beau𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ

Izo walked in, smiling with a few liquid cat treats in hand. Because yes, the man had just about everything. Then he looked at you in the cabinet and walked past Teach and Deuce to open a packet for you.

"You'd take it? I didn't see you for a cat person-yoi." Marco said, he didn't mind Izo taking it but he kind of liked having you here. As long as you wouldn't interrupt his work.

"I see it actually! Izo should be the one to take it!" Deuce exclaimed, watching as your nose twitched in sleep when Izo placed the treat close to you.

Teach looked between them, then rolled his eyes. "Do whatever ya want' I heard Thatch wanted it though."

Izo looked at Teach, realizing that everyone wanted the cute kitty. "Thatch wants it? He's cooking most of the time, he wouldn't give it proper attention.."

Marco looked at Izo. "I think you're sulking. Whoever the cat gets along with best can have it."

Izo nodded at that.

YOUR POV

~~~~~~~

You were slowly starting to stir, waking up to the great smell of a treat. Your eyes quickly popped open to see Izo, Deuce, Marshall D Teach, and Marco again.

Your instincts told you not to go near Teach, so instead you meowed and sat up in the cabinet-nest that Marco and Deuce had made to try and reach the treat.

When Izo seemed to notice you were reaching for it, he quickly placed it close to your mouth and squeezed some out of the tube for you.

You quickly took some, enjoying the taste of it. Even if you were a bit sick of being a cat..You couldn't just change back now. It was too late for that. Plus they'd probably have you killed..Even if Whitebeard said he'd make you one of his children anyway.

"You're just bribing her with treats!" Deuce whined, knowing his captain probably won't get a chance to get you.

Izo turned to Deuce. "Well maybe he should keep treats around. A shame."

Marco smiled at that, though he did kind of want the cat,.really wanted it. But he'd be fine with whoever.

"Izo, you need to get Stefan to even like the cat, otherwise none of you will have it."

You looked between all of them, confused. Wait- were they actually going to keep you if you behaved with a dog? Hah. You could do that. Wait- maybe you shouldn't. Maybe they'd leave you on a deserted island. Maybe thatd be better. Huh.

New goal - Do NOT befriend Stefan.

You found that incredibly hard whenever Izo placed you in a comically large room, with a white small dog inside of it. It looked eerily like whitebeard. But he seemed to like you immediately.

He didn't care if you hissed at him, or moved back. He seemed to just get closer with a 'woof'. You also noted that Whitebeard was watching from the corner of his bed as he was sat down.

Whitebeard was- yes, what you can call very confused. Stefan didn't like many people, or animals. So for him to like a cat- while the cat is actively hissing at him? Very strange.

Izo spoke up when you backed up into Izo's foot. "So pops, I think Stefan likes the cat. But..Uhm, I don't think the cat likes him."

Whitebeard nodded, moving off his bed to step over, his large frame shadowing the two animals as he slowly began to pet both of them.

You eased into it rather quickly as you'd done when Whitebeard first pet you, he was so gentle despite his exterior. Of course you were going to love it.

But when you looked at Stefan- he didn't seem to basking in Whitebeards pets as you were. Instead he was still looking at you in excitement, like a new friend he had.

And perhaps- just perhaps..you kind of didn't want to be mean to the dog anymore. But you kept your distance as Whitebeard pet the both of you.

Izo watched this happen, how you'd slowly stopped hissing after Whitebeard pet you. He heard from Marco that you could be a devil fruit user. Not that anyone would've minded considering how you hadn't harmed anyone.

This wasn't helping with answers either, you just seemed like a scared cat who got introduced to something you've never seen before. Marco had told him to check and see your reactions, which is why he was paying such close attention. But you just seemed like a normal cat.

Whitebesrd slowly moved his hand away after you'd stopped hissing, watching as you slowly approached Stefan and sniffed him like a curious cat would. And Stefan- for all his impatience earlier- seemed to let you sniff him.

Whitebeard watched as you slowly loosened up when Stefan didn't move, and he turned to Izo.

"Do you believe they are getting along, son?" He asked.

Izo looked at Whitebeard, then the two animals. And you'd begun licking Stefan. "I believe so, pops."

After you'd gotten your bath, Marco had made a small nesting bed in his infirmary that looked a little bit too much like a bird's nest. A man named Deuce was also there, organizing medications in a drawer.

Deuce looked at Marco, as well as the nest that kind of looked uncomfortable. So he stepped over and swatted Marcos hand away.

"You're terrible at this, dude. It's not a bird!" He laughed, petting the cat that was on the counter. Then fluffed up the pillow and small cot sheets.

"..I'm not terrible. It was just comfortable-yoi." Marco said, unamused as he began to pet you as well. Who seemed to have enjoyed his pets more than Deuce's. He hated to say it but he definitely liked that feeling.

Deuce laughed again, looking at you. Then at Marco again and fixing up the bed that was in a cabinet. "Awweeh. The little Phoenix is loosening up!"

Marco rolled his eyes, then slowly picked you up by your belly to place you in the cabinet, and you seemed to curl up in it rather quickly. "Cats like to be pet, I won't ignore it."

Deuce giggled, definitely thinking of several ways to say this to Ace later. Maybe over-exaggerate what Marco was doing.

"Nooo~ You just wont admit how cutesy the kitty is! We should totally get the baby a bowtie!"

Marcos eyebrow tilted slightly, then sighed. "We aren't even keeping the cat for all we know. We haven't given it a name either."

Deuce hummed, though clearly holding back another laugh. "Ooh! Ace should pick the name- you know, he's the one who found it and everything!"

"We're not letting Ace pick a name for the cat. Knowing him he'll name it John pork or something-yoi."

"What the hell is John pork?" Deuce blinked.

Marco shrugged, then walked over to grab another pillow sheet for the stuffing of the cabinet-bed. "I don't know. Ace and Thatch were going on about it."

Deuce thought for a moment, then immediately burst out laughing. "OHH!! That John pork! Apparently Thatch overheard one of the marine den-den mushi's and they said John Pork, Ace thought it was funny so they started saying it."

Marco nodded, clearly not understanding what was so funny. "..Right. Well knowing Ace he'd name the cat that. Maybe we should get pops to name it."

Deuce nodded, he supposed it'd be smarter than letting his former captain give an orange cat a name. "Finee! But don't you gotta make sure Stefan likes the kitty?"

Marco looked back at Deuce, then walked back over to place the pillow sheet as a back wall for you. "Izo will be doing that, he's the only reason Stefan likes Namur-yoi."

Then Deuce made a very-very odd realization. "Do you think the kitty will try and eat Namur?"

Marco just looked at Deuce in un-amusement. "Why would it try and eat him?"

"I mean..he is a fishman?"

"..I haven't seen a cat with a fishman before, but I don't think it'll try and eat something the size of a human."

"I mean- the kitty was pretty feisty with you earlier so I heard.." Deuce teased.

"Only a few scratches yoi."

"Totally. Haruta mentioned how you looked like you survived a werewolf.."

Marco just sighed at that. "Whatever.. We should be docking in a few days, I'll see if we can stock up on cat supplies if we need them, Izo will be around soon to pick up the cat."

Deuce nodded, but as he did so somebody else seemed to walk in.

Marshall D Teach.

"What do we got here?" He said, stepping in and looking between Marco and Deuce, then the open cabinet.

Marco turned to Teach, then shrugged. He never was good with animals, he didn't want teach too close.

"Cat got aboard the ship, me and Deuce were making it a temporary bed-yoi."

Teachs eyebrows shot up slightly, continuing to walk in and seeing the Tennessee Rex in the cabinet.

"Hah? Is it stayin'?" Teach asked, clearly not impressed.

"If it gets along with Stefan it will! Pops said so!" Deuce declared.

"Eh, don't let it get in my way if it stays." Teach shrugged, he didn't really care all that much about a cat. Why would he? Didn't ruin any of his plans.

"It won't, if it gets along with Stefan then Whitebeard might keep it in his room, but Ace might take it as well."

"Why? Because he found it? Ace seems really poor at takin' care of animals."

"Fair point-yoi. Haruta probably would want it in his room." Marco shrugged, thinking through the people that might want it.

"I'd take it." Izo said, opening the door as he stepped in.

Soon after, Marco had taken the cat to the infirmary. He was no veteran by any means, however he did note that the cat was somewhat underweight. So not entirely healthy, but still suspiciously so.

He checked a few things, having the kitty lay on its back. As stern as the man was, he was petting the cat, who seemed to enjoy his attention. As well as belly rubs. He watched as the cat seemed to meow and put its paws around his hand every time he tickled it.

He was smiling as the cats paws went in and out every single time. However it was interrupted by the loud footsteps of Whitebeard as he stepped in, looking at the Tennessee Rex with a small bit of what could've been parental love. Already? Yes.

"My son. Is it healthy?" Whitebeard asked, looking at all of the curly bits of fur the cat had.

Marco did a small nod, then searched through his desk for anything the cat could eat. Only had food for Stefan and birds. Since why would a cat ever be on the Moby dick?

"Seems so, it's a bit malnourished but clean otherwise. I don't see any ticks or fleas on it. Best to still give it a bath just in case."

Whitebeard continued to look at the cat, then slowly reached his large hand out, using one finger to pet it, considering his hand was the size of the full cat. But the cat seemed to enjoy it.

"Good work, if it gets along with Stefan it can stay." He said, continuing to pet it.

"I don't think that's smart, pops." He added. "This could be a zoan type user. It survived long on deck, especially since we're in the New World it's just confusing how it survived."

Whitebeard nodded, then placed back down his hand. "Could be true, yes. But I will make them my child if that's so."

"But pops, they could be a spy for all we kno-" Whitebeard interjected. "So? It seems to enjoy our company.

He said, pointing to the giggly cat begging for ear rubs against whitebeards large hand.

"Pops. This could be a tactic to get closer to you." Marco said, unamused.

"And? I could handle the king of the pirates and you think I won't beat a cat?"

"..Fine. I'll see how it deals with Stefan after I give it a bath."

Whitebeard grinned at that, giving the cat a pat to the head before walking away.

YOUR POV

~~~~~~~

You were struggling internally. You'd just gotten away from your home town, hoping to maybe get on a ship for a bit to survive. Maybe go on an island or two to see which environment you liked best. You did not plan on it being the Whitebeard Pirates.

-And for everybody to absolutely adore you, especially Marco the Phoenix. You were absolutely floored at how he pet you, like he knew all the best spots. You almost didn't want to leave, but at hearing Marco was suspicious of you being a zoan? You knew you needed to. Or you could tell him..But that'd probably make things worse now.

Whitebeard did say that he would adopt you if you were in fact a zoan user, but that could've just been bait to make you transform. So you didn't buy it. But maybe..what if. Whatever. You didn't have time to think about that right now, there were other things more important. Like how to get the hell off this ship.

~~~~~~~

Marco picked up a few pet friendly shampoos out of Jozus room, surprisingly he had some. He hadn't known until Izo told him since Jozu was on a mission right now. He was sure Jozu wouldn't mind.

He was- thoroughly scratched up whenever he tried getting you in the bathroom. As if you knew what he was about to do, and now he looked like a living cat scratcher. But he eventually got you in the bath, now holding your scruff as he grabbed a cup to pour bath water on you.

The soap seemed to calm you down, to Marcos pleasure. He no longer had to hold you down like you were a prisoner. Instead he lathered your fur in shampoo as you meowed, not happy. But not scratching either.

Fortunately, Haruta came to help after he finished up his chores for the day, and when he washed you off you seemed to not react, maybe even enjoy it. And yes- possibly that made Marco a bit jealous. He was never a cat person, or an animal person in general other than birds. But this cat did happen to be adorable.

So he was a bit sad when Haruta could bathe you. But of course he was too stubborn to show it.

"Thank you Haruta, I may be a living cat scratcher now due to it."

Haruta giggled, then turned to Marco for a moment to respond. "This is an adult cat Marco, holding them by their scruff doesn't feel great. Plus you gotta ease em' into it!"

Marco nodded, noting to himself not to pick you up by the scruff again. "Well, thank you anyway. It seemed to enjoy the soap, But not the water."

Haruta turned back to the cat, continuing to wash it off and itch its ears happily. "Well most cats don't like water, nobody teaches em' that it's not scary when they're younger, so now they're scared to death by it!"

Marco nodded again, looking at you as Haruta itched your ears.

"..Makes sense. Anyway, do we have any cat treats in any of the cabins? I've told the crew to fish up more salmon for the cat so the third division could make some more cat food, we seem to have a lot of chicken in stock as well."

Haruta hummed happily, thinking as he massaged your belly. "I do! I keep all animal treats in my cabin for this very occasion! I just happen to be great with animals.."

Someone from outside the door seemed to laugh at that.

The Whitebeard pirates were a Yonko crew. A force to be reckoned with on all accounts, the captain was known as the strongest man alive. But he also owned a dog, named Stefan. In whom he loved very deeply. But would also most likely not allow another pet. For 'Stefans safety'.

The old white dog probably get beaten by a bird. But he was still Whitebeard's puppy.

So when Ace ran on deck with a tennessee rex cat, showing him off to a few pirates, you could say Whitebeard was not impressed. Even when Marco took the cat from him, considering the fact Ace was not holding it correctly.

Marco was skeptical, they hadn't docked on an island in nearly two weeks, how would a cat survive in the crazy New World weather? Not to mention it looked clean. Any of the crew would notice if it was inside the actual ship, so it being on deck for weeks, clean and healthy-looking? He was on guard to say the least.

Which was when Ace spoke up.

"MARCCOOO! CAN WE KEEP IT CAN WE KEEP IT???" Ace said excitedly, seemingly just as bubbly as always. Though Marco knew the second division commander could not take care of a cat.

"No. I'll make sure it's healthy and then I'll drop it off at an island, we'll see if we can find it a home. Otherwise it can be a stray."

"WHAT?? A STRAY?? THE KITTY DOESN'T DESERVE THAT!"

"I said we'll try to find it a home." Marco said with a sigh, then added. "But if the cat lived this long in the New World then it'll be fine." He then looked at the cats genitals to determine the gender.

Ace was still whining, now Thatch running over with a gourmet salmon dish. "Come on Marco! Let the little one stay for a bit!"

Marco looked unamused, but grabbed the plate to place it on the ground, holding the cat by the scruff before slowly letting go when it dug in.

"It has to stay, at least until we dock at the next island. Haruta's pretty good with animals, maybe he'll look after it."

Ace whined, hugging onto Thatch with what was very much fake tears of agony.

"Whyyy can't I look after itttttt..."

"You'll burn it?" Thatch said, or rather said it in a more questioning way, he hadn't actually seen Ace with animals that often.

"I CAN CONTROL IT!" Ace suddenly piped up again, seemingly getting another burst of energy.

Which seemed to make the cat hiss and try bolting off from the group. But Vista, being the huge man he was- immediately grabbed the cat when it climbed up his leg, as if the animal didn't know he was a human being.

"Thanks, Vista." Marco said, glancing at the plate of food Thatch had made, the cat ate a decent chunk.

Vista nodded, then slowly pet it. He did have a soft spot for fuzz balls..Especially cute orange babies. When the cat purred into his hand? He took it as a sign to keep going.

"why does it like you!?? It kept hissing when I was holding it!!" Ace whined, yet again.

"You were holding it like a bag." Marco said, unamused.

"Am I not meant to do th-?" His words got cut off when large footsteps, comically large ones came in view.

"Pops!" Thatch said happily, picking up the finished meal the cat had eaten.

Whitebeard looked between all his sons, then focused on the tennessee rex cat. He wasn't a cat person himself, but it was staring at him with those same puppy eyes- just a cat.

"If it hits Stefan it goes overboard." Whitebeard started, then decided to revise. "Actually, no. Whoever the son is that let the cat hit Stefan will go overboard. Not the cat."

The cat meowed at that.

Marco nodded, looking at the cat a little too skeptically now. He was curious about the cat, how it survived this long without food, did it steal? How? Most of the crew ate in the mess haul. How is it clean? That got him even more confused.

He knew cats cleaned themselves periodically, but it should have some stuck dirt on it, or something. To know it was perfectly clean and healthy was odd. Maybe there was something else? Zoan type, perhaps?

Read Part 2 here!

User notes: ok guys I low-key didn't know what a tennessee rex was until my brother told me about it! so here's a few picturea of what cat breed the reader is!

After picking out your outfit for the party, it surprisingly hadn't been as expensive as you thought it was..but you'd used the extra money Shanks had given to you to use on that, might as well. A treat to yourself..and perhaps getting a boyfriend.

You'd shown Nami and Sanji the outfit, Sanji was listing off all of the fabrics like a nerd. Why did the man must know so much about fashion? While nami was simply talking about how great you would look in it.

Of course she didn't know you wanted a certain someone to notice how great you looked.

EUSTESS POV

~~~

He may or may not have gone the same path as you, in terms of getting Heat and Wire to accompany him in getting an outfit. Normally he wasn't one for caring much about looks, but Marco- for some reason, while getting his car done (Ace crashed it) had mentioned you would be there.

He seemed to talk about you a lot. He needed to put that fool in his place. Who did he think he was uttering your name in his mouth? Disgusting. Now he did know he was only talking about you with Eustess and not anybody else, which made him slightly less annoyed.

But he was still pissed about it.

He needed to think about something else, maybe what he'd wear. Not you. He wanted you to see him, maybe be impressed he wasn't wearing the same thing for once. Yuck, you'd said. Not that he cared..

He cared.

Nothing even looked good, not remotely. Heat picked out something that looked eerily similar to doflamingos pink coat. Why the fuck would he want that?

"THAT LOOKS LIKE ASS?? IM NOT GETTING SOMETHING LIKE THAT!" Eustess groaned, looking through a few things with his goggles on, even if nothing looked good.

Eventually he settled on something..less disgusting. It reminded him of your eyes.(IM TRYING TO MAKE THIS INCLUSIVE. I AM SORRY IF YOU ARE BLIND) Not that he'd ever admit it.

He quite liked the suit after trying it on, Heat and Wire insisting they get it tailored to be his perfect size but Eustess said no, mainly because the party would come and go before it'd be done.

~~~

YOUR POV (and like a day or so later)

It was around 6PM. The party was starting soon, (female part can skip) you got a headstart on your makeup while with Nami and Robin. Nami insisted you do hers, as you were 'too good' and had better supplies than her. Even if you didn't even bring foundation.

Whatever the case, you did it anyway. You needed to get dressed anyway..Ah. Why did you do this? Your makeup was going to be ruined..as well as your hair. Ehh..you were careful.

Somehow you got it on without hassle, and help from Robin. (End of female part mostly) You'd messaged Ace the other day, and he mentioned Luffy was in fact- not going. Why? Because Ace had crashed a car with him inside of it, despite being practically rubber and bouncing back on all injuries, Luffy in fact was getting babied by Ace and Sabo, Shanks had also gone to help out.

Even if he was perfectly fine.

Whatever, less drama you supposed..And possibly more time for Eustess..

When you pulled up, the first few people you saw was Whitebeards group, Whitebeard was never there, you just called them that. Thatch immediately came out to hug you, as always. While Marco was greeting Robin and Nami, since you were being hugged and was not available at the moment.

Eventually you'd gotten Thatch to let go, and you spoke with Izo and Curiel before actually heading inside the party.

It was exactly as you expected, loud. And many drunkards, as expected. Not that you cared, you were after-

Eustess. He was one of those drunkards. (This is definitely a hc BUT BARE WITH ME)

He sobered up upon seeing you walk over, even if his cheeks were flushed. You couldn't tell if that was the alcohol or something else, considering they hadn't been there before.

"You look good!" You'd said in unison.

"You look great." Eustess said in unison.

You giggled, looking at his outfit. It was (your eye color idfk) huh. You wondered why he chose that color, you didn't think it suited his normal color pallete. Not that it didn't look good on him. He looked incredible.

His face was flushed, he didn't know. He could feel it though, your clothing was amazing, red and silver. The silver was almost a color match to his prosthetic arm. You looked amazing. He was glad the suit was slightly bigger than his actual size, his lower area was definitely tenting.

"You look good." He repeated, slightly less gruff, slightly more.. embarrassed?

"Thank you! What's with the color of your outfit? I don't think I've ever seen you wear that before, looks great though!"

He looked away, just to be met with Killers mask, then he looked back. "Some idiots convinced me to try it. Maybe I'll wear it more often."

You blinked, smiling. "You wanna wear it more often? I have a few pieces you can have- oh wait."

"You're trying to give me your clothes!? We are not the same height- or build!" He said..Sounding a little too flustered, placing his goggles back on. Because of course he kept those on.

"I was just- practicalities! I don't know!" You whined, rolling your eyes and looking away, grabbing the drink he had been drinking from, suddenly feeling a little bold.

"What are you doing!?" He squealed, almost womanly. But didn't take it back.

"Nothin, just wanted to see what to order!" You laughed, ignoring the fact Marco was giving you a thumbs down across the room.

"..Ugh. Whatever..Fine, I'll order another."

"I'll keep yours, I don't need a new one!"

"..Brat."

~~~

Somehow. Absolutely- Somehow. You managed to spend the rest of the night with Eustess, even with a few people approaching you both to see if you'd separate, and for some reason every time someone approached you, they left before saying a word.

You knew he was staring at them, who were you kidding?

You were now out with Eustess on a..sunbathing chair?? (I have no idea what it's called..lounge chair for outside??)

Eustess was standing, like an idiot. While other people were in the pool you were chatting with him about your baby, your car.

"I've literally had it in the shop, you have yet to pick it up."

"oh yeahh..you did tell me that didn't you?"

"Yes."

"I've been too busy feeding a dog.."

"You've got a dog?"

"Well technically- no. But!!"

"Who the hell's dog are you feeding?"

"..Well, one of my friends dogs, I kind of made him..really overweight."

"He became overweight because of you!?"

"HES PLUMP NOT OVERWEIGHT!"

"YOU JUST SAID HES OVERWEIGHT??"

"No proof."

"..Whatever." He groaned.

You giggled, leaning back and shifting on the (lawn chair??) to give him room to sit down. When he did you looked at his flushed cheeks, your own flushing despite only drinking half a glass of terrible scotch.

"Why the hell are you so red?" He asked, slightly gruff.

"..Im a lightweight..?" You said, not sounding confident. What were you meant to tell him? That he was hot as hell and it was turning you on? No.

"Really? I heard you could keep up with Zoro."

"No clue where you heard that..from.."

"Yourself."

"Ahh..hahaha. Must've been drunk!"

"you texted me that it 9:42 AM."

"why the fuck do you know that?"

"..No reason."

"Your face is also flushed, you know."

He didn't answer immediately. Instead turning away and sighed. How was he meant to tell you that he was turned on at being so close..Unfortunately he was blunt.

"Its your fuckin' fault.."

"Its MY fault??" You smiled, was this really what he was saying right now?

He immediately whipped his head back to look at you, as if sensing you were acting off now. He took it as a step to keep going forward.

"Yeah, your fault."

"How sooo?" You asked, batting your eyelashes at him a few times teasingly.

He didn't respond to you, not in words.

A small kiss to your mouth, not rough as you imagined it being. Soft, even with his lips definitely never having seen lipscrub before.

~~~