I always work alone (Eustass Kid x OC)

Chapter 5 : Strange feeling

The days went by. The life on this new ship with other people and Kid was not as horrible as expected, but wasn't as good as her life before. Strangely, Kid let her do almost whatever she wanted. He didn't give her tasks like he did for the other men of the crew. In fact, he almost considered her as a second Killer even though he never really saw her fight.

He often did sort of meetings with Lanniya and Killer. He talked about his plans. For now, he wanted to be the most powerful possible before going in the New World and beat the Yonkos. All this time she stayed silent, sitting and looking at the sky. She didn't care about anyone on this ship. She just felt like she could not fit in, so she stayed alone the most of the time.

Killer also didn't care about Lanniya. She was such a waste of time to him. He could not see why she was useful to the crew. She made him the effect to be just an egoistic and cupid child. Lanniya knew it but she did not care. He was the second of the ship, so he was undoubtly protected by Kid and she could not confront him.

Kid... He was so protective towards her. It just felt like he wanted her to be a REAL part of his crew and Lanniya did not understand why. Why her? But well, as long as it did not give you any problems. Every time he looked at her, she felt something strange from him and inside her. There was a kind of interest coming from him, as if he wanted to know more about her. As she was someone very contradictory, she didn't want to give him any informations and just closed herself like a chest full of gold. But at the same time, she liked when he was watching her. She liked to play the mysterious person and deep inside, she wished he would guess more than she would say. It was easier to like him but Lanniya hated him at the same time, since she didn't know what she was doing on this damn ship.

That day, she was sitting on the front of the ship, basically on the roof of the cabines. The sun was almost setting and was so bright that she could not properly see the ocean. There was a really tiny wind, spreading her short hair apart of her face. Kid climbed on the roof as well. Although Lanniya knew he was it, she did not turn back. Her thoughts were more interesting. He stopped beside her.

- I wonder why you keep looking in front, at the ocean, the whole day.

- If I wanted to make some poetry, I would say that it's because it's useless to look behind me, but that's not what I think.

- So what is the real reason ?

- I am burying Shadow, the Flower Knight and my past existence.

He did not answer. He did not know what to say, even if a thousand things came to his mind. And anyway, he was not the kind of guy who was thinking a lot about existence. He looked briefly at her.

- You should've not cut your hair. It was better long.

Surprised, it took her a moment, then she let out a laugh.

- Sometimes, I wonder what's in your mind, captain.

It was probably the first time she called him captain directly.

- I do so all the time, he whispered.

For a moment, they stayed so. Lanniya even managed to smile. She found it kinda relaxing to be there with her captain, just enjoying the sun and hear him telling dumb things.

- Lanniya, I will probably need your help for some... things.

She raised an eyebrow.

- What ? And will it be soon ? You said we would do only a few halts before the Sabaody Islands.

- I'll tell you when but promise me you will do exactly what I will tell you. I promise to assure that nothing bad will happen to you.

- Which means it could be dangerous, she concluded. As long as I don't risk to be directly killed, why not ?

- Not killed but... You could be hurt or physically abused.

Lanniya looked at him, unsure.

- I promise I won't let anything happen to you, he said with determination.

- I really don't know why I keep trusting you, she said standing up. But there must be a good reason.

She looked up and closed her eyes, enjoying the blow of the wind on her face.

- Since you're my captain, I'll follow you.

He smiled, satisfied.

- Finished burying the past ?

- You know, since you are considering me as a person, I don't think the Flower Knight will be cried anymore. Crane's era has begun.

He laughed.

- Come eating with us.

When they both came down, Lanniya was smiling and everything seemed fixed, since she had now an utility in this crew. For the whole days after, she surprised some short glances from Kid when he thought she did not see him. As soon as he realized she was looking at him as well, he would turn back really fast. She didn't think much of it, mostly because she didn't want to make false suspicions.