Hey, I'm Marian, but you can use Ari or Mar for short.
I can write almost anything! Just no NFSW or ships (for the life of me, I just somehow can't write ships.) For the genders, I can write most of them, but I'll mostly be writing fem, because it just comes easier to me. You can request for GN, M, or transgender. And, when you request PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me an idea too, I have like, no creativity so...
Oh, yeah! If you're unsure whether or not I'm in a fandom, you can ask!
Hi!! Congratulations on 2k followers and 2 years anniversary!! 🎉🎉
I'd like to request #4 from the fluff list, with a female reader and one of these three: Denjiro, Pell or Law, with the reader doing the action :)
a/n: ok confession time, I had a BIG crush on Pell when I first watched alabasta 👉🏻👈🏻 thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to write for him! it’s not much, but I enjoyed it. hope you enjoy it as well 💕
prompt: BOX A - ⑷ Shielding the other with their body
pairing: Pell x F!Reader
warnings: none
word count: ~460
He was flying too low, noticeably unsteady. Neither of you wanted to accept it, but you both knew it was too soon.
Even from the distance, you could see the furrow of his brows and the frustration riddled along his features as he quickly lost control and barrelled towards the nearest dune. Your feet grew minds of their own as they quickly rushed you towards his targeted landing space and planted themselves in the burning sand as you opened your arms. You had little time to think about how this was more than likely not a good idea before he drew closer.
He attempted to slow down and avoid you, but controlling his movements was still beyond his current control. Instead, he quickly changed into human form before crashing into you as you shielded his body from diving face first into the sand. The impact was quick, and though the sand cushioned your fall, it still hurt like hell.
“Are you alright?” You questioned, spitting out mouthfuls of sand in the process.
Pell lifted his head from the crook of your neck, brows furrowed impossibly lower paired with a scowl on his painted lips, “Am I alright? What were you thinking, doing something foolish like that? I could have seriously harmed you!”
“My feet…” You winced as you attempted to sit up, body suddenly reacting to the pain of the collision now that the adrenaline had run out, “moved on their own. I’m sorry, Pell.”
His features instantly softened as did his hands as they caressed you and helped you up. They moved from your arms, searching for any signs of broken bones, him sighing in relief when he found none, up to cup your cheeks, “Thank you.” He kissed your forehead, “I’m sorry for yelling, I just…”
He trailed off and you grabbed at the hands that held your face to offer him comfort. His eyes found yours once more and he confessed, “I’m just not used to the one being protected. I’ve spent my life protecting the kingdom and I’ve vowed to protect yours. But you’ve been my rock throughout my recovery and I just don’t think I could get through this without you.”
You squeezed his hands, “You won’t have to.” The two of you attempted to stand and it was Pell’s turn to wince in pain. “But please stop pushing yourself. If I hadn’t cushioned your fall, you’d be bed ridden for the rest of the year.”
“I know, I know.” He managed a smile as he took your hand in his, “I’ll be more careful.”
You limped beside him before leaning onto him for support, “Looks like I’ll be joining you in the recovery unit. I wonder if Igaram could place our beds beside each other…”
“That doesn’t make me feel better!”
tag list: @kaizokuwritings @mariegeoise @pagingdoctorbedlam @lofi-coffee @vemuabhi @ro6inante @greyblueberries @some-piece
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Warnings: death, angst, lots of tears, Comfort, spoilers,
The explosion left the Palace silent. Infact the whole of Alubarna was silent as the grave.
But your insides were a screaming raging sea.
It couldn't have been him it must have been a different zoan type, but how likely was that.
You started running towards the clock tower.
He wouldn't die, he promised.
Running up the stairs two at a time you finally reached the top.
"VIVI!" You screamed out she was at the edge of the tower hand clamped over her mouth sobbing.
She turned slowly eyes widening as she saw you.
"Vivi please tell me, tell me it wasn't him!" You collapsed to your knees. "TELL ME IT WASNT PELL!"
"I'm sorry!" She cried back.
She said something after that but you didn't hear.
You would happily return to that raging sea of un-knowing. You wanted to cry and scream.
But you just felt numb.
You no longer felt the pain of your aching calves or even the throbbing of the stray bullet in your shoulder.
"Did- did he save everyone?" Your tears finally overflowed like your own words had snapped you back to reality. "Please vivi, tell me his death meant something?"
"IT DID! PELL SAVED US ALL!" Your heart throbbed in your chest.
He broke his promise. He died, but it meant the kingdom was safe, it meant you were safe.
You stood back up and dragged yourself over to were vivi was kneeling plonking yourself down next to her.
"I'm glad," you choked out.
The city was a mess, it hurt to see it damaged let alone like this. From the rooftops.
***
The straw hats that had brought vivi back were staying in the Palace. Or more specifically with vivi.
Of course you partied and joked with them. It helped you forget. In the end you all became friends but with there inevitable departure nearing, you dwelled on your loss more frequently.
"I was looking for you!" Called out a deep voice behind you.
"Oh, commander chaka."
"Well it's lieutenant again now," chaka rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh yes, it is a great thing that Igarams back, and vivis made so many new friends."
"Yes, actually it hasn't gone unnoticed that you, along with Princess vivi, have become good friends with the straw hats, his majesty has requested you join us all in celebrating our victory," said chaka.
"Celebrating?" You furrowed your brow.
"Is there a problem?" Chaka asked.
"Have you forgotten our losses? Forgotten how many people died out there?" Your insides boiled dangerously.
"Listen, I know you and Pell were close but-"
"CLOSE??? CHAKA ARE YOU BLIND??" People began to watch as you let all your anger boil out of you.
"I'm sorry?"
"YOU HEARD ME!!! PELL WAS MY EVERYTHING!!! and I watched him get blown to smithereens right before my eyes!" Tears stung your eyes as you tried to keep it together. "I couldn't even say goodbye, I couldn't hold him in his last seconds, I COULDN'T EVEN HOLD HIS CORPSE!!!" You collapsed to the ground sobs racking your body.
The only sound was that of your sobs.
Until chaka fell into a bow.
"Pell fought bravely he-"
"Chaka," you sniffed.
"Yes?" he rose his head out of the bow.
"I- I know, he did what's best. I'm sorry I yelled at you," you wiped your tears away.
Chaka slumped slightly seeing your teary eyes. Gently he wrapped his arms around you and squeezed you tight.
"We all miss him, but he wouldn't want us to mourn," chaka mumbled.
"I know chaka," you sighed standing up. "I think ill be going to my room now."
"Of course," he bowed and you left.
***
The pirates were loud, turning the, supposed to be formal, dinner into a riot.
The captain ate like it was his last day, even going as far as to steal from others plates.
The swordsman drank like there was no tomorrow.
The navigator scolded the lot.
The sharpshooter told anyone who would listen of adventures way to good to be true.
The cook when he wasn't flirting demanded the recipe to almost every dish.
The doctor followed the captains lead, almost choked to death in the process.
And you hadn't a clue were the camel came into this.
The princess just laughed about it.
Eventually the food was gone, but instead of calming quite the opposite happened.
The sharp shooter balanced a dozen plates on his nose.
The doctor stuck chopsticks inbetween his nose and bottom lip.
And the captain began dancing whilst the crew and vivi just clapped along merrily.
The fun spread like wildfire soon the king, chakka and igaram joined in.
Even the guards added to the party.
Despite yourself, you still found a smile pulling at your lips and laughter bubbling in your throat.
You cheered and clapped and even sung with ussop and vivi.
The little doctor turned into a man and lifted you on his shoulders.
Prancing around the room with you bouncing around on top.
Until you felt yourself falling backwards suddenly.
"Woah, chopper!" You cried as he looked around seeing you fall.
Before your legs could even leave his shoulders, the captain caught you with stretched arms and a grin.
Luffys arms snapped back and you were thrust onto his shoulder your bum in the air.
"Hehe, don't worry I got you!" He beamed. All three of you laughing.
"LUFFY THATS NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY!" Sanji cried, running over and carefully lifting you down bridal style.
"Thank you sanji!" You thanked him as he put you down.
"Anything for milady!" You smiled and pecked his cheek, sending him into a love hurricane until he tripped on a chair leg and fell flat on his face.
Nami and zoro, found this hilarious of course, the bubbly drunk red head pointed at sanji with one arm a bottle in the other, whilst the swordsman beant double clutching his stomach.
The whole affair was interrupted by ussop and chopper doing a jig on the table.
You clapped with the rest until your hands stung and your eyelids drooped.
But the rest took no heed as you slumped back into your chair head falling to the side as you closed your eyes, it couldn't hurt to close them for a second.
Well a second turned into a minute and a minute turned into ten and before you knew it someone was shaking you awake.
"Hey, you wanna go bathe? Everyone's going down to the bathing rooms," vivi pointed over her shoulder to the almost deserted room.
"Yeah sure! I could do with not smelling of alcohol!" You both giggled.
***
The warm steam enveloped you like a lovers embrace as you watched vivi lather namis back in soap. The two having grown quite close over the past few days. (😏)
The other two making idle chit chat, you zoning out.
Surprisingly it wasn't pell whom you thought of. For the first time in a long while, you didn't know what to do with yourself. Although you'd spent your whole life in Alabasta you now felt no obligation to stay. Almost as if your desire to live here had died with pell.
"Hey? You good?" Nami asked his eyebrows raised.
"What?" You spluttered.
"I was just saying how it must be hard for you losing a loved one like that."
"You have no idea," you pushed your hair behind your ear.
"Actually I do, when I was really little my foster mother died," she smiled softly at you.
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't know."
"It's fine I didn't tell you,"she paused swapping positions with vivi picking up the soap. "You know, your always welcome to come sailing with us?"
You looked away from her considering her offer.
"I think I'll stay, alubarna is my home."
***
You tossed and turned on the couch.
Sleep had somehow alluded you for many hours and dawn was peaking into your living room.
You had since given up on trying to sleep in your bed as the thoughts of him kept you up all night and your pillow soaked.
Throwing the covers off, you sat up resting your head in your hands.
Rubbing your eyes you stood up fixing your pijamas before dragging yourself through to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
Taking a deep swig you pulled yourself up onto the counter letting your head fall back again at the cupboard.
Tears carved pathways down your soft cheeks.
Sshh dont cry it'll be alright,
All wounds heal even if they leave a scar.
His voice echoed through your head.
The tears grew thicker.
I won't let you fall,
I love you,
Fat tears rolled down your face and neck as your mind flashed back to another day, up in the clock tower.
And you won't drop me?
I wouldn't dream of it, just try not to pull any of my feathers out or I might be tempted
Not funny
He held up his wings apologetically.
cautiously you took a step forwards and wrapped your arms around his neck, squeezing your eyes tight shut waiting for the rush of air.
We don't have to if you don't want to?
You shook your head hard a tear leaking from your eye.
Pell transformed back into his human form, swiveling around to pull you into him.
It's ok to be scared love
are you ever scared?
Only just now, I was so scared, what if I'd dropped you? I now I wouldn't of but I was so terrified
but you take the princess all the time
Losing her would break me. But losing you would shatter my very soul,
As you sat there on the counter top, you realised that was an understatement.
Your soul wasn't simply shattered.
It was ripped from your body and torn into a million tiny pieces right before your eyes
Once your crying fit had subsided you dressed yourself and exited your home making a bee line for where you knew chakka would be.
entering through the door you saw him sitting at a fancy oak desk.
"chakka? You free?" You asked.
"hmm, well not really but come in anyway," he said placing the paper he was reading down next to a big stack. "What did you need?" He asked.
"just some company I guess," you sighed.
"you haven't been sleeping have you?" He said concerned.
"honestly no."
"nor have I, you need to understand Pell was my dearest friend, we went through everything together, until we couldn't,"
You nodded in understanding.
"I feel the one time I need him the most is when he's not there," chakka sighed and you reached out squeezing his hand.
"he was always there for all of us," you sniffled.
You sat in silence chakkas thumb drawing circles along your knuckles.
"Vivi is taking it badly I assume?"
"actually, she hasn't said a word of it," chakka grasped your hand more firmly. "People handle their grief in different ways."
"No, I think she's to enamored with her new friends," you sighed.
"the funeral is today," chakka said softly.
"I know."
"are you going?" He asked gently.
"I don't know, everyone keeps talking about closure and acceptance, chakka I don't need closure I need him," your voice broke on the last syllable and tears found there place on your cheeks.
chakka pulled you into him wrapping his arms around your waist.
"It might not seem like it right now but this gs are going to be ok."
Part two is on its way
I hope you enjoyed it
If you want tagged just ask the next part is happier
@heliantart
Well, no request today, but I still wanted to do the February prompt birds and it'll be my personal challenge to write something for each day, with or without an ask.
Enjoy <3
Pell x GN reader
SFW
Word Count: 646
There wasn’t a day that passed where you weren’t daydreaming about the man of your heart. Ever since seeing him the first time, you knew he was someone special and you felt lucky to just be working at the same place as him, though he was a royal guard and you were just a maid. You knew that the two of you were a dream never to happen, but you couldn’t help but wishing for it. However, being shy and also believing that a guard wouldn’t want a mere maid, you knew it couldn’t come true.
A sigh left your lips, as you shook your head to let go of the daydream and continue your work. It happened a little too often these days that your mind wandered off whenever you saw him in a passing. Why did your heart have to fall in love with Pell of all people?
You quickly finished up your work, so you could head out. Wandering to the edge of the town, you found your favorite spot on the cliff that was a little taller than the other places. It was the perfect place to watch the birds that had made the cliffs their home. You like the birds, seeing them fly and be free. Maybe that was why you had fallen in love with Pell? No, you hadn’t known of his powers when you saw him the first time. You’d first seen his falcon form a little later.
It didn’t really matter, you had fallen for him and the small kindly exchanges between you had only made you fall harder. He was always so kind to you, greeting you with a friendly smile and even asked you how you were doing. Did he even know your name? You weren’t sure, as you couldn’t recall if you’d introduced yourself to him. At this thought, you faceplamed yourself. You hadn’t told him your name. How stupid could you be?
“I didn’t know anyone else knew of this spot.” You snapped your head towards the voice and saw Pell there, smiling softly. A shy smile spread on your face and you mumbled that neither did you, when he took seat next to you. It made your heart beat a little faster and you fought off the blush that tried to spread across your entire face.
Silence fell over you for a moment and you shuffled lightly, since your leg was starting to sleep. You didn’t know what to say, but it actually didn’t matter. This silence was really nice. Comforting even. Taking a deep breath, you let your eyes wander to the birds, wishing you could fly with them across the desert, seeing your home from above.
“So how was your day?” Pell broke the silence. You hadn’t noticed it, but he’d been watching you, seeing the small longing in your eyes, as you watched the birds fly.
“Fine so far. It’s nice working in the palace and make sure you all can do your job without any worries about the mundane things.” You smiled, truly loving the things you did. Many would and snorted and teased you about being a maid at the palace and told you to aim higher, but you took pride in your job, taking care of the mundane things, so the king, the guards and ministers could do their jobs without worrying about cleaning, laundry and such.
A chuckle left him and you turned your head towards him. “I’m glad you like it and you’re doing this for us. It really helps us, you know.” You smiled brightly at this, happy for the praise and the subtle thank you.
“I’m [name] btw.” You finally introduced yourself.
“Nice to have a name to this beautiful face, name. I’m Pell.” He was sure you knew, but a proper introduction was always a good thing. “So do you like birds?”
After getting your first Tattoo, your boyfriend Peruh helps you through the pain and with care, torturing you with massaging the tattoo cream into your skin, your pained gasps ringing out, your body jolting forwards, trying to explain the way it hurt, when he touched your painted wound.
You had heard many horror stories about how painful a tattoo would be, but the hours you sat there getting your tattoo were mildly uncomfortable. It wasn't as bad as everyone had made it out to be, at the start you had nearly fallen asleep multiple times because it had been so relaxing. Your Boyfriend Peruh had held your hand and reassured you. He had laughed with you and commented on the process of the tattoo whenever you needed it. He one time went up to get some drinks and snacks for everyone in the room.
The end undoubtedly hurt the most. There just wer certain spots that hurt immensely, Peruhs' hand nearly being crushed by your sheer force of pain. It was all good, however. No tears were shed, the show was finished, and so was Our tattoo - a big hawk flying into space adorned your back now, a tad bit of blood seeping out very slowly, while the tattoo shined with the clear fluids to close the wound. You had thanked the artist and returned home after getting some clear foil over your tattoo, as to not stain your clothes. He drove you home.
The worst part wasn't the pain, it was not being able to shower for a solid two weeks. Every morning your boyfriend took the shower head, making sure the water wasn't too hot or cold, and washed the tattoo off with water, before patting it dry. You hung around without a shirt or bra in your house to let the tattoo air-dry and heal better and faster. You had no idea if it actually worked that way, but it had been suggested. Peruh was kind enough to even treat it with the treatment salve you had bought from the shop.
When he told you your tattoo was flaking off you first started to panic. ou had heard about tattoos falling off, but never about flaking off - had you down something wrong, or had the artist? Where you gonna end up with a nasty scar? He had been quick to shut it down, explaining it was simply flaking, and that the ink wasn't actually leaving your body. You ended up googling to to make sure and were thankful that everything healed correctly.
When it started to itch and you couldn't bare it, he simply placed his hands on the spot where it did, effectively ending the itching most of the time. He was a wonderful help and you were grateful. He even made progress pictures of the healing tattoo and updated you on ever single thing happening.
After two weeks were over there was one thing on your list, that was first - shower. Shower with the nearly scorching water running over your skin and using shampoo and conditioner and body wash without having to bend over the tub or using a washcloth, as to not get any chemicals inside your tattoo. Peruh joined you in the bathroom, wanting to see the fully healed tattoo. The second you got out, he still helped you dry off, his hand wandering to softly go over the painted picture, engraved in your skin forever.
"Such a beautiful picture on such a strong person. I am so grateful, so honoured you allow me to call you mine" "As I call you mine, my beautiful, handsome, gentle and loving partner. Thank you so much"
He had blushed at the compliment and bashfully exclaimed how he loved you until every star in teh universe would die. He could be a bit dramatic, but it was always a pleasure to hear such words. A storm of light, loving kisses were exchanged and you were left happy in the bathroom as he went to make dinner, a wonderful engraving on your back, always reminding you about him and the way he loved you.
"I love you too, Peruh. Even if all the stars in this universe died, I would love you still, until tmevery star in every universe died and nothing exists anymore"
Requestor: @rasplejax
Reader Type: Fem
Blorbo: Pell
Scene: Carnival Date
Summary: some motion sickness, some sweet love, and a little unintentional innuendo
Stepping down from the Tilt-a-Whirl, you let Pell lean on you a little bit, despite his efforts to try and stand on his own.
“I wouldn’t have expected you’d get motion sickness from that,” you admit gently, rubbing his back as he does his best to keep his lunch in his stomach.
“Me… either.” The reluctant admittance was a sign of how close you’d both become. That he was even willing to admit his weakness in the first place was huge, but the lack of argument made your heart warm.
Even if you felt a bit bad about it at the moment.
“You do all sorts of aerial acrobatics,” You help him sit on a nearby bench.
“I am in control of those.” He says, leaning back and sinking into the wooden slats. “Being a passenger is apparently a different thing entirely.”
“Laid low by a carnival ride.” You tease.
“I appreciate you restraining your jests until after I had sat down.” He sighs the words, but there’s a soft smile on his lips.
He reaches out, putting the back of his hand on your thigh and curling his fingers around your hand when you put it over his. You used to tease him that he held your hand like he was afraid of losing you, and he had admitted that it was simply calming. Having your hand in his, feeling the warmth and the faint flutter of a pulse reminded him parts of why he did what he did.
Why he protected this land. Not just for a King he admired and respected, or for the largely nameless citizens who deserved happiness. But also for himself, and for you, and for moments like this.
“Is that thing truly your favorite ride?” He questions with no small amount of concern in his voice.
“One of,” you admit, feeling a small amount of guilt. “I just really like carnival rides. But, I think we can skip the Witch’s Wheel… Maybe a Merry Go Round and the hall of mirrors before we leave.”
“You don’t need to cut your fun short on my account. As long as I can sit a moment I’ll survive.” He assures you, a bigger smile on his face. Pell turns toward you, sharp eyes and a soft expression making your heart flutter. “I want you to enjoy the time we have together.”
“I want us to both enjoy it.” You retort, bringing his hand up to your lips and kissing his knuckles. “Perhaps, we could… do something once you’re up for it.”
“Hm?”
“Would it be too forward of me to ask for a ride?” You question.
There’s a moment before Pell’s eyes go wide, and his usually stoic expression breaks into something truly flustered. The reaction catches you off guard for a second before you put your hands over your face.
“I meant flying over the carnival!” You cry from behind your hands, the embarrassment making you laugh before you finally peek between your fingers. “… ‘m not against the other kind, but I m-meant, riding you—!” You cover your face again and turn fully away from Pell.
“Oh gods that sounds worse.”
The soft laugh he keeps in his chest is all you hear before his arms wrap around you, hugging him close to you as he allows you to keep hiding your face.
“It would be my great pleasure to take you to any height you desire, sweet one.”
you and Law are crushing hard, entirely oblivious to it, but the Straw Hats and Heart Pirates know better. (this is a long one sorry)
a man who yearns is a man who earns!!!!!!
The Polar Tang had become like your home away from home. The crew your fondest friends and family. Going a day without them would feel like torment, as though a part of you was missing.
But none so much as Law.
Your feelings for him were strong, yet you remained professional for the sake of the crew, never daring to tempt the boundary. You knew that if the man caught wind of your emotions it would disrupt the meticulously calculated roles each of you were intended to play.
You’d rather push your feelings away and hide than ruin a family forged upon the sea.
Besides, the probability of Law reciprocating your feelings was minimal.
Right?
Docking on an island to resupply was the cover Law had given for this outing. You were running low on items, sure, but nothing to the point you’d be unable to manage a while longer.
The Polar Tang was simply unbearable sometimes, and what better way to retreat from the suffocating environment than stretching your legs?
In all honesty, Law was just looking to spend a moment alone with you.
His plan had been to accompany you on one of the tasks he intended for today. He hates shopping, despises it, really. But with you he finds the task to be tolerable, maybe even enjoyable.
Law loves the way your face lights up when you spot something you like while out on errands. He certainly doesn’t secretly return to buy everything you merely touch, presenting them to you as though they mean nothing, feigning ignorance when you mention spotting it in a marketplace a few islands back.
He plays it off every time Shachi or Penguin bring it up, grumbling whenever they start teasing him.
“Captain, don’t you think these boots are nice?” Penguin exaggerated, waving the pair of shoes around. Law was internally panicking, already knowing where this was going, glaring daggers into the man.
“They’re fine.” He said, uninterested.
“If it was y’know who they’d already be in a bag.” Shachi chuckled at Penguin’s side, the two stifling their laughter with the palms of their hands.
“If you two idiots have something to say then say it to my—“
“Law,” You chirped, walking over with the same pair of boots, only these ones were in your size. “Aren’t these boots nice? Feel the inside, they’re so soft!”
Law humored you, sliding his hands inside and pressing against the cushioning within. To his surprise, they really were comfortable. A practical shoe, something that would ensure longevity and stability without compromising your contentment.
“They’re a bit pricey though…” You hummed in disappointment.
Law swiped them from your grip without a second thought. “Don’t worry about the cost, I’ll get them for you. You’ve been needing a new pair, haven’t you? Consider it a necessary expense.”
“Oh, no, you already buy me so much!” You replied, attempting to take the boots back. But Law wasn’t having it for a moment, shaking his head and holding the pair away from you.
“Why don’t you go find me the herbs on this list, yeah? I’ll take care of these.”
You huffed but agreed, taking the paper from his hand, knowing he wouldn’t relent. Thanking Law, you walked off to do exactly what he’d asked of you.
Once you were gone, Law caught the figures of Penguin and Shachi from the corner of his eye. He turned to face them, their mouths agape as though they’d just seen a ghost.
“You’re not even trying to hide it.” Shachi spoke. It wasn’t so much a jest as it was fact.
Law clicked his tongue. Their comments were the last thing he wanted to hear right now. “Shut up.”
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
On your way to find a shop that sold the herbs Law was searching for, you ran into Chopper and Robin, the pair window shopping outside a bookstore ahead of you.
Chopper was the first to notice you traveling towards them, the blue-nose reindeer flashing you a bright smile. He called out your name, skipping over to you and wrapping you up in a tight hug around your waist.
“Hey, Chopper!” You cheered. “It’s been a minute hasn’t it?”
Robin greeted you soon after, her soothing voice like a salve upon your soul. You’ve always admired the woman, an effortless paragon of beauty and intellect.
“Are you guys docked nearby?” You asked. Chopper nodded enthusiastically.
“We docked to do a bit of shopping, supplies are running low...” Chopper explained.
Robin felt his story required a bit more clarification. “What he means is our Captain raided the fridge in the middle of the night again.”
“Again?” You marveled. “I thought Sanji put a lock on it?”
“He did.” Robin replied. “Multiple.”
“Never underestimate the power of food on Luffy.” Chopper huffed.
As if on queue the aforementioned Captain could be heard yelling in the distance before you. You beamed, raising a hand in greeting only to watch him soar past you, dust kicking up beneath his feet. You coughed, waving the debris away as chants of a familiar nickname fill the air.
“Traffy! Traffy! It’s me, Luffy! Traffy! I know you hearrr meeeeee!”
You watched your captain deflate, clearly defeated. He could only feign ignorance for so long. Luffy was all over him in an instant, scurrying to catch up on lost time.
“Why don’t you guys come hang out on our ship tonight? We’ll have Sanji cook a huge feast for us!”
“We really don’t have the—“
“We’d love to!” Shachi and Penguin interjected, pushing in front of Law to answer on his behalf. The man only grumbled, conceding to their whims. You’d remain throughout the night and depart early tomorrow, anyways. He supposed there was no harm in free food and drink.
Law approached you from where you remained at Chopper and Robin’s side. “Any objections?”
You shook your head. “Sounds nice. When was the last time we relaxed?”
“Law always lets you relax…” Penguin mumbled under his breath. You turned to face him, furrowing your eyebrows.
“You’re talking a lot of shit to someone that has access to your medical records, Pen.” A smile crossed your lips but it didn’t dare reach your eyes.
Penguin felt a shiver run down his spine, leaning over and whispering into Shachi’s ear. “They’re perfect for each other.”
The rest of the supply run went by in a flash, the crew rejuvenated by the prospect of spending the evening with the Straw Hats.
You decided to forfeit your typical uniform and dress up for the occasion, the summer climate of the island causing your boiler suit to stick to you like a second skin. You went with a comfortable, breezy outfit that accentuated your natural appearance, applying lotion and a sweet smelling scent to top it all off.
The Thousand Sunny was roaring with chatter, laughter and dance dominating every corner of the ship. You sat happily listening to a story Usopp was telling, clearly exaggerating his contribution to the situation. You sipped a sweet drink Sanji had concocted for everyone, a hint of mint complimenting blueberry lemonade.
“So, when are you gonna confess to your captain?” Nami asked as though it was nothing more than an inquiry of the weather. You choked on your drink, Robin using her power to spawn a hand on the back your chair, the limb tapping your back in hopes of alleviating the choking.
You caught your breath a few moments later. Though you almost wished you’d passed out in an effort to avoid the conversation.
The two women were nothing less than good friends of yours. Despite your rivaling crews and their will to overcome the achievements of the other, it was always nice to spend time with them. You set your drink down, leaning back in your chair to stare up at the stars glittering across the evening sky.
“Please,” You laughed out, amused by their inquiry. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“We’re not blind, y’know. Anyone could see plain as day the two of you are smitten. So cut the crap, tell him how you feel!”
Out of the corner of your eye you watched Law partake in the festivities from a distance, a content expression on his face as he simply observed the crews.
“He… doesn’t see me that way…” You sighed, turning back to fully face the two women staring at you as though you’d grown a second head.
“You’re joking, right?” Nami asked, incredulous. “Like this is a joke to you, isn’t it? It has to be.”
You shook your head, swirling your beverage in your hands. “We’re just friends.”
Robin cut into the conversation, her comforting silence put on pause. “Friends don’t stare the way your Captain is currently.”
You turned back to gaze at Law once more, your eyes meeting. It was like a trance, pulling you in but you couldn’t dare indulge. You smiled shyly, waving at the man. He regarded you with a nod of his head, turning away as Luffy pounced on him.
You laughed, Usopp dropping down from the table he recounted his tales upon and taking your hand. “Let’s dance already!” He cheered.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Law never was one for a party, content with observing from a distance while those he held dear indulged in their own fun.
He babysat a beverage you’d handed to him earlier, something Sanji had tended for his darlings girls—Nami swiping some for you to drink. You shared with him, and though it was a bit sweet for his taste, he endured.
The way you talked and laughed so freely while conversing with Nami and Robin had his chest tightening. He could look at you all day and never grow tired of the sight, not for a moment. There was something about you, something truly magnetic that just had him wanting more. He craved your presence, yearned for moments where the two of you could exist in blissful peace.
Law always had to fight the urge to reach out and touch you, crossing that boundary between captain and crew mate that had been set in stone the moment he asked you to join the crew.
In the midst of his thoughts you turned to face him. The man was thankful for the distance between you, a whisper of pink dusting his cheeks. You smiled, waving at him with that beautiful expression upon your face. He wished he could condemn the moment to memory and replay it for eternity.
He considered walking over to you, joining you in your conversation when Luffy bounded towards him, limbs stretching as he propelled right next to Law, nearly spilling some of the contents of his drink. He used his hand to cover the lip, glaring daggers at the Straw Hat pirate.
“C’mon, Traffy, have fun!” Luffy groaned.
“I’m content here. Go have your own fun.” Law responded.
“Lighten up! What, you mad Usopp is dancing with your cruuuuush?” Luffy teased.
Law scoffed. “I’m not upset that—! Long Nose is what?”
Luffy sidestepped for Law to get a better view, Usopp twirling you around while you both giggled happily. The night was warm despite it being well into the evening, and suddenly the once comfortable temperature was suffocating. Law downed the rest of his beverage, tossing the cup away and excusing himself to the Polar Tang.
“Hey, Captain!” Penguin called out. “Where ya goin’?”
Law just glared in his direction, the man jumping up and into Shachi’s arms.
“Get off!” Shachi yelled, dropping Penguin on his ass.
He didn’t look back, couldn’t handle the thought of you being whisked away by Long Nose of all people. His jealousy was suffocating, but he wouldn’t dare admit to himself that that was the emotion currently dominating his mind, body and soul. No, Law would rather sulk in the submarine than admit anything of the sort.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Dancing with Usopp had been a whirlwind of fun. You’d twirled between him, Nami, and Robin; Brook taking your hand and dancing with you, too. One by one members of both crews began excusing themselves from the festivities to turn in for the night.
Shachi and Penguin were completely wasted, Bepo bidding everyone a heartfelt farewell as he escorted them back to the submarine. You remained on the Thousand Sunny, head fuzzy as the night took over your mind.
You took notice of Law’s absence a while ago. It wasn’t anything particularly alarming, he was usually the last to arrive and first to go.
But something felt off about this time.
“I should get going.” You sighed. The only remaining member of the Heart Pirates alongside Zoro, Nami and Luffy. Everyone else had turned in, leaving the four of you to stew in each other’s company.
“Whaaaaat!?” Luffy groaned.
Zoro and Nami’s cheeks dusted pink, neither willing to admit they’d begun to feel the effects of alcohol.
“Go get your man!” Nami drunkenly slurred, holding another bottle into the air. You swiped it from her, the woman cursing, sticking her tongue out at you.
“Wait. You’re dating someone?” Luffy gawked. “Lemme guess! It’s a person right.”
Nami hiccuped. “He’s so hopeless…”
“It’s that damn shitty-hat captain.” Zoro mumbled, taking another long sip of his drink. “Anyone with two eyes and a brain could see it.”
“Ohhhh! You mean Traffy?” Luffy said. “That makes so much sense!”
You looked around with frantic eyes. “W-What’s that supposed to mean!?” You choked.
Luffy giggled, swiping leftover bites from what little food remained. He didn’t elaborate, nor did Zoro or Nami, both of them looking nearly passed out atop a barrel.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Much to Law’s chagrin, you concluded your evening on the Straw Hat’s ship, choosing to spend the night there rather than drunkenly stumbling back onto the Polar Tang in the middle of the night.
He’d been up late awaiting your arrival, watching impatiently as the hours ticked on. Law couldn’t remember when he’d fallen asleep. It wasn’t until Penguin mentioned you never returning that Law’s mood soured.
He stood in the kitchen with two mugs in his tattooed hands, filling both up with fresh coffee. He added milk and sugar to taste, then took a seat at the table. One mug in front of him and the other to his right, where you always sat. This was his routine every morning. You’d enter with a plate of something for the both of you to nibble on while sitting in a comfortable morning silence.
You always thanked him for making you the perfect cup of coffee, and everyday he’d hide his smile behind his own beverage.
But today your coffee had grown cold. It wasn’t an issue, he figured your likely hangover kept you in bed a little while longer.
Then Shachi entered, Penguin in tow. The morning silence you both typically shared had come to its end.
“Mornin’” Shachi groaned. Law hummed a greeting, not looking up from the book in his hands. He tapped his finger against the table impatiently. You were taking longer than usual.
“You waiting up for your lover?” Penguin mumbled, tiredly teasing the man. He poured his own mug of coffee, dumping a terrifying amount of sugar into it. “Didn’t come back last night. Must’ve spent the night with Straw Hat and them.”
“What?”
Law shut his book faster than Shachi or Penguin had ever seen.
“I’m going out.” Was the last thing he said before disappearing.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
All things considered, your late night and indulgent drinking, you weren’t hungover by any means. You felt calm, rejuvenated, even. A night of fun was just what you needed.
You’d departed early into the morning, Usopp alongside you while the two of you discussed anything and everything. The sniper had wanted to purchase some materials he’d forgotten for his tinkerings while you simply wanted to enjoy the island a little longer before departing.
You found some bookmarks in the window of one of the shops, beaming at the illustrations of anatomy painted onto them. Law would love them. He was always using random objects to mark pages.
Or, like a maniac, insisting he’d recall where he left off.
The thought sent shivers down your spine.
You ducked into the shop to purchase them without a second thought, inquiring on the most recent installment of a series he’d been reading for quite some time since you were there. To your surprise, they’d received a small shipment this morning, and you swiped that up alongside the bookmarks.
“Soooo…” Usopp drawled. “You guys a thing orrrr…?”
“Oh no,” You grumbled, pressing a hand to your cheek and refusing eye contact. “Not you too.”
“Listen, we’ve all been wondering, alright?” Usopp admitted. His words struck lightning through your heart, short circuiting your brain and making a mess of your thoughts.
He led you towards the stall he was searching for earlier, a small trove of mechanical parts that most would consider garbage. Usopp expertly plucked what he was looking for one thing at a time, slowly amassing a small pile of trinkets in his arms.
“We’re not together.” You finally admitted. The reality had your heart splintering, fragments fluttering onto the floor at your feet. “Honestly, he doesn’t see me that way.”
“Did he tell you that?” Usopp asked.
You shook your head.
The sniper hummed, tossing another part into his pile. “Then how can you be so sure? Have faith in yourself! They don’t call me Captain Usopp because I quit, they call me Captain Usopp because I take what I want when I want it!”
“Nobody calls you—“
“Anyways!” Usopp redirected, turning to purchase the items. “Have you even told the guy how you feel?” He asked.
You shook your head. “No! I could never tell him!”
Usopp shook his head, wrapping his arm around your shoulder and pulling you in close as the two of you departed from the stall. He made deep eye contact with you, his nose pressing against your cheek.
“What do you honestly have to lose?”
You held up your hand, counting on your fingers. “My dignity, my crew, my home, my purpose—“
“Okay, okay!” Usopp interrupted. “That was supposed to be encouraging…”
You laughed, poking Usopp in his side, the sniper yelping and jumping away from you. Moments like these made you grateful for the life you’ve lived up until this point, every decision leading you to this moment.
Though you weren’t ready to convey the depth of your emotions to Law, it helped knowing there was a crew of people who believed in you and your affections.
The call of your name diverted your attention from Usopp, the man now going into depth about what he intended for his tinkering. You whipped around, Law walking towards you, only a few feet behind.
You gasped, hiding the bag you’d purchased for him behind your back. “Captain!” You squeaked.
“You didn’t come back to the submarine last night.” He said without greeting. His expression was cold, a serious gaze as he his eyes flickered to the sniper at your side then back to you.
“I was not in any condition to walk back to the Tang,” You admitted. “Luffy offered to let me spend the night.”
Law hummed. “You could’ve called me.”
“You left so soon I figured you’d turned in for the night. Didn’t wanna bother you with something so stupid.”
“Your safety and comfort aren’t stupid.”
Slowly, whispering a farewell you barely registered, Usopp slipped away, running back to the ship to report what he’d just heard to the crew.
“I’m sorry. I’ll let you know when I’m staying out next time, Captain.”
Law shook his head. “There won’t be a next time. You call me, that’s it.”
Heat fluttered to your face. You managed to slip out a soft “okay” before he gestured for the two of you to get going. You looked around, wondering where Usopp had run off to.
“Did you see which way Usopp went? He was right next to me a moment ago.”
Law huffed, you hardly noticed, too busy concentrating on keeping the gift you’d purchased for him out of his view.
“What does it matter?”
“I just hope he isn’t getting himself into any trouble. He’s very… eccentric.”
Law wished you’d drop the topic. This morning was already going painfully long, his schedule thrown off course causing frustration to rise within him. He couldn’t fathom why you cared about that damn sniper so much.
“Have you eaten?” Law asked.
You shook your head. “I don’t think I could stomach anything. Still full from last night.”
“Can’t have you skipping meals.” Was all you heard Law say before he dipped into a nearby pastry shop. As quickly as he entered he emerged, holding up a sweet bread for you to take. You thanked him warmly, fumbling with shifting the bag of goodies you’d purchased for him in order to grab it.
Law’s eyebrow quirked up, taking notice of the paper bag you held tightly against your side. He caught the briefest glimpse of its contents.
“Do a little shopping?” He inquired.
Against your better judgement you decided this moment was as good as any other. A warm morning, a nice treat and the two of you alone on a nice stroll back to the Tang.
You swore you heard Nami scream but decided you were simply hearing things, shrugging it off.
“Got you a little something since I was out.” You sheepishly explained, handing the bag off to him.
Again. That damn scream.
Law surveyed its contents, first looking over the meticulously crafted bookmarks, condemning their every detail to memory before he smiled the smallest gesture.
“These are lovely.” He spoke softly. You watched the way his hands cascaded along the long-since dried ink, the art protected by an encapsulating layer of some kind. “I’ve been needing bookmarks.”
“I know,” You responded, taking another bite of your pastry. “I don’t know how much longer you can go on swiping pens and medical supplies to hold your place.
“I can remember the pages just fine, too.” He spoke. He knew how much you hated being reminded of it, relishing in the way a shiver ran down your spine.
“It’s psychotic.” You whispered, staring off into the distance.
“It’s practical.”
“There’s something else in there too.”
Law slipped the book out from within the bag, the nice attendant at the shop wrapping it neatly in a layer of tissue paper. Law ripped it apart, gawking at the newest installation.
“I had no idea this was even out yet!” He marveled at the cover. You watched the way he eagerly flipped through the pages, fingers dancing across the cover and lingering on the art.
You giggled, watching the way his excitement festered without him meaning to express it. He was always so cold, so concise. You longed for the moments between you where a slip of a smile or a hint of laughter disrupted his usual attitude.
Your walk continued in silence for a short while, taking in the sights and sounds of a foreign land. It was a crude imitation of the time typically spent between you every morning. You welcomed the change, it’s always nice to disrupt your routine every now and again. And despite Law’s previous reservations, this was a nice surprise, he had to admit.
“Will we be heading off soon?” You asked.
Law confirmed your suspicions with a silent nod, still hung up on the book you’d purchased for him. He was currently reading the first page, not a breath passing his lips as he became entirely engrossed.
The crowd began to grow, the early morning having steadily shifted into afternoon. People pressed against you, skin-to-skin, sometimes knocking you away from where you previously walked comfortably at Law’s side.
A hand pulled you closer, Law’s fingers delicately resting against your waist as he kept you at his side. You stiffened, the sudden contact something Law has never been fond of initiating. Small touches were often shared between you—the passing of a map, steady hands bandaging an injury—but nothing so direct as this.
You welcomed it, a small smile resting on your lips. Law’s face, hidden behind the book, held the same expression.
And again, in the distance, a scream that sounded suspiciously like the Straw Hat’s navigator.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Back on the Polar Tang you fell back into the rhythm of things. There was much work to be done before departing, and as much as you wanted to bid farewell to your friends, you knew there was much to be done between your crews.
You zipped your boiler suit back up onto your body, noticing a freshness it hadn’t held previously. It held the scent of linen, freshly washed.
Odd.
Nevertheless you went straight to work, helping Bepo chart a course in nav then assisting Shachi and Penguin with a few chores that had to be done prior to departure.
“Sooooo…” Shachi trailed off, leaning on the mop between his hands. “Have fun spending the night with your little partner?”
You titled your head. “What?”
“You and the sniper!” Penguin clarified. “You two were dancing all night! Is there something we should know?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Gosh, no!” You laughed, spraying some disinfectant onto the counter’s surface and wiping it away. “Usopp is like the weird brother you go to for advice.”
“Great news,” Shachi sighed in relief. “I was beginning to think Captain’s mood would be all over the place.”
Again, confusion crossed your features. “Why would Law be upset?”
“I mean, isn’t it obvious…?” Penguin spoke, staring into your soul.
You slowly shook your head, stilling your movements. “Am I missing something?”
Shachi and Penguin shared a look. “They’re hopeless.” The two spoke in a strange tandem.
Shachi was the one to bite. He took a deep breath, propping his mop up against the wall. “Listen, anyone can see you two are smitten. Just get it over with already and tell each other how you feel!”
“Oh, not this again…” You groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Guys, I already heard this from Luffy’s crew all night! Don’t make me hear it from you too.”
“Oh… and that didn’t… raise a few signals…?” Penguin interjected.
You shot the man a glare.
“There’s nothing going on between Law and I. We’re crew mates, that’s it… that’s all we’ll ever be.”
“Could you be anymore oblivious of each other?” Shachi was practically gnawing at nothing, fighting back words he promised Bepo he’d keep to himself.
“You guys are delusional.” You laughed.
That was the straw the break Shachi’s back.
“He buys you presents, like all the time!” He groaned, fed up. If it was up to him he’d lock you in a broom closet and force you to kiss.
“Expensive ones.” Penguin chirped.
“Expensive ones!” Shachi reaffirmed.
“I ask him not to. I’m capable of buying them for myself.” You spoke confidently, as if those words helped the situation in the slightest.
Shachi raked his fingers down his face, unable to take another moment of this.
“He knows how you take your coffee, can somehow sense when you’d prefer tea, waits for you every. single. morning. like a lovesick fool and was soooo pissed this morning when you weren’t there!”
This was news to you. You opened your mouth to say something, but Shachi continued to cut you off.
“And you! You’re no better! With your cute little snacks while he’s working, checking up on him, listening to him ramble about his medical findings!”
“I think they’re interesting.” You weakly defended.
“Of course you do!” He yelled, taking hold of your shoulders and shaking you like a doll. “He could shit in his hands and clap and you’d find it interesting!”
Penguin stilled Shachi, urging him to calm down before Bepo came in and heard a conversation he made the two of them promise was forbidden.
Or worse. The captain himself.
As if on cue, Bepo entered to let you guys know you’d be leaving momentarily. He stilled, viewing the way Shachi held you in place while Penguin urged him to be silent.
“Please don’t tell me…” He gasped. You were sure he went pale underneath that already stark white fur of his.
“He choked.” Penguin blamed, pointing a finger at Shachi.
“Me!? You’re just as guilty.”
The pair began bickering between themselves, Bepo silently swooping in and delivering you from your misery. “Let’s get you to your room, yeah?” You nodded without a word, hanging onto Shachi’s frustrations like a prayer.
He wasn’t right, was he?
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Shachi’s words left you avoiding Law, throwing off a rhythm once carefully cultivated. You wondered if you were coming on too strong, doing too much when Law would simply prefer if you’d give him a moment away from it all.
He was a silent, reclusive man, after all.
It started the next morning. You’d walked into the kitchen yearning for a warm cup of tea.
Law, as always, was seated in his usual spot. In front of him he had his own steaming cup of coffee, while to his right there was a warm mug of tea.
“I added lemon today,” He spoke softly, voice still lingering with the effects of the morning. “I hope you don’t mind.”
You shook your head, thanking him softly. Rather than taking a seat you picked your mug up off the table and leaned against the sink, sipping away as you stared into nothingness. Law noticed this, furrowing his brows but not looking up from the book you’d purchased him the day previous.
You finished your beverage, dipping out of the kitchen without so much as a farewell, leaving Law there to ponder what had just happened.
Law’s day had been painfully devoid of you after that. While he was working he could typically count on you to make a few appearances, checking up on him and offering him a glass of water, or splitting a snack you’d made for yourself (though you had every intention of sharing it with him).
The man was growing frustrated. One day turned into two, then three. Before he knew it an entire week of this behavior had passed. It soured his mood, dampening what patience he typically held, and it surely showed.
“Cap, need you to look over these charts.” Shachi asked politely.
Law huffed. “I’m sure they’re fine.”
“Bepo asked me to check with you to be sure.”
The man groaned, looking over the charts quickly, absorbing the information but hardly caring about the contents for once in his life.
“See? They’re fine. Now leave me alone.”
“R-Right.” Shachi affirmed, offering a messy salute due to his arms being full of charts.
He ran like hell out of there and back to Nav. Bepo and Penguin were discussing the next island on course when Shachi burst in, a frantic expression on his face.
“He’s pissed.” He squeaked.
“What did you do now?” Penguin asked, clearly irritated.
“Why does it have to be me?”
“It’s always you!”
“Nuh uh!”
Bepo snapped the two out of it. “No, he’s right, it’s definitely your fault.”
“What the hell!”
“No, seriously. Think about it. Have you seen the two of them together ever since your little talk?” Bepo asked.
Penguin and Shachi exchanged a frantic look.
“We messed up.”
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
You hated the silence.
Well, usually you wouldn’t mind it, often sharing it with Law. But today, devoid of his presence, you couldn’t stand it for a moment.
You found yourself pondering thoughts of him, what he was doing right now, though that was painfully obvious—always working, never taking a moment to relax if he could help it.
Bepo knocked on the frame of your open room, lingering in the threshold.
“Cap is doing surprise checkups right now. You’re up.”
You thanked Bepo for letting you know, a sigh escaping your lips as you hopped off your bed and started down the hall. There was no point in delaying the inevitable. If there was one thing Law took seriously, it was the collective health of the Heart Pirates.
“You’re here.” Law greeted, setting his tools neatly onto the table at the examination beds side. He gestured for you to have a seat. You took it without a word.
The air was tense. That much was for certain.
The examination continued as usual. Questions pertaining to your diet and daily activity, whether there had been any particular changes or observations of note for him to be aware of.
“Everything is the same as always.” You spoke honestly. “No changes that I can think of.”
“I can think of a few…” Law huffed under his breath.
Your eyes flickered to his in an instant. “What?”
Law cursed under his breath. “Nothing… forget I said anything.”
“No,” You urged. “You have something on your mind. What is it?”
Law attempted to avoid the topic as best he could, taking his final notes of your examination without a word. But you pressed forward, pushing until he reached a breaking point.
Finally, after much pestering, Law relented.
“You’re avoiding me.” He spoke.
Your eyes widened, breath caught in your throat. You knew it’d likely been obvious, but you never thought it would’ve bothered him enough to bring it up. You couldn’t bear looking into his eyes, seeing the emotions pooling within them. Was this the result of unspoken emotion?
Or was it merely an observation?
“I wouldn’t say avoiding… more like… staying clear.”
“That’s the same thing just worded differently.”
You agreed, staring into your lap, hands cupped delicately.
“Can you tell me why?”
You shook your head, embarrassed you’d brought it to this point.
“Room.”
Law’s sudden use of his devil fruit caught your attention immediately. You looked up, watching as the chart in his hand was quickly replaced with a small bag. You tilted your head, confused as he held it out to you.
“I’ve been meaning to give you this. Just haven’t found the right time.” Law admitted.
“What is it?” You asked, a bit embarrassed by the sudden presentation.
“Open it.”
So you did. Slowly, as if opening it any faster would shatter what was inside. Within the bag was a box. You were careful with the lid, gasping when its content was on display for you to witness.
“It’s so cute!” You gasped, picking up the transponder snail in two hands, beaming at the creature’s cheery expression.
“I’ve already saved my number onto it, so you don’t have to worry about doing that yourself.” Law spoke, watching the way you cooed at the little creature.
“You didn’t have to get this for me, Law. I’ve been fine using the one we all share on the Tang.”
Law nodded. “I know. I wanted you to have a way to contact me—us!—whenever you need it. That way you won’t be stranded all night like you were the other day.”
You set the snail down gently at your side.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so distant lately. I didn’t mean for it to influence you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re alright.”
You smiled. Glad the air had settled between you. The last thing you wanted was for the calm that surrounded the pair of you to be disrupted.
“But, if you don’t mind me asking, what brought this up?”
Honestly, if you ever intended to move past this, you’d have to speak about it. Only through silence were you condemning yourselves to failure.
“Shachi said something totally crazy! I mean, you’re gonna laugh when you hear it, I’m sure.”
Law remained silent. Your sign to continue.
“He went on and on about how you have feelings for me. Saying how obvious it was that we’re smitten.”
You rambled about the conversation that’d occurred, the way you thought it would be best to keep your distance so Law didn’t get the wrong idea. You even told him about what the Straw Hats and Usopp had said only a short time before that.
Law broke his silence in the midst of your ramble. “Do you?”
“W-What?”
He got closer, the distance between you steadily faltering into nothingness. “Do you have feelings… for me…?”
You didn’t know how to answer. What would be the correct response? Should you jeopardize your dynamic and potentially ruin everything? Or lie and condemn your feelings to ruin?
“I heard everything that day. I listened to every word Shachi’s big mouth blubbered and heard everything you said in response.” He admitted.
Law took your hands in his, looking into your eyes.
“Tell me you don’t have feelings for me,” Law almost begged. “It would make this so much easier.”
“Easier?” You whispered.
“If I know this feeling is mine alone I’ll force myself to forget, make it so that I never let my emotions hinder me again. But…” You watched the way he paused, considering his words carefully. His grip on you tightened ever so slightly. “I can’t stand another moment like this. My chest hurts so much and there’s practically no logic about it, apart from it being a side effect of affection.”
“Do you like me?” You asked carefully.
“I asked you first.” He dryly attempted to make you laugh, his nerves betraying him.
Words are a difficult thing. It’s the very reason so little are shared between you. You were comfortable with your long stretches of silence, favors passed between you without having to ask. Morning coffee and snacks, daily check-ins and little gifts that should mean nothing. But to you, to both of you, they’re everything. It wasn’t a matter of whether or not affection was present, it was whether you were willing to admit it, willing to surpass that threshold and conquer what had been holding you back.
Because no matter what you told yourselves, every action since you can remember has been an act of undying affection.
So, wordlessly, Law pressed his lips against your cheek, pulling away just as quickly as he’d been there. He still lingered, your body tingling where his lips had met your skin.
“Was that… um… was it okay?” He was suddenly so timid, worried he’d read your reaction wrong and you would momentarily condemn him for being so dense.
But you looked down where your hands remained conjoined, tracing the shape of his tattoos with your thumb. Then you leaned forward, pressing your own kiss against his lips.
It was shy, almost awkward. Law didn’t kiss back, not right away. By the time he’d gathered the courage you were already pulling away.
And so the two of you remained there, once more enveloped in that comforting silence you enjoyed so much, the silence that told you he was there, the silence that told you he always would be.
puta-puta-puta puta-puta-puta
You turned to your side to find your snail ringing.
“Should it be doing that?” You asked, confused.
Law shook his head, hesitant to allow you to take the call. His gaze was criminal as he watched you pick up the receiver, holding it up to your ear.
Nami called out your name from the other line.
“How did you get my number?” You asked, your confusion only growing. The only one with access to your line should be Law and Law alone.
“Don’t worry about that right now!” She deflected. “I sensed cash in the wind and I knew I had to call you!”
“Nami, what the hell are you talking about?” You laughed out, a bit nervous.
“Did you and Law just confess your very obvious feelings?”
“W-What!?” You choked.
Law gently coaxed the snail from your hands, pressing the receiver against his ear.
“That’s right, Navigator. What’s it matter to you?”
summary: as a medical student, trafalgar d. water law finds himself constantly exhausted and in need of caffeine. somehow, he stumbles across a cafe near his university that just so happens to be open at all hours of the night! and it just so happens that the owner is cute, too.
pairing: med student! law / barista! reader
wc: 5.1k
tags: modern! au, f! reader, fluff, law wants you so bad, both you and law are tired and have bad sleep schedules, awkward law, law is tall but we always forget because one piece characters are the size of mountains
a/n: i love law so much
Law liked to lie to himself and insist that the Keurig Classic coffee maker he owned was enough. Despite the fact that he felt compelled to get his coffee during the day from a cafe, and only used the machine at night when everything was closed, he insisted it was fine.
He would force himself to drink the bitter coffee made from a pod, waving his roommate Bepo off when he offered to brew him coffee from ground beans, saying the Keurig was perfectly fine.
It wasn't like his face twisted every time he took a sip from the piping hot cup, wasn't like he preferred his coffee cold but couldn't put ice in the homemade brew without it tasting like watered-down shit, and it wasn't like it was a big deal.
Until one day, Shachi and Penguin showed up to his apartment, claiming they had a cure for all his problems.
"You're paying my med school bills, or what?" Law asked, bored and hunched over a table. "That would definitely solve a lot."
"Let's not get too crazy." Shachi snorted, before sliding Law his phone. "Look! This cute new cafe's opening a block away from you, and they're open 24/7. You should go try it out!"
"Coffee's probably shit." Law shrugged, barely glancing at the phone. "Anybody who has that much time on their hands to keep themselves open all day and night probably has low quality beans."
"I think you're discounting it too fast." Bepo scolded his roommate, washing dishes from the kitchen. "They could be perfectly fine, and maybe even your new favorite. There's no harm in giving it a try."
Law frowned, glaring at his textbook. Every morning, he got a cold brew from Nico Robin's cafe downstairs. Then, he'd get another one after classes in the afternoon. They closed by five, which was already pretty late for a cafe on the university campus, which meant that at night, his best friend (enemy) was the Keurig.
"Twenty four seven..." Shachi whispered, wiggling his fingers and getting closer to Law. "And they even have pastries. And seating. And wifi, and there's probably nobody there to bother you in the dead of night."
"When do they open?" Law sighed, shutting his eyes and rubbing his temples, doing his best to ignore how Shachi and Penguin high-fived each other behind his back.
"Today! Or actually-" Penguin peered at his watch, checking the time. 1:04 a.m. "I guess yesterday."
"Any reviews so far?" The med student mumbled, closing his textbook gently.
"Five stars!" Shachi said gleefully. "Me and Penguin went after class in the afternoon, and guess what - the owner of the place is super cute!"
"What does that matter?" Law peered at them, annoyed. "Tell me how the coffee was. Or the food."
"Oh." Shachi and Penguin pouted simultaneously, crossing their legs before Penguin spoke. "Well, I thought the coffee was good. Shachi really liked the food - they have some instant ramen options, a lot of pastries, stuff like that. Some quiche, too."
"Quiche." Law repeated, unamused. "You're telling me about their quiche."
"I'm just telling you, in general!" Penguin groaned. "I don't know what you have against quiche - it was really good! Seriously, I think we should go."
"I will go." Law said, grabbing his coat from the back of his chair, tucking his laptop into his bag, and standing up. "You will stay here, with Shachi and Bepo. As for the quiche, I've never had a quiche that doesn't taste like slop and vomit."
"That's just because Bepo's cooking is shit." Shachi said, pointing at Law's roommate, who bowed in apology, murmuring "I'm sorry" and "I'll do better."
"Stop bullying Bepo." Law sighed, patting his roommate on the shoulder. "Your cooking is fine. I'll be back soon."
Shachi and Penguin frowned from the couch, shouting objections about how they wanted to go too. It was too late - Law was already out the door, slinging his coat over his shoulders.
Just as Shachi had said, the cafe was only a block away from Law - incredibly close, and not very hard to find considering most stores had all their lights off already. As he approached, he heard soft jazz flowing from the store, and as he breathed, he couldn't help but sniff the air more.
Chocolate chip cookies. And they smelled fresh, too. Pushing open the door to the cafe, he heard a tired "Welcome in!", and he hummed in acknowledgement.
"Hi there." You greeted him kindly, yawning a bit. "Since it's still our first week open, we're punching membership cards twice the normal amount to encourage customers to keep coming back. All you have to do is make a purchase and let me know what you think!"
"Sounds good." Law mumbled, eyes scanning over the menu. "Just a large cold brew and -" his face twisted, already annoyed with himself as he thought about Shachi and Penguin's nagging, "-a quiche, please."
"Well, don't force yourself." You laughed. Law peered at you, just a little bit annoyed. He couldn't help but agree with his friends - if you were the owner, you were pretty. Your laugh was infectious, and despite how tired you seemed, you appeared happy as could be. "What kind of quiche would you like?"
"...The Florentine quiche sounds fine." He sighed. He'd force himself to try the quiche. And if it was shit, Shachi and Penguin would be hearing from him. "I know you have chocolate chip cookies in the display, but I smell some freshly baked. Would you mind if I had the new ones?"
"Not at all." You hummed. "Good to make first impressions for opening week."
"Very blunt of you." Law snorted. "That a good marketing strategy?"
"Honesty is more important than marketing." You shrugged. The register dinged, showing that Law owed fifteen bucks - not a bad price at all for a large drink, a meal, and a sweet treat. You punched a brand new membership card for the man, filling up four out of seven stamps, and handed it to him. "I'll call your name when it's all ready, Mister...?"
"Just call me Law." He replied, nodding. "I'll just go sit down and wait, take your time."
He chose a seat by the corner, two windows on each side of him as his body sank into a plush chair and opened up his laptop on the desk. He blinked, realizing that he didn't know the Wifi password to what he assumed was the cafe's network - 'Sunny Cafe Network :)'.
Just as he was about to get up and ask you for it, he realized there was a small laminated sheet glued to the table, with the Wifi password, separate menus for different times of day, and a little QR code for any feedback.
Law hummed, nestling back into his chair as he typed the WiFi password into his computer. He couldn't help but feel grateful for the effort the owner put into each area - he hated going to new places and asking for things like the Wifi, or god forbid a key to the bathroom.
He tried to do a little bit of work, appreciating the soft music flowing through the cafe. He wondered if your opening day was really busy - and he was a bit shocked that nobody else was here at this hour. After all, this was a university campus filled with sleepless students, though they were probably out drinking and partying anyhow.
"Law?" You called from the counter, pushing a tray out. "Here you go!"
He got up from his seat, meandering to the counter with his hands outstretched to take the tray to his seat. "Wait!" You said, hands in a silly 'X' in front of him. He paused, blinking at you. "You have to let me know how everything is!"
"I will." He said, going to reach for the tray again. You cleared your throat, shifting from foot to foot behind the counter. He sighed. You really were pretty - you looked exhausted and worn out, but nevertheless excited for feedback. He couldn't turn you down. "Fine."
He reached for the cold brew first, turning slightly away from you so he wouldn't have to see your excited face in his periphery. He took a sip. "This... Is really good."
"Really?" You beamed, hands on the counter.
"Yes." He affirmed. "Did you add any syrup? It has notes of like..." He trailed off, taking another sip. "Chocolate? Cherries?"
"No syrup!" You grinned, crossing your arms proudly. "The blend I used for your cold brew was a mix of beans from South America and East Africa! African beans are known for giving off some floral or fruity flavors, while South American beans are known for sort of tasting like chocolate, so I blended the two!"
He hummed, clearly satisfied, before reaching for the quiche and the fork. He grimaced, clearly hesitant to take a bite.
"Do you not like quiche?" You wondered, laughing a bit at his face. "You didn't seem happy to order it either."
"Not really." He frowned, glaring at the pastry like it'd offended him. "But my friends came here earlier, and they said it was really good."
"Shachi and Penguin, right?" You smiled at his shocked face. "Yeah, they came in the afternoon, saying they'd try to get their grumpy friend to come on down. Med student, they said."
He clicked his tongue, taking a piece of quiche onto his fork. "Yeah. That's me."
"Anything you wanna be in particular?" You said, giggling as he kept glaring at the quiche.
"A surgeon." He shoved the quiche in his mouth, as if he felt like it was going to grow legs and run away.
"That'll be hard work." You laughed, watching him chew the pastry like he expected it to be his worst enemy. His face turned into a surprised, pleasant acceptance. "Good?" You asked, chin resting on your hand.
"...Yeah." He stared at the tart. "It's pretty good."
"I'm happy to hear that." You smiled, pushing off the counter to begin wiping down the equipment. "I work the afternoon to morning shift. I hope I'll see you again, Law. Make sure to bring that membership card in for some free stuff!"
"Okay." He blinked, watching you grab a rag and start cleaning. "Do you have LinkedIn?"
You paused, rag dripping with water onto the quartz counter. "Why??"
Law cringed at himself. He was twenty-six and still didn't know how to properly ask for something. "No, I mean like, uh..." He stared at the quiche. That damn quiche. "Somewhere I could find you?"
You grinned, pointing at the poster by the register. "The cafe has an Instagram!"
Law withered. "Right. I'll be sure to follow it, then."
You laughed so hard your side started cramping - it was painfully obvious what he wanted, but it was funny how incredibly bad with words he was. "Hand me your phone, Law."
He stared at you, confused, before realizing you were still waiting. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it, and bashfully handed it to you. You clicked around on it, and he just watched you the whole time.
Your hair was a little oily. There was a smudge of espresso remnants on your eyebrow. A strand of your hair was in your face, and you kept crinkling your nose every time the hair came in contact with it.
Jesus, you were pretty. He was never going to admit to Shachi and Penguin that they had, for once, made an accurate and compelling point as to why Law should've come.
"Here you go, Law." You handed his phone back with a sly grin. Pretty barista, you'd saved yourself as. Even taken a selfie for the contact picture too. "I hope I'll see you again."
"I'll be back tomorrow." He promised, watching your features - exhausted yet happy as possible - smiling kindly at him. "I'll try your whole menu."
"Will you now?" You chuckled. "Well, I'm looking forward to it. Looks like I got my own personal taste tester." You pulled out a notebook from under the counter, flipping it open and showing him the wrinkled pages. "Well, good. The menu's still pretty small, and I have a lot of ideas to expand it. I'll never turn down an extra palette."
If he was any less restrained with himself, Law could've been jumping for joy. Maybe it was the night speaking, the long hours getting to both of you, but he'd take any opportunity to help you however he could. He found himself undeniably drawn to you, to your tired demeanor and your willingness to work.
"Can I ask why you chose to open your cafe here?" He inquired, flipping through your recipe book. Blueberry muffins, many different flavors of macarons, brown sugar toffee latte. He couldn't wait to watch you make all of them.
"I went here for my bachelors, actually - for Business Administration. Very boring. But I always complained about how early the places closed! I'd get my coffees from Ms. Robin's place, but-"
"She closes at five." Law added. You blinked at him, but nodded, surprised. "Yeah, I know. I get her drinks too."
"That's too funny." You said, taking the cookbook back from him. "Ms. Robin actually helped me open this place. She's really nice."
"Yeah, well." Law shrugged, biting his cookie and humming contently. "So are you."
"Thanks, Law." You replied, watching him. Your eyes crinkled, trying not to laugh aloud at his slightly sad attempt at complimenting you. "Is it good?"
"I know I'm your taste tester now, but I really don't think that should even be a question." Law huffed, shoving the rest of the cookie in his mouth and speaking with it full. "Yesh, itsh good."
"I'm happy to hear that." You grinned. "Well, I'm going to get back to baking cookies for the morning shift. It was nice to meet you, Law." You took his tray.
"No, the pleasure's all mine." He replied, shaking his head.
"The pleasure can be both of ours, you know?"
Unfortunately, his friends caught on awfully quick. Within a week, it was no secret that Trafalgar Law had a massive crush on the owner of the Sunny Cafe. From midnight to three, all his friends knew - if Law wasn't in his apartment, he was going to be at the cafe down the block.
Ms. Nico Robin, too, was also fully aware of this fact, having come to check in on your business after the end of the week. You joked that Law was single-handedly keeping your business open, before clarifying that you were joking and that business was stellar.
Law had only grumbled at this, suddenly very glued to his textbook and the task of memorizing the brain. You always had a new pastry or drink to give him, and he was always willing to try whatever you had to offer. For someone who was evidently fearful of quiche, he didn't seem to mind eating all your different variations at all.
Sometimes you'd see Law in the afternoon too, at the start of your shift, being dragged to your cafe with his two friends you were already familiar with, and another who he later introduced as his roommate. They'd tease him the whole time they were there, throwing out comments like "Isn't the owner looking cute today?" and, "Aw, look, his face is all red! Law and the owner, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
Grown ass men, by the way.
Of course, this would always result in Law leaving abruptly and texting you an apology, to which you would always say you didn't mind and you actually found it rather cute. He always left you on read, but that was mostly because he hadn't a clue how to respond and was honestly embarrassed that you thought someone like him was cute.
Tattooed, dreary, tired Law. Cute?!
When he came alone, he'd always sit in the same seat he'd sat in the first day he came in. Right in the corner of the shop, a small plush seat for one.
Whenever he came in with his friends, he'd be dragged to the closest 4-seater to you - a table nobody else would willingly take because everyone was bustling around the area.
They'd sit there nonetheless, Law tucked into the seat with the least people shoving by him as he glared at Shachi and Penguin, who would wave at you flirtatiously as Bepo stole off his plate.
"I wanted that." He'd say.
"The quiche?!" Bepo gawked at him. Law, quiche?! "I'm sorry."
It became even more normal for him to text you late at night after he came in one particular night and it wasn't you working. Don't get him wrong - the barista named Sanji was perfectly kind and hospitable, but they just weren't you. Plus, he was strangely much kinder to the girl who came in after Law than he was to Law himself.
L: How come you're not in tonight?
Y: I should've known you were going to text me! I had to call out, my cat was still lying on my chest when I wanted to leave.
Law blinked at his screen. Maybe this was the pros of owning your own business, having the ability to call out to love your cat.
L: Can I see?
Y: I just said he was lying on my chest! What're you getting at?
L: Man let me see the cat
He huffed, ears red as he stared at the phone, huddled in the corner of the cafe as Sanji continued to feed free samples to the girl trying to place an order.
Y: [video]
A video of you, taken from around your stomach, with your cat nuzzled into your neck as the rest of him laid on your chest. You were smiling, sticking your tongue out before kissing your cat on the head multiple times, saying "Pretty boy!" over and over.
Law wished he'd been born a cat.
From then on, he'd texted you pretty much every night, checking that you were going to be the one working. Luckily, your cat had only decided to pull that stunt the one time, and Law never had to watch Sanji flirt again.
You never pointed out how casually the two of you would interact from then on, little texts of "craving one of your scones," or "that latte saved my life today, wouldn't have been able to stay awake."
You snagged small, intimate moments with Law here and there, whenever you could, and he gave them to you, as if it was normal to exchange little bits of unseen affection with someone you'd met a week or so ago.
Not that either of you minded.
He'd taste test for free, get free snacks from you late at night if nobody else was in the store, help you behind the counter if you were particularly tired.
You started asking how his exams were going, wondering where he was looking to go for residency, asking about his friends. He found himself sharing every part of his life with you, even the little things. With time, he learned more about your life, your childhood, the friends who dropped in to see you in the cafe.
Months and months passed, and relentless teasing from his friends began to stack. Shachi would poke fun at him, Penguin playfully badgering you for your number as you kept shaking your head, smiling, pointing at the flyer with the cafe's Instagram on it. Bepo would always ask if he'd asked you out yet, to do anything at all, go anywhere.
Law knew he should - but he just didn't know how.
"She likes to read." Nico Robin prompted as you handled other customers, sitting at a table in front of Law with a stack of books herself. "I believe going to a bookshop would be quite a safe option."
"I didn't ask for advice, Miss." Law grumbled halfheartedly. He couldn't ever bring himself to be angry with the other cafe owner, who had treated him so kindly the many years he went to her cafe.
"I know." She hummed, flipping a page and glancing at him. "It seems like you needed it, though. You haven't been to my cafe in months - figures you would be here."
"Sorry for swapping." Law shrugged, glaring at his iPad, internal organs staring back at him. "She's just-"
"Open all day and night." Robin smiled. "No worries. I was just teasing you. Though, if it's been months, one would think you two would've gotten somewhere by now."
Law flushed a gentle shade of pink, tattooed hand running through his hair. He twirled the stylus in his fingers, chewing on his lower lip.
"She doesn't need big actions." Robin said, eyes skimming the page - The Killer Angels, she was reading. "Maybe a craft day - bookmarks?"
Law wished he could say he already had an idea what to do with you - but in truth, he had too many ideas. He didn't know where to start, how to pick just one gesture to win you over. Too many ideas of how to spend time with you, see you, touch you, hold you.
It took a few more days before he decided to just take Nico Robin's advice.
"I remember you mentioning you wanted a new book a while back." Law prompted. It was a Friday - a long day for Law, as he had an eight a.m. class immediately followed by hours of shadowing at the hospital, then working as an EMT until seven p.m. when he finally got time for himself. It was midnight now, and yet he still continued to visit your cafe without flaw. "Would you want to go get it tomorrow? There's a nice bookstore that's also a jazz bar a few blocks from here."
You pulled a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven, sliding one off the hot baking sheet and onto a plate, handing it to Law with a grin. "Are you asking me on a date, Law?"
He flushed again, the only indication of his nervousness. "Yeah. If you'd want to go, I mean." He took the plate from your hands, grazing yours just as they did every day.
"I've wanted to for months." You smiled, leaning over the counter to peck him on the cheek. You smelled like chocolate chip cookies and espresso, hair a little damp from a day's work. "So of course, yes. I'd love to go on a date with you, Law."
When Law went home that night, he found himself unable to sleep. It's not like this was irregular - his sleep schedule was constantly unstable, and he was bordering on becoming nocturnal soon.
But this was different. He couldn't sleep because his heart wouldn't stop pounding in his chest, and he tossed and turned thinking about you. Intertwining your fingers tomorrow, brushing hair out of your face.
He forced himself to take some melatonin, lest he show up to your date groggy and half-alive in the afternoon.
As he started to sleep, he could only hope he'd dream about you.
Reluctantly wearing an outfit Shachi and Penguin had picked out - baggy jeans, a purple sweater that screamed "Casual, but not nonchalant" in Penguin's words, Law tapped his foot nervously as he waited outside the bookstore.
The bustle of the street was drowned out by the thumping of his own heart, and he continued to gnaw on his lip as he waited for you to show up outside the bookstore.
"Hi, Law." You greeted from behind him. He jumped, not expecting you to approach from that direction, and you laughed, looping an arm around his. "You look nice."
He cleared his throat, embarrassed. "Thanks. So do you. I like what you did with your hair."
You squeezed his arm, and he nearly jumped again. "Wow! This sweater is very soft, Law! Where'd you get it?"
He squinted at the sign of the bookstore, trying to ignore how you were basically just squeezing on his bicep. "I knitted it."
Your jaw dropped. "No way! I didn't know you knew how to knit!" You continued running your fingers over the fabric, ooh-ing and aah-ing at the handiwork. "This is really good, Law. Wow."
"Not a big deal." He managed to squeak out, finger shakily pointing at the bookstore. "Do you want to go inside?"
You removed your arm from his, laughing a bit at how he seemed to curl into himself at the loss. You intertwined your fingers with his, watching as he visibly brightened a bit, letting you tug him towards the door.
The bookstore was warmly lit and dark, the owner greeting you kindly from behind the desk. You immediately wandered to the back, Law following you as you set out in search of your favorite genre.
"What're you looking for again?" Law asked, hand warm against yours and not letting up anytime soon.
You peered at him from the corner of your eye, rubbing your thumb against the back of his hand. "I'm seeing what might catch my eye. I've been meaning to buy a book called Pachinko for a while though - it should be in the historical fiction section."
Law hummed, eyes skimming the bookshelves to help you look. "That one? With the light blue spine?" He pointed at the top of the historical fiction shelf, a gently worn book spine glinting back at you.
"Yeah, I think so." You said, squinting at the book. You walked up to the bookcase, up on your tippy toes to try to reach for it. You grunted a bit, arm fully extended as you fumbled for the book.
Warmth enveloped your back as Law pressed against you, a soft "Excuse me" coming from his mouth. He gently pushed your hand downwards, grabbing the book for you with ease and handing it to you. "Is it the right book?"
"Yeah!" You said, reading the author's name. "Thanks, Law. How tall are you? That book was super high up."
Law cleared his throat, thankful for the store being dark enough that you probably couldn't see his face turning red again. Down bad, Shachi had called him. "I'm six foot three."
You whistled, intertwining your fingers again. "Built like a tree."
"This tree helped you reach a book, you know." Law teased, finger playfully pushing against your forehead. "Could be a good thing."
"Didn't say it was a bad thing." You shrugged, tugging him towards the cashier. "You're just my type."
Law's hand tightened around yours, and you laughed a little. You greeted the cashier, reaching for your wallet when she said it was only ten dollars since it was an already used book.
Law beat you to it, tapping his phone against the card reader. The owner smiled at the two of you, wrapping your book for you and handing it back, both of you waving goodbye as you left the store.
"I could've paid for myself, you know." You frowned, bumping shoulders with Law. "Shouldn't you focus on paying for school?"
"I spend at least ten dollars at your cafe every single day." Law replied, shrugging and reaching his free hand out to carry your book for you. "Spending another ten because I want to do something nice for you isn't a big deal."
A small smile graced your face, leaning your head against Law's shoulder. "Okay. If you're sure, then."
"Couldn't be more sure." Law replied, leaning his chin on your head. The two of you stood there, outside the used bookstore, holding each other and watching the city bustle around you. Law smelled like coffee and pine, warm and comforting.
"I'd like to see you again." He prompted, arms tightening a bit around you, burying his face in your hair. He did his best to ignore how your face was very clearly purposefully pressed into his built chest.
"Law, you have a sleeper build!" You laughed, voice muffled from where you were. His heart raced faster, and he was sure you could hear it, because your shoulders still shook with laughter, even as you looked up at him, forcing him to stop leaning on you. "Yes, of course I'd like to see you more too, I had a really good time. Even though I'm sure I'll see you later tonight when I work anyways."
"You will." Law promised, brushing your hair out of your face. He knew you didn't like it when it brushed against your nose, even accidentally. "And I'm glad you enjoyed yourself today."
"Won't you ask me to be your girlfriend?" You teased, pinching his waist and watching him flush.
"I thought it might be too fast." He replied, hands tightening around your arms. "I didn't know if you liked me enough."
"If I didn't like you," You said, hugging him close, "I wouldn't have given you my number the first night we met. You took a while to work up to it, Law."
"Well." Law huffed, looking away. "I thought maybe it was another clever marketing strategy from you."
"Could be a smart move." You hummed, starting to walk away from the bookstore. "Maybe I should start giving my number to every guy that comes in."
"No, maybe not." Law grumbled, grabbing your wrist and looking at you. He ruffled his hair, golden eyes swimming with apprehension, though it was clear he was mulling things over. "I really like you. I enjoy spending time with you, and I want to have you in my life every day."
He paused, eyes skimming over your face, reading your every expression. Your cheeks were flushed with the spring breeze, smiling at him as you watched him talk. "Please do me the pleasure of letting me be your boyfriend."
Your smile grew ever wider, pulling him in tightly for a bear hug. He choked a bit, surprised at the gesture and your strength. He wheezed, gently and awkwardly patting you on the back. "Can't breathe. Can't."
You released him, gesturing for him to lean down. He blinked, but listened to you anyways, leaning towards you. Your arms wrapped around his neck, lips meeting his, smiling as you kissed him.
Law froze for a second, mind blanking, before cupping your face with his free hand and kissing you back. His ears felt hot as he kissed you with desperate fervor, before pulling back, face red as a tomato.
"I'd love to be your girlfriend, Law." You said happily, stealing your book from his hands and checking your phone. "I have to clock in soon, but I'll see you tonight?"
"Uh, yes." Law replied after a beat, blinking at you, still breathing heavily. "Yes. I'll be there."
"Good." You hummed, walking away. "I'll save you your regular seat."
A while back my pharmacist saw my deadname on my profile and accidentially called it out, he corrected and deleted my deadname from the system so only my preferred name shows up now. There was a crowd of people behind me, so as he hands over the pills he apologized, in equal tone and volume as when he called my deadname and lied saying it's been a long day and he didn't mean to call out -his own- name. I quietly told him it was fine and he didn't need to do that for my sake.
His response: "No, it's my name now."
I went to the pharmacist yesterday, his nametag is my deadname. He informed me he's immigrating and in the process he's changed his first name to my deadname to have an English sounding name. That's why he's now able to get a reprint of his nametag to be my deadname. And repeated, with the intense seriousness of someone who is going to die on this hill: "It's mine now. Not yours. I'm taking." His tone indicated that decision is final.
Bro literally deadnamed me once, and has committed to flat out stealing my deadname. It's his now. Legally. Officially. I over heard his co-workers call him by the name.
Summary: A swordsman who doesn’t talk much. A girl who quietly becomes part of his daily life. Neither of them notices when it starts to mean something more. A story of how Zoro's protective instincts appear before he notices them himself.
Warning: fem!reader, reader is referred to as a kunoichi and is portrayed as physically capable/combat-trained. Minimal physical description, though it mentions the reader having hair long enough to fall like a curtain around her and Zoro.
The Going Merry surged forward just as another roar split the sea behind them.
“THEY DID IT!” Usopp shouted, halfway over the railing already. “THEY SPLIT IT IN HALF!”
Behind the ship, the remains of the enormous goldfish drifted apart beneath the waves where Dorry and Brogy’s final attack had torn straight through it.
Fading in the distance was the silhouette of Little Garden, swallowed little by little by sea mist and sunlight.
Even from afar, you could still hear the booming laughter of the giants carrying across the waves behind the Going Merry as Luffy guffawed loud enough to rival the gargantuan warriors.
You leaned against the mast with a tired exhale, still watching the shrinking figures of the two warriors on the shore.
“THEY’RE AMAZING!” Usopp yelled for what was probably the tenth time.
“You said that already,” Nami sighed.
Luffy only laughed louder, one foot planted on the railing as he waved both arms wildly back toward the island.
The Merry rocked sharply as it pushed through the current.
You steadied yourself against the mast automatically, breath catching when pain flared through your hands.
Right.
Now that the fighting was over, your body had apparently decided to start feeling everything at once. Every finger throbbed from impact. The skin along your knuckles had split hours ago during the fight, and the burns crawling across your palms from melting Mr. 3’s wax stung worse now that the battle was over.
You flexed them once anyway.
Bad idea.
“Oi.”
The voice came low and close enough beside you to make you glance sideways.
Zoro leaned against the railing nearby, arms crossed loosely over his chest. His swords rested within reach against the wood, sunlight flashing briefly across the edge of Wado Ichimonji’s sheath.
His gaze was fixed on your hands.
“Lemme see.”
It wasn’t really phrased like a request.
You ended up joining the Straw Hat crew among its earliest members, accepting Luffy’s invitation after he and the mosshead swordsman came to your aid while you were defending a small village you had settled in for a time from a notorious band of pirates.
Not that you particularly needed saving.
You had been vastly outnumbered, yet still managed to put up an impressive fight, leaving over fifty pirates battered and unconscious before Luffy and Zoro even entered the fray. Needless to say, Luffy was impressed. The moment he saw you fight, he decided he wanted you as his nakama.
You were a rogue ninja, having fled your village at a young age in search of freedom. Life there had been suffocating, ruled by a brutal regime where obedience was valued above all else and even children were treated as little more than weapons waiting to be sharpened and used.
For years, you wandered from island to island, never staying long enough to put down roots.
You just finished knocking out the attacking crew’s swordsman when the captain decided to play dirty. He aimed his spear at a group of civilians hiding behind the ruins of a building. Throwing yourself as fast as you could in front of the terrified people you blocked out the impact, the spear piercing through your side. Fury surged through you. Clenching your teeth, you ripped the spear from your own wounded flesh and hurled it into the distance, striking one of the enemy commanders. Catching sight of a sword lying nearby, you snatched it up without hesitation, ready to fight until your very last breath.
The vicious captain curled his lips into a crooked grin, convinced your injuries would finally bring you down. His hopes, however, were quickly dashed—your strength showed no signs of fading.
"Come on! Let’s go help her!," Luffy exclaimed. In the next instant, a rubber arm shot toward the unsuspecting captain and slammed into his face, sending him crashing to the ground unconscious.
"Hn."
Zoro watched you with quiet admiration. You had skill—real skill. A faint grin crossed his face when he noticed reinforcements approaching from the distance, and his hand settled on the hilts of his three swords.
"Looks like the fun's just getting started."
He assumed his usual stance, gripping his most powerful sword between his teeth. Then he swung with such precision and mastery that a person wouldn't even realize they'd been cut. One by one, a dozen thugs hit the floor.
Who are these guys? What do they want? you wondered, attention drifting for a moment to the boy in the straw hat and the green-haired swordsman whose bandana hung low, nearly covering his eyes.
"You don't need to trouble yourselves. I've got everything under control," you spoke softly, settling into a fighting stance.
With the swift movement of your fingers, you sent a violent tremor through the ground beneath the wicked captain and his men, then launched a barrage of strikes. However, a sharp pain suddenly pierced your body, surging through you like a searing electric shock.
"Quit worrying. We'll finish this up in no time," Luffy said with a bright grin. Warmth and unwavering trust shone in his eyes, as though you had known him for your entire life.
After the battle had finally been won and the frenzied pirate mob had scattered in every direction, the newly formed group found themselves celebrating alongside the villagers at the local tavern.
You had to admit there was some strange magnetic force pulling you toward the cheerful, carefree, and arguably hopeless boy who insisted on proclaiming himself the future Pirate King every chance he got.
At that very moment, he was stuffing his face with what had to be his fifth, sixth, or maybe tenth piece of meat, all while trying to convince you to join his crew.
His stomach seemed to swell larger with every bite, yet he kept eating, much to the horror of the village cooks who had decided to dedicate the entire day to treating their saviors.
What kind of pirate crew doesn’t even have a proper ship yet? you wondered.
To your left sat the quiet swordsman, calmly sipping sake. Every now and then, you could swear the corner of his mouth twitched upward as he watched the latest disaster his captain was causing.
His gaze remained fixed on a decoration hanging across the room when he finally spoke.
“You’re not a bad fighter. Could use someone like you if we’re gonna help that idiot become Pirate King.”
You blinked.
“Besides,” he continued, taking another drink, “when Luffy sets his mind on something, he doesn’t quit until he gets it. You’re better off saying yes now, unless you’re interested in training your patience as much as your combat skills.”
A sigh escaped him as Luffy wandered off toward another table and immediately joined a contest to see who could shove the most cakes into their mouth in under a minute.
“Which is an unavoidable daily occurrence with him.”
You laughed.
And for a brief moment, your heart fluttered at the thought of belonging somewhere. It was ridiculous, really. You had known these people for less than a day, yet there was something about them that made your guard slip. Perhaps it was Luffy’s boundless compassion, hidden beneath all the chaos he seemed to attract, or the unwavering certainty in his eyes that inspired trust without demanding it.
As strange as the idea was after spending so many years alone, you found yourself wanting to stay a little longer. Maybe, for the first time in your life, you didn’t feel entirely alone.
“I guess you’re right,” you said.
Your eyes brightened as you turned toward him.
“And it’d give me an excuse to spar with you, Roronoa Zoro, the famous Pirate Hunter.”
A grin tugged at your lips.
“Who knows? Maybe you’ll even learn a trick or two from me.”
The green-haired swordsman clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes as if the very suggestion offended him.
Still, there was a certain spark in his expression.
A challenge was a challenge.
Ever since you had, for lack of a better word, boarded the tiny boat the two young men used before acquiring an actual pirate ship, certain routines had begun to form.
Before Nami, Usopp and Sanji joined the crew, you somehow found yourself acting as the group’s treasurer. Not that there was much treasure to manage. Between Luffy’s appetite and Zoro’s complete lack of interest in money, the two of them rarely had enough berries to their names to buy a decent meal, forcing you to rely on your own savings more often than not.
You cooked when necessary, gathered supplies whenever they ran low, and chased after Luffy whenever he inevitably sprinted headfirst toward his next adventure.
Every dawn, you trained alongside Zoro.
Your routines differed, but the habit remained.
As the crew grew and new faces joined your strange little family, you formed different bonds with each of your friends. Yet something about Zoro always felt… different.
Difficult to explain.
There were times when the two of you sat in complete silence for hours, neither feeling the need to fill it with words, completely content with just the comforting presence of the other.
You understood him in ways most people didn’t, it often surprised even yourself. Beneath the silence, the blunt remarks, and the rough edges, there was a simplicity to him that made sense to you. As if you had recognized something achingly familiar.
Perhaps it was because you had both spent years carrying your burdens alone. Or perhaps it was something else entirely. Whatever the reason, being around him felt effortless. Natural even. As though, somehow, the two of you had been walking parallel paths long before fate finally allowed them to cross.
And somehow, Zoro understood you just as well.
He saw through every layer of armor you had painstakingly built around yourself. Past the strength, the discipline, and the reputation that usually caused others to keep their distance. He saw the tenderness you tried so hard to hide, the loneliness you buried beneath duty, and the quiet sadness that lingered behind your strongest smiles.
He saw the person underneath.
The one who always gave away the larger portion of a meal without thinking about it twice. The one who stayed awake to tending wounds long after everyone else had gone to sleep. The one who instinctively placed the needs of others before her own.
The one who indulged all of Luffy’s antics, listened patiently to every one of Usopp’s impossible tales, and somehow knew exactly what to say whenever Nami was on the verge of throttling someone. The one who spent time helping Sanji in the kitchen, thanking him for every meal with a smile that made the damned cook straighten his tie, make even bigger heart-eyes and hover around her even more than usual.
A fact Zoro found increasingly irritating for reasons he preferred not to examine too closely.
You possessed a gentleness that had no business surviving the life you had lived, yet somehow, it had. The world had tried to harden you. It had given you every reason to become cold, suspicious, and cruel. But instead, you remained kind.
It annoyed him. But not because he disliked it.
And though Zoro would sooner throw himself off the mast straight into the sea than admit it aloud, that quiet kindness affected him more than all your strength ever could.
Without ever acknowledging it, not even to himself, Zoro had decided that protecting you was his responsibility.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
You were a crewmate. A comrade. Someone he trusted in battle. It was only natural for him to keep an eye on you. Only natural for every scrape, injury, or threat directed your way to leave an unpleasant knot in his stomach.
That was all.
Or so he insisted.
The fact that Sanji seemed utterly captivated by you had absolutely nothing to do with it.
Nothing at all.
Not the way the damned cook brightened whenever you stepped into the kitchen. Not the extra care he put into meals whenever you complimented his cooking. Not the flowers, the dramatic declarations, or the way he practically floated across the deck whenever you smiled at him.
None of it bothered Zoro in the slightest. Naturally, he didn’t care.
Which was precisely why he found himself adding another fifty kilograms to his training routine every time Sanji made you laugh.
Zoro’s way of caring was quiet and revealed itself in small, seemingly insignificant things.
Whether it was walking beside you with himself positioned on the side closest to the road whenever the crew visited a new town, entering dark alleys and unfamiliar places first, choosing the seat beside yours at a bar, or at the very least somewhere close enough to keep an eye on you without making it obvious.
Sometimes he would order your favorite drink before you even had the chance, setting it down in front of you while you were distracted talking animatedly with Nami.
Not that he had memorized your favorite drink. That would have been ridiculous.
If it happened to be your turn to keep watch during the night, he’d somehow end up joining you, claiming he simply wasn’t tired. Claiming the night sea air had a special effect on his sinuses and the stars improved his meditation.
Whatever excuse he came up with, most nights ended the same way, with him dozing off somewhere nearby, his presence a constant companion beneath the moonlight.
In Syrup Village, you had been the one to help him climb that foolis slippery slope. Granted, he had dragged you down with him, leaving you sprawled across his chest in an undignified heap, both of you tangled together in the dirt.
His breath had not caught because of the sunlight dancing in your eyes. Nor because your hair had fallen around the two of you like a curtain, the delicate shadow your eyelashes cast across your cheeks. Nor because he suddenly found himself acutely aware of how close you were. Absolutely not.
You had simply knocked the air out of his lungs when you landed. That was the only explanation.
The situation somehow became even worse when the two of you couldn’t find your way back to the others. You argued over directions, each convinced the other was wrong.
The triumphant smile you wore when it turned out you had been right still irritated him.
A kind of smug smile that said, I told you so, without a single word being spoken.
Brat.
Pretty brat.
Idiot.
The same idiot who always rushed to help whenever she genuinely believed he needed it, while somehow managing not to wound his pride in the process. The one that stitched his wounds.
The same idiot who sat beside him after Mihawk’s defeat, tending to injuries that should have killed him. Who quietly sewed torn flesh back together while telling him how grateful she was to have someone as strong as him fighting by her side.
Who believed, with even greater certainty than he did, that he would one day become the strongest swordsman in the world.
To you, that defeat wasn’t proof of failure. It was rather proof that he had stood before the summit itself. The respect he had earned from Mihawk was simply another sign that he would one day reach those heights.
For some reason, that faith meant more than he cared to admit.
Reckless idiot.
The same reckless idiot he found himself thinking about while they chased after Nami. Wondering where you were and whether you were safe.
The daring brat he watched with pride and admiration as you took down a fish-man with a skill and ferocity that left no room for doubt.
The same idiot whose concern over his injuries and fever filled him with a warmth he stubbornly refused to examine too closely. After the chaos had settled, you had dragged him off to a quieter corner, cleaning wounds and tending injuries despite your own exhaustion. During the three-day celebration, you brought him drinks, changed his bandages, and somehow made sure he actually rested.
He noticed all of it.
He noticed the way children gravitated toward you, animals trusted you without hesitation.
Zoro really couldn’t ignore the way your eyes lit up whenever you discovered a new bookstore or how you spent hours searching for rare editions and forgotten stories.
The way you dove into the sea whenever the opportunity presented itself and were often the first to jump after Luffy whenever the idiot Strawhat managed to fall overboard yet again.
Loguetown only made the problem worse. Not that there was one he intended to ponder on.
The crew had split up shortly after arriving, everyone scattering toward their own interests. And, naturally, he got lost. Twice. Possibly three times.
Yet somehow, every wrong turn seemed to lead him back to you. Like a magnet constantly pulling him in the same direction.
The first time, he found you browsing a stall overflowing with books.
The second time, you were arguing with a merchant over prices.
The third time, you were feeding a stray cat that had apparently decided you belonged to it and found its resting spot in your lap.
Neither of you questioned it. By that point, it had become strangely normal.
“Lost again?” you asked without even looking up from your book.
“I wasn’t lost.”
“Of course not.”
The smug amusement in your voice irritated him, but he ended up lingering there anyway. For no particular reason, of course!
Certainly not because your face always softened whenever you talked about books. And definitely not because listening to you ramble about stories was more enjoyable than wandering the city alone.
Not that he asked.
One moment you had been peacefully browsing books, and the next a hand had wrapped around your wrist as Zoro marched off toward the weapons district without so much as an explanation.
“Zoro!”
“What?”
“You can’t just abduct people.”
“I didn’t.”
“You literally grabbed me and started walking.”
“Tch. You were coming anyway.”
“I was not.”
“You are now.”
Infuriating man, you thought, running along the cobbled streets.
Once inside the sword shop you, with the accidental help of clueless Tashigi, managed to fend off the tricky salesman that wanted to get Zoro’s Wado. The conversation turned toward the cursed blade, Zoro grinned at the sword.
Your stomach sank.
“Oh no.”
“What?”
“That’s your stupid face.”
“I don’t have a stupid face.”
“That’s the face you make before doing something reckless.”
He ignored you.
Moments later, he was standing in the middle of the shop, tossing a supposedly cursed sword high into the air while holding his arm beneath its descending path.
The entire store fell silent. You briefly considered intervening, but then remembered who you were dealing with.
The blade spun. Fell. Twisted. And landed harmlessly.
Zoro’s grin returned in full force.
The idiot.
The unbelievably lucky idiot.
You couldn’t even bring yourself to be surprised anymore.
By the time the shopkeeper gifted him Yubashiri alongside the cursed blade, you were already preparing yourself for the inevitable consequences of encouraging his terrible habits.
“You know,” you said as the two of you stepped back into the street, “most people buy swords without gambling their limbs.”
“Most people aren’t me.”
“Thank God for that.”
His laugh was quiet. Rare. But you caught it.
Unfortunately for Zoro, acquiring new swords did not mean your shopping was finished.
When you eventually moved on to the clothing district, he followed. Not intentionally, he claims.
You just happened to be walking in the same direction. For several streets. And then several more. By the time he realized what was happening, he was standing outside a clothing shop while you examined outfit after outfit.
Bored out of his mind. Obviously. He certainly wasn’t admiring how certain outfits looked on you. Absolutely not. Whoever suggested otherwise was asking to be cut down.
When you stepped out wearing a flattering summer dress and turned in front of a mirror, he looked away so fast he nearly strained his neck.
“Well?” you asked.
“It looks fine.”
You narrowed your eyes.
“Fine?”
“It covers your body. That’s the point of clothes.”, Zoro mumbled, staring very hard at the wall behind you while heat crept steadily up the back of his neck and burned at the tips of his ears.
You rolled your eyes.
Even when you disappeared into yet another local bookstore for hours, comparing editions and searching for new additions to your collection, he remained nearby like a particularly grumpy guard dog.
The attack came without warning. One moment the streets of Loguetown were crowded with shouting civilians and Marines, the next they had dissolved into chaos.
Instinct took over. Steel flashed. Smoke filled the air. Orders and curses were swallowed by the noise of battle as people rushed in every direction.
Somewhere amidst the confusion, Zoro grabbed your hand.
Perhaps he didn’t want to lose sight of you. Perhaps separating in the middle of a fight was simply stupid. Whatever the reason, he acted before giving it any thought.
The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Your hand fit naturally in his. Warm. Smaller than his own. Comforting. The thought hit him so unexpectedly that he nearly stumbled over his own feet.
He released it immediately.
His palm felt strangely hot afterward, the lingering warmth refusing to fade. Irritated, he rubbed it against his trousers as though that might somehow solve the problem.
You glanced at him.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
Your eyes narrowed.
“You look weird.”
“Tch.”
He shot you a glare, earning nothing but laughter in return.
For some reason, the sound stayed with him for the rest of the day. Which was extremely annoying.
After firmly deciding to ignore whatever the hell that had been, Zoro drew his new swords and focused on the fight. All while refusing to stray too far from your side. And when a bullet threatened to graze you, he didn’t hesitate.
He moved before thought could catch up. One arm wrapped around your waist as he pulled you firmly against him and out of harm’s way. Later, he would blame the heat of battle for the way his ears burned red whenever the memory resurfaced.
Crossing the treacherous waters leading toward the Grand Line, Zoro always seemed to find himself standing nearby. Not close enough to attract attention. Just close enough to notice if you slipped on the rain-slick deck. Or to hear your voice over the storm and reach you if he needed to.
And at Whiskey Peak, despite the absurd fight that had somehow erupted between him and Luffy, he found himself strangely relieved when you were the one who stepped between them.
In other words, you weren’t just anyone to him.
By then, the crew had become home. Not a place, but people. Luffy’s impossible optimism. Nami’s exasperated threats. Usopp’s endless stories. Sanji’s cooking.
And you.
You had slipped into his life so gradually that he couldn’t pinpoint when it happened. One day, you had simply been there. During training, meals, watch duty, battles, long nights beneath unfamiliar stars. Like you’d always belonged.
Somewhere along the journey, you had become part of the rhythm of his days. As familiar as the weight of his swords at his hip. As constant as the sea beneath the ship.
The realization should have unsettled him. Instead, it felt strangely natural. Perhaps that was what frustrated him most. Because in other matters, Zoro trusted certainty. A sword either cut or it didn’t. An opponent either stood or fell. Dreams were achieved through strength and determination. Simple.
You, however, were not simple.
There was a thread connecting the two of you. Invisible, persistent and infuriating.
He kept trying to ignore it, only to find himself following it again and again. It was there whenever he looked for you in a crowded town. Whenever his eyes sought you out across a battlefield or he found himself standing beside you without consciously deciding to move.
Something about it drove him mad and kept drawing him back.
And every time he followed that invisible thread, he found you waiting at the other end.
It would be a very long time before Roronoa Zoro admitted to himself what that thread truly was.
And so, the two of you found yourselves in the crow’s nest of the Going Merry, cutting through restless waves toward Arabasta while the mosshead swordsman who had become so dear to you in such a short time carefully examined the swelling, burns, and cuts covering your bruised fists.
Below deck, Luffy and Usopp were still loudly arguing about which of them would one day slay a Sea King bigger than the Island Eater.
The familiar noise made you smile faintly.
Zoro clicked his tongue.
“Idiot. You didn’t have to go all out like that.”
Without waiting for an answer, he pulled out the first aid kit you kept stored below deck. His hands, usually so decisive with a sword, were careful now—if a little awkward—as he began cleaning your wounds with alcohol. Reflexively, you jerked your hands back a little with a sharp hiss.
“Hey—careful!”, you exclaimed.
“Tch. Hold still.” His grip tightened slightly around your wrist. “Your own fault for charging in like an idiot and then not telling anyone you were hurt afterward.”
Despite the harsh words, his gaze stayed fixed on your hands, careful and focused in a way that made warmth settle strangely in your chest.
Then his expression darkened slightly.
“I’m the one who messed up,” he added after a pause. “If I’d been strong enough to cut through that wax properly, this wouldn’t have happened. I should’ve been able to protect you.”
You lifted your eyes toward him, studying the face of the boy with seaweed-green hair who had somehow worked his way so deeply into your heart.
A small sound escaped you—half a sigh, half a scoff.
“Hey. Stop being so hard on yourself all the time.” You stopped him halfway through wrapping the bandages around your hand. “You do enough. More than enough. You were the one who saved our hopeless crew back in Whiskey Peak from a bunch of bounty hunters, remember?”
“Hn.”
As carefully as he could with his rough, calloused fingers, Zoro brushed over your other hand and tied off the last strip of bandage.
For a moment, neither of you spoke.
The Merry creaked softly beneath the waves. Wind drifted through the open crow’s nest, carrying saltwater and the faint scent of smoke still clinging to your clothes from Little Garden.
Then Zoro lowered himself beside you, leaning his head back against the wooden wall behind him and let out a slow breath.
You settled beside him a second later, shoulder nearly touching his.
“Thanks for taking care of me,” you said quietly, a gentle smile tugging at your lips.
“Tch,” Zoro muttered under his breath, glancing at you from the corner of his eye. But instead of moving away, he suddenly shifted and lowered his head into your lap.
“Too much talking. Too much thinking,” he grumbled, eyes already half-closed. “Just sleep.”
For a moment, you completely froze in surprise.
Then slowly, something in you softened.
Closing your eyes, you exhaled, letting your fingers find their way into his hair, brushing through the green strands with quiet ease.
Zoro made a low, satisfied sound—something between a sigh and a growl. Content. Almost like a beast finally settling after a long day.
Softie.
No matter what kind of adventure waited ahead of you next, you knew that as long as you were with this ridiculous captain and this strangely loyal crew, especially the stubborn swordsman now resting in your lap, everything would somehow be alright.
Once he was sure you were beginning to drift off to sleep too, Zoro quietly exhaled and tried to calm the strange, uneven pounding of his heart.
From where his head rested in your lap, he looked up at your peaceful face and came to a dangerous realization. Something in his chest tightened. A truth hovered at the edge of his thoughts, sharp and undeniable, a secret he intended to keep a little longer.
Somewhere along the way, this stubborn, reckless idiot had become important to him.
Far more important than he intended.
“Tch,” he muttered softly to himself, as if annoyance alone could undo the thought.
But it didn’t.
And from here, with you just barely awake and the world temporarily still, he found himself wondering how much longer he'd be able to pretend otherwise beside someone as impossible as you.
Warning: fem!reader, mention of y\n two or three times, reader knows how to fight.
People were creatures of habit.
And that was no less true for the crew’s beloved green-haired swordsman.
At first, it had been something small.
Every dawn, somewhere in the middle of your own training routine, Zoro would appear in the crow’s nest without fail. No greeting, no ceremony — just a low grunt of acknowledgment before silently joining you.
Sometimes the whole thing would turn into a competition.
More often than not, you’d end up sparring with the green-haired brute while he constantly grumbled that you needed to sharpen your swordsmanship, even when he clearly wasn’t dissatisfied with the fight you were putting up. Never mind that swordplay wasn’t even your primary fighting style. Never mind that if you actually fought him seriously using your preferred techniques, you could knock him flat on his back in seconds.
Though every now and then, you managed to convince him to give it a try.
Nothing erased that smug grin off his face faster.
After your morning session was done, you’d leave him behind in the crow’s nest to shower and get ready for the rest of the day while he continued his endless routine of thousands upon thousands of push-ups, squats, weightlifting, and whatever other insanity he considered normal training.
Around noon, you’d usually stop by with water or snacks — things the stubborn mule inevitably forgot about, being too focused on becoming stronger.
Until one afternoon, when Chopper showed up carrying a tray with water and onigiri balanced carefully in his hooves.
Zoro glanced behind the little reindeer, expecting to see your head appear as you climbed the stairs.
Nothing.
“…Thanks,” he muttered, though the entire time one thought kept circling in his head.
Where is she?
“Y/N-san is sunbathing on deck with Nami,” Chopper explained cheerfully. “She asked me to bring you refreshments.”
“Hn.”
He didn’t understand why it bothered him.
You had every right to spend your time however you wanted.
It wasn’t any of his business.
It wasn’t like he cared.
Not at all.
The same thing happened during crew meetings. Somehow, he’d always end up standing right next to you, casually exchanging comments under his breath while everyone else talked.
And dinner arrangements had slowly settled into a routine too.
One day, you’d simply taken the seat between Nami and Zoro, and after that, it became yours.
Without even thinking about it, Zoro started guarding pieces of meat from Luffy’s greedy hands so you’d actually get something to eat. Not that the damn cook would ever allow a lady like you to go hungry in the first place.
It just… came naturally.
In return, whenever Sanji and Zoro inevitably got into one of their arguments over dinner, you’d lightly touch the cook’s arm, bat your eyelashes, smile sweetly, and ask him to pour the green-haired swordsman another cup of sake.
Every single time, the cook would melt on the spot.
With hearts practically bursting from his eyes, he would wobble dramatically while agreeing.
“Of course, Y/N-swan!” he’d cry. “Anything for you! Though that filthy muscle-brained gorilla doesn’t deserve such kindness from a goddess like you!”
Zoro would only snort smugly into his drink.
Gullible curly-brow.
Until one day, Usopp sat in your seat.
Your seat.
Zoro stared at him. Hard.
“…What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked hoarsely.
“Huh?” Usopp blinked, stuffing freshly grilled fish into his mouth.
“Y/N sits there,” the swordsman muttered, irritation already rising in his chest — though even he wasn’t entirely sure why.
Usopp looked equally confused.
“Since when does it matter where people sit?” Usopp scoffed. “There’s space next to Nami and Chopper.”
Then suddenly, realization dawned across his face. The sniper pointed dramatically.
“WAIT A SECOND—” he shouted, nearly choking. “YOU CAN’T STAND BEING AWAY FROM OUR DEAR STRATEGIST!”
The entire kitchen fell silent.
Robin quietly sipped her tea, visibly amused.
Chopper froze with his eyes and mouth wide open.
Nami looked horrified at the idea of you ending up with a man who couldn’t be forced into a shower at gunpoint and routinely marinated in training sweat for days.
Luffy burst into laughter.
And Sanji…
The blond cook looked personally offended by the very suggestion, a furious vein pulsing in his forehead.
“EXCUSE ME?!” he roared. He launched himself across the room until he was nose-to-nose with Zoro.
“As if our sweet darling Y/N-swan would ever settle for this overgrown, dumbass meathead of a moss-brained barbarian!”
Zoro’s face immediately turned red. Partly from anger and partly from something else.
“Watch your mouth, pretty boy,” Zoro growled immediately, shoving himself to his feet. “Or I’ll rearrange your damn face.”
His hand dropped toward his swords.
And right then, the kitchen door opened.
“Hey, guys. Sorry I took so long — I completely lost track of time.”
You smiled as you stepped inside and took the empty seat at the table.
Then you noticed the atmosphere.
“…What’s going on?” you asked, tilting your head slightly as your gaze moved across your crewmates.
“Nothin’,” Zoro barked immediately before sitting back down, eyes fixed very intensely on his food.
He looked irritated and his breathing seemed slightly uneven.
And… were his ears red?
You looked toward Nami, but she only shrugged innocently and winked.
“Nothing your lovely little head needs to worry about, Y/N-san,” Sanji said smoothly while placing your favorite meal in front of you alongside your drink.
Meanwhile, Usopp and Chopper suddenly found the table fascinating.
Robin hid another smile behind her teacup.
Only Luffy, despite witnessing the entire thing unfold, remained completely oblivious.
“SHISHISHI! Zoro just got worked up because Uso—”
Usopp slapped both hands over Luffy’s mouth.
“H-He’s angry because I used the last of his sake for my amazing newest invention!” the sniper laughed nervously. “A weapon that’ll blow away any enemy foolish enough to challenge Captain Usopp!”
The entire time, Zoro ignored everything and continued eating as if none of this concerned him.
“Oh,” you said thoughtfully. “I think I still have a bottle saved in my room. I can check later. Besides, we’re docking at a new town soon anyway — we can just buy double the amount this time. Sound good?”
You looked at him carefully, trying to lighten his mood.
“Hn. Whatever,” he muttered.
The rest of dinner passed in mild awkwardness until Luffy and Usopp inevitably caused enough chaos to distract everyone.
Later that night, you found the swordsman sitting in the crow’s nest, leaning against one of the wooden beams.
You sat down beside him and gently nudged his shoulder with yours.
He grunted softly in acknowledgment. A greeting, in Zoro language.
“Rough day?”
“Tch.”
“You’re grumpier than usual.”
“You’re imagining things,” he muttered.
For a moment, it sounded like he wanted to say something else.
You waited patiently.
“Just… I don’t like it when someone takes your place,” he finally grumbled, looking away.
Your heart skipped.
Zoro stared stubbornly at the horizon and cleared his throat roughly before continuing.
“We’re docking tomorrow.”
A pause.
“Come with me to pick out sake.”
His jaw tightened. Then, quieter:
“And… whatever other crap you like.”
He meant your clothes, perfumes, sweets, books, and all the little things that always seemed to catch your eye whenever you visited a town.
He glanced at you from the corner of his eye and swallowed.
“Deal,” you said with a smile. “It’s a date.”
The words made warmth flicker across his face almost instantly. For a second, neither or you moved,
Then you felt something warm brush against your little finger — subtle, tentative and almost hesitant.
Zoro’s hand had settled beside yours. And with the barest movement, his calloused finger hooked lightly against your own.
Neither of you pulled away.
And for the first time all day, the swordsman looked completely at ease.
Summary: Law isn’t good with words. But after finding himself thinking about the quiet ways his father used to show love to his mother, Law decides to try something different.
You sat at the table with Penguin and Shachi while Bepo lay sprawled comfortably across your lap, quietly enjoying the way your fingers scratched through his soft fur. Your fingers moved lazily through the white fluff, and the large polar bear instinctively shuffled closer, fully embracing his role as an oversized stuffed animal.
From across the room, Law watched you.
There was something soft in his gaze, something thoughtful. The corners of his lips threatened to curl into a smile.
The truth was, he had always had a weakness for cute things. And for quite some time now, he had considered you to be the cutest of them all.
You in your warm, soft pajamas. You peeking into his office late at night carrying a fresh cup of coffee and something to eat. Sometimes it was hot chocolate instead, accompanied by yet another attempt to convince your doctor, your captain, and your boyfriend to try the sugary disaster despite his constant insistence that he “wasn’t really into sweets.”
You, always willing to listen whenever he rambled about a new medical discovery, your eyes bright with interest and your smile completely genuine. Even when he talked about things the crew would relentlessly tease him for, like his comic books or his coin collection, you never looked bored. Not once.
He found your clumsiness endlessly endearing too. Somehow existing within the same person capable of deadly combat and flawless strategy. It reminded him painfully of someone from his past—someone just as warm and sincere.
Though you were considerably less accident-prone, he had to admit.
He still hadn’t found the strength to tell you about that person.
Truthfully, there were many things about his past he hadn’t managed to share yet. You had probably pieced fragments together already through conversations, things overheard from the crew, and your own intuition. Your relationship was still young enough that there were chapters of each other’s lives left unread, but old enough that neither of you needed every detail to understand the other.
He loved finding you curled up in the library with a book, or half-asleep in bed—sometimes your own, sometimes his—waiting for him to finally stop working and come lie down too.
He loved the spark that lit your eyes whenever the two of you visited museums in whatever city the crew temporarily docked at. The conversations about paintings, writers, history, myths. The way your excitement spilled into every topic you touched.
And he loved your affection for sweet things.
Especially, as you constantly reminded him, for him.
“The sweetest thing of all.”
Every single time, it earned an exasperated eye roll, ears tinged pink beneath the brim of his hat, and a desperate attempt to change the subject or stare intensely at the nearest wall.
Sweet. Sweet. Sweet.
Law wasn’t always fond of revisiting the past. It followed him regardless of where he went, a shadow he had never quite managed to outrun.
But that evening, his thoughts drifted to his family.
To his father.
He remembered the way his father would surprise his mother with bouquets of the freshest flowers he could find. There was always a small note tucked among the stems, usually containing only a few words, yet somehow capable of bringing an even brighter smile and a blush to her cheeks.
Sometimes his father would return home early from work, a near impossibility for a doctor as respected as he had been, simply because he wanted more time with his wife and children.
Law remembered him helping around the house without being asked. Cooking lunch. Washing windows. Dusting shelves. Even the smallest, most ordinary little acts had been woven together with care and affection.
The captain found himself yearning for that too.
Love didn’t always have to be spoken.
Perhaps that was why the memories lingered.
Because words had never been his strongest point.
He loved you.
God, he loved you.
There was never any doubt about that.
Yet sometimes it felt as though an unbearable invisible weight sat heavily across his shoulders, preventing him from taking that final step and showing you every ounce of tenderness he carried for you.
And there was so much tenderness. More than he knew how to express.
He only hoped you knew that already.
So he started small.
Just as you were about to leave your room and march down the corridor to his office and force your chronically sleep-deprived boyfriend into getting at least a tolerable amount of rest, the door slid open.
Law stood there holding two mugs of hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and two books tucked beneath one arm.
“I figured you could use about three hundred milliliters of concentrated sugar shock right now.”
His voice was as flat as ever, but the warmth in his eyes betrayed him. One corner of his mouth twitched upward as he stepped inside.
You blinked.
Before you could say anything, he crossed the room, placed one of your favorite books in your lap, and set the mugs on the nightstands on either side of the bed.
A moment later he slipped beneath the blankets beside you. Without a word, he nudged you gently against his shoulder and opened his own book.
You stared at him. Then at the hot chocolate. Then at him again.
“…Are you feeling alright?”
Law snorted.
“Unfortunately.”
You laughed, and the sound alone made the strange fluttering sensation in his chest feel worthwhile.
A few mornings later, you woke to something even stranger.
Instead of waking up alone in bed while Law disappeared into another round of research before sunrise, you woke up wrapped tightly in your lover’s arms, his hands resting securely around your waist.
For a long moment, you simply stared.
It wasn’t unusual to fall asleep together.
It was unusual to wake up together.
Usually, by the time dawn painted pale streaks across the submarine’s metal walls, he had already disappeared into his office to bury himself beneath stacks of notes and medical journals.
As though he sensed you stirring awake, he pulled you even closer, a sleepy sound escaping him.
Then he buried his face deeper into your hair.
“Keep sleeping.”
His voice was muffled against your head.
“We’re comfortable like this.”
You smiled despite yourself.
“Captain, are you cuddling me?”
“No.”
“You literally have me trapped.”
“It’s a strategic embrace.”
A laugh escaped you.
The vibration of it made him pull you even closer. He inhaled slowly, catching the familiar scent of coconut and mango from your shampoo.
Warm. Comforting. Home.
For once, neither of you moved.
On another morning, you walked into the kitchen expecting to begin preparing breakfast for the crew since it happened to be your turn.
Instead, you found Law already there.
The counters were occupied by ingredients, dirty bowls, and evidence of what could only be described as organized chaos. He was in the middle of arranging food onto plates.
When he noticed you standing in the doorway, he immediately became very interested in the knife he was holding.
“I couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d make things easier for you.”
His eyes flicked toward yours, nervous despite himself as he waited for your reaction.
Your entire face lit up and you immediately walked up to shower him with kisses..
Before he could retreat, you crossed the kitchen and threw your arms around his neck.
“Law!”
You kissed one cheek.
Then the other.
Then his jaw.
Then his forehead.
The poor man nearly short-circuited.
He blushing so hard it was almost concerning, grumbling under his breath and pretending to complain the entire time.
Heat rushed straight to his ears.
“H-Hey.”
Another kiss.
“Cut it out.”
Another kiss.
“I’m serious.”
Another.
You finally pulled away enough to see his face.
Bright red.
Absolutely mortified.
And cute. Very cute.
Law muttered something incoherent under his breath and turned back toward the food as if the frying pan had suddenly become the most fascinating object in the world.
You only laughed harder.
The gifts continued.
Whenever the Polar Tang docked somewhere for supplies and circumstances forced you to stay behind to guard the submarine, your Surgeon of Death always returned with something for you.
A rare edition of a book.
A dress he’d spotted in a shop window.
A local dessert from a bakery tucked away in some side street.
A trinket tied to the history of the island.
Something thoughtful, chosen specifically for you.
He never made a big deal out of it. Usually he’d leave the gift beside you with a muttered explanation before pretending it wasn’t important.
Once, he returned with a shirt he clearly intended for you to sleep in—a design modeled after the tattoos stretched across his chest.
He didn’t even stay long enough to watch you open it.
The second he dropped the bag onto the couch beside you—where you sat listening to yet another one of Penguin’s ridiculously long jokes—he turned on his heel and marched straight back to his office.
He did not wait to watch you open it.
His stomach was performing acrobatics the entire way there. His pulse wouldn’t settle and something beneath his ribs felt unbearably strange.
Fifteen minutes later, a knock sounded at his door.
Then it opened.
You stepped inside wearing only your robe and the shirt.
Law glanced up and promptly forgot how breathing worked.
The oversized black fabric disappeared beneath your bathrobe, but the familiar tattoo design stretched across your chest exactly as he’d imagined.
Heat rushed violently up Law’s neck, spreading over his ears and across his cheeks in seconds.
“H-Hey… what are you doing?” he asked, heart pounding so hard he was convinced it might burst straight through his ribs and sink the entire submarine.
You smiled at him from beneath your lashes.
“I wanted to show you how much I like my gift.”
You walked over slowly, placing both hands on his shoulders before covering his face in kisses—his jaw, cheek, forehead, eyes, eyebrows, nose, and finally his lips.
By that time whatever remained of his composure had surrendered completely.
He deepened the kiss immediately.
Strong arms wrapped around your waist before sliding lower, lifting you effortlessly into his lap and pulling you flush against him.
When the kiss finally broke, his forehead rested against yours.
“I like it too,” he whispered against your mouth, the corners of his lips curved slightly.
“Especially on you.”
The following week, the Polar Tang surfaced near a small coastal town.
For once, there were no emergencies and the crew scattered to enjoy the rare sunlight however they pleased. Some swam. Others wandered into town. Some napped on deck, read books, or simply enjoyed the fresh air before the submarine inevitably returned to the dark depths below. Some headed into town.
You and Bepo claimed a comfortable spot on deck and spent the morning enjoying the warmth.
Law had gone into town on urgent business—restocking ingredients for his medicines—but insisted he wouldn’t be long and that there was no need for you to come with him.
Bepo had strangely supported this argument with suspicious enthusiasm.
Still, you didn’t think much of it. Days like this were rare.
At some point, Bepo wandered off to grab cold lemonade while you stayed stretched out in your chair, eyes closed, listening to the waves and feeling the ocean breeze brush softly against your legs.
Everything felt peaceful.
Then suddenly, a tall shadow blocked the warmth of the sun.
You peeked over your sunglasses and found your beautiful, impossibly tall boyfriend standing over you, holding an enormous bouquet of peonies in soft pastel shades—soft pink, white, creamy, pale lilac. Petals layered like clouds.
Your breath caught.
“They’re beautiful,” you whispered, eyes shining as you buried your nose into the sweet floral scent. “How did you know these were my favorite?”
Law watched you quietly.
His expression softened.
He’d known because months ago you’d stopped in front of a flower stall and spent nearly ten minutes admiring peonies.
You hadn’t realized he’d noticed, but he did of course.
Law noticed everything about you.
“Lucky guess,” he replied quietly, watching you instead of the flowers.
You narrowed your eyes.
“Liar.”
He shrugged.
Your fingers brushed against a folded note tucked between the stems.
The moment you noticed it, Law swallowed hard.
Suddenly he felt far more nervous than he had facing emperors, marines, or sea monsters.
Slowly, you unfolded it and three words stared back at you.
I love you.
You looked up at him immediately, startled and flushed pink.
Then Law exhaled.
“I mean it,” he said before you could speak.
“Even if saying it out loud is hard for me sometimes. I love you. Breathing feels easier when you’re around. I sleep better beside you. You make every day better.”
He continued before courage could abandon him.
“Everything is better.”
The vulnerability in his expression nearly broke your heart. And he swallowed thickly.
“Sorry if I’m not always good at showing it.”
Tears gathered in your eyes before you could stop them and you laughed softly and shook your head.
“I love you too, idiot,” you whispered, hugging the bouquet tighter. “Very, very much.” A tear escaped despite your smile.
“And trust me—you show it plenty. I never want you to stop.”
Something warm settled inside his chest. The anxious knot he’d been carrying all morning finally unraveled.
“I don’t plan to.”
He carefully took the bouquet from your arms and placed it on the lounge chair beside you, You could put them in a vase later.
The sun is just starting to set when you step onto the deck.
The sky is painted in soft gold and fading orange, the ocean reflecting it in slow, shifting waves. The Polar Tang sits steady near the island, quiet for once.
You rest your hands lightly against the railing. Waiting.
He’s not late. If anything, he’d be early. So the fact that you’re the one here first… it makes your chest feel a little too tight.
Footsteps sound behind you, and you don’t turn right away.
“…You’re early.”
You smile slightly.
“…So are you.”
Then you glance over your shoulder.
And there he is, Trafalgar Law.
Something about him is different. Not obvious, but there. Less distant. Less guarded. Like he tried, without wanting it to look like he did.
He steps closer, stopping beside you. Close, but not touching. For a moment, neither of you says anything.
The village isn’t far. Small, quiet, tucked between the shoreline and a line of low hills.
You walk in comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other. Both of you trying not to smile too much.
The bookstore café is easy to miss.
A narrow storefront, warm light spilling through the windows, shelves packed tightly with books that look like they’ve been there for years.
You stop without thinking.
“…This is your ‘place’?”
“…Yes.”
You glance at him, a small smile forming.
“You took me to a bookstore.”
“…You read.”
“…I do.”
“…Then it’s appropriate.”
You shake your head, amused, and step inside.
“…I like it.”
A pause.
“…Good.”
The air inside is warm. Quiet. Soft conversation hums in the background, the faint clink of cups, the comforting smell of tea and paper.
You drift toward the shelves without thinking.
Law follows. Not hovering. Just… there.
“…You’re going straight for fiction,” he notes.
You glance back at him.
“…And you’re not?”
“…No.”
You raise an eyebrow. “Let me guess, medical texts? History?”
“…Occasionally.”
He pauses near a lower shelf. Reaches down and pulls something free.
“…This is… my guilty pleasure.”
You step closer, looking down at the cover.
“…Sora, Warrior of the Sea?”
You look up at him.
“…You’re serious.”
A pause.
“…Yes.”
You study him for half a second.
Then you smile. Not teasing. Just… interested.
“…Tell me about it.”
That catches him off guard.
“…What.”
“You said it’s your guilty pleasure. Everyone has one,” you say, tilting your head slightly. “So what’s it about?”
He doesn’t try to deflect for once. Doesn’t brush it off.
Instead.
“…It’s about a marine soldier who fights Germa 66. The structure is predictable. Clear conflict. Clear resolution.”
You lean slightly closer, glancing down at the page he’s opened.
“…That’s it?”
“…No.”
A pause. Then, quieter
“…He always does what he says he will.”
Something about the way he says it makes your chest soften.
“…You like that.”
“…Yes.”
You nod slightly.
“…I get that.”
He glances at you.
“…You do.”
“Yeah.”
You shift just a little closer, your shoulder nearly brushing his.
“…Read it to me.”
Another pause, but he does.
And you listen. Actually listen.
And somewhere between the lines, between the way he talks about it, you realize you’re not really focused on the story anymore.
You’re focused on him.
The way his voice lowers slightly when he explains something.
The way he gets just a little faster when he’s interested.
You smile faintly to yourself.
He’s… kind of adorable.
“…You’re smiling,” he says suddenly.
You blink, caught.
“…Am I?”
“…Yes.”
You glance back at the page, pretending to think.
“…I like it.”
“…The story?”
You look at him again.
“…Both.”
That stops him. Just for a second.
“…Both… noted.”
A little while later, you’re seated side-by-side. Tea between you. Books scattered across a table.
The quiet feels easy again.
“…Do you have a preference?” he asks.
“…For what?”
“…Fiction.”
You smile slightly.
“…I do.”
A small shift in his expression, almost teasing.
“…Well, tell me about it.”
You lean back just a little, thinking.
“…It’s an adventure romance,” you say. “The kind where they travel everywhere, get into situations they probably shouldn’t survive, and somehow still find time to fall in love along the way.”
He watches you.
“…That sounds inefficient.”
You laugh softly.
“It absolutely is.”
“…Then why do you like it?”
You shrug slightly.
“…Because it’s not predictable.”
“…And?”
“…Because they choose each other anyway.”
Your voice softens without you meaning it to.
“…Even when it’s messy. Or complicated. Or doesn’t make sense.”
You glance at him.
“…They don’t need guarantees.”
He goes quiet for a moment.
“…That’s risky.”
“…Yeah.”
“…And you prefer that.”
“…Sometimes.”
Another pause.
“…I can see the appeal.”
You smile.
“…Can you?”
“…Yes.”
The quiet returns. But this time it feels different. Closer. Like something shifted without either of you needing to say it out loud.
Law glances at you again, then at the books, and for once he doesn’t try to analyze it. Doesn’t try to break it down into variables or outcomes.
He just lets it exist.
Because somehow this moment, with you beside him, the quiet, the conversation, the way it all fits feels… right.
