#Opla built this ship

[animeniac-writings]

Helmeppo, staring, so gently at Koby, such a soft tone, emotion filled eyes: "My Friend"

Koby, in an even softer voice, ignoring him: "Luffy...."

[thefandomdirtymind]

Definitely need a part 2 for Casual!! It's so good.

There are so many thoughts spinning. Not suggesting you use any just thoughts that popped up at the end, like, what if Zeff finds out? They start to do it more often, and one accidently says I love you? Or the typical what if she gets pregnant trope.

18+

A/N IMPORTANT: Hey Anon ! Thank you for the interest you took in casual ! Your ideas help me a lot. I confess I had indeed many though spinning around and as you will see, I will probably have to do a part 3. I hope you will like it.

Casual Part 2

Part 1 ( NSFW)

OPLA - Vinsmoke Sanji

Sanji / OPLA Masterlist and Coming Soon 

* English is not my first language, I tried really hard to correct myself but, I hope you will excuse me if some mistakes are still there.

—

The busy kitchen of the Baratie was as usual like a battlefield. The dinner rush had started and everywhere, cooks, waiters and chore boys were running to satisfy the customers and your father.

Yourself active with your orders, you couldn’t still stop your mind to think at this event a few weeks earlier. Sure, the festivity around the anniversary of the Baratie had been quite spectacular, but like the fireworks that had exploded that night, you couldn’t stop your brain from flashing souvenirs of things Sanji had done to you.

Like when he had insisted on kissing every exposed skin when he had undressed you or how the light of a firework ,coming from your window, had illuminated so beautifully his expression of pleasure when you had taken him in your mouth. 

But the memory of the end of round two was the one who came back the most.  

When with his wet mouth he had kissed your shaking tights, after that delicious session when he had eaten you out like a starving man. He had crawled above you, gently placing your legs on each side of his hips,letting his long fingers run on them, kissing your breast before capturing your lips. The change of pace didn’t affect you at first but, as he had pushed himself in you, his gaze totally caught in yours, as you moaned and were begging him to go deeper, your hand trying to find a grip on his back. You felt an intimity that wasn’t there before. As he thrusted in you faster, your vision still locked into each other, seeing the pleasure built, sharing needs, praises and encouragements, you knew that this exact point in time was special.

You knew that you were screwed when even cooking couldn’t shake off of your mind the way he had looked at you and groaned your name when he had finally come. 

Of course he had moaned and said your name many times during the entirety of your sexy time, but not with as much intensity. Like if you were his whole world.

“ Y/N I need this salted crepe now, not tomorrow ! “ Your father shouted, making you jump. 

“ Yes chef ! “ You replied, resuming your task, angry at yourself for allowing you to be that much affected by some casual sex. At least, the blond cook wasn’t in the kitchen , being once again removed from the line. 

By the time the dinner rush was over, your head was clear, but you knew that you couldn’t just brush the sensation under the rug, you needed to clarify the situation and for the sake of Sanji and maybe, move on. 

—

Humiliation and rage was boiling in Sanji veins as he was serving tables. How the old man could remove him once again from the kitchen just because of his fresh ideas. Sure, those days the inspiration didn’t stop, but it wasn’t really like he could stop his brain from thinking about cooking. Mainly now that if he wasn’t thinking about food, he was thinking of you. Mostly naked, your eyes filled with lust, whispering how good he makes you feel. Many frustrated nights had been spent, almost sleepless thinking about you. Stroking himself until he found his release, your name on his lips.

He knew he had to do something, tell you somethings, but every chance he had so far, your dad or a member of the staff had interrupted you. Living in a restaurant ship in the middle of the sea was, often, a pain in the ass when you wanted intimacy. 

Watching from the corner of his eye the last client leaving, he finished to clean his last table before heading to the kitchen. With some luck you will still be there. But, as he was pushing the door, the only reminding person in the kitchen was Patty, cleaning the room. 

“ Hey Patty,good to see that you finally do something you're good at “ He playful said, always happy to annoy the blue haired cook. “ I just finish the dinner room “  

“ Good, I will see if Y/N has done the bar and we can call it a day. Boss man is probably already asleep, the lucky man “ The cook replied putting his rag on his shoulder. 

“ I will go see if she’s done, go to sleep Patty, that's okay “ Sanji assured him, finally seeing his chance to be alone with you. “ Good night !” 

“ Good night Sanji. Don't mess up the kitchen while I sleep“ The cook said,misunderstanding the eagerness of the sous-chef and heading to the dorms, as the blond man quickly walked to the bar. 

You were behind the counter, aligning the bottles when he stepped in the open air area. Your hair down and your cook uniform gone, you were simply splendid in your faded t-shirt and shorts.     

“ Sorry sir, the bar is closed “ You joked, the heat you recently felt every time you saw him taking his place in your lower belly.

But Sanji didn’t seem to hear you, his gaze focused as he joined you behind the bar, his arms forming around your body a lovely prison. One hand buried in your hair as the other found the small of your back, he headed straight to your lips, taking your breath away. He didn’t intend to rush you, but many days of thinking about being alone with you got the better of him. 

Closing your eyes, you smiled, nibbling his bottom lips as he pulled you closer deepening the kiss. 

“ Sanji, that’s a bad idea, somebody could see us…” You tried to protest, unable yourself to stop kissing his jaw and reaching with shaking fingers the small boutons of his shirt. 

“ The bar is at the opposite side of the dock and everybody is asleep “ He replied, his breath  short as he slid his hand under your shirt, making you whine under his warm hands against your fresh air cold skin. “I’m sorry darling,but I found myself in need of you.I had become addicted to your little moaning and your warmth. It drive me crazy” He confessed, smiling as his thumbs found your nipples under the thin fabric of your bra, making you moan as your body reacted to his touch. 

" I had spent the last week thinking of how good it was to have you in me and what I would do to you " You responded, opening his shirt, leaving a trail of kisses on his chest " I think we need each other and way more frequently. "

" I agree. '' He said, as he opened your shorts, pushing aside your panties, brushing his fingers against the tender flesh. “ I would eat you out until the sun rises but after last time I don’t trust you to be quiet. “ He teases, his thumbs giving a small push against your clit,when two of his fingers were testing your entrance.

Trapped between the bar and Sanji's body, you bite your lips feeling his fingers, wet by your arousal, invading your warm center. On your lips, your moaning was dying under his kisses, but your body, accusing the fasten rhythm of his finger, was burning like a fever. Restrained by the small space of your shorts, each of his thrust short and deep, making you moan against his mouth. Bringing you closer to your release. 

But, as you were letting go a little cry, Sanji slowly removed his hand, turning you against the bar, putting your shorts and pantie down before undoing his pants.  

“ I’m sorry love, but I can’t wait any longer. “ He whispered against your shoulder “ Do you know how good you are around my finger, I have to be inside you or I will die before I see the All Blue. “ 

Gently pushing is cock in you, letting you adjust to his length, he slowly starts to thrust, his hands traveling on your body, caressing every sensitive area to his knowledge. 

“ Sanji…” You moaned, as he leaves love bites between your neck and your shoulder. His pace took some speed,like if he had felt your need. 

Securing one of his hands on your hip for a more firm control, his finger returned on your clit,teasing it with small circles, making you whine and grip the border of the bar. 

Being quiet became more difficult when your orgasm caught you. Now that you hadn’t the mouth of your blond lover to mute you, you only could count on the noise of the night and the waves to help you muffle the sound of your small cry and your panting breath.

Stepping back, sliding out of you, not ready to come yet in your pulsing cunt. Sanji gently lifts you in his arms, before taking a comfortable seat on the burgundy seat.  

You always liked the large bench at the end of the small bar. It was usually your spot after work, when the day had been rough and you needed a drink. But now as Sanji has taken a seat, supporting your hands while you installed yourself on his lap, you know it will definitely become your favorite spot. 

Kissing his face, enjoying his lazy smile and his gaze darken by desire, as he watches his cock disappear into your folded. You smile of ease, rocking your hips, taking you time to feel every inch filling you. 

“ Sanjii” You whined, the slow friction fogging your brain.  

“Is that good darling ?“ He whispered, his hands taking a firm hold of your ass, helping you with the last inch before reaching his trembling tights.”hm..fuck...chérie” 

Moaning against the crock of his neck, you nod of the head, not entirely trusting your voice to not scream or cry, as you lift yourself up and let your body come down again. After some slow trust, you finally settle a steady rhythm, copying the motion of the sea, hiding in the crashing noise of the wave,the sound of your heated skin against each other. 

Kissing your lips, trying to keep himself in check, letting you in full control,as his fingers press harder into the soft skin of your ass cheeks, he groaned. Did you only know how pretty you are, bouncing like that on his laps, your lips parted,panting and moaning as quietly that possible, your eyes closed by pleasure, your right hand hidden under your shirt playing  with one of your nipple and the other grabbing the left shoulder of his dress shirt in your fist. Did you know how he would worship you and your body for days if you let him. 

“ Sanji, i’m so close..I “ You moaned into his ears, your hips becoming more frenetic.

“ In my laps or...on your back “ Sanji simply asked letting you decide of the way you will welcome your orgasm, his breath becoming more heavy as his own release was approaching.  

“ Laps” You only replied, your forehead meeting is as a complicity you only started to learn. 

Your locked arms around his neck, your scream hushed by his hungry mouth, you could feel his hips rocking against yours shaky thighs, pumping in you with fervor. Each trust, amplified by the way he was holding your arse, was pushing you further to the border of the pleasure cliff. In an ultimate moment, driven by the overwhelming presence of you near orgasm and his strong body against and in you, you tried to escape his grip, your mind in a hyperdrive as the feeling you had tried for weeks to shut down invaded your system. 

Easily putting you back in place, his mouth possessively kidnapped yours. Sanji burying himself even deeper in your core, his own mind spinning as the strong scent of your arousal made him lose the little control he had left. 

“ Come for me Y/N darling “ He whispered on your lips “ If I can hear you scream my name, I at least want to see in your face how good it make you feel riding my dick “

In a last bounce and a cry, you came, your hands spread on his bare chest, your mouth open in a silent scream, trying to mute the word your brain was urging you to say. But,when,  in a slower pace to not overstimulating you, he reached his own peak of pleasure, his panting breath caressing the skin of your shoulder as the warm sensation of his cum coat your inside, you couldn’t hold it longer. 

“ I love you “ You hiccup, tears sliding down your cheeks as he gently kisses your neck.

For a moment, you both stay silent. His nose buried in the crock of your shoulder, his mouth still pressed against your skin, as you realize the word you just said. It wasn’t the worst way to say it, but since you were the one who had insisted on the casual part, it was kind of mortifying. 

“ Did you mean it ?” Sanji whispered in your ear, his hands gently caressing your back. Too afraid  that it was empty words you had moan and not the actual feeling you had, when he, at this very moment,could destroy the world or found the One Piece for you. 

“ Yes I...I didn’t expect to say it like that, I mean, on a moment like that but...yes I...I was thinking it for a moment now “ You carefully replied, shivering under the cold air against your now sweaty skin.

You felt his wide smile against your throat before actually seeing it.

“ I love you too, “ He finally said, gently kissing your lips. Joy illuminating his face “ You know, I actually think it will become my favorite memory”

“ Mine too” You smile, your heart beating faster, welcoming his mouth against yours.

“ Even if that memory of you your back arch against the bar is kinda hot ” He joked, nibbling your lower lips. 

“ your an idiot” You laugh “ I think we need to put our clothes back before we catch a cold.”

“ Your right “ 

Getting up, putting back your discarded clothes, you silently reach your bedroom, taking all the cautions you can, never letting go of Sanji's hand. After a well deserved hot shower, you both head to bed,his arms passed around you, without any worries in your mind, only the happiness that your two hearts beat in sync.  

The inevitable worries would wait for later.

---

Part 3 ?

[hypedupshawty]

I will be the first to say that I love everything about OPLA…

But you want to know what I feel deserves a lot more love?

The care and love and imagination that was put into building the sets; particularly, the Going Merry.

The Going Merry was built from scratch; and with just one look at it, you can see the amount of passion and artistic talent that was put into its construction.

I simply love the mix of cartoon and realism that they put into the figurehead; it looks realistic enough for the world of the live action, but not without losing its cutesy-cartoonish charm. And I absolutely love that.

The Going Merry is one of the most important aspects of the anime and manga, in my opinion, as she carried the Straw Hats through many trials and tribulations — and as Luffy put it, a crew’s ship is part of the crew itself, and it’s also a home. And throughout a good chunk of the series, that’s exactly what the Merry provided them.

For me, acquiring and caring for the Going Merry was one of the most sentimental parts of the anime; as was her death (I cried like an absolute baby for two days straight); and I feel as though the live action nailed the sentimentality of it.

I also adore the interior design of the Going Merry. To me, it looks very homey and relaxing (so much so to the point that I inwardly crave to be inside, along with the Straw Hats… and if you’re being honest, you feel the same way) and just perfect.

I just love the Going Merry in the live action, it’s such a beauty.

[soupbabe]

I Remember You (OPLA! Sanji x Male! Reader)

While on a date with Sanji, Reader remembers where he's seen him before.

Yeah this is literally just a recreation of this scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding shshsvskbdksj been thinking about it too much and thinking about a Sanji who's a bit nervous and wants to impress reader <33

You gazed at the blonde that sat across from you with a gentle smile. He held his glass up to his lips, sending you a duchenne smile as he drank. "See something you like? Or is there something better going on in that pretty little head of yours?" He quipped. You chuckled and shook your head. "No, I was just thinking about something you said earlier. You mentioned you loved the sea, right? But we're at a restaurant on land.. y'know I've been to this one restaurant before. It's on a ship out at sea." Sanji hummed in amusement as your features scrunched up in concentration. "It was something like Bartay? Barity?" "Baratie." Sanji corrected, his body language suddenly going stiff at the restaurant's mention.

You lit up as soon as the word left his lips, "That's it! Baratie! Best seafood in the whole East Blue, I'll tell you that much. It's gorgeous too." As you rambled, Sanji paid more attention to his drink. As much as he cared for and loved Baratie and it's staff, he'd rather choke than bring a date there. It was a place to pick up men like you, not to sit down to have something more serious. Who knows what someone like Zeff or Patty could do to embarrass him and ruin his night with you. They knew how to press his buttons and the last thing he needed was for someone to scare you off.

You stopped your gushing about the restaurant to reach out a hand to the silent and rigid cook. "Everything okay, Sanji? I didn't bore you, did I?" Sanji shook his head and swallowed the last drop of liquor from his glass, "Of course you didn't, Y/n...My old man owns the ship. Built it from the ground up." He watched as your lips formed a small "o." Your shock lingered in the air as you tilted your head to get another look at him.

As soon as the silence began being too much for Sanji, you spoke. "Wait a minute...I think I remember you." "How so?" The man quirked his brow. " You're a waiter." Sanji couldn't help but laugh. "I'm a chef, actually.." Your smile grew as you recounted the memory. "We locked eyes across the bar. You got distracted and spilled wine on the customer." Your date blushed a dusty pink at the mention of the incident, his hair standing up on the back of his neck. "I was going through something back then. An awkward phase you could call it. Didn't know what to do when a man such as yourself paid me any attention." He forced out a chuckle before regaining composure. "But I like to think I've grown since then. From some awkward, scrappy kid to the gentleman you see before you." He smiled and shot you a wink.

"I'd argue you were still a gentleman. Albeit a bit clumsy, but just as charming." The way you tilted your head and looked so fondly at him, it made Sanji melt from the inside. You going on this date was more than just taking up an offer from a flirty stranger. You were so genuinely enthralled by him that it took him off balance. "So, what do you say?" You smirked. "Let's go to Baratie, I want to meet your folks."

[miloonepiece]

Buggy request requested, so i shall provide.

Reader is Buggy's wife and she is unabashedly flirty with him. She'll pinch and slap his ass, squeeze his tits, ect anything to get him to blush and squeal. He acts like he hates it but he adores lt. Shes his rock

So lets say she was on a mission and comes back to the bigtop after learning Arlong took Bugs.

She's having shark fin soup for dinner.

She comes in to rescue her damsel in distress husband shocking the straw hats to hell and back

note: I apologize that this is so short, I decided to leave it on a fun cliffhanger which I am currently working on the second part as I upload this! I hope you enjoy it, I did change things ever so slightly from what you requested but attempted to keep it as close to what u wanted!!

Shark Fin Soup

Contents: opla!buggy x fem!reader, reader is a badass who is going to save her husband, a bit of angst, inaccurate lore, not proof-read, established relationship. (please tell me if I miss anything!!) Word Count: 671

You were fuming when you heard the news, one of Buggy’s crewmates was reading a note written to them about how Arlong had their captain. Without even a single thought you lowered the sails and set on the course to Arlong’s almost sad island. You’ll admit your husband may be a bit wack and his ambitions were bigger than even him, but what Arlong was doing almost amused you by how stupid it was. You could tell when you had arrived at the island when you saw the giant building that towered over the entire island, you scoffed at the sight of everything. You finally docked and jumped off the ship, holding tightly onto the staff Buggy had given you in case of an emergency.

This was an emergency.

The sound of your boots made the dock rattle, the wood was worn out from the amount of water that had been splashed up from the unnecessary entrances given by the fish men. You began to walk not wanting to wait on any of the crew members and wanting to get to your husband. You hadn’t noticed the other ship docked nearby and didn’t really care about it, you made your way into the main entrance watching as some other man ran out being chased by another fish men. You quickly walked in and saw the amount of them there were already out, you gripped your staff tightly as you watched the green-haired and blonde haired strangers fight them. You weren’t here to help anyone but your husband so running past them you ran into the building, ignoring their shouts for you to return back.

Once you were inside you found them quickly as the sound of voices echoed against the walls and to your ears, you followed swiftly and found the map room where a boy with a red vest seemed to be having a strange staring contest with Arlong. There were few words spoke between the two before the boy demanded a orange haired girl out, which he then did the same to you. You weren’t one to take orders from anyone other than your husband and captain, but something about this boy seemed.. different. You obeyed and ran out, not only moments afterward the building came crashing down and you watched in shock. Before fear washed over you, you hadn’t checked the rooms inside for your husband.. you had so mindlessly just followed the strange voices and didn’t even bat an eye into another room.

You felt the staff in your hand become a bit harder to hold as sweat built up and tears fell from your eyes, Was he in there? You thought to yourself, before you heard a voice. You snapped and watched as Buggy’s head was released from the hip of the blonde man, his head flying to his body and detaching himself from the restraints he was previously from. Relief has washed over you and ignored as the other strange pirates attempted to come over. You ran to your husband and grabbed his face planting a kiss against his lips, which caused him to pull away out of reflex and shock before he realized who was stood in front of him. Buggy stared at you for a moment before chuckling, he then glanced up at the Straw Hats who stood there watching the two of you in shock, confusion, and slight disgust.

Buggy smiled, saying his quick catch phrase before giving the new pirates two birds then dragging you along him running back to his ship.

The ship finally left right as they saw Marines enter, relief washed over as the ship got farther from the island. But it didn’t help the Buggy suddenly was acting different, he seemed so excited to see you for a moment then as soon as you got onto the ship things were immediately different. You attempted to brush it off and went to get some sleep.

[drowninginblox]

OPLA! Roronoa Zoro Drabbles- how you met + how you joined the crew

I am drunk off this man right now. If he'd let me, I'd love to get to know him over a bottle of wine and a sirloin steak. Even though he's more of a booze man ofc. Below are some stray thoughts I have about him since I am slightly obsessed lol. I hope y'all enjoy my romantic/self-indulgent drabbles. One more thing- all of these HCs will surround an MC who identifies as Female.

Edit: hahaha umm.. happy late borth Zoro. Sorry for being late lol

I don't think you'd meet Zorro when he was young. Rather, you'd be on an otherwise unremarkable island or boat somewhere on the east blue, make your way to the grand line (ya fucking idiot). For some reason, to him anyway, you'd be the most remarkable thing about that rest stop. That one girl in that one bar he had a conversation with.

Whenever he thinks back on you, your smile would always be the first thing that comes to mind. Then your laugh. And then that side-eye glance you'd send his way when you ask him what he's thinking about. Usually after a contemplative sip of whatever you were indulging yourself on.

There are a lot of things that Zoro enjoys in life, but as much as he is the strong and silent type of guy, I think he enjoys a worthwhile conversation far more. So long as it means something to either of you. He hates pointless banter if there's nothing backing it.

When you see Zoro again, it's on the mainland shortly after the beginning of the time skip (haha spoilers 'LA watchers. We're in for a two-year time skip at some point in the series). You two meet up on land, just a skip away from where you two were gonna break away to your respective destinations. Completely on accident btw

Yall decide to spend the night together. Nothing zesty happens, Only wholesome cuddling and a long conversation that drifts into the early hours of the morning.

Yall wakes up at noon. He lets it slip that he's gonna train for a bit before meeting up with some friends at a very remote port god knows where, and you promise yourself two things.

You're not gonna drag this man down

You're gonna be one hell of a worthwhile pirate

So when y'all break away, promising each other that this definitely isn't gonna be the last time y'all meet, you decide to become a pro marksman. The gun kind, not the slingshot kind (don't wanna come after Ussop's brand lol)

So you do that for a year and a half before you make your way to the meet-up spot. You get there a day early, and during breakfast, you see Zoro and this blond bitch running somewhere. Naturally, you dropped everything (literally dropped your food back on the table) and jumped from the balcony to chase these mother fuckers to the docks where (spoilers) the sunny was parked.

It isnt until Zoro's halfway up the ship that you yell his name. He turns to see you, and it's like that night from a year ago all over again. He's got half a mind to jump down to you, but Luffy looks over and asks what's going on.

Everyone's teasing Zoro's ass bc of "the side piece he's picked up"

Ussop and Choper are asking him what your name is and where he found you

Sanji is on you immediately

Nami is asking for a fee to get on the ship

Franky is wondering why you built differently compared to every other girl he's seen (I like to make my OP OC's anything but Oda's depiction of the fem. figure. Mostly cubby and/or built. Sometimes both.)

Robin is wondering what's in your backpack since you look well packed (It's books. Fuck you I'm making physical fanfiction canon to one piece)

Zoro, meanwhile, is (mostly) worried about Luffy since he's captain.

Luffy looks you up and down, asks what you can do, and you say you're an alright marksman. Ussop is up and arms at this and Luffy backs him up saying that yall already have a marksman (and that you're a girl anyway so that isn't even the right term)

You say that you're knowledgeable in medicine and you're done your fair share of odd jobs since you've picked up a few things as a barmaid.

Luffy ponders this, countering that they already have a doctor but could always use the support when needed. He looks back to the crew and asks them what they think as well, wich surprises you a little. Nami and Robin would appreciate another afab person on the crew but supplies are tight as is, Franky thinks you're cool, same for Chopper. Sanji comments on supplies as well but he wouldn't mind if another girl is on board. Ussop is a little threatened by your presence and is against your addition entirely.

Zoro almost yells at him but before he starts, you get on your knees and properly ask him, along with the rest of the crew to stay. Luffy asks you why, and you say that you want to live. Live life with people you know and do it to the fullest. You then look back to Ussop, who is staring you down. "I didn't come to replace you. I came to follow, and hopefully live up to the people he adores," You glance over to Zoro, who is surprised you admitted that in front of his (totally not) family. "He holds you all to such a high standard. I wanna be a part of that."

Ussop just tells you to stand up and looks at Luffy. Luffy lets you on board, with the condition that you show off your skills. You do so.

Zorro helps you on and holds your hand as y'all are leaving port.

[ghostinthegallery]

I can't believe the One Piece live action series comes out like tomorrow and I'm...excited??

Guys, One Piece is my favorite manga. It's one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. It means so much to me. I've been a fan for over ten years, this series was something that the friend who became my spouse recommended to me and that we watched together. I have laughed and cried and sobbed because of this story. And when I heard it was getting a live action series, I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they'd pop out of my skull! Netflix? Not a great track record. Live action? Why? One Piece is great as a manga and an anime. How could the cartoony, over the top style ever translate?

But then the writer (Matt Owens) started going onto various YouTube channels and talking about his love for the series. He participated in the community and that was... really nice? He said he was closely working with Eichiro Oda which of course I didn't really believe but now it looks like that was true? And then we saw production photos and they literally built boats?? Real ships not CGI? And the cast is perfect? Somehow???

Everyone involved just seems to love the story and their work and now I'm excited and I really want to see the OPLA succeed. Yes, to reach a new audience and put a new spin on the story but also because I want the best for this creative team that has put in so much love and effort. They came together in true Strawhat fashion and I really, really hope it succeeds so they can take us to the Grand Line and beyond.

[fairytaleriots]

Makings of a Crew

"Is every day gonna be this crazy with you?"

Maybe these people are exactly what Zoro needed

(opla fanfic, ao3 link)

It could not be said that Zoro's life was boring. He never lacked a fight and the problems usually found him before he had to put any effort into finding them. No pirate worth the bounty was all that subtle. So maybe that's why he didn't notice at first. When Luffy crashed into his life, bringing freedom and the chance to kick Axe-Hand Morgan’s ass, it was just another fight to be won. And after that? Well, they were running from the marines, so it just made sense to get on the ship and he could hardly leave from there and the one day just kept happening after the other. But Luffy was bouncing from one adventure to the next, an unstoppable force on his path to the Grand Line and for the first time in a while Zoro noticed that he had been bored. Or not bored. Stuck, maybe. Maybe knowing your goal alone wasn't enough, maybe sometimes you had to stand on a table and declare it to the world, no matter the consequences. He had lacked the momentum and the direction needed to move forward. His captain had given him that at least.

~

There was an easy camaraderie to be found in Usopp that was unfamiliar to him. Within five minutes of meeting he and Luffy had become the best of friend and Zoro and Nami were left to stand there and marvel, before being swept up. Usopp simply welcomed them in, introduced them to Kaya and tried to help them get a ship, as if that's simply what you did for people. There was something bizarre, something mundane in a way that Zoro hadn't known in a while, about being included in conversations about whether or not Kaya liked liked Usopp. About how any of his lack of engagement was easily smoothed over with jokes and stories and about how easy it was to play along, to hype Usopp up and complete the and only make fun of him a little bit for it. His friendship with Kuina had been so different from this, carefully built on understanding the other, on respect and ambition, expressed through childhood vows and teasing. This was new, watching Luffy and Usopp's goof around on deck. Something new and worth protecting.

~

Falling into a rhythm with the damn waiter was so easy, Zoro almost resented it. Sanji was, by all accounts, an idiot. Weird about women, almost to eager o be helpful, yet always ready to be a bastard and surprisingly willing to join Luffy and Usopp in their shenanigans. But there was something so familiar about fighting at his side. About how he gave as good as he got, about how fun it was to throw insults at him and seeing his own delight reflected back. He might be someone Zoro could trust with his back.

~

Maybe it was Zoro's mistake to assume that he and Nami were on the same side. From the beginning there was a solidarity between them, in having to deal with Luffy being Luffy, throwing each other exasperated looks at the worlds bullshit around them. He had assumed an understanding, a similarity between them. Doing what has to be done but waiting to be freed without knowing it. Stuck like him. And maybe that part had been correct. But Zoro had always known himself, had been steady in his path. He had assumed that in her as well. In the end only Luffy had seen how wrong that was, simply by not assuming anything at all. And Nami turned to them for help. Trusted them enough to have her back. You are part of this crew, Zoro wanted to say and was glad that Luffy did it for him. And I will protect this crew with everything I have. I will not fail Luffy and I will not fail any of you ever again.

That's what I can give you.

[kuravix]

No shame, but I cried ugly tears when Luffy met the Going Merry. Big, fat, ugly tears. I can't wait to see/cry when OPLA finally gets to the Farwell. I anticipate it hurting so much. I'm really hoping it makes it that far!

omg I've not thought much about it but are they going to burn down the Merry they built for the series? I wouldn't expect them to build another ship for the purpose of burning down. You could get real, genuine emotion from the cast as they watch something they've spent years filming with be burnt away.

Damn, the live action version really could be more emotional.