A Taste of Forever (Katakuri x Reader)

Chapter 18 - No way back

With your legs angled next to you on the cushions, you sat on your favourite couch as you followed the love story of a white-haired fighter and his dark-haired mage. The warmth of the fireplace enveloped your body while the cracking of burnt wood and the turning of pages silently echoed through your shared suite, but apart from that, it was quiet.

Too quiet.

So quiet that every single thought in your head felt like it was screaming.

You had been pretending to read for a while now. Eyes scanning absentmindedly over the printed words without really registering anything apart from the black of the ink and the off-white of the pages, your mind preferred to overanalyse your own love life, only to overthink it, get frustrated about it, groan internally and then restart the whole vicious circle anew, instead of being invested in the love story of your fictional characters.

Something had changed. Massively changed.

Katakuri had kissed you. The mere thought of that fleeting moment made your breath hitch, and you felt a flutter in your chest as your lips remembered his.

However, as much as this moment made your heart beat faster, something left behind a sour taste.

You hadn't had the opportunity to talk with him about it yet.

The doctors had discharged you the same afternoon, and as soon as you had left the infirmary, pretty much every available Charlotte ganged up on you. Some almost killed you with spine-cracking hugs while others just offered you small nods or a shy smile to display their relief that you had finally woken up. As much as you hated to admit it, the attention you received felt good.

It felt like...family.

"(Y/N), no matter what happens now, run! Run and find a new family."

"If you find a man like that, lass, I might consider him my son-in-law."

Some were unlucky enough to never have one, and here you were, surrounded by your third.

Especially the younger children were relieved that you were up and walking again, and Anana informed you that she had looked after your plush teddy for you. The uncanny mixture of absolute innocent sweetness and her violent hobbies still irked you, but you were happy that she liked you at least.

You were also pleased to find out that none of the Charlottes had dared to place a bet on whether or not you were going to make it. Though you weren't sure whether this was because they liked you or because they feared Katakuri, the end result still worked out in your favour.

However, as much as you liked to witness that the Charlottes cared about you, it left you no opportunity to talk with Katakuri about the kiss. You had your hopes set on when you got back into your suite, but as soon as you had entered it, Katakuri informed you that he urgently had to attend some of his business. This led you to the positions you were currently in, seated on your respective favourite couches while both of you entertained yourselves.

Glancing over your book, your eyes settled on Katakuri. He was currently engrossed in the different documents that listed the updates of Tottoland's surveillance system, your surveillance included, in detail.

More underwater seasnails, more Homies, increased patrols along the borders, increasing the surveillance on every single island, to be supervised by the local ministers, which included Katakuri, and the assistance of the Fire Tank pirates.

Every single movement of his eyes was subtlety followed by yours as you kept on peeking up at him from under your lashes while only one thought bounced around your mind.