Chapter 3
"Oi Trafalgar." Law heard Eustass call, so he glanced up to stare at the redhead who spoke quietly, many of the guards were asleep for the night, some only up on watch while Law checked over the assassin's hand, the idiot had managed to smash a bottle in it, embedding a few glass shards into his hand leaving Law to fix the mess, being the least drunk here apart from the night patrollers.
"What's wrong Eustass-ya?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at the redhead.
"I've asked several times now but you don't give me a straight answer. Who the hell is this fiancé of your King's that's made me his champion? And why me?"
Law rolled his eyes, of course Eustass wouldn't take a hint and drop it already, but with a reluctant sigh he spoke. "The fiancé is a young noble from the North, the King and his fiancé's father are old friends and so agreed to have a match between them-"
"So this guy isn't marrying the King willingly?"
Law felt wearily and would normally be more cautious about answering such a question, but despite being the least drunk he was still intoxicated enough to answer.
"At first it was a willing marriage, they became good friends then lovers, but..." Law frowned, his thoughts growing darker which he hastily shoved away. "...An accident happened and there was a fall out."
"He doesn't want to marry over a fall out?" Eustass raised his eyebrow. "Can't the King just apologize?"
Law offered a sad smile. "I don't believe an apology can fix this Eustass-ya, unfortunately."
The assassin snorted. "Must have been some argument."
"They both regret how things turned out but it's not something so easily fixed." Law bit his lip, finally finished fixing the assassin's hand. "There, now go sleep off that alcohol, we leave early tomorrow."
The redhead grumbled as he stumbled over to his 'spot' as he declared it. "You're no fun quack doctor."
"I warned you not to get drunk remember? So it's not my fault if you wake up with a hangover."
Law twitched when he woke up to a shout, it was a familiar, hate filled scream but it didn't suit, that tone with that voice didn't suit at all. So he forced his heavy eyelids open, spotting a bickering pair, one cradling a hand to his head while the other held his own hand gingerly.
Law realised he must have fallen asleep, after all Shachi was back and he felt groggy and worse than before. There was an odd stinging at his throat too, it was thin and sharp making him frown as he gingerly touched his neck, a wet feeling slipped over his fingers which he raised up, noticing the blood. He then scowled, noticing the pair clenching and raising their fists. Did they not remember this wasn't their house? Smoothly though he approached the pair, frowning when he arrived in front of them.
"Shachi. Eustass-ya. Stop it." Law ordered, he felt himself scowl.
Shachi turned to protest. "He tried to kill you Captain! We need to take him back to the mines before he does it again!"
Eustass let out an low growl. "Like fuck I'm going back there-"
"You deserve it-"
Law felt his patience wane and with that he reached out, grasped and smacked both their thick skulls together, hoping they would finally shut up.
Law gave an insincere smile to the pair, who had frozen, thankfully stunned and quiet for the moment. "Now, Apis-ya dear." He glanced over at her, the girl was hiding behind the couch, looking nervous. "Give your grandfather three spoonfuls of that medicine once a day, one in the morning, afternoon and night. Over time that should help treat him." He then turned his attention to the pair who were starting to awaken from their stupor. "And how about us three go and get those clothes now, unless Eustass-ya you want to wear rags for the next few weeks."
The redhead grumbled but made no protest, other than glaring at Shachi who glared right back.
"Captai-"
Law quickly interrupted. "No."
And quickly he turned away and strode out the house, though managed to thank the girl for her hospitality.
"Oi, quit staring before I cut out your eyes."
"I'm watching you to make sure you don't attack the Captain again." The brat sneered.
Kid glanced over at Trafalgar who was walking a bit ahead. "Trafalgar, how do you get your mutt to stop watching me?"
"I'm not a mutt!" He barked.
"You acting like one."
His ear caught Trafalgar mutter something about his sword but that just left Kid confused, so tilted his head.
"You have a sword?"
The Captain glanced back, puzzled. "Of course I do."
"I've never seen you with one." Kid persisted, he hasn't seen so much as a single blade on this guy.
"Bepo has been carrying it for me."
Kid could only think of one sword that the giant carried, a long black sheathed sword making him choke. "You can carry that thing?!"
"Aww, he looks so confused." He heard the mutt tease.
"What was that you bastard?" Kid growled, glaring over at the brunette.
"Stop it. We're here." Trafalgar called, showing them the clothes shop. "And yes Eustass-ya, I can carry it." He sounded amused but Kid was too busy feeling relieved.
Finally he could get out of these rags.
Kid had been genially surprised, he found something quite similar to what he used to wear in the shop and it fit him perfectly, a large dark brown coat, his old one used to be red though, which he missed but this seemed even better, he had slipped his right arm into it and relaxed at the soft material, it was foreign, completely foreign to him. He didn't bother with a shirt, it was warm enough in Dressrosa so instead he picked a pair of trousers, black with yellow prints with a bright blue sash and belt.
Sure he picked out a few more clothes but this seemed the best, along with the pair of goggles on his head which finally pushed his hair back up, at first he had been forced to tie it back most of the time but now it was rightfully back in it's place.
What was more surprising was that Trafalgar really did pay for everything, even all the accessories he gathered up for himself, which was good since he had no money to begin with. Really he was relying on Trafalgar for everything, which disgusted him.
"Find what you like?" He spotted Trafalgar sitting on a chair while the brat sat next to him, arms crossed and scowling.
"Depends, did I get rid of all that cash you had?" Kid raised a brow, grinning.
His 'escort' snorted. "Not even close Eustass-ya, and besides, it would take days for you to do so."
"Huh? But theses were fucking expensive asshole." Kid felt himself sneer, earning a chuckle.
"Not enough for a dent yet I'm afraid, maybe when we get to the capital." Trafalgar looked amused as he stood up, heading towards the door before looking back. "Remember to pick everything up by the way."
Kid smirked. "Not carrying anything Trafalgar?"
"I paid for it." He supplied, but Kid just continued smirking.
"Are you sure your arms aren't just too weak?"
Trafalgar offered another insincere smile. "Suppose you'll just have to carry everything for me for now on huh Eustass-ya?"
"If it makes you feel better."
His smirk widened at the mutt's growl from behind him.
Shachi quickly made an excuse of putting the supplies away that they had bought while the Captain and the assassin settled down. The assassin sat next to his Captain, thankfully Penguin and Bepo were with them though, Shachi could trust that they could keep the Captain safe, and maybe they would even spot the cut across their Captain's neck.
For now though Shachi knew what he had to do. He quickly entered his room, found his bag and dug through it, pulling out a small den den mushi with a green shell and glasses. The dial didn't last long, a familiar voice reaching his ears.
"Hello?"
"Monet? It's Shachi, from-"
"I know who you are Shachi. Is there a problem?" Monet's voice asked him, making him frown.
He didn't want to go behind his Captain's back like this, but it was for his own good. He didn't seem to see how dangerous the assassin was, and with the assassin always by his Captain's side he was in constant danger. Mentally he apologized to him, but knew this was for the best.
"Yes, the assassin, Eustass Kid, tried to murder my Captain today, I managed to stop him but I only just made it..."
"Did Law not stop him?" Monet questioned.
Shachi answered reluctantly. "...Truthfully the Captain hasn't been resting properly, he had sent me on an errand and must have fallen asleep while I was gone, because I came back to find the assassin with a blade at my Captain's neck while he was asleep..."
The den den mushi frowned. "That does seem like a problem." Then it smiled again and licked it lips. "Luckily it can be sorted out. Eustass Kid won't prove to be a problem ever again. For anyone."
"...The Captain-"
"Don't worry Shachi, no one will be angry." Monet's voice was soothing, nearly making him visibly relax. "We will take care of everything but first, I need you to tell me everything."
Law frowned suspiciously when Eustass sat a cup of coffee down on the table in front of him, sitting beside him afterwards. Wearily he raised an eyebrow at the redhead who ignored him, taking a sip of his own before grunting.
"I didn't poison it, if that's what you're worried about." He supplied, but Law just continued to frown at him.
"I do remember you tried to kill me earlier Eustass-ya, don't think I had forgotten."
"It wasn't personal." The redhead grumbled and Law felt his eyes narrow in suspicion.
"...Are you... Trying to apologize?"
Eustass snorted. "Don't read too much into it. I just thought you would like some coffee."
Law hummed, feeling an amused smile creep up on him. "Of course."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a bit before Eustass spoke up, though Law noticed he glanced over at Penguin, noting he was dozing in his chair lightly.
Eustass seemed to shake his head, sighing and rubbing the back of his skull, he looked uncomfortable now. "Look, the only reason I tried was because if I failed this stupid tournament I would get sent back to the mines. It seemed like an opportunity and out of habit I took it."
"Out of habit?" Law questioned, tilting his head to get a better view of the assassin.
"Back in the mines people killed each other, a lot. It meant more supplies would get shared out, blankets, food, clothes. " He spotted Eustass frown, looking exhausted. "Nobody trusted each other... We were always on alert and the only contact most of us got was by fucking each other. It wasn't the same though, you couldn't even fall asleep next to them since they might cut your throat."
Law came to a realisation. "You had sex with those people because you were... Lonely..."
Eustass snorted but he spotted Law's smirk. "Ha! Don't be a fucking idiot! They were just entertainment for when I got bored."
"You just don't like being alone, do you?" Law teased lightly, earning a groan.
"I buy you coffee and this is the thanks I get."
Law smiled as he took a sip. "With my money of course."
"Of course." Eustass rolled his eyes.
.:End of Chapter:.
