Thank you so much for all the people who left comments and kudos, I saw all of them and I couldn't be more grateful that you stick with me for the end of the story.
I hope you'll enjoy it, and if you do, don't forget to let me know ;)
"Hey! You deaf or something?"
The Heart pirate was frozen on his spot. Unable to move despite the light air passing under Killer's shirt. That and the fact that his soul had left his body the moment he came face to face with the Captain Kid.
He was dead. Utterly and simply dead.
It was nice having make it up this far. At least he had the most amazing night before leaving this world! Maybe Shachi would not sell his comic book collection to honor his memory… No! He couldn't die right now! There were too much things he hadn't done yet! He wanted to go to the country of the samurais, see a sky island and bring Killer on a real date!
Penguin's inner monologue lasted, and he suddenly realized that he was…. oddly still alive? As soon as this thought came to his mind, he saw tiny annoyed veins growing on Kid's forehead. That was not an encouraging sign for his life expectancy!
"You're pretty quiet for a librarian eh? To say, Kill couldn't shut the hell up about you." Kid scoffed before he wiped his mouth with a towel hanged to his belt. Right between a massive dagger and a pistol. "What's your name? Come on, I don't bite." The red haired man teased, "Unless you ask for it."
It took a long pause for Penguin to realize that Kid wasn't getting mad at him. No curses or attack of any kind. He just… joked and asked him his name like– Then the puzzle resolved into Penguin's head: he was only wearing Killer's shirt, hiding the jolly roger tattooed on his shoulder and he had taken off the hat that was usually hiding most of his face. He wasn't wearing his trademark overall!
Kid didn't get that he was a Heart pirate!
Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!
Ok, no one was panicking! He wasn't panicking! What should he do?!
"Huh– huh…" Penguin opened his mouth, but he was useless, and Kid seemed to seriously doubt that he was a fully functional human being.
Suddenly a warm arm circled around his shoulders and Killer, pants and helmet on, appeared behind Penguin. The dark haired man was this close to faint from gratitude.
"Hey Kill," Kid greeted his first mate by grabbing his forearm and Killer did the same with obvious habit. Then Kid features became playfully angry, "Argh! You look so smug! You shouldn't be allowed to get laid. Wipe that dumb smile off your face!"
The Heart pirate knew that Killer was smiling too, even from behind his striped helmet. He wondered if Kid could also tell that from his first mate's body language or simply because of years of friendship. Killer brushed it off and his grip became firmer on Penguin's shoulders.
"Captain, this is Pen. Pen, you're already familiar with Captain Eustass Kid."
Penguin crossed the bright red eyes of the oblivious captain of the Kid pirates. He wanted to speak but a tiny squeak was stuck inside his throat. No way he was letting this out!
"Sure thing. Pen, I hope for you that your intel has more to tell than you do." Kid mocked before heading to his bedroom. Penguin felt a weird shaking in the air, before Kid's double door opened without him touching them. The last turned back to yell after his first mate.
"We need to talk before we depart. You should go downstairs while there's food left though."
Kid was about to close his doors when he added to Killer's attention, "You were right by the way."
"'Bout what?"
"He's not my type."
With a devilish grin Kid locked himself in his bedroom. Only then Penguin dared to breath out. Was the boat really anchored or was it just his head spinning?
"I thought he was about to find me out! Why did you introduce me?!"
"So, my best friend would know who you are. I wouldn't have let him kill you," Killer added with a reassuring tone. Penguin opened wide eyes.
"Kid is your–?"
"Of course. We grew up together. And we never left each other since South Blue."
Penguin thought about his own relationship with his captain. They would never be as close as Kid and Killer seemed to be.
"You two really found a match!"
"You can say that," Killer smiled, "Matter of fact, you handled Kid better than I did with your captain."
Recalling how Killer became in debt with Law over a broken arm, Penguin made a face. Then his bladder urgently came back to his mind.
"I'll be right back."
Killer thought about warning him before he went out, but Penguin was already gone.
It was the first time that he'd been actually nervous to introduce someone to Kid. He didn't want to embarrassed Penguin more than he was comfortable with. But it was probably the only chance for them to meet without risking Penguin's life. Kid sometimes spent hours to grumble after Trafalgar Law and his crew. Killer suspected there was something more than a simple competition between the two Supernovas, to make Kid so obsessed. But he had yet to find out what it was.
Penguin was back from the bathroom very shortly. Just as Killer was putting on his favorite blue t-shirt, the one with the skull and the double-crossed scythes. When Penguin closed the door of Killer's room behind him, his head was down, and his long hair hid some of the red of his face.
"I saw enough butts for the rest of my life!"
Killer burst out of laughter. He figured out that if Kid was on board so early in the morning, the rest of the crew must have followed him. "I thought you liked men's butts."
Penguin walked up to where he left his overall. He regretfully took off Killer's shirt and started dressing up. It felt like shedding the warmth of their night together, as he draped the mantle of the Heart Pirate back on his shoulders.
"Yes, but they're your mates! It's like peeking on your brothers!" Penguin protested. He tried to pull at the flaps of his cap and failed to hide his blush when he realized that he wasn't wearing it. "Are you always showering all together?"
Killer sighed that long exhale of all the tired parents, "I'm pretty sure no one has taken a bath since they left the ship." He shook his head, "I guess you got lucky, they must be all clean now."
"Clean and protective."
"What do you mean?"
"How to sum it up? After someone in the bath offered me a sandwich, they had at heart to warn me that, if I ever hurt you, they will skin me and make new hair extensions with my scalp."
Killer was glad that his mask was hiding the loving smile that appeared on his face. Thinking that the guys would really beat the shit out of anyone who hurt him was unexpectedly heart-warming.
Penguin laced his boots before he threw his polka dotted shirt at Killer. The masked man thought that he was gonna wait before washing Penguin's smell off this one.
"Wanna take breakfast and get a fully clothed introduction?"
The Heart pirate put on the sleeves of his overall, and absent-mindedly zipped it up. The thought of this sound being one of Killer's turn on crossed his mind briefly. He was going to have a hard time not thinking about it each time he would dress up now.
"I'm starving," Penguin admitted while putting his beloved cap back on his head. His heart was heavy as he continued, "But I have my own crew to check on. With that, I'm not sure you'd like to answer their questions about my outfit."
Penguin had a point, Killer recognized. He couldn't keep the Heat pirate any longer. But his hands pulled him closer anyway. Penguin's arm circled around his hips and his hand hooked on his jean pocket.
"I should go now," the hatted man stated as if saying it aloud would help his feet get in motion. But he found himself reluctant to leave.
Killer hugged him tight in response. And it was all they needed now. To feel the strength with which they held each other back. Then the first mates relaxed into their embrace and disentangled from each other.
"I assume you're not going back by the deck, in open sight, right?" Killer suggested eventually.
Penguin opened his mouth before his lips tightened in a very resigned line. "No. Don't think so."
The Heart pirate looked at the opposite side of Killer's door. To the row of windows over the sea. The turquoise waters were swinging back and forth, reflecting the sunlight on their surface. Penguin hoped they were as warm as they looked beautiful. It was the second time now that one of them was fleeing by the other's window. It would be nice that it didn't become a habit, Penguin thought.
He stepped on Killer's bed before opening the glass panel. The salty and soapy air blew over his face. The breeze that engulfed inside Killer's room made Penguin turn around.
It was strange to find himself a few inches taller than Killer. Without thinking, Penguin's hand laid on the side of Killer's mask, caressing the stripes gently. He found himself thinking of a world where he wouldn't have to leave. Why… Why was it so hard to just go now that he had to?!
"See you later," Penguin said as a way to give himself strength but the shaking in his voice betrayed his growing wistfulness.
"Don't be late." Killer warned, tenderly covering Penguin's hand with his.
The Heart pirate smiled weakly, but he pulled himself together before the burning in his eyes turned into actual tears. Today was a big day. He could feel it in his bones. And he couldn't wait to meet Killer again.
The masked man saw Penguin jumping swiftly out of his window, shortly followed by a splash of water. His white overall disappeared from his sight, then Killer noticed the slight shaking of the bubble surrounding the ship when Penguin passed through it. In a blink, the Heart pirate resurfaced ten feet away from the window where Killer was standing. He watched him go, until Penguin disappeared in the shiny waters.
Eventually, Killer turned away and closed the window shut. His gestures were tensed, but he had to chase the loss tightening his heart. He inhaled sharply the tears threatening to roll down his face. They would see each other very soon! And if their captains cooperated, Killer would see him again many times in the future.
With that hopeful perspective in mind, Killer's steps became more assured as he walked to the galley. He followed the roars and laughters of the Kid Pirates down to the warm common room. But there was a different warmth settling within him at the sight of the whole crew reunited together.
"Hiiiii!" Dust greeted him.
"Hey Killer!"
"Finally joining us?"
"Wire ate all the food!"
"Couldn't do anything to stop him!"
True to themselves, the Kid pirates welcomed their first mate with cheers and loud claims. Killer navigated between his huge mates, refusing to answer any question about their departure before he talked to their captain and drank something.
He seated at a table, emptied expect from Wire and their –now well rested– coating mechanic. The young woman, who bubbled the Manowar all by herself, was in a competition with the huge silent man by her side, for who would eat most pastries without breathing.
Killer snorted at the sight; her short stature was a stark contrast to the tall frames of the Kid pirates. Her short blue hair was free of the bandana she wore earlier. She was attracting the curious glances of the crew but didn't seem to care at all.
The masked man spotted Heat by the hearth. He had his light blue dreadlocks pulled into a high ponytail. The pale cook joined him at the table with two steaming mugs of coffee. The masked man took the one with the straw, noticing the look Heat was giving him. It was speaking a thousand questions, mirroring Wire's eyes as they laid on him.
"So," Killer attempted, eventually breaking their silent chat. "What do you think of Penguin?"
His friends exchanged a knowing smile. They were men of few words, but Killer wished they would be more outspoken right now.
"He's not faint-hearted." Heat offered, before blowing on his coffee. "Walked right into us in the bathroom."
Wire snorted heavily at this memory and a small cloud of powdered sugar blew around his face.
"Did you seriously you threatened to kill him, if he hurt me?" Killer asserted with a hint of disapproval behind his mask.
"Not kill him." Wire corrected, his mouth a mess of sugar and dark lipstick. "Scalp him. Who do you think we are?"
"Dumbasses with too much free time." The coating mechanic snapped back playfully.
"And sharp knives!" Heat smiled, then he turned to Killer. "Your boyfriend better know what he's going into. If he ever makes our first mate suffer, we'll make sure it'll be the last thing he does."
Killer felt a swell of love for his mates. He knew they cared about him, but they so rarely showed it. He took a new sip of coffee that felt like home, grateful to have them in his life.
On the other side of the table, the coating mechanic planted her elbows on the table; right between the stack of pastries and a huge sack of bellies, that must be her fee. "And I was wondering why this lover boy didn't come down for breakfast..." She sighed. "You guys are savages."
"That's true friendship!" Heat protested vehemently as he handed a towel to Wire.
Killer nodded before adding, "Actually, he had business in the morning."
As he explained this, Killer's heavy-hearted tone got Heat worried. "We didn't scare him off did we?"
"No." Wire assured to Killer's surprise. "He stood up to us with nothing but a shirt on him. And said that he crossed half the world before he met someone who made him feel like you do. So, he'd fight all of us if he had to."
Heat nodded in approval. "He's got guts."
"Looks like he knows his way on a ship too. Would make a good pirate." The giant man stated with surprising insight. Killer thought he was used to Wire's surge of shrewdness, but he kept sweeping him off his feet.
Cutting away from Wire's thoughtful eyes, Killer's attention was caught by the sound of newspapers unfolded. The coating mechanic went through the news while sipping her coffee.
"That's a fine work you did out there." The masked man admitted. They might have been tight in negotiation, but her coating deserved praises.
"Damn right!" She agreed, shooting him back a proud and defiant glare. Yet, her mouth twisted with a little bit of concern. "Be careful with the sea monsters when you'll be down there."
"Don't worry about us." Wire assured her. "We'll be fine."
The young woman shook her head with a small smile.
"So, what are your plans now?" Killer asked.
The young woman seemed surprised, only for a moment, before she smirked: "Not opening my own shop just yet, that's for sure!" She wasn't about to let him forget how they made her lower her price for the coating. But Killer didn't bat an eye. They were pirates after all. "But, I'm finally gotta get known in the grove for coating a pirate ship. So, I'll be able to choose my clients next time."
"Any luck in the news?" Killer pointed the newspaper she held in her hands.
The mechanic resumed her reading, "Hmm… Not as big as your galleon but, I could take a chance on the Thousand Sunny. The Straw Hats crew just arrived at Sabaody this morning."
The Kid pirates at the nearest tables stopped pretending to eat and gathered around the young woman to read over her shoulder. Soon a little crowd formed, and exclamations were flying thick and fast.
"Monkey D. Luffy."
"The East Blue rookie?"
"It was a rookie that took down a whole division of the World Government?"
"World government? What did you drink so early in the morning?!"
"The CP9! It was all over the news. How did you think he's worth 300 000 000 after only one year on Grand Line?"
"Still lower than Captain Kid heh!"
Roars of approval replied to this last statement before eyes turned toward Killer. The first mate had kept silent up to then, but he was the one who knew everything about their rivals.
"The entire Worst Generation is there now." Killer concluded and this simple sentence tolled with an uncanny knell.
On that, the coating mechanic wiped her mouth and stood up from the bench. One of the Kid pirates took the journal that she left, to read the latest news. Meanwhile, the young woman strapped her giant coating brush in her back.
"Not that I don't fancy pirates' company, but I have a wife that I hadn't seen for five days."
Pocketing her bellies, she waved them goodbye and left in a trail smelling of soap and detergent.
In the warmth of the galley, Killer pondered on what she said. Five days… A frustration he didn't know he had, growled lowly inside of him. The thought of staying apart from Penguin for so long was a torture. With a slight shaking of head, the masked man tried to come to his senses. Even if they were successful with the alliance, they had their own journeys to make. They were going to be apart for a while. But how could he accept that when he was so desperate to see him again?
A small smile brought him a little comfort when he recalled. They would see each other very soon.
The first mate raised his voice over the light hubbub of the crew.
"Guys! Today we're going to the auction. Y'all better wake up and get ready. I want the ship and the supplies in order."
A rumble of voices and 'aye' answered him. Then the Kid pirates made their way out of the galley. This bunch of ruffians and thieves from all around South Blue were the fiercest people Killer had ever met. He'd watched them turned into formidable warriors under Kid's command. With pride, he envisioned them, feared all throughout the New World… They would go down in history. And Killer had the feeling, this alliance would be the first step.
On rare occasions, Killer wished he could take a glimpse at the future. Although his job required from him that he stayed focused on the present, he was always eager to know more.
Should Killer have had the chance to open a window in the future, he would have seen plenty. All the hardships and battles to come, the alliances, the betrayals… Yet, one thing would have remained absent from this picture. Penguin. He could have searched and searched but he wouldn't have found a trace of him. Not a sight of his trademark hat or the pleasure of his sharp wit. He wouldn't have felt the warmth of his arms or contemplated the blushing on his cheekbones… Before two long years.
Notes: I originally planned (years ago ^^) to end the story here. It was reuniting with the canon, and you could all know what happened next by reading the Sabaody Arc from the event that occured at the human auction house. However, it felt a bit abrupt, and I decided to write an epilogue, so this is part 1 and you can jump straight ahead in part 2 ;)