A couple of days have passed since Arina overheard Sabo and Ace talk. Neither of them talked during the time as they both tried to avoid each other as much as possible. Arina from the fear of rejection once more and Ace from the thoughts that suddenly got to his mind. All thanks to his brother.
Sitting by one of the many tables close to the kitchen in the dining hall, she watched Thatch cook on the other side. Her chin was placed on the palm of her hand while leaning on the table, eyes following the way he moved around. A small smile spread across her lips before a memory of a middle aged man made it disappear. She blinked her eyes and looked away, hurt and pain obvious on her face, eyes suddenly full of tears.
Gulping, she placed a hand on her chest and took in a shaky deep breath. Turning back to the kitchen, she stood up and approached it, calling; "Thatch,"
The man in question raised his head and turned her way. His lips broke into a wide smile, eyes disappearing within and Arina's heart melted. What did she do to deserve his smile, she'd never know, but she'd treasure it for as long as she could.
"Can I help?" Her voice was unusually quiet, much quieter that made Thatch wince when one of the chefs put meat into the oil.
He wiped his hands into kitchen towel, approaching Arina instead. His smile was still present. "Sorry," he apologized and leaned forward. "What did ya say?" He sounded so gentle and warm that pulled her closer to him unconsciously.
"Can I help?" she repeated, her eyes hopeful.
Thatch blinked as he took it in. "As in, in the kitchen?" he asked and Arina nodded. "Ya mean right now?"
Arina nodded once again.
The Commander looked behind, looking over his chefs, thinking. "Well, I have all hands …" he began, his eyes finding Arina's; "… but someone can take care over the dessert." He quickly added when he saw the disappointment in her eyes that she tried hard to hide.
Like a child getting a new toy, her expression brightened. "I can?" she asked to make sure and Thatch nodded, laughter escaping his lips.
"Do make sure ya clean yer hands and tie up yer hair before ya come in." he instructed, watching as she pulled a hair tie from her wrist, immediately tying her hair in a bun before she rushed over to the sink. "Can't have any accidents inside, hear me?"
"Sir, yes sir!" she saluted and the pirates laughed while Thatch gave her an amused look. Arina sheepishly smiled and did as she was told. She cleaned her hands up to elbows before she walked to Thatch's side.
"Okay," he murmured and faced her. "What can ya make?"
Tilting head to the side, Arina blinked, thinking. "Uh … roulade? Pudding? Different cookies and marble cake."
"Marble cake?" Thatch repeated intrigued.
"Yeah," she nodded. "You know white and dark cake mixed in. I love that one." She smiled.
Thatch thought for a moment. "There's hundreds of us 'ere. Can ya do it?" he asked.
"I can try." she answered and smiled when he stepped aside to begin. "I'll do my best!" she pumped her hands in the air and everyone laughed at her excitement that she so clearly showed.
-:-
The dining hall was slowly filling up with pirates. Thatch was smiling and laughing, greeting everyone as they came for lunch telling each one of them to take a piece or two—could be more too—of the cake that was on a plate by the end of the line. Towards the end of the line stood Marco with a tray in his hand, eyes scanning the hall, searching for a certain someone.
"She's inside." Thatch said, making the First Commander look at him.
Marco raised an eyebrow and looked behind Thatch. The corners of his lips turned in a small smile when he spotted Arina's determined look in front of a bowl. "I didn't think you'd agree for someone else to be in the kitchen." He looked back at Thatch, who shrugged.
"'s Ari-chan," he grinned and reached for a piece of cake, taking a bite. "Ya should try it. Is good."
"I don't doubt." Marco mirrored the grin. "Don't overwork her too much. Baking food for a hundred people is too much for the first time, don't you think?"
"Tell 'er that." Thatch scoffed. "I told 'er to take it easy, guess what did she say. 'I'm fine' and almost threw all of us out of the kitchen. She got annoyed real quick." He shook his head and Marco chuckled. "Ya wouldn't wanna mess with her …"
"Alright," Marco nodded. "Before I forget. Rosinante came back."
Thatch seemed surprised. "Ex-marine?"
"Yeah," Marco's eyes fell on Arina, who was then adding sugar to the mixture. "He'll come to the dining hall after he talks to Pops."
"Hm…" Thatch hummed, caressing his chin while eating the rest of the cake. "I'll tell 'er." He murmured.
With one last nod, Marco took two pieces of the cake and walked to the table where the First Division was sitting. They were cheerfully talking to each other, but the Commander didn't miss the young boy that was much quieter.
Ace was sitting not too far away, quietly eating lunch. If anyone found it weird, no one said a word. If anyone saw the way he glanced towards the kitchen, searching for someone, no one called him on it. They left him to it, knowing if he'll talk, he will.
"Aaah!" Arina whined and collapsed on a chair beside the oven.
Thatch turned her way, laughing. "Done?" he approached her, looking inside. "Ya've done a lot for the first time." He looked at her, smile present on his lips.
"I never baked so much before. Sure I made lots of cookies, but marble cake is a different story. I missed it so much." Arina smiled and leaned her head back, looking up into the ceiling. "Whenever I had time, I always made marble cake or cookies in winter."
"Then the house must have smelt nice." The Commander commented. "Why don't ya take some food and eat out in the hall?" he asked, gesturing towards the dining hall.
"I'm not really hungry." She shook her head, eyes following to Izo, who was just passing by. She remained quiet for a moment before she stood up. "Hey, Thatch," she looked at him. "Can you take it out in good 45 minutes?"
"Of course," he nodded before he watched her rush out of the dining hall, joining Izo in a second. Crossing his arms, he shook his head.
Sitting in front of Izo, Arina could barely sit still. Izo was eating in a calm manner, glancing at Arina every now and then and wondered when she'd speak. But she didn't. She remained quiet as she waited. What for? Izo wasn't exactly sure, but it seemed it wasn't anything important otherwise she'd be talking about it the moment she approached him.
"Izo," Arina decided to break the silence.
There we go. He thought to himself. Looking at her, he smiled. "Arina. What can I do for you?"
Glancing to the side, to see if anyone was looking at them, she hesitated. After a moment of silence, she looked back at the Commander and leaned forward, closer to him. She saw him raise an eyebrow in wonder and her cheeks heated up. "I…" she began, but trailed off quickly.
"Yes?" he murmured, slightly impatient on her behalf. He couldn't help himself but he found her rather cute with red cheeks.
"I-I need your help." She blurted out.
"Alright," he nodded, completely ignoring the tray and food in front of him. His focus was on Arina. "What can I help you with?" If she asked for his help, he sure as hell will help her out.
"I really want to try and wear a yukata, but I don't know who else to ask…" she said, averting her gaze while Izo's eyes widened. "I-I understand if you don't want to, but you're the first I could remember and well I want to…want to try it…" her voice was growing quieter.
A gentle smile spread across Izo's lips. "I'd love to."
Arina blinked her eyes and stared at him. "You would?" she chirped.
Izo nodded. "If you wish, you can come to my room later and we can see what colours would suit you best." He shortly explained. "I guess you wish to dress for an occasion?"
Quietly nodding, her cheeks darkened. Izo chuckled at her reaction. "C-can you not tell anyone? I-I'd like it to be a surprise…"
"Of course," he nodded.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"You're welcome," Izo lowered his head and glanced at Marco, who was sitting behind Arina. The First Commander had his eyebrow raised, eyes seldom focused on Arina, but Izo only shook his head, a teasing smile on his lips. Focusing back on Arina, he seemed to remember as he spoke; "Your friend, Rosinante is here."
Arina's eyes widened. "Corazon?" she murmured.
Izo blinked, slightly confused. "Corazon?" he repeated.
"Ah…" she panicked, caught off guard. "T-that's how I call him. Y-yeah …" she nodded to herself as she stumbled on her feet. "W-well then. I-I'll come later to your ro-room and … yeah … I'll just …" Without another word, she scrambled from the table.
Izo followed her back as she disappeared from the dining hall. "Corazon…" he murmured to himself and narrowed his eyebrows. "Where have I heard that name?"
-: -
Rosinante stood on the deck in front of Whitebeard and beside Sabo. The two talked to Yonko when the latter's focus strayed away.
"Rosinante!" Arina's voice made the man turn, a wide smile crossing on his lips. She was running towards him, grinning from ear to ear before embracing him. "Where were you? I missed you so much!"
Sabo chuckled at the action while Whitebeard watched slightly amused.
"I had some things to take care of." Rosinante answered and messed her hair that made her pout. He chuckled at her reaction, but let her continue hugging him. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his attention completely on her.
Arina glanced at Sabo, her smile wavering, but forced it back when she answered; "Okay." It was short, but Rosinante could see her smile was forced and he didn't like that. With the corner of his eye he saw Sabo flinch. And Rosinante wasn't a fool.
Instead of continuing on the topic, the former marine focused back on Whitebeard. "Thank you for waiting at Drum Island." He lowered his head, a small smile gracing his lips.
"Any friend of Arina's is our friend." Whitebeard replied before he looked at the young woman. "I heard you were in charge of dessert today."
Arina's cheeks heated up. "Ah …" she murmured, averting her gaze. "It's nothing…" she chuckled and scratched the side of her cheek. "I-I like to bake so this…this is really nothing."
"You're an amazing baker." Sabo spoke, making her look his way. "Don't doubt yourself."
The corners of her lips turned in a gentle smile that Sabo mirrored. "Thank you…" she whispered, lowering her gaze to her feet. "How long until you go back?" she asked and looked back at Sabo.
"I should already be halfway back." He sighed. "Koala isn't that fond of me leaving without a word."
Arina nodded in understanding. "That's fair…" she murmured before looking at Whitebeard. "Is it possible to stay here for a week longer?"
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow in wonder.
She quickly spoke, sensing he'd say no instead; "Or maybe just for a couple of days. It's been a long time since I last saw snow—so much snow and I'd like to stay here for a bit."
A small smile formed on his lips as he nodded. "We have time."
"Thank you!" she smiled widely and turned back to Sabo. "Will you stay here until then?"
"Eh?" Sabo seemed struck. "Why?" he asked before he could stop himself. "I mean, I don't mind it and I will, but…" he narrowed his eyebrows. "What are you planning, Ari-chan?"
Blinking her eyes, Arina's cheeks heated up. "Nothing…" she murmured under her breath.
"And I'm a saint." The Chief of Staff teased, smirk growing on his lips. "This will be fun." He commented to himself, but she heard him clearly.
"Ah, Sabo!" Arina groaned, stomping like a little stubborn child. "Stop teasing me." She pouted, covering her cheeks, and Sabo laughed. "Imma tell Thatch you're teasing me!" she huffed. Whitebeard raised an eyebrow in amusement along with Sabo and Rosinante.
"And what is he gonna do about it?" Sabo decided to tease further. His hands were on his waist, leaning closer to Arina, smirk on his lips.
"Maybe kick yer ass for starts, eh?"
Arina and Sabo stilled. Whitebeard and Rosinante turned to look at the Fourth Commander walking towards them, an amused expression on his face. It was Whitebeard's laughter that made Arina's cheeks dark as a tomato while Sabo seemed like a deer caught in the headlights. He began sputtering nonsense and Arina took the chance to run to Thatch, hiding behind.
She pointed a finger Sabo's way and spoke; "Ha! In your face! What're you gonna do now, huh?" She was grinning from ear to ear that it made Thatch laugh.
"That's not fair!" Sabo argued back and he couldn't help but feel like a child again. Arina's grin only widened if it were possible while Sabo pouted.
"What did I miss?" Rosinante asked, looking from one to another.
"Ya have no idea." Thatch answered and looked at Arina, who held on his shirt, looking at Sabo. "Why don' ya and Sabo go inside an' eat somethin'?" he asked, gesturing towards the blond.
"Eh?" Arina made a face, but chirped when Thatch sent her a look. "Okay, okay, fine." She murmured and straightened up before she looked at Sabo. "Come here, Chief of Dorks, we gotta eat."
"Oh, name calling?" Sabo snorted. "How daring …" yet he followed her nonetheless.
"Arina..." Thatch called.
"Sorry, dad!"
It was just a second that her tongue slipped. Thatch shook his head, but his eyes widened a second later when he processed what Arina just called him. He looked at the spot where she was standing only to find neither her or Sabo. He turned to Rosinante and Whitebeard, who seemed as surprised as he was.
"D-d-d-what-did she just-me? Dad? Really?" he stammered out, cheeks heating up. Yet the way he straightened up, pride oozing off him told both Rosinante and Whitebeard he liked it.
"She's going to be really embarrassed…" Rosinante commented with a silent chuckle.
"Don't tease her too much about it, Thatch." Whitebeard spoke.
Thatch's eyes widened as he pointed at himself. "Me? Tease her? Pft! Who are you taking me for? I, for the love of All Blue, would never tease her about this."
Whitebeard knew Thatch was telling the truth. He'd never tease someone over such simple things. Not when it involved family. And if he knew Thatch at all, he knew his relationship with Arina as father-daughter will only grow.
Note: I still live asdfghjkl! It's been hectic these months, from lockdown, quarantine to working at new job, so it's taking quite a toll on my writing spirit. I haven't managed to write end the latest chapter, so I've decided to post one either way. Hope you liked this chapter as much as I did.（*´▽｀*）