Here it is, the next chapter might take a little longer because I'm not quite happy with it yet. Thanks for reading!
CHAPTER 7: Tender Dreams
Nothing, absolutely nothing.. Three days and not another word about the whereabouts of Punk Hazard, it was almost as if people were afraid to talk about it, Law had gone back to the bar where the two pirates were talking but they never showed again.
Everyone knew his face, he couldn't just go around asking questions, it might get back to the government, or Joker... All his work would be for nothing.
He had not been sleeping at all, stress consuming his mind, migraines ravaged in the echoes of his frantic thoughts. To say he was tense would be an understatement, as a doctor he knew the dangers of letting himself get like this, but even as he tried to pacify his mind, the disquiet continued to knock at his brain. It's a whole different problem when the doctor becomes the patient, he couldn't help himself while he was the one slowly sliding towards a breakdown, anxiety took it's own toll on the body and Law was feeling the effects now.
What can I do? He thought, Law hated not having the answers especially when they were so close. If he didn't find them soon, everything would be for nought.
Joker would win.
… … …
Rei sank deeper into the bath, the water was pleasant, but she couldn't relax. Something was off about her captain, he was gruffer than usual and his eyes had gotten so dark he almost looked sickly.
That, Rei thought bitterly, and he hadn't touched her for days. She was feeling particularly frustrated, but what could she do? Law was obviously worried about something, it couldn't have been anything she did, could it?
Rei thought back to her previous encounter with those pirates, was he mad about that? No, she concluded, he'd been like this since she'd met him, not sleeping, keeping to himself, studying at that ugly desk of his for hours without stopping. Being new, Rei had guessed this was his usual character but his odd behaviour seemed to be affecting the crew as well, Rei wondered what on earth was making him so agitated.
Getting out of the water before she wrinkled, Rei felt a touch of worry that surprised her. Like it or not, the man had rousted some concern in her, she found herself frowning at the thought of him in pain, a prospect that weeks earlier, probably would have made her smile.
How things change, she thought, chuckling softly as she wrapped a towel around her body.
… … …
Jean Bart kept an eye on the cabin door, waiting for the captain to show his face. Law hadn't come back till late last night and remained in his quarters the rest of the day, it was irresponsible, the crew were restless and they'd been on this island lounging about for far longer than Bart was comfortable with.
A glint of red caught his eye and Bart followed it with his gaze, The Red Woman might know something, he thought to himself, he'd seen her sneak into his rooms at night while on watch, not emerging till dawn. If she was sharing the captain's bed, she might have a little more information concerning Law's worrying behaviour.
She didn't seem to notice as he approached her, her aureolin eyes unfocused as she stood deep in thought, he almost hesitated disturbing her reverie but the matter was important.
"I'm worried about the captain." He said simply, The Red Woman flinched at his sudden presence before turning to him, her face composed. "That makes two of us," there was a thoughtful tone to her voice despite her expression of nonchalance, that led Bart to believe she spoke the truth.
"Law hasn't been himself lately, what say you, Red Woman?" He asked her.
The Red Woman gave him an exasperated look, "how should I know? He never tells me anything!" she fumed throwing her hands up in the air frustratedly, "-and how many times do I have to tell you, don't call me 'Red Woman' my name is Rei." she added looking at him pointedly.
"You must to talk to him," he said, ignoring her comment. The Red Woman's eyes widened slightly, "you think I should talk to him, why?" she asked wildly, Bart shrugged, "do you really want me to answer that?" he questioned, giving her a look that he hoped explained that he knew, that they all knew.
The Red Woman pouted slightly, "what does that have to do with it, it's not like we pillow talk or anything." she muttered, "besides, he isn't talking to me either. I don't know what you're thinking I should do but..." she trailed off and Bart was surprised to see real concern mixing with the yellow in her eyes, The Red Woman sighed, "but, I'm not sure there's anything I can do," she finished solemnly.
Bart had never really liked The Red Woman, she always seemed too confident and charming, she presented an artificial quality that made him distrust her. But now it was gone, the same distress he felt at their captain's demeanour reflected in her own careful features.
Maybe he was too suspicious of The Red Woman, "I think you are the only one who will have a chance to do anything, I would say something but it isn't my place."
She looked at him, one delicate eyebrow slightly arched in question, "and you think my place is?"
Bart crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head "I think you have no problem with stepping out of your place, that's why it should be you," he said. The Red Woman smiled at him, faint amusement in her expression ans she shook her head, "fair enough." she said, "I'll see what I can do."
Jean Bart had left it at that.
Walking back to his post, Bart hoped he'd done the right thing sending The Red Woman to be their messenger, but what other choice did they have? Besides, Bart had a strange confidence she would pull it off.
… … …
Rei stared at her reflection for the tenth time that night, why had she promised Jean Bart that she'd talk to Law? Probably because he still hadn't warmed up to her, Rei felt like she needed to prove to him she was a team player and how could she have said no when he came right up and asked her?
Did he think she didn't want to help? Of course she did, but what on earth could she possibly say to him to call him out of his ridiculous funk. Rei had been trying to come up with something all afternoon, every time something came to mind she would see Law's sunken eyes and troubled expression in her mind, the image making her start all over again.
Jean Bart had the wrong idea about her and the captain. Sure they were close, about as close as two people could get physically. But not in the way he thought, Law never talked to her about his work or really anything outside of the bedroom. Rei realised with a sudden pang that she wanted to know more about him, what he was looking for, why is was important enough to run himself ragged over.
Rei wanted to ask him, but they didn't have that kind of relationship, Rei fell back onto her bed in frustration, wincing when she landed on something hard. She sat up to see what had poked her and recognised it as one of the shopping bags she'd tossed around the room while trying to find something to wear.
Rei had a sudden idea, there was nothing she could say to Law, because he wouldn't listen. The captain of The Heart Pirates was stubborn and meditative, she would not get through to him with words, Bart must have known that.
No, she couldn't talk to him, but that didn't mean she couldn't get through to him, there was another way. But could she do that? Rei pondered for a moment, was it really so different than when she'd done it before...
Rei recalled the night that she'd used her powers to torture him slowly, that time, she had been trying to break him, but if she did what she now had in mind, she'd be doing the opposite.
Was it so different? Rei mused.
She knew it was, it would be so much more intimate. Rei didn't know how she felt about crossing that line, so far it hadn't occurred to her, and maybe it never would have if Law hadn't become so unsettled. I can't just do nothing though, she thought.
Rei's gaze travelled back to the shopping bag, she smiled as she glimpsed the deep sun-set coloured material, her usual confidence returning to her.
She was Poppy Rei, a woman capable of anything. But if she was going to get across to The Surgeon Of Death, she might as well pull out the big guns.
… … …
Law looked wretched, he didn't even flinch as Rei opened the door, she realised that he hadn't even noticed her presence yet. He was a mess, hair tousled, eyes glassy and anxiety written across his dark features. Rei stopped, unsure what to do next, she had put on the dress and walked here, but now that she saw him she felt shaken.
She wanted to leave, uncomfortable with his disquiet. She wanted to slap him, tell him to snap out of it and be that ignorant, infuriating Shichibukai again, instead of this deflated man before her.
Where was that horrendous pirate that had rattled her so much? Rei didn't know why, but she needed him to be okay, to get out of this desolated state and return, dark eyes glaring at her fiendishly once more.
She couldn't find words for what she felt, anger, sympathy, answerable somehow? All her reasons turned to vapour as he finally looked at her, she felt strangely powerful as his eyes widened, taking in her appearance.
Slowly, as if approaching a wild animal, she walked towards him.
Rei would do it, she felt it easier not to linger on her reasons why, she would simply give him this night, as penance for all he had provided for her; protection, friends, a place she belonged.
Law didn't resist when she took his arm and led him from the desk, following her obediently towards the bed. Rei stopped, turning to face him, taking his face in her hands. His cheeks were so warm, and his side-burns tickled her fingers, Rei smiled gently, "what have you done to yourself?" she asked, not expecting him to answer, he didn't. Just looked at her, dazed curiosity in his eyes as Rei began.
(XXX)
She kissed him, standing on her toes to reach his lips, he didn't respond immediately but it didn't take long for him to return her kiss. It was difficult to focus while he was that close, heat rushing through her body with every touch, but still she concentrated on keeping it soft, slowly dissolving his tension as her hands ran over his body.
Rei felt his heart quicken as she removed his shirt, soon it matched her own racing pulse. But she didn't let her pace accelerate, not even when his smooth tattooed chest shuddered beneath her touch, nor when she felt the warm pressure of his hands on her hips. Rei couldn't hasten herself, the whole point was for him to take control, and by the way he was kissing her now, it looked like he would soon do exactly that.
His mouth on her's was smouldering as he kissed her, demanding her full attention, still she stayed as timid as she could, giving in to him completely. Law's hands travelled down the length of her spine, making her tremble, his touch setting her skin on fire.
Rei kissed his shoulder as Law unzipped her dress, tracing the spiral of his tattoos with her lips. The vermillion fabric slipped from her body, gathering in a pile at her feet, Rei stepped out of it, moving closer to her captain. His hands were on her, moving over her curves, warmth trailing in their wake as they unclasped her bra.
Law's mouth was excruciatingly hot as he took one of her sensitive nipples in his mouth, and Rei felt a moan escape her lips. Rei reached down to unzip his jeans but found only skin, when had that happened? She wondered, then she felt Law's hands slip underneath her panties, groping her selfishly before leaning her back on the bed and pulling the flimsy cotton over her legs. Rei didn't even see where they landed as he tossed them aside, his weight coming to rest above her soon after.
Rei could feel the length of him against her thigh, she never failed to be astonished by the size of him, she felt untamable desire pooling in her stomach. Gods, she wanted him, Rei could feel a familiar hollowness growing inside her, itching to be filled.
Law wasted no time entering her, Rei heard herself cry out, her hips arching to meet his. He occupied her so completely that for a moment she just lie there, luxuriating in the feel of him. He built his rhythm steadily, Rei felt delicious warmth collecting deep within her, her hands gripped his broad shoulders, pulling him closer.
He was looking down at her, Rei was caught by the brightness in Law's grey eyes. There was so much frustration lying in their depths and only a small portion, she realised, was aimed at her. But accountability aside, he poured all of his aggravation into her... and Rei let him.
Let him release everything into her, whatever had been troubling him these past months, whatever darkness lurk inside him, every sleepless night and disappointment, Rei absorbed it all.
She didn't complain, not once. When his fingers curled tightly in her hair, when he thrust into her so fiercely it almost hurt, when he gripped her arms hard enough to bruise, Rei bit her lip in silence.
Law was beyond rough, but it was desperation in his movements, not violence. Rei let herself go with him, reaching for the pleasure through the pain, and once she found it, it was easy to hold on to. Rei could feel Law all around her, his body, tall and lean, intertwined with hers. She felt the heat of his toned chest and his smooth stomach as they pressed against her, every muscle in his strong back contracting with his wild movements.
Rei's hands fastened themselves in Law's soft hair, their foreheads a breath away from touching, the brightness in Law's eyes had turned to something more intense and alive.
She continued to touch him, her eyes closed, she knew the entirety of his body by memory after so many nights of exploration. Law pulled Rei closer, deeper, while fire continued to course through her, growing hotter and more vibrant with each motion their bodies made together.
Law was groaning, low and raspy, his hot breath on her face. Rei moaned as the hellfire inside her began it's cataclysmic finale. A rich pleasure ensnared her, rippling through her core, branching outwards until her whole body was alive and singing with it. The sensation lingered as she felt Law reach the edge of himself, his pulse beating so quickly against her skin that Rei feared he might burst.
He was breathing heavily as he came, voice hoarse and gravelly.
"Rei..." her name escaped his lips, barely a breath, but even so she heard it and, without really knowing why, Rei smiled.
(XXX)
Law's weight collapsed on top of her, crushing Rei slightly before he managed to push himself off onto the bed next to her. At the sudden lack of contact, Rei felt strangely cold, like a cool breeze had passed across her body as soon as Law had left it. She didn't understand, he was still close, right beside her in fact, but something was off.
It was over, that was usually the end for both of them, but the warmth of his touch continued to linger persistently in her thoughts, her hands itching to reach out to him again, not for any reason other than to simply touch him. Rei fought against it, the absurdity of the urge preventing her from doing anything but lying there, wondering how she could have been so stupid. She'd let herself get too close, and whatever came next, Rei sighed...
Well, she'd deal with that in the morning.
… … …
Law lie there exhausted, every inch of him humming with fatigue, completely spent of energy. Rei lie beside him without making a sound, asleep already, Law guessed, too tired to turn his head and check. Law hadn't expected her to come tonight, but he was glad she did, he'd needed something to take his mind from..
Law felt another migraine cumulating in his temples, remembering everything. His hand covered his eyes, trying to block out his thoughts, he was sick of this never ending anxiety, the gods must be laughing at him, years of work and planning, of getting stronger, all going to waste over simple coordinates.
Law flinched as something soft touched his arm, pulling him from his thoughts to find a pair of golden eyes looking up at him. He stared at her for a moment, perplexed by the strange warmth tinting her features. She continued to hold his gaze, her face expressionless except for the peculiar softness in her eyes, her delicate hand moved from his forearm to rest lightly on his cheek, Law noticed the briefest of tingles sweep through him before he began to feel what she was doing.
The pain in his head receded and Law leant back as he felt his limbs unwinding, becoming loose and relaxed. Law felt peaceful, he tried to keep his eyes on Rei but they were growing heavy, he closed them and focused on her touching his face. All too soon her hand was gone, but Law didn't complain, the calm she'd brought with her lingered behind.
"Get some sleep captain," he thought he heard her say, but her voice was far away now.
Quiet nestled itself in his mind and for the first time in months, Law fell deeply and unequivocally asleep.
