forgive me guys for not updating for so long 🥹
——
The ship rolled in to the candy themed gates of a grand estate, which had creaked open with a musical chime as the group stepped off alas onto the syrup glazed cobblestone. The estate itself looked like something out of a sugar induced fever dream. Caramel windows, frosting trim, and marshmallow guards to greet them all.
Y/N blinked up at the towering candy castle. "So, this is where we're staying?"
Chiffon grinned, hauling a few bags onto her back. "Welcome to Chocolate Island, sugar! One of the comfiest places in the Whole Cake Kingdom. Smells like heaven too."
Katakuri gave a soft grunt beside Y/N, causing her to look up at him with a smile as one of his hands lowered down to her back protectively as they climbed the front steps.
"I call the room with the peppermint tub!" Pudding called out, rushing past them all and vanishing inside.
The inside of the estate was just as decadent. The halls sparkled with golden trim, every step on the thick toffee carpet made a soft squish. Homies bustled past with trays of tea, pastries, and luggage, chirping polite greetings.
"Good lord," Y/N thought. She sure was lucky, being apart of some grand royal family and whatnot, yet she didn't think she'd ever grow accustomed to this life.
Katakuri had noticed her zone off into her surroundings, and gently put his hand on her upper back. "Come, let's get you settled," he whispered. He'd caught your attention alone with his soft touch, sending butterflies to your stomach, as you nodded and walked beside him up the grand staircase.
——-
After dropping their things into their spacious suites — each designed with its own specific flair (Y/N's and Katakuri's room somehow having her favorite scent and a book she had once mentioned. Suspicious?) ,
everyone regrouped in the main lounge.
Katakuri stood by the window, gazing out over the island as Y/N curled up on one of the plush couches. She had changed into a simple white silk dress, as they'd be formally meeting the pirate group, so she had to be careful when sipping tea from her steaming teacup.
Chiffon was already flipping through event notes and guest files.
Suddenly, a door slammed and there was clink clack of heels from upstairs.
"I'm READY!" came Pudding's dramatic voice
Everyone turned to look up towards her descending the steps of the grand staircase
with a theatric flair.
She wore a fitted crimson tea dress with a slit and glitter dusted across her shoulders. Her lips were painted in a nude lip combo, and she had twirled a ribbon in her hair.
Chiffon raised a brow, "You're just meeting them, not get married."
"They're infamous pirates, Chiffon," Pudding said with a smirk.
"Gotta make an impression to remember."
Y/N tilted her head. "You sure you're not trying to seduce the captain?"
"Depends," she said with a wink. "Is he cute?"
"Oh he sure is cute Pudding, trust me," Chiffon giggled as she handed her the captain's file.
Katakuri scowled and turned to face the window. Y/N stifled a laugh.
——
They had made their ways to the docks of Chocolate Island, where the ground slightly trembled as a huge ship landed- A colossal iron bull with glowing eyes to the front of the ship.
Out of dust and heat walked a man with confidence like a crashing wave, with many behind him to follow.
He was a tall man, with golden skin and jet black hair which swept back from his face in messy waves, a scar sliced clean through one brow, and a smile that could melt glass. He wore a deep burgundy trench coat which draped over his bare chest, silver rings glittering across his fingers.
"Whew," Pudding whispered, fanning herself, to which Katakuri gave her a stern glare.
The man approached with confidence in his strides
"Charlotte Katakuri," he said smoothly, offering a polite, slanted nod. "An honor to meet the Sweet Commander himself. I must say, it's rare to meet a man whose reputation arrives hours before he does."
Katakuri gave a minimal nod, his gaze locked
"Taurus Lucien, you're quite early."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Only a fool would keep a Yonko's family waiting. Besides—" his golden eyes flicked around the group, "I was curious about the company I'd be sharing."
Katakuri didn't offer his hand, but Lucien didn't seem offended. He simply straightened, then turned his attention outward.
"And you must be Chiffon, It's a pleasure."
"They talk of you as one of competence and elegance, and I see the stories hold true."
Chiffon smiled with polite suspicion "You always this silver tongued, or just when you're trying to make friends?"
Lucien gave a short laugh "Only when I mean it."
He turned to Pudding— who was clearly waiting for it, already posing with her hand resting delicately at her hip.
"And you must be Pudding, the Minister of Chocolate." he grinned as she held out her hand for him to shake, in which instead he landed a kiss on, which made Pudding giggle dramatically.
And then— his gaze shifted to Y/N
It lingered.
Longer than it had with anyone else.
Lucien's voice softened — warm, curious
"And you...?" he asked.
"Y/N," they answered without a flinch
"Y/N," he repeated, like he was tasting the name
He didn't say more — but his eyes said enough.
Y/N gave an awkward smile back, till she looked down to her shoes, not used to that type of intense glare.
Katakuri's hand twitched slightly at his side.
Lucien gave her a quiet nod, before he stepped back.
"Thank you for receiving us. I look forward to discussing our terms with civility — and perhaps, a little indulgence."
Pudding raised a brow, before smirking back at him, at which Lucien chuckled.
As the homies helped everyone get into their designated carriages, Katakuri remained still, his gaze heavily locked on Lucien's back.
Y/N stood beside him, quiet, trying to see where he was looking towards to and why they weren't moving along as well.
"...Don't wander off," Katakuri said lowly.
Y/N smirked. "Is that a warning or a request?"
Katakuri just looked at her, but his hand found hers and gave it a tight squeeze as he pulled her towards him so they could begin walking to the rest of the group.
—
The royal candy carriages trundled smoothly back to the estate. The sun was dipping low, and the air was cool.
Homies bustled around unloading bags, offering tea trays, and bowing to guests as well as escorting them to their rooms. The Flying Bull pirates were getting settled in one by one, under careful supervision of course.
Inside the main hall, the mood was shifting.
"The tea party won't happen tonight." Katakuri muttered to Y/N as they walked side by side through the hall. "Cracker called a last minute meeting. Some movement nearby Tiramisu Bay."
Y/N frowned
"So you won't be here tonight?"
Katakuri nodded, "I'll try not be long, I'll just need you to overlook things from my side."
Before she could respond, his big hands subtly brushed the hair in her face behind her ears.
"Stay close to the estate, don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, please."
Y/N smiled faintly. It's not often you'd hear a man like him say please.
"What do you think I am— reckless?"
He just raised his eyebrows, softening his gaze ever so slightly.
"Fair enough."
Then he was gone, disappearing into the dim corridor, with the feeling of his touch still lingering on Y/N's skin.
—-
The estate had settled into a peaceful hum. The soft sound of the wind through the sugar windows, the occasional murmuring of Honies guarding the guest rooms.
Y/N had intended to sleep early, but somehow ended up walking near the gardens instead. God was she missing Katakuri's presence, it felt unusual without him in this big castle.
She was barefoot, wrapped in a light shawl. The cold night breeze came through the open arches, carrying the scent of blossoms.
She made herself cozy on a bench which overlooked the gardens. Yet as she put her legs up to get comfortable, she could sense a presence.
A voice low and smooth talked
"Couldn't sleep either?"
Lucien stood by the open doors, bathed in moonlight. His hair was loose and fluffy, falling slightly in his face, and his trench coat was gone — in place was just a simple black shirt and some linen pants.
Y/N raised a brow. "A little night air helps clear my head."
Lucian smiled.
"You looked tense earlier. Thought you'd be the type to thrive under chaos."
She snorted. "I do. But being stuck in a sugar palace full of armed pirates and politically tense family members kind of kills the vibe."
Lucian laughed quietly, walking towards the bench to sit beside her . "Fair point. I thought I'd take a stroll. The moon's pretty tonight."
There was a pause. Comfortable.
"You know, you don't act like everyone else in this family," he said eventually.
"I've met them all, most people in your position would be cold. or, cautious."
Y/N blinked. "I am cautious, I just hide it better I guess."
Lucien looked over at her, his eyes sparkling under the moonlight
"I like that, you're not... performative, you know?"
Y/N's eyed slightly widened in surprise, it was peculiar how nice he was.
"That's surprisingly sweet from you."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck and pausing. This time a much longer pause.
"I hope we're not making you uncomfortable," he said softly. "My crew, I mean. I know how it looks— new pirates walking into your home. Some people think kindness is a mask."
Y/N shrugged , watching him. "And is it?"
Lucian looked out at the moonlit gardens for a moment before saying:
"Sometimes, but not tonight."
Y/N didn't reply, and for a minute , none of them spoke.
Just quiet—heavy and warm
"Good night, Y/N." he whispered
And then, like he knew not to push more, he walked off.
"Good night."
He paused mid-step, turning his head slightly—just enough for Y/N to catch the small, flickering smile on his lips.
"Sleep well," he said.