Emma

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Hi, I need ANYTHING for Kid please and thank you 😃❣️

Disease of the Stubborn (Kid x Reader)

One Piece | Eustass Kid | 5.4k | Masterlist

The infirmary was barely lit, the only light coming from an oil lamp flickering at your elbow. It stretched the shadows of bottles and instruments across the steel walls until every shelf looked longer than it was. Antiseptic still stung the back of your nose from where you’d dropped the bottle earlier, sharp enough to cut through the oil and salt that usually clung to the Victoria Punk.

You sorted through supplies carefully. Bottles that had expired went into a heavy crate, clinking against each other. You wrote the names of emptied boxes carefully into a notebook before stacking them beneath the desk. It was tiring, repetitive work, but counting bottles and scratching down figures kept your thoughts moving in straight lines.

And you needed it occupied because otherwise… well, you had a lot to wonder about.

You’d found a petal earlier that day.

Not strange by itself although the bright red colour had caught your eye. Blood at the edge made you suspicious, even as you let it flutter off the edge of the balcony into the water below.

Thankfully, the source didn’t keep you waiting for long before it stormed its way in.

Kid never opened doors quietly. He always flung them open with enough force that you imagined he meant to rip them off entirely. You startled, hand bumping into a collection of small syringes. They scattered over the floor and you sighed.

“Evening,” you said as you knelt down to collect them. “Have you cut off a finger?”

Kid glared at you. A faint flush sat high across his face and his breathing came heavier than it should have, though he’d only crossed the doorway. Worse was the uncertainty beneath his glare. It looked so unnatural on him that you kept watching as you gathered the syringes from the floor.

“Need to talk to you.”

“About?”

He opened his mouth and almost immediately, a rough cough tore its way from his chest. His hand flew to his mouth. It was an awful, wet and choking sound. You winced in sympathy.

“You’re sick,” you said, walking over slowly. “Any other symptoms aside from the cough?”

“Fuck off,” he muttered.

“You came to me,” you reminded him. He hadn’t lowered his hand yet. “I’d like to know what you have before I treat it. And also, so if you drop dead in the middle of the deck, I can explain myself before Killer takes my head off.”

You’d meant it as a light-hearted tease. Kid was healthy enough that most illnesses he might contract didn’t bother you much. But the second he lowered his hand, the humour disappeared from your heart.

Lying amongst the specks of blood were two petals. One had folded against the wet centre of his palm, its edges trembling faintly with every rough breath.

Your heart and your stomach twisted at the same time. The medical knowledge blended together with a truly disgusting disappointment. One you had no right to feel.

And yet it almost broke your professionalism.

Almost.

“Ah,” you said.

“Don’t fucking ‘ah’ me!” he snapped.

You reached out slowly and picked up one of the petals. Its damp, bloodied state wrinkled your nose, but the petal itself was strangely delicate. You’d never thought the rumours of this disease were even true. And yet…

“Do you know anything about this ailment?” you asked.

“Ailment?” he snorted. “I just thought one of these idiots has been feeding me flowers.”

He scoffed but he knew that wasn’t the case. You could see it in the defensive set to his shoulders and the grimace of his lips.

“They’re growing in your lungs,” you said. “From what I know, the cause is fairly simple. Unreciprocated love.”

You hated saying it. Disliked it even more when Kid’s eyes narrowed at you in response and his expression told you that he’d already known that. You rolled the petal between your fingers and then put it on your desk carefully. You’d need it to do some further research in the morning.

“The good news is, you’re not going to die within the week,” you told him. “It’s in its early stages for now.”

“Yeah, I got that,” he muttered. “Started this morning.”

“So, what’s your plan to fix it?”

The syringes on your desk moved. Their needles turned toward Kid and you immediately reached for a box and placed it firmly over them before he could impale himself in irritation.

“You’re the doctor!” he snapped. “Why don’t you tell me how to fix it? How do I make this shit stop?!”

“The cause points fairly clearly toward the cure. If you fix the unreciprocated love, you fix the flowers. But I can’t do that for you.”

The boxes on your shelving were beginning to rattle. The metal tools inside shivered against one another with an awful, screeching sound. You looked toward them with a small sigh.

“Seems like a pretty stupid time to tell somebody you’re interested in them,” he said through gritted teeth. “What if they don’t care? You’re not going to change that by coughing up fucking flowers into their laps!”

“I need you to repel instead of attract,” you said as the needles of the syringes hit the sides of the box with soft plinking sounds.

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

“Watch me,” you responded. “Repel. Or you’re going to end up buried under a pile of my supplies and I’m going to have to dig you out.”

“Are you saying I can’t control my fruit?”

“Prove to me you can.”

He scoffed and the tools stopped moving. You eased some of the pressure on the box but kept your hand firmly over it. Kid had very good control over his magnetism but it never hurt to ensure he didn’t impale himself.

He coughed again, much softer as though he kept it locked in his chest through irritation alone.

“Thank you,” you said. “Now, my first actual question is do you know if it’s actually unreciprocated or are you assuming? Like have you said something, not yelled it, before?”

“None of your fucking business.”

“I’m trying to keep you alive,” you reminded him, even as it stung at the edges of your heart.

“Yeah, well don’t bother. I don’t need to sit here and worry myself over some stupid flower petals when we have actual problems.”

He turned on his heel and marched from the room. You watched the door slam shut and looked down at the petal on your desk. The bright red turned your stomach even as it began to dry. Kid wasn’t going to share the source of the disease. It was time to look for a cure.

But you had no idea where to start.

You told the rest of the crew he was ill and took to collecting the petals – despite his very, very loud complaints about both. Most of the petals were red and though a few varied in colour, the majority shared the same shade. You weren’t sure if it meant anything. But you were skipping over no details in your research.

Most of what you found was useless. There were artistically rendered plants curling through painted lungs, long passages about the purity and suffering of love, and far too many accounts that ended with a name and a date of death. Those were the only records that offered anything practical.

You bought every book that mentioned the disease. At each port, you cornered doctors in cramped offices and overcrowded clinics, asking for notes, case histories, anything they had kept. More than once, Kid’s coughing carried through an open window or down the street behind you, wet and unmistakable, and you kept talking as though you couldn’t hear it.

It wasn’t great. Desperation grew in you much like the flowers in his lungs. There had to be a solution but what it was…

When you worked out a progression chart, you cornered him in his workshop.

The room smelled of iron when you stepped in. There were too many petals here for your comfort, gathering on the desk and in the corners. They looked wrong among the wrought metal and iron dust, too soft and bright for anything in Kid’s workshop. He immediately gave you a look, mouth opening as though to tell you to get out. You beat him to speaking.

“The moment it progresses from petals to flowers, you need to tell me.”

“I’m not giving you a fucking inventory!”

You crossed your arms over your chest. “You came to me first. That means that I’m now responsible for monitoring how bad this gets. So, if it gets worse, you tell me.”

“I didn’t go there to get myself a fucking nanny,” he retorted. “Why don’t you go back and wait for an actual injury to arrive? Wire’ll probably slice his stomach open again.”

You put your hands firmly on the table in front of his metal arm. A thin layer of dust and iron shavings pressed into your palms. “And if he did, I think I’d have a better chance of keeping him alive than you right now.”

“I’m fine.”

“I firmly disagree.”

The door opened before he could retort. Both your heads snapped toward Killer, who paused on the threshold without looking particularly interested in whatever he had interrupted. Fine. If Kid wasn’t going to be forthcoming, you knew who actually respected your knowledge.

“Killer, if you see him cough up even one flower, tell me immediately.”

“Okay.”

“Hey!” Kid snapped. “Don’t set spies on me on my ship! If there’s a problem, I can tell you myself!”

“Will you?”

Whatever answer he wanted to give you was lost in a sudden flurry of coughs. You watched another red petal drift to the ground. It was a raw and uncomfortable sound; like air pushing through leaves. You winced in sympathy.

“Is it contagious?” Killer asked.

“Not from what I know,” you said. “It’s rare. Very much so but there’s always a chance of it developing if somebody chooses not to share. But it is fatal. If it gets worse, I think I’ll have to contact Trafalgar.”

Kid’s glare pierced through you. “What the fuck does he have to do with this shit?”

“I think he might be able to remove the infection,” you said. “He could take your lungs out with minimum damage and find out if there’s a physical source. It’s only speculation on my side but seeing as you’re insisting on the hard cure instead of the easy one…”

“There’s an easy cure?” Killer asked.

“Yes. Easier for most people at least. If he would just open his mouth and talk for a second, he’d be fine.”

“Would it still count if it was yelling? Because that’s more likely.”

“Don’t you start now!” Kid barked.

You gave him a look and made your way out the workshop, mind running far too fast. The Victoria felt colder than ever, even when you stood on the deck in the sun. Trafalgar wasn’t a bad option. If there was a physical plant, he would be the best choice to remove it.

If you could convince him to help.

It took less than two days for Killer to rap his knuckles against the metal door of your office. “He’s struggling to breathe.”

Kid had been very good at avoiding you. You’d hoped to observe him going about his usual day but that felt impossible anymore. Even finding him when you were looking turned out to be difficult until you cornered him near the helm.

You snuck up on him, feeling rather like a cat approaching a particularly skittish bird, and caught his arm, hands firm against his bicep.

“Hey!”

“No,” you said. “I’m examining you.”

He tugged on his arm. He could have taken it back. You knew he was strong enough to, even while he coughed up petals, but he followed you to the infirmary with little more than a barked complaint.

“Stay here,” you said after he was sitting on one of your beds.

He rolled his eyes. “You’re overreacting.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for. How’s your breathing been?”

“Still breathing.”

“Take a deep breath.”

“You’ve heard me breathe.”

You gave him a look and he dragged in an exaggerated breath, only for it to break apart into a violent cough. Petals splattered over his hand and the metal floor. At least six or seven, flecked with blood. You leaned down to pick them up, purposefully not looking at him until they were on your desk. You reached for your stethoscope.

“Has it been interrupting your sleep?”

“Listen to my damn lungs and leave the rest alone.” His voice rasped painfully before he cleared his throat.

He said it far too quickly for that to not have been an answer in its own right.

You stepped closer and put a hand on his right shoulder. He stiffened before he allowed you to push him straight, nudging his arm down so you could examine his chest easier.

“Do you know what I don’t understand?” you asked as you held the stethoscope to his side. “You’ve never had any problems telling people what you think of them before. What’s so different about this?”

That had long been the reason you never acted on your own feelings. You couldn’t imagine a world where Kid, of all people, didn’t immediately follow what he wanted. If he shared your interest, you felt confident that you would have known by now.

He didn’t answer you.

One lung was definitely stronger than the other. His right one made a terrible crackling sound every time he inhaled though the left wasn’t without flaw either.

You pressed your lips together. “Shirt off.”

For a second, he didn’t move. He was staring at you with an unreadable, almost accusatory expression. As though a forced medical exam for the disease was the same as making him jump into the ocean.

You tapped your foot impatiently. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Kid pulled the shirt off and dropped it to his side. You stepped around him and listened again, hoping to any god that would listen that you had just heard the fabric moving. His breaths rasped and the fear you’d been keeping at bay moved forward.

This wasn’t a mysterious disease that existed only as a name on a page. You could hear the obstruction in his lungs clearly.

You hung the stethoscope around your neck and stepped away. “If you die because of this, I’m going to be so fucking pissed. Have you coughed up any blood without the petals?”

“No,” he muttered. “Just these stupid things. Why are they red anyway? In all those books of yours, they’re pink or white.”

“No idea,” you admitted, not missing the confession that he’d been looking through your books when you weren’t around. “Maybe they’re taking the colour from your hair. They’ll turn you grey within the next month.”

“Funny.”

You hummed and picked up a tongue depressor. “Open.”

He clicked his tongue but followed your instructions. His throat was red and inflamed. You could see a petal stuck at the back and you gently pulled it out with a pair of tweezers. Kid’s nose wrinkled at the sensation.

You examined it under the light and sighed. “I wish you would help me here. I do like you alive and breathing.”

He immediately leaned away from you, arm crossing over his chest. “Really no other way to make this shit stop?”

“Not from what I’ve learned,” you said. “Maybe you can buy yourself some more time if you avoid the source but that’s mostly a rumour. No evidence to prove it helps. And I imagine it isn’t anybody on board the Victoria anyway so…”

“The hell’s that supposed to mean?”

The words hurt to admit but you said them anyway. “I just can’t imagine you not telling somebody when you see them every day. That’s all.”

“Can’t say anything at all when there’s flowers everywhere.”

“That’s actually a pretty good reason to do it,” you pointed out.

“Why? To blackmail the ‘right’ response?”

Another coughing fit began and you quickly pulled the stethoscope free to listen at his side. His right lung was really struggling to draw breath. The laboured pulls made your heart twist horrifically.

The disease was progressing quicker than it should have. If there was another way to get this removed, it would have to be your solution.

“You’re being stubborn,” you muttered as he finished. “You know that right?”

“Shut up.”

“At best, you have a few weeks before you’re bringing up full flowers. And at that point, we’re almost out of options.” You stepped away to get a glass of water from the sink. “I think it’s time to decide what you’re going to do.”

Kid rubbed his chest and roughly thumped against it with a fist. A couple more petals escaped as he did so.

“I’ll figure something out.”

“Do I need to schedule a reroute?”

“No. Something else. Stop worrying about this, would you? I don’t want you fussing over flowers if somebody’s actually dying.”

“I hate to tell you this but you’re the one that’s actually dying.”

“Whatever. You done?”

You held out the glass of water to him. “With the examination, yes but –”

“Good.”

Kid stood, grabbed his shirt from the table and marched out the medical bay. You watched him go, water still held out in front of you until you stopped hearing his boots down the hall.

The petals worsened while you waited for him to ‘figure it out’ and you stopped gathering them, unable to store nearly enough. They weren’t helping your research anyway. You dumped most over the side of the ship and let them float away, swallowed by the surf.

Eventually, waiting was going to take too long.  

Kid could hate you when he could breathe again. For now, you spoke to the others about possible rerouting to search for the Heart Pirates. It would be far from easy to track them down and your time was already short. If they even help… well, you’d have to figure that part out first then.

You were busy making notes of the progression of his symptoms, scratching down proof of his deterioration with a steady hand, when the door flew open once more.

The ink skipped over the page, bleeding through it steadily. You looked up.

Kid closed the door behind him this time before he approached, each breath lifting his chest in a shallow pull beneath his coat. His face was pale beneath his usual anger and fresh blood lingered at the corner of his mouth.

He crossed the room and threw something onto your desk. It landed across your notes with a wet, heavy sound. A complete flower lay across the paper, its crimson petals spread wide and slick with blood almost the same shade.

Kid didn’t meet your eyes. He glared firmly at the air beside you as you nudged the flower with the back of your pen.

“Alight,” you said. “We can’t mess around with this anymore. Either we speak to Trafalgar to see if he can remove it or you need to talk to whoever this is for.”

Kid’s jaw tightened. His arm twitched over his chest. You waited, unwilling to yield even as panic curled through your own heart like a traitorous poison. Part of you dreaded learning who the flower was for, but that selfishness had no place here. Not when the answer might be the only thing capable of stopping it.

“This is fucking stupid,” he muttered.

“Unfortunately, sickness is rarely fair,” you said. “I would be grateful that it’s something with a solution rather than something incurable. It could always be worse.”

He finally met your eyes. “And if I say it and they still don’t want me? Then what?”

“I don’t know,” you said. “I don’t know what’ll happen because this is a very rare disease to begin with. Any details I can find are anecdotal at best. But isn’t it at least worth a try if it can fix all this?”

He shrugged.

“You’re going to die choking on flowers if you don’t. Do you really want me to have to put ‘died from being stubborn’ on your grave?”

“Fuck off. If you put that shit on my grave, I’m coming back to toss you in the ocean.”

“Honestly, I’d rather not have to think about what I want to write on a headstone at all,” you said. “So, can I contact Trafalgar? I’ll talk to him and see if he’s going to be able to remove at least some of the blockage. It might not be a full cure but it can fix some of it until you grow a pair.”

Kid’s eye twitched faintly and his lip curled up. “Are you calling me a coward?”

Good. He was getting annoyed. Maybe if you pressed on his pride enough, he’d just snap and do it so you could eliminate it as an option. Either it worked or… or you had to keep searching but at least it was a chance.

You’d take any chance at this point.

“Yes,” you said simply.

Red was creeping up his neck as he turned to you fully. “You don’t know anything about this shit.”

“No,” you said. “I don’t and as much as I could guess, that won’t get me any further. I know you probably haven’t found some random woman on the coast and decided she’s worth dying for so at least it narrows it down to people I know. I suppose I should just ask Killer, right? You two have always had the same taste.”

“Don’t get him involved in this crap.”

“What other option do I have?” you asked. “I have no solution. You certainly haven’t brought me some miracle cure over the past few days and you can’t punch it out of your own lungs. I know of exactly one magical surgeon who has the potential to help and that’s it.”

Kid scoffed. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. You haven’t shut up about him for days.”

“What?”

“Constantly fucking yapping about Trafalgar,” he said. “Keep saying his name like that and I’ll dump you on his deck myself.”

You picked up the flower from your desk and created a small circle with your thumb and index finger. “Do you see this?” you asked. “This is the size of your trachea, okay?” You placed the flower against it and tried to tug it through. It barely fit. “Do you see why I’m so worried about the next one?”

“Obviously I know what the problem is!” he snapped. “I’m the one who brought the thing up!”

“Then why are you so annoyed that I’m asking somebody else to help keep you alive?” you asked.

“Never said I cared about it. Just mentioned that it’s all you’ve been going on about.”

“Because I don’t have anything else! Every book I read and every person I speak to says that this is fatal! And I think I have a better chance of nagging you into a surgery than I do at forcing you to speak about your feelings!”

He glowered but there was something closer to uncertainty behind his expression. “There has to be another cure.”

You tossed the flower down and stood finally, bracing your hands against the desk. “That’s why I’m thinking about the one fruit that I know might be able to help.”

“It doesn’t make sense anyway,” he said. “I’m not the only person on this ship who’s kept his mouth shut about something this stupid. How come nobody else has had to deal with a fucking plant in their chest?”

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “Honestly, I don’t know why it chose you when it could have just as easily taken to my lungs. But what I do know is that if it had, I would be damned before I sat around here making the rest of you watch me slowly suffocate!”

“Guess it would have been easier if that happened, right? We’d just change directions and fix it within the week.”

“What are you on about?”

Kid gestured and your desk lamp began to topple. You caught it and shoved it under your table before it spilled paraffin over everything.

“If you caught this fucking disease,” he said. “And you were covering my ship in rose petals or whatever the hell they are –”

“This is a tulip,” you told him.

“I don’t care! I’m just saying it would be simpler because then we could load you up and send you to profess your love at the bottom of the sea without having to worry about fucking up anything here!”

He’d confused you enough that you had to take a second to respond. A small cough took over him while you processed the implications. Two petals dropped to the floor.

“Are you implying that I’m in love with some random surgeon I’ve met a grand total of once?” you asked. “Is that what you’re saying?”

“Only met him once but you never stop talking about him.”

“Because he’s the only doctor I know who could open your lungs without killing you! If that little rat thing on Straw Hat’s crew could do it, I’d have sailed us there instead!”

Kid blinked at you, the glare remaining as though he had forgotten to let it drop. The desk gave a low scrape beneath your palms. You glanced down as its metal feet dragged a fraction across the floor. Unusual. Even when annoyed, Kid rarely disturbed the furniture.

“Then who?” he asked.

“What?”

“You said you could have caught this,” he said. “Imagine you did. Where the hell would we be sailing to?”

You stepped around the desk and walked closer so you stood in front of him, head tilted up. “What? Do you want some kind of exchange? Where I give you my secret and you tell me yours? If that was all you wanted, you should have asked me days ago. I’ll tell you anything if you give me a solution.”

He breathed out through his nose slowly. You waited. His gaze flicked to the flower where it lay on the table and then back to you.

“Fine,” he said. “Where would we go?”

The confession lodged briefly in your throat. Then Kid dragged in another shallow breath, and embarrassment stopped mattering.

“We wouldn’t need to change course at all,” you said. “I wouldn’t even step out of this room.”

Recognition flickered over Kid’s face too quickly. It was replaced by an irritation that didn’t fit well enough; a default expression he couldn’t hide behind right now.

“Say it clearer.”

You gave him a look. “You’re not stupid, captain. And there’s no invisible man standing in the corner.”

“Doesn’t matter. Say it better than that.”

“It’s you,” you said. “If I got sick, I would have come to tell you.”

He grabbed your arm without warning and pulled you into him, lips against yours before you had a second to realise what was happening. He tasted like blood. Awful and sharp against your palate and yet you kissed him back without hesitation.

There was no thought behind it. No sensible pause to question why. Your arms were caught against his chest as he dragged you closer until there was no space between you. He kissed with the same aggression he brought to everything else; his teeth caught your lip, and his grip tightened when you tried to pull back for air.

Metal shifted throughout the room.

Something struck the floor behind you. Your chair scraped against the ground as the instruments in your drawers rattled against one another.

Years of wanting him rose through you all at once. Every feeling you had forced quieter broke loose beneath the pressure of his mouth. You could feel his heart hammering against your arms, could taste the blood on his mouth and your thoughts stumbled back into place.

You pulled back sharply.

Your breathing came unevenly and his was even worse, each inhale rough and rasping.

“Your turn,” you said.

Kid had frozen, his shoulders tense and his jaw tight. “You need more of an answer?”

You snatched the flower from your desk and threw it against his chest. “You nearly died for me! You absolute bastard, yes! I need more than a fucking kiss! Do you have any idea how much I’ve been worried! Any idea of how… I want to hear your fucking reason for why you didn’t just tell me at the beginning!”

The metal in the room quietened. Something clattered loudly to the ground nearby but neither of you looked to it.

Then he shrugged. “Didn’t want some pity lie just because I was choking.”

“Fine,” you said. “But why not before you brought up triple your lung capacity in flower petals?!”

“Just didn’t think you were interested.”

“In what?” you said. “In you? How would you ever think that?! I’ve been in love with you for so long that it’s a running joke amongst all the other women!”

He flinched at that. Good. He deserved to.

“I was going to tell you,” he said. “When I saw the fucking petals, I figured I’d just come here and say something to get it to stop. But then you saw the damned things and I couldn’t just say it anymore.”

“Yes, you could have.”

“You would have pretended even if you didn’t care.”

“Why would you think that?”

“You’d say whatever kept me breathing. Don’t act like you wouldn’t.”

“Yes,” you agreed. “Because I’m in love with you. And, by the way, you still haven’t told me.”

“Fine!” he snapped. “You need me to tell you it directly? You. It’s been you since that first time you came at me with a needle and told me my arm would rot off.”

You stilled, momentarily paused because that… that was ages ago. That was long before you’d even agreed to follow him around the world. That was back when you still found him intimidating and you’d yet to learn that for all the bluff, staring him down was the best way to quieten his moods.

“What?” he barked when you were quiet for too long. “Don’t stare at me like that.”

You shook your head. “Kid… You know… I just… fuck you.”

You gave up looking for words and just reached for him instead. He met you halfway, mouth harsh against yours as you dragged him to you. Relief pushed through the last of your anger as you focused on just him.

Then he coughed.

You tore yourself away immediately.

He bent forward, bracing himself against the edge of your desk as the coughs dragged through him. They sounded just as vicious as before, deep enough to turn your stomach and for a horrible moment, you feared the cure was as much a myth as you’d thought the disease had been.

You caught his shoulder just as something fell from his mouth and splattered over the floor.

Not another full flower. Nothing fresh or bright.

The petals were wilted, curling in on themselves. You knelt down to consider them and Kid wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he coughed once more and inhaled.

You looked up at him. “Go sit on one of the beds.”

“I’m fine.”

“You said that when you sounded like you had gravel in your lungs. Go.”

He glared but sat on one of the beds anyway, grumbling beneath his breath while you grabbed a stethoscope. You tugged up his shirt before he could protest and pressed it against his ribs.

The crackling hadn’t disappeared completely. His lungs still sounded irritated and you suspected they would be for some time after everything he’d put them through but the obstruction was easing. Air moved where it hadn’t before.

The relief almost hurt as you breathed out.

“Feels better,” he muttered.

“Good. Then it’ll feel even better tomorrow. You’re staying here to rest until I can be certain it’s continuing to improve.”

Kid’s eyes narrowed. “What? No.”

“You have potentially damaged lungs, and blood loss so I need to watch you. And it’s also punishment,” you said. “For making me stress so much.”

He gave you a flat look but didn’t try to stand again.

You kissed him once more, to be certain he was still there. His lips still carried a trace of iron but his breathing had steadied. Each inhale came deeper than the last, no longer catching whatever had been growing inside him.

Tags: @miwn8 ; @aceincase ; @chaeisrichnow ; @aceidentallyinlove ; @ilovedreming ; @moon-shampoo

[bocekcicek]

Watanabe Shōtei (1851-1918)

[inseobts]

Have we met before?

portgas d. ace x strawhat!fem!reader

you and ace spent a night together years ago, and meet again years later as you find out he’s your captain’s big brother.

tags: sfw, implied sexual content, straw hat reader, fluff, awkward reunion, past one-night stand, everyone lives au

a/n: as we clarified, I don't write alternate universe aus, so I made a canonverse one but of course, doing so, the fic probably have a different mood from what you wanted. I made it longer and fluffy, to apologies for it. hope you'll enjoy it anyway

word count: 8.7k

ace m.list || anime m.list || ao3 || ko-fi || requests list

The streets of Nanohana are loud and somewhere nearby Luffy is already causing trouble.

“ACE!!” his voice echoes through the whole town.

You sigh “I found Luffy...”

Nami pinches the bridge of her nose “Of course he has to scream…”

Usopp points ahead “Hey! Who’s that?”

Standing on the roof of a small restaurant there’s a tall man wearing an orange cowboy hat with two strange faces on it.

Freckles and a confident grin on his face.

He jumps down easily “Luffy!”

The two laugh as they crash into each other in a hug, making everyone smile automatically.

Well… everyone but you.

Because the second he lands in front of Luffy...your heart stops and you freeze.

That can't be...

He turns his head and his eyes meet yours.

Your brain suddenly throws you years into the past, in a small port town, with rain outside and a crowded tavern.

Too much drinking and too much laughing.

A handsome stranger with freckles. His smile… his voice asking “Want to get out of here?”

The next morning his jacket was on the floor and your clothes everywhere. And you remember leaving before he wakes up because staying felt too embarrassing.

He was…

‘Did he tell me his name...? No… Or maybe he did and I forgot? Oh my god… Please don’t recognise me… please.’

Ace blinks once, then his eyes become just a little wider.

‘He remembers. HE REMEMBERS.’

Luffy grabs Ace by the shoulders “Everyone! This is my big brother, Ace!”

Ace waves “Nice to meet you all.”

Everyone starts introducing themselves.

“I’m Nami.”

“Vivi!”

“Usopp!”

“Sanji.”

“Chopper!”

Luffy throws an arm around your shoulders and Zoro’s “This is Y/N and this is Zoro! They just really like bodyguarding!”

Zoro just gives him a small movement of his face while you just smile and then offer your hand, saying “I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you.”

Ace stares at you and doesn’t shake your hand.

‘Please don’t.’

Then he says “…Didn’t we meet before?”

Your soul leaves your body.

Sanji immediately steps between you “Oi.” his smile disappears “That’s a strange thing to say to a lady you’ve just met.”

Usopp quietly leans toward Nami “Is he about to say ‘We met in my dreams’?”

Nami whispers back “If he does, Sanji will kick him into another country.”

You laugh… maybe a little too loudly “Haha! No, I don’t think so!”

Ace tilts his head, still staring “Really?”

“Yep.”

“Huh…” he scratches his cheek “That’s weird.”

‘Please stop talking. Please stop remembering.’

He looks genuinely confused “You look really familiar.”

You shrug “Maybe I have one of those common faces.”

“Yeah… no.”

Luffy laughs “Y/N is easy to remember!”

“That’s not what I—” Ace stops himself.

You silently beg him with your eyes: ‘Please. Don’t.’

He notices and then his eyebrows move up slightly.

A few minutes later everyone enters the restaurant.

Ace immediately starts eating.

Actually he destroys food, just like Luffy. Plate after plate disappears.

Sanji watches with horror “He’s almost as bad as Luffy…”

“Almost?” Luffy asks.

“Don’t make me compare you two.”

Ace laughs “Sorry.”

Another mountain of food arrives.

You quietly sit between Nami and Chopper. Far, very far, from Ace.

Perfect and safe until Ace casually gets up, walks around the table and sits right across from you.

‘Why? WHY?’

He smiles politely “Mind if I sit here?”

“Actually…”

“Great.” he sits.

You blink.

He eats another piece of meat while looking at you every few seconds and you pretend to not notice, but of course you’re failing very badly.

Then, as everyone is busy fighting over dessert, he speaks quietly enough that only you hear “You’re really sure we’ve never met?”

Without looking at him, you answer, “Pretty sure.”

“Huh…” another bite “Because I have a really good memory.”

You get nervous and instead of thinking, you say, irritated “No you don’t.”

He says nothing and just keeps watching you.

You drink your water too quickly and so you cough.

Chopper immediately jumps up “Are you okay?!”

“Y-Yeah!”

Ace hands you his cup without thinking “Here.”

Your fingers touch for one second and another memory flashes through your head.

His hand holding yours, his laugh and his warm skin.

You immediately pull back “Thanks.”

Ace narrows his eyes.

Then something around your wrist catches his attention, a tiny faded scar, very small, almost impossible to notice.

His eyes suddenly become wide.

Years ago… that night you met you accidentally cut yourself while trying to open a bottle with a knife, he had laughed and then gently cleaned the wound himself.

That’s how it even started.

You almost choke again.

Ace slowly looks up, right into your eyes.

He figured it all out.

A slow grin appears on his face, not teasing but a little shocked and definitely a little amused.

He leans forward just enough that only you can hear, again “...Oh.”

You smile through pure panic “What?”

He whispers, “Now I remember.”

You whisper back immediately “No, you don’t.”

“…I definitely do.”

Your smile becomes painfully stiff “You definitely don’t. It wasn’t me.”

Ace tries very hard not to laugh, and unfortunately Luffy notices “What are you two whispering about?”

You both answer at exactly the same time “Nothing!”

Everyone at the table turns to look at you in silence.

Usopp slowly points at the two of you “…That’s suspicious.”

Ace coughs into his fist, while you suddenly become very interested in your drink.

Sanji’s eyes move from Ace to you and then back to Ace.

His eyebrow twitches “…I don’t like this.”

Ace smiles innocently “Neither do I.”

You kick him under the table, hard enough that he nearly bites his tongue, but somehow he still has the nerve to smile.

The group leaves the restaurant together.

Vivi looks around seriously before turning to everyone “We should split up for now and look around for information. We might hear something useful.”

Nami nods “Good idea.”

Luffy stretches his arms behind his head “Sounds easy enough!”

Then he suddenly turns toward Ace “Ace! Are you joining us?”

Ace’s eyes flick to you for the shortest moment, and a smile slowly appears, the kind of smile you already hate.

He simply says “Why not.”

‘Oh no.’

The groups begin forming naturally.

Nami gestures toward you “Come on. Let’s check the market.”

You take one step toward her.

“I’ll go with you.” Ace’s voice comes from right behind you.

You stop and very slowly, you turn around. You look at him like he just suggested walking through the desert barefoot and ask him “Don’t you want to spend time with your brother?”

Ace glances over.

Luffy is already dragging Zoro and Chopper toward a food stand “LOOK! MEAT!”

“I’m not carrying you if you eat too much.” Zoro grumbles.

Chopper smiles innocently.

Ace chuckles “Seems like he’s having fun with the green head and the reindeer.”

You let out a long sigh and before you can answer him, Sanji suddenly appears between the two of you and says “She’ll go with me.”

Ace raises an eyebrow “Will she?”

Before either of you can continue Usopp rushes over with tears already forming “WHAT ABOUT ME?!”

He grabs Sanji’s arm dramatically “Please don’t leave me aloneeeee!”

Sanji groans “You’re unbelievable…”

For exactly two seconds his attention is on Usopp, and that’s all Ace needs to reach over, grab your wrist, and start walking.

“Come on.”

“W-Wait, Ace!”

You stumble after him.

Behind you, Sanji finally notices “OI!”

Nami cups her hands around her mouth “Back at the Merry in one hour! Don’t be late!”

Ace waves without even turning around “Got it!”

A few minutes later the noisy streets become quieter and the crowd grows thinner.

You finally pull your arm free “You can let go now.”

Ace does immediately, and then he looks at you, his teasing smile returns “So…”

He slips his hands into his pockets “Why are you pretending not to know me?”

You freeze “I…”

Your voice comes out much weaker than you wanted “I don’t remember you.” a pause “Maybe you’re confusing me with someone else.”

Ace laughs quietly, making your cheeks warm.

“Oh, dear.” he shakes his head “I remembered you the second I saw you.”

He smiles softly “You think I’d forget that night? Forget you?”

Your face immediately burns, so, without another word, you walk past him very quickly… anything to hide your expression.

He follows “For the record…” he speaks casually, like he’s discussing the weather “it was probably the best night of my life.”

You almost trip but he continues “I remember everything about it. I remember your laugh, your body, the way you—”

“STOP.” you spin around, grab his arm, and pull him into a narrow side alley before anyone can hear.

The street is cool and shaded and, most importantly, empty.

You immediately point a finger at him “Okay, listen.”

You lower your voice “I didn’t know my captain would have been your brother!”

Ace crosses his arms, still smiling.

You throw your hands into the air “You never even told me your name! So every time Luffy talked about ‘Ace’, I had no idea it was you!”

Ace scratches the back of his neck “Didn’t you ever see my wanted poster?”

You stare at him, then narrow your eyes “Did you see mine?”

His confident smile disappears and he thinks for a second, then sighs “…Fair point.” another second passes “Who actually spends time looking at other pirates’ wanted posters?”

A tiny smile almost escapes you but instead, you shake your head “Exactly.”

You take a deep breath “Look...”

Your voice becomes quieter, more serious “No one has to know what happened years ago.”

You meet his eyes “Just forget about it.”

Without waiting for an answer, you walk away and Ace follows after some seconds “What if I don’t want to?”

You don’t answer, because your attention shifts to a little boy sitting on the ground nearby. He sniffles while rubbing his knee and a basket of fruit has fallen beside him.

You kneel immediately “Hey.” your voice becomes gentle “Are you okay?”

He nods, even though tears still fill his eyes.

You notice a small scrape on his knee, nothing serious.

You smile “You’re very brave.”

You help him stand, brush the sand off his clothes, and hand him the fruit that rolled away.

The boy smiles shyly “Thank you, miss.”

“Be careful next time.”

He nods happily before running away.

Ace hasn’t moved, he simply watches the whole thing quietly. His teasing smile is gone.

You walk past him, without even looking at him, your voice is calm and cold “Do whatever you want.” a few more steps “I just don’t want the crew to know.”

Finally, you glance back over your shoulder, your expression is firm “Can you do that? Can you just keep your mouth shut?”

For the first time since ever, Ace is at a loss of words and just nods before you keep on walking.

For the rest of the hour you don’t give Ace a single chance. Every time he opens his mouth you’re already walking away.

A merchant selling spices? You go ask for information. An old woman carrying water? You go ask things like “Sorry to bother you. Have you heard anything about the palace?”

A fisherman. A traveler. A baker. A family.

You move from one person to another without stopping and Ace simply follows, hands in his pockets, watching and waiting.

Every now and then he opens his mouth only for you to immediately interrupt.

“Thank you for your time!” you say and leave.

He sighs.

Five minutes later… he tries again “Y/N—”

You turn toward another stand “Excuse me! Can I ask you something?”

Ace rubs his forehead “…You’re doing this on purpose now.”

You smile sweetly “Doing what?”

“Ignoring me.”

“I’m helping my crew.”

“You’re hiding.”

“Working.”

“Running away.”

“Gathering information.”

“Coward.”

You stop, turn around and smile at him, obviously irritated by that and you say “Idiot.”

He laughs “That’s the first honest thing you’ve said to me today.”

You stick your tongue out before walking away again.

Half an hour later Ace has somehow become your unwanted shadow.

You ask another shopkeeper a question, Ace leans against the wall nearby.

You help an old man pick up dropped vegetables, Ace helps without even being asked. You thank the old man and Ace is already carrying the heavy basket for him.

The old man laughs “You two make a lovely couple.”

You almost drop the vegetables “WE AREN’T!”

At the same time Ace smiles “Thank you.”

You elbow him hard.

“Ow.”

“Good.”

A few streets later a little girl runs into you by accident and then she immediately hides behind her father.

You kneel “It’s okay.”

The girl peeks out and she notices the flower tucked behind your ear, a flower the old man gave you as to thank you for your help. Her eyes sparkle “Pretty…”

You smile and take the flower out “Do you want it?”

She nods excitedly and so you gently place it in her hair.

The girl beams while her father bows gratefully before walking away.

Ace watches quietly.

When you stand up you meet his eyes and he’s smiling.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“Am I not allowed?”

“No.”

“That’s rude.”

“You’ll survive.”

He chuckles “Maybe not.”

The sun begins to lower.

You sigh “We should head back.”

Ace nods.

Then after following you in silence, Ace finally speaks and his voice is softer than before “I don’t think Luffy would care much about us.”

You stop walking immediately and, slowly you turn around, the smile is gone from your face “This is where you’re wrong.”

Your voice is calm “Because there’s no ‘us’, Ace.”

For the first time all day, his smile disappears… he actually looks offended, which surprises you, because you expected another joke.

“There was.” he says and pauses “And there is.”

Your heart skips.

He takes one slow step closer “Otherwise...” he points gently toward you “...you wouldn’t be panicking this much.”

You open your mouth but nothing comes out, so Ace continues “You really think none of them noticed?” he takes another step closer “Or that they won’t notice?”

Your brain completely stops working.

Ace folds his arms “See?”

You finally find your voice “I’m not panicking.”

He raises one eyebrow “Really?”

“Really.”

“You’ve avoided looking directly at me for almost two hours.”

“Because you’re annoying.”

“You’ve called me an idiot three times.”

“Only three?”

He laughs “Actually...” he pretends to think “Four.”

You cross your arms “You deserved all four and even more.”

“Probably.”

He smiles again, but smaller this time “Still doesn’t explain why you’re nervous.”

You point a finger at him “I’m nervous because you keep talking about something that happened years ago without us even knowing our damn names!”

“A very nice thing that happened years ago.”

“Ace!”

A woman walking past glances at you both and she smiles knowingly saying “Young love.”

You almost combust “NO!”

Ace rubs the back of his neck “...Maybe?”

You stare at him “Whose side are you on?!”

“Mine?”

“Wrong answer.” you start walking again, much faster.

Ace easily catches up “You know...”

You refuse to look at him “No.”

“I haven’t actually lied today.”

“Good for you.”

“Everything I said was true.”

You don’t answer, because a small, dangerous part of you believes that too, everything he said. That night wasn’t something you regretted and meeting him now is embarrassing and unexpected, but… you could never forget his laugh, his freckles and even how kind he had been afterward, before you ran away.

You just never expected to see him again, especially not as your captain's older brother.

You shake your head to stop overthinking everything again.

Beside you, Ace steals another glance and thinks “She’s even cuter when she’s flustered.” and that thought definitely doesn’t help him.

By the time the Going Merry comes into view the sky has already turned orange.

You both stop to look at each other.

“…They’re going to kill us.” you mutter.

“Probably, you’re late and got no information.” Ace agrees far too cheerfully.

You climb aboard.

The second your feet touch the deck—“YOU’RE LATE!” Nami’s voice echoes across the ship.

You flinch “Sorry!”

“One hour!” Nami points accusingly “I said one hour!”

Usopp crosses his arms dramatically “We thought desert bandits kidnapped you!”

Chopper nods rapidly “Or giant scorpions!”

Sanji walks over but his eyes immediately land on Ace and then on you.

His eyebrow twitches “Everything alright, my lady?”

Before you can answer Zoro speaks, without even opening his eyes “Took you two long enough.”

You blink “…What?”

Zoro lazily shrugs against the mast “Figured you two wanted privacy.”

Silence.

Your face goes warm “W-WHAT?!”

Even Nami turns toward Zoro “You noticed too?”

“It was obvious.” he replies simply.

“OBVIOUS?!” you squeak.

Usopp gasps dramatically “WAIT! WERE YOU TWO ON A DATE?!”

“NO!”

Sanji slowly cracks his knuckles “…Ace.”

Ace lifts both hands innocently “Hey, don’t look at me.”

He is honestly trying not to laugh, but he’s failing miserably.

You point at him “Don’t you dare smile.”

That only makes it worse because a laugh escapes him and soon he’s laughing so hard he has to hold his stomach.

You glare “You’re the worst.”

“I’ve been told.”

Between laughs, though, he catches your eye for a second and the teasing fades as his smile softens, almost worried, as if he’s silently asking: “Did I push too far?”

The look disappears before anyone else notices, except you… and somehow, that soft, worried glance embarrasses you even more than all of the teasing did.

The teasing slowly dies down.

Mostly because Vivi claps her hands together “Alright.”

Everyone looks at her.

“Did anyone find useful information?”

The smiles disappear and you let out a quiet sigh “No…”

For a second, nobody says anything.

Then Ace speaks “Yeah...”

Everyone looks at him and he scratches his cheek casually “She talked to almost everyone we passed but we didn’t find anything interesting.”

You know exactly why he says it… it’s his quiet way of telling the others not to misunderstand and let them know you weren't distracted by him but you were actually doing your work.

Nami nods “That’s a shame.”

Vivi sighs “At least you tried.”

The conversation moves on and then they begin talking about the next plan.

You glance toward Ace and without saying a word, you give him the smallest smile and a tiny nod as if to thank him.

He gives you a small smile back.

A little while later, Sanji ties on his apron “Dinner will take a while.”

He points his spoon toward everyone “So stay out of my kitchen.”

Luffy immediately tries to sneak closer “Can I taste—”

“NO.”

Luffy pouts dramatically, making Ace laugh “Still the same.”

The brothers sit together on the deck.

Luffy begins talking so fast that half his words don’t make sense.

Ace somehow understands every single word.

The two laugh, shove each other, and argue over food they haven’t even eaten yet.

You find yourself smiling at their cuteness… Luffy looks so happy and Ace laughs with his whole face.

Without realizing it you keep looking for a little too long.

“So…” a voice beside you makes you jump.

Nami and Vivi are both smiling.

Nami crosses her arms “He’s hot, huh?”

You nearly inhale your own saliva “WHAT?!”

You cough so hard Chopper turns around “Are you okay?!”

“Y-Yeah!”

Vivi tries very hard not to laugh and then she says innocently, “We meant his Devil Fruit.”

Nami nods “He’s fire.”

The two of them burst into laughter while your face burns and you say “You’re terrible.”

“Your face says everything.” Nami grins.

You immediately point across the deck “Look! Luffy is eating before dinner again!”

Luffy hears his name and turns around “Huh?”

Then he notices everyone looking at him “What?”

Nami smiles innocently “Y/N thinks Ace is hot.”

...

...

...

You freeze “NAMI!”

Luffy’s eyes become huge and he looks at Ace, then at you and then back at Ace, as a massive grin appears “REALLY?!”

Ace nearly drops the apple he was holding and playing with “What?”

Luffy runs over “Y/N! You like Ace?!”

You wave your hands wildly “NO!”

“Are you sure?”

“YES!”

“Because he’s pretty cool!”

“Luffy!”

“Maybe you can join the family!”

You cover his mouth immediately “STOP TALKING.”

Luffy muffles something against your hand. Ace is laughing so hard he has to look away… even Zoro snorts.

Thankfully Sanji saves you from more humiliation… dinner is finally ready.

Sanji places enormous plates on the table.

Luffy and Ace race toward the food.

“MEAT!”

“HEY! THAT ONE’S MINE!”

“YOU ALREADY HAVE THREE!”

“SO?”

The brothers begin stealing from each other’s plates making Sanji sigh “Animals…”

You quietly sit beside Vivi… unfortunately the only empty seat left across from Ace.

He smiles when he notices but you pretend to be fascinated by your soup.

Dinner is loud.

Usopp tells another exaggerated story as Chopper believes every word.

Zoro eats silently.

Sanji keeps serving Nami, Vivi and you.

Everything feels normal… until Usopp suddenly looks at Ace “So…” he points his fork “What was Luffy like as a kid?”

Ace laughs “Hungry.”

Everyone nods “Makes sense.”

Ace smiles “He’s always been like that.”

Nami tilts her head “Was he always this reckless?”

“Even worse.”

“HEY!” Luffy protests with his mouth full.

Ace begins telling stories about little Luffy, making everyone laugh, even you.

Then Nami asks “And your crew?”

Ace’s smile grows and talks proudly about the Whitebeard Pirates. About how loud they are, how everyone argues and how Whitebeard treats them like family.

You listen carefully, it’s nice hearing him talk and he looks…happy.

Then Ace starts asking questions too “So...”

He looks around the table “What’s it like traveling with Luffy?”

Usopp immediately answers “Terrifying!”

“Fun!” Chopper says.

“Expensive.” Nami sighs.

“Good.” Zoro mutters.

“Wonderful!” Sanji smiles.

Ace laughs and then his eyes move to you “What about you?”

You blink.

He's waiting for your answer.

You clear your throat “It’s…” a small smile appears “…never boring.”

Luffy grins proudly “SEE?”

Ace keeps looking at you, like that answer matters more than the others, and it makes your stomach flutter.

Later, at some point of the dinner, Usopp suddenly asks, “Does your crew have girlfriends or boyfriends?”

Ace nearly chokes on his drink “That’s... random.”

“I’m a curious romantic!”

Ace laughs “Some do.”

Then he casually asks “What about you all?”

Usopp dramatically sighs “Unfortunately… we’re all tragically single.”

“Speak for yourself.” Sanji says, placing a hand on his chest “My heart belongs to every beautiful lady.”

Nami rolls her eyes “That’s not how that works.”

Everyone laughs and Ace smiles before he asks THE question “Anyone here secretly in love?”

Silence.

Then every head slowly turns… toward you.

Your eyes widen “Why are you all looking at me?!”

Usopp shrugs “You looked at Ace for, like... five minutes earlier.”

You nearly fall off your chair “I DID NOT!”

Nami innocently hums “Maybe four.”

Vivi smiles into her drink “It was definitely more than three.”

You hide your face behind your cup “I’m changing crew.”

Luffy immediately raises his hand “You can never leave!”

Ace watches the scene with a smile and then, very casually and very innocently, he asks “So…” his eyes meet yours “None of you secretly have someone waiting for you somewhere?”

The table suddenly becomes much quieter.

You know that question wasn’t really for everyone… it was for you.

You lower your cup, your cheeks are warm again “…No.”

Ace nods once and the corner of his mouth lifts ever so slightly “Good to know.”

You kick him under the table, hard enough to make him hiss through his teeth.

No one notices as they're all too busy answering the question… everyone except Vivi and Nami.

The two women exchange one very amused look but neither of them says a word.

They don't need to.

The way you keep avoiding Ace’s eyes and the way Ace keeps finding them anyway, is becoming harder and harder for everyone to ignore.

Dinner slowly comes to an end even if Luffy is somehow still eating.

Sanji has given up asking where all the food keeps disappearing. Usopp and Chopper are arguing over which desert animal would win in a fight.

Zoro has already fallen asleep against the mast. Nami and Vivi go over maps one last time before calling it a night.

One by one everyone disappears below deck and eventually, the Going Merry becomes quiet.

Sleep doesn’t come.

You quietly go onto the deck, careful not to wake anyone.

The desert night is surprisingly cool.

You lean your arms on the railing and groan quietly at the thought of that loooong day “I don’t think I’ve ever been this embarrassed in my life.”

“Really?”

You jump so hard you nearly fall overboard but a hand catches your elbow before you lose your balance.

Ace.

He lets go immediately “Sorry.”

You press a hand against your chest “One day you’ll give me a heart attack.”

He grins “Worth it.”

“No.”

“Maybe.”

You roll your eyes and then you just sit and Ace sits beside you… not too close but not too far… enough that your shoulders almost touch.

For a while neither of you speaks but the silence isn’t awkward anymore.

Ace looks up “Nice sky.”

You nod “Much better than the desert during the day.”

“Definitely.”

He yawns and you laugh “Already sleepy?”

“Always.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“It’s a talent.”

You smile “I’m not sure sleeping counts as one.”

“It does if you’re really good at it.”

You snort “You’re impossible.”

“I’ve heard that today.”

“More than once.”

“Mostly from you.”

You smile again, without thinking.

After another comfortable silence you sigh “Everyone really liked embarrassing me today.”

Ace laughs quietly “Well…” he looks out at the sea “At least they think you just have a crush.”

You hide your face in your hands “Please don’t remind me…”

Then he continues and his voice is calm, almost thoughtful “They don’t know that you made me spend the most beautiful night of my life with you...”

You slowly lower your hands.

“…and then left me alone like that without even telling me your name.”

You blink.

“…making me search everywhere for you...”

Your breath catches.

“…only to randomly find you in my little brother’s crew.”

You stare at him as he keeps looking at the sea, like he didn’t just completely change the conversation.

You quietly ask “…You searched for me?”

Ace looks over and a small laugh escapes him. He rubs the back of his neck and then nods “Yeah.”

Your heart skips.

“I looked around the island for days.”

Your eyes grow wider “Days?”

“Mm.” he smiles sheepishly “But I never looked into pirates.” he points at you “You told me you were just a traveler.”

You immediately answer “Because I was!”

Your voice echoes a little louder than you intended so you freeze and then take a breath before you continue much more quietly “I mean…”

You look down at your hands “I never even thought about becoming a pirate before meeting Luffy.”

Ace nods slowly as a knowing smile appears “Yeah.” he laughs softly “I get it.”

You tilt your head “You do?”

“That’s how my little brother’s influence works.”

You laugh and the smile stays on both your faces for a while.

Then Ace speaks again but quieter this time “Can I ask you something?”

You nod “Sure.”

He looks at you “…You never looked for me after that night?”

You freeze.

He scratches his cheek awkwardly, then laughs once, but it sounds... nervous and then he asks “Was I so terrible?”

Your head snaps toward him “What?!”

You immediately shake your head and without even thinking the words leave your mouth before your brain can stop them “You were even too good!”

Silence.

Your eyes slowly become wider.

Ace blinks, then the corners of his mouth start lifting.

Your entire face catches fire “I…” you stand up so fast you almost trip “I should go. It’s late.”

You turn around but then a warm hand gently wraps around your wrist, not pulling hard but enough to stop you.

You look down at the hand and then at him.

Ace is trying not to laugh.

He gives your wrist the tiniest tug “Sit.”

You sigh dramatically “…Fine.”

You sit back down beside him, but this time you refuse to look at him.

After a long silence you mumble, “…That was embarrassing.”

Ace smiles “Nah. I’ve been embarrassing myself all day.” he chuckles “This was nothing.”

You finally glance at him and see he’s smiling at the stars, looking completely relaxed.

For some reason… that makes you laugh.

Ace smiles a little wider when he hears it.

The tension that had followed you around the entire day slowly disappears.

Then you feel like answering his question from earlier “About what you asked earlier…”

Ace tilts his head “Hm?”

You take a slow breath “I didn’t look for you.”

He stays quiet, waiting for you to continue.

“…But it wasn’t because you weren’t… good.”

He immediately grins “I figured after your little confession.”

You cover your face “Can we pretend I never said that?”

“Never.”

You sigh dramatically “Worth a try.”

He chuckles.

You look back at the sea “It was just…”

You struggle to find the right words “I never did anything like that before.”

Ace’s smile fades into something gentler.

You continue quietly “I’d never had a… one-night stand.”

The words feel strange to admit out loud.

“I don’t even know why I did that.” a small laugh escapes you “Maybe the drinks.”

Ace smiles “Maybe.”

You shake your head “When I woke up…” you look down at your hands “…I panicked.”

A long pause “So I left.” the memory still makes you cringe “I didn’t even stop to think.”

You laugh awkwardly “I just grabbed my things and left the island.”

Ace listens without saying a word.

“Later…” you shrug “I was way too embarrassed to go back and look for you.”

You smile weakly “Eventually… I hoped I’d just forget about it. Obviously it didn’t work.”

His eyes lift to yours and you laugh softly before you continue “It wasn’t just that night that made me think about you.”

Ace blinks.

You look out at the ocean again “It was everything. The before… when we met.”

A small smile appears “You were funny. You listened. You were kind.”

You laugh quietly “Honestly… at first I thought you were going to be a jerk.”

Ace places a hand over his chest dramatically “I’m wounded.”

You smile “You had that confident smile and that smirk.”

“I still do.”

“Exactly.”

He laughs.

You shake your head fondly “But you weren’t.”

Your voice becomes softer “You were nice before.” a pause “You were sweet during it.”

Your cheeks warm immediately and you cough it off “…And afterward too.”

Ace looks at you quietly.

You continue before you lose your courage “I don’t believe in love at first sight.”

He nods slightly.

“Never have. So I convinced myself…” you sigh “…that you only wanted it to be one fun night.”

Ace opens his mouth but you gently stop him “I know now that I was wrong.”

Finally you look directly at him “I really panicked today when I realized… that you were the Ace Luffy always talked so much about.”

Ace rubs the back of his neck “He really talks that much?”

You laugh “Constantly.”

He groans “Sounds like him.”

You smile and then your expression softens “…But…” you meet his eyes “I’m also happy we got to clear everything up.”

Ace scratches his cheek, looking oddly embarrassed, then he laughs “Wow.”

You blink “What?”

“I’ve never heard you talk this much.”

You gasp dramatically and then you lightly punch his arm.

“Ow!” he laughs anyway “Violence!”

“You deserved it.”

“Probably.” he smiles impossibly softly.

“I’m glad I found you, Y/N.” his voice is barely above a whisper “…Even after all this time.”

Your smile slowly grows and neither of you looks away.

Then Ace shifts, turns his whole body toward you and lifts one hand toward you.

A playful smile returns to his face “Why don’t we reset the game?”

You tilt your head.

He clears his throat dramatically “Hello.” he offers his hand “Nice to meet you.”

A tiny bow follows “I’m Portgas D. Ace.”

His grin grows “You’re cute.” a beat “Are you single?”

You burst into laughter and then, still smiling, you turn your body toward him too.

Your knees almost touch.

You take his hand “I’m Y/N.”

You pretend to think “…And yeah… as a friend of mine with a very long nose likes to say…”

You sigh dramatically “…I’m terrifyingly single.”

Ace laughs so hard he almost loses his balance “That’s a tragedy.”

“The greatest one.”

He doesn’t let go of your hand and neither do you.

The laughter slowly fades, and only smiles remain.

Then, very quietly, Ace asks “Do you kiss on a first date?”

You grin “Apparently… I kiss and do much worse with complete strangers.”

Ace lowers his head with a laugh “Then…”

He looks back at you “…We’re lucky we’re not strangers anymore.”

You nod “Yeah.”

The word comes out almost as a whisper.

Slowly the distance between you disappears. You meet him halfway.

Your lips brush softly against his.

The kiss is slow and gentle. The complete opposite of the first one you shared that first time, because that night had begun with curiosity, and this one begins with honesty.

When you pull away you’re still smiling and so is he.

Ace rests his forehead lightly against yours “Hi.”

You laugh quietly “Hi.”

The next morning, when everyone gathers for breakfast, you and Ace are sitting on opposite sides of the table.

You don’t look at him and he doesn’t look at you, or at least that’s what you’re both trying very hard to make everyone believe.

“Morning.” you say politely.

Ace nods once “Morning.”

Short and simple.

Luffy looks between the two of you “…You’re weird.”

“We’re always weird.” you answer a little too quickly.

“Not this weird.”

Ace calmly drinks his coffee “Maybe we didn’t sleep much.”

You nearly choke on your bread but he doesn’t even glance at you and yet yhe corner of his mouth twitches.

For the rest of the day you both become surprisingly good at acting.

When the crew is together you barely speak. If Ace asks the group a question, you let someone else answer. If you have something to say, you direct it at Luffy or Vivi instead. If your paths cross, one polite nod.

Nothing more.

But… the problem isn’t your words… it’s everything else.

Every time someone makes the group laugh your eyes automatically search for each other.

Whenever one of you disappears for a few minutes, the other somehow always ends up wandering in the same direction.

Later that afternoon you volunteer to refill the ship’s water barrels.

You lift one bucket.

“Need help?”

You don’t even turn around “No.”

Ace laughs “You answered before checking who it was.”

You sigh “Because I knew.”

He steps beside you “I’m offended.”

“Why?”

“You didn’t even sound surprised.”

You pick up another bucket “You’ve been following me for three days.”

“Has it only been three?”

You give him a flat look “Ace.”

He grins “Y/N.”

You try to walk past him but he casually reaches out and catches your hand for just a second. His thumb brushes lightly across your knuckles.

You look down at your joined hands and then back up at him. He’s smiling and you can’t help smiling back and then you just say “You’re impossible.”

“You keep saying that.”

Footsteps.

Both of you hear them at the same time and your eyes widen. Without thinking you shove him away, hard enough that he stumbles backward.

“Ow!” he whispers loudly.

“Someone’s coming!” you hiss.

Ace barely has time to recover before Chopper appears “Oh! There you are!”

You immediately lift the bucket “Just getting water.”

Ace nods seriously “I was... supervising.”

Chopper tilts his head “Why?”

Ace opens his mouth but nothing comes out.

You bite your lip to stop yourself from laughing.

The same thing keeps happening again and again and again.

You see Sanji busy, so you volunteer to help him by bringing vegetables from storage.

You kneel to pick up a basket.

Ace quietly appears behind you “Busy?”

“Very.”

He leans closer… close enough that you can feel the warmth of his shoulder.

“You haven’t smiled at me in...” he pretends to think “…almost fifteen minutes.”

You roll your eyes “What a tragedy.”

He lowers his voice “Maybe you should fix that.”

You smile despite yourself “There.”

“Much better.”

You hear Sanji calling from upstairs, asking if you’re ok.

Without hesitation you place both hands against Ace’s chest and push him away.

He stumbles into a barrel.

“…You know,” he mutters, rubbing his shoulder, “you’ve pushed me away a lot these last few days.”

“Because you keep sneaking up on me!”

“I’m starting to take it personally.”

Another day… you’re standing alone, enjoying the wind.

Ace quietly walks up beside you and neither of you says anything, just your fingers slowly brush against each other.

Then he hooks his little finger around yours, such a tiny gesture that makes your heart melt.

You glance at him and quietly hook your finger around his too.

A soft smile appears on both your faces.

Then—“Y/N!”

Usopp’s voice echoes across the deck, so you both immediately let go at the same time.

“…You know,” he says under his breath, “one day you’re going to throw me overboard.”

“Good.”

“Cruel.”

“Careful. Someone might hear us.”

By the fourth day the crew starts exchanging looks, because your acting has somehow become even stranger.

Ace treats everyone exactly the same, except you. With you, he’s almost too polite.

“Could you pass the salt, Y/N?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

A long silence follows.

Usopp slowly looks at Nami. Nami looks at Vivi. Vivi hides a smile behind her cup.

Sanji narrows his eyes. Luffy keeps eating.

Finally, Zoro opens one eye and looks at you and then at Ace before he quietly says “…You two are terrible actors.”

The entire table goes silent.

Your heart stops and Ace blinks once asking “…What do you mean?”

Zoro shrugs “Nothing.” he closes his eye again “Just saying.”

You and Ace exchange the quickest glance in history, then immediately look away again.

Neither of you notices Nami trying very hard not to smile, or Vivi quietly hiding a laugh behind her drink.

The following morning is peaceful, which usually means something is about to go wrong.

You are down in the Merry’s small storage room, quietly counting what little food is left.

“…Three bags of rice…”

You move one aside.

“A few vegetables…”

Another pile.

“…And Luffy definitely stole half of the dried meat.”

A familiar voice answers from behind you “He absolutely did.”

You don’t even have time to turn around.

Ace wraps his arms around your waist from behind, pulling you gently against him.

“Ace…”

He laughs into your hair “Finally.”

You can hear the smile in his voice.

He turns you around before you can protest and his face is much closer than you expected.

“You’ve been avoiding me all morning.”

“I’ve been working.”

“Same excuse as always.”

You open your mouth to answer but instead, he leans in.

His lips are only a breath away from yours.

You place a hand against his chest “Ace.”

He stops for exactly one second, then he tilts his head with a mischievous grin and instead presses a quick, warm kiss against the side of your neck.

You shiver “Ace!”

He rests his forehead against your shoulder with an exaggerated sigh “Damn it…”

Another sigh “I can’t take this anymore.”

Despite yourself you smile and then gently push him back but not very far, just enough to look at him and say “This is too dangerous, Ace.”

He pouts immediately. You can’t believe the feared commander of the Whitebeard Pirates is looking at you like a disappointed puppy.

Several quiet seconds pass, then his eyes brighten “I’ve got an idea.”

You already don’t like that smile “…That’s never a good sign.”

“Do you want to go on a date with me tonight?”

You blink “…What?”

“A date.”

He says it as if it’s the simplest thing in the world.

You stare at him “How? The crew is going to ask questions if we suddenly disappear together.”

Ace crosses his arms confidently while a smug grin spreads across his face “Don’t worry.”

He taps his chest “I’ve got the perfect plan.”

You narrow your eyes.

He continues “…Just let me handle it.”

You sigh “That’s somehow even more worrying.”

He laughs softly “Everything’s going to be okay.”

You sigh again “Oh. Now I’m definitely worried.”

Lunch arrives and everyone gathers around the table.

Luffy is already eating before Sanji finishes serving. Usopp is telling another impossible story.

Everything is normal… the only strange thing is Ace who’s unusually quiet.

Every few seconds he glances at you and then smiles to himself.

You kick his foot lightly under the table, he looks up and you mouth “What are you planning?”

He smiles wider and after a few more minutes Ace suddenly clears his throat “Hey, Luffy.”

Luffy doesn’t even look up “Hm?” still chewing.

Ace speaks with complete confidence “I’m taking Y/N on a date tonight, so don’t worry about her.”

...

...

...

Silence.

Somewhere at the table a fork hits the floor with a loud clink.

You freeze completely.

Luffy calmly swallows another bite of food, reaches over and steals meat from Nami’s plate as he simply says “Okay.”

He keeps eating, like nothing unusual was said.

Ace slowly turns toward you with the proudest smile you’ve ever seen on his face.

You slowly stand up and point at him “Are… you crazy?!”

Your words finally break the spell that froze the crew.

“WHAT?!” Usopp shouts.

Sanji slams both hands on the table “HOW DARE YOU!”

Then he spins toward Luffy “AND YOU!”

Luffy blinks “Hm?”

“How can you just say ‘okay’?!” Sanji clutches his chest “My dear Y/N can’t go out with...” he glares at Ace “…another man!”

Nami immediately smacks the back of his head “Sit down.”

Sanji obeys instantly “…Yes, Nami-swan.”

Nami turns back toward Ace, much calmer but also much more dangerous “…For how long has this been going on?”

Ace doesn’t hesitate “Way before she even became a pirate.”

Your head snaps toward him “Hey!”

The words leave your mouth before you can stop them “We agreed that doesn’t count!”

Ace smiles at you warmly “It counts to me.”

His voice is so casual it almost doesn’t register. 

Then he adds “That’s when I realized I wanted to see you again.”

Your mouth opens but no sound comes out and slowly you sit back down.

You stare at your plate, you take your fork and roll a piece of food around without actually eating it.

Your face is burning.

Luffy finally looks up “Oooh!” he points between the two of you “Before we became brothers?”

Ace sighs dramatically “Not that before, idiot!”

“Oh.” Luffy nods “Got it.”

Usopp suddenly shoots to his feet “WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT!”

He points wildly “YOU TWO KNEW EACH OTHER?!”

“WHEN?!”

“WHERE?!”

“HOW?!”

“WHY DIDN’T ANYONE SAY ANYTHING?!”

You immediately pretend your lunch has become the most interesting thing in the world.

Ace, meanwhile, answers every question with surprising patience.

“Years ago.”

“Different island.”

“We lost touch.”

“Found each other again here.”

Usopp gasps after every answer as if hearing the greatest adventure ever told.

The whole table erupts into questions, even Chopper joins in.

You don’t answer a single one, instead your eyes drift toward Luffy.

He’s smiling and watching Ace with the happiest expression.

Nami notices where you’re looking and she lowers her voice, quiet enough that only you can hear her “…Did you think Luffy wouldn’t approve?”

You don’t answer immediately but then the noise around the table fades into the background, and from your left Zoro speaks without even looking up from his food “He’s happy if you and his brother are happy.”

He shrugs “Isn’t that obvious?”

You look at him in surprise.

Zoro keeps eating and drinking as though he hadn’t said anything important.

A small smile appears on your face and then you let out a quiet breath “…I guess I worried for nothing.”

Across the table Ace is laughing as Usopp fires another impossible question at him.

His smile is bright and relaxed… lighter than you’ve seen it since the day you met again.

He catches your eye for just a second and smiles only a little wider, and without realizing it you smile back.

A little later, Nami casually slips an arm around yours “Come with us.”

You blink “Where?”

“Shopping.”

“What?”

Vivi smiles “For tonight.”

Before you can protest, Luffy appears beside you “Can I come too?”

Nami sighs “Why?”

He shrugs “I’m bored.”

The markets of Alubarna are crowded with fabrics, jewelry and colorful clothes.

For the next hour you become Nami and Vivi's personal doll.

“Try this one.”

“Too fancy.”

“This?”

“Too plain.”

“Turn around.”

“Not bad…”

Luffy sits on a nearby crate eating fruit and every now and then he looks up and says “That one looks nice.”

Nami blinks “…You actually have an opinion?”

“Yep.”

He points toward a simple outfit hanging nearby, it isn’t flashy, just comfortable and elegant without trying too hard.

Very... you.

You change into it and when you step out Vivi smiles first and says “There she is.”

Nami nods “Ace isn’t going to know what hit him.”

Your cheeks immediately warm.

While paying, Vivi quietly asks, “So…” she smiles “How did you two actually meet?”

You hesitate and then you tell them everything… not every little detail, but enough.

When you finish neither of them laughs and neither of them judges.

Vivi’s expression softens “…That’s actually really sweet.”

Nami nods “A little messy.” then she smiles “…But sweet.”

You laugh “Messy is one way to describe it.”

Luffy suddenly speaks up “Ace told me.”

You look at him “About what?”

“That you were scared I’d be upset.”

Your shoulders tense.

Luffy frowns, genuinely confused “Why would I be?”

You blink.

He grins “He’s my brother.” then he points at you “You’re my best friend. You’re family.” another grin “That sounds awesome.”

You feel something unclench inside your chest.

Luffy laughs “As long as he doesn’t make you cry.”

A pause and his smile becomes surprisingly serious “Otherwise I’ll punch him.”

You laugh so hard you almost cry but say “What if he’s the one crying?”

Luffy laughs harder and answers “Means he deserves it!”

This makes you laugh again.

The sun begins to set and the sky turns orange.

You return to the Merry just before dinner.

Ace is already waiting near the dock and the moment he sees you he forgets to breathe.

You stop a few steps away, suddenly feeling shy “…Hi.”

He stares for another second, then smiles “Hi.”

He scratches the back of his neck “…You look beautiful.”

Your heart immediately forgets how to function “Thank you…”

He offers his arm dramatically “May I steal you for the evening?”

You laugh and loop your arm through his “You may.”

Nami, Vivi and Luffy who were with you simply waves at the two of you. You wave back then you see Luffy is about to yell something but Nami hit him and shit him up before he can do anything.

The date is... simple.

A small restaurant tucked away from the busiest streets, with warm lanterns and good food.

Ace insists on pulling your chair out before you sit.

You raise an eyebrow “Trying to impress me?”

“Is it working?”

“…Maybe.”

He places a hand over his heart dramatically “Victory.”

You laugh.

Most of dinner is spent talking about simple things, like favorite foods, childhood stories, places you want to visit, and dreams.

Every now and then your hands brush across the table.

After dinner you walk slowly through the quiet streets, neither of you seems in a hurry for the night to end.

Ace suddenly clears his throat and a teasing smile appears “…So…”

He looks ahead “Should we get a room?”

You glance at him and he’s clearly joking, trying to make you nervous or something.

Instead… you simply nod “…Okay.”

Ace stops walking “…Wait.” he looks at you, then points at himself “…Really?”

You nod again and his confident smile completely disappears “…Are you sure?”

You smile softly “I’m sure.”

He tells you to follow him and then a few minutes later… he leads you through a different street and you notice a small inn.

“…For someone who was joking…” you smile “…you found an inn awfully fast.”

Ace immediately waves both hands “Hey! It’s not like that!”

He laughs awkwardly “I was staying here before I met you guys.”

You giggle “Mhm, sure.”

He blinks “…You’re teasing me?”

“Maybe.”

“…You’re evil.”

“I’m learning from you.”

The room is quiet and for a moment, it’s obvious neither of you knows what to do or say and by the tenth gaze you give each other, you both laugh at exactly the same time.

And like that, the awkwardness disappears.

You step closer, lift a hand to his cheek and kiss him softly.

When you pull back, you smile and say “I loved the date, you can relax.”

He lets out a nervous laugh “I’m trying.”

After he stares at you for a moment, he finally closes the distance and kisses you with softness but also with a bit more hunger than before.

As you kiss him back, the kiss deepens and then you feel his hand going down, to where your shirt ends. He grabs it and pulls it off you, slowly and gentle.

Then he breaks the kiss and looks at you again to ask “Are you sure?”

You have no strength to talk, so you just smile at him and nod.

He nods back and then he removes his own shirt.

The rest of the evening passes wrapped in quiet affection, gentle kisses, and the warmth of finally being together without fear or misunderstandings between you.

It’s totally the opposite of your first time together but it still has that much tension, maybe even more, amplified from love too, now.

Later, you fall asleep curled up in each other’s arms.

The next morning, you wake up first, and careful not to disturb him, you quietly slip into the bathroom and start the shower.

A few minutes later the bathroom door suddenly opens.

Ace appears like a mess, his breathing is uneven and his eyes are wide with panic.

You blink, then it clicks and your expression softens immediately “…Wait. You thought I left again?”

He doesn’t answer, he only gives a small, embarrassed nod, making your heart aches.

You reach for his hand “Hey.” and you smile gently “I’m here.”

He looks at you for another long second and you smile again “Come here.”

You gently tug him toward the shower and the warm water falls around both of you.

Neither of you says much, you simply stand together, close enough that your bodies constantly touch.

Ace wraps his arms around you and then you wash each other’s hair, laughing quietly when he gets soap on his nose.

He cleans you with soap and he steals little kisses from every part of the body he’s cleaning… from your forehead, your shoulder, your cheek, making you smile every single time.

Just tenderness.

When you finally leave the inn later that morning, hand in hand, neither of you knows exactly how you’ll make it work with two different crews sailing different seas, but somehow, neither of you doubts that you will.

After all, you’ve already found each other once against impossible odds.

Finding each other again would always be worth the journey.

[thepensivekunoichi]

Only Her

Pairing: Zoro x female!reader

Summary: A quiet dinner at one of the Grand Line’s most celebrated sushi restaurants takes an unexpected turn when an old tradition sparks a ridiculous suggestion. Zoro refuses everyone without hesitation… until you ask.

Contains: soft Zoro, established relationship, crew shenanigas, reader and Zoro being Chopper's parents, Zoro showning affection in his own way, food traditions, flustered Zoro

Word count: about 3.4k

A\N: Based on this fun request about eating sushi off Zoro's bicep. Thank you for the idea! I adapted it a bit, so it fits my style better, I hope you like it.

The Sunny rocked gently upon the calm sea, its lion figurehead bathed in hues that shifted from warm gold to deep burnt orange. She waited patiently for the return of the Straw Hats, who had docked that morning at an island renowned throughout the Grand Line for its seafood.

Led by Sanji, whose enthusiasm had emptied nearly every stall in the local fish market, they returned carrying enough rare catches to fill the ship with delicacies none of you had ever had the chance to taste.

“Who cares? Fish is fish,” your boyfriend had grumbled.

You immediately slipped your arm through his, silencing him before the cook’s growing outrage could erupt into another tirade about the marimo’s hopelessly uncultured palate.

“That’s not what he meant, Sanji-kun,” you smiled, watching the cook’s expression soften at once. “He was trying to say that everything you make tastes wonderful.”

The blond all but melted under the praise, while beside you Zoro simply tightened his hold around your waist, drawing you a little closer without a word, his expression as stiff as ever.

Still, despite preaching that food should never go to waste, Sanji had purchased enough seafood not only to feed the crew for a month, but to host several feasts with visiting pirate crews.

Then, barely giving anyone a chance to object, he had practically dragged you all toward the sushi restaurant he’d dreamed of visiting ever since his days aboard the Baratie, positively buzzing with excitement at the chance to learn something new.

“Old geezer used to say if you ever crossed the Grand Line and found yourself on this island, you’d be a fool to leave without eating here.”

By the time you finally arrived, your cook let out a sigh of pure admiration, forcing you to discreetly pinch Zoro more than once to keep him from making one of his usual remarks.

The restaurant wasn’t extravagant so much as quietly timeless. It stood at the very edge of the harbor, where the sea nearly kissed its foundations whenever the tide rose high. From the outside it was surprisingly modest, a weathered cedar building whose dark wooden walls had been polished smooth by decades of salt-laden winds. A faded indigo noren hung across the entrance, its color softened by countless summers, bearing nothing more than the simple white crest of three intertwined waves.

“OI, SANJI! THIS SHACK’S THE PLACE WITH THE AMAZING FOOD?!”

Luffy’s voice rang out with all the subtlety of a cannon blast.

He was immediately met by three raised fists: Sanji, whose cigarette nearly snapped between his teeth as one leg lifted threateningly into the air; Nami, glaring daggers at their captain’s complete lack of manners; and poor Usopp, desperately trying to salvage what little dignity remained.

Hidden behind your shoulder, your boyfriend allowed himself the faintest, thoroughly self-satisfied smirk before nudging both you and Chopper, who had already claimed your other hand.

“C’mon.”

After taking off your shoes, with Chopper naturally finishing long before everyone else and bouncing impatiently where he stood, a waiter led you toward one of the tatami rooms through a series of polished wooden corridors. Paper lanterns cast warm pools of amber light across the hallway, while the old floorboards creaked softly beneath your footsteps.

You slowed for just a moment, unable to resist admiring the tiny courtyard garden tucked between the rooms. A smooth stone basin caught the steady trickle of falling water, soft moss blanketed the ground beneath a wind-shaped pine, and several koi drifted lazily through a shallow pond.

“Tch. You coming, woman?”

Zoro’s voice pulled you back. He stood beside the open shōji door, patiently holding it for you.

You smiled, quickening your pace.

“Thanks.”

Taking advantage of the brief absence of witnesses, you rose onto your toes, pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, then slipped past him into the room.

Zoro answered with nothing more than the smallest shrug, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward as warmth spread across the cheek you’d kissed.

Chopper had already rushed inside.

“I WANT THE WINDOW!”

In the blink of an eye he’d claimed the spot overlooking the water.

You laughed, straightening the little hat that had slipped crookedly onto his head.

“You beat me to it.”

“I can still see everything from here!” Chopper beamed.

Kneeling beside him, you adjusted the cushion he’d knocked askew, still smiling to yourself.

When you finally looked up again, Zoro was still standing where you’d left him, quietly waiting until you’d settled in before lowering himself onto the cushion beside you.

The peaceful atmosphere lasted all of thirty seconds before the shōji door slid open and in burst the Straw Hat captain wearing a grin as loud as his voice.

“FOOD!”

Before anyone could stop him, he was already kneeling at the table with his nose mere inches from the immaculate place settings.

Sanji immediately seized him by the back of his vest, a vein throbbing visibly across his forehead.

“Don’t touch anything, you idiot! They haven’t even brought the food yet!”

“But I wanna see!”

“You’ll see it when they serve it!”

Having personally insisted on ordering directly from the head chef, selecting the restaurant’s rarest specialties, Moonfin tuna, Rainbow snapper, Sapphire squid, and countless fish found nowhere else but these waters, Sanji had, in truth, been determined from the start to spend the evening beside the master chef himself, soaking up every lesson he could.

With a sparkle in his eyes brighter than the one that usually appeared at the sight of a beautiful woman, he practically floated after the elderly chef, an old acquaintance of Zeff’s. The discovery had caught him completely off guard, but his surprise quickly gave way to unmistakable pride. The legendary sushi master not only knew the stubborn old geezer from the Baratie, but seemed genuinely delighted to meet his apprentice, readily demonstrating his techniques and sharing the knowledge he had spent a lifetime perfecting.

Thankfully, that spared the rest of you another hour of listening to him repeat,

“This chef trained for sixty years.”

“The vinegar is aged.”

“The rice only grows on the northern cliffs.”

“The knife’s been passed down through eight generations.”

With drinks finally served, conversation flowed easily, as much as it could with Luffy repeatedly announcing that the food ought to hurry up already.

You, Nami, and Robin soon found yourselves making plans to visit the island’s famous onsen together, all three of you craving a little time away from your beloved idiots. Nami had already reserved a spot for the following day and fully intended to spend a generous portion of the crew’s budget shopping beforehand, while Robin quietly informed you about a local bookstore that supposedly carried the very book you’d been searching for in every port these past few months.

Beside you, your green-haired swordsman sat in comfortable silence, occasionally brushing his little finger ever so lightly against your hand as he sipped his sake. With one ear he listened to one of Usopp’s wildly exaggerated stories, a tall tale bearing little resemblance to reality, while unsuccessfully hiding a smile at the captain’s and Chopper’s wholehearted amazement.

At one point, Chopper’s attention was stolen by a tiny crab making its way along the veranda outside.

Without thinking, you reached to stop him from leaning too far.

At that exact same moment, Zoro’s hand settled firmly against the small of your back out of pure instinct.

Across the table, Robin smiled quietly into her teacup.

At last, Sanji returned alongside the head chef, greeted by Luffy’s ecstatic cheers, as beautifully carved serving boards shaped like waves, dragons, and even swords were carefully placed before each of you.

Delicately arranged atop them, each piece of sushi looked almost too beautiful to eat. Brilliant colors gleamed beneath the lantern light, from the vivid turquoise sheen of the Moonfin tuna to the deep crimson cuts and the iridescent marbling of the Rainbow snapper. The craftsmanship was nothing short of mesmerizing.

You discreetly nudged your boyfriend’s ankle the moment he opened his mouth to remark that sushi looked the same no matter where you ate it. Meanwhile, you, Nami, Robin and Chopper found yourselves quietly pointing out your favorite pieces, admiring the vibrant colors spread before you like tiny works of art.

“The strongest warriors used to volunteer their arms,” the elderly chef remarked, with the sort of perfectly straight face that made it impossible to tell whether he was recounting history or inventing it on the spot.

“Long ago,” he continued, “the strongest warriors of this island would offer their arms during festivals to the person they held dearest. They believed food tasted sweetest when it was shared with the one they wished to protect. It was never meant as entertainment, but as a quiet promise. To nourish someone with your own hands was one thing… to trust them enough to place your own body beneath their meal was another.”

A faint smile softened the old chef’s weathered features.

Unfortunately for Zoro, Luffy volunteered him before he even had the chance to object.

The chef studied the green-haired swordsman thoughtfully.

“With muscles like that… it would actually work.”

Zoro refused immediately.

“COME ON, ZORO!” Luffy pleaded, slapping him enthusiastically between the shoulders. “PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEEEASE!”

“No.”

Your boyfriend sounded so final that it was obvious he’d sooner wrestle a Sea King than endure Luffy’s stretchy hands and tongue anywhere near his skin, especially knowing the rest of the idiots would immediately join in.

“I WOULDN’T MIND!” Luffy declared instead, balancing pieces of sushi along his own arm, much to Sanji’s horror as several nearly slid onto the floor. “I’M STRONG TOO!”

Saving the endangered sushi with remarkable speed, Sanji marched toward the girls, hearts practically floating around him.

“I would never offer these magnificent hands to those heathens,” he declared dramatically, “but if my lovely ladies wished it, the greatest honor of my life would be to have their beautiful lips graze my arm…”

“ME TOO!”

“NO!”

Sanji snapped around so fast his entire expression transformed the instant Luffy tried to volunteer himself.

Meanwhile, everyone else had turned to stare at Zoro.

“The hell’re you all lookin’ at?”

He was completely against it…

…until you quietly asked,

“Would you mind?”

Silence settled over the room.

Usopp leaned forward with unmistakable interest, Chopper stared with stars sparkling in his eyes, and Franky simply raised an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

“…Tch.”

“If he won’t, Y/N-swan, I’d be more than happy to offer my…”

“She’ll eat off mine, you damn perverted cook.”

Your green-haired swordsman had already rolled up his sleeve, deliberately turning his head away as though none of this concerned him. Usopp would’ve sworn the tips of his ears were as red as the coral reefs of the Grand Line, but wisely kept that observation to himself.

Still visibly irritated, though making a genuine effort to compose himself for your sake, Sanji reached for a few pieces of sushi, intending to arrange them across the firm curve of Zoro’s bicep. One sharp look from the swordsman stopped him cold.

“Only her.”

Unable to hide your smile beneath the curious stares of your crewmates and Sanji’s poorly concealed sulking, you knelt beside Zoro, biting back a laugh as you carefully arranged each piece of sushi along his forearm.

Your fingertips drifted gently across the surprisingly soft warmth of his skin, stretched over the solid muscle beneath. As your index finger idly traced the prominent vein running along his forearm, he nearly choked on his own breath. The swordsman's eyes widened for the briefest instant, a warm flush blooming across his cheeks before he hurriedly schooled his expression. A quiet, strangled sound escaped him, something that, in the peculiar language of Roronoa Zoro, translated to I’m barely holding myself together, and I’d much rather you didn’t do that in front of everyone… even as he made no move to stop you.

“Cold?”

“No.”

He was so still he barely seemed to blink.

“Isn’t it a little difficult to keep your balance?”

“No.”

“You can move if you’re uncomfortable.”

“…You haven’t finished,” he muttered, meeting your eyes for only a heartbeat before looking away again.

Smiling softly, you leaned in once more, steadying yourself with one hand against his shoulder.

His bicep had long been one of your favorite places to find comfort. It had steadied you through countless ordinary moments, carried the weight of your exhaustion without complaint, and welcomed you whenever the world felt just a little too loud.

You had kissed your way along that very arm more times than you could count.

Sometimes, when you were feeling especially playful, you’d nip at it just to hear his gruff complaint. You’d cleaned the cuts left behind after battles, pressing gentle kisses to fresh scars as you wrapped them in clean linen. On quiet afternoons beneath the Sunny’s mast, you’d used it as a pillow while dozing safely tucked against his chest, and on sleepy mornings, you’d leave a trail of featherlight pecks along his bicep before trying to slip from his embrace, only for him to wordlessly pull you back against him.

Whenever you rushed into his arms, it was there that your face inevitably came to rest. You hid behind that broad upper arm whenever you grew shy or tried to conceal a smile. In crowded festival streets, you instinctively clung to it so you wouldn’t lose him in the sea of people. Sometimes you’d lazily trace little pictures or write words against his skin with your fingertip, laughing as he tried to guess what you’d drawn. And on nights when the two of you lost yourselves in one another, you’d leave lipstick marks along the muscle, and he’d regard them with quiet satisfaction, reluctant, and entirely uninterested, to wipe away those little traces of your affection unless you insisted.

Yet never, not once, had you eaten from it.

After hearing the story behind the tradition, and knowing he had offered that quiet honor to you, and to you alone, the entire moment took on an intimacy you hadn’t expected.

Perhaps you should have felt embarrassed with the whole crew watching, but the thought barely crossed your mind.

Moments like these, when Zoro chose to wear his affection where others could see it, were impossibly rare. His love had never been loud or adorned with grand declarations. It revealed itself through quiet choices, stubborn gestures, and silent promises that somehow always reached your heart all the same.

Your hair brushed lightly against his neck, sending the faintest tickle across the skin of the stoic swordsman, who suddenly became far more aware of your closeness than he had been a moment before.

I fought Mihawk with a steadier pulse than this.

The ridiculous idea itself didn’t bother him in the slightest, nor did the certainty that the crew would tease him mercilessly for weeks to come. What unsettled him was the way you kept drifting into his space without the faintest idea of the storm you were stirring inside him.

You had expected him to grumble, to click his tongue in annoyance, perhaps even shift restlessly enough to send your carefully placed sushi tumbling onto the wooden floor.

Instead, as you leaned impossibly close to that absurdly broad bicep, you became acutely aware of the warmth radiating from his skin, lingering only millimeters from your lips. Beneath the delicate aroma of fresh fish and seasoned rice lingered the faint scent of sea salt, mellow sake, and the subtle cedar and hinoki oil you’d given him months ago on another island, a fragrance that had long since become unmistakably, comfortingly his. The muscles beneath your fingertips tightened almost involuntarily each time your warm breath ghosted across his skin.

Before you realized it, warmth had crept into your cheeks despite knowing every inch of that arm by heart.

He noticed immediately.

A smug little smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Thought this was your idea.”

“Shut up.”

Trying very hard to pretend his ridiculous smirk wasn’t affecting you in the slightest, you reached for a piece of Moonfin tuna. As you leaned in to take it, your lips brushed against the warm skin stretched over the firm muscle of his arm.

The warmth lingering beneath the rice nearly distracted you from the immaculate sushi itself. It truly was exquisite. The fish dissolved across your tongue with an almost delicate sweetness, balanced by perfectly seasoned rice that Sanji would undoubtedly spend the next month trying to recreate. Under any other circumstances, you would’ve happily spent the next ten minutes praising every nuance of its flavor to your hopelessly enthusiastic cook.

Unfortunately for him, your attention had wandered somewhere far less culinary.

When you lifted your gaze again, your eyes met Zoro’s.

For one suspended heartbeat, neither of you looked away.

Then the flustered swordsman did.

The tips of his ears had turned an unmistakable shade of pink.

A smile tugged at your own lips. You chose not to comment on the way he’d instinctively straightened the moment your lips had lingered just long enough to catch the last few grains of rice clinging stubbornly to his bicep.

“Good?” he asked, amused now by both the absurdity of the situation and your growing fluster, while hoping his own wasn’t nearly as obvious.

“Mm.”

“Worth humiliating me?”

You didn't hesitate.

“Definitely.”

Another crooked smirk found its way onto his face.

“Then have another.”

The crew erupted.

Sanji nearly collapsed to his knees, mourning the image of his precious angel being corrupted by an uncouth brute. Beneath the table, Brook quietly slipped a handful of berries into Nami’s palm, settling whatever bet the two of them had apparently made, while Luffy barreled between the two of you before anyone could stop him.

“NOW IT’S MY TURN! GIMME! I WANNA TRY TOO! C’MON! C’MON!”

He reached for another piece balanced on the sturdy ridge of Zoro’s arm.

Zoro pulled it back before Luffy could get anywhere near it.

“Will you knock it off already?”

“You’re no fun,” Luffy huffed.

For one suspiciously convincing second, he looked as though he’d given up.

Then, like a seagull spotting unattended food, he lunged forward and took a bite out of Zoro’s arm instead.

“THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!”

A solid punch landed squarely on the captain’s head, earning an exaggerated yelp as the two immediately dissolved into yet another loud argument. Zoro looked ready to draw a sword on pure principle. You rested a calming hand against his shoulder before he could seriously consider it, while poor Usopp threw himself at Luffy in a desperate attempt to drag him away, entirely unaware that he had just volunteered himself as the next victim.

His efforts proved spectacularly futile.

Luffy abruptly abandoned Zoro altogether, declaring him “too grumpy,” and instead attempted to balance a piece of sushi on Usopp’s nose.

The resulting chorus of laughter, indignant protests, and Sanji’s horrified cries about wasting perfectly good food swept through the room, drawing everyone’s attention away from the two of you.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, you—almost shyly now—reached for one last piece resting on your green-haired swordsman’s arm.

Without looking at you, he mumbled quietly enough that only you could hear,

“…You’re the only one I’d ever consider doing something this ridiculous for.”

You smiled, warmth blooming in your chest before you could stop it.

“Good to know.”

He answered only with a quiet grunt, though the faint flush still lingering at the tips of his ears betrayed him completely.

Around you, the restaurant slowly settled back into the familiar, beloved chaos that seemed to follow the Straw Hats wherever they went. Luffy was now chasing a horrified Usopp around the room with a piece of salmon balanced precariously on his finger while Sanji shouted himself hoarse in the background, torn between protecting the restaurant’s dignity and strangling his captain.

Yet somehow, amid all that familiar noise, Zoro’s quiet confession lingered longer than the taste of the meal itself.

Every moment thereafter, whether absurd enough to leave you both laughing, heavy enough to test your resolve, or beautiful enough to steal your breath away, would be met the same way: side by side, sharing each one together.

[foone]

the internet is great but sometimes it'll tell you that there's a girl you really need to hug but she's 8000km away

[ollypuro]

Spells of Mistria: Caldarus' Blessing 004: Dragon's Breath

001: Full Restore | 002: Summon Rain | 003: Growth

[velvetcloak]

joli poli

[simple-dorito]

FLUFF PROMPTS WITH OPLA ZORO! LIKE BRUSHING HAIR FROM FACE OR ALLOWING THEM TO LEAN ON THEM ANYTHING!! BONHS POINTS IF THE READER IS YK HALF ASLEEP! THANKS

Everything was its usual and expected chaos upon the Going Merry. Luffy was pestering Sanji for food before dinner, Usopp was telling tall tales to Chopper, Nami was reading maps near her tangerine trees and Zoro was settling himself down a little way aways from you on the deck for his nap.

You? You were actively trying to fight off the feeling that was sleep creeping up on you as you tried to look over your stock counts from last week to this week along with supervising the maintenance of the ship, your job as the ship’s Boatswain could be competing and therapeutic, especially from any and all other thoughts regarding marines and other pirates who fought for no other reason then wanting to fight. It was so therapeutic for you that you might as well have drifted off to sleep on a multitude of times.

People counted sheep while trying to sleep, you on the other hand counted how much meat you had left after a day thanks to Luffy’s insatiable appetite in order to get some sleep in.

‘(Name).’ Zoro called and you shot up, looking over to where his voice was coming from and saw him already looking at you, brows furrowed and his eyes sharp as though he was picking up something you couldn’t detect within yourself.

‘Yeah?’ You replied, trying to rub the urge of sleep from your eyes.

‘You look as though you’re going to at any given moment.’ He said as though saying something you weren’t privy to, as though you couldn’t feel how heavy and sluggish your movements were or how often you felt yourself attempt to drift off, only to be awoken by loud laughter or equally as loud scolding. You blinked at him. ‘Oh yeah? It’s almost as if I didn’t know that.’ You said sarcastically, already looking back down at your list of supplies you needed stocking up on, you dint bother with the kitchen as that was Sanji’s job but still made a list to go over with him regardless.

Zoro huffed as he patted the space next to him. ‘I was inviting you to take a nap idiot.’ He puts blatantly.

You shown him the lists you held in your hand. ‘Work.’

Zoro got up from his place on the deck and walked over to you -snatching the lists from your hand and tucks them in his haramaki- and hauled you to your feet but keeping his grip on your hand as he dragged you back to his spot, only letting go to sit himself down and watch you as you settled down next to him, eyes heavy with sleep and wanting to close but you refused them such a request. ‘Never have I ever seen someone so stubborn to take a nap.’ He says as he leans back, eyes glued to you as he sees you eye the lists in his haramaki, wanting to take them back but not bold enough to do when they were pressed against his abdomen.

‘No one is going to do my job-‘

‘Nobody here other then the cook and Nami are technically doing their job on this ship,’ Zoro interrupted you, bringing a hand to the back of your head and forcing your head to rest on his chest where you could hear his heart and feel his warmth through his skin, ‘so no one is going to crucify you for taking a nap. Now sleep.’ He encourages you by caressing your back slowly as though he had infinite amount of time on his hands and he wanted to spend them with you, his strong arm kept you caged against him, making it impossible for you to move subtly without him noticing.

‘But-‘

Zoro opens his eyes and gives you a pointed look.

‘Sleep. Now.’ He repeats himself before closing his eyes again, moving himself so his body seemingly shielded you from the chaos of the rest of the ship, lulling you into relaxing against him and letting go of your duty to the crew for a couple of minutes, allowing a yawn to pass by your lips as you decided to allow yourself a break from your hard work as your eyes became to heavy for you to keep open.

‘Don’t think that this will become a regular occurring thing.’ You muttered sleepily as you burrowed your face into Zoro’s chest, arm slung lazily across his waist. The Swordsman only smiled to himself as he watched you slump against him further as sleep dragged you under, slowly tracing shapes into your back and humming a tune that only made you snuggle closer to him, not that he minded because at least he knew you were getting sleep in unlike the times where he found you asleep under deck with the supplies you had finished counting.

‘As long as you give your body the right amount of sleep then I won’t, until then I will be making this a regular thing.’ Zoro said knowing he was speaking to himself at this point before drifting off to sleep as well, most likely to tell you in your dream to not overwork yourself again while standing guard incase your dreams take an unnecessary turn.

[raincraver]

my hero academia - (boku no hero academia) || 6x04 - takami keigo

[kcokaine]

dragonjo

[master-olruggio]

The stars

Qifrey x fem reader

Synopsis: Qifrey comforts you when you feel lonely

A/N: kinda struggling with the fwb fic for him atm so… I offer this. This is super self indulgent because I felt incredibly lonely this past weekend. So if anyone can relate to this, just know it’s okay to feel this way but you’re truly not alone!

Lying in the cold damp grass after a massive storm is quite uncomfortable. But it doesn’t compare to the loneliness you have been feeling recently. It feels like you’re a ghost in a crowded room. That no one in the crowded room looks for you or even talks to you.

There’s a stinging feeling in your eyes, tears filling your lash line. Trying to swallow the thick lump in your throat so you can feel like you can breathe again.

Staring at the stars so deeply as if they can give you an answer to why you feel so alone. You feel tears fall from the corner of your eye, to run down the side of your face to either hit your ear or the wet grass below you.

You bit your bottom lip as you hear a squelching sound come towards you. You really don’t want anyone to see you like this. You want to always be happy in front of others, you don’t want to be a burden.

A face you’re most familiar with appears above you, blocking your view of the starts. His white hall falls forward as he looks down at you. It’s cruel how angelic he can look no matter what.

He doesn’t say anything instead he lays on his back in line with you, so if you’d turn your head you’d be face to face with him.

You sniffle as more tears run down your face. He is the last person you want to try and explain how you are feeling right now, he doesn’t need more on his already busy plate.

“You’ve always loved the stars. I remember you’d drag Olruggio and I to look at them almost every night when we were at the academy.” Qifrey breaks the silence.

“I’m sorry.” Your voice comes out pitchy and watery, making you cringe.

He turns his head to look at you, “What for?”

“You should be asleep. You had a busy day and have another one tomorrow.”

“I can’t sleep well if you are not beside me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s the matter love?”

“Qifrey, do you ever think stars get lonely?” Your voice catches before you let out a shaky breath. Making sure your complete focus is on the stars when you asked him.

Raising your hand off the grass, your wet shirt sticks to your arm. You point at the bunches of stars, “They look so close together but does that mean they don’t feel lonely?”

“It’s only natural to feel lonely. I bet stars feel lonely the same way animals and people do.” He raises an arm to catch yours. He laces your hands together, holding them up to the stars. “You can feel lonely when you are surrounded by others.”

Those words truly break you because you cannot stop the dam that was being held by a small stick. You drop your hand from his and cover your face as you sob into your hands.

“I’m right here, let it out.” Is all Qifrey says.

But those words help as much as they allow you to release your true emotions. You’ve had this feeling for days that you were alone. That if you’d walk out the door and never came back, they wouldn’t realize.

You know that’s not true. Olruggio would know the exact instant you walked out of the door. The girls would ask for you constantly if they didn’t see you within a few minutes. And Qifrey.

Qifrey would be blocking the door.

You know all those facts are true so you have no idea why you feel so alone. You feel the exact same way you did when you were a kid and you hate it. Hate it more than anything.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” You apologize over and over again to Qifrey as you wipe your ever flowing tears.

He doesn’t say anything instead he pushes himself off the ground to sit next to you. He opens his arms towards you, “Come here.”

You don’t hesitate for a second. You throw yourself into him and bury yourself into his neck. He holds you tightly against him as his chin rests against your shoulder.

“It’s been quite hectic hasn’t it?” He runs a hand through your hair, “The girls and I have been in and out of the atelier so has Olly. You’ve been alone most of the time and when we are back you don’t feel as connected as the others are in the stories are shared.”

You nod into him. Yes you’ve been alone physically but normally that doesn’t bug you. Sometimes you know it’s better to stay at the atelier just in case something happens but as the stories and memories have been getting more exciting, you can’t help how you feel. It feels like everyone is having fun but you.

“I’m sorry that is how you have been feeling. I’m also sorry for not realizing it sooner. I brought you here to my atelier all those years ago so none of us would feel lonely. Yet it seems I went against that.”

You push back so you can look him in the eye. You don’t blame him at all. It’s just your mind being cruel to you and trying to twist the stories.

“I don’t get why it’s bugged me so much these past few days. When I hear all the stories about the girls’ trips or Olruggio’s projects, I just can’t help but feel I’m not doing anything to help.”

“Do you want to know something great about the stars?”

You furrow your brows in confusion because that was a turn. Instead of answering verbally, you just simply nod.

“They might feel lonely but they are always surrounded by the ones that care about them. They can think that they don’t matter in a crowded space, but in actuality the others would realize their presence was gone.”

“Qifrey-“

“I would rather fight against the cruelest of fates instead of watching you walk out the door like you don’t matter to us. We are a family here, the moment we lose someone, the family wouldn’t be the same.”

He gently cups your cheek, “They may not be our daughters by blood, but those girls see us as parental figures. If they lost their mom, they wouldn’t stop making spells to try and locate you. And if Olruggio lost the girl he considers to be his younger sister, then I think that man might just make every tool just to find you.”

You let out an airy laugh as you feel happy tears fill your eyes instead of the painful ones you had earlier.

“And… and if I lost you. I wouldn’t be the same man as I am in the moment.” His voices catches for a second, “A world without the woman I love the most, is a world I never want to know.”

“I-“

“So please,” he begs as he connects your foreheads, “If you feel lonely, come to me. Tell me and I’ll drop everything. I’d rather us have hard conversations like these instead of you dealing with it alone. Because my love, you are never alone.”

You let out a quiet sob before connecting your lips with his. He holds your waist tightly as he presses his lips tightly against yours.

He’s kissing you as if he’s physically telling you he is right here and he is not leaving.

No matter what.

You kiss him just as fiercely, telling him that you’re not going anywhere. He seems to get the message because he smiles lightly into the kiss.

You pull back slowly, hands on his shoulders, eyes locked tightly.

“Qifrey-“

“MASTER!”

The girls come running to you both followed by a tired looking Olruggio. They jump into the hug, squeezing you both tightly.

“We couldn’t find you! We were so scared that something happened during the storm-“ Coco frantically explains.

“Then Richeh used her spell!” Tetia points to the bracelet that guides her to the people she cares about the most.

“So they begged me to come with to find you both.” Olruggio plops onto the ground next to the group. Agott doesn’t say anything but pulls Olruggio into the hug.

“I don’t want to lose anyone again.” Richeh tells the group.

“No one is going anywhere.” You look at Qifrey, “After all, we have each other.”

Now you get what Qifrey said. The stars are truly never alone.

And so are you.

[acrimson-embrace]

the way you write law is everything to me i just want you 2 know that 🙏🏻

Thank you! Have this ficlet, anonymous 🫶🏽

Hands

A/N: tiny spice at the end 🌶️

Law’s hand rested between you on the mattress, long fingers relaxed against the sheet.

You took it in both of yours and traced the letters tattooed across his knuckles.

D. E. A. T. H.

His eyes followed your fingertips.

“You’re staring again,” he said.

“I like your hands.”

“You’ve mentioned.”

You turned his hand over and lifted it to your mouth. You pressed a kiss to the back of it, then another over his knuckles.

Law’s fingers flexed beneath your lips.

“The tattoos?” he asked.

“The tattoos are nice.”

“Nice.”

You kissed the base of his thumb. “Your fingers too.”

His attention stayed on you.

You turned his hand again, studying the ink along each finger as though you had not already memorized it.

Law caught your chin with his free hand.

“What do you like best about them?”

You leaned into his touch rather than looking away.

“I like them best when they’re on me.”

His thumb swept over your bottom lip, slow enough to make your breath catch. He watched your mouth part beneath the pressure.

“On you where?” he asked.

You held his gaze and took his wrist.

Law let you guide him, watching as you slid his hand beneath your shirt and placed his palm over your breast.

His fingers flexed against you.

“Here,” you said softly.

His gaze darkened.

His hand settled more firmly, his thumb brushing over you through the thin fabric of your bra. Your breath caught, and Law’s eyes dropped briefly to your mouth.

“Just here?” he asked.

You leaned closer. “It’s a good place to start.”

Law pulled you against him with his other arm, keeping his hand beneath your shirt. His thumb moved again, slower this time, testing the reaction he already knew he would get.

You shivered.

“You spend too much time thinking about my hands,” he murmured.

His fingers closed gently around your breast, drawing another soft breath from you.

Law watched your face, satisfied.

“Then let me show you what they can do.”

He kissed you before you could answer.

[qwehwa]

all i see is an angel

◡◡ ﹒ one piece characters x fem!reader 𖧧 requested | wc : 100-300 each approx. | 1k total | cw : angst / hurt/comfort / angel!reader | masterlist

characters ~ sanji / trafalgar law / monkey d. luffy / roronoa zoro / captain koby / dracule mihawk / eustass kid / killer / sabo / koala

a/n: this isn't a part ii of the angel!reader, but you can read it like that if you wish! i added sabo & koala because i really liked @chocolateshortcakesblog's idea! + eustass.. went all out on sanji's part hehe <3 x

𝔰𝔞𝔫𝔧𝔦

໒꒱ the first time he sees the scars beneath your wings...

໒꒱ his heart breaks.

໒꒱ not because they make you look any less beautiful.

໒꒱ but because someone looked at something so gentle and chose to hurt it.

໒꒱ he immediately realizes why you flinch whenever someone gets close.

໒꒱ why your eyes dart toward every hand that reaches in your direction.

໒꒱ why your wings instinctively curl around your body like a shield.

໒꒱ he refuses to touch your wings.

໒꒱ even after months together.

໒꒱ every time he needs to walk behind you, he'll announce himself first.

໒꒱ "coming through, angel."

໒꒱ just so you never have to wonder where he is.

໒꒱ only when you take his hand and gently place it against your feathers does he finally allow himself.

໒꒱ his fingers barely move.

໒꒱ almost afraid they'll shatter beneath his touch.

໒꒱ from that day onward, touching your wings becomes your decision.

໒꒱ never his.

໒꒱ he cooks meals specifically to help your body recover after healing others.

໒꒱ every single day.

໒꒱ dishes rich in nutrients.

໒꒱ soups that help with blood loss.

໒꒱ desserts because he notices sugar always lifts your mood afterward.

໒꒱ if you skip a meal after using your powers...

໒꒱ he'll quietly place a plate in front of you without saying a word.

໒꒱ because he knows you're used to putting everyone else before yourself.

໒꒱ when someone asks if your healing could save them...

໒꒱ sanji answers before you can.

໒꒱ "she isn't obligated to bleed for anyone."

໒꒱ the room falls silent.

໒꒱ no hesitation.

໒꒱ no bargaining.

໒꒱ no "just this once."

໒꒱ he doesn't care who they're asking for.

໒꒱ he won't let anyone reduce you to a miracle they can use.

໒꒱ the first time he catches you apologizing because you can't heal someone...

໒꒱ he gently cups your face.

໒꒱ "listen to me."

໒꒱ "saving everyone was never your responsibility."

໒꒱ "the people who taught you otherwise are the ones who failed you."

໒꒱ hearing someone defend your worth beyond your gift.

໒꒱ changes everything.

໒꒱ little by little, you stop expecting him to ask for something in return.

໒꒱ because he never does.

໒꒱ he simply loves you.

໒꒱ eventually, you begin sleeping beside him without fearing you'll wake up missing feathers.

໒꒱ some mornings, he wakes up to find one of your wings draped over him.

໒꒱ he doesn't move it.

໒꒱ instead, he smiles to himself.

໒꒱ because somewhere along the way...

໒꒱ the angel who once hated humanity had decided he was safe enough to dream beside.

𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔣𝔞𝔩𝔤𝔞𝔯 𝔩𝔞𝔴

໒꒱ he knows exactly what people would pay for someone like you.

໒꒱ it disgusts him.

໒꒱ he never asks you to use your healing.

໒꒱ even when the crew is injured.

໒꒱ instead he tells everyone,

໒꒱ "i'm the doctor."

໒꒱ "she isn't."

໒꒱ when you instinctively apologize for not healing someone...

໒꒱ he cuts you off.

໒꒱ "your existence isn't a medical resource."

໒꒱ he helps treat the scars on your back.

໒꒱ carefully.

໒꒱ professionally.

໒꒱ until one day your shoulders stop trembling beneath his hands.

໒꒱ your first hug is awkward.

໒꒱ initiated entirely by you.

໒꒱ law freezes...

໒꒱ before quietly hugging back.

𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔨𝔢𝔶 𝔡. 𝔩𝔲𝔣𝔣𝔶

໒꒱ he meets you while you're trying to chase away another group hunting your feathers.

໒꒱ despite being exhausted and injured, you're still fighting like a cornered animal.

໒꒱ luffy jumps in without asking questions.

໒꒱ afterwards, you immediately point your weapon at him.

໒꒱ "...you done?" he asks, completely unfazed.

໒꒱ you scream at him to leave.

໒꒱ he shrugs.

໒꒱ "...nah."

໒꒱ every insult, every threat, every attempt to scare him away bounces off him.

໒꒱ he never asks about your healing.

໒꒱ never comments on your feathers beyond saying they're "really cool."

໒꒱ what slowly breaks your walls is how...normal he treats you.

໒꒱ you're not an angel.

໒꒱ you're just you.

໒꒱ one day you collapse from exhaustion after secretly healing one of the crew.

໒꒱ luffy is furious.

໒꒱ not because you hid it.

໒꒱ because you hurt yourself helping others.

໒꒱ "i don't care if you can heal everybody."

໒꒱ "who heals you?"

໒꒱ that's the first time you cry in front of him.

𝔯𝔬𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔬𝔞 𝔷𝔬𝔯𝔬

໒꒱ you attack him first.

໒꒱ he blocks every strike without trying to hurt you.

໒꒱ "...finished?"

໒꒱ your hatred for humans makes every conversation short and hostile.

໒꒱ he never argues.

໒꒱ never forces friendship.

໒꒱ simply exists nearby.

໒꒱ eventually, you notice he always positions himself between you and strangers.

໒꒱ without making a big deal out of it.

໒꒱ one night he catches you plucking one of your own feathers before someone else can steal it.

໒꒱ his expression hardens.

໒꒱ "...don't."

໒꒱ after learning why...

໒꒱ he quietly burns every wanted poster mentioning your feathers.

໒꒱ trust forms in silence.

໒꒱ love follows the same way.

໒꒱ slow.

໒꒱ steady.

໒꒱ impossible to shake.

𝔠𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔞𝔦𝔫 𝔨𝔬𝔟𝔶

໒꒱ he rescues you from traffickers.

໒꒱ you immediately assume he wants payment.

໒꒱ "...how many feathers?"

໒꒱ he looks horrified.

໒꒱ "none."

໒꒱ you don't believe him.

໒꒱ every act of kindness is met with suspicion.

໒꒱ koby is endlessly patient.

໒꒱ he never rushes your trust.

໒꒱ when nightmares wake you, he quietly sits outside your room instead of entering.

໒꒱ just so you won't be alone.

໒꒱ one day you ask,

໒꒱ "...why are you still here?"

໒꒱ he smiles.

໒꒱ "because you deserve someone who stays."

໒꒱ you stop locking your bedroom door after that.

𝔡𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔲𝔩𝔢 𝔪𝔦𝔥𝔞𝔴𝔨

໒꒱ he finds you living alone in the ruins of an abandoned chapel.

໒꒱ every window is boarded shut.

໒꒱ every entrance trapped.

໒꒱ like you're preparing for another hunt.

໒꒱ when he approaches...

໒꒱ you immediately threaten him.

໒꒱ "...leave."

໒꒱ he simply sits outside.

໒꒱ for hours.

໒꒱ then days.

໒꒱ never entering unless invited.

໒꒱ eventually you realize...

໒꒱ if he wanted your feathers...

໒꒱ he would've taken them already.

໒꒱ trust comes slowly.

໒꒱ over shared tea.

໒꒱ quiet afternoons.

໒꒱ comfortable silence.

໒꒱ one evening you fall asleep beside him.

໒꒱ your wings spread instinctively around both of you.

໒꒱ when you wake...

໒꒱ he hasn't moved an inch.

𝔢𝔲𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔰𝔰 𝔨𝔦𝔡

໒꒱ the first time he meets you, you attack before he can even speak.

໒꒱ rusted chains fly toward him, your wings spread wide as if daring him to come closer.

໒꒱ he blocks the attack with a grin.

໒꒱ "good."

໒꒱ "you've still got fight left."

໒꒱ everyone else mistakes your hatred for cruelty.

໒꒱ kid recognizes it immediately.

໒꒱ rage like yours doesn't come from nowhere.

໒꒱ it comes from surviving.

໒꒱ you keep accusing him of wanting your feathers.

໒꒱ of wanting your healing.

໒꒱ he rolls his eyes every single time.

໒꒱ "if i wanted 'em..."

໒꒱ "...i would've taken 'em already."

໒꒱ surprisingly, that's what makes you hesitate.

໒꒱ because he's arrogant enough that...he's probably telling the truth.

໒꒱ when another crew tries capturing you for the underworld, kid doesn't even ask whether you want help.

໒꒱ he tears through them before they can lay another hand on you.

໒꒱ afterwards, you're waiting for him to demand something in return.

໒꒱ instead, he scoffs.

໒꒱ "quit lookin' at me like you owe me."

໒꒱ "i just hate people who think they can own somebody."

໒꒱ that sentence stays with you longer than either of you realizes.

໒꒱ weeks later, after another nightmare, you wake to find his coat draped over your shoulders.

໒꒱ he insists it was only because you "looked cold."

໒꒱ you both know he's lying.

໒꒱ the first time you willingly lean against him...

໒꒱ kid goes completely still.

໒꒱ then wraps an arm around you without saying a word.

໒꒱ he may never understand angels.

໒꒱ but he'll make damn sure no one ever treats you like a prize again.

𝔨𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯

໒꒱ your aggression never intimidates him.

໒꒱ he understands that fear often wears anger's face.

໒꒱ whenever you snap at him...

໒꒱ he simply says,

໒꒱ "okay."

໒꒱ and gives you space.

໒꒱ he notices you never sleep deeply.

໒꒱ so every night he takes first watch without telling you.

໒꒱ eventually, you begin sleeping through the night.

໒꒱ because somewhere inside...

໒꒱ you know he'll keep you safe.

໒꒱ when you finally trust him enough to let him brush your wings again...

໒꒱ he smiles beneath his mask.

໒꒱ that's all the confirmation he needs.

𝔰𝔞𝔟𝔬

໒꒱ he saves you from a black-market auction where your wings were literally being priced.

໒꒱ the entire way home you struggle against him.

໒꒱ "don't touch me!"

໒꒱ "you're just waiting to sell me again!"

໒꒱ every accusation lands like a knife.

໒꒱ but sabo never lets go.

໒꒱ not because he wants to control you.

໒꒱ because you're bleeding.

໒꒱ afterwards, you spend weeks trying to escape the revolutionary base.

໒꒱ every time...

໒꒱ sabo quietly finds you.

໒꒱ never scolds you.

໒꒱ just asks,

໒꒱ "...hungry?"

໒꒱ he keeps showing up.

໒꒱ keeps proving that kindness doesn't always demand payment.

໒꒱ the day you finally call him by his name instead of "human..."

໒꒱ he has to excuse himself for a minute because he almost cries.

𝔨𝔬𝔞𝔩𝔞

໒꒱ she recognizes the signs immediately.

໒꒱ the flinching.

໒꒱ apologizing for existing.

໒꒱ expecting every kindness to have a price.

໒꒱ because she used to do the same.

໒꒱ unlike everyone else, she never asks what happened.

໒꒱ she already knows enough.

໒꒱ instead, she teaches you small things.

໒꒱ how to relax your shoulders.

໒꒱ how to sleep without curling into a defensive ball.

໒꒱ how to say "no."

໒꒱ the first time someone asks for your healing...

໒꒱ you instinctively agree.

໒꒱ koala gently steps between you.

໒꒱ "she said no."

໒꒱ later, she smiles.

໒꒱ "you don't owe anyone your pain."

໒꒱ eventually, you start believing her.

໒꒱ not because she tells you.

໒꒱ because she lives by those words herself.

໒꒱ she becomes the first human friend you ever fully trust.

໒꒱ and when you finally hug her...

໒꒱ she hugs you just as tightly, careful not to bend a single feather.

——————————————————

𐔌 ᛝ taglist .ᐟ : @chocolateshortcakesblog

this fic is written by @qwehwa 2026 / please do not feed any of my work into ai, copy, plagerize, nor translate them into any other language.

[mystarstruckself]

Past Your Bedtime ᯓ✰

Qifrey x Reader

Masterlist

Summary: You've been at it for two weeks. Two weeks of sleepless nights and cold meals and a study that looks less like a workspace and more like the aftermath of a small disaster. You're close-- you're certain of it this time. You're always certain of it 'this time'. Fortunately, you married someone who knows exactly when to put down his book, climb the stairs, and carry you to bed whether you like it or not.

Tags: established relationship, domestic FLUFF, overly sweet, overworked reader, Doting Qifrey, Qifrey is strongggg

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

You were just rounding the hill of your newest discovery– you were sure of it. Well, you had been sure of it for the last week, but now you were certain. 

You readjusted your grip, hovering your pen over your new incomplete spell. 

This time you changed the center to a fire sigil. That would hopefully add a bit more power to the summoning aspect– theoretically.

You held your breath, hand trembling with either anticipation or exhaustion– you could no longer tell. Taking a breath to steady yourself, you brought the brass nib down to the paper, drawing a smooth circle, solidifying the spell. 

It had to have been just short of two weeks of you working tirelessly. Two weeks of sleepless nights and long, arduous days bent over your components. It had become common practice for Qifrey to put his foot down, hauling you over his shoulders and dragging you downstairs to eat.

The spell stuttered to life, glowing a brilliant green. Your eyes widened as you pushed out of your chair, spinning around to stare at the heavy wooden chest on the opposite side of your study. 

Though, to your immense disappointment, as quick as the glow started, it snuffed out, leaving the room in the dim shimmer of candle light.

You groaned, collapsing back onto your chair and throwing your arms over your eyes. The wood whined in protest as you let your head loll back.

You didn’t understand why this was proving to be so difficult. A summoning spell should be simple. The mechanics of it seemed rather straightforward. 

“You’ve run yourself ragged, my love.”

You hadn't heard him come up the stairs. You rarely did– Qifrey moved through the Atelier like he'd memorized every creak in the floorboards and made a point of avoiding them. You lowered your arms to find him leaning in the doorway, watching you with that expression you could never quite decide was fond or exasperated. Probably both.

“I’m so close.” Your voice lacked the conviction you had attempted to weave into it.

Qifrey huffed out a laugh that you couldn't bring yourself to be too upset about. 

“I am.” The whine escaped before you could help it. You'd have been more embarrassed about it if your head hadn't chosen that exact moment to remind you, quite forcefully, that you hadn't slept properly in days.

“It’s late.” He hummed, voice much closer this time.

A low sigh pulled from you as Qifrey wound his fingers into your hair, nails brushing lightly against your scalp. 

“Is it?” You murmured, letting your hands drop to your lap.

His hand found your chin, tipping your face up before you had the chance to look away. You didn't have long to feel self conscious about whatever state you were in because he was already pressing his lips to your brow, soft and unhurried, and it was very difficult to feel anything other than that.

“Just past midnight.” He whispered against your searing skin.

“Far past your bedtime.” He added, cheekily.

You rolled your eyes, a small smile curling onto your face. “Here to whisk me away then?”

You had half a mind to be annoyed at how effective he was at this. The other half had already given up entirely.

“Arent I always?”

His arm slipped between your back and the chair before you'd registered what he was doing, the other sweeping beneath your knees, and then you were up– lifted clean out of your chair with an ease that still managed to surprise you no matter how many times he did it. A laugh tumbled out of you, unbidden and a little giddy, as he turned toward the door without breaking stride.

“Qifrey I have work!”

"You have sleep," he corrected, not breaking stride.

You opened your mouth to argue. You had a very good argument prepared, actually. Something about the fire sigil and the summoning radius and the fact that you were this close–

But the warmth of his chest beneath your cheek and the steady, unhurried rhythm of his steps were doing something deeply inconvenient to your resolve. You had forgotten, somewhere in the last two weeks of hunching over your desk, what it felt like to be warm. To be held. Your body remembered now and was making its opinions on the matter very loudly known.

"I nearly had it." You murmured into the fabric of his robes, more to yourself than to him.

"I know." He said it simply, without a trace of doubt in it. That was the thing about Qifrey– he never hedged when it came to you. Never softened his certainty into something more palatable. He just said what he believed and left you to do what you liked with it. "You'll have it tomorrow. Or the day after. You always do."

You exhaled slowly, fingers curling loosely into the front of his robes.

"But a brilliant mind needs a clear head." His voice had dropped lower now, the way it did when he thought you were close to sleep. "And a clear head needs rest. And rest–" a quiet pause, "requires you to actually stop working long enough to achieve it."

You wanted to tell him that you were perfectly fine. That you could go back right now and crack it if he would just put you down. That the fire sigil was the answer and you were certain of it this time.

You didn't get the chance.

The last thing you were aware of was the soft give of the mattress beneath you and the careful way he laid you down, as if you were something worth being gentle with.

Qifrey straightened, looking down at you for a long moment. Your face, finally slack and unguarded in a way it rarely was when you were awake, your hand still loosely curled where it had been gripping his robes.

He shook his head slowly, something fond settling over his expression.

"Brilliant." He murmured, more to himself than to you. "Absolutely impossible."

He reached over to pull the blanket up around your shoulders before crossing to the other side of the bed, settling in beside you. Within moments the candlelight on his side went dark.

a/n: Hey guys sorry I disappeared! Anyway heres a little short one!! I'm taking some summer classes and these finals are KICKING MY A$$. But it okay! Hopefully I'll soon be back to a more regular posting schedule! Hope you enjoyyy

Taglist: As always, comment to be added!

@haniekai @theplanetmarzz @caramelmariechiato @breadpandesal @yo2d @sunshine-angel08 @boundlesswormseer @rockstarkkami @satorvs @rincommittedarsin @cielzombie @jungtothewon @peachesona @noabsolutetlynot @vibe-with-vic @kingdomkey13 @solarisstarrsolomonsbeloved

[yotume]

Thanks for the request.

[mecchavivi]

a way to know if eustass kid loves you is if he starts making you trinkets.

it’ll start small, he notices your collection of random objects and try to make something that’s your vibe. he’ll hand over a little cat made out of metal one day and a model of the victoria punk after that.

then six months later you’ll realize that your trinket collection is now full of handmade metal treasures that you got from your captain.

he doesn’t stop there.

if you wear a lot of jewelry, he will also make that for you! armor rings, charm bracelets with personal charms, necklaces with a metal pendant with engraving, and more! if you express that you want a matching piece with him, you might find his face start to turn red and blushing kid doesn’t happen often!!

he might make you a metal scrap belt, a miniature sword, and a lamp but the process itself isn’t why he does it. seeing the adoration on your face when he gives you something makes it all worth it!

(bonus points if you praise him for his hard work, he loves that)

i love soft and sentimental kid!!