Drum Island
The icy wind of Drum Island roared against the palace windows, making the old wood creak in protest. The air carried a biting cold, slipping through the door cracks like invisible blades. Inside the great hall, however, the warmth of the crackling fire in the hearth fought against the relentless winter.
Luffy, sunken into a mattress of reindeer pelts, grumbled with a sluggish voice. His face was flushed, his nose running, and his eyes half-closed in pure irritation.
"Riser, you idiot…"
His heavy breathing mingled with the sound of the fire. He rubbed his nose hard, letting out an impatient grunt. His body burned inside, not just from the fever, but from growing resentment.
'He left without saying anything…'
The memory of the night Zoro woke him to break the news still twisted his stomach. The blonde had simply left, without a goodbye, without an explanation. He didn't even wait for Luffy to wake up.
"Shishishi… I should've punched him first."
The sound of the door opening echoed through the hall. Usopp entered first, arms crossed, a folded newspaper tucked under his arm. Behind him, Chopper carried a bag of medicines, his eyes gleaming with eager excitement.
"Luffy, you won't believe what happened!"
The little doctor's voice was vibrant, almost childlike with enthusiasm. His hooves clacked against the stone floor as he rushed to the bed, pulling a stool to sit beside the feverish captain.
Usopp huffed, tossing the newspaper onto Luffy's chest.
"Honestly, I think it's better if you don't see this right now."
Luffy raised an eyebrow, grabbing the newspaper with trembling fingers. The name plastered across the headline made his chest tighten.
"A NEW SHICHIBUKAI EMERGES – CROCODILE DEFEATED"
Riser's image, with his lazy smile and golden eyes reflecting the torchlight of the Marines, stared at Luffy like a silent taunt.
The paper crumpled under his fingers.
"He became a Shichibukai…"
The words came out low, as if he were still processing. The silence that followed was heavy. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting shadows on the walls.
"That's amazing!"
Chopper clapped his front hooves against his chest, his eyes shining like stars.
"Riser defeated a Shichibukai! You know what that means? He was already strong, but now… he's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
Luffy gripped the newspaper. His jaw tightened.
"He's not part of the crew anymore."
Chopper's excitement dimmed slightly. The little doctor blinked a few times, glancing at Usopp, who sighed heavily and sat by the fireplace.
"It was his choice, Luffy. No point dwelling on it."
The captain looked away, Usopp's words grating like sand between his teeth. He knew that. He knew Riser always followed his own path, that he never truly belonged to the crew. But still…
"He could've talked to me."
The newspaper was flung aside. The fever was rising, or maybe it was just anger. Luffy turned his face to the ceiling, staring at the dark wooden beams.
Chopper fidgeted on the stool, his ears drooping slightly.
"But… aren't you happy for him, Luffy? He achieved something big…"
The captain's eyes glinted under the flickering light.
"No. Because now he's part of what I hate."
Silence enveloped the room.
Usopp crossed his arms, watching Luffy with an unreadable expression. Chopper bit his lower lip, words caught in his throat.
Outside, the wind howled.
---
In an isolated room, far from the others' chatter, Nami sat by the window, her legs tucked against her chest. The cold glass brushed her pale skin, creating a strange contrast with the heat burning inside her.
Her fingers traced the window frame, her red eyes fixed on nothing.
'My master… became a Shichibukai.'
The thought lingered in her mind like a thick fog. It was strange. She knew he was strong, that he always had greater ambitions, but seeing him now, plastered across newspapers, officially recognized by the World Government…
'When will I see him again?'
Her chest tightened. She hated to admit it, but since he left, something inside her felt incomplete. A latent desire, a need she couldn't explain.
Her hand touched her neck, where his teeth had once sunk in. The spot was warm, as if her body still remembered his touch.
The night was quiet. Only the rustle of the wind and Vivi's soft breathing, asleep in the bed beside her, filled the space. But inside Nami, chaos simmered.
She licked her lips, tasting the lingering thirst that never fully faded.
'I need him.'
The words weren't spoken but echoed in the darkness.
Outside, the snow kept falling.
---
The darkness of the room was soft, broken only by the golden moonlight filtering through silk curtains. The sweet scent of Amazon Lily's flowers mingled with the stifling warmth of the chamber.
Riser's body sank into the soft mattress, one hand resting on his abdomen, the other lazily tracing the curve of the sheet. The silence of the night was interrupted only by the faint breathing beside him.
Boa Hancock, nestled against him, had her eyes half-closed, her long hair splayed across the pillow like strands of black silk. Her chest rose and fell calmly, but something in her expression betrayed her.
A subtle restlessness.
Riser opened his eyes slowly, sensing the weight of her gaze before he even moved.
"Hancock, you're awake."
His voice was low, laced with sleep and laziness.
She hesitated, her fingers tightening against the sheet.
"I can't sleep."
Her tone was soft but carried something deeper.
Riser turned his face to her, studying her in the dim light. The moonlight highlighted the delicate curve of her face, but a faint crease between her brows signaled something was bothering her.
"I'm heading out with Robin at dawn."
Her pout appeared almost instantly.
He nearly laughed.
Boa turned to her side, shifting a few inches away, crossing her arms beneath the sheets.
"You just got here, and you're already leaving…"
Riser raised an eyebrow, propping himself on one elbow to watch her better. The pout on her lips was even more pronounced, a mix of genuine discontent and adorable petulance.
"Are you making that cute face on purpose?"
She didn't answer.
She just tilted her chin slightly, her eyes looking away as if ignoring him completely.
Riser leaned closer, his fingers grazing her chin, tilting it to make her meet his gaze.
"Gonna ignore me now?"
She wrinkled her nose, but her eyes shimmered faintly in the dim light.
"I waited so long to meet you in person… and now that it's finally happened, you want to leave."
Her tone was a blend of indignation and jealousy.
Riser smiled, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement.
"Hancock, if you keep pouting like that, I'll have to bite."
Her eyes widened for a second before she abruptly turned her face away, her hair sliding over her bare shoulders.
"I'm not pouting!"
Riser chuckled softly.
"You are."
He rolled across the bed, closing the space between them, feeling the warmth of Hancock's skin under his fingers.
She tried to hold her ground, but the heat spreading across her face was undeniable.
"You enjoy teasing me, don't you?"
Riser leaned in until his lips hovered over her neck, feeling her quickened breath against his skin.
"I enjoy your face when you're jealous."
Silence hung for a moment.
Then—
She huffed, looking away again, but a stubborn smile threatened to break through.
Riser laughed softly, pulling back slightly to watch her.
"I'll be back before you miss me too much."
Hancock closed her eyes, sighing softly.
"I can't promise I won't miss you."
His smile widened.
"Then save the pout for when I'm back."
She didn't reply. She just nestled back against him, letting herself relax again.
Riser closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her body blend with his.
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