Santa ~ X Drake ~ Day15

         “Look everyone!  Captain Kid did it again!” One of the orphans cheer, smacking down the newspaper he had just found. You sweatdrop as the little pirate fanatics swarm the paper as Zazar, the eldest orphan, reads the article aloud.  
        “Why can’t you kids idolize marines instead?” You sigh. Eustass Kid and the other pirates weren’t exactly good role models.
         “Oh yeah, because marines are so nice to us.” Zazar says sarcastically with an eye roll.
         “We already agreed that Momozki is a rat, not a marine.” Molly squeaks out.
         “Exactly.” You smirk.
         “___! ___!” A boy collides into your leg, looking up at you excited. “X Drake and his crew just docked! Can we go see them!? Please?” He gasps. The orphans cling to you at that.
        “PLEASE!?” They all gush.
        “You know Momozki will be here soon. We should be focusing on cleaning.” You frown. Their eyes dull and they frown soon looking at the floor. “So. I’ll only be bringing Mr. Drake here. Think up your questions while you clean. And I’ll go try my hardest to bring him here.” You smile. They all light up at that, hugging you before scrambling to clean. You hurry out at that, starting for the peer, trying to smooth out your clothes, square holes in some parts where you cut out a piece in order to patch the children’s clothes so you could use the little money you had to feed the children.
           You’re distracted by a little dress in a shop window. “Molly would love that…” You murmur. Christmas was just around the corner after all. Your shoulders slump when you peer at the price tag. With a sigh you turn to carry on, only to walk into a man. “Oh. Pardon me.” You step back, looking at the man. You recognized him right away. “Oh. Mr. Drake! I was just coming to find you.” You smile.
          “… Pardon?” He raises an eyebrow.
          “I have a request Mr. Drake. Please hear me out.” You give a slight bow.
          “Very well,” He nods. You lead him away from any prying eyes before starting to speak.
          “I run the orphanage here, and the children really admire pirates. So could you come visit them? I’d really like to see their smiles.” You ask hopeful. He seemed surprised by the request.
          “Isnt this a marine Island though? Why don’t they admire marines instead?” He inquires.
           “Well… The Marine that runs this place is a rat. He over taxes everything and bullies the people living here. They’ve met pirates kinder than the marines. So I understand them, so I wont deny them something that will make them really happy if I can afford it.” You rub your neck. He watches you for a moment before giving a nod.
            “Very well. Lead the way Ms….” He trails off when he realizes he never got your name.
            “Thank you Mr. Drake, and you can just call me ____.” You breathe before leading the way to the orphanage. Leading him inside, you’re impressed to find everything spotless, though it still looked a bit run down.
             “This is where you’re living?” Drake mutters, touching a tattered doorway.
             “Yeah, you probably cant tell but this is the cleanest it gets.” You hum before you both reach the living room. The children light up at sight of Drake.
             “You did it ___!” They gasp and hug you happily.
              “I sure did, now try not to overwhelm him with questions. Can I get you something to drink Drake?” You tell the children before directing your question to Drake. He blinks and nods.
             “Do you have tea?” He inquires. You give a nod and he gives the children his attention, allowing them to pull him to a seat as they take turns talking to him. You bring him some tea and step back, smiling as you watched him interact with the children. They instantly adored him, and you felt some warmth toward the pirate as well.
             A knock sounds on the front door makes you and the orphans freeze. “Mr. X Drake. Please let us hide you in the closet.” Zazar whispers as you move to answer the door. You glance back to make sure Drake is hidden before opening the door.
             “Momozki-san.” You greet the marine with your best fake smile. He hums stepping inside past you, looking around as he walks to the living room and stops.
              “This looks better than last time I was here…. Good, then I’m going to need double your rent.” He hums.
              “There’s no way I can pay double!  We can barely live off of what’s left from the current rent!” You object swiftly.
             “Then I guess soon. None of you will have a roof over your head.” He sighs. “Unless of course…”
             “Unless what?” You inquire folding your arms.
             “You work in the brothel I’m planning to open up.” He smiles.
             “You’re scum.” Zazar growls at the marine. Momozki moves to strike the boy but you swiftly catch his wrist.
             “Keep your hands off the children Momozki.” You snarl.
             “Then I guess you’ll have to be the example.” He rumbles turning on you, only to freeze when he looks behind you. “X….Drake….” He squeaks as the pirate moves between you and him.
              “Looks like I’ll be claiming this island and freeing it from trash like you.” Drake comments, seizing the man’s throat. “I’ll be back soon, please excuse us.” He tells you before dragging the marine out of the house. You and the children share an awed/shocked look before rushing out in time to see a T-Rex bat Momozki off the island with his tail. The children cheer happily at the display.
             “X Drake is the coolest!  Right ___?!” Molly gushes bouncing as Drake changes back and calls to his crew. You blush a bit when he tips his hat to you before leading his crew toward the Marine base.
            “Yeah, he’s amazing…” You smile a bit.

           The Drake Pirates overtook the marine base in one night. That morning Drake returned and took you and the orphans to your new home- which happened to be the large marine building. He claimed the island just so you and the orphans didn’t have to be under that marine’s boot.
           He left a day later before you could figure out how to thank him for everything. Thanks to him, living was suddenly a lot more affordable. You were able to buy gifts for the children and Drake.
          Christmas Eve was beautiful. The children were all camped out in the living room already asleep. You smile peering at the milk and cookies they had placed out. You take a seat at the window and peer out, jumping and almost screaming in surprise when you see one Drake’s men on the other side.
          He puts a finger to his lips before pointing to the chimney. You look over as someone lands in the chimney, easing out with a large sack. Santa? He fixes the beard before carefully sneaking over to the tree and placing presents under the tree. From your spot at the window you see Zazar wake.
          “Santa.” He whispers. Santa gives him a wave, Zazar grins swiftly getting up and taking the two gifts that you and he had placed under the tree beforehand. “Can you take these to X Drake? This one’s from us and this one is from ___... We wanted to thank him for everything, and I think ___ really misses him. Maybe he’ll come back soon if you take these to him?” He murmurs hopefully.
           You blush and put a hand over your face at that. Thanks for telling Santa that Zazar, such a sweet kid. Santa nods and pats his head before sending him back to bed. After he finishes placing the presents, he takes the cookies and milk to you. “Help me finish these?” He murmurs. You smile up, meeting his blue gaze.
           “Of course Santa, but first.” You sit up and peck his lips. “Welcome back Drake.” You whisper. He blinks a few times before chuckling softly.
           “Well… I really missed you too.” He rumbles.

            The children excitedly tear into their gifts excitedly, loving everything they got. You and Drake sat on the couch together watching with smiles. The children practically tackled him when he woke them this morning. “Oh here Drake!” Zazar gives him his gifts, grinning excitedly. Drake smiles opening the one the children had made for him, a tan scarf, made from the softest material they could find.
            “They all took turns making it, it’s hard to tell though, they all work together so well.” You smile as he tries it on.
            “I already treasure it.” He rumbles making the children grin and giggle happily. He then opens your gift. A new rapier with a starry sheath. He pauses and unsheathes it in awe.
            “I worked with the blacksmith for three days straight making that for you. He said it was the sturdiest blade he’s ever seen. So I hope it can keep you safe.” You smile slightly nervous. He sheathes the rapier before getting up and getting a small slender box from under the tree and bringing it to you. You blink in surprise and open it, stopping to admire the beautiful necklace within.
          “May I?” He inquires softly. You blink and nod. Drake takes the necklace and moves to put it on you, giving you a chaste kiss as he does. You blush as he pulls back. “Its just as beautiful as you my dear.” He admires, taking your hand and kissing the back of it.
         “You never cease giving me more reasons to love you.” You murmur before kissing him again. The crew and orphans cheer at that.
        “___! If you’re going to be kissing Mr. Drake then you cant kiss Santa.” Molly pipes up. You and Drake look at her before sharing an amused glance.
         “I understand Molly.”

Day16: Christams Play~Usopp~Day 16
    Sitting backstage, a paintbrush cradled between your fingers, you dot the canvas with sparkling white paint, bringing the snowy landscape to life. A smile graces your lips as you hum a Christmas tune, adding the finishing touches to the canvas. You stand from your spot, stretching your stiff joints, and nod in satisfaction at the new backdrop for the play. It had taken you days to finish this single backdrop, and you still had another to finish before the end of the week. Wiping a hand across your brow, you make your way to the bathroom of the theatre to wash away the paint on your skin.  
    Returning to the stage, you see a new face had joined the others gathered on the stage preparing for the play. The man had curly black hair and a strikingly long nose.  He stood in front of the new backdrop eyeing it curiously. You walk up next to him and stare at the painting with him.