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You sit on a bar stool, taking sips from your glass. You stare at the World Economy News Paper, clutched in your fists, desperately scanning for any news on the Beautiful Pirates. The last anyone's heard of them is when Captain Cavendish- you pause to swoon just thinking of him- became a member of the Straw-Hat Grand Fleet. You couldn't help but frown when you first heard the news. Why would Captain Cavendish ever let anyone else tell him what to do? Straw Hat Luffy nonetheless. That kid has been nothing but a menace ever since he first made the news 2 years ago, and now he was your true love's boss!?
You sigh thinking about Cavendish. It had been hard to keep your mind off him lately. You had only seen him once in person, but even that was enough to have you dream about him every night. It didn't matter to you that every other woman in the Bourgeois Kingdom felt the same way, you knew you would see him again. You were his soulmate, after all, who cares if he doesn't know you exist?
Lost in your thoughts, you barely hear a man a few stools away mention Cavendish in a hushed voice. It took you a moment to realize it was coming from a real person, you were used to hearing his name over and over in your head. You looked up instinctively, was he here? Was he actually here!? The lack of screaming women was answer enough, so instead you turned your attention to the man and his friend, secretly, eavesdropping on their conversation.
"...Yeah, I've heard it too. He's in the city."
"I heard he's trying to keep a low profile. If his father finds out he's here, it could be bad."
"Especially if the women find out, it won't take long for the streets to be flooded with people trying to catch a glimpse at him."
The other man chuckles softly. "What's he doing in the city anyways? He hasn't been back since the king exiled him for being too popular!"
"I'm not sure why he's back, but I could be bad news..."
The two men fall silent when a group of women enter the bar. They didn't notice you eavesdropping though.
You stand, throwing a few berries on the table, enough to pay your bill, and rush out the bar doors, trying hard to contain your excitement until you're somewhere private. You speed-walk back to your cottage, and with shaky hands, softly shut the doors behind you. You don't think anyone would even care if you were to slam the door, but you aren't about to take any chances.
You watched out your window for a few minutes, to make sure no one was nearby, before letting out an ear piercing squeal. Was this really happening!? The Captain Cavendish was back in Bourgeois Kingdom!? And you were the only girl in the whole kingdom who knew!? It could only be destiny! You really were soulmates! It's the only explanation for how an opportunity so extremely lucky, could just happen to fall right into your lap!
You're so excited that you're barely able to keep yourself from singing! All you had to do was find him, and the rest would be history. He was somewhere in the kingdom, probably hiding. It couldn't be that hard to find him, right?
You grab a bag, frantically filling it supplies. You aren't about to wait around, wondering if he might show up. No matter how hard the men try to keep it quiet, it won't be long before word gets out. There's no way you're giving this head-start up. You quickly throw on a coat and sling the bag over your shoulder, before swinging the door open and stepping out. A few passerby's shot you confused looks, but you barely notice.
Now, where to begin looking... Your smile slowly begins to fade as you realize you have no idea where to start. You shake you head quickly, you were his true love, his soulmate. You would find him if it's the last thing you do! With that, you shut the door behind you, and start down the road.
—
You sit at a table, watching Suleiman. You remember him from the newspaper recently. Blond hair and a large black hat, lilac eyes and a scar across his nose. Sometime after the battle in Dressrosa, he became the newest member of the Beautiful Pirates.
It was the next day, and you were back at the same bar as before, but this time, you had a lead. After searching almost day yesterday, you were about to go home for the night, when you finally caught sight of Suleiman "the Be-header", recognizing his face from the paper. You've been secretly tailing him since, even camping outside the inn he was staying at. You sigh, thinking about the previous night. The things you do for love....
You notice a woman walk up to Suleiman, a desperate expression on her face. You scowl, she must have the same idea as you. You can't make out what they're saying, but it's pretty easy to assume. She wants to see Cavendish too. After awhile the woman raises her voice to a high pitched squeal.
"Please sir! I can pay you! Please I'll do anything!"
Suleiman shakes his head at her before paying, and walking off. Defeated, the woman sulks back to her table. You wait a moment before standing to follow Suleiman, trying to look inconspicuous. It was a little strange how you haven't ran into the Captain yet, was his crew avoiding him for this very reason? They'd have to meet up again eventually, you would just have to keep following Suleiman until then.
You keep trailing Suleiman until you come towards an alley. There wasn't much people in this area of town, how far did you walk? You were a little too lost in your thoughts to pay attention to where you were going.
Suleiman stopped suddenly, his hand on the hilt of his sword. You freeze. Did he notice you?
"How long have you been following me?"
You don't answer him, holding your breath, still holding out hope that he just might be talking to someone else. You exhale slowly as he turns to face you. No luck.
"Well?"
You stare for a moment, trying desperately to think of something to say. I'm your Captain's soulmate' didn't sound like the right way to introduce yourself. You open your mouth to speak when you are interrupted by a familiar voice, one you've been hearing for years... in your dreams. All the words get stuck in your throat, until you're just standing there with your mouth hanging open, no doubt looking like a complete idiot.
"Suleiman? Is that you? What took you so long?"
Suleiman looks almost as shocked as you, turning to face the man you've been thinking about for years.
"Cavendish!? Im afraid a woman has followed me here! I didn't notice until it was too late."
"Oh?"
A man with long, flowing blond hair, and sparkling sapphire eyes slowly walks out of the darkened alley, noticing you. You stare, unable to form words, and trying desperately not to pass out. Cavendish- the Captain Cavendish- grins when he sees you, and you can't help but swoon.
"Ah, a fan! And who might you be?"
Clutching the sides of your shirt so tight your knuckles turn white, you barely manage a quick,
"Margaret, sir!"
Cavendish grins wider, pulling out a rose. "Tell me Margaret, did you follow Suleiman all this way just to see moi?"
"Yessir, I did!" You squeak. You wonder if he recognized you from the time you saw in the streets. It was the day he was exiled, he was being escorted to the docks. Of course, since it was Cavendish being escorted, it was more of a parade than anything else. It was a few years ago, and you were certain he looked your way at least once. If you really were soulmates- and you were, you were sure if it- then maybe he would remember you? He didn't seem though.
You were afraid if you opened your mouth again, who knows what might come out? If you wanted to make a good first impression, then you had to watch what you said. You didn't want to come off as too eager.
Cavendish sniffed his rose. "Now what shall we do with you, Margaret?" He takes a bite of his rose while he waits for you to answer. You stammer, not sure how to answer.
"I- I uh... I was just wanted to..."
You bit your lip harder, to the point where it started to bleed, in an attempt to shut yourself up. So much for a good first impression, he probably thought you were just another fan-girl. How were you supposed prove to him you weren't? You search your brain for something to say.
Cavendish smiles knowingly. Suleiman scowls at you. He must still be mad you followed him.
"You won't tell anyone you saw us, got it?" Suleiman hisses. "If word gets out that Cavendish is here, it would be impossible to hide from the hoards of women searching for him!"
You nod quickly. There's no way you're about to tell anyone else about this, their secret would be safe with you.
"Mr. or uh, Sir C- Cavendish? What're you doing back in the Bourgeois Kingdom? Not that I'm complaining, sir!" You accidentally yell the last part. "Sorry..."
Cavendish chuckles, chewing the stem of the rose.
"Really the only reason we're here is for nostalgia's sake. I haven't seen my hometown in a very long time.
But of course we have to hide seeing how I'm not supposed to be here. And please Margaret," His eyes lock onto yours when he says this, "just call me Cavendish. Now... are you coming?"
Your heart does a little leap when he says this, and only then does it hit you in full force how close you were to the man of your dreams, only mere feet away from Captain Cavendish. You can't help but stare in awe as Cavendish and Suleiman lead you into the alley. You hear the two talking quietly as you walk.
"Cavendish, why are we bringing her along, do you really think we can trust her?"
Cavendish sighs quietly. "We can't very well leave her behind."
"And just why not!?" Suleiman protests.
Cavendish glances over his shoulder at you for a moment, and you feel your face grow hot.
He smiles softly at you before continuing forward. "I think it'll be ok. She can come."
You can't help but smile, hearing him say that. You really had to be the luckiest woman alive.
—
You follow Cavendish through the street. He's wearing a black cloak as a disguise but still tries to stay in the shadows. Miraculously, no one has noticed you two yet. Cavendish continues to grumble to himself about how Suleiman insisted that they lay low, he doesn't seem too keen on the whole 'avoid attention' thing. You can't help but smile as you walk close behind him.
After Cavendish and Suleiman checked in with the other Beautiful Pirates at the rendezvous point, they agreed to split up once more. You begged Cavendish to let you come with him, but Suleiman protested.
After awhile Cavendish convinced him you were trustworthy and the two of you were off again.
You had the chance to meet some of the Beautiful Pirates while at the rendezvous point. You had recognized some of them from the newspaper, but there was still a lot more of them than you had previously thought.
You aren't entirely sure where Cavendish is leading you, or why he was letting you tag along, but you didn't mind. You would follow him anywhere. Maybe Cavendish has taken a liking to you? The thought fills you with joy. It seems like something that would only happen in your dreams. You're practically skipping as you follow him down the road.
After awhile your curiosity gets the better of you.
"Where are we going Cavendish?" You heart does a little flip when you say his name.
Cavendish pauses before answering.
"I'm not sure... just wandering I suppose? I haven't been back here in years." You hear a twinge of sorrow in his voice when he says that, but it fades quickly when he adds,
"But there's a certain freedom that comes with being a pirate." He turns to face you, and you see a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"The vast ocean surrounding you, the fresh air, and no expectations. In some ways, being exiled," he pulls out a rose when he says this, "which was inevitable for someone as beautiful as moi, was the best thing that could ever happen to me."
His eyes seemed to become clear then, you notice. If there was anyway someone with eyes as sparkly as his could get any brighter, they just did. He stops walking entirely and watches you for a moment, as though he's seeing you for the first time. You feel your face grow hot as his deep blue eyes peer into yours. You can see something, a strange mix of awe and pity. Your breath catches in your throat and it dawns on you how few people are around now. The sky was growing dark and no one seemed to pay any attention to you as they hurry home from work. For a moment, it seems the two of you are in your own little world, just you and Cavendish. Then he breathes a quiet, “were leaving tonight, Margaret.”
Your little world shatters from the news. Captain Cavendish was leaving. Your soulmate, if he even was that, was leaving. The man you've been waiting for, for years, was leaving you behind.
"You're... leaving?" You barely manage.
That must be why you saw pity in his eyes. But pity is the last thing you want, you want Cavendish. You want to go with him! He has to take you with him, doesn't he!? He has to! You're his true love! You're his-you're his... you're....
Just another fan girl....
Tears spring to your eyes as Cavendish nods sorrowfully.
"You... you're leaving me behind? Can't I come with you?"
Cavendish shakes his head. "It's not that simple."
You back away quickly, wanting to get out of there, but you can't take your eyes off him. He stares back at you, looking disappointed. You shake your head and squeeze your eyes shut, finally tearing away from his gaze, and run from him. He calls for you to come back hesitantly but he can't make to much noise for fear of causing any attention. You run faster than you ever had before, it didn't matter where you ran to, you just have to get away from there. It was foolish of you to think you were anything more than just another fan. You're no better than every other woman in the country.
You run through the street, dodging all the few people who weren't home yet, tears running down your cheeks. You duck behind a building and lower yourself to the ground, hiding your face between your knees. How could you have been so stupid. You wasted years of your life thinking you were special, and this is what you got?
You sit there sobbing for what feels like hours, until you feel a hand on your head. You look up to see Cavendish standing above you. He slides down next to you without a word, pulling his hood closer around his face. The two of you sit there in silence for a long time, while you try to think of something to say to him. Finally when the silence is too much you say,
"I'm sorr-"
Cavendish holds up a hand to cut you off.
"Don't be. You did nothing wrong."
"I just thought... I was... different."
You sniff quietly. Cavendish sighs and looks up into the now darkened sky.
"I know, But I just met you. I can't love everyone, you know, not the same way. I do like you, Margaret, and I hate to see l've disappointed you, but it doesn't work the way you think it does. You are special, don't think anything otherwise, but it's not meant to be."
You nod solemnly. You might have felt you were different for a moment, but this is real life, not fantasy, somehow you knew it all along. You just didn't want to believe it.
"Maybe... maybe I can't join you, but... could we at least be..."
Cavendish smiles and nods understandingly, standing and offering you his hand. You take it and he helps you to your feet. You wipe the tears from your face and take a deep breath. Cavendish glances at the sky once more.
"It's time, my crew is waiting."
You nod and follow him through the moonlit streets to the docks. The rest of the Beautiful Pirates are waiting there. Some of them shoot Cavendish confused looks, but say nothing to him. The rest finish preparing to cast off. Suleiman approaches the two of you and informs Cavendish they're about to leave.
Suleiman eyes you suspiciously before turning and heading back to the ship.
Cavendish watches his crew for a long while, not moving from your side. You smile softly to yourself as you watch their Jolly Roger flap in the night breeze, the horse dancing in the wind. After a long time, Cavendish sighs.
"I need to go now. But first..." He turns to face you, his eyes glassy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lead you on the way I did. I hope you can find someone better than me someday, really."
You smile softly. "Thank you."
"It was nice meeting you, Margaret take care of yourself, alright?"
With that Cavendish turned away and headed for the ship. The others helped him up and they raised the anchor. Cavendish stands near the railing, a rose hanging out his mouth, and waves at you one more time.
"Good luck." He mouths. You whisper it back, but he can't hear you.
You stand there on the docks as you watch them sail away, until their ship is only a small speck, riding the thin line between sky and sea. And then they're gone, with no promise of ever returning. Maybe one day you'll see him again, but only time will tell. You don't know if you'll ever not be in love with Cavendish. At least a small portion of you will always wish he had taken you with him, but it's time to move on. It was fun while it lasted.
You stare at the sea for what feels like hours. The streets were now completely deserted, the city was asleep, with no idea Cavendish had ever been there. Maybe the men did a better job of keeping it quiet then you thought. You really were lucky.
You finally turn away, feeling more free than you ever have before, fulfilled. You begin back home, and you don't look back.