Chapter 6

He felt rather groggy and disorientated but much better than he had felt in weeks, the extra, although forced, sleep had made him feel more collected again. His body was stiff though but Law guessed it was due to the deep sleep he had been in for the past- How many hours?!

"You awake again Trafalgar?" He heard Eustass-ya's voice call out.

"No I'm still asleep." Law snorted as he shakily forced his muscles to move, but they were still too sleepy so sitting up was a struggle. "And curious as to how long I've been asleep for."

"You slept the whole night." Eustass offered, Law spotted the smirk on his face. "Thankfully you did. You wouldn't stop whining about the time every time you managed to force yourself awake, it was starting to get annoying."

Law nodded at that. "The toxin is nearly finished taking it's course through my system so I shouldn't fall back asleep so easily, but I might have a few lingering side effects."

"Heh, looks like I'll have to baby you then." The redhead grinned sharply at that, looking amused but suddenly frowning, startling Law. "You took that bullet for me."

Truthfully when Law had pushed Eustass-ya down he had meant to get out of the way himself, but he had preocupied himself making sure Kid was out of harms way to save himself, it made Law realise that he was much more desperate to get Eustass-ya to the tournament than he had originally thought.

At this rate he would get another weakness to exploit, another weakness to wrap around Law's neck like a leash, to keep him close and as obideant as possible.

It made Law shiver just thinking about it.

"Oi, you cold Trafalgar?" He heard Kid ask, earning a bewildered look.

"Am I cold?" Law was startled by the question though, why on earth would Eustass-ya care about such a thing?

"Fuck sake." The redhead rolled his eyes and suddenly he was beside Law, wrapping a heavy blanket around Law's shoulders. "Yes, I asked if you were cold, you're shivering. So don't blink at me like an idiot, dumbass."

Law couldn't say anything though, he was too bewildered at the careful touch as the blanket- No wait, Law realised it wasn't a blanket, it was Kid's coat. His large, fluffy coat which was currently being tucked around Law's shoulders.

Kid seemed to curse though. "Damn, is this one of the side effects? You're completely out of it."

Law pulled away when he felt a warm hand on his forehead, scowling lightly, realising that Eustass-ya was starting to think he was ill and actually needed babied.

"I'm fine. I was just trying to figure out what you were up to."

"What the fuck do you mean by 'what you were up to'?!"

"The only times you are nice is when you've done something wrong." Law offered, earning a scowl.

"You were just shot asshole. Of course I'm concerned!" Then Eustass-ya spluttered while Law felt himself stare at him again, bewildered. "I'm concerned about my ticket out of prison! Duh!"

Though the redhead's cheeks seemed to be turning redder by the moment.

"Anyway you didn't answer my question asshole! Why did you take that bullet for me?"

Law frowned at that but then forced a smirk back on to his face. "I need to keep my ticket safe don't I?"

Eustass-ya's eyes narrowed. "Why would I be your ticket?"

"...It's nothing..." Law muttered softly, frowning now, pulling away to turn back on his side but he felt a resistance at his unbandaged shoulder, turning him back around.

"Oi, talk to me."

Law tried to pull away again, but Kid's hand was firm on his shoulder, his other hand on Law's waist, avoiding his injured shoulder and keeping him in place.

"It's none of your business Eustass-ya."

He sneered at that. "It is when you nearly get yourself killed for me."

"I was fine. Those two wouldn't kill me nor could they even if they tried."

"If they were allowed they could have easily slit your throat." Kid smirked darkly. "You were as weak as a drentched kitten Trafalgar."

Law gave a startled yelp as he was pushed back down on to his bedroll, a heavy weight settling on to his waist while his good arm was pinned down to the bedding. Eustass-ya looked serious above him, his eyes narrowed darkly as he leaned down heavier, cutting off Law's struggle.

"Truthfully you're still that weak aren't you? Being under the effect of those drugs has left you tuckered out hasn't it Trafalgar?"

"Damn you." Law hissed when Eustass-ya leaned down, making it harder to breath as the weight pressed heavier on him.

The bastard didn't seem to know what 'personal space' meant.

Law tried desperately to change the subject, hoping to get the assassin off him, he couldn't forget now of all times what this man did for a living. "Where is Penguin? He was here last time I was awake."

"It started to rain so he had the tent built up, then left to go plan or some shit like that." He could feel Kid's breath against his neck, making him shiver. "And you didn't answer my question."

Law whined when the redhead pressed down heavier. "Get off." Law tried to push against Kid's chest with his free arm, but it made his shoulder throb too much and before he could even lower it Eustass-ya did that for him, pinning it down with his other hand. "You're heavy."

"Then talk."

"You're not interrogating me!"

"Yeah, we're having a nice little chat." The redhead snorted, but he was grinning brightly. "So talk to me. Why would I be your ticket? And why did you take that bullet for me?"

"You're still going on about that?!" Law snarled, but whined when Kid pressed down even heavier.

"Hush, you don't want that damn mutt or the bird-guy to find us like this do you?" Law felt him laugh against his neck.

"They would think you were trying to kill me again." Law frowned, gritting his teeth at the weight. "And I wouldn't correct them."

"Or maybe they would wanna know the answers to my questions too." Eustass-ya chuckled. "So stop avoiding and start talking to me."

It wasn't any of Eustass-ya's business! Law wasn't going to talk about this, especially with the redheaded assassin. Law was only here to deliver him to the castle, that's all he wanted to do with this trip, okay maybe he also wanted to make Eustass-ya healthier but still!

At least the bastard was regaining his weight though, since he was heavier than Law now.


Kid wasn't about to let Law get away with avoiding his questions, no matter how funny it was to see Law squirming beneath him, becoming slightly flushed and whining below hi-

Immediately he shook his head to clear his thoughts, feeling his cheeks burn a little more. Kid was doing this only to make Trafalgar talk. Trafalgar took a damned bullet for him and he'd be damned if he let the bastard do the same thing again, he needed to know why Trafalgar felt the need to protect him like that.

He also needed to know why Law had called him 'his ticket'. Why did Trafalgar need his help? Was there something wrong with the bastard, well apart from being shot and drugged with a toxin which left him numb and put him to sleep, under the orders of his own King?

Kid let his weight press down heavier, ignoring Trafalgar's whimper.

"I can do this all day Trafalgar. So better start talking."

"You don't need to know!" The quack doctor tried to protest, but Kid leaned further down instead.

"When it gets you shot for my sake I do."

"Why?"

Kid growled, frustrated. "Because I'm meant to be able to take care of myself. I'm meant to be the assassin here while you're just some gloryfied guard. Nobody should ever get hurt for my mistakes!"

The last time that had happened he- Dammit he nearly got Killer killed!

"If I want you dead I'll kill you myself, by my hands. I don't want you assholes to keep jumping in the way and getting hurt for my sake because then I've failed." Kid then grasped Law's chin with his free hand, yanking it up to make sure he had his attention. "Got it Trafalgar? Don't do that ever, again!"

"Don't order me around!" Law spat out in protest, his eyes narrowing. "If you die then this whole trip was a waste! I'm not letting you get killed off that easily!"

"If I die then use someone else! Your King's fiance can easily get someone else to be his Champion, your guys keep volunteering."

"No!" Law looked panicked at that. "No I can't let them do that! I-" Kid nearly hissed when Law took a deep breath from beneth him, the bastard was trying to calm himself down. "I just can't-"

He needed Trafalgar to keep talking. "And why not exactly? Wouldn't it be better than you continuingly risking your life?"

"I don't want the damned bird to have another advantage over me! If they entered the tournament he would make sure they would die just to get to me!"

Trafalgar called the King a 'bird' before didn't he? Why the hell was Doflamingo trying to get an advantage over Law? Was it because he was seemingly more loyal to Doflamingo's fiance rather than him?

What caught Kid's attention was that Law had gone limp beneth him, he didn't like the concern building up inside him so he pulled away, finding Law had just relaxed beneth him, scowling bitterly at the tent's wall.

"Haven't you gotten enough out of me now? Let me go."

Kid frowned at that, Law didn't seem to even want to look at him anymore so with his free hand his flicked his finger at Law's forehead, earning a protest. "Pay attention to me then dumbass."

"You've been attemping to suffocate me you fat ass! Of course I'm still paying attention!"

"Oh now I'm a fat ass? What happened to being 'scrawny'?" Kid felt himself sneer while Trafalgar scowled up at him.

"Well you obviously ate a lot while I wasn't looking!"

"You're just jealous of my muscles!"

"How could I be jealous of that blubber?!"

"This is pure muscle you dumbass!"

"I'm the doctor here -"

"Has anyone ever told you that you sound like an old married couple?"

Shit, bird-guy's voice.

He glanced over his shoulder to find the bird-guy standing at the doorway of the tent, Law tried to squirm free from beneth him but Kid was too busy thinking 'how the fuck did he not even realise this guy was even there' to loosen his grasp.

"Penguin, he's trying to kill me again!" Law yelped from below him.

"Oi! We were just talking!"

"You threatened to strangle me!"

"I did not!"

"Did to-"

"Now you sound like five-year olds." They both tensed at the deadly atmosphere around the man. "Go back to your bed before I tuck you in like I would a five year old Eustass. If I catch you both awake before breakfast I won't be happy."

Kid listened, only because he didn't like the deadly butcher's knife in bird-guy's hand.


Law was stirred by a hand gently shaking his unbandaged shoulder, startled to find Kid above him, grinning sheepishly, he was about to wave the redhead away for disturbing him but Eustass-ya spoke first.

"I just wanted to say thanks by the way. Even if I didn't want you to take that bullet for me you still did. So thanks." Law wasn't sure if he imagined something hard and moist being pressed lightly against his injured shoulder but the feeling went away quickly and was replaced by a hand ruffling his hair.

He shivered when something warm blew in his ear. "And don't worry, I won't let that 'damned bird' get another advantage over you. I'm gonna get to the tournament and I'll win, sound good?"

Law let out a sleepy mumble in reply, not fully awake yet but he saw the redhead nod and so Law let himself drift back to sleep.


"Ah Captain, might I ask why you're wearing the assassin's jacket?" Law could see Shachi frowning, confused while Law felt himself smirk.

"It's a bit chilly today don't you think?"

"Then take my coat Captain!" Shachi offered, looking rather desperate. "You shouldn't have to wear that idiot's coat!"

Law paused, his hand fisting the fluff of the shoulders, feeling the softness stroking lovingly against his fingers, sending pleasant tingles down his spine. "...About that... Your coat isn't fluffy enough..."

Law felt a mix of emotions, mostly amusement at Shachi's devastated expression, though tensed when Shachi's eyes drifted over to Bepo's fluffy, soft hair. Thankfully before Shachi could even think about going anywhere Law's hand clamped on to his shoulder, he could feel his eyes narrowing darkly, earning a yelp from his 'prisoner'.

"You aren't looking at Bepo for any particular reason right?"

"O-Of course not!" Shachi stuttered out, earning a smile.

"I'm glad to hear so, I would be rather upset if someone ever took his hair away, he does take much time to make it so soft and fluffy."

"Oi Trafalgar give me back my coat!"

Law gave a small smirk as Eustass-ya stormed out of the tent, looking grumpy as he approached him, Law however just cuddled more within the furr, feeling content at the softness.

"But you gave it to me." Law clutched the coat tighter, hiding his smirk in the neckline's furr while the redhead scowled further.

"Not to keep you ass. Hand it over."

"My ass is perfectly fine where it is, beneth this jacket."

"Dammit Trafalgar I meant the coat!" He was blushing again but kept his scowl firmly in place, much to Law's mixture of disapointment and amusement.

"...It's a nice coat..."

"I know it is. Which is why I want it back!"

"...No..."

"Seriously Trafalgar?! Give it back!"

Law yelped when suddenly he was suddenly tackled, a pair of arms clinging to him as they tried to yank the jacket out of his grasp. Eustass-ya seemed to be avoiding leaning too heavily on his wounded arm with his own but his other arm pinned his in place, trying to drag the jacket out of his grasp.

That lasted until Eustass-ya, being the idiot he was, slipped on the grass, sending them both tumbling backwards, Law slamming into his chest with a groan, his shoulder throbbing at the sudden jerk. Suddenly he felt the redhead's hand gently rub his arm, just away from the bullet wound, trying to sooth away the pain as the assassin sat up carefully.

"Captain! Are you okay?!" Shachi was suddenly in front of him though, looking panicked. "That brute didn't hurt you did he?!"

Law resisted the urge to groan when the brunette began to check over him, rushed from concern while Bepo approached, looking confused.

"Captain why are you on the ground?" He nearly smiled when Bepo simply hooked his hands around his waist and picked him up, blinking. "Did you trip?"

"Eustass-ya tripped."

"He's pretty clumsy then." Bepo replied earning a snarl from the redhead.

"You're one to talk!"

Law did feel himself frown when Bepo whimpered out an apology though, and so threw Eustass-ya's jacket back at him, hoping it smacked him in the face. "Don't shout at Bepo."

He watched as the assassin shrugged his coat back on, glaring at him. "Don't order me around quack doctor."

From the corner of his eye though he caught Bepo jumping, as if remembering something important. "Oh yeah! Captain, Penguin wanted to know if we should head off now?"

Law nodded, his arm was throbbing but he would be fine. "Yes, as soon as everything is packed up let's head."


"Captain are you sure you're okay riding with your injured arm?" Penguin frowned, looking concerned as he helped Law on to his horse.

Law winced lightly at the protest from his shoulder but nodded once he settled both his hands on the reigns. "As long as I don't do anything too rash my arm should be fine."

"Alright. I'll lead Eustass' horse-"

"What? I defended Trafalgar, can't I ride my own horse myself?!"

"I don't trust you enough yet-" Penguin started but Law interuppted.

"You were fine with leaving him with me while I slept, he'll be fine on his own horse."

Penguin protested. "I did have guards outside with you both Captain."

"None of which appeared when he had me pinned down to my bed, suffocating me with his fat butt."

"Shut it Trafalgar. It's all muscle!" Eustass-ya snapped, Law watching as he easily settled on to his horse, looking comfortable gripping the reigns.

"Sure, sure." Law answered dismissively. "I'll make sure to mention that to the other Champions so they know that when they defeat you you were at your strongest."

"Stop bitching already!"

"If you hadn't lost so easily to Baby-5 and Buff-"

"Captain, Eustass, please stop acting like an old married couple." Law heard Penguin call out as his friend settled on to his own horse. "People are going to start thinking something is going on between you both."

"Penguin-" Law frowned at that but he could feel his friend's eyes on him.

"And if he found out he wouldn't be happy that his precious elite was getting distracted by his fiance's Champion."

Law gave a light curse in retaliation. "I don't care what he thinks. Considering what he's done."

"And who do you think will suffer for it?" He couldn't help but tense at Penguin's warning, dammit.

"He promised." Law knew that the promise was weak at best though and so did Penguin who frowned further at him for it.

"And if you say that to him when, not if, but when he does punish her? You do realise what he'll say right?"

Law's tone turned sarcastic, it was the better way to cover up his irritation with the topic. "It won't be 'surprise' would it?"

Penguin only grunted at him for it, shaking his head as he continued to steer his own horse. Law knew what was at stake if one, that bastard bird thought he was doing something wrong, and two, if he failed to deliver Eustass to the castle in time.

She would pay the price. Again.

.:End of Chapter:.