(user killer)

The fires of Wano were finally dying down when Killer went looking for Kidd.

The battlefield was a wreck of broken stone, scorched earth, and bodies slowly being pulled from the rubble. Every step sent a sharp reminder through Killer’s side, the bandages beneath his coat already soaked dark, but he kept moving anyway. Kidd mattered more. He always did. He found him sitting among twisted metal, head lowered, breathing rough but steady. Alive. Killer exhaled, tension bleeding from his shoulders at last. “You’re still breathing,” he said, forcing his voice to stay light. “Good.” Kidd looked up and froze. Not at the mask. Not at the voice. At the blood.

His sharp grin vanished as his eyes traced the stains spreading across Killer’s coat, the way he stood just a second too stiff, the subtle sway he was clearly fighting. “…What the hell,” Kidd muttered, pushing himself up.

Killer instinctively shifted, turning his injured side away. “It’s nothing. You should see the other—” Kidd grabbed his wrist before he could finish. “No,” Kidd snapped. “Don’t start.”

The sudden movement made Killer stumble, just barely, but it was enough. Kidd’s grip tightened, anger flaring hot and raw beneath the exhaustion. “You’re bleeding through your damn bandages,” Kidd growled. “You walk over here like that and think I won’t notice?”

Silence stretched between them. “…You’re alive,” Killer said quietly. “That’s what matters.”

Kidd cursed under his breath and stepped closer, metal shifting as he hooked an arm around Killer’s back, forcing him to lean before his legs gave out completely.

“You always do this,” Kidd muttered. “Act like you’re indestructible so I don’t have to worry.” Killer let out a slow breath, vision blurring despite himself.

Before Kidd could say anything else, familiar voices cut through the smoke.

“Killer?! Captain?!”

Heat, Wire, and the rest of the crew came running, relief flashing across their faces before turning to alarm at the sight of Killer barely standing.

“Holy hell, he’s messed up,” Heat said. “What did you do this time?” “Save an idiot,” Kidd shot back. “Get a medic. Now.” Nearby, a low groan sounded from the rubble. Law stirred.

He pushed himself up slowly, hand pressed to his head, eyes sharpening as he took in the scene. “Tch… figures,” he muttered, gaze landing on Killer’s injuries. “You’re lucky you didn’t bleed out.”

Killer managed a faint huff. “You’re awake.” “Unfortunately,” Law replied, already forcing himself to his feet. “Sit him down before he drops.”

With the crew closing in and Law barking orders, Kidd tightened his hold on Killer, steady and unyielding.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Kidd said quietly. “Not after all this.” And for once, Killer didn’t argue.