Once Bitten, Twice Shy [[Kid X Reader X Ace]]

Pride

READER POV:

It was about an hour before you heard a familiar rapping on your door. While you were waiting for your blonde companion to show up, you checked your stash in the cupboard above the sink and found a treasure trove. Thirty minutes later, you were higher than a kite and you didn't give a fuck. As your old co-worker used to say, "these are the times you need a good does of 'fuck it' in your system". You giggled remembering the good times you'd had as you walked to open the door.

Eyes shot and smile slapped on to save face, you swung the door open and greeted one of your most dearest confidants.

"What's up, little one?" Killer smiled holding up the two bags of sushi from Sanji's restaurant. You snatched both bags from his hands and turned around saying "Oh love, you are in for a story tonight. By the way, you're staying here. It's gonna be a long night." You placed the bags on the kitchen counter and started pulling plates from the cabinets.

"I don't know if I'll be able to stay the night." Killer spoke as he sat down at the table.

"Oh?," you began as you walked to the table and sat the plates and chopsticks down in front of Killers and your places, "and why exactly is that?" You turned to grab the plated sushi to put it on the table.

"Well, someone else is in a bit of a mood and he wasn't particularly happy that I was leaving to cover something at 'work'." Killer stated picking up his chopsticks and selecting a piece of onigiri.

You quirked a brow in his direction, then looked down. "Ever since this afternoon, his nerves have been working him like no other. And I thought he couldn't get worse." Killer finished before popping his second onigiri into his mouth.

"Wonder if he's having his period." you scoffed causing Killer to choke slightly at your comment. He started hitting his hand to his chest and coughed a couple times. He then stood to get a drink of water. Shaking his head at you as he was walking back, all you could do was laugh a bit.

"But, enough about him. What's the situation? Who do I need to beat up?" Killer joked.

You let out a heavy sigh and told him the whole sordid story, from when you told Kid that you had (foolishly) 'chosen' Ace up until now. You could see him putting the puzzle pieces together as you went on. You were part of the reason Kid had been so upset and more irritable than usual, you knew it. You progressed in the story until you reached this afternoon with catching Ace with this 'Vivi' person, in your home and how you lost your shit, like any normal person would. "And then I called you, and now we're here with an empty sushi plate, and I'm still hungry." you concluded. You stood from the table collecting the plates and placing them into the sink. You didn't feel like doing dishes. You wanted to cry but you couldn't. Not in front of anyone. Not even Killer.

"You want me to kick his ass for you? It's been a good while since I've gotten to ring someones bell for a legitimate reason." Killer jested. You just kept your head down and looked at the sink bracing yourself against the edge.

You heard Killer stand from the table and he began to wash the dishes as you toweled them dry. There was silence. Not awkward, but comfortable. Killer has always been able to read you like an open book. He may be hiding those eyes behind that shaggy mane of his, but he sees everything. So you wallowed for a minute, standing there, drying dishes. You felt a hand on your face. Killer was wiping away tears that had started to flow but you were silent. "Ah fuck. Got some dust or soap in my eye." you pushed the towel towards him and walked to the bathroom.

You reached the bathroom and began splashing cool water on your face. You hadn't heard Killer creep up the stairs.

"You know I don't believe that shit for a minute." Killer sassed from the doorway. You narrowed your eyes at him, "Shut up, Blondie." He held his hands up mocking forfeit and backed away from jamb. "So what do we do now?" you asked drying your face and throwing the towel at him.