Gold and Red [Law × Reader, Kid × Reader]

Twenty-three (Three)

One day after the battle

Ace's side

"Thank you for everything, Akagami," bows the young man, holding his sister's hand, who is standing close by his side. Behind them, the ship gifted by the Yonkou, wearing his dark flag. "I will not forget it."

"The world will know what happened, Ace," nods Shanks, touching the boy's shoulder. "The Fourth Ancient Weapon is gone. They have sacrificed enough for that. The Government will never stop chasing you, but not like before. If you are strong and careful enough, you can live a peaceful life."

The boy strokes Three's smooth hand as she holds onto him. The Emperor steps to her and nods shortly with a sad smile.

"I wish you all the happiness in the world," he whispers. "You are free, Ann. There is nothing more I can do for you."

She tilts her head confusedly and smiles at him, to which the man shivers.

Three steps forward and embraces him with one arm while her flesh hand is still in Ace's like he is her only pillar in this world.

"I hope we will meet again," she smiles as she lets him go. "Akagami Shanks."

The Emperor smiles back at her and bows deeply, which he hasn't done for anyone for a long time.

And before he turns around to leave, he looks back at her brother for one more second.

"Take care of each other, Ace," he says.

And the boy caresses her hand again as Three rests her head above his shoulder for comfort, her eyes following the dance of the clouds in the sky.

"We will," he smiles, laying his cheek above her soft hair. "Until the end of time."

.

.

.

On the sea

At night

Ace carefully covers her body with a blanket and lets go of her hand for the first time since she woke up after the battle and sought safety by his side.

He takes a deep breath and tucks in the sides of the fabric before tiptoeing out of the cabin.

His chest sinks as he finds someone sitting outside his door, who was waiting there for long hours.

Eustass Kid turns to him as soon as he appears, his body strained.

"How is she?" he asks harshly.

Ace sighs and walks across him, sitting down opposite the other pirate.

Kid is resting his real arm above his pulled-up knee, his hair falling freely because he got rid of the goggles, as well as his other clothes.

They were all covered by her blood, so he got a white shirt and simple, brown trousers from the ship's former owners.

"She is settling slowly," answers Ace, running his fingers into his wavy, raven hair. "But she is finally resting a little."

"Do you think she will return?"

The boy looks at the wooden ceiling since he can't stand the gaze of the other.

"No," he whispers. "I don't think so."

Kid thrills and closes his eyes, the red locks falling above his face like blooming flames.

"She is both here and gone," he rustles. "It drives me crazy. I hate how there is nothing we can do to truly help."