There was this surge of respect you had gained from the party, that being noticeably evident on the Monday after. People were talking to you more often than not and some who never even bothered with you were saying hello here and there. Not like you minded, though. It made for a much more cheery time and it gave you this little kick of confidence. Of course, confidence that had truly been brought about by your lover and his bedroom compliments.
Because yes, you were still smitten about the fact you had both finally slept together. Which, by the way, no one had found out about yet. Honestly, it was a surprise to you that your brother and Rosinante didn't question why you went to the pharmacy as soon as you had eaten breakfast the day after. Then again, they would've thought it was for something girly and didn't want to ask. It was girly, just not the kind of thing they were thinking of. The trip was to make sure you had something that didn't allow you to have Shachi's children. Yet...
You were on the way to your history class, a little late but not so late that it would end up in punishment. It was just lucky enough your teacher, Ms. Boa, liked to go easy on the girls of the class. To an extent, at least. The boys? That was a whole different story for another time.
As you went, you were greeted by a duo of friends that never seemed to be too bothered by you. They were called Cavendish and Bartolomeo; two of the most unlikely people to ever talk to you and you would've never guessed alone that they were friends. But the blonde practically bowed to you and gave you a pearly grin, while the rugged, green haired student just gave you a toothy smile and a thumbs up gesture. You had finished waving to them just as you turned down the corridor you needed to be on, slowly turning your head away as not to seem rude.
The only thing with that, was that you weren't able to see who was coming quick enough. So when you almost bumped right into another person, someone you prayed wasn't a teacher, you moved right past. It was just a little alarming when said person then suddenly grabbed you by the crook of your elbow, your eyes going as wide as saucers.
"Trafalgar (Y/n)."
There was this awkwardness that sent you ridged as you recognised the voice. With a tiny smile so sheepish it was embarrassing, you looked up. When you did, your eyes met with the ones of tangerine that belonged only to the redheaded Kid. Eustass Kid, mind you.
"Hey, Eustass."
Your eyes flickered from his to the grip he had on your elbow. It was firm and most definitely something that you weren't used to receiving, your body stiffening like a board. But that only made him hold on tighter, clearly not wanted you to slip.
"Uh, can I help you?"
There was a pause, right as the bell rung. You cringed knowing that you would be late. Not like the crimson redhead cared. Then again, he wasn't known to be the most perfect student in the college.
That was exactly your thought until he let go, slipping past as casually as if this were all some kind of catch-up chat. Though, he did say one thing. One thing that made your eyebrows furrow tightly, your head turn to watch as he got further and further away.
"Meet me by the gym after this period."
Whatever it was about, it didn't really sit well with you. But you knew the older student just well enough just to know that messing with him wasn't a good idea, so all you did was nod to yourself more than anyone else and scuttle off to your lesson.
~~~
For some reason, you wondered if this was all because you didn't hang around to chat with him more at the party. Maybe Eustass Kid was much more salty than you though, maybe he just wanted a catch up. Though, you wouldn't exactly call standing outside the gym by a concealed brick wall a casual way of meeting. Especially when there was grounds upon grounds of room to stand around in as an alternative.
You were fiddling aimlessly with your bag's strap, just waiting for the guy to show. The whole thing felt sketchy and you couldn't help the nerves; your mind also protesting against the awkwardness of your heart. One thought that did cross your mind however, was why did you go and get Shachi? Then again if things went wrong, you could always just call him and ask him to get you.
Yeah, that was easy enough...
"So you're here, eh?"
In one swift motion, your head snapped around towards the main doors. Walking over the threshold was Kid himself, looking rather pleased. At what, you did not know. But you had a feeling you would know soon enough since when he stopped a few feet away.
"Yep, right here..."
Scratching at your neck, you looked down at the floor. You could feel the unease in your body, not liking the silence that then took over. It was one that made you shift on your feet, not even looking up when he stood before you.
Maybe you were just overanalysing the situation when he leaned to one side. The space between the wall and his body wasn't too large, meaning you felt a little trapped. But with all you could muster and with a quiet voice, you spoke.
"So, uh, did you need something?"
There was a pause, only for a second. You heard him chuckle and felt your body tense further, your body instinctively pressing back against the wall as closely as possible.
"I realised how fun you were when you threw that party, Trafalgar."
The claim was not what you were expected, but it did cause you to raise your head. His lips were bent into a smirk and you could feel a prickle of worry as it traversed your spine, a shiver coming along with it.
From there, his tone softened and there was this smug look on his face that just told you something was about to happen that you didn't want happening.
"You wanna go on a date, sometime?"
Now that, was not what you had expected to happen.
Your eyes went as wide as lightbulbs and your mouth dropped open, your heart stopping completely. You were neither horrified or scared, you were simply shocked out of your mind.
Why in the hell would he say that? Of course, it wasn't like he knew your brother like a friend, but was he not aware of how Law was with that stuff?
You were completely frozen and had no words to even stumble over, just closing your mouth and feeling the sweat roll down your forehead. What should you do? You had never been in this situation before. It wasn't like you could just tell him you were in a relationship as that would just cause more problems...
Unless said other half told him before you could even decide to do so.
"Something wrong here?"
Never in your life had you been both so glad, and so mortified to see Shachi. You were practically mentally screaming at him when his arm snaked around your waist, pulling you into his side. Though you were happy for him to intervene, it was the wrong time and the wrong place. What was more was that Kid looked smugger than he had done before, not what someone who had just been rejected should look like.
Shachi still glared at him, daggers for eyes.
"She's my girlfriend and I think that I already made that clear to your buddy."
Made that clear? You were incredibly confused. At what point did he do that? But that wasn't the issue, the issue was that Kid now sighed with mock defeat. At least, you took it to be mock as he then shrugged heavily with the tickle of a smile on his face.
"Damn, I see how it is. But then again now I think about it,"
That defeat turned back to a teasing smirk, those tangerine eyes flickering up and down your body.
"I thought I heard you being railed from downstairs."
If nothing else made you go as white as a sheet, that did. That night, you swore no one else could hear as the music was most truly thumping. You were sure that you took precautions, but apparently not enough. Luckily for you, your redhead was able to feel your anxious tension; simple pulling you further into his side while he scowled at his classmate.
"Beat it, Kid."
Kid got the idea and he turned his back. Both hands were shoved into his pockets as he began to stroll away casually, not a hint of sadness in his being. That, was truly weird. But then again, you had a creeping feeling that you had fucked up in a different sense...
"I'm happy for you guys,"
The sincerity wasn't there, the sneer was.
"Shachi and the other Trafalgar."
Yep, something was up.
"Are you okay?"
Your lover turned to stand in front of you, pulling you into his chest. You simply inhaled the scent of his soft cologne, falling almost limp against his body out of exhaustion. His arms held you up and you closed your eyes, a shaking breath leaving your throat.
"Yeah."
~~~
21.08.2021