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There he goes, Killer thinks, watching Kid run ahead, wreaking havoc, raising hell.
There he goes, Killer thinks, watching Kid argue with Monkey D. Luffy and pretend he’s not having the time of his life doing so.
There he goes, Killer thinks, watching Kid. Just watching him, like he’s been doing for years, like he’ll keep doing for as long as he’s alive.
When he turns to the side, he finds Roronoa Zoro watching his own captain with exasperated fondness. Killer is guilty of the same when it comes to Kid.
Roronoa says something about Killer's captain. What is it? That Kid is a handful? That Kid is chaotic? That Kid is loud? It's all true, whatever it was that he said, and it applies to Roronoa's captain as well.
What Killer replies is also true: “Kid is the best.”
His captain, his partner, is the best.
And Roronoa smirks and says the same about Straw Hat. Killer knows that smile, knows what it means, knows that there’s more than loyalty in it.
Killer looks at their captains, watches them run headlong into the fight, and his smile becomes real behind the safety of his mask.
They survive the raid. Killer finds Kid sitting among the debris, surveying the area, and knows what’s coming for them. There’s no glory in taking down an Empress when you needed help to do it.
“Shanks next,” Kid announces, the words almost lost among the noise, the chatter, the cheers.
Killer looks at Kid’s left arm, at the metal that’s taken the place of flesh and blood, at the consequences of hubris.
Kid looks up at him and waits.
Killer looks at Kid, at his captain, at his partner, and nods.
“Shanks next.”
Every victory must be crowned with a party, and their triumph against Kaido and Big Mom deserves nothing less than a feast. The appointment of a new shogun is another reason for celebration, but that one is only Wano’s. Killer couldn’t care less who is in charge, as long as Kid isn't thrown into prison again.
Since it doesn't seem to be an immediate risk, Killer is free to enjoy the party.
He doesn’t intend to find Roronoa. He doesn't try to avoid him either.
“Your captain beat Kaido,” Killer says when he sees him.
“Your captain beat Big Mom,” Roronoa replies. It’s polite of him not to mention that Trafalgar Law helped. Or maybe he doesn’t care enough to mention it. It’s not like Killer doesn’t already know it.
“I wanted to kill the bastard myself.”
“I bet your captain did too.”
Killer nods. “At least it’s over.”
Roronoa hums in agreement and drinks.
There’s nothing else to say.
There’s one more thing to say.
“I’m not thanking him for it.”
Roronoa laughs, the alcohol probably helping his mood.
“Noted.”
Killer watches them, when he gets the chance. Roronoa Zoro and Straw Hat Luffy.
He sees how Roronoa’s gaze lingers on his captain. He sees how Roronoa forces himself to stay where he is instead of going to him. He sees how Roronoa leans towards him unconsciously, how his body seems to seek out his captain even when his attention appears to be directed towards his drink.
And then Straw Hat Luffy smiles at his first mate, and Killer sees devotion.
And then Straw Hat Luffy smiles at his navigator, and Killer sees devotion again.
And then Straw Hat Luffy smiles at his sharpshooter, at his cook, at his doctor, at his historian, at his shipwright, at his musician, at his helmsman, and Killer always sees the same thing.
When Killer's gaze returns to Roronoa, he sees resignation.
Monkey D. Luffy is Roronoa’s captain.
Killer finds his captain with the rest of their crew, drinking and laughing, and gestures for Kid to follow him.
And his captain gets to his feet and does so.
They walk in silence until they find an empty alley and Killer puts a hand to Kid’s chest.
And his captain lets him push him until his back is pressed to a wall.
“Don’t look at me,” Killer says, taking off his mask.
And his captain closes his eyes and makes himself comfortable.
When Killer kisses him, his captain kisses him back. Teeth and tongue and Killer tastes blood. There’s no telling whether it’s his or his captain’s, and both of them smile into the kiss. Neither does so against his will.
Kid’s metallic arm holds Killer tightly against him. His flesh hand pulls at Killer’s hair.
Kid is his captain.
Kid is Killer’s.