Love III

The Banquet finished, there wasn't enough room in the place for everyone so it was time to call it quits. It was deep into the night when Fisher Tiger decided to sail away with the rest of the fishmen slaves and Koala.

"You don't need to worry, you won't be attacked for now. The marine has suffered a massive blow and they won't be making a move in a short time. Leave quickly and don't turn back, Tiger".

"Thanks, Rayleigh, I will never forget the hospitality you have all shown me".

Koala received the last big hug from the Boa sisters and Veyron before embarking on the Fishman ship, it wouldn't be until much later that Veyron would realise that Koala was indeed an important character in the show, although he didn't know at the time.

After that, Veyron escorted Sandersonia, Marigold and Hancock to their shared room where he received a pair of kisses on his cheek from both sisters, It was Hancock who remained in the entrance, looking at him.

"Is there anything wrong?" He pondered, she hadn't spoken to him that much during the whole banquet, her questions were mostly about his Haki, his prowess... nothing personal, unlike her sisters. He knew that she was the oldest of the three and the 'protecting' figure who couldn't let her guard down unlike the other two.

"In truth, you're not as happy as you're letting out, are you?" She asked him, both of her arms were loose, and she didn't look on guard.

"Huh?" Veyron tilted his head in confusion, of all things he thought she'd ask, this wasn't one of them.

"I saw you from the moment you entered... You weren't happy but when my sisters started to interact with you, you changed. Why was that?"

All she wanted to know was if he was faking it, trying to weasel his way into their hearts just for a nimble strike later on. She couldn't bring herself to trust a man, but she wanted to.

Deep inside she wanted to feel that whenever she was in danger, there would be someone there. That it wouldn't just be her carrying all the weight around, that someone would carry that weight with her, because for almost four years... that weight had been so heavy.

Veyron opened up, letting out a brief laugh, "You caught me".

"..." She indicated him to continue, frowning.

"I lost a fight that I didn't want to lose. I felt bad about it but then... looking at you all, I realised how petty I was being. You all had it much worse so I wanted to be happy just for you. After all those years of sadness, I don't think you want any more, do you?".

Hancock turned around with tears in her eyes, she didn't want him to see them "We don't want to be pitied".

"I know... but sometimes it feels good to be pitied, doesn't it? sometimes we just want someone to understand our pain. I think the capacity to feel pity is what makes us humans, Don't be afraid to look weak in front of me, Hancock... I know you are very strong outside, but your heart is fragile".

The beauty bit her lips and clenched her hands, an internal battle. She looked around, making sure that no one was looking before lunging on him, hugging him tightly and crying out all her sadness and fear.

She knew she was going to make a lot of noise, so she cried on his clothes, pressing her mouth tightly against his chest. It was a little comical considering that she was a few inches taller than Veyron but even then, the boy provided a sense of security that she hadn't experienced for a long time.

"*sob* I was scared!"

"..."

Veyron smiled and hugged her, caressing her silky black hair. She was so beautiful and yet so vulnerable, 'I want to protect her...'

It was different from Mihawk whom he admittedly loved, but he knew deep inside that Mihawk didn't need his help, she was way stronger and more experienced compared to the likes of Hancock whose life had merely started and yet she had already gone through such heartbreaking experience.

"You did well... you protected your sisters well, Hancock".

"I did... I worked hard *sob* I kept smiling and hoping for them that someone would save us one day!".

"I know you did... I know".

It was after a long while that Hancock finally stopped crying, Her eyes were red and her gaze looked at her like she wanted to request something from him but in the end, couldn't muster the courage to do so.

In the end, she merely kissed his right cheek.

"G-Good night, I'll see you tomorrow".

"Hmn".

She closed the door behind her and fell on her knees, covering her eyes with both her hands and panting. The first thing she found was her two smiling younger sisters looking at her while tapping their fingers, "Why can't you be more honest, big sis?~"

They were happy, she finally cried and let out so much repressed sadness. Nevertheless, Hancock was still Hancock.

"H-Hmph, I don't know what you're talking about, let's sleep... tomorrow will be a long day".

There was only one bed for the three of them, but for the three of them that for the last three and a half years were sleeping on the cold soil, this was like a dream.

That night the three of them could smile while thinking about a white-haired boy who resembled Prince Charming, little did any of them know, that their sisters were all thinking the same.

That very moment they determined that they'd do anything to get stronger and protect those they cared about, their family.

**

**

Veyron walked out of the room in the middle of the night, Shanks and his crew had taken the rest of the rooms and some of them even slept on the floor, totally wasted, Shanks included who seemed to be the one who drank the most, he was even sleeping on top of lucky roo, smelling off booze.

"You done?"

"Mom? I thought you'd be asleep, you sail tomorrow".

She was sitting there, he could see her cheeks were slightly blushing which was something unusual, Mihawk wasn't drinking wine, she was drinking stronger rum.

"How am I supposed to sleep without my pillow?" She declared tipsy and tilting her head to the side cutely. She was sitting cross-legged on the dark counter, there was nothing but the light of the moon shining through the windows as everybody else was asleep.

"Where are we going to sleep?" He inquired, fidgeting and unaware of what was going to happen now, he felt exhausted and she likely did too, but just like whatever time they found themselves alone in a room, there were sparks.

"I don't know... I didn't ask Shakky. Maybe we should go to a hotel" She gave a sidelong glance, it was a clear invitation, they could literally sleep on this floor and no one would mind, and yet... she wanted to take him to a private hotel where no one would hear anything.

"I think so too..." He agreed, last time they were interrupted.

"Actually, I have a better idea, son".

Mihawk discarded her bottle of rum and took his wrist, she extended her right hand.

Veyron tilted her head for a second before realising what she wanted.

Yoru and Youbi floated across the room, landing on their hands, she sheathed hers and started leading him outside.

'Are we going to have a duel?' He didn't think that was the case, it would be a really bad way to kill the mood.