Self insert, perhaps ooc, a lot of headcanon. Self insert (again). Wrote it since i fell in love with him and now live together with him in tomodachi live. Basically a me x barba (yes, the name is kea/kayla)
Wrote it throughout the day and in the middle of surviving flu medication. Kinda vent fic
I do not proofread, fuck it i ball. 1.3 k words
Tw : suicide jokes, plot that written by a a person who's high from flu pill
A family reunion never ended well, i know that. But this one, god, i already planned an additional therapy session for this week. It's another lecture about religion, about how is should've present myself better in front of people (more modest clothes, kea, don't stain your father name.) Like his name is oh so clean.
Just end me already.
I know a part of me enjoy living. I have great friends, i have barba, and i have a job that in a field that i love, art. But that part of me get roundhouse kicked everytime i visit my relatives. Even with my two brothers holding my hand under the table, i really wish i have nine lives just so i can end myself in front of them just to traumatized them and then back to drawing cartoon in my pink apartment. After i close my brothers eyes, of course.
Barba opens the car door for me, didn't say a word to me after seeing my expression, just saying hi to my brothers and their plus ones, also nod to my other relatives. He just drives off in our mazda, which is quite silent since it's hybrid, making the rides more awkward than its supposed to be.
"Did they...."
"Uh-uh." I cut him off quickly.
"Do you want to stop somewhere first? I have time off for the rest of the week."
"No thanks."
"Cariño."
"I'm sorry, didn't meant to be rude to you." His hand rubs my thigh, trying to calm me down.
The drive feels so long, too long until we reaches our apartment. The parking basement was empty, it was holiday season. I can hear barba's dress shoes sound echoes. I can the faint sound of my heels, too, which i regret to wear. Just adding another feature that my family will and did commented at the gathering. I unclasp my heels right in front of the elevator, making rafael looking at me....quietly. i can't see his face, i don't want to see his face. I don't want to see anything right now. I really want to peel my contacts out and throw it on the floor, but it cost me 30 dollars per pair so god no.
As i enter the unit, i finally take a deep breath, convincing myself that whatever happened back there is just a hallucination due to the diet rice they served. I swing my feet, freeing them from that ugly heels i only wore to impress people i don't really like. It wasn't even bright colored. It's navy, for god's sake.
"Do you want some tea? We also have condensed milk." His hands massaging my aching foot as i sat in our sofa.
"Sweetened?"
"Of course. As unhealty as it is," he rolled his eyes. "You deserve it for today."
"I always deserve sweet things."
"You do, but you also deserve healthy things."
"No comment for today tho."
"I won't." He stand up, making me whine as he let go of my foot, but he quickly shush me with a peck to my cheek. He boils the water, preparing a mug of sweetened condensed milk and a tea bag. A mini drink recipe that i always drink when in a bad mood. Childhood habit. His hand rest on the minibar, sleeves rolled up and that stupid suspender. His tie look out of place, bright colored, and i knew it matched with his socks. Odd old man, i muttered. He heard it and smirks. "What old man?"
"Odd! Old man."
"Are you calling your lover 'old man'?"
"Well, am i wrong?"
"Well, no. But why am i odd?" I point to his tie as he stir the tea mug.
"Funky tie with matching socks. Do people in the court ever realize how funny your fit is?"
"They don't when they hear my spectacular motion and arguments." He over articulate
"Okay shark, keep it down." He ruffle my hair, then comb the front part back with his hand.
"Your drink, m'lady." He hands the mug to me. His free hands quickly back to business : massaging my leg. I sigh as i take my first sip. It's not a fancy drink, it's a cheap, childish one. But the sweetness of it more than enough to take my mind off things.
"Enjoying the tea?"
"Very. Thank you rafa."
"Do you need a hug now?" He open his arms, making me laugh. He wasn't a hug guy before. Although he only admit he wasn't when i asked him about it after our first family trips.
"Don't sacrifice yourself."
"Hey, i learned to be a hug guy, like you said."
"Thanks mr hug guy barba, but right now i prefer someone headlocking me until i'm unconscious and then i woke up remembering nothing about today."
"I can help with the first part." He lean closer, i smack his arm playfully.
"Back off!"
"I just want to help."
"Do the svu unit knew you're a weirdo?"
"They tolerate it since i put a lot of those assholes behind bars for life."
"They deserve it. God, i can't imagine working for svu. Meeting those demon that exploit and assault people sexually for feeding their ego will make me quit my job after one case." I exhale roughly. "I can't believe Olivia works for the svu for more than a decade."
"She is amazing."
"She is, she is."
Silence fall upon us again. Rafael hands still holding my legs, giving it a few rubs, made me feel ticklish. I can see his facial hair sticking out. How mad will he be if i wax him at midnight. Call me the midnight waxer.
I can feel the calluses on his hand, as he holds my hand and pull me closer. A "hug" doesn't feel right, it's a shawarma wrap—i was thinking about egyptian shawarmas. I was hungry—, he traps me with his arms and the thin blanket that we put on the sofa.
"You feels hot." He suddenly palming my whole face
"I know."
"No, no, mi amor, your body temperature are rising."
"Yes, i told you i know!"
"Why you didn't tell me?"
"I thought it was the global warming."
"Kayla."
"I thought it'll be better when we get home. My body's always getting hot when i'm mad or nerveous."
"Still," he stands up again. "I'll give you paracetamol."
"Bleh."
"Swallow one and then you'll sleep." He hands me the pill and a glass of water.
"Okay house." I muttered.
"House will never give you a paracetamol. He will do experimental sinking therapy to you just to find out how fast your body temperature can raise in stressful condition."
"Aww, you actually watched it!"
"The premise of the show was interesting, and i can see where....your interest in me comes from."
"You think you're as hot as house?"
"I think i'm more stable and responsible than him."
"That i agree."
Stupid conversation like this made me forgot why was i even mad in the first place—i'm not, i was just distracted and regulated. I will get my revenge. But for now, i really enjoyed this domestic settings. And god, do i enjoy that tight shirt on rafael. If he wasn't so worried about my health condition right now, he'll realize in less than five minutes that i've been eyeing him.
I can't remember much after that. The pill made me feel sleepy. Plus i already spent all my social battery for a whole week in one day. I don't remember how i changed into a pac man shirt, but i do know the culprit.
I also now know the culprit that steal my concert merch t shirt. He's now still sleeping in front of me, without showing any guilt, wearing my fujii kaze tour t shirt that i only wear to elevate the aura of my outfits. The trial will start after he make me breakfast.
Self insert, perhaps ooc, a lot of headcanon. Self insert (again). Wrote it since i fell in love with him and now live together with him in tomodachi live. Basically a me x barba
I do not proofread, fuck it i ball. 1.1k words
Cw/tw : stalking and pedo mentioned (based on irl)
I wouldn't say that barba was cold to me, but god, he can be distant when a case came his way. I tiptoe around his home-office, even with my socks and his carpet, he can hear me coming sometimes. I sneak behind him, who's standing against a bookshelf, document on his hand.
"I can smell you." He broke the silence.
"Not creepy at all." I commented as i hand him his coffee, "less sugar, less ice."
"Still latte."
"Plain coffee is boring."
"It's called americano."
"Even the name's taking after one boring country."
He raised his eyebrow as he takes the cup from my hand, took a few sips, sit down at his comfy work chair. I sit across him, putting my hands under my thighs, waiting for him to close the documents.
"Cariño," he look up, "you know i need to finish this case this week."
"I know."
"So, will you leave me for tonight and go to bed?"
"So, will you promise to spend time with me after the trial?"
"I will, i promise."
———
"Liar" I say as i sat beside him on a pub, pinching his arm, making him flinch as he open his eyes. He never been this drunk, making me question what happened with the trial. "Who drives you here?"
"The city bus."
"Great, so now, i will drive you home." He look at the car keys i jingled in front of him. "The bug is sitting outside." He sighs loudly, rubbing his calloused hand on his face. I laughed, i know he doesn't really hate the pink vw beetle, but i always make fun of an image of him, the courtroom shark, sitting all cute and obedient in a pink mini car.
I paid the tabs, pulling his hand out of the pub, making him sit beside the wheels as i start the car. I took my time on the road, enjoying the rides as he pinches his nose bridge while i put songs on the radio. But i can hear him humming to half of my playlist.
As we reached our apartment, it was pretty quick. He regained his control again, walk himself to our unit, cleaned after himself, and lie in bed in less than fifteen minutes. I put my jacket on the chair and sit on the edge of the bed. He pull my hand and use it to cover his eyes, sighing in relief.
"Something happened?"
"Stupid jury."
"You always said that." I rolled my eyes, not pulling my hands yet.
"And they're always stupid." He spat. I understand that. My case with the stalker also ended in the blue, even with picture and voice recording proof.
I tried to stand up, to changed into a pajama but he hold me back, i can feel his eyes getting warmer and a little bit damp. "Does this case feels too....personal?"
"All of my case with svu feels personal. Plus, i'm really, really tired."
"I need to change."
"You already look pretty."
"I always am." I snickered. "I need to change into pajamas, or at least, a tshirt and a shorts. I can't sleep in my jeans!"
"Who said you can't?"
"You!" I remind him of his talks about outside clothes and inside clothes. He gave up, i can see his red eyes as i pull my hands, he quickly close his eyes again, tucked himself in.
It took me twenty minutes to change. I also brush my teeth, but the rewatching-derry-girls-in-my-phone-as-i-change-my-clothes is the one taking fifteen minutes alone. He's still awake when i entered the room, hands folded like a fancy mummy. I was still chewing my chips, so i just sit in a chair near the bed.
"You told me you were brushing your teeth." He commented, staring at my chips.
"I can always brush it again." I say in the middle of crushing the chips with my mouth. "I need my mouth clean before i can enjoy an original chitato."
"Weird." I gasp dramatically.
"You always match your tie to your socks, you need to eat all your chips before a burger, and, you always put your suspender in a locked box after hours. And you call me weird?!"
"Okay stalker."
"Oh don't be sassy with me now mister beard, i know you keep track of my daily schedule on your phone."
"Which appears useless since you go on your days eyes closed, head first, can't lose."
"Okay peralba." He scoff as he try to reach my arm.
"Let me finish my chips! I'll brush my teeth and i'll join you later."
He waits. While sighing for the longest time and picking shows on the tv. I keep saying to pick derry girls, but out of pettiness, he choose anything but it. I swallow the rest of the chips, brush my teeth (thoroughly, i didn't survive cavities all my childhood for nothing) as quickly as possible, and jump onto the bed. He pull me into his arm, a gesture many will see as romantic. I snatch the remote from him and click on my show. He just held me, watching three girls and one englishman bickering with each other on the screen, while the whole room smells like hair tonic and cherry lipbalm.
"After each trial," he take a deep breath. "I feel like my.... what did you call it? Inner battery? Inner energy? Get sucked out of me. Especially with svu cases." His eyes wander. "Each defendant that is proven to be guilty of taking someone autonomy, can still look me in the eyes with no regret behind it. I pray to god that there won't be more of them on the courtroom, yet every week i stand there, defending their victims." I look up to him.
"You did your best."
"Yet it wasn't enough. You know it. I didn't even prove, a whole stalker with multiple proof and non existent alibi, that he's guilty."
"Hey." I hold his face in my hand. "It was not your fault. Plus, he already get his karma." A car crash.
"It's not enough." He put my hands back to my chest.
"Maybe it isn't, but you helped them to atleast get some justice, some closure. You and all the svu unit."
He closes his eyes, trying to get some rest. I turn off the lamp, trying to turn off the tv but he hold the remote, "I know you can't sleep in silence."
"But you're here. I just can't sleep when i'm fully alone."
"Quit lying, i know you still put netflix on your phone when we're sleeping."
"Okay okay, i'll just lower the volume." He smiled, lower the volume for me, and put the remote behind his back.
Hi! was hoping for a request (this might get really specific) reader as a strawhat member who grew up with luffy (by extension also ace and sabo) back in foosha village, but actually used to be a slave for the celestial dragons before she arrived there, maybe never told luffy because in her mind, luffy was the epitome of freedom and she was ashamed of her past. The scenario I had in mind for the reveal was maybe in the middle of battle, her clothes gets torn and her mark is seen, maybe some strawhats have an idea of that mark is (maybe jinbei, robin and alike) while others don't (ussop? maybe?), while making the enemies ridicule her and how the strawhats react, but you can choose another scene that you think are more fitting! i just wanted to see how you'd write luffy because i love your writing style! the way you write flows perfectly and it's never out of character, you're my current fav writer on tumblr! so thank you!
a/n: Aww, that's so sweet of you! I appreciate that so much! Specific asks are wonderful, it makes it easier to write something as close as possible to what you want. Thank you for the request <3 I put the majority of this between Fishman Island and Punk Hazard, but there aren't major spoilers. Sorry this took a while!
As well, there's description of the reader's history with slavery and the trauma that came from that. I left it vague for the most part, though.
For so much of your life, Luffy's been a constant. Even when you ran around Gray Terminal with Sabo and Ace, terrorizing all the people you could find for all the money you could grab, Luffy wasn't far behind for most of it. It took the Bluejam Pirates torturing Luffy for hours before his loyalty dawned on the three of you.
It then took Bluejam setting fire to Gray Terminal for you to truly consider Luffy special.
When Sabo took to the sea, swallowed by flame, you held Luffy tight as he wailed. When Ace left for the sea, aided by nothing but a burlap sack on his shoulder and the wind in his sails, Luffy had promised he would follow. When Luffy left for the sea, you were there, standing by his side. His very own first mate, meant to weather the Grand Line by his side.
You hoped with all your heart it'd stay that way. You hoped that it was all he'd know about you—you, his first mate, with nothing else of her past beyond the Grey Terminal's walls and Foosha Village's people.
Of course, nothing you want ever comes so simply.
You can still remember the shrieks of laughter that burst from Luffy as you both clambered into barrels—it made sense that he would wind up into trouble on the sea, but the first day takes the cake!
Your life has been non-stop ever since. From the very moment you both step foot on Shells Town with Koby in tow, the crew grew and grew to numbers that made your pride in Luffy bloom.
Zoro was tough with a sword and reliable when you need him, but his difficulty with directions always made your head spin. Nami was quick with her hands and quicker with her mind, just like how she could never stand to let a Berri slip by. Usopp was sharp as a tack with his constant innovations and steady sharpshooting, even when he ran at ten knots an hour away from danger. Sanji was nothing short of a first-rate chef and one of the strongest men you knew, despite how often he lost himself in the wild pursuit of women.
Then there came the Grand Line. It brought Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbei; thinking about the people Luffy drew to himself never failed to bring a smile to your lips. It's not like you could ever speak against them for their affection towards the captain—it's what brought you away from the safety of Foosha Village as well, skirting past the World Government you hated and feared for all your life.
It's like second nature, how much you love Luffy. Every single one of you would give anything for your captain.
"Anything" changes for you sometimes, though. Late into the night, long after the moon took its place in the sky, you wrestled with the dark. Could you keep this secret from your captain? From Luffy, the person you've known all your life?
(No, you'd remind yourself, not all your life.)
You think of the little boy you grew up alongside with, with a smile so bright you had to shield your eyes. The wind whipping his hair and threatening to carry away his straw hat as he lights up with laughter. You think of how your captain looks at you with the stars in his eyes, declaring that he will be the next King of the Pirates, and you believe him with all your heart.
Even after Ace died, his flames swallowed up in magma, you were there two years later. Luffy had gone through hell and back with you—couldn't that be enough?
It was thoughts like those that kept your secrets to yourself.
It was some foolish, childish part of you that thought you could have kept it up forever.
~
The day was as usual. It was nice, even. You had just finished helping Sanji with the groceries—to his chagrin, of course.
As much as he adores your company, he detests making such a sweet lady do manual labor for him, and he lets you know. Often. It was charming for the first while, but by the time you help Sanji put away the groceries, you're just glad it's over with.
The snack he rewards you after with, though, makes you sure that you'll help him next time. After he waves you off to begin lunch prep, you're quick to escape back to the docks.
You have some time to kill, you think. It's the last stretch until the log pose is finished setting and you've sort of lost track of the group... Thinking back, Zoro and Usopp got tied together, so you don't have to worry about searching for the poor swordsman. Nami stole Chopper to carry the clothes she was planning to get with Robin, while Brook and Franky were the ones assigned to watch the ship. That just leaves you with... Oh, seas.
There's a burst of screams that tear through the town's square, punctuated by a shriek of excited, almost maniacal laughter.
You're missing Luffy.
You're off like a shot towards the commotion before you can even think, weaving and pushing your way past the people. The crowd thickens as civilians shove past you. It's like swimming up river, but with every step you take, that familiar laughter gets closer.
When you finally burst from the mob, your feet catch on an unconscious marine. You stumble forward.
It's like breaking through a shield into a bubble—a ring of civilians gather to enclose Luffy as he's circled by marines, too duty-bound to flee but too cautious to fight.
Your captain hasn't put nearly as much thought into his approach. He barrels fists-first into the nearest hoard; the soldiers go flying like playing cards against a cannon. Sure it's charming, but he was supposed to be on board the Sunny, like, a hour ago.
So, Luffy deciding to gather the marines?
It sure isn't ideal.
Gathering your courage and tossing aside your exhaustion, you steel your nerves to storm the castle and extract your captain. And speak of the devil; Luffy whips his head around to stare at you.
"Oh! Hey!!" Luffy yells, with just a bit of manic glee. Great. You step forward—
—And a marine steps in your way. Really great.
As you fall into your fighting stance, you watch your captain dart from view. Well, whatever. You'll find him after you kick this guy's ass.
The marine wielded an odd weapon, like brass knuckles with claws soldered onto the palm. He hadn't bothered to clean the last victim's blood from it, and if the rust near the joints were to tell you anything, it was clear that he neglected to clean the blood of anyone from the weapon.
It feels like a warning.
It feels like a trophy.
Your captain rockets past him without a second thought (it's unlikely there was ever a first thought) to explode into another group of soldiers. It's like dynamite dropped in a haystack, the way navy officers go flying here and there.
The marine's eyes fall on you.
You can barely remember the fight afterwards, shamefully. You remember how it starts though.
He lunges at you with the speed of an animal, his clawed hands outstretched to sink into your flesh.
You dodge, he pivots, you aim to strike before he finds his footing—every move you make is to drive you closer to Luffy so you can cut and run.
Your mindlessness makes you sloppy. You don't even notice the way you're babying your secret, cradling it away from the fight. Of course that fucking marine notices.
Seas, you don't even know this marine's name, and yet he could still read you like a fucking book.
It's your last mistake.
When he slips to the side, too close for comfort, you jump back. His hand raises to tear out your eyes.
You raise your arms to guard, falling for the feint—the marine weaves past you, bearing his claws, and digs into your flesh.
It's over before you can even feel the pain.
You barely hold back a yell as you leap back, clutching your body. Warm blood trickles down the strike until it stained your clothes, sending panic shooting up your spine.
Like a curse from whatever gods left, that damn marine had struck you where you were weakest. There wasn't any time—by the time you whip around to clutch the wound, to hide your shame, it was too late.
"That pirate! She's... branded!"
A chorus of gasps tear through the crowd like a terrible symphony. You cling to the ribbons of your ruined attire like it could still save you.
Shadows claw at your vision as you struggle to breathe. Warm blood trickles down your limbs and your mark aches with a fresh, searing pain—it's grown with you, stretching over your skin in a reminder you can only try to forget.
You hear Robin gasp like she was struck herself. Oh seas, when did she arrive? You want to tuck yourself into a ball and hide from the prying eyes boring into your skin. You're sure she understands, if only because she shares your terror of who gave you this cross to bear, but it scares you. Somewhere, Usopp murmurs to her, "what is that?"
They know. They know.
The marine barks out in a fit of laughter, teeth bared and fingers curled around his claws. "What the hell is Straw Hat doing with government property?"
You think of Foosha Village, dodging your family and bathing in the river at night. You think of the clothes you had to give Makino back, too ridden by fear to wear them.
You think of your crew, sleeping soundly while you were working up the nerve to change your clothes in the dark. You think of Nami, with her skin graft and her new tattoo and the jealousy so strong you choke on it every time you see it. You think of how no one knows what was before that pinwheel tattoo except for the people she wants to know.
You think of your captain. You think of Luffy.
Oh seas, Luffy.
Tears cloud your eyes as you struggle to breathe. When you turn to your captain, you can barely see him—your vision swims, revealing splotches of color you'd recognize anywhere.
His haki rolls off in waves, so suffocating you can taste his rage on the back of your tongue. You see soldiers buckle and civilians collapse.
Your words escape before you can even think.
"Luffy, help...!"
A fist rockets past you. The sound of crunching bone hits you as air whips your cheeks. A mangled yell of pain is the last thing you hear from the marine.
"She doesn't," your captain growls, "belong to anybody."
~
You're brought into the medbay as soon as the Sunny left the docks. The silence is suffocating. You could barely look at Chopper as you shed your clothes, letting it slip until your shame was bare.
If you could guess, you'd bet it was nothing but professional courtesy that's keeping Chopper from reacting. That fucking mark takes up almost the entirety of the flesh, like a wound that can never heal.
The young doctor is kind when he cleans the blood. His touch hovers above your laceration when you hiss and tense. He's patient too, only continuing his work when you allow him to.
You hate this. Seas, you fucking hate this. You slump forward when Chopper continues his work.
You both pretend to not notice the tears that fall.
When he backs away, wound cleaned and bandaged, you don't turn to look him in the eye. You just turn your head and nod at Chopper.
The doctor straightens up like he always does after he works, but there's a new nervousness to him. His hooves are pressed together, like he's trying to quell the shaking. It makes you grit your teeth.
"The wound isn't bad," he says quickly, "but you'll need to rest. As for t-the rest, I couldn't..."
You nod. "Thanks, Chopper. You don't have to worry about... that. You're the best."
You watch the tension evaporate as he grins at you, leaning side to side. "That doesn't make me happy, you bastard!" He giggles, spinning. He sways a bit longer before he tamps it down, clearing his throat.
"But," he says clearly, "you can talk about it—"
"—Chopper—" you try to say.
"—Listen! It's important!" Chopper stands straighter like it'll give him the confidence his next words demand. "I-If you don't want to talk about it to me, it's okay. But... you should talk to someone. Nami, or Robin, or maybe- maybe if we call Jinbei, he would understand—"
"Chopper," you cut through. It hurts your heart to see the young doctor wilt. "It's okay. Thank you, but I'm alright."
"Okay... But- consider it? Please?"
You look away. "I will," you murmur.
Even though you don't see his face, you know Chopper knows you're lying. You know he won't push you farther, though. He hops down off his stool, shucks off his doctor's coat, and offers you the spare clothes Nami had lent you. She was kind enough to waive the fee this time too. You can't find it in you to appreciate it.
Chopper turns away as you get dressed again, which makes you smile. It makes you feel like you have some control again.
(You can't help but study your bandages. They're wrapped snug around you, but the edges of the brand sticks out like a hand print seared into your skin. You can still see the three pointed claws under the stark white of gauze.
It's the first time in a while you've really observed it. Every other time you forced yourself to look, all you could see was the red-hot brand and the wicked smiles of the demons who held it.
It's just as ugly as you remember.
You wish you had killed that marine, even if it wouldn't have changed anything.)
When you finish getting dressed, you signal to Chopper. He turns around, offers you a smile too bittersweet for someone of his youth, and reaches for the door.
"Oh, Luffy," Chopper comments idly. You can't stop how you flinch at the sound of his name.
You were dreading seeing him. It makes you want to cry again; how long has it been since you've dreaded being near Luffy?
The ringing in your ears swallow up the gentle words Chopper offers. Your bandages crush your ribs as you try to breathe—there isn't enough air, like that fucking marine took it all when he- when he—
The hands on your face smell like sun-warmed rubber. It's hard to say they're cradling your face, when Luffy just smacked his palms against your cheeks and squished them together until you were looking at him. When you blink, he blinks back at you.
"Are you there?" Luffy asks simply.
"Um, y-yes Captain," you force out. He nods thoughtfully.
Though, Captain isn't the right moniker. You aren't talking to isn't Captain Monkey D. Luffy, world-renowned Worst Generation pirate, capable of toppling kingdoms and challenging the World Government, feared by the powerful and adored by the powerless.
No, the boy in front of you is simply Luffy. The Luffy you've cherished since you were small, with a smile so bright and a heart so full—for all your life, you've never known how you got so lucky to have him.
Luffy pushes you to sit before he flops down next to you, bobbing with the mattress springing under his weight. You avoid his eye.
"You have something," Luffy states simply. It isn't a question, nor an accusation. It makes you flinch regardless—through all your tears, you can barely see the way your hands ball into fists in your lap.
He waits until you can find your words once again. It's kinder than you deserve.
"D-Do you- want to see it?"
"I don't care." Luffy just sort of... tilts his head at you. "I want to see you."
It's such a simple sentiment. It makes you feel like you've swallowed a thousand blades.
"I'm-... I didn't- I'm sorry, Luffy," you force out. The nails you dig into the stark white gauze don't put any pressure into the skin below it. Luffy frowns anyways.
"You can't apologize," he states simply. "You don't have to."
"But I- I lied—"
"It's okay." Luffy kicks his feet out. "I know you. I don't care about the rest."
All your words slip from your mind. If Luffy minds the silence, he doesn't show it.
Shame floods your chest. All these years hiding your past, unraveled just like that. You stare at your lap.
"They," you admit softly, "had me for so long. I- I never thought I'd be free."
He doesn't respond. You don't need him to—the words rush out before you can think. You stare into your open hands.
"W-When I escaped, I promised myself something. I said, they'll never control me ever again. But- I just... I've always been so scared! It's like- It's like I never even left—"
"Sabo is dead," Luffy says suddenly. "Ace is dead."
When Luffy looks forward, it isn't at Chopper's desk. It isn't at the medicine scattered along its surface, nor is it the kit the doctor had used to patch up your wounds. No—Luffy's gaze pierces farther, looking past the desk and the ship and the sea.
When Luffy looks forward, it's into the fire he left behind.
"But you aren't. You escaped. You're here with me."
Even without words, you understand. You can see the fire, too. "I am."
"You're not theirs anymore. You're mine," Luffy says just as suddenly, "but you aren't mine."
You don't respond. You wouldn't know how even if you tried.
Luffy turns to you with the same inferno that swallowed up your shared home. "You're my crew. You're my first mate. But I don't own you. No one does. That brand doesn't mean anything."
Before you can gather your thoughts, you feel Luffy's hand press his straw hat into your lap. It feels as warm as the sun he had been standing in just moments before. Luffy grabs at your hands to wrap them around its brim.
"You don't belong to anybody."
You could cry.
Luffy shakes your shared hold. "Say it."
"I-I..." You sniffle, "I don't..."
Luffy's eyes don't look away from you. They aren't mean, nor are they worried—they're fierce, just as sure of your power as they were the day he met you.
"I don't," you say finally, "belong to anybody."
When you collapse into his arms, shaking with every sob that wracks through your body, there is no shame when his hands brush over your mark. All you feel is warmth as he pulls you tighter.
You're not property. You're free.
You're a pirate—and no one is freer than a pirate.
Cw : OOC, angst, character death (i know i said i wont make thatch dead but....yeah.), made by impulse, i just feel sad at the time so, why not? I just feel like my grief toward him is similar to my rl grief. Gn!reader. Cringe, not proofread please spare me. My attempt to make something for the beautiful firefly, Ace.
Word counts : 1k
---
You break the pencil in your hand. A heavy sigh coming out of your mouth. It's fading. The memories of him. You keep scratching the paper beneath you until it breaks. A shape of a head. A shape of a hat. But no eyes, no lips, no accessories on the hat. You keep forgetting. How long has it been? Two years? Two and a half. His brother already making new news for the sea and the marines to deal with. But you? Stuck in whatever island this is, no crew, or any people you knew in sight. Your life has been a circle of loneliness. Hunt. Sell. Buy food. Go home. Your home isn't even a home, it's an abandoned building you found near the woods. The island itself quite civilized. But nothing grand about it.
You get up from the floor, letting the papers stepped by your bare foot. You try to remember how he looks. His orange hat. Which one has a smiley face? Left or right? Was it your right or his right?? His freckles. How much was it? You were pretty sure that the freckless on his face js concentrated on one place, was it his nose or his right cheek?
You ruffled your hair in frustation. Hair, face, hat, scent. What was it? How was it? You curse yourself for not drawing his potrait enough when you were on the ships. You curse the war for destroying the ships and you can't save the remaining portraits. You curse Ace for never stay still for more potrait. You curse every single living and non-living things in this world. You were angry, you were mad, to everything, to yourself.
You sat back down in the floor again, hair felling down around your face. Usually, Ace will come at you like this, fixing the strands of hair that's covering your face. But he's not here, isn't he? Not anymore. You can hear your stomach grumbled. At these times, Thatch always came with a plate of warm meal, but his caring hand isn't here either. None of them were. You guys were scattered after the war. Separated from one to another.
Your hands floating on top of the paper, you close your eyes again.
---
"You know, perhaps it will be better if you spent more time to play or feast with us." Ace smiled at you, who were busy, drowned in paper and ink and graphite.
"I want to make a full book of you, and all of the crew. Something to remembered, even after we long gone." You said your usual answer. It's true, you want to make a potrait of each of Whitebeard's crew and combine them in a book, each potraits accompanied by its description and even funfacts about them. He scoff, not to ridicule you,
"You also need something to be remembered about us. And you'll get it if you please come outside and join us. Pretty please?" He used his pretty eyes. Dark. Almost black. But pretty as a gemstone. Or maybe it's just you being in love with him.
---
You open your eyes. That's it. Dark eyes, obsidian like eyes. Your hands move freely in the paper, finally finding it.
---
"No, the smiley is supposed to be left." Ace move the smiley face on his hat who was broken after a fight. You were spending the night fixing it together with him on the deck, under the starts.
"Ace my beloved ....it's right. It's YOUR right."
"Well it's your left, and whoever-in-front-of-me-at-the-time left, so it's left."
---
Smiley face on OUR left, frowny face on his left.
---
"I love you." His voice trembled, althought he covered it quickly. He always been like this, playing it cool, even though he feel like he's gonna burn right now. Despite being made of fire technically.
You smiled, soft and caring, but also exploding with all the love you have for him. You were young anyway, and the love at that times always feels so amazing, euphoric.
"Ace," he lifted his head, smiling with uncertainty and anxiety in his eyes. But he, like he always do, trying to look strong and cool, like he doesn't really care about it after all, but you can see what inside. His fear, his genuine love. "Ace, I love you too."
He smiled. Not a fake one when he try to fool people that he can do everything and coming back without a scratch. But a smile so genuine, so loving, you can feel warmth coming from him ....wait a minute. He's actually on fire. You screamed and panicked, and he quickly set his fire off. You look at each other and laughed, he apologized but still laughing with you, falling to the sand of the beach together, still smiling and holding each other hands.
---
You open your eyes, you can feel tears dropping. His smile. His smile. His smile and laugh. Your hands move again, crying and cursing the marines, cursing kurohige. His potrait is done. You feel like digging a hole and burying yourself deep inside. It's him. You feel a surge of warmth spreading in your chest. It almost like he's here again with you, watching you finished an artwork and hyping you up for it. Almost.
You gave a last touch. His freckless, focused on his cheeks. Perfect. You clean your room after a long time. You go for a walk and spend your savings for a good actual food and some sweet drinks that you used to love. You go to the market and buy new papers and paint, you will use it to add some colour and soul to his potrait you left at home. And when you walk home, you feel a lot better than before. Your room is clean, his potrait hung near your working space. But the real suprise were the person who sat in the corner of your room. His back on the wall, his eyes staring at the potrait you made.
"Marco, it's been a long time." You smiled at him.
What's the difference between flirting and joking?
Portgas D Ace x Reader
Disssclaimer : OOC, Cringe, bad grammar and/or spelling. Not proofread, this is just me trying to write something for my beautiful firefly.
You are a whitebeard crew, joined way before ace, around your childhood. Thatch is alive in this (love him) and will be alive in the future if i write more about ace and the whitebeard crew.
Word count : 1.4 k
Cw : none, sfw, awkward teenager or not so teenager (18-19)
---
- Ace seems to be the one who love to flirts everywhere, especially in the bars. But truth be told, he just came there to eat, sleeps in the middle of it, and back to ship he goes.
- I mean, you understand where the flirty ace label came from. When he thinks a person is attractive, he naturally get closer, showing interest in them genuinely. But inside, he doesn't even realize he did that.
- Meanwhile, you were the actually flirty one. Like, you flirt for fun, you automatically lean (in a idk why flirty way) to people when they talk, usually make the person nervous, even marines (that's why they sent YOU for an undercover mission.)
- You tried it multiple time on ace, to actually flirt because you want him (not just for fun). But he never, NEVER catch it. The funny thing is, even with your flirty personality, you are also a bit oblivious. A mix of taking everything as a joke and a secretly low self-esteem.
- The crew had enough with your attempt at shooting your shot, and Ace's secret glances and tone change when talking to you. Even Marco and Thatch had enough. Finally they decide to turn it up.
- "Why are you smiling like that?" Marco started it when he saw both of you in the deck. He points out the difference in Ace usual smug smile to his soft one when talking to you. Ace, bless his heart, didn't realized what is wrong and continue talking to you like Marco's words were just a fly passing by. You on the other hand, became aware and try to analyze Ace smile, where after ten more minutes talking, Ace points it out that you're looking at his mouth, does he have something there?
- Another time, Thatch try to give a speech to you about stop flirting with everybody and settle down, which you responded with a laugh. Not a rude one, you were shocked that he told you to frickin "settle down". But he actually serious and to be honest, at night, you were actually thinking about it. There was some times where the person actually thought you're trying to hit. Althought at the end, you just talk it out with the person, and the problem is gone in a short time. But maybe he's right. Maybe you should tone it down. Maybe you should just focusing your flirting full power to that walking fire match.
- Time passes, and there's still no progress on your relationship with Ace. Guessing, analyzing, giving up. Guessing, take a step forward, backing up again. Even pops starting to feel annoyed. What's with his children and their oblivious hearts.
- Finally, all of them had enough, when they gather after a visit in an island for a small party, marco finally open his mouth "How much longer both of you're going to do .... this."
- "This what?" You ask him back. "The meat fight? Oh sorry, i know we're not supposed to play with food." You put the plate you were going to use to hit Ace down again. Thatch, who have been glaring at you two for doing a food fight, finallg sigh in relieve when you two calmed down at Marco's words.
- "No, no! Not the food fight. This! The fact that you were 'fighting' but both of you keep looking at each other like you want to kiss." Marco wave his right hand with a little frustations. You didn't saw it, but Ace's eyes widened so quickly that it looks cartoon-y.
- "WHAT KISS, WHO LOOK??" Ace blurted while hiding his face. He knew his expression will betrayed him. "Funny! How about, you know, we just finish our food and then go to bed!"
- You was shocked at his reaction, of course, but you take this as a chance. "Easy Ace, I didn't know you really want to kiss me. Getting nervous and all." Everyone laughed. Even you smiled a bit wider. It was just a joke—or is it?— another flirty joke by you, the crew charmer. Usually Ace will laugh or smiled at it too, but he didn't this time.
- "That is ridiculous." He says as he stepped inside his private chamber. At this point, you feel bad. His tone sound a bit stiff, and since you didn't saw his face when he say it, you feel a little bit anxious about it.
- Thacth points at Ace's room and you, hinting at you for coming after him. Which you responded with a head shake. Thatch pointed again, mouthing "You have to talk to him. Come on." Over and over. Until you sigh and get up.
---
"Ace?" You stepped inside slowly. It was only him in the room, he got a private room for being the second commander. You can see the shape of him hiding himself with his blanket on his bed. "Can we talk?"
You sat on the chair in front of his bed. You didn't look straight to him who's curling up in bed, but you can feel he's still awake.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't meant to make it weird or something, I just, actually i don't know what to say but sorry here." You swallowed. "I thought, you'll just laugh and pass it off like any other nights—"
"Yeah, cause everything is a joke for you, doesnt it?" He spat.
"Sorry?" You were confused but also a bit irritated by his answer.
"Everything. The flirting, the kiss threat. You jokes left and right like that with everyone, didn't you?"
"Ace, i do realizes my jokes may seems like flirting to some people, but all of the crew, including you, already knew that it was just, you know, my way to joke around and interact with yiu guys!"
"What if some of the crew actually thought you were interested in them?"
"Well, there haven't been such cases. I mean there is, but just a few words and we're done! No onw actually thought that i was deeeeeply in love with them just because I say one or two sweet sentences." You can hear Ace grunts.
"What. If."
"Then i'll just explain it, that i didn't have any romantic feelings toward them."
"What if they genuinely have feelings for you?"
You scrunched your nose, confused. "Ace, what do you want, seriously. I already explained it, i mean, if you really dont like me joking-flirting infront of you, i'll stop."
"No! I mean, that's not the problem." He finally swat away the blanket. Revealing his messy hair and pouting lips. He looks so cute, you say to yourself, begging to whichever god up there for inner strength so you don't jump him right there right now.
"So?"
"I .... I actually have feelings for you." You laugh spontaneously. Making him more mad than before. But you quickly stopped after you look at his face.
"Wait .... are you being serious right now?"
"Yes! I'm not joking-flirting like you!"
"Wait. Oh my god wait, seriously?! Like really really super serious?" He nods as an answer.
"Why you never tell me before?!"
"Well I can't just go up to you and say, hey I actually am deeply in love with you??"
"Actually you can, and you should've."
"I didn't know do you like me back or not."
"OF COURSE I DO. I FLIRTED WITH YOU MULTIPLE TIMES."
"YOU DID IT DAILY TO EVERYONE AS A FORM OF HUMAN INTERACTION."
You sigh "Fair enough." You stand up from the chair, and sat at the edge of his bed. "But actually, i did flirt with yiu because I AM interested in you. Maybe next time i should've just flirt WITH you not anybody else."
"You should've did that from the beginning." He scoff "So, what now?"
"Dating, i guess?"
"Yeah, i guess so." He takes a deep breath and sigh. "It will feel weird. We've known each other forever."
"Agree. It will be a bit awkward at first. So .... yay or nay? Or should we just badabing bada boom! Forget."
"Are you kidding me? I just use one year of my courage to confess to you. No forgetting. Doesn't matter that it will feel awkward at first, i will make it not-awkward. Quickly."
Both of you laughed at his words. It feels unreal. A minute ago you were still friends, just drinking and eating at a small party for finally reaching an island after a long time. Just a minute ago both of you were doing food fighting and getting scolded by Thatch together. And now you're ....dating? You feel happy, confused, and also nerveous for this. But at least, you're with him now. So whatever happens in the future, you'll face it together.
Bonus :
While both of you laughing together, deep down, Ace is panicking. This is happening so fast, not that he doesn't like it. But he didn't plan for any of this. He thought he will be confessing at a more ....romantic places and times. Now, he's sweating inside, trying to make a quick plan on your first date, how and when will you like a first kiss, etc.
Immediately takes charge of the process, doesn’t realize he’s doing so until you tease him about it
Treats the process like a surgery, you become the assistant. “Hex wrench. Number sixteen screw. Panel C in a vertical orientation.” When you tease him, he pretends to brush it off but then leans into the bit. “Phillips head screwdriver, stat.”
Never gets confused by the diagrams. Quietly notes errors and typos in the instructions. Seems to be able to use the tiniest details to know the correct orientation for each piece
Somehow had sandpaper on hand for when the pieces don’t fit perfectly
You hardly got a chance to look at the instructions but he still made you feel like an essential part of the process
Furniture is assembled perfectly in record time
Xavier 💫
Happy to help you out, starts reading the instructions while you sort the parts
Falls asleep reading the instructions
You take charge, waking him up on step 3 when you need him to hold something. He falls asleep holding it but somehow doesn’t drop it
When you ask for a part he just stares at the pile and picks up random things to offer you until he gets the right one or you point directly at it
Ask for the same part a second time, “Which was it again?”
You attach the last part and turn to high-five him—he’s sleeping again
Rafayel 🎨
“You want to spend time on this weird project instead of hanging out with me?” “This is us hanging out.” “What? But it’s boring. Can’t we, like, get someone else to put it together?”
You start building anyway
When you ask for something specific (“hold this”) he does so without hesitation but keeps complaining
“If I have to hold this board up any longer I’m going to get wrist cramps and then I won’t be able to paint for a week!”
“Ow ow, I think that gave me a splinter! Look at it! It might get infected! I need first aid, like, immediately.”
“This color is boooring, we should paint it later.”
This might be taking longer than if you just built it yourself
Sylus 🚗
“Did you steal this?” “No.” “Then why is it still in pieces?” “It’s how they sell it. It saves money.” “Why didn’t you say something? I’ll take you to a real furniture store.” “I want this exact one though.” “Can’t you pay them to assemble it?”
All you have to say is “I guess you’re not up for the challenge” and then he’s sitting on the floor next to you, also staring at the instructions
You both get confused on the same steps. Which side goes up again? Can you tell by the number of holes? Eventually you both shrug and hope for the best. Sylus brute forces a few pieces that probably don’t actually go together.
You realize you put a piece on backwards three steps ago and Sylus patiently helps you backtrack and fix it
“You’re being surprisingly cooperative.” “I am?” “Yeah, I thought you’d be way more annoyed.” “I never feel annoyed when I’m with you.”
“Where did that piece go?” (Mephisto stole it, it was shiny)
Caleb 🍎
“Hey Pipsqueak, remember when I built that bed for you? Even though you were in high school you still reeeeally wanted a pink one…” “Ugh, stop! It’s embarrassing!”
Takes the bag of pieces and the instruction book right away, uses his gravity Evol to hold up the parts. “Caleb, you took all the jobs! Let me help!” “You can help by getting us some snacks.”
“Caleb, I don’t think that goes there.” “Of course it does, are you really going to doubt the mechanical skills of a former fighter pilot?” Ten minutes later when it’s clear you were right the whole time: “Caleb, you dummy.”
“I switched the delivery notification number in your account over to my phone number since you’re going to need me to build whatever you buy, anyway.”
“You should come over to help me build my furniture too.” “But you didn’t let me help at all!” “Snack duty is very important, Pipsqueak.”
Cameras. There were hidden cameras all over his house. There wasn't a bookcase or a mirror that didn’t have a little dot on it, almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. You only knew they were there by accident: when you took the elevator to Caleb's apartment, you bumped into an excited boy wearing a cap and uniform of a security company.
"Are you Mr. Caleb's girlfriend? What a pleasure, I only saw you in pictures!" The boy waved, taking you by surprise.
"No... I'm just a friend." You said a little confused, and the energetic boy explained himself.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I saw so many photos of Mr. Caleb with you the day I went to install those cameras that I thought you were dating. He also said he was installing the cameras to protect someone he liked." Cameras? What cameras? You thought, but before you could say anything, the elevator door opened and the boy jumped out. "Let me know if any of them stop working, I've installed so many I've almost lost count! Bye!" And so he disappeared down the hall.
Now you were in the living room, standing there in the middle, feeling the weight of your body and your movements, self-conscious about yourself and alert to the fact that you were being watched. Was he watching you? Now? Right now? That’s fucked up. Jail worthy. Caleb was obsessed with you and if your recent reunion hadn't already proved it, the dozen or hundreds of hidden cameras scattered around that room were proof that Caleb was sick.
But we know the saying: When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you. More sickening than knowing that you were being watched, from every angle and probably in every room, was the fact that you were aroused. The spot between your legs throbbed, excited by the situation, by the fact that Caleb had probably seen you naked, had seen you sleeping, had seen you showering... It was so fucking wrong that, despite being against everything he had done in Skyhaven right after the reunion, you still delighted in remembering the possessiveness and obsession that melted at the words of your friend, oh, dear friend.
In addition to the burning sensation between your legs, there was this tingle in your stomach at the thought of a man - not just any man, we're talking about Caleb - being so concerned, so devoted to you that he would kill and die for your happiness. In fact, a man who returned from the ashes and survived for you and you alone. He was no longer your sweet childhood friend... But that wasn't a bad thing. Now he became a man who had eyes (many, it seems, all over the house), only and exclusively for you. Caleb was crazy about you, and, oh shit, you loved it, which made you as crazy as he was.
So you had two options: the first was to confront Caleb about why the fuck he had installed so many cameras in the apartment if the only person who spent time there apart from him was you; the second was to pretend you didn't know anything and carry on with your life as if everything was normal.
You always chose the second option when it came to Caleb, ever since you were a teenager and in college. Whether it was sneaking around his room and finding your panties secretly hidden in the back of his closet, or listening to him masturbate while calling your name when he thought he was alone, you always pretended everything was normal. But ever since, and even more so now that you've found each other again, there was nothing normal about it, and no reason to carry on in the same way. After all, if he had changed, there was no reason for you to remain the same or pretend you didn't know anything.
Then there was a third and new option: pretending not to know anything, but taking advantage of the situation to play with Caleb. Basically, make him taste his own medicine. If he wanted to see you, well, he would.
Pretending to be normal, you sat down on the sofa and took off your coat, throwing it on the coffee table. You took out your cell phone and called his number.
"Is my favorite guest home yet?" Caleb answered in his usual animated voice.
"Yeah. I'm bored. Still working? Is it break time?" You remembered that around this time he was most active on social media, so it should be the best time to put into action what you had in mind.
"Ah…You've always been very clever. Yes, I'm on break. I'll be home in two hours and we can do whatever you want. Don't get bored, you can turn on the TV or play a game on the console I have." Caleb was always like that, attentive to you, always wanting to please you. He wasn't much of a gamer, but because you liked games, he had bought a console with the excuse that he was getting interested in games. But now you weren't going to play with the console. You were going to play with something else.
"Oh, no..." You put the phone on speaker and placed it on the arm of the sofa. You lifted your shirt and brought your fingers up to your bra, massaging your nipples. "I want to relax, not play." You said, holding your right breast while spreading your legs, slipping anxious fingers into your pants, brushing the fingertips against the wet panties.
The call went silent. Bingo. He was indeed watching you, like the pervert he was.
"Caleb?" You asked innocently, keeping your voice steady as you started moving your hand in circles, making it obvious what you were doing inside those tight pants.
"A-ah, yes. Relax..." His breathing was heavy on the other end of the line, and suddenly you heard the sound of a zipper being opened. You had to stop yourself from moaning just then. He was starting to touch himself while watching you. "Why don't you, uh, take a shower in my bathroom?" His voice was a little choked. He was probably pumping himself slowly, staring at your live image through the screen in his office. Your pussy throbbed and suddenly your pants were too tight and too hot. You stopped stroking your own breasts and took both hands to the waistband of your trousers, sliding them down your legs. Then you took off your shirt, leaving only your panties and bra on. You positioned yourself again, this time with your legs spread wider and your heels resting on the table in front of the sofa. Your fingers returned to the soaked fabric of your panties, touching the sensitive clit through the wet cloth.
"Yeah, I'll have a shower, I'm just finishing something up." With your middle finger, you moved your panties to one side to touch yourself directly. You bit your lip, holding back a moan, and squeezed your breast with your other hand.
"Fuck..." he swore.
"All right?" You replied innocently, holding back your unsteady voice as you carried on stimulating your clit at a steady pace. You wanted him to think you didn't know about the cameras, so you had to stay as normal as possible on the phone.
"Yup... I- I just hit my finger," he lied, slurring his words.
"Caleb-" You said, catching your breath. "I miss you,"
"I miss you too." He sounded almost breathless. "I can come over now."
"No, you can't. There's work. Or is there something urgent you need to do here?" You quickly pulled down your panties, leaving them between your thighs. Then, out of the blue, you heard the unmistakable sound of a camera zooming in. He must have been eating you with his eyes, and now he wanted a closer look. You opened your folds, circling your fingers around the soaked entrance, like a pervert. You slowly moved the fingers up to your clit, stimulating yourself obscenely again. The other end of the line was completely silent, only a few low sounds and grunts were audible. "Caleb, is there something urgent you need to do here?"
"Uh-" He stammered, and you raised your hips a little, grinding against your hand. "Fuck, fuck," he said. He didn't bother with sentences anymore.
"What’s up with you? I'm feeling lonely and bored here. Can't you entertain me?" You teased innocently, but your legs were already shaking.
"I can entertain you. Ah-" For a second, you heard the wet, rhythmic sound of his thrusts against his own hand. Oh my. Caleb had his pants down, sat somewhere in the FAA, and was touching himself like a teenager while he watched you. And you fucking loved it. "I can entertain you... I can be so, so good for you, if you let me." His voice was raspy and breathless. If you weren't so close to your orgasm, you might've asked him if everything was alright and put him in a tough spot again, but you couldn't even think about that. You were too caught up in your own pleasure. One hand was on your nipple under your bra, the other was all over your clit, and you arched your back on the sofa.
"I- I know you know how to entertain me. You're so good to me, always." You gasped, no longer caring that he was probably listening to the sound of your quick fingers against the wet flesh of your vagina.
Suddenly, you heard a muffled cry on the other end of the line and several "Fuck, fuck, fuck" being whispered like a mantra at a low volume, as if he had his hand against his own mouth. He was coming. And that was all it took for the tingling at the base of your belly to explode and flow out of your pussy in an obscene and intense orgasm.
You had just squirted all over the living room table and carpet, and had probably wet the sofa as well. The two of you were silent, only the audible gasp of your breaths as you caught your breath.
"Caleb? Are you still there? It seems the connection was cut." You lied, still pretending you didn't know anything. He coughed and the sound of things being adjusted or stirred could be heard in the background.
"Yeah, yeah… Probably disconnected or something."
You got up and stood next to the sofa, looking at the mess you had left there.
"Caleb I think I spilled...something on your sofa and carpet. Is there any cleaning cloth so I can clean it up?" You looked around.
"NO!" Caleb almost shouted from the other side. "I mean, it's no problem, pipsqueak. You don't have to clean up. You must be tired from all this, right?" He cleared his throat. "From the trip, and everything. Just rest more, like I said, you can use my bathroom and take a shower if you want."
"Hm, where's that cleaning freak from before? Who are you and what have you done with my Caleb?" You heard a laugh on the other end of the line.
"That's why. I'll take care of it. Please" The last word sounded as if he was begging. "I'll be home soon, and I'll be able to...entertain you, as you wish. We can, huh, relax together, too."
You laughed and picked up your cell phone, walking to the bathroom while dropping your bra in the hallway, knowing that he was watching here too. You picked up your wet panties and placed them on the bathroom door handle. In an instant, you could see a small dot hidden next to a painting, pointing directly at where you were standing. You stared directly at it, smiled and winked.
