Chapter Seventeen: Maybe I Just Fight
Penguin's head tilted back, as though to give his eyes more room to take everything in.
"Really? Surely it's been difficult"
"Definitely...but not unpleasant, the red-headed oaf has his perks" Law shrugged, standing up to wander to a small water dispenser in the little kitchen. Penguin watched him go and inhaled with contentment at the comfortable silence.
"I'm sorry for causing you all so much trouble"
"It isn't your fault Penguin" Law didn't turn around but his tone had taken an edge, he was being serious. Even so his expression was soft as he turned and set his glass down whilst sitting.
"It is all over now so please don't upset yourself over what happened...Killer did not hurt you, did he?"
Penguin blinked twice at the sudden turn in the conversation and only shook his head wildly.
"Not at all! If anything I would not be here without him..." he trailed off, a small smile grazing his features and Law's lazy eyes never left the artificial shaded gaze of his crew-mate, a wry grin spreading on his deeply tanned skin.
"Is that so, well I still have faith in your efforts Penguin, regardless on what happened"
Penguin smiled, tugging the yellow brim of his hat up a little to let in more light, he felt safe doing such a thing around his captain; who knew what he hid anyway.
"Thank you Captain...how is...Captain Kid?"
Law was silent for a split second, a true silence with not even a breathe to break the void of sound. But he continued speaking without a flaw, face without contortion of emotions.
"Fine, it seems, a little weak but I don't think I could handle him being at the peak of energy right now so it is a good thing for all of us" he sipped his drink calmly. Thinking about the calmness of the kiss they had shared, not energetic at all like he had imagined it might be. Not that he had spent time imagining the circumstances of such a situation...well not until they had been working together. In the late moments of their secluded time in that control room he had wondered even if just for a moment what the younger man's body would feel like against his.
"I see"
And there was the quietness again, the sweet acknowledgement of safety overlaying the conflicting emotions of the individual minds, all tugging with the taut strings of the heart. Oh how fickle and feeble it all was.
"Captain...are you well?"
"I got a headache and am not allowed out this room until Captain Creep says so but apart from that alright, all things considered" he laughed roughly. Turning to Killer then smiling when the man removed his mask and pushed his still heavy thick fringe away.
"It don't look too bad"
"Thanks for the unasked reassurance Kid"
The redhead laughed and grabbed the man by the arm and moved him close to rub his knuckles in the shortened blonde locks.
"Don't ever stay behind at some shitty hotel again"
"Will do"
Killer sat down next to the bed and glanced out the porthole window, the light was spreading out now like drops of rain on a window, threads of white seeped through the blackened clouds.
"Finally becoming daylight eh?" Kid muttered. Killer nodded and inhaled deeply.
"So, what was it like working with the runt...Parakeet?"
"Penguin, and it was...well he's a helpful, hardworking lad...really got me out of some bad situations..." he looked wistfully out to the window yet maintaining a stony expression so not to intrigue his childish captain too much but he feared he had already done so.
"That so, eh? Captain creep wasn't too bad, knows how to run this yellow tin can at least..." he trailed off into a mutter. "But wouldn't even let me use the torpedoes"
Killer shook his head knowingly.
"At least we are headed back to the ship now..." the blonde's voice also faded off as the realisation of his words set into his mind. He wouldn't even begin to see as much of Penguin with Kid and Law's constant rude rivalry and the thought made his nerves shutter. As if sharing the same idea, Kid's gaze evaded the deep green of his first mates.
"Well I'm going to get some sleep before morning, you ought to do the same" Killer advised his captain, using his hands on his knees to lift himself up and stand. Kid watched him and nodded stubbornly like a child.
"Yeah, yeah, alright..."
"Are you feeling alright? Shall I call the doctor?"
"...Nah, I'll be fine, see you in the morning, check on Heat and Wire would you?"
"No problem, goodnight Captain"
Kid rolled over then, bringing the thin cover with him, his clothes had been completely removed and a bandage had been fastened around his neck. He always felt better when Killer was the last to see him at night, he was still young after all and couldn't be excused from the anxiety of injury.
"You'll have to refrain yourself from calling him Mama" a smug voice quipped from the door and Kid turned his head to Law who walked over and methodically pressed his fingers against the wound.
"Fully healed, just keep the bandage on for comfort in the night"
"You watching, Law? Bit rude isn't it"
"I only saw him leave, I know what he is to you..."
"Well are you done now?" Kid asked, though rather than sound snappy and avoiding, he almost sounded eager to hear the infamous Surgeon of Death claim he in fact, wasn't finished.
"By all means, you are going to sleep now?"
"Not really tired but yeah...I guess...nothing else" the redhead answered honestly, turning over again with a sigh. Bloody heart captain just leaving him after earlier, he had a mind to-
Warmth seeped through his spine and Kid had to stop himself jolting violently which would have resulted in the older captain being thrown off the already narrow bed. Law had pressed his back against the redheads, smirking to himself though from his position Kid couldn't see, he was only aware the man was dressed in long dark trousers and was very much shirtless. Ah shit, the little...shit.
"Whatever Trafalgar" came the mumbled reply. Blood flushed into Kid's cheeks and he just remained comfortably still as Trafalgar chuckled, taking some of the cover for himself and settling down.
"Alright, see ya tomorrow Kil"
"You too"
Killer bid goodnight to Heat and then headed for his own room which has been designated to him earlier. He couldn't stop thinking about Penguin and the fact they wouldn't see each other for some time. He wasn't about to abandon Kid's ship as much as Penguin wasn't prepared to leave Law. It was a silent agreement both of them knew.
It was so unusual how their relationship as rivals, to barely allies had developed into friendship, protection and...agh, fuck it. It hurt too much to think about things like that, when Killer couldn't do anything about any of it. Undressing his top, he removed his helmet again and wandered over to the mirror. Scowling he ran a large hand through his new, involuntary hairstyle. It hadn't even been done successfully. It was choppy and longer in parts. His upper lip curled and he looked around the bathroom. He needed a knife or scissors or something.
*Knock Knock*
Trudging over to his door he opened it to find Penguin seemingly startled by the speed the door had been opened and he coughed lightly.
"Hi, just...just wanted to...say goodnight I guess"
Killer tilted his head to the side with a smile.
"Night Penguin"
Penguin blushed hard and just nodded with a chuckle, he was about to leave when Killer asked.
"Hey, you have any scissors or a knife or something...they made a real mess of my hair"
"S-Sure, I have a knife with me-"
"Come in"
"Ah, okay then" Penguin shrugged and a little too easily was persuaded into Killer's room, door closing behind them. The man was dressed in a dark T-shirt and white overall trousers tucked into his usual boots.
"I can fix up the back if you want, since you can't see it" Penguin offered, following the blonde into the bathroom where he sat on the edge of the bath, Killer naturally bringing up a stool. Penguin slipped his booted feet either side of the older man.
"Oh I figured that was a given"
Penguin sighed and smiled, removing his hat without hesitation, Killer felt the rustle of material and looked to the side to see the hat on one of the towel racks.
"Actually, mind swapping seats? I can cut it better if it's wet so I'll just run some water over it for a second if you don't mind..."
"Whatever's best" was the reply and Killer and he swapped their seating positions. Killer ended up just sitting in the large bath with Penguin on the stool behind him.
The water started running and Penguin started pouring it over his head.
"Shit, your trousers!" he suddenly realised and stopped but Killer only laughed.
"It's fine, I was getting undressed anyway"
Penguin exhaled and continued before smoothing the now dark strands back.
"Keep still" the pale haired man ordered calmly and Killer straightened his back a little. Penguin had to avoid staring too much at the hard, tanned muscles of the older man. Taking out two short knives he kept with him in his boots, he swung the handle around in his fingers skillfully then starting flawlessly chopping at the undone areas of hair. Maintaining a level to Killers mid-neck. The blonde listening to the sliding, slicing motion with amusement.
"You're good at this"
"I'm good with knives" was the reply. It was absent, the man spending more time focusing on keeping it all level and fine. His tongue slipped out ever such a little, a habit of his concentration and Killer chuckled at the answer.
Sections of hair fell into the basin and on the floor, Penguin mentally decided he would clear up later and sat back to admire and check his work.
"That should be fine, what about your fringe?"
"No, I'm keeping it, if I can keep anything" Killer sighed but turned to smile at Penguin.
Penguin said nothing, just leaned forward and drew his arms across his shoulders out in front of the kid pirate, resting his chin atop the damp golden waves. Killer smiled and they just sat there like that for a bit, Killer appreciating the flood of warmth through him and the considerate gesture. Then, with a sinful grin and a jerk of his arms. Killer threw Penguin into the empty basin with him, catching him as he more or less was dragged over his shoulder and head, upside down in his lap.
"Ki-Killer!" he yelled angrily, trying to support himself and eventually lying awkwardly with his head on Killer's lap and legs curled on the white surface of the bath. Killer just looked down at him as he angrily tried to sit up, face bright pink. Though his efforts were hindered when Killer's lips fell upon his and he went still with the sensation. He slowly sat up closer to the blonde, sitting with his legs apart, either side of Killer's hips. Killer's hands gripping the younger mans waist.
"Now my clothes are wet" he pouted once he let go of the blonde, only to be dragged into the muscular chest and held there with a gentle hand, fingers twirling through his snowy hair.
"Mhm" was the nonchalant reply. Killer was too busy taking in what he could with the younger man before he left to the island on his own ship. Of course he had missed his own pirate vessel but...now there would be something to miss.
After what felt like at least an hour but was probably several minutes, Penguin glanced up.
"We can't sleep here"
There was no reply. Penguin narrowed his eyebrows with wide eyes and pursed lips.
"Killer" he nudged his body into the blonde and Killer stirred slightly.
"Oh right, yeah, of course" he mumbled, they dragged themselves up to stand unstable in the damp bath tub, wandering into the other, bed furnished room. Penguin dried himself down with a towel whilst Killer stripped down to boxers. Getting into the bed, Penguin watched him with a sigh.
"Come on, let me dry your hair at least..." he muttered softly, heading over to sit by the pillows and gently ruffle the fluffy towel through his newly cropped locks. Killer murmured in satisfaction and like Penguin, felt his eyes close at the calming sensation. Penguin threw the towel to the other side of the room and got up to turn the bathroom lights off before going to leave. Killer made a low whining sound and the heart pirate turned to him with surprise.
"Is everything alright?" he questioned, now standing beside the fairly still blonde, but as soon as his arm was caught in a vice grasp and he was thrust into the bed beside the massacre soldier, one of the older man's legs threading through his own and tucking his head beneath Penguin's chin, the normally hat clad man just sighed with an exhausted smile and shuffled down a bit better to rest. Little did he know Killer was holding him tighter than he normally would as though fearing he would disappear without saying goodbye.
How childish this fear of losing him was.
"Penguin..."
"...Y-Yeah?"
"...I..."
Penguin went still, nerves kicking in, what did killer want, had he done something wrong? Killer shuffled up until his eyes were level with the shocking blue of the pale haired mans. He stared into them for a moment before whispering in a silken tone.
"I love you"
He leaned in and kissed the younger man slowly, eyes closing as he took in the tender heat of the other. Feeling hair beneath his fingers as he curled said fingers into the locks, his other hand trailing down his bare arm and pressing into his waist reassuringly.
Penguin's breath had been caught up too fast at the blonde's words and now he was running out of oxygen fast. Letting go with a harsh breath, face flushed red from the words and the spinning in his mind. Killer only watched him tentatively, mouth a hairbreadth away from Penguins.
"Really?"
"Yes" he answered fast, certain.
Penguin went quiet then; if possible, curled himself even more into the older man. Letting every area of his body graze against his own, moulded almost.
"Me too...I...I love you too" he muttered coyly into his neck. Kissing it once lightly before burying his fierce blush and trembling lips in the shadows of his body. Killer took in a deep breath of relief and held him close, breathing in the fresh scent of the other.
Shit, the doctor was falling out. What did he expect? The bed was hardly meant for two, especially when one was a large, muscular man. Sighing, Kid awkwardly turned over to face the back of the doctor who was indeed slipping off. Before Kid had felt the movement, the lightness of the bed returning when not occupied with the full weight of two men. So he panicked a little in his light sleep and now he felt it necessary to throw one large pale arm over the older man and keep him close and away from the drag of gravity.
Law was very much asleep, considering he was something of an insomniac, he was sleeping rather deeply that night, no doubt from exhaustion of all that had had happened. Kid himself had thrived on the adrenaline at the time and was weak with fatigue. But not so much that he didn't take this intimate opportunity to bury his nose behind the Surgeon of Death's ear and nuzzle the flesh there gently. Feeling the clink of the double ringed golden piercings against his lips. He even darted a crimson tongue out to lap at the captain's lobe.
Law made a small sound but did not wake. Kid now moved his face up into the fur-soft ebony; though when the light of the oncoming dawn through the window hit the strands at some point, it appeared blue-ish, navy, locks of the other, admiring the way it grew down to a lining fuzz around his jaw and chin. That goatee was both adorable and sexy and Kid took his right arm; which he had successfully threaded beneath Law's head, and tilted his head toward him so the redhead could kiss his chin once.
Either the doctor was awake and simply enjoying the subconscious treatment or when he did sleep, it was deep. Kid recalled the times in the small control room where he had slept for hours under his coat. Smiling, he gently let his head fall back into place and he himself went back to inhaling the clean, musky spice of his neck and hair. So alluring and comforting it was, terribly unusual really.
Such a creepy little bastard really, with his drawling, slow, velvet voice. His sadistic grin that he would never fail to display when slicing up enemies within his infamous, dangerous ROOM. His tendency to be downright rude yet intelligent and loyal to his crew mates. The more Kid thought about it, the more he felt his arm tightening around the man.
Such sinful strength and he was holding this man, the Surgeon of Death. It was impressive he cockily thought to himself with a slightly raised brow and he grinned.
"Bit affectionate aren't we, Eustass-ya?" came a sleepy but wry tone and Kid went still for a moment before grinning even more. Then he moved up to take Law's ear once more and bite it. Law made a muffled sound of surprise and frowned.
"Here I thought you liked cuddles"
"I think you'll find I don't"
Kid brought the man closer to his chest. Feeling his spine through his tattooed, dark skinned back.
"Good"
He drew his teeth down that back, nudging the canines into the spinal bumps and over the lines of the markings. Law seemingly let him, though he squirmed irritably at first, the strength of Kid's arm kept him down enough to reach only his lower back, running a tongue into the dip of his hips.
"Fucking animal" Law sneered and Kid bit into the hip just once.
Definitely rude.
A/N: God, I don't know what's going on either, I'm going through Kid/Law on Tumblr and I felt I needed to maintain a sense of their characteristics, but bring in good ol fluff with Kil/Pen, hehe. This isn't the last chapter...there is a couple to come.
I am interested in writing a Kid/Law centric story, does anyone have ideas or preferences of AU or...plot, I guess? I mean, I don't usually take requests so won't follow any one idea exactly but I would be thankful for a prompt or some inspiration if any of you like my writing style, thanks!
Everyone outside the pub (that I live in) is really freaking noisy tonight so I'm having an early night, see you all next time!
-LAW09
ShivaVixen: Gosh no, I am quite aware of my usual tendencies of late updating but with this one I am determined to maintain a decent updating pattern, thank you for the review! And I hope to, I intend to look more into Penguin's background and relationship with Killer because this ship still needs looovvee! :D
AriesDanger24: That's a cute idea ahaaha, humurous as well, I will definitely keep it in mind. Aww, now the end has come but I hopefully intend to make a sequel, thanks so much for the lovely review!