My Neighborly Demon (Eustass KidxReader)

Strawberry

The world seemed to be working against your favor as you were on mandatory bed- rest and your boss had you one a month leave, all paid.

Just so you could get better faster.

But better was an understatement.

The month was slow, and completely eventless. You'd barely sleep if you were alone. Insomnia was getting to you as the waking world and the dreams were starting to merge.

Clouding your sight with gruesome memories of that night in Dressrosa. The slow shift of your reality was starting to be more and more apparent.

The food was tasteless, the smells were putrid and the tiredness was just overwhelming.

The only thing that brought you solace was visiting the red headed demon and his band of misfits. You were awake for the most of the times when you hung out. But some times they'd just take turns in lulling you to sleep and press gentle words against your hair as they pet and snuggled you.

Such was the year that was January. The last night you were on medical-break, Kid had pulled you to his apartment.

Arm was still healing and confidence was still a little shattered, but his resilience never wavered.

"So, whatcha up to, sweetheart?"

"Nothing in particular. Why?"

"Because you've been moping for a whole fuckin' month. The guys and I have been keeping tabs on you and you just seem to drown in a half empty cup all the time."

You winced. He was right, you were drowning in a half empty cup.

And you died every time you saw his lack of arm.

"I-I'm sorry."

"Ah?"

You couldn't take it anymore.

The dam broke once again and now you were being rushed to his bedroom.

The tears did little to hide your shame and sadness over the fact that to get to you, he lost so much.

To protect you- he lost part of his body.

He didn't have to loose his arm to save you.

"Sweetheart, We're not going down the hole again."

You heard him whisper to you as your tears just kept pouring, ripping sob after sob from your throat.

He had an idea to stop the thoughts.

"Okay, (Y/N). We're going for a walk."

A walk?

At night!?

"And it's inside the complex. Nothing fancy. We'll go to the swing-set you like so much, yeah?"

You nodded.

You didn't notice the change of scenery, but at least you were awake. You were walking, out of the building propped against Kid, his arm lugging around what you could think is maybe blankets over his good shoulder and one pillow between his fingers. Tail was firmly snug, wrapped around your waist as you both made your way to your destination.

The little swing set that reminded you of home.

The big tree above it now barely bare, little leaves showing the dark sky.

Thankfully no snow this winter.

"Okay, pull this up to the corner. I'll hold it here."

You obeyed.