Life on Punk Hazard
Part Two
Neo carefully peaked around the corner and down the hallway that led to the Biscuits Room. The door was about halfway open, but it didn't appear that anyone was inside at the moment. She looked over her shoulder, back down the hall she had just came from and wondered if she should forget about this room and the kids. A few days ago she finally started wandering away from Law a bit, keeping herself constantly connected to his location as she cautiously looked around the building on her own. And just two days ago she started going to the kitchen to help with the food even more than before. Over two months of cold, tasteless food was enough for her. She was currently heading to the kitchen to help with dinner when suddenly she took an unexpected turn and found herself here where the kids resided.
She had no idea what compelled her to come back to this room. But she did. This room, the kids, had been on her mind quiet a lot since the first time she came into this room. Law did occasionally discourage her from returning to this room again, but never flat out ordered her to stay away. So she knew he really didn't care if she did or didn't return to this place just as long as she kept out of the way and didn't interfere with whatever was going on.
She stepped into the hall and soon found herself in the colorful room. As she thought, no one was inside at the moment so she took the time to look around the room. Blocks, balls, dolls, puzzles, books, and other kids toys were scattered around the main room she stepped into. She picked up a book and looked at it. A fluffy sheep was on the cover, chewing grass. She was about to open it and see what it was about when a rumble of feet on the floor and happy chatter pulled her attention to one of the other doorways in the room. Just then all of the missing kids came running into the room. They continued to chat happily until one of them noticed her there. "Oh. Hey! It's you! You're that girl from the other day!"
"We were wondering where you went," another one said. "Do you stay in another part of the building?"
"What was your name again?" a third one asked.
"Neo," Neo replied.
"Neo? That's a funny name!" One of the boys laughed.
"Doran! That's rude!" The tall wavy, black haired girl, Mocha, poked Doran on the arm.
"I'm sorry," Doran apologized.
"It's okay," Neo replied. She tilted her head, unsure of what to do now. She's never really had much interaction with children. The only one she could recall really doing anything with and talking to was that little fire elemental she helped back on Luminous.
"Are there other kids with you?" one asked.
"No. And I'm not a kid." Neo pointed at herself. "I'm twenty two years old."
"What?!" All the kids gasped. "But you look so young!"
"Yeah." Neo nodded. "I get that a lot."
"Oh. We're sorry," the black haired girl said.
"It's okay. You all didn't know. And last time was the first time we met." Neo ran her eyes over all of the kids. "Why exactly are you here?"
"We're sick. The master here is treating us with these yummy candies," Mocha replied. Neo started chewing on her bottom lip at the giant girl's words. Something about that didn't seem right. "What about you? Do you work for the master? Who are you exactly?"
"No, I don't work for Caesar, not really. I'm here because…well it's kind of complicated to explain," Neo replied. She strummed her fingers on her thigh in thought. "I'm a pirate. Me and my husband are here because…"
"A pirate?!" the kids shrieked and stepped away in fear.
"You don't have to be scared. I won't hurt you all," Neo said. Guilt hit her fairly hard for unintentionally scaring the kids even though it was unintentional. They cautiously watched her with tears streaming down their cheeks. She summoned her wind crystals and lifted them into the air. She rocked them until they stopped crying.
"Huh? We're flying!" the kids exclaimed happily. Some held out their arms and flapped them like wings while others just hung there as Neo glided them around the room.
"How are you able to do this?" a kid asked.
"With my ma-powers. I have control over the elements," Neo replied as she sat them back down on the floor.
"Over all of them?" another kid asked. Neo nodded. "Could you show us?"
"Well, I was heading for the kitchen to help cook dinner," Neo started. She paused when the kids became sad and teary eyes. "I suppose I could show you really quickly, but then I really need to go."
"Yeah!" the kids cheered. Neo summoned one of each of her element crystals. She gave them a quick demonstration of how they worked then banished them. The kids clapped and cheered in amazement. "That was amazing."
"Thanks. It was nothing." Neo rubbed the back of her neck while her cheeks tinted pink. She started for the door. "I really have to go now."
"You said you were going to go cook, right?" Doran asked.
"Yes." Neo nodded.
"Do you make chocolate chip cookies?" Doran asked hopefully.
"Yes. I can make those." Neo nodded again.
"Could you please make us some sometime then?" Doran asked. He got down on the floor so he would be more eye level with her. All of the other kids cheered and pleaded for her to make them as they gathered closer to her. Neo twitched at their closeness, but reminded herself that they were just kids and wasn't going to hurt her and that the door was just behind her. "I haven't had those in forever! I really miss them!"
"Oh, well, I suppose I could," Neo said, causing the kids to cheer again. "But I'm not sure if I have all the fixings for it here. The ingredients might have to be shipped in. I'll have to look first."
"Then please look! We can wait a few more days for them!" Doran pleaded.
"All right then. I really have to go now." Neo waved to the kids as she rushed out of the room. She rushed down the halls of the building before bolting into the kitchen. The two other cooks greeted her with smiles. "Sorry. I know I'm late. I got distracted by the kids."
"Good evening, Lady Law. You were with the kids?" Roca asked.
"Yeah. They wanted to see how my devil fruit powers worked." Neo nodded. She took off her coat and placed it on one of the apron hooks before grabbing an apron. She tied the apron around her waist then pulled Penguin's ribbon from her pocket and tied her hair back. "They made a request for chocolate chips cookies. I haven't made them in quite a while too. Do we have the ingredients to make them?"
"I'm afraid not. But we're going to put in an order for more food tomorrow. We can add it to the list," Kennan said.
"Great! They said they could wait a couple days!" Neo smiled. The small group of three then settled into their tasks of making dinner. In the middle of their cooking, a cold shiver ran down her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She paused the knife half way through a tomato and whipped around. She carefully glanced around the dinning hall. A few of Caesar's men had come in at some point, but were chatting happily at a table. Nothing seemed out of the place and the feeling passed. She then turned back to her vegetables and started cutting them up again.
...
A few days later, the supply ship had finally arrived. When it did Neo literally flew to the kitchen. She was so excited about making the cookies that she used her crystals to help her. This sped up the process and she got dozens of cookies done within an hour. She left some in the kitchen for everyone else while take some to the kids. Both the kids and the adults were happy to have the sweet treat, as it was rare here to have. She got a lot of praise for the cookies before she managed to pry herself from the kids growing admiration for her.
With her coat hung over her left shoulder, Neo hummed to herself as she walked down the hall. She had a plastic bag of the cookies she was going to stash in the room for her and Law to nibble on. She smiled when she saw one of Caesar's men, one who had goat legs and horns, coming in her direction. He nodded politely at her when he met her gaze. Suddenly, the man crossed to the other side of the hallway. Neo narrowed her eyebrows slightly when he did this. It struck her as very odd. Something didn't feel right. Her hairs stood up. Before she could think more on it, the man slammed into her, knocking her into the wall and a cold stone clamped down on her right wrist.
Neo's anxiety shot up and her body temperature dropped when she realized this man was touching her. She started to summon her crystals but instantly stopped when she noticed the cold stone on her wrist was sea prism stone. She could easily feel the sea within the stone. 'Law! Help!'
"Finally. You're mine," the man said in a tone that sent Neo's skin crawling. The sexual hungry look in his eyes sent cold shivers up and down her spine. She jumped and tried to shift away from him when he placed his hand on her knee. He pressed his left arm against her shoulders, pinning her to the wall. Her heart hammered against her chest. If she could bite him, she would have. Her magic stirred, responding to her stress. Mentally, she begged for them not to erupt. "Now, now. We both know there's no point in trying to get away. That's sea prism stone after all."
Neo shivered when the man leered at her. She then realized it was him that kept given her the feeling of being watched.
"You are such a marvelous beauty. You really are something special. I can feel it. You're different from other women. It's nice. I would love to get to know you better. Let's do that, shall we?" the man said while running his eyes over her body hungrily. She flinched when his hand started traveling up her leg. Her stomach churned when his hand landed on a very forbidden place that only Law was allowed to touch. She clenched her eyes shut, tears leaking out, seconds before a familiar blue film filled the area. Suddenly, she felt Law's very angry presence right beside her and the man went flying back from her. Then both Law and the man were gone in a blink. She placed her hand on her tear-streaked face and took in several shaky breaths until he returned to her side seconds later. He placed his hand on her head, forcing his anger down when she flinched at his touch, and stroked her hair. "Neo, I have the key."
Neo raised her tear filled eyes to him. He bit back a growl at her shattered expression as she grabbed the key from his fingers. With a very shaky hand, she unlocked the cuff then, using her winds, threw them as far down the hall as she possible could. She then lunged into him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she cried uncontrollably. "L-Law…"
"Shh." Setting his sword down, Law resumed stroking her hair while wrapping his right arm around her. He held her for a moment like that before gathering up their scattered items. "I'm taking you back to the room now."
She nodded wordlessly against him. When he stood up, she wrapped her legs around his waist and clung as tightly to him as she possibly could. He then warped them back to their current dwellings. Not even turning on the light, he placed the cookies on the table, set his sword and her coat aside then patted her leg as a signal he was going to sit down. She unwound her legs for him. He sat down, removed her boots from her feet, and held her close to him until her tears subsided. "L-Law…he…he touch me…he tried to…"
"I know." Law forced himself to restrain his anger at the now dead man. He tightened his hold on her even more. "He won't ever touch you again. You're safe now. I'm right here. I've got you."
Law paused for a while. He let his words soak in as he continued to hold her and wrap his presence around her. When she was calm enough to really listen to him, he said, "Neo, if anything like that ever happens again, use your crystals."
"What?" Neo lifted her tear stained eyes to him. He brushed his fingers over her soft skin. "But what about-"
"Don't worry about your secrets. Keeping you safe is far more important," Law said. His eyes glinted with danger. "Besides, they won't live long enough to tell anyone about them. So use your crystals. I don't ever want this to happen again. Do you understand me?"
"Yes." Neo nodded. "I started to but stopped. I knew I should have used them. I'm sorry. It's my fault he-"
"No!" Law said sternly. She turned her eyes up to him. He relaxed with a deep breath. "No, my love. Nothing here, nothing that happened was your fault. You were taken by surprise by someone with evil intent. You did fine. And I was nearby to help you. It's okay. You know what to do from now on. I'll take care of the rest."
Neo nodded a couple times before resting her head back on Law's shoulder. He kissed her forehead and held her on his lap for a long while before either of them spoke up again. "Law, there's something…I need you to do for me."
"Anything, my love," Law whispered softly.
She thought about his words for a while before lifting off his shoulder. She reached for the zipper of his coat. Slowly, she started to unzip it. She stood up so she could completely undo it then straddled over his lap so she was facing him. Skillfully ignoring the gaping square hold in his chest that she had somewhat gotten use to, her heart swelled with warmth when she spotted his wedding band hanging on the silver chain around his neck. Law was rarely ever without it. If he wasn't wearing the ring on his finger, it was on the chain around his neck. She loved him for doing that for her. She picked the ring up, kissed it, and then placed her lips on his in a slow kiss.
Knowing where this was going, Law pushed off his boots with his toes.
Neo then broke their kiss for air. She pressed their foreheads together, panting softly. "I want you…I need you to erase what he tried to do. Only you can touch me like that. My body is only for you. Do this for me. I need you now. Okay? You can do that, right?"
"Yes, I can do that," Law whispered just before capturing her lips with soft movements of their lips parting for each other before he glided his tongue over hers. He trailed his hands up over her sides and her back, kneading his fingers and palms in all the right places. She tensed under his touches then relaxed her body the longer he did it. When she was good and relaxed, he lifted off her shirt and chucked it across the room, not caring where it landed. She moaned softly into their kiss as his hands began to work their typical magic over her covered breasts before he pull that article of clothing off and gave it the same treatment as her shirt. Without breaking their kiss, he stood up with her. She wrapped her legs back around his waist as he carried her over to the bed. He slowly laid her down, their kiss never faltering as things heated up between them.
Law trailed his kissed away from her lips. Placing soft pecks across her cheek to her neck until he made his way to her breasts when he took her in his mouth, working her into a panting, moaning mess, begging for him to be inside of her. Once they were both good, relaxed and aroused, he removed the remaining clothes she was wearing. Tugging her jeans and panties over her hips, he placed kisses on both her thighs before dropping her clothes on the floor. Standing up, he rid himself of his own pants and boxers, removed his chain and ring so it wouldn't get broken then fished a condom out of the nightstand drawer. Now protected, he climbed back on the bed. Placing long, heated kisses on her lips as he slid himself tantalizingly slow inside of her until he was completely inside of her warmth.
For a long while, neither of them moved. They just lay there in the most intimate position ever just feeling their physical connection to each other, feeling each others warmth, and feeling the intense love they held for each other. Law pressed her foreheads together. Both their eyes were closed and panting softly as they continued to just feel each other. She then glided the gentle touch of her fingertips over his back, making him shiver several times. She smiled. Only she would ever be able to make him do that. She kissed across his shoulder, making her way to his neck where she sucked softly on his caramel colored skin for several minutes, knowingly leaving behind a love bite.
Nuzzling her nose against his ear, she whispered softly to him in that same seductive tone she used the first time they did this and many times since then. It sent shivers down Law's spine whenever she tapped into that tone. He loved it. It became a very special part of their lovemaking. It was a very special tone she had reserved only for him. No one else knew about it, not even Penguin. And no one else would ever know about it. "Now, my love. Take me."
Intoxicated by her smell and tone, he slowly pulled out then pushed back in, hitting her spot. Her eyes fell closed as a soft moan of pleasure passed over her lips, vibrating tingles of pleasure washing over her body. He did this motion several times. Caressing her in the most sensual way possible. She liked it best when he was gentle, paying such close attention to what really made her feel good. He gave her everything she wanted, everything she needed, everything she asked of him. Slowly rocking his hips back and forth until she goad him into going faster and harder until she turned the tables on him and flipped their positions. She held him down with her vines as she took control. Placing kisses all over his body, teasing him, giving him what he wanted. They spent hours pleasuring each other, moaning and whispering each others names, kissing until their lips were dry, their voices raspy and all their energy had been spent. Once the protection removed and quickly discarded, he returned to her, holding her protectively close, apologizing for being to rough on her until she silenced him with a kiss then snuggling into each other to sleep and recover from their much needed, intense lovemaking.
Hours later, Law woke up. His body slightly heavier than usual, but it was a weight that he often carried and was use to. He didn't mind it at all. He rubbed the remaining sleep out of his eyes before putting his left hand behind his head to watch her sleep. She was laying on him as usual. Her head rested on his chest as she slumbered. They often ended up in this position after lovemaking. And neither knew how or why. He could only surmise it was because she wanted to be as close to him as possible. Bringing his right hand to her, he brushed her blue locks away that had fallen in her face. He trailed his fingertips in her hair before brushing them down her bare back. That's when he noticed her skin was slightly cool to the touch. He reached for their blanket, which was lying over her hips, and pulled it up over her shoulders then wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his own warm body.
He continued to lie like that for a while longer before his stiff body demanded he change his position. And Neo was rarely one for laying on her stomach for very long. So he knew she was pretty uncomfortable as well despite still being in a deep sleep. With his left hand supporting her head and his right arm on her back, he carefully rolled over onto his left side. She objected to the treatment of being moved with a soft whimper and snuggled back into his chest. Law couldn't help but chuckle at the display. He really loved her desire to be near him even when sleeping.
He glanced up at the small clock ticking above the door. It was almost nine o'clock. They had slept through breakfast. Law shrugged that off and snuggled back into Neo, breathing in her sweet scent from her hair. They had access to the kitchen anytime they pleased. They'd get something later. Right now he was more than content with watch his love sleep until she decided to wake up on her own. About half an hour later, she did. He opened his closed eyes to watch her stir from her slumber. Sleepily, she stared at his bare chest for a minute before looking up at him. In a raspy voice, she said, "Hey."
"Good morning, my love," Law replied with a soft smile. He tucked her hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling better." She smiled. "Last night was amazing."
Law's smile vanished at her hoarse voice. He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. "I was far too rough on you. You're hoarse. I'm sorry."
"Law, don't do that." Neo cupped his cheek and brushed her thumb over his skin. "You didn't hurt me. It was…a bit more rough than usual, but it was exactly what I needed. You were incredible like always. I love you so much for always giving me what I need. Don't worry about me being hoarse. It'll fade soon enough. Besides, your voice is a bit scratchy too."
Law's eyebrows rose on his forehead, his eyes widening in slight shock. He didn't even notice his own voice. Things got a bit rougher last night than he thought. Neo giggled at his shocked expression. He smiled, grateful that that man didn't do anything that would permanently damage his love. If it had, he would have repetitively pulled that man out of the grave and murdered him multiple times. He wanted to sadistically torture that man yesterday, but knew he had to quickly return to Neo. She was far more important than that man was.
"Law, are you okay?" Neo's voice broke into his thoughts. He locked his eyes onto her concerned ones. "I know you're upset about…what happened."
"Yes, love. I'm upset, but I'm all right." Law kissed her forehead before pressing his against hers with a content sigh. "You're safe now. You're not hurt. I'm glad you're feeling better. I-"
Before Law could finish, a couple loud bangs happened on the door. A low, muffled voice called out for them. "Law? Lady Law? The master wishes to see you. He has a task for you."
A couple more pounds on the door happened before the voice called out again. "Are you there? Law? Lady Law?"
Law started to get up, but Neo summoned her earth crystals. She wrapped her vines around him, pulling him back to her. He opened his mouth to ask what she was doing, but stopped when she shot him a harsh, but playful, glare and silently warned him to not make a sound by pressing her finger to his lips.
"They might be out on the island somewhere," another muffled voice said. "They occasionally skip breakfast to go out exploring."
"I guess they're already gone then."
"They'll be back soon I'm sure."
The two lovers remained still and quiet until long after the two men were gone. Pushing up on his elbow, Law once again tried to get up, but she wouldn't release him. "Neo, let go."
"No," Neo replied flatly. She hid her face into his chest and wrapped her arms tightly around his torso.
"Neo?" Law raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"No!" Neo repeated.
Law paused to take her in as she continued to hide her face in his chest. He tried to read her, but found he couldn't. She wasn't closed off to him, she just had her thoughts and feelings darkened. With a soft sigh, he stroked her hair. "What is it, my love?"
She turned her head slightly so he could hear her easier. "It's just…I just really want to be with you right now. Can't we stay right here for a little while longer?"
She tilted her chin. Her eyes became rounded, puppy like as she stared at him. "Please? Just for a little bit longer? Just the two of us? No Caesar Clown. No Monet. No former prisoners. No dragons. Just us."
"Very well. We can pretend to be outside of the room for a while longer." Law smiled.
"You're the best, my love." Neo pushed up on her elbow and pecked his lips before settling back down into his warm, familiar chest that vibrated with a deep chuckle.
Law settled back down in the bed. He wrapped his arms back around her, holding her as close as he could. They stayed like that for two hours. They just laid in bed, wrapped up in each others skin, breathing in each others scent, occasionally stealing kisses, teasingly touching each other until Law insisted they had to get up. Groaning as Law pulled her from the bed, she said, "I don't wanna get up."
"You have to, love. I've given you two hours. It's lunchtime. If we don't show up soon, they're really going to wonder where we are," Law said as he pulled her towards the bathroom.
"So what? They're suppose to stay out of our business anyway," Neo grumbled. "It's not like we have anything important to do here."
"We might not have anything important to do, but that doesn't give us the right to stay in bed all the time," Law said. Once in the bathroom, he pulled her over to the shower. Reaching in, he turned it on.
"I think it does." Neo jerked him away from the shower, his still naked body bumping into her still naked body. She curled her fingers around him. With a gentle tug, she got his entire body to involuntarily shiver. "We have important things we can do right here."
"Mmm." Law's eyelids closed. A soft moan escaped his lips as he dropped his forehead to hers. In his warning tone, he said, "Neo."
"Hm?" She hummed innocently.
"Not now. Not after last night," Law said, opening his eyes to give her a stern look.
"Oh." She released him. "Sometimes you are far too protective of me."
"It's for your own good." Law pecked her lips then guided her into the shower with him.
A while later, the two Heart Pirates were showered, dressed and heading towards the dinning hall for lunch, which was about half over. During their walk to their destination, they came upon Monet going the other way.
The green haired woman greeted them with a smile, but it was settled onto Law. She greeted them with a chilly, "Good afternoon. There isn't a problem is there? You've been missing all morning."
Neo glared at the woman for purposefully talking more to Law than both of them.
'Calm down, Neo. She's just being…'
'A pain? She only tries to flirt with you to get me angry. What's her deal?'
'Ignore her, love. She doesn't matter.'
"Everything's fine," Law quickly said. He put his arm around Neo's waist and moved them along without another word to the green haired woman.
'Seriously. What is her problem? She's always trying to provoke me. She doesn't come off like other women who's clearly attracted to you…so is she literally doing this just to set me off?'
'Possibly. Some women like to play games with others. Just ignore her, love.'
'I'll try.'
'That's my girl.' Law pecked Neo's temple then guided her into the dinning hall where they finally had to start their day.
…
A couple weeks later, Neo found herself wandering down the quiet halls of the facility. She had no clue where anyone really was, but for Law of course. Nor did she know why she was heading for the Biscuits Room. She was actually heading to meet up with Law when she noticed she was going in the opposite direction of him. She blinked a couple times as she stared up at the large letters over the door of the room. Her eyes pulled from the words when a soft cry reached her ears. The door was cracked open an inch. She stepped up to it and pushed it open a few more inches. She looked around the room until her eyes landed upon a blonde haired, pigtailed girl crying by the toy box.
Neo knew this girl, sort of. The girl was new to this place. Her name was Lin. Another sick child brought in for treatment. Neo's lips dipped into a frown. She had no clue what sickness these kids had, but she suspected they weren't sick at all. She had used her solar crystal on one of them a few weeks ago. The day after she used her crystal, she casually asked the kid if they were still sick after returning from their exam. The child had said 'yes'. It made Neo's heart sink, but she also knew that her solar crystal wasn't all-powerful. It couldn't always heal everything. The kids could really be sick and she just couldn't heal it.
More sobs from the girl got Neo to push the door open and walk over to her. She knelt down and placed her hand on the girl's head. The girl jumped at the unexpected pressure. Neo smiled sweetly at her. "Hey, Lin. Are you okay?"
"N-no! I want my mommy and daddy!" Lin, her greenish blue eyes filled with tears, cried.
"I know you do. I'm sorry you can't see them. I'm sure you will soon thought," Neo said while stroking her hand over the girl's head. "You really should be in bed right now. Did you have a bad dream or something?"
"Yeah." Lin nodded. "I was running to my mommy and daddy but they kept getting farther and farther way from me. I couldn't catch up with them."
"Oh, I'm sorry. That would be scary," Neo said while Lin continued to cry. She chewed her bottom lip and wondered what exactly she could possible do to help this child. She's never really dealt with kids before now. While she came to visit the kids often, this was the first time she's visited this late. It was almost nine o'clock at night. Usually the kids were in bed and Neo was back in the room with Law or wandering the facilities before heading back to the room. She's never dealt with a child crying like this before. Then she remembered that she could relate to this girl in one way. And that would probably help in this situation. "You know what?"
"Wh-what?" Lin sniffled.
"I have bad dreams too," Neo replied. Lin looked up at her. "I do. And when I can't get back to sleep, Law rubs my back for me. He holds me until I fall asleep again. Sometimes, he holds me all through the night so I know I'm protected and safe."
"R-really? Does that help?" Lin asked, rubbing her right hand in her eye.
"It does. Would you like me to rub your back?" Neo asked. When Lin nodded, she shifted her position and sat beside the girl. She forced herself not to flinch when the child leaned against her side. Lin was just a child and wasn't going to hurt her. Once the two were comfortable, Neo started rubbing her hand on Lin's back.
"W-would you tell me a bedtime story?" Lin suddenly asked a few minutes later.
"Huh?" Neo blinked, not expecting such a question.
"Yeah. We would like a story!" Doran said.
Neo looked up from Lin to find almost all of the children had woken up. They gathered around her in anticipation for a bedtime story. Some sat on the floor while others laid down on their stomachs with their chins resting in their palms.
"Oh, um, I don't really know any bedtime stories," Neo replied honestly. Her heart sank at the disappointed looks on their faces. She blew her bangs from her forehead. "Well, I have read a lot of books. Perhaps I can make one up?"
"Yeah!" The children's faces lit up. They scooted a little close to Neo and waited for her to begin.
"Okay…well, um…" Neo chewed on her bottom lip. She had no clue what she should say. Some of the stories she's read were just a bit over the heads of children. So what could she tell them that they would like? She knew kids often like fairytales. And a lot of her books were fairytales. Her eyes lit up. She could tell them her story, but word it differently so it would be suited for kids and without revealing anything. "I know! Once upon a time, there was this ele-uh-fairy. She was born with a very special gift of wielding…"
Neo paused for a split second. She couldn't say solar crystal on the chance of having to use it openly one day, so she switched it. "A very special stone. This stone was able to push back the magic of the darkness stone. But she didn't know anything about this stone because she didn't know she had it. And she didn't know she had it because she didn't grow up in the world she was born in. She grew up in the human world where no one knew about the existence of magic."
…
Law wandered down the hall towards Neo. He was wondering why she was in the Biscuits Room at this time of night. She was supposed to come to him fifteen minutes ago. He was close enough to her that he decided to go see what she was doing instead of calling for her over their bond. He got to the room and stepped inside. His head tilted to his right when he saw her and the kids. She was telling them a story that sounded very similar to her own. He wanted to interrupt her, but didn't have the heart when he saw and felt how much she was enjoying this moment. The kids were hanging on her every word. So he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall to wait for her to finish up her story. She was up to the point where they got married so he knew it wouldn't be long before this was over.
While standing there, Law's mind couldn't help but wander into a place that he had forbidden himself to think about. It was a place where he saw Neo as a mother. He quickly blocked his thoughts from her so he didn't give her a false impression. But he figured she wouldn't really notice him doing that since she was really into telling her story to the wide-eyed kids.
He knew she would make a great mother. She had demonstrated strong material instincts before with the crew and with that little fire elemental back on Luminous. He wanted to force out those thoughts about how she fussed over the crew, called them their babies and how gentle she was to the little fire girl, but he couldn't. Right here and now, seeing her with these kids, seeing her how good she was with them, he couldn't deny the small spark of wanting to have a child with her. But he knew that wasn't possible. It was far too dangerous for them, for pirates, to have a child. The kid would be constantly blamed for the choices that they had made. The kid would have a very high chance of ending up like Fire Fist Ace. He couldn't do that to Neo or a child. He knew it would hurt her too much to see their child being treated like a monster, like a freak. Plus, pregnancies came with their own risks. And there was no way he was going to put his love, his life, into a situation like that. A child, in their case, was forbidden.
"The end." Neo's voice ending the story pulled Law from his thoughts. She ran her eyes over the kids, some of which had fallen asleep others were about to. Her eyes landed on Lin. The little girl had fallen asleep against her. She brushed the child's bangs away from her face before looking back at the other children. "All right. Everyone back into bed now."
"Yes, ma'am," a child said sleepily while heading for their bedrooms.
"Thank you for the story, Mrs. Neo," Mocha said with a yawn.
"You're welcome, Mocha. You're all welcome," Neo said with a soft smile. "Off to bed now."
"Good night," Mocha and a few others said while disappearing into the bedroom.
With her wind crystals, Neo lifted up those who had fallen asleep. She carried them into their room and tucked them into bed. Law had followed. He leaned against the door frame as he watched Neo tuck Lin into bed.
Lin rolled onto her side and opened her sleepy eyes. "May I have a drink of water?"
"Of course you can," Neo replied. She summoned a water crystal. Lin sat up and took a drink of the cool water before lying back down.
Law's heart skipped a beat as he watched Neo being so gentle and caring with the child. He growled at himself and let his hat fall over his eyes. A child was out of the question.
Neo stroked her fingers over Lin's cheek. "Good night, Lin. Sleep well."
"Good night, Mrs. Neo," Lin whispered while drifting off to sleep.
"Good night, Lin." Neo stood up from the bed and walked over to Law. She noticed his hat down, but didn't mention it as they left the room together. They walked down the halls with an odd silence between them and Law's hat still over his eyes. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. "You want to talk about why you hid your thoughts and feelings from me be back in the Biscuits Room?"
Law flinched. He should have known better than to think he could hide that from his love. They were, after all, one person. And they have been for quite a while now. "You know why."
"I know. We can't have kids. We've already agreed on that." Neo slipped her arm around his. "But why would you think about having kids when we decided not to? It's not like you."
"Yeah." Law nodded. "I guess I was just having a moment of weakness. You were so gentle and caring with those kids. It was…sweet."
"I think you care about them too," Neo said with a smile. "I know you care. You just want to pretend you don't."
"Neo," Law said in his warning tone.
She sighed. "I know, I know. You think I'm getting too attached to the kids. But don't worry, my love. I'm not. I know we're going to have to leave them behind someday." Neo's heart sank when she said those words. She really didn't want to leave them behind. She wanted to return them, or hoped the kids could one day be returned to their families. But she had no clue what kind of sickness they had. "Law, what's wrong with them?"
"I don't know. And I don't care," Law said bluntly. "And neither should you. It's not our problem nor our business."
"I know." Neo nodded. "I'm sorry."
"No," Law said. He paused and turned to her. "I'm sorry. I know you're spending a lot of time with the kids because you miss playing with the crew."
Neo nodded. She dropped her eyes to the floor. "I do miss them. And you're right. While I do care about the kids, I am playing with them as substitutions for the crew. But you don't have to worry. I won't let myself get very attached to them. After all, we're not going to be here forever."
Law carefully observed her expression. He wasn't sure what it was, but something felt different about her. He had no idea how long he stared at her, trying to figure out why she seemed so different. He flinched when she flicked his nose. "What?"
"Are you okay? You were staring at me for, like, five minutes," Neo said. She tilted her head in confusion. "You were also distant from me. You didn't block your feelings or thoughts or anything, but you were very, very far away."
"It was nothing. I guess I just got lost in thought," Law said. He leaned over and pecked her lips. "Let's go. Pretty much everyone should be asleep or in their rooms right now. It's the perfect chance to switch around some sea prism stone chains with some normal ones."
"Right." Neo nodded. "And I can always sense if someone's coming."
Law nodded. They then turned and walked down the halls of the large facility. While switching out the chains, Law did his best to not think about everything that had just happened with the kids and Neo. But, for some reason, he just couldn't let it go. It lingered in the back of his mind. He was worried. He was worried she was getting far too attached to the kids here. He was worried that, when the time came, she wasn't going to want to leave without them. He already took her away from the crew, her self proclaimed babies. How could he possible do that again to her? The crew was grown men and women. These babies here on Punk Hazard were real babies. It was a similar situation, but also a very different one. And he was worried about feeling she was different somehow. He had no idea where that came from or why he would possibly feel that way. And it worried him even more.
…
"I'm starving! I want chocolate!" Neo whined. Falling over the back of the couch, she landed with her face in the cushion. "Law! Where did you go?!"
'Why are you asking me that when you can sense were I am?'
"I don't know," Neo said turning her face from the cushion. "I felt like it. I miss you. I want you here. Why are you in the kitchen?"
'Gathering up a few things. Meet me at the front entrance.'
"I don't want to." Neo pouted. "And you can't make me."
'You're acting rather childish today.'
"So?"
'I have a surprise for you.'
Neo sat up. A child like curiosity flooded her. "What kind of surprise? What is it? Tell me!"
'You have to come and see.'
"Oh!" Neo sat, pouting for a minute before snatching her coat up from the bed and heading for the door. "Fine! But it better be worth it!"
'It will be. I promise.'
Neo huffed and left the room, grumbling to herself as she walked towards the front entrance. "Stupid long hallways. Who designed this stupid place? It's stupid. Stupid design. Stupid shape. Stupid, stupid, stupid…"
'You don't yet?'
"I guess," Neo said feeling odd about her current behavior. "I needed to vent I guess."
'We all have those moments.'
A few minutes later Neo arrived just before Law warped himself to her side. Her eyes went to the blanket draped over his shoulder before dropping to the picnic basket in his hand. She blinked. "What's that for?"
"A picnic." Law smirked.
"I know that! And that's not what I meant!" Neo said.
"We're on a snowy island," Law said. "And you've always wanted romance in the snow."
Neo blinked a few more time before realizing he was trying to make up for the lost time in the snow before. With a squeal she threw her arms around his waist. "Law! You're the best! And just in time too! The weather's actually being nice right now!"
"Then let's not waste any more time staying inside." Law warped them outside.
Neo lifted them into the air and flew them a mile away from the research building. Looking at the ground she found the perfect spot where they could use some ruins to block them from anyone who might pass by and see a section of the sea. She removed some snow then bounced on her feet for Law to spread out the blanket. They sat down, her stomach rumbling in hunger. "So what do we have to eat?"
"A nice fruit and vegetable salad, onigiri, fish, a couple pieces of cake, and hot chocolate," Law said.
"Sound so yummy!" Neo summoned a few fire crystals to warm their area up and food.
Law poured her a cup of hot chocolate. "Here you go."
"You are the best!" Neo brought the steaming liquid to her face, letting its steam wash over her skin before taking a drink. "So good! I didn't notice how much I really wanted chocolate until right now!" She sighed, suddenly depressed.
"Missing the crew again," Law said pouring his own cup of hot chocolate.
"Yeah." Neo nodded. She plucked a spinach leaf out of the salad and ate it. More cravings for food ran through her stomach.
"How can you be that hungry?" Law said. "You ate practically two plates of food for breakfast."
"I don't know. But those pancakes were so good." Neo licked her lips. "I want more."
"It's not like you to eat so much sweets," Law said. "You feeling okay?"
"Yes, I'm feeling fine," Neo said plucking a strawberry out of the basket. "I guess I'm just bored and depressed eating."
"That's probably why your food intake has increased," Law said.
"Either way I don't care," Neo said before sinking her teeth into the strawberry. The juice washed over her tastes buds, earning a hum of delight. "So good. It would be even better with you."
"Is that so?" Law asked. He took a bite of fish, chewed, and swallowed.
"Yes." Neo nodded.
"Then maybe you should do something about it," Law said.
"Believe me I will. I'm only giving us a chance to eat." Neo grabbed another strawberry.
"I thought you wanted to eat those with me," Law said.
Neo stuck her tongue out. "There's plenty left." She picked up a piece of fish and ate it with her strawberry. And odd combination of fish and fruit rolled over her tongue, creating an interesting flavor. She giggled when Law gave her a questionable look. "What? It's good."
"You're being childish again," Law noted when she shoved a piece of broccoli in her mouth.
Neo smiled. Finally, after she was satisfied with lunch, she shifted closer to Law. Picking up a strawberry, she bit the end off and rubbed the juice over his lips. She then leaned forward and kissed him. "I knew it. It tastes even better with you."
"I concur." Law took a bite of the strawberry then pushed it inside Neo's mouth with his tongue. Seconds later he pulled back from her, watching her chew up his gift before kissing her.
Getting up on her knees, Neo placed her hands on Law's shoulders and pushed him down to the ground, never breaking their kiss. She tensed when Law ran his hands over her body. Her tongue ran over his mouth, tasting every single inch before pulling back for air. She kissed him again, and again, and again getting him fully aroused, especially when she drew her knee up between his legs. He flipped their positions. "So we're having sex out here?"
"Yes." Law unzipped her coat.
"But it's freezing," Neo said.
"Liar." Law smirked at her fire crystals.
"But what if someone comes by?" Neo asked.
"Like who? You hid us rather well." Law unzipped her jeans then worked on his own coat and jeans.
"What about those two giant people Caesar told us about? I forgot about them." Neo scanned her eyes over the surrounds that she could see from her position. "They will see us."
"I guess you'll just have to keep a close eye out for them." Law slipped on a condom, pulled down her clothes, and then slid into her.
Neo bite her lip. Rolling her head back she bucked into him. Then heavy footsteps shook the ground. "Of course! Stupid mountain giant people! Law, we have to stop!"
"No. We don't." Law moved faster. "You started this and we're going to finish it."
Neo bit back a scream of his name when he hit her g-spot multiple times. The giant footsteps came closer. With her heart racing, she summoned a couple wind crystals and pulled some snow over them, making sure to keep the snow high enough from her flames. He hit her g-spot again, forcing his name out of her mouth.
"What was that?"
Neo swallowed. They had heard her.
"What? I didn't hear anything."
"I guess I was hearing things."
"Maybe one of the crew is shouting. Let's get going."
The footsteps moved away from them.
"Law! You did that on purpose!" Neo groaned in frustration and pleasure.
"Then learn how to be quieter when we're around people," Law said.
"How can I, un, when you're purposefully making me scream?!" Neo closed her eyes, feeling her body reaching its climax far too soon.
Law slowed down, letting her climax ebb before she could experience it. He nibbled her ear and licked her neck. "You taste amazing."
"I'd taste even better with strawberries." Neo reached into the basket and pulled one out. She bit the end off and rubbed the juice over her face.
Law leaned down and gladly licked the juice off her skin. "If we were in the room I'd rub the juice all over your body."
"That could be arranged," Neo said.
Law hummed. "Maybe next time. I'm quite enjoying this now."
