"Oh, hell no! I'm not a toddler!"

Left to right, I repeatedly tried to step past Killer to escape the ship and explore the island we had docked at. He blocked me over and over, reflexes much too quick for me to beat.

"No, but you get into the same amount of trouble as one when you're on your own. You're not leaving this ship without an escourt." He explained for the second time, catching my entire face in his hand when I tried to headbutt his chest.

"You're no fun. You're like a parent..." I grumbled, kind of thrown off by just how large his hand actually was.
"Well, somebody has to keep an eye on you." It was true. If left to my own devices, I'd likely cause some mischief, maybe start a war or two.

Deciding to try and beat him at his own game, I smirked, grabbing hold of his wrist and nuzzling into his palm.
"Then, if you're a parent...Can you take me to have some fun, daddy?"

Killer released me and stumbled back almost instantly, shoulders rigid, and the exposed skin just below the rim of his helmet grew pink.
"Ohoho, Killer! Didn't think that was the kind of stuff you were into!" UK snorted as he passed by, Wire chortling in agreement from halfway down the ramp.
"I'm not surprised. Kinda suits him."

Taking the opportunity, I dashed past the startled blond and zoomed down to the ground, continuing to run when I heard the man rush after me.
"Come here, you little shit..!" He growled, almost playfully, and I was barely free for three seconds before he tackled me from behind, hoisting me over his shoulder and rendering me helpless.

He's starting to bulk up. Probably all those carbs.

"I demand a lawyer!" I squawked, laughing as I batted at the centre of his back. It wasn't any use, though. With one arm around my waist over his shoulder, he had me locked in tight, so when I saw Kid sauntering past, I reached my hand out towards him for assistance. "Kiddo! Hey! Sanctuary!"

Much to my surprise, he hadn't made a big deal after I had fled the workshop. In fact, he had acted like it had never even happened, so I followed suit. It was better than making a fool of myself again. Kid glanced in my direction and clicked his tongue, approaching until he was just out of my reach.

"Aw, does the poor little girly want my help?" He taunted me, enjoying my lack of physical strength too much for my liking. "Tough shit. Suffer." Groaning out loud, I slumped down, face burying close to the join of Killer's arm to his torso.

"Huh...Killer, you smell pretty good." I noted, and the man jostled me to shift my position.
"Get your damn nose out of my armpit, girl." He scolded, but not as harshly as he could have. Defiantly, I tried to make my way back to where my face had been.
"Nope. Unless you unhand me this instant, I'm going to bury my entire face in there. I'll move into your armpit, man. Don't test me."

That did the trick, and I had my two feet on the ground in the next moment, but Killer still kept a firm hold of my scruff so I wouldn't try to make another dash for freedom.
"Now, she'll be coming with us while we talk business." He informed his captain, and I shot him a pouty scowl.

"What's with people and scruffing me like a damn cat? This is abuse..." I complained, recalling the other times I had been seized by the same part.
"Because you do this when we lift you up." Killer stated, raising me from the ground, causing my body to curl up.
"Yep." Kid nodded in serious agreement. "It's hilarious."

Damn reflexes...

After Killer had placed me on the ground again, I peered around the port of the island we had landed at, ignoring the two men as they spoke. It seemed like a nice, calm kind of town, despite there being a great number of people wandering around. It almost reminded me of Water 7, minus the canals.

I distractedly allowed Killer to tug me along when they started walking, keeping silent for ten minutes or so before piping up.
"Hey, where are we going?" I asked curiously, earning myself a stern look. At least I assumed that was the expression he was giving me behind his shield of white and blue.

"You weren't paying attention, were you?" Killer sighed, and I nodded proudly in confirmation, almost able to see the blond's blood pressure skyrocket. "Kid and I have some business here, so you're going to be a good girl and wait until we're done. Understand?"

Grabbing hold of his arm, almost hugging it, I wiggled my brows in his direction.
"Oooh, say it again. I love praise." I joked, snorting out a laugh when he leaned away from me. Kid just watched us interact, not much of anything showing on his face.

"Anyway...You can't actually come into the meeting, so I'm trusting you to stay right outside without wandering off. I may be above beating a woman, but I'm not above throwing one into the sea. Do I make myself clear?"

Killer really had a knack for being stern, and I could appreciate that when it wasn't being directed towards me. It was a good trait to have on a ship full of ruffians, but I was no such ruffian.
"Come on, man. What do you take me for? Do you really think I'm that childish?"

Both Killer and Kid exchanged a look before nodding in unison.
"Yes." Throwing my hands up in the air, I gave up trying to defend myself, plodding along between them until we stopped in front of what looked to be a pawn shop.

"Sit and stay, (Y/N). Stay." Killer wagged his finger in my face, and I plonked down on a crate, folding my arms with a huff.
"I'm not a dog...I thought we ruled that out after last time..." I muttered, squeezing my eyes shut when Kid's hand came down to mess up my hair.

"If you're a good girly I'll get you something shiny when we're done." He snickered, and before he could lift his hand away I reached up to grab hold of one of his golden bangles.
"Fine, but you're leaving this shiny as collateral."

Rolling his eyes, but not even attempting to argue, Kid slipped off one of the two gold bangles on his left wrist and handed it over to me, pushing his way through the back door of the establishment. Killer followed him, but not before wagging his finger once more, in warning, making sure I understood that there would be consequences if I went against his instruction.

Seriously? After everything I've done for them, they still treat me like a child? Typical men...

Patiently, I sat and waited for the pair to do what they needed to do, examining the solid gold bangle and testing it out on various body parts. An hour eventually came and went.

Then impatiently I began to drum against the crate I sat upon, poorly mimicking the sounds with my mouth. I was pretty sure I'd make an awesome drummer. Another hour passed by.

With the patience of the most impatient creature in the face of the planet I began spinning the bangle on my finger, muttering the most colourful of curses under my breath until I lost control, sending the golden accessory clanging off to the other side of the large backstreet.

If it's chipped or scuffed, Kid's gonna use my bones to make a new one...

Hoping that wouldn't be the case, I slowly got up from the crate, groaning at the ache in my previously stationary body, and followed after the expensive item of jewellery.

Crouching down to where it had rolled between two trash cans, I went to reach in before something caught my eye, and a smile stretched across my face.

"Well, hello there..."

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***KILLER POV***

"Told ya she'd be gone." Kid clicked his tongue as I scoured the area for (Y/N), going as far as lifting the lids of the trash cans and peering into the windows of buildings adjacent to the pawn shop.

"God fucking damn it..! I knew we were in there too long..! She's a menace..!" I hissed, resisting the urge to start tearing at my hair.
"Calm down. I'm sure she's around here somewhere. Give her some credit. She ain't as piss weak as we first thought." Kid didn't seem all too concerned, but I sure was.

"After what happened the last time she was out of m...our sight, I'm not taking any chances." I muttered, not far off causing a scene. It was so unlike me, I wasn't sure why I was getting so stressed out.
"What? You starting to crush on her, Killer..?"

Kid's question very nearly tricked me into flinching. It wasn't the case, even though it very much was. Since their flirtatious banter before the mission gone wrong, I could tell Kid had a serious interest in (Y/N). That was why he was wrong. We'd been down that road before, and now that we were grown men a lot more was at steak than just being beat up.

"Do you really think I'd be able to form romantic feelings for somebody who makes me age prematurely? I'm getting wrinkles under here, y'know." I pointed to my helmet, setting my jaw tight as I watched Kid's expression shift to one that screamed that he was unconvinced.
"I dunno...It sure looks like it to me."

"Kiddo! Killer! I totally didn't run off and still deserve that shiny thing I was promised!" I couldn't contain the sigh of relief I released once I turned around at the sound of that voice, the familiar woman skipping towards us from down the lane.

"Told ya she'd be fine." Kid scoffed smugly, his smirk fading as she got closer. "Oi, what the fuck are you holding?" Stopping in front of us, I realised she was holding something pink and shrivelled to her chest, and I begged the same question.

Beaming ever-so wider, (Y/N) squeezed the unknown blob closer, bopping up and down on her heels. It was honestly one of the cutest things, but I would deny it if ever asked my opinion.
"This is our new crew member, of course!"

I beg your pardon?

Kid and I exchanged a look of confusion before turning back to her, silently hoping she'd elaborate. With an excited squeak, she held the shrivelled blob out for us to see, and even Kid took a step backwards.

It was a...cat..?

At least, I hoped it was a cat. If it wasn't, I'd be having to hose the girl down with buckets of disinfectant. It had no hair, and I swore the wrinkles of it skin shifted and moved like some kind of gelatinous membrane from the depths of hell itself.

"This is Missy! Short for Missile Launcher! Newest member of the Kid Pirates!" (Y/N) announced, her voice swelling with so much pride. I knew what was coming the moment I heard the wheezing start up of a string of curses from Kid's throat.

"A..Absolutely the fuck not! That thing isn't coming anywhere near my ship! I never even said you were officially a part of my crew, anyway!" He barked, losing his cool as he usually did. I had put all of my focus into pulling the squeeze from my heart when her face dropped, her head tilting to the side as she looked up at the red head.

"A..Aren't I part of the crew..?" Nope. My heart couldn't take it. I was strong, but not strong enough to win against those big puppy dog eyes of hers. Sagging my shoulders, I turned to Kid and tapped him on the arm.
"Just let her keep the damn thing. What harm could it do? And it'll keep her happy." I tried my hand at convincing him, but the faint, strangled gurgling sound coming from the creature wasn't exactly helping my case.

Kid looked offended that I would even suggest such a thing, aggressively motioning to the cat-like blob.
"Are you serious?! I've seen organs that look more like a pet than that thing!" He barked, but I just continued to stare at him, whittling him down like I always used to do when we were children. He had nothing to argue against when all he was met with was silence.

Just let her have something she wants without making it a prize for some stupid challenge you set for her...

Kid's veins were sticking out of his neck and forehead as he tried to win against my strong silence, but after a few long moments he just tossed his arms up into the air, groaning his loud roar of defeat.
"Fucking...fine..! Keep the freaky whatever it is! I don't care anymore!" He snapped, stalking off down the laneway.

(Y/N) cuddled the creature she had dubbed Missy, or rather, Missile Launcher, to her chest, letting her chin squish into its flesh, but I could tell something was still bothering her, so I lingered behind.
"Am...I really still not part of the crew..?" She asked, the hint of uncertainty in her voice striking a deep chord inside of me.

Sighing softly, I couldn't refrain from placing a hand on her head, ruffling her (H/C) hair until she scrunched her neck down like a retreating turtle. I'd never get tired of seeing that.
"Ignore him. You're part of the crew, don't worry. He's just being stubborn. You know how he is."

She suited a smile, especially the one that spread across her face, and I had to remind myself that it wasn't purely because it was directed towards me. With a nod of appreciation, (Y/N) dashed off after Kid, and I could only watch.

"I've decided the shiny thing you promised you'd buy me will be a collar for Missy!"

"No fucking way I'm buying anything for that creepy gizzard lookin' fuck!"

"The collar is gonna be black with cool spikes!"

"...I'm listening..."

A small smile crept upon my face as I slowly began following after them, digging my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

Yeah, it's definitely not going to be the case...You need her more than I do, Kid...

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***Filler with Killer.

Also, Missile Launcher looks like this random cat I found on google, but uglier, dirtier, and with no teeth.

Love me some crackhead MC.

Next Time: Stick Around***