit and die.

"Don't listen to the mean men, Missy. You're the prettiest kitty in the whole world. Come on, let's go cuddle in the crow's nest. I'll tell you about the time I-"

(Y/N)'s voice faded as she walked away, and both Killer and I exchanged a look. I knew for a fact he had the same irked expression under his helmet that I had.

"Better hurry up, Kid. Looks like you have some pretty big competition."

"Pretty ain't the word I'd use..."

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***Justice for Missile Launcher.

Guess who we might get to see next chapter?

The one.

The only.

Tyrannosaurus 💖

Oh, and I guess maybe Paulie and Iceberg too.

Next Time: Little Sister, Big Problems***