Wishing all of you nothing but wonderful health and great prosperity for all of you, your families, your loved ones and your friends! Thank you all so much for reading what I continue to write, and thank you for absolutely everything!
STATUS UPDATE, CURRENTLY WORKING ON:
- OHBAB
- Instinct
- All Things Come in Threes
- Memos
- Cries of the Heart, Echoes of the Night
- Nascent
- And cycling back and going through the updates for the other stories as I get to them as well!
NOTICE ON KO-FI REQUESTS:
- I will soon be finishing up all the old requests and posting them here/on AO3, thank you so much for your patience!
For future requesters, I’ve been receiving a lot of messages about ko-fi requests, the link to my ko-fi is below. Requests are purely donation based, you can do as much as you like, leave a note in the donation about the kind of requests you might be looking for/a few general ideas. I have a list of fandoms I’m familliar with/will write for that I’ll repost as well! I tend to do the requests with rather loose guidelines, and will contact you if there’s anything I might have trouble with.
https://ko-fi.com/alkhale
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND FOR BEING READERS ;-; MORE UPDATES TO COME ON MY LONG HIATUS/ABOUT MY STUDY ABROAD, THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!
yes, hello, are you. are you chill with like… nsfw asks? slightly? i had a question about lhff and a sillier one about general memos but i don’t wanna ask if that makes you uncomfortable-
im finally working my way back through the ko-fi requests again, i promise i didn't forget about a single one, ill die before i let any of them not get written
the request was for really sad ace/hoku angst, so i took some liberties and ran with an idea i've had for awhile. the inspo for this one was a question i was asked once about whether Hoku could make a human from her drawings and the Black Mirror episode "Be Right Back"
i hope this works for you! thank you for reading and hope you enjoy!
Note: This an AU to the Memos Timeline, taking place sometime after the time-skip, in the midst of maybe post Punk Hazard.
-------
Hoku leaned back against the cushioned bench, tracing her fingers over the lip of the bottle beside her.
The crow’s nest was empty tonight since she was taking the first watch. Zoro’s absurd weights were piled in the corner, boxes of everyone’s different training gear or stretching mats pressed against the wall. Hoku kept one of the windows cracked open, letting the salty breeze filter through.
The dimmed lamp on the small table cast little shadows against the wood paneled walls. A bit of moonlight shone still through the windows, the entire sky clear as a mirror tonight. Hoku could see stars scattered as far as she was willing to look. Down below, the lulling, sweet sound of Brook’s strings made its way up to her ears. She could hear Nami and Robin chatting something soft by the tangerine grove.
She couldn’t hear Luffy, which meant he was either lounged across the top of the Sunny’s mast or busied in some way below deck. In a little bit everyone would start to trickle back inside and head to bed. Hoku wouldn’t have to expect anyone till morning.
It was the perfect kind of night to mourn.
Hoku quietly pressed her head against the cool pane of glass. One of her sketchbooks laid spread out across her lap, loose papers crinkling at the corners. The occasional breeze ruffled the pages, revealing the previous sketches beneath.
A curling smirk revealed itself for a breath. Inked black hair and scattered freckles. Another image of a bright, boyish laugh. A sketch of a broad back, one hand waving lazily in the air. The drawing of a young man over the crest of a hill, holding his hat so it wouldn’t be snatched by the wind.
The pages fluttered back into place as Hoku smoothed her palm over the top, hiding them between the folds of each other. She stared down at her fresh page, expression void of emotion while she brought her bottle to her lips with her free hand. The familiar, sweet sigh of kiionohi berries slid with a smooth burn down her throat.
“You’re such a lightweight! Don’t ever go drinking alone, you got that?”
“Who’re you to tell me what to do, brat?”
“I’m older than you!”
It was good that she was a lightweight. It meant it wouldn’t take long to forget.
Hoku had found it easier to do this pitiful ritual days away from the true date. Any closer and the crew would notice in a glance. They never spoke of it aloud, they never pressed, but they all knew. If she were to go sneaking off to the crow’s nest on a day like that, someone would come following after her—they’d never let any of them be alone. Sanji would pile Luffy’s plate extra high. Zoro would train a little harder. Brook would play something beautiful while Usopp and Chopper took turns trying not to work each other up into a fit. Franky would tinker a little more. Nami would speak a bit softer. Robin would sit a little closer.
Hoku loved them for it.
For Luffy, a day like that was passed as a day like any other, only a soft brush of wind against his hair, pulling the light curl of his hat, and a single glance out against the sea as the sun bore down on the x-shaped scar across his chest. A day like that was only completed with Hoku finding him in the dark, quietly curling against his side and shutting her eyes as she laid her head over his chest, listening to the rhythmic drum of his heartbeat—her fingers splayed across his chest.
For Hoku, a day like that needed to be mourned days earlier. A single night to herself. A bottle of alcohol she’d never finish by the end of the night. Scattered drawings she could either burn to the wind or tuck somewhere far away.
Hoku took another long sip, swallowing mouthfuls as she set her bottle down. A bit of it trailed down the side of her mouth and she wiped it away, already feeling a hot flush down her neck. It spread thickly across her cheeks and Hoku took up her pencil again, pressing it to a fresh page.
“Can’t you draw me doing something cool for once? You always like drawing me like this!”
Hoku’s stomach lurched, threatening to be nauseous. She shut her eyes, shaking her head. Don’t think about it. Just draw. Just draw. You don’t need to think.
It was easier to draw. Drawing was like pushing all the memories that threatened to flood her eyes with tears out into the pages. She could leave them there and let them go before it hurt a little too much, before she cried a little too hard.
She didn’t know why tonight was a little harder than most.
The pages against the side of her hand sliced sharply against her sliding palm. Hoku pulled away, dully looking down now at her bleeding palm. She dropped her pencil, using that hand to grab her bottle and take another long drink.
“Shooting Star.”
Hoku choked back a sob. She shut her eyes now, pressing her palm to her paper as she leaned forward, trying not to think.
But even her eyes betrayed her.
In her mind she saw the memory of that broad back. Of scuffed boots and sculpted calves, of ink black hair and curling wisps of flame at the corner of his boyish grin—
Hoku pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead, shaking her head. Stop. Her mind was already starting to feel thick and foggy as a result of too much alcohol too fast. Hoku let out a shaky breath, reaching out for the bottle again to try and finish the deed. Tonight was just too hard to draw. She could live with that. It was a different kind of night where she needed to shut her eyes and let the morning take it all away.
Hoku paused just before taking another drink, looking down at her paper.
She froze.
A perfect rendition of him was laid out beneath her palm, hidden beneath the cage of her fingers. Her blood continued to pulse across the page, swirling and curling as it took shape against her will. Her sluggish thoughts did nothing to hinder the perfect clarity of his image, his entire likeness the most lifelike she’d ever drawn it.
He laughed, his smile hidden beneath her index finger. Hoku hesitantly lifted it up.
The drawing peeled at her touch, pulling outwards with a soft pop!
Hoku instantly recoiled, curling her hand away as though she’d been burned. The now dimensional drawing laid over the top of Hoku’s paper, casting his own shadow. It laid there, unmoving, no bigger than the length of her hand. Almost like a sick, perfect rendition of his own doll.
Her head was starting to spin. Hoku continued to stare at the now dimensional drawing, unknowing when her hand had reached out once more for it. She wrapped her bloody fingers around it, cradling it softly as she laid down against the cushions, holding the drawing before her eyes.
He laughed back at her.
Tears began to spill from the corner of Hoku’s eyes. She choked another sob, laid sideways agains the cushioned bench while she brought the drawing to her chest with both hands. She cradled it gently against her heart, tears sliding sideways down her face in a steady stream. Hoku shut her eyes, head spinning with alcohol and tragedy.
I’m sorry.
Hoku squeezed her eyes shut, crying softly as she held the drawing to her.
I’m so sorry.
The drawing warmed beneath her fingertips and Hoku held it reverently between her palms, protecting it the way she had originally failed before.
Brook’s soft melody went silent. Hoku let her mind slip into the dense fog of alcohol, falling asleep to the world.
In the morning, her tears would be gone.
I’m just so sorry.
-- --- --- ---
In her dreams though, she couldn’t escape.
Hoku stared, almost confused against the long stretch of coastline. It was a sight she couldn’t quite understand, a dreamscape drafted up by some inexplicable imagination. Not Artopoki’s shores, which she’d become almost sadly fond of dreaming. Not any other island she’d known. Dozens of different flowers lapped overthemsleves like a thick canopy of leaves to her right while the water lapped at her left. Beneath her a long path of sand stretched onwards.
She froze at the sight that awaited her.
He stood just shy of the coastline. The wind tousled lovingly at his hair. He slowly turned, as if sensing her stare.
Hoku found she could not move. Her voice caught in her throat.
His smile tugged at his lips. That cocky little curve, an almost soft whisper of a laugh ready to leave him.
“You know,” Hoku froze at the sound of his voice. Her eyes flooded with fresh tears. “There was something I wish I told you.”
Hoku choked. He grinned.
“Shooting Star—”
-- --- --- ---
“Shooting Star?”
Hoku’s head hurt. She kept her eyes welded shut, refusing to open them as she curled in on herself. The slow steps to waking up were bringing with it all the consequences of her actions the night before. A steady throb pressed against the side of her temple. Her mouth felt dry, lingering with the faded sweet tang of her kiionohi brew.
I think this is my worst hangover yet. She felt as though she’d almost lost something. Like all her energy had been seeped out of her and then some, barely leaving her with enough vitality to complain. Her body ached, one hand reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose as she groaned. Outside she could hear the annoying cry of gulls, their chatter ringing back and forth.
“Stupid woman has done stupid thing!”
“World will be upset.”
When am I not doing something to upset the world? Hoku sighed defeatedly. She laid limply against the cushions, trying to figure out what time it was. It couldn’t have been too late in the day. On of the earlier risers would’ve slipped up here to wake her up and tease her for falling asleep on watch. Just before dawn then.
Sightly calloused fingers pushed a chunk of her sweat slicked hair out of her face. Hoku’s brows creased, mouth twisting a bit.
“Ugh… I didn’t even hear you come in…” Zoro? It was a weirdly tender gesture—he normally would’ve let her fall off the cushions—but Sanji wouldn’t go this long without saying something sweet.
It didn’t smell like Zoro either. It smelled only like her blood and kiionohi. Hoku rubbed at her puffy eyelids, trying to ignore the throb in her head. Maybe he saw… “Just give me… a second…”
“C’mon Shooting Star, what’d I say about drinking alone?”
Hoku stilled.
The cool, crisp breeze of dawn blew in from the window. Hoku could feel its chill against her skin. The pain in her head was real. The dull ache of her body. The familiar sound of someone below on deck waking up—a sweet whistle telling her it was Sanji, making his way to the base of the crow’s nest.
Hoku was awake.
“You gonna ignore me? Don’t pretend to be asleep! I need your help figuring out what the heck happened… I think I was visiting… did we party so hard I blacked out?”
Hoku slowly opened her eyes, pulling her hands away from her face.
Her heart began to pound. Something frantic started up inside of her.
He sat on his haunches only inches away from her face. Messy, thick black hair tousled freely around the sharp cut of his jaw. His tanned skin rose and fell with each breath of his chest. His broad shoulders blocked part of her view before her.
Freckles dusted his face, a little constellation across his cheeks.
He turned from rubbing his chin in thought to bring his bright black gaze to her.
No. Hoku thought brokenly. I’m still asleep.
It was a moment where her dreams still clung to her just waking mind.
Because a moment like this couldn’t exist otherwise.
Hoku hesitated, her heart loud against her chest, threatening to crack under the pressure of her ribcage. She reached out then with both her hands, past the soft tickle of his hair and cupped the warm touch of his cheeks on either side. He blinked, looking curious as he leaned into her touch to one side, lips twisting up into that easy grin.
The realest dreams only hurt the most, Hoku realized.
Tears streaked down Hoku’s face. She gazed quietly at him, unable to speak. She held that face in her hands, his expression going blurry as her eyes filled with tears.
“Aw, come on, what’s this?” his laugh was a little breathless, gaze teasing as he rose from his crouch and hovered now a bit over her. Hoku followed him, unable to pull her hands away. She could feel the warmth radiating off his skin. “You cryin’? Always crying in your sleep—Luffy won’t ever let you live it down. You want to be the new crybaby?”
Even now she still couldn’t find the words to speak. Hoku could only shake her head. He looked a bit surprised at her subdued display, blinking once before he coughed into his free hand, using the other to brace himself over her and the bench.
“Alright, fine,” he said, sighing as though it were troublesome to him. Hoku almost laughed, her heart twisting with pain. It was the kind of thing he would’ve said back on Dawn Island, amidst the cover of trees while Luffy cried. “Move over.”
Hoku pressed her back flush against the bench. His brows creased, examining what little space still remained. He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting once to the side before skittering back to her—it was a guilty sort of tell of his. “Well, since the space is tight…”
Hoku didn’t even have the heart to bully him then or shove him to the floor. He grinned a little, a bit impish, the top of his ears dusting red—they would’ve caught like an ember by now, she thought absently— “It’ll make more sense, you know. I’ll lay down first and you can lay down on top—”
His fingers lightly brushed against her hip, as though to reach around Hoku and lift her up. His lids lowered as he gazed down at her. It was a gaze Hoku had never looked at properly. She tried to understand it now, since there was no too late in her dreams.
His fingers touched a bruise Hoku had gotten just the morning before from smacking into the corner of the table by Nami’s tangerines, earning a laugh from the navigator.
Hoku felt pain shoot up her spine like lightning.
She froze.
Pain.
That’s right… she felt… pain.
She’d been trying to ignore it, but not once had the throbbing in her head receded. The dull ache a distant thought in the back of her mind when sadness had been the forefront.
“Hoku Honey!” Sanji called sweetly. “Shall I get your breakfast ready?”
Hoku looked up at the man hovering above her, still grinning.
Cold washed over Hoku. It conflicted with the warmth of the body before her.
What?
Hoku’s throat went tight. Her mouth dry. Her pulse picked up in speed. The throbbing against the side of her head was almost murderous. She felt sick.
This isn’t right.
“C’mon,” he laughed, a bit coaxing. “Help me out—”
His touch seared against the bare skin of her back. The bruise throbbed.
Hoku’s palms shot out, shoving hard. His eyes widened, startled as he let out a squawk and fell back onto the floor. He looked up at her, affronted and a little betrayed, but Hoku wasn’t thinking about his expressions or his face—she was sitting up, scrambling onto her knees and bringing her shaking palms up to her face.
Dried blood lined the long cut along her palm.
Wait.
Hoku’s head started to spin. She felt sick. Ice cold water rushed down her spine, dousing over her head while her temple felt like someone was drilling a rusted nail into it. Her entire body was beginning to shake now, disbelief and fear and—
Hoku looked at him, eyes wide, frantic. His body. His face. His size.
He looked back at her, miffed betrayal becoming slow, curious confusion. Concern laced his features.
“Shooting Star?”
“Hoku Honey?” she heard Sanji call again. “Is there someone else up there? No, wait… there is? Hoku Honey—”
Hoku almost felt a whimper leave her lips. Confusion pounded against her head. Fear began to color her face. She shakily looked down at the bench and the floor, eyes darting from paper to scattered paper until she landed on one in particular.
An emptiness was left where she had pulled a drawing free.
No, this can’t be right.
(This isn’t possible.)
Paper. It had been paper—
(Paper made by your hair. Mixed with your blood. Your special blend.)
Hoku’s breaths began to come staggered, sharp and uneven. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her eyes filled with tears while her face twisted into one of insidious horror as she looked back down at the man before her.
(Something she had never thought was possible. Something she’d only thought in passing, when she’d been asked. A thought she was never supposed to entertain. A thought Hoku had never once had, because even she knew playing with such an idea was wrong. Wrong and forbidden. Wrong and—)
Hoku slowly looked back at her hands. She flexed her fingers, carefully until her nails bit into her palm. Blood dripped down the side of her hands. Pain pricked her mind.
She was awake.
This was real.
Oh, oh goddess. Oh, goddess, what have I done?
“Hey!” he looked shocked. “What are you doing—”
Hoku tore herself away from the bench, away from him. He looked at her with wide eyes, confused and a little hurt but Hoku didn’t care. She staggered back a few steps until her knees gave out on her and she collapsed, falling back onto her palms.
“Hoku?”
Ace reached a hesitant hand out for her.
Not a drawing, but flesh.
Hoku screamed.
-- --- --- ---
Hoku had done a lot of stupid things since she’d been brought into this world.
She was sure there would never be anything beyond this.
-- --- ---- ----
Portgas D. Ace was dead.
“Fire Fist” Ace had died on the battlefield in his beloved brother’s arms, with an eternal smile across his bloodied lips. A smile that belonged to a man who had died knowing he had lived a life where he was loved and was able to love in turn.
And Hoku had watched, bleeding blood that would stain the ice forever until it was melted away. And a part of her had died that day too.
Portgas D. Ace was dead.
He had been so for over two years now.
This was an indisputable, undeniable fact.
Hoku sat now in the far corner of the galley, unable to bring herself any closer as she held her throbbing head in her hands and glared across the room. Robin sat quietly beside her, a soothing hand splayed over her lower back, fingers occasionally rubbing soft circles, lightly against her side.
That thing sat at the table, looking only a bit miffed, widely curious, and perhaps rather excited.
I feel so stupid asking this question but why did ace not want hoku and makino to hang out when they were younger
you're not stupid at all anon! Ace is the stupid one, he just got jealous.
Before Ace fully warmed up to Makino, he was always a bit jealous whenever Luffy or Hoku would go running back to the village to say hello or visit. He was just a bit possessive about being one of the most important people in Luffy's life, by extension, this bled to Hoku too
So happy you’ve returned thank you for coming back 💜💜💜💜💜💜
So I had a thought with that AU dark!Sabo/Ace fic you have, how would Sabo/Ace react to Law being over at Hoku’s? Like Law’s hanging out or slept over and answers Hoku’s phone for her and Sabo/Ace basically have aneurysms 😂
Basically I’m in a Law era and seeing him with Hoku is always a treat 💜
(Locked Here for Forever AU - Hoku is still currently doing the work for Sabo and Ace)
Minor Warning: Depictions of Dark!Sabo, nothing too serious, just in case you don't want to see Sabs acting... dark ;)
Sabo's gloved knuckles rasped softly against Hoku's apartment door.
The faint sound of other tenants arriving home for the night filled the air. In the distance he could absently make out the sounds of a few cars passing the neighborhood street, the too-loud laugh of a few teenagers walking past.
Sabo took a polite step back from the front door, keeping one arm folded across his chest. A hefty, sleek paper bag hung from the crook of his elbow—carefully picked take-out orders, a thoughtful range of dishes that would be easy to eat while making conversation while still meeting Sabo's own preferences for someone's nutritional intake.
Quietly, with perfect clarity, he considered the image of Hoku in his mind. His eyes traced in place of hands the shape of her curves, the brightness of her skin, the slight press of her thighs against a seat.
"You should eat more," Ace had said, watching Hoku over the tabletop of their last meal. Sabo had remembered needing to touch his shoulder, a faint warning to check his gaze. "You look skinnier."
(Ace's gaze always tended to swallow too much. He was louder about his hunger.)
"You aren't having trouble getting meals, are you?" Sabo had asked, playfully scolding like a good friend. A thoughtful friend.
Hoku, as expected, had denied all claims. I can eat plenty, she'd said. Or I can just cook more—I just get distracted or it gets a bit late...
So Sabo had suggested, as any good friend would:
"Why don't we have more meals together? It's been so long since we all got together to eat."
Ace had grinned, as though the idea were completely novel, leaning forward eagerly across the table, "We used to do it all the time! We practically always had dinner together—damn, why'd we stop?"
Quietly, on cue, a faint trickle of thoughtful guilt made its way across Hoku's expression. Sabo pretended not to see it, brows creasing as he said, "You know how it is. It can't be helped when we all get busy and have things to do... it's just nice we can all reunite together now."
Relief flashed across Hoku's face at the solution to her unknown guilt. Sabo smiled, sweet and easy as he turned to her, "Right, Hoku?"
Hoku's eyes had brightened and Sabo felt his own smile widen, a soft upturn of his lips while he lightly rubbed his gloved thumb over the top of his other hand.
"No, of course! No time better than the present... we can do something as soon as you guys are free—even on days where we don't plan it, maybe just a spontaneous thing?"
Sabo had counted an appropriate pause in his mind, finally replying, "If we can get Ace to remember, I think it'll be perfect."
"Me? What about rounding up Luffy?"
Hoku had laughed, perfectly at ease, a fluttering, hopeful little bit of excitement in her gaze.
I know, Sabo thought, consoling, it's been too long, hasn't it?
(Too long.)
Sabo stood here now, the soft beginnings of evening darkening the sky behind him as he waited in front of Hoku's apartment—the fruit of their conversation, an impromptu drop off of food. An easy, casual set-up that would lead to an expected invitation.
(Progress.)
He remained dressed in clothes similar to his usual work attire, allowing his sleeves to crease slightly and his tie to loosen just so as to appear fresh off of work. He glanced once to the sleek gold watch on his wrist, considering the current time and then lifting his eyes back to Hoku's front door.
His timing should be just right, not too early that stray errands would've kept her away from home, not too late that a full meal didn't seem unappealing—though knowing Hoku, the second option was always less of a risk since her upbringing and own politeness would force her to eat, no matter how late if he'd come all this way, especially after work... just to bring her something.
Sabo smiled, fond—endearing.
(Classic Hoku.)
He knew if Ace was here this time for this one, he might've even come later, pressing for the expected chance that Hoku's hospitality would be their chance to quietly open the door, just a bit wider. It was more than obvious she'd offer them to stay the night, especially if either he or Ace played the part of being oh so tired just a bit harder, but Sabo had known for quite some time now that they'd waited long enough.
They could wait, just a bit more.
(Cover all their bases. The result will follow.)
A second bag hung from Sabo's elbow, the familiar plastic of a convenience store bag. Two canned beers sat comfortably inside, one advertising the sweet, fruity taste of lychee while the other remained a smooth, simple brand—Sabo's usual drink wasn't the kind found at the local convenience store, but this would do.
Hoku had never been one to handle her alcohol particularly well, which was why she tended to either not drink or stick to the one's lighter in taste and content. The flip side to this, however, was that Hoku had grown up close to people who enjoyed a good drink and could hold their alcohol very well—meaning she was more than happy to entertain a sip or two and have a drink for fun.
Sabo had come to realize as well, with a bit of quiet amusement, that Hoku always seemed willing to test if her alcohol tolerance had suddenly become better overnight. She was easy enough to convince.
He gave the door another knock, a steadier sound this time, not to be missed.
An older woman entered the apartment at the end of the hall. Sabo quietly watched her lightly hit the numbers across her keypad before stepping inside. His gaze turned now to Hoku's own keypad lock, still for a moment until Sabo's gloved fingers quietly slid the lock cover upwards.
Sabo's gaze was half-lidded in thought, a lazy, casual expression settled over his face. His dark eyes remained sharp beneath the long curl of his lashes, carefully looking over each number key until he quietly made out which numbers had become more worn from clear use.
He faintly traced the pattern of these numbers, a soft, unamused hum leaving his lips when he recognized the date. His gaze darkened a bit, lightly repeating the pattern as though to key in the code himself.
The sound of footsteps finally making their way down the hallway entrance reached Sabo's ears. His fingers gently slid the keypad cover closed, quietly with the softest click. He schooled his expression into one of quaint ease, a warm smile on his lips as he heard the lock twist and the locking mechanism churn.
Hoku's front door pulled open, stopping just short of yanking the rattled door chain still in place. Sabo took note of the secondary lock for only a split second before he paused, catching himself.
Sabo's mind worked with practiced quickness, a series of short observations.
A young man he did not recognize from Hoku and Luffy's immediate circle of friends stood in Hoku's place by her door. Opening her door. He couldn't have been much older than himself or Ace—his faintly youthful complexion betrayed only by the tired lines by his eyes and the sharp line of his jaw, coupled by a neatly trimmed goatee.
He was tall, hair pitch black and skin tanned. Sabo could easily make out a well-defined build from the width of open door held by the metal chain still in place. He was roguishly handsome in a way Sabo absently thought would give a few models in his agency a run for their money—he had a good brooding face, he was sure of it.
Corded muscles flexed along this man's bicep, his arm leaning against the entryway wall as he kept the door open, regarding Sabo with an expression that looked faintly vexed—the kind a person would wear when they were a bit annoyed they had to answer the door but not so impolite to be outright rude about it. Not enough to care, however, about their slight annoyance being known.
You're imposing.
Sabo's gaze stilled.
That was a very... comfortable expression to wear. It was not the kind of face a person who was only in someone else's home for the first time or for a brief moment would make. Not unless they had Luffy's audacity to make themselves at home.
This was a man who was familiar with Hoku's home.
So familiar in fact, that he felt comfortable enough to answer her door in her place.
Familiar and careful, Sabo thought in the back of his mind, because every time Hoku had opened the door for them her door chain had never been in place.
(Careful men were dangerous.)
He was also in Hoku’s home this late into the day—his bothered expression implying he’d already been here for some time. Hoku wasn’t the type to invite new people to her home this late, it took time for her to bring people into her workspace. Her home was a place he and Ace had to tread with care—it was why their apartment was easier.
(So you’re someone Hoku is comfortable with.)
But what bothered Sabo the most, and it really only bothered him so much, was that this stranger was someone Hoku deemed close enough to allow all those things—and he was someone neither Sabo nor Ace had known of.
Sabo allowed his face to become one of curious surprise. He looked at the unknown man with a practiced, startled smile.
“Oh, hello!” Sabo said. “Are you one of Hoku’s classmates? I didn’t realize she’d have someone over!”
The dark gray eyed man blinked slowly, brows furrowing in a manner that Sabo would almost find skeptical—hmm, he felt quite familiar inside Hoku’s home, didn’t he? He seemed to be considering Sabo’s greeting and inquiry, even judging if it was truthful. But Sabo’s words meant after all that he was familiar enough with Hoku to make such a statement.
“…no,” the man said slowly—his voice was low, a husky sort of natural timbre. Sabo lightly picked at the edge of his glove. “Who are you?”
Sabo allowed his startled smile to become a curious one, polite and wide as he extended his gloved hand to him. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m one of Luffy’s brothers—Hoku’s childhood friend?”
The unfamiliar man’s expression instantly cleared with recognition. Sabo continued to smile but filed this information away with a sharp twist of his lips. The man finally extended his hand through the open gap and clasped Sabo's firmly. Sabo's eyes didn't stray from his face, but he noticed the inked tattoos from the corner of his eye.
His grip was firm. It didn't linger but it did not shy.
“You’re… Sabo,” he said finally. “Sabo, aren’t you?”
Sabo smiled, feigning pleasant surprise, “That’s me! Has Hoku introduced us before?"
"No," the man said simply. He rubbed absently at his jaw for a moment, seeming to consider his phrasing before he answered, "She mentioned reconnecting with some childhood friends. Described you before... I remember you from a few photos now."
The warmth of Hoku's actions made it easy for Sabo's smile to become a touch sweeter, a bit friendlier, though he imagined none of such feelings were meant for this man.
"I'm Law," he finally introduced, "Trafalgar Law. Just a friend of Hoku's."
Sabo lightly pulled the edge of his glove. In his mind he carefully sorted through Hoku's gallery on her social media—a man like this would've easily caught his or Ace's attention. Hoku was not one to purposefully keep people an explicit secret, but she was one to not realize certain circles of her life had never crossed.
(She was also one, Sabo remembered, silent, to wait before making certain announcements.)
"This is—"
The memory of a sheepish laugh.
"He and I decided to give dating a—"
"I see! It's nice to meet you Law," Sabo said brightly. "Is Hoku home? She didn't mention going anywhere..."
Law half-glanced over his shoulder, back deeper into the apartment. "She's home. She didn't mention expecting anyone to stop by."
He said it casually, clear without any malice, simply just to inform Sabo of what he knew. It only bothered Sabo, really, that he was able to piece together a few more things about Law from this statement alone.
Law was here on a planned occasion. Most likely he was expected to be here for some time.
"No, that makes sense," Sabo said with a cheerful laugh. He motioned to the bags strewn over his arm and Law glanced briefly to it. "I was stopping by after to work because I figured she'd be home."
Law made a noise in the back of his throat that meant he understood. His gaze flickered back up to Sabo, "Just dropping this off?"
(Hah.)
Sabo smiled smoothly. "If it's a bad time? I was hoping to see her for a second."
Law seemed to consider his answer, briefly glancing once more over his shoulder back into the apartment. Sabo tilted his head softly to the side, a bit of blonde curling against his cheek.
Law's fingers deftly undid the top chain. He opened the door wide enough for Sabo to enter. "She should be out of the shower in a second."
Ah.
(Telling Ace to sit this one out really was a blessing in disguise.)
"Thank you!" Sabo smiled politely. Law slightly shook his head in a no need to thank me sort of manner.
Sabo carefully adjusted the bags over his elbow, taking a moment to himself before he casually stepped into Hoku's genkan. Law closed the door behind him, locking and bolting the door. Sabo made a point to slip off his shoes with practiced familiarity, opening Hoku's small shoe closet to place them inside instead of just leaving them in the entryway.
(He was not a new guest.)
He noticed the unfamiliar pair of dark loafers sitting beside her worn sneakers. Sabo lightly placed his own shoes between the two of them, softly closing the closet.
"I'll go set this down in the kitchen," Sabo said casually, only half turning over his shoulder. He saw Law nod, simply following behind Sabo as the two of them stepped into Hoku's living room.
Sabo kept his gaze forward, allowing his expression to settle into a simple, thin line as his eyes deftly glanced about Hoku's home. His feet carried him toward her kitchen without needed guidance.
The first thing he noticed was the television on—some kind of show for easy background noise based on the fact that neither of the two people currently in this apartment were sitting to watch. A blanket was tossed hazardously over one arm of the couch, discarded casually by Hoku, he pieced. Two mugs and a set of papers and folders were laid neatly across her table, standing out starkly compared to Hoku's scattered pages and texts—these most likely belonged to the man behind Sabo, though he couldn't make out their contents.
Sabo could hear water running down the hall as he stepped into Hoku's small, cozy little kitchen. Cozy was being kind, he supposed, but Hoku woud not allow him to think otherwise. He kept his mind focused on the task at hand. For the best, Sabo thought, since the sound of running water was only getting louder in the back of his mind, grating on his ears in this occasion where it should've been teasingly soft.
("She's in the shower.")
Law stepped into the kitchen behind him, drifting to the countertop while Sabo began to carefully set his bags down on Hoku's little dining table.
Sabo had already gauged Law was not the particularly talkative type. He smiled and said, "You mentioned you were a friend of Hoku's, but not a classmate? How did the two of you meet?"
"We met properly through a joint project at my work," Law said calmly. "Had a few mutual friends prior to it without realizing."
"I see," Sabo said. He began to pull containers from the bag. "You're an artist as well?"
Law scoffed, a light sound as he shook his head. Sabo's eyes slowly turned his way. "Doctor. She was commissioned to design a mural for the children's ward."
Sabo offered a small hum of interest, watching the broth in one container sway slightly from side to side. "So you're one of Straw Hat's brothers?"
"That's right," Sabo said, calmly adjusting a utensil set. He turned now and lightly leaned back against the dining table to face Law, lacing his gloved fingers together and letting them hang comfortably in front of him. Sabo smiled, a charming upturn of his lips. "Luffy, Ace, Hoku and I all grew up together. She lived with us for a long time as well."
"Must've been a loud house," Law said. Sabo continued to smile. "You seem more put together than either of them at least."
"Haha, we managed," Sabo said, "it was the kind of home Hoku loved. Easy to mind the noise."
Law glanced over from where he'd been lightly moving some stray items off Hoku's countertop. Sabo dully noticed the way Law seemed to know where to put each little item.
"She mentioned the two of you were back in town," Law leaned back against the counter. "What do you do for work? Random business like Straw Hat-ya?"
Sabo grinned easily. "Fortunately more stable than that. I work with a few brands and do some modeling."
"I see," Law said. "A model."
"Are you currently still in school?" Sabo said, though he could tell the answer already. "Residency?"
Law offered him one easy shake of his head. He considered Sabo for a brief moment, a simple look, before he said, "Attending."
"That's amazing," Sabo said, eyes widening. "You only look a few years older than me!"
"Worked hard," Law said with a slight shrug. "That's all."
Sabo nodded in understanding. He could feel Law giving him a curious once over. Sabo had already done the same, after all, taking in the rolled up sleeves of his black button down, undone by several buttons to reveal the top of his chest and casual black slacks. It seemed he'd just gotten off work.
Perhaps he'd be called back into the hospital soon enough.
"What hospital do you work at?" Sabo asked. "Somewhere local?"
Law nodded. "Heart Hospital."
Sabo paused for a moment, wondering briefly where he'd heard such a name before. He was familiar with that hospital, one of the biggest ones in the area. Reputable and good reviews... no, that's right. There was an article Luffy's father had mentioned to him once...
Sabo's expression became one of faux concern, brows creased, "Isn't that the one that was owned by that mobster? Doflamingo?"
For a split second, Law's jaw clenched briefly. Sabo kept his careful mask of concern, watching with lightly narrowed eyes as Law's own expression flickered before it settled. A mask of calm detachment.
"...his brother owned it," Law said clearly. "He'd left that part of the family business behind. He didn't know anything about medicine, but he helped fund the hospital and keep it afloat until it took off."
The most you've said all night. "Oh, I had no idea," Sabo said, eyes round with curiosity. "That must be a relief to know you don't have to worry about treating any criminals or having any troublemakers around, right?"
Law offered a short noise in the back of his throat as a response. One of his hands was drumming his fingers against the side of the countertop. Sabo unamusedly considered the ink etched into his knuckles with distaste.
"You know what," Sabo said now, voice lighter, "you must've been the one who treated Luffy's broken collarbone last year, aren't you?"
Law's expression instantly relaxed into the memory, lips twisting into a furious scowl. Sabo almost laughed. "Yes. Unfortunately."
"I couldn't imagine," Sabo said. "Thank you for that. Luffy's easy because you know he'll never go hungry, but you've got to watch out for what trouble he gets himself into. Hoku on the other hand..."
Sabo glanced to the take out on the table. "I'm always worrying about whether or not she's eating enough or taking care of herself. Especially since she lives alone."
Sabo shook his head. "We've been mentioning to her lately she should consider moving in with us like before. Especially considering in the past..."
Sabo purposefully stopped his explanation, giving Law and innocently hesitant look. "Has she told you about that?"
Law's expression was one of cool calm. He faced Sabo easily, "Once in passing."
"She just forgets to take care of herself," Sabo said softly. "Ace and I used to look after her all the time."
Law considered the take out and glanced halfway over his shoulder. Sabo's smile settled into a thin line. "I know what you mean."
Sabo slowly smiled. He smoothed his thumb over the top of his gloved hand.
"You sound like you know Luffy pretty well too," Sabo said casually, offering Law a grin. "One of the mutuals?"
"Didn't realize we both knew him until later," Law said. "Straw Hat-ya gets around. Realized the same about another friend."
"Who else? Would we know them?"
Law seemed to genuinely hesitate for a moment, not at all nervous, but silently contemplative. Sabo raised a curious brow until Law finally continued, "...Eustass-ya."
He gauged Sabo's reaction to the name, expression impassive. Sabo figured Law was considering the fact that if Sabo and Ace had been close enough to Hoku during high school, they should've been more than aware of Hoku's only long term relationship.
Sabo was very, very aware.
"Oh," Sabo said with oblivious curiosity. He even allowed himself to make a slightly concerned expression, "So you're... a friend of Hoku's ex?"
"...mutuals," Law said, slightly clipped.
Sabo had discovered where he could lightly tap the knife.
"I see," Sabo said, looking naively concerned. "That's nice! It's good that you two can still be friends despite that..." Law looked up at Sabo. His expression remained unbothered, but his jaw shifted slightly. "You know how it usually is for people. Easier to just cut it clean."
"...we became acquainted after the matter," Law said. "It's no problem."
There was a slight shortness, almost barely noticeable. Sabo tried to hide his slow, curling smile. "Of course! If anything, I'm happy to meet one of Hoku's friends. We try to make it a habit to be familiar with all of them."
Sabo smiled, tilting his head to the side. Law's gaze was cool, regarding Sabo with the slightest furrow of his brow. "She's one of our closest friends, after all. We've known her for so long..."
Sabo snapped his fingers as though he'd suddenly had a thought. Law leaned back against the counter, slowly sliding his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders leaned back somewhat, giving him a broader appearance. Sabo blinked slowly, languidly.
"You guys seem pretty close," Sabo said, simple and easy. "But I'm surprised Hoku's never mentioned you before."
Law shrugged. A light raise of his shoulder. His tone was lazy.
"It's been awhile since you've been in touch."
Sabo smiled, a slow curl of his lips.
The door to Hoku's bathroom swung open with a slight bang! A happy sigh of relief flooded the whole apartment, slightly damp feet slapping against wooded boards. "Done! Shower's all yours if you wanna wash—Sabo!"
Sabo's eyes turned in an instant to the sound of her voice. Hoku stood in the entryway of the kitchen, the faintest wisp of steam curling off her skin. He kept his gaze evenly on her face, expression warm, but he could make out easily the looseness of her shirt, falling in a way about her chest that made him want to offer Law a very persuasive ride home. She slipped pajama shorts on, loose and falling too short over the top of her thighs.
Law turned lazily to look at her entrance.
Sabo's fingers clenched briefly, loosening almost instantly.
Hoku's jaw dropped in surprise, eyes wide in shock for a moment. She quickly swung her gaze from Law to Sabo, looking blatantly confused.
Sabo smiled, his eyes crinkling this time at the corners. "Good evening Hoku... I was just stopping by to bring something over in case you hadn't eaten yet. Just got off work. Dr. Trafalgar was nice enough to let me in."
"Aw, thanks Sabs!" Hoku's eyes went round, quickly hurrying over into the kitchen. She playfully shoved Law aside and he scowled, keeping to the countertop while she stopped beside Sabo. "You didn't have to! Traffy and I actually already ate an early dinner today—but are you hungry? We can heat some of this up and I'll share with you."
Sabo's smile widened even further, gaze fond as he reached over and ruffled the top of Hoku's still damp hair. He watched a bead of water roll down her neck, the smell of her conditioner lingering in the air.
Sabo lightly pulled his fingers away.
"No worries. I already ate. I just wanted to make sure you were eating."
"I am, I am," Hoku said with a pout. She flashed Law a look. "See? You're rubbing off on people!"
"This is the first time we've ever met."
"That's right," Hoku look scandalized. "Have you two introduced yourselves yet? Sabo, this is—"
"We have," Law and Sabo said in unison. Sabo laughed lightly while Law remained silent. "But that's all Hoku, don't let me keep you."
"Aw, well if you're sure," Hoku said. Her brows creased and she frowned. "You can always hang around here for a bit if you wanted! Law's hanging out until his next shift so he's resting here."
"No, no, it's fine," Sabo said sweetly, already beginning to make his way back to the entrance. Hoku followed quick at his heels, coming right up to his side. Sabo's smile widened an inch and he gently set an arm around her shoulders. "Sorry for dropping in so suddenly."
"No need to apologize! I'm happy to see ya," Hoku said brightly. "Are you sure you don't want to stay? You and Law can chat a bit, share some crazy stories—I bet you'll both realize you have plenty about Lu."
Sabo glanced over the top of Hoku's head to where Law had drifted soundlessly to the edge of the kitchen, leaning against the hallway wall.
"I'm sure," Sabo said. "But I have a short meeting with Ace... he says you need to respond to his messages faster, by the way."
"That dumbass blows up my phone at the most random time, I swear—"
"And also, Hoku," Hoku turned at his tone, eyes round and attentive. Sabo's smile curled, his gaze half lowering, pleased. His gloved fingers gently helped guide her, the softest tap, turning her body a bit more toward him.
(Just like that. Good job.)
"We wanted to move the usual appointment up a few days... would that be fine with you?"
Hoku blinked, once with a furrowed brow before her expression cleared. For a brief moment a light flush touched her cheeks, only natural given the memory of her current job with them—but Hoku instantly waved it away with an air of professionalism. "Sure, that's fine with me! The usual?"
"Yes," Sabo said lowly. "I'll keep you updated on the time." He lifted his fingers from her shoulder, drawing her attention away briefly before Sabo gently tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear. Hoku looked up at the touch.
"Make sure you dry your hair," Sabo said. "You'll catch a cold."
"I will, I will," Hoku laughed, finally stopping by the genkan. Sabo easily reached into the shoe closet, taking out his pair while leaving a gaping spot between the unfamiliar loafers and Hoku's sneakers. "Text me when you get back home!"
"I will," Sabo echoed. Hoku grinned. "I'm sorry again for not staying longer, but I'll be seeing you soon."
"Right," Hoku said brightly. "Thanks again for the food, Sabs!"
"Of course," Sabo said. He looked again down the hall, smiling politely. "Good bye, Dr. Trafalgar. It was nice to meet you!"
"Likewise," Law said.
Sabo adjusted his coat as Hoku reached under him to open the door. He glanced briefly to the top of her head, watching the way the ends of her hair clung damply to the curve of her collarbone.
(A thin strand. The ends clinging to the imagined image of sweat slicked skin. Plastered messily.)
Sabo stepped through the doorway, giving Hoku a tight, one-armed hug before he stepped out into the hall. "Have a good night, you two. Doctor, hope to see you again."
Law nodded from the shadow of the hallway. Hoku grinned up at him, holding the door open as Sabo began to make his way to the elevator. "Bye, Sabs!"
Sabo waved over his shoulder, disappearing around the corner.
Hoku waited a second, staring at the empty space before she hummed happily to herself, stepping back into the apartment. Her fingers twisted the lock with ease, waiting for the familiar click click of the locking mechanism.
Hoku turned on her heel, eyes widening in surprise as she stumbled back a quick step. Law suddenly stood directly in front of her, the slight remains of his cologne still clinging to the air and his chest nearly pressing her flat to the door as he stood over her—"What the hell? Law?"
The cloth of his button down almost touched her lips from the proximity. Hoku tried to lower herself a bit so she could crane her neck up to look at her friend, eyes round with curiosity and surprise. "Traffy?"
Law's gaze was fixed for a moment on the doorframe. His expression was somewhat unreadable, his brows a bit furrowed. They always seemed furrowed in Hoku's opinion, part of his perpetual stress, but there was a strangely... thoughtful? look on his face this time. Law didn't seem to hear her startled inquiry, one of his hands resting above her against the door, as though to keep it pushed closed.
Without a word, Law's long fingers carefully slid her lock chain back in place. His gaze seemed to narrow a bit, staring intently at the door—
Hoku's knuckles knocked against his chest. Law's expression finally cleared and he glanced down, leaning his forearm against the door as he hovered over Hoku.
Law gazed down at her for a second longer. Hoku's brows started to furrow.
"...Always lock your doors," Law said flatly, he briefly knocked Hoku's head back, ignoring her hiss of pain as he promptly moved her in front of him, forcing her back down the hallway. "I'm tired."
"Tired! We still have a whole season to get through—I think Sabo left a few drinks! Let's have some and finish up."
Hoku practically skipped down the hall, once more unbothered. Law took a few steps after her.
He paused briefly in the entryway, stilling for a second longer before Law finally turned back to the front door.
His eyes lingered on the lock for only a breath longer before he turned, making his way back to Hoku's couch.
Iif you drink that you're going to knock out."
"No way! Look at it, I think the percentage is super low. It's probably basically soda."
.... ..... ..... .... .....
Sabo silently slipped into his car.
He went through the familiar motions, locking the doors and pressing the button for the engine to start. Sabo leaned back against his seat, still tracing the fading warmth over the top of his hand.
His phone began to vibrate. Sabo lightly tapped the button to answer, placing his brother on speaker. “Ace.”
“How was it?” Ace questioned, a hint of a sulk to his tone. “Tell me eve—“
“There’s someone we need to look into,” Sabo said without missing a beat. Ace fell silent on the other end and Sabo leaned forward against his arm crossed over his steering wheel. He looked up from his windshield toward Hoku’s floor in the apartment complex.
“See if you can get a head start. His name’s Trafalgar Law.”
... .... .... .... ....
Law slowly opened his eyes to the almost comforting drone of the television.
Hoku's living room was dark, save for the soft glow of the television screen in front of them. A cooking competition rerun with one of Hoku's friends—the blonde cook, as the guest star currently flirting with one of the female judges. Law eyed the screen for a second before he slowly sat up from his sunken position on the couch, raising himself up by his elbows.
Her apartment was silent save for her friend's professions of love. Law rubbed the back of his neck, working out a kink before he looked over to the heavy weight plastered over his leg.
Hoku was completely knocked out. She slept like the dead, chest rising and falling and hair spilled out messily around them. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Law's thigh and refusing to let go as she occasionally mumbled something against it.
Law ran a hand through his hair, slicking it back as he shut his eyes and took a second to gather his bearings. He reached over Hoku, fishing for his phone and pager. Everything seemed clear, as he expected till at least noon when his next shift would start—Law raised a brow at one message from Shachi saying to disregard a memo to his pager asking him to come in maybe an hour ago.
"Mistake from front desk. Said they had a call of someone requesting you but nothing serious."
Law's brows furrowed slightly, sliding the message open and checking his pager as well. Sure enough, a message had been sent and then a quick follow up.
His hand absently settled over the top of Hoku's head. Law's long fingers half-carded through her hair as he skimmed through the notifications on his phone, half-debating if he needed to call Shachi.
Law paused, glancing down at Hoku. His brows furrowed deeper, gaze becoming focused as he moved his hand from her hair to press the back of his hand to Hoku's forehead.
Warm. She's totally flushed. Law set his phone down, nudging Hoku by her shoulder. "Hoku-ya. Hoku-ya, wake up."
"Mmmm," Hoku slurred. "'m... not yet... you feel... cool..."
The sickly sweet hang of alcohol finally reached Law's nose. He blinked slowly in faint surprise, scanning Hoku's coffee table for where she might've grabbed an extra drink when he didn't realize—they'd both just been nursing small cans of whatever until they'd knocked out on the couch—
Law paused. His eyes focused on Hoku's drink sitting at the corner of the table. He gazed at it for a second longer before Law finally turned his focus back to Hoku.
"Hoku-ya."
Hoku's eyes finally fluttered open. She moved sluggishly, expression dazed and cheeks flushed in the darkness. Law's gaze narrowed at the sight and she mumbled, shaking her head awake as Hoku slowly unwound herself from his calf, sitting up between his legs.
"Ugh," Hoku mumbled. She shook her head and them seemed to instantly regret the action. "Man... I'm... beat... 's it... time for you... go?"
Law shook his head. Hoku began to lean against the couch now, eyes heavy with sleep. He carefully considered how hard it was for her to stay awake, deeply buzzed without being properly drunk.
"'orry," Hoku yawned, shaking her head against the couch. "So... tired..."
Without another word, Law rose from the couch. Hoku mumbled something, nuzzling into the side of the cushion until Law silently slipped his arms underneath her. Hoku's eyes fluttered openly briefly, rolling up to look at Law as he lifted her up before she shut them once more, not even making a fuss as she turned to rest her head against his chest instead.
Law manuvered his way to Hoku's room, nudging the door open with his foot and quietly stepping over her scattered projects. He lowered Hoku into her bed, checking the flush of her skin before he briskly made his way out back into the livingroom.
He stopped briefly before the kitchen, grabbing the two cans off Hoku's table and flicking the light switch on. Law approached the sink, dumping out first the last of the beer from his can before he finally focused on Hoku's.
Law held the can up to the light, carefully turning the label around.
"It's sweet and fizzy," Hoku had said. "Pretty light in taste. Like a soda. These aren't so bad. Percentage seems low."
It wasn't clear on first glance. Law turned away from the label now and meticulously checked each line of the nutritional box until he found what he was looking for. He scoffed in disbelief, rolling the can once between his fingers as the bit of remaining liquid sloshed about.
The percentage of alcohol in this was one of the highest he'd ever seen in a can.
He heard Hoku's laugh. "Sabo has good taste!"
Law stared at it for a moment longer before he promptly dumped the rest of the contents into the sink, trashing the cans into Hoku's recycling bin.
He pulled a bottle of water from her fridge, quietly making his way back to Hoku's room.
Law considered her sorry state for a moment, curled into a tight little ball over the top of her sheets while she wrapped her arms tightly around one of her pillows. Hoku's cheeks were flushed a bright red, her breathing slowed. Law set the bottle on her nightstand and took a seat on the edge of her bed, working her comforter out from under her.
Hoku's eyes fluttered open once more at the disturbance, turning lazily toward Law. Hoku freed an arm from her pillow, reaching over to grip the edge of Law's shirt.
"...'ay here?"
Law glanced down at Hoku. She gazed sleepily back up at him, brows creased imploringly. He remained silent for a few beats before Law wordlessly motioned with his hand. Hoku seemed lucid enough to understand, grinning cheekily as she shuffled over so Law had room. He turned, laying himself in the freed space of her mattress as Hoku's entire face seemed to relax now, holding her pillow loosely.
Law laid sideways, pulling the comforter up over Hoku while he laid on top of them. Hoku's soft scent covered the lingering whisper of alcohol, wrapping lightly around Law. He stared silently at Hoku's face, her expression slowly growing more and more relaxed, breaths slow and easy.
A thought remained in the back of his head. He considered the conversation he'd had with Hoku just an hour or so ago before they'd fallen asleep on the couch.
"Hoku-ya."
She'd looked up at him from the top of her can.
"Has that guy always been like that?"
A wide grin, brows a bit furrowed.
"Sabo? Like what?"
She'd laughed.
'If you mean always that put together, yeah, hahaha. Between the four of us, he was always good at—"
Law had dropped the conversation there, instead letting Hoku tell him a few stories about their childhood and high school days. He listened for small pieces in Hoku's stories, a faint clue to give weight to a careless thought.
Perhaps it was because Law himself wasn't quite sure what name to put to what he'd considered he'd seen.
(His gaze meeting his own over the top of her head.)
Gloved fingers splaying widely across the back of Hoku's shoulder, featherlight she probably didn't even feel the touch.
(The way that hand had covered so much.)
The way he'd look at Hoku, just for a second—
(Possessive.)
-sorry it mightve ended up a bit more sabo-centric than law, i'll do more law TT
that bit of manu being the helicopter parent is so funny when you consider their lineage to the popoki goddess. if a feline cub is near u, the parent is definitely nearby watching u 😂 what i would give to see an au of manu and mahina living and manu is not so lowkey watching asl when the 4 become friends like a wild cat hiding behind the bushes, he did not let up the 🤨 expression even when hoku gotten older and there are more men than he like for them to be around hoku
Mahina stopped just short of bringing her hammer down onto the slab of metal sitting over her workbench.
A loud rustle from the front of the house caught her attention. The older woman blinked, tilting her head curiously as she set the metal aside and kept the hammer in her grip, twirling it around her fingers out of habit.
Her long white braid swung easily against her back. An ocean breeze tickled the ends, bringing Mahina's gaze outwards to the coast. Her workshop sat right beside their little house on the cliffside hill, looking right out to the ocean before them.
A short, familiar curse reached her ears and she grinned now, slinging the hammer lightly over her shoulder. "You moving the furniture again?"
Manu frowned. He'd been letting his hair grow out a bit this time, silken ends tied off just at the base of his neck with an old ribbon—one of Hoku's, she realized fondly. Their usual patio furniture sat in a cultish huddle around him, rocking chairs gazing back as Manu crossed his arms over his chest.
"Do you think they looked better where they used to be or how I had them yesterday?"
Mahina tipped her head to the side.
"How did they look yesterday again?"
Manu sighed, shaking his head. Mahina grinned cheekily, almost skipping over to her dearest friend as she came up to the steps of their home. "Are you going through your mid-life crisis now? Hoku won't mind them either way, you know."
Manu scowled, looking at her like a cat caught getting wet. Mahina laughed, coming over to help him move the chairs back into place as she set the hammer down. "What made you think she'd care if you moved them?"
"At first I wanted to move them to do something different," Manu explained slowly, evenly as he carefully polished off each chair and Mahina idly checked the wood for stray splinters. Not a single one to be found, of course, because the two of them were damn good at what they did. "But then I woke up last night—remember when I went down and started painting?"
"Of course I do, you almost gave me a heart attack."
"You? Right, Hina," Mahina laughed and Manu continued, "But then I woke up and realized, what if she's expecting everything to look the same way it did when she left? What if seeing it different will make her sad? Shouldn't I just leave it the way it was then?"
"But it's still the same chair," Mahina said, taking a seat in one of the rockers once it'd been moved. Manu immediately took up a seat beside her. "I don't think she'd mind how you moved it."
"You think?"
"Mmm, she's a funny one, that girl. I don't think she'd mind much at all unless you did something more drastic... like changing the paint or putting it on the roof?"
"Hina, why on earth would I ever—"
The sound of a car engine slowing to stop brought the two of them to a halt. Mahina and Manu froze, blinking in confusion at each other as they immediately shot their feet, rushing over to the pathway leading down their hill.
A car they did not recognize sat at the base of the hill, parked along the grassy edge. Mahina frowned in curiosity while Manu looked thoughtful, glancing to his watch. "Hoku's supposed to get picked up from the airport tomorrow—"
Both of them stopped as a familiar face appeared at the base of the hill, kicking the door to their rental car open. Manu caught a brief glimpse of a smooth hand reaching for her, as though in concern, but she was barreling out of the car before they could touch.
It was a face Mahina and Manu would know, in their dreams, every waking moment, and up to their last breath.
A happiness Manu had once never known and now could not fathom otherwise flooded his chest. Mahina's eyes sparkled, bright with mirth and love and the two of them began making their way down the hill as their daughter rushed to meet them.
"Mama! Papa!"
"Maka!"
Hoku's arms wrapped around her parents. Manu and Mahina embraced her in an instant, completing their circle of three. Snow white hair mingled with each other, a sense of perfect peace settling for a moment in unison as Manu shut his eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of their daughter, carding his fingers through her hair. Mahina's hand moved over her back, down the side of her arm—their daughter, theirs.
(Their beautiful baby girl.)
"Maka, it's been too long," Mahina murmured sweetly, eyes full of warmth as she pulled back, only an arm's length away to get a full view of their daughter. "You look good."
"You could afford to eat a bit more," Manu said, briefly pinching Hoku's arm to test for her weight. Hoku laughed, rocking back on her heels and almost taking her parents with her. "You're early! Why did you come without telling us? I would've gotten everything ready and—"
"He's had everything ready for weeks," Mahina said. Manu gaped at her. "He's still getting more ready. I haven't seen the fridge this full since—"
"I haven't heard you complain about it since you've been snacking plenty on the—"
"I wanted to surprise you guys!" Hoku said happily, positively glowing at her parents. Manu and Mahina quieted, hands still rubbing up and down their daughter, mapping the shape of her, how she looked now, her face full of life, content.
(Happy.)
"I always had the flight booked a day early, just wanted to make it a fun trip," Hoku said. She turned over her shoulder, grinning down at the base of the hill. "And well... maybe introduce you to a few new faces?"
Mahina raised a curious brow, slipping her arm through Hoku's as they made their way down the hill. Manu looked skeptical, walking right at their side and absently nudging Hoku away from any dips and rocks.
"HEEEEEYYYY MAMA HOKU!! PAPA HOKU!!!"
Mahina looked amused while Manu snorted in disbelief. Luffy appeared around the other side of the car, almost leaping into the air as he jumped up and down to wave to them. "LONG TIME NO SEE!"
"That boy isn't a new face," Manu said, watching Luffy run around to the trunk now. "I didn't know he was coming. I would've doubled the fridge—"
Mahina noticed the two men stepping out of the car before Manu, her raised brow raising even higher as an amused whistle sat on her lips. She turned now to where Manu had frozen stiff, staring in cold, incredulous silence at the two men standing at the base of their hill.
Two dashing young men stood beside the rental car, watching the three make their way down the hill. Mahina realized who they were in an instant, as she was sure Manu did as well, despite his cool silence. She could hear the judgement in his gaze as he skimmed the more tan one up and down, from his sandaled feet and board shorts to his open chest and unbuttoned shirt. Mahina like the wild way the wind tousled his black hair—this one was Ace.
The more respectable blonde man was Sabo, she realized. He stood instead of leaning against the car like his brother, hands clasped politely in front of him, a small smile already on his lips, but Mahina noticed his eyes never left her daughter, watching and tracking her steps down the hill with practiced ease. A sort of softness.
"I wanted to introduce the two of you!" Hoku said as they drew nearer to the car. "I know I always talk about Ace and Sabs, but you've only ever known them in photos and stuff... so when they mentioned they were able to get some time off work..."
"I think the photos are fine enough," Manu said simply. Hoku laughed and Mahina grinned. Her daughter was sharp, but she wasn't Mahina's sharpest creation in certain aspects, that much she was sure.
"I know it's sudden, and they don't want to bother," Hoku said. "But they've always wanted to meet you guys, they almost beg me to be honest. I thought, eh, might as well, right?"
"They seem fun," Mahina managed.
"That one doesn't know how to button his shirt," Manu said.
Hoku grinned, tugging her parents down the rest of the way. Up close Mahina could see clearly just how handsome these two young men were—fit, chiseled, matching better than the strange, blurred photos her daughter would send from time to time. They both straightened in unison at the sight of Manu and Mahina, rushing forward with outstretched hands.
"Mama, Papa, this is Ace and Sabo!" Hoku introduced proudly, nose somewhat thrusted in the air with a bright grin. "Ace, Sabo—my parents!"
"Hoku's mom and dad it's nice—"
"Miss Mahina, Mister Manu—"
Ace and Sabo stopped, looking at each other with round eyes. Sabo's expression instantly schooled into a cooler one, motioning quickly with his eyes while Ace gaped until his brother blinked, nodding.
"Miss Mahina! Mister Manu!" Ace and Sabo said in unison this time, beaming politely and widely at the two of them. "It's a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you!"
Mahina decided slyly to follow in Manu's steps, glancing sideways as her friend's face became one of quiet politeness—she knew this expression of his like the back of her hand, a frigid sort of coolness beneath its quiet.
"...It's good to meet the both of you as well," Manu said simply. Hoku positively beamed between her mother and father. Ace and Sabo continued to smile, a crooked grin and a polite upturn of lips respectively. Mahina took that as her cue and shook their hands first, both their gazes flying to her.
Mahina watched Ace do a double take, a soft redness coloring the tips of his ears at the sight of her. He bowed especially deep when she took his hand, "Mama—Miss Mahina, thank you for leaving Hoku in our care."
"Well, she's always got some fun stories to tell thanks to you lot," Mahina said slowly, a bit of a tease to her tone. She turned to Sabo next, considering this upstanding looking young man and wondering what little thoughts he kept hidden behind those quiet eyes. "Thank you for looking after our daughter."
"Hoku's very dear to us," Sabo said sincerely. Hoku made a face, looking at him. Dramatic, Mahina heard her think without saying. "She's always speaking so much about the both of you, it's a pleasure to finally—"
"What were your names again?"
Ace and Sabo blinked, looking back at Manu. Hoku didn't even seem the slightest bit bothered, swaying happily on her feet until she noticed Luffy by the trunk. Hoku quickly scampered off, shouting something about not eating the gifts.
"A-Ace," Ace said quickly, offering his hand. Manu considered it for a second longer than most and shook it silently. "Ace, uh, Mister Manu."
"I'm Sabo," Sabo repeated as well, extending his hand. Manu considered it just as long before shaking it briefly. "Thank you again for—"
"That's... polite of you to drop Hoku off," Manu said. He pulled his hand away, facing both Ace and Sabo. "What time is your flight home?"
Ace looked dumbfounded, blinking repeatedly. Sabo looked a bit perplexed, blinking at a slower pace at Manu as his lips parted to respond. Mahina withheld her grin, offering instead and politely curious expression.
Maybe she was being a bit mean, but she didn't get to see Manu like this often—it'd be too fun to tease him later.
"Uh, well," Ace started. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his brow. "Tuesday... when Hoku leaves..."
"I see, quite some time then," Manu said smoothly. "Where will you two be staying? Somewhere close? We're quite a ways away from the nearest hotel where most have to stay."
"Oh, well," Sabo began gracefully, an easy, polite smile settled over his lips. Mahina understood the situation instantly and had to give it to the young man for recovering as quick as he did. "Yes, we were planning on booking over by—"
Ace looked confused, snapping his head to Sabo. "But we're supposed to be—"
Sabo's heel smacked into Ace's shin, a quick, efficient kick. Mahina did her best not to laugh when his eyes bulged. "Excuse me, we're booking by—"
"I told them they could stay with us!" Hoku called over, appearing over the popped lid of the trunk, her arms wrapped around one of the suitcases while Luffy hauled a box over the top of his head. "There's the spare bedroom in mama's workshop if that's okay?"
Manu quietly tipped his head to the side, considering the new development in silence. Ace shifted unsteadily on his feet, looking quite a bit out of his element while Mahina simply allowed her lips to curl into a grin, lightly touching Manu's elbow. He glanced to her, meeting her gaze for a moment before he looked back at the two men.
"Yes," Manu said, clipped. "I think that'll be fine. Luffy can stay in the guest room in the house."
"Thanks Papa Hoku!" Luffy shouted, racing past them and up the hill toward the house with the box over his head.
"Thank you so much for your generosity," Sabo said quickly, smiling brightly at Manu. His expression remained unchanging and Sabo continued, "We don't mean to impose, we'll make sure we handle everything on our side and—"
"That's fine," Manu said.
Sabo's words fell to a quiet, polite silence. He continued to smile, a bit strained at the corners as he lightly adjusted the cuff of his sleeves.
"Oh, maka!" Mahina called, deciding to throw the two a bone. "Wait, let us help you with that."
Ace and Sabo turned on their heels in an instant. Mahina almost choked on a snort. Hoku looked up from where she was wrestling with one of the suitcases to get the handle up. "It's alright! We brought a ton of souvenirs over! It'll be a few trips."
"Aw, come on, let me get that for ya," Ace said, stepping over to the trunk. Hoku made a face and Mahina watched an easy grin slide across his face, expression suddenly far more confident than it'd been second ago, teasing. "You'll take the entire trip to get it up the hill if we let you."
"You're exaggerating that isn't gonna—"
"You almost broke your nose pulling it off the carousel," Sabo added, easily lifting one of the suitcases up with one hand while Ace grabbed the other. Mahina watched this interaction with curious eyes. Sabo's hand dropped and lightly touched Hoku's lower back, guiding her with practiced fingers to the side of the car. "Could you grab—"
"I can get this for her."
Mahina pressed her fingertips to her lips, hiding her expression. Sabo and Ace looked startled, blinking like deer in headlights as Manu easily took Hoku's bags from the two of them, one in either hand—and promptly began to make his way up the hill to the house. "It's my daughter's things after all."
Ace opened his mouth, closing it abruptly. Sabo looked momentarily stunned, staring after Manu—
"Thanks, Papa!" Hoku said sweetly, running around the side of the car and almost tripping over the lip of the hill. Ace and Sabo's arms shot out, a practiced move to Mahina's gaze, but Hoku easily rightened herself, almost skipping over to Manu's side.
Mahina watched with fond eyes as they shared the weight of the larger suitcase together, Manu turning to Hoku with affection in his gaze.
She glanced back to the two young men looking lost at the base of the hill.
"Don't worry," Mahina offered, almost sang as she took another suitcase from the two of them. Ace and Sabo watched her almost robotically as she hefted it over her shoulder with ease. "I think you two did just fine."
the entirety of this trip is Ace and Sabo trying to win Manu and Mahina over, only to find themselves at the constant mercy of Manu's scrutiny
Manu's never too mean to them, but he sure does make them sweat
Sabo's a bit hurt because he can normally charm most parents and Hoku's won't even give him an inch
Ace starts to think that maybe he did do something wrong, he tries not to show it but starts to freak at the thought of Hoku's parents actually hating him—what the hell is he supposed to do if that happens?
He starts to limit physical contact with Hoku—which is nowhere near normal for him, Ace holds back bear hugs and noogies and chokeholds because he grabbed Hoku, swinging her up and Manu had looked at him as though he'd just thrown up all over his hand-embroidered rug
Even Sabo gets caught, an arm around Hoku's waist when he helps her down the steps to the beach—he respectfully keeps it hovered over Hoku's lower back instead when Manu stares him down from the top of the hill
Manu and Mahina treat Luffy normally, and Luffy does the same to them—they've become acquainted with Luffy and like him quite fine, after all
Hoku's just happy to have a good time with everyone
It's Luffy who gets Manu to act just a liiiiitttttlllleeee bit nicer when he notices Manu and Mahina standing by the hill, watching and talking about Hoku and he says:
"Shishishi, Ace and Sabo can handle it, they're tough!" Luffy promptly spit out a mouthful of watermelon seeds. Manu and Mahina watched them scatter to the ground. "Besides, they know Hoku loves it."
"Loves it?" Manu repeated.
"Sure," Luffy said, unbothered. "You guys havin' a say. I dunno. She's probably just happy she gets to grow up with ya this time."
Manu and Mahina look at each other, expressions soft and full of love for their daughter as Luffy walks off, sandals slapping in the sand. It takes them a moment before Manu suddenly looks a bit confused, glancing to Luffy's swaying straw hat in the wind.
"Did he say this time? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Who knows," Mahina says, looking curious, maybe a bit mystified. "He's always been a curious one, hasn't he?"
Luffy eats the entire watermelon rind in front of them and Hoku's parents decide to just have fun the rest of the weekend
-i decided to do a modern au for this one because an au where mahina and manu live in the memos storyline... :'( they'd probably want to hear all the news possible about their daughter, so an interaction of them scrutinizing all the boys would probably go something like them sitting around the table talking about their wanted posters and making judgements based on that
Hey there, I hope I dont annoyed you with this ask 😅 but in chapter 6 of MEMOS did Hoku saw luffy’s bounty on the newspaper or was it hers? Considering that right after that scene you showed the marine printing petty criminals bounty
If I'm remembering the scene right myself, both were present! It's when Luffy and Zoro see their bounties but Hoku finds out that the marines actually print out wanted posters of "petty criminals" which was the category she had fallen under at the time.
and the ask isn't an annoyance at all, if anything, i hope you're not annoyed it took me five million business years to answer 😭
Heyy I just wanted to send in a picrew of Hoku since I can’t draw for shit. I was messing around on picrew, found this and was like “omg it’s her!” Sorry if this isn’t the right way to send it to you! Included the source link below.
IM SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET TO THIS ASK BUT THIS RENDITION OF HOKU YOU MANAGED ON PICREW???!
IT LOOKS SO GOOD, PRIME HOKU ENERGY 😭 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS WITH US
i love that this expression can encompass a few different Hokus
"You wanna bet on that?"
"Nami just gave me the OK to kick your ass."
"I just found a new way to die, don't rat me out and I'll reward you."
I was wondering, Hoku already met Law and Kid. But she hasn't met them in "Memoirs of a suicidal pirate" but when you write her on tumblr she has met them, I don't mean to sound rude but I'm confused am I reading wrong?
Hahaha, you're not reading wrong! A lot of the snippets are just what-ifs/AUs that I do for fun with the two of them, kinda also helps me practice their dynamic more
For Kid tho, Hoku has met in Memos :) Law technically I guess, just as kids and for a brief moment
Ahhhh I’m so happy you’re back with all the memos tidbits!!! That little snippet of kid and his crew and the latest where he was literally thinking of throwing her into a crate and stealing her onto his ship really really realllyy makes me wonder what would happen is Hoku actually did join his crew (aka hokunapped) hahah. Been in love with their dynamic since the chapter they met hehe
Hoku would be an absolute menace on Kid's crew
His crew would actually begin to question whether or not it was a good decision to let their captain force her onto their ship
Would claim she's only working temp on his ship because she had strangely rationalized that this was a good way to get Luffy to give up on her/she could just ditch this crew whenever and go die peacefully in a hut somewhere after following the news of the Straw Hat's journey
Is constantly questioning/not listening to his authority, she never takes it to the point of being blatantly mean, but just kinda ignores his orders/does whatever she wants
Hoku makes sure to get work done for the crew to earn her keep, helping out with ship chores, figuring out who's the cleanliest and making sure things don't look too gross with all these grease monkeys hanging around (she's not that neat either)
pops up in strange places around the ship, gets along with random crew members, even offers to help ink tattoos for them from time to time once she really warms up to them
she's become a bit fond of these weird, punk rock pirates
is always fighting with Kid, it's either two-sided shouting matches or one-sided curses and shouts from Kid while she picks at her ear and ignores him
unironically ends up causing him to be both a more destructive and less destructive pirate, he causes less human bodily harm but ends up destroying more houses or towns from his fights with Hoku (she always tries to rebuild homes for anyone)
it's a running joke to see how long they can go at sea before Kid gets angry at her, he seems to get livid at the very sight of her just lounging on her back on top of some barrels, but his crew reminds him its his fault for wanting her
Hoku likes messing with Kid but she actually starts to warm up, very, very little to him. She kind of finds him more amusing than anything else, fun to mess with, likes that he's so bullheadedly passionate about his dreams but just hates how angry he always is
"I think he just needs to get laid," Hoku finally joked once to Killer, causing the first mate to pause completely in the middle of his meal. There's a few things Killer could say to that, but he decides it's wiser not to get involved with anything in that regard
Killer just isn't sure how to tell her that sometimes Kid's "anger" isn't quite "anger"...
Hoku and Kid spar often, mostly because it's a fight turned physical but Kid genuinely thrives when it comes to fighting with Hoku
one sparring match in particular ends up a bit...
"You're always runnin' around like a rat," Kid accused, kicking up a storm of sand as he lunged for Hoku. She leapt out of his reach, dodging his metal extended claws. "Afraid of getting caught, doll?"
"You're always grabbing," Hoku snapped back. She lowered herself briefly to the sand, swinging her foot out and catching Kid in his side. He grabbed quickly for her ankle, but Hoku swung her foot up and sprung back on her hands, just out of his grasp. "Always tryin' to hug me."
"Shut it!" Kid snarled. The shore line lapped right at their side, encroaching closer onto the sandy slope. A salty breeze tousled Hoku's hair out of her face, baring her completely to him. "One of these days you're gonna be cryin' because of this."
Hoku laughed, a loose, breezy sound that grated against his ears. Kid felt his pulse thundering louder in his ears. Hoku leapt nimbly closer, he knew this tactic well by now, her way of getting ready to try to finish him off. Her fingers reached for her sword. "Whatever you say, brat—"
Kid moved differently this time, lunging forward, arms raised. Hoku balked for a second in surprise, eyes wide at his frontal assault. Kid still had hulk and mass over her, the entirety of him slamming her down into the ground with a ghost of her breath rushing past his ear.
Hoku reacted quickly, scrambling with him in the sand as grains flew across the both of them. Kid wrestled with her, trying to force either both her wrists into one of his or pin her legs down—whichever he could manage first—a knee slammed into his ribcage, a foot managed to extend and catch the side of his head—damn she's flexible.
Hoku's hand grabbed at his hair, pulling roughly. Kid snarled, blood pumping at the sensation while Hoku glared fiercely beneath him. Something thrummed, a little louder in his ears, and before Kid could force her down Hoku was suddenly heaving with all her might—legs locked tightly around his waist. Kid felt himself go sideways before he could fight back, forced with a rough palm down onto his back and facing upwards as Hoku straddled him.
Her hair fanned out wildly around her face. Sweat dripped a bit from her chin from their brief and rough struggle. Hoku glared down at him, daring him to fight back. Her lips pulled into a little bit of a snarl, the faint glint of that sharp canine catching light. Kid's hand shot up automatically, gripping her waist, the other grasping her thigh—his entire hand could almost cover the expanse of her thigh, he realized suddenly, like a screw clattering to the ground in the back of his head. He could feel the heat of her skin through her rough pants, the taut muscle and still slightly plush flesh at his fingertips, dents pressing under his grip.
Her hip fit even easier into his hand, one firm grip. His eyes flickered up briefly to her face, still twisted into a daring look of triumph above him—the faint heave of her chest, the rise and fall, rise and fall—
A drop of sweat rolled down the column of her neck. Kid felt something heavy pull into his gut.
God, he should kill this woman.
More screws clattered to the ground in his mind, a ruckus of noise, each one a shattering image of Hoku laughing annoyingly amidst his crew, shoving Wire as she almost fell over her barrel. An image of her snoozing uselessly in the sun, glowing from its warmth, sprawled out with ease across the deck. Her hair catching the first rays of light as she peeked over the crow's nest from the watch the night before. Her eyes meeting his across a bar, crinkled at the corners in teasing annoyance—
He needed to wreck this woman.
Her fingers wrapped around her brush. The slow or quick turn of her hand across paper. The colors that spilled out beneath her fingertips. Her happy, grudging huffs of awe at his work. The soft, audible sound of her in his private workshop, gaze lowered to whatever project laid before her.
He needed to—
Her eyes, flickering to meet his gaze, reflecting his visage entirely.
Hoku suddenly went ramrod straight above Kid. She paused, her once firm grip of his chest and head faltering. Kid blinked, annoyed to have been dragged from his thoughts as he looked back up at Hoku—
Kid blinked, once, twice, going almost slack in disbelief at the sight before him.
Hoku's cheeks had flushed, a dark, flustered red. She looked stunned, stupified almost as though she was trying to comprehend and register the situation at hand herself. Kid watched, almost mesmerized by the way that blush seemed to creep from the back of her neck as well—did her whole body flush like that? How far did it go?
Why the hell was she blushing in the first place—
(Something hard pressed flush against the inside of Hoku's thigh, a size she did not need to consider, situated right beneath the weight of her pressing originally hard down against Kid to keep him pinned—)
Kid went carefully still in realization. His grip on Hoku instantly went slack.
(Her weight fit snug against him. A shudder threatened to run down the back of his neck. Shamelessly he imagined for a second her back against the sand, her hair sprawled out amidst it. Her eyes, round and wide filled with his visage, her cheeks flushed, his lips following it down her neck. Something hot pooling in his gut flushed upwards, right to his fingertips as they flexed, suddenly itching to hold—)
Hoku was off Kid in a flash, jumping to her feet as her hands flew up into the air as though she were under arrest. Kid scrambled up onto his elbows, jaw working—
"Hey, uh, sorry about that," Hoku said first before Kid could even think of what ought to come out of his mouth. He blinked dumbly at her. "It's—that's a totally normal thing to happen, so don't worry about it, yeah? No worries, bud. Uh—I'll um, go? See ya back on the ship!"
Hoku darted away, running off the sand before he could even grab for her ankle or hold her back. Kid sat there amidst the sand, heat pulsing against his skin, a very real, very personal problem tenting upwards against his—
Kid let out something like a slew of curses, shouting angrily at nothing and everything—
Killer was perplexed for only about five minutes later that evening when Kid returned, some time after Hoku, more angry and grumpy but strangely subdued around her in a way he was not before, and then Killer sorta figured it out
-basically Hoku on Kid's crew is 3/5 her giving him an aneurysm and 2/5s something else
Hi! I have a question for you that running in mind since a loong time but what kind of music would like yours oc's ? I'm thinking that maybe Kestui listen classical music and Rye certainly likes all songs about love🤔
Ketsui is definitely a classical music lover, she'll listen to all different types of composers but her favorite scores are the softer ones. She's also a fan of cheesy Italian love ballads or Japanese ballads now because of Niko
Rye is a dead-to-the-public-blank faced romantic at heart. She's actually quite honest about liking sweet, sad, or tragic romantic songs
Hoku's the type to listen to almost anything, she likes to give most genres a chance, favorite might lean toward the types of songs that are easy for a lot of people to sing, she likes listening to people sing the same song together
Kali's the type to love songs about going places, whether leaving, coming back, coming home, any type of music with that sort of theme
Fuyu likes the type of music her grandparents like, so outdated rock songs, old love ballads, even more traditional folk music, she's especially fond of this
