Tags: One Piece, Kid Pirates, Kid x Killer, Short story
Drowsy amber eyes gazed up at the slowly moving scene of the sky, a hand just barely moving enough to drag fingers through golden hair that kept getting caught amongst snarls and grime. The warmth of the sun’s rays caressed the red head’s scarred face, while the gentle rocking of the waves were doing their best to drag him into slumber. It was unusual for the normally irate man to feel such a moment. The skies were a light blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds that resembled a sheep's soft coat. The hair of the man beside him still soft against his calloused fingers even while carrying knots and residue from the whirlwind that was the last day or so.
The chirping of birds came and went the longer they were there, it was the only sound to break up the crashing of waves ruffling about. The sun’s ray refracted off the water's surface, kaleidoscoping webs of light across their bodies. Had it not been for the acrid scent that lingered in the air, Eustass could have imagined them resting on top of his ship in a rare moment of peace.
“Hey… Killer…” Kid paused, eyes closing as he breathed in deeply. The sounds of gentle waves brushing against wood was almost deafening.
“Do you think in another life we would’ve had it… Had it better?” The question was asked with so much despondency even Mother Nature herself seemed to take pity on the exhausted man, the heat of her breeze coming to drift across his skin in a warm embrace.
“Do you think we’d have a chance to be happy? Do you think people like us deserve…” The redhead trailed off, taking another deep breath. His chest was heavy, a feeling once lived years ago resurfacing to weigh on him like a boulder.
“Fucking hell… Listen to me. What the fuck am I saying? Who gives a fuck if we deserved it or not. In another life we’d be happy. I’d make sure of it, fight for it if I had to. Give you the life you deserved…” A low groan left the man's dry and cracked lips as he forced himself to his side, now facing his blonde companion.
“You deserve a hell of a lot better than this…” He rasped, brushing the clumps of greasy blonde hair from his first mate's face.
“I should’ve done better, but I took advantage of… I knew you all would follow me without question and look where I lead us again. She’s gone, Partner…They’re all gone…” The once strong voice cracked with exhaustion and shame. Tears threatened to fall, as Eustass clenched his teeth. The hand that was gently moving the dirtied golden mane drifted down to the cooled skin of his friend's cheek. Flesh that once would’ve been slick with sweat under the sun rays and that damned mask he always wore. The hunk of wood that once made up part of the Victoria’s deck wobbled and creaked under their combined weight, as Kid wrapped his only arm around the man and pulled him as close as his weakened body allowed. His face found home buried in the matted locks of hair, that reeked of smoke and blood. Not even the warmth of the sun could stop the redhead from shuddering as cold flesh met his own.
“I’ll do better, Killer. I’ll fucking do better, so please. Please wait for me. I’ll take you on those cringy ass dates you wanted to go on. I’ll buy you those stupid yellow flowers you like, and the nasty ass wine. I’ll… I’ll hold your hand in public, tell you… I’d tell you how much I fuckin love you. I should’ve told you, all these fucking years…” Tears poured down Kid’s face, creating tracks through the soot that was caked across his cheeks, as his voice crumbled with strain and agony. Exhaustion gnawed at the man like a starved wolf, his only remaining energy being used to clutch his lover’s body closer as his eyes slowly began to close. Taking a shuddering breath Kid mumbled softly against Killer’s bloodied mane as the world began to fade away from his consciousness.
“I’m so fucking sorry… Please don’t leave me… I’ll do better…”
