Kidd reached his ship after steadily cursing the entire walk back while carrying a passed out Penguin. Ordinarily, Kidd might have been inclined to leave the wounded man where he lie, but after what Law had done...the redhead decided that if he wanted to find out why, he would at the very least have to keep Law's crewmate alive. Kidd let out an aggravated sigh, "Your captain is an irritating son of a bitch."
Naturally Penguin didn't respond.
It pissed Kidd off, even though he knew the other man wasn't awake or in any shape, for that matter, to say anything.
By the time Kidd reached his ship, he was in a highly irate mood, and he wanted nothing more than to lock himself up in his cabin as he sorted out what he was going to do now. Aside from destroying the next thing he happened to set eyes on that looked worthy of taking down.
Even Kidd's crew appeared to realize what state their captain was in, and gave him a wide berth as he passed by them on the way toward the cabins. No one said a word about Kidd returning with what appeared to be a dead body, even if said dead body was breathing if one looked at closely enough. Kidd caught sight of one of his crewmates, and strode purposefully toward them. Without a word, Kidd handed Penguin over to a thoroughly confused Heat, who took the Heart Pirate, even as he spoke.
"Boss?" Heat questioned, as he glanced at the limp man he now held, before he lifted his gaze to watch Kidd's back as he walked by.
Killer reached out and seized Kidd's right arm as he went by him, "What happened, Kidd?" He knew in an instant that something had gone wrong, but with the way Kidd was acting, Killer doubted he would find out any time soon what had happened. But with the lack of Law's presence, Killer presumed it had to do with the Heart Pirate captain. He wasn't going to bother asking until Kidd was not in such an obviously foul mood.
"I'm going to my cabin." Kidd muttered as he shook his arm free. Without another word he continued on his way. The redhead gave no reason as to why he had come back with an injured Penguin instead of Law, whom he had left the ship with. Nor did Kidd give any response as to why he now wanted to be alone.
Killer let his captain keep on walking to his destination. He could tell when the redhead was not in the mood to talk. "Take him to an open cabin." Killer said, indicating Penguin, once Kidd had gone and locked himself in his cabin.
"Right..." Heat said, and even as he walked away to do so, he cast a look the way his captain had gone.
Killer watched them go before he decided that he would have to have the navigator set a steady course. At least until Kidd decided to emerge from his cabin and tell them if they were heading to their rendezvous point with Hawkins and Apoo or not. Killer had the uneasy feeling that Kidd was going to try and do something about Law. As soon as Killer finished his task, he briefly paused on his way past Kidd's cabin door. He heard nothing from within, so the masked man figured that, for the time being, that that was likely a good thing. Other times that Kidd had gone and locked himself in the cabin normally meant that there was going to be future damage or destruction to property. If the redhead was quiet…
Killer shook his head as he continued on his way. If Kidd were being quiet, then that meant that he was probably worn out and had made the decision to take a nap. Killer decided against thinking about what could have caused said weariness, though he was fairly positive that he had a certain smirking pirate responsible for the state Kidd currently was in. At least if his redheaded captain was asleep, there was less of a chance for anything to be destroyed, and that would be good for their money. They had had to dish out a lot of the last time that Kidd had decided to go on a rampage. It had been Law's fault that time, indirectly. It had been when Kidd had first learned of the Heart Pirate's antics in the New World.
Some sleep would probably do Kidd good, Killer figured, as he had been more violence prone lately with the arrival of Trafalgar Law. Killer knew that he was going to eventually hear the whole story from Kidd, but since Law had not come back with the redheaded captain, Killer knew that meant that something happened.
And the passed out Heart Pirate in another cabin of the ship might have the answer as well, once he woke up.
-x
Kidd kicked his door moodily after he had made sure that it was locked, before he prowled over to his bed. The redhead shed his coat off of his shoulders and draped it sloppily over the back of a nearby chair. With a grumble of irritation with what had happened in the past few hours, Kidd flopped down onto the bed in the room.
The redhead had not expected Penguin to pass out so suddenly, but he was not the kind of person to kick a man when he was down in an attempt to wake him. At least not anymore. Kidd had already experienced that when he had received the wounds that had left him one arm less and covered with scars. However, it didn't stop Kidd from getting irritated that he had been left with the injured Heart Pirate in the first place while Law had waltzed off who the hell knew where with Doflamingo.
Doflamingo…
Kidd growled something unintelligible as he kicked his boots of his feet. That pink wearing asshole. He was the reason that Law had been acting so weirdly, especially right before the dark haired man had slipped him some kind of sleeping pill. Kidd grinned at that thought. He was so going to get Law for that, when he came across him again. And the redhead planned on their next meeting being sooner rather than later. Kidd frowned as he settled onto his side, his right hand reaching up to his lips reflectively. The way that Law had kissed him after he had slipped him the drug…and the way that he had pleaded with him…
Kidd let out a long sigh. He needed to figure out what the hell Law had been thinking when he had kissed him like that. Kidd moved his hand so that he could rest his forearm over his eyes, desperately trying to fall asleep. The redheaded captain found that difficult to accomplish, and even though he needed the rest, the redhead found that his thoughts continued to drift back to Law...
'Eustass-ya! Put me down!' Law snarled from where he was still thrown over one of Kidd's shoulders.
Kidd dumped Law onto the ground none too gently on his back, and was quick to move in to press down so that he and the Heart Pirate were chest to chest. Kidd grinned down at Law when the other man gave him a ferocious glare in response to his actions. Kidd had just the thing to say until he was sidetracked by something that he hadn't taken much notice of before. The way Law gasped for breath as sweat trickled down the side of his face and down the side of his neck. Their earlier scuffle had obviously worn him out.
Kidd blinked as he allowed his eyes to rove over the other man's body. What he could see of it, for now, anyway. After a moment of looking Law over, Kidd decided that he liked the dark haired pirate's sweaty, ruffled appearance. There was something satisfying about seeing the normally calm and coolly smiling Heart Pirate worn out like this. Kidd felt a hand up against his chest, and grinned again at Law. And leaned down to sneak in a kiss, which was obviously not what Law had been expecting, because he made a sound of indignation at the action, even though he didn't make any attempt to break the kiss.
Kidd drew back after a moment and licked his lips. The glare from the other captain grew more intense, but it wasn't a fight Law was looking for when he reached up and yanked the redhead's goggles off. Kidd damn neared moaned as Law raked his hands through his hair, before they drew back and left Kid with mussed up hair and confusion.
What the hell?
It was then that Kidd noticed the gleam that Law had in his eyes, coupled with that tiny, barely there smirk as the dark haired man's hands dipped down along his back, and then lower…
Kidd shook himself out of his thoughts to realize that just the memory of what had happened less than four hours ago had made him feel decidedly uncomfortable in his own pants. Kidd glanced down and noted the bulge in his pants with trepidation.
Shit.
Kidd couldn't remember the last time just thinking about something had gotten him so damn aroused. And he hadn't even been thinking about the part where they had had sex. Kidd glowered at the ceiling of his cabin. And that skinny son of a bitch wasn't around to do anything about the uncomfortable hard on he now had.
"Shit." Kidd muttered to himself. He hadn't had to jack off since he'd bumped into Law. Not that he usually had time to think about pleasuring himself with or without a partner, since he and his crew were constantly on the lookout for marines and other assholes that always seemed to be looking for a way to ruin their day. Kidd shifted again before he stilled, the movement rubbing the fabric against his hardened member and making things worse than he already believed they were. Kidd let out a frustrated sigh and gave the door to his cabin a wary look. It really was a shame that the Heart Pirate captain wasn't with him, as by now he would have been teasing the redhead mercilessly. Kidd felt a friendly twitch that reminded him of his aroused state.
Crap.
He head to think about something, anything else other than the hardened dick he now sported from just thinking about that sly son of a bitch. It was incredibly fucked up that he was in this state to begin with, and Kidd didn't want to think at all what that could mean. Especially when he felt so strongly from just a mere memory that it had made his body react so much already. Kidd grit his teeth as he squirmed a little on his bed. Nope. He couldn't ignore it after all. With another furtive glance at the door, as if he thought one of his crew would barge in, Kidd sunk off of his bed and onto the ground. There was no way in hell he was jacking off in his own bed. He had no desire to clean anything, especially not his sheets. He also didn't want any good natured poking from his crew about his decision to do certain…activities.
Kidd huffed inwardly at that as he closed his eyes and unbelted his pants. His body responded to that with another twitch, and Kidd damn near snarled something as he slipped a hand down his boxers. It wasn't that he was opposed to doing this. It was the fact that that fucking bastard Law was responsible for getting him hot and bothered like this in the first place. And then not even having the decency to be around to do anything about it for him. Kidd moved his hand along firmly, thoughts drifting again as he wondered just why Law had such an effect on him.
'What are you doing?' Law asked mildly as Kidd started to remove his pants. He obviously knew, because he was wearing the faintest hint of a smile.
'What the fuck do you think I'm doing?' Kidd grumbled. He knew Law was just messing around with him, and was pointedly making it difficult to remove the pants. Kidd glared at Law as he gripped one of the dark haired man's legs and tugged the pants down slowly, "Quit that."
'Quit what?" Law asked, as he moved his leg that was within Kidd's grasp as he leaned backward and rested his back on the ground of the cavern. Law was quiet as Kidd finished removing his pants before he spoke again, 'And you picked a terrible place for this. My back is going to get rubbed raw.'
'I can think of another place I'm gonna make raw.' Kidd grinned, pleased when he noticed that the other man hadn't bothered with boxers. The redhead settled over Law and started to nip the side of his neck. 'And why the hell are you complaining?' Kidd reached down with his left hand and slid it along the dark haired man's half hardened arousal, 'Cause this sure as hell tells me otherwise.'
'Of course my body is going to react to someone's touch.' Law asked darkly, even as he wrapped his arms around the back of Kidd's neck and ran his hands through the redhead's damp, sweaty hair, 'And you do realize that you are delaying me in getting to my crewmate.'
'Because someone isn't thinking clearly. Thought you needed to do something about that.' Kidd muttered against Law's throat, even as his eyes slipped close to enjoy the sensation of the surgeon's hands caressing through his hair and against his scalp.
Law's hands stilled in the redhead's hair, "And you think that fucking in the wilderness is going to accomplish giving me a clear mind?' Law let out a soft moan at something Kidd did, before he added, 'You are delusional.'
'You never know. It might work.' Kidd murmured against the other man's tanned skin, before he moved his head to kiss Law as his right hand reached up to dig similarly through the dark haired doctor's hair.
Kidd ran his hand along absently, annoyed that his body responded immediately. Kidd bit his lip to keep himself as silent as he could.
Shit.
He was fucking aroused as hell and he had barely even started to touch himself. Kidd's mind strayed to the end of his and Law's previous encounter, and held back a small groan of annoyance as he remembered how good Law looked when he fucked him. Not that he would have ever admitted that out loud. Mainly because Law was likely to kill him for it if he ever uttered such a thing.
Law swatted Kidd's shoulder as the redhead leaned in to kiss him again.
Kidd narrowed his eyes but wore a grin as he thrust again, and made the other captain squirm and cling to him, 'Problem?' Kidd asked as he leaned in close again and shifted his hips as he thrust again. He grinned further as he managed to sneak in a kiss, just because he knew it would piss the dark haired surgeon off.
Law broke the brief kiss with a hiss of irritation even as his arms wrapped around Kidd's back even more tightly, nails digging in slightly as he felt Kidd rest his head against his neck. 'You fuck too slow.' Law angled his hips slightly for emphasis, though he was obviously frustrated when there was little movement.
Kidd snorted, 'You were the one who told me to slow down.' And the redhead had, as he thought that the other man was uncomfortable. He didn't want that, since he wanted to get another chance to fuck Law later.
Another thrust.
Law drew in a sharp breath before he bit the side of Kidd's shoulder that was within reach harshly, 'I wasn't ready before, you fool.'
Kidd's breath hitched as a hand swatted his ass. Then he smiled again as he felt Law's hands cup his cheeks and angled his head for a rather heated kiss. Kidd's eyes had closed of their own accord as he allowed Law to lead the kiss, before he joined in, moaning something into the other man's mouth as the two fought for dominance. As soon as Kidd was freed from the kiss, he was disoriented. As soon as Kidd's mind came back online, the redhead realized that Law still held his cheeks between his hands, and was smiling at him faintly.
'…I am ready now, so stop being so damn slow. I want to feel you.'
"Fuck." Kidd groaned in frustration. That sexy, burning stare that had accompanied that statement had made him thrust erratically, as if those words ignited a renewed sense of urgency to do just as Law had told him to. It was no doubt why Law's smirk had become more pronounced, as if he knew just what effect he had had on the redhead.
And right now, all alone in his cabin…
Kidd's eyes squeezed shut, his breath uneven as his hand moved a tad faster. He was close, he could feel it. Another few squeezes of his hand along his member, and Kidd threw his head back and hit the edge of his bed. Breathing heavily, Kidd let out a slow breath and slipped his right hand out of his boxers. He stared at his hand, before he looked away with a faint blush.
Well, shit.
Apparently Law had much more of an effect on him than he had initially believed. And it pissed Kidd off to no end that he wasn't sure what to do about it.
-x
Dreams were supposed to be an escape from reality, but Penguin was not so fortunate to avoid the past that had come back to haunt him while asleep.
Penguin toiled away as he always did, while he ignored those who spoke. They were of no concern to him. They never had been. They were merely there as another reminder of just where he was and how hopeless it was to try and escape. There had been others who had tried, but they had all ended up dead. It was discouraging, but the idea of never being able to leave was demoralizing, and led some of the people around him to suicide.
He lifted his head to peer out from beneath the hat he had acquired a few months ago. It was a ratty little thing, but it hid his hair and shaded his eyes. It had been given to him by another of the 'workers'. Penguin smiled to himself. That was the title those that oppressed them used, but there was no other way around it. They were slaves, and the only way any of them was going to be able to escape was through death. Penguin's gaze lifted as he glanced to the site of the current hubbub around him. The three still figures that lay on the ground. The only people who actually mattered to him were never going to rise again. Not after what they had tried to do. Penguin's eyes closed briefly. They had almost done it. They had almost escaped, and here he was, still working away, instead on lying still on the ground. Because he had almost gone with them on the escape attempt, to escape this death sentence he and the others had been forced in to against their will.
Penguin paused to watch, motionless, as the three still figures were wrapped in tarps and carried away. He didn't move from where he had stopped in his tracks, even as he felt a sharp strike across his back, accompanied by a low growl of an authoritative voice.
'Get back to work, you scum.'
The voice was nothing. The whispers behind Penguin's back as the three dead bodies that had come about through his actions meant nothing. The next lash landed across his back harder, and staggered him. Penguin half turned to transfer his gaze to the one responsible.
The man gave Penguin a superior look, "I said get back to work. Unless you fancy joining them." The man indicated the bodies being removed. 'There are always fools like them. It doesn't matter though. There are always more to replace them.'
Something snapped within Penguin. He couldn't stand people he had cared about being mocked as if they were insignificant. Penguin moved like a blur and within moments he was right in front of the speaker, and he rammed his hand up sharply into the man's throat. A sharp snap rang out and the man was on the ground. "You can join them." Penguin murmured softly, even as the guards nearby converged on him.
Penguin let slip a bitter smile as he turned on the guards. If they killed him, he did not care. He was going to take as many of these inhumane people as he could. People who mocked the dead were the real scum. Penguin wasn't sure how many he had killed or knocked out, because he had exhausted himself to the point that all anyone had to do to stop him was to trip him.
He went down, but Penguin barely felt the beating that followed. The shouts that came from the other slaves, the yelling from the guards. Penguin instead chose to focus on the three who had died. He felt it was his fault, all because of a mistake he had made on his part. Because of that mistake, the only people that Penguin had ever counted as friends in this hellhole of a place were now…
Penguin woke abruptly with a harsh breath of air, his heart racing. It took him only seconds to realize that he was not in the past any longer. The Heart Pirate ran a hand over his face as he let out a low sigh as his mind slowly came back into the present and away from the painful past.
A dream…
A nightmare…
He hated any time that he had to relive those unpleasant memories.
Penguin dropped his hand to the side to take stock of his surroundings. The last thing that he could remember was that he had passed out on the island with Kidd standing nearby. It was blank after that. Penguin cast his gaze to the side. He was not on the island anymore. That much was clear. He was in a small cabin instead. With a stab of dread, Penguin had a moment of wondering if he were back on Doflamingo's ship, when he saw that it was subtly different.
The familiar sensation of the rolling waves rocking beneath him put Penguin at ease, until he remember what had happened. Penguin grit his teeth. Law should not have given in so easily. Penguin knew that Law was strong if he so chose to be, and could use his Devil Fruit effectively. If nothing else, he should have put up a fight, even if it might have led Doflamingo to kill him. Law should have just let Doflamingo do away with him, no matter how much it would have pained the dark haired captain to do so, and kept away. That brought forth more memories. And one that in particular that was connected to the dream Penguin had just had. Of a similar choice Penguin had had to make, painful but necessary, so as to not waste the other person's sacrifice.
Penguin was grateful to hear a door open. The distraction would be welcome. The Heart Pirate propped himself up against the wall the bed was against, and eyed the Kidd Pirates that entered. Killer and Heat. Penguin figured that Kidd might show himself at some point.
"You're awake."
As he made a noncommittal rasp of assent, Penguin made himself more comfortable. And then it hit him that he was not wearing a shirt, and the wounds that Doflamingo had given him had been treated and bandaged, including his throat. Funny. From the scars and general look of the crew, Penguin wouldn't have pegged any of them as having any medical knowledge. It was obvious that someone did, as that person would have had to have been able to keep Kidd from dying from his wounds. Some had looked particularly nasty.
Killer offered a piece of paper and a pen. "Kidd said that you throat was damaged and couldn't speak."
Penguin took the offered materials, though he was careful with his right hand as he settled the paper on his lap. Another reminder of how nasty Doflamingo had been. The older man had nearly broken his wrist.
"Boss said that you saw Law with Doflamingo?" Heat questioned, exchanging glances with Killer.
Or at least, Penguin thought he did. The Heart Pirate didn't even need to write anything. He just nodded glumly. So much for distractions.
"Did your captain say anything to you?" Killer asked as he crossed his arms.
Penguin scribbled his response, so Killer came forward to read it. 'Only that it seemed like he was sure that Kidd would find my crewmates and leave me with them.'
Killer shook his head, "Confident about that, was he?"
'The captain does that sometimes. Makes assumptions that people will do things.' Penguin's expression was exasperated, as if he found his captain trying.
Heat made a sound that was a smothered laugh, "Boss does that too."
"What do I do?" Kidd questioned as he entered the cabin. He stopped next to Heat and threw him a curious look.
"That you are impulsive." Killer supplied, unperturbed by the scowl aimed his way by his captain.
Kidd turned to Penguin, "Oy, you, how do we contact your crew? I got emperors to find and take down. I ain't gonna have you around to get killed." Kidd rolled his eyes at the obvious surprise from the men around him, "Fuck off, all of you. I just don't want Trafalgar to fucking ride my ass over getting one of his crew killed."
Killer coughed, obviously trying to not follow that particular train of thought, "I'm sure he would if you did." Killer said gravely.
Heat failed to hold back a short laugh, but shut up quickly in case Kidd decided to take issue.
Kidd didn't, however, as he nearly groaned instead as he immediately realized how his words must have sounded, "Dammit, Killer. Don't."
Penguin ignored them. He didn't want to think about Law and Kidd having sex. It wasn't his business anyway, even if he didn't approve. What his captain did was his own decision. For the most part. Except when it came to things like going to Doflamingo for selfish reasons. Penguin offered the piece of paper with a contact for a transponder snail, along with a quick worded scrawl. 'This is one of the snails with my crew. They should still be in the area.'
Kidd was about to take it when Killer plucked it away from his grasp, "Hey!"
"You are not good with diplomacy, Kidd." At the shrug and grunt of agreement, Killer turned and left the cabin. Not ten minutes later, the blond returned and spoke without being prompted to do so, "They answered. They'll meet us in two hours from our current position. They'll take Penguin off the coast of Split Leaf Island."
"Weren't we going to pass that?" Heat asked.
"We are." Killer turned to Kidd, "Is that all right with you?"
Kidd nodded, before he stretched and headed for the door, "I'm gonna go fix something."
Penguin watched Heat follow after Kidd, before he and Killer met eyes. Or rather, Penguin looked at Killer's mask. He nodded. He couldn't write anything, as the paper was gone. But the message should be clear. He was grateful for the help.
Killer nodded silently in return, obviously understanding, before he, too, left the cabin.
-x
"Penguin. Don't move around so much. I don't know if that will reopen your wounds or not."
Shachi…
Penguin's brow furrowed before he opened his eyes. He was silent for a moment before he gave Shachi and some other members of his crew a perplexed look. Wait. Hadn't he been on Kidd's ship moments ago?
Shachi quickly caught on to Penguin's confusion, "You were asleep when we brought you on board. Here." Shachi offered a mug, "It's some medicine from the cabinet. I remember the captain saying it was for throat injuries."
Penguin took the mug and took a sip, before making a face. Not the best tasting medicine. Penguin sipped some more. Then again, no medicine ever was. As he drank, Penguin held still for the most part to allow a few of the crew to check his bandages and his wounds.
Shachi was silent as he waited for them to finish. Once the other crewmembers left, Shachi approached the bed and spoke quietly, "Is it true? Did Law really go to Doflamingo to get you back?" Shachi saw Penguin nod, and his shoulders slumped.
Penguin figured that Shachi must have spoken to Kidd and his crew while he was out. He must have been tired enough if he had slept through being carried between two ships.
"Penguin?"
The Heart Pirate lifted his head to look at Shachi. He saw the interested look of his crewmate, and realized that he didn't have his hat on. Doflamingo must have knocked it off while capturing him. Penguin settled his gaze on his crewmate's shaded glasses, and waited patiently.
Shachi seemed to realize that he was staring, and looked away from Penguin's steady gaze, "…The captain was going to go to Doflamingo to protect us? When he had told us not to bother you, and that we should set sail from Cliff Rock?"
Penguin nodded again.
Shachi looked back at Penguin, "And that was when you left to go after the captain?" Seeing another nod, Shachi added hesitantly, "And that was when Doflamingo…captured you when you were protecting the captain?" At the nod, Shachi appeared to be at a loss. Which was how the man across from him must have felt as well.
Penguin was utterly taken aback when Shachi rose to his feet, his voice raised in anger, "What the hell were you thinking?! If you knew that the captain was in danger, why did you go by yourself? Why didn't you tell the rest of us? Why did you just let us leave?"
Penguin had no paper to write a response. He did try, however, to speak, and after a few garbled nonsense sounds, he managed to form a faint, chopped word, "Pro…tect…"
Shachi shook his head. He was surprised that Penguin could even speak. His throat had looked badly damaged. "That doesn't mean that you should have gone alone. What if Doflamingo hadn't captured you? What if he had killed you instead? He wouldn't have killed Law. That's obvious now. We could have followed after them and tried to help our captain as a crew. Not just one individual. What were you thinking?"
Penguin looked away. He had acted purely on instinct, and what had happened to him in the past. He had wanted to protect Law. A person that he called friend. And because Penguin had not told anyone just how much Doflamingo had wanted Law back in his crew, Penguin had gone off on his own to keep the rest of the crew out of danger.
"You can't act like our captain and keep things to yourself. We're all in this together. We need to help each other. We're friends, aren't we?" Shachi's anger died away as he sunk onto the chair next to the bed Penguin was resting on, "Did the captain…say anything to you?" Starting, Shachi leaned over and handed over some paper and a pen.
Penguin took the offering and sat up slightly to write a response. 'He told me that Kidd would get me back to the rest of our crew. That I should take the medicine for my throat.' Penguin hesitated, before adding. 'He also said that he was sorry.'
Shachi closed his eyes briefly, "Captain does care…he just doesn't think things through like he believes he does. He doesn't expect us to stay away, does he?" Shachi opened his eyes to watch Penguin write.
'I think that he does, even though he should know better. He probably thinks to keep us safe, and out of Doflamingo's reach.'
"He does try to protect us more than he thinks." Shachi commented, obviously reflecting about how Law had left them behind to go to Punk Hazard, and then to Dressrosa. Shachi looked at Penguin from above his shades, "I guess you're going to be foolhardy and suggest that we go after the captain?"
Penguin stared at Shachi blankly as he wrote his query. 'What do you mean?'
"Law didn't tell you?" Shachi sighed, "I guess he didn't outright say it before." Since Penguin still appeared to be in the dark, Shachi elaborated, "You do realize that the captain telling you to take care of the crew if something happened to him was basically him naming you captain, if for whatever reason he didn't or couldn't return to us?"
Penguin's eyes widened a fraction, before his expression settled into one of displeasure, his writing more jagged as he all but dug the pen into the paper as he wrote. 'If he had said that, I would not have let him get off of the ship in the first place.'
"I know. None of us would have wanted him to go. But all the same, the rest of the crew will expect you to take command for the time being, now that the captain isn't around." Shachi watched Penguin closely, "So, what do you want to do?" Shachi watched Penguin write, and the redheaded crewmate smiled at what was written.
'We go get our captain back, no matter what.'
"I'll tell the others." Shachi said as he got up.
They wouldn't leave their captain where he was. Not with Doflamingo. As Penguin had written, no matter what happened, they would go after their captain.
-x
Law was honesty surprised that Doflamingo had allowed him free reign on the ship. The dark haired man smiled bitterly as he leaned up against the railing of the deck and stared out to sea. Not that there was anywhere for him to go, and even if Law tried to run, his crew would be in danger again. Law closed his eyes. He still couldn't shake the feeling of guilt at the memory of leaving Penguin behind, and hoped that Kidd would have at least taken his injured crewmate off the island. Law opened his eyes and stared at the waves silently. And that was when something caught his eye. Another ship. At first, Law thought that it might be another of Doflamingo's, but the closer it sailed, dread soon began to set in. The ship looked a lot like…
"Doffy! It's Straw Hat Luffy's ship!"
Law dimly registered the voice as Trebol's, but his attention was solely on the Thousand Sunny as it got closer and closer. Law ground his teeth, irritation with the other captain apparent on his face. What the hell did Straw Hat think he was doing?
"Interesting."
Law held perfectly still as a shadow fell over him as Doflamingo came to stand next to him to take a good look at the ship. Law's skin crawled as the older man chuckled again.
"Fufufufu. Well, isn't this interesting. We never did finish out last meeting."
Law felt that that sounded ominous, and knew that there was no way in hell everyone had had nearly enough time to recover from their wounds. Thinking fast, the Heart Pirate spoke disinterestedly, "Don't you have better things to do? I thought you said that Straw Hat-ya wasn't worth your time." Law winced as an invisible string clipped his upper left arm. Law bit his lip at the sting that had opened up a small wound, but otherwise did not move from where he stood.
"Send out a few rounds." Doflamingo called out to some people that Law couldn't see.
Law remained still as Doflamingo hunched over to hiss at him in a dangerously low voice, "Do not test me, Law. Save your defiance for another day. I am not in the mood to deal with it right now."
Law bit back a retort, as he knew he shouldn't rise to the bait. Doflamingo was likely hoping for an excuse to incapacitate him while he dealt with Straw Hat and his crew. Instead of giving the older man what he expected, Law continued to watch the Thousand Sunny sail to within a ship length of Doflamingo's ship. Law didn't dare try to raise his room with Doflamingo standing so close to him, so the dark haired surgeon watched with a smirk of satisfaction as a bandaged Luffy and Sanji deflected the oncoming canon fire. Law wrapped his hand tightly around the katana's hilt that he had been leant by Diamante. Law almost was startled into laughter at the absurdity of it all when Luffy spotted him from the deck of the other ship.
"Hey! Tra-guy! Why are you with Mingo?" Luffy yelled, waving his bandaged arms nonetheless at Law in greeting.
Law would have loved to see Doflamingo's expression at that, but all he heard a low growl and grinding of teeth, and knew he shouldn't press his luck. Doflmingo's temper obviously hadn't improved, and Law knew that it was due to ten years of work being pulled out from beneath him. Instead of looking at the obviously angry Doflamingo, Law checked to see who else was on the deck of the other ship. With a quick once over, Law spotted Nami, Robin and Brook. If there were others, the dark haired surgeon couldn't tell from where he stood. Law tensed up as Doflamingo stooped lower and threw an arm around his shoulder, in a friendly way. But Law felt the tension in the other man, and heard the slyness in Doflamingo's voice as he no doubt grinned widely at Straw Hat as he spoke, anger hidden instantly as he tired to goad the other captain.
"Why, you ask? Fufufu." Doflamingo rested his arm heavily on Law's shoulders, nearly making the other man stagger under the weight, "Why, it's because he is rejoining my crew."
"It doesn't look like he wants to be there." Nami commented in response.
Law turned a helpless laugh into a cough as Luffy added his two cents.
"No he isn't! He was going to join mine! He's my friend!"
Law bit back another laugh, but was unable to prevent a small sound from escaping as his shoulders shook in silent amusement. Ordinarily Luffy's words would have annoyed him, but as he knew it would bother the older man next to him, he let it slide this time. Luffy certainly was optimistic despite being injured. Law winced as Doflamingo's hand gripped his shoulder. "Is something wrong, Joker-ya?" The dark haired Heart Pirate asked lightly as he finally glanced out of the corner of his eye up at the taller man, a faint smirk across his features, "Or were you going to continue to attack them?"
Doflamingo briefly flashed bared teeth in a terrible grin at Law, before he waved his free hand to attack again. Over the canon fire, Doflamingo spoke as he looked down at Law, not bothering to see if the canon fire connected or not, "I am, if you haven't noticed, and I hope you know that I will not let you continue to cheek me after this is over with."
That was fine with Law. He assumed as much. He hoped to goad Doflamingo into doing something stupid in the meantime, so that he could take advantage of the fact that Straw Hat had shown up so unexpectedly. "You're welcome to try and stop me." Law almost expected Doflamingo to hit him again with his string, but instead was sent sprawling onto the deck with a hefty slap on the back from Doflamingo as the older man cracked up.
"Oh Law, I suppose I will have to remind you of some things that you have obviously forgotten since we last met." Doflamingo raised a hand as he flexed his fingers contemplatively, "I do recall telling you that I hate it when people look down on me."
Law was prepared for the attack to fall, and expected the painful sensation of the string cutting into his flesh. Had anticipated it. Law was understandably surprised when he didn't feel any pain, until he saw why. With a smirk, Law dropped to the ground and grappled Doflamingo's legs, much to the older man's displeasure.
"What is that supposed to do?" Doflamingo asked, wondering what the hell Law thought he was doing. But he saw the smug look on Law's face, and sharply looked up at a commotion that had broken out on the Thousand Sunny. And registered that Luffy was now hurtling through the air toward him. Law's actions were clear in that instant and Doflamingo tried to shake him off as Luffy got closer.
Law hung on grimly, even as he felt Doflamingo begin to land harsh strikes to his arms to get him to let go. And then Law heard the satisfying sound of a fist striking flesh as Luffy's punch landed as solidly as it had back in Dressrosa.
"Red Hawk!"
-x
A/N: I guess I'm kind of wondering if people would prefer longer chapters with less frequent updates (5,000-10,000 words) or shorter chapters with more frequent updates (1,500-4,000). I've been trying to decide which to do, but I guess I could just wing it whenever I feel up for typing a chapter up (I tend to overthink things too much sometimes). Thank you for the reviews, favs, and follows. I'm glad people appear to like this so far (as I hadn't been 100% sure that this would actually turn into a chaptered fic).
And because I felt the need to respond this time around:
Ace's Shadow Girl: Does this count as a Kidd x Law chapter? (I do plan on going to go back to add one or two in when I feel like I can write a lemon without making it terrible).
nekophy: There is more angst to come. I love writing it for some sick, twisted reason or another. And the rescue isn't going to go so well at first.
yaoifan49: I'm going to be even more terrible to Penguin than I already was (since Doflamingo has reason to be more frustrated/angry with him) and the crew in the next few chapters.
