An Eel and a Mockingbird | Charlotte Katakuri x Reader

20

"You're a good kid, (y/n)."

The words which had left Dragon's mouth just as you left his office played over and over in your mind. As you walked side by side with Katakuri out of the building, the place you once called home, the members of the army stared in shock as you held your head high.

Katakuri hadn't said anything himself, he also had words mulling in his mind. The walk to the ship wasn't necessarily a long one at all, but as the both of you treaded the white stone ground, it felt like an eternity.

You had finally told Dragon and the others the thing which you had been meaning to say forever: you finally put your past life behind you, letting the ones you oh so surprisingly cared about know why you wanted to be free. To protect them.

As far as you were concerned, you were now able to bask in the happy thought of overlooking the world where you stood - at the side of the man you never expected to feel something for. This, in fact, was the first time you felt for another in this way. Yet was it presumptuous to call it... love?

"You know mama won't go lightly on us."

It was the first time his deep voice echoed in your ears, the first time since you arrived, that is. Your smirk was replaced with open laughter, your shoulders shaking as you both boarded the ship.

"I'm fully aware, but she can't take my life as I don't fear her."

The ship was already facing away from the island as the waves moved it from right to left gently as if it were calming the ones on board. The soldiers were already shuffling about, setting the sails into action as Katakuri and you both overlooked the happenings.

It was quiet.

The place you once called home was now behind you and you were about to leave. For what was good.

"This is the last time you will be here."

Katakuri was right and you knew it. But unlike your past self, you had your own life to live and your own world to see; and you were too much of a hassle for the revolutionaries to keep. You were perfect to be a pirate.

Hands leaning on the railings as you turned away from the base, you looked up at Katakuri, a tiny smile mixed with your usual expression.

"I know, but I have an eel in my life now, I'm okay."

An annoyed-sounding huff came from the man, but under his scarf it was really a smile he displayed. The ship was ready to go, but the sound of dashing footsteps were picked up with your sharp ears.

"(Y/n)-san!"

Sabo. He was dashing towards your leaving ship, trying to catch his breath as he doubled over slightly; watching as you pivoted enough for him to see the side of your face.

"Sabo-kun! Still trying to catch up to me?"

He always saw your back. The back of the one he couldn't defeat; wanted to know what made you so powerful. His bright eyes stared up at you as the ghost of a smile which replaced his one-angered look back when you had entered the base. The gloves on his hands reminded you of that strange way of fighting he always used and of course the pole on his back shining in the day's light. But the thing you remembered most, was that hat upon his head with the goggles. How he always wore it. When his gaze connected with your side-eyed look, he looked down to where his hand was slightly clenched; the brim of his hat shading his eyes as you saw the pearly smile.

"How was Luffy?"

"Mugiwara?"

He nodded, moving his head up to you with his eyes closed along with his grin; you seeing the slight pain yet happiness in his look. It was something you could sometimes relate to.

"I... I got my memories back. He's my brother."

'Ah, now that is interesting!'

You moved away, so much so he saw your back again. He always saw it. But you snickered lightly. He must've also been Fire Fist's brother, you knew how sad he must feel.

"Mugiwara was certainly kicking."

Sabo turned his gaze to the floor, smiling at the white rocks. He then bowed.

Katakuri saw as he was giving a piercing gaze to the much younger man, but you could detect his movement as the vessel began to move away. Sabo was a good kid, you knew it. There would be a day where he will meet the Straw Hat, you knew it. That will be the time where maybe he will catch up to you.

You kicked off the railings, moving into the middle of the deck and then across to the door which lead to your cabin. All this felt tiring and you needed to rest. Unlike the first time you set foot on a Big Mom Pirate ship, the walls weren't as sickeningly sweet and felt more like home than just a fun place to run free. Your room felt no different from the one Oven had dragged you into when you trespassed all those weeks ago, yet the burning trap of his capture was no longer there. He was literally your brother in law, not a threat.

"Katakuri, what am I?"

It didn't take an idiot to know he had followed you in as you lay down on the bed, him sitting in the corner like every other night.

"I killed everyone, then the revolutionaries forgave me. I've been arrested and I've committed more crime than anyone can imagine. Am I just a monster?"

He was the only one your truly spoke your throughts to. The man you married, the man who protected you, the man who showed you that you can do whatever you truly wish. He was by your side, always. And as you lay, facing away on your side with that smirk on your face, Katakuri watched over you.

"You are as human as anyone, (y/n)."

That's when the bed beside you dipped. A warm chest pressed up against your back as you felt Katakuri's arms around you. His breath was tickling your hair and you were close to him. There was never a day you thought someone would genuinely want to be with you. And you cracked - just like that night not so long ago. It was like you were solid ice yet his warmth always broke your barriers, that ice turning into running water as your tears fell. Katakuri just listened, comforting you by being there as you cried; the pent up sadness you held since you were so young came crashing out.

"I love you, (y/n)."

The words that came from his lips as he held you caused a choked sob, tears rushing faster as you tried to smile.

No one had ever told you those words before.

No one had told you, the damned mocking bird, those kind kind words.

~~~

01.02.2021

Author's Notes

Purupurupurupuru...

Who is liking my new author's notes style? It's pretty jazzy if I do say so myself.

Anywho, Mockingbird is having another emotional time of it. Also, he finally said those three words...

... gacha.

- TransponderSnail