*°•. you are home .•°*
one of these was posted by onepiece.com on twitter and the other was by ねんねこ
A/N: I tried my very best on this, it is not proof-read or pre-read so read at your own peril. I've worked on this for the past week and a half. It's not my best but I did try - I promise. Now, if you couldn't tell, I couldn't figure out how to end this so it's kinda cringe. I tried to make it GN as possible.
warnings: fluff!Shanks, mentions of death, grief, yearning
The sun was warm and harsh, high in the sky.
So much so that you pushed your hat that was already atop your head down further to block the rays that threatened to blind your vision.
The sand was soft, coarse and smooth between your naked toes. A cold beer sat in your right hand, droplets of condensation running down the bottle.
You sighed feeling relaxed for once. The last few weeks - more like months - you've spent running from port to port. After Ace and Whitebeard's deaths, you took time. Breaking away from the already dissolving crew to be alone. To grieve, to not be reminded of what you lost in Marineford. What Luffy lost. What your crew lost.
You were tired - physically and mentally - burnt out to the soul. Marco suggested you take your leave, have time to yourself. He had figured out early on in your crew that you were never one to express hard emotions like sadness and grief. You took Whitebeard's death hard like all his sons. But - Ace - you took Ace's death harder. Your best friend. Your platonic soul mate.
You weren't at the burial. You weren't ready to feel that grief fully.
After Marineford, time seemed to go by at such a fast pace. You spent those first months in the Kamabakka Kingdom with Iva and several others.
They had been training one of Luffy's crew mates. Iva taught you how to live with those dark feelings of grief and sadness. They imparted you with a lesson in how to live for those you lost and how to accept happiness as it comes. For that, you will always be thankful for them.
After time had gone by, you were departing the Kingdom to wherever the sea took you. You had plenty of time and money to spend.
Your small ship brought you to this sunny island, it was full of friendly and welcoming villagers which took you by surprise since the island was so close to The Red Line and The New World. Usually these islands are not that friendly to pirates.
Could you even consider yourself a pirate anymore?
You had left your crew - your family - to be on your own. Rejoining them or even another crew had never passed through your mind.
“Ahoy stranger!” A voice called out to you in the distance. Lifting your head slightly and opening your eyes, you spotted a crew walking down the beach towards you. “Ahoy!”
You knew that voice and hair anywhere.
“It seems like you’re following me, Shanks. Have you missed me since the last port?”
You’ve run into Shanks at the last four ports, quick and short interactions, flirty quips before you both were back into the sea.
“You got me, sweetheart. Miss me?”
Shanks, with a teasing smile on his face, swiftly snatched your beer from your hand and took a sip before leaning back against the empty chair that sat next to you, the scent of alcohol invaded your senses. Shaking you head at his antics, “You’re right, I totally missed you. I was wondering where my headache went.”
He chuckled, dramatically grabbing his chest, “You wound me.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine. I’m not gonna be the first or last person to reject you.”
Eyebrow raised, he leaned forward slightly and murmured, “Was that a rejection? Or a deflection?”
You felt your cheeks heat up at his attempt at getting you to admit that you wanted him, you were glad that half your face was currently hidden by your hat. You shook your head, “Is there a difference with you?”
Contrary to what you previously teased, Shanks was not a headache.
He was a person that always orbited around your circles. Even when you were with Whitebeard, you continuously ran into him and the Red Hair pirates. Most times, the interactions were short and teasing. However, the other times were filled with an intimate tension.
Several years ago, when you had originally met him, his beautiful red wind-swept hair and smell of rum and leather took you by storm. He had an intimidating but soft presence until he opened his mouth. This was supposed to be an Emperor, a fierce leader of the seas. You were surprised that he was so nonchalant and flirty.
You had been used to men flirting and teasing, mostly from Ace but the way he flirted - there was something deeper. Granted, you had your guard down; which unfortunately, made it easy for him to rile you up. Cheeks pink and burning with embarrassment as he murmured something inappropriate to you. Ace teased you for days afterwards.
Benn handed you a mug filled with booze, you quietly thanked him. Taking a drink, you let that familiar burn hit the back of your throat. Pushing your hat back to the top of your head before setting the mug on the ground next to you in the sand, Shanks reached out lightly, taking hold of your wrist. “You doing okay?”
“Careful.” You chuckled softly. “Sounds like you might care about me, Shanks.”
A teasing smirk appeared on his face, you sighed slowly and eventually responded after a few moments of silence, “I’m doing better than I was. Still hurts. Miss them both but I’ve learned how to live with it. I’m letting myself be free and happy.”
A small smile graced his features, his eyes showed a familiarity of loss. Letting go of your wrist, he grabbed his mug and took a few gulps.
A comfortable silence fell over both of you with the only sounds being his crew mates laughing and talking loudly. His eyes fell over your features. The sun kissed your skin, illuminating your features. He took in every detail of your face, the slope of your nose, the crinkle of your eyes when you smile. He felt a deep sense of longing to be in your space. Closer than you both were, though he said nothing.
Catching his gaze, the corner of your mouth quirked up as you leaned your head forward to hide the obvious blush that graced your cheeks, “You’re staring.”
A smirk graced his face once again, letting his hand support his chin as he tilted his gaze forward, “I’m just watching the most beautiful view in The Grand Line.”
“You’re impossible.”
There’s always been an underlying tugging feeling towards Shanks when you’ve been in his presence. He’s like his own planet and you’re pulled in by the gravity. Even in a port full of pirates you’re familiar with, you always end up in proximity to him. Shooting off flirty banter back and forth. Much like your relationship with Ace.
You had convinced yourself that was why it was so easy to be around him.
It was definitely not the warm, tingling feelings in your chest or the electricity you felt when he would lightly touch your wrist or arm. The way your heart beat faster when his face was so close that you could lean forward and be enveloped by him.
“Now you’re staring.”
Blinking, you looked forward towards the sea, ignoring the smug look on his face. “You’re distracting me.”
“Is that right?” Chuckling with that smug smirk on his face, he followed your line of sight and stared out at the sea; taking it all in.
Shanks wouldn’t be the first to admit that you were beautiful. Not the traditional way in terms of looks. But the way your laugh sounded sweet like honey. The way your eyes crinkle when you smile like today is the best day of your life. Your eyes shine so brightly when you look out at the sea, he could relate to that feeling like you’re not truly at home unless you’re out there, floating on a ship surrounded by a crew - a family - that you chose.
He was enamored by the dedication, loyalty and love that you had previously and still show for your crew. But most of all, the mental fortitude you showed since losing your father and friend was astounding. Any normal person would be grief struck for months, unable to move forward. But you? You were headstrong, smiling and laughing with his crew. Like you belonged there perfectly.
He’d be lying if he hadn’t thought of poaching you from Whitebeard when you first initially met.
The way you fought so passionately for the ones you loved, it was truly endearing.
Hand under his chin, he smiled at you standing with his crew and animatedly telling Lucky and Yassop about when you pranked your crew some years back. Lucky challenged you to a drinking contest, you let out a giggle, “Why not?”
You had won, quite triumphantly. You laughed as Lucky conceded in your drinking battle, Shanks’ crew cheered you on as you made your way back towards your chair. Shanks was currently sitting in the sand, when you walked by, he grabbed your wrist lightly and pulled you down next to him.
“Enjoy yourself, sweetheart?”
You weren’t drunk, by any means but you were, however, lightly tipsy. Used to drinking heavily due to having drink challenges with Ace back on the Moby Dick. You gave him a warm smile before making a ‘hmm’ sound. “Did you? You were watching me pretty hard there, Captain Shanks.”
“Nonsense, I was watching the competition.” His cheeks were warm and pink, he moved his hands about in a way as to wave away that you had caught him. You giggled with a smile on your face, “Sure sure.”
You hadn’t realized how close in proximity you both were, the heat radiating off his body was like a warm fire. Your cheeks tinted pink as he reached forward and brushed your hair out of your face.
“..I hate that you're so charming..” You murmured looking away, he let out a deep chuckle and lightly grabbed your chin turning you to face him. “And why's that?”
“Because..you make it hard not to want you.”
“And what's so wrong with that?” He whispered right back before leaning forward and kissing part of your cheek. Letting out a soft gasp, you froze like a statue.
Sure you've been with other people, but Shanks.. was different. You've wanted him since the moment you saw him. His deep crimson hair, the way he smelled like the salt of the sea and rum all mixed together. He looked younger then, but still handsome as ever. You could tell his soul was true and pure. And then - he opened his mouth and spouted off that inappropriate comment which made your face and ears turn pink. He had Ace and Whitebeard laughing at your reaction.
“I bet you say that to all those girls.” You whispered, his eyes met yours and his gaze hardened. He let out a chuckle, running his hand through his hair. “Love, of all the women I’ve met all over the Grand Line, you’re the only one I want. I thought that was obvious.”
A blush formed darker on your cheeks and a look of surprise accompanied that. You couldn’t believe your ears. Red Haired Shanks, the biggest flirt in all the Grand Line - wants you.
“I..- what is this?” It was like something stole your voice, you both held you gaze and he raised an eyebrow expectantly. Placing your hand on his scruffy cheek, you brought his head closer to yours and placed a light kiss onto his left cheek, his right cheek and then his forehead.
He placed his forehead against yours and breathed deeply, “Tell me, tell me you don’t feel the same way.”
“I-I can’t.” You whispered shakily as he gripped your right hip, making soothing circles on your exposed skin. He let out a small chuckle before whispering back, “Are you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me why.”
You readjusted yourself, placing your forehead onto his shoulder and looking down as you played with the hem of his signature white shirt. You had spent so long secretly yearning for Shanks that you deflected every intimate moment with a flirty comment. But you were nervous - to talk about your feelings, to be so open and vulnerable, to feel loved in the way that you had been with Ace.
“I don’t want to lose anymore people. I don’t know if my heart could take the loss of another person that I love in my life. Once this door is open, it won’t close.”
You whispered carefully to Shanks as he placed his hand on the back of your head, stroking it. He freezes, processing what you just said before kissing the crown of your head once, then twice. “Someone else you love, huh?”
“Shut up.”
You both stayed like that for a few minutes, he kissed the crown of your head again and whispered, “If I could, I would give you the world and all its riches. But I’m starting with my heart, love.”
“Shanks..”
“You saying my name, it sounds like home, sweetheart.”
Lifting your head to meet his yearning eyes, his hand cupped your cheek before pulling you to him. It was like slow motion, his lips met yours, they were soft, he tasted like rum. Your hands made their way to the back of his neck at the nape of hair. Tears gathered in the corners of your eyes, they started flowing as he deepened the kiss. Your breath hitching in your throat and pulled back, breathless and gazing up at him.
“Took you long enough.” You remarked as he lightly wiped your tears away, he smirked and kissed both your cheeks. His crew loudly cheered with a few shouts of ‘Finally!’ and ‘About time Captain!’.
Looking down with a deep blush, you tried to hide your embarrassment. In the heat of the moment, you had forgotten that you were surrounded by his crew. He let out a loud laugh, waving off his crew before putting his hand under your chin and lifting your face to meet his again.
“You’re everything I wanted.”
“Careful, Captain Shanks, sounds like you’re getting soft..”
“You like it.”
“I do.” You admitted with a playful smile on your face, he kissed your cheek and readjusted you so you were leaning into him. The sun was starting to set, the glow of the sun illuminated his features and it made him look so.. beautiful.
The next day was a slow start. You rolled over, cuddling more into the warmth in your side. Sleepy and hungover, you opened your eyes and saw Shanks staring down at you. Taking in your features, you blushed and murmured. “You’re staring again.”
“Just looking at one of the most beautiful views in the Grand Line.”
Sitting up slowly, you let out a chuckle and lightly shoved him before standing up and brushing the sand off of your clothes. “If I didn’t know, I’d say you love me, Red Hair Shanks.”
“And what if I did?”
“I love you too.”
He stood up, taking a drink of booze out of his mug that he left out the night before. You grimaced before he lightly grabbed your wrist, lifting it and leaving a kiss. His crew was in the background, slowly getting up, packing their things.
“Are you off to the next port?”
“Yeah, this was just a stop.” He responded before shouting to the men to start taking things back to the ship. There were a few ‘yes Captain’s in there and grumbles. Your fingers brushed his slowly and looked up at him with a questioning face. “So what now?”
Shanks grabbed your hand more tightly, a playful look danced onto his face before leaning down and picking you up with his arm. “I think, my love, you are coming with me.”
“Wait, wait- Shanks, what?”
“Sweetheart, you are stuck with me now. I’ll have the boys grab your things from your boat, I think I want a little more time with you before I share you officially with my crew.”
He made his way through the sand to his ship, he boarded and took you to his cabin. He lightly dropped you onto his bed before climbing in and holding you against him. “You didn’t even ask me.”
“You were going to say yes, you miss being on a crew. It’s in your blood, love.”
“I hate that you almost know me better than myself.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You’re right.” He gave you a quick kiss before his forehead met yours and closed his eyes letting out a sigh. He looked peaceful, comfortable - home.
