Cavendish and Bartolomeo share an intimate moment in the bathroom but things don't end as well as they had begun.
During the first seconds Cavendish didn't react. He just kept still with his eyes wide opened and a shocked expression stuck on his face while assimilating that he was being kissed by none other than Bartolomeo the Cannibal, and to his surprise it wasn't the kind of kiss that he had expected to receive from such a rude the pirate.
Instead of harsh or rough, the kiss Cavendish was experiencing right then was tender, so light that it could be considered a mere brush of lips, but curiously it had the same effect on him than all those passionate kisses that he had shared in the past, or even a more intense effect because Cavendish didn't remember that his heart beat so fast and that his stomach tightened in such a way just because a simple kiss.
Cavendish felt beads of sweat traveling down his back. He didn't know if it had been Bartolomeo's intention but somehow it seemed as if the green-haired pirate was waiting for his reaction, as if he was giving him the option to keep playing the game or put an end to it. And Cavendish knew what he had to do, at least if he wanted not to complicate things more than they were, if he wanted not to get involved too deeply with that idiot.
But apparently, what he had to do didn't match with what he wanted to do. And apparently it seemed that the emotions of the day had obscured his common sense because Cavendish couldn't find any other reason to explain what it happened next, that was to close his eyes slowly and press his lips back against Bartolomeo's ones, joining him in the kiss.
Bartolomeo had to suppress a relieved sigh when Cavendish responded. He had acted impulsively and a part of him had been afraid that Cavendish pushed him away, but it seemed that his intuition had been correct and that insufferable pirate liked him more than he would ever admit, and he planned to take advantage of it.
Consequently, Bartolomeo didn't hesitate to dive forward to kiss Cavendish again without giving him time to regret his decision. Bartolomeo had to suppress a smirk when Cavendish's breathing hitched with surprise, as if he had been in part expecting that everything ended with just that kiss. Too bad, Cavendish. There was no way that he was going to leave it just like that, so after releasing the blonde pirate's wrist Bartolomeo enclosed his arms around Cavendish's slender waist while making sure not to stop moving his lips against Cavendish's ones, still with calm.
Bartolomeo was happy when Cavendish's response was to enclose his arms around his neck while kissing back, his initial hesitation completely vanished. And godammit, that pompous bastard surely knew how to press the correct buttons to make his blood hotter, because the way Cavendish was teasingly tugging at his bottom lip between his perfect white teeth after every brief kiss, nipping it as if he was challenging Bartolomeo to do something else, was making the green-haired pirate more and more aroused.
Cavendish didn't bother to suppress a triumphant smile when Bartolomeo let out a low grunt after he used his tongue to slowly lick the green-pirate's bottom lip. He knew that Bartolomeo was going to react to that kind of playfulness. After all, Bartolomeo seemed like the kind of guy who directly jumped to the main action and probably he wasn't used to have a little of foreplay, so he was disposed to teach him a lesson in that matter.
Or well, that would have been his next step if at that moment Bartolomeo hadn't kissed him again with almost fury, making Cavendish unable to do anything but surrender to those lips that felt unexpectedly better than any other that he had previously tasted. But damn, it wasn't enough. Those still superficial kisses weren't enough to the desire that had begun to coil in the pit of his stomach, and for the way Bartolomeo's hands were grabbing his waist with impatience Cavendish deduced that it was time already to speed up things a little.
After a couple of failed attempts they managed to find the right angle to kiss properly. Bartolomeo's teeth made impossible for Cavendish to capture Bartolomeo's mouth the way he was used to do when kissing someone, since the pirate's fangs would surely hurt him, but as long as Cavendish controlled his impulse to tilt his head to try to deepen the kiss it would be fine. Damn, more than fine, because the way Bartolomeo's tongue was now rolling together with his, around his, against his, was making Cavendish's stomach tighten with excitation. Definitely the bastard hadn't lied when saying that he had a pretty awesome mouth. Cavendish was dying to feel it in other parts of his body and if things kept escalating maybe his wish would be fulfilled.
Encouraged by that last thought Cavendish tangled his fingers in Bartolomeo's green strands while intensifying even more the kiss, which was becoming more passionate with every second that passed. Bartolomeo's hair was way softer than Cavendish expected it would be, and Cavendish found himself caressing it through his fingers. However, at some point Bartolomeo's tongue hit a particular sensitive place inside Cavendish's mouth, and the blonde pirate couldn't help to let out a soft whine while unconsciously pulling Bartolomeo's hair.
The unexpected yank caused Bartolomeo to stop the kiss suddenly while exhaling a surprised groan. Cavendish was about to apologize, thinking that maybe he had hurt the green-haired pirate, but when seeing the way Bartolomeo's breathing had become just a little heavier the concern of Cavendish's eyes was replaced by understanding.
So Bartolomeo liked to be treated a little roughly. Well, Cavendish definitely could work with that, so without giving Bartolomeo time to recover his breathing Cavendish kissed the pirate demandingly, slipping his tongue inside the green-haired pirate's mouth again while making sure to grab Bartolomeo's hair with more force this time.
Cavendish knew that he had guessed right Bartolomeo's kink when the green-haired pirate grunted even loudly while kissing back with fervor. However, Cavendish didn't have time to praise himself for his deduction because at that moment Bartolomeo switched their positions, causing Cavendish to end with his lower back against the sink. The rude impact made Cavendish let out a soft whine of protest that turned into one of pleasure when Bartolomeo began to grind their hips in a rather violent pace.
Oh, Cavendish thought with surprise, grabbing the border of the sink with one of his hands while the other kept grabbing the back of Bartolomeo's hair with force. Oh god. It felt good. Way too good. And even if he knew that he should feel embarrassed because the Pirate Prince definitely shouldn't be enjoying that animal, primal act he couldn't help it. His hips were unconsciously rutting against Bartolomeo as well, searching more of that friction, and he found himself internally praying that Bartolomeo dared to be even bolder and suddenly decided that they were wearing too much clothes because Cavendish wanted to feel that idiot's skin. He wanted to feel those unfair muscles against his body. He wanted more. Much more.
Bartolomeo let out a low curse while staring at Cavendish, whose eyes were now shut closed and his mouth half-opened and inches apart from Bartolomeo's own parted lips, letting out soft moans with every thrust of Bartolomeo's hips. With another grunt Bartolomeo kissed Cavendish again, sealing partially his moans while keeping grinding against the pirate, who was also moving back against him with way more enthusiasm than Bartolomeo had expected. Shit, the friction between their crotches felt incredible, and that idiot's lips tasted better than the best damn food that he had managed to have in his mouth, and those fucking cute noises that Cavendish kept letting out were driving him absolutely crazy. Damn it, he wanted to do more, to hear more, he wanted…
Purupurupuru…Purupurupuru…
Bartolomeo and Cavendish jumped startled, stopping completely their actions when that sound invaded the room.
"Is that your phone?", Bartolomeo asked after a few seconds, his voice sounding a little raspy because of the intense make out session that he had just shared with Cavendish.
"I-I think it is", Cavendish cleared his throat and after fumbling with his pocket he managed to grab the little den den mushi in time to answer, "Y-yes?...Oh, it's you Suleiman… Yes, everything has gone right…"
During Cavendish's conversation Bartolomeo realized that he was still surrounding Cavendish's waist. He was about to release the pirate but just at that moment Cavendish hanged up, so at the end he remained in that position.
"S-Sorry, my men wanted to verify that I was okay", Cavendish said a little nervously, returning the den den mushi to his pocket.
"Cool", Bartolomeo answered simply, just to say something.
A tense silence fell in the bathroom, and when seeing that Cavendish was busy looking at everywhere but him Bartolomeo decided to be the one in breaking the ice again.
"Weeell, call me dumb but I think that we were just in the middle of something just before that Suleiman called you…"
When hearing Bartolomeo overly casual tone Cavendish couldn't help to exhale a short chuckle. He dared to look at Bartolomeo again and when seeing the way the pirate was smiling teasingly at him Cavendish felt guiltiness invading him, because now that they had calmed down and he had come back to his senses he was beginning to regret what had just happened.
Even if it had felt good. Incredibly good. And damn, that just made everything worse.
"Umh… Cavendish, are you okay?", Bartolomeo asked, confused for the mortified expression that Cavendish was suddenly showing.
Cavendish gulped.
Damn, doing what he was going to do was way more difficult now.
"Look, Bartolomeo…", Cavendish forced himself to look at the other pirate in the eyes when talking next. He had decided to tell Bartolomeo the truth. After everything it had happened he owed him at least that much, "…I'm not going to deny that I feel attracted to you. After these two days of working together and…and well, after what was about to happen a month ago…"
"Wait, what was about to happen a month ago?"
Cavendish half-closed his eyes because he perfectly knew that Bartolomeo was feigning obliviousness.
"You want me to say it, right?"
Bartolomeo smirked.
"Yep, I want you to"
Cavendish exhaled a deep sigh full of patience before speaking again, making sure to fix his blue eyes on Bartolomeo intensely while putting special emphasis in certain words that he knew were going to make that smirking idiot react.
"Well, if my memory isn't failing me it was a month ago when I got pretty drunk and ended straddling your lap, about to get completely and absolutely naked in front of you, and practically begging you to have sex with me and…"
"Okay stop or I'm going to get a boner"
Cavendish found himself laughing, not expecting that bold but sincere comment.
"It's you the one who has asked for details"
Bartolomeo lost the battle against the smile that ended forming on his face after hearing Cavendish's too innocent reply.
"Fair enough", he ended admitting, "sorry for the interruption, you were saying something about feeling irremediably attracted to me"
Cavendish rolled his eyes with a tiny smile before speaking with a more serious tone, mimicking Bartolomeo's stance by settling his hands on the green-haired pirate's hips.
"Yes, I do. I told you already that in order to sleep with someone I need to like that person first, and the same goes to make out with someone. But…", Cavendish stopped to put in order his thoughts before continuing speaking, "…but even if it would be pointless to deny the obvious chemistry that god-knows-how exists between you and me, I don't think that this…", Cavendish signaled Bartolomeo and him alternatively with his hand, "…can ever work"
Bartolomeo frowned with confusion.
"Why not? You have admitted right now that you feel attracted to me and I feel attracted to you too, so I don't see any problem here"
Cavendish exhaled a nervous chuckle.
"It's not that simple. We have a reputation to keep"
Bartolomeo raised an eyebrow
"Cavendish, we are pirates. The words 'pirates' and 'reputation' don't go very well together unless you add 'bad' in the middle"
"Hey, speak for yourself!", Cavendish crossed his arms, slightly offended, "maybe you don't mind to have bad reputation but I plan to become the most handsome and popular pirate of the world and for that to be possible my reputation has to be the best of all!"
"Okay, okay, I get it, but still I don't see what reputation, bad or not, has to do with us liking each other"
Cavendish sighed with certain impatience.
"It has everything to do with it. I mean, in your case, what do you think that people would think if they knew that the fearsome Bartolomeo the Cannibal is somehow dating the Pirate Prince? Don't you think that you would stop being feared? That you would begin to be mocked instead?"
Bartolomeo blinked a couple of times before answering.
"Cavendish, you are talking to the man who pissed in front of the whole crowd of the Corrida Colisseum. Do you think that I give a damn about what people could think about me?"
"Thank you, Bartolomeo, I had totally forgotten that precious image so I appreciate that you have made me remember it"
"Oh, so that wasn't one of the causes for which you began to be interested in me?"
"Absolutely not!"
Bartolomeo barked a laugh when hearing Cavendish's fast reply. There was a short pause that the green-haired pirate ended breaking, making sure to adopt the most casual tone ever.
"And what about you, Cavendish? Do you mind what people may think?"
Cavendish's brief moment of hesitation was all the answer that Bartolomeo needed. And he deduced that despite his attempts of showing a relaxed attitude Cavendish had detected the tension on him because when he spoke there was guiltiness in his voice.
"Look, it's not that I'm ashamed of you or anything but as I was saying before my dream is to become the…"
"…most handsome and popular pirate of the world, and obviously being with me would ruin your image"
Cavendish gulped when hearing Bartolomeo's sarcastic but spot on answer. Certainly, being with Bartolomeo would interfere with his dream of becoming the most perfect pirate in the world. He would probably lose all his fans if they discovered that he was with a pirate that was the complete opposite to him, and after how much it had taken him to obtain so much popularity Cavendish didn't want to ruin it. Although now that he knew how Bartolomeo felt about him, a part of him really regretted to have to take such a decision.
After a rather heavy silence Bartolomeo stopped enclosing his arms around Cavendish's waist, making the last one thank but at the same time regret the lack of contact.
"Okay, then what do you want to do, Cabbage?", Bartolomeo crossed his arms, "to pretend again that nothing has happened?"
The emphasis that Bartolomelo applied to the word 'again' didn't go unnoticed by Cavendish, and the fact that Bartolomeo had decided to call him by that damn nickname again instead of using his name bothered Cavendish more than ever.
"No, Barto", Cavendish said, trying to use a calm tone but failing because his annoyance was palpable, "what I want is not to give all the pirates of the Grand Line a reason to stop taking us seriously, so I think it would be prudent that in case of wanting to be…umh…somewhat together we should hide it from the res…"
"No", Bartolomeo's cutting answer made Cavendish shut up immediately, "sorry, Cabbage, but hiding that we are 'somewhat together' just because of what people may think is bullshit, and I'm not going to play the forbidden love story just for your stupid dream"
Bartolomeo regretted having said that last sentence because he managed to catch a glimpse of the hurt expression that had adorned Cavendish's face before recovering his annoyed one. However, before having time to rectify his words Cavendish spoke, making Bartolomeo forget his initial intention of apologizing.
"Well, you can call my dream stupid but at least I have a dream instead of being content with imitating and drooling for other pirates like you do. And you can boast all you want about not minding what other people may think but if that was true, you wouldn't mind so much when people insult your ridiculous teeth"
This time, Cavendish knew that he had gone a little too far when Bartolomeo tensed and his eyes showed again the same disappointment that they had shown a month ago. He knew that the correct thing would be to apologize. But he was way too stubborn and he didn't.
"You know what, I've thought it better", Bartolomeo snapped, pointing at Cavendish with a finger, "I definitely don't want to be paired with a narcissist jerk fake pirate with split personality that only cares about getting the admiration of the rest"
Cavendish clicked his tongue and showed his best condescending expression.
"Perfect then, because I don't want to be paired with a brute, Straw-Hat obsessive fangirl bastard with a giant lack of manners either"
Bartolomeo snorted.
"Great", he leant forward Cavendish until their faces were dangerously close, "we are on the same page then, Cabbage"
Cavendish mimicked Bartolomeo's action, causing their noses brush lightly. It was funny, some moments ago that same action had finished with both of them making out wildly but now they just wanted to be on the other one's throat.
"Yes, we are on the same page, Barto"
At that moment there was a couple of soft knocks at the door and Rebecca's hesitant voice was heard from the outside.
"Bartolomeo? Cavendish? Umh…are you two okay? From here it sounds as if you were fighting…"
Both pirates kept glaring at each other, internally expecting that the other one retracted his words. But when some seconds passed and neither of them gave up on his stubborn attitude they pushed away at the same time while pretending not to be disappointed for the result of the conversation.
Another knock sounded at the door but the second one was interrupted when Bartolomeo approached the door fast and opened it, making Rebecca exhale a little cry of surprise.
"B-Bartolomeo?", Rebecca's eyes opened wide when the pirate left the room after offering her just a brief look, "where are you going?"
"To have a drink", Bartolomeo answered without stopping, "I have to remove this shitty taste from my mouth"
Cavendish felt his blood boiling from anger when hearing that answer, and without ever thinking he approached the door as well just when Bartolomeo was about to climb down the stairs towards the main floor.
"Brushing your teeth has the same effect, you know? Although I suppose that someone like you isn't used to use a toothbrush too often"
Bartolomeo's only answer was to show Cavendish his middle finger before digging his hands in his pockets and disappearing towards the first floor.
"Idiot", Cavendish said trough gritted teeth, realizing too late the way Rebecca was looking at him with concern.
"Is everything okay?", Rebecca asked with a tiny voice.
"Y-yes, don't worry about it. We have just had certain differences, that's all"
"Are you sure?", Rebecca inquired while finally entering the room, "because you really seemed angry with each other"
Cavendish made a dismissive gesture with his hand while forcing a smile.
"That's nothing new. We are always quarrelling after all"
Rebecca half-closed her eyes while placing her hands on her hips.
"Cavendish, what I've seen right now wasn't a quarrel, it was a fight. You two really looked as if you hated each other"
Cavendish was about to keep insisting that there was nothing wrong but when seeing the way Rebecca's eyes were piercing him he found himself letting out a defeated sigh.
"You sure are quite a stubborn princess"
Cavendish's impressed comment made Rebecca chuckle.
"Ex-princess, I remind you that I forfeited the tittle", Rebecca's tone became serious again, "so what happened? You don't have to tell me all the details but if the fight has been due to the mission then…"
"No, it had nothing to do with it", Cavendish regretted in part having been that sincere because his answer just caused Rebecca to look at him with even more curiosity, "umh…the thing is…we have fought because…"
Rebecca settled a hand over Cavendish's arm, making him stop his babbling.
"May I guess the motive of your fight?", Rebecca smiled softly, "maybe it has been a lovers fight?"
Cavendish's mouth fell funnily opened.
"W-WHAT?!", he practically squeaked bright red, "W-Why have you thought that? Of course it hasn't been a lovers fight! I don't want to have anything to do with that idiot anymore"
"Anymore?", Rebecca said immediately, "then that means that you wanted to have anything to do with him before, right?"
Cavendish realized too late that he had talked too much. He let out a long sigh and leant against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Since you aren't a princess anymore maybe you should think about working as an interrogator"
Rebecca chuckled again.
"So I was correct. There is something between you two"
"No, there isn't", Cavendish interrupted her, averting his eyes, "there was about to be but we have realized in time that it would be a mistake. And it's better this way. That idiot just means trouble and being with him would just ruin my image"
Rebecca nodded to herself with understanding, accurately deducing what had happened between those two stubborn men without needing to ask.
"It's a pity", Rebecca said with a sigh, "I think you two would make a really interesting couple"
Cavendish didn't answer. He just didn't want to waste his time thinking about Bartolomeo. He was still angry with him for having looked down on his lifelong dream like that. And, although Cavendish would die before admitting it, he also felt guilty for the words he had said to the pirate too.
"So...", Rebecca twisted her hands a little nervously, "if you have fought does this mean that you aren't going to do the last mission? I'm not asking you to pressure you. It's just to know if I need to look for someone else to do it"
Cavendish didn't hesitate in giving an answer. After all he had promised Rebecca that he would help her, and he wouldn't be the gentleman that he was always trying to be if he broke that promise.
"It won't be necessary", Cavendish extracted a rose from somewhere inside his clothes and made a reverence towards Rebecca, "I, Cavendish 'of the White Horse', will keep my promise and will perform the mission successfully"
Rebecca smiled with gratitude before asking with a cautious tone.
"And in case Bartolomeo agreed, would you mind to work together with him?"
Cavendish gulped. Obviously he preferred to do the mission alone, but he had to admit that that idiot's ability was useful in certain occasions. Besides, by rejecting Bartolomeo's help it would look as if he was giving importance to what had just happened in the bathroom and Cavendish didn't want to give such an impression. Because it had meant nothing. Or better said, it didn't mean it anymore.
"No, of course I wouldn't mind", Cavendish said, making sure that his tone sounded convinced and firm.
"Great", Rebecca said with a smile, "then I'm going to call Bartolomeo right now so that he comes here and we can talk about the next mission", Rebecca noticed Cavendish's frozen smile, "umh…is it okay with you?"
"Y-Yes, of course, as I've said I don't mind what that idiot does"
Rebecca nodded and took her den den mushi while Cavendish pretended not to be nervous at all for the call that the girl was going to do at that moment.
Bartolomeo had just ordered a drink that would probably be the first of many when his den den mushi began to sound. He was tempted to ignore it and follow his initial plan of spending the night drinking but at the end he exhaled a sigh an answered, although making sure to adopt an annoyed tone.
"Yeah?"
"Bartolomeo? It's me, Rebecca. Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Bartolomeo hesitated once again to say that no, that he was extremely busy, but he decided that acting like a jerk with that girl just because he was really angry with that pompous bastard would be mean even for someone like him.
"Yeah, what is it?", he said while beginning to take a sip of his drink.
"It's about the last mission", Rebecca explained, "I was wondering if you are still willing to do it. Together with Cavendish"
Bartolomeo spat the liquid that he had just swallowed because of the surprise.
"Wait, what?", he asked between coughs.
"Well, he has said that he still wants to do the mission and that he would like to work together with you again"
"H-Hey, I haven't said that!"
Bartolomeo tensed when hearing Cavendish's offended voice. Damn, he was in that pub trying to forget what had just happened with that idiot so why the hell was he hearing him again?
"Sorry, but I can't do that", Bartolomeo said with a casual voice, knowing that Cavendish was going to hear him, "I don't want to ruin that geezer's image by working with him"
"Geezer?! Who the hell are calling geezer, you drunkard?!"
"Drunkard?! Because of you two I've barely been able to begin my first drink so…"
"Guys, please!", Rebecca's voice sounded in the other side of the line, "look, if you really don't want to work together it's okay, I've already said that I would find someone else, but in case you want to help you need to be able communicate without trying to kill each other!"
Bartolomeo heard Cavendish let out a long sigh at the same time than him.
"So…", the girl continued, "Bartolomeo, would you think that you can come back to the inn to talk about this? I will explain the plan that I've thought and if after hearing it you both think that there is no way that you coordinate together then your job is completed. I will pay you for the letter that you have found today and that's all, okay?"
Bartolomeo thought about his options. A part of him wanted to do the job. He liked Rebecca and he wanted to help her, but he didn't like the part of having to work with Cavendish again. It was true that Bartolomeo regretted having insulted Cavendish's dream, but he couldn't help to feel annoyed after knowing how much Cavendish cared about his image. If his image was that important why the hell hadn't Cavendish stopped him when he had kissed him? And the fact that not just him but that also Cavendish had clearly enjoyed the whole make out thing just made Bartolomeo angrier. Damn it, if that idiot had liked it as much as him there was nothing to discuss so why the hell that bastard had to complicate everything?
"Bartolomeo?"
The green-haired pirate almost jumped in his seat when hearing Rebecca's voice, and realized that he had been silent for almost half-a-minute.
Bartolomeo insulted himself internally. Shit, what the hell was he doing? He was Bartolomeo 'of the Cannibal', the captain of the Barto Club, and if he rejected such a profitable mission just because of that Pirate Prince he wouldn't be able to face his men. Besides, he just had to focus on doing the mission without paying attention to any unnecessary things, like that idiot whose lips tasted so fucking good and whose taste kept lingering in his mouth despite the strong drink that he was just having.
"Okay, I'm on my way"
"Great. We'll be waiting for you"
When Rebecca hanged up Bartolomeo let out a long sigh and finished his drink before standing up to leave the pub, trying to ignore the rapid way his heart was beating for having to see that idiot again.
Cavendish's heart stopped for a moment when a couple of rude knocks sounded and Rebecca walked promptly towards the door. Okay, Cavendish thought with a gulp, just focus on the conversation and this won't be so awkward.
"Hi, Bartolomeo. Thanks for coming back"
Cavendish felt all his body tense when Bartolomeo entered the room lazily, and when their eyes met it was just for a brief moment because both pirates averted their gaze as if the eye contact burned.
Damn it.
This was really awkward.
"So…", Rebecca said, clearly ignoring the overwhelming tension that was taking place between the two pirates, "…as I've said, let me tell you about tomorrow's hideout"
During the next half-an-hour Rebecca didn't stop talking, thing that both pirates thanked because that way they didn't have to pay attention to each other, and in fact when the girl finished talking both pirates regretted it.
"And that's all", Rebecca looked at the pirates expectantly, "what do you think about the plan?"
There was a brief silence until Bartolomeo spoke.
"So long story short I will act as a bait while he…", Bartolomeo pointed at Cavendish with his chin without bothering to call his name, making Cavendish feel incredibly annoyed, "…sneaks inside to steal the information, right?"
"Yes, since the mercenaries already know your identity but they don't know who Cavendish is I think it's the best way, but if you think that there's a better way to do it we can always change the plan"
"It's fine for me", Cavendish interrupted with a smile, and when seeing that Bartolomeo shook his head affirmatively as well Rebecca nodded satisfied.
"Okay, then…", Rebecca looked at Bartolomeo and Cavendish alternatively, "…do you think that you can work together?"
The tension came back at full force. Bartolomeo looked at Cavendish, who looked back at Bartolomeo, and after several long seconds they both looked at Rebecca again and nodded.
"Yes, since I'm going to be separated from him most part of the time it won't be any problem", Cavendish said, purposely avoiding to call Bartolomeo by his name to successfully irritate him.
"Okay", Rebecca made a little inclination towards the pirates, "again, thank you so much for all your help. This time I've been unable to bring the reward but tomorrow in the morning I'll bring you the money"
"It won't be necessary. You can pay us after this last job", Cavendish offered, making the girl smile.
"Very well then. And…", Rebecca showed a slight guilty smile, "…again I'm sorry to tell you that I think that there isn't any other room available at this moment in the inn, so if you don't want to sleep together…I mean, in the same bed, the only thing that I can offer you is that one of you go with me. I have an extra bed in my room so one of you could sleep there"
Bartolomeo threw a side glance towards Cavendish and a wave of annoyance hit him whe seeing that the pirate was seriously considering it.
"You don't need to be afraid, Cabbage, like hell if I'm going to kiss you again"
Cavendish's cheek passed from pale to deep red in a split second when hearing Bartolomeo's comment while Rebecca couldn't help to let out a surprised gasp even if she was covering her mouth with her hands.
"B-Bastard, what the hell are you saying?!", Cavendish babbled.
"The pure truth. But just so you know I don't plan to sleep on the floor"
Cavendish clicked his tongue and crossed his arms, managing to adopt a really acceptable superior tone to compensate his previous hysterical reaction.
"Well, I don't plan to sleep on the floor either, so you better not try to do anything funny or Hakuba will be nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you"
Bartolomeo snorted before walking towards the bathroom.
"See you tomorrow, Becca. Thank me that you don't need to sleep with this half-monster"
"No, Rebecca, thank me because you don't have to sleep with a pig that doesn't know the word 'shower'"
"I'm going to take one right now, you bigmouth"
"Well, after three days it was time already"
"Guys…", the two pirates stopped immediately when hearing the plea on the girl's voice, "…please, can I make you a last petition? Try to fix everything between you two. I've always found funny the way you teased each other but this…", the girl closed her eyes and shook her head, "…this is not funny anymore"
Bartolomeo and Cavendish stared in disbelief how the girl left the room with a tiny 'good night'.
"You idiot, you've made her sad!", Cavendish exclaimed looking at Bartolomeo.
"Me?! You've not been any better either", Bartolomeo snapped.
Both pirates huffed at the same time, feeling guilty for having made Rebecca put that kind of expression.
"Tsk, I can't wait to finish this damn mission"
Bartolomeo was about to agree but then he saw Cavendish taking his riding hood and couldn't help to hide his curiosity.
"You leaving?"
"I'm going for a walk and to find a place whose food is edible", Cavendish answered before pointing at Bartolomeo with an accusing finger, "and when I come back you better not be asleep in the middle of the bed because I will kick you out"
Bartolomeo snorted and leant against the jamb of the bathroom's door.
"Well, since you're always boasting about how popular you are I'm sure you won't have any problems in convincing a lady to let you share her bed"
"Wow, for once you have managed to come up with a good idea", Cavendish said with a purposely impressed tone, "maybe I do that. I have a couple of acquaintances around here whose company would be infinitely more agreeable, since they won't mock me for wanting to be an honorable pirate"
Bartolomeo knew that Cavendish just had given him the opportunity to retract from his previous words, but when thinking that Cavendish could be really considering to go to get laid with one of his stupid fans he got incredibly pissed off.
"Just remember not to begin to rut against the chick as if your life depends on it or you'll scare her"
Cavendish gritted his teeth while half-closing his eyes at Bartolomeo. He opened his mouth, probably to say something insulting, but at the end he just clicked his tongue and turned around without even saying goodbye.
He left the inn but instead of doing as he had said he went to see Farul, who was happily eating in the little stable next to the inn. The horse raised his head the moment he heard Cavendish enter and was about to greet him with a neigh when seeing Cavendish's strained expression.
Farul inclined his head to the side and frowned, silently asking Cavendish what was wrong, and when seeing the animal's concern Cavendish just let out a soft chuckle before beginning to pat the horse's neck.
"You owner is an idiot, Farul", he said with a sigh, hugging the confused horse, "a complete idiot"
Bartolomeo was just finishing showering. He was leaning both of his hands against the wall with his arms extended, his head falling between them and his eyes closed while the cold water drenched his naked body.
After a few seconds of being lost in his thoughts he snapped the water tap closed. He left the shower, rudely wrapped a towel around his waist and stared at the sink where he had pinned Cavendish less than an hour ago to kiss him senseless.
Bartolomeo exhaled a loud sigh. Against his will he couldn't help to wonder what would have happened if Cavendish and him hadn't discussed, because deep inside he knew that if that had been the case, he wouldn't have taken that shower alone. And that knowledge frustrated him to no end.
Well, hope you have enjoyed the first part of the chapter :D And about the ending don't worry: those two idiots will eventually end 'somewhat together' :)
Thanks a lot for the kudos and the comments so far 3 3 Don't hesitate in keeping telling me what you think ^^
