Seeing Red (Kid X Reader)

Acceptance

Kid woke up a day later. At first, he was confused, one arm moved while the other didn't. When he was able to look at his stump, that confusion turned to pure rage. He called Shanks every name under the sun, cursing him as Wire and Heat did everything they could to hold him down and keep his wounds from opening up again. It was the one time you were glad he was in pain, it kept him from overthrowing his friends and rushing off for a second round with the Yonko.

It took a solid hour to calm him down and another 30 minutes to help get him moved out of the garage and into Killer's house. Wire and Heat did a great job of replacing the ruined carpet, you couldn't even tell part of it had been changed out. It was nice that Kid's stitches stayed in place and kept him from getting more blood on it.

That wasn't your biggest worry though, far from it actually. You told Killer you had to be the one to let Kid know why he lost his arm. When you calmed down the day before, you called pops and got the full story. You were right. He did tell Shanks, thinking he'd be the one Kid would go for. But he also told Shanks about your worries.

The redhead told him he'd grant you the only favor you'd ever get and not kill your lover. While you were still angry at pops for not doing more, you had to accept things could have gone worse. And now that you had done that, Kid had to as well.

As soon as Kid was settled in the couch, hissing in pain and anger, you pulled up a chair and sat by him. His face contorted into a viscous snarl until he noticed it was you. His one hand shook lightly as he reached out for you. You had to fight the urge to break into tears as you took it. It hurt seeing him so weak. He'd always been strong, even when things didn't go his way, even when you were angry with him.

You didn't want to see him hurting any more, but you couldn't wait until later to tell him the truth. Things would be worse if you did.

"How're you feeling?" You asked, knowing he'd give some snarky remark.

"Like I lost a fucking limb." He snapped, glaring up at the ceiling.

"Law's trying to see if he can get you something for the pain, but it may be another day. He's gotta keep it under wraps."

"I don't care about the pain." He gripped your hand a little tighter. "I fucking lost to that bastard, that's what matters."

You winced at the comment and it didn't go unnoticed. Kid frowned at you, inching closer to the edge of the couch to reach for your thigh instead so he could brush his hand against it reassuringly.

"He won't fuck with us here. But I swear, whoever told him I was coming is going to face a slow, painful death."

The touch was no longer reassuring. You paled as you wondered what were the chances of him forgiving you versus actually following through with the threat. Once glance at Killer let you know he was prepared for anything though. He stepped closer and rest a hand on Kid's good shoulder and gave you a nod.

You agreed with him to get this done now and he'd keep Kid from hurting himself or anyone else. It was just so hard to find the words.

"Kid.... What if that kept you from getting killed?"

His eyes flicked between you and Killer suspiciously. "What the hell do you mean?"

"Kid I–I was scared for you and didn't want to see you hurt." And of course the waterworks started up as you saw the beginnings of fury form in his eyes once again. Kid was many things, but he was never stupid. "Pops promised he'd help, I never thought that'd mean tipping Shanks off and things ending up like this."

"You ratted me out." He growled.

"No, I didn't want that to happen, I just wanted you safe." Tears pours down your face as you shook your head. "I was afraid of you dying."