Kyo's large brown eyes observe as Thatch canon balls into the deep end, the girl sat on the edge of the pool with only her feet dipped into the water, still fully-clothed with her leggings hitched up to her knees.

It would just be her luck that Ace already made plans today but instead of simply telling her that he can't hang out, he instead insisted she joins in, stating that they're having a small farewell party for Marco - the blonde's flight for Japan leaves tomorrow morning so for today, he would like a pool party.

Of course, he wanted to keep it low-key, something Ace had neglected to mention. 

So here she is; sat at a pool party in Newgate's backyard, surrounded by Marco's friends, most of whom she doesn't even know, mainly just following Ace and Sabo around as much as possible since they're the only people she feels remotely comfortable with.

It is a pretty theme they have going on though, she can't deny that; there's fairy lights hanging on every tree, bush and archway. Good background music, it's not too loud but not too quiet either, accompanied by the sounds of guests conversing and giggling with each other. 

Apart of her wishes she bought her camera, swimming may not be her thing but it is a beautiful atmosphere, it would have been perfect if captured and added to her wall. 

Sabo was at least kind enough to sit at poolside with her, the blonde eating a yogurt whilst playfully splashing his feet in the water, a polite smile decorating his face. 

Meanwhile Ace seems more interested in karaoke, the two only half-listening to him sing in the distance.

"Run, baby, run. Don't ever look back~! They'll tear us apart, if you give them the chance~!" 

What a fitting song the raven has chosen. 

"You don't wanna go for a swim?" The blonde finally questions from beside her, setting his spoon and the empty yogurt pot aside before dropping himself into the liquid, splashing a little at her in the process and earning himself a semi-serious glare in return. 

"Absolutely not." He's fully aware that she can't swim but neither can he or most of his brothers, this doesn't tarnish their love for water at all though. Marco has already been fished out of the deep end by Thatch and Izo at least three times now but that doesn't stop him from going back and playing in it, the male in question currently sat inside an inflatable rubber ring designed to look like a flamingo, sunglasses on his face and a cocktail in his hand. 

Admittedly, he does look like he's having a blast. 

Is he drinking a Pina colada?

Of course even if Kyo could swim, she still wouldn't do so tonight, if her mangled back wasn't enough to dissuade her then her period certainly would be. She's paranoid that if she went in for even a moment, the pool would end up looking like a scene from Jaws and that thought alone is humiliating enough, there's no way she'd do it to herself. 

The girl instead deciding to simply watch as her friend lifts himself onto an empty pool lounger, relaxing back into the plastic as he wades himself over to the side of the pool, holding onto the edge to ensure he doesn't float away from the redhead. 

"So a pool party would be out of the question for next month then?" His sudden comment drawing a small frown to her face as confusion hits, simply just staring at him inquisitively and silently urging him to elaborate. "For your birthday, we gotta do something for ya~!"

Damn. She had managed to wiggle out of the parties a few times before by using her studies as an excuse not to attend and obviously, they can't have a birthday party without the birthday girl so she successfully spoiled their plans but it would seem she won't have that luxury anymore.

At least this way I'll still get some nice photos, if nothing else.

"I don't dislike pool parties, I'm just on the wrong time of the month for it." 

"O-Okay! That was too blunt!" 

The thought of such a party actually sounds good when she considers Law being present however, she would like to see more of his tattoos and that would be a good opportunity for it. 

Although she can't quite help feeling somewhat creepy, inviting somebody to a party like this for the sole purpose of seeing more of their skin seems rather perverted, in fact she wouldn't be above punching somebody for doing it to her. 

Though, she wouldn't be doing it to be perverted, she just wants to see his tattoos.

At least, that's all she thinks she wants to see, anyway.

"How are you and Trafalgar doing~?" Sabo suddenly asks, snapping her out of her thoughts instantly and drawing a small hum from her throat as her orbs fixate on his own. "Heh, I could tell you were thinking about him, you had that little look in your eye~!"

"What look?" She had told him and Ace earlier about her relationship and while Ace was a little annoyed that she waited so long to inform them, he was ultimately happy for her - Sabo however didn't really say much of anything about it until this moment. 

"That dreamy-eyed look." He bluntly answers, his smile never wavering as he stares down at the water, seemingly trying to avoid her stare like many others do. "You must really like him, huh~?"

Her face immediately beginning to heat up at those words, her jaw falling softly ajar but words fail to leave her lips, she has no idea what the hell her face does when she thinks about the doctor, she had never given it a single thought. Her expression seemingly amusing Sabo at least as the blonde glances back in her direction, a discreet giggle escaping the boy's lips. 

"It's not a bad thing, relax." He softly coos while reaching over and patting her knee lightly in an attempt to reassure her before continuing. "You look a lot healthier now too so I might even argue it's a good thing." 

"Healthy? I feel a hundred years old." 

"Really? Wow, I guess Hawk-eyes doesn't make it easy, huh?" The blonde only earning a small huff in return, the girl won't openly bitch about her father unless it's in the heat of the moment but now that she has had a bit of time to calm down, she simply chooses to say nothing, her fingers reaching into the pool and lightly toying with the water as she answers.

"No, he most certainly does not." Her orbs solely focused on how her red nails shine in the pool's lighting, that would've also made quite a pretty photo if she had her camera with her tonight, a deflated sigh drifting from her lips. "Would Mr. Newgate behave this way if you or Ace got a girlfriend?"

"Hah, no way! But we're not his daughters so, it's a little different."

"What do you mean? Why should I be treated any differently?"

"Well...to put it bluntly; you're small, you were abused and you're a virgin." Judging by how the blonde releases the edge of the pool and allows the water to carry him a small distance away from the redhead, one might assume he noticed her glare intensify, the boy still continuing despite this though. "Plus, Trafalgar has connections with Doflamingo who's a little shady toward women, I'd be pretty protective too."

"I'm not afraid of Doflamingo, nor am I that abused child anymore. I can take care of myself."

"That may be so, but you can't blame the man who raised you for being protective."

"Hmph."

I suppose he has a point there...