Chapter 10 is up! Our two characters get closer, even more things are implied, and...other things...Enjoy!

Chapter 10. Closer

Killer managed to take the lead after they hit the forest. After they made it back to area 40, Delta lead the way to her place. She had them take a shortcut since she didn't want Killer to be seen just yet. She wasn't prepared for any trouble.

They made it to Delta's small loft and Delta skipped up the steps in front of Killer to unlock the door.

Delta dropped her bag on the floor in front of her and plopped down next to it, sighing loudly. She closed her eyes and started rubbing her forehead while Killer stood by idly.

Delta realized she hadn't even properly invited him in, she scurried up to her feet.

"I'm sorry...I'm just not used to having company"

Killer shrugged and ran his hands across a small wooden table next to him.

He wasn't particularly uncomfortable, but he didn't know what to say.

"Ugh how do I do this" Delta mumbled and slumped forward.

"How long have you been here?" Killer started.

"Oh, I got this place about a year and a half ago" Delta nodded.

"No, I meant in Sabaody Archipelago" Killer said

"Uhm..what do you mean?" Delta backed away confused.

"You aren't from here."

"How do you know that?" Delta began to fidget uncomfortably.

"It's not that hard to tell." Killer chuckled a little and crossed his arms.

"Was that a laugh?" Delta asked herself.

"No one on this island would come over to area 20 by themselves. Twice, especially at night." Killer assured her.

"So where are you from?" He tried again.

"Nowhere important now." Delta shrugged and walked off. She climbed up the nearby staircase and disappeared into an upper level. She peeked over the edge at Killer who was standing by and smiled before disappearing.

"What about you?" She directed the questions to Killer now.

"The South Blue. All of the crew is."

"What island?"

"I doubt you've heard of it" Killer followed her steps up the stairs. He stopped at the edge of the staircase to see Delta kneeling in front of a low coffee table. She was huddled over something, but he couldn't see what. All heard was a scribbling sound coming from Delta.

"What are you doing?"

"Just finishing something" Delta half replied and lifted up a piece of paper to wave at Killer without turning around.

Killer crept over her silently and quickly snatched the paper from Delta's hand.

"Hey, give that back!" Delta cried and tried to reach the paper now in his hands.

Killer outstretched his arms and lifted the paper up higher above while he tilted his head back to inspect it.

"Give it back!" Delta demanded and jumped up trying to reach Killer's hands. But it was no use, there was no way she would ever be able to reach his hands.

Killer stood silent and scanned the image, not phased by Delta's pleading. She had grown tired of jumping for it and was now on her tip toes still desperately trying to get what was hers.

"Please..give it back, Killer " Delta whispered as She gently pawed Killer's stomach.

Killer looked down at her a little surprised by her touch.

"It's a drawing of a...weapon?" He asked flatly.

Delta nodded profusely.

"What exactly is it?" He slowly lowered his hands and pushed the paper towards Delta.

"Not everything has a meaning" Delta snapped and ripped the paper from Killer's hands.

She sulked back over to the coffee table and continued to work on her picture with Killer following her every move. He placed himself next to Delta and watched her steadily.

"For a man who wants to hide everything, he sure is close to me" Delta rolled her eyes in thought.

She looked up at his blue and white helmet with an annoyed glare but it quickly melted the longer she faced him. For some reason she couldn't manage to stay pissed with him even if she tried.

"What?" Killer cocked his head to the side.

"N-nothing.." Delta quickly looked away.

She was trying with all her power to not admit that he was...oddly...cute. Delta scolded herself "you haven't even seen the man's face". But on the other hand it didn't really bother her. She didn't want to press the matter either. He was still a notorious pirate who could change his mind any minute on Delta, although she doubted that would happen.

"When do you have to go into work?" Killer asked her. His deep voice hummed when he spoke quietly.

"Six." Delta whispered. She really didn't want to look at the clock. She didn't want to go to work, and she really didn't want Killer to leave. She didn't know why though. He hardly said much and pestered her a lot.

She heard Killer grunt softly.

"What does that mean?!" She screamed inwardly. Delta dropped her pencil from her hand and sighed. Killer looked down at her and brushed Delta's arm. The girl shuddered slightly at his touch.

"What's wrong?"

"I just don't want to go.." Delta smiled.

"..then don't" Killer suggested and laid back on the floor.

"I can't just not show up" Delta laughed and matched his movements. She lay next to him on the carpet of her loft, looking out her skylight on the ceiling. Leaves from the trees outside were skipping across the glass as the wind blew softly.

Delta glanced at the man next to her. His arms were rested behind his head and his legs were bent at the knees, his long blond hair was splayed all over the floor. His previously labored breathing had evened out, Delta could see his chest rising and falling like normal. She couldn't help but stare at him. He was an interesting one. How could he convince her to do all sorts of things when they hadn't even met two days ago? That just wasn't normal.

"Is there something the matter?" Killer asked her.

"Nah" Delta assured him. Killer turned to look at her and reached his hand out to her. Delta shrunk back a little, startled.

"You still don't trust me, do you? Killer mumbled softly, pulling his hand back. He wondered what made her so timid around him. Yet she had no problems agreeing to do what he told her. He wondered if Delta was just talking to him out of fear.

"I don't really know" Delta half agreed. She slid closer to Killer and rested her head on his chest. She had no idea what compelled her to do a thing like that. Delta worried that was the most wrong move she ever made in her life and expected to get hurt.

She felt Killer's warm body tense underneath her and he didn't say a word. But Delta gasped a little when she felt his hand on her back.

She felt his other hand gently stroke her cheek and turn her chin up to his covered face.

"You should stay" He mumbled in her ear.