Eustass Kid x Reader Born to run AU

6

With the return of a grumpy Kid, most of the other crewmembers turned back to their idiotic self, except for a few who were still giving you the stinky eye and a harsh treatment. Even with the supervision of Heat and Wire, some of them still managed to shove you around and kill the mood immediately once you stepped into the room. Keeping the slight disappointment down, you mopped the diner floor in silence after most of the people had left the room. It was messy like always, but someone had to clean it after all. Kid had gone to his hobby of fixing things that wouldn't be fixable, Heat was sitting on a stool, slumped over and probably sleeping after his nightwatch, Wire sat next to him, a book in hand and glasses on top of his nose, Killer had left after you had shooed him out, leaving his sudden loud voice out of the room. John had been inside the dining area for a while to eat, but left as soon as his eyes locked with yours for a splitsecond, red forming on the tips of his ears and cheeks. Someone, an older male had offered to help you, smiling kindly, but you had told him you got it, nodding knowingly that he actually wanted to hide away and sleep a bit more. No one had forgotten that you had taken blame for the murder of Eonec and no one failed to remind you of it. Whether they were drunk and their mouths had to filter or on purpose, talking just a bit louder when you were nearby.

Simply thinking about it yourself, your stomach churned, the animal inside staying silent as well. It was probably still unhappy about you taking blame for everything you didn't do. Well, your life was fucked up anyway, why not have a silent war between both creatures you are? The water sploshed as you put the mop in and pulled it out before slopping the mop on the wood, swirling it around and repeating the process until you were done. Wire sat down his book when you were done and put away the cleaning supplies for the day, or week, whenever Kid felt like it was a pigsty again. Wire coughed in his hand, gaining your attention from your thoughts. "We need to talk, (y/n)." He said lowly, eyeing his friend next to him still sleeping soundly.

"Before or after we put Heat to a comfortable bed?" You asked, hand resting on your hip as the other rubbed the bridge of your nose, hoping to rid the thoughts a bit faster. You sometimes started to mis being the free animal, how hunted you even were by the humans.

Wire was silent, contemplating what to say to that and sighed, a small smile forming on his lips before his whole face turned stern once again. "After."

After closing the door to Heat's room, you walked away form his presence with Wire, the latter leading you to an enclosed area where no one would likely to be listening in to what he wanted to talk to you about. His hand held the door open for you to enter first, a gesture he barely outed to anyone, only the captain if he hadn't barged into the room himself first. Nodding shortly, you entered the room and flicked the switch, looking into a room filled with a few cells and some provisions just far away enough for prisoners to not reach it with stretching arms. "The groaning and moaning in here had stopped a few days ago, but Kid hadn't had the time to dispose of the bodies. Or he didn't care. We both know which one it would be, (y/n)." Wire said, following you in, his hand resting on your lower back.

"He doesn't care." You murmered, covering your nose for the stench coming from a few discomposing bodies, the bracelet clinging softly. Wire nodded, watching your every move like a watchful hawk before his eyes trailed over to an empty cell up ahead.

"Some know what you are, (y/n)." His words made you rigid, standing still and barely even breathing as adrenalin started to fill your bloodstream in sheer fright. "But you are a great fighter and as Kid doesn't know, we let that be. You are the only one that could calm him down before. No one likes to die by his hands."

"Why are you telling me this?" You asked, meekly, turning around to face the older male behind you, eyes wide. His hand grabbed your shoulder as he turned you fully quicker, his figure lowering to look you straight in your eyes, looking, searching, but for what? You didn't know.