Oh my god WOW that Shanks x reader one you posted, just woooow, it was so sweet Im in love. Would you mind if I request a Shanks x Female Reader with a soulmate words AU, who’s a civilian and their twin lines are “Always loved” on their chest? They find out by accident lol
Hiya! Thank you so much!~ I really appreciate it 🍀🙈 I love this request so much, I'm honestly such a sucker for AUs, I hope you enjoy!~
Askbox : Currently open
(Female Pronouns)
Scenario: Soul Mate AU! Shanks accidentally discovering his soul mate.
Word Count: 1850
Soul mates is a concept mentioned often in everyday conversation, dreamt about and hopes are formed around the idea of being united with one’s soul mate – more often than not people tend to gravitate towards others without ever finding their soul mates. One’s soul mate is identified by words on their skin which they are born with; the same words and placement are evident in both partners.
And despite many who don’t truly believe in finding soul mates, thinking of their words to be nothing more than birthmarks… there are still the few who truly believe and go the extra mile searching for the elusive ‘true’ love.
Shanks was one of these individuals, the few who believed in pursuit for the unattainable.
Due to his immense influence, Shanks had occasionally taken on the role of the peacekeeper that tried to prevent the stirrings of war and finds he was travelling frequently due to this. After his many long and drawn out string of meetings, Shanks was exhausted considering he was the only one able to keep himself under control in amongst rooms full of bloodthirsty, hot tempered people whom threatened war as a solution to every problem. Wandering around the town filled with travellers, he seeks out something quiet and goes to the smallest, most inconspicuous place.
Setting foot into the small establishment, he is instantly hit with a comforting warmth and smell of alcohol, enjoying the less than boisterous environment already. There were very few patrons, a few women scattered around wearing the same dress which Shanks had already figured to be the uniform and an elderly man skilfully playing tunes on the equally aged piano – but none the less it seemed fitting for the purpose of food, rest and information on where to stay for the night. He wandered further in, he is met with a slight and unusual irritation on his skin, almost as if it were a low grade burning sensation, he acknowledges it but wilfully chooses to dismiss it.
Sliding into one of the many empty seats, he decides a drink is necessary to settle, his eyes gazing over the well maintained wooden bar, he makes out the silhouette of another women, his eyes wander up to greet a bewitching beauty with an enticing smile which seems to leave him incapacitated, she greets him with a warm and welcoming voice as he regains his senses. Shanks orders his drink as she saunters away, he can’t help but notice the singular difference in her uniform in comparison to the others – longer sleeves and a covered chest. She places the bottle on the bar, preparing a glass and sharing another divine smile. Shanks speaks up, mentioning something along the lines of her smile being too precious to be shared, {Name} laughs in response – although for her it has become routine; the usual customer entertainment – make small talk, encouragement of conversation and laughing at their jokes whether found to be terrible or truly humorous.
Setting the glass down and expertly pouring the poison of choice, {Name’s} eyes inspect the man, noticing his open-chest shirt, she couldn’t help but gaze at the letters on his skin.
“Always loved” - {Name} felt her hand get a bit heavier as she pours Shanks a much stronger drink than intended, brushing off the mishap with the comment “Looks like you need it”
She cleans the small spillage and wipes the outside of his glass, before setting it down in front of him with another well placed smile. Looking for reason to stay and converse {Name} goes for the guise of wiping down the bar and a few additional glasses. “Can I ask why you leave your shirt open?” – She inquires, knowingly asking about the words and not his fashion choice. A cheerful grin, indicating a joy in his response to her question, Shanks recites the answer he has recited many times before with as much passion and insistence as the very first time; explaining that it is on display for everyone to see, yet only truly intended for his soul mate. The world is vast and he does it in the hopes of it lending a helping hand in finding them, should he miss them accidentally.
Shanks bashfully scratches his nose “I admit, I am a bit of a romantic when it comes to this…all things considered it was one of the reasons I became a pirate, travelling to various places and sailing different seas…I’ve been searching since I was young.” Previously he had appeared to be proudly proclaiming looking for his soul mate, and yet the continuation of his confession seemed to be almost secretive; not as shared as one may have previously anticipated.
“What if you’ve already missed them?” {Name} asks, feeling intrigued in finding out how Shanks would answer
“What if you had already met them and you never knew it?” – She extends her question as he seems to be thinking, his brow slightly furrowed in deep thought.
“I would know, if I’ve met them” Shanks replies with a carefree grin, {Name} feels a slight disappointment in his answer, the words ‘yeah right’ come to mind in an overly sarcastic tone which is certainly not suitable for conversation with a customer who could possibly interpret sarcasm as hostility.
Shanks leans in a bit closer to {Name} – “I mean, that’s how I know…it’s you” he says in a slightly hushed tone, {Name} looks at him in complete disbelief… eagerly denying the possibility, Shanks feels a need to mention the difference in her uniform compared to others, seeing as {Name’s} uniform conveniently hides her chest which could show the truth of the current matter.
Reinforcing her previous denial and insistence on it not being the case, Shanks recedes and relinquishes his own assertion on the topic, seemingly surprised that he had guessed wrong, followed by a heartfelt apology on his part.
Shanks initially had said the words in jest, though in an attempt to possibly fluster {Name} but as the words came out, Shanks found himself believing it to be his honest words. Feeling curious however at the raised question, Shanks politely asks {Name} about her marked words, to which {Name} dismisses it, replying with a generic ‘nothing special’ feeling the need to add her view of ‘I’m not looking either’ to the mix. Shanks nods his head in a gesture of understanding trying to settle the slight remaining tension from the ‘mishap’, realizing that he has yet to ask for her name.
“{Name…}” he repeats her name, feeling a slight familiarity, asking if this really was their first meeting… “What would you do if they found you?” Shanks tries to find the answer in her expression which threatens to give nothing away.
“I’m still figuring that out” {Name} says, lost in thought with no smile this time, as she is alerted by another person standing at the bar, she leaves Shanks to help the other patron.
Shanks diverts his attention to his neglected drink; until the temporary peace was disturbed by a raised clamour and commotion, the sounds of angered shouting and things being thrown from a table that was carelessly pushed aside. Normally a fight of small magnitude would be left alone or told to be taken care of elsewhere, until the involvement of one of the workers. {Name} hastily steps out from behind the bar and tries to break up the fight while going to the rescue of her fellow staff. The tension reaches boiling point as {Name’s} interference had offset the reaction between the two, {Name’s} interference was now considered a nuisance and weapons were drawn, in the violent flurry of the fight she had been thrown to the ground, blood running down her arm and chest as a misdirected blade had slashed {Name}.
In the next instance there was silence, followed by the sound of the participants of the fight hitting the ground; now lying unconscious. {Name} instantly covers her chest from the now torn dress as Shanks throws his coat over her, in a swift and effortless manner Shanks had picked her up from the ground, carrying her and asking where he can take her to be cleaned up and rest.
Being shown to the backroom Shanks ignores {Name’s} resistance to his help, claiming that she is fine. Setting her down, he insists on treating her injuries, though to her clear hesitance. Understandably Shanks considers it is the point of him being a man and {Name} is trying to protect her modesty; though he continues insisting, Shanks reinforces the promise that he is not lecherous man and is purely trying to treat her injuries for her sake. {Name} realizes that an untreated wound could lead to complications and somehow she is unable to say no to Shanks, feeling a strange degree of trust towards him.
The two sit in silence as Shanks treats her injuries, feeling relieved that the wounds were not extensive and just happened to look worse than they actually were. He reads the words on her skin, Shanks was right…
“You’re not angry?” {Name} breaks the silence feeling awkward conversation may be more comfortable than the stifling silence.
“About?”
“I lied…about the words” {Name} admits, her voice laced with a twinge of guilt
Shanks chuckles and speaks in a comforting manner “Not everyone is as inclined towards the soul mate thing as others, I believe in that hope and romanticism but I’m sure it’s caused you a lot of pain”
“Something like that…” {Name} mutters
“I’m sorry” Shanks casts a small smile as he finishes dressing her wounds, his hand gently grasps hers in response to her evident confusion.
“That it took me so long to find you”
{Name} is still swept up in her confusion, not entirely knowing how to process this completely enigmatic man before her.
“But I lied about it, I told you I wasn’t looking…I—“
“I’ve been searching the world for you; I full well don’t intend to leave you when I’ve just found you. I am determined.”
“D-determined you say?” {Name} can’t help looking on incredulously at Shanks who continues smiling
“To make you fall in love with me” he says nonchalantly and affirmatively
{Name} is speechless at his bold statement – feeling a fair mix of uncertainty and disbelief.
“Don’t misunderstand me…I don’t only love you because you’re my soul mate. Having the same words does not make one entitled to the others’ love – I intend to fall in love further with who you are, truthfully I feel; even if the words were not the same, I still would have tried.”
“There is really no arguing with you, is there?” {Name} places her hand on her head, resigning to this stubborn man.
“There is meaning to the words…I truly intend to make you always feel loved” Shanks intrudes further, pushing past {Name’s} fear – “You need to understand…to a pirate, the most unattainable treasure is the most desirable” Shanks plants a kiss on {Name’s} lips, stunning her from his sudden and bold move.
“Just blame it on me being a pirate” Shanks says with a mischievous grin.
