☆ "I Love You... Not Like That" — (OPLA) Strawhats x Reader ☆
Genre: Platonic, Fluff || They/them pronouns for reader || No warnings needed
A/N: Reader says 'I love you' in a purely platonic way to their new crew members, who don't know where this "confession" suddenly came from. Hilarity ensues
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Luffy
ᯓᡣ𐭩 The only one that doesn't second-guess it. He loves being Captain, he loves his crew, which includes you in it. He's done way worse on much less logic. Doesn't even cross his mind that it could potentially be read a certain way. Genuinely just takes it as appreciation
ᯓᡣ𐭩 "Oh! Love you too!"
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Now he's saying it all the time. Before heading somewhere, when saying goodbye, basically unless something serious is happening he'll say it almost whenever. He wants his crew to know he cares for them! Pair that with a pretty bad understanding of dating norms in general and you get a very platonically affectionate Captain
ᯓᡣ𐭩 The main reason why it eventually just becomes habit around the crew. He's so full of hope and dedication to his friends, why not let them know it? He almost gets offended if someone forgets to say it to him at least once a day. You've accidentally created a monster
Zoro
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Completely flies over his head that you're talking to him. Doesn't stop moving, doesn't turn his head, not even an acknowledging hum. It's only when he realizes you're staring that he gets confused, and then it slowly clicks
ᯓᡣ𐭩 "No, you don't"
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Confused, but very blunt about it. There's no way you do. You don't know each other that well, and he's had too many people try to cozy up to him just cause of how strong he is. Never worked for them, definitely not for you. You end up explaining to him that you didn't mean it how he's thinking, clearing up the misunderstanding
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Even under this new meaning, Zoro isn't sure if he believes it. But he's not uncomfortable with it, so he gives you the okay. He doesn't return it, mostly out of embarrassment. It feels too heavy to throw around as casually as you do. He warms up to accepting it, though, and if you don't say it to him as often as usual he will think something's wrong
Nami
ᯓᡣ𐭩 She just stares at you. Tries to figure out if you're being serious or not. When your expression doesn't change, she almost thinks you're messing with her on purpose just to be a jerk. But you seem dead serious about it
ᯓᡣ𐭩 "...What?"
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Fully confused, doesn't hide how she's kinda weirded out by it. After Arlong, you definitely know one another better, but she wouldn't jump that far. Immediately starts asking you why you think you do, which is when you realize that she took it a different way
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Once you define the difference, she's still a bit wary, but not entirely put off by it. She gets used to hearing you say it, and over time maybe she could even learn to internalize it. You even sometimes get a "you too" if she's in a good mood
Sanji
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Like many things with him, it depends on your gender. If you're a girl (or fem presenting)? He's grinning, leaning closer, turning on the superficial charm. If you're a guy (or masc presenting)? He's very confused. Stares at you out the corner of his eye with a furrowed brow. Very not used to men around him being so open with affection, or getting this from men in general
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Either way you have to catch his attention and explain what you really meant. Love isn't just dating and whatnot, it's a deep care for someone. And even if you're still a bit new to each other, you love what you've seen of him. Not because of a crush or anything, but because you admire him as he is
ᯓᡣ𐭩 A bit reassured (or a little disappointed, depending), Sanji can't help but feel your words are hollow. Even if he was initially excited at the idea, he knew it was basically impossible for you to mean it on any deep level. You barely knew him beyond what he could cook for you. It's your consistent love over time that convinces him. When it doesn't waver no matter what happens between you
ᯓᡣ𐭩 If you're fem, he returns every 'I love you' with charming enthusiam. And if not, he'll give a small smile and acknowledging head nod. No matter what, the two of you eventually get to a point where you're the only one that can get a "love you" out of him even on a bad day
Usopp
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Doesn't think you're talking to him. Literally looks around all confused, wondering if someone walked in while he wasn't looking. He's about to ask about it when he turns back and sees your eyes directly on him
ᯓᡣ𐭩 "Oh wait- ME??"
ᯓᡣ𐭩 He's flattered, honestly, but he also awkwardly mentions Kaya to you. Y'know, if you were there then you'd remember why he isn't exactly... y'know? He's stumbling over himself but he's very sweet about it, trying so hard not to hurt your feelings while you just laugh a little
ᯓᡣ𐭩 Once you tell him the difference between loving and being in love with someone, he gets it. Kinda. He doesn't say it as often as Luffy, but will never leave you hanging if you say it to him first. Expects a full "I love you" every time though, anything less and he starts thinking he did something wrong somehow
I don't think enough people are talking about just how funny Luffy's reaction to Kaya and Usopp really is, because them kissing is Not what bamboozled him so much, it was what Kaya said right before she kissed Usopp that confused him.
Usopp and Luffy's dynamic is literally so funny, it's literally just Tells to many Lies and Tells to much of the Truth
They're my favorite... it's just, two dumbass best friends>>>
