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captain-eagle-art · 21 hours ago

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You around kids

fem!reader

characters: zoro, sanji, law, shanks and ace

tags: fluff, light comedy, established relationship, comfort, emotional bonding, humor

a/n: sorry it's all cramped but I reached tumblr's limits of blocks per post, so if you need a easier way to read this, click on the ao3 link!!

words count: around 2.2k - 3.4k each

masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi

── .✦ Zoro:

The sun is warm but not too hot. A soft breeze plays with your hair as you walk beside Zoro through the busy town streets. The island is new, full of life and color, and the crew has scattered to do their own things. Nami went shopping, Sanji chased after ingredients... or maybe girls, and Luffy? Who knows.

You, on the other hand, just wanted a calm day. A nice walk. No drama. Zoro didn’t have any plans, so he chose to stay with you.

“Didn’t feel like wandering off,” he said with a shrug “Plus, you always get lost.”

“I do not!” you argue with a little laugh.

“You got lost on the ship” he says with a smirk.

You roll your eyes, bumping his arm lightly with your shoulder “That happened once. And you’re the one to talk???”

Zoro just grunts, amused, and keeps walking beside you. His hands are in his pockets, his swords resting at his side like always. He walks with that usual lazy confidence, but you can tell he’s relaxed.

Then, you hear a small cry. Like a kid. You stop walking “Did you hear that?”

Zoro lifts his head “Yeah.”

You both follow the sound, turning down a quieter street. And there, near the side of a fruit stand, is a small boy. He can’t be older than five. His face is red from crying, his small hands wiping at his eyes. He looks scared.

“Hey, sweetie,” you say gently, kneeling in front of him “What’s wrong?”

The boy looks up at you with big teary eyes “M-Mommy’s gone…”

“Oh no,” you whisper “You got separated?”

He nods fast, then suddenly throws his arms around you. You nearly fall back from the sudden hug but Zoro puts a hand on the back of your head, gently, just to keep you balanced.

Zoro’s eyes widen. You glance up at him, then back down at the boy. He’s shaking.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay...” you say, rubbing his back “We’ll help you find her. I promise.”

The boy doesn’t let go. He clings tighter, like he’s afraid you’ll disappear too.

Zoro scratches the back of his neck “You sure about this? We could find a guard or something.”

You give him a look “Zoro, he’s terrified. Would you want a stranger dragging you around if you were five?”

He sighs “Fine. So we’re babysitters now.”

You smile a little “Just until we find his mom.”

Zoro folds his arms, watching the boy with a face that’s trying very hard not to be soft “What’s his name?”

You turn to the boy “Sweetie, what’s your name?”

He sniffs “Kenji.”

“Okay, Kenji,” you say with a warm smile “I’m Y/N and this is Zoro. He’s kind of grumpy, but he’s nice.”

Zoro makes a sound like a scoff, but he doesn’t argue.

Kenji peeks up at Zoro “You have swords…”

Zoro raises a brow “Yeah. Don’t worry. I only use them on bad guys.”

Kenji nods seriously, then looks back at you “You’re really pretty…”

Your face heats up a little. Zoro frowns “Kid, don’t start.”

You laugh, standing up slowly as Kenji keeps his little hand in yours “Alright, let’s find your mom, okay?”

Kenji nods, still holding onto you like you’re his lifeline.

Zoro walks on your other side, still acting cool but every now and then, you catch him glancing down at the kid. And maybe, just maybe, you see a small smile on his face. Just a little one.

You’ve been walking around the town for a while now, asking people if they’ve seen Kenji’s mom. A few shopkeepers shake their heads.

Some say, “Sorry, haven’t seen any woman looking for a kid.”

You try the market square next. No luck there either.

Kenji’s small hand is still in yours, holding tight like he’s afraid to let go. His other hand rubs at his eye now and then, but he’s not crying anymore. Still, he stays close. You’re like his safe space now.

You glance down at him “Kenji, do you remember where you last saw your mom? Were you near a shop?”

He shakes his head slowly “I was looking at fish. Then I turned and she was gone.”

“Fish,” Zoro repeats “That narrows it down to…everywhere.”

You sigh “We’ll keep looking.”

Kenji tugs on your hand “Are you tired? I can walk by myself.”

Your heart melts “I’m okay, Kenji. But thank you.”

Then suddenly he reaches out and grabs Zoro’s hand too and you both freeze. Zoro stares at the small hand holding his, like it’s some kind of bomb.

Kenji doesn’t notice. He just keeps walking like it’s the most normal thing in the world, one hand in yours, one hand in Zoro’s. As if he’s done it a hundred times.

You glance at Zoro, and your face gets warm. Really warm. This…looks kind of cute. No… more than cute. It looks like… a little family.

Zoro’s eye twitches. He knows what it looks like too.

A woman passing by gives you a soft smile “Oh, what a sweet family.”

You nearly choke “Oh! We’re not—uh—we’re just helping—”

Zoro mutters under his breath, “For the love of… please don’t let anyone from the crew see this.”

You whisper back, “Why? Afraid they’ll think you’ve gone soft?”

He scowls “They will. And they’ll never shut up about it.”

But he doesn’t pull his hand away from Kenji’s. Not even when the kid swings his hands a little. You try not to smile too much, but your cheeks still feel hot.

“Y’know,” you say after a moment, “you don’t look that grumpy right now.”

Zoro gives you a side-eye “Say that again and I’ll let you get lost on purpose.”

You grin “Worth it.”

Kenji suddenly asks, “Are you and the sword guy married?”

You and Zoro speak at the same time.

You: “W-what? No!”

Zoro: “Hell no!”

You look at Zoro kinda offended by his tone.

Kenji tilts his head “But you look like it…”

Zoro lets out a long sigh “Kid, you really trying to make my day harder?”

You can’t stop laughing now. Even Zoro, after a beat, smiles just a little. Just enough to make your heart do a little flip.

The sun’s still out, the breeze still nice and you still haven’t found Kenji’s mom, but…you’re doing okay. And as long as the kid keeps walking between you and Zoro, hands held tight, maybe it’s not such a bad way to spend the day.

Kenji’s hand is still snug in yours, and Zoro hasn’t pulled away from the other side either, though his eye twitches every few minutes like he’s trying to pretend it’s not happening.

You’re still wandering through the streets, asking around and scanning every corner for a woman calling out for her son. No luck. Then suddenly, Kenji tugs at your hand and mumbles, “I’m hungry…”

You pause “Oh… right. You haven’t eaten anything.”

Zoro groans immediately “We don’t have time to stop and eat. We’re looking for your mom, remember?”

Kenji’s bottom lip quivers “But… my tummy hurts…”

He rubs his stomach with both hands now, giving you the most tragic look you’ve ever seen. You’re done. Defeated.

“Zoro,” you whisper, “he’s so cute. Let him eat.”

Zoro crosses his arms “He’ll survive. Kids bounce back.”

Kenji grabs your arm again “Please… just a snack?”

Your heart melts into a puddle “Zoroooo…”

Zoro looks at you and you’re doing it too… That look. Eyes wide, soft voice, the tiniest pout. Now both you and Kenji are staring at him like abandoned puppies in the rain.

He curses under his breath “You guys are teaming up on me.”

You say nothing, you just keep pouting. He rubs his face like this is physical pain “Fine. Fine. Twenty minutes.”

Kenji jumps up and cheers “Yay!”

You smile up at Zoro, wrapping your hand around his arm “Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”

He groans again, but you catch the way his ears turn a little red. You head toward a food stall nearby, and as soon as you do, you hear a loud voice call out “Oi! Zoro! Y/N!”

You both turn and there they are.

Luffy and Sanji, carrying way too many bags and snacks.

Sanji’s eyes go wide when he sees the kid. He drops his bags “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!”

Kenji looks up at you, his mouth full of fried dough “Who’s the loud guy?”

Sanji points dramatically at Zoro “How could you?! You stole her away and now—now you even have a child?!”

Zoro blinks “What are you talking about? Do you know how kids are made?”

Luffy laughs “He looks just like your kid. You’re all holding hands and stuff. It’s so cute! You should make a real one!”

Sanji falls to the ground instantly “I’m dying. I’m literally dead. This is hell.”

You’re laughing too hard to speak.

Kenji, still chewing, leans over to Zoro “Are those your friends? They’re weird.”

Zoro sighs “You have no idea.”

Luffy crouches next to Kenji, nose almost touching his “Heyyy, what’s your name?”

“Kenji!”

“Cool name! You wanna be a pirate?”

Zoro grabs Luffy by the back of his vest and yanks him away “No recruiting children.”

Sanji stands back up, wiping his nose “Mon dieu… Y/N, if you ever decide you want real romance, you know where to find me.”

You smile sweetly “You’d have to fight Zoro for me first.”

Sanji turns pale, not because he’s scared but because you think of Zoro right away “…I’m good.”

Kenji tugs your sleeve again “Are they always like this?”

“Pretty much” you say with a giggle. Zoro mutters, “You get used to it.”

Even as the chaos unfolds, Zoro moves just a little closer to you. His hand brushes against yours again and Kenji, still holding your other hand, starts humming happily between bites.

After the chaos (and mild heartbreak) that was Luffy and Sanji, you wave them off with a tired smile. Sanji is still crying in the background. Luffy’s trying to steal a meat bun from someone’s cart.

“Bye, Kenji!” Luffy shouts cheerfully “Don’t forget to train so you can join my crew!”

“I won’t!” Kenji waves both hands like you’re sending off a ship.

You tug his sleeve gently “Okay, come on. Let’s keep going.”

Zoro mutters under his breath as you walk again, heading farther into the town “Out of everyone… they had to be the ones we run into.”

You smirk “Could’ve been worse.”

“No. That was the worst.”

“Even worse than running into ALL of them together?”

He gives you a sharp side-eye “Don’t push your luck.”

You giggle, swinging Kenji’s hand a little as you walk. He’s full now, calmer, but still sticking to you like glue. Zoro’s hands are back in his pockets, shoulders slightly hunched. He looks like he wants to complain, but he’s still here. That says enough.

Then, out of nowhere, Kenji tugs at your hand and looks up at you seriously “Miss Y/N? Can I call you Mama?”

You freeze. Everything around you stops. The breeze. The street noise. Even Zoro seems to pause mid-step. You blink at him “W-What?”

Kenji looks a little nervous now, like he’s not sure if he’s done something wrong “I know you’re not really… but you’re really nice, and you make me feel safe like my mama does. I miss her…”

Your throat closes. You don’t even know what to say. Tears prick at your eyes so fast you can’t stop them. One slides down your cheek before you can hide it.

You crouch down, hugging him gently, trying not to cry too hard “Kenji… I’m sure your mom misses you too. We’re gonna find her, okay? I promise.”

He nods, leaning into your hug.

Zoro is quiet behind you. For once, not a single sarcastic comment. When you glance up at him, you see that flicker in his eyes. Something soft. Something… careful. He doesn’t say anything. He just looks at you. And somehow, that silence means more than words.

You’re walking again, slowly now. Kenji hums as he walks between you and Zoro, swinging your hands. He’s more cheerful after eating, even skipping a little. It’s almost hard to believe this is the same scared little boy from earlier.

Then you hear a woman’s voice, panicked and breathless “Kenji?! Kenji!!”

All three of you turn around, a woman is running toward you, her eyes wide with worry. Her hair’s a bit messy.

Kenji gasps “Mama!!”

He lets go of both your hands and runs to her. You and Zoro stop walking, watching as he throws himself into her arms. She catches him and falls to her knees, hugging him tightly.

“Oh, thank god,” she whispers, burying her face in his shoulder “I’ve been looking everywhere, Kenji, I was so scared…”

“I’m okay, Mama!” he says brightly “I wasn’t alone!”

You and Zoro stand quietly a few steps away, watching them hold each other. Zoro crosses his arms and says nothing. But his expression is… softer now. Thoughtful.

Then, Kenji turns and grabs his mom’s hand.

“Come on! Come meet them!” he says, tugging her toward you.

She lets herself be pulled along and gives you a teary smile “You… You helped him?”

You nod “Yeah. He was alone and crying. We couldn’t just leave him.”

She presses a hand to her chest, still catching her breath “Thank you. Truly. I don’t know what I would’ve done—”

She starts reaching into a small pouch “Please, I have a little money—let me give you something.”

You shake your head quickly “Oh no, really. That’s okay. We had… a good day, actually. He’s a sweet kid.”

Kenji beams proudly beside her. Zoro’s still silent, standing with that usual lazy posture.

The woman glances at him, hesitating “Are you sure? Maybe he wants—”

Before she finishes, Zoro shrugs “Y/N did all of it by herself.”

You glance over at him. That’s not true, you both helped. But he says it like he wants to make clear that the kindness was yours. You give him a small smile.

The woman bows slightly “Thank you both again.”

You nod, just about to say goodbye when Kenji suddenly throws his arms around your waist again.

You blink “Kenji…?”

He’s crying again. Quiet, but real tears, as he mumbles “Do you… have to go?”

Your throat tightens “Hey, don’t cry… You’re with your mom now. You’re safe.”

“I know,” he says, sniffling “But I don’t want you to go. I love you… you’re my best friend.”

Tears fill your eyes instantly. You hug him back, squeezing gently, as you whisper “I love you too, Kenji, you’re really brave, you know?”

He looks up at his mom “Can she stay with us?”

Her eyes soften “Sweetheart… she has her own life and friends. But maybe one day you’ll meet again.”

He wipes his face with his sleeve, still clinging to you. Zoro turns away slightly, trying to act like he’s not watching, but his ears are red and in his chest, something warm builds, quiet and slow.

You’re so gentle. So natural with children. And for the first time… He lets the thought sit. Maybe a future like that, with you, soft like this… wouldn’t be so bad.

Eventually, you say goodbye. Kenji waves and waves until he’s out of sight. You and Zoro walk in silence for a few minutes. Then… you feel something. Zoro reaches over and takes your hand.

You blink, surprised “Zoro?”

He doesn’t look at you, eyes straight ahead, face a little pink “Don’t make a big deal out of it. Just… thought you might need it.”

You smile, squeezing his hand gently. A few more steps go by before he adds, quietly “You’d be good at it.”

“At what?” you ask.

He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly “…Being a mom.”

Your heart skips as he glances at you out of the corner of his eye “Not saying right now. Just… someday. If you wanted that.”

You stop for a second, staring at him. He’s not blushing anymore. He’s serious.

You nod, eyes soft “With you… yeah. I think I’d want that someday.”

Zoro looks away quickly, but you see the tiniest smile on his face.

You let go of his hand and he turns to look at you surprised. But then you jump and put your arms around his neck as he grabs you by your waist to steady you.

You kiss him quickly but softly while saying “I love you so much Zoro, thank you.”

He’s still surprised but asks “What are you thanking me for?”

“To think of me when you think about your future.”

He blushes and starts to look away but you catches him saying “Of course I would.”

You smile as you let go of him and then take his hand again as you swing it and walk as you’re the happiest girl in the world, with your biggest smile one and humming a little cute song.

Zoro watches you all the time with the softest smile he ever had.

── .✦ Sanji:

The sun sets behind the island’s hills, painting the sky in soft orange and purple. You can already hear music and laughter in the air. The village is buzzing with excitement.

“We’re just in time for the Moonlight Festival” Nami tells everyone, smiling as a few locals greet her.

“They want us to join?” Luffy asks, his eyes already searching for food.

“Yes,” Robin says “They’ve prepared clothes for us. It’s part of their tradition.”

You glance around. The people here are wearing bright outfits, flowing skirts, golden sashes, beads, and flowers in their hair. It looks magical.

One of the village girls walks up to you, holding a folded dress.

“For you,” she says with a kind smile “You’ll look beautiful in it.”

Sanji’s eyes narrow, already hovering at your side “She always does” he says softly, brushing a hand across your lower back.

You smile and take the dress inside a small tent to change.

When you step out, the crew is waiting. Zoro looks away with a bored expression. Usopp whistles.

But Sanji… he freezes. His face turns red in two seconds. Then an elegant nosebleed.

“Oh my god, Sanji!” you rush to him as he stumbles back, heart-shaped eyes glowing like lanterns.

“You… You can’t just walk out looking like that, mon amour,” he gasps “I was not prepared. That dress—you… your everything—!”

You laugh “You’re so dramatic.”

“I am in love,” he moans, holding a hand over his nose “And now I’m dying.”

“Save it for later, lovebirds,” Nami rolls her eyes “Let’s go! The festival’s starting!”

The streets are glowing with lanterns. Drums beat in the background. Kids are running around with flower crowns. You hold Sanji’s hand tight as you pull him through the crowd.

“Wait, wait—look!” you gasp, pointing to a stall “Caramel apples!”

Sanji chuckles “Mon amour, you know I can make you better ones. Twice as sweet. Three times as shiny.”

“Yeah, but these are festival apples,” you grin, bouncing on your heels “It’s different!”

He groans playfully but fishes some coins from his pocket “Fine. Who am I to stop you from being adorable?”

You grab the apple and take a big bite “Mmm! Okay. Yours are still better.”

He smirks “Told you.”

You two stroll past more stalls. Roasted nuts, cotton candy, fruit juice in bamboo cups… you try everything. Sanji keeps spoiling you without complaint, even if he keeps saying, “You know I could cook all of this for you, mon trésor.”

You wipe a bit of syrup off his cheek with your thumb “Yeah, but this is more fun.”

You turn a corner and freeze “Sanji!” you gasp.

“Hm?”

“There!” You point to a game stall. Behind it is a giant plushie… a round, smiling bear with soft ears and a flower crown.

Sanji squints “You want that thing?”

“Yes! It’s so cute!”

But before you can step forward, a group of small kids run up.

“We saw it first!” one of them shouts.

“No way! I’m gonna win it!” another boy says, grabbing a ball from the counter.

You look at Sanji. He cracks his knuckles and smiles “A competition, huh?”

“Winner takes the bear!” the tallest kid says.

Sanji kneels to their level, grinning “Alright, little ones. You’re on.”

Sanji throws the first ball... Miss.

“Damn it—”

The ball bounces off the edge of the target, knocking over nothing but his pride.

“Too slow, old man!” the little boy cackles and throws his own. Miss.

Sanji raises an eyebrow “Oh-ho? You think you’re better?”

“I am better!” the kid huffs, grabbing another ball. Miss again.

Sanji leans in “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“Your aim is trash.”

“So is yours.”

They go back and forth for the next minute. Ball after ball. Miss after miss. Neither hits a single target. Sanji’s hair is messier now, and the kid’s cheeks are puffed in frustration.

You cross your arms and bite your lip to stop laughing. Finally, Sanji steps back, hands on his hips.

“This game is clearly rigged.”

The kid points at him “You’re just mad because you lost.”

“You lost too!” Sanji snaps back, eyes wide.

“Only ‘cause you distracted me with your loud yelling!”

They both look exhausted and full of mutual respect…and mutual failure.

You walk up between them and say, “Okay. My turn.”

Sanji blinks “Mon amour, are you sure? It’s harder than it looks—”

“I wanna try.” you say, handing him the caramel apple you’re still holding.

You pick up the ball. It’s heavier than you thought, but manageable. You narrow your eyes, pull back your arm and… You knock over all three cans. Clean.

Sanji’s jaw drops. The little boy gasps so loudly, you think he might pass out.

The game keeper just laughs and hands you the giant plushie “Well done, miss!”

You grin and hug the bear tight “I did it!”

Sanji laughs, not caring at all about being shown up “You’re amazing!” he says proudly “Absolutely perfect.”

He kisses your cheek with zero shame “My talented goddess.”

But the kid… the kid is just staring at you now. Like something huge just clicked in his little brain.

“…What?” you ask, smiling at him “You can still try again, maybe there’s another plush—”

“I love you.”

You blink “Huh?”

“I don’t know why,” he says, completely serious “But I do.”

You stand there with your plushie, speechless. Sanji snorts so hard he has to turn around to hide his laugh.

“Is it the bear?” you ask gently.

The boy shakes his head “It’s your face. And your power.”

Sanji is wheezing now “That’s a strong statement, mon petit rival.”

“I said what I said,” the kid replies firmly, hands in his pockets “If you break up with him, I’ll wait for you.”

You pat his head “Thanks, but… I don’t think that’ll happen.”

He sighs “Fine. But just know… you’re my first love now.”

Sanji finally turns around, wiping tears from his eyes “I’ve been defeated. By a child.”

You both laugh, holding hands again. You keep walking through the festival lights, one giant plush bear in your arms, and the chef at your side.

The night deepens, and the music slows down.

Soft lanterns float above the square, swaying gently in the warm breeze. They’re glowing in different colors as orange, pink, soft blue, like slow-moving stars. Couples begin dancing in the middle of the cobblestone plaza.

Sanji gently tugs your hand “Dance with me, mon amour?”

You grin and nod “Only if you don’t step on my feet.”

“I would rather die.”

He places one hand on your waist, the other holding yours with a practiced ease. His touch is warm and careful, like he’s afraid to break you. You sway together under the lanterns, the sounds of violins and laughter floating around you.

“You look beautiful in this light.” he says quietly.

You look up at him, smiling “You always say that.”

“Because it’s always true.”

You lean into him, resting your head against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. This moment is soft. Sweet. Just the two of you… until…

“HEY, Y/N!”

Your head jerks up. You turn. A small voice echoes through the crowd.

Sanji’s brows twitch “No.”

Walking through the legs of villagers, holding something behind his back, is that kid.

Your jaw drops “How do you know my name?”

He stops right in front of you, puffing his chest like a tiny warrior “The idiot said it like five times while we were throwing balls. ‘You’ve got this, Y/N! Knock ‘em down, Y/N!’”

You blink “Oh… yeah. That sounds like him.”

Sanji coughs “You remembered that?”

The kid pulls out what he was hiding behind his back, a delicate, glowing flower. Its petals shimmer like they’ve been dusted with stardust.

“This is for you,” the boy says, holding it out with both hands like an offering “You deserve something this pretty.”

Your heart does a little owh at the sweetness “Aww… thank you.”

You take it gently, not wanting to crush it.

Sanji, meanwhile, stares at the flower. Then at the kid. Then at you.

He chuckles lightly “How… thoughtful.”

You glance at him “You okay?”

“Oh, me? Perfectly fine,” he says with a smile that’s way too tight “Just enjoying the sight of my girlfriend being courted by an eight-year-old.”

The kid looks up at him “Nine.”

“Ah, of course. My mistake,” Sanji says, voice calm but eyes twitching “A mature gentleman.”

“Way cooler than you.” the boy mumbles.

Sanji crouches down slightly, still smiling “You want a kitchen knife to go with that flower, mon petit rival?”

You step between them, laughing “Okay, okay, enough. This is getting weird.”

The kid sighs and shrugs “I’ll just wait till you’re single. No rush.”

“There will be no waiting.” Sanji grits through his teeth.

“Time is on my side, old man.”

“SHE’S MY AGE TOO!” Sanji yells irritated.

You nearly drop the flower from laughing so hard. You pat the boy on the head again “You’re really sweet, but I’m staying with the idiot for now.”

“Forever,” Sanji corrects “She’s staying with me forever.”

“Yeah, yeah. For now…” the boy says, walking away into the lantern lights.

You turn to Sanji, still giggling “You were jealous.”

He raises a hand, dramatic as ever “I can’t believe he kept insulting me. I was not jealous. I was threatened.”

You raise an eyebrow.

He sighs “Okay. I was… mildly unsettled.”

You lean up and kiss his cheek “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

He smirks again “And you’re always cute. But please… no more nine-year-old rivals.”

The music quiets. The stalls are closing. Lanterns start floating into the sky, some by string, some released into the wind with wishes written on paper. The villagers begin gathering near the beach and hilltops.

You stretch your arms with a happy sigh, the big plushie still tucked under one arm “It’s almost time for fireworks, right?”

Sanji nods and gently takes your hand “Follow me, mon love. I found us a better spot. Private. High up. Just us.”

“Romantic?”

He grins “Always.”

He leads you up a narrow path behind the main square, through a line of trees. A few lanterns hang along the way, giving the path a warm glow. Eventually, you reach a small wooden platform, almost like an old lookout. There’s a railing, a perfect view of the sky, and just enough space for the two of you to stand side by side.

You lean against the railing, wide-eyed “This is perfect…”

Sanji steps behind you, resting his chin lightly on your shoulder “I know. Just like you.”

You snort “Cheesy.”

He kisses your temple “True.”

Just as the wind picks up slightly and you snuggle closer into his arms…“Hey!”

You both turn your heads.

It’s the kid. Again.

Sanji groans, stepping forward “Are you following us now?”

The boy crosses his arms “I think destiny wants me and Y/N together.”

Sanji points at him “She’s literally standing here with me, holding the bear I helped her win—”

“I pushed you to give up and her winning it, so technically I helped too.”

“You called me ‘trash’ and insulted me!”

“And yet… here we are.” He spreads his arms as if the universe just proved his point.

You lean on the railing, grinning like an idiot while they go at it again “I feel like I should get popcorn for this.”

The kid puffs up his chest “You’ll thank me when we’re married one day.”

“I am going to faint.” Sanji rubs his face.

You laugh softly, eyes crinkling with joy. The two of them are so dramatic in their own ways… Sanji with his poetic French curses, and the kid with his over-the-top confidence.

But then the sky explodes into light.

You gasp and rush toward the railing, hands gripping the wood. Fireworks bloom above the hills, one after another, bursts of gold, red, green, and silver painting the night. Some twinkle, some crackle, some swirl in spiral shapes like dancing stars.

“Whoa…” you whisper, completely forgetting the chaos behind you.

Then, beside you, another small gasp. You glance down. It’s the kid.

His eyes are wide. His mouth slightly open in wonder “They’re… huge.”

“Is this your first time seeing fireworks?” you ask.

He nods slowly “Yeah. They’re… kinda magical.”

You smile, your face glowing with the same light reflecting in the sky “Right?”

Behind you, Sanji watches the two of you from a few steps back.

You’re both standing at the railing, heads tilted up, eyes full of wonder, soft smiles on your faces. The flower the kid gave you is tucked in your hair. The bear still in your arms. And somehow, in that one moment, you and the kid… look similar.

Same joy. Same spark. Same heart.

Sanji feels something shift in his chest. Not jealousy. Not annoyance. Something deeper. Warmer.

He pictures this moment again, but years in the future. You, at the railing, holding a small hand. Your child’s hand.

Their eyes lighting up like yours. That same smile. That same awe. And he’s there too, arms around both of you. His future, clear as the fireworks above.

You turn around and catch his gaze “Sanji?”

He blinks and smiles softly “Sorry. Just… thinking about how lucky I am.”

You raise an eyebrow “Because we won the bear?”

“No,” he says, stepping forward to join you at the railing “Because I get to watch you fall in love with everything.”

You rest your head on his shoulder again, your free hand finding his.

“With me?” The kid says.

“NO! DROP IT!” Sanji yells at him but then they both smile and keep watching the fireworks as they keep blooming. And Sanji is already planning forever.

The last firework bursts in a shower of silver and gold, lingering like a sparkler in the night sky. Then silence.

Soft cheers rise from the village below. The glow fades, lanterns flickering low. The magic of the moment hangs in the air for just a little longer, like it doesn’t want to end.

You sigh, still holding Sanji’s hand “That was perfect…”

Next to you, the kid is still staring at the sky. But the fireworks are gone now, long finished. Yet he doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. His eyes are wide, his mouth just barely open. He looks like he’s still inside that wonder.

You smile at him “Hey… by the way… What’s your name?”

He blinks, like he’s waking up from a dream “Oh. It’s Tama.”

“Nice to meet you, Tama.” You kneel down a bit so you’re closer to his height “What do you wanna be when you grow up?”

Without hesitation “A pirate.”

You laugh softly “Really?”

He nods, proud “A brave one. With a big ship. I’ll visit all the islands with weird animals and floating rocks and treasure.”

Sanji smirks beside you, hands in his pockets “Then I guess we’ll keep being rivals even out at sea, huh?”

Tama gives him a sharp side-eye “I’ll have to steal y/n from you and out-pirate you.”

Sanji grins “Try me, mon petit.”

You giggle and ruffle Tama’s hair gently “Well, I hope we meet again when you’re out there chasing dreams.”

Tama glances up at you “What about you? What do you want to be?”

You pause. It’s not something you really think about. You look over at Sanji… messy blond hair, gentle smile, the way he’s still looking at you like the stars are in your eyes instead of the sky.

You shrug “I don’t care what I become. I just want to be with Sanji forever.”

Sanji freezes for a moment.

Then, he lets out a quiet breath, like someone just handed him the whole world.

His voice is soft “You’ll never have to wish for that, mon amour. I’m not going anywhere.”

Tama watches you both. He’s quiet. No more smug grins or snappy lines.

Then, slowly, he nods. He tucks his hands into his pockets and gives you a small smile, real and warm “Then it’s good the idiot is so persistent.”

Sanji raises an eyebrow “Hey—”

Tama doesn’t look at him. He’s looking at you “You’re really happy. I can tell.” His voice is calm now, like something inside him understands something bigger “So… I’m okay with it.”

Your heart softens “Thank you, Tama.”

Then, without fully thinking, you smile even wider and say, “Sanji, I hope our future baby is going to be like him.”

Tama blinks, clearly unsure what to say to that. Maybe even a little embarrassed. But he nods slowly, lips pressing together in a shy smile.

Sanji stops breathing.

He stares at you, completely still, as if the fireworks just restarted behind his eyes. That sentence… so casual, so soft… hit harder than anything tonight. Our future baby...

You’re thinking about it. About a future. About family. And not just that. You’re thinking about it with him. His heart squeezes in his chest.

You’re here, in his arms. You’re in love. And you’re imagining a child with his smile and your eyes, running around somewhere under the same stars.

You turn and see the look in Sanji’s eyes.

He’s smiling, but there’s something deeper behind it. Something full. Something that says, I heard that.

You just smile back, knowing he doesn’t need to say a word.

Tama shrugs and turns around “Don’t get too comfy though. I’ll be cooler than him someday.”

Sanji puts an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close “We’ll be cheering for you… maybe.”

Tama waves over his shoulder, heading back toward the village, lantern light flickering around him.

You and Sanji stay a little longer at the lookout, arms wrapped around each other, the flower still in your hair, and the last warmth of the fireworks still in your hearts.

The festival is over. But something even better stayed behind with you…

Love. Peace. And the promise of forever.

── .✦ Law:

The sea is calm. The deck is quiet. You wipe your hands with a towel and step out of the infirmary for some air. A peaceful day. For once.

“GUYS! GUYS!! I’m back!!”

Bepo’s voice booms from the ramp. You glance over, blinking. Law appears from the hallway behind you, arms crossed and already frowning. Penguin and Shachi pop their heads out of the engine room.

“Why are you yelling?” Law asks, sharp.

“I got everything!” Bepo shouts, jogging up “But also—uh—”

He’s carrying something. No. Someone. It’s a kid.

A little girl, maybe five years old, wrapped in one of Bepo’s spare coats. Her hair’s messy, face pale. No shoes. She looks completely terrified.

Shachi stares “That’s a child.”

“Bepo,” Law growls “You didn’t…”

“I had to!” Bepo pleads “She was hiding behind crates in the market. All alone. People walked right past her. Like she wasn’t even there!”

“So you picked her up and brought her here?!” Law’s tone spikes.

“I couldn’t leave her! I asked around, but no one knew her. No one cared! She wouldn’t talk to anyone but me!”

The girl looks around fast… strangers, loud voices, sharp tones. She panics.

Her eyes lock on you, maybe because you’re the only woman here at the moment, maybe because you’re not yelling, and suddenly she jumps out of Bepo’s arms.

“Wait—!” Bepo yells.

Too late. She runs straight to you and throws her arms around your waist, hugging you like her life depends on it.

You freeze.

“Woah—hey, hey,” you say softly, instinct kicking in. You crouch down, hands gentle on her arms “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

She buries her face in your chest and doesn’t say a word. Everyone is staring.

“Y/N,” Law says, voice low “Do you know her?”

You shake your head “Never seen her before.”

“Then why is she hugging you like that?” Penguin asks, confused.

You rub her back carefully “She’s scared. She saw someone safe. That’s all.”

Law narrows his eyes, crouching beside you.

“Kid,” he says quietly, “what’s your name?”

“…Mimi.” she whispers.

“How old are you, Mimi?”

She holds up five fingers without looking up.

“Do you know where your parents are?”

She shakes her head.

“Do you remember anything?”

She shrugs.

Law stands up “Fantastic.”

“I don’t get it,” Shachi says “Why would she run to Y/N? Just randomly?”

“She doesn’t know me,” you say, still holding Mimi gently “She was just scared.”

“She’s still shaking,” Bepo murmurs “I think she really was in danger.”

Law opens his mouth to reply, but footsteps thunder up from below deck.

“Ikkaku!” Penguin says as she appears, out of breath.

“Captain!” she gasps, holding up a tablet “Emergency Marine alert. I just picked it up from the city’s comms.”

“What kind of alert?” Law asks, tone serious.

She flips the screen around “They’re searching for a missing child. Classified level. No name. No photo. Just this—”

She swipes again. A blurry snail-cam image. It’s Mimi. Wearing that same coat.

“…Shit.” Law mutters.

Everyone stares at the screen.

“Why are the Marines looking for a five-year-old?” Shachi asks, stunned.

“Classified level? That’s not normal” Penguin adds.

Ikkaku reads off the report “Orders are to retrieve the child alive. No reason listed. But every local base is on alert. They think pirates might have taken her.”

Mimi stiffens. She presses closer to you.

“…Bad men,” she whispers “Mama said they’d come…”

“Mimi,” you say softly, “do you know who the bad men are?”

She shakes her head quickly “The marines… that I had to run. Mama said… find someone kind. Someone who felt safe.”

She looks up at you then. Big, frightened eyes.

You smile gently “You found me, don’t worry.”

Law steps beside you, staring down at the kid. His hand brushes yours.

“Y/N,” he says quietly, “She can’t stay on deck.”

You nod.

“She stays below, for now” Law says, turning to the crew “And no one talks about her. Not a word. We figure this out before the Marines come knocking.”

Bepo lets out a breath “Thank you, Captain.”

Law glances back at you and Mimi “Don’t thank me yet. This is trouble.”

“She’s just a kid,” you murmur, carrying her gently as you stand “We’ll protect her.”

Law’s voice softens “Yeah. We will.”

The door closes behind you both with a quiet click. The hallway outside Law’s quarters is silent now. You and Law stand inside the dimly lit room, away from the crew, away from Mimi.

He leans against the desk, arms folded, hat on the surface next to him. His jaw is tight. You’re pacing.

“She’s five, Law,” you say “Five. And terrified. You saw her face.”

“I know what I saw,” he replies, coldly calm “But she’s not just any kid, Y/N. She’s being hunted by the Marines. That’s not normal.”

“She didn’t ask to be hunted,” you shoot back “She didn’t choose any of this!”

“You think I don’t know that?” His voice rises slightly.

You stop pacing “Then why are you looking at her like she’s a problem?”

He straightens “Because right now? She is. She’s a risk. For all of us.”

You flinch.

“Oh, great,” you say, sarcasm slipping in “Glad to know your heart’s still functioning.”

His eyes narrow “Don’t twist my words.”

“I’m not twisting anything! You’re acting like she’s a ticking time bomb!”

“I’m being realistic!” he snaps “You always do this—take in strays without thinking!”

You freeze. The words echo. You always do this.

Your chest tightens “Then is that what I am to you?” you whisper “Some stray you took in?”

Law’s expression shifts instantly “What? No—”

You shake your head, stepping back, voice low and bitter “Forget it. I’m done.”

He moves toward you “Y/N, wait—”

“No,” you say, turning for the door “You wanted to be realistic? Fine. Be alone with your logic. I’m going to be with the actual human being we rescued.”

You slam the door on your way out.

You sit cross-legged on the floor of the small guest room, paper and colored pencils spread out between you and Mimi. She holds a red pencil in her small hand, tongue poking out a little as she focuses hard on drawing something.

You force yourself to smile “That’s a very good cat, Mimi.”

“It’s you” she says, showing you proudly.

You laugh gently “Oh! I’m the cat?”

She nods “You were soft when I hugged you.”

You pause “That’s… really sweet, actually.”

She looks up at you “Are you mad?”

Your smile fades “Why would you think that?”

“You left fast. Like Mama did… when she was mad.”

Ouch.

You set your pencil down and reach out, tucking her hair behind her ear “I’m not mad at you, I promise.”

“Then who?”

You sigh “Just… someone I love. We said some things we didn’t mean.”

She nods like she gets it “Mama and Papa did that too. Then they’d be quiet for a while. But after, they hugged a lot.”

You smile faintly “Maybe we’ll get there.”

Mimi turns back to her paper “Do you think my Mama’s okay?”

Your heart aches “I hope so, Mimi. I really do.”

You pick up a blue pencil and draw beside her in silence for a while. The sound of coloring fills the small room. For a little while, it’s peaceful again.

Even if your chest still burns with anger and something else you don’t want to admit yet. Not hurt. Just… disappointed.

The hallway outside the guest room is quiet now.

Right now, it’s just you and Mimi, surrounded by colored pencils and messy drawings. She laughs when your stick figure ends up with five arms. You giggle along, your mood slowly softening.

“Look!” she says proudly, holding up her latest masterpiece. It’s her, you, and what might be Bepo if you squint. You’ve all got huge smiles and stars around your heads.

“That’s amazing,” you say, genuinely impressed “Did you make me taller than Bepo?”

She nods “Because you’re strong.”

Your heart actually hurts a little at that “You’re the strong one, Mimi.”

She looks up at you, eyes wide and happy. It’s the first time she’s looked this light since she came aboard. Something warm blooms in your chest. You don’t say it aloud, but this feels… right.

She deserves moments like this. You both do.

There’s a soft knock at the doorframe. You turn and Law stands there. He doesn’t say anything right away. Just… watches.

You see his eyes flick to Mimi, then back to you. The scene freezes him. Like he’s seeing something he wasn’t ready for. Like he’s seeing you with a child in your lap, laughing, gentle, bright. Like family.

You look away first. Mimi doesn’t notice. She’s too busy coloring in the sky purple.

Law jerks his head toward the hallway, silently asking for a word. You hesitate.

Then slowly stand up, brushing your hands off “I’ll be right back, okay?” you whisper to Mimi.

“Okay.” she says without looking up.

You follow Law out into the hall. The door closes behind you, soft and careful. He runs a hand through his hair. He looks… tired. And guilty.

“I deserved everything you said earlier” he starts.

You don’t speak yet.

“I was angry. Not at you. At the situation. At how helpless it made me feel. It reminds me a lot of when… nevermind.”

Still, you wait.

“I wanted to do something. So I called in favors. Checked restricted comms. Dug deep.”

You lift your eyes to meet his “And?”

“I found out who her mother was,” he says “They were living on the outskirts of a Marine-controlled zone. Poor. Invisible. Perfect targets.”

Your throat tightens.

“She died,” Law continues “A week ago. Protecting Mimi. Marines were already closing in. Her mother fought back alone. Got her daughter away. Then…”

He trails off.

You stare “…Mimi saw that happen?”

He nods “But I think she doesn’t remember it. Or won’t. Trauma like that… it can block memories completely. Especially in kids.”

Your back presses to the wall “She�� thinks her mom is still out there.”

“I know,” he says quietly “I was hoping she was. I wanted to go find her. Bring her here. Give Mimi the ending she deserved.”

You press your hands to your face “God…”

Law steps closer “I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure.”

You lower your hands slowly, voice shaking “You thought I’d fall apart?”

“No,” he says “I thought I would.”

That makes you look at him.

“I saw you with her just now,” he says “And I thought… maybe we could give her something close to a family. Not perfect. Not planned. But something.”

Silence hangs heavy for a second.

“I’m sorry,” he says again “For the fight. For what I said.”

You nod slowly “I was mad. But I never stopped trusting you.”

He reaches for your hand. You let him take it.

“She’s all alone now” you whisper.

“Not if we stay” he says.

You squeeze his fingers “I’m not going anywhere.”

It’s been three months since Mimi came aboard. She doesn’t cry at night anymore. She doesn’t flinch when someone raises their voice.

She laughs. Loudly. She steals snacks with Penguin, watches Shachi build models, draws on Bepo’s fur while he naps, and sometimes, when she’s really sleepy, she crawls into your bed without saying a word and snuggles between you and Law.

You and Law never talk about it, and neither does the crew, but everyone sees the way Mimi holds your hand like it’s the most normal thing in the world. The way Law makes sure she eats, takes her medicine, wears a coat when it’s cold, even when he grumbles about it. The way her drawings now always have three people in them.

You, her, and Law.

She knows the truth now. She remembers it all… her mother, the chase, the moment she lost her, the fear. It came back slowly, in pieces, but she never fell apart.

She held on. To you. To him. And now it’s time.

You found a safe place for her, a quiet island far from Marine eyes. A good family who knew her mother once, who wants to care for Mimi like their own. A home with books, and warm food, and other children. It’s the best chance she’ll ever get.

She knows it. She understands.

But even understanding doesn’t make it easy.

On the third-to-last day, you find Mimi sitting with Bepo in the garden space at the top of the sub. She’s holding her sketchbook.

“Hey,” you say gently, sitting down beside her “Can I see what you’re drawing?”

She turns the book around. It’s you and Law again… only this time, she’s drawn herself in the middle, holding both your hands. Above you is a sun with a smiling face.

Your chest aches.

“I like when we’re together.” she says, matter-of-fact.

“I do too.”

She leans against your arm “You’re not mad, right? That I said yes to going?”

You pause “Never. Mimi, we want you to be safe. That’s what matters most.”

She goes quiet for a second “But I’ll still miss you. A lot.”

You stroke her hair softly “I’ll miss you too. Every day.”

She looks up “Do you think Captain Law will miss me?”

You smile “I know he will.”

That night, Law finds you alone in the infirmary, pretending to organize the medical supplies. He leans against the doorway, arms crossed.

“You’re avoiding me” he says.

“No I’m not” you lie instantly.

“Y/N.”

You sigh and sit down on the cot “I just… don’t know how to say goodbye.”

He walks in, quiet, and sits beside you “You don’t have to.”

You glance at him.

“We’ll find a way to see her again,” he says “Even if it’s just from a distance. I promise.”

Your eyes sting “She’s the best thing that ever happened to this ship.”

He nods “She’s one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

You look at him, surprised.

“I didn’t think I could… do this,” he says “Feel like this. But she made me believe in something again. She made me remember if Corazon and even understand him more now.”

You reach out and take his hand “She made us a family, didn’t she?”

Law squeezes your hand gently.

“And we’ll let her go,” he says “Because that’s what family does. We protect them. Even when it hurts.”

The crew stands in a quiet line on the deck.

Bepo is the first to kneel down, huge paws gentle as he hugs Mimi tightly.

“Don’t forget me” he says, voice shaking.

“I could never.” she whispers, burying her face in his fur.

Penguin gives her a pack of candy and awkwardly pats her head “Eat this when you miss us, okay?”

Shachi kneels next “We’ll miss you, shrimp. Stay awesome.”

Ikkaku lifts Mimi’s little hand and presses a friendship bracelet into her palm “For luck” she says, smiling even though her eyes are red.

Everyone says their goodbyes. Everyone hugs her.

You stand back, next to Law, holding your breath. Watching. Trying to stay calm. But your chest feels tight. Your hands shake and Law, quiet and steady beside you, notices. He doesn’t say anything. He just reaches out and takes your hand in his. Warm, grounding. Solid.

You glance down, surprised. He never does this in front of the crew. Your fingers curl around his slowly. It helps. You’re grateful.

Mimi turns at last and walks up to you both. Her steps are slower now. Her smile is gone. And when she reaches you, she breaks.

Her small arms wrap around your waist so hard it knocks the air out of you “I don’t wanna go.” she sobs.

You drop to your knees and hold her, tears falling fast “I know, baby. I know.”

“I wanna stay with you. And Law. And Bepo and everyone. I don’t want a new house.”

“I know. But this is the safest place. It’s what your mama wanted. And we’ll still love you. Always.”

She shakes her head, crying harder. You don’t want to let go. You really, really don’t. And Law… he just stands there, quiet, one hand resting gently on your back as you cry into Mimi’s hair.

He doesn’t say anything, but you know he’s there. Holding you up in the way he always does.

When you finally pull away, your eyes meet his and he gives you the smallest nod. You nod back.

It’s time. Mimi turns to him slowly.

She throws her arms around his legs without a word. Law stiffens.

Then, very awkwardly, he kneels and hugs her back. His movements are a little stiff, unsure, but he doesn’t let go too quickly.

“I’m gonna miss you, Captain Law” she mumbles.

“…I’ll miss you too.” he says, voice low.

You blink. You’ve never heard him say that out loud.

When she lets go, her eyes are red and puffy, but she wipes them on her sleeve like a little soldier. Then she walks with the woman who came to get her, toward the small transport boat.

But just before she steps down the ramp, she stops, turns around, wipes her face and yells, loud as ever “HEY!”

Everyone jumps.

“If you ever give me a little brother or sister,” she says proudly, “I better get to meet them! I’ll be the best big sister in the world!”

Dead silence. Your jaw drops. Law’s eyes widen just slightly.

The crew turns to look at you both and absolutely loses it.

Penguin snorts. Shachi wheezes. Ikkaku starts clapping. Even Bepo chuckles behind a paw.

You and Law look in opposite directions at the same time, completely red-faced, avoiding each other’s eyes like it’s life or death.

“I… what…” you stammer.

“I didn’t…” Law mutters.

Mimi waves from the ramp, beaming “BYEEEE!”

And with that… she’s gone. Leaving behind stunned silence, a warm sea breeze and a very awkward question neither of you has ever asked before.

The door to Law’s studio closes behind you with a soft click. The sound of laughter still echoes faintly down the hall as the crew keeps joking about Mimi’s parting gift.

You and Law don’t say a word.

You wave a hand dismissively toward the corridor like go away, and Law rubs his forehead in quiet frustration as you both walk deeper into the room.

You drop onto the old sofa with a dramatic sigh. Your legs flop over the side “That kid really knows how to drop a bomb” you mumble into a pillow.

Law says nothing. He just walks toward his desk and sits down heavily, glancing at a stack of papers that definitely aren’t important right now.

“…So…” he says.

You raise an eyebrow, still hiding in the couch.

He clears his throat “Have you ever… uh. Thought about… you know.”

You peek at him “About what.”

He doesn’t look at you “A kid. Of your own.”

You squint “Why are you talking like that? You sound like Bepo when he ate spoiled mochi.”

He shoots you a look and you laugh, then immediately groan and hide your face in your hands.

“Oh god, I can’t believe we’re actually talking about this.”

“You didn’t answer” he says.

You peek through your fingers at him “Did you think about it before?”

He shrugs one shoulder “No. Not seriously.”

He stands up and walks over. He kneels in front of you and gently pulls your hands away from your face, exposing your cheeks and all the heat blooming in them.

His voice is soft “But now… I don’t hate the idea.”

Your heart skips. Your mouth opens and for once, no teasing comes out. Just a quiet little truth.

“…Same,” you say “If it’s with you.”

His ears go red. He clears his throat again, standing up abruptly like you just slapped him with a compliment.

“Don’t say stuff like that so easily” he mutters.

You laugh, covering your own red cheeks again “You started it!”

He turns back to his desk, muttering something under his breath.

You’re not sure what he’s thinking. But his shoulders relax a little while his hand lingers on the edge of his chair, like maybe he’s imagining what another little voice in this room might sound like someday.

── .✦ Shanks:

The sun is warm on your shoulders. The smell of grilled fish, sea salt, and cheap beer fills the open-air restaurant. You’re sitting beside Shanks, your legs draped over his lap, one arm around his broad shoulders. He’s laughing loud, one hand resting on your thigh, a bottle in the other.

The Red-Haired Pirates are noisy,talking with full mouths, yelling jokes across the table, getting into friendly fights over who gets the last crab claw.

You’re smiling, head leaning against Shanks’ shoulder, completely relaxed. Then you notice a woman, maybe in her twenties, carrying a small kid, probably two or three years old, on her hip. She’s standing near the entrance, eyes scanning the place fast, like she’s searching for someone. Her brows are drawn tight, lips pressed together.

“Shanks…” you murmur, nudging him with your elbow.

He follows your gaze.

She spots you. Her eyes go wide with something like hope. She walks fast toward your table, clutching the child tighter, muttering “excuse me” as she passes the crew. The little one, a girl, blinks up at everyone with big sleepy eyes. She stops right in front of you.

“Hi,” she says, out of breath “I—Sorry to bother you. I know who you are. You’re Shanks’ crew, right?”

You blink “Uh, yeah. That’s us.”

The woman shifts her weight, bouncing the kid gently “I know this is weird. Really weird. But I—I need help.”

Shanks straightens a little beside you. His arm slides behind your back but he stays quiet, letting you speak first.

“What kind of help?” you ask slowly, looking from the kid to her.

“My babysitter canceled last minute. I’m already late for work—I’ll lose my job if I don’t show up. It’s only for a few hours. Please,” she pleads “I don’t know anyone on this island, and you… well, I’ve seen you in the papers. You’re not bad people.”

You open your mouth to answer, then close it.

The little girl is chewing on her own shirt, blinking at you with big brown eyes. Her cheeks are flushed. Her hair’s tied up in a tiny puff.

You glance at Shanks. He’s watching you with that gentle smile of his. His eyes are soft. He doesn’t say anything, he just squeezes your hip lightly, like he’s telling you, Your choice.

“I don’t know anything about kids.” you say, voice low, nervous.

“You’ll be fine,” the woman says quickly “She’s easy. Doesn’t cry much. Her name’s Emi.”

The little girl makes a tiny sound, like she’s trying to say something but decides against it.

You look at Shanks again. He smiles wider.

“I’ll help you,” you say finally, sighing “Only for a few hours.”

“Thank you, thank you so much.” the woman breathes. She kisses the kid’s forehead and whispers something into her ear. Then she hands her over to you.

The moment Emi’s in your arms, she goes still. Warm and small. A little heavy. She smells like soap and bananas.

The woman gives you her name, a quick “I’ll be back before sunset.” and then she’s gone.

You sit there frozen. Shanks looks down at Emi in your lap. Then back up at you.

“You look terrified.” he says, chuckling.

“I am terrified.” you whisper.

“Want me to hold her?”

You shake your head slowly “No… I think I got this.”

Then Emi sneezes on your chest.

“Okay,” you groan “Maybe not.”

Shanks is already laughing.

At first, Emi just… sits there. On your lap. Quiet, blinking, nose still a little runny. She doesn’t cry. Doesn’t move much either. Just holds a tiny stuffed rabbit in one hand and sucks her thumb with the other.

You’re stiff as a mast. Shanks drapes his arm around your shoulders, whispering in your ear, “You’re holding her like she’s a bomb.”

“I’ve held swords with more confidence...” you mutter back.

He laughs, soft and deep, and brushes a strand of hair behind your ear “Try putting her on the bench next to you. Let her get used to everyone.”

You do. Emi shifts to sit beside you, rabbit clutched to her chest. She peeks around the table. The crew watches her like she’s a sea monster that just learned to smile.

“Hi, Emi!” Lucky Roux waves with a toothy grin “Wanna try some pineapple?”

She buries her face in your side.

Yasopp chuckles “You sure she’s not scared of you, Y/N?”

“She should be.” you say dryly.

But over time, it changes. Slowly. Emi starts pointing at things on the table. A shrimp. A spoon. A shiny gold coin someone dropped. You tell her the names. You offer her a piece of soft bread, and she takes it with two hands like it’s a treasure.

An hour later, you’re wiping jam off her chin with a napkin and helping her clap to Benn’s bad humming of a lullaby tune. She giggles when you make a fish face at her. You giggle back. And Shanks is quiet. He watches.

Not in a smug or teasing way. He’s not smirking. He’s not laughing with the others when Yasopp says, “Look at this! Y/N’s got the mom vibe going strong!”

He just… looks.

You glance at him and find his jaw a little tight. His drink untouched. His gaze heavy on you and the child. Like he’s thinking hard about something he doesn’t want to say out loud.

“Captain?” you ask softly.

He blinks, like he’s been pulled out of somewhere far away “Yeah?”

“You okay?”

He nods. Too fast.

Roux leans over with a grin “Hey, Shanks. You gonna put a ring on it if she starts popping out mini Shank’s?”

Everyone laughs.

You feel your face heat up, heart thudding a little “Oh my God—can you all shut up?”

“I want to marry her.” Shanks says suddenly.

Silence. Everyone stares.

You slowly turn to him “What?”

He meets your eyes. His voice is even, but his expression is… different. Calm on the surface, but his eyes are darker than usual “If she wanted that too. Yeah.”

You feel Emi rest her head on your arm, yawning, rabbit smushed between her face and your side.

You’re not sure what to say. The crew fumbles between teasing and trying not to look too shocked.

Shanks finally looks away, picking up his drink again.

Benn watches him for a long second. Then quietly says, “Alright, alright. Let’s not scare the kid, huh?”

And just like that, the noise starts up again. Jokes. Laughter. Loud plates. Big bites.

But Shanks doesn’t joke anymore, and you don’t miss the way he keeps looking at you like there’s something he’s not saying. Something that makes your heart beat a little faster.

Then everything fall falls apart when Emi gets bored.

One minute she’s snuggled against you, soft and sleepy, her rabbit tucked under her chin. The next she’s on her feet, running full speed down the middle of the open-air tavern, arms flapping like wings.

“EMI!” you shout, scrambling to follow her.

Your drink spills. A spoon clatters to the ground. Shanks laughs under his breath and gets up with you, already moving.

She darts under a table where two drunk fishermen are playing cards, crawls past their feet like some kind of tiny demon, and pops up between a tray of grilled squid and a candle.

“I got her!” Yasopp calls out, lunging, but Emi ducks and keeps running, laughing wildly now, barefoot and fast.

“She’s gone feral!” Lucky Roux howls.

“Shanks!” you bark, spinning around helplessly “Stop laughing and HELP!”

He grins, but there’s warmth in his eyes as he moves quickly, circling the tables “Aye aye, sweetheart.”

You try one side, he takes the other.

“Emi,” he says, crouching low, voice gentle, like he’s speaking to a scared animal “Hey, baby girl. Wanna play a game? It’s called Freeze. Can you freeze?”

She stops. Looks at him. Wobbles on her feet.

You sneak up behind.

“Gotcha!” you grab her mid-spin, lifting her up like a sack of potatoes.

She laughs and squeals, legs kicking.

“She’s a slippery one.” you mutter, holding her close, out of breath.

“I like her spirit,” Shanks says, grinning as he brushes a strand of hair from your face “She reminds me of you.”

You squint at him “You’re not funny.”

The crew starts clapping. Yasopp whistles. Roux raises his mug “Now that’s a team, huh? Look at them. Mom and Dad of the year.”

“Oh, please—” you start, but Shanks just reaches for Emi’s little hand and gives it a squeeze.

“Teamwork, right?” he says softly to her.

She nods. Then sneezes again. Right into his chest.

You burst out laughing this time and say “That’s karma.”

He wipes it off with a napkin like it’s nothing.

You sit back down together, Emi now curled in your lap again, finally tired. Shanks stays close. Not just beside you but with you. Helping. Watching. Smiling softly when Emi dozes off. But he’s still quiet. More quiet than usual.

Your eyes keep drifting to him. The way he’s looking at the girl. The little frown he doesn’t even know he has. The way his hand rests on her back like he’s done it a hundred times before.

He used to be like this with Uta. And Luffy, too. Soft. Present. Gentle.

You haven’t seen that part of him in a long time. You missed it.

“You okay?” you ask under your breath, while the crew starts arguing over dessert.

He doesn’t answer right away.

Then finally, “Yeah.”

You stare at him a little longer “Are you lying to me?”

He smiles, but it’s not the usual cocky grin. It’s smaller. Tired.

“I’m not sure what I’m feeling,” he admits “Just… thinking, I guess.”

You squeeze his hand “About what?”

He shrugs, looking down at Emi “About a lot of things.”

And now you are quiet, because something in your chest shifts. Soft. Strange. Familiar.

Maybe it’s the way he looks at you, like you’ve already given him something he thought he’d never have again. Or maybe it’s the way it suddenly feels… real.

You. Him. And this small, chaotic moment that makes everything else disappear.

The sun starts to dip, painting the sky in gold and peach.

You’re still at the tavern, Emi snoring softly on your shoulder, her little fingers tangled in your hair. Shanks sits beside you, quiet. His arm rests behind you, not touching, just there.

And then she returns. The woman bursts through the crowd, her apron flying, face flushed with panic. The moment she sees you, she stops, hands over her heart like she might collapse.

“Oh my god—thank you. Thank you so much,” she breathes, almost crying as she rushes to you “I’m so sorry I took so long. I owe you my life.”

You wave a hand gently “It’s okay. Really. She was good. A little fast—like, sprint-across-the-rooftops fast—but… I had fun.”

Emi stirs and opens her eyes.

“Hi, baby.” the mother coos, arms outstretched. The little girl shifts toward her sleepily, and you pass her over with care. For a second, Emi resists, her hand still reaching for your shirt.

Your heart squeezes a little.

“Thank you again,” the woman says, eyes filled with real gratitude “If you’re ever on this island again, please come find us. I mean it.”

You smile, brushing some crumbs off your lap “Of course. Be safe.”

You watch them go, mother holding daughter close, disappearing into the market crowd. And then it’s just… quiet. Too quiet.

The crew starts packing up, joking softly, but there’s a change in the air. A stillness you don’t like. You look at Shanks.

He’s already looking at you.

Not grinning. Not teasing.

Just watching you with that faraway softness in his eyes, like you’re a slow dream he doesn’t want to wake up from. Like maybe, for a second, he saw something more than just this moment.

You reach for his hand and lace your fingers through his.

He squeezes back but doesn’t say anything.

The walk to the ship is slow. The crew’s laughing again, arguing about who drank the most, but it’s like the volume’s been turned down. You and Shanks trail behind.

Still no words. Not one.

That night, the sea’s calm. The stars are out. You’re both in your cabin, door closed, boots off.

You lie on your shared bed, watching him stand at the window, shirt half unbuttoned, red hair catching the moonlight, and you’ve had enough. You sit up.

“Alright, Red,” you say, crossing your arms “What’s going on in that dumb, beautiful head of yours?”

He looks over his shoulder, startled “What?”

“You’ve been quiet ever since Emi left. You’ve said maybe ten words total. And I know you. That means you’re thinking. Hard.”

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck “Maybe I’m just tired.”

“Nope.” You crawl across the bed toward him, poke his side “Try again.”

He sighs “It’s… complicated.”

“So is your face, and I still look at it every day. Try me.”

That gets a small laugh out of him.

You press your forehead to his back “You don’t have to hold things in with me, Shanks. Not the serious stuff. Not the scary stuff. Especially not the stuff that makes your eyes look like that.”

He turns slowly, leaning against the window. You slide your arms around his waist and rest your head on his chest. He wraps his arms around you too, finally. Breathing in.

“Seeing you with her,” he says softly “With Emi.”

You wait.

“I kept thinking about Uta. About Luffy. About how fast it all went. How I blinked and they weren’t mine to hold anymore.”

You don’t speak. Just hold him tighter.

“And then… I saw you. Just being there. Caring for this tiny stranger like it was nothing. Laughing with her. Holding her. And something in me just… ached.”

You tilt your head up “Ached how?”

He looks down at you, eyes serious now “Like I wanted that with you. And I didn’t even know how much until I saw it.”

The words settle deep inside you.

“You’d be a good father.” you whisper.

“You’d be the best mother.” he says back instantly.

Silence again, but this time it’s full. Of possibilities. Of truths unsaid until now.

“I didn’t say anything,” Shanks adds, brushing a hand through your hair, “because I don’t want you to think I expect that from you. Or that I’m pushing it. I just… couldn’t stop seeing it.”

You lean in and kiss him slow. No rush. No pressure. Just soft and sure.

When you pull away, your voice is warm and quiet “Then keep seeing it. I don’t mind.”

You kiss him. Long, soft, deep.

The kind of kiss that says more than either of you can find the words for. His hands settle on your waist, grounding you, holding you like you might drift away if he lets go. And when you finally break apart, you stay close. Forehead to forehead. Breathing the same air.

Now it’s your turn. You exhale shakily “I always saw you with Uta. And Luffy. The way you held them, talked to them, made them laugh… the way they looked at you.”

Shanks closes his eyes, lips pressed together.

“I used to watch from the deck,” you continue softly, “and I’d think… that. I want that with him. Our own little chaos. Our own quiet moments. Our own family.”

His grip on you tightens just a little. His thumb strokes your hip, slowly.

“I never said anything,” you admit, voice quieter now “Because I thought… maybe you already had your turn. Maybe being a dad again wasn’t something you wanted. Like, maybe Uta and even Luffy were your ‘once in a lifetime’. And I didn’t want to be selfish.”

Shanks pulls back just enough to look at you fully, eyes wide, voice rough “Selfish? Y/N… You have no idea how wrong you are.”

You blink.

He cups your face, brushing his thumb over your cheek “If anything, I was scared you didn’t want that. I never wanted to put that weight on you. My name. My crew. My life.”

You both laugh a little, soft and breathless. And then he says it “I’d love to see a little you run around the ship.”

Your heart does a full spin in your chest. You both collapse back onto the bed, side by side, hands tangled together, staring at the ceiling like it holds the future in its stars.

“I think she’d be loud.” you say, smiling to yourself.

“She?” Shanks grins “You’re already picking sides?”

“I just know. She’d talk back to Benn by the time she could crawl.”

“She’d steal Yasopp’s sake and blame it on Lucky Roux.”

“She’d steal your cape and wear it like a dress.”

“She’d make the whole crew bow to her by age four.”

You laugh. He laughs too. Your fingers tighten around his.

“She’d be soft like you,” he adds suddenly, voice lower now “Kind. But dangerous.”

You glance over at him “She’d be brave like you. Wild, loyal, always smiling.”

He sighs, almost dreamily “I can already hear her little feet running on the deck.”

“And your big voice yelling ‘don’t climb the cannon!’”

You both break into giggles and then silence again, but this time, it’s wrapped in warmth, in hope.

Shanks turns his head to look at you. You’re already looking at him.

“I mean…” he says slowly, raising one eyebrow, “we could start working on that little Y/N… like… right now.”

You gasp “Shanks!”

He smirks wickedly “What? I’m just saying. We’re both here. The ship’s quiet. The moon looks nice. You’re cute. I’m cute. It’s called destiny.”

You snort “You’re impossible—ah!”

He attacks, fingers darting to your sides, tickling, making you laugh and squirm under him.

“Shanks! Stop!”

“Never!” he grins, pinning you lightly with his weight “You’re stuck now. You told me your secrets. I told you mine. That makes us legally married in pirate law.”

You laugh until your cheeks hurt. You wiggle, but he’s strong, gentle, always careful. And then you stop moving. So does he.

Your eyes meet again. Closer now. Breath mingling.

That softness returns. Like a wave pulling you under, not scary. Just deep. Full of something quiet and forever.

You reach up and brush his hair behind his ear.

He leans into your touch.

“Hey,” you whisper “I love you.”

“I know,” he murmurs, kissing the inside of your palm “And I love you more than I thought I even could.”

His mouth finds yours again, slower this time. No rush.

The kind of kiss that makes the world outside the cabin disappear and maybe, tonight is the beginning of something new.

── .✦ Ace:

The sun is warm, the breeze is salty, and Ace is doing what he always does when he’s not fighting or eating: walking too close to you with that lazy grin on his face.

“You sure you don’t wanna race?” he asks “You lose, you buy lunch.”

You raise an eyebrow “You’ll cheat with your fire.”

“Not true.” He places a hand on his chest, all dramatic “I only cheat if I’m losing.”

You snort “So always.”

He gasps “Betrayal.”

The two of you walk down the main road of a small island town. It’s quiet, peaceful, one of those places that doesn’t care much for bounties or pirate crews. People nod, wave, smile. Ace stretches, yawns, and puts his arm lazily around your shoulder.

“Maybe we should stay here a few days,” he says “Nice change from all the running.”

Before you can answer, a small voice says “Is that Fire Fist Ace?!”

You both turn. Two kids stand by a fruit stall, one boy, maybe six, and an older girl, probably nine. The boy’s eyes are wide. The girl looks like she’s not impressed yet.

Ace grins “Yeah, that’s me.”

The boy lights up “No way! My dad told me you can burn down a whole ship in one punch!”

Ace shrugs, clearly proud “Depends on the ship.”

The girl, however, is staring at you.

Her eyes narrow “You’re her, aren’t you?”

You blink “…Her?”

She steps closer, pointing at your waist “You’re the swordwoman who beat that Navy officer in Loguetown. The one who fights with two blades and never loses.”

You look down at her, surprised. She’s serious. Ace whistles.

“Wow,” he says “I didn’t know I was walking around with a legend.”

You nudge him “Shut up.”

The girl keeps going “They say you cut a cannonball in half.”

You sigh “It was already cracked.”

Still, her eyes sparkle. The boy joins in, bouncing excitedly.

“She’s so cool! Are you really pirates?!”

“Guilty,” Ace says, holding up his hands “But friendly pirates.”

“You don’t look friendly...” the girl says.

Ace grins “Good. That’s the point.”

Then the boy tugs at your sleeve “Can I see your sword?”

You crouch to his level “They’re sharp. Not safe for kids.”

He frowns “I won’t touch it. Promise!”

You glance at Ace, who’s watching you closely, smiling like he’s waiting for something. You sigh and slowly pull one of your swords just a little from the sheath, just enough to show the edge. Both kids gasp like it’s treasure.

“Can you teach us how to fight?” the girl asks suddenly.

You blink “You’re nine.”

“So? You were probably younger when you started.”

Ace chuckles “She was.”

You give him a side-eye “Stop helping.”

The little girl folds her arms “You could just show us something. Like a move. Just one.”

You sigh again but you’re smiling now “You’re very stubborn.”

She shrugs “You have to be, if you wanna be strong.”

Ace leans against a wooden post, arms crossed, amused “Sounds familiar.”

You glance at him “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“I mean… yeah.” He grins “It’s the first time someone’s asking you for autographs instead of me. I’m letting it sink in.”

The boy tugs your coat again “Please? One move?”

You finally stand, looking at the open space near the dock “Fine. But just one. Then you leave us alone and go home, got it?”

The kids cheer and run to the clearing.

Ace follows, whistling “You’re gonna start a sword school at this rate.”

You roll your shoulders, then pull your blade halfway out, just enough to flash the steel. You drop into a stance, slow and firm. The kids go quiet. Then, with a sharp breath, you move. One swift, elegant slash through the air, so fast the wind shifts. The tip of your sword stops just above the ground, and your coat flutters around you.

The boy’s mouth hangs open. The girl’s eyes are huge.

Ace whistles “Show-off.”

You sheathe the sword in one clean motion.

The girl points “That was awesome! Can you do it again?”

“No,” you say, but you’re laughing now.

The boy runs over and hugs your leg suddenly “You’re my favorite pirate now!”

You blink, surprised. You pat his head awkwardly “Uh. Thanks?”

Ace watches you, your hand gently resting on the boy’s head, your stance still grounded, strong but soft. You’re not trying to impress anyone. You just exist like this. Capable. Calm. Kind. Something shifts in his chest.

You look up at him “What?”

He shrugs “Nothing. Just… didn’t know you were this good with kids.”

“I’m not,” you say “They’re just clingy.”

The girl now grabs your wrist “Can I hold your sword?”

“No.”

“Can I touch it?”

“No.”

“Can you teach me how to fight like that?”

“No—”

Ace walks over, laughing “C’mon, sweetheart. Be nice.”

You glare at him “You help, then.”

He lifts his hands “Nope. I’m just the fire guy. You’re the star today.”

The boy turns to Ace “Do you two live together?”

You and Ace exchange a look.

He grins “Something like that.”

The girl squints “Are you married?”

You cough “No.”

“Are you gonna be?”

You open your mouth, but nothing comes out.

Ace just laughs and says, “Wanna help me convince her?”

“YES!” the kids shout in unison.

You groan and walk away “I regret everything.”

Ace follows, hands in his pockets, that lazy smile still on his face, but his eyes stay soft. He watches you gently shoo the kids away, then thank the fruit vendor with a quiet bow. And in that moment, he knows. Clear as day.

“She’s not just strong. She’s not just mine. She’d be the best damn mom the world’s ever seen.”

He doesn’t say it out loud. Not yet. But he’s thinking it. Hard.

You and Ace are sitting under a tree near the edge of the village, sharing a bag of sliced fruit.

“You think they’re gone?” you ask, biting into a juicy piece.

Ace shrugs “Maybe. Or maybe they’re forming a fan club.”

You nudge his leg with your boot “I don’t need a fan club.”

He gives you a lazy grin “No, but you deserve one.”

You roll your eyes, but your ears go a little pink.

Then, a small voice calls from down the road “WE’RE BACK!!”

You groan “No.”

Ace grins “Yes.”

The two kids come running, the boy nearly trips over his own feet and stop in front of you, proudly holding up folded paper sheets.

“Look!!” the girl says, unfolding one “We drew you!”

You blink “…You what?”

They hand you the papers. The drawings are messy, full of wild colors, but so full of heart. One is of you holding two swords, a big smile on your face. Another shows you and Ace together, tiny figures with stars around you. A third shows you with a little kid, sword in hand, standing tall.

You pause at that one. Ace leans over your shoulder to peek. His voice is softer now “Is that supposed to be your kid?”

The girl nods proudly “Yup! We made a story about you! You’re a pirate mom who protects her ship and teaches her kid how to be strong.”

You stare at the page, silent. The boy holds out a few crayons “You can draw too, if you want!”

Before you can say no, he’s already sitting down, opening another paper. The girl joins him. They look up at you, smiling.

“C’mon,” she says “We wanna make a whole crew!”

You glance at Ace. He shrugs, trying to act casual “Up to you.”

You sigh and sit down cross-legged in the grass “Alright. But I’m drawing the captain.”

“That’s YOU!” the boy says.

You raise an eyebrow “I meant me.”

They laugh.

You start sketching. Nothing fancy just simple shapes. You draw yourself with a pirate hat, a tiny sword tucked in your belt. The kids start adding characters around you: themselves, animals, someone with a frying pan who’s probably Ace.

You’re focused, smiling to yourself as you add waves and stars and a sun.

Ace just watches you from where he stands, hands in his pockets, face unreadable. There’s a heat in his chest now that has nothing to do with his powers. It burns deeper. It’s watching your hand gently guide the boy’s when he can’t get the lines straight. It’s hearing you ask, “Want me to draw your pirate flag too?” in that soft, patient voice.

It’s the way you look down at the page like you’re already imagining a future.

“This shouldn’t make me want her more,” he thinks, frustrated “But it does. She’s drawing little pirate stories with them on the grass. She’d be the kind of mom who makes the world feel safe.”

He swallows hard and looks away for a second, like it’ll calm him down... It doesn’t.

You finish your little drawing with a final scribble of wind in the sails.

“There,” you say, holding it up “Captain, crew, and treasure.”

The boy claps “It’s perfect!”

The girl leans over to look “Yours is way cooler than mine.”

“Nah,” you say, nudging her arm “You’ve got better colors.”

They beam like you just handed them gold.

Ace is still standing nearby, arms crossed, pretending to be relaxed, but his jaw is tight.

You glance up at him “You okay?”

“Me? Yeah.” His voice comes out rougher than he means it to. He clears his throat “Just… warm.”

The boy tugs at your sleeve again.

“Hey,” he says, eyes wide with curiosity “Do you have kids?”

You blink. Ace freezes.

The girl adds quickly, “You’d be a really cool mom.”

There’s a beat of silence. Just the wind and the scratching of a crayon. You sit back slowly and shake your head “No. I don’t.”

The boy frowns “Why not?”

You laugh softly “Because I’m still busy being a pirate.”

“But you could be both,” the girl says, very seriously “Like in the drawing.”

You smile at that “Maybe someday.”

Your voice is calm. Light. Like you’re just answering any question. But Ace… Ace is not calm. He watches your face as you say those words “Maybe someday” and his heart lurches. Because now it’s real. Not just a fantasy in his head. Not just a warm thought. You’ve imagined it too now.

He doesn’t say anything. He just walks over slowly and sits down behind you, arms resting over your shoulders as you lean back against his chest.

“You’d be amazing at it.” he murmurs, low so the kids can’t hear.

You glance up “At what?”

He looks down at you, eyes soft and a little wild at the edges, like something’s breaking open inside him “At being a mom. I mean it.”

You pause. Then, quietly, you ask, “You think about that?”

He nods “More than I expected to. More than I ever thought I would.”

The kids are still doodling, totally unaware. You say nothing, but your hand reaches up and rests gently over his. That’s all he needs.

The kids eventually stand up, arms full of drawings and unfinished paper pirate maps.

“We’re gonna go show these to our grandpa!” the girl says.

The boy nods “Thanks for drawing with us!”

You wave, still sitting in the grass “Stay out of trouble.”

The boy grins “Bye, pirate mom!”

You blink “I’m not—”

But they’re already gone.

Ace snorts behind you “Pirate mom, huh?”

You roll your eyes and lean back into him again “Don’t start.”

He rests his chin on your shoulder “Too late. You’ve got the role down already. You give good advice, threaten people just enough, and draw cool flags. What more could a kid want?”

You hum “A dad who doesn’t set the house on fire?”

He grins “I’d try to keep it contained.”

You laugh, light and warm “You’d accidentally roast our laundry.”

“Okay, yeah, but I’d teach them how to blow stuff up responsibly.”

You fake-think “Hmm. Dangerous. But useful.”

He smiles, but then falls quiet. You feel the shift instantly. His arms wrap tighter around your middle.

“You were really sweet with them.” he says softly.

You shrug “They were cute.”

“You were cuter.”

You snort “Gross.”

“No, seriously,” he murmurs “I was watching you and thinking… like, really thinking—”

He breaks off, then tries again “That I wanna see you like that again. With… our own.”

You smirk “You mean with a mini version of me bossing you around?”

He groans “Oh god. A tiny you would be terrifying.”

“Admit it. You’d love it.”

He doesn’t hesitate.

“I would,” he says, suddenly serious “I really would.”

You look up at him. He’s already looking down at you, eyes soft, mouth slightly parted, like he’s realizing it all over again.

You tilt your head, grinning “You’re so obvious, Ace.”

“Am not.”

“You were practically glowing while I helped that kid draw a sword.”

“I was not glowing!”

“You sighed like five times.”

“I didn’t—”

“You had your sappy ‘I’m in love’ face on.”

“I always have my sappy in love face on.”

You laugh, twisting in his arms to face him fully “True.”

He leans in, forehead pressed to yours.

“I’m serious though,” he murmurs “Someday. I’d want that. With you.”

Your voice softens “Yeah. Me too.”

You kiss him slow, sure, and just a little teasing, then pull back with a grin “But if the kid turns out chaotic like you, I’m blaming your genes.”

He laughs against your mouth “Deal. But if they’re scary with a sword by age seven, that’s all you.”

You smirk “We’ll make a terrifying little pirate together.”

“Perfect.” he says, smiling like he already sees it.

824 notes · View notes

captain-eagle-art · 2 days ago

Note

Hello again 👋 since you did such a stellar job last time, i'm here to request another Ace, Doffy, Law and Zoro story, this time about their first kiss x reader! Tysm and i hope you feel better soon ❤️

Thank you so much, anon. I feel much better, just suffering from a stuffy nose and a bit of a cough now 🫂(❁´◡`❁) It's actually so sweet to have recurring faces in my inbox~ And thank you so much for this request! I was super enthusiastic about writing this and poured everything I had into this 🫡Hope you enjoy it just as much!

PS. I'm so sorry for abusing your request like this, but I wanted to address another anon in my ask box 👀You requested a certain Corazon and hehe, yes I've just reached that part of Dressrosa! I just don't feel confident enough to portray him just yet so your request will be pushed a bit into the future, hope that's okay with you ♥ So excited to write about this man though ╰(*°▽°*)╯

PPS. I cooked. Again!!

First Kiss

feat. ACE, DOFLAMINGO, LAW, ZORO

ACE

Your first kiss was… sweet.

For quite some time, Ace and you have been inseparable. You’ve become fast friends after hitting it off, deciding to even go on missions together. Most of the others have caught onto you by now, silently offering their blessings, but you two were completely oblivious to the budding romance between you. It was perfectly normal to go up to Vista and give him a hug – why would it be different when Ace twirled you around after you returned from your little scout session on an unexplored island? Nobody blinked twice after you spent an evening playing cards with Marco in his room, but low whistles and wiggling eyebrows would follow you when Ace wanted to show you some random trinket he caught with his fishing rod. Additionally, everybody aw-ed and cooed when Whitebeard patted your hair and smiled down at you, but if Ace ever went as far as touch your shoulder out on the open deck, some other commander was always near to berate him on ‘how to treat a lady properly’.

You haven’t been around as long as most of the others, so… maybe this is just how the crew decided to affectionately tease Ace since he was the youngest commander around?

However, Ace was very much aware of the others’ constant meddling and why they were so keen on making his life miserable.

He’d told Marco to back off once – just once! – because the doctor had been acting too familiar with you when Ace was the one who was madly in love with you. That single sentence spread like wildfire amongst the crew and now he cannot even do best-friend-esque things with you without someone else trying to ruin the moment.

It was totally normal to develop a huge crush on your best friend. You are gorgeous, so loving and you care so much – maybe too much.

It was also perfectly fine and not unusual to stare at them for moments at a time, trying to muster up the courage to ask you out on a da-

“ACE!!! YOU’RE SETTING THE BED ON FIRE. OUT WITH YOU!”

Marco’s scream rang across the entire Moby Dick, alerting everyone with ears that Ace had just embarrassed himself again. Originally, he went in to see Marco because of ...certain problems, but he couldn’t quite tell him that you were constantly in his head and making his heart leap into his throat every single time he thought about your smile or how nice you smelled today and how cute you looked in the outfit you showed him…

Sigh.

Luckily for him, you were just within earshot to hear Marco’s crazy rant… that still ran its course in the background, and you immediately sought Ace out to help him.

You had your own hammock with you and let him follow you wordlessly into his room. This time, nobody was even there to interrupt.

You started talking about what you were up to before you heard Marco’s alarm bells ringing in the med bay. Of course, you were a natural at taking care of Ace… but that was very much part of the problem!!

He couldn’t help but steal glances at you with so much longing in his eyes that it would have made anyone blush. You were his missing piece, better half – whatever they want to call it.

You’ve seen him through it all, but you weren’t tired of him. You didn’t mind his quieter moments and you always offered your shoulder to him – just to lean on and cry if necessary.

Of course, you wouldn’t think much of sleeping next to him. Your actions were platonic in nature and Ace would actually quit the crew if he made you uncomfortable in any way… but he almost got pulled back into reality when you innocently pointed at his own hammock, not knowing that he was lost in thought.

“Or do you wanna cuddle?”, you questioned innocently.

...And Ace choked on his own saliva. He just knew that his cheeks were crimson red and boiling. This was humiliating… he unusually had excellent control over his powers, but you rendered him completely powerless against you and you didn’t even know it!

…That being said, of course he wants to cuddle.

He lied down next to you and wrapped his arms around your torso, feeling just how warm you were and how your steady breathing immediately calmed him down. It was like a magical remedy, but he could feel his eyes flutter –

– and that’s when his eyes locked onto yours. You wore a precious smile and you seemed to glow next to him. That’s how happy you looked… absolutely stunning.

But he did almost faint when you leaned in to briefly peck his lips to tell him that you love him, too.

WAIT.

“TOO?!”

DOFLAMINGO

Your first kiss was… dangerous.

“I can’t believe you’d do this to me! You cannot push me around, Doflamingo!”

You spit words of venom at him just after you realised that you were now working… directly under his command, just like he threatened.

Doflamingo, meanwhile, could only grin in amusement. Of course you thought he was bluffing, thinking of you as nothing more than a little plaything. Oh, how utterly wrong you were. He saw right through you – you were probably testing him, just like how he tested your loyalty. You wanted him to take the bait and push you away, just so you’d have a reason to close yourself off again and go solo. He knew those tactics by heart, sweetheart.

No, he wasn’t kidding when he said that you should be working for him. If you wanted to work, that is. You could just enter the family business, love, after all… you might as well be family at this point. Heh.

He’d entertain your need for independence for as long as you want him to, though. This is how he took notice of you after all.

So what if he stole you right out of another underground broker’s filthy pawns? They weren’t fit to stand next to you anyway. You outshone everybody… especially your former employer. Doflamingo’s been watching you for longer than you may have realised, just to find a flaw within you… but when he found none, the obsession swung in the opposite direction: He was no longer pettily snappish towards you for going after his clients to boost your boss’s image, sweetheart no… you were suddenly a woman worthy of his own calibre. No mistakes, no fear and… one glaringly obvious flaw turned asset – you trusted absolutely nobody.

And just like him, your desire for unmitigated loyalty was like a noose around your pretty neck.

You’d no longer have to deal with these rats who waste your talent away for arms deals that amount to nothing, you were meant to shape the new world order alongside yours truly.

You were just waiting for him.

“Say something!”

Doflamingo smirked before he walked up to you, grabbing your jaw with such speed that you barely had the time to react. It was laughable how he didn’t even have to activate his Devil Fruit powers to restrain you. His freakish height didn’t just give him the opportunity to loom over you, it also came with unimaginable strength. He could almost feel your jawbone crack under the pressure, but you would be caught dead before you uttered a single complaint.

“We crave the same thing, you and I. Letting you rot away pointlessly… might as well break my heart.”

A chuckle echoed through the otherwise empty room, but you weren’t amused at all. You rolled your eyes and clenched your jaw. He could feel the muscles beneath his fingers contract and his pupils dilated at the sight and the sensation.

“How dramatic. Almost brought me to tears.”

Your sarcasm earned yourself a laugh. He let go of you, but you could very much feel a string attach itself to your hand. Doflamingo knew better than to turn you into his puppet, but he very much wanted to remind you of what he was capable of. You were above everybody else, but still beneath him. You don’t have to submit, but you should know when to behave.

“You’re the only one to speak to me like that.”, he noted nonchalantly, “And after we’ve been on a bunch of dates, too. Tragic. Woe is me.”

You crossed your arms over your chest, sighing in defeat. You knew that he was right.

Yeah, he might have… pulled some strings to get you to agree to meeting him away from glamorous galas and dangerous deals, but he got to know you and your innermost desire. You wanted to trust someone wholeheartedly.

Well, Doflamingo happened to know just the guy.

“Dates where you’ve tried to kill yourself or me.”, you added just as coolly, voice monotone and face neutral. Totally befitting for a Queen.

“And you kept us both safe, my love.”

He licked his lips before breaking out in a dark chuckle that turned maniacal for just a moment. Oh, he was ecstatic that you’ve proven your loyalty towards him. You were everything he’s ever wanted.

“Now it’s my turn to protect you.”, he vowed before he kissed your hand, looking into your eyes while doing so.

Your pupils were blown out.

Bingo.

“Lean down.”, you calmly ordered.

And it’s one of the only commands he’s ever taken from someone else.

You gingerly kissed him, not even letting him taste a drop of your essence before you pulled away, smirking at him with self-satisfaction.

He turned his head with a smile until you blew him another kiss, turning heel and then walking to your new room.

Damn.

He just let go of the string holding onto you.

LAW

Your first kiss was… an accident.

Law had been pretty nervous about this.

He’s always been a profoundly reserved man who kept matters of the heart private, but he couldn’t deny that he was actually quite excited to take your relationship to the next level. He really, really trusted you – and now that he has you, he’s not going to let go. You’re his forever love now. After all, despite seeming like he couldn’t care less, he was a romantic deep down… and terribly inexperienced. It didn’t matter to him whether you were in the same boat or not, he couldn’t actually care less about that part; he was just insecure about making a decision on whether… he was ready at all to open up like that and offer his heart to you.

Law was very much self-aware and intelligent enough to recognise the signs: He wasn’t just in love with you; he truly loved you.

This bond ran deep.

And although he trusted you completely and wholeheartedly, he wasn’t sure if you wouldn’t be put off by that constant contradiction in his behaviour… most others judged it quite harshly, after all.

He didn’t reciprocate much, aside from talking. Yes, he held you in the privacy of his room and nuzzled his head against your neck, but if you wanted something like that, you could just pick up any stray cat from the streets.

He knew! He knew that it wasn’t enough, damn it. But it was just so hard to keep his composure whenever you placed a gentle kiss against his cheek and lovingly patted his spotted hat before placing those warm hands on his shoulders. You always squeezed him with so much affection and care that he just froze in shock.

The man who couldn’t even hold your hand in public loved you so purely that he wanted to kiss you? How ludicrous.

Most of the people who knew about your relationship probably thought that he was doing you a favour and entertaining the idea of a relationship without actual commitment, but… they had no idea. Absolutely no idea.

Even if he had trouble showing it, Law was proud to call himself your boyfriend. The thought alone made him bashful, though. His breath hitched, those tattooed fingers twitched very briefly before he closed his hand into a loose fist, rubbing his sweaty palms with his fingertips and he could hear his own heartbeat echo in his ear canals.

“I brought you tea, Law. You’re working so hard… don’t push yourself too far.”

…Yeah, he didn’t have the heart to tell you that he didn’t get any work done today; his head was just in the clouds since he’s been too caught up in his own thoughts…about you. These maps weren’t studied at all – all he did was study how soft your lips would feel against his-

“Thank you, (Y/N)-ya.”, he tried to play it off smoothly, but he had to clear his throat after saying your name. His longing for you made his voice a lot softer, a lot more… vulnerable. He didn’t want to scare you off with his sudden change in behaviour, which meant that he had to keep his voice monotone at all cost.

Today, you put your hands on his shoulders first, causing Law to tense up immediately. He turned his head to hide his pathetic blush from you – immediately butting heads with you.

And-

Oh my God.

He tore his lips away from yours. That was so sloppy and clumsy, he-

Law is devastated. If you look closely, you could actually watch his soul leave this plane-

He looked at you, noting how your eyes swam around looking anywhere but him and that you couldn’t contain your smile. The corners of your mouth trembled before curling up into a sweet grin that had him melt on the spot.

“I’m sorry, Law, I didn’t mean to-”

Law couldn’t help but cut you off with a kiss that surprised the both of you. It wasn’t a good one; he was too nervous, too tense, his face was stiff and he couldn’t quite close his eyes, looking at you to burn this image into his mind instead.

You didn’t have to apologise. He didn’t want to make you feel like you had to feel sorry for anything – especially not something as meaningful as this.

Besides, the fact that you enjoyed it just as much and went lax in his arms was… everything.

ZORO

Your first kiss was… powerful.

“Again!”

“…”

“Again!”

“…”

“One more!”

“…Zoro.”

“Just once.”

“Zoro,” you sighed, “You need a break. You’ve been at it for hours now.”

Zoro knew that. God, did he know it. Frustrated with himself, he grunted lowly before lowering his swords. His jaw was already hurting from biting down on the blade’s handle for so long, but he couldn’t help himself.

He’s been living inside the crow’s nest for the past two days at this point.

Two days ago, you got hurt. It shouldn’t affect him this bad… Luffy got hurt, too, as did Usopp, but you were… his partner. Your injuries might as well have been cuts into his heart – he saw you fall into Franky’s arms with a nasty gnash right across your thigh. You were bleeding so much and that scream… it will haunt him now.

Someone thought that you were an easier target than Brook or Franky, who were standing firmly by your side as you bought time for Nami to set sail, protecting the Sunny from any assault raining down on you guys. Zoro could barely watch from the sidelines, too engrossed in fighting his own opponent as Luffy and Sanji took on their captain right next to him. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the Straw Hats could defeat any enemy with enough time and focus as everyone had their unique skill set and purpose, yet as soon as Zoro’s blades clashed against the fellow swordsman’s rapier, he heard your blood-curdling scream. It must have hurt so bad – he knew what deep cuts felt like and just how badly they burnt when saltwater got into the fresh wound, but he’d been training himself to deal with any bit of pain. You were never meant to be the recipient of an injury at the hands of another, because Zoro had sworn to himself that they’d have to go through him first.

But there were you – crying and hyperventilating as Franky tried applying pressure onto your seeping wound while Brook had to unsheathe his sword and cut down those enemies all by himself now…

Well, until Zoro zoomed across the battlefield with unprecedented fury, pushing himself to his very own limits.

Usually, the crew promised to minimise casualties. In a matter of life and death, of capture or kill, Luffy would always choose capture – he knew that some things had to be done, some sins had to be committed, but overall, you were all quite peaceful…

Until that scream.

“We can ask Sanji for a drink, you know… I bet he’d even make you a snack.”, you mused happily.

Zoro’s eyes snapped up and he calmly took a deep breath in, disguising it as an annoyed huff. You were fine. Well, as fine as you could be. Your leg was swollen and the blood has soaked through the bandages on your thigh, leaving a bit of red residue that perfectly mimicked the shape of your wound. Otherwise, you were okay. You had to redress that cut with fresh bandages every night because of the humid climate, but everything was okay.

Logically, your green-haired friend knew that there was nothing to worry about, but he couldn’t help but feel like a failure.

You were important to him! You… weren’t protected when you needed it the most.

You needed him and he wasn’t there.

You were damn good at what you do. That’s why Zoro often chose to hang off of you, following you around. It was so easy to be around you. Most often, you’d even talk to him… you knew very well that your swordsman wasn’t actually fast asleep, he was just preserving energy if it came down to the worst.

Ugh, it did come down to it and he wasn’t there.

Fucking-

“This isn’t about getting stronger, is it, Zoro?” Your hands grasped at his bulging forearms, strained from swinging his swords at the objects you threw all day, and you affectionately caressed his scarred flesh. You were even kind enough to offer him a sad smile.

“I… You… I… You’re important to me.”, he confessed through gritted teeth, averting his gaze. He tried to fight being obvious about it, but you could feel goosebumps rise beneath your warm hands even though he’d just finished a workout and was drenched in sweat.

“Zoro… You’re important to me, too. That’s why you shouldn’t beat yourself up over this. You were there, in the end, as you always are. I know I can rely on you.”

He shook his head in disapproval but leaned in to press his lips against yours. It was a measured kiss, just long enough to get you to briefly feel his plush lips and get especially close to him while your hands still held onto his arms.

And when you smiled, Zoro knew that… yes, you could rely on him. Forever.

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captain-eagle-art · 2 days ago

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⋆˚꩜｡ 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬 .

𐔌﹒ ⋆ trafalgar law x fem!reader ♡

he's jealous of bepo's cuddles.

t͟a͟g͟s͟: trafalgar law, y/n, established relationship, sfw, fluff, post-wano events (no spoilers), heart pirates reader.

───── ⋆⋅ᡣ𐭩⋅⋆ ─────

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 The aftermath of Wano, especially the fierce fights in onigashima against not one, but two emperors and their crew, left everyone exhausted. That, didn't exclude yourself and the rest of the heart pirates.

The sea was currently calm and tranquil, stretching endlessly beneath a soft, pale sky. A comfortable silence filling the submarine, contrasting sharply with the chaos and panic from a few moments before, when your captain had decided it would be a great idea to sail off a damn waterfall.

───── ⋆⋅ᡣ𐭩⋅⋆ ─────

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 In consequence of the exhaustion, you sought comfort from the crew's polar bear companion. Bepo. Sitting down against the railing on the main deck, all cuddled up on his side. Engulfed in his fluffy paws as you basked in the warmth of his fur. You'd often have moments like this, considering Bepo was always kind and thoughtful.. and deep down, also loved the attention.

The cute scene didn't go unnoticed by Law, gold hues peering through the brim of his hat from a comfortable distance away. He was always secretly prone to cute things, having a particular soft spot for someone such as Bepo himself, and you also being alongside him did it for him. The scene melted his heart a tad bit more than he wanted it to. Though, he couldn't help but sulk quietly, a tinge of jealousy stirring in his chest, twisting at it. He would never admit it out loud, obviously.

His brows raised as you caught his gaze, which promptly, and quickly tore away from yours. A faint flush of pink dusted his cheeks; he was definitely jealous.

You wanted to tease him about it as you noticed, but a certain someone.. or rather, more than that, beat you to it.

⟢ ・⸝⸝

Standing on the doorway that leads to the deck, were Penguin and Shachi, walking towards Law with a knowing, shit-eating grin.

"A certain someone's jealouuusss ~" Penguin spoke up first, nudging law playfully.

"Quit it." His voice pierced through them, sharp and cold. Arms crossed over his chest. He didn't even look at them, his gaze entirely fixed on you whenever you weren't looking.

"Oh, come on, captain! It's so painfully obvious." Penguin grinned, Shachi beside him, nodding in agreement, backing him up. "Too obvious. Just look at the way you're looking at her."

"I'm not looking at her !" He countered their teasing, looking away from you. Rubbing a hand over his face annoyingly. He knew arguing was pointless. They'd never let it go.

They were always like this. You often wondered how law didn't throw them overboard yet.

Ikkaku walked up to the two of them, pushing them aside with an annoyed sigh. Penguin and Shachi whined in protest at being pushed away. "You don't know how it's done, guys." She announced, confidently.

They watched her excitedly, expecting her to do something phenomenal, genius, even. Judging by her confident demeanor and her stance.

"Captain, if you really want to join her, the first thing a woman wants you to do, is, approach her slowly." She grinned, grabbing him by the arm and slowly walking towards you and Bepo. Shachi and Penguin stared in confusion.

"Does she even know what she's doing?" Penguin asked, Shachi shrugging in response.

"Hey— I don't recall asking you for advice -" Law protested gruffly, but didn't exactly try to get her off him as she led him towards you two.

Until, she walked up behind him, and simply pushed him towards you, causing him to stumble and fall right onto you. His hat falling off his head onto the floor beside you at the sudden movement.

"Wh— Ikkaku, what the -" Before he could say anything else, he quickly reminded himself he was now ontop of you, Bepo wrapping a paw around him to keep him steady, his ears flattening.

"Are you okay, captain?" The bear asked quietly, a hint of concern could be hear in his voice, but looking down at the two of you against eachother. Anyone could tell he was more than okay, even if he didn't let onto it.

You interrupted the chaos, picking Law's hat off the floor and placing it back on his head promptly, wrapping an arm around him aswell, giving him a light, reassuring pat on the back.

"He's fine, right, Law ~?" You answered in his place, studying his flushed expression, his brows furrowed in frustration at Ikkaku's bold move. But it quickly softened at the sight of you so close to him, his heart racing out of his chest as he muttered out:

"Tch— I'm fine, I guess." Trafalgar spoke under his breath, more to himself than you.

"You could have just asked instead to avoid yourself the trouble."

"No way." He answered almost immediately, propping himself up and sitting back against Bepo instead, pulling you with him.

"Well, you're enjoying it now, aren't you?" You grinned.

"It's only embarassing to ask for it, rather than it being presented to me." Law spoke, his voice muffled against your hair, chin propped on the top of your head, hands carefully wrapped around your stomach, pulling you back against him, seeking more of your warmth.

You didn't protest, leaning into his embrace. Although you were lovers, it wasn't often that you got to see this vulnerable and affectionate side of him, especially infront of others. Penguin, Shachi, Ikakku, who were playfully nudging eachother and grinning at the sight.

"So romantic ~ I'm almost jealous !" Shachi spoke from afar in a high pitched, mocking voice.

"Go away." Law muttered, his tone sharp and unyielding, leaving no room for argument.

"Ay! Captain!!" They all yelled out in unison, hurrying inside and leaving you two be with Bepo on the deck.

───── ⋆⋅ᡣ𐭩⋅⋆ ─────

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 Hours later, you were now simply enjoying the comfortable silence, your eyes occasionally darting to gaze at the starry night sky above you. While Law's fingers absentmindedly brushed through your hair, as if he'd grown accustomed to it, his mind running on auto-pilot, getting ever so comfortable with you. Only with you. His touch feather light, almost bringing you to sleep. You both almost forgot Bepo's presence, whom was long asleep by then.

"Y/N ?" ; His calm voice broke the silence, his free hand giving your shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Hm ?" You hummed, your voice barely audible.

"Nothing, just wanted to check if you're awake."

"Barely."

With that said, you felt his hand drifting under your knees, another around your back, standing up and scooping you up against his chest as if you weighed nothing. You didn't protest, arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

He walked you inside, carefully making his way around the familiar halls and corridors of the submarine, eventually reaching his room. Kicking the door close behind him and plopping you down on his bed, joining you right after.

"How's this okay but not asking for cuddles?" You chuckled, laying on your side to face him. He mirrored your position, arm wrapped around your side, pulling you close.

"Shut up. I do what I want."

"Alright, alright, never said otherwise." You spoke in surrender.

And for a long, long moment, you were simply staring at eachother, the only source of light being the moon casting a spell on your face in the dimly lit room. He reached and brushed a stray hair from your face, tucking it behind your ear, his fingers lingering. It was moments like these that reminded you how much love you had for him. The quiet nights alongside him, how he struggled to get out of bed in the morning next to you. How you could feel his breath on your face when you were this close to eachother, and so vulnerable. The warm touch of his hands, everything that made him, well, him. You simply loved. Adored, even.

"You're.. beautiful." He muttered under his breath, it almost seemed like he was talking to himself, as if he slipped, rather than saying it willingly.

"What gives?" You smiled warmly at the compliment, you didn't mind it, he just wasn't very.. open, at times.

"Can't compliment my lover now?" Law spoke sarcastically, though he was smiling back at you ever so slightly. A smile tugging at his lips that, probably, only you could notice.

"I didn't say that." A surrendering tone crossed your voice as you replied back.

"Then let me." He insisted, looking at you for a while longer, before leaning closer and pressing a soft kiss to your lips, touch-light as a whisper. Barely there, yet full of warmth. It lingered just long enough to speak a thousand feelings, before parting with a soft sigh.

"..I love you." Law murmured against your lips, his voice barely above a whisper, as though he was confessing for the first time. And although it hadn't been the first, it always felt like it. Always sending butterflies, twisting at your stomach, a familiar feeling you never failed to enjoy.

"Love you too.."

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 — Were the last words you spat out, before drifting off to sleep in his arms, once again, like every other night for a while now. You wouldn't want it any other way.

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captain-eagle-art · 3 days ago

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I Love You | Trafalgar Law x Reader |

A/n: This is apart of my 400 follower event. I've decided the prompt will be more of drabbles, than full fics. Check the prompt list here: 400 follower event

Join my taglist <3

Inspired by a request from @superwholockbooknerd526. I know this isn't exactly what you requested and I hope you don't hate me for it. But you said "I feel he’s the kind to be pissed and terrified of ever having a relationship in the first place with his trauma." and it sparked this. I apologize deeply for the wait.

Word count: 660

Leave a comment if you enjoy :) feel free to reblog!

“Fine. Don't tell me what you were going to say.” Law mutters grumpily with a roll of his eyes. You know he’s baiting you. Feigning rage to get his way, you refuse to give in so easily.

“I won’t. You should’ve been nicer to me.” You pout in return. Law lets out a defeated sigh before his brows unfurrow, and his eyes soften to something more amiable.

“C’mon baby.”He coos softly before dropping his crossed arms from his chest to reach for both your hands. “Please tell me?”

“...I love you Trafalgar.”

The pirate captain drops your hands as though they're fire hot, consequently allowing them to slap against your thighs. He takes a few paces back then completely walks away to his desk. His movements are rushed. Awkward.Like he is trying to run away from you though the confines of his cabin don’t allot him the space.

“You don’t mean that.” Law finally replies.

Your brows scrunch to the center of your face, waiting to see if Law is going to offer you any clarity. The silence indicates he won't. Aimlessly he flips and shuffles patient files, eyes still glued to his desk

“Law-“

“Don’t say that. You don’t mean it.”

The burning confusion in your chest is quick to turn into rage. You Storm over to the pirate’s desk. Eager to see what medical phenomena is suddenly so interesting it took precedence over this conversation. Your last shred of patience snaps once your inches away from the doctor and he still won’t meet your graze. In one motion, as hard as you're able, you shove everything off of the desk.

The bangs of file holders, staplers, and pens echo the cabin. Papers blanket the floor like heavy snow. Now you have the pirate’s attention. Trafalgar jumps to his feet, face frowned as though he's the one who deserves to be angry.

“What the hel-“

“How dare you tell me that! Do you know the courage it took for me to tell you that, you asshole?!”

Law goes to reach for your hand, but you're stepping away from him before he can touch you.

“If you don’t love me back trafalgar that’s fine- I don’t know why you’re acting like this! Maybe there’s someone else- but don’t you dare say I don’t mean it!” Your words are teeming with venom though all your expression can muster is broken eyes, brimming with tears.

You let the door slam behind you. Fight through your tears to look for the exit of this god forsaken submarine. You should have never allowed yourself to get swept up into the charms of a pirate captain. How fucking Foolish.

“Y/n! Please, wait!”

Law’s voice fades with each step you climb up the latter. Smothered by the storm you find yourself in once you surface. Before you can even take a step after docking the pier does Trafalgar appear in front of you. Even after all this time you seem to forget about that cursed devil fruit he knows how to wield so skillfully.

“Wait.” He demands, hands placed on your shoulders in an attempt to halt you. “Please.”

In spite of your better mind, you stop. Law’s hands leave your shoulder to cup your cheeks. Forces your eyes to look at him. For the first time stoic is not what you receive. Painstaked eyes burrow into yours, begging for patience more fervidly than the captain’s pleas could .

“I- I love you. You said that I didn’t have to love you back, but I do. I love you.”

There’s no relief at his confession- for either of you. Your brows do not unfurrow. You don’t relax into his touch. Law's eyes don’t soften. Don’t say that the hard part has passed. His surgical hands tremble against your cheeks.

“Everyone that loves me dies…” he whispers. “You don’t want to love me.”

“If loving you kills me Trafalgar, I can’t think of a better way to go.”

If you enjoy my content or if you have $5 to spare , please consider donating it to Besan . she is a mother trying so desperately to get her family out of Gaza. She is still so far away from her go fund me goal!

Operation Olive Branch Spreadsheet

I know everyone may not have the means to donate, but if by some chance you have an extra $5 to spare please consider donating it to the families trying to escape the Gaza strip.

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captain-eagle-art · 7 days ago

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One piece men and the one thing you can get away with doing excessively.

Zoro - sleeping on his chest when he naps

Zoro preferred alone time, preferred his naps undisturbed, and his peaceful sleep unbroken.

Yet he couldn’t seem to ever bring himself to wave you away, especially whenever he would see you from the corner of his eye coming over with a light blanket clutched in your hand, eyes practically sparkling as a warm smile splayed itself across your face.

He didn’t find it reasonable to push you off of him when you made yourself comfortable on his chest, clinging onto him as though he’d slip between your fingers, before tracing patterns and words into the exposed skin of his chest as per your routine that Zoro had now memorised even with his eye closed.

It was practically ingrained within his head: He’d settle down for a nap -ready to drift off- when he hears you coming towards him, knowing that you’ve brought the same blanket that you always brought when he was about to have a nap, you settle down next to him and rest your head upon his chest while cuddling his side like he was some glorified plush toy of yours.

Despite wanting to sleep alone, undisturbed, Zoro couldn’t help the small smile that graced his lips as he brings his arms to hold you close to him, tuck you under his chin almost and find himself out like a light soon after. Your weight is welcoming for Zoro, something for him to ground himself when he drifts from dream to dream and find comfort in knowing you’d be there, safe and sound when he awakes like you always should be.

Law - touches

Law wasn’t exactly against physical touch, it was just that he never allowed himself into situations where he could drop the ghosts of his past and reach out, as though something within him was holding him back from doing so.

It wasn’t like he didn’t like touch, secretly he craved it more then anything, but yet he felt as though he had to put a good deal of distance between himself and others, allowing only the briefest of contact to exist and leave him like a ghost.

So when you touch him -even if it’s a brief pat on his bicep- he didn’t feel the need to move away but instead to lean in to your touch, to your affection and allow himself to be greedy with it, hold your hands to his cheek and hum low in his throat as his eyes closed and just breath.

Though these moments would have to be confined within his room, where he could fully let the moment sink in, to let himself latch onto your warmth and comfort as his thumbs slowly caress your inner wrists, to let himself unravel and bare himself to you in this quirt moment of vulnerability. He may steal hearts but you were the first to have stolen his, kept it safe against your own as though it was the most sacred treasure you could ever come across.

Law found his mind has gone silent when your finger massages the furrow in his brow until his face is completely relaxed, only to then trace his jaw and the nearest tattoos within your reach as though you were admiring a work of art, appreciating what made him Law and respecting the things he’s went through without needing words to do so. He melts under your touch as if he was made of pure butter, he can’t help it as he had went without for far too long, and a smile would creep up on his lips too as he fully indulged in something he could call his own.

Buggy - kiss his nose

Buggy isn’t fond of his nose, not one bit, hates it even and has developed massive insecurities over it as well as a not so flashy image of himself.

He gets incredibly defensive over it or just hearing the word like ‘nosy’ or anything that might’ve easily gotten misinterpreted for ‘nose’ within his overthinking mind, making him quick to bristle up like a cat and lash out at whoever he thought was taking the piss about his ruby nose.

Yet when you grant it gentle kisses, holding his face as though you were honoured to hold him, caressing his cheeks and whispering sweet words about him and his supposed handsomeness. Sure he was a little against it at first, it’s a natrual reaction of his at this point, almost as though it if was muscle memory that he couldn’t get rid of even if he tried.

Yet in due time Buggy found himself melting against your affection, smiling softly as your lips met his makeup free face as though you couldn’t bring yourself to stop kissing him, or his nose for that fact as it was the main thing you often bombarded with an abundance of love and appreciation.

He grows addicted to the feeling of unconditional love that even on his worst days you were doing all you could to make him smile -even if it was a little- while peppering his face in kisses and words that only spoke of your true feelings towards him, and yet Buggy felt as though he hasn’t seen the bulk of it and this was merely a small percentage of how much you actually love him; that thought alone was enough to have poor Buggy as red as cherries and flustered to high heavens.

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captain-eagle-art · 7 days ago

Text

Op men and you saying ‘I feel safe’ to them.

Law

Wasn’t exactly expecting that to come out of your mouth and would find himself recognising what you said for a bit before he actually reacts.

It’s a small, almost missable smile spread across his face as he tips his hat down to conceal his eyes away from your prying ones, mainly so that you didn’t see the red flush that shot across his cheeks that would’ve been perfect ammo for your teasing.

‘It would good thing if you weren’t so stubborn and reckless half the time.’ Law would try to come across as unmoved by such words but his words were soft and light -a hint of humour almost- as he tried to ignore the warmth within his chest, something fluttering within his stomach and a newfound need to keep you safe and sound as best as he could.

You shrug. ‘I’ve got my captain doing double duty as a doctor to keep me healthy, so I’d say I hit the jackpot joining you.’ Law swore you were trying to kill him then and there with your words as the warmth upon his cheeks seemed to double, and the Surgeon of Death refused to look in any reflective surfaces in fear of just how blistering red his cheeks were, that and not wanting to give you the satisfaction of being under his skin.

Law may try to act indifferent to your words like he’s been told this a million times over, and yet there was a silent understanding between the two of you that it wasn’t true, and that Law was very much moved by such words and was trying to regulate his own emotions from the surprise and act accordingly.

You didn’t need to voice anything as your expressions gave you away to Law, telling him that you knew how he felt about being considered safe, having been privy to his past in the form of a late night conversation where neither of you could bring yourself to sleep. You were close enough to know and so you knew what saying those words to him meant, for it was intentional on your part to let him know that you would stay by his side, no matter how hard he would try to keep you at arms length.

He’s glad that he’s come far enough from where he’s use to be for someone to see him as a source of comfort, and he’s glad that that person was you in particular.

Ace

He smiles wide and would even take his hat off and put it on your head, pushing it down playfully so it would cover your face and just as you push it back up so you could see him again, his eyes were as soft as his smile as though he couldn’t quite fathom someone finding safety with him.

‘You okay?’ You’d ask, wondering if you had said anything wrong.

He’d chuckle and kneel in front of you and grasp your hand between his warmer ones -though not before kissing them- and his thumbs caressing your knuckles slowly and softly, as if he was trying to recognise that you were very much a real being stood before him and not a daydream he had made up on the fly one day.

‘I’m more than fine after hearing you say that sweetheart.’ Ace replied, kissing your hand once more, ‘I’m more than fine, like I could do just about anything.’

And he meant it! Your words brought forth a strength out of him that he didn’t think himself capable of having, yet he shouldn’t be surprised for recently he’s found that anything positive you said left him feeling as though he could move mountains. He felt as though he could accomplish the impossible, be more then what he thought himself as because you thought highly of him to do so, become more and recognise that you feeling safe with him was a sort of love within itself as to Ace it was entrusting him with you and everything that came with you.

He couldn’t be more happier knowing this, more prouder then he was, as he rests his head against your own. ‘I’m really happy and it’s all thanks to you.’

Zoro

He opens his eye to look at you for a moment before closing it again, bringing an arm over your waist and pulling you close until you were tucked into his side, protected and safe as you claimed he had you feel.

There’s no many words exchanged in the moment, mainly because Zoro was desperate for a nap after a vigorous training session and hadn’t left himself even the slightest bit of energy to even speak, he just wanted to rest and preferably with you cosily tucked into his side as you were right now with your cheek squished against his chest.

Yet the words that left your lips were enough for him to feel prideful of himself, to know that his constant training had proven itself to have paid off in keeping you safe, something that only told Zoro that he was even closer to accomplishing his goal then he was prior. Yet while his dream was one that took full presidency within his mind, so the idea that you were at your safest with him, withholding no fear of ever being hurt when he was nearby was a new revelation for the swordsman.

He didn’t doubt his ability to keep you safe before -he had done so many times in the past- but something about you actually saying it made all the difference to Zoro as his thumb caresses your side as his grip remained like that of steel. He felt as though making you feel safe had become a vow he had now taken upon himself amongst the many others that he has accumulated overtime, vowing to keep training in not only surpassing the greatest but also in keeping you and the crew safe from greater harm.

He didn’t take things light heartedly and to say he didn’t take your safety lightly either was an understatement. He found a sense of accomplishment in your words but also found himself wanting to exceed himself in making you feel such as way, in keeping you within that mindset of safety and security with him without it feeling overbearing or underestimating your abilities in keeping yourself safe; something he would hate if ever done to him, so he never dare do that to you either as it wasn’t right.

So while he might seem like he was ‘napping’ he was actually keeping a watch over you as you slept on his chest, keeping you protected from whatever he may deem a threat to your peace, squeezing your side or pulling you a little closer to him when he felt you weren’t close enough for him. He wasn’t boastful of his strength, he was rather humble and could see where improving could benefit him, never settling where others would think was their pinocle of strength.

So for you, for the crew, for himself and his dream Zoro would always strive to be stronger then he is the day before, for not only did he had a life long goal to achieve; but he also had you to keep from harms way and Zoro wasn’t one to half arse anything. You might feel safe with him now, but soon enough he hoped you’d feel protected by him in the future.

Buggy

Think you might’ve broken him by saying such a thing.

Someone feels safe with him? You feel safe with him? Buggy was torn between asking if you were mad and questioning your choices in who you saw yourself safest with, or just out right celebrating the fact that he was chosen first for once without feeling as though you wanted something out of it!

He might say some shit like ‘I’m glad you do because I would’ve questioned you if you didn’t feel safe with the flashiest fool in all the seas!’ But internally he’s second guessing himself on what this could mean besides the obvious positives, he’s more likely to make people laugh then ever make someone feel safe and sound within his presence, but Buggy wasn’t you and he couldn’t and probably wouldn’t be able to know where your mind was at when saying such things.

It’s sweet and genuine but it also came with an expectation for him to always make you feel safe with him, which he knew wasn’t your intention but it was just how his brain worked. He’s never been someone that people could look at and feel a sense of safety with, just a flashy clown that held no real threat to the likes of others of higher bounties, not that his bounty was something to scoff at either and he’s worked really hard to get a bounty that massive!

So your words left a tingly feeling within him that lingered after you left. Your words echoing within his mind for the rest of the day as he smiles with pride, knowing that even if he might be the laughing stock of the seas, Buggy was still the one person you would be safest stood next to no matter what; and suddenly having everyone’s eyes on him didn’t matter all that much anymore, not when the only eyes he cared about now having on him was yours and yours alone.

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captain-eagle-art · 8 days ago

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Law: *patching you up* you’re reckless

You: is this how a doctor should talk to his patients? Rude. I’m hurt.

Law: if they’re as reckless and as stupid as you then there should be some leniency, besides you’re already hurt enough as it is. *smirks*

You: mean, but I require cuddles afterwards.

Law: no.

You: please.

Law: …fine.

You: you’re a softy.

Law: only for you according to everyone else.

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captain-eagle-art · 11 days ago

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i was eepy and maybe i'm super late but if i say trafalgar law + birthday kisses then what...

MINA HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEETS !!! <3

the sun filtered through the cozy bedroom, cascading over your slowly waking body as the tattooed man beside you roused you with gentle kisses along your bare collarbone.

“good morning, sweetheart.” law murmured in your ear before giving your lobe a gentle kiss. his lips felt everywhere all at once and before you could open your eyes, he landed a few kisses on your shut eyelids as well.

“what’s going on?” you mumbled, sleep still shrouding your mind as you try to turn towards the man with restless lips. he let you curl into him, kissing your head as his arms wrapped around you.

“can’t i give my girlfriend her birthday kisses?” he let out a dry chuckle, “it’s not every day i get to spoil you like you deserve.”

“‘m not complaining.” you smiled, looking up at him. law’s expression softened as he finally saw the sight he had been not so patiently waiting for all morning — your pretty eyes.

“then be good and let me kiss you.” he smirked, leaning in to press his lips against yours. you melt into the kiss, letting him take over as his tongue slips through to lazily explore your mouth as he’s done many times before.

kissing law was always an experience, one that left you breathless and somehow gave him all the more power. his hands ran down the curves of your body, kneading the plush skin as the kiss deepened.

practically gasping for air, you pull back a hair, letting his forehead rest against yours. his eyes shine as they make contact with yours, irises full of love and affection that no other person would ever get to bear witness to.

“happy birthday my love.” he whispered, gently rubbing your sides. the warmth of his voice poured over you, beckoning you further into his trap. “i hope you know you’re not going to get away from me that easily.”

“oh, i wouldn’t dream of it.”

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captain-eagle-art · 14 days ago

Text

He Smells Like...

feat. ZORO, BROOK, LAW, ACE, SHANKS, MIHAWK, CROCODILE

ZORO

…agarwood/jinko/oud, patchouli and black amber.

MOOD: masculine, traditional and earthy

Zoro smells like a forgotten temple that has been taken over by nature. A structure so imposing that the vines running along its architectural design seem insignificant in comparison, but every cut into the finely cut stone tells a story, every blemish reminds the visitor of years of pain. Nonetheless, the temple is still here, having overcome every invasion.

Just like Zoro, who piles other people’s burdens onto his own… just to protect them. He offers security, and only accepts sincere gratitude as payment, nothing else. He cannot change the world, but he would die trying if it came down to it – for his beliefs, his friends… and for you. You care for that abandoned temple of his like a priestess would, never once thinking of leaving it be. Really, you… are his saviour. You wouldn't let him succumb to the elements.

BROOK

…tea leaves, rain and cashmere.

MOOD: unisex, nostalgic and deep

Most people would say that they find the smell of rain comforting, but most people would also much prefer a sunny day. The scent is a circumstance of life – or the absence of it, depending on who you might ask. Standing next to Brook, thus, reminds you of… simpler times, times where happiness was so palpable and so real, more easily within your grasp, when the pressure of life didn’t get to you yet. It doesn’t surprise you at all that he naturally mirrors his soul’s gloom despite having such a joyous and accessibly kind personality.

Brook is beyond glad that you were at peace with his being. He doesn’t quite believe you when you tell him that he doesn’t smell like death at all, but he’d take the compliment with a hearty chuckle. He trusts your judgement more than he trusts his own. Besides, how can he turn you down when you look at him like he's all you've ever dreamt of?

LAW

…books, common sage and lavender.

MOOD: unisex, herbaceous and comforting

Tranquil and calm with a sharp minty tang that vaguely reminds you of medicinal properties, that’s how you’d describe it. It’s so soothing that it might even make some people deliriously sleepy – but again, deeply refreshing. It’s also a bit of an ancient smell, fitting for his old soul that’s been through so much. For someone so disturbed by himself, you think it’s delightful what a calming effect he has on others. Always the voice of reason, always ready to utter a wise word…

So you nurture him when he’s had enough for the day, the week, the entire year. When the noise gets to be too much for him, you enter the room with a fresh cup of tea or coffee – just how he likes it – and talk to him about happier things, things that take his mind off of his demons. Now you’ll never miss that steady presence in your life, just like how he will never miss yours, for you have each other now.

ACE

…common jasmine, honeydew melon and smoke.

MOOD: feminine, light and delicate with musky undertones

A scent that reminiscent of heady spring nights that end up around a barely glimmering bonfire. A marking of new beginnings and scorched earth alike – Ace smells cheerful, innocent and floral with a hint of depth to it, like a secret that’s never been lifted, a cry nobody ever bore witness to… Well, until you came along. You always thought the smoke was the strongest note within that concoction and not just because he ate the Flame Flame Fruit, no, because… still waters, ironically, are very deep. At first, you didn’t detect that smoky musk at all, yet once he’s let you in, the smoke overpowered the lighter, more cheerful parts. He was an enigma worth exploring, worthy of being seen and being offered a shoulder to lean on. He’d never thought that crying in your arms would appease the flames within him, but… well, he didn’t think he’d ever love someone this truthfully either.

Every spring follows a dark winter.

SHANKS

…rum, cedarwood and raspberry.

MOOD: masculine, balsamic and playful

It’s a surprisingly grounding scent. He smells like an adventure and feels very warm and approachable because of it. How funny that Shanks – Shanks! – smells approachable when he’s prone to burying his problems and keeping his heart under lock and key. He’s so… so silly, so fun, so him, but he’s also quite the introspective thinker who craves harmony and everlasting peace. Very well aware of his legacy and the laid-back nature he projects to ease other people’s worries, he tries not to think about the missing arm, the loss of strength that came with it, the phantom pain, the… problems; he tries to forget that he’s almost lost an eye, and that it all amounted to nothing. The world is still rotten, evil still runs rampant… it makes him chuckle wistfully. You’re always there to catch him when the mood turns sombre, holding him close and telling this living legend that he’s done well, that you’re proud of him and that his sacrifices changed the world.

If he’s balsam for the soul, you’re his much needed anchor.

MIHAWK

…black lily, sandalwood and wine.

MOOD: feminine, mysterious and elegant

Very much a complex, sophisticated scent. Nothing ever seems like it is on its surface level, and you have to dig deep to perceive the base note, because Mihawk doesn’t let people in on his... life most of the time. He’s fleeting and evasive, rarely ever blossoming. He keeps people at an arm’s length, deeming most people liability, or shooing them away because they'd they just annoy him… but somehow, you stuck with him.

You’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly, but let him keep his air of secrecy, never pried once. Your own independence kept you busy. He... appreciates it. Like a good red wine, his trust needs time to age properly. Once he’s decided to keep you, though, there’s no going back. The slow burn has erupted into an open fire and his loyalty is indeed forever. He’s your sword and shield, and you are his heart.

CROCODILE

…tobacco, leather and burnt amber.

MOOD: masculine, domineering and warm

Crocodile smells like he could take over any room, that deep aroma keeps dominating the senses. The spiciness of the tobacco has permanently seeped into his luxurious clothes, and every cigar lit between his fingers just adds to the sensation. It’s a rich scent that is truly inevitable, just like he is. His frame is imposing, his intimidating appearance undeniable and yet, and yet… there’s this warmth in there, something leathery, something raw. You often interpret it as anger – anger at the world, at himself, at friends and foes alike… it’s easy to stoke the flames, but you’ve come to realise that Crocodile has never once been unreasonable in his anger.

His dismissiveness would be almost impressive if it weren’t for his other side; possessive, domineering… irrational. For a man of his calibre, he sure seems to have a problem with you trying to sever your ties to him by finding a job with a better work and life balance... He claims that he cannot find anyone who could do your job, but you knew that that’s a horrible lie.

Neither of you acknowledge what's happening out of pride.

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captain-eagle-art · 15 days ago

Text

beach episode - trafalgar law x gn!reader

wc; ~1k

notes; sfw, fluff, filler ep vibes, can be read as platonic, found family heart pirates, un-beta'd

this is my first posted op fic pls be nice 🙏 im still playing around w characterisations etc its all for funsies bless

Feeling the fresh sea air on your cheeks is a welcome change from the musk that permeates the confined quarters of the Polar Tang in the summer. You fill your lungs eagerly, luxuriating in the salty taste that lingers on your tongue.

Beneath your toes is sand- delightful sand! Not steel and stolen threadbare rugs. The grains are sun-soaked and flow smoothly around the contours of your sandals as you flex your feet. It's comparable to walking on a warm cloud.

“Fresh air!” cries Shachi, arms spread wide as he sprints across the beach. His shirt has long since been discarded, but the hat and glasses never leave their place.

“Freedom!” calls Penguin, dashing after him.

The island you've made port on is supposed to be uninhabited, according to Bepo's report this morning. A fine place for the Heart Pirates to stretch their legs and take a well-earned rest.

Well, that's the plan for most of the crew.

Your captain has holed himself away in his quarters, poring over documents. You all know better than to try and force him out, at least for now. After a few hours, Bepo will knock and ask for something innocent. If it fails, Shachi and Penguin will invoke their patented whinge-outside-the-door technique.

If that fails, it's your turn.

As you raise an arm to shield your eyes from the sun whilst you gaze out at the sprawling island in front of you, silently you pray it won't get that far.

For now, you let yourself enjoy life on land. Ikkaku catches some crabs by a rockpool and you help her cook them up for lunch. Bepo comes out with a bag of ice strapped around his neck to help keep cool. Shachi and Penguin try– and fail– to start an impromptu ball game amongst the crew.

There's nothing expressly different about the nature of the crew, but having time to simply exist brings about a side to them you wish you could see more often. Everyone smiles more, laughs harder. A warmth settles in your bones that is far more relaxing than the sand at your feet or the sun overhead.

Things feel… right.

This is your home, your family. Hanging out together on an abandoned island in the middle of the sea is exactly where you're supposed to be.

Only one thing could possibly make this better, says a small voice in the recesses of your subconscious. One thing, and he's presently locked himself away from everyone.

You take another look across the beach, at the various activities your friends are caught up in. It would be downright cruel to pester any of them now.

Perhaps this time, you can take your turn first.

It's easy enough to slink away from the beach and back onto the Tang. The difficulty comes when you're walking the corridor to the captain's quarters, tempering your footsteps to fall somewhere between not-too-loud and not quiet enough that your eventual knock will be a complete surprise.

Maybe you're being too anxious. Maybe the pounding of your heart in your chest is too loud for you to focus on being rational. Maybe you have every right to be worried, because you'll open that door and have your head torn off.

“You're thinking too loud.”

The sudden voice scares the living daylights out of you. Your stomach somersaults into your throat and chokes you out of your nervous silence.

“Captain!”

Trafalgar Law has positively mastered standing menacingly in doorways. With his arms folded across his chest and the brim of his hat framing his thousand-yard-stare, it's almost hard to rationalise how you aren't spontaneously bursting into flames.

“I was just coming to- I mean I wanted to-”

Barely forming a coherent sentence, you trip over your own words. To his merit, Law lets you continue to try with little more than an amused look.

“The air is nice,” you manage, swallowing your nerves, “and the sun is finally going down, so it isn't as hot.”

“Then why aren't you out in it?”

“Everyone's having fun… and I wanted to see if you were done yet so you could join us. I think they would like that.”

“They would,” Law echoes, the inflection at the end almost phrasing it like a question.

“So, you'll join us?”

He looks back into the depths of his quarters, assumedly at the paperwork he's been covering, and looks back at you.

“I suppose I can take a moment to check up on them.”

The walk back through the Tang is quiet, but less uncomfortable than you'd have thought it to be. When you step back out into the sunlight, it's Law who raises an arm to adjust his eyes to the difference in brightness.

You try not to giggle at the way he squints, instead choosing to step back out onto the sand and indulge in its feeling once more.

“You know,” Law says, joining you by your side, “I was surprised to see it wasn't Bepo trying to coax me out.”

“Well, I think he's a little… preoccupied.”

You gesture vaguely to the scene in front of you, where Shachi and Penguin stand proudly over a large lump of sand… that suspiciously looks like your crew's poor navigator. Bepo's head bursts out from the pile and he splutters sand out across the beach.

“You weren't supposed to cover my head!” he complains, pulling his arms free as well.

Meanwhile, the two menaces in question are bowled over with laughter and clinging to one another to remain standing.

Law surveys his crew, observes them existing just like you had earlier, and from the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of the fond smile that breaks across his face.

And at that moment they spot him too, and a joyous cheer echoes across the beach.

“Captain!”

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captain-eagle-art · 15 days ago

Note

Hello Tasha, i have also just recently found your blog and i love your writing style! Could i ask you to do Ace, Doflamingo, Law and Zoro and their ideal first date location (or something similiar). Thank you so much and keep writing, you are amazing!

Hello anon (✿◠‿◠) Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy to hear you like my style :D Hope you like this one as well <3

Ideal Dates

feat. ACE, DOFLAMINGO, LAW, ZORO

ACE

IDEAL DATE: Reliving childhood memories

LOCATION: Midway Forest, Goa Kingdom, East Blue

Aside from the Whitebeard Pirates and his brothers, Ace doesn’t take pride in many things. He’s pretty down-to-earth and ready to go with the flow anywhere, but… since you’ve had to have been his friends before getting into a relationship, he’s already fixated on you. You deserve an experience that actually reveals some things about him, things that nobody but his loved ones know. To show you that he trusts you completely, he’d take you on a surprise journey, never quite telling you where you’re going. Ironically, Whitebeard is the only one who knows and he cannot help but grin as you depart the Moby Dick for an adventure that will end up having you bond for life.

Ace very much knew that, way back, when Gray Terminal was set on fire, parts of the Midway Forest burnt alongside the metal debris as well. It was a gruelling scene, one he remembers in his darkest moments – but that forest… he’s still fond of it. It made him who he is today, honed his skills and tested his strength. Without that special place, he wouldn’t ever be a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, he wouldn’t have met you… It is certainly special.

And he loves you for agreeing with everything he suggests. Whether it’s climbing trees or trying to look for the treehouse Luffy, Sabo and him set up when they were children, sleeping under the starry night sky, curled up in his warmth or hunting the beasts that haunt this magical place… for him, you did it all with a smile.

Even when he suggests climbing Mt. Colubo for you to finally put a face to the name ‘Curly Dadan’…, you agreed.

Ace was overjoyed. You… actually love him. Why? How did he deserve this?

He hoisted you up with a laugh, climbing the steep mountain while you were clinging to his back like a koala. You had to meet his foster mother, he was absolutely sure of it.

He needed her blessings, as well as his dad’s.

DOFLAMINGO

IDEAL DATE: Private cruise on the royal yacht

LOCATION: Open waters, Grandline

A game of cat and mouse.

Doflamingo has taken an interest in you due to your superb abilities. You were particularly good, and impossible to crack. Whenever he met you, you evaded his silver tongue with saccharine poison, excusing yourself before he could retort. Honestly, you thrilled him. Strong people like you were exciting, so different from the weak vermin that inhabit this wretched world. No, you had a purpose, even if you might not even know it yet. And if he was correct, your place was directly beneath him. Still under his command, but above everybody else. That’s how highly he thought of you – you should feel honoured.

“So… why the long face, sweetheart?”, he’d ask while licking his lips as soon as you very accurately noticed that you and him were alone on this yacht. No captain, no navigator, nothing – they all abandoned ship as he requested.

Those are the pests he’s been talking about. Pathetic.

Doflamingo would test your trust and loyalty. Being weak makes one worthless but being a traitor makes one a sinner.

No, not you… never you. You had the guts to question him. You didn’t just talk the talk, you could back it up with frightening strength. Well, you were not as spooky as he was, certainly, but up there.

You can certainly pick your poison, but he knows that you’ll pick the right choice. He’s obsessed with you, studied your moral compass – of course he knows that you, too, have this twisted sense of loyalty about you. Like two peas in a pod, he sensed your weakness just as you sensed his.

No worldly riches he could offer would truly impress you, and that makes you one of a kind. You wanted a ride or die, someone who would be there no matter what, someone who would burn the world down for harming you.

You wanted unconditional trust, just like he did.

Well, he’s known to be rather discreet, isn’t he?

So, he jumps into the water without hesitation, laughing at your disbelief – and grins as soon as he felt your arms around him, pulling him back on board.

Down came the claw.

LAW

IDEAL DATE: Playing board games in his room

LOCATION: Polar Tang, Grandline

Law knew that any relationship only ever flourishes if both parties have a deep understanding of one another… and since is very reluctant to let people in, he decides to invite you in on a date in his room. He’s been pacing up and down the hallway for the past two weeks leading up to this day. Hell, he even asked Bepo for help! He must be in a terrible state, if he considers his advice. Yet… why was it kind of solid though? He’s made tea – good tea, expensive tea. The one he had to brew with a timer and a thermometer to get the best possible taste. He laid out some cute pillows and a blanket for you. He knew you liked it particularly cosy. Oh, and he bought you a plushie… just because it reminded him of you. It sat nearly on your designated seat before you arrived, looking up at him with its beady eyes as he prepared the game. His collectibles and treasured items sat neatly behind him on a shelf… you’d be one of the first people to get to know him like that. Once Law got over his trust issues and accepted you, it was totally over for him. He still wasn’t obvious, but you knew that he was smitten.

Basically, he was disarmed quite easily.

And he knew why.

You knocked gently, remembering the secret code he told you. Then you were wearing one of his sweatshirts… and you brought a plushie with you, too. It looked… awfully familiar.

He turned back around to see the same stuffed animal waiting for you, its eyes now somehow mocking him.

You just giggled at you boyfriend, “Seems we know each other too well. I’ll take yours if you take mine.”

He couldn’t help but nod, cheeks tinted pink. You were right – you knew him way too well.

The best thing was that he could laugh freely in your presence, unafraid of seeming strange. Usually, there was no point in expressing himself like that, it would only open himself up to more pain, but you… he knew you were there, always.

ZORO

IDEAL DATE: Conversation over dinner and drinks

LOCATION: Baratie, East Blue

Zoro is a simple man who enjoys the simple things in life. Naturally, he frequently invites you out to dinner and drinks because that’s where he feels most comfortable socialising. It’s just nice seeing you enjoy yourself, handing him a treat or letting him try out a dish he was sure he’d hate to Hell and back, only for him to say, “It’s not bad…”

However, you were surprised when he said that he wanted to go to the East Blue with you when all of this is over, when the Straw Hat crew conquered the Grandline. Zoro knows that this would be the day he’d call himself the world’s greatest swordsman, having defeated his former mentor and rival. So… he wants to make it special and take you to the place where it all began. Zoro received his nearly fatal wound here; had it not been for Mihawk’s mercy, he wouldn’t stand here today. He wouldn’t have ever met you, perhaps… the Straw Hats might not even exist right now if fate didn’t play its cards right. He’s not really a spiritual person, but he is grateful for everything that’s happened.

It’ll take some time to get there, but in the meantime, Zoro is happy to watch you reach over the broad table by the aquarium bar, stuffing your partner’s cheeks with a treat you baked… under Sanji’s careful supervision. It may not be as grand of a gesture as his idealised version of a date, but he truly loved spending time with you. He loved that you had your own dreams, that you were just as much of a free, independent spirit as he was – it made him feel seen. You know that he doesn’t have to prove himself to be worth something, that one lost battle doesn’t translate to utter failure.

Your presence makes him want to honour your commitment to him.

Your care is much appreciated.

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captain-eagle-art · 15 days ago

Text

TBD (Trafalgar Law x Reader)

Warnings: spoilers for Dressrosa and Law's backstory as well as the briefest mentions of Punk Hazard

Summary: The Heart Pirates stop at their first winter island since Dressrosa and everybody else has turned down your offer to join you in ice skating, which leaves only one option - Law.

Author’s Note: I do, in fact, have a million other fics I'm supposed to be writing, but unfortunately, this idea took hold of me, and I had to give in. It gets a little shitty at the end and I'm not entirely happy with it, but oh well. Some of this does turn into somewhat of a character study, but I hope you guys enjoy regardless!

"Are you sure you can't come with?" you begged, holding your hands together in a plea before Bepo, who only frowned with guilt.

"I promised Captain I'd go with Penguin and Sachi to keep them out of trouble. I'm sorry," he apologized, bowing his head. "Why don't you ask Ikkaku?"

You crumpled into him dramatically, throwing your arms around him as you complained. "I already asked her! She told me she has the equivalent of two left feet and wouldn't go with me."

Bepo patted your back as you sighed. It was an unspoken rule that the Heart Pirates never stopped at a winter island for long unless it was absolutely necessary. Aside from Punk Hazard, you'd never known Law to willingly leave the Polar Tang at a winter island since crossing into the Grand Line. So, when Law had announced the next island they'd be stopping at was a winter island and that they'd be there for the whole day, you'd been surprised to say the least, but you'd quickly decided to make the most of it.

You'd always been a fan of winter, and it had been years since you'd been able to go ice skating, so you'd asked every single crew member possible to join you once you landed. However, every single one of them either already had plans or didn't want to go. Bepo was your last chance at having a partner for the day, and you'd just struck out.

"I guess it's just me then," you sighed, slightly disappointed but determined nonetheless.

"Are you sure you'll be ok?" Bepo asked, wringing his hands nervously. He shuffled slightly on his feet as he considered his words. "Ice skating is pretty dangerous and normally you're fairly..." "Clumsy?" you supplied, the admission coming easily. It was true that you were fairly uncoordinated, constantly being unaware of the space around you. It earned you more than your fair share of injuries and Law, in turn, more than his fair share of stress for your well-being. Bepo winced slightly at how blunt you were, but shook his head in agreement. "I'll be fine," you assured him, "I'm more at home on the ice than I am on my own two feet. Don't stress about it, okay?"

With that, you waved goodbye to Bepo before zipping up your coat and pulling the scarf around your neck up a little higher to cover the bottom half of your face. Your first step off the submarine's walkway had you smiling excitedly. It was a gorgeous day out, the sun high in the sky and only sparse wispy clouds floating across the otherwise blue sky. There was a sparkle in the air as little snowflakes drifted in the breeze, and the snow that coated everywhere the eye could see glittered subtly under the sun's rays.

A large number of the crew members were gathered around the snowy bank where the Polar Tang had been tucked away from view. You saw a group of them making their way towards the town and quickly ran to keep up with them. You made idle conversation, Jean Bart telling you excitedly about some bakery in town he wanted to see, and before you knew it, you were in the village. You parted ways with them and went off to find somewhere to rent ice skates. Since it was a winter island, such a task was relatively simple and within minutes of parting from the group, you were on your way to the woods to find somewhere secluded to skate.

After a few minutes of trudging through the snow, you wandered out into a clearing not far from where the Polar Tang was hidden. The area was surrounded by snow-covered birch trees and right in the middle was a frozen pond, untouched by anyone else. You quickly sat down and swapped out your boots for the skates. With the proper footwear now on, you stepped tentatively out onto the ice, testing your weight before fully pressing down. The ice held underneath you as you began skating towards the middle. The metal blades glided effortlessly across the ice, and you slowly began to push yourself around the pond. It all came back to you quickly, the movements and confidence feeling natural after years of training.

You're so focused on skating again that you don't hear the crunch of snow as someone comes closer. One moment you're blissfully skating on the ice, and another moment you're being startled by a familiar, gruff voice.

"What in the world were you thinking?"

The sudden intrusion startled you, and you shrieked, the sound cutting through the air as you whipped around wildly towards where the voice came from. The sudden movement caused your feet to trip over each other, and it was only due to muscle memory �� and a little bit of luck — that you didn't go crashing down onto the ice, instead stumbling for a moment before catching your balance. Once you were steady, you saw Law standing at the edge of the pond, his arms crossed against his chest and a frown on his face.

"Captain! You scared the shit out of me," you scolded, heart still racing inside your chest. You glided back towards the treeline where Law was still standing and carefully slid to a stop with the edge of your skates in front of him. "What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Law responded, his voice sharp, though not harsh.

You huffed, an easy smile pulling at your lips as you replied, "Ice skating, obviously."

Law clearly didn't find your answer as amusing as you did, however, as his frown only deepened, his lips pulling down in an obvious display of dissatisfaction. "I know that. What I mean," he continued, his voice tighter than before as he emphasized his point, "is what are you doing out here alone?"

"Well, I wanted to go ice skating but everybody else was either busy or uninterested, so I decided to go by myself rather than skip it," you explained before asking, "How'd you even find me?"

"I ran into Bepo on the way into town, and he told me you'd gone off on your own. To go ice skating, of all things," he said, the last few words said in a mix of judgment and disbelief. "You're the last person on this crew I would trust to go ice skating alone, so I came to find you. Your presence is very easy to find with Observation Haki."

"That's fair," you conceded, always the first to admit that your lack of grace often got you into trouble, "But I'm actually pretty good at ice skating. I told Bepo he didn't need to worry."

"It's not Bepo that's worried," Law snapped. Your eyes widened in surprise slightly, and your heart fluttered in your chest. Law clicked his tongue against his teeth and looked away, still frowning. You could've sworn you saw a bit of blush dusting the tip of his ears, but it just as easily could have been from the cold, so you brushed it off.

"Thanks for the concern, Captain, but I promise I'm fine. You can go back to town," you suggested, not wanting to monopolize any more of his free time.

"Absolutely not," he said firmly, leaving no room for argument. "I just watched you trip over your own feet."

You felt your cheeks heat in embarrassment and indignation. "That was your fault! You scared me," you exclaimed, quick to defend yourself.

"Besides, I'm already here. I might as well stay," he said, sounding not nearly as put out as he looked.

At this, you raised a brow. "Really?" you asked. This was highly unusual for him. You knew for a fact that the Polar Tang was nearby, even closer for Law with his Room, so the fact he was so willing to stay out here with you was odd to say the least, and you weren't one to shy away from pointing it out. "That's surprising."

Law let out a muffled growl of annoyance and embarrassment and looked to the side. "Whatever," he mumbled, hiding behind his hat like he always did when you'd poked a nerve.

You took this as your sign that you were dismissed. You smiled, just a little quirk of the lips, and began skating back towards the center of the ice. The ice still held steady under your feet, and it was easy to fall back into the rhythm of things, even with Law's watchful eyes on you.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ღ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

Law sighed, his mind preoccupied as he leaned against a nearby tree. There was always something slightly unsettling to him about being on winter islands. Ever since that day, he'd never been able to look at them the same. Despite living in the North Blue for most of his life, he hadn't spent a long time on snowy islands before Cora had dragged him to every hospital he could think of. Sometimes, Law felt like the color white haunted him.

Flevance's namesake had been the White City; every building, every piece of jewelry, everything had been coated white with the very thing that would spell the demise of not only the country but Law's life as he knew it. After the horror that was Flevance and the white lead disease, there was Minion Island, and the image of pristine white snow bleeding red as the last person Law had left to care for slowly died was permanently burned into his mind. That image —the feeling of utter helplessness, of panic, of anguish — was one that even living on Swallow Island for many years after that hadn't shaken. Despite how desperately he tried, the snow always gave him a sense of dread he couldn't shake off. Even the faint white patches on Law's skin seemed to taunt him whenever he was unlucky enough to catch a glimpse of them in his reflection.

There was a long time when Law thought he might never be free of it, the odd concoction of emotions that always assaulted him on every winter island he'd come across. The second he left the North Blue, he'd done his absolute best to avoid winter islands and to make the visits to them short whenever they'd been necessary.

It had always been easier for him to run.

Punk Hazard had tested his conviction from the moment he'd stepped onto the snow bank and left his crew, left you, behind. On his worst days, it had been easy to forget that he wasn't on Minion Island; that Cora wasn't willingly signing his life away for Law to have a chance at one of his own, that Cora wasn't getting shot right in front of him, that he wasn't locked inside a box, unable to do anything but cry. It had been a harsh awakening to just how deeply everything had affected him.

But he was here now, alive by no short amount of miracles. Doflamingo was gone, locked away in the most secure prison the Grand Line had to offer, and a small amount of the weight Law had been carrying around for his entire life had lifted.

The sound of metal scraping against ice caught Law's attention and immediately brought him back to the present, where you were skating on the frozen pond in front of him. He'd been too wrapped up in his own thoughts to really observe you, but now you'd caught his attention. From the moment Law met you, he'd always known you to be oblivious to your surroundings, sometimes even tripping over nothing but air. To think of you as anything other than clumsy would have been a foreign concept to Law, but now he can't think of a word that describes you less.

Your movements are smooth yet precise at the same time, the kind of confidence and skill that can only come with a lifetime of experience. Each stride was measured, with the intention of propelling you forward through each move. At one point, Law's heart jumped into his throat as you spun yourself in circles, slowly lifting one foot and picking up speed before bowing out of the move, lifting that same foot back and letting your arms fly out to the sides. Your balance was impeccable, and each move flowed fluidly into the next.

Sometimes, Law can't help but wonder how has feelings for you. You're carefree, loud, clumsy — everything he despises — and yet watching you now, gliding gracefully across the ice, he can't bring himself to look away. You've never looked so happy, so free, as you do right now.

The smile on your face is brighter than any sun Law's ever known, and the longer he looks at you, the more he feels like his heart will explode. He sighed, forcing his heart to calm down. In hindsight, his feelings for you had always been obvious. Still, it wasn't until he had returned to Zou, his mind free of Doflamingo's looming presence on his life, when you had hugged him and looked up at him through teary lashes and told him just how happy you were that he was okay, that he realized just how deeply he'd come to care for you.

Now, it was the only thing he could think of. His immediate reaction has been rather immature, and he'd taken to avoiding you, but you were as persistent as you were annoying, which meant that strategy had lasted an embarrassingly short amount of time. You were just like Cora in that way —and many other ways — selfishly forcing your way into his heart and making a home for yourself there. He hadn't even noticed until it was far too late.

With a deep breath, he forced himself to stop thinking so much. In the end, it didn't matter how badly he wanted you if you didn't feel the same, and he'd yet to muster the courage to even broach the topic. No, instead of being absorbed by his own disgusting pining, he should be watching you, making sure you're safe, like he'd intended to do by coming out here in the first place. His eyes followed you as you continued skating, the wind whipping softly through your hair and letting the ends of your scarf float off behind you. You were so focused on skating that you hadn't even noticed the scarf loosening, the fabric barely clinging to your shoulders. You seemed completely unaware of your surroundings.

So unaware that you hadn't noticed the ice underneath your feet beginning to weaken.

The sound of ice cracking echoed out across the clearing, and Law watched as your peaceful expression quickly morphed into panic, your eyes snapping open as you stared down at your feet. "Oh shit," you called out, your voice wavering slightly as the ice gave another sickening crack.

Law pushed himself off the tree he'd been leaning against and held out his hand. "Room," he shouted, the command like second nature to him. His power extended out from his hand, the familiar blue bubble growing in size until you were well within its area. You pushed your feet against the ice, skating away as fast as you could, but the third and final crack in the ice shot out in front of you faster than you could get away. Law located a nearby snowflake as quickly as he could and flipped his palm skyward. "Shambles!"

Law had never been more thankful for his timing. One moment you were stranded out on the ice, a fear in your eyes that threatened to make his throat close up at the sight of it, and the next you were stumbling into his chest. The only sign that you had been out on the ice in the first place was your scarf, which had completely fallen off in your panic. It drifted down slowly, one end of it floating down into the now open water.

You shrieked, your eyes closing in expectation for something that would never come. Law let his free hand curl around your waist, steadying you against him. After a moment, you opened your eyes and looked up at him. It was like deja vu, seeing you look up at him like this, except this time, instead of looking at him with relief during a tearful reunion, it was with fear as you grappled to make sense of what had just happened. You clutched your hands into his coat, looking over your shoulder at the huge break in the ice. "You're ok," Law said, wanting to do something to comfort you instead of just standing there, "I swapped your position at the last minute."

You breathed a shaky sigh of relief, allowing your head to fall against his chest. This close to him, Law could feel your heartbeat racing unnaturally fast, and he pulled you a little closer out of instinct.

After a few moments, you finally pulled away, decidedly calmer than you were seconds ago. You lifted your head and looked over your shoulder once more, a sheepish look on your face. "I guess you were right to worry about me..." you said, your voice trailing off as you frowned. Law didn't say anything, biting back his immediate retort. You sighed, a slightly sadder look crossing your face. "It's a shame. I really liked that scarf."

At this, he frowned. "You know I can just get it for you," he said, only slightly bothered by the notion that you didn't think he was capable of it. He did so easily, the scarf appearing in his outstretched hand before he finally let his room fade.

You looked back at him, an easy smile on your face despite the ordeal that had happened only seconds ago. "Thanks, but it's probably a lost cause. It's made of wool." You stood up abruptly, Law's arm that had been curled around you protectively falling away at the unexpected move. For a moment, you were fine, but you must have forgotten that you were in your skates and not your boots, the blade making it almost impossible to balance when not on the ice, especially for you. With a shriek, you were falling backwards. "Oh crap!"

Law let out a strangled noise before he grabbed you by the arm, yanking you back into his chest. "Why don't you sit down and put your boots back on," he insisted, watching as you nodded before letting you go.

You sat down easily enough and began untying your skates. Law sighed for what must have been the hundredth time just that day, but began to quickly squeeze the water out of the end of the scarf that had fallen into the lake. He hung it up on a low tree branch nearby, hoping the breeze would help dry it off quickly without it sustaining too much damage.

When he returned, you were sitting and staring out at the lake, both your boots on and the skates off to your side. You seemed lost in thought, and after a few moments of standing there awkwardly, he finally sat beside you.

"I'm sorry, Captain," you said softly, something akin to resignation in your voice. "I'm always making trouble for you by being an airhead. I must be quite the burden."

Law's heart clenched as he mulled over the right thing to say. If it were anyone else, he'd have already told them off, but he never could treat you like he did everyone else.

"It's true that you make trouble for me," he started. You winced, visibly bothered by the blunt admission. "But," he continued, his voice softening in a way he hadn't intended, "you're never a burden to me. It's my job as your Captain to protect you."

You were silent at first, and Law wondered briefly if he'd said the wrong thing. He was about to backtrack and say something more like his usual self, when you spoke, your voice low. "Is that it?

"Is what it?" he asked, confused.

You raised your head slowly, and the look in your eyes made his breath catch in his throat. You looked right at him, something unreadable brewing in your eyes as you frowned. "Is that really all it is? Just your job as my Captain?"

He wanted to say yes, to cut off the conversation right there and deny any additional feelings that may or may not be involved, but something about the way you were looking at him made him pause. Something about it unsettled him deeply and needled at his subconscious. The longer he looked at you, the longer he saw something that looked awfully close to hope staring back at him.

He exhaled, a mixture of resignation and finality. "No," he admitted, his voice quiet, "It's not."

"Then what is it?" you pressed, scooting closer to him as you brushed your fingers against his own.

"You should know already what I mean," he snapped, his face flushing as he looked away. You were always so difficult, so stubborn. It made him want to yell at you and kiss you at the same time. Such conflicting feelings.

"I want you to say it," you said, your pinky curling around his as you shifted closer again. "I won't make assumptions. Please, Law."

The soft call of his name from your lips made his heart stutter. You never referred to him by his first name, and to hear you do so—to listen to you say it like a plea—was enough to break him. He forced himself to look you in the eyes as he shifted your hand, his fingers intertwining fully with yours.

"I don't want to just protect you as your Captain. I want to protect you as something precious to me." The admission slipped easily off his lips, and if the way you squeezed his hand and let your head fall against his shoulder was any indication, it was exactly what you'd wanted to hear. "I'd like to do that, if that's something you want."

"Of course it is," you replied, your voice muffled against his shoulder. You lifted your head, your face now just inches from his. "I've wanted that for a really long time now. Ever since I first saw you, I think." Law felt himself drawn to you. His eyes flickered down to your lips as he allowed himself to lean in closer to you. "That's a long time," was all he could muster in response, his thoughts utterly consumed by how close you were to him and the overwhelming urge to kiss you.

You huffed out a laugh, your eyes bright as you looked at him. Law let his free hand drift up to cup your face, his thumb tracing gently across your cheek. You melted into his touch, your body relaxing further against his side. After a moment of hesitation, Law finally met you in the middle, his hand drawing you closer and his lips pressing into yours for a brief, fleeting moment. He pulled away, but you chased after him, your lips pressing firmly into his own. It felt natural, and a knot finally loosened in his chest as he allowed himself to indulge in you.

You pulled away this time, slightly breathless and with a satisfied smile. Law couldn't help a small smile of his own from pulling at his lips. "That's a sight I could get used to," he said, a new warmth in his voice as he took in the sight of you.

The two of you began to make your way back to town, your skates thrown over his shoulder and your hands intertwined. You were both quiet, simply enjoying one another's presence as the snow continued to fall slowly. One day, he thought absently, he'd unburden himself to you. He'd explain everything about Flevance, about Doflamingo, about Corazon, about how those memories, those ghosts, had haunted him for most of his life. One day, he'd explain how all those things weren't so bad with you by his side, how you make it so much easier for him to move on, to relax.

But for now, he'd just enjoy the moment, the warmth he had in his heart from simply being at your side warmer than any winter he'd ever experience.

ღ radishaur — i do not own any of these characters. do not plagiarize. please enjoy and remember to be respectful!

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