#doflamonet

Any day was a holiday if the Young Master desired.

The officers wanted a “break.” From what? It was hard to tell, but nothing could stop Doflamingo from announcing that the following day would be a nationwide holiday. The toys would keep any necessary stores open. The citizens could go out and enjoy a day off from the few stresses that naturally inhabited the easygoing and pleasant little island.

The family chose to spend their day relaxing on the white, sandy beaches. Doflamingo decreed that citizens would still be allowed to visit during the day, and could even come within close proximity of the family.

It was a sunny. Hardly any clouds were in the sky, not that it did anything to make the weather less enjoyable. Monet traded her circular, thick frames for shades. She sported a cold bottle and let the neck hang between her fingers, smiling whenever it bounced against her bare legs. Her top was loose and sheer. She had no problem letting it roll down her shoulders, showing off her bikini straps. Hair was in a messy bun. The hot sand brought a bounce to her step and she smiled knowing full well that there were men staring at her, women envious of her existence.

Everyone was watching her. She stuck her tongue out from her smirk and brought her bottle up to her face, unleashing her powers upon it before pressing it on her forehead.

Doflamingo knew people were watching. He couldn’t see it, not without looking unnatural, but he knew she was garnering an impressive collection of eyes.

It was hot. She could have used her powers to make it snow. She could give everyone swimming in the ocean a real shocker. But she continued to limit herself to just the occasional icy breeze, stopping herself from getting sweaty.

He hated it when she teased.

She knew his powers struggled in the sand. The strings sank in it, created murky images he could barely begin to process before she ran off, kicking up a white storm behind her under the guise entertainment. Baby 5 was none the wiser when she ran after her, but Doflamingo knew better. He wanted to know just how short her shorts were, how much she was showing off to the general public when she was supposed to be saving it all for him.

Doflamingo could be so greedy. He had the country and all the jealous women who were trying so hard to show off. The officers took no issue in catcalling them. She made the occasional turn, catching his reactions to Diamante’s choice of words. The girls were cooing and giggling. He grinned, but made no effort to chase after them. She nursed her bottle and wondered if he was frustrated. He knew she was out there, showing herself off. He certainly heard enough from the citizens.

She was with her sister, Baby 5 and Jora. She approached the shore and let the ocean water splash over her feet, happily embracing that dreaded feeling of helplessness so long as Dellinger was close by. Thrice she felt the tug of a string on her ankle, demanding she return to drier ground, and each time she ignored it, waiting for the water to rise high enough for the string to crumble and break.

Everyone ate together. She took her place with the women, pretending to still be distracted by their fancies. It entertained her knowing all Doflamingo had to do was ask. But he created this holiday for the family, and her king expected to be accommodated without actually having to ask for it first. She got up last minute from her towel, just missing his hungry, unforgiving grasp.

It grew cooler, and the sun began to set. Monet waited until she saw a few members of her own family begin to pack up, exhausted after spending a day under the sun, before making her way down to the larger man sitting on damp sand, facing the sun. She no longer took playful strides. She was cautious. She pulled the sleeves over her shoulders, and she was careful not to make too many movements when she sat herself down next to Doflamingo.

He knew she was close by.

She watched the sun slowly set and the orange sky turn into a beautiful, light shade of purple. She heard her sister’s voice behind them and thought of a time when the weather wasn’t so fair, food and drink scarce, and life so unbearable. The setting sun brought cold dreadful nights where she would cling to Sugar, the only warmth in her limited world, just to survive and be rewarded with another long, unforgiving day.

Now she and Sugar had beds to sleep in. She never had to fear the cold again. She possessed the cold now. Monet felt a large hand grab her by the nape of her neck, settling until she finished shivering, and then slid up into her hair, taking her by the roots. She stared at the sun, squinting to save her eyes the trouble, wincing when another possessive hand took her.

She thought about the nights they spent together. Doflamingo would hold on to her in the same manner her sister once did, afraid to let her go. The moon supplied just enough light for her to catch him staring at her with his cloudy, useless eyes.

She fought against his strength to turn her head and look up at him, frowning. His lips parted, as though he were reacting her discomfort, but his hands were away from her face.

“Young Master?”

Her eyes rested on Doflamingo’s shades. She saw past them and concentrated at the shadowy figures of his eyes, her own widening in disbelief.

Sometimes it was worth the risk. Monet smiled, wondering if Crocodile knew, or if this was something just for her to keep quiet about.

A dangerous grin showed on Doflamingo’s face.

“Our little secret.”