CONTEST REQUEST (finally!) for kurenemuu

Warnings: angst!, spoiler for anime-only fans

*

That second.

It was still, frozen in time and yet buzzing in your ears.

It was silence dilated, immobile on the outside and contorted on the inside.

It was your eyes suddenly stinging, blood rushing to your brain and guts twisting in your stomach.

Because that second, that exact second, broke everything.

With no hope of repair. No going back.

You could see it into those blue eyes, staring right back at you, and he could see it into yours, so lost at the beginning, but already adjusting to the truth.

There was no need for words, no clumsy attempt to justify what you just witnessed.

The moment he turned and your eyes met, he knew it was over. You both did.

«Y/n-san, this is Diez Drake. He's new here, but he has the potential of becoming one of our finest warriors. Please, lend him your support.»

You had always been good with Observation Haki. So good, in fact, that you were able to unlock Future Vision a while back.

Although you were far from being one of the best warriors, everybody in Kaido's crew respected your authority. When someone in the Flying Six* or even the All-Stars** needed medical attention, they came to you. It didn't matter how much of monsters they were, they'd bow their head and nodded as you reprimanded them.

«Your rank is not my problem, ginger, your wounds are. So take off that jacket and let me treat you.»

«I don't need–»

«I'm not asking.»

Drake slowly lowered the Den Den Mushi, the first movement in ages, or maybe instants, you were not sure.

«Y/n.»

You inhaled quietly, letting the air expand your lungs before leaving again, your feelings flowing away with it.

But no, it was not right.

It weren't your feelings that were leaving you (oh, you would have died for that to be possible), no, it was what those feelings meant.

Nothing. They mean nothing anymore.

«Did you hear my conversation?»

You nodded.

The dusty street of Ebisu Town captured the sunlight and spat it back in a blinding glare, forcing you to squint your eyes.

«You held me on your chest last night, and I could feel your fingers stroking my hair until I fell asleep.» you spoke, gaze still glued to his «Was that a lie too?»

Drake's jaw clenched for a second, you noticed it in the twitch on his cheeks, but his face went immediately blank again.

«No.»

You closed your eyes and a defeated smile relaxed your lips.

«Then you are as stupid as I am.»

Drake sighed.

«I'm afraid so.»

«I've heard you've become intimate with Diez Drake.»

You stopped reorganising your medic tools for a second before carrying on with your work.

«Does that bother you, Master Kaido?»

The Emperor rubbed the sake away from his chin, eyeing your back.

«Does he treat you well?»

«Yes.»

«Then I ain't nothing against it, as long as you both keep up with your job.»

His blue irises trailed from you to the abandoned hut, then back at you.

«Did you follow me?»

«Yes.»

«Why?»

You shook your head.

«You're not as good as you think, Scar. I tried to repress them, but I've been having doubts for weeks.»

He let out a low hum.

«I knew your Observation was going to be a problem, eventually. I told myself I had it under control but deep down, I knew.»

You felt his fingers tracing absent paths on your bare back, his gaze lost on the ceiling.

«I've never told anyone about my father before.»

You raised your eyes on him, your thumb crawling up to stroke the scar on his chin with a light touch.

«You're nothing like him.»

«How do you know?»

Your leg slid on top of his waist and you suddenly straddled him, your smirk brushing against his lips.

«Didn't they tell you that I can read people like open books? You're no exception, Scar.»

His grip closed on your hips and he quickly reversed the situation, making a small gasp escape your throat.

«Then don't read too further ahead, miss Future Vision.» he murmured before capturing your mouth with his.

«Looks like I wasn't that good after all, huh?»

«I beg to differ.»

You smiled to him one last time.

«Y/n...»

Then closed your eyes.

«Don't.»

And took a deep breath.

«Do you ever think about the future?»

You turned to him.

«What do you mean?»

Drake crossed his arms and leaned against the wall of your room.

«After Kaido. Times are changing and even the Emperors may get defeated soon.»

You frowned.

«I guess I'll die soon too then.»

He tilted his head, his eyes studying yours.

«Your loyalty to Kaido runs deep.»

You smirked.

«Of course, I thought you knew. I'm Master Kaido's most trusted servant.»

«Did you see the future?»

You opened your eyes.

«Yes.»

Your fingers moved to the two tessen*** strapped on your thighs.

His gaze followed your movements and a bitter shadow spread on his features.

«Please.» his words came out like a whisper, like he wasn't even sure he was speaking them «Please, Y/n. You've seen the future. You know you can't win.»

With a skilled jerk of your hands, the tessen clicked open.

«Drake.»

He grit his teeth and, for the first time, you saw the pain clouding those blue eyes.

«There is no future anymore.»

*

I'm sorry.

I did love you.

But I love my family more.

A few hours later, Diez Drake docked back at Onigashima and walked into Kaido's palace, heading to his chambers.

«Oi, Drake.»

At the entrance, he turned to Hawkins, who raised his face from his cards just enough to look at him in the eyes.

«You seem troubled. Did something happen?»

The warrior's face was unperturbed as always.

«No.»

Hawkins let out a doubtful hum but eventually averted his attention back to the tarots.

Drake resumed his path and climbed the stairs to his quarters.

Once the door of his room finally closed behind him, he dropped to his knees.

And I know you love me.

Believe me, I do.

But you love your mission more.

His screams went silent as he grinded his teeth together and his nails dug into his forehead.

Because Drake

The tears streamed down between his gloved fingers as your last words replayed in his mind again and again.

«You're nothing like your father.»

* Tobiroppo: "Flying Six", the six best warriors of the Beast Pirates after the All-Stars

** Ōkanban: "All-Stars", the top three of the Beast Pirates. King, Queen and Jack

*** Tessen: Japanese war fan