"Mera Mera Mellow!" With Boa's hands forming a heart in front of her chest, a resplendent pink heart beam shot out.
With Adam being inches away from her hand, he felt the beam wash over him as the scent of roses became more pronounced. But to Boa's surprise, nothing happened.
"Mera Mera Mellow!" Once again, the ability failed to affect him.
"H-How…?" Boa stepped back, unable to understand the situation.
Her ability had never failed her, but the greater shock was that it failed just when she needed it the most.
'Am I really going to live with that brand for the rest of my life?' Boa had known that there was no way to remove it, however, the suddenly appearing door and the words rekindled the embers of her hope.
It felt like someone had pulled her out of the abyss, then showed her the light only to plunge her back down. No, in reality, she was really falling.
"Woah there. Get a hang of yourself." However, Adam's voice and hands stopped her.
The haze in front of Boa's eyes cleared up, and she could see him over her, not in a true sense as he held her waist when she was falling backward, thus he was above her. His face was close, and with their chests connected, she could feel his heartbeat.
'Calm… and unwavering… not even a little fluctuation…' In that moment, Boa became certain of her defeat along with the strength in those arms.
"You really don't find me attractive…" She said, knowing her one advantage had been voided, now if she wanted to get her wish, she'd have to do it on his terms if the words were true. To be at the mercy of a man once again, left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"When did I say that?" Adam said.
"W-What?" Boa looked up in shock.
"Considering your power, I can see why you'd think that." He pulled her up so she could stand straight, but her body still stuck to him now at eye level. "I do think you are beautiful, adorable even. But I don't have lecherous thoughts about women just because they are beautiful, that isn't a good thing to do. It will only happen after our relationship has progressed enough to make it mutual."
"A-Adorable…?" Boa hadn't heard a word after adorable. It was a simple praise one might use for a child, yet it made her heart jump like never before.
People had worshipped her beauty, her body, they had put her on the pedestal of a goddess and her heart remained unmoved. However, this was the time someone called her adorable, the word pierced right through her stone heart.
"Yeah, I find you extremely beautiful and adorable. Your eyes show the tough times you've been through, that is why I want to help you." With grace and respect, he sat her down on the sofa and handed her a steaming cup of tea before sitting beside her with a smile. "Now, won't you tell me your story?"
"U-Uhn." Boa nodded, her face reddening.
'Good thing I moved fast and quelled her anger before she made a fuss, if Grayfia woke up now it would be even harder to put her back to sleep.' Esdeath, Unohana, and Makima were the perfect examples of what could've happened if he hadn't stepped up, or stood up in this case.
As his train of thought came to an end, Boa shared about her life. From the time she got kidnapped and enslaved alongside her sisters, to the things she went through, and what the celestial dragons planned to do with her.
"…I heard them say they were saving me for a big event… where they'd have fun with me… all of them…" Boa's eyes turned distant as she talked about it for the first time, her hand trembled with a mixture of anger and the fear of what could've really happened.
"I was saved by a rebellion and made it back to my home. But the shadows of those days still follow me." She unfurled her robe and showed Adam her back, moving the hair out of the way. There was a mark branded on her skin, a mark similar to a dragon's claw.
"If this gets out, the Celestial Dragons will come to claim me as their property… And I don't think…" She gritted her teeth, the truth was too bitter to swallow.
But the Celestial Dragons had the Marine at their beck and call, who would be more than happy to make an example out of her, A pirate, if the order came as they already showed their discontent with the Warlords system.
"So, you want me to wipe this mark off you?" Adam asked, sliding her robe back to cover her body.
"…Yes, I'll pay the price if I have to. Both for this… and for disrespecting you." Boa gave a subtle nod accepting his gesture and fastened her robe.
"Hmm, doesn't that feel a bit too simple?" Adam said.
"What… do you mean?" Boa looked back to see his small smile.
"They caused you so much pain and suffering, and that is all you want?"
Her eyes widened for a moment, was this all she wanted?
"…No. I really want to destroy them… I want to kill them with my own hands… but if I do that then my sisters and I will be left with nothing after the failure…" Boa had reached a compromise in this matter, if she had the power to exact her revenge she would've. However, that wasn't the realistic choice given her position and power.
As she clenched her fist in fury and cursed her inability, he clasped her hand with a firm grip.
"What do you wish for, Hancock?" These words were akin to a devil's whispers, yet an overwhelming sincerity hid behind it.
And Boa accepted it.
"I want them dead… all of them… and I want them to suffer the pain they inflicted on others so carelessly. That is what I wish for every single night." Boa knew that wouldn't happen, at least no one she knew till now was capable of it.
"Consider it done." But Adam's words had not a hint of uncertainty.
"…Will you do this for me?" Her voluminous eyelashes fluttered with the innocence of a young girl. At this moment she would believe anything he said even if it was a lie.
But it wasn't.
"Your wish is my command, of course, that comes with a cost."
He could ask for anything, and she wouldn't say no. Even Boa knew this at that moment so she nodded, but he didn't say much after that.
"I'll be back soon, enjoy some treats in the meantime." He pointed at the table full of snacks before heading out the door.
However, even after minutes passed Boa didn't touch anything, she missed the lingering heat on her hand and kept looking at it. She curled up on the sofa, hugging her legs to hide her face. His words still ringing in her ears.
I'll even fight the world to see you smile, baby~.
He didn't say that exactly, but no one, dead or alive, could convince her otherwise right now.
"…I love him." Boa's face turned redder than the strawberry tart on the table, and her delusions had just begun.
***