Note: today is my actual birthday and I love that this chapter matched up perfectly 🥰😂
Word count 1.4k
Chapter List
Chapter 13
You jumped out of your seat, running toward the café door. The Marines spotted the movement, barking orders and reaching for their rifles.
“Room.”
Law’s voice was deadly calm, and with a flick of his wrist, the world around him shifted. A shimmering dome of blue energy expanded outward with a faint hum, enclosing half the café in his operating space.
“Shambles...”
In a flash, one of the Marines found his rifle swapped with a mop that had been in the nearby corner. He barely had time to register the change before Law appeared behind him and sliced him in half. The man's upper body fell in one direction, his legs in another. Panic erupted. Civilians screamed and ducked under tables. The second Marine charged at Law, who dodged to the side with lethal grace.
Law grabbed the Marine by the arm before driving his sword into his gut. The man collapsed, winded, before Law severed the connection between his heart and his lungs with a precise motion. The Marine dropped, eyes wide with invisible pain.
You had seen enough.
You swung the door open, the sounds of chaos inside muffled by the slam as it shut behind you, but you barely made it two steps before colliding hard with a broad chest. You stumbled back, looking up, and froze.
Another Marine, much larger than the others, loomed over you. His face was etched with scars, and his hand was already moving toward the axe slung across his back.
“Well, well,” the Marine sneered, his grip seizing your arm. “Where are you running off to in such a hurry?”
You struggled, yanking against his grasp. Panic coiled in your chest—but then, behind you, glass shattered. Law stepped through the café window a moment later like a storm in human form. His expression was cool, focused, locked on the Marine’s grip on your arm.
The giant Marine sneered. “You’re Trafalgar Law. Good. I’ll get a promotion when I drag your corpse back.”
Law’s eyes narrowed. “You’re welcome to try.” Then a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Though I’d be more nervous about the woman you’ve got next to you.”
He looked at you expectantly.
You took that as your cue.
You summoned a vine that came shooting up from the ground. It slammed into the Marine's face with a satisfying crack. The government crony stumbled backward, stunned. His partner raised a rifle in your direction, but before he could fire, another vine lashed out from the ground, yanking his legs out from under him—and like a trapdoor, the earth split open beneath his feet.
Then you bolted. Running as fast as your legs would carry you, heart hammering, lungs burning. The shouts rang out behind you as you turned into a dark alleyway, diving behind a rusted dumpster. The stench hit you instantly—it smelled like rotting fish guts.
“I saw her go that way!” a voice rang out.
You pressed a hand over your mouth and tried to steady your breathing.
“Find her!” a voice barked. Footsteps closed in.
“Sir,” a new voice reported smugly, “we’ve apprehended the pirate. He’s being escorted to the dock now.”
Your stomach dropped.
Law.
How?! He had been holding his ground. He was winning. Wasn’t he?
“Get the soldiers who were cut on the ship. All of them! Don't leave any pieces behind,” the first voice commanded.
“Yes, Sir!” they answered in unison.
You peeked through a crack between the bins and watched them leave quickly, their boots pounding against the pavement.
And then everything went quiet.
You stayed there, frozen behind the dumpster, the reek of decay clawing at your nose—but all you could smell was guilt.
Law had come back for you. He’d looked you in the eye, trusted you without hesitation.
You were safe. You could disappear. No one knew your name, not really. You could vanish into the crowd like smoke and never look back. He'd be just another pirate caught by the government.
But could you live with that?
You clenched your fists as your thoughts warred within you. The sensible part of your brain screamed to run, to save yourself, but your heart. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you whispered to no one, “Damn you, Law…”
OoOoOo
He was being dragged down the street, wrists bound tightly in seastone shackles. His usual sharp, confident stride was gone; every step looked like agony. Fresh blood dripped from a split lip. He’d let his guard down, just for a second. He hadn’t expected the seastone net thrown over him during the fight.
The Marine Vice-Admiral sneered down at him, arrogance dripping from every word. “I hope you and your crew are ready for a one-way trip to Impel Down. Marines are already heading to your ship as we speak. And as for your little girlfriend…” He grinned viciously. “She’s a pretty thing. Maybe I’ll take her in for questioning. Personally.”
Law’s eyes flared with fury. He lunged forward with a growl, straining against the shackles, but it was useless. The seastone sapped his strength, made every movement sluggish. The Marine laughed, mockery in his voice.
Until the earth beneath him suddenly shifted…
With a violent jolt, the Vice-Admiral was yanked downward, swallowed up to the waist as the ground beneath him turned to thick, writhing vines and mud. His partner let out a strangled cry as he, too, was dragged under, legs ensnared by twisting roots.
Law turned, just in time to see you sprinting toward him.
You dropped to your knees beside him, skidding across the cobblestones. Dirt flew from your fingers as you shaped it rapidly with your power, willing it into a crude, jagged key. Your hands shook as you jammed it into the lock.
With a click, the shackles fell open. Law staggered, letting out a ragged breath. His eyes met yours for just a second, they were full of something unreadable. Then his hand gripped yours. “Run.”
The dock came into view, and the Polar Tang's anchor was already halfway out of the water. Around it, unconscious Marines lay scattered across the pier.
“Hurry!” Shachi shouted from the deck. “We’ve got more Marines incoming!”
You and Law sprinted together, feet pounding against the wooden planks. The thunder of boots and shouts behind you grew louder, gunshots rang out, but you didn’t dare look back.
You both leapt onto the stern just as more Marines rounded the corner. The hatch hissed open. You tumbled inside, and Law slammed it shut behind you.
The ship lurched violently as it dove. Metal groaned under pressure, the engines roared to life, and then—
Silence.
The ocean swallowed the island above, its light, its danger, its chaos.
And in the dim glow of the submarine interior, you and Law stood together, breathless, bloodied, and alive.
OoOoOo
Later, you sat on your bunk in silence, knees tucked to your chest. You stared at the ceiling, willing yourself to sleep. But rest wouldn’t come.
Then… knock knock.
Your brow furrowed. No one ever came to your room at night. Cautiously, you slid off the bed and approached the door. You cracked it open, only to freeze.
Law.
His hat was gone. So was his jacket. You realized, startled, that this was the first time you’d ever seen him without them. His hair was slightly tousled, and his dark eyes were unreadable.
“What are you doing here?” you asked quietly, brows drawn together.
He hesitated, shifting slightly. “I just…” He paused, searching for the right words. Instead of finishing the sentence, he reached behind his back and brought something forward.
You looked down, and your breath caught in your lungs. In his hands was one of the succulents from the island market stall.
“When did you-?” you began.
“I figured, since you’ll be here a while… this might help make your room feel a little more like yours.” He extended the tiny pot toward you. You blinked, unable to speak for a moment, then took it carefully, examining the hand-painted swirls of blue and gold. “Something to make this place a little less like a prison.”
You frowned, looking back at him. “You're trusting me with this?”
“I still have your heart. In case you forgot. Try anything and-
“Dead. I know.” you finished for him, “Nice to know you're not a total asshole.”
“I was just tired of your whining.” he was already turning to go. He paused just before rounding the corner. “Happy birthday.”
Then he was gone…
You stood there in the doorway for a moment before smiling down at the gift and closing the door.
The Polar Tang you noticed was always cold. Its metal walls were indifferent to your discomfort, though. You missed feeling the soil beneath your feet. The sun on your face. Even the smell of rain.
Your seasickness still clung plagued you, but Bepo had given you some herbal remedy to curb the worst of it. It helped… Barely.
Begrudgingly, you had to admit, Law had been right. You couldn’t keep walking around the ship in your nightgown. But no, there was no way you were going to wear his stupid boiler suit. Thankfully, Bepo let you borrow a sewing kit. You’d cut your robe into a crude outfit, loose-fitting pants, and a long-sleeved crop top. Was it fashionable? No. But it would do.
“How are you holding up?” Shachi asked, sliding into a chair across from you in the common room.
This room, you discovered, was the warmest part of the ship. Soft couches lined the walls with many multicolored blankets, a large, thick rug muffled the cold steel floor, and shelves filled with books and games gave it a strangely homey vibe.
You rubbed your temples, leaning back with a sigh. “Like I left one prison for another.”
“We’d be happy to drop you at the next island if you hate it here so much,” Ikkaku said sharply from the floor. She was playing checkers with someone you'd recently learned was named Clione.
Her words cut more than they should have. You weren’t exactly expecting a welcome party, but the hostility from the crew still stung. You knew you were an outsider. Maybe even an enemy. Still… it was hard not to want take offense to snide comments.
The doors to the common room swooshed open with a mechanical hiss.
“Did you hear?” Penguin called out as he stepped inside. “We’re gonna land on shore today.”
You sat up straighter. “Really?”
He nodded, grinning. “Captain said we need to restock supplies. We’ll dock by afternoon.”
Just as Penguin promised, the Polar Tang began its slow ascent a few hours later. You stood near the loading bay doors, filled with anticipation. When they opened, and the fresh air filled your lungs for the first time in weeks, it was like being reborn.
You stepped onto the deck, eyes closed, letting the cool wind rush over your skin. The sun was warm, and it warmed you up. You thought you could stay like this forever.
Law’s voice broke through your happiness. “When we get to shore, stay low. We’re not as far from Dressrosa as I’d like. There could be Marines.”
The crew nodded and began organizing into groups. Law moved toward you, stopping just close enough to drop his voice.
“You stay with me,” he said sharply. “And let me be clear, if you try anything while we’re on land, I’ll crush your heart before you can blink.”
You met his gaze, unflinching. “I’m well aware of the situation I’m in.”
You didn’t care what he thought. You just wanted to set foot on land again.
OoOoOo
The island’s port opened into a bustling town. Market stalls pressed into narrow streets, vendors exchanged words and money with customers. The scent of spices and perfume clung to the air, and Vibrant fabrics fluttered in the breeze. You stayed close to Law, not just because he made you, but because you had nowhere else to go.
His hand hovered near his sword as he moved, eyes constantly scanning. Not curious. Not fascinated. Just cold and calculating.
You passed a butcher stall, a rack of scarves, and a table of polished colorful stones. But then you saw them.
Flowers.
Dozens of bouquets arranged in baskets: marigolds, roses, wild daisies, lavender. Then you saw them. Sitting on the wooden table were mini succulents in tiny, hand-painted pots. Your feet carried you forward before you could stop them. You crouched, hand reaching-
A hand clamped around your wrist.
“Not planning on using those, are you?” Law’s voice was cold and suspicious.
You flinched, looking up. “I… no. I just-”
He raised an eyebrow and released you. “Then let’s go. We’re not here to sightsee.”
The vendor, an older woman, gave you a gentle smile. “Here,” she said, kindly passing a single flower she plucked from a basket. “No charge.”
You hesitated. Then you picked a small violet flower with golden edges and tucked it into your pocket. You gave her a nod and a thankful smile and caught up with the tattooed captain.
Law didn’t wait for you. He kept walking, weaving through the crowd like a shadow. You followed in silence.
Eventually, you arrived at a little café tucked into a corner of a quiet plaza. It had peeling paint and a faded sign that gave it charm. Law walked inside without a word and chose the farthest table from the window. You slid into the seat across from him, careful not to crush the flower in your pocket.
He said nothing. He didn't even look at you or ask if you were hungry.
Fucking asshole.
You mirrored his silence, refusing to give him the satisfaction of reacting. He read the newspaper with a methodical expression, flipping through pages with little more than a glance.
Then your eyes caught something on the paper.
The date.
Your stomach lurched. If you were reading that correctly, it meant that today was your 18th birthday.
You hadn’t even remembered. But there it was written in ink.
“What?” Law asked, not looking up.
“Nothing,” you muttered.
He gave you a pointed glance over the rim of the paper. “Try again.”
You hesitated. “It’s my birthday.”
He blinked. Once. Then looked back at his paper. “So?”
You stared at him, disbelief cracking in your chest. He didn’t wish you a happy birthday. Not even a sarcastic one.
Your jaw tightened. You looked away and fought the lump rising in your throat. To distract yourself, you reached for the top of the discarded paper pile. You scanned the photos that had turned out to be wanted posters.
There was a Bellamy. Portgas D. Ace, Eustass Kidd, Foxy, and Monkey D. Luffy.
And then you saw him.
Your gaze drifted to the pile of newspapers he’d already gone through. You reached for the top one absentmindedly, more to avoid sulking than anything. You came across pages with photos. Wanted posters. You scanned there faces and read their names: Bellemy, Portgas D. Ace, there was a Monkey D. Luffy. But as you continued looking through the papers, a familiar face caught your eye.
Trafalgar D. Water Law Bounty: 95,000,000 Berries
Your breath caught in your throat. There he was on paper, glaring out from beneath the brim of his black-and-white hat. You took in his Sharp jaw, cold eyes, and that same unbothered scowl.
That he wasn’t just some rough-edged pirate captain. But seeing it printed and declared to the world in bold letters and numbers made it feel real.
“You staring at my face for fun, or have you finally figuring out what you’ve gotten yourself into?” Law asked without looking up.
You slammed the paper back down. “This is a terrible photo of you. You're not as good-looking as you think you are.”
“Mm,” he said, utterly unfazed. “Interesting, you think I'm good-looking.”
You opened your mouth to say something, but the bell above the café door jingled.
Two men stepped inside. Dressed in uniform. Marines.
Your body tensed, your hands dropping under the table to clutch the edge of your seat. Law didn’t move. He casually turned the page of his newspaper, but something in his posture shifted. I would have been unnoticeable, unless you were looking for it.
The taller Marine nudged his companion and nodded subtly toward your table. “Doesn’t that guy look familiar?” you heard him murmur as he looked at Law.
Your blood turned to ice. Law didn’t lift his head. He folded the paper neatly in half and set it on the table, then glanced at you with lazy indifference.
“That marine is staring at us, get ready to run,” he said calmly, “find Bepo and if you're lucky you won't get killed.”
Your eyes widened. He gave you a slow, cold smile in response. “Happy birthday.”
The Polar Tang you noticed was always cold. Its metal walls were indifferent to your discomfort, though. You missed feeling the soil beneath your feet. The sun on your face. Even the smell of rain.
Your seasickness still clung plagued you, but Bepo had given you some herbal remedy to curb the worst of it. It helped… Barely.
Begrudgingly, you had to admit, Law had been right. You couldn’t keep walking around the ship in your nightgown. But no, there was no way you were going to wear his stupid boiler suit. Thankfully, Bepo let you borrow a sewing kit. You’d cut your robe into a crude outfit, loose-fitting pants, and a long-sleeved crop top. Was it fashionable? No. But it would do.
“How are you holding up?” Shachi asked, sliding into a chair across from you in the common room.
This room, you discovered, was the warmest part of the ship. Soft couches lined the walls with many multicolored blankets, a large, thick rug muffled the cold steel floor, and shelves filled with books and games gave it a strangely homey vibe.
You rubbed your temples, leaning back with a sigh. “Like I left one prison for another.”
“We’d be happy to drop you at the next island if you hate it here so much,” Ikkaku said sharply from the floor. She was playing checkers with someone you'd recently learned was named Clione.
Her words cut more than they should have. You weren’t exactly expecting a welcome party, but the hostility from the crew still stung. You knew you were an outsider. Maybe even an enemy. Still… it was hard not to want take offense to snide comments.
The doors to the common room swooshed open with a mechanical hiss.
“Did you hear?” Penguin called out as he stepped inside. “We’re gonna land on shore today.”
You sat up straighter. “Really?”
He nodded, grinning. “Captain said we need to restock supplies. We’ll dock by afternoon.”
Just as Penguin promised, the Polar Tang began its slow ascent a few hours later. You stood near the loading bay doors, filled with anticipation. When they opened, and the fresh air filled your lungs for the first time in weeks, it was like being reborn.
You stepped onto the deck, eyes closed, letting the cool wind rush over your skin. The sun was warm, and it warmed you up. You thought you could stay like this forever.
Law’s voice broke through your happiness. “When we get to shore, stay low. We’re not as far from Dressrosa as I’d like. There could be Marines.”
The crew nodded and began organizing into groups. Law moved toward you, stopping just close enough to drop his voice.
“You stay with me,” he said sharply. “And let me be clear, if you try anything while we’re on land, I’ll crush your heart before you can blink.”
You met his gaze, unflinching. “I’m well aware of the situation I’m in.”
You didn’t care what he thought. You just wanted to set foot on land again.
OoOoOo
The island’s port opened into a bustling town. Market stalls pressed into narrow streets, vendors exchanged words and money with customers. The scent of spices and perfume clung to the air, and Vibrant fabrics fluttered in the breeze. You stayed close to Law, not just because he made you, but because you had nowhere else to go.
His hand hovered near his sword as he moved, eyes constantly scanning. Not curious. Not fascinated. Just cold and calculating.
You passed a butcher stall, a rack of scarves, and a table of polished colorful stones. But then you saw them.
Flowers.
Dozens of bouquets arranged in baskets: marigolds, roses, wild daisies, lavender. Then you saw them. Sitting on the wooden table were mini succulents in tiny, hand-painted pots. Your feet carried you forward before you could stop them. You crouched, hand reaching-
A hand clamped around your wrist.
“Not planning on using those, are you?” Law’s voice was cold and suspicious.
You flinched, looking up. “I… no. I just-”
He raised an eyebrow and released you. “Then let’s go. We’re not here to sightsee.”
The vendor, an older woman, gave you a gentle smile. “Here,” she said, kindly passing a single flower she plucked from a basket. “No charge.”
You hesitated. Then you picked a small violet flower with golden edges and tucked it into your pocket. You gave her a nod and a thankful smile and caught up with the tattooed captain.
Law didn’t wait for you. He kept walking, weaving through the crowd like a shadow. You followed in silence.
Eventually, you arrived at a little café tucked into a corner of a quiet plaza. It had peeling paint and a faded sign that gave it charm. Law walked inside without a word and chose the farthest table from the window. You slid into the seat across from him, careful not to crush the flower in your pocket.
He said nothing. He didn't even look at you or ask if you were hungry.
Fucking asshole.
You mirrored his silence, refusing to give him the satisfaction of reacting. He read the newspaper with a methodical expression, flipping through pages with little more than a glance.
Then your eyes caught something on the paper.
The date.
Your stomach lurched. If you were reading that correctly, it meant that today was your 18th birthday.
You hadn’t even remembered. But there it was written in ink.
“What?” Law asked, not looking up.
“Nothing,” you muttered.
He gave you a pointed glance over the rim of the paper. “Try again.”
You hesitated. “It’s my birthday.”
He blinked. Once. Then looked back at his paper. “So?”
You stared at him, disbelief cracking in your chest. He didn’t wish you a happy birthday. Not even a sarcastic one.
Your jaw tightened. You looked away and fought the lump rising in your throat. To distract yourself, you reached for the top of the discarded paper pile. You scanned the photos that had turned out to be wanted posters.
There was a Bellamy. Portgas D. Ace, Eustass Kidd, Foxy, and Monkey D. Luffy.
And then you saw him.
Your gaze drifted to the pile of newspapers he’d already gone through. You reached for the top one absentmindedly, more to avoid sulking than anything. You came across pages with photos. Wanted posters. You scanned there faces and read their names: Bellemy, Portgas D. Ace, there was a Monkey D. Luffy. But as you continued looking through the papers, a familiar face caught your eye.
Trafalgar D. Water Law Bounty: 95,000,000 Berries
Your breath caught in your throat. There he was on paper, glaring out from beneath the brim of his black-and-white hat. You took in his Sharp jaw, cold eyes, and that same unbothered scowl.
That he wasn’t just some rough-edged pirate captain. But seeing it printed and declared to the world in bold letters and numbers made it feel real.
“You staring at my face for fun, or have you finally figuring out what you’ve gotten yourself into?” Law asked without looking up.
You slammed the paper back down. “This is a terrible photo of you. You're not as good-looking as you think you are.”
“Mm,” he said, utterly unfazed. “Interesting, you think I'm good-looking.”
You opened your mouth to say something, but the bell above the café door jingled.
Two men stepped inside. Dressed in uniform. Marines.
Your body tensed, your hands dropping under the table to clutch the edge of your seat. Law didn’t move. He casually turned the page of his newspaper, but something in his posture shifted. I would have been unnoticeable, unless you were looking for it.
The taller Marine nudged his companion and nodded subtly toward your table. “Doesn’t that guy look familiar?” you heard him murmur as he looked at Law.
Your blood turned to ice. Law didn’t lift his head. He folded the paper neatly in half and set it on the table, then glanced at you with lazy indifference.
“That marine is staring at us, get ready to run,” he said calmly, “find Bepo and if you're lucky you won't get killed.”
Your eyes widened. He gave you a slow, cold smile in response. “Happy birthday.”
Hello! Just an update: I decided to make a 2nd blog for my MCU fanfics! So if you'd be interested in that, CLICK HERE
I will continue to post One Piece fics here, but now you can also find me on AO3! I will post the updated and edited Rose of Dressrosa there! CLICK HERE
Thank you for all the support and love you give to the fics on this blog!
Summary: After being taken away from your home of Dressrosa by the Captain of the Heart Pirates, you have to adjust to life at sea, you have to decide if this is really the grand adventure you have been wanting your entire life, or if this ship is just another prison...
Word Count: 1.3K
Note: Not edited. GIF not mine!
Chapter List Masterlist
Chapter 11
You were introduced to the crew not long after your arrival. Their faces blurred together under the harsh fluorescent lighting of the submarine. Shachi and Penguin stood out the most, as did Ikkaku, the only other woman aboard. The rest of the crew's names slipped past your already overwhelmed mind and went in one ear and out the other. But the polar bear, Bepo, still held your attention. Massive, yet somehow he looked just as uneasy as you felt, his ears flattened slightly as he watched you shyly.
“I’m sorry I scared you back in the infirmary,” he said, voice surprisingly soft. He extended a paw- no- a hand for you to shake.
You didn’t move. Arms folded tightly across your chest, you answered curtly, “Y/N.” Your voice came out colder than you intended.
His head drooped as he let his hand fall back to his side. He looked hurt. A pang of guilt flickered inside you, but you forced it down. You couldn’t afford softness. These people were pirates. And their captain was a liar who’d dragged you into this mess. You couldn’t trust any of them.
“Y/N will be staying with us for a while,” Law informed the crew, tone calm but firm. “Make sure she helps out.”
There were a few nods, some murmured affirmations.
Eventually you were shown to your room. It looked just like the rest of the ship, gray, cold and metal. A small bed, one tin-colored nightstand, a locker-style closet, a porthole, a showerhead with a drain in the corner, and a toilet on the opposite side.
And then, like always, you were left alone.
OoOoOo
The days blurred together aboard the Polar Tang. Everything about this place felt sterile. Lifeless. The low hum of machinery was constant, and the air smelled of disinfectant. You missed the world above. Grass beneath your feet. The sun on your skin. The wind rustling leaves on trees. Even clouds would’ve been a comfort. But here… here you were encased alive in metal.
Seasickness hit you hardest. The nausea came in waves, they were unpredictable and brutal. You barely made it to your bathroom before vomiting again. This was the third time today. Bitter bile burned your throat. You hadn’t eaten in days, but your body didn’t care it still threw up the contents of your stomach.
It was late when you finally dragged yourself to the infirmary. Law sat at his desk, scribbling something on a clipboard. He didn’t even look up.
“I can’t do this anymore,” you said, voice raw.
“Do what?” he asked, still writing.
“This.” You gestured vaguely, angrily. “Being trapped underwater. I feel like I’m losing my mind. I need to breathe real air.”
He gave a faint chuckle. “Missing the palace already, Princess?”
You clenched your jaw. “Can’t we just dock? Just for a day?”
Your voice cracked. You hadn’t meant to sound so desperate, but the truth slipped through. You felt like you were drowning in this steel coffin.
“We need to get as far from Dressrosa as possible,” he replied flatly. No softness or compromise in his tone.
Dressrosa. The word hit like a slap. You hadn’t thought about Doflamingo in days. You’d locked those memories away. But they lingered still, like a bad smell.
“I just need to breathe,” you whispered.
He didn’t respond to that. Instead, he walked to a closet and pulled out a white boiler suit with the Heart Pirates insignia.
“Here. Figured you’d want something else to wear.”
You looked down. You were still in the nightgown and robe you’d left Dressrosa in. It didn’t smell, you made sure to wash it every few days and let it dry while you slept. At first, you'd been paranoid someone might barge in while you lay there exposed. But eventually, you realized everyone mostly left you alone.
Your face hardened. “I’m not wearing that. I’d rather walk around naked.”
His eyes glinted with amusement. “If that’s what you prefer, I won’t stop you.” His gaze dropped, and you realized your robe had loosened, revealing a sliver of cleavage.
Your face flushed, and you pulled the fabric tightly around you. Damn you hated this man.
He laughed, just a little. “Next time we stop, it’ll be to refuel and gather supplies. Should be…” He paused, calculating. “Two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” you sputtered, wide-eyed.
“Got a problem with that?”
You stared at him challengingly. You weren’t going to give him any satisfaction in seeing you squirm.
“No,” you ground out. Before he could say anything else, you spun on your heel and left the infirmary.
Your stomach churned again. If you were going to be stuck in this tin can for two more weeks, you needed to eat something, even if it didn’t stay down. You dragged yourself to the kitchen, steadying your legs. The smell of food worsened your nausea, but you pushed through it.
“Hello!” Bepo greeted happily from the stove. He turned and waved his pawed hand.
“Hi,” you murmured with a faint nod, shuffling into the kitchen. Each step felt heavier than the last. The overhead lights buzzed, casting long shadows across steel counters and spotless cabinets. You made your way to the central island and pressed your hands to its cool surface like it might keep you grounded.
“Hungry?” he asked, holding up his sandwich. “Want some of mine?”
You hesitated. Your stomach twisted, but something in his warm voice made it hard to say no. “Um… okay,” you said softly.
He placed the sandwich on a cutting board, sliced it diagonally, and slid half onto a small plate. His smile was gentle and so strangely out of place by the metal surroundings.
“Thanks,” you murmured, taking the little plate with both hands.
Then he moved to a panel on the wall, flipping a few switches. Static hummed, then a song flowed through the system. A radio. He padded over to the U-shaped booth where the crew normally ate their meals and sat down. He began patting the seat beside him signaling you to sit.
You followed, but sat across from him, setting your plate down on the steel table.
It was silent except for the music which was playing at a low level. The song changed and Bepos ears perked up with excitement.
“I love this one,” he said, eyes bright. “Uta's voice is amazing. She calms my nerves on rough days.”
You glanced at him. “Who?”
He blinked. “You’ve never heard of Uta?”
You shook your head.
Beppo gasped, it was an exaggerated and playful sound, then he bolted up from the booth. “Stay here!”
You blinked, confused. A minute later, he returned with a small cassette and slotted it into the wall-mounted system.
“I recorded all of her songs!” he said proudly. “Well, the ones I’ve heard. She’s still pretty new. Oh! Listen to this one first!”
He turned up the music and you listened. The music was hauntingly beautiful. Something about her voice eased the tightness of anxiety in your chest. Bepo watched you with wide, hopeful eyes. When the song ended, he clapped his paws together. “Isn’t she amazing?!”
You smiled genuinely. “Yeah. She is.”
And for the first time in days, you felt peace. You and Bepo stayed like that for a while, listening to songs and sharing stories. He told you about the time he tried singing one of Uta’s high notes and accidentally shattered a lightbulb. You giggled and took another bite of your sandwich, almost moaning at the taste of savory meat and cheese.
Out in the corridor, Law passed by. He slowed for just a moment, glancing through the open doorway, when he spotted you and Bepo huddled close. The laughter was soft between you. Law’s expression softened when he caught a smile on your face. But he said nothing and walked away, quietly and unnoticed.
Summary: After King Riku is dethroned, Doflamingo takes you under his wing and asks you to follow only one strict rule, "do not leave the palace alone". However, your sense of adventure is too great. Law had only one thing in mind... Revenge. And you seemed like the best way to do that.
Chapter List
Word Count: 1.6k
Note: Not edited, GIF not mine! Also, I'm hoping to edit this story every 10 chapters or so and hopefully post most of it to AO3 soon :) There are definitely some changes I want to make with this story now that I've been writing more and have a lot of new ideas for it! For now, Tumblr will be where I continue posting the first draft of this story about 1K words at a time! :D Lots of love to you all
A smile crept across Doflamingo’s face as he walked over to the bar cart near his office wall. The bottle of wine he grabbed sparkled faintly in the low light, turning it over in his hand with an idle grace.
“Not happy to see me?” he asked, his tone teasing but undercut with that dangerous softness he always used with you.
“It’s good to see you,” you said carefully. He walked back toward you, setting the bottle on his desk with a loud thunk. He stopped in front of you, close enough that you could just barely make out his eyes behind pink glasses.
“Tell me you missed me,” he said, his voice lower now.
Your throat tightened. “I missed you.”
He leaned in, his lips brushing the air near your cheek. “Show me you missed me.”
Your stomach sank, and you rose on your toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. He inhaled your scent sharply through his nose, making you shiver.
“Still sweet,” he said with something resembling fondness, and then he reached behind you, guiding you gently toward his high-backed chair behind the desk. As you walked, your eyes darted to the drawer of his desk.
The photo was still in there, hidden, but never forgotten.
“Sit, my dear,” he said, patting his lap. “Don’t be shy.”
You obeyed and settled on his lap with your back turned, but his chuckle made your stomach twist.
“The other way.” He commanded wickedly. Slowly, you turned and straddled him, your knees on either side of his legs.
His fingers brushed your cheek, trailing downward. “I’ll never understand,” he murmured, hand sliding to the back of your neck, “how that tiny little thing I saved turned into the most beautiful thing I have.”
Your breath caught.
“Now, tell me,” he continued with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “have you made any progress with your training?”
You hadn’t trained in days. You opened your mouth to say what he wanted to hear when the door burst open.
“Young Master!” Violet stood in the doorway, her face pale, breath ragged, hair wind-blown like she’d been running.
Doflamingo’s expression darkened instantly. “What is it?”
“I need to speak with you. Urgently,” she said, eyes flicking briefly to you before settling back on him.
“Speak,” he ordered.
“Alone.”
He sighed, dramatically, and looked back at you. His hand gave your thigh a possessive squeeze. He stood, causing you to slide ungracefully off of him.
“Getting jealous, Viola?” he asked mockingly, stepping towards the older woman until he was looking over him. Then in a lower voice, “Afraid I'll forget about you? Don't worry, I’ll see you later tonight.” In an instant, his face turned ice cold. “Now leave.”
With a final terrified look toward you, Viola slowly walked to the door. She glanced back at you sadly before slipping out and closing it behind her.
“Now, where were we?” He turned back to you. “Drinks.” He moved to the desk.
“So I heard there was some trouble in town,” he said calmly, Your palms are sweating, and your spine feels like it's melting. Even thinking of interrupting him mid-pour makes my lungs cramp. He created a string and controlled it to stab the cork in the bottle and yanked it out.
You should tell him now, maybe things won't be as bad if-
“Strange, isn't it?” he poured the liquid, and you realized that you may not be brave enough to do what needs to be done. "That's why I had to cut my trip short. Whoever it is, this trespassor will pay."
Shit. He knew… your mind spiraled in panic.
Unknowingly to you, Law crouched in the shadows behind the glass of the balcony French doors of Doflamingo’s office, every sense on high alert. He’d made it on the balcony, unseen and silent. The plan was simple: observe, gather intel, and wait for the right moment to kill Doflamingo.
Then he heard your trembling voice. “Doffy. Something did happen.”
Law’s body went still. Your voice was off. It sounded strained, trembling with something more than nerves.
“I left the palace.” You hesitated. “I left and met a man. He… he’s a Devil Fruit user too. His name- he told me it was Law. We agreed to meet, and he stole my heart. Like he literally stole my—”
The slap cracked through the air.
Law flinched but didn’t move. Not yet. He couldn’t blow his cover. But his fists clenched.
You weren’t expecting the hit. It stung worse than anything you’d felt before. Shock drowned out the pain. at first…
“I thought we were past this,” Doflamingo said slowly, dripping with disappointment. “I thought you had finally learned to obey.”
The next blow wasn’t a slap. He punched you. Hard.
Behind the shadows, Law froze. It was as if he were a sick, helpless 10-year-old again. The voice. The violence. The way his power crushed anything soft or kind. He was paralyzed, watching another nightmare unfold.
Another punch, and blood gushed from your nose. You hit the floor with great force.
Then came the kicks. Brutal. Precise. With the intent to inflict the greatest amount of pain.
Law’s jaw locked. His fingers itched toward the hilt of his sword, but froze. Doflamingo grabbed you by the hair, pulling you up, forcing your battered face close to his.
“You need to remember,” he hissed, “the only thing that makes you special is that you belong to me.” Then he let you slide from his grasp like garbage. “Stay here the rest of the night, while I deal with your mess,” he muttered. “Maybe you’ll have time to think about what you’ve done.”
His footsteps faded. You lay there, pain crackling through your nerves like wildfire. Blood, warm and wet, pooled beneath your cheek on the marble floor.
Then you heard another set of footsteps. You turned your head slightly. You couldn't open your
Law stood above you. His face was unreadable, but his eyes...
His eyes held sorrow.
Guilt... No- Fury.
He should have followed Doflamingo. Struck him down while his back was turned. That had been the mission. But seeing you like this? It shattered something in him. He couldn’t wait. He couldn’t let you bleed out on that cold, polished floor. Carefully, he knelt and lifted you into his arms, cradling you bridal-style against his chest. His voice, when he spoke, was soft with restraint.
You stirred weakly. “Picture…” You murmured, pointing feebly toward the desk before passing out in his arms. From your hand fell a wooden key and bits of soil. Had you crafted that using the last of your remaining energy?
Law hesitated but placed you gently back on the floor, scanning the room. With the key, he quickly unlocked the drawer. He opened it fully and pulled out papers. Inside were folded letters all addressed to Caesar. He grabbed them. And then he saw it…
A photo. Of You.
Half-dressed. Vulnerable. Captured like a trophy.
His expression darkened. He slipped the photo and letters into his jacket, jaw tight.
Then he returned to you, more careful now, as if afraid you might break apart completely. He lifted you again, close to his chest.
And with one last glance at the room, he disappeared into the night. With you in his arms.
OoOoOo
You awoke with surprisingly no pain. You rubbed your eyes only to find yourself in an unfamiliar place.
Sterile fluorescent lighting glowed above you, casting cold shadows on metal-paneled walls. The bed beneath you was firm, with tight white sheets, and medical monitors softly beeped beside your head.
Terror bloomed in your chest. Your instincts kicked in, you threw off the blanket and bolted. Your bare feet banged against the steel floor as you raced to the only door in the room. It slid open automatically with a hiss, revealing a long, narrow corridor lit by strips of bluish, low light along the curved walls
You sprinted down the hall, unsure of where you were going, only knowing you had to find a way out of here. That's when you ran straight into something large and fuzzy.
Your scream of terror echoed on the metal walls. The large polar bear in front of you screamed too, dropping a tray of food that clattered loudly to the floor.
His eyes went wide with panic. “W-What the heck?! Are you okay?!” he stammered, arms up defensively.
But you were already sprinting past him. You had to get out, there was no telling what other kinds of monsters lived here?!
You went through three doors and two hallways before you skidded to a halt.
Before you stood a massive round window, reinforced with thick steel bolts. Through it, you saw an endless stretch of blue-black, bioluminescent creatures drifting past like stars.
It was no mystery now. You were somewhere deep underwater.
The walls around you thrummed faintly with the ship’s power core. Everything was sleek, utilitarian, was this- was this a submarine?
“This is the only way we’ve been able to go around undetected for so long.”
You spun around.
Law stood there, leaning casually against the curved wall, arms crossed, jacket sleeves up, exposing his tattoos.
“What am I doing here?” you snapped, pressing yourself against the cold wall.
“You, Princess, are our leverage,” he said evenly. “If Doflamingo kept you alive back at the palace, then he needs you for something. I’ve seen him kill people for less.”
“You talk about him like you know him,” you spit, voice shaking.
He only stared. “While you’re here, I’m going to figure out what he wants you for. I know for damn sure it’s not love. Doflamingo doesn’t know how to love—he only knows control and obsession. While you’re here, you’re not my prisoner.”
You laugh mirthlessly, “Really? It sure feels like it.”
“Then think of it more as a vacation. ” He shrugged, then added, “With restrictions.”
“Vacation?!” Anger surged viciously within you.
He pushed of the wall and walked closer to you. “Look, I’ll take you wherever my crew and I go. Once I take down Doflamingo, I’ll drop you off wherever you want.”
Your eyes harden, and you nod even though you don’t believe a word coming out of his lying mouth. Your compliance made him smirk with satisfaction.
“Welcome to the Heart Pirates, Rosie.” He turned to leave but stopped, his voice turning flat. “By the way, you try escaping or hurt my crew…”
His eyes met yours, cold and unforgiving. “…and you’re dead.”
Summary: After King Riku is dethroned, Doflamingo takes you under his wing and asks you to follow only one strict rule, "do not leave the palace alone". However, your sense of adventure is too great.
Trafalgar Law x Fem!Reader
Word Count 1.1K
Note: Not edited, GIF not mine.
Warnings!: Manipulation, Creepy Doffy.
Chapter 9
Guards rotated like clockwork. Footsteps echoed. Shadows crept across the marble floors like living things.
You slipped from your chambers when the guards outside your wing switched shifts. Barefoot, your nightgown flowed around your ankles as you moved. You didn’t need to practice how to disappear. You had mastered the art of vanishing long before tonight.
You pushed the servant tunnel entryway behind the garden wall open. No one besides you ever came down here for years; it stayed damp, undisturbed, and forgotten. Roots fractured the stone. Dust coated every surface. A candle in the lantern flickered, then sputtered out. You didn’t need it. You waited in the dark, abandoned area.
And then he was there. Law emerged like something torn from the night itself, silently. It had been three days since you last saw him.
“You’re late,” you whispered, more accusation than greeting.
He shrugged. “Nice to see you too.”
The tone in his voice made your teeth clench. You turned before he could see the heat rise in your face and motioned him forward. Together, you slipped through narrow corridors meant for servants and shadows, corridors that reeked of damp stone.
As you walked, phantom pain ached in your chest. Glancing back at him, the thought crossed your mind—did he still have that piece of yourself tucked inside his jacket? The part he’d taken without asking. What would happen if you tried to take it back right here, right now?
Before you knew it, you were in front of the hidden door you had used many times to move in and out of the palace.
“Here,” you murmured, placing your hands on the stone. You pushed, and faint candlelight crept into the tunnel.
You peered into the deserted hallway. Law slipped past you soundlessly, eyes sweeping the room, calculating.
“Hey!” you whisper-yelled. “Stop. You don't know where you're going.”
“I could have gone left or right. Statistically, I had a fifty percent chance of choosing the correct path.”
Damn, you hated this man. And the fact that he had correctly guessed the direction made you livid. The moment of fury was quickly smothered, however, when you heard the sound of guards rotating early.
You hadn’t accounted for it.
With a palm flat against his chest, you shoved him into the shadows of an alcove just as two guards passed. You had to press yourself against him to avoid being seen. For one breathless moment, you stayed like that—your chest flush to his, his eyes fixed on yours, the weight of unwanted attraction buzzing between you.
You didn’t realize the guards had left until the silence returned.
You stepped back quickly, breaking contact like it burned. “This way,” you whispered, stepping in front of him.
You made it back to your bedroom under the cover of silence. Law slipped in after you, and you shut the door behind him with a quiet click.
The room hugged you with warm familiarity: soft, lavender-colored wisteria hung in front of the large window, acting like curtains, moonlight cutting through them to make shadows across the floor. It had always been a large room. But with him in it, everything felt smaller.
“What happens now,” you said, voice low. Law was already staring at you, expression unreadable as he sat on the settee.
He tilted his head, gaze softening just slightly. “Now I plan.”
You didn’t have a response to that. So instead, you folded your arms and looked away.
After a long pause, he said, “I can tell you're afraid.”
Your voice came quieter this time. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” he replied,
The silence that followed was heavy.
You spoke again after a few moments, “Why are you really here, Law?”
“To end Doflamigo.”
“But why?” you asked, voice threaded with concern. What had happened that set this whole plan in motion to go to the length of tricking you, hurting you, stealing the most vital part of you… “What did he do to you?”
He only stared for a long moment, but a sudden knock shattered the tension.
You both froze.
A beat of silence. Then a familiar voice, soft but urgent:
“Y/N? Are you awake? It’s Viola.”
Law was already moving, disappearing in the shadows of the room. You adjusted your robes with trembling hands and crossed to the door.
You opened it just a crack, surprised to see the dark-haired woman in front of you, “Viola? What is it?”
Her eyes were hard but clouded with worry. “There’s been a change of plan. Doflamingo’s returning early.”
“When? Tomorrow?”
She shook her head slowly. “He’s here. In Dressrosa.”
Your stomach dropped.
“The whole family is being called to greet him when he arrives at the palace. I thought you’d want to know before someone less… polite is sent.”
Behind you, Law remained hidden. “I’ll be ready,” you told her.
Viola gave you a quick, cold nod and turned down the hall, her footsteps retreating into silence.
You shut the door and locked it.
When you turned back, Law had emerged, arms folded, eyes unreadable.
“How can I get to him?” he asked.
“There are tunnels,” you whispered, grabbing your satin robe, wrapping it around you.
“Where?”
“Through the secret passageways.”
“Mind drawing me a map?”
You did as he asked, sketching the rough layout on a scrap of parchment from your writing desk. Then you headed toward the door, but before leaving, you hesitated. “Are you going to kill him?”
Law said nothing. You took a deep breath, and he left the room.
OoOoOo
“We missed you, Young Master!” Trebol yipped sucking in his snot.
The whole family came out to greet him in the grand foyer. The servants carried his luggage out.
“I missed this family, too,” he replied with a lazy grin. His eyes landed on you. “My darling Rose, are you not going to give me a hug?”
You moved forward and wrapped your arms around his neck. His claim on you lasted much longer than you'd anticipated.
“The dining room was set for your arrival for a late dinner.” Monet stepped forward as you broke apart. “If you’ll follow us.”
“I'll be there in a moment.” As everyone filed out toward the dining room, you felt a rough hand grab your wrist
“Come, Rose,” a devious smile graced his lips, “I want to share something with you.”
You nodded. As you walked in the opposite direction, you caught Viola's eye. As soon as she realized you were leaving with him by yourself, her eyes widened in concern. You couldn't stay too long to give her a reassuring look, and followed the man in the pink coat down the dark hallway and to his office.
Sorry, it's been a while! I'm back on a writing kick and hope that I can write more as the summer nears!
Chapter List
Summary:
After King Riku is dethroned, Doflamingo takes you under his wing and asks you to follow only one strict rule: "Do not leave the palace alone". However, your sense of adventure is too great.
Law had only one thing in mind... Revenge. And you seemed like the best way to do that.
Word Cound:1.2K
Note: Not Edited. Gif not mine.
Warnings! : Dark themes, manipulation, death, murder, creepy/ obsessive doffy, creepy photos/invasion of privacy.
Chapter 8
When you regained consciousness, the strange shield and Law were gone.
Above you, the moon hung high and cold, casting long skeletal shadows across the ground. Your head throbbed violently, but panic soon drowned out the pain. Frantically, you pressed a trembling hand against your chest, searching for a heartbeat.
Nothing.
A hollow, terrifying emptiness answered you. He had stolen your heart.
A chill deeper than fear slithered down your spine. What were you supposed to do now?
Numbly, you walked back to the palace and went through the motions as if everything were fine. At breakfast, Viola’s eyes widened when she saw you. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but shut it quickly, looking away. The others? They barely noticed you existed.
You sat stiffly, trying to focus on Baby 5’s cheerful rambling about some man she met in town, but your mind kept drifting back to last night—until Diamante’s sharp voice sliced through your haze. You strained your ears to listen.
"A strange light was seen at the outskirts of town," he reported.
"Double the guard," Trebol ordered lazily, waving a hand.
"Has Caesar made contact yet?" Gladius asked.
"As I said before," Monet replied with thin patience, "Caesar is willing to meet our terms."
Diamante snorted. Monet turned toward him sharply, eyes narrowed. "What?"
"It's just funny how desperate you are to prove the Young Master's little pet project is a complete failure."
"Y/N!" You jolted violently at the sound of your name.
"Didn't you hear me?" Buffalo growled. "Pass the butter."
You mumbled your apologies and did as he asked.
"You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Baby 5 said, her voice soft with concern as Buffalo spread the margarine on his toast.
You nodded. “Didn’t sleep well.” Rising from your seat, you muttered, “I think I’m going to lie down.” You didn’t wait for her to respond. Instead, you walked stiffly back to your room.
What were you going to do? How the hell were you going to get out of this?
Should you just come clean to Viola?
Would she even help you after what you said to her?
No way...
Your eyes caught the bag you'd packed. The whole thing now felt idiotic. How could you have been so stupid! Shame quickly turned to fury. Your blood boiled as you angrily grabbed the duffel bag strap and hurled it against the wall. Its contents spilled across the tile floor. With a sigh of regret, you stalked over and dropped to your knees, beginning to pick up the items.
Tales of Grand Adventures was splayed out, and your stomach dropped when you noticed some pages were bent. As you picked up the book, something slipped from its pages. It was a small, folded note.
You snatched it up hastily, a phantom pang of your heart hammering against your ribs.
Meet me by the clock tower. Midnight.
OoOoOo
The tower loomed ahead, bathed in silver moonlight. Each step you took seemed louder than the last, echoing in the silence.
Your skin prickled.
You were being watched. You were sure of it.
A sudden movement caught your eye—
DONG!
The bell struck midnight, the sound reverberating through your bones.
From the shadows, he emerged. Silent… Predatory…
"You," you spat, unable to hide the venom in your voice.
"Me," he answered, almost amused.
“Im here.” You took a step forward face hard, "What do you want?"
"I want revenge," he said simply, the words hanging heavy between you.
"On Doflamingo? Why?"
"You don't get to ask questions."
"Then why am I here?"
"You're going to help me," he said, stepping closer. The cold glint in his eyes made your stomach twist.
"And why would I ever—?"
Pain exploded in your chest. You staggered forward, gasping, clutching at the invisible force squeezing the life from you.
He lifted a small object in his hand. It was your heart. "One wrong move," he whispered, "and I'll kill you."
You didn't notice how close he was until He grabbed your chin, forcing you to meet his merciless gaze. "Understand?"
Fury and terror warred inside you, but you forced a small, shaky nod.
"Good." He shoved you back roughly. "You’re going to find out what Doflamingo’s up to."
"What?! Like how he runs Dressrosa?" you sneered.
He laughed, it sounded dry and broken. "You are dumber than you look. Dressrosa’s nothing. A distraction. Whatever he's doing... it isn't about being king."
"Then what?" you demanded.
"That’s what you're going to find out. Starting with Caesar."
"And how am I supposed to—?"
"You’ll figure it out." He disappeared back into the shadows. “You have until tomorrow.”
OoOoOo
The corridors of the palace were deserted. The silence was heavy, suffocating even. You stopped at Doffy’s office door and, with shaking fingers, you crafted a wooden key out of the dirt in your hand and slipped it into the lock. The door creaked open, revealing darkness.
Inside, everything was immaculate. Too immaculate. Not a speck of dust. Not a page out of place. Your eyes landed on a vase of flowers sitting neatly on the desk.
They were wilting.
Dying.
Just like you would be if you didn't do as Law asked.
Moving quickly, you rifled through the drawers. You found balanced ledgers. Records of property. Nothing out of the ordinary. Until you found a locked one. You created another key, unlocked it.
Inside were letters. Bundles of them. Lifting them out of the drawer, your eyes scanned the curly written words: "Young Master, the trials have failed...", "Young Master, potential genome link discovered. Awaiting further instructions...", "Young Master, SMILE has reached three percent efficacy. Additional tests pending..."
You were replacing the letters when you spotted something underneath an envelope. It was a photograph. You pulled it out, and your breath froze in your lungs.
It was you…
Asleep in your bed… Blankets kicked off…
Vulnerable… Exposed…
Your shirt had ridden up to reveal the majority of your stomach, sleep shorts twisted indecently low. You didn’t know when- or how- that picture could have been taken.
Revulsion clawed up your throat. Your hands shook violently as you shoved the photo back and shut the drawer. You needed to get out of this room.
Now.
OoOoOo
Later, you met Law under the cover of darkness. When you briefed him on what you found, the corners of his mouth curled in satisfaction.
"You got what you wanted." You glared at him. "Can I have my heart back now?"
"No," he said, voice cold as steel. He leaned casually against the wall, as if you weren’t standing there with a hollow chest. "All you did, Princess," he drawled, "was confirm that Doflamingo’s dealing with Caesar. Now we have to figure out what they’re making."
He straightened up, moving off the wall, voice dropping to a razor-sharp whisper. “Doflamingo comes back next week."
"I don’t know how much more I can find," you said, fists clenching.
"Then I’ll get what I need myself."
You blinked. "What?"
He was close to you now. You had to tilt your chin up to meet his gaze. “Get me into the palace,” he said, eyes gleaming dangerously.
“And what exactly are you planning to do?" you swallowed.
His grin was feral, and for a moment, you could’ve sworn he was going to move closer. Instead, he stepped back and turned away, his voice cutting through the night. "Burn it to the ground if I have to."
Sorry, it's been a while! I'm back on a writing kick and hope that I can write more as the summer nears!
Chapter List
Summary:
After King Riku is dethroned, Doflamingo takes you under his wing and asks you to follow only one strict rule: "Do not leave the palace alone". However, your sense of adventure is too great.
Law had only one thing in mind... Revenge. And you seemed like the best way to do that.
Word Cound:1.2K
Note: Not Edited. Gif not mine.
Warnings! : Dark themes, manipulation, death, murder, creepy/ obsessive doffy, creepy photos/invasion of privacy.
Chapter 8
When you regained consciousness, the strange shield and Law were gone.
Above you, the moon hung high and cold, casting long skeletal shadows across the ground. Your head throbbed violently, but panic soon drowned out the pain. Frantically, you pressed a trembling hand against your chest, searching for a heartbeat.
Nothing.
A hollow, terrifying emptiness answered you. He had stolen your heart.
A chill deeper than fear slithered down your spine. What were you supposed to do now?
Numbly, you walked back to the palace and went through the motions as if everything were fine. At breakfast, Viola’s eyes widened when she saw you. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but shut it quickly, looking away. The others? They barely noticed you existed.
You sat stiffly, trying to focus on Baby 5’s cheerful rambling about some man she met in town, but your mind kept drifting back to last night—until Diamante’s sharp voice sliced through your haze. You strained your ears to listen.
"A strange light was seen at the outskirts of town," he reported.
"Double the guard," Trebol ordered lazily, waving a hand.
"Has Caesar made contact yet?" Gladius asked.
"As I said before," Monet replied with thin patience, "Caesar is willing to meet our terms."
Diamante snorted. Monet turned toward him sharply, eyes narrowed. "What?"
"It's just funny how desperate you are to prove the Young Master's little pet project is a complete failure."
"Y/N!" You jolted violently at the sound of your name.
"Didn't you hear me?" Buffalo growled. "Pass the butter."
You mumbled your apologies and did as he asked.
"You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Baby 5 said, her voice soft with concern as Buffalo spread the margarine on his toast.
You nodded. “Didn’t sleep well.” Rising from your seat, you muttered, “I think I’m going to lie down.” You didn’t wait for her to respond. Instead, you walked stiffly back to your room.
What were you going to do? How the hell were you going to get out of this?
Should you just come clean to Viola?
Would she even help you after what you said to her?
No way...
Your eyes caught the bag you'd packed. The whole thing now felt idiotic. How could you have been so stupid! Shame quickly turned to fury. Your blood boiled as you angrily grabbed the duffel bag strap and hurled it against the wall. Its contents spilled across the tile floor. With a sigh of regret, you stalked over and dropped to your knees, beginning to pick up the items.
Tales of Grand Adventures was splayed out, and your stomach dropped when you noticed some pages were bent. As you picked up the book, something slipped from its pages. It was a small, folded note.
You snatched it up hastily, a phantom pang of your heart hammering against your ribs.
Meet me by the clock tower. Midnight.
OoOoOo
The tower loomed ahead, bathed in silver moonlight. Each step you took seemed louder than the last, echoing in the silence.
Your skin prickled.
You were being watched. You were sure of it.
A sudden movement caught your eye—
DONG!
The bell struck midnight, the sound reverberating through your bones.
From the shadows, he emerged. Silent… Predatory…
"You," you spat, unable to hide the venom in your voice.
"Me," he answered, almost amused.
“Im here.” You took a step forward face hard, "What do you want?"
"I want revenge," he said simply, the words hanging heavy between you.
"On Doflamingo? Why?"
"You don't get to ask questions."
"Then why am I here?"
"You're going to help me," he said, stepping closer. The cold glint in his eyes made your stomach twist.
"And why would I ever—?"
Pain exploded in your chest. You staggered forward, gasping, clutching at the invisible force squeezing the life from you.
He lifted a small object in his hand. It was your heart. "One wrong move," he whispered, "and I'll kill you."
You didn't notice how close he was until He grabbed your chin, forcing you to meet his merciless gaze. "Understand?"
Fury and terror warred inside you, but you forced a small, shaky nod.
"Good." He shoved you back roughly. "You’re going to find out what Doflamingo’s up to."
"What?! Like how he runs Dressrosa?" you sneered.
He laughed, it sounded dry and broken. "You are dumber than you look. Dressrosa’s nothing. A distraction. Whatever he's doing... it isn't about being king."
"Then what?" you demanded.
"That’s what you're going to find out. Starting with Caesar."
"And how am I supposed to—?"
"You’ll figure it out." He disappeared back into the shadows. “You have until tomorrow.”
OoOoOo
The corridors of the palace were deserted. The silence was heavy, suffocating even. You stopped at Doffy’s office door and, with shaking fingers, you crafted a wooden key out of the dirt in your hand and slipped it into the lock. The door creaked open, revealing darkness.
Inside, everything was immaculate. Too immaculate. Not a speck of dust. Not a page out of place. Your eyes landed on a vase of flowers sitting neatly on the desk.
They were wilting.
Dying.
Just like you would be if you didn't do as Law asked.
Moving quickly, you rifled through the drawers. You found balanced ledgers. Records of property. Nothing out of the ordinary. Until you found a locked one. You created another key, unlocked it.
Inside were letters. Bundles of them. Lifting them out of the drawer, your eyes scanned the curly written words: "Young Master, the trials have failed...", "Young Master, potential genome link discovered. Awaiting further instructions...", "Young Master, SMILE has reached three percent efficacy. Additional tests pending..."
You were replacing the letters when you spotted something underneath an envelope. It was a photograph. You pulled it out, and your breath froze in your lungs.
It was you…
Asleep in your bed… Blankets kicked off…
Vulnerable… Exposed…
Your shirt had ridden up to reveal the majority of your stomach, sleep shorts twisted indecently low. You didn’t know when- or how- that picture could have been taken.
Revulsion clawed up your throat. Your hands shook violently as you shoved the photo back and shut the drawer. You needed to get out of this room.
Now.
OoOoOo
Later, you met Law under the cover of darkness. When you briefed him on what you found, the corners of his mouth curled in satisfaction.
"You got what you wanted." You glared at him. "Can I have my heart back now?"
"No," he said, voice cold as steel. He leaned casually against the wall, as if you weren’t standing there with a hollow chest. "All you did, Princess," he drawled, "was confirm that Doflamingo’s dealing with Caesar. Now we have to figure out what they’re making."
He straightened up, moving off the wall, voice dropping to a razor-sharp whisper. “Doflamingo comes back next week."
"I don’t know how much more I can find," you said, fists clenching.
"Then I’ll get what I need myself."
You blinked. "What?"
He was close to you now. You had to tilt your chin up to meet his gaze. “Get me into the palace,” he said, eyes gleaming dangerously.
“And what exactly are you planning to do?" you swallowed.
His grin was feral, and for a moment, you could’ve sworn he was going to move closer. Instead, he stepped back and turned away, his voice cutting through the night. "Burn it to the ground if I have to."
summary: after being ambushed on the way back to the ship, the crew is faced with a difficult battle. you get injured and zoro comes to your rescue–thinking you're unconscious he lets his inner thoughts slip.
content: violence, fluff??, corny ass ending, worried zoroooo, no use of y/n, also for this post and any op fics going forward the character will have giant scissors as a weapon and is the ship’s seamstress (picture sheele’s extase from akame ga kill)
a/n: [UNEDITED] erm don't look at this too hard, i don't wanna talk abt it...i originally wrote another 3k word ending but scrapped it (possibly for another project??) so this is what you guys get lmaoo. more fast paced than i usually like, but i thought it'd be a cute lil fluffy piece.
The air was thick with smoke. Cannons from rival ships deployed, leaving scars in the earth as the ammo plundered deep within. Unconscious bodies that littered the beach became human shields as you attempted to dodge the bullets that whizzed past your head–the sound sending chills up your spine.
You and your crew had been ambushed. The supply trip was supposed to be simple—routine, even. When you arrived, Nami had spotted a secluded docking spot tucked between jagged rocks. It looked safe.
How wrong that assumption was.
Splitting up into groups, Sanji and Chopper went to get food, Nami and Robin ventured to various shops, and Luffy and Usopp found their way through restaurants, eating their way through the menu of any place that would let them in.
You were paired with Zoro to gather medical supplies—a list quickly scribbled by Chopper before you docked.
“Take Zoro with you,” Chopper had said. “To carry the heavy stuff!”
He meant well, but Zoro made no effort to hide his boredom, dragging his feet with every step.
"This sucks," he muttered, arms crossed as he sulked behind you.
“All you’d be doing is sleeping in the crow’s nest. Plus, I’m not carrying all of this,” you reminded him, holding the list up like a scroll. “Suck it up.”
It took a while of wandering, but a large, wooden sign with a red cross messily painted on it came into view–a medicine shop.
“Aha— there it is,” you said, pointing.
Zoro’s gaze, however, was focused elsewhere.
“Sword shop,” he murmured, eyes lighting up for the first time since you left the ship.
He looked at you, hopeful. “Just one—”
“Fine,” you said before he could even finish. “Go. Meet me next door when you’re done. And don’t get lost.”
“It’s right there.” He grumbled, rolling his eyes. “I’ll meet you there.”
Watching him turn, his steps guided him to the sword display in the window and he disappeared inside. Knowing he made it inside, you went next door to start gathering things off the list.
Although there wasn’t much on the list–the bottles were fucking massive. They piled in your arms and began to topple. You regretted sending Zoro off, but you managed to make your way to the counter, paying for the items and hauling the bulky bag behind on your way out.
You glanced toward the sword shop. No Zoro.
Frowning, you stomped over and pushed the door open. A bell jingled overhead.
You scanned the small store, the only person inside was a lanky, half-asleep, old man at the counter. Hearing your footsteps, his eyes perked up, head turned to you.
“Ah, hello, dear!” His scratchy voice echoed through the empty shop. “How can I help you?”
You nodded, keeping your place in the doorway. “Have you seen a man–tall, green hair, probably frowning, pissed off at the world?”
Not even taking a moment to think, the old man scowled. “Yes, I remember him. He was just in here a few minutes ago– rude young man. He left while I was telling one of my stories! You oughta get yourself a better boyfriend. One that knows his manners.”
Your face flushed. “Oh, we’re not-”
“I don’t understand what’s wrong with you kids nowadays, not appreciating a little history.” The man shook his head before his gaze snapped to you. “But you seem like a smart, young girl! Let me tell you about the time…”
You quietly back out of the doorway, softly chuckling to yourself as you imagined Zoro’s reaction to the old man talking his head off. As you lugged the bag behind you, facing the two storefronts you were confronted with a new issue.
Zoro had gotten lost. Again.
You found the rest of your crewmates before you found him. The search had stretched on for an hour before Luffy popped around a corner grinning wildly.
“Yaaa! I found him!” he announced triumphantly. “He was standing next to another sword shop—like they were calling to him!”
You glared at the swordsman, who rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks tinged red.
Luffy began to dramatically reenact the encounter, but as you neared the ship, Luffy’s banter was interrupted by the rowdy yelling of pirates, hundreds of them.
Four ships surrounded yours, anchored at the small beach. A makeshift bridge stretched from one of them, and men were already swarming across, hauling anything they could carry.
A shriek escaped Nami’s lips, she was seething. “My treasure!”
She was the first to charge forward, Luffy quickly following behind her in defense of his precious ship.
The first cannonball ripped through the air, slamming into the sand beside your group. Luffy wasted no time stretching himself to deflect the ammo back towards their ship, propelling it towards the ship and shredding the sails.
Men at the masses came flooding from the ship, all wielding swords. Groups of men high up on the surrounding ship were armed with guns and an army of bullets came raining down on the beach.
The lack of preparation, the horde of bullets, the neverending cannonballs, all weighed heavy on the crew–but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle. No one had much time to think, to plan, so they went their own directions, deflecting what they could.
Sanji hurled kicks at the groups on land, skillfully contorting his body to dodge bullets as the contact sent pirates flying. Nami went head to head with a large group of swordsmen, her tactful movement was no match as she swiftly found a weak point. Robin used her devil fruit ability, not only to confuse the group, but attack with another one of her hands as they stared, dumbfounded, at the one that dangled, unattached in the air. Usopp took a further position, in a tree, as he shot precisely aimed projectiles. Chopper also used his devil fruit and took out masses of men with ease and pure strength. The field of swords were practically calling Zoro’s name as he dove in, three weapons at the ready as he sliced into the crowd, taking them out.
You had thrown your weapon—your shears—into the supply bag during your search for Zoro. Now, in the chaos, you scrambled back to retrieve it.
Your fingers wrapped around the handle just as a sharp pain lanced through your arm. A bullet had grazed you. You dropped the shears in the sand, blood already soaking your sleeve.
The bullet only grazed your skin–you were lucky. But that didn’t stop the warfare that went on around you. A cannonball struck the earth a few feet away from you, sending you to your knees as you toppled over, unbalanced.
You grasped the handle of your shears again, determined to join the fight–when another bullet came in contact with your skin. Straight through your shoulder.
Your weapon, taking two hands to use, became impossible to wield as you cried out on the ground. Hopelessness shot through your body. The pirates were approaching, laughing, taunting.
The rest of your crew had pushed forward, unaware of your shrill cries as you bled onto the beach. The screams of the enemies drowned out your agonizing groans as you were stuck with blow after blow.
With the remainder of your strength, you grasped your shears, slashing wildly. You fought. You screamed. But it wasn’t enough as the attackers kept swarming.
Steel nipped at your skin. Warm, sticky blood trickled down your flesh.
As more pirates neared the back of the beach, the men huddled over your body, maliciously slashing your skin.
The pain was endless.
And then you heard him.
Zoro grunted as he propelled his body forward for a sweeping attack, the blow hitting hard to the group of enemies. He blew through each opponent that came his way, relentless in his pursuit to find you.
He slashed through the crowd, blood splashing onto his skin, his clothes–but he didn’t care. He kept hacking away, arms tirelessly working his way deeper into the horde until he saw you.
Any remaining pirates feld from the beach upon seeing the carnage, leaving your bloodied body in perfect view for his guilt-panged heart. Deep cuts and slashes littered your body, blood covered any part of your of body the flesh wasn’t torn. A hole in your shoulder pulsed and spurted blood out onto the ground, another gash on your arm seeping blood as well.
He dropped to his knees.
“Hey! Stay with me!” His voice cracked as he gathered you in his arms, cradling your head against his chest.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, again and again. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
He kept whispering reassurances, unsure if you were even conscious—speaking more to himself than to you.
Zoro didn’t stop. He called for Chopper but didn’t wait. He sprinted to the ship, carrying you onto thr deck like you weighed nothing.
He brought you lower into the ship, his heavy steps rang throughout the hall as he clamored down the steps. He kicked open the infirmary door, laid you on the bed, and immediately went for the supplies. His hands trembled as he soaked a cloth in alcohol and gently dabbed at the wounds.
You whimpered.
He froze, breath catching. “I know,” he whispered. “I know it hurts. Just hang on.”
He worked quickly, compressing the worst of the wounds, doing what he could until Chopper returned. And while he did, he talked to you—softly, desperately.
“I’ll be better,” he said, voice breaking. “Stronger. So I can protect you.”
You couldn't respond, but your fingers twitched, now intertwined with his.
Zoro didn’t notice. He just held your hand tighter, leaning over you, eyes flicking over your wounds.
“You mean more to me than you’ll ever know.”
There was a silence–his words hanging in the air like a sweet melody.
“Zoro…” you rasped, voice barely audible.
His head snapped up to meet your lidded gaze. “I’m here. I’m right here.”
You gave him the faintest smile.
“Told you…you’d get lost.”
He choked a laugh through his tears.
“Yeah,” he whispered, kissing the back of your hand. “But I always find my way back to you.”
a special thanks to my taglist ♡
(message me to be added or removed)
Can I request a fic where reader is in love with zoro but he’s Zoro and doesn’t notice for forever. Years maybe even. But then law comes into the picture and likes reader and she finally realizes maybe it’s time to give up on Zoro and go for someone who may love her back…only for Zoro to realize how he truly feels ? 🙃 ending can be either angst or happy for Zoro!
Almost Noticed
zoro x reader + law x reader
a/n: it's almost similar to the last one I did but it was fun... and since they're my two husbands I couldn't choose a winner and I let google choose for me T.T (gonna put the photo at the end lmao)
tags: pre and post time-skip, spoilers, slow burn, tension, love triangle
words count: 6.7k
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
You sit near the railing watching Zoro from across the deck.
He’s lying on his back under the mast, one arm slung behind his head, eyes closed, but you know he’s not asleep.
It’s been months, or maybe even longer, since you started looking too long when he trained shirtless in the sun. Since you started noticing the way his voice drops when he’s serious, the way his brows furrow when he’s annoyed. Since you realized your heart does stupid flips when he calls your name in that lazy, gravel-deep voice.
He never notices. Not the way you notice everything.
He doesn’t know that you make him an extra rice ball at lunch because he always wants seconds, even if Sanji starts complaining. He doesn’t know you patch up the seams of his bandanas when they start to fray. He doesn’t see the way you look at him like he’s something holy, somehow both untouchable and familiar.
And it’s fine, or at least you tell yourself it’s fine.
“Oi.”
You blink and turn. He’s standing right behind you now, towel over his shoulder, swords glinting under moonlight “You spacing out again?”
“I—no, just thinking.”
Zoro stares at you, then leans against the railing beside you like it’s nothing. Like being close doesn’t twist your insides into knots “Don’t think too hard. You’ll overheat.”
You laugh softly “Thanks for the advice, Mr. ‘All Brawn No Brain’.”
“Tch.” He doesn’t even pretend to be insulted “At least I don’t sit around staring at people.”
Your heart stops. Just for a second.
Did he notice?
Guess no because he’s already turned away, already yawning like the conversation’s over. Like your entire world isn’t spinning.
Weeks later you are all on Sabaody Archipelago when the island becomes hell, full of chaos. You expected tension. You didn’t expect the world to start cracking apart at the edges.
The ground shakes with every step Bartholomew Kuma takes. Everything’s falling apart. Again.
You’re standing with the crew, breathing hard, bruised, blood on your temple, and Zoro’s right beside you. The air tastes like ozone and smoke. Pain screams in every bone, but you hold your stance anyway.
Zoro’s stance is steady, swords drawn, chest rising and falling. He’s ready to fight, even when it’s hopeless. He always is.
“Get back” he mutters, low enough for just you to hear.
You grip your weapon tighter “Not a chance.”
His eyes flick to you, just for a second.
Not long enough.
“Kuma’s not human” Franky shouts from across the field “We can’t beat him!”
“We have to try!” Luffy yells back.
It happens fast… too fast.
One flash of light. One massive hand. And then Poof.
First it’s Sanji.
Then Chopper.
Then Franky.
(I don’t remember the exact order, bare with me if I forget to check before posting lmao)
Gone. Like smoke in the wind.
“No… NO!” you scream, running forward, but Zoro grabs your arm and pulls you back hard.
“Stay behind me” he growls.
You should say it now, before it’s too late.
“I love you” You swallow the words.
Then Kuma steps forward again.
“Room.”
You don’t hear it but you feel like a buzz in the air, a coldness at your back. And then, suddenly, you’re not behind Zoro anymore.
You’re inside a glowing sphere. The world around you slows, like someone turned the volume down on the chaos. You spin, breath caught in your lungs.
“Trafalgar Law, right?”
He stands a few paces away, hat casting a shadow over his gold-ringed eyes, hand lifted.
“What—What are you doing? What did you do?”
“Getting you out.”
Your heart slams in your chest “I can’t leave! I have to go back. Zoro’s still—”
“I saw him.” His voice is low. Calm “You know he’s the next one and you can’t do anything.”
“No,” you whisper. Your fists shake “He—he doesn’t even know—”
Law watches you carefully “But you do.”
You turn, trying to run back toward the others but Kuma’s hand is already over Zoro, light bursting around him like a nova.
And then he’s gone.
Just like that.
“NO!” You scream, stumbling forward, but Law grabs you and pulls you against him.
“Don’t waste it” he murmurs against your hair “You got lucky you weren’t far enough for me to reach you.”
“I didn’t want luck,” you breathe “I want them back.”
Later on you wake up to a low hum. Not waves. Not creaking wood. Something colder. Something deeper.
Your eyes snap open. The room is dim, lit only by a strip of soft light lining the metal walls. You’re not on the Thousand Sunny anymore.
“Where—?”
You try to sit up too fast, pain flaring in your ribs. Your voice is hoarse.
“Careful.”
You turn. Law is standing near the door, coat off, arms crossed over his chest. His tattoos catch the low light like ink on porcelain.
“You passed out,” he says “Shock, maybe. Or blood loss. Or both.”
You sit back slowly, memory returning in fragments.
Sabaody. Kuma. Zoro.
All of your crew… gone.
You close your eyes, chest rising with a shaky breath “You shouldn’t have pulled me out.”
Law says nothing.
“I would’ve rather—” You don’t finish the sentence.
He watches you for a long time. Then “I know.”
That’s it. No lecture. No pity.
He just says it like a fact. Like someone who understands what it means to lose everything in a single heartbeat.
The next few days pass in a blur.
The Polar Tang is too clean. Too quiet. The crew is polite but distant. You eat in silence. Sleep too much. You try not to think them, of Zoro, you try not to remember the way he stood in front of you before Kuma could reach you.
Try not to remember that he never even turned around to see if you’d followed, widening his eyes when he realised you disappeared like that.
Law keeps his distance. He doesn’t ask questions. Doesn’t comfort you. But you catch him watching sometimes.
When you forget to eat, he sends food without a word.
When you sit in the med bay too long staring at nothing, he walks in, grabs supplies, and walks out again, without breaking the silence.
You wish you could hate him for pulling you out. For saving you when no one else made it.
But you don’t. You can’t.
Because in those rare moments when he looks at you, you feel like maybe he’s just as lost.
One night, you’re in the observation room, staring at the ocean through a round porthole. You don’t hear him come in.
“I keep seeing it,” you say softly, not turning around “Zoro… the way he disappeared. I didn’t even say anything.”
“You wouldn’t have had time” Law answers.
You let out a hollow laugh “I had years, actually.”
That shuts him up.
You finally look over your shoulder “You’re not going to tell me I’ll move on?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
He pauses, then shrugs “Because I wouldn’t.”
The words hit harder than you expect. You swallow.
He steps closer, hands in his pockets, voice low “I didn’t save you for you, you know.”
Your breath catches “What does that mean?”
Law meets your eyes for half a second. Then he shakes his head.
“Forget it.”
He turns to leave.
You almost call out to him, ask him to stay, but you don’t.
Because Zoro never said what you needed to hear. And now Law won’t either.
Days pass. Maybe weeks. You don’t count them.
The crew leaves you alone. Law doesn’t.
Not in an obvious way, he never lingers too long, never asks too much. But he’s always there, hovering at the edges of your grief like someone who’s used to ghosts.
And Zoro is a ghost. Not dead. Not gone forever. But still gone.
You wonder if he thought of you before he disappeared. If he was scared.
You dig your nails into your palms and force your mind blank.
Law, standing across the room, doesn’t comment. But you know he notices.
Later, at night, you go sitting on the cold metal floor in the lower deck, knees tucked to your chest.
Law’s voice cuts through the silence.
“You keep sitting in dark corners like that, and someone’s gonna think you died.”
You huff a quiet laugh, not looking up “Maybe I did.”
He doesn’t respond right away. Then he says “That’s not how it works.”
You finally glance at him. He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, unreadable as always.
“How does it work, then?” you ask “Losing people?”
Law exhales, slow “Like an open wound. You live with it.”
Your throat tightens.
“You ever lost someone?” you ask before you can stop yourself.
His jaw shifts slightly.
“Yes.”
The weight of it sits between you.
You don’t ask who.
He doesn’t ask why you’re asking.
The silence stretches, but this time, it doesn’t feel empty.
You don’t realize how long he stays there until you finally stand up, lightheaded, exhausted, and he just… turns and walks away.
Like he was only there to make sure you got back up at all.
Another week passes, maybe?
You start eating more. Sleeping less.
The crew stops treating you like a ghost. Bepo tells you stories. Shachi and Penguin try to drag you into their dumb arguments. And Law still keeps his distance.
But one night, when you wake up from another dream where they disappear right in front of you, you stumble into the hallway, breath shaky, and he’s already there. Like he knew.
He doesn’t touch you. Doesn’t say a word.
Just stands there, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp in the dim light.
And for the first time since Sabaody, you don’t feel completely alone.
It’s chaos. Worse than Sabaody.
The battlefield burns, the sky cracked open by fire and screams. Bodies fall. The ocean churns red.
You stand on the deck of the Polar Tang, numb, gripping the railing so hard your knuckles go white. You don’t blink. Don’t move. Because if you do, you might break apart completely.
“Luffy!”
He’s right there.
Not an echo. Not a dream. He’s alive, stumbling forward with Ace’s lifeless body still clutched against his chest, screaming so raw and broken it rips through you.
Your throat closes. You feel sick.
I should have been there.
You don’t realize you’re crying until a hand closes around your wrist.
“Go inside” Law says, voice quiet but firm.
You shake your head wildly “No! I have to—”
“You’ll only get in the way.”
The words cut deep, but you know he’s right.
This isn’t your fight anymore. It was never yours to begin with.
When it’s over, you sit beside Luffy in the Polar Tang’s infirmary. He’s unconscious, face pale, breath shallow.
Tears slip down your cheeks, silent and endless.
“I’m sorry,” you whisper “I’m so sorry.”
You don’t hear Law approach, but suddenly, his shadow stretches across the dim room. He doesn’t say anything, just watches.
After a moment, he kneels beside you.
“He’ll live” he says simply.
You press a hand over your mouth, nodding shakily.
Law stays kneeling there for a few seconds longer, like he almost wants to reach for you. But then he stands, and the moment is gone.
Two weeks later Luffy stands on the shore, fists clenched.
“I’m going to train” he says “For two years.”
You nod, already knowing.
Then he turns to you “You should train too.”
Your breath catches “With you?”
“No.” Luffy shakes his head pointing slightly and fast at Law “With him.”
Your stomach drops “Luffy—”
“You’re not strong enough yet...” he says, no hesitation, no softness “None of us were.”
You flinch.
Luffy doesn’t mean to hurt you, but he’s right. You weren’t strong enough. Not to stop Kuma. Not to fight in Marineford.
Not even to keep Zoro in your life.
You turn to Law, who watches you in that unreadable way of his.
“You want me to stay?” you ask.
He shrugs “Your captain does.”
“And you?”
Something flickers in his eyes, quick as lightning. But then it’s gone.
“We leave tomorrow.”
That’s all he says and you don’t argue.
Luffy waves from the shore one last time, grinning even though he’s still healing, even though everything’s shattered.
“Train hard!” he yells “Don’t die!”
You wave back. Smile. Fake it.
“See you in two years, Captain!” you say.
He disappears into the jungle with Rayleigh at his side.
And that’s it. Luffy’s gone.
The last thread connecting you to the Straw Hats...
You don’t make it far. Maybe ten steps onto the Polar Tang before your knees buckle.
You sink to the floor in the hallway, fists clenched, trying to breathe.
They’re all gone. And Luffy, your captain, your anchor, isn’t the one you have to follow now.
Your whole chest aches with the weight of them, and Zoro... who never even looked back at you in the same way you looked at him.
Your hands shake. You press them to your mouth, try to swallow the sob, but it bursts out anyway.
You don’t hear footsteps. But suddenly Law is there, crouched beside you like he’s been waiting.
“Let it out” he says, voice low, steady.
You cry harder.
Ugly, gasping sobs that have been locked in since Sabaody. You curl into yourself, and he doesn’t touch you, he just stays.
You don’t know how long it lasts. Minutes. Maybe more.
When your breathing finally evens out, you whisper “I didn’t want to go with you.”
“I know.”
“I wanted to stay with them.”
“I know” he says again. But it’s softer this time. Almost careful.
You look up at him, eyes swollen and wet “Why did you even save me?”
He doesn’t answer. Just stands and offers a hand.
“Come on. I’m training you. Start now.”
Day one, training begins and you’re sore within an hour.
Law doesn’t go easy on you, not out of cruelty, but because he doesn’t believe in easy.
He corrects your stance with a flick of his sword, shoves your balance when it’s off, tells you when your swings are weak. But he never mocks. Never smirks.
And when you collapse into the dirt, gasping for breath, he tosses you a canteen and says:
“You did better than yesterday.”
“…It’s the first day.”
He shrugs “I’m setting the bar low.”
It almost makes you laugh.
That night, you stare at the ceiling of your bunk, arms aching, mind fogged with exhaustion.
And you realize Law could’ve left you behind. Could’ve dropped you off somewhere from the beginning. But he didn’t.
He’s not kind. But he’s constant. Present.
You fall asleep thinking of Zoro.
But just before your dreams take you, you actually see Law’s eyes, calm and steady, and feel just a little less alone.
Month one, and Law doesn’t hold back.
He pushes you until your muscles scream, until you’re too exhausted to think. Maybe that’s the point, maybe he knows you’d drown in your own thoughts if he let you rest too long.
At night, you collapse into your bunk, body bruised, mind blank.
And sometimes, when the nightmares come, he’s already awake. He never says anything. Never asks. But if you step outside to breathe, he’s always leaning somewhere out there, pretending it’s a coincidence.
Month three, and training drill goes wrong. Your foot slips, and you hit the ground har, too hard. You try to get up, but your vision sways.
Law is there in an instant as he kneels beside you, eyes sharp with something you almost don’t recognize. Worry.
“You hit your head,” he mutters, scanning you “Idiot.”
You blink up at him, dazed “You care.”
His hands still for half a second.
Then he scoffs, expression smoothing into something unreadable “Don’t flatter yourself.”
But when he helps you stand, his grip is steady. Careful.
Month eight, Law’s sword crashes against yours, and your blood thrums with the fight, and when you smirk at him, he smirks back.
Not mocking.
Not cold.
Just something warm.
The moment is gone too fast. But that night, lying in bed, you realize you stopped thinking about him that much.
Year one, and you have your first real battle of your time with the Heart Pirates. A raid gone wrong.
You’re cornered, outnumbered, bleeding, one knee on the ground.
And then shink. A blade flashes.
When you look up, Law is standing over you, sword drawn, eyes dark with something dangerous.
You breathe hard, staring up at him “You...”
“Idiot.” His voice is sharp, but his hands, when he helps you up, are steady “You were reckless.”
“You saved me again.”
“Tch. I told you before.” he mutters, gripping your arm “Don’t flatter yourself.”
But that night, when you pass out from exhaustion, you swear you feel someone pull a blanket over you.
It’s weird. You don’t remember when it started, when the metal walls of the submarine stopped feeling cold.
You laugh easier these days. Mostly because of the crew.
Bepo makes dumb jokes that hit way too hard when you’re tired. Penguin and Shachi bicker like toddlers. You’ve been caught in the middle more than once.
“You’re taking my side, right?” Shachi demands.
“She likes me more” Penguin argues.
You just smirk “Bepo’s the only one with a brain. I’m staying on his side.”
They groan in betrayal. Bepo beams.
You catch Law watching from the upper deck, arms crossed, leaning against the railing like he’s not paying attention, but you know he is. He watches a lot now. He listens when you’re laughing, eyes sharp, expression unreadable. Not because he’s annoyed, but because he knows the clock’s ticking.
Soon, you’ll leave.
He doesn’t say it. He never would.
But you see it in the way he looks at you like he’s memorizing it all.
And what makes it worse is that with time you’ve gotten even bolder. You tease him now, just to see if you can crack that calm exterior.
“Law,” you lean across the table with your chin in your palm, “have I finally impressed you yet?”
He doesn’t even glance up from the reports “No.”
You grin “Liar.”
He looks at you then. Just briefly. But there’s something dangerous in his eyes. Warm and annoyed.
“You’re becoming a nuisance” he says.
“And yet,” you whisper with mock drama, “you’ve never kicked me off your ship.”
His jaw ticks. You love it.
You turn away smiling, leaving him there, stoic and silent, pretending you didn’t just get under his skin again.
He watches you walk off, fingers tapping once against the table, tension in his shoulders that has nothing to do with the reports.
Year two, you still think about Zoro, but your heart is quieter now.
You don’t think of him every night like before.
And that realization actually terrifies you. Because you’ve spent years thinking of Zoro.
And somehow, without meaning to, without wanting to, you started looking at someone else.
Two years vanish in the wind.
Your boots hit Sabaody’s soil.
Same place. Same light in the sky. But nothing feels the same, not the way you stand taller, breathe steadier, walk with quiet strength instead of wide-eyed hope.
The crew is here.
Your crew.
Luffy’s laugh is the same. Usopp’s dramatic wailing makes you snort. Nami nearly tackles you in a hug.
Sanji cries actual blood when he sees you. Chopper does his little spin.
You smile so much your face hurts. But your heart stays still.
Because he’s not here.
Not yet.
You hear the footsteps behind you first. Steady. Heavy. Familiar.
You turn and there he is.
Zoro.
He’s taller. Broader. Scars you don’t recognize. A presence so solid it makes the air shift.
His gaze snaps to yours, and it holds. No blink. No hesitation.
Your breath catches.
“Hey” you whisper.
It’s barely a word. Barely a sound.
He’s staring like he hasn’t seen anyone else since the day you disappeared.
“…You’re alive” he says. Voice low.
You nod “So are you.”
A beat.
He steps forward, and for a second you think he’s going to touch you. Say something. Anything. But he just stops a foot away.
“…You look stronger.” he says.
You blink, a laugh slipping out that’s part broken, part breathless “Took me long enough.”
He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t look away. Just says “I looked for you.”
Your heart slams.
“What?”
“When we got back.” He says it like it’s nothing “I looked. Didn’t stop for months. Thought you were dead.”
You try to swallow, but your throat’s tight “I—I was with Law.”
His jaw tenses “Yeah. I heard.”
Silence stretches between you.
He looks the same, but not really. He feels different. Like the sharp edges are still there, but dulled by time. Regret.
And you’re not sure what you feel, because for these two years, Zoro haunted you. And now he’s here, real and solid and late.
He shifts closer again, eyes flicking over your face “You okay?”
You nod, barely “You?”
“Better now.” he says, almost too low to hear.
You don’t answer. You can’t.
Because behind you, someone calls your name.
You turn, just enough to see Law, standing off to the side, watching. Zoro’s gaze follows yours.
And the moment breaks.
Law finds you leaning over a crate on the dock, hands smudged with oil from helping Franky. The sun’s setting, orange light stretching long across the sea.
“You leaving already?” you ask, tossing him a crooked grin.
He nods “I did my job and you're here now. My crew’s waiting.”
You straighten up. Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like just a goodbye.
“Oh.”
He doesn’t meet your eyes “You’re back where you belong.”
You hate how your throat tightens “Law...”
“I don’t regret it” he cuts in, voice low “Any of it. Saving you. Training you. Keeping you.”
You stare at him, heart thudding.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean” he says, eyes flicking up to meet yours.
"You usually don't talk much at all."
“Then take this as a rare moment of honesty.”
You laugh a little, shaky “Okay…”
He steps closer, close enough that your shoulders nearly touch “You were never just someone I saved.”
The world tilts. You don’t breathe.
“You're back with them now…” he hesitates, swallows, “With him... as you always wanted.”
That’s when it hits you.
The shift in your chest. The ache you’ve been ignoring. The weight behind every time you teased him. Every time he didn’t laugh, but stayed.
You look up at him and it’s all over your face.
Law sees it.
You don’t say anything. You can’t. Because it’s too late.
So you just nod, eyes shining.
“Goodbye, Law.”
He looks at you one last time, as if memorizing it. Then he turns and leaves.
Zoro watches from the shadows. He doesn’t mean to. But he sees it all.
The way you stand still long after Law disappears from sight.
The way your shoulders tremble, just once.
And, worst of all, the look you gave him. That soft, broken, aching look.
Zoro’s chest goes tight, because he knows that look. You used to give it to him, back when he was too blind to see it.
Now, he sees it clear as day, but it’s not for him anymore.
Later that night, he tries anyway.
He finds you on the deck, alone, arms wrapped around yourself.
“Can I talk to you?” he asks.
You turn slowly. Smile tiredly “Sure.”
He steps closer. Hesitates. Then “I meant what I said. I missed you. I still do.”
You blink, surprised “Zoro...”
“I didn’t know how to say it back then. But I do now.”
You look at him, really look, and something in your face flickers.
Soft but sad.
“I waited a long time” you whisper.
“I know.”
“And now…” you trail off “Now, I don’t know what I feel.”
He nods, jaw tight “But I do.”
You close your eyes “I’m sorry.”
And that’s it. He’s too late.
Zoro isn’t good with words, but he can do actions. So he sticks close.
He stands by you during battles. Helps you sharpen your blade even when you insist you can do it yourself. He throws his jacket at you during a cold night on deck without saying a word.
You stop flinching when he shows up.
You stop looking away so quickly.
That’s progress, right?
One night, he brings you food. He sets it beside you with a quiet, “Eat. You skipped dinner.”
You glance up “Didn’t think you noticed.”
“I notice a lot more now.”
Your eyes meet his. There’s warmth there, brief, flickering. And Zoro clings to it.
He doesn’t say the words again. Not yet. He knows now that words have weight. That the next time he confesses, it can’t be casual. It can’t be a maybe.
So he waits.
Watches.
Hopes.
You’re softer with him. You laugh sometimes. You don’t run anymore. But you also don’t reach for him. Not the way you used to.
Weeks pass. Battles come and go. And with every scar, every shared glance, every late-night conversation, Zoro starts to think.
Maybe this time he’ll be enough.
Maybe you’re still finding your way back.
Then Punk Hazard happens. The fog. The cold. The chaos.
And amid all that... “Room.”
Zoro turns fast. His hand tightens around his sword.
Law.
He’s standing like he never left. Calm. Collected. Surgeon’s eyes scanning the area.
And then he sees you.
You freeze. You don’t say anything, but you smile.
Not the polite kind. Not the cautious one you give strangers.
It’s soft. Familiar. Full.
Zoro watches your whole face change, lit from within in a way he hasn’t seen in years.
And that’s when it hits him.
You really do look at Law the way you used to look at him.
He turns away before you can see the hurt break through his face.
For the first time since he started trying, Zoro feels something crack.
He’s not done yet. But for the first time, he wonders if trying is enough.
The alliance happens fast. Faster than anyone expects. But not without meaning.
Luffy grins wide as ever, standing on the snowy remains of the Punk Hazard wreckage, hand outstretched “Let’s do it!”
Law hesitates for half a second, like he always does. Like he’s weighing every possible outcome.
But then his eyes flick past Luffy, just for a moment. To you.
Standing there, watching, quiet.
He takes the hand.
The crew erupts behind you, half celebrating, half groaning.
“An alliance with him? Really?!” Usopp yells.
“Great,” Nami mutters “Another brooding one.”
Sanji lights a cigarette, eyes narrowing at Law “As long as he keeps his hands off certain people, I guess it’s fine.”
You roll your eyes “Sanji!”
Law blinks, then tilts his head “Was that directed at me?”
Sanji blows out smoke “You did spend two years alone with her, didn’t you?”
You choke. Zoro tenses.
And Law... oh God, he blushes.
It’s the faintest thing. Barely there. Just a brush of pink at his cheekbones.
But everyone sees it.
Robin smiles knowingly. Franky lets out a long “oooooohhh!” Chopper gasps like he’s watching a soap opera.
You cover your face with both hands “Oh my god.”
Law clears his throat and looks away “This is an alliance. Nothing more.”
Sanji grins like a wolf “Didn’t say it wasn’t anything else.”
Luffy just shrugs “Trafalgar’s cool. He helped when I couldn’t.”
That makes everyone pause, because that matters.
Luffy doesn’t say things like that often.
He looks at you next, eyes clear and serious for once “He kept you alive. And that means something to me.”
Your chest tightens.
Law doesn’t respond, but his shoulders shift, barely. The way they do when he’s holding something in.
Zoro doesn’t say anything either. But he hears everything. He sees everything. And it burns.
You’re all in the same ship now, as Law temporarily sail with you all.
It’s chaos. Tension thick in the air. But it’s not the alliance that’s unstable.
It’s Zoro and Law.
It starts small.
During a strategy meeting, you lean over Law’s shoulder to point at the map.
“Right here. If we flank from the east—”
Zoro cuts in from behind you “That’s a crap angle. It exposes our backs.”
Law doesn’t even look up “Not if we use your crew as decoys.”
Zoro’s eye twitches “You offering to lead that charge, or just hoping we’ll take the hit for you?”
“Don’t project your martyr complex on me, Roronoa.”
You sigh, stepping between them before things can escalate “Can we not have a dick-measuring contest over a map?”
Law raises a brow “Who said anything about that?”
Zoro smirks “Pretty sure I’m winning anyway.”
“Zoro!”
He glances at you. Shrugs “Just saying.”
Law’s lips twitch, somewhere between annoyance and something else “Very mature.”
Later that day, you’re sparring on deck, Zoro by your side, running drills. He’s focused, strict, pushing you hard, harder than usual.
“You’re dropping your left,” he grunts “Again.”
“I’m tired...”
“You’ll be dead if you fight like that.”
You glare at him, wiping sweat from your brow “God, you’re such an ass sometimes.”
“Only when you’re being lazy.”
“You wanna fight?”
He smirks “Thought we were.”
Before you can respond...
“Maybe she needs a better teacher.”
You both turn.
Law stands a few feet away, arms crossed, tone dry.
Zoro straightens, blade resting on his shoulder “You volunteering?”
Law shrugs “At least I know how to critique without barking like a feral animal.”
Zoro steps forward, slow, deliberate “She’s strong because I push her. I’ve been training with her since before you knew her name.”
Law’s gaze doesn’t waver “And yet, she still survived two years without you.”
You can feel the tension crackle in the air, and you’re right in the middle.
“Enough!” you snap, stepping between them “I’m not a prize. You don’t get to fight over me like I’m some damn bounty.”
Neither of them speaks. But they don’t look away from each other either.
Zoro’s jaw is tight.
Law’s hands curl just slightly at his sides.
“Get your shit together. Both of you.”
And then you walk off. Neither of them follows, but both of them want to.
You avoid them both for a while.
Let them stay in their own awkward silences and heavy stares.
Zoro finds you first.
“You’re pissed.”
You don’t look at him “You think?”
He doesn’t back off. He never does.
“I wasn’t trying to make you feel like you’re caught in the middle.”
“You weren’t?” you laugh bitterly “Because it really feels like it, Zoro.”
His voice lowers “I’m trying to tell you I still—”
“Now you want to say something?” you cut in “After years of pretending I didn’t exist? After I stopped looking at you like you were my whole world?”
Zoro flinches. Just a little.
You don’t stop “You only noticed me after someone else did. That’s not love, Zoro. That’s jealousy.”
“It’s not,” he says, sharp now “You think I didn’t feel it back then? I did. I just… didn’t know what to do with it. I thought we had time.”
You stare at him “We didn’t.”
Silence.
And then “Do you love him?”
The question lands like a weight.
You blink. Breathe. Whisper “I don’t know.”
Zoro doesn’t move. But everything in him tenses.
You keep going, quieter now “I loved you for so long, Zoro. I would’ve followed you anywhere.”
He’s looking at the ground now “I know.”
“And you didn’t even have to do anything. You just had to see me.”
“I see you now.”
You shake your head “Maybe too late.”
That night, Law comes to you. Quiet as ever.
You’re sitting at the railing, staring at the sea like it has answers. He stops beside you and sits.
“I shouldn’t have fought with him.”
You glance at him “Didn’t exactly help.”
He nods, once “I know.”
There’s silence for a beat. Then “I didn’t want to come back. I thought maybe it would be easier for you if I stayed gone.”
“That’s not what I wanted.”
He turns his head to look at you “I know. But I also know how you looked at him.”
You laugh softly, bitter “I used to. Not sure I even remember how it felt anymore.”
Law watches you “Do you remember it when you look at me now?”
You swallow “I don’t know.”
It’s the truth. And it hurts.
“I think I wanted to.”
His eyes soften “That’s not the same thing.”
You nod “I know.”
Two men.
One you loved for years.
One who helped you find yourself again.
And now, you have to choose.
Zoro doesn’t approach you after that conversation.
For days, he stays distant. His eyes heavy with everything unsaid, his silence louder than any words could be.
It’s not easy for him. But somehow, it’s easier for you.
You’re not holding on anymore. Not to him. Not to the past.
The nights spent on deck, watching the stars with Law, become moments of clarity for you. He’s the calm in your storm. The one who doesn’t try to change you, doesn’t try to fix you.
He simply… is.
You go sit beside him, your shoulder grazing his. Your heart is full of things you can’t put into words, things you don’t need to say because he knows.
And for once, you’re not scared of the future.
“I’m sorry” you murmur, breaking the silence.
He looks at you. His expression unreadable, but there’s understanding in his eyes “For what?”
“For everything,” you say, a little shakier than you expected “For making this so… messy. For making it hurt.”
His lips twitch, just a little. A subtle hint of a smile “It wasn’t just you.”
You look down at your hands, fingers fidgeting “I don’t know when it happened. When I stopped thinking about him like that. But I guess… I was always looking for something different from that. Someone who would…”
“See you?” Law finishes softly.
You nod “Yeah.”
“I see you.” His voice is steady, as it always is.
The words wrap around you like a blanket, and you feel something inside you uncoil, like it’s been waiting for this moment. For someone to just see you. All of you. No conditions. No hesitations.
“I’m sorry” you repeat, but this time, it’s softer. Not a confession, but a release. A letting go.
He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leans closer. You’re not sure if you should pull away. You don’t. You can’t.
When his lips meet yours, it’s gentle. You kiss him, and it feels like coming home.
The next morning, Zoro is gone. Not physically, he’s still there. But he’s… gone.
He doesn’t look at you the way he used to. He doesn’t demand your attention. He doesn’t hold your gaze for too long, hoping you’ll see something in him that you used to.
And you don’t feel the ache in your chest anymore.
It’s the quietest goodbye you could’ve hoped for.
You stand beside Law as the waves crash against the ship, the wind tugging at your hair. It feels like a beginning. A new beginning.
“I’ve got your back” Law says quietly, his voice the same steady promise.
You smile, looking out toward the horizon “I know.”
You pause for a moment, then turn to him with a teasing grin “But, you know…”
He raises an eyebrow “What?”
“If we’re going to be all teamwork and allies like this…” You give him a playful glance, “You have to stop looking so serious all the time. It’s like you’re trying to compete with Zoro again but for the ‘most brooding’ title this time.”
He actually blinks at you. And then… he smirks “Is that so? I didn’t realize I had competition.”
“Mmhm.” You tilt your head, as if seriously contemplating the challenge “But I’ll let you have it. For now.”
He chuckles softly “I’ll try not to disappoint, then.”
You nudge him with your shoulder, laughter bubbling up between you “You’re lucky you’re cute when you do it.”
His smirk widens "You have a type."
You gasp at his honesty, and you push him away just for him to push you back in his arms. You laugh and he smiles, you'd pay to stay in this moment forever, because joking, laughing with him, loving him... it feels even better than you could ever imagine.
Alternative Ending
The days after your conversation with Zoro are tense. He stays distant at first, too, as if unsure how to act after everything. But the quiet between you both doesn’t last long.
One evening, you find yourself standing at the edge of the ship, staring at the vast sea, the weight of your heart pulling you down.
It’s late. The only sound is the gentle rush of the waves.
You can feel him before you hear him.
“Y/N.”
You turn and see Zoro stands a few feet away, his silhouette dark against the moonlit sky. His expression is unreadable, but his voice cracks slightly.
“I’ve been an idiot.”
You blink, surprised at the words.
He steps forward, hesitating, then adds, “I should’ve told you. A long time ago. I...” He stops himself, runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated “I wasn’t ready. And I thought… I thought you’d wait for me. But I was wrong.”
You stare at him, heart beating faster with every word.
“I don’t know how to say this, but...” He takes a breath, looking you directly in the eyes now “I’ve been in love with you since the beginning. Since the first time I saw you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. But I didn’t know how to show it. And when you started looking at someone else…” He clenches his fist “It killed me. I know I didn’t deserve you, but I couldn’t just... let you go.”
You swallow hard. He sounds so vulnerable now, in a way you’ve never heard before. It’s the side of him that never showed, always hidden behind his gruff exterior.
“Zoro…” you say softly, taking a step toward him.
“I know you might think it’s too late.” He looks down, the weight of his regret pressing him down “But I’ll keep fighting for you. If you’ll give me the chance.”
Your heart flutters, a mixture of relief and a longing you haven’t felt in so long. You step forward until you’re right in front of him, your breath mingling in the quiet air.
“I...” you hesitate for a second “I thought I was over you. That I had to let go.”
His hand twitches at his side, wanting to reach out but unsure “I know. And I don’t deserve you anymore.”
“But you’re here now.”
His eyes flicker with hope “I’m here now.”
Without a word, you step closer, closing the small gap between you. And you kiss him.
It’s slow at first. Tentative, unsure, like the beginning of something new. And for a moment, the entire world disappears. There’s no tension, no confusion, just you and him.
When you pull away, he’s staring at you, eyes wide, disbelief and joy mixing in his expression.
“Zoro, I…” You can barely catch your breath “I choose you. I choose us.”
He blinks, then grins, a rare, honest smile you’ve only seen glimpses of. He pulls you closer, this time with certainty.
“I’m not letting go this time, Y/N. I promise.”
The next morning, you wake up to the sound of Zoro sharpening his swords on the deck. You sit up slowly, stretching your arms, a small smile tugging at your lips.
He notices you and pauses, wiping his sweat from his forehead.
“You’re up early” he grunts, clearly still adjusting to this softer side of him.
You nod “Couldn’t sleep. Had too much on my mind.”
“Like what?” He smirks, teasing now.
You chuckle and roll your eyes “Like how stubborn you are sometimes.”
He raises an eyebrow “Me? Stubborn? You must be confusing me with someone else.”
You walk over to him, standing beside him for a moment before you take a deep breath and add, “I’ve always been in love with you, Zoro. But I needed you to see me.”
He grins, his usual cocky demeanor returning “I see you now.”
“You better!” you reply with a playful smirk, your heart finally light.
And for the first time in a long while, it feels like the beginning of something that could last.
Summary: You and Zoro hate each other but feelings start to change when the captain of the Barto pirates points out what a great couple you two make.
Word Count: 1.3K
Note: Not Edited!
Masterlist
The grand Colosseum of Dressrosa buzzed with the roars of the crowd. Fighters from all across the grand line had gathered, their minds filled with ambition. Among them stood Bartolomeo, nearly vibrating with excitement. He had just met his hero, Monkey D. Luffy, the future king of the pirates. But now, his attention was completely captivated by the scene unfolding before him. He couldn’t believe it! You and Roronoa Zoro were there standing right there!
Since Bartolomeo’s obsession with the Straw Hats began, he’d held the utmost respect and admiration for each crew member. But your relationship with Zoro held a special place in his heart. He’d heard tales of your synchronized battles, of how you two took down foes with perfect timing, always watching each other’s backs. Now, he watched as the two of you stood so close to each other, sharing what looked like an intimate conversation.
Oh, how he wished he could hear every word you two were saying to one another…
OoOoOo
“IDIOT!” you hiss as Zoro walks away from you. “You’re going the wrong way!”
Kin’emon, dressed in his disguise, stood nearby with an exasperated look. In his short time knowing you he’d grown accustomed to the daily verbal sparring matches between you two.
Zoro spun around, eye narrowed. Your eyes locked with his, a storm brewing between you. “How would you know that? You’ve never been here either!”
“Because I’m not a moron!” You jabbed a finger in his direction, inching closer. It was infuriating how much Zoro seemed to get under your skin.
Ever since you joined the crew, Zoro had an uncanny knack for getting in your way. You tried not to let it bother you but every time you were about to defeat an opponent, Zoro would swoop in and take them down first. It drove you insane. So you started doing the same to him, knowing it drove him mad with similar fury. Since then, you’d made it a habit to pick on him with Sanji, drink his alcohol, and “accidentally” wake him up from naps.
“If you’re so concerned about which way we’re going, then leave.” He pointed in the opposite direction with a sharp flick of his wrist. “Go that way.”
Kin’emon’s voice cut through the tension. “Please, there’s no need to argue—”
But neither of you heard him as you stepped forward. Your fists clenched as heat surged through your veins. Your face was now very close to his, “I hate you. I hope you get lost and don’t come back.”
Zoro’s lip curled, his head tilting in a mocking grin. “Big words coming from a meek woman!”
“Meek?” you repeated, eyes blazing. “You son of a b—”
A loud, high-pitched squeal erupted nearby. “Oh. My. God. It’s Mister Roronoa Zoro and Miss Y/N!” Bartolomeo’s eyes were wide with admiration, his hands clutched to his chest as if his heart might burst.
Your scowl turned to panic. “Um—no, no. I think you have us confused,” you blurted out, shifting awkwardly as Zoro gave you a look.
“Yeah, we’re just regular citizens of Dressrosa,” he added, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Bartolomeo was undeterred, bouncing with excitement. “May I just say you two are so cute together! The power couple of the Pirate Era!”
The world seemed to pause as you and Zoro exchanged glances, the fierce tension shifting to something strange and unspoken. You watched his eyes soften, only for a moment before hardening again.
“Oh- No, we’re not a couple,” you protested.
“But you two are my OTP!” Bartolomeo exclaimed, looking devastated.
“Listen, pal, I don’t know what that means, but she hates me,” Zoro huffed, gesturing toward you.”
“But… you defend each other in battle! Finish off each other’s foes!” Bartolomeo exclaimed. “And according to the Straw Hat fan club newsletter, it says and I quote: Zoro and Y/N’s secret love is a thing of beauty in this rough worl—”
“Yeah, hate to break it to you,” you interrupted, “but we have not, nor will we ever, be a thing.”
Bartolomeo’s face fell, and he broke out into exaggerated tears. “Oh, this is a tragedy! How could I be so wrong!”
Zoro exhaled, breaking eye contact. “Come on. We don’t have time for this.”
A small smile crept onto your lips as you followed him, muttering, “You’re still going the wrong way.”
OoOoOo
Kin’emon directed the two of you to a narrow alley, muttering something about searching for his friend and promising to return soon. As the sounds of the bustling street faded, silence settled between you and Zoro, thick with an awkward tension neither of you knew how to break. You found yourself overthinking the fanatics' odd assumption—why would he (and others apparently) think that you and the green-haired swordsman made a good match? You stole a glance at him. Sure, you didn’t want to admit it, but the scarred man was ruggedly handsome. But he had such an infuriating personality. With his brooding silences, those ridiculous earrings, and his rippling muscles—wait, what!?
The silence dragged on until, finally, Zoro broke it, pulling you out of your spiraling thoughts. “Tch, don’t listen to that weird guy. He’s got no clue what he’s saying.”
You let out a dry chuckle, “Yeah, seriously. I mean, can you imagine? You and me?”
Zoro smirked, his sharp gaze flicking over to you. “Yeah, right. Total disaster.”
“One of epic proportions,” you agreed, crossing your arms and leaning back against the wall. You turned your head, pretending to be absorbed by the junk lying around, “The world couldn’t handle it.”
A glint of something unguarded flickered in Zoro’s eyes as he stepped closer, his presence shifting from casual to something more intense. “And yet,” he said, his voice a low, teasing rumble, “you’re still here. You haven’t walked away.”
You raised an eyebrow, turning to meet his gaze. “Maybe I just don’t trust you not to get yourself into trouble the second I turn my back.”
He huffed a short laugh, taking another step that brought him close enough for you to feel the heat radiating off his body. “You think I need you to babysit me?”
“Need? No.” Your voice dropped, matching his tone. “But I know for a fact if it wasn’t for me you’d be neck-deep in trouble twice as often.”
A grin curled at the edge of his lips, his eyes flicking down to your lips and then back to your eyes, lingering for just a second too long. “Guess I’d better keep you close then, huh?” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Your heart skipped a beat, the atmosphere between you shifting, the sharp tension morphing into something far more dangerous. The unspoken heat you’d tried so hard to ignore suddenly flared, like a fuse catching fire. For a moment, neither of you moved, as if testing how far this would go. But then, something snapped—years of friction, half-buried glances, and barely-concealed bickering finally erupted. He surged forward, and before you could second-guess it, your lips crashed into his.
The kiss was intense, more battle than embrace, a raw clash of defiance and need. Your hands found his broad shoulders, fingers digging into them as his calloused hands cupped the back of your neck, then tangling in your hair. Everything else faded: the noise of the marketplace, the distant shouts of vendors, even the thought of Kin’emon returning. For this moment, it was just the two of you, like fire meeting spilled oil—volatile, explosive, and inevitable.
When you broke apart, both of you were panting, your breaths mingling in the space between you. Zoro’s lips curved into a smirk, his eyes darkened with something that made your pulse race. “You still hate me?” he asked, his voice a husky drawl.
“With a passion,” you growled, trying to steady your breathing.
“Good.” He chuckled, his hand sliding down to grip your ass possessively. With a rough shove, he pinned you harder against the wall, his lips ghosting the shell of your ear. “Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Your retort was lost as his lips found yours again, the world outside that narrow alley slipping into oblivion.
As You and Ace explore a new Island you come across a waterfall...
Note: So this is my first time writing smut. Hope you enjoy!
Word Count: 1.4k
Masterlist
Warnings: NSFW 18+ ONLY! Not Edited!
“Hey, wait up!” Ace called out behind you as he navigated the rocky terrain, trying to keep up.
“Ace, can you believe it?” you said, breathless as you reached the peak. The sight before you stole your words—a majestic waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear lake, bathed in sunlight and filtered through the mist, forming a delicate rainbow.
Ace caught up, his gaze following yours to the breathtaking scene. “So beautiful,” you whispered, transfixed on the rushing water.
“Yeah,” he murmured, but his eyes remained on you, admiration softening his features.
With a playful grin, you shimmied out of your faded shorts, revealing your favorite bikini bottoms that perfectly matched the top you wore. The misty spray from the waterfall touched your skin, sending a shiver through you. Ace’s eyes widened, and his knees buckled a bit. It must have been the mist of the seawater. Yes, that's it.
“Seriously?” he teased, smirking.
“I’m not wasting this opportunity!” You laugh. Taking a step back you launch yourself off the rocks, diving into the water below in a graceful arc.
“Are you crazy?!” he shouted, worry threading through his voice as you disappeared beneath the surface. Relief only came when he saw you pop back up, grinning and waving. He worked his way down to the water’s edge, landing where the grass met the rocky bank.
“You could have hit the rocks! Then who would have saved you?” he asked, his voice softening as you swam up to the bank where he now knelt. "You okay?"
In response, you squirted water from your mouth onto his face before giving him a mischievous grin. He blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter with you, the sound echoing through the clearing.
You lay back in the water, floating leisurely with your arms stretched out, eyes closed, looking utterly content. Ace caught himself smiling, captivated by the ease and happiness you radiated, and for a moment, he wondered what it would be like to join you. But you both knew if he were to dive it he would drown. It was the price he paid for eating a Devil Fruit.
As if you read his thoughts you swam up to him, splashing lightly near his feet. “I wish you could join me,” you said with a playful pout.
He chuckled and winked, “I’ll be here to warm you up when you get out.” Did he just say that? Was Portgas D. Ace Flirting with you?
“Oh, rea—” before you could finish, something tugged at you from beneath the surface. Your whole body was abruptly pulled under, leaving only a trail of bubbles where you had been.
“Y/N!” Ace’s heart lurched as he saw you disappear. You didn’t resurface.
Panic shot through him, and without a second thought, he dove into the water, sinking immediately. Still, his eyes searched for you through the murky depths, straining to see in the greenish gloom.
From the dim light of the sun shining through the murky water, he spotted you a few feet below. You struggled against a baby sea creature that had wrapped its tentacles around your legs. Your eyes were wide with fear, as you kicked wildly against it.
Ace attempted to swim to you, his lungs burning when he watched you reach for the creature, grabbing one of its slimy tentacles and yanking with all of your strength. You stabbed at its eyes with your nails and the beast let out a gurgling shriek, loosening its hold on you just enough for you to kick free.
Your eyes met his. Immediately you kicked over to him, grabbed hold of his arm and propelled yourselves up, breaking through the water’s surface and gasping for air.
“You okay?” Ace coughed, breathing heavily as you pulled him closer to the bank.
You dragged him to the shore. “I should ask you that!” you said breathlessly. “Why would you dive in? You could’ve—”
“I couldn’t just watch.” he cut in, voice hoarse, as you struggled to pull his massive frame out of the water and onto the grassy ground.
You lay beside each other, drenched and exhausted. Raw adrenaline ebbed into laughter. It felt intimate. Before you could second-guess it, you leaned in, pressing your lips to his. He stilled, then responded, deepening the kiss, uncertainty giving way to need. When he pulled back, his gaze searched yours for hesitation. Finding none, he kissed you again, fiercer, fingers tangling in your hair.
“Y/N” he breathed out, rolling on top of you. He looked at your exposed stomach. “Fuck you're so sexy…” he placed his tongue near your navel running it up the length of your stomach up the valley of the mounds sitting on your chest.
His warm fingertips brush against where his tongue just was and he looks mesmerized. You slowly reach for the straps of your top and pull them down, fabric following. Ace's breath hitches as he stares at the sight of your hardened nipples.
“I always knew they would look better than I imagined,” he said moving his fingers to the underside of your tits, grabbing hold of them firmly. Making your center tingle in arousal.
His mouth hovers over your right nipple, taking it in between his teeth. He suckles on you enjoying the breathy sounds you let out. He lets your nipple go with a pop smiling mischievously as his fingers move to your bottoms, pulling them down and off your legs to reveal your sensitive core. Gently he penetrates you with his long fingers, “Oh baby you are soaked.”
“Yes,” You moan at the friction, “Don't stop…”
Ace smirks, “Don't stop what? This?” he picks up the pace, adding another finger.
“Please…”
“What about this?” He bends his head down closing the gap between him and your core.
“Ace…” You moaned. “Fuck!”
With his tongue licking at your clit sucking and teasing it was all too much. That's when you feel the most amazing sensation of your life. Tingles spread through your body as your womanhood clenched and spasmed around his fingers.
“Looks like I found another waterfall.” He laughed as you gushed around his digits. It was only when you stilled that Ace pulled his fingers out, you watched as he brought his fingers to his mouth tasting you. Your cunt ached again just from watching him sitting in the grass licking the remnants of your cum.
You smile and manage to sit up and crawl to him seductively his eyes glued to the way your tits bounce at your movement.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” you say, though you don't wait for instructions or permission; you're already unbuckling his belt.
“Well there is one thing…” he trailed off as he watched you reveal his erection.
You place your hands on his bulky shoulders, “And what would that be?” you ask moving onto him, your pussy hovering over his dick.
He took a moment to stare lovingly into your eyes. His expression seemed quite serious in juxtaposition to your sex-craved one. “Just don’t go diving off cliffs without me, okay?”
His request stirs you, making you place a hand lovingly on his cheek. You lean in close brushing your nose against his.
Your smile turns sly, and your mouth moves to his ear, “No promises,” you tell him before nipping his lobe.
“You fucking tease.” and with that, he grabbed your waist helping you sink on the length of his dick. You bounce on him as he kisses the soft skin of your neck.
“You feel so fucking good.” You hear him murmur between kisses.
You already feel the pressure building again. you let your head tilt back, “Faster. Please- Ace!”
“Tell me,” he growls, “Tell me you won't, and I will.”
“I won't! Not without you! I need you!” you comply and soon you feel his dick hitting your g-spot at lightning speed, “I never want to be without you!”
“Fuck! I'm going to-” he grunts and you kiss him as he spills into you just in time for you to clench rhythmically around him.
He pulls out of you and you roll off him into the grass. Once again you are both on your backs and out of breath.
“That was-” he rasps.
You smile understanding the sentiment, “Yeah.”
“Do you think we could do that again sometime?” he places his hand on yours
You interlace your fingers with his, “Definitely.”
You two lay there for a while smiling like lovestruck fools before having to go back to the ship.
summary: he didn't mean to push you away so harshly, to build his walls so high, but he didn't expect you to go running to someone else...
pairing: zoro x reader, slight law x reader
cw: unrequited feelings (or are they?), angst, no comfort
an: set in wano, with some minor tweaks! thought of this last night and had to share my pain...oops
also, i plan to have some fluffy straw hat stuff out this weekend ♡( ◡‿◡ )
wc: 3.4k
you'd been harboring feelings for your vice captain, for a while. you never acted on it, his aloof nature making you too nervous to make that jump- to try. even then, you were sure that he had more pressing matters to attend to.
so, you kept it under wraps. you trained and laughed and did everything you were supposed to, did everything right, without letting your feelings get too much in the way. it was manageable, and it made you feel good that you could support your crew, even if it meant holding onto your feelings.
it was the little things that gave you away to him. how your eyes darted away a bit too quickly when he met your gaze, how you sometimes intentionally stood farther away from him in a bid to look inconspicuous, even though it made it so much more obvious. he was as dumb as a rock sometimes, yeah, but not when it came to his crew, not when it came to you.
he knew. of course he knew, but he had no reason to call you out on it. clearly you didn't want to discuss it and, as long as it wasn't getting in the way of anything major, he could bear it.
it was when your emotions served as a distraction, that things became complicated.
the land of wano brought with it many challenges. most where physical, be it sneaking around the shady capital or handling some rowdy criminals. having crew members split up also made you worried, only heightening your senses and making your brain run rampant with what ifs. it all comes to a sudden standstill when you and brook, on your way to the safe house, walk in on zoro. one of the most beautiful women you've ever seen is snuggled right into his side and you feel a twinge of envy.
your heart does a somersault in your chest, something twisting in your gut at the unusual sight. a part of you, the rational side, knows very well that zoro didn't let people into his personal space with such ease. yet, even with her explanation, your mood can't help but sour. it only worsens when you all sit down and discuss more pressing matters.
the stresses of wano, this whole hiyori situation and her ever present enthusiasm towards the swordsman has you itching to escape. your responses become curt and your hands twitch in your lap. it's not how you should be acting, not given the circumstances, but you can't help it. finally, when there's a break in the conversation, you politely dismiss yourself.
once outside, you take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. leaning against the wall of the safe house, you let out a sigh and stare off at some random point in the distance in a bid to quell your passive aggressive behavior. the sound of the door opening catches you off guard, your arms crossing over your chest as the swordsman approaches you with a hardened expression.
"the hell is up with that look on your face?" he'd grumble, his cold demeanor matching the chill in the air.
his arms are crossed, his posture tense. while zoro was one to take things as they came, focusing on the present, he couldn't deny that wano and its secrets were gnawing at him as well. he was irritated, wondering why you'd even bother to think about something as miniscule as feelings while there were enemies and actual threats lurking about.
when you don't answer, when he figures you wouldn't even have the guts to bring it up, he huffs. "you think I asked to be cuddled up to like a damn toy?" his eye narrows and he takes a step closer, challenging you. "I don't have feelings for her, or anyone, got it?"
the lump in your throat is too large to swallow and you nod, incapable of much else. a torrent of sensations swirl in your chest: embarrassment that he'd been aware of your feelings this whole time, guilt for letting them get in the way, and a bitter resounding sting that came with rejection.
with a click of his tongue, he turns back and heads into the safe house, mumbling something about pulling yourself together and focusing on what's important.
you're almost glad when zoro ends up splitting off with hiyori later on, your mind flooded with thoughts. in a bid to defend yourself from further pain, you get your act together and squash down those feelings. you do well to put on a brave and happy face, deciding that, yes, there are some more important matters to attend to.
despite that, it's still hard not to see the samurai a bit differently. you knew he was blunt, even harsh at moments, but his approach to such a sensitive topic was a little much for you to handle. even if his words held some truth, that there were more pressing matters to attend to, the delivery of it just made you feel uneasy and hurt.
the rest of your encounters are just as quick, your words just as clipped. if you acted any differently towards him, it wasn't out of malice. subconsciously, you defend yourself from further embarrassment and give him the distance you think he needs.
while the chaos ensues, your defense mechanism only serves as a temporary solution. once the dust settled, it would be a different story.
finally, when the horrors of wano are dealt with, you can breathe a minor sigh of relief. in the flower capital, alongside your crew mates, you patiently wait for luffy and zoro to awaken from their slumbers. when they finally do, the air feels lighter
in the wake of it all, your emotions catch up to you, which makes you feel worse since this was supposed to be a joyful moment. it's hard to fight that initial instinct, to head over to zoro and ask if he's alright or if he needs anything. yet, you force yourself to take a step back, even if it does look like his bandages need tending to.
it's a lot easier to do so once hiyori reveals that she was the one to help bathe him while he was unconscious, your stomach churning as you look away and walk to a different corner of the room. clearly he had someone looking out for him already.
with a polite and slightly forced smile on your face, you find yourself heading over to law, who sits in the corner and chooses to observe the moment rather than partake in any conversation. you'd gotten along well with the surgeon, your relationship only growing stronger as he spent more time with the straw hats. he respected your skills and your perceptiveness, your ability to adapt to the needs of those around you and make them feel at ease.
when he hears you approaching, he's naturally wary, but relents and gives you a nod, saying your name as a way of greeting you. satisfied, you take a seat next to him and raise a hand to gesture at his arm.
"I know you're a surgeon and all, but d'ya think I can help you with your bandages?" you ask him, sincere and with a soft smile. "y'know, before this whole alliance thing is over and all..."
he wants to say no, but the genuine kindness in your eyes has him huffing and looking away. a reddish hue tinges his cheeks and he holds out his arm. "go ahead." his tone fights to maintain its usual indifference, though there's a hint of appreciation laced in.
on the opposite side of the room, where hiyori 'fixed' his bandages much too tight, zoro glances over at you. he notes the way you visibly relax around the surgeon, an action that has him growing irritated. he was your crew mate, your nakama, someone who would keep you safe, not that second rate captain.
when the bandages cut off his circulation, he growls in frustration and tears some of them off. why weren't you over here doing this for him, when you knew exactly how he liked his bandages? why were you tending to law so gently and giving him that smile, the one you hadn't given him in ages?
the swordsman isn't blind. he's been aware of the distance you've put between the two of you, how your 'smile' drops as soon as you turn away from him.
as the battles had come to an end, he's now forced to recall the events which occurred at the safe house. he curses as his own shortcomings, his inability to think twice about his actions and how they'll affect the future.
turning his attention towards something else, he mentally chides himself. what did he care, after all? he didn't do the whole relationship thing, the whole soft and squishy feelings. he was a swordsman, he had a goal and a crew to protect, including you.
his thoughts do little to fight off the twinge of possessiveness he feels when he instinctively looks in your direction and catches sight of you holding law's hand as you secured his bandage. something gnaws at his pride, but he pushes it aside for the sake of maintaining his stoic front.
once everyone is healed, a festival, a grand one, is thrown to celebrate the liberation of wano. lanterns illuminate almost every corner, the scent of food wafting through the air as citizens and samurai and pirates all gather around.
dressed in a lovely kimono of your choice, you're more than eager to join in the revelry. the two bottles of sake that you carry in your hands only highlights your enthusiasm.
you'd been hanging around with the crew for a while, smiling and laughing, but your mind was elsewhere. zoro thinks, for a split second, that you'll hand him a bottle. despite his aloof nature, he'd always find himself sharing a drink with you at times like this.
yet, when you walk in the opposite direction, your smile beaming, your words have him gritting his teeth. "m'gonna go have a drink with law!" you chirp, your excitement palpable.
zoro's jaw clenches as he watches you walk off, his eyes lingering on your figure before he looks away. something simmers beneath the surface, but he keeps it at bay. it's nami's offhand comment that his frustration threatening to boil over.
"don't have too much fun!" she teases, throwing a cheeky smile your way. the others have the nerve to laugh, to egg you on, all while the swordsman relishes in how the alcohol burns his throat.
his knuckles turn white as he grips the neck of his sake bottle, the glass straining against his hold. a plethora of unfamiliar emotions rattle in his chest, but his bullheadedness and pride have him unwilling to budge, even if he wants to grab your arm and pull you back. it wasn't his place.
even when you're out of sight, his eyes subconsciously work to peer through the crowd in an attempt to catch a glimpse of your kimono, your hair, anything. once again, he scolds himself. he had no place to be so... so what? envious? possessive? he was the one to turn you away, after all. regardless, he can't get your smile out of his head. memories of you flood his mind: the banter and the sparring matches at sunset. all of it. just as quickly, he catches himself, bringing his lips to the bottle in a bid to drown out the bitterness on his tongue.
it's nearly a full hour later when you return to the crew, more than buzzed and clinging to the arm of the raven-haired surgeon. he doesn't seem to mind, his furrowed brows and his apathetic expression doing little to hide the blush dusting his cheeks.
glad to be in the company of your crew mates once more, you turn to law and wrap your arms around his waist, your smile so genuine and radiant it makes zoro's chest ache. "thank you traffy!"
the laughter of the rest of the crew echoes in zoro's ears alongside his own thundering heartbeat and boiling blood. what the hell were you doing? a knot forms in his chest, the unfamiliar sensation bringing him a great sense of unease.
he has to force himself to look away, before he realizes that it's not enough. without excusing himself, he stands and walks off towards a more secluded part of the festival. he needs to get away from whatever all that is. he needs to clear his head and heart and steel himself because he shouldn't be focusing on such things.
if you were any more sober, you would've kept your distance. however, it's in your nature to care, to worry and ensure that your crew mates are okay. that's why, as soon as you register the fact that the swordsman is gone, you release your hold on the surgeon and follow after zoro.
it's almost silent, save for the sounds of the festival off in the distance. the streets in this part of the capital aren't as illuminated, but cast enough of a glow for you to see zoro up ahead.
"zoro?" you mumble, attentive despite the alcohol in your system. "what're you doin' all the way out here?" your words are so genuine and full of concern, which makes it all the harder for zoro to respond.
"huh? what does it look like?" he roughly replies, not even bothering to fully face you as he turns his head to the side. "needed a break from all the noise and drunken idiots."
something bubbles in his throat, a lump of guilt that he swallows for the sake of self-preservation. he knows he has no right to be so callous, but can't help the passive-aggressive comment that slips past his lips. "why don't you just go off with that surgeon of yours? seems like better company."
your stomach drops and you take a step back. something wedges itself into your chest, a sense of anxiety and confusion as your mind briefly flickers back to that moment at the safe house. you'd done everything right, hadn't you? you'd given him space and pushed your feelings aside for the sake of the mission, so why this?
your heart starts to race, unable to look him in the eye as you focus your gaze to the side.
"why're you bein' so mean to me...?" you murmur, your hands nervously fidgeting as you await his answer. you just wanted to make things right.
he has to turn away once he catches the hurt on your face. if you were any more sober, you would've caught how he was the one that was truly nervous. the way you threatened to break down the walls he had built for himself has him needing to take control, even if that meant pushing you away.
"m'just being honest." he says, sharper than he means to. "leave me alone. go and enjoy the rest of the damn festival."
regret and longing make his chest throb, but he keeps on his mask of indifference as he takes a step forward and away from you. he wouldn't budge, couldn't.
meanwhile, you stand there, your inhales slowly turning short and ragged. your lips tremble and you fight to hold back sobs, but shortly after, you start to sniffle.
you hated crying, really crying. the crew had seen you shed silly little tears before, maybe over something cute or emotional, but not this. it's something you usually hide away and display in private, but the nature of the situation and the influence of the alcohol have you shedding an uncontrollable amount of tears.
though you shouldn't be, the utter vulnerability of the moment has you feeling embarrassed. you find solace in your sleeves, the kimono becoming damp with tears that don't seem to end. your cheeks sting, rubbed raw as you hide away from him.
zoro's heart drops.
the sound of your sobs is devastating. guilt claws at his chest, threatening to crack him open. when he turns around, all he can feel is regret. the weight of his words, how he treated you, is almost unbearable and makes him feel disgusted with himself.
his mind is racing, wondering what he should do or say to fix this, but he can't come up with an answer. before he can do anything, his mind goes blank at your next words.
"I wish I never got feelings for you." you choke out, unsure if your words are genuine or if you simply wanted to hurt the swordsman. with your shoulders trembling, you continued to cry into your sleeves. "I should've figured that there was nothing in that heart of yours."
deciding that you couldn't stand being in the same vicinity as him anymore, you run off.
he watches you go, his heart screaming at him to go after you, but he can't. the walls crumble and he can't hide anymore, forcing himself to realize that he cares for you so much that it terrifies him. the air is thick with tension, your sobs echoing through the air until they fade away, replaced by the distant sounds of the festival.
regret, self-loathing and longing all swirl in his chest, a torrent of emotion that threatens to swallow him whole.
you don't make it back to the ship that night.
you're too embarrassed and ashamed, not feeling safe enough to be vulnerable. you mentally apologize to the crew, hoping that they aren't too worried.
it isn't until the next morning that you return, or rather, you're returned.
the sun barely peeks over the horizon when law walks aboard the thousand sunny go with you cradled in his arms. you're in a deep sleep, completely exhausted and hungover. you're dressed in some of his clothes, your expression peaceful despite what occurred the night before.
other members of the crew gather around, worried about your well-being, but law is quick to say that you were just hungover and must have gotten lost. however, zoro can tell by the sharp look that law gives him that there was more to the story.
the vice captain grits his teeth, shoulders tensing as he watches law gently carry you over to your quarters.
a part of zoro wants to force law to give him answers, to tear you out of his arms so he could cradle you in his. he should've been the one to care for you, to protect you when you were vulnerable, but he hurt you instead. something else nags at him, the fact that you sought solace in someone else's arms.
law comes out of your room, quietly closing the door before walking down the deck. as he walks by zoro, he doesn't stop, but he shoots him another hardened glare. "you're an idiot, roronoa-ya."
oh, zoro knows.
when you finally awaken, you put on a brave face and tell the rest of the crew that you were sorry about your little slip up. you do well to cover it up with a laugh and smile. you build walls of your own, adamant on not getting hurt again.
it's once the crew is happy and satisfied that you make your way back to your room, your head hanging low as you walk by zoro.
your legs come to a stop and you can only hold his gaze for a second before you look away, just wanting to put this chapter behind you. the ache in your chest grows as you wonder what could've been. your voice is small. "look..." you start, hands bunching up into the borrowed shirt you're wearing. "let's just forget this ever happened and stay friends... alright?"
'forget?' he thinks. 'how can I forget that look on your face? the sounds of your sobs? do you think i'd let you go so easily?'
yet, despite the war raging on inside of him, the words stay stuck in his throat.
"yeah." what am i saying? "just friends."
as he watches you walk back to your room, he feels defeated. pathetic. he wants to say more, to show you that he can be the man you deserve, but for now, he sinks back into his usual habits and wonders what could have been.
he knows that he let something precious slip away.
steeling himself, he holds his heavy heart high. a sliver of determination cuts through his clouded mind and he hopes that, one day, he can make things right.
“Nothing Happened...” @officialstrawhat - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
