#but that all changed when i got to whole cake island because it was the first time i really understood who sanji was

[sanjipussyindulgence]

what's your favorite thing about sanji? 💙🩵

okay as a funny answer i'd say its because hes so loser-coded. like hes a pathetic sopping wet purse dog of a man.

but as a genuine answer it's because of how layered he is. for as over the top and anime tropey his personality is... he's very realistically done? somehow he feels grounded and human to me in a way that some of the other straw hats arent.

even though his defining trait is kindness, he refuses to show ANY emotional vulnerability due to his trauma. instead he'll play a dramatized caricature of himself to distance any of the genuine emotion involved. he'll hide any kindness under a layer of either grouchiness when it comes to men, or infatuation when it comes to women.

sanji almost never lets his walls down, even when hes with the straw hats, so we dont get to see/understand him fully until he's at his worst emotionally (whole cake island).

its at times like that when we see who sanji truly is - a deeply insecure yet kind man with a severe guilt complex. the reason why sanji acts the way he does is because he HATES himself, even to the point where he doesn't want to be himself.

which is why he puts on the act of a tough guy womanizer because, in his mind, thats better than the soft-hearted little boy he still is at his core... but its that part of him that i love the most! i love whenever he gets to be honestly sweet!

obviously his pervert gag has its moments where it shoots sanji's characterization in the foot but i dont HATE his attitude towards women and i feel the people who want him to change entirely miss the point.

his strict binary for the genders stems from his early childhood where all the men in his life were monsters and only women were kind to him. even once he got picked up by zeff it was a tough love situation and sanji adopted that.

he views men as inherently worse than women, and its a character flaw that defines his personality. its important for a well written character to have a flaw like that. it fleshes him out.

i could go into a whole different conversation about his unintentional queer-coding... but this post is already long enough so i wont.

[w2sarcher]

noisy neighbour part two | harry lewis

✩ ✩ ✩

summary: in which y/n owns a coffee shop and harry is her noisy neighbour

word count : 5.7k

part one here

a/n: this is part two of my noisy neighbour series!!! read part one before this <3 there will be more parts to this as its a proper slow burnerrr. sorry for the slow updates i haven't forgotten about this series lol xxx

masterlist <3333

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✩ ✩ ✩

Y/N had come to the conclusion that life was much better when she didn’t let silly lies get in her way. It had been a week since she had come clean to her noisy neighbour, or Harry, as she now knew him, and life couldn’t get any better. 

After the pair had laughed about her moment of foolishness and how they were both a little too loud for their own good, they were able to move past it all and properly get to know the person they were living next door to. 

Y/N found out more about Harry’s whole ‘Youtuber’ lifestyle. He was part of a group of seven boys that made videos that came out every Sunday, but he also had other channels in which he’d play computer games and do funny reaction videos—the source of all that playful shouting she had heard through the walls. He told her that he’d gotten bored of his old apartment and wanted a change of scenery, so he chose the small-scale but nonetheless nice flat next door to hers. He lived alone and was 27; his favourite colour was blue, and his favourite cake was chocolate. He liked coffee,cycling, surfing, and the occasional beer, and he loved travelling anywhere in the world, near or far; he just loved exploring places. He had two younger siblings, a brother and a sister, and was from a little channel island named Guernsey. Y/N had never been.

She told him all the little details she could think of about herself in return. She was always sort of bad at introductions, cringing when they used to say ‘’Tell us three facts about you’’ in school, never knowing what to say. But she managed nonetheless. She told him all about her dream of having a cafe of her own and how she came to do so. She loved old music, mainly Abba, to which he laughed and told her he knew already, making a playful jab at the singing he had heard from next door. She too lived alone but was 26; her favourite colour was green, and her favourite cake was lemon. She also liked coffee, not so much cycling or surfing, and opted for cider whenever she went to the pub. While she hadn’t been travelling much herself due to paying off her university debts and then starting up her coffee shop, she still shared the desire to travel anywhere in the world—far away from London. 

It was such a breath of fresh air for Y/N. Owning a cafe all on her own meant early mornings and late nights, and her weekends were either spent visiting her parents or nestled away in her flat watching episodes of Vanderpump Rules or trying new recipes for baked goods that she was thinking about selling in the cafe. Because of this, she had found it hard to find time to make friends, and while she had her fair share, she barely saw them; they either had big city jobs or were living outside of London and starting a family. It just felt nice for Y/N to just sit and chat with someone a similar age to her and talk about nonsense for a while. 

While the conversation the pair shared was cut short by Harry needing to get to work and record a podcast, they shared numbers (only in case one of them got a parcel for the other, of course), and Harry said he’d pop back in soon to finish where they left off. 

So that was it. It had been a week, and she hadn’t seen him since, but that was all she could think about. It wasn’t even like Y/N had a crush, or so she convinced herself, but she longed to talk to him again; it just felt nice. While the occasional old lady that came into the cafe was great to chat with, asking away about how her day was going or what their plans were for the day, she still preferred the little chat she had with Harry; it just felt different, and she couldn’t put her finger on why. 

But then she got all in her own head. Maybe he didn’t come back in because he realised she was a bit weird, having lied about living next door and that he was only being friendly and entertaining the conversation, but in reality, he didn’t want to be talking to her at all. Y/N knew she was probably getting a bit ahead of herself, but she couldn’t help but think the worst. She had always been a bit of a pessimist. 

It was now Monday again, and the cafe had just begun to die down after the lunch rush. After cleaning tables and putting cups and saucers back in place, Y/N finally felt like she had it all under control. There was no one in the shop, and looking at the time, the clock read 1:00 p.m., a perfect chance for Y/N to have her lunch break. She had scoffed a croissant earlier that morning and topped herself up with flat whites throughout the day, but now she was starving. She walked over to the door, flipping the ‘open’ sign to ‘close’ and walked back behind the counter to prepare herself something nice to eat. 

She wasn’t long into making a ham and cheese toastie when she heard three loud knocks on the glass door. Usually she’d shout ‘’We’re closed’’ and continue what she was doing, but another three knocks followed, and she thought she’d just let them in and eat her sandwich another time. 

As she turned around, she saw a hooded figure standing outside the door—it was lashing rain in London today (shocker) —but she could barely make their face out through the raindrops on the door. Nearing closer, she realised it was Harry. After a week, he’d returned. Maybe her pessimism wasn’t always right.  

Letting him in, she moved back as he took his coat off, the black puffer soaked from the awful weather. 

''Hello, you,’’ he smiled, lifting the hood of his jumper from his head. ‘’Didn’t realise you closed this early.’’

‘’Hiya,’’ she smiled back. ‘’Just closed for lunch, that’s all.’’

Furrowing his brows, he replied, ''U-Oh, right, I can come back later if you’re busy.’’

She laughed, taking his coat from him to hang it up on the coat stand next to the door. ‘’Don’t be silly. I’m only having a toastie, nothing special.’’

‘’Lovely stuff,’’ he said, clapping his hands together and following her towards the counter.

‘’How’ve you been?’’ she asked. ‘’Horrible weather today, isn’t it?’’ Classic brit filling empty silence with talks of the weather.

‘’I know, proper pain in the arse,’’ he laughed. ‘’Been good, though. Just back from a holiday with the boys, but so typical, I’ve come back to the shittest weather possible.’’

''Ooh, lucky you,’’ Y/N smiled as she resumed the making of her lunch. ‘’Go anywhere nice?’’

‘’Went to the Maldives for two days for a video,’’ he said nonchalantly, ‘’was a good laugh though.’’

‘’Wow, that must've been unreal.’’ she gasped, placing her sandwich on a small green plate before looking back at him. ‘’Can I get you anything to eat? I feel like a knob if I’m sat scoffing my face and I’ve not made you anything.’’

Harry smiled, watching as the girl moved her plaited hair so that it was out of her face. He thought she was quite pretty with her hair tied back, freckled cheeks, and a peach-coloured blusher on her face. She was wearing her same old green apron, but instead of the jumper she had on the last time he saw her, she had a striped long-sleeve top paired with black jeans. Yeah, she was really quite pretty, he thought. 

‘’No, I’m fine, thanks. I got a meal deal in the airport earlier,’’ he paused. ‘’And I’m trying to keep off the cakes, but they do look bloody brilliant today.’’

Y/N laughed, ''Well, you’re in the wrong place if you’re trying to keep off the sweet stuff. I got cakes coming out of my ears in this place.’’

The conversation felt easy for Y/N. It was almost weird to think about their first few conversations, stiff and awkward, thinking the other was a bit rude and not really interested in making small talk. But now, it felt like they could talk for ages; the initial uneasiness was now a distant memory. 

‘’So what brings you here?’’ she started. ‘’Surprised you’re not straight to bed after that long flight.’’

They sat down at a little table in front of the counter, Y/N enjoying her lunch and Harry watching, fumbling with his fingers. 

''Oh, trust me, I’m knackered.’’ he laughed. ‘’But I thought I’d pop in. Remember, I said I would last time, finish where we left off, and all.’’

Course Y/N was remembered. It had been all she thought about for the last seven days. 

‘’Oh right, yeah’’ she said between mouthfuls of her sandwich. ‘’Well,tell me all about this Maldives trip then.’’

✩ ✩ ✩

A few days had passed since Y/N and Harry’s last encounter. And that was all she could think about.

After leaving her cafe to go back to his flat, the pair shared a few jokey text messages: Harry sending her random pictures he’d taken on his holiday and Y/N sharing snaps of new baked goods that she’d made, with him responding with a classic ‘Save me one.’ It was nothing serious, but it was nice to have playful conversations away from her busy working day and Harry’s video shoots. 

Despite only a small proximity separating the pair, Y/N longed for the next time she might bump into him, almost hoping that a parcel would get delivered to the wrong address to give her some reason to knock on his door or that he’d finally succumb to his sweet tooth and trod down the stairs to try whatever fresh baked treats she had to offer. 

It made her laugh that only a few weeks ago she’d dreaded the thought of seeing him and hated the thought of having to make small talk with him, but now it was all she’d thought of. And don’t get her wrong, she was no romanticist or anything of that sort but when she found something she liked or in this case, a person she liked talking to, it was hard for her to take her mind away from them. 

Another day had come to an end for Y/N. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as she wiped down the last table in her cosy little shop. It had been a long day for her, filled with the hustle and bustle of customers coming in and out. She felt swept off her feet trying to make sure everything ran smoothly and made a mental note that maybe it was time to hire some help.

Now, as the clock struck closing time, Y/N couldn’t wait to retreat to the comfort of her upstairs flat. Locking up the cafe, she made her way up the narrow staircase and into her home. The familiar creak of the stairs under her feet echoed in the empty hallway—a comforting sound that signalled the end of another day’s work. 

As she reached the door, she let out a contented sigh—peace at last. Turning the key in the lock, she pushed open the door and stepped into her sanctuary.

The soft glow of string lights greeted her, casting a warm and inviting atmosphere through the room. She’d forgotten to turn them off the night before and was surprised the batteries had lasted the day. Kicking off her shoes, she padded across the hardwood floor to her living area, where a plush green sofa beckoned her to sink into its comforting embrace.

Her days always went the same after work. She’d come upstairs, sit down on the sofa, and stick some random television show on for some background noise, needing to just sit for a moment after being on her feet all day. The stress of the day always melted away as she allowed herself to just be in the moment, relishing the peace and quiet of her own space. 

Next to the sofa, a stack of books awaited her attention. She had been reading some Dolly Alderton novel that a friend had recommended, and so far she was loving it. There was nothing quite like getting lost in the pages of a good book; all she needed now was a nice cup of tea, and she’d be in heaven. 

It’d felt like hours had passed as Y/N finally got to the end of another chapter. The gentle hum of the TV in the background continued as Y/N settled down the book and turned her attention to her phone, wondering if she had any new messages from a certain someone. And lo and behold, she did. 

Clicking the message open, she saw a picture that Harry had taken from what she assumed to be his living room. Her view was similar, just at a different angle—the Shoreditch’s streets looking equally as ‘London’-esque from both their windows. He had added a little message to the bottom of it: ‘This weather is mental. Think it calls for tea and some cake.’ Y/N hadn’t seen the message with her phone on ‘Do not disturb’ and her eyes well focused on the piece of fiction she was reading, and he had sent it over twenty minutes ago, but she assumed he was still next door, not wanting to dare step out in the treacherous rain. 

She wondered if he was hinting at her to send him a text and offer some cakes from downstairs. Or maybe even invite him over to try the pastries she’d sent him a picture of only a few days ago. Of course, Y/N didn’t really know if he was hinting at anything, but she really hoped he was. The time on her phone showed it was just past 7:00 p.m., and having eaten a small lunch earlier in the day, she too was in the mood for some cake and tea, not really bothered by the thought of cooking dinner and having to wash up loads of pots and pans in the kitchen.

She lifted herself up from the comfy sofa and into her kitchen space, opening the fridge to see if she had any nice delights to cure her craving. There sat a small blue tupperware, inside two vanilla cupcakes, left over from the day, perfect. Two. Perfect. 

Whether he had been hinting or not, Y/N took the tupperware in hand and stuffed her feet into her fluffy slippers. Unlocking her door and making her way down the stairs towards his door, she felt giddy. She thought it was a nice gesture to turn up with a little treat that he had longed for, and she hoped maybe the two could share a nice chat over a cup of tea as they looked out on the London rain. It’d be nice.

As she got to the door, she lifted her hand up, ready to press the buzzer to his blue door, but as she did, she heard the faint strains of music drifting through the air, accompanied by a girl’s laughter. Her hand froze, and a wave of disappointment washed over her. Doubt crept into Y/N’s mind, and she couldn’t bring herself to interrupt whatever moment Harry was sharing with another.

With a heavy sigh, Y/N turned on her heel and retreated back up the stairs to her flat. She knew she was being silly, but she felt a sting in her heart, and she couldn’t shake the image of Harry’s front door from her mind. 

Back in her kitchen. Y/N set the cupcakes on the counter; her appetite for something sweet was now long gone. She wondered if she had misinterpreted Harry’s kindness and their conversations as something more. Sure, the two had shared a few playful texts, updates throughout the day, and random pictures, but that was the extent of it so far. Y/N felt like an idiot. 

She never did respond to Harry’s text that night.

✩ ✩ ✩

Another few days passed, and Y/N had finally gotten over her little strop. Well…sort of. She didn’t have much to go on other than the fact that she’d heard a woman’s voice and lots of laughter, which she knew didn’t necessarily mean Harry had a girlfriend, but she'd rather nip her feelings in the bud than wonder about the what-ifs that could of been had he opened the door. Plus, Y/N felt a bit silly. He’d never given an indication that their chats were anything more than friendly, and the texts they shared weren’t suggestive in any way—I mean, you could probably send your mother the same things. So she knew it was better to cut her little strop short before she got herself all tangled up in her feelings.

She’d had another long week in the cafe, busy with big orders and endless amounts of coffee, and she knew it was definitely time she put out an advertisement for a job vacancy. But that was a job for another day as she was currently getting ready to go out with a few friends in a pub just near Old Street. It had been a while since she’d found the time to meet up with people (with their big city jobs and her never ending hustle in the cafe) and considering she’d given Harry radio silence for the past few days, this was the most socialising she’d done outside of the occasional old lady in the cafe. So, Y/N was buzzing. She reached for her favourite pair of Adidas Sambas, their sleek black design accentuating her style. The leather was very worn despite carrying many stories of past adventures. Y/N made a mental note that she’d get a new pair out of her next paycheck. Her outfit was bold yet chic, a lot different from her usual jeans, t-shirt, and green apron combo. A leopard print midi skirt is paired with a black fitted crop top and a leather jacket over her shoulders to give the outfit unmistakable flair. She always enjoyed dressing up, even if it was just for a quick pint—it just gave her something to do and was a nice change from her usual get-up. 

With a flick of her wrist, she grabbed her essentials—a phone, cardholder, and keys—and headed out the door. It wasn’t raining in London for once, with spring slowly creeping in, so Y/N didn’t bother with an umbrella, deciding her jacket was enough protection from whatever the weather had in mind. It felt nice as she walked along the busy Shoreditch streets with the city lights beckoning, couples holding hands, groups of friends laughing—it made her heart squeeze, and she felt like the night was promising her excitement and all sorts of possibilities.

/

The pub night was everything Y/N had hoped it would be. It had been a welcome contrast of warmth and laughter, and seeing her friends, who usually worked nine to five, was a breath of fresh air. With flushed cheeks from all the lively conversations and talks of fond memories, not to mention the five pints of fruity cider she had drank, Y/N left the pub with the cheesiest grin on her face. A few kisses to the cheek and warm hugs later, Y/N waved goodbye to her group of mates and headed back towards the Old Street roundabout. 

The city seemed quieter now; most of its energy was subdued despite it only being 10:00 p.m. Walking around familiar streets, she felt a sense of comfort in solitude but wished she hadn’t forgotten her airpods because there’d be nothing better than a peaceful stroll accompanied by her favourite indie music playlist in the back. 

The pub was only about a ten-minute walk from her flat, so it didn’t take too long, and Y/N felt herself subconsciously speed walking as the cold London air got to her, now regretting her choice of jacket. As she neared closer to her doorstep, she could see a hooded figure placed on it, a backpack in front of them, and a phone in their hand as they scrolled aimlessly. Her eyes felt a bit hazy from the cider, and she approached apprehensively, her mind wandering to the possibilities of it being a crazy ex-boyfriend or a drunken friend hoping to rest their heads for the night. But as she moved closer, her anxiousness eased. It was only her neighbour. Harry. Harry, who she’d given the cold shoulder to for the past few days.

His friendly face looked up at the sound of her approaching footsteps. A slightly flustered expression on his face. 

‘’Hi Harry,’’ she smiled. ‘’You alright?’’

Getting up from his crouched position, he moved aside, letting her stand in front of her own door. ''Oh, you life saver, been waiting ages.’’

She looked up at him, a glow on her face, not too sure if it was caused by the pints or his general presence. ‘’What for?’’

‘’I’ve been a right numpty and locked myself out.’’ he laughed. 

‘’Oh shit,’’ she laughed back, buzzing from alcohol. Y/N was a lightweight by definition; the smell of alcohol could probably get her drunk, and at this moment she felt buzzed.

‘’I know, pain the arse,’’ Harry said, pinching in between his eyes. ‘’Can’t even try to get a key cut because everywhere’s shut.’’

‘’You got any friends that’ll let you crash for the night?’’ Y/N asked, feeling genuine concern for the poor boy sitting outside their doors. She hadn’t even asked how long he’d been there—it could have been hours. 

‘’Tried a few but got no response,’’ Harry sighed, "I guess no one wants a rogue sleepover at 10 at night.’’

‘’Good friends you’ve got,’’ she teased, confidence of drink taking over her. 

‘’Oh shush you,’’ he playfully said back. 

A small silence fell over the toy as Y/N fumbled around in her bag to find her keys, the street light giving her enough of a torch to be able to find them. Every time she drank, she’d experience a small panic that she’d managed to lose all of her belongings, but luckily for her, everything seemed intact. 

‘’So what are you going to do?’’ Y/N said as she went to put her key in the lock.

Harry paused for a moment. While the two had shared the occasional message and nice chat over coffee, he felt a bit bold with what he was about to ask. Not being the most social person, he had weighed out the options of whether or not it would be awkward if she'd say yes to his question—he'd more than likely have to sit chatting for a while and then maybe have an uncomfortable sleep on whatever sofa or bed she’d have to offer—but at the same time, he reminded himself that it was only Y/N and whatever awkwardness could have come between them had well and truly been dissolved by their initial meeting. And truthfully, Harry was all for saying outlandish things and asking rogue questions, so if she did say no, he’d just take it on the chin and find somewhere else to go. 

‘’I hate to ask,’’ he paused sheepishly. ‘’I really do. But by any chance, I could come in for a bit, or at least till one of my friends picks up their phone and lets me stay around theirs.’’

‘’You hate to ask?’’ Y/N smirked, cocking her head to one side. ‘’Am I really that insufferable?’’

Harry’s eyes widened at her words. ''N-no, no, not at all. It’s just that I thought, ’’

‘’Stop your blubbering for a moment,’’ she laughed. ‘’It’s fine, really.’’

‘’You sure?’’ he smiled. ‘’Don’t have to say yes, 'coz you feel sorry for me.’’

And yes, Y/N did feel a bit sorry for the blubbering boy sitting in front of their adjacent doors. She couldn’t imagine anything worse than being locked out of her own flat and left out in the cold in London with nowhere else to go—it was a frustrating inconvenience to say the least. Plus, Y/N was always a bit of a generous soul, never really able to say no to people, always biting her tongue when she felt awkward, and with a few pints combined, she was feeling especially generous. 

‘’Honestly, no bother.’’ she replied, unlocking her door. ‘’I’ll probably be awake for the next few hours anyway, so companies are good.’’ An absolute lie on Y/N’s part. Any drink would usually send Y/N into a tired haze, and she couldn’t think of anything better than sticking on her pyjamas and curling up in bed, but it’d have to be put on hold for the night. 

Following her up the stairs and into her living area, Harry let his eyes analyse the room. Fairy lights adorned nearly every wall, blankets crowded on the sofa, a few plants dotted around the room, and an endless amount of cookbooks—while Harry didn’t know too much about Y/N, he could still recognise that her little flat was an exact replica of her as a person. 

‘’Nice place,’’ he said, placing his backpack down on the wooden floor. 

‘’Cheers,’’ she smiled, ‘’similar to yours?’’

‘’Similar size, but mines full of cardboard boxes at the moment,’’ he laughed, ‘’yours has a lot more life to it.’’

‘’Took a good few IKEA trips to get it this perfect, I won’t lie.’’ Since walking in, Y/N had dropped her bag by the door, walking into the kitchen space to find some snacks or atleast a drink to give to her unexpected guest. 

‘’You want a cider?’’ she asked, rummaging through the fridge to find a can of Strawberry Old Mout that she had left over from the last time she had a guest in her flat. She couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous as she looked around the brightly lit fridge - it felt weird having Harry in her flat. Different somehow, more intimate than their casual chats down in the cafe or over text. But especially after her little moment of weakness the other day and the fact that he more than likely had a girlfriend, she pushed those thoughts aside and focused on being the good host she was. 

"You know what- I’ll take one," he replied,thinking nothing sounded better than a cold cider after his shambles of an evening. ‘’Only if you’re drinking too - don’t wanna start getting leathered on my own,’’

‘’As if you’d get leathered off of one cider,’’ Y/N laughed, passing him a can and cracking open her own, ‘’Plus I’m 5 ciders deep already so think it’ll be me getting leathered, not you.’’

Harry shared a laugh with her, holding his hands up in defeat, ‘’Alright, you piss head. You just been necking ciders on London streets then or what?’’

‘’Oh shut up,’’ if she had been closer to him, Y/N probably would of swatted him on the arm for the absolute nonsense that left his mouth but the kitchen counter separated the two, so she kept her arms to her side, ‘’I was just out in the pub.’’

‘’So that’s what the mysterious Y/N gets up to when she’s not running a cafe,’’ he said, raising his eyebrows as if he’d uncovered some maddening truth about her.

‘’Mysterious?’’ she snorted back regrettably but she couldn’t help it and plus after a few drinks, her snorted laugh always seemed to appear.

‘’Well ye-yeah, mysterious.’’ he paused, taking another big gulp of his drink and Y/N wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d managed to finish it by now. ‘’Haven’t heard from you in a few days and then you come swanning in after a few pints, I’d say that’s pretty mysterious.’’

‘’God, you talk some shit,’’ she said, laughing at his use of words. 

‘’S’true though, haven’t heard from you.’’ 

‘’I haven’t heard from you either?’’ 

‘’You liar! I texted you the other night and got no reply,’’ Harry said, clutching at his heart in a playful manner, ‘’really hurt my feelings.’’

‘’You’re such a windup,’’ she grinned, ‘’Didn’t take you as the type to be hung up over no replies,’’

‘’Broke my heart really. I was waiting for you to reply and say you had a cake and a chat waiting for me but got nothing.’

So maybe Y/N hadn’t taken his hints wrongly. 

‘’And then my sister turned up and I couldn’t even come round and pester you for a slice of lemon cake,’’ he continued, ‘’my plan went out the window,’’ His sister! Y/N mentally scolded herself in her head for being so silly that night and thinking the worst.

‘’Your plan?’’ she challenged.

‘’Yeah, my plan to butter you up and then steal every last slice of cake you had going for you.’’ he joked. 

What an idiot, Y/N thought. But a funny idiot, nonetheless. ‘Ah, well, you should have told me your sister was round and I would have been more than happy to share something with her - sure, she would have been better company than you anyways,’’ she joked, in return. She couldn’t tell if it was the ciders making her head feel dizzy or nonchalant playfulness, but she felt giddy and confident. 

‘’No one likes a liar, Y/N.’’ he beamed, ‘’We both know that’s a massive lie.’’

‘’Hmm maybe.’’ 

‘’So, pub, did you say?’’ he questioned, ‘’W-was it a date or?’’

‘’Think I go to the pub on a first date?’’ she said, raising her brow in amusement. 

‘’Nothing wrong with a pint and a bag of crisps for the first date.’’ he defended.

‘’It’s that where you take all your unlucky ladies then?’’

‘’Ha! Unlucky. It’d be the luckiest night of their lives,’’

‘’Oh I bet,’’ Y/N laughed, ‘’But no, just a few drinks with some of my friends. Nothing mad.’’

‘’Very cool.’’ Harry grinned. 

‘’Shut-up,’’ Y/N grinned back in return.

The two fell into a silence, each other not really knowing what to say. Y/N could feel the lull of the alcohol weaning off and she knew she’d be drifting off if she stayed up any longer. She didn’t want to come across rude, enjoying his company but her bed was calling her name and she needed to call it a night knowing she had to be up in  the morning to sort out admin for the cafe. 

‘’I think I might head to bed, I’m feeling knackered.’’ Y/N sighed.

‘’Leaving me all alone, one cider deep?’’ Harry laughed.

‘’Sorry but I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for any longer,’’ A giggle uttering from her lips, ‘’You’re more than welcome to stay on the sofa thought until you get your keys sorted and all.’’

‘’You’re a star, Y/N.’’ Harry smiled in return as he made his way to the couch to make himself comfortable for the night. He couldn’t have been more grateful for her in the moment, thinking back to not so long ago when he was out in the cold, locked outside of his flat. Course, they’d made familiar with each other the past few weeks but he couldn’t get over the kindness of the girl - or pity that she had for him - but either way he was thankful nonetheless. 

‘’There’s a few blankets on the side and some cushions so it shouldn’t be too uncomfortable,’’ Y/N paused, walking over the basket of random throws and cushions she had by the corner of her living room, signalling him to choose his pickings. ‘’Right, I’ll see you in the morning. Night Harry.’’

‘’Night, Y/N. Thanks again.’’ And that was the last thing he saw, her gleaming smile, cheeks red from alcohol as she walked down the hall to the last room that he knew now was her bedroom and headed to bed. 

/

Y/N woke up with a pounding headache the next morning followed by a dry mouth and a queasy stomach. She hadn’t even drank much but in her defense she rarely ever did so any alcoholic beverage would always send her sideways the next day. Blinking against the harsh sunlight streaming through her window, she groaned, regretting the cheap ciders of the previous night. Her memory was a bit hazy, blurred by the fog of alcohol but she did remember one thing. There was a Harry on her sofa. 

Dragging herself out of bed, she quickly sorted herself out, combing through her hair and fixing her pyjamas, not wanting to look an absolute state in front of the boy. She stumbled to the kitchen, head throbbing with every step, desperate for a glass of water. But as she walked into her living space, he was nowhere to be found. Surely she hadn’t been so drunk she had imagined the whole night. 

She could remember everything from the loud music of the pub, the dancing and laughs she shared with her friends. And she most definitely remembered the blue eyed boy that was sat outside her front door, locked out from his home.  

She did a quick check of her phone to see if she had any texts from Harry but the only notifications were a few Instagram tags from her mates and a text from her mum asking what she thought of the banana loaf she had made. Nothing from Harry. 

Walking around the kitchen to grab a glass for her water, she noticed out of the corner of her eye the little notepad she had on her kitchen counter was opened, a few words scribbled on it and a black biro pen next to it. 

On the note read ‘Thank you for letting me stay last night, you’re an angel. I had to leave early this morning to meet the landlord for a spare key but I really do owe you. Let me know when you’re free, I’m thinking of dinner on me? Thank you again, Harry x’ 

With a little smile on her lips as her fingers traced over his messy handwriting, she felt a sigh of relief. Dinner on him, it was and she couldn’t wait.

-

a/n: thank you for reading. sorry for the wait!!! there defo won't be a long wait for part three. this is such a slow burn but promise it gets more cutesy in part three <333

[an-au-blog]

Pining Sanji? Pining Sanji who stays no matter what.

He doesn't know when it started, he's not sure when, but somewhere along their countless adventures, somewhere in the beginning, he fell for Zoro. He was stubborn, selfish, amazing and breathtaking in every way.

After Thriller Bark, he decided that it was too close of a call and he couldn't let Zoro or him die before be told the mosshead how he felt. So he did. The answer wasn't anything the cook didn't expect, but it still hurt like hell when he was rejected. For a while after that Zoro seemed to be extra cautious about their interactions, no doubt trying to see if anything would change. Sanji didn't want anything to change, so he did his best to act natural. It must have worked because Zoro stopped walking on eggshells around him and all was good.

Well... nothing was good, but it was something that Sanji could live with. Having a crew who loved him was enough, he couldn't allow himself to get too greedy or selfish. He just thanked his luck he had this.

But then Whole Cake Island happened and Luffy and Nami came for him. His captain, who was selfish and stubborn, amazing and breathtaking in every way. As much as he was overjoyed and filled with sorrow that they cared so deeply, his heart never got the memo not to want more and he held onto the hope that Zoro would appear as well. He didn't.

In the end, his captain's love won him back and Sanji forgot all about the way that no one would love him that way. He never expected Pudding to love or even like him, but it stung that she'd betray his trust in such a cruel way. Perhaps he had an affinity for people like this.

They went back and defeated Kaido, just like their captain had said they would. Somewhere in the joyous celebrations of their victory, Sanji found himself sitting next to the man he'd probably never stop pining for. He couldn't stop himself from staring at him, wondering how he would have lived without that grumpy face of his to sour his mood everyday.

He must have stared a bit too much, a bit too longingly, with a bit too much admiration, because Zoro turned to look at him with a scoff on his lips. He was annoyed and Sanji couldn't blame the man. Not wanting to start a fight, Sanji stood up to leave Zoro alone, but he felt a hand grab him.

When he turned, Zoro spoke. "Don't leave like that again, shitty cook."

For a moment, he had hope that this meant something, so he searched his face for any sign it was more than about Whole Cake, but he found none. He was just worried about Luffy, as the loyal first mate that he was. It stung, knowing he didn't care for him enough to even ask why he was there in the first place. And it was so damned selfish and cruel to ask him to stay after he rejected him all this time ago. What a stubborn man, couldn't even welcome jim back properly, never letting himself care for the cook even as a friend. But how amazing it felt to know he still wanted him to stay, even though it was for someone else's sake. And oh, how it took Sanji's breath away, with pain and lack of words, threatening to overwhelm them both if he spoke. After all, Sanji must have been at least a little bit of a masochist to refuse to let go of him.

"I won't." He finally said and Zoro let go of him.

Perhaps Sanji was also a bit selfish, stubborn and cruel to keep this one sided love.

[cal-flakes]

hiii could you do something with rafe and a beach day please? love ur fics sm ❤️❤️❤️

thank you lovely <3 i am living for these fluff concepts, KEEP EM COMIN xxxx

╰┈➤ beach day with soft!rafe hc’s

warnings: a tad nsfw if you squint, fluff overload

: ̗̀➛ rafe was like an excited puppy when y/n finally told him what she wanted to do for her birthday this year.

: ̗̀➛ she wanted to spend the full day at the beach.

: ̗̀➛ why? he had no idea, but if that was all she wanted to do he was going to make sure it was the best day ever.

: ̗̀➛ he’d wake her up at first light, having planned out the whole day.

: ̗̀➛ “hey birthday girl, time to get up..”

: ̗̀➛ “baby, it’s three in the morning..”

: ̗̀➛ “yeah, we’re going to see the sunrise, come on..”

: ̗̀➛ and while she got up and got dressed, he’d pack the car.

: ̗̀➛ he’d make sure to bring everything they would need to spend the day at the beach.

: ̗̀➛ a cooler for snacks and drinks, a disposable barbecue, fire wood, blankets, towels, changes of clothes, one of his hoodies because he knew she preferred his.

: ̗̀➛ and lastly, a birthday cake, made specially for her.

: ̗̀➛ when he told her he’d planned every second of the day, he really meant it.

: ̗̀➛ once he’d finished packing, he headed upstairs to collect her.

: ̗̀➛ “c’mon angel, let me carry you to the car”

: ̗̀➛ he carried his sleepy princess to his range rover, making sure she was comfortable and buckled in safely.

: ̗̀➛ the half hour drive to the beach went by quickly as she dozed off in the passenger side.

: ̗̀➛ rafe chose a small beach on the island, one where they wouldn’t be bothered too much.

: ̗̀➛ putting his car in park, he peppered kisses over her face as she stirred awake.

: ̗̀➛ “birthday celebrations start now pretty girl, c’mon”

: ̗̀➛ he chuckled as she stumbled out of the car in a sleepy daze.

: ̗̀➛ early mornings were quite chilly in kildare, so she’d opted for a pair of his sweatpants and a hoodie over the top of her bikini.

: ̗̀➛ he held her hand graciously as she followed closely behind him, careful not to fall.

: ̗̀➛ she settled on top of a towel while rafe set everything up around them, leaving a few pieces in the car that they wouldn’t need until later.

: ̗̀➛ he’d even brought pillows, and while she adored his thoughtfulness, she dreaded having to get the sound out of them once they got home.

: ̗̀➛ finally situated, they cuddled on top of the towels and blankets, watching the stars as the waves crashed further down the beach.

: ̗̀➛ instead of watching the sunrise, he chose to watch her instead, his heart fluttering as the bright gleam reflected in her eyes.

: ̗̀➛ “what are you looking at?”

: ̗̀➛ “you”

: ̗̀➛ once the sun had claimed it’s spot in the sky, the heat began to settle over the outerbanks, resulting in y/n frantically removing her comfy clothes.

: ̗̀➛ “oh my god, too hot! too hot! m’gonna die”

: ̗̀➛ rafe eyed the pink bikini she’d chosen for the day, observing how it hugged and complimented her curves.

: ̗̀➛ “do you have a boner?”

: ̗̀➛ “angel, i always have a boner when im with you..”

: ̗̀➛ around eleven, the sun had reached its peak, provoking y/n to apply the sun cream rafe had brought.

: ̗̀➛ “here, let me do it princess”

: ̗̀➛ “rafe, im a big girl, i can do it myself”

: ̗̀➛ “shh, todays your special day, you’re not lifting a finger”

: ̗̀➛ y/n moaned slightly as rafe straddled her bum, massaging her back.

: ̗̀➛ “baby, if you don’t stop that im going to fuck you right here..”

: ̗̀➛ lots of beach sex.

: ̗̀➛ after a while of sunbathing and reading, the pair decided to go for a swim.

: ̗̀➛ y/n tied her hair back as she waded through the light waves, enjoying the warmth of the water.

: ̗̀➛ rafe dove in immediately, thrashing about like a child.

: ̗̀➛ y/n looked around, frantic, when rafe disappeared beneath the surface.

: ̗̀➛ shrieking as he suddenly pulled her under by her legs.

: ̗̀➛ “you’re an asshole, you know that right?”

: ̗̀➛ “yeah…but you love it”

: ̗̀➛ making out in the ocean was a must.

: ̗̀➛ “you know, there’s nobody here yet..” she whispered suggestively.

: ̗̀➛ rafe didn’t even need to respond, immediately pulling her bikini bottoms aside.

: ̗̀➛ they spent the whole day like that, in and out of the sea, sunbathing, reading, eating.

: ̗̀➛ by nightfall, they’d watch the sunset together, y/n inbetween rafe’s legs, resting against him.

: ̗̀➛ “i’ve had the best day, thank you rafe”

: ̗̀➛ “anything for you angel”

[the--rebel--fae]

Ask: Hello! Can I request a headcanon?, the theme is that Sanji and Your/name meet after the events of Cake Island. (They dated before this)

A/n: I hope I did this ask justice! This is my first time writing for Sanji, and doing a drabble, but I like how this one turned out! I hope you enjoy it!

@kihauk

WC: 470

Spoiler Warning: Cake Island Spoilers

TW: None! just Hurt/comfort

Lost Love Comes Again

You never thought that you’d see Sanji again if you were completely honest. After he left The Thousand Sunny, you thought you’d never see him again. 

His welcome back was a big thing with the crew, but you felt too conflicted to join in the festivities.

You loved him and still did. And you understood why he did what he did, his family was awful. But it didn’t change the fact that you were hurt that it seemed so easy for him to break off your relationship.

You just wish you knew if the relationship ever meant anything to him.

“Hey hun, you haven’t been that cheery since Sanji got back. I would have thought that you’d be the happiest that Sanji’s back.” Nami said as she came over to where you were sitting on the upper deck of the Sunny. 

You lifted your head off of your hands from resting on your legs to turn your gaze up towards Nami. “Hmm? Oh hey, Nami. Yea, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy Sanji is back I really am, it’s just–”

Nami lifted you up from your stoop and pulled you into a tight hug. “I get it. It’s because of the stupidity he pulled before Cake island huh?”

Pulling back from the hug, you gave a small chuckle at her observation. “Yea, I guess it’s because I still have feelings for that idiot. Even after he broke things off. Pretty stupid huh?”

“Not to me it isn’t. You should go confront him, tell em how you feel. He’s no doubt in the kitchen as usual. But I can make sure the two of you have your time alone.”  

A soft sigh falls from your lips, but you nod nonetheless. “Alright, thank you Nami. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime, hun.”

***

“Hey Sanji, can I talk to you?” You ask, entering the ship’s kitchen. 

The blonde puts down his cutting knives and turned to face you with a soft smile. “Hey (y/n). I was wondering when you would come around. I haven’t seen you since the end of the whole Cake Island ordeal. Would you like something to ea–”

“Do you still have feelings for me?” You cut him off. Your gaze determined as you look up at your once-boyfriend. “Did you even feel anything for me at all, Sanji? Or was I just some fling?”

“Oh mon cheri,” he stepped forward and suddenly wrapped you in a sweet embrace. “I never meant to make you feel that way. I thought I was doing the right thing by letting you go. I didn’t think that you’d feel that way. Can we start over my dear?”

Your eyes start to water and you lean into Sanji’s warm embrace. “I’d like that a lot actually.”

Maybe their love was worth fighting for after all…

A/N: Well, I hope you liked the drabble/HC! It was a fun write! Feel free to request something again soon! And if anyone wants a personalized fan fiction story of their own from One Piece to Pokemon and more! I have many options! And I’d be happy to write y’all a story that you’d love! Just click this link below! And if you wanna keep up with what I’m doing with stories and updates on my shop feel free to follow me here on Tumblr and on Instagram under Rebel Fae Productions

[theghostbunnie]

I've been telling anyone who will listen to me for years how I never believed Fiona's universe was just a genderbent version of Finn's bc the personality changes would be too drastic sometimes and I know adventure time is partly written as it goes along but let me have this !

Fiona isn't even a Finn multiverse variant, she's BASED off of Finn. Where as the rest of the multiverse is made by wishes, so I see it kinda like making a clone of a clone, Fiona's universe is "hand made" so to speak. Something I find interesting is, everyone in it, instead of having the deep lore and backstories as the OG universe (the one they were based off of) they seem to get the simplified "what a viewer would assume/all they'd get to know in the first few seasons of watching adventure time."

Fiona and Cake aren't referred to as sisters, even when their universe had magic. When it went without, cake turned into her pet cat. Similar to how as a little kid watching the first season, you just thought Jake was Finn's talking dog.

Fiona didn't get the last name Mertins because in her original magical universe I'm betting the human Island, bio parents' backstory, deep lore about the mushroom war and the vampires just don't exist there. Similar to how when you were watching the first seasons of adventure you don't really question how Finn got there, or all of ooo. It's just boy in magical land.

Also I am willing to die on this hill Gumball/Gary and Princess bubblegum have next to nothing in common. Even in his first appearances in the main series, Gumball was acting snooty and prissy, what young veiwers thought princess bubblegum to be in the earliest seasons. Gumball/Gary in the new series has very few of Princess bubblegum's traits, especially a lack of being a scientist or abrasive bluntness, or a whole list of things. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying he's shallowly written compared to her! Just different, easily embarrassed and a writer instead, infact! All his lil candy ocs.

The character with the biggest differences though?? Cake and Jake. These are two COMPLETELY separate personalities to me.

So to tie this back to my earlier point of this universe being "hand made" and the more intriqure details being more naturally unique and simple than a carbon genderbent copy, I think Prismo put the least amount of work into Cake. (So her as a living creature developed a personality naturally, not that she doesn't have one bc Prismo didn't give her one manually)

Prismo and Jake were friends, I'm sure he's mourned him and misses him. So why would he torture himself/Disrespect someone he knew personally by making a new one? That wouldn't be fun, and that's arguably the whole reason he made Fiona's world. To have fun making something. That's why I think it doesn't have that depth and darkness Finn's world has, it's just "girl in magical land."

[misslovasstuff]

Whole cake island arc has the best writing in one piece. The parallels between Sanji and his father, Luffy and Sanji’s mom, the representation of trauma down to the details of body language, the string of hope and intense emotions that follows it through. Sanji being brave enough to go back and face the nightmare he went through 13 years ago when he was just a kid, a kid that had to apologise for being born ‘weak’, a kid that went through heavy abuse and trauma and found his only comfort in his mom but not for long.

Sanji being afraid to risk his friend’s lives for himself but in the end he was stunned by their determination to save him regardless the dangers they could face.

Sanji staying to save his abusing family because of the morals and values he was raised by and because of his kind heart, because as Luffy said ‘that’s how you are.’

Sanji that didn’t make a whole 360* change of his personality when he realised Pudding’s true intentions but instead still treated her respectfully and even understood her feelings when he asked her if she has been fooling herself as well. He protects her until the end and doesn’t hold a strong grudge.

Sanji that could only find happiness there with his friends and got worried sick, pacing and smoking the hell of his cigarette worrying about them, even though he tried his best to push them away for their own good.

Sanji that couldn’t convince his captain that he’s spoiled, mean and a traitor because how could the kind cook that risks his life for all his friends ever be this cruel?

The moment that absolutely crushed me was when Luffy asked Sanji ‘what do you want?’. That cute blond is always putting a show of hiding his emotions and placing others before him so you can imagine the intensity of his emotions when he was asked this question and admitted that what he wanted the most right now was to get back to the sunny.

Themes of love which prove that it cannot be faked but only developed when one is true to another. We have pudding who had also gone through a difficult childhood, paralleling somehow Sanji’s struggle in fitting in and being called the ‘odd one out’. When she’s complimented for something she’s been ashamed of her whole life, her demeanour falls and it’s shocking for her to hear such a thing, especially from the men she’s trying to assassinate.

It’s surprising how well Pudding encrypts Sanji in the first meeting, describing him as a wonderful man, he has lovey-dovey eyes but he’s gentle, he has twirly eyebrows but he’s kind. Her falling in love with him was inevitable for they share the same passion of cooking, but also the same need to be accepted as they are.

I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t have this arc in their top 3 favourites because wow, this arc makes you cry, laugh, reflect and realise by seeing how Sanji made a step towards making peace with his past, realising that he can rely on his friends and not take everything upon himself to carry. Realising that he’s important, he’s enough, and that that kindness of his is a trait resembling a treasure to be kept sacred and loved forever more.

[beanghostprincess]

A very interesting AU concept would be swapping Sanji and Pudding, hear me out:

It starts with 9 year old Sanji at G€rma. In one way or another, his modifications partially activate. He is still weaker than his siblings, but its enough for J@dge to not imprison him even after Sora's death. (He still gets berated tho) Living like this slowly makes Sanji lose his emotions. He doesn't have a will to to live, yet he can't die.

Meanwhile, at Tottoland Big Mom is furios at a 6 year old Pudding because she just can't awaje her 3rd eye. She calls her a failure, punishes her for nothing, and tells her that she isn't her favourite daughter anymore. Hearthbroken, Pudding decides to run away like her big sister Lola did by hiding in the hold of a ship. She ends up in the east blue and after the ship wrecks, she meets Zeff. They are both stuck on an island fir 80 days, but he sacrifised his leg because he could never let a lady go hungry, its just wrong. Later they are saved and end up opening the Baratie.

Zeff raises Pudding as his precious daughter. She is already great at baking, but he teacges her how to make other dishes and cuisine. Everybody loves her, and anyone who even lays a finger on her will die.

Then Luffy arrives. While Pudding's real dream is to learn about the 3 eye tribe, she tells everybody that is to find the All Blue for her old man (she still covers her eye, Zeff is the only person who has seen it). After the events of the Baratie arc, she joins the crew as the cook.

The rest of the story would be similar. Pudding is now a pirate who uses her leg fighting skills and smarts to get by. (As well as an idden power thats connected to her 3rd eye) The marines gave her the epithet "chocolate leg Pudding". Im not sure if she already has the memo-memo no mi... I'm gonna assume she does and its very useful for her.

The first change in the plot is at Thriller Brak. Pudding notices her sister, but she is scared to face her at first, since that woukd mean telling her friends about her true lineage. For most if the arc, she deribetaly tries to hide herself and even wears a disguise. In a final moment in the arc, she asks Lola to talk to her privately. We don't see what happens yet, but we will one day.

The rest of the story is the same, until Whole Cake Island. When she is kidnapped by the Big Mom pirates. When her bounty poster is changed to "only alive". When the invitation to the wedfing of the 3rd son of the V!nsm@ke family and the 35th daughter of the Charlotte family are handed out. When Big Mom decides to claim her disowned child to give her up in an arranged marriage as part of a coup. Threattening to hurt Zeff and her friends if she doesn't comply.

I love this so damn much you don't even know-- I've always been saying that Pudding's story is basically Sanji's but like, with the bad ending because she never got to escape when she was little but Sanji did. And now that you mention this AU, it's just perfect to show their similarities but also to turn the stories around and,,, It's amazing.

Starting with Sanji, I adore that the approach here is that he's emotionless. I don't think he'd be like his brothers in a narcissistic, egocentric way. I think that after being abused constantly he just loses all will to leave and shuts down completely even if there is still empathy within him. The whole thing with the Vinsmokes is that they were all raised to be powerful killing machines and that's why they act like this, not because they actually are emotionless. And Sanji in this context isn't either, he just seems like he is because he just... Gives up. So I imagine a black-haired Sanji with some blond, completely shut down and just taking the abuse and living with it and serving the family without anything else.

But there is still some type of connection in him to like, animals and women, I think. It's small but it's there. He's not our sweetest boy but he won't harm women the way Niji does and he will help and feed animals because he is strangely attached to them and cooking. But Judge doesn't really say anything about it anymore because at least the kid gets the job done and doesn't seem like he's going to rebel or anything. He's kind of like in a Reiju position? Where he understands their situation and has his own emotions but just shuts down? Except that he's well, extremely depressed and mean and she's concerned for him. I think she still protects him though, she's the only one Sanji doesn't push away. Typical "they sit in silence and she hugs him and even though he stays expressionless it's obvious that he likes it with her".

And Pudding... I love that she gets her happy ending here. I've been saying Zeff has girldad energy and it just makes sense that he'd be extremely protective of her while teaching her to cook and fight on her own!! He raised the most gorgeous, sweetest, and yet ruthless cook of all seas! I think he'd be such a great dad for her because he would help her stand up for herself and also take care of her in their early years together when she is still having trouble adapting to a new, healthy environment. Of course, she still has nightmares and trauma responses when she grows up, and he helps her anyway, but she gets better at some point.

I love that he's the only one who sees her third eye!!! That'd be like, such a good plot point too for her to join the strawhats... Also, her dynamic with Luffy would be hilarious because despite being sweet, I wanna desperately keep her mean personality and she would be SOOO done with Luffy. Their relationship would kind of resemble Lusan's a lot, imo. And Nami would be sooo happy to have another girl in the crew so early!!! I also think she'd hate Zoro but not because of like, parallels with Zosan or anything, I just think their personalities clash too much-- And she'd have a soft spot for Usopp but that's because, you know, everyone does. Also, I like having a girl in the crew that isn't part of the coward trio. She actively fights and I love it. Then Vivi and Robin join them and y'know, I am starting to think another girl in the crew would be literally amazing hahahaha (I've been saying this for so long). So I am guessing everything stays the same except that during Thriller Bark she reunites with Lola but yeah, she doesn't tell the others about it. Because that's what WCI is for!

Then WCI happens... And I am losing it because I really, really, really want her to have the biggest breakdown about it and sacrifice herself Sanji-style (don't you just love how you don't even have to change the plot because they're literally parallels??? I will never understand how some people can hate Pudding lmfao she's literally Sanji). So she's forced to do the exact same thing she does in canon if she wants to save the ones she loves, but she doesn't want to kill Sanji?? Like at all?? And then you have Sanji who literally gives zero fucks about what's going on. I think he'd be forced to act politely and like a gentleman when he literally doesn't care about all of this-- And probably Pudding finds out and he's mean to her, yadda yadda yadda.

And y'know I would absolutely love if Sanji knew they're going to kill him but couldn't care less about it because perhaps dying is better than whatever life he's living, and when Pudding realizes what's going on she makes him want to live just... A little bit. Something awakens inside Sanji and suddenly he's scared and he doesn't want to do this. Sanji sees Pudding's third eye... Pudding finds out about Sanji's mother... They actually won't stop arguing at first, Pride & Prejudice style, and then Sanji sees her with a different perspective and all of a sudden he starts acting more protectively and sweet to her? So she's confused as hell and still tries to argue but uhhhh complicated relationship they've got there, but at least they help each other out.

And idk perhaps we have the Viinsmoke sibs having the same scene they have in canon and helping Sanji out but the crucial part is Reiju paralleling the original scene in which she helps Sanji escape. And he finally does and he leaves with the strawhats because I need them to have a happy ending. So he's still dealing with, you know, trying to express his emotions and wanting to live but he'll get there someday because at least now he's safe. Nobody kisses and forgets anybody because I will not allow a sad ending here, thank you.

[deathmetalunicorn1]

The straw hats or charlottes meeting Medusa’s daughter reader

I feel like they would have a heart attack learning about her family. I mean winged horse brother, king of the sea father, being born from mothers severed head

-When Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, came across you, after you woke up in this strange new world, after falling through a portal of light, and she was instantly taken with you.

-She could sense that you were powerful, being a demi-god, and seeing your snake like hair intrigued her and she instantly invited you aboard her ship to take you back to her home of Whole Cake Island.

-You were in awe of her abilities, as you had seen some people in this new world with strange, unnatural abilities, caused by something called a Devil Fruit, as you saw all of the homies on her ship.

-You explained how you came to be in this world, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with delight as she asked you more questions, growing more and more shocked with each answer, “Wait-wait-wait- so your father is the god of the sea, your mother was a human turned Gorgon and you were born from her severed head alongside your brother, a winged horse?!”

-If it hadn’t been true you probably wouldn’t have believed it yourself as you nodded, as you had been treated like a monster here in this world as well, mainly due to your babies, your hair made of snakes.

-You didn’t have anything else of your mother, besides having her skills as a warrior, so you were unable to turn people into stone, but many believed that since you were a gorgon, they didn’t want to take any chances and many had tried to take your head, but you’ve been able to defend yourself, but there have been some that have almost been too much for you, especially with their Devil Fruit abilities.

-Big Mom was stunned, hearing your story and with no hesitation, “Marry my son then! I’ll become your new mother!” you were stunned by her proposal, as you had never thought about marriage before and she thought your bashfulness was rather adorable.

-When you arrived at Whole Cake Island, your smile was huge, eyes sparkling brightly as you walked with Big Mom, or Mama as she told you to call her, through her kingdom.

-Many had seen you and many were afraid that you were a real gorgon, thinking you were going to turn them to stone, but seeing you speaking with Mama, meeting her eyes, and nothing happened, they fear turned into caution, as you were an unknown person.

-Mama was just as amazing as your own backstory, she had so many children with all sorts of different people, and many of her children were wild looking as well, but when she introduced you to them, you were surprised to be greeted so warmly, as they all knew, once Mama decided, there was no changing it and it was better not to fight it.

-You met Katakuri, her strongest son, and you turned bright red when Mama told you that he was the one she wanted you to marry. Katakuri wasn’t bothered, as he knew that he couldn’t fight against Mama.

-Many of the daughters were nice to you, especially after learning about your backstory, finding you unique, and how you didn’t have a Devil Fruit ability, but you weren’t sure that you wanted one, because you liked swimming.

-For one of the few times in your life, you were treated like a person, not like a monster, and it was nice, you got to meet so many different kinds of people and many of them were nice to you and you formed friendships and bonds with them.

-Katakuri was surprised when you accidentally saw his mouth and you and your babies all gasped, a happy little gasp, eyes sparkling as you thought it looked so cool, you weren’t afraid at all, happily sitting on his lap, his scarf wrapped around your neck now as you praised the different sizes of his teeth.

-When Katakuri formally asked you to marry him, you turned bright red again, but agreed, something Mama was happy about as she had backed off a bit, so you could get comfortable with the rest of her family.

-The wedding was a beautiful beach wedding, you wore a knee length dress and was barefoot in the sand, and Katakuri was also barefoot as you stood in the water together and the party afterwards was even more wild.

-That night, you had asked a question that caused some concern, what would your children look like, since your lineage was a bit crazy, including having a Pegasus for a brother. That was a hot topic around Whole Cake Island in the Charlotte Family for the next several days.

[auxiliarydetective]

Evie's One Piece OC Compendium

SO @eustasskidsfattits asked me to make a post about my One Piece OCs, so here it is! I wanted to make this way sooner, but then stuff happened and then I got to show one of my friends OPLA and 8 OCs turned to 9 (oopsies...). Also, the perfectionist in me would not shut up. Yes, this is technically the intro for the three newest ones, so buckle up!

I'm gonna list them in the order that I created them, simply because listing them in the order of their appearance in the story would be fairly impossible with how OPLA likes to introduce characters earlier on lol - These OCs also all exist in their own separate universes, by the way...

So yeah, long post incoming and, for any OPLA-onlies reading this post: Spoiler warning!!!

Not proofread because I just wanna finally get this post out and I am lacking energy

The Guardian: Aether S. Luna

The original One Piece OC and also the one who has gone through the most changes. I revamped her only recently!

Luna is convinced that she's the daughter of the moon goddess aka of Mother Moon herself, and there are some very odd things about her that make that very plausible. She looks like how you would imagine the daughter of the moon to look like, with very pale skin and very light blonde hair, she has magical powers that are charged by basking in the moonlight, she needs very little sleep as long as the moon is out, her strength is based on the moon cycle... Oh, also: Wings. Large, white wings, that don't fit in with any other humanoid creature in the world. So, nobody really has any solid evidence against it either. Well... Nobody who hasn't been to Egghead Island.

She's introduced into the story at Long Ring Long Land (I actually have two fics for that) as a part of Foxy's crew because he won her in a Davy Back Fight. Before that, she was sort of aimlessly travelling the seas with various crews, just trying to find a place to belong. Throughout the Davy Back Fight, Luna ends up befriending the Straw Hats and Luffy, being Luffy, of course won't pass up the opportunity to have someone as weird as her on their crew, so she joins!

Sanji is, of course, very enamoured with this literal goddess. Even more so than usual. Luckily for him, his charm seems to be working on Luna too. She essentially goes from "Oh, you're adorable. You're funny." to "Oh. Oh no. That's the love of my life, isn't it?", at the very latest when she sees Sanji after he absolutely decimates the people on the Sea Train.

I can't really talk too much about her because a lot of my ideas for her are very visual, but I guess I could give some more little facts? First of all, Luna is 18 and her blood group is S. You can take a look at my animanga character sketches for her here and here if you want! Her wings haven't grown to their full size yet pre-timeskip, and she molts like a bird as she grows, so whenever that happens, she's essentially grounded and chronically exhausted. And that happens around the time of Sabaody. Perfect timing, right? Also, she has to preen her wings, especially after battles, and her crewmates keep around her feathers either for practical or sentimental reasons. And in case you were wondering, of course she heads to Whole Cake Island to go after her boyfriend. Big Mom takes an interest in her, Judge wants to steal her lineage factor, it's a very fun time for everyone involved.

The Sweet Tooth: Charlotte Inari

Ah yes, sweet little Inari. Inari is Pudding's twin sister, she's also a member of the Three-Eyed Tribe and she's named after inari-zushi (if you were wondering how she fits into the Charlotte Family naming scheme). She ate the Kami Kami no Mi, Model: Shikigami, which has a very complicated way to how it works, but, essentially, it binds her to a master whose orders she has to follow and, in turn, gets special abilities from based on her master's. That master is the person who last saved her life. The problem with that situation is that she got the devil fruit when she was still very young and travelling at sea with one of her siblings, and a sea battle ensued where chaos happened and she got herself kidnapped. So, she ends up being passed around from master to master for years until finally ending up with Enel. That is, until Luffy defeats him, and she joins the Straw Hats.

Inari, being that she spent her early formative years on Totto Land, has some very interesting ideas of what's considered normal for animals, plant life, people... for everything, really. She fights with two war fans (as well as her devil fruit, of course) and knows how to play the shamisen, both of which she picked up while travelling with a crew of Wano ancestry for a while. Also, she naturally has a huge sweet tooth and loves to make sweets too. It runs in her genes.

Inari's goal while travelling with the Straw Hats at first is to get back home. She's just a kid, she wants to go home, at least to let her family know that she's okay. And her family and her friends will totally get along, right??? That's also why she doesn't fully consider herself part of the Straw Hats for the longest time. She's a member of the Big Mom Pirates, simply by birth right. However, this all gets a bit thrown on its head with the Timeskip and everything after that. Because, during the timeskip, Kuma sends her to Totto Land, and she officially joins the Big Mom Pirates. So, she has everything she has ever wanted, right? Well... She still ends up coming back. She loves her friends too much not to go back to them. And then Luffy ends up starting a war with Big Mom, which is... not ideal? Whole Cake Island is especially fun. And Wano? Oh boy!

Also... remember the special ability of the Three-Eyed Tribe? Yeah. Inari awakens her third eye when she hears the Drums of Liberation, but nobody notices and she doesn't tell anybody until the battle is long over, and even then she only tells Sanji and Robin.

The Tailor: Akaito Coraline

My dear, sweet Cora... We're entering the live action era now! Aka when everything started to escalate and I started drowning in OCs. I freaking love the live action, man... Maybe a little too much.

Anyways, Cora! Cora is the last living member of the Akaito Clan, a tailoring family from the North Blue of world-class fame who was eradicated by Germa 66 when they didn't want to work for their evil plans. Their main identifier is a sewing needle pierced through the left ear, and they can tell a person's measurements just by looking at them. Of course, there are many imposters around because Akaito-made clothes sell for a fortune, but they usually fail at these criteria. Cora was only a baby when the attack from Germa happened, so she doesn't remember anything from that day or about her family, except for her mother, who was selected as the sole adult survivor of the massacre, because she had Cora, and Judge had plans for Cora. Little did Judge know that her mother also had plans for Cora, and that she had given the baby the Akaito Clan's most prized possession: The Sew Sew Fruit (Chiku Chiku no Mi), which gives its user mastery over the entire clothesmaking process and its tools and materials.

I don't want to get too much into Cora's backstory here, but she befriended Sanji and thought that he had died, and then her mother died, she helped create and designed the Raid Suits and then she ran away with the help of Reiju at 16 years old. Afterwards, she rose to considerable fame as a tailor in the East Blue, until finally stumbling across Sanji at Baratie, the same day that the Straw Hats also show up there. Shenanigans ensue.

I think, if I were going to describe Cora's personality in only three aspects, it's trauma, kindness, and a huge double crush that she doesn't like to admit. Because not only is she wholly unprepared for Sanji being not only alive but also a pretty and charming young man, there's also a swordsman who she has to stitch back together after a big fight and who she ends up falling head over heels for. The two boys constantly bickering doesn't help much either, and they also bicker over her, constantly trying to out-boyfriend each other. In case you were wondering whose side Cora usually takes in these fights, the answer is: She joins in on the side of entertainment. Whichever side would yield the funnier result. She just thinks their fights are way too funny and stupid. Also, she's constantly touch-starved and also scared of touch. And sleep-deprived. She gets better in the "scared of touch" category over the course of her journey with the Straw Hats, so... Sleepy cuddles. So many sleepy cuddles. If Zoro's taking a nap, she's taking a nap too, no buts. And Sanji eventually ends up with his arm around her waist 90% of the time. His personal space is also her personal space.

So, uh, fighting style! She uses a rapier and keeps explaining to people that, no, she's not a swordsman, she's a fencer. There's a difference. Also, she uses strings a lot, and plagiarizes Doffy's travelling method after Dressrosa. The thing with strings and dyes and whatnot is a whole new can of worms that I won't get into right now but it's super cool.

One more fun fact: Cora is short. She's tiny. And she wears heels to compensate, which Zoro hates because they're not practical at all. Her entire fashion sense gives him minor aggressions, partially because a lot of her clothes are a lot more fashion than function, partially because she looks too damn gorgeous in them and he's constantly reminded of his embarrassing crush and has gotten so distracted by her that he has walked into tables and doorframes multiple times. Sanji, on the other hand, fully supports her fashion choices. Maybe show a little more skin next time..? Pretty please? I have concept art for her and one of the more distracting outfits :)

The Scout: "Desert Fox" Felicity

The baby of the crew. Yeah, she's younger than Chopper. Inari is already young, being 14, but Lily? Lily is twelve. Absolute baby. How did she end up with the Straw Hats? Blame it on Buggy kidnapping her and then kidnapping the Straw Hats on top, letting them bust her out with them. Nami and Zoro pretty much become her caretakers on the spot, Nami consciously and Zoro... well... Turns out he has a bit of a soft spot for little scared kids with fox ears. They bring her back home to her "sister" Kaya at Syrup Village, but then she almost gets murdered by a killer butler, and Kaya asks them to take Lily with them, so... Well, she's with them now! Only about a few days later though, one of her caretakers gets himself almost killed and the other decides to abandon the crew. Good thing that Sanji has pretty much decided to adopt her, because otherwise she'd be crying her eyes out.

Lily is actually half mink! That's where she got her fennec fox features and some of her behavioural patterns (i.e. cuddliness, switching between napping and getting the zoomies...) from. But her behaviour could just as well be caused by her devil fruit, because she ate the Jōi Jōi no Mi, which gives her emotions magical properties. Which ones? No one knows! You'll find out when it happens. Pretty much the only really predictable effect back when Lily joins the crew is that she turns back into a nonverbal five-year-old when she gets too scared. She also has a pretty good success rate of turning into a more anthropomorphic fox creature when getting into the spirit for a battle. She's a mink after all, and minks are born fighters! And in case you're wondering: Yes, she does have electro! And sharp teeth. You do not want to make her upset. Best case scenario is that she bites you, worst case is either some magical shenanigans or she starts crying and her crewmates come to kick your ass.

I haven't developed her too much beyond the first season of OPLA, but I just know that she has to go absolutely feral at Alabasta, because that's a fennec fox's natural habitat and her epithet is "Desert Fox", so it only makes sense for her to get it at Alabasta. Also, it would be peak funny for Crocodile to complain to the Marines about a literal child messing up his plans, and peak funny is also peak One Piece, so you best believe I'll do it. Also, her being this young means I get to watch her grow up over the timeskip. I imagine she maybe gets sent to Zou and starts to really master her electro and devil fruit attacks? Something along the lines of "I'm all grown up now! I have my powers under control!" and then immediately turning back into a kindergartener in the face of danger would probably be her running gag post-TS. Also, I'm so soft for her relationship with Sanji. I could go on for ages about Whole Cake Island, but I'll leave it at that for now. This post is already getting long enough...

The Matron: Dracule Aurelia

Oh boy, you're not ready for her. She's the daughter of Rayleigh and Shakky. Trans queen (thanks, Iva). Raised as a Kuja, got love sickness just like her mother and fell for a red-headed idiot first, then for a certain swordsman. Ended up marrying the swordsman in the most dramatic way possible. Also maybe the second most beautiful woman in the world, after Boa Hancock of course.

Aurelia is essentially the fusion of a mafia boss, a mob wife, and an Ancient Roman patron. She has unbelievable amounts of money and an invisible net of connections that makes her almost untouchable. She's allied with Emperors, Warlords, kings and queens... Her main deal is providing smaller, more inexperienced pirate crews with her protection and support and getting their services in return, for example as soliders, for transportation... Whatever she needs at that moment. She can be as kind as she can be cruel, and people are generally both in awe and scared of her. Her epithet is "Black Widow" both because of her spider net of connections and because all of her lovers keep mysteriously dying as if through some sort of curse. Mihawk is the only one who has been able to resist that curse. Shanks doesn't count because Aurelia claims she never truly loved him.

One of the places under her protection is Baratie, and so she gets caught up in the Straw Hats' shenanigans. First, Nami asks her for help, then she returns to Arlong ransacking the place and essentially kidnapping Nami, then she finds out that Zoro was almost killed by her husband... Also, Sanji is the closest thing to a son that she has, so Sanji joining the Straw Hats is pretty much the final nail in the coffin to her deciding on her own terms that she's going to protect those kids to the best of her ability. You can kind of imagine her as the rich aunt, but a lot more deadly. Generally, she spends a majority in the story picking up her den den mushi and going "Luffy, what did you do this time?" The boy pretty much becomes her most effective portégé when it comes to expanding her territory, because he keeps punching tyrants and asking her to put the newly freed kingdoms under her protection. She also kicks ass at Marineford, of course, helps protect the Sunny during the timeskip, and becomes decorously unhinged when Whole Cake Island comes around because of her own personal history with Big Mom and "That's my son!" and "Luffy, you are not going to kill an Emperor." - so yeah, she pretty much has to follow the Straw Hats to Wano too, lest they get themselves kicked. She's both the queen of the literal universe and the exhausted mother of a crew of literal toddlers. Or. Well. Children and one supercharged toddler who will not stop causing chaos.

Her entire backstory is so freaking great. Growing up as a Kuja, running away from home because she's mad at her mother for leaving the Kuja tribe, her very first murder of a lover who also happened to be a nobleman, her bond with Iva and speedy hormone therapy, whatever the hell was going on between her and Shanks, her relationship with Mihawk, the whole situation with Big Mom and her rules for alliances, Mihawk literally fighting for her hand in marriage, her meeting Sanji and essentially adopting him... There's a lot going on. Wish I could write it one day.

The Mechanic: Lux Jirou

Lynx boi! Kuro tricked him into thinking he had Amber Lead Snydrome but it's actually just vitiligo. Used to be a member of the Black Cat Pirates (posing as the mansion's security guard) but liked Kaya a little too much and figured out Kuro was lying, so he teamed up with the Straw Hats to take him down. Also has the worst crush on Zoro and Zoro has the worst crushback, but they're both too stupid to figure it out. He goes by Jirou while with the Black Cat Pirates but starts going only by his last name Lux once he starts rebelling. Ends up joining the Heart Pirates and working as a mechanic on the Polar Tang.

Once again, so many of my ideas for him are more visual because... big kitty! Huge freaking paws! Cuddly cat naps! Involuntary purring because he has a crush and he's a cat and... Yeah. Also, he's absolutely thriving at Punk Hazard. Lots of snow? No problem! Lynx have built-in snow shoes. Also, his devil fruit (Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Lynx), much like the dinosaur SMILEs of the Beasts Pirates, works with Zoan logic. "Lynxes can walk on snow, so they can also walk on water, right? Since water is just frozen snow. And then maybe they can walk on air too if they train hard enough? Because of the humidity?"

The Siren: Kanyalani

Also known as Kan-chan, because Luffy is not pronouncing her full name. She's a betta fish mermaid and former slave and joined the Sun Pirates after being liberated. She has a romance with Jinbe which eventually turns into a polycule with the addition of Robin and Franky when they both join the Straw Hats. Kan-chan fights with chakrams and uses Merman Combat as well as some Fishman Karate.

Now for some mermaid characteristics: Since she's a betta fish mermaid, she shares betta fish characteristics. This means that she loves her color when she's unhappy and becomes more vibrant when she is happy. She also has a unique ability. Whereas all mermaids have beautiful voices, Kan-chan's singing can lull anyone to sleep, even in the midst of battle. Also, she's over thirty, so her tail is split, but she has trouble walking, so she practically never does it. She prefers using Bubbly Corals to navigate and claims that her very frilly fin makes for bad legs anyways.

The Archer: Shimotsuki Kaede

A Kuina look alike from Ebisu Town who nearly gives Zoro a heart attack when he sees her with her mask off for the first time. The concept for this OC basically came to me in the concept of many What Ifs. What if Kuina was still alive? What if Kuina was even more gender? What if there was a flying squirrel? What if someone pulled a Robin Hood on Orochi?

So, here's Kaede. Regular Ebisu Town citizen by day, dying and mending kimonos, stealing food and shooting arrows at people by night. As Ebisu Town gets the leftovers from the Flower Capital, this also includes the half-eaten SMILEs, and Kaede had the one-in-a-million luck of one of the SMILEs, finicky things that they are, still having traces of the power it once gave. And so, she got the power of the flying squirrel SMILE, making her the "devil fruit twin" of Bao Huang. She practices kyūdō in secret and almost runs an arrow through Orochi's head after Yasuie's execution. She would've hit the bastard too if someone hadn't hit her bow and made her miss.

The Soldier: Roronoa Sonoko

Ah yes, the reason why this post took me so long... She just appeared the moment I saw the scene in OPLA where Morgan tries to get Zoro to join the Marines. Because my brain went: Y'know, what if he actually had? So, I bring to you: Zoro's sister. No, not biological sister. They're siblings the way the ASL brothers are siblings. By exchanging sake cups. They got in trouble for stealing the sake and the cups but it was all worth it. What makes the situation even funnier is that Sonoko keeps on telling people that they're not biological siblings but nobody believes her because she's pretty much Zoro's spitting image. And it's her fault, too! Because she chooses to wear those earrings (more or less, but that's a bit of a longer story) and she chooses to dye her hair green! Yes, among the thousands of people with naturally funky hair colors, Kaede is pretty much the only one who actually dyes her hair.

So yeah, she's a Marine! Freshly promoted to Ensign when Koby and Helmeppo join and Garp's protégé. Her sword training comes from Bogard but she uses Two-Sword Style, so it's more her figuring out techniques and Bogard putting up with them. That is until Garp calls on Mihawk to go catch Luffy. Hawk Eyes comes to the ship to say that he decided not to do just that and Garp, as a payment for not reporting this to the World Government, asks Mihawk to take Sonoko on as a student. Mihawk, being Mihawk, is about to remind Garp that he does whatever he wants and doesn't need a deal like that. But then he sees the spitting image of Zoro in front of him and hears the same last name - and he changes his mind. Maybe it's worth a shot?

Following that, I don't have that many ideas except that Sonoko gets a bunch of promotions, only to go AWOL to warn Mihawk of the dismantling of the Warlords system during the Reverie because, at this point, she's far more loyal to him than to the Government or the Marines. She then completely deserts and dashes to Wano to help her brother and his crew defeat Kaido. In the process of the Raid on Onigashima (possibly while protecting either Hiyori or Zoro), she loses an arm and one of her swords and is just... overcome with guilt and shame. So much so that she can't bring herself to return to Mihawk after this incredible failure. Franky does replace her arm with a robotic one and everyone is super nice and supportive to her, the samurai step in and try to reason with her, but she's completely blinded by shame and anxiety. She keeps training, of course, she keepy going, but she just doesn't see herself as worthy anymore of being the student of the World's Greatest Swordsman. But then Mihawk himself shows up at Wano, looking specifically for her and tells her that she isn't a failure, that he's proud of her for her sacrifice for her cause and, most importantly of all, because she kept going. So, all is well and she joins the Cross Guild. Maybe befriends Cabaji, I dunno.

Taglist: @starcrossedjedis @oneirataxia-girl @daughter-of-melpomene @bravelittleflower @box-of-bats @supermarine-silvally - let me know if you’d like to be added or removed!

[moongothic]

Re reading the manga I have noticed that when the news of the 5th emperor happened Crocodile was drawn in a fancy castle with some guys that are armed (like his own guards?). I wonder where was him and what happened to those dudes? Clearly only Daz followed him to Cross Guild. Did Oda had an idea for Crocodile and then changed it and thought that making Cross Guild would been better?

Which i have another thought like Oda told us about the underworld and show us some characters from there in WCI, i wonder if he is gonna show us more about that place and is that where Crocodile was and how he gained his money, beacuse after going to prison he lost all his money so there must be a way where he got it on the first place to give it to Buggy and also explain what he was doing all these 2 years before wanting to form Cross Guild.

I hope we get some more information about this, Cross Guild going to the underworld would be cool, i personally wanna see what is in there and would give us some funny Buggy interactions there shsh he will probably recruit more ppl with his charm but idk if Oda has that planned.

I have discussed some of this in the past so I wasn't going to reply to this, but after like a month of sitting in my inbox... oh to hell with it, I repeat myself on this blog all the time anyways

One thing we do have to considder is that we don't know what Crocodile was doing during the timeskip. The two times we've seen him before the Final Saga were during Dressrosa (where we saw him at some docks reading the news about Doflamingo) and right after Whole Cake Island (the fancy building with goons), so we can tell has been in like, populated places in the New World post-timeskip, but during? We have no idea

To me, thinking about it, it is more than likely that after Summit War Crocodile and Daz have been on the run from the Marines. Like the WG went immidiately after Mihawk and co after they all lost their Shichibukai rights, so knowing what a threat Crocodile could be, surely he'd become a target for the WG to hunt. And as we've seen with Mihawk losing his Shichibukai status and joining Cross Guild (+the Marines being like "Crocodile's been spotted at Emptee Bluffs!" when he arrived on the island), famous criminals with high bounties don't want to stay stationary by themselves, it makes you an easy target for the Marines. Having equally powerful (if not more powerful) allies will bring safety in numbers (making you a less favorable target for the Marines to deal with, which is why the Yonkou were kind of allowed to do as they pleased (as long as they stayed on their own territories at least)).

All of which to say, to me it'd make sense if Crocodile kept a low profile during the timeskip, just to avoid the Marines coming after him. Now that could mean a number of things; he could've sought shelter from people he MAY have had dealings with in the past when running Baroque Works. He could've been travelling by himself and Daz from island to island, always on the move to avoid detection. He could've done what Luffy did and found some uninhabited island to hide in and have a little training arc with Daz until the time was right to leave for good (only occassionally going out to like get new clothes or whatever). Like we can kind of assume that the reason Crocodile chose to make his move now in the story was because all the pieces for his grand plan had finally lined up and/or it was his last chance to do so (collect the debt from Buggy before he vanished off the face of the earth + recruit Mihawk for safety reasons since he's on the run now too). But what he had been doing until now is unclear, as is when he might've started preparing for making his move. Like had he been hiding on Fuck Off Island for 2 years, went to get some groceries, heard the news from the Reverie and was like "whoops time to go, hurry up Daz"? Or had he been on Fuck Off Island for the past two years and decided to start making his move after the Strawhats' return made the news (for that Crocodad Propaganda)? This is all extremely unclear

Like personally, I would like to believe he and Daz had been hiding on some remote island, going through a training arc and only started hanging out in public again etc after Luffy returned to the spotlight. We know Croc has trust issues so personally I do find it unlikely he would've been hiding out with people from the underworld even if he had any past connections+fame to keep people from trying to mess with him, meaning the two times we've seen him post-timeskip are like outlier moments. But I could be absolutely wrong and maybe it was the opposite, that he had been hanging out with the mafia in some nice manors and just chilling. Who the fuck knows.

As for Crocodile's money... Yes, the underworld is again An Option, but also we just don't know how much dealings he might've had with the underworld beyond from the bounty collecting (which would've been with the Marines really) and obtaining Dance Powder. Like, it's possible he might not have had any dealings with the underworld at all beyond those things. So how else would he then have obtained money to lend to Buggy? I mean there's a few things.

Crocodile could've had like A Secret Stash hidden somewhere in case of emergencies (in Paradise or the New World, Paradise seems more likely to me, he just would've had to have gone and picked it up immidiately after Summit War, before heading to the New World. But hey that's plausible, he would've needed money to get a ship etc anyways if he didn't just steal one). Or, since Crocodile does seem to like gambling, who knows, maybe he hit some casinos in the New World and hit some jackpots. Or maybe he just robbed people. We know Crocodile made a lot of money as a Warlord not just from cashing in bounties but also from stealing the shit pirates had on them; looting other people's loot. Crocodile totally could've been just spawn camping at the entrance of the New World for a little while for newbie pirates, just to beat their asses and rob them blind. (Something he couldn't have continued doing for too long though due to G5 + shit happening on Fishman Island making it nearly impossible for pirates to pass through anyways, but hey all we need to do is assume Croc did the spawn camping for just long enough to have money to lend to Buggy before pissing off to hide somewhere, and yeah that could work)

Personally, I don't think the underworld is going to be a plot relevant thing in the story, not at this stage. Like to me it felt more like a side thing to add to OP's worldbuilding, but I don't really see what it could really contribute to the plot at this point. But I could be wrong, who knows, time will tell

[redhatmeg]

And Whole Cake Arc ends on a frame where Zeff on Baratie and Sanji on Sunny prepared the same dish. I would like to talk about the expecations I've originally had with this arc and also what I took from it in the end.

See, while reading on Zeff on TVTropes I've learned that Vinsmokes will be threatening him and the phrasing kinda, sorta made me think that Zeff and probably the rest of the Baratie cooks were taken from Baratie to Germa Kingdom. Since I've also read that at some point Sanji makes a cake to calm down Big Mom, I assumed that he will do it alongside his mentor. Later I even checked Zeff's page on One Piece Wiki and I stumbled upon the screenshot above, which only served as further proof of this assumption (although, this split screen seemed kinda suspicious). While the whole idea kinda intrigued me, I also thought that Zeff would probably put on some fight. I also imagined Baratie cooks in some dungeons that Straw Hats would have to at some point break them out.

But then I've read on the same One Piece Wiki that Zeff doesn't show up in person in Whole Cake Arc, but he is shown in flashbacks that showcase how Red Leg's moral teachings shaped Sanji into the good man he is now. Moreover, one of the flashbacks would be about how Zeff taught Sanji to never raise a hand at a woman and he specifically never hired any female cooks because he teaches cooking through kicking.

So I was looking forward for these flashbacks and for everything regarding Zeff. And I must say that all of it made me see him in a bit different light. Until now I mostly knew the terrible pirate captain, who nevertheless saved a little kid; and a reformed yet still hard-ass chef who believed in tough love and was telling his surrogate son horrible things to motivate him to leave. He certainly seemed fatherly but in my mind he would probably have hard time admitting that he cared for Sanji.

However, this arc - through Sanji - shows a different part of Red Leg Zeff. It shows a man who teaches a cabin boy in his care not just how to cook, but also how to be a good man. First we have the flashback with Zeff fixing Sanji's hands after a fight, and then this whole thing with not kicking women, which ends on Zeff telling Sanji: "Don't become someone I would hate." And finally, when asked by Judge why he saved Germa 66, Sanji replies that his father (Zeff) would be disappointed in him if Sanji held into the resentment towards his biological family and even laughed at their demise. Sanji even says that he wants to be able to look Zeff in the eye.

All of this reveals that Zeff raised Sanji as man who would not hold grudges, would not hit a woman and would use his hands for cooking and not for fighting.

And it got me thinking... how much of this Zeff believed before the island, and how much he decided to teach Sanji when they founded Baratie? Because remember - Sanji met Zeff when Red Leg attacked the cruise ship the boy was working at; and started to rob the passangers. I can believe that for a long time Zeff was a ruthless and terrible pirate captain and then the experience of extreme hunger made him reevaluate his life choices. The wish for a sea restaurant certainly can be considered Zeff's way to atone for his past sins; a way to do something better and be better. The fact that he now had to take care of a child could also factor into Red Leg's decision to change his ways. At the same time I wouldn't be surprised if the rule against hurting women was something Zeff believed before the island and it stemmed from, for example, his mother being the survivor of domestic abuse.

So definately I've got something to think about regarding Red Leg Zeff as a character.

[veryace-ficrecs]

Luffy and The Strawhat Pirates Fic Recs

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

Humble Refusal by LyraMae - Rated G

The Straw-Hats had all been offered something that, years ago, they’d accept in a heartbeat. But now, they have a different answer. “Sorry," they all grinned. "But we already have a captain.”

blow my blues away by LadyCrimsonAndBlack - Rated T

It's surprisingly hard to get arrested for being a pirate when you're chaotic enough to commit half a dozen crimes at the same time. (Or: The Strawhats keep getting arrested for literally everything except piracy.

A Thousand Steps to Home by MelodramaticCoffeeAddict - Not Rated

It really was an accident. Sanji swears. He didn't do this to Zoro on purpose. But the damn marimo has no respect for women. And Sanji didn't know he was holding a magic, wish granting stone. So, when he yelled “I wish someone would would have taught you some manners as a kid, you shitty kelp head”, he hadn’t expected anything to happen. Certainly not Zoro to keel over and disappear inside his own clothing. Or Zoro is suddenly four and Sanji finds they have a lot more in common than he ever dreamed.

What's Mine by Shizuku749 - Rated T

-Post-Whole Cake Island.- Sanji's been upset since his Wanted poster updated to 'Vinsmoke' two days ago. So when Luffy suggests they make the Marines change it back, well...predictably, all hell breaks loose. But Sanji wouldn't have it any other way. After all, he thinks, cracking his fiercest grin, this is the family he chose.

Of Toy Tigers and Parades by taizi - Not Rated

In which Sanji's not as much of a jerk as he pretends to be, and Luffy's really, really easy to please.

The Many Marriages of the Straw Hat Pirates by LadyCrimsonAndBlack - Rated G

There are a lot of strange traditions to be found on the Grand Line. Sometimes, the Straw Hats get caught up in them. (Or: The Straw Hats get married to each other. Repeatedly.)

Calendars and Kings by taizi - Rated T

"When I was little, all the other kids got treats and candies on my birthday too, so I didn't know it was special for me. Ace always said it was, but I thought that was just 'cause he was my big brother. I thought that since it was already a holiday, it didn't count!"

the communal currency of humanity by blueh - Rated G

“How did Luffy get someone like you to join the crew?” “He blackmailed me.” Nami’s expression morphs into something that Zoro can’t quite describe and it takes all of his willpower not to laugh and how perplexed she seems. “Luffy blackmailed……you.” “With my swords at a marine base." "There are so many things wrong with that sentence." also known as: the strawhats exchange stories of their wild captain and their wild adventures

your love is sunlight by SoccerSarah01 - Rated G

He shoots his arms out and brings everyone into a hug. “I have the best crew in the world!” Luffy exclaims happily. “Luffy- not across the table, you dumbass! Now we’re all dirty!" “Shishishishi!” And Luffy laughs, and laughs, because he really is the luckiest guy on the planet. - (Or: Luffy really, really loves his crew, and makes sure they know it.)

[tobiasdrake]

Another one bites the dust. This place is cleansed.

The Watcher? What are you talking ab-- OH RIGHT

Resh'an wanted us to repair the Watcher. That was the whole point of this. Sorry, there was a Dweller and then all of my brain space was being used for violence.

Yes. Please. If you wouldn't mind.

Huh. Okay, so I was right about it being a time prism but wrong about it being the receiver.

Hold up. Isn't this one of those giant statue bros? He's not going to yeet the prism, is he?

Unless that's how we penetrate Mesa Island's barrier? Yeeting the prism straight into it like a Fuck You bomb?

Ooo, this looks important. I'm gonna push it.

Oh shit, it's one of these. If I can swap tiles freely then this will be a piece of cake but if it's one of those slidey-doos, I suck at those.

Turns out it was neither. Simple rotation puzzle. Alright.

Is that Resh'an? Is the Fleshmancer stepping on his head?

More importantly, we've got what we came here for. Time to go see what this buys us.

Resh'an sent me out like, "Hm. 50/50 She either brings me the Vial or makes up a forgery to try and swindle me. I should be ready for either outcome."

He knows me so well.

Full strength, Garl. You only get to smash a legendary artifact of divine power so often.

Oh, so that's why it was being kept in a secure location. It warps back to him if it's destroyed. That's neat. I want all of my shit enchanted like that.

And now he's buttering me up. He does know me so well.

Tell me more about how brave and pretty I am. I added that last part because you forgot to mention it. Clearly an oversight on your part.

Are you going party or cargo? Because when I told you there's plenty of space in Garl's bag, I didn't think to ask Teaks how she felt about it. That's an oversight on my part.

So, party it is. It's cool, I get it. You're LARPing as one of us and you gotta act the part.

We should try and find you some new clothes. And a bath. I mean, Zale and I are both pretty talented at a loom, but we spent ten years sewing so. Y'know. Not on your life.

But the shops in Brisk probably have something. We can ask around, try and get you fitted. See if there's anything in Size WTF Is That.

Oh, absolutely. We're super good at keeping secrets.

Can I call you TIA? It'd be a cute little nickname and we'd be the only ones privy to its meaning so it'd make a fun little in-joke.

I think we're gonna get along great, TIA.

Oh shit, somehow I completely forgot about her. There's my oversight. Again.

Yeah, no, we are terrible at keeping secrets. Like. The worst.

Right, because trying to keep the Fleshmancer from knowing you're with us doesn't exactly work if a servant of the Fleshmancer sees you with its eyes. I gotcha.

See, Garl's got my back. Change of wardrobe and a shower. Maybe three showers. This whole place reeks of mildew.

*gritted teeth* I don't want to say yes because then I'll be denied my chance to pull you into the markets and have a dress-up montage.

But it does meet the criteria. So.

Son of a bitch went straight for her. Didn't even hesitate! Just fucking made a beeline for her, and after I tried so hard to warn him off this self-destructive path!

*sigh* I try and I try to dispense sound wisdom, but there's no reasoning with reckless idiots determined to throw themselves into harm's way.

It took her five seconds to peg him.

Five. Goddamn. Seconds.

This is why we told you to stay away from her, TIA. What have we learned? You can doubt me all you want, I'm sketchy as fuck, but don't you ever question Garl's wisdom.

The face of complete and utter defeat.

Five seconds!

[saltywithsarcasm]

Posted chapter three of Hair of Gold

Sanji strolls into Nami's office, a tray with a vibrant fruity cocktail in his hand and smiles as he sees her deep in concentration, her brow slightly furrowed over her work.

“Hey, Nami-swan! Thought you could use a little break.” He swoons, setting the drink down on her desk with a casual wink and Nami looks up, her expression softening as she sees the drink.

“Thanks, Sanji.” She says, her tone polite but still carrying a hint of irritation, reminding him of the fight he had with Luffy back on Whole Cake Island. Sanji feels a pang of regret, knowing that his actions back then still weigh on her mind and he's been trying to make things up to both her and Luffy ever since, even giving Luffy more food than usual. Although their captain seems to have already forgiven him, she has not. He hopes that this small gesture might start to mend things between them. “You can go now.”

Sanji stands there, shuffling on his feet and tries to maintain his cool but there's a hint of nervousness in his movements. His eyes flicker around, avoiding direct contact with Nami's and his hands find their way into his pockets, fidgeting slightly.

“Just call for me if you need anything.” Sanji’s usual suave demeanor replaced with an almost desperate eagerness and leans in slightly, a hopeful smile stretching across his face, his voice a bit too enthusiastic. His eyes are wide, almost pleading as if he's trying too hard to get on her good side. His hands still fidgeting nervously, betraying his attempt to appear nonchalant. “I’ll be an earshot away.”

“Mm-hm.” Nami is already ignoring him as she gets back to her charts, her focus completely shifting away from Sanji. This kills him a bit inside; His shoulders slump slightly and the hopeful light in his eyes dims. He stands there for a moment longer, swallowing hard before turning away with a forced smile, trying to mask the sting of her indifference. “Sanji.” He turns on his heel, eager to fulfill whatever request she might have. “Luffy told me you had a panic attack earlier, you okay?”

“Of course, Nami, dear. Don’t worry about me.” Sanji motions to her reassuringly, relieved that even though she’s still clearly mad at him, the fact that she still cares enough to ask means a lot. The navigator, however, looks at him skeptically, one eyebrow raised as she crosses her arms, clearly not buying it just yet. “It was nothing, just…got caught up in my thoughts.”

“About Big Mom or your family?” Sanji hesitates, not wanting to burden Nami with his own problems, knowing she’s got enough on her plate but also knows that she’s persistent and will get the information out of him one way or another.

“I'm worried my family might try something like that again…” Sanji is afraid of Big Mom and he knows the rest of the crew shares that fear but despite that looming threat, he finds comfort in his trust for Luffy. He believes wholeheartedly that their captain will protect them all, no matter how terrifying she is. “And I don't want you guys to get hurt because of me.”

“I doubt your father-I mean, that man will try anything again.” Nami turns in her chair to face him, her expression serious and he forces a smile, doing his best to change the subject.

“So, what's the next island on our route?”

“You know we won’t let them near you again, right?” Sanji's smile falters slightly as he realizes his attempt hasn't worked and deflates a bit, giving a small nod in acknowledgment. “And Vito from Capone's crew offered to send some extra muscle to the Baratie to protect Zeff and his men for you.”

“…Huh?” Sanji tilts his head, trying to place the name then it hits him, Vito is the weird guy who was really infatuated him when he was taken from Zou. “Why would do that? We’re from rival crews.”

They maybe be in shaky alliance with them but it’s nothing like their alliance with Law.

“Don’t know but he was asking if you had vivre card too.” Sanji feels his skin crawl because Vito's interest wasn't even in him as a person but because of his family, family he wants nothing to do with. “It’s a little odd but if him being a fanboy benefits us, I suggest giving him a little attention when we run into their crew again.” Sanji sighs, knowing she's right. Despite his discomfort around the man, the idea of some of Capone's men watching out for Zeff does bring him a small sense of comfort. “But if he starts acting a little too weird, let us know and we’ll get him to back off.”

“Anything for you, my sweet!” Sanji gives a bow to her and freezes for a moment when he feels her hand in his hair, ruffling it approvingly.

“Good boy.” She tells him and Sanji practically gushes, his heart racing with excitement from the praise and slight display of affection after she’s been giving him the cold shoulder recently.

Sanji leaves her to her work, feeling like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders and walks away with a spring in his step, heading back to the kitchen to whip something for lunch.

[sanjipussyindulgence]

LIST THE TEARFUL MOMENTS!! i need to be prepared..

Okay I’ll go by arc/saga.

Romance Dawn: Nami backstory

Drum Island: Chopper backstory

Alabasta: Vivi in the clock tower screaming at everyone to stop fighting and when the crew said goodbye to her by showing off the X markings

Skypeia: When Luffy rang the bell specifically because of the line about Noland and Kalgara’s souls finally being able to reunite.

Water 7: Surprisingly I didn’t cry at the Usopp vs Luffy fight. But the scene where Usopp is underwater, sees how damaged the Going Merry is, and admits he already knew she couldn’t go on got to me.

Enies Lobby: Robin backstory (specifically Saul’s line about how no one is born into this world to be alone), Robin’s “I want to live” moment, the Going Merry coming to save everyone, and the Going Merry’s death

Thriller Bark: Brook backstory

Saboady Archipelago: Kuma separating the crew

Impel Down: Bon Clay’s sacrifice

Marineford: Ace’s death

Post-Marineford: Sabo’s goodbye letter followed by Ace promising Luffy that he’d never die. That actually made me cry more than his death.

Fishman Island: Fisher Tiger and Otohime backstories

Punk Hazard: Mocha eating all the drugged candy and almost dying to save her friends

Dressrosa: Law and Senior Pink backstories

Zou: When all the minks met Kin’emon and said that Raizo was safe

Whole Cake Island: I don’t even wanna list all the times I teared up during this arc. It happened a lot.

Wano: Everything with Sanji and the Germa modifications, and when Toko changed the message on her lantern from wanting to see her father to thanking him.

Egghead: When Kuma lost his humanity. I didn’t cry at his backstory up until that part and then I cried at like three things in a row. The quick scene of Kuma growing up right before losing his humanity, Vegapunk’s line about “what’s life without a little trouble?”, and Kuma wishing Bonney a happy birthday.