Forget Me Not - One Shot Series

Doflamingo - Bitter

CW: Manipulation, abuse, kidnapping, threats of violence, bodily manipulation, angst, amnesia is background in this one, Doflamingo is his own content warning

You'd seen it, the feathers, the distinct shade of pink. You didn't want to think he would've traveled so far to find you. To leave the Grandline with all his plans and ambitions. But no one else dressed like that, and even if they ever had before, with his status now they wouldn't dare.

You ran through the streets you'd spent the last few months learning specifically for this reason. Taking alleys and shortcuts only the locals could have hoped to know better, and even then most locals would stick to the main roads.

The problem had started nearly three years ago. Something had happened, even now you couldn't remember what it was - an accident, or something intentional, but you lost your memories. It had taken a long time for them to return to you, and when they did you realized that you had been duped the entire time you'd been with him.

Donquixote Doflamingo, "king" of Dressrosa, and Warlord of the Government.

The source of your nightmares and a terrifying puppet master. You had believed his actions toward you to be a mercy at first, but getting to see your life with eyes devoid of manipulated memories was all you needed. Despite the risks, you put yourself first, planned everything, and fled the island successfully.

But even with that success you knew that getting away wasn't going to be easy. You'd warmed the man's bed, stoked his ego, given him everything he wanted in exchange for a life of bliss and ignorance. You'd already changed as much of yourself as you could. Cut your hair, dyed it, started wearing clothes you didn't really like in aesthetics or style, and more. No more jewels, no more makeup.

You worked physical jobs, and had a very small room that was little more than a place to rest your head and eat in peace. You had to be unrecognizable at this point.

You had to be.

You slipped into your small home, pulling shutters and curtains, blocking every part of the world you could and keeping your lights out. Your new life had just found a rhythm. You were beginning to make friends, and even save up a few extra berries so you could splurge on some nice food. You'd gotten into debt when you first arrived because you'd had nothing to your name.

The people here hadn't been unreasonable, and it had only taken a month to pay back what was lent. Because of that you didn't want to go running to anyone for help right now. It was best to isolate yourself, and hope that if Doflamingo was here, it wouldn't be for long at all.

You had food enough, money enough, and good will enough to miss a couple days and play it off as an unexpected cold.

A knock at your door nearly stops your heart. You squeeze into the corner and hold your breath, doing everything you can to make yourself unnoticeable. It didn't matter who was at the door, you needed to not exist for a couple days.

You let your breath out slowly, breathing in just as painfully slow.

It feels like the air caresses your skin and you nearly sob as a compulsion you can't control brings you to your feet. Fear and knowing break you before you can even panic.

When you open the door to your small home, you're not surprised by the sight before you.

He's impossibly tall, the fluffy pink coat he wears filling in any other gaps in the doorway. The smile on his face is a mix of amusement and anger, but you can't even muster the humanity to react to it. You've disappeared into yourself, more puppet than human.

"There you are." He muses, his strings bringing you up to his eye level as a single finger makes sure you're looking at him. "My precious little doll."

You hang limply in the air, vacant eyes almost looking through him rather than at him. He's quiet for a moment, and when you don't say anything - to beg or try to convince him he's got the wrong person - his toothy smile pulls wider.

"Not so much as a word of thanks for finding you after you got yourself lost?" The words are clipped as his anger is straining beneath his skin. "Are you going to let me believe you ran away from me?"

The tone of his words chills you and you shake your head.

"... Thank you, young master," you say carefully. "For finding me. I... I was... so scared." The words overlap with your current terror and the mask cracks enough for you to shed a few tears.

The anger fades even as the smile stays, and he tilts your face a little. "There, there, little doll, no matter how far you wander, I'll always find you." He promises, leaning forward and capturing your lips. You react to the kiss - to not react at all would be unwise, but you're careful not to come across too desperately.

It's a game, and you both know the truth of things. You need only to admit defeat to ensure you keep your life. If you continue to defy him after being caught it would only be worse for you, but if you throw yourself at him in an attempt to deceive him entirely, he'll react poorly to the deception.

There was a fine-line between playing along and lying, and knowing how to walk that line was going to be the difference between enjoying your captivity, or not. If life in the cage was inevitable, it was best to be deluded into some sense of comfort.

One large arm wraps around you, holding you to his chest as the strings fall away and the control of your own movements is returned to you. He lets you stay nuzzled under his coat, mostly hidden from view as he walks through the streets of the city.

"Is there anyone you wish to say farewell to, little doll?" He questions in a way that almost sounds caring.

You shake your head. "... The people here kept me safe while I waited for you to find me, young master." You say carefully. "But I have no attachments."

There's a silence that's heavy and calculating between you, and you do your best to keep your composure. He brings you up a little, kissing the top of your head.

"We'll reward them for keeping you safe then," he says, and relief washes over your body as he and the crew leave the island without any further action.

You were set upon a chair in Doflamingo's cabin, and stayed mostly still while he and the crew set sail. He praised you for waiting patiently for him.

"Of course, young master," you say, a little more emotion - a little more acceptance - coming into your voice. "Last time I moved around needlessly, I got lost.

"I need to become a better doll, so that you don't have to worry about me again."