~Echo’s POV~

                I woke with a start and for a fleeting moment I thought it had all been a dream, the massacre and the torture, as I spotted the familiar surroundings. I was in my bed back home. My heart fell as I spotted a familiar red haired man scrunched up on the small sea foam green chaise lounge at the foot of my bed. It was Shanks. It wasn’t a dream; it had all happened and would forever be etched into my mind.

                He stirred as I attempted to sit up. My brain was hazy and the moment I sat up the room started to spin. His strong arm slid around me catching me from toppling out of bed and I closed my eyes as I was pressed against his muscular torso. He smelled like teakwood and sea salt mixed with some other exotic scent I couldn’t quite place and I instantly wanted to wrap my arms around him and inhale deeply, but resisted the urge. My head was still swimming.

                “Are you alright, Echo?” He asked worried as I remembered bits and pieces of what had happened last night. Why? How did he know I needed help? Why would he try to help me?

                My gaze was drawn to the window as I suddenly realized how bright it was, the sun was high in the sky meaning it was well after noon. “What time is it?” I panicked as I shoved out of his hold and darted to the window. “I have to get back to work.”

                He cut me off before I could make it to the door and offered me a gentle smile, “Don’t push yourself, Echo. Go get cleaned up and we can go together.”

                I looked down at my current attire to find my clothes were caked in dirt, dried blood and other questionable grime. My hair had to be a ratted stained mess and I hated to think about all the dried dirt clad sweat clinging to my cheeks. Before I could protest about the urgency of the situation, Shanks nudged me toward the bathroom connected to my bedroom. He closed the door behind me blocking my escape and I could faintly see him leaning against it, preventing me from leaving in the back of my mind.

                Defeated, I sighed in resignation and turned to the shower curious if the plumbing would still be in working order. Hesitantly I turned the knob on the shower and jumped when water splashed out, it was cold, but it was clean. The bandages took awhile to remove and I looked down at my cut up palms in dismay, the wounds were deep and once the bandages were removed they began to bleed again. My clothes clunked to the floor, stiff from the sweat, blood, dirt and other grime that had worked into its fibers from my relentless work.

                The cool water felt good on my hot grime covered skin as I finally braced myself enough to step into the cold stream. I closed my eyes as I felt the dirt and grime wash away and pool around my feet before disappearing down the drain. There were still a few bottles of shampoo and soap my mother had made. The shampoo smelled of coconuts and the body wash smelled of citrus and instantly made my heart hurt as I thought of my mother. It had been five years since I’d been home. My body shook from the sudden racking sobs and I sat in the bottom of the tub and pulled my knees to my chest and allowed myself to weep.

                Once the tears subsided I dragged myself to my feet and turned off the water. I found a soft fluffy towel beneath the sink and wrapped it around myself before an alarming thought crossed my mind. None of my old clothes would fit me; I’d gained curves and a figure since last I’d been here. I’d have to wear something of mom’s, but I still had to leave the bathroom.

                I took a breath to steady my nerves and made sure the towel was securely wrapped around me before opening the door. Shanks was standing next to my bookshelf looking through an old photo album with a small smile dancing on his lips. He looked up as he sensed my approach and I felt my cheeks grow hot as his eyes widened at my appearance. Tactfully, he cleared his throat and averted his gaze. My face felt hot and I knew it had to be a brilliant shade of red by this point as I quickly scurried out of the room and headed toward my parents’ bedroom.

                Unfortunately for me, my mother only wore dresses and she never wore black. I sifted through her wardrobe searching for anything that wouldn’t make me look ridiculous and eventually gave up and selected a deep jade green dress that fell to my knees. It was a little too big on me so I opted to tying a black satin scarf around my waist so it didn’t look like I was drowning in the fabric.

                I hesitated as I caught my reflection in my mother’s vanity mirror. I didn’t look like me. I looked older. There was a soft knock at the door and I realized I’d been taking too long.

                “Echo, are you alright?” Shanks called through the door.

                Reluctantly, I opened the door and felt myself blush as Shanks stared at me wide eyed.

                “Echo, you look-.” He hesitated as if unsure of what to say.

                “Weird?” I supplied for him causing him to chuckle softly.

                “I was going to say beautiful.”

                My face exploded with heat at his comment and I quickly hid my face behind my silken sheets of snow white hair to hide the blush.

                “Ready?” He offered me his hand.

                I nodded and reached out to accept it only to cringe as he suddenly caught my wrist and turned it with one fluid motion so that my palm was facing upward revealing the oozing wounds.

                He tsked at this and gently pulled me downstairs without a word.

                “C-Captain?” I stuttered somewhat fearfully as he silently steered me to a chair at the kitchen table. There was something strange burning in his dark eyes.

                “You scared me last night, Echo.” He said softly as he released his hold on me and retrieved a basket full of bandages and other first aid supplies mom had stashed in the pantry. Someone must have found it and brought it out.

                “I’m so-.”

                He threw me a look that instantly made me shut my mouth and bow my head. It wasn’t such a simple matter that a single apology would make right. “Why didn’t you ask for help, you knew it was too big of a task for you to take on by yourself?”

                “It’s my burden to bear. They’re my people.” I replied softly and jumped as he used his foot against the back leg of my chair to spin the chair around so that I was facing him.

                Gracefully, he knelt before me and gently gripped my wrist and placed my arm atop his knee so that the wound was easier for him to reach. Miraculously he began bandaging it up not seeming the least bit hindered by only having one hand to work. “As your captain, it’s my job to look after and take care of you.” He said softly as he delicately wound the bandages around my hand. “I can’t do that if you keep pushing me away.”

                Is that what he thought I was doing? “No, that’s not it.” I piped up as something in my heart began to ache.

                He replaced my hand to my lap and reached for my opposite wrist to repeat the process. “Then what is it?”

                A blush claimed my cheeks and I quickly dropped my gaze to the floor too nervous to meet his gaze, “You’ve already done so much for me. I was afraid I’d overstep my boundaries and ask too much of you.” I bit my lip to keep from adding anything more and sounding completely desperate. I didn’t want to be alone anymore. I couldn’t bear to be left behind again.

                I inhaled sharply as I felt an electric jolt where his fingers gently swept beneath my chin and lifted my gaze to meet his. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.” He declared causing a gasp to hitch in my throat and my heart to skip a beat.

                In that moment, something possessed me and before I could stop myself, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. There was a moment of electric bliss as our lips met before the mortification of what I’d just done set in. Shanks was paralyzed in shock and I quickly pulled away as my face exploded with heat.

                “I’m so sorry.” I squeaked in complete humiliation before flying out the back door before he could stop me. Why?! Why did I do that?! I just ruined everything! My legs carried me as fast as they could over the white picket fence lining the backyard and through the rubble lined streets. Hot tears of humiliation welled in my eyes and I wanted to scream at myself as I ran barefoot through the debris strewn village and escaped under the cover of the outlying forest.