Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hey…hey, Blaire!” The soft whisper of the eldest brother awoke her rudely from a small sleep the young girl was desperate to take, the day of play and adventure exhausting her too quickly against her four older brothers. “You’ll miss the sunset with Mama!”

Seafoam green eyes jolted open quickly, feet slamming to the floor whilst another hand dragged along a lilac bunny across the floor that was just a little too big for her. Exhaustion long forgotten, only the pure excitement of the moment pushing her along. Her brother was already off, much to her dismay, a pout forms on her stubborn lips.

“Wait for me then, Zach!” Blaire couldn’t remember how old she was, nor what day this dream had decided to drag her into, but it was worth remembering, small moments like this always were. Rushing up to her mother, Blaire smiled up to her.

“Coming up?” The little girl beamed climbing up to her mother’s lap, clutching at her long skirt and sitting with her legs crossed, the stuffed bunny plopped under her chin. The salty breeze brushed around the large cliff their house was built upon, a reminder of how the whole island looked before everything had started to change, evolving into a husk of its former self. The metal and smoke rising from the once large mines nestled in the forests, the scent of the metallic charoite echoing in the very air of the island where it was formed.

It was a warming sunset, orange clashing with pink that the clouds absorbed, they almost looked like cotton candy to the young eyes, bursting with colour and the promise of a new day being filled with endless adventures tomorrow. The tiny redhead sat blissful, at peace, surrounded by her family who laughed, cared and played together the way they had for years. That cliff remained strong, even to this day, a metaphor for the family that lived upon it, it always had been the foundation for the home Blaire knew and now saw in her dreams.

“Blaire! Blaire!” The voice called as she turned to see nothing but the memory of his voice call her.

“Cai?”

“Over here!” The excited and young voice beckoned her again and again.

But there was nothing to be found. Only a vacant space where the boy should be.

“Cai? Cairo!? Where are you!?” Her own voice grew desperate, almost ageing in a matter of seconds until Blaire heard her own voice crying out. Beneath her, the cliff had begun to corrode slowly, the lap she sat upon nothing but a large rock she had found, her loud and laughing brothers missing. The radiating orange of the sunset became oppressive like a flame, the grass turning into a grey cold landscape. “Cairo!” Blaire screamed into the void, the sea breeze becoming volatile and throwing her into the ocean below.

Suffocating. Drowning.

Until darkness remained.

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“Oi! Get up!” The groggy sleep remained in her eyes before Blaire blinked it away frantically, the overwhelming stench of halitosis making her turn away grumpily in her hammock, she sadly knew the repellent roar that ripped her from slumber.

“Morning to you too, Captain.” She groaned unenthusiastic.

“It’s nearly noon, you fucking drunk. You owe us a new keg of rum.”

“Why a whole keg? I only drank a portion of it.”

“Just get up, Fangs.” The disgruntled Captain kicked the woman from her hammock, her hands catching her fall onto the unpleasantly and…disturbingly sticky wooden floor. “Deck in 15 minutes. I need you to take over from me, been at the helm for a while.”

“Make it half an hour and I’ll grab something to eat too.” She brushed herself down from the dust on the floor and grinned, two shining silver canines exposed in her confident and smug little expression.

“Fine.” He spat out. “But no later, or-“

“I’ll be scrubbing the side of the ship, I know. Cheers, Captain.” Slapping the side of his arm, he jolted a little in place, mumbling curses under his breath at the hired helmsman that was becoming more trouble than she was worth.

With a final stretch, Blaire grabbed her clothes and wandered into the communal bathroom, avoiding the questionable aura and stains deep in the dark wood along her way to the shower, turning on its lukewarm water and releasing a sigh into the air. A cold shower would be preferable to this pathetic excuse of a drizzle that soaked her body, or maybe rain would serve as a better way to clean, she thought. It wasn’t pleasant at all, it was barely passable, much like many things on this damn ship.

The Oslo wasn’t a grandiose, great galleon but it wasn’t a shabby, small sloop either, transporting cargo to merchants across the New World which, as a task, had gotten more and more dangerous with pirates attempting to make their name worth something in the aftermath of the Paramount War, many merchant vessels hardly making good on their journeys within weeks of setting off. They grew more and more desperate for crew and that’s why she was here, stuck with a bunch of unsanitary and sickening merchants who she had to ‘persuade with her fists’ into respecting her…or at least staying out of her way. The other women aboard the Orlo hadn’t been so fortunate. Washing herself more than anyone else on the ship had cared to, Blaire wiped away the condensation and looked at herself in the mirror.

“Gods, I look like shit.” A scoffed laugh followed the insult she threw at herself, damp hair coloured half crimson red and the other side a pure black. She rarely sported something different since leaving home years ago but it was getting long, obnoxiously so, now sitting barely above her chest. Blaire debated whether to fight against the possible wind and put her hair in a ponytail for a second then proceeded to dress herself in pale blue jeans, combat boots and a dark purple t-shirt which was tucked into a thick studded leather belt. Shrugging once at the abysmal way she looked, she left the bathroom. Stomping heavily up onto the deck, eyes avoided her own wild green ones, she smirked.

“Morning, lads and ladies!” The helmsman bellowed as she arrived.

“It’s fucking gone noon.” One of the men spat back at her causing her to scoff.

“Then don’t invite me to drink.”

“We won’t.” A friendly female voice called out, attending to peeling some potatoes on the deck. She had a fresh bruise on her cheek, yet her smile persisted, brunette tresses blowing in the breeze.

“You doing alright, Cath?” Blaire looked around with a scathing glare at the men who quickly avoided her eyes once more, the culprit probably one of the hungover scum on the deck.

“F-fine, thank you Blaire.”

“Stop your gossiping ladies! I need Fangs up here!” The Captain yelled from the helm. “Leave her be, she was just in the mood for it rough last night. Right, honey?” The hearty and proud laugh after his words made the half redhead’s fists ball in fury, nails almost digging into her palm.

There were pieces of shit in the world, then there were men like Captain Sigil, utter scum who used their power and money to abuse those he deemed lower than him. The slicked back grease ball that was his hair didn’t help, littered with greying black strands and an obnoxiously large black trench coat with fake gold buttons. It was like the man was playing pirate…on a goddamn merchant vessel. The others on the Orlo weren’t much better, still giving Blaire a cautious but somewhat lecherous gaze as the unruly woman safely returned to the helm where she could do her job and cause less problems there.

“Morning, lovely.” Blaire said with a warm smile, putting her hands over the curve of the wheel, stroking it softly. “I hope he was gentle with you, sweet thing.” Whispering into the wood for a moment before resting her wrist on a fellow. Sigil raised an eyebrow every time the odd helmsman talked to the ship, what nutjob spoke to a ship? And spoke to it like that. To her it was like it was addressing a person, one she treated with more respect than she did the Captain of this vessel. “Wait…I thought we were headed north east?”

“Are we not?”

“No! Fucking idiot! This is north west!” Her hands quickly found their positioning on a handle, the other gripping onto a spoke, turning the Orlo gradually to align where they were going. “You’ve cost us precious time by being shit at driving your own vessel. Un-fucking-believable.”

“You fucking bitch!” Going to push her from the wheel, Blaire remained unmoved and didn’t even flinch as a red eyebrow curved to his direction, a scowl so disapproving you’d think it was Conqueror’s Haki the way it was felt across the deck’. “You have no right to talk to your Captain like that! I-I demand respect!”

“Cute. I’ll give it to you when you earn it.” The venom in her voice sunk into his skin, painfully similar to the helmsman herself, who found a way to claw under his skin daily just to irritate him. “Get me some more wind! We need to make this ship fly if we’re to meet our target arrival and get paid pretty!” All eyes looked to their Captain, scoffing with a spindly hand dragging through the greasy hair.

“You heard her. We gotta get moving!” With that final command, the ship burst into life, Blaire feeling most alive as that salty breeze blew through her hair, catching the wind beautifully with the ship safely in her hands. Closing her eyes for a moment to feel the start of a new day welcome her at the break of noon. This moment made it all worth it.

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Bored.

Fuck, he was just bored.

Feet upon the thick wooden workshop bench, his devil fruit crackling with a purple lightning to make loose bolts and screws circle around fleshed fingers, lighting up his private workroom with a lilac hue. Inspiration was hard to find when there were no enemies that vaguely interested him, their pleas for life and plunder dull, their crew weak, crying and swimming with the sea kings. Kid was desperate for something to excite him, motivate him…anything.

“Fucking HELL.” The Captain yelled, slamming a metallic fist into the workbench with a shudder of the shelves moving with the force and rattling of metal scraps shifting.

“Captain!” A loud knock against the door was heard, his amber eyes barely looking at it as he responded.

“What?”

“We’re about to catch a vessel,” The crewmate began. “Sailing under a merchant flag. What are your orders?” From the other side of the door you could hear a few things, a grumble, a step and then that unmistakably heavy stomp their Captain walked around with before the door swung open. His eyes filled with apathy, he shifted his weight onto the other foot, draping his red coat over his shoulders.

“What do you think my fucking orders are? Let’s ruin their day.”

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“Uh…Captain, I think we’ve got trouble!” One of the merchants called down from the crows nest, clambering down the rigging with a swing of his legs, a frantic expression on his face. Sigil snatched the telescope from the crewman’s grasp and looked out to where the nervous lad was pointing, the finger almost shaking with fear.

“Fucking Gods above.” His skin paled quickly, eyes filling with something that could only be described as pure horror. Blaire briefly spared him a glance from the helm as Sigil began to visibly panic. “Shit. Oh shit, shit, shit.”

“Problem, Cap?” The helmsman asked.

“Turn this ship around. NOW!” He screamed desperately, a voice break coming from the already high pitched sound.

“Why? We’re going to lose our target-“ Stomping up to the redhead, the Captain took her collar into his fists, catching her off guard, budging the woman a little off the wheel.

“If you don’t turn this ship around, we’ll lose our fucking lives, girl!” Sigil dropped her collar quickly and brushed off his anger with a shaking exhale, fear settling on his shoulders. “Just do it.”

“And what is it we are running from?”

“The Victoria Punk.”

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Chapter Text

“How fast can we catch them?” Kid shouted from below the helm as he approached the mouth of the large yellow stained skull, a laugh coming from the blue haired helmsman who handled the Punk.

“Too easy, Captain. It’s an insignificant merchant vessel.” Bubblegum replied with a smug smirk.

“We could just bury them in the sea?” A tall woman with wild orange hair, an eclectic style of a crown nestled within it and a checked shirt suggested happily. “Plunder’s been shit, boss.”

“It’s not a good idea to sink something before checking it out, Quincy.” The masked first mate cautioned quickly, a shrug coming from Quincy while she remained grinning playfully. “Should be easy pickings, it’s heading west and that’s easy for intervention.”

“Don’t speak too soon, Killer.” Kid stepped forward into the jowls of the skull adorned on his ship. “Son of a-“

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do.”

“No, it’s boring. They are going to surrender.” The redhead groaned, folding his arms, a flesh arm settling onto the clunky masterpiece of a metal arm. Without hesitation, the merchant vessel before them withdrew their sails, stagnating within the ocean.

It just stopped.

“Our reputation precedes us, Captain!” Haikei shouted, his auburn mohican blowing with the wind as his fluffy coat did so too, a small and growing laughter from the rest of the crew joining his own. “Pissing in their-“

“Wait!” Killer called out, putting a hand up to silence the crew, his Captain’s attention being dragged with it, Kid taking a step forward as if to take notice.

A sudden gust of wind carried through their ship, heavier and swelling in the sails of the Punk just before. And that’s when the merchant vessel dropped their sails once more and caught a wind that turned them around 90 degrees in a sharp and fluid motion. It was a rapid and tight turn, gutsy and risky with the possible sharp wind able to knock a ship so small, but it worked. Eustass Kid grinned wide.

“Oh, hello puny dead vessel.”

“Bold move.” The first mate agreed with Kid’s expression, the merchant vessel catching the wind perfectly and sailing off. “No matter-“

“Catch that wind! I want that ship burnt to the fucking ground!” The Kid Pirates roared into action invigorated by their Captain’s excitement. The redhead licked his stained lips, tasting excitement upon them for the first time in weeks. He was going to enjoy this.

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“You’re fucking insane, girl!” Captain Sigil shouted at the helmsman, face bright red with anger. “That cost us valuable minutes!”

“Look, on a ship this big? We have speed on our side.”

“But that’s the-“

“I know, Captain. Shut it. I get the panic.” The response was stern but calm despite Blaire being surrounded in fear. While it was warranted, allowing these emotions to run hot wasn’t going to solve anything.

“You ain’t panicking girlie, what’s up with you!?” A crew member shouted up, the half redhead shaking her head, eyes focused ahead at the ocean ahead.

“Want the truth?” No one responded so she continued anyway. “We are not outrunning that ship. There is no goddamn way, so we just gotta make it difficult in the hope they get bored of chasing us.”

“What do you mean!?” The Captain went to grab her collar again, Blaire moving swiftly and grabbing the disgusting hand that went to touch her again, there was no hesitation as she bent back the man’s fingers breaking them with an audible snap. “Ah!-“

“I will give you reality, you fucking weirdo. You ain’t a pirate even if you want to dress like one. You want to know what a real pirate looks like?” Her hand gestured to the approaching skull, already beginning to approach like it was about to swallow the Orlo in its jowls with its sheer size. “That’s a pirate. Bloodlustful and powerful. So you better pray he gets bored of my little game or you’re dead before us. Only one Captain can be on this ship once he steps on it, it won’t be your weak ass.” Sigil reeled back in pain as Blaire released him from the bruising grip around his hand, yelling in agony until it returned into an expression of red faced anger that reached up to his ears.

“Chuck her in the brig!” The Captain yelled furiously.

“What?” A chorus of the crew questioned.

“But we need her-“

“No, we don’t! Brig. Now. This crazy bitch has cost us enough time!” As some of his men walked forward sheepishly and unsure, Blaire put her hands up in surrender with a scoff.

“No need for the escort lads, just lock me in and I’ll sit nice. And wait for my death with you fuckers.”

“I’ll send you to yours first!” Sigil shouted, as Blaire roared a laughter and walked below deck, knowing this band of idiots had just signed their death sentence. And hers too.

Guess I’ll never see him again, thanks to these fuckers.

As hours passed, almost reaching 3 hours since their helmsman was sent into the brig, the pirate vessel’s shadow consumed the Orlo…

“We can blast this puny vessel apart or you surrender!” Eyes of the crew shot up to gaze upon the red demon overlooking them, a wicked grin plastered onto his face as if victory had already happened.

And it had.

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Blaire whistled loudly to herself, handcuffed at the wrists, trying to recollect a song she’d heard last she was on land. “Ah, no that’s not how it goes.” She repeated the line once more, slowing down while the end of the one verse she knew, tapping her fingers against the cold metal to recall the song from her memory. A whistle suddenly cut in, finishing the melody, a higher pitched one more confident than her own. “Ha! That’s it. That’s the fucking tune.” Blaire looked to the source of the voice.

“It’s a classic, you forget the tune?” The deeper male voice replied.

“There’s a million songs in this world, it’s easy to forget them. Only got room for the good shit.”

“Eh, can’t expect everyone to remember that one, it’s from my hometown.” The figure stepped into the light, long legged and lightly muscled, he wore a tank top, purple striped trousers and his hair was out of control in two blue zig zags coming out of his spiked helmet. “What you doing down here?”

“I pissed off that waste of oxygen I’m being paid to call Captain.” The helmsman chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Girls gotta eat.”

“Know that story, following shit people.” The man smiled exposing one of his teeth being made of pure gold. “Your Captain surrendered.”

“Not surprised. He pissed his pants yet?” A loud laugh came from the electric blue haired man.

“Looks pretty close.”

“Pussy.” Her head rested against the bars, sighing. “So you going to kill me quick or slow?”

“Not my decision, sorry lovely.”

“Ah. Well,” With a loud snap of the handcuffs, Blaire stood with a long stretch, going onto her tiptoes and yawning. “Let’s get this over with.” The pirate took a step back as the woman retrieved a hair pin from the floor and undid the lock to her prison, removing the cuff completely from her wrist soon after. The state of confusion and shock on his face turned into amusement rapidly at the sight of Blaire’s pleased little smile.

“Frequent guest?”

“Very.” The half redhead handed out her wrists to the man. “New handcuffs for me?”

“Nah, you’re good, be no fucking point. Come with me.” He could hardly contain his chuckle as he led the puzzling and amusing woman through the shadows of the brig into the light of the corridors. As they reached the deck, Blaire saw the merchant crew lined up in captivity and bound in thick ropes, some shaking and scared of the oppressive presence upon the Orlo, others crying for the loss of many of their own, their bodies leaving behind more stains upon the barely cleaned deck. Shades of darkening crimson splattered the wood, shining and sticking to it under the sun, the corpses bobbing on the surface of the sea thinning the numbers of those left alive.

“Found another, Captain. Brig.”

The amber reptilian eyes of the Captain slowly wandered up and then down the small woman who appeared on the deck as he was perched upon a large barrel as if it were a throne, the pirate leisurely sitting like he owned the place, a King lording over his subjects or an executioner toying with his prey. And Eustass Kid did. He was the King they knelt before, the judge, jury and executioner as all their lives hung in the balance. With a single command they would become nothing but smeared bloodstains upon the Orlo’s deck, food for Sea Kings or playthings for his entertainment. Blaire swallowed hard, the intimidating stare affecting even her usual calm disposition. “Line her up with the rest. Why didn’t you cuff her, Bubblegum?” He half growled, eyes leaving Blaire a moment to breathe- wait, had she been holding her breath?

“Because I saw her break the handcuffs she was in and then open up her cell door.”

“How?” Kid leaned forward on his barrel throne, taking a closer look at the composed looking woman, half of her maroon red hair doused in a shadowy black, his amber eyes squinted as the seafoam green caught his own. “Did you see?” She cleared her throat a little, stepping from one foot to the other, an uneasy feeling in her gut overtaking her as Kid smirked a little happy to see a reaction from the pipsqueak.

“She just fucking snapped em’, boss. Then the door was just a bobby pin, normal shit.” Bubblegum explained honestly, Kid about to open his mouth with a curious look on his face.

“Fucking show off.” A voice interrupted, everyone turning to look directly at the bruised and battered Captain of the merchant vessel, Kid snarling at him directing Killer with a head movement to stand over a crewmember, a long curved blade edging around one’s throat.

“Did I tell you you could speak, worm?” The redheaded Supernova appeared to grow feral fangs with the venom in his words. Blaire felt a chill up her spine from the ferocity within his deep gravelling baritone, anger and pure control commanding the aura around him, fear threatening to sting her skin and run her blood cold. Her breathing halted for a moment again, eyes watching the pirate closely for his next move. This is a real fucking pirate captain.

“N-no.” A scream was heard and cut eerily short, a body thudding against the deck of the Oslo, the open neck wound pouring out yet more blood into its foundation.

“No, what!?”

“No, C-Captain Kid, sir!” Kid scoffed at the response while the body was thrown overboard with a blood-curdling splash. One of the Oslo’s crewmen whimpered shakily at the sight, yet another one of their own was gone.

“Better. Now what did you say?”

“I c-called her a ssss-show off, sir.” Sigil was a mess of stuttering submission in the face of a stronger presence upon his own vessel. He’d given up within a heartbeat, not that Blaire would have done any different…but maybe she would have done so with respect, honour and not on the verge of pissing her pants. She silently wondered if Eustass Kid had executed anyone before he submitted or if Sigil did it right away in a panicked mess.

“This little thing? A show off?” A painted nail pointed to the woman in question, the Supernova cackling to himself. “She don’t look like shit.”

“Charming.” The helmsman breathed under her breath, Bubblegum looking up to his Captain who quickly dropped the amused grin upon his face and finally stood from his barrel throne.

“Sorry, did you say something, ankle biter?” Fuck, that was a mistake, she thought to herself, biting her lips together before shaking her head. “Well then, now she’s quiet.” His footsteps were loud, thudding like a drum that was being played directly into your ear. It was a marching sound of fear, seafoam green eyes looking down to the floor to see him stop inches away from her, neck craning up to witness the beast up close as the scent of dried blood, ash and singed metal stung Blaire’s senses. It was pungent enough to make her eyes water…or was that simply his presence? “I know you got a voice, pipsqueak.”

“I do.” Weakness devoid from her response, Kid was impressed, this little ankle biter strong and confident in the tall shadow of death that loomed over her.

“Got anything to say before I snap your fucking spine?”

“I know where every last little valuable is on this ship.” Pirate and helmsman clashed eyes, Blaire’s natural instinct to react in such a way kicking in. It wasn’t just fight or flight, it was fight and do it well enough, as if your life depended on it. Fight with words, your fists, anything that would assure you’d win or have the advantage. “Even the hidden shit.”

“Why tell me this?”

“Because I’m desperate for my life and don’t think you should burn this vessel until you’ve got the good stuff. What you want, right?” Shrugging a little, she held Kid’s gaze with a yellow flame mixing in the deep greens.

“Prove it.”

“That sick fucker of a Captain?” Her thumb pointed over her shoulder and directly to Sigil. “He’s got a collection of platinum guns he’s smuggled for himself during cargo runs. Premium shit.”

“You fucking bitch! You betrayer!” Sigil cried out, practically spitting like a chained feral dog would. “I’ll have your head!”

“Oh spare me, you waste of fucking oxygen or I’ll break something much more valuable than your fingers next time.” Blaire yelled to the side of the menacing Supernova, daring to address the pathetic man in front of him. “Maybe cut your prized possession you tried to force down my throat numerous times. Not that it would reach that far.” Displaying her pinkie and taunting him, it was almost as if she’d forgotten about the crimson coated Captain before she gave a final scowl at Sigil and returned to look at Kid. “So, what do you say, Captain Kid?”

Chapter Text

Barrels became crates and crates became bags, every last thing stuffed with goods, gold and guns. There was very little left within the hold of the vessel, even valuables found on the walls, food supplies and useful utensils added to the pile of loot the Kid Pirates had claimed from the Orlo the vessel gutted completely. “Oi, shrimp!” The roar of the redheaded Captain reached Sigil’s quarters, echoing with thundering force throughout the corridors. “Show me these weapons then.”

“Firstly, my name is Blaire. Secondly, smash the door down and I can.” Catching up to the wide and heavy steps of the Supernova, the half crimson tresses of the smaller woman half smacked her in the face as she looked up to him. This shrimp had some nerve speaking to him like that but the little smirk on her expression…

“Let me see you open this goddamn door.”

“Please, I’m a helmsman, not a brute.” Snapping the hinges off with his metal arm without a breath, it came loose and fell to the floor with a dusty thud.

“You’re the helmsman of this little boat?” Kid questioned, Blaire snorting a laugh before rushing into Sigil’s dull and drab room with almost a little skip in her step.

“Her name is the Orlo and she’s a fine ship, Captain Kid. It’s been a pleasure to be at her helm…but it’s time to end her suffering.” Before he could respond to the strange things she said, there was a movement from above, commotion beginning from his prisoners.

“The fuck is it now!? Killer!” Kid’s voice travelled clearly and proudly wherever it went, Blaire thought to herself, the masked pirate appearing at the command of his oldest friend. “Watch this one. I’ll sort it.” Killer nodded and watched the redhead disappear onto the upper deck.

“He’s loud, isn’t he?” Blaire joked to the expressionless canvas of Killer’s mask, the man simply folding his arms in response. “Tough crowd.” With a small shrug, she began methodically tearing apart the room, avoiding the large bed in the centre of the quarters like it held the plague, it made her half gag to know where she was standing as it was. The woman began humming to herself while removing draws, moving around the entire room before she stopped and held up a key with a pleased smirk plastered on her face. “Jackpot.”

Sparing no elegance, jumping onto the bed she'd wanted to avoid, she ripped a painting from the wall with a dramatic flick of her wrist, the ugly and gaudy picture falling and the frame cracking from the collision of the floor. Finding the corner of the curled wallpaper, the helmsman tore it clean off exposing a safe in the wall and began unlocking it, a click sounding not long after as it swung open lightly. The woman whistled, looking into it, Killer stepping forward to inspect what she’d uncovered. “Deeper than it looks.” Her arm disappeared into the wall, the depth of the hollow wall making her limb vanish into the darkness before she began pulling stuff out of the safe and dropping it on the bed. “Take your pickings, Massacre Soldier.” He walked over, the small woman throwing the contents around in any direction without a care for her surroundings. A wooden box clattered open with collectible coins from different islands as it collided on a carpet on the floor, pearls spilling from them as well, followed quickly by several large wads of berries landing on the bed before Blaire squeaked with a strain. “I can’t quite reach. Mind giving me a hand? The guns are at the back.”

“Sure.” The blonde stood on the bed, Blaire moving off it quickly to allow the Supernova to reach into the hole in the wall and pull out two pristine platinum pistols. “Good condition.”

“He polishes them every night. Never seen him use them.”

“Would diminish the condition of them.”

“Didn’t take you for a gun nut with your like…fancy knives?” She joked with a small grin, the first mate shook his head.

“Pick up the rest of the contents.” Without a further warning, she followed quickly, holding the box and shoving the rolls of cash into the mahogany box. Upon the deck, another few bodies were now missing, a show of force from the ruthless redhead who had returned to his makeshift throne. Is he emotionally attached to that barrel?, the helmsman thought to herself.

“Got them?” The Captain didn’t even spare a look their way as the two approached from the now barren vessel.

“She didn’t lie, Kid.” Killer handed over the weapons, painted fingers wrapping around the handle to take one with a small squeeze.

“Premium shit.” Inspecting the gun with a warm amber glare, Kid started studying each aspect quickly before soothing over the barrel with a finger. “Pure platinum, they don’t make guns like this much.” He almost whispered. Sea foam eyes looked away from the Captain and across the remaining members of the crew. Sigil sat on his own ship, soaked in blood and piss, his downfall being his out of control hubris that crumbled in a second in the face of the ruthless Supernova. Kid didn’t cross Blaire as the sort of man to give mercy to those who didn’t have a spine or an ounce of respect for a pirate like him. Smarter people would have given in quickly in the presence of a man like Eustass Kid with dignity or doubled down and died with honour, sword in hand. Knowing the scum for as long as she unfortunately had, there was no chance either was within his small mind.
Damn fool, Blaire thought, the pathetic look of a man like this should have made her sad or feel some form of pity, yet she had none. The sadness fell into her body however when she saw Cath. The kind soul was crying silently, shaking with fear and looking to the floor. A woman like her, like many of the people on here, didn’t deserve a death like this, but something about Cath made her heart hurt. She’d shared drinks with Blaire on the cold nights, told her tales of her home and why she’d lost it all to the Blackbeard Pirates recently. She was an innocent woman forced to be a survivor.

“So, you brought me the goods.” Kid looked to the helmsman finally after spending some time admiring the guns. “I’ll give you a half hour head start. But if we catch you-“

“Fair game.” Blaire nodded while folding her arms for a moment. “One more request?”

“You’re getting demanding, pipsqueak.”

“I’m simply asking, you can refuse.” Silence fell upon them, Kid sucking his teeth to consider hearing her out.

“What?”

“Let me take her with me.” Both Killer and Kid looked to where she was pointing, finding the small brunette silently crying to the floor, eyes growing red with the exhaustion of her sorrow.

“Why?”

“I handled everything that skid mark of a human threw at me but I couldn’t save her from the same fate. I want to change that.” Looking at the woman in question with warm and reflective eyes, she snapped back quickly. “The rest of them can burn for all I fucking care. Would make nice fuel to the fire.” The merchant crew began erupting with protests, Sigil remaining quiet, eyes burning into the woman, Killer noticing quickly.

“You’ve been silent, why?”

“She signed our lives away with that ridiculous move at the helm. Only right she should die with us in my mind.” The venom ran through his voice despite its shaking when he was covered in his own fluids, Sigil attempted to act strong…but it was all too late.

“That was her decision?” Killer turned to face the woman in question, their eyes meeting under the safety of his mask as she laughed.

“Try and not sound so surprised.” She responded with a smirk.

“You’re…”

“Puny.” Kid finished, sounding equally unimpressed and impressed at the same time, holding the platinum guns in each hand still.

“You’re just all huge. So is the way of this world, us little ‘shrimps’ get nowhere, but you giants? You rule it.” The redhead grinned widely at her words, a person who knew she was small, but didn’t care either way, that earned an equally small bit of respect…and her freedom.

“Take the girl with you. Get out of my sight, shrimp.”

“Appreciate it, Captain.” Taking her first step to help Cath, she was stopped in her tracks by an angry bark of a voice.

“Fuck you, Blaire! You condemned us all to die and now you don’t have the fucking guts to finish it!” Sigil grew in fury, watching the mad woman who put him in this position walk away unharmed and with her life.

“Trust me, if I could slit your throat myself, I would. But I’m not in charge here.” Freeing Cath from her bindings, Blaire held out her hand. “Let’s bounce.” The brunette looked confused around her, Cath taking in the sight of dread and the stench of blood, fear still sunken in those eyes that had seen too much suffering. She shakily nodded to Blaire, taking her hand. “Oh, one last thing, Captain Kid. I hope it burns pretty for ya. She was a good vessel.” With a playful wink, Blaire began to descend the side of the ship and into a rowboat with her life, aiding Cath’s still shaking frame. “Hey, you’re safe.”

“Why-why did you save me?”

“I like you and you deserve better. Why else? Now let’s get out of here, see if we can find civilization.” The brunette nodded and managed a half smile to her saviour while they began to row away from the Orlo. “Rest easy, girl.” She spoke softly to the hull of the ship.

══════════════════

The Kid Pirates had begun securing its cargo below decks of the Victoria Punk, their Captain taking along a prisoner for fun before they set alight the small ship, the stench of boiling blood and charring flesh accompanying the salty scent of the vessel’s wood being set alight. Heat overlooked his handiwork, enjoying the warmth of the flames he ignited.

“Kid. I can still see them.” Killer announced from inside the jaws of the skull, a small rowboat still making its escape. “Shall we pursue them?” Kid joined his first mate, resting his foot on a railing that was surrounded by sharp teeth. He hadn’t forgotten about the little helmsman who’d bargained for her life, it wasn’t clever but that fight in her eyes? The smirking expression? It was like she enjoyed it. That wasn’t the only thing that left the impression, it was that manoeuvre. It was nothing short of bold, stupid and fucking brilliant.

Kid shook his head.

“We got all we needed, besides we aren’t heading that direction, would be a waste of time.” Killer nodded, accepting the decision of his Captain. After all…it wasn’t like they were going to see one another again.

Chapter Text

═════════ Few Months Later ═════════

It felt like just breathing in this hot air would burn the inside of your lungs, the godforsaken island was like the pit of hell itself but sometimes it turned icy cold, bitterly so, during the evenings however this evening was not one of those times. That’s just how unpredictable it was within the New World, many people who dwelled and travelled between it growing adaptable in the sticky heat. The only respite on this island was in the form of a cold drink…or as cold as you could get it in the devil’s personal oven.

“Where to now?” The tall, thin figure of Wire asked his Captain whilst looking around the neatly built city streets of hardened sandstone decorated with large light bulb lights for scenery, lighting up the way along with some gas lamps.

“I need a fucking drink. It’s too hot.” Kid grumbled, pure stubbornness driving him to keep his crimson feathered coat on.

“Then lose the coat.” His first mate suggested standing behind him.

“Why? Getting a cold drink is better.” A large sigh came from the blonde, directed at his stubborn partner as they all headed to the nearest and possibly only dive to get something to drink.

After traipsing through the torrid streets they finally reached the welcome sight of a bar. From the outside, it looked as dry as the sand dunes that surrounded the city, thick sandstone pillars making up most of the building's boring and plain outer structure, the stone covered in a bit of grime and aged in a gritty brown colouring. It was impossible to peek inside due to the ugly and stained navy curtains that covered each window, a few cracks and wooden planks spreading across each of the glass panes. This place was clearly old, in desperate need of some repairs and basic care. The thick wooden door swung open as their senses were assaulted by the stench of tobacco and liquor, Kid grinning comfortably at the atmosphere which felt as dirty as the floor within the building.

“Hey there! Come in and take a seat and one of the girls will be over soon.” The loud heavy rock music echoed throughout the structure and mixed into travelling smoke lingering in the air. It was oddly cool despite being a relatively cramped bar in the middle of a desert-like climate.

The Kid Pirates filed in grabbing the attention of every set of eyes, the once friendly woman at the bar taking a step back from their presence, patrons shifting nervously in their seats. Men and women spoke into their drinks in hushed whispers while some stared with a vicious glare, other patrons subtly leaving altogether. Kid stopped in the middle of the building, finding a long platform that stretched across the centre of the place and stepping over it without a care for what and why it was there. To right of the platform a full drum set, probably the most cared for thing in the bar, and two snails for the music that was being played. Finding a booth to settle himself into, Kid leisurely put his feet up onto the scratched table, wooden and once polished with a hard varnish that had been stripped by knives and corroded by alcohol. The rest congregated around their Captain lurking in the back of the bar like they were his shadow, infecting the area with their loud voices and brutish glares to the patrons. The bartender hesitated to step forward, Kid smirking wickedly, each girl dressed in shorts that barely covered their asses, showing flesh being the priority, each in a crop top of their choosing or revealing T-shirt with a low cut.

“I expect you’ll bring us what we need, girls? Alcohol, the strongest shit possible.”

There was no hesitation for the woman to move into action, the redhead putting his hands behind his head, drunk on the power he knew he possessed wherever he roamed.

══════════════════

The night grew more and more stressful for the staff of the Howling Brewhouse, volume growing intensely and rapidly with each freshly poured ale, beer and whiskey as the inebriated inhabitants of the bar grew merry and unruly. It was a standard night in the heat of Sombre city, nothing out of place, nothing exciting added into the mixture of humidity and smoke.

Blaire laced up her thickly heeled leather platform boots, fixing her fishnet stocking to one leg and pulling up her black leather bodice. It was uncomfortable, sure, but it often meant tips being slid right in between her breasts when the boss wasn’t looking. Running her fingers through the long wavy hair, half red and black as always, she emptied her lungs of a hot breath in an attempt to compose herself. Another night, another berry.

“Hey, Blaire! Can you bring another barrel or two up?” A waitress from up top shouted down.

“Sure!” There was utter mayhem from the moment Blaire stepped in the building, not there was anything wrong with a bit of mayhem, it rarely hurt anyone in a place as tedious as this one. Picking the barrel up with one arm, the loud singing of the rowdy patrons echoed in the bar and booming ringing unpleasantly in her ears.

“Ah fuck, that’s off key and then some.” Blaire nudged a barmaid playfully who chuckled softly with a thanks before connecting the new barrel under the wooden surfaced bar.

“Hey there, Miss Mayhem!” A local called to her as the woman appeared from under the bar, making her grin widely.

“Well if it isn’t Ulysses. How’s the wife?”

“Not too bad, could always come replace her.” The middle aged man laughed loudly and slapped his knee, the few missing teeth, a reminder coming whenever he opened his mouth.

“No where near a tempting offer, my friend. Another round?”

“Please.” Life had grown to be this way after months, stagnated and stuck in a desolate city Blaire found herself trapped in a dead end job, scrambling to find funds and passage to the next godforsaken pit in the New World. Each ship had carried her to the next island, journeys getting longer and safe land being harder to settle on deeper into Emperor territory…but it was better than this.

“B-Blaire!” A short haired brunette ran forward, beer soaked and flustered, eyes wide with panic. “I think I need a hand.”

“Cath? You alright?” The response was a quick nod from the woman.

“It’s Tia, I think there’s two guys who-“ Without another word, the former helmsman leapt over the bar to find the shy and cute sandy blonde woman pushed into a corner by a group of three men.

“Come on, you can’t just leave us hanging, babe. Not when you’re dressed like that.”

“Yeah, we’ll pay good money.” They leaned in closer, the terrified woman cowering further down the wall, hand shaking and covering her body the best she could away from the grotesque gazes.

“That’s enough, thanks gentlemen.” Blaire announced loudly. The group turned quickly to see the small half redhead, leaning to one side, arms folded and sizing up the men who were considerably taller than her. “I believe she said no.” The trio of a brain dead looking greasy blonde, disgustingly sweating big nose and failed facial hair bellowed laughter in unison after their confusion at the sight of the woman cleared.

“Oh look, the calvary is here.” Greasy Blonde mocked with an obnoxious cackle.

“Is this their security? Should treat these girls better.” Big Nose followed up smugly.

“I ain’t the calvary, but you don’t want the calvary. You’d piss your pants, can tell from looking at you.” All amusement dropped from their faces, their attention going to the small barmaid who remained unimpressed by their little show.

“What did you say, slut?” Failed Facial Hair seethed attempting to puff out his chest. Blaire let out an exasperated sigh, that being her signal to allow Tia to escape who scurried away quickly with Blaire’s presence being enough to distract them.

“Want a whore? Go down the road, plenty of women and men who would be happy to take your money in exchange for a decent night.” She began to explain planting her feet a little more firmly to the ground. “Here we dance and serve you alcohol, that’s it. You must know the rules.” Patron’s eyes began to drift to the commotion around the four individuals, the smaller barmaid staying firm in her stance as the atmosphere grew as tense as when the pirate crew had waltzed in hours ago; only the people local to this area knew where this would end, some turning back to their drinks, disinterested.

“I know the rules, but fuck them. What you going to do, short stack?”

“Yeah, tiny ass bitch.” They laughed loudly attempting to shake the unmovable woman. Greasy Blonde confidently finished the bottle of beer at that time, scoffing into the empty neck.

“Oh gentlemen. Size isn’t everything, a line I’m sure you’ve told all of your lovers- oh sorry, victims in the past.” Many patrons in the bar shifted into a quiet lull, anticipating the next move from either party, while the group of creeps shifted into pure anger.

“You bitch!” The blonde swung the bottle at the half redhead, Blaire remaining where she was, arms folded, unphased and painfully unimpressed. The glass shattered over her head, the bottle falling down into tiny shards, sliding down her body and landing on the floor at her feet. Just as quickly as fear overtook the group, another expression consumed them.

Fear.

The blonde looked to the bottle, then back to the barmaid quickly, her stubborn position hadn’t moved an inch, not a single drop of blood on her pale skin. Blaire clicked her tongue before yawning loudly at the glass at her feet. “I really wish you hadn’t done that, blondie.” Without hesitation, Blaire moved swiftly to knee the man in the crotch causing him to keel over to her height, the barmaid grinning mischievously, as a black casing consumed her fist and forearm, blowing on the casing to show off slightly.

“Woah, woah! That-that’s h-h-“ One stuttered frantically.

“Yup.” With a heavy force, she punched the blonde in the stomach, his body slamming into the sandstone behind with a resounding thud. A large strained gasp came from his lungs before he coughed up a mixture of blood and vomit before falling into it as the barmaid inhaled a mockingly sounding pained hiss, enjoying it all far too much. “Yikes. That can’t be nice, huh?” Turning sharply to the two remaining and cowering men, her grin didn’t falter, the passive expression long forgotten as she got a taste of excitement and their humiliation. “You two! Clear this mess up. And then get the fuck out of this bar before I do the same to you.” Nodding quickly, the remaining two scrambled to the bar to get what they needed to clean up the mess Greasy Blonde had created. Big Nose checked up on the blonde who was wheezing, straining for breath on the floor, his hands doused in his own blood and vomit, tears spilling from his eyes. Blaire stood above them with an endless grin at the men at her feet, her eyes soaking in the sight of the worms wriggling under her gaze. “Leave your money. I think you owe me and the girls a drink each.”

“Y-yeah, of course!” They each emptied their pockets and wallets into a smugly open palm before they guided their injured friend out of the door, the man in question probably heading to the hospital with broken ribs if Blaire hit him well enough. Looking down at her black encased arms to estimate the damage she’d done, she shrugged and pocketed the money, the haki receding.

From the back of the bar, a pair of amber eyes watched the entire thing, sipping the liquor in his glass as he enjoyed the entire scene as if it were a play on display just for him before finally settling on the triumphant stance of the little barmaid. Tia, the one she had rescued, ran over soon after, taking her into a large hug, the half redhead patting her on the back and then proceeding to check her over attentively, the conversation lost in the growing murmur of the bar picking back up. Kid hummed in thought, Killer watching with his reaction to the perfect play.

“Isn’t that the helmsman you spared-“

“Months ago, yeah.” The Captain finished his drink and slammed it on the table. “Not your average shrimp.”

Chapter Text

Crawling towards reaching the hour of midnight, Blaire shared out the money she got amongst the bar staff and waitresses, all gladly accepting their compensation for the creeps who thought they were all common whores again. As the excitement died down in the bar, the ruckus amongst customers grew quickly, the pirate crew at the back of the bar being responsible for most of it. Cath nudged the half redhead as she poured another drink from behind the bar, the woman barely looking up from her work despite the fact she could do this with her eyes closed now.

“Big red in the back is requesting you.” The brunette sounded a little agitated, nervous even.

“Well I’m busy-“

“Blaire…it’s him.” There was a visible shake and urgency in Cath’s voice, fear within that delicate voice.

“Who?” Looking up, their eyes met for the first time in months, that unmistakable gaze of amber fuelled death weaving a powerful aura into her body that made it impossible to look away as if it was his hand lifting her chin to face him directly. The masked blonde beside him held the same magnetism, quieter and understated, mystery layered in between that same draw. Together they drew Blaire in, a magnetic force compelling her to approach them even if they hadn’t requested her. But the two Supernovas had asked for her and like hell was she going to refuse them.

“A-are they here to kill us?” Cath questioned.

“What they order?” Blaire asked calmly, not addressing the question not even she knew the answer to, eyes unmoving from the two men at the back booth of the bar.

“Said they’d leave it to you.”

“Brave souls.”

“Don’t get the most ex-“

“I’m getting the most expensive whiskey.”

“Blaire!”

“Just leave it to me, cover me here, yeah Cath?”

With a nervous nod, Cath watched as she prepared a drink for the threatening pirates at the furthest end of the bar, to her they felt so close…too close. The brunette had seen what they could do with her own two eyes, their untameable bloodlust and disregard for the pleas of mercy, yet her friend didn’t even seem phased. Cath watched as Blaire confidently approached the table, tray on one hand, other helping her balance to stand in front of the booth.

“Well, look at the little ankle-biter.” Kid sat forward, metal arm resting on the booth seat whilst his flesh one sat on the table.

“Captain Kid, Massacre Soldier. Long time no see.” The half redhead placed down the tray before them.

“I didn’t expect to see you again.” Killer admitted out loud, resting against the back of the booth seat.Bet these two look this comfortable everywhere they go, Blaire thought to herself.

“I’m just as surprised as you both.”

“What you bring us?”

“So very glad you asked.” Blaire presented the bottle of deep amber liquid to them as if she was selling it with a fake announcers voice to accompany it. “Tyrant’s Victory. It’s a whiskey made in this stupid hell pit, they claim it's smouldering like the fires of the dormant volcano in the centre of the island.”

“It erupted 20 years ago, that’s not dormant.” The masked pirate responded.

“Shush, it’s dormant or these fuckers are doomed.”

“Why you pick it?” The redhead questioned looking at it and three glasses that rested on the tray.

“Because I’ve always wanted to try it. And you’re paying.”

“Am I?”

“Because I paid for your glasses.” Looking to his first mate, he gave Killer a look that just screamed something a persistent and determined toddler who’d seen a toy would.

I want it.

From behind his mask, sapphire eyes rolled at the look he knew all too well. Kid’s hunger for obtaining something, anything, could be a drink, sex or money, it was stubborn and never changed. What he wanted he usually obtained and this time it was a short and feisty little barmaid. “Joining us?” Kid watched the woman pour their drinks into a trio of crystal glasses that were scratched a little on each surface, old and aged like the bar itself.

“I’m actually working.”

“You seriously work here?” Killer questioned, a nod from the half redhead answering. “Why?”

“Got stuck.” Passing the glasses out to the two pirates she began to recite her story of the last few months in all its monotony. “After you let us go, we found a little port town. The gentle folk there took sympathy on two starving and tired girls so they helped us get on a local fishing boat to the next island.” Pausing to hold up her glass to toast the two pirates, she continued. “Then I ended up here after stowing away onto another ship with Cath, the brunette you spared. No ships come here, not even Marines, so I’m working to pay for passage somewhere” With a heavy sigh, eyes glazing over in disappointment, she snapped out of it and grinned. “Cheers, Supernovas.” Kid raised his glass as Killer followed, less enthusiastically after seeing how bored the small woman looked.

“Blaire?” A barmaid called from behind her.

“Yeah?” Turning quickly to talk to her colleague, two curious sets of eyes, one shielded by a mask whilst the other purely didn’t care, studied at the way the denim shorts hugged the behind of the short woman. Kid hummed pleased at the very pleasant sight, subconsciously licking his lips whilst Killer remained silent as he placed his straw into the whiskey, savouring the first taste of the amber liquid. It tasted like gold itself, rich with a smoked honey aftertaste, a strong but delicately mixed whiskey, it was one of the more pleasant he had tasted in truth. The two pirates shamelessly enjoyed their view over their drinks, Kid’s daring eyes wandering down to her thighs before Blaire turned and smiled. “So what brings you to this small part of hell?” Her lips touched the glass delicately, taking a sip to enjoy the drink to its fullest, the arousal growing within the redhead captain as he watched brazenly whilst his mind went into the gutter quietly thinking about her mouth...

“Supplies and, like you said, little Marine presence.” The Massacre Solider explained.

“So hot not even they can handle it.” An arm came to rest under her chest, breasts being pushed up further by the gesture. Kid watched them settle perfectly into a valley on her chest, the bodice doing a good job of barely containing them, smirking a second time into the whiskey to almost hide his own avaricious thirst for company on this hot volcanic island. Killer squinted his eyes for a moment, the strange thing about this scene was not his Captain’s obvious lechery of the woman, that was painfully normal, but her seemingly lack of observational skills at noticing it. Any person would see that Kid was looking at her like he was about to devour the small woman.

“You know where I can find something decent to fuck?” Kid placed down his glass ogling her up and down, making it very obvious his intentions from the question. Blaire finally caught on in that moment, almost taking a step back with her small laugh, fully exposing a unique set of silver fangs in her mouth.

“Brothel down the road, bit expensive but you’ll find someone decent.”

“What if I’m looking at something decent right now?”

“Damn. I bet that really works on most people right?”

“It working?” The redhead leaned forward, the air growing thick with that heavy burning gaze. It pierced straight into Blaire’s skin, effecting her like the sweetest drug, she subconsciously licked her lip lightly before looking at the floor and then to the Captain again.

“It’s an almost tempting offer, but I do have work to do.” The barmaid said regaining control of herself. “Need to find a way off this pit.”

“Come with me.” Kid said quicker than he realised, his first mate looking at him with a sharp turn, that was beyond a direct approach even for a person like Kid. “I could do with a new crew member.”

“Me? A pirate?” A loud giggle came from her lips before she shook her head “I’m a freaking barmaid.”

“Who punched a guy so hard you cracked sandstone.” Killer pointed to the damaged wall, a thick dent where the Greasy Blonde had been pummelled into, subtly telling his oldest friend that he agreed with the sentiment of putting this woman aboard their ship.

“How?” The Captain questioned.

“Training…and Haki.”

“You have Haki? Interesting, what types-“ The Massacre Soldier began to say before Blaire put a silencing hand up.

“Woah, woah, I am not being interviewed for your pirate crew. I can get somewhere on my own, I don’t need your help.”

“Clearly. Why you’re stuck here.” Kid mocked, the half redhead subconsciously pouting at him, putting her hands on her hips. “Well that’s a cute face, little shrimp.”

“I-I-“ Blaire groaned in a childish fit of anger, a small pout still on her lips. “I don’t have anything figured out, but I know I am not a pirate!”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” He glanced at his first mate who silently agreed. “Don’t you have work to do? If you ain’t joining my crew, we have nothing more to discuss.”

“Agreed. Enjoy your night.” Taking her glass with her, the small barmaid wandered back behind the bar, Kid chuckling to himself while he sat back in his chair.

“How long until the Log Pose resets?”

“You’ve got less than 3 days to get her on the Victoria Punk.”

“Willingly or not. I want her.”

“Kid, people you kidnap won’t want to be on your crew.”

“I don’t care. That wall’s condition is enough proof of why I want a woman like that on my crew.”

“And her ass is nice.”

“Tits are better.”

“Not having this discussion again.” The two friends joked together, finishing their glasses.

“Right, need that brothel, I‘ve got a fucking semi and been at sea too long.”

“Really?” Killer sounded a little surprised. “Whiskey dick doesn’t exist for either of us then.” With a loud barking laughter, Kid stood and exited the bar with his first mate, eyes gazing over the object of his want upon this hell hole.

Chapter Text

On the edge of the sweltering island in between a thicket of palm trees safeguarding the start of the dormant volcano plane, Killer wandered in the early morning, his body clock not allowing him to enjoy the comfort of the people he had join him the night prior any longer dismissing them at the early hour of 5am. Discovering the area through an aimless wander, he journeyed more into the thicket, the sun streaming and glaring through the large palm leaves which afforded him a small reprieve from the powerful heat that beat down constantly on this little hellhole, sandy surfaces kicking up around his shoes as he walked. Charcoal coloured rock formations built up into a small hike on the corner of the volcanic surface and into the dangerous dormant beast this city was built upon, one side of this hike was too steep to climb for any person, the threat lingered like a burning flame as he found a smaller way to journey, one that had less of a threat of his skin being singed off by the molten lava.

The masked pirate decided to tackle the small hike before him, curious to what view may await him of the small town situated on the large island that, at a glance, was seemingly uninhabited. Yet as Killer walked up, the small din of music could be heard as he ascended the rocky peak until he heard it crystal clear arriving at the summit’s end, finding a woman on a large boulder. The woman was balancing on one hand, legs straight in the air while her hair was placed into a scruffy ponytail. Half red. Half black.

The barmaid sang along quietly, her arm bending to do a push up and keeping her form statue-still, the leggings hugging her figure closely while the sweat drenched grey crop top exposed her lower back as she lowered herself, forehead almost touching the rocky surface. Blaire overlooked the sight of the small city, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the morning, moisture dripping down her forehead and into the damp, haphazardly tamed tresses. She swapped arms, repeating the same number of reps on the right arm as she did every morning, this routine never faltering day to day.

“I’m impressed.” A deep voice sounded behind her making her jump and lose her balance, falling onto her knees before the boulder and looking up unhappily at the intruder. “Sorry, I didn't want you to lose focus.”

“The-then why speak at all!?” The shrill response that grew into a small pout made Killer smile from under the mask.

“I assumed you knew I was here.”

“Not all Haki users have mastery of every type of them, idiot.”

“I don’t think my approach was that silent.”

“Whatever.” Blaire stood with that stubborn, yet oddly cute pout, brushing down her thighs of dust and small rocks before turning down the sound dial of the snail that played her music. “You been sent to spy on me by your freaky Captain?”

“No, just woke up early and found this place.”

“Ah. Fair.”

“You come here a lot?”

“Weak pick up line.” Blaire jokes, sitting down on the boulder and patting for the Massacre Soldier to join her, Killer sitting beside her taking a small peek at the revealing clothing for a second before following what she was looking over. “To most…it’s crazy thinking an island this big has civilization on it in such a small city.”

“What’s the name of the volcano?”

“No one knows it’s real name but the locals call it the Smouldering Precipice.”

“And the city is called Sombre.”

“Yep. Built purely on the beach that stretched around the island, was once busy. It’s pretty desolate here now.” The half redhead inhaled and exhaled a hot breath in the rising sun. “Enough of the history lesson, I gotta carry on but you’re welcome to enjoy the view, Massacre Soldier.”

“How many reps you got left?”

“On this arm? 5. Then I usually go for a run around the beach.”

“Sounds good.” Killer stood with her, the woman raising her eyebrow. “I haven’t worked out today.”

“Pfft, you don’t need to, you’re the size of a cannon.”

“How do you think I maintain it?”

“Same as I do, I guess.”

“We ain’t so different.” Killer said, looking down to the woman who reached just to his shoulder, the width of the man being double her own. Craning her neck up, she laughed and nudged him playfully before resuming her upside down stance with the grace of a gymnast, toes pointing slightly.

“Yeah…clearly.”

══════════════════

Arriving back into her tiny apartment above the bar, Blaire stretched with a loud groan and slumped onto the couch, shaking up the dust within the fabric on the horrid brown patterned fabric.

“Ew, shower before you sweat all over everything.” Cath said with a laugh, drying her damp hair with a towel with a faint smell of lavender sticking to her brunette tresses.

“This sofa is older than both of us put together.” Blaire stood up and smiled. “Don’t give me that bullshit.”

“Good workout?”

“Yep. Had company for a change.”

“Oh?”

“A Supernova joined me for my run. Didn’t talk much but gave me something to push for, to catch up to him.” The brunette turned quickly, looking at her friend’s small smile, determination and adrenaline still running in the seafoam green eyes even after her workout.

“These guys could kill you at any moment, Blaire.”

“They won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I can’t. I just gotta keep telling myself they won’t and I can remain strong in front of them.”

“You should go with them.”

“Huh?” Swivelling on her feet to look at Cath, Blaire’s eyebrows creasing in confusion. “Go with them? Like being a pirate, go with them?”

“Oh come on. It’s no secret you don’t want to be on this island or working in a dive bar. Why not just go with them?”

“I am not pirate material. I’m just a woman with a dream to find something impossible, that doesn’t make me one of them.”

“That literally means you have more in common with every pirate in this era than you do me.” Her friend laughed loudly before a sincere look befell her features. “And maybe it’s time to…I don’t know-“

“If you say give up or move on, I will actually break your nose.” The anger simmered somewhat playfully in Blaire’s words, fists clenching into white paling skin for a moment, tired of hearing this from her friend time and time again. “Nah. I won’t give up until I see something concrete. Something to take home with me.”

“It’s been over 6 years-“

“I fucking know!” Snapping quickly, there was a heavy silence that fell onto them in the small apartment they shared, including the bed. There was not a single part of this place they didn’t share, it was compact, cramped and all they could afford on their pitiful wages. In times like this it got too much, nowhere to run but nowhere to hide from a fast approaching truth. “I know. Sorry I…I just need a little space.”

“Sure, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine, Cath. Thanks for being honest with me, I should be that way a little more.” Blaire walked into the bathroom, avoiding her anger and sitting on the floor for a while before hearing her friend leave the apartment. She cast aside her sweaty clothes into the overflowing washing hamper and turned on the shower, stepping into the warm water that over washed her, sighing and soaking in her thoughts as the water grew warmer and hotter like the city of Sombre. It sat on her skin building in intensity, the heat, the suffocating heat, a desire to rip her skin off out of frustration just to escape the feeling. Blaire scratched at the back of her neck, the nails leaving enough marks to stain her skin with red, it was oppressive being in the flesh she had, wanting nothing but to be anyone but herself. To be free of the burden she had placed on her shoulders out of being so damn lost, so lonely without him, lost without that answer, that promise.

It sat in her head and weighed down her heart…but at the same time drove her, gifting the strength to continue with every waking day.

“Ma, I’ll find him.”

“You’re insane, Blaire!” Ezra called out, taking his twin’s hand forcefully. “He went without a trace…you won’t find him.”

“The New World is a big place, ruled by Emperors and Tyrants.” Her mother cautioned. “I don’t want my only daughter going out into that world alone.”

“Will anyone come with me? Help me find our brother?” There was a silence and shuffling of eyes from her remaining brothers who stood around her. “See.”

“It ain’t that easy, Bun. We have to stay and provide for our home.” The black floppy hair of Deo moved as he did, the 3rd eldest brother in the Kolberg’s large family

“No, I know that. And I would never really ask any of you to do this with me, it's why I’m going alone.”

“Please, be-be careful, Blaire.” A hand grabbed her wrist, looking at her mother’s frail grip and then to her welling eyes of sadness.

“I will visit, write…I don’t know. I just won’t abandon you.”

“We know, you idiot.” Zachari walked forward, hugging his youngest sibling closely. “Both of you will come home, I know you will.”

Catching a falling tear, Blaire looked at the plain white tiles in front of her.

Blank. Dull. Boring. Lifeless.

The journey was just that. Blaire had to face facts, she had only bettered her skills due to boredom in her youth, learning to handle a helm better than anyone else she knew whilst on her Uncle’s fishing boat before it became an obsession to best her brother’s combat training after the days spent at school, fresh bruises replacing healed ones by the weekend. Most things in her life had become passions from that same empty feeling, igniting that fire inside her, but the former helmsman stood in the pouring water, the drive long forgotten, the fire within her extinguished. There was nothing more going on, so why wouldn’t she focus on something else? The water eventually grew cold, Blaire’s peaceful thinking interrupted by the sudden freezing water.

With a heavy groan, she finally stepped out of the shower and dressed herself for a day of reflection and relaxation.

══════════════════

The Kid Pirates returned time and time again to the Howling Brewhouse until their final night had arrived, over the last day the people of Sombre had become welcoming to their patronage and some often paid for their drinks. Out of fear or respect, neither mattered, it was a peace that the general populace had come to with the pirate presence on their hellhole of an island.

“That woman is avoiding me.” Kid mumbled into his tankard.

“Who?” Heat asked, tapping the side of the table with painted black fingernails.

“The ankle-biter with red hair.” The Captain explained, receiving a shrug in response, Heat remained confused to who he was discussing putting it down to the inebriated state he was in the last few nights. “She punched a guy into a wall the first night we were here.” Heat clicked his fingers as he remembered.

“She seemed like trouble.”

“Exactly.” A half smile told Heat all he needed to, that was exactly the reason Kid was interested in her, the small smile growing into a scowl quickly. “Fuck it, I’m going back to the ship. I need something stronger.” His crew shuffled out of the way to allow their Captain to leave the booth, Killer opting to stay with the crew instead of following his friend for the time being…and to keep them out of trouble as Dive had jumped on top of the piano whilst UK played loudly for the patrons. Heavy boots connected with sand, moving through the more forgiving cold night until he stopped at the dock to find a small figure sitting on the edge of the makeshift wooden platform they called a dock in Sombre, feet hanging off the surface, not even close to touching the sea. A flash of red hair faced the Captain, darker than his own, pressing her lips to a large bottle within a paper bag, sighing as she looked up at the large vessel before her, immediately drawn to it from the moment she had seen it.

“The skull acts as a wider battering front, right?” Blaire spoke up, not even looking at the Captain who had made his presence known by his loud and heavy footsteps regardless if he wanted to approach quietly.

“The fangs can tear apart wood too.” Kid answered standing beside her and looking up at his vessel.

“She’s beautiful. Like breathtaking, unique and the colours…I’m not sure they work but damn she wears them so well.”

“You sound like you’re in love.”

“Who wouldn’t be!?” The half redhead sounded almost excited as she laughed. “Look at her…what’s her name?”

“Victoria Punk.”

“Victoria…Punk.” She tested out the name before offering some of her drink to the redhead Captain. “Want to join me?”

“Depends if it’s strong enough shit.”

“I stopped feeling the cold about half an hour ago.”

“I’m sold.” The Supernova looked to the woman and then back to his vessel. “But I ain’t sitting on the floor. Want to join me?”

“No, I’m alright.”

“Why?”

“Because if I get on her, I won’t be able to leave. I know it.”

“All the more reason for you to come aboard.” The suggestive smoulder within his voice made her look up and shake her head, amused but in disbelief still.

“Not like that-gods, are you always horny?”

“Probably.” The two shared a small laugh before all you could hear was the lapping of the ocean waves interrupting the comfortable silence. “Well I’m going back to my ship, you can fucking sit there or-“

“What’s it like, being a pirate?”

“Huh?”

“Like,” Blaire stood with a little wobbly step almost colliding with the mountain of the Captain who held out an arm to catch her, not risking letting her fall into the ocean below. “What do you enjoy? Where do you go? What do you do?” Kid folded his arms and smirked to the bombardment of questions.

“Whatever the fuck I want.”

“Sounds like too much freedom.”

“You ever consider what the opposite of that is? Having your life controlled by someone who will-“

“Drain every single part of you and your life until there is nothing left, yeah, yeah. I know. Trust me. I know.” With a large swig of the bottle she shrugged. “World sucks.”

“So make it one you want to be in.” Blaire stood a little frozen, looking into the gaze that held nothing but an expression that screamed he’d just stated the oblivious. It was confidence, naivety possibly?

But he was right.

The half redhead looked at the sea, overlapping onto the dock a little as the tide changed.

“You going to get your things, or do I have to drag you onto my ship?”

There was nowhere else for her to go anymore. Here stood a perfectly good way of escape…of getting off this island and onto the next place. A step closer to keeping that promise she held close to her heart and besides, it sounded like he had made the choice for her. Willingly or not, this Supernova had chosen her for his crew, that conviction resolute in his eyes.

“No…Captain.” Kid smirked at her response. Needing no other words than those to know he’d gained the thing he wanted for now.

Chapter Text

Cath hugged her friend closely, squeezing her tightly, not wanting to let go as a gut feeling of fear rose within her…Blaire was leaving to become a pirate, it didn’t feel like a cause for celebration but the smile on her face when she told her…Cath sucked at goodbyes. This was probably the last time they would see one another, the reality of that hitting the brunette, whilst every feeling of gratitude and sadness was squeezed into the half redhead’s body.

“I’m going to miss you.” The brunette whispered. “Thanks for everything.”

“Don’t mention it. I hope you find somewhere where happiness is a forever thing.” Blaire rubbed her arm, a pitiful rucksack of her very few belongings thrown over one arm. “Hell a good job and a nice apartment will do wonders.”

“Yeah, I’ll aim for it, Blaire, don’t worry. I hope you find-“

“Oi! Shrimp, get aboard, now!” Kid shouted from the side of the gangplank, seafoam green eyes darting up with a nod as he smirked- just checking she could follow instructions.

“I’ll write if I can.”

“Please do.” With one last quick hug, Blaire moved up the gangplank and stepped foot onto a vessel that was larger than life and more beautiful than anything she had seen. Words couldn’t do justice, making her spin around on the spot, dancing with the awe the ship made her feel. She grinned happily to herself, looking up at the massive platform then down the jowls of the huge skull, by the time Blaire looked down the bow again another skull began. Underneath that platform was a door, two staircases that lead up to a platform where the wheel proudly sat. The floor was a weird texture, but immaculate in its cleanliness, the colours clashing together in a firework of pure chaos- no, the definition of chaos, mayhem and…does Kid like skulls? She thought, still spinning and moving around.

“She as impressive as you thought she’d be?” A crazy blue haired man Blaire recognised from the Orlo stepped into her view. “I’m Bubblegum, nice to actually meet ya.” Holding out a hand, she shook it enthusiastically.

“Blaire. Love the teeth.” Pointing at the shining gold row of teeth that shone as he grinned, Bubblegum couldn’t help but laugh.

“Love your fangs. I wanna hear that story.”

“Get me drunk enough and I’ll tell ya anything.”

“You’ll get on fine here, love.” He patted her back with a large enough force that propelled her forward a little. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to your roommate.” Being taken below deck into the underbelly of the Punk, Bubblegum explained briefly where everything was, the canvas for the tour a beautiful pirate vessel of dark green wood…it exceeded the definition of the word huge, Blaire’s own imagination ill preparing her for the sheer size and depth of the incredible structure. While the tour was brief with the desire to leave overriding formalities for now, the bluette covered the essentials.
The first floor held a messhall with a long joining kitchen, Bubblegum explaining it was mainly Killer’s domain but not explaining further, next she was shown a lounge area which was nicely furnished for them to relax and socialise with decent storage for food and alcohol, a pool table that had seen better days in the centre of it while a half stocked bar was to the left. The cannons were also situated here in their own inter-joining room around the width of the ship for ease of access in the face of combat, while the recreational rooms were narrow, they were long and comfortable.

The next floor was dedicated purely to the living quarters of the crew aboard the vessel, bathrooms were communal and rooms were shared between crew mates, some assignments given but often friends stuck together but avoided falling into cliques among the pirates. It was organised well and kept clean, not at all what she had anticipated having been on the Orlo for so long…Blaire could almost smell disinfectant as she passed the bathroom, noting the grey tile was spotless unlike the questionably stained interior of the Orlo.
The belly of the Punk was purely for wares and the inner workings of the vessel, Blaire understood fast that you didn’t need to know what was there unless the Captain required you to be there, especially behind a specific door that not even Bubblegum addressed. Her eyes stayed on the heavily locked door with a sign that said: Knock or Fuck Off. “One of us will give you a proper tour later. For now, just drop off your shit, say hello and come back up to deck.” The gold-toothed pirate stopped at a door on the second floor after the brief tour and knocked on it, leaving Blaire to open it herself.

“Oh, new girl. How’s it going?” Sat on a mahogany cabin bed was a toned and grinning woman with long white blonde hair, shaved on one side, the rest of her hair wild and untamed. She was decorated with a few tattoos, a covered black ink combination on her neck, wearing heavy eyeliner, thick lip ring and spiked piercings decorating the bridge of her nose. Blaire smiled…that was comforting to see; she thought to herself. As for the woman’s clothes, leather trousers and a corset of a deep navy settled underneath a tank top of black.

“Hey, I’m Blaire. Which bed is good?”

“I usually take this one, so you can have that one, that ok?” The statement sounding somewhat aggressive, the pirate was met with a relaxed shrug and nod.

“Here to fit in, not make problems.” Climbing up the two little steps onto the mattress, Blaire smiled.

“You’ll fit in by making problems, Newbie. I’m Taylor.” Taylor introduced herself, the half redhead laughing at her little comment.

“Noted. Nice to meet you.” Placing her bag onto the bed, Blaire swung her legs over the side, finding it surprisingly comfortable as her eyes wandered around the room at Taylor’s personal belongings, neatly arranged and recently cleaned by the looks of it on two shelves by the side of the steps to the bed area itself. “Can’t get over how clean this place is.” Taylor raised an eyebrow at the statement.
“It’s our home, not just a ship, of course it would be fuckin’ clean.”

“Pirates don’t have a reputation for being…clean?”

“What, we all seem dirty?”

“No clue actually. But I ain't seen many real pirates up close until now.”

“Where in the world did you dwell? Under a rock? Shit.”

“How bout we get into that over some drinks tonight?”

“Oh, fuck yeah. My kinda gal.” There was a knock on their door after sometime, Blaire moving her bag onto the pillow, a small subtle reminder to deal with it later, as it swung open. Bubblegum stood with a quizzical look to the blonde.

“You scared her off yet, freak?” He leaned in the doorway leaning to the side with his arms folded. Taylor laughter boomed like a witches cackle would, shaking her head.

“It’s only been a few minutes…Nah, I think she’ll be fine.” A small look of confidence resided on the brutish woman. “We setting off?”

“Aye. All hands on deck.” The set of sapphire eyes looked at the newcomer. “You know how to operate a ship right?”

“Obviously.”

“Good. Stick close, Killer’ll be watching so be sure to put your fucking soul into it.” As ominous as that sounded, Blaire nodded and stood to attention. First impressions were everything.

══════════════════

From the skull of the ship, the Massacre Solider was watching the newcomer like a hawk, eyes tracking her every move, studying how the crew greeted her: welcoming her to ‘hell’ and assisting when she looked a little lost for what to do or where to go. While it was true Blaire had a lot of previous experience being aboard a ship, it was nowhere near this size, it was a task to keep up with those more experienced but the half redhead took in her stride, continuing to follow those around her and correct any small mistakes she made. Despite that, Killer couldn’t deny, this newcomer was a natural. Every movement fluid and with purpose, it was almost elegant the way she danced around the deck, falling into the waltz of the crew. Attentive and focused sea foam green eyes darted around to look at the next task, hands eagerly touching every part of the ship and helping the crew who already welcomed her with open arms and a sarcastic joke.

“You staring?” Kid side glanced to his first mate, his own stance facing away from the crew he had complete trust in. He didn’t need to watch, these people were here for a reason.

“Observing.”

“Newbie?”

“Mhm.” Killer confirmed with a mumble.

“And?”

“You could look for yourself.” The redhead responded with a half laugh, half scoff.

“I trust your judgement.”

“She’s a natural. Bit lost now but a natural.”

“I’ve still got a good eye for my crew, your point?”

“There’s something about the way she is moving…I can’t describe it.” Growing frustrated with the cryptic and vague words, the Captain finally turned to see the woman move like the water the Victoria Punk sat upon. It was a graceful and smooth motion, meeting the demands of the ship almost the polar opposite of how the woman seemed on land, this was her element. He grinned smugly.

“You see something worth mentioning?”

“I wouldn’t rush to say that. I want to see her hand to hand combat skills. Then maybe put her at the wheel-“

“The wheel!?” Kid snapped, the mere suggestion unheard of in her standing, she was new-far too new. “The fuck do you want to put my ship in that pipsqueak’s hands?”

“We know she’s a helmsman, ballsy too. Why not give her a shot?”

“Because Bubble is our helmsman and he’s damn good.”

“Never hurts to have reserves.”

“Out of the question.” Turning back to his view of the waters ahead, Killer nodded once and folded his arms, eyes burning into the back of Blaire’s neck while she laughed at something Taylor had said to her, exposing two silver fangs on her canines.

She grew more interesting with every minute.

══════════════════

“So…your name is actually Blaire?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Didn’t ask you to like it, just told you to call me it.” Taking a large sip from her tankard, Taylor barked a laugh and slapped the table.

“Fuck me, alright.” She responded, still choking on her laughter while the newcomer smirked, the foam of a cider sticking around her lips.

Blaire looked around the messhall, taking in not only its lively nature but its dark green stained wood. There seemed to be a reoccurring theme, the use of skulls in the Victoria Punk’s decor for one, each light fixture adorned in or having a skull holding it, uses of large beast and animal skulls reserved for the main lighting in the middle of the large indoor area. The ivory bone reflected light really well in such a darkly decorated place which still surprised the newcomer with the colours not having a coherent decision behind it, mismatched, clashing yet fitting in perfectly. Circular tables covered the dark wooden floor of the messhall, each chair in the same wood and finished with a plush cushion of red, grey or black, the whole hall managing to hold its own special look, dark and almost a weird mixture of punk and gothic, clean and well loved. Sticking her fork into another cut of meat, the best meal she’d had in months, Blaire sat back on her chair and listened to the stories of those pirates around her who were all too happy to tell them of their tales of stumbling out of brothels, waking up in strange places with hangovers and kicking ass along the seas of the world. Bubblegum, Taylor and three other Kid Pirates joined them, Ajax, UK and Pomp.

“You’ve all got…interesting names, huh?” Blaire mumbled, cheek filled with a juicy chunk of meat.

“Most of us just got these names ourselves or picked em ourselves.” Pomp explained briefly.

“Ajax is just what they call me, real name is Alexandra. No fucking clue why.” The bald person with dark skin replied, shrugging a little.

“Yeah, names ain’t that important.” Taylor shrugged.

“What about you, Taylor?” The newcomer questioned swallowing the food in her mouth.

“Taylor is just my name-“

“Her real name is Octavia.” UK blurted out before the white blonde's neck snapped to look at him.

A look of complete death.

Dark blue eyes burst into an angry flame as Taylor stood quickly, picking the wide figure of UK up by his throat effortlessly, fingers restricting around his gullet.“Want to say that again?!”

“Calm d-down you crazy bitch!” The auburn haired man choked.

“Don’t. You. Fucking.Dare. Say. That. Again.” Taylor lifted him higher without much struggle before throwing the pirate into a nearby wall with a heavy thud as UK collided with it, the crew in the messhall cheering and laughing. “So, it’s Taylor. Alright?” She looked over to Blaire, sinister in their gaze for a moment before the half redhead laughed loudly.

“You could tell me to call you cunt and I would. Pick your name or don’t, tell me what to call you and I will.” Taking a large and final sip of her drink, Blaire smiled at her roommate, the brutish woman grinning back.

“You and I are going to get along fucking fine.” Putting the newcomer under her arm, Taylor pulled her into a choking headlock hug combination. “I’ve got your back. Bubblegum does, Pomp- oh, UK does too.”

“UK is currently winded against the wall…”

“He likes ya. That’s enough.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re alright.” A loud groan to the side confirmed, UK rolling his shoulder. “Taylor is fucking mental.”

“And that’s why we like her.” Someone entered their conversation, Taylor’s expression turning from disgruntled into pure beaming at the voice as their attention was drawn to the thin but toned pirate with thorns adorned on his arms. Thick blue dreadlocks were tied into a haphazard chunky bun for the moment, Heat winking at the white blonde woman, a wicked grin replacing the warm smile quickly as Blaire was released from the vice-like hold.

“Oh, so you do like me huh?”

“You know I do.” The bluette’s eyes wandered to Blaire, who was looking at her empty tankard with a small disappointment now she was free from the hug. “Heat, nice to meet you, Newbie.”

“Oh, hey, I’m Blaire.” She held out her hand, Heat shaking the extended palm with a dominant grip. Half a warning, half a test to see her reaction, Blaire just nodded and kept her grip the same strength.

“I’ll be taking you ‘round the Victoria Punk tomorrow, hopefully hungover.”

“Then I need more drink. I’m far too sober.”

“Barrels are over there, help yourself.” With a click of her fingers, she stood and located the barrel filled with cider, her personal favourite on tap was a wonderful coincidence, a life she could certainly get used to. Beginning to back up, she bumped into a hard wall of a body, turning to spill a little of her cider on her top.

“Hey, little lady.” A drunken slur sounded, Blaire turning to look up at a tall and broadman, his hair a wild mint green and covering his right eye, leather vest studded with golden spikes at the shoulders.

“Hey there. I’m Blaire.”

“You’re real pretty, you know.”

“Ha, thanks.” Going to the right, an arm came around her front, stopping the newcomer in her tracks. “Uh-“

“I can show you a proper welcome.”

“Oi! Leave her alone.” One of the crew shouted from the nearest table, the scene garnering more attention. “Think she’s alright, Boogie, don’t be a creep!”

“The lady can speak for herself.” Rolling her eyes, Blaire took a step back and sighed, putting down her drink near the table the barrels of nectar rested.

Clearing her throat and smiling sweetly, sickeningly so. “Piss off. Only warning.”

“Big words for such a small thing. I can show you something real big.” Boogie proceeded to glance down at his crotch for a moment, the half redhead held back a retching sound she could feel building up at the creepy gesture. Fucking drunks.

“Bold words for someone with a membership to the small dick therapy club.”

“Eh-woah-?!” Without any hesitation, Blaire’s fist connected with Boogie’s gut. He keeled over instantly, crying out in agony before she withdrew the blackened fist from his now bruised abdomen, looking at him as he stood at her level now.

“So…get the message now, creep?” She spat at him, baring the silver fangs in a small growl. Boogie retched, feeling woozy and dizzy from the alcohol and now the punch, she was about to knee him in the chin but a voice stopped her.

“That’s enough, Newbie. You made your point.” Swiveling to look at the largest table in the middle of the room, the Massacre Solider’s warning hit her ears fast. Taking that as the sign to stand down, Blaire grabbed her tankard and went to walk away, an echoing and commanding whistle drawing her attention back to the large table.

Her Captain beckoned her over with a curl of his fingers, the crew making childish ‘ooh’ sounds as if she was a child about to be scolded by a teacher- only this teacher could choked her out with a metallic grip. As she approached the table, she looked at the confident Supernova and his companions, Kid lounging on a massive throne like chair, it’s back high and covered in black velour, coat covering the width of it and his body filling out the rest. Killer sat right beside him, a tall black cloaked man between him and a spare chair around the circular surface, the last occupied chair seat a ginger haired man, the choppy tresses shaved into a mohican. For a large table, it felt somewhat empty with spaces around the surface to spare. “Yes, Captain?” Amber reptilian eyes looked to her, a leg coming up onto the seat of the chair, his flesh arm resting upon his knee.

“Bad manners to punch a member of the crew you just joined.”

“Then maybe the crew should know better than to get the newcomer to jump in their bed.” He paused, Blaire swallowing some of her drink confidently before shifting her weight onto one side. Kid boomed a laugh and shook his head.

“Fuckin’ Boogie.”

“Can’t seem to take a punch either.” Haikei commented, introducing himself quickly after, adjusting the shaded glasses on his bridge. “Not that you look like much.” Blaire tilted her head.

“You suggesting I can’t give a good enough punch, Haikei?”

“Certainly don’t look like it.”

“You’re all very fast to judge on size and muscle density here.”

“Well we’re usually right.”

“Ha! Yeah, sure.”

“Wanna prove me wrong?” The auburn haired pirate sat forward in his chair with a smug grin. Hesitating for a moment, she looked to the Captain who'd just scolded her for punching someone on the crew- but he was quick to give a nod of approval, enjoying the entertainment the pipsqueak was providing.

“Love to.”

“Arm wrestle. Easy going, promise.” Propping his elbow on the table, Blaire shrugged and sat next to Haikei, draining her tankard of its contents with several greedy gulps. “Sure you want to-“

“I may have a pussy but I ain’t one,” Mirroring his position with the opposite hand to his, she flashed her fangs with a mischievous grin, flexing her fingers. “Let’s go.” Hands clasping around one another, Haikei had the audacity to go easy on the small woman first, only applying a little of his usual strength, the pity upon the small thing at the table making him cocky. Blaire scowled at him, rage boiling up to the surface and taking form as she drew his attention to her eyes. “Take this seriously, fucking hell.” Her strength came forward fast, Haikei lost for words as his attempt became a desperate scramble to push her arm back, focused eyes not leaving hers. The half bored expression on the newcomer was met with Haikei's visible struggling, shaking and gritted teeth. The battle became a test of endurance between the two, the mochicaned man beginning to see his loss before it was too late, fist slamming down on the table with a massive thud, cutlery and glasses shaking with the force.

“Fuck! The hell-“

“Books are dull if you look at their covers.”

“That was like…hauling a pile of fucking bricks!” Haikei dramatically called out, nursing his injured hand. “What are you, you creature!?”

“Just a woman.”

“Who has an impressive mastery of Haki.” Killer pointed out, the shine of her black arm missed by the auburn pirate who was concentrating far too much on Blaire’s superior guise. “Cheap trick.”

“I wasn’t told there were rules. I’m strongest with my Haki and I need to be the strongest.”

“You cheated!”

“She didn’t, Haikei.” Kid spoke up, his face plastered with wicked amusement. “Ankle-biter has a point. You don’t win by playing by the rules, you win by thinking around ‘em and using what strength you have got.” Blaire nodded, smugly sitting back on the chair with a little shimmy.

“That wasn’t just Haki…it was-“

“Trained Haki.” The Massacre Solider corrected Haikei before he could say anything more. “Be interested to see it closer.”

“Anytime. I’ve not got any secret techniques.”

“Then what’s with the fangs?” Kid pointed at her teeth. “They stuck on or magnets?”

“No, I had my canines removed when I was in my teens, replaced with these.” Tapping them with a finger, the sound of metal coming from them as her nail connected to them. Looking closer at them, they weren’t just fangs, they were ornately decorated with a swirling pattern almost like thorns around a wooden post.

“They’re pure metal?” The quiet cloaked one asked, yet to introduce himself, his voice incredibly deep in its tone making Blaire raise her eyebrows in surprise.

“Y-Yeah.” Eyes around the table darted to their Captain, a crackle of purple lightning appearing around his fleshed fingers with a venomous grin. She felt her implanted teeth begin to ache in her jaws, worse than a pair of pilers around the canines, it was a vice grip and pull of something so magnetic, her hand coming up to feel the superhuman vibration that radiated up into her skull. It stung a little, almost like they were being pulled, about to be dragged out as Blaire's ears began to ring.

“Well, I suggest you don’t fuck around on my ship, shrimp.” Another small tug on the metal in her skull making her wince. “Or I’ll have your teeth.”

“I don’t plan on it, Captain.” She replied, her head moving towards Kid a little with the pull, his magnetism demanding her attention and the metal within her jaws.

“Good.” Releasing the effects of his Devil Fruit, the fangs no longer felt the vibrations as her tongue anxiously ran over them to check. “The fuck has Heat gone?”

“Sucking face with Taylor.” Haikei pointed to the two displaying no self regard for others around them, their tongues intertwined, visibly, as if they were about to devour one another. The rest of the table around them just continued on, their behaviour confirming that this was just normal.

“Ew.” Blaire shuddered and looked away in disgust.

“Ain’t chicks supposed to be fawning over that shit?” Haikei’s rounded glasses fell a little down its bridge again and stayed there. “Romance?”

“I’m good. That looks a little gross, save it for behind doors.”

“You share a room with her.”

“Fuck!”

“I wouldn’t worry, they have places to hide. Right, Wire?” The black cloaked man looked up from his drink with a huff. “Wire and Heat share a room as well. Only boss and Killer have their own rooms really.”

“If they ever kick you out, you can stay in the spare bunk.” Wire said softly, a look of immediate understanding between the two.

“Oh, thanks. Same to you if you want.” He nodded with a fleeting half smile to Blaire’s suggestion, Kid scoffing.

“You don’t want to jump into bed with my crew huh? You’re already offering for Wire to join you.” The redhead gestured between the two, Wire ignoring him.

“There’s two beds, Captain. He can take one, I will take the other.”

“But on those colder nights-“

“Kid, just because you’re jealous, don’t wind him up.” She giggled.

“Jealous!?”

“And with that...I need another drink.” Blaire said standing, brushing down her trousers. “I’ll fill yours up too Haikei, sorry for hurting ya arm.” With a grateful nod, she winked at Haikei, a shake of his head as his response.

“I like her.” Haikei said with a grin. “Good pick, Boss.” But Kid didn’t respond, his eyes wandering to watch the way her hips swayed as she walked away.

Jealous? He could have her if he wanted. The Supernova had already proven to her that he always gets what he wants, Blaire was here after all. But did he want her? It was most definitely the alcohol that was making her look more appealing- of course. That was the reason.

To his side Killer was having similar thoughts, his gaze safely hidden under the mask, enjoying the sight of their newcomer walk away. Seeing her body move earlier, it’d grown from just a curious and attentive look after a while. There was a grace to her movements, beauty to her cheeky smile, joy in that rough and loud laugh of hers.

“Hm. I like her too.” Their Captain agreed quietly with a soft grin, hiding the rest of his expression safely in a tankard.

Chapter Text

“Cai! Can we go to the forest again?”

“Again?” The older brother complained.

“Yes! We always do! There might be rabbits and lizards on the way!” The little girl’s hopeful expression became doe eyed, Cairo folding instantly at the pleading look.

“Alright, alright! But just because they could have appeared again…” He laughed, holding onto the toddler’s hand, leading them to their next stop along the shopping front of the island they lived on, once famous for one rare export, it was the only job their families were assigned to do and they did so until their deaths, their only way of living was within those mines. Blaire remembered that walk fondly, it was long and exhausting in the heat, but it meant they would go past her favourite place to be, a little woodland area often full of wild rabbits and hares, a meadow of little yellow flowers in a clearing.
“We just need to make one last stop for Ma and then we will go.”

“Yay!” Her little legs launched into the air, jumping for joy at the prospect of seeing the animals in the thicket. She was only 4, her brother 11 at this time…she thought back to days like this a lot in the absence of any other engaging thoughts, pure hope and endless walking, her hand being held tightly by her brother.

Cai was always there from the day she was born, her rock through everything, the one who had an answer for any problem- even if it was violence. It was a simple and insignificant, a memory frozen within her head, repeating as a soothing motion…it was calm. It was home.

══════════════════

Blaire sat on a railing of the Victoria Punk, sharpening weapons, her focus pulled away from her work and onto the helm itself, the tug of her heartstrings unable to keep one of her desires hidden. It had been a week since she had stepped aboard the Victoria Punk, her days filled with menial jobs, evenings bringing alcohol and freshly cooked meals. It wasn’t bad, the company was perfect, conversation filled with laughter after finding people much alike herself aboard the Punk, but…she missed something. The half redhead continued to sharpen a knife from the armoury, her eyes flicking back up to upon the helm as she was sure no one was looking.

Bubblegum handled the ship well, these damn waters left no room for anything less than perfection, but he managed her well…enough. Weather battered them one day, then the next it was smooth sailing, the beauty and chaos of the New World was best seen from on the unpredictable sea itself. Sure, he’s got a lack of aggression, she mused to herself. But the other day…I wouldn’t have done that. Lean with her, not against her. She stared at the helmsman of the Victoria Punk, envy building from her stomach and sitting in her throat. To touch this beautiful vessel…it would be a gift not wasted, she knew it.

Bubblegum caught her gaze and smiled, Blaire waving quickly back, swallowing that rising hot envy. “Oi! Blaire! Mind holding this position for a bit? I need a piss.” He shouted down.

“Huh?”

“Come on, it ain’t hard-“

“Am I even allowed?” The blue haired helmsman shrugged, not a care on his face.

“I literally just need to take a leak.”

“Alright.” She hid her excitement well, refraining from running to the helm with glee, placing the blade she was working on into the pile of completed weaponry and walking up to the helm.

“Just hold her-“

“Steady, I know. Go quickly, don’t want ya to get in trouble.”

“Who says you won’t?”

“Because I’d land you in it, Bubs.”

“Of course you would.” His middle finger rose as he disappeared down the stairs and under the deck, Blaire laughing to herself before the reality of the situation hit her.

Before her was the wheel of the Victoria Punk, the elevated platform holding the wheel proudly, overlooking the wide and endless ocean around them. Blaire’s hand caressed slowly over the wooden felloe softly before stopping at a handle. “Hello, beautiful.” She whispered softly to the Punk. “Nice to meet you up close and personal.” She did as instructed, just holding the course steadily, comfortably and confidently. The Victoria Punk felt soft, graceful, yet rough and vicious like a mythical creature within a book about to bare its teeth. Blaire had seen what this vessel could do after being upon her little over a week but getting this close to her, it was a new level of understanding. “You serve this crew so well. We are lucky you let us upon you, Victoria Punk.” She was holding the reins to a sleeping beast, she knew it, feeling it in her fingerprints that pressed into the wood. Holding a handle, Blaire pressed her head against the felloe again, feeling its stubborn tug eventually soften into a gentle pull under her tender yet firm control like she was taming the Punk. Blaire had always felt a connection to ships, one on a personal level. To her they each told stories, held scars and kept the crew safe, much more beyond what a home could do, it was their shield, an offense and defense at the same time when wielded right. They moved through the waters, conquering them aboard her, the red string of fate binding them and the mighty vessel. “I see they treat you well, you beautiful beast.”

“What are you doing?” Blaire jumped at the voice that had appeared behind her, snapping back to see the first mate of the Kid Pirates.

“I’m just holding the wheel while Bubble takes a leak-“ She stammered.

“Not that.” Killer moved to her side, allowing her to focus ahead a little better. “Are you talking to the ship?”

A pout formed on her lips, knowing what was coming next. “Say what you want, I’ve heard it all before.”

“What do you expect me to say?”

“‘It’s a ship, don’t talk to it.’ ‘You’re weird, a complete freak’. Spare me it.”

“I think its strange but…you were a helmsman for a long time, I'm guessing?”

“Kinda. I started learning when I was 16, I’m 27 now.”

“You look younger.”

“Thanks. I mean as long as I don’t look like a freaking 17 year old.”

“No, I’d have guessed 23.”

“Oh that’s not too bad then, thanks Killer-san.” With a bright smile, her eyes returned to the control of the ship, the Massacre Solider studying her as he had done the first day she stepped foot aboard the Punk. It felt like he was spending an awful lot of his time looking at this particular newcomer, not many grabbing his attention with such dominance and consuming his curiosity. Everything from her in this position radiated confidence- not in a cocky, smug way, but in a way that even her stance at the wheel told Killer that Blaire had stories waiting to be heard, a knowledge and pride in the craft she had trained in.

“Why you learn at 16?” The blonde leaned against a railing, his interest captivated by the woman at the helm.

“Family business, they were fishermen. My oldest brother taught me, by 18 I was capable enough to lead the ship alone.”

“And Haki?” She looked up a little from the wheel with a smirk.

“I got bored.”

“What?”

“I’m serious.”

“Sorry for acting suspicious, but the training of Haki isn’t something most people do out of boredom.”

“I awoke to it when I was 17. My poor mother- when she got informed I’d broken a girl's nose in a brawl, then I said my fist turned black. There was a sense of pride but also like: shit that’s a kid with haki.”

“17 is young. How?”

“Asking a lot of questions.” She inhaled a hiss but remained amused.

“I like to know my crew.” Blaire shrugged at Killer's response and sighed.

“I’m the youngest of four siblings, school was shit, I lost my dad young and that was all by the time I was 12. You gotta be strong to survive, so my body gave me the strength I needed.” The half redhead looked back up at the first mate. “I couldn’t use it again for a bit though- was tough seas one day, ended up I saving my family. From there I saw it as a way to kill the dullness of being stuck in my family business on an island that was equally as boring.”

“So you trained?”

“Exactly.”

“Is that why you left home?”

“Something like that.”

“Gotta be more than that.” She rolled her eyes and looked at the mask before shaking her head.

“There’s more to every story, isn’t there?”

“Alright, Blaire,” Bubblegum stomped up the stairs interrupting the interrogation. “Oh, Killer-san, I-uh-“

“You’re fine, Bubblegum.” A tanned hand came up to silence any excuse the helmsman may scramble for. “You know the boss wouldn’t like it but I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you.”

“I will get back to sharpening and cleaning then.” Reluctantly, Blaire let go of the handles, walking down from the helm and back to the dull job she’d be assigned.

══════════════════

Blaire returned to her room after hours of being stuck in the growing heat that finally waned in the promise of night covered in small iron savings, old oil and salty sweat, the rust of some weaponry sticking under her nails. She swung the door to her quarters open and heard the shrill scream of her roommate.

“Woah! You need to knock!”

“Why-oh-“ Heat was quite obviously lying on top of a half dressed Taylor, both of them panting from the…shock.

“Just getting a change of clothes.”

“You literally would be oblivious if a brick was thrown at your head wouldn’t you?” Heat said, no irritation in his voice, amused further by the nonchalant shrug he got as a response.

“Most of us have jobs to do, not screwing one of the top commanders. Unless that is your job, Tay?”

“Too good to be classed as a job.” Taylor grinned, Heat kissing her cheek gratefully for the little compliment. “Get out so I can finish, Blaire.”

“Yeah yeah, I’m gone, be done in half an hour.”

“Nah, I won’t be.” The bluette was already kissing down his lover’s neck, the newcomer making gagging sounds before she laughed finally and left them alone to find the bathroom, getting lost only once this time along the way and selfishly locking the bathroom door, beginning to clean all the oil and sweat off her skin with a heavy sigh. She felt a new and strange type of envy settle in her gut this time. Not envy because of the clearly decent sex Taylor and Heat engaged in but envy for the companionship. A connection so deep it led to more desires, that’s what she craved. It’d been years…not feeling she could take the time to comfortably connect with another person. Life'd passed her by time and time again.

Huh. Everyone on this ship has something I want.

══════════════════

Evening fell upon the Kid Pirates, barrels of alcohol being rolled outside onto the deck for some revelry amongst the stars, the night surprisingly cool and calm despite the humid weather hours prior. Sitting with Bubblegum and Taylor, the newly formed trio sat upon the emptier boxes and barrels in a circle, the three laughed loudly together before Blaire saw a smaller member of the crew approach them, tugging at Taylor’s jacket practically off her shoulder.

“Oh hey.” Taylor said quickly, the small figure looking up with angry caution to the half redhead, hand firmly around the safety of the denim she was attached to, almost suggesting she’d throw Taylor at Blaire if something went wrong.

“Drop the shy shit, Dive. We all know you fucking bite.” Bubblegum laughed, the bunches of green hair standing up right making her silhouette stick out as she attempted to hide behind Taylor.

“Ey! Fuck you, Bubble!” Dive snapped before looking Blaire up and down. “You’re small.”

“You too.” Blaire replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Should we stick together then, hm? Being short as fuck.” She grinned with shark-like teeth and introduced herself. “Dive.”

“Blaire, Nice to meet ya.” She held out her hand to the smaller girl, who took it firmly and with a vice-like grip. “Strong grip there, you must kick ass.”

“Of course I do, I’m a fuckin’ Kid Pirate.” Dive released the hand, huffing a little with a fold of her arms, the oversized shirt like a dress on her.

“And we all kick ass!” Another Kid Pirate approached, Reck cheering and raising his tankard, Blaire colliding hers with a laugh before turning her attention back to Dive who held her drink in two hands.

“How old are ya, Dive?”

“Old enough to kick your ass. You?”

“27.”

“Damn, you’re older than me!” Taylor chortled. “I’m only 24.”

“Babies, I’m 31.” Bubblegum proudly announced.

“Don’t matter how old we are, we still have each other’s backs.” Seafoam eyes looked to those around her with a form of reassurance, many verbally agreeing with the newbie. “I left home nearly a decade ago now, it’s nice to finally have people watching out for me…like for real this time.”

“Fucking softie.” UK teased, receiving a middle finger in response. For the first time in a while for Blaire, it had been a short time, yet she knew these punks would have her back in a fight.

“How come you left home, Blaire?” A row of gold teeth shone with a soft smile in the torchlight as Bubblegum asked.

“I got bored of being a fisherman at 20. Anyone would.”

“Then who’s Cai?” Taylor asked loudly after a long sip of her drink.

The half redhead froze for a moment, staring at her hands that cupped around her tankard. Swallowing hard, she broke the silence that settled amongst them for a while, some around them sharing a puzzled look. “Where you hear that name?”

“You say it in your sleep.”

“Ah-uh-just my brother.” Blaire stood and shrugged, looking around and regaining some confidence after Taylor dropped that bombshell of a name on her. “Have dreams about my life back home loads.”

“You have a brother?” The smallest of them asked, perching on the floor with her tankard in between her stretched out legs.

“I have four.”

“Fuckin-Four brothers!?” Reck exclaimed loudly, gaining the attention of most of those around them. “You have four brothers?”

“I do, all older.”

“Any of them hot?” Taylor leaned forward and teased, looking back to where Heat was sitting and listening in. “Worth a look at?”

“They wouldn’t look your way, Tay.” Blaire received a punch to the arm, the two cackling together.

“Is it newbie’s story time?” Quincy asked with a grin, shuffling over as a small crowd gathered around the vacant barrel seats. The two hadn’t spoken much yet but Blaire loved her crazy fashion, there wasn’t a single member of this crew that had greeted Blaire with disdain allowing her feel like it was right to open up at this point.

“Fuckin. What you want me to tell ya a bedtime story?”

“Could do, gorgeous.” Boogie bellowed, drunkenly flirting once again.

“Fuck off, Boogie!” Taylor and Blaire said in unison, the crowd laughing loudly as Boogie shrugged after seeing his drunken efforts in vain once more. The loud commotion gained the attention of the Captain and his commanders, the whole crew listening attentively to the newcomer as a backdrop of a starless night accompanied the story.

“You want to know about my brothers? Alright.” Blaire sighed and took a long drink from her tankard, mentally preparing herself to pour out her life story as freely as the alcohol flowing into their cups. “I’m the youngest of five children. I’ve got an older brother, Zachari, he’s now 36 and married to an absolute babe he’s too ugly for. Then there’s Cairo, the 2nd eldest, Dea, 3rd-“

“Wow, your parents ever heard of contraceptives?” Bubblegum joked.

“Yeaaah. Some people opt not to. Anyway,” Shuffling onto a barrel uncomfortably at the joke, Blaire continued. “Then there’s my twin, Ezra. Same age as me. Born 20 minutes earlier though.”

“So what’s so special about Cai?” Quincy followed up this time, another stillness brought about by the pirates' curiosity, it was shorter than the first but felt like the longest for Blaire, her senses filling with the visions of her past. The way his eyes mirrored her own emerald, the wild and untamable curls he had in the morning, his voice- "C'mon sis!"

It felt like her heart was crushed under the weight of memory, the ache and void Cairo's wordless departure left stinging freshly. “Ah…fuck. I dunno-“

“Hey, we’re a crew right?” Quincy reassured her with a smile, bringing the half redhead back to reality. “All got shit we carry but we got your back, right?”

“Yeah.” Bubblegum smiled somewhat warmly. “Bet we’ve heard worse.” Blaire nodded, surprised at the crew’s desire to want to genuinely know her after such a short time, their honesty and supportive nature so opposite to what she expected when becoming a pirate, what she'd read and heard about through newspapers and hearsay- they were so warm and caring. After a small sniffle, she continued.

“Wherever Cairo was, I wasn’t far behind. Wherever I was, he was always there, inseparable from the moment I was born. Ma told me that when he held me for the first time- it was like Cairo transformed.” A small laugh left her lips. “He told me his life was a fucking haze until he held his baby sister for the first time, I went to cry and stopped just to look at my big brother as a newborn. From there Cai helped me study, guided me when I was lost, taught me how to fight- he is…everything to me.” She spoke softly toward the end, remembering even the simplest of things they did together as children, just walking to the shops, making dinner…

“What happened to him?” Reck asked from behind her, reality punching her in the gut as it often did.

“I-I don’t know.”

“What do you mean?” Quincy followed up.

“He disappeared on my 20th birthday.”

“Dick move.” Bubblegum shook his head. “So what then?”

“That’s it. I’ve been on the seas for nearly 7 years, searching for my brother. I made a promise to bring him home, it’s the reason I fight…my reason for living.”

“Seems like a shitty reason to live.” All focus shifted to the voice who interrupted the story, their Captain’s lips pulling into a discounting frown, finding his crew glaring at him, some annoyed at the end of the story coming at his words. “Shit, life should have more purpose than living for someone else.” Kid continued once all eyes rested on him as he so enjoyed.

“Like what?” Blaire turned fully and looked directly into the amber eyes that settled on her.

“Living for yourself, doing what you want with no strings attached.”

“I do what I want and I want to find my brother.”

“You do realise he’s dead, right?”

“And you do realise the One Piece might not be real?” An eerie silence fell over the ship, fast and hard like an aggressive wave crashing into the hull of the Punk until all you could hear was the loud stomping motion of Eustass Kid’s wrath moving towards its destination of rage. He towered over the sitting newcomer, his crew parting without a word, while she just looked up to Kid, expressionless.

“What did you fucking say?”

“It’s not nice is it?”

“What?”

“Having someone attack your dreams, your motivation.”

“Mine was a wake up call-“

“And mine wasn’t? It could be-“ Her words were cut short by a large metal hand clamping around her throat, lifting her effortlessly off the surface she comfortably occupied.

“Boss!” Taylor lunged forward, Heat rushing to grab her arm and stop her doing something she’d regret.

“You don’t think the One Piece is real, huh?” The redhead snarled in Blaire’s face, anger burning like wild fire in the amber irises.

“I didn’t-d-idn’t say that.” She choked out, hands scrambling and clawing for a thick, cold finger around her neck, desperate to break free.
“You suggested it.” Kid watched as a black armament appeared around her limbs, a rippling laughter coming from his chest. “That won’t work, shrimp.”

“N-no, but this-this will.” She kicked forward, hitting the redhead in the abdomen with barely enough force and haki behind it he released her and took a single small step back. Blaire fell to the floor in a heap, gasping for air, coughing and spitting out a little blood. His shadow still loomed over her, seafoam eyes clashing with her Captain’s oppressive form and finding only a smirk on his face.

“Not bad. You managed to trick me.”

“Yeah, I got lucky I was wearing jeans. That’s all, Cap.” She joked, wheezing and gaining her breath before standing and rolling her shoulders. “Of-fucking-course the One Piece is real. I was just making a point, dreams are dreams no matter how weird they are.”

“Be careful how you go about it. Next time, I’ll have your head.”

“More than welcome to it.”

“You offering it to me?” Kid stalked a little closer to her.

“You’re my Captain, I’d offer you anything.” She shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing to say.

“Anything?”

“Well…almost anything.” Blaire scoffed a little laugh, looking at the rapidly hungry gaze of her red headed.

“Tempting. Very tempting.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Oookkaay, if you two are going to do that, leave!” Taylor shouted loudly, breaking the tension.

“Do what?” The smaller woman under the Supernova’s shadow looked over to her friend. “Please, I’ve been here a week…I ain’t going to jump into bed with any of you lot.”

“You’d be lucky to get into my bed, shrimp.” She turned on her head back quickly.

“I don’t know, I bet you sleep with some very questionable whores.”

“Who says I need whores?”

“Ha, please. Look at you, you don’t do relationships, you fuck and move on.”

“Ain’t wrong there.” Killer chimed in from a railing, the crew murmuring with a small laughter.

“With a member of your crew? You can’t just move on, I’d be here the whole time.”

“What if I just slit your throat after I was done?” Kid grinned, his voice dropping into a low smolder.

“Waste of a crewmember. Don’t you think?”

“Is this flirting? I feel like this is flirting.” Quincy whispered to Taylor who shrugged in unison with Heat.

Two sets of clashing eyes bore into one another, both looking far too pleased with amused sneers plastered on their faces, lost in the fun they were having together. She bit back but Kid bit back harder. It was thrilling, Blaire finding that when she showed her teeth in retaliation many simply backed down, never knowing what to do or say. But now? She’d met her match who seemed to enjoy it just as much- for now. “Alright, enough of the show. Get back to drinking.” The Captain commanded, eyes unmoving from the small half redhead even as he backed away. “We make land in a few days, we can blow off some steam then.” The crew cheered as Kid and Blaire shared one last look of mischief, crimson feathers billowing in her direction as he turned back to join his chosen company, the former helmsman sitting back on her barrel chair.

“Did you really just do that?” The white blonde asked, shaking her head in disbelief, now seated on Heat’s lap. “You been here like…days?!”

“Do what?” Picking up her tankard again, Blaire looked and shrugged.

“Flirted. With the Captain.”

“He threatened my life. Twice. That is not flirting.”

“That was flirting.” Everyone around her said almost in unison, the half redhead shaking her head and giggling.

“Oh come on, he’d be lucky to get into bed with me.”

“You that good in bed?” Bubblegum asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Nah. Not my type.”

“What’s your type?”

“Men.”
“Oh damn, you’ll never know how great I am in bed then.” She teased.

“Could say the same to you.”

“We both loose out. How tragic!” As the two chuckled loudly together, they failed to notice Heat and Taylor proceeding to begin something neither of them could stop, the lust simmering in their eyes eventually turning to Blaire.

“Hey, Blaire…” Taylor sang innocently. “Would you mind if Wire shared with you tonight?”

“Hm?” The way Heat looked up at her friend made it clear what they meant when asking. “Again? Oh sure, just make sure he’s alright with that. I sleep in just underwear and a t-shirt.”

“Fine. Yep.” The bluette quickly picked up his lover in a bridal hold, rushing over to Wire who sighed and nodded from beside Killer, the two glancing to Blaire before returning to their drinks.

“Going to get lucky tonight then, Wire?” Killer mumbled into his straw.

“Bit soon, feels like she just got here.”

“She did. So go before Kid does.”

“I’m alright, she isn’t anything special.” Killer shook his head, dressed in skinny fitted jeans, distressed at the knees, thick combat boots and a string vest top of a purple shade, it’s true Blaire didn’t dress like anything special, it was practically tame for members of their crew. But damn, she was alluring, the wave of her short hair, the yellow buried within her seafoam green eyes and the muscular yet curved body…it could get distracting. Finding his tankard, the straw sticking out from the rim...Killer needed to stop looking so intently at the woman, he knew that. So why did he find it hard to look away?

Kid's eyeline was fixated upon the newest member of his crew in a moment of thought. Blaire had a fire, a wild spark. While it could cause trouble and get under his skin, he thoroughly enjoyed every word that had come out of her mouth. The silver fangs wouldn’t just for show it would seem, she bore them proudly with quick words and confident grins. It wasn’t long before both of the Supernovas allowed their thoughts to be dragged into schemes of lust, blaming it on the absence of company they ached for on land. The lonely nights on sea often provided very little, an element of coldness to their empty beds, at least the alcohol and company was decent enough for them to ignore how much they needed to indulge in that carnal desire.

They looked at one another quickly, almost sharing a braincell.

“Coming?” Kid asked, Killer nodding.

══════════════════

꧁ Somewhere in the New World ꧂

From here, the world looked small, eyes that surveyed its view with irises drenched in a yellow hue as the hunt began with a silent swoop down onto the dense thicket below. The last known location was estimated not far from this rainforest, barren and possibly dangerous from what this bird's eye glance could see. Two large wings motioned to get closer, not even a wisp of wind sounding against the large white and brown feathered being that hovered cautiously above the island beneath it. Its head moved to the side, a man’s grunt of exhaustion reaching the winged beast's hearing as a commotion grew below.

Frantically, the man in question was hiding feebly behind a large rocked structure at the foot of a tree, a second creature hunting him as its prey. Of all the places to discover himself in, he found himself in an unforgiving rainforest, a strange fanged creature with webbed feet stalking for its next meal of human flesh.

The terrifying creature took another step, its approach squelching with the wet slick it was covered in, the target shielding his mouth with a shaking hand to quell the panting panic, eyes scrunching in fear. “You know,” a deep and dominant voice spoke, filled with a mixture of amusement and superiority, making the prey open his eyes. “A Neetekee. While it is an abomination to our eyes, it’s fascinating too, isn’t it?” The panicked prey looked up, the winged creature speaking to him with a human mouth peering out from the formation of a beak amongst the feathers.

“Yo-“

“It’s possibly because it looks akin to a frog, or a similar amphibian.”

“What are yo-!”

“But it’s got teeth. And a tail. And walks like a bear, how unnatural.” The feathered creature looked forward, talons gripping firmly around the branch it perched on to get a closer look. “Ah, here it is.” As the sanctuary crumbled under a single swipe from the Neetekee, fear froze the prey quickly as it faced something scaled green and growling proudly, happy to found its next meal. Its tongue far too big for its fanged jowl and lolling out to the side, large feet eerily similar to a common frog but hands were closer to that of depictions of a dinosaur.

“S-save me!” The man pleaded up to the winged creature.

The feathered beast laughed melodically. “I’m not here to save you. I think I’ll just watch actually.” Blood turned ice cold as his pupils shrunk, the wet and slick tongue wrapping around the target's body, crushing spine and ribs within its grasp. The man foolishly attempted to struggle against the Neetekee, the response being a stronger squeeze around his body, a guttural scream being the last sound that echoed in the rainforest as it was swallowed whole by the grotesque being. The humanoid winged creature tilted its head, studying the mucus that covered the Neetekee and making a mental note of something as the reptilian eyes of the being found it. “Easy, girl. I’m leaving, thanks for doing my job.” It said with a respectful nod, wings opening to lift off into the sky quickly before it disrupted the ecosystem it had discovered.

The flight back to its nest was quick and without another problem, the feathered creature touching down and transforming as a talon became a bare foot against the deck of a navy coloured ship, white sales pompously catching wind with the sigil of the Marines etched into its fabric.

“Welcome back, Captain.” The creature stood comfortably on two legs now, black trousers torn and shirt equally torn as a result of its metamorphosis, plumes of feathers that consumed its head devolved into neat deep red dreadlocks, two strong hands coming back to tie them back as quickly as the flesh had appeared, exposing the shaved sides that framed its face as well as the stubble around its strong jaw.

“Anything to report, Quincy?” The creature asked, holding out a hand as a pure white coat was handed to him from the man who greeted it.

“Nothing, Rear Admiral . We are slowly approaching our destination.” Quincy replied to his superior officer, his dirty blonde hair shaved at both sides similar to the creature, Quincy dressed neatly in full dress even at the early hour of 4am. If a commanding officer needed him, that means he would need to be addressing them in full uniform regardless of the hour, his Marine coat meticulously pressed mere hours before, sleep wasn't something Quincy gave into often. “The recently issued Bounty Posters have been placed on your desk in your absence, I washed your last few coats-“

“Allow me sleep.” Draping the coat over a tattoo of scales of justice on its arm leisurely. “Lieutenant, speed up the ship!” The creature shouted to the helm, the soldier upon the wheel nodding quickly, standing to attention stiffly like a ice cold breeze had travelled down his spine. “Do not disturb me.” That’s all the warning the Marines on the Larkspur needed from its commanding officer, the Rear Admiral was formidable and possessing power beyond the rank he held. As the creature closed the door to its quarters and sighed as the Den Den Mushi rang instantly making it smirk.

“Rear Admiral Kolberg. Congratulations on your recent mission.”

“Don’t need to be so formal.” He replied to the familiar and almost welcome voice.

“Alright…Cairo.”

Chapter Text

Blaire sat alone at the table in the nearest tavern they could find as their feet finally touched land that afternoon, weeks on the sea leaving even her to ache for land, noise around her became white noise at the moment of peace for her. “Blaire! What you up to?” Reck shuffled into the booth she sat in, a pen in her hand, her focus fully on the bit of paper.

“Making this Wanted poster look better.”

“Huh?” The fluffy deep blue hair of the man beside her tickled her cheek a little as he leaned in close. “Is that…Trafalgar Law’s bounty poster?”

“Yeah. Giving it a makeover.” With a toothy grin, Blaire proudly presented her piece of art, the Wanted poster that reimagined with dreadful facial tattoos upon the Surgeon of Death’s face, thick black eyeshadow and coloured that fluffy hat into a wonky top hat. Below it was his name which was corrected to ‘Trafalgar Haw’. “What you think?”

“Haw?”

“Yeah someone who sleeps with a lot of people for money, idiot…”

“Whore? You mean whore.”

“That’s what it says, idiot.”

“No, no, Blaire, it’s spelt this way.” Reck spelled out the word w-h-o-r-e on the corner of the wooden table they sat at with a small knife he kept in his shoe. “Wh-ore.” There was a little silence as Blaire’s eyebrows creased in thought, getting closer to the edge of the table.

“Looks cooler if you write it this way though.” She beamed confidently, taking back her art work and pressing it to her chest to hide it.

“Ah, no I see that.” Reck attempted to hold back his laugh with words of encouragement.

“You’re lying.”

“I am not!” The laughter broke out quickly after, unable to hide it much longer, he burst. “You-you just can’t spell it can you?” Her cheeks went almost as red as her hair.

“N-No! That’s not true! I-I-oh fuck off, Reck!” She pouted, crossing her arms, further creasing the paper and looking away from him with a childish expression.

“Oh, come on, I’m sorry. It’s just-just you can’t spell.”

“It’s normal! I’ve just never been able to do…letters and numbers well.” The fluffy bluette paused, suddenly feeling like a complete asshole.

“Did you go to school?” She nodded to his question, still looking away stubbornly. “Ah, you’re fine. People are just born different. Minds work different and bodies do too, it’s normal to be different.”
“Yeah, guess so.” Looking into her tankard, she swirled the drink around and looked around, blanking out the shame for a small time before Heat slide into a seat at their table with a friendly nod. “S’up Heat.” Heat’d grown to enjoy Blaire’s company more and more, the way her banter and bite bounced off his lover making him laugh out loud often, the shrimp could handle her drink too but after an impromptu sparring with the newest member of the crew one morning- respect followed quickly.

“This shit tastes terrible.” Gesturing to the tankard in his thorned inked hand, she nodded. “Strong though. We’ll be headed to a brothel soon I expect.”

“Eugh, pass.”

“Oh…I-uh-“

“Don’t worry, Heat. You two can have the bedroom for a few hours, you fuck like horny little rabbits. But be finished before I need to sleep, I got night watch tomorrow.”

“Well, no not tonight actually.” Heat explained, leaning back a little. “Going to cook a meal and shit, have a few drinks, play some pool maybe. Just wanted Tay to not have any distractions.” A small wink accompanied Heat’s words, Blaire smirking a little. She knew he was a secret softie.

“So shouldn’t you be getting laid tonight?” Reck questioned, holding back a rancid burp.

“I don’t fancy paying for some strange cock or pussy, thanks.” The newcomer shook her head quickly.

“Ain’t got any money? All got some after last raid.”

“I do, just have better things to spend it on.”

“Like?”

“Clothes?” She replied in a singsong, unsure herself. “I don’t know, just not a bit of flesh I can fuck.”

“You’re missing out.” Reck shrugged, hanging off her shoulder, the stench of alcohol hitting her nostrils as his leather clad arm attempted to weigh her down.

“Only way you are getting laid is if you pay someone with that breath.”

“Oh, shut up.” The two laughed as Heat snatched the Wanted poster off the table whilst it was unguarded. “Ya like Blaire’s handiwork?”

“Haw?” The bluette repeated. “Oh! Damn that’s clever, sounds like whore.”

“Right!?” Blaire shouted excitedly, someone finally got her very intentional joke she, of course meant to make with the writing…and didn’t point out the fact she couldn’t spell.

“I gotta show Boss. It’s great.”

“Go for it.” The half redhead shrugged, elbowing Reck directly in the gut before Heat rushed off to where the Captain was.

“…supplies are all accounted for, boss. Scrap metal in your little haul, you know by now.” Taylor finished her report, the large piece of paper she'd written on being folded several times before being slid into her pocket as Kid nodded.

“Good. Don’t let the cabin boys fuck up how it’s organised again, Taylor.” He responded. “Killer might gain another vein on his neck if he goes in there again and sees it in the state it was.”

“Kid, it was a mess.” Killer defended himself quickly, shaking his head. “You can’t find anything if it doesn’t stick to a fucking system.”

“He has got a point.” The white blonde woman shrugged. “But it was my bad, I forgot they were fresh.”

“Then teach them quicker.” The Captain looked blankly at her, an understanding nod coming from the woman whilst he drained his tankard, seeing the approaching footsteps of Heat who looked far too amused.

“You gotta see this, Blaire made this masterpiece.” Heat slammed the flimsy and crumbled paper on the table, Kid picking it up first as Wire and Killer leaned in to see it. The redhead chortled deeply at the poster, Wire rolling his eyes and Killer shaking in a few bouts of silent laughter.

“She vandalising Wanted posters in public now?” Taylor rolled her eyes with a proud smirk.

“She does this normally?” The bluette put an arm around her, comfortably settling into feeling the curve of her hip in his hand.

“Blaire has a whole pile of em, just doodles from the posters of important pirates.”

“Why?” Killer asked before anyone else could.

“Because ‘everyone sucks’ according to her.”

“She done one of us?” The poster was pressed to the table, Kid glaring at the white blonde woman with a threatening ember in his eyes.

“Nah. She’s missing a few.” As the masterpiece was passed around the table, Kid found himself looking at Blaire, now joined by Bubblegum, Hip and Hop as they almost began to whisper about something.

“Anything else you can tell us about her?”

“Hm?”

“The newbie.”

“You could talk to her yourself, boss.” He shrugged at the answer.

“You might give me a more honest description.”

“Well…Blaire fits in well as far as I can tell-“

“Not what I asked.”

“Uh, she gets up early every morning to do training, brings me a strong ass coffee after. Sings to herself when she’s repairing some shit around the ship, I dunno, not much to tell. You heard her story about her family, which she has never spoken of since.”

“She trains in the morning?” Killer spoke up, finally listening to the conversation.

“Yeah. You don’t see her?”

“No. We have a training room why-hold on, does she even know where it is?” Heat and Taylor shrugged in unison. “Heat, didn’t you give her a tour?”

“Yeah.“

“Did you even show her the ship?”

“Yeah, the important shit. Lounge, where the kegs are kept-”

“Fucks sake…” Killer sighed and looked at Kid who just chuckled as a response, deep down knowing that Heat would give her the short notes on what was important aboard the Punk. “I’ll show her around properly then.”

“Not tonight, I’m guessing.” Kid added with a nudge.

“Not a goddamn chance. I’ll round everyone up.” Bodies began to shuffle around the tavern as the first mate moved around, issuing reminders of orders, getting those who were heading with them to the brothel to follow. “Bubblegum, you’re on deck.” The blonde said stopping at the booth the group sat at.

“What!? Ah fuck…it’s been ages, Killer-san, please?” The sky blue haired helmsman whined loudly.

“Orders are orders, don’t question-“

“I’ll do it for you.” Blaire spoke up. “I don’t have any plans, was going to head back to the ship anyway.”

“Really?” Bubble looked at his friend with big sapphire puppy dog eyes.

“If there’s no problem with that?” The newcomer’s attention switched to the mask’s surface, the woman somehow knowing exactly where his eyes would be.

“Clear it with Kid. It wouldn’t be the second time he’s swapped around and fucked us all over.”

“One time! I swapped with Papas!” He exclaimed, slamming his tankard on the table in protest of his innocence.

“Dude, why did you do that?” The half redhead teased as she stood. “He gets lost on the way to the bathroom. You can’t trust him to follow a fucking compass!”

“There was this really fuckable looking guy, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Accompanying Killer to the table their Captain sat at, an eager Haikei grinned to Blaire.

“Looking forward to seeing how we party on land, Newbie?” The ginger rubbed his hands together and grinned. She smiled and rolled her eyes, attention drawn to the redhead.

“I was actually coming over to request if I could swap with Bubs, Captain.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” Sceptical reptilian eyes looked her up and down, puzzled at a possible motive. “Not a fan of enjoying yourself?”

“Quite the opposite, I’d have more fun aboard the Punk than I would in a brothel, honest.”

“Mad woman.” Haikei said under his breath, her ears not even registering the insult.

“Killer-san said I needed to ask you so here I am.”

“Fine. Just do your job, I don’t care other than that.” With a dismissive wave of his hand she nodded and returned to the table to tell Bubblegum the news. Kid shook his head, his best friend returning to his side with Haikei lingering around eagerly awaiting their departure from the dive bar they dwelled in. “She a virgin you think?”

“Nah.” Haikei lit a cigarette as he answered. “Not everyone who doesn’t like a brothel is a fucking virgin, boss.”

“Got a point.” Killer folded his arms as Blaire disappeared out of the tavern to attend to her sudden night shift.

═════ The Next Day ═══════

Blaire yawned loudly after the sun began to rise, the night shift leaving her body clock out of rhythm, the whole evening not exactly what she was expecting, quiet and dull. But then again, the alternative was probably worse- or better…

She exhaled heavily, brushing away her thoughts of a thrilling midnight ambush and began the small parts of her usual routine as she would if she woke up around this hour. A hand pressed to the railing of the Victoria Punk, going into a single handed handstand, bending her arm so her head touched the surface of the wood before rising once more. 20 reps without Haki, 20 reps with, it was the grind now, the routine drilled into her. “Strength is never given to you, it’s earned, Rusty.” The small mantra in her head, the strict yet soft comfort of his voice, the little nickname…it kept her motivated every morning. Blaire’s mind shifted into another memory to lose herself in whilst she went about her reps.

The small teenager’s body slammed against a thick tree bark, her cry of pain sounding loudly as an echo in the forest clearing, birds flying out of the fauna surrounding the fight that came to a close. “And with that, I win again!” Her older brother, curly and wild maroon hair just past his neck, called out in disappointment, arms open wide. “Come on, sis!” He’d barely broken out a sweat, breathing level and calm…she was panting frantically.

“I’m trying!” Blaire yelled in frustration, fist slamming into the ground beneath her, muddying her knuckle. “You use a shitting sword! I don’t!”

“How is that my fault?” Cairo scoffed and restarted his lesson, crouching down on the balls of his feet confidently, lowering to his little sister’s defeated position. “Some fucker, a pirate maybe, comes at you with a knife but you’re unarmed, do you think you can tell him ‘that’s not fair’ and they won’t slit your throat?”

“When am I ever going to be able to face a pirate, Cai? Zach and Ma would have to let me leave to do that.”

“Sis, she would let you leave if you proved you could handle yourself.” The older brother stood, a wooden sword draped over his shoulder. “And you’re what? 13?”

“15, asshole!” She retaliated, standing again and rubbing a growing bruise on her back with a wince, Cairo chuckled loudly. “You wind me up on purpose.”

“Listen, in all seriousness.” He walked over to his little sister, looking her directly in the emerald eyes that mirrored each other. It was a common trait for the Kolberg family to have such deep and striking green eyes but Cairo and Blaire…there was more to their echoing familiarity that rested in their irises- a connection beyond just the colour, they both had fight and fury within them. “Strength is never given to you, it’s earned, Rusty. You want to be strong? Then fight for it.” A confident, unanimous nod came from the redheads, before Blaire landed a quick kick to her brother’s abdomen. “Hey! I wasn’t ready!”

Sticking her tongue out she skipped away playfully. “Well pirates won’t fight fair, nor should I.” She sang, Cairo smirking as they began to train again.

“...OI! I’m talking to you, shrimp!” A gravelled growl ground her memory to a halt, making the half redhead squeak, Blaire toppling over the wrong way and heading straight into the ocean below for an early morning bath. With a very audible grumble from above the Victoria Punk, metal quickly formed into a large hand, crackling lightning forming the structure as the newest member of the Kid Pirates was lifted back onto the surface of the deck by the scruff of her neck. “How are you so fucking oblivious?” Kid barked at Blaire, her feet landing onto the wooden deck again. “I was trying to get your damn attention for ages.”

“Sorry, Captain. Just lost in thought.” She brushed down her clothes and smiled at the redhead. “Was there something you needed?”

“The hell you still doing up? Sunrise; you can go to bed.”

“You look like you need sleep more than I do.” She leaned forward a little, pulling a disgusted face and taking a step back from closeness to Kid. “And a fucking bath. You reek of cheap perfume, mediocre sex and shitty alcohol.” The half redhead shuddered, taking up her position in the railing once more, ignoring the gritted annoyance thrown her way. With a gymnast’s flare on a beam, she settled into the same position again, the image of her Captain now upside down and facing her with a pissed and equally unimpressed expression.

“You do this every morning?” The Supernova questioned, knowing full well she did.

“Mhm.” Blaire hummed, blackening her arm into an armoured casing. “Don’t get stronger lying down.”

“So what, once with Haki once without?”

“Precisely.”

“But you ain’t getting stronger doing that.” Her eyebrow curved up in confusion. “Your form is good but what are you improving by doing this without added weight? Nothing.” The same crackling sparks of purple that rescued her from a sea water splash appeared, a section of metal forming into a moulded shape before Kid placed it in his own flesh hand.

“Show off.” Those words almost gained a full chuckle out of the redhaired Captain as he walked over and clamped the makeshift weight on an extended leg. Blaire wobbled instantly, her balance almost lost as her arm creased under the pressure, Kid’s laughter greeting her as she struggled.

“I can lift that with one hand, it’s not that bad.”

“Y-you’re also a tall, built as fuck Pirate with a fancy fucking Devil Fruit!” The half redhead was barely able to even get out the words she needed to bite back, the emphasis of them being lost as they left her lips as the struggle settled into her voice.

“Might want to focus on lifting that weight and not chatting back, pipsqueak.” He leaned against the mast, folding his arms and watching his crew member endeavour to lift the weight over and over with a wicked grin.

“Don’t you h-have anything better t-to do!?” As she completed one rep, her breathing turned into a full on pant.

“Nope. I’m exactly where I want to be, watching a shrimp struggle.”

“For the record, Captain, I hate that name.”

“Then earn a better one.”

Chapter Text

“Oi, shrimp.” Across the messhall, Blaire heard the unmistakable, and unavoidable, bark of her Captain muffled with a mouth filled with food. “C’mere.” She rolled her eyes, finally sitting down after a long day servicing the cannons and hearing a lecture from Gig who was passionate about the operation of cannons and guns to say the least, Blaire stood once more with a small groan of protest and reported to the round table.

“Yep?” Her arms were sticky with residual gunpowder and sweat but they folded tiredly over her front.

“Switching you to island tomorrow.”

“What? Why?”

“Boss reckons you can’t defend yourself.” Haikei teased with a wide grin, pointing a fork in her direction.

“Oh please, I almost broke your arm, I think I can defend myself.” Before Blaire could even think up another insult to hurl at Haikei, a knife lodged into the wooden floor, directly at her feet. She took a jump back, knee into the air comically, the blade narrowing avoiding the laces of her thick combat boots. “Fucking-“

“That’s why I don’t think you can defend yourself.” The redhead sat back in his throne-like seat, tankard in his hand. “Killer had that knife in his hand the entire time and you didn’t react.”
“Because my focus was on you.” She shrilled in defence, placing her foot wearily down on the floor again and narrowing her eyes.

“Your focus should be all around you,” Killer turned to look at her. “It should be on everything surrounding you, prepared for anything.”

“M’tired that’s all.” And the Massacre Soldier was inclined to agree seeing Blaire’s unruly kept strands of red and black knotted in a haphazard bun that held the tresses back poorly, her arms caked with gunpowder and polish, her eyes, dull and glazed over with some bags forming underneath the lids. “And hungry.”

“You’ll need to rest up if you are going to come on land with us tomorrow. It’s near a Marine base.”

“Then why we going there, Killer-san?”

“Deal to do.”

“With a cunt I can’t stand.” Kid grumbled into his drink.

“You don’t like anyone.” The Captain nodded a little, agreeing with the newcomer. “What did this person do?”

“Nothing. Ly-Kig is just a slimy little gang leader.”

“You deal with gangs?”

“We deal with anyone who will give us what we need.” The blonde replied with a shrug. “Not got any morals clashing with that?”

“None. Just odd to be so near to a Marine base.” Blaire stated shaking her head. “Eh, I’ll punch whoever you tell me to, I don’t care.”

“Good.” Slamming his tankard on the table, Kid looked Blaire up and down. “Grab some food then head to sleep, you look like shit and I need you awake and alert tomorrow.”

“Aye, Captain.” With a turn of her heels, she returned sleepily to the table leaving the blade in the ground, Bubblegum shoving a plate of food her way as Blaire yawned with a grateful thumbs up. The evening was just the half redhead dragging her feet along, eventually finding a hot shower and her bed…only to have Heat, Bubblegum, Taylor and Dive all within the cabin she shared with Taylor.
“Please, guys, I need to sleep…” As she swung the door open, freshly showered, Bubblegum motioned for her to sit on her own bed. Blaire instead opted to kick him onto the floor with a weak leg movement. “Please.”

“Hey, we’re quiet enough.” Taylor laughed, nudging Heat next to her who grinned mischievously. “Alright you pick.”

“What you playing?” Blaire asked, lying on her pillow but remaining awake enough to pay attention to her friends.

“Fuck, marry, kill.” A quiet mumble sounded from the bed opposite the crowded cabin, Blaire only now noticing that Dive was soundly asleep on her roommate’s lap. It was going to really be a peaceful evening with the smallest of the crew soundly asleep on Taylor’s lap. “Come on.”

“Alright. Catch me up.”

“Worst Generation. Hawkins, Uroge and…Trafalgar.” Bubblegum shouted up from the floor he now lay across.

“Fuck, Uroge. Marry, Trafalgar. Kill, Hawkins.”

“Why?”

“Uroge looks like a decent time. Trafalgar is a doctor so would look after me and I just don’t like Hawkins' face.”

“Warlords. Crocodile, Doflamingo and Mihawk.” Heat asked next.

“Crocodile ain’t one, kicked ass at Marineford.” Heat shrugged at Blaire’s response. “Hm. Ok…” She paused for thought rolling onto her back to stare at the ceiling. “Like realistically? I wouldn’t be able to kill any of them.”

“Eh, fantasy world. Who would you want to kill the most?”

“Oh Doflamingo. Man gives me the creeps.”

“The others?”

“Damn…who is more likely to be a good husband?”

“You’re putting way too much thought into this.” Taylor mocked with a laugh, cuddling into Heat’s side a little more, Dive slipping more comfortably onto the bed. “You’d at least fuck Crocodile right?”
“No questions asked.”

“Ew, no.” The helmsman on the floor chimed in. “Mihawk. Decent fuck I bet.”

“You just like goth boys.” Taylor teased.

“Fuck off, Taylor. Nothing wrong with having a type.”

“What about Blaire?” Heat looked at the newest member of the crew. “You didn’t want to sleep with whores, so what’s up with that?”

“Rather sleep with someone I know. Don’t want to pay anyone to pretend to be what I want.” She closed her eyes with a long yawn, listening to the conversation.

“And what do you want?”

“Rough sex that leaves bruises and bite marks, but explodes with emotion. Oh, good aftercare too, a little cuddle, pillow talk.”

“Sounds pretty basic.” Shuffling back against the wooden wall, Taylor looked at her roommate’s sleepy expression, still trying to get a read on her.

“Yeah, but when you sleep with Heat, Tay, it means something. Want someone to care if I live or die.”

“We care.” Bubble added from the comfort of the floor.

“I know. Ain’t questioning that. You all got my back, I got yours.” With a small stretch, Blaire turned away from the room. “Connections matter. I won’t not explore any connection I make, ya know? Ain’t picky.”

“That include flirting with Boss?” Heat received a jab to the ribs from his partner at the mention of that evening. “What? They did.”

“Threats on my life aren’t sexy unless he’s balls deep in me.”

“So you are thinking about-“

“Can I sleep? Please? Going inland tomorrow.”

“Come on, let her sleep.” Her roommate stood, pulling Heat up with her. “Take Dive back alright? She had a rough day, long as hell.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry.” The small woman was scooped up into Heat’s arms, a kiss being planted on his cheek by the gorgeous blonde woman he so dearly cared for. Everyone could understand what Blaire had said, on the sea, companionship was all you had, it was all you wanted some nights when the waves rocked the Punk in a more aggressive way. Someone to watch your back, hold you when you wanted it, give into those carnal desires…a life on a ship seemed lonely to those who didn’t know what it was truly like. And as the newcomer fell asleep, her thoughts of family returned to her, comforting her in the night as they always had.

══════════════════

“You’re going dressed like that?” Killer looked the newbie up and down, being met with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes? You’re literally wearing a T-shirt and jeans.”

“I’m well equipped.” Gesturing to the blades sheathed at his side, adjusting the heavy looking weights on his arms.

“Me too.” She showed a fist, a small one wrapped in that almost sickly looking porcelain skin. The Massacre Soldier scoffed looking down, attempting to not indulge in the perfect look down her top he gained and focusing on the outfit itself. In a purple string crop top, denim shorts and two fishnet stockings, the newest Kid Pirate looked unprepared and completely unphased by heading into a dangerous situation…which made Killer feel more tempted by that perfect view he had of her. There was confidence oozing from her, not naivety, each step she took on the dry dirt track in her scruffy hi-top shoes holding purpose despite the flimsy fabric. Blaire looked up after sometime to see the mask’s surface facing her. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“Because you’re wearing no clothing.”

“I promise you, if you think this is no clothing, you need to see more naked women.”

“You offering?” The half redhead laughed and shook her head.

“You’re all so horny.”

“Shame you aren’t.”

“Why’s that?”

“I bet you haven’t ever fucked a pirate.”

“Hm. You’re right. But I’m not in any rush, Killer-san.” Looking forward, Blaire pretended to be in thought. “You know, if you spent less time fucking and more time working out, you’d be a lot more muscular.” She teased with a grin, while the half redhead lacked the expression with clothing most of the crew did, her words certainly left no room to mistake that.

“Right, of course.” The blonde held back a laugh before his focus returned to the road ahead as they headed deeper into the bone dry town. Their Captain used the remainder of the walk to instruct the team on the ground, the plan not detailed nor complicated, Kid having few words until Killer himself took over. The fact Eustass Kid allowed his first mate to organise such ideas showed a pure trust, closeness, something only time and loyalty could form between two people…something Blaire hadn’t experienced since Cairo had left, it made her feel nostalgic.

“He trusts you a lot, doesn’t he?”

“Kid?”

“Yeah, doesn’t strike me as a guy who…plans much.”

“He’s smarter than anyone thinks-“

“Not doubting that for a second. But planning like this? That’s you.”

“We’re a team.”

“Yeah. It shows.” The meeting point was within view, a shaded alleyway away from the sunlight that beat down on the increasingly hotter day around them. Kid turned to his newcomer who nodded knowing her task and disappeared from view.

“Sure you can trust her, boss?” Wire questioned, walking beside the redhead, grip tightening around his freshly sharpened trident.

“Let’s find out.”

“Eustass Kid!” A loud voice echoed, leaning against the alleyway wall, its other end blocked by some of his own bulky and intimidating looking men. “It’s been a long time, my friend.” The accent was native to the area, but it was so un-mistakablely him, it was a wonder how Ly-Kig, an information broker, got around so quietly. Not to mention the way he dressed in brightly patterned clothing that screamed ‘I think I am important’, purple silk suit with golden detailing, earrings of matching pure gold catching the sunlight occasionally. His olive skin was decorated with sharply shaved facial hair but there was not a single hair on the top of his head.

“We aren’t friends, cut the bullshit and give us what we want.”

“Well, there’s the temper I love.” The broker chuckled. “But how about something more?”

══════════════════

Blaire overlooked the deal, the view from the roof allowing her to watch it all happen, observe past the event itself as well as if she were a bird of prey patiently awaiting the time to strike. The small town was built ontop of a desert, close to a well established Marine base, the newcomer questioning the decision behind that and the cocky nature of the illegal broker in the alley, it all seemed a little too convenient. As the crew wandered deeper into the alleyway, the bright and gaudy dressed broker began sweet talking to her Captain, the blank expression in the amber eyes giving it away how disinterested he was, all it was missing was his arms being folded over to know how displeased he was with the broker’s honeyed words. It made the half redhead laugh quietly to herself.
And then it made her think. And then she just…watched.

Below her feet stood this man, adorned in a crimson coat, darker than his blood soaked flames of hair. A man she respected almost instantly when they had met. Admire? Is that the better word for it? Reflections poured over in Blaire’s mind as her attention was pulled to Kid. It’s magnetic? Ha. But seriously, like his power, that aura. His fucking presence. You don’t know if you want to cower at his feet or fuck him.- Wait. What?

Before the thought could find its conclusion into the gutter, an agile and large hand clamped around her mouth, dragging her against a bulked fleshed frame as her feet attempted to catch a roof tile to hold herself in place, the other muscular arm moving to lodge a knife into her chest. To the attacking brute’s surprise…the blade bent, almost like it was folding paper, instead of breaking past the skin that was so invitingly exposed. Blaire bit down on the hand around her mouth, silver fangs piercing skin as the man yelled out in pain, throwing the knife to the side.
“Y-you fucking…what are fucking creature?” The ‘creature’ in question turned with a little stumble up the slanted surface. Through the trickling blood around her mouth, a chunk of flesh was spat out in front of him, slapping against the tiles of the rooftop they shared.

“A pirate?” Blaire then placed a palm to her head and slapped herself. “Oh no, sorry…shit. A Kid Pirate. Yeah.”

“You-you just bit-“

“Off a portion of your palm? Tasted awful, by the way, sweaty as hell too.” With an audible crack of her knuckles, her hi-tops stepped up the apex of the roof. “Now then, shall we get started?” A black coating began to cover her arms, the grin on her face highlighting the two silver fangs that were now consumed in the same obsidian colour. “Or do you want to tell me what you’re doing up here?”

══════════════════

“I’m not im-fucking-pressed. I just want information about Pantara. As promised.” Kid finally folded his arms and leaned against the wall nearest him. Something didn’t feel right. The salesman-like spiel about other information he could offer wasn’t usual for him, that corny smile grating more on everyone’s patience and the atmosphere…- Killer stepped further into the alley as he realised it too, sapphire eyes shifting around their location.

A yell of pain sounded, echoing around them as if it was falling from the sky like a quick and sudden downpour. All eyes looked up, the first mate’s hand instinctively wrapping around the scabbard of a Punisher blade. “Well, it sounds like someone is having fun.” Ly-Kig laughed, turning back to the redhair Supernova. “So-“

“Killer.” Kid didn’t even look back, the Massacre Soldier beginning to walk out of the alleyway to be greeted by walls of wide stanced bodies blocking both exits, armed to the teeth with swords and guns.

“I suggest you stay here, Eustass.” The broker announced.

“Why’s that?”

“Because the Marines are on their way and-”

A series of sounds broke up the conversation: first came a gargled shriek of pain and the second was a heavy thud mixing with a sickening crunch and crack, bones being broken audibly and with quite a force behind it. All heads snapped quickly to focus down the other end of the alleyway, a half red headed woman standing atop a crushed and caved in skull of a huge brute stupid enough to think he was strong enough to kill the small Kid Pirate.

“That fucker sold us out, Captain.” Blaire revealed loudly, wiping the splatters of blood off her legs, kicking off brain matter and small pieces of skull bone from her shoes in Ly-Kig’s direction, the bloody pink slop landing on his shoes, the broker screaming like a girl at the sight. The hired muscle behind her surged forward, closing in on the small group of pirates, Blaire turning with a fist lodging into a henchman’s shoulder while another managed to tackle her to the floor with a hard slam against the dirt path, winding her with a gasp.

“Blaire!” Killer called out, instinct taking over as he armed himself quickly, blades spinning ready to attack.

“Y-You know my name!?” She yelled up from the floor as half a joke, not recalling too often that Killer had called her name. Happiness was etched on her face as the fight broke out to the echoed sounds of clashing metal and heavy footsteps all while her pitch blackened arms struggled against the weight that was being applied to the blade edging closer and closer to her neck. With a quick slice of the Punishers spinning blades, two men fell around the Massacre Soldier.

“Of course I know your fucking name!” The blonde snapped his attention behind him. “Kid!” The limp and lifeless body of Li-Kig fell to the floor, face purple from being choked under the force of a metallic grip, the body dropped like a discarded doll.

“Let’s move out! Don’t want to draw every Navy rat’s attention.” As the redhead spoke, his crew around him had already dispatched the hired muscle around them. “Shit, they are that close, huh?” Rolling the limp body off her, the same blade that closed in on her flesh now in the henchman’s throat, Blaire stood and looked to her Captain.

“I got this. You guys head back.” Brushing the dusty dirt off her body as she stood, she walked to the end of the alleyway that faced the dock, a wave of white and navy uniforms approaching. Kid simply laughed loudly.

“Now isn’t the time to think you can show off, shrimp.”

“Nah, was going for martyrdom actually.” Blaire winked in her Captain’s direction, Kid scoffing but smirking with her infectious confidence. “The ship is at the dock, we need it closer right? I’ll buy some time with these actual shrimps.”

“They are just Marines-“

“No such thing as just a fucking Marine.” She snapped back, a small anger flicking a switch inside her gut. “Get going, I can distract them.”

“Not alone.” Killer stood by her side, preparing his blades, Blaire looking up and nodding with a cocky smile. “Too many of them.”

“Suit yourself.” Knowing Killer was by her side? There could be a thing as too much confidence. Kid ushered the rest of his crew out, looking back to witness the figure Killer stood beside. There stood a shrimp of a woman coated all in black, only her half red hair and purple strappy vest top making it possible to know exactly who she was, the obsidian hardened Haki almost shined in the light that shone through the alleyway as she stepped forward, preparing a fist. “On your orders, Killer-san.” He stared for a moment at her, a hidden wild grin creeping up under the mask. Blaire looked magnificent, covered completely head to toe in hardened shadowed flesh, eyes frenzied with the bloodthirsty glee of putting some Marines into the ground.

“Willing to bet that I’ll take out more.” A row of black teeth greeted him as she lunged forward and shattered a Marine’s sword with a singular punch, her leg sweeping underneath him to bring the soldier to his back. A crunch of bone sounded soon after as she stomped down hard on the neck of the man leaving him no time to scream, ending his life quickly, yet still without mercy. Marines didn’t deserve such a notion from Blaire. They never deserved dignity as they spared her family none…they spared none for the people of the island she grew up in.

She rushed forward further, picking up another Navy officer and slamming them to the ground with a thud whilst the Massacre Soldier swiped his blades through another neck, torso and then through a skull. The two worked in tandem, cleaving and brawling their way through Marine after Marine, no hesitation, no reflection, no sympathy for the lives they ended. It became a dance of blood and murder, the only dance Killer knew just with a new partner to accompany him this time...A small cannonball was launched in Blaire’s direction narrowly avoiding a direct hit to her but knocking her off her feet and launching her into a wall with a plume of smoke and crack of a wall. It disrupted her flow in combat completely, a sharp and intense pain settling in her skull, white dots appearing in her vision as the brawler blinked frantically.

“You alright, Blaire!?” The first mate shouted from the edge of a blade that was kicked from another soldier and clattered to the floor leaving a perfectly soft opening for a Punisher to dig into.

“Yup!” She said shaking her head, ears ringing from the impact. “Fuckin…dizzy though.” Narrowly, the half redhead blocked a dagger aiming for her shoulder, kicking away the attack and standing as if she was on ice. She swayed and wobbled, clutching her head.

But that didn’t stop Blaire. She wouldn’t let it.

Continuing to attack, she picked up a brick the cannonball’s impact had gifted her and knocked it into the side of a Marine cap on a soldier’s head, blood soaking through the fabric that cushioned his head. Killer’s eyes flashed over to her, back to the scene around him and then sighed heavily- a gorilla-like Marine approaching with a thunderous thudding of his feet, a portable cannon gripped firmly in his hands, hairy as all hell and looking way too important with the flowing white cape adorned on his shoulders. It was seconds later that Blaire felt a tanned arm scooping her up and over a muscular shoulder.

“H-Hey!” She screamed and looked up from the blue shirt to get slapped in the face with golden blonde curls. “Kill-“

“There’s no way we can beat a Vice Admiral, just us two.” The masked pirate looked back again and growled. “Fuck, we aren’t even going to outrun him.”

“Is that a…gorilla!?”

“No, a man.”

“Wait…I have a brick!”

“What?”

“Hold on!” With an onyx coated arm, Blaire threw the brick as hard as she could at the Vice Admiral. It left her arm with the force of a bullet, agile and compacted enough to not only find its mark but do damage too, hitting the Vice Admiral directly in the forehead.

There was a moment of pause from the Marine, Killer daring to pause for a second and turning to the side. The gorilla man took a singular step forward…then fell onto his face with a grunt, puffs of dry desert land creating smoke around him.

“How the-“

“Fuck yes! I can’t believe that fucking worked! Let’s go!” Killer didn’t need the prompt nor the reminder, his legs carrying them through the winding roads before the ocean finally greeted them, the Victoria Punk about a few metres away from the edge of the island. “Can you-“ The blonde jumped into the sea, dragging the mad brick throwing woman with him before she settled on his back like the shell of a turtle. “I can swim, you know that?” She shouted, arms wrapping around his shoulders and neck.

“Not with a highly likely concussion you’re not.” The Massacre Soldier swam quickly, catching up to the side of the Punk, Blaire landing onto the deck as Killer leaned against the banister, his breathing laboured. “Get her to the doctor.”

“I-I’m fine.” Blaire almost squeaked, now feeling a headache stretch across her forehead, her eyes squinting at the sunlight around her. “Just a headache- maybe a migraine.”

“What the fuck happened?” The bark of their redheaded Captain called out from the crowd that formed around their arrival, his thick and heavy steps parting the crew.

“We kicked their asses!”

“Almost. Vice Admiral. Then this idiot threw a brick at his head, knocking him clean out.” Killer explained, gesturing to the dizzy half redhead. “Fuckin- Bricks over here.”

“Hey, now that’s a good nickname.” She responded attempting to get up from her crouching position. “B-R-I-X. Love it.”

“That’s not how you spell bricks.” Kid rolled his eyes and extended his hand to drag Blaire to her feet. As she accepted the open palm, her Captain hauled her with a quick jolt to stand, a rush of complete dizziness and spinning sitting at the bridge of her nose in an uncomfortable and sharp version of pins and needles before spilling out vomit over Kid’s boots.

A deadly silence fell over the crew, Killer even lost for words.

Seafoam eyes lazily clashed with amber before they rolled back, Blaire’s body falling backwards, a metal palm catching her quickly, the body going limp within its cold metallic grasp. “That’s a fucking nasty concussion.” Kid looked up from Blaire’s body. “Hip! Sort this shit out! And…fuck, someone get me some new shoes! Brix massacred these ones.”