26 Flirt

"Lucifer, you're 18 now. Are you going to join the marines?" Sengoku asked.

Sakazuki had been gone for a week on a mission, so I had been helping Sengoku with paperwork and hanging out with Kuzan and Borselino. Today, was my 18th birthday and I showed up to work early. Looking up from the papers I was given, I made a thoughtful face, "You know, I think I might. However, I'd prefer to stay and help here."

"Hm.. Well you pretty much work for me already without getting paid, might as well start paying you, fufu," Sengoku said with a chuckle.

Making a shocked face, I asked him, "Wait, really? Don't you have to test me or something? Wouldnt your secretary be angry?"

"Yes really. Everyone already knows you help me, my secretary asked me to start paying you or give you a different job, so," Sengoku said with a smirk.

"I see. Remind me to thank him later then," I said and smiled.

"Yeah yeah. Anyways, here is a list of things you need to do today. Take your time," Sengoku said and handed me a paper with a list of odd things to do.

Looking over the list, I couldnt help smiling, "I'll see you for lunch then."

After saying goodbye, I thanked the secretary and went on my way to the first 'errand'; A new suit. Entering the tailors, I smiled to the woman behind the counter and spoke, "I need a custom made suit, if you could."

"Okay, what specifications are you looking for?" she asked before looking up, her face then turned pale and she stood quickly.

I waved her off, "Honestly, I dont know. The fleet admiral wants me to have a new suit for work."

"R-right away!" she said and quickly disappeared before coming out with a handful of things.

I silently followed her whims as she measured my body. When she finished she asked me to return in a few hours for the final fitting. I bid farewell and went to the next place; Kuzan's. Apparently he needed me to help him paint...

I created a few clones and we all painted the apartment. Kuzan wanted it to look like a dark icy cave, so we made it look realistic with sparkling paint here and there mixed in. He was ecstatic about it and ended up getting paint on my suit.

Since I carried a spare and soap with me, he let me shower at his place. After my shower, I put a towel around my waist and checked myself out in the mirror. I was 2.5 m tall, golden tan skin, compact swimmer muscles, devilishly handsome face, black hair with dark red undertones and tips. I looked like Kuzan with Sakazuki face and skin color.

Smoothing over my hair, I didnt notice Kuzan at the door so I smirked and started getting dressed. Puting my boxers and pants on, I grabbed my shirt but felt cold hands touch my waist before Kuzan spoke, "Your underwear is showing."

I sighed, "I see."

Shaking my head as he walked away, I put my shirt on and laid my untied tie around my neck. Next on my list was meeting Sengoku for lunch. Saying goodbye to Kuzan, who has turned grouchy, I went off to meet Sengoku.

We went to a tea shop that served tea flavored cream bread. We quietly ate before he had to leave to go back to work. Now I have to help Borselino teach at the school for a few hours, go back for the final fitting of the suit, and go have dinner.

Meeting Borselino at the gate of the school, he lazily brought me to a classroom and had me watch over his baffling lecture. Noticing the confusion of the kids, I looked over the syllabus and realized that Borselino couldnt teach. I waved at him and he just gave up and sat down. I chuckled, "Alright, how many of you are confused?"

Everyone raised their hands. I nodded, "So am I. But, Kizaru has a point. A marines job includes so many things that most get confused hearing tid bits of it. I've been hearing about the job of the marines for many years and I still have a lot to learn. So let's look at just the job of the new recruits."

I went on to teach the class the rest of the day and Borselino decided to follow me afterwards to finish the suit. The woman was very quick and knew what she was doing, so the final fitting didnt take long and before long I was handed a new suit. Borselino made a few comments and the womans face went red, while mine deadpanned.

Noticing my lack of reaction, Borselino made a curious face and we were off to dinner. Along the way, we came across an angry Kuzan. Borselino decided to tease me about being uninterested in girls. Kuzans mood improved a bit and decided to ask what happened. Borselino explained before I could speak, "He was sent to 'that' tailor and didnt react at all."

"Why should I react? Sure shes cute, but I dont want that drama. Besides, I have my eyes on someone already," I said and looked at the duo.

Both looked at me oddly. Kuzan smiled, "Tell me about her. A girl who catches your fancy must be quite a girl."

"Wouldn't you like to know," I smirked and walked into the building. As i made my way to Sengoku's office, i bumped into his secretary and knocked him over. Catching him and the papers, I smiled down to him, "Hey Ryu, you alright?"

"Y-yes. How has your day been?" he asked with a tinge of red on his cheeks.

"Pretty good. How was your day?" I asked him, still holding onto him.

"Great.. Ah, I mean that's great! I've had a pretty good day as well," he looked down blushing and realized I was still holding him up. Taking a step back, he took the papers and ran off.

Chuckling, I shook my head, "He is really bad with people."

"No, you're just oblivious," Borselino commented.

"Hm? Oblivious to what?" I asked feigning ignorance.

They shook their heads and we went to Sengoku's. Waving at Ryu, I entered the office and found Sakazuki there.

Apparently he and Sengoku were arguing. Sakazuki glared at me, "Do you really want to just spend your life doing paperwork?"

I stayed silent for a bit, "I've been helping Sengoku with paperwork for years. What's the problem?"

Sakazuki glared at me, "You're going with me on missions from now on."

"Okay," I nodded.

"Good," he nodded as if satisfied.

Kuzan chuckled, "So overprotective."

I raised an eyebrow, "So... Since that's dealt with... How about dinner?"

"Hold on a second," Borselino said. I groaned and Kuzan smirked.

"What?" Sakazuki asked.

Sengoku smirked, "Luc, did you meet anybody today?"

Boselino shook his head, "It was a good try but he apparently has his eyes on someone already."

"Hes also a bit oblivious," Kuzan said quietly to the side.

"What?" Sakazuki asked.

"Even while at 'that' tailors, he didnt even react. Knocks Ryu over and catches him, the papers, and smiles at him. Poor guy ran like the wind," Kuzan smirked.

"Wait, are you telling me you tried to set Lucifer up?" Sakazuki asked angrily.

"You did?!" I asked 'ignorantly'.

The room fell silent. I sighed, "Look, I have my eyes on someone so please dont press it. And before you ask, no I wont tell you who."

"At least tell us about her," Sengoku said.

Sakazuki looked at me a bit surprised, "Have I met them?"

I smiled at him, "Indeed. You know them."

"I'll take that as not a 'her'. Yes?" Sakazuki said and looked me up and down, "How long have you been eyeing them?"

I smirked, "A while now."

"Invite them to dinner then," Sengoku chimed in.

"I havent even told said person yet and you want to ambush them over dinner and scare them off? Dont think so," I shook my head, "Besides, you all know them already. You cant scare them off."

All eyes looked at me as I walked out of the office and started chatting with Ryu. "So what time should we meet tomorrow?"

"Um.... How about lunch?," Ryu smiled. He was a just barely under 2 m tall, skinny, and reminded me of a street cat because of his scrappy unkempt look.

"Oh, are you allergic to anything? I've been told I'm a pretty good chef," I smiled at him.

"N-no, I dont have any allergies... Um, maybe I can help.... or something...," Ryu said and his cheeks were tinged with blush.

"That sounds fun. Do you know how to cook?" I asked.

"N-no not really... But I'd love to learn, if you'd teach me," he smiled.

"Sounds like a plan then," I smiled at him. Ryu turned pale as a shadow fell over me.

"Lucifer, I'm sure Ryu is busy with work so dont bother him," Sakazuki growled behind me.

I looked up, "Yes..." As I sighed and said goodbye to Ryu, I noticed Kuzan glaring at Ryu and Borselino laughing.

When Sakazuki and I were out of ear shot from the others, I smirked, "Do you really think a house cat would challenge a tiger?"

Sakazuki growled, "Tigers are territorial."

"As long as you know," I said and looked over my shoulder, "I have to get pay back though. So forgive the house cat for challenging another."

"No," he said and looked at the trio following behind us.

"So I have a secret to tell you later," I smirked and walked ahead of everyone.

--

After a nice dinner and drinks, Sakazuki and I returned home. Once the door was closed, he turned on me, "Tell me, right now."

I smirked, "Its really more of a show than a tell."

Sakazuki sat on the couch after throwing his suit jacket and marine coat to the side, "Then show me."

"Go take a shower, you smell like booze," I stated and went to my own room.

"Lucifer, get your ass back here right now," Sakazuki growled.

Ignoring him, I undid my tie and took off my jacket. As he angrily stomped behind me, reaching out to grab me, I stopped and he ran into me. I looked up at him, "Do you need something?"

My smirk gave me away. He angrily frowned, "Why are you being dodgy?"

"Go take a shower first, okay?" I said.

He grumbled, "Fine."

As he entered the bathroom, I made a clone and we stared at eachother. I spoke first, "Dont stop us."

"I wont. I wish us all the luck in the world and hope we have more liquid courage before we go," clone said.

"But what if...," I started to go into a downward cycle.

"No. No what if. No backing out. Tell him. We will feel better. Remember the first run? We had reason to live then because of 'them'. Its okay, so stop feeling guilty before I try to get alcohol poisoning," clone said with a smirk.

"Fine, fine. But I need a smoke first," I said.

My clone killed itself as I lit a smoke and calmed down. When I was done, I went to look for Sakazuki. Finding him slowly showering, I took a deep breath and undressed before joining him.

When I entered he jumped, "Luc, what are you doing?"

"The house cat is joining the tiger today to prove what was once said," I said seriously.

He scrutinized my face before frowning, "I dont know what you mean."

I looked in his eyes, "My tiger, this house cat wont let you go." I changed into my pale complexion, dark eye bags, and took out my contacts as my ears and tails came out.

He stared at me before slowly leaning on the wall, "What does this mean?"

"I cant see a life without you," I said and smiled slightly, "I simply cant help but want to be with you."

He made an odd face and nodded, "I'm going to go put my pajamas on. Let's talk about this after your dressed."

My smile fell and I nodded as he got out and left the bathroom. I made a clone, "I tried to warn us, now look what we did."

"He didnt reject us. Or laugh. Or yell. Go talk to him," clone said.

I grumbled and quickly showered before getting out. Putting my robe on, I walked the apartment and didnt find him anywhere I had checked. Frustrated, I went into my room and found him laying in the blankets with a bottle of rum. He smirked a bit, "Come here, house cat."

I smiled a bit and laid near him, facing him with a bottle of my own. He frowned, "I said come here. So get your ass over here."

Confused, I didnt know if he meant closer or what. He frustratedly grabbed my robe and pulled me against him, "Here. You should be right here."

I stayed quiet as he put his chin on my shoulder, "I hate when you flirt with others. I hate seeing you with them. I hate you not being with me. Fix it."

I didnt know what to say to him, so I simply bit his neck and moved the blanket so we were sharing it.