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Kid and Killer had been together since before they had set sail, a perfectly balanced pair, Kid bold and crazy enough to make a name for himself even before hitting the Grand Line, and Killer calm enough to keep him from getting the crew killed. Though still crazy enough to go along with all of Kid’s plans. And then came (Y/N), not quite as ruthless as Kid, but stupid enough to get himself into just as much trouble.
The Kid pirates had come across him abandoned on one of the early islands in the Grand Line; he was half starved after being ditched by his former crew. Kid wasn’t even sure why he had allowed it, normally even in the nicest of his moods he’d have just left him where he’d found him to starve. But somehow he’d been convinced to give him a ride to the next populated island.
So they set sail as soon as the log pose reset, thankfully only keeping them a few days on the empty island. Kid was taking all too much joy in giving all the shit work to (Y/N), and if any of the crew felt bad, they were enjoying their small break a lot more.
(Y/N) hadn’t even known this crew for a week and he knew that this was a stupid idea. From the battle stories they had all told over meals to the sheer power he could feel emanating off each and every crew member, (Y/N) couldn’t imagine what was going through the minds of the pirates invading the deck of the Victoria Punk in the middle of the night.
It was a slaughter, blood spilled on the deck and Kid Pirates just laughed in return. Kid himself seemed to be having the most fun, his maniacal smile as he used his power to pull the weapons straight from the hands of his enemies was infectious.
(Y/N) suddenly zoned in on a single, near silent creak of the floor, a lone figure sneaking behind the distracted pirate captain, sword glinting in the moonlight. A growl rumbled through his throat as his eyes focused in, power and strength surging in his body, growing around him.
In less than a moment he was across the deck, the enemy pirate’s neck in his maw, their scream cut short by the jaws around their neck closing with a sickening crack, hot blood flowing through his teeth and onto the deck.
“THERE’S A MONSTER! RETREAT!” The few enemy stragglers that still stood bolted to the railing, escaping to their own ship with shocked and fearful screams. The Kid Pirates all laughed at their fleeing forms, loudest of all was Kid, who still stood barely feet away with his back to his new passenger.
The deck finally went silent when (Y/N) dropped the body with a thud, standing up straight as the adrenaline slowly shed itself from his body. He spat the last mouthful of blood back on the body, before looking up, nearly jumping back at the intense eye contact from Kid.
“What the hell was that!” Kid scowled with an accusatory finger jab into the man’s chest.
“What was what?” (Y/N) stumbled back, hand coming to hold the spot that had been jabbed, eyebrows pinched in genuine confusion.
“Don’t play stupid! What did you just forget to mention that you have a devil fruit ability!” Kid closed the distance again, stepping over the corpse on the floor without a second glance.
“No I don’t!” (Y/N) stepped back again, glancing around to see the shocked faces of the pirates around him.
“Lie to me again and I’ll throw you overboard!” Kid stepped forward again, grabbing him by his collar.
“I’m not lying!” His back hit the wall with a flinch, chest heaving in fear. Kid pulled him forward with a sneer.
“I SAID STOP LYING TO ME! I saw you transform and I can still see that tail!” Kid shook the smaller man, who had gone silent in shock.
(Y/N) could now feel said tail curled between his legs in fear, the hair on the back of his neck and the fur at the base bristling.
“But- But I never-” His hands shook as he stared blankly at the space above Kid’s head.
A calloused hand on Kid’s shoulder stopped the shaking of the shell shocked man. Kid made eye contact with the blank mask, a silent conversation held over a short moment.
“Calm down, we can’t figure out what’s going on until he can speak proper sentences.” Killer ran his hand down Kid’s arm, gently prying his hand from (Y/N)’s collar. (Y/N) slid down the wall, curling around himself, staring down in shock at the blood that had smeared across his arm when he had tried to rub away the sticky feeling around his mouth. Killer only sighed at the sight, still holding Kid back. “It can wait. Let everyone clean up and calm down.”
Killer pulled Kid towards the door that led below deck, giving him a gentle shove, sparing (Y/N) one last glance.
(Y/N) stood shakily, moving to grab the mop and bucket he was all too familiar with as of late, but a hand gently grabbed the mop from his hands. Though it barely registered in his mind, still standing arm outstretched.
“Go clean up and rest, you’ve mopped the deck enough lately, we can all handle this mess.” His head was still fuzzy, so (Y/N) had a hard time deciphering who was talking to him, but he nodded nonetheless, turning and walking numbly towards the door Killer and Kid had just disappeared into.
He stared at his reflection, eyes flashing between the changes he saw. He was taller, broader now, ears pointed and a mouth full of blood stained fangs. His eyes burned and throat tightened as he turned on the faucet, watching the water run red as he scrubbed away the drying blood from his face. He jumped, almost slipping, at a knock on the bathroom door, staring at the wood in fear.
“That’s you in there, right (Y/N)?” It was Killer, his calm voice instantly soothed his anxiety. Tho (Y/N) still couldn’t find his words, instead opening the door a crack to hint to Killer that it was alright for him to enter. “Have you calmed down yet?” Killer stepped into the small bathroom, shutting the door with a quiet click behind him. (Y/N) nodded, moving to sit on the closed toilet, wiping away the water that still dripped from his chin. “I managed to calm the captain down, but he still wants to know what’s going on. We both do.” He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the door.
“I told you, I don’t know.” His voice broke as he grabbed a fistful of his hair, hiding his face behind his arm.
“Did you ever eat a strange fruit? With swirl patterns on it?” Killer rubbed his thumb along the bottom of his jaw, shifting his weight to one foot. (Y/N) stopped his tugging, chewing his bottom lip in thought, wincing when he broke skin.
“I think, on the island. I was so hungry that I didn’t even care how bad it tasted, and- and how weird it made me feel afterwards.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a devil fruit. The chances that you’d just find it on the island.” Killer mumbled the last part to himself, masked head tilting to the side in thought. “Kid still wants to talk to you about all this.” The focus of the mask narrowed back on (Y/N), freezing him in place.
Killer stepped away from the door, each careful movement watched by (Y/N)’s flitting eyes. He slowly opened one of the drawers beneath the sink, rummaging without breaking “eye contact” with (Y/N). A small tube was finally offered after a moment of rummaging.
“Antiseptic, for your lip. It’s still bleeding. You’ll have to curb that habit you’ve got, what with those devil fruit powers you’ve got now.” (Y/N) pulled his lip from between his teeth again at Killer’s words, taking the tube from him and dropping his gaze to the floor as he applied the ointment without a word. “Right, let’s go now.” Killer waited until (Y/N) had recapped the tube before moving out the door, waiting silently in the hallway for him to follow.
He hadn’t ventured this far into the ship yet, (Y/N) had stuck mainly to the deck in his time aboard. After spending so much time out in the open of the island, he still felt uneasy being inside. Many members of the crew were abnormally large, and the hallways of the ship reflected that, but the dimness made them feel like the walls were closing in on him.
Killer opened the heavy door at the end of the hallway, revealing their destination. Kid’s workshop was messy, piles of scrap metal and half finished projects littered the room. An unmade bed crammed into one of the far corners beneath the window. Kid sat at an even messier work bench, broad back facing the door.
Killer moved to lean against the workbench beside him without a word, leaving (Y/N) in the doorway. Kid leaned back in his chair, dropping whatever he had been working on to throw one arm over the back of it.
“Are you planning on telling me the truth now?” His voice was lower than usual, filled with an irritated grit that sent a shiver down (Y/N)’s spine. (Y/N) looked to Killer for comfort, but the masked man’s focus was fixed on his captain. He took a stuttering breath, chewing on his cheek again.
“I wasn’t lying earlier.” His first sentence already had the piercing gaze of the pirate captain, glaring into his soul, brow arched and lips sneered. “I didn’t know! From what Killer said about devil fruits I guess I ate one while I was stuck on that island. I didn’t know. I swear.”
No one said a word. (Y/N) stood, sweating in the doorway, Killer hadn’t moved an inch, and Kid still sat in his chair, staring at his slouched, shaking figure.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re stupid!” The silence is finally broken by Kid’s loud cackle, (Y/N) jolted to stand straight, temperature slowly rising in embarrassment, even Killer shifted in surprise.
“Fuck off, I was half starved and looking for anything even remotely edible!” (Y/N) bared his teeth, trying to hide his embarrassed flush. Kid kept laughing, nearly tipping his chair back in the process, Killer only shaking his head.
“Awfully bold to talk to the captain like that.” Kid jeered, finally over his laughing fit.
“Since when are you my captain, I thought I was just getting a ride to the next island?” (Y/N) could feel his tail lash angrily, fueling the flame of embarrassment.
“Then why’d you kill that man?” Kid was standing in less than a moment, face losing all its maniacal joy. It shocked (Y/N) from his own anger and embarrassment, why had he.
“It was just instinct, I guess. You were distracted and they were sneaking up behind you. And. You could have left me behind on that island. Or killed me. You’ve saved my life, so why wouldn’t I try to do the same.” (Y/N) met Kid’s eyes for the first time since he had entered the room, shoulders set standing his ground. Kid smirked, letting out a hum as he stroked his chin in thought. He laughed again before sitting back at his work bench with a dismissive wave.
“I’ve heard enough. Get out, I’m busy.” (Y/N) met Killer’s gaze with a confused look, and Killer gave a short nod, confirming that he was indeed fine to leave.
“Are you gonna ask him?” Killer waited until the footsteps were too far to hear before breaking the silence. He still leaned against Kid’s desk while his captain fumbled with something in his hands.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Killer didn’t flinch at Kid’s glare, only tilting his head forward to prompt his answer.
“The fact that you brought him on the ship is crazy enough, but he’s been here how long and you haven’t thrown him overboard yet.” Killer let Kid wrap an arm around his waist and pull him closer, now standing directly in front of him. Kid continued to scowl, placing a hand on each side of Killer’s hips, thumbing at his belt loops. “You’ve taken an interest in him. Are you going to ask him to join the crew?” Killer grabbed his wrists and pulled Kid’s hands away from his waist.
“Haven’t made up my mind.” Kid finally muttered back, flopping back against the chair back.
“Well, we’ve almost made it to the next island so you might want to make up your mind.” Killer let out a breath of a laugh when Kid quickly grabbed hold of his hips again and pulled him into his lap. “You should also consider going to sleep soon. You were on watch last night and with that fight from tonight?” Kid nipped at his collarbones in response, leaving red marks and lipstick smears in his wake.
“There it is! The next island!” The crew all rushed to the front of the ship at the shout, cheering at the sight of land. (Y/N) was already up in the rigging, stopping mid climb to hang out over the side and get a better look. Even from this distance he could see a bustling port, knowing he wasn’t trading one deserted island for another eased a weight off his chest. He wasn’t sure if he could convince Kid to let him stick around to another island.
He quickly scaled down the ropes, getting ready to help the crew get ready to weigh anchor at a nearby cove someone had pointed out.
“So. What do you plan on doing now?” Kid’s gravelly voice made him jump, whirling around to face the large man.
“What do you mean?” His tail tucked between his legs, back pressed against the railing. He thought Kid had joined the rest of the crew in going to the shore to explore the new island.
“What? Did you just not have a plan once you got off that island?” Kid let out a laugh, though this one was more teasing than his usual cruel cackle.
“Oh, I guess I didn’t think about it.” (Y/N)’s voice trailed off, looking back towards the open sea in the direction they had sailed from. “I guess I was just so excited to get away from that god forsaken island.” (Y/N) laughed, tail wagging a bit. “Maybe I can convince someone else to let me hitch a ride, I mean I must be pretty convincing if I managed to get you to take me this far.” He turned back to Kid with a wide, pointy smile. “Either that or lie low a while. Not that I have any other options, seeing as I’m flat broke.” The wagging stopped and his shoulders drooped, gaze falling to the island, he leaned down to rest his chest against the railing while he stared.
“Well, there’s one other option.” Kid crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at the fellow devil fruit user. (Y/N) peaked back over his shoulder at the man, eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
“And what would that be?” His tail flicked against his calf, fingers tapping against his bicep.
“You join my crew. You’ve already proven you’re willing to kill for your captain.” Kid’s grin grew as (Y/N) turned to stand and face him. “You get along with the crew don’t you? And you seem like you’re already more than comfortable on the ship. So join my crew, become a Kid Pirate.”
“Fine.” (Y/N) smiled, tail wagging again, holding out his hand for Kid to take, he was met with Kid’s firm handshake, tail wagging even harder. “Guess I should start calling you captain now, huh.”
“Get the hell off me!” Kid’s shriek broke the silence of the open ocean, followed shortly after by the maniacal laughter of one of his partners, as (Y/N) tackled him to the floor of his cabin, narrowly avoiding a stack of metal. Sometime in the nearly year and a half since (Y/N) had joined the Kid Pirate crew he had managed to worm his way into Kid and Killer’s hearts, until they eventually offered he join their relationship. (Y/N) pinned Kid’s arm under his knee while sitting on his back, tail thumping excitedly against Kid’s back.
“I pinned you!” (Y/N) laughed loudly, leaning down to nip at his ear. “That puts me ahead by 3 now!”
“You liar! You’re behind by 6!” Kids cheeks flushed red at the bites, squirming under (Y/N)’s weight. “Now let me go!” His fingers twitched, groaning when he realized there wasn’t enough metal on (Y/N)’s body to be able to lift him off with his power.
“Me a liar! I think you’re just a sore loser! I’m not moving till you admit that I’m 3 ahead!” To emphasize his point he bounced down to sit heavier on Kid’s back.
Kid wheezed under his weight, and with great effort, turned his head to face the bed in the corner, where Killer lay, amused.
“Settle this! Tell him that I’m ahead and that he’s full of shit!” Kid kept shifting around as he yelled, trying to work his legs under his body enough to gain the advantage.
“Hey! Stop trying to sway him to your side, you cheater! Killer tell Kid that he’s the one who’s full of shit!” (Y/N) planted his hands on the floor on either side of Kid’s head, blocking Killer from his view, fully unaware that the shifting beneath him wasn’t just the normal angry squirming from when he managed to pin Kid.
“I think you’re both full of shit. Don’t you remember? I’m in the lead.” (Y/N) and Kid both seethed at the grin they could hear behind Killer’s mask.
“Nuh-uh! You’re always the one who tells us to stop!” The hand that blocked Killer’s face shot up in an accusatory point as (Y/N) yelled.
“Well what about last night? And the night before. And-”
“That doesn’t count!” (Y/N) and Kid both yelled in unison, faces flushing bright in embarrassment, thinking of the Killer pinning them to the bed time and time again, the playful bites that came with it.
Killer stared down at the two on the floor, moving away from the headboard to lean over the side of the bed. He cocked his head in question to Kid as he noticed the leg that had squirmed its way beneath him. Kid met his gaze with a cruel smirk, glancing up at the devil fruit user that pinned him quickly before flipping their positions, laughing the whole way.
His laughing was cut short by the high pitched Yipe! that sounded from beneath him. Killer was at their side in less than a second, helping the half squashed zoan fruit user out from beneath their heavy boyfriend.
“What’s your deal? I didn’t even land on you all that hard!” Kid moved from his spot atop (Y/N), glaring down.
“I landed on my tail weird! It hurts!” (Y/N) grimaced in pain, catching his lip between his teeth again to try and quell the stinging in his eyes.
“Lean forward, let us see.” Killer pressed a calloused hand against his shoulder blade, pressing him to lean towards Kid, who caught him with a grumble as (Y/N) flopped forward into his chest. “That looks. Not good.”
“Huh!” (Y/N) tried to lurch back and look for himself, held in place by Killer and Kid, who now looked over his shoulder. Not good indeed, as the tail was bent at an awkward angle a few inches from its base. “Kid, what’d you do to me?” He started wiggling against the arm that held him to Kid’s chest. “Let me go! Let me look!”
“Just sit still, would you?” Kid tightened his grip while yelling at him. “Ow! Don’t bite me!”
“Enough, both of you. Your tail looks broken, but it could be dislocated. We won’t know until we get the doctor in to look at it.” Killer grabbed a small chunk of (Y/N)’s hair, getting him to let go of Kid’s shoulder.
“More like the vet.” Kid muttered pointedly, earning a pull of his own hair and another bite. “Stop biting!”
“Stop antagonizing then.” Killer answered for (Y/N), who stuck his tongue out. “Why don’t you both go lay down while I go get the doctor.”
(Y/N) lay on his stomach beside Kid, pouting as he rested his chin on his crossed arms. Kid’s expression wasn’t much different as he slouched against the headboard.
“Why’d you have to bite so deep?” Kid bit out.
“Why’d you have to flip me like that?” (Y/N) bit back.
“I only did it because you wouldn’t get up!” Kid leaned forward, planting his fist into the sheets for balance.
“And I only bit you because you wouldn’t let me go!” (Y/N) pushed his shoulders up to be face to face with Kid. Both their eyes narrowed, faces inches apart. (Y/N)’s pout split into a mischievous grin, lurching forward to press his lips to Kid’s nose, pulling and laughing at his shocked face. His face quickly twinged in pain as his tail started to wag, ducking his head to hide his face against Kid’s collar bone.
“Stop moving it!” Kid quickly wrapped his arm around (Y/N)’s back, pulling him to lay on his chest as he sat back again. “I don’t even want to imagine the earful I’ll get if you manage to fuck it up more.” Despite his grouch, (Y/N) smiled at Kid’s words, crossing his arms to rest his chin on again.
“No need to feel guilty, Kid, I know it was an accident!” His nose scrunched playfully, giggling into his arms.
“I’m not guilty!” Kid’s cheeks flushed dark red as he shouted back at (Y/N), making (Y/N) laugh even harder.
“I can hear the both of you from down the hall.” Killer’s return to the room caught both pirates' attention, distracting from their playful spat. “Stop wagging, you need to keep it still.” Killer’s sharp eyes caught the twitch of (Y/N)’s tail before he even registered it was starting to move again, (Y/N)’s shoulders jumped, quickly looking away from his partner. The doctor who stood behind Killer rolled their eyes, stepping past him to stand over the bed.
“What problems have the two of you caused for me today.”
(Y/N) was stuck in bed now, laying on his stomach, resting his upper body in Killer’s lap, who had rightfully recognized that (Y/N) wouldn’t stay in bed and rest like the doctor had told him to if left unattended. (Y/N) huffed again, shifting around to try and rid the discomfort brought by the splint that bound his tail. It was still very much crooked, but stable now, mostly numbed by the painkillers he had been given.
“Killer!” He again tried to shift against the arm that lay across his back, holding whatever book Killer had set his attention on. Killer only hummed in response, bringing a hand to pet the man’s hair. “I’m bored, let me up!” Killer looked down at him, gaze meeting through the mask.
“I’m not falling for that.” (Y/N) only groaned louder, dropping his forehead against Killer’s hip. Kid, who sat at his desk, laughed at the sight, earning a pointed glare from (Y/N).
He pushed himself up, moving to sit properly in Killer’s lap, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Killer’s arm slid down his back, coming to rest right above the base of his tail.
Kid sat at his desk, watching the two curl around each other on the bed. He stood, taking heavy steps towards the bed. He moved to climb into bed but was quickly stopped by a hand on his chest
“You’re not allowed to join, you've been mean to me today.” (Y/N) blew a raspberry at Kid as he stopped him, tail stiffly and slowly wagging back and forth, laughing at his face, even managing a hum of amusement from Killer.
“Like you get to tell me what to do! I’m the captain here aren’t I!” Kid yelled back, knocking (Y/N)’s hand from his chest and tackling the two to the bed. Kid laughed loudly as the three of them bounced on the mattress, (Y/N) and Killer now pinned under his weight. “Now take a nap, that’s the only way it’s gonna feel better.” His hand pushed (Y/N)’s head into the crook between his and Killer’s shoulders.