#danger crew inbox

[ask-the-danger-crew]

Jasper

Would you marry Henry if he proposed to you

Yes I would!

W-Wait what?!

*Piper gasps*

Can I be the maid of honor if it happens?

Yes

Can I be a bridesmaid?

Yes

I’m not gonna propose to Jasper!

[c0renswet]

scott x reader where they have insane sexual tension and everyone notices (and is fed up) but them so they keep forming elaborate plans to get them alone together

Next Time (scott miller x reader) part I - 18+ MDNI

warnings: sexual tension, swearing, scott being scott, not enemies but not friends to lovers, eventual kissing, eventual smut

a/n: i thought i’d put a twist on this request and make it a multi-part fic! i hope anon doesn’t mind that it’s not specifically the pov from the crew/other chasers but rather the tension filled journey between scott x reader :,)

my inbox is open for requests! rules for requests are on my pinned post :)

part two | part three

This wasn’t your first season chasing with Scott. You’d first met him at a little gas station in the middle Oklahoma. Scott’s rigid demeanor intimidated you, but your friend Javi had practically pushed you two together. Your first chase with Scott was tension filled and awkward, you could tell he didn’t exactly respect you.

That was 3 years ago, and now, you were more than used to Scott’s dull personality. The tension-filled relationship had only grown between the two of you, but neither of you cared to admit how you felt to each other.

“Which cell is it gonna be?”

You’re standing in a gas station parking lot, holding an iPad in front of Scott, a radar image pulled up on the screen. The rest of the Storm Par crew was dispersed around their vehicles and Javi was off somewhere, you assumed he’d gone to get snacks and drinks for the crew.

“You tell me.”

Scott’s answer was short and direct. You knew this game- he’d let you choose and then tell you that he thought otherwise.

“West.”

You inquired, your response just as short and direct as Scott’s.

“You sure? East looks better.”

Scott’s eyes met yours from under his sunglasses. You couldn’t see his eyes, but you knew they glistened with cockiness.

“I’m always sure.”

You rolled your eyes at him, putting the iPad at your side. Javi came running out of the gas station, plastic bags in his hands. He stopped to give bags to other members of the crew before making his way over to you and Scott.

“You guys want snacks?”

Javi held two bags in front of each of you.

You took a bag from him and peered inside— all of your favorites. You smiled.

“Thanks, Javi.”

Scott took the second bag and muttered something that sounded like a thank you before walking to your chase vehicle.

“Where are we headed?”

Javi asked, but you could tell he already knew the answer.

“West.”

You winked and smiled at him before turning and walking to the SUV.

—

“I’m tired of your little game, Scott.”

You broke the silence in the vehicle. It was a silence you’d gotten comfortable with, you knew Scott wasn’t one for small talk or casual conversations- especially with you.

“What game?”

Scott’s eyes were trained on the road in front of him, Javi’s truck not far in front of your SUV.

“The whole ‘East looks better’ bullshit.”

You adjusted in your seat. Typical of him to act like he didn’t know the way he treated you. You heard something that sounded like a scoff come from him.

You expected an arrogant response but it never came. You wondered if you’d caught him off guard with your declaration.

“It’s been 3 years, Scott. I can understand not liking me, but you should respect me. I think I’ve shown that I deserve that, at the very least.”

You knew you were venturing into dangerous territory by the way his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. But, you were almost eager to push his buttons- to tell him everything you’d bitten back for 3 years. You wanted to be mean to him, drill the words into him and break him down like the times he’d broken you down for making simple mistakes.

Again, no response. You wondered if he was doing this on purpose, making you sit in his silence while he plotted how he was going to pull you aside and belittle you after the chase.

“I don’t dislike you.”

After a few minutes, his words cut through the silence. Your mind did a full stop.

“What?”

“I don’t dislike you.”

Scott repeated. His eyes darted to you for a second before returning to the road. The words cut through you. Everything you’d ever assumed he thought about you had just been squashed.

The familiar silence returned. You weren’t sure what to say, or even what to think. You stared at the yellow lines that split the road into two lanes. It felt like they went on forever.

—

“Hey, good job today. Sorry we didn’t get anything.”

Javi handed you the key card to your room. The two of you stood in the parking lot of a cheap motel. The rest of Storm Par had either gone to their rooms or were dispersed throughout the lot, talking with other chasers or cleaning out their vehicles.

“Oh well. There’s always next time.”

You managed a half smile. Sure, you were disappointed, but you were tired and ready to be away from everyone.

“Yeah- well, goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

Javi smiled, patting your shoulder before walking off. You almost felt bad for keeping the conversation short but you were glad to be left alone. You started walking to your room, ready to be in the warmth of a bed.

“Hey.”

You heard a voice behind you. You swore you let out a curse under your breath before turning around. Scott was standing there, clipboard resting under his arm.

“What?”

The word came out harsher than you’d meant for it to but you didn’t care. This was supposed to be your time, you just wanted to be away from him.

“East looked better.”

You stood there. You bit your tongue, holding back the long line of curses that threatened to spill from your lips.

“You followed me over here to tell me that?”

You managed, turning to walk away from him. You wanted to be away from him.

“Not so fast.”

He caught your arm with his hand.

“You aren’t always sure.”

Asshole, you thought. You knew he was doing this on purpose, this was just another one of his ways of giving you shit, but you weren’t in the mood.

“Fuck off.”

You shrugged out of his grasp.

“Why? Is there somewhere you need to be?”

Scott tilted his head, crossing his arms in front of his chest, clipboard resting under them.

“Yeah, there is. Away from you.”

You spat, walking away from him again.

Scott watched you walk away for a moment before following you.

“I said I don’t dislike you. This is what I get for that?”

You scoffed.

“Then why do you treat me like shit?”

Scott shrugged.

“Because it’s fun.”

You stopped at the door to your room and turned towards him again. His arms were back to his sides. You were almost too tired to care about what he was saying.

“I see. Goodnight.”

Sarcasm dripped from your voice. You turned to put the key card in the lock. You opened the door and slammed it shut, leaving Scott standing outside like a dog on your doorstep.

You quickly changed clothes and climbed into bed. The softness of the sheets and warmth of the blankets instantly relaxed you. You closed your eyes, enjoying the peacefulness.

—

You didn’t know how long it had been before there was a knock at your door. You ignored it. There was another. You opened your eyes. Sighing, you turned on the bedside lamp and got up. You unlocked the door, not even bothering to see who was there before you did. Opening it, you felt every ounce of peace fade away.

Scott stood there in his black undershirt and a pair of sweatpants, a plastic bag in his hand. His curls hung in the low light of the hallway. It was rare you saw him in anything other than his white Storm Par button up and perfectly ironed pants. You hated to admit that he looked good.

“Wanted to give this to you.”

He extended the bag towards you. You blinked at him. Maybe if you blinked enough, he’d go away.

“Take it.”

Scott held up the bag. Wanting him to go away, you took it from him. You pushed the door shut when his hand stopped it, pushing it back open.

“Where’s my thank you?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Thanks.”

You rolled your eyes and shut the door.

You opened the bag. A few of your favorite snacks were inside, along with a note. Curious, you picked up the note.

There’s always next time.

- Scott

“Asshole.”

You said out loud, putting the note back in the bag and throwing the bag on the table by the door. You climbed back into bed and turned off the lamp. You closed your eyes again, sleep finding you not long after.

[mxtantrights]

Jason as red hood dropping off lost animals at a shelter and being smitten by one of the volunteers?

a/n: thank you anon for sending this in I could marry you!!! love love love this idea and If you want more.. my inbox is open!! <33 I hope you like it, enjoy!!

You think you'll have a door just for him. Only he can go through it, only he would have the keys to it. And he could come by as he pleases.

Yeah.

It's late at night when he comes in. The bell over the front door rings out and takes you out of your late night work. You were filling up needles for the night crew and also filling out paper work from earlier in the day.

"I've got another one." he says.

You lay down the needle and jog over to the front door. Jason Todd walks in with a cat in his arms. It seems calm and unmoving. It's white fur dirty and a bit matted.

"Highway?" you ask.

You take out your flashlight and carefully look at her pupils. They dilate to the light and track it as your move it around. No signs of a concussion but a scan would really answer that question.

"Yeah, she was doing cars left and right. Didn't seem hurt but you usually do scans right?" He asks you.

You look up at him.

You nod your head, "Yeah I can do an ultra sound...do you mind staying?"

In that moment, you try to dissect the way he's looking at you. No, you didn't mean for it to come out like that. But you did mean to ask. He's the one that saved her from the highway. His presence could help her stay calm.

Jason clears his throat, "Yeah I can, I can stay. Sure."

"Okay, follow me."

-

The cat, who Jason is calling Ziggy, is resting peacefully in a pen on her own. You close the gate gently and lock it after. You turn and look at Jason now.

He's standing a few feet behind you with his arms crossed over his chest. A serious look on his face.

"You know sometimes, it's not always a bad story. Sometimes its a good one." you speak.

"A cat on a highway dodging cars is a good story?" he asks you.

You sigh, "I've had some come in this office with extensive injuries and they were dumped on the highway. In a bag or no bag. Just left to fend for themselves in a dangerous environment."

"How do you do it?" he asks.

"Me being here makes a difference. I'm here when someone like you shows up with an animal in need. You make a difference too Jason." you answer.

He shrugs his shoulders, "I'm just doing what I can."

"Which is more than most do. So give yourself some credit."

"I don't really do that." he says.

"Well, you keep coming around here I'll do it for you." you reply.

He doesn't really answer. He just hums a response. An approving and a quite silent hum. But a hum nonetheless. You smile at that.

You remember the first time he came here and dropped of a lost bird. He barely said more than four words to you. He told you about the bird and then he parted ways. You didn't expect to see him again but he keeps showing up.

And you want him to.

[alisonwritesimagines]

I Was Enchanted to Meet You ~LA!Shanks x Reader~

Summary: Shanks comes back to you before he leaves your village once again. Except this time, it may be your final goodbye.

Author’s Note: I just watched the live action One Piece show and I have to say... I am a slut for Buggy, Shanks, and Mihawk.

Fluff Ending | Angst Ending

Reader’s Pronouns: She/Her

Warnings: angst, some fluff, mentions of smut, reader and Shanks being Luffy's adoptive parents in a way

Side Note: This is a secondary blog. If you comment a question down below, I will not answer since this is not the main blog. Please send the question to my inbox if you want a response back!

Do not repost this anywhere!

You were Luffy's caretaker and teacher. While his grandfather was a high respected Marine, he entrusted you with his grandson whenever he wasn't available to take care of him.

"I'm bored of this," Luffy said as you two were going over some reading.

"A good pirate should know how to read."

"Yeah but I should be preparing to set sail when Shanks comes back," Luffy said.

"How about this? We can go see Shanks today since he is suppose to be back today after we finish our lesson?" You asked him.

"Alright!" Luffy smiled before looking down at his book.

True to your word, you both headed over to the dock where you saw Shanks's ship. You watched as Luffy rushed over to the deck before helping out.

"Luffy! I was wondering when you'd pop up," Shanks said as he finally noticed the small boy. You leaned against the edge while Shanks looked around before finally seeing you. His smile widen a little more before walking over towards you.

"And how are you, my dear Y/n?" Shanks asked as he raised your hand to his lips.

"Nice to see you again Shanks," you smiled at him.

"I'm not joking! I'm ready to join your crew," Luffy insisted to Shanks.

"The sea isn't a child's game. It's dangerous. The scars on my face are proof of that. Besides, I need someone to watch over Y/n and I trust you," Shanks told Luffy as he continued to help his crew unload their ship.

"I can do it, Shanks. I swear," Luffy said.

"You're not ready."

"I am. And I'll show you!" Luffy said before rushing off in the ship. You walked over to Shanks before placing your hand on his. He looked over at you as you gave him a look.

"You really need to be more easy on him. You know how he can be," you tell Shanks.

"Better a disappointed kid now than a dead one later."

"I blame you for being a good pirate and influencing him," you tell him.

"I missed you. Let's celebrate my return tonight together shall we?" Shanks asked you.

"Hey, Shanks!" You heard Luffy. You quickly turned around to see Luffy standing on the top of the view port making you gasp once you saw the knife.

"Luffy! You better come back down here and put that knife back where you found it!" You tell him.

"Listen to Y/n, Luffy. Before you hurt yourself," Shanks called out.

"I'm not afraid of getting hurt. And I'll prove it to you," Luffy yelled before stabbing right below his eye.

"Luffy!" You screamed in shock and horror.

"Get the first aid kit! I'll get him down," Shanks told you. You nodded before rushing out of the ship to grab your first aid kit.

"Why would you do that to yourself?!" You asked Luffy as you stitched him up.

"You could've stabbed your eye," Shanks told him as he sat next to you.

"I was aiming for it, but I missed," Luffy told you.

"Ow," Luffy said as you tightened the stitches a little.

"I thought you said you were tough," Shanks asked him.

"I am! Y/n is just being a little too rough. I want everyone to see my scar," Luffy said.

"Scars don't make the man, Luffy. It's the lesson behind the scar and you didn't earn this one," Shanks told him before tapping his cheek.

"Then let me earn it. I'll be the best pirate ever. Look, I've been practicing what my face is gonna look like on my wanted poster," Luffy said before making a face. You shook your head at him as you gathered your things.

"You are going to give me a heart attack, Luffy," you tell him as you ruffled his hair. You stood up and walked away to put your first aid kit back.

When you made it back to the bar, you saw Shanks walk up to your with your favorite drink. You sat on the chair next to the bar as you faced Shanks. He raised the glasses to you with a smile.

"Have a drink with me," Shanks told you.

"I need to look after Luffy."

"One drink. Then later tonight, you meet me at my ship and we can have our little reunion?" Shanks insisted.

It was no doubt that the two of you had feelings for one another. Shanks loved how soft and caring you were while you loved his gentle touch when it came to you.

"Fine. I hope I don't find anything that belongs to another woman in your ship again," you tell him, remembering the last time you went to his ship after Luffy was asleep.

"It was one time and you know I changed my ways for you," Shanks said as he wrapped his arm around your waist. You took a swing of your drink before giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

Once it became nightfall, you got Luffy ready for bed so you could meet with Shanks. After finding out that he ate a devil fruit, you were livid but you knew that Luffy didn't understand what power and weaknesses the devil fruit had affected him.

"I don't know why you won't let us go with Shanks," Luffy said as you tucked him in.

"You know that the sea isn't for me and you aren't ready to be a pirate. Even if you did eat a devil's fruit," you tell him.

"But you and Shanks love each other. Why can't we just sail with him? I can learn how to be a pirate and I'm stronger now," Luffy said.

"Your grandfather will kill me if I just took you away. And like I said, I am not too fond of the sea. Now it's time for bed for you," you tell him.

"Fine. Goodnight, Y/n."

"Goodnight, Luffy."

Once he was fully asleep, you walked over to Shanks's ship where you could see his quarter's lights on. You walked over to his room where he lied on his bed with his shirt off.

"Getting straight to the point now are we?" You teased as you closed the door behind you. You locked the door before walking over towards his bed. Shanks sat up so you could stand in between his legs.

"I missed you, my love," Shanks said as he pulled you down on the bed with him.

He cupped your cheeks as he kissed you passionately. You cupped his cheeks as well, smoothing your thumb against his scars below his eye.

"I missed you too," you tell him in between kisses.

"Let me have you for tonight," Shanks said as he undid your dress. You sat up before slipping it off of your body.

"You're as beautiful as the day I met you," Shanks praised as he sat up to kiss your body.

-

"How long are you staying this time?" You asked him as you both lied in his bed. Your naked bodies was covered by the thin blanket as you both held onto each other.

"Till tomorrow," Shanks told you.

"How long will you be gone?" You asked. Shanks stayed quiet making you look up at him.

"Shanks. How long will you be gone?" You repeated.

"We're not coming back this time, my love," Shanks told you.

"What?"

"Come with me. I'll take care of you and-"

"Shanks, my home is here. And I can't leave Luffy. He's still a growing boy and I could never forgive myself if I were to abandon him," you tell him as you sat up.

"My love-"

"Shanks, I'm not joining you in the sea and you know why. I'm sorry," you tell him as you got up and put your clothes back on.

"Stay the night. Please," Shanks said as he held your hand.

"I can't. I think it's best if we ended this," you tell him.

"I don't want this to end. Please, Y/n. Come with me to find the One Piece and we can live our lives out together," Shanks told you. You shook your head at him before giving him one last kiss.

"I love you, Shanks. But I can't leave here. Not yet at least," you tell him before walking out.

-

The next day, you watched as Shanks says his goodbye to Luffy. You stared as he gave his hat to Luffy before making eye contact with you. He walked over towards you before taking something out of his pocket.

"I saw this while I was away and wanted to give it to you," Shanks said as he held out a beautiful ring.

"Shanks-"

"I just want you to know that I want you, my love. Will you wait for me?" Shanks asked.

"You need to find that one piece soon so you can come back and get me," you tell him with a small smile.

"I'll come back for you. I promise," Shanks said before sliding the ring onto your finger. He quickly gave you a kiss before walking away.

You put an arm around Luffy as you watched Shanks's ship sail off. You both waved at him as he stared at the two of you.

"When I become King of the Pirates, I'll give you a nice home where you and Shanks can live the rest of your lives together," Luffy tells you. You smiled down at him before ruffling his hair.

"I'll hold you to that," you tell him.

[zorosangell]

I love your fics sm they’ve been getting me through my weekend! In honor of the cold and flu season, maybe a Zoro x Sick Reader would be cute ^^ (where of course Zoro is a big blockhead who doesn’t know how to care for someone who is sick but is too overprotective to not at least try).

⛥ﾟ・。 ham melon

synopsis: after you contract a rare, deadly disease, zoro has to take care of you... the best he can.

cw: fluffy fluff, comfort, zoro is a lovable idiot, reader's a little nervous

a/n: love the love i'm receiving from some of you guys tysm. though i just wanted to remind some of you in my inbox that it is the holiday season, and while i'm writing these i am also getting my house and gifts together for christmas. so plz give me some grace lol. i am doing my best to work through my asks

"Zoro... honey... I don't think I can eat that," you rasped, breathing labored and voice weak as you glanced toward the man standing at your bed side. "I can barely keep down water..."

Eye wide, Zoro flushed with embarrassment, now feeling stupid as he glanced down at his hands, which held the bone of a comically large cut of raw ham melon.

And after he spent a whole hour looking for it, too...

'Dammit.'

"Shit..." he cursed under his breath, tossing the meat off to the side as he ran an anxious hand through his hair, looking around the room for something else to help.

Of course, fate had to have chosen the worst possible person in the world to leave you with.

"Alright, I'll... um... shit..." he frantically thought aloud, his hand coming to rest on his chin as he brainstormed more things to give you. "Tea helps people when they're sick, right? Do you want some tea?"

He turned to you for an answer, only to be met by your heavy wheezes, your chest rising and falling both slowly and deeply in an attempt to get as much air as possible.

Your eyes were shut, blankets pulled up to your neck for the body chills and rag placed carefully on your forehead for the fever—which was a whopping 104 degrees last he checked.

Moving closer, Zoro removed the wet cloth and placed the back of his hand in its stead, letting it rest against the painful flush for a moment before quickly yanking it away, worried.

"Christ, woman, your burning up! Tea's gonna kill you!" he winced, concerned, before quickly turning around and rushing toward the exit. "Here, gimme a second!"

Bursting into the kitchen, he bee-lined it for the cupboard and grabbed a glass, moving to get water out of the fridge.

Chopper and the others would have to hurry up if you were going to survive the night.

After docking on a mysterious, tropical island, you somehow managed to catch a rare disease—a disease that had a one-hundred percent fatality rate.

Naturally, the entire crew was worried, but an elderly woman from the town explained that a cure could be made from the large lotus flower that sat in the center of the jungle.

But, because there's always a catch, the jungle was teeming with dangerous animals and man-eating plants, thus making the trip a suicide mission.

So, Luffy and the others embarked on the journey, while your boyfriend was left on ship-watching and you-watching duty.

Though, it was clear that the crew was having a far easier time with their task.

"I got you some water," Zoro stated, walking back into the room.

Quickly, he took a seat next to your bed, scooping his hand under your neck and lifting you up, helping the cup to your lips as you drank.

"Thank you..." you mumbled, taking a few sips before allowing him to lay you back down. "M'sorry... m'such a pain in the ass."

"The hell are you talking about?" he raised a brow, placing the glass on the end table.

"Well... you never get sick... and it's my luck the one time I do, it's deadly," you looked down at yourself, slightly embarrassed. "Not to mention you probably had things you wanted to do today..."

"You talk as if I think you're a burden."

"Well—"

"That's stupid."

You piped down, slightly surprised by his blunt statement.

"There's no burden in this relationship. There's me... and there's you," he stated, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "You keep me sane... and I protect you... and both of us pick up the slack where we need it."

Seriously, he turned to you, eye practically peering through your soul.

"I don't date dead-weight. If that were the case, I would've never asked you out in the first place."

Gagged, you could do nothing but sit there, stunned to silence.

You didn't know he thought so much of the relationship...

Not that you were treating it was a fling, but that you didn't think your swordsman read so much into it.

"You're talking better. The fever must be breaking," Zoro yawned, standing up from his seat. "You need anything else?"

Quietly, you shook your head, and he let out a heavy sigh, allowing his shoulders to slightly sink before he flopped onto bed with you.

"Good... M'takin' a nap..."

"Zoro! I'm gonna get you sick!"

He grunted in response, allowing his eye to shut as he rolled over and dropped his head in the pillows, tucking his hands behind his head.

"You said it yourself... I don't get sick..."

"Well, I don't wanna risk it!"

"Just shut up and c'mere," he mumbled, looping his arm around your waist and jerking you into his side.

The moment you came in contact with his shirtless body, you nearly let out a sigh of relief, his warm skin doing wonders for your body chills.

'Maybe... a few snuggles won't hurt...'

"Five minutes..." you warned, groggily, resting your head on his chest as you inched closer.

"Mhmmm," he hummed in agreement, already half asleep.

Though, when the rest of the crew returned around midnight, the two of your were still in bed together, a mess of limbs and snores as Zoro held you close—his position that of a shield as his front cradled you in his arms, and his back shielded you from any outside dangers.

After Chopper administered your medicine, and Luffy ate the ham melon left behind on the desk, the crew left, leaving you both to continue your slumber.

Zoro, relieved that you were still alive, able to sense your breathing through his sleep.

You, relieved to know that your swordsman viewed you so highly, and saw you as anything but a burden.

[cuckoo-on-a-string]

Pay the Piper (Leitmotif 2)

mdni

Chapter summary: Your younger self proves herself to the Roger Pirates (and escapes the red-haired menace).

Master list <--- All chapters in order

Chapter warnings: blood/referenced injuries, referenced death, anxiety.

Unconventional Use of Haki: I'm playing with haki by introducing D&D flavored bardic talents. I'll explain further as the story grows, but I thought fair warning was needed. Always happy to answer queries in my inbox!

A/N: I alternate "verses" (main story arc chapters) with "leitmotifs" (critical flashback chapters with contextual adventures). It's a play on One Piece's own style and a way to keep things fresh.

I do not curate tag lists, but I do reply to comments when the next chapter goes live!

You caught yourself smiling.

Your father’s guitar, whole and undamaged if entirely out of tune, sat before you. Tracing worn patches of varnish where his arm rested, where his thumb wore down the finish along the back of the neck, you felt right. Whole. Purpose swelled in your little girl heart, growing it back into the right shape as you plucked, listened, tuned.

The men around you didn’t matter anymore.

It wouldn’t be the first time you’d played for pirates, even if it was the first time performing on an actual pirate ship. Plenty of crews moved through the bars and taverns where your father worked, where you practiced and practiced and practiced until your voice and your playing flowed into his as easily as two shadows joining together.

You once imagined you sang for two in your mother’s absence. Your father insisted you had her voice. But after…

Well, now you sang alone – when you sang at all. It was like the part of her you’d carried for so long twined with your father when they were reunited, and their song was so heavy with love it sank to the bottom. Alone, you were entirely yourself. You had her voice and his songs, but they belonged to you, not you to them. It might be liberating if it wasn’t so lonely.

But you were brave, and you had your things back, and you would prove yourself to this dangerous crew.

Then you’d figure out how to escape.

You glanced up from your work and spied the red-headed boy smiling at you. He must’ve caught your lapse in focus. Tucking the corners of your frown firmly in place, you returned to what mattered.

Once the strings answered with the right notes, you adjusted your seat on the deck, propping the instrument at an angle over your knee as you thought of what to play. Pirates loved a shanty, something to sing along to, but you weren’t playing in a pub and angling for tips. They only returned the guitar so you could prove yourself. A shanty wouldn’t dazzle, enchant, stun.

Winning their respect – at least for your craft – meant breaking something. A heart. A mind. A fundamental understanding of who and what you were.

You needed to make an impression, and it needed to be twice as powerful since you’d lost any chance to impress them the first time round.

Without announcement or preamble, you began.

Pirates fell quiet in waves, the ring growing wider and wider with every note until only the wind, the sea, and the ship’s groans accompanied you.  

You swam through the music, giving yourself over to tides that obeyed your touch, surrendering to your greatest strength. The guitar sang, and a wordless story bloomed. The melody gave listeners space to feel, guiding them along different paths that all answered to the same thrill. It was lovelorn longing. A voyage through changeable seas. Rage, hope, and passion.

“Music is magic,” your father used to tell you, guiding your touch over his guitar’s frets. “You become a god, conjuring new worlds in your audience’s hearts and minds.”

Threads of harmony stretched between notes, and you gathered them, folding them into the melody, twisting everything into a single yarn, carefully measured. And cut –

.. just so.

The final refrain hung in the air, and as the strings trembled still under your fingertips, you felt the song lingering, saturating your corner of the world. It ran between the boards, seeping into the wood’s grain, and the sails’ weave trapped more than wind.

Reality settled back on your shoulders, pushing your soul back into your body. The pirates around you stirred, and you peeked up at the captain. His reaction mattered most.

A great smile curled behind his mustache, but you didn’t recognize the expression in his eyes. Too fierce to be entirely kind, but too proud to be displeased. It was like he’d split his face into two different feelings, or his mask had slipped to reveal more than he intended.

“I can see why you’re going to Dressrosa,” he said. His big, warm voice broke some spell on his crew, and a round of gruff affirmations echoed the captain’s sentiment. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, to get a little closer to your level. “And you’re going all by yourself? Someone waiting for you there?”

“I don’t need anyone else.” You snapped your attention to your guitar, beginning the post-performance maintenance rituals. The scabs on your hands had all torn open, and you folded a corner of your sleeve to delicately buff the blood off the wood. It wasn’t the first time practice left you bleeding, but it had been a long time, and the dawning sting made your nose burn. You refused to cry in front of pirates. “I’m brave enough by myself.”

“No doubt.” He leaned back, and his second leaned in to murmur something that had his captain nodding.

You had your hands full, though. Really, to get the guitar clean, you’d need a better cloth and some vinegar. Your shirt wasn’t enough to get the blood out of the strings.

Before you could work up the gumption to ask, a pair of hands caught yours and yanked them away from your task.

“You’re hurt!”

The red-head again.

You pulled, but he didn’t let go. His face was pure determination, bent brows and all, and he called for Crocus, the doctor, who stomped over with purely medicinal frustration. He seized your hands from the boy, twisting them back and forth to see the damage, grumbling all the while.

“No more playing that thing until these heal over,” he ordered. Sensing your rising defiance, he added, “If you don’t take time to heal, you could lose sensitivity, and that will impact your playing. Do you want that?”

Mournfully, you shook your head, and – still holding your wrists – Crocus pulled you to your feet and marched towards the lower decks.

“Time to rebandage these.”

---------------

“Are you asleep?”

You grit your teeth and held your breath. Deep in the belly of the ship, it’s endless creaking had almost lulled you to rest, but the voice jarred you back, and you felt every bruise and cut wake with you.

You’d been sentenced to sleep with the apprentices, the captain pointing out that they’d found you, and now that the doctor – Crocus – had released you from the infirmary, you were the two boys’ responsibility. The boys shared a narrow bunk room, and Gaban brought a spare mattress that smelled more like salt and tobacco than straw or feathers. You’d arranged it on the floor, plopped down, and immediately closed your eyes.

After about an hour of bickering, the boy with the blue hair and red nose fell asleep.

Unfortunately, the red-head did not.

Fake snoring always sounded fake, and sleeping people didn’t answer questions, so going still and silent was your best bet. With luck, the boy would get bored and try falling asleep himself.

He was on the lower bunk, and closer than you liked. You heard him shift, and eyes stabbed into the back of your head.

“You’re a bad faker.”

Rolling over, you met his grin with a scowl. “What do you want?”

“We never introduced ourselves.” He held out his hand. “I’m -”

“A pirate. A stranger. I’m going to get off this ship and never see any of you ever again, so we don’t need to know each other’s names.”

He shrugged, pulling his hand back just to prop himself up on his elbows.

“Why are you so set on that fancy music school?”

He wouldn’t shut-up until he asked his questions, and you resigned yourself to some kind of conversation. Sitting up, you pulled the blanket around your shoulders and raised your chin. You weren’t sure what you were defying exactly, but you wouldn’t be coaxed into any kind of cooperation, especially now that you had your things back. Your mother’s necklace hung secure around your neck, and your father’s guitar sat between you and the wall, within reach.

“I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“I’m just curious.” He sounded genuine, and as he rested his chin on his fists, looking like any other kid you’d met on any other ship, your determination wavered. “I mean, you have the whole world, but you want to go there. Even now, with your hands bleeding and your arm hurt, and, and –” Little gestures ate up the space between words. “It must be something special.”

Warm lantern light seeped through the rough curtain, spilled under the hum. It caught in his hair and warmed his eyes. He glowed, a beacon in the dark, and you wondered if that made him a lighthouse or a trickster spirit luring you into trouble.

You chewed your lip. Everything felt heavy. And you’d never gone so long without really talking to someone before. The things you wanted to say and feel got bottled up until the pressure hurt your head.

The red-head wasn’t a grown-up, even if he was a pirate. His meanness must be smaller, just to fit inside. Or maybe pirates’ hearts didn’t go stale and sour until they got bigger.

If you said just a little, talked to a real person like he was just a person, maybe you’d feel a tiny bit better.

You scooted to the edge of his bunk, and he leaned in until your foreheads nearly touched.

“My dad always said we’d go,” you whispered. “He said we’d need to go somewhere new after he found mom again. And he said only the best teachers in the world could keep up with me, so we’d go there.”

The memory brought you no comfort. It used to make you so excited. Now, it was the only direction you had left to go, and this wasn’t how you were supposed to get there at all. The seed of a dream had a broken shell, and it threatened to cut you when you handled it.

“Find your mom?”

Oh.

The warmth you’d been reaching for vanished. It didn’t fade. It just blinked out. A snuffed candle.

He didn’t mean to be a bully, you could tell, but the promise of that word – mom – pierced deep. It was a memory now, and not a future. The story hadn’t finished the right way, and everything was upside-down and awful. No doctor could fix the break left by the end of your whole world.

Your eyes overflowed. Then your nose.

You wriggled back, flopped down facing the wall, and pulled the blanket to cover your head. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

The quiver in your voice didn’t sound very brave at all.

But, at last, the room went quiet.

---------

When you finally fell asleep, you sank deep. If your nightmares woke you, you didn’t remember, but you tasted the gunpowder on the wind as you watched the ship carrying your parents sank.

A big, gentle hand on your shoulder, shaking you awake gradually drew you back to the surface, and you struggled to unspool memory from dreams that clung to reality like cobwebs. Blinking, dazed, you tried to recall when you’d come aboard a ship, what day or time it was, and why your father had left his guitar…

You rubbed your eyes, yawning.

“Wake up now. We’re putting you ashore.”

Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King, crouched beside you, and the past few days hit you like canon ball. Physically jerking away, you slipped out from under his hand, but your back was to the wall, and he took up a lot of space.

He chuckled.

“Good morning to you, too, troublemaker.” Settling down to sit cross-legged in the narrow bunk room, he dropped a rucksack in your lap. “The crew who kidnapped you didn’t keep any of their victim’s personal items, I’m afraid, but this should get you started.”

Tugging it open, you peered inside like a snake would jump out and bite you. But nothing terrible happened, and the pirate let you investigate in peace, watching you steadily, waiting for something.

A shirt and trousers – doubtless stolen from one of the boys judging from their size – sat at the bottom, cushioning a water flask and a wax paper bundle you assumed held food. A drawstring pouch sat innocuously in the middle, and you reached for it with dread.

Your eyes popped wide at the Berries inside.

You immediately pushed everything back at Rayleigh. “I can’t take this.”

“Why not?” he asked like he already knew, like he’d planned for this conversation.

“Because it’s pirate loot,” you said, “and I’m not a pirate. And pirates don’t just give money away.”

“Technically it’s your share of the treasure you helped find,” he said, pushing on as your face went stony. “But you can think of it as your performance fee.”

Your eyes dipped to the bag. Fees and tips made sense. You knew how much your father made, how he balanced the potential for tips against the (usually low) guaranteed pay from a tavern keeper. He taught you sums with the change you collected during shows.

He’d never made so much, not even in a month. Maybe not a whole year.

“This is too much.”

A smirk that wanted to be a smile quirked over the pirate’s face. “For your talents? Not at all. Know your worth, kid.”

Your lower lip slipped between your teeth, and you chewed relentlessly as you considered. Turning away money was stupid – unless there was an unspoken cost or secondary service required. If you asked, he could lie.

And you needed the Berries. Your kidnappers really had thrown out anything they couldn’t sell, and they’d taken all the coin your father left. Without this payment, you may never even reach Dressrosa, let alone find a place to stay and eat while you looked for work…

You pulled back the rucksack. It fit nicely in your arms.

“Good. Glad we can agree on that. Now, there’s something I wanted to discuss with you before you leave.”

Oh no. There were strings attached.

He pointed at you, right between your eyes, like he could see inside your head.

“You have haki. Rare haki. There’s no time to teach you, but look it up when you’re older.” He looked entirely serious, and you sensed this was one of those adult talks you were supposed to obey even if you didn’t understand. “Try to keep a reign on your emotions. Don’t try intimidating people until you have some control, or someone will find a reason to control you. Got it?”

A warning. Not about pirates or marines or anyone specific. Just people. And you already knew people could be cruel, no matter what they called themselves. You wouldn’t be used again. You refused to be controlled.

So, you listened.

“I’ve got it.”

He let the smile have its way with his face and ruffled your sleep-mussed hair. As you swatted his hand away, he said, “You’re going to be a terror when you grow up. Hope to see your name in the papers some day.”

“I haven’t told you my name.”

“That’s why I look forward to reading it.” He slapped his knees and stood up. “Grab your things. We’re sending a tender to shore. It’s a pretty safe little island with lots of shipping traffic, so I’m sure you’ll get where you’re headed. Time to head out.”

You followed him on deck, finger-coming your hair as you went. A few crew members waited by the rail, where a rope ladder hung down to a small boat. Gaban sat at the oars.

“Why can’t we go?” Of course, the red-head was there, and he was whining to his captain, wheedling for more opportunities to make himself a menace. “It’s just to shore and back, right?”

“The fewer pirates she’s seen with the better,” Roger said, patting the boy’s head.

It looked too familiar, and you side-eyed Rayleigh, daring him to change his mind and try to keep you aboard with their other little pets. He caught you. Scoffed, amused.

You must look even smaller than usual with the guitar case on your back. It was nearly as big as you were, and if any of the pirates changed their minds at this crucial moment, there was nothing you could do to stop them. Well. Maybe you could swim to shore…

The doctor flicked your forehead, claiming your attention. “Let yourself heal. Have a little patience. Hear me?”

A nod was enough of an answer for him, and he stepped back, clearing the way. You didn’t wait for further permission and booked it to the ladder.

“Safe travels!” Roger laughed behind you.

In another moment, you were in the boat, and your escort pushed off. The boat rocked with the waves rolling into the shallows, and you held tight, squinting at the land, wondering how far you’d need to walk to the nearest town.

“Hey!”

You snapped around to the boat. The red-head shouted from the rail, the only one still watching your escape.

“We’ll see each other again someday, okay?”

Not if you had anything to say about it. Rising to your knees to make sure he could see, you leaned out as far as you could and stuck out your tongue.

“Idiot!”

His smile didn’t dim a bit. “Look forward to catching up with you!”

Still waving, he laughed, leaving you with a prickling sense of connection you couldn’t shake as the boat drew further and further away, until he was just a red speck you left behind.

[lover-of-mine]

I don't really understand your logic. Having a decoy script isn't particularly unusual and isn't an evil scheme or a power trip. Anirudh is not some poor abused waif who needs us to protect him from his big evil boss.

Oliver has said that in s4 and s7 he was asked if he was comfortable with Buck being queer, there is zero suggestion he would have been fired if he said no. So yeah, it may be Ryan was asked and he said no, or maybe not, but saying he would have been fired if he had is a huge leap. You are taking one piece of information and expanding it wildly and dangerously.

Buddie are consistently shown as a core relationship on the show, they had significant stuff in fully half of 8B's episodes and I don't get why people think thats worthless if it's platonic. And aside from that, they are popular (see how much of the product placement is during their scenes?) so randomly firing Ryan would be financially irresponsible, too.

We don't know the details of discussions, if Ryan has said no, or the studio, or Tim, I don't see the benefit of casting either Ryan or Tim as a villain here. How quick this fandom is to cast someone on the devil honestly blows my mind.

Tim didn't tell Jeniffer if Maddie would survive. Tim let Ryan believe he didn't have a job. Tim didn't tell the cast that Bobby was dying and actually led them to believe that Ravi was the one who was dying. I never said Anirudh needed to be protected, I was just stating that the fact that Tim is just lying to everyone, along with all the evidence we have of him changing things on a whim, like the fact that he said he mentioned writing the vertigo plotline in a weekend, the fact that we evidence of multiple scenes being scrapped after filming, the fact that he added an episode so last minute that they finished filming it 7 days before it aired. 809 and 10 were done and then changed, we have multiple bts of scenes that never aired. Oliver, Aisha, Kenny, all mentioned stuff that was supposed to happen to their characters but didn't, which implies that they were at least told something that never made it to screen. We have abc executives saying they weren't informed of the decision to kill Bobby and multiple people saying they didn't want this and it was 100% Tim. We also have Tim saying he wanted to shake things up and didn't take anyone's input. Hell, the menu of their wrap party was inside jokes and they had a drink named script tba because of how delayed the scripts get, with actors saying that in multiple occasions they got the scripts with less than a day to prepare. The actors were scheduled to be at a con, Kenny was confirmed for over a year, and they were forced to cancel because the filming for the season wrapped in the 6th, 9 days before the finale aired. None of the information we have can lead me to believe that the actors have any sort of automony. The crew has talked about 16 hour days. The first half of the season had a 17 day streak of filming. Everything points to them being at the mercy of Tim's whims.

And yeah, no one is gonna force Ryan to do anything, but people coming into my inbox to tell me conspiracy theories about how Ryan is in a cult and just refusing to film because he's just so homophobic, saying he is responsible for filming delays and refusing to film already written scripts is not it. Ryan has the right to say no to queer Eddie, yeah, and Oliver talking about being asked, implies that Ryan saying no means it would be the end of it. There would be no half baked plots or them trying to force Ryan into filming just for him to back out in the last second. Buddie is a core relationship of the show, yes, but the switch to romance was half filmed and half aired just to be dropped. To imply that Ryan can just decide he's not doing it anymore and completely fuck up the season, forcing reshoots, rewrites, more time on set, a whole extra episode to be written, along external things that the other actors would be paid for like the con to get cancelled, fuck up a whole press tour plan, with no consequences is insane. Ryan's bargaining chip to make demands is fully based on the fact that people want buddie to get together, in this scenario people keep saying is what happened where he removed buddie from the table completely, he has no bargaining power to still have a job after forcing a whole season to be rewritten and sending the show down the drain.

We don't know what happened, but I sure as hell have more to support the fact that Tim was bored and on a power trip than that a c actor has enough power to completely change a season with no consequences.

Also, for the love of fucking god, y'all wanna use me as reach booster or to act holier than thou or like you don't know how to use the post button, stop using the fucking anon and put your whole back into what you're saying.

[hatsbuckets]

Howdy! This is the start of the choose your own adventure series!

This will be a CYOA series, 141 xReader. Readers will vote on the choices made at the end of each part.

CYOA MASTERLIST

The goal is to update bi-weekly (but that may vary). So published part, one week for voting, next part gets published ASAP. I will likely have most parts pre-written before the voting period ends, just so that we don't wait any longer than that for the next part. This series will run as long as needed until the end of our story. This will run through, no longer than, the end of July/August. (School starts and I will be too busy.) (So about a 2-3 months long runtime)

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send in the replies or my inbox! Or if you wanna be added to the taglist lmk.

Alrighty then

First vote, because you even get to pick this! (After this we'll pick some details about Reader, a la their job, role, etc.)

Going to make this one 3 days, just because we might have to work out additional details so

I'll LINK THE NEXT PART HERE! and update the post.

Mil Action: You’re embedded with 141—intel specialist, medic, tech support, etc. (we'll vote)—and everything goes to hell. High stakes, shootouts, betrayals, tactical flirting. (most developed idea right now.)

Dating Sim: You just got stationed at a base with four very different men. Will you fall for the soft one, the grumpy one, the flirt, or the mystery man? A combo? Or all four? Flirting, jealousy, some action, drama.

Fantasy AU: (least developed idea ngl, i've never played dnd more than two sessions this would be diff for me.) You’re a healer/mage/thief/royalty/etc. and end up on a quest with a band of dangerous but hot mercs. 141 but make it swords, magic, and dragons.

Apocalyptic: Zombies, radiation, or just societal collapse and the 141 is your team of survivors, and you have to make choices to keep everyone (yourself included) alive.

Supernatural: Ghost isn’t just a name, he might actually be a ghost. Or a demon. Or a cursed soldier. You’re on a team hunting monsters, and maybe you’re not quite normal either. idk

Time Loop: You keep waking up to the same mission. Something’s wrong. Can you trust the team? Can you escape? (this idea came to me in a nap dream a day ago.)

Regency: You’re a noble, knight, or spy drawn into a tangle of court politics and secret passions. Ghost is a disgraced general. Soap is too charming. Price knows more than he says. (Dating Sim but Regency/loyalty)

Sci-fi: You’re on a crew exploring deep space, caught between military conflict and alien threats. Ghost is the brooding pilot (KIDDING, it's Nik, or not, give G some credit). Price is the commander. Soap’s got cybernetics. Gaz is the weapons expert. (again lowkey dating sim but way more intense/actiony)

Mafia/Crime: You’re caught in a web of crime and power. One of the 141 is the boss, others are his enforcers. and/or One last job. You’re the planner or the wildcard they didn’t mean to recruit. Can you pull off the score and keep your heart intact?

[hello-from-nrc-infirmary]

(Hey idk if you want to join in on shenaniganery considering the current state of affairs [/lhj] but I wanted to drop the starter in ur inbox anyways teehee!)

-

A never-ending hunger for power that consumes all and leaves naught but despair in its wake. This night, too, shall be embraced in its all-enconpassing maw.

The lights in the auditorium flickered slowly - a sign that most audience members might have taken to mean that the show will resume momentarily.

It wouldn't have been an unreasonable assumption, certainly - after all, the sound of moving rigging could be heard, as well as the (presumably) eager shuffling of actors and crew members behind the scenes.

Of course, the shuffling turned into an argument that began to grow in volume, going from hushed whispers to borderline shouting behind as some sort of conflict unfolded backstage.

As the lights flickered, the movement slowly became more erratic, almost dangerously so. An anguished cry rang out from behind the curtains, and what looked to be ink began to leak from underneath, emitting an acrid scent that filled the room.

The entire room fell into a brief silence as lightbulbs began to burst, covering the room in a pitch black darkness, a sound that only grew into a crescendo as the curtains were struck by an unseen force, sending them hurtling to the ground with a crash.

The auditorium was sent into a panic as students, staff, and guests alike began scrambling about and a shaky voice quickly came over the speakers.

"Attention all guests: Please evacuate the premises immediately. The emergency lights will activate momentarily, so please try to remain calm as you exit- there will be staff members on the scene to redirect you to a safe lo-"

Another crash was heard, followed by another cry.

As the voice on the intercom had stated, though, the emergency lights did indeed flicker on. The salvation from the darkness did not last long, though, before the light was quickly absorbed by something in the darkness.

Those who looked at the stage could, for the briefest moment, see something unfathomably massive hulking about before being enveloped once more in shadows.

( @night-raven-miscellany)

*Vern stiffens, eyes adjusting to the dark as best they can. It's hard to see anything. He barely makes out... something on the stage. Ink. Blot. He can't just leave.*

*he sends out a series of vines with small glowing flowers on them in an attempt to find the aisle and dash towards the stage*

*interestingly, someone else is leaning against the wall at the back of the auditorium. Will he stay or will he evacuate?*

(Ooc// I will use shenanigans to make this work lmao; Vern locking himself away for a week? HUMBUG!! He wouldn't miss Casimir's concert!)

[midnight1nk]

Hello! I would like to share a theory/what-if regarding Smg4 being knocked out currently. I thought about this when I was watching ‘Smg4 doesn’t meme for one second’.

What if getting his meme lobe taken out and then shoved back into him affected his ability to recover from adverse injury, which contributed to why he got knocked out by an explosion but not any of the arguably worse shit he’s been through.

I’m still relatively new to Smg4 so maybe I’m reaching on this, but still a good possibility imo 🤷‍♀️

Love your theories and ramblings about Smg4 btw! You’re literally the person that’s keeping me sane while we wait for the new movie lol (PLEASEEEE LET IT BE SATURDAY ALREADY AAAAAAA)

Why, hello! Theories and ramblings are what I'm about, so you came to the right place :) Let's consider how the scene in "Enough is Enough" was set up:

It happened in the middle of an intense arc, facing a dangerous antagonist whom 4 or Mario had never met

In the more serious/emotional scenes, the animation is a lot more fluid and expressive than the typical Gmod ragdoll we're used to (and this goes way back in the classic era)

Mario looks confused and lowkey terrified when the flamethrower starts to burn the building down. Jumping to the wrong conclusion, 4 thought Mario was doing all of it himself, "Are you trying to kill me?" Not in a "it's just a prank bro" kinda tone, he is just as confused as his best friend is for a different reason, the kidnapping of the kids. (ofc 4 didn't know the full story)

When 4 was slammed toward the wall, the music stopped. It was only for a moment and we all knew 4 wasn't going to die, but since the scene was meant to be taken as unexpected and dire, it made us doubt a bit. And golly, it worked.

And lastly, the fact that the Team chose to have 4 knocked out instead of getting a lighter injury to put 4 on the bench for the narrative. They could've had him break a leg or get back pain. I would've taken 4 falls to the ground and attempted to lift himself up, but his limbs gave out, ultimately too weak from the impact. Why was 4 left completely unconscious? (yea Team, you better have a good explanation or else WHEN I GET YOU TEAM—)

The lobotomy affecting him is actually an interesting interpretation of 4 getting injured by the blast, since his head was the first thing that hit the wall. In here, we had previous discussions about the rules of death and injury in the SMG4 universe, how intent in the narrative is a big factor in this. Most of it is being played for comedic reasons.

Explosions? The Crew's fine. Rat poison? Well, at least 4 got to enjoy his burger. Electric chair, y'know the thing you thought would affect 4 the most compared to the others? They'll walk it off. The Inside Out episode? ...uh, we don't really have an explanation for that.

But perhaps because this scene was meant to be taken seriously, the hit to the wall could be what got to him. Basically, getting hit on a healing wound. Though, the only remaining conflict would be the Team having to justify writing this scene. Even with what I said about narrative intent, it isn't exactly foolproof and the question will remain, "why didn't 4 get hurt when they've been through so much worse?" This is the best I can come up with based on what you said, but we would just have to wait and see what the Team's planning to go with this (hopefully for the better). Then again, the lobotomy episode's likely not meant to be taken seriously (that is our silly lil meme show). But hey, you never know! In the end of the day, it's just a theory!

Also THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS 💙

Who knew it takes an insane theorist (<- me) to keep the fandom in balance AJKH;LJ chat, we're renting out a movie theater bc I NEED THAT MOVIE NOW /lh

thanks for dropping this in my inbox!

[ask-the-danger-crew]

Hey everyone! Piper here, coming to you live from Swellview Mancave!

I found this app and thought some of you would like to ask us questions!

Just…don’t tell anyone you guys saw this, this blog stays on Tumblr!

I convinced Ray to let me do this by saying he’ll be able to talk to home moms

[ Hey it’s Mod Luci >:) ]

[ I gave into my obsession and made this ask blog. All of this is canon (with just a bit of headcanons). Also I’m not affiliated with Henry Danger in ANY WAY. I’m just doing this for fun!! ]

The people you can talk to and how they talk:

Ray Manchester/Captain Man

Henry Hart/Kid Danger

Charlotte Page

Jasper TBD Dunlop

Piper Hart

Schwoz Schwartz

[ This all takes place after Piper found out her brother, Henry, and his boss, Ray, were Kid Danger and Captain man. And it takes place before Henry quits and Danger Force is made ]

[ So in the middle of Season 5 basically ]

[ Also I can’t draw so just pretend this is a live video until I figure something out.. ]

[ Btw, you guys should TOTALLY go see @ask-danger-force ]

[cloudzoro]

18 with nami perchance 🙏🙏

you can't just say perchance 😒 also there's no pronouns but reader is afab.

Nami + praise

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Nami leans over you as you lay naked on the bed. A slanderous article in a newspaper about you had made you cry, and while the rest of the crew was planning revenge, your girlfriend had whisked you away to shower you in affection.

“You're so smart,” she says, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “So beautiful,” she says, kissing each of your cheeks. “I look forward to seeing your pretty smile every day.” This time, she kisses your lips. Nami can be affectionate when she wants to be, but she is only this soft with you in private. Vulnerability is something she's always struggled with, but being with you is slowly stripping back those barriers. You're good for each other, and she wants to prove that to you. Her fingers push into you as she moves her kisses to your neck. You moan at the feeling, but Nami softly shushes you so you can hear her compliments. She presses a kiss over your pulse. “I'm so grateful you're alive.”

She continues down your body like this, kissing your skin and telling you why she loves you. Her fingers don't let up inside you as she works. She kisses the left side of your chest and tells you how she'd do anything to protect your precious heart. She kisses your stomach and tells you how much she loves eating meals with you in the evening and wants nothing more than to keep you healthy. Tears well up in your eyes, both from emotion and her fingers pushing against the right spot inside you.

Nami kisses down your leg, starting dangerously close to your pulsing clit. She tells you how you're the strongest person she knows, and she hopes you'll travel the world with her for the rest of your life. The final kiss she presses is against your clit.

“This pretty pussy is all mine, right baby?” she asks, waiting for you to nod in response. “I'll always be here to make you feel good,” she says before licking at your clit. She flicks her tongue over your sensitive clit as she adds another finger inside you. She sloppily makes out with your cunt, moaning against you when your legs start to squeeze her head. The tears finally fall as you cum, back arching off the bed. Nami makes sure to work you through your high, only moving from between your legs when you push her head away. She leans back over you to wipe your tears.

“You did so good, baby. Now we have two options: do you want to cuddle and go to sleep or get the strap and go again?”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

I hope you enjoyed this! feel free to send your horny anime thoughts to my inbox!!!!

masterlist

[cappuccinoandglitter]

Fic Master List:

I expect I will lock all of these eventually. If you are in the middle of reading any of them and don't have an account, I have 8 invites, feel free to hit my ask or inbox. The more I think about my work (even my silly little fanfics) being used to feed the A.I. beast, the more I get squicked. I don't want to gatekeep any people, just the beast.

My main pairing is Buck/Tommy, assume it's so in all the following unless specifically stated.

9-1-1/Highlander:

Practically Everything: Buck learns Tommy is one of those immortals. Diverges from canon after the coffee date in 7.05.

Lightning Strikes Twice: the sequel. Takes place 12 years in the future. Guest stars characters from The Old Guard (movie) and TK and Carlos from 9-1-1: Lone Star.

9-1-1/Dispatcher Tommy Kinard AU:

Let's Try Being In Love: AU starting with the pilot episode, where Tommy is a dispatcher after a work injury and he takes the home invasion call and Buck meets him instead of Abby.

Step Into The Light: AU season 2 following Buck and dispatcher Tommy's relationship. Includes an alternate version of the Doug arc.

This Delicate Thing We've Made: part 3. Takes place during the second half of season 2. Tommy feels inadequate and it's putting a strain on his relationship with Buck. He goes to therapy.

9-1-1/Deep Space 9:

Far Beyond the Stars: Kinaar Tahmane is a former Bajoran refugee who's joined Starfleet. After a shuttle accident renders a pregnant passenger unconscious and in critical condition, Doctor Bashir transfers the fetus to the next available uterus: Tommy's. Did I mention he's trans in this? Then he meets the father, Lieutenant Evan Buckley.

Prophet Margin: Tommy and Buck get roped into political intrigue at the hands of Vedek Winn, as they try to navigate Tommy's surrogacy of Buck's kid.

Besieged: A xenophobic Bajoran sect stages a coup of the Bajoran government and the crew (including our boys) has to defend the station from a siege.

Night Terrors: With his ex-girlfriend back on Deep Space 9, Buck struggles with his concepts of family, and Tommy struggles with his place in Buck's life. Mysterious power outages plague the station.

Tommy, Pondering His Orb: Tommy, feeling a certain way about his estrangement from religion, visits a Bajoran monastery and once again gets caught in Vedek Winn's web.

Fathers and Sons: It's the Bajoran Gratitude Festival on DS9. There is much to be grateful for, and much to be annoyed by.

The Maquis, Part 3: Tommy and Buck undertake a dangerous mission on behalf of Captain Bobby Nash. Takes place a few months after DS9 episode 2.21 "The Maquis, part 2" but I summarize what you need to know in the first chapter.

9-1-1:

Not Like That: The crack mpreg fic that started a new era of madness. Not trans, not carrier-verse, but a secret third thing.

His Valiant Heart: AU where they work at the Renaissance Faire. Prompted by @peppermintquartz

9-1-1 shorts:

Flags: Buck's first Pride Fest after coming out.

It's Not What You Think (SWAT crossover): Post-breakup, Buck finds a distraction. Eddie makes the wrong assumption.

Crab Boats: Supermarket woes.

9-1-1/SWAT:

Hero Worship: Connor follows Buck's footsteps and joins the LAFD. While firefighters are being targetted by a sniper, he meets a certain SWAT Sergeant named Rocker. Then he sees him at a bar with Buck and everything changes.

SWAT:

Whatever This Is: Aftermath of season 8's 'Deep Cover' episode, where Miguel considers his feelings for Stefan, with some help from Rocker.

Miguel: text messages between Miguel and Stefan while Stefan is in rehab.

[naomihatake]

In search of freedom (Ch. 6)

6. Where are you when I need you the most?

⠀⠀➺ fic masterlist

⠀⠀➺ Chapter 5 ; Chapter 6 ; Chapter 7

⠀⠀⠀⠀She's been searching for freedom her entire life and everytime she thought it was laying right in front of her eyes, she was mistaken. She was running around the East Blue, seeking herself and her dreams, meeting people she never forgot. No matter how much she traveled, she could only catch a glimpse of peace before realizing everything would crumble at her feet.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Maybe it was destiny that brought her on that ship with three strangers — foolishly, that's what she tried to believe when the moon shined beautifully and hope settled in her chest, squeezed by the same ribcage where feelings were blooming.

Pairing: female!reader x OPLA Zoro Roronoa

Warnings for this chapter: angst, graphic depictions of deaths and fatal wounds, vomiting, self-harm, brief suicidal mention, canon-typical violence. (proceed with caution since it's getting a tiny bit gore)

Word count: 9,1 k (I'm proud of myself tbh)

Theme song: fic spotify playlist (click on the link)

A/N: I'm sorry for appearing with a new chapter 9 days later and I hope the wait was worth it. I dropped more details about the Witch's past in this chapter and some interesting interactions with her other crewmates. The next week I'm free, which means there's a chance I might most two charters until next Sunday <3.

I'm always open for opinions and comments. Whatever you want to tell me, just do it, even all you feel like doing is leaving a heart in my comments or inbox. Every interaction is appreciated and thank you so much for sticking to this story till now <3

The reader is referred to as "Witch" because I have no intentions of using "Y/N".

A warm palm touched her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly, but with no effect. The witch turned her head towards Luffy, her glassy eyes betraying her. It made their captain frown with worry. The sound of her real name slipping from between his lips stung worse than expected. 

"It'll be alright," he smiled. "Zoro is a strong swordsman."

With horror painting her features, she shook her head and placed her shaking hand over his, gripping gently. 

"You don't get it, Luffy, do you?" her voice came out like a whisper. "It's not just any dwell and that man isn't just any swordsman. I've seen plenty of people dying in front of my eyes, the crew I used to be part of, they didn't hold a chance against—"

She sank her teeth in her lower lip and looked up, blinking away the tears. Her breath was shaking and the grip on Luffy's hand got tighter. Slowly, she inhaled deeply, body trembling as her lungs swallowed the morning cold breeze. 

Both Usopp and Luffy were frowning, listening intently to her words. 

"This won't end well," she concluded. "He willingly got himself in danger. Zoro is nothing but some prey for Mihawk."

Luffy's sympathetic gaze didn't help her, it didn't ease her worries as he hoped. Her panic was fed by each single thought passing through her head, by each memory making a nest in the present. 

"I've met one single Warlord in my entire life and he destroyed half of the strongest crew I ever knew at that time. I know who they are, I know their tactics, I know they're not to play with."

Both of her hands were clasped around Luffy's shoulder, turbulent eyes meeting his. The tips of her nails dug lightly in his skin, but he didn't wince or move. 

"Yes, we are strong, but still not strong enough for them," the witch intentionally lowered her voice so it wouldn't crack into sobs. "Please tell me you know I didn't argue with him because I like to. Please tell me you get what I mean, Luffy. I'm scared."

She was barely aware of her admission, but it was hard to hold back. The witch wasn't a scaredy-cat, she didn't run away, pride filled her being all too well to ever lose a battle, be it against herself or others. That time, however, she was scared out of her mind for the swordsman. 

Luffy gave her the sweetest smile she's seen in ages and squeezed her shoulder again. "He will be alright." 

She let her head tilt forward, hands falling back to her sides. His faith was greater than her fears, but he couldn't erase the panic settling in her bones. 

"You have no clue how much I wish you were right." 

It hurt. Her chest hurt and something was crawling up her throat, differently than back in Syrup Village. It made her feel nauseous, it bubbled in her stomach and gripped at her neck, it constricted her lungs and air punctured their tissue. 

Zoro just walked out of the galley exactly when the sun could be barely seen rising up from the waters. The bandana was wrapped around his head and his earrings chimed like a melody, making her head turn towards him. 

The same horrified gaze from hours ago was stuck on him and yet he chose to ignore her, passing by without even casting a glance. 

She stood there when Usopp, Luffy and Zoro walked by, her back turned to them. The witch had to collect the pieces of her broken heart before daring to glance at a list fight on the swordsman's side. Mihawk was already waiting for them right in front of the restaurant. 

She couldn't watch another dear person die. Not again. 

Her fingers dug painfully into her palms, until her nails left crescent marks on the skin, until it hurt so badly the tears in her eyes couldn't fall. Their synchronized steps beat like drums, just like her heart. 

Everything was blurred out. She didn't dare look until she heard swords clashing. Like a snap, her head turned. 

Mihawk stopped Zoro's attack with one small knife. 

He had no chance against the warlord, just like she guessed. 

No, she thought. I can't be pessimistic now. Maybe at least he'll get out alive—

But pirates don't just let their dwell partners live, the other side of her conscience commented. 

Each one of Zoro's attacks were either stopped or dodged so easily by Mihawk, who seemed like he was playing rather than fighting. He was so light on his feet, body moving like a feather between Zoro's blades. 

The warlord sent her green-haired crewmate flying back with a mere push of his knife when he blocked yet another one of his attacks. When Zoro got back to his feet and rushed towards him, Mihawk continued dodging each one of his attacks. 

The witch could only hear a muffled conversation from a distance. She didn't even notice when Nami passed by her until she saw orange strands of hair bouncing in her vision. 

The navigator didn't come from the restaurant, as she should've since she searched for a drink — or that's what she said. She walked from the other side of the dock. Her hands trembled by her side and she walked slowly, fearfully, her body so stiff, until she stopped behind Luffy. 

The witch focused for so long on Nami, her gaze fell on Zoro only when the right side of his chest was penetrated by Mihawk's knife. 

Air got stuck in her throat and time stopped in its tracks. Her feet were stuck right where they were and she couldn't move an inch. 

Zoro, his name lingered in her thoughts, the sound of it along with the sweet chiming of his golden earrings. 

Time stretched like an elastic. Seconds passed by at an agonizingly slow pace, as if the Universe itself decided to torture her with that image. 

Swords. Corpses. Blood. Fear. 

The witch let out a shaky breath while she trembled like a leaf in the breeze. 

Zoro made a step back, the knife slipping away from his flesh. With a few other steps, he fell to his knees, with his swords digging into the wooden battens to keep himself steady. 

Mihawk curled his fingers around the hilt of the sword on his back. 

It seemed like he decided to end it all right then and there. 

The witch didn't know if it was her imagination when Zoro seemed to glance towards her for a brief moment. All she knew was that her heart sank into her stomach and she could hear the audible cracks of her soul. The green-haired man took his white sword, placing it in between his teeth. 

His gaze moved back to Mihawk so quickly she could barely register it. Her stomach turned upside down and her chest tightened when she saw Zoro rotating his other two swords faster than the brain was able to comprehend. 

Mihawk and Zoro jumped into the attack at the same time. She didn't know if their swords collided or not. 

Zoro fell to his knees again, panting. The swords in his hands crumbled into pieces all the way to the hilt, right in the middle of the runes the witch drew hours ago on the blades. His Wado Ichimoji fell from between his teeth. 

He didn't stop there. Of course that fucking idiot didn't stop. He used the white sword to get up, resting his weight into it until he finally stood straight again, turning to Mihawk. Carefully, he sheathed his Wado Ichimoji. 

With his arms held in the air and hands curled into fists, Zoro didn't let go of his word as he proudly admitted:

"Wounds on the back are a swordsman's greatest shame."

The warlord said one word the witch didn't hear and then, with a swift motion, his sword cut deeply through Zoro's chest. 

The green-haired man fell on his back, eliciting a shout of his name from Luffy. 

Zoro. 

His name was all the witch could hear while she rushed to his side, tears blurring her vision, tears she couldn't afford to show. 

Just like he did a few moments ago, the witch got to her knees, eyes focused on the t-shirt getting soaked in Zoro's blood. 

"Fucking dammit," she spoke in a hoarse voice, hands trembling. 

He was bleeding heavily, the dark blue nuance of his shirt replaced by dark crimson. The wound started from under his left clavicle and curved through his chest, all the way to the right side of his ribs. Without a second thought, the witch took off her unbuttoned shirt and folded it, just to press the material on his large wound. 

"Monkey D. Luffy," Mihawk said. "what's your goal?" 

"I'm going to become the King of the Pirates," Luffy responded through gritted teeth. 

The witch's burning gaze raised to the warlord who stood tall meters away, putting his sword back in place on his back. Her fingers ached to touch her revolvers and shoot holes through that man until she's satisfied, until the monster lurking in the depths of her soul had its blood thirst quenched. However, her hands remained pressed against her shirt, trying her best to stop Zoro's bleeding. 

She's always been revengeful when people dear to her heart were harmed. Revenge she never denied, a trait of hers she's accepted long ago. 

"That's a much more treacherous path than even defeating me. This world could use a few more wild cards."

"Go fuck yourself," the witch let out with wrath burning in her eyes. 

She clenched her jaw and her eyebrows knitted together into a deep frown. Anger filled each corner of her being, blinding her almost all the way up, filling her to the brim. 

One more drop and she would lash out. 

Zoro's safety was more important than her rage and she was completely aware of that. The wounded swordsman was the only reason why she stood still by his side. 

"It's too soon for him to die," and with that, Mihawk's gaze fell back on the green-haired man. "Roronoa Zoro, grow strong and come find me. I'll be waiting."

Fucker, the witch's thought wasn't voiced out that time while the warlord walked away. 

"Luffy," Zoro spoke in such a soft voice. 

The witch and Luffy immediately looked back at him. He was struggling to breathe properly, that mere motion probably making his entire body ache painfully. 

"If I fail to become the world's greatest swordsman," he faintly spoke, barely able to open up his eyes. After some greedy gulps of air, he continued: "you'll be disappointed. Right?" 

With a shaky breath, Luffy smiled at him as tears gathered in his eyes. 

"You could never fail me." 

The witch could feel her body shake when she realized the swordsman's life was hanging on a thread. 

"Never again. From now… until I beat him," Zoro continued talking in between panting. 

The witch wished she could tell him something, anything, but all she could do was continue pressing her shirt over his wound. Looking at him in that state made her heart squeeze in the cage made of ribs, wishing she could be in his place and take his pain away. 

With trembling hands, he somehow managed to draw his Wado Ichimoji out of its scabbard, holding it up as he looked up at the blue sky. 

"To become the greatest swordsman… I will never lose again!" he let out with a shaky breath, voice scratching at the witch's eardrums. 

One of her hands curled around his shoulder and squeezed firmly, intending to bring his attention to her only for a second. 

"I'm sorry about what I said, alright?" she gulped down hard, her voice cracking. "You need to live, yeah? I know you'll become the greatest. I'm sorry, Zoro, I'm sorry." 

She was sorry for lashing out at him. If they were to part ways in that moment, then she'd rather make sure he never believed she was mad at him, that she didn't hate him even for a second. It was a feeling her heart wasn't capable of harboring towards him — never him. She would've ripped her ribcage open and given him her heart if she could. 

The witch could only hope his tired and pained self heard her words, even as his eyes closed immediately after his arm dropped to his side along with the sword. 

"You better stay alive," she whispered while looking down at him. 

Her words became muffled from his perspective. All he heard was his name being spoken multiple times by Luffy and Usopp. 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•

The witch has been sitting on the floor of her shared room with Nami for a while now, ever since the navigator started reading. Zoro laid unconsciously on her bed, bandages wrapped around his torso. For a long time, she didn't even dare look at him. 

She will be eternally grateful for Zeff's help — the chef cook of Baratie who snitched Zoro up and told them to do whatever was necessary to keep him alive, be it telling stories or singing sea shanties. 

Despite the fact that Zoro's wound wasn't bleeding anymore, her heart still screamed at her. 

With knees pulled up to her chest and her forehead resting in between them, she wrapped her arms around her stomach, subconsciously protecting herself from God-knows-what. She couldn't sleep either, despite listening to Nami's alluring voice as she read from a book. 

The bandage on her upper arm was worn out and it's been longer than a day since Zoro wrapped it. It was dirty with blood from the time when she intentionally squeezed it before sobs could leave her lips. 

Nami stopped reading, but the witch didn't register the lack of sounds surrounding her until she heard a voice. She didn't bother to raise her head, keeping her eyes closed as she responded:

"Can you say that again? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." 

"Pull yourself together," Nami whispered. 

The witch knew that if she'd look up, she'd see a scolding or maybe a worried pair of blue eyes staring at her. 

"I will when the situation asks for it," plainly, she dismissed the navigator. "Until then, I couldn't give less of a fuck."

She was aware of her position, of how small she looked, curled like a ball against the wall, hugging herself and praying to every God she knew that the swordsman would wake up. It was pathetic, but there was no wiser way to hide her overwhelming pain. Wrapping around herself sounded like the most helpful option. 

"There are a few things you two should talk about when he wakes up," Nami closed the book with a small thud. 

"I'd tell anyone anything if I knew he'd wake up," this time, her voice trembled lightly. 

The witch swallowed the lump in her throat that's been sitting there uncomfortably for hours, with no positive effect. The only way to even her breathing was by holding the air in her lungs for a few seconds and letting it all go with a long exhale. 

"Nami."

Only then, the witch raised her head. She looked deplorable, with disheveled hair and sunken eyes, dark circles under them from the lack of sleep. Her chapped lips were red because she ripped the skin off with her nails again. There was no sign of life on her face. 

Obviously, she's had better days. Everyone did, probably. 

"Maybe it's because I'm sorrow-drunk and can't bring myself to hide it anymore, but I have to tell you something."

She's been debating on whether or not she shall tell Nami about her suspicions ever since she pulled out those two cards out of the tarot deck. 

"I know you're hiding something, but you can't hide it from me."

The truth has been spoken. With her heart beating loudly in her eardrums and threatening to break her ribs, she continued. 

"I know. You're planning betrayal."

The navigator's eyes widened as panic flooded in her soul. The orange haired woman had no clue where all this came from, didn't know how fuck she found out about that, when and why—

"I didn't tell anyone."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?" came out Nami's sharp response. 

"I never expected you to admit it, if I am to be honest."

The witch rubbed her palms over her face and sighed heavily, as if a weight was pressed on top of her body. 

"I also know there's more to the story. I don't know what or who you're protecting yourself from, I have no clue exactly why you're doing all this, but there's one thing I know for sure: the world is sitting on your shoulders, yet you refuse letting us help you carry it."

Nami stiffened in her chair. Her back straightened and her empty gaze pushed the witch out of her thoughts. 

"Are you jumping to conclusions because of some stupid cards?"

"They definitely know more than me."

"Did you read you should treat your paranoia in there too?"

"While I admit there are times when I have crippling anxiety," the witch calmly stated, "I'm one hundred percent sure this isn't just a fairy tale. It's your choice to tell me or continue to keep it for yourself."

"But?" her voice lowered dangerously close to snapping. 

"But we're not your enemies, Nami, and you know that well."

Not an answer the navigator expected, definitely. 

"Zoro is unconscious on the bed and you're talking in metaphors — have you all gotten insane on this ship?" 

"If I did, it was long before stepping on The Going Merry," the witch let out a stiffled laugh. 

She dropped her forehead on her knees again, squeezing herself tighter in the embrace. The witch wasn't any less panicked than Nami, since opening up such a discussion scared her deeply. It was better than hiding and lying, though, and it felt less guilty. 

"Why did you tell me this?" Nami asked with a whisper. "Be it right or wrong, why would you?" 

"You don't deserve to be lied to, Nami. It makes me feel bad — hiding this from you made me feel like garbage from the start."

Even then, a gram of her guilt vanished. 

"You're weirdly honest. You're aware this will haunt you one day, aren't you?" 

"It's been haunting me since I got born," a sour smile painted the witch's face. 

"The devil must've put some kind of curse on you." 

"I only believe in evil spirits, sorry."

She didn't know where that soft laugh came from. Maybe it was her way of copying with the anxiety, with the pain. All she knew was that she hoped Nami wouldn't hide from them forever. 

"Is there anything else you want to accuse me of?"

Faster than Usopp's snapping, Nami was once again serious, and the witch didn't have to look at her to figure it out. 

"I never accused you. I know I'm right, but I'm not aware of the entire truth. You, on the other side, are aware of your own reality and I believe in your judgment. I hope you'll make the wisest decision and I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart." 

"That's rich coming from someone so suspicious."

She's always been that way, the witch had to admit it. It wasn't only anxiety or tarot readings, there were times when she was straight up acting and thinking like a paranoid and it was cutting years off her life. Worrying and thinking over and over again, being hyper aware of everyone's actions, including her own. 

Nami resumed her reading, her voice strained this time, as if she forced herself to talk out loud. Each syllable sounded rougher than the other, but that didn't stop the navigator from telling that story. 

The witch wasn't paying attention, instead focusing on the moments spent with all of them, just like last night, when they were all eating and teasing each other. She needed to talk to Zoro, to tell him again that she's sorry. 

Maybe he didn't hear me clearly before he fell unconscious, she wondered. She moved one of her arms and curled her fingers around the wound on her bicep. It stung good. If it could stop the stream of tears threatening to fall, then it was good, no matter how much it hurt, how the pain sunk deep into her bones, making her flinch. 

There was something she wanted to clear out with Nami, but before the witch could speak, approaching steps made her mouth close shut. The presence felt light once her senses registered it, like a sparkling piece of hope — Luffy. She remained like a statue, breathing so slowly it was barely obvious she was still alive. 

"Why did the king have to kill him?" he asked innocently. 

He was referring to Nami's telling. 

Without even having to glance up at him, the witch knew he was feeling unwell. There was no light in his voice and he sounded unsure of himself, so disoriented. 

"Sometimes, when you are in charge, you have to make the tough decisions," she muttered between gritted teeth. 

The witch knew where this conversation was heading. 

"Why does everybody keep saying that?" 

Luffy's voice desperately tried to reach out to the orange-haired woman.

Judging from the creaking of the chair, Nami got up from her seat as she spoke:

"Because you could've saved Zoro. He didn't have to fight Mihawk, but you let it happen. "

A few seconds of silence filled the room with thick tension. 

"Look at her," Nami pointed with her chin towards the witch. "It looks like if he goes, she goes too. If one of us crumbles, everyone does. Look at us, at how we're handling it, at how Zoro does or, better said, how he doesn't handle it."

The witch couldn't understand why she was suddenly part of their conversation or why Nami took her side and tried to protect her from some unknown entity.  Probably, she really looked worse than she thought. A sense of relief patched up one of the countless wounds under her skin when she figured out the navigator said all those things because she cared.

At the very same time, she knew Nami's words must've made Luffy suffer greatly, pushing her to raise her head and give her friends her entire attention.

"Nami," the witch intervened gently. 

"You're in no place to talk," she cut her off quickly, her eyes like turbulent seas. "We're all a mess and it's all because of his stupid decision. But he could've been stopped," Nami turned her head to Luffy again. 

"Nami, stop it," the witch furrowed her eyebrows. "Fighting will do no good. We've argued enough last night, there's no need for that anymore."

Nami was panicked and stressed out of her mind as well. Everything gave her away: the trembling hands, the shaking voice, tone close to breaking in a million pieces with each word, even the tears that gathered in her eyes. However, no drop rolled down her cheek. 

"Tell me, Luffy," Nami vehemently continued with a tensed expression. "Would you see him like this? He might die."

Stop saying that, please, the witch thought as she took in another breath. He knows. Everyone knows. Please, stop saying he'll die because I might believe it too. I want to believe in him, not in whatever life changing lesson the universe gave me. 

"And I'd do anything to save him," Luffy whispered with a tender smile on his face. 

Me too. I'd rip my heart out of my chest and give it to him. I'd rip off my flesh and put it on his wounds. I'd die if I knew my life would be given to him. 

"Anything," Luffy continued. "Except stand in the way of his dream." 

God fucking dammit. 

"We all have dreams, but we outgrow them," Nami clenched her teeth after she spoke. 

"Is that really what you think?" Luffy's smile held so much hope. "Don't you have a dream?" 

"Yeah. Right now, is for Zoro to not die in my bed," the navigator let out in a strangled voice. 

"Isn't there something that you want? Something more," the straw hat whispered. "More than anything else in this world."

When the witch looked at Nami, it was obvious she was on the verge of tearing up, her nostrils flaring. Her eyes were already bloodshot. 

"Not everyone gets to follow their dreams."

Nami didn't wait for any of them to respond before she walked out of the room. The witch got to her feet and tried to catch the navigator's hand in hers, but she wasn't fast enough. All she could do was glance at Luffy and place both of her palms on his shoulders, just like he did at the crack of dawn. 

He looked at the witch with a hopeful and equally worried gaze. 

"I know you meant the best when you encouraged him to follow his dream, Luffy," the witch squeezed his shoulders. "It's alright. Nami knows that as well. She's worried, like all of us. We all said hurtful things to each other lately."

His lips trembled when he attempted to say something, but he didn't dare to anymore. Instead, he searched for reassurance. 

Was he in the wrong? Did Zoro get hurt because of him?

"It's not your fault," the witch continued with a tiny smile on her face. "I promise you. Everything led up to this. It couldn't have been avoided, unfortunately. No one could've stopped Zoro — you know he's a stubborn asshole."

Luffy scoffed. 

"You know I'm right."

"I do," the straw hat nodded shily. "I think…" he gulped down, looking at his feet. "Maybe I can clean his sword for when he'll wake up."

"I'm sure he would be grateful about it. I'll stay here a bit longer."

She didn't let go of Luffy's shoulders until he moved away. Just to ease her concern, he smiled faintly at her before leaving the room. 

Looking down at the unconscious pirate hunter, the witch couldn't believe her eyes. She gulped, not even daring to grasp at his hand, scared he'd break even because of a feather-like touch. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds, opening them again only to see the same man in the exact same position. 

She was scared for him, for his life. She didn't want to be a nuisance and stop him from doing what he believed would bring him happiness. Or maybe that word was too much — but winning against Dracule Mihawk would've made him proud, it would've fulfilled a promise he made to someone long ago. She didn't know who was at the other end of the promise, but he seemed to be a man of his word, so trying to stop him turned her into a selfish person. 

Her eyes were locked on his face, brushing with the back of her hand some small droplets of sweat on his forehead. She was worried out of her mind, now regretting she didn't do more to stop him, to make him change his mind when he was maybe too drunk to think twice. 

"Be careful, Zoro," the witch told him back then, her gaze betraying the worry crippling through her entire being. 

She was right. He should've been more careful. He should've been less reckless, should've listened to Nami and her, even if Luffy encouraged him to chase his dream. Was it really worth it? 

Once again, she sighed. She was selfish, greedy, it was wrong to think that his dream wasn't worth the entire world. Heck, even she would do anything for him, just to see him open his eyes again, just to hear another bored or witty remark coming from between his lips.

Instead, he was silent and still, only the slow movement of his chest visible as he breathed. It was the only thing that managed to bring her an ounce of comfort.

At least he was alive, she continued telling herself. 

It was clawing at her heart, messing with it, her thoughts roaming around, jumping one on top of another. She was overthinking again, the worst habit she could've had — or that's what she silently believed for years. 

The witch should've fought with him to death back then, when he was stubborn enough to throw Nami's words at her while they argued. Maybe it would've made him change his mind. As she continued looking at him, she worthlessly tried to take some of the blame for what happened. 

Hidden under his bandages, the same wound made the woman standing by his side believe she saw the Death Reaper, even if he was the one unconscious on a bed. 

Carefully, she sat down next to him, without taking her eyes off of him even for a moment. 

"You're kind of worrying us all, y'know? Luffy is in denial of your possible death and Nami seems restless. Usopp is too silent for his usual self," she whispered. 

Her first instinct was to touch him, but her fingertips hovered above his hand. She didn't know if it would've been right to seek the warmth of his skin while he wasn't even awake. All the witch could do was hope that deep down in his soul, he felt and heard all of them. 

"I'm worried too. No. Worried is an understatement. I'm terrified," the words trembled as they left her lips, the same chopped lips she sank her teeth into. "I'd rather have you call me an idiot," she chuckled sourly. 

With slow and careful gestures, she gathered enough courage to caress his hand with her fingers, feeling small cuts here and there. He was still warm, which eased a few of her worries. 

She made a long pause, staring at the seemingly lifeless man she would give her life for.  

"Remember when we drank together on the deck, two nights ago?" 

A fragile smile appeared on her face at the reminder of that night. She stole the last drop of his bottle before he could finish it with a grin, playfully nudging at his ribs. He failed to threaten her about how she owes him something for that. He was handling his liquor better than her and yet, he couldn't hide his smirk or the sparkle in his eyes. 

That night, bottles later, the witch got dizzy and tipsy. At first, she almost fell into a sea of melancholy after she shared pieces of her with Zoro. She doesn't remember how, but he got her laughing way too easy with his remarks and some silly stories. 

"You're flushed already," he pointed out back then. 

"You're kinda rosy in the cheeks as well, swordsman." 

At that time she damned the alcohol for the soft gaze she had when she looked at him. Her eyes were sparkling with adoration when they danced on his face, peace sinking in her very bones in his presence. She shouldn't have drank. It was so obvious that she had a soft spot for him, that he had a special place in her heart not even a month after they met. 

And who was at fault for her drunken state that night? Roronoa Zoro, obviously. He was at fault when she giggled and talked too much about too many things at once, so much more passion in her words than usual — was that even possible? he thought to himself. She always had a light and warm way of talking, her voice many times giving away her feelings. 

A promise was a promise, even if she didn't wholeheartedly accept it from the beginning. She surrendered quickly and told him that yes, she owes him something, maybe a secret. 

The witch remembered everything the next day, but acted like her memory had faded. The realization hit her hard the next morning, when she figured out her irrational fear of sharing secrets. She shouldn't have made that promise, so she played dumb, as if the conversation they had was forgotten about. 

"Maybe it's not exactly a secret, but I like it when you call me by my name."

Maybe he hears me. 

"I didn't hear my name being spoken for a long time. It makes me emotional every time, with no exception."

You're a crybaby, he should've said. 

Her hand fully settled on top of his while the witch continued to slowly rub her fingertips into his skin, trying to bring herself back to earth even if her thoughts were sailing through unfortunate memories. 

"I wasn't called by my name for years after my father became a pirate," she continued the story that started during their drinking night. "He aimed to become an Admiral and he was part of the Navy Forces for half of his life. For a long time, he thought he could do better than his comrades and hoped he could change the corruption that took place in the Government and the Marines. Insane, right?" she let out a sour chuckle. "An Admiral becoming a pirate. Everyone called him insane."

Once again, she smiled at the faint memories of her father's warm smile. There were details she didn't mention that night on the deck, like the status of her father in the Navy. 

"I didn't reach ten yet when he left. He considered it would've been dangerous to stay with us and, if I am to be honest, mom would've kicked him out of their home."

Their home, because that place was never her home. 

"Calling me by my name would've meant he still has ties with me and someone might've taken advantage of that."

Nine years ago, the witch was a child who only learnt how to use a kitchen knife for cutting vegetables. That child has been stripped of her innocence a few years later. 

"A few times a year he would visit me. He would hide from the Marines, while I would hide from my mom. I still remember how he was so much happier. He looked younger, like he was living his teenage years and not his thirties. Except for a few days I'd stay with him and his crew, he was roaming around the seas. He never judged a single soul, believing it wasn't his job to do so, even if he would protect anyone who needed help. He changed the meaning of a pirate in a good way."

She turned her head towards the window, watching the blue sky mingling with the sea and the port of Baratie where people were walking on the wooden battens. 

"He was caught by the Marines while he visited me and killed in the center of the city," her voice lowered to a gentle whisper, just like the breeze coming from the open window and giving her goosebumps. 

She remembers that moment all too clearly, eyebrows knitting together as she squeezed Zoro's hand lightly, hoping it would bring some comfort to her shattered heart. 

A life that felt like an eternity already made her believe her name was like damnation for anyone who said it. A few syllables being spoken and you'd be cursed to die one way or another, since her mother refused to call by the name her father chose when she saw light for the first time. Her father and his crew were the only ones calling her name so dearly, with honey latched onto their voices, treating her like a daughter. 

She was someone's daughter when she was with them. And now, by Luffy's side, she was someone's friend. 

"I don't want to watch you die too," only then she looked at him again. "Don't die on me. Don't leave us alone."

There was determination in her tone, mingling with pain and sorrow. Half of her believed in him the same way she believed the sea was blue and that leaves were green. The other half drowned in anguish. 

Zoro seemed almost serene, despite the small frown that never left his face. She took in a deep breath and moved her hand away from his, only to lean over and rest her elbows on her knees. 

She needed some fresh air. 

The witch got up and left the room in a hurry, before tears would've slipped down her cheeks. She pushed it all aside, holding it in, since there was no time to weep at anyone's grave. Zoro was still breathing, even if half dead. 

He will get better. He had to. 

She walked into the galley. Standing up in front of the table was Sanji, wearing only his white and blue checkered shirt, the black jacket suit abandoned on the armrest of the couch. He was cutting some vegetables, skillfully holding the knife. 

On the cushions sat Luffy, cleaning Zoro's white sword, just like he said. Meanwhile, Usopp was the one to notice her first, leaning with his hands prompted onto the wooden table. Nami couldn't be spotted anywhere. 

The sound of her own name almost made her flinch. The witch blinked quickly, looking at Usopp. Both Sanji and Luffy looked at her then. The latter had some deep puppy eyes — her heart aches at that look alone. 

"How is he?" 

"Unconscious," she breathed out softly.

She let out a sigh and ran her fingers through her hair, her eyebrows pulled together. 

"I suppose you haven't eaten anything since yesterday," Sanji smiled gently. "Anything I could make for you?" 

"I appreciate it, really, but I don't have an appetite," she dismissed him with a faint smile of her own. 

"You could use some energy, you know," Usopp mumbled. 

"You, Luffy? What would you like to eat?" Sanji got back to chopping the vegetables. 

"I'm not hungry right now. You could make something for Zoro. He'll surely be hungry when he wakes up!" 

Their captain still had hope bubbling in his chest and it was the only thing keeping them all afloat. 

However, the witch couldn't bear to think about it anymore. She spotted her shirt hanging on a nail in the wall, close to the couch. With a quick gesture, she grabbed at it, intending to put it on herself until the heavy scent of blood filled her senses the second time that day—

The shirt was soaked in Zoro's blood from the time when she used it to stop the bleeding of his wound. Nausea crawled up her throat and she unintentionally dropped the piece of cloth when she became aware of the sickness settling deeply in the pitch of her stomach. 

Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

With a hand covering her mouth, she rushed out of the galley, on the deck, the doors shutting harshly behind her. She leaned over the railing as the acidic taste made its way up her throat and on her tongue. 

A disgusting sensation, truly. 

She's seen blood before, she saw countless corpses laying at her feet, but nothing could compare with the vision of a dear person giving their last breath. She couldn't believe she vomited because of blood, such a normal occurrence in her life.

But it wasn't just any kind of blood — it was Zoro's and it sunk into the material of her own shirt. 

She will have to throw it away. There's no way in hell she would manage to ever wear that again, even if it would be clean and smelling like lavender.

Tears clung to her eyelashes when she opened her eyes again, looking down into the sea. She was breathing heavily and she regretted swallowing her own saliva, as the awful taste lingered in her mouth unpleasantly. 

Warm fingers touched her shoulder and before she saw whose hand it was, there was a glass of water being shoved towards her. When she glanced up, she saw the blonde waiter. 

"Thank you, Sanji," she took the glass from his hand, sipping slowly as the gentle weight on her shoulder disappeared. 

"If I knew such a beautiful lady was waiting for me to wake up, I would've opened my eyes much sooner."

The waiter — who could apparently also cook like a professional — said that in a somewhat flirtatious tone. Also, there was compassion lingering in his honeyed voice. 

"If Zoro would hear you, he would've thrown you overboard."

Nami. 

The witch didn't even notice her on the deck until that moment, her head snapping towards the navigator, her eyes sparkling with hope as she gripped at the glass in between her fingers. Nami was a few meters away from her, with her back facing the sea and her hands curled around the railing. 

The witch has seen Nami's expression countless times when she looked in the mirror after a crying fit. The same bloodshot eyes and puffy eyes, the red tip of her nose and the husky voice. 

"I don't remember you having sea sickness," Nami pried into her soul. 

The witch looked towards the water at the bottom of her glass, ashamed of her own reaction. 

"Because I don't have sea sickness," the witch whispered weakly, basically admitting her vulnerable state. 

She was more than just thankful Sanji chose not to elaborate on the reason behind her reaction. There was still acid sitting on her tongue, even after she gulped down the last droplets of water from her glass. 

"Where are you heading to?" 

The witch noticed when Nami straightened her back and walked away, towards the dock. 

"Maybe I can find another drink at the restaurant," Nami waved the back of her hand at the witch. 

That sounded very familiar to a lie for some reason, but was it the witch's place to comment? 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•

Familiar fear made its way through her body, scratching underneath the skin, whispering in her ear like a mantra the same phrase her mother has always told her: "there's nothing you can do about it, so accept it." 

Those words always unsettled the young witch deeply. She heard that voice everytime she hid in a room with the books her grandmother left behind, pages filled with tarot and palmistry, the promise of real magic, different from the fairy tales. It sounded and felt palpable, her eyes sparkling. Those books were her treasure, a future filled with freedom. 

The same words were being shouted in her ears by the ghosts when her body stiffened in its spot. She wanted to scream while the man who was her father was dragged away by Marines, this time on the port of Baratie, not in her hometown. 

The deafening yell she wanted to let out was silent. Her lips didn't even part and her awareness slipped away as she continued to see blood pooling at her father's feet, his signature royal blue coat painted in crimson. As if her vocal chords broke before she opened her mouth, no sound left her lips. 

"He deserved it," sounded so clear in her ear, as if her mother stood right beside her, watching the same scene unfolding over and over again.

No, no, I can't let him die! I need to do something! Please, dad, you can't—

The man who stood proudly was dying, his body decomposing right before her eyes. A sickening view, as the skin melted off the meat, leaving only bones and tendons behind, covered by heavy clothes, two empty holes in his cranium instead of beautiful sparkling eyes. Blood dried on the white bones and sunk into the material of his coat and it flowed towards her, to the tips of her boots—

"Luffy! Arlong is here and he's after you, we have to leave now!" 

The witch gasped loudly, her eyes snapping open. Nami, who just entered, was panting heavily, fingers gripping at the edge of the doorframe. 

Who's Arlong? 

She noticed Luffy who just got up from the chair he was sitting on, right by Zoro's side. Usopp had his fingers curled around one of the ropes holding the bed in the room hanging in the air. 

There were no dead corpses around. Gosh, that nightmare was scary as hell. Her heart still drummed in her eardrums, blood rushing through her veins at an alarming pace. 

She managed to get on her feet, her palm glued to the wall to support herself. 

"Where do you think you're going, Luffy?"

Nami was panicked. Her fear grew steadily, just like fire, and she was on the edge of cussing out that entire bunch of confident idiots. 

"We can't let Arlong hurt people just because of us. He might kill everyone if we don't step in."

Luffy was rarely so serious, but the situation asked for it. However, the navigator was anything but happy with his suicidal decision. 

The witch turned her head towards the unconscious swordsman. She took in a deep breath, calming the waters threatening to destroy her mind. Then, her warm gaze raised back to the navigator who squeezed the map in between her trembling fingers. 

"You'll stay here and protect the ship, Nami," Luffy smiled reassuringly. "I trust you."

The orange haired woman searched for a different reaction from the witch, but received the same determination. 

"Have you all grown insane?" she whispered in horror. 

The witch made slow steps towards her and engulfed her in a warm hug, wrapping her arms around the navigator's body. She squeezed her gently, resting her chin on Nami's shoulder. 

"Something is troubling you greatly. Don't lie to me," the witch whispered in her ear softly. "You've got something in your head and you're pushing all of us away. We trust you, even if it'll bring us our death."

That's what scared Nami the most. 

The witch parted just to look into Nami's troubled blue eyes. 

"We'll be alright. We have to be. We'll figure it out together."

She had no clue how much Nami wanted to believe her, but it was impossible to do so. The navigator knew better what danger awaits them in Baratie now that Arlong appeared, that monster—. 

Right. That's what pirates were: monsters. So why did the ones in front of her look like friends instead of demons stealing her life away? 

The witch squeezed her shoulders and smiled so warmly, so calmly, different from the agitation they would face. 

For one second only, Nami dared to believe. Then, it crumbled to her feet when Luffy and the witch left her room with one glance back at Zoro. 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•

The witch found herself in the restaurant once again. Her fingers gripped tightly at the gun she held, finding comfort in the familiar weight settled in her hand. On purpose, she stood behind the other three men, sharp eyes scanning her surroundings carefully. They were lucky they chose to enter from the first floor, since she could easily hide. 

She wasn't hiding for the reasons some would think of. The witch intentionally stood on the side, analyzing the situation. First of all, she had to find the smallest opportunity to find a weak spot for that fishman. From her spot, still glued to the wall and hidden from everyone's eyes, she focuses on Luffy's conversation with Arlong. 

"I expected someone… bigger," Arlong commented with a wide grin, sharp teeth on full display. 

He could definitely be classified as scary, but the witch didn't want to admit that to herself. Was he dangerous? Of course. 

"Me too," Luffy commented. 

Alright, maybe Luffy had far more confidence than she thought, since he dared to make fun of that fishman, angering him. It wasn't enough that Luffy was hunted down by Arlong, he had to make him angry as well—

What was she scared of? 

She took in a deep breath and a few seconds were enough for her heartbeat to beat at a normal pace. The witch didn't have enough time to worry about consequences, she had to find their weakness quickly and act on it. 

While her focus slipped from them, Luffy was already walking down one of the two pairs of stairs meeting up at the first floor of the restaurant. Arlong threatened the straw hat about something and the first thing she heard was the deafening sound of a shotgun. 

The same sound was followed by a soft chiming filling the silence. 

Her chest tightened since no groan of pain could be heard from anyone. When she glanced at the people downstairs, she saw Zeff — the cook who stitched Zoro up — with a gun pointed at Arlong. However, the fishman only turned his head back and cocked an eyebrow at the cook. 

The bullet was most probably what caused that chiming sound. It seemed like fishmen's scales were bulletproof. 

Fucking great. Her long range fighting style wasn't to her advantage. 

An ounce of fear uncomfortably gnawed at her courage. The witch hated that helpless sensation, as if there was no escape, as if that was her dead end. 

Her fingers gripped tighter around her gun, until the skin turned yellow. 

I can't chicken out now. I don't have the luxury of turning my back against a fight in such a critical situation. 

She swallowed the lump in her throat after she bit so hard onto her lower lip she tasted copper on her tongue. 

Everyone has a weakness, right? Fishmen must have one as well. 

On the floor below, Luffy threw his stretchy arms at Arlong, with his hands curled into fists. Zeff was harshly thrown into a table that broke down, making Sanji jump into action as well. Usopp was the only one that remained upstairs, uselessly hiding behind the decorative wrought iron railing — he could be easily seen. 

Crouching down to Usopp's level, the witch slowly walked towards him with the gun still in her hand. When his eyes fell on her, he blinked like a confused owl. 

"Guns don't work!" he whisper-shouted at her, horror painting his features. 

With a sigh, she grinned cheekily. 

"Are you running, scaredy-cat?" she taunted him with an arched eyebrow. 

"Are you insane?" he frowned when she was a few inches away from him. "You can't seriously believe your gun is gonna do any damage to those monsters." 

Glancing down between the iron bars of the railing, the witch spotted other two fishmen getting up from their table. So there were three in total. 

With an unusually serious tone, she stared into Usopp's eyes, determination oozing out of her. 

"You can't run now, Usopp. I hope you're aware of that."

"Even you hesitated for a second!" 

His nervous demeanor and his over-thinking habits got the best of him at that moment. He was equally scared and amazed by the witch's courage. 

"That was before I realized there's no going back. Usopp," she lowered her tone, fingers gripping at his shirt to bring him down from the clouds. "If you choose to run away, you will never become a brave warrior of the seas. Do you hear yourself? We're not running anywhere. We have to fight if we don't want to leave Luffy and Sanji to deal with the fishmen on their own." 

She wasn't exactly good at motivational speeches, but that seemed to shake his soul well enough. 

"Now help me find out their soft spots so we can bring those idiots down before they destroy this entire restaurant and eat us alive." 

Bullets couldn't penetrate their scales. She didn't know if blades could work any better either. Also, Arlong alone had the highest bounty in the East Blue, not his friends. He was most probably much stronger than them. 

If she could bring down at least one of the other two fishman, it was also a win. 

Then, an idea popped into her head. 

Their eyes. 

They didn't have anything protecting their eyes except for the fact that they were sunk into their faces. With her aim, she had a chance to shoot one of them. She had to take advantage of the fact that no one knew she was there and making a plan. 

Taking in a deep breath, the witch placed the gun between the iron bars and aimed at the fishman with ridiculously big lips. She wasn't exactly that far away, but she had to concentrate. One single miss and everything would go down, since her presence would be obvious and her hand to hand fighting skills weren't that well developed against raw strength. 

She waited patiently, Usopp still by her side. Once the fishman stood still, turned towards her, she pulled the trigger of her gun. 

The bullet struck his eye and he groaned in pain, receiving a proud smile from the witch who quickly hid behind a table from upstairs, dragging Usopp with her. Her heartbeat was so fast in her ears it could leave her deaf. 

She had to pull herself together. 

"You've got good aim," Usopp's voice trembled. 

"Thanks," she breathed out heavily, eyes closing for a second. 

There was an entire tornado in her soul. The witch knew there was no place for running away, but she was equally aware of her disadvantage against fishmen who fight with their fists. 

Zoro would've loved the thrill of this fight. 

But he wasn't there to joke about her being a scared little lady. 

And Nami wasn't there to yell into her face and tell her to wake the fuck up and help her find a better plan. 

Before she had a chance to notice, Usopp was crawling down the stairs on the left once an idea popped into his head, or that was what the witch thought. 

She felt a certain presence walking up the stairs on her right and her eyes widened. The other fishman spotted her.

"Here you were, wench," he spoke with a growl. 

She didn't have enough time to scramble to her feet before a rough hand wrapped around her neck and lifted her up in the air, pushing her against the wall. She could barely even groan when her breathing was restricted by the awfully strong grip the fishman had on her throat. 

Her gun fell from her hand and hit the floor with a weak sound. 

Uselessly, her fingers grabbed at the muscled blue arm holding her up, feet a few inches away from the floor. Compared to him, her grip was weak, insignificant. 

The witch was never the type to necessarily wish to live, but she certainly didn't want to die in that moment, when others' lives were hanging on a thread. 

Also, she didn't want that ugly fucking fishman with big lips to be the last sight before she closed her eyes forever. 

Dammit. 

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[alisonwritesimagines]

Your Eyes Whispered "Have We Met?" ~LA! Shanks x Reader~

Summary: Set in the Enchanted series. You meet Shanks but you aren't sure if you could trust him.

Author’s Note: I can't wait for more Shanks in season 2.

Based in my Enchanted series

Reader’s Pronouns: She/Her

Warnings: fluff

Side Note: This is a secondary blog. If you comment a question down below, I will not answer since this is not the main blog. Please send the question to my inbox if you want a response back!

Do not repost this anywhere!

You sat on the porch with Luffy, teaching him how to do some simple math. Luffy was a child that the Marine Vice Admiral Garp had asked you to take care of and educate him while he tend to his Marine duties. You were a smart woman with your father and mother being educators who taught in villages before settling in Windmill village.

"Math is stupid. Why do I have to learn it?" Luffy asked frustrated.

"I get that it can be challenging or upsetting but you need to know at least the basics," you tell him.

"Can we go to the docks later?" Luffy asked you.

"Tell you what, if you can finish this math sheet and get only five wrong, we'll go to the docks," you promised.

"Okay. Deal."

Luffy was smart. Even if you had to teach him in ways that were different, he was still smart. And you kept your promise by taking him to the docks to see the oncoming ships that came by to drop off some food or other goods.

"Woah! Y/n look! A pirate ship," Luffy says as he pointed at the large ship that stuck out from the other ships.

"Yeah. Why don't we go visit Makino," you tell him as you led him away.

Makino owned the bar in the village but she was one of your close friends.

"Go ahead and sit down. I'm just going to have a word with Makino," you tell Luffy.

"Okay."

"Makino, don't be too alarm. But there are pirates here," you tell her.

"Not again."

"I know. Just thought you should be prepared," you tell her.

"Thanks. Where's Luffy?" She asked. You turned around to see Luffy gone from his seat.

"Oh no. Luffy!" You called out before rushing out.

Luffy stood by the pirate ship as he stared at the crew. He had heard of pirates from his grandfather and Y/n but he never got to see them up close.

"What's this little urchin doing on our ship?" He heard. He looked up scared to see a man standing before him.

"I'm sorry."

"Where's your parents? A kid like you shouldn't be on a ship like ours," the man said.

"What's going on?" Luffy heard another man ask. Luffy looked over to see a tall man with crimson red hair that was covered with a straw hat.

"Captain. Found this kid wandering onto our ship," the crew member told him.

"What's your name?" The captain asked Luffy as he squatted down to his eye level.

"Luffy."

"Well, Luffy, do you know where the village bar is at?" The captain asked.

"Yeah. I can show you," Luffy nodded.

"Perfect. Come on lads, let's get ourselves a drink," the captain said.

"Who are you?" Luffy asked.

"You can call me Shanks. I'm the captain of this pirate crew."

"You don't seem so mean."

"Who said I was mean?"

"My grandfather. And my caretaker," Luffy tells him.

"Your caretaker huh? Maybe I should change their mind on me then huh?" Shanks smiled.

"Luffy!" You yelled out. Luffy and Shanks looked over as they heard your yell.

Luffy rushed over to the edge of the boat and looked down on the docks. Shanks looked down at the docks as well to see who was yelling for Luffy. He watched as Luffy smiled and waved at you as you looked up at him with your hands on your hips.

"Monkey D. Luffy! You better come down here right now or else!" You yelled at him. You crossed your arms as you stared up at him.

"Coming!" Luffy said. The crew chuckled as they watched the kid rush down to you after getting in trouble.

So that's his caretaker, Shanks thought to himself before heading down as well.

"What were you thinking? You know better than to go onto dangerous ships," you tell Luffy with a stern look.

"I know but-"

"I apologize if you were worried," you looked up to see a man in a straw hat walking over towards you and Luffy. You pulled Luffy closer to you before moving him behind you.

"The little lad was just curious. He wasn't in any danger if that makes you feel any better."

"It's not just that. It's just that you're a... you're a..." You tried to find the right words to say without insulting him, risking you in danger.

"A pirate? I can guarantee to you that I'm not like any other pirate captain," he tells you.

"And how can I believe you?" You asked him.

"Why don't you join me in a drink and I'll change your mind?" He asked you.

"I think I'll have to pass. We need to get going anyway," you tell him before rushing away with Luffy.

The next day was the beginning of your weekend off as Luffy was with his grandfather for the weekend. You brought some fruit and vegetables to Makino so she could get her first pick before you sold the rest to the rest of the village.

"You know those pirates that came in yesterday aren't so bad," Makino tells you.

"How so?"

"They're nice. And they pay," Makino tells you. You shook your head at her before helping her put some of the liquor that came in away on her shelves.

"The captain seems interested in you," she points out.

"Who's the captain?" You asked.

"The one with the red hair and the straw hat," Makino says with a smirk.

"Don't give me that look," you say, nudging her.

"I'm just saying. You should get to know him."

You shook your head at her before grabbing your basket and heading out to the village. You set up your small stand before sitting down on your chair and picking up your book to continue reading.

"This is nice little stand that you have," you heard. You looked up from your book to see the same pirate from yesterday.

"Oh. It's you," you say as you put your bookmark into your book.

"How much for the fruit?" The man asked.

"It's just two berry a piece," you tell him.

"Seems a little cheap for some good fruit," the man tells you.

"I get paid well for taking care of Luffy. This just gives me something extra to get him some treats for doing well on his homework or some other stuff for me," you tell him.

"Well in that case, I'd like to buy everything you have."

"Why would you do that?" You asked.

"I'd like to get to know you and how can I do that if you're behind this stand all day?" He asked you.

"You could always just join me behind the stand," you offered.

"True. But I would also like to grab a drink," the man winked. You shook your head at him before standing up.

"Alright. A hundred berry for all of them," you tell him. The man gave you the money before taking the fruit and vegetables.

"I'll meet you at the bar then?" You asked him as you closed up your stand.

"I’ll be there after I drop these off," the man winked at you.

You headed over to Makino's bar and sat on a stool to wait for the pirate captain. Makino gave you a look as she walked over towards you.

"Sold your food already?" Makino asked you.

"That pirate captain bought it all," you tell her.

"So you spoke to him?"

"A little. He's meeting me here for a drink."

Makino gave you a smirk before pouring a drink for you and one for the pirate. You looked over at the entrance to see the pirate walking in.

"Glad to see you had a drink ready for me," he said with a smile. He sat next to you before taking a drink of the alcohol.

"You know, I never got your name," you tell him.

"Where are my manners? I'm Shanks."

"Nice to meet you, Shanks. I'm Y/n," you smiled as you offered a handshake. He took your hand into his before placing a kiss on the top of your hand.

"Smooth," you say with a small laugh.

"How else am I suppose to impress a beautiful woman like you?" Shanks asked you. You shook your head at him before taking a swing at your drink.

"Where is Luffy?" Shanks asked.

"He's with his grandfather right now. A couple days off for me," you tell him.

"I see. Do you often get days off?" Shanks asked you.

"Not really. So I try to relax before Luffy comes back."

"I guess this gives us a couple days to ourselves to get to know each other," Shanks smiled. You smiled at him before looking down at your drink.

"Will you show me your pirate ship?" You asked him.

"Want to see it now while it's empty?" Shanks asked you. You nodded before putting some berry down for Makino.

"I got this," Shanks said before replacing your berry with his.

"I can pay for stuff too you know."

"True but I like to find treasure so berry doesn't mean much to me. Though, I think I found some good treasure in this village," Shanks tells you with a smile.

"Come on Captain," you say as you took his hat and put it on yours. "Take me on a tour of your ship."

"As you wish," Shanks smiled before taking you over.

[sugarcloudsky]

Hghhh I need some pitaya dragon cookie x reader fics where it's basically beauty and the beast, I'm starving for content,,,

Prickly dragon that softens for sweet but strong reader and falls madly in love with them

「The Hunter’s Beast」

character: pitaya dragon cookie

wc: 1.2k

cws: none

im gonna sound like a broken record but so sorry for taking so long to get to this!!!! ive got a lot of requests that have been sitting in my inbox for months LOL hope u enjoy tho!!<3 just a note, reader is a hunter in this (if it wasnt obvious) and established relationship here

The summer evening was cool and quiet. The full moon was already peeking out from behind the mountains, glimmering from up above. The rustling leaves of the trees provided some cover for you and your squad of hunters as you waved for them to follow you. You all kept as quiet as you could, the only sound being the fragile leaves crunching under your worn out boots whenever you moved.

You were all on a mission, to find any kind of edible berries or meat to bring back to your camp located just on the clearing at the edge of the forest. The food supply of your squad’s base back home was running low, so you all headed into the woods to replenish and collect whatever was possible. As of now, your squad had quite the collection of edible plants to take back. The artificial pouch wrapped tightly around your waist was filled to the brim with an assortment of berries and veggies to return home later.

“This will be enough to last us for weeks,” you call to your group, turning to them as they all nod at you. You stand up, dusting your legs as you shuffle your boots in the opposite direction. “It’s getting darker. We need to head back as soon as possible before we run into a pack of cake hounds or something worse.”

“Yes, captain!” They all say in unison, making you chuckle under your breath. You don’t really like the name ‘captain’, but your crew refuses to call you anything else. You were the one who did most of the work back at camp, so what else could they call you? They looked up to you a lot! Even though you wanted to, you decided not to argue with your group about the name again, simply opting to quietly start walking back to camp with them following closely behind you.

As you all walk in silence once more, you begin to ponder about your life back at the camp. It’s been so long since you started living in a small camp by the forest, you don’t even remember ever leading a comfortable, peaceful life. All you remember is needing to run, run as far as possible, because it was no longer safe for you to stay in your hometown. Ever since then, you’ve lived in a camp far away with a number of survivors and lived off wild plants and animals to survive. It was a rough life, but you all managed, and you've all grown to see each other as more of a family than just other survivors.

Your lips subconsciously curl upwards at the thought. You’re about to turn around and say something lighthearted to your group, but something stops you. You pause for a brief moment, before sticking your arm out for the cookies behind you to stop as well. Something isn’t right. It’s quiet… too quiet. Birds and crickets were chirping peacefully just a few minutes before you began heading back, but now it was just eerily quiet.

“…We’re being stalked. We need to hurry back right now—”

A sudden loud roar and the earth rumbling below your feet cuts you off and leads you to instinctively pull your makeshift knife out from your pocket. The rest of the cookies with you pull out their own weapons as well, an uneasy tension immediately building within you all.

A roar… all too familiar. Well, to you, at least.

“We need to get out of the area, now!”

Your voice was full of urgency as you urged your squad of hunters to run away as fast as they could before danger could find you, but alas, sometimes it’s nearly impossible to avoid these confrontations.

The trees around you are suddenly ripped out of the earth one by one, its roots nearly hitting one of your group members in the face. You yell for them to get back, having a certain feeling of who was threatening you and your group.

“Foolish cookiesssss…”

And you were right.

The Legendary Red Dragon’s familiar red scales come into view, their fiery breath causing surrounding temperatures to rise suddenly. They rip out the tree providing the last of any cover you had previously, exposing you and your group to the large beast. When it spots you, it grins widely, its large and intimidating fangs peeking out.

“Foolish little cookiessss… you dare trespassss on my land…?” Their loud voice booms across the trees, your ears ringing slightly as they laugh and taunt you. “You will come to regret thissss…”

This isn’t good. You would usually be able to deal with threats like these by yourself, but now you’re more worried for the safety of the others. You don’t care about what happens to you, as long as they can get back safely then you’ll feel alright.

Gritting your teeth, you turn towards your comrades.

“GO!”

The Red Dragon’s grin widens, but you don’t notice as you’re too focused on getting your crew away. Again, you yell at them, “GO!”

They all look at you, a mix of shocked and fearful faces staring back at you. They don’t want to leave without you, they can’t! What will they do without you?!

“Just go! I’ll be okay! I promise! You don’t wanna die, right?! Then go!!”

After a few more moments of you yelling and them trying to argue, your group finally (although very hesitantly) leave you alone with the dragon.

Once they’re completely out of sight, you finally turn your attention back to the large dragon in front of you. Their head tilts as they growl lowly. Their sharp fangs make you falter slightly, but you don’t back down.

“Brave little cookie…”

“Drop the act, Lizard, they’re gone. What do you want?”

They purr, their eyes dilating, “I wanted to ssssee you.”

You huff, “So that’s why you nearly scared my group to death?” as you cross your arms across your chest. Undeterred by your annoyance, Pitaya Dragon Cookie chuckles sinisterly.

“Those cookiessss were weak anywayssss… you are much sssstronger than them…”

You sigh. “So you did all that just so you could see me again?”

“Correct.”

This dragon…

“Well, you’ve seen me now,” Normally, you wouldn’t be so annoyed with the dragon in front of you, but you weren’t happy about how they treated the other hunters. “Now isn’t the best time, Pitaya. I need to head back.”

“No.”

You were starting to get a little irritated now.

They noticed your exasperation, “Little cookie…” they drawled, head lowering to move slightly closer to you, “I haven’t sssseen you in sssso long… sssstay longer…”

You flinch instinctively as they suddenly transform into their much smaller cookie form. They flip their hair, approaching you smugly before gently taking your hand in theirs, in hopes of maybe buttering you up. Their cold armor makes you shiver when you feel it touch your warm skin.

You stare at them for a few seconds of silence, watching as they practically make puppy dog eyes at you, before you let out an exaggerated sigh of defeat.

“Alright… fine. But I've got to get back s— oh!”

Pitaya Dragon Cookie swiftly picks you up bridal style, chuckling to themself as you yelp in surprise. Their ego multiplies tenfold when they notice the undeniable blush on your face.

“Sssstay a while, my favorite little cookie…” They grin, loudly purring at the sight of you noticeably trying to hide the color painted on your face. Their grip on you tightens very slightly as their eyes practically sparkle at your beauty.

“I’ll make our time sssspent together worthwhile, my little hunter.”