I'm so sorry it took so long! I promise next chapter won't take 1,5 year.

Chapter 10

They were kept a few yards away from each other while Tashigi went into the principal's office. Killer glared daggers at Penguin, and he received the same look in return. Still, Killer couldn't help but feel somewhat turned on, and hated himself for it. It only fueled his anger.

After a few minutes, the office door opened and Tashigi walked out again, followed by principal Shakky. The latter kept standing at the entrance with arms crossed in front of her chest. She looked long and hard at them, which somehow calmed Killer's anger down a little bit.

"If you're done fighting, you can come inside my office and we can talk about what happens next," Shakky said eventually.

Penguin let out a deep breath. "I'm done," he said, and sounded defeated, like all his energy to fight had left him.

Killer wished he could say the same, but still nodded. He could probably resist the urge to hit him.

The teachers that held them guided them inside and left when the principal nodded reassuringly at them.

Shakky closed the door behind them and sat down behind her desk. A deafening silence followed, until she finally opened her mouth. "Ms. Tashigi advised me to suspend or even expel you." She was quiet for another moment and neither of the boys said anything. "However, I want to give you one last chance to solve this on your own. If you can't do that, I will have to take more drastic measures."

"We will," Penguin said immediately, surprising Killer. "We will solve this on our own. Please keep my dad out of this."

Shakky chuckled. "There is no scenario in which I haven't called your dads already."

Penguin lowered his head, probably imagining the punishment he was going to get from his dad. Killer didn't know how Trafalgar Senior had reacted to their previous fights, but for some reason he had just assumed it would have been the same as his own father; not more than a few words. Penguin's reaction made him now think otherwise. Killer couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Only a few seconds later, there was a knocking sound and the door opened.

"Ah, mister Trafalgar, I'm glad you could come," Shakky said.

Penguin's father came in and nodded at her. He moved his gaze towards his son, slightly angry looking. However, when he noticed Penguin stared at the floor, his face softened, and he sat down on the empty chair next to him.

"That guy again?!" Killer heard his father's loud voice even before he saw him standing in the doorway. "This is, what, the third time?!"

"Mister Eustass, please calm down and take a seat," Shakky asked him. "And please, close the door behind you."

Kid did what he was asked, and threw an angry look at Penguin's father, before sitting down.

Law just smiled back at him and asked, "So, what exactly happened?"

Shakky began to explain: "Penguin and Killer got into a fight again. There were three teachers needed to pull them apart this time, and one of our teachers has gotten a black eye because of that."

Killer was surprised to hear that and felt a little guilty. He hadn't noticed this, but he also hadn't meant to hurt anyone. Not even Penguin – not seriously, at least.

"Well, it doesn't really surprise me," Law said. "I mean, what kind of upbringing are you giving the boy when you've named him Killer?"

Wait, why does he assume this was my fault? Killer asked himself. Penguin could just as well have been the one who had given the teacher a black eye!

However, his father wasn't going to accept a comment like that and immediately flung back: "It's a strong name, a sign that he can handle everyone. A lot better than naming your kid after a failed bird that can't even fly."

Killer glanced at Penguin, who stiffened at that comment, but said nothing. He didn't have to. His father was on full offence, and Killer started to wonder if this was even about them anymore.

"Says the man who's never grown up, according to his own name," Law commented.

"Like you do your name that much honor by never breaking any law."

"Gentlemen!" Shakky stopped them. "I was hoping we could solve the boys' disagreement, not start one yourself." The two supposedly adult men crossed their arms, and after another scowl at each other, returned their attention to the principal. "Can you boys tell your father how it started?"

"He started it," Killer said, at the same time as Penguin.

It was silence for a moment, when the two boys glared at each other.

"I can't imagine Penguin would start a fight," Law said.

"He kept freaking staring at me!" Killer defended himself. "I swear, it was creepy, and I don't like it when people keep staring at me."

"I didn't," Penguin mumbled, pulling his head a little further over his face.

"It doesn't really matter whether he did it or not," Law said. "It's no reason to start fighting." He looked at Kid for support.

Kid pursed his lips together, but then nodded. "No, it isn't. But it is annoying when someone keeps staring at you." He said, after which the two of them kept staring at each other.

"I can look at whatever the fuck I want." Everyone was surprised by Penguin's voice.

Law, still staring at Kid, nodded. "He is right about that."

"Well, not at me!" Killer spat.

"Gentlemen," Shakky broke into the conversation once again. "I suggest you talk about it, in such a way that I won't need to call you all here again." She tried to look all four of them in the eyes. "This is indeed, like you said, the third time already, this month, and I do have better things to do than solving the problems of sexually frustrated teenagers."

"What the hell?!" Killer jumped up. "I'm not sexually frustrated!" he yelled, immediately regretting it. It was a confession more than a denial. "I'm just angry!"

"Whatever is the case," Shakky continued on a soothing tone. "I suggest you talk it out once and for all, at home, or somewhere else you can sit quietly."

Law nodded, before anyone could protest. "That seems like a good idea. My place is nearby, you're hereby invited to come by for coffee or whatever you'd like to drink."

Killer looked at his father, mentally urging him to say no. He wouldn't know what to do if he were at Penguin's home. However, Kid only looked pensive at Law, and eventually nodded. "Yeah, let's get this over with."

Killer had announced that he still had to get some things from his locker, and Law had written down his address for Kid, so that they could come to their house a few minutes later. Penguin suspected his father was only too happy with that, since it gave him some time with Penguin alone – probably to tell him how long he would be grounded this time.

However, the first moments of their walk home, were in silence. Penguin didn't try to make conversation, just waited for whatever judgement his father had. He was slightly surprised when Law's first words came out in a friendly manner.

"So… Killer, hm?" he asked in a suggestive tone.

Penguin felt his face heat up and looked away. "Killer what? Killer's a dick."

"Really?" Law smiled. "But a handsome dick, right?"

Penguin's face became even redder. How had his father figured him out? "No, the ugliest dick I've ever seen!" he denied. "Why do you say things like that?"

"You can tell me, you know," Law said in what he probably thought was a reassuring tone. "If you are in love."

"I'm not in love! Yuck!" Penguin's face had never been so red.

"Okay, let's call it a crush then. 'In love' might be a little too heavy," Law teased him.

"Yeah, you would want that, right? Because you have a crush on Killer's dad!" Penguin said, trying to move the attention away from him.

Law chuckled. "Well, you are right about the last part. But that's not the reason I'm saying this."

Penguin's eyes widened. He hadn't actually expected to be right in his accusation, let alone that his father would admit to it so easily!

"You don't have to be ashamed of it," Law continued. "If you like him, just go for it."

Law opened the front door of their home. "And they're coming over in a few minutes." He winked at his son. "It's like a double date."

Penguin walked inside and was greeted by Bepo, who licked his hand. "There's no way I'd ever go on a double date with my dad," he said, without looking at his father.

Law chuckled victoriously. "You just admitted the Killer part of the date wasn't a problem."

Penguin blushed again. "I hate you."

"Anything else you want to tell me about the fight?" Kid asked his son as he pulled up in front of Penguin's house.

"No." Killer shrugged. "Like what?"

"I don't know, Killer, but you'd better tell me now, if there was something."

"There's nothing." Killer looked out of the window at the house they were parked in front of. He wanted to complain about having to go into that house, but he knew it wouldn't have any effect. Besides, he wouldn't be able to give a good reason why not to go inside. So, he sighed and got out of the car. He had to admit to himself, he was still a little curious about how Penguin lived. He wondered what his room would look like.

Killer waited for his father to join him at the door, and then rang the bell.

It only took a few moments before Penguin opened it for them, glaring at them both. "Come in," he mumbled.

His father, however, welcomed them with a sly smirk. "Welcome mister Eustass and mister Eustass. Take off your coats and take a seat. Want something to drink? Coffee? Tea?"

"Got any beer?" Kid asked, while hanging up his coat.

Killer saw how Law looked at his watch and then shrugged. "Sure."

"Yeah, for me too," Killer tried.

Law raised his eyebrows and looked at him. "You're fifteen."

"Sixteen," corrected Killer him.

"Still too young to drink," commented Law.

Killer rolled his eyes as he walked towards the couch. "God, your dad is boring, Peng." He sat down.

"He just doesn't want you to lose any more brain cells, if you even have them," Penguin shot back, and went to sit on the other couch, his arms crossed before his chest.

They didn't say anything until their dads joined them. Law gave both boys a coke and Kid sat down next to his son with a bottle of beer in his hand.

Law sat across from Kid, next to Penguin. "So, you boys got to say anything to each other?"

"No," they said in union.

Killer felt a slap against the back of his head. It didn't hurt, but it wasn't nice of his dad either. "Yes, you do," Kid told him.

Killer flipped his hair back in an attempt to show more of his face, but it immediately fell forwards again. "Fine. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit you."

"No, you shouldn't," Penguin agreed.

"Asshole, you're supposed to apologize too!" Killer threw at him.

Penguin shrugged. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"Hasn't your father taught you it's not nice to stare at people?" Kid asked annoyed. He was obviously not pleased by Penguin's behavior.

"No, because is it really such a bad thing to look at someone you like?" Law said, his eyebrows raised and looking at Kid.

Killer noticed how Penguin kicked his dad, and he froze as the meaning of those words set in. He looked from Law to his son.

Penguin had become bright red, when he said, "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable. It wasn't my intention."

Killer's heart was beating so loudly, he barely heard him speak. Did Penguin's father just say Penguin liked him? That couldn't be true, could it? But Penguin didn't deny it either. That was not good. Killer's heartbeat was deafening, but he felt like a reaction was expected of him, so he opened his mouth, but his father beat him to it.

"Did you just – "

Penguin briskly stood up. "Well, I accept your apology, and I hope you will accept mine as well. If we've sorted this out, I'll go to my room now." When nobody protested, he walked away and went upstairs.

Killer stared after him. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Was it true that Penguin liked him? Why hadn't he denied it? What did that mean? Did he actually like Penguin too? Okay, if Killer was honest with himself, that wasn't even a question. Of course, he liked Penguin. That was what had gotten them into this whole mess to begin with. But if Penguin liked him back… that meant they stood a chance. But Killer didn't want them to stand a chance!

He woke from his thoughts when Law cleared his throat. "It's good that you both apologized for this particular fight, but how do we know something like this won't happen again?"

Kid looked at Killer, as if he hadn't heard Law say anything about Penguin liking him. "I'm sure the boys will be able to behave themselves. If they both just don't act the same way they did today, they'll be fine, right?"

"But this was the third time already. I think they should talk about the real reason of their fights." Law, who had been looking at Kid all the now looked at Killer. "Maybe you should go after him and talk about it."

"What?!" Killer exclaimed in panic. He started fidgeting with his hair. "I-I can't just go into his room, I– He–" How could he explain that he couldn't be in one room alone with Penguin? Especially not his bedroom? He wouldn't know what to do. The only way he knew how to react was by fighting, and that didn't really seem like a good option anymore.

"If everything's alright between you two, I don't see why you can't go to his room," Law commented.

"That's not it!" Suddenly, Killer realized he was shouting at Penguin's dad. He couldn't explain the reason without them all finding out he was gay. So, he cleared his throat and stood up. "Yeah, it's alright, I'll go talk to him."

He slowly walked up the stairs, blind panic in his head. He could only think one thing: this will be the end of me.

TBC... please leave a review!