ellie⁷

Like nursing the same drink for the last twenty minutes and pretending you had not noticed every woman who came too close to him.

Especially her.

Linaria swept through the tavern like a spark looking for oil. Bright hair, bright smile, bright laugh. The captain of the Night Butterfly Pirates had arrived late, declaring that someone else was paying for her drinks.

Then she spotted Shanks.

Her entire face lit up.

“Captain!”

Shanks turned just in time for Linaria to throw herself at him.

He laughed as she landed sideways across his lap, one arm looping around his shoulders like she had every right in the world to be there.

The tavern erupted.

Lucky choked on his drink. Yasopp laughed under his breath. Beckman watched from near the wall with the tired look of a man who had seen this happen too many times.

Shanks only shifted his cup out of danger.

“Easy,” he said, still laughing. “You almost killed the good rum.”

Linaria gasped. “I would never.”

“You would.”

“I would blame someone else.”

“I believe it.”

She beamed and settled more comfortably in his lap.

You looked away.

The room was full of far more interesting things than the sight of Linaria perched on Shanks’ thigh with his arm loosely behind her so she did not tip backward. There was the table. The floor. A suspicious stain on the wall. A man trying to arm wrestle Limejuice and losing.

Plenty to look at.

None of it mattered.

Linaria leaned closer to Shanks, saying something too low for you to hear. He grinned at her, head tipped back slightly, relaxed and indulgent.

Your stomach did something stupid.

You took a drink.

It was a very calm drink.

A mature drink.

The kind of drink a woman took when she was unaffected by another woman sitting on the lap of a man she was not involved with.

Because you were not involved with Shanks.

There was only tension.

And a few long look.

And the way he sometimes stood too close when he spoke to you,like he enjoyed making you decide whether to hold your ground or step back.

And the way his voice changed when he said your name.

That was all.

Nothing official.

Nothing worth being jealous over.

Linaria laughed again and flicked Shanks lightly on the chest. “You promised last time that I could put it on your tab.”

“I said no such thing.”

“You implied it.”

Shanks laughed, warm and full, and you hated that the sound still made your chest soften even while you were busy being annoyed.

Shanks’ eyes shifted.

Across the noise, across the smoke, across the packed tavern, he looked directly at you.

His grin did not change.

That was worse.

You lifted your brows, the picture of innocence.

He didn’t look away.

Worse, he smiled.

Damn him.

You looked away again, slower this time, because looking away too quickly would mean something.

You were not giving him anything.

Linaria was still talking when Shanks patted her hip once, easy and fond.

“All right, little firestarter,” he said. “Go bankrupt someone else for a while.”

Linaria pouted. “Already?”

“You’ve been here five minutes and I’m financially wounded.”

“You love me.”

“I tolerate you at great personal cost.”

She laughed and slid off his lap, though not without stealing the rest of the meat from his plate.

Shanks watched her go with theatrical sorrow.

“My dinner.”

Lucky leaned over from the next table. “You weren’t eating it fast enough.”

“That’s not the principle.”

“You don’t have principles when it comes to food. You have opportunities.”

Shanks gave him a wounded look, then pushed himself up from his chair.

You immediately regretted every choice you had made tonight.

Because Shanks started walking toward you.

Not quickly. That would have been merciful.

No, he took his time.

He moved through the tavern with ease, accepting a slapped shoulder, smiling at someone who called his name. All casual. All harmless.

Except his eyes kept coming back to you.

You reached for your cup again, only to find it nearly empty.

Damn it.

Shanks stopped beside your table. “Having fun?”

You looked up at him. “Immensely.”

His gaze dropped to your cup, then returned to your face. “That so?”

“Yes.”

“You look like you’re planning a murder.”

“I have one of those faces.”

“You have many faces.” His smile deepened. “That was not one of your innocent ones.”

Your pulse climbed.

“I didn’t realize you were studying them.”

“I notice things.” He leaned closer, just enough that the noise of the room had to bend around his voice.

“You got quiet.”

You looked past him toward the room. “Maybe I was tired.”

“Mm.”

“Maybe I was bored.”

“Were you?”

“Yes.”

His smile turned wicked at the edges. “That why you were glaring at Linaria?”

You snapped your eyes back to his. “I was not glaring.”

“You were.”

“I was looking.”

“Like you wanted to set her hair on fire.”

“She is called Igniting Linaria. Maybe I thought she’d appreciate the theme.”

Shanks laughed under his breath.

It was not fair, how much you liked that sound when it was low and close.

His voice softened.

“You jealous?”

“No.”

Too fast.

You knew it the second his face changed.

Shanks looked delighted.

Not surprised. Not smug in the loud way men sometimes got when they thought they had won something. Just quietly, devastatingly pleased.

“No?” he asked.

“No.”

“All right.”

“I’m serious.”

“I believe you.”

“You do not.”

“I don’t,” he agreed.

Your face warmed.

Shanks angled himself closer, blocking just enough of the tavern that it felt like the two of you had stepped out of the room without moving.

“Linaria’s one of mine,” he said.

You forced a shrug. “I gathered that.”

“Not like that.”

Your mouth went dry.

You glanced down at the table. “That’s none of my business.”

“No?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

You looked up, regretted it immediately, and held his gaze anyway.

Shanks’ expression had changed. The humor was still there, but something heavier sat beneath it now. Something focused. Something that made the space between your chair and his body feel very small.

“You seemed interested,” he said.

“I was observing.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?”

“What would you call it?”

His eyes dropped briefly to your mouth.

Your breath caught before you could stop it.

Shanks saw.

The man saw everything.

“I’d call it a shame,” he said.

You swallowed. “What is?”

“That you’re wasting all that jealousy on pretending you don’t want anything.”

The room suddenly felt too warm.

You could hear the crew laughing behind him. Linaria’s voice rose somewhere across the tavern.

None of it reached you properly.

Shanks leaned down a fraction more.

“I’m not jealous,” you said, because apparently you had learned nothing.

His smile returned, slow and lethal.

“Good.”

Your brows drew together. “Good?”

“Means there’s no problem.”

“That’s right.”

“No reason for me to reassure you.”

“None.”

“No reason to tell you Linaria climbing into my lap doesn’t mean anything.”

“Obviously.”

“No reason,” he continued, voice dropping lower, “to tell you that you’re welcome there any time you like.”

Your brain stopped.

Shanks held your gaze.

Then he added, softer, rougher, “Preferably in private.”

You had no words.

Shanks looked deeply satisfied.

You recovered badly.

“That is—” You cleared your throat. “That is not appropriate tavern conversation.”

“Good thing no one can hear us.”

“I can hear you.”

His grin widened. “That was the point.”

You stood too quickly. Shanks straightened, watching you with open amusement.

“I need another drink,” you said.

You stepped around him.

He did not move out of your way as quickly as he should have. His hand caught the edge of the table, but not you. He let you go.

Mostly.

As you passed, he tipped his head near your ear.

“Take your time,” he murmured. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Your spine went tight.

Shanks laughed softly behind you.

Awful man.

You reached the bar with your heart beating far too hard for someone who had not been jealous, had not been caught, and absolutely had not spent the last ten seconds thinking about his lap.

The barkeep looked at you. “Another?”

“Yes.”

“Same thing?”

“Stronger.”

You waited until your drink was poured. Until your face cooled. Until you had convinced yourself you were calm again.

Then, because you were weak and Shanks was Shanks, you glanced over your shoulder.

He was back in his chair.

Alone this time.

His cup in one hand, his chin tipped slightly down, his eyes already on you.

Waiting.

Like he knew perfectly well that you would come back when you were ready.

Like he had all night.

Shanks lifted his cup.

A silent toast.

You rolled your eyes and turned back to the bar.

Thirteen days before the wedding, while quietly working alongside Haku in navigation, you hear Shachi’s voice carry through the ship. “(y/n)! Deuce is here!” 

Haku takes the supplies you hand him and chuckles as you run out of the room. Pen leans against the door frame on deck, watching Jean Bart pull Deuce’s skiff up and into the ship to protect it when they submerge. 

He smiles at you when you get to deck but you walk right past him and right into Deuce’s open arms. He lets out a breathless hi, relieved to be seeing you for good reasons for the first time in years. His arms tightly wrap around your body. “Thank you for coming, Deuce.” 

Tightly hugging him back, you breath in the familiar scent of your oldest friend. “I’ll come every time you call, (y/n).” 

Pen walks up to you both as you pull back and takes Deuce’s bag from him. “Welcome to our home! You’re crashing with us, we can show you the way.” Pen smiles at Deuce before leading the three of you back into the submarine. 

Pen smiles to himself as he listens to you and Deuce tell each other stories of the past year since you last saw each other. He opens the door to your room and lets you and Deuce go in first. He drops Deuce’s bag next to the extra mattress on the floor as you sit on the desk, continuing the story of when Pen got you both lost on a mountain. 

“You let someone else lead the way?” Deuce laughs as he sits on his mattress. You shooch over as Pen sits next to you. 

“It wasn’t bad until we had to walk across the island after getting off the mountain. We ended up multiple towns away from where the ship was.” You join Deuce’s laughter as Pen pulls his hat down to cover his eyes and drops his head on your shoulder. 

“I’m never leading you anywhere again.” He groans as the laughter in the room gets louder. 

“I’d get lost with you anywhere.” Your hand moves to hold his, absentmindedly tracing the lines on his palm as Deuce smiles at you both. Looking back up to Deuce, you let Pen slowly drift off on your shoulder, tired from staying up all night nervously preparing for Deuce to arrive. “Do you remember the time we let Ace navigate and we were lost at sea for days?” 

The two of you continue chatting until you hear Pen start to snore. You wrap your arms around him and lift him, carefully moving him to the bed and laying him down. Deuce’s expression softens as he watches you cover him in the comforter and take his hat, putting it on your own head. 

“Do you want to see around the ship and meet the rest of the crew?” Deuce nods as you lead him out of the room, turning off the light and shutting the door on your way out. 

The entire crew is absolutely elated to meet the best friend you haven’t shut up about. More than one of your crewmates pulls your touch-resistent best friend into a hug and you’re shocked to see him hug most of them back. He profusely thanks Law for letting him stay with you all and is immensely fascinated by the boiler room. 

Your tour ends at the kitchen where Shachi is finishing up dinner. “Did you meet Shach on Shanks’ ship?” 

“Briefly. Good to see you again, Shachi.” His hand comes up in a small wave as he smiles.

“Glad you could come stay with us, Deuce.” Shachi’s smile drops as he hits your hand away from the food on the counter. “Wait until dinner, it’s almost ready.” 

You pout before turning back to Deuce. “I should go wake Pen up, do you-” 

“I can hang out with Shachi.” You smile at him and turn back to smile at Shach before heading back to your room. 

Deuce watches you leave the kitchen before turning back to Shachi. “I know I don’t know him very well, but Penguin seems out of it today. I thought he seemed like a normally… I don’t know more upbeat person?” 

Shachi doesn’t look up from finishing dinner as he responds. “I don’t think he got any sleep last night and his nerves are fried over the wedding.” He finishes and counts the prepped plates to make sure there’s enough. “He gets stuck in his head sometimes and it takes him a few days to come back to himself. It hasn’t happened since she moved in with him but he’ll be okay.” 

Deuce nervously approaches the counter and leans against it. “It’s not because I’m here, is it?” 

“No.” Shach turns to look at him. “He was nervous before he proposed and has been internally freaking out since. I think something happened between them a few months ago and he’s nervous about pressuring her into something she doesn’t want to do.” 

“She adores him, how does he not see that?” 

Shach smiles and looks down as he shakes his head. “He does, he’ll be back to himself soon. He’ll probably just sleep a lot over the next couple days.” 

Deuce slowly nods, looking down the counter at the large amount of plates. “Do you need help bringing these out to the galley?” 

“That would be incredible. Just make sure to leave two plates in here for Penguin and (y/n). They eat in the kitchen if one of them isn’t okay.” The pair falls into silence as they work to set the galley table. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Making it back to your room, you quietly open the door and let it softly click shut behind you. Quiet snores are coming from the bed as you crawl in next to him. His arms wrap around you and pull your body in close to his. Your hands find his face and you gently kiss his forehead. “Pen baby, you gotta wake up, it’s time for dinner.” He stirs slightly before mumbling something you can’t quite hear. 

You sit up, pulling him up with you before he buries his face in your neck and wraps himself around you. “Don’t wanna get up.” Your hand moves into his hair as you scratch his scalp. “Does the crew like Deuce? Does he like the ship?” 

“Yes, they all like him, and he likes the ship. I told you you didn’t have to stress about him coming.” You run your hand along his spine as his arms tighten around you. 

“I just know he’s important, want to make sure he feels safe and comfortable.” Your hands move to the sides of his face as he sits up. “Wanna make sure he knows this is his home, too.” His hands move up your sides and along your arms, resting on your wrists. “He knows, right?” You nod as he drops his forehead on yours. “Who made dinner?” 

“Shach. He wouldn’t let me try a bite so I don’t know how it is today but it’s your favorite.” He smiles up at you, letting your eyes meet. “Do you wanna go eat?” He nods as you pull back, getting himself off the bed before he lifts you into his arms. You wrap yourself back around him, legs around his waist, arms around his shoulders as you drop your head in his neck. “Are you okay, Penguin?” He hums next to your head, squeezing you a little tighter. 

“I’m okay, just tired.” You squeeze him a little tighter regardless, softly kissing the side of his neck as you let him carry you to the kitchen. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

The ship hits a rough current in the middle of Deuce’s first night on the ship, shaking Penguin awake. He immediately panics, no longer feeling you in his arms or at his side. Peering over the side of the bed, he sees you laying next to Deuce, both on your backs, both sound asleep. 

A sigh escapes his lips before he gives you a soft smile and quietly moves off the bed. He takes your comforter and carefully lays it over both of you, bending down to gently kiss you on the forehead. He crawls back up to your bed, curling in on himself before drifting back to sleep without a blanket. 

He wakes up a few hours later to a pillow hitting him in the head. He holds an arm above his face as he squints up at you. “What was that for?” 

He shoochs over as you get onto the bed next to him. “Why didn’t you use the extra comforter we grabbed for Deuce? You didn’t have to be cold all night.” He groans before you wrap yourself around him, pulling him into your chest. 

“I didn’t think of that, just didn’t want you guys to be cold.” He wraps himself around you, eyes drifting back closed. “Where’d Deuce go?” 

“He went to get breakfast. He’s not coming back before we leave, don’t worry.” Pen hums in response, not trying very hard to fight off the sleepiness. One of your hands runs into his hair to scratch his scalp while the other runs along his spine, letting his body relax against yours. “Are you sure you’re okay?” 

He hums against your chest before turning his head so he can talk. “Just stuck in my head, I’ll be okay, I promise.” Your heart aches at the sadness in his voice. 

“What’s going on up there?” He’s quiet for a moment, and you stop rubbing his back to hold him a little tighter. 

His legs tangle with yours, trying to get as much physical contact with you as possible. His voice is strained, struggling to get the words out. “Do you love me?” 

Your fingers against his scalp stop and he swears his heart starts to statter before you respond, your voice a quiet confident. “Penguin, I am about to marry you, of course I love you.” 

“You actually want to, right? I don’t want you to feel pressured or-” He stops talking as you grab his face and pull him up to look at you, wiping at the tears starting to fall from his eyes. 

“Penguin. I love you, I want to marry you.” Your lips find his forehead, and his nose, and his cheeks, and every other inch of his face before you pull back. “Don’t bail on me 13 days before our wedding, okay?” 

A small smile finally shows on his face as his eyes come up to yours. “I would never.” 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Nine days before the wedding, you and Deuce are baking in the kitchen. 

“I like your crew. You found a good new home.” Deuce smiles at you while you mix together the dry ingredients. 

“I’m glad you like them. I feel like I owe them a lot but I’m really happy here.” You smile back as he hands you the bowl of wet ingredients to mix in. 

Pen comes in and plops himself on a stool across the island from the two of you; his head lands in his arms as they fold on the counter. Deuce looks over briefly before searching for the next thing you need. “You don’t want to help?” 

“I’m teaching him to cook but Pen isn’t trusted near the oven so he can’t bake.” Deuce stands back up as he sets the baking sheet on the counter. He laughs as you hand Pen the spatula to lick clean. 

Turning to the fridge, you pull out the fruit salad you made earlier, dumping some into a bowl and sliding it over to him. The soft smile on your face matches his as he takes it. 

Pen watches you and Deuce scoop out little balls to lay on the cookie sheet. His admiration at each one being the exact same size is interrupted when Deuce speaks. “Kaka showed me both of your fits for the wedding.” 

“What.” Pen’s eyes shoot up to him. 

Your hands freeze above the mixing bowl, eyes slowing moving up to Deuce. “Are we going to look okay?” 

Deuce just smirks, continuing the task at hand. “Every single person in the Grand Line is going to be jealous of both of you.” He chuckles as you both look over at each other, horror lining both of your features. “Clione also let me add a song to the party playlist, picked one just for you, (y/n).” 

The horror on your face grows as you turn back to Deuce. “Oh no. It’s not…” 

“Oh it is a hundred percent about that day.” The spoons you were holding drop to the counter as your face falls into your hands. 

Pen’s curiosity is thoroughly piqued, eyes drifting from you over to Deuce. “What day is that?” 

Deuce happily looks over to Pen, very excited for his reaction. “The day your fiance kissed me right after her first kiss with Ace cause she was trying to prove a point.” 

Pen’s eyes widen and his hand freezes with his bite halfway to his mouth. “You what?!” You groan into your hands, lowering yourself behind the island and dropping your forehead against the counter. 

“I never want to think about that again.” You grumble behind the island, causing laughter out of both Deuce and Pen. 

“Just think, if you hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have forced you two together.” 

“You could never force me into a relationship, Deuce.” You finally stand, kicking at him and getting mildly annoyed as he dodges. 

“Oh really? And when did the two of you officially get together?” Pen pushes his snack to the side, folding his arms back onto the counter and laying his chin on them. He watching you with a soft smile, knowing Deuce is right. 

You awkwardly kick your feet as you stare at the ground, voice quiet as you prove him right. “Right after you commented on how cute we are.” 

Deuce smiles at Pen before turning back to you, reaching a hand out to squeeze your shoulder. “Glad I don’t have to play super wingman anymore. And very grateful no one kissed me this time.” 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Four days before the wedding, you, Pen, and all your closest friends on the crew are sitting around the table in the galley talking about plans for the wedding. Four days before the wedding and you haven’t picked a location yet. 

Pen’s eyes are on you the whole time, watching your reaction to each idea. Nerves slightly start to line his features as he suggests a location. “We could go to the island Ace is at.” 

“No.” The other five pair of eyes in the room turn towards you, Deuce’s widening. “This is about us, not him, we should do it somewhere meaningful to us.” 

Everyone thinks for a minute. Shach’s eyes drift off to the side of the room as he speaks. “They might let us back on Zou, we did help them fight Jack.” Pen raises as eyebrow at you but you quickly shake your head. 

A small bit of shock is still present in Deuce’s voice. “Shanks might let you use one of his territories.” 

Uni’s already smiling and looking towards Pen as he speaks. “Could make the rest of us climb that mountain.” Him and Shachi both laugh as Shach reaches over for a quick fist bump. 

Law leans back in his chair, keeping his eyes on you. Kaka reaches over and lays a hand on yours as Pen takes the hand she isn’t holding and intertwines your fingers. He leans his head on your shoulder. “What do you want to do, sweetheart?” 

Looking at Law but quiet enough for only Pen to hear, you suggest the only place you could ever imagine having the wedding. “Can we just do it on the ship?” 

Pen looks up and smiles at you, giving your hand a squeeze. “I think we could do it on the ship.” He looks over at Law to confirm. “Cap…?” Your eyes are already wide staring at your captain who’s now a woman…? 

Both yours and Kaka’s eyes slowly move across the room, taking in every single one of the guys turning into women, before your eyes meet. 

Haku runs into the room, voice now significantly more high pitched, as he yells about damage to the ship caused by added pressure from the sea. “Cap, I think we’re being attacked!” 

You let go of Pen’s hand, quickly standing and causing him to fall off your shoulder. You grip on Kaka’s hand tightens as you pull her towards the door. “Kaka, we gotta go.” 

“(y/n) no. You can’t.” Your eyes meet his. Despite the change from the feminization disease, his eyes are still the same. They’re still the eyes you fell in love with. 

“Pen’s right, don’t go.” 

You ignore Deuce’s words, barely hearing Law yell that you have to surface, as you take the hat off your head and put it back in its rightful place on Pen’s. “Keep it safe, I’ll be right back.” 

Your voice is louder as you pull Kaka closer to the ship’s exit. “Don’t resurface, Cap, I got this.” Kaka leads you out of the ship before you both swim to the surface. 

Law is visibly panicking. He’s the captain, he’s the one that should’ve gone to the surface to protect you all. 

His panic is worsening Penguin’s. He can’t breathe, can’t talk, can’t hear anything any of the crew is saying. All he can see is his normally calm captain also freaking out. If Law thinks something will go wrong up there, Pen has to go with. He has to keep you safe. 

Uni’s behind Pen, holding him back from running out the door. Shachi lands in front of him, tightly gripping his friend’s face to force him to meet his eyes. Trying to suppress his own fear as he tries to calm Pen down. “Kaka won’t let anything happen to her, they’ll keep each other safe. You’re the one who taught her how to swim, remember? They’ll be okay. She’ll be okay.” 

Pen nods at Shachi but is still trying to fight off Uni. 

Deuce starts nervously pacing, not knowing what to do when all they can do is wait. He tries not to fear the worst. Trusting you but also absolutely terrified to lose you when he just came back. 

The rest of the crew gathers in the galley and waits for any sign of change. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Meanwhile, you and Kaka break the surface and both catch your breathe as you look up at the Blackbeard Pirates. The fight is quick as you make eye contact with Doc Q. 

“Don’t touch my crew!” Doc Q blasts you with something as you haki away Blackbeard’s entire fleet. Kaka catches you as you get hit. The combination of the sudden illness and the force you put into the haki causes you to lose consciousness as you fall back in Kaka’s arms. 

She quickly adjusts to fully support you, holding your head above the water as she struggles to stay calm. “C’mon Cap, surface now. She did it, come get us. Please, I can’t hold her up forever.” 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Back in the galley, Penguin collapses in Shachi and Uni’s arms as the feminization disease stops. Deuce stops pacing, eyes moving to Law. 

Panic is radiating off of Haku’s body as he faces Law. “Cap, we have to surface.” 

Clione comes in from watching the ceiling in the hallway. “The pressure on the ship stopped, I think they did it.”

Shachi drops back in front of Pen. “See, Pen, she’s got it. They’re okay.” He shakes his head at Shachi, still fearing the worst. 

“Go to the surface, we have to go get them. Don’t let them swim back down.” Haku and Bepo nod at Law before running to take the ship up. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

At the surface, Kaka is struggling. “C’mon Cap, please hurry.” She fights the currents as you both start sinking. She pushes your head above hers and screams for help as the surface of the water starts to rise above your heads. 

The Tang surfaces nearby and the crew runs up to deck, screaming for both of you. Pen’s third out the door, ready to throw himself overboard and sink down to the bottom of the sea with you as he watches you both slip underwater. He’d throw himself to his own watery grave if it meant he could hold you on your way to yours. Bepo holds him back, letting him fall apart in his arms, not letting one of his oldest friends do something so reckless. 

Uni’s in the water first, having gotten to deck fastest, Deuce’s right behind him. Deuce grabs you out of Kaka’s hold, pulling you back above the surface, pure terror lining his features as he sees you unconscious. He pulls you onto his back and swims back towards the ship. Uni pulls up Kaka, holding her up as she violently coughs out water, before helping her back to the ship. 

Uni pushes Kaka up into Clione, who helps her get onto deck. 

Shachi lifts you off Deuce’s back before giving him a hand to help him back on. Deuce gets you laying down on deck while Shachi rushes to Kaka’s side, listening to her frantically explain what happened. 

Deuce backs away from you, his panic dissolving into tears as he watches Penguin collapse at your side. His hand on your face, running down to you neck, checking that your necklace is still there before moving back up to cup your cheek. His other hand is in yours, holding it up near his heart as his forehead lands on yours. “I got you, sweetheart. I got you, come back please. You were just safe on the ship, don’t leave. I can’t-” His tears mix with the saltwater covering your body as he lets his weight fall onto you.  

Law’s on Kaka, making sure she’s okay before sending her and most of the rest of the crew back below deck. 

“Hakugan, check the outside of the ship for damages, then report to Bepo when we’re safe to resubmerge. Clione, Uni, take (y/n) down to the medbay, I’ll be there in a minute. Shachi.” Their eyes meet before Law continues, voice quieter and calmer. “Can you take care of Penguin?” Shachi nods before the crew gets moving. 

Penguin screams as he’s pulled off of you and you’re pulled away from him. He fights against Shachi’s hold forcing Shach to pin him to the ground, straddling his waist and holding his wrists beside his head. “Penguin, you have to calm down. Cap’s not going to let you anywhere near the medbay if you’re freaking out like this.” Pen’s head falls to the deck as he stops fighting back, tears streaming down his face as a weak sob shakes his body. 

“Shach, I can’t lose her. I can’t-” do this without you, sweetheart. Another weak sob shakes through his body as his voice quiets to a whisper. “I need her.”

Shach’s voice lowers as he loosens his grip. “I know. I know you do. She’ll be okay, I promise. Cap is taking care of her right now.” Pen nods, taking his hands back and bringing them up to his face, fingers pushing into his eyes as he tries to stop crying. Shach pushes himself up, squatting near his feet. “Do you want to go wait by the medbay?” Pen nods again and takes Shach’s waiting hand to help him up. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Law is quick to fix the lasting damage in your body. Luckily, you took out Doc Q almost immediately after he hit you, so the damage was minimal. It takes him less than an hour to undo every single issue and bring you back to almost perfect health. 

He’s cleaing up the mess when you wake up and turn to watch his back. “Hey Cap, is everyone okay?” 

His shoulders drop and he lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He turns back, trying but failing to hide a small smile. “Everyone but you.” 

You smile back. “But I saved everyone?” 

Law nods, forcing the stoicness to return now that you’re back to yourself. “Your fiance’s outside. Do you mind calming him down? I’ve been listening to him freak out for the past 45 minutes.” 

Your smile softens as you nod. He walks over and opens the door to the medbay. Pen falls backwards into the room, bloodshot eyes and tear stained face looking up at Law. He nods at Deuce first, stopping his pacing and watching him let out a breath and collapse against the wall. Your captain’s eyes move back down to Pen. “She’s okay, Penguin. She’s already awake.” 

Pen pushes himself up and pulls Law into an entirely unprecedented hug that shocks both of them and makes you giggle as you watch. “Thank you, Captain.” 

Law hums, waiting for Pen to let go of him and go into the room. He hears your giggles and pulls back. Law closes the door behind him as he leaves. 

You have a huge smile on your face as Pen walks towards you. “Hey Peeeeen guess who saved everyone?” 

He gives you a small smile back before collapsing into your open arms. His voice is much quieter than yours. “You don’t have to be the hero by yourself, sweetheart. We could’ve done it as a team.” He pulls your hands up, making sure you still have your bracelet and ring. His lips land on the bracelet as he looks up at you. 

His heart aches at the frown on your lips. “You were all a bit…compromised.” You giggle at the memory, bringing out Pen’s genuine smile. “And if we surfaced, it would have been a lot harder to win.” 

Pen pushes himself up so his face is above yours, letting his hands land on your cheeks, prepared to attack you in kisses. “You did good sweetheart.” One to your forehead. “I’m proud of you for saving us.” Down to your cheeks. “Please let me help next time.” One to your nose before he pulls back to meet your eyes. 

“I’ll let you help next time, I promise.” He smiles and leans down to let your lips meet.

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

The Polar Tang is drifting in the waves, at least half a day’s trip from any island, when Penguin spots Deuce’s skiff in the distance. He smiles and heads towards the door, yelling your name through the ship. “Deuce is back with Marco!” He laughs hearing you run through the ship, tripping past multiple crewmates and up the stairs, before falling into his arms, knocking his hat into the wind. 

He successfully catches you as you catch his hat before it blows into the ocean. You hold his shoulders, pushing yourself to be taller before he lifts you and carries you to where you can see them. “Do you think Marco will say yes?” 

He sets you down and turns you in his arms so he’s hugging you from the back. You’re both watching your former crewmates get closer. “I know he’ll say yes. You could’ve told him in either of the letters and he would’ve accepted it.” His head settles on your shoulder as you put his hat on your head, grabbing the railing of the ship with both hands. 

As the skiff approaches, Pen backs away from you to help Deuce on board. Bepo comes onto deck and helps Deuce pull the skiff back up after you help Marco up. Your arms are instantly around him, making him drop his bag as his arms come around you. Mumbling something into his chest, you make Pen laugh behind you as he hears. 

Marco looks up and gives him a confused look. “At least let him get into the ship first, sweetheart. You haven’t even said hi yet.” 

Marco’s arms loosen as you pull back, looking up to him. “Hi Marco.” 

“Hi (y/n).” He smiles as his eyes move up to Pen. “Hi Penguin. Are you both excited for tomorrow?” 

Pen nods, about to respond, but you cut him off. “Yes, we both are. Can you walk me down the aisle?” 

Marco chuckles, looking down at you before watching Pen drop his head on your shoulder and let out a sigh. “Let him get into the ship. He just got here.” 

Before Marco can answer with the yes, of course, I’d be honored that’s sitting on his tongue, you grab his hand and pull him towards the door of the ship, leaving Pen to grab his bag. Turning into the first room, you sit on the table in the galley and look back up at him. “Can you? I have no one else to ask cause Shanks is officiating and it feels weird asking Deuce and Shach is Pen’s best man and-” 

“(Y/n), I’d be honored.” He smiles at you before turning to see Law enter the room, Pen close behind. Your fiance drops Marco’s bag in the corner of the room your crew set up two mattresses in and returns to the table to sit by you. 

“Welcome to our ship, Marco. We’re glad to have you. Once you get settled, I’d love to have a word about-” 

“She already asked.” Law looks over to Penguin with a questioning look before turning to the smile on your face. 

“(y/n), he just got here.” You bite your bottom lip, suppressing your smile as you lean into Pen. 

“I’d be happy to walk her down the aisle.” Marco smiles at you and Pen before turning to Law. “I did just get here though and the journey on Deuce’s skiff was long. Can you show me to the bathroom?” Law nods with a slightly annoyed smile back at you before the two leave the kitchen. 

“You couldn’t have waited until Uni started making dinner? We had a whole plan and you didn’t even let him get into the ship.” Pen laughs in disbelief as he pulls you closer to him, pressing a kiss to your temple. 

Deuce walks in, having seen Marco and Law walk out. “Was I right? Did he say yes with no hesitant?” He smiles as you nod at him. “I told you, you had nothing to worry about. He’s always wanted to be the one to hand you off.” 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

The night before the wedding, you and Pen can’t sleep. Deuce is crashing in the galley near where Marco is sleeping, leaving the two of you alone in your room.  

Legs crossed, knees touching, foreheads pressed together, hearts full; you and Pen speak in whispers, nervous excitement filling the room. Pen traces the jolly roger on your thigh while you trace the lines on the palm of his other hand. 

“I can’t believe I get to marry you tomorrow.” He says it in such a hushed tone, more to himself than to you. 

“Kaka hasn’t told me a single thing about the dress she got.” Your fingers stop tracing his palm as you intertwine your fingers. “I hope I don’t look bad. I don’t fully trust Deuce being excited about it.” 

“You are always absolutely gorgeous, sweetheart, you have nothing to worry about.” His hand slides up to run along your outer thigh. “You’ll look beautiful no matter what she puts you in.” 

“I’m stealing your extra boots, I’m not letting her put me in heels.” Pen quietly laughs at the determination in your voice. 

“Those are your boots. I haven’t worn them in over two years.” A soft smile lands on your lips as his laughter dies down, his face reflecting the same soft love as yours. 

“Are you nervous about what Shach is gonna make you wear?” 

“Oh, a hundred percent. I don’t trust him at all.” 

“If we look bad, we should kick everyone else out and just be alone with Shanks.” He quickly nods his head, making you laugh as the force makes you nod, too. The smile on his face grows at the sound. 

“Deal.” He holds up his hand, pinky up in your direction. Your pinky wraps around his as you both bend down to kiss your hands. 

“Kaka told me we’re going to be the best dressed couple in the New World but I don’t think I believe her.” Your voice is even quieter than it’s been, nerves starting to show as you think about what she’s going to put you in tomorrow. 

Pen lets out a quiet laugh as he pulls back to run his hand through his hair. “Oh great. We’re doomed.” 

You take the opening and crawl into his lap, wrapping your legs around his waist, burying your face in his neck, and wrapping your arms around his shoulders. 

Prepared to just silently hold him, you don’t except the words that come out of his mouth. “Thank you for loving me, (y/n).” He tucks his face into your neck, wrapping his arms tightly around your body. 

“It’s easier than breathing, Penguin.”

“Shach, I need help.” Penguin walks into Shachi and Ikkaku’s room, knowing Kaka and you are working in the boiler room for the next couple hours. 

“What’s up, man?” Pen moves Shachi’s stuff off of his desk and sits on top of it. 

“It’s serious, Shachi. I need your full attention.” Shachi sighs and pushes his chair back before moving up to the back of it so he’s at eye level with Penguin. 

In a slightly more serious tone, Shachi repeats himself. “What’s up, man?” 

“How on earth do I ask (y/n) to marry me?” Shachi’s eyes widen as he opens and closes his mouth a few times, not saying anything. “See, it’s serious, what am I supposed to do?” 

“Well, why do you want to marry her?” It’s Pen’s turn to stare at Shachi with wide eyes and his mouth opening and closing in silence. “You should probably figure that out before you ask her.” Shachi smirks at Penguin, enjoying the panic brewing behind his eyes. Shach already knows why Pen wants to marry you, the whole crew knows how much Pen loves you, he just needs his friend to say it. “Stop thinking about it, just tell me why you love her and why you want to marry her.” Pen’s mouth falls closed as his eyes drop to his hands in his lap, fingers mindlessly messy with his bracelet. “Pen, it’s just us. No one else is here.” 

“It’s just… so all consuming that it’s almost impossible to put into words. She’s my everything, Shach. I felt guilty at first cause she came to us right after watching Ace die and I just wanted to keep her safe, partly because I was scared of Deuce, but she was so sweet even when she wasn’t talking to us, even when she was only hanging out with us because Cap was making her. Her laugh is the greatest sound I’ve ever heard. The first time it was because of something I said, my heart nearly exploded in my chest. That night we had the party and she pulled me in to dance with her, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I swear I couldn’t hear any of the rest of you. She came to use as a fallen angel and being able to watch her grow back into herself has been incredible. She puts her entire heart into everything she does and loves everyone she’s met with every fiber of her being even though she’s fallen so far. I never want to let her fall again. If nothing else ever happens in my life, I would be happy staying by her side” 

Pen pauses, slightly out of breath as he drops his arms. He didn’t even realize he lifted them, so absorbed in the love he has for you. He lets out a sigh as he finally looks up at Shachi. 

“I think if you just ramble at her, she might say yes just to shut you up.”

A smile finally starts to show on Pen’s face as he hits Shachi. “You’re no help at all.” 

Shachi raises his arms in defense. “You’re just overthinking it. Just tell her how you feel and then ask her.” 

Pen looks back down, fingers back to slightly tugging at the bracelet on his wrist. “Is it too cheesy if I tell her that she is my one piece right before I ask?” 

Shachi gives Penguin a genuine smile. “I think if you want her giggly, you do that.” Pen smiles back, face lighting up at the thought of asking you. 

“Shach, you gotta help me find a ring in the next town.” Both of their smiles drop. 

“I’ll talk to Kaka about getting (y/n) away from us but how are you paying for it?” 

“Cap gave me some berry, hopefully it’s enough.” Pen pulls the bag out of his pocket and tosses it to Shachi. 

“That should be enough. Just gotta figure out her ring size.” 

“I already did. We just need to dock somewhere.” Shach smiles at Pen again. 

“I’ll consult Bepo.” Pen smiles back. 

Pen takes the bag back and heads out to get back to work. “Thank you, Shachi.” 

“Of course, Penguin.”

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Kaka gets back from the boiler room after parting with you in the hall. She stripes her boiler suit off and collapses on Shachi’s bed next to him. 

“You won’t believe the conversation I had with Pen earlier.” Shach is already looking over at her and smiling. She groans, tired from working all day. Shach completely ignores the fact that she doesn’t want to talk right now. “He’s planning to propose.” 

Her eyes shoot open and she quickly turns to look at him. “What? What’d he say when he told you? Was he excited?” Excitement is already filling Kaka’s body, wanting desperately to be the best maid of honor you could ever have. 

Shach sighs. “He’s so nervous. He loves her so much and I think part of him is worried she’ll say no.” 

“There is a less than zero percent chance she does that. Have you seen the way she acts around him? She’s been stuck to him practically since she’s gotten here. She was in love with him before she even realized it. Hit me with a oh Kaka, I think I have a crush on Pen literally a day before we landed on Zou.” 

“Oh my god.” Shach laughs. “After the party, she asked me if Pen liked girls, fully believing that he liked you and that she didn’t have a chance.” 

Kaka laughs with him. “Oh, our poor idiots in love.” 

“Couldn’t be us.” He reaches down and takes her hand, intertwinning their fingers. “I don’t think she has any idea that she’s saved him from himself. I’ve known him my whole life and this is the first time I’ve ever felt that he’s actually okay. I’ll never be able to repay her for that.” 

She squeezes his hand. “We should recruit the crew to help plan the wedding. Those two have been through so much to get to this point, they shouldn’t have to stress about it.” 

He raises a brow towards her. “You just want to pick her dress, don’t you?” 

“And his suit! They’ll be the best dressed couple in the New World. Oh my god I already have the cutest dress in mind. Uni would totally help with the suit, too. I can bring Clione with cause he’s the closest in size to Pen. We can surprise them with the fits on the day.” 

He shakes his head, smiling at her excitement. “I can talk to Cap tomorrow. Pen already told him. Can we tell anyone else before Pen asks?” 

Kaka thinks for a minute, scrunching her face as she stares at the ceiling. “Haku wouldn’t say anything and I’m on nav with him tomorrow.” 

“Sweet, besides those two, let’s not tell anyone else until Pen asks.” 

Kaka lifts their joined hands and drops them back against the bed, thoughts spinning to a different topic. “You never told me what happened the night I kicked you out. You ended up in their room, right?” She smiles over at him. 

“Oh, I ended up in their room and was fully attacked a second time in one night. Don’t think Pen’s ever been so mad at me.” He laughs at the memory. “(y/n) made me an apology smoothie in the morning though. She felt bad that Pen was throwing stuff at me and kicked me out.” 

Kaka’s smile softens as she speaks. “Oh, she would do that. Ughhh how’d someone so sweet end up on this crew?” 

“A strike of luck for Pen.” Shach ponders for a moment. “Her sweetness is helping us hide though. I think she fully believes that you can’t stand me.” 

“Oh, I can’t stand you. I sometimes tolerate you.” Her smirk matches the one quickly appearing on Shach’s face. 

“Yeah okay, whatever you say, babe.” Shach pushes himself up and leans down to kiss her. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

As soon as the Polar Tang docks on the next island, Ikkaku is pulling you away for a girls’ shopping trip. You’re able to grab Pen’s hand and give it a squeeze as you both share a smile before Kaka’s got you pulled off the ship. “See you later, Pen.” 

“Have fun, sweetheart.” 

Pen and Shachi wait until you and Ikkaku are out of sight to sneak out to the town’s jewelry store. Ten minutes later, they find themselves staring at a table full of rings. Pen’s leaned with his elbows on the table, Shach is standing, hands against the edge of the table, both of them at a total loss. 

“You could get one that matches the bracelets? Get one for her that matches yours, and one for you that matches hers?” 

Pen stares down at the bracelet on his wrist. “Is it weird if an engagement ring from me is the same color as her necklace from Ace?” 

“Oh… good point.” 

They continue staring down at the rings, right back to square one, at a total loss. 

Clione and Uni walk past and spot them. They enter the jewelry store and loudly approach their crewmates. 

“What’s going on here?” Uni asks as he leans against Shachi. 

Clione plants himself next to Pen. “Ring shopping?” 

Shachi smirks at Pen, whose eyes are still glued to the rings on the table. “Engagement ring shopping.” 

Pen hits Clione as him and Uni start loudly ‘oooh’ing. 

“I don’t know which one to get.” Pen drops his head into his hands. “She deserves the best.” The other three look down at the rings. 

“What about this one?” Uni picks one up from in front of Clione and holds it out for Pen to look at. It’s a simple band with a collection of small gems covering one side, various shades of blue and green with a single faint yellow gem in the middle, slightly larger than the rest. “Shows that you know she’s had lots of homes but that you, the yellow gem, want to be the one she stays with.” Pen looks away from the ring and up to Uni. “The yellow almost matches the yellow on your hat and of the ship. It’s perfect.” 

Pen looks over to Shachi before looking back at the ring. 

“It’s perfect, get that one.” Clione leans back, satisfied with the ring Uni found. 

Shachi agrees with Clione. “I really like it and I think she will, too.”

Pen takes the ring from Uni and turns it over in his fingers. A faint smile threatens to show on his face. “I don’t think Cap gave me enough berry.” All the boys start digging in their pockets, dumping berry on the counter and frantically adding it all up. 

“We have just enough, get it.” Uni smiles as he hands Pen the stack of money. Pen smiles back as he takes it. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

“Have fun, sweetheart.” 

Ikkaku starts to drag you away from the ship but you end up walking faster than her. As soon as the Polar Tang is no longer in your line of sight, you stop and turn to face her. “Kaka, I need your help.” 

Kaka raises her eyebrows and smiles at you. “Anything for you, what’s up?” 

“You know how Pen made our bracelets?” She nods. “I want to give him something in return but I wouldn’t know how to make anything so I wanna find him a necklace. I don’t know.. It’s probably dumb, but I want something to show him I’m in for the long run.” 

Kaka’s smile grows and she wraps an arm around your shoulder. “That’s not dumb. Let’s go find him a necklace.” She carefully leads you to the market stands, staying very clear of where she knows the boys are headed. 

Ten minutes later, you both find yourselves staring down at a table full of necklaces. “Kaka, I don’t know which one to get. He deserves the best.” 

Law and Bepo walk up to you and peer down at what you’re looking at. 

“Why are you looking for a necklace, (y/n)? You already have one.” 

You’re way too focused on finding the right one and answer Bepo without thinking. “It’s for Penguin.” You miss the look Law and Kaka share, both of them knowing exactly what Pen is doing right now. 

Law silently picks one up and places it in your hand. You stand up and take a careful look at the faint yellow gem on the simple chain. Your friends are all quiet while you look at it. 

“He would like that one.” You look up to Law and see his stoic exterior faded, a smile on his face as he looks at you. 

“Are you sure?” Hesitation lines your features as you look back to the necklace. It’s really nice but is it perfect? 

“Yes, I’m sure. How much berry do you need for it?” You finally smile up at your captain as Kaka giggles on the other side of him. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

About a week later, the Tang is out at sea, already an hour into sailing away from the last island, yet still above the surface. You don’t even realize until Pen finds you at work in the kitchen and asks if he can talk to you on deck. 

Can we talk?! Who asks that unless something is wrong? “What happened…?” Worry etches your features as you take his awaiting hand. You can see the nerves shaking through his veins. 

“Nothing happened, just wanna talk on deck.” Your nerves grow to rival the intensity of his as you let him lead the way. 

You can see Uni’s smirk under his bandana as you walk past him, Shachi and Kaka all suspiciously sitting in the galley, Uni the only one watching you both walk past. 

“Penguin…what’s going on?” You stop walking as he gets to the door and turns to face you. 

He takes your face in his hands, kissing your forehead before looking into your eyes. “I love you, my fiery girl, trust me please.” Oh god, this can’t be good. He opens the door and peeks out quick before stepping aside so you can walk out. 

It’s dark out, the sun having recently descended behind the horizon. The moon is bright enough to see by but you don’t need it. String lights wrap around every inch of railing and hang from the top of the ship, lighting up the entire deck in a soft glow. The empty ocean is surrounding you on all sides as you walk out, Pen watching from the door as you look up and smile. “What is this..?” 

Pen hears your friends run up to sit by the door as he shuts it and moves away from it. He reaches into his pocket, making sure he didn’t somehow lose the ring that he hasn’t let go of since buying it. He awkwardly stands next to you, scratches the back of his head, knocking his hat off slightly, and looks out to sea instead of at your face. “Sweetheart, I had-” 

All of the words in Pen’s head drop out of it as you interrupt. “I have something to give you.” His eyes come to your face as he drops his hand. He watches you reach into your pocket, tears lining the bottom of his eyes as he spots the gemstone hanging off the necklace you’re holding. It matches the ring in my pocket. 

Your eyes stay on the necklace until you’re holding it up for him. Looking up to his eyes, your voice is quiet as you speak. “I know it’s been a long time since you gave me the bracelet but I wanted to give you something, too. As both a thank you for always being there for me and as something to show you that I’m in for the long run.” You nervously wait for him to take it from you, not expecting the next words out of his mouth. 

“(y/n) will you marry me?” Your eyes widen and you watch his slowly widen too. He reaches into his pocket, leaving you to awkwardly hold the necklace between your bodies. “Shit. That’s not how this was supposed to go.” He looks away from you, pulling out a small box. 

Looking away from his face, you watch him open the box. Your eyes land on the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen. It matches the necklace in my hand. 

“I had a whole speech planned, Shach helped, it was going to-” 

Your arms are around Pen’s shoulders before he can process what’s happening and he stops talking as he hesitantly hugs you back. “...is that a yes…?” 

“Yes.” You speak through tears, tightening your grip on him. “Yes yes yes.” You pull back slightly and take his face in your hands, knocking his hat all the way off as you press a kiss to his forehead. “Yes.” Your lips meet his and you both smile into the kiss. 

Kaka, Shach, and Uni all loudly cheer from the door. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

One of the kids from the village runs up towards Marco’s hut, yelling his name and waving an envelope. “Mister Marco! You have mail!” 

He strolls outside, running a hair through the mess of blond on his head. “Thank you, bud!” He hands the kid a freshly made breakfast bar for the mail delivery and takes the envelope. The kid runs back towards the village, yelling his thanks and starting to eat. 

Marco instantly recognizes your handwriting and rips the letter open before going back inside. 

Marco! 

I miss you but guess what? I’m getting married! The date is listed below, we’ll send the location once we decide but we really hope you can be there! 

Lots of love, 

(y/n) and Penguin 

Marco smiles to himself, finally heading back in and setting the letter on his table. “I’ll be there, sis, don’t worry.” 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

A News Coo flies towards Deuce’s skiff, dropping a envelope right in front of him. So used to the constant requests from Morgans to publish the story of Ace’s life, Deuce barely acknowledges it until it almost blows away and he recognizes his name in your handwriting. 

He catches it and rips it open, praying it’s not bad news. 

Deuce, 

wanna come visit the tang? Planning a wedding right now. Guess whose? It’s mineeee! Miss you lots and really hope you can come visit for the wedding! Cap says you can come early if you want! We’re docked in the New World right now, come follow my vivre card :) 

Love you with all the fire in my heart, 

(y/n) and Penguin 

Deuce smiles and carefully pockets the letter before taking out your vivre card. “I’m on my way, sis.” 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

“Luffy! We have two letter from the Polar Tang!” Usopp’s voice travels through the Thousand Sunny’s hallways as the crew starts to gather in the galley. Luffy smiles and take the envelops from Usopp as Sanji nervously eyes them. 

The full Straw Hat crew is gathered while Luffy opens the envelope with your handwriting and reads it to the crew. 

Luffy! My Straw Hat family! 

I’m getting married soon! We’ll reach out with location details once we pick where to do it but I’m sending the date now. Hope you can join us, miss you all lots! 

<3 (y/n)  

Jaws drop across the galley as Nami looks up to check on Sanji. The cook is frozen as he speaks. “It’s not… it can’t be…” 

“A party?! Let’s go, Luffy!” Brook feeds off Franky’s excitement and they both start dancing near the windows. 

“Luffy, open the other one.” Zoro eyes the second envelope, noticeably not in your handwriting. 

Robin grabs it first and rips it open, hushing the room before reading it outloud. 

Straw Hats, 

You’re all invited to the wedding reception. We’ll have seats for Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Nami, and Chopper at the ceremony. Hope you can all come celebrate wih us! 

-Penguin 

Nami moves over to take Sanji’s hand and lean against his shoulder. Usopp’s smile could split the seas. “Luffy, we have to go. I met him on Shanks’ ship, he’s good for her. This is gonna be awesome!” 

“We’ll be there, (y/n).” Luffy quiets speaks as he rereads your letter, smiling at your words and the excitement radiating off most of his crew. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Penguin’s sitting on the desk next to your stack of letters, watching as you write the ones to Marco and Deuce. His eyes move up to yours when you speak. “If we invite Deuce early, are you going to be nice enough to let him sleep on our floor? You can’t throw stuff at him.” 

He gives you a soft smile. “I won’t be mean to Deuce. No sorry my fiance’s a jerk breakfast smoothies needed, I promise.” He pushes his hat further onto your head, temporarily blocking your line of sight as you giggle at him. 

Pushing the hat back above your eyes, you hand him Deuce’s letter to prep for sending. He does it without looking, watching you write the letter to the Straw Hats. “Don’t put my name on that one. I’ll write my own to the Straw Hats.” 

You finish the letter, leaving his name off and handing it to him to prep. He does so and sets it with Marco and Deuce’s before taking the paper and pen you’re holding out to him. “Be nice to them, Pen.” 

He gives you the sweetest smile he possibly can. “I will, sweetheart. Just letting them know early that not all of them will be at the ceremony.” 

You lean your head on his thigh while he writes, slowly prepping the envelope for his. Holding the envelope open, you watch him slide the folded paper in and take it from you. 

“Cap is calling Shanks, right?” Pen looks down at the sound of your voice, watching you mindlessly doodle on one of the extra sheets of paper. 

“He is, but we can still send a letter if you want to.” He slips his letter for the Straw Hats onto the pile of yours before his hand moves to rub circles on your back. 

“No, it’s okay. Cap can tell him.” He nods despite you not being able to see it and smiles to himself as he watches you draw. 

-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-

Shanks is in his office, sitting across from Benn when his Den Den Mushi starts babbling. Both men stop talking as Shanks answers. 

“Hello?” 

“Shanks? We need you.” He instantly recognizes Law’s voice and quickly sits up in his chair. 

Benn starts to rise, wanting for any sign from his captain about what to do. “Where are you? Loading the ship now, my crew will be there as soon as we can.” He looks up to Benn who starts to head towards the door. 

“Not right now. We need someone to officiate a wedding in a few weeks. Is that something you can do?” Shanks brows raise and he shakes his head at Benn, signalling to his first mate to hold. 

“Whose…?” Shanks’ voice is only slightly calmer as he tries to figure out why Law needs him for this. It can’t be you, can it?

“(y/n) and Penguin.” Shanks laughs, looking up to Benn with excitement in his eyes. Confusion lines the features on Benn’s face. 

“I’ll be there.” Shanks waits for Law to give a few more details and bid his own farewell before hanging up the Mushi. “(y/n) is getting married, tell the crew we have plans in a few weeks.”