Chapter 9

Law frowned tiredly as he clambered into bed, he was sweaty and uncomfortable but at the very least he was trying to settle down for a night's rest. It wasn't working though, lying there breathing, he was too distracted by one particular thought.

He had enjoyed that kiss way too much.

He also remembered how horrible it felt to have that drug burning through his body, alighting each nerve on a desirable fire and ridding him of all coherent thoughts. He knew why Eustass-ya had kissed him like that before Law left, not retreated, he would never admit that, it was a difficult drug for anyone to ignore.

"Captain?" Law blinked, he glanced over at his door where Penguin's voice had came from. "Do you need anything? And don't say painkillers, I already told you they don't mix well with alcohol and despite what you've said you have had too much."

Law couldn't help but smile faintly at that. "I'm fine, just going to try and sleep this off."

He raised an eyebrow as he heard a small thump against the door and sliding, he guessed Penguin was sitting down now against it to get comfortable.

"Tomorrow we should have delivered Eustass back to the castle, we'll be back there again, are you happy to have made it in time?"

"Don't jinx us." Law grumbled, hearing a chuckle from the door, though Law frowned as he gave the question more thought. "But no, I wish we didn't have to go back at all. I know though that Doflamingo won't just let us go."

"No, he won't let you go. He barely allowed you to come with us to collect Eustass."

Law frowned further at that, his team were important. Doflamingo seemed to think otherwise much to Law's confusion although he didn't completely mind. It kept them safer. The fact that they weren't any of Doflamingo's prized dolls allowed them to escape his ever so watchful eye.

Penguin must have caught on to his train of thought though. "Trust me, I'm glad I'm not important to him, it's you I worry about."

"Don't be, I'm safe as can be considering-"

"He won't be happy tomorrow, you aren't going to send Eustass back to the mines after all. He won't let you off lightly." Penguin warned, sounding concerned.

"Stop fretting." Law dismissed, turning on to his side and settled further into the blankets. "Go look after Shachi, he's still passed out right?"

He heard his friend sigh and could easily picture him shaking his head but much to Law's relief he listened and left, his footsteps were heavy and reluctant however.

Truth be told Law was terrified, he wasn't sure what would happen tomorrow and that uncertainty made him panicky. The bright side to this conversation however had distracted him from both that warm, aching discomfort and Eustass-ya.

They were both finally off his mind.

Instead he fretted about tomorrow.


That morning had been hell and so had the previous night been. Kid regretted that 'brilliant' idea od getting Trafalgar drunk but he had needed it, Trafalgar had been way too stressed out and needed some help getting the edge off.

The alcohol had been successful.

Just not the part where he, himself, had gotten drugged by that fucking 'Hyena' bastard. Kid knew that those mines had weakened him but damn, he couldn't even tell from 'drugged' or 'not' anymore.

It disgusted him.

And it was a terrible sign.

What was even worse was that the bird-guy had slammed open the door and told him and the groaning mutt to get up immediately and head downstairs. He and the mutt managed to get up with a bit of grumbling and arguing with each other but other than that Kid was surprised that the mutt hadn't started anything. Kid did admit it was still early though.

Then the mutt spoke up again. "Hurry up, Penguin doesn't want to be kept waiting."

"Why did we share a room?" Kid grumbled to himself as he followed the mutt out the door.

"Because I was trusted to keep an eye on you obviously."

"They must have thought I wouldn't try to escape then, considering you were giggling like a moron when Pigeon shoved me in here."

Just as the mutt was about to protest another voice spoke up over him.

"You don't have much more chances to leave anyway." Kid couldn't help but grin when he saw Law, his grin only widened when he spotted a bit of red tinging on his cheeks earning an irritated look. "Stop giving me that look Eustass-ya, it's warm that's all."

"What did you do to Captain, assassin?!" The mutt snarled, he looked beyond pissed but Kid didn't care.

He did frown however, disappointed when Law spoke over him. "He did nothing Shachi, everything is fine."

"You haven't been this red since Doflamingo announc-"

Law's red cheeks brightened up as he cut Shachi off, Kid felt amused that Trafalgar had been fine examining his naked body at the beginning, teasing him with snide or dirty comments, among other crap, yet he was embarrassed at what happened the night before. Kid struggled to remember most of it but he did remember Law's body squirming against his, Law's moans and pants as he tried to stop Kid's knee grinding, Kid even remembered tasting Law's mouth, the deep kiss-

Thankfully Law's denials finally brought him back from his fuzzy memories. "I was fine, so stop it! You were to report to Penguin right? So go."

"Changing the subject-"

Kid spoke over him this time though. "You not coming Trafalgar?"

"I'll be down soon, get something to eat and listen to Penguin okay?"Law's voice seemed softer then, his eyes had some strange look but before Kid could analyse him he had turned away, slipping past them and walked down the hall.

Soon Kid felt a menacing glare persistently aimed at him so grumbled at the mutt. "What do you want?"

"Hurt my Captain and I'll break you."

"Fuck off. I ain't got anything against Trafalgar, you are a different story though mutt."

Kid sneered but paused, a thought coming over him as he frowned. "Oi mutt, apart from that blush did Law seem nervous to you?"

Much to his surprise Shachi nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "He sounded like when he normally prepares to go talk to Doflamingo."

Kid scowled but nodded, placing a hand on the mutt's shoulder. He remembered the last reaction Law had from a call with the bastard and he hadn't liked it, that desperate look in Law's scared eyes. He wasn't meant to look scared or desperate.

"I'm gonna make sure Law's okay, go see Pigeon and tell him I'll be there in a bit."

Before the mutt could protest Kid rushed off down the hallway. He wasn't going to let that bastard depress Law again. He refused.


"Law?" Shachi blinked, surprised the assassin hadn't said 'Trafalgar' like he usually would.

He couldn't help but grin though when he remembered what Penguin had been called.

Pigeon.

Shachi would tell 'Pigeon' what happened and share a few theories with him. They needed to protect Law at all costs, he was their precious Captain after all.


"So you're reporting in some time today? I hope you've had some of your men take that assassin back where he belongs."

"And where do you think he belongs Doflamingo?"

Law didn't understand why the bird's next reply irritated him so much. "In a cage."

Law remained silent for too long it seemed because the blonde spoke up again, sounding exasperated. "Don't tell me you've become friends Law? Because even if that's true and he does get into the tournament he will die."

"Or maybe he will win and you will lose that bet."

Kid couldn't die. He just couldn't.

"Don't be cheeky Law, you know I won't keep suffering your insubordination. You're mine remember? I won't harm you, at least not for now but remember you hold a lot of people close to you." Doflamingo's laughter haunted Law's ears, a shudder running through his frame.

"I'll see you later Law. Be good."

Law frowned as the snail hung up, he would kill Doflamingo one day, he didn't know how much longer he could stand this. Heavily he hung up his dial, petting the snail comfortingly before sliding it into his pocket and heading to the door, once opened he stepped out but abruptly slammed into something hard and firm.

With a frown he glanced up, about to tell off the person standing right in front of his door but he was shoved instead into a wall, his rant cut off. Law tried to protest but was muffled by a tongue slipping past his lips and wandering in his mouth, Law hadn't realised he closed his eyes so opened them, tensing when he discovered who was kissing him.

It was Kid. Again.

Law couldn't help but moan into the kiss, Kid's body pressing closer against his own, his hands holding his hips against the wall. Law groaned as their kiss deepened, Kid's tongue was making his own tingle pleasurably. Faintly he realised his hands were clinging to Kid's upper arms, the muscles beneath were now hard and firm from the diet and exercise compared to the skinny things they were at the beginning of the month. Law couldn't help but touch them more, testing the joints in Kid's arms, feeling which recoiled beneath his fingertips-

Finally Kid pulled away, Law hadn't realised how out of breath he was until he gasped in some much needed air, his thoughts becoming slowly clearer again so while focused he moved his hands up, pushing against Eustass-ya's shoulders.

"What are you doing?" Law scowled but only earned an annoying smirk.

"Getting rid of that depressed look." Law fidgeted when Kid tenderly nibbled his neck, giving a soft protest as the action. "I faintly recall this being distracting yesterday. You enjoyed it while I just wanted to touch you."

Law winced when a nip at his neck turned sharper as he tried to pull away but the hands on his hips merely tightened their hold. "You were drugged, you still might have some lingering in your system-"

He shuddered when Kid's head rested on his shoulder, his warm breath caressing his ear.

"If I was still drugged I would have been doing this again." Law gasped when Kid's knee moved, this time both legs were in between Law's own, so he couldn't initiate his last escape plan's efforts again but the knee stopped as swiftly as it began. "So no, I'm not."

"Why are you doing this?" Law scowled, blushing faintly. "If this is just you trying to get some pleasure like you did in the mines-"

Law grumbled crossly as he was lead into another kiss, this time a rough one. Kid had thrusted his tongue deep into Law's mouth, cutting off his words and had even grabbed his hair with one hand, tugging it back lightly to deepen their kiss.

Law scowled, the bastard really was just a horny git who-

Kid suddenly pulled away, grinning.

"If I just wanted your body I know how to arouse you quicker than this. Nah, but it had been bugging me since you told that mutt earlier that I did nothing and everything was fine."

"That's why you're slobbering all over me?!" Law gaped, squirming.

"You liked it you ass! Stop complaining!" Law didn't like that 'order' and was about to voice it but finally Kid pulled away with a shrug. "Chill Law, you need to relax more."

"Why did you do that?"

"I told you already, it's the easiest way to wipe that damn depressed look off your face. You look better without it." Law frowned further as Kid leaned closer, smirking. "Besides, I like that smug-assed smirk you have, it's like you've just killed a guy and give no shit. No frowny faces."

Kid grabbed Law's jaw, tilting it.

"I'm gonna win and that 'bird-bastard' ain't gonna, got it?"

Law grumbled, yanking his chin free from the loose grasp. "I know, I know. Seriously though don't do that again."

"Don't do what?" Kid only smirked at him as he backed away, heading towards the stairway.

"Don't pretend with me!" Law protested, though scowled when the redhead began to make an escape. "Eustass-ya! Don't walk away from me!"

Law hated that this idiot somehow managed to still make him feel tingly despite laughing away down the corridor.

.


Law groaned as he climbed down the stairs, Penguin caught his eye and nodded but continued to speak, mixtures of disinterested and curious looks were aimed at him. Once descended Law walked towards the bar, earning a few friendly greetings as he ordered a coffee.

"We need to keep pace in order to arrive in town for the afternoon-"

"What?! Today?! Fuck I wanted more time!" Law rolled his eyes at Kid's swearing.

"What's wrong assassin? Can't take the pressure?"

"Shut it mutt!"

"Unfortunately the booking closes tonight-" Penguin paused when Bepo spoke up.

"What is the 'booking'?" Bepo frowned, confused.

Law spoke up instead. "All the names of the Champions need to be 'booked' into a log, the guards and noblemen need to know which dangerous people are entering the tournament to keep up security."

"It also allows those watching the tournaments to judge each characters before hand and make proper bets. It's quite popular." Penguin noted. "Alabasta's Sir Crocodile hosted one a few years ago, of course not to the death, King Cobra disliked the idea of that."

"Which is why he's nor Vivi have sponsered anyone in Doflamingo's tournament." Law added, he remembered chatting to the Princess a few times. "They are a peaceful family who try their best to keep their country out of wars, which they had been successful at until the rebellion."

Penguin spoke up again though, his attention on Eustass-ya. "We had wanted more time to investigate and study other Champions but we've ran out of it, there is a formal party tomorrow to announce the beginning of the games so we should meet most of them there."

"Doflamingo isn't going to let this be easy. We'll need to be ready for anything." Law sighed out, gently clasping his shoulder.

They couldn't afford to lose now.

.:End of Chapter:.

And back, got a few chapters done during the holiday so with a good bit of reediting they might be up soon, just like to make sure it's as best as I can get it. Well hope you enjoyed this chapter!