6 months later
After checking the time in your wristwatch once again, you take a sip of the drink you have ordered. The person you are waiting for is late, but you're not too surprised about it. Actually, all things considered, the probabilities of you being stood up were pretty high, so you make the decision of leaving if you haven't company in the five following minutes.
Those five minutes pass, and you're still alone. You are disappointed, but you can't allow yourself to wait more because you still have a bunch of things to do before that day ends.
You stand up from the chair and hang your bag from your shoulder. You are about to separate from the table to abandon the place when the bell hanging on the cafeteria door chimes.
The customer that enters happens to be the person you're expecting.
The fact that you are standing now makes Vivi notice your presence without you having to call for her name. You are prepared for the way her already serious expression turns into a more wary, distrustful one, but it's still hard to see how much things have changed between you two.
When Vivi doesn't make any attempt to get further inside, you think for a moment that she is going to turn around and leave, but she eventually starts walking to your table. The awkwardness that settles between you two when you are face to face is as uncomfortable as you had expected, but you're relieved that Vivi is there.
"Hey," you greet, breaking the silence. "I wasn't sure if you would show up."
Vivi sighs and takes a seat in front of you. She doesn't remove her white coat though, indicating that she doesn't plan to stay longer than necessary.
"I have been about to change my mind like five times on my way here," she admits. Her voice is as soft as usual, but it has a serious edge that wasn't there when you two were on good terms. "So, let me see that paper that you need me to sign. And I hope you don't mind that I read it thrice."
You exhale a nervous laugh and sit down too. You have texted her with the excuse of needing her signature for a document that was mandatory in order to present your master project on your own, since you two had initially planned to do it together, but such a plan had changed after the incident with her father's company.
That was, however, a total lie, and therefore your heart races a little while you open your bag and extract an envelope from it.
"Yeah, of course, take all the time you need."
You manage to talk with a decently calmed tone while handling the envelope to her, but you have to fight against the urge of bouncing your legs up and down when Vivi accepts it, opens it, and starts to read its content. You don't avert your eyes from her face while she focuses on the paper, observing how her expression passes from serious, to confused, and ultimately to shocked.
"What is this?", she asks with a thin voice while raising her eyes from the document to look at you.
"It's a letter written by the best lawyer in the country to offer his services to your father," you explain while Vivi keeps staring at you. "It says that there is a possibility that the contract your father signed, though legit, can be ultimately revoked or, at the very least, re-interpreted so that the conditions are equally beneficial for—"
"(y/n), I know how to read, but I meant why...how..." Vivi exhales an incredulous laugh before looking at you with sudden distrust. "Is this some kind of joke?"
You rapidly shake your head no.
"No, Vivi, it's not a joke. And of course, you are free to doubt both me and this lawyer, but even if you and your father decide to hire another person that you trust more," you extract another envelope from your bag, this time a bigger one, "here it is the whole dissertation that this man has already made when preparing to defend your case, in case it can be of help."
You leave the envelope on the table and remain silent, waiting for Vivi to say something. Finally, after a moment of staring at you with her big eyes and mouth open wide, Vivi speaks.
"Does Doflamingo know that you are doing this?"
You smile fondly, because even in that situation, Vivi is kind enough to sound a little worried about you.
"No, but even if he discovers it, we have established a new rule between us: he's free to do business with whoever he wants, and I'm free to offer support to whoever I want, without any of us having the right to interfere with what the other party does." You place a hand on the new envelope and slide it on the table towards Vivi a little more. "And well, perhaps this situation is a little in the line of interfering with what he did, but I had to do something. Because believe it or not, I never wanted your father to lose his company in such a way, and I'm sorry he did."
Vivi is biting her lower lip now, and her eyes brighter than usual, but since the last thing you wanted was to pressure her in some way to forgive you, you close your bag again and stand up.
"That's all I wanted to tell you," you say, hanging the bag from your shoulder while Vivi remains silent. "And I'm sorry I lied to you about this meeting, but I didn't know if you would have come in case of telling the truth." You smile at the girl. "It was nice seeing you again, Viv. Tell Kalifa and Koala that I hope they're okay too."
You are about to separate from the table to go towards the exit when Vivi suddenly grabs your gloved hand, stopping you in your tracks. You look at the girl, surprised, and your eyes open more when suddenly Vivi offers you a real, sincere smile.
"Thank you," she mutters. "And I'm sorry for putting you against the wall. It wasn't you who tricked my father after all. You just have the worst taste in men, that's all."
Despite the lump that has now formed in your throat, a chuckle escapes your mouth while pressing Vivi's hand.
"You're not the first person to tell me that," you jokingly say, causing Vivi to chuckle too. "Goodbye, Vivi."
Vivi nods, and though there are tears running down her face, her expression is now brighter than when she entered the cafe.
"See you around, (y/n)."
You smile wider when realizing that she hasn't said 'goodbye'.
"So, you want to talk to inspector Smoker."
You suppress a smile when Tashigi talks with the same suspicious tone and uses the exact words than many months ago, when you went to visit Smoker to the Police Department for the first time, although for very different reasons.
"Yes, I'd like to. But if he's busy, I can come back a little later." 'Not much later though', you think, but don't say.
Luckily, Tashigi sighs and stands up from her table before shaking her head.
"It won't be necessary." You follow the woman when she starts walking through the main room of the police department in the direction of the private offices. By then, you are so used to attracting looks that you don't even notice the murmurs of the officers when you pass by, and nor the way everyone fixes their glances on you. "He left me specific instructions of always bringing you to him in case you came asking for him."
This time, you can't possibly hide a smile, as every time that you remember how much Smoker cares about you despite the fact that you were on opposite sides.
You have expected that Tashigi took you to the office, but she suddenly stops at the beginning of the corridor, making you be about to bump into her.
"Third room on your left."
She then leaves without saying anything else, and without giving you time to do it either. You don't take it personally though, since your Casanova radar gives you quite an accurate idea of the reasons behind the woman's cold attitude.
You knock twice once you're in front of Smoker's office. You wait until the man gruffly gives you permission to step inside to do so. The greeting that you have planned to say dies in your lips when you see his office practically empty, and his desk full of boxes that the inspector is proceeding to fill.
"W-What the hell, have you been fired?!" You exclaim while the inspector, dressed in his usual attire of black trousers and grey shirt and chewing his usual cigar between his teeth, looks at you with surprise that soon turns into amusement.
"Good afternoon to you too, Miss (y/n)."
"'Good afternoon' my ass!" You close the office door with force before approaching his desk, while Smoker continues filling the boxes with folders with an imperturbability that contrasts with your indignation. "Is Akainu the one behind this? Because I don't like violence, but I definitely can get in touch with some people that can convince the man to reconsider—"
You are already approaching the mobile to your ear when the door opens at that moment and a woman smoking a cigarette and with her hair as beautiful and pink as Rebecca appears in the frame.
"Oh, I didn't know you had a visitor, so I'll be quick." The woman says, looking at you briefly before focusing on Smoker. "I have already made space for you in the shelves, but make sure to bring just the indispensable paperwork. Hina hates to have useless paperwork around."
Smoker tsks while you observe the interchange with a dumbfounded face.
"Don't worry, I'm already bringing the indispensable."
Hina looks pointedly at the two full boxes that are already on the floor and rolls her eyes before muttering a low 'as workaholic as usual'.
You wait for the door to close again before looking at Smoker, who is smirking now.
"You jerk." You hit Smoker's arm with your bag, causing the man to exhale a low chuckle. "So you're just changing location!"
"Yes, and before you protest again, it's not my fault that you assumed the worst, miss."
You glare at the inspector, but when seeing that the man is still smirking you end up smiling too.
"I'm glad," you say before starting to take a curious look at the pictures that the man has hanging on the walls. "I mean, there has to be someone who keeps pissing Doffy off to make his life interesting."
"(y/n), I would appreciate that you leave your infamous boyfriend out of our conversations."
You chuckle.
"Well, that's something you have in common. He also hates when I comment anything about you." At that moment your eyes stop in a picture that seemed to be Smoker's graduation photo, and you talk before the man can protest about comparing him to Doflamingo. "Wow, how young you are here! And wait, isn't that the woman who has just talked to you?"
"Yes, Inspector Hina and I were classmates." An expression of suspicion appears in Smoker's face when seeing how you look at him now. "What?"
"Oh, nothing." Your excessively casual tone makes Smoker's suspicion grow even more. "Just that you two look rather close in this photo. And I mean, she is super pretty, and even smokes too."
Smoker snorts and shakes his head.
"Well, then if she smokes, that must mean that we're fated to be together," Smoker ironizes, causing you to chuckle.
"I just say that you make a good couple, that's all." You approach the table again and lean both hands on the back of one of the chairs placed in front of Smoker's desk. "Although I'm sure that you and officer Tashigi would make a great couple as well." Smoker looks at you with patience while you shrug. "What? Come on, don't tell me that you haven't noticed that she has the hots for you. It's super evident."
"Yes, I noticed, and that's why I've already let Tashigi know what I think about romance."
"Which is?"
"That I've never been interested in it, and that such a thing is not going to change in the future."
You open your eyes with surprise.
"Oh, wow." You exhale an embarrassed laugh. "Damn, now I feel like an idiot for having joked about looking for a partner for you."
"It's okay, miss. It's nothing new that you are a bigmouth." Despite the comment, you relax when realizing that Smoker didn't look bothered at all. "Speaking of which, I doubt that you have just visited me to gossip."
You sigh and nod.
"You're right, inspector. There's something else." You make a small - and perhaps a little dramatic - pause before continuing. "I'm leaving the city."
Smoker's eyes open more with surprise.
"You mean for a while or...?" Smoker seems to detect the certain sadness that slips in your smile. "So, indefinitely."
You nod again.
"Yes. It turns out that the Family business in the city has gone even better than expected during the past months, so it's time to move to expand it."
Smoker takes a deep breath and leaves the papers he has in hand on his desk.
"No rest for the wicked, huh?" The inspector also leaves his cigar on the ashtray and crosses his arms. "And when do you leave?"
"Tonight. That's why I'm kinda making some rounds today." You open your about-to-explode bag and extract a small wrapped package from it to offer it to Smoker. "To say goodbye and, well, to play the role of a really early Santa."
Smoker looks at the package briefly before accepting. It doesn't take the man more than a couple of seconds to remove the wrapper, revealing a nicely crafted cigar box.
"I've been raking my brain trying to come up with an original present," you explain while the man examines the box with his usual serious expression, "but no matter how hard I tried, I could only come up with this."
Smoker snorts briefly, but the hint of a smile is on his face when looking at you again.
"Well, you have way better taste in presents than in men. I just hope this isn't some kind of bribe."
You laugh before shaking your head.
"Of course not." You clear your throat because yep, there it was the second lump in your throat of the day. "It's just a sincere token of appreciation for...well, for being you. For always being there for me, helping me no matter how much I bothered you, and despite who I am."
Smoker looks at you for a few seconds in silence. Then, he leaves the box on the table and takes your hands in his bigger ones.
"You are one hell of a woman, (y/n). One that could have made easier choices in life, for sure, but whom very few people deserve. And therefore, even if I prefer seeing you as little as possible given your problematic acquaintances, I hope that you keep bothering me whenever you have a problem that it's in my hand to solve."
You offer the man a pursed smile, product of your effort to prevent your lips from trembling, and nod.
"I will." You release Smoker's hands in order to enclose your hands around the man's neck. "Thank you for everything, ex-roomie."
Smoker snorts softly before returning the hug.
"Now that you mention that, you know that you still owe me the rent of those two weeks, right?"
Needless to say, Smoker gets beyond grumpy when you follow the joke and reach for your purse, and doesn't let you pay him a single penny.
Sometimes you still find it hard to believe how much things have changed in the span of a year. For sure, you have grown up from being that young girl that had his heart accidentally broken by Corazon. You're even stronger now, more determined, and have a clear view of what you want to do with your life.
Still, that confidence doesn't prevent your heart from beating faster when you are finally in front of Corazon's costume shop.
You had already foreseen that you were going to feel nervous when meeting Rebecca, and also when going to see Smoker; but the tight knot that settles in your lower stomach when you are finally at the shop is, without a doubt, the worst.
After taking a deep breath, you secure your hand on your bag and enter the shop.
Immediately, the nervousness that you are feeling vanishes when seeing yourself submerged in the usual chaos that the costume shop is, with Corazon attending the phone at the same time that takes notes, Bartolomeo carrying several costumes from one place to the other of the shop while cursing, and Cavendish rapidly turning the pages of the giant catalog of costumes that they still keep - even if everything is online now - and rapidly answering the questions that Corazon is making.
"Oh, wait a second." Corazon separates the handset from his ear and presses it against his chest before looking at you with an expression that is both desperate and apologetic. "(y/n), I know that you are leaving tonight, but we're having quite an emergency right now so do you think you can give us a little hand here?"
Of course, you don't have to be told twice.
During the past year, the popularity of Corazon's costume shop has grown even more, which means that people are already calling to book appointments for Halloween's costumes even if there still remained a month and half for it.
You spend the next two hours helping everyone around, and you are rather proud of yourself when you don't even need to remove your heels to do so. It seems that by then you have become an expert of being 100% productive while dressed to the nines, courtesy of all the events that you have needed to attend during the past months.
It's half an hour past the shop closing time when Corazon finally switches the sign hanging on the door of the shop so that it says 'closed', and drops on one of the two big sofas that have been put in the entrance of the shop together with a small table full of magazines, so that the customers have a place to wait.
"Finally," Corazon breathes before looking at you, who are sitting on the other sofa between Bartolomeo and Cavendish. "A thousand thanks, (y/n). I really hope not having ruined your plans for this afternoon."
"But what do you say, boss?" Bartolomeo says with a tired but playful tone. "It's evident that (y/n) wanted to spend her last day in the city exploited in the shop."
You chuckle when hearing Bartolomeo's comment but immediately talk when seeing the super guilty expression that appears in Corazon's face.
"Hey, I couldn't ask for a better way to finish this day!" Corazon's guilt expression doesn't go anywhere, so you stand up rapidly. "Corazon, I mean it! I'm really glad for it." You sit next to Corazon and turn your body to be facing him before placing a hand on his knee. Luckily, all that time you have spent working together causes the words to flow easily from your lips, this time with zero nervousness. "I'm really looking forward to starting working in the new place, but this job - and please, never tell Doffy this - will keep being the best job I've ever had. I've learned a lot thanks to you, I've had a lot of fun working with all of you, and I'm gonna miss it. A lot."
As you talked, Corazon's eyes have gotten more and more watery, and at the end of your speech, he's practically crying before pulling you into a warm hug.
"I'm gonna miss you too, (y/n). You're not just the best friend someone could ask for, you're also a really talented woman. I know for certain that I won't be able to find someone that can replace you."
You smile against Corazon's chest without breaking the hug. You then hear Cavendish chuckling, and the sound of someone loudly blowing his nose, presumably Bartolomeo.
"I also doubt that you can find someone as good as (y/n), but I hope you hire someone else nevertheless, boss." Cavendish intervenes while Bartolomeo keeps sniffling. "Actually, with how good things are going around, you should probably consider hiring a few more people."
"Yeah, but please, make sure that those people you hire plan to stay for a long time, 'kay?" Bartolomeo snaps, his voice a little nasal due to his crying. "I don't want to lose more friends in the following five years at least."
"What the hell." You separate from Corazon to stare at Bartolomeo in disbelief. And wow, the man had really cried. In fact, his eyes and nose were even redder than Corazon's. "What do you mean by 'losing a friend', you idiot? Even if I'm moving to another city, I don't plan to lose contact with either of you! And I really hope you keep talking to me or I'll be back just to kick your pretty decent ass."
The three men laugh when hearing that last sentence.
"You promise?" Bartolomeo questions, and when realizing that there's still a hint of insecurity in his voice, you rapidly stand up and recover your previous spot on the sofa between your coworkers to enclose an arm around Bartolomeo's shoulders.
"I promise, silly. I may dress fancier now, but you can bet that I will keep attending any concerts you do, and screaming at the top of my lungs to cheer you up." You enclose your other arm around Cavendish. "And of course, I'll keep buying all the magazines where Cavendish appears."
Cavendish chuckles again and hugs you at the same time as Bartolomeo, who is way more relaxed after realizing that there was no way that he could lose you.
You're still in that position, with Corazon looking fondly at you three, when the door of the shop opens. You immediately deduce who has entered even before the man talks with his panty-dropper voice, as you like to call it when he's around just to tease him.
"Oh, so Barto-yo cried too," Law comments with amusement before approaching the sofas. "I thought that Cora-san was the only crybaby around here."
You chuckle when Bartolomeo tsks and Corazon simply sighs with patience, though the big man accepts Law's greeting kiss without any reluctance, as usual.
"Or maybe you're a too cold guy, doc," you intervene then with a mocking tone. "You know that you'll keep being attractive as hell even if you let your feelings out a little more, right?"
"Oh, don't let him fool you, (y/n), he does let his feelings out," Corazon comments then with a casual tone that makes Law tense in alert. "You should see him when we watch certain movies, especially when animals are involved."
Law glares at Corazon and you laugh together with Cavendish and Bartolomeo after seeing Law's betrayed expression.
"Only someone without a heart could not cry after seeing that movie, Corazon."
"Careful, boss, he has called you 'Corazon'."
"Wait, which movie?" you ask with curiosity after Bartolomeo speaks, and your question makes Law clear his throat before averting his eyes to the side.
"Dumbo," he mutters, causing both Bartolomeo and Cavendish to laugh while you gasp.
"Hey, that's super normal! I also cried with that movie. You really have to be inhuman not to cry when he sees his mother again behind bars!"
"Thank you," Law said in earnest before looking at Corazon, who was barely suppressing a laugh. "See? It's not that weird."
"I know, but you know how much I love seeing you flustered."
And indeed, Law blushes hard when hearing Corazon's lilting comment, while showing an expression that is very similar to the one Doflamingo shows when teasing you.
Speaking of the devil, at that moment your mobile starts to sound with the personalized ringtone that you have assigned to him.
"Yes, Doffy, what's up?"
"My dear, I presume that my little brother hasn't wasted the opportunity of making you work one last time?"
You smile while looking at Corazon,
"Yes, you already know what a tyrant boss he is."
The comment causes everyone but Corazon to chuckle, including Doflamingo.
"Oh, I am aware. In that case, I'll send Lao-G to the shop."
"Okay, thank you Doffy. Love you." You are about to hang up but at the last second you gasp. "Wait wait, can you tell Jora to make sure that [name]'s toys are also in my bag? I think I packed his favorite ball and doll but I want to be sure."
You aren't surprised when hearing Doffy click his tongue with annoyance at the other side.
"I don't know why you insist on keeping that animal."
You take a deep breath, as every time that Doflamingo shows his interest in getting rid of the baby crocodile that the CEO of Baroque Works sent you, as a belated thank you for having convinced Doflamingo to spare Bellatrix' life.
"Doffy, we've already talked about this. I know that your association with Crocodile isn't gonna make you best friends, but you have to admit that [name] is super cute!"
"Should I remind you that [name]'s mum was about to eat you once?"
"Maybe, but children shouldn't pay for their parents' mistakes, and I know that you agree with that."
Doflamingo stays silent at the other side of the line before sighing again, this time in defeat.
"Well played, young lady. I won't insist on kicking that lizard away anymore as long as she's the last present that you accept from that bastard."
You hum, preferring to keep to yourself that just a week ago, you had received a giant flowers bouquet from Crocodile with the excuse of congratulating you for the creation of your non-profit organization; a bouquet that you had handed to your secretary because you hadn't had the heart of throwing the beautiful plants to the waste bin.
After another half a minute of chit-chat, you say goodbye to Doflamingo before looking at Corazon.
"It's Doffy. He says that Lao G will arrive soon to pick me up."
The small silence that falls next doesn't last long enough to turn into a sad one, since Law, now sitting next to Corazon, talks at that moment.
"By the way, now that you have mentioned children before," Law extracts a small piece of paper from the pocket of his coat, "this is the prescription you asked me for."
"Oh, thank you, Law. I had totally forgotten about it." You lean forward with your arm extended to take the small paper. "Although I think that I'll stick to condoms for a while. My period is still making crazy things and I want it to normalize, damn."
"Well, that's what happens when you don't take the necessary precautions."
You accept the criticism with a contrite nod. You still remember the reprimand that Law gave you when you appeared in his consultation after your reconciliation with Doffy, asking for the morning-after pill. Of course, the doctor gave it to you, and had been monitoring you while your period stabilized again, but if there was something that you had learned was that it was the damn last time you would get carried away like that.
And okay, the sex from that day was great. So great, damn it, almost impossible to beat, you'd dare to say. But for sure you didn't want to repeat the panic that invaded you the next morning, once want and lust weren't fogging your mind anymore.
One thing was that you loved Doffy deeply, and another that you wanted to become a mum already. It wasn't that the idea was discarded or anything, but for sure you wanted to wait until your organization took off, since it had just barely started to be operative.
It takes Lao G around 10 minutes to arrive with the limousine, and you spend that time talking to your friends. Time flies, so you are glad when Corazon says that he's planning to accompany you, something that shouldn't have surprised you given that his brother is leaving the city.
You hug Bartolomeo and Cavendish one last time before turning to Law.
"I hope you tag along when Corazon comes to visit," you say, and the hopeful tinge of your tone makes Law smile a little.
"I will. Who would waste the opportunity to visit his former love rival?"
You laugh when hearing the teasing words. It really seems like an eternity has passed since you and Law were all awkward around each other because, at the time, you were in love with Corazon.
"I hope to be more than that for you," you say with the same vibe, making Law chuckle before surprising you with a hug that leaves you in awe, since you have only seen him display such open affection with Corazon.
"I hope you never doubt you are, (y/n)-ya," he says, causing you to chuckle again before returning the hug.
For the third time that day, you are suppressing the urge to cry when you enter the limousine, and when you wave your hand goodbye towards Law, Cavendish and Bartolomeo - who is crying again, by the way - the smile on your face is trembling a little.
Corazon and you barely talk as Lao-G drives in the direction of the airport. The gentle giant that your former boss is simply takes your hand between his, and you interlace your fingers together while looking through the window, falling in a comfortable silence.
It's already dark when the limousine finally stops close to the landing track that has been booked so that the Donquixote Family's private plane could use it to their discretion. However, the lights on either side of the track allows you to perfectly distinguish your boyfriend's big frame, waiting for you next to the private plane with his hands hooked in the pockets of his white pants.
"I hope you are happy, little brother. You have managed to delay our flight for almost twenty minutes."
Doflamingo speaks when you're close enough to hear him, but his apparently reprimanding words contrast with the teasing present in his smirk.
"Hey, you've had the nerve of stealing my best friend and employee from me, so don't you dare to complain." Despite the accusation, Corazon doesn't waste time in hugging Doflamingo. "Have a safe trip, brother. I hope it doesn't take you another 15 years to come to visit."
"It won't," you can't help but say with a final tone that makes both men laugh.
"You've heard my lady," Doflamingo comments with an amused tone before separating from Corazon. "See you, Corazon. It goes without saying that there will always be a spot for you at the Company, in case one day common sense makes you officially join the Family."
You, and for sure Doflamingo too, were expecting that Corazon shook his head no, as every time that Doflamingo asks him to join him.
That's the reason why you both are beyond surprised when the shopkeeper reaches for his wallet and extracts his personal card from it.
"Well, now that you mention it, I've heard that your lovely girlfriend is working hard in a very promising NGO, so I was wondering," Corazon offers the card to Doflamingo, whose eyes behind his glasses are as open as yours, "if you would be interested in a mutual collaboration. Perhaps a humble costume shop is not much of use for you at the moment, but I was thinking about expanding my business a little and including the creation of handmade, thematic plushies in my shop, which is something that, maybe, could be used as solidarity gifts to gain more members."
You and Doflamingo remain completely silent when Corazon finishes talking, which gives the man the chance of showing a smirk that can perfectly rival the one that Doflamingo often displays.
"Should I take your silence as a negative, or—?"
Corazon's sentence ends with a strangled gasp when Doflamingo hugs him again.
"It really took you a long time to accept my offer, my dumb little brother," Doflamingo says with a mix of irritation and relief, breaking the hug but keeping his hand on the back of the man's nape.
Corazon chuckles again, before his eyes divert towards you, who still can't believe what you have just heard.
"You should thank (y/n) for it, Doffy. She has managed to find a way so that I can finally be a part of your world."
Doflamingo laughs in his characteristic way before separating, allowing you to hug Corazon as tight as you could, barely being able to suppress the happy tears at the realization that there's no way that you can lose contact with Corazon, the man you once fell in love with, and that you will always love even if it was in a different manner now.
"I expect your written proposal in my email tomorrow first thing in the morning," you say with a happy tone that makes Corazon laugh before kissing the side of your head.
"Consider it done," he assures before taking some steps backwards as you finally proceed to climb up the small sets of stairs leading the private jet, with Doflamingo keeping his hand on your lower back while following behind you.
The entire Donquixote Family is already waiting for you inside the plane, causing the usual ruckus, and the first one that catches your attention is Rebecca, who is carrying your little-for-now-but-not-for-long pet in her hands in a protective way.
"Hey, (y/n)! Don't worry: I've stopped your boyfriend from trying to give this little fella up for adoption."
"Sugar, what the hell are you doing? Crocodiles don't eat grapes, you idiot."
"Shut up, Delli, he's eating them just well, see?"
"Trebol, do you think it's possible that you don't finish all the snacks before the plane takes off?"
"Behehehe. I can't make any promises, neee~."
"Oh, don't worry about the food, Diamante: there's plenty of it and I was planning to start cooking right now—Lao-G, what have I said about exercising before eating?!"
"Relax, Miss Jora: they are just a couple harmless exercises to—CRACK!"
"Here we go again, pikkya-pikkya-pikkyarara!"
"I guess it's our turn to help the old man, iiiin. Let's go Gladius!"
"Just give me one second to finish this, Machvise. It would be very stupid to blow up with the bomb I'm creating 'cause I'm rushing things..."
"Miss Viola, have I already told you that you have broken my hard-boiled heart by starting going out with Kyros?"
"Yes, my dear Mr. Pink. In fact I think this is the seventh time you say it."
"...I know I'm gonna be hit for this, but why are you crying now, Baby 5?"
"BECAUSE SAI FINALLY SENT ME A HEART WHEN WISHING ME A NICE TRIP AND I'M SO HAPPY!"
As always, the Family craziness doesn't fail to put a smile on your face; a smile that only grows when Doflamingo, already without his white jacket, encloses both of his arm around your waist from behind and lowers his face to whisper directly in your ear.
"Young lady, would you mind joining me for a bit in our private room? There is a certain urgent matter that we need to settle there."
You have quite an accurate idea of what Doflamingo means with that, so you can't barely hide your excitement while following the man towards the luxurious private bedroom of the jet that you have already had the chance of enjoying.
Now that you think about it, probably that time you had sex in that plane was the second best, since there were few things that could beat Doflamingo buried inside you and driving you towards a mind-blowing orgasm all while enjoying the best sights over through the plane window.
"I just hope that there aren't too many turbulences this time," you comment while removing your coat, your back turned towards Doflamingo while the man closes the door. "Last time it was a miracle that we didn't fall from the bed—"
You turn around then to face Doflamingo while already loosening the top buttons of your shirt, but you don't get to complete the action, and much less the sentence.
Because Doflamingo has his right hand extended in front of him, offering you a small red box.
Well, it seems that, this time, your supposition about why Doflamingo wanted to talk in private to you couldn't be more inaccurate.
"You already know that patience is not one of my strong points, young lady, so I'll go straight to the point." Doflamingo takes a couple of steps forward until he is standing in front of your completely shocked persona. Then, he removes his glasses and lets it rest on the closest table before continuing talking. "(y/n) (l/n), we both know that you're already mine, but would you marry me and become my wife to make official that I will always be yours?"
You stare at Doflamingo in disbelief, eyes and mouth open and breath held while the man opens the small box to show you the most beautiful ring you have ever seen.
During the entire day, you have managed to hold back the tears while saying goodbye to the people you cared about.
But at that moment, with Doflamingo looking at you with that light in his eyes that only appears when you two are alone, and proposing in such a unique way, you can't hold your tears back anymore.
"Shall I take those sobs as a yes, young lady?" Doflamingo teases you with a tone that is softer than usual, and that makes you exhale a trembling laugh before nodding.
"Fuck, yes, Doffy, of course it's a yes."
You get on your tiptoes to enclose your arms around Doflamingo and kiss him deeply. Tears are now streaming down your face, and you can feel your heart pounding against your chest while you both make out, but you can't remember the last time you felt so happy.
Damn, you had been expecting that Doflamingo proposed at some point of the year, given how fast things have always been between you two. But you had assumed that the man was waiting to propose during your anniversary. Of course, you have been naive by assuming that Doflamingo was going to do something as predictable.
"And don't worry, I'm not going to ask how much this has cost you," you say once you have separated, while Doflamingo puts the ring in your finger.
"And I hope that you continue avoiding asking that kind of questions while we prepare the wedding, young lady."
You chuckle, one of your arms still surrounding Doflamingo while observing the jewel in your finger.
"I promise I'll do my best to just enjoy the preparations without minding the fortune you're going to spend in them." You sigh in content and look at Doflamingo again with a teasing smile. "Will you make me change my last name?"
Doflamingo snorts softly.
"If it was in my power, I would." Doflamingo suddenly lifts you princess style and carries you the last steps until he deposits you on the bed, with him looming over you. "But you see, (y/n), my fiancé happens to be a really stubborn woman and doesn't always listen to my wishes."
You hum while enclosing your arms around his neck.
"Well, I have the hunch that, this time, your stubborn fiancé will indulge you." You smile tenderly while placing your ringed hand in the side of his face. "Because she really loves you, and would be super honored and happy to take your last name."
Doflamingo laughs in his characteristic way before lowering his head until your noses are brushing.
"And that's the reason why I love her so much."
You have time to enjoy Doflamingo's genuine, happy smile, the one that only you are allowed to see, before your mouth is captured in a passionate kiss, which is soon followed by several more.
It takes you both your good 45 minutes to join the Family again, and as you were expecting, Rebecca manages to notice the engagement ring in your finger before Doflamingo has time to make the announcement, causing an even louder, enthusiastic ruckus to fall in the private jet.
While being congratulated for the engagement, and while being dragged into several hugs by the histrionic members of the Family you are now part of, you realize that the sadness that you have been experiencing for having to say goodbye to your friends has been thrown into the background, since now emotion, anticipation and happiness have mainly taken its place.
You know very well that being part of the Family won't always be easy, and there will for sure be times in which your principles will keep clashing with the Family's interest.
However, be it the exigent job you have brought upon yourself, or your marriage with Donquixote Doflamingo, the most infamous businessman of all times that managed to capture your heart, you know that you are more than ready for whatever comes next.
And you have absolute faith that, no matter how many challenges are waiting ahead, living your future it's going to be beyond worth it.
And finally, after almost 5 years, Costumes & Romances comes to an end :))
I have to say that I'm happy to have been able to finish it, despite the hiatus this series has gone through whenever I got hyped with another fandom and I left this story a little abandoned ^^U
Special thanks to everyone who has been around since the beginning, and in general to everyone who enjoyed the story, felt themselves identified with the reader in one way or the other, and maybe dropped a kudo or a comment. I hope you had as much fun reading this fic as I had writing it 3 3 ;)