Chapter 10, Fly me to the Moon

Notes: Hey! You probably think I had let you down but never my dearest readers! I didn't abandonned you or this story, I promised it to you and I'm going to keep writing First Mates for the love of Kilguin ^^
Although the next updates are going to take time I'm still here writing in the shadows like a real ninja ^^

Armed with a stained rag, Killer was trying to properly clean his right armband, enjoying with a strange impression using his freshly healed arm. It had been a little odd for his body all working to deal with his injury to suddenly have nothing to take care of. But thanks to the treatment he had came back to his ship as if nothing had happened… more or less.

Now he was in debt with Trafalgar Law, a rival captain of the Worst Generation. These guys were all insane and Killer knew what he was talking about! The Heart's Captain could come up with something very twisted as a payment for his treatment and the masked man wasn't going to gently wait for it. That's why the sooner he'd get rid of it the better. It would also prevent him to have a very… unpleasant conversation with Kid on the matter. He would be good to nothing for his captain with a debt and this was intolerable! Kid was counting on him.

.

All that made Killer wondering about when the events took such a wrong turn? In fact he'd been careful from the beginning. He did pick up the Heart's pirates for that reason. Among all the pirates the Kid's crew had met, they were the most clever and easy to approach. And their substantial advantage was they knew how to sail underwater, what the Kid's pirates desperately needed at the moment. It was the most logical choice then. And their cooperation turned out being better than Killer first expected.

Penguin was full of resources. Through him the masked man had gained a lot of useful information, as well as a better understanding of their situation on the Grand Line. However, now he had hindsight Killer realized how fast their conversations had become casual. He let the film playing in his head while switching to his left armband. That's when it all went wrong, when this flightless bird seemed to have found soft spots Killer himself didn't know he had. Otherwise how could he explain the way the Heart's pirate got him so emotional? Dared he say… flirty? No! He couldn't have been that stupid! But his memories confirmed that yes he had been.

Killer forced himself to stay focused, insisting on the grooves of his armband. He couldn't allow himself to dig that matter any further. He was here for one practical reason and he refused to be distracted by the whys and ifs this whole situation was bringing up. The masked man had no need making assumptions, for now only the result mattered to him.

Metal and mechanism. Those were the simpler things he should set his mind on instead. His scythes were the most precious things he owned. He had them made at the beginning of their journey on the Grand Line. Killer was taking pride of these original weapons in line with his unique fighting style. Acquiring his scythes had been symbolic. It had meant he was ready to enter the game. They were companions that had never let him down in battle, both literal and emotional extensions of himself.

Usually he always found some peace in taking care of his weapons. Except tonight, he contradicted himself, while pulling his right sleeve a bit higher to not stain the long sleeved t-shirt he was wearing. Killer attempted focusing on his task to set the recent events in order and to prevent his mind wandering about why Penguin was late.

.

It'd been two hours now that Killer was sitting on one of the heavy roots at the base of the tree number 5. Surrounded by the soap bubbles lazily blown out of the grass. The last time he had saw the Heart's pirate the latter had arranged a meeting at this point and promised he would explain the details of his plan. It was supposed to help him pay his debt. And if there was one person who could help Killer not to carry this sword of Damocles for too long above his head, it was Penguin.

If he decided to finally show up.

Under the dark sky Killer had plenty of time to imagine several reasons why the hatted man hadn't arrived yet. The first and the most persistent in the blonde's mind was that Penguin had reconsidered his offer. Maybe he had refused to risk his captain's anger by helping the masked man. It could be very underhand for Penguin to interfere with Killer's debt. Maybe he had finally come up with the fact that Killer wasn't worth it.

But the Heart's pirate had seemed so eaten up by his guilt. He would probably do anything to get rid of it… So why wasn't he there?! The Kid's pirate could felt his impatience growing with the nervous shaking of his leg, and the tension in his hands as he was trying not to be rude on the mechanism of his blades. The Heart's pirate could be simply playing with him, laughing at his credulity!

.

A dark silhouette dashed across Killer's field of vision and stopped his race by sliding on the slippery grass with more grace than the average. The masked man's leg suddenly stopped shaking. Out of breath, Penguin bent to rest his hands on his folded knees, trying to say something without managing to catch his breath.

"I… so…rry… I…portant… you... ah!"

The hatted man stood up, holding his ribs as if he had run so fast his body hadn't appreciated it. He was wearing the same overall as usual except this one was entirely black. Apart from the yellow Heart's pirates' symbols and his light colored peak, Penguin was a dark slim form against the lights of the grove behind him. Clad in black he looked like a ninja, what was… very cool actually. Then he got closer and Killer was able to see his blushing face, on which his barely colored lips were trying to let more air inside of him.

"I'm… so late… know…," Penguin breathed out a bit better than before.

The Heart's pirate took a better look on the light blue clothing with the two blades crossing on Killer's chest. He wondered if the Kid's pirate had clothes purposefully matching with his helmet's color or if he picked it up unconsciously. The masked man's long sleeved t-shirt was shorter than his polka-dotted shirt, exposing more of the red strip tied around his hips. Truly his usual shirt wasn't doing justice to the defined muscles of his chest and the thickness of his biceps… and Penguin was staring too much!

While he was waiting for Killer to say something he realized the masked man was doing the same and Penguin searched for anything suitable. However the only things that came to his mind were the memories of their last encounter. How opposed and furious they were… the tension seemed to have never left them. They could felt it creeping all around them while they were standing at a good distance from each other. The first mates stood awkwardly not knowing how to begin. This time there were no drinks or scars to help them break the ice, and it started getting really cold.

"You took your time," Killer started bluntly.

"Did you have an appointment or something?" Penguin retorted immediately harsher than he planned to.

"Is that your way of telling me I got nothing better to do than waiting for you to show?"

"I didn't mean…"

"Really, what did you mean?"

"That I had good reasons to be late–"

"Please, enlighten me. Was your usual nurse's uniform not dry?"

Penguin should have made a very offended face because Killer crossed his arms like he made a point.

"A… at least I'm not exposing myself," the hatted man pouted, retorting the first thing that came through his head.

"Excuse me?" Killer responded, offended at his turn.

Then Penguin actually grasped what he had said and tried his best not to stammer, "You're always wearing your shirt half open and… that t-shirt is so tight fitting I can see through it!"

"At least it doesn't get me two hours to put new clothes on!" Killer barked not seeing where the problem was with his clothes.

"I was working to help you," the hatted man replied harshly as he crossed his arms at his turn. "Why did you come if you didn't need my help?"

The masked man unfolded his arms annoyed by his own behavior. He got carried away while he swore earlier to keep his composure and focus on the only purpose of their meeting. He had the impression of being Kid bickering like a child with the Heart's pirate.

"I'm sorry," Killer sighed choosing to act like a grown-up man, "Shall we get directly to the point?"

Penguin didn't expect real apologies from the proud Kid's pirate, but he kept his astonishment for himself. He had a thousand snarky comebacks to throw at the masked man's face but he knew better than that. Killer was here for business. It was what Penguin had promised after all and they'd better get directly to work.

The hatted man had had two days to find a way to help Killer repaying his debt. And that hadn't been too much, because at the moment he had made his promise Penguin had absolutely no idea of what he could offer. Especially since he would never go against his captain or put his crew in danger, while also taking in count he shouldn't stain Killer's pride in the process.

"Here's what I offer… well I'm not hundred percent sure it'll work–"

"What?"

"You really think it'd have been easy?"

Without something witty to retort the masked man stuck his hands into his pockets and leaned against the stripped roots behind him.

"If it works, we'll both take advantage from it."

"Why don't you start with explaining me what you plan instead?"

"I'm coming to it! Some time ago," and Penguin didn't mentioned it was yesterday, "we've located Navy ships that docked at Sabaody–"

"And how that's gonna help me?"

"Let me finish!" The Heart's pirate exclaimed and he fumbled for the moment he had been interrupted. "Those ships came back from the New World and we studied them from afar. My captain is certain they possess the New World log poses you told me about."

The Kid's pirate recalled that first meeting when they had connected so quickly. It'd been so simple back then. He had played his best card with the log pose in order to have Penguin's trust, leaving him with nothing to get it back now. Since, it was far much easier to work with someone who wasn't expecting getting stabbed in the back, he needed his trust.

"You think if I steal a log pose for your captain he'll wipe off my debt?" Killer guessed.

"No, it won't be enough. But if you manage to lay your hand on navigation charts or better a log book in addition to that, it'd be sufficient to have his attention."

It was by far the best plan Penguin had come up with. It would serve both Killer and the Heart's crew. He doubted he could intervene in Killer's favor though, even as a first mate. However his captain wouldn't refuse such gifts straight away.

"He's a difficult man… no! I'm not insulting him."

"I wasn't going to hit you… again," Penguin's voice went down to a whisper on the last word. He hated the impression that they were walking on eggshells.

"So. What do the ships look like?" The blonde attempted with a businesslike voice.

"Big battleships, I barely saw them actually. I spent more time studying the interior's blueprints."

At that the Kid's pirate straightened his back, "You have the plans of these ships?"

"Not exactly. That's one of the many risky parts, we have battleships' blueprints in our possession and–"

"Navy ships are all based on the same structure," Killer completed softly getting deep in thought as if he was just realizing something.

It was truly easing the work of every pirate that the entire Navy fleet was built the exact same way. The most threatening in fact were the marines themselves. They were vigilant and coordinated, what the pirates often weren't.

"We spent hours tonight studying the plans," Penguin continued, "but since the ships are coming from the New World they're heavily guarded and you'll have to infiltrate the Navy Headquarters if–"

The Heart's pirate slowly realized he was talking to himself. Killer seemed completely disconnected. Penguin was sure he wouldn't even notice he had gone away. Ugh! If he had decided not listening to him why was the masked man still here?! Why am I still here? Penguin asked himself.

But the Kid's pirate didn't let him time to answer that question, as he abruptly snapped out of his trance and grabbed Penguin's wrist, "Those plans! Do you remember them?"

Taken aback by Killer's sudden eagerness, Penguin stammered, "Huh… Pretty much… I think–"

"Then what are we waiting for!"

.

Before the right connections could set in Penguin's head, the Kid's pirate had pulled on his wrist and dragged them toward south. The hatted man's brain stayed behind, far away from the pirates who were now running across the groves. Penguin was unable to wrap up why he suddenly felt so light-hearted, as if all awkwardness and tension had been left behind with his reason. He was following Killer's pace so easily, carried forward by the thrill of the running and the speed of the wind rushing around him. That couldn't be happening… How the quiet anger he was feeling a moment earlier could have been swept away by a hand grabbing his?

But who cared when the night was so warm and the lights shone on their way and they were about to infiltrate a Navy ship… Then his brain finally caught up with Penguin snapping like a rubber band as the reason yelled in his head Wait what?! He managed to get a grip on himself and held Killer back, not without efforts though.

"You… Why you… taking me? Right now?" The hatted man demanded short of breath and visibly unable to make full sentences.

"You're my best chance to get this done."

As far as he wanted to be up to that statement, Penguin's brain was still in control. And the reality of what Killer was planning to do took the upper hand.

"We can't do this like that!"

"Why? We know what we're looking for, you know the place."

"What if someone catch us?!"

"There's no reason to if we're quick."

"I don't know who you mistaken me for, but I'm not the kind doing it quickly in the dark of the night."

Penguin stood his ground and refused to move a step further. Killer exhaled heavily and completely turned to face the hatted man. Without letting go of his wrist though. He was glad that Penguin hadn't questioned his involvement in that mission. Because he absolutely couldn't do this without him.

"There's no better moment than at night. People are asleep, and if they're coming from the New World, everybody's probably on land. Plus the watch would be reduced to the minimum if they don't have any valuable cargo. Give me a hand and we'll be in and out before they know it."

But Penguin shook his head, "We can't just decide to infiltrate a Navy base because it happens to be the right moment. We don't have any plan or ideas of which ship we can go on, how many person are aboard–"

"Never infiltrated a Navy ship before?"

"It's not– Don't act like it's so easy!" Penguin huffed to see how lightly the Kid's pirate was taking the matter, "What's more, we're very close from Marineford."

"Troubles only come if you get caught," Killer shrugged.

In fact he didn't want to go in a never ending argument with the hatted man. Above all because the blonde knew he was acting recklessly and he would lose this argument in Penguin's favor. Such spontaneous behavior was far away from Killer's usually poised and rational self. But he wouldn't wait another day and risk seeing this opportunity to get rid of his debt being taken away. Moreover, if Killer was completely honest with himself… it had felt so great. To simply take the Heart's pirate's hand and run. Maybe that was what they needed, to stop talking and act.

Killer breathed out heavily through the holes of his mask. He wouldn't threaten Penguin or bargain with him, it didn't work in the past because you never told a pirate how to take his own decisions. It made the masked man smiling under his helmet.

"The first choice I've ever made for myself was to never let anyone telling me what to do."

"You can tal–"

"That's why I'm free to do what I want," Killer cut the hatted man. "To take whatever I want, whenever it pleases me."

Without even thinking of it, Killer's fingers tightened around Penguin's wrist and the masked man dropped it like the skin had burnt him. This was not the point he wanted to make. Yet. Instead he took a firm voice and fixed his gaze on Penguin.

"I'm going to steal a log pose. Tonight."

On that, Killer rushed toward south alone without looking back.

The Kid's pirate had offered him a choice, something he hadn't really done since their first encounter. It's not as if Killer had ever been able to compel Penguin to do anything. The hatted man never forced himself to meet with him, to talk and laugh with him, to fight with… But still the choice was the important, Penguin was free to let Killer go on his own. He didn't owe the masked man anything…

Then an exasperated manly voice breathed out on Killer's left, "I'm not sharing a cell with you if we get caught."

At that Killer smiled while the Heart's pirate ran by his side.

"Told ya," Penguin crooned with a defeated voice as they were looking at the lively activity on the Navy Headquarters' coastline. The other's tone scratched Killer's nerves a little but he didn't show anything. This wasn't over.

"All I see it's that they're plenty outside. It means only few men are on board."

The Kid's pirate pointed the huge battleships sleeping quietly in the darkness of the coast. Penguin had to concede, there was no light shining inside the boats. The sails were folded, and no sign of patrols on the decks since the pirates had arrived. Moreover as the ships were docked at the headquarters, the navy wasn't expected any kind of attack.

There could be their best chance. No one would suspect two thieves to enter an empty battleship. If they remained discreet, the pirates could be undetected shadows. It was crazy, but it could work.

I'll bring you food when you'll be in prison Penguin-ya, Law's voice rang in the Heart's pirate's head. Penguin got it out of his mind and focused on the ship's plans he had spent hours looking at.

"The best way to enter is by the stern," the hatted man explained pointing at the closest ship, a few hundred feet from the roots where the pirates were hiding. "We can climb the hull but there's no way we're getting wet."

Killer understood what Penguin meant, "If we're dripping water everywhere we'll be spotted right away."

The masked man immediately thought about the Jet dials he possessed but the propelling wasn't powerful enough to lift them both above the water. They had no craft at hand, and it wouldn't help them to stay off the radar anyway.

.

There had to be a way in and it happened to be right in front of them. The first mates watched, completely absorbed, the process of the soap slowly elevating from the ground and lazily taking a round shape before finally detaching from the grass and flowing lightly in the warm air of the archipelago.

"You think they're waterproof?" Penguin asked aloud what they were both thinking.

"Only one way to find it."

Killer grabbed the bubble before it got too high with a gentler gesture than the hatted man would have thought him capable of. The soap was resistant and it bent slightly between the Kid's pirate's hands. It was the size of a big dog and glistened under the distant lights.

"We'll have to find bigger ones if we want to fit in," the Heart's pirate pointed out.

"Let me try something first."

Without letting go of the bubble, he got a small object out of the thick heel of his black shoe, a seashell that Penguin could now identify thanks to him.

"Is that a dial?" The hatted man let out far too enthusiastically.

"Yes."

Slowly Killer plunged the dial inside the bubble and turn on the device which throbbed behind the soap barrier. Quickly the bubble grew bigger around Killer's arm until enveloping him completely. For a moment they feared it would just blow before it reached the necessary size. However the soap seemed to have strong stretching properties.

Behind the glistening casing, the Kid's pirate appeared strangely taller. It took them a few seconds to realize that impression was due to the elevation of the bubble that kept going up as they stared. Killer's weight wasn't sufficient to keep him on the ground and right before he passed over Penguin's head, the Heart's pirate instinctively reached out and grabbed Killer's hand. A very warm and calloused hand that gripped tightly around his.

They stayed like that for a moment, forgetting to breathe and not daring to break their connection. They weren't in any kind of trouble because Killer could have easily slashed the bubble if he'd gone too high. Or they could have found another one to blow up. Yet the pirates were holding each other like a life line.

.

The bubble had survived Penguin's bursting in and he took advantage of his hold to pull the bubbled blonde a few inches above the sea. Now they were out of the groves and their roof of leaves and soap, the sky was clearly visible. It was a bright summer sky, filled with thousand of stars and a half moon shinning up there. The dark waters were lightened by the shore in places. It wouldn't be too difficult to progress up to the nearest ship, which still had no guards on its deck.

On Penguin's other hand, Killer was struggling to keep his balance in his soapy casing.

"Is it okay?" The hatted man wondered.

"I think… I've got a pretty good handle on it now."

At the moment he told that however his left foot slid on the inside of the bubble and he fell down on his back, earning a soft laugh from the Heart's pirate.

"If you can laugh, what don't you show me how you get by?" Killer grumbled as he pulled Penguin into the bubble at his turn. The treacherous floor of their craft making them both slipped and collided in a tangled mess of limbs.

"Ouch!"

"Can you just–"

"That's my hair."

"Watch your knee!"

"Just… don't stand up!"

"Fucking–"

"No, that's my hand here."

"STOP!" Penguin shouted and the pirates both ceased to move in their narrow space. While they were getting entangled, their combine weights had slowly brought them down in the sea. It made Penguin briefly wonder about how much he actually weigh. When it was clear that the water wasn't flooding their improvised craft though, they looked back at each other.

The Heart's pirate was on top of the masked man and was desperately trying not to think about everything he felt underneath him. Blushing, the hatted man attempted to get up swiftly, as if he might accidentally get under the other's skin through their never ending contact. However the limp wall simply bent when he tried to use it as a support.

Penguin cursed then he felt a hand pushing smoothly against his chest, allowing him to finally get on his knees. Killer had followed the move, sitting up straight to keep the same short distance between them. Leaving the blonde able to feel the fluttering heart under his palm. Would they make a habit of touching each other heart?

.

None of the pirates said anything. Maybe if they didn't talk things would stay like this, with no arguments, no resentment and lack of trust. There would be no tell-tale nor librarian, just two pirates. Both of them were truly missing those quiet moments. Such simple and meaningful times during which they were sharing something stronger than words could tell. Around them the air had that heady scent of soap and interdiction, inevitably drawing them closer to a lot of trouble…

Notes: This chapter was originally entitled "Take my hand", but it had a beautiful final setting –'just me, you, the moon'– and then Frank Sinatra just came to my mind, the lyrics were fitting somehow:

"Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On a-Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me"

On a second note: I was told that the expression Sword of Damocles could be a little confusing so here's a little definition: it comes from the myth of the same name (which I invite to search on the Web for more details) and it basically means: "If you have a sword of Damocles hanging over you/your head, something bad seems very likely to happen to you."