"So are you all raring to go for karaoke night?" Hearing the girls hum on the phone, you smiled as you searched through your closet.

"Everyone's probably gonna get wasted before we all even get our turns" you nodded with a sarcastic look on your face.

"Awww, wouldn't it be awesome to run into my soulmate there? Think about it- romantic meet up at night with the passion of music surrounding us, we get closer- the microphone shared between us-" "would you quit it with these fantasies of your's (BF/N)?"

Rolling your eyes as the girls began a lighthearted argument, you beamed at the leather jacket you found hanging near the back.

"Yes- this is perfect!" Smiling happily down at the leather material, you scooped up the phone and grinned, "it's eight thirty guys! Don't be late!"

Hearing them all bid you farewell, you cut the group call and tucked your phone away.

Grabbing the television remote, you flicked the screen on and allowed the news to stream through, subconsciously paying attention to the announcements as you scrapped through your drawers for a matching top.

"-erma 66 has taken out yet another crime ring along with the authorities involved-" gasping at the news, you lunged for the remote and cranked up the volume, keeping your full attention to the photos taken of the aftermath.

Shrieking loudly seeing a mugshot of the Vinsmokes pop up, you clasped your hands together in excitement and felt overjoyed seeing the grins on their faces.

You were in fact a loyal Germa fan.

A little while ago when the 'soulmate wars' were just beginning to settle down a little, during a really bad turf war near your home, you got caught in the crossfire and nearly died, if the Vinsmokes didn't appear and disturb their fight, you wouldn't have been able to sneak off and live to tell the tale.

Unfortunately during such a hectic time, you couldn't properly approach your saviors and thank them face to face- even if that was a safe idea, so ever since then you've shown your appreciation by cheering them on whenever you could.

"Go Germa! I got your back whenever!" Smiling happily, once the reporters moved onto a different topic, you switched the electrical equipment off and glanced at the clock.

'5:10'

Stretching in boredom, you stared off into space outside the window for a while, until you blinked when a course of action hit you.

"Bath.." clumsily marching through the room without really paying attention to your surroundings, you walked out the open door and marched down the broken up stairway.

After that one turf war, every other occupant left the apartment, even the owners jumped ship- or they died, you weren't really certain, essentially the whole building was a ghost town.

But you didn't mind, it was the New World district after all, nobody ever really stayed if they didn't want to get mugged, the district was a cool place to visit if you liked fast paced calamities that came with an adrenaline rush- but it was a terrible place to live for too long.

Though you were an exception to that since you've been here for awhile- although the main reason you stayed was because you didn't have to pay rent to anybody.

Making it outside, you took in a soft breath of smoky air, before making your way to the bathhouse.

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Ichiji monotonously viewed the soldiers training below his balcony, each man fought strong and diligently picked out weak points in their opponents- just like they were made to do, just like Ichiji knew they were supposed to do.

Returning to his room in the mansion, the redhead shed himself of his cape and slumped onto his bed, not exactly knowing what to do with himself in his free time- in fact he never knew what to do with himself when there wasn't a mission to preoccupy himself with.

Thinking back to his last mission, Ichiji backtracked everything that happened- right down to the very fine details, how damn easy it was, how efficiently fast they were done with the deed, how it was irritatingly a complete and utter waste of his time and energy.

Honestly, he thought he should have been annoyed- but he wasn't.

He just felt empty.

It was always a void of nothingness that engulfed his soul, it never bothered him, nor did he ever think he should have been bothered by such nullity, it was just always there.

He was a soldier who would die to complete his mission- simple as that.

Until it suddenly wasn't simple anymore.

Feeling the bridge of his nose moisten, the prince removed his sunglasses and rubbed the creases in between his eyes calmly, though he was silently put under confusion when something contracted in his chest at the memories.

There was one day where something just changed.

During a mission to aid some group in their meaningless turf war, as the violence of the utter annihilation of their enemies sweeped over the streets- which wasn't as difficult as it should have been, something changed.

He actually felt something- or at least he thought that's what it was.

He didn't notice it at first as he was wiping out the low-lives, but as the dust began to settle a little more, the prince could feel his blood was pumping a little warmer- as if excited.

He was left puzzled feeling this for the first time, it was unusual- but admittedly not entirely unwelcome.

After pondering over it for a good few minutes once the fight was officially over, he could say that it felt nice- enjoyable in its own way.

It was something akin to a fire and a magnet, once his brothers pointed it out to him, Ichiji realized his body was repeatedly trying to lure him in the same direction- a direction that felt warmer.

Curious..

As his family finalized the details with their clients, the oldest son focused solely on the new sensations traveling through his body, it was a rushed, warm feeling- surprisingly he could actually feel his heart beating in his chest, that was new as well.

He didn't exactly know what to make of it, but ultimately Ichiji found himself enjoying it- like a pastime or something to distract himself with.

Yes, he decided he liked it very much.

But then it went away just as suddenly as it appeared.

Once he returned to Germa, the sensation was absent, no longer could he feel the gentle thumping of his heart against his own rib-cage, the warm blood in his veins slowed down- returning to a dull drift.

The next thing Ichiji realized was that he was strangely left amiss, the void inside himself that he never thought once about was suddenly plaguing the back of his mind to the point he was getting behind on sleep- not that it bothered him, it was just something he noticed.

He couldn't stop feeling cold for some reason, he was constantly freezing- was he always this frigid?

Absentmindedly pressing his palm to his chest, Ichiji paused- as if waiting for something- his heartbeat to thump back.

But it never did- of course it wouldn't since he was modified to have such a slow paced heart to fool enemies, his heartbeat was impossible to feel, and for some reason, that really bugged him.

He could feel it that one time back then, so why not now?

The Vinsmoke didn't like this feeling of chills, it was like his innards were constantly coated with ice, and it slowed him down during missions- the redhead truly began to think this would start to interfere with his purpose.

That wouldn't do at all.

He already went to the useless physicians, but the damn worms couldn't deem anything unfit with him, he consulted with his father afterwards, but the man deemed it as merely his imagination.

Ichiji already thought of that possibility- but the coldness that persisted prompted him to think otherwise.

Then there was his nosy sister, apparently she overheard his complaints and confronted him about it, Reiju asked him strange questions that he never really thought about before.

The whole exchange between them was foreign.

With the way she specifically asked about certain things, he thought that maybe he finally found a means of discovering the discomfort he was feeling, but when he questioned her, the pinkette just shrugged her shoulders and sauntered off.

Sighing at nothing in particular, the prince dragged himself away from the cold sheets pooling around his mattress and confronted the thermostat.

'31 °C'

Raising a hand to the vents, he felt the tips of his fingers tingle at the full force of lukewarm air blowing in.

Suddenly not wanting to be there anymore, Ichiji roughly tore his cape off it's hook with more force than needed and marched into the corridors of his home, still feeling hopelessly cold- but now there was something stirring in his chest.

"Ichiji-" Reiju halted midway, catching the deep scowl in his features, "what are you doing?" Keeping a safe distance from the other, she observed carefully- not quite expecting the reaction she got.

"That's not your business" it wasn't what he said that took her by surprise, she knew Ichiji would say something vague, but it was the tone, there was no apparent malice, no hints of anger, but she could tell he wasn't alright hearing how fast he answered, snappish, almost biting.

Ichiji was upset, he was never upset.

Yonji and Niji sometimes exhibited aggression now and again, they would demonstrate human emotions such as anger, irritation, or sadistic glee- most likely a small effect from Sora's poison, but Ichiji was clearly the one who was left completely untouched by her desperate attempt to humanize him.

He only showed cool professionalism, used nothing but facts and data to guide his decisions, never once has he raised his voice in anger, never did he strike out in aggression, the prince didn't gain any pleasure in anything.

Well, until now.

The redhead was going to walk by her, feeling like beating this unknown pressure out by training with some of the soldiers, he didn't expect the other to suddenly grap ahold of his hand.

Her- her hand felt warm.

Reiju just expected the other to slap her hand away, like he always did when someone tried to get close to him without warning, but gasped when her brother abruptly whirled at her and clamped both his fists down on her's, squeezing roughly as if he was trying to drain the life out of it.

"You're warm.." the female felt her jaw slightly drop in disbelief, watching Ichiji's facial expressions mold back into a concentrated, monotonous blank, staring hard down at their joined hands.

She had suspicions after overhearing his complaints to their father and the physicians, but after questioning him herself, she dubbed it just a foolish assumption seeing nothing change in her brother's phlegmatic demeanor.

But there was no denying it now, Ichiji was feeling.

It was weak, and clearly he still had a lot to go before he was in touch with any of his emotions, but he was still feeling.

..Perhaps their mother's efforts weren't as wasted as she originally thought- perhaps there was a chance to save her three younger brothers along with the future of their family yet.

"When did you start to feel cold, pray tell?" Ichiji lifted his head to stare at her blankly through his shades, taking this as another interrogation, "once we returned to Germa from that mission concerning the Branch turf war"

Reiju narrowed her eyes in thought, "did anything happen before that?" The younger brother remained silent in his thoughts, mind rushing back to the vacant streets he littered with bodies.

"After the mission was complete, I noticed that I felt.. warm, while we were there" the noblewoman hummed at the information.

Could it be?

Ichiji wasn't the type to bathe in the blood of his enemies, that was more like Niji's character if anyone's, the only other explanation would be..

"Have you ever tried going back there? To investigate?" Ichiji shook his head, "no, when I was there, I felt something trying to lure me away" that was all the evidence Reiju needed.

Turning away from him, Ichiji held on for a moment, but ultimately the prince let go of his sister's hand, reluctantly, letting her walk away.

"This evening you should search around the New World district, you might just find something warm" blinking suspiciously at her cryptic tone, the other stood monotonously in the empty halls once she left.

Reiju's little warmth already having been sapped out of him, he subconsciously brought a hand to his chest, not noticing it clenching the fabric frustratedly until his collar was crumpled up.

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You sat quite saddened in the cheap, rundown bar, chugging down another large cupful of umeshu.

You hiccuped quite loudly when sucking in a deep breath, clumsily slamming the empty mug on the counter, "another one!"

The woman glanced at you with commiseration, "(Y/N), I don't think that much is good for you.." snarling defiantly at what she was suggesting, you thrusted the empty mug forwards, and watched her sigh tiredly as it slowly refilled itself to the brim at the snap of your fingers.

"I am getting absolutely bombed and there's nothing you can do to stop me" she rolled her eyes, "at least write down somewhere that it's not my fault if you die, jesus" returning to the few other customers around, she didn't address you again, as you continued to drown your sorrows in alcohol.

How could those selfish bastards cancel your karaoke night last minute like that?! Did they know how little you left the house? Did they know how long it took for you to decide on a look?! You were wearing your favorite fucking boots for Christ's sake!

"Th-those bitches better be sorry if I end up in a drain pipe- hic" snapping your fingers again, the bottle refilled itself before you swallowed the contents dry, and the cycle repeated.

Slamming your weighty head onto the counter, not minding at all if your hair soaked in some booze, you just let your heavy brain buzz about, ranting internally to no one.

'I work my ass off everyday to reach my goals- even when I don't need to, and this is how life thanks me?! I could be chilling in the North Blue district right now, eating yummy shit and real ass booze!' Sucking down another mouthful, you just sighed tiredly.

'I wonder if they just made that shit up and went without me' you stared blandly out the window at that.

"Oh shit- hic" you spat out whatever was left in your mouth in surprise seeing a very distinguished white vehicle drift out of the street corner you were just staring at.

With a recognizable bold red double digit insignia painted on both sides of the car.

Oh holy fuck.

Swallowing thickly at the sleek mode of transportation, you had the vivid hope that just for a moment you could catch a glimpse of the redhead you knew had to be inside.

Flushing hopelessly red, your weakened grasp let the mug fall from your fingertips and tumble away, landing somewhere under the counter completely forgotten.

"Oh god did she hit her limit already?" Not even hearing the bartender anymore, your head just dragged itself a little closer to the windows, still laid on the counter.

You felt your heartbeat hasten seeing the vehicle roll to a halt on the other side of the street, you gulped down a cluster of air with wide orbs, focusing solely on the uniformed servant that stepped out of the driver's seat and made his way to the back-

"Ohhh" you sat upright, leaning nearly upside-down eagerly when the door was opened.

A single leg slipped out, and the rest of the body didn't hesitate to emerge out of the shadows smoothly- like melted gold, your cheeks resembled red paint splotches at this point, the prince tugged slightly on his collar as if he was self conscious- which was damn ridiculous, even the goddamn city smog cleared in shyness of this regal god who stood imposing, powerful, and holy fuCK HE'S COMING THIS WAY.

He marched towards the bar with no hesitation, no nonsense, his steps were patterned, controlled, even.

Hissing in a pleased moan at his unbelievably gorgeous face- how dare those sunglasses block view of his beautiful eyes, you slumped all over your seat.

Fuck you could watch him all day.

Only when he made it to the front door- and proceeded to enter the said front door did you finally feel suspiciously sober.

Oh damn- he was coming in.

Without thinking first, you lunged over the counter- much to the poor girl's surprise, and scramble onto the floor on the other side.

"What in tarnation-" "shh! I need to leave!" Glancing up at the woman with helpless (E/C) orbs, she softened, only to stiffen up once the noble man made it to her field of vision.

"M-Mister- uh, V-Vinsmoke, what brings you to my b-bar?" Your body was practically soaking in a nervous sweat as she abruptly made herself busy, trying to look natural.

As he scanned the many patrons hanging about, you watched the bartender's orbs continuously stare in the direction you guessed he was standing- suddenly your attention was brought to a dingy crate she subtly kicked with her heel.

Sliding over to it, you brightened up finding a tiny back door.

Yes.

Giving the woman a short appreciative nod, you wiggled through the tight space, huffing at the tightness, your discomfort was short-lived once you popped out of the  other side.

Then you picked yourself up, shivered feeling the wind stab through the fabric of your coat, and proceeded to hurriedly jog down the sidewalk.

You felt kinda bad about chickening out on finally thanking the man who inadvertently saved your life but- your body failed on you the moment you saw his face.

God, the thought of actually facing such perfection embarrassed you, trying to talk to him as if you were on equal footing? Yeah right!

Though the image of being near the Germa prince couldn't be shaken from your mind.

Shit, your heart was fluttering out of control.. you needed to sleep this off at home.

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Ichiji ignored the bartender and meticulously broke down everything around him with his eyes, looking for the source of the warmth pumping in his chest.

Originally he wasn't going to follow Reiju's advice, he had no reason to go out of his way and dare walk amongst the filth scattered about in the New World- he had a status, a reputation to keep above the lowly commoners.

But he found himself going anyway, with nothing else to do then joining his family in dinner- which he found himself not wanting to do as of late.

Although any doubts he had before were long gone now- the warmth was back.

Once again he was addicted.

He could feel his heart beat like a normal person's again, he could feel the soft powerful heat radiate from within him, it felt nicer than he remembered.

But then he felt the heat source stray from his reach, and the prince immediately went into action.

He could feel the warmth moving away- they were already out of the bar, jawline set tight and expression kept hard, the redhead disregarded any remark the woman behind the counter made and moved out.

Breathing in the crisp night air, Ichiji dully noted how it felt even colder with his warmth moving away.

His- yes, his warmth.

He had to get to it before it vanishes again, not even responding to his servant, he waved the man off as he marched a little faster past the bar.

As he moved as quickly as he could- he noticed how the warmth would flicker away a little faster in response, as time wore on it got to the point where he was nearly ready to full on rush to his awaiting prize.

But it seemed he didn't need to once he rounded the corner, stilling at the exhausted female laying heavily against the opposite wall.

The female emitting such an aura of coziness.

His chest felt choked up and puffed out, Ichiji was aware that he probably had hearts springing from his eyes- the woman was blatantly gorgeous.

Her clothes were trendy- she looked like she was heading to somewhere populous and with considerable prestige, her hair was slightly frayed about but still had it's glistening, soft appearance.

But the eyes, Ichiji immediately felt his heart thump the moment those eyes stared at him- shit she had such fascinating eyes.

They were a limpid white with bright reds, yellows, and (E/C)s sparkling along the edges of her irises, she was simply resplendent.

Approaching the female completely unafraid, her face flushed an enjoyable red that made the prince's chest thrum pleasantly.

Though he blinked fuzzily behind his sunglasses- which were fogging up, feeling how hot he was from underneath the collar once he had her pinned to the spot.

She was so warm, Ichiji momentarily felt his breath halt up in his trachea as he held onto her hands, all he could do was refuse to let go and continue to drown in her crystalline gaze.

His heart was thumping powerfully against his rib-cage now, moving along with his clouded instincts, Ichiji removed his hands away from her's, and over to the woman's waist.

Everything just felt so right once he had a secure hold on her.

He felt something click excitedly within him when she gasped briskly at the contact, and her rosy cheeks darkened in colour- god the heat was beginning to get to his head, the redhead could barely think rationally.

He should've backed away, he should've kept his distance to try and make sense out what was going on- but he couldn't.

Not when all the warmth he's ever wanted was engulfing him so pleasantly- not with the beautiful woman looking at him as if he was the greatest thing in the world.

..Was it getting hot out here?

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Holy fuck.

Holy fuck.

What was even happening anymore? But you swore to god the eldest prince of Germa, was cooping you up in his arms and squeezing the shit out of your waist- was your ribs cracking?

Clearly the guy didn't know his own strength- or completely understand the fragility of other human beings.

You blinked and felt the embarrassment begin to radiate all over your body, making you feel uncomfortably sweaty, he was still there- you weren't dreaming holy shit.

Swallowing thickly, the bold and monotonous redhead didn't look like he was planning to do anything else but stand there and keep his death grip on you- so without overthinking it you opened your big mouth.

"..So..you're- uh, whatcha- um, whatcha.." your voice came out huskier and more throatily than intended, biting your lip in shyness, the man just continued to watch you from beneath his sunglasses, you couldn't tell but now you thought he was watching your lips.

Keep your cool, keep your cool..

That was until he slowly leaned towards your face, manly smooth lips subtly curving into an expression of baited breath.

Keep cool! Keep cool!

You continued to internally freak out until- you felt your whole body cry in adoration and infatuation feeling his god luscious lips prey down on your own.

Screw logic, screw everything you were making out with a fucking gorgeous prince.

Moaning helplessly as he dauntlessly welcomed himself into your mouth, you whined feeling his appendage tickle the roof of your mouth aggressively and play with your tongue.

To your utter delight the shameless devil of a man groaned briskly back.

You were ready to drop at this point.

Breaking from the kiss, while you were left disheveled- your precious clear eyes were hazy with unshed moisture, clouding up your vision, your hair was now slightly frizzier and static-y, your lips were left bruised and bright red, and you were most definitely sure your blush was probably giving quite the desperate appearance.

While the damn godly prince looked right as rain, his shining locks were still in place- not a single hair dared to stray, his face was nonchalant, and the sight really made you want to whine in frustration, while you were left melting in his grasp he still looked- wait a sec.

..Was that a blush?

You had to stare directly at his cheeks to notice- but yeah, his cheeks were faintly painted a pale pinkish peachy glow.

"You're coming back with me.." gasping sharply at his voice, your body was left tingling as the powerful man picked you up and carried you off like a child.

Damn, he could lift you with ease, squeezing tightly onto his shoulders, the redhead felt his eyes spring hearts again as your breasts pressed against his chest.

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By now the blush on Ichiji's face was a perfectly coral pink- to the astonishment of his siblings and father.

"Ichiji.." Reiju blinked widely at the sight of her brother, for the first time she watched him fidget, uncomfortably sweaty with you sleeping away, carelessly draped over his strong, rough torso.

The princess suspected the source of her brother's plight might have been a soulmate but- the pinkette certainly wasn't expecting you to be so cute.

Though the female smirked rosily behind her closed fist anyway, there was hope...

Watching Niji and Yonji lean over you with lecherous and envious looks- whilst Ichiji looked ready to kick them both through the wall, she hung back as their father began to grow excited with the thought of how powerful his eldest son will be with a soulmate.

Reiju smiled seeing Ichiji give a small frown of irritation as he bickered with his brothers.

"Sanji..there may be some hope for this family yet.."