Thema: One Piece

Here it is! The first chapter of my Vivi x Pell fic! But before I start some remarks.

First of all his name! I know that his English name is Pell, but I don't like it. When I watched the 8th movie I was relieved when I heard that his original name is Peru. (That's his name in German, too.) So I call him Peru in this story.

The other names. I know most of them, but not all. For example Terracotta, who occurs in this chapter. That's her German name and I have no idea if it's the same in English.

The rating. It's M for reason. And that means not only the sex scenes.

Disclaimer. I don't own One Piece. Otherwise not all of the fatally injured would survive. Unfortunately Peru would be one of them, 'cause surviving a bomb detonation when carrying it is actually impossible, it should be even in that world. So it's good that One Piece and the fate of all it's characters belong to Eiichiro Oda.

Last of all the story. I hope the characters aren't OOC. Please tell me if they are! And please review after reading! It only takes two minutes and helps me a lot, no matter if it's praise or flames!

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Chapter 1: Nightmares

Vivi stood at the window and watched Chaka and Peru walking on the premises. They were chatting, maybe about private matters, but probably about Alabasta. After all they were the guardians of this country, the jackal and the falcon.

Half a year ago it seemed as if there were only one guardian left, since Peru sacrificed himself to save the people in Alubarna by carrying a huge bomb high into the sky during the civil war. The bomb was part of the scheme the now former Shichibukai Sir Crocodile had planned; it should eliminate both the rebels and the imperial army who were fighting in the streets of the capital city.

A tomb was built for the guardian and his death was mourned by many, only his best friend Chaka believed that he survived. He turned out to have been right; two weeks after the defeat of Sir Crocodile and his Baroque Works Peru showed up in front of the palace. Although he had been seriously injured, he set off to return to Alubarna after a few days rest at an old man's place in the desert. Now he was almost recovered, but he had still some wounds that had not healed yet. Nevertheless he had already returned to his duties.

Vivi smiled. She had been very glad when she was told he survived. As fast as possible she had run to the throne hall where her father was welcoming Peru home. Full of joy she had flung her arms around his neck and stayed at his side for the rest of the day to fully convince herself that he was alive.

As happy as she had been about his homecoming, she now feared his death more than ever. She got nightmares in which he suddenly disappeared or in which she had to watch him die again and again. Frequently she lied to Igaram about her health, her mood, anything, only to give him a reason to send Peru to have a look at her while she was sleeping. She needed him at her side when she was waking up from her nightmares, so that she could see he was still here. She was afraid of losing him again. She would not be able to lose him again. His death would be her death, too.

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At sunset Terracotta entered Vivi's bedroom to help her change her clothes. "Princess, it is time to go to bed!", she said.

Vivi smiled and laid aside the novel she was reading. "You know that I'm not going to bed yet."

Terracotta laughed and started to untie the corset. "Your father would not be pleased if he knew it. In his eyes you're still his little girl. Let him believe you are already sleeping. Anyway you are staying in your room, aren't you?"

Vivi chuckled. "You're right. It doesn't matter what I'm wearing while I'm reading." She breathed in deep when the corset was removed. It might look good, but it was not a pleasure to have difficulty in breathing the whole day.

Two minutes later she was wearing her sleeping dress and picked up the book. "Terracotta!", she called Igaram's wife back. "I don't feel well. Could you send Peru, please?"

Terracotta frowned. "You aren't feeling well a little bit too often, princess.", she noticed. "I hope you are not ill!"

Vivi smiled. "I don't hope so! Maybe it's only that you're lacing up the corset too tight!", she replied. She had a bad conscience, because she was lying again, but she needed Peru at her side.

"Maybe. I will send Peru to you as soon as I meet him! Good night!" With that the older woman left her alone.

Vivi became absorbed by the novel again, the only light a little oil lamp on the table beside her armchair. She spent about half an hour reading, when she heard a soft knocking. "Come in!", she said, already knowing who it was.

Peru followed her request and smiled as he closed the door. "If you are not feeling well, you should be in bed, princess!", he said.

His soft voice made the butterflies dancing in her stomach. She smiled at him and laid down the book.

He knew that it was only an excuse for having him here. Once she had waken up screaming and had to tell him about her nightmares. Since he knew her fears he came each time she called for him, even if he had something else to do. She was grateful for that. His presence was enough for her to sleep peaceful, the nightmares became rare when he was here.

"I wanted to finish the chapter!", she explained and pointed at the book. She knew he could see through her. That she was afraid of falling asleep when she was alone. But he left it at that and crossed the room.

Vivi crawled under the covers of her huge bed and snuggled down in her pillow. She watched Peru with half-closed eyes as he laid down his scarf and his necklace at the windowsill. And while she was wondering what the guardian might think when he looked at Alubarna, she fell asleep.

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Peru had sat down in the armchair and had soon dozed off. He was roused by a scream and instantly he was at the princess' bed and embraced her. "It's okay! I'm here!", he reassured her while stroking her back.

When she told him about her dreams, he had wondered why she was so afraid of losing him again. But it was obvious: they had always get along with each other very well, more like brother and sister than guardian and princess.

Vivi cuddled up to him and buried her face in his robe. "Don't leave me!", she whispered.

"Don't be afraid! I stay with you!", Peru said softly. On one hand he was pleased that he meant so much to her, on the other hand he was worried about her because of her nightmares. She had them for longer than half a year!

"Peru?"

"Princess?"

"Can… can you lay by my side tonight?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"I… don't think that's a good idea.", he replied slowly.

"Please!", she begged. "So that I know you're still here!"

Peru looked at her in silence. It would get him into trouble, if someone got to know about this. But he could not see the princess cry. At least because of him! He gently wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "Alright!", he gave in. "But don't tell anyone!"

Vivi nodded and gave him a smile. "Thank you!" She slid aside to make room for him, but he hesitated and asked himself if he really should do this. However, he threw away his doubts and laid down beside her. On the covers. The situation was awkward enough without the both of them under the same blanket.

Vivi snuggled up to him and he put an arm around her. He had the feeling he had to protect her although there was nothing threatening her. Nothing, but the nightmares and against those he was helpless.

He knew she was still awake, because of her irregular breathing. Therefore he could ask her something. "What have you dreamed about this time?"

"You… you fell from the bell tower.", Vivi answerd. "You wanted to turn into a falcon, but didn't succeed. Suddenly you were caught in an iron net of… of Sir Crocodile. And then… then… He started to torture you!" Her voice revealed that she was crying. "He has… He has… your eyes… your eyes were…" She sobbed.

"Hush, don't cry!", Peru said and stroke her cheek. "It was only a dream! You see, I'm here!"

"Luckily for me!", she muttered and laid her own hand down on his.

He blinked in surprise. This was something he had not expected, just as the following action. She took his hand and… kissed it?

He cleared his throat. "Princess?"

"Don't leave me!", she whispered and cuddled up to him a bit more.

He hold his breath. She was so near, he could feel her heartbeat and her warm breath at his neck. His heart started to pound and he could not resist stroking her lips with his thumb. She trembled at this touch and Peru stiffened. This he had never considered to be possible. He remembered her behaviour towards him after he came back. Why hadn't he noticed earlier? It had been obvious! But still he could not believe it. For heaven's sake, he was thirteen years older than her! And above all he was a warrior! And she was the princess! But nevertheless she had fallen in love with him.

His mind told him to get up and extend the distance between the princess and him as much as possible, to say nothing of how stupid he had been laying down in her bed. He should take care of the princess and ensure that she was happy, not break her heart.

But he cold not move. Instead, his lips found their way to hers.

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So this was the first chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. Please review!