One piece One shots/ships

Coming home

Shakky is just about done wiping the counter with a cleaning cloth when she hears the main door open. She's at the far side of the bar, but doesn't need to turn around, sensing the aura of the newcomer, and her lips curve in a smile as she simply asks, "The usual ?"

A low chuckle is exhaled behind her back, a deep rumble still making her heart miss a beat after all these years... hell, after all these decades, she corrects herself. Then there's a stool lazily being dragged to the side, and a soft rustling sound that indicates her customer is sat.

She turns around, and her smile grows wider as she finally gets to glance at her long-time lover. A contented sigh escapes her lips as she makes her way towards him. Once she's behind the middle-part of the counter she grabs a glass. She slides to the other side of the counter and grabs a bottle of her finest rum, returns to Rayleigh with a jut of her hip, and pours his drink, placing the now full glass in front of him as she sits on her own stool behind the bar.

His fingers grazes hers as he grabs his drink, a deliberate thing they've gotten used to across the years. The slightest hint of a smile shows, and Shakky thinks getting old suits him well, his wrinkles and white hair only adding to his effortless charm.

Rayleigh takes a small sip, exhaling a contented sigh at the slight burn in his throat. "I missed that", he confesses.

"A year and a half without booze. That's a record", Shakky comments with a small grin, an elbow on the counter and her chin resting in her hand.

"And a hard one to beat, but it was worth the trouble", he says before sipping more.

Shakky watches as Rayleigh's Adam's apple bobs as he swallows, and she inquires, "How's Monkey-chan ?"

The Dark King smirks. "About ready to claim his title."

"Good", she says as genuine happiness bubbles in her chest at hearing this. The straw-hatted kid is going to turn the world upside down and she's proud they got to play a part in it. Some call it destiny...

"I hope the whole of his crew will make it here in time. That's quite a feat they'd have to pull..."

"Don't underestimate the faith they have in their captain", Shakky gently reminds him.

Rayleigh smiles and nods before resuming his drinking.

"The Shichibukai Kuma showed up, too", she informs him. "He's been guarding Monkey-chan's ship."

"Hmm. Figured he would", he cryptically says, scratching his goatee. "Then I can offer myself a few days off before I start coating her", he concludes with a grin.

Shakky gets down from her stool and moves to the mobile part of the counter, tilting it up to pass on the other side. She walks to her lover and enlaces him from behind, head resting against his back. Her body seems so small compared to his taller figure, and she relishes in the familiar warmth she can feel through her husband's clothes. She hums contentedly as his free hand reaches out for hers and their fingers interlace.

"Yeah, a day off sounds fine", Rayleigh murmurs. He raises Shakky's hand to his lips and places a soft kiss on her fingers, turning around so she's standing between his legs. Then he enlaces her tenderly, his body wrapping around hers cautiously. He kisses her forehead and exhales a tired sigh.

"Why don't you move upstairs ? I'm sure you could help a few hours of sleep", she offers with an empathetic smile.

Rayleigh leans back and lifts an eyebrow, his glasses slipping askew down his nose a little. "What about you ? I hoped you'd join me", he unconvincingly pouts.

Her smiles grows wider, just enough to become something more than innocent. "I'm sure the bar can handle a day off too", she winks.