Chapter 3

It was night time already and Benn had manage to make a small storage in the boat into a room just for Alexis to sleep. I basically consisted on a tall mattress and about three to four blankets. Next to it was a small dresser that was filled with female clothing that they bought from the island they were at. Some shirts that used to belong to the crew members were kept as well since Alexis stated that she enjoyed baggy shirts to sleep with.

After the celebration Shanks accompanied Mihawk to an Inn in the island before returning once again and shutting himself in his captain room. The rest of the pirates went to rest immediately after the party thanks to tremendous amounts of alcohol and food that were ingested. Alexis, on the other hand, was having trouble falling asleep so she exited her room and walked to the deck of the ship. She breathed in the salty night air before sitting down on the decorative dragon head at the edge of the ship. The fresh breeze brushed her red hair backwards and caused her long white blouse to dance along with the wind flow. Her naked legs were resting on each side of the decorative dragon's neck and swinging, almost childishly, back and forth, touching small drops of sea water that splashed against the boat.

The moonlight bathed her pale skin, giving her an unusual sparkle under the dark night sky. Alexis covered her grey eyes with her pale eyelids before beginning to sing "Release my Soul" from one of the anime Alexis enjoyed the most: Guilty Crown. Her angelic voice echoed through the night, opening way towards the Red hair captain's room. He was still up, only using his beige pants and flip-flops, checking maps and various files when the melody reached his ears. He snapped his head upward, grabbed his long black cape and opened the door, trying to find the source of the angelical melody that was tormenting his ears with promises of gentleness and kindness. In seconds he found himself outside with the gentle ocean breeze caressing his features. His eyes set upon the gentle figure of Alexis that was sitting on the decorative dragon of his ship. He leaned against the door frame that lead to the interior of the ship, closed his onyx eyes and just listened to the song his new-found crew member was singing.

To stay with you always

You are the world to me

And dreaming on

So you can take my sword for you

Oh, how do you feel so fine

You are the world to me

And dream on

You stole my heart so long ago

Oh, I release my soul

So you feel my song

Once she finished, Shanks opened his eyes at the same time as Alexis did the same and they both stared at the night sky.

-Still awake? – Alexis asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them. She climbed down the dragon's neck and sat down on the railing of the boat, looking at Shanks' tempting figure. She noticed his chiselled torso under his open black cape and had to fight her desire to run her fingers down his body.

-Doing my work as a captain. – He walked up to her and leaned against the railing, just one step away from where she was sitting down.

-My, my. You do work. – She commented innocently. – And I took you for a laid-back captain that didn't deal with paperwork.

-If I hadn't need to deal with paperwork I would be a happy man. – He chuckled lightly along with her. – But I have to do it, so…

-It mustn't be that bad!

-It's boring! – He exhaled these words which made Alexis laugh more.

-I know that feeling. – She chuckled as she remembered her college days where she would spend hours without end, reading and writing, dealing with tons of paperwork. It was really boring to her.

The couple fell silent once again, glancing at the stars high and mighty in the sky.

-You're from another world? – Shanks finally asked, breaking the silence.

-Yes I am. – She stated and crossed her legs on the railing, placing her hands on her ankles. She tilted her head to the side, letting her red hair cascade to her side as she looked at the handsome red haired pirate that was next to her.

-Can you tell me things about your world? – He finally met her gaze, taking in her facial features once again.

-Do you have time? – She questioned him, an amused expression on her face.

-I have all night. – He winked at her and both laughed.

-Nice old-fashioned flirting technique. – She commented between chuckles.

And so she began to unwind everything she could remember of her world: food, technology, art, music, politics, and the pirates of her world… So many things that came to her mind and Shanks listened patiently to this endless conversation with attention and enthusiasm. He felt fascinated by this world so different from his own. Of course Alexis didn't occult the darker side of her world's history mentioning the two world wars, natural and human disasters…

-Amazing… - He finally mumbled when she finished talking.

-I honestly don't think so…

-Why so?

-It's not… Like this world. – Alexis looked up at the sky once again and smiled melancholically. – It doesn't have this… magic and wonder of this world. Maybe I'm blind to beauty in my world, I don't know but I feel like… that wasn't the place I belonged. – She chuckled. – To be honest, I never thought this situation – She gestured a circle with her hand in the air – would ever happen and just thinking about living the rest of my life in a boredom place, working in a boring job and doing nothing else with my life was not fulfilling to me. I need something different and what happened to me… it's amazing and… perfect. – She looked back at him, a sad smile bathing her features. – I like it here, even though I've been here for so little time, I feel as if this is where I'm supposed to be. – She chuckled melancholically. – Silly idea, I know. I'm not giving value to my world… But still…

-You believe this place is where you belong. – Shanks finished the sentence for her, capturing her attention from the night sky. – Who am I to judge you, then? – He smiled kindly at her before walking in front of her, shortening the distance between the two bodies. He reached out his hand towards the side of her head and brushed a red lock away from her face. – If you like it here and feel this is your place then, as your captain, I'll support you.

-Thanks captain. – She smiled kindly at him, savouring his gentle touch as he brushed away her hair from her face.

-You're welcome.

With that, they stood silent for a long while, just staring at each other. Shanks didn't even bother to take away his hand from her hair: it felt so smooth against his rough and calloused hand. Despite enjoying this closeness to Alexis, Shanks had to step back for he believed it was for the best to not develop a love relationship when he lead the life he did. Alexis noticed this sudden detachment from his part so, in response, she sighed and jumped down from the railing, letting the long blouse cover her legs halfway. With her bare feet touching the slightly cold wooden floor, Alexis began to feel cold. Or maybe it was because Shanks suddenly became a bit cold compared to before.

-Goodnight Shanks. – She finally said as she looked into his onyx eyes and began to walk to her room. – Go rest as well. You need it captain. – With her back turned to him, she raised her hand in the air and waved at him with two risen fingers.

Shanks could only smile in amusement at the relaxed figure that was Alexis as she stepped to the interior of the ship. With a sigh, he followed her trail and headed to him own room to continue his work.

Or maybe keep his promise of rest he made to her.

A/N:

Third chapter: OUT! :DD

I know it was shorter, I'll make it up in the next chapter.

It was shorter because I felt like it should end at that and I believe it's adorable XD

Anyway: Hope you enjoy this new chapter and the story itself. I'm doing my best so far xD

One Piece doesn't belong to me!

Only Alexis does :3