The Embercloud floated quietly above the sleeping desert. The laughter and music from earlier had faded into silence, replaced by the occasional creak of the aerial fortress and the soft hush of wind sliding over the windbreaker.
Jacob stepped into his chambers, the scent of sand, wood, and perfume still clinging to his skin. His eyes were heavy, but his heart was light.
The door opened behind him.
Nami entered first, hair loose and damp from a quick wash. Her robe clung to her frame in the low lamplight. She said nothing, brushed past him, and sat cross-legged on the bed, running a hand through her hair.
Nojiko followed close, barefoot, eyes half-lidded, her voice quiet. "You okay, Jacob?" she asked Jacob, laying her hand on his chest.
He nodded. "Yeah. Just enjoying the view."
She smiled and then pulled him in by the hand.
One by one, they joined him.
Kuina arrived in silence, her blade Wado Ichimonji resting in the corner. She sat beside him, shoulders bare, and leaned her head on his arm without a word. In soft sleepwear, Kaya curled up near the pillows, reading a few lines of her notebook before setting it aside and nestling beside Nojiko.
Carina kicked the door shut behind her, her mischievous grin softened by the night. She stretched with a yawn, then leaned in to kiss Jacob. "Good haul today, flame boy," she murmured.
Yamato stomped in like a thunderstorm, then laughed as she flopped onto the bed, arms behind her head. "You better sleep early, Jacob," she said, voice lazy. "Tomorrow, we'll choose which beast to eat the devil fruit."
Porche and Desire were last—Desire tossed her card into a drawer while Porche plopped onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. "The best party I've ever had," she mumbled into a pillow.
Jacob, now surrounded, looked at them all—their hair tousled, their breathing slow, eyes catching the golden lamplight in different ways. His chest swelled with something that wasn't pride or lust but something gentler.
Nami reached across him, brushing her fingers along his jaw. "Wanted to have sex with us?"
"A little," he said.
"Don't," Nojiko whispered, her voice barely audible. "Just sleep. I am still sore from yesterday night."
A kiss followed—first from Kaya, soft and lingering. Then Kuina, brief but tender. Carina bit his ear and laughed under her breath before kissing him passionately. Yamato, surprisingly gentle, kissed him. Desire and Porche both kissed him goodnight without fanfare.
Nami kissed him last, pressing her lips to his mouth in a quiet, unspoken promise.
The room was warm, with shared breath and skin. The lights dimmed. Jacob pulled Nami and Kaya, their bodies tangled, arms wrapped, and heads resting against him.
It was peaceful. It was warm.
He didn't need to say it out loud—but at that moment, he knew.
This was his woman. His family. His reasons to get stronger.
And as his eyes fluttered closed, Jacob finally let himself rest—surrounded by warmth, trust, and the steady rhythm of their breath.
The morning sun crept through the gauzy curtains, casting golden threads across the room. The Embercloud gently swayed in the air, drifting above the waking desert. Soft breaths and tangled limbs filled the space with quiet intimacy inside the chambers.
The following day, Jacob stirred first, his arm wrapped around Nami's waist. Her back pressed his chest, and she let out a sleepy hum as he brushed a kiss against her shoulder.
"Morning," she murmured, voice husky.
"Hey," Jacob said quietly. "Sleep well last night?"
"With you hugging me, yeah?" she smiled without opening her eyes. "Couldn't be better."
Kaya shifted next, stretching her legs, her head still nestled against Jacob's other shoulder. "You're warm," she mumbled.
"Thank you. FYI, I'm awake," he replied, brushing a hand through her soft blonde hair.
"I know," she whispered. "I just don't want to move yet."
Nojiko rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow. Her vibrant blue hair was a bit wild, but her eyes were gentle. "You always wake up before everyone else; why?"
"Old habit," Jacob said with a grin.
She leaned in and kissed his jaw. "You could stay still and let us sleep on you a little longer."
"Apologies," he chuckled. "Didn't mean to ruin the cuddle pile."
"You didn't," Kuina said from behind, still half-asleep. "But if you get up, I will make you stay."
"Not fair," Carina muttered, her voice muffled in a pillow. "I wanted to make him stay, too."
Yamato let out a sleepy groan. "Can someone just shut up and let me go back to sleep?"
Porche yawned. "You're all loud. Jacob, kiss me, or I'll be upset."
He smirked and leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Better?"
"Getting there," she grinned lazily.
Desire stretched with a sleepy grin. "I don't know if I should be jealous or just lucky we all fit in this bed."
"I think you all are just a little too attached," Reiju's voice came from the door, leaning against the frame with a small, amused smile. "And you're all late for breakfast."
"Five more minutes," Jacob said, arms tightening around the women closest to him.
Reiju smirked. "You better wake up quick, or Conis will cry that nobody wants her cooking anymore."
As she walked off, Kaya whispered, "She's right. We should probably get up."
"No," Nami said flatly. "I'm staying like this."
"Agreed," Nojiko sighed, resting her head on Jacob's chest.
Jacob smiled to himself, surrounded by the women he loved—and who loved him just as fiercely. In that quiet morning light, nothing else mattered.
He kissed Nami's shoulder again, then turned to kiss Kaya on the temple. "Love you all," he whispered.
"Love you too," Kaya replied softly.
One by one, the words echoed from each of them—different tones, different voices, same meaning.
"I love you too," Nojiko said, smiling.
"Don't get used to hearing me say it," Kuina muttered, eyes still shut, "but yeah. Me too."
"You better," Carina added with a smirk. "After all these nights we spent together? Yeah, I definitely love you too."
Yamato grinned, eyes glinting. "Of course, I do, weak Jacob."
Porche gave him a quick kiss. "Love you more if you find me my dreamed devil fruit."
Desire smiled sleepily. "This is so weird. But yeah… love you too, Captain."
Jacob laughed softly, tightening his hug to them. "I guess I'm not going anywhere."
"Nope," Nami said, finally cracking one eye open. "You're ours now."