บท 96: She is Ready
It was a few weeks later, in the morning, sitting under the shade of a tree side by side, Jack and Shakky were sweating profusely. The humid air clung to their skin as they took a moment to rest. The training session had been intense, and both were feeling its effects. Shakky's breath came in short pants as she tried to catch her breath, stealing glances at Jack's calm face.
"Are you leaving tomorrow?" Shakky finally asked, her voice betraying a hint of anxiety.
Jack nodded, his voice low and slightly grumbled as he leaned his head against the tree, "Yes."
Shakky bit her lip, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and longing. "What about Hancock, Sandy, and Mary?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes locked on his face.
Jack closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. "What about them?" he finally replied, his voice devoid of emotion.
Shakky's face blushed as she looked at him, the weight of her question heavy on her mind. "They are awfully attached to you," she stammered, trying to put her feelings into words.
Jack opened one eye, his gaze meeting Shakky's. She hastily escaped his gaze, feeling both vulnerable and hopeful. "Of course they will be, they are my daughters," he said matter-of-factly, his voice firm yet gentle.
Shakky was taken aback, her eyes widening. "Are you adopting them?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief and joy.
Jack chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Shakky's spine. "I did a long time ago. I just never said it out loud."
Shakky was touched, tears welling in her eyes. Hancock and her sisters were orphans, and Aria had become their big sister during their stay in the last few months. Shakky had always been afraid that Jack wouldn't want to take them with him, but upon hearing how casual he was about it, she realized she had been overthinking.
"That's... that's wonderful, Jack," she finally said, her voice trembling with emotion.
"But you asked the question wrong," Jack said after a while, his voice steady, betraying nothing of the emotional weight of the conversation.
Shakky looked at him, dumbfounded, her mind still racing from his unexpected declaration. "What question?" she managed to stutter, her breath caught in her throat.
Jack's eyes met hers, his calm blue gaze holding a depth she hadn't noticed before. "You said if I am leaving tomorrow. You didn't include yourself." His voice was soft, almost a whisper, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Shakky's mouth fell agape, her eyes wide as she looked at Jack in bewilderment. "What do you mean?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
In an instant, Jack leaned down and stole her lips. It was so sudden, so overwhelming, Shakky felt as if her world had turned upside down. For months, she had dreamed about this kiss. Their first kiss, and Jack stole it so suddenly, she wasn't even prepared. She felt her heart pounding, threatening to burst from her chest. The world around her seemed to vanish as she lost herself in the sensation of his lips on hers.
"J-jack," she muttered, her voice trembling, as he pulled away.
"Shakky," he said, his voice low and serious, yet filled with warmth, "I like you, and it seems like you like me too. No need for plays. Come with me."
Shakky bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "I can't," she muttered, her voice filled with anguish. "I'm the Queen, the Captain of the Kuja Pirates."
Jack's face was unreadable as he kissed her again, then hastily pulled back and got up. "Follow your heart and choose what you wish to do most. I will wait for you tomorrow." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
And then he was gone, leaving Shakky in her turmoil.
She sat there, stunned, feeling the lingering warmth of his lips on hers. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, her body still tingling from his touch. She had never felt anything like this before. She was the Queen, the Captain. Her duty was here. Yet her heart ached to go with him.
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she grappled with her emotions. The decision was hers, and yet it felt impossible. She knew what she wanted, but she also knew what was expected of her. Her heart ached with longing, and yet she was torn by duty.
The tree's shade provided no comfort as she wrestled with her feelings. The world around her seemed distant, irrelevant. There was only Jack, his touch, his words, his promise. And her decision.
She stayed there for what felt like hours, her mind going over the conversation again and again. She knew what she wanted. She wanted Jack. She wanted to be with him, to be a part of his life, to share in his adventures. But she also knew that she had responsibilities, duties that she could not ignore.
The sun began to sink, casting long shadows as Shakky finally rose to her feet. Her mind was made up. She knew what she had to do. Tomorrow would come, and with it, a new chapter in her life.
As she walked back towards her quarters, her heart was filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She knew that her decision would change everything, but she also knew that it was the right one.
Jack's calm blue eyes haunted her thoughts as she prepared for bed. His strength, his confidence, his tenderness. She knew that she was making the right choice. She would follow her heart, follow him, and embrace the unknown.
With a final, lingering glance at the window, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, a smile on her lips. Tomorrow would be a new beginning, a new adventure, a new life.
And she was ready.
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