#Luffy was like “ace *I* like Torao!! so you should stop

[lawluaficionado]

Pregnant Luffy + Distressed Law

Law was stressed most of the time, we can say it was the default setting. Having been dating Luffy for well more than a year is the cure for his depression, and the introduction to anxiety, massive panic attacks and mild high blood pressure.

When he'd met Luffy (again) two years ago, the younger had claimed "You had the yummy tattoos at the hospital!" Yes, claimed. He hadn't even responded when his brothers had already wrestled him to the ground saying he was a creep. THIS HAPPENED AT A COFFEE SHOP!

Two months later they were dating, so...he couldn't be all right up in the head either.

Now, at the age of 28, he's decided it's finally time to invite Luffy to move in with him. That's the plan at least.

Nothing, absolutely nothing goes according to plan with his boyfriend. NOTHING! Here he was making steak when his boyfriend barges through the front door, luggage in hand. "You got me pregnant! Now you hafta take all the responsibility!"

This is what Law meant with the panic attacks...

=-=-=-=-=-=

To be continued later...

=-=-=-=-=-=

So much for Law asking Luffy to move in. When he'd told Luffy about his botched plans, the shorter male had laughed and said "Silly Torao, don't you know by now those never work?"

Needless to say, it's now been two months since Luffy had moved into his house and things had gone from 'We still have time before the baby' to 'oh shit there's literally only three months left'. When Luffy had moved in, he was already four months along, and based from his latest doctor's appointment, their baby is on the smaller side. Which would explain why even at six months, he's much smaller than other pregnant people (on average).

"It's okay, he just takes after me then," Luffy's carefree laugh rang in the exam room.

It eased Law's nerves more than he would admit. "So I guess this means we don't have as much time as I thought to get everything together."

Luffy just waived him off. "We have to get a big party and tell people!" Luffy watched with a odd sparkle in his eyes as the jelly was wiped from his abdomen. "Can we stop for grape jellies at the store? And meat?"

Law instead made a detour into their local supercenter. He had a mental checklist of every single thing he researched on what newborns need. But first... He went straight to the paint section. "Want to choose the color of the nursery?" He smiles down at Luffy.

"Really!?" Luffy bounces around toward some really bright yellows and reds. "I like these! It can be like a sunrise and then we can paint clouds and birds and a pirate ship!" He let Luffy ramble on about the decoration. And from there Luffy started putting in more things into the shopping cart. A lot of carved wood decorations, which he swore he'd paint himself and place in the nursery.

They'd have to call in Ussop, no way was this nursery going to look decent with their art skills.

"Whatever you want Luffy, but we should really at least buy the crib."

"Ohh, I didn't tell you. Your dad, my dad and Gramps got everything already. They said it was going to be a surprise. But if they told me, they should have know it wasn't going to last long," he shurgs. "So we only need to decorate really." By Luffy's dad, he meant his birth father, Crocodile. Guy scared Law as much as Sabo irritated him. The only tolerable one was Ace, and that was pushing it.

Law relaxes a little, "Wait, so when you say they got everything, you mean all the crib stuff and rocking chair, and then the changing table and the stroller and-"

Luffy shuts him up, standing on his tippy toes to kiss him. "You worry too much."

"No, you worry too little," Law leans down, cradling his boyfriend's face between his hands.

"Our dad's were really happy to be grandparents. My Gramps is not as happy but he's gotten over it. They said it was a gift."

"Well, okay then, that makes me feel ten times better than this morning."

Once they are on their way home, Luffy has an epiphany. "Oh I forgot to mention! Your dad and my dad are going to stay with us the last month I'm pregnant. That was kinda the deal we made." He continues laughing as Law's eye begins to twitch.

#lawlu #law + luffy #one piece lawlu #lawlu baby #monkey d luffy headcanon #trafalgar law headcanon #lawlu ace #lawlu cora #lawlu cora and ace #lawlu mpreg #luffy mpreg #mpreg

[beanghostprincess]

Put Ace and Law into the mix of mentally ill drunks

Law: I miss my dead father so fucking much dad please come back cora-san plea-

Ace: I should've never been born. Existence is a prison. WHO HAS THE VODKA???

Law: I don't deserve to be alive *starts playing Bring Me to Life by Evanescence*

Ace: NO! *stops music and starts playing Bohemian Rhapsody*

Nami: Hey, I think you two should-

Ace: MAMAAAAAAA OHHHH I DON'T WANNA DIEEE SOMETIMES I WISH I'D NEVER BEEN BORN AT AALL

Usopp: Luffy, your brother is starting to worry me

Luffy: He's been like this since he was 10

Nami: That is NOT something good

Robin: I get it

Law: I thought I was gonna die at that age. But you know who saved me? Cora-san! And the guy had the audacity to leave me alone in this world and he died and that fucking flamingo took him away from me-

Sanji: My father ate his own leg to save me from starvation and now I can only prove I love somebody by sacrificing myself constantly

Usopp: Sanji-

Ace: Hey! Torao! My father is dead too! Shot for every dead parent!

Law: Why are you like this?

Ace: Because otherwise, I will fucking lose it

#just imagine they're partying together at the sunny #this is such a real thing btw #this is me every time i hang out with my friends #what type of drunk are you but op version #i'm sanji #i think law should cry for hours while drinking as a little treat bc he never lets himself cry #and i think ace is the funniest type of drunk bc he says he wants to die and two seconds later he's laughing his ass off #trafalgar law #portgas d. ace #black leg sanji #one piece

[livwritesfics]

𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑

𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 - livwritesfics - One Piece (Anime & Manga) [Archive of Our Own]

𝟏𝟎 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐋𝐔 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 - 𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 - Wattpad

Law was walking Luffy home like he does every day. They've been dating for about a year now, still going strong. As they walked home from East Blue High, the aura was silent and worrisome.

Why? Because Luffy made the bold decision to come out to his older brothers when he got home. Law was already out to his dad and had met Luffy a year ago when they first started dating. As the end of high school was around the corner, and Law was going to New World University soon, Luffy only thought it would be fair to tell his brothers. He doesn't want to hide his relationship from his brothers anymore. He can't hide forever.

As the young couple stopped in front of Luffy's house, Law turned to face Luffy. He grabbed both of his hands and laced their fingers together, forever connected.

"Now remember, no matter what they say, no matter what they do, you are you. And I love you. Call me as soon as you tell them okay? Promise?" Law was just as worried as his partner. Coming out was dangerous. You could never know for sure how people will react. You think you know who they are but then you tell them and everything turned out the opposite of your perspective. It happened when Law came out. His dad was understanding and supported him unconditionally. However, his uncle, Doflamingo, was not supportive at all. He hasn't seen his uncle since he was fifteen because of that.

"I promise Torao," he stood on his tippy-toes and hugged his boyfriend "Thank you for comforting me" He kissed Law on the forehead.

They stood there in each other's arms for a minute longer until Luffy broke the silence. "Okay, I'm off. I'll call you as soon as I tell them, I promise."

"Love you." Law gave a quick peck on the lips and let go of Luffy's hands.

"Love you too!"

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When Luffy walked into his house, Sabo and Ace were already home from work. Sabo in the kitchen and Ace in the living room.

"Hey Lu welcome home!" Sabo hollered from the kitchen. "Want a snack? I'm cutting up some apple slices!"

"Yeah! Thanks Bo!" He yelled back as he took off his shoes. "Hey Sabo, Ace, can we talk?"

Silence.

Ace turned off the television and gave him all the attention in the world, "Of course Lu! What about?"

Sabo joined them with apple slices and sat down on the couch. Luffy took a chair and sat in front of them. He played with his hands a bit. All this attention he was getting from his brothers was a bit overwhelming to say the least.

He cleared his throat, "Um, I wanted to tell you that I'm pansexual... and I have a boyfriend!"

When none of his brothers said anything or made any movement Luffy mocked them jokingly, "Gasp! What! Our brother is grown up already?!"

Suddenly, he got very worried by the silence he was receiving. Are they mad at me? Should I run? Why aren't they responding?

"Get out." Ace snapped at him, his eyes flaming with anger and shame.

"What?" Luffy muttered, his hands starting to shake. This can't be happening! This has to be a dream!

"You heard him," Luffy turned towards his other brother, Sabo. "It's unnatural. It's wrong. Do as your former brother says and get out." Sabo had the same fire in his eyes as Ace did. Angry. Hateful. Shameful.

"Former?" Luffy whispered, his eyes filling up with tears. I'm not their brother anymore? They're getting rid of me already?

Almost as Ace heard his thoughts he stood up and yelled, "Get out! I told you already! Like Sabo said, you aren't our brother anymore, so scram!"

Luffy was so shocked that he couldn't move. "Do I have to beat it into you?" Ace shouted again, raising a hand up.

*Whack!*

Instantly, the youngest brother was on the floor, a red hand print on his face. Ace hit him. Ace never hit him. They really do hate me.

Trying to choke back a sob, Luffy ran up the stairs to his room. He started throwing his stuff in his duffel bag. This was wrong, I should've never came out. I ruined everything.

He let out a sob.

"Shut up!" Ace screamed. "I don't want to hear you make your pathetic noises. You really are a f*****!" Luffy slapped a hand over his mouth to stifle out his cries.

He hurried up and packed everything. He reached out to pack his scrapbook. His scrapbook of him and his brothers. All of their memories together. All a lie. They didn't really love him.

If they did then they would've been okay with me being me. At least Law loves me.

He decided against bringing his scrapbook. He made sure not to forget anything. This would be the last time he came here. The last time he called this house a home.

He escaped through his bedroom window, climbing down a tree. He always used to sneak off with Law this way. Or coming back home late.

This would be his final time.

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Law heard a loud banging coming from his door. Strange, he wasn't expecting anyone.

"Law, could you get that please?" Cora yelled from the kitchen, he was trying to make onigiri without burning himself but was failing miserably.

"Sure thing" Law got up and walked over to the door. When he opened the door he got the shock of his life.

His boyfriend was crying in the rain with a bag around him.

He immediately took his crying lover out of the rain and into his house. Luffy was still crying when Law gave him a hug.

"I-I-I'm sorryyyyyyy. I ha-had nowhere to gooo!" Luffy sobbed into his shirt.

Law hadn't been more angry in his life. "They kicked you out?!" he shrieked. He tightened his grip on Luffy and whispered in his ear. His brothers just abandoned him, he had no home now. Nowhere to go in this big city. Sure, he could go to the North Blue Orphanage. He was still seventeen after all! But he couldn't do that to his boyfriend. He won't leave him like his own family had done to him.

"It's okay. We're gonna work this out, just like everything we do, we'll work this out together."

Luffy sobbed, "I love you" he whimpered, his grip still strong. Law kissed the crown of his head. "Love you too sweetheart." He murmured back.

Law let go of his and just as he was holding his face, about to kiss his forehead, he noticed something. A bruise.

"Did he hit you?" Law seethed out. They hit him. They hit his one and only love. Law saw red.

Seeing his boyfriend's anger, Luffy tried to calm him, "Law, please, it's not that bad-"

"Not that bad?! He hit you!" Law shouted, throwing his hands up in the air.

The younger gasped and tried again, "Law please-"

"No! You let them step all over you! They don't get to-" Law stopped mid-sentence when he heard Cora walk into the room. Crap, I forgot he was home.

"Law, you're scaring him. He doesn't need to get yelled at right now." Cora-san soothed him, he put a hand on his son's shoulder. Law sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He opened his arms for Luffy to go into.

The shorter male started sobbing again and walked into his boyfriend's chest.

"I'm sorry. I'm just angry at them, not you. I love you, it's okay." He comforted his boyfriend. He picked him up and carried him over to the couch.

"Dad, can you please give us an icepack?" Law called out.

Cora left right away. "And don't forget about the stove! It's still on!" He reminded his father.

He turned back to his boyfriend who was still cuddled in his arms. He held him tightly and wrapped the blanket he was using around him. Law kept giving forehead kissed to Luffy and rubbed his arm up and down, up and down. Luffy was calming down, he had been so panicked over everything that it tired him out.

Cora handed Law the icepack and went back to the kitchen.

"What am I going to do Law? I don't know what I'm gonna do." He looked up at Law and whimpered. "I'm scared Law, I don't know what to do."

It broke Law's heart to see his boyfriend reduced to this. A crying, shaking mess. It made him want to beat his brothers up. But, he knew Luffy didn't need that right now. What he needed was his boyfriend's loving arms around him.

"You could stay here with me and my dad. I'm sure it won't be a problem." the older suggested, looking down at him.

"I shouldn't. It'd be too much. I-"

"Am always welcome." Cora finished. "My son is always welcome here. Both of them." he went to sit down next to Luffy.

"You're always welcome here Luffy, I support you and Law very much. Now, you are staying here. You can share Law's room as long as I don't hear any noises." he joked at the end.

"Dad!" Law snapped back at his father, burning like a red tomato. He pinched his nose bridge again shaking his head.

Luffy just laughed, "Thank you dad. Thank you so much! I'll even get a job too!"

"Oh no, you are too kind. See Law? You should take after him. You could learn something!" Law blushed even more as his boyfriend and his dad were bullying the crap out of him.

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Luffy did move in with Law and his father. Cora even signed the adoption papers! Luffy was now a part of their family. Law proposed after graduation too! The two of them lived with Cora until it was time for Law to go to university to study medicine. Luffy went with him and they both went to New World University together. Luffy wanted to study insects. A new chapter for everybody.

Ace and Sabo were not contacted at all during this development. They didn't bother to apologize to their youngest either.

Luffy didn't care. Yes, he did care in the beginning, but, that was an old chapter of his life. His new chapters did not involve them. He was on to live life happily.

With his father, with his boyfriend, with his friends, with himself.

@lawluevents

#lawlu #fanfics #lulaw #onepiece #ao3 #lawlu fanfic #lawluweek #trafalgar law #10 days of lawlu #10 days of lawlu 2023 #angst with a happy ending #fluff #one shot #homophobia

[enjomo-arch]

❝  You  seemed  like  you  cared  enough  Torao,  c'mon  don't  be  so  stingy.  ❞  At  the  very  least,  he  should  think  about  it.  Law  wasn't  interested  because  they  were  focused  on  the  medical  papers  in  their  hands,  but  Ace  understood  the  doctor's  attitude  and  nothing  gave  him  more  pleasure  than  breaking  it  when  he  circled  the  desk,  just  to  stop  behind  their  back  and  lean  his  chin  on  the  right  shoulder.  Squinting  at  the  sight  of  phrasing  and  descriptions  that  would  typically  give  him  a  headache  if  he  attempted  to  interpret  the  jargon  written  on  the  parts  and  pieces.

❝  I  wanna  go  out  of  the  submarine  already.  Y'said  my  results  weren't  so  bad.  ❞  There  were  slight  complains  in  his  voice,  and  before  he  could  find  more  reasons  to  shower  Law  with,  eventually  Ace  simply  leaned  his  head  against  the  doctor's,  staring  in  silence.  It  was  a  risk,  and  he  knew  the  second  someone  notices  that  his  death  did  not  happen  he'd  have  a  real  chase  put  down  the  world  wide  known  name.  ❝  Forget  it.  I  know  what  you  gonna  say  anyway.  I  just  think  Luffy  deserves  to  know...  that  I'm  alive.  ❞

@kiriage : was it obvious i don't care?  ( prompt. )

#kiriage #「003」 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥 #「004」 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗬

[morefandomscenarios]

hiii!!! i hope youre having a nice day <3

idk if your is open but you can ignore this if you dont accept any requests at the moment??

i hope you accept birthday request! my birthday is 24 april! i just need to dump this scenario before i forget abt it 😭

asl brothers planning a surprise party for their younger sister but almost got caught by her??? i just need smtg chaotic with them tbh 😭

A/N: Hi, Maira sweetie! It is open, you're good!! 💗 This might be a little early, but here you go!!

Also thank you for sending in this request, I love writing chaotic ASL, they give me life. Chaotic family dynamics always put a smile on my face :D

🏷 Tags: platonic, younger sister reader

"Well, then it has to be green!"

"But then it won't match the cake."

"Hey, hey, hey, can we have meat-flavored cake??"

The two older boys turn towards their younger brother, one giving him an exasperation look and the other half-grinning in amusement. Ace's fist hit Luffy's head in a not-so-gentle smack, causing the boy to whine and rub the resulting bump.

"That's disgusting!! Be serious, this is [name]'s cake!!"

"But I AM being serious!!!"

"Luffy... Let's keep the cake chocolate-flavored. We'll have many meat dishes on the side anyway. Did you contact Sanji already?" Sabo asks in a gentler tone, trying to be the civil one among the three as usual. Normally you would be the one who took this role, keeping your rowdy brothers in check, but alas they just have to plan this without you, so he had to wear the cape.

"..... I forgot."

The blond's fingers tighten around his pen, a short sigh escaping his throat before he pens down an additional task under his name on the paper. It looks very imbalanced now, with about twenty or so items under his name and a lot fewer items under Ace's and Luffy's name, "I should've known. I'll contact him. Can you fetch your phone and give me his phone number?"

"Okay," the shorter boy turned, and walked a few steps, before suddenly turning back with a sheepish grin, "I forgot where my phone is."

He's your brother he's your brother he's your brother, Sabo chants within his head, the serene smile on his face slipping a little, "Well... Perhaps you should try to remember where you last put it. When was the last time you held it?"

"Yesterday! Torao helped to type some notes!" Luffy lifted his bandaged arm, the result of his most recent shenanigans of climbing a tree to save a trapped cat.

".... And have you been following those notes...?"

"......... No?"

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace, Sabo, he imagines Dalai Lama preaching into his soul, tempering the flickering flame of rage into a calm, steady fire, just like the flame of a candle on serene nights, "Fetch your phone, young man."

"But-"

"Now."

Luffy gulps and sprints away frantically, trying to remember where he last left the gadget, shouting to Ace that he'll borrow the older boy's phone to call and locate the missing electronic. Sabo sighs and turns towards Ace when he doesn't hear the middle child answering, only to find the black-haired boy in deep thought.

"Ace? You've been really silent this whole time, what's wrong?"

Ace blinks and looks towards Sabo, the prominent frown still etched deep between his brows.

"..... I was supposed to contact Thatch, wasn't I?"

"To help Sanji cook for the party, yes. What about-"

Sabo stops.

Ace grins sheepishly, the same grin Luffy gave just mere minutes ago.

If you open your ears and listen closely, you can hear a muffled screaming and an explosion coming from inside Sabo's head.

When you return home fifteen minutes later, you find Ace and Luffy sitting on the floor, head hung low, with Sabo scolding the two, literal fire burning in his eyes while a rapid succession of elegant-but-clearly-angered words spill out from his mouth - though he immediately stops upon seeing you watching them in confusion.

You ask them what happened, but all three of them stubbornly persist in not telling you the truth, only shaking their heads like a synchronized pack of meerkats and denying your accusations. Finally, you relent and tell them that you'll be in your room, and they collectively sigh in relief. You hold back from chuckling - after all, this happens every year, and you have an inkling you know what it was all about.

And just like every year, you'll act surprised when the time comes.

#one piece #sabo #portgas d. ace #monkey d. luffy #scenario

[sashi-ya]

HI OMG I ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOUR WRITING!!! i saw that u were taking requests and i was like “sheee b imma take the chance!” SO HERE I AM!! could i request some NSFW with ace and a fem!reader? maybe they could be pining for one another and they’re like really flirty with each other😳 i was thinking that the reader had bought a lot of new clothes and she’s trying it on for ace and asking him what she should wear n stuff; she also hypes herself up and makes comments about how her ass looks fat in said skirt or how her boobs curve perfectly and expose a good amount of cleavage in a certain blouse too😳😳 maybe the last straw is when the reader comes out in a two piece swimsuit that shows everything and it goes from there🥴 IM SO EXCITED TO SEE HOW YOU PULL THIS OFF ❤️❤️ THANK YOU

Hi baby!! Of course!! I give it a little twist to the idea so I hope you enjoy it! ♥ Thank u for your kind words!!! ♥ ~

NSFW ~ Portgas D. Ace x F! Reader ~ Mall Date 🔥

TW: NSFW. Best friends to lovers. Public fucking. Humping. Unprotected sex. Mutual flirting. Nipple play. Rough sex.

WC: 1.6K

AU: College AU.

Summer is just around the corner, classes are almost over and a trip to the beach is what you all want… Ace, your best friend is having lunch with his brothers, Sabo and Luffy. The sun rays filter from the big windows of the cafeteria and bathe the freckled man’s face. You run towards him and take your finger to your mouth to shush his brothers. “My looovely best frieeend” you shout, hugging him from behind and then planting a kiss on his cheek.

“I swear someday you are gonna kill me! But I love you bitch” he says, passing his arms up, hugging you and pressing you against his shoulders. “Bitch?” you protest. “I’m sorry… you sexybitch” he admits. “That’s better”.

You could have sat on another chair, but you prefer his lap instead. A situation Ace seems to be pretty happy with. “Guys, I’m gonna go to the mall to buy some clothes for the road trip, wanna come?” you ask all of them.

“I’m sorry, (Name). I have to go to a meeting with Koala for the Politics Club” says Sabo. Luffy, with a mouth full of sandwiches mumbles something similar to a “Torao wants to discuss something this afternoon”. “Oh... so, Ace and me then!” you say, pinching your best friend’s cheek. “At this point I don’t really know if I’m your best friend, your personal assistant or your boyfriend” he says, laughing.

“If you were my boyfriend, you would be eating all of this” you say, praising yourself and unwillingly humping over his lap. “(Name)…” he gasps, grabbing you by your waist so you could stop moving. You jump off his lap, bite a piece of his sandwich and walk away.

Before leaving the dining room, you turn around to -of course- discover Ace’s gaze over your body. “4 p.m. Your car?” you ask, smiling. “Y-yeah… 4pm then” he says at first a little shyly, but then gives you a side smirk. A sexy grin that lets your heart beating fast for the rest of the day.

4:01> Fire👊: I’m outside. 4:01> You: I’m going ♥

You jump into his Jeep, bending over his lap so you can kiss his cheek once again. But you slip and end up planting a kiss pretty near his mouth. You do it so close to the commissure of his lips it almost feels like you were trying to kiss him.

“Name, you were trying to kiss me huh? Am I so irresistible to you?” he jokes but brushes his loose shirt over his groin. “You wish” you lie. Of course you want to kiss him, who wouldn’t?

Ace hits the gas, and off you go. The hardtop is off so the wind blows through your hair, you love summer rides with his jeep. The warm breeze hits your blouse, and while you are standing up enjoying the ride, Ace gets your shirt down with his hand. “People will see your boobs, (Name)” he says.

You look down at him, smiling. The wind also plays with his front wavy black locks of hair, while the rest is up in a little ponytail. He is using some black sunglasses, and his tanned skin makes him the embodiment of perfection upon your eyes.

Finally, you arrive at the mall. After buying some bobba tea you head up to the stores. The mall isn’t crowded, and there are no more than a few people in each store. Ace and you enjoy yourself, laughing to who knows what until you find your favourite department store.

“Ace, let’s go. I’m gonna buy some clothes in here” you tell him, pulling from his wrist to go inside. He doesn’t really love to spend time shopping for clothes, but he certainly enjoys your company so he follows you willingly. You pick a lot of clothes and make him wait for you while you try on them.

He is sitting outside the dressing room, waiting for you to model several outfits. And that’s exactly what you do, maybe innocently, maybe not…

“What do you think about this one?” you ask him, while modelling a little black dress that perfectly shows each one of your curves. Ace’s eyes widens and sighs. “Perfection” he mumbles. You giggle, turn around and give yourself a little spank on your ass. “Awesome, thank you baby”.

Next one is an outfit composed of a black, leathery skirt and a blouse that could probably be banned in several places as it reveals way too much. You abruptly open the door and put your hands on your waist. “So? Should I buy this?” you ask, spinning around in your place. You look into the mirror; your ass looks stunning and you don’t hesitate to express such an amazing feeling. “Yes Sir, look at that ass!”. The reflection shows Ace opening and closing his mouth unable to say nothing. And you turn around, showing him your cleavage. “And look at this, OH EM GEE”. Your hands travel through the curve of your breasts praising them.

“You… you should buy this one too” Ace says, stumbling on his own words and crossing his legs. He puts your backpack over his groin as if he was trying to hide something. And oh girl, he was.

“Thank you, baby” you tell him, satisfied, and go back inside the dressing room one more time.

“Ok, you ready?” you ask from inside. “For what, (Name)?” Ace asks with a cracked voice. You know this is the final blow, he is gonna lit on fire when he sees you wearing that bikini. And there you go…

“Beach time!” you say opening the door and flashing your whole skin to him, only covered by three little cloth triangles that can only hide some of your most private parts.

Ace looks at you, completely dumbfounded for a second and then stands up. “That’s it, I’m fucking you right now” he says, and walks towards you. He pushes you inside and closes the door. “You are killing me. Do you want me to fuck you?” he asks, panting and grabbing you by your chin. You smile, devilishly, a lustful smirk and your eyes fixed on the bulge on his pants.

“I’d love to, best friend” you whisper. “Damn you” he says and kisses you so violently, invading your mouth, violating you. Ace turns you around, you are pinned against the several mirrors of the dressing room. His warm hand squeezes your butt cheek, “Sure you have an amazing ass”. He spanks it not once, but twice. He grunts in your ear as he rubs his hard member on your buttocks.

“You couldn’t stop teasing me, huh?” he says while untying the knots of the fine strings that holds the bikini on. “You ask me if you were that irresistible to me? you are. Now, fuck me” you almost order him.

“Sure I will, my pretty best friend”.

Your breasts are pressed against the cold mirror, making your nipples hard and erected. Ace has already taken his pants off, and he keeps dampening his hard erect member with the arousal juices that flood your cunt.

He bites your shoulder, while his free hand gets your face up. “Look at yourself while I’m fucking you” he says and without any warning he penetrates your entrance, violently. You moan, but he covers your mouth with his hand. “Shh baby girl, they are gonna hear us” he says, and actually Ace is right. You are fucking on a public store. But it is just so hard to be quiet, his hard thrusts pumping inside you make your legs weaker. You want to moan soundly; you want to scream his name…

Ace makes you bend over, he grabs your hair and pulling from it he gets the perfect grip so his hips can make wonders. He pumps inside you, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. He goes in and out, but also around. His free hand, squeezing your breast, pinching, and twisting your nipple.

“Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to fuck you like this, little bitch?” he says in between panting. You can’t say anything, you just simply can’t. If you dare to open your mouth probably a moan (or more than that) would escape.

“Every time you sit over my lap, humping, jumping… you were killing me” he says while speeding up the pace of the thrusts. “This is what you’ve been asking for, huh?” he says. And you just nod, looking at the reflection. A sexy representation of that well defined body, of that tanned skin, of those strong arms, of the man you wanted to fuck for so long.

“I’m cumming…” you mumble, with your head turned back as Ace keeps pulling from your hair. “Cum for me, little bitch, come on” he says as he fucks you rougher than before, even though you thought that wasn’t possible. And you cum, with trembling legs, biting the palm of Ace’s hand as he tries to keep you quiet. And he cums too, filling you well up, until you feel you are about to explode stretching your clenching walls.

Ace lets go of your hair, plants a sweet kiss on your back and helps you reincorporate as he slowly slides his dick out of your entrance. His creamy love juice drips from your womb into your inner thighs, you enjoy such delightful sensation, yet, wishing nothing stains the new clothes you haven’t even paid for yet.

“Let’s go, I want to keep fucking you at home” says your best friend, while kissing you so gently, so lovingly. You sigh, look up at him and bite your lip. You totally agree with the plan… ♥~

#portgas d. ace #portgas d ace x reader #portgas d ace x you #portgas d. ace x reader #one piece x y/n #one piece #one piece x you #one piece x reader #ace one piece #portgas d ace headcanons #ace x you #ace x reader #portgas d ace x y/n #portgas d ace #portgas d ace imagine #fire fist ace #one piece fanfiction #one piece x oc #one piece scenario #sashi ya

[chenziee]

There are sparks between us

First one for this batch of requests! (I really should stop pretending they’re going to be “drabbles”, I haven’t written a single one that could pass for a drabble)

Thank you so much @detective1412d​ for the prompt! This... might not be what you had in mind but I hope you like it! <33 (I absolutely love your username btw, just needed you to know that)

Requests are still open, please refer to this post for more info :)

[Read on AO3 or under the cut]

----------

Even when he was only just nearing the little house where he and the Straw Hats had taken shelter after the battle with Doflamingo, Law could tell it was noisy. That could only mean that Straw Hat was finally awake and a wave a relief washed over him. It wasn’t like Straw Hat sleeping the past few days away was unexpected after the strain on his body, and Law had checked his condition regularly to make sure everything was alright, but hearing his laughter was still a weight off of his shoulders.

He could do without the noise but he supposed that was just a part of the package with these pirates and their captain. Just couldn’t do the simplest of things quietly.

Law was surprised at the chuckle that had escaped him at the thought. When did he become so… fond of these people? He quickly wiped the smile off of his face, schooling his expression back to neutral as he reached out to open the door.

“Torao!” Straw Hat greeted him immediately. “Where did you go?”

Looking in the direction of the voice, Law was surprised to no find the other Straw Hats or the samurai sitting at the at the table but instead, Fire Fist Ace and the revolutionary army chief of staff were there with Straw Hat himself. What he wasn’t surprised about, however, was seeing his fellow pirate captain stuffing his face with food, his head barely visible behind the mountain in front of him. At least he swallowed his food before he tried to talk to Law.

“Just checking on the marines,” Law replied, leaning Kikoku against the wall and pushing his hood away from his face.

“Boring,” Straw Hat said in response.

“Someone has to do it since you people don’t seem to give a damn,” Law noted, raising a challenging eyebrow but Straw Hat only stuck his tongue out at him, making Law huff out a small laugh.

“The navy can suck it,” Fire Fist said as he stole a chicken leg right from under Straw Hat’s fingers, earning himself loud protests from his younger brother. A second later, a pipe came to land against the side of Ace’s head. The man clicked his tongue and dropped the chicken back on the pile with a huge pout.

Sabo smiled in approval, then finally reacted to Ace’s words, “Yeah, they don’t seem all too eager to catch us anyway.”

“That’s because gambler old man isn’t a bad guy,” Straw Hat said, nodding seriously to himself as he grabbed the chicken leg that Ace had tried to steal.

As if that made any difference. “He’s still an admiral. They’re going to move sooner or later,” Law sighed, ruffing Straw Hats hair on his way to grab some water.

The other pirate only snickered, letting his head fall so far back that Law’s neck hurt at the sight. “But Torao, it’s not like we can’t beat them.”

 Before Law could say anything, Sabo interrupted him, “You’re not fighting an admiral, Luffy. Not now when you’re still recovering.”

“Exactly, Luffy. I’m the one who’s going to fight him,” Ace agreed in a grave voice.

“Neither of you is fighting the admiral!” Sabo snapped, and Law was glad at least one of these brothers seemed to be remotely sane.

Is what he thought at least, before Luffy whined, “Not fair, you already fought him, Sabo!”

His words were closely followed by Ace rolling his eyes and huffing, “You just want to fight him yourself.”

“What can I say, it’s my job to pick fights with the government,” Sabo said with a grin, shrugging as if what he had said made perfect sense.

Law sighed. How and why did he get involved with these people? “How about no one is fighting the admiral,” he said, voice perfectly flat as he shot them all a glare.

“You’re no fun.” Straw Hat announced, sounding as sulky as Law had ever hear him and looking back at Law with a huge pout on his lips.

Law felt the corner of his mouth twitch upward. How was this idiot so cute? Moving away from the counter, Law took the two steps that separated them and leaned down, briefly pressing his lips to Luffy’s. It was just a quick peck, but only when the soft touch of skin sent jolts down his spine, making his heartbeat speed up like crazy, did Law realize what he had just done. He kissed Luffy.

He kissed Luffy.

They barely even had time to talk about this… thing between them—really only had a minute in the middle of the battle, back on the roof while Luffy’s haki recovered—just enough for some hurried confessions. Luffy was asleep the entire time after and Law wasn’t even entirely sure he felt the same way.

He was honestly starting to panic a little bit.

Taking a deep breath, Law finally stood up straight, moving as if on autopilot to drop into the last available chair at the table. Not like he could do much about it now except try to play it cool, after all. Especially when the silence suddenly hanging over the room was getting unbearable. He hoped his expression wasn’t betraying the battle that was raging in his mind but hell, he couldn’t even look anyone of them in the face. Mostly, he just didn’t want to know what expression Luffy was wearing right then so he only focused on the mug in his hands, taking a long sip of his water just to have an excuse to close his eyes.

He was brought back to reality when he felt something warm touch his cheek and his eyes shot open. It took him a second to realize what just happened. That Luffy had kissed him back. When he turned to look to the side, he came face to face with that bright, wide grin and he didn't bother stopping the small, soft smile that pulled on his own lips right then; the warm feeling in his chest and his stomach, the ghost of Luffy's touch on his lips and cheek… It was too much, too impossible to fight.

Plus, he didn't want to fight it anyway. Luffy reciprocating his feelings made him feel light, made him feel safe, made him happy, and Law was done running away from things that made him happy just because he was too scared to lose them.

He wasn't going to lose this one thing even if it killed him.

Suddenly, the comfortable warmth Law was feeling disappeared, only to be replaced by the unbearable heat coming from the wall of fire in his face. Law jerked back on reflex, nearly falling off of his chair in the process.

“Ace, stop!” came Luffy’s voice from somewhere on the other side of the fiery wall.

Law as well turned to look at him questioningly; the only possible suspect was glaring right back at him, an unspeakable fury written all over his face while his entire right arm was engulfed in flames. Even his hair was on fire.

“You touch my little brother again and I will burn your face off,” Ace growled, making the wall grow even larger to prove his point.

Law rolled his eyes. Talk about an overreaction.

Sabo’s hand landed on Ace’s shoulder a moment later. “Calm down, Ace, or you’re going to burn down the house,” he said, voice sounding soothing.

Law almost thanked him, but when he looked at the revolutionary’s face, there was a cold smile there and that was honestly a lot more terrifying than whatever Ace was show him.

“Just leave it to me, I’ll crush his head like an egg for robbing Luffy of his first kiss,” the man added, his hand already coated in Armament haki.

As if Law was about to stick around for that.

With a sigh, Law coated his own arm in haki and reached through the flames to grab at Straw Hat. “Shambles,” he said lazily and immediately, the two of them found themselves on the roof, the two enraged screams only a muffled echo from down below.

“Your power is always so cool,” Straw Hat breathed as soon as he found his footing after the sudden change of scenery.

“Thanks,” Law replied with a chuckle at the stars that were dancing in Luffy’s eyes. He was seriously too cute. However, his amusement soon died down when he remembered what Sabo had said and he frowned, his gaze turning to quizzical. “Was that really your first kiss?” he asked slowly.

Straw Hat cocked his head to the side, a confused expression finding its way on his face. “Yeah?”

A feeling of dread and shame washed over Law. He really fucked up there, didn’t he? “I’m sorry,” he said, trying to sound as sincere as he could.

“Why?”

Law paused, staring blankly at the honest, bemused frown on Luffy’s face that accompanied the simple question. Did he seriously not understand why Law was apologizing?

“For stealing your first kiss?” he tried, gesturing vaguely between them. “And without asking,” he added, making a face at his own stupidity. Why didn’t he realize what he was about to do until after it happened?

“Why?” Straw Hat asked again, pausing for a second before continuing, “I mean, it’s not a big deal, right? I don’t know why Ace and Sabo reacted like that. And I like you and I liked it so it’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

Law blinked. Luffy wasn’t wrong but it… sounded a little too simple. Looking into Luffy’s eyes, Law couldn’t see any hint of uncertainty or any sign that he didn’t mean every single word he had said and out of nowhere, Law felt like he was the stupid one.

He couldn’t help it. He laughed, suddenly feeling so light and calm. Maybe he really shouldn’t be thinking too hard about things, especially where this idiot was concerned. It wasn’t like he bothered to think anything through, after all.

With a crooked smile still on his face, Law leaned forward, his fingers gently brushing Luffy’s cheek before they buried in his soft hair. He ignored the shouts of his name and death threats coming from the two brothers who were now running all around the house looking for them, only focusing on the grin on Luffy’s face and the warmth of his gaze. “Then I better do it more often,” he whispered only a second before their lips connected once more.

The kiss was slower this time, soft and innocent and making those damn butterflies in Law’s stomach go crazy. He really was so gone for this man. He couldn’t help but remember the time after they had left the auction house on Sabaody two years ago, the one where he met Luffy for the first time. After all was said and done, Shachi had looked at him with this stupid grin on his face and called Law smitten.

Law had just rolled his eyes and told him not to be an idiot but he wondered, if the same conversation happened now, whether he would be able to say anything against the accusation. Hell, maybe Shachi was right even then. Maybe Law was taken in by his brightness, the life he was radiating, and his reckless willingness to fight the entire world for the people he cared about. He couldn’t deny he was drawn to him ever since they first met.

Finally, they pulled away from each other, both out of breath and with smiles on their faces, and Law thought to himself that it might have been unavoidable. Unavoidable for Luffy to save him, both metaphorically and literally, for Law to fall in love, for the two of them being here, kissing on the roof while Luffy’s brothers went through several stages of mental breakdown below them.

And Law would go through everything that had happened in the past week all over again just for this moment.

#one piece #lawlu #trafalgar law #luffy #monkey d. luffy #op law #portgas d. ace #sabo #fire fist ace #revolutionary sabo #asl brothers #post-dressrosa #canonverse #canon divergence #ace is alive #as he should be #fluff #comedy #fluff and humor #overprotective ace #overprotective sabo #best big bros overprotective of their adorable baby bro #getting together #in plain view of said overprotective brothers #not the best idea law's had had #one shot #katie pretends to fic #drabble requests #that are very much not drabbles #first kiss

[nyd-needs-cuddles]

Emperor’s New Clothes

Finders keepers, losers weepers!

When Sanji is wed, the Strawhats are too little, too late.

They come upon bloody bodies stuck on tables and chairs, all looking similar to their beloved Cook sans a large man with the only defining feature of blonde hair. They’re all barely alive, clinging to air for how knows long. Chopper is immediately upon them, panicked but steady, shouting instructions over Pedro and Brook’s direction as Carrot tries not to puke with Nami helping her out.

Luffy stands in front of the altar, quiet but not for long.

“Nami,” he says, without looking away at the place where Sanji had been forcefully thrust upon some random girl. He knows he likes women—loves them, even. But this place is a cage hidden with sweets and food that Luffy would never glance at, and Luffy should know (he nearly lost a brother to a similar, golden cage—). “Where?”

Nami stops from where she’s rubbing circles on the Mink’s back, sees the steel line on Luffy’s—no, her Captain’s shoulders and feels a comforting weight settle on her like a protective blanket, and she understands. She may not have Zoro’s innate understanding, nor Robin’s intelligent observations, or Ussop’s easy camaraderie, but she’s his Navigator. She’s the one who guids his anger and let him loose.

It isn’t raining, and there is no Aqua Laguna to run away from, but a nakama is missing (taken away from their home—) and if she has to set the World Government Flag on fire, she will.

“Follow me,” she answers, and knows it’s true.

(They’d give up their lives for him, but knows it’s harder to come back after turning him away)

—

Sanji is found in a small cottage, asleep and with a girl—his bride, but she looked no older than Shirahoshi—who cries and attempts to kill them with a grin on her face.

Luffy bats her away, then breaks the pistol and knife on her grasp. Face devoid of any joy, he asks, “Are you going to hurt him?”

Speechless, she doesn’t speak. But Luffy’s eyes tell stories when he doesn’t have the patience to, and she tears up as she nods, “For as long as I live.”

Nodding, and deeming her sincere, Luffy walks up to his Cook’s slumbering form and sets his hat on his chest without a word.

Exiting the safe haven amidst a cake-frosted wonderland, Strawhat Luffy leaves for war.

—

Katakuri sees the man in front of him, thin but whipcord strength hidden underneath his fancy clothes, a fedora atop where a strawhat should be.

He sees, then, still only for a moment, but what he has yet to hear staggers him.

“Move, I have no reason to fight you.”

It takes him a few beats before he realizes that Luffy had spoken in the present, and he can’t help the confused, “What?” Even as he already knows his answer, which was more baffling than the first one.

“Pigtails would cry, and she likes Sanji so I won’t make her sad,” was his simple reply. It was dumbfounding. “So move. I don’t wanna fight you.”

“And why should I?” He finds himself asking, and feels the breath knocked out of him when he gets an answer.

“I have business with Big Mom.”

—

Jinbei sets down the red cup, no fear whatsoever, for he knows his Captain will be the Future Pirate King. A mere Emperor should not faze him.

Then he comes, decked in red and black, his signature item gone but Jinbei isn’t worried. Luffy-kun is calm, eerily so, and it reminds him starkly of his desperate run towards his brother.

But this is different. This time, Sanji-kun is somewhere safe with a protector by his side, and Luffy is not alone.

“Oi,” he says, unheeding the others’ murmurs and incredulous stares. “You’re the one who took my Cook, right?” His brows furrow. “And you made Fishman Island your territory. You’re doing a pretty sucky job at it.”

“Oh? Aren’t you that pesky rookie who claimed Fishman Island as your own?” Big Mom sneers, haughty and confident in her powers. Around them, her children stir in unease, but refuse to show weakness. “Come here to prostrate yourself? Hah! As if I’d let you live.”

Then, in a rare occurence of seriousness, Luffy-kun’s face is shadowed as he shoots back, “I should be the one saying that to you.” And then he’s a blur of rage.

Big Mom meets his haki-coated fist with one of her own, the collision an explosion of wills that sends majority of those present flying, and Jinbei watches in awe even as he struggles to stand.

This... is a fight between Conquerors.

He sees one of Big Mom’s children—a little girl, who looked severely displeased—try to hit Luffy-kun woth her weapon, and he sends a stream of caramel towards her. Shifting into his favored stance, Jinbei faces the children of the soon-to-be defeated Emperor and introduces himself, palm up, “I am Jinbei of the Strawhat Pirates, and I shall be your opponent! Let’s not bother them, yes?”

—

They’re still fighting.

Pedro knows what Strawhat is doing is risky, knows that they still need to get to Wano, but Strawhat is still fighting and he’s losing.

“Pedro!” Nami yells, secure with the fact that they’ve gotten a copy of the Red Poneglyph. “We need to go! We’ll just get caught up in the crossfire at this rate!”

“But your captain—“

“Luffy will be fine!” She interrupts, and smiles. It’s not without worry, but filled with faith. Not blind faith of someone who worships gods, but one that has seen happenings people would call miracles when it was merely a kind and brave act of a human soul. “He’s gonna be the nest Pirate King, remember?” She winks, and Pedro...

Pedro remembers watching the Pirate King’s execution, remembers the rain against his fur and his sword slipping out of his paws.

Then he remembers all that they had done—infiltrated Tottoland, stole a copy of a Red Poneglyph, allied with another Worst Generation Rookie, successfully retrieved their crewmate—and lets himself hope that the sun will shine again, and bring about a new dawn.

Perhaps, after this, he’ll see his home bright and happy (truly happy) once this is done.

—

Luffy unlocks Snakeman, but it’s not enough.

He knows he’s not strong yet, knows there’s a reason Torao became his friend before going after Kaido, but Sanji was hurt and his family nearly got killes and Sanji—his kind, sweet Cook with a bleeding heart and kicks as hard as steel—would forever blame himself if he didn’t do anything about it.

Sanji is strong, but not as strong as he is. And Luffy is the Captain, so it’s his turn to help him.

Once more concentrating on his haki, he stores up all the helplessness at Sanji being taken away (yet another failure, what kind of captain is he?), the fury (how dare they steal Sanji’s freedom!?), the sorrow (oh, he’ll be sad. He’’ll cry. Luffy can’t let that happen), the glee (he’s safe he’s here he’s whole he won’t die like Ace—) and glares down at Big Mom, huffing and puffing and the flames on her hair dying. The cloud was taken by Nami, so he won’t have to worry about that. He’s rubber, anyway.

He recalls Katakuri’s resigned admittance, the way he’d said, “I can’t leave my family.”

It sounded like—(“Leave them. If I come back with you, leave them.”)

It doesn’t matter now. He’ll beat up Big Mom, make Crybaby-Hoshi’s home safe, and take back the Mochi-bastard with them to Wano. He’ll like the donuts Sanji’ll make.

Decision made, he jumps and meets Big Mom head-on and, this time, it’ll be the last time.

—

When it happened, nobody knew except those in Tottoland had any idea what was going on (not even those who watched it with their own eyes could dream to describe it).

It starts like a thunderclap, but silent. An abrupt hush all over the world, enveloping everything within, and left all wondering but largely unafraid.

Only one can put it into words, but that was only because he’d lived through it before.

Rayleigh looked up not at the sky, but the sea in the horizon, and mused, “Took you long enough,” as he drank a glass of whiskey.

Roger’s had been more like a roar, a threat and a promise all wrapped in one.

“Let’s turn the world upside-down,” he said. And he did. Oh, how well he did.

But Luffy’s was different. A declaration of war, a simple fact with no room for arguement:

“Mine.”

And Rayleigh can’t help but laugh, for the boy who only wanted freedom and adventure, will be the one who conquered all.

—

He couldn’t believe it. Mama, Mama was—

Dynasty decapitated—

Oven looked at where Mama’s body had flown, sinking into the depths of the sea she loved so. Strawhat Luffy was barely standing, but the sight that he was, that Mama was the one who wasn’t—

“I told you, didn’t I?” He heard, and saw the other Strawhats emerge from where they were hiding on their ship. The busty gingerhead was smiling smugly at a jaw-dropped Pedro, Zeus (coward traitor that he was) cowering behind her shoulder.

—you just might see a ghost tonight.

“Luffy!” The racoon(?) yelled, worry in his features and pale, “You’re injured—heck, you’re worse than any physical dismemberment I’ve seen in my life! And let me tell, you, Doctorine made sure of that!”

“Luffy-san!” The skeleton yohohoho’ed, but the grip he had on his guitar was, well, bone-white. “Come, let us come home! Our nakama is waiting for us!”

Groggily, Strawhat lifts his head up, gaze blurry and almost catatonic. If he moves now, he could—

“Don’t,” Oven gaped at his triplet, and barely has a second to understand what he meant before Strawhta speaks up, voice shaky but with a command that said, Listen.

“You...” he whispers, coarsely. “This place... and Fish...’n Island...”

Oven knew what he was about to say, but nothing prepared for him to be pinned down by a stare heavier than gravity itself,

“They’re mine now.”

Then Katakuri flinches, seeing something with his advanced sight as he chokes out a, What!? And then he realizes Strawhat wasn’t done. Not yet.

Finger pointed solely on his big brother—their Katakuri, Luffy announces, “Him too.”

There’s a stillness, like the whole world was holding in its breath. And then—

“I can’t,” Katakuri answers, and he looks so sad and small that Oven can’t believe he’ve never seen this. Never seen the longing and sheer want that Katakuri’s gaze held as he watched Strawhat fight and breathe like he was God’s Word come to life. “I—“

“I...” he pants, but his eyes are determined—the same determination that brought Mama down with his fists and pure spite. “...are you happy?”

Katakuri doesn’t answer. It was enough.

“Go,” Oven murmurs, and Katakuri looks so shocked that his heart clenched. Had they really been so blind to their brother’s woes? “Join him. Call us sometimes.”

Daifuku claps his shoulder, and Smoothie nods. Amande takes out her cigar, and Annana is too young but smiles supportively nevertheless. Katakuri watches his family wait for him, and feels tears pool his eyes.

Brulee pushes him, only able to move him because he was idle, and she tears up as she says, “Be free, brother.”

You’ve done so much for us, let us return your love.

“It’s not goodbye,” Daifuku says. “It never is.”

Throughout it all, Strawhat is patient, and the rest of his crew don’t move. Though the racoon seemed to be a second away from sprinting on land and dragging Katakuri back himself.

Swallowing, Katakuri approaches Straw—no, his Captain, and kneels. Not in deference, but to meet him eye to eye.

Slowly, he unravels his scarf, and despite the horrified intakes of breaths, all the Charlotte Siblings had eyes on were Luffy.

And he doesn’t disappoint (not like Mama—Big Mom)

“Huh, cool teeth...” he grins, tired but so full of warmth even Oven feels safe looking at it. What more to Katakuri who’s been accepted without a second thought? “Like... Barto’s... you guys should... meet...”

“Of course,” Katakuri says, and it sounds like a vow, like I’ll follow you beyond death.

Oven doesn’t blame him.

“From now henceforth,” Smoothie suddenly breaks the atmosphere. All look, expect for Luffy who is carried by Katakuri as if it was the most natural thing to do in the world. Maybe it was, maybe it is. “The Big Mom Pirates are now underneath the Strawhats’ Flag. Any opposition?”

None, save for Luffy’s dismayed groan of, There is no Strawhat Grand Fleet!

Scattered laughter erupts, and Katakuri looks more relaxed than Oven has ever seen him just by being with Luffy, and feels more glad of his decision.

And so Katakuri carries Luffy back home to their ship, with Jinbei and the Sun Pirates following, and Oven feels content.

—

Sanji can’t face him, doesn’t even dare to look at his—at Luffy, the strawhat a heavy reminder of what he left behind, of what he’d done.

“I can’t be the Pirate King without you!”

“Sanji,” Luffy starts, and Sanji can’t hold back his sobs. How could he, when the floor he’s looking at is the welcome sight of Sunny’s wonderful kitchen, when he’s away from that hellhole (and his blood family was alive, by the gods—), when standing before him was a Messiah that refused to be known as anythinh other than simply Luffy.

But he lifts his head up still, meets unfathomable dark eyes, and as they soften with a knowing look, Sanji—

Sanji breaks.

It’s messy, a loud keen tearing from his abused throat. His wrists are free and he still has his hands, his Captain is kissing them like they’re pure gold itself, and he’s wrapped in an embrace like nothing can touch him and he knows it’s true. Knows that, for him—useless, unwanted failure of Germa 66. Simple East Blue cook with a debt never (could never be) repaid and skirt-chaser. Vinsmoke Sanji. Blackleg Sanji. Strawhat Sanji—Luffy would break heaven and raise unimaginable hell. For anyone he considers as nakama—

For anyone he loves and Sanji can’t—

“I’m sorry,” it’s weak, nothing compared to the feeling of his Captain’s face smashed against his shoe, and he wants to cut his legs off—“I—I wanna go home.” I wanna go home with you.

I wanna go to the sea with you.

I—

“Silly Sanji,” he shishishi’s, and it sounds like forgiveness he doesn’t deserve. Curved crescents and a blinding grin. “You’re already home. We’re in the Sunny, remember?”

Welcome home.

Sanji laughs, hysterical and so full of relief. And then Luffy’s—his Captain, by god—dragging him out to the deck to meet “Mochi-bastard, he loves donuts!”, and it doesn’t matter that Nami had slapped him when she’s hugging him so tearfully like he’d slip through her fingers, doesn’t matter that he lied to Chopper when he’s clinging on his leg with insults spewing out, doesn’t matter that Brook was a skeleton when he shakes and rattles as he holds him close—

Because Sanji... Sanji’s finally home.

I wanna give All Blue to you, my Captain.

—

Torao looks at the way Blackleg-ya had a piece of Mugiwara-ya’s yukata on his hand, like a child that could get lost in a crowd. He looks at the unmistakeable forms of the Former Warlord Jinbei-ya’s “First Son of the Sea”, and Charlotte Katakuri “Dogtooth” having brunch with a three-eyed woman. He looks at Roronoa-ya’s unsurprised and exasperatedly fond look and just. Throws his hands up in the air and walks away.

He’s not paid enough to deal with this shit.

—

Shanks takes one look at the newspaper the News Coo gave him and spits out his drink.

“Capt’n?” Yassop asked, early-riser that he is. “What’s—“ he stops, and Shanks feels his shoulders shake.

There, bold in and huge, were the words printed for the world to know, “Big Mom, Defeated! Strawhat Luffy Is Crowned Emperor of the Seas!” And “Fishman Island and Tottoland, Flies the Strawhats’ Flags!”

Shanks finally guffaws, loud and like his old Captain’s, and he yells to the bastards he called nakama, “See this? Anchor’s an Emperor now! Just like your Captain! DAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“What,” is Benn’s first words in the morning. Yassop is still looking at the newspaper as if it could answer the questions of the universe. “He just brought down Joker, can’t that brat take a rest for us old folk?”

“Nope!” Lucky Roux beams, drumstick at hand. “It’s how we met him, remember?” And Shanks does. He really, truly does. Just like how he ran up on the dock of his West Blue island home and yelled at Roger to take him in.

Feeling for the phantom of a strawhat loved and dear, Shanks faces the sea and hollers, “All hands on deck! Set a course, my fellow bastards!”

“Where to, Captain?” Benn asks, but his grey eyes already know.

Gleefully, he screams an announcement of his own:

I’m taking back the crown! I’m all dressed up and naked!

“Wano! I wanna see Anchor plummet Kaido to the ground!”

I see what’s mine and take it!

“Make way for the King.”

#one shot #one piece one shot #nyd writes #bday gift from me to me #one piece #monkey d. luffy #monkey d luffy #au #whole cake island #whole cake island arc #katakuri and pudding joins the strawhats #good charlotte siblings #except for flamoe #fuck her

[majoraop]

When Koala stepped into the hall, she was taken aback by how much the usually silent headquarters had changed upon the arrival of their new allies.   Baltigo was much livelier now, but she wasn't sure that was a good thing—or just more work for her. Anyway, she didn’t waste time and started searching Sabo; Dragon wanted to ask him about what had really happened at the latest Reverie, but before she could find him among the people reunited there, a girl yelling “Ace-kun!” caught her attention.   “I cried so much when I read in the newspapers…” sobbed the girl while hugging an embarrassed Ace tightly. “What happened to you two years ago was horrible!”   Koala took a few steps towards them but remained far enough to leave them some personal space. The girl with blond hair partially covered by a handkerchief was Moda, and she had joined the Revolutionary Army just recently. She was a good per—   “Don’t they look cute together?”   Koala turned her head briskly to look over her shoulder. She stared at Sabo’s familiar grin and frowned. “It isn’t nice to make fun of your older brother.”   “Oh, but I’m serious.” Sabo’s grin grew larger.   Yeah, sure. Koala sighed. Then, she greeted Luffy with a smile. He had followed Sabo into the hall, and now was staring at Moda and Ace with a curious expression.   When Ace finally noticed them, he scratched the back of his head and explained, “She saved my life when I almost drowned in a river once. It was when I was following Blackbeard’s tracks.”   “So it was after we met in Alabasta!” Luffy exclaimed happily. “Thanks for saving my brother!” He bowed exaggeratedly at the girl.   “It’s nothing!” Moda waved her hands before her. “By the way, you must be Luffy-kun… Your brother talked about you a lot while he was recovering at my place!”   Before Koala could stop him, Sabo gave a whimsical look at Ace and stepped closer to him. Then, he leaned down and whispered in his ear, “It seems you got a nice girl here, Ace-kun!”   “She looks a bit like Makino,” Luffy said absentmindedly, his head slightly reclined and his knuckles on his sides.   Ace, who was still a bit flustered after Moda’s hug, became as red as a tomato.   “Who is Makino?” the girl asked with a hint of jealousy in her voice.   “Oh, she’s just a woman Ace was infatuated with when he was a child," Sabo replied mercilessly. “But don’t worry: she just sees him like a younger brother.”   “Aw, a young love!” Moda sounded relieved.   “I think”—Koala grabbed Sabo from an ear—“you should give your older brother a bit of space.”   “Ouch ouch ouch!” Sabo whined while being dragged away.   Luffy burst out laughing, while Ace looked at Koala and then back at Sabo before saying with a smirk, “It seems you got a nice girl, too.”   “Don’t assume things!!!” Sabo and Koala snapped at him. Then, realising they had reacted the same way, they blushed, crossed their arms, and gave each other their backs.   “What about you, Luffy?” Sabo asked to move the focus away from himself and Koala, who was grateful for that. “Is there anyone you like?”   Luffy thought about it for a moment, his index finger pressed against his forehead. Finally, he said with a smile, “There are many people I like, but maybe you meant liking that way?”   “Yes, I think he meant that way, Mugiwara-ya.” Law had approached them too, followed by a blond man towering above him.   Luffy turned to look at him and then up at the stranger. A moment later, he yelled, “Mingo! No, wait—you must be that Cora-someone Torao always talks about.” He smiled at the man. “Unlike your brother though you're a nice person, right… mh, Corao?”   Koala sighed at Luffy’s choice of nicknames, while Law turned red. He took Luffy’s by the collar of his shirt and hissed, “Shut. Up. His name is ‘Rocinante’ and not that ‘Corao’ nonsense!”   Luffy pouted. “I prefer ‘Corao’ since it goes better with your name.”   “My name is Law!”   Koala understood his exasperation.   “You’re so funny, Luffy-kun.” Rocinante chuckled. “Thanks for taking care of Law when I couldn’t.”   “Shishishi, no problem!” Luffy pondered something for a moment, and then added, “Wait, so Corao is your uncle, Sabo?”   From the expression on his face, Koala could tell that Luffy found the whole situation extremely exciting. Sabo not so much probably, so she eyed him, worried, but she couldn’t read his expression.   “Yes, I’m his uncle…” Rocinante replied a bit hesitantly but still smiling.   Law looked between Rocinante and Luffy with a worried expression.   I feel you, Koala thought. Those two seemed to get along way too well, and that could only mean trouble.   “Enough with presentations,” Sabo spoke up again. “We’re still waiting for your answer, Luffy!”   “Well, I’m not sure yet, but Hancock is nice. She helped me when I tried to save Ace, so she is a good person!” Luffy beamed.   “Wait...” Sabo and Ace murmured, “Do you mean Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress?”   “Yes, her,” Luffy replied nonchalantly. “I think she likes me… that way. Shishishi! But don’t worry”—Luffy’s expression turned comically serious—“I won’t get married anytime soon.”   “THAT’S NOT THE POINT!” yelled everyone in the hall.   The people around them had overheard the last part of their conversation: naturally, bringing up the name of the most beautiful woman in the world and one of the strongest pirates ever crossing the seas had gained everyone’s attention.   “Ahahah! Your friend is so funny!” Rocinante told Law.   “Yeah, really funny.” The surgeon groaned from behind the hand he had brought up to his face.   As funny as Sabo, Koala though, sarcastic. But less whimsical at least. And yet, she was fond of even that side of her partner—even if she would never admit it. We’ve wasted enough time with this nonsense! A smile lingering on her face, Koala grabbed Sabo by the sleeve of his shirt and dragged him to Dragon’s office.

A silly vignette that I had in draft form in one of the files scattered in my WIPs folder. This was actually meant to be a scene for one of my previous longer stories, but I always ended up cutting it so I finally decided to publish it as a stand-alone short story for the Saboala Day organized by @skrbtomato on Twitter.  ^^ It features various characters and implied pairings—including SaboKoa of course—and it’s based on some of my theories/headcanons so you may consider it a canon divergence/alternate timeline of sort.

#saboala #sabokoa #opfanfic #opfanfiction #onepiece #one piece #koala #sabo #ace #portgas d ace #moda #luffy #monkey d luffy #trafalgar law #trafalgar d water law #rocinante #rosinante #donquixote rocinante #donquixote rosinante #majoraop #(Any kind of feedback for the story and the writing and suggestions for a title would be really appreciated! ^^ )

[side-lizabeth]

ONE PIECE DRESSROSA-ZOU ARCS IMPRESSIONS

This part is the spoiler-free part of my impressions.

I don’t know what I was expecting from Dressrosa but it didn’t left me wanting for more... outside the animation part, probably. But I mean when you get spoiled on how OP’s being animated rn, no sh*t. Although I really did enjoy the new characters. Cavendish is accidentally becoming one of my favourite characters and this is because of the anime of Gintama... But that’s because I’m finding more and more seiyuus in One Piece that just so happened to be voicing recurrent characters (or straight up main characters) in Gintama, so I shouldn’t be suprised.

And then there’s Zou and I’d lie if I’d say I should have had expected an island with furries, and yet I didn’t. ...and once again the “holy sh*t I wasn’t expecting these seiyuus being in One Piece too” striked back. But at this point I don’t know if it’s really because of Gintama or just because I’m starting to go back to my old teen hobbies like when I was a hardcore Seiyuu fan, and recognizing a lot of seiyuus is giving me a huge bust of serotonin. (?)

Above all, I liked Dressrosa more than Zou, even if Dressrosa has... it’s own issues.

If you want to go straight up to the spoiler section, click down here:

Let’s start with Dressrosa:

I thought to just continue this lil update, where I started the non spoiler section by saying that I won’t feel any shame or make an apology for reblogging non stop posts of Roronoa Zoro, I’m still on that Idea, fight me if you want(maybe no); but I decided to explain more about my first impressions, and then maybe elaborate extra stuff from those bullet point-lighning round from that post.

Overall, I had fun. I geniuently enjoyed Doffy as a villain, and his motivations where pretty interesting too. NGL, this arc is basically new world Alabasta” and it pretty much shows... But the thing is that this time it was a little bit more interesting because of Doffy.

Doffy being the combo of Warlord and Celestial Dragon may sound like that moment of the Simpsons of “it’s just the same doll but with a new hat” in comparison to Alabasta, but even if I also enjoyed Crocodile as a villain in there, at least Doffy had a more interesting backstory and motivations to explore... while Crocodile was just an excuse to show off Nico Robin in all her glory. That’s it. I said it. (and probably made a fwend sad). Please, Crocodile, sir, next time you come back please do show us the secret Ivankov and you only know and then we talk.

Overall, I just had the time of my life hating Doffy, that’s it. I’m not going to try to explain anything else. I’m a basic b*tch whose favourite villains are the ones who are just so evil I just have the time of my life hating on. Like Tsurumi from Golden Kamuy, another despicable motherf*cker, for instance.

And now that I’m talking about Doffy... I KNOW UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE LIKE CORA-SAN AND I ALSO JOIN THE GANG. BEST FATHER EVER AND HE BARELY WAS ONE FOR 6 MONTHS. BUT GAVE BABY TORAO ENOUGH LOVE TO PREVENT HIM FROM BECOMING LIKE HIS BROTHER. KUDOS TO HIM.

...Btw, I just need to break this impressions one moment to openly say that, as a Spaniard, I feel weird now saying Doffy’s entire name. For a reason. And Cora-san’s too. Now I understand english speakers(americans to be more precisely) when they watch Bungou Stray Dogs and some characters from there just happened to be named after famous english literature writers... (the first comparison I just thought about, don’t attack me plz)

Also, kudos to the voice actors because they did an amazing job and I had even more fun, like for instance Koyama Rikiya. I absolutely loved Kyros thanks mainly to him... Although I wish I could entirely say the same about Rebecca and Baby 5 because they barelly had any screentime or, at least personally speaking, didn’t to bring something interesting tothe table... Well, maybe I can excuse Baby 5 because of the ending of Punk Hazard, but with Rebecca definetly not. FFS her seiyuu is the Queen Hayashibara Megumi, I was expecting more from Rebecca (although maybe the blame is really in me for expecting that much) than what we got. But don’t get me wrong, I did like her but.. I wanted just a little bit more of her.

Another thing I enjoyed a lot was the introduction of Fujitora. I knew he was popular for a reason, but I wasn’t expecting it to be... because of this. I was expecting him to be popular only because he was a blind old man who could fight harder than the dudebro’s gary stu fanfic-like idea they have of Zoro, but he’s definetly not that. Fujitora is a really interesting man who geniuently thinks about people’s safety (can’t say the same about Sakazuki and Borsalino, lol), and I respect that.

*LAST MOMENT EDIT BECAUSE I FORGOT ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT THING* THE REUNION OF LUFFY AND SABO MADE ME CRY TOO. I DON’T KNOW, I’M CRYING TOO MUCH OVER ONE PIECE

Now I’m just going through some bullet points from the update post:

First bullet point I’m actually elaborating: The Colloseum part was hella boring.

I just couldn’t stand it. I barely gave any sh*t about the characters and there’s also times where I’m just thinking that the Colloseum part could had been handled differently, with more interesting characters but well, that’s my opinion. I mean the only tournament arcs that I genuenly enjoyed were the Galaxy Wars from Saint Seiya (the OG one from the 80′s if somebody’s wondering), and maybe the Heaven’s Arena arc from HxH, so even if I was interested on seeing the OP take on it.. It kinda went sour for me at the beggining of this tournament, honestly. The fight versus Diamante was probably one of the very few interesting things happening inside the tournament.

And don’t get me wrong, interesting things do happen inside, like the encounter of Luffy and Rebecca, the fate of the losers from the colloseum, etc. But the tournament arc itself... not the best thing, pretty boring tbh.

The second bullet point I’m actually elaborating, but this time I’m literally copy-pasting the bullet point... for a reason: I STARTED TO SWEAT IN F*CKING FEAR WHEN NAMI’S GROUP ENCOUNTERED BIG MAM’S SHIP, AND EVEN MORE WHEN SANJI SAID “I’M GETTING INTO THAT SHIP”. NO. PLEASE. DON’T. I’M NOT READY FOR WHOLE CAKE ISLAND YET.

Look, by the time I’m writing this I’m already in Whole Cake and let me just tell you one thing; I’m still not ready for this arc. I know it’s very important, specially for Sanji’s development as a character and it’s like a re-introduction of him, but I’d lie if I’d said that I “do feel sensitive” around the themes explored in this arc, and it’s personally tought to go throught it but... Since it’s just too long and too personal to share the entire reason on a public post, I’m just leaving it as the following: “I’m not ready to tackle those themes, but I feel like I need to tackle them if I want to be the best version of myself”. That’s all.

The third and last bullet point I’m actually elaborating, LET ME TELL YOU HOW GINTAMA F*CKED ME UP ENTIRELY

For the sake of being short, I’m a crazy Gintama fan. I’m almost like an encyclopedia of shorts for all(?) Gintama content. I’ve been like this since I was 14-15 y/o (when I’m writing this I’m currently 25), so of course, if there’s something that remotely resembles something from Gintama (mainly gintama jokes or references when it happens), I’ll react to it instantly (but in a healthy way, not like an obnoxious annoying elitist lil sh*t of a fan), and sadly, part of this curse I ended up with included reconizing every single seiyuu that appeared in Gintama (or at least the ones who voiced important/popular characters) in other anime. And of course, seiyuus from Gintama did already appear before Dressrosa; like kid Ace’s seiyuu Sakaguchi Daisuke (voice of Shinpachi), or... Akainu’s seiyuu Tachiki Fumihiko (voice of Hasegawa “Madao” Taizou)... But then there’s Dressrosa and... It just went all over the board (pun not intended... does it even count as one tho?).

And don’t get me wrong, this did also happened to me on reverse with One Piece Seiyuus, but.... coming back to “Gintama f*cked me up”, it hitted differently, because it almost looked like they were casted to play certain characters based on the characters they played in Gintama and... NGL, it made everything even more hilarious. Like the fact that Kugimiya Rie voices a bad mouthed “child” in One Piece(Sugar)... just like she does in Gintama(Kagura). And I know technically speaking Sugar “is an adult” BUT, if we follow the logic of her Hobby Hobby fruit, she’s doomed to be an eternal child for the rest of her life, as in “no more development like a normal adult human would”. I’m just saying what the canon says, don’t mind me.

...Or Cavendish. I can confirm you that Cavendish is pretty much Gintama’s Katsura Kotarou’s madness as an OP character. And now he’s one of my favourite background characters in One Piece... Mainly because of that. And yes, they do in fact share the seiyuu Ishida Akira. (Also, is it just me or is he inspired by Lady Oscar from The Rose of Versailles???)

...So yeah, TLDR: too much gintama made me shout “oh shit, gintama’s taking over one piece”

Now with the Zou impressions

I liked the idea of Zou being an “island”, that’s not an Island but a millennia old elephant, walking around and hard to track down. Brilliant. Also, I’m pretty sure it’s inspired by something mythological but I still can’t point out which one.

...also I wasn’t expecting Pedro to be voiced by Miki Shin’Ichiro, in the same way I wasn’t expecting Orikasa Fumiko as Wanda... although she already voiced someone previously in One Piece so...

Even if it was a short arc, it gave a lot of valuable information like the origin of the poneglyphs and the link between the Mink tribe and the Kozuki clan from Wano but...

What I wasn’t expecting was how we got introduced to the Whole Cake arc. I came to this arc, thinking the Whole Cake thing won’t be that mentioned and... I ended up crying because of the sacrifice Sanji was willing to partake in... I feel bad for that guy... And since by the time of writing this I’m already in Whole Cake... Without spoilers I’ll say: yeah, no sh*t I was feeling bad for him” (also because I got almost entirely spoiled over all Whole Cake arc).

...but look, ngl, I didn’t like very much the ending of this arc. Probably what happened to Momonosuke and the Millennia old elephant may be more interesting and better explained in the near future but... I was more confused than anything, and I’m hopping it to be better explained in the future. I’ll just leave it as such.

Over all, if I had to choose, I’d say that Dressrosa was more entertaining than Zou... Although Zou did deliver bigger stuff when it comes to plot development, while Dressrosa was more focused on the next step to overthrow a Yonkou than anything, I felt like I had more ”fun” watching Dressrosa... Probably because I also want to get to Wano already.

.

.

.

Now I’m in Whole Cake arc, I’m more or less by the beggining of the arc and oh boy... This arc is going to be harder than expected and the only thing ready I have are the pocket tissues by my side because I already know I’m going to cry the hell out of this arc. And of course, have my soul utterly destroyed by the Reintroduction of Sanji and his past.

I hope he has a break after this because wow... He needs too many hugs to count. Probably more than Luffy in Marineford.

#personal mumbling #one piece spoilers #dressrosa arc #zou arc #the zoro joke from the spoiler sectiong was brought to you by a zoro enjoyer who hates straight zoro 'fans' *cofcof*dudebros*cofcof* #i know i said i may analize the spanish influence from dressrosa but it looks more like a cross between italy and barcelona tbf #i still can't believe i still can recognize so many seiyuus after all this time #I FORGOT TO MENTION CARROT IS HELLA CUTE AND I LOVE HER ALREADY #ALSO ALSO ALSO SPOILER BUT SABO AND KOALA ARE VERY CUTE

[flamingo-writes]

Hi! May I request a law one shot please?? Reader is luffy's sister (like Ace and Sabo) and is alot like Luffy, law finds her just as wild as the straw hat crew and in a way cute and that's what makes him both worried and confused. Time passes he falls more and more for her and gets nervous about it so he goes to Robin and nami for advice and they turn into some entertainment, ending with a cute ending with reader saying she like likes him too, leaving him shocked and with a kiss ( ꈍᴗꈍ) Thank u!

A/N: jffcsfjcns this was too cute. Although, playing the whole Law asking for advice was a bit hard, I managed to keep it in character XD I hope you like it!! 

Wordcount: 1.4 K

Warnings: cursing

In Need of Advice — Law x Reader

“Robin-ya” Law approached Robin, as she looked up from her book. 

A smile soon spread on her face, amused by Law’s blushing face. 

“How can I help you, Torao-kun?” Robin said setting her book aside and looking attentively at Law who was avoiding all sort of eye contact. 

“Can I talk to you somewhere…” He said looking at you from the corner of his eye, noticing how you were playing with Ussop and your brother Luffy, laughing loudly. “...privately... And away from everyone else?” He said clearing his throat. 

“Oh my, if I didn’t know you any better, I’d say you want to confess your love to me, but that’s not the case is it?” 

“Not really…” Law’s face became even redder with embarrassment, since Robin seemed to read him as easily as reading her book.

“I mean, it’s not me the one you want to confess, isn’t it?” Law’s face got blank with fear, his eyes reading BUSTED in big bright letters, making Robin laugh gently. “Come with me, Torao-kun"

At the beginning, Law was not sure where Robin was taking him. But as he stepped closer and closer towards you, his heart beat faster and stronger. 

The two of you exchanged glances, and when you did, you smiled kindly at him. His heart stopped right there for a brief second. 

How frustrating was for him to deal with his feelings for you. You were...Strawhat's sister, just as wild and reckless and loud. Your smile was just too wide and charming and stupid and kind it made him m sick. 

And the fact that you were constantly talking to him only made it worse. Unlike Strawhat, you weren't annoying him every time you talked to him. You were just like your brother but with a volume turned slightly down, with the plus that you were more civilized than him.  As you genuinely tried to get to know him better. You were probably the only crew member, other than Luffy, who tried to befriend him. And he appreciated it even if he wouldn't admit it. Not even to himself 

"Hey, Law!" You said as he walked past you. "Wanna hang out later by the trees?" You said, your gentle eyes looking deep into his grey eyes, intimidated him in a way only you could do. 

Law nodded as he followed Robin to the girl's room, where Nami was inside, lying on her bed, trying to nap. 

"I remember telling you I wanted to talk privately.." Law hissed as Nami looked away from her book, ready to complain why was he there.

"If you want to get to [Name]-san's heart, it's best for you to hear what we both have to say...after all, we are her roommates" Robin answered. 

"Oh, so this is what it is about" Nami giggled. "So you do like [Name], don't cha'? I had my suspicions…" 

"I thought I wasn't obvious" Law muttered bitterly.

"Not that much actually” Nami began “But how you usually teamed up with her while we were at Punk Hazard was what made me suspect things…" Nami continued. "You knew each other before then, didn't you?" 

"We fought side by side briefly at Marineford. She also stayed with my crew while we had Luffy hospitalized" 

"So you know her" Robin said, an affirmation more than a question. 

"Not that well…" Law said in a low voice, feeling slightly more at ease, knowing he was alone in the room with Robin and Nami. 

"And have you liked her since or that just started now?" Nami asked, sitting on her bed and staring into Law

"Is it necessary for you to be asking this many questions?" It was his nature to respond sarcastically whenever he was feeling cornered.

"Oi, don't get cocky on me, you daft boy" Nami growled. "We can either help you or we can completely turn [Name] against you like this" she said snapping her fingers threateningly. "So, your pick. Are you still going to be a little prick?" 

"Yeah, I don't need this. I should not have come for help…" Law hissed, turning around and leaving the room. 

For a brief second he felt dumb, thinking asking for their help would work, but the idea of being at their mercy made him feel powerless and embarassed.

"Jerk…" Nami growled after Law stormed out of the room, thinking there was no way in hell his terrible mood would ever be noticed by someone as kind as you. 

"[Name] knows…" Robin whispered containing a giggle as Nami looked at her, raising an eyebrow. 

"How do you know?" The redhead asked. 

"She heard our conversation" Robin answered with a playful smile on her face. “I suppose she was going to come inside and instead decided to overhear our conversation. I saw her peeking from the door. 

"Oi! Law-kun!" You said, pretending you didn't just ran from outside the room towards the main mast. 

After Law locked eyes with you, you ran off up stairs and towards the small garden at the back of the Sunny. The kind of smile you gave him, and how you ran, constantly turning back to see of Law was following, felt like an invitation to Law. 

He followed you with long quick steps and finally made it to the green area where you were sitting between Nami's tangerine trees, and the small garden Ussop and Chopper used to grow all sorts of plants. 

"Look!" You said excitedly, patting the free space next to you. "This is my favourite one!" 

Law followed sitting next to you and looked at the flower your hands were gently caressing. A bright red and yellow flower which kinda gave the appearance of being a dragon's head.

"This one is called Dragon's breath. Ussop told me it can easily catch fire and explode. He uses it for his slingshot.  I really like the way it looks. At night it smells...similar to the smell matches smell like after you lit them" 

"It is pretty…" Law said not really paying attention to the flower, but instead he was looking at you, as he thought, he feared that Nami might turn you against him soon. 

"Law-kun" you said, your eyes still glued to the flower. "Thank you for saving Luffy. I'll always be grateful to you, no matter what happens" 

"You already thanked me at least a few hundred times" Law chuckled, genuinely amused by how you always thanked him

"Have I?" You giggled playfully "Not enough, though" you turned around looking at Law "You know, at first I thought you were slightly intimidating and a bit terrifying. But after spending some time with you and your crew, I came to realize that you are a pretty cool guy" Your eyes were locked with hos, as you savoured the gentle grey tone washing his eyes. "You're smart, you're strong, the fact that you don't like bread is so freaking weird, but it's quirky. You are quirky. And I like it" 

It was weird for him that you were talking about this with him. Suddenly remembering when you met, and how you'd always be grateful, how you were praising him, right now. 

"[Name]-ya, did…” He purred, looking at you in the eye as your orbs reflected the sunset “Did you listen to my conversation with…" as he put two and two together, his voice faded out, leaving the question in the air as you looked away and back to your flower. 

"I may or may not have listened…" you answered, Law speechless as he tried to catch his breath. "I also may or may not like you back…" you added, a soft blush shading your cheeks, taking the same tones the sunset had. 

"[Name]-ya…" 

"Law, if I…" You stopped abruptly, taking a deep breath and gathering the strength to turn around and look at Law "if I were to kiss you right now, what would you do?"

"You want to kiss me?" Law chuckled, both flattered and feeling shy. 

"Can I?" The way your eyes were looking at him so curiously only added to his fluttering gut, Fuck, why do you have to be so fucking cute, [Name]-ya he thought. 

Law chuckled, feeling his own cheeks turn red despite his tan skin. He leaned closer, first bumping his forehead next to yours and brushing the tip of your  nose with his.  He whispered your  name one last time in a gentle chuckle before closing the space between you and pressing his lips against yours. 

At once, you cupped his face in your hands, as you awkwardly kissed him back  trying to figure out his rhythm, you tried to move your lips along with his. The kiss was gentle and sweet, and after a second it stopped feeling awkward. Law purred into your lips, a gentle moan, giving away the satisfaction this whole situation was bringing him, as he lost himself in that kiss. 

#one piece #One Piece Fanfiction #one piece law #one piece imagines #one piece imagine #trafalgar law #trafalgar one piece #trafalgar d law #trafalgar law x reader #trafalgar law imagine #law x reader

[proudsmiles]

As the sea is free

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Luffy didn’t eat the Gomu Gomu no mi. Instead, he ate another fruit, one that would trigger a lot of events that no one expected such as a certain mad doctor joining his crew.

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Prologue.

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Trafalgar Law, a secret Child of D, stared unimpressed at the boy in front of him. Craning his head, he looked at the bulky man behind him.

“This is Law,” Monkey D. Garp presented him patting the teenager in the back, Law stumbles a few steps. “He’s going to be your big brother.”

The big woman (she looked more like a man) had tears running down her cheeks when she looked at Garp. “ Please spare us, Garp. We already got rid-er-I mean we just said goodbye to Ace last year! You can’t expect us to-“

How did Law end here in the Easy Blue of all the places? Ah yes! The old man insisted that staying in the North Blue was too dangerous, Law kept telling him that he was going to be okay but then one of the bastard’s crew held him captive, cuffed him in sea stone. Law managed to fool them in the end but the old man’s patience snapped and ordered Garp to send him to the East Blue.

Law would let them bicker now but soon enough he would flee this place. He, by no means, would stay here.

His eyes swept to the black-haired boy who was picking his nose with his pinky. Law grimaced at the gesture, was he going to stay with this brat?

“Anyway,” Garp brushed them off. “You and Law are going to be good brothers and thus I want you to train really hard to be a good marines.”

Law snorted at his words. As if he would join the fucking Marines he would rather split his throat in half.

His grandson didn’t say anything, only grinned widely, his hand no longer picking up his nostrils. The whelp was only watching and there was amusement in his eyes as if he was laughing at a joke he only knew.

Garp must have sensed it because he stomped towards his grandson, his mouth wide open ready to throw a fit.

Suddenly, Law froze his cool demeanour shattered in a matter of seconds because this cannot be.

It was impossible, it was wrong.

Wide-eyed, he watched as the two brawled. No sound was coming from them, not a shout, or curse or even their ragged breath or the fist that cracked down the boy’s skull. The only one who could do that was Cora-san.

He remembered his silly grin, his clumsiness, his last words.

Her must have zoned out because the next words Luffy said made him snap his attention towards him. “...I ate the Nagi Nagi no mi, so whatever you say, Gramps, I’m not going to listen ‘cause I’m going to be the King of Pirates.”

The Nagi Nagi no mi.

.

“I ate the Nagi Nagi no mi.” Cora-san boasted proudly, puffing smoke.

Law stared at him blankly. “That is the lamest fruit, I’ve ever heard of.”

He watched with mild surprise as a top executive crumbled, sulking in the ground.

.

“Fist of Love!”

Trafalgar Law was going to stay here for a long time.

Damn it!

.

.

.

“The weather was so nice. Who would've thought such a disaster would happen?”

“Don’t state it so cheerfully!”

“But it isn’t my fault, Torao.”

“It’s Trafalgar Law.”

Luffy was going to be the end of him, Law was sure of that. The idiot was grinning like it was something to be proud of, he gripped his nodachi tightly telling himself that it wasn’t worth it, that if he cut the boat in half he would drown too. How did he end joining Luffy in his craziness? No matter. What had compelled him to trust him to look after the ship?

Law looked at the big whirlpool before them. This must be some sort of record, not even thirty minutes and the problems were surrounding them but somehow, unnaturally though, things always worked to their favour. Law knew it, having experienced it before and Luffy was just too lucky to die here.

“What a big whirlpool,” Luffy commented in awe. “Why don’t you summon your powers and chomp it or something.”

“It doesn’t work like that, you moron!” Law snapped his patience running short. Only Luffy could reduce him to this. Only him.

The boat was swaying dangerously, water splashing both sides. The two of them gripped the edge of the boat, it would be their end if the sea water touched them. They were both hammers. His eyes moved on to the barrel and Law pursed his lips, this was their last resort and the only way to survive this.

Reaching for the barrel, he yanked the lid off, thanks to Luffy’s bottomless stomach, there were left a handful of apples, without much thought he threw them over the water.

“What are you doing Law?” Luffy cried indignantly his eyes glued to the apples that were floating around them.

Law looked over his shoulder. “Don’t talk too much and get in the barrel.” He pointed at the object of their salvation.

Luffy pouted but didn’t argue as he hopped on it, Law followed closely behind. Cursing silently, Law drew his long legs together, his nodachi poking his hip uncomfortably and Luffy wasn’t helping when he glued himself to him, his legs kicking in.

“Luffy-ya.”

“Hmmm?”

“I’m going to kill you once this is over.”

“Shishishishi.” Luffy laughed joyously. “A First Mate can’t kill his captain, Torao.”

Closing his eyes, he let the nickname slip by. Law regretted telling the boy his full name, he didn’t seem to get it right no matter how much he repeated his name and spelt it. Law hoped that their next crew mate was sane enough to balance the craziness of his (wrong) chosen captain.

“Hey Torao,” Luffy called his eyes dropping. “ Where do you think we’ll land?”

“Knowing you? In the middle of the chaos.” He wasn’t kidding for the last two years he knew Luffy, trouble seemed to be fond of him. Like when he went to catch a bear but ended up in his stomach, Law for to dissect it to get the boy. For someone who had was a silent-man Luffy caused to much noise.

Like him.

The barrel spun and spun. Law was surprised that the barrel didn’t exploit. Not long before, the water calmed down, swaying aimlessly in the calm seas. This was such a bad idea.

.

The barrel jerked to a halt, Law snapped his eyes open and raised his head, ignoring Luffy’s elbow in his ribs. For such a scrawny kid, he was really strong.

Law heard someone talking and then they rolling, he grunted when Luffy’s head leaned on his shoulder. It was beyond Law how could Luffy sleep in this moments. Using the back of his hand, he pushed him away from him, the straw-hat boy mumbled something about meat and being hungry.

He needed to get them out of here or else they would end suffocating. Lifting his feet, he pushed the lid that landed with a thud, grabbed Luffy by the vest he hurled him not caring where he landed. Law lifted himself up, his nodachi in hand. Stepping out of the barrel, he kicked it away. This was the worst way to set sail, Law was sure that this only happened to them.

“What a great nap!” Luffy exclaimed stretching his arms. “No one can get a silent nap as me.”

That explained why he didn’t wake up at all the sway and noises.

“Don’t use your powers to such a trivial things,” Law said rubbing his forehead.

Luffy pouted petulantly. “You always ruin the fun, Torao.” He whined dusting off his denim shorts.

For his sake Law ignored him and studied his surrounding, he caught the soft sway of the ship. An enemy ship probably. His grey orbs landed on three men who was gazing at them with bafflement. They didn’t look strong.

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!” The three of them raged in sync, their surprise turning into anger.

“None of your concerns,” Law muttered coldly.

A hand grabbed his arm and soon he was being dragged by an overexcited Luffy. “Let’s go, Torao. I want to find food.” He cheered looking around him with childish excitement. Luffy wanted food and he didn’t want to fight in hunger.

“Wait, wait” a fearful voice called out. “I cannot let you go there. Alvida will kill you if she sees you. You should go away from here.”

The two stopped in their strides and looked over their shoulders. There was a pink-haired boy, he was very skinny causing the clothes to hang from his frame. He wore spectacles that took most of his face but they spotted the large bruise on his cheek. From his hunched shoulders and the avoiding eye contact, Law was sure that the kid had zero self-confidence.

“Hey, you! Show us where the food is.” Luffy ignored his words and spiked to the only thing that mattered to him. The food and his stomach.

“Where are we anyway?” Law asked yanking off his arm from the clutches of his Captain. It wouldn’t do them any good to not know where the heck they were.

The pink-haired boy looked uncomfortable at the question. Nevertheless, he answered. “You’re on ‘Iron Mace’ Alvida’s ship and I’m the cabin boy of the ship, Coby.”

“Never heard of her,” Law commented uninterested.

“It doesn’t matter.” Luffy interrupted them impatiently. “I want food, show us where the food is.”

Coby looked between the two new intruders, they didn’t look frightened at the name of Alvida. The tallest one had only shrugged his shoulders off looking around with total uninterested and the short one was rocking on his heel demanding food.

He watched in horror as they started walking across the deck, the straw-hat boy chattering his ear off and the other with the spotted fluffy hat listened with boredom. Did they not have any sense of self-preservation?

Silently, Coby followed closely behind. After trying a couple of room they found the storage room. Luffy jumped tearing the lids open and inhaling anything he saw, his hands were only blurs as hoped from one barrel to another. It was a tattooed hand with the word of ‘DEATH’ impaled on the fingers that halted the straw-hatted boy from eating all the pantry.

“Don’t eat everything because we’ll take some barrels with us,” Law grumbled. “If you want to survive the sea, we should take this food with us. I don’t want to die from starvation.”

Luffy pouted and retired his hand after thinking about. Law was smart and he trusted his every word, so he knew that the older man was speaking the truth. He crossed his arms over his chest, he wasn’t full yet because fruits weren’t enough and the meat here wasn’t cooked so he should wait.

“A-ano what are your names?” Coby stammered looking at the mismatching duo.

“I’m Monkey D. Luffy and I’m the man who is going to become the Pirate King.” Luffy presented himself grinning widely, so full of confidence.

“Trafalgar Law, First Mate of the idiot and make sure that he doesn’t die on his journey.” The grey-eyed man smirked, a lift of the lips nothing compared to the stretched grin of his companion.

“Do you know what the title of the Pirate King means?” Coby shrieked.

The two of them nodded nonchalantly.

“Impossible! Impossible! Impossible! There is no way the way the two of you can’t stand at the top of this Great Pirate Era! Everyone pirate across the world is after the same thing. You're talking about fame, wealth and power! All ruthless pirates are after the One Piece. The two of you...”

His words were cut off when a fist slammed on his head, sending him to his knees. “Why did you hit me?” Coby screamed clutching his head.

“You were being hysterical.” Law blurted out, his icy eyes landing on the boy.

“Torao is right,” Luffy weighed in. “Besides it isn’t about being able to do it or not. It’s a matter of conviction and putting your life on the line if it means achieving my dream.” He took the hat off his head and gazed at him fondly. Memories of pirates, adventures and bright red hair assaulted his mind.

Coby turned his eyes to the other guy. “And you, Law-san?”

“Same like Luffy-ya.” Law nodded towards the straw-hatted boy. “I already experienced the verge of death so I’m not afraid of it.” It wasn’t a lie, Law had waited for the day when his soul would depart but then he was saved from the darkness he surrounded himself into and was giving another chance. Law wouldn’t waste it, he was free now.

Touched by their confidence and their fearlessness (or was it recklessness?) Coby decided to try. “Do you think I could join the Navy?” He whispered quietly.

Law looked at him with open disappointment. He didn’t like a lot of marines, they were few he respected.

“How should I know?” Luffy laughed. “Why are you asking us?”

“I’ll do it!” Coby exclaimed with newfound determination. “I’m not going to be a chore boy for the rest of my life! I’ll get out of here and catch even Alvida-sama. No! Just Alvida.”

“Who are you going to catch, Coby?!”

Law and Luffy dodged out of the way when an iron mace came crashing down, snatching Coby with them. A large woman was revealed, she was bigger than Dadan (and that’s was saying something), she had freckles dotted on her cheeks, a cowboy hat resting on her head and a pistol tucked in her hip.

She sneered at the pink-haired boy who scrambled back shitless. Her eyes then laid on the other two. “Neither of you can be the Pirate Hunter Zoro.”

At the name, Law raised a delicate eyebrow. After spending so much time in the East Blue he heard about the supposed notorious Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro. Was he really that strong or they just labelled him in the East Blue’s strength standards?

“Coby,” Alvida seethed, bringing the attention back to her. “Who is the most beautiful woman in all the seas?!”

Coby stuttered incoherency in the background.

“Certainly not you.” Law interrupted sharply, his nodachi leaning on his shoulder.

“Coby, who is this chunk lady?”

Law snorted at the bluntness of Luffy, he was as oblivious as ever. Not that he could blame him, Law didn’t know a thing about beauty, nor he wanted to.

Veins popped at the back of her head as Alvida glared at the duo, she gritted her teeth before swinging up her large mace. “YOU LITTLE BRATS!”

Leaping out of the way, Luffy and Law charged at Alvida’s henchmen. Law spread his hand wind open and with a quiet ‘Room’ a blue sphere appeared covering all of the pirates who looked around baffled at the odd orb. Calmly Law drew his nodachi and cut through the air several times. They were all split in limb, heads, legs and torsos.

“Shambles.” He whispered moving his hands around, controlling the body parts. Arms were switched my legs, a head was rolling in the deck, torsos were top of chest...It was really bizarre.

His room disappeared and he turned his head just to see Luffy’s fist sinking into Alvida’s stomach sending her back, crashing on the ships’ mast.

“Hey, you!” Law shouted at the crew members who were still standing. They began to sweat profusely when an evil smirk spread on his face. “Give us a boat and food for our journey. Now!”

They ran off to go find a boat for them.

.

With a new lifeboat and barrels full of food, the two pirates and the aspiring marine were sailing peacefully, far away from the marines' ship and pirates. Law had his arms propelled on each said of the boat, his back resting on the railing and his legs stretched. Luffy was stuffing his mouth with oranges and Coby was looking at the horizon watching the course of the ship.

Coby’s eyes trailed to his companions. What are they? I had moved in fear for so long with Alvida and the two of them didn’t even drop a sweat when they fought her.

It was frightening how much power they held.

“If you’re after the One Piece, then you’re going to the Grand Line. That place is called the Pirate Graveyard.” Coby spoke up gazing at them.

Steely grey eyes glanced at him. Coby squirmed at the foreboding eyes, there was something around the older male that made him uncomfortable.

“Only for the weak.” Law didn’t understand why the people in the East Blue had so much fear regarding the Grand Line. The North Blue was so different from here. Sure it was dangerous but it wasn’t impossible to cross that sea.

“Yup, that’s why I need to gather to gather a strong crew.” Luffy intoned sucking on his fingers. “They mentioned earlier a Zoro earlier. Is he really strong?”

#One Piece #Monkeydluffy #Luffy #grand line #roronoa zoro #trafalgar one piece #trafalgar d water law #Straw hat pirates #Cora-san #Nami #Usopp #unfinished fix #sorry for the grammar #romance dawn #nico robin #Asl #Ace #Sabo #bromance #nakama #nakamaship #marines #pirates

[alkhale]

Locked Here for Forever (1/6) Dark!Sabo/Oc/Dark!Ace

(quick note before y’all come at me with torches)

This was a side project I’ve been playing around with while working on updates (THE UPDATES ARE COMING I SWEAR, I SWEAR) I was kinda... possessed? to write this and when it kept coming back to me, I realized I needed to get it out of my system. Doing that made me realize how big it was going to end up being so it’s divided up into parts. 

I’ve been wanting to explore a different variety of things. We can say “darker” themes, but I really just wanted to try my hand at playing with characters with honestly manipulative and sociopathic behavior. I’m not going on a limb to say yandere because that term is loose and often made to be thought of with stabby-stabby, stalky-stalky--but I think it can encompass a lot more? Possessive behavior, controlling, but I wanted to really go into manipulative behavior. Sociopathic because it’s not psychotic, it’s functioning and cold and hmm.

(Btw, to each their own, fantasies, kinks, we don’t shame here. But if anyone is ever putting you through what Hoku is going to be put through here and manipulating you into basically mind controlling you and this and that, it is not a healthy relationship and they are scum and you deserve better, drop their ass like a hot fucking potato.)

I decided to use Hoku because this idea originally came from another AU for Memos. (I’m sorry Hoku) Loosely based on the premise from the BL comic, “Points of Three”

It’s here on AO3, if you just want to read there too.

Rating: NSFW

Pairing: Sabo/Oc/Ace (Past! Kid/Oc), Dark!Ace/Oc/Dark!Sabo

Warnings: Explicit Sexual Content, Manipulation (Psychological and Emotional), Past Assault, Past Trauma, Possessive Behavior, Unhealthy Relationships, Use of Aphrodisiacs, BDSM, Dubious Consent, Controlling Behavior, Stalking

Chapter One: Points of Three

“From three points, it can’t ever end. They’ll always pull at one. One is always pulled between them. One point is always trapped between the other two.”   

Hoku shoved a pancake into her mouth.

“That’s the idea at least.”

The twenty-four hour breakfast diner was only half busy. A dingy place with wallpaper peeling in places but always clean and friendly. Cozy. The booths had tears at the seams, patched together by other patches. Establishments like this weren’t too popular all throughout their town, but the diner’s all-you-can-eat pancake and breakfast option did the job for their group’s ridiculous appetites.

Crumpled papers were splayed out on their table. Luffy had spilled a bit of syrup onto one of his math packets and it was in the middle of being patted down with water and dried to be somewhat presentable.

Her best friend’s face was currently in the middle of short-circuiting. His attention was waning thin. Luffy’s lips pursed, eyebrows furrowed as he hunched over the papers in front of him, one fork in his hand with syrup dripping from a soggy slice of pancake.

Hoku continued to chew, sick of these studies herself.

“So the answer,” Luffy said slowly. He rubbed the scar beneath his eye. A dumb thing he’d gotten trying to impress a man beyond both their leagues. “Is nothing.”

Hoku snorted. “It’s infinity, dumbass. It never ends.”

“Are you sure?” Luffy said, squinting. “You’re pretty dumb too. I think there’s just no answer. Hey, hey, let’s just leave it blank and then—”

“If you don’t do your half of the group project, Nami’s gonna kick your ass and then she’s going to come after mine,” Hoku said, looking a bit pale at the idea as she slumped forward onto the messy table as well, using her mouth to grab the edge of a pancake off her plate and slowly chew through it. “Dun cwah meh duhm, duhmash.”

“Shishishi, but you are!” Luffy snickered, kicking his feet out and mimicking her position. “We’ll just pay Nami money not to kick our ass and we win!”

Hoku groaned around a pancake at the dangerous word. She made sure strands of her white hair weren’t getting caught in stray puddles of syrup, lazily tugging it back up into a bun. “We’re broke, dumbass. She might be willing to take an IOU, but she’ll collect someday and…”

Hoku whimpered, wishing she could shove her face into the stack of pancakes beside her. “I need a jooooooooob.”

Luffy chewed in front of her, shoveling more pancakes into his mouth. Unbothered. He usually got off on the occasional odd job and Luffy always just had this… way of making things work out when they shouldn’t.

The diner was cheap. So it’d been her source of nutrition the past couple of weeks—aside from Sanji’s loving meal preps and Nami’s fruits constantly being brought back to her dingy apartment. The horrible, cold truth was that her funds were low. Financial aid covered for her classes and materials fine, but existing outside of school came off her savings and odd jobs or freelance work she picked up here and there.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have taken two years off,” Hoku said, squinting at her stack of pancakes as Luffy reached over and started eating them. “Might’ve landed me a better job…”

“Nah, you needed it,” Luffy said simply. “‘Sides, you had tons of fun. You don’t regret it at all.”

Hoku whimpered once more. “Ugh, you’re right.”

Hoku only stood at twenty-one, two years older than Luffy—but after her third year of high school, she’d chosen to leave Japan after her graduation ceremony and head back to her hometown, a small place in Hawaii. She’d decided on a two-year gap, getting in touch with old family friends of her late parents who were essentially relatives and just taking some time to herself after everything and doing a little self-searching but…

Hoku had come back and managed to enter back into college without much of a hitch. She and Luffy were now on the same pace to graduating with Nami and Usopp—if he or she didn’t fail in the meantime—Zoro was going to school part-time for police academy training, Sanji doing the same for his culinary school and full-time position at his father’s restaurant and at least all her buddies were still in school aside from Robin and Franky and Brook.

To be honest, her life was going pretty well so far, aside from finances. It’d been almost a year now since her break-up and the two of them were still on amicable terms and checked in with each other regularly, her friends were healthy and in her life, Shanks and his team were out exploring some new island and there’d be an interview on it soon they could tune into…

Hoku was happy.

But school aside—she was still unemployed and poor. No new jobs had been coming her way as of late and even Law helping her land that job with designing that new program promotion his residency had needed was gone to her rent in a blink.

“Why don’t you ask Torao to help you get a job at his hospital?” Luffy said loudly. “You can be a nurse or something.”

“I’m too dumb to save people’s lives,” Hoku said flatly. “And I’m an art major. That’s like… Telling a cat to go fly.”

Luffy opened his mouth.

“Never mind, stop there,” Hoku shoved her face into the sleek table, smelling the old wood. “You also need credentials to work in a hospital, Lu. Should I find a campus job? There’s gotta be an opening somewhere… Maybe I can see if the amusement park needs caricature artists or something--”

“But you hate that kinda stuff,” Luffy complained. “It’s boring. You’re never supposed to do the boring stuff ya hate.”

“But I’m broke,” Hoku said pitifully. “Maybe my pride can suck up being poor…”

Hoku turned so her chin was flat against the table, looking thoughtful. “Maybe I can gamble my way to being rich…”

Luffy chewed with a little more thought, making a constipated expression—he was really thinking about something.

Her phone vibrated with a little jingle on the other side of the booth. Hoku turned it over, making a little happy noise. They could worry about money later. She hated thinking about this kind of stuff. “Zoro’s out of class. Let’s meet up with him and Usopp for that movie.”

“I feel like I’m forgetting somethin’,” Luffy said, making a face. “Oh, man… what was it…”

“Answer your damn homework and let’s go,” Hoku said, stuffing her leftover pancakes into her mouth and waving her hand to the owner for a check. “Cuh mown.”

“Nothing, right?” Luffy said, about to press his pen in.

“Infinity,” Hoku said flatly, grabbing his pen and scribbling the horizontal 8 in for him. “Never ends. That point is always stuck. Kinda like insanity.”

“Like how you’re crazy.”

“You’re crazy, crazy, now c’mon. Let’s beat Usopp and make him pay for snacks.”

Luffy stuffed all the pancakes into his mouth, rushing out the door with his cheeks full. Hoku slapped their money onto the table and ran out after him, shoving extra napkins into her backpack.

. 

.

.

Hoku stared at the last page of her canvas sketchbook with a reluctant frown, a small sigh slipping past her lips.

She’d tried to be as conservative as possible with all the negative space—but this was it. She went through sketchbooks faster than her small funds could afford, but she couldn’t help but always put aside a bit for her work—it’s what you love.

The rest of her art classmates were packing up their things for the day. Stools squeaked across the smooth floors. Easels or clipboards sliding back into place. The model at the center stood up, stretching her arms over her head as their professor instructed them on what to work on this weekend and to finish last assignments up. They’d just finished another open studio and there’d be a big project coming up soon enough… She was going to need to buy the new canvases and oil paints for that… Shit.

Her fingers twitched. Hoku couldn’t help but smile.

She loved what she did.

Even if you’re bad for my wallet.

“Looks like you finally need a new book,” Hoku’s smile dropped, fingers stopping at the edge of her book. The girl beside her leaned over, smiling, “You’ve been needing a new one, haven’t you?”

I don’t even remember your name. Hoku hadn’t bothered. She made a fair enough effort with remembering the names of her classmates, but this one in particular had made it clear where she stood. Wanted to be some high end artist—was on her way, probably, since she’d been showcased in several galas but—

The hidden hint behind her words was clear every time she spoke to Hoku. Blatant. A teasing curl of her lips.

“Don’t you think that’s sad?”

“You’re always using the front and back of each page,” she laughed. “I mean, the drawings are great, but you can afford a new one or two, right? I’ll donate one if you’re that prudent.”

A few eyes glanced over at the easy confrontation. Hoku kept her face even. After this semester, you won’t even matter.

“You can afford the tattoos right,” she continued with a light laugh, tapping the corner of her left eye where Hoku’s heart shaped tattoo was inked in around her eye, smeared at the end. “Just save a bit for a new sketchbook and some supplies while you’re at it. Got to keep up with your studies, you know?”

“I’m sorry,” Hoku said, it was actually starting to bother her now. “What’s your name again?”

Someone’s pencil dropped behind them. He stooped down to pick it up, hiding his face.

Her classmate’s face flushed red. Her eyes flickered, back and forth, assessing the reaction of the people around them. Barely anyone was watching—who cared? They were all here to learn and to hone their skills. No one needed more drama.

Hoku’s lips pulled into a polite smile, revealing baby canines.

“Come on,” she said, laughing with a titter, “It’s been half a semester. It’s—”

“HOOOOOKKKKUUUUUU—” Thin but muscular arms wrapped tight around her shoulders. Hoku floundered for a second, almost tumbling back over her chair at the added weight. The smell of the sun washed around her and Luffy’s hair tickled her cheek, pressing in close as he jumped around, almost ripping her from her seat.

Warmth pressed into her back. Hoku’s shoulders relaxed, everything cleared. Her lips turned upwards into a wide grin.

Luffy was a destructive, bumbling dumbass most of the time—but he could always turn a mood into a better one.

Shanks rubs off on you too much. She thought fondly, a bit of stupid smile curling over her lips. Maybe that’s a good thing.

“Hoku! Hoku! You won’t believe this—come on! Let’s get lunch, I’m hungry. I’ve got awesome news! It’s gonna blow your mind and—”

“Calm down, dumbass!” Hoku snapped. A few of her classmates looked on in amusement. The girl from earlier had already retreated, saving face. Wiser ones started to move their things out of the way. “You’re going to break something again!”

Her professor didn’t mind friends coming in and visiting or sitting in on lectures. But Luffy’s regular presence barreling through the art department was considered a public menace and had to be dealt with accordingly. “I’ve never seen anyone launch themselves off the second floor and bounce around the way he does, so for the love of god please keep him away from the ceramics class—”

“Did you just finish class?” Hoku said, adjusting herself to account for Luffy’s added weight. She walked with a backwards slump, leaning as Luffy dragged along the floor hanging off her while she gathered her supplies.

“Yup! Nami went to go get a table!” Luffy said happily. “Come on, come on, let’s go eat! I’m starving!”

Her stomach rumbled in agreement. Hoku pressed a warning hand to her stomach, using the other to shove her backpack over her shoulder and purposefully shove into Luffy’s cheek. “I’m hurrying, but what were you saying earlier?”

She shoved her stuff into her bag as quickly as she could, flipping her sketchbook closed and turning toward the door. Luffy was starting to clamber up her back and she wasn’t sure she could support him if he decided to test if she could give him a piggyback ride.

“Oh, yeah!” Luffy said, cheek squished against her knuckles. “I think I found a job for ya! And it pays!”

“You found me a job—”

Hoku’s foot tripped over the other, sending them both toppling to the floor in a massive heap of one screech and Luffy’s monkey-like laughter. A student quickly grabbed his easel, jerking it out of the way as they smashed into the ground.

“Shishishi, you’re such a klutz.”

.

.

.

“If it’s Luffy, it’s probably some weird job throwing yourself off a cliff for fun,” Nami said warningly, neatly filed nails digging into the tangerine in her palm as she peeled it. “You guys are always talking about that explorer—what if it’s doing something illegal or—”

“Throwing yourself off a cliff and getting paid is fine,” Zoro said. He ran a hand through his spearmint colored hair, light catching off his golden earrings. “Just make sure you’re not secretly being employed for some kind of drug smuggling. You’re both idiots, so it’d happen.”

Luffy didn’t even look the slightest bit bothered, simply grinning stupidly to himself as he shoveled food into his mouth. Hoku—a little calmer and more sensible after stuffing her face with the cafeteria’s economically wonderful meal sets—gaped at the two of them in disbelief, blatantly offended.

The four of them were gathered in one of Grand College’s many cafeterias. Usopp was cramming last minute for another exam and should be running over any second. Hoku crossed her arms over her chest, shoving another forkful of pasta into her mouth. Nami leaned forward, setting a peeled tangerine down and smacking Luffy’s grabbing hands away as she set to work on another.

“I would not get involved in something like that without knowing,” Hoku grunted. Turning to Luffy she added, “If it’s drugs, I need to know how much it’s going to pay first.”

Zoro put her in a headlock, pointedly shoving her face into his chest where his nametag from his police training could smash into her cheek. Hoku’s arms flailed around, smacking into his cheek.

“Nah, it’s way better than any of that!” Luffy said, throwing his arms out in excitement. He stopped for a second. “Hey, wait, that sounds kinda fun—”

“Get on with it,” Nami and Zoro chorused.

Luffy grinned, turning to Hoku—who popped her head out over the top of Zoro’s tightened arm—with shining eyes. “Ace and Sabo are looking for someone to help them with this project!”

“Ace and Sabo?” Hoku’s eyes went round. A little box of memories peeled itself open, idle moments, pleasant laughter, warm memories wrapped around little flashes of awkward teenage encounters.

Hoku had known Luffy since she was a kid when his grandfather, a marine, had been stationed over in Hawaii at the time. Hoku’s parents had passed away a few years before that and after moving around, she’d spent some time with Mihawk until Garp swindled her into being looked after with Luffy…

She’d met Ace and Sabo young. When she was nine and they were ten--she remembered fighting all the time with Ace and Sabo being the genial, grinning mediator and those summers and years had been a great time and then she’d left to go live with Mihawk and eventually set up her own place. Their meetings were scattered in between coming to Luffy’s house with the three of them there after school—she and Luffy had gone to the same school for as long as she could remember—it’d gone on until high school, where meetings between them happened on occasion and then Hoku had left.

The two older brothers were great people—amazing even. Funny, easy to be around, always looking after Luffy first and foremost. She and Ace still butted heads and he could flip from a dotting older brother to an absolute menace but it’d been almost three years now since she’d last seen them.

Bright, golden blonde hair. Soot black waves. Hoku huffed over Zoro’s arm, resting her chin comfortably in the crook of his elbow. I wonder if they look any different… I think Luffy posted a picture not too long ago and they seemed well… She’d just never ended up getting in touch with them with everything she’d had going on.

It might be nice to see them again.

“I haven’t seen them in ages,” Hoku said thoughtfully. Luffy nodded his head so hard it almost snapped off. “How’re they doing?”

“They’re great!” Luffy said excitedly. “Never been better, and when they heard you came back into town forever ago, they’ve been saying they wanted to get in touch or somethin’ but they’ve been busy!”

“Your brothers?” Nami said, looking curious. “Isn’t Sabo working for that big designing company right now? The one that works with revolutionary protests through some of their lines?”

“Something like that,” Luffy said. “I never remember the name.”

“You never remember anything,” Zoro corrected. “I thought Ace was working part time as a firefighter. What kind of project would those two need help with? A fire proof line of clothes?”

Hoku looked interested. “That sounds kinda cool.”

Luffy nodded. Nami smacked the back of his head, urging him to continue. “Well, Ace does all kinds of stuff, but he models for Sabo’s work sometimes too. They’ve been doing a specific kinda work for some people.”

Luffy tipped his head to the side. His brows furrowed, crossing his arms over his chest in thought, “I think Sabo said something about… se… celery taste from one of their clients!”

“Selective,” Nami provided.

“Yeah, that! Anyway, one of ‘em wants something special done and Sabo remembered how good Hoku is with drawing and art and stuff!” Luffy said brightly. “I said you’re poor and you need a job—”

“Why’d you gotta say it like that, Lu?”

“And they were super excited and hoping you could help them out!” Luffy said. “See? It’s easy!”

“I’m not going to make your brothers pay me for something like that,” Hoku said, shaking her head in between Zoro’s arm. “They’ve done a lot for me before—they treated me like family when I was always bumming around at your place… I’ll just do it for free, what do they need? An ad? A—”

“Nono, dummy, they said they wanna pay ya because it’s a big job!” Luffy said. “It’ll take a lot of work or something and—ah! I almost forgot!”

Luffy grinned, shuffling around his pants’ pocket before he pulled out a crumpled, balled up paper. He handed it to Hoku, who reached around Zoro’s still loose and comfortable grip to fold it. “Sabo and Ace gave me this last week! It’s their numbers. Said to give them a call or text them if you were down to do it!”

“A week ago,” Zoro snorted. “Nice.”

“But I said we should all get together cause it’s been so long!” Luffy said cheerfully. He grinned, swinging his legs back and forth over the bench. “We can throw a party! Oh, man, we can make it huge and—”

“No parties until after midterms,” Nami said dangerously. “And whatever you decide, don’t forget we’ve got a girls day with Robin next week, Hoku!”

“Right, right,” Hoku said absently, staring at the two differently scrawled numbers—one in neat, even print and a more slurred, harder to read script. Ace and Sabo. “Well, I’ll text them and let them know I don’t mind helping out however. It’s the least I can do since it’s been so long.”

Hoku slumped, throwing herself half over Zoro’s lap. He shot her an unimpressed look and Hoku mimicked a limp fish.

“Maybe I’ll just work in the cafeteria,” Hoku said thoughtfully. “I can sneak meals and they’ll probably feed me too.”

“Sure,” Zoro said. “Like they’d let a klutz like you become a lunch lady. It’s bad enough that eyebrow freak cooks for anyone.”

Hoku made strangling motions at his neck. Zoro just shoved her face back into his lap, folding his arms on top of her head and yawning as she let out muffled screeches.

Luffy snickered. Nami finally relented and offered him a peeled tangerine. He popped it into his mouth and grinned, teeth shining and excitement bleeding into all of them.

“Oh, man, it’s been so long—this is gonna be great!”

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“Contributing to society yet, you unemployed bum?”

Hoku’s face shot up from the second helping of curry she’d been about to shove into her mouth without further consideration. Her face twisted, grumpy and angry—but only in the kind of way that came off as entirely defensive because the words thrown at her were blatantly true and painful, damn it.

“Hey, you jerk,” Hoku snapped, waving her spoon at the asshole in front of her. “When I start making it big, you’re going to eat those words.”

The currently sitting definition of tall, dark, and handsome. Changed out of his hospital gear and classical surgeon attire—because being a heart surgeon with an emphasis in being able to do surgery on just about anything else because he was a genius called for a lot of hours—and dressed in easy jeans and a black turtleneck. The fluorescent lighting of the homey curry restaurant caught off his slender piercing. His dark tattoos peeked out from the rolled up sleeves of his cuffs, the neatly printed letters staring back at Hoku as he held his too large cup of coffee—black as sin because he still had a shift tonight.

Hoku always had to wonder what his patients thought every time they saw DEATH staring back at them on the hands of their doctor before going under on the table. She got away with the snow white hair and tattoos because she was an “artist” so no one bothered her much.

Probably shit their pants. Or just cry.

Doctor Trafalgar D. Water Law did not look impressed.

“Maybe,” he said dryly, “if you don’t eat everything else first.”

Hoku flinched back as though she’d been struck. She shoveled more curry into her mouth, glaring hard at him from across the table.

“I keep asking myself why I hang out with you,” Hoku said. “You’re always taking your time and then when I think we’re going to have a nice time, you find some way to cut me open again.”

Law took a sip of his coffee, “You do it to yourself. And I hang out with you. Not the other way around.”

“That’s bullshit,” Hoku said around her spoon. “And ya know it, Torao.”

The two were about as far from each other on the spectrum as possible when it came to a small world. As a doctor and about three years older than herself—there could’ve never been an excuse for their paths to cross. It just happened one day that her art club had been assigned to help remodel and work with the children of their local hospital and overseeing the entire thing had been Hoku the klutz from her art club and Doctor Law, resident bachelor heart surgeon.

“You can’t paint monsters in the child ward, it’ll literally scare them to death.”

“Are you even listening to the kids? They want a wall of creepy and fun stuff so they can tell stories to each other.”

“You’ll give them all nightmares and it will reflect poorly on their health.”

“I’ll give them all a reason to run and they’re going to be dancing out of this hospital from how fit they are.”

And then there’d been a celebration party for finishing the joint project and Hoku drank a little too much—or maybe she’d just eaten something bad—and then she was throwing up on Law’s shoes.

Hoku had also been the reason why one of his buddies, Penguin, had managed to graduate in their shared anatomy class. Law was also fairly good friends with Kid—fairly because they always talked shit about each other but still hung out—and there’d never been a reason not to know each other anymore.

Besides, even if she told Law he was a bastard and this and that, she genuinely enjoyed his company. He was looking out for her here and there in his twisted, clinical, at times cold-hearted way.

“But no,” Hoku admitted bitterly, slumping back into her chair. Law leaned back in his own, satisfied as he threw one arm behind the chair next to him and watched her in silence. “It’s been months now and I’m just barely getting by on any project I can… Did you know I was thinking about working at the amusement park? Or the pier? I hate water. Why would I even want to spend more time there—”

“You’re afraid of water, you don’t hate it,” Law corrected. “It’s called aquaphobia.”

Hoku mimicked him.

Law kicked her knee under the table. She jerked it back in, nearly jostling their small little booth. Hoku and Law both grabbed their drinks to steady them.

“I mean, I’m not that bad,” Hoku rubbed her chin, shaking her head. “I think I’m one hell of an artist actually… I can go back into mechanics and pick up a job engineering for a while but…”

Hoku let out a small sigh. “No, that won’t work. It’s gotta be drawing after all.”

“Eustass-ya is coming back into town,” Law said, knowing what—who—mechanics made them think of.

Hoku looked up. Her face was neutral, amiable. “Oh, yeah?”

“Mentioned it,” he said. “Don’t know when.”

Hoku hummed. She played with a carrot on her plate and shoved it to the side. Law scowled. She grudgingly scooped it back up. “I’ll give him a call when he arrives. Maybe we can grab lunch or something.”

Law watched her over the rim of his cup. Hoku waved a hand at him. “We still check up here and there. I mean, when it’s not angry texting—but that’s all in good fun.”

Law’s brows creased in a suit-yourself sort of way.

“You can shift gears a bit,” Law said. “Get a teaching degree and why don’t you apply as an art teacher? You’d still get to do what you loved while working on individual projects. Quit when you’re ready.”

Hoku lowered her arms onto the table, her face a little more sober. “That’s… That’s probably the best idea, isn’t it? But I dunno… me? Teaching?”

Hoku laughed. She rubbed the back of her neck, dragging her fingers down the side and staring hard at her warped reflection on the metal table.

“I don’t think…” she said and stopped. Hoku shook her head, “I don’t think any parent would want someone like me teaching their kids.”

Law’s eyes flickered. His expression loosened, brows a little less furrowed, face a little easier to approach.

“Hoku-ya—”

“But you know what,” Hoku started up again brightly, eyes flashing in determination as she grinned, “there was this girl in my class today—making digs about this and that and just wait. I’m going to pick up an awesome job and come in with my regular gear because I’m not an idiot who blows her cash on fancy materials!”

Hoku’s chest puffed out in pride. She grinned, proud as a peacock and tipped her chin high in the air. “Long live homemade art materials!”

“You’re the only one who can get away with that,” Law said. “Barely.”

“I’m so confident I’m going to get a job,” Hoku said. “That I’m paying for dinner tonight.”

Law looked vaguely amused. He let his chin rest on his palm, watching her.

“So if I went ahead and ordered the deluxe beef curry set—”

“I,” Hoku said, using her best bluffing face, “wouldn’t even blink.”

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Law ended up ordering the set to-go. And paying for the meal—he simply stepped over Hoku’s embarrassingly fallen form when she tripped on her way to the cashier—and handed the food to her after dropping her off in front of her apartment before he took off for his night shift.

“Eat,” Law had threatened, rolling up his window and ignoring her cursing and ranting like she were no more than a fly at his car. “Skip meals and I’ll check you into the hospital myself.”

Hoku threw up both her middle fingers, stomping all the way to her apartment door for emphasis. Law’s sleek car waited in the parking lot until her door opened pointedly wide and closed before pulling off.

“I never skip meals,” Hoku muttered, shrugging her shoes off and hobbling into the living room after setting the food down on the counter. “I love eating.”

Her apartment wasn’t a grand thing, but it was a little more spacious for the great price she was paying. Banged up. Creaky pipes and floorboards—but it held, sturdy and true.

The two bedroom apartment had been shifted so one was her actual bedroom while the other was her studio and guest room—she usually ended up sleeping there when she was working late into the night anyway. Photos were thrown up left and right. Stacks of papers and sketchbooks were scattered all over the apartment. A massive poster hung over her bed of a certain red-haired explorer’s greatest and her favorite excursion.

A small television set and coffee table. A sectioned off kitchen with an island countertop. Her sleek, comfy leather black couch which was a gift from Mihawk—

Hoku flopped down onto the couch, sinking deep into the cushions. She let out one long, low groan.

I’m such a loser. Hoku pressed herself as deep into the couch as she could, willing it to swallow her whole and never let her see the light of day again. You were supposed to come back from those two years and be different. You haven’t done anything.

Her phone vibrated against her ass and Hoku lazily tugged it out of her pocket, half-throwing it toward her face.

“LETS TRY THIS PLACE IT LOOKS GOOD!!!!!” Hoku snorted at Luffy’s text, a smiling touching her lips and scrolling down. Usopp sent a photo of Zoro asleep on their couch. Training must be rough. Nami texted her a reminder to make a reminder in her phone for her date with Robin and the three of them. A notice from her professor about the material list for class next week.

“Heard things are turning up for you. Keep me posted.” Robin.

Hoku’s hand shuffled through her jacket pocket. Her fingers closed around the crumpled piece of paper and she carefully smoothed it back out, staring at the two numbers.

Honestly… she only really had good memories of Sabo and Ace. Well, when she and Ace weren’t butting heads or strangling each other about something. Luffy loved them as much as he could love anyone, so they’d always been important people to her too.

Grade school, middle school, high school… Hoku rifled through the mess of memories. Coming over to their house. Running from their grandfather. Crowding by a television. After school runs to the best food stalls… all just classic, simple memories.

Hoku pulled up an empty message, typing in both numbers into a new group chat. Her fingers hovered over the letters, contemplating the kind of greeting that should’ve fit a gap this long… They couldn’t have changed too much, right?

Hoku typed, deleted, re-typed for several minutes before finally hitting send and dropping her phone onto the rug, rolling over and burying her face between the couch cushions. A minute, two, her shoulders went slack and she finally fell asleep.

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Another minute. A beat.

Her screen flickered to life with a response. A calm ten minutes later.

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Hey, Ace, Sabo!

It’s Hoku—haha, it’s been awhile, huh? Sorry for being so shitty at staying in touch. Hope you guys are doing well! Are you still holding the three of you guys together? Ace haven’t lost his head yet dropping dead somewhere? Lu says you guys have been busy.

He finally gave me your numbers and mentioned you had a project you needed help with. Don’t worry about paying or anything, I’d be happy to help out! You guys are like family, y’know? I don’t know how much I can do, but let me know. Let’s catch up. :)

Changed at all?

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Hoku,

It’s so nice to say your name again after so long! Took Luffy long enough. It’s been ages, hasn’t it? Ace and I are better than ever, well, trying at least. I’m so glad to finally speak with you again after all this time. I hope your trip was everything you needed and now you can enjoy a long stay back home. I could go on forever, but let’s save the rest for in person, shall we?

Yes! I’m not sure how much Luffy told you about it, but we’d love to discuss with you further. Face to face. When is the soonest you can meet? Ace is asleep right now, but I’ll let him know as soon as he wakes up. The lug.

Hope to be in contact with you soon,

Sabo.

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Two minutes passed and a second message was sent, accompanied by a warm, smiling face.

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Haven’t changed a bit. Missed you, Hoku.

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Shit. Hoku exhaled, adjusting her tote bag over her shoulder—Luffy had bought it for her on a random splurge, dotted with stars. Her head tipped to the side, as though looking at the beautiful building would change what she was seeing.

A few people walked past her, offering strange looks.

The dessert restaurant was famous. Newly opened, lovely. Two floors with nothing but booths overlooking the city and cozy cafes where people could gather to enjoy all kinds of sweets—for those not as inclined to sugar, they had an array of sandwiches and anything to all varying tastes.

Hoku had been eyeing this place for months now, enviously searching through images online or drooling into her pillow as she scrolled through food bloggers. She and Nami and Robin were supposed to finally try it next weekend when Robin came back from her latest trip…

Lucky me. Hoku whistled, shaking her head as she stepped up to the patisserie and opened the door with a gentle jingle of the golden bell on top. Now I get to go twice.

She’d woken up, creases in her face from where she’d shoved herself between the couch cushions, to several new messages. The only one that’d stood out, neatly typed in a way most people would never text like a letter, and addressed with his name since she didn’t have his number already saved—

Sabo.

Hoku had stared at the message with wide eyes, not quite believing what she was seeing, drool dried to her chin. Hoku’s eyes had brightened and she’d quickly responded, getting even a little excited because—it was Ace and Sabo—they were good friends. I missed them.

It was supposed to be nice--reconnecting with people you hadn’t seen for a long time.

Hoku’s eyes searched the crowds of people gathered together, focusing on the host stand. A host stand for a bakery, damn. Hoku seemed to be on the lesser scale of dress—high waisted shorts with her halter top tucked in—but I’ll be alright. The entire first floor could be seen from the second story where people could make reservations for secluded booths to enjoy their sweets and tea. We should be on the first floor...

Hoku stopped short. She stood there in the middle of the bakery, face calm.

I mean they… Hoku’s eyes slowly scanned over the crowd one more time, doing a thorough comb over. They can’t be… that different right? Am I crazy?

She stopped at every blonde and black haired male, craning her head, shuffling around the bakery and trying to peek around to get a look at different faces. Trying and failing to be as discreet as possible. No freckles. No scar on the left side of his face. Nothing.

Hoku shuffled through her bag, fishing out her phone.

Right time. Hoku checked the message thoroughly. Right place. Meet here… there aren’t any other instructions. Am I just first?

If she remembered right, Sabo was always so punctual… Hoku made a face, turning around on her heel. Should I just go get a table? I’ll just go get a table—

“Excuse me miss, are you looking for your party?”

Hoku’s phone slipped like butter through her fingers. Her foot shot out, trying to catch it and she almost toppled over completely, grabbing the nearest chair and steadying herself.

The host who’d approached her looked horrified, as though he’d almost witness an apocalypse occur right before his eyes.

“Hi,” Hoku said. A few people were looking. She bent down to grab her phone, shoving it into her bag. “I—what?”

“Your party,” the host repeated kindly. “With a Mr. Sabo, correct?”

Hoku stared at the host with round eyes.

He smiled, “He told us to look out for you. He’s already waiting at the table if you’d like to follow me, miss.”

“Oh,” Hoku said dumbly. She straightened out, staring at the host like an idiot. “I… I didn’t see him. Where is he?”

“This way, miss,” the host gathered up a menu and began his ascent toward the steps.

Hoku stared at the stairs. Stairs led to a second floor. The second floor was a fancy floor.

Hoku pressed her hand into her mouth, staring.

Maybe it’s the wrong Sabo?

“Would you prefer the elevator, miss?” the host said, looking worried. “Forgive me—”

“No, no, no, stairs are fine!” Hoku quickly scampered after him. The host smiled, leading the way up the winding staircase the short distance to the second floor. “I just—I thought he was on the first floor. Sorry. Thank you for your time.” Stop talking, you dumbass.

The host continued to smile, leading them past a narrow walkway of several private rooms and booths. You can see everything from here. Hoku eyed the bottom floor, wondering if anyone had watched her flailing around like a mouse. Or a fish. Or just an idiot in general.

They walked a short distance, coming close to where part of the second floor was sectioned off against the railing of the top floor. The other half of the floor opened up with wide glass windows, showing the entire city and the bay across the distance.

This is so nice. Hoku glanced around in disbelief. I can’t imagine the price tags up here, gotta tell Nami and Robin.

A single booth sat at the end of the walkway, pushed to the back. A perfect vantage point of the entire first floor and the breathtaking view on the side—

Golden blonde hair fell a little longer now. It still had its wavy sort of curve, kissing the sculpted, angular line of his jaw. His eyes still had that soft little light to them, curious as he surveyed the menu in front of him. His skin was fair, a burn scar over the left side of his face, around his eye. There was a larger one hidden beneath the neat, cream dress shirt he wore inside a dark, navy blue sweater.

He looked older—more mature, a redefined version of himself, as though someone had simply adjusted the resolution of a good photo, complimenting what already was. Dapper and gentle and charming all at once—

But still, maybe, the same after all.

“Sabo!” Hoku’s eyes went wide, an easy grin touched her lips and she strode forward. Hesitancy lined the back of her steps, careful. Even if we got along fine and were pretty close, it’s still been awhile and—how do you do stuff like this again?

His eyes flickered upwards immediately, finding her with perfect ease. They went a little round, brightening in an instant. His lips turned upwards into one bright, warm smile.

Some small part of Hoku quieted. His eyes were warm, almost hot. He was looking at her like finally, finally, something had fallen into place and it was all right—

Hoku balked for a second, uncertain. Her heart warmed at the sight, a flood of pleasant memories and—

And what?

“Hoku!” that’s really his voice. It’s been so long. Sabo stood from his seat, stepping around the table into the walkway. The host behind them set the menu down, backing off so they could be alone. Hoku almost reached out to grab his arm and ask him to stay, just to have another person here because—why would you do something like that, you’re so weird, it’s just a reunion with someone you haven’t seen in awhile—

Sabo’s shiny loafers stopped a few feet from her. His arms had been raised for a second, but his face quickly shifted with obvious hesitation, waiting uncertainty. His lips pursed, waiting in that dorky expression of his. Brows a little furrowed. Hoku stood there like an idiot, telling her mind to shut up and—

Hoku let all other thoughts melt away. It was Sabo. She knew Sabo. She knew him when he was missing a tooth. This is Luffy’s brother. He’s practically family. She gathered her footing beneath her, steadying.

Hoku stepped into his embrace, meeting him the rest of the way. Sabo’s entire face lit up, eyes warming.

It was a ridiculously...nice feeling, to be looked at like that.

Her arms came around his middle and Sabo’s arms instantly wrapped tight around her in a bear hug, wrapping around her shoulders and holding her snug. He almost lifted her off her feet. Hoku laughed, patting his back as Sabo held her tight for a moment, the smell of his cologne washing over her, smelling like something expensive and roguish. He laughed back into the crown of her hair, air ghosting past her ears as he moved his head to the side then, right by her ear.

“Hoku!” Sabo said. “It’s been so long! It’s so good to finally see you-—look at you! You got taller!”

“Says you,” Hoku snorted, pulling back a bit so she could crane her head up to his face. Her ear twitched. Sabo laughed, loosening his grip around her so she could shift more comfortably in his arms. “Look at ya—who said you could grow this tall, you jerk?”

“You look absolutely wonderful,” Sabo said graciously. Hoku stiffened in surprise. She shuffled a bit backwards and Sabo quickly released his hold on her, letting her back out of the hug. “You do! You let your hair grow out—it looks beautiful.”

“No, I just,” Hoku stopped, pressing a hand to her mouth in surprise. “I forgot how you were. You’re always saying stuff like that—caught me off guard, ya bastard.”

“With a compliment?” Sabo laughed, a warm, breezy kind of sound. Hoku’s lips pulled up at the corners. “You deserve dozens more with how long it’s been.”

“You look great!” Hoku punched his chest lightly with a fist. Sabo grinned boyishly, beaming down at her. “All dressed up too—couldn’t beat that royal look out of you, could you?”

“Decided to embrace a different kind of style,” Sabo chuckled. “I’m not missing any teeth this time, right?”

The image of a beaming, grinning blonde boy with scuffed up shorts, a creased hat and a gap where his tooth was missing—Hoku’s smile widened. Yeah, that’s right. This is Sabo.

Sabo took a moment to look at her, as though he were seeing her again for the very first time. Hoku’s nerves rattled for a second, a chill racing down her spine. You’re just nervous. Calm down, you dumbass. His face visibly softened. The chill disappeared. Eyes warm, he clasped his hands together in front of him.  

“I’m glad you’ve been well,” Sabo said softly, smiling. “It really is nice to see you again, Hoku.”

“I’m sorry I was so bad at staying in touch,” Hoku said, brows furrowing. “I should’ve called once or twice to check up on you guys… Luffy told stories every now and then and I guess that always seemed enough.”

“No, we should’ve made more of an effort on our part,” Sabo said. He guided her to the table and Hoku slipped into the seat in front of him. His fingers gently glided over her arm, over her skin, smoothly taking her bag and hooking it over the back of the chair. Hoku blinked, realizing she hadn’t even known that he’d been getting her bag—

For a brief moment, Hoku stilled. A force of habit. It only lasted a second, anyway.

Sabo’s frame towered over her. One hand resting on the edge of the chair where he was releasing the bag, the other steadying himself on the table but—

You’re boxed in.

And then Sabo was gone and she was free and Hoku relaxed even though she never should’ve been tense in the first place.

“I’m sorry Ace couldn’t come, he wanted to see you too,” Sabo said, pulling away with a frown. “He had an important shift today so he couldn’t get off.”

“We can definitely meet up again,” Hoku said surely. “With Lu next time too, catch up like old times. I want to see more of you guys for sure.”

Sabo smiled at her—it almost made her feel as though she were being praised for something. She’d said the right answer.

“Things just got so busy with work and you were in your third year,” Sabo said. He took a seat beside her, brows creased apologetically. “You were seeing someone at that time too, weren’t you? Relationships, school, it all gets so hectic.”

“That’s… yeah, that’s right,” Hoku blinked in realization. Sabo folded his hands together on top of the table, expression soft. Understanding. Kid and I were together and I was focused on spending time with everyone before I left and then….

Had she just forgotten about Ace and Sabo? Enough to not even give her best friend’s brothers a proper goodbye—

“That’s no excuse though,” Hoku said, brows furrowing. Had that really been what happened? Holy shit, Hoku. They’re like family—how could you do something like that? Kid had taken up a lot of her time sure, but she’d wanted to spend that time with everyone because she was going to be gone for so long. “Shit, I’m sorry Sabo—”

“Don’t even think about apologizing,” Sabo said, shaking his head sternly. Hoku’s lips pursed. “We could’ve called you just as easily as you could’ve called us. It’s a two way street. No one needs to apologize here.”

Even if you say that, I’m still going to make it up to you guys. Hoku huffed, leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest in thought. “Doesn’t mean it didn’t suck.”

“Maybe,” Sabo said, a light chuckle. He looked so happy. It was hard not to keep staring at him, to feel happy herself. Infectious. A waiter came and swiftly left behind two steaming mugs and Hoku looked up in surprise. “Sorry! I took a guess at the menu—I’ve never been here before and I got what they recommended and looked the best…”

“No—you’re fine!” Hoku pulled the mug closer to her, eyes growing wide. She instantly grabbed for some sugar cubes and Sabo looked amused. “This is their apple tea, right? Ah, I’ve been wanting to try this, nice call.”

“Thank goodness,” Sabo seemed to deflate in absolute relief, melting down into his seat. Hoku snorted, staring at him in disbelief. “Sorry, I got worried for a second I ordered something awful--still like apples, huh?”

“Enough,” Hoku said. “My favorite is still—”

“Longan,” Sabo said.

Hoku blinked in surprise, looking up from the steaming cup in her hands.

Sabo smiled. He pulled his cup—coffee or an espresso by the smell of it—closer toward him. Sabo reached for the sugar jar. “I always think about you when I see them in stores—it’s such a weird fruit to choose to eat on your own, so I remember the time you had us all try it and—”

“Lu choked on the seeds,” Hoku’s lips curved fast into a grin, “I know what you mean. I always remember random things because of people too. You start to link people up with the stuff and places in your life.”

“Exactly,” Sabo said with a warm smile. He dropped a cube in, picking up the small spoon and starting to stir, slow and easy. “Come on, tell me all about it—how was everything? Luffy said it was something like a… soul searching experience?”

“Sort of,” Hoku laughed, pushing her hair back over her head and holding it there for a second. The apple tea smelled amazing. “I wanted to get in touch with some old family friends, help fix up the town I was born in… just spend some time there. It’s home, you know?”

Sabo looked openly curious, taking a sip of his coffee. “Are you thinking of settling there?”

“Oh, no, nothing like that,” Hoku shook her head, rubbing the back of her neck. “Settling is a tentative word anyway. I love it here to much and all my friends are here, you know? I like my apartment and what I’ve got going fine.” Just minus a steady income.

“That’s true,” Sabo said, looking thoughtful. “There’s just so much here… It’d make more sense.”

“Mhm,” Hoku said. “But it was nice. I needed it. It helped me with a lot of sorting out and growing, I think.”

“The growing I can agree on,” Sabo said warmly. Hoku made a face. “You’re lovely, Hoku. You’ve always been.”

“Stop,” Hoku laughed, wrapping her hands around the cup. It warmed her palms. “I mean, I can talk about my trip and stuff, but what’s been going—”

“Wait,” Sabo said, looking surprised. “You said apartment—are you living off campus?”

“Yeah, like Lu,” Hoku said. “They’re apartment was too crowded, even though they offered a room, so I found my own place.”

“Ah,” Sabo said. He dropped another sugar cube into his coffee. “With your boyfriend?”

Hoku smiled softly. Her eyes dropped down to her tea, staring at the murky red color. Nowhere near the bright, flaming red— “Your hair’s like hot cheetos.” “Keep talking and I’m going to shove you out of my car.”—“Ah, no, nothing like that. Just me. We actually broke up about… a year ago now?”

Sabo’s face shifted instantly. His brows creased, spoon pausing in the air. Apologies flooded his eyes, mouth opening in quick understanding that he’d just asked something like that—but Hoku waved him off, shaking her head and hand in turn. “No, no, don’t even start. We parted on good terms. I was supposed to only be gone a year, but I decided to stay longer and we had a bit of a falling out and yada yada.”

Hoku smiled, earnest, “But we’re still good friends. No drama or anything.”

“Still,” Sabo said, brows creased, looking ashamed. “I’m sorry for asking so insensitively like that. You don’t just go barreling through past relationships—sorry, Hoku. I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories—”

“There aren’t any,” Hoku said.

Sabo dropped his spoon into his coffee, starting to stir again, slow, “That’s good. It seems like you both handled it well, then.”

There really weren’t. Even with all their fighting and butting heads, they always sobered up and acted out of each other’s best interests when it came down to it. He’d wanted her to come back—come with him—and she hadn’t known what she was looking for—

Don’t think about that now. Hoku shook her head. This is a different occasion.

Hoku’s mouth opened, eager to shift gears—

“Why’d you decide to stay the extra year?” Sabo questioned, stirring absently. Hoku looked up. Her tea was starting to cool enough now so that it wouldn’t burn her tongue.

“I just realized a year wasn’t enough to find what I was looking for,” Hoku said. “It got hard, making the decision cause I missed everyone so much, but it was a good one. I think it helped.”

Her gut twisted. Had it? She might’ve had a great time—gotten to see Shanks with his surprise stay, Mihawk came and they explored the island her mother had loved, her friends visited—but had it? Here she was now, still moving through life, still going about things but had it—

Changed anything?

Hoku thought about the lack of jobs. Thought about Law’s suggestion to switch gears. Am I even doing things right? Kid slipped into the back of her mind. Yeah, they hadn’t ended on bad terms, but had her decision even been a right one? Had there ever been a reason for them to—

Quiet black gloves, a soft underside of leather, touched her hand. Hoku jumped, eyes dropping down and realizing she hadn’t even noticed Sabo’d been wearing gloves. That’s new. Her eyes flickered back up and she realized his face was creased in worry, eyes watching her openly. “Hoku?”

Shit. “I’m sorry,” Hoku said, pulling her hands back. Sabo’s hand dropped onto the table and he glanced to it for a moment before looking back to her. Hoku used one hand to grab her cup, the other pushing her hair back out of her face from habit. “Got lost in thought—what’d you say?”

“I’m just glad you’re back,” Sabo said. He pulled his hand back, letting it rest in his lap as he brought his cup back to his lips. “Hopefully to stay. Have you had a chance to do everything you’ve missed since coming home?”

“Oh, plenty,” Hoku said, slumping in relief at the change in topic. Think happy. Think Sabo. Don’t worry about the other stuff. He doesn’t need that. Or deserve it. “The lot of losers has been making sure I do.”

“I can imagine with them,” Sabo said, looking amused. He let his cheek rest onto one hand, using the other to twirl his cup. “Luffy always talks about you guys when we meet up. Took him long enough to finally get us in touch again.”

“That’s right!” Hoku clapped her hands together. Sabo blinked. Smiling like a lost puppy. “The whole reason for this—Lu said you guys needed help with a project right? What is it? I don’t know how much I can do but I’ll try my best—”

“So you only came today because of that?” Sabo mused, tipping his head to the side, resting on his hand. Strands of wavy blonde fell a bit onto the side of his face. “I thought we were catching up.”

Hoku paled, her jaw went slack. “No—oh my god—no. You guys don’t have to pay me—I won’t let you pay me. I just wanted to help—”

Sabo’s laugh broke through. Breezy, curling past her ears. Hoku stumbled over her words, stopping as his gloved fingers hid only parts of his bright smile. “I’m sorry, I’m just teasing. You’re still so easy to tease.”

Hoku’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. She settled back into her seat, rubbing the top of her head. “Ah, jeez. You’re awful, Sabs.”

Sabo’s smile widened behind his fingers. His eyes were impossibly warm and Hoku stopped, staring. “What? You keep looking at me with that dumb smile—”

“I was wondering if you’d call me that again,” Sabo admitted, eyes softer now, still so, so warm.

Hoku blinked. She laughed, “You could’ve just asked. I’m sure other people call you that too. You’re so weird.”

“Maybe,” Sabo agreed, looking amused by her choice of words. “Hoku, what have you been up to aside from—”

“No, wait,” Hoku waved her hands, halting him.

Her eyes were on the table. Sabo’s eyes flickered briefly. He pulled his hand away from his mouth, adjusting his comfortable position to sit back in his seat. Hoku glanced back up to him to see a patient smile. It’d felt like the poor guy had to direct this entire conversation, Hoku didn’t even realize how much he was guiding it.

“The project,” Hoku said. “That first. I keep getting all twisted up with you. There’s too much to talk about. Let’s do that first.”

“Alright then,” Sabo said, a little laugh to his words. “It’s… Well, it’s less of a project and more of a personal request from a client of ours for a… specific piece of artwork.”

“That seems simple enough,” Hoku said, her hands curling around her tea to finally take a sip. “But last I heard, you and Ace are doing different kinds of work—is there a reason why they went to you?”

“There is,” Sabo said with a nod. He reached a gloved hand out across the table. Hoku blinked, curious, but Sabo waited patiently.

Hoku pulled her hands away from her tea. She limply poked Sabo’s gloved hand. The blonde laughed, shoulders shaking with the motion. “No, see, I’m not sure if you’re familiar or if Luffy told you, but I’ve been working with a designer company for a long time now. A close coworker and friend of mine designed these.”

“Oh, that’s right!” Hoku said, feeling a little stupid. The brand was labeled neatly, tucked away to not be too flashy on the inner seam of the glove. “Liberator, right? So the client met you two from this?”

“Catching on quick,” Sabo praised. Hoku’s cheeks flushed a bit and she rubbed the back of her neck. Sabo smiled warmly, “Sure enough, both of us are nowhere near a more… artistic sense of experience. I’ve been working and Ace models from time to time, but our client approached us from that line of work. We’ve been helping them out with their requests and they had a more specific one this time. They wanted a portrait. Or a series of them, to keep.”

Sabo sighed, leaning back in his seat. He laced his fingers together over the table. “It had us both stumped for awhile, to be honest. It seemed doable, but we didn’t know who to go to for something of this nature—but then we remembered Luffy mentioning you were back and town and he said you’ve been running into awful luck with work—”

Hoku sank lower in her seat, “How much did he say about that?”

Sabo’s face didn’t hold a hint of judgement. There was a fond sort of pity and understanding, he winced on her behalf, “You seem to be struggling quite a bit financially is what we got from it.”

Hoku grumbled to herself. Damn it, Luffy and your dumbass, big mouth. “Listen, it really isn’t that bad—”

“Don’t worry,” Sabo said, “I won’t pry. I want to. But I won’t. It’s not fair to come barging into your life after all this time and tell you whatnot just because.”

“I know you guys wouldn’t mean it like that,” Hoku said, feeling horribly touched at his words. And… relieved. He’d said exactly what she’d been hoping to hear. “You just care. You guys have always been sweet on those you care about.”

Sabo rubbed the back of his neck this time, looking sheepish. “It’s nothing like that—”

“No, no, it is,” Hoku said. “But anyway, forget about money. Keep goin’.”

“Well, it still has to do with money, actually,” Sabo said. “We both wanted you instantly because we love the way you draw—you’ve always been amazing at it, no matter what it was.”

Hoku’s chest flooded with unrestrained pride. She sank lower into her seat, covering her forehead with one hand and biting her lower lip. “I—I still have a lot to work on—”

“Hoku, look at me.”

Hoku followed the instruction, startled.

Sabo’s face was stern. His eyes held her in place, brows creased in that little way to show how earnestly he meant what he was about to say. “Hoku, you’re an amazing artist.”

Hoku grabbed her tea cup. Sabo opened his mouth, eyes flickering quickly with something—but she already brought it roughly to her lips, a bit sloshing over as she took a long, hard sip—it was delicious—and swallowed.

A bit dripped down her chin. Hoku laughed, a little too loud, flustered and embarrassed and yeah, it’s nice to hear all that but it doesn’t make it any less—I dunno. She was always shit at stuff like this. “Okay, I get it, you like the drawings—what’s the job—”

Sabo’s expression looked lost for a moment. Hoku blinked, realizing he seemed entirely zoned out. His eyes were following something on the corner of her chin and Hoku stopped, quickly rubbing at the tea that’d spilled down her chin—

“I’m sorry,” Sabo said, blinking back into focus. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face for a moment and then smiling at her. “I didn’t catch that. I lost my train of thought this time.”

“No, you’re fine,” Hoku said. “We’re even now.”

Sabo stared at her for a second before he said, a bit soft, “You’re awful at listening to directions, aren’t you?”

“A bit,” Hoku said. Sabo’s fingers curled around his cup.  “Keep going about that client. Needed an artist. What’s next?”

“Ah, yes,” Sabo folded his hands back together onto the table. “Well, we figured we were killing two birds with one stone by asking you. Help you out with your situation, and secure the piece we needed for this request. We’ll need you twice a week for an entire month, starting as soon as you can. It’ll only be in the evening, and we can work around your school schedule, but when you come in, how long it runs for may vary each time. We can supply any materials you’ll need, canvases and all, and all you’ll have to do is just draw.”

“That sounds…” Hoku said, “Really well-thought out.”

Sabo smiled, “We tried to be thorough with our planning to make sure everything went smoothly.”

“I… I don’t see any reason why not,” Hoku said, blinking. “You just need me to draw specific pieces—what is your client looking for? It sounds like there’ll be a model or a specific scene in mind. And honestly, Sabs, don’t even worry about the payment—I’d just like to help you guys out.”

“I have to insist you take the pay,” Sabo said, shaking his head. “It isn’t coming from Ace or I, honest. It’s directly paid from the client. And I have to say, they do pay rather handsomely.”

“Then you guys should keep the money,” Hoku protested. “I really can’t—”

“You’re the one doing the work,” Sabo said. “I have to insist.”

“But if they’re a friend of yours, I don’t want to make them pay,” Hoku said. “It won’t be too much trouble. I might not even be up to their standards—”

“Our business is strictly professional,” Sabo reassured. Fingers folded neatly together, sitting on top of the table. “You can take the pay, it really isn’t—”

“I’m not going to do the job if you guys are gonna pay me.”

Sabo stopped. Hoku’s face was set, stern. Sabo stared at her for a long, long minute, hands still folded so neatly in front of him and eyes quiet—

Sabo smiled, his face was playful, “Still as stubborn as ever.”

“Enough about money,” Hoku said. I’m sick of thinking about it, honestly. “What are they looking to have drawn? It doesn’t sound like it’s something off the top of my head. What’d they have in mind?”

“Ah, well,” Sabo looked a little thoughtful this time, contemplative. He seemed to be working through his words before he faced her evenly, an air of professionalism coating his friendly demeanor. “I don’t doubt your skills in the slightest, Hoku. I remember you’ve always been fond of drawing people too…”

Hoku waited, holding her cup in her hands. I’ve been taking forever to drink this thing. I keep getting distracted.

“I have to ask though,” Sabo said, “are you well acquainted with drawing anatomy?”

“Sure,” Hoku said, the cup at her lips. She’d assistant taught an anatomy drawing class. “All ranges. You’re right, people are usually my go-to for focus.”

Sabo leaned forward onto his elbows. His hands were interwoven together, placed over the lower half of his face. His expression was neutral.

“Nude models as well?”

Hoku nodded, not missing a beat. She’d dealt with the initial embarrassment of drawing nude models years ago from earlier classes. At the end of the day, it bled into a kind of intrigue to figure out how well you could draw people, at their rawest, at their most bare—it was intimate, and you wanted to make it beautiful. They all had the same body parts at the heart of it—when it came to her pencil and paper, there was nothing else to think about except the drawing. No strings attached.

I mean, Hoku felt an inch of heat creep up the back of her neck. It colored the top of her ears. It’s not like I’ve never been naked with anyone before… either…

Sabo watched her over the top of his fingers.

“I won’t scream or run out of the room if I see boobs or someone’s junk,” Hoku said flatly. Sabo’s lips turned up at the corners, holding back a laugh. “I’ve done nude shoots plenty of times, so don’t worry about that.”

“That’s good,” Sabo said, “See, our client is looking for something of a more… intimate nature.”

When you’re undressed like that in front of anyone, it’s already something intimate. Hoku nodded, following along.

“It’ll be an entirely private affair,” Sabo said evenly.  “Closed quarters. Our clients are trusted people. Strictly business. You won’t have to worry about having your name attached to anything either, unless you’re particularly proud of a piece and want to use it for anything.”

His reflection in the dark cup of coffee couldn’t be seen, less than half full. Hoku’s reflection warbled back against her tea.

“You’ll only have to draw,” he said. “The time frames will range though, forgive me on that.”

Hoku shook her head, “You really have nothing to apologize for, honestly.”

Sabo smiled over the top of his hands. “There won’t be any given cues. They’re looking for something… natural. Whatever catches your eye in the moment it all happens, you choose what you’d like to draw. Whatever stands out to the artist should be worth something, after all.”

Free reign. Hoku nodded thoughtfully. She’d done some works like this before—almost like hiring a photographer, but looking for someone to draw it instead.

Sabo let out a loud sigh. Hoku looked up, curious. His shoulders had slumped, face visibly relaxed as he offered her a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry. Working this out with you has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. You have no idea how much you’re helping us out with this. We… we really needed the help.”

I’ll do my best. These guys have always been nothing but kind to me. Hoku straightened.

“When do you think is the soonest you can start?” Sabo questioned.

“Whenever!” Hoku said eagerly. “I’m in school Monday through Thursday, but classes end way before the evening. I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

“Today’s Wednesday,” Sabo pulled out his phone, opening up his calendar. “Will Friday be too soon? The timing is perfect since it’s the first of the month…”

“No, that’s totally fine,” Hoku said, nodding. “I can do Friday.”

“I’ll text you the time and address then and further information,” Sabo said cheerfully. He turned his phone over face down onto the table, focusing back on her. “You can send me a list of anything you might need and we’ll have it ready.”

“I have a lot of my own supplies,” Hoku said. “Maybe just let me know if there’s specific size or style your client is looking for. Charcoal, ink, graphite—”

“Classic pencil should do,” Sabo said easily. “They’re not too picky.”

“Will the client be the model?” Hoku said.

“Ace, the client, and myself,” Sabo answered cleanly. “Poses will range. The entire thing will be a bit like… a simulation, if you will. If there was a moment where something stood out and you couldn’t capture it, we have cameras recording in the room on all sides, so just let us know after it’s done and we can send you the tapes.”

Ace and Sabo… Hoku’s brows furrowed. Her gut shifted a little. That… That might get a little weird, won’t it? Drawing them naked is kind of weird.

“We really needed the help.”

“Will any of that be a problem?” Sabo asked gently, brows furrowed in worry.

Hoku’s stomach twisted a bit more.

You’ve drawn your friends in all kinds of ways before. Hoku reminded herself. You helped your classmates with their own projects—you’ve drawn people you know really well nude and different and all kinds of different things—it’s just that. No strings attached. It’s not really intimate at all.

“None at all,” Hoku said.

It was just another job. Pencil and paper. Nothing more.

“And Hoku?”

She looked up. Sabo’s face was earnest.

“If there’s ever a moment where it’s too much, you want to quit, or you just don’t feel comfortable,” Sabo said gently. “You can leave whenever you want. We understand. If you can’t handle it, don’t worry. It’s completely up to you.”

“Can’t handle it?”

“I’m sure I can handle it,” Hoku said, ignoring the old, bitter memory. The tightness around her throat. The sound of water rushing all around her. “Don’t worry.”

Sabo smiled.

.

.

.

Hoku flopped down onto the train seat, knocking her head back on the reinforced glass. The business man beside her didn’t even look up, eyes falling heavy with sleep. Same, man, same.

She shouldn’t be tired. The rest of the meet-up went… amazingly. They stopped talking business and just caught up like old friends. Hoku laughed a lot, ate a lot, constantly being fed this and that as Sabo ordered with reckless abandon—“But it all looks so good!” and when she’d tried to run to the cashier to pay because that’d been her plan all along—she was left staring at the smiling host from earlier as he held up Sabo’s sleek black credit card.

To be honest, she’d felt completely and utterly spoiled. A feeling that always had her on edge and made her feel funny because—I don’t deserve shit like this. Sabo had kindly offered to drive her home, but she had to put her foot down there—and even then that’d been a fight until Hoku had just booked it to the station, waving over her shoulder at a laughing Sabo left behind.

“We’ll meet up before the session starts on Friday with Ace to finalize some things.” Hoku lazily tugged out her phone, scrolling through the new messages. “Give you guys plenty of time to catch up and then get right to work.”

One month. Hoku pulled up her calendar. Aside from school and the impulsive or random hang outs with everyone—ah, gotta drop off food for Law—she had nothing planned. Because you’re an unemployed loser.

She could do this. It seemed easy enough. The only thing that didn’t sit right with her was the nature of how Ace and Sabo would be, but it was possibly they wouldn’t even be nude. Maybe someone wanted a beautiful drawing with two handsome men—yeah, I can do something like that.

It gave her something to do. Keep herself busy. Even if she didn’t take the pay, at least she’d be working.

A notification popped up and Hoku paused for a second before sliding it open. The photo opened up from the art platform she used to post new works and keep herself posted with—

This month’s. Working on the next.

His work was edgy. As always. The sleek slabs of metal had been made to look a chrome silver—they caught off the light, reflecting back the opening jaws of a monster made of his own creation but—

It was awesome.

Hoku stared at the new project. The train rumbled beneath her feet, shifting occasionally.

“Stick to your cars.” Hoku typed out finally, posting the comment with a face. She looked forward, the train fairly busy with other people all heading home from long days and late shifts.

She needed to get moving too.

Her phone lit up in her hands. Hoku smiled, pulling up the message. Luffy’s eager voice through the texts bled through instantly.

“HOW DID IT GOOOOOOO????”

“GREAT.” Hoku typed back. “GONNA HELP THEM ON FRIIIIIIDAAAAAAAY.”

Incoherent, misspelled words came back. Hoku stared, waiting for something to understand until a video was sent. She glanced around, lowering her volume in case and opening up the video.

The camera was violently shaky. Luffy was obviously running—his feet the only thing in view. The phone lifted up to where Zoro and Usopp were lounging on the couch and it looked like Sanji was in the kitchen—

“GUYS!!!!” Luffy’s voice shouted. The man beside her jumped. Hoku winced. “HOKU’S GETTING A JOB! SHE’S NOT A LOSER ANYMORE!”

Hoku slapped a hand over her mouth to stop her laughter. Usopp fell off the couch, startled from his doze. Zoro tipped his head back. “Bust out the booze.”

Sanji popped out from the kitchen, looking hurt. “Hoku honey, I said you could work at our restaurant—”

The video cut out with Luffy shoving a thumb up into the camera.

Hoku smiled, staring at her screen for a long time, holding it in front of her.

She could do this.

She had to.

.

.

.

“We’ll meet an hour before the session starts.”

Hoku stepped into the sleek, polished elevator. The apartment complex was unnervingly nice. She remembered muddy hills. Dangerous forests. Creaky houses and three loud boys. This—one of the clearly nicer apartment buildings in their city—wasn’t what she was used to seeing. Ace and Sabo were clearly doing really well.

“We’ll be doing this at our apartment. This is the address and the code. We have a… studio of sorts for this type of work. Everything will be prepared beforehand so don’t worry about having to arrange anything.”

Hoku adjusted the collar of her blank white t-shirt, tucked into the waistband of her light washed jeans. She pulled her bomber jacket tighter over herself. Her bigger canvas bag was slung over her shoulder, all her supplies shoved in.

“Is there a certain way I should dress?”

“Perhaps nothing too… flashy? Just make sure you’re comfortable. No real dress code. You’ll be working for what might be several hours.”

Hoku’s fingers reached out, pausing at the button. Ninth floor.

Nine wasn’t a really lucky number by her books.

“Our client has already been informed, so don’t worry about anything. You’ll need to stay on the quieter side though, if that’s alright. Your station is positioned nicely in the room so you can move and get whatever angles you need.”

Hoku hit the button. The floor numbers lit up as the elevator lifted her to the apartment.

“We’ll start officially at nine.”

The wall gave way to glass. Hoku glanced to the city lights, flickering and shifting across the streets.

“You can have a moment to do anything you need before we begin. We won’t be able to stop once we start.”

The doors to the elevator slid open. Hoku stepped out, realizing with wide eyes that the entire floor was reserved for a single apartment. How big is this place?

Double doors waited at the end of the hallway.

Hoku shifted her bag and walked toward it, humming a bit to herself. Wonder if Ace is still annoying.

“We’ll walk you through anything else before we start. Answer any questions.”

Hoku stopped in front of the pearly white doors. She stared at it for a second, the tune dying on her lips. Something churned in her gut. A funny feeling.

It’s just another drawing session.

“Thank you again, Hoku. You don’t know what this means to us.”

Hoku knocked firmly against the door. She waited, shoving her hands into her pockets. This’ll be good for you. You need this change of pace. And besides, you get to do it with two good friends—

“You’ll be helping us, a lot.”

Hoku heard muffled footsteps on the other side of the door. A lock, two, slid out of place. The door opened inwards and Hoku looked up.

Eyes like charcoal. A little gray—almost silver in linings. A constellation of light freckles dusted over his cheeks. Sun-kissed skin. Soot black hair that framed the sharp line of his jaw and the familiar smell of something smoldering—like burning pine or with a little more bite to it—

Still a little roguish looking, wild. Still had that grumpy crease to his brows—

Portgas D. Ace.

Ace stared at her for a second and then promptly shut the door in her face.

Still a little piece of shit—

“What’s the password?” Ace said, muffled behind the door.

Hoku snorted. She kept her hands in her pockets.

“I guess I’m not wanted for the job,” Hoku answered. “Thanks for the interview anyway—”

The door swung open. Ace’s hand shot out, grabbing the back of her jacket just as she was turning. Hoku choked, arms flailing as she was roughly tugged back into the entrance of the apartment.

Ace’s bare foot shot out around her, kicking the door closed and twisting one of the locks between his toes—what the fuck you actual monkey—and then he was turning her around to face him.

Hoku spat her hair out of her mouth. Staring.

He had a shirt on for once. Tucked into a pair of black jeans.

That stupid, boyish grin split across his face, showing his always oddly sharp canines and making crinkles show up around his eyes. That dumb, happy, dorky grin—

Hoku’s heart did a funny thing, the kind of thing that reminded you just how much you missed someone and hurt you for not making an effort to see them sooner because—

“Hey, shooting star,” Ace said, voice deep and light all at once, clearly filled with mirth, “How’ve you been?”

“Hey, dumbass,” Hoku said, unable to stop the wide smile on her lips and not even trying to. “Been awhile, huh?”

Ace’s face soured at the name. He grabbed the back of her head, shoving it straight into his chest. Hoku let out a muffled squawk. Her hands shot out, smacking at his arms, but Ace promptly clamped them down firmly in a bear hug around her and lifted her off her feet. “I think you forgot who you’re talking too. Who said you could get that cheeky, huh?”

Hoku let out muffled curses against his shirt, getting a mouthful of cologne and cotton. Ace turned around, about to haul her out of the entryway until Sabo’s head peeked around the corner.

“At least let her take her shoes off,” Sabo said. Ace looked down to where Hoku was already struggling to shove her sneakers off with the other foot despite her constrained form. “You know how she is about that.”

“I have to make up for two years worth of contact,”Ace said simply, without any regret. “It starts now.”

“Make sure you let her breathe first,” Sabo said, amused. “Or you’ll lose her before that.”

Ace relinquished his hold. Hoku almost fell back, tripping over her shoes still half on her feet. Ace grinned, a deft finger sliding through one of her empty belt loops and stopping her from falling onto her ass. He tugged her back onto her feet and Hoku shot both hands out, steadying herself. Her eyes darted around, frazzled and flustered for a second before her face shifted into a deep scowl.

“I don’t miss any of that,” Hoku said darkly. “No wonder I never reached out to you.”

“No, you’re just awful,” Ace said. “Look at you. You look like you’re about to cry. Should’ve called if you were going to miss us that much, shooting star.”

“I look like this because I almost died from cotton suffocation,” Hoku snapped. Ace used one finger to dig something out of his ear, turning away from her. Nope. Didn’t miss him at all. Not one bit.

Hoku thought about tumbling down hills and climbing up trees and their stupid faces popping into classrooms and--

She sniffled. Nope. Not one bit.

“You’re still as grumpy as ever,” Ace said. He yawned, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Sabo said you got nicer, guess he was wrong.”

Hoku tossed her shoe at the back of his head. Ace yelped, turning around with wide eyes and grabbing the back of his head in pain. “You hit me!”

“I’m about to kick your ass too,” Hoku said, waving her other shoe.

Ace’s lips split into a wild grin. He turned, raising his hands to tackle her. Hoku readied her shoe, taking in the healthy, lively look in his eyes and the bright teeth and—

Her shoulders couldn’t help but slump a bit. Her brows softened. “You look good.” I’m glad.

She and Ace had always butted heads the most. Fought the most. Tousled with each other the most—but Ace had also been the one she couldn’t help worrying about from time to time because he’d been such an angry brat as a kid and—

Ace looked as though she’d slapped him silly. He stared at her, jaw stupidly slack and then his cheeks flushed a dark red. He slapped a hand over his mouth, stumbling back one step and fumbling for his words as he rubbed the back of his neck furiously.

“You can’t just say stuff like that,” Ace said hotly, “Aw, jeez—you’re cheating—”

“You’re such an idiot,” Hoku laughed, dropping her shoe and stepping into their apartment.

See? Hoku let any lingering, stray doubts fade away. Easy and comfortable. You’re going to be fine.

Immediately the space opened up to a massive living room. A shining coffee table in the center, sleek and new. Windows opened up to a massive view, curtains currently pulled open to showcase the entire city. A long, comfortable looking couch and a separate recliner. A book shelf, neat and organized. Sabo. A shiny new television screen and set and the space opened up to a massive island that shifted toward a giant kitchen—

“How much are you guys making?” Hoku squawked. Sabo chuckled and Ace grinned, crossing his arms over his chest with a puff of pride. “What the hell happened to leaking ceilings and broken drywall—did you rob a bank while I was gone?”

“Being awesome pays,” Ace said with a cocky grin.

“Our work leaves us comfortable,” Sabo said. He appeared at her side, clad in a navy blue turtleneck and black pants. He set down a pair of house slippers for her and smiled up at her. “Seems like you two are already catching up like you’d never left, and I hate to interrupt…”

“Ah, shit, it’s already almost time,” Ace glanced to his watch and back to the door. “Good thing we got everything set already.”

Sabo nodded. Hoku stepped into the slippers. Nice fit. The blonde offered to take her bag, but she waved him off. He curled his fingers back to his chest, looking amused.

“Do you want anything to drink?” Sabo offered kindly. “Take a seat on the couch, we can go over last minute details before we start.”

“No, I’m fine,” Hoku said, swatting Ace’s hands away when he playfully tried to herd her toward the living room. Sabo’s eyes flickered above her head toward Ace and Hoku made her way gingerly toward their living room. “Thank you though.”

“Take your jacket off if you’d like,” Sabo said. “The room might get a bit warm.”

Her jacket was making her a bit more comfortable, if she had to be honest. Purposefully not doing it seemed a bit rude to a second kind request from Sabo though. Hoku dutifully started shrugging it off and she almost jumped when two hands came on either side of her arms, pulling her jacket away from her with a gust of warm skin and heat.

“Still as jumpy as ever,” Ace said above her, teasing.

“Think I can’t take off my own jacket?” Hoku said, pointedly shoving her arms the rest of the way past his fingers.

Ace snorted. “You trip over air.”

Hoku scowled, turning away as her fingers slipped from her jacket sleeves. Ace pulled it away, watching her back.

He handed it to Sabo, who took it with nimble fingers, folding it once and laying it over the back of one of the dining chairs.

The long, leather couch was tempting, but Hoku wisely opted for the love seat placed in front of the coffee table beside the gas powered fireplace. Ace took a seat on the couch, throwing one arm casually behind it and getting comfortable while Sabo walked over to the two of them, taking a seat beside his brother as he set two water bottles down.

“I brought my bigger sketchbook,” Hoku said. “Just in case. But Sabs said you guys had the drawing table set up so I’ll work directly onto the paper and just let me know if your client wants it finalized on a better sheet.”

Ace took one of the bottles, unscrewing the cap. His eyes turned sideways to Sabo, “You two already went over everything, right?”

Sabo nodded, crossing one leg over the other and folding his hands together on top of his knee. “For the most part. You remember everything I told you, right Hoku?”

“Read it over a couple times just in case,” Hoku said. She ticked off her fingers. “Quiet as a mouse. I’m no more than just an observer after all, right? Pick a shot that stands out the most to me and draw that. There won’t be any guidance. Keep it all confidential for the client’s and your guys’ sake. Comfy clothes…”

She’d already silenced her phone. Pulled her hair back into a ponytail to maintain an air of professionalism for their client…

Sabo smiled, lids a little low, pleased. “Good job, Hoku.”

Hoku smiled idly at the praise. “Nothing to give me credit for—it’s a job. It’s the least I should do.”

Yeah. Hoku thought resolutely. You can do this. You’re helping a couple friends out.

Ace watched her over the top of his water bottle. His eyes traveled down the half-heart tattoo over her eyes, dipping to where her t-shirt showed a bit of her collarbone where a smattering of petals were tattooed over her shoulder.

“Any new tattoos?” Ace questioned curiously. Sabo glanced to him, pausing mid-way to grab his bottle.

Hoku didn’t look up from checking her materials in her bag, “Maybe one or two. You still got that gang of yours on your back—”

“Our client should be here in a few minutes,” Sabo turned to Ace. His brother’s expression shifted briefly before settling, head dipping a bit in a nod. “I know you’re a bit behind on catching up, but that is your fault for forgetting to call off.”

“It was last minute!” Ace complained.

Sabo glanced to the expensive looking watch on his wrist. He slipped a thin, flat looking box out of his pocket and casually pressed a button, watching it for a moment before he put it back into his pocket. Ace’s eyes flashed back to him briefly, but his attention swung back to Hoku, whose face had turned a bit constipated as she held up her phone.

“Sorry,” Hoku said, a bit sheepish. “Uh, blame Luffy?”

Ace grumbled without real menace, folding his arms across his chest. Sabo smiled well-naturedly, turning his focus back to Hoku.

“As I said, we already briefed our client on everything,” Sabo said. “So don’t worry. She won’t be surprised. You’ll be in your space and we’ll be in ours and you just have to do what you need to do. Don’t worry about anything that happens either—t’s all been discussed. Just focus on what you’re doing.”

Hoku felt the curiosity from earlier stir. She set her bag down on top of her lap. Ace tipped the bottle back, taking a long swig as his adam’s apple bobbed with a swallow. A bit of water dripped down his chin, past his throat.

“You said it was like a simulation,” Hoku said. Sabo waited, listening, “Is it… Is it going to be like acting something out? Like a play or a scene she’s looking for?”

“You want to see for yourself?” Ace questioned absently. Dark eyes watched her over the top of his bottle, clashing with his light voice—

Sabo shot Ace a chiding look, lined with a bit of bemusement. Ace shrugged.

Hoku’s eyes were on her memo book, scribbling a note to herself in. Look for a good moment. “Hired an artist, not a model.”

“Mmm,” Sabo rubbed his chin, curling his fingers beneath it as his eyes flickered in thought. “Acting something out… You could say it’s something like that. As I said before, it’ll be on a more intimate affair, so I hope you won’t be startled—”

“I won’t,” Hoku promised. She’d already braced herself by going over old sketches of different poses and angles in her nude studies and drawing sessions—she was expecting some of the ‘worst’ in a sense, and reminded herself that it was just—

Another drawing.

Even if you know these guys like brothers, she thought a little limply. Just wash it out of your brain later.

“Perfect,” Ace said simply. “Then there shouldn’t be anymore problems, right? Let’s get started.”

Sabo shot him an amused look. Ace clapped his hands together, locking them behind his head in an easy posture. Hoku nodded, gathering up her bag. “Lead the way—”

“Hoku?”

Hoku stopped. She looked back up at Sabo. “Yeah, Sabs?”

Sabo’s lip twitched. Something flickered through his eyes, concealed beneath gentle amusement and a hint of fondness. He leaned forward, making sure their gazes met.

“I just wanted to remind you again,” Sabo said, warmly, he seemed to wait a bit. Hoku turned fully to face him. He continued, “If any of this seems too much for you or gets too uncomfortable—we can stop. We don’t want to ruin anything or make things weird if this makes you uneasy—”

“I’ll be fine,” Hoku said, smiling brightly. “Don’t worry.”

“If it does get too much though,” Ace added. “Maybe hold off on saying anything till after. I dunno if Sabo told you yet, but it’s hard to stop once we get started—”

“Don’t worry,” Hoku repeated, shaking her head. “It won’t.”

“Then,” Sabo said smoothly. He stood up to his full height and Hoku adjusted her bag. Her eyes dropped to his hands, realizing he was wearing gloves indoors—for the drawing session? “Any other questions before we start?”

Hoku ran over all the instructions twice. This whole thing seemed a little more edgier than she was used to, intimately professional. But it was just another drawing session at the end of the day, right?

Sabo walked around the coffee table, even steps stopping beside her. He lowered a hand to her back, guiding her toward the hallway politely. Ace remained on the couch, watching them with half-lidded eyes as they turned toward the specific hallway—

Hoku snapped her fingers, looking up at Sabo. The brothers turned to her curiously.

“I know you said I had free reign,” Hoku said, eyes wide with realization. “But is there a specific… I dunno, look she might be going for? A moment in this whole thing I should pay attention too or keep an eye out for…”

Sabo tipped his head to the side, considering his answer. Ace tipped his head onto the back of the couch, fingers laced behind his head.

A slow, lazy smile curved over his lips. His canines peeked through. Ace’s expression was satisfied and amused all at once—as though he’d just told the greatest joke in the entire world.

“Probably,” Ace said, “the climax.”

.

.

.

The room—the studio—was massive.

The entire room fitted like a master bedroom. It seemed the entire apartment had several different rooms, using up the large amount of space granted by being the only room on the entire floor of the complex high rise.

Fitted with only two doors—the one they’d entered through and another door on the right that seemed to lead into a bathroom. The room itself was wide.The walls were wood and dark in color. Low, warm colored lights were fixed into the ceiling.  Sleek wooden floors fitted with a nice looking rug right in front of the main attraction.

A single bed.

A big bed. King sized. Plush, neatly folded duvets and silk sheets. It was a dark red in color, not too bold or flashy, prominent. It didn’t stand on a classic bed-frame, instead, raised up from the ground with a wooden step that went around it, making the bed seemed fixed into the floor. A dark, leather cushioned headboard sat behind it, tucked beneath heavy pillows.

There was a lounge chair in the opposite corner, a fancy looking recliner. Night stands were nestled on either side of the bed. One more beside the chair.

Paneled sliding doors to the left promised a closet. Hoku was still taking in the entire show of the room because—it was kind of daunting, really. She tried picking out with a more eager eye good angles, the colors contrasted darkly and richly, so she’d have fun with shading and contrasts but—

Intimate. Hoku thought about Sabo’s description. Definitely seems to be the right word.

She couldn’t help but wonder if this was the classic go-to for all their shoots. She kept calling it a room in her head because it’s what it looked like—but Sabo had said it was studio. It was possible they moved it around and changed it to whatever they needed to fit their client’s demands.

Her work station was nestled in the corner of the room. Almost it’s own little world. It was quite a good distance from the door. Sleek desks arranged for maximum workspace, though humbly recluse from everything else in the room. There were folded up light fixtures and equipment Hoku recognized for photoshoots propped up in case she wanted to change anything. Her work space was a very, very nice looking drawing table, fitted with a light and grooves for her materials, a slot for the paper and—

Hoku stood behind the desk, setting her things down. She played with the back of the chair—it was a roomy thing, arm rests. Wheels on the bottom so she could spin and move it around—

“Perfect view,” Hoku realized, staring at the bed from where she’d be sitting. Of everything.

She glanced up to the ceiling, noticing what looked like paneled boards. Light fixtures behind them? Hoku turned her head, noticing the reinforced hook fixed into the center of the bed’s ceiling. They must move things around after all for different shoots—

“Are you all set up?”

Hoku jumped, nearly knocking into the desk and falling over it. Her head snapped over her shoulder and Sabo blinked in surprise right behind her, pressing a few gloved fingers to his lips. “Oops, sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, you just—” Hoku shook her head, laughing a bit as she tugged a quick hand through her hair. Sabo’s eyes followed the action briefly. “You’re like a ghost. I didn’t even hear you.”

“Ah,” Sabo’s lips turned upwards in amusement, lowering his hand beneath his chin. “I know what you mean. Ace and Luffy are always so loud, it makes you seem quieter than you are.”

“You look comfy,” Hoku said, eyeing the dark navy robe Sabo had changed into. Kept the gloves on though.

“I’m used to this,” Sabo said with an easy smile.

“Seems like it,” Hoku agreed, taking a seat in the chair. She adjusted it briefly, spinning it around once. Sabo’s brows quirked, looking as though he were trying to hold back a laugh. “Neat studio you guys have set up here. You’ve got a whole thing going, huh?”

Sabo hummed, playing with the back of her chair. “When it became apparent we’d be doing this fairly often, we figured it was wise to make the investment.”

“Private modeling sessions,” Hoku mused, leaning back in the chair. Sabo crossed his arms over the back of the rest, leaning his head onto them as he watched the top of her head. “You know, considering how good looking you guys are, I bet companies would be paying big bucks to have a couple sessions.”

“How much would you pay?” Sabo questioned behind her.

Hoku pursed her lips, pretending to think deeply on the subject. “I doubt I could even afford an hour.”

Hoku laughed, smoothing out her paper and leaning forward toward the desk. She tugged out her pencil case, flipping it open. “My art teacher would kill to have you sit in for a class—”

Her chair shifted. Sabo had pushed it forward a bit. The desk came close to her, not touching, but keeping her nestled tightly between the wood and the chair behind her. Hoku’s hands instantly shot for the edge of the desk, catching herself briefly—

“For however long you’d like, whatever you’d like, a session for you,” Sabo said, his voice was light, breezy. Easy. Not a hint of anything else. There would be no reason for there to be anything else.

“Would be free.”

Sabo’s shadow was light against her desk. Hoku stared at it for a moment, feeling strangely, quietly—was that feeling even really there? Did she really feel that for a second? No, no you didn’t. Why would you feel like that when—

It’s just them.

“So then,” Hoku said, turning her head over her shoulder with a grin. “I could have you two dressed up however and in whatever ridiculous pose I wanted—”

“I do look better in colors that compliment my hair,” Sabo said cheerfully. “And I like—”

“Navy blue,” Hoku jutted a pencil at his robe.

Sabo’s smile was so bright it almost hurt to look at. Something funny twisted in her gut. “Ace will be coming in with our guest in a second, remember everything I told you?”

“Mhm,” Hoku nodded. “You won’t hear a peep out of me. Won’t even be here.”

Sabo fondly ruffled the top of her head, “Good girl.”

Hoku scowled, swatting at his hand. Sabo chuckled, pulling away from her chair while giving it a bit of a spin as he walked from her station toward the bed. Hoku couldn’t help but hope he at least had something on under that robe because—

Luffy, this might be one of the weirdest things I’ve ever done but I swear to god I’m washing it out of my brain when this is all over. Hoku turned her eyes to the paper, already starting to sketch out the design of the room since she’d be aiming for something to take place on the bed. I’m going to do everything in my power not to have to draw your brothers’ dic—

No, don’t even worry about it. Hoku shook her head. No other thoughts. They’re just bodies. You just draw. There’s nothing else involved in it.

Easy.

The door clicked open.

Sabo turned slowly, standing directly before the bed.

Hoku looked up.

She was lovely.

Long, dark hair curled into waves against her back. Her nails were neatly done, manicured and colored like wine to match the tight, form fitting cocktail dress that showed off all her curves in all the right places. Her skin was a light, healthy tan. Her body was nice. Hoku could see what angles she should draw from immediately from how well her legs moved, long and lovely beneath her dress that barely hit her mid-thigh—

Her lashes were long and curled. Her lipstick matched the color of her dress. She looked older—probably somewhere around Law’s age. Ah, but his type is far away from women like this—

She stepped further into the room. Hoku realized she was still wearing her shoes—black heels, strapped up to her ankles. Her head held high. She walked with purpose. Hoku instantly felt a clear wall erected between them—Hoku was Hoku—this lady, this woman, was exactly what girls aspired to be. Beautiful, mature, seductive.

Sabo offered her a warm, polite smile. The woman’s eyes lowered, half-lidded and dark. Hoku watched her throat quiver with a swallow. Her pretty nails tugged at the hem of her dress briefly. Sabo hadn’t even moved.

The air in the studio shifted. It felt heavy.

Hoku held her pencil loose in her grip, uncertain for a moment, waiting.

“You’re late,” Sabo said, politely, “Hotaru-san.”

Hoku only froze for a brief second. That weird flinch you did sometimes when you thought someone was about to say your own name.

Hotaru’s lips pursed. Full. She bit her lower lip, eyelids fluttering and then her gaze turned quickly to Hoku.

Hoku flinched, gripping her pencil. Should she introduce herself? Thank her? Greet her? Her eyes darted to Sabo in a moment of panic, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off Hotaru.

“You don’t have to speak to her. Or interact with the client. Just do what you need to do.”

Hotaru’s face shifted. Clearly unhappy. A pout followed on her lips and Sabo looked amused as she strode further into the room. Heels clicking against the wood. Hoku waited with her pencil ready, a little nervous until she spotted Ace stepping into the room right after her, still in his clothes from earlier.

The door closed behind him with an audible click. His fingers smoothly twisted a lock into place.

Hotaru shuddered at the sound, breathing a little heavier.

Hoku swallowed. She hovered over her paper. Ace’s dark eyes caught hers from her station and he offered her a small smile, throwing her a wink.

Her shoulders slumped in relief. Hoku forced herself to relax. That’s right. They said it was like acting—they’re just models. You’re just drawing. Don’t worry about anything else. It’s just a job.

What are you getting so nervous for?

“You didn’t say she was going to be a girl,” Hotaru said finally. Her voice was high, her lips pursed in annoyance. Hoku’s eyes went round in worry. Sabo tipped his head to the side and she strode forward toward him, hands on her hips. “I told you how I—”

“You didn’t even take your shoes off,” Sabo said. Hotaru stopped completely in her tracks. His voice was even. Calm.

It could be heard.

“She was that eager,” Ace said behind them, walking forward with his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Hotaru’s face flushed dark in embarrassment, mouth opening and closing. “Came rushing right into the apartment.”

Ace stopped right behind her. He kept his hands to himself. “Why don’t you tell Sabo what you asked me to do when you came in, hmm? How I took off your jacket. Where you wanted to do it because you couldn’t wait.”

Sabo took a seat onto the edge of the bed. It’s risen level still left him lowered, but it didn’t feel that way at all—

A throne.

Hoku’s fingers twitched. This is a good shot—should I draw this? Her eyes flickered to her paper, ignoring the sweat that had gathered at the back of her neck. The nervousness that tugged at her fingers despite how steady she held her pencil.

It’s like acting. It’s a roleplay. They just need to get in character. The client must want something like this—

Hoku swallowed.

How… How far is this going to—

Sabo set his gloved hands on either side of him, leaning back onto his hands as he watched Hotaru in silence.

Hotaru bit her lower lip. Her cheeks were flushed a dark, cherry red. She turned her head to Ace and then to Sabo and she quickly spat out, “Fine—Fine, I don’t care. I just—Sabo, please—”

“Take your shoes off.”

Hotaru flinched, looking desperate. Ace didn’t move an inch, face set into an easy, uninterested look. Sabo didn’t seem interested in repeating himself a second time. Hotaru floundered for words.

Sabo smoothly slid out a thin, rectangular shaped box from the pocket of his robe. Hotaru shuddered, eyes growing round and fixed entirely on that little box.

Sabo set it calmly at his side, moving his hand from it.

Hotaru bent down. Her fingers quickly worked at her heels, tugging desperately at the straps and chucking her heels into another direction of the room. Ace looked amused behind her and Hoku’s eyes followed the heels, sketching them into the corner of the image. Giving herself something to do.

“You just have to watch.” She paused at the memory of Sabo’s words. “Closely. Pick which scene you think will be the best.”

Hoku’s brows furrowed and she hesitantly looked back up.

“There,” Hotaru said. She took a few steps and then she hit the floor on her hands and knees. Hoku stared with wide eyes. The woman crawled forward, her tight dress hiking up higher on her thighs with each movement. “I did what you asked, Sabo.”

Sabo remained silent, perched on the bed in front of her. Hotaru crawled up onto her knees in front of him and Hoku darted back to the paper. This isn’t a bad shot. Shows power and an attempt to overthrow. But Ace isn’t doing much in it—

“Look at you,” Hoku looked up at Sabo’s clear, resounding voice. It was directive. Her eyes dropped to Hotaru who bit her lower lip, eyes needy as she gazed at Sabo.

He kept his hands at his sides. Those blonde locks fell a bit into his eyes, framing that sculpted angle of his jaw.

He looked completely and utterly—

In control.

Hoku held her pencil tight, chanting a mantra in her head.

No one is even naked yet. She reminded herself. You’ve drawn worse before. This is some… powerplay or something. It’s an act. Calm down. Why are you—

“All worked up?” Sabo questioned lowly.

Hoku flinched for a second before she relaxed. He’s not talking to me. I don’t exist right now.

He raised a hand. Hotaru’s eyes followed every movement eagerly. Gloved fingers curved beneath her chin, raising her head up to look at him. “You normally put up such a fight. I could touch you and you’ll just roll over, won’t you?”

Hotaru’s eyes flashed. Her cheeks flushed but her hands rushed forward and Sabo’s eyes darkened. She fumbled for the bind holding Sabo’s robe together, pushing forward on her knees toward him. Her breasts pushed up against his legs.

Sabo simply watched in silence, as though he were watching a child try something in vain. A hint of amusement in his gaze. It was—

Condescending.

“Aren’t you the same though?” Hotaru said hurriedly. She tugged Sabo’s rope free and she pushed aside the folds of his robe. “You’re acting all calm and collected—but, but you want it too, don’t you? Look at you!”

Sabo’s chest opened up. Taut muscles. A defined ridge. Hoku’s eyes couldn’t help but move to the inch of his side that was exposed. His scar peeked through. Her heart clenched for a second at the memory of how he got the horrible burn—

His muscled abdomen dipped. Hotaru was almost panting at this point, eyes desperate as she fumbled around, licking her lips and the folds of his robe moved apart and—

Hoku’s eyes dropped down and she balked.

She’d drawn people nude dozens of times now. She knew what belonged where. She wasn’t—she wasn’t a virgin. She wasn’t bumbling and stuttering and a blushing idiot when she saw these things—usually when the pencil was in her hand and the paper beneath her—her mind even became almost clinical. It was another limb. Another part to draw—

Memories rushed forward. Her throat went dry. Hoku’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and her eyes instantly trained themselves hard on her paper, refusing to budge.

But this was—but he was—that—

Her gut twisted sharply, unsettled. Hoku’s throat went dry. She kept her eyes on the paper, on the paper—

“You won’t get freaked out or anything right?” Hoku flinched. But this is different. This feels—

Wrong. Weird. Private. Intimate. Imposing. Intruding.

She… She knew Ace and Sabo. She’d played with them as kids. Had funny, weird, awkward moments when they were teenagers—seen them with missing teeth and dumb grins—

But this is different.

“See?” Ace’s smooth voice, teasing, flooded the room. “She can’t even handle it.”

Hoku’s head snapped up instantly. Her cheeks hot but—No, no, that’s not it. I’m sorry, I’m not freaking out—

Hoku froze. Ace’s eyes were on Hotaru, a smirk on his lips. Sabo looked vaguely amused, leaning back on his hands as Hotaru panted on her knees in front of him, hands on his thighs and—

It’s just a drawing. Hoku said. She shut her mind down. Shut everything else out. You took this job. It’s not weird. It’s human. It’s intimate. It’s a scene. It’s like a play. Just draw the scene. Just draw. She gathered her footing back beneath her.

Hoku turned her eyes fully onto the scene unfolding in front of her.

Sabo’s length stood out from the folds of his robe. Hard. Erect. Revealing the muscled, toned top of his thighs. Hoku refused to study it in any more detail, keeping her eyes trained on Hotaru’s face. Hotaru shuffled forward, pressing herself flush between his legs. Sabo’s expression didn’t even flinch or shift. Neutral.

Professional.

There. It’s just another… Hoku’s neck felt hot. She felt a little queasy. Don’t think about whose that is. It’s just another body part.

“See?” Hotaru said breathily, lashes fluttering. “Look at you, baby. Look at how hard you are for me. This did something for you too, didn’t it? You liked this.”

Sabo watched her. Expression void. His eyes were dark and Hotaru pressed a kiss to his thigh. “Normally I have to work so… so hard to get you like this for me… I knew I did something for you. Aren’t I a good girl?”

Hoku’s gut twisted.

Sabo’s erection was hard. Swollen at the tip. Ramrod straight. Hotaru pressed another kiss to his inner thigh, as though seeking permission. Sabo didn’t even flinch despite the physical reaction, expression calm and collected. His lids were lowered, eyes dark and unreadable from where she was.

“You’re so big,” Hotaru said. Hoku’s ears went hot. Please stop. Oh my god. “So thick. You’re perfect, Sabo. I want it so bad. Please, let me make you feel good—”

Her hands inched up his thighs. Sabo watched in almost cold silence.

“What did it?” Hotaru panted. “The dress, baby? The shoes? The hair? I tried to do everything you told me to—was I too bad? What’s getting you off this time? What’s turning you on that I didn’t do before—”

Ace’s hand shot out like a snake. He fisted a handful of those thick, curly locks, tugging back sharply.

Hotaru yelped. Hoku jumped, almost hitting her knees into her desk. Her heart raced in her chest.

“Look at you,” Ace chuckled, dark, throaty. Hotaru moaned, hands flying up to where Ace held her by her hair. “Who said you could run that filthy mouth of yours? You’re so desperate, aren’t you? Crawling all over him like that—you’re dying for it.”

“Please!” Hotaru pleaded. Her cheeks were hot. She tried to turn around to Ace, hands flying to the button on his jeans. “Please! Touch me—anything—please! I’ll be good. I’ll do whatever you want—”

Ace let her get far enough to unbutton them. She unzipped his pants, trying to pull him free from his confines.

Her work stationed seemed miles away and still not far enough. The room was hot—the air was heavy.

Should I be doing this?

Her eyes dropped to her paper.

“We really needed the help for this job.”

Job. It’s just a job. It’s an act. Job. Job. Job—

“Look at me.” Hoku’s pencil almost slipped against the papers. Sabo’s voice left no room for disagreement and she glanced up.

He’d thankfully readjusted the folds of his robe. Leaning forward with one elbow on his knee. His gloved hand covered the lower half of his mouth, holding it there as he watched Hotaru in heavy, shuddering silence.

Hotaru watched him, chest rising and falling with each breath.

“Are you in any place,” Sabo said softly. “To be making demands?”

Hotaru shuddered.

“We’re all here to do this for you,” Sabo said. “And you go and run your mouth like that… is that anyway to repay us?”

Hotaru shook her head desperately, eyes wet. Her cheeks were such a dark red, panting heavily.

Sabo had complete hold over her.

Absolute control.

Sabo reached over for the little box. His thumb hit a button softly.

The reaction was instant.

Hotaru tossed her head back, writhing with her hair still in Ace’s loose grip. Her legs shuddered, jerking this way and that. Hotaru moaned, back arching. She bucked into the air once, twice. Ace and Sabo watched in silence as the low hum filled the room.

Hoku pressed a hand to her mouth. Her eyes were wide at her paper. Her face flushed red in embarrassment and she folded in on herself. That’s—That wa—Earlier—

Suck it up, you wimp. It’s just a—

Sabo hit a second button.

“Oh, god!” Hotaru cried. She panted, chest rising and falling and her entire body twisted about, lashing this way and that as she tried to find some kind of purchase, any kind of relief for the pleasure coursing through her body from the little device. “Please—oh, please! Let me come, Sabo. Please, please—”

Hoku filled her head with any other thought. It’s just—this is just porn! This is literally just porn—Usopp! Usopp and—that time you walked on Usopp in the shower—

“You think she deserves it?” Sabo questioned curiously. Looking at Ace over the top of his fingers.

Hotaru’s pitiful moans filled the entire room. Ace gave her head a little pat, watching her squirm. “Why not?”

“Please!” Hotaru gasped, back arching sharply. Hoku flinched. “Sabo! Ace! Please! I’m so close—”

Sabo hit the controller. Hotaru moaned. Her feet skidded across the floor, the humming cutting out completely. She whimpered, hips bucking upwards uselessly as the convulsions ceased and Sabo leaned back onto his hands.

“Take it out.”

Hotaru’s eyes snapped open wide. Hoku choked. Isn’t that a bit harsh—

“Some people are into that.”

Hotaru’s lips trembled. She looked up at Ace pleadingly, but he merely carded his fingers through her hair, offering her a low smile. His canines peeked through. Hotaru whimpered, spreading her legs open as she lowered her hand down to her tight dress. Sabo watched her, hand resting over the lower half of his face, eyes shaded darkly.

Hotaru’s fingers disappeared beneath her dress. She tossed her head back onto Ace’s thigh with a moan, spreading her legs apart. Her eyes kept themselves on Sabo, seeming to hope it’d get him moving.

Sabo remained motionless.

Hotaru let out a little whine. Her fingers tugged and then a ribbon and a thin cord came out, followed by the egg shaped vibrator—

Hoku focused on her paper. She had the entire room sketched out in vivid detail. Shaded in and everything. She had enveloped forms but no real figures. No pose—

“Good girl,” Sabo praised. Hotaru shuddered, watching him hopefully. “Now on your feet.”

Hotaru’s lips parted in desperate protest. Sabo’s face was cold. Unrelenting. Her mouth fluttered shut and she whimpered, slowly gathering herself on wobbly knees and walking toward him like a newborn fawn.

Ace followed behind her, stopping at her back. His fingers dipped into his back pocket, pulling out a foil package. He handed it to Hotaru over her shoulder, slipping it into her hand.

The proud, confident woman that had walked into the room just moments ago was nothing like what she had been. Her knees quivered. Her hair was disheveled. Her lips wet and red from all her biting and Hoku could see the slick shine to the inside of her thighs where her dress had hiked up almost completely and revealed she wasn’t even wearing anything beneath.

She was at their mercy.

Hoku’s eyes flickered to the door and back to her drawing. The events transpiring were leading to one finale. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be seeing this—

“It’s just a simulation of sorts.”

Too raw. Too vivid—

“Sabo—”

“Alright,” Sabo said. Hotaru’s eyes brightened, a kind of desperate Hoku had never seen on anyone before. Not in a situation like this. So… pitiful? “If you want it, then you do the work.”

Hotaru’s lips quivered. She looked about to protest for a moment and Ace stepped closer, hands coming around her sides and dipping low where Hoku couldn’t see.

Hotaru jerked. She moaned, nodding her head rapidly. She struggled with the condom for a second, ripping it open and then she quickly stepped between Sabo’s legs. He shifted further onto the bed, the first move he’d made in what felt like ages. Hotaru followed after, unrolling the condom. She placed it between her lips and her head ducked down.

Hoku turned back to the paper, starting to sketch out the forms onto the bed. There. That’s it. You don’t have to watch the specifics—get the feeling of it.

Hotaru’s lips fell over Sabo’s heavy tip. She licked a long stripe up the side of his length, following a heavy vein and finally moving the condom back between her lips. She took his head into her mouth, moaning just at the fact that she was finally, finally getting closer to what she wanted. Sabo looked almost amused above her, robe pooling down around his elbows as he leaned back and let her work, not moving a finger.

Hoku’s eyes landed on the vivid scar against his left side. The way it carved up his ribcage to his shoulder. She drew that part carefully, softly, on the form that was starting to give more shape to Sabo. She thought about the scar. Focused on that.

Hotaru moaned around him. Wriggling her hips impatiently. Ace knelt on the edge of the bed. He swiftly pulled his shirt off. Muscles rippled across broad shoulders, traveling down to almost slender hips.

His hand reached down, tugging his pants down lower on his hips. He pulled his cock free from its confines, hard. Precum gathered at his tip. Heavy, hot in his hands. His finger dragged across the slit, moving around the heavy head. His slickened hand dropped down, starting from the base and slowly working his way up.

Ace’s head tipped back, barely breaking a sweat. His eyes seemed focused on something else, working almost lazily at his own. Sabo watched Hotaru continue for a second longer, the condom fully sheathed over his length as she pressed kisses to the tip and bent lower—

“That’s enough,” Sabo said. “Go on.”

Hotaru eagerly clambered forward. She panted, reaching up and struggling to unzip the top of her dress. Ace seemed to take pity on her for a second, tugging it down swiftly and she tugged it low, letting her heavy breasts free as she groped desperately at herself. Hotaru twisted one of her nipples, rolling her breast and gazing heatedly at Sabo.

“Am I doing it right?” Hotaru begged. “You like this, right, Sabo? Tell me, please.”

Sabo leaned back on his elbows, calm and collected.

Hotaru groaned in desperation. She readied herself, lining up with his tip and she shot him another heated look, lips quivering, waiting.

Sabo simply blinked, watching in silence.

Hotaru turned, cheeks flushed. Hair clung to her cheeks, to her lips as she let her back face Sabo and she faced Ace. His hooded eyes watched her, inclining his head as he worked at his cock and Hotaru whimpered.

Hoku didn’t watch. Couldn’t watch. Her ears burned.

Hotaru’s blissful, desperate moan flooded the entire room like a siren as she sank low onto Sabo’s length. She took him in entirely, taking him all the way to the hilt as she slotted her hips over his and braced herself on his thighs.

“Oh, oh, oh,” Hotaru repeated. She lifted herself up and slid back with a lewd slick. Hoku winced. “Yes. Yes. Finally—Sabo! Sabo, you feel so good. Baby, you’re so big—so big, so hard, so good. Come on, help me—ah. Sabo, help me—”

Hoku realized just how much a prude she must be after all. Even—even during sex, she’d never been able to utter anything like that-—

Sabo shut his eyes for a second. He tipped his head back, golden strands shifting around his chin. The most of a reaction Hoku had seen so far. She focused on that, ignoring what was transpiring in front of her and how—

Intimate this is—

She remembered every sensual thing she’d ever drawn. She’d drawn sex before—intimate depictions of models—it’s just that. It’s just people.

But no matter how hard she tried—isn’t this too much? She’d never done anything like this before. Panic seized her. She’d never witness something so personal like this where it was happening before her and making her feel so, so—

Uncomfortable.

Hoku froze.

“If you ever feel uncomfortable—”

“If it’s ever too much—”

“Can’t handle it?”

She swallowed. Her throat went dry. Hoku’s eyes hardened and she shoved her pencil to the paper. No. No it’s not. It’s not too much. I’m not uncomfortable. You can do this, Hoku. You have to. So what if it’s new—it’s just different. You wanted to change and try new things—

“Why don’t you put that mouth to use?” Ace said huskily.

Hotaru’s eyes fluttered open and she crawled forward eagerly. Ace was on his knees, hand slipping from his cock and sliding back behind Hotaru’s head. She lifted her hips desperately, bringing them back down onto Sabo’s over and over again, chasing the feeling each time.

The sound of skin on skin. The air heavy.

Hotaru opened her mouth obediently. Ace’s grip tightened on the back of her head and he pushed forward past her lips. His head tipped back, eyes shutting at the feeling before he rolled his hips back and thrusted forward, fucking himself with her mouth.

Hoku couldn’t help the wince. I don’t think I could ever—

Hotaru moaned. Pleasure lined every crease of her face. She worked desperately with her mouth, letting Ace fuck himself as he liked while she moved, Sabo not lifting a finger as she rode herself on him as fast as she could. It was rough, it was desperate and almost pitiful and yet she looked so pleasured—

Hoku’s fingers twitched. I could draw that. Ace was in the picture now. It was obvious the client wanted something like this depicted—it’s just like people who write harlequin novels or direct porn. Just draw it.

You’re not involved.

The single sentence seemed to free Hoku from every other thought. That’s right, you’re not involved. She wasn’t part of the picture. She was safe here behind her station. Look at it from perspective. She had no reason to feel anything else but—

Professional.

Hoku pressed her pencil to her paper, ready, at ease. The faces started to blur and sharpen. She saw bodies. Movement. A scene unfolding.

That’s all it was.

Hoku’s pencil started to move rapidly. She watched the scene less and less, glancing up and down back to it. She had her mold now. She didn’t need to think about anything else. Her mind focused on the drawing and nothing else. The sounds fell deaf around her ears, the actions—

Hoku drew.

Dark eyes watched her from beneath blonde waves. His gaze was heavy, dark. Sabo’s lips twitched and he let out a small sigh through his nose, leaning back onto his elbows as he watched Hotaru get off, riding him with reckless abandon while she took Ace in all the way to the back of her throat, moaning each time.

The perfect picture of nothing but carnal desire. Lewd. Filthy. Raw. The vivid fantasy of any man’s dreams.

Sabo’s eyes narrowed. His lids lowered. Not even watching the moving body riding him like her life depended on it. His gaze remained trained on the only figure out of his reach.

For now.

Ace’s eyes flickered up at the soft sound. His fingers were threaded through Hotaru’s hair, meeting his brother’s gaze over the top of her head.

Ace glanced to the side, watching the way Hoku worked, glancing to them with unfocused eyes and back to her work from beneath his hair. She was seeing them but not seeing them. Watching but not watching. Zoned out as she drew.

Disconnected.

His brows creased slightly. Ace’s grip on the back of Hotaru’s head tightened. He thrust forward with a little more force and she moaned. Loud. Shameless. She worked herself desperately, chasing her high as she came down over and over again on Sabo’s length, grinding her hips, twisting this way and that.

Hoku felt the drawing start to come together. She worked on the details around Hotaru’s face, shading in softer areas, trying to capture the look. Her body curved, meeting both Ace and Sabo so she didn’t worry about anything else. Hotaru was the most exposed.

Ace watched Hoku. His fingers threaded harder. Hotaru moaned desperately around him. His lids lowered. He watched her eyes flicker to and fro, watched her mouth move soundlessly, followed her lips, the way her tongue peeked out as she worked harder at something on the paper—

Ace shut his eyes. He grit his teeth. Heat pooled, fast and molten in his stomach. Hotaru worked faster, bobbing her head up and down while she sloppily lifted her hips to come crashing back down.

Hotaru popped off suddenly, lips bruised and swollen. She panted out desperately with a keen, “Come for me, Ace—”

Sabo pulled her down hard onto his length, driving himself deep into her. Hotaru’s voice cut off with a high, stuttering moan. Her eyes went wide, face flushing with pleasure and Ace grabbed the back of her head, muffling her moans as he thrusted back into her mouth.

Ace’s breathing quickened. His eyes darted back to the desk. More labored. Sabo’s eyes flickered to him. Ace bowed his head, thrusting faster and harder into Hotaru’s mouth without mercy. Tears peeked out from the corners of her eyes, moans punched out with every shift of his hips.

Hoku adjusted his expression based on the sound. Already far, far away from what was unfolding in front of her. Focused on the drawing. The room slipped back into a studio. The bed another prop. The people forms to draw.

Sabo sat up. Hotaru moaned around Ace’s cock at the shift, moving her hips erratically to chase the deeper feeling he’d done just seconds ago, trying desperately to imitate the pleasure he could give her—find it for herself—

Useless.

Sabo’s gloved fingers slid around her waist. His fingers found the swollen nub, working it fast and quickly between his fingers. Hotaru’s eyes went wide and she keened, swallowing around Ace’s thick cock as he fucked her mouth and tears and drool dripped down her chin—

Hoku barely blinked, figuring everything was starting to come down. The room would slip from its high. Her hand worked faster at the drawing. Almost there. Finish up.

You can do this.

Hotaru’s entire body shuddered. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Sabo’s textured fingers rolled a few more times expertly over her clit, stroking it as her hips jerked. She clenched hard around him, trying to tug him over the edge with her. Not knowing how far back at the starting line he still was.

Sabo’s eyes were hooded. He let her ride it out with another sloppy jerk of her hips and then gently, sweetly, patiently guided her twitching hips forward and off. His cock slipped out, still fully erect. It pulsed, heavy and hard. He felt each hot throb beneath the slickened condom and he sat up further as Hotaru fell forward toward Ace.

Hotaru choked. The muted sound muffled as Ace grabbed the back of her head and held her there. He let out a low, ragged breath, barely a groan. He shut his eyes tight, bowing his head low as he came.

Hot spurts filled her mouth and Hotaru’s throat bobbed rapidly, working to swallow it all as she shut her eyes tight. Her hips twitched. On her hands and knees as the bitter taste flooded her mouth.

Hoku erased a part of Sabo’s expression. It didn’t quite fit. She reworked at his eyes, focusing on finishing.

Ace’s fingers unthreaded her hair. He sat back on his heels with a breathy exhale.

Hotaru’s lips slid off him with a wet pop. She breathed, ragged. Her face was flushed a dark red with pleasure. Sweat rolled down her neck, past the swell of her breasts. Her hair disheveled, clinging this way and that. Dress creased. Her entire body shook with effort. A bit of thick white trailed down the corner of her mouth.

Hotaru weakly looked up, eyes wet and hazy. She started to turn over her shoulder. “Sa… Sabo… let me… help you—”

Ace’s large hand slid over her eyes. Hotaru shuddered, letting herself be pulled back into his lap and flush against him. Ace’s free hand snaked around her hip, slowly running a teasing trail right back down to her throbbing, wet heat.

Hotaru sucked in a sharp breath. She moaned loudly, tossing her head back. Eyes covered by Ace’s hand. “Ah, baby—again?”

Sabo leaned back against the cushioned headboard. His fingers nimbly tugged off the slickened condom, tossing it to the side of the bed. He pulled his glove off with his teeth. His hand tugged a small bottle off the nightstand with familiar ease, popping the cap and lathering up his fingers.

The blonde exhaled a long, heavy sound. Sabo relaxed back, slowly wrapping his fingers around the base of his cock. It pulsed beneath his slick fingers, throbbing.

Hoku glanced to his expression for a second and burrowed down into the desk, not even watching any further. It sounded about done—I’m almost done here too.

You can do this.

Ace slid two fingers with ease into Hotaru. She moaned, writhing in his lap, legs opening shamelessly despite the stimulation. Ace kept his hand over her eyes, nudging her legs open a little further as Sabo slowly started to stroke himself, watching.

“Want to help him get off?” Ace whispered by her ear. He nipped at her neck and Hotaru nodded desperately as he continued to pump his fingers in and out of her, working her to a second high. “Repeat what I tell you to say like a good girl.”

Sabo’s fingers slid from the base to the head, shifting. He ran a thumb over his slit, eyes following the soft top of white hair flickering in and out of his view. Pinning her in place.

“Sabo,” Hotaru said, listening to Ace’s heatedly whispered words. She gasped, breathy. “Sabo, I missed you so much.”

Sabo let out a heavier exhale. His teeth worked at his bottom lip. His hand tightened around his cock.

“I’m sorry I was gone for so—ah—so long,” Hotaru panted. “I’m sorry—” Ace shoved his fingers harder into her, hitting home. “I’m sorry! I won’t—Ace! I won’t… I won’t leave again!”

Sabo groaned. Hoku worked faster. His most… The most reaction from him this entire time.

She blocked everything out. No other sound slipped past. Completely in her own world.

Deaf.

His cock throbbed harder. Sabo shut his eyes, letting his head roll back as he worked faster, harder, pumping himself over and over again. His lips moved. His teeth ground together.

Ace whispered into her ear, thrusting his fingers up.

“Ah! A-Ah… Please,” Hotaru repeated. “Please… I wan… I wanna feel you. Missed you. I-ah-I’ll be good… so… so… teach me!”

Sabo’s breath quickened. His hand worked faster and faster. He screwed his eyes shut tight, muscles growing taut. Sweat rolled down the side of his chin, past his neck.

“I’ll do whatever you say,” Hotaru babbled. “I won’t ever leave again—oh, god, please—”

Ace shoved his fingers, hitting Hotaru’s spot repeatedly and she cried out the heated words whispered into her ear—

“I’m yours, Sabs!”

Sabo stiffened. His back arched. He tossed his head back against the headboard and shuddered, a low, sweet groan escaping his lips.

Hot spurts of come splattered onto Hotaru’s thighs. Painting them white. She panted, chest rising and falling rapidly as she sank back into Ace’s grip. Ace casually slipped his fingers out of her, wiping them off on the bed sheets as he pulled his hand off her eyes.

Sabo struggled to catch his breath for a second. He reached up with his other hand, pushing his hair back from his face. It slicked over the top of his head, remaining there. He inhaled and exhaled slowly before his eyes fluttered open, glancing to Ace as he watched his brother set Hotaru down on her side, a panting, blissed out mess.

Their gazes met. Ace and Sabo watched each other for a moment before their gazes swung to the side of the room.

Hoku stopped. She stared at the drawing that had finally come to life in front of her. Her eyes went round in disbelief, almost in awe.

For a moment—everything else fell away.

The studio, the people—she’d done it. You did it! Hoku, you did it! You finally made something new—

You handled it.

Pride flooded her chest, desperate and unbidden. The small achievement. This strange, harrowing finish line in the midst of something she didn’t realize she’d started—but you did it. See? You just needed to tune everything else out—

You’re moving.

Ace brought one leg up, resting an arm on his knee. Sabo tipped his head to the side, his hand covering the lower half of his face, hiding his mouth and the way his lips were turning—

Hoku touched the drawing. You did your job. You did it. You’re moving again.

The circumstances wild, crazed. She couldn’t think about anything else except that it finally felt like she was moving again and out of this rut.

Two pairs of eyes, hooded and smoldering stared back at her from the drawing, mimicking the pair watching her just over the top of her desk. Across the room.

The path beneath her feet started to shift. Hoku happily ran forward, eager to be moving.

She didn’t notice the fences sliding up on either side of her.

Didn’t notice the signs pointing where to go.

Didn’t know where she was going. Just happy to be going. Happy to have a destination again and not knowing—

There was no escape.

#Memos #Hoku #Memos AU #Portgas D. Ace x oc #ace/oc #Sabo #Portgas D. Ace #Sabo/Oc #Dark!Ace #Dark!Sabo #Ace/Oc/Sabo #trafalgar law #eustass captain kid #monkey d. luffy #tumblr messed with my italics srry

[lawssword]

Lawlu~ Birthday

Here’s a little modern AU I wrote maybe a year or two ago.

Luffy just wants to throw his boyfriend a nice birthday party, what could go wrong? 

Rated G

It was Trafalgar Law's birthday. Luffy knew he didn't want to make a big deal about it but how could he not? Seriously who did this guy think he was dating?? Law didn't like huge parties so Luffy should keep it just close friends right? But Luffy couldn't plan a party by himself, he had no idea where to start! Who did he know that could plan a party? Usopp! Usopp could! Oh, and Zoro! Could Law's friends plan a party? Maybe Penguin and Sachi, they seemed pretty cool. That's it! Law's friends should help plan it! Luffy rolled across the bed to get his phone. Law was in the living room, he was doing something or other that looked boring so Luffy decided to come up with an idea for Law's birthday with was in 6 days! It took him a minute but Luffy found penguin's number, so he called him. 

"Luffy? What's up, man?" Penguin answered. Luffy checked to make sure the bedroom door was closed. It was. 

"Torao's birthday is on Saturday," Luffy stated bluntly. 

"What!?" Penguin exclaimed. Luffy frowned, he didn't know? Him and Law have been friend's for years how could he not? "He never told us!"

"I want to throw him a party!" Luffy stated a little louder than he had meant to. 

"That'd be awesome!" Penguin exclaimed. 

"I don't think Law would like that.." a background voice said, Sachi. Those two were always together!

"Nah, it wouldn't be anything like the Christmas party," Penguin said, no longer talking to Luffy. "It'd be smaller, just his friends, Law doesn't like big parties." "That's what I thought!" Luffy jumped back into the conversation. "You guys could plan it right? you seem good at stuff like that. The phone was silent for a little while. 

"Yeah, that works, just when and where?" Sachi asked.

"My house," Luffy stated as if it were the only obvious option.

"Torao only has to work in the afternoon on Saturday." That was something Luffy had asked about multiple times to be sure he remembered.  "So  it'll be perfect!" 

"Okay... Who should go?" Luffy thought about it for a moment. Law didn't get along with most of his family... he didn't have a ton of friends...

"All you guys.....and my friend's......" Luffy thought about Law's family. There had only been a couple that he met. "And Corazon, Lami, and Fai!" 

"Wait a minute, who're those last three?" Sachi asked.

"Traffy's little sister, uncle, and cousin!" 

"Law has a sister?!" Penguin shouted. 

"Yeah, mentioned her a couple years ago dude," Sachi explained. "She's only a couple years younger than Law,"

"Alight Luffy! We can handle all the planning but you're going to have to talk to Law's family we've never met any of them!" Penguin declared. Luffy nodded.  That surprised him, Law's sister and cousin came over a lot. 

"Alright! Thanks a bunch!" Luffy said, "See ya later!" He hung up just as the bedroom door swung open. Luffy dropped his phone on the mattress. 

"Who was that?" Law asked, sitting at the edge of the bed. Luffy bit his lip and averted his eyes. 

"Just Ace!" He said suddenly. Law frowned a little. Luffy knew he wasn't good at hiding things but this should be easy! Right? Besides, it's only a few days, surely Luffy could keep that up.

"Oh," Law said. Good, he believed Luffy! Luffy moved to kiss Law, a quick peck on the lips. 

"I love you!" Luffy smiled. 

"Love you too," Law said without the small smile he usually got when he said those words to Luffy. Luffy wanted to tell Law, this wasn't good! It had to be a surprise, that's the only right way to throw a birthday party. How was he going to do this?! 

"Are you done with all that boring stuff?" Luffy asked. 

"For today," Law sighed. 

"Whoo!" Luffy exclaimed kissing Law again. "Now we can watch T.V. and cuddle, right?" 

"Sure," Law agreed," Luffy smiled a huge grin. He climbed off the bed a grabbed Law's wrist, dragging him back out to the living room. Always in such a hurry. The two settled on the couch, sitting right next to each other, Luffy leaning against Law with Law's arm around him, jumping through channels in search of an action-packed show or movie.

The next day Luffy got a text early in the morning from Penguin.

We need you over here pronto! 

Don't tell Law, he's smart so he'll figure out what's going on!

K, b there soon. Luffy responded, Luffy wasn't quite sure where he was going, but since Penguin texted him it must be at his house! Luffy slipped out of Law's sleepy grasp. Law mumbled incoherently. Luffy had hoped he wouldn't wake up, now he'd need to tell Law where he was going what was he supposed to tell him?!

"What?" Luffy asked. 

"Come back to bed," Law said sleepily. Luffy wanted to, Law was so cute with his messy hair and sleepy voice! Luffy looked around the room. Excuse, need an excuse...

His phone blinked on the nightstand, Sabo's name appeared. 

"C-can't Sabo wanted something!" Luffy stated all too frantically. 

"So?" Law mumbled into the blankets. Luffy's heart started to race, what else, what else? 

"He said it was important!" 

Law sighed, "Okay, come here." Luffy moved closer, leaning over the bed. 

"What?" Luffy asked again. Law gave him a lazy, sleepy, kiss. 

"See you," Law hummed. Luffy kissed Law. 

"See you." 

Luffy got dressed and headed out, walking, Luffy preferred walking over driving. It was just easier that way, plus when he did drive Luffy tended to get distracted easily, by himself and with others. 

It took Luffy a good 20 minutes to get to Penguin's house.

"Finally man!" Sachi yelled when Luffy knocked on the door.

"Hiya!" Luffy greeted.  

"Hey, Luffy!" Penguin greeted, answering the door. 

"How come I needed to come over?" Luffy asked. 

"Invitations duh!" Sachi stated. 

"Oh?" Luffy replied. 

"C' mon we're going to the store." So the three piled up in Sachi's car and headed for the store. They got more than just invitations. They got candies, gift wrapping paper, cups, plates, drinks, they ordered balloons to pick up the morning of the party. Law called Luffy while they went from store to store, Luffy panicked and didn't answer it. Then Law texted him, asking what Sabo had needed and if everything was okay. Luffy didn't know how to respond. 

"Let me see," Penguin said. Luffy gave his phone to Penguin. 

"Tell Law 'Turn's out it's no big deal' and 'Just Ace being Ace,'" Sachi said. Penguin typed away. 

"I don't like this!" Luffy said, exasperated.

"What?" Penguin asked. 

"Lying to Torao!" Luffy stated. 

"You're the one who wanted to through him a party," Sachi reminded.

"I know, but it's harder than I thought." Luffy puffed up his cheeks. 

"Well, you could just tell him." Sachi offered. 

"That's not how you throw a birthday party!" Penguin and Luffy shouted in unison.

"Damn, alright, my bad," Sachi muttered in surrender, pulling up to the bakery. They got Law a cheesecake with dark chocolate and strawberries, of course, it wouldn't be done until the 6th. 

"That should be everything for today!" Penguin declared. 

"Nah, we still gotta write fill in the cards," Sachi added. 

"That shouldn't take long," Penguin stated, turning to Luffy. "How many do we need?" 

"Um, there's Zoro, Sanji, Nami-" Sachi started counting on his fingers." -Usopp, Franky, Brook, Robin, Chopper, you guys, Bepo, Bart Ace, Sabo, Lami, Cora, and Fai!" 

"So 18!" Sachi announced, "Let's go to my place and finish up."  So they did just that, and Luffy took them all home. 

Law was annoyed when Luffy got home. He wouldn't tell Luffy that but Luffy could tell something was bothering him. Law wouldn't even let Luffy sit in his lap. 

The next day Luffy handed out as many invitations as he could. All his friends got them, and Ace and Sabo. The only ones left were Lami, Fai, and Cora. Lami and Fai were supposed to be coming over tomorrow so he could give them Cora's invitation too!

But Law seemed so annoyed with Luffy, he started to talk to Luffy less and less what was going on? This was stressing Luffy out.

It wasn't until the night before Law's party that Law finally said something. 

"Hi, Torao!" Luffy had just gotten home from picking up all the balloons, they were at Sachi's house. Law was sitting on the couch staring at the coffee table. Luffy kissed Law's cheek Law didn't respond. 

"We need to talk," Law said, he sounded serious. 

"What about?" Luffy asked, tilting his head to the side. 

"I think you know," Law said his voice was cold. Luffy frowned. It was obvious to him now that Law was mad, but what about? Did Luffy do something to make him angry? 

"No?" Luffy responded.

Law clenched his jaw. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're seeing someone else aren't you?" Law finally said, glaring at Luffy.

"What!?"Luffy exclaimed. How could Law think something like that? Law knows Luffy loves him and only him! "Why would you think that?" Luffy's voice cracked. 

"You've hardly been home all week." Law pointed out. That was true but he was only with Sachi and Penguin! That's It! "And that'd be fine except you lied about where you were. Luffy-ya why else would you lie?" Law's expression exposed how hurt he felt for just a moment. Luffy's heart dropped into his stomach.

"I-I-" Luffy stumbled over his words he didn't know what to do or say, it was like every breath he took only hurt Law more. 

"You what?" Law snapped. 

"I love you," Luffy said. That only seemed to make Law angry. Why couldn't he talk? Why was this so difficult, Luffy's been yelled at before. Hundreds of times actually! But not by Law. Not like this. 

"Tell me where've you been! What you've been doing!" Law demanded. 

"I-I can't." Luffy's lip trembled he found it hard to breathe. 

"Why?"

"Because!" Luffy gasped. He felt like he was going to cry.  Maybe he was already crying. 

"Why?" Law repeated, this time standing up. Luffy stuttered and stumbled over his words again, only succeeding in frustrating himself. 

"Just-"

"Just what!?" Law shouted.

"Stop yelling at me!" Luffy shouted back. Law fell silent. Luffy was crying. Law looked away. Luffy whipped his face and got his sniffles under control.

"Tomorrow."

"What about tomorrow?" Law asked after Luffy didn't say anything. 

"I can tell you tomorrow." Luffy refused to look up at Law

"That's bullshit," Law grumbled. 

"Please, Torao?" Luffy asked, meeting Law's gaze his eyes bloodshot and puffy.

Law let out a long sigh. He was convinced Luffy had done something on the level of cheating. He had spent the entire week trying to convince himself otherwise but everything Luffy did seemed to point out the fact. But he loved Luffy. 

"Fine." Law agreed. heading to their bedroom, Luffy followed. 

"Don't follow me." Law snapped. 

"But-"

"Don't."

Law left for the hospital early the next morning, Luffy was still asleep on the couch when he did. Law usually would have kissed Luffy before he left, he couldn't bring himself to. The thought of Luffy made him feel sick at the moment. Not sick in a disgusted way, but sick in the way you felt when you knew something bad was going to happen. That the worst has happened kind of sick.

So he didn't he simply left for work. Luffy promised him an explanation today. So they'd see what would happen after that. Just before Law entered the hospital he got a call.

It was Corazon. Law answered it!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAW!" Corazon shouted into the phone. 

Law looked at the date on his phone. 

October 6th. How was Law an entire week off? He thought it was still September? What the actual fuck?

"Thanks, Cora," Law said with a small smile. 

"Anything for my favorite nephew!" The man said happily.

"I'm your only nephew." 

"That's not the point," Corazon said in defeat. "Well, What are you and Luffy going to do?" 

"Nothing we-" It all seemed to click right then. Luffy sucked at lying. 

Law was so fucking stupid.  

Luffy was throwing him a party. 

"Oh my god," Law said to himself with Corazon still on the phone.

"What?" 

"I'm an asshole." Law sighed.

"Law what happened?" 

"Luffy-ya is throwing me a party we got into a fight yesterday." Law rubbed his forehead. 

 "Damn that was supposed to be a surprise," Corazon was quiet for a moment."How bad?"

"I accused him of cheating on me," Law wanted to smack himself so stupid. 

" Is Luffy even capable of- nevermind it doesn’t matter. Well, are you still together?"

"Yeah...."

"What are you going to do?" 

"Well, apologize for starters," Law entered the hospital. 

"Wow, Law you just go here and you look like shit." Bonney greeted in a playful tone. 

"Same to you," Law replied. 

"And?"

"I don't know," Law let out a long sigh. 

"Well, you better still act surprised because Luffy tried really hard to keep it a secret!" Corazon ordered. Law smiled a little. 

"I know," Law said. "I got to go, see you later." Law hung up and entered his office. 

Law spent more time contemplating ways he's going apologize to Luffy then actually working.

Law got home a little later than expected, no cars occupied the space in their driveway or in front of their house. 

Law pulled into the driveway and headed inside. The place was dark. 

"Luffy-ya?" He called out, flicking on the light switch by the front door. 

"SURPRISE!" Was shouted at Law from several directions while party poppers exploded leaving paper streamers and the smell of firework in their wake.

"Happy Birthday!"  Then there was Luffy, standing in front of me with a huge, prideful grin. 

"You did this?" Law asked. He didn't need to. 

"With help!" Luffy confirmed. Law smiled. Music started playing, it wasn't anything specific, only the currently most popular songs on the radio, Law looked around for the source. It was Usopp with an aux cord and a speaker.

Everyone Law was comfortable being around was there. Luffy grabbed Law's arm and pulled him into the kitchen were Sanji was finishing some cake, though there was already one sitting on the counter. 

"See? I told you tomorrow I could tell you." Luffy said, hugging Law. "I was with Sachi and Penguin doing stuff for this!" 

"Luffy-ya, I'm such an asshole," Law hugged him back. "I'm sorry." 

"Maybe a little bit of an asshole," Luffy said standing on his toes.  Law met Luffy halfway and they kissed. Trying to make up for the quick kisses they had skipped the past week, they goodbye kisses, and the sleepy kisses. 

"Hate to ruin your moment and all, but could you not make out in my borrowed kitchen?" Sanji stated. 

Luffy pulled away, returning to his usual height. "Shishi, hurry up and finish so you can join the party!" 

"Yeah, yeah," Sanji waved them off. Law and Luffy went back into the living room where Chopper and Ace seemed to be doing something potentially hazardous.

Luffy went to join them immediately. 

"There's my big brother!" Lami said, hugging Law from behind. "Happy Birthday you old fart!" 

"Thanks, Lami," Law replied. 

"Hey you two," Corazon greeted, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process of walking towards Law and Lami. 

"Hey, Uncle Cora," Lami smiled. Corazon ruffled Lami's and Law's hair.

"Everything with Luffy okay?"

"There was something not okay?" Lami asked.

"Uh, more of a misunderstanding, but we're good now," Law explained.

"Good," Corazon agreed. 

"Food's done!" Sanji announced. Followed by Luffy rushing past them in a blind excitement. Luffy came back all too quickly. "Torao try this!" Luffy had some sort of ball at the end of a fork.

"What is it?" Law asked, watching it with caution, but letting Luffy feed it to him before getting a response.

"Sanji said it was takoyaki," Luffy stated. 

"Awe, you guys are so cute together!" Lami exclaimed. 

"Get lost, dork," Law told his sister before she could embarrass him any further.

"Alright, fine but only because it's your birthday," Lami said, skipping off, no doubt to find Fai.

Once everyone finished their food  Sanji brought out the cake, both the one he made and the cheesecake Luffy, Sachi, And Penguin had bought. 

"Happy Birthday Torao," Luffy whispered, wrapping his arms around Law while Sanji and Fai lit the candles. 

"Thank you." Law kissed the top of Luffy forehead. "I love you." 

"I love you more." 

"We'll see about that."

#LawLu #trafalgar law x monkey d luffy #monkey d. luffy #trafalgar D. Water Law #trafalgar law #one piece #one shot #my drabbles #my fanfiction #my fanfic stuff

[lawluheaven]

LawLu: Luffy is the little mermaid! Law is Eric and I don’t know who would be the villain for Ursula. Random thought:: who would you pick as the villain?

Luffy snuck out again.  He knows that once Gramps found out, he would be in a world of hurt when he caught him. And he would catch him, eventually, but not as what he expects him to be. Hopefully. If this worked.

 It was only determined by how long Ace and Sabo could stale him if they would anyway.

While his brothers were tolerant of his hobby they too share the viewpoint that Luffy’s interested in the human world was dangerous. It was hard to explain to other merfolk why humans fascinated Luffy so much, why someone that could make such interesting things, lived so differently and yet be eerily similar excited him. 

He wasn’t just interested in humans, but the human’s world as well.  It was an adventure, something so different, and he wanted to study them, wanted to be there more then he could ever explain.

Zoro was the only one he could talk to about his treasure trove, the one place he was free to be himself surrounded by things he liked, but even then Zoro mostly followed him because of their friendship and not his interest in humans. 

If Luffy had been interested in whales, reefs hell even tides changes Zoro would be down to follow him and help him collect things as well. Sometime Luffy wished he could meet someone who got just as excited as he did when it came to studying humans. 

Maybe someone would understand then, why he was going to go trade his tail for legs. 

“Luffy, I know I’ve never said this before, but this is a terrible idea,” Zoro said swimming a little ways behind him.  “It’s one thing to be interested in humans, another to want to be one! Especially for a man you just meet”

Luffy turns his head to look at his friend, for a moment watching the way color rippled across Zoro’s scales on his tail, knowing his own does that when near the ocean surface. In an hour, Luffy would never see it on himself again

“It’s not just for Torao”  Though it was a really big part.  “It’s for me. I want this. I don’t want to be trapped down here forever being told what I should enjoy and what I shouldn’t. I can’t. Not anymore.”

Not after Garp destroyed his heaven. His one place where Luffy felt not broken. It wasn’t just the loss of all his treasured who’s-it’s or thing-a-gics, but the idea that Gramps had found the place and ripped it apart, knowing it would devastate Luffy, and doing it for “His own good” anyway.

Hurting him, to force him to accept his grandfather’s way of thinking. 

Ace and Sabo tried to comfort him about it, but they keep trying to get Luffy to understand Garp’s reasoning, hinting it was the best course of action. They didn’t understand just how deeply that hurt, how deeply their justification made him realize just how lowly they thought of his passion truly was.

“Luffy” Zoro sounded weary but acceptance had bled into his voice and he knows his best friend wouldn’t try to convince him to turn back now. After all, his fish friend had been the only one that saw Luffy break down when his cave was destroyed and had been the only one who didn’t discard his feelings about it.

“Just…be careful with the deal. You know what happened to the princess” 

Luffy did. The legend meant to scare merchildren into never trading their legs away passed down for so many generations that her name had been lost to time, was why he thought up this plan. He didn’t let it derail him. She may have not been able to get the prince to fall for her, might not have been able to stab him and bath in his blood and she might have turned to foam in the end, but that didn’t mean Luffy would fail.

Even if he did, being bubbles would feel better then swimming the castle walls feeling like he was at the deepest part of the ocean as the pressure increased each day with more expectations of him outgrowing his “hobby” among the court. 

Besides, the first little mermaid princess had fallen for a human prince, and she should have known as a royal how difficult it was to make marriages between nations work. Luffy fell for Torao, a mere human doctor that liked to go fishing, who lived a simple life near the beach.

He fell into the water one day when a storm blew him overboard and Luffy had been swimming by. The man had been just as intrigued by Luffy as he had, and though, it was a human wanting to know everything about merfolk not the other way around it was the closest thing he’s ever gotten to someone understanding. 

Luffy knows he loves Law, and he is willing to leave behind everything he’s ever known for him. But for also himself. Because this is Luffy’s choice, and no one, is going to take that right away from him.

“I’ll try my best to bargain with the Witch into not taking my life” Luffy promises. Both ignore the fact he never said he would win the bargain. They both know what it would mean.  

They finally arrived at where rumors claim the current Sea Witch lived. It was a downwards cave, nearly devoid of life par the active volcanos, letting out steams of heat. 

Luffy didn’t hesitate to swim through them knowing one could erupt under him and cook him alive. Zoro followed at his own past, both being careful. There was a moment where Luffy had to throw the fish because one exploded but they eventually arrived at the entrance.

The Sea Witch stood there waiting for them, tentacles gently curling around him.  Luffy had never seen merfolk with octopus tentacles before, everyone knows it was the symbol of a Witch. Witches weren’t allowed near the capital, and if they weren’t reportedly evil, Luffy would claim it was discrimination. 

Instead, it was cations, everyone knows that if the royal family didn’t have the trident they would be overrun by the Witch’s magic years ago.  

Still, despite the stories he heard of how hideous Witches were this man was rather attractive and he had a warm easy-going smile. Luffy knew he could trust him.

He was a good person. 

“Hello there,”  The Sea Witch said casually having one of his tentacles bring up a bottle to his mouth at the same time he waved.  

“Hi. Are you Shanks?” Luffy asked just to be sure. There was usually only one Sea Witch at one time but he could never be sure.   

“I am. What does the youngest prince want with me?” 

Luffy sucked in water, letting it swim in his chest and knowing that once this conversation was over it would cause pain instead of calming.  Torao called it drowning, and apparently, it was a terrible way to go for humans.  

Letting the water rush out of him, Luffy silently bid it and his mer-life goodbye as he let it go. Shanks watch him do so with a lazy smile.

“I want you to make me a human”   

Shanks’ smile got bigger, turning just a bit dark.  “That kind of request comes with a heavy price little prince”

“I don’t care”

“You’re a bit young for me to be doing that kind of magic on”  

“I’m not a little kid”

“Prove it” Shanks dares. Luffy is prepared to do so. He feels Zoro gills go rigid but he doesn’t stop him when the dagger rushed into his face. Biting his lip, the merprince allows the blood to flow in the water around him.  He tries not to show how much it hurt-

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING YOU, IDIOT!?” Shanks burst sounding horrified and angry “WHY DID YOU JUST STAB YOURSELF?”

“T-t-to prove I’m strong”  Luffy gathers all his seventeen years of dealing with Ace’s comments of being a crybaby to stop himself from crying. “T-t-to prove I can-can do this”

Shanks doesn’t seem to like that.  “ARE YOU INSANE!?”

In the end, Luffy is rushed to the surface by a worried Zoro, water feeling his lungs like sharp little daggers with a pair of legs and a bandage on his face.  Shanks’ straw hat sitting on his head a promise to give it back when Luffy is about to die as the bargain.

All he has to do is live a good life as free as possible. One with Taroa, where he is free to like what he does and be himself. 

Luffy doesn’t care what anyone says, Shanks is a good guy and his new hero, Sea Witch and all. 

Bonus:  After Luffy left Shanks is talking to Benn

“And then he just stabs himself! In the face, with a human fishing knife!”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have dared him to prove himself.”

“I meant to prove his resolve with words, to convince me, not stab himself! Who does that!?”

“Shanks a day ago you stuck your head into a volcano to get back a bottle of rum that a human ship dropped.”  

“That’s different. It was alcohol. I wasn’t trying to prove anything, I was trying to get drunk. This kid is insane.”

“That’s why you like him and gave him Roger’s hat?”

A wistful smile as Shanks remembers the first merman to ever treat him like anyone instead of a danger else springs to his mind. He could have sworn the same merman was standing before him, staring at him from a younger face when the little prince arrived. Maybe he was. 

 “Yeah. That’s why.”

#Lawluheaven #Lawlu #Emotional Abuse #Little Mermaid Au #Shanks the Sea Witch is actually a okay guy #Different spin on the tale #Luffy knows the orginal little mermaid story #Law isn't a prince but he is close to one for Luffy #Sorry this went off the rails quickly form the orginal story XD #Anonymous

[shellsan]

30 Day Writing Challenge

Day Twenty-One: Ink

Fandom: One Piece

Pairing: LawLu

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Ink

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Sitting on the deck, relaxing against the edge of the boat, eyes closed as the splashing of waves gently against the Thousand Sunny, Law felt more relaxed than he had in days. While he couldn't deny that the Straw Hat pirates were a lot of fun, he couldn't help but wish that they were at least a little more sane. They tired him out much too quickly.

His thoughts drifted to a very specific captain, Luffy himself.

Never was there another personality that was quite so contrary, a complete whirlwind of emotions. Happiness, anger, shock, disbelief, rage. He was the very definition of Sunshine, burning bright and lighting the way, but hot enough that some days you needed to shield yourself from the rays.

Law could continue the metaphor so much further.

Like the way that he would seek out Luffy to break the chill in his bones, the same way he looked for sunlight in the winter islands, eager to be rid of the cold.

He was just so good, and Law knew that if he spent too much time around him that he might actually start to believe,  that he was worth something.

And wasn't that just the kicker?

Because Law wasn't worth anything at all, least of all the attention of Luffy himself.

As if summoned by someone thinking about him, there was a, “shi shi shi,” before he felt a familiar energy appear in front of him.

Cracking an eye open, he tried to look completely unimpressed as he stared Luffy down.

“What'cha doin' Torao?”

Law let his eye fall back.

“What does it look like, Mugiwara-ya? I'm relaxing. Go bother someone else.”

He didn't need to open his eyes to know that the younger boy was pouting at him.

“That sounds boring.”

“Which is why you should go find someone else less boring.” He retorted without waiting a moment.

For a second it was silent and Law thought that maybe Luffy had taken his advice, but opening his eyes revealed that this was not the case.

The other captain appeared to be debating pretty hard over something, before his signature grin appeared.

“Nope. I'm going to relax with Torao.” He decided.

It took a moment for the words to register and then Law couldn't help but scoff. “Unlikely. You can't sit quiet for longer than twenty seconds. Just go find Zoro-ya or something.”

Luffy's eyes took on the stubborn quality that he was beginning to dread, despite his familiarity.

“Can too.” He muttered, crossing his arms.

Law couldn't help but smirk, eye's falling shut once more.

“Then prove it.”

The challenge seemed to work for an entire minute, before he heard Luffy exhale in irritation, clearly becoming bored.

He was about to tell Luffy that he told him so when he felt rubbery fingers touching his own.

Eyes shooting open, Law glared at the other captain as he looked carefully over his fingers, fingertips tracing over the lines of his tattoos.

“What do you think you're doing?”

Luffy tilted his head in confusion. “Tracing Torao's tattoos?”

“Is that a question or an answer?”

Luffy huffed. “Don't be mean.” He grumbled, pouting again, as he continued to trace the lines. “I like them.”

“Why?” Law snorted.

Shrugging, Luffy fell silent for a moment. “I dunno. Why does anyone like anything?”

It was a strangely profound thing to hear, especially coming from Luffy, and Law found that he didn't really have a valid response against it.

They were silent again before Luffy broke it again. “I liked Ace's tattoos too.” He admitted. “I wanted some myself but could never decide what to get.”

Law tried to picture Luffy with tattoos and frowned. It just didn't fit with the image in his mind.

“What would you even get?”

Luffy smiled, a tinge of sadness in it that was so out of place in comparison with the Straw Hat he'd come to know, and yet so in line with the Straw Hat he'd saved.

“Something for Ace. When Sabo 'died', Ace's tattoo was designed to reflect it. I want something like that for him.”

The words were soft, and Law felt his heart clench, memories of his own lost family coming to the forefront of his mind before he managed to push them away.

“I'll go with you if you want?” He offered finally.

For the first time since Law had met the other boy, Luffy looked shocked, before a large grin grew on his face. “Would you?”

Law shrugged, not saying anything else. He didn't need to. The grin on Luffy's face was enough.

“Torao's the best.” Luffy praised, and he refused to acknowledge that his cheeks tinged with pink at the words, heart full of warmth in a way that he was unused to ever since Cora-san had died.

“Shut up.”

There was the familiar laughter as Luffy settled in, leaning against Law and the ship, finally silent.

His hand had never let go of Luffy's, and for once, Law found he didn't mind the touch.

(The next day, they would stop at an island and Luffy and Law would sneak off 'because it's more fun that way, Torao!', only to reappear with Luffy's new tattoos; a perfect replica of the tattoo that used to be on Ace's shoulder, name spelt with an S to mark Sabo's place in his life.)

#lawlu #luffy x law #One piece fanfiction #one piece fanfic #one piece #fanfiction #fanfic #30 day writing challenge