Chapter Text
“The Oro Jackson” lay at anchor off a quaint island. A small boat moored to the sandy beach, and Reilly disembarked. He carried the sleeping Shaki and his boots. Without looking back, he walked inland, his bare feet on the ground.
-Ah, it's a shame she doesn't want to come with us,- Roger sighed sadly, watching his first mate disappear into the undergrowth.
-You can't complain, Cap. Shaki's been through too much. And now, after Rox's defeat, all eyes are on us. We can't afford to put her in danger,- Gaban reminded him, echoing Reilly's own words. -And Reilly must leave her in a safe place before he can continue sailing with us.
-I know. I'm just jealous,- the pirate drawled, turning to his crew. -Anyway, we have work to do.- He approached the cradle and lifted the small child from it. -So... Who knows how to care for a child?-
-ROGER!- came the crew's chorus of shouts, reaching all the way to Reilly.
Reilly turned and merely shook his head. He hoped he had plenty of time before he had to return to the ship. He continued on, trying to ignore the noise of the crew.
Wild birds whispered around him, and wild animals watched from a distance. Every living thing condemned the dangerous man who had set foot on their land, but knew that attacking him would be the greatest folly. They could only watch.
Of course, it was a little unnerving, but Reilly had other things to do now. After a couple more turns, he finally found the perfect spot: a small clearing near the river that flowed next to the cave. Perfect. This would be their home for now. Of course, the man wasn't going to abandon Shaki just like that. He had a lot to arrange.
Carefully lowering the girl to the ground near an old tree, he removed his caftan and covered her. He didn't mind being bare-chested. He simply couldn't allow his beloved to get sick.
Beloved. The word sent shivers down Reilly's spine and made his hair stand on end. Frankly, he didn't fully understand their relationship. And there simply hadn't been time to figure it out. When he learned of Shaki's situation, for the first time, he was so frightened that he unhesitatingly asked Roger to save her.
Of course, the Captain wanted to do it himself, but apparently he realized something. It seemed that after that conversation, Roger called Garp and asked for his assistance in the Valley of the Gods war. At that moment, the First Mate barely heard what was happening and couldn't see very well. His heart was pounding wildly, and his hands were shaking with tension.
Thanks to Gaban for his help. The captain's left hand quickly brought him back to his senses with a cooling shower—he filled a barrel with seawater and poured it directly over Reilly's head.
Reilly shook himself. He didn't need to dwell on memories now, but rather make the cave cozy by nightfall.
To that end, the man stood up and began to examine the shelter. It was, of course, enormous, and some kind of monster clearly lived there. Lived there because this place was now his. First, Reilly cleared out the bones, debris, and piles of rocks that had to be torn down to make the floor more level. Then he defeated a couple of local monsters, skinning them. He was supposed to make some kind of blanket out of them?
Is this even normal?- flashed through his mind. -Why am I acting like a savage when I can simply buy the necessary things on another island and bring them here? What the hell am I doing?
The crackling of branches from the fire he'd lit to cook the meat of the slain monsters sounded near him.
-Well, will it spoil?- came a gentle whisper right next to his ear.
A gentle hand touched his shoulder, and then Shaki slowly embraced the man, pressing her feminine breasts against his back.
-You're so easy to read... Especially now,- she drawled, running her finger over his stomach.
-Mmm,- Rayleigh groaned, trying not to look at her.
-I've got such a caring man,- the girl continued, peering over his shoulder. -I suppose you want to make the cave our home?-
-For now...
-Then I'll help you,- Shaki promised, emphasizing her words by standing and heading into the forest.
Reilly remained sitting by the fire, pressing his hands to his flushed face. He finally needed to get used to the feelings that were literally burning inside him. God, what should he do now?
-Reilly, I can't cut down the tree. I need your help with this,- a mocking voice said from behind him.