me rereading a scene: omg why is she acting like that who wrote this? i wrote this.
surfer ace đâď¸
redraw
oh my goddd I just read the Monster trio & pregnant reader fic and i loved it.
Could you write about them as baby dads?
after the pregnancy and labor let's see their reaction to you going into labor?
a/n: tried to not be repetitive but it was hard lmao
also a special thanks and credits to @katsukis-foxie6 for giving me some ideas, espcially for sanji's â¤ď¸â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
characters: luffy, zoro, sanji
words count: around 0.9k - 1.3k each
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
The Straw Hat crew was anchored at a small island, taking a rare break after a long stretch of adventures. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the ship as you cradled your baby girl, Dawn, in your arms. She was only a few months old, but her presence already seemed to brighten every corner of the Thousand Sunny. Her tiny hands wrapped around your finger, and the sound of her soft giggles filled the air.
Luffy, his usual exuberance toned down just a bit, sat across from you, his eyes locked on Dawn with a mixture of pride and awe.
âSheâs so cute, y/n,â Luffy said with his signature grin, his voice filled with warmth âLook at her! Sheâs already so strong! I bet sheâs gonna be a great pirate!â
You couldnât help but laugh softly at Luffyâs enthusiasm âSheâs barely even walking yet, Luffy. Maybe letâs wait a few years before we start recruiting her into the crew.â
Luffyâs face lit up âOh, at her age I already wanted to be the king of pirates!" He turns to look at you and your serious face kinda scares him "...Y-yeah, we should let her grow a little first! But sheâs gonna be the best, I just know it! Iâll teach her everything I know!â
Suddenly, a loud voice boomed from the shore, and you looked up to see none other than your grandfather-in-law, Garp, strolling toward the ship with a big grin plastered on his face.
âOi, Luffy!â Garp shouted, his signature Marine coat fluttering behind him âI heard you had a kid! About time you stopped being such a carefree idiot and started taking responsibility!â
Luffy jumped to his feet immediately, his eyes widening with excitement âGrandpa! Youâre here!â He grabbed Dawn from your arms before you could even protest, holding her in front of Garp with the same proud grin he always wore âLook! This is my daughter!â
You stood up and approached them with a smile, watching Garpâs reaction carefully. Garp stared down at the tiny bundle in Luffyâs arms, his usual gruff expression softening as he regarded her.
âSheâs tiny,â Garp muttered, squinting at Dawn, but his voice held a strange tenderness âI didnât think Luffy could make something this cute.â
Luffy puffed out his chest with pride âSheâs gonna grow strong, just like me! And sheâs gonna be a great pirate!â
Garp grunted, crossing his arms âA pirate, huh? Youâve got a long way to go if youâre gonna make her one of your little nakama, brat.â
Luffy beamed, clearly not bothered by the teasing âIâll make sure sheâs ready! Right, Dawn?â He shook her gently, making silly noises that caused her to giggle. Dawnâs tiny fingers grasped at Luffyâs hand, and it seemed like the whole world stopped for a second.
Garp let out a low chuckle, his usual gruff demeanor melting a bit as he saw the deep love in Luffyâs eyes âWell, kid, looks like youâre serious about being a dad. I canât believe it, but I guess youâve really grown up. Sheâs got your stupid grin, thatâs for sure.â
Luffy looked over at you with wide eyes, his face flushed with excitement âGrandpa likes her! He said she looks like me!â
You smiled softly, your heart swelling with affection for both your husband and daughter âShe has your smile, alrightâ you said gently, brushing a strand of hair from Dawnâs face.
Luffy beamed, clearly feeling validated by Garpâs approval âIâm gonna teach her all kinds of stuff! How to eat a ton, how to never give up on your dreams, and how to make sure the meatâs always cooked perfectly! Sheâs gonna be awesome!â
Garp raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching upward into a smirk âWell, sheâs not gonna be a pirate, thatâs for sure.â
Luffy blinked in confusion âHuh? What do you mean? Sheâs gonna be the greatest pirate ever!â
Garp crossed his arms, grinning mischievously âNo way. Iâve seen what happens when you let brats like you run wild. Sheâs gonna be a Marine, just like her old grandpa.â
Luffyâs eyes widened, and he took a step back, shaking his head in disbelief âWhat?! No way! Sheâs gonna be a pirate! You canât stop that!â
Garp laughed, thoroughly amused by Luffyâs reaction âOh, I can see it now: âLittle Dawn, future Marine Admiral!â No pirates for her! Sheâll be the one taking you down one day.â
Luffyâs face scrunched up in determination âNo! Youâll see! Sheâll be a pirate! And sheâs gonna be the best one there is!â
You chuckled softly at their bickering, watching as Garp playfully ruffled Luffyâs hair and then glanced down at Dawn.
âSheâs got a strong spirit, though,â Garp admitted with a sigh, softening just a little âI can tell sheâll be a handful, just like her old man. But Iâll make sure she knows the proper way to punch things if she ever tries to follow in your footsteps.â
Luffy grinned, not giving up on his dream âIâll make sure sheâs ready to punch things tooâpirate things!â
Garp snorted and let out a deep laugh âWell, kid, youâve got a good one here. Just donât be surprised when she ends up in a Marine uniform one day.â
Luffy huffed but looked down at Dawn lovingly âWeâll see about that.â
As the sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, you felt the promise of a new journey unfolding, one with your family at the heart of it all. With Luffy by your side and Garp giving his usual advice, there was no doubt that little Dawn would grow up surrounded by love, adventure, and laughter, her own future as bright as the sun setting before you.
Your daughter, barely a few months old, has her tiny fingers wrapped around his index finger, her grip firm, almost unrelenting. Zoro raises an eyebrow as he tries to gently pull away, but she refuses to let go, her tiny face scrunching up in determination.
âDamn,â he mutters, glancing at you as you sit beside him, amused âSheâs strong.â
You laugh softly, leaning against his arm âLike her dad.â
Zoro doesnât answer right away. Instead, he watches your daughter with an unreadable expression, his free hand absentmindedly running over her soft, wispy hair. The moment lingers, quiet, thoughtful, before he finally speaks again.
âNo,â he says, voice low âLike her mom.â
You blink, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. When you look up at him, you see the way his jaw tightens, the way his fingers twitch slightly against your daughterâs back. Heâs thinking about something serious. Something deep.
Zoroâs gaze flickers to you, intense in that way only he can be âThat dayâŚâ He exhales sharply through his nose. âAnd not just that day. The whole damn time. Pregnancy, labor... all of it. I thought I knew what strength was, but I didnât. Not really.â
Your chest tightens. Zoro isnât one to put things into words often, but when he does, he means every syllable.
âI couldnât do anything at all,â he admits, still staring at your daughterâs tiny hand around his finger âI just had to sit there and watch while you went through all of it. No fight Iâve ever been in, no injury Iâve ever had... itâs nothing compared to that.â He finally looks back at you, eyes dark with something raw âYouâre stronger than me, y/n, believe me.â
You feel your breath catch.
Itâs not just the words, itâs also the way he says them, with complete sincerity. Zoro, who has trained his entire life to be the strongest swordsman, means it. He believes it.
You squeeze his arm gently, your voice soft âZoroâŚâ
He huffs, shaking his head as if the thought still overwhelms him. Then, his expression softens just a little as he looks down at your daughter again. Sheâs still gripping his finger tightly, completely oblivious to the weight of the moment.
Zoro smirks faintly âSheâs lucky to have you as her momâ he mutters.
You smile, warmth blooming in your chest âSheâs lucky to have you as her dad.â
He doesnât answer right away, but you catch the way his grip on your daughter shifts slightly, gentler, but still firm. Protective. Always.
She might have his strength, but Zoro knows exactly where it comes from.
And heâll never forget it.
Zoro started to be protective towards her since you first announced your pregnancy.
Heâs that type of super stressed dads who keeps running around following every single thing she does so that he can catch her if needed. All this with always a big blush on his face.
But itâs not that bad that he controls her bec, in fact, right now, your one-year-old daughter is standing in the middle of the deck, holding onto Luffyâs index fingers as he swings her back and forth like a human jump rope. Every time he lifts her up, she squeals in delight, kicking her little legs mid-air before landing on the deck.
âAgain! Again!â she demands, her tiny fists gripping Luffyâs fingers with ridiculous strength.
Zoro, standing nearby with his arms crossed, scowls âOi. Donât drop her.â
Luffy grins, stretching his lips wide âDonât worry! I wonât!â
You, sitting on a crate just a few feet away, shake your head with a sigh âSheâs fine, Zoro. Look at her, sheâs having fun.â
Zoro doesnât budge, arms still crossed âSheâs one wrong step away from flying into the ocean.â
Luffy gasps, looking at Kazuki with sparkling eyes âYou wanna fly?!â
âLuffy, NO.â you and Zoro shout at the same time.
Kazuki claps her hands âFly!â
âNO,â Zoro repeats firmly, glaring at Luffy âYou are not throwing my kid.â
Luffy pouts âBut sheâs got a strong grip! She wouldnât even let goââ
âLuffy,â you say, rubbing your temples âletâs not test her durability today, please.â
Luffy sighs dramatically but doesnât argue. Instead, he lifts Kazuki up and plops her on his shoulders, holding onto her tiny hands so she doesnât wobble off.
Zoro mutters under his breath but doesnât stop it. At least Luffyâs holding onto her.
Sanji chooses this moment to stroll onto the deck, cigarette between his lips but dropping it as he walks towards Kazuki âThereâs my little princess,â he coos, hands in his pockets âYou hungry, sweetheart?â
Kazuki, who has long since associated Sanji with food, beams âYummy?â
Sanji grins âThe yummiest. I made you something special.â
Zoro immediately frowns âWhat did you make her?â
Sanji raises an eyebrow âRelax, moss-head. Just some soft fruit and rice balls.â
Zoro doesnât move âYou sure thereâs nothing weird in it?â
Sanji bristles, instantly getting in his face âWeird? Sheâs a baby, you muscle-brained swordsman! What the hell do you think Iâd put in her food?â
You sigh, standing up to intervene before they actually start fighting âOkay, okay, both of you calm down. Sanji, thanks for making her food. Zoro, you really do look stressed, why donât you go take a nap? Iâll stay with her.â
âIâm good, Iâll go later⌠donât worryâ he says softly but still watches like a hawk as Sanji hands Kazuki a tiny rice ball. She immediately grabs it with both hands and shoves it into her mouth, cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk.
âGood?â Sanji asks, kneeling to her level.
Kazuki chews, sways on her little feet, then beams âGood!â
You smile and ruffle her hair âSay âthank you,â Kazu.â
Kazuki tilts her head, then garbles around the mouthful of rice âFanku.â
Sanji clutches his chest like heâs been shot âOhh, my sweet little angel, youâre so politeââ
Zoro scoffs âDonât act like you raised her.â
Kazuki points a chubby little finger at Zoro and proudly declares âDadaâs idiot.â
Silence.
Then the crew loses it.
Luffy collapses onto the floor, clutching his stomach. Nami has to lean against a barrel, wiping tears from her eyes. Sanji turns away, shoulders shaking with laughter. Even Robin chuckles from where sheâs reading in her chair.
Zoro stares at Kazuki, completely betrayed.
You, barely containing your laughter, kneel beside her âSweetheart, donât call your daddy an idiot.â
Kazuki tilts her head, as if deep in thought. Then, just as serious, she looks back at Zoro and saysâ
âDadaâs big idiot.â
Zoro groans so loud it nearly rattles the ship.
Luffy wheezes. Nami nearly falls over. Usopp actually falls over.
You bite your lip, but itâs no use, youâre laughing too.
Zoro glares at all of you âI blame all of you for this... y/n, stop itâ
Kazuki, sensing sheâs won, lifts her arms up to Zoro. He sighs, scooping her up, resting her against his chest. She immediately nuzzles into his shoulder, letting out a happy little hum.
âDadaâ she murmurs.
Zoro exhales, the corner of his lips twitching despite himself. He presses a kiss to her hair, murmuring, âYeah, yeah. Youâre lucky I like you, brat.â
You step closer, resting a hand on his arm âYou love herâ you tease.
Zoro scoffs âObviously⌠unlike you, she doesnât know what sheâs sayingâ
You go and leave a quick peck on his lips âYouâre my lovely big big idiotâ.
He blushes like crazy.
Kazuki looks up, sleepy âDada?â
âHm?â
She grins âDadaâs big big idiot.â
The crew howls with laughter.
Zoro sighs so deeply, but even as the teasing continues, he holds Kazuki a little closer.
Sheâs happy, safe, and in his arms. Thatâs all that matters.
That afternoon, you find them sleeping adorably together, in the same napping position. Smiling, you take a blanket and gently cover them both. Zoro stirs awake, thinking the baby has moved, something that makes you smile even more, knowing how hard it usually is to wake him. When he sees itâs you, he reaches for your hand and quietly invites you to join them, pulling you in for a cuddle.
Sanji is soft with her.
Softer than you ever thought possible.
You watch from the doorway as he sits on the edge of your shared bed, cradling your daughter so delicately, like sheâs made of glass. His thumb gently strokes over her tiny fingers, his breath slow, steady, controlled. But his eyes hold something else.
Something hesitant.
Something uncertain.
Your heart tightens.
âSheâs sleeping,â you whisper, stepping closer âYou donât have to be so tense.â
Sanji barely glances up âI know.â
But he doesnât relax. Not even a little.
Instead, he just keeps staring at her, as if waiting for something. As if at any moment, sheâll change into something unfamiliar, something he wonât know how to handle.
You sit beside him, curling close, resting your head against his shoulder. One arm wraps around his waist, the other reaching out to trace the soft fabric of the onesie your daughter is bundled in. She shifts slightly, making a tiny sound, and Sanji freezes.
You feel the sharp inhale he takes. The way his fingers twitch, just barely, as if bracing himself.
And suddenly, you understand.
âSanji.â You keep your voice gentle âWhatâs wrong?â
He exhales slowly through his nose âNothing.â
You donât let that slide. Not with him. Not when heâs never been able to lie to you.
You shift, pulling back just enough to see his face âYouâre scared.â
His jaw tenses, his grip on your daughter tightening the smallest bit âOf course I am,â he murmurs âIâve never done this before.â
You shake your head âNo, I know it's not just that.â
He doesnât answer, but he doesnât have to. You can see it all over him, the weight of his past, the fears he wonât say out loud.
So you say them for him... âYouâre scared of being like him.â
Sanji flinches.
Itâs barely noticeable. A fraction of movement, a flicker in his expression. But you know him too well.
âIâm not,â he starts, but his voice falters âI meanâI would neverââ
âI know,â you cut in softly âAnd sheâll know too.â
His breath shudders âBut what ifââ
âShe wonât be like them, Sanji.â You rest your hand over his, where heâs still holding her so, so carefully âAnd even if she was, sheâd still be ours.â
Sanji swallows hard âI donât want her to be cold,â he whispers âI donât want her to feel like she has to earn love. I donât want her to thinkââ He stops, jaw clenching âLike I did.â
Your chest tightens.
You knew. Of course you knew. You knew how deep his scars ran, how much he still carried, no matter how much love he poured into everyone else.
You squeeze his hand âShe wonât.â
Sanji shakes his head âYou donât know that.â
âYes, I do,â you insist, voice steady âBecause you are her father.â
That makes him pause.
âSheâs going to grow up knowing love, Sanji. Because you give it so easily, so naturally. Because you would rather die than see her cry. Because when she wakes up at night, you hold her before I can even sit up. Because youââ Your voice wavers, but you press on âBecause you are already the best father she could ever have.â
Sanji exhales, shaky, uneven. His grip on your daughter loosens just slightly, his thumb resuming its soft strokes against her tiny hand.
âSheâs so smallâ he murmurs, almost to himself.
You smile, leaning into him again âYeah. But sheâs yours.â
That does something to him.
You feel the tension in his body shift, melting just a little. He looks down at your daughter again, something lighter in his expression now. Something less like fear and more like wonder.
âSheâs beautifulâ he breathes.
You kiss his shoulder âLike her dad.â
Sanji huffs, but you can hear the warmth creeping into his voice âI hope not. She deserves better than a troublesome cook.â
You nudge him playfully âShe has a father who will love her unconditionally.â
Sanji doesnât answer right away.
Instead, he shifts, adjusting his hold on her, drawing her closer. And when he finally speaks, itâs barely above a whisper, so quiet you almost miss it.
âYeah, she has that.â
Your throat tightens.
You donât say anything, just slide your arms around him, tucking yourself against his side, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw.
Sanji rests his chin lightly atop your head. Heâs quiet for a moment, but you can feel the way his heartbeat slows, steadying.
Then, just as softly, almost like an afterthought, he murmurs, âI was easy to love. My father was just really bad.â
Your breath catches.
Itâs not something heâs ever said before, not so plainly, not so simply.
But now, with his daughter sleeping in his arms, with you curled up beside him, with love so clear and so real around him, he finally believes it.
The fears wonât vanish overnight. The scars wonât disappear. But right here, right now, in the quiet of your room, with your daughter safe in his arms Sanji finally lets himself believe it.
He is more than enough.
And he always will be.
The next morning you wake up to chaos.
âOi, oi, oi, CAREFUL!â Sanji nearly vaults over the table as Luffy lifts the baby girl high into the air, laughing as she squeals in delight âLuffy, sheâs not a sack of flour, PUT HER DOWN!â
âShe likes it, though!â Luffy beams, spinning in a circle with her in his arms âRight, mini-cook?â
His daughter giggling is the only reason Sanji doesnât immediately drop-kick his captain into the next century. Instead, he clenches his fists and growls, âIf you drop her, Luffy, so help meââ
âOh, come on, love-cook,â Zoro snickers, leaning back against the railing âYouâre acting like sheâs made of glass.â
Sanji whirls around to glare at him âYou grip your sword too tight, you sit too close, you BREATHE wrong, and I swearââ
âOh no,â Nami sighs, crossing her arms with a smirk âWeâve lost him.â
Usopp nods dramatically âRIP Sanji. He used to be cool.â
Franky wipes an imaginary tear âAnother victim of dad syndrome.â
Sanji ignores them, practically vibrating with anxiety as Luffy tosses the baby just slightly in the air before catching her again.
âLUFFY, I SWEAR TO ALL THEââ
You snort. Loudly.
And just like that, Sanji freezes.
His brain short-circuits becauseâoh.
Youâre laughing.
Not a little chuckle, not a polite giggle. Full-on, tears-in-your-eyes laughter.
Sanji forgets about murdering Luffy, forgets about all the dumbasses around him, because youâre happy.
His shoulders drop. His fists loosen.
Then, as if sensing his shift, his daughter suddenly reaches her arms out for him.
Sanji immediately swoops in, taking her from Luffy and holding her close to his chest, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead âThatâs enough flying for today, sweetheart.â
Nami smirks âAww, the overprotective dad act is over already?â
Sanji barely reacts. Instead, he turns to you, watching the way youâre still wiping laughter from your eyes, andâ
God.
If this is what family feels like, if this is what love feels like, then he never, ever wants anything else in the whole world.
What appeals to me about whump: an incomplete list
Trafalgar Law x Reader Zombie Apocalypse AU
Part 1 of my @infixop gift for @namism!
CW: Zombies, graphic depictions of blood, death and violence. Named side characters (they not super relevant tho). No use of Y/N or gendered pronouns.
WC: 4185
Masterlist Next ->
(A/N at the bottom)
Around one and a half months after you finally left your apartment building and dived into your new life as a vagabond survivor at the end of the world, you meet Law.Â
You are the one that finds him, alone and out of breath, a few streets away from the now empty city university. Heâs got a large backpack, his clothes are layered and unsoiled, and he glares at you from the shadow of his ugly spotted hat, distrust clear in his eyes.
You don't say anything, but you also don't take your eyes off him. Despite the unnatural danger zombies pose, another human is always more dangerous. And he seems like a threat. You eye the sword he holds in his left hand, unsheathed and covered in gross pieces of rotting flesh. Itâs like a katana, but longer than any youâve seen.Â
You raise your shovel. It's not much compared to an actual weapon, the dented metal spade is rough under the sun. You hope you look threatening.Â
âAre you going to be a problem?â You shout across the street. A zombie tumbles by a light pole further down the road. Your eyes dart in that direction for a second, then turn back to the man before you.Â
âNo.â He replies. Simple. He looks down at his sword again, and frowns. A few of the fattier chunks slide off the glistening metal, landing with sad plops onto the hot asphalt. Above you, crows sit one by one on the power lines, their beady eyes watching, never blinking.Â
You pull your own eyes away before the implications of the swirling feeling in your stomach actually say anything about your current state of being.Â
âWell.â You say, unsure of how to continue. At that moment, your little ragtag group of survivors turns the corner.Â
ââHey! Find anythingââ Johnnyâs voice dies when he lays his eyes upon that tall stranger with the huge scary sword across the road.Â
âI did find something.â You mumble.
For a few seconds, no one moves. The zombie down the road has disappeared down another street, and the crows are beginning to circle, clearly interested in the carrion the man is dropping all over the ground. He stares at you and the three others you met earlier that month.Â
Then he sighs.Â
Bewilderment grips you. That is not a normal reaction. Or maybe, considering everything, it should be a normal reaction now.Â
âLike I said, Iâm not going to be a problem.â He takes a step towards you.Â
Johnny tenses beside you, and you raise your shovel higher. If the man wants to stab you, the sword will get you long before the shovel could get his head. So youâll have to throw it for any chance of success. You ready yourself.Â
Then the man tosses his sword to the side with a resounding clang.Â
Youâre not sure if itâs the shock that causes the shovel to slip from your fingersâ but the sound is enough to make you jump. You bump into Johnny who in turn, stumbles over his feet and falls to the ground. Heat instantly shoots up your neck, making the tips of your ears feel hot. Great. To embarrass yourselves like this in front of an active threat. Just great. So you raise your leg, and aim your toes towards the middle of your shovelâs handle. Maybe passing it off like you meant to drop your shovel in the first place will encourage him to not think less of you. The darn thing skids across the concrete, coming to a stop a pathetically small distance away from you.Â
He stares at you, then at your shovel, and exhales curtly from his nose.Â
Despite surviving nine months into the end of the world, you are suddenly overcome with an incredible urge to die. There isnât time to wallow in that feeling, however, because he steps closer, crossing the road without an ounce of apprehension.Â
âLaw.â He holds out his hand. The word âDEATHâ is tattooed across his knuckles, and what you assume is some circular cult symbol on the back of his hand.Â
You respond with your own name, crossing your arms over your chest. Who knows where his hands have been.Â
Law stares at you with that same blank yet pointed gaze. The hairs on your neck rise. Huh. Unsure of what to do with this new feeling, you stare back at him, narrowing your eyes into a glare. You can only hope youâre making him feel as unsettled as you are currently.Â
âUh. Iâm Johnny.â Johnny says from beside you. Heâs standing again, dusting himself off from the fall.Â
The other two in your group, Yousaku and Michelle, introduce themselves too. Thereâs apprehension in their voices. No one tries to shake Lawâs hand.Â
~~~~
He sticks with the four of you for two nights and three days before the incident. He didnât have any resources on him despite his big bag, so you compiled together all you had left, and redistributed some to him. The twenty cans of food and bottles of water between the five of you fill you with an anxiety you are now unfortunately familiar with, along with the looming realization that youâll have to go further into the city to survive. Going further means the danger of both zombies and humans. The apocalypse has put many people in danger. And when peopleâs lives are on the line, people tend to do crazy things.Â
âWeâre running out of resources.â Michelle says on the dusk of the second night Law spends with all four of you. After an uneventful day of scavenging, youâre all back at the little blocked up building youâve been calling home for the last few weeks. It was Yousaku who discovered it a few days after you joined the three of them, located in a quiet part of town that didn't seem to have many other humans or zombies. But that also means the resources there are close to zero.Â
Youâre all on the roof, huddling around a burning fire. Law sits to your right and Johnny to your left. Michelle is across the fire from you, and you can barely see her illuminated face through the dancing flames. The sun is setting over the horizon. A chill is setting in, seeping in from under you. Michelleâs words do nothing to soothe the shiver that races down your spine. You pull your threadbare blanket closer.Â
âI think we should try going across the bridge again.â She continues.Â
âI donât know.â You say. âArenât the bridges hosting swarms even in the daytime?â Your old apartment was near the east bridge out of downtown and you barely survived the swarm around the bridge on your first, fateful day out in the wild. Sometimes, the images of grey, rotting skin, and the stink of decomposition in the midday sun still appear behind your eyelids when you close your eyes.Â
There is silence. The crackle of fire fills the silence. In the distance, you hear sounds of shuffles and low moans. You push the image of dripping flesh from your mind.
Then Johnny speaks. âIf we cross the bridge, there would be more resources, right? Thereâs a lower concentration of people outside of downtown. And all the big chain stores were in the suburbs.â
âThat part is true.â Law says.Â
You all turn to look at him. Law hasnât said much since he joined the four of you two days ago, only mutters affirmation or rejection when handed things or asked to do things. You all wait for him to elaborate. As usual, he does not.
You frown at him. âHow do you know that?â
âLogic.â Law says.Â
You roll your eyes. âOkay, Mr. Know-It-All, is logic a good reason for us to risk our lives?â
âBut there are resources on the other side, right?â Youkasu asks. Thereâs a hopeful tint to his voice, something you havenât heard in a long while.Â
Law nods.Â
âYouâre really sure.â Yousaku asks again.Â
âYes.â Law says. Â
Heâs too relaxed for this. You think. Heâs far too relaxed to be guiding you to your deaths.
You look at his fingers again. The dark letters on his skin do not seem to dim in the fading light.Â
âAre we forgetting it takes a day to get to the bridge? Itâll be evening by the time we get there!â You say, voice suddenly getting very loud. Because in the evening, right before the sun sets fully over the horizon, the hivemind comes out to eat. Like swarms of ants, the zombies will congregate. Piles of decay shuffling together like a tsunami of flesh to hunt. There were scientists on the news before everything really went to shit, talking about some kind of fungus that liked warm bodies. It made you shudder to think about it back then, and it still makes you shudder to think about it now.
Your worries do not seem to deter anyone else.Â
âI mean, the zombies are slow, right?â Yousaku says.Â
âWe gotta be thankful for the small things.â You mutter sarcastically under your breath. Law makes a choking sound beside you. You glare at him from the corner of your eye, but he doesnât bother to acknowledge you.
âIf thereâs a bunch we can fight them off.â Michelle adds. âThere canât be that many at the bridge.â
You make a face at that. You open your mouth, trying to insist that âThere are that many zombiesâ, but Johnny interrupts before you can say more.
âLetâs vote.â He says. âRaise your hand if you think we should go to the bridge tomorrow.â
You dig your face into your knees, and slot your arms under your legs. Thereâs the sound of shufflingâ then quiet again.
âSeems like the majority.â Johnny says after a moment. He turns to you then, a reassuring smile on his face. âThis might be our best chance at surviving. Weâll be fine. All we need to do is leave before the sun goes down.â
~~~~
That is the first mistake.Â
Your group sets out early the next day. Itâs sunny outside, but you canât help but feel the looming threat of a bad decision settling on your shoulders. Your rations reduce just a little more, and everyone else seems more eager to get going. So you pack your bags and no one but you keeps track of the sun in the sky, hyper aware of its position as it slowly crawls westward.
The second mistake is trusting Lawâs confidence.Â
His big sword really makes him seem unstoppable. It shines in the light as he carries it, resting against his shoulder. His quiet, sure attitude, makes everyone assume the bestâ which is the third mistake. Even his sword canât stop the rush of one thousand zombies all coming at you at the same time, their physique enhanced by the soft pink sky of the setting sun.
You carry on. The sun is far too close to the bottom of the skyscrapers when you finally see the bridge. It gleams white in the light, a marvel of architecture. Just as you thought, the surface is covered with the heads of zombies. They sway and shuffle, clothes dropping from their bodies as they stumble aimlessly. A few turn towards you, jaws unhinging at the detection of raw flesh. Anxiety floods you. Your grip loosens and tightens around your shovel handle.Â
âHoly shit.â You hear someone say.Â
The anxiety clouding your mind turns into a sick satisfaction for just a few fleeting seconds. If you die, at least you die knowing youâre right.
âI think we should get going.â You say instead. You turn to leave. But thatâs when you realize. The five of you are surrounded.Â
Your immediate instinct is to pick the direction you came from and start hitting. The zombies are many but at least theyâre slow. Youâre able to take them down at a steady paceâ a smashâ a step forwardsâ and the next one comes. Their decomposing fingers reach at you from all directions, teeth clamouring. Dead eyes stare past you, clumps of hair falling out of scalps at the softest contact. It always ends up being an endurance battle. Will you last, or will the zombies outlast you? Your shovel is sturdy under your hands, but your arms are already trembling from exertion. You can barely hear the shouts and screams of the others over your own heartbeat. Itâs loud, pounding in your ears as you try to fight the vertigo threatening to overtake you. Youâve never liked bodies or blood. And zombiesâ with their human shapes and festering fleshâ test your ability to stomach the mind-bending nausea.Â
For a second you look away. And you see him. Or, you see Lawâs hat. Its white colour easily catches the light of the setting sun. Heâs going in the complete opposite direction from Johnny, from the heart of the swarm. Itâs where the line of zombies is the thinnest. Where the number of heads seems to be the fewest. His sword is raised, and heâs attacking the creatures with a sharp precision youâve never seen from any of the other survivors youâve met. Heâs slicing through the decomposing bodies like theyâre nothing but thin sheets of paper, dropping whole arms, fingers and heads with dull thuds in his wake. You turn back one more time. The voices of the people you spent the last month of hell with travel over the low groans of the zombies.Â
They are screaming. Flesh torn from bone. Eaten alive. You can try to save them.
But you are a coward.
You turn and sprint down the path of limbs. For a second youâre Dorothy, bounding down the yellow brick road, where the destination is not a granting of wishes but instead, an embodiment of your desperation for survival. A zombie lunges for you. You swing your shovel and its head flies off. Two more replace it, grabbing at you from the encroaching darkness. Lawâs white hat catches the dying light, and you swing your shovel again, and use the spade to shove the swaying bodies to the ground. You jump over another fallen zombie, still twitching, and hurry towards the last place you saw Law. You can barely feel your limbs, only the reverberation of your feet making contact with the hard asphalt as you dodge and hit and shove, the little path Law made growing smaller and smaller with each passing moment.Â
You need to survive.Â
The zombies come one after another, but the closer you get to Law the easier it is to evade them. One grabs on to your jacket. You break its skull in half. Another catches on to your ankle. It takes a good hit and a hard stomp for that one to let go. Its decomposing fingers all but fall apart as you rip yourself away, heart pounding. The ever-growing shape of Lawâs hat is your only saving grace. Suddenly, another lunges out at you from the darkness. You can see its face. Its graying skin, foggy eyes, and lips peeled back from rotting gums.Â
Bile burns up your throat as you swing.Â
You hit the zombie at its temple. Its head rolls off its neck, the last bits of connecting tissue glazing your shirt and arms. At the same moment the spade of your shovel flies off the handle. It soars through the air like a frisbee before landing somewhere in the middle of the hoard. Youâre left with a handle, still clutched tightly in your hands.
Shit!
You run. The zombie that lunged at you was mostly alone, it seems, as the path in front of you is now somewhat clear. Your heart drops, however, when you realize you can no longer see Law. You spend a frantic, precious second frozen in place, looking for him, before you snap yourself out of that panic. You need to run.
Just follow the limbs, you think helplessly. So you do.Â
Heart pounding, lungs heaving, you dive through the scattered crowd, ignoring the crunch of bones beneath your feet and the soft splattering of decomposing flesh. The world ahead of you is blurring, your head is spinning, and you donât realize until itâs too late that you are going to crash into something.Â
Bam! The impact halts you completely, and you stumble back, grip almost loosening on the shovel handle. It takes a second, but you realize it's Law.
You look up at him. And it's then you realize his eyes are coloured gold. You quickly avert your gaze, just in time to see another one of those creatures barrelling towards him. You look up at Law again, but he hasnât noticed it. Heâs pushing past youâ focusing on something behind youâ but not moving fast enough to dodge the mouth gaping at his neck. You move on instinct. The remainder of the handle piece slams into its jaw. It shatters upon impact but the zombie doesnât fall apart like the others. Itâs on the ground now, withering like a worm in the sun, disgusting and patheticâ but no longer a threat. You kick its head for good measure, noticing how its skin and jaw mostly stay together. It must be a fresh corpse, you think grimly.
Turning, you scan the area around you. There are much fewer of them now, two blocks away from the bridge. Law is a short distance behind you. You see his eyes glance down at the carnage by your feet, and then at you. Thereâs a blooming thread of understandingâ and you start running. The zombies Law slashed through have regrouped, and the little gaps to escape are closing slowly in front of you. You charge towards the small space between the two zombies blocking the middle of the road, and brush past them without much issue. You hear Lawâs footsteps behind you. It doesnât take long for him to catch up and overtake your pace. All your desperation allows you to do is keep up.
The air leaves your lungs far too quickly, legs cramping with every lost breath. When Law finally stops, far enough from the river that the sound of rushing water no longer reaches your ears, your vision flashes black. You throw yourself against the brick wall of the building the two of you stopped at. Breathing has never been harderâ you heave, gasping for air. You glance up at Law.Â
Heâs barely huffing.Â
Damn him and his long ass legs. You press your palms against the wall, the texture rough and grounding. It takes a few more deep, wheezing breaths before you can move normally again. Law is still there, watching you silently. The sky is now a somber blue. The events that just passed are still fresh, and youâre sure your mind hasnât properly registered the horror. There are no other survivors. That is the way things are now. You open your mouth, unsure what to say. The silence is too much, too suffocatingâ
Then, he starts walking away.Â
Your stomach drops in panic and you push off the wall. âWhere are you going?â
Law shrugs. Heâs holding his sword in his left hand and sheath in his right. He doesnât like sheathing the weapon before cleaning it. âSomewhere to spend the night. I suggest you do the same.â
âYouâre not going to survive by yourself.âÂ
Law stops.Â
Youâre not sure what drives you to say that. Maybe itâs the thought of braving these streets by yourself, the fear of slaying those creatures with your own two hands, with no one to back you up and no one to know if you die doing so. Youâre both rational adults. Or at least, you hope so. But you try anyway. âIsnât that why you joined us? You almost got bitten back there. Youâd probably be dead if it wasnât for me.âÂ
Heâs silent for a moment then. His eyes do not leave your face.Â
The sound of your heart fills your ears again. You lift your chin, and stare right back. A cold breeze blows by, and you fight to hide the shiver that runs through your body.
Then, Law sighs. The sound is heavy. âIf you want to come, I wonât stop you.âÂ
He turns around again, and this time, you follow him without a word.Â
~~~~
Life only really fell apart after the power went out. You still remember it happeningâ staring out your apartment window at the still illuminated city, eyeing the few wandering zombies far below. Then suddenly, everything is black and everything is silent. The low hum of your fridge, your neighbourâs fan, the distant sound of someoneâs booming sound systemâ all gone.
You still remember the creeping horror, the realization that from now on, the night is no longer yours either. Or maybe it never was to begin with. Either way, the fire in front of you is nowhere close to starting and the darkness is growing ever closer. Law is sitting across from you, judgement clear in his eyes.Â
âDo you want help with that?â He asks.Â
âFrom you?â You say finally. When Law doesnât say anything back, you return to your smoldering pile of grass and cardboard scraps.Â
Closing your eyes, you try to catch the direction of the breeze. Itâs barely there, tenderly brushing against your cheeks. You adjust your body, and you try again. Nothing catches. You shuffle a little more to your left. The flint and steel brush against each other with a satisfying ting and finally, finally, the cardboard lights up.Â
âHoly shit!â You jump back, startled by the sudden heat. The cardboard burns hot and fast. You turn around, frantically placing the assortment of coals and pieces of wood you have into the fire, careful not to smother it. The cardboard, thankfully, burns just long enough for the smaller pieces of coal to catch. It's now a waiting game. Slowly, the wood stacked on top of the coals begins to burn as well. A small circle of light is created, keeping away the darkness for a little longer.
âIâll take the first watch.â You say to Law.
âSure.â He says, attention going right back to the spread in front of him. His sword is laid out on the ground, and heâs surrounded with scraps of bloodstained fabric. Itâs all vague shapes and shades of grey at this point, but the glint of the sword tells you Law has polished it enough to be shiny again. You knew swordkeeping was hard workâ but doing it at the end of the world seems a little excessive.Â
You lay down on your side of the fire. The thin cardboard below you is a nice alternative to the cold cement rooftop. Vague shapes of your old bedroom dance behind your eyes. You push the thought away. That life, the safe, comfortable one you knew for so long, is now another reality. There is no point in ruminating on what you no longer have. A sound of shuffling, loud enough to catch your ears, carries over from the other side of the roof. Itâs probably Law. You can barely see him, slightly illuminated by the small fire. His movements are like ink drops spreading across a canvas, staining and convulsing in a mass of darkness. The fire pricks at the rightmost edge of your vision, and the sky above is endless.
With no lights in the streets, the night is finally a proper darkness to see things. Stars, planets, the reaching edges of the Milky Way spiralling far out across the horizon, surrounded by endless darkness. Itâs beautiful, almost hopeful sometimesâ and tonight is the first time youâve gotten the chance to just gaze. So you lay there, comforted by the cold cardboard beneath you, the heat of the fire beside you, and the sight of the slowly spinning night above.
A quiet settles over your rooftop. It is occasionally broken with soft cracks of burning embers. At some point, you think you hear the soft breathing of the person on the other side of the roof. You, however, keep staring upwards.
Your mind canât help but drift to Law. You don't try to stop it. You think about his overall clean state when you first found him, his sword, and the lackluster attitude he has towards the zombies, like theyâre nothing to worry about. You finally think about the bridge. The screams of people you were beginning to think of as friends. He was ready to abandon Johnny, Yousaku, and Michelle the second things went wrong. How can you be sure he wonât abandon you too? Heâs only still here because you stopped him.
You stare up at the sky then at the dying fire beside you. You pull your jacket and the flimsy blanket closer to your chin. The chill of the night is still kept away enough by the fire, but it creeps ever closer, nipping at your toes and fingers.Â
Despite the ache behind your eyes, you do not wake Law.
A/N: Do it for Miku đ¤Šđ¤Šđ¤Š (the thing i repeated while wiritng this during peak midterm season (oml, curve pls save me :'((( )) also thanks to my betas for reading this, all the thanks my good bros
some lore for anyone interested:
the outbreak started because a scientist was studying fungi (specifically fungi that can survive warm bodies) and shot it with some gamma rays or something and made it so it likes humans (animals can't be infected because i like animals :D ). Bro then accidentally got spores on himself and carried it home, aka, out into the the world. Living humans weren't susceptible at first, it only infected dead bodies for a while but then genetic mutation happened and BOOM, live humans were getting it too through open wounds! Then the world exploded :(
the general world timeline is something like: ~12 months ago the first outbreak occured in a hospital morgue, ~9 months ago the apocalypse got bad enough that the military started intervening and the closest power grid blew up or something (this is the point were most people mark as the start of the end), ~ 5 months ago the military got destroyed (cause the mutation also occured around this time), ~ 2 months ago the power reserves got drained, and ~1.5 months ago Reader heads out into the wild
(is this accurate to reality? no lol i did not have time to do that much research)
@ameirin's concept art for my fic Homesick
you two acts like a loving couple all the time, so what happens when someone points it out?
characters: zoro, sanji, law, ace and sabo
words count: around 0.8k - 1.3k each
masterlist || ko-fi
You do a lot of things for Zoro without thinking.
You wake him up when itâs time to eat. You stop him from training too much. You make sure he doesnât get lost whenever the crew visits a new island.
Itâs normal for you. Someone has to do it.
But one day, the others start teasing you about it.
It happens at lunch. You are eating with the crew when Usopp laughs and nudges your arm.
âHey, arenât you gonna get your boyfriend?â
You blink. âWhat?â
Sanji, cleaning his hands with a towel, nods toward the deck âThat moss-brained idiot. You always bring him to meals. Itâs like a little routine between you two now. Like a coupleâŚâ
âWeâre notââ You nearly choke on your drink âWeâre not a couple!â
Usopp grins âThen why do you always take so much care of him?â
âBecause heâs stupid and forgets to eat!â you say, standing up âIâll go get him, but not because of whatever weird ideas you guys have.â
You walk away while they laugh behind you.
You find Zoro exactly where you expect, napping against the shipâs railing, his swords next to him.
You roll your eyes and shake his shoulder âOi, wake up. Lunch is ready.â
Nothing.
You shake him harder âZoro. If you donât get up, Iâll eat your food.â
He grumbles and waves his hand, like heâs trying to swat away a fly.
Sighing, you do what you always do. You grab his wrist and pull him up with both hands. He lets you. He always does, like itâs natural.
Zoro blinks at you, still half-asleep âHuh. You again.â
âYeah, me again,â you say âCome eat before Sanji âforgetsâ to save you anything.â
Youâre still holding his wrist, making sure he doesnât fall back asleep. Thatâs when you notice Nami and Robin watching from across the deck, smiling.
âWhat?â you ask, feeling awkward.
Nami smirks âYou two are cute.â
Your face heats up âWeâre notâheâs notâweâre not together!â
Robin chuckles âYou do take care of him a lot.â
Zoro frowns, confused âWhat the hell are you talking about?â
âNothing,â you mutterl âCome eat.â
You let go of his wrist too fast and walk away, ignoring the warm feeling in your chest.
You think itâs over, but now you notice things.
Zoro always sits next to you at meals, even when there are other seats. You always save food for him without realizing. And during fights, he always protects you first, like itâs a habit.
And, worst of all, people keep pointing it out.
ây/n,â Chopper asks one day, tilting his head âAre you and Zoro dating?â
You almost trip âWhat?! No!â
âOh...â He looks confused âBut you act like itâ
You groan âNot you tooâ
After that, you canât stop thinking about it.
The next time you wake Zoro up, your fingers stay on his wrist a second too long. The next time he pulls you behind him in a fight, your heart beats faster.
And then one evening, when you catch him watching you with a thoughtful look, you realize you might be in trouble.
That night, Zoro speaks first.
âOiâ
You look up from your seat on the deck âWhat?â
He leans against the railing, arms crossed âDoes it bother you?â
You frown âDoes what bother me?â
âWhat people are sayingâ His eyes stay on you âAbout us.â
You swallow âWhy? Does it bother you?â
He doesnât answer right away âNoâ his voice is quieter than usual.
Your stomach flips and you look at the ocean âI mean⌠itâs just dumb teasing, right?â
Zoro doesnât reply. Instead, he watches you for a long time. Then, finally, he smirks.
âDoesnât really matter what they sayâ he says, voice calm but sure âIâd still stick with you either way.â
Your breath catches and suddenly, your heart wonât let you ignore this anymore.
For the next days you try to brush off what the crew said.
You really do, but itâs impossible to ignore when Zoro keeps acting the same way.
Like when youâre on lookout duty together, and he hands you his jacket without a word.
Or when you spar with him, and he pulls his hits just enough so you donât get hurt.
Or when you fall asleep on the Sunnyâs deck, and you wake up covered with a blanket, one you know you didnât grab.
And every time it happens, you catch the crew watching. Smirking.
Itâs driving you insane.
One afternoon, you finally decide to do something about it.
You find Zoro by the training room, lifting weights. His shirt is half undone, sweat glistening on his skin, but you shove that thought aside.
You cross your arms âHey, Zoro.â
He grunts in acknowledgment, not stopping his reps.
You hesitate ââŚWhy do you treat me differently?â
He finally sets the weight down, wiping his face with a towel âWhat?â
âYou heard me...â You shift uncomfortably âYou do things for me that you donât do for anyone else.â
Zoro leans back against the wall, looking at you like you just asked a stupid question âSo?â
âSo?â You huff âThat means something, doesnât it?â
He shrugs âI guess.â
You blink âThatâs it? You guess?â
Zoro sighs, scratching his head âLook, I donât really think about it. I justââ He pauses, then shrugs again âI want to.â
Your heart skips a beat ââŚWhat?â
âI want to do those things for you,â he says simply âitâs not a big dealâ
You stare at him âNot a... Zoro, are you serious?â
He frowns âWhat, you donât like it?â
âThatâs not the point!â Your face feels hot âYou donât do this for Nami or Robin or anyone else!â
Zoro looks at you, unimpressed âYeah. Because itâs you.â
You freeze.
The way he says it, so blunt, so obvious, it makes your stomach flip.
He isnât flustered. He isnât overthinking it. Heâs just stating a fact.
ââŚOh.â
Zoro crosses his arms, watching you carefully âIs that a problem?â
You swallow âNo. Itâs justâŚâ
Itâs everything. Itâs him always being there, always looking out for you, always treating you like someone important.
Itâs a realization you should have had ages ago.
You let out a breathless laugh âIâm an idiot.â
Zoro raises an eyebrow âWell, yeah.â
You smack his arm. He smirks.
But when your hand lingers just a little too long, he doesnât pull away.
And suddenly, you both understand... this isnât just a habit.
It never was.
Ever since that conversation in the training room, things between you and Zoro have⌠shifted, but not in a bad way.
He still trains for hours. Still naps in random spots. Still bickers with Sanji.
But now, when you sit beside him, his arm naturally rests along the back of your chair.
Now, when you fight, he doesnât just watch your back, he makes sure youâre never out of reach.
Now, when you look at him for a second too long, he looks right back.
Like heâs waiting.
Like heâs giving you the choice.
One evening, you find him on the Sunnyâs deck, looking out at the ocean.
ââŚCanât sleep?â he asks.
You shake your head, stepping closer âThinking too much.â
Zoro smirks âDangerous habit...â
You huff a laugh but donât argue.
Instead, you stand beside him, silent for a moment before you finally ask...
âDo you regret telling me?â
Zoro frowns âTelling you what?â
âThat you⌠actually treat me differently. That you want to.â
His jaw tightens slightly âNo.â
Your heart does something strange âGood.â
You donât give yourself time to hesitate.
Before doubt can creep in, you grab him and pull him down.
Zoro freezes.
For half a second, he doesnât move. Doesnât even breathe.
Then a quiet growl rumbles from his chest, and his hand cups the back of your neck as he kisses you back.
Itâs firm. Solid. Like heâs been holding back for too long and refuses to anymore.
When you finally break apart, Zoro leans his forehead against yours, exhaling through his nose.
ââŚFinallyâ he mutters.
You grin âYou were waiting for me?â
âWasnât gonna rush youâ His fingers brush your jaw âYou get there when you get there.â
You hum, leaning into him âAnd now?â
Zoro smirks âNow, youâre stuck with me.â
You kiss him again, just to make sure he knows you wouldnât want it any other way.
Sanji has always been a flirt. Thatâs just how he is.
He calls Nami and Robin âmy loveâ and âmy dearâ. He spins around the kitchen whenever they compliment him. He offers to carry their bags when the crew goes shopping.
But when it comes to you, itâs different.
It starts when the crew is eating dinner together.
âSanji, can you pass the salt?â you ask.
Instead of handing you the salt shaker, Sanji grabs it, twists off the lid, and sprinkles just the right amount onto your plate.
You blink âUh. Thanks?â
âOf course, my dearâ he says smoothly. Then, as if nothing happened, he turns back to his own plate.
You think nothing of it... until you notice the way the others are watching.
Usopp raises an eyebrow âDid he just season your food for you?â
âYeah?â You shrug âWhat's new about it? He's a chef and heâs just being nice.â
Luffy grins âHe doesnât do that for anyone else.â
âThatâs not true,â you argue âSanji treats everyone like this.â
Nami hums âNot exactly like this. If we wanted more salt he would start a lecture about how it would ruin his masterpiece.â
Before you can ask what she means, Sanji stands up to grab dessert. He places a plate in front of you first. Itâs your favorite.
The crew stares.
You stare too âSanjiâŚâ
He smiles âWhat? I made extra for you.â
Usopp coughs âYeah. Okay. Totally normal.â
Robin chuckles behind her hand.
You shake your head and go back to eating. Itâs nothing. Sanji is just being Sanji.
âŚRight?
But then, you start noticing other things.
When youâre cold, Sanji drapes his jacket over your shoulders without you asking.
When you need something from a high shelf, Sanji wordlessly reaches up and hands it to you.
When youâre about to trip, his hand is always there to steady you.
And every time, every single time, he does it so naturally that you donât even think about it.
Until one day, Franky whistles and says, âYou two sure act like a couple.â
You nearly drop the drink in your hands âWhat?!â
Sanji, who was stirring a pot at the stove, pauses.
Franky leans against the counter, grinning âYou two do all that coupley stuff. He gives you the best food, takes care of you, treats you differently from everyone elseââ
âThatâs not true,â you say quickly âSanjiâs like this with everyone.â
Franky snorts âNah. He does flirt with everyone. But this?â He gestures between you and Sanji âThis is different.â
You glance at Sanji. Heâs staring into the pot, silent.
Your face feels hot now âYou guys are reading too much into things.â
âSure we are...â Franky says, smirking. Then he leaves.
The kitchen is quiet now. You swallow and turn to Sanji.
ââŚIs it true?â
He looks at you. His usual confident smile is gone. Instead, thereâs something softer in his eyes.
âI donât knowâ he says âis it?â
Your heartbeat quickens.
Suddenly, every touch, every sweet gesture, it all feels different.
Maybe it wasnât just a habit.
Maybe it was something else all along.
After all this the teasing has only gotten worse.
Ever since Nami and Usopp pointed out how Sanji treats you, they will not let it go.
âHere comes Sanjiâs beloveeeed~â Usopp sings when you walk into the kitchen.
âI should start charging you for all the extra food Sanji makes only for youâ Nami smirks.
Even Luffy, who usually doesnât care about these things, grins at Sanji one afternoon and says âOi, cook, when are you gonna marry y/n?â
Sanji chokes on his cigarette so hard he has to brace himself on the counter.
You groan and drag a hand down your face.
But what really drives you insane?
Sanji never denies it.
He stutters, blushes, waves his hands, but he never says âThatâs not true.â
Because it is true.
And itâs starting to drive you crazy.
You try to ignore it. But then you start noticing things, even the smallest ones.
Sanji never lets you carry anything heavy.
He always pours you tea first, even before Nami and Robin.
He adjusts your chair at dinner like itâs second nature.
And the worst part? He doesnât even realize heâs doing it.
But you do.
And now, every time he gives you that lookâthe one thatâs soft, full of admiration, like you hung the damn sun in the skyâyour heart stumbles over itself.
This has to stop.
Or something has to change.
It happens one evening after dinner.
Youâre in the kitchen, helping Sanji clean up. He hums as he washes the dishes, sleeves rolled up, golden hair falling over his forehead.
You watch him for a second, then take a deep breath.
âSanji.â
He glances at you, smiling âYes, my love?â
You grip the counter âWhy do you act like weâre together?â
Sanji freezes.
The faucet keeps running. The kitchen is warm with the smell of spices. But Sanji is frozen.
Slowly, he turns his head toward you ââŚP-Pardon?â
You cross your arms âYou treat me differently. Even the crew notices. You never do this stuff for anyone else.â
Sanji swallows hard âIââ
âYou never deny it,â you press âand honestly? Iâm tired of waiting for you to finally say something.â
Sanji stares at you like youâve just flipped his entire world upside down.
His hands shake. His lips part like he wants to speak, but nothing comes out.
ââŚSanji.â Your voice softens âDo you want this to be real?â
A shuddering breath leaves him. He looks at you, eyes wide, vulnerable.
âMore than anything...â he whispers.
Your heartbeat stutters.
Thatâs it. Thatâs all you need to hear.
You step forward, grab the front of his shirt, and kiss him.
Sanji malfunctions.
His entire body locks up, like his brain has completely short-circuited.
For a solid two seconds, he does not move.
Then a noise escapes him, something between a whimper and a desperate sigh, and his hands come up to cup your face, pulling you closer.
The kiss is warm, overwhelming, but soft, like heâs afraid youâll disappear if he holds on too tight.
When you finally pull away, heâs redder than his own suit.
ââŚM-Mon amour,â he breathes, voice shaking âYou...you actually...â
You smirk âTook us long enough, cook.â
Sanji makes a strangled sound and immediately buries his face in your shoulder, arms wrapped tight around you.
Outside, the crew is losing their minds.
âTOLD YOU!â Usopp shouts.
âI WON THE BET!â Nami cheers.
âOi, Sanji, you alive in there?â Zoro snickers.
Sanji doesnât answer. Heâs too busy melting against you, whispering sweet nothings into your skin.
And honestly?
You think youâll let him.
Law is not the kind of person who likes physical contact. He doesnât let most people touch him. He keeps his distance, always standing at the edge of conversations with his arms crossed. If someone bumps into him, they get a glare.
But for some reason, you are different.
It starts when Bepo hands you a coat one evening.
âHere,â he says, tail flicking âyou left this in the lounge.â
You blink at it. Itâs black, long, and definitely not yours.
âThis isnât mineâ you say, confused.
Bepo tilts his head âOh. But you always wear the captainâs coat, so I thought it was yours now...â
You freeze.
âWait. What?â
Shachi walks by and hears the conversation. He grins âYeah, you totally do. Every time youâre cold, you steal his coat.â
Penguin nods âAnd Law never complains.â
You open your mouth. Close it. Try to remember.
âŚOkay, maybe you have borrowed Lawâs coat a few times. But thatâs just because itâs warm! And because itâs there! And because...
Oh no.
Your stomach twists âI... I do not...â
âSure you donât...â Shachi teases âWhatâs next? Calling him âdearâ?â
You groan and shove the coat at Bepo before walking away.
But now, you canât stop thinking about it.
After this, you start noticing other things. Like how Law always lets you into his personal space.
How you can tug his hat down over his eyes without him pushing you away.
How he casually rests his hand on your shoulder when he stands next to you.
One day, you trip over a loose crate. Before you even hit the ground, a familiar blue glow surrounds you... Lawâs Room.
In an instant, youâre back on your feet, completely unharmed.
The Heart Pirates snicker.
âCaptain didnât even thinkâ Penguin whispers.
âHe never uses Room for anyone elseâs clumsinessâ Shachi adds.
You glare at them âI heard that.â
They just smirk.
Law doesnât say anything. He just sighs and keeps walking, like saving you without thinking is the most natural thing in the world.
Your heart does something weird. You ignore it.
Later, you sit on a crate, arms crossed. Law stands next to you, reading a medical book.
You glance at him âYour crew keeps calling me âCaptainâs partner.ââ
He doesnât look up âSo?â
âSo, why?â
He flips a page âProbably because you act like one.â
Your brain short-circuits.
You stare âExcuse me?â
Law finally looks at you, raising an eyebrow âYouâre always in my quarters, you steal my coat, and you act like you belong next to me. Theyâre not wrong.â
Your face burns âI... You let me do all that!â
He smirks âI know.â
You open your mouth, but no words come out.
Because suddenly, you realize... he has let you. And he still is.
Ever since Bepo and the others pointed out how Law treats you differently, itâs been impossible to ignore.
The extra care during missions. The way he always stands just a little closer than necessary. The way he lets you touch him, his arm, his shoulder, even his hand, when no one else would dare.
But what really gives him away?
The way his ears burn red every time you get too close.
And yet he never says anything.
If you didnât know better, youâd think he was running an experiment to see how long he could keep this up before you lost your mind.
So tonight youâre calling him out.
You find him in his quarters, buried in medical books.
âHey, Law.â You lean against the desk, arms crossed âCan I ask you something?â
His eyes flick up âWhat?â
You tilt your head âDo you like me?â
Law chokes.
Not just a little cough... he full-on chokes on air, slamming his book shut as if thatâll somehow save him.
âWhatâ?!â He coughs into his fist âWhere the hell did that come from?â
You raise an eyebrow âYou tell me.â
Law scowls, shifting uncomfortably âYouâre being ridiculous.â
âOh? Am I?â You step closer.
He stiffens âWhat are you...?â
You place your hands on the arms of his chair and lean in, caging him in.
His breath hitches.
Oh. Oh.
He is not prepared for this.
âLaw,â you murmur, watching his face closely âyou never let anyone touch you, but you let me.â
His jaw clenches âThat doesnâtââ
âYou always make sure I rest. You check my injuries before anyone elseâs.â
âBecause youâre recklessââ
âAnd...â you lean even closer âyour ears are red right now.â
Law swallows.
You smirk âSo, wanna try again?â
For a long moment, he just stares at you, lips parted, golden eyes darting between yours.
Then, in a last-ditch effort, he growls... âYouâre annoying.â
You hum âMaybe.â
And then you kiss him.
Law goes still.
For the first time since youâve known him, he is completely speechless.
But then a quiet sound escapes him, and his hand suddenly grips your wrist, holding you there.
You almost pull back, unsure, until his other hand slides around the back of your neck, fingers threading into your hair, and he kisses you back.
Itâs hesitant at first, but when you donât pull away, something shifts.
The kiss deepens, his grip tightens, and the heat radiating off of him is enough to make you dizzy.
When you finally part, Law exhales sharply, pressing his forehead against yours.
ââŚYouâre gonna be a problemâ he mutters, voice rough.
You grin âYeah?â
His fingers tighten in your hair âYeah.â
And then, despite everything, he kisses you again.
Because for once in his life heâs done running.
Ace is naturally affectionate.
He throws an arm around peopleâs shoulders, laughs loudly, and grins like the world is a joke heâs in on. Heâs warm but also because he makes people feel welcome.
So itâs not weird that he touches you a lot.
Right?
It starts when Marco sits down next to you, smirking.
âYou and Ace finally together, yoi?â
You look at him confused âwhat do you mean?â
âA couple⌠are you two a couple?â
You almost drop your drink âWhat? No!â
Marco raises an eyebrow âYou sure? He always saves you a seat at meals. Always gives you his food if you ask. Always keeps an eye on you during fights.â
You roll your eyes âThat doesnât mean anything. Heâs just like that.â
âNot with everyoneâ Marco takes a sip of his drink âJust you.â
You open your mouth to argue, but then you donât know what to say, because now, youâre thinking about it.
The next time Ace sits beside you at dinner, you notice how he slides his plate a little closer to yours, letting you steal his food.
The next time the crew docks at an island, you notice how he instinctively waits for you before walking off together.
The next time youâre about to trip, you donât even get the chance to fall, Ace grabs your wrist and steadies you like itâs second nature.
And maybe it is second nature.
âCareful, Ace,â one of the division commanders teases âIf you keep acting like that, y/n might actually think youâre in love.â
Ace laughs, scratching the back of his head âYeah, yeah.â
You laugh too. Because itâs just a joke⌠Right?
One night, you sit together on the deck, watching the ocean.
You fidget for a second before saying âThe crew keeps calling us a coupleâ
Ace hums âYeah?â
You glance at him âWhy do you think that is?â
He leans back, arms behind his head, and grins âProbably because we act like one.â
You choke on your own breath âExcuse me?!â
Ace tilts his head âI mean, we do everything together. You always take my food, and I always let you. You always pull me out of trouble, and I always let you. Feels natural, doesnât it?â
Your brain short-circuits.
Because now that you think about it... yeah, it does feel natural.
ââŚAce,â you say slowly âAre we...?â
He looks at you, amusement flickering in his eyes âWhat do you think?â
Your stomach flips.
Because suddenly, youâre not sure where the habit ends and the feelings begin.
After this, Ace keeps flirting with you all the time.
Itâs just who he is.
Winks across the deck. Throwing an arm around your shoulders. Calling you hot stuff like itâs your actual name.
Youâre used to it.
But after the teasing from Marco and Thatch, after realizing that Ace treats you differently, you start to wonder.
Is he just playing around? Or is there something real underneath?
Thereâs only one way to find out.
The perfect opportunity comes one afternoon, when Ace flops down next to you on the Moby Dickâs deck, grinning.
âHey,â he drawls, resting an arm behind his head âMiss me?â
You smirk âI saw you literally two hours ago.â
âThatâs two hours too long.â He winks âBet you were thinking about me the whole time.â
You hum, tilting your head âYou really think that, huh?â
Ace chuckles âCâmon, you love me.â
You raise an eyebrow âProve it.â
He blinks âHuh?â
You shift, leaning closer with a sly smile âYou say all this stuff, Ace. You flirt, you tease... but are you actually serious?â
For the first time, he hesitates.
Just for a second, but itâs enough.
ââŚOf course I am,â he says, but his usual confidence isnât all there.
You smirk âThen show me.â
Before he can react, you grab his hat, his precious hat, and plop it onto your own head.
Ace short-circuits.
âOi! Thatâs...!â He reaches for it instinctively but stops mid-motion, staring at you.
You tilt the brim with a smirk âWhat? You said you liked me, right?â
Ace swallows âY-Yeah?â
âThen just take it back.â
You expect him to snatch it back playfully.
What you donât expect is for Ace to grin, eyes flickering with mischief, and suddenly tackle you onto the deck.
You yelp as he hovers over you, forearms braced on either side of your head.
The crew whoops in the background, but neither of you pay them any attention.
Ace smirks down at you âYou think youâre funny, huh?â
You grin âA little.â
Ace shakes his head, chuckling, but then his expression softens.
He reaches up, tilts the hat back just enough to see your face properly.
And then without thinking he leans down and kisses you.
Itâs grinning into the kiss kind of playful. Itâs warm and teasing but full of something deeper.
And when he pulls back, face way too close, he murmurs âNow you gotta prove it.â
Your heart races.
You donât back down. Instead, you tug him down by his necklace and kiss him again.
This time, Ace melts.
When you finally break apart, Ace huffs out a breathless laugh.
âWell,â he grins âGuess you do love me.â
You roll your eyes âShut up.â
But you donât stop him when he kisses you one more time.
Because, honestly?
Heâs right.
Sabo is easy to be around.
Heâs kind, smart, and always ready to listen. He laughs at your jokes, never forgets your favorite things, and somehow always knows when you need him.
So itâs no surprise that you spend a lot of time together.
But apparently, the way you act around him is a little⌠suspicious.
It starts when youâre walking through the Revolutionary Army base with Koala.
âSo,â she says casually âwhen are you and Sabo going to make it official?â
You nearly trip over your own feet âWhat?!â
Koala grins âCome on, donât play dumb. You two already act like a couple.â
You scoff âNo, we donât.â
She raises an eyebrow âOh really? Whoâs the first person Sabo looks for when he gets back from a mission?â
ââŚMe.â
âWhoâs the only person he lets borrow his gloves?â
ââŚMe.â
âAnd whoâs the only one he lets fall asleep on his shoulder without complaining?â
You open your mouth, but nothing comes out.
Becauseâoh.
Oh.
Koala smirks âSee what I mean?â
You shake your head âThat doesnât mean anything. Weâre just close.â
She shrugs âIf you say so.â
But now, you canât stop thinking about it. You start noticing things, like how Sabo always finds a reason to sit next to you during meals, or how he reaches out to fix your collar or tuck your hair behind your ear like itâs normal, or how he always makes sure you have a blanket when you fall asleep at your desk, even though no one else gets that treatment.
And the worst part?
Now that youâre paying attention, everyone else is too.
âI swear, itâs like theyâre marriedâ one soldier mutters.
âThey finish each otherâs sentencesâ another whispers.
âBet they donât even realizeâ someone else chuckles.
You groan and drop your head onto the table.
Sabo, sitting beside you, blinks âWhatâs wrong?â
âNothingâ you mumble.
He frowns, then wordlessly slides his drink toward you.
You stare at it ââŚDid you just give me your drink?â
He shrugs âYou like it more than I do.â
You glance around. Several soldiers are watching now, smirking.
Slowly, you push the drink back to him.
Sabo looks confused âYou donât want it?â
Your face burns âNope. Iâm fine.â
He tilts his head, then shrugs and takes a sip.
The others snicker.
You sigh.
Later that night, you sit beside him on the rooftop, watching the stars.
âSabo,â you say carefully âdo we⌠act like a couple?â
He hums âWhy?â
âPeople keep saying we do.â
Sabo leans back on his hands, thinking. Then he smiles âI guess I can see why.â
Your heart skips a beat âYou can?â
âWell, weâre always together,â he says easily âI trust you more than anyone. You take care of me, I take care of you. Feels normal.â
You stare at him âThatâs⌠kind of a couple thing, donât you think?â
Sabo looks at you for a long moment. Then he smirks.
âWell,â he says, voice teasing but gentle âdo you want it to be?â
Your breath catches.
And suddenly, the answer seems obvious.
Sabo has always been easy to be around.
You never have to force a conversation. Never have to second-guess his presence.
Heâs just there, a steady warmth beside you, the hand that always steadies your back when you walk through the Revolutionary camp, the person you find yourself naturally leaning against when youâre tired.
And the thing is?
He never pulls away.
Even now, sitting beside you near the fire after a long day, his arm rests lightly along the back of your seat. Close enough to feel, but not demanding.
Itâs natural.
But tonight, somethingâs different.
Thereâs a quiet between you, not uncomfortable, but charged with something unsaid.
You donât know who moves first, but suddenly your head is resting against his shoulder, and instead of shifting away, Sabo just exhales softly, tilting his head against yours.
You close your eyes, feeling the warmth of him, the steady rise and fall of his breathing.
ââŚI like thisâ you murmur, barely thinking.
Sabo hums âMe tooâ A pause. Then... âI always have.â
Your heart stutters.
Slowly, you lift your head, turning just enough to meet his gaze.
His expression is calm, too calm, like heâs waiting for you to understand something heâs known for a long time.
And you do.
Because of course it was always him.
You donât say anything. You donât need to.
Instead, you reach up, gently tracing your fingers along his jaw.
Sabo closes his eyes briefly at the touch before opening them again, watching you with something unreadable, something deep.
Then, without hesitation, he leans in.
The kiss is slow, certain.
Itâs not rushed, not desperate because this was never a question.
It was always going to be this.
When you part, Sabo lingers, his forehead resting against yours.
His hand finds yours, fingers lacing together easily.
ââŚFeels like we shouldâve done that a long time agoâ he murmurs, lips brushing against yours.
You smile âMaybe. But I think we got here at the right time.â
Sabo chuckles softly, squeezing your hand âYeah. I think so too.â
And when he kisses you again, it feels like something that was simply meant to be.
14 beers zoro
Sketchbook page of our fav sharpshooter hehe đŻ