Claudius was in the bathroom, humming a tune as he leisurely showered. Meanwhile, Gion sat uncomfortably outside, fidgeting on the bed.
The maid outfit she was wearing was beginning to bother her. As a dignified Admiral candidate of Marine Headquarters, playing the role of a maid felt degrading.
How did I end up like this? Gion thought bitterly. While she understood the necessity of maintaining their cover, she couldn't help but feel frustrated.
Trying to distract herself, Gion lay down on the bed with a huff. If I take over this bed, let's see how you'll manage, Claudius! she thought defiantly.
She rolled around for a while, but no position felt comfortable. Every now and then, she glanced toward the bathroom, wondering when Claudius would finish. But he didn't seem to be in any rush, and the sound of running water suggested he would take a while longer.
Why am I lying on a bed in a maid costume while that idiot takes a leisurely bath? Something about this situation feels so wrong… Gion thought, her face turning red as the absurdity of it all hit her.
Finally, she climbed off the bed and opened her small suitcase. Pulling out a set of modest but comfortable pajamas, she quickly got back into bed and slipped under the covers to change.
Once she had switched into her pajamas, Gion breathed a sigh of relief. Her maid outfit was stuffed back into the suitcase, and she lay down again. The pajamas were more comfortable, but her unease didn't completely disappear.
Wait… isn't it even more inappropriate for me to be wearing pajamas while sharing a room with Claudius? she thought, her anxiety flaring again. What if he gets the wrong idea and thinks I'm trying to…
Flustered, Gion decided to change again, this time into a formal suit. But just as she sat up to move, the bathroom door swung open.
Claudius emerged, casually drying his damp hair with a towel. Wearing nothing but boxers, his muscular physique was on full display.
Gion let out an involuntary squeal before diving back under the quilt, pulling it over her head like a shield.
"What are you screaming for? It's not like I'm doing anything to you," Claudius said, his tone slightly annoyed. "It's not the first time we've stayed in the same place, you know."
Beneath the covers, Gion silently cursed him. What do you mean it's not the first time? she thought. Then, a memory surfaced.
Years ago, when Claudius was recovering in Marineford, they had shared accommodations in the senior ward. But that had been a completely different situation, and Dragon had been there too! There had been no awkwardness back then, and certainly no shameless behavior like this!
Determined not to respond, Gion stayed silent, pretending to be asleep.
Claudius finished drying his hair and glanced at the bed. The sight of the lump under the covers made him grin mischievously. Instead of changing into pajamas, he simply climbed into bed as he was.
The mattress dipped as he settled in, and Gion's body tensed. Are you serious?! she thought. Her mind raced, ready to deliver a swift kick if he dared to make a move.
But to her surprise, Claudius didn't try anything. He simply lay there, quiet and still.
Curious, Gion cautiously peeked out from under the quilt. The bed was large—easily big enough for three or four people, so there was a decent amount of space between them. Claudius had already closed his eyes, his breathing steady and relaxed.
Is he… asleep already? Gion wondered, her initial anger softening.
She studied his face in the dim light. It was the same face she had seen on the day they descended from Sky Island, after Claudius had defeated the Golden Lion, Shiki. That day, exhausted from battle, he had fallen asleep leaning against the mast of their storm-tossed ship.
The memory was vivid in her mind: the storm clouds parting, the sunlight breaking through, and Claudius sitting amidst the wreckage with a quiet strength that had left an indelible impression on her.
Maybe that's when it started… Gion thought. Maybe that's when I started seeing him differently.
Her gaze lingered on his features, his tousled golden hair, the gentle curve of his jaw, the faint traces of exhaustion that softened his usual sharpness.
"Sure enough, you're only tolerable when you're asleep," Gion whispered with a faint smile.
For a while, she simply watched him, her initial irritation fading. Eventually, she decided to take a quick shower herself. Clad in her rabbit-print pajamas, she tiptoed toward the bathroom, careful not to wake him.
Meanwhile, Claudius stirred in his sleep, drifting into a strange dream. He found himself wandering through a labyrinth, the walls invisible yet unyielding. Frustrated, he slammed a hand against one of the walls, only to feel a soft, familiar sensation beneath his palm.
Before he could make sense of it, he jolted awake. Blinking groggily, Claudius took a moment to orient himself. Where am I? Oh, right… Cake Island.
Turning his head slightly, his eyes widened in surprise. Just inches away was Gion's sleeping face, serene and peaceful.
Somehow, during the night, Gion had ended up tangled with him. One of her arms rested across his chest, while her long, perfectly shaped leg was draped over his. Her pink pajama top had shifted slightly, revealing a hint of skin beneath the rumpled fabric.
The soft rhythm of her breathing carried a faint floral scent that seemed to linger in the air. Claudius couldn't help but smile. What kind of lucky start to the day is this? he thought. Maybe Cake Island isn't so bad after all. Katakuri, I owe you one.
Resisting the urge to move, Claudius simply lay there, enjoying the moment. After a while, he closed his eyes again, content to drift back to sleep.
What he didn't realize was that Gion was already awake.
Her face burned with embarrassment as she pieced together what had happened. Did I… use him as a pillow while I was sleeping? she thought, horrified.
Noticing that Claudius's eyes were closed, she hesitated. She considered shifting away, but as she moved, his hand fell onto her leg, pinning her in place.
Why does this keep happening to me? Gion fumed silently. But as she watched him sleep, her irritation softened once more.
With a soft sigh, she relaxed, leaning into him slightly. What am I doing? she wondered. This is so unlike me…
And yet, she made no effort to move away. Instead, she closed her eyes again, letting herself drift back into a quiet slumber.
***
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