#katzo

Submission for 016 Fairy King's Advice

thanks!

Hello and thank you! And while I don’t usually write for characters outside the Phantom Troupe, I most definitely can write for some more if asked. I had to go back and watch one episode of the 1999 version because I was like who is that 😭? Seeing his 2011 version vs his 1999 version I was so confused on why they changed his character from being confident to being nervous. Complete 180. + his appearance.. anywho.

Overboard

Katzo x reader — (1999)

Word count: 1k — Late evening, breezy, teasing —

Authors note: Hope this isn’t too ooc (this man had a couple mins of screen time)

The deck creaked underneath your feet, the breeze in the air brushing across your skin and through your hair as you leaned over the railing. You watched the dark waves churn beneath the ship—it was quiet out there, away from the crowded cabins and the thick, heavy tension below deck.

Of course the silence didn’t last long as you heard a familiar voice behind you. “Hope you’re not planning on throwing yourself in.” You glanced behind you and confirmed who it was.

Katzo. One of the sailors aboard the ship.

“It would be a shame to waste a pretty face.” He shrugged, his voice was unmistakable and smug. “Hi Katzo.” You said in a monotone.

“Hey there.” He slid up beside you, arms resting on the railing. “I figured you’d be below deck instead of up moping up here.” You rolled your eyes. “I came out here to get some air, it feels humid down there.”

“Ah,” he grinned. “Naturally I had to come find you.”

You gave him a sharp side-eye, he was already looking at you with his signature teasing smirk on his face. It’s like he knew he was the most charming asshole on the ship.

“What do you want?” You asked, trying to mask how flattered you felt. “Am I not allowed to enjoy the view?” He cooed, He then turned to and leaned his back against the railing with his arms crossed. “Though, this view is better.”

You scoffed looked away from him, making sure he wouldn’t be able to see the blush creep up on your face. “You’re seriously full of yourself.” The breeze slightly picked up, making your hair flow beautifully around you. Katzo was still watching you with a cocky grin plastered on his face. “You nervous?” He asked.

“Hm?” You raised your brow.

“About the hunter exam.” He chuckled.

“Please,” you rolled your eyes, “I’ll pass without barely lifting a finger.” You hummed while flipping your hair.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Katzo faced towards you and smirked. “I asked if you were nervous.”

Your voice dropped a little, “I’m not stupid, This exams no joke. But i’m not nervous.” You exclaimed. Truth is, you were incredibly nervous. This was big for you, and you didn’t know what to expect—considering the material inside of the Hunter Exam changes every year, it won’t be the same as last year’s exam. So you’re gonna have to brace yourself for whatever is thrown at you.

Katzo stared at you for longer than usual, then let out a low whistle. “Wow.” He said, eyes narrowing slightly. “That was the most obvious lie, and i’ve heard plenty.”

You blinked at him. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, don’t act all confused now.” His usual smirk curling the corner of his mouth. “You got all stiff,” He pointed at you. “And your voice changed.”

He tilted his head. “You’re nervous, just admit it babe.”

You opened your mouth, about to protest, but he cut you off before you could say anything. “I don’t blame you, the Hunter Exam is supposed to be tough.”

You huffed and slightly groaned. Katzo leaned in a little closer to you, gazing at you with amusement. “You’ve got that look again.” He said smoothly. “Like you’re trying to convince me you’re not nervous. It’s cute.”

You stood straight up and glared at him. “Do you ever shut up?”

“Why would I?” He shot back, he’s clearly enjoying himself. “I’m just sayin’ if you’re gonna try to lie to me, at least sell it better.”

You raised your eyebrows at him. “You think you’ve got me all figured out, but really you’re just being annoying.” You crossed your arms.

He laughed and put his hands up in defense. “Woah, relax girl.”

“Maybe I would.” You said, arms still crossed, “If you weren’t constantly trying to pick me apart.”

Katzo cocked his head and gave a huge grin. “You’re just high-strung and pretending not to be.”

You stepped closer to him. “You must love the sound of your own voice.”

Katzo leaned on the railing, looking completely unbothered. “Yeah, but I really like yours too. Especially when you’re mad at me.”

You stared at him, feeling flustered. “You’re insufferable.”

Katzo grinned like he won the lottery. You turned away, trying to focus on the constant roll of waves instead of the heat you felt rising on your face. Katzo didn’t need to say anything else, he knew he was getting under your skin. That was good enough for him.

For a moment, it was a comfortable silence between the two of you. All you heard was the ocean and seagulls singing amongst each other, you glanced over to katzo—he was also staring out into the ocean.

Then, he looked at you. You two held eye contact for a second before you caught a blush and looked away.

You thought, ‘Maybe I was being too harsh’

“You always like this, or just with me?” you asked, voice gentler now.

Katzo raised a brow. “Only with people who are worth the effort.”

You huffed a soft laugh and nudged his arm with your elbow. “So what you’re saying is i’m special?”

He blinked, surprised by the jump to conclusion. “Huh, that sounded like a compliment.”

Your eyes went back to the sea. “But.. thanks. For the support I mean, even though it sounds like you’re antagonizing me.”

He smirked and put his hands in his pocket. “Anytime, princess.”

You shook your head while smiling. Then, you hear footsteps. Katzo was making his way towards to stairs to go below deck, his voice floated back—softer now, but still playful.

“I think you’ll do fine, you’ve got guts behind all that fake calm.”

You looked over your shoulder at him and smiled. “You’ve got an odd way of showing you care.”

He grinned. “Odd’s my kind of thing.”

Then, with a backhanded wave he disappeared below deck. You exhaled slowly, wind brushing across your face. For once your nerves weren’t so heavy in your chest. Maybe he was a pain in the ass, but maybe you liked that about him.

You smiled to yourself, trying to shake the echo of his presence. You were starting to think that he wasn’t so bad after all.