꧁ Operation Mistletoe ꧂

The next day began as any other Monday. Once again, Hazel had been the first to wake up and had made coffee for everyone before locking herself up in her room to get ready for the day. The woman had decided to regain the reins of her life and the first thing on the agenda was to find a job. She had exactly two hours before her interview at the Cafe Flamingo and, although she wasn't too worried as the owner was a family friend, she still wanted to make a good impression.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ace and Thatch had gone above and beyond to bore Marco to the point that he had quickly knocked down his coffee and run back upstairs to get ready — earlier than usual —, only so that he could stop listening to those two.

Everything is going according to plan, Thatch thought with a satisfied smile painted on his lips as he pulled out of the cabinet a trail of cinnamon rolls, which Sabo had run to buy just before.

"No, Luffy, don't even think about it," Ace scolded his brother, forcing him to sit down before he could rush towards the sweets.

"What? Why?" the younger one complained, looking at him like a lost puppy.

"Those are our bait," explained Sabo, as the guilt began to work its way into his heart at the sight of the hurt expression on his brother's face: how could they keep Luffy away from sweets!

"Bait?" he asked confused.

"Yep," nodded Ace, "bait."

"But for who?"

"Wait and watch, Luffy," Thatch told him, taking two cinnamon rolls and putting them on a plate.

"You think they're ready?" asked Ace, looking at his older brother.

"Well, it's been a while since we kicked Marco out of here. I'd say it's almost time for him to go to work," he replied seriously.

"It's now or never," Sabo agreed.

Ace took a deep breath before screaming at the top of his lungs that Sabo had gone to buy cinnamon rolls, which were now in the kitchen. With Luffy.

A sound of quick steps followed his statement, which made the three brothers smile as they exchanged knowing glances. However, those smiles were soon replaced by expressions of pure disappointment when Hazel, instead of rushing into the kitchen with Marco, continued straight towards the entrance.

"I'm sorry, guys, I really have to run," she yelled, putting on her coat. "Save me one if you can," she added before leaving the house.

"See you later, yoi," Marco yelled to her, before giving his brothers a confused look. "Why the long faces?"

They didn't answer, trying to act as if their only plan hadn't just failed miserably.

"Well, this is weird," Luffy muttered, before finally getting his hands on a cinnamon roll.

"What's weird?" Marco asked, picking up one as well.

"I'm sure she had the time to get one," he replied in between bites, "since when does Hazel pass up on sweets?"

"She was probably just late for something, Luffy," Ace reassured his brother. Although he couldn't help a sight from leaving his lips, for his heart knew full well that it was a lie.

✵✵✵✵

Tucked away in a quiet alley in the heart of the city, impossible to find just by wandering, stood a small corner of paradise. Considered one of the hottest spots in town and definitely the favourite destination for coffee lovers, Cafe Flamingo appeared as the perfect combination of history, art and modernity. Its atmosphere, albeit elegant, was warm and welcoming, encouraging anyone who entered to treat themselves, indulge, and be inspired.

Hazel took a deep breath before pushing the white wooden doors and entering. A hint of a smile appeared on her lips as she took in the familiar surroundings. She looked around for a known face, noting how surprisingly the place wasn't particularly busy that morning. Her eyes finally found who they were looking for and her smile widened.

Eleanor seemed to be struggling with a not-very-cooperative coffee machine. Approaching the counter, Hazel could hear her curse under her breath and insult the object in every possible way.

"Corazon is going to kill me," the young woman muttered, totally oblivious to the new client who had just sat at the counter behind her.

"We both know that day will never come, Ellie," Hazel chuckled, finally catching the attention of the bartender, who immediately spun around.

"Hazel!" she beamed, throwing herself over the counter and flying her arms around her best friend's neck.

"Whoa, okay, easy there," the woman laughed, returning the embrace.

Once she got her feet back on the ground behind the counter, Eleanor smiled, her eyes glowing with excitement as she began her interrogation. "When did you come back? You're staying with Pops and the boys for the holidays? How's James? How are you?" the girl asked in one breath, barely spelling the words.

Hazel smiled, shaking her head slightly. "Hold your horses, will you?"

"I haven't seen you in forever, Haz," she justified herself, "I have a long list of questions waiting for you. But maybe we should start with you telling me why the hell you disappeared for three whole weeks. Not a text, a call, an email. Nothing. You worried me to death!"

The woman sighed, returning serious and giving her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Ellie, I had to do it alone."

Eleanor's expression became more concerned at those words. "What do you mean?"

"James and I broke up," Hazel went straight to the point. "It was a long time coming but that didn't make it easier. He started drinking again, often he'd not return home for the night, and when he did come back he'd become violent." The woman paused for a moment, her mind seemed to be processing what had happened for the first time. "I tried to leave. Many times. But every time I eventually gave in to his prayers and apologies. I knew that sooner or later he would hurt me, but I didn't want — or maybe I couldn't — really believe it. After every fight and every attempt I made to leave, he'd stop drinking for a few days, sometimes even a week or two, the time it took to make sure I wasn't going anywhere, then he'd start again. And the problems would follow."

Eleanor was on the verge of tears. She had no idea one of the people she cared the most about went through that kind of pain alone. A pain she knew all too well. "I am so sorry Hazel."

"Don't be," the woman smiled. "It's over now. I left and I'm not going back."

"How?" the girl asked, hoping that perhaps she would find the solution to her own situation in her friend's response. "How did you leave?"

"I told myself I didn't want to stay. I did not deserve to be treated that way and it came a day when I was no longer willing to simply suffer his behaviour. So I left," Hazel replied, looking straight into her eyes.

Eleanor saw in those amber irises the determination and strength that she lacked, but also an invitation to look for them in herself.

"I know what you're thinking," the woman's words brought her back to reality. "You can do it too. You don't have to take his shit, you know? You are a way better person than you think and you deserve better," Hazel told her, giving her a warm smile.

Eleanor smiled back. She should have expected that the woman would have been able to read her like an open book, after all, she always had. And it was no secret that her relationship with Steven was rocky, to say the least. She had lost count of how many times she had called her in tears, or even just to rant about him, in the past few months.

"Have you talked to Law about it?" Hazel asked out of concern.

"Have you talked to Ace about it?" Eleanor replied, a small smirk forming on her lips.

Hazel let out a dark chuckle. Touché, she thought.

"It's just not that easy for me," the girl confessed. "And with that, I don't mean to say it was easy for you, it's just - I, well, I don't - I can't-"

"You don't have to justify yourself with me, Ellie," the friend reassured her. "We don't move all at the same peace, everyone takes their own time. You'll get there, I'm sure."

Eleanor was speechless. It should be easier, she had thought. But those words made perfect sense and gave her heart hope. She nodded and smiled at the woman, grateful for her understanding.

"Enough with sad stories, though," Eleanor then said, "you're here for the job, aren't you?"

Hazel chuckled, "Actually I'd like a coffee first."

✵✵✵✵

Hazel had returned home with a satisfied smile on her face, which did not go unnoticed by each of her brothers. The interview with Mr Donquixote had gone wonderfully, the man was as quirky and dramatic as she remembered him. A meeting that would normally last at most fifteen minutes had in fact become a conversation of more than an hour — a proper lecture on the correct preparation and tasting of different types of coffee — which ended with an eccentric welcome as a new staff member.

Contributing to her good mood was also the fact that, after getting the job, Hazel had spent the day "celebrating" with Eleanor, who had talked her way into getting the day off. The carefree and jovial attitude of her friend had put her mind on pause and, at least for a few hours, had made her forget all the struggles of the previous months.

Along with Sabo and Luffy, the woman was now busy preparing the table for dinner — or rather, keeping her younger brother distracted and out of the kitchen while Sabo put the plates on the table.

"It's nice to see her like that," Ace said, walking into the kitchen with a smile on his face.

Whatever conversation was going on between Marco and Thatch was suddenly dropped at the mention of the woman. The brothers smiled, nodding.

"She seems to be in a great mood this evening," the oldest agreed, pulling the steaming tray out of the oven. "Which works in our favour," he then added, winking at his brother.

Ace's eyes widened as he caught on to the insinuation. On the contrary, Marco had taken on a confused expression.

"What do you mean, yoi?" the blond asked in a slightly concerned tone. If those two were planning something, it couldn't have been good.

"Don't you worry," Thatch replied, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'll take care of everything."

If Marco was confused before, now he was definitely on alert, and the smirk on Ace's lips certainly did not improve the situation.

"Very well then, I'm going to see if Sabo needs any help," the younger then said, heading into the living room.

The blond sighed and decided he needed a glass of water since his mouth had suddenly gone dry. Thatch seized the opportunity and, with the excuse of moving the pan, pushed his brother towards the entrance, making him drop the glass. The shattering sound that could be clearly heard from the living room, made Ace smile and give Sabo a knowing look.

"What the hell?" exclaimed a now irked Marco.

"Be more careful, would you?" rebuked his brother in a higher tone than usual. "Now there's glass everywhere, someone is gonna get hurt!"

If looks could kill, Thatch would have died instantly.

"Go pick up the pieces over there," the brunette then said, trying to keep his composure.

The blond did not answer, bending over to collect the pieces of glass that were near the entrance. To his surprise, he noticed that another hand, smaller and more feminine, had beaten him to it. He lifted his gaze on the crouched figure of Hazel by his side, his lips unconsciously bending in a small smile. His attention, however, was quickly captured by the dangerous sound of his brother's snickering. Marco gave him a confused look and, in response, Thatch pointed up. The blond thus raised his head and froze: hanging above them was a branch of mistletoe. In a flash, he was back on his feet, intending to move away as soon as possible, but he was immediately stopped by his brother's authoritative voice.

"Don't even think about it," Thatch said.

"Yeah, it is important to respect traditions, Marco," agreed Sabo, who was watching the scene from the living room with Ace and Luffy.

Curious about what was happening, Hazel stood up and shifted her gaze to each of the brothers. Eventually, she placed it on Marco, who swallowed and hinted upwards. Hazel followed his eyes, then smiled and shook her head.

"Is this the reason you're all looking like fourteen-year-olds who did something naughty for the first time?" she then asked, leaving them all speechless.

With a calmness and composure that no one had expected, Hazel stood up on her tiptoes, put a hand on Marco's shoulder for support, and left a soft kiss on his right cheek, dangerously close to the corner of his lips. She then proceeded to throw the collected glass in the kitchen bin, before returning to the living room to finish setting the table. However, she couldn't help the smirk that formed on her lips knowing exactly what she had just done.

No one else moved, all still shocked by the events that had just taken place. The silence was only broken by the sudden laughter of Luffy, who had naturally found the whole situation simply hilarious. Marco, recovering from the trance he had fallen into, exchanged a look with Thatch, trying to rationally process what happened. The brunette smiled and shook his head. The "Operation Mistletoe" hadn't exactly gone as planned, it would have probably taken more than that to get his brother to accept his own feelings, but it was definitely a good start.

On the other hand, Ace and Sabo's attention immediately moved on to the woman, who could not stop smiling while rearranging the cutlery on the table for the umpteenth time. The two smiled: it would have taken a few more pushes, but they were on the right track.