A Taste of Forever (Katakuri x Reader)

Chapter 45 - A lesson in seduction

A/N:

Wordcount: 4300+

"And he really said that I am expected to partake?"

"He did," Katakuri confirmed evenly as he ran a hand across your back, both of you lying inside of his mochi shrine with you on top of him.

You let out a deflated sigh as you sunk further into your husband, your cheek against his sternum as you felt his heart thump steadily against you.

"What is it, Meri?" His voice rumbled against your face.

Good question. What was it?

You should have been enjoying what had become your shared little ritual. Since Katakuri had let you inside his Merienda, you had made it a point to just cuddle together in content silence whenever he was finished with his well-deserved snack time. Sometimes you used the opportunity to talk – just like now – but most of the time you just wanted to disappear in Katakuri's truest self, while he wanted to hold you close and enjoy being himself without feeling vulnerable.

Then, why were you so glum if this was one of your favourite times a day? Especially considering that the last two weeks had passed by rather uneventfully. Aside from fighting an occasional crew or two to force your awakening out, you were only going about your daily business of befriending the crew, helping them, or training with Mr. 'Can frowning become pathological?'.

Scooting a little higher until you could nuzzle into his neck, the sweet smell of vanilla swirling around you and joining the remaining linger of white chocolate from Katakuri's doughnuts, you let out another sigh. "It's just not how I'm used to handling things. I guess it just takes a little bit for me to get used to it."

Katakuri moved his hand up to play with your hair, gloved fingertips running along your scalp and making you shiver as you enjoyed the impromptu massage. "It's how Mama handles things, and at the end of the day, that's what matters. Our opinions bear no value."

Another deep sigh was pushed out of your nose before you frowned into his skin. This wasn't how Pops would have handled those situations.

Earlier this day, Katakuri had received a call from Perospero in which you were informed that you were expected to return to Whole Cake Island as quickly as possible.

Pudding was going to marry. A liaison between the Charlottes and the Vinsmokes of the Germa kingdom.

This wasn't necessarily what you were disapproving of. Although all of it resurfaced bad memories and you wouldn't wish it upon anyone to be forced into a marriage, you secretly hoped that their marriage would work out just like yours did. Pudding was a nice girl, albeit a little crazy from what you'd heard, but she deserved to be happy. Plus, she had helped you in the past and considering Big Mom was her mother, she was bound to turn a little crazy. None of your in-laws were exactly 'normal', whatever that meant.

However, Katakuri was quick to crush your hopes. Sending whatever hope you had straight out of the next available porthole, he informed you of the official plan behind their 'collaboration' with Germa 66. A plan you were expected to partake in. This was what you were disapproving of.

Big Mom and the other children expected you to assist them in Germa's execution.

Sure, you had encountered a fair amount of 'political' alliances and disagreements as a member of the Whitebeard pirates, but Pops was different. Pops was upfront. When he wanted something, he charged his opponents head-on. There was no need for this charade. If it was him in the same situation, he would have openly challenged Germa 66, and considering you had grown up by his side, it came to no surprise that you had adopted his style.