Chapter 12: His Brother Summer Song
A/N: Okay… So I don't really have valid excuse for this one. Really, the last update was a year and two month ago and I was like 'WHAT?!'. Still, I'm quite pleased knowing there are quite some readers supporting KillerxLuffy pairing. And FYI, all events occurs before the 2 years time skip. And also! I've replaced the summary since I've figured that the last one is less… dramatic.
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Sweet and salty, Killer allowed the smell of the ocean to caress his nostril, to remind him the presence of nature as he watched the gentle waves stroked the ship. In the blonde's eyes, it was as if the waves were talking to him with stories of days gone by—about bold sailors and seagulls high in the sky or maybe about the mysterious sea creatures. As he leaned his forearms against the rails, The Massacre Man gazed at the ocean that gleamed off the bright sunshine. He dimly wondered if there's any a shark or sea monsters lurking beneath. Well, not that they are going to propose threats anyway bearing in mind those boarding the ship are thousand times more terrifying. But still, the creature's appearance could as well be a refreshing wake up call on this peaceful morning.
Killer took another leisure sip of his beer and moved his tongue around to get the slightly bitter liquid to coat his buds. Warmth flooded into his system and the blonde closed his eyes momentarily to relish the flavor and the feeling.
Another sip of the alcoholic beverage was about to be consumed when he felt a soft tug on his shirt. One emerald eye cracked open, the man turned his head only to take in Luffy's slightly pouty face. He wasn't sure what had caused the teen to behave such, but he had this eerie feeling the pout was directed towards him.
He turned and leaned back against the rail to face Luffy. His head made a curt nod, a nonverbal mean to question the boy's agenda.
"Nothing." Luffy mumbled and pressed his face into the man's warm chest as his rubbery arms went to circle his torso.
"You're like Zoro. It's only morning and you already drinking beer."
Bottle half way from touching his lips, Killer paused and fixed his eyes on the dark head. They weren't alone at the moment, but at the same time, they were the only occupants on the second deck and by any means, the highest part of the ship. Even the library and the crow nest was vacant and therefore, no witness available. Don't mistake him. It wasn't like he was troubled to come out or anything about his current relationship with the current captain, but Killer considered it would be best to wait until everything has settled down or at least until they have landed on the shore like they had planned a week earlier.
That, and he just didn't want to handle any additional 'woo' factor from the eccentric crew especially Trafalgar Law.
"This is an adult drink. A kid like you wouldn't be able to understand." Killer said finally, barely catching the protest grumble vibrated across his chest.
Luffy looked up and stared at the older male. Defiant was definitely heavy in those dark, luminous eyes. "I'm not a kid. I'm already seventeen."
"Still a kid." The blonde took another swig, causing the rest of the beer inside the bottle to slosh around the impact. Today he had opted to tie his hair up so the gentle breeze could caress his cheeks rather than gushing through his wild lock.
"Well, how old are you?" Not one to accept defeat easily, Luffy questioned the man. He knew Killer was older than him, but to what degree, the captain had yet to determine.
The first mate shrugged, deciding not to expose his real age. "Age is not important. It's just a number. What matters is how you carry yourself and how you view life,"
Before another retort could make itself apparent, Killer took another large gulp, laced his fingers with Luffy's soft lock and tugged it slightly to tilt the boy's head. When confused dark eyes met him, the Massacre Man wasted no time to capture the younger's lips. Confused with the sudden action, Luffy was capable to accomplish only few things. To stand there, to let the man parted his lips and to let the alcoholic liquid to be transferred into his mouth. The burning sensation caused the petite captain to jolt and on instinct, Luffy tried to rear back. But Killer's hold was like an iron and the boy could do nothing but much except to continue receiving the beer and swallowed it down.
It has gotten worse from there, much to Luffy's chagrin.
Burning sensation aside, the alcohol made his eyes watered and the teen fought the urge to gag.
Once he had made sure Luffy had swallowed every drop of beer offered (including his saliva), it was then Killer finally released the kissable, pink lips.
"Pwaah!" Immediately, the boy chocked, coughed and gasped for air. If he wasn't a hammer, Luffy would be jumping into the sea by now and drinking gallons of sea water just to wash the unpleasant after-taste inside his mouth.
Dear Neptune! Zoro, his first mate has been drinking poison all these years!
"See, told you so." Maybe he was being a tad mean to the younger, but seeing how close Luffy was from eating the wooden rail, the remorse was quickly replaced by amusement. "Only adult would enjoy the taste."
With a larger than life glower, the captain wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "That was—"
"Killer! You here?!" Without warning, the hatch was slammed opened and a patch of red grass practically popped out of the opening.
Yes, red. A very fiery red grass that actually sprouted on Eustass Kidd's head.
It took the South Blue Captain less than two minutes to track down his first mate along with his fellow captain. What he didn't realize were the stunned expression of Luffy's and the way Killer rubbed his chest as though his heart had just burst into smattering.
"Come down." Kidd proceeded, ignoring Luffy's heated glare. "The tangerine woman wants to tell us something."
Before the teen's glare had the chance to melt him, Kidd quickly dove down and closed the hatch before him. It's not even noon and this brat had already put him in his shit list. What a nerve!
A moment or two went by with only a sound of crushing waves cut through the silent air as both males stared at the closed hatch. On Killer's part, the blond was contemplating on whether to go down and listened whatever the navigator had in mind. He had to admit. Monsters and six eyes beasts could no longer have any effects on him and he could turn them into a pile of gooey blob without batting an eyelid. But Nami was different. Something about the tangerine keeper that was menacing enough to make anyone to bow down on their knees. Pirate or no pirate.
Maybe he could just pretend that he has a stomach-ache and bed ridden. Damn, now he sounded exactly like a child who refuses to go to school.
"Come on, let's go." The first mate decided to abort the silly idea as he chugged down the rest of the beer and signaled for the other to follow suit. Hand on the hatch's handle, Killer looked back and saw the captain was still there, exactly on the very same spot, unmoved.
"Let's stay here. We don't have to come down…" By the end of his sentence, Luffy's voice was barely above whisper.
Of its own volition, the first mate felt his eyebrow rose a few millimeters at the suggestion. The boy's voice sounded somewhat needy and childish. With a barely there sigh, Killer walked back to the young captain.
"We have to." On reflex, Killer used the type of voice that one usually does when referring to a child. "Do you want your navigator to go ballistic?'
Luffy quickly shook his head. Of course nobody needed that. Not even someone with a high bounty on his head like Luffy, or even Kidd in that matter. To his relief, the young captain finally came into an agreement by muttering a reluctant 'fine' under his breath.
"Good boy." The blond mumbled before placing a chaste kiss on the teens' forehead. That perked up Luffy's mood even by the slightest and the captain beamed in return. Those dark, muted orbs then landed on Killer's, searching and waiting before they flicked down over his lips and back to his eyes again. Luffy licked his upper lip, suddenly feeling the need to kiss the man again. The other understood the gesture almost immediately and let the boy cupped the back of his neck to pull him down slightly and, pressing the soft lips gently to his.
It was soft and quick. No tongue action, not even a playful bite. Just sweet, in Killer's opinion. So much sweeter especially when Luffy tip toed and pressed their foreheads together while sharing the same breathing space with him, his fingers threading through his blond mane. All too soon when the boy suddenly pulled away and the first mate opened his previously closed eyes only to take in an image of a flushed Luffy. Even with his head turned to the side, it was very easy to notice the lovely, vivid near-crimson hue that licked across Luffy's cheekbones and then extended downward to his neck.
"I'm—uhh… gonna go down now. Yeah, Nami," Luffy cleared his throat, feeling downright annoyed at his own stuttering. "Have to hurry before Nami gets mad. And snacks! Right, Sanji must have prepared them!"
Luffy didn't waste a second to make himself disappear by jumping straight to the lower deck with the blush still clinging on him persistently. What he didn't realize was the effect he had caused for the older man as well since two minutes after the captain's departure, Killer still stood there with eyes still fixated in the spot where he had last seen Luffy. Ever so slowly, the blonde brought his hand up and touched his lips with his fingers. The tingling sensation was still there and the man didn't even need a mirror to know the color of his face at the moment—the prickling heat concentrating just below his eyes and ears was more than enough as an indication.
Killer gripped the front his shirt to soothe his throbbing heart. No such luck. His heart didn't wish to obey his master today as the vital organ still feverishly pumping blood to his face. Worse, his vision was cracking due to fierce coursing of his blood and left a blooming heat in his gut. It somewhat terrified him.
"What the hell just happened…?" The blond muttered to no one in specific knowing that he would never receive the answer that time. For now, he could only hope for his vision to return as soon as possible and for the damn blush to wane by the time he meets the rest of the crew.
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"Good news for the three of you!" Nami clapped her hand excitedly, enough to make her glassed slid down a few millimeters from the top bridge of her nose.
"We're landing in five minutes..?" Sat on floor with his back against the center mast, Kidd offered his wild guess.
"That would be my wish but no." Her dark brown eyes made a fleeting gaze across the deck to see if all non-crew members were present and the doubt she had earlier was cleared off immediately when she spotted Law perched on the rail while Killer was seen sitting on the wooden stair.
Satisfied with the full attendance, the navigator continued. "But you're not far because we'll reach an island the day after tomorrow."
A surprised gasp ensued almost immediately and soon enough, a series of 'screech', 'thump' and 'thunk' followed after before a pain yelp filled the air. All heads turned to have their eyes landed on the upside down captain of the ship. Sometime after Nami's revelation, Luffy had miraculously lost his footing while standing on top if the slide and continued to skate downward, head first. As the youngest captain grumbled and pulled himself up for a proper sitting position, everyone else dismissed the incident as one of Luffy's usual antics.
"Oh really…" Law drawled as his fingers nimbly folding a killer whale origami. He finished it in a world record of two minutes and placed the folded paper on the rail, just next to a penguin origami. Chopper seemed to be fond of the neatly arranged raw of origami—turtle, frog, panda, bear cub, etc—as the reindeer gazed at each of the animal shaped paper art in excitement.
"That's just too bad." Resting his arms on his knees, the doctor allowed his eyes to linger on Killer. "I'm just starting to get comfortable with this crew. Such a shame that we have to leave this ship at this time around. Don't you agree, Mr. Killer?"
Caught off guard, Killer returned the double-meaning remark with a glare. Both of them knew the sub-context of Law's comment very well, but despite his gurgling annoyance towards the placebo doctor, the blond couldn't think of anything to contradict the other. As for the time being, he was more content at how he finally able to get his heart rate back in a controlled state and remove the damn blush by washing his face with cold water just earlier in the kitchen.
'Damn bastard is trying to pass this as a normal conversation.'
"Of course he wouldn't agree with you." Kidd scoffed at Law's comment. "Not only doesn't he have to face your ugly mug anymore, I think we all fancy our own ship better."
"But you are still welcome to visit us anytime. We wouldn't mind. It's fun to have the three of you around." Robin murmured loud enough and took small sips of the steaming coffee prepared by the ship's cook. Like the North Blue Captain, she too, made fleeting gaze towards a certain uneasy looking blond who tried to mask his stiffness by focusing on his own coffee.
"Not gonna happen," As he slouched further, the redhead picked the mug only to discover it was already empty. Disappointed, Kidd twirled the mug on the floor instead. He wasn't much of a coffee drinker, but damn, this one was pretty good.
"As soon as we get our asses off this ship, we're going to become rivals as we should be. So next time, let's try to kill each other rather than having coffee." Kidd smirked at the end of his sentence and walked over to Killer before flopping himself down next to his first mate. "But since we tend to take different route, so I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Shame, right?"
Red.
Little by little, that particular color began to soak Luffy's vision and as his ears picked up bits and pieces of the crew mindless chattering, the saturation intensified. Tenfold.
"I wonder if it will take years for us to cross path again. Yohohoho~" That was Brook.
Stop.
"Who knows. Maybe a year later, two years later or even a decade—what's wrong, Kill? You look like hell." That was Kidd again and the second his pale hand touched the blonde's shoulder, something fluttered in Luffy's lungs.
Just stop.
"Poor guy probably traumatized with the fact that he's going to be stuck with you for another decade." That was Nami mumbling under her breath.
Meaningless with no hidden meaning, the conversation that is, but to Luffy, it was more than enough to cause the thin balance inside him tipped sideway.
Please stop.
"He's my first mate. Of course he's going to be stuck with me—"
That time, the red hue that dyed his world had resembled that of blood and even the teen's respiration rate increased to the point he was breathing hard like Luffy just couldn't get enough air into his lungs. Red—everything was painted with red. It was red when he imagined Kidd and Killer sitting next to each other under starry nights while drinking booze. It was red when the young captain imagined Killer looked at his captain devotedly as they managed to take down yet another of their rival's ship. It was definitely pitch red when Luffy could almost hear laughter erupted when one of the crew cracked a joke and Kidd would ruffle Killer's wild lock from behind and—no. Everything just now was his imagination—the closeness, the friendship, the touches.
Clenching his fist, Luffy scolded his illusion but more than anything, such imaginations weren't baseless as there were bound to happen. Accident or non-accident. Killer, no, HIS Killer would leave in a matter of two days without knowing when and where they would ever meet again while Kidd, on the other hand gets to spend his time effortlessly with the blond man.
Such luxury… such simplicity without effort…
Luffy envied Eustass Kidd.
"No."
The word came out from his own mouth sounded somewhat foreign even to Luffy's ear. In any way, it wasn't a scream, but it was palpable, clear and serious—all mixing together to stop the chattering on the deck. Startled with a hint of confusion; those were the emotions written all over everyone's face save for Zoro who was taking a nap.
"No what, Luffy?" Still nibbling the snack—oat raisin cookie—made by their cook, Usopp tilted his head to the side as he took in Luffy's slightly fuming expression. It wasn't just the face, even the vibes his captain radiating at the moment seemed a tad off. Was it because of the overly creamy flavor of the mocha mint coffee? Or at the fact that he was the one who polished off the last cookie?
The young captain ignored Ussop quizzical look and stalked forward. Topped with green jealousy, Luffy offered no poker face because of the sea of emotions that was swirling inside him. Rage, hurt or even desperation—Luffy wasn't certain of what kind of façade he was parading at the moment. One thing for sure, he wasn't smiling. His heart ached, his skin prickled heatedly and he could no longer feel the warm, salty breeze of the sea caressing his body. That time, it was as if his mind was disjointed from his own body, for Luffy couldn't stop his legs from advancing forward—to the core of his anger.
And when Luffy walked briskly across the lawn without even casting a glance at him with brows furrowed together, Killer immediately could tell that trouble was about to make a sweet visit. Shit, scratch that! It was going to be pandemonium after all when the teen make himself rooted into the grass, right in the middle of the crowd with his dark eyes zeroing on a specific person.
Luffy was glaring heatedly at Eustass Kidd.
Killer was two seconds too late to warn the boy to keep his mouth sealed shut when Luffy was already beat him to it.
"Killer's not going anywhere." Was the next phrase Luffy voiced out after the earlier confusing one."
At any other time, Eustass Captain Kidd would have laughed at such particular statement and dismissed it as one of Luffy's nonsensical blabber. But not today. Now was different, even Kidd could sense it. The glare that he has been receiving these past few days, the stealing glances and the cold shoulders—something was up.
"And what exactly do you mean by that, Oh Captain of The Ship?" Kidd returned with a slightly mocking tone, he didn't as much twitched even when The East Blue Captain narrowed his eyes.
There was anger bunching up in his balled fist after watching the other's mocking manner. "Because Killer is going to stay here. On MY ship." Luffy snapped his answer through gritted teeth.
None of the crew claimed the right to intervene since they too, could feel the taut atmosphere radiated from the two captains. For the time being they merely observed seeing as the crews were baffled with their captain's sudden outburst as well.
The redhead tilted his head to the side, ignoring those multiple pair of eyes that were watching them intently. Something was definitely wrong here. "Where did that nonsense come from? Why the hell would Killer—"
"I said," Canine teeth bared, Luffy interrupted with a low hiss. "Killer is going to stay here."
Most of the crew twitched at what they considered as dangerous snarl. From their vantage point, they could see the canine teeth Luffy was displaying gleamed while his eyes narrowed into slits of violent dark brown. As carefree as they were, they knew that their captain was beyond pissed but regarding what issue, none of them could formulate the possible answer. None of them except for Robin, Sanji, Law and Killer himself.
Similar to everyone else, confusion was taking place inside Kidd, but overtaking that particular feeling was irritation at Luffy's sudden insistent that made no sense to him or anyone on that matter.
"The fuck is wrong with you?" By now, Kidd's tone was no longer laid back or mocking. It was low and dangerous, almost harmonizing with Luffy's. And with him standing up and towering 20-centimeters above Luffy, the air couldn't get any less tense.
"Killer is part of my crew. My first mate. Since when he has this obligation to stay here?"
"Since I said so and since—"
"Luffy!" Killer shushed the said teen as he leaped down the stairs. This time around, he was a moment quicker to stop the captain from pouring out everything.
Another wave of confusion pumping through his heart while Kidd let his eyes followed his first mate who practically dashed through his way towards them. Did he just call him Luffy? Since when Killer had mastered enough vocabulary to address the brat by his name?
"Just stop right there." Another low hiss came from the blond, eyes locked with Luffy's darker one.
"But—"
"No but!" Killer was having none of the boy's persistency, hushing him with a hard voice. "We've talked about this."
From rage, Luffy's expression twisted 360-degree to what could be considered as kicked puppy face. In fact, there was almost an invisible puppy ears folded flat against the dark head of Luffy's after being scolded by the man.
"But I thought… you said—"
"I know what I said." The blond sighed and willed himself to be patient. Just why-oh-why did the boy have to be so upfront, so childish and so persistent at the wrong place and wrong time especially when the other redhead counterpart was more than ready to wring an explanation from them.
"What's going on here?" Kidd set his eyes on his first mate. Then back to Luffy. Back and forth. Back and forth. And by the fourth cycle, the South Blue Captain has yet to be entertained by his long awaited answer.
"Killer?" His scowl pinned Killer in his spot.
The blond however, didn't acknowledge his captain right away. He pinched the bridge of his nose, flexed his jaw and sighed and it was only then that Killer finally turned sideway to face the redhead. "Can we not do this right now?"
"Why?" Kidd challenged. At this point, his tone had reached a VERY dangerous level, as if asking his own first mate if he was trying to oppose order from his captain. "Is it too dangerous to be discussed out here? Too secret that only the two of you can know about it?"
There was hesitancy pursing Killer's lips that didn't go unnoticed by the South Blue Captain. It was irritating him. In one way or another.
"So I'm going to ask you again, Kill. What're you hiding?"
Desperation was sighing in his ribcage as Killer closed his eyes momentarily. He was officially cornered, from the front, back and both sides. Cornered by enemies whose hungry for his blood, cornered by Marines with their nonsensical justice, cornered by ferocious beast in some godforsaken island—that sort of circumstances could no longer make him weak in the knees. But to be cornered by people he acquainted with while demanding answer was another story.
It was enough to make nausea coiling in his stomach. It was enough to make his mind grew blanker by the second. It was enough to make words clumped together at the back of his throat and disturb his ability to breathe normally. It wouldn't be long before anyone could figure it out. Or Kidd on that matter. Because from where he stood, he could almost hear gear in the latter's mind turning, deducing answer that was so close he was sure his captain could, metaphorically speaking, taste it.
"I'm not trying to hide anything." The first mate was finally able to untangle the clump of words inside his mouth. "I'm just waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"The right time." Killer reasoned more. What more could he say? Unlike Law who had no fear in parading every single damn thing about the way he leads his life for the world to see, the blond however, felt otherwise. And he knew Luffy, the one who has been gripping his shirt now and then was in line with the doctor's ideology. Somehow, Killer felt that he was being unfair with the young captain.
"I'm not happy with that answer."
Figured. Killer mused mostly to himself. If there's anything worse, it's the fact that Trafalgar Law had chose that exact moment to slice through the already tense atmosphere. And the blond regretted for not pushing the smug doctor off the rail the moment he heard Law's very first word.
"I don't think Mr. Killer is trying to hide anything from you, Kidd." Law started. His first sentence had succeeded in magnetizing multiple pair of eyes towards him, Killer included. But in contrast with the others' eyes that were practically lusting for any sort of explanation, the blonde's mismatched eyes were brimming with homicidal intent with a touch of plead.
'Don't do this.'
Law was having none of that.
"Shit!" Among the Straw-Hat Crews, Sanji was the first to respond since he was well-aware of Law's intention. He was inches away from hurling the tray in his hand straight to the doctor's direction, but his conscience held his urge. Instead, the blond cook sought for Robin's assistance.
"Quick, Robin! Close his damn mouth—"
"Maybe Mr. Killer just didn't know how to tell you that he and Mr. Mugiwara are together right now." Two seconds too late.
Almost simultaneously, Killer, Robin and Sanji closed their eyes. That time, all three of them had one regret. Sanji—for not throwing the tray towards Law's unprepared head. Robin—for not shoving her full fist into Law's mouth. And Killer—for not giving the damn doctor at least a good, hard kick in the groin. Fuck Law and his big mouth. Fuck Law and his timing.
The gears in everyone's head stopped whirling and clicked in appropriate places. Every little pieces and bits finally merged together, and their suspicion was confirmed when Killer didn't make an effort in denying Law's earlier remark. That was It.—THE explanation they all have been waiting for. And damn to hell if it didn't leave everyone's heart at a standstill shock in a long intoxicating moment.
"How—" Ussop tried to shuffle his vocabulary inside his mouth, but all that came out was mixed sounds of 'ho, wha and whe'. "…Luffy?"
In the meantime where the crew was still sorting their jolting hearts, Zoro leaned his back against the wooden wall, fully awake and aware of the state of affairs. Aware enough to watch emotions distorting Killer's feature. But then again, it was hard to tell because at the moment, his facial expression was giving nothing off. Still, the swordsman noticed how Killer's eyes glistened and how a faint flush dusted Luffy's telltale cheeks. It was rare, in Zoro's opinion, to see their captain wearing such expression—a modest blush that consumed the raven's usual stupefied look.
It was interesting. The odd couple, the development, the reaction—everything intrigued Zoro. He wanted to observe the extent of their feelings towards each other. Is it short-lived, enduring or profuse? Or perhaps something more? For now, instead of dropping his jaw to the ground or even bared his teeth—like a certain captain was doing—, he simply lie there and watched and maybe unsheathe his sword if things get out of control.
"What?" Kidd had opted for a piercing glower instead of jaw dropping activity like the rest of Luffy's crew.
No words spoke on Killer's part. Stare strike with stare. In that deep, heart-wrenching stillness, the blonde felt pinprick numbness from underneath his skin. Any words by now had somewhat resembled a thin glass and for every attempt they made to climb up his tongue, Killer could feel the slicing pain in his throat. And because of that, the deck had turned into a silent, unpleasantly cold stage.
That is, until a new, unforeseen man decided to join the play.
"How interesting…" That was the first line and all head turns only to take in the image of a figure perching on the ships' handrail just few meters away from where Law was sitting. Just how he was able to board the ship without alerting anyone was beyond puzzlement.
"It hasn't been a year since I last saw my baby brother and he's already making husband?" That was the second line and it was drawled in such way that made chill traveled along the spine.
At the exact second Killer had his eyes locked with the man's dark brown, he was pretty sure his face wasn't radiant in any way, more so when he noticed the smile splitting the man's face didn't exactly reach his eyes.
Plus, there's another valid reason for his heart to go 'thump, thump, thump' in a fastest possible way.
He was staring into the eyes of 2nd division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Portgas D. Ace.
HOLLY SHIT.
-To be Continued-
A/N: Lately, I've noticed that my recent chapters (including other projects) is less straight forward and more poetic… or dramatic should I say?