Eustass Kid x Reader Born to run AU

1

Graphic scenes ahead
There was a secret no one was supposed to know. Not this crew, nor your captain himself. Not the gulls high up in the bright sky you were looking at, nor the fish deep in the sea below. Not the bright rays of the sun that shone on your bare skin, heating it as you worked on deck, nor the soft spring breeze the next island send to the waters Kid's crew was nearing. Yet here you are, avoiding the staring gaze of the only man that had found out just by piecing the oh so small clues together. The blue mask hid his scarred skin, some of them caused by your very hand. Not because you had wanted to, but because you were scared of what he would do to you in your state. Now, after a month of dealing with that fact, he stepped up to you, his hands hidden in his pockets and his shoulders straight. (e/c) eyes were filled with dread and fear for his next words, for his next action. You could be thrown to the sharks that hid in the shadow of the ever destroying ship. You could be thrown in front of your captain to get tortured by his cruel hand or worse, by Killer himself, shredded slowly by his scythes. Your legs were trembling, silently screaming at you to just run, bolt the hell out of his sight and never turn back, just like you had done so many times before.

The only thing keeping you there, rooted to your spot, was that animalistic instinct you had kept locked up deep within yourself. That small voice was sweet, whispering, alluring, keeping you there close to the man everyone saw as a leader when Kid wasn't there. He would guide you just as easily as his weapons could kill you. Killer didn't say anything, probably thinking about what words he would use before letting them slip from his tongue.

Eventually, just as a seagull screamed above your head, Killer's right hand left his pocket and raised higher and higher, his fingers hiding something in his palm. You ducked away, taking a step back with eyes closed. Never before have you been scared of the crew, never of the first mate. Yet, here you were, stumbling away like a new born cup seeing its demise disguised as its best friend, claws outstretched for the strike, teeth bared for the killing blow. So scared, yet never moving any inch further. Every scenario flashed behind your closed lids, showing your end differently every time. And still, you didn't, couldn't run away. Not like you had done many times before. You had found friends here, a family and someone you chose to love. You couldn't leave them. Not now, not ever. Even if it meant your death. So afraid, so crawling back in your knowledge of you going to die very soon, you failed to see Killer's hand had moved forward to cup your cheek, the sensation of it shocking you. A whimper escaped your lips, yet your head moved into the touch, revelling in it. "Look at me." A simple and quiet command, so easily spoken. You did as he said as it were not the words he spoke, but the tone he used. He was higher in rank and you did as you were used to as you had grown up with this, following the higher ups. Your eyes met his blue mask as Killer started to click it away from his head, revealing his marred skin beneath. Another whimper left your lips unwillingly. 'I made them.' You knew you did, just didn't remember doing it. "I'll keep your secret." You knew your eyes lit up as he spoke the words, hope filling them to the brim. "But you'll have to grant me something in return."

"Anything!" You almost yelled, happily, yet desperately.

A wolfish grin tugged his lips up and at this very moment, you couldn't distinguish who the real wolf was at that exact moment and a slight wave of uncertainty washed over you.

*~*~*~

After reaching the Spring-island, you had ventured off, like you always did. No one questioned it, too caught up in their work, the thought of fresh alcohol and food. A smell led you away, a tang of cupper wafting in the air. Your body was telling you it was that time of a month once again, your skin tingling, almost rippling in anticipation. Your pace started to quicken, feet almost carrying you through air. Breaking in a run, your nose sniffed the upcoming wind. It was still fresh, your trail, and as the sun started to sink behind the clouds, lower to reach the blue waters, the moon was already climbing. The rocky orb was still pale as the sky painted orange and purple after mere seconds. In the shadows of the small forest you were already running in, you shed your clothes article after article, tossing them here and there to pick up later. You panted slightly, already feeling your skin tearing as bones and muscles started to rebuild, the pain suddenly blinding you. Your hands covered your head as you sank to your knees. A cry left your throat before it turned inhuman. Nails grew, digging dangerously into your skin before you moved your still hands away from your head. Your nose grew, extending as you shook your head, hoping for the pain to decrease. Legs grew, arms lengthened with every second, hair growing longer.