Chapter 18

Reunion

Author's Announcement: I didn't make it to complete the series before exams. I'm working now and it's difficult coping. I swear I'm not cut out to work for a living. In any case, a whole ton of shit fell into my life so this had to be put on hold. Now that most of the shit is cleared, I'll be continuing. You can expect updates from now on. Thank you for being with me this far.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Day 11

A hangover.

That was the first thing Eustass's alcohol intoxicated mind registered. Pain in the head, pain in the body, pain in the heart as well. Killer had said alcohol numbed everything. He lied. The only thing that alcohol numbed was his logic. Drinking at the bar was a bad idea. Killing some poor fools would have been better.

Eustass groaned as his eyes adjusted to the new environment. He sat up and bounced a little. His mind paused and backtracked. Did he just bounce?

Sure enough when his eyes got accustomed to the dim lights, he saw himself in a comfortable hotel bedroom with curtains drawn closed. Perplexed and thirsty, Eustass scanned the room to seek out anyone that might be nearby. To his dismay, not a soul was in sight.

The streets outside were busy and Eustass drew back the curtains slightly to peek. The sunlight blinded him temporarily but once he adjusted to the ungodly brightness, Eustass realized he was in a different part of the town from where he was the previous night.

The sound of horse drawn carriages trotting along cobblestoned paths, merchants yelling to outbid each other and a large harbor not far away, with salty scent of the sea in the air, made Eustass frown. The bar was near the middle of the town. How could the harbor be so near? It wasn't even the place Law's submarine was stationed at.

Thinking about Law made Eustass's heart twist in agony. His hand clenched into a painful fist across his heart. Lost in his thoughts, Eustass's headache began to diminish.

A familiar voice broke through his melancholy. It was so long since he last heard that voice.

"Captain!"

Eustass's head snapped up and his eyes met a familiar mask. "Killer!"

A genuine smile crept up Eustass's face and he jumped off the window from the fifth floor of the hotel.

A bone crushing hug was only befitting for the captain's first mate upon seeing his irresponsible captain for suddenly disappearing on the crew. "Welcome back captain…" was all Killer managed before the rest of the crew tackled their red headed captain to the ground.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

A huge "Welcome Back" party was thrown for the captain on board that night and once again, drinks were brought out. Eustass chugged down mug after mug of high quality beer the crew went all out to buy. Things felt almost back to normal with the rowdy sea dogs going all out to impress their captain.

It was only after most of the crew dropped dead that Killer sat by his captain and spoke his mind.

"Captain, what happened?"

Eustass's broad grin faltered. He chuckled emptily and chugged down the last dregs in his mug.

"I fell in love."

Killer wasn't shocked. He felt happy for his captain. However he knew that wasn't all there was to the story. "That's great news captain. What else?"

Eustass hesitated. "I fell in love with a man."

Killer rolled his eyes beneath the mask. It wasn't as if he didn't know who it was. "It's Trafalgar D Watel Law isn't it? I'm not surprised. Now what's wrong with that?"

Eustass hesitated. His hands shook a little as he told Killer, "He proposed to me."

Killer was at a loss for words. One part of him wanted to congratulate his captain while the other part was puzzled. Why was his captain telling him this? "Shouldn't it be that you are going to marry him?"

Eustass shook his head and clasped his hands tighter. "I haven't accepted or given much of a reply."

Killer was dumbfounded. Why wouldn't his captain accept such a proposal? Eustass was the kind of man who knew what he wanted and took what he wanted without second thoughts. Why did he hesitate or even deny someone he wanted?

Killer knew that things were more complicated than it seemed. His captain did not seem like his usual self. The man in the wanted posters was a mere sham in front of the current Eustass.

Killer sighed. "Captain, I don't know what happened but don't you think that you should do what you usually do? You are the kind of man who knows what he wants and takes them. Right now the one you want is Trafalgar Law and he is right before you. All you need to do is accept him. The consequences matter little. If anything happens, you can always count on me to clean up the mess afterwards like I always do. I've got your back, captain. In fact the whole crew would support your decision no matter what."

Eustass still looked dubious and Killer sighed. He had not wanted to reveal it to his captain too soon but it looks necessary to give Eustass the final push he needed. "The whole crew knows, or at least had guessed, that you fancy Law. They approve of it."

Eustass's jaw slackened. Killer nodded.

"Why else do you think those sea dogs were partying? They knew you have been spending time with that surgeon of death. Some are placing bets that you got laid. I don't think so though. Captain looks like someone who would have popped his cherry instead. There are two teams here captain but whatever you choose we will support you."

Eustass slapped his hand to his forehead hard, leaving a red mark behind. "And I was so careful…"

Killer chuckled. "It's all in the game captain. You can't live with a crew of nosy bastards and not get your secrets uncovered."

Eustass groaned heavily.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Author's Note: Next chapter – Eustass gives Law his reply… what do you think will happen? Review please!