Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sunlight was peaking through the KISS tapestry Kid used as a curtain. Through sleepy eyes, he could see Killer standing by his bed, his blonde hair in a high ponytail and bangs pushed back with an elastic hairband, which meant that he was mid-cleaning when he came to wake Kid up. 

“Corazon’s in our living room, he wants to talk to you.” 

Not this shit again, Kid was about to tell Killer to tell the big clown in their living room that he had died in a mountain climbing accident. But, since Killer was already pulling the blanket off of Kid, he figured there was no real way out. You know what was actually making him freak out? Law uttering I just tell him it was a hookup gone wrong from the previous night. I swear, if he had the balls to tell Corazon I’m the hookup that went wrong, he thought in frustration, sitting up. No hiding now, and Kid wasn’t someone who hid anyway, he always faced his conflicts head on, and sure, that got him a fair share of trouble, but hopefully this wouldn’t be one of those times. Kid got up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and ruffling his hair, “if he kills me, you can have my CD collection.”

“I don’t want it,” Killer said, pushing Kid towards the door, “get moving.”

Corazon was sitting on their couch, his abnormally long limbs folded like a praying mantis, a cigarette was in between his teeth, and he was in a white dress shirt, and was missing his huge feathered mantle and red hat, it made him look a lot less intimidating, since you could see just how scrawny he actually was. Wait, wasn’t this guy in the marines? Where were all his muscles? He was zoning out, it seemed, because he hadn’t heard Killer and Kid come back into the living room, and Killer had to clear his throat for the man to turn his head and quickly go to get up. Only as soon as he got up, he tripped over the small coffee table, stumbling onto the ground head first. Before either Kid or Killer could help him up though, Corazon was back up to his feet, his head tilted down since he was just about the height of their ceiling. He cleared his throat, taking his cigarette out, “Law told me you went on a date.”

Oh fuck, here we go, Kid thought, fully prepared to take a beating for being falsely accused of bruising Law up. He watched Killer walk around Corazon, picking up the discarded rag and continuing his chore of wiping the windows, which was a nonverbal signal of I won’t let him try anything. “Yeah, I took him to Baratie. I know it ain’t much but it’s the fanciest place that’ll let me in.”

The blonde man approached Kid, looking down at him, “hm.” Wow, a man of few words. 

“Your uh,” Kid gestured at the man’s shoulder, “there’s a little uh, your shirt’s on fire, man.” he quickly patted the small flame out. Jesus, this guy really was a clown, it wasn’t just a makeup choice, he was a mess. He was clumsy, and had no idea how to articulate himself; no wonder Doflamingo was the man in charge.

“Did he leave at any time during your date?” When Kid gave him a confused look, Corazon cleared his throat, sticking the cigarette back in between his lips, “was there any time during the date when he left and came back?”

“Like to go for a piss?”

“Don’t say things like that,” Corazon snapped, “he… he’s got bruising on him, like he bit off more than he could chew. This happens a lot, I… I try to tell him to be careful, but this is happening more and more, and I know you wouldn’t do that.”

“Really?” Kid drawled, crossing his arms, his eyes locking with Killer’s, “look, I know who did that to him, but I don’t wanna get involved in whatever family beef it’s gonna cook up. You people are all crazy, I hear it all the time,” he didn’t miss the way Corazon’s eyes shifted at the words family beef, so he put up his hands in an I surrender motion, “I’ll tell you, but whatever you’re selling, I ain’t buying, yo,” clearly, Corazon didn’t watch Breaking Bad, what a shame, it would totally be a show he would like, “Law told me it was–” 

A loud sound of glass breaking caught them both off guard, and as Kid watched Killer mumble out my bad while picking up the shattered glass pieces of a dollar store mug, he realized what was going on. Kid and Killer were close, a lot closer than normal people were with their friends; they spent their entire childhood building a secret language together, ways to communicate without being caught. Killer wasn’t a clumsy person, not by any means, everything he did was meticulous, perfect and neatly put together, and that level of care increased tenfold when he was cleaning. So he didn’t drop a mug because it was slippery or he let go before it was over the table; he dropped the mug because it was code for don’t, it’s a trap, a code they’d used before. “Law told me it was someone in your family. I don’t know who, he didn’t even use he or she shit. He showed up to my doorstep in the middle of the night battered up, mumbling about how he didn’t want you to know he was beefing with someone in your family,” he looked over at Killer, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing, “he just said your big brother is covering their ass.” Juuuust enough to put Corazon on Doflamingo’s trail, but no outright snitching.

“Doffy? Bullshit, he would never–” he cut himself off like he couldn’t even finish the lie, before sitting back down on the couch, his legs folding like a praying mantis again. “It… it could be anyone. No one… no one gets along with Law in the house, they’re all jealous and get angry easily… I just don’t know who would have the courage to lay a hand on my Law.” Yeesh, talk about overprotectiveness. Corazon took the finished cigarette out of his mouth, pressing it into the ash tray on the coffee table, clearly deep in thought. His eyes were darting around like he was visualizing a list of potential suspects; Kid hoped Doflamingo would be on it, he didn’t know the rest of the family members, but if Corazon couldn’t instantly zero in on one person, that meant that Law had pissed of a decent amount of people. Law had practically waltzed into the Donquixote family, got himself education in the best university in the country and secured a spot as the next Corazon, was living lavishly with a nice car and sleeping around like it was no one’s business, all on the Donquixote money. As far as Kid was aware, everyone in the Donquixote family worked to an extent; everyone except for Law. Shit, he couldn’t blame them either, since Law did all of that and then hid under Corazon’s feathers to avoid consequences? Kid would’ve been pissed to all hell too. “Maybe… Trebol?” he mumbled, getting up, “I’ll figure it out,” he said as he headed for the door, hitting his head on the lintel of the door as he walked out. 

As soon as the door closed, Killer started talking. “Did he do it? Doflamingo?” When Kid nodded, Killer groaned, “Kid, stop this! You’re throwing yourself into the deep end, you’re gonna fucking die like this. Law doesn’t love you, he’s just thrill seeking, he’s using you. You’re getting involved with the fucking Donquixote clan, these people push a button, people disappear dude!” He wasn’t wrong, Killer was never wrong. Kid was absolutely biting off more than he could chew, he was getting involved with personal family beef, telling Corazon that Doflamingo was somehow involved with Law being battered up, just how much more could he push? 

Kid never believed that love made you crazy, but man, he was sure to change his mind. His recklessness was always speeding on his motorcycle when on the highway, picking drunk fights with men twice his size at the bar, they were stupid and arrogant, but the dangers were short term. Fucking with the Donquxiote clan meant long term paranoia, stalking and his friends going missing one by one. “What do you want me to do, huh?!”

“Break it up! Stop seeing Law, stop getting involved with these people, they’re a gang, Kid. Not just a petty street gang like Arlong’s crew, this is a real fucking gang, a gang with power, mafia shit!” 

“I… fine,” admitting defeat was embarrassing for Kid, but not in front of Killer, “I’ll tell him that I… don’t wanna see him anymore. Next time I see him.”

But the next time never came. Kid went from seeing Law pretty much every other day to a straight two weeks with no peep from him. And truth to be told, Kid was worried, he was scared shitless actually, because the last encounter he had with the Donquixote clan was putting Corazon onto Doflamingo’s trail about Law’s abuse. Throughout the week, Kid tried to busy himself with going to work more often, and spending most of his free time tuning his guitar and learning every Nirvana song under the sun. But, just like Killer had said, Kid was starting to come face to face with paranoia, every car that took the same turn as him was definitely following him, every person who sat behind him at the bar was watching him, it was becoming relentless, but he tried his best to chalk it up to just paranoia and nothing more.

Until his suspicions were confirmed. On a random Tuesday, while at the Franky Family’s autoshop, busily changing the engine air filter out of a client’s car, Kid heard Franky approach him with heavy steps, “almost done with this one, the housing’s full of dust so I popped in a new OEM filter, I’ll check for debris in the intake ducts.”

“Yo!” he shouted, pressing against the post beam next to Kid, “we have a SUPER private client ready to pay huge bucks for your work, even Zambai was shocked,” a private client? Huge bucks? Kid was about to ask how much ‘big bucks’ was, but Franky beat him to it, “four thousand berries for a fixup! Ow! If that’s not SUPER, I dunno what is!”

Four thousand berries? How wrecked was their car? Four grand was so much fucking money, Kid was practically drooling at the sound of it. It would secure his portion of the rent for more than half a fucking year, he could get all sorts of new tattoos, treat his friends to drinks, the possibilities, oh God– “bring them in, I’ll make sure their work’s done.” he said with an arrogant smile. But something was gnawing at the back of his mind, who was the client? And how did they know about Kid? He wasn’t exactly a world famous mechanic, he was just a high school dropout who just happened to be good at fixing cars. He would give anything to have traveled back in time to stop himself from accepting the job, because when Franky led him to the back office, the sight of bright pink feathers as soon as he entered the door made his heart drop. 

“Ow! This is the man you’re after, our SUPER mechanic!”

As soon as Doflamingo turned around, Kid felt small, like he was a child again, with scraped knees, being looked down on by a rich person for being dirty, for being scrawny. “Fufufu… I’ve heard so much about you, Eustass Kid,” he held out his hand, but when Kid didn’t move, he chuckled, “oil on your hands, I get it, fufufu,” he pulled his hand back, cracking his neck, “well I’ll cut to the chase! Law, my dear nephew, not that his name matters, I doubt you know him,” this motherfucker, he was dangling Law in front of Kid like a carrot, waiting for a reaction, “he has a habit of taking my car and taking it for joyrides, which I disapprove of, but hey, he’s a firecracker! Now, he brought my car back with, well, some issues. I’m no mechanic, so I figured you can help me!”

Kid felt like he was going to throw up, but he nodded, “let’s see the damage.” he said, putting every ounce of energy and focus into making sure his voice didn’t flinch or shake. He and Doflamingo walked to the one of the open garage spots, where the same Lamborghini Revuelto that he’d been in, the same one he’d driven Law to Baratie in. “Don’t seem damaged to me, did you notice anything wrong when driving it? Weird sounds or anything like that?”

“Fufufu,” Doflamingo pointed to the driver’s side of the car, “definitely something wrong with it, when I was driving I heard a very strange sound, I didn’t want to crash, I’m sure you understand.”

Maybe you should’ve, Kid physically bit his tongue, rolling his tongue piercing in between his teeth, “probably your engine, mind if I haul it up?” It was such a surreal experience, he’d met Doflamingo, spoke to him, but here they were, pretending like it was their first time meeting. Kid knew what this meant, he wasn’t that stupid; this was a threat, Doflamingo, behind that arrogant smile, was saying my brother knows where you live, and now, I know where you work. Kid was being told to stay put and behave, and that was what he did as he clicked open the hood of the car, his blood running cold when he felt Doflamingo behind him, inches away.

“What is it they say? Snitches get stitches?” He reached around Kid, and to the security cameras, it just looked like Doflamingo was pointing something out to Kid, but really what his mass of feathers was covering was anything but. He opened his palm to reveal what he had been hiding in his fist; a simple, solid gold earring. “Fufufu… That’s your fault, you know.”

Kid’s stomach turned, the back of his neck grew cold as he swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat, but it only got worse when his eyes noticed small specks of dried blood on the earring. The motherfucker had torn it off of Law, “nothing wrong with your car,” Kid said loudly, slamming the hood shut, just barely missing Doflamingo’s hand, “so I won’t take the four grand, since there’s no real damage I can fix.” Bullshit, if Kid wanted four grand, he’d make up shit to “fix”, he just didn’t want a cent from the demon in front of him. 

“I insist!” Doflamingo smiled wide, it was like his mouth could rip at any more movement, “at least a tip, my good friend.”

“Sure, give me a tip.” Kid challenged, holding out his open hand. 

Doflamingo reached into his mantle’s inner pocket, retrieving three hundred berry bills, folding the earring into it, and placing them into Kid’s hand, “and here’s a non-monetary tip from me,” he leaned in, way too fucking close, Kid could just about see the cold, sadistic gaze behind the red shades, “don’t overstep your boundaries with the law, you’ll get in trouble. Me on the other hand? Fufufu… I can break the law anytime I want.” He slid into the driver’s seat, continuing his mocking chuckle as he revved the engine, pulling out of the garage.

Kid was a man of anger issues, that was for sure, because he shouted out asshole! before throwing the money and the earring in the direction he had driven down, following it with a string of curse words. It took a few minutes for him to calm down, and he slowly sank down onto the wooden stepstool near his toolbox, wiping at his forehead, “fuck…” he got back up, shamefully picking up the money and the earring, tucking it into his pocket.

Chapter Text

Usually, Kid would just walk home after work, ready for a beer and a horror movie marathon, but after clocking out and giving Franky his paperwork for the day, Kid reluctantly walked the opposite direction until he got to the bus stop. He was making a really, really fucking huge mistake doing this. Killer with an angel halo and wings on his right shoulder was begging him to take Doflamingo’s warning seriously, don’t overstep your boundaries with the law, you’ll get in trouble, the big pink bitch couldn’t have been more clear if he tried. But here Kid was, boarding the bus that went directly to the university district. It was almost five in the afternoon, there wasn’t much guarantee that Law would even be on the campus, especially given that he was most likely not in a state to go to class, but Kid wanted to give it a shot, anything for a chance to see Law. 

He stepped off of the bus, a lot less enthusiastic compared to the last time he had visited unannounced, rightfully so! The previous visit to the campus was to mess with Law, to be playful, but this was nothing like that; he was here to make sure Law was still alive. The earring Doflamingo had given him was scaring him to hell and back. The thoughts swirled around Kid’s mind, was it his fault? Because he had put Corazon onto Doflamingo’s trail, was Law in physical danger? As he walked through the campus hallway, Kid felt a wave of relief wash over him when he saw a familiarly annoying kid with a straw hat bouncing down the stairs, “hey, you!” 

“Hm?” he stopped in his tracks, adjusting the tote bag on his shoulder, “oh hey, I remember you! Giza-o! You’re not so spikey now, though.”

Right, the last time Kid was here, he was all dressed up, ready to show himself off to Law, he was in his usual, full punk get up with the big spiky hair that resembled flames, held up by studded motorcycle goggles. He had excessive chains that rattled when he walked, but that was all gone now; he was in a black tank top and cargo pants from work. “I’m looking for Law, can you help me find him?” He sounded like such a loser, so desperate for answers, but it didn’t matter anymore. His hand was in his pocket, rolling the gold earring in between his knuckles.

Luffy hummed in thought, “Torao… I dunno! I’m not in the med part of the school. The only time I really see Torao is at parties.” he scratched the back of his neck.

“Do you know who I can ask?”

“His friends.”

God, Kid could’ve choked him out right there and then. “Who are his friends?”

“Mmm… Penguin’s the only one I know, he always sits in the courtyard. Anyway! I have to go, lunch is running late.”

Kid had learned pretty quickly that Luffy wasn’t very reliable, and as he watched the kid run off, he figured he should just go looking for ‘Penguin’ by himself. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and when Kid caught sight of Killer on the contact name, he groaned, putting the phone back in his pocket. Killer most likely knew that Kid was back to messing with Law, despite the constant warnings; and granted, Kid was being really stupid, more than usual, especially after a blatant warning from Doflamingo. Love really did make you crazy, if you could even call what he had with Law ‘love’. 

In the courtyard, Kid saw a few people dotting the grassy grounds and the benches, some studying, some just talking and eating. Towards the back of the courtyard, Kid spotted a familiar penguin hat, and he quickly approached him, “are you Penguin?” 

The stranger looked up from his book, “yeah, that’s– hey!” he got up quickly, struggling out of the bench before grabbing Kid by the collar, “you’re the big red loser who thinks you can sweet talk Law into hooking up! Well, let me tell you something, baka-stass, you’ll never be good–”

Kid took a hold of Penguin’s wrists, yanking them off with relative ease, “don’t get cute with me. I haven’t seen Law in weeks, and I’m worried about him. Have you seen him?”

Penguin seemed taken aback by the sudden lack of fire, and didn’t fight back, instead just taking a step back and leaning his back against the edge of the bench, propping up onto it, “hm. You don’t seem so dangerous now,” he began to pick at his lips, “to be completely honest with you, I haven’t seen Law either.”

“I’m home,” the door clicked shut behind him, and as he began to take off his coat, his ears picked up on the sound of shifting under a blanket, “Law… I talked to Doffy today,” Corazon kneeled down by the couch, where Law was under the blanket on, “he said your earring isn’t anywhere in the estate,” he ran a hand across Law’s back in concern, “I just don’t understand, I told you I’d buy you a new earring, I’ll buy you forty new gold earrings. It’s not like you to be so upset about a lost earring.” When Law didn’t answer, Corazon sighed, getting up and dusting himself out. He really wanted Law to just talk to him, but he also didn’t want to pry; he knew the difficulty Law went through a lot in the foster care system after his family’s death, so he tried to give him as much room as possible. But maybe Doflamingo was right, maybe Corazon was too lenient. “Law,” he took the edge of the blanket into his hand and pulled it off, slowly but firmly, “Law, look at me.” Law was curled up on the couch, his pet polar bear in his arms. He was in a loose tank top and his boxers, visibly sweating; his hair was stuck to his forehead and his skin was glossy. Corazon was breaking a lot of his own rules doing this, he had sworn that he wouldn’t parent Law the way Doflamingo wanted, but things weren’t getting better. “Sit up, come on,” he tucked his hand under Law’s arm, gently pulling him to sit up, “talk to me, please.”

Law was looking at him with glazed over eyes, like he was dissociating, as he absentmindedly played with Bepo’s fur, “I just want my earring back.” he said, bringing Bepo back into his lap, toying with his ears.

“I’m not stupid!” Corazon snapped, pulling off his hat in frustration, “you’re not a materialistic person! An earring would never upset you like this.” He sighed, taking Law’s hands into his own, “Law… whatever happened, you don’t have to tell me, but don’t lie.” There was a few minutes of silence between them, the only sound between them was of Bepo’s motor-like hums as he got comfortable in Law’s arms. Law’s behavior was weirder than usual, granted that Corazon now knew that it wasn’t bad dates that were the cause of his bruises, but it was someone right under his nose. “Look, I know things aren’t easy with the clan, I know you’re having a hard time with them, and I… I can’t control their jealousy towards you–” he stopped when Law got up abruptly, gathering Bepo into his arms, “Law–” the door to Law’s bedroom slammed shut, and Corazon just slowly sat down onto the couch, before retrieving his phone from his pocket, dialing on the number pad and bringing it to his ear. “... Doffy? Yeah, can we talk?”

Chapter Text

In his bedroom, Law let go of Bepo, leaving him on his bed. Jealousy, what a joke. No one in the clan was jealous of Law, they just hated his fucking guts. He pulled open the door to his walk-in closet, stepping in and closing the door behind him before he slid against the wall to sit down. Law adored Corazon, loved him to pieces, but Christ, the man was stupid. Either that or Law was just really good at hiding the abuse Doflamingo had been committing for the fifteen years that Law had been a part of the clan. A decade and a half of constant beatings and all Law had done was protect the motherfucker. Just a playground fight, Cora-san. Just some asshole in the gym locker rooms, Cora-san. Just some guy on crack in the street, Cora-san. Just a mugger, they took my wallet, Cora-san. Just a date mad that I wouldn’t sleep with him, Cora-san. Just a hook-up gone wrong, Cora-san. All those bruises, broken bones, torn ligaments, fractures and humiliation chalked up to don’t worry about it, Cora-san, all so he doesn’t get a scent of what a monster his brother is. Well, there was no way to actually defend Doflamingo’s character; he treated everyone who didn’t meatride him like a spoiled kid would with his toys, and Law seemed to be the only one. 

Even as a child, he didn’t buy into being nice to Doflamingo, he wouldn’t call him Doffy or tell him how cool he was. Instead, he gave his nicknames to Corazon, following his every step, wearing black, speaking coldly, not laughing, hating pink. He only respected Corazon, and that pissed Doflamingo right off. It didn’t take long for Law to get slapped across the face, he was ten and had called Doflamingo’s pink mantle of feathers ‘gay’. It only got worse, and Law’s excuses for black eyes and constant migraines got more elaborate. NO, Law didn’t know why he didn’t want Doflamingo to be found out, so don’t even bother asking.  Don’t cry, don’t you dare cry, he said to himself over and over until the hot feeling behind his eyes started to let go. Law got up, clicking on the light of the closet, and began to flip through his clothes and jewelry, looking for something decent. Eventually, he decided on a black tank top and a pair of jeans; a simple look that he only added a thin gold chain and small gold hoops to. Only two, since his torn earlobe was still healing. Thanks, Doflamingo, best uncle ever. Law pulled on his boots, zipping them up and taking a couple steps to get comfortable, before stepping out, but just before he could walk out of his bedroom, he heard Corazon’s muffled voice. 

He’s getting worse. Yeah… yeah, I- no, I didn’t. I tried, but he won’t. I’m worried, Doffy. You have to help me, just… for a few days, yes. I really owe you for this, but promise me no one else in the clan will be there. He’s been getting in trouble with I don’t know who, but I know you’ve been covering for them, I don’t need you– no, that’s not what I– I just need you to help me. Yes, I know, he’ll probably not like the idea, you know how he is, he’s uncomfortable with anyone other than me. The conversation was stressing Law out, so he quickly opened the door and stormed into the living room. 

“Law! I was just about to come and get you,” Corazon stood up, not hanging up the phone, but standing conveniently close to the door, just barely blocking it, “are you going somewhere?”

Law stopped in his tracks, frowning, “yes. I’m going out with Penguin and Shachi. We’re going to Big Mom’s bar." He lied right through his teeth, and felt guilty for lying to Corazon, but he didn’t like nor did he trust the situation. Corazon never blocked any door; he always stood in a way that let Law know that he wasn’t obligated to stay in a room, unlike Doflamingo, who would tower over him and block any exit he could. His panic did not get any better when Corazon didn’t move from the door to let him out. “Cora-san, I told them I’d be there–”

Corazon took a step to the side, now fully blocking the door, “Law, you’re lying to me. You’ve been lying to me, I don’t know for how long, but I’m not doing it anymore. I know you’re not going to Big Mom’s, your phone’s been on that kitchen island all night. You’re gonna sit down and we’re gonna talk. I called Doffy–”

No. No, no, NO. Law yanked off his black spotted hat, throwing it on the ground in frustration, “do not bring that animal in here!” He tried to reach for the door, but Corazon blocked it. Not good, he never did this, and Law was starting to panic. This wasn’t his Cora-san, this was an imposter, Doflamingo was speaking through him, that was the only explanation. 

“Law, you’re acting like a child!” Corazon snapped, more frustrated than angry. Why was it so hard for Law to talk? “You’re not going anywhere, Law, I’m tired of this! I’m tired of you coming home bruised up and lying about it!” he struggled to keep Law off of the door knob, and while he was getting hit in the face and chest by Law, he didn’t fight back, just holding him by the shoulders. Their struggle stopped when there was a knock at their unit door, and Corazon pushed off of the door, opening it. “Doffy!”

Doflamingo wasn’t in his usual feathered mantle, but in a maroon suit with a pink tie, work attire, and he didn’t look happy. “Corazon, Law,” he greeted, walking into the apartment and bending his head to get in, “you asked me who’s been hurting Law, and I told you I’d find out. Well I did,” he reached into his coat pocket, retrieving his folded handkerchief, holding it out for Corazon to take, and Law watched– or at least, tried to watch (since both brothers were blocking the view) in bitter curiosity as Corazon unwrapped it. It didn’t dawn on Law what it was until Corazon dropped it, either because he was clumsy or because he was panicking, and he watched in panic when he watched his earring roll into a stop right in front of him. “Well, Law’s little boyfriend not only stole my car, but during their little date, he got physical in my car. Why do you think he lied to you about quote unquote losing his earrings?” he gestured at Law, “look at him, Corazon, he’s falling into an abuse cycle with that loser! It’s textbook! He’s seeking out that piece of shit because that’s what they do, it’s called Stockholm syndrome, Diamante told me about it.” He leaned against the doorway, visibly watching Law’s every move, but you could barely tell because of the tinted shades. The son of a bitch was playing Corazon like a fucking fiddle, “I interrogated the shithead until he gave up Law’s earring that he ripped off. Don’t worry too much, I dealt with him.”

Law couldn’t believe his ears. His chest was tight, like someone was constricting him, he couldn’t breathe, every inhale wouldn’t go past his throat. Were his lungs folding in on themselves? His ears were ringing and his heart felt like it was in his throat, hammering in his chest like it was trying to break out, the back of his neck was cold and damp with sweat. His skin felt too thin, just barely blanketing his bones, like Doflamingo could see through him with that sick grin. Keep it together. The words came on repeat, but not like a command, more like a chant. Don’t cry, don’t you dare cry, not in front of him, not in front of the demon. Through his blurred vision, Law saw the door, cracked just wide enough for him to get through. While Corazon and Doflamingo were busily talking about Kid’s supposed abuse, Law quietly sank to his knees, and just before he caught their attention, he speed crawled towards the door, dodging Corazon and Doflamingo’s attempts to grab him. 

He moved to his feet and began to run to the elevator, repeatedly pressing the button, “come on, come on, come on, come on!” By the time the elevator dinged, Corazon was already halfway down the hallway, so Law shoved his way through the half open doors, rapidly pressing the close doors button. The doors slid shut just as Corazon tried to push through. In the silence of the elevator, Law steadied himself using the railing, I dealt with him, Doflamingo’s disgusting voice was pulsing in his head. Whenever Doflamingo said he dealt with someone, it meant they were gone. Pulled into an unmarked van by Vergo and Lao G, taken to a junkyard or a car graveyard, shot in the head, and put into one of the many trunks. Law felt bile make the back of his throat bitter as he covered his mouth. The elevator doors slid open, and Law stumbled out, knowing he didn’t have much time before the two brothers caught up with him. 

The smoke cloud surrounded Wire’s face and shoulders as he inhaled the nicotine, exhaling with a relaxed sigh. The sun was setting, it was almost nine and no sign of Kid, and it didn’t help that he’d gone completely M.I.A since that morning. His shift should’ve ended at seven, but Kid never went out without at least dropping a text in their groupchat, or even just a martini emoji, just… something. Wire checked his phone again for the nth time, but the only notification was his bank warning him that his account was below fifty berries. So, he stuck his cigarette into his mouth and began to type. Anyone seen Kid? It didn’t take long for Heat to respond with a simple nah srry. It was normal for Killer to text back a lengthy paragraph about how irresponsible they all were, but what wasn’t normal was for Killer to text back only two words.

Kid’s missing.