zzz
zoro sketches
you two acts like a loving couple all the time, so what happens when someone points it out?
characters: luffy, kidd, katakuri, shanks and mihawk
(zoro, sanji, law, ace and sabo)
a/n: since a loooot asked for more, here I am eheh
words count: around 0.4k - 1.1k each
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
You don’t know when it started.
Maybe it was the way Luffy always stole food from your plate, but make sure to never let anyone else touch it.
Maybe it was how he always grabbed your hand first whenever the crew split up.
Maybe it was how he insisted on napping with you, his head always finding your lap, his arms always looping around you like a makeshift pillow.
Whatever it was, it had been going on for way too long. And the worst part is that you never questioned it.
Until now.
It starts with Sanji.
You’re sitting at the dinner table, picking at your food, when Sanji suddenly snorts “You two should just date already.”
You blink “…What?”
Sanji gestures between you and Luffy “You’re basically a couple anyway.”
You choke on your drink.
Luffy just tilts his head, mid-bite “Huh?”
Sanji raises an eyebrow “Seriously? You guys act like a couple all the time.”
You open your mouth to argue, to deny everything, but then Nami nods “He’s right, you know.”
Usopp grins “Yeah, I mean, have you even seen yourselves?”
Franky chuckles “Super obvious, bro.”
You stare. And then Zoro, of all people, grunts “They’re not wrong.”
Your brain short-circuits. Luffy just blinks at all of them, then turns to you “Wait… are we a couple?”
Your face burns “No!”
The crew groans.
“Oh, come on.”
“You’re in denial.”
“This is painful to watch.”
You glare “We’re just friends!”
Luffy nods “Yeah! Just friends!”
The crew stares. Then Brook smiles “Oh? Then you wouldn’t mind if I asked y/n out on a date?”
Silence.
Then Luffy’s fork snaps in half and the table goes dead quiet.
Luffy grins at Brook, but it’s not his usual happy-go-lucky grin. It’s the grin he wears before picking a fight.
“Yohoho,” Brook laughs nervously “Just kidding.”
Luffy hums, still smiling “Good.”
Your stomach flips because holy shit. That was jealousy. Luffy was jealous... Over you.
The realization haunts you for the rest of the night. Because if Luffy was jealous then what did that mean?
Did he actually—?
No.
No, this is Luffy. He’s just protective. That’s just who he is.
…Right?
You barely sleep, and the next morning you wake up to Luffy in your bed.
Sprawled across your mattress. Arms locked around your waist. Face buried in your shoulder.
Like it’s completely normal.
Like he always does this.
Your heart pounds.
Because—wait!
He does always do this. Every night. Every time you’re on the Sunny, he sneaks into your bed without even asking. And you never questioned it.
Because it was just Luffy.
But now everything feels different.
You slowly try to move, but his grip tightens.
“Mm… don’t go” he mumbles sleepily, lips brushing against your skin.
And that’s it. You lose it.
“LUFFY, WHAT ARE WE?!”
Luffy jerks awake “Huh—?”
“What are we?!” you repeat, flustered as hell.
Luffy rubs his eyes, confused “We’re us.”
You groan “That’s not an answer!”
He tilts his head “What do you mean?”
You gesture wildly “This! Us! The sleeping together! The hand-holding! The food-sharing!”
Luffy suddenly grins “Oh.”
Your heart stops “What do you mean, oh?”
Luffy laughs. And then, without hesitation, he leans in and kisses you.
Soft. Certain.
Like he’s been waiting to do it forever.
You freeze. Your brain short-circuits.
He pulls back, grinning “So? Are we a couple now?”
You gape “…WHAT?!”
Luffy just laughs “Well, we’ve basically been dating this whole time, right?”
Your eye twitches “AND YOU KNEW?!”
Luffy shrugs “I just thought you knew too.”
You sputter, because what the hell. What the actual hell. Luffy just decided you were dating. And you never even noticed.
You flop back onto the bed.
Luffy just grins, tugging you closer “You’re thinking too much” he mumbles, nuzzling against you.
Your heart races.
Your face is burning.
But… maybe the crew was right. Maybe you and Luffy were always meant to be.
Even if you were the last person to realize it.
You’ve always known Kid was the stubborn type. He was gruff, intense, and always had that tough guy act. But lately, you’ve noticed something strange. The more you were around him, the more he didn’t seem to mind you being there. In fact, he almost seemed to expect it.
It starts with those small things, things he doesn’t think twice about. Like when you’re both sitting on the deck, and a gust of wind hits just as you’re about to stand. Before you can catch your balance, Kid’s hand shoots out, steadying you. He doesn’t say anything, but his grip lingers just long enough for you to notice.
“Watch it” he mutters, his usual gruff tone, but there’s something softer behind his eyes. You smile but say nothing. Killer, standing nearby, simply raises an eyebrow before looking away, smirking under his mask.
A few days later, when the crew is at port, you notice Kid keeping an eye on you more than usual. Every time someone gets too close or even bumps into you, his sharp gaze zeroes in, and he doesn’t hesitate to step in between you and whoever’s too close. At one point, a shady pirate from a different crew tries to flirt with you. Before you can even respond, Kid steps forward, pushing the pirate away with a low growl.
“Get lost.”
You blink, surprised at his intensity, but he doesn’t look at you, just at the pirate who’s now backing off.
“Kid, I can handle myself” you say, rolling your eyes.
“Doesn’t mean you should have to” he grumbles under his breath, clearly annoyed by something. He turns away before you can say anything else, muttering about how annoying it is to babysit you. But you know it’s not just that.
The crew knows it too.
Heat lets out a low whistle as he passes by “Damn, Captain, didn’t know you were the protective boyfriend type.”
Kid turns on him with a glare “Shut the hell up.”
Heat just laughs, walking away. You shake your head, but the warmth in your chest lingers.
Then, it all comes to a head one evening. The crew’s just finished a round of celebrations, the ship rocking gently in the quiet of the night. You’re leaning against the rail, enjoying the peace when you feel him behind you.
“Can’t sleep?” Kid asks, his voice low as usual.
You turn around, finding him standing there, arms crossed, the moonlight casting a soft glow over his scowling face.
“I could ask you the same thing” you reply.
There’s a quiet moment as you both stand there, not speaking. His eyes never leave yours, and the tension between you both seems to grow with every passing second.
Suddenly, you hear footsteps approaching. Instinctively, you move closer to Kid. You don’t even think about it, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, his hand shifts from where it was casually resting at his side to just hovering near your waist.
The ship creaks, the quiet atmosphere making you both more aware of each other’s presence. He doesn’t speak. Neither do you. His fingers are so close, just barely grazing your side as if to assure himself you’re right there.
The closeness feels… different. Intimate.
You glance up at him “Kid?” you ask softly, your heart beating a little faster.
He doesn’t answer immediately, instead, his eyes flicker over your face, and you can see the internal struggle within him. It’s a battle, and for a second, you think he might just ignore it, keep up the stubborn front.
But then, his hand finally rests against your side. His touch isn’t harsh, but gentle. You don’t pull away.
“I don’t know why I keep doing this shit” he admits, his voice low but clear “But when it comes to you… I don’t want to risk something happening.”
You blink, surprised “Risk what?”
His gaze softens, and the gruffness in his tone fades away. He looks straight at you, the usual deflective annoyance replaced with something more vulnerable.
“I don’t want anyone else near you. Not after I saw that idiot trying to hit on you.”
You smile, your heart fluttering in your chest “Kid, I’m not a damsel in distress.”
“I know,” he replies quickly, but there’s no hiding the quiet affection in his voice now “I just… I don’t want to lose you.”
His words hit you harder than you expected, and before you can even respond, something unspoken passes between you both. In a split second, his lips are near yours, and the kiss is soft, almost hesitant, like he’s still not sure if he’s allowed to show this side of himself.
But you kiss him back, your hand gently resting against his chest. The kiss lingers for a moment longer than either of you anticipated, but it feels like the world has paused, like this is the only thing that matters in that moment.
When you pull away, you both stand there in silence, but this time, it’s not awkward. It’s comfortable.
And then the moment is completely shattered by the sound of someone clearing their throat. You both snap your heads toward the entrance to the deck, where Killer and Wire are standing, watching with amused expressions.
“So,” Wire says, smirking, “you two finally gonna admit you’re basically married, or should we keep pretending this isn’t happening?”
Your face heats up immediately, but Kid just groans, rubbing a hand down his face.
“Go to hell” he grumbles.
Killer just shakes his head “Too late, Captain. Everyone’s been taking bets on when you’d figure it out.”
You gape “What?”
Wire grins “Yeah. Heat won. He said you’d kiss before the next port. Guess we owe him a round of drinks.”
Kid looks absolutely done. You, on the other hand, can’t help but laugh. Because honestly? It’s not surprising.
You look back up at Kid, who’s still scowling but isn’t pulling away from you. You squeeze his hand briefly before grinning.
“Guess we were the last ones to know, huh?”
He exhales sharply, shaking his head, but there’s no real annoyance in his expression anymore. Just acceptance. And maybe, just maybe, the start of something real.
Being part of the Red Hair Pirates meant living in a constant mess of drinking, laughing, and reckless adventures.
And somehow you ended up being the most responsible one. Which was probably why everyone assumed you and Shanks were together.
The problem?
You weren’t.
But apparently, no one got the memo.
It starts with Yasopp.
You’re in the middle of patching up Shanks’ arm because, once again, he got into a bar fight for fun, when Yasopp smirks at you from across the deck.
“You know,” he says casually, “you’re basically married to him at this point.”
You nearly stab Shanks with the needle.
“What?!”
Shanks, meanwhile, just laughs.
And the worst part? He doesn’t even deny it.
“C’mon,” Yasopp continues, “you take care of him, clean up after him, yell at him when he’s reckless...”
“I yell at all of you.”
“Yeah, but you baby him.”
Shanks grins “It’s true. You do.”
You glare “I do not.”
Shanks just shrugs “If you say so.”
And that should be the end of it. But it’s not.
Because after that the whole crew starts treating you like... ugh.
“Oi, Y/N! Can you grab Shanks another drink?”
“Y/N, tell the captain to stop picking fights with Marines again.”
“Hey, Y/N, Shanks says he wants something spicy, maybe you could help... and it's not about food”
You want to scream.
But Shanks?
Shanks just goes along with it. Smiling. Laughing. Letting everyone assume you’re his.
And the worst part is that you let them, because deep down you don’t hate the idea.
And that’s dangerous.
Then one night, it all clicks.
You’re sitting at a bonfire, surrounded by the crew, listening to them sing and drink and bicker over who can hold their liquor best.
You’re not paying attention until you hear your name.
“So, Captain,” Lucky Roux says, “when’s the wedding?”
You choke on your drink. But before you can argue, Shanks just grins.
“Oh, give it time.”
The crew erupts into laughter.
You just stare at him.
Because... what????
Shanks turns to you, smiling like he didn’t just casually imply he plans on marrying you.
And something in his expression—
Something warm. Something knowing.
It hits you all at once.
The hand-holding. The lingering touches. The way he always pulls you onto his lap when there’s no room to sit.
The way he lets you fuss over him when he gets hurt, the way he only ever listens to you.
The way he looks at you like you’re something precious.
Your heart pounds.
And Shanks just grins against your lips.
“Took you long enough” he murmurs.
And when you pull back, breathless, flustered, you realize that maybe you’ve been his this whole time.
You blink, heart still racing as the weight of his words settles in. The laughter of the crew fades into background noise, the warmth of the bonfire casting flickering shadows over Shanks’ face. He’s watching you, waiting, like he already knows the answer, like he’s known it for years.
And maybe he has.
Maybe he’s been waiting for you to catch up.
Your throat is dry. You open your mouth, but no words come out, just a strangled sound of disbelief.
Shanks chuckles, eyes crinkling at the corners “You alright there, sweetheart?”
Sweetheart. Like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like he hasn’t just upended everything you thought you knew.
Your hands tighten in his shirt, and you can’t tell if it’s to ground yourself or to pull him closer “You...” you swallow, voice quieter now, meant just for him “You should’ve said something...”
He tilts his head, considering “I thought I did. Plenty of times.”
You scowl, smacking his chest lightly, which only makes him laugh “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“Oh, I know.” His fingers brush your jaw, featherlight, reverent “I just like seeing you all flustered.”
You groan, but you don’t pull away. And well, that says everything, doesn’t it?
And Shanks knows it too, because his grin softens, something unreadable flickering in his gaze “So,” he murmurs, close enough that his breath tickles your lips, “now that you’ve finally figured it out, what do you plan to do about it?”
The challenge is there, teasing, but there’s something raw beneath it, something real.
You take a breath. Then, before you can overthink it, you grab the front of his coat and pull him in, kissing him again, firmer this time.
The crew erupts in cheers. Someone whistles. Someone else yells about winning a bet.
But all you can focus on is the way Shanks smiles against your lips, like he’s just won something far more important.
And maybe you have too.
The first time someone calls you Katakuri’s spouse, you nearly drop your mochi donut.
“Excuse me, what?”
The Big Mom Pirates stare at you like you’re stupid.
“Well, yeah,” Oven says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world “You take care of him, he lets you into his tea time, you’re the only one who sees his face—”
Brûlée smirks “And you always defend him when people talk behind his back.”
Daifuku nods “Might as well be married already.”
You sputter “That doesn’t mean—! We’re not—! He’s just my commander!”
Oven raises an eyebrow “You ever see Katakuri treat anyone else the way he treats you?”
You freeze.
Because... okay.
That’s a good point.
Katakuri isn’t exactly warm with people. He’s respected, feared, distant. A perfectionist. The strongest Sweet Commander.
And yet, with you?
He lets you tease him. Lets you see him.
Lets you in.
Your stomach flips.
And you don’t know what to do with that.
You try to forget about it.
But after that you start noticing things.
The way Katakuri always saves you the best snacks at tea time.
The way he steps in front of you during battles without thinking.
The way he lets you touch him, his arm, his back, his face.
His unguarded moments are always with you.
And suddenly you can’t ignore it.
Neither can the crew.
It all comes to a head one evening.
You’re sitting with Katakuri in his usual spot, tea cooling beside him, the setting sun casting a warm glow over his sharp features. He’s eating, as usual, but his guard is down because you’re here.
And then the words slip out.
“…Katakuri.”
He glances at you, chewing “Hm?”
You hesitate. Then screw it.
“Are we… something?”
Katakuri pauses.
Slowly, he sets his cup down. Then he exhales, like he’s been waiting for this.
“You tell me,” he says, voice steady “Would it bother you if we were?”
Your heart pounds. Because no, it wouldn’t.
You swallow “No.”
Katakuri watches you for a long moment. Then, he smirks.
“Then I suppose we are.”
Your brain short-circuits.
“Wait—WHAT?!”
Katakuri chuckles, low and deep “Did you really think I’d let just anyone this close to me?”
You gasp, because hold on. Has he known this whole time?!
Your face burns “You could’ve said something sooner, you jerk!”
Katakuri just leans closer, his presence overwhelming.
“…Would you have been ready to hear it?”
You freeze, because damn it.
He’s right.
Living on Kuraigana Island with Mihawk isn’t easy, but somehow, you get used to it.
You get used to the silence. The way he watches you over the rim of his wine glass. The way he corrects your sword stance with the barest touch of his fingers.
You get used to the way he does things for you without asking, bringing you an extra plate at meals, fixing your sword when it’s damaged, moving his coat so you don’t sit on the cold stone steps.
It’s just how he is... Or so you think.
Until one day Perona stares at the two of you across the dining table and snorts.
“You guys act like a married couple.”
You choke on your drink. Mihawk just raises an eyebrow.
Perona grins “Oh, come on! You live together, train together, eat together—hell, you even drink out of each other’s cups sometimes!”
You freeze.
Because—wait. When did that start happening?!
You sneak a glance at Mihawk, expecting him to argue.
But instead, he just takes a sip of wine and says, “And?”
Your brain short-circuits.
Because what does he mean, ‘and’?!
Perona cackles “Oh, this is gold.”
Meanwhile, you’re too busy spiraling to notice the small, knowing smirk on Mihawk’s lips.
Because the truth is, he knew all along.
The next few days pass in a strange haze. Every time you’re near Mihawk, you’re hyper-aware of his actions. The way he hands you your sword when it’s too heavy for you to lift properly, the way he adjusts your stance when you’re practicing, even the way he leaves his wine glass half-filled so you can sip it without asking.
You can’t help but start noticing the little things. And it makes your stomach do these strange little flips you can’t quite explain.
You try to convince yourself that you’re just overthinking it. After all, you’ve spent so much time together, working side-by-side, that it’s only natural for him to be a bit… attentive. But you can’t help but feel that there’s more to it than that.
One evening, you’re training in the yard. Mihawk is watching from the porch, as usual, but today there’s something different in the air. Maybe it’s the cool breeze, or the strange feeling of him staring at you.
“Focus” he calls out when you fumble with your sword.
You grit your teeth and refocus, sweat already beading on your forehead. Your movements become sharper, more determined, but you can’t quite shake the feeling that something is… off.
When you finish the routine, Mihawk’s still leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. He doesn’t say anything at first, but you can feel his gaze. You give him a quick, sideways glance, noticing the faint hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
“Something wrong?” you ask, trying to sound casual.
His response comes as a slow, deliberate drawl “You still aren’t quite in sync with your sword. I’ve been waiting for you to catch up.”
You feel your face flush, but you push through it “Yeah? Well, I’m not some grandmaster swordsman like you, Mihawk.”
He steps closer, his presence almost overwhelming, but his gaze softens for a moment “You’re getting better. I’m simply making sure you don’t lose track of your progress.”
The softness in his voice catches you off-guard, and for a split second, you feel as if you’re standing on the edge of something, something new.
But you quickly push it aside, shaking it off as just another passing thought. You turn to grab your sword again, determined to change the subject.
“Thanks for the help,” you mutter, trying to keep your voice steady “But I think I need a break. My arms are sore.”
Mihawk doesn’t respond at first. Instead, he merely watches you for a moment before he speaks again, his tone unusually gentle.
“Are you sure you’re fine? You’ve been training for hours without rest.”
You give him a small, appreciative nod “I’ll be fine. You’re too used to looking out for me, Mihawk.”
He lets out a faint chuckle, but you notice that there’s a strange intensity in his gaze now “I suppose I am.”
Before you can react, you feel something slightly off, a flicker of tension between you two.
It’s subtle, but it’s there. And you feel it in the way he looks at you, the way he almost seems to be waiting for you to say something.
But, just like that, the moment passes. He steps back, motioning for you to take a rest.
“I’ll prepare dinner,” he says quietly, as if nothing had happened “I’m sure you’re hungry.”
You blink “You cook?”
“Of course,” he says with a slight, almost invisible smirk “It’s not difficult, and you’ve been working hard all day. You deserve a proper meal.”
You feel your heart race at his words, but you manage to keep it together “Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”
But as Mihawk turns to walk away, you pause.
For just a second, you wonder... has this always been a normal interaction between you two? Or has it grown into something more without you even realizing it?
The unease gnaws at you as you sit down on the steps, watching him disappear into the house.
You’re overthinking it. You’re just friends.
...Right?
Later that evening, you’re sitting across from Mihawk, your meal already finished. The conversation is easy, but there’s still that lingering, unspoken tension hanging in the air.
Finally, Mihawk breaks the silence, his voice low and casual “You’ve been avoiding the subject.”
Your brow furrows in confusion “What subject?”
“The subject of us.”
You choke on your drink, sputtering “What—us?!”
His expression remains unreadable, but there’s a faint glimmer in his eyes “You think I haven’t noticed? You’ve been acting strange around me lately. Ever since Perona made her comment.”
You freeze “I—uh—”
“Let’s stop pretending,” he continues “We’ve been behaving like a couple, whether we admit it or not.”
Your heart starts to race. You open your mouth to deny it, but the words get stuck. Instead, you just stare at him, trying to make sense of what he’s saying.
And that’s when Mihawk leans forward just slightly, his voice dropping lower “I don’t know what you’re feeling, but I do know that I don’t want you to leave.”
The bluntness of his words takes your breath away.
“I never planned to leave” you manage to say, the words barely leaving your lips.
Mihawk gives you a rare, genuine smile, one that’s so small and almost imperceptible that you’re not sure you saw it at all. But something in his eyes shifts.
“Good.”
And just like that, the tension finally breaks.
You’re not sure where this will go. But for now, you’re content to just be here with him, uncertain, but sure of one thing: neither of you are going anywhere.
suicide kings
I’m sorry but I actually refuse to use V!nsm0ke when tagging for my ZoSan stuff. That’s NOT HIS NAME. He is Black Leg Sanji (Roronoa Sanji in my dreams) and I WILL NOT USE THAT SURNAME BECUSE AN ETERNITY OF FUCK YOU’S TO THAT FAMILY. It makes me irrationally angry. He has ANOTHER NAME. BLACK. LEG. SANJI. ITS EVEN SIMILAR TO HIS ACTUAL DAD, RED LEG ZEFF. HOW ADORABLE IS THAT, HUH? WHY ARE YALL CALLING HIM V!NSM0KE ?!?!?!?!?
I HATE WRITING SO MUCH WHY CANT MY THOUGHTS AUTOMATICALLY BE WRITTEN ONTO THE NOTES APP
Ok, due to the fact that I'm a new writer, and recovering from a concussion I'll be taking limited requests and extending them as I'm comfortable.
I tend to be a perfectionist who procrastinates, so it takes a few days for me to follow through... though if you do request something just know I'm trying my absolute best to get it done.
And it helps if you're a little descriptive with your request, like little key points, or maybe a certain scenario? Or a starter if you want!
• One piece
I do not do heavy NSFW (As I'm learning.)
SFW is fine
No Incest or god awful weird shit pls, like horrific Ao3 tags, I'll forever be traumatized by those.
I'm great with angst and comfort
Loveeee fluff
Can be descriptive or blunt, whatever you'd prefer
Lowkey this blog is more abt comfort and just feel good stuff—so mental health, or other related things are always welcome!
Stuff I am not comfortable with writing I will let you know, I won't just not reply.
I do Romantic AND Platonic, because I feel as if we don't have enough of those
To be cringe is to be free, so don't be afraid if your request isn't seemingly perfect, because I know damn well my fics are a mess
Zoro/Sanji/Usopp (My baes)
All of the Straw hats (I will NOT do anything romantic for Chopper. He's a child)
Heart-pirates (Same goes for Bepo)
Head-cannons
One-shots
Short Stories
For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words).
1. Neutral Tags
Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags:
Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.
2. Questioning Tags
Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:
Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.
3. Emotive Tags
Emotional dialogue tags:
Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.
4. Descriptive Tags
Insightful, tonal dialogue tags:
Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.
5. Action-Oriented Tags
Movement-based dialogue tags:
Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.
6. Conflict Tags
Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:
Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.
7. Agreement Tags
Understanding, compliant dialogue tags:
Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.
8. Disagreement Tags
Resistant, defiant dialogue tags:
Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.
9. Confused Tags
Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:
Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.
10. Surprise Tags
Shock-inducing dialogue tags:
Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.
Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!
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I HAVE 12 FREAKING DRAFTS THAT ARE ALL MY DIFFERENT WRITING PERSONALITIES AND HALF-DONES
WHAT DO I DOOOOOOO
I’m living through the 5 stages of grief rn.
LIFE GIVE ME MOTIVATIONNN
OHHHH I GOT AN AMAZING IDEA WHAT IF READER DOESN'T GIVE ONE PIECE MEN A KISS BACK AFTER THEY KISSED READER?
gn!reader
characters: luffy, zoro, sanji, law and ace
words count: around 0.9k - 1.9k each
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
The crew is scattered around the ship, busy with their usual antics, but you’re sitting on the deck with Luffy, legs dangling over the edge.
He’s in an especially good mood today,not that it’s unusual, but there’s a certain spark in his grin, an extra bounce in his movements. You don’t think much of it. It’s Luffy, after all.
And then, suddenly, he kisses you.
It’s quick, impulsive, but undeniably a kiss.
Your entire body goes stiff and your mind goes blank.
Luffy pulls back just as easily as he leaned in, smiling like he just did the most natural thing in the world.
“Heh, that was nice” he says, tilting his head “Right?”
But you don’t move. You don’t say anything. You just sit there, eyes wide, heart hammering against your ribs.
Luffy’s smile falters. His head tilts the other way now, brows slightly furrowed “Huh? You didn’t kiss me back.”
You see the confusion in his face, hear it in his voice. He isn’t upset, Luffy doesn’t get upset about things like this, but he’s puzzled.
“Did I do it wrong?”
His voice is quieter now.
Panic surges through you “Wha—no! No, you didn’t—” You shake your head quickly, your thoughts scrambling together “I just… I wasn’t expecting it!”
Luffy blinks at you “Why not?”
You open your mouth, but no words come out. What are you supposed to say? Because you’re my captain? Because you never act romantic? Because I didn’t think you even thought about kissing people?
Luffy watches you, waiting for an answer. His usual carefree energy is still there, but for once, you see something else in his eyes. A flicker of uncertainty.
“Oh.” He leans back, rubbing his nose “So you didn’t want me to?”
Your heart drops.
“No!” You nearly shout, grabbing his wrist before he can pull away completely “That’s not it!”
Luffy blinks at you again, mouth slightly open like he’s waiting for an explanation.
You inhale sharply. Screw it.
You lean forward and kiss him.
This time, you make sure he feels it.
Luffy freezes for half a second, probably because he wasn’t expecting it, but then, just as quickly, he melts into it. His lips are warm, a little chapped from the salty sea air, but soft against yours. His hands hover for a moment before he grabs your shoulders, steadying himself as he grins into the kiss.
When you finally pull back, breath a little uneven, he laughs.
“Ohhh, so you do wanna kiss me!”
Your face burns “I—Shut up!”
Luffy just grins wider, pulling you into his chest like he didn’t just shake your entire world “You’re funny, Y/N,” he says, resting his chin on your head. “I’m gonna kiss you all the time now!”
You groan into his shirt. What have you gotten yourself into?
You’re still pressed against Luffy’s chest, your face burning as he laughs. The warmth of his body seeps into you, and his chin rests comfortably on top of your head, like he’s perfectly content to stay like this forever.
“I’m gonna kiss you all the time now, I’m gonna kiss you all the time now, I’m gonna kiss you all the time now, I’m gonna kiss you all the ti—” he says, his voice filled with the same carefree confidence he uses when talking about becoming Pirate King.
You groan into his shirt, trying to push away, but his arms tighten around you.
“Luffy!”
“What?” He tilts his head, grinning “You kissed me back, so that means you like it, right?”
You open your mouth to argue but nothing comes out. Because… he’s right. You did kiss him back. You wanted to. You just hadn’t expected him to be so Luffy about it.
“That’s not the point” you mumble, avoiding his gaze.
He laughs again, a happy, carefree sound “Then what’s the point?”
You pull back just enough to look at him, and immediately regret it. He’s staring at you with those big, curious eyes, his face close enough that you can still feel the warmth of his breath. He isn’t teasing you, not really... he’s just genuinely waiting for an answer, like he doesn’t understand why you’re so flustered.
And that makes it worse.
You shove your hands against his chest, trying to put some distance between you “You can’t just—just say stuff like that!”
“Why not?” Luffy pouts.
“Because it’s embarrassing!”
He laughs harder “But you’re cute when you’re embarrassed!”
You swear your soul leaves your body “LUFFY—”
He suddenly leans in again, pressing another quick kiss to your lips before you can stop him.
“Mmm, yeah, I like this,” he says, nodding to himself “I’m definitely gonna do it a lot.”
Your brain malfunctions.
“You—! I—!” You can’t even form a sentence.
Luffy just beams “You can kiss me too, y’know.”
Your face somehow gets even hotter “I KNOW!”
His grin widens, and then before you can react he jumps to his feet, stretching his arms.
“Alright! I’m hungry!” He looks down at you, still sitting there, completely overwhelmed “C’mon, let’s go get something to eat!”
He grabs your hand before you can protest and starts dragging you toward the kitchen, like nothing just happened.
Like he didn’t just turn your world upside down.
Like he didn’t just kiss you twice, steal your breath, and then immediately think about food.
You let him pull you along, still dazed, as your fingers stay laced with his.
Luffy is impossible, but that’s why you like him so much.
The sound of swords clashing echoes throughout the quiet ship as the crew enjoys their evening. You sit on the railing, your legs dangling, watching the stars as the ship cruises along. Zoro is nearby, practicing his swordplay as usual, his focus unwavering.
You’ve been in a strange mood today, frustrated, angry, even a little annoyed, but you didn’t want to take it out on Zoro. You just needed some time to think, and he had given you that. But when you saw him practicing so intensely, your irritation began to simmer.
It had been an argument earlier. Not a huge one, but one that still left a bad taste in your mouth. Zoro had made a careless comment about something that had happened during the last fight, something trivial, but it had stuck with you, and now, as you watch him swing his swords with that unshakable intensity, you can’t help but feel more upset.
Zoro finishes his set, wiping the sweat from his brow. His eyes catch yours, and without saying anything, he walks over to you. You remain where you are, not bothering to look at him. The quiet tension between the two of you feels thicker now, and you can almost hear the unspoken words hanging in the air.
“What’s wrong?” Zoro asks, his voice unusually soft, as he stops a few steps in front of you. He might not always say much, but Zoro knows when something is off with you.
You sigh, leaning back slightly on the railing, crossing your arms “Nothing.”
You know Zoro won’t take that for an answer, but you don’t feel like talking about it. You don’t want to have another one of those half-formed conversations that end up with him brushing it off or getting frustrated with you. He’s not one for deep talks, and you don’t want to drag him into it.
Zoro, being Zoro, doesn’t give up. He steps closer, standing directly in front of you, his tall frame looming over you. He doesn’t push, but the intensity in his gaze is hard to ignore.
“Y/N,” he says, a hint of concern sneaking into his usually blunt tone “You’ve been weird all day.”
You feel your anger stir again, that feeling of being dismissed or misunderstood growing. Without thinking, you snap at him “I’m fine, alright? Just… don’t worry about it.”
The words are harsher than you intended, and you immediately regret them. But you’ve already said it, and the frustration that’s been building up inside you has no outlet other than Zoro at the moment.
Zoro blinks, clearly taken aback by your sudden sharpness. There’s a brief pause, and for a moment, you think he’ll retreat, that he’ll walk away like he usually does when he doesn’t understand. But instead, he leans in closer, his face now inches from yours, his breath warm against your skin.
“You know I don’t like it when you’re upset, right?” His voice is low, almost a growl.
You feel your heart skip a beat, and the irritation that had flared up earlier starts to subside just a little. But your pride is still holding on, and you don’t want to let it go so easily “I’m not upset” you mutter, your voice barely above a whisper, and you turn your head away, hoping he’ll just leave it alone.
Zoro doesn’t move, though. He’s still right in front of you, and his eyes are fixed on you with that intense gaze of his, like he’s seeing through you, reading everything you’re trying to hide.
And then, without warning, Zoro leans in and kisses you.
His lips are firm, yet gentle, pressing softly against yours. You don’t kiss him back immediately. Instead, you sit there, frozen, eyes wide in shock. Your heart races, and for a second, you’re not sure how to react.
Zoro pulls back just slightly, his gaze still locked with yours, waiting. His expression is unreadable, but there’s a faint trace of something in his gaze, concern, maybe? He wants an answer. He wants to know what’s wrong.
You should have kissed him back, but you didn’t. The confusion, the frustration, it all bubbles up again, and you’re not sure why you’re holding back this time.
Zoro doesn’t say anything at first, but he waits. His hand gently brushes against your cheek, as if trying to coax a response out of you “Why didn’t you kiss me back?”
You try to speak, but no words come out at first. You don’t want to tell him the truth, that you’re angry, that you don’t know how to explain what’s really bothering you.
You finally exhale, your voice softer than before “I was mad. At you.”
Zoro blinks in surprise, and for a moment, you think he’ll get defensive, like he always does when he doesn’t understand something. But instead, he simply nods. His eyes soften, and his fingers gently trace your jawline as if to remind you that he’s not going anywhere.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says quietly. His voice is surprisingly gentle, his usual gruffness gone “But if something’s wrong, you know you can tell me.”
You sigh, your anger finally dissipating as you look up at him. You can see the sincerity in his eyes, the way he’s trying to meet you halfway. You can feel the weight of your pride slipping away, and you hate that you let it build up this far.
You close the gap between you, leaning in to kiss him, this time responding wholeheartedly. It’s slow at first, but it deepens as you feel the tension release from your shoulders. You kiss him like you’ve missed him, like you didn’t realize just how badly you needed this connection.
When you pull away, you rest your forehead against his, breathing heavily “I’m sorry,” you whisper “I shouldn’t have gotten so upset.”
Zoro chuckles softly, his hand cupping your face “Don’t apologize. I get it.”
You smile, and for the first time today, the weight that had been dragging on you fades away completely.
Zoro’s arms wrap around you, pulling you closer “But next time, you’ll kiss me back, right?”
You laugh softly, feeling the heat of his chest against yours “I promise.”
And this time, when he kisses you again, you kiss him back without hesitation.
You pull back slightly from the kiss, your breath still heavy, and the silence between you both feels different now, softer, more understanding. Zoro doesn’t speak at first, but his arms remain tightly around you, his fingers brushing gently through your hair, as if he’s making sure you’re still there, still with him.
For a moment, you both just stand there in the quiet night, the ship gently rocking beneath your feet. The stars above are bright, casting a peaceful glow over the deck. It’s in these moments that you realize how much Zoro means to you. Even when you’re angry, even when you push him away, he never truly goes anywhere. He might not say a lot, but his actions speak louder than anything else.
“You know, you’re a real pain sometimes” you murmur, leaning into him, your voice barely above a whisper.
Zoro chuckles softly, his lips brushing against the top of your head “You’re the one who doesn’t kiss me back.” His voice is teasing now, and the warmth of his hands against your back makes you feel safe, despite everything.
You smile, finally allowing yourself to fully relax in his embrace “I know. I’m sorry about that. I just…” You hesitate, unsure of how to express yourself “I didn’t want to drag you into my mood. It wasn’t about you.”
Zoro doesn’t respond immediately, but his hand moves to gently lift your chin, so that you’re looking up at him. His green eyes are soft, understanding. He looks at you the way he always does when he knows there’s more you’re not saying, like he’s giving you the space to figure it out yourself, but also offering his support.
“You don’t have to protect me from your mood, Y/N,” Zoro says quietly, his thumb gently grazing your cheek “You know that, right?”
You blink up at him, surprised by the sincerity in his words. It’s rare for him to be this open, to say something so vulnerable. Zoro’s never been one for words, always more about actions. But when he does speak, it’s clear he means it.
“I know,” you murmur, feeling your heart swell in your chest “I guess I just didn’t want to make it worse.”
Zoro shakes his head, his hand moving to the small of your back, pulling you even closer “You can’t make it worse, Y/N. I’ve been with you long enough to know that.”
His words settle over you like a warm blanket, and for a moment, the world feels lighter. Maybe it’s because you’re finally opening up to him, maybe it’s because you realize that, despite all your pride, Zoro has always been the one who sees right through you.
The air between you two seems to change, the tension now replaced by an unspoken understanding. Zoro leans down again, capturing your lips in a much slower, more deliberate kiss this time. It’s deep and meaningful, not rushed like before, and you kiss him back just as intensely. There’s no hesitation, no second-guessing. Just the feeling of his lips against yours, and the reassuring presence of his hands wrapped around you.
When you finally pull away, you smile softly up at him, feeling like everything that had been weighing on your shoulders is finally gone.
“Better?” he asks, his voice a little gruff, but with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
You nod, leaning your forehead against his “Much better. Thanks, Zoro.”
He smirks, giving you a gentle, teasing squeeze “I don’t need thanks. Just kiss me back and we’ll be fine.”
You laugh, rolling your eyes, but you can’t help the warmth that spreads through you at the thought of him being this open with you. Zoro might not always know the right words to say, but the way he takes care of you, without question, speaks more than anything he could say aloud.
“Deal.” You smile, finally feeling at ease, as you stand there together in the quiet night, just the two of you, with the stars as your only witnesses.
Zoro leans in to kiss you again, but this time, he pulls back just before your lips meet.
“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you?” he teases with that familiar mischievous smirk.
You roll your eyes playfully but don’t hold back when you respond this time. You kiss him deeply, wrapping your arms around his neck.
“Does that answer your question?” you whisper, as you pull back just enough to look into his eyes, the moonlight catching the green in them.
Zoro’s grin widens, and you know, without a doubt, that everything is going to be alright. Even in the moments of silence, when words are hard to come by, you know you can always count on him.
The kitchen feels quieter now, the only sound being the gentle crackle of the stove and the rhythmic chopping of vegetables. You stand at the counter, your hands busy with the meal, but your mind is far from the task at hand. You feel a weight on your chest that you can’t quite shake off... guilt.
Sanji had left the kitchen earlier, giving you the space you had asked for, but the sadness in his eyes lingers in your thoughts. You didn’t mean to hurt him, but you’re not sure how to fix this.
You’ve always loved how Sanji dotes on you, how tender he is despite his usual flirtatious attitude, and yet, today, something in you snapped. The moment he had kissed you and you hadn’t kissed him back, the look on his face was more than you could handle. You could still feel the sting of his disappointment. It’s one thing to have an argument, to be upset about something that happened, but the thought that you could break his heart over something so small, something so trivial, makes you feel worse than ever.
Your knife clinks against the counter, the task you’re supposed to be focusing on now forgotten, your gaze drifting to the door.
Just as you’re about to give in and seek him out, you hear the faint sound of footsteps. You don’t need to look to know who it is. You can feel Sanji’s presence always manages to fill a room.
“Y/N?” His voice is soft, hesitant, and you can hear the uncertainty beneath it. You turn to face him, and there he is, leaning in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. His usual confident, charming smile is nowhere to be seen. Instead, he looks… small. Vulnerable, even. It hurts more than you thought it would.
You can’t meet his eyes at first, your gaze flicking to the counter instead, your hands nervously adjusting the utensils “Sanji… I—” Your throat tightens, the apology catching in your voice.
He doesn’t move, not yet, waiting for you to gather your words. The silence stretches on, heavier than you want it to be, but eventually, Sanji steps forward. The faint sound of his shoes tapping against the wooden floor rings through your ears as he approaches. He doesn’t say anything at first, and for a moment, you think maybe he’ll just walk away again, leaving you both in that uncomfortable space.
But instead, he reaches out, gently cupping your face in his hands, and guides your eyes to meet his. His gaze is soft, but there’s something behind it, something that makes your heart ache.
“I hate seeing you like this,” he says quietly, his voice nearly a whisper “I don’t care if you’re angry or upset, but when you push me away like that, it makes me feel like I did something wrong.”
The words hit you harder than you expected. Your heart lurches in your chest as you realize just how deeply you’ve hurt him with your silence.
“Sanji…” you start, but your voice falters. What can you say to fix it? How do you explain that it wasn’t him, it was you? That you didn’t know how to communicate what was bothering you?
He pulls you into a tight embrace, his head resting against yours. You can feel the warmth of his chest against you, his breath soft and steady. You let yourself relax into him, for once letting go of the pride you’ve been holding onto so tightly. You know you’ve hurt him, and you can feel the guilt eating away at you.
“You don’t have to be sorry,” he murmurs, his hands soothingly running through your hair “I know you’re not always in the mood for affection, but I… I just wanted you to know that I’m here for you, no matter what.”
You close your eyes, taking a deep breath, and finally allow yourself to melt into his touch “I’m sorry, Sanji,” you whisper, your voice filled with regret “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. It’s not you, I was just… frustrated. But I should’ve never shut you out like that.”
His fingers stop moving through your hair, and you can feel his breath hitch as he pulls back slightly to look at you. For a moment, he just stares, and the warmth in his eyes makes your heart race. Then, without warning, his lips are on yours.
It’s a soft kiss at first, barely a brush of his lips against yours, as if he’s still unsure if you’re ready. But you don’t hesitate this time. You meet him halfway, kissing him back deeply, letting all the words you couldn’t say earlier pour into the kiss. You press closer to him, your hands finding their way around his neck, pulling him even closer as if you never want to let him go.
When you finally pull away, both of you are breathless, and there’s a quiet moment between you, the tension from earlier melting away.
“Are we good?” Sanji asks, his voice playful again, but there’s a hint of vulnerability behind it.
You smile, finally feeling the weight lift from your shoulders “Yeah, we’re good.” You reach up, running a hand through his messy blond hair, before pulling him into another kiss, this time, more tender, slower, filled with the understanding that had been missing before.
“I really don’t like it when you push me away” he mutters against your lips, his hands resting on your waist.
You laugh softly, your heart light “I’ll try not to, okay? No more pushing you away.” You pull him even closer, your arms winding around him “I promise.”
He grins, that familiar, charming grin, as he wraps his arms around you “You better, sweetheart. Because I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”
You lean against him, feeling his warmth envelop you, and for the first time today, you feel like everything is right again. You’re not alone in your frustration anymore, and you can lean on him when things feel too heavy. With Sanji, you know you’ll always have someone who understands, someone who’s ready to support you, even when you don’t ask for it.
As you sit there in his embrace, you let your worries melt away, knowing that, for once, you don’t have to fight this battle on your own.
The Polar Tang is unusually quiet tonight. Most of the crew has turned in, the hum of the submarine filling the empty corridors. You sit on the deck, legs dangling over the side, watching the ocean stretch endlessly under the moonlight. The battle earlier had been rough, leaving you sore and exhausted, but the peaceful waves help settle your nerves.
A presence settles beside you, and you don’t need to look to know who it is.
“Can’t sleep either?” you ask, glancing at Law.
He’s watching the water, arms resting on his knees “You took a nasty hit today. Should be resting.”
You roll your eyes “I’m fine, doctor.”
He exhales sharply, but there’s no real annoyance in it. Instead, a silence lingers between you, different from your usual comfortable quiet. There’s something restrained in the way Law sits, the way his fingers tighten into fists before relaxing again.
Then, before you can process what’s happening, he shifts toward you, one hand reaching for your cheek as his lips press firmly against yours.
Your breath catches. Your mind blanks.
Law is kissing you.
The realization slams into you so hard that you freeze completely. He’s warm, his touch surprisingly careful despite the rough way he carries himself in battle. But you don’t move... you don’t kiss him back. Not because you don’t want to, but because you weren’t expecting this. At all.
A second passes. Then another.
Law pulls away first. His golden eyes flicker with something unreadable before he looks away, jaw tightening. He stands abruptly.
“Forget it,” he mutters “That was a mistake.”
“Wait—” you reach for him, but he’s already stepping back, his expression closing off into something distant and unreadable. The wall he puts up is so familiar it makes your chest ache.
You finally find your voice “Law, I—”
“Get some rest,” he interrupts, his tone sharp “That’s an order.”
And then he’s gone, disappearing into the submarine without another word.
You sit there, stunned, heart pounding.
You wanted to kiss him back. You wanted this.
But now, you might have just ruined everything.
In facts, after that Law starts avoiding you.
Not just the usual, brooding, keep-to-himself kind of avoiding you. No, this is different. This is intentional.
And it’s driving you insane.
Ever since that kiss, the kiss you wanted but had been too frozen to return, he’s been more distant than ever. He won’t meet your eyes, won’t acknowledge your presence unless absolutely necessary, and worst of all, you don’t understand if it him who refuses to be alone with you or just the crew having the worst timing.
Every time you try to talk to him, someone interrupts.
Attempt #1: You corner him in the medical bay, only for Shachi to barge in, whining about some nonexistent injury. Law doesn’t even look at you as he orders you both out.
Attempt #2: You catch him in the hallway, ready to finally get this over with, but Penguin suddenly appears, asking something about the ship’s course. Law walks away before you can say a word.
Attempt #3: The mess hall. Surely, he can’t avoid you here. You sit beside him, he gets up immediately.
At this point, the crew notices.
“Did you piss off the captain or something?” Bepo asks, tilting his head.
You groan, slamming your head against the table “I don’t know! He won’t talk to me.”
“You must’ve done something,” Shachi teases “What, did you steal his seat or—”
Penguin smacks his arm “No, idiot. Captain’s never been like this before. Not even when we wrecked his lab.”
Bepo frowns “Something’s bothering him.”
Yeah, no kidding... it’s all your fault.
You catch glimpses of Law throughout the day, on the deck, in the control room, talking with the crew. But the moment he sees you? He leaves.
It’s killing you.
He thinks you regret it.
He thinks you didn’t want it.
And if you don’t fix this soon, he’s never going to let you get close again.
The frustration boils over during dinner.
You’re exhausted, running on fumes after chasing Law all day. The crew is loud, laughing over some dumb joke, but all you can focus on is him.
Sitting across from you. Silent. Eating his food without looking up.
You can’t take it anymore.
You slam your hands on the table, making everyone jump.
“LAW.”
Silence.
All eyes turn to you.
Your captain finally looks at you, startled.
“First you kiss me.” You point an accusing finger at him “And then you avoid me like the plague, without even give me the chance to explain myself!”
Shachi chokes on his drink.
Penguin’s mouth drops open.
Bepo’s ears twitch in alarm.
Law stiffens. His fork stops midair “This is not—”
“No, shut up,” you cut him off, standing so fast your chair nearly topples over “I need to say this before you run away again.”
The crew is watching.
You don’t care.
“You kissed me, and I—” Your voice cracks. Your face feels like it’s on fire “I didn’t kiss you back, but not because I didn’t want to! I was just—shocked! I like you, okay?! I wanted to kiss you back, but my brain just—short-circuited!”
Dead. Silence.
Shachi drops his spoon.
Bepo covers his mouth with his paws.
Penguin is slowly turning to look at Law, whose ears are red.
Your captain looks like he’s about to die.
You inhale sharply “So if you’re avoiding me because you think I hate you or something—stop.”
Law does not move.
The entire crew waits.
Then, he clears his throat, stands up, and grabs your wrist.
“Room.”
And just like that, you vanish from the mess hall and land in his office with a thud.
Law lets go of you immediately and rubs his face, exhaling sharply “You’re unbelievable.”
“You’re the one who’s been acting like I have the plague,” you fire back, crossing your arms “Do you know how hard it’s been to get you alone?”
He groans “I thought you...” He pauses. Runs a hand through his hair “I thought you regretted it.”
You blink.
“…You idiot.”
He glares “Excuse me—”
You grab his coat and yank him down into a kiss.
Law freezes. This time, he’s the one caught off guard.
But when you pull away, his golden eyes are wide, breath slightly uneven.
You smirk “That clear enough for you?”
A beat of silence.
Then he grabs you by the waist and kisses you again.
And this time, you kiss him back.
The Moby Dick feels warmer than usual tonight, the air carrying that familiar salty breeze that ruffles your hair. You’re sitting on the figurehead, just like you always do after a long day. The crew has mostly turned in, and Ace, as always, is lounging nearby, throwing out his usual teasing comments that always manage to make you roll your eyes.
Tonight, though? He’s extra insufferable.
“Don’t you think I look particularly good tonight?” Ace smirks, his head tilted back, his hair catching the moonlight.
You narrow your eyes “Yeah, Ace, you look like a sunburned tomato.”
He bursts out laughing, clearly enjoying the attention “Ha! You know you want me.”
“Oh, really?” You scoff, not missing a beat “You couldn’t pay me to want you.”
He shrugs, still grinning like a maniac “Sure, but that’s just your deflection because you’re intimidated by my obvious charm.”
Your eyebrow twitches “I’m pretty sure you’re confusing arrogance with charm, Ace.”
“Of course I’m charming. Just ask me—”
Before he can finish, you interrupt him “Yeah, well, don’t ask me. I’m not interested.”
But as he keeps running his mouth, you realize something. Ace is having way too much fun with this. He’s been teasing you non-stop for days about how “obviously into him” you are, and it’s driving you nuts. He knows you like him. He knows you’ve been trying to keep your cool, but his teasing is getting out of hand.
“Would you stop talking about how irresistible you are? I’m literally going to—”
Before you can finish your sentence, Ace leans in and kisses you.
It happens so fast you don’t even process it at first.
One second, you and Ace are bickering, his usual cocky teasing, your usual mock exasperation... and then bam. Lips. On yours.
Portgas D. Ace is kissing you.
It’s not even a gentle, romantic kiss. It’s an overconfident, smug, I-know-you-want-me kind of kiss. The kind of kiss that assumes you’re going to melt immediately.
But instead of kissing him back, your brain short-circuits, and you freeze.
Ace pulls away, already grinning “Heh. Bet you weren’t expecting that, huh?”
You blink again.
Ace smirks, looking so insufferably proud of himself “Damn, I really am irresistible.”
And something inside you just snaps.
You tilt your head, look him straight in the eyes, and say “…Meh.”
Ace stares.
The entire universe pauses.
“…Meh?” Ace echoes, as if he misheard you.
You shrug “Yeah. Meh.”
Ace blinks rapidly, like his brain is buffering “Wait. Hold on. No, no, no, you don’t get it. I just kissed you.”
“I know.”
“And you—” He gestures wildly at you “Didn’t do anything??”
“Guess not.”
Ace’s jaw drops. He looks personally offended.
“Hold on,” he says, pointing a very accusatory finger at you “Let me get this straight. You... just sat there and let me kiss you like I was some kind of—some kind of—unremarkable man?”
You nod “Pretty much.”
Ace clutches his chest like he’s just been stabbed “Oh my GOD.”
The crew, who had been watching very intently, erupts into chaos.
“YO WHAT?”
“DID Y/N JUST—”
“THEY ‘MEH’-ED HIM???”
“THERE’S NO COMING BACK FROM THAT, MAN.”
Ace spins dramatically away from you, gripping the side of the ship like he’s having an existential crisis.
Marco slaps a hand over his mouth, cackling “Damn, Ace, I ain’t never seen you take an L like that.”
Thatch is wheezing “You got ‘meh’-ed, dude. That’s worse than rejection.”
“I KNOW.” Ace yells, throwing his arms in the air. He turns back to you, looking utterly betrayed “How could you do this to me?”
You shrug again “Guess I’m just not that impressed.”
Ace gasps. Actually gasps. Like you just kicked him in the soul.
“This is the worst day of my life” he declares. Then he marches off.
You watch him go, amused “Where are you even going?”
“I DUNNO, SOMEWHERE I’M APPRECIATED.”
From that moment on, Ace enters what can only be described as a petty, over-the-top crisis. Because in his mind, this is unheard of.
He is Portgas D. Ace. He’s a walking inferno, second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, effortlessly cool and charming. He has never, in his entire life, had someone just shrug off his kiss.
And he does not know how to handle it.
Thus begins The Avoidance Arc.
Ace is avoiding you because he’s lowkey heartbroken and incredibly dramatic about it.
He doesn’t even try to be subtle. He goes out of his way to avoid being anywhere near you.
Like, you’ll step onto the deck and Ace immediately turns 180 degrees and starts walking in the opposite direction.
You say one word to him, and he immediately yells, “OH WOW, LOOK AT THE TIME, GOTTA GO.”
You catch him in the hallway? He jumps overboard.
Marco watches all of this unfold with deep amusement “Wow. You really broke him.”
You roll your eyes “I didn’t break him. He’s being dramatic.”
“He’s been in the crow’s nest for six hours.”
“…Okay, maybe a little.”
Eventually, you get tired of this nonsense.
So, while the crew is gathered on the deck, you decide enough is enough.
You climb onto the railing of the ship and shout, loudly enough for Ace to hear from wherever he’s sulking—
“HEY EVERYONE! I THINK PORTGAS D. ACE IS A COWARD!”
There is instant silence.
Everyone slowly turns to look at you.
Then—BOOM. A door slams open somewhere, and Ace comes flying onto the deck like an angry storm “WHO SAID THAT.”
You smirk “Oh, hey, Ace. Nice of you to join us.”
He points at you, eyes narrowed “You wanna say that again?”
“I said,” you repeat, loud and clear, “you’re a coward.”
The crew is hyped.
“Ohhhhhhh shiiiiiit.”
“Y/N called you out, bro.”
“Ace, you gonna let that slide??”
Ace crosses his arms “I am not a coward.”
“Oh, really?” You tilt your head “Then why have you been avoiding me?”
Ace falters “That’s—that’s not—”
You step closer “Admit it. You’re mad because I didn’t kiss you back.”
The crew is on the edge of their seats.
Ace shifts uncomfortably “I’m not mad. I’m just… extremely, deeply wounded.”
You burst out laughing “Oh my god, you’re actually sulking.”
“I AM NOT SULKING.”
Marco sighs, shaking his head “Ace, just admit it. You wanted y/n to be all over you, and when they wasn’t, you got all weird about it.”
Ace groans, covering his face “Fine, yes, okay?! It bruised my damn ego! Happy?”
You grin “Very.”
Ace mutters something about how “this is the worst day of his life” and the crew howls with laughter.
Then, before he can complain further you grab his collar and kiss him, right then and there.
The crew loses their minds.
Ace freezes. Then, slowly, his brain catches up, and when you pull away, he just stares.
“…Oh.”
You smirk “Yeah. Oh.”
Then Ace grins, all cocky confidence again “So, uh. I win, right?”
You punch him in the arm.