WARNING: This chapter has feels in it! Just a head's up.
Chapter Four
As the days went by, and the seasons changed, Killer and Kidd kept exchanging letters. They kept telling each other about their lives – Killer's three different jobs, Kidd's boredom, Heat and Wire falling in love with each other – and kept asking and answering questions, always ending each letter with a 'see you later!'
It had been a week since Killer had sent his last letter, so Kidd's response should be arriving at any time. The blonde thought this over as he walked into the apartment building he called home. It was almost ritualistic – every two days, he would come home and check the mailbox, grabbing its contents, then practically running up the stairs and into his apartment, where he would flip through the letters, looking for Kidd's. Today was no different, as he went through the movements almost automatically, as he let his mind wander to what he was going to make for dinner.
Up the stairs he went, hurrying to his apartment. He unlocked the door, flicking on the lights, put the keys on the counter, kicked off his shoes, and then set the pile of letters on the table. Quickly searching the fridge and pulling a bottle of Mountain Dew out of the machine, he sat down at the table, opening the bottle and taking a swig.
He flipped through the letters rather quickly. That familiar yellow envelope soon found its way to the top of the stack, his name written in messy scrawl on the front. A smile settled on his face as he ripped the envelope open and unfolded the letter that rested inside. But, the words scrawled across the page nearly broke his heart.
'Killer-
I have some bad news. I'm being shipped out to Raftel. I'm finally going to see some action! But, the bad news is that I won't be able to write to you while I'm there. It's in a secret place, all hush-hush. So, this is the last letter I'll be sending you for a while. I'm sorry.
On a happier note, today is the day we met in the café last year. I guess you could call this our anniversary. So, happy anniversary, Killer. There's something I want to tell you, but I don't feel like I have the right yet. So, I'll wait until I come back, okay? Will you wait for me until then? I'll see you soon!
-Kidd'
Suddenly, the blonde's world crashed down around him, shattering into tiny pieces. His soldier was gone. Kidd was gone. The only thing that Killer could do about it was sit, pray to every deity he knew, and wait. The waiting would be the hardest part – perhaps downright torture. But, he would wait, because that's what Kidd asked him to do. So, he would wait for his soldier to come home.
Killer hadn't heard from Kidd in a few months – almost 6 now – and the blonde still waited, just like he was asked to. He still dutifully checked the mailbox, but he was disheartened every time a yellow envelope wasn't in the stack of bills and chain letters.
It was currently Friday night, and Bonney had coerced Sanji into letting Killer off early so that the two of them could go to their high school's homecoming football game.
It was a tradition between the woman and the blonde – every year, they would go and cheer on the high school that they both graduated from – South Blue High, in the southern part of the town they lived in. This year would be no different.
"Oi, Killer!" The pinkette called as she entered her friend's apartment without knocking, as was her normal fashion.
"Hang on!" The blonde's voice drifted to her from inside the apartment –from his room, if she had to guess.
Soon enough, the part-time worker emerged, in jeans and a dark blue hoodie that hugged his growing frame rather well.
"You're getting muscular," Bonney noted as she watched him stuff his wallet and keys in his pocket.
"You think?" Killer asked, looking down at himself. He really wasn't doing anything different, besides the extra evening hours stacking boxes in the backroom of the grocery store.
"Yeah. You may actually be attractive soon," she joked, sticking her tongue out at him – a sure sign of her playfulness.
"Oh, let's go," the blonde grinned, following as the pinkette lead the way out of the apartment, then the building itself, heading towards South Blue High.
The football stadium was jam packed, as it always was, especially for homecoming. The alumni duo each paid seven dollars to get inside the over-crowded gates. Bonney grabbed her friend's hand as she pushed past people, barking at them for being in the way. Killer apologized to them as he was dragged through the crowd.
By the time that they passed the concession stand, the crowd lessened only a little. The pinkette pulled him to the farthest side of the bleachers, growling as she was jostled by the crowd. By the time they reached the middle section of the bleachers, there were less people, but still not by much.
They quickly found seats, rather close to the bottom row of the bleachers, but it was the only place they could both sit comfortably side-by-side, instead of on top of each other.
"Oh, look!" Bonney grinned, pointing out onto the field. "There's my little brother!" Killer looked and saw that she was pointing at number 22, and he could see the tell-tale pink hair beneath the helmet – Coby looked so much older, especially with all of the football padding underneath his uniform. He was still a tiny little thing, though.
"He grew up fast," the man commented.
"Yeah," she chuckled, "still a dweeb, though. I'm gonna go get some food. Want anything?"
"A coke would be fine, if you could."
"Got it!" Bonney grinned, patting her stomach. She quickly descended the stairs on the bleachers, disappearing into the crowd. The blonde felt rather bad for the workers in the concession stand. The pinkette was really going to make them work for their money.
The part-time worker let his mind wander as he stared out onto the field, and watched as the two teams – the South Blue Pirates and the Thriller Bark Zombies – as they practiced with their own teams, passing the ball back and forth, and stretched their limbs out.
Killer thought about Kidd – a luxury he hadn't afforded himself in a long while. He imagined the redhead's kilowatt smile like he saw in the photograph he was send, and he felt himself smile as well. Silently, he prayed for the soldier to come home safe, and looked up and whished on a star for good measure.
The anthem started playing, interrupting his thoughts. Everyone stood, as did he, and they faced the flag as it was raised.
A man's voice rang over the PA system, echoing in the crisp, twilight air.
"Good evening, folks. I'd like to welcome you all to this year's homecoming game here at South Blue High. Now, folks, would you all bow your heads for a list of soldiers who have served out country to the fullest, and who shall be sorely missed."
Killer froze in place, his eyes widening beneath his long bangs. He looked up at the heavens, folding his hands and prayed again – praying not to hear his name on that list. He prayed that the redhead was still fighting, even if Killer would rather have him home.
"Batchan Wire," the man said, his voice reverberating in the blonde's mind, and catching his attention when the familiar name was spoken. A deep panic settled in his bones – Wire was in the same platoon as Kidd! Oh, God, please –
"Eddie Heat."
'Please, I beg of you! Don't say his name! Don't say –'
"Eustass Kidd."
Silence. In his mind. In the world around him. In his heart. This couldn't be happening – it just couldn't! Please, God! This can't be happening!
But it was. The buzzer sounded and the football game started. The part-time worker collapsed into his seat, and he sat there, alone, among cheering people as this world was falling apart.
The blonde felt thick, hot tears stream down his face and neck. He couldn't even stop them from coming. Killer bit his lip so hard that it bled and he tasted the iron life as it filled his mouth. He couldn't take it. He had to get out of here!
Killer jumped to his feet, and pushed past people, running down the stairs. He couldn't even open his mouth to apologize – he was afraid that he would break down and wail. The blonde pushed past people as he headed to the exit, knocking a few over in the process. He even shoved Bonney, as she was heading back to their seats on the bleachers with her arms full – she was carrying two large, brown paper bags filled with food and drinks.
Killer pushed her out of his path, tears pouring down his face, dripping on the ground almost violently. His vision was blurry, so he couldn't really tell who he was pushing, but he really couldn't care.
"Hey, Killer"! She cried when she saw him. But, he didn't stop. The blonde kept on running and finally broke through the crowd and left the stadium.
He ran. His arms pumped wildly as his legs carried him faster than they ever had before. He couldn't stop himself, even though a little voice in the back of his mind told himself that he couldn't run away from this problem, no matter how fast or far he ran. It was foolish, but he couldn't stop.
The part-time worker let his mind go blank as he ran. And ran. And ran. He ran until he couldn't run anymore, doing lap upon lap upon lap of the town. By the time his legs gave out and he finally collapsed and laid on the ground, he was next to the pier. That pier that they had first honestly spoke to each other. It was too much, and he couldn't help it.
Killer cried. He cried long, hard, and until he could no longer produce tears. He screamed himself hoarse, and lay on the ground, completely and utterly spend in a way that he had never been before, and he probably would never be again. Before he could even think about trying to stand or even lift himself up, he promptly passed out on the sidewalk, in a puddle of his own tears.
I'm a terrible person, aren't I? WAAAAH! KIDD! KILLER! God, I'm sorry to both of you! ...I really don't have much else to say about this chapter other than: I APOLOGIZE FOR THE TEARS AND THE FEELS AND THE SADNESS! I really am sorry! *bows* Forgive me! Thank you for sticking with me this far, and I hope that even though it took a hard-right into the depressing, it still made you guys sort of pleased for the update. I'M SORRY! ..please review? You can tell me how terrible a person I am, if you want. Or, we can share cookies, hugs, cupcakes, chocolate, and ice cream, and we can get over this together!
What time is it? SHOUT OUT TIME! That's right, kids!
To my wonderful Candy-LoveChocolateAndRock'nRoll, I'm glad you liked the last chapter. I did too, if I'm honest. And no, I'm sorry to say that Kidd won't be sending that letter full of his feelings for Blondie there. *shrugs* It makes me happy when you tell me what you think, and I do a little dance a lot! :D And I'm sorry if I made you cry, Choco-chan. We'll have chocolate together, okay?
To the newest Candy-PiratePigeon, thanks! The letters are actually what annoyed me the most, because I didn't know how to format them, but I'm glad people like them! :D Thank you for the review! I am sorry for any feels caused, because I don't wanna make anyone sad!
To the one with the awesome picture, Candy-darkimpulse, I'm sorry! Kidd can't send the damn letter! :'( It makes me sad, but I was fighting with the idea of sending the letter or not. Now poor Killer will never know what Kidd wanted to say to him! WAH! I'm sorry if I made you sad - I made myself sad, too.
To the adorable Candy-doggoneit, I'm glad you liked my little thing about Sadi. I try to put stuff in my stories that makes me happy and laugh, and it makes me feel even better when others laugh and enjoy my ideas as well! Thanks for laughing along. And I'm sorry! For feels and depressing matters, and all that bad stuff! Have some sweets, and we'll make it through!