#cavendish unable to tell one green boy from the other

[dedlit]

Part 2 Part 3(finale)

[shintorikhazumi]

“Daydream.”

A/N: I have NOT written in a while. Or posted rather. It’s been.... a month??? I’m sorry. It’s been.. hard. I also have summer classes which are slowly choking me. Yey.

Anyway, I hope... you all enjoy? I think I’m rusty. There are a lotta plotholes and some... hhrnnghh characterization that i feel iffy about. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. 

Anywhooooo. Thank you to my lovely platonic crushie @tanuki-pyon hihi for allowing me to use your drawing for inspiration ;-;. Thank youuu <3 Hope you like this.

Enjoy?

~Shintori Khazumi

It is a bustling city, full of life and vivid color. The songs of the late afternoon played- their notes produced by that independent street musician, backed by the passing cars beneath the balcony, the rhythmic dripping of a loose faucet in the bath, and the rustle of leaves caused by a passing breeze that caresses her cheek.

 Life, color, music, and a touch.

 They all paint a particular picture- one of wine-red eyes, and a charming smile; brown locks that she had tucked behind a heated ear, adorned with exotic jewelry she had purchased for her.

 As she draws the cup away from her lips, she sighs in contentment, the distinctive taste of Boldo tea and the dimming rays of light blanketing the expanse of what she could see making her smile bittersweet.

 It's getting late.

 She knows she has to finish her packing. After all, this fleeting vacation is a dream she'd have to wake up from, come the morning rays of tomorrow. It was short-lived, but she'd like to think these few moments in the city or Buenos Aires are moments worth remembering forever.

 Even if there was a possibility that they were but a daydream.

 That she is her daydream.

 Her phone rings, and she sighs a different sigh. It's one of disappointment and reluctance as walks into the room, swiping the blinking gadget off the table. She taps the green icon, placing the device by her ear, eyes dulling as she listens to the speaker on the other end with poorly-veiled disinterest.

 ["-Are you listening?! Do you understand? The moment you step off that plane, your fiance will be there to greet you. Then he will drive you to work, and you will-"]

 Her face contorts in disgust at the statement. "He's not my fiance." She says, voice cold and adamant.

 ["Diana! How could you say that- about Andrew Hanbridge, no less! The man who has not once given up on you, unlike all the other low-life suitors out there. He's rich, intelligent, charming, and well-mannered."]

 Diana scoffs at the very first descriptor of the man she was to marry supposedly. 'Rich'. Of course he had to be.

 "Listen here, and listen well. You've been off on these silly trips, writing god knows what for well over ten years. It's time you grew up and got married, and inherited the corporation!"

 Diana grits her teeth, hands crumpling a few papers on the table. She immediately regrets that action as she realizes her manuscripts now have ugly creases in them, much like her own plans for life. Not that those were any easier to iron out.

 ["Then dinner at the Hanbridges will be at seven-thirty. Sharp. I have a dress prepared for you in your room. We will be discussing your wedding with And-"]

 And she hangs up.

 Turning her phone off, she throws it onto her mattress, the silken covers causing the device to slide right off and onto the floor with a thud.

 Diana curses as she rushes over, checking for any cracks or damage. She hasn't turned the lights on, and her open balcony does not give her much light, so she opts to run her fingers over the screen, praying she hadn't broken anything. As able as she was to afford a phone, that doesn't mean she wanted a change at any time.

 ...also, her number was saved here. Diana isn’t good enough with phones to know how to retrieve that.

 Diana sighs again. This time it is of relief. She leans back with a plop against the side of the bed, staring blankly at her wall.

 Tomorrow... she leaves.

 Tomorrow, she never sees her again.

 Tomorrow, she talks of marriage plans with two families who couldn't care less about what she actually desires in life.

 Tomorrow... she's gone. She may as well be dead if she wouldn't even be 'living' in the first place.

 Tomorrow...

 What would she be doing?

 Where would she be at?

 Would she still have the same smile on her face as she greeted the passersby who would freeze in place, stand in awe as time stilled for them as they become entranced in the magic that was her dance?

 Diana frowns.

 Would someone else fall in love with her?

 Like Diana has?

 ...Would she... fall in love with them back...?

 Diana feels a pang in her heart as she slumps to the floor, now lying against the hard wood. If she were back in the UK, she wouldn't be caught *dead* in this position. Her aunt would have her head.

 She blinks, staring at the ceiling.

 Oh? It's quite comfortable, she thinks, consciousness slipping into nothingness.

 //

 -It's a slap to her cheek that has her sitting up in haste, body moving in a trained way of self-defense as she arrests the perpetrator in a hold face-down onto the floors.

 "Diana! Diana! Fu- shit! Waitwaitwaitwait-owowowowow it huuurtsss, it hurtsssss!!!"

 And it’s a familiar voice that cuts through her panic, and makes her let go rather clumsily, resulting in more hurt for Diana’s victim.

 “Akko!” She exclaims, happiness and concern in her voice.

 “Well, you sure look happy. Are you into this sort of play?” The girl chuckles wryly, rubbing at her joints as she fixes herself into a seated position on the floor as Diana kneels in front of her, confused at the words.

 “Play?”

 “Yeah. BDSM, that kind of stuff.” 

 Diana flushes at the bold remark, floundering helplessly as her mind ceases to produce a coherent response.

 Akko watches her with open amusement, head resting against her one propped up knee. She hugs the limb, keeping her steady as she stares at Diana unabashedly.

 Diana stares back.

 “Wh-what.”

 “You’re beautiful.”

 “I-! Ah-uh, nnggh?!” Diana doesn’t know if she’s going into a seizure. Maybe she is. Maybe she should have gone to med school after all, to confirm-

 “Pff-” Akko begins giggling, then cackling, then just falling onto her back, hollering in laughter on the floor.

 “Wh-what! What… why are you laughing? I- Did i do something silly?”

 Akko wipes a tear from her eyes, laying on her stomach and propping her head up on both hands as she faces Diana. “You’re silly.” She teases, tongue poking out, eyes crinkled moons.

 Diana can’t help herself, biting onto the bait.

 It’s a deep kiss, and Diana didn’t know she knew how to do it.

 What do people call it? French kissing?

 They pull apart and Akko presses her sweaty forehead to Diana’s, chuckling breathlessly against her lips.

 “Many types of attacks today, Miss Cavendish. You are one powerful woman with a vast arsenal.” She jests, a hand reaching to cup Diana’s face and pull her back in for a chaster peck on the lips that turns into two, then three.

 “I like to have many options at my disposal.” Diana sighs into every brush of their lips, returning a few of her own, nipping at Akko’s bottom lip as she leads her into a submissive position, lying on her back with Diana hovering over her.

 “Boy, am I glad you do…” Akko whispers, eyes glued to Diana’s glistening mouth, the pair leaning closer and closer and- “OHMYGOSH-WAIT. THIS. This is not what I came here to do!” Akko yelps, pushing Diana’s face away and accidentally spraining her neck.

 Diana groans as she rubs at her nape, cursing quietly.

 “SHIT SORRY”

 Diana waves her concern away as she offers a crooked grin.

 “Sorry, sorry, sorry. I’m sorry, Diana. Sorry, I-”

 “Akko.” Diana giggles, carefully nearing the girl once again. She leans in slowly this time- just in case-, and plants a kiss on her cheek. “How and why did you come find me?” She asks, tone joyful, yet pained. 

 “Because I know you’re leaving tomorrow.” 

 Diana hears a record scratch, and the city’s music comes to a pause. It’s deathly silent, and her breath catches in her lungs, heart painful.

 Diana’s smile falls, as she places distance between them, sitting formally in front of Akko.

 “You…”

 “You told me in your sleep…” Akko murmurs, her words playing flashbacks in Diana’s mind- memories of a night that was not supposed to exist.

 “No- I… I… Akko…”

 Voices in her head play back all her duties, her realities that tell her that the woman in front of her is not a part of them. She’s a daydream, and she’s- as all daydreams are- a fleeting one.

 Diana has to wake up tomorrow morning. She has to go back tomorrow.

 She has to be ‘the real Diana Cavendish’ again. Not because she wants to be. But because she is.

 “Diana, I need to say that-”

 “Then- then…” Diana cuts Akko off before she can deal more damage to her mental state. “Then you must know… that being here… makes it harder for me not to leave.” Diana replied with a crack in her voice. “I can’t stay, Akko. I can’t. Even if I wanted to…” She whispered, unable to project her voice.

 “Diana, that’s not what this is abou-”

 “I can’t stay here, Akko! I’m supposed to go home and get married!”

 Her eyes widen, and so do Akko’s. Diana… doesn’t know what to say. Neither does Akko. They both remain frozen in time and in place.

 “I can’t… stay here… with you…” She feels a tear slip past her cheek… then another, and another, until they dribble down her chin and onto the back of her hands that are clenched on her lap. “You’re a daydream… and… and…”

 “A reality you won’t face?” Akko asks, voice surprisingly steady and clear. “I’m not a daydream, Diana Cavendish. I’m not a figment of your imagination.” She speaks, voice bolder as she gets up and walks up to Diana, making the girl crawl backwards as she hits her back against the foot of the bed.

 Diana gasps as Akko grips her collar, pulling her closer to her. She instinctively closes her eyes, awaiting a hit- a punch, a slap, whatever it was.

 And she gasps again as the soft caress, much like the gentle winds soothe her skin and her pounding heart.

 “I’m not your summer getaway, or your escape from real life. I’m not a fairytale to lull you to bedtime that you forget once the sun rises.” Akko explains with a crooked smile, tears staining her cheeks as she buries her face into the crook of Diana’s neck. Her breaths tickle Diana there, and her tears pain Diana’s heart.

Diana moves to wrap her arms around Akko, but stops midway. She… doesn’t deserve to do that.

 “...hold me…”

 But Akko deserves to be listened to. 

 And so, Diana holds her. She holds her tight, and she doesn’t let go. Not until Akko wants her to.

 “I’m not asking you to stay.” Akko murmurs against Diana’s skin as the latter runs her fingers through smooth strands of hair.

 Diana admits that hearing that statement hurts as much as it relieves her.

 Her sense of duty tells her she has to go back to her home in England and run her company, and yet her heart told her that Akko was her home, and that not staying would mean losing something that she might never be able to earn back again.

 As much as it pained her to know more, she needs to. For both their sakes. “Then what must I do? What can I- we… what do you want me to do? What do you want us to do?”

 Akko pulls back slightly, grinning sheepishly as she presses her feelings into a kiss against Diana’s lips, before pulling her up with her to head towards the door.

 Upon opening it, Diana sees a few bags lined up against the wall, ready for a trip to god-knows-where.

Her mind wasn’t registering this at all-

“Bloody fuck.”

“Took you long enough to figure that one out, huh?” Akko laughs, bringing their joined hands to her lips, and kissing Diana’s palm. “Weren’t you supposed to be the smart one?”

 “Well… I… holy shit…”

 “I had no idea you could curse like that.”

 “Mother of… my… arse…”

 “Mother of your arse? Really?”

 “Akko.”

 “Yes?”

 “Akko.”

 “Yes, Diana.” Akko rolls her eyes, as she pats Diana’s cheek with her free hand. “You’re supposed to take me with you.”

 “Bloody hell…” Diana murmurs. “Just marry me.” 

 “...”

 “...”

 “EH?! Really?!”

 //

 Bonus :>

 “So why were you in my room that night in the first place?” Diana laughs, running her fingers along Akko’s cool arm, holding her close as they snuggled together in a hammock, reminiscing a daydream so long ago.

 “Ehh... are you really asking me this right now? Diana, it’s been years since that happened.”

“And yet, I know you remember it as well as I do.” Diana laughs, knowing that Akko was rolling her eyes as she scoffs against her neck. “I’m right, aren’t I.”

“Cheeky.” Diana chuckles as Akko pokes her cheek in annoyance, but explains anyway. “I was knocking on the door, but you weren’t answering. I rang, and spoke through the intercom too. Then room service came by and I said I just forgot my key and they let me in.”

Diana feels slightly concerned about the security of that hotel. But wait, there are better questions that need answering.

 “... then why did you slap me?”

“...”

“Akko?”

 “Because you were asleep.”

Diana guffaws, disbelieving. There was no way she was that hard to awaken. She pulls back slightly, looking Akko in the eyes.

 “You couldn’t have woken me up other ways?”

 Akko looks away momentarily, feet already swung off to the side, as if she is about to step out. Which she did. 

“...no?”

Diana watches her skeptically, now also sitting up.

“Akko?”

“Well, you know. It was nice chatting and all, but maybe I should get back to my practice for my road show and...”

 “Akko? Akko… Akko why are you walking away? Akko- hey! Come back here- AKKO!-”

And she was gone, bolting like the wind, leaving Diana stunned and comically livid.

 “ATSUKO KAGARI-CAVENDISH, YOU COME BACK HERE RIGHT. THIS. INSTANT!”

[teal-quetzal]

Masked Prince

Hi all! =D

This is the second piece i write, and this one is for @nakunakunomi​ ‘s 750 followers event, Cliché with Hazel!

The cliché prompt i was given: We met and danced at a masked ball but i don’t know who you are.

Random word to include: thumb.

Warnings: there’s some swearing and foul language. Basically the Vinsmokes, mainly Yonji, being abusive little shits.

I love Sanji, he’s the sweetest, so i hope i made him justice! I really hope anyone who reads this likes it and enjoys it!

You finished your shift at the cafe you worked at and went straight to your best friend’s place, he had sent you a message asking to meet him ASAP. When you entered your best friend's bedroom, you found him surrounded by a huge variety of dresses.

“You’re late! We have so much to do!” he said getting up and running towards you. Cavendish was the heir of a big company and wasn’t used to the fact that other people had to work for a living and had tight schedules.

“What’s all this? Are you dressing up?” you said pointing at the gowns, “You’d look so elegant in the purple one!” you continued, pointing at it but not touching it. You were scared of ruining them because they all looked incredibly expensive.

“They’re for you, silly” he said smiling, “C’mon, start trying them on, we don’t have all day! The ball is tonight!”

“...what ball?” you asked afraid that this might be another one of his rich boy adventures.

Cavendish handed you a very fancy invitation card for a masquerade ball and explained the ball to you. It was for heirs and heiresses of big companies only, ment for them to mix and mingle without the lower classes around. And even seal some deals and arrange marriages.

“The good thing is, everyone has to be disguised, so no one will know it’s you!” Canvendish said excitedly, but seeing your frown, he added “You need to get out once in a while and have fun, no one will know you’re a waitress, not with this beautiful sapphire gown and the invitation card” he finished with a smile, and also handed you an elaborate silver mask.

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"A masquerade ball? Why aren't any of you going? You know i’m busy..." Sanji asked his brothers, who didn't even bother to look at him.

"Cos you're the only one who can make a good impression in this stupid things" said Yonji, the only one who at least looked at him, “And the only busy you should get is with some lady, so you could strike a deal and be useful to the family for once” he added mockingly.

"You have no say in this, you're going, so put on your suit" added Ichiji.

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You found yourself stepping out of Farul, Cavendish's favourite car, and following a candlelight path surrounded by marble statues. The venue for the ball was one of the most luxurious mansions in your city, and it couldn't have been more fitting for the event. There was a romantic aura surrounding it, and you started to think that maybe Cavendish was right, this could be fun.

When you offered your invitation to one of the doormen you couldn’t help but overhear the other guests' conversations. Economics, finances, you knew nothing about those subjects so you couldn’t help but start to feel out of place. What if someone noticed you weren't anyone important?

You started to avoid conversations and group gatherings all together, and pretended to be injured when someone asked you to dance, because you didn’t know how to ballroom dance either. Luckily for you, the food was amazing, so you tried almost everything and, being a waitress yourself, you started to fraternize with the staff. You even helped a waitress to clean her clothes when a pretentious rich kid threw wine on her.

You decided to catch some fresh air and went to the balcony. It was a beautiful balcony, surrounded by rose bushes, with marble columns and a bench...a bench occupied by one of the guests.

Deeming it inappropriate to go back inside, you politely asked him if you could sit besides him. He nodded and offered you a cigarette, which you declined. He wore a black suit, nothing too flashy like other guests, but very elegant, and a black mask with a few golden details that suited his blond hair.

"You've been quite the talk of the ball already" he said after a long silence and turned to look at you with a tired smile. "What is a beauty like you doing in a place like this?" he asked, a phrase that he had learned from a romance novel he had hidden under his bed. But he didn't expect the effect it had on you.

Suddenly you felt cold, anxious, he found out that you weren’t any heiress and was gonna drag you in front of the others, clearly.

"I--I'm not doing anything and how can you say I'm a beauty when you haven't even seen my face?!?!" you said getting up, but he grabbed your hand, gently, and didn't let you leave.

"I’m sorry, I didn't want to upset you, I just wanted to talk for a while…, and you're right I haven't seen your face but I don't need to see it when your soul is crealy the most beautiful here" he said, getting up, "I've seen you help that waitress, and if you'd like, I'd love to be your partner for a dance" he almost pleaded.

"I--I don't...know...how to dance?" You stuttered, afraid of the effect that such revelation would make. Everyone here was taught the expected protocol, and of course all of them knew how to dance.

He stood, left your hand, and turned to the rose bushes to pick up a rose. When he turned he offered you the warmest smile, took off the thorns and put the rose on your hair.

"Makes sense you're pretending to be injured then," he said while offering you his hands to dance, "just follow my lead, my princess".

With his warm hands in yours, you saw that he cut his thumb, probably with the rose's thorns, you thought, and you retrieved and started searching in a hidden pocket you had.

"Wha-what's wrong?" he asked, clearly confused and...sad? Did he really care and wasn't just playing?

"You cut your thumb! Here, let me!" you said warmly, and put a colorful band aid on it. "Maybe it's a bit too childish for you? It's the only one I have..."

"I love it!" he said, cutting you and seemingly flustered, with blush appearing on his ears, "you're... you’re too kind". And he proceeded to put a hand on your lower back and grab yours with the other.

You started to dance and clumsily follow him. Under the stars and surrounded by roses, to the muted music that came from the inside, you forgot about classes and money. You started talking about everything and started to call him "Mr Prince" in response to him calling you "My Princess", which you both found amusing.

But after a while the music stopped, and you knew it meant the masquerade ball was over, and you had to part ways, probably forever.

He asked for you to meet him again, but your fear of rejection once he found out your real income and class was too big, and you left without saying goodbye, disappearing in the crowd.

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Feelings of regret flooded you since you disappeared from the ball last night, never before you had such a connection with someone, but what could you do now? You knew nothing about him, not even his name, because your insecurities and fears took the best of you.

Your shift was almost finished in the cafe you worked at when a guy with green hair came in, followed by a blond guy and a woman with pink hair.

While you were taking the pink hair's orders and scribbling her name in the cup, you couldn't help but overhear the green hair picking on the blond.

"Why are you wearing this stupid band-aid, anyways? It's childish and pathetic as fuck" he said, "At least tell me you scored last night at the ball, you have to keep our reputation, you know?"

"Reputation of disgusting pervs” said the pink haired woman, turning towards her brothers, “Sanji is better than this". Sanji rolled his eyes and came closer to the counter and finished their order.

"Excuse my brother and his manners" he said to you with an apologetic smile, "how much is it?" he said while taking out his wallet. And then you saw it, the band-aid on his thumb. Just like the ones you usually carried around.

Your blood froze and you started to feel dizzy, you started to ponder if it could really be last night’s prince. The comments his brother made and the band-aid he wore in the exact thumb were pointing towards it.

With your heart beating faster than ever, you couldn't help but wonder but in an impulse of bravery you wrote "Mr Prince" in his cup instead of his name, hoping that if it was him, he'd recognize you.

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Outside the cafe, Sanji couldn't stop thinking of that waitress' weirdly familiar voice, when Yonji gave him his cup.

"Ha! Mr Prince...you didn't score with a nice heiress but you scored with the waitress...you really are a pathetic good-for-nothing!" said Yonji reading Sanji's cup.

Sanji, in shock, looked at his cup. Everything made sense now, of course your voice sounded so familiar! He thought you were of lower income but an heiress anyways, but no, you were a waitress that sneaked their way into the ball! That’s why you were so weirdly secretive last night!

He rushed inside, leaving his siblings confused, excited by the sudden realization.

You were ready to leave the cafe for the day, feeling like the biggest idiot. “Maybe it wasn’t him?” you wondered, “or maybe he didn’t care about you if you were a waitress, afterall you two were from different worlds…” you kept thinking, feeling like a fool for having the slightest hope.

But when you were already heading for the door, he came in.

"Princess!" He called when he saw you, leaving you confused and flustered at hearing him calling you that endearing nickname again.

Sanji came closer to you and grabbed your hands and kissed them, leaving you like a blushing mess, unable to say a word.

"I feel like the dumbest man in the world...could you ever forgive me for not recognizing you right away?"

"How...How could you? We were disguised and i'm...i'm a..." you answered pointing at the counter, but he caressed your cheek, leaving you speechless again.

"You're the beautiful woman that came into my life last night" he said tenderly, "Would you do me the honor of joining me for lunch? I'd love to get to know you properly" he finished with the sweetest smile.

And how could you say no?