Heavy rain thrummed against the large display window of your shop. The streets had darkened sooner making it feel later in the evening than it was. Your staff cleared out just after closing leaving you behind to work on this large order alone. You preferred it that way with special orders.

This cake wasn't special because it was a high-profile client or a family friend. It was because it was his.

A massive three-tiered chiffon cake with alternating raspberry and white chocolate fillings sat before you dirty-iced and ready for sheets of fondant to be spread over.

The groom's cake, finished that morning, already sat in the refrigerator. He hadn't ordered anything specific just simply saying, "Whatever you decide will be fine, yoi."

As sort of a joke you went the unconventional route making a small layered pineapple upside-down cake. Dabs of purple, teal and yellow Italian buttercream smeared out to look like flames with an offset spatula decorated the outside. Not your best prank against the blond but his brothers would think it's funny

You slipped into the flour dusted hoodie kept in your office and approached the thermostat, turning it down to combat the humidity seeping in from outside.

After rolling out some fondant you headed to the sheeter losing yourself in thought.

__________

The screen door bounced against the door jamb as you passed through the back entrance of the Newgate house. Ace chased Luffy through the room flailing a ruined shirt and shouting curses at the younger male. There was never a dull moment in that house.

Reaching the dining room, you finally located the blond you'd been hunting for slouched over the table, head resting in his left palm while he flipped through pages in front of him. The room felt heavy making your guts twist. He knew you were standing there but couldn't bring himself to face you.

"Babe?" You called in an unattractively weak voice.

Half-lidded sapphires swayed in your direction, a cigarette pressed between his lips looking unamused as ever. You'd been together for six years and despite his nearly void expression you could tell whatever he was reading wasn't good news.

"I got my match today, yoi." He removed the smoke to speak.

Your heart dropped.

It was foolish to think he wouldn't be matched just because he was older, glitches happened all the time.

This was a new era law of the New World Order. A few generations before you the world had come together in peace forming this new world government. For the most part life carried on as usual, until people stopped marrying leaving reproduction in a rapid decline. The NWO stepped in making arranged marriages law. You were matched with someone of 85% compatibility or higher. Weddings were to be held after a six-month grace period allowing pairs to get to know each other and adjust living arrangements.

Dating prior to being matched was frowned upon but not illegal and required by law to end the moment you received your partner's information. Most non-matched relationships didn't last as long as yours. Generally, arranged couples were excited and threw huge weddings. You had friends who waited for their matches rather than dating around.

Marco was special; he could handle your sass and loved you without condition. Who needed a match? You already loved each other.

With a shaky sigh he rose left arm outstretched to catch you. Reeling you in so he wouldn't have to watch your heart break he buried his nose in your hair for probably the last time.

"W-hen?" You sobbed, makeup staining his white t-shirt.
"We meet later today, yoi."

All contact was severed the day he met her.

For a while you just went through the motions, taking on the biggest projects alone so you could work into the night and wake after only a few hours of restless sleep to start the process over. After a few months you even began to smile again, but it was just a weak facade.

You were taking a short break in your office when your head decorator, Usopp stepped into your open doorway.

"Uh - hey F/N, your tasting appointment is here, b-but I can take care of it if you'd like."
You rose brows furrowing, "Why would yo-"

Your sentence was strangled by your jumping heart when your eyes fell over Marco standing in the entry with the woman you hoped to never see.

She was terrifyingly beautiful; half-lidded seafoam green eyes complimented her perfect complexion and full lips. Teal waves lapped at her waist, a few locks draped over her shoulders framing the two heart tattoos at the base of her throat.

Usopp's fidgeting pulled you from your spiral.

"Lovely to meet you Ms. Charlotte," you stepped forward to shake her hand pausing unsure of how to address the blond.
"Hey F/N." Marco smirked saving your stumbling brain.
"H-ey." You greeted turning back to his fiancé, "The flavors you chose are all set up in our tasting room. Usopp will show you the way and I will be right behind you."

The intimidating woman's green eyes dropped down to you briefly before she nodded and followed a frantic Usopp to the back of the shop.

"Warning would be nice." You sneered at your ex.
"This way was more fun, yoi." He glanced at you sideways digging his elbow into your side.
"Are you having a good time Mr. Newgate?"
"A little," he admitted with a shrug, "I didn't think I'd get to see you again until her mother suggested your shop, yoi."

A flustered groan pushed passed your lips as you picked up your pace.

The tasting went as well as it could with the exception of your stumbling. You hated that his future wife only saw you as a fumbling idiot.

"Thank you again Amande, we're honored to create your cakes." You shook her hand again glancing over at your ex, "Nice to see you again Marco."

The blond nodded calmly.

"Usopp will you please see them out, I've got another appointment to set up for." The decorator nodded at your request as you nearly sprinted to the safety of your office.

As you were catching your breath at your desk there was a tap on the door.

"What." You sighed face down on your keyboard.
The door opened slowly, "That's not a nice way to greet a client, yoi."
"Shouldn't you be with the ball and chain?" you sat up.
"I'm not tied down yet," he smirked holding up one of your bags, "and Pops wanted one of your tarts."
"Well if that's all." You rose to see him out, but he stepped forward meeting you in the center of the small space.
"It isn't." He bent down pressing you against the desk.

Your breaths mixed in short anticipated pants as his nose brushed against yours sliding down to nuzzle your cheek. Strong arms slithered around your waist pulling you flush with his torso. The two of you stood there for what felt like hours breathing each other in.

"You look good, yoi." he whispered, lips resting on your earlobe.
Tears welled on the edge of your lashes as you choked out a bitter laugh, "I'm a mess."

"I miss you."

Sparks lit up your spine when he shifted, lips grazing your damp cheek. Your hands shot up, fingers gently covering those lips you craved so much. Marco looked down at you honestly surprised by your reaction.

"Don't," you sniffled, "we both know what happens if someone finds out."

He very sweetly kissed your digits and palm bringing his hands up to wipe away your tears. It hurt. It hurt that he'd had no choice but to come in with her, that there was nothing you could do, that neither of you could handle it, that after the last few months your feelings hadn't changed.

Finally, he stepped back.

"Tell the boys I miss 'em." You voiced shakily rubbing your wrists under your eyes.
"I will, yoi." he opened the door, "See you around."

___________

Now you sat alone on a rainy night layering gum paste into fifty different but similar dahlias. It was quiet save for the pounding rain and the hum of the A/C.

You shouldn't be making this stupid cake and supporting his marriage to another woman, but the Charlotte family was enormous and a big client of yours so sadly business played a small factor. The least you could do was make sure it was perfect and hope you didn't have to see either of them at delivery the next day.

After giving the white flowers a pearly finish with some luster dust you began arranging them on the cake you'd covered a few hours ago. It turned into a fight to keep your hands steady as the closer you were to finishing the more real the situation became. It didn't feel like your poor heart would ever recover. You couldn't help but wonder if Marco felt the same. Probably not. He had that gorgeous distraction. You winced at your tortuous thoughts.

The tinkle of the storefront bell caught your ear. You placed the last flower on the cake and stood.

"You usually text before..." You trailed off entering the front room to see the blond you'd been agonizing over all evening.
"Expecting someone else, yoi?" he slurred passed the cigarette clamped in the corner of his lips.
"You can't smoke in here." You scolded moving forward.
"Isn't lit." He tossed it in a nearby bin, "You should keep that locked this late, yoi. Anyone could walk in."
"Can I help you with something?" You asked trying to sound unfazed as you stepped closer to the blond.

In two quick strides he was enveloping you, fingers running up the back of your neck and pulling you in. Bourbon and tobacco filled your senses as he devoured you in an aggressively hungry kiss. You submitted immediately clinging to his drenched plum button down.

He knew if he wasn't fast enough you'd stop him like last time and that wasn't an option.

This felt normal.
This felt right.

All these months without you were horrible. If he wasn't drunk he was chain-smoking, no vice filled the void you left. After spending the evening drinking with his brothers he'd gathered the courage to drop in. He knew you'd be here late, after all he knew what cake you were working on and it was a habit when you were stressed to take the workload on by yourself.

Tugging at the collar of your hoodie his lips trailed down your jaw and neck allowing you to gasp for air. Goosebumps erupted in his wake as you tried to gather your composure.

Was this some sort of dream? If it was you have a pretty sadistic subconscious.

His name left your lips in a sigh when he aimed for the weak spot just at the base of your throat.

"This fucking hoodie needs to go, yoi." He grumbled sliding his hands under the thick cotton fabric covering your torso.

A tiny voice in your head was shouting at you to stop but was quickly stifled when his lips gently came back over yours. Continuing to tug at the hoodie until your left arm was free, you reached up to cup his cheeks and pull away.

"Not here." You breathed nodding toward the display window.

Though it was well passed midnight you didn't want to risk being seen.

An amused laugh rumbled through the male as he turned taking your wrist and dragging you toward your office. Once inside you closed and locked the door for good measure. You hardly had time to turn away from the door before you were met with those lazy blue eyes and a sexy knowing smirk.

There was a lot he wanted to say, but now wasn't the time to speak. As you wiggled the rest of the way out of your hoodie he pushed you up against the dark wooden surface bringing his left knee up between your thighs causing warmth to bloom and spread through you. This time his name took the form of a needy whimper sending a shiver down his spine. How he'd missed your voice.

Deft fingers stripped you of your shirt allowing his sleepy gaze to drink in your curves. You fumbled with the buttons on his shirt giving up midway as the tattoo that covered the expanse of his chest came into view.

Lips still crashing together desperately another shiver wracked through the blond as you ran your hand roughly over the front of his jeans. If you were that ready he was no longer going to hold back, quickly he stepped back to make work of your leggings while you unbuckled his belt. Once your clothes had been disposed of and his jeans hung loose on his hips he moved forward running his hands down your rear to pick you up by your thighs. Not wanting to waste another second, he adjusted you slightly before sheathing himself completely in your warmth.
You gasped gripping his shoulders as he attempted to set a steady pace, quickly finding the wall didn't allow enough leverage.

Clinging to his neck, lips brushing over his ear you spoke, "The desk babe."

Your lust filled tone made him shudder and quickly lift you away from the wall. Once the back of your thighs met the metal surface you released the blond to rake whatever you could onto the floor.

"Ah, like old times, yoi." He chuckled forcing you to lie back.

Soon soft moans and the clap of your hips meeting reverberated off of every wall. What items were left on your desk shifted with every thrust, some eventually falling to the floor.

Marco cursed between ragged breaths as his pace grew sloppy. You gnawed on your lip to hold back from shouting his name. Digits dug into your hips and ass as he bent down to lap at your throat.

Long teasing thrusts turned sharp and deep sending you into a euphoric haze. He felt your legs tighten and knew you'd reached your limit.

His lips trailed teasingly up to your ear, hot uneven breath fanning over your flushed cheek, "Just let go, yoi."

One final intense kiss was all you needed, it worked every time. He reveled in every lewd sound you made as you unraveled just for him eventually pulling him into his own orgasm.

Half-dressed you sat on the floor between Marco's legs, back pressed to his chest, head resting on his shoulder. Assessing the mess you'd made his gaze dropped to a familiar pink legal sized envelope.

He nudged it with his foot, "Who is he, yoi?"
"A doctor if you can believe it," you sighed, "we don't see each other much. I suppose that's my fault."
"Is he good to you?"
You chuckled, "He can be an asshole, but that's kind of how I like 'em."
He smirked kissing your temple, "This is it huh?"
"I guess." you frowned.

You stood and finished dressing. His arms wound around you pulling you close to savor your warmth one last time. Gently he tipped your chin and tenderly kissed your lips. There was no more urgency, no more need just a sweet finality laced with understanding. For the first time you didn't feel like crying as you watched him dip through the doorway followed by the jingle of the storefront bell.

Your phone buzzed in your hoodie pocket.

Law: Shift just ended. I'm coming by the shop with bad cafeteria food.

A/N - I know we have a while to post but I was excited. This is a contest entry for the Majestic AbyssCronica

I chose the Autumn Package
Word count 2,067

** Edit - as of June 9th this story got it's own book - Closure : Trafalgar Law X Reader