drafts

[mekachu04]

Despite his disdain for Luffy's captainship, Kidd gets on with him far too well for the general comfort of Luffy's crew. Luffy and Usopp were already a set of pranksters when left unattended, Kidd is ten times worse, because there is no healthy Usopp level of fear to hold him back from the truly stupid plans

Meaning anytime someone catches Killer solo on the ship, it's an immediate rush to find Luffy and Kidd before one or both of them falls overboard.

<><><>

Its a surprise to all of them to find Luffy sharing his seat with Kidd more often then not. At this age, Kidd's hair is strikingly similar to the Sunny's figure head, and Luffy seems to find that reason enough to let Kidd in his special spot.

Luffy was never one for needing to hear someone justifications or reasons for their actions; he didn't need to know the whys. Just that asking for his help being reason enough.

But neither Kidd nor Killer had asked for help; more that his crew had essentially abducted them, and held them as somewhat willing prisoners until they figure out how this had happen and where their crew was. And for as quiet as Killer was, Kidd was loud. Like he felt he had to talk enough for the both of them. And he talked endlessly to Luffy.

For two that would be rivals as adults, Kidd seemed to lose any animosity to Luffy very quickly into their stay. There is a startling similarity that the crew sees as the days go on - just how similar the two where are heart.

<><><>

It seemed any good will made is gone now, an angry stand off between Kidd and Luffy, with poor Killer unsure of his misstep that has everyone upset. Things aren't free, and Luffy had seemed to have no interest in using Killer in a fight, leaving him with the second thing ship captains used him for, and had only meant to pay his and Kidd's passage.

But Kidd had freaked out, and had looked ready to throw them both in the ocean before he let Luffy anywhere near them.

Luffy, who had not understood at first what they thought he was going to do, until Kidd's profanity drenched ranting finally started to make sense. He knelt calmly down before them, trying not to take to heart the betrayed look Kidd regarded him with now. He sighed, taking his hat and plopped it down on the mess of red hair, brim down between them to break the stalemate. "Come on. With me."

Luffy picked Kidd up, and held his hand out for Killer to take, walking them to the men's cabin.

"This is my hammock," he told them, dumping Kidd into the mesh netting. "Nami took the captain's quarters. Honestly, after Sanji joined, it wasn't worth fighting her over it. Beside, I like sleeping with everyone."

He picked Killer up next settling him in the hammock next to Kidd.

"We have great naps together."

Luffy hauled himself up next, and with some dangerous swaying, he got settled in with a child on each side. He felt a little bad splitting them up like that, but Luffy needed them to understand that no one on his crew would ask them for any payment. Certainly not something like that.

"And we just... take a nap.." Kidd said suspiciously.

"Yep."

It was clear from how quiet the boy was that he still didn't understand, and Luffy looped his arm around Killer so many times he was mostly rubber arm by the end of it. Kidd had not looked happy, but Luffy wasn't really sure which of the three of them he was most unhappy with.

<><><>

Killer had dozed off, and Luffy wasn't far off, only still awake because he could hear Kidd thinking.

"You really mean it, don't you," Kidd settled for finally. Luffy looked down to see him looking at Killer's sleeping face - maybe the drool puddle his friend was leaving behind on Luffy's vest.

"I'm sure one day, you'll both have a lot of fun with sex, but we don't use that as currency on my ship. We wont ever ask that from either of you. Sex because you like someone and want to have some fun. Or hate someone - I'm never really sure with some of the people Zoro picks."

Kidd is looking at him now, face set in a deep frown.

"But you need to be like.. twice as old as you are now first."

"That's not .." Kidd seemed to rethink his statement, "You're really weird for a pirate captain."

Luffy shrugged. "Is it bad that I am?"

"... No." Kidd says finally. Luffy wrapped him up like he had Killer wrapped up in an arm and he grinned

Franky had a strange look on his face at lunch, watching to the two south blue boys across the bench from him. they ate mechanically, woodenly, methodically.

There was no .. joy.. in the act.

They were 8 - he expected roughhousing or something. Hell, maybe compliments were far fetched but at least some complaints. Kidd clearly did not like the dish - he looked relieved when Luffy stole half of it, only to scowl when Killer replaced the pilfered food with a scoop off his own plate.

Still - he said nothing.

Franky realized, Killer - as quiet as ever - was also completely blank faced at every meal, at least as much as the SMILE fruit allowed him to be.

They hated it - he realized with shock. Hating anything Sanji made was a privilege seemed to be saved solely for Zoro when he was feeling particularity spiteful and contrarian. But no - Franky had been watching, and there was not a single spark of joy on the faces of either child.

They ate because they had too.

It wasn't even because they felt some form of obligation. They ate like they didn't expect a meal to follow so they better take advantage of the food in front of them.

It was made even weirder by the fact Killer seemed to enjoy helping sanji prep food - and Kidd was often underfoot when he did.

<><><>

The eureka moment was with dinner - a wonderful rich dish with all the love and care and flavours Sanji was best at. The two boys seemed even less enthused than ever before.

"Cook-bro, can i make an odd request?"

He asked after, as the rest of the crew wandered off to their own after dinner routines.

Sanji nodded for him to go ahead, stacking plates to wash.

"I just wanna test something - what are the chances you got any short noodles on hand?"

"I've got a few styles, sure. What did you want me to make?"

"Actually.. I thought I might make something. Wanna test a theory I've been mulling."

"Will these be eaten after your test?"

"Of course!"

<><><>

Franky picked some simple elbow noddles, and even if he was nearly twice the man's age, he did so under Sanji's supervision.

They got tossed in some plain butter. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Sanji had a whole list of ways to fancy them up, but Franky insisted this is what he wanted.

<><><>

"If.. If I'm right, you gotta not be mad, okay?"

"Right about what?"

Franky just shrugged, before asking Robin to call their two child guests back into the kitchen. She'd been watching from her spot at the table curiously, and was more than happy to see this play out.

Soon enough, Killer and Kidd were in the door way, and Franky gestured to the table. Kidd looked suspicious, but Killer climbed up, and so he followed.

Franky put the bowls of plain noodles down. Sanji went to grab them forks, but Franky held up his hand for him to wait.

The two boys looked at the food, and then at Franky. it was the first time he'd seen them show interest in the dish since the first few days.

"I was trying something," Franky explained, "thought I'd get some unbiased input. Let me know what you think."

Killer didn't seem to have the first idea what he was suppose to do with that information, where Kidd just shrugged as he grabbed a fist full and shoved it in his mouth.

It was messy; Sanji was appalled. Killer seemed to finally accepted he wasn't getting a fork, and began to pick up one noodle at a time. He ate with the same methodical precession he had every meal to start with, but then it was a picking up a new piece before he'd even finished the one in his mouth, and Franky only then let him have a fork.

Kidd ignored the utensil - his hand worked just fine. Killer seemed to take great joy in trying to stab as many pieces on to the fork as he could, or tried to thread the noodles on each prong first.

Kidd make to grab some out of Killer's bowl only for Killer to laugh, and take his bowl with him as he slid off the bench and on to the floor.

Sanji looked baffled. Robin wasn't even pretending to read her book anymore, watching in fascination.

<><><>

The adults didn't say anything until after their two guests had finished eating and been sent to go wash up. Franky was quiet, gathering his thoughts while poor Sanji just looked bewildered.

"So.." Franky said finally, "you gonna have to use that culinary mastermind to figure out how to make that a nutritionally balanced meal, but uh... I think I figured out the problem."

"The food is too complex." Robin realized.

"I've fed plenty of kids before, this wasn't a problem!" Sanji tried to argue.

"Your food has gotten much more extravagant in the last few years - is it possible you might have been subconsciously trying to show off to the other captain?" Robin offered.

Franky let them mull it over, "So.. so I didn't always live with Tom," he admitted, "there was a time - after my parents ditched me, where it was just me. Not for long. but....." he shrugged, "I admit - I had my fair share of meals out of the trash. You eat what you can find and you don't complain."

Sanji and Robin had both understood that on some level, but Franky could also see that they didn't get it. Not really.

"Looking at they way they are right now - I don't imagine they'd had real food before we found them. Killer-bro, maybe, but nothing that was meant to taste good. Kid eats so methodical; like it's just another chore. Probably soldier rations or some thing. Nutritious but no taste. And Kidd-bro's probably eating from trash bins or whatever they can nick of a stand, raw fruits and veggies. Maybe some street food if they get really lucky, but i have my doubts.

"Closest thing to a palate either of them have is probably knowing what molds are going to make them a little sick verses what molds will probably kill them.

"Cook-bros stuff is just too much. and Kidd-bro barely seemed to know that forks were for eating, so I was starting to think - he probably'd never used one before. Same with spoons - just drink it from the bowl, and pick the food up with your fingers." Franky looked at Sanji, "like the talk you have to have with them back on day one - knives being tools on our ship, not weapons. Completely new concept to the both of them."

"They're doing their best, but those kids have been miserable at every meal since the beginning. Make em some rice balls or something - I'll bet they'll love those. Simple finger foods, one or just a couple ingredients.

Sanji brought everyone a snack later in the afternoon, along with drinks for the ladies. His crew was sprawled across the deck, boys up to who knows what while Nami and Robin had pulled a table and some chair out to take advantage of a picture perfect day, their young passengers sitting with them. Sanji felt he should be jealous, but unlike Momo, neither of these boys seemed all too interested in antagonizing the rest of the boys with what they could get away with. If they even noticed the lovely breasts, they didn't pay them the slightest mind.

Sanji doesn't know if that's better or worse.

Kidd is sitting in Nami's lap, the two chatting amicably as Nami painted his tiny finger nails hot pink. Killer is watching; they'd already painted his nails and he's holding them put like he's afraid to smudge them, sitting in Robin's lap as she uses her abilities to turn the pages on the book they might be reading together. Her and Killer's nails are a deep royal purple.

Killer's head is pillowed in Robin's tits and Sanji really wants to be jealous, but the kid doesn't seem to even notice something is amiss, so Sanji is certainly not going to bring it up. He also doesn't have his mask on, and Sanji can't help but find some happiness for the kid in that.

The chatter dies off as he approaches, Nami resting her chin on Kidd's head as Sanji places the drinks in a flourish. Kidd looks at him like he's an idiot - heathen clearly doesn't know now to treat a lady - and curiously, Killer twists around to look at Robin to see how to respond.

"Where is my drink?" Kidd demands, open palm hitting the table next to Nami's drink, fingers still carefully stretched out to not ruin her work. Nami just smirks at Sanji.

Instead, Sanji puts down little sandwiches, crusts already removed, for the four of them. "I can get you some juice, if you are thirsty?" he offers.

"Maybe some lemonade?" Robin suggests, and Sanji turns to see she has crouched over slightly, looking at Sanji, but listening to... Killer, who has sat up and looks to be whispering to Robin. "But not as sweet this time?"

Nami looks surprised, but Kidd looks like he's about to burst of of his skin in pride, grinning ear to ear in a way only the rubber-skin of Luffy seemed to be possible. "Yes!" he demands, beating on the table, "Lemon Drink!"

Nami says something to him, and he looks back, grin gone for pure offense. Before Sanji can question it, she wags her eye brows, cause Kidd to roll his eyes so hard his whole body moves in her lap.

"Lemons, please," he intones are dully as he can, before going to grab a sandwich.

No one stops him, but he pulls his hand back, and starts to blow furiously on his nails, poking them tentatively so see if they're dry yet, only for Nami to tut when they clearly are not. Robin saves the day by holding one in from on of Kidd with a blossomed hand, and he bites into it with such a ferocity, Sanji's surprised he didn't get fingers in there.

Sanji goes to get the boys some lemonade, wondering if these are Killer's first words since this whole things began, or if he's been talking to Kidd. Kidd's reaction could put it in either direction.

It was a nice day, marred only by the lack of wind. The crew whittled away the time with little side projects, ad Nami found herself sitting out in the grass, hair pick in hand, carefully smoothing out Usopp's hair while Zoro napped next to them under the shade of her trees.

She'd been at it for some time now - when they'd first started to sail together, Usopp had walked her through how to comb out his curls without frizzing them up after their first night on the Merry. It taken him forever to wash the blood out, and she could only watch him try to rework his hair alone for so long before offering to help.

It was one of the very few things she didn't charge for.

As she had worked, somewhere around the half way point, the trio had been surprised by Killer, Kidd and Chopper. Their play had taken Kidd & Chopper running past, but Killer had stopped and just watched them for a long moment. Nami did her best to not stare back, and just focused on her work, and it was finally Zoro who tilted his head to the study the small boy. "You coming or going?"

"Can.. Can I stay?" his voice was small, uncertain. A new thing they where all trying to get used to.

"Of course you can stay," Usopp reassured him.

They'd expected him to keep standing, or maybe sit with Zoro as he found the other first mate an acceptable nap partner. Instead, he climbed into Usopp's lap - with some help from the sniper - and stood on his thighs, watching Nami work from over Usopp's shoulder. After some hesitation on Usopp's part, Killer accepted the sniper's hands casually resting on the back of his calves to help stabilize him even if the boy's sea legs had come in quick enough. In turn, Killer had tucked into him, one hand around Usopp's neck in a half hug, the other under his chin on Usopp's shoulder, watching with the rapt attention a child has when witnessing something fascinating for the first time.

"Do.. Do you want to help?" Nami offered, disappointed when Killer looked at her, an uncertain surprised look she was addressing him at all, before quickly shaking his head 'no' and trying to hid between her and Usopp. But he didn't run away this time, and Usopp drummed his fingers against his legs in what he hoped was reassurance.

Nami tried not to feel hurt and instead focused on finishing up so she could leave, no longer enjoying the quiet time. She could also feel Zoro studying her, and she refused to look in his direction either.

"Does it hurt?"

Nami glanced up to see Killer had inched back up to watch her work again, but was turned and whispering to Usopp. Usopp couldn't look at him from where he was without moving his head - and Nami's hold on his hair prevented that. "Not at all, Nami's very good at it," he reassured the boy instead, his bounced his legs a little, the boy giggling with the motion.

"But it's all tangled..."

"It was all tangled, sure, but our Nami is very patient, and she's getting the knots out for me." Usopp moved one of his hands to Killer's back and pulled some of his finished hair around his other shoulder "and then, she helps get it all fixed so it wont tangle later, see."

Killer braced himself one handed on Usopp's shoulder, other tiny fingers holding the coils that Usopp offered. He studied to tight coil that Nami has curled his hair into, fingers rolling it a bit and messing up her work.

His eyebrows furrowed, the forced smile pinched and he ducked under Usopp's chin. Hiding, he held out the hair he'd messed up over Usopp's shoulder; presenting it to Nami.

Zoro was no longer pretending to sleep, sitting up to watch, though his position remained relaxed.

Nami sectioned off the area she'd been working on over Usopp's shoulder, Killer's whole body flinching where it rested against his other arm now twisted up in Usopp's overall straps. Killer wasn't looking directly at her, but she knew from experience he was very aware of her every move right now. "Well that's no good," she said softly, holding the offered hair, hand not quite touching the little boy's "Lets see about getting that fixed for Usopp..."

Killer peaked up at her then, blue eye barely visible between Usopp's body and his own blond hair. Nami gently took the offered hair, and worked it back into shape. "See," she handed it back, "All good now."

Killer withdrew back around the front of Usopp, studying the fix. He then showed it to Usopp. "I told you, Nami is very good."

Killer seemed contemplative, remaining tucked in and studying the lock of hair. Nami and Zoro shared a look, where he gave a shrug and settled back into his nap. With nothing more to do, Nami returned to Usopp's hair.

She was nearly done when she heard Killer whispering at Usopp again; well, at first only hearing Usopp's answers, the boy's voice dropped too low.

"As long as it takes." Usopp was saying. She heard the murmur of Killer asking something, but not the words. "No no, of course not."

"What about when she pulls?"

"She doesn't pull on purpose, and she'd very gentle. Doesn't hurt at all."

"What if she can't get the knot out?"

Usopp frowned, "It might take a bit, but she'll get it," he reiterated; while worded a little different, the boy was starting to repeat his questions. Like he as trying to catch Usopp out on a lie and Usopp was .. well, he wasn't offended, but he'd thought he'd done pretty well in being mostly truthful with the other pirate crew of two - at least on the important stuff.

"But what if she can't?" Or maybe Killer was trying to ask something else, and just hadn't found the right way yet....

Usopp rubbed his back, the boy sighing, thudding his head against Usopp's collar bone, "Nami's very smart, she'll figure something out. Once, I got my fishing line so knotted up it was as thick as my arm. You could have used it to pull up the ancher. But Nami got it untangled like it was nothing." and maybe that wasn't exactly true, but it was close enough.

Killer muttered his next question into Usopp's chest - he felt it more than heard it, and bounced his leg a little, jostling the boy around.

Killer took a breath and repeated himself.

"I dun' wan'er to cu'my hair."

Ohhhh... Usopp understood now. At least, he think he might. "I don't think there's ever been a not Nami couldn't untangle. She would never cut your hair just to get a knot out."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart."

Killer was quiet for a time, and Nami bit her lip from saying anything. She finished up Usopp's hair, and gathered it all back, making sure it was all even and laying right.

Zoro spoke up then, eye still closed, but clearly talking to the little boy. "Nami would never do anything you didn't want he to do. if you tell her you don't want your hair cut, i promise you, she won't cut your hair."

Usopp