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"You shouldn't have made a fire. Pirates might see the smoke and attack us!"
"But it's so dark, Saka-san. I don't like the dark."
"Why are you so scared? I'm right here. I'll stab anyone who comes at us from the dark."
"Then I'll keep you warm since you don't like the cold!"
"Hey, get off me. Damn it, you cling like a monkey, Borsalino!"
"I'll never let go. We'll be together forever!"
Sakazuki raised his head from the endless stacks of paperwork from his desk when a bright yellow light teased the edges of his vision. As Borsalino materialized before him, he returned to writing.
“How many times do I have to tell you to use the door?”
Even without looking, Akainu could feel the lazy smile stretching across Borsalino’s face, “But this is way~ faster, Fleet Admiral.”
“Have you come to make your report in person?” He asked. When there was not an immediate reply, he once again looked at the yellow-clad man before him. He had that stupid grin and the slight squint that Sakazuki only saw within closed quarters at the safety of their own walls. “Why are you smiling like that?” He growled, lowering his cap to cover his eyes.
He heard Borsalino chuckle, “The report will be handed to you in about eight~ minutes, Saka-san.”
“Then why did you barge into my office unannounced?” Sakazuki asked, his patience already running out.
“I just wanted eight minutes with you~” Borsalino said, bouncing on his feet while his hands remained in his pockets. Sakazuki looked at his unwelcome guest, looking for any injuries that might cause the admiral to act so odd. “Also, thanks to Dr. Vegapunk, I’ve tried and unlocked a cool new move.”
This piqued Sakazuki’s interest. “Show me,” He demanded as Kizaru ignored him.
“Unfortunately, the Doctor has already created a useful~ tool to combat it. Actually, it might even be used to combat all of my powers.” Borsalino said in a casual tone. “The report about that tool should be somewhere~ in that huge~ pile of paperwork you have there.”
Sakazuki furrowed his brow. Having a weapon that can counter Borsalino’s powers is troublesome especially if it landed in the hands of pirates. He began to weigh the pros and cons of demanding the destruction of said weapon, when he felt Kizaru approach him.
“That’s not what I’m here to tell you though. It’s all in the report you’ll receive later.”
“Then why are you here?” Sakazuki asked, pushing the document he was working on aside since it was clear Borsalino won’t let him work.
There was a pause as Borsalino seemed to decide what words to use. “Ne, Saka-san, did you know that because of the distance of the sun to our world, the sun could disappear one day and we wouldn’t know for eight minutes?”
“Is this some kind of prelude to your sappy lines, Borsalino?” He growled, looking away from the man before him. His light , Sakazuki’s heart corrected his mind. “Can’t you see I have work to be done?”
“The world will have no warning.” Borsalino continued, “It’s been theorized that there will be a massive explosion, a cataclysmic event that can wipe all life from the world.”
A heavy feeling settled in Sakazuki’s chest. “What are you doing, Borsalino?” He asked, standing from his chair. “You’re hiding something.”
“I’m giving you a warning, Sakazuki.” Borsalino’s eyes met his, “You’re my world~ you see.”
Sakazuki’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at the stupid grin Borsalino had on his face, “What-”
“You’re looking at my latest trick. I don’t want to leave anything unsaid in case I don’t make it you know~”
“Borsalino, tell me what’s going on.” Akainu demanded, marching towards his partner with dread and anger.
“So scary~” Borsalino backed away from him with his hands raised half-heartedly. “I just want to tell you that…”
Sakazuki stood still as the light man approached him, whispering in his ear the words they never said out loud but knew to be true. Borsalino backed away, a smile ever present in his face. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to keep my promise, Saka-san.”
Sakazuki heard heavy footsteps running toward his office. Borsalino gave him one last smile, “I’ll see you later then. Eight minutes are up~” He reached out to Borsalino but his hands phased right through. He only had a few seconds to catch the amusement and adoration in the other’s eyes before Borsalino was nothing but yellow light dissipating like fireflies.
Just then there were heavy knocks on his door. Akainu took a moment to compose himself before barking at the person to come in.
“Fleet Admiral Sakazuki,” It was Vice Admiral Momonga. “It’s Admiral Kizaru sir. He’s been gravely wounded.”
Sakazuki steeled himself not to react. He was warned, but it still shook him to his core.
“Where is he? What happened?”
“He’s been rushed to the infirmary the moment we docked. He insisted on using his abilities while being transferred, but he refused to stop nor tell us what he was doing.” Momonga said, surprised when he saw Akainu making his way outside, a silent order to follow was sent through a glare filled with molten magma.
Momonga explained how Kizaru manipulated his powers to create doubles of himself after being inspired by Vegapunk’s holograms. Akainu clenched his fist as he learned about the pirates who stole the scientist’s light-pressure gloves and used them against his light.
It was Momonga’s assurance that the fiends sustained heavy damage and major casualties that kept his hand from burning down everything in his path. As they reached the infirmary, it was a miracle that Akainu wasn’t engulfed in magma.
“I want a detailed report as soon as possible.”
“Of course, sir.”
Momonga left and Sakazuki burst into the infirmary, reaching out with his haki to determine where Borsalino was being kept. He was hit with wave after wave of pain and fear. Sakazuki clenched his fist and pulled away the curtain hiding Borsalino and the doctors operating on him
“Privacy people!” The doctor yelled, hardly phased when he saw the fleet admiral’s angry face a few feet from his own. “I know you won’t leave, but at least stay out of the way, sir.”
Akainu nodded, standing against a wall, his hat hiding his eyes from view.
Borsalino looked awful. He saw the remnants of the pinstripe yellow jacket on the floor. It was a disgusting shade of orange, the shade of the setting sun during the hottest summer day. The green shirt Borsalino wore was near it, almost black with all the blood covering it. Sakazuki made a note of every injury he could see. There would be hell to pay later and he’ll make sure he’s the one delivering justice.
As the doctors worked, Akainu found himself wondering. Borsalino used the last of his strength to utter the words he always wished to say. Should Sakazuki have said it back when he had the chance? Would it have given Borsalino the push he needs to survive or would it have given him permission to let go and abandon Sakazuki?
What if Borsalino dies and never gets to hear Sakazuki say it back?
“Get me more bags of XF right now!”
“I’m losing his pulse!”
Sakazuki felt himself grow cold, his heart dropping at his chest. The doctors crowded the man on the bed, but Sakazuki was taller than all of them. He saw Borsalino’s pale form, the numerous wounds littering his body, the amber eyes slightly opened.
He wasn’t sure if Borsalino was conscious or aware of his presence, but Sakazuki could feel his lover’s gaze on him despite all the chaos. He wasn’t certain whether Borsalino was saying his final goodbye or looking for orders like he often does. The fleet admiral shook his head slightly, ‘ Don’t you dare let go, don’t leave me behind Borsalino. That’s an order damn it!’
Sakazuki crossed his arms, gripping his biceps tightly to avoid forgetting his place and fighting his way to be with Borsalino. Not once did Akainu’s eyes strayed from Kizaru’s. That’s why he saw it happen. He saw the muscles beneath Borsalino’s eyes lift, his bloody lips quivering into a smile, his arm reaching out. Sakazuki unconsciously took a step forward, mouth opening for words that would not come, his arms uncrossed as his hand twitched at his side.
The waning light from Borsalino’s eyes faded but his smile remained.